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 Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:37 pm
Power felt good. Andalusite was still feeling very, very smug due to his promotion to captain, and even though he had next to no idea how to use his new weapon...the fact that he actually had a weapon was what mattered.
His new outfit made him feel pretty much all powerful too...the long coat and the boots. He really liked the boots.
When Andalusite felt another agent nearby, someone weaker than him.
A lieutenant, his eyes sparkled and he grinned. Well. This would be fun. He was stronger. He was in charge...perhaps he could take whoever this was under his wing and start better preparing himself for leadership. Leadership.
The very thought went to his head and he quickly made his way towards the lieutenant, though when he saw who it was, he scowled and summoned his weapon to him. Well. Maybe there wouldn’t be so much taking under his wing as clipping the wings of this...pest.
The Negaverse didn’t need such an arrogant p***k. “Hey a*****e. I’m going to kill you today.”
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:40 pm
No. Just, no.
This was absolutely unacceptable.
Amesite’s eyes found Andalusite’s with a suddenly cold indifference, though when he eyed the weapon he found the hair on the back of his neck prickling up. It didn’t escape him that at one point in time, Tobias might have actually been trying to kill him, and with a legitimate weapon? He wasn’t sure he would be able to get away before he took some damage.
Even if he called for Cavansite, he doubted she would get here in time—and, even then, he wasn’t sure he wanted her meddling into this, especially after he’d told her that he and Tobias had a conversation and things were really looking up.
…This definitely made it sound like he was full of s**t, and considering his newfound interest in Gale, he didn’t want to piss off Cavansite and ruin whatever might have developed between the two.
But then, he suddenly found himself resenting Cavansite for not promoting him yet. Wasn’t he a hard worker? Didn’t he bring in more energy than he needed to, regularly? Hadn’t he been there for every command, every request?
And yet somehow lazy Tobias got a promotion before him?
This was so absolutely unacceptable. He’d have to talk to Cavansite immediately; there was no way he was going to let anyone hold this over his head.
Grouchy, bitter that once again someone seemed to be favoring his brother, Amesite just scowled and muttered, “Shut up, Tobias.”
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:42 pm
Andalusite paused, trying to position the arrow in the bow so it would fire and kill this stupid useless lieutenant, when he heard his name and frowned. “Excuse me? What did you just call me?”
His arms fell to his sides and the new captain looked confused and utterly bewildered for a moment. There was no way this guy could have known his name…he didn’t go around telling it to people, or trying to even make friends in the organization…had Ashanite told someone about him? Was that what this was?
“Who the hell are you?”
Andalusite took a few steps closer, his brows furrowed, the bow and arrow forgotten in his hands for the time being. “How do you know me?” It didn’t make an ounce of sense…and honestly…it made his stomach feel uncomfortable. If this guy knew him…then all of their fights…well. Clearly they weren’t meant to be friends. That much was for sure without a doubt.
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:42 pm
Amesite looked unimpressed still, despite thinking he deserved to feel smug for catching Tobias like this. “I didn’t want to tell you like this,” he said after a moment. “I just didn’t expect to see you powered up again so soon. Or to have you threatening me.”
He eyed the weapon and found himself filled with a bit more resentment. But not at Tobias, not exactly. He still wanted to be on good terms with him. He still wanted things to work out.
“And, anyway, let’s just remember that you escalated things. I might have drained you, once, but I had a reason.”
He was jealous, and Tobias was being bratty. Nothing new.
“But you started the death threats and fighting, so before you get too pissy, just remember that you exacerbated things. Me, I just.”
He pursed his lips for a second and the shrugged. “I just didn’t like that you got to have everything I did. And more, apparently,” he gestured to his brother’s new uniform, and added, “Like always.”
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:43 pm
The frown deepened and Andalusite looked utterly confused by the words. Finally though, he attempted a small smile, the light of realization dawning in his eyes. Quickly, weapon was called away and he crossed the distance between the two of them, reaching out and placing a hand on Amesite’s shoulder.
“L…Laurie?” There was an edge of hope to his voice, and suddenly a terrible look of guilt on his face.
“Why didn’t you tell me it was you? I mean…I…I would never have…I’m so sorry.”
Swallowing, the Captain let the chaos fade from his skin, leaving Tobias there, looking both hopeful and unhappy, if this really was his brother…he had ******** up again in a big way…hadn’t they just managed to start talking again? Now Laurence would hate him from getting a promotion and trying to kill him…and everything else. “I didn’t know it was you…I really…I wouldn’t have reacted so badly if I had…I’m sorry. You should have told me…”
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:50 pm
When Andalusite disappeared, replaced by Tobias, Amesite’s glamour melted away too. “I was going to,” Laurence insisted. “But I didn’t think it was good to go from ‘Hey, nice to talk to again—oh, by the way, I think you tried to kill me’. I was debating on when I was going to tell you, though, but I knew I was going to. I’ve been worrying enough about it that I was pretty sure I gave myself an ulcer, but.”
Wouldn’t have been the first time.
“It’s not like I blame you. You didn’t know it was me,” he shrugged, leaving it at that.
“…And if we can leave the rest of it behind us, won’t have any hard feelings about anything.”
…Probably.
He didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic about Andalusite’s promotion, but he wasn’t seething rage and turning green. He was disappointed, less in his brother and more in himself, because he’d tried so hard to make Cavansite proud, to do what she’d demanded of him—all the while juggling his job and everything else.
He didn’t know if he should apologize, but a part of him didn’t want to. At least, not yet. Not while he was still trying to figure out what this changed for them.
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:50 pm
Tobias bit his lip a moment later, relieved to see his brother standing there. He was quiet for a long moment and finally reached his arms out and gave the older male a quick hug. “Think of how strong we can be together. With the two of us fighting side by side? I mean, we’re strong alone…but together…we could end up being quite a pair of troublemakers, don’t you think?”
He took a step back, a grin lighting up his face. “You have to hurry up and get a promotion of your own, bro. I don’t want to be a Captain without you.”
There had been a sharp coiling of anxiety that had started in his stomach when the realization that he had tried to kill his brother several times was now lessening and swallowing, Tobias attempted another grin. “Do you…want to go and get something to eat? I want to hear all about how you got into this…I never imagined you…being so…badass. And that…was not supposed to sound as mean as it just did. ******** I’m bad at this, I’m sorry.”
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:51 pm
Laurence just grumbled something under his breath and managed half hearted shrug; he didn’t think he needed to go get something to eat, but at the same time he was worried that if he turned Tobias down…
Well, hell. He could stomach something small; they could talk about things and maybe work out whatever other differences they had just discovered. Or, that Tobias had just discovered.
“I’m not exactly dragging my feet and screwing around,” Laurence pointed out after a second; he wasn’t really known for half-assing anything, much less a job. And in a way, that’s what working for the Negaverse was—even if he didn’t get paid for it.
“…I can tell you how I got into all of this, but it’s not really an exciting story. I’m more interested to hear who picked you up—and why.” There was a bit of teasing in his voice, but a part of Laurence was very serious about it. “…Are you sure you won’t get in trouble with your boyfriend if you go out again to eat so soon after the last time?”
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:52 pm
“Well I’d love to tell you everything.” Tobias grinned a little and shrugged. “Evan doesn’t need to know. He doesn’t know about any of this…so why would I tell him about going to eat out, hm?” He went quiet for a moment. “No, you’re not. I’m sure it was an oversight, Laurie. You’re worth a promotion a lot more than I am. I’ll speak on your behalf if you want…I can talk to my General and see if he can’t get something done…or you could speak to yours…but you deserve to be a Captain. And I’m not going to power up again until you are. I swear. And next time…you and me will get promoted together.”
Because he didn’t want to fight anymore without his brother by his side. They could do so many great things together…and now that they had the chance to…and now that they were working out their differences…
Why would he have ever wanted anything else other than this?
“I’m really excited though…I hope this makes us better friends…and I am really sorry about the attitude I just…you tried to drain me…or you…you did drain my energy.”
He reached up, giving his brother a playful punch on the shoulder. “And I think that means you were the first to try to kill me so…you win.”
It wasn’t a contest. He couldn’t make this a contest or Laurence would hate him even more. He would never have gone courting this upgrade if he had known what he knew now…he would have brought Laurence with him. Demanded that they get promoted together.
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:52 pm
If Tobias was sincere in his offer, it was truly a touching gesture. He seemed compassionate enough, enthusiastic enough, that Laurence had no choice but to believe him. A small smile tugged its way onto his face, and he couldn’t help but look at his brother in a fonder light.
“First of all,” he said, rubbing his arm where Tobias had punched, “I didn’t try to kill you. I didn’t want you to die. I just wanted to inconvenience you. I was annoyed with you, but,” Laurence sighed. “You’re still my brother. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. Nothing you can’t sleep off, at least.”
He tried to hold his smile. “I’ll go talk to my General later, you don’t have to talk on my behalf or not power up. I don’t want you to get in trouble. Besides, I’m sure the Negaverse knows we’re brothers. I’d hate for you to be accused of nepotism.”
Still, it was reassuring to know that he at least made the offer, so he managed an earnest, “Thank you, though. I guess this means no more trying to push each other off of ledges, or stab each other in the back?” he asked, just wanting to make sure. “I mean. I guess if we’re going to try to turn things around…you’ve got my back, and I’ve got yours? …And I won’t even try to get you in trouble with your boyfriend by telling him you’re cheating on him with fast food. Again.”
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:53 pm
Laughing, Tobias nodded. “Well, whatever. You have to let me know how amazing you get when they promote you…it…hurts like a b***h though, so be careful.” He began walking towards the nearest block of restaurants. “Of course no more trying to push each other off of ledges, and I won’t stab you in the back again. I wouldn’t want to have to think of what life would be without you. You’re my brother. I need you.”
He glanced at Laurence and shrugged. “You can tell Evan whatever you want. I should tell him anyway. I…should tell him everything but…maybe this is a discussion for another time…I think we’ve had enough feelings for one night, yeah? It’s burger time.”
Tobias ran a gloved hand through his hair and let out a breath. “Come on, Laurie. It’s your treat this time.” He took off then, laughing and running, excited to have someone to talk to about his other life. Excited to have something so big in common with his brother.
Excited to have another thing to share with him.
Life couldn’t get much better than this.
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 5:53 pm
Pain didn’t matter; if it did, Laurence wouldn’t have pushed himself so hard. Not just for this, but for everything. He’d practiced painting until the joints in his wrist clicked when he moved, until his fingers blistered from holding the brush. The same with his instruments; his fingers had been bruised and battered. He’d pushed himself in school, too. He’d given up much of his socialization, his sleep, his fun time.
Pain didn’t matter. Just the accomplishment of completion, and the approval that came with it.
He nodded at the warning, but it was a passing thought. He was going to enjoy the rest of his night with his brother, and talk to Karone tomorrow.
…Although, he wasn’t so sure that telling Evan was a good idea, but they could broach that subject a little later. If Evan was as jumpy as Tobias had said, Laurence wasn’t sure there was a[ i]good way to bring something like that up.
…And now that they were on talking terms and had worked out this little issue, he really didn’t want Tobias to wind up in a situation where he could lose Evan and get hurt.
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