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 Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 2:18 pm
Felt strange to sit down with Heliodor. Years had passed since they last checked in with each other, and he felt nervous for it now – what could he expect? How much had changed? Had those years in the Rift made him any better? How had each of them grown without Schörl? It was all too much to consider.
Faustite busied himself by delving into files. Becoming an officer's superior granted him a few privileges – a few of Heliodor's files were declassified for him, and he had the lot spread out over his desk with Headache helping him to navigate. It was rare that the youma ever behaved, but this time, it became Captain Faustite and flipped through the pages at Faustite's behest. It was tedious work, combing over dry files for the sum total of Heliodor's history, much like it was for any other officer. Yet, it had to be done if Faustite was going to put Heliodor to use, and if Heliodor was going to expect any help out of him.
This was how he'd spent his time before the meeting, up to the five minute mark. Some of that time was spent on Heliodor's years elsewhere, but most of it was a private, nostalgic affair while he dwelt on the difficult years they weathered together.
Perhaps that was what placated Headache. Faustite knew he couldn't ask and expect an answer.
The last file Faustite observed before they packed up the collection was Heliodor's conscription into the Negaverse – he knew how it looked on paper, knew how it happened, remembered how broken and weary Heliodor was in the aftermath. Robbed of everything, he stared down a corridor of closed doors. Not once did he find an open one. Faustite's was shut, too, and he had only himself to blame for his unavailability.
With his desk cleared, the pair waited in silence. Then, when he heard a knock, he bid his old subordinate entry.
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 2:21 pm
Heliodor had been both anticipating and dreading a private meeting with Faustite. The corrupt's initial arrival had been surprisingly welcomed with open arms, but a small voice in the back of his mind kept throwing doubt. Perhaps it was just the presence of another of the General's subordinates that kept things civil. Though when had that stopped the half-Houma before? Helio was certain the emotions and unexpected embrace spoke more than just a General keeping things under control for a spectator. But, who was to say what would happen now alone behind closed doors. In the past they could be like oil and water for each other and other times…. Well, those other times were the memories that gave him hope.
So, needless to say when Heliodor walked through that door he was prepared. Closing the door behind him he walked in and placed a bottle he held by the neck onto Faustites desk, a boyish smile on his face. The white label across the front of it clearly displayed the brand Knobb Creek. “I know business before pleasure but I figured we could both use a little something. Sorry it’s nothing fancy but it’s better than bottom shelf.”
Eyes slipped to the ‘other’ FAustite in the room and It was oddly jarring to look at the Captain from his memories in flesh. Brows furrowed as his gaze slipped from one to the other, but said nothing.
Stepping back, Helio stood at attention, hands clasped in front of him.
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 2:23 pm
Faustite watched Heliodor enter with a bottle in hand, looking more like he was ready for a college frat party than a meeting with his General. He looked from the boy to the bottle, back to the boy, then finally straightened up enough to gesture for Heliodor to take a seat.
Saying nothing of the bottle, Faustite leaned over to rifle the bottom drawer of his desk. Soon enough, he produced two cups in the shape of mechanical keys: one displayed ctrl in neat white typeface, the other displayed alt. He sat one in front of Heliodor and kept ctrl to himself. "Suppose you wouldn't have brought that for anyone else."
Not that Faustite minded. He was tired of humdrum formalities anymore.
The General laced his fingers together and used the lattice for a chin rest. The Captain, on the other hand, began to snarl. "You're dismissed, Headache," he said without looking at the echo of his past self, and it dissolved into fireflies that melted into the corner of the room. With Headache gone, some of the tension left Faustite's shoulders.
"Start with catching up." Faustite reached for one of the nib pens kept in the upper desk drawer. With it came a couple of internal reservoirs in the advent that Heliodor had much to say. If he remembered correctly, the boy could be long-winded. "Tell me about the past couple years, chronological order. Why did you vanish?"
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 3:40 pm
The metal and glass chairs of the room were still an interesting novelty to the corrupt. Very ingenious considering their owners fiery disposition, but aesthetically pleasing. Even if, he realized as he sat that they weren’t the most comfortable pieces. He sat stiffly though as he tried to gauge the atmosphere between him and his General.
When Faustite procured two pieces of glassware from his drawer did Heliodor finally visibly relax as his body sunk into a more comfortable position leaning against the arm of the chair. "Whiskey? No, considering it’s not one of my favorites, but I won’t turn my nose at it.”
Leaning forward he grabbed the glass labeled ‘alt’.a smile played across his lips. “I like them.” He said as he gestured with the glass. “Definitely hadn’t expected you to pull something like this out.”
The other Faustite disappeared at the Generals command and it became glaringly obvious what had taken on the form of Captain Faustite. I wonder what happened to squiddy. Still Helio wasn’t sad to see the youma called Headache leave. At least he didn’t need to stare down two Faustites and one of them churning up emotions he wasn’t sure he wanted to face. Ever.
Fingers idly ran along the rim of the mechanical key glass. Eyes shifted downwards as he began . “Because you did.” He stated simply. “You, General Schorl, Aue and Tibs. I had no clue where any of you went. All I could do was speculate and I won’t lie and say a part of me didn’t think that maybe there was something larger going on. So, I left. Went abroad with the intention of laying low. Naive of me of course thinking I could just run away.” A one-sided shrug as eyes rose to meet Faustites.
“I joined up with a local branch in London, England where I worked a day job at a local store and attended classes in the evenings at a school called Stagecoach studying dance and theatre. On the side I’d pick up modeling jobs to help supplement my income.
“Nothing beyond me surviving to be honest. My involvement with the London branch was minimal. I had a superior but he was not terribly interested in me so I was left to my own devices as long as I reached my quotas.”
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 3:42 pm
"Didn't used to like it much either." It brought him back to Albite, back to the day when he said that irksome phrase to him. What was it? That he cared about others, so he took interest in their interests. Would that mean he'd start drinking coffee, just as he started drinking whiskey?
No, that was something else entirely.
Heliodor was cooperative enough to start speaking, giving as much of the story as he was willing to give without the need for leading questions or further prompting. Faustite kept up well; his pen moved with the shape of every odd mark and squiggle that made up shorthand's unusual vocabulary. He stopped writing a couple seconds after Heliodor finished his tale, and retired his pen. As he looked down, his mouth twitched for how his penmanship suffered with holding his hand off the paper.
Couldn't be helped. He was on fire, after all.
"Disappointing that they didn't put you to better use. You'd had training, but…" He tapped his pen against his chin. "Suppose there's not much to do out there. That branch has it under control." Senshi menace suppressed, population docile, a plethora of opportunities to drain energy. Perhaps it was all Heliodor could do, for that part of the world didn't need another soldier. More's the pity.
"You'll have much more to do than quotas here." Faustite reached for the neck of the bottle, uncorked it, poured some of the rusty amber into his cup. Swirling it a few times he drank from the cup before he spoke again, and flinched at the heavy bite that had him shudder on its way down.
This was going to make for an interesting meeting, he supposed.
"Going to assign you a subordinate – likely Lionel. Senshi of Betrayal. Been around a few years; shouldn't give you much trouble. He should know all the basics by now, but if he needs support draining or in combat, you're his point of contact. Might give you more if more come my way." He rolled his eyes, then took another sip. Grimaced as he swallowed.
"Expect my direct subordinates to take on a project. Could be large or small, but the more subordinates you have, the better I expect that project to be. Can't have anyone slacking off while their Lieutenants drain their quota for them." Crossing his legs, Faustite bobbed his foot idly. "Oh, we've two cats if you need anything."
We. He frowned into the cup. Lysithea was gone now, should've gone back to saying I. Another sip, then, and another shudder. "********," he muttered into the mug.
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 3:42 pm
A subordinate. Though it wasn’t surprising that he was going to be in charge of someone Helio hadn’t expected such a quick assignment. Interesting. Perhaps Faustite actually did have some faith in his subordinate after all. “I’ll need to take some time to look atLionels records then.” After Faustite uncorked the bottle Helio followed suit and poured himself a knuckles worth of the amber liquid into his ‘alt’ cup.
“Interesting that he’s been around so long and not have moved up at all.” Was this Lionel not interested in moving up the ranks or powering up? It was a curious thing he may need to tackle. Maybe records would shed some light.
Taking a sip of whiskey left the Senshi grimacing but the warmth of the liquor was pleasing as it traveled down. Enough so that he took another drink with similar facial reaction. “Yes.” He coughed lightly. “I didn’t think you’d let me sit idly back. You were never one for mediocrity.” Another pause for another sip. “Two cats though? Is the team that large?”
It was odd thinking of Faustite leading a large team considering the humble beginnings both of them had started from. The two of them had been alone for so long together and then Wolframite eventually joined, but never were they a large force.
He smiled. As hard as it was Heliodor somewhat missed the days where he was nothing more than a basic Senshi and Faustite his Captain. There was a type of camaraderie built on foundations like that.
Swirling the whiskey he hummed a note softly to himself, nearly missing Faustites swear. Eyes focused on the General. “I doubt you’re cursing the whiskey.” Leaning forward, elbows propped on knees and glass perched between both hands, Helio really looked at Faustite. Lips pressed together as he measured his old friend.
“What’s wrong?” The words question slipped out easily, concern etched across a furrowed brow.
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 3:51 pm
"Cursing the whiskey," he confirmed with a cough. "Alcohol burns two ways for me." He doubted Heliodor would have a view of the slight flare-ups of his core with each sip.
"Lionel has been without a superior for a while." Faustite turned on his tool, opened the glass front to one of his bookcases, licked his fingers and took out a file. He handled it in the same way that someone would handle a hot pan – with as little contact as possible, as quick as he could. Once he made it to the desk, he dropped it lightly, and scooted the file toward Heliodor with the butt of his nib pen. Two black marks lingered in the corner where he'd handled it.
"Subordinates without a superior have no one to vouch for them," he explained, though he was unsure that Heliodor needed the lesson. He already experienced what happened without a useful superior. "Any work they do goes unnoticed. Lionel could've been faithfully turning in his quota to any available officer for years, could've brought in senshi or mastered combat, but that doesn't matter with no one documenting it. The Sovereigns rely on the Generals, who rely on the Captains to know what happens at the ground floor. Without that, what's to say Lionel is a prime choice for a promotion?"
Pausing, Faustite finished his drink. No longer did it make him recoil, though his lips tingled.
"Yes, the team's that large. About a dozen strong. Mostly senshi. Was mostly Basics, but recently there's been a rash of promotions." Which was, he supposed, why Heliodor got one experienced Basic for a subordinate instead of someone who could make better use of Heliodor's years in the Negaverse.
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 3:54 pm
Fine. Helio gulped down the last of his glass, teeth gritting at the taste as he leaned back into the chair. Dodging questions was always a specialty of Faustites. Though it still stung, Hell was also aware that his absence these past years certainly didn’t really give him any high ground to push the matter.
“Hm, that’s true.” He remarked, as he reached forward to take the file. He rubbed the small burn marks between pinched fingers, noting the small black residue it left. Flicking the file open and paging through as Faustite continued, it became obvious what Faustite meant. Years in the Negaverse should leave someone with a chunkier file than this, but there was little inside beyond the corrupt's awakening, civilian information and sporadic updates on quotas. There were no real significant achievements reported. “I’ll make sure to keep a close eye on him. No reason to leave a potentially good corrupt to sit like this. Especially with such a large team it could be easy for him to melt into the background.”
Twelve. A large team indeed. Bigger than Schorls if his memory served him right.
“So…” Placing the file between himself and Faustite on the desk, Helio took a moment to refill his glass, “it seems you’ve been doing well for yourself then. A large team, obviously a respected General if the Sovereigns keep handing you more to oversee.” He shifted in his seat, ankle crossing over knee, his hand hill ding the glass draped over the perched calf. “It seems you have a lot to be proud of.”
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:36 pm
While Heliodor paged through the file, Faustite poured himself another glass. He wanted the buzz, wanted the numb; too much had happened lately, and he didn't want to be sober for any of it. Delightful as it was to know that Heliodor hadn't killed himself, that he lived and breathed and sat in front of him, Faustite didn't want to be sober for that, either.
Whiskey grew easier to choke down the more he drank. With enough of a buzz, he could ignore how fire licked out in an angry burst whenever he swallowed any down.
As he swirled his glass and took another swig, he thought about how Heliodor's return and CHrysocolla's reappearance may be heralding the inevitable. What if he saw Quartz again, or Aue, or Tiberius? What then? What if he saw Ceraskia? How long would it take, then for Schörl to turn up and exert her familiar but terrible influence over his life? Would he be able to resist her better now than he had when he had been working under her? Faustite doubted it. It was still so easy to doubt himself.
"Good. And if you find out he's been held back for a reason, I'll solve that problem for both of us." He thought about what Hessonite would ask for. She'd been Schörl's boss, hadn't she?
For the praise, Faustite nodded warily, though his attention shifted down and away. He felt it coming, tried to repress it, but invariably, he felt his throat close. Tears welled in his eyes and he choked down a breath before he started to cry. He set the drink down, cradled his head in his hands with his palms pressed to his forehead as he grimaced. As each black tear landed, steam rose from them.
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 5:03 pm
It was like a switch has been turned. Whether it was the alcohol, change in subject or a combination of the two but Heliodor felt the mounting dread as he watched the collapse happen right in front of him. Try as it appeared Faustitedid, the emotions must have been too much, and Heliodor had a moment of shock.
“Hey…hey…”Rising from his chair, his glass he deposited on the desktop as he rounded to Faustite’s side. He noted that inner flame, curling and swelling against the cage that seemed to keep it at bay, but it was the boy who had crumbled in front of him that was the corrupt's true interest. Without thinking, Heliodor reached out hands to the thin shoulders he had held many times before. The desire to draw Faustite into him and offer comfort was an unconscious reaction. One certainly not born of habit. Faustite was never one to show emotion.
What Heliodor hadn’t anticipated was the pure heat that radiated, not just from Faustite’s core, but from the rest of his body as well. Like a child touching a stove for the first time and finding it unpleasurable, Helio’s hands shot back after the initial contact. “Damn!
“Faustite. Look at me.” He said, trying to gain the General’s attention. “Please. Let me help you.” Heliodor crouched next to Faustite, offering his presence as he itched to encircle his arms around the distraught boy.
“Whatever it is I am here. I swear I am not going anywhere. Tell me what’s going on.”
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 5:05 pm
Told himself to pull it together. That Generals didn’t cry in front of their new subordinates, however long they’d known each other. But each time he reminded himself, it sounded more and more like a feeble excuse.
Even if Heliodor couldn’t touch him, he was aware of the attempt. Aware that the boy he hasn’t seen in years knelt next to him, worried and willing to help. Faustite scrubbed his face, black tears and snot smearing as they caught on his sleeve, and he managed a few shaken breaths. Still felt warm for the liquor — didn’t care if he embarrassed himself now.
Swallowed back what he could before he spoke. “There’s too much,” he tried, and his voice strained.
Silence followed, stretched to minutes while he fought for dominion over his emotions. Once he was certain he could speak without faltering, he finally began.
“Started with that battle on the hilltop.” It must’ve — nothing fell to ruin before that day. “Don’t know if you heard about it. Aliens — now extraterrestrial than senshi — came to earth. Don’t know what came down between their leader and our Queen, but they were gathered at a hilltop. We were to engage them.
“The Queen charged a few of us to protect generators.” His hands shook, and he balled them into fists, shaking his head. “Not important.
“Saw a White Moon senshi I knew with a Negaverse senshi. She was being talked into staying in the chaos field we set up. Saw a handful of them corrupt spontaneously. She was one of them, and.” He paused, breathed. “Repaid a favor she wouldn’t remember. Gave her an identity as my sister, added her to the team, and the Negaverse senshi — Ilse — came with her.
“Nembus, another subordinate, didn’t come back from that fight. Suspect she turned coat, but can’t prove it.” She might’ve died, which hurt in ways he didn’t like.
“Everything was okay for a while, then a Knight started attacking agents and senshi while looking for that senshi — Lysithea. Got to some of my team, too.” He scoffed sardonically. “Got to one of Jet’s; he yelled at me for it.” But what had that mattered in the end? Jet still took him on that mission.
“Ilse turned traitor first. Told Lysithea that I lied about our lineage. Then…” he gestured with his dominant hand, though his face twitched when he did it. “Tried to summon her when Lysithea confronted me about it. Couldn’t, she already joined the White Moon. Fought her in her apartment, but that Knight was there. Ambushed me. Took me up to his Wonder as a hostage. Thought that would gain him Lysithea.”
He drew a long sigh as more tears welled up. “But she was already gone.”
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 5:05 pm
If there was one thing Helio had learned it was patience and it served him well as he crouched by Faustite’s side. If he could not hold the boy as he wanted, Helio could at least be that anchoring presence. Something to stabilize and remind his old friend he wasn’t alone. Support was near and ready. So he let the silence sit between them in an oddly comfortable way despite the circumstances.
He listened as the story unfolded and Faustite bared his soul. There was so much not said, Helio could tell there was so much more but the details weren’t important. He could read between the lines well enough. This was more than a General losing his subordinate to the opposing side.
“I am sorry.” The words slipped out. What he was apologizing for was impossible to say. Sorry that Faustite recently lost someone that clearly held an importance to him? That a Knight was able to take the General hostage? At the possible humiliation that may be present at the fact Faustite lost two to order? His subordinates were involved?
He took the girl in and gave her the honor of being his sister. That…that wasn’t lost on the corrupt. Faustite who had lost his family had let someone in. Had likely, given the reaction, grown attached.
With no way to touch, fingers found the fine material of the General’s coat. Fisting it, he pulled ever so slightly, the closest he could get to showing any sort of physical connection. “I am so sorry.” He choked out
Perhaps it was foolish or self-centered, but his apology was for so much more. His apology for the past two years. His apology for the trouble he’d caused in the past. How horrible it had all been.
“Hey. I am here. Just remember, you’re not alone. I won’t let you be alone again.” His words were soft as a thumb stroked the material gathered in his hand, likely growing wrinkled.
He grabbed the back leg of the stool. Pushing on it, he attempted to shift the chair enough that Faustite was angled towards him more. He looked up at his friend. “And don’t ever be afraid of…this. It’s ok to have emotions. You aren’t a machine.”
Reaching up he brushed at the General’s hair and offered a tentative, supportive smile.
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 5:07 pm
"No, I'm part youma." Heliodor had moved his stool, and he let himself be moved with it. Faced outward like that, he leaned back and rested his spine against the edge of his desk. Uncomfortable as it was, it offered a measure of support.
Faustite gave his subordinate a nudge with the side of his boot. "Thanks." Not that he said it with eye contact. His attention found the ceiling, where a cluster of crystals marked the spot that Headache favored. The whiskey helped; he could stare without dwelling on what he'd said. Famously useful stuff for dismissing his ability to give a s**t about anything. And with Heliodor petting his heat-flattened hair? He knew it was dangerous to continue drinking; it might go somewhere he'd regret in the morning.
Thought about it, paused, then sighed. His subordinates could tell Heliodor that Faustite was blown to pieces during that operation. He was sure some of them speculated that he wasn't over it by the way his hands shook, or how he jumped at a slammed door.
"You were right to leave."
After a minute's pause, he reached back for the bottle of whiskey and poured himself another glass. "Thought about that, you know. Everything I put you through, because of her. Thought I was s**t as a superior. Didn't take any subordinates for years afterward." He paused, then smiled wistfully. "Thought you killed yourself."
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 5:24 pm
While unnecessary, the thanks was appreciated and Helio acknowledged it by rapping a knuckle on the same booted foot that nudged him. This calm silence between them was comfortable even if born from emotional duress. Oddly enough, it was these quiet moments between them that Helio had some of the fondest memories from.
“Whoa. No.” He said firmly. “Me leaving wasn’t because of you. Don’t blame yourself for something you had no control over.” Again he shifted, moving from his crouch as feet grew tingly and calves burned to kneel in front of Faustite. Hands reached to touch both the other boys knees only to recoil at the heat.
“You were doing what was expected of you as a subordinate. What she” he practically spat. Who the she was, was no secret between them. “Did was horrible, and I can’t even begin to imagine everything that she demanded of you.” Faustite has always been tight lipped about many things in their past. It was something Helio had had difficulty understanding then.
“I don’t blame you one bit and if I did do you think I’d come back requesting you take me back again? You have absolutely nothing to apologize for. You hear me? I left because you were gone. Vanished. I had no clue where you went and…I panicked.” His voice warbled and he looked to the floor between himself and Faustite.
He sighed wearily. “If anyone has anything to apologize for it’s me. I was a downright b*****d as your subordinate in the beginning. I definitely didn’t make life easy for you, and looking back I can only imagine the problems I caused for you with your superiors.”
A pause as he looked back at Faustite. “And honestly…I thought you were gone for good too.
“But. Here we are. Both alive and together again. It’s like fate has some odd design for us.” He exhaled a soft laugh..
“So please don’t go carrying such a heavy weight.”
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2022 5:27 pm
Tipping his head back, Faustite breathed a long, smoky sigh. Watched the ribbon of smoke wend its way up toward the ceiling, where it disappeared against the dark stone. He waited, then waited longer, then held his hand out for the otherness that they used for storage to return an item to him.
A cincher – made of unidentifiable leather, fitted with strang bone. He sat up, wrapped it about himself, fit together the clasps until it hid his fiery core completely. It often felt a little stifling, but he would weather it.
Supposed he had to; Heliodor wasn't the only subordinate who had a penchant for physical contact.
"Don't need to make excuses for me." Kind of him to try, but hands that were manipulated by the abuser were still complicit. He hadn't wanted to dwell on it; years passed, and they grew apart. Even if Heliodor sat next to him, whole, and even if Chrysocolla was back, they had still seen nothing of Schörl. Yet he felt it haunting the periphery of his mind – that dread, that tooth-grinding wait for her to turn up again.
Faustite rested his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward, and his hands invariably traced his words. "Remember that youma we hunted in the Rift? The one we couldn't surmount? Left to follow it." And to get away from everything else. He needed the space, the time apart, the new task to mind. "Spent two years down there, chasing after it. Bathing in non potable rivers. Dodging from supply cache to supply cache while I tracked it." Better that he didn't mention scavenging.
"Didn't mean to spend so long, but the sky's fixed. 'Day' and 'night' lose meaning." It was why Kamacite was so startled to see him, so long after his disappearance. The rest hadn't turned up, however – no Ceraskia, Tiberius, Aue, Quartz.
He scoffed, half mirthful. "******** fate. You're the one designing. You tell me what you have in mind for us."
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