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 Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 9:41 am
He needed to get out. Things had gotten a little too intense and Buddingtonite needed to find some means of escape, though where he found himself wasn't in the usual place. A bar or night club would have been too obvious of a place for others to look, and given his state of mind right now, the casino was simply out of the question. It wasn't often that the Negaverse captain went out of his way to be elusive nor was it like him to really hide- given his nature and appearance, he thrived for attention and garnered it well.
But tonight, Buddingtonite wanted to be alone, to mull over matters and think on things. At least, that's how he felt when he first ventured out into this part of town, and while the sight of St. Mag's beauty soothed him for a few minutes, he found himself growing restless, and lonely. Something about this place and the church rubbed him the wrong way, and Buddingtonite found himself venturing around the area, looking for someone, anyone he could probably talk at or even just drain. His reserves had been getting a little low as of late, though it was completely his fault on that aspect.
"Might as well make myself busy..." Buddingtonite muttered to himself, forcing himself to move forward and kicking at a discarded coke can, trying to kick it into a nearby trash can and missing horribly. He gave a huff, before walking over and trying again. "Heaven forbid I be caught lounging on the job! Oh no! That'd make the Negaverse look bad..."
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 8:05 pm
Acanthite was thankful for her senshi strength, because she could not shove her dorm window open far enough to fit through it in her normal form. Some part of the frame was warped so that it stuck in one particular spot; the dark senshi was beginning to wear it back into useable shape, though, with her periodic escapes. Maybe by spring, she would be able to open it as Mayumi, too.
She slipped out of her dorm and slunk to the wall at the edge of campus, then hopped up on top of it with all the supernatural grace she now possessed. There was an ally out nearby, she could tell, and, though she was not eager to have to deal with someone like Zippeite and his scorn, Acanthite figured she might as well at least see who it was.
Buddingtonite she recalled favorably, at least, and the Senshi of the Cataract slipped down on the city side of the wall to catch up to him.
"Hey, there, fancy meeting you here," the girl called out with a cheerful smile.
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Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 12:02 pm
His senses tingled and while it was a chaotic energy signature, it wasn't immediately ringing any bells within him. It had been such a long time since he had encountered a Corrupted senshi of their own that he almost forgot what they felt like. Immediately, his fears of being caught off guard by an enemy were quelled and it certainly did well for his demeanor for when his visitor arrived. He fell into a more natural form, a pleasant smile could be seen and he removed his cap to give her a proper welcome, but not before sneaking a glimpse of her rather eye catching descent. That certainly cheered him up.
"These aren't my usual neck of the woods but I was feeling a bit adventurous today," Buddingtonite said, giving an overly extravagant bow to the Corrupted senshi of Cataract before straightening up. After all, he had a reputation to keep up, and he didn't wish to bother the lovely lady with such troublesome minutia when she likely had bigger problems of her own to deal with. "Is this your usual stomping ground, Acanthite, or are you the need to explore new grounds like me?"
To counter whatever ill his partner Serpentine thought of most Senshi, Buddingtonite could not help but admire them and their adorable little outfits. Each and every one of them had something unique to their attire and always stuck out in a crowd, and Acanthite was certainly one of them. "How have you been since the meeting? Doing well, I hope?"
No matter what the mood, no matter what the situation, there was always time for small talk.
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Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 5:53 pm
She giggled a little as he bowed to her, then gave a curtsey in return when he straightened.
"My normal boring self goes to Saint Magdalena's," Acanthite replied, pointing at the wall behind her with a thumb over her shoulder. "Usually I hang around close by here, but it is still nice to get out, you know?"
She knit her fingers together and stretched her arms upwards before responding to his next question: "I've been okay, I guess. Met ... all sorts of interesting people. One of our cats, and a youma who could talk, too."
When she was done stretching the Senshi of the Cataract took a few steps down the sidewalk and then turned back to Buddy. "want to walk with me a little? Or patrol, rather, sorry. I can show you around here some. The block is a little less boring from the rooftops and all." Zippeite's harsh words had stuck with her and the girl secretly hoped they might run into someone to fight -- with the Captain there to witness the battle. Acanthtie did not have terribly much to show for her fight with the Senshi of Poison; she wished she had something to show her allies that she was trying.ChibiGingi (( Sorry this took so long orz ))
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Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2013 12:26 pm
His crimson brow arched at the mention of Saint Magdalena's and instinctively glanced at the cathedral behind them. He seldom came to this neck of the woods and likely for the reason that he didn't particularly care much for the concept of religion (or rather, he felt unwelcomed by the concept of an organized religion, especially of the Catholic variety). Perhaps it was wrong for him to think that way and times had changed, but for now, Buddingtonite wanted to keep his distance from the place and certainly couldn't blame Acanthite from wanting to get out and about. "I could imagine being cooped up in such a place to be stifling... have no fear. You're in good company then."
He listened to what she had to say with keen interest, thankful for the company on such a night, even if it was one that may have been considered off limits to him. He just needed someone to talk to and he was certain that Acanthite would be more than happy to oblige. "I've met a Guardian cat of ours once... the encounter ended on a rather humorous note, though for her rather than on my account. Embarrassing and awkward on my account, but a pleasure to meet her. And I know of the talking youma you speak of... Bazzite, correct? Unless there's another talking youma around?"
It was a touchy subject for him, one that he wanted to avoid, and it was clear as day to see in how quickly he took Acanthite on her offer. He practically ran to her side, slowing down his approach when he feared he was coming onto her too strong, and his smile was polite, but barely hanging on his face as it was. "Absolutely, my dear! It's far too dangerous to take to patrols alone! I will be happy to accompany you, though I hope you don't mind acting as a guide? I've never really ventured out this far before, so I'm a little lost."
While Acanthite was eager for a fight, Buddingtonite was all but hoping to avoid such conflicts this evening. He was barely in the condition to talk, much less fight!
"Lead the way, Acanthite..."
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Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 5:25 pm
Acanthite nodded at his words, clasping her hands behind her back as she walked. At Bazzite's name, she nodded again, looking to the Captain.
"No, that was his name," she replied. "Some of what he said, and the cat, too, I guess, sort of reminded me again that I'm not like you exactly." The Senshi of the Cataract frowned, then pouted slightly. "It's not bad, though, right? I mean, I've never been a senshi for the other side, I've only ever fought for you guys. I'm named after a stone of the earth, not some alien star."
They reached a street corner, and the girl looked both ways before starting across out of habit, though there was no traffic this time of night at that intersection. She opened her mouth to ask something else, but apparently could not find the words. After pursing her lips a moment, Acanthite remembered the supposed tour she was supposed to be giving.
"Oh, yeah, the neighborhood." The girl gestured at a small strip mall beside them. "Whenever we're allowed out to eat lunch, we like to go to that pho restaurant. Soup's pretty good, and the spring rolls are amazing." Acanthite glanced at Buddy to see if he looked bored yet, then pointed to a white metal box in the corner of the parking lot. "Saint Mags collects donations for charity in there. Clothes and stuff. And uhh," her finger swept sideways to another store in the small strip mall. "I've never actually been to that watch repair guy, but some of my teachers have said the guy really knows his stuff?"
Turning around to face her companion, she walked backwards ahead of him. "You trust me, even though I'm a senshi, right?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 1:49 pm
Buddingtonite had spoken to so very few of the Corrupted senshi in his time in the Negaverse, and he couldn't help but feel that it was a mistake on his part. It wasn't as though he went out of his way to avoid them, per say, simply that he didn't really see them outside of meetings, but he understood what she was talking about. His friend Serpentine didn't have a high opinion of senshi in general, as the sight of a White Moon or even a Dark Mirror senshi set the other captain into fight mode, but his friend at least expressed his respect for their own. Which, for Serpentine, meant more than people could possibly comprehend.
But, Buddingtonite wasn't Serpentine, and nor could he be, and he allowed for a natural smile to overtake his features and there was no filter between his thoughts and his mouth as he addressed the senshi he followed. "Well then, I pity them. Yes, you may be different, but in my eyes, you are an agent of the Negaverse, no if, ands, or buts about it." Then, because he couldn't help it, he added, "And a rather fine one at that. Perhaps they're just jealous. I know I am."
He always adored senshi, whether they were allies or enemies. He admired them for their magic and their attire, and Acanthite was certainly no different. What he'd give to have magic like the senshi, and not this useless boomerang... though he would have to give up his youma, and that was something that Buddingtonite didn't see himself doing so easily. His mind may have wondered, but his attention kept drawing back to his tour guide, looking around at the buildings she pointed at and hearing her words, but not completely listening. In truth, he cared little about this area despite his initial curiosity, and more of that wide-eyed wonder was focusing on Acanthite herself. Undoubtedly a more worthy focus of his crimson eyes than the strip mall she talked about.
Suddenly she turned to face him, and he had to take a moment to consider her question. No, he trusted her, more than he probably should have if any of his coworkers had a say so in the matter, but it was finding the right words that made him hesitate. "Of course I trust you. You're of the Negaverse and therefor an ally, not to mention a valuable asset. Do officers truly give you so much trouble?"
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Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2013 1:38 pm
She laughed lightly and twirled back around to walk facing forwards again, and slowed just enough for him to catch up so she could walk beside him. "Jealous? You?" Peering up at him, the grey-eyed girl quirked an eyebrow. "Why?" If nothing else, Buddy clearly had more experience than her, and therefore commanded more respect. It was something that should be earned, naturally, but nonetheless thought of now nice it would be when these early days in the organization would be behind her.
Serpentine had been frosty, she recalled, and Zippeite had been all but accusatory. And of course the youma Bazzite had immediately been able to tell that she was different.
"Not really trouble, so much," the Senshi of the Cataract conceded. "But some of them have said things that were just ... uncomfortable." At least she felt like she could talk to Buddingtonite.
"Hey, um, if it's cool to ask," she went on more quietly, "When you were a new soldier, was it like you had to try to prove yourself to your comrades, too? Like is it that way for you guys, or just senshi?"ChibiGingi (( AHHH sorry I never got a quote notification orz ))
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Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 7:25 am
"What's there not to be jealous of? Besides your stunning good looks and sparkling wit, you possess the ability to do things that I couldn't even begin to imagine!" Buddingtonite said, keeping in step with the young senshi and rather enjoying himself in their little patrol. This was a nice patrol, free of any roaming Mirror Wraiths, senshi and knights that sought to harm them, even other officers that would have jumped at the chance of taking advantage of either of them. Yes, this was pleasant and nice. He needed to do these little endeavors a lot more, for his own health. "Everyone makes it sounds like it's a horrible thing to be a senshi, yet I can't help but find myself enthralled with the idea of wielding magic. And your uniforms are absolutely adorable."
He wasn't sure why so many in their organization seemed to hate them so. Serpentine he could understand, knowing him to be a very stiff, rigid man with conviction when it came to his disgust of them, but he couldn't speak for anyone else, and from a safe distance, nothing stopped him from openly scoffing at their folly. When Acanthite expressed her concerns, he gave her his full and undivided attention, almost wishing some of his snooty-booty comrades were here, JUST to see their bewildered faces at the sight of a captain conversing with a senshi as though she were of the same rank and position as him.
"Well, you see, my dear, many of them simply feel that senshi of all kind, be it of the White Moon, Dark Mirror or even our own, cannot be trusted, and those that might trust you simply feel you to be inferior," Buddingtonite said, scratching his chin and unable to feel the start of a five o'clock shadow forming thanks to the gloves. "Though you've repented and devoted your powers for our cause, to them it's simply not enough. Honestly, I think they're stubborn old fools that wouldn't know a good opportunity if it came and nipped them in a butt."
Of course, it wasn't as though he saw Senshi as being his own equal, but he respected them, especially one corrupted into the Negaverse and therefor not likely to turn their magic upon him. But for the sake of keeping the peace with Acanthite and the other senshi in their employment, he was willing to humor them. And he was truly envious- that was no lie.
He did not immediately answer her question, but when he did, he recalled as much as he could and chose his words with tact. "Yes and no. It wasn't so much that I felt the need to prove myself, but it was expected that I do good. No, I was expected to do great things, as with all of us. If I didn't, then... hmmmm, who knows where I'd be. From what I was told, they don't let just anyone become an officer and those they do let in are expected not to fail. So... yes, in a way."
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Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 1:49 pm
Acanthite smiled and fidgeted at the Captain's praises, both flattered and a touch uncomfortable. The net result, at least, was that she was glad she seemed to have at least one new friend outside of Ilmenite and Zinkenite who had faith in her. She wanted to live up to what she felt was expected of her, too, in the Negaverse; the senshi just did not want to have to feel like some of her own allies were scrutinizing her and waiting for her to mess up or something.
She told Buddy so, as well: "I do want to work hard, but I guess I've felt like some of the others have been expecting me not to is all." Fiddling with a lock of hair that was coming loose from one of her giant spiral hair buns, she shrugged her shoulders. "But thanks for the encouragement. And it makes me feel a little better, maybe, knowing that I'm not the only one. I guess I just need to try not to take it personally, and put my frustration into my fighting." If she could take a starseed, maybe, from a white senshi or a knight, Acanthite would have proof of loyalty for those who underestimated it....
But the challenge, of course, would be taking one. The grey-eyed girl had scarcely gotten much fighting experience under her belt, and not all of that had gone the most favorably.
The pair of Chaos soldiers continued down the sidewalk, past buildings that Acanthite realized she probably could have pointed out and identified to her companion. On some level, though, the snack shops, used book store, discount clothing outlet ... none of them mattered quite as much to a dark senshi. The Senshi of the Cataract had much more important things to consider.
"I really feel nothing at all for the White Moon," she said aloud after a few minutes, half to herself. "If I even have a star, I don't know the name of it, and I don't care. I've never known it, and its power has never done anything for me."
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Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 3:38 pm
Buddingtonite had been on enough dates to catch the subtle signs from the ones that accompanied him to suspect what her fidgeting meant and that was a clear sign that perhaps he needed to lay off the romantic flattery for a moment and let the girl breath. After all, she didn't appear that old and he didn't want her or anyone thinking he liked her in that way (though that didn't make her any less appealing in his eyes). He could tell that he was at least having some kind of positive effect with the senshi and her thanks was hardly necessary, but it wouldn't be like Buddingtonite to turn it away. "It's no problem, my dear. Worry only about those who wish to help you succeed and pay little mind to the ones that only want to tear you down. It'll do you little good running yourself ragged when some simply cannot be pleased, though rubbing your successes in their faces can certainly be worth the trouble…"
He had a long list of officers whose faces were just ripe for the rubbing in the dirt, but for the same of his evening's companion, he spared her for their names. Also he was certain that speaking ill of certain officers was a behavior that was frowned upon and would no doubt come back to bite him in the rear later on, so it wasn't a bad idea to play it safely. He was an adult here and part of that was just accepting that there were things and people he didn't like.
Acanthite's confession was admittedly surprising for Buddingtonite to hear, and his interests were peaked, as he brought his hands behind his back and stepped in front of her, hoping she'd stop in time before they collided and made things anymore awkward between them. "Nothing? Nothing at all? Not in the slightest bit curious what the past once held for you?"
He didn't mean to sound as though he were belittling her- he was truly curious. Did she truly not care, or was she trying to appease the Negaverse and go against whatever desire may have truly been there? It also made him curious, and there was nothing more dangerous than a curious Negaverse officer.
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Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:36 pm
She smiled, more comfortably, at Buddingtonite's encouragement, and nodded. Flowery words, but once she had decoded them all, it was a sentiment she could agree with. Rubbing her successes in the faces of the haters in particular sounded appealing, and was something she had somewhat planned to do anyway.
"The past," Acanthite repeated, then took a long moment to mull over it, frowning. Then she shrugged, looking back to Buddy again. "What kind of past could I have? I mean, I tried really hard to give a sh-- a darn just now, and I just ... couldn't." She lifted her shoulders again in another small shrug. "There was never a star for me, as far as I know. There was General Zinkenite, and all the power I got came from him awakening it in me." One hand strayed to the fractured hole at the top of her breastbone. "It took some practice to find it and to make sure I could find it every time I needed it, but that magic you like? For me it's just ... there. I don't feel any big connection to the universe or anything." The girl waved her hands in the air a little, indicating along with her tone that she did not really believe in any sort of greater power.
"I know that I was an average student at Meadowview, then I got pulled from public school and sent to Saint Mags because my weird mother caught me holding hands with a boy. I know that my parents couldn't be bothered to pay attention to me otherwise because my brother is like a violin prodigy. And then I know that Zinkenite brought me to the Negaverse, and now I am fighting to save the planet with an inner power that is mine alone." Acanthite gave a slight wry smile. "So why should the past matter?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 12:02 am
Buddingtonite loved to talk, more than he loved anything else, really, and usually the trickiest part of handling one such as Buddingtonite would have been to get him to shut up. But he also had ears as well as the capacity to listen when someone needed someone to talk to, or even talk at, and he did his best to offer Acanthite an ear, and even a shoulder to lean on, should she be so forward.
He mulled over her little rant and reveled in the opportunity to learn more about the senshi, feeling as if he was being given privy to information that wasn't simply handed out to just anyone. It made him feel special. Important. After all, he could do with learning more about their senshi soldiers, as he had no qualms working along side them. He thought her attempt to stiffen her cursing was adorable but otherwise brought no attention to it, as he tried to add his own input in the matter. "Oh, well, you could have had an interesting past, I guess. Maybe a princess, a warrior… cow wrangler, or creature similar to cows? Perhaps not, but I suppose it doesn't matter now. If it's not important to you, then it's not important period, and I can respect that. I was merely curious, is all…"
There was nothing Buddingtonite could do to stop himself from paying close attention to how her hand traced her collar bone, and maybe the smallest of smiles crept on his face before bringing his gaze back to her grey eyes, letting her know that while he was admiring the view he was still paying attention. "Hm, then perhaps it simply comes from the power Zinkenite gave you after all. Nothing wrong with that, though it once again proves to me that the naysayers to our Senshi soldiers can take their negative opinion of you and your kind and stuff it."
Once again he found himself riveted by her storytelling, and he couldn't help but laugh, though it wasn't quite at her expense. Sarcasm dripped from his voice as he pursed his lips together and spoke up in jest, "Oh no, mommy's little girl showing interest in boys! Quickly, send her to the nunnery so that she can grow up around other confused and curious girls! That'll learn you real fast!" He did, however, stop himself before he went too far, and he rose his hands in surrender as he said, "I jest. It sounds like you've had it rough and no one's making it easier for you. Myself included, if my questioning bothers you. For that, I'll apologize, for myself and the rest of them.
"However, you ask why the past should matter? Well, considering that we are fighting to protect this planet from a Queen who has yet to reappear and only harmed us in the past, and that many of our superiors seem to have a hard time letting said past go, I'd say it matters a lot." Then, Buddingtonite shrugged, as he continued down the street. "But, better safe than sorry, right? Have to work hard to prevent the past from repeating itself, right?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 7:54 pm
She laughed at Buddy's joke, though it was not the most comfortable laugh. The captain's retelling was not far off the mark, as the auburn-haired girl remembered it.
Acanthite then mulled over what her superior said about their greater fight, and her new greater purpose, and nodded slowly, brows drawing down. "Well, so far, so good, right? If I served that queen in the past, I certainly don't now." Grey-eyes looked back to Buddingtonite, and one slender brow arched. "I will assume you're not actually calling me a cow with that talk of my past life," she went on, having apparently missed his metaphor. "And, I mean, sorry I'm not really a warrior or a princess this life, but I'll still do my best to help our cause. I get that this war goes way back, and that's important, but all it really seems to have gotten me is suspicion."
Folding her arms across her chest, she lowered her voice a little, as though suddenly concerned she had been too forward with speaking her mind, but Acanthite then added slowly, "I mean... unless I should try to learn anyway, just so I have something to use against them?" She frowned again; maybe she was a little curious after all.
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Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 9:45 pm
"My dear, I don't even think the White Moon Court know who this Moon Queen is or think they serve her, so take that as you will," Buddingtonite said, not at all afraid to admit this to her, despite the notion that maybe it wasn't the best of things to be spouting to their own senshi soldiers. As far as they knew, there was this evil Moon Queen laying in wait and the more they thought about preventing her invasion, the less they'd think of other things. At least, that's how Buddingtonite figured it went. In truth, he was just as oblivious as the senshi here, but he tried not to let it show too much. Besides, he was far more concerned with the unintentional insult he flung her way, and when she retaliated (and rightfully so), he immediately sought to salvage the situation. "Not at all. I apologize but it certainly wasn't meant to come out that way."
Then, he added, "I'm merely pointing out that many of the senshi I've met, either it be of the White Moon court, the Dark Mirror and yourselves, not many of them seem to know who they were, and you are stepping above and beyond those that are unable to let go of the past, to accept the present. That's all."
Would his deflection work? Probably, but Acanthite was a smart girl and he was expecting her to call him out on his bullshit and flowery speech. He'd deal with that, assuming she didn't let it go and move on to a more pressing matter, one that she brought up. Part of him was worried why she had chosen such a word, but at the same time, it wasn't as though the corrupted senshi were mindless drones, so it was no surprise that she'd find herself curious. It only meant that they were, in fact, humans, and not deserving of the disgust and blatant disrespect his fellow officers seemed to be giving them. "That… is a very good idea, Acanthite. If these senshi of the White Moon are guilty of such heinous crimes, then not only is it our obligation to expose them, but could you imagine the guilt they'll feel when they realize what they've done? Who knows, maybe then they'll see the errors of their ways and either go home once and for all, or join our cause. A good idea, don't you think?"
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