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 Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 8:03 pm
Indecision was a plague. A plague that needed to be eradicated from Idris as soon as she could manage it. On one hand it seemed that Avery, now revealed as Sailor Thyone, had all the answers that the violet-haired young woman could possibly need for her situation in life. What Avery herself could not answer, her friends Lena and Kess (with their respective identities) could. Yet it remained that neither of them could answer the question as to why she was corrupted. As Idris she had no access to her family's status or money, though she seemed to have a rather large cache of the stuff tucked away. Her instruments had been sold in anonymous auction for great profit.
Yet she was only a second-rank senshi that had belonged to a group so defunct it was nothing more than a shadowy memory for Howlite, unknown entirely to the other two women. Why her? Only one person could answer that and his card was sitting on the table in front of her. The phone number was the only thing on it, typed and kerned in proper Courier font.
Tapping firmly at her Blackberry she sighed, lifting the phone to her ear and listening to the ring. When a voice on the other end picked up the indecision had been burned away, voice brusque and businesslike. "Yes hello, I was given a card by a young man one night. He helped me home? I'm calling to inquire about him so that we might talk."
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:12 am
“Ready to meet then?” The reply was in a familiar voice if her memory was good. “I will give you an address, we can meet there and I’ll escort you to somewhere that we can both feel secure and comfortable.”
The reply was assured, like he must somehow know who was on the other end of the phone, and why she was calling. At least she could be fairly sure that it was the correct number.
He gave her an address, made her repeat it back and then hung up.
He would be waiting on a park bench in front of one of the more newly refurbished buildings in the area, one of the more notable aspects of the building was the enormous ‘clock face’ window that graced the highest apartment, there were some indications of a garden on the roof too.
--
Zac waited, patiently for her, he had made an estimate of the amount of time it would take her to get there and then headed outside to wait. He glanced at his phone for a moment just to see if she’d sent any messages to it, it was the trac-phone he checked. The one who’s messages came few and far between, and were just as quickly deleted. Never obvious in their nature it was still intended only for exactly what she had done… contacting him about ‘business’.
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:28 am
It would take more than Chaos corrupting her soul to make Idris late for an appointment. She was actually remarkably dressed-down for the occasion in fact! Short instead of a skirt, an actual tank top, it was almost disrespectful from the Welsh woman's point of view. Yet she didn't want to stand out, didn't want to look like she didn't belong, and what better way to look like you fit in than by dressing for a summer afternoon walk?
Looking down at her phone for a map she noted the bench, noted the young man sitting there, and approached hesitantly. "Ah...pardon me. I'm supposed to be meeting someone here, are you as well?" It was so damned awkward! She didn't have a face, she only had a voice, and until the man spoke she would have absolutely no idea if he was the one. Well, hopefully, if he wasn't the proper chap he'd just look at her strangely before sending her on her way.
Hopefully.
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:29 am
“You found the right bench.” He nodded
“Follow me, we’re going inside and upstairs.” He nodded. “Good choice, not too dressy.” He waved a hand at your outfit.
He in turn was wearing a button down over a t-shirt; several miss matched necklaces and bracelets. Casual but odd perhaps, not perhaps as odd as the fact there was a braid in his bangs, but a moments thought might bring to mind the fact that Zinkenite, had a similar braid.
He stood and smiled, though the gesture looked awkward somehow, practiced for the occasion.
“Would you like some tea?” he offered as he escorted you inside, to the elevators and upward. He leaned in the corner of the elevator the whole way up, arms crossed and eyes on and off you and the number pad.
When you stepped out, it was on the highest floor, and from there he unlocked the door into the loft with the clock face.
“Welcome! Would you like some tea? You’ll find that this is one of the safest places that we can talk. You already know me in uniform, out of it you can call me Zac.”
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:29 am
Twice he asked her the same question with that awkward smile; nervous perhaps? Idris didn't see much reasoning for him to be in such a state; he had everything to gain and nothing to lose while she herself was absolutely in the dark. He held all the cards, so to speak, so why the nervousness? With a mental frown she pushed all of that aside, giving him her own politely practiced smile in return. "I'm Idris now. Who I used to be is, I suppose, irrelevant at this point. Certainly Howlite didn't seem to have much of a care for it." Hands tucked into her pockets as teal eyes took in a rather lavish apartment, all things considered.
She approved of his taste in living arrangements, if nothing else. "What would I call you in uniform? Do you even know who I am?' Fingers wrapped around the handle of her henshin pen, worrying against it in case she needed to get away very quickly. Teleportation, a skill that was apparently unique to those of their affiliation, was more handy than she would have originally thought. "As for tea, it depends on what kind and how you make it. I'm British you know." The last was said with a dry bit of irony; her voice gave away her nationality rather clearly.
"I called you because, well, you asked me to. I think."
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:33 am
“In uniform you may call me Zinkenite, General-King Zinkenite.” He nodded, preparing tea regardless. “Albali, you are, in uniform the Senshi Albali, now a member of the Dark Kingdom.”
“I have a nice black tea, with a cinnamon and vanilla overtone that I’ve rather been craving. I hope that would be acceptable…there is milk in the fridge but I doubt its as good as anything you’re accustomed to.” He shrugged. “I think if you’re looking for a real taste of home we have some ‘jammy dodgers’ in that cupboard. I found them at the store.”
“I did say you should call I think.” He looked thoughtful. “Answers, I assume that’s what you’d like?”
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:42 am
Hearing his very American voice say such a very British pair of words made Idris laugh suddenly, the humor transforming her entire face in that singular moment. "No thank you, tea is more than enough for me. Sounds like you have a proper understanding of tea unlike most bloody Americans. Steep it to death, don't microwave it, and for the love of all good science don't use instant tea!" Her shake of head was baffled as well as horrified, that look shared between them in that moment clear understanding of crimes against tea.
Sitting at the small table strewn with papers, she couldn't help but idly glance at a few while moving them out from beneath her arms. "A specific answer to a specific question, if you could sir." Hesitating for a moment, her lips twitched slightly. "Or do you prefer I call you Zac? I certainly prefer Idris to Albali by far but that's generally why I'm here." Attention fully down on what she was reading, noting that it was a disciplinary action against someone who she'd never heard of before, it was set aside so she could scan the one below it before looking up.
"Why me? I've been told that I was a senshi of the Order until you ostensibly brought me to your side. Why was that? Howlite could not seem to shed light on it and Linarite, though she seemed more familiar with you, couldn't guess either." Now there was a frown. "To be completely honest I'd be surprised if Linarite knew which direction the sun set. That one is a little off."
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:42 am
“Don’t for the love of god ever accuse me of abusing tea like that again.” He said through gritted teeth. “It’s an indulgence and it’s my indulgence…” he slid the cookies towards her and fetched cups, not proper tea cups really but they would hold the tea well enough.
“I’d prefer Zac out of uniform honestly, there is a risk of being overheard.
He hesitated for a moment over the words she spoke, tracing a finger around the edge of his cup. “Linarite was, for a brief time, taken to the side of Order, taking her back was not without cost. She was the one who trained me in the Negaverse, and she is part of why I think you will find me, somewhat divergent from the more classical officers of my Rank. Not the whole for the reason mind you, but part of it. She is off because to transfer sides you loose sections of your memory, you did, so I won’t be surprised if there is some confusion.”
“Why you is simple in my eyes, perhaps not to others but I can summarize. You –wanted- to join chaos, and while you were originally intending in joining the Dark Moon Court, but I intercepted you. I’m a selfish man, and as much as I respect Eternal Sailor Leto and her Dark Moon Kin now that they have joined us in Chaos… there are some treasures I can’t just let slip through my fingers. You and Lena happen to be things that I couldn’t seem to let go, in your case I feel that…you’d have been chasing something that isn’t there anymore.”
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:43 am
Hearing that she was taken somewhat against her will, to a place she hadn't wanted to join, brought a frown to Idris' face. It was a serious frown complete with all the forehead-wrinkles a look like that could produce meaning that the feeling behind it was quite genuine. "Dark Mirror? I've heard the term but I'm afraid I know very little which disturbs me. Almost as much as how little I knew of the circumstances surrounding my joining this organization." In a gesture too measured to be called a nervous tic, fingers tapped against against the mug as she sampled the tea, changing her expression to a wry smile. "At least you understand a good tea."
The violet-haired young woman placed it down right where it had been, hands still wrapped around it to keep them idle. "Do you believe your selfishness is a character flaw? I've always found the ability to take what you want, if it furthers your goals, to be admirable in its own way. As I cannot seem to remember this Dark Mirror nor my interest in their organization, my attachment to the idea could not have been very strong." Ironic really, considering that her interest could not have been stronger. It was the whip that had driven her towards her association with Zinkenite, else he never would have paid attention to her existence. It was not, however, a story that she needed to know.
"I've had a fairly basic education in your organization from the ladies I mentioned earlier. However I was hoping that perhaps there was some way to have a more detailed explanation. I doubt there is a primer somewhere, a book I might study?" Idris' laugh was short, rueful, and not very happy overall. "It seems like there naturally should exist such a thing, yet with all things considered it cannot possibly be." Disheartened by the thought yet unwilling to show it her face relaxed into the neutral look she wore most every day. "Still, any assistance you can provide would be appreciated."
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:44 am
“I could have lied.” He pointed out quietly as he wrapped hands around his tea cup, feeling the warmth seep into his hands. “Consider it I hope, a term of respect for your prowess and your possibilities that I did tell you?”
He looks more thoughtful about hr question though in regards to the nature of merits and flaws.
“I think even the greatest merit can be a flaw at times, and I think the greatest flaw can prove to be a merit, so I’d say it depends on the situation to be honest.”
“I can tell you more of how we met, but I think you should learn more about this new life before you start digging to harshly into the past, its good to learn from it but, your focus on the present and your future is admirable.”
“There is no book I fear, but I have a good memory, and with the right questions I can be a good teacher. My failing is with people who do not ask questions as I tend to think some things –should- be self explanatory, they seldom are.
We, the Dark Kingdom, occupy the once great citadel of Earth; being a senshi you were previously tied to the Moon Queen, who sought to add the Earth to her domain of ruled planets…” He continued, giving her a summary of the history of the Dark Kingdom, a description of the Rift and how she must never traverse the halls without someone of the dark kingdom beside her to guard her from the shades.
He told her too of the Blood Moon Court, its transition to the Dark Moon Court, and their subsequent relations, official and unofficial bonds between the two Chaos factions and whom he felt would be good contacts for her.
He told her of the mirror she had placed there, rather confirmed that she had mentioned it and why it was useful. He seemed particularly interested in finding out if they could use the Dark Moon Court to still travel to that mirror.
While he did all this, he fished in a box, shifting small trinkets of metal, tossing them aside, consulting a small book and then finally selecting one and sliding a chain through the metal loop and sliding it over the counter to her.
It was a tarot card, one of the major arcana. The title of the card read simply ‘The High Priestess’.
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:44 am
Halfway through Zac's initial storytelling verse she was forced to stop him before she lost her mind completely, all but begging for paper in which to write it down. He didn't seem surprised about this request, though she did wonder at the frustration that crossed his face briefly as she scrawled in the Welsh her parents had forced her to learn. Secret organization with secret things that no one could know? Well that was alright, she was writing in a language that almost no one on this continent could speak. If somehow she went to Europe, she'd have to be a bit more careful, but Idris also knew shorthand.
You had to when you wrote as many things, in as much detail, as she often did!
Names, stories, places, details, all of them flowed from Zachary Bantock's lips down onto the page in front of her. It would all be reviewed carefully when she returned to Avery's later that evening, questions would be formulated, and she would return again to ask more questions. Take more notes. Rinse, repeat, until the senshi felt that she'd wrung every bit of information she could out of this trove. Until she felt confident and not the leg-shaking insecurity that was plaguing her.
Looking at the silver card as it was handed to her, Iddy could immediately recognize that it was tarot. Tarot was, however, shameless spirituality that she could not and would not ever indulge in. "High Priestess?" An eyebrow rose. "What would this mean?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:44 am
“Despite the arcane connotations, consider it a sort of ‘note’ that will mean something different to me per say, than the basics that anyone who knows a tarot meaning book will glean from it. It’s listed here as ‘Science, Secrets, a Veiled future’, so I think those will do; wear it if you like it, ignore it if you don’t, I will remember who I ‘assigned’ it to regardless.
“I see I’m not the only one who writes with the intent to obscure.” He waved a casual hand at her notes. “I wonder what you would make of mine though.” He gave her a wicked smile that said he felt there was something particular about his notes.
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:45 am
Unable to resist a clerical challenge, Idris gave a fierce grin in response to his own. "I think I'd relish a new challenge. This," Her pen tapped the page idly. "At a glance it simply looks like I'm writing things in my native language. Perhaps I think in it because it was my first. A code that is nothing but gibberish can entice a curious eye. Welsh?" She shrugged. "It's a nearly-dead language but a language nonetheless." Eyes lit with a wicked glint to match his. "Whether there are code phrases beneath the dead language, now, that's the real challenge don't you think?"
Everyone had something that lit them up, that made them sit up straighter, that gave them true enjoyment. Idris apparently had a deep affection for language, for sounds on a whole. She also had a deep affection for organization. Really, the woman seemed tailor-made for the Negaverse in every way except for one small problem: she was still hurting from the supposed-abandonment of Fallon Novette-Naim. If she ever found out that Fallon was the Dark Mirror Queen?
It had been forgotten for a reason. Perhaps Idris would never know that reason but there was a reason.
Closing the cover on the notebook she'd been given to scrawl in, her hand was extended in a polite shake. "Thank you for your time. May I call again if I have questions?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:46 am
“Ah but my code is not gibberish, it took a lot of careful planning and memorization, and in fact I’ve had to add a great many symbols and letters to it in order to make it functional.” He nodded slightly and pleased, looking thoughtful. “Perhaps you can teach me some Welch, and later I’ll let you toy with my notes and see how far you can get with them. I am after all the leader of our information Division, ultimately we might combine the codes into something all the harder to read.”
He hesitated and then proffered a hand of his own, closing his hand around hers as though he expected –something- to happen though his face didn’t clearly say what.
“You may, this is my home but if you ring the cell number that you did before, that phone is dedicated to ‘business’ if you catch my meaning.
"Thank you, and once again, welcome."
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