(Back dating to right before school starts)

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A final strike was delivered and the youma landed on the ground before dusting into nothing as it was blown away, scattered, and done with. Standing there for a moment, breathing heavily, the green haired senshi of kappa turned and made his way slowly, on socked feet, toward the human. The poor human, elderly as they were, had been the target for the youma who had taken it upon itself to drain them of their energy. There was no officer in sight, and none that he could feel nearby, so he had been safe to engage the youma and deal with it. Had there been an officer he might have had to call his cousin, something he wanted to avoid.

He could handle things himself, he had martial arts training, but dividing himself between a youma and an officer would have been hard to do especially when he had to keep the youma from it’s target. No, he was rather glad there was no negaverse officer involved in this fight.

Now though what to do with the civilian? He couldn’t leave them here but a hospital...did he really want to call an ambulance? Sighing he pulled out his civilian cell phone and did just that before moving to watch from a safe hiding spot. The elderly woman, unconscious on a park bench, was for now safe.

He’d make sure she remained safe until she was taken off to get the care, and monitoring, that she needed. The stay was longer than he liked, he was like a sitting duck waiting for anything to come and get him, thankfully though nothing bad came though the paramedics did arrive and soon were taking her off to the ambulance waiting just outside the park. While they had gone he did remained hidden, to avoid the small crowd which had formed to see what had happened inside the park. There was whispering and rumor and speculation - all the usual things.



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She had been out walking Sherlock when she heard the sirens go screaming past. Most people would have ignored it or at best follow it slowly to see what was going on but the young girl who was quietly standing there with the large dog at her hip had a different reaction. She ran after the sound. In this city the sound of emergency vehicles were more often then not connected to the negaverse in some way and since she decided to be an active fighter for order she won't shirk her duty.

Remaining quiet and unobtrusive she had watched as the poor lady was loaded into the ambulance. She faded into the shadows, her dog staying at her hip, and wormed her way deeper into the park. Something had happened to her and the young girl had a sneaky suspicion that whatever had caused it was still here. So in the dark underbrush she pulled out the strange pen that the cat had given her and let the power flow through her.

Even as Ellicott knelt in the darkness of the park she could feel the flaring aura of an order fighter. They must have called the authorities since the young senshi couldn’t see a negavers agent doing so. As the crowd disperse the chibi slowly made her way deeper into the park, curious now. Why did the other fighter stick around, even after the ambulance had left? Sherlock padded at her side, quiet but his tail wagging slightly. He loved going out with his girl, even if sometimes she looked strange.



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Once the ambulance had left with the elderly woman Cetus had felt comfortable enough to retreat further into the park - further into the woods. He didn’t need to watch now, she was safe, and nothing had turned up while he had waited. She had been safe while help had been on the way.

She would get the care, and rest, she needed and be safe while she recovered. He doubted anyone in the Negaverse was brazen enough to power up inside of a hospital and collect energy - although it would be an interesting way to do it. Most of the people in the hospital wouldn’t be able to fight back, aside from visitors and staff, but late at night it would be a big supply of energy.

As much as he doubted the Negaverse would, or could, ever do such a thing he did find himself marveling over what an easy means to gathering energy it could be if done properly. Late night, when staff was low, and you could even start with staff or just dress as a nurse and go around taking bits of energy. No one would really notice, not if you didn’t act off and out of place.

Stepping backward he went to turn around and stepping on a branch, while almost walking right into a tree, he managed a strangled sound of surprise. “Damn.”


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Ellicott paused for a moment, frowning in confusion as she felt the other’s aura moving away. Why were they leaving? Was it because they sensed something she couldn’t sense yet? Or was it that they just didn’t want to meet up with another person? With a sigh she shifted back and forth, unsure if she should continue on her current path or go elsewhere. She knew that she needed to practice so that might be a better use of her time then chasing after someone who apparently has something else to do.

Her decision was taken out of her hands when Sherlock took off into the darkness. He had heard something and with a bark, went to investigate. He ignored the calls of Ellicott to come back and wove his way through the trees until he reached his target, a strange fellow in a white pillowcase and some strange shoes. Barking happily he approached the other senshi, his tail wagging like crazy.

Ellicott scrambled after her dog, cursing her tendency to take him off leash when she powers up. It had seemed like a good idea when she first started going out with the large Alaskan Malamute-German Shepard mix. He normally followed her orders and the leash only became a hinderance when a youma or a nega attacked. Finally she careened past a tree and spotted her dog and the person he had seemed to corner. “Sherlock! Kisigino! SASA!” When the dog glanced back at her she pointed to her side and repeated the ‘heel’ command. Once he was sitting at her feet, looking a dejected, Ellicott glanced up at the older senshi and apologized. “I’m terribly sorry about that. He doesn’t normally do that.”



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It was when he was able to get his thoughts away from things, to clear his head, that he had acknowledged the aura he’d felt. Order...another senshi and that had him pausing in an area with less bushes that get his socked feet caught in. He had left his geta somewhere, as usual, as he rather disliked the shoes he was stuck with wearing when powered up, he had considered the idea that maybe he should bring other shoes with himself? Something that would match but would be easier to walk him.

He was not expecting a dog to come his way, a rather large but friendly looking dog, and bent with one hand out toward it. He knew better than to move quickly or go right for petting a strange dog - let them smell his hand first. Ease into things, they were a strange dog who did not know him. “Lost?” He asked as if the dog could answer him. They certainly seemed like a friendly dog, overly friendly even? But that wasn’t a bad thing at all, especially right now. They could have knocked him right over, taking him by surprise as they had.

Standing up right he looked down at the little senshi, a chibi, and shook his head. “It is fine, he is friendly. I have never heard of a senshi out with a dog, but perhaps it’s not bad.” Since she was small he could offer some protection from civilians who disliked the senshi, knights, and everyone else. He wouldn’t be a match for a negaverse officer or some youma, though would an officer really attack or kill a dog?

“Your night is going well - I hope?” He asked, wanting to make sure, see if she’d had a quiet night or is there had been any problems for her.


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Ellicott couldn’t help but sigh, a bit dramatically but not intentionally, “Sadly he is. Although he is normally better at sticking by my side.” She eyed her dog whose head was bouncing back and forth between the two senshi. He really wanted permission to go check out this new person. “Sawa Sherlock. Ok, go sniff the new person.” With a pat to his head she gave him the ok to go say hello. “I don’t actively go out patrolling with him a lot but since we go walking it seems to be inevitable that he is with me when it becomes necessary to fight.” The dog bounced over towards the other senshi and promptly plopped his butt in the dirt and offered his paw for a shake.

“Yes, you?” Her response was polite and very proper. She wasn’t sure how to bring up the ambulance and the lady they loaded into it. Afterall it was entirely possible that the young man in front of her had nothing to do with it, even if it wasn’t very likely. “Oh, where are my manners. I’m Ellicott and that is Sherlock.” She really should have introduced themselves earlier but better late than never at least.



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“Yes, I imagine it would happen from time to time when out walking.” In fact, he wouldn’t be surprised if it happened a lot. Parks seemed to be a big area for things to happen, and he understood why mostly. They were big areas, lots of people, hiding spots and lurking about and grabbing people was an easy thing to do here.

Leaning down to take the paw, giving it a shake, he let his golden eyes look over the dog then back to it’s owner. A hand reaching out to pet the dog on the head gently.

“Likewise. I had one youma to handle and did so. The woman was unconscious when I found her. She should be fine with some rest.” He said nodding his head, as it to confirm his own words. Offering a hand to her, to shake, he smiled. “Cetus, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” How to ask something so...out of left field?

“You were speaking another language to Sherlock...and he knows it. What language, if you don’t mind me asking.”


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“Yes well, Sherlock is also a great deterrent from more mundane issues like muggers and pickpockets.” She shrugged and smiled. Sherlock shook hands with Cetus gladly, his tail beating the dirt. The dog kept her company and it was quite amusing to see the reactions of people when they spot him. It ranged from shock to appreciation, mostly younger kids wanted to pet him whereas the adults were more weary of him. “It’s nice to meet you Cetus.” Ellicott sketched out a brief curtsy.

“Ahhh so it was you who called the ambulance. I followed it since I figured that there was something more nefarious behind it then a civilian issue. I’m glad that she will be fine. I guess the youma wasn’t too hard to fight was it?” It was tempting to pepper him with questions, mostly about how he fought. Was it hand to hand or did he use a weapon. She needed to practice so maybe this senshi would be up for some sparing. Or at least give her some ideas so didn’t end up risking herself or Sherlock if she gets into another fight.

“Oh, that is swahili but not quite. I don’t remember much from what my mum taught me, the rest is learned from books and of course using an alternate pronunciation means that no one else can give him an order.” Ellicott’s smile had dimmed slightly. Thinking of her mother always did that but the sharp pain she use to feel was slowly dulling. It hurt but after several years now the lost of her mom was fading. But still, changing the topic was best as far as she was concerned right now. “Were you leaving because you had somewhere else to go?”



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Yes, as he had thought, the dog would indeed keep civilians who might mean the chibi harm away. What sane person would approach a little girl with a big dog, a dog who they didn’t know, if they were planning to harm the child? It was not a good idea and something any sane person would avoid. “I am glad we are able to meet.” he had, thus far, not meet a chibi senshi. He had seen them but never met one. This was a new thing and he wasn’t sure what he thought of it, yet, though he didn’t like the idea of children fighting in something as dangerous as this...war was. It wasn’t right and it was too dangerous, or so he felt.

“Ah, yes I called. I didn’t think anyone would notice and think it a powered affair.” Things happened in any normal city all the time. This city just...had more issues and more needs, he did wonder for a solitary moment how many cops and ambulance workers they actually had in this city - it must be a lot. “Most youma are easy, and I’ve had years of martial arts training. Most youma aren’t that hard for me.” He wasn’t bragging, didn’t even sound like he was, he hadn’t tested himself much against officers though. He was sure against most, especially untrained, he would have some ease against them. It simply hadn’t really happened though, he wasn’t sure how he felt about that...mixed perhaps.

“Swahili….interesting. I speak Chinese and Korean myself.” He didn’t mention that it was South Korean, as the two Korea’s had slightly different languages, but he was capable of multiple languages himself. He found it an interesting trait and he especially liked the uncommon languages, Spanish while nice was just soo...common. Find someone who spoke an Asian language, other than Japanese, or like she spoke - Swahili and that was interesting and something he wanted to hear.

“I’m sure if you wanted to learn more, and practice, there is some sort of cultural center. This is a big city and no doubt there is a cultural center for a lot of different backgrounds.” He knew there was a Chinese heritage center and cultural center as well, both in Chinatown, he was sure there was one for Korean’s like Seung. There had to be something for the little one here - Ellicott.

Taken away from those thoughts by her next words he shook his head. “No, I was leaving because this park, from what I’ve heard, is rather known for attracting people of all factions. We can walk together if you’d like.” He offered.


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“You know martial arts?” Ellicott asked quietly, studying the senshi in front of her. She knew that most people who were fighters in this ‘war’ learned to fight or they didn’t last long. She was determined to fight. It had taken a long time for her to realize that she couldn’t run away from her duty any more. She was given this task and was determined to see it through but as she was right now, more of a dancer then a fighter, Ellicott didn’t think it was possible for her to truly become an asset. Sherlock was a better fighter then she was. Already her brain was working out the best way to ask the senshi in front of her to either train with her or give her some tips because she didn’t want to rely on others.

“That’s quite interesting. Most people in this country seem to have learned spanish or french, it doesn’t seem like many other languages are common unless they are spoken in your family, if they know a different language at all.” She made this observation while shrugging. The young lady knew that she would be taking a language class in school but she honestly didn’t know which she would select. Neither interested her although Cetus’ idea had some merit. To learn more than just a few phrases. It would be like listening to her mom again.

Mentally shaking herself from her thoughts, Ellicott really didn’t want to get lost in her memories right then, she nodded at Cetus’ offer. “Sure. I was actually planning on finding someplace to practice a bit. Would you happen to know a good spot?” With those two nuggets of information, the seeds of her ‘plan’ had been laid. She had made it known she was looking to train, he knew how to fight, and if he showed her a safe spot to practice it was only logical to ask/offer/request him to join her.


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“Mmm, kung fu. I’ve studied since I was little, I learned Crane style.” Since there were various styles he might as well say which he knew, since it was very different from tiger or even praying mantis. Each style had different moves, as they imitated different animals. “My cousin, who lives back in China, and I both study martial arts but different forms. When I visit we spar each other, to see who is better and how much we have each learned.” How much stronger they had each gotten, and also for the pride and recognition of their family. “It is a way of bonding and competing across the globe for us.” Something which connected him to his family back home, to a home he had not lived nor had he been born to. He had been born here, in Destiny City.

“My family is Chinese, so I grew up speaking Mandarin Chinese and English. Korea is a neighbor to China so when I decided on a language to learn I picked Korean. Most, as you said, learn Spanish or French. Spanish is commonly spoken here, it makes sense, and I did take some of that in middle school and high school but it didn’t stick. I did poorly in fact.” He admitted with a shrugging of his shoulders. He had tried, he really had, but either due to a lack of interest or how the words were formed, being different from what he was used to, he just hadn’t done very well.

“It’s good I learned Korean, it’s proving useful now. There is a knight I met and his English is...in the works. He is from Korea, so I can translate for him and we can talk and bond.” They had become friends over time, going swimming together and going to the spa and enjoying some other ways of spending free time together. The other needed the time away from school and work, as well as duty, and he tried to provide it under the guise of working on his Chinese, as the other wanted to learn it, and bonding with a senshi.

“I don’t know anywhere to train when powered, that would be wherever it happens to be safe at the time. If you’re looking for training as a civilian...I would say it depends on what you want to learn. I can help you find a place, if you’re looking to learn to fight as a civilian.” He said seriously, his golden eyes watching her. If she wanted to learn how to fight he would help her, even if he disliked chibi’s being involved in this war. He would not, and could not, allow one to go out untrained - especially when they wanted to learn.



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It was tempting to ask more questions about his particular fighting style but Ellicott held her tongue. She knew what she needed to know at that point, he knew how to fight and if luck was in her favor he might impart some of that knowledge on her. She felt a twinge of guilt as he spoke of his family and how he used his skill as a fighter to remain connected with them. She also felt a sharp stab of loneliness as she remembered the days that she and her mother danced together. Her mom would make it a type of game, she would do a move and then Ellicott would mirror it but adding a new step at the end. Her mom would then do both moves adding a third, this would repeat until one of them missed a step or messed up a move. Neither wanted to lose but they both had fun challenging each other. Ellicott knew, as all children instinctively knew, that had her mother truly danced to her full skill she would have left the young girl in the dust of her dance shoes.

Still trying to control the flash of heart wrenching pain at the memories of her mother Ellicott only smiled weakly as Cetus spoke of his own foibles in learning spanish. It was interesting but at that moment she didn’t quite care not that she would be so uncouth as to mention it. Instead Ellicott reigned in her emotions and did her best to place an attentive look on her face. Afterall, if she wanted to see if Cetus was willing to teach her, insulting him wasn’t the best way. Sherlock seemed to sense Ellicott’s distress and returned to her side where he nuzzled up against her and she absently began to pet him. Regaining her calmness with each pass of her hand.

This time her smile was genuine, any trace of sorrow gone as she continued to pet Sherlock. “That is quite lucky. It must make the knight’s life easier knowing that there is at least one other person in this city with whom he shares a language as well as magical occupation.” Sadly Ellicott really only had one other person with which she could share her powered escapades but the other chibi had jumped into this war with both feet, at least as far as Ellicott figured. For the young dancer it just seemed out of place to air her concerns and worries with the bubbly chibi, Ellicott didn’t want to dim the other girl’s brightness with her own gloom.

The proper young lady suddenly squealed in startlement and laughing disgust, “Sherlock!” The large dog had decided to taste his girl and ran his equally large tongue across the inside of her arm, sadly the only place he could reach at that moment. “Really dog? Why?”. After scrubbing the dog slobber off with her sash Ellicott focused back on Cetus, this was the opening she was hoping for. “I honestly should do both. Powered and Civilian that is. I am not very familiar with my magic nor do I really know how to fight but I do dance. There are several moves that could be useful in a fight, at least it seems like it to me.” She shrugged and added nonchalantly, “really, any help you could give would be appreciated.” Even if all Cetus did was suggest places or others she could train with it would still be better than what she was doing now which was not much at all, much to her chagrin.


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“Indeed, it is good for him.” He said thinking of Venice. It would be harder for him if no one spoke his language, if he had no one to help him navigate this magical world just a little bit better. It hadn’t really happened much, but he was sure in the future it would, where there would be big things and he would have to translate for the other - he didn’t mind it. The other was his elder and needed some help, he wasn’t from here, and Cetus was more than willing to help the other so he didn’t wind up dead or clueless.

Laughing as the dog seemed to decide his owner needed some affection, or he just wanted to get her attention, Cetus listened to the girl as she started talking to him. “Yes, dancing and fighting are similar in some ways. You would be more aware of your body and the flow of movements - one into the next. Also you balance you should have a better sense of.” Thoughtfully he looked her over. Did he want to help such a senshi, a chibi? She was already involved in the war...he couldn’t leave her clueless.

Taking a moment to consider he nodded his head. “I will help you when you are powered. As a civilian...I will cover your lessons at the same place I go. You will be in beginners classes and learn what I already have learned. You will show me when you are powered and we will work on that and work toward advancing you further than those in you class. Consider the time spent powered as...extra classes if you want.” He said rolling his shoulders.

“I want you to learn with others, as a civilian, because it is more than just how to fight. You will learn that. I will cover the classes, don’t worry about that. You should find the style works well enough with dance...the style I use is taken from the movements of the crane. If you watch a crane they are graceful, quick, sharp, and precise. Jabbing moves aimed at certain areas.” He would make sure lessons were covered, financially speaking, and take her himself if he had to. She would do well to learn not just the style of kung fu but also what else came with it, the mind set. That took time, almost more time than the style and it’s many moves.

“Is this alright with you Ellicott?” He questioned the chibi senshi of dance.



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For a moment she couldn’t say anything. She had been hoping, hedging even, for a few moves that she could use or a sparring match. Ellicott was not expecting for Cetus to offer to be her teacher in fighting, even going so far as pay for her civilian lessons, at least that is how she understood it. She understood why he believed that learning from the beginning was necessary, after all she needed to learn how to walk before she could dance. It was the same concept when it came to fighting. Ellicott was just hoping to skip some of that since she did know her body. She did know how to move and flow and just how far she could push it. But if he was willing to teach her then she would do it his way.

She kept her own council for a few moments after he asked her if his deal in teaching her would be acceptable but finally she nodded. “Yes although I would like to see if there would be a way to pay for the lessons myself and I would have to take them around the dance lessons I am currently doing.” Convincing her father would be challenging but not insurmountable, after all he had been surprisingly happy when she asked to take dance lessons again.



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Waving a hand he smiled and shook his head. “No, don’t worry about that. They can be expensive - I should know. I want you to focus on training and doing well. You are a senshi and I want you to do well so you can make it through this.” He would help, as much as he could, so she would come out of this war alive...if and when it ended. He wasn’t the optimistic sort and didn’t see it ending any time soon - unlike some who figured it would end at some point. He didn’t even hold out hopes for it ending in his lifetime. But that didn’t matter - she would make it if he could help it.

“We will go together and find out when they offer lessons and work it around your dance lessons. If you find it hard to balance both lessons and school let me know. I will help you with school as well if you need it. You can’t go failing school due to this war...it’s only a part of your life - not all fo your life.” It should not be allowed to rule ones life. That let the other side win...as they ruined a part of your life, the most important part too as far as he was concerned.

“It’s late tonight, and you have your dog. We can meet up tomorrow night and start private lessons. We can work on arranging civilian lessons on the weekend. If that works for you Ellicott?”


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Ellicott wanted to argue about who would cover the cost but Cetus was correct, it was late and besides she could always convince him later or just go around him and pay for it without even arguing about it. A small part of her even wondered if she could afford it, her father was the only one paying the bills and he had the house bills, the car bills, and now her dance lessons to pay for all on a college professor’s salary so maybe adding a fighting class to that list might not be the best of ideas.

“Understandable. School will always come first, my mum taught me that.” Ellicott would not shirk her duties to school or to dance, nor would she do so when learning to fight. It might be hard at first but everything worth learning was. “That’s fine. My father might start wondering where I am as well.” With a bow, more like one would give fighter, Ellicott gave Sherlock the orders to heel and after passing him her contact information headed towards the edges of the park. She would need to find a showed spot to power down but that wouldn’t be difficult at all. The night didn’t turn out how she expected it to, it turned out better.


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He was glad to hear that she wouldn’t shirk her duties to school, it was important, and he found himself smiling as he heard her say this. Nodding his head he bowed as well. “Be safe on your way home.” He hoped she would be safe, but with that dog of hers she likely would be. That dog was brave, at least as far as he could tell.

Letting his senshi phone vanish, glad to have her contact information, he turned and headed off as well, he should spend a bit more time out before going home to get a shower and get to sleep. He couldn’t stay up, and out, all night but he could a bit more time in.