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The streets of Destiny City were relatively empty this time of night; sometimes Aurostibite wished it was easier to go around in the daytime powered up, because after too many night patrols, it started to feel as though the night might never actually end - and in this particular case, the night stretched out in front of him like a black velvet blanket, covering anything and everything in its path. Occasionally, there was the chirp of a cricket, or the hum of a bird about to go to sleep; sometimes, more often than not, the too-loud laughter of someone stumbling drunkenly out of a bar, or a club. These were the nights that Aurostibite preferred best, because coming across those people meant a night of energy draining, a night of doing anything but just wandering around from place to place, struggling to find meaning to his patrol.
It was not that he thought his purpose in the Negaverse as meaningless, per say; but it was much easier to focus on the work at hand and not other distractions when he was physically involved in something like energy draining or fighting.
This particular night was no difference; Aurostibite had managed to find a civilian lurking just around the corner of a local bar, and he'd been an easy target. Coming up behind up, all it had taken was a simple touch to his shoulder, and a few carefully planned footsteps before the man had collapsed to the ground, eyes heavy and his body limp. Aurostibite had felt generous, and had partly dragged the man into an alleyway to keep him from getting stepped on or snowed on.
Now he was nearing the park, hat pulled low over his face, dark hair whipping in the wind.
It was not that he thought his purpose in the Negaverse as meaningless, per say; but it was much easier to focus on the work at hand and not other distractions when he was physically involved in something like energy draining or fighting.
This particular night was no difference; Aurostibite had managed to find a civilian lurking just around the corner of a local bar, and he'd been an easy target. Coming up behind up, all it had taken was a simple touch to his shoulder, and a few carefully planned footsteps before the man had collapsed to the ground, eyes heavy and his body limp. Aurostibite had felt generous, and had partly dragged the man into an alleyway to keep him from getting stepped on or snowed on.
Now he was nearing the park, hat pulled low over his face, dark hair whipping in the wind.
Winter wind bit through her uniform and made her shiver. She wished her fuku would change with the weather, but nooo. Short skirt and a thing blouse. Whatever. Kepler huffed as she curled up on her perch on the edge of a building, looking around. The Negaverse seemed more active in the winter, she'd noticed, because their uniforms could handle the cold, unlike a lot of the senshi's she knew. She huffed a little as she rubbed her bare legs, trying to get some sense of feeling back into them.
"GUH." Just standing still was not going to do any good at all. She got up then, stamped her feet to get her blood flowing before taking off in a direction she felt a pull towards. There was a little Negaverse energy out today; a lower level, she realized a she got closer to it.
And that's when she spotted a uniform looking very familiar heading towards the park of all places.
"Not so fast!"
She jumped upon a lamp post, one of her favorite spots to stand and talk down to these Negaverse brats. (Never mind most were older than her.) "Where do you think you're going?"
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Aurostibite partly wished that he did indeed have a thicker coat to keep out some of the cold; but thankfully the one he wore now was relatively good at at least blocking the wind, as were the gloves, and his hat was excellent for keeping things out of his face (except for the wind, which kept annoyingly blowing stray curls into his eyes and making him drag them away from his face).
He'd thought perhaps that the night would be relatively dull from now on; and he was even considering going back early, was it not for the brief flicker of a power signature that flickered across his field of recognition. Aurostibite lifted his head, turning to see who it was - but there seemed to be no need, because it grew stronger, and then there was a loud clatter as someone landed on the lamp post just in front of him.
Aurostibite's eyes moved upwards, a slight frown on his face.
"Why," he said with a sigh, "does it seem like none of you senshi children have any manners whatsoever?"
He'd thought perhaps that the night would be relatively dull from now on; and he was even considering going back early, was it not for the brief flicker of a power signature that flickered across his field of recognition. Aurostibite lifted his head, turning to see who it was - but there seemed to be no need, because it grew stronger, and then there was a loud clatter as someone landed on the lamp post just in front of him.
Aurostibite's eyes moved upwards, a slight frown on his face.
"Why," he said with a sigh, "does it seem like none of you senshi children have any manners whatsoever?"
Her lavender eyes narrowed at the man beneath her and she crossed her arms over her chest. Her not have any manners? Kepler scoffed and jumped down into the light, stepping closer to him all in one fluid motion.
Despite her sphere, Kepler was at a loss for words at the children comment. "Says the one who drains energy for evil. You're the one with no manners." She got into her defensive position and just swallowed. No matter how many battles she's been in, she was scared and nervous the entire time, even more so when the fighting actually happened.
"Prepare, Nega-scum! Words aren't going to help you now!" Without so much as a question or an introduction, Kepler took off for him, fist swinging almost blindly because hey, she still didn't know how to fight well unless she cast magic.
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"I wish," said Aurostibite, in a rather irritated tone of voice, "that you were all not quite so hasty at throwing insults and accusations without a proper basis for them, as many of you have proven yourself to do. It's rather frustrating, just for the record; not that you have ever cared about my opinion," he added, giving her a somewhat dismissive look, in spite of the fact that he suspected her power signature was a little higher than his. "But there you have it nonetheless. You all - " His expression darkened as she shifted. " - should learn some proper etiquette."
His hair blew into his face again; he smacked it aside impatiently.
"I drain them for a reason, and no harm comes to them," was Aurostibite's bored answer. "That is a complete non-issue."
He had not expected her to just suddenly leap at him. Taken aback, he stumbled where he stood, trying to pivot out of her way; the edge of the senshi's fist smacked painfully against his jawline, sending him staggering, and Aurostibite let out a small hiss of annoyance, a gloved hand rising to massage his cheek as he regained his footing. Eyes glittering, he swung his own fist back, aiming for her side.
"This is what I meant," he snarled. "About being rude."
His hair blew into his face again; he smacked it aside impatiently.
"I drain them for a reason, and no harm comes to them," was Aurostibite's bored answer. "That is a complete non-issue."
He had not expected her to just suddenly leap at him. Taken aback, he stumbled where he stood, trying to pivot out of her way; the edge of the senshi's fist smacked painfully against his jawline, sending him staggering, and Aurostibite let out a small hiss of annoyance, a gloved hand rising to massage his cheek as he regained his footing. Eyes glittering, he swung his own fist back, aiming for her side.
"This is what I meant," he snarled. "About being rude."
He talked a lot for someone she wanted to beat up and go home. He was trying to trick her into thinking the Negaverse was harmless, but she knew better than that. Kepler's eyes narrowed impatiently before her fist slid against his jawline. The senshi of words watched this guy stagger for a bit before he regained his footing, alarmingly fast. She was caught off guard herself and hit in the ribs nice and squarely.
She cried out and got herself a step or two back as she put her hands over where he punched, trying to breath normally. Her own bangs were slapping her in the face now and she just ignored them, eyes stinging. She would never get used to being punched. Never get used to waking up in so much pain because of being bruised.
"You're.. Ah, rude! I know why you gather energy and I'm not going to let it happen as long as I have breath in my body." She was dead serious about that. Still, she took a few more moments to compose herself before starting to run, circling him and then she flew at him, this time her leg coming out to hopefully catch him in the back.
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He was annoyed that she seemed intent on being reckless. Aurostibite was used to being cautious, to assessing his situation before diving headfirst into it. But this particular senshi clearly didn't care for any of the general niceties that he oftentimes tried to keep just that - nice.
His hit had landed straight on, and he gave a small grunt of satisfaction, but it was short lived. Even as a senshi, it felt strange to be hitting a girl, but he kept that thought out of his head, pushing it back into the recesses of his mind to think of it later. Now was not the time to be a gentleman, now was the time to finish what she had started, continue on the path that they had both come to at the present moment. Punching someone straight on was rough, but he wasn't about to hesitate.
Aurostibite snorted. "You are free to believe whatever illusions have been thrown your way," he said dispassionately, and then her leg had snapped against his back, and he staggered forward; it had caught him off balance, and he stumbled to one knee, trying to catch his breath as he twisted around to look at her over one shoulder.
"Perhaps it's meant for you to have no breath, then," he said flatly, and swung his leg out, trying to knock her off of her feet.
His hit had landed straight on, and he gave a small grunt of satisfaction, but it was short lived. Even as a senshi, it felt strange to be hitting a girl, but he kept that thought out of his head, pushing it back into the recesses of his mind to think of it later. Now was not the time to be a gentleman, now was the time to finish what she had started, continue on the path that they had both come to at the present moment. Punching someone straight on was rough, but he wasn't about to hesitate.
Aurostibite snorted. "You are free to believe whatever illusions have been thrown your way," he said dispassionately, and then her leg had snapped against his back, and he staggered forward; it had caught him off balance, and he stumbled to one knee, trying to catch his breath as he twisted around to look at her over one shoulder.
"Perhaps it's meant for you to have no breath, then," he said flatly, and swung his leg out, trying to knock her off of her feet.
And onto her rump she went, groaning and attempting to scramble back so she didn't get stepped on.
Who cared about niceties when there was a war going on and you were a soldier. She looked up at the man as she attempted to get to her feet, stumbling a bit and just thankful her hair was piled on top of her head because she would have tripped on it and hurt herself even worse. All the girl could do was rub her rump as she backed away, trying to get even more distance between them.
What she wanted to do was cast her magic soon. "You can try, but you won't succeed." She wasn't going to die. No today and not like this. It was just a fist fight at this point. She stood with her feet together and her eyes closed, focusing her magic. "Defensionem!" Kepler uttered out, the shield of words surrounding her.
Sailor Scout Attack: Defensionem!
Defense!
One hand is held up and she closes her eyes. The phrase is spoke and a shield of words, surrounds her, or whoever she focuses on.
In which she creates a small shield around one person, or herself. It negates all attacks for a total of 20 seconds! This can be for multiple attacks at the same time. Can be used twice per battle!
Defense!
One hand is held up and she closes her eyes. The phrase is spoke and a shield of words, surrounds her, or whoever she focuses on.
In which she creates a small shield around one person, or herself. It negates all attacks for a total of 20 seconds! This can be for multiple attacks at the same time. Can be used twice per battle!
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Sadly, Aurostibite cared about the niceties because Aurostibite was Aurostibite.
Aurostibite dragged himself to his feet again, sporting what was probably an unpleasant bruise on his knee. He stepped over to the senshi, glowering down at her as she ot to her feet again. His expression shifted, however, from one of mild disgust, to one of surprise as she yelled, and the wall came soaring upwards, like words peeled from the pages of a hundred textbooks. They encircled her entirely, and he took a step back, looking confused and angry and annoyed all at once.
"Hiding?" Aurostibite said, and scoffed. "That's just like you senshi."
He brought his gloved fist down hard on the wall of words, but it did nothing except cause a ringing sensation up and down his arm. Aurostibite skidded backwards, scowling, and tried kicking at it, but to no avail.
This was really getting frustrating.
Aurostibite dragged himself to his feet again, sporting what was probably an unpleasant bruise on his knee. He stepped over to the senshi, glowering down at her as she ot to her feet again. His expression shifted, however, from one of mild disgust, to one of surprise as she yelled, and the wall came soaring upwards, like words peeled from the pages of a hundred textbooks. They encircled her entirely, and he took a step back, looking confused and angry and annoyed all at once.
"Hiding?" Aurostibite said, and scoffed. "That's just like you senshi."
He brought his gloved fist down hard on the wall of words, but it did nothing except cause a ringing sensation up and down his arm. Aurostibite skidded backwards, scowling, and tried kicking at it, but to no avail.
This was really getting frustrating.
"I'm not hiding." It was really funny to her that's what he thought. No, hiding was something she didn't like. Hiding was really, really annoying and she was not that big of a coward.
While she was in her protective shield, Kepler felt way to cocky for her own good. Unfortunately, she knew this wasn't going to last forever. His attacks were rendered completely useless, but hers weren't. She stepped forward, rushing him again, lowering her head in a way that would be very much like a headbutt. That's what she wanted to do. Headbutt him right in the stomach or the chest, knock the wind out of him, hopefully give him a nice bone bruise because her head was extremely hard and she knew that.
She wasn't a coward, but she would use her own magic to her advantage.
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"You're certainly not proving yourself to be doing anything else but hiding," said Aurostibite dismissively, though he knew it wasn't really true; it was merely just an attempt at baiting her to come out, because it was not as though he could actually do much when the wall of defense was up. He took a step back and readjusted his footing, trying to see about getting into the proper position, arms raised in front of him for when the wall would dissipate.
Which it did, after a moment, but not until after she had rushed forward, her head slamming into his torso with enough force to knock him entirely backwards. Caught completely off guard by the unexpected attack, Aurostibite collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, his head snapping back. The wind was completely knocked out of him for several seconds, his eyes wide with surprise.
"The...hell..." he gasped out. "That was...low."
Which it did, after a moment, but not until after she had rushed forward, her head slamming into his torso with enough force to knock him entirely backwards. Caught completely off guard by the unexpected attack, Aurostibite collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, his head snapping back. The wind was completely knocked out of him for several seconds, his eyes wide with surprise.
"The...hell..." he gasped out. "That was...low."
At least she got him headbutted after that comment. She was beyond not hiding. When her head slammed into his torso, she felt vibrations down her spine because bone and muscle were hard. She probably damaged herself a tiny bit there. Her neck was aching so bad.
But she straightened herself up and then went to, hopefully, get a few good kicks at him while he was winded. "All is fair in this war!" She honestly didn't know what she meant by that. She hadn't kicked him in the groin or anything, and so far, apart from bruises, Kepler hadn't really injured him. She was praying he would get fed up with getting hit in the same spots over and over and just leave. This was one of the longer fights she'd been in, honestly.
"Why don't you just leave!"
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He tried to sit up, and it didn't work, so he laid back down, trying to drag in a proper breath. He hadn't ever been hit that hard in his stomach before; it made breathing both very painful and very shallow, and the senshi kicking him was not helping.
"That's - the wrong - phrase - " Aurostibite grunted out, shoving her leg and finally managing to roll himself over, wheezing. He pressed both hands to the ground and forced himself up, swaying and stumbling as he lifted a hand and pressed it to his stomach. Nausea rolled over him in waves; Aurostibite clapped his gloved fingers over his mouth and tried to keep himself from vomiting right then and there.
"This fight," he spat out, voice muffled. "is useless."
And he'd lost, which was embarrassing and shameful. Aurostibite took a step backwards, shaking his head as the distance between them grew.
"At some point, I will find you again," he said flatly. "And it will not be nearly as pleasant as this time."
"That's - the wrong - phrase - " Aurostibite grunted out, shoving her leg and finally managing to roll himself over, wheezing. He pressed both hands to the ground and forced himself up, swaying and stumbling as he lifted a hand and pressed it to his stomach. Nausea rolled over him in waves; Aurostibite clapped his gloved fingers over his mouth and tried to keep himself from vomiting right then and there.
"This fight," he spat out, voice muffled. "is useless."
And he'd lost, which was embarrassing and shameful. Aurostibite took a step backwards, shaking his head as the distance between them grew.
"At some point, I will find you again," he said flatly. "And it will not be nearly as pleasant as this time."
She let out a squeal when her leg was grabbed and shoved back, but that wasn't really followed by anything, so she thought it was a victory. She stumbled to keep herself from falling on her rump again and just squinted at him as he covered his mouth. Kepler wouldn't show remorse for making him feel sick. Mainly her eyes just narrowed at him and she couldn't hide her smirk as he kept stepping back.
This time she didn't follow him. "You can try to fight me again, but history tends to repeat itself!" She warned, not taking her eyes off his form as he backed away from the light. "Next time I won't go easy on you."
