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...do you mean that literally?

[Nessie looks very worried when she asks that question.]

[Mashymre blinks. And blinks again.] I mean that I serve Lady Haman, nothing more, nothing less. Somebody's been curious what I'm doing with myself, so I'm explaining.

How about you?

So... you don't mean... that this Lady Haman... owns you. [Nessie looks away, embarrassed by her misunderstanding of his words.]

[Mashymre seems to think for a moment, then, suddenly, he blushes deeply and smiles absent-mindedly, then startles, making half a step back and waving his arms] O-owns?! Wh-wh-why, I, wh-whyever...?! H-how e-even...?! Silence, p-peasant, I-I won't be tempted...! Wh-what...? You'll give me a heart attack or something, I swear I don't understand what you're saying, I...!!

Edited 2022-07-19 06:01 (UTC)

I-- I'm very sorry. [Nessie avoids his eyes, but she can't miss how she's obviously offended him.]

It's only that... I was bought and sold, once. And hearing that one "belongs" to someone else... [Nessie swallows hard.] If you needed help getting away, I would offer that.

But... I've clearly misunderstood. I'm sorry.

"The greatest love you can show is to give your life for your friends," hm?

['Offended' is the wrong word, but Mashymre Cello won't correct her impression on that. Also, it seems his emotions run high all the time and won't quieten.]

[His eyes widen as she recounts her story.]

Slavery?! How barbaric! Fear not, however, if you need protection, I can offer it to you. Freedom's to be protected at all cost.

[Mashymre thinks about this, wonders if this is a quote, it sounds like a quote he's ignorant of; then replies,] I suppose so? However, she doesn't want me to die, there's a lot that one must be alive to accomplish.

Thank you. You're very kind to offer protection.

I have friends -- those who rescued me, and those who would defend me if my... captors tried to grab me again. [She gives a small smile.] And I do what I can to help those in a similar situation.

Being treated as a weapon... or as just an object to be used... no person should go through that.

[Enthusiastic nod.]

[He says, as solemnly as he can,] I agree wholeheartedly, Miss! Lady Haman'd never let anybody use anyone like that!

It's good to have true friends who can help you. Just know you can always count on me and my people as well! Neo Zeon opposes slavery of all kinds.

My name is Vanessa. It sounds like you've found a cause worth fighting for, and a person worth following in your Lady Haman.

[Oh, no! He's been so uncouth, not even introducing himself!]

My name's Mashymre Cello. I have, that's for certain.

[He touches a pink rose he's got pinned to his military uniform.]

I'd certainly be lost and adrift, directionless, otherwise.

To be honest, I was but a boy when I first met her. And people could say she was but a girl, but that'd be a lie. I could feel and see universes in her eyes. Touched me like a comet. If I ever prayed, I--

A-anyway...! If you need, uhm, help.. right!

Edited 2022-07-22 22:08 (UTC)

If I need help, you'll be the first person I call, Mashymre. I promise. [She smiles.]

Ah, that reminds me of Diana. She draws people to her, inspires them to be better versions of themselves... and she does her best to make the world a better place. Finding a person like that is very special, and I can understand your devotion.

[Eager nod, grin, plus some other gesture that might beg a question what this soldier's even gesturing wildly for, but there's a lot of, definitely passion in purest sense, in it]

Exactly!

And who's Miss Diana? She must be important, I wager. Does she also shine with pure righteousness? Ah, women can be most amazing. I'm happy to have been born a man and can serve them.

Edited 2022-07-22 22:19 (UTC)

Diana is the Princess of Themyscira, the Pride of the Amazons and their ambassador the wider world.

[Vanessa smiles at the question, and thinks back to her happier memories -- Diana's first years in 'Man's World', when Vanessa could count herself as a friend of Diana without hesitation.] She shines with love. Even when she takes up arms, it is to defend the innocent, out of love for them, out of duty to put herself between them and harm.

She inspired me to take up the job that I have.

How wonderful!

[Mashymre feels as if he just might've met a kindred spirit. Surely she loves and worships said Diana just the way he loves and worships Lady Haman.]

Lady Haman. is the leader of the Axis. Of Neo Zeon. She's still young, but wise beyond her years, and the ways she showers those who deserve it with her care is most wonderful. She's the leader of whole armies, yet she finds care in her heart for each and every soldier of hers.
She's raised Lady Mineva Zabi, the little Princess, the one and only rightful heir of sadly fallen Zeon, with as much thoughtfulness as can only be imagined as a basis of an blissful future.

Even though she, like a stern leader she is and must be, rarely speaks of love, she feels it deeply. She does, and that pulls one closer to her, with a force nothing but the beauty of the spirit can begin to explain.

[He suddenly blushes a little.] I'm not just saying it. Ask any loyal soldier of hers! As I live and breathe, it's true.

And I believe you about the Princess Diana. Sounds splendid.

[Danny smiles wryly.] Oh, experience has taught me that the dead can do plenty... in some cases.

Still, [he says,] it's good that this person who holds your life in her hands wants it to continue.

[huh?] Can they, really? I doubt it. They're no longer here.

[with a vigorous nod] Of course! I wouldn't want to upset Lady Haman by dying. Who'd serve her as faithfully as I do?

My name's Mashymre Cello. And you?

Agent Daniel Chase, [he introduces himself,] formerly the Phantasm.

[The codename, meaning "apparition", should probably hint that Daniel knows what he's talking about when it comes to the dead. But he is smiling pleasantly nonetheless, as if there were no weird topics in their discussion.]

In my experience, the only person worth putting your faith in is yourself. Other people have a nasty habit of letting me down.

[Diana of Themyscira would discourage any worship that people might direct her way, as Vanessa well knows, but... Vanessa does love her. Even in her darkest times, when she'd fallen away from the light, she had love for her 'Amazon sister'.]

I think it's wonderful when you have a good leader, [Nessie says. She has no reason not to take Mashymre at his word, after all, so she believes his description of the Lady Haman.] What is valued by their people is often shaped by what traits a leader has, and kindness, care, and honesty are so important.

[Nessie smiles at the mention of 'the little Princess'. It reminds her of how the other Amazons would talk about Diana's childhood, on those rare visits Nessie was able to take to Themyscira itself.] And she has a child? The Lady Haman certainly has accomplished a lot in life!

You said you're a soldier of hers, Mashymre? I'm sure you've won many battles for your lady.

[Haman Karn very actively encourages the worship.]

[Mashymre takes and holds up a pink rose he's got pinned to his uniform and exclaims,] I agree wholeheartedly, Miss Vanessa! Great leaders shape good people.

Princess Mineva isn't her daughter, but the daughter of late Dozel Zabi. The Zabis were - the rightful monarchs of the Principality of Zeon, sadly all fallen in the One Year War because of the tyrannical qnd inhumane actions of the enemies, the Federation. My Lady wishes, as we all do, for the rebirth of Zeon.
She's raising the Princess excellently. I've seen the Princess Mineva, such a precocious and bright child, she's our future and I'll defend that with all I have. And yes, Lady Haman's accomplished a lot.

[He blushes.] Yes, I'm a soldier of hers. I hope it's as you say and I shall win many battles. Some seem to doubt my abilities. But not she, and her word's all that matters.

[Again, the young soldier touches the rose.]

Edited 2022-07-24 14:33 (UTC)

[Said implication mostly flies over this captain's head.]

[Hm? Ah!] I understand what you mean, exactly! At such a time, you should meet Lady Haman, open your eyes and trust in her.

[Daniel raises an eyebrow at that.]

You sound like a street preacher recruiting for a new religion.

[Brow raise.] Do I? But I don't believe in God. I've never ever prayed to God.

It sounds to me that Lady Haman is the name for God on your lips.

[Mashymre blushes slightly, and stutters,] N-no, you're deeply m-mistaken, you only must've noticed the touch of that most noble of spirits on my heart. Which honours me, so th-thank you.

[Whispers to himself, but it is audible, a little.] Goddes Haman Karn... ah, no, stop it, what if this somehow gets to her ears and she d-dismisses me from service?! I'd rather be hung and drowned and drawn and quartered.

Edited 2022-07-24 16:30 (UTC)

['This guy has it bad... sounds like this Lady Haman has quite the cult of personality built up around her,' Agent Chase thinks to himself, while regarding Mashymre with the most skeptical of looks. He caught some of that whisper.]

Regardless, Mr. Cello, I think I'll remain in the service of my own government. At least there, I know the major players.

[if you wanna see Mashymre Cello & Haman Karn /ooc]

[Mashymre touches a pink rose he's wearing on his uniform]
[nod] I suppose that's understandable. And you must have your own loyalties, which is, of course, most admirable. I'll respect that, even if we were ever to meet in battle.

[wait, he realises he's yet to ask--] Which government? Perhaps you're not an enemy, Mr Daniel.

Edited 2022-07-24 17:54 (UTC)

[[OOC: Ah, eighties anime. I know what all that blushing means... XD]]

[Daniel hums an acknowledgement to that mention of respect.] I work for the government of the United States of America.

I'm not sure if you'd know the name. I don't recognize the uniform you're wearing as belonging to any country I know. [He smiles, a little wryly,] Perhaps battle is unnecessary in this instance.

[Eh? eeehhh? Mashymre tilts his head.] United States of America? But, but, wasn't that a country on Earth in the Anno Domini era? Yes, it must've been, it sounds so historical!

[The current nomenclature is "Common Era" or C.E. rather than "Anno Domini", especially in academic circles, but Daniel elects not to bring that up. It would just confuse matters all the more.]

Mm-hm. [He suppresses the urge to grin, because he does want to be taken seriously, and says,] I hail from the year 2011 A.D. I take it that you're from some time in the future?

[There's a lot of time travel on the Earth that Daniel comes from. And the 20th and 21st centuries C.E. (or A.D.) were/are a popular destination for future folk. So he takes the idea of being from someone else's distant past in stride.]

[Bemused, Cello nods.] Yes, I am.
[Time travel? What would Lady Haman Karn say of such a possibility?
Some say that Newtypes can go even beyond time itself. Is that it? He wonders. It's only a theory of some idle minds, Mashymre knows, but still...]

I hail from the year UC 0088. Er, year 0088 of United Century.

Oh, right, USA, you guys have conquered the Moon first, now I remember! Thank you.

Many years later, the United Century calendar begun. UC was supposed to be an era of conquering the space and of peace for all the humanity, on Earth and on the Colonies alike. That was the plan, no, the dream, that is.

Er... well met, anyway, Mr Daniel. Your primitive life must be ever so interesting, I'm now curious!

Edited 2022-07-24 20:29 (UTC)

[He laughs.] I had nothing to do with the moon landing, but I suppose I'll accept the thanks on behalf of my government.

Mm. Peace always seems to be a dream. [Daniel gives a little sigh.] But it's worth working toward.

[Mashymre calling his life "primitive" amuses Daniel. He clasps his hands behind his back and replies,] Well met, Mr. Cello. If you are curious, you may ask me questions. I'll do my best to answer, as long as it's not classified information.

It is! I'm a soldier, so it might seem contradictory to say so, but I'm working hard towards peace.

[hmmm....]

[hmmm... hmmm.... hmm. Right, for example...]

How many animals do you have? Is it hard to care for them? It seems to be hard in a zoo, I think, but maybe I'm mistaken. And maybe it's easier at home. Some nobles have animals.

Edited 2022-07-24 20:49 (UTC)

In my experience, the good soldiers want to make the world safe so there is no more need for them.

[Danny blinks at the question. It's definitely not what he was expecting.] Some people keep pets -- small domesticated animals like cats, dogs, or rabbits, for example -- but the type and number varies based on personal preference and the size of their living space. Personally, because of the demands of my job, I don't have any pets.

Zoos are more about the conservation of wild animals -- it's different from keeping pets. The people who care for them are specially trained.

's true.

Right, animals are rather time consuming, I suppose.

Have you ever thought of going to the Moon? I mean, in your time, it's a luxury trip, isn't it?

Well... for a few years, the Justice League had their Watchtower base on the Moon, and civilians couldn't go there. And then, after they relocated, we had a problem with an evil magical force from space possessing one of our most experienced metas, and he set up a base on the Moon...

[Danny shrugs, looking sheepish.] I know it sounds... unbelievable, but I swear it happened.

After the Green Lantern's possession got resolved, he set up a territory on the far side of the Moon for magical creatures. If you've heard a myth about it, it probably exists, and it probably lives on the Moon under the protection of the Starheart. We're pretty hands off about the Moon these days.

Though I suppose nothing really stops people from visiting if they know a sorcerer willing to transport them there.

Most fascinating! Lady Haman most wisely says we must know of the past in order to avoid its mistakes, and I've read a book after book to try and expand my knowledge on that matter, but...
Is it my memory that's lacking? I recognise none of those you speak of!!

...however! I remember well the books from Middle Ages, Little Women and Les Miserables! They've touched my heart, really.

Edited 2022-07-25 05:18 (UTC)

Well... it's entirely possible that we are from different timelines. The Central Bureau of Intelligence has plenty of files on how malleable time and history can be.

[Danny smiles. Both books that Mashymre named were originally published in the 1860s, roughly a century and a half in the past from Danny's perspective. And the thought that he comes from a time so distant that the 19th Century is "the Middle Ages" is an interesting one.]

[Again, he doesn't correct the terminology -- there are also files, this time from the Department of Extranormal Operations, recommending that arguing over language differences with people from the future is "nothing but a headache". (Thanks, Booster Gold.)]

Les Misérables was adapted into a musical, you know. I saw it on Broadway... oh, about three years ago? Quite the experience. [His smile widens.] And nowhere near as time-consuming as reading the novel.

Alternate timeline,hmm... sounds complicated. I think I'll leave that to specialists.

What's a Broadway? Some famous cinema or theatre?

[Mashymre Cello thinks that if he's right on that, then the education's really paid off.]

I don't really read much, anymore. It's true that it's time consuming and I need all the time I've got to carry out Lady Haman's orders as well as possible for a mere ship captain such as myself.

Which, still, naturally, even I, Mashymre Cello, can do perfectly but with Lady Haman's guidance!

Some soldiers under my command seem to think I talk about her slightly too much. Now can you believe such gall?! I only mention the name very rarely, like one should, with anything that's truely important. I show the utmost restraint, oftentimes forcing myself not to mention the - you know - in a sentence.

Surely you understand? One look at you and I just knew you were a kindred spirit. I'm sure you serve loyally, too.

Edited 2022-07-27 11:40 (UTC)

Most people leave it to the specialists, yes.

[Danny nods.] The Broadway Theatre is a place for live performances in New York City. It's also the name we use to refer to the whole theatre district.

Oh, you captain a ship? I assume you mean a spaceship?

[Privately, Danny agrees with the soldiers -- he really admires his parents, but talking about them incessantly is an easy way to be seen as a pain in the rear. But... he's not going to insult this man by saying so. He's gotten through worse conversations in the past.]

I'm not loyal to a particular person. I work to keep the people -- regular, normal people living normal, everyday lives -- safe from threats. Both inside and outside the country.

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Apologies for Mashymre Cello in qdvance. 😆

LMAO! No worries.

Heh.

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Yup, he does, he's head over heels, and yes, she does.

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yes

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Oh boy, the DC Comics universe and Earth's Moon is a whole bunch of bullshit... XD

I only know some of DC stuff. Now I wanna see Batman on the Moon, must be from after my adoloscence.

2/2

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heh. He's truly believing what he's saying, that's Mashy for you. :)

the simp levels are off the charts, lmao