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 Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 2:06 am
The deep beeping sound echoed though the houses bounced off the domes and ricocheted of the Palace walls. It was morning, it was the calculated time designated to everyone to awake and begin the morning anew. No sunshine would filter through the clouds to greet them, no bird song. Just the withdrawing of the blackout sheets of metal receding across the dome glass, the brightening of lights where star light failed to bring enough vision to those waking. That was the designed morning of Ate, like it was yesterday and the day before. No one slept though the beeping sounds and no one ignored its call, only those to weak or feeble to aid in the asteroids working world would cease jumping up at the noise and hurriedly getting dressed. Soon the fires would burn and the smoke would increase from its night time rest, the black cloud that forever swirled above them would ebb and flow never growing too big but never disappearing either. This is what most citizens looked up to when they first awoke, this is what Airaha’Zhorah would look at for the rest of her life.
And she wasn’t best pleased.
Flipping the black scarf over her head to make a hood the young girl pulled at her robes half-heatedly, her fingers tracing the tough stitching along the sides. It wouldn’t be long now until she could stop wearing these forever. She had no use for them where she was going, not with the life she led planned by this world. Sighing she stared at the young thin person looking back at her in the mirror. Taller than most girls her age her dirty grey hair was waist long and covered in a shiny mist that seemed to cling to everything inside the domes. It was the solution that helped them breathe, the cleanser to the atmosphere but it hung in the air like an invisible fog covering everything over in a sticky glitter that made the people of Ate look more terrestrial and unusual than they already were. It made hair a bugger for styling too and Airaha pushed it into her hood allowing it to fall down her back against the tubes and wires that ran into her body suit. She wouldn’t need her gas mask on today, the reports of pollution levels were a “healthy “0.6, like breathing smoke on the air from a town two times over, it was there but wouldn’t make you choke to death like it normally did. Grabbing her bag, a clunky thing that looked 5 times too big for her frail body she made for the door to her room, its metal gears twisting as she passed her hand over a sensor that allowed her access to the outside world, another freedom she would be giving up all too soon. Her destination wasn’t set but she wanted to remove herself as far from the Palace as she could, far from her guardians that kept her, far from the aging Senshi that was not long for this world and far from the life she led. Anything to forget that she was the next Sailor Scout in training and cursed forever.
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Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2013 11:20 pm
Remarque had been very used to sticking out back on his own asteroid—just as he had been very used to sticking on his own asteroid. It was few and far between that he actually had the ability to go out and visit other worlds.
Every now and then the council liked to kick him off the asteroid.
Most of the time it had to do when they were voting or needed him out of their hair—and this time of year was perfect for it. There hadn't been a reported sighting of a monster for over a month and a half now, and they weren't expected to reappear for at least another. No one knew why—least of all Remarque, himself.
Not that he had monsters on his mind.
He had been on this asteroid for a total of one hour already and had no idea what to make of it. While the locals might have been fine with the smokey air, he could only equate it to the time he spent in the Outskirts—a place filled with dust and smoke—but even he could only handle it for a short time before he needed his covetted, pure air.
As if the air wasn't difficult enough to breathe, this outfit was making it harder. He was used to big, poofy, heavy clothes, with lots of freedom and expression. Instead, he felt like he an extra layer of skin planted atop his own, sticky and hot and restricting. He was a strange sight as he walked, twisting and wriggling in the required attire. He kept stretching his hands and rolling his shoulders and turning his head. The black clothes draped atop the suit might have been comfortable on their own—nice, even, if they'd had more color. It wasn't his style at all. He wanted more feathers, more fluff, more ruffles beads…
Oh, he missed his beads. Even if his outfit was different from his own traditional wear, his hair was still the same. His blonde hair contrasted greatly with the blacks and grays, and while most of it was up in a high ponytail, amidst that he had a myriad of small braids woven into the mix. And beads. He had a good number of beads, purple, to match his eyes.
There weren't enough mirrors to admire himself around these parts.
And if that wasn't bad enough, he was being slowly asphyxiated by the smoke and suit wasn't bad enough—and he was lost on top of it all. And hungry. Not bored—no, this whole place was fascinating and amazing.
He just wished he knew where he was going.
Matisha Hope this is okay! Sorry for taking so long!! xD
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 9:14 am
The city was known for its labyrinth like ways, every available space was used, nothing wasted and nothing thrown away. So to find yourself lost was a feat that most had come to experience within these glass walls, even those that had lived here for years the mazes would change constantly with the passing of time as more space was needed and greater demand was sought. There had once been fields of green when their world was whole, or so they said, but now they were lucky to get the space if not the plants to grow in this deathly environment. So when the Memorial Park was created with its steel mesh embedded into foreign bark to keep the trees from wilting or the alchemy to stop the exotic flowers from dying it had been a joyous if not short lived triumph. With the plants still seeking oxygen and water they were seen as an unnecessary luxury insulting those that struggled to survive in this atmosphere were most would die while others found the destruction of the memorial as blasphemy for those that had died in the purge. It was a war fought within politics and rest houses and the park had been somewhat neglected, seen in bad taste if Atearian’s visited it to enjoy its presence it has been left to overgrow. Not that Airaha shared those thoughts. She adored the trees here, although half metallic with the wires entwined into them that pumped water and other vitamins she could see the beauty they once held before being transformed into the metal monsters they were today.
Sitting down beneath a willow tree, a gift from one of the planets in the kingdom, butchered until only its leaves were real she open her back pack and pulled out her writing material. As a Senshi in training she had to memorize the laws and rules of this world until they became second nature. No amount of guessing or adlibbing would do, she represented them, she had to know what to say and say it perfectly. She was the exception above everyone else, even the Queen if she stumbled across a problem would have to refer to her. It was a task she did not look forward too.
Which is why sitting there her mind drifted to the outskirts of the park with it abruptly turned into metal and walkways and tall twisting buildings. Her eyes settled on the boy staring at the city around him and quickly marked him a visitor. She smiled as she saw his hair, a beautiful yellow that not even the flowers here could replicate. She was instantly drawn to him and tried to make herself seen by shifting into a better sitting position, her movements exaggerating as she hoped to give of the aura of a welcoming nature. She may have hated many things but a new person was not one of them.
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Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 12:45 am
Airaha's efforts were not in vain; the human movement out of the corner of his eye was enough to send his gaze directly to her form and he looked visibly relaxed to have spotted another person.
This world was entirely unlike his own; his asteroid had life and color—oh, he missed color—but this world looked so sophisticated. He wasn't regretting coming here, even if it did mean he was going to have a wedgie the whole time he was out.
His walk was brisk and deliberate and he made no effort to hide the fact that he was beelining straight towards the girl on the bench. "Hey," he greeted, drawing out the word a bit in fear that he might have too foreign a dialect or something awful.
Rocking on his heels, he stuck out his hand; there was a broad smile planted on his face already. "Hi, I'm—I'm not from around here, and I'm not totally sure where I am." Or where he was going, for that matter. He was just glad to see a face amongst all this metal. "Do you mind if I take a seat next to you? I think I need to catch my breath. I just want to make sure someone's here if I pass out," he laughed.
He was partially serious.
He was already fanning himself with the hand he wasn't offering her; the air here wasn't unbearable, but his body was still struggling to get used to it. If he was going to get light headed, he'd rather it be sitting down. Especially with a pretty local nearby.
…Unless he passed out and made a total fool of himself, there was always that to worry about.
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Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2013 7:13 am
Although his accent was different Airaha had no problems understanding the boy having spent most of her life within the circle of foreigner. Although having no place in politic affairs it was seen as honor to perform such meetings within the sanctuary, the building that housed the Senshi and her carers. This allowed the Senshi to in a way over see all meetings of government and take her place with the circle of Elite Engineers.
The handshake was quite so accepting and Airaha had to rush though her mind at the right protocol. Each Kingdom has its own greeting, each world its own welcome and right now she could remember what to do with said hand. Placing hers out as straight as his she touched his finger tips with hers keeping her arm suspended as she nodded and motioned to the bench.
“Well then sit stranger, there are no laws here against that, not yet anyway…” Her accent purred around her r’s as she tried her best to match his attempt at sounding as clear as possible. Her mouth twisted into a smile as she patted the space beside her, the other hand breaking away from the boys to move her books and pens. She watched him for a second concerned filtering across her face as she considered his proposal of fainting and although taking it for a joke she worried he was telling the truth.
“Are you sure you’re ok though? Is your suit too warm? Did you put on the adapter gel correctly? Did the Sentinels not advise you adequately….the, um…you know, purple robed men? At the loading bay when you first arrived?” She had no idea if his planet had similar advisers that welcome visitors to their home but here there was a small briefing that included the donning of the bodysuit and instructions to the warning signals that deemed the dome to be safe. “It takes time to get use to the change in pressure here, it does horrible things to your core temperature so it no wonder your heating up…you should have rested first before exploring the city without a guide!” Her tone was more harsh than she expected and she placed a hand to her lips as if to stop any further words tumbling out. Smiling she bowed her head slightly in apology.
“I am sorry visitor, I…don’t get to speak to many people let alone your people. Please, my name is Airaha ’Zhorah, welcome to our world.”
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Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 12:26 am
She didn't have to ask twice; the male was flopping down next to her less than a second after she patted the bench. Leaning back, he breathed deeply, seeming to relax almost immediately. "Sorry? You don't have to be sorry," he laughed. "In fact, thank you!" he replied, flashing a smile quickly as he turned to face her. "I'm still getting used to things, so that's good information to know. I'm afraid I might not have paid as much attention as I should have, it was just so easy to get distracted with everything here. So thank you, for that advice! And for the warm welcome. Not that everyone hasn't been pretty nice around here, it's just that I haven't had time to sit down and chat yet. It's nice to meet you, Airaha, it's a pleasure to meet you. Most people call me Remarque." Even though he wasn't powered up, he was always awkward with sharing his civilian name—and while he had a number of aliases he chose to go by, he was too winded to toss one out.
So he went with what he was used to being called. It's not like he really had anything to hide, anyway. "Of Remarque. Which makes it easy to remember where to find me, if you ever wanted to visit. It's a lot different there. Clothes are very different," he said, already again distracted and wriggling in the suit. "What were you saying about adapter gel? I mean, the suit is a little warm, but it's not like laying on the beach, baking in the sun or anything. I think I might just still be getting used to it—besides all that, I like the suits! Verrrry…interesting."
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 8:28 am
Airaha grinned widely as the boy began chatting as if the word stranger had no place here. His elaborated hair and speech was fascinating and she drank him in as if her were a fine Aterian wine. Her eyes studied his face and she even titled slightly to catch a different light in the artificial glow of the park. He was truly unique, a colourful rose against the backdrop of this miserable gloom so much so that Airaha felt she could stay here watching him forever.
“Remarque? Does that...make you the chosen Senshi for your planet then?” She would have guessed sooner if it wasn’t for the same monochrome suits everyone had to wear and Remarque could have arrived in his usually finery for such a visit but the power signature should have been enough of a hint - she cursed herself silently for letting her curiosity dazzle her from sensing it. But in any sense she didn’t mind that he hadn’t told her his blessed name, she had studied other cultures regarding their rules on Senshi revealing themselves. She had heard some in the Kingdom actively encouraged an almost celebrity status of their Senshi in both powered and civilian form, others worshiped them like deities and like here were made to remain as a Senshi never to power down for the rest of their days.
For herself Airaha was in no rush in adopting her future name a second sooner than needed. She was never leaving this place, if anything Airaha would be her alter ego, never to be seen again, kept secret for all time. She would use her name as much as she could before she was banned from doing so and against disapproving stares would share it out to strangers and commoners alike.
“You must be here on business then? Do I presume too much that you have time for such a dalliance in your schedule? Although I would give anything to trade places with you right now.” She smiled sadly at the thought of having such an opportunity of visiting other realms and a spike of jealousy hit her and she chewed her lips in discomfort. It wasn’t this boy’s fault his life was so much fun and free.
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 10:57 am
Remarque's gaze immediately slid to the girl's face. "D-Dalliance? I'm not…quite sure that's exactly the word I would use," he said, a bit flustered. "I am here for a spot of business, but I came early specifically for that purpose. Or—I mean, not the purpose of dalliance but because I was on business I came early. As soon as business concludes I'll have to head home—and then I'd miss out on giving this place a look over. And meeting people," he gestured, "Like you."
He shifted positions a bit, finally seeming comfortable enough to sit still. "And I'd trade places with just about anyone too, so if you want to go in for me, by all means. I hate business."
It was a blunt thing to say, and one he might have regretted had he not felt so strongly about it. "Back home, there's a whole council that takes care of business things. Most of the time, when it comes to politics, I'm just the delivery boy. Smile and look pretty and hand over the papers and pretend like I know what I'm talking about. Which I would, mind you. If anyone ever told me what was going on." He sounded a little sore—more hurt than bitter, but was quick to shrug it off. "I don't really care about politics though, so I guess that's okay. Why would you want to trade places with me? Are you trying to get into politics, or…?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 3:46 am
It was difficult not to find Remarque a little funny. He seemed so uncomfortable in his own skin yet he spoke with authority – even though he seemed a little flustered with her chosen wording. There was no time for fussing around with words here, tomorrow may never come for you so to speak clearly and to the point was all that anyone ever did. It did mean that as a people they came across as nosey and curious, blunt and sometimes socially awkward when they asked personally details people would blush at in their own company let alone at a conference or a Queens Ball.
“There is always time for dalliance Remarque, you must grab it while you can, like we are doing now hmm?” She patted her hand over his ever so briefly as if reaffirming her statement that there was nothing wrong in taking time for one’s self and enjoying it. She would have to take every second she could, why could not others have it as well?
His question though became a knotted ball at the back of her throat as she realised he awaited an answer to what was a very normal question. Here she would utter what she was to become and be greeted with yells of praise and thanks, her hands claimed and her ears abused with noise of gratitude. For every other person that greeted her they would kiss two of their gloved fingers, pressing it against her helmet or visor until it became such a clouded mess that the helpers at infection control would spend days decontaminating it before it was brought back to her. Meaning she would spend days in isolation until she could come back out and enjoy the short life she had.
But here was a boy who wouldn’t know too much about their traditions…hopefully, and Airaha swallowed deeply before replying. “ Well, not politics’ per say, but to travel. I would like that very much. I am…not allowed to leave this place…ever.” She looked up at him through thick white eyelashes that made the artificial kohl eye liner stand out even more, her mouth twisted into an unhappy smile. “I have been chosen, or gifted…cursed even, to stay until my bones turn to dust or I am incapable of completing my duties as guardian of Ate. I am the next Tiahi’agnai, a Sailor Senshi of this planet and my life is to be dedicated to this world…whether I wish it to be or not.” She looked so defeated at that moment that there was possibility she might cry.
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Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 11:29 am
The Remarquian was quiet for a moment as he listened; his lips pursed in thought and he tilted his head as he watched the emotions on her face. Tiahi'agnai was not a word he would be repeating any time soon, but it was not difficult to understand that Airaha was not happy.
As if it were his turn to reassure her, he moved his hand to rest atop of hers. "And you do not wish that. There is no way you can escape it?" he asked, though if traditions were even the slightest here as on his homeworld, he understood the futility of it all. "You cannot leave—at all? How is that beneficial to you? I," he planted ah and on his chest, "I'm not supposed to leave my planet, but even I have free time. Or I get to go on political vacations. What do they expect you to do here, that would require every moment of every day to be spent here?"
He hadn't moved his hand yet, perhaps because he had forgotten he had made contact or because he thought it important to be as reassuring as possible—or maybe because he just liked the sensation of closeness between him and another living being.
His curiosity was intense, but there was sympathy in his eyes; he understood the pressure being a senshi could bring. He knew—had known for a long time—that there were days the council cursed him. That it couldn't have been a smarter, stronger, braver soul. He knew endless days and sleepless nights.
But this job was not always suffering. He liked helping. Liked the excuse of travel. Liked being someone—doing something.
There were definitely many things for him to like about being a senshi.
But, then again. He was not a prisoner.
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Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:45 am
Airaha gladly accepted the comfort of his hand; it grounded her back to the moment as she fought to keep her emotions in check, it would never do for these fussy feelings to gain the better of her. Plus it wasn’t advised to get so emotional in this manufactured environment anyway; a moment of tears could lead to a popped lung or worse! The added stress levels needed to sustain a crying fit would mess with your bio suits mechanics, before you knew it your CO2 levels have gone sky high and you’ve burst three of your four ventilation shafts and are half way to being thrown in a box and being chucked into the nearest sun! But that was only one of the ways to die on this planet. Taking deep breaths she smiled apologetically as Remarque tried to sooth her with kind words and his own experience of the political limits this life could bring, but just in the fact that he was here proved he was far better off.
“As a Tiah- I mean Senshi, we are force- required to remain here. Our power is gift and a curse.” Pulling back the black scarf that hung around her head she allowed her bleached grey hair to hang over her shoulders, given her pale complexion an even more unhealthy glow.
“My people would die without their Senshi. The pollution here is too great, the chances of death to steep for her to ever leave with her power intact and since the planet does not allow such a gift to be transferred freely only on their death can our heroines be free from this…honourable gift.”
Pulling one of the books she had stacked to one side Airaha opened to a page that had a map of the meteorite, blue prints of the city and detailed descriptions of the machines that worked for her world. Flicking through pages she finally found the one she was seeking and tapped a gloved hand upon the image. What looked like a huge glass bauble suspended by wires hung from the ceiling was carefully drawn across two pages, the very distinct shape of Senshi housed inside.
“Because we are too great to risk, too precious to ever loose…and because we are only human and are fickle and selfish, we are caged here to remain always, constantly protecting our people, keeping the poison forever at bay.”
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Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 1:32 am
"Oh," Remarque said, taking in the information in. He seemed curious about it, though didn't want to look like too much of a fool. He leaned over to examine the picture she was presenting to him. "It looks lonely," he noted after a few seconds of analysis. "You get to come visit people, right? Or, can you have people come visit you? I mean, these fancy suits," he patted his chest for emphasis. "They should…theoretically keep someone safe from…that poison?"
Not that he had any idea of it. The only poisons Remarquians had to worry about were the ones your enemies fed you (who even had enemies these days?) or the fumes from the Outskirts. Remarque had its dangers, but it wasn't a time bomb just waiting to go off.
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Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2013 10:22 am
Nodding Airaha stroked the outline of the circle, an act that held no lust for the thing that would be her impending imprisonment. This whole notion of keeping a Senshi captive must have sounded alarming to an outsider and even to some residents of her world it would seem extreme but when presented with the alternative they would surely shackle her to the orb themselves.
“Yes I can have visitors but only regulated dignitary's, not friends or family. Apparently with the constant work I will have to perform there will be no time for those dalliances I spoke about. I will only be informed of grave matters that would affect our world or announcement of new royalty…I will forgo sharing Quishap with anyone ever again.” Sighing she knew her mention of the Atarian tea would fall on deaf ears, not many had opted to include the spicy bland of leaves into trade and it had settled into a national past time steeped in tradition - one in which was usually reversed for sharing and bonding over friendships. It would be just another thing she would have taken away from her, with the regulations of her upkeep in being kept alive and healthy like a caged animal her food and drink would be the best and blandest nutritional value supplements the government could offer to her. Something as temperamental and prone to disease as the Quishap bush would never past the regulators steel grasps.
“So even with your fancy suit Remarque I will not be allowed to have people visit me…in the lax sense of the idea. Although…if you become a great dignitary you could come visit me…wouldn’t you?” Her voice hitched excitedly at the idea as she made a grab for his hands, all protocol and respect dashed as she grabbed her only chance to gain some enlightenment in her dark plight. If he could see her again, if he could make this happen then maybe there would be hope for other friendships to blossom, maybe other people from other worlds may greet her and start a friendship…and maybe they will visit her. The brief flicker of desire burned brightly in the pit of her stomach as she looked earnestly at the boy, he could be a chain reaction to her predicament no matter how small she could have something to look forward too…didn’t matter she was acting all creepy stalker right now.
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Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 1:22 pm
He seemed a bit surprised as she took his hands; his eyes drifted to them and back up to her face. "I can do that," he blurted. "I don't think I'm 'great', but I could play it up. I already do a lot for Remarque, but I could do more. And I could certainly find excuses to need to come visit. I mean, certainly I can think of some—some political reason to need to show up! And I'm sure if I put up a good enough argument back on my homeworld I could get them to let me keep coming back here. I don't—I don't want to think of you alone with no friends! That's entirely unproductive!"
Admittedly, he wasn't the most productive person, and in fact he was often easily distracted and took too long to get simple tasks done due to his frequent mind wandering and dillydallying.
But this? This was serious.
And if he made a promise, he was going to keep it.
He couldn't just sit here and listen to what Airaha had to look forward in her future and not want to help—somehow.
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 9:42 am
She inhaled bated breath as he spoke, her pale lips softening into a smile as his agreed on this wonderful plan before a horrible though struck and she grimaced over her hastily made trickery. She hadn’t told him the whole truth and if she could wish for anything right now it would be that she did. One couldn’t just visit a Tiahi’agnai, she had said as much to him already, it was fraught with political battles gained only with notoriety and respect gained by status…but then there were the weeks in exile until one was cleaned of infection, the body as well as the soul. Only the Queens or Kings could abstain from such a demand everyone else would be snapped away for weeks for little more than a 5 minute meeting with the Senshi knowing her time was too precious to be distracted on anything else. She couldn’t really make him promise such a thing without him knowing the whole story and even then, was there any real point?
It was better not to dream.
“Remarque just your thought on this matter is…it is honoured by me, I will never forget such a thing.”
Her grasp on his hands tightened momentarily before bringing them up to her face in one elegant pull. Hesitating for just a moment Airaha smiled again, kissing his first two finger tips on each hand before letting them go. It was the greatest show of respect she could give in her world and beyond anything this sweet boy deserved it. Yes it would mean sentencing herself to weeks in confinement with ill health for such an act but she knew it was worth it. Everything was worth even the illusion of his promise, his sacrifice.
“Oh Remarque, thank you but a promise to me could mean a curse for you - this would affect your life if you really choose to accept it and I won’t let that happen but let me assure you this single act of yours will strengthen the ties between our planets, I will make sure of it, with or without your visits.” She went to touch his hand again when an ear piercing siren rang out though the sky. The gas clouds beckoned.
“We should seek shelter, I imagine you would like directions to the Crystal Peak Square…its where you will find the City Hall, am sure that’s where you would be going if not for me distracting you.” She said it with a hint of sadness, all meetings had to come to an end, this one was just more final than most. Kyuseisha no Hikari Of course if you still wanted to continue we can if not Airaha can point him on his way!
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