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 Posted: Sun May 25, 2014 10:24 pm
Had others in her beloved court knew what she was doing, they may not have approved and would have advised her to return home that instant, but alas, not a single one was there to stop her. Sailor Canopus, Dark Mirror senshi of Longevity had spent some time hiding in the woods in the park following after the recent freak show that had consumed Destiny City this evening. She should have taken the mirror that took her home, but she couldn't bring herself to stay there for long. She say in her bed for only a moment, still in her sailor guise, before taking to the mirror again and moving to the familiar woods in the park. She couldn't sleep, not until she knew for sure that Astarte was safe.
She wasn't sure exactly what it was that blossomed between the two. Astarte was a senshi from the White Moon and by all means she should not have been mentioned in such a positive light, but they had fought along side one another, once here in these woods against a youma and again outside the warehouse, and when the two were forced to part ways, she felt genuine concern for her safety. Did she may it out of there? Was she safe? Did they kill her?
Canopus certainly hoped not. As ashamed as she was to admit, she worried for Astarte, just as she had done for Avior, and while there were no tears streaming down her face as she wondered the woods, looking for any signs of her familiar horns or the orange collar, she found herself whispering a soft prayer for the senshi's safety. If it was wrong for her to care so for her 'enemy', then she'd accept the punishment that came with that, so long as it meant that she could see Astarte alive and well again. Maybe one day she would join her through the mirror, but for now, she just needed to know if she was alright. If she could see... she'd be so happy!
"Astarte, if you're out here, please... I need to see you again. I need to know you're okay..."Aeeth I'm sorry, the weekend recently devoured me. It sucked. :<
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Posted: Mon May 26, 2014 8:09 am
Astarte huffed aloud, absolutely exhausted from the night's successive catastrophes. Hostages, crystals, portals... Youma. She found no scrap of energy left within herself to reflect on the lot of it. Her skin burnt from the choking plumes of smoke, she coughed with damn near every step, and her gait maintained in a stunted shuffle due to the numbness in her legs. With hands hung at her sides, Astarte looked ready to topple over into welcome unconsciousness at any given moment.
Mostly her mind fixated on the last moments spent with Canopus before escaping back into the world. She outstretched her hand before embarking through the mirror, as if an invitation to Astarte. The Demon accepted that invitation without a second thought - did she even need to think about it? - yet her knuckles found the mirror ever solid. These Dark Mirror senshi, they seemed a coven of witches with the way they darted through their looking glasses. Was she wrong in assuming all senshi were demons? Maybe not; witches often enacted pacts with demons to obtain their powers, so one would reason that a demon possessed the same or better powers as a witch.
They're simply demons of a different sort. A different hell. Parahell? She laughed, fully exhausted.
Astarte soon found herself treading through light ground cover. She knew the paths through the forest well enough; her battle alongside Canopus taught her to navigate the woods to some appreciable capacity. From what she remembered of the city, the forest stood en route from point A (the warehouse) to point B (bed). Like hell would she take to surface streets just to complicate her route. Any youma brazen enough to attack her here was welcome to try... Though just the thought of yet another fight with yet another beast wrenched an exasperated sigh from the senshi.
Next time don't go galavanting through the city just to find out why the power went out. Once it comes back on, go home. The big guns will handle things from th- Astarte's thoughts found interruption in the form of a familiar auric energy. Dark, yet not wholly abrasive as the Negaverse's. A voice called, too far out for her to determine any words. Abandoning thoughts of home for the moment, Astarte meandered toward the noise, adding her own calls as she drew closer. "Who's out there?" Neither friendly nor acerbic, she kept her tone steady and stern.
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Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 6:05 pm
It was sad that Canopus had heard Astarte coughing before she had sensed her faint Order aura, and the moment she heard the soft coughing sound resonating from the woods, Canopus ran towards the sound. It was her! It had to be her! She made it out of the warehouse, alive, and hopefully in one piece. If not, then maybe she could carry her to the hospital? There had to be something Canopus could do for Astarte...
Finally she spotted her friend, and even from this distance, she looked so very tired and exhausted! Had she been able to pull her through the mirror, perhaps Astarte would not have been so exhausted as she was now, and Canopus saw that as a personal failure instead of a flaw with her friend. She had to become stronger somehow... how else could she help save her friends and her court if she was not strong enough to pull them through a mirror and lead them into salvation? It was something that weighed heavy in her heart, but she pushed forward, finally reaching her friend's side, hoping that she wasn't too angry at her for not being able to assist her through the mirror or that her wounds were not too severe! "Astarte! It's only me, Canopus!"
It took everything within her power not to want to grab her and hold her close, fearing that in doing so she would have agitated a wound or any burns she might have. "I'm... I'm sorry I couldn't get you through the mirror! I'm so glad you're alive... do... do you need to get to a hospital? Are you alright?"
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Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 7:05 am
"Oh, good... Was worried I'd have to deal with more idiots before my bath." She coughed afterward, her lungs dry and irritated from all the smoke. The sight of Canopus was a balm to her mind - an ally, however spent, which made the walk home that much easier.
Astarte wiped the back of her hand across her forehead, clearing a path in the dirt and soot that collected across her features. "All I need to do is sleep for a day and a half and I'll be right as rain." She offered a tired smile to assuage her friend's concerns. "The only thing I'm worried about is this gash across my chest. Might need a look from a doctor; I'd hate for it to get infected and afterward my tits fall off." I can't imagine I'd look terribly good as a boyish slip of a thing. Who knows, maybe Canopus is into the butch girls and the men. Might end up a plus after all. No more buying expensive bras anymore either... Could be a nice touch.
"Since you're here, though, might as well take that trip to the hospital. Say, how'd you manage that trick through the mirror? I tried to take your hand, but the damned thing was solid." She coughed again, but recovered quickly. "Is it some sort of magic you're privy to? Seemed rather slick back there. Great way to leave off with some unwanted enemies." I'd rather like to learn how to do it myself, but I can't imagine how any of her kind would take it with seeing a White Moon demon crawling around in their transportation devices. She turned murky before she disappeared... I wonder if it's like a long hallway in there. "Are you normally able to pull others through the mirror?"
She threw an arm around Canopus' shoulders before she could respond. "Anyway, might be good to discuss along that nice hospital trip. You can carry me if you like, but I might get a touch heavy depending on how far it is. You'd have to persuade me to let you, too." You look better with a smile on your face, kiddo. Don't look so glum; no one died that you need to worry about.
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Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 7:10 pm
Hearing what Canopus thought to be sarcasm dripping from her lips, she felt immediate relief. If Astarte was well enough to be cracking jokes, then she was in much better shape that she had feared! That didn't dampen her desire to help her, though, and she could not stop herself from worrying, even when the Malice senshi was quick to assure her that she'd be fine. With how much smoke she probably inhaled, one could never be too sure! Astarte brought attention to the wound at her chest and she winced at the sight of it, hovering a hand over the area but making absolutely sure not to touch it. "Oh... Astarte, it looks bad... and don't even joke about that!"
Tits falling off? She wanted to laugh but only because of the stress, but she fought the urge. Now wasn't the time to laugh, not when the fear of it getting infected and causing her friend even more agony was clear in her mind. Avior's wounds were still too recent in her mind to want to laugh at such a statement! Her request to be taken to a hospital wasn't ignored, and she offered a shoulder for the White Moon senshi to lean on, her nerves calming down ever so slightly as she questioned her mirror walking ability. It at least offered a good chance of conversation for the both of them, and she didn't mind giving out some information along the way... perhaps she could save Astarte, in more ways than one?
"Yes, it's a gift given to us when we chose to become a Mirror senshi. Princesses Ares and Leto, and Prince Remarque, give us that ability, as a means of travel and quick escape if we're ever in trouble." She wasn't too sure on the other question she had, but she answered truthfully, the arm over her shoulder a comforting notion for her as they walked forward. "I'm not sure... I think I may be a little too new and weak to be able to in my current state. Maybe if I was at Eternal rank I could... I'm sorry I couldn't pull you through tonight, Astarte, but I'll make it up to you! I promise, someday... let me know if we're going too fast?"
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Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 9:11 pm
Astarte only laughed to herself when Canopus remarked about going too fast. The demon figured she meant their physical pace, but its veiled application to romanticism kept her spirits high. "Trust me, Canopus, you can't outpace me." In some ways.
Pressing a hand to the wound across her chest gingerly, Astarte winced while she measured her pain levels. It certainly had a bite to it, but she would likely survive without painkillers. Stitching looked rather necessary to avoid a gaping scar, too, but the blood flow appeared staunched enough. Satisfied, she balled a fist at her side to mitigate her attention to the pain and listened to Canopus' rather confusing explanation.
A gift, eh? From Ares, Leto, and Remarque... I witnessed Leto once already, a touch short as far as princesses go I would say, but she wielded some terribly unique magic. Very powerful indeed. So for them to bestow the ability to walk through mirrors at the entirety of their court's leisure, then the Dark Mirror Court must tap into some powerful source. It might take some digging, but I'm certain I can learn something of it. "I take it we're both a touch green, then. Nothing wrong with that. You'll just have to get stronger so I can see what the inside of a mirror looks like, that's all. Should be nothing more than a trifle for you, Canopus." She flashed a smile, however tired.
Coughing, Astarte paused momentarily and removed her arm from Canopus' shoulders. She coughed until she bent double to regain some scraps of air, and straightened up soon afterward with a visible sheen of sweat beading through the smears of dirt and soot. Sighing, she trudged toward her friend to reclaim her earlier position. "Remind me to avoid burning buildings altogether this time... Say, do you have any idear why your princess was galavanting about with the Negaverse? Or what might be going on between your court and the Negaverse? It's a touch confusing for an outsider like me."
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Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 3:02 pm
The senshi of Longevity could only hope that Astarte was being honest with her and not just putting on a show when she boasted about being outpaced, because if Astarte collapsed at her feet, she wasn't sure she had the strength to lift her up and carry her. She could have powered down and called an ambulance, maybe, but it at least seemed that it wouldn't come to that, as Astarte seemed capable of walking. What a relief!
"T-thank you... I'm glad you think so. I hope I won't let you or my court down," Canopus said, walking at a slow and steady pace even when her friend assured that she was alright. Her smile was reassuring, in the very least, so it wasn't all too bad, she thought to herself. Maybe she was worrying too much? Knowing how she was, that was definitely within the realm of possibilities. Or not, since Astarte pushed herself off of her shoulder and began to cough, but before Canopus could even begin to panic, she seemed alright enough to walk again and once again her head was resting on her shoulders. "Take it easy..."
Her question got under her skin, because she simply didn't have an answer. Twice her court had been burned by the Negaverse and yet Leto seemed to trust them, with her life. Canopus had no answer and that angered her, but she tried not to let too much of it trickle into her voice, not wanting Astarte to think that she had been the cause of her anguish. "We used to be allies, my court and the Negaverse, up until recently. I'm not sure what happened between our respected courts, but the alliance was broken off, and then certain members of the Negaverse took advantage of that and attacked us. I'll be honest and say that I don't trust them... not a single one. I'm sure there were others fighting to protect us from their own, but... that doesn't negate that there are others there who want us dead, and unless the Negaverse works to quell that hatred, then it'll always remain there. As a stain to remind us that they're... they're vile and cannot be trusted."
Maybe it was harsh for her to say that, but it was what she truly believed, and she'd continue to think so, until proven otherwise. "I suppose Princess Leto still have faith in them... when I cannot. I guess that's why she's a princess and capable of such decisions..."
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Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2014 3:10 pm
"Amen to that, sister," she offered in lilting conclusion to the Negaverse's appraisal. Further acting simply demanded too much energy, whereas she now ran on empty. "Seems like they're always up to some rotten plan or another, always willing to screw over the next guy. But... What can we do about it besides fight them off?" I could think of a few other ways to deal with their ilk, but I need to be a touch stronger for that.
"There's got to be some benefit to your court by Leto sticking along with them." Astarte coughed slightly, lungs still tainted with thick smoke and ash particulates. Clearing her throat, she bumped her fist to her chest only to earn a seething hiss - the gash marring the front of her fuku pained her terribly afterward. "Either it's a case of the small fish teaming up with the big fish to avoid getting eaten, or there's perks in it for her, or ... I don't know... My head's still foggy from all that smoke. Maybe we should save the discussion for another time." Her body yearned for rest, and her head already ached with all the strange happenings spanning the night.
Not far ahead, Astarte spotted a street lamp peering through the trees; she knew they weren't far from the streets now. While her house was not close, it wasn't terribly far either. "Maybe you should sit down and have a chat with lady Leto sometime. Might help to understand why she sees it as a good thing to stick with the Negaverse, even when they pull rubbish tactics like these. And be sure to fill me in when you're done - I'd quite like to know why she's still at it after getting twice burned now."
But who was she to meddle in Dark Mirror affairs? Sure, Canopus proved an excellent ally and offered ample eye candy to boot, but the primer already cautioned her against the Mirror kind. However, it never quite elaborated why... and Remarque had offered rather benign motivations behind the Dark Mirror Court on its own. Ultimately she needed to know more about their kind before she could rightly decide whether the Primer's opinion was warranted or if it offered nothing more than propaganda meant to sway the young and meek.
When heels met thankfully stable concrete, Astarte finally asked of the Dark Mirror's origins. "Say, Canopus... How much do you know about your Court's history?"
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Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 11:00 am
Canopus considered her question, much more seriously than she probably should have, and for a brief moment, she couldn't stop the words that were coming out of her mouth. "We could put an end to them permanently... be rid of them once and for all."
She couldn't believe what she just said, and she immediately regretted her words. "I'm sorry, I didn't... I don't hate all of them, and I don't want them to die. Even... even though I know there's some among them that'd be happy if we were killed. It was so wrong of me, to wish ill upon anyone, even if they deserve it! I'm sorry..."
Not that she was worried that Astarte would judge her harshly. She was just so tired, and frustrated... she had all of this pent up anger, but she wasn't sure how to get rid of it without lashing out at someone, especially when that someone was her friend. That was not how she was raised, and that wasn't how her court was suppose to act, she told herself. Now, completely and utterly ashamed of herself, she tried to soak in Astarte's words and take comfort in them, and she knew to trust Leto with her decision... she may not have understood how Leto or anyone could trust the Negaverse ever again, but she was certain that they had a reason. She just wished she knew what it was... for her own sake, as well as Astarte's.
"That sounds like the best course of action... I shouldn't question her, but... I'd like to know. I don't know..." Canopus felt so lost, even though she knew exactly where she was going. At least she wasn't alone, and Astarte, bless her heart, had no business to be helping her, and yet here she was, offering her sound advice. Then again, she was also helping her to the hospital... this war was too confusing now! When Astarte asked her about her court's origins, she found herself stumbling with the question. How much did she know? And what little she had to offer her, would it hurt her court? "I know some. I know that, once upon a time, before we were called the Dark Mirror Court, when our earlier members were part of the white moon, we weren't... well, we weren't very popular, or loved. By either side. How little's changed."
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Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2014 8:44 pm
Her reaction to considering eradication of another party puzzled Astarte. "Everyone dies, Canopus. What's so bad about the lot of them dying all at once?" Souls departed bodies all the time, whether by Negaverse hands or more natural causes. A spirit must've come over her for a moment. She seems so averse to violence in any form. Bit of a pity, that.
"Part of the White Moon... Interesting." Were she in better health, Astarte would've pressed for further answers - what differentiated them so sharply from the majority of their ragtag group, or what iconoclastic beliefs they held that provoked such a stigma. Currently she only wanted to get some help before she collapsed on the concrete and spent the night with a fat case of road rash on her face. At least the concrete felt solid beneath her shoes, even if her step wasn't entirely reliable. "So you're saying the Dark Mirror is more of a black sheep among us. I'll have to look into that..." Likely Remarque held a few more answers, though he came off so unwilling to dismount his high horse to give her straight answers.
The familiar hospital structure loomed in the distance, and Astarte knew of a few alleyways for privacy coming upon them. She hesitated slightly, parting from Canopus' touch.
"Thanks a lot, doll. It's been a while since I had my a** handed to me quite like that..." Maybe if I hadn't gone picking a fight with one of their top officers, I wouldn't be in this position. Well... Live and learn, or die one stupid death. At least I got the former. "This might be where we have to leave off for a touch. You're not bad, you know, but a girl's got to keep a few secrets. Call it prudish if you want, but I've always been told to guard my identity, and I can't quite go strolling up to the hospital like this expecting help... I doubt they'd take too kindly to us.
"And Canopus, chin up. Don't go moping about like that or your princess will smack you silly."
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Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 7:17 am
She told herself that she shouldn't have been surprised at anyone giving such a statement, and even she had known the truth of it. Even as angry as she was, she couldn't believe herself for ever succumbing to that train of thought, and Astarte, bless her heart, she was trying to help. Despite the shame she felt in herself, Canopus wasn't willing to debate life and death at the moment. She'd simply let Astarte win this argument for the night. "Well... nothing, I guess... If it's their time..."
She knew she had given away too much information already on her court and part of her feared that Astarte would start to think ill of it and in of her. She knew deep in her heart that she shouldn't have pinned for Astarte's approval so, nor why she really was so enraptured in keeping Astarte as a friend, but the idea of losing her really dug under her skin. Would she approve? Would she really care? Would she have to lie to keep her friendship, or were they destined to be pit against one another? Canopus wished she knew...
"Yes, black sheep is... definitely one way of putting it. Maybe not all of us are sheep, but look at me. Could I be anything more than a little sheep just looking for a Shepard and a place of my own? I couldn't hurt anyone, even if I tried..." She said with a small smile, relinquishing her touch when Astarte pulled away. She hadn't even realized they made it to the hospital, but it was good to know that she was leaving her because of that and not because she disapproved or hated her. That was a comfort to her heart at least... her kind words and the mention of seeing one another again in the future certainly offered her some hope, and Canopus could not help but tug at her own hair in anticipation. "No, I understand... you'll make it there just fine. You're so strong, after all. Just hope that one day I can be as strong as you..."
That last bit made her laugh so much that she couldn't stop the snort, and she placed both hands over her mouth in hopes of silencing it before Astarte could hear it. She was just... too tired, too stressed, and any second now, that laughter could become a choking sob. She had to leave before that happened... Astarte wouldn't have wanted her to be so upset. "I'll... I'll do my best, okay? Please, don't tell Princess Leto on me! Take care of yourself... I'll tell you more about my court if you do, okay?"
With that, she quickly turned to leave, hoping she left before the tears could threaten to fall or that she'd see what she felt was a slight blush warming her cheeks. She had to be strong. She shouldn't mope... Astarte nor her court would have wanted that!Aeeth I swore I replied to this... WTF...
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