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 Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2024 8:49 pm
Something was wrong. Atticus wasn’t sure what, but there was definitely something wrong with how he felt.
It wasn’t Chaos, but he could feel something in his very bones it seemed. Like there was an energy that couldn’t be explained.
His parents didn’t have to tell him that they felt it too. He knew by the way they looked at each other. The subtle tension in their smiles, the way they seemed on edge. There was no point in hiding it, and Atticus told them as much. He could sense something was off too. As could Elliot.
He was more concerned when he heard from his friends that they were also having trouble. Dering and Stirling, and Cynthus, along with Reims. Yvoire couldn’t even power up, it seemed. Thankfully they’d exchanged phone numbers and Atticus was able to work with the others to meet up.
“Go to the moon,” his Papa had said. It wasn’t really a suggestion. And before Atticus could go into detail about how he heard others were having trouble getting to their wonders, his parents reminded him that they could reach the moon, regardless.
Good… because they could figure out what was going on with their Wonders while they were up there.
He hadn’t powered up. Not yet. Since there was likely going to be a large surge of auras, he figured staying under the radar was the best idea for the moment.
As if his parents weren’t lurking nearby to make sure nothing happened to them.
While they waited for the others, Atticus held tightly to Elliot’s hand as they sat together on a park bench. He was looking up at him with confusion and concern, as if they could communicate without even needing their magical earrings. Of course there would be something wrong. Reims muttered curses to himself as he made his way to the meeting point. Maybe if he’d agreed to join--
No, he was still figuring things out. He couldn’t stand the idea of hurting any one of them, physically or emotionally, but if he had a little more power, then maybe he could keep them safe while whatever magic figured itself out.
Maybe it wasn’t just them. Maybe it was everyone else, too. But he would have to contact Evan later.
For now, he felt his ears burn when he caught sight of Elliot and Atticus on the bench. He knew it was likely them when Cynthus hinted at it, but seeing them where they were supposed to meet only solidified his assumption.
But even worse than that--
“What are you doing here?” Reims asked, a mix of breathless confusion and surprise and concern, before he could think better of it. He’d seen them all at the fair, of course. He knew the chance, but--
Once again, seeing Énna approaching the meeting place as well meant, through the process of elimination… he really was Yvoire. Especially since he was pretty sure he could see Dering and Cynthus getting closer as well. He’d messaged Rose to check on her, too. He let her know about them meeting up if she wanted to join them. He was a little too distracted with Énna there to think about anything else at the moment.
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Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2024 8:57 pm
Elliot lowered the phone he'd been sharing with Atticus. "Waiting for you," he answered as one brow arched. With company arriving, he tucked his phone away.
"We didn't want to power up and draw attention to ourselves with everything weird going on. My staff forgot how to form, every time I try to summon it, it looks like it's twisted up into a pretzel. And the last time it splashed water all over me, too."
He was sure that Alastor and Sessrumnir were patrolling the area, because even strange magical anomalies weren't enough to keep them inside. He was appreciative, though; he didn't want to admit that he was a bit nervous about all of it--even if he was confident that they could work things out. It was more about just needing time to figure out how they were going to handle things first.
As their friends arrived, he stood up, offering his hand to Atticus to pull him to his feet as well.
"Everyone should be here soon." He waved to Énna and brightened further when he saw not only Cynthus, but Dering and Stirling, too. "Wow, really soon. You guys have great timing."
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Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:23 am
Énna felt less awkward arriving in the shirt and leggings he’d worn to dance instead of as Yvoire as soon as he noticed Atticus and Elliot. From the beginning, Ganymede had impressed upon him the importance of protecting his identity, even from some of their own allies, but she’d wanted him to make friends his age too, and wasn’t against him knowing most of them as civilians. It had made him maybe a little less cautious than he would have been with only her first warning to guide him. Regardless, he felt safe enough for the time being. The only one he didn’t know as a civilian was Reims.
(Oh. And Rose.)
Énna offered a brief twitch of a smile as he approached (close-lipped as always to keep his braces hidden, adding a quick wave before pulling his denim jacket a little tighter around himself.
“I tried powering up again on the way here,” he said, “but nothing happened. I don’t know, maybe if I concentrate more... It’s usually so easy.”- “Can you guys not power up either?” Cynthus asked Atticus and Elliot when she was close enough to do so without having to talk too loud (although she was still louder than most even when she was trying not to be). “I haven’t been able to power down. Good thing my dad knows what’s going on or he’d freak out about me being missing. I figured I’d just go up to Cynthus and hang out there until I figured it out, but now I can’t even get there.”
She let out a heavy sigh, visibly annoyed. Her brows had furrowed. Her mouth was turned down into a pouty frown. She had her crook with her, but it was back to being small and looked more like a stick she’d picked up off the ground than a crook.
“Hey, Code!” she shouted into the night sky. “Can’t you beam us up there like you did when you made me a superhero?! Hey! Can you hear me?!”- Quote: Mechelen, Are you okay? Something weird is going on. I’m meeting up with some friends to try and figure things out. The ones from Urania. Come if you can! You could bring your friends too! <3 Rose
Rose had sent the message before making her way to the meeting point. She hoped it had gone through. With everything that was going on, she worried that it might have gone undelivered.
“I’ve had trouble powering down too,” she said once she arrived, Cynthus being loud enough that she’d been able to hear as she completed her approach. “And my spindle’s turned into mulch.”
She’d kept the sad pile of chipped wood in subspace since it wouldn’t do her much good at the moment.
Rose came to a stop next to Reims. Despite the seriousness of the situation, her expression hadn’t gone too tense. She still had a smile on her face, though it might not be as wide or as cheery as usual. In spite of their troubles, she felt safe with Reims and his friends.
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Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:11 pm
There were several auras at the park, and as Mechelen approached, hand in hand with Almere, she saw that there were a few civilians too, all around the same age. Her eyes lit up when she saw Reims, and also the girl that they had helped with the wires. Good. She was all right then…that was honestly a relief.
“Hi! Rose invited us! I’m Mechelen and this is Almere, you guys are having issues too? Our…our weapons kind of…melted? I have a tapestry and it just…doesn’t want to live right now, I guess.”
She waved at Reims and smiled brightly, glad to see him, and always glad to see Rose.
“I don’t know your name, but I’m glad that you’re okay, I’ve been worried about you since the stuff up on Urania! Those wires were really on you!”
There were so many people…honestly, if there was ever a group to figure something out…
Leave it to a group of teenagers. Gen Z was where all of the brains were at.
…Most of the time.
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Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:32 pm
Mechelen was the extrovert. Almere still held her hand, but she walked half a step behind her like a shadow. Specifically, she was a shadow who was feeling guilty about all of this despite her best efforts. She waved, though, and looked around from face to face. There was another Lysithea knight there, who must have been Rose. There were a few others too, the one in the pretty dress that they'd torn the wires off, and the one in the hat. She remembered all of them from up on Urania, except for the ones who either weren't powered up or weren't Knights, but she didn't know what kinds of knights they were. She didn't know how to tell who was who, unless they were from Lysithea or Saturn. Maybe she would have asked if she hadn't felt so anxious about everything. "Do you think that's where this started?" she asked, since Mechelen had covered her introduction. "Urania?" She wanted answers but she also felt her heart beat faster as she looked at all the others, some of who were Squires and who probably knew more about all this than she did. "We were close to the Chaos, and we told it things about us. Maybe it-" She trailed off, biting her lower lip.
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Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2024 6:47 pm
When the energy signatures began to gather in a more concentrated group, Dering felt the need to hurry up. He and Stirling were nearby but they were still the last to arrive. At first, he worried that something was wrong with their ability to power up, and despite Elliot and Atticus looking so easy-going, Énna confirmed that he’d had some difficulty.
He and Stirling had been able to power down, and up again–with some difficulty, but that was a good few minutes ago.
There were some people that he didn’t recognize, but that was okay! He’d seen Mechelen briefly on Cybele, and politely waved–to her, and Almere, and the others. He caught Reims’ eye and smiled, but there was worry in his expression again.
Usually, Dering fell quiet in big groups, but there was an important conversation going on and if he had anything useful to share he was going to do his best.
“Hi, um.” He didn’t know what the cause of it could be but if they were trying to compile what was going on… “Stirling can’t get back to her Wonder,” he said, and had to clear his throat to speak a little louder. “Our weapons keep breaking.”
He presented his lute, and while it was in one piece there was now a large crack down the front of it, and the strap that held it around his shoulder looked like it had badly frayed.
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Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2024 6:52 pm
Stirling had been quiet on the way over. She truly hadn’t liked the fact that it had taken a lot of effort to power up again. What was going on? It wasn’t just her, Julian had gotten a call and that was what called them both over her but.
She swallowed when she saw the large group of Knights and those who were Knights but weren’t powered up right now, and when she saw Atticus and Elliot, it took all of her effort not to burst into tears.
She had missed them. Terribly.
Swallowing hard, Stirling went over and reached out both hands to the boys on the bench, giving a half smile and blinking back hot tears. “Um. Yeah. I can’t get home and that…”
Shrugging, Stirling would have summoned her rapier to show it off but, Derings lute was enough, she was sure.
At least for now.
“My weapon looks like it would rather be a piece of rubber than a sword.”
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Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2024 7:03 pm
“Not you!” Reims snapped at Elliot, because of course he would have to say something that didn’t even have anything to do with him. But he couldn’t keep his attention on Elliot when Énna was there. Evie was there.
He had to look away before he let the guilt eat at him. He knew it was likely him to begin with but--
“Stop yelling!” he barked at Cynthus, clearly on edge and not really knowing how to deal with what was going on.
As far as he could tell, there was nothing wrong with him powering up or down. Nor did his weapon seem busted, but he hadn’t tried hitting it on anything yet.
Instead, he just… couldn’t feel anything. No Chaos, but also he could feel any of them. It was unnerving and made him uneasy. How was he supposed to know if Zinkenite was lurking around in the shadows without being able to feel anything?
Rose was next to him, and while she was smiling, he could only frown. And then frowned more when Rose’s friends showed up. He clicked his tongue to the roof of his mouth and glanced around and-- oh… Dering was there. With Stirling, but Dering’s little smile at least let the tension in his shoulders ease up some. “We didn’t want to draw attention,” Atticus explained as Cynthus joined them, although it was concerning to know how many knights seemed to be affected. Hopefully it was just something that was going to clear up on its own.
Hopefully sooner than later.
He smiled at the others as they showed up, relieved to see them all, even if they didn’t know what was going on. Or at least he tried to keep smiling, despite all the hiccups they were having with their magic.
He wanted everyone to be able to introduce themselves and discuss, but safety was important, especially when there were so many.
“Let’s get to the Moon first, and then we can talk more,” he suggested, but he did take a moment to shake his head at the girl introduced as Almere. “It must have been very recently. Maybe even just tonight, unless anyone has had problems before this? I, um… there are others we know who weren’t on Urania who have experienced problems,” he shared, feeling maybe a little guilty for eavesdropping on his parents. But even Stirling, whom he was relieved to see was doing okay, confirmed that it wasn’t unique to Urania’s visit.
He was already holding Elliot’s hand, but reached out to offer his other to Énna.
“Once we’re holding hands, everyone focus on the Moon. We should be taken there,” he instructed, hoping it really would be that easy. They’d gone to their Wonders, sure. But everyone going to the Moon because it was full? Hopefully that, and a combination of getting to the Celestial Theater would let them talk to the Code and find out what was wrong.
As soon as everyone was holding hands, he closed his eyes and focused on the Moon, opening them only once they were there.
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Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2024 9:42 pm
What? Why was Reims being so weird? Elliot raised a brow at him but seemed like he was still in a good mood despite the oddities they were all facing. Atticus had given good instruction, and getting out of here before someone took advantage of their misfortune was a solid plan. He smiled at Stirling and gave her a brief half-hug and a quick, ‘It’s good to see you’ before he focused on business. They’d have time to catch up later.
For now, all of his attention went into powering up. Énna couldn’t, so he knew Atticus wasn’t going to either, but if something was wrong, he didn’t want to be caught unawares and exposed to danger. He might not be able to focus on powering up otherwise.
it had taken him a few seconds to push through the strange mental haze that threatened to swallow him up but Elliot faded into Amarynthos with a heavy sigh. He suddenly felt like he was ready for bed.
Thankfully, the Moon didn’t discriminate. He and Atticus had been summoned there before so he wasn’t worried about it rejecting anyone who wasn’t able to power up. It was just all the more reason to get out of there now, before some Negaverse agent could pop in and spot them. As instructed, he took someone’s hand and watched as the others followed suit.. While they were doing so, he introduced himself to the Knights he didn’t recognize, and offered a quick word of greeting and a warm smile to welcome them.
He had any number of fun things to get them up to the moon–a star-shaped brooch, a pearl, a Wonder on the Moon, but–
Something felt wrong immediately. He usually felt the warm pull of his Wonder, a connection to the Code. Even if he was somewhere else on the Moon–not that anywhere else felt far from his Wonder–he could still feel it.
It wasn’t there right now.
The Moon felt tense.
They stood in the Celestial Theater.
At least whatever curse hung on them wasn’t so powerful that it could redirect them elsewhere. He didn’t drop anyone’s hand even when they were solidly on the ground.
The Celestial Theatre looked no better nor worse for wear since he’d last been here, though he’d always hoped that if they’d devoted enough time and energy to their Wonders it might show here, too.
The celestial images on the ceiling were as lovely as ever, and the console in the corner of the room was already glowing with light, but he was far more interested in the hallway that led to the Code piece.
Except, the hallway was dark. It had none of the warmth the Moon usually carried. He squinted for a moment longer but breathed a sigh of relief because at least they were here. “Is everyone okay? We’ll be safe here, we can talk more.”
Amarynthos felt tired but not drained. It wasn’t like he’d had to ferry this many people up here. The Celestial Theater welcomed all visitors, even if some of them needed a little help to know where they were going. He noticed the new star-shaped brooch on some of their uniforms, and Dering already was looking at his with visible surprise.
“This is the Celestial Theatre. There’s a Code Piece, ah. Down there. The one that awakened Atticus and I.”
…Except the hallway still didn’t look welcoming, and it felt like there was some unseen force pushing them away from it.
“I was hoping we’d be able to ask it what was going on, but…” Something felt wrong, like a sickness twisting in the pit of his stomach. “...Well, we’re here. We might as well figure something out. I’m surprised we’re all having issues. And they’re not all the same? My weapon’s been messed up, and it’s felt kind of like the crash you get after a sugar rush. Everything feels like it costs so much energy. Did you guys see anything, or do anything?”
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Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2024 11:12 am
Énna continued to hold Atticus’ hand for a few moments after arriving, then released it only once he’d glanced around the Celestial Theatre. He’d been to the moon before, but this particular place was new to him. There was no sense of danger here, only the same sense of sadness he occasionally felt at Yvoire. He could see remnants of how beautiful the Theatre must have been when space was alive. Now all that beauty was haunting.
Instinctively, he wanted to go to Reims, who looked tense and uncomfortable. But Rose was beside him; she’d held Reims’ hand as they made their way here. Now wasn’t the time for jealousy but Énna felt it simmering in his gut anyway.
“I haven’t done anything more than usual,” he answered Amarynthos. Énna shifted nervously and picked at some of the newly chipped polish on his nails (pale blue for spring, with white daisies). “I told Ganymede about it and she said she felt weird for a little while but that it went away, so… maybe if something happened whatever it was hit the Code worse than all the Senshi worlds? Since it’s us knights that still feel it. And… I mean…”
He glanced toward the dark hallway where Amarynthos said the Code Piece could be found. Was the Code hurt? Infected by something? Sleeping? Énna didn’t know the Code well enough to come to any sort of firm conclusion.
“Oh… um…” Énna went back to picking at his nails. He always got quiet in groups and felt increasingly more awkward with people he didn’t know along for the ride. “I’m Énna. Or… usually Yvoire of Ganymede.”
Briefly, his gaze rose to Reims, but he glanced away again quickly, nervous about being seen as awkward Énna, with his hair messy from dance and his braces flashing every time his teeth were visible.- Cynthus, being familiar with their surroundings already, spent their first few moments on the moon giving Stirling a tight hug, then studied the other two Lysithea knights who’d joined them this time—friends of Rose’s, apparently. Or one of them was. Cynthus wasn’t clear on the details.
“I’m Cynthus. Thanks for your help on Urania. That Chaos cat lady was crazy.”
Only then did she glance around, paying particular attention to the hall where they could find the Code. Or, well, where they normally would have gone to find the Code. Cynthus wanted to march down there and ask it what was going on, but it felt sort of creepy, and when she took a step toward it she felt some resistance. Like something was trying to keep her away. It was a bit like the feeling she got when she tried to power down, only more concentrated, maybe.
Cynthus frowned, offended. The Code chose her, and now it didn’t want her going in for a chat?
“Code!” she shouted toward the darkened hall. “There’s no way you can’t hear me when I’m literally right here! What’s your problem?! There’s weird s**t going on! Shout if you’re in trouble! We’ll save you!”- The Celestial Theatre was new to Rose, too. As soon as they arrived a shimmering star-shaped brooch appeared on her blouse. Rose touched it gently, amazed, then glanced around the Theatre to soak it in. Her gaze inevitably rose to the ceiling. She’d seen the starmap on Urania, of course, but this one was different. In the very center she found a bright white star and knew instinctively what it was. It was a strange knowledge, tucked away in the back of her mind in secret, though she couldn’t remember hearing anything about it before. The Galaxy Cauldron. Cosmos.
Rose released Reims’ hand and turned on the spot, taking it all in.
“I haven’t seen anything,” Rose added to the general conversation. “I thought it was just me until Reims said he felt weird, too. I’ve only been out once since Urania, but…” She paused to consider what Atticus had said. And Énna, too. “If people who weren’t there are feeling it too then it can’t have anything to do with that, right? Unless we brought something back with us and it spread? But I only started to notice it tonight.”
Her smile faltered ever so slightly, not a full frown, but pensive. She felt a bit out of her depth compared to the others, being more new to this than they were.
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Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2024 3:45 pm
So this…this was the Moon? Earth's Moon. Truthfully, Mechelen hadn’t realized they would be taking a trip to space, and she looked around, eager and wanting to see whatever she could. But. There wasn’t really much to see. Finally, she looked back at the group, still holding on to Almere’s hand, just in case.
“I was only noticing things tonight, and don’t think that I did anything strange or anything like that. I…forgive me but I can’t see like…some kind of chaos bug being so slow to act? At least I don’t think that could be the case, if it’s something we brought from Urania or that started on Urania…is this affecting everyone, like Senshi too or just Knights?”
It wasn’t lost on her that everyone who was here was a Knight, or…would be if they were able to power up. That…
That was interesting.
“I’ll also admit I’ve only been doing this for…what, not even a year yet? It was the end of the school year or something, right Rose?”
She looked to her friend for confirmation. “So if this is like…something like…that just happens, I wouldn’t…really know about it? LIke, there’s an eclipse coming, isn’t there? And coming soon? Does that mess with our powers do you think?”Stirling stayed quiet. She wasn’t sure that she had any bright ideas, and the other Lysithea Squire had a lot to say. This…was a neat place. A new place…at least it was Space...maybe she could try to go home from here…maybe it was just the Earth that was having issues but…Cynthus was acting like something was wrong up here too…and just to try, She closed her eyes and mentally recited the oath to get her to her Wonder…and again. Nothing happened.
“I just tried again, and can’t get back to Stirling from here either…if that helps.
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Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2024 7:33 pm
Almere nodded as the other knights introduced themselves, but she was more interested in seeing what it was going to be like on the moon. She had a few theories. One involved spacesuits and rocket ships and those rover things, and jumping around in the half gravity and floating, so that it felt like you were flying. Another theory was more mystical and had to do with Princess Kaguya, and involved soft moonlight and bunnies pounding mochi, and maybe pretty clothes, or castles. There were no spacesuits or bunnies, but there did end up being beautiful stars on the ceiling. Almere looked up, and might have ended up staring for a long time if everyone else hadn't still been so tense. Instead, she said, "I just started having problems tonight, so, maybe you're right. Maybe it's not Urania." Cynthus seemed to have the right idea, even if she was yelling down an empty hallway. Almere might not have been here before, and she might not know everything that they were talking about, but something about the dark hallway sent a shiver up her spine. "Um. I'm not sure what a Code Piece is, but, if it's important, how do we tell if it's okay?"
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Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2024 9:15 pm
Reims released Rose’s hand once they arrived, and stubbornly crossed his arms over his chest. He wasn’t in the mood to meet new people. It took him long enough to warm up to the people he knew as it was. It was no one’s fault but his own, which was why when he scowled, it was at anything but the people around him.
The last thing he wanted to do was glare at the people he cared about when it was just him being flustered over his inability to feel auras and the whole thing with that General and Énna actually being Yvoire like he’d suspected but was maybe holding out that it wasn’t actually going to be him. Especially now that things were more complicated.
“Let’s just demand answers instead of yelling at it,” he hissed at Cynthus, annoyed that she was standing there instead of going down the hall. He could see that she had some hesitation in going, but couldn’t figure out why. Fine. He would do it himself.
This wasn’t the first time he’d been there. Reims strode towards the darkened part of the hall where he knew the Code resided--
Only to run into what he could only describe as an invisible barrier.
He cursed as he stumbled backwards, nearly losing his balance as he rubbed his face, then looked up and around to see if he could determine what stopped him.
“Hey! Are you even in there? Did someone come steal you?” s**t… that would be bad if that was the case.
“My Papa said he was going to talk to Ganymede about it too,” Atticus shared with Énna and the others, although he felt his cheeks flush a little because he didn’t want to start sharing more than they wanted to hear. “He, um… he knows her. He’s also a Knight. Oh, I’m Atticus. Also Ephesus of the Moon,” he shared with the others as Amarynthos and the others had to the newcomers. It was never fun being new to a group and not knowing anyone.
When asked about the Code though, he offered Almere a smile, and then turned to watch as Cynthus yelled down the hall and Reims even tried getting closer, only to be stopped. That… was pretty concerning. He would have asked if Reims was okay, but he seemed like he would snap at anyone trying to console him.
“The Code is what gives us our power as Knights,” Atticus turned back to Almere to explain, although he wasn’t sure if his quick explanation was doing the Code justice. He glanced up at Amarynthos to make sure he was saying the right things, and for general encouragement.
“It is kind of like a manifestation of energy and magic. Each Wonder has its own piece of the Code, and we, as Knights, are sworn to protect it in exchange for the magic it provides. Um, at least that’s how I understand it. And that’s how it feels to me. I always feel a connection to my Wonder when I use my magic-- or even when I power up.”
But right now… there was just an icky feeling. He was surprised that Reims didn’t feel it and walked towards it anyway.
“Mary, do you think you could try going to your Wonder? Maybe since we’re here it’ll be easier. If you get there, we can just walk to meet you,” he suggested.
“The Code pieces at our Wonders can’t usually speak, but the one here can. I bet it could answer a lot of our questions if, um… if it’s able to.” He was definitely worried about it being okay, too.
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Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 8:57 am
Amarynthos didn’t like that the Code wasn’t speaking. Usually it had a lot to say, and for it to be dull and quiet now…
Reims almost looked like he’d run into a wall, only there was nothing there to see.
Dering had inhaled sharply and winced even as he took a half step forward. He didn’t stray too far from Stirling, even though he knew she was in the company of friends. “Reims,” he said quietly, worried. “Are you okay?”
He knew Reims was strong and he didn’t want to insult him by worrying, but it didn’t help that he couldn’t see what Reims had just run into. Cautious, he’d offered a hand to Reims if he needed it, but he kept his distance from the hallway just in case.
Amarynthos did not. He was doing his best not to seem worried, but he moved from Atticus’ side with a hasty smile. He’d nodded encouragingly to him while he was discussing the Code before, and listened intently as he explained, but he felt like he still needed so much information about these oddities.
Ignoring the slimy sensation that made him feel like his stomach was churning, Amarynthos moved to stand next to Reims. As he walked, it felt like trudging through mud until he just couldn’t anymore. It felt like trying to push through a wall, and his feet slid on the ground as he did so.
He tried for a few seconds before he shook his head and gave up. “It’s not budging. I don’t know what that is, that’s never happened before.” He didn’t want them to worry so he put more effort into his smile, and with enough willpower he even seemed to exude calm. Too many of them were worried already, and even without having an answer–or solution–he didn’t want them to be afraid.
Atticus knew the way to his Wonder; it wasn’t far from here. Amarynthos didn’t want to be separated, but if that’s what it took to get some answers…
Énna and Dering looked nervous, and Amarynthos couldn’t blame them. Although it did seem to be something of a ‘normal’ state for them, for Énna in particular he couldn’t imagine how nerve-wracking it must be not to be able to power up at all. And Stirling couldn’t go to her Wonder? He’d made it to the Moon, he could probably make it to Amarynthos.
Briefly, he returned to Atticus’ side. “I can try to visit. I’ll send you a message if I get over there,” he promised, but he already had a bad feeling about it.
He repeated the phrase in his mind. He knew it by heart. He was ignored.
Amarynthos leaned against his staff and tried again, but a loud crack as the metal strained made him adjust his posture. Again, nothing.
Third time was not the charm. Rejected again, his expression shifted into disappointment. He was trying to keep it light, it was just a bit difficult right now. “No, no luck for me either. We could still probably walk there,” he suggested, but he looked down the dark hallway and couldn’t imagine suddenly having luck where everyone else was struggling.
Yelling at the Code hadn’t done anything. They couldn’t charge it. They couldn’t get to their Wonders, and their weapons were rebelling. Énna had done nothing odd enough to trigger the situation, and Rose hadn’t seen anything.
“I’m sure there’s a totally logical explanation for this. The Chaos on Urania got burned out, I don’t think it could have infected all of us. It’s not normal,” he promised Mechelen, “And I think it only started for all of us tonight.” Around the same time, since it seemed like everyone had felt something strange just before these anomalies. “Maybe we’ll know more when Ganymede can investigate. And Alastor–a Senshi–has other means to get to Sessrumnir–a Wonder–so I think maybe he’s trying that, too? If there’s a way to get there, we’ll find it. If this is affecting so many people, I bet a lot of them are already working on a solution. We’ve had eclipses before, so I don’t think that’s it, but…”
Well, stranger things had happened. “I don’t think the Moon’s our enemy, though.”
Atticus had given a good summary of the Code–a very easy to understand introduction to it, for all of the Knights that didn’t have the luxury of talking to it before being offered the position. “There’s a big piece here, and on Mars, but…”
Had he ever met a Mars Knight? Ever seen one? He had no reason to think it was any more approachable than the one on the Moon–although, if there was some localized anomaly focused on Earth…maybe it wouldn’t stretch far enough away to reach Mars?
“I don’t know how to get there,” he admitted. He’d never had a reason to. “Do you guys want to try and walk to my Wonder? It’s not too far, honestly.” He didn’t know if Cynthus’ was any closer, or if they’d have any luck, but…
He wanted to make sure it wasn’t on fire.
“We can figure out what we can do. Énna, are you doing okay? Stirling, do you have a place to stay?”
He looked to each of them expectantly, apologetically. He knew Énna was quiet and didn’t like large groups, but he wanted to know how he was holding up–and Stirling couldn’t just go live on the streets if her Wonder was shut down.
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Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2024 9:39 am
Énna continued to pick at his nails. First he felt self-conscious that they were painted. Then he felt self-conscious that the paint was chipping and didn’t look as cute as normal. When he stopped himself making it worse he fiddled with his shirt instead. Then his hair, tucking a stray piece behind his ear.
He didn’t know much about the Code, only what Ganymede had been able to tell him, but she didn’t get her power from it so her personal experiences with it were limited and generally came to her secondhand. So he listened carefully now as Atticus explained. Énna wondered where the piece of the Code was at Yvoire. If only he could get back there…
“I’m okay,” Énna assured Amarynthos. “Probably better like this than having trouble powering down. No one can sense me, and I can go home without attracting attention.”
Still, the look on his face was wary at best. His gaze briefly flicked to the Lysithea knights he didn’t really know, then to Stirling, who he knew he should be pleased to see after the ordeal with her starseed, but whose presence would always remind him that hers had been restored where Daddy’s had not been.
Énna shifted on his feet. He glanced toward the hallway Reims, Cynthus, and Amarynthos had tried to access and wondered if he’d have better luck as a civilian. He took a few steps nearer but ran into the same problem. Eventually, he couldn’t go any further.
“I don’t mind walking,” he said—a little quiet. “It’s… sort of weird being here as me instead of as Yvoire, but… it doesn’t feel unsafe.”- Cynthus rolled her eyes at Reims. Fortunately he learned his lesson and went stumbling when he tried to get down the hall. Cynthus cackled at him.
“Now you see why I was yelling.”
She stared around while Atticus and Amarynthos explained to Code. They probably knew a bit more about it than she did, seeing as they were already Knight knights and she’d only just become a Squire—plus they were well connected; technically she was too, but she hadn’t made much use of those connections when it came to information.
“When the Code chose me to be a knight it said it was broken into so many pieces to make sure its power wasn’t corrupted,” Cynthus added. “So, like, it would probably take a lot to actually corrupt it, right? It doesn’t feel like Chaos here, so even if this piece isn’t talking right now, at least it’s not infected. Maybe. Hopefully. We’d definitely notice if it was.”
Though she spoke with some authority, Cynthus wasn’t actually sure that was the case. She thought it must be. Everything she’d experienced with Chaos so far had been very obvious.
“So… Yeah, let’s walk to Amarynthos,” she agreed. “We can check there. And Ephesus, too. And Cynthus, just to make sure. I don’t think it’s too far from the other two, and it’s not like I can go home right now anyway. That’s just asking for the Negaverse to come destroy my house.”- Rose’s attention was split. First there was Reims, who was clearly troubled. Then Mechelen, who kept a hold on Almere’s hand. Rose didn’t want to leave her side and nodded to confirm the length of time they’d had this power. For much of that time, Rose hadn’t even known what it all meant. She knew very little about the Code until Atticus answered—only what Reims had told her, and some instinctive awareness that it was true even when it sounded like make believe.
Then there was this room, and more of the moon beyond it, and their current troubles that seemed no closer to being solved even after they’d come here.
“I don’t mind walking either,” Rose answered Amarynthos. Then she turned a small smile onto Mechelen and Almere. “I came to the moon after Urania,” she told them, “and it’s so beautiful. Walking under the stars… And seeing Earth!”
She didn’t want to seem too excited in case it came across as insensitive to those who worried more, but she also wanted to dispel some of that worry. They were all well. They were safe. They’d handled themselves on Urania. They could figure this out, too. It just might take some time.
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