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 Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 2:10 pm
Camelot, it turned out, was not a hard guy to find. Some quick questioning of friends pointed Babylon in the direction of the main library, and everything he'd found out leant itself towards the older knight keeping regular patrol hours. Presumably, if he waited long enough, he'd appear. As he settled himself on top of an HVAC unit atop the row of shops across the street from the library, Babylon did his best to review the questions he meant to ask. First, was there a way to learn what a Negaverser's past identity would have been, short of purifying them? Second, and more generally - how to proceed in his dealings with Lieutenant Titanlåvenite. (And he'd practiced saying the man's full name, just for the heck of it.) About fifteen minutes into his vigil, Babylon sensed a powerful order signature from behind the library, soon accompanied by the appearance of a man dressed in cream, gold, and red robes on top of the library. He was unmistakable, and Babylon hopped to his feet. Lantern raised, he made the jump across the street, landing with significantly less sureness than a mountain goat on the roof of the library. "Hey," he called after Camelot, finding his balance. "I don't know if we're at the point where I can ask you favors, but can I pick your brain for a bit?"
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 6:14 pm
Camelot was a creature of habit. With a day job and a family to balance with his patrols, he had to be. Of course, nothing ever went as he expected, even in the day to day, and he had to allow for the super strange. Getting dragged into space, for example, was never something he could really predict, but it happens often enough that it was something he kept some contingency plans for. Even with the unexpected plaguing him, he tried to maintain a schedule.
After he finished work, he locked the doors and set out on his patrol. He always started from the library's roof, perhaps testing the limits of the magic that protected his identity. Never had it failed him, and he had faith that no one would be able to put together the knight was the librarian unless he gave them hints.
He only told other knights, and senshi that might need his help, and he felt secure in that.
Powering up was always a rush, the sudden surge of power coursing through his tired bones. Whatever weariness he felt from his day at the library, it was gone the moment his cape settled and Anthony Darrow opened his eyes as Camelot. He did not need his cane to walk, and had no reason to fear the dangers around him that would have eaten him for dinner if he were still a run of the mill kind of human being.
He was surprised to feel another aura quite close to his, turning just as Babylon was landing on the roof top. He smiled immediately, nodding his head in greeting first before moving over toward the other and offering his hand.
"Babylon, good to see you. I'm never quick to turn down a favor, what did you need?"
Camelot put himself out there as a go to for information or help if anyone wanted him. He had a few people come to him because of that, some he had never even met beforehand, and he was always glad to be able to offer even a small amount of help if he could.
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 7:21 pm
Babylon smiled with relief - he'd been worried that Camelot wouldn't give him the time of day, but that had just been idle anxiety. "It's not so much a favor as I have some questions I hoped you could answer," he explained. "And - I'd like your advice on a matter." But maybe not on the library roof, where they'd be a beacon for every youma and chaos operative in a ten-block radius. Once they'd moved someplace a bit less conspicuous, Babylon said, "I think you've met Lieutenant Titanlåvenite? Guy's about seven feet tall, blonde, all muscle, wears a skull on his shoulder?" The guy was distinctive. If Camelot had met him, Babylon doubted he'd have forgotten the occasion. "I've run into him a few times. He's interested in order, in knighthood, but he has questions I don't have the answers to." The knight shrugged. He'd rehearsed this in his head a few times, but now he wasn't so sure anymore what information was and wasn't important. Camelot was an imposing presence, and Babylon, who'd long thought that he answered to no authority besides his own conscience, well - he wanted to win some measure of approval. He'd been a dumb kid last they'd spoke. "I think he'd be a good candidate for purification if I can hold his attention a while longer," he told Camelot. "At any rate, he'd be a better friend than an enemy." They already were friends - tenuously. "Last time I saw him he asked me if I had the power to purify, and I told him no, only you could do that - he distrusts senshi, so it didn't make sense to bring Iris into it." He twisted the handle of his lantern between his hands uncertainly. "I don't want to mess this up," Babylon said. "But he's loyal to Obsidian and I'm not sure how to chip away at that without pushing too hard." Which brought him back to his initial question. "Is there a way to find out a Negaverser's wonder without actually purifying them?" he asked. "Titan asked about that. I think that knowing what's waiting for him could help sway him."
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 9:01 pm
"That's a hard one to forget," Camelot nodded, at the very least knowing the other from pack attacks. Even with a swarm of other Negaverse soldiers around him, he stuck out. The first part of his name, Titan, certainly seemed to fit. The rest... Camelot had a hard time keeping all the syllables in the proper order.
He was impressed Babylon had managed it, though.
"He's interesting in purifying? That's good to know. But Purification can be a very difficult subject to fully broach, particularly because it has to be their choice. Having someone steeped in Chaos come to Order willingly..." it could be an uphill battle, to say the least. Camelot knew that from his own personal experience, as well as witnessing the struggle and results in others. Sometimes it felt like Chaos had it far too easy, able to steal Order numbers away at their own whim, while Order had to struggle to stop the bleeding with very small band aids.
"Unfortunately, I don't think it would be possible to discover the past identity of a Negaverse soldier, before they purify. They do exist, of course, but accessing those memories, that Wonder... it's locked away, with their potential to be a Knight. The corruption they've undergone has hidden that information from them and, I'm afraid, from us as well. While nothing is ever definite, as far as I've seen from those I have purified and those I've seen, they only come to know their past selves when the Chaos is removed, and that part of their starseed becomes accessible to them once more. He could always visit your Wonder, though, and see what Knighthood would be like, through you? Or me." It would be less of a risk for him, in a way, in case things went south.
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 11:02 pm
"I helped Spinel through his purification a few weeks ago," offered Babylon, trying to sound humble. "He's Super Sailor Oenone now. But he was basically ready to change sides by the time I met him and just needed someone to make the right connections and get him out of there. Titan-" he'd said the name correctly once, and didn't trust himself not to mangle it the second time, and besides, it was long- "He's not nearly as far along in the process." He nodded grimly at the news that there was no way to do what Titan seemed interested in, to give him a glimpse of his own future. Maybe that would have been too good to be true, made things too easy. Thoughtfully, Babylon said, "Your wonder might be better than mine. I'm still trying to convince him that knights act in defense of the Earth, and taking him to Mercury might not help my case." Even if Babylon was in very good shape these days. He'd like to show it off - just not at risk of turning Titan off from purification and making him run screaming in the opposite direction. Sighing, he said, "I've let him know that purification is an option. I know he needs to approach that decision on his own but - the waiting is hard. The worry that I'm wasting everyone's time. He's nice. I'd hate to see him wind up dark and twisted the way Avalon is." Perhaps Camelot would be sympathetic, he thought.
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 12:05 pm
Camelot smiled and nodded his head, glad to hear that a Corrupt Senshi chose to purify. He knew how difficult it was to get down to that decision, the road there full of challenges and unforeseeable things that could easily ruin the attempt. Chaos was unpredictable, and falling to it was far easier than clawing ones way out of it, particularly after being exposed to it more and more.
He never wanted to consider anyone a lost cause, but he had seen the depths that Chaos could drag someone to. Any small return was a victory in itself, a reminder that there were people out there that Order could trust, and that wanted to escape Chaos' control.
"I would be glad to take him there, then, if he is okay with the idea. If it helps him see what being a Knight is, or aids him in his decision, then I'm more than willing." There was a dragon living in Camelot, the place, but the knight was sure that would not be an issue.
"It's never a waste of time to try, and talking, putting the idea out there, is some times all we can do. I think you're doing the right thing, trying to help him, and moving at his pace rather than yours."
At the mention of Avalon, Camelot's expression fell a bit, and he nodded his head. He'd heard, of course, but he hadn't wanted to believe it. It was a waste and a shame, the war between Order and Chaos hitting far too close to home.
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 1:44 pm
"I'll bring it up with him when I see him next," said Babylon, although he wasn't sure when that might be. He tended to run into Titan at random - it might be time to draft a letter to the big lieutenant, see if he could arrange a rendezvous. "And then we can figure out a good time for you to take him, if he's game." It all really depended on what Titan wanted to do, and rushing Titan was like trying to convince a mountain to move. He watched Camelot's reaction to Avalon's corruption carefully, almost expecting the older man to say something, but- Babylon rubbed his scar with a gloved hand, feeling the familiar ache of skin healed just a bit too tight. Did he dare say that her fall was his fault, and risk whatever good grace it was he had with Camelot? Or bite his tongue, and- "She went with them because she felt alone," he said. "If I hadn't gone away for college, maybe she wouldn't have." So much for conceal, don't feel. "I think that the key to purifying people and keeping them purified, or to keeping people from corrupting, is to make sure that they have people who care about them. People who keep them anchored. So that Chaos can't offer them anything we can't do better." "I don't know what to do about Avalon, though," he sighed. "She won't rest until I join her or I'm dead. But that's my problem to deal with on my own, I think." Shrugging haplessly, Babylon added, "Well, that about covers my questions."
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 2:05 pm
"Chaos is a corruptive and alluring force. It seems like it could be the answer to one's problems, promises far more than it can ever deliver. It takes away pain, it removes troublesome memories. It is an easy out for a difficult problem: but it comes at a terrible cost. Whatever drives those that make the decision to betray their potential, they are misguided, and falling victim to a devious enemy. Moreso than any of the soldiers it so deftly wields and collects, Chaos itself is the most dangerous enemy any of us will ever face."
He spoke without lifting his head, staring down at his feet for a long moment as he thought about those he had lost already. Not a small number, and people he never would have thought he could lose. It showed him that there were more dangerous things out there than bad guys with weapons and magic: human beings would always be susceptible to temptation. Their greatest weakness in this war was within themselves, but that was for each one of them to face alone, when the time came.
And it seemed like it always would.
"Just be careful, Babylon. It would be a terrible loss if she succeeds in taking you. Chaos doesn't need your permission, even if it seems like they want it." He drew himself out of his reverie and looked at the other knight, nodding his head and moving closer so he could put his hand on the other's shoulder. "Just be careful, and remember that nothing is lost forever. We can, and will, find a way to bring them back."
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 3:37 pm
He wondered if Camelot had kids, and felt like he'd asked before and not gotten an answer. He figured he had to. The guy sort of radiated dad vibes in a way Babylon had been trying to ignore but now couldn't ignore. He slumped at the touch of the hand on his shoulder. "She wouldn't be the same," he said glumly. "She's forgotten everything besides being Avalon. She doesn't remember being good, or kind, or - anything, really." He'd give anything to have Avalon back and not trying to kill him - but he had no illusions that she'd be Tate, that she'd be his. And that was when he felt the tears, hot behind his eyes. "She killed my father," he said, looking at the armored hand. "I don't why she went after him or why she killed him or if she knew he was mine-" she couldn't, or why wouldn't she have just cut to the chase and gone after Finn- "But she killed him. Stuck her sword right through his throat and left him for me to find." Tate would have never done that. Tate had considered Anthony Derouen her fashion idol from age eleven onwards. "I'll never become like that," he said. "And I want her back on our side, believe me- she's just-" He shook his head, blinked back tears, swallowed the knot in his throat. "She's so far gone and I don't know what to do."
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 4:30 pm
Camelot watched Babylon and took a slow breath, listening to what Avalon had done. He had no real response: there was no undoing what the Negaverse, what Chaos, did to their friends and loved ones. Through corruption or what horrors that force brought forward, no one could ever feel truly safe. Camelot worried about his family constantly, and it turned out most of his family were on the side of Order anyway. They could fight for themselves, and they did, but that made them no more safe than anyone else. They had the strength to fight, but it made them targets, and they were thrown into terrible danger regularly. While civilians, the innocent people Camelot pledged himself to protect, had no way to defend themselves, they were only targeted as sources of energy or starseeds, or for devilishly evil revenge plots. He knew of a Nega who used civilians like toys, and threw their lives away just to see Senshi and Knights squirm.
"I'm sorry," he said softly, knowing it wasn't enough. He saw the young man was struggling to keep himself composed, and did what any father would. He put his arms around Babylon and hugged him, firmly, supporting him and trying to reassure him at the same time. He might not have been Babylon's father, but that did not really seem to matter, in the scheme of things.
Whatever he had to do, Camelot would never forget his quest. Purification was only a step toward it: the balance between Chaos and Order needed to be restored. Chaos spread like a virus, and it needed to be stopped. He did not want to believe anyone was too far gone.
"You're not alone, and neither is she. If there is a way to stop this, we will find it." He couldn't help but think of Lina, and how badly he wanted to bring her back to their side. She had been corrupted, purified, and corrupted again. Where did it stop? Where was the limit to what a starseed could take? To what a mind could take? Lina was a daughter he had lost, someone he had no means yet to save, but he was not prepared to give up on her yet, either. He would certainly not give up on Avalon.
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 4:56 pm
He was going to let himself cry on Camelot's shoulder for exactly fifteen seconds, Finn told himself, except then that very quickly turned into thirty and then a full minute before he finally pulled himself away and wiped his eyes. "Thank you," he said, and hated himself for how wobbly his voice sounded. "I'll, um," stammered Babylon, "I should get going. I'll send you a message. Keep you in the loop about Titan." Right now he kind of needed to go lie on his couch and cry, or go distract himself with a trip to outer space, or - anything, really. "Thank you," he repeated. "I appreciate your optimism, I really do. And I want to help. It's just really, really recent right now and I- I think I need to head home and deal with myself." Well, this had gotten embarrassing.
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 5:30 pm
Camelot did nothing to stop Babylon, letting him cry as much as he needed to. He was not feeling his strongest at the moment, either, though he remained composed for the sake of the younger knight. He had grown far more used to these kinds of tragedies than he had ever wanted to, but through that at least he could offer support for those that needed it.
He would have to go home and be miserable on his own time.
"I'd appreciate that," he said after clearing his throat, patting the other on the shoulders before finally releasing him and giving him a small smile. He nodded his head understood completely how necessary it was to deal with these sorts of things alone, as no matter how anyone else tried, with something so personal, it would be up to Babylon to make it through it for himself.
"And feel free to contact me if you need me, for anything. Alright?" It wasn't like the other did not know where to find him, after all. He took a few steps back and bowed a bit, though now he was not sure he had it in him to go about his patrol. Really, he wanted to go home, see his baby daughter, and sit with Dogby on the couch.
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Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 9:03 pm
"Alright," Babylon confirmed, nodding as he wiped his eyes dry on his gloves. He returned Camelot's slight bow, thinking the older man deserved the courtesy more than he did. "Thank you. I know - we don't know each other very well, but I appreciate your help. And... everything else." He smiled a small, tight smile, trying to assure himself and Camelot that he'd be okay. And then, carefully, he raised a shaking hand in a salute that would have usually seemed casual but mostly read as sad. "Good night," he said, turning. Maybe he'd head to space, he thought. That would cheer him up. Nothing his ancestor could dump on him could possibly depress him even more.
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