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 Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 12:13 pm
Nymphe had been feeling fairly good about things in her life when she'd gone out to patrol. Her self defense and martial art classes were going well, she had managed to avoid most unpleasantness and the bruising she'd taken from her last fight, while a brilliant shade of purple, had at least calmed down enough to allow her to see clearly from both eyes.
Life was good, she'd decided.
Or, that had been her thought as she'd cut through the park to get home and felt a Chaotic aura very close. Closing her eyes and feeling put upon, Nymphe sighed and headed for the what she could sense. At best, it would be an exchange of words. At worst... well. She would just hope it wouldn't come to that.
But as she pushed through some of the undergrowth, she couldn't help her jaw dropping in naked shock.
"You!" she exclaimed, staring at the blond officer that she'd run into only a few nights before. Only this time, he looked a rather worse for wear. "What happened to you?"
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Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 12:21 pm
It had been bad luck. Ambushed by someone stronger than him who hadn't taken kindly to his work draining energy--a tiny, purple elf in a sparkly skirt who had seemed nonthreatening right up until he'd started fighting and Diaboleite discovered that size did not matter as much as it might seem. Something that was bound to happen eventually, Diaboleite supposed, but that didn't make it any less frustrating or embarrassing. He'd gotten away, yes, but he'd had to give up a portion of his energy offerings for the privilege.
Absurd.
Also, it was going to be inconvenient to be bruised like this going into work. People might ask questions. He would have to formulate a lie, and he'd collapsed on a park bench to try and come up with something.
Which of course was when he was set upon by someone else.
At least this was someone familiar.
"One of your fellows took more violent exception to my draining than you did," he said, flatly. She would probably agree he deserved it, but it wasn't like he could run away.
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Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 12:38 pm
"Well, I cannot say I am sorry," she said as she cautiously moved closer. She thought she could see bruising beginning to appear on him and while she silently thought he'd gotten exactly what he'd deserved... She couldn't say that she thought thrashing to b*****d was going to actually solve anything. Besides, as one bruised and battered idiot to another, she supposed she could spare him a little (very little) pity.
Getting close enough to actually see, Nymphe reached out to examine the officer, but not before giving him a warning.
"Don't be stupid. I'm not enough of a b***h to kick another when they are down. I am only checking the bruises I can see. You can move? Nothing was broken? No cuts I cannot see?"
Why she was taking the time to check on someone who didn't see anything wrong with hurting others, she didn't know. Only... how would anything ever be solved if everyone kept fighting and hurting each other? Maybe it was time to try a different way.
"Well?" she demanded in her gentle way. "Talk!"
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Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 12:45 pm
"No, I imagine you're not, but I appreciate the honesty," Diaboliete said. It was something, at least, that she wasn't trying to sell him on the idea that she felt bad for him. Probably she would have gladly done the same to him or any other agent who crossed her at the wrong time.
Having her actually care (or want to assuage her own conscience enough) to check on him was strange enoguh that it left him momentarily stilled and silent. What a ridiculous thing to do. He was her enemy. At this distance, he could easily reach into her chest and pull out her starseed. Except that would be a poor way to repay her decency and also a complete waste.
Besides, if he was decent enoguh to her, perhaps he could build a positive rapport. Now there was an interesting idea, one he filed away to suggest to Benitoite later.
"No," he said, when her sharp words snapped him back to the moment in front of him rather than faffing about in his own head about things that might or might not come to pass. "Nothing more serious than bruising. The little alien b*****d only had his fists." Hadn't even bothered with magic, which almost felt insulting, but at the same time, it was impossible to guess what his magic did. Perhaps it was useless.
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Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 12:56 pm
"Bruising can be quite enough to be getting on with," Nymphe murmured, thinking of her own and how sore she'd been the day after. Just walking to the bathroom had been a trial. Reaching out and brushing her fingertips against one of the bruises that looked like it would rather spectacular in a day or two, she sighed.
"What do you mean, 'alien'," she asked. "Was he a berserker to leave such marks as this?"
She had to give the unknown senshi some credit if they'd really done all of this with no recourse needed to magic. And speaking of magic. She wondered if her own could help any of what she was seeing. She wasn't a healer, but what she could do might be enough to get this officer home where he could rest and heal. But she'd never tried it on anyone antagonistic before.
"You will be wanting ice and aspirin once you are home. I... " she paused. Was she really going to do this? She couldn't see another way and there had to be some give if there was any hope of this war ever resolving. OR convincing these people that senshi were not monsters. "I have no great healing magics, but I can perhaps help if you will allow. But I must ask a question. Do you mean me harm in this moment?"
She knew her magic would work on an ally. And even if they weren't friends, if he was neutral towards her right now, that might count enough.
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Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 1:03 pm
"Oh, are you not aware," Diaboleite said. It wasn't really a question. Her confusion made that clear enough. "You have allies from actual outer space. Nonhumans who have arrived from beyond the stars in all their alien glory. He was one of those. Short, gray-blue skin, elf ears, purple and gold fuku decorated with galaxies." Probably he wouldn't be a danger to one of his own allies, but who knew. Better to give her a description, at least.
The offer of magical help was...well, it was clearly genuine, and that was something. So, he took a breath, and then nodded.
"I don't mean you harm right now. It would be a poor way to pay back your concern and aid. And--thank you." It was only polite to say so.
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Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 1:14 pm
"Huh," Nymphe said as she filed the unknown senshi's description away for later. And perhaps she should not have been so quick to dismiss that negaverse girl's claim of aliens. Though she still one hundred percent took exception that the idea that they were here to conquer. "I will have to be on the look out then."
She wasn't quiete sure how she felt about his thanks, but she could tell he meant it when he said he meant no harm. Nodding, she knelt by the bench where he sat and closed her eyes. Cupping her hands, she placed then over her heart and whisper, "Ambrosial Breath..."
She let the magic come and when she opened her eyes, a faint, golden mist wreathed her. Concentrating on the thought that this man was friendly, she blew gently, pushing the mist towards him.
"Just breathe," she whispered. "Relax and just breathe. I hope it will help."
And she really did. She just wanted to do her part to help. Even if the one she gave aid to was Negaverse.
Noir Songbird Sailor Scout Attack: Ambrosial Breath Effects: While holding her cupped hands to her heart and then straight out, Nymphe whispers her attack and summons a faint, golden mist, which she then gently blows outwards. When breathed in by anyone perceived as an ally, the mist will make them feel as if they’ve gotten a second wind. Afterwards, there is a lingering delicious scent (the player may choose what is smelled, but it must be food related) in the air. This magic may be summoned three times per battle and will last for around 30 seconds, affecting only one ally within a radius of five feet.
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Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 1:23 pm
Diaboleite nodded. A warning delivered, at least. Whether or not it meant anything was....well, it would pay off in the future or it wouldn't.
When her misty magic flowed around him, he took a deep breath. He would have to get used to this one way or another, he was certain; they had Senshi allies at least, and even exposure to benevolent magic could prepare him for exposure to the hostile stuff.
And this was...nice. There was a smell in the air, garlicky and warm, and Diaboleite felt, suddenly, like he had a much better chance of getting himself the rest of the way home.
He stood up, careful to avoid stumbling into her.
"Thank you," he said. "Again. And I hope you'll take it in the way it's meant when I say I hope we don't meet again." He would hate to have to face her as an enemy, after this, but two lucky encounters was probably pushing it.
At least he'd gotten some help, and he could take care of his injuries when he made it home.
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Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 1:31 pm
She moved just enough where he could get up and move without having to try to dance around her. He seemed like he felt better. Feeling a warm glow of pride that her magic could serve some use, Nymphe simply nodded in answer to his words.
She knew the odds from now on would be increasingly worse for peaceful endings if they ever met again. So, for now she'd take what she could get. She'd helped and maybe he would remember and that memory would give another senshi or knight a moment of mercy.
It wasn't a lot to hope for, but right now it was enough.
"Go home," she said, making a shooing motion with her hands. "Rest, drink water."
She'd watch long enough to make sure that he didn't stumble. Then, she'd go home as well.
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