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She was late! She was sooooo late…. Or rather not terribly late but she hated being late. Especially for something this important. Fifteen, maybe twenty minutes late. It might not have seemed that late but when she had no other way of contacting him even five minutes was too late. To add insult to injury, if he had decided she wasn’t coming and just left, she would be short on rent and only have two days to come up with nearly three hundred dollars! So she couldn’t have missed him. She just couldn’t.
Dawn knew she had made a deal with the devil, or rather ‘a’ devil. There was a negaverse officer out there in the dark waiting for her and unlike when she went patrolling, she wasn’t there to fight. She was there to conduct a transaction the same way she had for the last three nights. It was cold. It was calculated. It was mercenary in a way. But it saved her from a humiliating future. With her very future at her fingertips she grasped at the offered hand, knowing she was risking more than just a little energy. But he had been nice, kind even. A perfect gentleman. If only she could forget about the spear. It might have been months, years even, but Dawn still remembered that spear.
But maybe Benitoite wasn’t the same person who had tried to skewer her without so much as ‘by your leave’. Maybe he wasn’t such a ‘bad’ guy. He could be like the others she had encountered. The nice officers, the ones who had even helped her train some. It was possible. It really was. And maybe he wouldn’t be annoyed that she was so late!
Dawn came sprinting around the corner of the path, bursting through the undergrowth, skidding to a stop and gasping out, “Sorry. Bus. Traffic. Late.” She tried to explain but she needed to catch her breath first. She really needed to exercise more.
Dawn knew she had made a deal with the devil, or rather ‘a’ devil. There was a negaverse officer out there in the dark waiting for her and unlike when she went patrolling, she wasn’t there to fight. She was there to conduct a transaction the same way she had for the last three nights. It was cold. It was calculated. It was mercenary in a way. But it saved her from a humiliating future. With her very future at her fingertips she grasped at the offered hand, knowing she was risking more than just a little energy. But he had been nice, kind even. A perfect gentleman. If only she could forget about the spear. It might have been months, years even, but Dawn still remembered that spear.
But maybe Benitoite wasn’t the same person who had tried to skewer her without so much as ‘by your leave’. Maybe he wasn’t such a ‘bad’ guy. He could be like the others she had encountered. The nice officers, the ones who had even helped her train some. It was possible. It really was. And maybe he wouldn’t be annoyed that she was so late!
Dawn came sprinting around the corner of the path, bursting through the undergrowth, skidding to a stop and gasping out, “Sorry. Bus. Traffic. Late.” She tried to explain but she needed to catch her breath first. She really needed to exercise more.
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The general was sure she was running late, and so was waiting for the young girl, he knew she was running late because he knew she was desperate and needed the money he had in subspace just waiting for her to claim. Rather than leave, or even appear bothered by things, the petite blond was casually leaning back on the bench as he relaxed. If anyone, knight or senshi, came by he would sense them and deal with them before they interrupted the deal he knew would be taking place soon, because he knew she would arrive tonight.
Looking up he nodded and motioned for her to sit. “Relax, sit, you’re out of breath. I understand how traffic is.” He drove, had for years, but he was not a patient person as his fiance could attest to. As a civilian he was rather prone to losing his temper and ranting, shouting, and raging in his car. It was because of this that he kept his windows rolled up at all times, and made good use of the air conditioner in the summer, he might also have a bit of a led foot when driving. But he did know how public transportation worked, he did not like winding up behind a city bus - they were slower than a snail.
“When you’re ready I’ll take your payment.” But he was more than willing to pay first, so she knew this was legit and real, as the envelope appeared in his hand as it left subspace, and was handed over to her. “You can count it while you catch your breath.” He’d even added some, she needed the help and she needed to take care of herself.
Looking up he nodded and motioned for her to sit. “Relax, sit, you’re out of breath. I understand how traffic is.” He drove, had for years, but he was not a patient person as his fiance could attest to. As a civilian he was rather prone to losing his temper and ranting, shouting, and raging in his car. It was because of this that he kept his windows rolled up at all times, and made good use of the air conditioner in the summer, he might also have a bit of a led foot when driving. But he did know how public transportation worked, he did not like winding up behind a city bus - they were slower than a snail.
“When you’re ready I’ll take your payment.” But he was more than willing to pay first, so she knew this was legit and real, as the envelope appeared in his hand as it left subspace, and was handed over to her. “You can count it while you catch your breath.” He’d even added some, she needed the help and she needed to take care of herself.
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Dawn nodded but gave a ‘one second’ gesture before walking in circles for a bit to both catch her breath and to safely bring her heart rate down. Once she was no longer gasping like a fish she returned to the bench she had met the officer just a few short days ago. She was still a bit hesitant over him but she approached a lot more easily than she had at first, she also didn’t hesitate sitting close to him. “It was just that my study session ran late, and then the bus, and some kind of accident slowed everything to a crawl.” Dawn explained as she gingerly took the envelope. It still made her feel all kinds of dirty for what she was doing, and just how much money he was paying her for it, but it was either this or going back out west to live with her parents. She honestly thought this was the better option, for all the dangers it posed.
“Thank you,” She pocketed the envelope after barely glancing at its contents. He hadn’t stiffed her before so the likelihood he would do this time was slim, besides it looked just about the same as last time, so she wasn’t about to insult him by counting it in front of him… nor embarrass herself by possibly taking too long to do a full count. She wasn’t slow at it, but sometimes she messed up so it was always easier to take her time. “I really am sorry about making you wait, I would have texted you or something but well-” The young woman trailed off with a shrug. If she didn’t have money for rent there was next to no chance she had money for a phone plan, and she was practically living off of school wifi. Dawn extended her arm in his direction and waited for him to do his thing.
The young woman wasn’t entirely sure how this worked, even after experiencing it a few times, but he was able to extract the energy he had ‘paid’ for simply from holding her hand. Nor did she know what he was using it for… she didn’t like thinking about that. That drifted a bit too close to the shadows of exactly what she was doing for her sanity. For now she chose to focus on her end goals. Graduating, getting a job, helping people. All perfectly normal things. All doing good in the world. This was just for a few weeks, a couple of months at most. It wasn’t like her energy was hurting anyone.
Right?
“Thank you,” She pocketed the envelope after barely glancing at its contents. He hadn’t stiffed her before so the likelihood he would do this time was slim, besides it looked just about the same as last time, so she wasn’t about to insult him by counting it in front of him… nor embarrass herself by possibly taking too long to do a full count. She wasn’t slow at it, but sometimes she messed up so it was always easier to take her time. “I really am sorry about making you wait, I would have texted you or something but well-” The young woman trailed off with a shrug. If she didn’t have money for rent there was next to no chance she had money for a phone plan, and she was practically living off of school wifi. Dawn extended her arm in his direction and waited for him to do his thing.
The young woman wasn’t entirely sure how this worked, even after experiencing it a few times, but he was able to extract the energy he had ‘paid’ for simply from holding her hand. Nor did she know what he was using it for… she didn’t like thinking about that. That drifted a bit too close to the shadows of exactly what she was doing for her sanity. For now she chose to focus on her end goals. Graduating, getting a job, helping people. All perfectly normal things. All doing good in the world. This was just for a few weeks, a couple of months at most. It wasn’t like her energy was hurting anyone.
Right?
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“Do not worry, I know you’ll come.” Because she needed him, needed the money, and he didn’t need to say that to her - they both knew the truth of things. While she sat down next to him the blond was not surprised by how winded she seemed, she had after all rushed here, did she think he was going to just up and leave because she hadn’t turned up right on time? Best n** that in the bud before the thought got worse somehow. “If you run late you don’t need to rush to get here, you don’t need to run, I won’t leave till we meet.”
“If you need help with your phone let me know, even if it’s not to contact me but rather to simply keep yourself safe in this city. It is dangerous.” Though summer was the next season coming and thankfully nothing too dangerous befell th city then. Fall and winter would come, as they always did, and with them would come the real danger which plagued the city. She should be kept safe.
“In fact, I’ll add more from now on so you can manage your phone - to keep yourself safe.” He would figure the math on it and handle things by the next time they met up. For now he was easily able to take what he needed, forming an orb of energy he was taking from her. “And no, you don’t get to debate me on it. I will cover it, do not worry yourself over it.” He wasn’t going to debate things with her, he wasn't going to be owed anything by her, he was paying for her energy because it made things easier for himself and Rene as well. It was less work for him. He needed her safe in order to ensure things continued as they were and he didn’t lose her to who knows what, and really who did know what? This was full of all manner of magical surprises.
“If you need help with your phone let me know, even if it’s not to contact me but rather to simply keep yourself safe in this city. It is dangerous.” Though summer was the next season coming and thankfully nothing too dangerous befell th city then. Fall and winter would come, as they always did, and with them would come the real danger which plagued the city. She should be kept safe.
“In fact, I’ll add more from now on so you can manage your phone - to keep yourself safe.” He would figure the math on it and handle things by the next time they met up. For now he was easily able to take what he needed, forming an orb of energy he was taking from her. “And no, you don’t get to debate me on it. I will cover it, do not worry yourself over it.” He wasn’t going to debate things with her, he wasn't going to be owed anything by her, he was paying for her energy because it made things easier for himself and Rene as well. It was less work for him. He needed her safe in order to ensure things continued as they were and he didn’t lose her to who knows what, and really who did know what? This was full of all manner of magical surprises.
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Dawn smiled softly even as she shook her head. “No, I’m ok. Once I get back on my feet I can add time on my phone without any issues, so about a week or so.” She used a prepaid phone for the most part, her senshi phone was a completely different matter. “And I can take care of myself,” She sat up a bit straighter and tried to look more adult, or at least as adult-like as her 24 years let her. “I have mace and a stun gun," Not that she had used either although there was this one time when she ended up using mace and a lighter in an improvised way. It was one of the reasons she now carried a lighter on her as well. That and aerosolized deodorant. No one really looked at a girl carrying deodorant and a lighter and became concerned. “Besides, I’ve taken a few self defence classes,” and had training from other powered individuals. Dawn was fairly sure she could at least hold her own in most circumstances… she hopped.
The little ball of light fascinated her, even as she felt herself become more and more tired as each moment passed. “You're spending too much as it is,” Her mulish side was starting to kick in and she glanced over at the officer. It was rather wild to be arguing with one of the agents of chaos about receiving money but she really had too much pride, and more than a healthy dose of principle, to let that slide. “I really must insist,” Her chin tilted up slightly in defiance, “I’ll be fine and it is improper and impolite to receive more than what was already agreed on.” There was a flash of fear deep in her, that warning of danger. She was arguing with an officer. One who was actively siphoning energy from her as they spoke. If he took offence, if he chose to physically prove himself correct right at that moment, then Dawn would be in a difficult spot. She could fight back but it wouldn’t be at her full abilities. She would only be able to close combat stuff and she stunk at that.
It also didn’t help that she didn’t know that he had already slipped her more than what was already agreed upon.
The little ball of light fascinated her, even as she felt herself become more and more tired as each moment passed. “You're spending too much as it is,” Her mulish side was starting to kick in and she glanced over at the officer. It was rather wild to be arguing with one of the agents of chaos about receiving money but she really had too much pride, and more than a healthy dose of principle, to let that slide. “I really must insist,” Her chin tilted up slightly in defiance, “I’ll be fine and it is improper and impolite to receive more than what was already agreed on.” There was a flash of fear deep in her, that warning of danger. She was arguing with an officer. One who was actively siphoning energy from her as they spoke. If he took offence, if he chose to physically prove himself correct right at that moment, then Dawn would be in a difficult spot. She could fight back but it wouldn’t be at her full abilities. She would only be able to close combat stuff and she stunk at that.
It also didn’t help that she didn’t know that he had already slipped her more than what was already agreed upon.
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“More time…a prepaid then. You’ll have to fix that.” Because that was unacceptable, he wasn’t going to risk her finding herself in harms way and with no way to call for help, she was free and easy energy for him and needed to be kept safe for that reason. For him the phone issue was a small problem, something to easily fix, he’d deal with that when they next met up. It really wasn’t an issue that a little money couldn’t fix; which was his plan now. “That’s good, this city can be dangerous, but sometimes those things won’t be enough. We both have seen on the news how unsafe this city can be.” That or they’d been caught up in some seasonal chaos.
“Then consider it a gift if it helps soften things, to keep it outside of the signed agreement, I want you to keep safe and this city is far from that.” He was, according to many, a part of the reason for the city being unsafe but that was simply a matter of opinion. If he were asked he’d say order was why it was unsafe, that there would be no fighting if they were not around putting up a fight. If they either all changed sides, died, or stopped powering up then the city would be far safer. He doubted it would stop the seasonal chaos which hit the city like clockwork every year, that seemed to just happen all on it’s own, but at least it would be a step in the right direction as far as safety went in this city. If only they could get so lucky and order would do one, or all, of those three things.
“Gifts are, I would hope, be allowed and not need a signed agreement as gifts are to be surprises and not something planned. So allow me to gift you things - to keep you well and safe.” He was good with his words, soft spoken with a smile attached to those honeyed words, he was oh so good at getting what he wanted. When kind words, and smiles, didn’t work he could go the opposite but it was rare that this method failed when he did decide to go with it. As he took his quota of energy from her, there was an agreed upon amount, he sent it off to subspace to turn in later.
“Then consider it a gift if it helps soften things, to keep it outside of the signed agreement, I want you to keep safe and this city is far from that.” He was, according to many, a part of the reason for the city being unsafe but that was simply a matter of opinion. If he were asked he’d say order was why it was unsafe, that there would be no fighting if they were not around putting up a fight. If they either all changed sides, died, or stopped powering up then the city would be far safer. He doubted it would stop the seasonal chaos which hit the city like clockwork every year, that seemed to just happen all on it’s own, but at least it would be a step in the right direction as far as safety went in this city. If only they could get so lucky and order would do one, or all, of those three things.
“Gifts are, I would hope, be allowed and not need a signed agreement as gifts are to be surprises and not something planned. So allow me to gift you things - to keep you well and safe.” He was good with his words, soft spoken with a smile attached to those honeyed words, he was oh so good at getting what he wanted. When kind words, and smiles, didn’t work he could go the opposite but it was rare that this method failed when he did decide to go with it. As he took his quota of energy from her, there was an agreed upon amount, he sent it off to subspace to turn in later.
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“Weeeellllll…” Dawn hesitated, drawing out the word more than it should have. He had a point. Gifts were not something planned, nor were they ever added to an agreement unless thought of first. Which she didn’t think of. “I mean, you're not wrong but it still feels off.” The city was dangerous, a phone is useful, but just being handed money for no reason felt icky in some way. She wasn’t quite able to put her finger on it. Just that it felt intrinsically wrong, and yet ‘tips’ were something fairly normal in some of her jobs. But they were for jobs well done, this would be for no other reason other than he wanted to, hidden behind the shield of ‘safety’.
And yet, if she had a working phone, and a contact number, she could have texted him. Let him know she was running late. And what would have happened if something occurred that would have required them to reschedule? There was no way to set that up. Not with the way things were right then. “Fine, but only if you give me some way of contacting you. Something so either of us can inform the other if something comes up like traffic or an emergency.” She accepted but added conditions of her own. Something she really wanted especially after making him wait in the dark, for someone who could, or could not, be coming. “The city can be dangerous after all,” Dawn added his own words to add weight to her argument. “And after this particular push we should be able to spread out the meetings to once or twice a week like we agreed so it really would be for the best.”
It had always been the plan to shift this ‘every night for four nights’ to more like once or twice a week as needed, especially once she hit her rent cost. So having a way to reschedule just in case was for the best, and if Benitoite insisted on ‘gifting’ her more than she would insist on this as well. And maybe when she had the extra funds to do so she could give him home made cookies or something. She didn’t really know what he wanted, or liked, so baked goods were normally a safe option.
And yet, if she had a working phone, and a contact number, she could have texted him. Let him know she was running late. And what would have happened if something occurred that would have required them to reschedule? There was no way to set that up. Not with the way things were right then. “Fine, but only if you give me some way of contacting you. Something so either of us can inform the other if something comes up like traffic or an emergency.” She accepted but added conditions of her own. Something she really wanted especially after making him wait in the dark, for someone who could, or could not, be coming. “The city can be dangerous after all,” Dawn added his own words to add weight to her argument. “And after this particular push we should be able to spread out the meetings to once or twice a week like we agreed so it really would be for the best.”
It had always been the plan to shift this ‘every night for four nights’ to more like once or twice a week as needed, especially once she hit her rent cost. So having a way to reschedule just in case was for the best, and if Benitoite insisted on ‘gifting’ her more than she would insist on this as well. And maybe when she had the extra funds to do so she could give him home made cookies or something. She didn’t really know what he wanted, or liked, so baked goods were normally a safe option.
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Alright, her counter made sense, he couldn’t argue with it because it made as much sense as his want for her to have a phone and not need to worry about buying minutes. “Alright, I’ll consent to that, your idea does hold merit.” Just as much as his but more in depth, it wasn’t as surface as his idea was. Where he was worried for her safety, and her need to reach out for help, she was worried about letting him know if she was running late. He wasn’t worried about it, not like she was, but he wasn’t going to hold it against her.
“Alright, at our next meeting I’ll gift you the money for two phones. You can get them and you’ll be able to keep in touch that way.” If it made her happy, if it kept her safe, and she was comfortable with that then he would make it work and accept the phone as well. It would just be another phone sitting in subspace that he would have access to.
With the energy collecting done the blond stood, slowly, and took the time to stretch as he glanced down at her. There was enough money for her to get an uber or even a cab home so she would be safe. There was no telling how tired she’d be, and the distance she needed to go to get home, so he always made sure she had the funds to get a cab in order to get home safely. He wasn’t risking his free, willing, source of energy. “I’ll call your cab and have a good sleep tonight.” Rest easy knowing she had the funds she needed, it would be hard not to rest when you were tapped low on energy anyway.
“Alright, at our next meeting I’ll gift you the money for two phones. You can get them and you’ll be able to keep in touch that way.” If it made her happy, if it kept her safe, and she was comfortable with that then he would make it work and accept the phone as well. It would just be another phone sitting in subspace that he would have access to.
With the energy collecting done the blond stood, slowly, and took the time to stretch as he glanced down at her. There was enough money for her to get an uber or even a cab home so she would be safe. There was no telling how tired she’d be, and the distance she needed to go to get home, so he always made sure she had the funds to get a cab in order to get home safely. He wasn’t risking his free, willing, source of energy. “I’ll call your cab and have a good sleep tonight.” Rest easy knowing she had the funds she needed, it would be hard not to rest when you were tapped low on energy anyway.
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Dawn tried to smother the yawn but could only hide it behind her hand even as the officer agreed to her idea. At least they had come to a compromise, and she had decided if he pressed too much money on her then she would absolutely provide him with baked goods. She didn’t cook all that well, just passably, and most people weren’t a fan of her vegetarian diet, to each their own, so sweets and breads were a safer bet. It was much harder to mess up but it was definitely more widely preferred, afterall, who could turn down brownies? “That's fine with me. Next Friday work ok?” She paused and shook her head, “No, best make that Saturday. Friday is Good Friday and I should probably go to church. My mother would throw a fit if I didn’t.” Her family wasn’t overly religious but they did follow the major christian holidays, and with Dawn not in the ‘fold’ as it were her mother insisted she continue to be a good little church goer and checked that she had gone for every major holiday since she had moved back to the city for college.
Like a good little child, the strawberry blonde stood and once again covered her yawn. As much as it irked her regarding the cab call, her pride was at least soothed by her actually paying for it herself. She just couldn’t call them… And after that fiasco of dozing off on the bus that first time she knew a cab was really for the best. “Thank you,” She murmured, already feeling the full effects of the energy draining. Like her head was stuffed with cotton or everything was just a bit heavier. She had felt worse but the sweet siren call of her bed was strong and she really did just want to go home and sleep. Tomorrow would come soon enough.
Like a good little child, the strawberry blonde stood and once again covered her yawn. As much as it irked her regarding the cab call, her pride was at least soothed by her actually paying for it herself. She just couldn’t call them… And after that fiasco of dozing off on the bus that first time she knew a cab was really for the best. “Thank you,” She murmured, already feeling the full effects of the energy draining. Like her head was stuffed with cotton or everything was just a bit heavier. She had felt worse but the sweet siren call of her bed was strong and she really did just want to go home and sleep. Tomorrow would come soon enough.
