|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 4:09 pm
The world still didn’t quite feel as though it was spinning the right way, and Cavansite hadn’t bothered to go home since she had found out about the betrayal. If she were honest with herself, this shouldn’t have bothered her so much, Cinnabar had not been her General, but she had been there for her during rough times.
Of all the people in the Negaverse…the only person who she would have been more shocked to hear turned into a ******** yellow bellied traitor would be Painite, and Cavansite knew that such a thing would never happen.
Her General was too good for that. Too loyal to the chaos that ran through both of their veins…
But Cin had been the same way, hadn’t she? And now she was some half dressed Mars knight who…
Who was stupid.
Cavansite buried her face in her hands for a long moment, pressing the heels of her palms against her eyes, trying to block everything out as she sat on the edge of the rooftop. She was near the Library, could see it from where she sat. Perhaps that would help. Going in and finding some books to read. Perhaps she would visit after work tomorrow. After all, it couldn’t hurt, right?
The General scoffed again, finally lowering her hands and glancing down at her belt full of stolen objects.
She should have stolen something from Cin…from Tanais. That would be an item worth having.
Oh well.
Next time.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 4:16 pm
Camelot felt the chaos aura at a distance, frowning. He moved toward it, not one to ignore a General aura when it was so close to his patrol area. He leaped over roof tops easily, having not only been well trained in it by now, but aided greatly by his powerful rank. He jumped off one last roof, shortening his leap so he dropped down to the street below.
He landed with a heavy clang, though he looked light on his feet as he stood there in front of the General, a very serious expression set on his face. He did not know her by look, at least he was not aware of having met her before. But he was on edge, knowing Painite and her cronies were out looking for Merlinite, and wanting to keep him safely hidden.
His injuries were healing as best they could, but his wing was ruined. It was not ever useful for flying, of course, but now it was a dead limb that he could not even bend and use for balance. A dragon without its wings was... strangely upsetting to Camelot, who took it to mean a lot more than just an injury to a youma.
"You made a bad choice, sniffing around here for energy," he said coldly, hoping to scare her off without having to fight.
As much as he hated what the Negaverse did, he still believed they could all be saved. With time, with patience, and with a whole lot of talking. Merlinite proved it, and so many others along the way. The only person who seemed wholly lost to Chaos was his arch rival, Painite.
He had resolved a long time ago that he would have to do what was necessary, and whenever they met in a fight he certainly tried. She was, as it turned out, surprisingly hard to kill.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 4:29 pm
The sudden clang made Cavansite look up, obviously startled. When the aura hit her, there might have been a prickle of fear but she quickly squashed it, and narrowed her eyes as Painites very best friend in the world showed his ugly face.
“It’s Camelot, right?” Her voice was light, though her wrist gave a little throb remembering their last encounter. “Do I really look as though I’m sniffing for energy? I’m just sitting and thinking, is that suddenly a crime now?”
The General’s eyes were moving up and down the Royal Knight’s outfit, admiring how…shiny he was. Finally they stopped on the dragon…pendant? Whatever it was. She wanted it for her collection. It was quite lovely.
“I’ll even make you a deal if you’d like. I won’t go…sniffing for energy for a whole week if you give me that cute little dragon button you have on your chest. I won’t snatch any starseeds either. A whole week without me being a threat, doesn’t that sound like a worthwhile thing?”
She shrugged and attempted one of her grins, though it fell rather flat. “What are you doing out here anyway? Isn’t it time for people your age to be in bed?” He looked older than she was, judging by the grey in his hair…though…with the way Painite often spoke of him…well, she wondered if all of it was due to her girlfriend.
The thought made her chuckle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 4:36 pm
Camelot tilted his head at her response, looking down at the emblem on his chest. The dragon had always been there, much like the one on his shield, watching out. Everything about him was dragons and Earth, really, so he supposed his attachment to Merlinite was not all that surprising at the end of the day. The Universe just had a thing for coincidence, and made sure their paths crossed.
He shook his head.
"It doesn't come off, and even if it did, I don't like the idea of you having it and making up stories about how you bested a Royal Knight. Not that anyone would believe you. Still, the fact that you're so quick to offer me your duties for a week, no killing or hurting anyone, tells me you're not all that interested in doing it, anyway."
He watched her passively, though he did not let his guard down. Generals were tricky, because of their exposure to Chaos. They could swing to violent and loyal in the blink of an eye, so talking to them was always a worry. Not enough of one, though, to keep Camelot from trying.
"What were you thinking about out here, then, while you were sitting there so innocently?"
He left his tone soften, nodding at her peacefully. He was not going to attack her without reason, and wanted her to know that she was safe, for now, as long as they were talking and not causing trouble. He still did not get her name, though she knew his. If she wanted to tell him, he supposed she would. Or there would be a better time to ask for it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 4:45 pm
Rolling her eyes, Cavansite scoffed. “Everything comes off if you pull hard enough.” Damn. “It wouldn’t be so much me talking about how I bested you. I just…enjoy taking things from others. It’s kind of my thing.”
Her fingers moved up to touch the sparkling bow at her neck and she sighed. “I’ve been thinking about traitors.” The words came of their own will and for a moment, Cavansite felt a little confusion as to why she said such things when touching the very object that had nearly caused her to turn traitor.
But she had been young then. Younger. Newer to the cause.
Weak.
She was no longer weak. “I don’t understand why someone would leave. It’s stupid, really. No offense…but order is going to lose.” The words were said lightly, not with any mocking edge, but it was quite clear that she believed what she said.
“I don’t understand why someone would think that leaving the winning side is the right thing to do. It only puts a target on your back.” Growing quiet for a moment, the General looked up at Camelot. “And speaking of traitors. How is that Dragon of yours? Did he die? I know Painite got a pretty good blow in after he hurt me.”
And after he tried dripping poison into her ears. Lies. Slandering the name of her very soulmate.
He got what he deserved…though.
Deep down, Cavansite wished that he would have just teleported away from them when he had the chance. He hadn’t needed to get hurt so badly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 4:58 pm
Camelot listened quietly, though his eyebrows furrowed a bit and his eyes grew darker when Cavansite mentioned Merlinite, and spoke about the fight with Painite. So she had been the other one that Merlinite was talking about, the one just as bad as Painite. The one that had taken his wing from him, though she hadn't been able to take a souvenir.
He debated quietly for a moment. Hatred was a root in Chaos, and would only fester if he let it. yes, his rivalry with Painite was a dark and dangerous one, but he had a duty to uphold. To give anyone that might have a little light inside them a chance. To throw no life away.
Not even one like Cavansite's. Even if she did tie herself to Painite, the one exception to his rule, he could not just assume she was the same.
This conversation alone was enough proof that she was not as lost. She just did not really realize it yet.
"Merlinite survived. And those who purify are protected by the Princesses and Princes, or in my case the Royal Knights, who helped to purify them. There is no more a target on their backs as there is on yours, for hurting so many people. Not everyone is willing to forgive, even without the influence of Chaos."
He took a breath, fending off his anger in favor of calm.
"Merlinite believes that Chaos is a poison. He's seen what it does to someone, how it changes them. Blinds them. The doubts in his mind were enough for him to question his place, to see the strings tied to him. He wants to cut those ties so he can live his own life, without the influence of an outside corruption, a force with its own will and intentions, guiding him. To Chaos he, and every other soldier it claims, are pawns. Never higher in the ranks, no matter what title you're granted, or what powers you wield. There is no place for a heart, for a mind, or for a life worth living in the Negaverse."
He used Merlinite as his example since Cavansite came so very close to killing him, and was tied to him now whether she wanted to be or not. Her closeness to Painite was irrelevant, though according to Merlinite they were 'close'.
"Merlinite fights so he can be a knight, and when he's strong enough, he will be. You can't extinguish that hope in him, and that is what makes him one of us, whether he's a youma or a General, or anything else."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 5:10 pm
Cavansite listened, keeping her thoughts to herself until Camelot was finished talking. His words…didn’t quite make sense. But she listened all the same.
“I’m glad that he isn’t dead.” Her words were soft, and there was the smallest trace of remorse lacing them, nothing that she was consciously putting behind the words, but perhaps that made it all the more genuine. “I can’t understand his mindset. I don’t agree with his opinions. I am no pawn of anyone’s…perhaps I was at one time, but I have cut my strings and I make my own decisions.”
Looking away from Camelot, Cavansite kicked idly at the rooftop, sending a small piece of broken concrete skittering away.
“He seems like an okay guy. If he wasn’t a traitor, I’m sure we could have been friends…but he won’t last, Camelot. Painite will make sure he’s killed next time. And that’s…not supposed to be a threat. It’s just the truth. She hates him. Says that he betrayed her.”
But…hadn’t Merlinite said somewhat the same thing? Said that he had been Painite’s puppet and then Painite didn’t like what he was doing so she tried to destroy him…but…
“I know you think she’s dangerous, but she honestly cares for me. She won’t betray me.” The words were spoken out loud and Cavansite blinked, then scoffed. “Christ. Now I’m talking to myself. I don’t understand how people can think that…but…whatever.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 5:20 pm
"Painite won't find him. And when he's purified, he'll be able to fight her in his own way, on equal ground. No fear. She won't recognize him and, unless he tells her, she won't know who he was before he became whatever knight he's destined to be. He'll be human again, and maybe be able to have a life of his own. Find love and happiness, and his own kind of peace while he fights for what he truly believes in. A way to preserve all of that."
He watched her, thoughtfully taking in her words, her tone. She had a lot more doubt in her than he had ever seen in Painite. Really, she reminded him of other Negaverse soldiers who went on to purify. Maybe she had a chance. He would not give up on her, not now that he had seen it.
Hearing her speak of Painite, though, made him shake his head.
"That's what Merlinite thought, you know. They were close. He saved her life, after I... I nearly destroyed her. He took her in, nursed her back to health. She thanked him by telling him she wanted him to be hers. To stay with her. She tortured my friends, kidnapped my family. She forced him to be a part of it all, and he saw the darkness in her. What really matters to her. She wanted him not because she loved him, but because she had control over him. When he proved her wrong, she tried to destroy what he was and make him a monster for her to control. She wanted to keep him. But she didn't love him."
He'd heard the story from Merlinite so many times, he had it memorized as if he had been there for more than a few fights and rescues.
"If she needs more from you than you know how to give, and that time will come, she will simply take it. That is what Painite is. You're more than that. Better than that. You're thoughtful, and you care, in your way. Maybe Chaos guides you, and your feelings for her are strong, but caring about her doesn't make doing the things she does right. It doesn't make Chaos your home. How many of your choices has she made? Or influenced? How many times have you thought about doing something, but could not do it because you knew she wouldn't approve? How many times have you worried about the end of her spear pointing at you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 5:39 pm
“Well. Good for him.” She shrugged and wrapped her arms around herself, as though to defend from his words.
There wasn’t doubt in her mind about Painite. There had never been. Merlinite had been a fool, and Cavansite knew that. He had tried to use Painite’s respect and friendship and hurt her. That was what had really happened.
The General went quiet for a long moment, trying to wade through all of her thoughts, and finally she looked up, meeting the Royal Knight’s gaze. “Never. Maybe when I was new. When I was a lieutenant…but she disappeared from my life shortly after recruiting me. I made my own choices. She knows I make my own choices. She sought me out again. I am no longer her minion, her subordinate, I am her equal. I am her partner.”
Painite wouldn’t do that to her. She knew it. Painite was proud of her choices, and she knew that as well. Painite trusted her…loved her. That was all there was to it.
Finally Cavansite straightened up and blew out a breath. “Nobody controls my actions or my thoughts but me. Not chaos, not Painite. Me. I enjoy the power that Chaos brings me, and I enjoy the ideals of the Negaverse. I know we will be victorious, and I know that one day, order will fall. “
She hesitated and flashed a small smile. “Now, if I ask really nicely…could I have your dragon button…please?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 5:52 pm
Camelot did not take her at her words, seeing the look in her eyes. He knew that doubt, and he knew Painite deserved it. She was not what she seemed, and he learned the hard way not to believe her. He'd given her a chance, more than once, and every time she came back worse than ever. Merlinite was the last straw.
"I see. Well, if that's what you believe, then I am glad you have such faith in yourself. A lot of the Negaverse who come to me find that they can't be so convinced, when they think about it. Sometimes, they find themselves angrier than they wanted to be, or doing something more vicious and unnecessary than they might have before. You know. Before Chaos took a hold of their starseed. Its influence is very hard to resist, but it's good to hear that you're certain of yourself. Even on opposite sides of the war, I can respect someone who knows who they are, and who their friends are."
He spoke carefully, painting the doubt clearly. He knew very well that no one could be so wrapped up in their convictions.
"Not even Painite fights for the Chaos everyone else does: she uses her darkness for her own means, and barely pays any mind to the powers that are meant to rule her. She is fully under the control of Chaos itself, her mind and starseed tainted. Warped. Lost.
In a way, I pity her, because she can never be anything but that monster. To be honest, it's a relief to know that you might not suffer the same fate. I just hope your faith in her does not result in the same sort of cruel fate as Merlinite's did. Or that her love for you does not push her into making you hers."
He made no comment on the war itself, knowing they could easily get lost in an argument about which side would win. He found it hard to believe there would ever be a winner, let alone which side could possibly prove mightier. While he wanted to think Chaos could fall, he also feared what that level of war would mean for the White Moon. If it came to that, how would they know where the lines were drawn?
"If you come and speak with me again, in a few nights, at the library, I will give you this medal. But the rest of your offer, not hurting anyone or taking starseeds, must also stand."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 6:02 pm
“She’s not lost.” The words were out of Cavansite’s mouth before she had the chance to think about them, before she had the chance to make sure they couldn’t be used against her, but they had to be true. Painite…wouldn’t be able to love her if she had been so utterly polluted and tainted and warped by chaos. It wouldn’t be possible. But…but she did love her.
“There’s good in her. I promise you that. I’ve seen it. You might not think so, but I know that she’s not lost to chaos…she’s still her, and…” Cavansite swallowed hard and stood up, clenching her hands into fists, wanting so badly to just summon her spear and run this stupid…cocky…arrogant b*****d right through…and take the shining dragon coin for her own.
But she didn’t and with difficulty she forced her hands to relax and looked up at him once again. “Fine. When, a week from now? That was our deal, wasn’t it? I would go a week without taking energy and starseeds and I would get the medal for my collection…fine.”
She blew out a breath and raised her hand towards him. “Shake on it, Camelot. If you’re a Knight, you’ll keep your word.”
She wasn’t quite sure where that thought came from…but she believed it. Believed it right down to her toes. He didn’t seem the type to lie.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 6:11 pm
Camelot decided not to get into how long he'd known Painite, and how she'd changed over the long years. He knew her when he was a newbie, and she was a Captain. Or had she been a lieutenant, so long ago? It seemed like they'd been locked in this battle, privately, for longer than he could even remember.
But he knew she had lost more and more of herself, each time they met. The darkness took a stronger hold with every horrible thing she did. What made it worse was the way she delighted in it.
"One week," he said, with a nod. He offered her his hand to seal the deal. He had no problems with it, since the medal was only a part of his outfit, and not a part of him. She seemed to put value in it, and that made it far more important to her. In a way, he wanted her to have it. But he also wanted something else, as well. A chance for her to see her work.
Merlinite was bad off, and not improving. His starseed was weakened, and without being able to take energy for himself, and feed the way a Youma was meant to, he was not getting better. She would see that. He would make sure she did.
"At the library, at sunset. One week from now." He closed his hand around hers and shook it firmly, watching her without blinking, but offering her a warm smile after a tense moment. "I look forward to seeing you then, Cavansite." There was no doubt about her name, though he did not think she'd offered it in the conversation. Still, they'd heard about each other, so it was only fair he do the same as she had.
He let go of her hand, bowing his head at her chivalrously.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 6:20 pm
She managed a small smile and was somewhat relieved that he had taken her hand. When the hand was released…she belatedly realized that she had just wasted the perfect moment. She had contact with him. Could have pulled him into the heart of the Negaverse…had one of the General Sovereigns corrupt him…she…
She had let her own pride at whatever blind her to the possibilities…and that was…
Dangerous.
“Sunset in a week. Got it.”
She returned his nod with one of his own and after hesitating a moment, almost seeming as though she wanted to say more, Cavansite finally teleported, leaving the Royal Knight far behind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
