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 Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2017 10:21 am
Kari’s mind was racing. She was still so…so confused and upset about what had happened that nothing was making sense. She was running still, running as fast as she could, away from Epidote. Away from that awful person…away from Stella…who must have caused this…Stella must have…have told him to do that…and…
And that thought made her want to cry. Just curl up and cry forever and ever.
Finally, when she thought she was far enough away, Kari stopped running and sank down to the ground, curling up as small as she could, hiding her face against her knees and wrapping her arms tightly around them.
What was she going to do? She had never felt so bad before…so scared before…she felt heartbroken and betrayed and…and she thought she was going to be sick, yet didn’t have the energy to even move…
Everything hurt, especially her heart…this was awful.
If she had been a little more aware of her surroundings, she would have realized that she wasn’t alone…but if she was one to keep aware of her surroundings, perhaps none of this would have happened, and she would be the warrior she was supposed to be, instead of the failure that she was.
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Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 5:32 am
Still stinging from the loss of Elvira, Haumea had decided that it would be best to isolate himself a little. Allow his knee to rest and heal, quietly plot all the ways he would insure that Elvira would not escape him again should Metallia favor him with a rematch. Simple things.
The rapid appearance of an Order aura had him perking his metaphorical ears hopefully. Yet, even as it got closer and closer, he slumped back into his hiding spot. The crying that echoed up was enough to tell him this wasn't his little escaped bird. And in a few moments, he was able to visually confirm this when a white clad senshi appeared and then suddenly sank to the ground sobbing.
This... this was not normal senshi behavior. Why, as close as he was to her, she should have been immediately on her guard. Granted, Elvira hadn't been, but surely not all senshi were so painfully, suicidally stupid.
For a moment, he considered pouncing, teleporting her off to the nearest General. Unfortunately, his knee throbbed a sharply painful reminder that he couldn't rely on being bigger and presumably stronger. This girl felt at least as strong magically, if not more so. No, he'd have to try and rely on words alone.
Moving carefully, he slid from his perch and approached.
"Well, well, well. Why do you cry so, little senshi?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:31 am
The moment that the corrupt senshi spoke, Kari stiffened, the full weight of the chaotic aura coming over her. Well…well s**t. And it wasn’t that other corrupt she had met…a quick glance up told her that.
She sat up straighter and rubbed a hand across her eyes, trying to clear the tears from them. “Just a bad night, that’s all…sorry if I bothered you. I’ll just be on my way now.”
The super senshi stood up, legs shaking out of fear and exhaustion. She didn’t really want to turn her back on this guy…but she wanted to get away as quickly as she could, so flashing a weak smile she gave a wave. “Um…I hope your night goes better than mine…take care okay?” Just because he was chaos…didn’t mean she had to be rude…even when what had just happened had happened…it hadn’t been him who had removed her starseed…he hadn’t tried to kill her.
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Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 7:39 am
As wobbly and strung out as she seemed, it was hardly any work at all to casually teleport until he was once again in front of her as she tried to move off. Crossing his arms over his chest, he stared impassively down at the senshi, noting the little tell-tale signs of exhaustion.
"No," he said softly. "I think not. You have my curiosity, little one. And at the risk of sounding... hrmm, boorish, it is in your best interests to indulge me."
There wasn't a hint of threat in his voice, it was simply matter of fact. He was, at the moment, entirely willing to have his curiosity sated in return for not dragging her off to the closest General.
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 4:28 am
Kari shrunk back at the words, her body reacting from the fresh wave of fear that washed through her system. In her…best interests to indulge him. That…that wasn’t a phrase that had her excited, not at all…in fact, it made her want to just let loose and start crying, if she were perfectly honest with herself.
“I-indulge you…and what…what is it that you want me to indulge you and do?” She took a step backwards, utterly on edge and utterly ready to run…but at the same time, she felt so numb. Everything felt numb. She wasn’t sure she would be able to run, even if she did have the guts to do so.
“Y-you want energy? I can’t give much…I…I don’t even have th-that much to give okay? What do you want…I would give it to you another t-time if you wanted but just…let me go home…please.”
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 5:46 am
Raising an eyebrow, Haumea smothered the impulse to smile. This girl was putting a rather... offputting spin to his words. Still, the begging was interesting. And he did smile, ever so slightly, when she promised to give him energy in return for letting her go home.
As if he were that foolish.
"'Tempting as that proposition sounds, I don't want you or your energy," he said bluntly. "I want information. Really, I am being quite kind in this. Information or I can drag you to a General and allow them to bring you into our little fold. It's your choice, of course. But keep in mind that you are quite obviously exhausted. And, if I may be so bold, you're about to fall on your face. Your distress is obvious and is a beacon to any like me who might stumble across you."
Still casually blocking her path, Haumea tilted his head slightly to the side, allowing some of his curiosity to flicker across his face.
"I can assure you that you'll find simply talking to me to be preferable to what my brethren might choose to do should they come across you."
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 6:00 am
Information?
“What…what could I possibly know that would be of interest to you…?” She shuddered at his words, of the thought of being brought and…
Corrupted. That had to be what he was talking about, taking her and corrupting her and bringing her into the fold…
No…no that wasn’t something she even wanted to start to think about.
“I’m not…I’m not very interesting I assure you…but…” Kari’s legs finally gave out and she fell to the ground with a groan of annoyance, raising her head to look up at the corrupted senshi. “I am tired, yes.” She would talk…if she had to. She would tell him all she could, so long as it kept her alive…maybe if she sat there for a few minutes…she would gather up enough strength to run from him and get home.
…if she got home, she’d be safe.
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 6:28 am
Nodding in approval as she sat, Haumea decided he would remain standing. And possibly looming.
"Excellent. The first sign I've seen that you, in fact, possess some sense."
He waved the few protestations she made away. He really cared very little about what she might know after all. And as for whether or not she was interesting... well? Perhaps and perhaps not.
"So so so," Haumea watched her for a moment, unblinking. "As I said before, I am curious, little one. You are the second of your kind I've encountered who've shown what is either inability or lack of inclination to pay attention to the flow of auras. So which is it? It's puzzling to me, you see. And well. It seems incredibly suicidal. And most of you do not strike me as the type to throw yourselves at death."
Yes, that was puzzle number one. Still, there was her own state that made him wonder.
"Also, why are you in such distress? You bear no marks or injuries upon you. That I can see, at least. You do not move as if you've been badly hurt," at this, he threw a disarming smile at the girl. "Unless you are mightier than you seem, but this is not my reading of you, child."
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 8:46 am
“I was distracted.” Her voice was soft, and she seemed incredibly unsure. “I…no, I’m not…not injured, just…Had my starseed pulled out…so I mean…can you blame me?” Kari’s eyes fell, choosing to stare at her hands instead of at the corrupted senshi.
“I’m not a child either…you can’t be much older than I am, I’m an adult, so don’t…patronize me.”
Of course, saying such a thing might get her killed but…but at least she was being honest. Right? He wanted honesty so there it was. Boom. Honest.
“I’m not usually so careless when it comes to paying attention to auras…I mean…not that you’re the first I haven’t noticed but…even the last time, I was half frozen so…it’s harder to pay attention when your mind is focused on other things…and I just…figure if I have to fight…I can get in a good jab and then run…if it comes to that so…”
She shrugged, still looking at her hands.
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 10:29 am
Nodding slowly, he listened intently. So, extreme distraction then. And if he'd had her starseed removed temporarily... yes, that would account for much of what he'd seen.
"While your attempted stoicism is appreciated," he said in a soft, dry voice, "it's patently ridiculous to claim that such action does not leave a wound. Perhaps it's unseen, but unless I am wrong, you are still feeling the effects, no? You were certainly crying enough to float at least two small ships."
A smile briefly flashed across his face at her request to not be patronized. And though the smile remained, his eyes narrowed as she spoke about getting a good jab in and running. So perhaps she had more spirit than he gave her credit for.
"At the risk of continuing to sound boorish, girl, I might remind you that I have kept my word and will continue to do so. Once we are finished talking, I will walk away and leave you to your own devices. However, should you try to act upon any thoughts of getting in a 'good jab' on me, our little unspoken truce will end and I will hurt you. Happily in fact."
Staring down at her, he found himself wishing she would at least look up. It was easier to gauge how someone might behave if one could see their eyes.
"Of course, I doubt you're the type to be so underhanded as to break a truce," he continued smoothly. "But I felt it worth mentioning."
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 12:02 pm
“I’m not going to break the truce. I’m not stupid.” Even sure she wasn’t quite sure that was the truth of it all. And…what did this guy even know…talking about the fact that she was still feeling the effects. “I…I wasn’t crying that much…was I?” She finally did look up at him, frowning slightly. “Kari. I’m Sailor Kari, senshi of loyalty.”
She swallowed and rubbed the remaining tears from her eyes with her sleeve before sighing. “My chest does still hurt a little, I guess. And…I don’t know…I feel like the worst part of it all was that I…trusted him. He was the partner of someone…who I always give my energy to…and…”
The tears were threatening to start again and Kari drew in a deep breath, trying to just…get them away.
“It just sucks.”
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 12:17 pm
Well, at least she was looking at him. Even if it was to frown so mightily. Nodding, Haumea studied her face, even as he wondered at her mental well-being if she was going to just blithely introduce herself to him.
"Your sobbing was rather... violent," he answered diplomatically, deciding not to mention the way she'd bounced herself off of a wall or two before collapsing to turn the sidewalk soggy. "And you are still exhausted, are you not? Your body has been through a highly traumatic experience. I'm surprised you're still somewhat functional, to be honest."
He felt his eyebrows shoot up into his hairline when the girl mentioned giving her energy away freely. Nevermind that she'd trusted an officer. This Kari was a strange mix of brave and innocent and he couldn't decide if she was certifiable or not.
Still, he nodded in agreement with her that the abuse of her foolish trust was, in fact, a sucky thing. And when he could see the tears beginning again, he sighed. While he would have liked to know more, he'd learned enough. And frankly, it would be better for all involved if he didn't know the identities of those agents Kari had been meeting. And far better if she never knew his name.
And though he was sure he was failing Metallia on many levels, he held himself to the bargain he'd made.
"Go home, Kari," he whispered. "Go and rest your battered soul and broken heart. Sleep if you can. Cry more if you must, but do it in the safety of your own place."
Giving the distraught girl a slight bow, Haumea simply teleported from the spot. He wanted time to consider her story.
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