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 Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 12:40 pm
There was a certain respite in an ordinary patrol. It was time Aokigahara didn't have to spend pondering his Wonder, or bent over making ofuda in order to, hopefully, stop the creature that was lurking there.
For now, though, that wasn't on his mind--he could worry more about it when he got home. For now, he could walk the paths of a park that had been recently troubled by mysterious attacks, and try and hunt down the cause, be it officer, youma, or ordinarily evil human. (Or, he supposed, fellow Knight or Senshi--he couldn't rule out an Order-side warrior deciding that they would rather use their universe-given powers for ill. Writing that sort of thing off was a good way to be surprised if one ran into a Castor or a Camlann.)
He could feel the prickle of a Lieutenant's aura, and he paused, making a soft "hm" noise. It seemed unlikely that this was the problem, but a determined Lieutenant could get up to a lot of mischief, and so he was ready for anything.
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 1:05 pm
Lapis was resting under a tree, with his shinai proper against the tree ready for if someone came after him, as he thought back on his situation. He was still nursing some minor injuries from the big fight with the titanic wisp monstrosity. He wished he could ask the strange alien merchant about what exactly had happened. It was clear the creature was made of the strange wisp creatures, one of which lapis had traded the merchant.
Lapis also thought about his brief but perhaps life altering fight with the half youma lieutenant. He hadn't heard from any of his higher ups about the incident yet but he was certain the other lieutenant would have reported him. Perhaps it was just taking time to identify him. However Lapis was certain his time was limited. He had to purify. However he wasn't certain what all of that would entail. He figured he should probably get his affairs in order. He doubted he be able to return to his old life after this. He was debating whether to tell his parents he was leaving forever. His thoughts were interrupted by the appearance a squire's aura.
Lapis rested his hand on his shinai in case the squire was indiscriminate about fighting officers, not that he thought he could win but he knew he'd at least have to put up a fight. When the squire appeared lapis tilted his head. The man looked vaguely familiar but Lapis couldn't put his finger on it. "Hello sir knight, I'm not looking for a fight. My name is Lapis Lazuli." Lapis assured the familiar man.
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 1:57 pm
Aokigahara's eyes widened slightly, as he took in the Lieutenant. This face was familiar, though he hadn't seen him for several years--Lapis Lazuli, the scared child he'd found draining energy once upon a time.
"I remember you," he said, "though you might not remember me. I'm Aokigahara. We ran into each other several years ago, when you were draining energy." His heart still ached for the man before him--no longer a child, but in service to the Negaverse all those years nonetheless. What an absolute tragedy, and how many more like him were out there? People little older than Kaito, dragged into a war they had no business in.
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 2:56 pm
Lapis' eyes widened a bit in recognition, once he had a name to put to the face the memory finally clicked. He had vague memories of the night, back when he was barely more than a child. "Ah yes Aokigahara san. I remember now." He said falling back to his Japanese honorifics knowing that who knight who stood before him was also from the land of the rising sun.
"I'm glad you seem to be doing alright." He stood up to properly greet the man. "I um I'm not doing that anymore." He said rubbing the bad of his head. He was thankful he had come across a knight who at least to his memories was kind and reasonable.
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 3:38 pm
Aokigahara exhaled. Though he wasn't quite so small, Lapis Lazuli was still so very young--and it showed in everytihng aobut him. Still, at least he was only a Lieutenant; that meant that there were no great deeds or blood splatters on his hands to have earned him a promotion.
"I'm glad you remember. It's good to see you again, and in one piece." He cracked a slightly wry smile, but it was brief, because Lapis's revelation made him frown in concern.
"Last time, you told me energy draining was an imperative from above. Is it safe, for you to stop?"
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 4:38 pm
Lapis gave the man a smile in return. It was an exhausted but genuine smile. "No it probably isn't." Lapis admitted. "But it hardly matters, failing to meet my quota is probably the least of my crimes in their eyes right now. I attacked another officer." Lapis confessed, it actually felt good to talk about it with someone.
"I came across a half youma lieutenant with his hand buried in a man's chest. He ripped out his starseed for no reason. So I attacked him, I got back the starseed but the other officer got away. He's more than likely already reported me." Lapis said relaying the whole story.
"So I decided to leave. I'm done, done justifying my participation in an organization I know is evil." Lapis said with a determined look on his face.
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 7:30 pm
Aokigahara was silent, listening to Lapis's explanation. It told the story of a bold action, and a final choice, and Aoki had to admit, he was more than a bit impressed. He gave a brief, solemn nod, and then exhaled quietly.
"Do you have a plan in order to get out? And for what to do after?" He asked, as simply and straightforwardly as he could. Obviously, Lapis's position as it stood was completely untenable. There was no going back to the Negaverse, not after assaulting another officer and not when Lapis clearly could no longer stomach what the organization chose to do. "As I understand--I don't have personal experience, but I've heard a few things--you'll lose your previous identity and possibly your memories. It would do well to have a plan and a place to stay after."
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 8:30 pm
"A plan...not in so many words but I do know someone who can help me through it, a Royal Knight of the Earth Camelot." He admitted. "He didn't mention the memory loss." Lapis said more to him self than to Aiokigahara. Not that it particularly bothered him, in fact there were some memories he'd be glad to forget but still he wondered how extensive this memory loss was.
"A place to stay...I hadn't really thought about that." He said looking down a bit embarrassed that he hadn't figured out such a crucial detail yet.
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 8:47 pm
Aokigahara looked thoughtful, and he regarded Lapis's face for a long, serious moment. It was perhaps ridiculous, what he was thinking of suggesting. But Lapis was so young, and so brave, to take this step. It would be remiss of Aokigaahara not to try and help him as much as he could.
"...Perhaps Camelot can help you with a place to stay, but--I could offer you a place in my family. A number of us are already Knights, and my older sister and I both have contacts enough to create a believable new identity for you." A wry grin crossed his face. "It would be little trouble to pass you off as one of our father's bastards; he's had quite a few, and Mother has welcomed the ones we've met so far into the family, if only because it certainly wasn't their fault, nor their mothers', that my father seemed to think that loyalty was something others owed you, and not something you ought to pay them in return."
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 9:45 pm
Lapis looked at the squire with wide eyes. "You'd do that?! But you barely know me." It was such a generous off Lapis couldn't believe it. He wasn't used to such a kind offer, a part of him wondered what strings were attached. But even if there were some kind of ulterior motive Lapis didn't have alot of choices, and something in him was telling him to trust the knight before him.
"If you truly don't mind I would greatly appreciate that." As Aokigahara described his father Lapis scrunched up his nose in distaste. "Your father seems like a yariman." He said without thinking before covering his mouth. "Sorry fathers a bit of a sore subject but I shouldn't speak that way about someone else's family." He apologized hoping he hadn't offended the older man.
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2021 10:44 pm
"I may not know you," Aokigahara said, "but I respect the courage and conviction it takes to choose to run from the Negaverse. So I want to help you, however I can, and giving you somewhere to go after you purify seems the least I can do."
To some, it might seem foolish. To Aokigahara, it seemed the only possible solution.
"As for my father, he was a miserable man when he was alive, and now he's not anymore, and in many ways it's for the best." He wrinkled his nose, unhappily. "But, fortunately, his philandering creates opportunity."
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Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2021 9:08 am
Lapis blushed, he didn't particularly feel like he was that courageous, after all he had held off on this decision until he no longer had a choice. But still he accepted the compliment. "Thank you Aokigahara, I'm honored." He said bowing to the knight. "If you don't mind I'd like for you to be there, when I purify." Lapis said he cheeks feeling a bit warm. It was perhaps overstepping his bounds but still the young man felt comfortable around this knight for some reason and if anyone would be there he wanted it to be him.
After finalizing their plans. Lapis said his good byes as he took off, he had alot of work left to do but he felt more confident moving forward.
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