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 Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 12:00 pm
The park, it was the core of so many things. Maybe not a shock that that was where they found themselves in the hopes of… finding Cosmos? Summoning Cosmos? He rubbed his arms and glanced around like maybe someone mysterious and powerful would appear. Maybe like… tinker bell, but like… with ‘cosmos’ powers. Whatever cosmos powers were like overall. So this was it though… this was the night that, if all went well, he was going to forget… something. Some unknown part of his life gone forever. But, he’d never half to worry he’d hurt Sterling or Priam again, it was worth it, no matter the cost. “So Um… anyone know how we call uh…Cosmos? Or is it like…click your heels three times and say ‘purify me before the higher-ups find out?”
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:10 pm
Cavansite gave a sigh, leaning against Parisite and nudging him gently. “How the heck should I know? I’m pretty well versed in a lot of things but...I’ve never…” She waved a hand, snorting at his implication of them clicking their heels. It made more sense than whatever was going on in her own head but.
But idle thoughts and confusion would get them exactly nowhere.
“I met a Cosmos Knight once who seemed like he knew her...though of course I have absolutely no contact information for him and am yet again utterly useless.” She was never nervous like this. It was a strange situation to be in, and honestly, she didn’t like it. Cavansite was used to being on top of things.
With a sigh she rested closer. “...Maybe we can just...I don’t know. Do we pray? Like it’s a deity?” Was Cosmos a deity?
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:11 pm
Qingcheng stood on Parisite’s other side, slipping a hand into his and pursing his lips. “You have both written your letters, we’re ready for this, right?”
Obviously they were ready. They had worked towards this, but he was nervous. scared. If Yu really did forget them...or if he came through this and didn’t...didn’t feel the same.
The very thought made his stomach twist and churn unpleasantly, and he squeezed the Captain’s hand tightly for a moment. “...We’ll go home after this, and eat the cake I made, and have the sundaes and...start our new lives.”
Or, they would start their new lives, and Priam and Sterling would be there to pick up whatever shattered pieces remained.
..Ilya too. God. He had never felt so nervous before. This...wasn’t a feeling that he enjoyed.
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 6:02 pm
Soleiyu sighed, exasperated. "I know for a fact you talked to two agents who purified, and you're lucky the both of them didn't follow you over here to make sure you didn't chicken out." He had come for more reasons than just to suppress energy signatures--the above reason, included. He had too many people he cared about at risk; he was going to see this through to the end.
He had recruited as many people as he could to help out; there were a number of his Senshi patrolling the distant outskirts, and said purified agents were among them.
If someone was going to attack, they were going to have backup, and Soleiyu was making sure that everyone doing rounds around them were making sure they wouldn't have any interruptions.
Nalanda walked next to Sterling, quiet and anxious. He didn't like this, he wanted to just find some alternative. The thought that this little life they'd all built could just come crashing down in an instant hurt worse than any car or pavement ever could, and if it meant that Yu could stay himself, he would have jumped off that building again.
If it meant they could keep him, if he could remember them, he'd have done just about anything. He heard Soleiyu speaking, but the words were muffled a bit. He was having a hard time focusing his vision. Being powered up and injured was both good and bad; Soleiyu had promised he'd heal quicker if he was powered, but it also meant that they might be more likely to find trouble.
Two agents were purifying. Naturally, he was terrified that the Negaverse had found out and they were going to have to fight for their freedom. Why else would Soleiyu have so many people in the area? Nalanda couldn't feel them, but twice something had come up on the outskirts of his radar. Always Order. Still, it was that split second of comprehension that made his heart stop.
Nalanda didn't know if he'd feel better with more backup or not; they could have had Ilya here, but with his fever and general lack of care, the wisest thing had been for him to stay home. He would have been here if they'd asked, but he respected that request all the same.
Good or bad, at least there was someone at home holding down the fort.
Soleiyu continued, "Cosmos shows up when she's needed. So you have to really mean your purification. Here, we can stop walking. Here is safe, nice and open. You'll have to stop talking, all of you. You'll have to close your eyes and focus. Really look inward. You have to--well, I suppose the closest thing to compare it to--is pray. She's always listening. If you want to escape the Negaverse, you just have to ask for help."
The pit in Nalanda's stomach sank more and he wanted to hold Parisite too, wanted to to squeeze him, wanted to preserve every memory they shared. Instead, he just tried to keep his face from looking so despaired.
He had given a hundred reassurances that this would be fine, and now that it was time, he just wanted to cry. He had faith. He had to have faith.
...He was just used to being let down.
He prayed for the best, expected the worst, and tried to be strong for everyone else.
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 6:29 pm
“Yeah well, I also talked to Cinnamon-stick and he said I was incapable of love and I think his brain shorted out when I said I was gonna try and join you.” Yu countered. If anyone asked, and he hoped they wouldn’t, Ilya’s pep talk had helped a lot, so had everyone’s …. but he still felt like he might throw up on his stupid boots, or more likely the really stupid pants. “And I do have the letter… It’s…a better letter than the one I used to carry at least.” He said glancing around, and then realized he wasn’t sure he’d ever told them about ‘the other letter’. Maybe that was for the best. Pray for purification, okay… that was a thing. He wasn’t exactly the religious type, yeah he’d used various things in profanity but… he’d also begged the nameless beyond sometimes to just get him through. Or at least, he had in the past. It had been a while. But… what if he didn’t mean it enough. What if he didn’t -anything- enough, that was the whispering doubt. He wanted it, he really did, but how did you know what ‘enough’ was. If he looked ‘inside’, if Cosmos looked inside, what if it wasn’t…enough? He squeezed Qingcheng’s hand, reached out, and did the same to Nalanda. He couldn’t help it. If he forgot, at least he’d start a new life with his hand in theirs. He wasn’t sure how else to pray, so… he squeezed his eyes shut and tried to show how much he wanted it to the Cosmos. He couldn’t stay in the Negaverse, it would mean Priam and Sterling forgot, maybe him, maybe each other. He couldn’t kill them either… He’d give up everything just to have them safe. He’d give up so much to see Karone stay so much happier, to give her a home outside of that cold office. He felt a twist of regret, thinking about Gizmondine. But maybe… on the other side of things, they could meet again. Maybe he should have done more, but maybe it was better not to risk the poor young man. He wanted out… so he could be the sort of person that got talked to, like the people he’d spoken to. For everyone he cared about, as improbable a life, as he had found, he’d protect it.
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 6:56 pm
Cavansite furrowed her brows and made a face at Soleiyu, sticking her tongue out for a moment. “...You’re very lucky you’re so cute, and that I’m in a good mood. If this was the me of...I don’t know. A while ago. I would have retaliated for that. I’m not chicken. And I made sure to...tell way too many people who I was to chicken out now. I want this, kitty cat.”
She drew herself away from Parisite and swallowed. “...I want this more than I know how to properly articulate. And...I’ve wanted it for a long time. I just...haven’t let myself want it for a while. Since...there was all of the fuss with…”
The General shook her head. “Anyway, that doesn’t matter, it’s in the past and doesn’t matter. So. Let’s get this over with, shall we?”
Closing her eyes, Cavansite began...well. She didn’t want to call it praying...but she didn’t know what else it could be called. Begging Cosmos for her aid?
..Begging for help to get out of this mess. To start over. To be with the people she cared about.
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2021 6:57 pm
Looking over at Nalnda, Qingcheng squeezed his hand and blew out a breath. “..It’s going to be okay.” He murmured, trying to be quiet enough so as not to break Cavansite’s apparent concentration. “...We’ve prepared for this...we’ve wanted this...this is...the only thing that can be done.”
He won’t forget us. God, if only he could say those words with certainty. If only he could believe them with his whole heart...but.
He didn’t know if that would be the case...and he was terrified if it turned out that it wouldn’t be the case.
The squire bit his lip and closed his own eyes, squeezing the hands of both his boyfriends and beginning his own quiet stream of begging to Cosmos. Hoping that she would hear...and wouldn’t let Yu forget them.
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 7:36 am
Soleiyu looked at the sorry group and was grateful that he was smaller and harder to read. He wasn't sure he could give the same hopeful commentary, but he was smart enough to know to keep his mouth shut.
Parisite had his boyfriends to cling to, but Cavansite was a little lacking in the support category. He sighed heavily and moved to sit at her feet; he rested against one leg and let his tail curl around the other.
He didn't know what the future had in store for her, but he wasn't going to let her face it alone.
Nalanda nodded and presented a nearly convincing smile to Parisite and Qingcheng each as he squeezed their hands. He didn't speak; he didn't trust his voice wouldn't betray him.
It didn't matter if this was the best thing--the only thing--they could do.
He couldn't do more than offer support. He was there now, and he'd be there in the future, no matter the outcome of this. He'd stay for as long as he was welcome to.
He wasn't a religious man, but he prayed, as he had done in the nights leading up to this, too. He prayed to anyone who would listen, harder than he ever had, no matter how foolish he felt about it. There was nothing he could do to affect this outcome except resolve himself to see what came of it.
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:56 am
The night was cold and the stars in the sky seemed so much sharper. They twinkled, sometimes slowly and sometimes erratically. Nothing seemed abnormal until one seemed to move. It shimmered oddly and while it was not completely unlike a shooting star, the light that trailed after it seemed colorful and hazy and lingered for a few seconds. It blinked from existence--and then, Cosmos stood before them. She arrived with staff in hand and while her expression was unreadable, she gripped it as if she were prepared to use it. One agent was standard. Two, not so much, but a quick survey of the group indicated that the Chaos was still outnumbered. "You require assistance," she acknowledged. "...Your starseeds were calling." Her voice echoed slightly and she took stock of the two Cosmos Squires, briefly. Her attention was back on the agents. "...It is not often that two call me, together. I suspect you are genuine in your desire to purify, and I do not wish to turn my back on you. I will help, if you are asking me for it, but this will require more energy than I am able to give on my own without risking damage to myself. I don't ask it often, but." She looked at the Squires, holding the Captain's hands. The way the Mauvian sat next to the General expectantly. "...I imagine I would have your full support if I asked you to lend me your strength to purge the chaos. Would you grant me that?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 11:49 am
Parisite glanced at the others, nervous now for new reasons - maybe foolish reasons but there has been more than enough time in hospitals of late. “It won’t... it won’t hurt them, right?” Maybe it was a s**t way to start this out, but he needed to know. “Should we have done this... separately? He glanced at Karone, she was stronger than him, surely that meant this would be harder to help her. Why hasn’t he thought of that before? He bit hard at his lip. “S-sorry. We do want to do this I just ...” he took in a breath and let it out carefully. He’d just... prayed and this ‘person’ had heard them. “It’s been a rough week, Miss Cosmos Ma’am.”
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:19 pm
Cosmos was there. Suddenly. Cavansite’s eyes snapped open and she looked at the ethereal woman with something that was a mixture between fear and utter reverence.
Parisite had pulled away from her, but it was only natural that he should be with his boyfriends...and...Soleiyu had come to sit beside her...and that made the General almost want to cry. It was so…kind.
Cavansite continued to simply gaze at Cosmos and finally had enough mental capacity to begin to use her words.
“M-my Lady--” ...That was an interesting title to use. But it felt right. “...If it’s too much, and if they’re not willing, I can wait. Please. Help Parisite first, He needs it. He needs the safety and security of being free of chaos. I…”
Her gaze dropped again as she thought of the Cosmos Knights she had hurt. That she had killed. It…
It made her feel a little sick, suddenly.
“I can wait. Another day or so will make no difference…”
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:20 pm
Qingcheng was pleased and humbled that she had heard them. Had heard them calling for her and here she was. The one he was supposed to serve, he supposed.
She was beautiful, and felt...comforting and just a little familiar.
She felt like home.
But then of course the disaster siblings began talking and it took all of Sterling’s patience not to roll his eyes and walk over to cuff Cavansite on the head, as well as the same for Parisite.
God, they were all far too noble for words...and it was a little sickening if he thought too hard about it. “Yes. Take whatever you need from us. We’ve worked too hard to get to this point to back out now. You wouldn’t hurt Nalanda and I...I can feel that much at least.” Qingcheng squeezed both of the hands he held.
“No arguments from you.” He said to Parisite, and then his eyes slid to Cavansite. “Or you. Shut up and let us help you. It’s why we’re here.” Now that this was really happening, it was nice to channel his nerves into...into doing something. He felt that now there was a purpose for him being here.
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 5:41 pm
In a way, Nalanda was grateful that Qingcheng had been so insistent so he didn't have to. He wanted this over with; he didn't think he could spend another night waiting. If something went wrong with Yu, if Cavansite chickened out...
They couldn't take risks. They were at the end of the line, and this chapter had to end now. Tonight. He would have given nearly anything if she'd asked, if it meant they could all go home safely and put this behind them.
"Feisty," Soleiyu hummed from Cavansite's feet, but he didn't protest either. His tail twitched occasionally but he remained firm where he stood.
"You may have all that I can give," he said, but his voice was so soft he couldn't even hear it, himself.
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 5:42 pm
Cosmos watched the group silently, almost impassively. The offer of energy made something on her face relax, though it was faint and almost undetectable. "Another day or so can make all the difference. We will do this tonight, then. I assume you have prepared." She dismissed her staff and held out her arms, bracing herself and placing a light touch on Parisite's and Cavansites's chest. "Place your hand over mine," she said to the Squires. "Open your hearts to me," she instructed to the group. Purification required a want to leave the Chaos behind, and she could feel it. She could hear the desperate cry of their starseeds, choked by Chaos and aching for freedom. She was the light in the darkness, tucked away in a far corner of the Universe and reserved for nights like this. Nights when the darkness lost its grip. Her hands were warm and her touched reached their starseeds without ever puncturing their chests. Her expression was firm and her demeanor unwavering. She had a strength of her own, but now more than ever she seemed exhausted--and she needed the support of the Squires. When their hands were placed over hers, they would not feel pain, they would not feel tired. Not yet, at least. Their energy would channel with hers--chipping away at Metallia's grip.
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 6:29 pm
Parisite gave a glance towards Cavansite, that sort of anxiety that the both of them could share at that moment. The knowledge that they would lose, swaths of their lives with no idea what, or how much. Strange sort of evening, the feeling that they were part of the great black spaces of the night, but now, there was a star before them, and….well, her knights. Knights that served the idea of her. Points of light in the dark, making it seem less overwhelming. He offered up what he hoped was a…hopeful smile. They’d gotten this far, they made it… there was only the purification last step, and they would be safe. Or as safe as one could be when you were in a war. But at least he could stand by Priam, and Sterling. At least despite the scolding which had made him smile sheepishly, they’d be together.
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