|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 4:52 pm
Valjean led them away from the civilian, down an alleyway and onto a darker side street. It was empty, barely illuminated by a few streetlights, and felt exactly like the sort of place that lent itself to covert discussions. Which, he supposed, this was.
"You don't have to decide immediately," Valjean said. "I can be reasonable." Giving her time to plan would also give her time to flee, but....well, if they made plans and she didn't show up, that was what the database was for.
"You know," he said, "I realize I never got your name. I'm Valjean, Senshi of the Revolution."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 5:37 pm
Ingrid followed without hesitation, she wasn’t going to give him any reason to go back and kill the civilian again but…then again. If he did, at least she wouldn’t see it. But she nodded, giving a small curtsy. “Ingrid. Senshi of Holly. Pleased to meet you, Valjean.” Of the Revolution, hm? That…was an interesting sphere…not that she had room to talk but. At least his sounded…cool.
“Thank you. For talking with me and letting me have time…can you tell me…what’s your favorite part about it? You…said that you were brought over and you…fought it? Why? You seem very happy now…what made you fight?”
…Oh. But he also said he couldn't remember so…how would he even know?
Still. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, honestly…well. Not a while. More like a few days. I met another corrupt, Ferris and she was really nice…so. She told me it was nice over there. And that…things made more sense. Is that how you feel, Valjean?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 5:56 pm
"Ingrid of Holly," he committed her name and sphere to memory, for a report to the database. The Negaverse would need to know about her, one way other the other, and it would be all too easy to ensure she fell into their hands.
After all, she seemed so willing.
"I wouldn't be doing my due diligence if we didn't at least have a conversation," he said. Her questions made him think, though, and he gave them a turn-over in his head. It wasn't exactly easy, what she was asking.
"I don't remember why I fought," he admitted. "I just know I must have, because my entire memory before Hessonite brought me into the Negaverse is a blank--and if I had gone willingly, that would very much not be the case. But my favorite thing is that I have a team. A General, who leads us. They're a bit messy, but a good group, and I could not be prouder to work with them." He smiled, fondly, thinking of the operation to target Rockatanskite. It had gone magnificently, and it had been a pleasure to be a part of.
"I don't have anything to compare it to, really, but....I like the way the Negaverse works. I like how it makes sense. I like the cohesion. And, like I said....I like my team. So it seems like a worthwhile trade, to me."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 6:03 pm
A team? A whole group of people who actually worked together? Truthfully…it sounded fake but…at the same time.
“...It sounds kind of amazing.” Ingrid swallowed. “Do you think anyone would want to be my friend, in your team? I want to see if my twin will come too…she’s the Senshi of Peppermint, so I can very much understand why you wouldn’t want her. Peppermint is the most vile substance on this earth, and I really think she only got this sphere to annoy me because I hate it so much.”
Perhaps it wasn’t so good to just…tell him all of these kinds of things…but Valjean was easy to talk to, and Ingrid felt whatever walls she had put up at first coming down rather swiftly.
“I’m glad that you’re happy now. It suits you. And the…the long hair. Is that part of the whole thing too? I met someone with really long hair but she wasn’t a corrupt, but Ferris, she had the crazy hair too…”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 6:21 pm
"It is amazing," Valjean said. "There's nothing quite like the knowledge that you can call someone and know that they'll be at your back."
Her questions were so sweet, so innocent. Valjean wondered if Chaos would harden her, or if she would stay this sweet.
...He sort of hoped for the latter. It was cute. and it would be a little sad to see it destroyed. But, on he other hand, she might come out better for the remaking.
"We could find a place for your sister, I think. Anyone can be made useful, even someone with the most vile sphere." He laughed, a little. Her vehemence was adorable. "And I'm sure everyone on the team will want to be your friend."
What a wonderfully naive thing to be worried about.
"The hair is part of the whole thing, yes." He stepped into her space, reached out, gently took some of her lovely bright violet hair between his fingers and let it flow through them. "It'll look lovely on you, I think. And your colors will look so nice against black."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 6:35 pm
She allowed him into her space, and looking up at him, Ingrid swallowed. “...You’re. Actually kind of freakishly tall, aren’t you?” Okay, so maybe not freakishly, but he was nearly…god. A head taller than she was. Though, she knew at five feet four inches she was…pretty short but.
Damn.
“I hope so. Godiva deserves a place…and it would be hard to leave her. That…would be the only thing stopping me, I think. If I knew she was coming with me, I’d go with you right now, Valjean. You make very compelling arguments.”
When he took her hair in his hand, she felt a shiver and chewed her bottom lip, taking half a step closer. “We could be friends, yeah?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 6:45 pm
Valjean snorted. "Six foot three," he acknowledged. "So....yes." She was so much smaller than him. He could probably lift her and carry her, if he really wanted to get forceful about bringing her in.
"And yes, we can definitely be friends," he said, and he dropped his voice low, something rumbling and seductive. More than friends, if she was interested. She was pretty, and he could definitely see himself having quite a lot of fun with her.
"Why don't we make a deal, Ingrid," he said and he smiled. "Think it over for a little while. Say, a week? And try to persuade your sister. And we'll meet here, and you'll give me your decision. Sound good?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 6:57 pm
It…honestly, it did sound good. And from the way Ingrid’s heart felt as though it were going to beat out of her chest, it…sounded very good indeed.
She hesitated though, looking at him, her cheeks going from light pink to a darker shade of red. “...What…what happens if my decision isn’t finalized in a week? What if I still don’t know by then? I…I want to see you. But if I can’t get her to listen…what should I do? I’ll…still show up, but if it’s not a yes…will you keep waiting?”
…Or would she be forced to join like he was? Would…it make that much of a difference, really? He seemed happy, so honestly…it stood to reason she would end up the same, right?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 7:11 pm
Valjean moved his hand from her hair to gently rest his index finger under her chin and tilt her head up.
"Why don't we cross that bridge when we come to it, hmm?" He would have to consider all the angles on the problem. Talk to Faustite, get his advice for how to handle this. It was possible, of course, that the advice would be "pop her starseed and bring her in," and.....well, yeah, he was definitely prepared to do that if he had to.
But he'd prefer she came on her own.
He pressed his lips to her forehead, and stepped back, grinning.
"A week, Ingrid. Think things over. Don't rush, of course. This is a big decision. But I'd be happy to have you and your sister, if you think she'll come with us."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 12, 2022 7:33 pm
When he leaned in, for a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her lips, and her eyes closed in surprise? Nerves? Something. But…when she felt the kiss on her forehead, she relaxed under it. Oh…
Okay. So that felt…kind of nice, actually.
“Ah…yeah…okay. We can do that…I’ll…um. I’ll see you in a week, Valjean…thank you. And…I’m sorry for…asking you to give the guy his life back…but I’m very glad that you did…it was very kind of you. You…”
She swallowed, face growing a bit hotter and nodded once more. “...A week…I’ll…be here..uh…”
Swiftly, she turned, and nearly fell, stumbling for a moment before breaking into a run.
…A week. She had a week to get herself together…and to convince Galya to uproot their lives together…
Or…maybe more…but she would at least see Valjean again in a week…that…
That was almost good enough.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
