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So far when he had gone out, something he had recently started doing again, nothing bad had happened. Handling youma was a normal thing - easy too. But there had been no confrontations with negaverse officers, especially ones with an axe to grind over the events of earlier this year, and for that he had been grateful.
He might be an eternal senshi but his ability to fight was somewhat limited, he was limited to what he’d had to do in fights as he lacked any sort of training in how to fight, and he did not fancy coming across someone with training and experience. Ian had slacked off in gym back in high school, he’d only really started focusing on building stamina, endurance, and such after becoming a senshi and realizing he needed those two things at the least. Gym and physical activities had not been his thing in high school, he’d almost failed gym! Fighting however had still taken a back seat even now, as Chaldene relied completely on what he did by instinct, and he was sure in a fight against some upset Negaverse officer he would stand little chance of winning.
His magic might be good for getting him out of tight spots but magic only did so much, and only for so long, perhaps this was why Dessie thought he should learn to fight? Because he relied on magic to fill in the large gaps he had? And it simply couldn’t do it. Yeah, that sounded about right.
Either way, tonight was not a night to work on training. He was out on a patrol tonight, the little chains hanging from his wings jingled lightly as a breeze blew them. The piercings to his wins, shining blue studs, were probably the favorite part of his uniform. He didn’t know why but when he’d first made eternal he found himself loving the fact that he had gained piercings, even if they would never be seen when powered down. They were there and he knew and when he powered up everyone could see them, not to mention he hadn’t see anyone else with pierced wings.
Jumping to another rooftop he landed with a fair amount of ease, he’d gained a lot of practice with this, and paused for a moment to see if he could sense anything in the surrounding area.
He might be an eternal senshi but his ability to fight was somewhat limited, he was limited to what he’d had to do in fights as he lacked any sort of training in how to fight, and he did not fancy coming across someone with training and experience. Ian had slacked off in gym back in high school, he’d only really started focusing on building stamina, endurance, and such after becoming a senshi and realizing he needed those two things at the least. Gym and physical activities had not been his thing in high school, he’d almost failed gym! Fighting however had still taken a back seat even now, as Chaldene relied completely on what he did by instinct, and he was sure in a fight against some upset Negaverse officer he would stand little chance of winning.
His magic might be good for getting him out of tight spots but magic only did so much, and only for so long, perhaps this was why Dessie thought he should learn to fight? Because he relied on magic to fill in the large gaps he had? And it simply couldn’t do it. Yeah, that sounded about right.
Either way, tonight was not a night to work on training. He was out on a patrol tonight, the little chains hanging from his wings jingled lightly as a breeze blew them. The piercings to his wins, shining blue studs, were probably the favorite part of his uniform. He didn’t know why but when he’d first made eternal he found himself loving the fact that he had gained piercings, even if they would never be seen when powered down. They were there and he knew and when he powered up everyone could see them, not to mention he hadn’t see anyone else with pierced wings.
Jumping to another rooftop he landed with a fair amount of ease, he’d gained a lot of practice with this, and paused for a moment to see if he could sense anything in the surrounding area.
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Aluminite had never been particularly fond of patrolling, mostly because he wasn’t fond of his obligations.
It was hard to will himself to power up and do what was expected of him for a cause he didn’t truly believe in. The captain was smart enough however and knew better than to shirk his responsibilities regardless of how he felt about the motives behind the ‘cause’.
Lately, things had been different. He’d had a restlessness in his bones that encouraged him to expel it and since focusing on work and papers was doing him no good, he need to be doing something. So, he’d left his house and found a nice area to power up.
Unfortunately for him, he realized he’d powered up directly beneath a large order signature.
Well s**t.
It was hard to will himself to power up and do what was expected of him for a cause he didn’t truly believe in. The captain was smart enough however and knew better than to shirk his responsibilities regardless of how he felt about the motives behind the ‘cause’.
Lately, things had been different. He’d had a restlessness in his bones that encouraged him to expel it and since focusing on work and papers was doing him no good, he need to be doing something. So, he’d left his house and found a nice area to power up.
Unfortunately for him, he realized he’d powered up directly beneath a large order signature.
Well s**t.
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The owner of said signature paused, nearly tripping himself as he did so, as he felt an aura right there - right where he was. Regaining his balance the dark haired mele took the time to look around in the hopes of finding the signatures owner. Where...on the street? Maybe….were they one of those few who was lucky enough to not stand out like a sore thumb?
He could try, the key word was try, and not stand out in his own uniform but the glowing and the tiara sort of gave him away. The rest of his outfit could be considered some odd fashion choice, very odd, but it could manage to pass perhaps. That idea in his mind, that they were down below on the street, Chaldene walked over to the roof tops ledge and took the step off and let himself free fall for a moment. When his feet hit the pavement with a jarring sensation, one which sent a tingle up his frame, he really did regret it for a moment. He knew he’d do it again, jump or step off from a building roof, and he knew he’d hate himself for doing it each time.
Biting his lip he considered if he should say anything, what happened if they were violent? He could hold his own now he supposed, at least better than he once could. But...this really wasn’t his scene for the most part. He was back up, support, not an actual fighter. If this was an mmo he would be a support class - not the dps. He was also not melee he was ranged. He was ranged support, that’s just what he was. Damn it.
“I can sense you…” He called out, his voice hesitant and the words coming out didn’t sound all that confident - and he knew it. Damn him.
He could try, the key word was try, and not stand out in his own uniform but the glowing and the tiara sort of gave him away. The rest of his outfit could be considered some odd fashion choice, very odd, but it could manage to pass perhaps. That idea in his mind, that they were down below on the street, Chaldene walked over to the roof tops ledge and took the step off and let himself free fall for a moment. When his feet hit the pavement with a jarring sensation, one which sent a tingle up his frame, he really did regret it for a moment. He knew he’d do it again, jump or step off from a building roof, and he knew he’d hate himself for doing it each time.
Biting his lip he considered if he should say anything, what happened if they were violent? He could hold his own now he supposed, at least better than he once could. But...this really wasn’t his scene for the most part. He was back up, support, not an actual fighter. If this was an mmo he would be a support class - not the dps. He was also not melee he was ranged. He was ranged support, that’s just what he was. Damn it.
“I can sense you…” He called out, his voice hesitant and the words coming out didn’t sound all that confident - and he knew it. Damn him.
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Aluminite was grateful for the dark of his cloak, the way most of his uniform didn’t stand out blatantly. It was the nicest part of becoming captain, he supposed. It allowed him to mostly hide in the shadows, though occasionally the light from the streetlamps would catch on the gold fasteners and illuminate the green.
He exhaled a slow hiss of breath as he pressed himself against a wall, as though he could make himself flat and therefore unnoticeable.
It appeared to work for the most part, to his surprise.
Though the captain found himself stuck between a rock and a hard place, because he couldn’t simply power up and run away now that the senshi had landed in his alley. That would be tragic, like throwing his away his identity and anything he held dear.
He was tempted to stay where he was and hope that the senshi would leave, but those hopes appeared to be dashed when the masculine voice rang out. Cursing under his breath he peeled off the wall, hands flexing in case he needed to pull out his blades. “I’d really rather this didn’t end in a confrontation,” he said, voice stronger than he expected.
He exhaled a slow hiss of breath as he pressed himself against a wall, as though he could make himself flat and therefore unnoticeable.
It appeared to work for the most part, to his surprise.
Though the captain found himself stuck between a rock and a hard place, because he couldn’t simply power up and run away now that the senshi had landed in his alley. That would be tragic, like throwing his away his identity and anything he held dear.
He was tempted to stay where he was and hope that the senshi would leave, but those hopes appeared to be dashed when the masculine voice rang out. Cursing under his breath he peeled off the wall, hands flexing in case he needed to pull out his blades. “I’d really rather this didn’t end in a confrontation,” he said, voice stronger than he expected.
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Those words almost had the senshi sighing, a relieved sigh, as he wasn’t one for fighting. He would if he needed to, though he was far from the best when it came to such, but it wasn’t something he liked to do. Actually...truth be told he’d rather avoid it when and where possible, and if he couldn’t he’d go for his magic first and try and flee. He knew it sounded weak, and cowardly of him, and he didn’t much care what anyone else might think of him for such thoughts. The words I don’t give a ******** applied to him rather well, something he could get tattooed into his fair skin, as he had long ago given up caring.
Finding his voice he chose to respond as he glanced toward where the voice had come from. “Tell me, is there a reason it shouldn’t?” He asked, hoping for a reason to be given. Hoping the other hadn't’ done anything, wouldn’t do anything - any reason he didn’t need to fight. He was hoping and at the same time he was trying not to let that hope grow to be too much - too big. This was a Negaverse officer and they had to have been up to something...right?
“Have you not been bothering people? No energy taking?” He questioned further.
Finding his voice he chose to respond as he glanced toward where the voice had come from. “Tell me, is there a reason it shouldn’t?” He asked, hoping for a reason to be given. Hoping the other hadn't’ done anything, wouldn’t do anything - any reason he didn’t need to fight. He was hoping and at the same time he was trying not to let that hope grow to be too much - too big. This was a Negaverse officer and they had to have been up to something...right?
“Have you not been bothering people? No energy taking?” He questioned further.
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While his demeanor was a carefully constructed look of calm and collected, inwardly Aluminite was groaning and wishing the senshi would just take his words at face value. Clearly the captain didn’t want to fight, or he would have engaged already and hoped that his slight magical physical boost would give him enough of an advantage to daze and run. It not that he blamed the other guy for his distrust, but he just wasn’t in the mood.
“If I wanted to pick a fight, I probably would have done so already,” he reasoned, spreading his hands in what he hoped was a non-aggressive manner.
“Does it look like I’ve done anything?” He asked, gesturing towards the empty alley around them. It was devoid of life except for the two men and whatever rats or roaches skittered by. “I’m just out, doing what I’m obligated to do and maybe learning some things. That doesn’t make me a bad guy.”
“If I wanted to pick a fight, I probably would have done so already,” he reasoned, spreading his hands in what he hoped was a non-aggressive manner.
“Does it look like I’ve done anything?” He asked, gesturing towards the empty alley around them. It was devoid of life except for the two men and whatever rats or roaches skittered by. “I’m just out, doing what I’m obligated to do and maybe learning some things. That doesn’t make me a bad guy.”
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The other seemed innocent, tonight, and that was something which didn’t sit all that well with Chaldene. Did he trust them? They weren’t going to attack him, at least it didn’t seem like it, but they could teleport and quickly change the situation and make it a fight. Damn it. He didn’t like having to read people and gamble on things - his gamer luck seemed to have followed him in real life. His luck was s**t, always had been really.
Toying with his lip piercings he finally found his voice, though it was a bit jerky. “Doing what you're obligated to do? You make it sound like you don’t want to do it?” He questioned, green eyes staring at the other - questioning. Was there something he had to do but didn’t...did he perhaps not like the Negaverse? “People don’t talk about things like they are jobs if they like them…” No, not if they enjoyed them. They didn’t use that word, he knew that. Was he reading too much into this though?
Stepping forward, toward the other, he reached out one hand. “Tell me I’m wrong..because I don’t think I am.” His voice had gotten less shaky, stronger, and more solid as he spoke, green eyes looking to lock with the others eyes. Was this one of those who would leave? Wanted to or could be, with a nudge, convinced to trade sides? If so, if he was so lucky, he would help...he would get him a home if he changed sides. He knew the Jacobs would take him in if need be...hell they had housed him and Dessie.
“No fighting then...talking is fine...umm yeah...talking is good. I prefer it.” Since his magic wasn’t good for a fight anyway.
Toying with his lip piercings he finally found his voice, though it was a bit jerky. “Doing what you're obligated to do? You make it sound like you don’t want to do it?” He questioned, green eyes staring at the other - questioning. Was there something he had to do but didn’t...did he perhaps not like the Negaverse? “People don’t talk about things like they are jobs if they like them…” No, not if they enjoyed them. They didn’t use that word, he knew that. Was he reading too much into this though?
Stepping forward, toward the other, he reached out one hand. “Tell me I’m wrong..because I don’t think I am.” His voice had gotten less shaky, stronger, and more solid as he spoke, green eyes looking to lock with the others eyes. Was this one of those who would leave? Wanted to or could be, with a nudge, convinced to trade sides? If so, if he was so lucky, he would help...he would get him a home if he changed sides. He knew the Jacobs would take him in if need be...hell they had housed him and Dessie.
“No fighting then...talking is fine...umm yeah...talking is good. I prefer it.” Since his magic wasn’t good for a fight anyway.
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Green eyes watched the senshi warily, every muscle in the captain’s body tense and strung tightly. He was prepared to fight if he needed to defend himself or teleport away if he thought it would be worth it but he couldn’t stop holding onto the hope he wouldn’t have to. “It’s complicated,” he breathed, running his tongue along his teeth.
“Not everyone enjoys having super powers. It’s a lot of responsibility without and real benefits.”
“Not everyone enjoys having super powers. It’s a lot of responsibility without and real benefits.”
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“How is it complicated? This war.” Waving a hand about vaguely. “Is complicated but you make it sound more complicated than that. Tell me.” Suddenly the fear, the worry, the hesitation was easing inside of him. This one wasn’t going to lash out at him, he was sure of it, they would talk. Were they one of them though? Were they one whom he could help? Who wanted, or might want, to change sides?
“It sounds like you either don’t like the Negaverse, in which case why are you there? Or you really should stay out of this war...it’s not something that suits you well.” He was hoping it was more the first rather than the second.
“It sounds like you either don’t like the Negaverse, in which case why are you there? Or you really should stay out of this war...it’s not something that suits you well.” He was hoping it was more the first rather than the second.
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“But do you even know why you’re fighting?” Most days the captain wasn’t so sure about his reasons anymore. “Like I said it’s complicated.” He shrugged trying to keep the bitterness out of his voice as he spoke. Crossing his arms above his chest, Aluminite’s fingers dug into the fabric of his sleeves.
“You don’t join the military and just get to leave once you decide that you’re not all that cut out for it. Maybe it’s different for your kind. “ Order seemed to lack the rigid structure that the Negaverse implemented and while most of his interactions had been relatively non-violent with the knights and senshi he’d come across Aluminte had also seen the damage the other side could do.
He wasn’t sure if there were any innocents any more.
“I don’t expect you to understand.” As far as the captain was concerned, there was no understanding without experiencing.
“You don’t join the military and just get to leave once you decide that you’re not all that cut out for it. Maybe it’s different for your kind. “ Order seemed to lack the rigid structure that the Negaverse implemented and while most of his interactions had been relatively non-violent with the knights and senshi he’d come across Aluminte had also seen the damage the other side could do.
He wasn’t sure if there were any innocents any more.
“I don’t expect you to understand.” As far as the captain was concerned, there was no understanding without experiencing.
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“I do...I am fighting to keep my mother safe from being attacked at night. I’m fighting to keep other people from being attacked at night - even if they survive it.” He was fighting to protect people, even those he didn’t know. “For peace...so people don’t worry or live in fear. It’s terrorism when people fear going out and doing normal things. When events held in the city often go wrong.” He answered honestly. He was fighting, doing something he really didn’t like doing and was uncomfortable doing, to help and protect other people. To stop some of the fear people felt.
“I likely don’t. I’ve never been in your shoes. But it still sounds like you don’t like those shoes...like they fit poorly.” He stated, using his tongue to prod at the back of one of his lip piercings. The silver ball pushing forward as he did this.
“You can change sides you know. I know someone who can help….and I know where you could live, while you got your feet under you. I hear it’s not easy but there are people who will help - if you want out. This military...you can leave, not easily and there is a cost. But in the end if you’re happier isn’t it worth it?” He questioned, his hands stuffing themselves into the pockets of his uniform.
“It’s up to you…I can help - others will also.”
“I likely don’t. I’ve never been in your shoes. But it still sounds like you don’t like those shoes...like they fit poorly.” He stated, using his tongue to prod at the back of one of his lip piercings. The silver ball pushing forward as he did this.
“You can change sides you know. I know someone who can help….and I know where you could live, while you got your feet under you. I hear it’s not easy but there are people who will help - if you want out. This military...you can leave, not easily and there is a cost. But in the end if you’re happier isn’t it worth it?” He questioned, his hands stuffing themselves into the pockets of his uniform.
“It’s up to you…I can help - others will also.”
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Naive, was the first thing Aluminite thought as the senshi talked. Then he wondered how long he’d been around, if he even had seen the damage wrought by those that called them order and called him, and others like him, chaos. And then, then the captain wanted to laugh loud and bitterly because it just felt like the other man was trying to assert choices over him.
He didn’t know the first thing about the captain, or what he went through, or what his idea of side-swapping meant.
What it would cost.
“There’s no such thing as happiness when a choice like that would leave a bunch of innocents dead,” Aluminite snapped. “You don’t know anything about me. You’re making a bunch of assumptions on a false idea that you might get it. That you might understand what it would mean or what it would cost but you don’t. And maybe I’d be more receptive if you weren’t prattling on about things you clearly don’t get.”
Naive, Aluminite thought again.
“Thanks but no thanks.”
He didn’t know the first thing about the captain, or what he went through, or what his idea of side-swapping meant.
What it would cost.
“There’s no such thing as happiness when a choice like that would leave a bunch of innocents dead,” Aluminite snapped. “You don’t know anything about me. You’re making a bunch of assumptions on a false idea that you might get it. That you might understand what it would mean or what it would cost but you don’t. And maybe I’d be more receptive if you weren’t prattling on about things you clearly don’t get.”
Naive, Aluminite thought again.
“Thanks but no thanks.”
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He might be a bit naive but he was also not aware of how the Negaverse ran everything, it wasn’t like they had a lot of knowledge on these things. Not to mention Chaldene may or may not always pay attention, or even gain information, from senshi meetings when they actually had them. They tended to dissolve into fights and ego trips and other such childish things. They weren’t exactly what was needed by his side really, in fact they did more damage really. He didn’t say this though, even as the other pointed out his flaws.
Nodding he stared at the other. “You're right,I made assumptions based on how you should and word choice. There isn’t a lot of information about changing sides, not a lot seem to do it.” He knew it meant starting again and he could assume a risk to the civilian family but...the Negaverse knew their families? If that was the case it wasn’t exactly a good thing.
“I might not get it, I can’t possibly and I know that. I’m not on your side of the fence. But if I were, or if I didn’t want to be on the side I’m on, I’d make my choice and jump the fence. I would do whatever I could to help those I needed to help before doing so. But I would do it.” He added finally, his voice rising just a bit in volume. “I don’t complain about something, or at least speak as you did, and take no action.”
Did they, the senshi and knights, have a way to help the families of those who wanted to leave or those who had left? If not...why not? If families and loved ones were at risk, of any kind, than of course people wouldn’t leave. If there was a way to help keep them safe, or at least safer, maybe it would help some make the choice? He’d have to talk to Lily about this...damn it. He loved Lily and her family for taking him in, he appreciated it a lot, but she was rather...strong in her opinions and being a senshi and duty and such. Sometimes talking to her was just too much for the less social Chaldene who was very different from her in personality. But it wouldn’t hurt to ask...right?
Nodding he stared at the other. “You're right,I made assumptions based on how you should and word choice. There isn’t a lot of information about changing sides, not a lot seem to do it.” He knew it meant starting again and he could assume a risk to the civilian family but...the Negaverse knew their families? If that was the case it wasn’t exactly a good thing.
“I might not get it, I can’t possibly and I know that. I’m not on your side of the fence. But if I were, or if I didn’t want to be on the side I’m on, I’d make my choice and jump the fence. I would do whatever I could to help those I needed to help before doing so. But I would do it.” He added finally, his voice rising just a bit in volume. “I don’t complain about something, or at least speak as you did, and take no action.”
Did they, the senshi and knights, have a way to help the families of those who wanted to leave or those who had left? If not...why not? If families and loved ones were at risk, of any kind, than of course people wouldn’t leave. If there was a way to help keep them safe, or at least safer, maybe it would help some make the choice? He’d have to talk to Lily about this...damn it. He loved Lily and her family for taking him in, he appreciated it a lot, but she was rather...strong in her opinions and being a senshi and duty and such. Sometimes talking to her was just too much for the less social Chaldene who was very different from her in personality. But it wouldn’t hurt to ask...right?
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Maybe it was a result of the stress that had been bottled up and ignored, but Aluminite’s temper and patience was strained and he was incredibly short as a result. “Yeah, there’s a reason for that,” he snapped, hands curling into tight fists that trembled at his sides. “The fact that you keep talking, preaching about s**t you don’t understand just tells me that the only thing you care about is your opinion and shoving it down someone’s throat.”
He shook his head, spat at the senshi’s feet as he struggled to reign in the temper he so carefully kept a tight lid upon. “You’re lecturing me and you don’t know the first thing about me.” He stepped forward, but not to attack, just to get off and away from the wall.
“I didn’t ask for you advice or your opinion, so kindly keep it to yourself,” the captain practically snarled. His mouth opened then clamped shut, jaw clenched tightly as he glared at Chaldene. It was clear that he wanted to say something but chose to refrain because it wouldn’t help and he didn’t think the senshi would listen anyway.
It wasn’t like he’d listened before.
One last shake of his head and Aluminite vanished, opting to teleport out of the conversation.
He shook his head, spat at the senshi’s feet as he struggled to reign in the temper he so carefully kept a tight lid upon. “You’re lecturing me and you don’t know the first thing about me.” He stepped forward, but not to attack, just to get off and away from the wall.
“I didn’t ask for you advice or your opinion, so kindly keep it to yourself,” the captain practically snarled. His mouth opened then clamped shut, jaw clenched tightly as he glared at Chaldene. It was clear that he wanted to say something but chose to refrain because it wouldn’t help and he didn’t think the senshi would listen anyway.
It wasn’t like he’d listened before.
One last shake of his head and Aluminite vanished, opting to teleport out of the conversation.
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Was he shoving his opinion? He didn’t think so, not really, he was acting and speaking on what he assumed and what he saw, or rather heard, which was based on how he interpreted what he saw and heard from the other. But was he wrong? It was possible, very possible, though he hadn’t thought so. It seemed the other was..less than pleased with him. Calling him out on something he didn’t see but it was possible. He’d likely replay the whole talk, if one wished to call it that, later once he was home. He’d look to see if he could see, when not in the midst of it, what the other claimed was there - was the truth.
Stepping back, just a single step, he kept his green eyes on the other. He wasn’t lecturing...had he been? Lecturing and preaching...he didn’t see it but he thought he was trying to offer help really...maybe trying to show an open door and maybe persuade.
When the other left he stood there for a moment, considering what had just transpired before he decided to call it a night. He’d hide behind his computer once back home, bathed in the darkness of his room and the blue glow provided by his computer, while he went over things in his own head. Turning he did just that - headed home.
Stepping back, just a single step, he kept his green eyes on the other. He wasn’t lecturing...had he been? Lecturing and preaching...he didn’t see it but he thought he was trying to offer help really...maybe trying to show an open door and maybe persuade.
When the other left he stood there for a moment, considering what had just transpired before he decided to call it a night. He’d hide behind his computer once back home, bathed in the darkness of his room and the blue glow provided by his computer, while he went over things in his own head. Turning he did just that - headed home.
Nuxaz
