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Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2024 7:48 pm
Another night, another moment to test something out. Chlcanthite needed more data and intended to check for other circumstances that might leave him open when using his fife. Tonight he brought his youma with him instead of one of his lieutenants so that there could be a better view of things. Keeping himself hidden up on one of the sturdier branches of one of the trees near the edge of the park, he started playing his fife and watched as the two civilians who had been sitting on the park bench started to lose focus in their eyes and wander towards him. Signaling to his youma, he wanted to see if they were effected by the thing. So far he had found out it didn't effect mauvians or officers. It was still up in the air if it would effect the chaos senshi or mirror senshi. He intended to figure it out before he moved on with his plans, he needed all the variables before he risked something dangerous getting to him while he had both hands busy. ------------------------------------------------------- This was a mission which meant there were crystals to be had if they did well. Voce had been perched up on a nearby tree just out of earshot of the flute when they felt the pull from their general. Mimicking the sound of the fife, they landed on the bench the civilians had once occupied and watched carefully for a moment. "Order nearby." That warped and twisted mix of voices that it called its own echoed out as they fluffed up and took up more of the bench. It had been a long time since they'd been dusted and they intended to keep it that way. Their general always made sure things kept away from them so for now they sat and watched, scanning the nearby area for any signs of movement.
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Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2024 11:29 am
Doing mushrooms before powering up seemed to be the best way to deal with all the Senshi weirdness, Parsifal had discovered. He was so accustomed to magic mushrooms by now that he knew how to avoid some of the less-fun effects (of which there were precious few with the natural psychedelic) and just enjoy the buzz while also enjoying the perks of running around as a Senshi, like the speed boost and the jumping. If he'd been doing LSD, it would be a different story entirely: more intense high, but more intense and bad side effects because of the stuff acid was usually cut with. The last thing he needed was that kind of negative experience while encountering people from other factions who wanted him dead. The park tempted him tonight, so off to the park he went, skipping and leaping and giggling softly to himself. He was in a really good mood, having won the two races he'd ridden earlier in the day. The summer meet at the track was in full swing, and that meant lots of money in his pockets to spend on mushrooms and other things. Bounding into the park near the wooded edge, Parsifal noticed something a little weird – a couple moving in a strange, stilted manner heading deeper into the woods. He also noticed something else that struck him as odd – an enormous crow-like thing occupying the bench that the couple had seemingly just vacated. In the distance was some haunting, lilting sort of music, like someone playing a flute of some kind. He could barely make it out, but it seemed out of place here. That was when he picked up the very clear auric signature of a Chaos officer nearby. Should he just leave? He didn't want to get beaten up. But he was kind of stoned, so he really didn't care. Parsifal broke into a grin and approached the big bird thing. "Hi, crow," he chirped, waving a hand. The weird music was still piping through the night air, and the zombie-like couple was still stumbling into the woods, but his focus was on the black-feathered creature in front of him. "You're really big! I like corvids a lot. Are you friendly?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2024 11:48 am
Lowering his fife as a senshi ventured close, Chal drained the civilians just enough from his vantage point so that they would doze off and not interrupt. There was enough soft foliage that they wouldn't get hurt as they slumped to the ground. It didn't seem like the senshi was effected but they were also far enough away that the tune might not carry enough. He'd test it out again later but there were more interesting things to look into here with this surprise guest. For now, he watched his youma and the senshi, pulling the notebook from his coat's breast pocket and already starting to sketch what details he could see to add to the database. Whistling one of the shared commands to his youma, he'd let them figure things out for a bit before he made his way over. --------------------------------------------------------------- Voce fluffed up for a moment before preening between the wispy protrusions inlaid in his feathers. Not quite started by this senshi but also not quite sure if they deserved a pecking or not. They had a starseed that would taste quite nice but when the whistle came, they knew it meant off-limits. Tilting its head side to side, to look at the senshi with both eyes, an odd chuckle came out from its beak. A sound that shouldn't have been possible from a bird but was clear as day. Clicking its beak for a moment, the birdlike youma tilted forward towards the senshi. "Maybe yes, maybe no." That warped voice didn't have much emotion to it, it was hard between the mix of sounds but with a hop Voce started to circle the senshi as it moved around on the ground. A sparkle appeared in their eyes as an idea came up, those dangling and glimmering pieces of metal were attractive and they wanted them. "Bells, very pretty. I like bells." Responding with the voice of the senshi, echoing back with the same tone of excitement they'd used just a moment before. Crystals would come as a reward for listening but Voce wanted something new as well, something different to add to his perch in the general's office.
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Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2024 1:54 pm
A realization filtered through the mushroom haze in Parsifal's head as the creature began to circle him: this bird thing wasn't a hallucination or an exaggeration of a regular large corvid. It was a youma. The weird way it spoke, the fact that it spoke at all, the size… the only question was, did it belong to somebody? He'd never been scared of a youma before, and he wasn't scared now, just curious with a healthy dose of caution creeping in. And he'd never seen a wild youma this disciplined, this calculating, this intelligent. It had to belong to the Chaos entity that he still felt in the wooded edge of the park. Unfortunately for him, he wasn't able yet to discern what rank this person might be, or what manner of danger they might pose to him. Not that he cared overmuch, his mind pleasantly bathing in the happy chemicals that magic mushroom consumption created. He was more focused on the youma. Maybe yes it was friendly, maybe no? He really hoped it was friendly, or at least didn't try to peck him – that beak looked like it could do some damage. The giant raven youma then accurately imitated Parsifal's voice in response, right down to the intonation. This was too novel a situation for him, and he was too high to care about the potential danger he was in. "Yeah, I got bells!" he said proudly, reaching up and jingling the bell that was attached to the tail of his hood. Maybe he could give one to the youma! One thing he'd learned is that his outfit (or fuku or whatever it was he was wearing) regenerated like new each time he powered up. If he lost a bell, he'd get it back next time. "Want one of them? I could give you one!"
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Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2024 2:20 pm
Stopping their circling, Voce watched as the bell jingled and sparkled in the light. The question it had in its head was, would it stay after they left? It would be disappointing if it didn't but if this senshi was willing to give them one then maybe dusting wouldn't be on the table tonight either. "Yes a bell please to me, Voce, as a gift from...?" Hinting that they wanted to know the senshi's name while still talking with their voice. A different kind of luring would happen tonight if this senshi was so willing to chat and be merry. This would bode well for his General, who they knew was up in the foliage keeping watch. This senshi was rather small compared to the general, so once a name was acquired they'd respond with a whistle to let them know to come down and great this excited and curious senshi. It would be fun to watch, to see what came of it, as long as things remained pleasant and calm.
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Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2024 4:25 pm
"Oh! Oh yeah, I'm Parsifal," the Senshi said blithely, beaming at the youma. "Senshi of um lemme think oh yeah, Senshi of Alternatives." He had twisted his body around to watch the bird creature circle him, and he remained twisted, looking over his shoulder, as it stopped. "Is that your name, Voce? Voce, Voce," he repeated, letting the word name roll around in his mouth. It sounded crunchy kind of, like a foreign language. "I like it, it's a nice name. Sounds kind of important like. Sure, you can have one of my bells! Hang on a minute." Parsifal untwisted himself and pulled the tail of his hood over his shoulder. Should be a simple matter to pull the bell off and offer it to Voce. He tugged and tugged, but didn't seem to be making any progress. "Man, the thread holding this on must be super strong," he muttered and peered at the connection between bell and fabric. Was there a trick to it? Did he have to show some sort of intent to give it to someone who deserved it? Or would Voce have to take it for themself? Pulling at it again, this time with the intent in his mind to gift it to Voce, the bell resisted, then popped off. "Yay!" With a very pleased grin on his face, he held out his hand, palm open, to show Voce the bell. "Here you go, Voce, one bell!"
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Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2024 9:47 pm
"Parsifal, Parsifal... Parsifal. Voce will remember." Rolling the name around with different tones as they played with the way it sounded. Taking the bell in its beak, it fluffed up and tucked its head beneath its wing to deposit the bell in the small pouch attached there, hidden carefully by their General to relay dead drops. Looking back up at the senshi, it repeated the whistle that Chalcanthite had started this interaction with before moving in a bit closer to really look at the senshi. "Voce is my name, yes given by someone. Someone who wants to say, good evening." Switching to Chalcanthite's voice with the last two words as they saw their general approaching with a smile. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Good evening, I see you have met my dear friend. I hope things have been pleasant with them?" Towering over the senshi, he offered a slight bow before looking at his youma. They had done well and gotten not just a name but what type of magic they might have as well. The rest he would write up into a report afterward and, for his own notes, he would add a sketch of the senshi so that Melpomene would know them as well. "I see they have bothered you for a bauble but I do hope your evening has been going well." Something was off, though he couldn't quite place it. They didn't smell of alcohol so it wasn't that but maybe he would figure it out through conversation.
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Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2024 9:44 am
Parsifal smiled at Voce, pleased his gift was well received. "I'm really glad you like it," he beamed as the youma came closer, its eyes dark and gleaming. He had to admit, Voce was a really cool looking youma, with its dark blue-tipped feathers. It almost looked like a raven crossed with a bluejay, except much much bigger. Maybe he shouldn't have told it his name…. Oh well, what was done was done. A strong Chaos aura made its presence known, and as Voce shifted the tone of its voice, an echo of that voice approached, attached to a very tall General. Very tall. Parsifal gulped a little. Between being a General and being so much taller than he was, this guy could mop the floor with him. Hopefully he was friendly. Ish. "Oh yeah, hi, yeah, Voce has been really nice," the small Senshi nodded to the General. "Yeah, I gave them a bell off my fuku-outfit-thing. It'll grow back, I hope. Like not tonight, I mean, but the next time– yeah." He grinned sheepishly through the haze of the mushrooms, afraid he'd stuck his foot in it again and given something away. He had no clue what Chaos knew and didn't know – nobody had told him "Yeah, I've been having a really good evening! I hope you have had a good evening too, Mr General!"
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Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2024 11:22 am
Takign a seat on the bench, he motioned for his youma to hop up and pulled a small it of crystal from his subspace. "Oh, General? You flatter me, I am just a humble captain though with the treats I carry around maybe it may seem like I have a bit more chaos around me than I should?" Waving a few more additional crystals, he offered one to the senshi. All from the Rift, they had the distinct aura of chaos to them even if they came in various colors and shapes. "Voce both collects and eats these, I do believe you could sneak some scratches under their beak if you offer one. They quite enjoy the attention." Eyeing his youma for a moment warning them to be good before smiling up at the senshi warmly. "You can call me Chal, and what shall I call you? No need to fret, I find fighting in poor taste so you have no need to worry other than if Voce nips you a bit. Tonight has been rather nice, I have been enjoying the weather and calmness that seems to be coming around before this upcoming Star Fest. Hopefully, those acidic pods refrain from making an encore appearance." There was still a small patch of white scar on his palm from where the acid had gotten him last year even with Melpomene helping him get it off of his skin quickly. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hopping up on the bench, Voce pecked at the offered crystal for a moment. "Captain Chal." Echoing in Parsifal's voice this time with a bit of excitement at the deception laced with a partial truth. Looking back towards the senshi, where Chalcanthite was holding more crystals out towards them, Voce stretched his neck out for them but couldn't quite reach them. "I like them, and the bell." Hopping just slightly, a jingle came from the pouch they had. They didn't seem like one to fight either which meant Voce was fine with them as long as they kept providing treasures and treats. Not quite a friend but not food anymore either at this point though that could change depending on the situation.
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Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2024 3:15 pm
Peregrine's face flushed a bit red, embarrassed at having mistaken Captain Chal for a General. "I – I'm really sorry, Mr Captain! I hope I don't get you in trouble for calling you General, sir!" He looked at the crystals produced by Chal wide-eyed, the Chaos roiling off them almost palpable. Yeah, that must have been why he thought the Captain was a higher rank than he actually was: he was carrying around all those Chaos crystals. "Oh yeah, those pods were bad last year, huh? Oh, I'm sorry – I'm Parsifal," the small Senshi said with a kind of half-hearted smile. "Senshi of um Alternatives and stuff like that. I'm glad you don't like to fight, I don't like it either, especially since– since I don't really fight." He blew out some air; that was close, he'd almost told Chal what his magic actually did. Which was fun, okay, but not really good for fighting. He looked at the crystals again, mind still fogged by the mushrooms. It sure was tempting… "Could – could I really give Voce a crystal?" Cautiously accepting one of the offered crystals, the Chaos energy pulsing and repulsive, Parsifal approached the youma and held it out. "Here you go, Voce, a nice tasty crystal, just for you. Can I skritch your chin?" This was terrifying, yet at the same time kind of exhilarating. He was feeding a youma.
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Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 10:53 am
"I think it is quite flattering, no need to apologize." Waving a hand in dismissal, to ease their worry a bit, he rested his hand on the bench after the crystal was taken from him. It was interesting to see their reaction to them, something that didn't quite register when he handled or collected them. It was food for thought, something he could probably get away with and continue with some other less experienced senshi to find out who was problematic or not. "Of course, Voce does enjoy meeting new people. I think I have done quite well with socializing them if I do say so myself. They might not chat while eating, since that is rude, but you can go ahead and pet them." Something he knew was more due to how long he'd had his youma before they'd somehow gotten smarter. Things might be very different if they'd started out this intelligent but everything was settling into a new status quo that he could handle. "Quite the pleasure to meet you then Parsifal, hopefully, this year's festivities will go smoothly for us both." There were a few things he'd look into himself but for the most part, he intended to stay inside and far away from any of that unaligned and bothersome trouble that seemed to crop up this time of year. The hard part would be convincing Liam to stay instead as well. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eyeing the crystal the whole time, as it passed from Chalcanthite to Parsifal, Voce stretched out a bit more and floofed their feathers up. It was a particularly tasty-looking one this time and they wanted to snack on it so very badly. Once offered to them, Voce took it into their beak and started munching after hopping closer to Parsifal to receive some attention. With a small nod, the youma stretched out to receive some good skritches, hopeful for another crystal later on.
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Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2024 11:32 am
With a huge grin, Parsifal slowly reached beneath the sharp beak of the youma and extended his fingers through the feathers there until he found skin, or something like it. He then proceeded to skritch right up against the base of the beak. Heh, he was now skritching a youma. This was the coolest feeling ever. Just the risk involved in touching such a creature was phenomenal; he couldn't imagine the pain of getting bitten by them. He didn't want to find out, either. "Thank you for letting me pet your youma, Captain Chal," he murmured, mesmerized by his proximity to Voce. "It's a pleasure to meet you too." The Senshi of Alternatives wasn't conniving enough to consider the advantages speaking to a Negaverse Captain might give to him; he could possibly learn things with the correct line of questioning. But Parsifal was two things, and these were things that put him at a distinct disadvantage: 1, he was more than a bit naive, and 2, he was high as a kite. He watched Voce chow down on the crystal, fascinated. "Um… would it be okay if I gave him another one of those?" he asked Captain Chal shyly.
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Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2024 7:30 pm
Watching them interact with his youma, Chalcanthite pulled out one of the cards he had in his inner coat pocket. Something he'd had made after working with Desiree to acquire various phones that couldn't be linked to his civilian identity. With that and another crystal in hand, he smiled at the senshi. "Of course, and if you wish to visit and talk in the future you need to just message me. I am fairly certain Voce would appreciate it if you brought them more trinkets in the future as well. No need to be shy either. I think your company is quite agreeable." Any senshi that didn't go right for his throat was, in his opinion, good enough company to warrant some light conversation, and if he learned anything it was all the more worth it. Even more so, if he manage to pull any to the correct side of things, that would be all the better because he did want to pull a few more less fighty individuals onto his team, and if they liked youma that was all the better as well. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Voce made a noise, half a trill half a purr. It was an odd little bird noise instead of a human voice for a bit as Parsifal skritched beneath their beak. The mention of another crystal had them focusing on it as it was passed from Chalcanthite to Parsifal. Voce also noticed a familiar card and knew what it meant. It was good, and the youma agreed with what their general was saying by nodding in agreement and fluffing up a bit more. If this senshi brought more gifts for them and information for Chalcanthite, it would be fun and something to look forward to when out and about. Something worth more than the potential dinner they were missing out on by not getting at their starseed.
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Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2024 4:24 pm
Parsifal was utterly delighted with the reaction he got from skritching Voce's chin. The sound that the youma made was more a sound that a bird would make; he half expected Voce to start clacking his beak lightly with pleasure. The creature's feathers were so soft and so pretty, he just wanted to continue giving them chin skritchies all night. But he knew he couldn't do that. Could he? He saw Captain Chal hold out another crystal, along with what looked like a business card. That sounded like exactly what the Negaverse agent was offering, the chance to interact with Voce more in the future. A tiny little voice of reason piped up in the back of his head, telling him that this was a dangerous thing to do no matter how well he got on with the Captain's youma or the Captain himself. He was only a low-level Senshi, after all, and had no magic to defend himself with apart from his spirit copies providing a distraction. That little voice of reason pinged around in his mind, the effect of the magic mushrooms turning it into a drone. Shaking his head, Parsifal accepted both crystal and card, tucking the card away in his subspace pocket. What harm could come of this? "I like your company too, and Voce's, Captain Chal. Thanks for giving me the okay to hang out more! I'd really rather hang out than fight, you know? This whole war thing is really kind of stupid to me," he added, voice low in case he was overheard by someone on his side. Hell, if he kept this up, maybe he could find a way to end the war without more people getting hurt! With a grin, he held the fresh crystal out to Voce. "Here you go, here's another one!"
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