Day One: During this time of year, the shadows are always growing longer and darker. Ordinarily, it's not something you think about, but for some reason there is something strange about the shadows this year. When walking through the shadows in Destiny City, it feels cold, or maybe even like the shadows briefly clutched at you. You may feel sluggish when passing through them, or you may feel drained or even unnecessarily anxious. It may be easy to brush off at first, but it's certainly unnerving.
He had been unsettled for days now. Patrols were hard enough when you usually had a small body close to the ground, but luckily being white meant he was often spotted by card and bikes not to get hit. It also meant he had a harder time hiding, and lately he felt the need to do just that. Maybe it was just the Halloween decorations and the season giving him the willies, but he kept jumping at things that weren't there. Yet his base instincts told him that he was being watched, followed, and hunted.
There were also rumors of dogs.
Despite the risk, he went humanoid, just giving himself a moment to breathe as he leaned against a brick wall under a Halloween Garland light display of large, glass, golden jack-o'-lanterns. This area, usually crowded when the shops were open, was vacant aside from a few rolling leaves jumping in the wind.
Kapoodles
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 8:36 pm
These days, Landry had done his best to keep busy. His schedule remained pack. Class, then work, then his quota, then work again, and then home. Day in day out. The more busy he was, the less he had to think.
Wolframite, Cavansite, his impending promotion. Chip, his sister.... All of it he wanted to push out of his mind, and to do so, he pushed his body to the limits. By the time he finally made it home, he was exhausted and collapsed onto his bed to sleep until the alarm went off for him to do it all over again. Perhaps every now and then he allowed himself the pleasure of a brief exchange with Gryphon, but.... More than anything, he wanted to sleep.
Tonight, he didn’t even need to power up, He could have just gone straight home to enjoy that sleep his body craved. But rumor had it that it wasn’t safe, and not just because people like him roamed the streets. Something about the shadows felt ominous... And Landry wasn’t ashamed to admit when he was unnerved. Being powered up into Zubeneschamali felt much safer than his injury and bruise-prone normal self.
And so he set of through the dim area, a chill catching him from both the eerie nature of it all, and the cold in the air... His uniform certainly wasn’t designed for the chill months.
Just as he was about to turn a corner, an aura.akin to a blast of cold water against his face hit him. Strange, completely unfamiliar than anything he had ever encountered. Part of him didn’t want to investigate. After all, it might mean a fight, and he was in no mood to get injured... But then again, it wasn’t chaos related, and that meant there was a better chance than not for him to simply have a conversation.
Why not? He needed a distraction anyway, so another corner turned and he came face to something surprisingly bright in this darkness.
Under pumpkins. Very amusingly childish pumpkins.
“... Huh. I wasn’t expecting someone like you out here... Should you be standing out here so casually, blasting out energy like that?”
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Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 3:03 pm
He should fear Chaos. Did fear it. Be knew his carelessness and desires would one day corrupt him in more literal ways than one. But they only risked his life. That was all.
This was fine.
He smiled at the negaverser who showed up. "I shouldn't. I'm not a very smart Mauvian. Will you corrupt me?"
Kapoodles
Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 7:57 am
A Mauvian...? Ah, yes, someone had said something to him before about them having humanoid forms. Obie had one, as did chip, but for some reason, they had never shown them to him.
So this was what they looked like. He could only imagine what sort of chaotic feeling those kittens would have if they were to power up. The very thought of Chip's tiny self showing up like what this man looked like, handsome and elegant as a human nearly made him laugh to himself.
"Hmmm? Corrupt? I'm not one who would simply force someone to corrupt because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I do have to ask, why are you out here? It's as if you're a beacon, hoping someone will stumble upon you like this. Is that what you're here for?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 9:06 am
He gestured down the street. "Dogs." He explained.
"I wanted to keep them away and it's easier for them to overtake me when I'm smaller. I thought I'd take a moment to switch and see if that kept them away. So far it has at least gotten me closer to the lights. As for the energy signature."
He shrugged.
"I guess I'm an idiot but I like being how I should be much more than on four legs. I'm sure I'll pay for it some day. For now, I'm lucky you only came."
He regarded the corrupted senshi more fully; Blue and Teal eyes looking over him.
"I'm Arthur." He said, moving away from the wall to come to him and offer his hand. "And you?"
Kapoodles
Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 9:25 am
... Dogs. This greatly powerful alien creature was standing here, risking himself to other Negaversers... Because of dogs.
'Mali had to cover his mouth and hold back a laugh.
"Huh... No, perhaps not an idiot, but it is amusing. Don't you have a senshi or someone you're attached to who could protect you from these..." He chuckled again. "Dogs you are afraid of?"
He could only shake his head at the thought, before uncovering his mouth and smiling at the Mauvian. A moment later, he reached out and took the hand, giving it a small shake.
"Zubeneschamali. Mali for short. It's a please to meet an interesting individual as yourself. I have my own Mauvian I care for, though she is a child compared to you, that is for certain."
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 9:59 am
He released his hand and smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Sailor Mali."
"I know it is silly to you. A Mauvian having to be worried about these things, but that is only because you are always looking the way you do and have more ready magic than a Mauvian. Also, if you were injured, you could take yourself to the hospital. It is trucker for us. Dogs. Cars. Children with BB guns. Animal traps. Cruel humans. Mauvians look like cats and in so, we are treated like animals. One dog could kill me. It would take a bit longer for a dog to kill you."
He said, simply setting for facts.
"I'm not bonded. I have no wish to be bonded. I do my duties and I am here to support anyone I meet."
"That is kind to take care of a young Mauvian. I don't suppose I met them. I have only met a few adults on your side." And more than just meeting them.
"Is your Mauvian bonded to you?"
Kapoodles
Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 10:16 am
"I suppose that is true. I wasn't laughing at the general idea of your suffering more of... How cartoonishly a stereotype it is for a cat to be afraid of a dog. I apologize. You need to do what you must to take care of yourself, that is understandable." Even if he said this, he still smiled. No matter the circumstance, it felt like an episode out of an old TV show, the cat fearing the dogs.
Though if the dogs were anything like the ones reported on television, then perhaps 'Mali should take more caution himself.
"That may be true, but I can't imagine it's easy without having a partner at your side. My Obscura is more like a daughter to me than a simple partner though. There is also Chip... Despite their Chaotic nature, I'm sure they'd be pleasant enough to meet." Both of those kittens were perhaps the biggest parts of his heart right now. For children, anyway. He typically could not stand younger people, but something about the fact that they were in fact cats made it easier to stand. And far easier for him to dote on and be honest with.
"Yes, she is, sweet girl. As well as my twin star, Zubenelgenubi. I'm sure the wee thing has her paws full dealing with the both of us."
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Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2019 8:33 am
"Well I suppose it can be funny too." He said, taking no offense to his laughter.
"I have found most Chaos Mauvians to be kind. We are such a rare species that finding one of our own is a delight and I value it regardless of faction. I find it more unfortunate we can't all be together again. Peace will be nice once it comes." He said wistfully.
"I imagine. You seem like you could be a handful considering you don't seem hellbent on attacking me. Would you like to sit over here and talk a while? I'm somewhat stuck here at the moment - if you don't think it would get you in trouble. I have some coffee in a thermos if that interest you."
Kapoodles
Posted: Wed Oct 30, 2019 5:45 pm
”Of all those beings who are out there, I feel as if the Mauvians would be the ones to bring peace. But for now, odds are odds. We do what we must.” ... Mali would much rather not be doing either of any of that. Bed sounded much more appealing.
“I suppose you’re not wrong there either. I have no love for the Negaverse, but I am here... A bit of time with you wouldn’t hurt, but I don’t know if you should remain in that form. I may be willing to speak, but others are far less kind.”
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Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2019 6:51 pm
"Do I make you nervous to be around? I know my signature can be hard to be next to and I can only imagine how it feels to a Negaverse officer." He watched him and then frowned. "Oh well. I suppose if it's best." He grumbled and in a shine if soft light, his form melted down and condensed to a lank, feline shape of a white Turkish Angora.
Much shorter now, the Mauvian looked bothered by this change and looked out across the night sky.
"You have no love for the Negaverse and yet you stay. Is there a reason? Do you know purification exist?" He asked as he turned his focus back to him.
"You don't have to stay there, though I'm not sure if you wish to be out of this all together." Sometimes staying on one side you hated just meant you didn't like the other options.
Kapoodles
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2019 1:05 pm
"Nervous? Not at all. I would assume you'd be more worried yourself. Not everyone treats Mauvians kindly. I recall hearing reports of a young person punting a Mauvian before. Being awakened and left alone to suffer and figure things out on their own is a cruel fate, and leaves some of the White Moon Senshi bitter." To better speak with Arthur, 'Mali knelt down and gave a smile, wondering if he would be allowed to pet him. He always did have a soft spot for cats...
But he was still a proper young man, and kept his hands to himself.
"Yes, I've heard of it. And I've considered it... But for now, I remain. I have my sister to worry about, my kitten as well. Even if my heart wishes to purify, I cannot force them to do so... And I don't have the confidence in either of them to do well without me. I've also heard what happens to the mind... I'd be afraid to lose the ones I love, not when I recently found a new one." He was growing softer and softer by the day for his dumb lug of a partner. The idea of leaving him behind never sat well with him.
"I feel as if I can do better here in protecting the ones I worry about. I can be the bad guy if it means my important ones remain protected from becoming the victims I make.
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Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 7:05 am
"That's true. I've been grabbed and manhandled roughly plenty before. But I hope to change that in time to be more able to fight. Maybe next time you see me, I'll be a bit more impressive." His tone was light and merry in that note. He had been watching the data from NASA and the local city about any falling space debris. It was common in the area but it was hard to pinpoint at times. He was waiting for a chance to find one. Then he could get to work.
He nodded. "Understood. I'm glad you considered the option but can understand that doing that is not a easy thing to ask. Most have families they would be leaving behind that rely on then. There is a risk of memory loss with the cross over. You are right. If you ever do find yourself in a bad position, just remember that that option is always offered to you or anyone else. It doesn't expire."
Stretching, he curled into a loaf to keep himself warm. "Do they treat you okay enough there? I hear mixed reviews of Negaverse treatment."
Kapoodles
Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 10:11 am
"Perhaps you will be. And if you are, then I look forward to it." The Mauvian had been pretty impressive to begin with in his human form, but what else could he be? Did Mauvians get more powerful? Did Obie or Chip know about this? The very thought of them being powerful little things made him smile a little bit. While they both could become strong, he'd much rather continue playing the role of guardian for them.
Ironic, given that they, themselves, were Guardian cats.
"Thank you, I suppose. I don't like it here, specifically. I didn't have much of a choice when I corrupted. But I haven't been abused. I do my work and am left alone. I've been blessed with an incompetent General who simply leaves me be, and that is enough." Speaking of incompetence, 'Mali looked at the time on a mounted street clock nearby and sighed.
"But I believe our conversation must end here. I have other matters to attend to." The matter being sleep. Perhaps talking to someone for a while who was unrelated to everything else that clawed at his mind allowed him to relax.
Enough so that he could feel that exhaustion creeping up on him faster and faster. What he wouldn't give to be able to teleport right to his bed already.
"Will you be safe going on your way? There are dogs out you know."
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Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 11:49 am
"I should be fine. If anything, I can call a cab. I knew what I was getting into when I went on my walk. You be careful yourself."
He said as he moved up down from the bench and looked about for signs of trouble.
"If we are lucky, maybe we will meet again. Till then, I hope things continue safely and nicely for you and yours. Good night "
With a shake of his body to stretch, the sleek Mauvian moved with all the grace of a alleycat across the courtyard, under the car, across the street, and into the dark.
