|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2021 12:09 pm
He'd mentioned only once, and only to Albite, how much he ate to survive. Between a furnace for a stomach and all the physical activity inherent in being an agent, Faustite couldn't understand how it surprised that one. Likewise, he didn't think Albite fully contextualized how hamstringing it was to need ten thousand calories a day.
Tonight, he'd managed six thousand and felt sluggish for it. The youma parts of him tried their level damndest to emulate hunger, but it felt like a consistent, spreading burn. He understood what the youma meant; he understood that they'd been traveling long, searching for energy, and while they made a wealth of it that he hadn't managed in a while, it left him utterly famished. It left him starving, and dizzy, and weak.
It left him at the edge of a building in a business park, eyeing the street below that bordered the shared parking lot, wondering if he wanted to suffer the tuck-and-roll despite his head, or take the easy way out and tier his descent with something else. A tree would do, if he didn't set it on fire.
He looked to the other side, spotted a food truck. Looked open, too — in the late evening, its bright lights splayed out like a cloud on the sidewalk. One shadow was still, probably waiting for customers. Faustite guessed the surrounding businesses were nine-to-five gigs for there to be no patrons this late, but that individual wouldn't have to keep waiting. As long as they weren't too picky about what their customers looked like.
He dropped, landed on the roof of the food truck, then hopped the short distance to the ground near its exhaust pipe. Metal heels announced him, if the initial thump hadn't, as he paced around the corner to the front of the truck.
Smelled of rich cheese, fresh dairy, perhaps roasted brisket, too. Faustite decided he'd eat everything in the damn truck if he could, but he had enough restraint in him left to follow the typical human protocols.
"Hi," he started, as flame eyes bored into the (assumed) cook expectantly. "Still open?"
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 5:55 pm
The incredibly loud thud of something on the roof of the food truck made Evan pray that a tree branch had fallen on it, but the sound of fabric moving and someone there ruined that. His heart seized in his chest and he stood upright, absolutely frantic at the sight of what he assumed to be a half-youma.
He wasn’t in any position to power up, but all he could think about was a hand in his chest and Chaos.
Really, it was his own fault for being out, alone. He said he’d be fine for a while, and he could have just packed up--it was a slow enough night--but he’d gotten distracted on his phone and--
“Yes?” he answered, with absolute uncertainty--as if there had been any other answer, though.
Even if he had succeeded in effectively cleaning and closing up, he’d have probably still scrambled to throw something together.
His heart was pounding so loudly that he could barely hear his own voice and he felt like someone had shoved cotton down his throat. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to say--was he supposed to act more scared or less scared? What was less suspicious?
Would he even have time to power up if he had to?
“Uh, what can I get you?” he asked; he wasn’t quite sure where to look, so he just stared into Faustite’s eyes like he physically couldn’t look anywhere else.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2021 5:21 am
This one looked pallid, wet with a cold sweat that would leave him shivering in the summer heat. Likely shivered around all those hot appliances, too. Faustite hoped he wouldn't faint over the griddle — he'd much rather a grilled cheese sandwich than a face sandwich.
"Food," he answered succinctly, banking on the irritatingly vague answer to keep the boy's heart going. He stepped closer to the open window. "Anything cheap with a lot of calories." Which would be, by his estimate, anything on the menu but the broccoli and cheddar soup. All of it buttery, cheesy, rich with artery-clogging calories and Faustite hadn't the anatomy or lifespan to care about a myocardial infarction. "It'll all taste the same to me.
"Don't have any money — burns too quick — but I have this. Promise it's valuable. Means a lot to someone out there." He made a show of checking his pants pockets before he pulled a single, glimmering gem, wet viridian and limned with life. Bright and perfect as a fresh-plucked fruit. He placed it on the countertop edge where food would be served in the bustle of midday.
He stepped back, then, and waited for the cook to answer him.kyuseisha no hikari think it's cool for lys to orangeish sherbert drop in after the next post?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2021 7:35 pm
Meeting Faustite before hadn’t been this unnerving. It felt like a lifetime ago, and his memories mixed together like paint, where the colors bled together in a hybrid mess in his mind until they became indistinguishable from one another.
Faustite hadn’t been bad. Lysithea seemed to trust him before.
He didn’t often have the opportunity to talk about his experience in the Negaverse--not that he even really wanted to call it that. He’d been an unwilling participant and hadn’t ever had a choice, or the power to resist.
He eyed the gem Faustite placed on the countertop and had to force himself to nod.
“What is it?” he forced himself to ask--because, a normal civilian wouldn’t know, right? No, wait. A normal civilian probably shouldn’t ask too many questions. Or should he ask more?
He tried not to seem too interested, but he was on high alert anyway because he was just so much more vulnerable in this form. He drew away quickly and tried to calculate what he could offer quickly to appease the half-youma, and he started with the bacon speckled macaroni and cheese, scooping a hefty portion into a plastic bowl. He had some premade grilled cheese sandwiches, wrapped in wax paper and kept warm. They were still crispy, and the butter had baked into the bread so he grabbed two of those to deliver. He laid them on the counter and said, “How hungry are you? Because I’ve got more. I’m getting ready to close up, so you can have pretty much whatever you want. I can get you a bag, um. If you’re interested in taking home leftovers. They’re still good. I mean, I’d eat them. I can cook you something fresh too,” he insisted quickly. He could hear his heart pounding loudly in his ears, so much so that he was already feeling dizzy again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2021 6:33 pm
It was time to pick up Evan and head home, and Cambria was humming softly, having already gone and deposited most of the day’s money in the bank. It was easier doing it after the big rush, easier to have the majority of the funds put away before the bank closed for the day, plus it allowed her to go home and change before picking Evan up again at closing time but…
As she drew near, she saw that the food truck had a guest in line, and for a moment she smiled, though the smile faded when she realized that…
Oh. That wasn’t just a person. That was a half youma...and one that was far too familiar.
Faustite.
For a moment, a rush of happiness flooded her, though it was quickly replaced with worry and a bit of dread. God, poor Evan. Every time he was left alone with the truck, trouble seemed to find him.
Cambria slipped behind a tree, fully out of the line of sight of the truck and powered up, moving swiftly up behind the half youma general. “Well. There’s a sight for sore eyes. Long time no see, Faustite.” She spoke loudly enough that Evan would know that he wasn’t alone. Reassurance as well as a greeting.
“You like cheese?” Her eyes slid towards the window and widened slightly at the starseed. "...Are you...trying to pay with...with that?"
...Had he just taken it? Would she be able to put it back?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2021 7:35 am
Faustite almost smiled at the question. "Could've been anything," he answered with a shrug of his shoulders.
To him, it was worth a cheap dinner. Liquid calories, liquid cholesterol, slathered over bread or in a soup or whatever the chef decided to make him. He might even be kind enough to eat elsewhere, spare the smell and show of cheese getting twice-cooked on his internal griddle. Really, he thought it quite generous.
"Can eat a lot. Take whatever you're willing to make, bag it. Don't like to eat in front of others; it's rude."
But then there was another other, and Faustite stepped away from the counter, unfolded his arms and pushed against its lip. This one — he searched, and there she was. Lysithea.
"Cheese is fine." Another shrug. Everything tasted the same once it burned long enough. Didn't matter how well or poorly it was made; he'd taste charcoal before he swallowed.
Then he looked back at the gem. "Mm. People don't think they're worth much." Pity that, he supposed. But people weren't worth much to him either, most of them. It left him wondering if people were worth anything at all. If they could be made to be worth anything.
Didn't expect to see her here, or at all. "Been a while, Lysithea."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 5:36 am
Oh, good. Evan remembered how to breathe. With Lysithea there, he knew he wasn’t on his own and he wasn’t likely to compromise himself if Faustite decided he wanted food and to swipe his starseed and the one he’d paid with.
He could, thankfully, pretend like he wasn’t deeply invested in whatever conversation they were about to have. His hands were shaking as he grabbed the starseed, safely tucking it away inside the truck so they could figure out what to do with it later.
He scooped up the previous offerings and, with shaking hands, put them in the largest back he had. Atop them, he began to stuff the bag full of all the leftovers he’d have otherwise taken home or dropped off at a shelter. Grilled cheese sandwiches were the easiest to fill, but he put in a few prepackaged containers of macaroni and cheese, and a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup, and another container of bacon and potato cheddar soup. He had half a mind to just throw in an entire block of cheese, but he tried to stick to actual food.
He threw in a few extra forks and spoon because--
Well, he didn’t know why. But he didn’t want Faustite to be upset. He threw in extra napkins, too, and when the bag was so bloated that it almost wouldn’t close, he hurried back over and set it on the counter, well within reach of Faustite.
“Here, is this enough?” he asked; the bag was sturdy enough that he knew it wouldn’t tear, and though it was bulky he was sure Faustite could carry off more if he really wanted to.
He didn’t want to interrupt them, he just wanted to make sure he wasn’t making it harder for himself or Lysithea if Faustite was feeling hangry.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2021 7:00 pm
Lysithea’s eyes were on the starseed still, though they flickered to Evan once or twice, silently hoping that he would just...close up the truck and start driving away. Poor Evan. He was dealing with so much…all the time now. Youma, half youma, Negaverse Generals...god, it was a wonder he ever consented to stay at the food truck anymore…
Even if it was his. It...seemed to only attract issues.
“How...long ago did you take that from its owner, Faustite? Is there any chance of getting it back to them, do you think?”
She chose her words carefully, as though she didn’t know Evan, as though he were just a frightened civilian dealing with a man who looked like a demon from hell, and a sparkling unicorn girl.
“Too long, I’d say. I’ve missed you. I’m glad to see that you’re still in one piece.” The sharpness in her voice over the starseed softened just slightly at that, and there was a fondness that couldn’t be feigned. “I’ve been worried about you. It really is go to see you again. Even if you are bothering a lonely food truck...but.” She glanced at Evan. “Is there anything left for me? It does smell good, and if my friend here is going to eat, I suppose I should too.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2021 4:28 pm
The food truck cook went through some lengths to stuff a bag that full, and Faustite wasnt sure there was anything to gain by pointing out that the bag was paper, and that he was on fire. Paper need only catch fire once for his lunch and possibly dinner to be all over the ground. Frowning at it, he considered his options. Had enough extraneous belts on his uniform that he could loop one around the handles and carry it off that way, no threat to the contents but for the moment that he started eating them. It would have to do, he figured.
Nodding at the cook, Faustite turned his attention to his series of useless belts. Unbuckled one, wrapped it a few times around the handle — enough to shorten the length.
But Lysithea had more to say, more to order, and Faustite figured on leaving while she ordered her food. Wasn't sure why she was ordering if she cared about the expedience of a starseed. But, the other side only knew about rescuing starseeds. They wouldn't know how long they took to expire. That was more an inconvenience to the Negaverse and an avoid-at-all-costs to the White Moon.
She was nice to him, though, as much as he hated to admit that to himself. Nicer than any of his coworkers. Nicer than most of the underlings. It wasn't the same caring that Axinite showed — lacked all that grave concern, the overlaid trauma. Her caring was more sugar-spun, light and sweet, airy.
Faustite's mouth twitched.
Leaving the belt to hang from his food bag for the moment, he answered as he rested a hand on his hip. "Depends on the person. Some take long, some don't. Don't know what affects the rate." His supposition had always been their will to live, but he wasn't sure that could be true. Will to live — or lack of it — was overridden often, and at the last moment. Most people wanted to live when they were about to die. Most people remembered something they wanted to experience at least once more.
Faustite wondered if that person would be ashamed of how little their starseed was bargained for — if they thought themselves worth more than a bag loaded for bear with cheesy heart attack foods. The thought brought him to smile, however sardonic.
"Better sooner than later."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2021 1:57 pm
Evan did not have fireproof bags, but for some reason, the thought to acquire some seemed to make sense in his head. He knew it was part panic, part shock, but it seemed so obvious. Of course he should have non-flammable bags! There were people out there who were on fire, and they needed to eat too, right? That was logical! Look, right in front of him!
His mind was tumbling the thoughts rapidly--so much so that he didn’t immediately hear Lysithea’s question.
He was an unwilling spectator in the conversation between Faustite and Lysithea, and he was more distressed that he couldn’t say what he wanted to say. But, he wasn’t Malus. He was Evan.
And he couldn’t do, or say, anything that would out him or risk getting Cambria in trouble.
There was a twisting in his stomach, that this starseed might belong to someone who was already too gone to be saved. Getting Faustite--or Lysithea--food any quicker didn’t seem like it would be enough to find out if they could be saved.
He found he’d almost completely lost his voice, but he looked at Lysithea and nodded quickly, disappearing into the truck and desperately fishing around for a few scraps. He could cook more. Here, or at home. He knew she was just doing this so she didn’t look suspicious, but he didn’t want to do a bad job playing his part as ‘innocent civilian who has no idea what’s going on and just wants to go home.’
When he came back with a bag he nearly threw it over the edge of the counter in his haste, but he grabbed it, took in a breath, and then carefully set it on the edge for her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 3:14 pm
Lysithea nodded and took the offered bag of food as well as the starseed, slipping it into her subspace pocket. “I’ll find you money sometime, cheese man.” There was apology in her voice, for not only was she taking the food without paying...but she had also taken the payment from Faustite too...but….
Appearances. God this was hard.
But at least now Evan would be able to get out of here.
Glancing at Faustite, Lysithea nodded towards the park. “Shall we have a chat, Faustite? I think we’re overdue for one. And…” She hesitated and gave a genuine smile that was free of worry for the moment. “I really have missed you.”
He hadn’t purified, and that both worried and saddened her...but as long as he knew he could...well.
That was all she could hope for.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2021 6:29 pm
Her gesture was noted. Stealing the starseed off the counter — White Moon were ever out for altruistic good, Lysithea included. Faustite doubted the accolades and thank-yous paid their bills and justified their actions, but… People were grateful once they're saved once. Might send thank-you cards every year, packed with gift cards and money and gushing praise for all the experiences they wouldn't have had if the stranger hadn't dropped the still-warm starseed back into their chest.
Perhaps doing good was a lucrative business. Lysithea was lifting food now, but in an hour? She might have collected two hundred dollars from her little altruism, extorted or given freely. Money still spent the same way.
To her question, Faustite shrugged with a single shoulder. He had food to eat now, and stood less of a chance to get interrupted by one of their kind if their opposing signatures were together and sedentary.
"Can spare a few minutes. Lead the way," he finished, as he looked back at the cook. Scrawny thing might s**t a brick to see them leave. Good for him, pursue that goal of regularity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 5:50 am
If anyone else had taken the starseed, maybe he would have been alarmed. But, Lysithea knew what it was, she knew how to keep it safe. She’d take care of it.
He found himself a little rigid, and the prickle of guilt started to eat up at him. He felt like he should power up and try to chase Lysithea down just to make sure she was fine, but…
They’d met Faustite before. He hadn’t tried to kill them then. Lysithea still seemed to trust him, so…
He moved blindly; as soon as they had stepped away he decided it was time to just leave. He could drive the truck somewhere out of the way--no, somewhere public, that way there was less of a chance of anyone else showing up--and finish cleaning up, and then go home, and then--
He didn’t know.
Wait desperately to hear that Lysithea was alright and that he’d made the right decision.
He turned the truck on and began to drive, even if he wasn’t exactly confident in his skills.
...It was better than sticking around and getting into trouble, at least.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2021 5:42 pm
A few minutes was enough. It was something, at the very least. She let out a small breath when she heard the truck pull into gear and leave, nodding at Faustite, walking with him to sit under a tree. It almost reminded her of when they had the picnic up on Lysithea and she couldn’t help but smile a little.
“What have you been up to? How have things been with you?”
Where have you been? Obviously he hadn’t been eating well or he wouldn’t have taken the entire inventory from the truck...but.
“Are you doing okay? I really have missed you.” With a sigh she withdrew one of her sandwiches and took a bite, pleased. “Goodness the sandwich is good.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2021 3:54 am
The questions, whether well-meant or not, left him wary. Any of them could be prying for Negaverse business, or a span of time in which to capture him, or some other plan that Faustite hadn't ascertained. His memory of their previous visit was hazy, but he remembered the violet grass of their planet. He had been a Captain then, under the tutelage of Schörl and just as miserable for it. What Lysithea offered then had been tempting, and she the bright little snake in the grass. Her and her friend, their outfits matched that beautiful amethyst world. It felt like a dream.
But Faustite was a General now. Lysithea's equal in rank. Full of skepticism and responsibilities.
He followed her to the tree, but did not sit against it. He chose his own spot, a bare patch where he could tuck his legs up under himself and get started on the veritable haul he'd exchanged for a life. As he dug open the package, he considered her questions — of greater import to him was how he could answer.
"Got a promotion," he began, though that much was obvious. "Been kept busy ever since." Found one of the sandwiches, thought he should at least try to eat like a normal human, even if he was out of practice. Watched her for a minute beforehand, just to see how she bit into the thing. He'd never liked getting grease on his face. Seemed easy enough to keep it half in the wrapper and pull his lips back when he bit.
It hadn't gone as planned when he tried. The thing didn't bite cleanly off; a thick string of cheese connected his lips to the rest of the sandwich. Tried to chew through it and the strand landed, fatly and defiantly, on the sleeve of his uniform.
By the time he swallowed, the piece of cheese sandwich had become something overcooked and rubberized, and when he swallowed it, it started to crisp at the edges. "Had a mission for two years.
"What about you? Surprised to see you're still around."orangeish sherbert he will skip questions he doesn't want to answer rip
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
