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 Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 11:20 am
It was a cloudy night; Remarque had considered staying inside just to avoid the risk of rain. It had thundered briefly, early, but Destiny City was still dry.
And windy.
Remarque had debated for a short bit before he powered up and slipped through the mirror; the chance of a little rain wasn't that intimidating, and considering he'd rather be doing something a little productive instead of sitting at home watching television, he thought some fresh air could do him good.
Only an hour, that was all he wanted.
And that meant that it had to count.
He avoided the park, the dark alleyways, the typical haunts; he wasn't looking for trouble tonight. He'd had to make a delivery earlier this week to the area, so he'd still had the historical district on his mind when he was deciding where to spend his hour. It was a quick trip there, though the area wasn't particularly easy to navigate. In the darkness, when you weren't on a deadline, though? It didn't matter.
He intended to take his sweet-a** time, and he would have had a signature not appeared on his radar only fifteen minutes into his walk. He was admiring some of the architecture when he became aware of it, and whether or not he told himself he wasn't looking for anything other than some fresh air, he found himself drifting towards it. He moved slowly, but the aura couldn't have been further than two streets away.
It was strongest near a towering old church and he stopped to look around, scanning for company.
He looked upon the great stained glass window, and while it was purely bad timing, lighting flashed, just then, outlining the dark silhouette.
A shiver prickled down his spine and he sneered at the unwanted reaction.
The shadows on the church seemed to shift violently, as though there was something wretched cloaking it. His gaze lingered for a moment longer, waiting for something to jump out at him. It was almost difficult to dismiss it as his mind playing tricks on him—after all he had seen?
A haunted church would have been the least surprising.
He should have been more concerned with where that little senshi was hiding.
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Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 8:29 am
The Demon Astarte, she thought to herself. Where do you go, Astarte? What do you do? You're named after a god, but you're most certainly not. Are you after other demons, then? Maybe those little wraiths that cavort around? Give me something to go off of, Astarte. I'm a touch lost. The blue-eyed senshi heaved a sigh, quick and dramatic, allowing her shoulders to drop with the effort. Soon they retreated to their typical squared-back position, tigerlilies taut over her biceps again, and for a moment she questioned if that posture was Angel's or Astarte's.
They were two different entities, right? Use the pen, let Astarte take the wheel. Power down, and Angel goes about her business. But could she mix and match a little? Maybe Astarte investigates some haunted structures, and Angel fights demons?
Might as well give it a try. Who's going to tell her no? A cat?
Chuckling, Astarte embarked on a quick clip, eyes hardly darting to the old structures crowning the street. Colossal reminders of home, she considered them, newer ghosts and ripoffs of the places she adored in her childhood. Mimicry architecture. Surely they were pleasing to the eye, just about anything derelict and decrepit earned a modicum of her respect, but she wasn't looking for reminders of a past she left behind. Maybe Angel Voss would've stopped and stared, but not Angel Aimless, and Astarte had no business even glancing toward the buildings.
Soon she crossed a stretched shadow, jutting across the street in the breadth of a flash cast down by lightning. Astarte froze for a moment, eyes settling on the looming figure of the oldest church in the city. With hands on hips, she drew legs together for an unintimidated posture, quirking an eyebrow as she cocked her head. Several things struck through her mind at once, a parallel to the lightning that bolted across the sky but months ago.
This church lacked the grandiose decorum projected by old European churches.
Most churches weren't haunted as they aimed to ease their congregation spiritually.
Something incredibly wrong lingered nearby, and it wasn't one of those youma she was told about.
"Astarte, you'd better start talking. I'm starting to think you're a dead demon, and I'm just wearing your skin like some overly-devoted hunter." With a steeling breath, the senshi approached the towering double doors framing the entrance of the church. Sparing little time for the carved intricacies in its paneling, Astarte caught hold of the chain wrapping around its handles, then leveraged her leg against the metal seam behind the center. Mustering all her force, she pulled on the chain until a large crack sent her stumbling backward with leftover inertia. A loud clang sought her attention, and she realized the pair of handles gave way before the heavy duty chain snapped.
After shaking off the remaining handle, astarte pulled the chain taut and kicked one of the doors open. It yawned wide and groaned, revealing darkness spotted with the dim light filtering through old windows. Stained glass loomed beyond her in a great circle, and another flash illuminated a dark figure. She startled, then leaned forward, hoping for another glimpse. Had she just witnessed the source of that eerie feeling? Edging forward with arms raised, she approached the location of the figure she witnessed. Surely enough, cool stone met her fingertips. She sighed; Astarte lacked the finesse for ghost hunting, it seemed.
The double doors slammed a moment later, and the demon whirled toward the disturbance, fists raised and ready. "Who are you?" She asked, peering into the darkness for some sign of movement. Was she still hallucinating?
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Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 11:33 am
Remarque's lip twitched as he watched the senshi. He could not deny being at least slightly amused by her. Like he was with most White Moon Senshi, he was interested in her. She was new, and that was always his favorite to work with. But this atmosphere! He required a few extra seconds to forcibly calm his nerves, but even when he had convinced himself he was fine, the hairs still stood on the back of his neck.
He hadn't meant to startle Astarte by any means, nor did he mean to stick to the shadows after she addressed him. The darkness was quick to easy to take shelter in, and while he hadn't drifted into them intentionally, they were comforting.
But Remarque didn't particularly care for comfort.
He did not hesitate to answer her question, though. "Remarque," he replied proudly, stepping slowly into the light. His gaze drifted to her fists briefly and he scoffed. "What are you going to do, senshi—deck me? You'd do well to lower your fists before you get hurt."
His tone sounded almost playful, but there was no missing the fact that it was a warning; no matter how friendly he made it sound, it wasn't enough to mask the underlying threat.
Friendliness could only go so far, and while Remarque was willing to play nice, anyone who raised their fists to him was going to get a good knock to the head—one way or another.
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Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 8:32 am
"I was planning on decking whatever popped out to assault me," she replied in cool tones. Shifting to a less defensive stance, she offered her name in return. "Astarte." The syllables felt powerful on the tip of her tongue. Was there magic in her name, as well?
Despite his initial reaction to her posture, Astarte found little reason to consider him an enemy beyond trite warnings offered earlier. But she preferred to form her own opinions - and currently, she was faced with a unique presence she never felt before. "You're a touch different from everyone else, Remarque," she began as she crossed her arms over her chest. Fingers strayed toward the tiger lilies strewn over her bicep. "Care to tell a girl why? I haven't been around terribly long, so I'm probably missing something obvious. Still, shouldn't hurt to ask, right?" She flashed a smile, though still cool in demeanor.
Considering the man never launched himself at her, she considered herself in the clear enough to pursue earlier duties. While she consistently kept Remarque in her peripherals, Astarte devoted some of her attention to their surroundings by peering throughout the room for signs of ghost activity - of youma too. However, she never felt the latter.
It wouldn't stop her from looking.
"Hey Remarque, do you ever hunt, ah, youma? Those nasty little buggers got a bit of a bite to 'em, but they're good enough sport. Got a touch of a mean side, though." Not quite what I'd call a ghost, but I'm still ironing out the details there. Maybe they're more like lesser demons, but why won't they answer to those above them? This is harder than I thought.
Finally her search of the room concluded with few signs of ghosts, and her efforts could continue no further with Remarque still lingering in the shadows. Finally she leaned against one of the dusty old bookcases and tightened the swirling ponytail atop her head. "I'm actually here on a ghost hunt. You can come with me, if you like; I'm more interested in the upstairs at this point. Nothing down here, besides you."
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 12:28 pm
Ultimately, Remarque wasn't sure what he expected of the senshi; when she didn't attack, he relaxed. She was only a basic senshi, and his arrogance left him firmly convinced that the difference in their power meant he had nothing to worry about. "Ghost?" he prompted, somewhat rhetorically.
He wasn't much for the supernatural.
For being so involved in a magical war, he had little interest in ghosts.
And yet, it would have been so rude to decline her offer.
"Fine," he said after a few seconds, moving towards her. He was curious to know what made her think there might have been something else in this church—even if only because he still had goosebumps prickling down his neck. "I suppose I could poke around. Though, I was, actually, looking for youma."
Well, more or less. He always enjoyed beating on something, and youma were the perfect targets. Who was going to miss them?
"I find them repulsive. Which is not a sentiment I can say the rest of my Court shares. That is, the reason I assume I feel so different to you is because you haven't met a Dark Mirror Senshi before?"
They were still small; she wouldn’t have been the first senshi oblivious to their presence, but she was rather rapidly making a presence in his mind.
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Posted: Sun May 11, 2014 6:05 am
"You've got my agreement there - they're a touch nasty. Buggers tried to clobber me once or twice before. Maybe it was more than twice... Can't remember. I imagine you'd lose track after a while too." Considering she felt certain that Remarque bore her no ill will, Astarte had little reason to hold back from her friendly chit-chatting. As typical to her, she yammered on mostly to herself rather than to her new acquaintance, though she figured the boy likely didn't mind. He looked the sort to take most social endeavors in stride rather than shake his fist at her for talking too much.
But Angel never talked too much, so neither could Astarte.
Astarte quirked an eyebrow toward Remarque upon mention of his court. "Oh, I've heard of you before, never met any of you. The Senshi primer and all that rot says to avoid the lot of you, and I'm certain a cat's told me the same, but I've never been good at taking people for their word. What I mean to say is, I like to form my own opinions about people. A girl doesn't get this entrenched in magical affairs without ignoring a few rules, you know?" Since Remarque had the wits to follow her, Astarte gave up on standing around and proceeded through the door to the upstairs hallway.
The hallway itself presented with a thicker, scathing feeling that settled under her skin. Was it a ghost or a youma? She couldn't tell which, not just yet. "So tell m about your Court, Remarque. Must be a nice little group, yes? Loaded with cute senshi?" Her last question bore a teasing, singsong tone. Despite her devotion to speech, Astarte remained focused on the thickening sense that hung in the air. A pall, almost. It felt familiar, but not familiar enough.
Until a low rumble sounded in the distance, causing her to freeze mid-step.
Once the sound ceased, Astarte continued walking, though at a quieter pace. Now fully aware of a presence within the church, she found sudden need to adopt caution. If nothing else, the presence of a powerful Dark Mirror senshi at her flank eased any possible doubt in her mind - what may lurk in the shadows certainly couldn't stand up to them.
"Looks like we're heading for a bit of a tussle, Remarque," she warned coolly.Kyuseisha no Hikari couldn't sleep because my cat isn't with me. ):
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 11:23 pm
When he'd heard the noise, Remarque had scanned the area around them, looking for a source. He didn't seem unnerved, though he wasn't exactly the easiest person to read. It was clear enough that he wasn't worried, but maybe that was just because he wasn't sure there was anything new left to throw at him. "That's fine," he replied.
He wasn't going to let something scare him away from conversation—not when Astarte had said such interesting things. "Though, you'll have to tell me about that Primer. I can't say that I've heard anything about it. Would be a shame if they were spreading propaganda about the Dark Mirror Court without giving us any chance to defend ourselves but," he shrugged. "I suppose I'm used to the White Moon Operating like that. I've always assumed it's because they don't have any good evidence or argument about why we're the bad ones. I'll tell you what, though. Tell me about this primer, about what they're trying to teach you, and I'll answer any question you can think of. And I'll give you all the information you want on the numerous charming and cute senshi that make up the Dark Mirror Court."
Assuming something didn't break up this little conversation first.
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Posted: Mon May 26, 2014 7:50 am
"I'm afraid there's not much to tell. It's all just explanations on senshi life, best way I can put it, like magic and planet travel and bits here or there on youma. It's just some little file on my phone, but I find it a bit tasteless. Anything that tells me how to think about another party is just asking for trouble. Reminds me of the church and its persecution of other religions. I've dealt enough with it; all that rubbish can go rot in Cocytus." Astarte halted abruptly when a creak sounded from just further down the hall. Looks like this little haunting's quite tangible. We might be getting into a touch of a tangle, now. Wonder if his magic's anything like Canopus'.
"Stupidly enough, I've had to reference it a lot. Some lass named Kallichore wrote it. It explains what guardian cats are, power levels and how to obtain more power, power sensing, our enemies... Some of it's actually useful information, like how to tell apart different power levels. You're something of an eternal, aren't you?" Astarte looked smug in her answer; given her newness, she assumed the ability to tell apart energy signatures to an accurate capacity was unusual.
Dropping her voice to a low mumble, she continued on the topic at hand. "It didn't say much about your Court. Most of it was an explanation that it's a group of senshi led by a woman named Ares, and that they swear allegiance to her. Then she up and went to darkness, with her senshi following along, and now they call themselves the Dark Mirror. Last bit really stuck with me though, irritating as it is - they said 'be wary of Dark Mirror senshi'. No reason why, no supporting facts, just be wary. How ridiculous is that? I'm not setting myself up to go fall for some propaganda, you know. If I'm going to be wary of someone, it better be from personal experience. Be wary... Tch."
"Well. Assuming our little friend down there doesn't bust into the fun, it's your turn to share, Remarque." Folding her arms beneath her bust, Astarte leaned to one side and regarded him coolly. "So what can you tell me about your cute and charming senshi, hmm?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 10:54 pm
The idea of Kallichore teaching anyone was enough to cause Remarque to sneer; he had not forgotten his experiences with the senshi, and even now sometimes his bad dreams seemed to have a bit of her flair. But planet travel was not a topic he could easily let go. He wanted to know all that the White Moon knew about it—and more. Or, at least, how he could find a way back into space.
Not even for the Court. Just for him. Just to see it again, like how he remembered.
"I am something of an eternal," he replied, though didn't really expand on it. "Though you can't quite say Ares leads the Dark Mirror Court. She had her time, but there are few who would claim to follow her. Most of the Dark Mirror Court hasn't even met her. I knew her, but," he shrugged. "My allegiance is to myself."
Would he listen to her if she came back? Would she expect it?
"The majority of the senshi in the Court have their own agenda. We share a similar goal—that is, to stop history from repeating itself. Which would be easier done if the White Moon wasn't so opposed to listening to anyone who seemed a little different from them. You are wise not to listen to the propaganda. Whereas they have few concrete facts about anything, there is a cesspool of information on the White Moon's history. Bloody and brutal as it is. It's a wonder you all haven't turned on yourselves, what with all the tension there."
He shrugged nonchalantly again, seeming to take a relaxed stance himself. "The Dark Mirror Court just wants to end all that. We don't fight, not in the way the White Moon Senshi do. Most of the Court just wants to help. You see, most of the new senshi I meet are reluctant to admit they have no idea what they're doing. They were just awakened and thrown into the fray with little to no instruction. You're expected to put your life on the line—and for what? For who? I mean—do you even know what it is the White Moon is fighting for? Or, rather," he looked at the senshi. "What are you fighting for?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 9:58 pm
Something of an eternal? Either you are, or you're not. "Sounds like the Primer's already misguided." If most of the court never met her, what point was there in claiming the lot of them followed one particular individual? "Sounds like you got your priorities on track. There's really only one person you need to live for, I always thought, and that's yourself - otherwise you're quite dead. I wager this Ares doesn't matter much anymore, assuming she was important to begin with. A shame, really - with a name like Ares, one would expect a lot."
Then again, most senshi she met bore names that either offered no recognition or a disappointing relation to mythical figures.
"If the White Moon's really so bloody and brutal, then I'll fit right in. Putting a stop to all this mayhem sounds a touch boring... If life was all peace and prosperity, I wouldn't know what to do with myself." She shrugged flippantly, running her fingers along the wall while they walked. It scraped hollow on the paint - quick indication that rooms lay just beyond her touch.
"To be honest with you, I'm fighting for information. I want to know what's really going on here - the truth behind all of it. And once I find out, I'll be fighting for... Whatever comes of that information. It sounds a little weak, I know, but it's the truth. I don't have much to fight for, because I don't have much to defend. Most of my life is based around the occult, the supernatural... The dead. Or the inhuman. And this little excursion as a senshi has quite a lot in common with that. This war? It sheds a lot of light on relationships between traditional magic and, well... Senshi magic." The similarities and differences proved more bountiful than she expected.
Sometimes the house shuddered beneath their steps, as apprehension seized its old bones from their power alone.
"What about you, Remarque? Why are you trying to end all conflict?"
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 12:55 pm
Remarque listened to her, trying to get a better idea of what he was dealing with. She was a senshi, but obviously not like the majority of the teenaged girls running around, fighting for peace and justice. She wanted brutality? Wanted mayhem?
Maybe she was meant for the White Moon.
Remarque was not entirely deterred; though he kept in mind what she had said prior to it, he only responded to her question. "I'm trying to end all conflict so I don't have to deal with speaking over everyone. Everyone has an idea of how things are supposed to be run, of how they can make things better. But they are incapable of change. All they do is squabble. It's why the White Moon is so…weak. I've never seen them band together, never seen them rise up against an enemy and be met with success. Instead I have seen how they resist each other, how they fight amongst themselves. In many ways, they are their own worst enemy. And yet…just think about what we could do if we were all working together."
He paused for a moment, really thinking about it. Or perhaps he was just listening to the house, letting his imagination construct what creature he expected to find lurking in the shadows.
"Coming into this war, we were all told the same thing. There's some evil in the universe, it's going to destroy us, we have to make things right. But everyone's evil is different. So if we end this conflict? Then we all finally get on the same page. Then we finally deal with whatever the true evil is. Because, really. The Dark Mirror Court wants to get into space and get rid of the brainwashing implemented by the White Moon. If that's someone's idea of evil? So be it. I want to end this stupid war because someone's always going to think they have all the answers—and they don't. And if there was something we could all achieve together? We're probably never going to, not as long as we fight like this."
Remarque then just shrugged. "I just hate seeing things go to waste, and the White Moon is just that: a waste. I want to change that. Fix it. Make everything right. Maybe go into space, too. That sounds nice. No offense to Earth but," he shrugged. "It's going to tear itself apart one day. Environmental damage, natural disaster, resource decay—or another World War. The days are limited, and one day Earth will be uninhabitable. In this life or the next, I don't know. But I suppose none of that matters if you like the world in disarray?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2014 8:33 am
"That sounds a touch totalitarian, don't you think?" She asked, quirking a brow. Honey you're missing the point. The White Moon is like a sample size of the real world. Everyone out there has a different thought process, or something they believe in that offends someone else. You're not getting anywhere with these antics unless you've perfected some brainwashing device. And if you have... Well, I'm not terribly keen on being a part of it. "Maybe they are weak. I've certainly run across a couple who quite enjoy shoving their views down my throat. It's cute, almost.
"On top of that, you're right about there being so much more that could be accomplished if we were working together. But if we did, if we all just hopped on the same page and got to work, where's the challenge. Where's the part of life that says, 'look at this and tell me how your way is better'? I don't know about you, but I rather like neighbors that think a touch differently than I do. Sure I think they're full of rubbish sometimes, and I'm certain I've told them to bugger off after a few mojitos, but they're nice people. The White Moon and Dark Mirror could exist in the same fashion - mostly getting along, with a few missteps. Perhaps you lot could jet off to the stars while we stick around here, no harm no foul."
It's your way or the highway, isn't it? Things would be so much easier if everyone just dropped their opinion in favor of yours. I bet you've already got a few kids under your thumb too, the poor things. But all you're doing with me is talking in circles - chasing your own tail. Let's get together, let's deal with the true evil that's threatening to destroy us all. And then? You turn right about and talk about hopping onto another planet because this one might get too trashed. You talk of fight, then of escape. So which is it, Remarque? Will you stay or will you go? Either way I look at it, I'm not much for sticking around to see if you'll make a decision.
"You dream big, kiddo." She reached to pat him on the shoulder, but changed her mind halfway, which left her hand awkwardly suspended between them for a moment. "Don't forget that there's reality hanging about somewhere. Might get a bit messy if you do." She may as well leave the lurking spirit in question to the blonde - after all, they both may be just figments of her imagination.
"Ta-ta, Remarque. Best of luck with your space visit." She offered a slightly sarcastic wave before she retreated in the direction from whence they came, boots thumping across the hardwood in rhythmic succession.
Curiously, the noise stopped. She wondered if the growls were nothing more than machinations of the wind.
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