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 Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 6:30 pm
Everything was going well, and Karone was happy for it. The three lovebirds were curled up together in Priam’s room, taking their time to just talk and mesh together again. They obviously needed it, and there was no way that Karone was going to stop the meshing.
Besides, the couch was comfortable enough, and they had given her full control of the television remote and Oreo wanted to cuddle, so she was utterly and completely content laying there, just waiting for the food to be delivered, and for this...this guardian cat to come hang out for a while.
It had been a good idea at the time, rather brilliant if she was going to be exceptionally kind to herself but…
Now she was a little nervous. What if the cat didn’t like her. Or what if he insisted that they purify right away? She still had things that had to be done. Letters that she had to write to herself...plans to make.
When the knock on the door came, she jumped, startling Oreo from her arms. Well...at least the food was here...that was a good thing.
“I got it!” Karone called, not wanting to interrupt the boys until she had the food in hand, and went to the door, grinning. “Hey! I--Evan?”
Blinking rapidly, Karone tilted her head. “...They ordered food from you? I...didn’t realize you delivered!” Oh god. It was going to be a very good dinner, then.[quote="BlackSageTea']
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 7:38 pm
Evan was bundled up completely, in a thick winter jacket that looked like someone with a lot of money loved him very much. He had on the staples, a scarf and gloves and hat, and he was carefully balancing three very large bags of food. "Um. I don't usually deliver. I don't actually even know if they ordered from me. Is there a reason you're hiding behind the door frame like that? --If you're worried about the cold, let me get out of the way soon. I didn't know you lived here?"
"She doesn't!" came a muffled, albeit loud voice from one of the bags. "Give her the bags and go home, Evan! The point is to be discreet!"
Evan looked a little confused and shifted a bit. "...Um. Okay. So..."
He cast an inquisitive look between her and the bags and began to pass them over.
"So the good news is," he said into the scarf wrapped snugly around him, "you get to meet Sol now. Be careful with this bag," he said, and it was clear why, because when you looked into it there was a very large Mauvian curled up and hiding.
"And, the bad news is, nobody is here to cushion the blow, because I've got to leave so this doesn't look suspicious, I guess? Unless you usually invite your delivery boys in."
He didn't wait for an answer and carefully passed over the second bag. "This is all a front, the delivery was his idea. But I don't think he even asked what any of you wanted, so I did my best to pick my most popular things. A lot of grilled cheese, like, twenty. Soup. Oh, there's macaroni and cheese. And fries, because, you know how I feel about the cheesy fries. All he told me was that the house might be under watch and he needs to be snuck in. Do you guys need anything, are you safe? --I mean, you know, um. How many people I know."
His teeth were nearly chattering but he was working hard to get the words out as he shifted on the doorstep, like such a tiny action would somehow bring warmth.
Soleiyu was having none of this chatter; he pressed more into the layer of warm grilled cheese sandwiches at the bottom of his back, trying to soak up the heat as he lay curled up in the bag.
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 8:00 pm
Karone felt such a case of warm fuzzies at this whole, silly situation. “It’s a wonderful idea. I’m sorry that I can’t invite you in right now, but I’ll come and kidnap you sometime soon, how about that? Then you can meet everyone too!” She carefully took both bags, holding the one with the Mauvian inside of it very carefully. “Thank you for the delivery, I’ll get your number and give you a call sometime, if that’s all right? Or I’ll come and pick up food.”
Whatever worked. She just...wanted to talk to him more.
“And, just for reference, you cutie pie, I do live here now. They’re letting me stay, so thank you, have a wonderful night.”
She gave Evan a quick wink and nodded to the money taped to the door. “Your tip, good sir. See you later!”
And with that, she did close the door, though she didn’t want to be rude, but the cat had a point. Being covert might be the best thing right now...even though it sucked.
Karone would have given anything to introduce Evan to Yu...but there would be time later.
Carrying the bags to the coffee table, she set them down and reached in, gently lifting the large cat and looking him over. “...You are so fluffy, I want to just pet you forever.”
She hoped he wouldn’t scratch her...hoped that they could be friends. “...Hey, guys? Food’s here and our cat friend!”
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 8:09 pm
Evan lingered for only a moment; he didn't need the tip, but awkwardly took the money anyway. This was an act.
...And it was a good thing he was wearing a scarf, because he was worried if someone saw him, he'd slip up.
Soleiyu had far less difficulties, however; his 'act' had done. He'd played the part of food, and now he could come out. He was too noble, too majestic, to hiss at her--and he liked the attention.
"You're a Negaverse Agent?" he asked. "And the other one's here too? I've heard all about you both already, if that's the case. You showed up and bothered Evan in his food truck," he assessed, but he wasn't really hostile or pushy about it.
He'd heard, of course. The house had been bustling with the news, partly because it was something good--and partly because it could result in something very bad if things weren't carried out properly.
He stayed still, allowing her to continue petting him. "My name is Soleiyu. But I'm sure everyone's already told you." His tail swished lazily behind him despite how on edge he was, at least until he could confirm that this wasn't some sort of trap. "And I'm here to help. Though, I don't exactly have the agenda on hand. What's going on? --Who's here, is Sterling all right?"
He was a Mauvian, he had a million questions--and no issue with asking them all at once.
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 8:31 pm
Karone nodded. “I’m...General Cavansite. I had no idea that you’d...you’d be involved with Evan and the others...this...is all coming together a little too nicely, I’m starting to get a little worried. Like it was all some grand plan or something…” She stroked between his ears and flopped back onto the couch, giving a sigh. “Um. I’m here, Yu, he’s the other one who’s going to purify. He’s one of my kids. I brought him into this...and he came to me asking for help when he found out about Sterling. He’s okay, by the way. Sterling. And so is Priam. They’re all cuddling together, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re crying too, you know how emotions can get.”
Sighing, Karone closed her eyes for a moment. “As for what’s going on, Yu has someone from his past who’s been targeting them all, you know. Burning down houses, tossing people off of rooftops...so I had the bright idea that obviously Yu shouldn’t be here, he teleported in, but that’s just...an energy nightmare, but I know that you cats can help to dampen it so...Yu and I can come and go maybe...and that Michael won’t ever realize. I’ll be staying here to watch over everyone because ******** that.” She scoffed. “This is my family now. Nobody’s going to take them away from me. And. Um. We want to get out of the Negaverse once that’s all taken care of. So that...you know. More bad stuff doesn’t happen.”
Her fingers were curled into his fur and she sighed, utterly content.
Sterling had gotten up, giving a little smile. “Food and Soleiyu? Yes please.” He kissed both of his partners on the lips and tugged them out of bed, so grateful that he was able to do that again. He had to keep reminding himself that everything was okay again. That they were home...that things were going to be all right.
He was starting to believe it, at least.
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 8:50 pm
“Ahhhh, god, moving sounds awful though.” Yu grumbled without heat or rancor. He let himself be tugged up at the price of the kiss. “I’m up, I’m up...” he shuffled towards the kitchen and took a deep breath of the wealth of warm cheese in all its glory. He was half rubbing his eyes from dozing when he saw the cat, and froze. “Oh man.... please don’t smack me around again. One beat down from a cat was embarrassing enough.” He groaned with shoulders sagging. Right before he realizes that the cat probably didn’t recognize him out of his ‘uniform’. Maybe if he just grabbed some of the food and played it off.
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2021 9:50 pm
Soleiyu had heard the name, but it was like confirmation of things settling. He didn't like to hear that his Knights might be having emotions, but at least they were happy, and together.
"...A different Michael? Or my Michel? Is he causing trouble again?" he asked, and might have sounded displeased at the idea that he had to work--if not for the fact that he was clearly delighted to be so needed.
Probably a different Michel, or Zac never would have let Priam deliver him anywhere.
He was in the middle of enjoying Karone stroking his fur when the others entered, and it was so good to see Sterling up and moving.
Priam had followed in behind the group, taking a bit longer to clean his glasses and settle them on his face, but before he could greet him, the others did.
The Mauvian tilted his head as they entered, and he squinted at Yu. He'd been in this house before. He'd talked Knightly things here, before. Right under his nose.
He didn't know who Yu was, not powered. It didn't matter. He squinted at him and answered, "Well, if you've learned your lesson, I suppose I'll forgive you. But if you misbehave, I'll have no choice but to repeat it." His face relaxed. "Besides. You're going to purify. No matter what? You'd give up anything to be out of the Negaverse?" he prompted.
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Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 6:20 pm
Karone smiled warmly at the trio, still petting Soleiyu. “Michel was the angry one, right? The one who used to be a part of our side before too...he...is the guy that turned Evan into a youma?” She sighed and reached into the bag for a sandwich, unwrapping it and taking a bite. “God, he hates me. With good reason of course but...if Evan can forgive me, I hope that he will too. We’re committed to this, Kitty Cat, I promise you. I’ve made sure of it...I’ve told far too many of your side...there’s no turning back for me, and I wouldn’t be able to stop you all.”
She realized that that might sound just a little…bad...but it was meant to be reassuring. “...Besides, I can snuggle you easier and for longer if I’m not with the Negaverse, so, that’s always a good thing.”
Her eyes flickered to Yu and she smiled warmly, taking another bite of her sandwich. Sterling watched Soleiyu and nodded fervently. “Yu woudln’t say something and not follow through. He’s not that kind of a person. I trust him with my heart and soul, so please don’t worry about him. Priam and I are excited for him and Karone to leave that...that organization and come to live with us. Well. For Karone to live with us. Yu already does.”
He squeezed the male’s hand and rested his head on his shoulder for a minute. “You can trust them both, I promise.” He squeezed Priam’s hand and grinned at him, the sparkle that had been so absent during the days of Yu’s absence back in his eyes.
“...you could live with us too, you know. We have the room, Sol, and we do adore you.”
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Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 6:30 pm
“I’d…. rather not forget chunks of my life, but I don’t think I get a real say in that.” He replied honestly. He wanted to make sure that Sterling and Priam knew that risk too…that he might, to save them… forget them. “But I’m sure as hell not turning them into officers… I’m…doing this. The only thing I want to do is find the Michael I know …who still HAS to be in the Negaverse, and show him what for. Otherwise, he’ll just keep coming for them to get to me… “ He hesitated and rubbed the back of his neck. “Which isn’t me running away. Priam said he’d help too… make sure he was dealt with. I know you guys could too just… I should have done something like this a long time ago. I’m not running away from swapping to your side of things, I just have to finish things, or I might forget, and then we’d really be S.O.L.” He squeezed hands in return, because if nothing else it could hide the nerves about doing this, all of it… no matter how much it needed to happen. If something else happened to Priam or Sterling? ….well… He wasn’t sure he could take it.
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Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 7:07 pm
"Oh, please," Soleiyu huffed, tail swishing still. "You have two dogs. Back home, I only have to worry about one, and he spends most of his time making sure Evan's keeping calm. Yours."
He looked at Penny and Odie, who were eagerly looking up at him--and the food, tails wagging.
"...Yours are a little friendlier. Though, I'll stop by when I'm feeling unappreciated back home."
He seemed to be accepting that Yu was serious and watched him. Karone had figured out enough, he didn't need to tell her she was spot on. He didn't reprimand her for calling him Kitty Cat either, which was a bigger accomplishment than he knew he'd get credit for.
Priam was quiet as he listened, partially to Soleiyu, but mostly to Yu.
He didn't want him to forget. The light had just come back into Sterling's eyes, he didn't want to watch it flicker away, to watch them have to start all over. He didn't want to think if Yu would be the same person, without memories, one way or the other.
He squeezed his hand reassuringly. "It's okay," he said, maybe out of habit. He believed it, in any case. "...No more running, we know. Just tactics. And when...when you leave the Negaverse," it felt like poison in his mouth to say, that Yu could have ever been a victim of it, "We'll be here with you. Whatever you forget, we'll make new memories. But I'm sure you won't forget the important things."
Like Sterling. Like him.
Soleiyu watched Yu, seeming to understand.
"...No, that's a smart idea. No unfinished business. I'm staying here for a while to make sure you can teleport in and out safely?" he asked. "From what I've inferred, at least. I started putting up some cameras and my own personal security. Just to make sure I knew if anything was happening over here. But it's better if I'm staying. Better if we're all staying. I'd like to see whoever's been causing all these problems taken care of. I won't let any of mine get hurt, if I can help it," he said, and looked to Priam and Sterling instinctively.
He had adopted them. Like he suspected he'd be adopting Karone and Yu, too. Knights were not his forte, but it didn't mean he felt protective, anyway.
Partly, because he believed in the goal, in what they could accomplish together.
Partly, because he liked the attention.
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Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2021 7:22 pm
Karone nodded. “We’ll deal with the memory loss. We’re going to write very long, very detailed letters to ourselves...I think you two should write some to Yu as well, just so he has something tangible to hold on to. It’ll be...confusing, but we’re all together so we’ll be able to muddle through. My friends...the um. Well, Sol’s friends. That’s what they did, I guess. And it sounds like a pretty good idea. And if Yu doesn’t forget you...then it’s just a fantastic love letter that he gets to read...and who doesn’t enjoy love letters?”
She knew she should just keep her mouth shut and keep chewing but…
She could help. Maybe.Sterling really hadn’t focused on the whole aspect of Yu forgetting things. Karone too, for that matter...and honestly? He hated the idea. It wasn’t something he wanted to deal with at all. But...Priam was right. They would make new memories and...he would still remember Yu...so long as Yu still fell in love with them both again...it would all be okay. He hesitated and reached out for Yu’s hand with his other thand before he could think better of it, squeezing it tightly in both for a moment. “Priam’s...Priam’s right we’ll be with you. And we’ll make new memories. And by the time you two leave...Michael will be nothing but a terrible memory and we’ll be able to…”
He wrinkled his nose. “...Well. Not laugh about it but...think about it without being afraid of what’s coming next, and that’s pretty important, I think.”
At the very least it would allow for peaceful night sleeps. For the three of them to live in peace without worrying that someone was going to burn the house over their heads.
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