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 Posted: Fri May 20, 2016 5:08 pm
Tom sighed as he walked around the city while the sun was starting to go down. He had been cooped up in his apartment too long for his liking, what with the recent rain and all and had decided to go out for a walk as soon as he was able. It turned out to be a quiet night and he had thought of doing a little window shopping while he was out.
Luckily nothing had happened tonight so far and he was grateful for the break. He was still used to being a negaverse lieutenant and although he had gotten into some fights, he still felt as though he didn't know anything at all and wasn't the least bit helpful. Honestly, he still wondered why he had even been recruited, though it seemed to be on the spur of the moment by the general who had done so in a small fit of rage.
I'm certainly not the ideal candidate. He thought to himself as he walked along. He had been in several shops already of varying themes and had made mental notes of which ones he wanted to go back to later. He noticed what looked to be an antique shop along the road and checked its hours, noticing that it was still open, and decided to take a look around inside of it.
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 1:37 pm
Robert would privately admit to himself that he loved this little shop, when he was sure no one was around to see it in his eyes. There were few things he loved in life, after all, and hated to waste his time with sentimentality. He ran this store because he had a deep interest in history, and in the stories every item in the store came with. He collected them, more than he did the items themselves, and in that way he liked to think he was collecting small pieces of these people's, some he had never met, souls.
It was only fitting that now, as a Negaverse Lieutenant, he had the ability to get things of even more worth to people. Their whole being, crystallized and shimmering, hidden away in their chests and just waiting to be plucked out. Just what were the limits of a starseed? What could they be used for?
He found himself more and more interested in finding out.
Hearing the little bell on the door jingle, Robert glanced up from the counter, which he had been staring at absently while thinking. It was made of glass, and inside were some of the more valuable items he kept, and the ones he had no real interest in trading or selling.
Sitting on a velvet pedestal inside the case was the charm bracelet he had recently acquired, just waiting for its owner to come back and present a new deal for its return. He was eager for that moment, and kept the bracelet close. Always in sight.
"Good evening," he called, though through the crowded shelves and dim lighting of the antique shop, it was hard to see whoever had just walked in.
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 3:10 pm
He heard the bell jingle as he opened the door, and the greeting that came afterwards, though he couldn’t tell where the owner of the greeting was, told him that he at least wouldn’t be bothering anyone by forcing them to stay open late. He wasn’t sure what he would find in here, or what antique shops usually sold, but maybe he could find something nice to decorate his apartment with. Clocks were his favorite things but perhaps he could find some sort of all decoration or something.
He returned a “Good evening” back to the voice and started to look at the many items on the shelves within the shop, seeing if something would catch his eyes. While he was quite interested in a lot of the items that were on display, he couldn’t justify buying them to sit out as a decoration, they seemed to be too precious for that.
Finally he managed to lay his eyes on some clocks and became focused on what seemed to be a small table clock. Although he didn’t need another one, he did like being able to look up and tell what time it was, and another clock on one of his desks might look nice too.
He decided not to pick it up, just in case it needed to be handled in a certain way, and looked around for the shop owner. He found the man, and walked towards him, with a smile on his face and adjusting his hat that he always wore. “Hello, I was wondering how much that small desk clock was.” He quickly took a look at what was in the display case at the counter, but nothing caught his eye.
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 3:21 pm
"Nothing here is priced, you'll notice," Robert said leisurely, waving his hand around. "That clock came to me in a trade, as did almost all the items you see on the shelf. And that is how you might purchase that clock, if you'd like to make a deal. Beyond money, what do you think that clock is worth?"
He watched the young man thoughtfully, nodding his head in proper greeting now that they could see each other.
The clock in question was one he knew quite well. It was a recent addition to his store, taken from the home of one of his first victims. He had drained the man's energy and offered him a deal. Something he valued as much as his life. If he could not make a proper deal, then Crocoite would take his starseed, and anything else he saw fit. Needless to say, the old man had been unable to come up with a convincing story or trade, and Robert had taken the man's starseed as payment. The clock now housed it, in a hidden compartment on the bottom.
Not that this young man needed to know that.
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 3:44 pm
He tilted his head in thought a bit, trying to decide what he would trade for a clock such as that. Honestly he didn’t really have anything he could think of, he tried not to keep a lot of unwanted items around his apartment and anything of value that he could think of were all family heirlooms back in San Francisco.
But, he did have enough money though, at least if he really wanted the clock. If it were too high of a price though, he just wouldn’t buy it. “Well… not sure that I have anything that you would want that I could trade for it. I didn’t bring anything that would belong in this store from my home in San Francisco. I do have money if you would be willing to take it for that sort of trade. Otherwise, unless you can think of something, I have no other suggestions.” He gave the man a slight, wry smile, and was hoping he wasn’t wasting the man’s time.
He had never really been in an antique shop before and didn’t know if they regularly did item for item trades, though he wondered how one could keep a business open if they did just that.
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 3:57 pm
Robert watched the young man, considering him. His home in San Francisco, hm? That either meant he was a student, here for college, or he had recently moved out here and his stuff had not come yet. If he was away from his home, his family, then it would be hard for anyone to miss him.
That made him an interesting target for Robert's new games. He had to learn just who he could get away with taking starseeds from, and who it was better to avoid.
"What if we make a little deal?"
One of the fun things about his shop was the panic button located behind the counter. All he had to do was step on it, a simple shift of his foot, and the front door would lock. He did not have it wired to summon the police, which meant he could simply lock his new target in with him and play a bit. He leisurely stepped on the button, planning on draining the young man and likely taking his starseed.
"I'll give you that clock, if you give me something personal of yours in return. Well, you won't be able to give it to me, but it can be taken. Will you allow me to make that happen?" He was careful with his words. He knew if he simply stepped out of view and powered up, his glamour would protect his identity and the draining, as far as he knew, effected the memory so it was not likely, if this man survived, that he would remember this ordeal.
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 4:31 pm
Why was Tom suddenly starting to get a ‘this guy is probably a serial killer’ vibe from this shop owner? He looked at the man hesitantly. “Not knowing what it is that you would take, I’m not sure I would be willing to make that deal. Seems pretty one-sided and in your favor at that point.” The clock really wasn’t worth paying that much for, at least not in the way this creepy shop owner was suggesting.
He was starting to wonder though what the other meant. There were really only a few things that could be taken without being given. One was his life, and at that point there really was no trade to be had. Two was any organs that could be taken out without taxing the body too much. Three was his starseed and if it was the latter item this guy was going for then he would be pretty annoyed. What was this, the second time something like this had happened to him? It was getting ridiculous at this point.
He would know if the guy was a negaverse then instead of some ordinary creepy serial killer, but why was he such a target to have his starseed taken? He must have really not fit the description of a typical negaverse agent. He would have to fix that. But for now, it was probably a good idea to get away from this guy.
“If I can’t give it to you and it can only be taken, I don’t think the clock is worth it. I think it would be best if I get going at this point, but it is a nice shop, I’ll give you that.” And with that he turned around and walked towards the entrance. This guy was just being way too creepy for his tastes.
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2016 10:52 am
When the young man turned around, Robert smirked. He knew that there was no getting out that way, with the door locked, so he let Tom walk toward it. He took a moment, then powered up, out of sight enough to know that the civilian would not be able to put together that the man behind the counter was now the Negaverse soldier attempting to drain him.
Or, better yet, take his starseed.
That was a very interesting thing about the glamour that protected his identity. He had learned about it from his general, but also through trials like this one. If the civilian did not actually see him power up, it was impossible for them to figure out something as obvious as a change of clothes. Robert thought he would be able to recognize someone powered down, since he knew some of the faces of other Negaverse soldiers, but had gotten a stark taste of reality when he first met his own general powered down and had no idea they were the same person.
Very, very curious.
He moved to follow Tom, summoning his cane to his hand. It was his weapon, but he mostly used it for effect. It looked intimidating, after all, with it's Crocodile head. He liked to lean on it, as he was doing now, tilting his head at his acquired target thoughtfully.
"Unfortunately for you, this is where your night ends."
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2016 2:17 pm
Tom tried the door handle, only to learn that it had been locked. How…? He could only think before he heard a voice threatening him. He managed to turn around at those last words and saw… what seemed to be a negaverse lieutenant.
His eyes got a little wider as the lieutenant approached him with the intent to steal either energy or Tom’s starseed. Either way, it wasn’t good. How does this keep happening to me?! He thought to himself as he backed up a little against the doorway. This had been what… the second or third time he had been targeted by one of his fellow negaverse agents? He wondered how to keep that from happening anymore.
Tom put his hands up in front of him. “Okay look, I don’t know who you are, but I do know what you are and trust me it wouldn’t be a good idea to steal my starseed.” He was panicking a bit now, his brain overriding any logical response.
He should have powered up into his lieutenant form, hoping that the other wouldn’t attack him. His brain however was telling him that backing up against the door and telling the other agent to stop would be the better idea. He would need to train how to work under pressure after this, if he survived.
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Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2016 11:22 am
Crocoite watched him evenly, though he found himself fighting a wicked smirk as he saw the young man starting to panic. Painite always said it was the best part of the hunt, the fear in their eyes, and it seemed like that was true. Or maybe he was just spending too much time with the crazy General.
Either way.
He did not assume that the other was a Negaverse soldier. After all, if he was, he would not just panic and look so woefully frightened, right? He would power up, probably be annoyed, and tell Crocoite he had wasted all that effort and scene setting for nothing. And that would be irritating at best, as this was a very fine story for him to tell his General later.
In fact, Tom saying he knew what Crocoite was, and even naming his starseed for what it was, implied something else.
"Oh, you know, do you? Does that make you a very lucky civilian, to have survived an encounter before, or a very stupid senshi? Either way, you've only sealed your fate." He lifted his hand, reaching out to grab for Tom's chest.
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Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2016 1:42 pm
Tom’s brain finally started to click at the remark of him possibly being a senshi. Well, even when he powered up now he was going to look like an idiot in front of this lieutenant, that’s for sure.
Tom thought quickly and managed to power up and summon his weapon, which he put in front of himself so as to block the other. Well, at least he might not get killed now, but he would still have to find a way out of this store if the other wouldn’t let him go.
Arseno stared at the other, taking a few deep breaths, still keeping his cane and hands in front of him. “Look, I don’t know what the rule is on attacking other agents, but I think they would at least say something about it.” It felt a little harder to breath through his mask that he had on now, but hopefully he didn’t sound too afraid. Just my luck that I get targeted by another agent again! He thought, hoping that he wouldn’t have to fight the other.
If he did, he didn’t think he could win that fight.
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Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2016 4:26 pm
Crocoite's face ran through a gamut of emotions as he processed what he just saw. His civilian victim did indeed choose to power up, but turned out to be exactly what he thought was not possible. Someone on his own side. He looked surprised, jerking his hand back, then annoyed as he put his cane in front of him and leaned on it again.
His expression then relaxed, and he nodded his head deeply.
"My apologies, I was not trying to attack another agent, I promise you thought. I did not think you were one of ours. You... might have said something sooner?" He couldn't help the smirk that reached his eyes, though he kept his lips fairly straight, as he looked at the other almost teasingly. "Was I that scary, then? You seemed to be having some trouble, there."
Well, at least his approach had been good, even if it was ultimately wasted. He motioned for the other Lt to follow him, moving back to the front counter and releasing the lock on the door with a switch under the counter.
"Forgive me, honestly. My name is Crocoite," he offered his hand, holding his can in the other. "it's a pleasure."
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Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2016 4:46 pm
Arseno sighed a little in relief seeing that the other lieutenant wouldn’t be killing him now. “It’s all right. I should be used to it by now. I seem to have the face or aura that says ‘perfect for starseed taking!’ all over me.” He replied, moving his hands back to his side and gripping his cane in one of them.
He felt embarrassed by what had just happened. He really needed more training. Shouldn’t he be cool under pressure? He would need it if he ever wanted to become a good doctor. “Yes I should have said something sooner, but apparently I need more training when it comes to stressful situations.” He gave a weak chuckle. He was definitely going to talk to his general after this.
He followed the other lieutenant. “Honestly going to say, you had a creepy serial killer aura going on, even before you powered up.” He wouldn’t ask how the other stayed in business considering.
Arseno finally moved up to the counter, sending his weapon away. He certainly didn’t use it like the other did and it seemed to be more of an inconvenience at this point. He couldn’t wait for when it was upgraded.
He took the others hand and shook it. “Arsenopyrite, though I tend to shorten it to Arseno.” He replied. “And I suppose it’s good to meet another agent, even if they do scare you a bit.”
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Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2016 10:39 am
"You did seem like an easy target to me... but I did not mean to cause you concern. Had I known you were one of our own, I would never have tried to attack you."
He watched the other Lieutenant patiently, echoing a thoughtful look that seemed to be genetic in the Darrow family. Except this one was far more devious than the librarian knight of Destiny City.
What would a chaos starseed look like? What sort of power would it have, and how different would it be to a civilian one? A senshi one? Or a knight, as Painite told him they were the corrupt version of knights.
He laughed at the other's assessment of him, though, nodding in agreement. he'd already decided to be on the hunt that night, so he supposed it showed in his demeanor. Fear was a powerful weapon, though, and it was good to have it on his side.
"Arsenopyrite," he nodded, not one for nicknames even when prompted, "it's a pleasure to meet you. Ah. Barring this interruption, were you going on patrol tonight?"
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Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2016 5:48 pm
“I understand. You aren’t the first to try to take my starseed. I suppose I’m not quite like the usual Negaverse agent.” He had been forced into it after all. From the other agents he had met so far, all of them seemed to have gone into the Negaverse voluntarily. Though considering he was allowed in, the senshi probably had a few bad apples among their ranks also.
He was glad that Crocoite seemed to be okay with him though. It seemed the Negaverse didn’t turn on each other so easily. And he was fine with the other calling him by his full name, as long as he wasn’t called “Arse”. That was just embarrassing.
He gave the other a slight smile. “Well I was after I popped into your shop for a bit to look around. I wanted to explore the city a bit more on the ground. I’ve mostly seen it from the rooftops so far.”
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