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 Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2020 5:33 pm
A job had been just what Kayden needed to get her head cleared and to get back onto some semblance of normal. She had been going at it for a few weeks now, and already there was more color in her face, a better spring to her step and she was able to laugh just a bit more readily.
It had been easy to fake it at first, but after a little bit of faking it, she began to enjoy her new job, began to enjoy talking with customers, enjoy getting back in to the fashions that were popular, and her wardrobe had begun to increase just a bit.
The discount didn’t hurt at all, and though her paychecks seemed to mostly go to new clothes…she didn’t much care.
She looked good, felt better and was just getting ready to leave for the day, wondering if she should go and get something to eat, poking her head into the office. “Alexandre? I’m heading out now. I just wanted to say goodbye and tell you to have a good evening. All of the closing procedures are finished, and I swept and got that new display ready for tomorrow.”
Kayden wore a smile and looked rather proud of herself. “Do you need anything else before I go?”
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2020 4:45 pm
Looking up from where he was working, brushing his bangs from his face as he did so, his blue eyes took a moment to just stare before his lips parted to speak. "You've done well, thank you." She had proven herself, proven that she wasn't all words and no action. He was glad he'd brought her into the store and trusted her words.
"I'll get the display up tomorrow before we open, it came out well." It came out really well. She had a keen eye for things and was keeping on top of trends, it was good to have her around.
"I should get going as well. How about we walk out together?" Pushing his chair back he stood up slowly, stretching as he did so, and went to find his coat. He'd draped it earlier over a chair in the office and had left it there apparently, rather than use the coat rack in the corner of the room. Slipping it on he moved his ponytail out from under the coat. "Let's go, we can walk and talk."
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2020 12:13 pm
Kayden nodded, giving a small smile. “All right!” She had to admit that she was a little nervous about talking with him, what if he said that she wasn’t doing well…what if he wasn’t being completely truthful right now, and what if he wanted to fire her? Oh, she couldn’t quite compass the idea of losing this one toehold of sanity that she had regained.
She did as he asked though, moving to follow him outside of the store, shivering in the cold air outside, enjoying it though. It felt almost like home.
Drawing in a deep breath, Kayden glanced over at Alexandre. “What did you want to talk about? Nothing bad, I hope. I really am doing my best, and I truly think that this job has been good for me. I’m…feeling better. Much more stable.” Quietly, Kayden shut her mouth, hoping that she didn’t sounds as pathetic as she thought that she did.
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Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2020 8:06 pm
"You don't need to worry so much - you're doing just fine. I was wondering about where you see yourself in a year...two years? What sort of future do you want? Do you want a position of power?" He knew she could take his questions in several ways, he did it on purpose, but he knew what he was looking for. She showed potential and he wanted to know if she was ambitious enough...would she do well in the Negaverse. Did she want power and authority...did she want some sort of status.
She was a worker, a hard worker, and he felt it would translate well to the Negaverse. The question was...did she want it? Would she want it if he offered it? That was another thing altogether. There was power...and there was the power he had - that she could have.
"I also wanted to know what you think of this city. It's rather dangerous in this city...if you haven't noticed. The news and the whispers from people...this city isn't the safest place to be."
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Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 8:05 pm
A position of power? Kayden frowned just slightly, wondering if this was some kind of vague offer of a promotion. She would take it, of course. She had a drive now. A desire that was growing stronger by the day to become…something. Someone.
“I would love power. I want to become a success. I think…it would keep me going. I don’t…need power to be happy but. It would still be nice to have. And…the city is safer than London was for me. What’s so unsafe here?”
She hadn’t noticed anything but then again…
For as long as she’d lived here…she hadn’t been doing much of anything either.
“Truth be told, I haven’t explored the city that much. Before starting to work here…I spent most of the time in my apartment, apart from getting food every now and then…alcohol, mostly.”
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Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 5:02 pm
That was a good answer. She didn't need power, but wouldn't say no, meaning it wasn't likely to go to her head either. He didn't want someone with an ego, he'd already dealt with that once. He wasn't interested in that again.
"That might be why you've not noticed how dangerous this city can be - a good thing perhaps." Tilting his head a bit. "Though it would be better to learn about it...especially if you'll be out in it." While he meant as an officer she could take it however she pleased. She had promise and had answered him in a rather pleasing manner...how nice to find someone worthy of some power - finally. He was done with making mistakes, loosing officers to the other side, and having people die on him. Not that all had fallen to such fates...but his track record wasn't something he was fond of in all honesty.
"I can give you power - a lot of it. You'd need to learn to use it - I can help there. The question is...is do you want it? Do you want to see what this cities secrets are? It would be power and knowledge..." Both things people could find beneficial...would she want it?
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Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 7:08 pm
Kayden watched him with confusion growing by the moment. “I…what do you mean by that? I…Power like…you’re giving me a promotion? Because I accept.”
Though…what a promotion had to do with the city she really couldn’t understand…but…that was fine. If it meant more money...well. Maybe that was what he meant.
“I do like knowledge. I’ll take whatever you’re giving me. I can handle it . I believe that I can handle anything that you throw at me, Alexandre. I’m a very fast learner.” It felt like the right answer, and she hoped that it was what he wanted to hear. If it wasn’t well…there was always another time.
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Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2020 6:16 pm
A promotion at the boutique wasn't a bad idea, not really, but it wasn't what he had in mind...though that might just happen as well. Manager sounded like a good idea...but that wasn't to be discussed right now. He had other promotions in mind.
Smiling he shook his head slowly, laughing just a bit. "A promotion to manager might be nice. But perhaps I should clarify better what I do mean by power and promotion." That said he quickened his pace just enough that he could step a foot or so in front of her and that was when he powered up. A general out in the open where anyone could happen upon them - it was a risk. He knew he was risking things, a lot of things, but right now that was a worry to deal with if need be.
"This is what I mean. I can give you power. I can show you what secrets this city hides." Speaking as he stepped closer to her now, closing the gap he'd just created. Summoning his weapon as he did so. "There is a war in this city...I can give you power and knowledge. I can make you stronger." He could do a lot. He'd been around a long time, though not as long as others, and he'd seen and done his fair share of things. The issue was that things seemed to have died down - a shame really. New recruits were few and far between and they really weren't learning or doing anything. Everyone was reduced to little tit for tat fights and energy draining...even a general such as himself. There wasn't much to do.
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Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2020 4:09 pm
For a moment, Kayden simply stared as her boss suddenly…suddenly became someone else completely. She took a good look at the new clothes, and took a small step backwards as he stepped closer with a…a spear in his hand. “I…oh.”
Her mind was slow to process just what was going on, and finally she just nodded slowly. “…Stronger? I…A w-war?” Kayden was struggling to figure out what was going on, though a very small part of her had perked up when he didn’t seem opposed to a promotion at work…that…
Was encouraging.
“You um. Sure. Yeah. I’ll…take power.” When everything caught up, she realized that if there was a war…it would be better to be involved with it. Better to have the ability to keep herself safe. Keep anyone around her safe. If she could do that…then there would never be another Farrah…there would never be another reason to grieve. Another reason to lose herself to despair.
Finally, Kayden stood just a little taller and took the step towards the male again, nodding. “Tell me what I need to do. I won’t sit back and just…be a bystander again.”
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Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:10 pm
Letting his weapon vanish he held a hand out towards her. "I thought you might be interested...as I said - this city isn't safe. Not while a war goes on behind the scenes...as it has since before I was sixteen." Old enough to get a permit to drive and yet he knew about a war, which meant he likely was involved, and he was in his twenties now.
"It won't be easy...it can disrupt your civilian life. But isn't it best to know what is going on...to understand things on the news properly...and to protect yourself and loved ones." Though he hadn't been able to protect Bazzite, from him, and Aiden from his night life. He would move on and continue marching forward as he needed to do. The Negaverse needed new people...now, during the lull, was time to recruit and train...to make strong members who would be capable by the time the next big fights erupted - as he knew they would...they must.
"Take my hand and I'll give you the power...I'll train you and help you. I know the ropes well enough by now." He wasn't one to brag, it was beneath him, he was simply stating a fact - never bragging. He did know his way around things. He'd been at this too long.
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Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2020 7:30 pm
Kayden listened to his words, and gave them time to make sense in her mind, and finally she simply nodded, relieved when the spear was gone. She hesitated for only a moment and reached out her hand. “Then, I trust you, Alexandre…I’ll do what I have to. Give me the power and…I’ll make you proud.”
She couldn’t think of any good reason why she wouldn’t want to. Power…the ability to protect those she cared about…yes. That was what she wanted. Not…not that there was anyone that she really cared about.
The disruption of her civilian life…that was a joke. The only thing she had going for her was her job…and. Well. If her boss was the one bringing her into whatever this was…well.
How could that go badly?
“I’m ready.”
Though she wasn’t completely sure what she was ready for.
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Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2020 10:09 pm
"It will hurt, I won't lie. It will hurt when I do this...it always does. Pain, brief as it is, for power." A fair trade if you asked him, though he likely hadn't thought that when he'd been brought in. It had hurt - a lot. But he wasn't the sort to let others fight for him, and his family, he would do it for himself. At least if the war was lost it wasn't because he'd done nothing and left it to other people.
Taking her hand in his own he pulled her close, almost too close to be considered friendly, but then his other hand was pressing against her chest. This really didn't look friendly but he also knew they were, as far as he could sense, safe. Pressing his hand against, then through, fabric and flesh he reached for that part inside every person. A part he knew well and there he pushed power...as much as he knew it would take to corrupt...to make powerful.He would have himself a new lieutenant...and he hoped she would stick around unlike so many others.
She had proven herself thus far...he was sure she would continue to do so.
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Posted: Fri May 01, 2020 4:19 pm
It will hurt. Kayden could handle pain. At least she thought she could. She had dealt with pain for years now but…this was different. It was sharp, searing. For a moment she thought that she had been shot. He had come closer to her, too close for comfort…and then he was touching her chest and then…there was nothing but pain.
The woman hissed and shuddered, her eyes screwed up against it.
When the initial onslaught ended, a new lieutenant stood in the place of where Kayden had been. Dressed in green and looking dazed, tired. “What…what did…what did you do?”
Her voice sounded weak, and far away in her own ears.
There was something else there though…some kind of power running through her veins. “…What…did you do?”
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Posted: Fri May 01, 2020 5:14 pm
He knew it would hurt, he always did, but there was no way to eliminate it. Even if there was...why? It was a fraction of some of the injuries he'd suffered...and this was over quick while injuries lingered. He was lucky he'd never had something that lasted - left him limping or in pain. He could have had worse...back then...when it was more dangerous when there were bigger battles.
"I gave you power. But you'll need some rest and perhaps pain medication. I can bring you to my home to rest. If you want. It is up to you." Anything he could do to help her and she could ask him things then - question him. He was sure she'd want to know more. She could also meet Katya whom it was good to know, he had a lot of respect for the guardian cats the Negaverse had. They had information and use - a lot more than some thought.
"I have a guest room you can stay in for the night and I'll make extra for dinner."
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Posted: Fri May 01, 2020 5:59 pm
Alexandre was inviting her back to his house, and for a moment, she felt warm, and wanted. Like this wasn’t some cruel joke…like he really did care about what happened to her.
The lieutenant nodded, reaching up to rub her forehead and blinking as she felt the hat that was perched on her head. “…Yeah, I think I’d like that. I have…I have a lot of questions, I think. And I would appreciate dinner. What…are we having?”
It was strange…she felt much more comfortable with him than she had before. This made her feel like some kind of a bond had been formed between the two. She wasn’t worried about losing her job now, wasn’t worried…about much of anything now. “I’ll make you proud, Boss. Promise.”
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