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 Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 5:01 pm
It hadn’t taken long, not long at all for things to get to him. Lorcan had let Desiree know about a worrisome fact as it might effect things in the long run. While they kept the specifics out of it, Desiree had known ahead of time and now let Chalcanthite know. It stirred something in him, moving him to action as he couldn’t stand by and wait for the risk factors to increase. An alcoholic was okay enough, even if he didn’t want to be around it given his own history. But someone who was drowning themself in harder substances was only more trouble than they were worth in his opinion. The last thing he wanted was for that to touch his husband, the bleeding heart of a man who took care of anyone who came up injured to their door. This was something he would handle without Liam knowing. So he took Desiree with him, tucked into his arms as he teleported close enough that he knew to the address she provided him. Blaise had let Desiree know and in a way his opinion of the man improved slightly. They were trying to take care for a teammate, something he knew Liam would be pleased with. But he needed to put his foot down, to rattle the more problematic of the two before they brought problems to his doorstep, something that was unacceptable with how careful he had been over the years. With her help, he let himself into their home and let her down to scurry off as he wandered and looked for the largest mirrors in the house. Positioning himself close enough to one while out of immediate sight, he waited for when they would show up. —------------------------------------ Powering up again so soon after things had him tired and irritated but at least this would be something quick. His place was always spotless anyway, nothing he needed to worry about hiding really. Everything that wanted to keep underwraps was tucked away or at a storage unit on the other side of town. The only thing he somewhat wondered was if the print he had running on his 3d printer in the basement from a few days ago had finally finished. It said it would take three days and nothing had popped up on his phone saying there was an error. Focusing back on things as he waited for them to power up as well, he took their arm once they did. “Let’s get this over with, I collect bugs. Don’t laugh, don’t stare.” Grumbling slightly, he pushed through the mirror and focused on his home. Moving so much had him sore but he just needed to focus even though his head still felt hazy. His bedroom was dark, just as he’d left it, even with his comfy lounge pants thrown on the bed for when he would have originally gotten home to sleep. But as he stood there for a second, something felt off. Maybe it was because of what he was on, the paranoia seemed to come and go when he was at his worst, but it felt like someone was in his room even if he didn’t feel anyone’s aura or whatever it was called.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 5:02 pm
Hedwig was going to do his best, because he always did his best, in taking care of his teammate. It did however mean they had to drop by the others home, in order to get proper clothing for them, he could have lent out his clothing but he felt like it would be better if Rafayel was in their own clothing; something more personal. He also wasn’t sure how well all of his clothing would fit the other, they weren’t the same sizes after all. But to hear they collected bugs…..lovely.
“I’ll keep an open mind, at least you gave me a heads up.” Why would he laugh though? Stare…maybe but laugh? Why would someone laugh over someone who collected bugs? From what he knew it was a fairly common hobby, especially spiders it seemed, it was like people collecting snakes or lizards. None of those things were to his taste but to each their own; so long as he didn’t need to deal with it personally. “I assume you should feed them or will need to soon. Will you need to bring these bugs with you or are we going to just come and go as need be so you can feed them?” Looking over to the other before stepping into the mirror with them, it still felt so odd walking through a mirror, only slightly better than the first time.
“We need to get a light on.” Before one, or both, of them tripped and fell over something as would be his luck right now. He would not be surprised in the slightest if he were to walk into something, trip and fall, and somehow get hurt. Unlike the other he did not feel a presence in the room, but he wasn’t familiar with the room.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 5:04 pm
Watching as two figures came through the mirror, he heard Hedwig mention a light. One that was just behind him on the wall. Shifting his weight, he looked over them both as best as he could in the dark. It wasn’t ideal but he’d been in the dark enough to get used to it while waiting. Though he was sure Desiree could see things clearly in it. With his bow drawn, he shot between them and shattered the mirror they’d come through.
With that done, he flicked the light switch and stepped forward now that their exit was cut off. “Rafayel Onox, black sheep of the Onox diamond family. Though that wasn’t always your name. The level of risk you bring to things is unacceptable.” Stepping forward quickly, before either could react, he thrust his hand into the mirror senshi’s chest and knocked Hedwig towards the bed and out of his way. While he didn’t like them exactly either, they hadn’t been the one causing trouble that might lead back to his husband.
With a firm grip on their starseed, he looked down at them. “Do you think this is all just fun and games? That you can pay people off or make your problems go away with the right mixtures? Just like that one attendant at Liquid?” Desiree had given him everything he needed to know, most of which he found surprising and in some ways disgusting.
—---------------------------
“Sure I can-” Yelping as the mirror exploded behind him, he looked back at it for a moment before hearing someone call his name. He froze, and then, before he could even gather his thoughts from the muck, he looked down at his chest. The air was punched right out of him as he tried to think, tried to figure out if this was reality or if he’d taken too much again. But if anything, as the pain radiated from his core, he felt more sober than he had in weeks.
His mouth tried to move, but he was in shock, the steps he’d taken, the things he’d hidden and done. He couldn’t meet those piercing icy eyes and instead looked over towards Hedwig as he weakly tried to grab the man’s wrist. He didn’t even know who this was. How did they know so much? How come he couldn’t feel them? The questions swirled more and more as they blended together. Nothing made sense, and he sagged as he tried to push them away now.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 5:05 pm
Well s**t, something went flying past him and he heard the mirror shatter more than he felt it, though he was sure some had gotten to his uniform, as it stepped away from his teammate and blinking hard he stared at the general as they spoke. Oh, it sounded like Rafayel was from a very well off family, though was on the outs like he was, that he had sort of guessed at but wasn’t sure of. Hitting into the bed he let himself lay there, on the mattress, his pale eyes focused on what was going on. This was not good but he couldn’t very well do anything, not against a general.
Paying people off? Mixtures? Did the general mean whatever the other was on when they went out to the clubs? He knew they were on something but he tried not to get involved, he didn’t know how bad it was, if it was just when out at a club it wasn’t so bad. Though to be powered up and high….that was a risk but he’d assumed they’d powered up while high like a drunk picked fights when under the influence. He still wasn't close enough to step in.
“General…” He wasn’t going to plead a case for the other, he couldn’t, but rather he was acknowledging the general in the room, the one who out ranked them both, this was not the time or place for him to try and talk to the general - his general. He didn’t think this level of cold wS possible from them, though he supposed they had gained their rank for good reason.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 5:05 pm
Watching as Leitner tried to grab at his wrist or push him away, he squeezed ever so slightly on their starseed, watching them jolt from it and the panic in their eyes. Maybe they’d listen, maybe they wouldn’t. The point was being made regardless.
Looking over at Hedwig as they spoke up, he was glad they were smart enough to stay put for now. “When one finds a liability that can harm the delicate peace that took over a decade to find, would it not be prudent to fix the problem?” Looking back at the man whose starseed he held, he pulled it ever so slightly, not out yet, but enough to make a point.
“Partaking in vices can be fine if it avoids bringing trouble to Melpomene or my door. Drinking, for example, while I dislike it, in most cases, the trouble is self-contained. But what you do, the actions of a spoiled child who will do everything to get their way, that only works in the world of civilians. When magic and people who can pluck your soul from your body exist, your actions are sloppy. You upset the balance and bring far more risk than reward for those around you. So you have just a few options.”
Growing colder as he leaned in, he held their throat with his free hand. “You clean up your act or,” as he gently pulled the starseed from Leitner’s chest, “you cease to be.” Looking towards Blaise as he let Leitner slide to the floor, he walked over to them slowly as he looked at the golden yellow starseed in his hand.
“I clean up messes, things that Melpomene needs not to be troubled by. Now you seem to care about people, at least enough to reach out to Desiree and a doctor.” Placing the starseed in their hand, he warmed only slightly. “Perhaps you can make the choice for him, being the sober one here. Two people, cast out of otherwise affluent families. There are other similarities, though, from what I managed to find in records.”
Wiping his hand on his coat, as if he’d touched something vile, he motioned over towards the unconscious senshi. “I hope you keep out of trouble. I would hate to have to clean up more messes. We can avoid troubling my dear Melpomene with this as well.” Leaving no room for argument, he stepped back to let them through.
—--------------------
The more the general spoke, the more he could tell he was in deep s**t. That pain in his chest flared up each time they moved their hand, breaking apart any words he tried to string together. If Melpomene was apparently a good person, then… s**t. This is the husband. The amount that he’d ******** up by doing what he always did had reached an all-time high.
“Waitwaitwaitwai-” Scrambling as best as he could, caught between trying to get the hand out of his chest or away from his throat, he saw the world go grey and then begin to dim. The world slipped away before he even hit the ground.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 5:06 pm
How this would blow back onto Melpomene, and more importantly Chalcanthite, he wasn’t entirely sure as the general served the Negaverse and not the dark mirror. He could easily wipe his hands of things, pretend not to know either of them, it wouldn’t be that hard. While he thought these things Blaise was wise enough not to say anything, as he slowly sat himself on the edge of the other's bed, and continued to watch what was transpiring. It was best he remain as he was, a voyeur to this scene, so he could pick up the pieces once the general left. If he were to butt in he might just find himself in the same position.
When the general approached him, starseed in hand, he stared at it for a moment, numbly nodding his head. “Y-yeah.” And his hand reached out and gently took the others starseed, slowly, and legs that felt like a newborn foals just barely held his weight as he got up.
“Of course, drugs aren’t my thing. I don’t like the idea of being vulnerable.” Not when he was going to clubs with the intentions of getting laid, it was best if he was at least somewhat clear headed. Drugs would leave him far too vulnerable and open to being taken advantage of in ways he didn’t want to even consider, he’d heard stories, and he used to go to some pretty dive clubs as well.
“Cast out…” Flicking his pale eyes to the downed senshi before making his way over, letting his legs give out under him, he pressed the starseed to the other's chest. “I just have to prove responsible, and graduate, and I’ll be reinstated to inherit.” He wasn’t entirely, and forever, on the outs with his family. His family still spoke to him, they could come visit if they wanted, he just needed to prove to not be a spoiled nepo adult who blew through money with no control and no obligations. He would talk to Rafayel about these similarities though, he had a feeling he’d have time, he’d need to help the other sober up somehow. He couldn’t send them somewhere else, to others, but he’d need to be careful of this all. s**t.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 5:06 pm
“Good. While powering up can hide some things, the concoctions he was getting are far too specific and can be traced if not careful. The good doctor can be of help; he knows a lot about those sorts of things.” Turning to watch as they walked over to Leitner, he was pleased with the results so far. At least from Hedwig.
“Then stick to your studies as well, Leitner is a student too, though I believe in the culinary track. His records were a bit more obscured, given the name change.” Shrugging, he didn’t feel the need to bring up anything about what else he had found, as it wasn’t useful for anything.
When he saw that moment, the one where a body jumps back to it when a starseed is returned, his face soured as he thought back to when he’d plucked Bischofite’s starseed at Natron’s behest. There was barely any passing resemblance, but it was enough to have him tense for half a second.
—-------------------------
Some awareness came back, tingling in his fingers, going up his arm. He could barely make out voices, but then as he gasped and rolled onto his side, he dry heaved. It was a miracle the soup didn’t come back up, but he was also fighting not to vomit after all that.
Blinking as the world started to come back into focus, he looked up and saw Hedwig and then the General standing back looking down on him as if he was something disgusting. Pushing back with his feet as he managed to sit up and back into the wall, he looked around wildly for a moment.
“What… what the ******** was that?!” Touching his face, checking that he was in one piece, he then pulled his uniform a bit and looked down at his chest. No hole, no blood, what the ******** had happened? Then he looked back up at the general and remembered what they’d said and how he’d gone out like a light.
Paling as he nodded, realising the choices both sucked, he swallowed as he tried to think. “I.. yup. I choose life. God… what the ********> Reaching up to grab at his head, he curled forward as he tried to think while his heart kept racing as if it was trying to make up for the past, however long it was he was out.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 5:07 pm
He had been keeping with his studies, he had to, he wanted to get back into his grandfather's good graces as he didn’t like the idea of not being able to inherit or have access to the usual funds he’d had access to in the past. He could see Rafayel going for food, while he was attending for business, he wasn’t sure how much of his education would be needed or not so he was airing on the side of caution by going for business incase he inherited the family business. No one knew for certain what they’d get, his grandfather might just change his mind last minute anyway.
“That was your starseed; your soul. They can be removed but only by the Negaverse, officers or corrupt senshi, it’ll leave a person in either a coma or kill them as far as I know.” Looking to the general as he spoke, looking to make sure his knowledge was infact correct. He was not in the Negaverse but he wasn’t clueless, he’d spent enough time working at the lounge so he’d picked up some information, he served chaos and some of the workers there knew and shared information with him when he asked. He may not serve the same chaos but he wanted to know about it, since Desiree and Chalcanthite did serve that brand of chaos.
“You might need a rest before we get your things and leave here…” Standing, slowly, Hedwig powered down and went to moving around so he could get to collecting the others' clothing and things they’d need for staying at his home for the next two weeks.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 5:08 pm
“Remember what I said, Leitner, and remember that Desiree and I are far more connected than you are.” Nodding to Blaise as they powered down, he turned and left the room to meet back up with Desiree. The look she gave him was indecipherable, a rarity for him with her, but he simply shrugged and picked her back up before teleporting back to the manor’s back garden. Then he finally powered down and set Desiree down.
“Just in time for dinner with Liam. Perfect.” He could see his husband in the kitchen through one of the windows, which brought a genuinely warm smile to his face. This was the delicate peace he wanted to keep protected, even if he needed to take matters into his own hands behind their back.
—------------------
The more they spoke, the less he liked about any of this. The fact that Blaise seemed to know about it left him reeling even more. Powering down more out of panic, he nodded firmly as the general gave him one more reminder. In this moment, he didn’t have anything to say against the man. The point had been proven thoroughly, and even as Blaise rummaged through his drawers for clothes, he kept his eyes on the general as they left the room.
A rest sounded nice, but with how his heart raced, only just barely starting to calm now that the man was gone, he didn’t think he could sleep. “I-I think we should just.. Get back to your place.” Stumbling over his words as he spoke shakily, he gave a pleading look over at Blaise.
“Before he changes his mind….” Using the side of the dresser to help himself stand up, he stumbled over and leaned on Blaise. “I don’t wanna die,” he squeaked out as he blindly grabbed clothes from the drawer, as well as the zippered pouch that held his injections and other prescription meds. “T-these aren’t illicit. F-from my doctor.” Tucking the pouch into his pocket, it took a few tries as his hand shook.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 5:08 pm
“Get your clothing, enough for two weeks, then we’ll go home and you can relax with a movie.” Or at least try to, he was rather certain the other wouldn’t manage to relax, he would do his best to assist the other though. “He won’t come back to finish the job, if he wanted you dead he’d have done it. You don’t become a general without earning it.” And most likely killing at least once; though he did not say as much. Shifting his weight, to support the others frame, his had shook slowly. “I did figure you were from a well off family…but a black sheep. Makes me wonder why, even more so if you happen to be the only son.” Which the other might not be, he didn’t know, but that was always an odd thing, as families like theirs always needed someone to inherit the money and business and such.
“I’ll trust you on the medication, I think he put enough fear into you that you won’t do anything else for a long time.” If ever, aside from drinking. “You’re going to have to tell me about what you were taking, so I know what we’re in for - if anything.” He didn’t think they were an addict but that didn’t mean some manner of want, and dependency would be there and he was curious what they’d been taking as there were so many options. There were some, ones he’d heard about being popular in other states, that he was certain they weren’t on - too addictive and ******** a person up too much.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 5:08 pm
Nodding, he tossed clothes haphazardly onto his bed before pulling the closet open and reaching up to grab a duffel bag. That too ended up on the bed as pulled shirts and pants down from the closet to pack. With so much of his clothing black in color, it made it easier for him to grab and go. He didn’t need to think about it as he went. While what they were saying may have made sense, he didn’t want to linger and find out if they were wrong.
Freezing as they mentioned him being the only son, he reached back and touched that pouch again. “Yeah… my family only has one son. I uh… It’s a long story…” Not that they saw him as one still, but he’d let Blaise believe that. The rest really didn’t matter as much; his work and things weren’t an issue compared to the main one.
He didn’t say anything about the medication, and as they asked about what he was taking, he groaned and rubbed at his face. Turning back towards the bed, he shoved the gathered clothes into it, not caring to fold them since nothing mattered if they got wrinkled. “Uppers, downers, whatever fits the situation.” Leaving out how he wanted to just step away from reality and really just this situation where he had to confront the fact that he wanted to end up at their place, even if this was the last sort of situation he wanted to have led to that.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 5:09 pm
“Sounds like being a ping pong ball.” Back and forth, up and down, he didn’t like the sound of it. He didn’t know exactly which drugs the other had been taking, didn’t need to know, he knew enough about uppers and downers. “I got told I needed to learn responsibility and to mature, to stop spending so haphazardly and to grow up. I got sent here, my grandfather picked the place, and told I’m to pass uni here and if I don’t I remain uninherited from the family. I need to mature as well.” He was certain his grandfather was keeping an eye on him from a distance, he just hoped he didn’t find out about the dark mirror bit, he just had to mind himself when out and about; as he was certain his grandfather had someone watching him.
“My family breeds show and jumping horses, have for a long time.” It was generational wealth via hard work. Starting out as simple breeders of horses they’d made a name for themselves, saved money and built their wealth, and he was mostly cut off from it. “I just have an allowance for now.” Till he proved himself and graduated, without a single failing grade.
“Once you’re all packed we’ll head back and we can get you more to eat, if you think you can handle it. It would be a good idea to get some more food in you and a hot shower…or a soak. It might help you relax after the scare.” Because the hot water, and if he added anything to the water, it would hopefully force the other to calm down and relax; to not worry so much. They were safe, they’d survived.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 5:10 pm
Avoiding the comment about ping ponging, he finished zipping up the bag and looked ahead at the few frames of pinned insects hanging on the wall. For a second he felt like that was close to how it felt to have their hand in his chest, sending a chill down his spine. “I uh.. Don’t collect living bugs. I pin them, my grandfather collected butterflies and taught me how to display them.” Tapping them lightly on the shoulder and pointing up at the frames, he did wonder if maybe one of the horses his family owned came from Blaise’s family.
“The Onox family works in diamonds and precious or semi-precious stones…” Leaving out all the things that went hand in hand with that, some far worse than what he’d done, he carefully threw the bag over his shoulder, groaning as he held his side, remembering that was what started this chain of events.
“I have…funds.” Leaving it at that since he did still have near full access to things due to his brother managing it behind their father’s back. Though even his brother didn’t exactly like his choices, they had been sold by his skills with sugar and desserts for parties and other events. It worked out for both of them, for now.
Being careful not to step on the broken mirror, he grabbed just a few more things and his pillow. “Okay… yeah. I can try to shower and eat… can you lock all the doors, just in case?” Even if it might not exactly help, any little thing to impede an intruder was great right now as he still felt his heart racing in his chest.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 5:10 pm
“Ohh.” Turning slowly he found himself staring at the bugs on display, each one of them so very dead, and nodded slowly. “Ah, I know some people collect bugs like pets…” Hence why his mind had gone to that, rather than what he figured was the less common hobby which included bugs. “The last name fits the family business.” And in some cases he knew last names were due to family jobs, like baker and such, and maybe this was a case of that? He didn’t ask, just silently assumed that to be the case, as he looked over the other.
“Yeah, I can lock everything while you shower and then I’ll figure out food. Thankfully I have enough allowance to survive, I have it pretty easy to be fair, but it is what it is.” He had complained, a lot, in the beginning but over time he learned to just do what needed to be done and accept his situation; fighting it and complaining would do him no good.
Pulling his henshin pen, so he could power up, he held his hand out to the other. “Come on, let’s get back to my place so you can settle in, you’ll be staying with me for a while.”
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