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 Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2019 9:00 am
It was those few days in between. In between telling Nadia and Sergei the truth and coming clean, and now the in between before returning to Order. Bouncing between being Knot and Still, she was finishing up her final preparations before making the leap. She had her living situation secured, had a nice little nest egg to last her for a time on the other side...now she had just finished picking up her, ahem, paper work. Dallas had some amazing connections. With this paper work, she’d be set for getting all her legal documents on the other side. Name change, driver’s license, passport and the works.
The corrupt had the items tucked securely into her coat, and she teleported away from where she had picked them up. Still appeared in another part of the city, and immediately started when she felt a transcendent eternal signature that she was pretty much on top of. Wait…
The corrupt paused, and looked around.
It couldn’t be…
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There hadn’t been a lot of particularly chaotic auras in the vicinity,
Well, hadn’t.
There was almost never a patrol these days where Encke didn’t notice something. A part of him thought that his stronger aura repelled more things, but by the same amount, it also seemed that his stronger aura attracted more things. He didn’t miss the flare up of the chaotic aura, especially considering how strong it was, especially considering that it was nearly sitting on top of him when it arrived.
And a part of it felt … familiar.
He glanced around to find the source, trying to figure out where the radiating pressure felt the strongest. It wasn’t exactly easy to miss the admiral’s hat, the long red coat, the black bodice and the black bat wings that signified corruption.
“Stillwaterite.” Encke’s voice had considerably less bite; if anything, he just sounded exasperated. “I’m gonna guess you weren’t intentionally seeking me out, this time.”
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When her suspicions were confirmed, the corrupt couldn’t help but laugh. This city, for its size and its people, really wasn’t that big. It truly was a small world here in Destiny City.
“No, I wasn’t---at the moment, anyways.” She replied, lips curling up briefly at his tone before it faded. She approached the Eternal, and while she hadn’t been looking for him right at the moment, she was wondering if she’d be able to find him before she purified. Quite a bit of time had passed since she last seen Encke, and while last time she was having her doubts, a lot more had happened since then to push her over the edge.
He’d probably be happy to hear it.
“So I’ll call it fortuitous timing I’ve happened upon you now.”
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Fortuitous?
Encke’s brow quirked as he couldn’t help his suspicion. Their last interaction had gone surprisingly well, and on some level, he had to wonder if he had gotten through to her with their trapezing off on Encke’s Comet. On the other hand, though, she was still a member of the Negaverse, still someone who regularly took starseeds so far as he knew, still someone who was subject to the whims of Metallia and her apparatus.
Good experience or not, it was hard to outright trust her, especially on a place like Earth where she arguably had power that he couldn’t hope to have.
Damned teleportation bullshit--
Encke didn’t dare break the distance from his side, but he let her approach, not moving to attack her. He didn’t think she would attack him. He couldn’t necessarily trust her, no, but nothing about her stance or behaviour hinted to him as hostile. And, frankly, after the last time they interacted--
He may have not been able to trust her, but he didn’t think she was an active threat.
“Why fortuitous?”
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Perhaps it was just the way the man was, and thus, really, the entire nature of their...odd...relationship...thing...enemies? Not quite? Maybe? To a degree? Neutral hostility? Regardless, there was a part of her that couldn’t help but want to mess with him, and not even in an antagonistic way, anymore. She just liked their banter and his attitude.
Plus, he had done her a huge solid despite everything she had done and represented and took her to visit his comet on a whim.
While she wouldn’t say it outloud, especially not to his face, Encke was a good guy.
And not just in the literal being of Order sense.
He was just good.
She couldn’t help but smirk lightly at him, because she was ready to throw him for a loop. She mentally checked her radar, and sensed nothing around, so felt alright to speak to him out where they were.
“I’m purifying soon. Within a few days soon, actually.”
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What was she smirking about?
Encke didn’t want to instinctively grow defensive; considering she was approaching him actively and didn’t seem hostile, to help try and encourage people back to their side, he needed to not lock up. And yet, there was something about that smirk he didn't like. Perhaps it was the way that they occasionally seemed to be at each other's throats, and for good reason! She was, after all, a member of the --
Wait, what?
Encke’s eyes widened in surprise.
Had … had something he said actually worked?
Had taking her to his comet actually helped?
Did she come to this decision on her own? What drove it? Was it him to any degree? Was it the people she had left behind on this side? Was it something that the Negaverse had done? Was it someone’s dashing good looks? Was it all of the above? Was it a and b? Was it c and d? Was it something he hadn’t even managed to think of at this point?
Perhaps instead of continuing to run in questioning circles, he should just ask, “Why?”
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The moment of silence that followed as music to her ears.
It wasn’t the quick retort the man usually threw back at her, but a stunned silence. It was beautiful. The amusement only lasted for so long though. Even though she had spoken extensively about her intentions to both Sergei and Nadia---this whole subject entirely wasn’t something she was jumping for joy about. Not with the heavy price tag of the exchange of memories that was about to take place.
Of course, the why question arrived, and Still was silent for a moment. She was, by no means, close to Encke. Not at all. To say anything else would be a stretch, but...there was something she always valued, something that never changed from being Olga to being corrupted to now. That was honesty.
The smirk and amusement faded as she looked at the Eternal. “Because I finally learned the truth.” She replied. “That I never made the choice to be here. That I was forced to be. It’s why I have no memories and the choice makes all the difference. I was ignorant for so long, and I hurt many people holding onto that ignorance. I want to be happy, and I want to mean something, and I want permanence, and I will not find any of those things where I am.”
She trailed off for a moment.
“I spoke to Methone---she’s helping me make this happen.”
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He wasn’t surprised that she looked so victorious at catching him off-guard, but he appreciated that her expression turned to the more serious, to the more grim.
It meant that she was taking him seriously.
Perhaps something had changed about their interactions on his comet, and not just Stillwaterite’s relationship to the Negaverse. It sounded like he hadn’t been the primary influencer anyway, and honestly, he hadn’t expected to be. But she came to him and called meeting up with him fortuitous. Even if she wouldn’t say it, there was clearly a reason why she was, on whatever strange level it was, glad to see him. He had done something and she found him important enough to tell.
At her admittance, Encke couldn’t help the edges of a smirk. “So you learned what I meant by them taking your real name, then.” That faded just as fast, though, because this was serious. Even if there was a moment of victory that she was, on some level, discarding the name that had been slapped onto her, she was still abandoning everything she could even remember, which admittedly wasn’t even all that much if she had been forcefully corrupted in the way he expected--
Oh, Methone!
Something in Encke’s expression brightened the moment Methone was brought up, and he grinned as he commented, “I’m glad you went to Methone. I mean, yeah, you told me to say hi to her so you guys are clearly familiar, but,” he chuckled. “She’s good people.”
Arguably, Methone was one of the people he was closest to as a senshi, and that was surprising considering how shortly ago they had met, now that he thought about it--
Picking up before she could question his silence, Encke added, “I think you’ll definitely find more of what you’re looking for on the side of Order, and you could make the argument I’m biased all day, but,” Encke glanced to the side, “I’ve seen enough of what the Negaverse does. They churn their own. You’re better off without them.”
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“I wouldn’t get too comfortable with that line of logic just yet.” She replied. “I know what the name is---it doesn’t mean it feels like my real one, though.” Not yet, anyways. Sedna. It just...always seemed like a far off thing. Even someone else at times, and the reminder that she would soon discard the mantle of Stillwaterite---Still---well, that was somewhat of another weight on her chest.
She didn’t miss the way he brightened when Methone was brought up, and the reaction make a corner of her lips pull up. “She was my best friend back before, you know, I forgot.”
Still watched the man, just looking at him as he spoke, and she snorted softly. “It’s not an argument---you are biased all day.” It was something of a tease, and the corrupt was silent for a moment before she continued. “Encke. I’m not justifying anything they do. I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it this past year---I know---but if there’s something I could get you to think about---sometimes, when dealing with others from the Negaverse, it’s that some of them are there because they felt betrayed and abandoned by Order.” Mintaka. Machine. “Loneliness is crippling. It’s not right, it’s not perfect, but something the Negaverse is good at is providing a sense of purpose and belonging behind a unified front---and there’s good people at heart who feel wanted and like they belong there. In that alone, is a dangerous tool of persuasion...so, please---just keep that in mind.”
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Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2019 9:02 am
It would, soon enough.
Even if it was because she forgot what she had been in the Negaverse.
“Apparently, you have good taste in best friends. Or had,” replied Encke, with a chuckle, as he crossed his arms and settled on his back foot. It was an at least somewhat defensive position, but he didn’t seem to be becoming actively defensive. If anything, it was just a sign of how uncomfortable he was just talking to someone with that deeply pressing, deeply disturbing aura of a corrupted eternal senshi of the Negaverse. Stillwaterite was purifying, but that did not make her any less a member of them for the moment, at least so far as auras went. And until she was on their side entirely, she was still under their influence--
And that was what he thought of anyone on their side, particularly the Negaverse’s side, no matter their motivation.
The sense of belonging was dangerous, and there was no denying that. There was also no denying that Order had a lack of any true sense of belonging. Senshi were often awoken and left to flounder on their own. That was the way it had been for Encke, but he had an advantage to some level. Encke had already known the monsters that wandered the streets of Destiny City long before he gained the ability to truly fight them off. He already had the motivation, whereas a lot of people likely just saw this senshi bullshit as, well, bullshit. Encke couldn’t necessarily blame them--though in some ways he could--and in general, Order needed to do better in fostering connections.
But that didn’t make Chaos the answer.
Encke let out a heavy sigh, averting his eyes for a moment as he tossed over a few thoughts before turning back towards Stillwaterite. He needed to be careful with what he said. It sounded like she had made her decision already, and she had been nothing if not honest, but yet, “I know loneliness.” Too well, actually, but it was something he wasn’t about to discuss with her. “And yet, I’m here. In white. I haven’t had any significant powered connections until more recently, actually.” That was accompanied by an oddly bitter snort. “Making connections and fostering them and keeping them active is definitely something Order needs to do better with so it stops being such a lure, and I’m not necessarily disagreeing with you. But to be able to be okay with what Chaos does, what the Negaverse does, on any level...”
Encke sighed again, running a hand through his hair. “If I wasn’t capable of keeping an open mind, I wouldn’t be talking to you, but it’s still inexcusable.”
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She smiled briefly at the comment, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
The corrupt was silent as was her companion, but she watched him. Reading his posture and body language, and the sigh told her he was thinking. When he spoke, she found herself curious to hear his thoughts in reply. She nodded in response. “I know.” She replied. “I’m not saying that being lonely justifies what anyone does but...the why of it is a problem, a very real one, that needs to be addressed.” Machine…
Perhaps if they had had just one friend on the side of Order...they wouldn’t have made it to the Negaverse. It was wishful thinking, and not something she gave too much mind to. What was done was done. Nothing would change the past.
“Oh...and here I was thinking I was just an interesting and persuasive person.” She replied, pulling out another tease. Once more, the corrupt trailed off, and after a moment, her lips quirked up once more before fading.
“I might forget you.” She said. “Methone said even willing, I’ll lose half my memories---and no guarantee which side.” The woman paused, before a finger came up to her chin, and she looked thoughtful. “Now would it be a good or a bad thing to forget you?”
She hummed, feigning giving it some serious thought, before she laughed softly, and shook her head, letting her hand drop.
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The why of it was a problem.
Encke would think, after nearly … ten years, was it? Was that how long the senshi had been active in this city, or was it longer? How long had the Negaverse been active in this city? But after that long, shouldn’t there have been more efforts into keeping them together as a cohesive unit, or at least, building those connections? Encke had no interest in working under someone on any level, but working with someone?
He saw some efforts being made at cooperation and alliance-making, but it wasn’t quite enough yet. He appreciated efforts like Cybele’s training exercise. “There’s efforts towards it, the making connections thing.” Encke smirked. “Maybe that should be your mission on this side. Networking.”
Stillwaterite? Running networking events? He supposed she asked enough questions--
“Persuasive? Don’t get too much of an ego,” snorted Encke, his form relaxing just a tad. It was worth noting he didn’t deny she was interesting.
He’d never point it out.
“But for what it’s worth,” Encke made sure to make eye contact with her, “even if you do forget me, I’m still willing to help out where I can. Methone knows me. She can always like,” he flippantly gestured, “hit me up or whatever.”
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“I’m not sure about that.” Still replied, a brow quirking. “Attempting to network, to a degree, is what got me corrupted in the first place.” Just saying the wrong things to the wrong person...who she thought was right.
“It won’t be any bigger than yours, Encke.” The corrupt replied lightly, and held his gaze when he looked to her. For what it was worth...and it was worth something to hear that. This entire situation was, to a degree, funny. She was more wary now, for certain, and would be once she made the transition...and she was placing a lot of stock in people who she didn’t know quite as well as she did others, and it had everything to do with the side they were on. She wasn’t afraid to trust Encke with a lot of what she had said, simply because the man had nothing to gain on the side of Order. He could not be promoted for turning her in, or compromising her in anyway. He had nothing to gain by hurting her.
It was a profound relief.
The woman’s body rattled lightly in suppressed amusement at the Eternal’s flippant hand gesture, but her expression was thoughtful. After a moment she spoke up. “Do you want to be there, Encke?” She asked. A brow rose. “We can just cut out the middle woman---” Lips pulled up briefly, “And whether I do remember or not---at least we’ll all be in one place for possible re-introductions.”
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Encke quirked a brow when she remarked that networking was what got her corrupted, but then, “Seems like you’ve learned from that mistake. Could be good knowledge to pass on to others.” On some level, Encke was an expert at networking. Being an actor, he kind of had to be. He wasn’t exactly an expert of networking as a senshi, though. Might be nice to have someone around who had learned where that could go wrong…
Anyway.
He snorted when she remarked on his nonexistent ego once more, rolling his eyes in a manner almost playful, but otherwise kept from commenting. He hadn’t entirely missed how appreciative Stillwaterite seemed, or at the very least, he hadn’t missed that she was probably appreciative considering she was inviting him to her purification.
Huh.
He hadn’t actually witnessed a purification before. He knew they happened, obviously. It was his goal to, one at a time, pull members from the Negaverse who could be saved and save them. The Negaverse couldn’t win if they didn’t have the numbers, teleportation and soul-stealing bullshit or not. Also, Order had their own planets. And wonders. And magic. Long-term, he was fairly sure Order would have the advantage. Eventually. Irrelevant to the problem, though. Should he go? He did offer to help where needed. He wasn’t exactly as close to whoever Stillwaterite had been as Methone clearly was, but he was also good friends with Methone, and Stillwaterite just invited him.
She wouldn’t have suggested it if she didn’t want him there.
And if he knew what purification was about, entirely, maybe it could help in his mission, too.
And he liked Stillwaterite on some level, but he wasn’t about to say that.
“True,” replied Encke, casually, no hints of the thoughts that were tumbling around in his head. “I always like when things take less work. I think most people do, honestly.” At that, he laughed, running his hand through his hair once more. If anything, it seemed like a nervous habit, or maybe just a fidget to keep his hands busy-- “And I mean, if you do remember me, at least you’ll know I’m with you?”
He squinted.
“That was cheesy. Scratch that.”
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She couldn’t argue with that. If anything, she could serve as a cautionary tale. That was a bit too far into the future though, and not something she was going to put on her plate right now. She needed to focus on the next few days. The purification, and then making sure she was secure in her new civilian life before she even touched the mess that would be her powered side.
One step at a time.
A brow rose at his words, and after a moment, a laugh escaped the corrupt at that last bit. A genuine laugh, something that was steadily harder for her to come by, the closer she got to the time of purification. Cheesy, yes. Funny, that too. Appreciated? Yes. Most definitely.
“I’ll know you’re with me whether I remember you or not.” She replied, the laugh dying down to a small smile. “After all, being there means just that.” She studied him for a moment. “You’re a good guy, Encke.” Still said after a moment. “I’ll tell Methone to get in touch with you soon. She has the plans. She figured that it’d be best for it to happen on Methone---less likely to be interrupted, hm?”
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Was she actually laughing and smiling?
There was a part of him that liked that, and another part of him that wasn’t convinced he should, considering she was still under the influence of Metallia. And yet, she was purifying. He had taken her to his comet. They had some fairly serious conversations and she was inviting him to a fairly significant event. Maybe it was alright. Maybe he should let some of the instinctual fear of her oppressive aura and the hole in her chest go.
And she had called him a good guy.
Encke’s shoulders relaxed fully, perhaps for the first time she had seen him do so… on Earth, anyway. “You’re good, too,” replied Encke, with a small shrug, unable to help adding with a bit of a smirk, “somewhere under all that black.”
He couldn’t help it.
“Methone certainly knows where to find me,” they had been in contact often enough, “and I’ve seen her moon. Space is definitely the safest place to be for things like this. Less,” he couldn’t help his sigh, here, “Chaos.”
At least there would be one less force of it after that space visit.
“I’ll see you then? Unless you happen to oh so serendipitously find me again.”
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A brow quirked as she read his posture, and she noted that he seemed more relaxed, but said nothing of it. She didn’t blame him for feeling that way. Was used to the hostility to a degree. It was just the way things were right now. The corrupt smirked before it faded. “Somewhere.” She echoed, and chuckled softly at his sigh.
“Yes. I’ll see you then---and don’t count on it. I’m a busy bee with this remaining time I have left---but don’t worry, I’m certain we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other after.” She teased, as if that was something he certainly wanted to hear. Still raised a hand in parting. “Ciao, Encke.” She said, and then teleported.
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