Venus

SRN 003 - Venus "What are you bubbling over?" ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° Good Point: Neat habits, Awa Odori Bad Point: Walking straight Like: Bubble bath Dislike: Octopus ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °

[karkinosclaw]

Pinchy Passenger

[karkinosclaw]

Karkinos felt a nervous twitch pass as Venus jested about a crush, but thankfully the topic didn’t linger… He was still making his greatest effort to swallow his fear of strong females, so the change in topic was welcome so long as it distracted him from exactly who he was visiting with.

“YES, IT IS MOST VALUABLE, I HAVE PURCHASED SPACESHIPS AND EQUIPMENT WITH THE CURRENCY MADE IN TRADING THIS ITEM… AND THE MOST BENEFICIAL PART ABOUT IT IS THAT I ALONE AM THE ONLY ONE ABLE TO PRODUCE IT— WITH THE EXCEPTION PERHAPS OF THE VERY RARE SOLAR OYSTER OF THE NEBULA BELT…”

“I POSSESS THE UNIQUE ABILITY TO CONVERT SOLAR RADIATION, ON WHICH MY BODY IS POWERED, INTO A NEVER BEFORE SEEN LIQUID FORM OF PURIFIED SOLAR ENERGY. THE SIMPLER FUNCTION OF THIS, I’VE FOUND, IS TO USE IT AS A DEVASTATING BUBBLE BEAM WEAPON… BUT IN EXPERIMENTING WITH THE SKILL, I HAVE LEARNED THAT ADDING GRANULARIZED METALS AND MINERALS TO THE INTERNAL ENERGY CONVERSION PROCESS AND HOLDING IT IN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME— ROUGHLY A FEW ERF WEEKS, THE MINERAL/METAL CATALYST USED WILL RESULT IN A VERY LARGE, VERY DURABLE AND VERY VALUABLE DIAMOND PEARL, ITS SHAPE PRODUCED BY THE BUBBLING PROCESS.”

“A SINGLE ONE FETCHED ME ENOUGH RESOURCES TO TRAVEL ALL THE WAY TO THIS SOLAR SYSTEM FROM THE VERY DISTANT CANCER NEBULA. I ALSO OFFER IT IN BULK AS PAYMENT FOR THE ASSASSINATION OF APOLLO~” He added almost gleefully, it was almost like a repeated marketing phrase he’s coined in his venture of finding someone to slay the starlord.

[stardroidvenus-blog]

Oh ho ho, it was just as she thought. He seemed so very nervous when a crush was present and while she never intended to press she couldn't help but wonder what stimulated such unease and fear. She would find that out over time, she assumed, and if not it would just be something she had to study herself and watch for!

Subject change arrived easily enough and what he spoke of next aroused such curiosity within her. he too used the element of water it seemed, and bubbles no less. That had her simply gushing at such a likeness in fighting. Oh did she want to battle him, play around with him on the field to see what he could do, but even that was something she had to refrain from given how nervous he had reacted to a simple crush comment. Oh, why were men such disappointments some times? 

"My dear sweet Karkinos, I cannot assassinate Apollo, but I can assist you in growing strong again. I hope that will suffice in an everlasting bond between our races. You see, as I too wield the power of forming bubbles only they are far more deadly than those you see on Terra." She smiled  and bowed her head politely enough. "I will accept this gracious gift and might make further inquiry on such an occasion. A new element in our system would be most welcome, of that I am certain." She was marveled by the offer despite the urge to ask him to battle to see just what his bubble beam could do! 

[karkinosclaw]

Pinchy Passenger

[karkinosclaw]

Karkinos rose after Venus, looking back up to meet her gaze and pulling at several neglected muscles in his face to form a smile. “INDEED I HAVE. THIS COSMIC SYSTEM FEELS MUCH MORE INVITING TO STAY IN, KNOWING THAT THERE ARE SUCH FINE KINDRED CRUSTACEAN SPIRITS THRIVING IN THIS STARS’ RAYS.”

“AND WHAT OF YOURSELF, RADIANT LORD OF VENUS? I HOPE MY ROLE AS YOUR GUEST SERVED PLEASANTLY TO YOUR TIME. IF YOU WOULD STILL BE SO GENEROUS AS TO OFFER YOUR  INVALUABLE AID TO THE CAUSE OF MY RECOVERY, PERHAPS I CAN INTEREST YOU IN A UNIQUE TREASURE AS PAYMENT? I CAN PROVIDE YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE WITH A TRADE ITEM THAT WILL FETCH HIGH PRICES IN THE INTERGALACTIC MARKET…”

[stardroidvenus-blog]

How simply adorable he was! She felt her own smile grow from her unease into something more true at the attempt and was thankful he had indeed enjoyed himself. Her back turned to the field now she started to move along the walkway towards the teleporters. 

"It amazes me time and again to set eyes on you, you know. I have never expected a distant cousin in my race yet here you are! Of course I want to nurture our relationship as much as I possibly can. Perhaps we won't mind one another so much." She had a small laugh at that, knowing how she could butt heads with others if she didn't agree in the slightest with them. 

"The offer still stands, dear. You need not question my words once they have been spoken. I will stay loyal and stick to them so long as you do not attempt to endanger Lord Sunstar." It was a promise. "As for myself? You are quite enjoyable and I do wish to keep in your company a bit more that we have finally spoken. Could it be a crush I wonder~?" She was teasing him, her 'ho ho ho!' laughter enough of a hint to not take her seriously as she gauged him for a reaction. 

"There is no need for that; however you have me most curious. What is this item you speak of, dear?"

[worldofwarfare]

Mars repeats his people’s bland version of a thank you as he opens the box. He was impressed with the quality and fusion of cultures in the clothing, even if the flowing style didn’t quite suit him. It was equally heavy in reds and blues, both mimicking his armor colors and making sure it adhered to the tradition of males wearing cooler colors than females on Venus.

The first thing Mars felt at the reception of the gauntlets was actually nostalgia. He picks one up and examines it carefully, letting his claw clink over the layers of plating. “I remember these,” he says soberly. “The monsters whose hides were used to make them were much larger and more violent before your ancestors began hunting the finest specimens for trophies such as this. The first to wear their hides was the mother of the eighth planet lord, almost one hundred and twenty thousand earth years ago. She wore full body armor made from monsters and offworld leaders she killed with her bare hands, and became widely admired for her strength, hailed as a minor goddess for decades.”

He slips on one of the gauntlets, admiring how the plates separated almost into spikes when he curled his fingers. “She was murdered when her daughter went mad with jealousy at being less worshipped by the people than her. That Stardroid became a dictator so insane our current Saturn seems rational in comparison. She had all records of her mother erased from the planet’s history, down to executing anyone who spoke her name for dozens of generations.” He balls his fist and punches the palm of his other hand, disappointed at the lack of blood drawn from the impact. “It appears the monsters have yet to breed back their initial durability. Nevertheless, I am grateful.”

[stardroidvenus-blog]

"I have heard stories," She commented, refraining from lifting her hand to trace over what was now his. Mars was a funny one and she wasn't out to rile him up as much as it was always tempting to. "Ever since the planet was rendered with earth quakes and eruptions they haven't been quite so magnificent and easily reached. That may be the only reason they're still around as my people crave a hunt much like they do a fight." Her smile grew a fair amount though it faded at mention of madness, Saturn, and what ultimately happened to her.

"I see. Such a sad thing that happens when power is left in the wrong hands." She waved her hand through the air, aiming to dismiss the subject as she didn't want to worry about Saturn's planet and what it would do to their Lord should.. 

"Perhaps you would like to come hunting with me down on the main land some time?" She tried another topic, her eyes suddenly bright. "That is to say, when your tasks have calmed as well as mine." She refrained from saying hers weren't going at all as planned, if only because her heart was truly not set on it. Instead, it remained conflicted; her decision not yet made and Karkinos' words ringing fresh in her memory often more than not. 

[worldofwarfare]

Mars is thankful that he doesn’t have enough experience yet with his avatar to understand how to make facial expressions. His face is as flat as always as his core simmers with resentment at the sight of Apollo’s sun so close to his master’s. He would die before worshiping that harbinger of corruption, two hundred thousand years of bigotry against mated men rooted deeply, firmly, and proudly in his heart. “It is well crafted and gratefully received,” he says as he dons the cloak and clasps Sunstar’s pin to secure it. Apollo’s he leaves in the box, and closes it. That should be sign enough to Venus on his feelings towards the matter. “Far grander quality than Martian claws can weave for such diminutive armor.”

[stardroidvenus-blog]

She sighed with relief when he did that, her feelings on the matter having become far more mixed as she reached out to take the box and its pendants with her. She put it to the side, her gaze piercing at the very box as if it threatened her integrity for what she had always known: to love and worship one and only one: their Lord Sunstar. 

"I am glad you approve. One will be made for your other self should there ever come a time when you wish to exchange forms." She smiled, but it was more forced. 

"This final present is more of a thank you on my behalf than it is a gift to life. You have taught me much and for that I am very thankful dear Mars. We clash all the time. Over and over and I do not think you understand that I hold you in the utmost respect as I did when I was a cadet and as I do now." She pushed her hands around the box and held it out for him to receive. 

Inside was a set of the finest garb that a male Venusian could ever dream to wear. Woven in colors only meant for those of the highest honor: white, red, gold, and blue, it was made just for him. Made from the finest materials her planet had to offer, it shone with perfection as she would have it no other way. Along with it came a set of honorary gemstones that were made into a clasp to hold a sash across his person. Though the most ornate piece remained hidden inside the folds of fabric. Made of the golden back shells from the creatures that lived in the lava terrain of Ishtar Terra below the Sky Domes, the gauntlet gleamed softly in the sunlight the Sun Temples around them cast about the Domes. Two had been crafted for him in the shape of arm gauntlets. It was a statement in itself, as no males or females were permitted to wear such things with their garb, all but the strongest and high of class. 

"I hope it fits you well. You are always welcome here, dearest Mars." 

[worldofwarfare]

Mars was forced to use Venusian language as there was no word for a woman of high rank in Martian. “Health and Light to you as well, Lady Venus,” he said almost ritualistically with a nod, neglecting to call her ‘cadet’ only due to the formality of their meeting. The nod was in fact a bow, but one so short as to be barely noticeable, illustrating the difference in rank and experience. “I see you insist on marking my age with Lord Terra’s orbit. My birth is not to be celebrated for another half year,” he takes his seat once a servant has pulled out a chair for him, “but I appreciate your tribute nonetheless.” 

[stardroidvenus-blog]

She knew that was why he treated her in such a manner out on her planet and for that she was thankful. Sitting, she let him inform her that it was not truly his birthday, but that alone only made her laugh. 

"We are the sister planet to Terra's so we follow near in the same system... and beside it was more suitable for you, this day and had I not done it now? Well, let's just say it wouldn't have fallen at the right time. I am able to offer my tides and tributes now while there is peace on my planet; however that soon might be tested." 

Once he was comfortable she handed him the first box. Inside was a finely woven cloak that had been dyed a brilliant shade of crimson. The clasps for the cloak were of Lord Sunstar's emblem but it came with a second pair, one made for Lord Apollo's emblem as well. Together the two could be broken apart and merged into one, but she had no notion or idea if Sunstar had ordered it for Mars to take up his worship as he had ordered her, thus why it was optional for him. 

"A cloak for you. You've always seemed to fancy them so, my God of War." 

[worldofwarfare]

:Ah, children:

:Despite himself Mars stands from the chair and orders the nearest scientist to monitor his communications and alert him if anything important came up. He’d been adding more of those to his personal guard and rather liked it. Unlike his generals they didn’t summon him for permission to eat someone who called them names:

:His seniority and equal rank with Terra get him through Venusian security as though he were their master. Venus is alerted to his presence as soon as he disembarks his ship, en route from the docking station to the capitol:

[stardroidvenus-blog]

[Ah old men!! What was with her infatuation with them to begin with? It was true she highly admired Mars and he way of 'flirting' was so obnoxious to him that he couldn't tell that was indeed what it was. Still. She had arranged for the sour puss to have someone celebrate his day of born existence and she was so sure she could have gotten him to come.] What a stupid brute. See if I... 

[That all changed as she flopped before her many mirrors and started to comb out her hair, her lips pinching together as she had even gathered the finest of dishes and the God of War a tribute to some of the finest matches on all of Venus. He needed a distraction for whatever Sunstar had said to him had left him far more bothered than some mere defeat at the hands OF Sunstar.] He can't sulk forever...! 

[She threw down the mirror, about to rise to go call the entire thing off when she was alerted that he--] He WHAT?! [She barked, the sudden surprise transforming into the utmost glee as she picked up HER mirror with enthusiasm, fluffed up her antennas, adjusted her robes and scuttled to meet him after grabbing  two packages that rest on her bedside.]

What a certain surprise. [She greeted him as she approached him down the stretch of road from the Sun Temple. She bowed in greeting and in respect and as she rose she shifted the presents around.] If you would be seated, I have two things for you, Mars. 

[worldofwarfare]

:Normally he’d send her away faster than a general dusty armor, but he had been ordered on numerous occasions to get more acquainted with the new recruits. Even this one with whom he had a rather turbulent history:

If you insist. I have nothing urgent to attend to today.

[stardroidvenus-blog]

[This was new!! He wasn’t turning her away and that… was almost as surprising as getting him to respond without being upset.] 

Then come to my planet, dear Mars. I believe coming here will be a nice change for you. 

[worldofwarfare]

I said I have no urgent matters to attend, yet Mars needs still my omnipresence while she rebuilds. You will meet me on my personal vessel in orbit or we will not meet at all.

[stardroidvenus-blog]

[Rolls her eyes.] Why must you always be like this. 

[worldofwarfare]

If her royal transparency is enjoying herself too much to part with her beloved vanity mirror for a day I would gladly send a representative in my stead.

[stardroidvenus-blog]

[So it was going to be like that, was it?!] It appears as if the Martian is still sore from such a trifling loss against Lord Sunstar himself. What a shame it must be to counter kindness with sass. 

I believe I liked you more when you acted like a God capable of War-- not this petty little worm who sulks with his tail between his legs on his own planet. 

I'll remember this, Mars. [Click.]

[worldofwarfare]

:Normally he’d send her away faster than a general dusty armor, but he had been ordered on numerous occasions to get more acquainted with the new recruits. Even this one with whom he had a rather turbulent history:

If you insist. I have nothing urgent to attend to today.

[stardroidvenus-blog]

[This was new!! He wasn’t turning her away and that… was almost as surprising as getting him to respond without being upset.] 

Then come to my planet, dear Mars. I believe coming here will be a nice change for you. 

[worldofwarfare]

I said I have no urgent matters to attend, yet Mars needs still my omnipresence while she rebuilds. You will meet me on my personal vessel in orbit or we will not meet at all.

[stardroidvenus-blog]

[Rolls her eyes.] Why must you always be like this. 

[worldofwarfare]

stardroidvenus replied to your post: Well, well it most certainly has been awhile dear Mars~. How have you been? We really should speak with each other more you know! Tee hee~.

Yes, yes, of course, but you failed to answer my questions. It sounds to me as if you could use a little company!

:Normally he’d send her away faster than a general dusty armor, but he had been ordered on numerous occasions to get more acquainted with the new recruits. Even this one with whom he had a rather turbulent history:

If you insist. I have nothing urgent to attend to today.

[stardroidvenus-blog]

[This was new!! He wasn't turning her away and that... was almost as surprising as getting him to respond without being upset.] 

Then come to my planet, dear Mars. I believe coming here will be a nice change for you. 

[karkinosclaw]

Pinchy Passenger

[karkinosclaw]

“HM, YES— I’VE SPOKEN BRIEFLY WITH YOUR PLUTO. I HAD HOPED TO ENTICE HIM INTO DESTROYING A PESTILENT ERF SLASH MALE, BUT IT APPEARS THEY’VE BECOME FRIENDS TO SOME DEGREE NOW… HOW INFURIATING. BUT I WILL BE MEETING THE SUNSTAR INEVITABLY, WHETHER OR NOT IT WILL INVOLVE THE ASSASSINATION OF APOLLO IS YET TO BE SEEN.”

“ERF MACHINES LIKE THE FLASH MALE WILL SOMETIMES EAT FRIVOLOUS ERF QUIZINE… MALNUTRITIOUS SEEDBLOSSOMS, MEATS SEVERELY LACKING IN IRON, CURDLED LACTATION FROM THE SAME MEATY BEASTS… NOTHING THAT SO BENEFITS A CANCERIAN.  WE FEED ON STELLAR RADIATION TO ENERGIZE, METAL DEPOSITS TO BUILD MUSCLE AND PRODUCE HEALTHY MOLTS, AND WATER, BECAUSE… … WATER IS GOOD.” Karkinos nods to himself, he always seemed content going off into his own little world of facts about himself when it came to conversation. “AND WHAT OF VENUSIANS? YOU ALL APPEAR QUITE HEALTHY. PERHAPS I WILL JEER THE MARTIAN ABOUT THAT NEXT— HOW INFERIOR THEIR DIETS ARE TO SUPERIOR RACES.”

[stardroidvenus-blog]

"Or you could simply share a greeting with him! There is simply no need to only see him when you go after Lord Apollo, my dear." It was hard to say how she felt on the matter. Karkinos wouldn't have gotten away with as much as he had had he been speaking of Lord Sunstar, but Apollo troubled her now, and all she could do was listen to his festering hate that she was still trying to wrap her head around. 

She was alarmed to learn that her Lord might be in danger, but she also had to have faith in him and his choices. Still, she wanted to speak with him on these learned matters as even if he knew of them she had not and he had asked her to learn about Apollo to worship him alongside Sunstar. They were both to lead... such a thing was rather unheard of for her people and was challenging in its own right. 

Her thoughts were plucked easily from her when Karkinos spoke of what foods were best to eat. When he failed to come up with a good reason behind water she broke out into a serenade of giggles and even more when he made to jab at the Martians. Oh ho ho, what a silly little thing Karkinos was. She rather liked that. 

"We drink the golden water our planet produces naturally beneath the clouds that prevent others from seeing it. As for what we eat... the aquatic life that we share the water with, and there are beasts below of which you have never seen! They're simply a monstrosity but they provide some of the best entrees I have ever tasted. Then there are several fruits we are able to grow from ash fertilizer and oh you must simply try it! As for minerals.. we do not partake in consuming them but there are plenty on the surface thanks to the volcanic activity! You might enjoy a scuttle or two below there. It's a marvelous adventure!" She sighed as if she were recalling such an incident, and yet the fight was over. Mars had lost and she still wasn't sure what he hoped to gain from such things. 

"Did you enjoy yourself, dear?" She asked, slowly coming to rise to her feet before focusing on him again, a small smile turning up the corners of her lips. 

[karkinosclaw]

Pinchy Passenger

[karkinosclaw]

“I SUPPOSE THEN I CAN ATTRIBUTE MARS’ CLEARLY FAMOUS FACEFALLS TO HIS HORRENDOUS FACE, YES?..” He let slip a grin, proud of his cheap joke, then cleared his throat dryly and gave Venus a nod.

“I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO RECEIVE YOUR VALUABLE AID, I WILL HAVE A WORD WITH THE FLASH MALE ABOUT MEETING WITH YOU AT YOUR MUTUAL CONVENIENCE… PERHAPS OVER THE ERF ‘BRUNCH’…” He still played carefully with his words, Karkinos still couldn’t tell if Venus already knew of and/or took offense to him carrying Flash’s means of eavesdropping, so he avoided both admitting or denying it.

“AND YES, CERTAINLY AFTER HAVING THE PLEASURE OF MAKING YOUR EXHILARATING ACQUAINTANCE, I BELIEVE YOUR WORDS OF THE MAJORITY STARDROIDS. YOU AND THEY PROVIDE EXAMPLES FOR ME TO FOLLOW WHEN I ONE DAY RETURN TO RULE THE CANCERIANS.”

[stardroidvenus-blog]

"Ho ho ho ho!" She thrilled, the smile that had faded from their earlier conversation back, though it was strained... she clearly had other things on her mind but refrained from speaking of them. 

"A brunch? Why how lovely! Food is always the source of a good and relaxing time... however what does his kind eat? And you, for that matter?" She appeared to be curious. What DID this little crab fancy to eat? 

But the better question was if she knew Flash had been spying the entire time. If she knew she wasn't letting on, and likely thought the two of them had some nerve to try to slip by her of all crabs! How cute!

"You should speak to some of the other droids then. Terra is a treasure and if you want your ear talked off then converse with Mercury. Jupiter is quiet but polite.. Pluto is rather sweet too, and we do have a child in our midst... Saturn." She sighed, refraining from pressing her hand to her temple. "He gets quite upset at the silliest notions, so take that as you will. Ah, yes, and our Lord... he is most enjoyable to converse with indeed! " She kept it at that, though truth be told she could go on about him for far longer than Karkinos would have liked. He was going to learn fairly quickly that her people were very loving towards their God. 

[karkinosclaw]

Pinchy Passenger

[karkinosclaw]

Kar’s face twisted at first, then suddenly looked pale. It just dawned on him the gravity of what he was beginning to share with Venus… Let alone letting slip his shameful origin by Apollo’s hands, the subject of the mission the mission in which everything went horribly wrong for the c-droids… And the pertinence to the Sol system in which their old goals lied.

… Perhaps this wasn’t the time and place to delve into the fall of the c-droids. Karkinos needed to change the subject. He paused as Venus took his hand, then spoke, but softly, the regular volume of his voice failing him— an indication that he was losing comfort and confidence. “… It is a history lesson for another time, compassionate Venus—” And then, he noticed that amidst all their talking, he missed the end of the fight, and Mars had just left. “ss—ffFFFFFFUUUCK! WE MISSED IT! WE MISSED THE MARTIAN MORON RECEIVE HIS COMEUPPANCE!”

“CURSES! I— THE ONE I’VE BEEN SPEAKING WITH?” He froze… She’s speaking of Flash, did.. did she know he’s been eavesdropping through Kar?… He was afraid to find out, so he minced words and sidestepped addressing that detail. “ER.. THE FLASH MALE, YES, I SPEAK TO HIM AND HE ASSISTS ME WHEN THE MARTIAN ISN’T RUINING EVERYTHING. ER.. YOU WOULD OFFER SUCH ASSISTANCE WITH MY SHELL?…”

[stardroidvenus-blog]

She nodded her head when he told her it was best for another time. It was true, now was not the time to become immersed in a tale during a fight between Mars and Sunstar.

"I would still like to hear of your tale... if you do not mind that is. It must be hard to speak of." She understood entirely, but that was about the time when Karkinos noticed the fight had ended. It hadn't lasted too long and as far as she could tell they had been talking most of it. How dull. 

"Oh don't worry Karkinos, dear." She forced herself to say, swallowing her troubled emotions for the time being. "He will fall flat on his face plenty of times more. He has been doing that quite a bit lately..." She waved her hand through the air, but found it simply adorable that Karkinos cared so much to see him lose... and just as quickly lost himself to her bringing up Flash Man. Oh ho ho, she knew that look and covered her mouth with her hand to refrain from giggling and to hide her smile.

"I would offer such assistance. However I do wish to speak with the both of you-- in person no less over these matters. He is working on things with you as well and I wouldn't want to sour or take that from him. He.. ahem also has had troubles with Mars who knows not where to meddle in the business best left to other Planet Lords." She felt her nose wrinkle in disdain, her lips pulling back into a sure frown. 

"I assure you, we're not all like that!" 

[stardroidvenus-blog]

Since you like bathing so much, do you have a favorite brand of soap or shampoo?

Oh ho ho! I simply adore bathing. Scalding water with Ely crystals and some Salvin lathe is the best method to making ones skin suitable. Shampoo is of great importance as well... though I don't believe you would approve as I only use the best and most expensive brand~. Its made from a rare crystal on my planet on the continent Ishtar Terra~. It's hard to obtain and once crushed down and mixed with herbs it is the perfect remedy for hair. Higlon it's called... it's why my hair is so beautiful and has such a glossy sheen~. Hee hee. 

[stardroidvenus-blog]

Do you consider yourself to be a romantic person?

Why yes I certainly do! I simply cannot wait to fall in love -- with someone I can be with of course.

[stardroidvenus-blog]

How do you feel about your parent(s)?

I loved my parents very much and I made them proud of who I am! 

[karkinosclaw]

Pinchy Passenger

[karkinosclaw]

“YOUR LORD STRIKES ME SIMILARLY TO APOLLO IN SOME WAYS, BUT NONE SUCH NEGATIVE ONES. THE SUNSTAR APPEARS TO ME AS A SIMILAR BREED AS APOLLO, BOTH OF WHICH SEEM MORTALLY LINKED SPECIFICALLY TO THEIR BURNING SOLAR COSMIC BODIES. BUT APOLLO IS RECKLESS, WHILE THE SUNSTAR APPEARS TO HAVE A FAR BETTER GRASP OF HIS SENSES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE SUNSTAR APPEARS NOT TO HAVE DONE TO YOU AND THE STARDROIDS AS APOLLO HAS DONE TO ME AND THE CONSTELLATIONS.”

Karkinos seemed nearly as entertained by the interactive glass screen as by the fight itself, he constantly zoomed and panned around the fight down in the arena. In a childish way, it made him feel in control— like he was a god himself… perhaps something he’s always wanted. He didn’t yet seem to notice Venus focusing on him, somehow he was still oblivious to being so closely studied. “YOUR LORD, THE SUNSTAR MAINTAINS A SUCCESSFUL HAND FULL OF PLANETS— SO SUCCESSFUL THAT HE HAS EVEN TAKEN ON ADDITIONAL BREEDS NOT OF HIS OWN INTENT, A SURPLUS OF THRIVING LIFE. I COULD ADMIRE HIM, HAD HE BEEN THE C-DROIDS’ LORD INSTEAD OF APOLLO, WE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SO COLDLY BETRAYED…”

“APOLLO PUNISHED US FOR HIS OWN FAULTS— HIS OWN INSECURITIES. HE IS A CHILD WHO FAILED US AS A LEADER, AND SCORNED US WITH SUCH SPITE AND PLEASURE. HE HAD NOT CREATED US—” He paused momentarily, considering correcting that sentence before continuing. “.. THE OTHER C-DROIDS, YET SAW FAIR TO SABOTAGE AND DESTROY THEIR PLANETS REGARDLESS. EVEN THEN, HE WAS NOT SATISFIED— SOME OF US HE CHOSE TO PUNISH WITH UNIQUE DISFIGUREMENTS. SOME OF US HAD THEIR LIMBS REMOVED…”

“I HAD MY ONCE IMPENETRABLE SHELL TURNED TO SOFT AND VULNERABLE FLESH. CANCERIANS CULL AND DEVOUR THEIR WEAK, AS RESOURCES ARE SCARCE AND CANNIBALISM IS AN EFFICIENT MEANS OF RECYCLING METALS, LIQUIDS AND ENERGIES… I WAS FORCED TO FORFEIT MY POWER AND FLEE MY NEBULA, NEVER TO RETURN UNLESS I COULD RECOVER MY FORMERLY PROUD CARAPACE.”

“… TELL ME, GRACEFUL LORD OF VENUS, WHAT WOULD YOU SUSPECT A POWERFUL, STUPID BEING SUCH AS APOLLO TO DO SHOULD HE GROW JEALOUS OF THE SUNSTAR’S SUCCESS? WOULD HE DO TO YOUR FINE PLANETS AS HE’S DONE TO OURS? TO EVEN THE PLAYING FIELD AND COMPENSATE HIS SHAME AND FAILURE?”

[stardroidvenus-blog]

"They are Starlords, dear." She began, not expecting what Karkinos was about to tell her. She hadn't known a single thing about Apollo, and she most certainly hadn't had the time to ask why their hate was so strong against him. "Of course they are of the same species from what I can gather, but that is sadly all I know that I can tell you about that one..." She pursed her lips in thought, unable to concentrate on the fight-- why would she? From what she could tell they were doing more talking than fighting and that, needless to say, bored her to bits compared to getting to speak with Karkinos. She had been looking forward to it, but was about to be faced with something trying in its own right. Her gaze tore from the fight the moment Karkinos stated that Apollo had done something to the constellations. 

"I beg your pardon?" She was caught off guard, not knowing whether to feel offense that Karkinos would relate Sunstar to Apollo to begin with. They were different as night and day; she didn't need to know much about him to decipher that! At least Karkinos was going to inform her, her antennas arching up curiously as she listened, her upper torso turning to face him while she folded her hands in her lap and found herself smiling. "He can be your lord too, you know. He is simply wonderful and I would do anything I could to please him and his ambitions..." However she was about to regret those words.

"Betrayed?" The word caught up with her, her eyebrow arching high as she had never heard or fathomed that a Lord would betray its own people who were truly loyal and loved. 

Silence filled the room, Venus hardly finding it in her to interject as she took in the overwhelming amount of information Karkinos gave her. A part of her didn't want to believe what he said was true, but there was nothing she could do to defend Sunstar's lover as she knew naught a thing about her. All she knew was that she felt her entire frame stiffen, and realized later she was nursing her lower lip with her teeth; enough to draw blood. What was he saying? Apollo had failed and had punished those he had failed? He had done more than that. He had taken it out on their planets, their people and while she could say that was the sad story of conquest over the weak, one thing caught her attention: Karkinos had said he was of Apollos very creation. 

Her stomach wrenched, and for once she felt absolutely sick to her stomachs. 

“… TELL ME, GRACEFUL LORD OF VENUS, WHAT WOULD YOU SUSPECT A POWERFUL, STUPID BEING SUCH AS APOLLO TO DO SHOULD HE GROW JEALOUS OF THE SUNSTAR’S SUCCESS? WOULD HE DO TO YOUR FINE PLANETS AS HE’S DONE TO OURS? TO EVEN THE PLAYING FIELD AND COMPENSATE HIS SHAME AND FAILURE?”

It took her a moment to respond. Her hand even lifting to shakily rest on Karkinos' cheek as she thought to tell him that that was just the sad way of the powerful pushing the weak around. It happened on all planets... it happened when they were directed to take over other planets in other galaxies in the name of Lord Sunstar... yet it tore at her inside that Apollo would do this to his own people. 

"I cannot say that I am surprised that someone like Apollo would cause harm to those not of his system, but I fail to understand why he would do as you say he has done to you and your people..." Her voice wanted to waver but she silenced herself long enough to gather her wits for a while longer. "I believe in my Lord. I love my Lord more than you could ever know dear sweet Karkinos and I know he would never betray me or punish me so if we came to fail... I know this because he has given countless chances to previous Planet Lords and.." She drew one of his hands up, her own shaking despite how strong she sounded as she came to rest his over where her heart was. "because we hold a part of him in us. To slaughter what he has spent so long forming-- I cannot imagine him ever going to such lengths..." 

She dropped his hand and finally looked back to the fight, her eyes glossing over as new conflict tore at her. She knew she couldn't do what she had promised Sunstar to do; not until she listened and got the truth from that wretched blue Starlord. 

"As for what I would do...?" She said, her voice ever so quiet as she felt tears gather in the corners of her eyes. "I would not hesitate to sacrifice myself in stopping him from causing harm to my Lord. I would not stand for it and I would not take my own failure and thrust it on others. I am not so petty." She snapped, her eyes hardening as she swallowed back a spray of bubbles that threatened to come up with the retort. 

"Tell me, Karkinos. Tell me about the mission you all set out on. It must have been something of high importance to fail and to have that much repercussion... but I am sorry for your struggles... but perhaps it is fate that brought you this far." She tried to smile, but it was becoming harder. She wanted to leave. She wanted to be gone from this event by the time it ended to think about a very important choice. "After all, you have met a Lord that is truly admirable and loving, and you have gotten to meet me." There was a message in those words.

"I will help you grow stronger, and I will see what I can do about that shell of yours-- I happen to know that the one you've been speaking with has been trying to assist you-- however Mars-- the blundering idiot-- hindered such progress, no?" She wanted a change of subject, she realized, but determination kept her on its course. She would not run from this; she was in no position to run. 

[karkinosclaw]

Pinchy Passenger

[karkinosclaw]

“AH, YES.” He welcomed the change of topic as they made their way to the martian coliseum, flaring his robes a little as they walked and talked on their way into the booth. “MARS’ ATMOSPHERE DOES NOT OBSTRUCT SO MUCH OF YOUR SUN’S RADIATION, THE RAYS ARE DELICIOUS AND MOST REJUVENATING. NOW ALL THIS PLANET NEEDS IS TO BE COVERED IN WATER— AND IT WOULD BE A WONDERFUL ALTERNATIVE TO ERF FOR A VISITING CANCERIAN… PERHAPS A NICER PLACE TO REPLENISH MYSELF, AT THE VERY LEAST.”

He took a seat in their booth, leaning forward and playing with the in-glass interactive display, magnifying their view of the match between Sunstar and Mars beginning, just in time to see Mars close in on Sunstar rapidly. “… HOW PECULIAR, THE MARTIANS ARE NOT UNLIKE DRY-SAND SCUTTLERS. WHY DOES MARS HIMSELF NOW APPEAR AS A MAMMAL? AH!— A SPLENDID SEGUE, THE BROILING BLUE BUFFOON APOLLO, IN SUCH DENIAL OF HIS MONKEY-LIKE ANATOMY. I HAVE MENTIONED THAT MY BUSINESS IN THIS SOLAR SYSTEM IS TO ENLIST ASSISTANCE IN ASSASSINATING THE FOOL, YES?”

Ah yes, the kill-Apollo tangent. Karkinos’ sure-fire method to distracting himself from other worldly concerns. “I HAD PLANNED TO DO AWAY WITH HIM AND RETURN TO CANCER NEBULA TO MAKE MYSELF THEIR DASHING RULER ONCE MORE, BUT PERHAPS I WILL FIRST REWARD MYSELF WITH AN EXTENDED VACATION AMONGST THE FINE VENUSIANS— PERHAPS EVEN BORROW SOME CUSTOMS TO TAKE BACK TO THE NEBULA TO ENRICH THE CULTURE. IF CANCER IS TO EVOLVE ANY FURTHER AS A RACE, I WOULD BE TICKLED GIDDY THAT THEY CAME TO ADOPT THE FASHIONS OF YOUR FINE PEOPLE.”

[stardroidvenus-blog]

She refrained from wrinkling her nose at the notion of Mars being a nice place to live. At the very least it was barbaric though being able to bask in the light of their Lord was nice. That was the only nice thing about it.

"Ah, yes, water is something we can both appreciate. It is always nice to soak in it when its scalding hot and when we do get to appreciate our lord's light it's simply a treat!" She sighed as if she wanted to enjoy one at that moment, but getting a chance to see Sunstar was much more enticing and more grand than his rays of light. 

"What do you think of our Lord, dear Karkinos?" She asked, knowing his dislike of Apollo was strong. She couldn't say she felt anything towards his threats, as as far as she knew Apollo was hardly interested in Sunstar's system or its Planet Lords beyond interacting when he was bored. 

Once she was seated she let Karkinos look around, though in reality she only wanted to focus on one fighter at that moment: Sunstar himself. Chewing at her bottom lip in refrain she listened to his speculation of Mars and giggled behind that. 

"That is not actually a Martian from my understanding~ that is an avatar our Lord made for him to participate in an event occurring on Earth last year." She informed him, though he seemed more intent on Apollo of all things. 

"Yes, yes, Apollo. Defeating him-- what did he do to gain your dislike for him?" She hadn't heard the story of the constellations as of yet, as she had been far too busy with her planet, and the other lords to learn much about anything or anyone else. It was sad really, and for the first time she was regretting it. At least she hoped Karkinos would start to be the cure for that!

"Oh ho ho, you are its ruler are you~?" She thrilled, her eyes drawing from the fight to observe Karkinos closely. As she expected him to be! "But yes, do stay with us for awhile. I think you'll find our planet most lovely and an experience in itself~ I would love to show you around it!" She always adored showing her planet off. After all, it was her gem now.