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 Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 5:57 pm
Lopezite had spent enough time with Alpersite to know that he was physically capable of functioning in a fight--but he had always pulled his punches, always tested him with the expectation and understanding that this was a practice fight.
He needed an opportunity to test those skills in a more practical way.
It wasn't like Lopezite to scheme but sometimes the deception was necessary.
He had sent the Lieutenant a message that read simply, 'Danger. Need backup immediately.' He added the address and sent it--and waited.
He knew Alpersite was powered up and he knew he was at least somewhat in the area, so he settled himself on the upstairs balcony in the warehouse, well out of sight. So far as he could tell, this place had been abandoned for a while now; the electricity could still turn on but the lights never turned into anything more than a dim glow. Dust had settled over nearly everything, and what wasn't sealed in wooden crates or boxes was covered with plastic tarps. He didn't know what was in the warehouse but he knew it was hard to miss and there was enough space on the ground floor to do all that was necessary.
There wasn't really any way to mask his energy signature but then, that wasn't the point. There wasn't any real threat, but Alpersite needed to be aware that there could be one. That there would come a day when he was needed, that he would be running into danger--knowingly or unknowingly.
Lopezite had been thinking about him more often, maybe because of their sparring lessons, or the time they had spent together while they weren't 'on the clock'. The more time he spent with him, the more confident he was in his abilities--and the more he found himself worrying that something might happen to him.
He could have just invited Alpersite for another sparring lesson, but he needed something different.
...He needed to know if Alpersite's skills would come in handy in a real battle.
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Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 8:56 am
The message had chilled Alpersite’s veins and he swallowed, staring at it for a long moment. Danger? He needed backup immediately? Would he even be able to help in this kind of a situation? This was a captain and he was just a half trained lieutenant…
But he couldn’t just let his friend get hurt.
Get killed.
He hurried off towards the address, not even bothering to send a reply. His weapon was in his hand and his face was twisted into a determined mask.
He didn’t feel any other presence, just one that felt friendly, if not a little stronger, and he hoped that was Lopezite, hoped that the fact that his captain had an aura still meant he was alive.
“Lopezite?” The words were a quiet hiss and he looked around everywhere, half expecting to be jumped by a rabid senshi or a repeat of the dragon from Halloween.
“Where are you?”
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Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 4:51 am
Alpersite's lack of a response initially concerned Lopezite but he wasn't about to give up on the man; he waited patiently, carefully monitoring the energy signatures that drifted nearby. It didn't take long before a lieutenant was approaching and he trained his eyes on the figure as they entered the warehouse.
It wasn't difficult to recognize Alpersite--who had made it there in surprisingly good time.
It made a twinge of guilt grow in his stomach but he reminded himself that this was necessary. It was all the more reason to want to test him now, to find his weaknesses so they could work on a way to make sure he was safe and protected.
He permitted a few seconds for Alpersite to get accustomed to the location--or maybe to ease him into a false sense of security--and then drew in a breathe.
It was now or never.
He gripped the hard sheathe of his weapon and wielded it as if it were a blade; he teleported just behind Alpersite. Senshi didn't have that ability so he made sure to make a bit of a noise and delay his strike--just to give Alpersite a chance.
He drew the weapon down in a slashing motion, aiming for his back and hoping Alpersite was fast enough to counter before it struck.
Lopezite was still concealed in shadows; he knew he might have a few seconds before the lieutenant recognized him.
He needed to make the best of them.
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Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2019 9:25 am
Alpersite was nearly shivering with fear, feeling cold chills down his back, his butterfly wand held securely and his eyes roaming over every inch of the darkness, hoping to make out—something. Anything.
He felt the other chaotic aura flicker and vanish for a moment before coming up right…right behind him?
With only a moment’s hesitation the lieutenant turned swiftly, his own weapon raising to clatter against his captain’s sheath. “Wh-what? Lopezite?”
There was an uneasiness in his voice and his eyes were wary. Had someone…taken his captain over? Was this some sort of…demon possession? Or a trap? Or…was he confused, thinking that he was an enemy now?
“What’s going on…?” Alpersite tried to force his own voice to grow more steady, but failed once again. “What’s the meaning of this, Lopezite?” He shifted his weight and took a step back, swinging his wand to try and land a blow on the male’s arm, thinking maybe he could hit hard enough that the weapon in the his friend’s hand would drop…it was a good plan in theory, at least.
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Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 11:32 am
If he spoke, Lopezite was certain it would ease Alpersite's uncertainty; he didn't want the man to lower his guard. He didn't want Alpersite to relax. He wanted to test him.
From what he could make out so far, Alpersite was doing well. He was afraid; he had seen that from the beginning. But he had not let fear terrorize him; he hadn't let it claim him. He had been on edge, but he had reacted quickly. He had blocked Lopezite's attack well enough--and had strength and wits about him still to manage an attack on his own. Lopezite had the advantage of speed but the wand still hit enough that the sheathe nearly fell from his hand. He shifted hands immediately, wielding it in his non-dominant hand. It was a handicap, but it might have been a little more fair for Alpersite. He raised it and lunged against, this time attacking the weapon itself as he tried to dislodge it from the man's hand.
In doing so, he had left a deliberate opening; his entire right side was exposed and he knew it.
He just wanted to see if Alpersite did too.
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Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 4:50 pm
There had to be some sort of possession going on here, that or mind control, but clearly there was something wrong, and Lopezite was gone or needed help very badly.
Alpersite grit his teeth and tried again to force away his doubt and his fears. He had to stop this. Had to do what had to be done to save his friend and mentor. He saw the opening of the male’s right side and hesitated, working hard to keep his expression neutral, even as he moved to attack again with his weapon, though brought his foot up quickly, intending to land as powerful of a kick as he could to the unguarded side of his Captain’s chest.
“I don’t know what the hell is going on.” He hissed sharply. “I don’t know what game you think you are playing, but if you have taken over Lopezite, or you think you can just take his form to unsettle me, you are about to meet your end. He is my friend and I will not let this go.”
His voice was full of a rare venom and his pale eyes were flashing with anger. “I will kill you if I must, so this game needs to end. Now.”
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Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2019 7:33 pm
The kick came harder than Lopezite had anticipated and he found himself stumbling back, hitting the wall with a loud thud. If he'd kept his wits about him he might have been able to teleport before he did the secondary blow to himself by colliding with the building but the damage was done and the breath had been knocked from him.
"You'd kill me to save me?" he prompted, rubbing at his sore chest with his free hand. He hadn't been disarmed, but the response he'd seen was enough to prove to him that Alpersite could function under duress, under surprises, against a superior officer.
He was proud of him.
Only, now he had to apologize for all of this.
"...I am sorry for deceiving you. You don't have to fight anymore. It's me, no one has taken me over, or taken my form. I can message you on the tablet to prove it if I need to. Or power down. I'm sorry," he said again. "...Things have been chaotic recently. More dangerous than usual. I found myself worrying that you might not be equipped to prepare certain battle parameters but I am relieved to see this progress. You're astounding, Alpersite. You did amazingly."
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Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2019 3:37 pm
The lieutenant paused at the first words, and hesitated, nodding slowly. “Of course I would. You’re easily my best friend, and my mentor in all of this. I would have been vulnerable and not have any idea what was going on if it wasn’t for you…but now I think…” Alpersite sighed and tried to force out the adrenaline that was making his heart pound.
“Like…God, man. You really freaked me out…don’t…I mean I get why you did it, but I kind of feel like punching you for putting me through that. I was about ready to start on some epic quest to save you and kill whoever was playing this game…you scared me.”
He hesitated and moved closer, taking a moment to just rest is hand on Lopezite’s shoulder. “…The next time you want to test me…please just tell me…I…you really…”
Swallowing hard, Alpersite shook his head. “You really had me worried. I thought something horrible happened to you…I understand that I need to learn and grow…but use someone else next time. Don’t make me think my best friend has been taken over or killed or something, yeah?”
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Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2019 6:16 pm
Lopezite looked both sympathetic and amused; while Alpersite's hand was on his shoulder, he took the opportunity to reach around and draw him close, squeezing him into a quick embrace. "I'm sorry. I didn't want someone else involved. I wanted to see firsthand. And you made me proud, Alpersite. Truly. Your skills have improved immensely, and I'm touched by your concern for me. I admire that compassion. I promise, I'll probably not do something like this again."
He smiled, reassuring and just a little playful. "If you have to punch me to calm down, just not the face, please. But I suppose I can agree, I owe you one. So you can either hit me with your best shot, or...maybe we can power down and I'll take you to dinner to make up for it?" he offered instead.
The offer was meant as much of an apology as it was a reward; Lopezite had reacted well. He was clearly talented, clearly could defend himself--clearly cared. That, of everything, left the most impact on Lopezite. He liked Alpersite plenty, but in that moment of honest emotions it couldn't help but like him more.
...Couldn't help but feel more guilty, too, but.
He'd find a way to make it up to him.
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Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2019 6:41 pm
The embrace startled him, but Alpersite couldn’t help but rest against the male for a moment, savoring the warmth that he provided. When he pulled away, he took a deliberate step back and shrugged. “Well…good. Because I don’t know if I could handle it a second time. You really scared me.”
The offer to punch the stronger officer made the lieutenant’s nose wrinkle and he opened his mouth to refute it, though nodded slowly at the offer for dinner. That did sound good. “I suppose I am a bit hungry. Yeah, all right. I’ll let you buy me dinner to make up for all of this. I don’t mind that at all. I’m going to order the most expensive thing on the menu,” He teased, his eyes bright and full of a sudden mischief.
“I hope you’re ready for it. And maybe you could come over tonight if you’re not too busy? We could even watch a movie or something? It might be fun…if you’d be interested.” It was never really fun to sit at home alone, after all. And he was sure that the dogs wouldn’t suffer being home alone for one night…or at least he hoped not.
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Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 7:18 am
Lopezite smiled fondly at him, considering the offer. There was no telling what he was thinking, but the softness on his face might as well have been his answer before he'd even managed to speak it.
He was thinking of his dogs, of course; he couldn't just abandon them. "We can stop by the house and let my dogs out after dinner? We can give them the leftovers and then make our way over to your place? I'm sure they can manage a night without me. They'll probably enjoy having my bed all to themselves. I haven't had a sleepover in a long time."
It must have been years, at least.
"Although, I have heard I'm a restless sleeper. You must ignore me if I talk in my sleep. I've been told I do it often."
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Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2019 8:09 am
Alpersite let his power fade and stood there a moment later as Jacob, grinning slightly. “I don’t think I’d mind spending a little time with your furry kids, I think that sounds like a great plan.” A sleepover…he should get some snacks on the way home…maybe stop by the store while Samir took care of the dogs…that might work but…
What if…
No, he wasn’t going to over think this. He had gone through enough worry tonight and didn’t need any more anxiety to have his stomach in knots.
“If you talk in your sleep I’ll just smother you with a pillow, no problems there. But come on, my friend. I’m starving and you owe me.” He winked and laughed, turning around and walking towards the exit of the building, still half glowing from his Captain’s praise and pleased with his own reactions. Perhaps he was good at this after all.
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