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 Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 7:59 pm
If he didn’t think about it too much, it wasn’t so horrible. Yes, he supposed putting people into comas that would eventually kill them was the definition of horrible, but at least it wasn’t painful. And there were worse ways to die. Some might even argue that sometimes it was worse to live.
Kamacite didn’t dare think of himself as any kind of angel of mercy, but he did try to be considerate of how someone would die. Being left in the middle of a dark alley wasn’t the most ideal place to be left, but it was at least secluded and allowed Kamacite to do what he needed.
He carefully crouched beside the presumably homeless man who was already passed out drunk in the alley, an orb of energy collected in his hands. He’d been supervised a few times as he got the hang of energy draining and pulling starseeds, but he still wasn’t quite used to it. It creeped him out - being able to focus his energy to reach into someone’s chest.
Taking a deep breath, he carefully held the orb of energy in one hand, and then reached out with his other to press against the unconscious man’s chest, trying to keep himself focused as he watched his fingers disappear through solid mass. Hermes was not one for confrontation, nor for anything involving getting his hands dirtied.
But he also did not particularly agree with wandering around aimlessly for hours at a time; the patrolling had to mean something, otherwise it was a useless endeavor, and Hermes did not fancy useless endeavors. If there was no reason to be out, then he wouldn’t go out. If he was going to patrol, then he would patrol and not simply be a piece of scenery.
Therefore, instead of standing idly by, he approached the Chaotic signature he could feel reeling through the air as he made his way down the street. It wasn’t particularly strong; no stronger than his own, at least, which meant it was probably easily overcome if he were to play his cards right.
There was no point in being stealthy; the power signature gave that away as it was.
“Stop,” said Hermes, as he slowed his steps, standing silhouetted in the mouth of the alleyway. He couldn’t see much except a figure with long, dark hair crouching on the ground, a flash of orange.
“Walk away.”In spite of being hypervigilant and even feeling the strange aura approach, Kamacite was still startled when the voice of a man told him to stop and walk away. He jumped from where he was crouching, his hand still deep in the man’s chest as he searched for the starseed, his own heart pounding noisily.
He stared wide eyed at the man at the entrance of the alleyway, unable to see him clearly because of the backlight from the street beyond, but he could tell that he was definitely one of those he was warned to look out for. He could almost taste the sweetness of the aura, making him a little nauseous at the close proximity.
“You’re a senshi…?” he asked quietly, curiously, his trembling hand still inside the man’s chest for a few moments longer, but then carefully withdrew it. He had no intention of disobeying orders. He knew he needed to collect starseeds, but he was also quite aware that if he was dead he wouldn’t be able to do anything.
Besides, he’d already collected the man’s energy. He would just have to find another starseed if necessary.
Long black hair fell over Kamacite’s shoulders as he slowly rose to his feet, his hands reaching up to self-consciously pull his robe closed over the hole in his chest.
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2017 10:48 pm
There was no ferocity in Hermes' voice, no arrogance or intensity. It was merely a word, calm and orderly, because he never did anything unless it was calm and orderly. Precision was an important part of his daily civilian life; he wanted to make sure that it stayed that way in his powered life as well.
There was no need to get fussy over things.
Hermes' blue eyes flickered to the hand that was currently sunk deep into the chest of the figure prone on the ground. It was still too dark to make out any distinguishing features, but he knew that what the other was doing was probably not on the list of "approved senshi things."
"Yes," said Hermes, and the figure was standing now, long dark hair cascading down over his back and shoulders, fingers readjusting his uniform. Hermes' brows drew together, lips pressing into a thin line.
"What are you? That's not a military uniform."
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 10:38 am
This was bad. This was very bad. He shouldn’t be talking to this man. He should grab the starseed and run, because that was what he was meant to do. It was the most important order he had, after all.
He stared at the man as he spoke again, verifying what Kamacite had guessed. Senshi and knight were dangerous and their starseeds were worth more than just normal people.
One hand clutched a little tighter to his robe, as the other lifted to try and brush some of the long hair from his face, pushing it back behind his ear. This man didn’t seem too intimidating, but he knew better than to underestimate him. Just because he wasn’t attacking immediately didn’t mean he wouldn’t. Part of him wondered if he should either try and run, or try to take his starseed, too. Surely that was what the wolf would want.
“I’m…” he started and then stopped, knowing that he was a corrupted senshi, but there were few of them as it were. He wasn’t anything special, and so he didn’t want to make it seem as though he was. “I’m an officer of the Negaverse. This was the uniform I was given,” he said, ignoring the heat in his cheeks at such a stupid response.
Besides. Calling himself corrupted made it sound bad.
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:15 am
Hermes slanted a look towards the other, all cool eyes and pale hair and an expression that suggested he was hardly the type to simply dive into something that involved too much work or too much mess. He hadn't missed the way the other shifted; the hand that tugged at his uniform, the fingers that slid hair behind his ear - all gestures indicating anxiousness, or uncertainty.
Lack of confidence.
Lack of experience.
The hesitation in stating his identity made Hermes' icy blue eyes narrow slightly, though it was more out of an expression of scrutiny than any sort of annoyance. "That is an interesting uniform for one of the Negaverse," he said musingly, gaze sweeping the long robes.
He lifted his chin, moonlight glinting across the street behind him.
"I am Sailor Hermes. What is your name?"
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 2:28 pm
”You think so?” Kamacite asked, trying to keep his voice nonchalant and not curious about the observation of his uniform. He definitely didn’t want to explain to this man that there were very, very few other officers of the Negaverse that he’d met so far, so he had no idea what really was normal or not.
Or that this fair colored man was the first of the other side he’d met. Kamacite stared in surprise when the other man introduced himself, the name obviously familiar, but Kamacite wondered how different the context was.
“Hermes; the Greek messenger of the gods and guide to the underworld?” Kamacite wondered, this time not bothering to keep his curiosity to himself. “Or is there no correlation?” It was very likely that it was just the name and there was nothing tying this man and the Greek god together.
He hesitated for another moment, trying to remember if his General told him anything about not telling others his name, but he couldn’t remember that being covered.
“Kamacite,” he said quietly.
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 3:32 pm
He wasn't going to dignify the attempt at casualness with a response. Hermes was not one for small talk, nor was he one to engage in banter that seemed pointless. His head was tilted slightly, the moonlight catching on sharp cheekbones, an angular, pointed jaw, Hermes' blue eyes almost silver in the dark.
"Yes," he said, inwardly pleased at the recognition. Arsinoe had indicated that he was not a god in a former life, and so the fact that someone knew his reputation now made him feel a surging amount of satisfaction. There. He knew it was true, he knew the cat had not been stringing him along.
"There is a correlation; I was Hermes in a past life," he said. "I don't recognize the name Kamacite; that's not one of the gods."
He walked a little closer, the tightly laced uniform looking pristine and starkly white against the shadows, against the other man's darker, more vibrant uniform, opposite in every way including the sheer amount of fabric, the volume of it, the looseness of the entire apparel. Hermes let his gaze sweep up and down the other again.
"What are you doing, Kamacite?"
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Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 9:12 pm
The other man looked young. Well, not too young. Maybe around Kamacite’s age, but he looked more mature than Kamacite felt.
He didn’t realize he’d been staring until Hermes spoke again, causing Kamacite to jump a little in alarm. And the things he said confused him. A past life? He didn’t really mean an actual past life, did he? Did something like that really exist? Part of him wouldn’t be surprised, but he was also not sure if this man meant literally or just… metaphorically.
“I… no, I think it’s a mineral,” he said in response, his voice still quiet. He wasn’t sure where the name came from, but didn’t think it had any kind of significance. “It was given to me when my power was unlocked,” he explained, although he had to wonder if he was perhaps talking too much.
And then the other man began to draw closer, and Kamacite took a nervous step backwards, both of his hands gripping tightly to the robe over his chest, feeling his heart quicken with each step Hermes took.
“I’m following my orders,” he said, thinking that should be enough. “I have to…” Or else he would probably be killed. “T-that’s far enough. You can stop there, please,” he asked the senshi, trying to stand up a little straighter, but not quite managing to look at all intimidating.
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Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 9:55 pm
He had to keep reminding himself of what the cat had said; about his purpose here on Earth, though it was difficult with all of the negativity and opposition that kept being thrown his way - from people on his own side, no less. As disgusting as that beast had been, he hadn't been wrong when he'd warned Hermes it was coming.
"A mineral?" he replied, the frown deepening. The senshi - if that was what he truly was - was a nervous sort, or maybe just a soft spoken one. Hermes wondered if that was something that was actually good for a faction that seemed eternally bent on controlling people, or whether this particular person had simply gotten swept up in everything.
"What powers?" Hermes asked. "What is your sphere?"
It still felt strange to say it. He disliked being told what to do by someone he had only just met, which was hypocritical, to say the least, but Hermes was not one to ever look at that as a trait he particular cared about. And he was the one on the right side of things, which meant he had a precedent for it.
"Orders are just orders. Put whatever you've taken back, please."
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Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 3:56 pm
Kamacite felt heat sweep stupidly across his cheeks at the way Sailor Hermes questioned his name being a mineral. Maybe he wasn’t scrutinizing it in the way Kamacite felt he was, but it had apparently not been something he was expecting.
“P-powers?” he sputtered, gaping at the man when he asked, knowing what he was asking (sort of), but not sure if he should reveal it to someone who was on the other side of things. What would his General say if he was with him? Would he have him tell the man as a way to deter him from attacking, or would he advise to keep it to himself?
“I’m sorry, I can’t do that,” he apologized, his hands still gripping at his robe, but his eyes glancing down to the man on the ground. He’d only taken his energy so far, having been interrupted before he could pull the starseed. Quickly, Kamacite crouched back down, sinking his hand magically into the man’s chest to pull the starseed free. He would run if he had to.
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Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 6:55 pm
The flush was noted, but discarded a moment later as Hermes sorted through information and observations and placed it neatly into the categories of Important, For Later, and Unhelpful. He'd already made the mental note of Kamacite's anxious state of mind, he didn't need to delve further into that.
"Why not?" It seemed a perfectly reasonable request. The other senshi didn't have to follow the orders of whatever person he was under, and Hermes knew he was in the right, which meant that it only made sense for him to have the upper hand here.
At least until the other was ducking down, a hand sinking into the chest of the civilian. Hermes stared at him, expression stoic, expressionless, although his mind was having slight processing issues trying to understand what was happening; he'd never seen that before - had never seen anyone just plunge their hand into someone's chest and not have it come out drenched in blood.
He needed to stop this.
He came forward, boots clicking as he started to move across the pavement, and Hermes reached forward, lunging for Kamacite.
"Stop that - "
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 10:34 pm
Where was it, where was it?? Kamacite desperately searched the man’s body for the starseed, already knowing that Hermes was quickly on his way towards him, reaching for him, lunging at him.
Kamacite let out a startled, distressed squeak as the man practically bowled him down, his hand being pulled from the prone man’s chest, finally managing to grasp the glimmering starseed from inside. He struggled to get back to his feet, shoving and pushing desperately at the senshi to get away from him, his heart in his throat, his fingers grasping tightly to the seed.
This was the first time he was actually attacked by someone. He had no idea if this man was just trying to stop him from collecting the starseed that he needed, or if he was planning on killing him for what he was.
“G-get off!” he cried out in pain as he made an attempt to get back up to his feet, but the senshi was standing on his long black hair. There was a thought that suddenly came to him, although it was rather desperate; he could always call for help. He could use his crystal and contact his General, and surely, surely, the wolf would come to help him.
Or maybe he would do away with Kamacite, himself. Why would he need someone who couldn’t even handle a small scuffle?
“S-solar flare!” he gasped, the words coming to him before he could even question it, his hands lifting to shove once more at the other senshi, a brilliant flash of light filling the alley. kuropeco Solar Flare:There is a brilliant flash of light causing temporary but immediate disorientation and blindness that fades into horribly spotty vision; can last upwards of twenty seconds. The attack does not cause physical damage and is intended as a diversion or distraction. Has an effect radius of 8 feet (although the flash can be seen as one would see any flash), and can be used three times.
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Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 2:57 pm
Hermes' hands were not made for roughness; he was a violinist, for heaven's sake; he had spent more time than he knew making sure that his hands were in pristine, careful condition because bad hands meant bad playing, and the violin was all that he had in his life and he was damn good at it.
He was strong, but he wasn't made for fighting, and he knew it, even if he had been a god in his past life. Kamacite's distressed shoving, panicking and hard, were enough to make Hermes stumble backwards, losing his grip on the other's wrist with a small curse of annoyance.
He had not expected the magic, but perhaps he should have. They were both senshi, after all, even if Kamacite was not the same senshi as Hermes was. The flash of light was both direct and disorienting, and Hermes did not have time to fling his arms up to cover his face before it blinded him, white and black spots pinpricking his vision.
It was unbelievably frustrating. Hermes swore again, not loudly, not even that creatively, but enough to show his frustration in a verbal attempt at irritation.
It was hard to see Kamacite like this. Hermes staggered a few steps back, sliding on thick, dark hair, and then on pavement as his feet hit solid ground again. He flung out a hand, and he had never even used his magic before, but he used it now, grinding out the words through gritted teeth, his eyes squinted shut.
"Fool Me Once!"guine The opponent experiences an unnerving black shadow, disorienting and confusing them. It's nothing more than wispy vapors, but the shape is vaguely and alarmingly familiar (i.e. it FEELS as though they should know who it is, but don't), and Hermes holds no control over his illusion's actions, either at this stage or any other. This attack lasts for 25 seconds and provides a distraction for the opponent three times per battle.
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Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 8:24 pm
Kamacite hadn’t known what to expect when the words escaped his mouth, but he watched as Hermes staggered backwards, and finally off of his hair. Kamacite grabbed hold of it, balling up as much as he could of the long strands so he could keep it out of the way as he attempted to run.
But he hadn’t expected magic from Hermes in return. He should have since he just used it himself, but this was the first time he’d actually had to fight someone to escape.
There was a heavy, dark sensation that filled Kamacite’s chest, the black shadow forming in front of him. His eyes widened in panic, and he stumbled away from it and the man in the alley.
“S-stay back,” he choked out a whisper, his words slipping subconsciously into Japanese as he addressed the shadow, unable to find his voice as his shoulder hit the edge of a dumpster and he winced from the pain. There was something hauntingly familiar about the shadow, and Kamacite felt as though he knew who it was, coming to punish him for everything he’d done. For stepping out of line, for disobeying, for talking too much… for existing. Because his very existence ruined things for everyone else.
“P-please, don’t,” Kamacite whimpered as he tried to escape the shadow that drew closer, completely forgetting that there was another person there, that this was probably just an illusion. He couldn’t stop his heart from racing, his breathing coming in short, panicked gasps as he slid down between the wall and the dumpster, his hands clutching tightly to his arms, his head down against his knees.
He knew he should run, but he felt petrified with fear. If this man was going to kill him, he hoped it would be before the shadow reached him.
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 10:25 pm
He still couldn't see very well, Hermes staggering around with his eyes squinted shut, the spots of light still dancing in his vision. Hermes' could hear Kamacite's terrified voice, however; it was something of a satisfaction to know that his magic had been successful, even if he couldn't exactly see it. The words weren't English, but they didn't need to be; tone transcended language, after all.
His vision was finally clearing. Hermes shook his head, blinking rapidly, and found the other senshi - not quite in his field of vision. He looked around; the power signature was still there, still somewhere around where he was, but he couldn't see where the senshi was.
A part of him wondered if it was worth it. Hermes looked down at his hands, at the light redness to him that indicated that he had used them in a manner not befitting a violinist; but some things were important, and this was one of them. Still...being reckless was not a trait that he was known for.
Hermes pressed his lips together.
"I will let you off this time," he said, loud enough that he hoped the other could hear. "But no more."
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 5:53 pm
Kamacite clutched tightly at his robes, his eyes squeezed shut as he waited for whatever was going to happen to him. But as he waited, the overwhelmingly unnerving feeling that had been cast over him was slowly starting to fade. He could hear the senshi calling to him, the distance obvious between then.
He wasn’t serious, was he? Maybe it was a trap? The senshi was just going to let him go?
Kamacite cautiously lifted his head, the shadow that had been looming towards him fading away, his own senses coming back to him, and while his heart was still racing, he felt as though he could breathe a little better.
Warily, Kamacite reached out his arms to carefully gather up the black hair that blanketed the ground around him, pulling it all up into his arms as he pushed himself to his feet. He wasn’t going to give Hermes a chance to change his mind. Starseed still in hand, Kamacite quickly slipped away into the darkness of the alley, in shock that he actually had a rare, lucky break.
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