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 Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2024 9:31 am
Normally, Arsenolite didn't target other people at his power level. But tonight he felt more like a challenge—so when he felt the Knight aura here in West End Park, he grinned to himself and prowled towards it. It would be a nice little feather in his cap, if he managed to bring back that starseed. And if not, well, at least he'll have distracted them from any of the Lieutenants and Captains that were absolutely puttering about. He needed to protect them from someone who could likely overpower them. Which was a distinctly odd feeling, for sure, but... He liked it. The idea of being a protector. Someone had to help out the lower-level grunts, and he would fill that role tonight. It felt... good. He even hummed to himself a little bit as he sauntered over, bow in hand and an arrow on the string—although it wasn't drawn, not yet. The last thing he needed was for it to slip from his grip and fire prematurely. Every second was precious when fighting in a magical battle, and he didn't need to waste time grabbing one of his extremely few arrows from his quiver and re-drawing. "Good evening," he called out to the Knight—they seemed so... small. "I suggest you go home, little brat."
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Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2024 10:32 am
That night, Elliot had a group project to work on. The meeting place wasn’t too far from where they lived, so they made a plan to meet up at the park later so they could hang out for a bit before heading home.
There was always the debate of whether he should be out, powered up or not. Sure, if he was powered up, it would likely attract the attention of others. But since he was a Knight, it should deter most, including curious youma who had no problem chasing after civilians.
Ephesus knew he should have been paying attention more closely, but he was excited about that night! It was almost Valentine’s Day, so there were plenty of places with chocolate and other gifts for sale. He found an assortment of chocolates with all different kinds of flavors. He’d never got to try something like that out before, much less with a friend, so even though he hesitated in spending his money, he eventually bought four boxes of chocolates.
It wasn’t all for him, though! He wanted to share a box with Elliot, but he thought it would be nice if their parents could each have a box as well. And Myles was always so nice to them, and Jeremy -- he literally owed his life to him in many ways -- so they got a box as well. He wasn’t sure what Lucien would like, but he hoped he wouldn’t be too offended by a smaller box of assorted chocolates. Should cats have chocolate? Was Lucien even considered a cat?
Ephesus had been happily swinging his feet from the bench he sat on, but let out a squeak of distress and jumped up when a voice and aura of a General suddenly filled his senses.
“Hello! Okay!” he squeaked again, because he certainly wouldn’t have to be told twice to leave, and if he was being given the opportunity then he was going to take it! Hopefully Amarynthos would be able to sense the aura before he got too close and turned back.
Oh, but he needed to get the boxes he’d bought. Shaking with fear, he tried to gather everything up in his arms -- and immediately dropped them all onto the ground.
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Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2024 10:56 am
Arsenololite stared. Wow. This guy really was a kid, huh? How did he even make to l it to Knight if he was that terrified of everything around him? It was kinda funny. And, despite the caution he held about wasting arrows, he couldn't bring himself to care when he saw the funniest opportunity of his life—and he took it, drawing his bow and quickly shooting the arrow at the smallest box of chocolates, guessing that that would be the one most likely to be picked up last so he wouldn't actually hurt a kid. Order or not. "I'll take that as payment for your life," he said, before a boot landed in his back and knocked him flat on his face on the ground. Fang snarled when he'd noticed the General threatening the Knight—it seemed the Knight didn't want to fight back, for whatever reason
Well. Fang had no such qualms or compunctions. He'd rushed in immediately, kicking the General down and then rushing over to the kid.
"Okay?" he asked the boy over his shoulder as he crouched in front of him, staring at the General, who was now getting up. "Oh Jesus Christ, not you again," Arsenolite groaned upon seeing the weird feral dog senshi again. He didn't want to deal with this—that guy's magic <******** hurt. He teleported away rather than stay there and get his a** kicked.
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Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2024 11:31 am
Tears were already in his eyes before the arrow was loosed into the little box of chocolates. Ephesus yelped in surprise and fell backwards onto the ground, holding up an arm over his face just in case he was the next target.
The scar from where he’d been hit in the head by the rock, thrown by that scary fire General, was mostly healed. But sometimes he could still feel the throbbing and remember the heat and smell and the pained, pale look on Amarynthos’s face--
But someone else was suddenly there. A brighter aura. Stronger too. And -- oh! He knew this Senshi! He was there when that bank was on fire and everything bad was happening and he kept them all safe then too. Although everything had been a little too distracting for actual introductions.
He lowered his hand to muffle the little sob that escaped as he nodded his head a few times -- then realized it was probably silly to nod when he wasn’t being looked at.
“Y-yes,” he choked and then -- the General teleported.
And Ephesus burst into tears.
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Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2024 2:56 pm
Fang startled at the sudden crying, whirling around and staring at the teenager with wide eyes, ears pinned back in shock and tail all fluffed up. The threat, at least, had passed, so after a long moment, he scooted closer, forcing his ears to perk back up and his tail to wag gently, friendly-like, followed up by a sneeze to prove he was nonthreatening. "Friend?" he asked softly as he extended his hands slowly. He wanted to help the crying boy, he was unsure how, exactly. He knew people preferred many different forms of comfort—Fang himself didn't want attention while he cried for the first few minutes, and then he wanted a bunch of cuddles.
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Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2024 6:38 pm
He didn’t mean to cry! He’d just been so startled and scared and he didn’t know if the General was going to start shooting them with arrows. But thankfully it seemed as though he’d been scared off.
Still, that didn’t stop the tears. Ephesus tried scrubbing at his face with his hands, as if that would get the tears to stop faster. He knew it was a useless effort. Sometimes once he was pushed over the emotional edge, it was difficult for him to settle.
He felt bad for crying in front of someone who’s saved him from getting hurt, and scared the General away. He was grateful! And maybe some of his crying was out of relief. He was glad that Amarynthos hadn’t been there. He didn’t know what he would have done if he’d been shot with an arrow!
Ephesus blinked furiously to try and clear the tears from his eyes, sniffling a bit through the quiet sobs as he glanced down at the hands extended to him.
“Friend?” he repeated the question, but confusion pitched his voice higher than intended. Oh. Oh. But he didn’t want to be rude. He scrubbed at his eyes once more and then… oh… he wasn’t sure what to do. He rubbed his hands dry on his clothes and then hesitantly held out his hands as well. Was that supposed to be what he did? Oh… and the Senshi’s ears and tail were really cute.
“Thank you,” he sniffled, his lip wibbling with emotion. “Sorry, I. Um. I’m okay,” he promised. He wasn’t hurt at least! “I… oh, sorry,” he continued to hesitate, not knowing what to do with his hands. He didn’t know if it was considered gross that they were just covered in tears.
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Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2024 12:31 pm
Fang tilted his head slightly, confused by Ephesus' reaction, but took it as permission to fold the Knight into a hug, rubbing his back gently and letting out happy grumbles deep in his chest. "Friend," he confirmed. "Name Fang. Glad to come in time. Agent scary." He couldn't help himself and he nuzzled into the top of Ephesus' head, trying very hard to provide comfort without going too far. "No need for sorry or thanks. Fang do job. This what Fang does. Happy to help." He glanced at the box that had pierced by the arrow, frowning slightly at it. "Sorry about treats."
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Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2024 6:20 pm
Oh! Oh, Ephesus should have known Fang meant to give him a hug. And of course Ephesus leaned into it, more than happy to wrap his arms around the puppy Senshi. He liked hugs, anyway, so this was perfectly acceptable and wanted.
He sniffled a bit still, but shook his head about the box.
“It’s okay. It was just some chocolate. Oh! Would you like a box? Wait. Should you be eating chocolate? Is that allowed? Oh, I don’t want you to get sick,” he frowned, glancing up at Fang. He had cute ears that Ephesus kind of wanted to touch.
“Oh, um, I’m Ephesus. But Effie is okay, too. I was waiting for another Knight, but I’m glad you were around. I don’t think I can outrun arrows,” he sniffled.
“You helped us before. I’m glad we got to meet properly. Oh, definitely wait for Mary-- I mean… Amarynthos to get here. I bet he’d remember you, too. I mean, if you’re not in a rush to get home or somewhere else.”
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Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2024 11:57 am
Fang pulled back after Ephesus finished speaking, giving him a little pat on the head. "Fang can eat many things, including chocolate," he said a bit enthusiastically, tail wagging a bit. "Nice to meet Effie. If Mary will be here soon, Fang will wait. Fang has time." He inspected the box that had been shot. Hm. He ripped the fletching off the back off the arrow and then opened the box, finding that only one chocolate had been pierced by the arrow. "Chocolate still good," he chirped. "Mostly."
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