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 Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 7:39 pm
The night sky was clear, although few stars managed to shine their light through the glow of the city. And it was cold. Almost too cold for even the toughest to handle.
Tonight, Valhalla wasn’t looking for youma to fight. That wasn’t to say he wouldn’t if he crossed paths with one, but he wasn’t actively seeking them out. Instead he carried with him several, recently purchased thermal blankets in a large bag. It was half empty by this point, for while many of the city’s homeless had managed to find more adequate shelter, there were still some who had no choice but to brave the freezing temperatures.
But something like didn’t even cross the threshold of ebbing the guilt he felt for living quite comfortably, himself. This wasn’t selflessness, he knew. It was merely a cover up for his own guilt. The fact that he could easily invite these people into his home, but didn’t…
He didn’t want to know what that said about him as a person. He already felt low as it was.
The knight looked up as a dark aura came into range, wondering if it was any officer he already knew. Valhalla hadn’t encountered many in the new year, and cautiously made his way through an alley towards the General in question.
“Hello?” he called ahead of him, hoping that if it was someone he knew, they would recognize his voice and come out of wherever they were hiding.
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Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 4:33 pm
Valhalla would have quite a sight waiting for him. Let it never be said that Obsidian didn't know how to make an entrance.
The prone body of a young man was sprawled across the dirty alley street. Was it a senshi? A knight? The dim light made it impossible to say. The long-limbed general was seated upon the back of the downed victim, one knee drawn up to plant his boot absently on the victim's head while the other leg was stretched out as though this was the most comfortable seat in the world.
Something that glittered and sparked was rolled between the redhead's teeth, and anyone who had been in this business long enough would recognize it as a starseed. He hadn't bitten down--not yet, but it seemed inevitable.
Sunken green eyes were thoughtfully regarding the knight as he rounded the corner, and his lips twitched upward in something that might have been a grin of greeting. The sound of the starseed scraping against his teeth was the only sound in the darkness, and he saw no need to speak up and introduce himself.
That would require him spitting out his prize, after all, and Valhalla hadn't earned that sort of respect from him yet.
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Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 6:43 pm
Whatever Valhalla had been expecting, it hadn’t been what he was met with. He didn’t freeze as he turned the corner, but he was pretty sure his heart stopped. A General in the Negaverse, and an unknown victim. There was the vague aura of… something… and a the small glimmer of something between the General’s teeth had his attention. A starseed…?
Slowly, Valhalla set the bag he was carrying on the floor of the alley, holding his hands out just enough from his sides to show he was unarmed. The other man looked older, obviously more seasoned. Maybe around his brother’s age… definitely not a child like so many others were in this war — a war not many understood, much less realized the seriousness of its consequences.
“Valhalla,” he introduced calmly, although he was sure the fear in his eyes were obvious. Not fear for himself, but for the person the officer was sitting on. “I’m a knight of Jupiter… I don’t believe we’ve met, General.”
This man… there was something about him that made Valhalla uneasy, more than any other run-in with a negaverse officer. More so than Painite, Wolframite, or Benitoite. Even Zinkenite didn’t set him on edge like this man. And Valhalla knew that not only this unknown man’s life was in danger, but his own as well, and he wasn’t going to take that lightly.
“I don’t want to fight… I’m not your enemy… I just want to talk,” he explained, wanting to lay his intentions on the table from the beginning. “Is that alright with you?”
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Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 8:03 am
Was he bargaining with him? Was he?
Obsidian felt a true grin pull at his face, and he flipped the starseed back onto his tongue so he could speak. How could one be a true warrior if they were so willing to give everything away for one, measly life? It felt good to be the one in complete control, and he leaned back slightly to get himself more comfortable, tilting his chin up as though to encourage the knight to continue talking.
"Even if you wanted to fight me, you wouldn't." The words were a lazy drawl, tinged with his amusement. "Not with this." One hand absently gestured at the body beneath him, as though the boy was beneath his notice.
Valhalla, though. That was interesting. "Talk all you'd like, sweet thing. This story won't have a happy ending." He continued to roll his prize in his mouth, savoring the taste. It would have been easy to bite down and crack it right open, but he wanted to prolong this little conversation.
"Go on," It was a laugh, low and raspy. "Talk. I'm listening."
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Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 6:14 pm
Valhalla cringed internally at the pet name, although he did his best not to seem weirded out. He’d been told he had a pretty face before, at least when compared to his older brother, this man’s choice of a nickname rubbed him the wrong way.
“I wouldn’t want to fight you, anyway,” he countered gently, treading as carefully as he could. “I don’t believe it does any good. Although…” he paused, as if to think better of what he was about to say, and after a moment of debating finally forced out, “I guess I thought the Negaverse was more noble than… this.” A nod of his head indicated the young man who was all but dead. It was distressing to know that it was highly unlikely Valhalla could do anything to save him now, but he knew that blood wasn’t on his hands. He could only do what he could, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to stomach powering up at all.
“Sorry,” he mumbled, shifting on his feet as he looked the General over. “I know I’m naive about these things, but… At least when I spoke with Zinkenite, he told me the goal of the Negaverse was to rebuild the kingdom of Earth. I guess not everyone thinks the same…”
He wasn’t trying to get on the General’s bad side — while he didn’t fear death, he didn’t particularly like the consequences of leaving those he cared about behind. Valhalla knew he’d been lucky so far, because even though there had been several life threatening situations he’d escaped from, it would only be a matter of time before his curiosity for the ‘other side’ got the better of him. It wasn’t exactly normal to think highly of ‘enemies’.
Which was probably why this scene perturbed him so much. For all the respect he held for those in the Negaverse, this man seemed to go against all that. Or maybe it was because he really was that naive.
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Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:44 pm
"Did you?" The words were low, very nearly a growl even as his teeth clacked deliberately against the starseed, threatening to fracture it in that single moment. "Is there anything noble about war? But you Order members always think so. Sunshine and rainbows, everywhere you look. It must be nice to be so ignorant." His lips pulled back so he could sneer, and each word was bit off with a something akin to a hiss.
The apology earned something of a snort--and the mention of Zinkenite, a harsh bark of laughter. "A pretty claim for a man who sits and does nothing. But what do I know? You certainly bought it, and isn't that all that matter?"
His teeth were very white in the darkness as he bared them, and it looked nothing like a smile.
"A man needs to eat." He continued, surveying the knight through lazy, half-lidded eyes. "And starseeds are some of the finest delicacies around." That statement ended with a sharp, brutal crack.
The starseed in question shattered underneath the force of his teeth, and the sudden rush of energy coursing over his tongue and tingling down his pine was enough to make take a shuddering breath through his nose. There was no greater rush, and the general sighed to himself even as he lazily got to his feet, ignoring the body all together.
"Welcome to the real world, kid. Not all it's cracked up to be, is it?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 6:13 pm
Valhalla stood his ground, even though his stomach lurched and his throat closed around the sudden wave of despair. In his years as a knight, he’d realized that not everyone could be saved, and recklessly throwing himself into a fight would only cause more needless casualties.
But it didn’t hurt any less.
“Is that what Chaos does to you…?” he breathed, surprised that his voice was as steady as it sounded. His hands had balled into fists by this point, and his gaze grew sharp as his eyes blazed with emotion. Hatred? Anguish? Anger at himself? He wasn’t sure, but this man was obviously unlike so many of the others.
“If you’re so willing to speak out against someone of a higher rank… looks like the Negaverse isn’t as organized as people like to believe. And you have the right idea, I see. No use creating more mindless sheep when you can’t even sustain yourself without the energy.”
He’d seen the way this man’s body language altered after he ate the starseed. He seemed elated… revitalized… He'd heard how others spoke about starseeds, how Benitoite was so desperate to keep the ones he'd collected... He just hadn't seen the actual effects until now.
“You’re nothing but an empty shell… and I pity you. Because living like that… is not how the real world works. It must be horrible to be so blind that you don’t even realize it.”
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Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2014 3:17 pm
His laughter was breathy, his stance opened and relaxed even as the knight sought to hurl words at him as though to try and ease his own rage. That's what Obsidian assumed it was. Self-proclaimed, righteous rage for the loss of a boy that Valhalla may have never even looked at twice in his life. Well, he'd never get the chance now.
"Do you seek to wound me?" Obsidian asked. "I'm flattered. To have reduced the noble knight to throwing tantrums like a child." The glee that lit his face warped his expression to something cruel and mocking. "You were so willing to be my friend before! But that's just like the Order."
His boots clicked on the pavement in the darkness as he took one step after the other, advancing with slow, almost casual purpose on Valhalla's location.
"I pity you, The general said, "You claim this isn't the real world, while also telling me straight up how naive you are. Don't you hear how stupid you sound? What do you know of war? You prance around and bleat to yourself like the world is little more than a playground--but I suppose ignorance is bliss."
There was a lewd noise--Obsidian had spat at the knight's feet.
"You disgust me. Maybe I'll hunt your loved ones for sport, just so you can beg me to stop." His grin returned, wide and eager. "Maybe I'll listen."
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Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2014 7:18 pm
“I never said I wanted to be your friend,” he said lowly, his fists tightening as he remained where he stood, regardless of the General’s advance. “I said I wanted to talk,” Valhalla corrected, and while he liked the theory of everyone becoming friends, he knew how unrealistic it was and would much rather them find grounds for a ceasefire above all.
Whether he was as naive as he claimed or not, he bit back a comment on the General’s willingness to believe everything he hears, reminding himself that he would be better off making it home in one piece than losing to his own temper and doing something he’d regret even more. For now, his expression remained steady — a frown, brows slightly furrowed in anger and antipathy, eyes defiant. But he made sure he was doing nothing to illicit suspicion of malice. While his temper wasn't always very manageable, this situation seemed like it would be good to keep it in check.
“Do you not deny it? Getting a kick off starseeds?” he pushed, finding himself even more curious about the shift of topic. He’d made claims about Chaos and there was no counter to it? It had him hesitate and want to observe this man more closely. “Throwing around threats… and you call me the child?” Oh, he didn’t doubt that this man could very well hunt down his loved ones, but just because Valhalla didn’t revel in the idea of fighting, didn’t mean those he cared for wouldn’t fight back.
The thought of an angry Kallichore or Tsui crossed his mind for just a moment.
“If I disgust you so much, then walk away. I’m not making you stay,” Valhalla prompted, trying to ignore how disgusting and low class he thought spitting was, and taking a step to the side in order to gesture to the entrance of the alley as well as the various fire escapes the General could use to slink back into the darkness. Although he was sure teleporting was probably the General’s preferred form of travel because… why not??
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Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 9:44 am
"How very noble of you." He said dryly, glancing over his shoulder to study the lifeless corpse behind him. His interest began to wane. If Valhalla did not want to fight, why bother with the confrontation at all? Boring. So boring. In the very least though, he had temporarily halted his advance. "Your other friends had more spine. They would have tried to stop me. Or, at the very least, sought to avenge the fallen."
Perhaps Valhalla had more self-preservation than the rest. Or maybe he just didn't care. A smile twitched at his lips at the thought, and Obsidian ruefully shook his head. "Why would I deny it? Their energy is now my own. I grow stronger as a result. Anyone with half a brain would do the same." Survival of the fittest. The strong ate the weak and grew stronger. Charonite had fallen because he had allowed himself to grow weak. Beryl too, seemed to have vanished in the chaos.
At the very least, he hoped she was dead.
His eyes slid to their corners as the knight moved aside, and Obsidian clicked his tongue against his teeth. "And give up these hunting grounds? Nah. I could go a few more rounds, I think."
Hell, maybe he'd even sample Valhalla's starseed, if the guy kept playing that 'holier than thou' card. "Besides," He continued. "It'd be rude to leave in the middle of a conversation. That's what we're doing, right? Or were you lecturing?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 11:08 am
“Fighting you would do nothing to avenge him,” Valhalla pointed out, not so blinded as to think fighting and ‘winning’ against some Negaverse General would do anything to avenge the dead. Could he have tried harder to stop this man from killing the other? Possibly, but in doing so would there end up being two victims instead…? And as easily as he could throw his own life away, there was already little he could have done with the starseed already in the General’s mouth.
“Are you so sure about that…?” he wondered out loud. The idea of taking energy from others to grow stronger… “You seem to be the only one around here doing this… ‘hunting’ starseeds to eat,” he theorized, although he withheld a comment on exactly who had only half a brain — he doubted that would go over well.
“Rude? No, General. I’m offering you an opportunity,” he corrected, and under different circumstances, he would have found it amusing to be accused of lecturing when this General was doing nothing but making condescending remarks. He supposed it would seem like he was lecturing someone who was complacent with threats and acting as though he was some hot shot.
While Valhalla didn’t want to fight, he didn’t have any qualms about defending himself. This General might be more violent in nature than Valhalla, but he had a pretty good grasp on his own abilities.
“If you do wish for a conversation, fine. But if you’re not going to give me the common courtesy to stop with the name calling, then you should just leave.”
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Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 11:32 am
Obsidian's features arranged themselves into that of wide-eyed innocence, pausing to put his hand on his chest as though taken aback. "Me?" He questioned. "Call names? Never. I, sir, am a gentleman. Your accusations wound me."
And in an instant, the general had moved. One moment, he had been standing there, relaxed and as casual one could be. The next, he was literally inches from the Jupiter knight, a bony hand snaking into that brown hair to clamp down like a vice. "I've witnessed things that would make you beg for death." A quiet murmur, almost playful, and his teeth dragged themselves across the front of the young man's throat as though he were very much debating whether or not to bite.
A hot breath escaped him in the form of a sigh, his second hand alighted on Valhalla's chest, shoving him backwards even as Obsidian released his grip. "Don't tell me what I should or shouldn't do."
The words were friendly and warm--not unlike a teacher speaking to a student. "I really hate that."
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Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 12:02 pm
A breath caught in Valhalla’s chest as the General was suddenly upon him, letting out a small, pained hiss as his hair was yanked. There was little to no time to react, and while he did make a movement to perhaps shove the General away, or even reach for his gyrocompass, it was over.
Valhalla found himself stumbling backwards as he was shoved, a hand immediately going to his neck as though to wipe away the offending breath, a look of disgust taking over his expression. If he hadn’t wanted to throw up before, he definitely did now.
He was all for discussing terms of peace with the Negaverse and DMC, but for someone to threaten him like he did after killing someone else…? Valhalla wouldn’t be surprised if his grip on the rings of his weapon was enough to warp the rings. His other hand still wiping at his neck, Valhalla glowered at the General.
“You sure seem to know me so well,” he hissed in sarcasm, still appalled by their brief contact. “What will make me beg for death, how I have less spine than others, how I’m ignorant… Yet you’re the one so quick to assume, so ready to make your own conclusions, wanting to kill for your own benefit than willing to end a war…”
If anything, Valhalla felt as though he learned much more about this General than the General had learned about him. Selfish, apathetic, violent… clear marks of a sociopath.
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Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 12:16 pm
"Well, my dear," The words were nearly a cackle, and Obsidian was delighted to have finally provoked a reaction out of the knight. "I can only judge you based on your actions. And so far, you really haven't been that impressive." Valhalla had been the one to admit to his naivety. Valhalla had sat by and allowed his comrade of sorts to die.
And hadn't Valhalla been the one to try to talk things out, nice and sweet, instead of taking action?
Obsidian waved a dismissive hand at the accusations, apparently unphased. "Bleat all you'd like, little sheep. It's every man for himself." He tilted his jaw up, his lips puckering so he could make a kissing gesture in the knight's direction. Soon after that, he was striding past Valhalla, not hesitating to bump him with his shoulder as he went.
"Try not to get hurt walking home. I'd really hate to find you with your guts ripped out."
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Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2014 12:40 pm
Valhalla glared as the General moved to make his exit and once again throwing out a condescending name. As much as Valhalla wanted to react to it, he didn’t. He was still too disgusted with being touched by him to argue even more.
He ignored the threat as best he could, as well as the purposeful bump into his shoulder — how immature. There were more important things he could be dealing with than this man, although on the plus side… he would now be able to give others a heads up about this man with the bright red hair and piercing green eyes.
Fighting him alone in an alley? That wouldn’t do anyone any good. Not himself, not the war, not the young man that laid lifeless on the ground.
The knight stood there for a long time after the General made his leave, careful to make sure his aura had left the area before finally reaching down to pick up the bag he’d dropped earlier. He felt sick… Repulsed with himself for not being able to do anything to stop another pointless death. There was guilt of course, but hoped that in the end, he’d made the right decision. Because as long as he was still alive, he would fight to end these pointless deaths.
Despite knowing there was no point, Valhalla slowly moved to kneel down next to the young man’s body, reaching out to place his fingers against his neck. With no pulse and no starseed, Valhalla reached up to close the young man’s eyes, and pulled a blanket out from the bag to spread over top of him.
He’d been unable to save him, but he would at least give him his last respects.
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