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 Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 4:17 pm
Pausing before the house, Kekipi couldn't help but stare in disbelief between the house itself and the scrap of paper in his hand. No, the address was correct. Well, it seemed his mentee was rather wealthy. Which, he realized, would probably account for a great deal of the attitude she'd displayed.
Nose twitching as the cold nipped at his still healing face and septum, Kekipi hurried towards the front door. The sooner he got inside, the sooner his face would stop feeling like hatred. And since Kalina had invited him here to check up on how she was healing, he might as well take advantage of the visit. He'd never been inside a rich person's house after all. Who knew when he might get the chance again!
Upon reaching the door, he raised his fist and gave a firm knock.
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Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 4:53 pm
Kalina was home alone, as she normally was…which was good for her, honestly. She liked not having to deal with her parents. Besides, when she was having boys over…it was much better not to have any interference.
Not that this was an ordinary boy, this was something much more than that, it was a mentor, a friend and a handsome boy wrapped together in a delicious pink haired package.
She skipped off to open the door, her two broken fingers wrapped up in their splints, giving a little throb of pain as she turned he knob and stared at the visitor.
The smile that had been on her face fell rapidly and she made a disgusted face.
“What the hell happened to your face? Jesus Christ. You should sue, were you tortured or something? God, you used to be so attractive.”
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Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:06 am
Blinking a little bemusedly at the rapid change in expression as Kalina opened the door and greeted him, Kekipi stood there a moment before bursting into laughter.
"Hello to you too, Kal. May I come in or are you going to keep me out here and glare disapproval all day?"
Taking a step forward, he hoped to get her moving so he could come in out of the cold. And while her rudely blunt words might have hurt some, they managed to simply amuse him.
"It's called a tattoo, Kal. And septum piercing. I cannot sue myself and why should I care about whether or not I look attractive to someone else? I am honoring my heritage, or what I can remember of it. Therefore, it is no ones business what I did or why so long as I am content."
This last was said with a hint of warning. While he wouldn't punish her for having an opinion and expressing it, he would not be willing to listen to nagging over it. Especially since it was done and couldn't (more like would never in hell) be reversed.
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Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 9:09 am
“Hmm…”
Kalina led him to the spacious living room and gestured for him to have a seat. “Well, I guess now that I’m getting used to it, it might not be so bad…and I’m sure it’ll look better when it heals. Jeeze that must have hurt like a b***h.”
On the coffee table she had put out several bowls of chips and other snacks, along with some soda and some of booze from her father’s liquor cabinet. She didn’t know if Kekipi would want to drink, but she figured that being prepared was better than not. Besides. She had a lot of questions still. She didn’t want to keep having to get up and go to the kitchen every five minutes.
After folding herself into one of the large, squishy chairs, Kalina fixed her deep blue eyes on this pink haired…tattooed…well.
He really didn’t look bad with the tattoos, and that might be the worst part of all. “I have to ask you, and the last time I asked, you broke my fingers, which is why I’m staying over here, and I would appreciate you staying over there, okay? But…why? Why are you showing interest in me now? I figured nobody in the Negaverse gave two shits about me, and then suddenly…”
She shrugged. “Suddenly there was you.”
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Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 9:28 am
Gratefully stepping inside, Kekipi sighed as the warmth of the house began to seep into his bones. Flopping bonelessly into the indicated seat, he grinned ruefully and eyed the amount of food she'd set out for them. He also eyed the alcohol a little wistfully before returning his attention to his host.
"You're not wrong," he muttered. "I can't say that it was the most fun experience ever. And for as swollen as it all looks now, it's much better now than it was last night. And it will be much improved by the time tonight rolls around."
Stretching out luxuriously, Kekipi snagged a can of soda and opened it before draining half.
"Truth, Kal, this is one of the times I hate being in this form. I might get hurt as Haumea, but it's much easier to heal when powered up. Much easier to ignore the cold too."
He finished the soda and set the can politely aside as Kalina began to speak. He maintained a politely neutral expression, though his lips twitched slightly as if they wanted to smile, but knew such an action would be seen as rude.
"Very well," he said, leaning forward in his seat, hands kept where she could see them. "To be fair, it was less the questions and more the attitude and insults that led to our little lesson. But I will remain here if it makes you feel better. So. Why."
Pausing, Kekipi's eyes glazed over slightly as he considered his words carefully. After a moment, he refocused on her and smiled.
"Several reasons, really. One being I am strong and sure enough now in myself to feel comfortable seeking out others who are in the position I once was. Another reason is the sheer potential in you. Right now you are like a blade that is just beginning to be shaped. But given the proper attention and work, you could be made into such an exquisite weapon in our Lady's hand."
Tapping the fingers of one hand against his knee, Kekipi sighed and shrugged.
"The sad truth is that for the longest time, no one in the Negaverse cared about senshi. That attitude is still prevalent in some of the officers, though not all. And again, well, I was once where you are. No one cared and I had to figure many things out for myself. How are your fingers by the way?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 9:57 am
“Well clearly you just need to carry a blanket around with you all the time and the cold won’t bother you, hm?”
She drew a chip from one of the bowls and chewed on it thoughtfully, listening to his explanation of why he had contacted her out of the blue. Honestly…it was a really…surprisingly nice reason. Kalina’s stomach did a strange flip at the thought and she mentally rolled her eyes, telling herself to back off, he wasn’t a piece of meat. He was just a guy who cared. Well. Maybe not cared, but he gave a damn. That was nice.
“Well, I do apologize. Being a brat is just how I live my life. I mean…” She shrugged. “I’ll work on it, but can you work on not breaking my bones when I get a little sassy? That would be great.” Holding up her hand she waggled it slightly to show the ugly splints on her fingers. “The cold sucks. They ache more than I thought possible, but, other than that it’s not so bad.
For a moment, she stopped speaking, grabbing another chip and staring at it much longer than necessary, before looking up at Kekipi. “You really think I have potential? I have to admit, my parents always told me that while I was growing up…or rather, you know. They told my nanny to tell me that I did and whatever. But…I don’t know. You sound like you actually mean it. That’s…interesting.”
Kalina was surprised by the sheer amount of her that…believed him though. The part of her that wanted to believe his words.
She scrunched in the chair, folding her arms over one of the armrests and letting her chin rest on them. “Tell me more about her…the way you talk about the Lady Metallia…just makes me want to do all I can for her…Tell me everything, Kekipi…I want to become sharp in Her service...I want to be like you.”
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Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 10:38 am
"Oh surely," he scoffed, enjoying this little banter. "Because that wouldn't look strange at all!"
He blinked when she apologized for how she'd acted and he found himself smiling warmly. Now that he's determined that the majority of her insolence had been pure ignorance, he was willing to be a little more forgiving.
"I shall do my best to refrain from breaking any more bones. And thank you for your apology, Kal. It's much better for both of us to go into this with a clean slate."
Scooting forward in his seat, he reached out for her splinted hand and carefully examined it.
"Well, you're going to have an excellent means of telling the weather from here on out. While you are healing, powering up for a little each day if you have a safe place to do so in. It will help speed the process a little and maybe ease some of the pain."
He slid back and watched her nibble at the chips before giving a bark of incredulous laughter at her questions.
"Kal, you're the senshi of orcas. They're one of the deadliest things living in the seas. Of course you have potential. This is coming from a guy who is the senshi of plumeria! A mere flower! If I have managed to make myself into an effective warrior, imagine what you will be able to do once you come into your own. You have so much potential that it's almost terrifying to contemplate."
Which wasn't a lie. From the little he'd been around her, Kekipi could already sense the core of strength in her. The fearlessness. Oh yes, once she'd been trained and became more comfortable in her role as a soldier, she would light up the sky. And that she wanted to learn more about Metallia filled him with a slow burning joy.
"I'll do my best," he murmured. "I believe I told you a fair bit the other night, so what would you like clarification on?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 11:21 am
“Well…”
Kalina liked when he was holding her hand like that, even if it was only for a few brief moments, so, with no hesitation, she rolled out of her chair, snagged another handful of chips and flopped onto the couch that Keki was on, nestling her head in his lap and looking up at him.
She didn’t care about personal space, obviously, and honestly, the more she looked at the face tattoo…the more it really did suit him, and it made him even more attractive…a little spooky, but perhaps that was just part of the appeal.
“Yes, you went over a lot of things but…how did she come to be? How did all of this start? Clearly there’s a beginning to the story…and your story, I want to hear your story too…how did you discover the Lady? And our Queen? Tell me about her, you said her name was Luarelite? Is she nice? Is she beautiful?”
Drawing in a breath and letting it out slowly, she tried to think of more questions to throw at him. “How do you even…what does it even mean, you say I’m the senshi of orcas…and you’re the senshi of plumeria…but what does that really even…mean…who decided that?”
She was like a sponge, and she was more than eager to absorb all of the knowledge that he could provide.
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Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 11:55 am
Jumping a little as he was suddenly flopped upon, Kekipi stared a little wide-eyed at Kalina, trying to figure out what she was doing. And once it was clear she was making herself comfortable in his lap, Kekipi laughed softly and adjusted himself so that they could both be comfortable.
Though, he had to admit to himself that had their positions been reversed, he would nto be acting as Kalina was. Which was simply another sign of her bravery.
"Oof!" he laughed again and shook his head. "You don't hold back when you want to learn, do you? Very well then. As far as I know, Metallia has always been there. If that's not the case, She's never told anyone differently. As for how this started, hrmm..."
He paused, gathering his thoughts since he wanted to give her the most accurate information he could. As he thought, one of his hands began to absently stroke her hair back away from her face.
"You'll have to bear with me on this one. I've heard a few different versions from those on both sides of this conflict. I suspect that the truth lays somewhere in the middle. But long, long ago the senshi all lived on their own stars and planets and there was a peace of sorts. Now, Earth had a Prince at the time that was promised to a young Earth lady. One day, he met the Princess of the Moon Kingdom. Now, I don't know if she bewitched him or if it was a genuine love at first sight. I suppose that it ultimately doesn't matter. The Prince left his intended at the alter and took up with the Moon Princess."
Kekipi's lip curled in distaste. All that war and destruction because of a foolish boy who hadn't kept a promise.
"Naturally, the young Earth lady was rather... put out by this. Others on Earth were equally disturbed. Well, when you have that type of unrest building, conflict is bound to break out. Metallia offered her aid to the young lady and her supporters. She made them stronger, more skilled. And war broke out. The young lady was granted the skills of a sorceress and the Prince's most trusted generals threw their support behind her. To be honest, that's about all I know. Various senshi supported the Moon Kingdom, of course. Ultimately, I suppose it was a draw since those planets were blasted and made lifeless in the war, but since we're the reborn vessels of those ancient starseeds, the Moon Kingdom must have managed to salvage some sort of victory."
He smiled and glanced down into her face.
"That is how all this started. Be assured that we are reborn. Now, I've never been to my star, but I know it exists. And I've spoken to people who have ventured into space and seen their worlds for themselves. Someday, we may have the means to follow suit and explore. As for my story, I don't remember a great deal. I know that I was a senshi of the White Moon for a very brief period of time."
His face crinkled as he tried to recall those memories.
"There was... a meeting of some sort, I think. And an ambush. All I know is the next time I opened my eyes, I was in the Dark Kingdom and told that I had been saved from a life of folly and foolishness. That moment was years ago. I have served Metallia since. Not such an interesting story, I'm afraid. As for how I came to truly understand service to Her... well, you're comfortable, yes? That is a longer story."
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Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 1:48 pm
“I’m as comfortable as I can be, Keki.” What an interesting story…so…planets…seemingly dozens and dozens…perhaps hundreds of planets were destroyed…because some girl didn’t get the guy she wanted…? But…still…if an amazing Goddess like Metallia was ready to put herself behind a jilted woman…that was pretty…pretty amazing.
She liked him stroking her hair, nuzzling her face closer to his hand. So…he was once part of the white moon…now that was interesting…and for a moment, she wondered idly what he would have looked like…or acted like as part of the White Moon…honestly she had no ill will towards them…not yet, she was sure that would change though. The closer she got to Metalia…she was sure that she would start despising the White Mooners that they were against…or…would she pity them instead.
“I wish all of the White Moon had the chance to be saved, like you and I were…” She kept her eyes on his, enjoying the beautiful, warm color that they were, so unlike the cool blue purple of her own.
“Do you think we’ll be able to save them all? Bring them all to our Lady?” Kalina gave a sheepish grin. “I have so many questions, tell me your story, Kekipi. I want to know everything about you. If I can learn that, then I can better accept Her into my life…” And she wanted that. She wanted that in a way that almost frightened her. It was more of a need than a want.
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Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 2:21 pm
A tinge of bittnerness crept into Kekipi's smile. He'd been saved. Kalina had been saved. Others had as well, and yet it still wasn't enough.
"Some are rather... resistant to seeing the light," he said. "But that is their loss and if they will not allow themselves to be saved, then they will be destroyed. It's simple enough."
Still absently stroking her hair, he turned his eyes towards the ceilings and wondered vaguely how on earth the lights up there were kept clean. Did some poor maid have to climb up Spiderman style or was there some monstrous ladder hidden somewhere? Giving himself a tiny shake to disperse the idle thoughts, he took a deep breath and continued.
"Well, I spent a couple of years floating rather aimlessly about. I didn't have a General who cared about me or anyone really to look up to. That is when I met Alkaid and that is the moment that changed everything. It's difficult to fully describe her and I would probably end up giving you the impression that she's some sort of monster when she is... radiant. If I am a mentor to you, then she is that to me. She has Ascended, you see. She gave her whole self and her planet to Metallia ungrudgingly. Right now, she is the only senshi within the Dark Kingdom to have attained so exalted a state. But i believe that won't always be the case."
Now he paused, fully aware of just how crazy he would sound if he tried to explain the visions. But other people had had them too! He supposed he would just have to talk and hope that Kalina understood.
"Shortly after I met Alkaid, a strange thing happened. A number of us on both sides of the war had, well, visions of a future where the Dark Kingdom and Metallia ruled absolutely. And in that future, I and a small number of other senshi had joined Alkaid in Ascension. We hunted those who would not submit to Metallia's rule and... eliminated them. Those who saw the truth were saved. The dreams still manifest sometimes. Something will trigger a memory. And that is when I met Ate and Lyssa. Ate had had the same dreams, you see? And Lyssa knew the way into the Rift. We decided that we would hunt until we found the answer to creating more Ascended."
His eyes glimmered as he remembered what they'd found in the Rift under Alkaid's guidance.
"Alkaid was there. She may safely travel the Rift. She's still there, hunting down answers. And when she has found those answers, she promised to call me to help her in her great work. You see, this is part of why I'm so sure that Metallia cares greatly for us. Had she not allowed Ate and I to find Alkaid in the Rift that day, I'm certain the youma there would have found us easy prey. I'm also sure," he placed his hand over his heart, looking solemn, "that Metallia wants us to Ascend. She wants her children and I will do anything and everything in my power to answer that call."
Glancing back down at Kalina, he gave a sheepish shrug though his eyes were alight with religious fervor.
"There isn't much more to my story. Since i returned from the Rift, I took it on myself to find and train other corrupts like myself. Which brings us to you. As for Laurelite, I suppose she's beautiful. Powerful, certainly. And very, very smart. I've never had a reason to be brought before her, so I can't tell you if she's nice or not. I am certain that she cares deeply about all of us, but she answers to Metallia."
He wasn't at all sure how to explain who decided who would be the senshi of what. It wasn't anything he'd ever really worried about.
"I suppose our starseed decide who we will become. I know that when the Moon Kingdom was active that I must have still been Haumea, Senshi of Plumeria. I have no memories of that time, but I know it deep down. Beyond that, I really haven't any idea."
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Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 2:41 pm
Kalina nodded, absolutely lost in the story. He was great at weaving his words, it was so easy to just listen to him talk. “I want to meet her. I want to meet Alkaid…I want to see for myself what someone who is touched by our Lady looks like…”
He had visions of the future? Visions where there was no resistance…visions where the war was over and Metallia was victorious…?
For a moment, Kalina felt a small twinge of jealousy. She had never seen such visions. She had never had such thoughts…perhaps if she had…well…
Well maybe she wouldn’t have spent so much time putzing around and she would have done something for the Negaverse…Ah well. That was the past. It was time to move on. She had the chance to better herself, and she had someone who would help her become a better fighter and a better tool for their cause.
She took hold of the hand that was stroking her hair and drew it to her lips, kissing Kekipi's palm. “Do you think one day…I will be great enough that our Lady would accept my everything for her cause…? I want to be in Her favor…I will give up everything if I have to, I will give everything to our great Lady Metallia.” There was a light in her own eyes, not as developed as his, but there was a spark in them that hadn’t been there prior to this. He had lit a fire in her, and she had no desire to let him, or The Lady down.
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Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 2:53 pm
"You will. I'll take you to her someday," Kekipi promised softly. He couldn't help but be a little weirded out that Kalina had kissed his palm. After all, he'd broken fingers and gut punched her. Perhaps she was just the sort that was happier when being physically affectionate. Time would tell, he supposed. Still, he rather enjoyed it. It was pleasant to sit and talk and be... close.
Glancing down, he gave her hand a careful, so-gentle squeeze and a smile.
"I think if you work hard enough to prove your devotion, she will. And when that day comes, no one will be prouder of you than I."
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