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Being at the Reservoir gave her mixed feelings. On one hand, it was great to get out, see the others, have time to just relax. At the same time, her heart squeezed. When Hania first suggested the idea, and the location was settled upon, she'd been unsure if she'd be able to go. Since her cousin's disappearance, tensions had only continued to rise on her mother's side of the family, to the point that even Kailey herself had taken time off of work and gone out of the city for a couple of weeks not long ago to help deal with her relatives.

Not that that had... gone well, seeing as even within what few bits of information the private investigators had gathered, she was among the list of suspects, in terms of the last people to have apparently seen him.

But there in the sun, with the water bright and blue and cherry before her, she tried to push it all from her mind.

"I, for one, am gonna go swimming," she announced in response to Hania's query, as she finished setting up one of the folding chairs she'd brought beneath one of the umbrellas. A large beach towel with a shark cruising over a colorful reef scene sat before it, her shoes and beach bag flopped on the corner. Beside the umbrella, a couple of coolers sat in waiting, amongst the ice in one were drinks that were clearly marked alcoholic and non for appropriate parties and preferences.

"We were going to wait a bit to have food, right?" As she spoke, Kailey caught up her long dark hair, pulling it into a high ponytail before stripping out of the light blue tank and denim shorts she wore, dropping those into her bag along with the other various things she brought--including an extra change of warmer attire for later, if needed. The easy strip, though, was facilitated by the fact she wore a black bikini beneath, gold accent rings keeping hold of the multiple strings that were tied together at the back of her neck and around her hips to keep the pieces in place.

Digging into her bag once more, she pulled out a tube of sunscreen and waved it towards the others. "I already put some on before I left my place, but if anyone needs any, or needs some to reapply, just grab some. It's a new bottle."

It was good, Abbie thought, to get to see her friends again. Things had been getting terribly lonely, even though she was in a better position now than she'd been in before. A lucky break had gotten her a role as a stage magician at a fancy hotel in the city, and with a cushy steady job, she had her own apartment these days--which made for a much more stable existence. No longer did she have to con and steal to survive, and she even had a little extra cash for fun stuff.

Like a very, very cute bikini and swim skirt that did a lot to show off how good she looked, now that she was eating regularly and seeing her doctor on a regular schedule. All in pink, blue, and white, of course, because running around in a pride flag was fun, and that was all it needed to be.

"Definitely hitting the water," she said, and she stretched, pulling a pink towel with a little bunny on the corner out of her bag and laying it out near Kailey and Lulu. Once it was adjusted to her satisfaction, she set her bag down, then dropped herself down, stretching out and enjoying the feel of the sun on her skin. "After I relax a little, of course."

From her bag, she produced a bottle of sunscreen, holding it up. "Taking good care of myself, but thanks for looking out for us, luv."

Hania had been the first to know of what fate befell Brian, but Kailey hadn't kept it a secret from the rest of the group--the fact another senshi, Rigel, someone close to her, had been teleported away by a Negaverse General and corrupted... she'd shared that with them. The fact he was her cousin, well, that came in and out here and there in furious rants and other emotional outbursts, though in calmer, rational moments she was mum.

Who, therefore, knew the full extent of the situation was perhaps a bit more up in the air, but the grand summary was the same--If you meet a Corrupt Sailor Rigel... call me.

For the moment, at least, she could be a normal chick hanging out with friends, enjoying good weather, water, food.... "Yes, mom," she mock drawled, rolling her eyes in an overly dramatic fashion before crouching a little to ruffle the fur on Hania's head. The whole talking cat thing had long become part of her definition of normal.

Cracking open the cooler beside her to grab out a said water bottle and take a swing, she was at the perfect position to see the Mauvian's eyes go wide. Her brows furrowed, and she swallowed quickly, turning a little where she crouched to see what had made him freeze up... only for a highly bemused smile to play across her lips as she caught sight of Lulu now in bikini, sans dress. Huh~

Some part of her was highly, highly tempted to make some blowing joke considering Lulu was dealing with the floatie, but decided against it--instead, she ruffled the cat's fur again, smirking down at him. "Looks like something caught the cat's tongue this time," she murmured with a wink before finishing about half the bottle and putting it back in the cooler.

Blue eyes flickered between Lulu and Abbie--one with the tube to, she assumed, float on, the other relaxing on the beach. She quirked a brow. "You two actually planning on getting wet today?"

Lulu was happy to see both her friends after some time, and both in high spirits for the day as well. She knew things had been hard for them, particularly Kailey. The heartbreak she would feel if something happened to her little brother would be unbearable. While she wasn't as active as at night lately, she was keeping her eyes open when she could.

She was too preoccupied with her donut tube and her thoughts to be aware of the effect she was having on a certain feline. She really should have brought a pump for this thing, but she didn't like to waste money on things like that. Not when her kitchen at home always needed restocking. And new mixing bowls, whisks, and anything else that caught her eye in the store. She had just finished up when Kailey asked if she was planning on getting wet today.

"Of course I'm planning on getting wet! I just like to relax in the water." Although, she had been unaware of the rumors going on about the lake until Abbie said something. She really didn't read the paper or watch the news very often. It tended to be the same outlandish articles, living in Destiny City was certainly never boring.

"People always like to believe in things like that. I guess we'll figure out the truth today." She stood and slipped her tube over her head and around her waist.

"I'll race you to the water!"

The last thing Perrie had expected to receive was an invitation to a party on the new Destiny City Reservoir beach from the talking cat he had met on that weird, high as balls night some time ago with the girls in the cute but odd outfits. He had all but forgotten about them -- between the racing accident that had nearly killed him, to rehab and building up his fitness again, to actually getting back on a racehorse not as an exercise rider but a jockey after everyone said he'd never ride again... He had been a busy young man with no time to think about the funny-looking pen he still carried around with him wherever he went.

Yet here he was, not knowing what to expect from them but not really caring. The racing season was over for the year and he was free to spend his time how he liked. And curiosity had gotten the better of him. Would they remember him? They had called him (or had he called himself?) Sailor Parsifal of Alternatives and said he was one of them. Was he, really?

Rounding the rocks that set the little cove off from the rest of the beach, Perrie grinned and waved. "Look what the cat dragged in! Literally!" he called and gestured to himself as he approached the girls (and the cat was there too -- guess he hadn't hallucinated that part). He was hard to miss: shockingly pink hair, a bright orange tank top, and the ugliest blue and green-flowered board shorts known to man. Picking a spot not too close but not too far from them, he pulled off his backpack, containing dry clothes and a towel, and plopped it on the sand.

"Let's see if I remember... Lulu, Abbie, and Hania? Did I get that right?" He grinned at them as he ticked them off on his fingers. "I'm Perrie, remember me? Parsifal or whatever?"

"Wait, what rumors?" Abbie's words had her laughing outright, giving the other girl a bewildered look that she turned to Lulu, then Alex as they chimed in on the matter. "Is that what they're saying is the creature? I heard it was just some big snake. Figured someone tried releasing an anaconda they couldn't handle any more or something stupid like that." Her eyes rolled, though she found the idea of Destiny City having their own rendition of Nessie being far more appealing than... well, just some big snake. "Man, that'd be fun to go swimming with something like Nessie." Ignoring potential giant teeth, anyway.

Hania's amused offer made her shrug. "If you feel up for it, check that there weren't any sightings too close to us here? I doubt we'll actually run into any trouble, though."

Seeing Lulu was finished with the tube, Kailey got to her feet, stepping into the soft sand with a grin. Moment the purple-haired young woman gave the challenge, Alex was off like a shot, and Kailey snorted, starting after her kid sister and friend when a shocking blob of pink and orange made her skid a little even as her feet splashed into the first six inches of the Reservoir.

Her head tilted owlishly, brow furrowing as she stared at the newcomer--an intruder in her eyes for a moment. She opened her mouth to call out that they were having a private party, till the guy spoke up. Glancing to Hania who confirmed that, yes, this apparently was the other member of their little group she hadn't met yet, she remained still a moment as she eyed the slender fellow.

The water could wait in her book. Not minding how the sand clung to her wet feet, she walked back up the beach towards the stranger who, apparently, was Parsifal of their little motley group. A smile flicked onto her lips as she held out her hand towards him, other hand at her hip. "Heya, haven't had a chance to meet yet. Hania's mentioned meeting you, nice to do the same. Name's Kailey, double as Morgan."




-----



Far further down the beach, hidden among a small cove of rocks...


Hot weather and sunny days meant for one thing: people wanted to go swimming. That there were rumors of a serpentine-like creature lurking around in the Reservoir certainly didn't do much to sway people from visiting the sparkling waters. It meant for easy targets, really. People enjoying themselves enough that they weren't noticing the extra energy being siphoned off, or even the poor misadventure resulting in a tragic drowning... though, for Seraphinite, that latter option was something he was restrictive of. The youma he primarily summoned were ordered to refrain from outright killing or even attacking people if they could avoid it... unless he gave further orders.

Cold eyes glanced to the two corrupt senshi that accompanied him.

He had more faith in the youma to follow orders, and the thought made the muscles in his jaw tense.

Standing in his full length uniform and the black part tactical gear, part armor that became incorporated into it upon being promoted to his current rank, Captain Seraphinite wasn't entirely fond of standing about in the sunshine. The black swords were unsummoned at that moment, leaving the holsters at his hips empty. For the moment, he was dealing with not only Rigel, someone he was at least becoming used to, but also a second corrupt, Lionel. Sand crunched beneath his boots just as his teeth ground together. Why he kept having to deal with more senshi, he didn't fully comprehend.

"Being in uniform during the daytime is not a common occurrence for many agents," he stated instead, once both corrupts seemed to be ready to begin. "There's no easy cover, and ideally, we don't want to be caught on camera by civilians. That being said. There's plenty of civilians around to gather energy from for your quotas, if you have the right tools." He paused, considering the corrupts a moment before adding, "Not that a youma would be keen to listen to your orders, and likely would try to attack you instead, but work with another agent, and it's possible for you both to walk away with largely filled quotas from the same youma."

Turning towards the sparkling waters of the lake, he marched forward, ignoring as the waves began to lap at his boots. "Do not engage with any civilians while we are out, understood? Make up some excuse to your appearance if you need to. If you want to target anyone for their starseed, consult me, first. If I grant you permission, you may proceed. Otherwise, leave the civilian be. Don't, and I will have no problem handling you myself." His voice was deep and cold as his pale eyes, barely offering them another glance before he held his hand out towards the water before him. Though he stood in shallow water, there was a rapid drop off not far ahead of him, part of why he chose this area to summon anything.

Summoning a youma was still... new to him. He didn't enjoy relying on them. But he understood, at times, their usefulness.

Before him, the water began to grow dark, bubbling and splashing as if something massive was thrashing around beneath it. Dark energy waves licked the surface as the mass formed a long, almost serpentine shape. The bulk of it occupied the deeper water, a slender neck and head reaching into the shallows where Seraphinite stood. It almost curled around him, red eyes gleaming from beneath the water up at the agent. "Collect energy from the swimmers," he told the creature, his voice firm, though faintly less severe than it was to the senshi he'd been addressing moments before. "Do not attack them, though feel free to play with them and increase their fear for you to draw off."

A low sound caused vibrations to form ripples along the water, and the man crouched down briefly, his broad form casting a shadow across the creature's head as his hand dipped into the water. The scales were smooth against his hand as he gently pat its head before he stood once more. The youma uncurled its neck from around his feet and slid into the water, vanishing into the depths. Seraphinite in turn began to walk back out of the water, squeezing some droplets out of his sleeve.

Glancing up towards Rigel, he gave a brief nod.


---


When he heard that they were going to the DC Reservoir, Cabhan got excited. He'd been hoping to take his camera and perhaps get some good shots of the lake, maybe even see if he could get something he could use in a video talking about the cryptid that was currently in the news.

Not that he'd any intention of going into the water--or really being out in the sun much in general, eh. But still. He'd grabbed up his camera nonetheless, and had been grinning, prattling on to Jericho about the stories going around, and other similar lore from other regions of the world that were way more likely to be accurate... the older man hadn't snapped at him or rolled his eyes, but they hadn't driven to the Reservoir itself. Instead, they stopped in at a strip mall that gave them easy access to power up and head over to the location where they met with another corrupt, Lionel. Rigel had perked up immediately, though he continued to sulk a little about the general loss of a chance to record freely. "Can't I record something? You know I won't keep any footage with any of us in the frame," he'd said at one point, regardless of other ears besides Seraphinite's that were present. The small camera hung from a thick cord around his neck and was tucked safely under the threading of his corset.

The Captain had drilled him on what, then, he'd even want to record, which got Rigel onto a rambling string again concerning the stories around the Nessie-like creature supposedly spotted there, and how he'd enjoy getting shots of the lake that he could use on that topic. Seraphinite had given a low hum, but said nothing further, and Rigel gave a heavy sigh as he fell back to linger by the other corrupt. "He's a grump, but he means well," he said to the other, blue eyes all the brighter in the sunlight. "Have you worked with other agents like that yet?"

Once they reached the beach though, he tried to pull some of the dark fabric of his hood down around his bare arms and shoulders, annoyed at the heat. Though he remained quiet during Seraphinite's quick lecture, nodding along here and there, he perked up as the Captain began to walk into the water and actually began to summon something. His fingers itched to turn on the camera, but he stopped himself, fidgeting with the bones that protruded from his corset instead. He watched, fascinated, as the creature was pulled through a dark mass beneath the water, and actually interacted calmly with the Captain. "Oh! So they can be friendly? Oh, that's so unfair." The wistful look on his face was unmistakable--Rigel was a fan of the monsters.

As he watched the youma begin to slip off--and really, what a perfect youma it was for their location!--he caught the sharp look Seraphinite gave him, the youth glowing with glee as he quickly moved over to turn on the camera and catch some footage of the dark, serpentine shape vanishing into the deep water. "Yes! This is gonna be fun!"

Abbie rolled her eyes fondly, watching Alex and Lulu book it towards the water. Their exuberance made her want to throw herself in, so she pushed off her beach towel and stretched, but before she could take off all the way, there was someone approaching.

"Perrie!" She said, delightedly, waving at him. "It's great to see you again! Been far too long, friend," she said, and she turned back to the water.

"Anyway, you know how weird things get in this city, Kailey. You look me in the face and tell me you'd be surprised to see Nessie rise out of those waters. Unhappy, I'm sure, but not surprised. You're right, though, probably just a pet snake or some nonsense." There was definitely nothing to worry about, right? Especially since the others seemed to be having fun in the water so far.

So she sashayed forward, wading into the lake and letting the cool water lap at her calves. "Oh, this is so nice."

Lionel wasn't much used to playing with other kiddies in the Negaverse, but then, he wasn't much of a good soldier anyway. So far, he thought he could get to like Rigel; the kid's enthusiasm was endearing, and he really did seem to want to think the best of the situation. And then there was Seraphinite, who....was Lionel's superior officer. Significantly more important than that, he had the ability to reach into Lionel's chest and ******** up his whole day, and that was most of what was currently keeping him in line.

Not that the urge to snark wasn't bubbling up in him, but he quashed it.

"Not agents, much," he said, "but people like that, plenty. My boss at the auto shop is that way."

He watched the youma warily--Lionel didn't trust the creatures, and certainly wasn't as enthused about them as Rigel. Still, they had their uses. Uses that were much more present with an actual officer.

"So the plan is to let the monster scare up some folks, and to borrow any energy we can get our hands on, then? Easy enough."