Umber had never before been summoned by one of their Sovereigns, and he was uncertain if that qualified for luck or folly. Perhaps it leaned more toward disinterest. Having kept mostly in the good graces of Negaverse-mandated duties, Umber never received anything in the way of punishment. He supposed there was no reason to. But now? The lieutenant remained uncertain if this sudden meeting was in reference to successfully corrupting a senshi into the Negaverse or as punishment for its unfortunate bloom into a spectacle.
No one said one excluded the other.
Still, the location did not inspire confidence. Both he and his brother stood within the confines of a cavern somewhat reminiscent of the Rift; the lack of youma informed him that they were likely summoned outside its jurisdiction. Hadn't Benitoite explained that the Rift was impervious to direct teleportation too? Was this Negaspace, then? Surely enough, a glance around the place yielded its own hints - similar violet crystals to those that grew across the barren plains, a cavernous ceiling, and the telltale ever-reaching hallway with its seemingly sentient door. Yes, the Hall of Shadows. Interesting that we meet here.
Attention forward confirmed Laurelite's presence as well. Praise, punishment, new assignment, or something altogether different - it will be known soon. But to summon both Ochre and I... That bears careful consideration.
Several questions accosted Ochre's mind, ranging from where the hell is this to what are they going to do to me to am I gonna die. Not one of them looked more likely to receive an answer than the last. In fact, if the spookiness factor of this strange cavern was anything to go by, then he probably wasn't going to find out until the last minute anyway.
He could guess, easily enough, that his presence here had everything to do with his actions when Sandrine got corrupted. And probably some of the stuff before that. He held the highest faiths that his brother ratted his every transgression to his higher-ups and felt no remorse for it. So, looks like this is gonna be him getting a pat on the back for throwing me under the bus. And me throwing myself under the bus. What does it matter? I failed anyway. All this power and it got me s**t-all. Didn't help Sandrine any. I guess it's only fitting that I'm the next sacrifice.
My only guarantee here is that this s**t's not gonna be pretty.
He stood somewhat behind his brother, off to the right with hands folded over chest with a chill that seemed to pervade every inch of his body. Was it guilt? Likely, but not for treason.
The presence of their Sovereign weighed heavily on him, stealing breath away like an insidious humidity that settled into his lungs. Whatever she wanted, he hoped it was quick; the sooner he vacated her presence, the sooner he felt like his body obeyed him again.
The Space Cauldron
the goal here is to lump both umber's promotion and ochre's punishment into the same rp - the setting was chosen to reflect ochre's punishment. i figured it's easier on you guys / less posting to combine the two different plot veins into one rp.
umber's promotion - aside from doing generally well in the negaverse, umber's promotion will be based around the discovery of sandrine's identity, and the loyalty in turning her over to the negaverse despite her standing as shale's friend. after promotion, i would like for him to be assigned to looking after her and introducing her to the negaverse proper as a trial run for his newfound responsibilities.
ochre's punishment - while still being discussed, it's possible to conclude this portion with a cliffhanger statement that does not divulge the identity of the person overseeing the punishment. indefinite incarceration is the punishment, with allotments of different 'training exercises' from cleared negaverse agents. most of the information on that is in the pm i recently sent - but for the purposes of this rp, disseminated information can be reduced down to the declaration of incarceration, its location, and the comment that someone else will be conducting the punishment.
oh, and the preferred gq here is laurelite! that's all~
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 7:42 pm
Laurelite was not exactly intentionally dawdling, but admittedly she did derive amusement from letting those she summoned stew in their thoughts for a good few moments before she made herself available to them. In those moments of uncertainty and fear, you could learn a lot about yourself. Besides, a few moments of reflection could do the soul good.
Or it could tear it apart.
Her heels brought a familiar, human, noise to the otherworldly realm of Negaspace. She could have teleported, but she had already spent so much energy in the past few days. Metallia could pump as much into her as she wanted, but General Queen or not, it was taxing and she was only human.
But she wouldn’t let them see that.
She cleared her throat as she walked past the two so she could stand before them.
"It is interesting that two of the same blood could be so very different. Umber," she looked at the male almost fondly. "You are in my good graces this evening. I see good things in your future." She paused for a second and then, in a more clipped tone, said, "Ochre." Her features were still soft, but her eyes shifted to him as though doing so pained her. "I wish I could say the same for you."
She sighed softly and laced her fingers in front of her.
"Would either of you like a chance to guess why I've called you both here, or shall I get right into the nitty-gritty?"
Strickenized
The Space Cauldron
Captain
Offline
Strickenized
Garbage Cat
Offline
Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2015 8:40 pm
Years and experience make our differences, he thought in response to her observation. Such comments held no place here - their meetings so seldom came down to the informal. This was, effectively, his first direct contact with Laurelite. She looked composed, businesslike, and perfectly capable of guarding her logic against any emotional responses.
It was more than he could say for most that he met among Negaverse rank.
Umber waited a beat, formulating a proper response, but his brother cut in immediately afterward.
"Me first!" Ochre declared in feigned excitement, and raised his hand high as if in a classroom setting. Afterward he dropped the pretenses, shoulders slumped, and hands dropped uselessly to sides. "You called me here because I decided my brother was making a shitty decision by throwing his friend under the bus and forcing her into the Negaverse. I dunno if you keep up on how we're corrupted or anything, but it wasn't totally a choice of mine when I got corrupted, and I didn't exactly want her to be stuck with the same shitty lot in life, you know? Well, maybe you don't - I mean, you're one of the top dogs here so you probably have a totally cushy life. Not like you have to do the grunt work anymore."
Might as well go all the way on this. I'm dead anyway. "Look, you can pretend I'm scum of the earth of whatever, but it's not gonna change the fact that the Negaverse is a shitty place to be. I mean, we're out there draining people of energy and pretending that it's doing them a favor. And not once have I seen any of the guys we're supposed to kill go about hurting people like that. They're always there to protect people from our s**t. As far as I can see, you're doing a really shitty job in pretending to be the good guys. Guess that means this place is perfect for you, Shale." He shot his brother a look of contempt, and leaned away from the man visibly.
While his brother's words might've provoked rage, a cold fear settled into him that prevented him from rebuking the younger with equal vitriol. Instead he remained silent for a beat, evaluating his phrasing, before addressing the question. "Please state your intentions, General-Queen. I cannot guess them." Not beyond my brother's actions or speaking out of line.
The Space Cauldron
can threaten death if it's ic for laurels to do so - umber will try to salvage
Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2015 7:53 am
The smile on Laurelite's face was stony, kept in place by willpower alone. She did not seem to appreciate the interjection, but she did not stop Ochre until he was finished. "Do not assume what I do or do not have or participate in, Ochre," she said, and though her tone was more clipped now than ever, the sweetness oozed from her words. "It would be in your best interest not to provoke me further. Do not think you are so necessary to the Negaverse that you are invincible. If you do not respect me now, I will see to it that you respect me later. I can see now just how badly you need lessons. I've one or two I wouldn't mind teaching you myself, but."
Gradually she seemed to relax and whatever emotion had threatened to spill out was tucked away in her reserve, behind that mask of hers.
"Thankfully there's a General capable of ensuring you get a crash course in Negaverse Etiquette and proper behavior."
She approached the brothers and reached out a hand to take Ochre's chin. She had a firm grip and forced him to look at her as she studied his expression. "I can tell your brother is the smarter of the two of you, but there's hope for you yet. Your ignorance makes you blind to the world. What would you know of good, little boy? What would you know of anything, when you are too busy running your mouth instead of listening?" She held his face for a moment longer before retracting her hand. "You will have time to reflect. Pray that you learn your lesson well enough this time that you don't have to have a lesson with me. You'll be disappointed to know that all these cushy perks have not made me soft."
She turned only slightly to Umber and her expression—and mood—seemed rejuvenated. "I'll be sending your brother off for a bit for some personal tutoring. His behavior in the Negaverse is less than desirable. I'm sure you noticed. But," she shrugged, "He has potential. I suppose we'll just have to put a little more effort into polishing him up. Unlike you."
Laurelite was beaming at Umber. "You've done nothing but prove your worth. I can only hope you'll be able to inspire Ochre to unlock his true potential. You went through great sacrifice to deliver a senshi to us. I am most impressed. A friend too, no less? Your loyalty to the Negaverse will get you far. Perhaps, one day even," she side-eyed Ochre, "You'll be able to tell your brother how wonderful it is at the top."
She let a silence fall, for only a second, and then continued, "I would like you to continue looking after Sandrine. It is a bit of a responsibility, and certainly not one usually provided to those of your current rank. Which is, of course, why I've called you here." Laurelite raised a hand to rest, ever so gently, atop his chest. "You do want to accept that responsibility, don't you? And all the power that would come with it?"
Strickenized
The Space Cauldron
Captain
Offline
Strickenized
Garbage Cat
Offline
Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2015 11:03 pm
Umber's reticent gaze fell on his brother while Laurelite addressed him, watching for signs of the younger one's resignation. Obstinance rain in him with force, while Umber himself suffered none of it. When opposed, Ochre would stand his ground - and that folly heralded a few choice punishments that might yet override it. He hadn't seen a disobedient youma yet. Would that come of him? Umber was uncertain; Laurelite had not yet suggested it, but he surmised that the conversion of a man into youma cost both precious resources and manpower. He would be of less use if fragmented into one of those beasts.
In a way, it gladdened him.
But Ochre lacked that relief. In fact, he lacked any manner of positive emotion when facing down the choking and oppressive stance of Laurelite. While demure and almost delicate in presentation, her presence was as difficult to swallow down as thick smoke in a corridor. Even as she sought his arm, requested and commanded that he look to her, that he listen to her, he struggled to discern anything through that loathsome aura. He did, however, understand that she implied the opposite of what he expected - that she intended not for his time to be short, but for his time to know no filling beyond self-reflection and acquiescence to the cause.
In the strangest sense, Ochre felt his throat close in and he demanded to himself that he shed no tear in her presence - or in umber's. He knew, certainly, that his actions would receive punishment. He knew that he would despise what came of their choices for him. He only suspected, and soon convinced himself, that death was the only option for traitors. What use was there for a corrupted senshi that would not yield to his yoke? And in another instance, he felt offended that his actions were considered so trite that they earned nothing more than imprisonment. But, of most, he felt entirely shocked and appalled that his fate wasn't the death that he expected - and very nearly counted on.
He would live, and that was the worst fate of all.
The mix of interaction in the meeting contrasted so greatly that it repulsed him, much like taking caramelized onions with caramel. He did not relish his brother's punishment occurring right beside him, but surmised a point of it - it could well be a test, to determine if Umber maintained the same obstinance that led to Ochre's unsavory responses. She may look to see if he would plead when his kin remained in danger, as many might within the Negaverse. He knew that, of all punishments at her disposal, Laurelite picked a rather light one - and one that stood a good chance of rehabilitating the boy to a more useful end.
Myriad responses came to mind, from commentaries on survival to the dispensation of personal relations in favor of a greater cause. He chose none of these. There could be no scrap of insight yielded to the highest ranks of the Negaverse that they hadn't already considered. Their ranks would not have progressed so far if they proceeded blindly, or lacked interest in appealing to the basic officers. And while there remained a great distance to cover yet, the organization was not a static machine.
"I would accept any responsibility you choose for me," came his answer. He flinched not as the hand came upon his chest. He understood its ramifications, though, which quickened him with adrenaline. Umber had heard of this - and the repercussions that came when the deed turned awry. Bazzite was never far from his mind.
The Space Cauldron
Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2015 7:15 am
A smile, refreshed, once more grazed Laurelite's features.
"Yes, I was hoping that would be your answer."
As if he'd ever really had much of a choice.
Her hand moved like a snake to its prey; it was a sharp, fast gesture. Her hand piercing his chest was not the painful part; the painful[ part was the Chaos she pushed into him. Her face remained placid as she allowed the energy to surge from her to him; if it caused her any harm or grief she kept it hidden behind her perfect little mask. If anything, the transfer of Chaos almost seemed relaxing to her.
Or maybe it was just because Ochre had cleverly kept his mouth shut and not given her any reason to decree a harsher punishment.
Or, maybe it was just because the stronger Umber got, the stronger the Negaverse got. For each piece of their army that grew in strength, Metallia grew. And they were one step closer to their goal.
Laurelite breathed a sigh of relief even as she continued pushing the Chaos energy into the man before even that trickled. She pulled her hand out and said, with pride, "Isn't that much better, Captain?"
Strickenized
The Space Cauldron
Captain
Offline
Strickenized
Garbage Cat
Offline
Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2015 9:34 am
Conditional fear declared that he panic when the hand pushed beneath his clothes and skin, but Umber refrained from drawing away. His teeth showed, but only when the influx of chaos began did he grit, and hard. To stifle all sound from his lips meant he bottle every modicum of pain to process, endure it, and ingratiate it into his system. It meant that he suffer. It meant that he buckle and curl and blanch all he pleased, but no part of him would escape the process. And surely, he felt the blackened waves overwhelm his senses as chaos flooded his starseed without taper.
Umber mitigated his protests to a low groan, but it did not help with his weakened legs or precarious ability to stand. Her hand returned and he was left in a dazed state. The world rocked, whirled, and taunted him while he struggled to recover. For half a minute he fought desperately to remain conscious against the starbursts that blotted out his sight of the General-Queen herself. But once his starseed began to digest the new chaos, once he acclimated to its increased presence in his body, he was able to remain standing with confidence. His hastened breath slowed (when had he started panting?) and he spared a glance toward his brother.
Who looked mortified.
Ochre made no attempt to mask the horror from his face when he watched Laurelite cripple his brother with a purported reward. What kind of power caused so much incredible pain? Was that normal? Would it happen to him if he ever moved up in this godforsaken organization? Ochre shuddered to think that it would - that it may be Laurelite's hand in his chest, much like in Umber's, flooding and corrupting his body further with choking chaos taint. They may simply provide the upgrade offhand if they thought it meant he'd obey better, right?
Like hell am I ever letting them do that to me. Not a ******** chance. Getting corrupted the first time was already totally ******** horrible. I'd rather die.
And, perhaps, the most harrowing part was that he may have to.
Enduring great pains spent him somewhat, but Umber passed a tired eye over his own uniform and changes. More became of his jacket, much of his attire, and weapons, when summoned, showed far more promise than the simple leather gloves he wore before. They reminded him marginally of Xenotime's gauntlets.
"Yes, General-Queen." The promotion left his brother mortified; it pleased him, somewhat, to know that it was still possible to get to the boy. In a way, in that harrowed glance he spared the older one, they shared a slight connection. For that split second Ochre understood the bald fear that Shale had stomached so many months ago in the woods.
His chest still ached with residual reaction to the chaotic influx; he would've liked to lie down for a few hours to pass the ache. Another glance was spared to his brother; he wondered what might come of punishment for him. Perhaps he could get involved with the general appointed for his punishment. Surely there was a means to reintegrate him into the Negaverse ranks quickly...
"Am I dismissed, General-Queen? Or should I escort him elsewhere?"
"Yeah, run off while you still can..." Ochre muttered under his breath. I need to figure out how to get out of here. Running would be absolutely stupid since she can teleport. Everything here can. I don't even know how to get out. Or where I am, even. Could be the mountains of Machu Picchu for all I know. s**t...
The Space Cauldron
Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 8:24 pm
"You are dismissed," Laurelite said, tone light and pleasant. The exchange of Chaos energy had left her with a tingle and a drive to get back to work, but she would keep Umber no longer. He deserved rest after all of this. "I will see to it that he has an escort. You need not trouble yourself further. You have done well and should take the rest of the evening to yourself." She waved a hand to dismiss him before focusing her attention again on his younger brother.
"You," she said, "Will accompany me. Come, now."
She approached and extended an arm for him, inviting him to take it. "If you have any fear for your punishment, it is rightfully so. But I can assure you that if you put your heart into improving yourself and repenting for these transgressions, it will not be so bad. We only want what's best for you, Ochre. We'll do whatever we can to see that you become all that you can be. Even if you cannot see it now, you must trust me."
Strickenized
The Space Cauldron
Captain
Offline
Strickenized
Garbage Cat
Offline
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 8:43 am
"Understood." Umber offered no additional comments to reflect his personal feelings of Ochre's situation, nor did he call for any particular care to be taken with his brother. Undoubtedly Laurelite took all points into account when formulating her decision; if she wanted further input, she would solicit it.
With a salute, excused himself from the space. Initially he thought to seek out a captain to ask for a teleportation out of the area, but promotional abilities caught up with him soon afterward. He no longer needed such escorts - now he would be the one asked for those favors.
Assuming, of course, he knew how to do it.
Ochre took the offered arm, knowing that it did not invite choice. The depth of his actions and punishment started to encroach upon him, and Ochre felt a clamminess seizing him while he mulled over what may happen from this day on. He expected that she might put him away for a week, or resort to some of the punishments he was familiar with, but by dismissing Ochre's single ticket out of the area now he expected he wouldn't be heading home anytime soon. The caverns loomed ominously ahead, demanding his engulfment into the bowels of the Negaverse, and the corrupted senshi shuddered at the thought.
No, he wouldn't be going home tonight, or in a week's time. He expected, now, that what Umber warned against might hold merit. He started to consider that a week would draw much too short for this.
