|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 5:45 am
These were stressful times and when the whole world felt like it wanted to just come crashing down around him, Captain Buddingtonite knew that he had to resist and stand strong. Remain resilient no matter what, let the world and fate know that he was no regular pushover, that he was a proud and strong Negaverse officer, with much to strive for.
Then he thought about it for a moment and gave a hearty laugh, before slumping back down on the ye old abandoned warehouse, a familiar place and one he knew to be safe. Or in the very least, highly expected (and highly hoped) would be safe. The last Senshi he encountered here wasn't all that bad and in fact she was quite pleasant, and perhaps he just longed for the company of another outside of his secondary workplace, even if they were technically his enemy. Sailor Medea was someone he had high hopes in, and for once, it would have been nice to have some of his investment pay off.
'Starting to think that joining Infiltration was a bad idea,' Buddingtonite thought, giving a languish stretch and almost kicking the elegantly wrapped box with his boot. He hit the side but caught himself before he could push it further away, and to make sure he didn't squish her surprise, he grabbed it and placed it on his lap. He thought little of it, as his mind was preoccupied with a million thoughts at once, the darker ones trying to make their way to the top but constantly pushing them back with the more disgustingly optimistic ideas. He kept his senses open and alert, hoping to feel a familiar Order aura and hoping he wouldn't have to make a hasty retreat should she have brought company or someone else had discovered their little hideaway. Buddingtonite wanted to think that this abandoned factory was a 'Buddy and Medea' only club... a safe haven, sacred ground. No fighting, just... flirting, and intel gathering for both sides. Maybe Ilmenite was wrong... maybe not all Senshi were that bad.
But just in case, he had faith in Medea, at least. As well as his own ability to flee, if necessary. He would simply hope that it wasn't... He was rather looking forward to sharing this gift with.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 8:04 am
In case Realgar recalled her mention of the factory, Medea avoided it for a few days, but after a particularly good day in which her hair didn't tangle and she beat six new competitors in Tetris Arena, she felt comfortable enough to check it, and surprised to sense a Chaos signal, she took a deep breath, clenched her fists and poked her head in.
Not as helpless and new as last time, Medea felt a bit on-edge, she could only hope the signature belonged to Buddingtonite, the first and kindest Negaverse agent she'd met. She knew, now, about starseed-ripping, the carnival, corruption, and she suspected Buddingtonite's involvement, but she couldn't prove anything. There stood a chance that he was a spy for the White Moon Court or didn't believe in Negaverse practices or felt open to purification...
Zia...Thraen...Why did they fill her head with these things?
It seemed so simple when she and Buddingtonite first met.
"Hello...?"Quote: Thank you for starting! <333 Looking forward to this!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 5:16 pm
It was a familiar voice that called out, but the meekness seemed uncharacteristic of the owner of that voice. That made Buddingtonite rather curious, but thrilled to see her nevertheless. It was Sailor Medea, the enchanting young Senshi that he was hoping to see again. Not because he found himself trapped in some kind of puppy love with her (though if she didn't appear so young, he would have certainly considered a date night between them), but because he honestly needed some good company.
Strange how he considered the presence of a young Senshi on the other side to be 'good company'. Tonight he had little plans in trying to lure her over, though perhaps he wouldn't need to do all that much. He had left their last encounter with some glimmer of hope, and all he needed to do was to keep pouring on the sugar. And what better way to do that than with... well, sugar?
"Medea, I hope my ears aren't deceiving me, because I could certainly use your company tonight," Buddingtonite called out to her, grabbing his box and taking a stand, giving it a little shake in hopes of luring her closer to him. He looked towards her, offering her a rare smile as he held the box for her to see. "As promised, I brought you a little surprise. From a friend of mine, a candy maker. You do have a sweet tooth, don't you?"
Candy was always a good peace offering, he thought. If anything, she'd seek out his candy shop and offer him a little business, and that was a victory in and of itself these days.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 9:57 pm
That sound! It was Buddy the Sweet! Buddy the Kind! Medea's worries and questions melted away, and spotting him, she dashed forward to give him a HUGE hug of "It's okay that you serve the Negaverse" and "I still like you" and "Where did you go? I feared I would never see you again." "CAPTAIN!" She wrapped her arms around him, and she brought her face deep into his chest, but avoided the shoulder-guards because they would hurt and she didn't want to hurt again. She pulled away and cried with a smile: "I missed you! How are you doing?"
I've learned so much. Is any of it true? Are you really the man who pulls souls from chests? Who breaks it open to make Senshi like me into Senshi like Adonis? Are you the one who can become pure?
She put away these thoughts. She would address them later, but for now, she focused on the box--not a black box of the forever unknown, but a surprise box--a good box that brought sweet things from a good man named Buddingtonite who would never burn her, kick her in the stomach, hurt her, she thought.
She laughed. "Thank you, my dear." She took the good, sweet box of sweet things and smiled. She felt so lost. What did she want from him? What could he do to her? She felt terrified, but happy to see him, so maybe this wouldn't turn horrible. "I love candy. I'll have to visit your friend sometime." Her smile faded. "Who knows? I passed a candy shop the other night. It could have been this one. It looked very nice."
Like him. And then her skin burned off and she cried.
Was that foreshadowing?
Nooo.
"Anyway!" She set the candy on a nearby assembly line. "How go the orders? Any successful PR?" She smiled. Very knowing. Almost kind. She drifted back to him and held his gaze. "Any projects?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 5:55 pm
Of all the greetings he got, this one was certainly the most memorable, and Buddingtonite would have been lying if he said this didn't touch him in some manner. He had heard her happiness but hadn't quite expected her hug, and he couldn't help but give a nervous 'eep', though he made no motion of pulling away. He accepted the embrace, and he hoped, BEYOND hoped that his cheeks didn't match his crimson eyes, as they gleamed with delight at such a warm reception. "Oh, you do know how to warm the cockles of a man's heart, Medea! I'm doing extremely well, thanks to you!"
He was pleased when she accepted his gift, and from he gathered he didn't see too much hesitation in her when she took the box. Not that there was anything to fear as is sweets were genuine and quite sincere, even if their intention was borderline heinous. Win them over with gifts and sincerity, that was Buddy's motto. Even when she set the box down and seemed more eager to discuss boring ol' matters, he was still pleased that she considered the thought of visiting his 'friend's' shop. Not that he was interested in discovering her secret identity (that was a fool's errand and even he was willing to admit it), but having more business would certainly do his mood well.
In response to her question, he answered with a half truth, crossing his arms and allowing for some of his disdain to be seen. He gave a sigh as he explained, "Oh, boring, as you'd imagine. Lots of micro-managing, ridiculous expectations from the higher ups, with risk of punishment should one miss their quota. A lot of boring and tedious stuff that must be done, but the reward is always worth it."
As for projects, his frown wasn't faked, and he was quick to dismiss that topic. He had one, he simply did not wish to talk about it. "I have a very special project to work on, but it's very confidential. Hush-hush, you know."
Then he flashed her a sweet smile, before returning the question. "How about you, dear Medea? Haven't had much trouble out there, have you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 12:44 pm
"Thank you." The compliment brought an earnest smile to her lips and she drew closer toward the Captain. Her heart beat so quickly within her chest, she worried she would faint, but he wouldn't pull out her starseed, right? She grasped the hand that could do the deed--the hand she brought to her lips last time--and said, "I'm sorry your work is tedious. It can only grow easier, right? As you grow stronger?"
She dropped his hand from her grasp and maintained her smile and thus the facade that they were okay. Yes, this could be okay, maybe, in another universe, in another time. As for here in the abandoned factory and now, when he smiled at her, it seemed surreal and almost impossible to comprehend. Someone would have to convert, or they would engage in this perpetual chase, and that would lead only to frustration, confusion, enemies, broken smiles, crying.
She sighed. Who would it be: The suave or the charming? Her scuffles with the Negaverse and her trust in her Senshi colleagues pushed her from the idea, but him...He seemed tired enough with his work. Perhaps this would give him a new path? She liked him, and she didn't want to lose him. Maybe when they grew drowsy and mellow as time wore on, she would mention it--let the idea settle.
"Buddingtonite." She glanced at him with eyes warm and heavy like rain clouds like gravy like wool sweaters. "You would never hurt me, right?" Every memory of Zee and Ida and Cybele and Thraen, she put aside. She needed to think for herself--to be present. "I've learned so much."
Would he be kind or sweet after he learned how much she knew? Would he lash out at her? She opened the box of sweets and tossed a nonpareil into her mouth. As she munched, she took another and approached Buddingtonite and lifted it toward his. "Open."
Open yourself to me. She silently pleaded. Let me see what works for you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 3:31 pm
Buddingtonite gave a 'it's something' shrug at her advice, and he was quick to dismiss that entire matter, though he welcomed her touch and allowed himself to take some comfort in the physical contact. Not because he didn't value her advice, but simply because he truly didn't want to dwell on it. "True, once the matter is resolved, I'll be all the stronger for it. Who knows... maybe I'll even be up for a promotion! How does... General Buddingtonite sound to you?"
He was momentarily taken off guard when she popped the question, and it was only due to years of training and poor bets at the casino that he managed to keep himself from dropping his rather cheerful smile. He tried not to sound offended at the very notion, though, as he gave a scoff, and his answer was immediate. "Of course not, not unless I was given specific orders by my superiors. As of right now, none of them are here, and such orders have not been given."
He realized that it probably wasn't the best of answers, and while it would have been easy to lie to her-- continue to lie to her-- he felt that somehow, she wouldn't buy it. Especially when she just admitted that she learned so much, and that was enough to make his eyes widen for a moment, his smile flatline, and his careful poker face faltered.
For a moment. He felt he was able to recover well, though no matter how much he tried, his voice wavered slightly, and he tried to play it off as surprise. "You did, did you? Well, that's good for you, Medea. Really..."
But bad for him. But the business deal hadn't quite gone sour yet, and he was willing to continue negotiations, as he accepted the box of candy. It would have been easy to pluck the starseed from her chest, if he felt he had to. But perhaps there was still hope, and he expressed this as he complied to her request. He plucked a piece out for himself, his smile still pleasant and as sweet as his candy, and he asked a simple question, "So, do tell me. What did you learn, Medea?"
Depending on her answer, maybe there was still a way to salvage this situation... keep it from going sour. Buddingtonite hated it when candy and a deal went sour...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 4:05 pm
He would betray her.
He would take her starseed and tear it into tiny pieces.
Then he would feed it to the youma.
Why would he pretend otherwise? He could have just said it--his expression certainly did--and then, he asked her that question. Of course. He wanted to know how much the senshi knew about Negaverse affairs. If I answer bluntly, he might kill me. She smiled. If I don't answer, he'll definitely kill me.
"Buddingtonite." She stepped toward him. Her voice dropped. "I like you, and I don't want to harm you. I think we can be...allies...but I must know that I'm safe."
She pulled a cinnamon taffy from the box. Red like his eyes. Red like his hair. Red like blood. "I heard about this carnival." She untwisted the ends of its wrapper. "I don't know what happened exactly, but I know it was a massacre." She met his gaze. Her smile faded. "I also know that agents pull out starseeds, occasionally leading to the corruption of senshi." The smile returned. "You would never do that, right Captain?" She popped the taffy into her mouth.
She chewed. She swallowed.
"It could be so easy," she muttered, taking another piece. "We don't have to fight..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 4:29 pm
"I don't want to harm you."
That was what made his smile fade, and that was essentially the precursor to an impending breakup. Buddingtonite had never truly been in a serious relationship before, but he knew that that talk. The tone, the words to look out for, and if this wasn't a clear enough sign that the gig was up, then he wasn't sure what was.
What he wanted to give her was reassurance of her safety, so long as she remained neutral, so long as she played dumb. But it seemed like it was destined to fail, and he paid no attention to how she grabbed the cinnamon taffy, a treat that he took extensive delight in making just for this occasion, when she mentioned the carnival. The first comment was enough to cause his smile to fade, but this? This made his heart sink, and it was apparent when he almost lost his grip on the box. He caught it, and himself, though, hopefully before she noticed, but when their gaze met, he was certain that the gig was up.
Part of playing this game called war was knowing when to hold and when to fold, and when to resort to more dastardly tactics. He didn't try to cover up his horrified expression now; if anything, he made it all the more obvious, and he allowed the quiver in his voice to emphasis the fear laced in his words. "I... I'm... I was only doing what I was ordered to do..."
His shoulders drooped slightly, threatening to drop the box of candy once more, and he lowered his head, trying to use the rim of his cap to hide his face in shame, as he gave a defeated sigh. Best she find out this way than to risk someone else, someone from the White Moon telling her. Maybe he was delusional, but if there was still hope, a single shred of it...
He would take it!
"I want to believe that, Medea, but... we're so terrified of you, and the Moon Queen. If you knew what she did... you'd understand."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 4:52 pm
Well. She was screwed. If she refused to listen to him, game over. No chance of purification. No way to save him. Potential soul-ripping. If she listened to him, the knowledge could force her to forsake her alliance by giving valid reason that White Moon senshi were, in fact, terrorists, but even that knowledge wouldn't push her to join the Negaverse--not after his confirmation that the carnival was a massacre and they did pull starseeds and he did partake.
"What were your orders?" Her eyes widened. She leaned forward to keep his eye contact. "Give me a reason to justify your actions. Why are you terrified? What did the queen do?"
She wanted to believe him. Maybe after all of this they could be friends? His sigh killed her. The quiver in his voice killed her. Was this the price of knowledge?
The rustling box of candy caught her attention. She steadied his hands with hers.
"I can help you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 5:04 pm
He couldn't help but give a choking laugh, one that was meant to encourage pity and hide the relief he felt when it sounded as though she was buying it. Not that it wasn't completely untrue- he WAS given very specific orders, and he feared the one that gave them the most. "Can you? Can you really? Forgive me, but I find that..."
He cut himself off, trying to get a hold of himself, even if he thought that breaking down and crying would have helped his case. He refused to cry for as long as possible. He wanted to appear pathetic, not weak. Perhaps she could help him? Perhaps...
"General Painite gave the orders to attack. We were to gather as much energy as possible, as well as starseeds," Buddingtonite explained, thinking of how best to say this without completely incriminating himself. More so than he already was. "I didn't think to question her orders, with her being a general and all. There are rules, a hierarchy, and I can only follow those orders. Being the meager rank that I am."
He found comfort in her touch, admittedly drawing courage from her to continue as he explained. "The Moon Queen tried to enslave us in the past. She held a terrible power and wanted us as her slaves... and when we tried to fight back, we... she did something horrible."
Had she encountered a youma? Did she know? Would telling her help? It was worth a shot. "Have you ever encountered a monster? A youma?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 5:18 pm
Painite. Painite tried to kill Zia, and Zia warned Medea against Painite because Painite would spear her. Medea nodded, understanding how Buddngtonite could fear such a woman. Luckily her senshi mentors seemed kinder, gentler. She never feared brutal punishment--only lectures. Maybe...Maybe Buddingtonite wanted to be free of the Negaverse after all? Maybe he wanted to escape these horrid demands? She could help him! She could save him!
Her heart sung. They could be alright, and they could bond over candies and laughter and flirting and never revisit these dark days!
"Enslave...?" She studied the candies as she thought. Each seemed like a senshi--produced for a sole purpose, no matter how colorful or bright each seemed on its own, none had a special destiny just for them. They were manufactured. They fulfilled their role. They disappeared. The taffy in her hand--pink like her skirt, yellow like her ribbons--slid from her fingers into the box. "How do you...?"
When he asked of youmas, she met his gaze again. "Yes! Some Senshi saved me from one during my awakening! But what does that have to do with..?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 5:30 pm
Clueless to the hope she harbored in her heart, Buddingtonite carried on his tale, trying to pour out the dramatics but not overdo it. Had he known was she was thinking, perhaps he would have allowed for the thought to weasel its way into his own heart, despite just how damaging it would have been for his own convictions. Be as it may, he knew none of this, only seeking to satisfy her with answers, and to push is own little agenda.
"Youma... are not what you think they are, Medea." Buddingtonite explained, his voice heavy and none of the sorrow he expressed in his lamenting was faked. He thought of the tale that Benitoite had told him, of the youma he had helped destroy to save a Page, of Gra... of Bazzite, and that was enough to make his words sincere, even if his intentions weren't. "When those of the past sought to fight the Moon Queen and free themselves from her tyranny, she turned them into these horrid creatures. Her magic touched their starseeds and twisted them into the creatures you and your Senshi encounter."
He wasn't sure how she would respond. He wasn't lying to her, though he found himself steeling himself for the accusation. Would she be in denial? Would she pity them? Would it be enough to convince her? He wasn't sure. He often felt he had a good read on people, but something about Medea was different. She reminded him of her. Of Dallol. He had failed Dallol. Would he be forced to fail Medea as well?
"The youma, the citizens of the past that were brave enough to resist her, have paid dearly for their freedom. They're a constant reminder to us as to why your Moon Queen should be feared, and why we cannot have reign supreme once more. Knowing this, do you blame us?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 5:42 pm
Ohhh.
He wanted to save her.
Did the other senshi know this or were they hiding it from her? Was Buddingtonite the only one who would tell her the truth? Certainly he couldn't be the only one who knew. She looked puzzled, but happy, but then sad because she felt lost. She couldn't join the Negaverse for they killed people, and she couldn't stay with senshi knowing this.
Maybe the other senshi she met didn't know about this either? Maybe they only discovered this knowledge upon reaching the top of the senshi ladder to avoid scaring them off?
Regardless, she had to tell Thraen, who believed so much in senshi values. If he didn't believe her, then she would simply introduce him to Buddingtonite. After all, Thraen seemed to thirst for knowledge. Why not take him straight to the source? With Buddingtonite, she could calm his nerves.
These reasons, however, were enough for now! She took the box of candy from Buddingtonite's hands and set it on the floor. Smiling, she cried, "Thank you!" and brought him into a tight hug. "I'm so glad! Glad you aren't fighting out of folly. Glad that there's a reason."
Goodbye logic. Goodbye rationale. She felt too happy to think.
And to think she would have made him pure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 6:04 pm
He wished that he had the ability to read minds, despite knowing the knowledge would likely do him in someday. There were some things that one shouldn't know, and one of those was a woman's mind, but he'd do just about anything to prepare himself for what was coming, to give him some kind of hint that he had done right. Was it enough? And if it wasn't, could he bring himself to hurt her?
Initially he knew himself capable, and even willing, but now...
He wasn't sure what to think when she took the box of candy and set it on the floor, and before he could think it was her rejecting his gift, she suddenly pulled him into a hug. He felt himself grow tense, just like last time, but this time, there was something else he felt. It wasn't just genuine surprise that he was being hugged by a Senshi, but relief. And, regrettably, hope.
Her words struck his conscious, but he refused to let her see it, as he returned the gesture. The height difference between them was clear as day to see and it made their embrace a little awkward from an outsider's point of view, but for once, such thoughts were not on his mind. "There's a reason for why anyone fights, Medea. Just... sometimes others don't like, or understand, their reasons."
He rest a gloved hand on her head, giving her hair a gentle caress and offering her a comforting and genuine smile. "This might... complicate matters, though. For both of us. I can protect you, but only for so long. I'll continue to try and hide you from my superiors, but you're going to have to do your part as well. I will not tell me superiors about this visit, if you don't tell yours?"
It seemed like a fair deal to him. He had no idea what she was thinking of planning, but it would have been for the best that she never mention his name. Just as he would never mention hers. If he was to bring her over, it would have to be him and a General-King that he trust. But he would not mention her until he was absolutely certain... he could not stand another affair like with Dallol, or Hafwen. "Can you do that, Medea?"elza magica HNG, WHY YOU MAKE BUDDY HAVE ALL THESE FEELS!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
