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The city was relatively quiet, all things considering. It was likely something to do with the oppressive heat and humidity that had the streets in its sweaty grasp, even in the middle of the night. Even the distant sounds of sirens sounded muffled and limp, as if the cars had melted into the asphalt and were laboriously swimming through the sticky mess to get to whatever emergency that called them out of their blissfully air conditioned stations.

As the young blond senshi reclined against a old water tower in one of the crappier neighborhoods. The metal was cool against her bare shoulders, its drum of water sloshing slightly against the sides rhythmically as the pipe that fills it in the night slowly added more liquid. Vivid blue eyes surveyed the dark skyline of the buildings of her city, the thoughts contained within inscrutable.

Infact even Antares didn’t really know where her mind was drifting, only that it was doing so. It bounced from nonsensical things like the feel of the cool metal seeping into her body to wondering what the sirens were for. Her mind drifted towards past nights when the heat was oppressive, nights when the only air she got was through the slats on train cars as it sped across the country and nights when she could see the vast sky spread out above her as she camped out, starlight the only illumination and her ratty blanket her only protection. But for the last two years, this September, she hadn’t had to worry about getting caught by the cops, freezing as the sky suddenly opened up, or going to sleep hungry.

Instead all Antares really had to worry about was being killed… or turned. She still had more mondaine worries but as she sat there, power radiating from her, it was hard to think about them even if the dark ball of worry in the pit of her stomach wouldn’t leave her. Even her father wouldn’t exit whatever hole he crawled out of on this fuggly hot night. He really was the only person who could be making Antares feel like she was being watched, stalked, and in danger. Not even the negaverse gave her that same feeling of foreboding as when she wondered if maybe he had come to get her. The more sane part of her mind argued that there was no reason he would, besides he had likely died from drinking too much. There was no point in him coming after her.

It didn’t matter what her brain told her, she still couldn’t shake the feeling that the second shoe was going to drop sooner or later. Squishing her in the process.

From atop one of the buildings adjacent to a club that had music booming out into the streets Meridiana looked down at the long line of patrons that twisted around the corner and down the alley way, all of them waiting to get in.

Since her time at the school modeling for the fashion design students was up thanks to Delilah replacing her for that periwinkle haired twit, Phedre found that she had more time on her hands to power up and play with her newfound magic. The General King, and the cat that had accompanied him, who had awakened her had not been seen since the day he shoved his hand into her chest. In hindsight it was a good thing since she’d love nothing more than to try her magic out on him and kick him in the groin for violating her in such a way.

There was a reason why two objects were not suppose to occupy the same space at any given time; it’s because it hurt like a mother effing b***h. “Ugh,” The senshi of the succubus groaned in remembrance of that rather painful moment.

A phantom throb caused her chest to ache just beneath the cracked mark just beneath her collarbone. A few months had already passed but it was a moment that would take a lifetime to forget.

As it was Alphekka Meridiana scanned the crowd again in search for her next prey for syphoning off a bit of energy to add to her cache when a bored glance down the street garnered her a brief glimpse of a blond haired girl, alone, standing atop another building like she was. “Hmm… This seems promising.” The woman grinned as she stood up from where she had been perched. “Nowhere to escape and nobody else around to call for help.” At least that’s what she assumed considering she wasn’t close enough to sense any aura.

Figuring the girl as some easy prey the Senshi of the Succubus bound across rooftops towards the girl. Only once did she falter but in the end decided it was worth the risk to engage in a little tête-à-tête with the White Moon Senshi.

Feeling antsy Antares had climbed to her feet, stepping away from the watertower and closer towards the edge of the roof. She could see the city spread out like some twinkling child’s toy. Streetlights, apartment lights, headlights… all lit giving the dark and dirty city more of a fairytale feel. It was all fake of course, complete and total crap. Even now the flash of blue and red meant a police car was on a call but oddly the color of their lights flashing on the sides of buildings just added to the whimsy.

Even lost in her own thoughts about just how superficial the whole city seemed right then Antares was still checking her surroundings. She knew just what kinds of dangers lurked in the darkness that the city harbored, hidden by its sparkly facade, both mundane and abnormal.

When a chaos signature flared to life on the edge of her senses the blond senshi didn’t even flinch. She knew that if she was sensing the other then they were sensing her, an encounter was inevitable. The only thing Antares could hope was that whoever it was didn’t have the ability to teleport, the dislike she felt for the negaverse could be summed up as one person; a general with a habit of going after those weaker than himself and the personal beliefs that chaos was the best that could beat out any religious nut.

Who ever was fast approaching though was not that general but rather someone much weaker than that asswipe. Perfectly happy to get into a fight, it would help relieve some of the ‘impending doom’ feeling that was looming over her, Antares turned to face the incoming agent of darkness, her face as cold and expressionless as she could make it.

Booted heels clicked quietly against the rooftop when finally Alphekka Meridiana landed near enough to see the White Moon Senshi’s face. “Hmm?” Her head tilted to the side in an almost cat like manner “Such a sour look on a pretty face, It doesn’t suit you at all.” She commented as if they had met before; which obviously they hadn’t.

“I havn’t even done anything and you already look like you want to kill me. But I guess what’s what terrorists like you do right? Or am I wrong?” For someone that should be more cautious the Senshi of the Succubus’ voice sounded all too sweet as she spoke. “What reason do you have to be up here all alone?” She purred, taking a step closer she crossed her arms across her chest in a casual manner.

Antares remained silent as the corrupt, the long pinkish-red hair and the cracked markings on her chest were very clear indications of who she was facing, joined her on her rooftop. She kept her face impassive even as she wanted to sneer at the ‘pretty’ comment. What did Antares care about beauty. She hated being a girl let alone being a girl that drew men’s attention. The only reason she wasn't currently hiding under a sweater, hiding her skimpy uniform and her more than adequate figure, was the heat. Apparently the corrupt didn't need to worry about the heat either as her uniform prominently displayed the hole in her chest. No underboob sweat for this chick.

Antares’ eye twitched slightly at being called a terrorist, a sneer crossing her lips as she scoffed, “I believe you have our jobs mixed up. I'm not the terrorist. You are. I'm not the one who sticks her hand in people's chest and yank out their souls. Nor do I siphon energy from poor civilians like a leech.” The young blond rolled her eyes and cocked her hip slightly as she crosses her arms absently.

“I don't have to explain s**t to you. Besides I could ask you the same. I'm guessing you were out trolling for some victims you can suck energy from like a vampire. All you would need is some damn glitter… and better hair.”

“Mmm you’re right, a better hair do might be in order but glitter might be overdoing it a bit much. I don’t want to seem desperate when someone hits on me.” Meridiana waived her hand almost dismissively.

“By the way, I’m the senshi of the Succubus sweetheart. Vampire is on your side, at least she was the last time I saw her. So cute with that gothic chic outfit of hers, i do wonder how she is doing.” The corners of her lips turned upward in an almost seductive smile thinking about the White Moon senshi.

Antares had to suppress the urge to roll her eyes again, instead she let out a derisive huff. To think, this corrupt had actually taken her comments at face value. She even felt the need to point out that she was not a vampire… no she was a succubus. In some ways that was even worse than a vampire, nor was the revelation that there was a senshi of vampires a surprise. It seemed like there was a senshi for everything in the known, and unknown, universe kind of like a perverse pantheon of Greek Gods or something. God, how did she get stuck facing a vapid corrupt who apparently adored frilly uniforms and ‘getting hit on’?

“Anyway,” The corrupts’ expression became a bit more serious as she held her hands out in front of her. “Per your previous accusations I have never stuck my hand in anyone's chest.” Meridiana smirked before adding a non convincing “Agents honor.”

“What, no hand on your non-existent heart and a scout salute?” She snarked, a brow raised in disbelief of the corrupt’s ‘word’ that she had never ripped a person’s starseed from their chest. “Do you want a bible to swear on? How about a ‘grandma’s grave’?” Antares wasn’t actually sure if a senshi who had been corrupted could do that but the idea was the same. The thought of great personal harm to another. She expected this ‘woman’ to have done that, and quite often as well.

“Ah ha, I’ll pass. However, on the topic of siphoning energy I do wonder what yours tastes like.” Hovering in the air before her a handle shaped object appeared which she grasped ahold of with her right hand. “Look at me!” The corrupt all but demanded causing the weapon to glow a golden hue. From one end an ethereal wip appeared which was swung in a wide circle above her head and snapped loudly beside her. The weapon, though intimidating, was quick to disappear as she brought her left hand up and blew a kiss in the blond White Moon Senshi’s direction.

At the corrupt’s next comment however Antares couldn’t hold back the eye roll. Like this chick would ever get close enough to ‘taste’ her energy! It was more likely that she would welcome a stranger’s touch then she would allow a negaverse agent to drain energy from her. No way in hell! Sadly before she was able to vocalize this denial the corrupt called out, a whip materializing in her hand. She wanted to fight it seemed, Antares would oblige. Her icey blue eyes tracked every movement of the corrupt’s, from the path of the whip to the kiss, only once feeling a flash of trepidation when the whip disappeared. That disappeared though when the magic too affect, everything disappeared for Antares, everything but the succubus standing there. She stood there unmoving, looking very much so like a lifesize doll, her gaze trained on the other, unable and unwilling to look away.

Eyes shining with an amount of amusement Alphekka Meridiana tilted her head to the side and smiled. Cat got your tongue? she found herself desperately wanted to ask but chose to stay silent and instead took a step forward in an almost predatory way circling the senshi appraisingly. Thankfully they were of the same level otherwise she would have used the opportunity to flee after getting her eyes fill of the girl infront of her.

“I’m curious,” she mused aloud, tapping her gloved index finger on the gold gem encrusted cuff before toying with the black stone drop hanging from Antares’ collar. “Do you think these are real?” Could always be costume jewelry but they didn’t feel plastic. “Not that it’d matter of course… everything disappears when we power down.” Still, an egyptian style arm band might be worth a shiny penny.

Releasing the decorative piece, Meridiana watched as the pendulum swung once, twice, then came to a stop. “Hmm, you seem tense.” The influx in her voice seemed somewhat concerned, though they both knew she could truly care less. “Perhaps I can help you loosen up a bit.” The Senshi of the Succubus’ offered as she lightly rested her hand upon the girls side and leaned in close so their bodies touched.

Antares stood there, her mind just quietly focused on the corrupt. Like a pond on a windless day, reflecting back the surroundings. She didn't look towards the sound of a siren blaring past on the streets below. She didn't even flinch when the dark senshi tapped on her golden collar, all Antares did was stand quietly, silently contemplating nothing in particular about the young corrupt that even then was gently playing with the onyx stone that hung on her back. She didn't care that her countless, abit very faded, scars were on display. She didn't care that the other was so very close, closer than any had been without being in an actual fight except for a very few. She didn't care that she could actually feel the body heat of the woman soaking into her skin. She didn't care. Some small part of her, buried deep within and muffled by magic, screamed in frustration and anger at her passivity. That small part wanted her to strike out, to yell and kick and hit. To bring pain to this woman who though she could slide up to her as if Antares would welcome her. Sadly there was nothing that could be done, nothing the little voice screamed had any effect. At least not until the corrupt crossed a line even God himself wouldn’t have wanted to, she touched Antares.

The light hand on her side was like an iron brand that snapped the magic wrapped around her. Antares’ dislike on being touched was instinctual, almost pathological, she had been getting better but it took extream willpower and prior knowledge of the contact in order to suppress the need to strike out violently against the touch. Neither of these conditions were fulfilled with the corrupt’s touch. Even as the chaos woman reached forward to turn Antares’ face to the side the senshi was coming out of the haze her magic had woven, her icy blue eyes sparking in anger as she struck out with all her force. Driving her fist into the stomach of the dark senshi even as she hissed out, “do not touch me.”

Alphekka Meridiana stumbled backwards a few steps before the inability to draw in a breath brought her to her knees. True she had been expecting some sort of retaliation, that was kind of the point of the game she played, but who the bloody hell knew that the scrawny twit could hit so hard.

“s**t,” she wheezed upon an exhale. Each struggled shallow breath made the area flare to life in a burning unrelenting way. If anything, it felt like the blonde b***h may have broke a rib with how badly it hurt.

“With a reaction like that I‘m willing to bet you’ve never been on a date.” The corrupt visible winced when a chuckle escaped her unbidden as she attempted to rise to her feet. “You’d probably scare them so bad they’d never approach a woman again.”

Antares glared at the corrupt, keeping her own council. Like it mattered that the dark senshi was perceptive. So she hadn’t ever been on a date, she really didn’t want to. She hated men in general and people as a whole. If she could put the fear of god into a male to scare them off, good. Nothing ever came from a Y chromosome that was worth dealing with. The blond senshi conveniently forgot that her ‘dad’ was male, as was Ian and Alex, and ‘Grandpa’ Jacobs, and a few other males that fell in the very small collection of people she called friends. As a whole men were useless at best and a danger at worse. Best to be avoided at all costs.

Even feeling contempt for the figure, that even then was struggling to her feet, Antares recognized that further fighting wasn’t necessary. Not unless the other wished it. It didn’t matter if she wanted to strike out at her again for the indignity of the magic she used on her, Antares saw the pain the corrupt was in. If the blonde continued the fight it would be too much like picking on her, pointless and for no real gain. Then again, if the corrupt wanted too… Antares would be happy to oblige. Teaching others that being smaller, cute, or a girl didn’t mean that she couldn’t wipe the floor with their faces was great fun for the senshi.

“That’s it? Nothing else to say?” While her side still hurt like a mother, Meridiana did her best to hide her shallow breathing behind an amused half smile. “Well then, since it is blatantly obvious that you neither need nor want my help I will take the hint and leave you alone, for now at least.”

She let her last words sink in before adding, “Next time, however, I’ll have that kiss.” Flirting with a White Moon Senshi was dangerous as it was but that didn’t deter the Senshi of the Succubus one bit. No harm intended by her advances, maybe a bit of energy syphoning but that was it; was that too much to ask for?

Antares kept silent, sneering at the corrupt while keeping a close eye on her. She wouldn’t put it past that woman to do a sneak attack even if it appeared to be in pain. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” She snarked, more than willing to see this corrupt leave. The idea of the pool back at the house was getting better and better every passing moment. “There won’t be a next time,” the blond spat out. Angry with herself for being so easily trapped by another’s magic. Magic that had taken her will to fight away. Magic that had allowed another to come so close… it was disgusting. There was no way in hell Antares would let that happen again. In that vein of thought she found that she couldn’t turn her back on the woman, she wouldn’t leave herself open to a potential surprise attack that her back could leave. That female had already been close enough, Antares didn’t want to give her another chance to do it again.

”So you say.” Meridiana smirked as she straightened herself despite the sharp stabbing pain she felt in her side.

The murderous look in the White Moon’s eyes was all the warning she needed to see as she backed away slowly towards edge of the rooftop. The corrupt was no fool and knew when a fight was lost.

Before leaping to the adjacent building she blew Antares a kiss and winked in her direction. “So you say…” She repeated again then disappeared over the ledge. The landing had been jarring but she did her best to ignore the pain through clenched teeth and continued running until she no longer felt the other girls signature.

“Next time sweetheart, next time...”