Welcome to Gaia! ::

The thing about Meridiana was that as a person of high class, she was a firm believer in working smarter, not harder. Some might wonder what that entailed and she’d simply offer a secretive smile. Her methods were her own and it would not bode well if others partook in similar activities; such as draining allies so that they could rest easier at night. Granted they had given her their consent before performing such an act.

Other times it meant going on dates with civilians; hiding her corrupt marks and removing her tiara. A few other adjustments to her uniform were sometimes necessary but otherwise, it was passable in some of the fine dining establishments.

Normally, when dinner ended, she politely declined any offer to take her home and insisted that she get an uber. On one hand, it was a means to keep her powered identity and civilian separate, but mostly because follow-up dates were an incredibly rare occurrence. This evening, however, was one such rarity that the man she was seated next to was someone she had seen a couple of times over the last few years.

Unlike the others, he was far more insistent that he take her home and eventually she obliged his request. As such, she had been powered up when they were being chauffeured down the highway when she sensed a curious aura retreating into the woods on the other side of the barricade. Curiosity had her head turn in its direction, but all too soon they were well outside of range.

The rest of the drive was uneventful, mostly spent in idle conversation about his new business venture and the politics behind securing a loan to finance the project. Playing ignorant was tiresome but she was skilled in letting other people drawl on about their passions so that she didn’t have to fill in the gaps of silence.

Eventually, she and Stephen parted ways. She was left standing under the entrance eve for a Hilton Hotel while her date was driven to the airport.

Only when she was sure that he wasn’t going to turn back did Maridiana begin walking away from the hotel towards the sidewalk where she continued on down the street until she could find a place without cameras to teleport away unseen.

Her destination was a little foggy since she’d only caught a brief glimpse of the exit sign they passed. But fortunately, when she arrived, tall grass brushed against her ankles; how ill-fated it would have been if she had reappeared on the highway instead.

From where she stood, the aura could not be felt, but she was certain it had been moving away from the main road. And so, as an added precaution, she activated her medallion. No longer did it hide her aura complete, but it did at least make her appear to be no more than a basic senshi; diminutive in power and not capable of much. Deceitful, yes. But it was perhaps the only thing that kept her safe in a world where the White Moon tended to attack first and ask questions later.

For many minutes Meridiana wandered along unmarked trails until finally, she felt the distinct aura of a Page. Granted, they might actually be a Squire if they had the same gift she had, but Meri liked to believe her medallion was special.

Cautiously she approached all the while expecting them to bolt at the initial realization that they were not alone. But the aura didn’t stir even as dried leave crunched beneath her careful steps.

Ahead of her is where she had spotted him; the tall handsome man resting peacefully upon a sleeping bag. Soft beams of moonlight filtered through the pine trees above him speckling his form in an otherwise otherwordly glow. By comparison, if he were standing, the Page of Pluto would no doubt tower over her easily but that was not enough reason for her to push aside her curiosity.

Each step was measured, and calculated carefully until she stood close enough to kneel beside him. His skin, a deep umber with warm undertones, stood out in stark contrast to her own pale tones.

If sleep is what you need. Meridiana brushes his silken purple bangs to the side as she skillfully siphoned energy from his sleeping form. Then I will stay vigil and watch over you until you wake.

Without thinking much about her actions, the corrupt leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his forehead before shifting beside him so she could slide a well-manicured hand beneath his head so that he may use her lap as a pillow instead of his arm that would get sore after a while.

She hummed a nameless melody while running practiced fingers through his hair; the same way she used to care for Noctura or Arabia. Their situations were much the same as this one, so much so that she wondered if they were the reason she felt so daring. Enough time had passed since either asked for her aid that all she wanted was to feel somehow needed or useful to someone, even if they did not ask for it.

“Meri,” she replied since he had no need nor use for her full Senshi given name. “And I feel as if I should be asking you the same thing.” A delicate eyebrow raised in his direction. “But, for the sake of conversation, I’ll humor you and answer since you asked first.”

“It was only by happenstance that I notice you out here. I can’t say I’ve ever felt an aura right off the highway before, so I became curious.” In the back of her mind, Meridiana wondered if he might have been having a secret meeting with others of his faction. “I must say, it came as a surprise to see that you were alone.” He could have easily been a trap and she so willingly fell for the bait. But it looked like the heavens smiled upon her, at least this time.

“I could have left you alone,” She looked up at him, head canted to the side while her calculating sapphire eyes roamed over his deliciously chiseled form in an almost appraising fashion. A small smile of approval tugged her red-painted lips when her eyes finally locked with his. “But I decided, for tonight, you’re mine; nobody else can claim you. Unless I called out for it, nobody else would have bothered you this evening.”

“So-” Meridiana paused a moment to let her words sink in. “I’ve answered your question. Perhaps now you might feel inclined to indulge my curiosity and tell me why you’re out here alone.” He could be homeless, but she very much doubted that was the case.

“Scuffles?” Her tone seemed a little surprised if not a bit confused. Clearly, he was accustomed to being ambushed with his guarded stance. Even if his general awareness was somehow lacking, no doubt due to exhaustion but that was beside the point, the Pages’ reaction was quick, especially for someone she had siphoned a small amount of energy from.

Meridiana hummed thoughtfully. With an outfit such as the one she wore, Meridiana was not equipped to fight anyone. What she lacked in speed or strength was made up by her charisma; if that failed, however, there was always her magic to fall back on to disarm him further.

“I believe you’ve miss read the situation.” In one graceful motion, she rose to her full height; petite by normal standards. A lady of manners who cared about how she presented herself, Meridiana brushed her hands down the length of her dress; smoothing out wrinkles while dusting off bits of dirt and pine needles that clung to the heavy fabrics. “It is not my intention to hurt you. I was merely curious”

She could leave. Should leave… As the Page stated, he wanted to be alone. But she had walked all this way and quite frankly, she did not want to be alone right now. “If I was able to find you this easily, it’d only be a matter of time before someone else picked up on your aura and found you sleeping. They may not have been as kind as I have been.” A sword or spear thrown from a distance would have ended him before he’d had a chance to roll out of the way.

“It’s noble of you to come out here to protect others, but you leave yourself vulnerable.” White Moon Senshi and Knights were unable to teleport freely as she could. At a moment’s notice, nobody would make it here in time to save him. Whereas, if she so much as made a simple call she could have Dravite or even Axinite here in a matter of seconds. Well, the General King might simply summon her to him instead which would work well too.

Regarding him from where she stood only a few feet away, Meridiana hummed thoughtfully. His question remained unanswered, however, as it was none of his concern as to why she had been powered while in a vehicle.

He shifted, and her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. A pang of worry struck her as she wondered if he had enough of an energy reserve left to put up a fight if she approached him again. Her head canted to the side ever so slightly as she considered her options carefully.

What she said before still held true. Meridiana was not out here to harm him, and yet- “If this is something you need then-…” The corrupt Senshi reached out with her right hand, as a golden handle appeared before her. Slender fingers curled around the ethereal hilt and when she grabbed hold of it a whip appeared, the length of it coiling on the ground beside her in a ribbon of magic.

“Eyes on me,” she spoke in a sultry tone before swinging the whip overhead and snapping it beside her. The weapon did not linger and disappeared near immediately. Meridiana did not remain idle, she did not wait to see if the magic took hold. With confidence she approached him, her gaze unwavering as she lowered herself beside him again.

In times past she may have simply blown him a kiss, or perhaps out of kindness only kissed his cheek. But for what she was about to give him, she wanted more than a chaste innocent peck.

Meridiana’s hand fanned a crossed his chest and she felt muscles beneath her fingers tensed, as she knew they would, but she paid his reaction no mind. Heavy skirts pooled around her as she leaned forward, capturing his lips with her own. In her other hand she felt the energy orb begin to form, stealing from him more than she had taken previously.

A heavenly scent of spice and pine.

The Senshi of the Succubus wanted more, perhaps even needed but he would not be the one to give it to her, not willingly anyway. Even so, she snagged his lower lip as she reluctantly pulled away. Her hand slid upward where her thumb brushed over a scar on the side of his neck; a burn maybe? No- a bite. Curious… not enough to ask however.

Didn’t matter, wasn’t likely they’d meet again after this anyway.

“If solitude is what you desire then I’ll leave you with this.” Meridiana moved to lift the medallion from around her neck and when it was lifted over her head, her aura shifted, became stronger even. The peculiar item was then placed over his head and settled around his neck. The warm metal that had been hidden beneath the fabric of her dress now stood in stark contrast against his own dark umber skin tone. His own aura now non-existent. “Do not worry about trying to return it, it will return to me when the magic has been spent.

Beside him, she placed the orb of energy she’d taken before standing up. “Just know, I could have kept you safe if only you allowed me to stay.”

“Why?” Meridiana gave his question thoughtful consideration, while weighing the implications of each reply she could have given him. “Why indeed,” she replied as her gaze roamed over his prone form greedily.

She had expected nothing from him and yet-his reciprocated actions had left her wanting.

A hand raised as she touched her lip with a slender finger, a light caress, much gentler than his young had been. Her lust filled gaze drifted down to rest on the hand he had laced through her hair and held her close. Only one other had touched her in such a way and like then she wanted to feel that fluttering feeling, the excitement of feeling desired by someone.

Dare she attempt to steal from him another kiss, forgo magic and hope to be held like something precious?

No-

She locked gazes with him and knew that from his narrowed gaze and snarled demand that the Page would snap her neck if she dare tried. “You would not be satisfied with any answer I could give you. And even if. You were- I doubt you’d trust me anyway.”

“I didn’t lie when I said I was curious. And yes, that curiosity has been satiated.” Only slightly, however. If anything she felt more sure that her Sphere played a larger role in her actions than she previously accepted. “I thank you for your assistance.” A cryptic lie simply because she had no desire to explain herself least he offer compensation in the form of another embrace.

“I am as I was made to be.” Cryptic, but true. “Senshi of the succubus,” she bowed almost mockingly. Conveniently leaving her name a mystery as he had no need to know it. “A being of lust and desire, only deserving of a fleeting moment and nothing more.” Her heart wrenched knowing the truth was more real than she’d like to acknowledge.

Never would she know the feeling of being truly wanted. Love would remain a foreign concept so long as she continued to devote her evenings to her craft; working smarter, not harder. Lure targets in with promises of a good night only to take from them their energy, star seed if they got violent but that had yet to happen and for that she was thankful. But every meeting ended much the same.

Alone, with the prize of a golden orb.

“I do what is expected of me, nothing more. That-“ Meridiana gestured toward the orb beside him. “It is extra.” She had met her quota before following after him; the small amount she took originally was kept but that which was taken through the use of her magic was returned instead of stowed away with the rest.

“I am not interest in gaining the attention of any Sovereign.” There were only two reason to have them look her way; punishment for a severe lapse in judgement, or to place upon her more responsibility which she was not interested in. “And I can at least see the bigger picture and know that is an inevitability that we will find ourselves fighting together against a common enemy. I’m no fool and know that my usefulness will be less than most and will need to rely on Knights, like yourself, perhaps stronger ones more so, and agents.”

More often than not rocks were thrown by most corrupts and White Moon Senshi, a default weapon since magic was limited and normally had its own time and place for its usefulness. “If sleep is what you need than use that for now. Find your own if you can now that you know of its existence.” She knew others had one like hers, such as the eternal corrupt that signaled the ambush. “I’m not interested in killing you or taking your starseed. I’d much rather forge an alliance with someone I can rely on later.”

The corrupt hummed, canted her head to the side and smiled. “How does that sound for a reason? Are you satisfied with that or would you rather I fabricate something else more believable? If the latter, I will require compensation.” Meridiana caught her lower lip between her teeth, intent very clear if he wanted to continue this conversation.

“Because at the end of the day it doesn’t matter what side I’m on. Order is orderless; you have no reliable leader.” She paused, her memory flickering to the princess who had purified not one, but three people on an active battlefield. Her name was largely unknown by Meridiana so she assumed that the Princess had a smaller following otherwise more would have tried protecting her.

There was a Prince there as well but he seemed less of a leader than she did. Whereas in each corner there had been a Sovereign there overseeing the ambush. Although she didn’t want their eyes upon her, there was a level of safety there that Order simply didn’t have. Plus… it was hard to forget what Zinkenite had done for her; it would be a spit in his face if she defected so easily.

Still- there were times that the idea had been tempting.

“At leat with our hierarchy, I know someone will come if called.” Hatsya, certainly. Dravite, most likely. Noctua, probably. A couple of others, surely- she just might know them by name. Albite… maybe not, she did kind of kidnap him after their battle and she wasn’t entirely sure where that left them.

“That is enough questions for now- I think.” Meridiana gathered a fistful of her skirt and bowed before him. Not really a mocking gesture but she was sure that the Page would probably take it that way. “If we do meet again, I hope it will be on cordial terms.” It would be nice to not have to use magic on him just to feel safe enough to approach the Page. Lower rank or not, he was no doubt capable of harming her if she wasn’t careful.

Her sapphire eyes gleaned brightly as her appreciative gaze swept over his form once more; and for a fraction of a moment, lingered upon his lips; definitely a good kisser, she’d give him that. Shame it didn’t last longer or that he wasn’t willing to engage in a second round. Next time maybe.

“Rest well…” When the corrupt rose again she blew him a kiss.