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 Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2021 4:27 pm
It was half a hope and half a wish that brought Kerberos back tot he hill where they had all fought. He couldn't think of anywhere else to even begin looking for Lyndin, but he was very much determined to find him--if this didn't work, there was always bothering Lyonesse for his signet ring and sending a letter, the good old-fashioned way.
But this was his first choice--trying to set up a meeting by Knight note would, he suspected, be awkward and inconvenient. Better to try and find him in person.
And there, yes--he spotted the Commodore's large, imposing frame, and grinned. There were few people that cut that kind of silhouette. Even Titanlaventite wasn't quite that tall, Kerberos was fairly certain.
"Lyndin!" No formalities, no rank, just his name, as Kerberos cut across the distance between them. "I'm glad to see you--are you alright? And your Cadets?"
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Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2021 7:34 pm
Lyndin had no joy in his expression when he was addressed, and he didn’t seem to be as friendly as he had been prior to their last encounter. There was something tired about him, and he was holding himself up and working with what might have been automated necessity more than a desire to be there. He moved stiffly, but without giving any indication that he was any lesser than he’d ever been. “Kerberos,” he greeted, somewhat guarded to be approached with such friendliness. Whatever he was holding was dismissed to subspace, and he returned to his full height when he looked over the Senshi. “As well as can be expected. I’m glad to see you’re well.” And yet, he scanned the horizon like he expected someone to be there. His ComTech did not reveal anything, however, so he returned his attention to Kerberos.
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Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2021 3:20 pm
It was impossible for Kerberos to miss the change in the Velencian Commodore. It wasn't even all that surprising; Kerberos was sure that everything he'd been through was more than enough to put some weight on anyone's shoulders.
"Yeah, we....everyone who was left managed to make it out." His fingers went up to brush over the brooch that rested on his collar, now, where previously there had been a simple red gem. "We didn't see her? But it was Cosmos who saved us. I'm sure of it."
He took a breath, and extended a hand.
"If you've got time, I'd like to take you to my planet. For one, it'll be easier to talk, there--no chance of interruptions. For another, I think there's something you'd like to see." He remembered what Lyndin had said. Their planets couldn't support life yet.
But that was no longer the case.
"I understand if you have work to do here. And I promise, I won't keep you for long. But there's a lot I'd like to ask you, and a lot I'd like to show you."
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 6:49 am
Lyndin seemed to relax, even if it was only just slightly, when Kerberos said they’d managed to make it out. His eyes went to the brooch and he seemed contemplative when Kerberos suggested Cosmos had saved them, but he didn’t question it. Didn’t challenge it. At first, he didn’t take Kerberos’ hand. He looked at it as if he were thinking about it. “I don’t want you to get hurt. I’m still dealing with some energy discharge, so just watch yourself.” Lyndin held out his hand, giving Kerberos the opportunity to change his mind. “I’ve got a little time. But if we’re going, let’s make it now.” He didn’t seem afraid of being trapped somewhere, or concerned that this was some sort of trap. He never seemed to walk into things blind, so there was probably already a good chance he had a plan for any sneak attacks Kerberos might have been planning. And yet, his curiosity had been piqued; he wanted to know what Kerberos wanted to talk about. What he wanted to show him.
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Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2021 1:29 am
Kerberos nodded. "I'll take care," he said. The burn scars that marked his arm from the battle were still there, still prominent--though they were healing, at least, and he suspected that they would eventually stand as reminders of his choice.
One he still did not regret.
"Let's be quick, then." He put his hand in Lyndin's, with no hesitation once it was offered. If he dealt with magic backlash, he dealt with magic backlash--this was much more important than the risk of a little pain.
Teleporting to his planet was easy; pulling his phone, pressing the button, and they were there.
And it was obvious in an instant what had changed--they were in the same garden he had brought Lyndin and Caedus to before, and it was full of cricket song; a melody like Earth violins, soaring in the night.
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Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2021 7:27 pm
It was impossible for Lyndin to miss the marks on Kerberos’ arms when he took his hand; he didn’t comment on them because he seemed to assume that if Kerberos knew what he’d done before, he was willing to risk the same now. Thankfully, touching Lyndin now didn’t yield the same damage--or even any discomfort. He heard the crickets before he’d even had time to separate his hand from Kerberos and he bristled. Frozen, he was visibly holding his breath and listening. The corner of his mouth twitched, like he was almost tempted to smile, but he looked to the Senshi for confirmation. He hid it well but there was excitement in his eyes. Maybe, even, hope. “That’s new?” he asked, and for a split second he looked to the sky, to where he could still see the glow of Archideus. His full attention was on Kerberos immediately afterwards and he waited. Maybe, to hear it. Maybe, for answers. Either way, Kerberos had his full attention.
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 1:37 pm
It was something of a relief, to not experience the burning shocks all over again, but Kerberos didn't let himself show it on his face. What had happened had happened, and a little scarring was a small price to pay.
And he was not subtle about his own grin, watching Lyndin's face as he took in the sound of crickets filling the air.
"It's new," Kerberos confirmed. "And I can guess that it's directly connected to Archideus. I took one of your cadets on a visit here, the night before the battle--and there was nothing then. When I came back three days later, there was life."
As if to emphasize his statement, there was a rustling in one of the hedges that edged the garden path, and from under it, a small, fuzzy nose peeked out.
More rustling, and a creature came into view--something like an Earth fox, if it had been shrunk to chipmunk proportions, and if Earth foxes were blue, or had three tails, or glowed.
"Oh," Kerberos said, voice soft. "When...when I came here before...." He knelt, extending a hand, to see if the little creature would approach, "there were only insects. The crickets, butterflies, moths. Nothing like...like this."
As he spoke, his wisp popped into existence over his shoulder--though he didn't notice until it beelined by him, whirling around the little fox-creature and eventually bumping into it. The fox made a puzzled little yip, and all at once, the wisp burst into light--and an instant later, it reformed, into a similar creature the side of an Earth fox.
The Kerberan fox made a happy chuckle, touching its nose to the newly-reformed wisp's.
Kerberos could feel tears of joy pricking at the corners of his eyes, but took a deep breath. No need to start crying over a tiny little creature. No matter how much it represented.
"....When we were on the moon, there was this...burst of energy. Archideus exploding. And when it touched our planets, everyone there...felt...something. And now...our worlds are alive."
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Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 7:18 pm
Lyndin was quiet as he listened to Kerberos speak. He didn’t say anything for a long moment, between the information Kerberos shared with him, to the little mammal that came out, or the wisp that came to life. He nodded a bit, eyes on the life here. “Good,” he said quietly, like he was relieved to hear it. He didn’t make a big deal out of it, didn’t expand on his thoughts. Just, good. A small smile cemented itself on his face and he looked proud to see the little fox. He stayed where he was, quiet, just to give Kerberos a moment to observe it all, to take it all in. To appreciate the life on his world.
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Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2021 7:45 pm
The little fox, in the silence, turned its attention to Kerberos himself, and it wobbled over. He outstretched his hands, and it hopped in happily, and as he straightened up and the fuzzy little creature nuzzled at his cheek, he lost the battle against happy tears.
"This is...incredible," he said, voice soft and a little trembly. He turned to Lyndin, as more of the creatures began to poke out of hiding in the garden. "Did you know? Or have any idea, that Archideus exploding might do....this?"
He wanted to ask what the plan was originally. Wanted to ask how much Lyndin had known of the Negaverse's intentions. A million questions bubbled at his lips, but that was the first one, and an interrogation might not go well.
One of the foxes padded up to Lyndin, putting its paws on his leg and looking up at him with the intense curiosity of a friendly animal that desired to be held.
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Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2021 8:04 pm
Lyndin watched with a softness in his eyes. He seemed reluctant to take credit for anything, and his answer came after a bit of a delay. He watched Kerberos with his fox for a moment, and when one approached him he crouched slowly so he didn’t startle it. When he was settled into a position he could hold, he extended his hand to let it get acquainted with his smell first. His eyes were completely on the creature, as if by doing so he might give Kerberos a bit of privacy. When he finally decided on his words, they were soft, with a mindfulness not to ruin the peaceful scene before him. “I had hoped”
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Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2021 4:13 am
The little fox sniffed at Lyndin's hand with curiosity and interest; Kerberos's frequent visits to his own world meant that traces of his scent were left all over, but Lyndin was something quite new, and it was clear that the little creature--and several others--were very interested in the Velencyan Commodore.
Kerberos was entranced with the little fuzzy creature, but he didn't hold it for long; instead, he knelt down carefully, and then sat fully on the ground, letting it go but also welcoming the others to come over to him.
"It seems your hopes were well-placed, then," he said, and he reached up to wipe at his face, as if that might stem the tears. "This....you've given us a miracle, Lyndin. Words aren't nearly enough to express what this means, but--thank you, as a start."
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2021 10:57 pm
The gratitude seemed to surprise Lyndin, who glanced up briefly before returning his attention to the little fox. It was easier to maintain eye contact with a simpler creature. “You don’t need to thank me. You shouldn’t mention this to anyone,” he said, and now it was important enough to look at Kerberos so he understood. “My position on Earth is rocky. I can’t risk endangering the Vanguard further. So I hope you’ll understand that some things are better kept in discretion. I have suspicions that the Negaverse wouldn’t like hearing that you’ve gained anything from this. I’m still convinced that the only reason Earth has thrived is because of Metallia’s presence. I can’t sacrifice the arrangements I’ve got with the Negaverse. But you’d do well to make sure your world is protected. There are things out there that you’re not prepared to face. You need to get stronger. You need to have a plan.”
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Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2022 1:27 am
The request stilled him, but it was perhaps not so surprising. Of course Lyndin had to walk a tightrope--and the thought of it made a shadow cross Kerberos's face.
"I understand," he acknowledged, "and I can guarantee that if the Negaverse knew about this, they'd be furious." It would be a challenge, not telling other people, not explaining that he knew the origin of their good fortune, but it was no different than keeping the secret of someone's desire to leave the Negaverse close to his chest. A secret he had to hold onto in order to protect the person it belonged to.
"And I wish I could say you were wrong--I know that Chaos, in strong enough doses, kills planets. But it's hard to guess what else might make Earth special." He sighed. "I don't like not having that answer. But I think it's smart to see what the Negaverse knows."
One of the foxes clambered up onto Kerberos's shoulder, and he reached over to scratch under its chin.
"It feels redundant to tell you this, considering the vast gulf in our life experiences, but I'd feel bad if I didn't, so--be careful." He looked over at Lyndin, soft and genuine and full of care. "I can only imagine how much the Negaverse would like to get its hands on the power you wield. And I don't want to see anything happen to you or to your Vanguard."
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2022 8:41 pm
Lyndin didn’t need to be told, but he nodded anyway. “I don’t want to see anything happen to the Vanguard, either. I’ll do everything I can to protect it. To protect Velencya. I don’t know how much time I have left. Archideus has probably given Velencya a surge of energy, too. But I don’t know how long that will last.” Long enough to fix Velenia, he hoped. “Chaos is an anomaly. I know what it can do. But you must understand, I haven’t found a single world with sentient life in centuries. I don’t know what Metallia is doing to this world. It’s thriving. If there’s some other reason Earth is alive and well, I’d like to know. And if you don’t, perhaps Metallia does.” Or, they had survived because of her, in which case… He reached out a hand, heavy but gentle, towards one of the foxes. “The less they know, the better. Sometimes, secrets are necessary. I am sorry I have so many. I don’t want to hurt anyone. I just want to save my people. I know I have made enemies from my choices, but. We’ll see what the future holds. I just want my people to be all right. I hope you’ll have the strength to protect your own, too.”
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Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2022 12:29 am
Kerberos nodded. It made his heart ache, to think about the weight that had to be on Lyndin's shoulders. To think about how much he carried, and how much he couldn't share.
"So it really is that grim out there," Kerberos said, voice soft. He sighed, unhappily, and shook his head. "I hope that we can find the answers." His we included Lyndin, without hesitation--Kerberos trusted that what he wanted, for all of them, was to see them thrive. Not least because every world that lived and breathed was another world that might hold the secret to saving Velenia without killing Caedus.
Which was an answer Kerberos wanted to find, even though his chest ached at the thought of that awful, damaged starseed.
"You've lived for over a thousand years, my friend. And you're the leader of a planet. I think secrets come with the territory," Kerberos said. "Keep what you must close to your chest. I can't speak for anyone else, but I know you've earned plenty of latitude with me." He flashed a smile, as the fox Lyndin reached for raised its nose to sniff at his hand, and rubbed its head under his palm. "So...anything I can do, to help you or your people, just ask and I'll do my best to make it happen."
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