At this point, Sophia wishes for Nazo’s ability to defuse a situation like this. She relaxes a little more that they seemed to just be talking for the moment. However, the older men comment makes her burn red again. “Because you always see me hitting on guys my dad’s age… Seriously, it’s not like that.” At least, she hoped it wasn’t. Really, romance was the furthest thing from her mind at this point. Admittedly, things probably didn’t look that way from their angle.

She frowns as Valdis yells more at Peter. “You know… I am still right here… And again, it’s really not like that. Also, Nazo will be going. Supervisor acquired. Feel better?” It was not an entirely inaccurate assessment though. She didn’t want anything further than friendship, but it wasn’t like Peter was going to hurt her. He already made a promise not to. Still this talk of her virginity made her want to die in a corner somewhere. Why couldn’t this be a dream? A very bad dream. This was just getting embarrassing.

Her expression softens briefly as Valdis admits what she is. “Why should what you are matter? Our reactions should be determined by another’s actions rather than what they are. No, I don’t think that is valid reason to start a fight on alone.”

She stares at Peter as he tries to hush. “Yeah, everyone just tell me how to live my life today. I don’t mind… Please don’t hush me.” Her eyes flash with anger at the demotions she’s receiving from everyone. “Seriously?” She takes a deep breath and turns around. She mumbles something under her breath, “Old enough to risk my damn life. Help decide the fate of the world. But still too young to be an adult or get a goddamn drink. Oh Sophia, sit in the back and shut up… no one values your opinions.” She grits her teeth at the banter, “Can you please stop threatening or insulting each other? You are on the same team and want the same things. It’s a waste of energy to continue this and detrimental to us cooperating effectively.”

Her anger cools as Peter detransforms, and she does the same. She raises an eyebrow, “So wait, you liked me for like 5 seconds and changed you mind. Not that it was a good idea in the first place for either of us for a very long list of reasons. But really?” She was cursed in all her encounters with the opposite sex clearly. “Yeah, yeah…” she says as Peter tells her to stay behind him.

Valdis watched as Peter’s behavior towards Sophia drastically changed, the hostility in Valdis eye’s noticeably lessoned. However she was still on guard, until it came from his lips that he would not harm Sophia in that way. When he tried to defend himself via the whole my country this isn’t an issue thing Val raised an eyebrow.

”I believe you are in my father’s country, and not your own. Here the legal age limit is 18, consent or not. I’m sure her father would agree with me….and while your hands stayed where they should have your mouth did not….and wait hold up dimensions?”

She looked at Nazo.

”Would this be like the whole someone went back in time theory to mess with things….or is this like a whole different timeline. Or is he from the original timeline….if he is I’m confused they didn’t have knights in that time line according to the furballs.”

She rubbed the bridge of her nose….this whole timeline theory was a pain in her ass. However here was living proof it there was an alternate timeline…Her attention was taken from the situation at hand as her mind whizzed through possibilities. Each and every one of them coming to the conclusion that this new knight would be useful indeed. She did turn her attention back to the matter at hand mostly to address the class five comment.

”Then why don’t we just send you to go defeat all the Zodiacs then we can sit back and watch. It would save us all a couple of headaches. As for what I have done for the covenant I have done unintentionally so you can call it magic or whatever. My music is my personal work that happened to have negative effects. It is not something I take pride in nor would flaunt about as an accomplishment. I am sure my body count is significantly lower than yours, and my goal is to keep it that way.”

Really she didn’t see the point of bragging about that…or really using it as a measure of strength. Valdis chuckled and Sophia’s comeback at Nazo’s teasing.

”We know your too innocent for that Little Mouse relax, as for Nazo supervising slightly but he’s almost as clueless when it comes to inappropriate innuendo’s as you are….or he just doesn’t care…most likely the last one…..However I trust him not to let anything happen….

Then Moonie suggested that she be brought along as well.
”I approve of this arrangement more. As much as I would have enjoyed attending the dance”

Sophia only went on to prove her point in choice of friends. Val gave an lopsided smile her way and shook her head.

”Sophia…someone has to choose to walk down the path before they get to where I am. You have to willingly accept to walk down a dark path, the healing, and fire….those came naturally I did not choose those however I did choose to use them and to develop those powers. Just as you have with the path you’re walking. In fact I am shocked more of you haven’t had this reaction….and this whole dimension thing…if he’s not from around here then for all he knows I’m one of the Zodiac”

Which wouldn’t be far off from the truth….but she wasn’t saying that. She turned back to Peter when he turned back to normal. She could usually couldn’t care less about what he got his jollys from but he honestly stated he would not be going after Sophia in such a fashion. Valdis visibly relaxed fully now, shifting her weight to one leg. It was all she needed to hear.

”You have my word on my honor as an Ito that if I physically harm Sophia you may have my fangs. So long as you don’t have …other intentions…for Sophia I do not care what contact you have so long as she allows it and doesn’t look like a deer in the headlights for it. It has already been tested and proven…even if I do lose control I have the ability to fight it to avoid harming Sophia…although…there was one time…”

She admired the honesty and bluntness when it came to …his jollys… so long as those were spelled out she did not see as much of an issue. Valdis turned back to Sophia as she was turned to the corner pouting. Moonie Loonie reminded her of something.

”How is your side doing from the fight…I know the burn had to come as a bit of a surprise….it didn’t scar did it?...last thing we need is Moonie Loonie finding my hand print on your side….”

Valdis only giggled at the angry Sophia…it was adorable.

”If it makes you feel better…Kenny still liked you after 5 seconds….”

Valdis turned back to Peter when he ushered Sophia behind him again.

”It’s safe to assume I have known her longer then you have; if I was to harm her I would have done so when she was unconscious in my bed. She is safe with me I assure you.”

“Ok. So we’re all in agreement. No one’s going to hurt me,” Sophia says, looking longingly back the school. Maybe she could dance and try to forget this conversation. Going back and drinking with the same people probably won’t make the awkward feeling disappear for her. “I change my mind about the drinking thing though. I think prefer dancing, and I haven’t actually gotten to do that yet.”

At the mention of the burns, Sophia rubs the back of head sheepishly, “I’ve always healed from burns fine. Kind of itchy and blistery if I’m honest, but definitely better than bleeding to death. The gash… ummm… that’s there to stay. But I’m ok with that. I got it doing what I thought was right, so I have no regrets. Also, I’ve since learnt from that incident, so it won’t have repeating.”

She shrugs, “Probably won’t do much for my love life, but, as discussed, that is non-existent. No real reason to worry about that. Also no bikinis ever again. Or crop tops. Or low V-necks. Actually, you couldn’t imagine how many things are being deleted from my wardrobe… Also, Kenny doesn’t count when he is interested in every girl. But hey, I must be good at cards!”

She shakes her head at the unconscious in someone’s bed statement. Looking at Peter, she says, “Trust me, I don’t make a habit of going unconscious in other people’s bed. Nor do I make a habit of taking tissues from anyone anymore for that matter. I reserve the right to be hysterical occasionally.”

Peter sighed, before reaching up slowly, putting his hand on the wall, before pulling himself up. “Sophia, muttering is unbefitting of a human lady. Or a dragon, so you can not even claim that. I am protecting you because I have adopted you as part of my clutch, and that is what a dragon -does-.” He snorted, and shifted, nudging her with his head. “You are certainly old enough to drink with me around, since I know CPR, and know to put you in the recovery position if you pass out.” He was being direct, and efficient. Teenagers. “I do value your opinion. Enough that I told you about the fact I was the equivalent of one of the Zodiac in my timeline.” He looked at her, dead malachite eyes staring into hers. There was an emptiness there, seemingly like a void. The calm that came over him was unsettling, as he raised his walls. This Wyrmling had disappointed him. “I am not a part of your team just because I have these powers, as a heads up. Not yet at least. If ever... I accept no authority higher than my own. Can not accept any authority higher than I.”

He let a hand drift up, before he poked her in the nose gently. “And I thought you were an adult, and capable of the emotional and mental choices, as well as the legal ones, that would allow for a relationship. But apparently this realities laws are different than the ones I was dealing with in -my- Japan.” He moved to squeeze her shoulder gently. “I will not lay with one I have raised or guarded. That is an abuse of trust.” He had a sad smile on his face then. “Kasumi desired it of me, and look where it got me. Tell you what though, prove you are an adult, be legally capable of entering these relationships, and I will take you on a proper date. Door holding and all.”

He had a faintly amused smile when he chuckled a little at that. “You are something to be protected, in my eyes. To be defended to the last. Do not take my acting on my better judgement as marginalizing you, Ms. Torres. Or ignoring you.” He patted her on the shoulder, hoping that addressed everything.

Then the hackles rose, and he seriously considered transforming again. “I do not follow orders from anyone. Especially an admitted Youma. That is why I will not kill your Zodiacs for you. Quite frankly, barring Sophia here, I have more cause to see about working with them than any Senshi or Knights. The last time I worked with them, they decided I was not good enough, and exiled me to this dimension. Granted, I like the temperature here far more. Japan is a shit hole in my reality. Way to damn hot.” He was squeezing the bridge of his nose. “This almost feels right to me...”

And then the two started talking about things that made him want to roar. He went very still. Sophia could almost feel his irritation. And he simply closed his eyes, before inhaling, and then pausing. He held one finger to Valdis. Then to Sophia. Then turned to face the wall. And created a vocalization that was low pitched, but projected incredibly well for someone who was not shouting. It came across as a hybridization of a growl, and snarl, and a low, guttural roar. After he released his frustrations, he turned back to the two, wearing a calm mask of an expression. “I misjudged you, Valdis. I apologize. With Nazo supervising you two, as well as the knowledge that Sailor Moon is in the dance, I will feel safe entrusting Sophia to your custody. I am going to go get a slurpee, some junk food, and forget tonight happened, as I just about attacked the president's daughter, and possibly forced myself on Sophia, by misreading the situation. Tonight is done for me. Have fun. I am far to old for this shit.” With that, he did an about face, and began stalking towards his car.

Valdis raised an eyebrow when Peter took her statement as an order…she was more of the manipulate you to go do her bidding type not the order type…However if he wasn’t planning on killing Zodiac anytime soon then he wouldn’t be very useful as a moon knight. But arguing it wasn’t worth it, he’d more than likely take arms if he was as touch as he was now about Sophia’s safety. So she let her opinion on the matter go unspoken. However she turned her attention back to Sophia.

”So you are still injured?”

She frowned at the fact she did not realize someone else could not heal her.

”Whether you learned from the incident or not, it’s not like you can go to the doctors without compromising your identity. If you consent I can heal whatever is left…it will save you from that scar…and with the added bonus of making this night seem a little less….oppressing I’ve been told the feeling is quite pleasant you can ask Kail…actually please do that red head still deserves a little poking.”

She chuckled about Sophia learning to not take tissues lightly.

”You we’re having a mental break down, you needed the sleep. Hysterics are one thing loosing yourself to grief is another.”

She stopped when she noticed Moonie loonie having a lunar break down; she watched in amusement as he had a small spaz attack. Only to come back all calm like and apologize. She nodded in acceptance, frankly she didn’t think he needed to apologize to her. She didn’t hold grudges for insults waved in her direction, she worked in the entertainment industry it kinda came with the package. She chuckled as he announced he was to old for this shit and walked off. Valdis attention turned back to Sophia.

”I could learn to like him, shall we go back to the dance?”

“Oh. It’s healed. It’s just a scar now. A very large one. Honestly, I’ll get used to it. And it probably won’t be my last one,” Sophia says before smiling again, “I got take Keitha up on her offer and get a large tattoo with her to cover it up if it bothers me.”

“I do tons of unladylike things if those are the standards for it. I’m hardly a dragon. Let’s face it, I wouldn’t make a good one,” Sophia responds. She didn’t have the aggression or the sense of superiority for it nor were those things that she wanted particularly.

His eyes meeting her only returned by ones filled with deep sadness. Oh yeah, she remembered why she was talking to him. Saving what was left in his soul and all if she could. She almost wants to ask him to take it about, but debating his divinity would only end with him getting angry and her getting upset.

She makes a face as he pokes her in the nose. She swears being around Peter is like emotional whiplash. “One, I don’t anticipate me changing that much as I get older. I guess I’ll always be childish by that logic. And I wouldn’t change simply for the sake of a date even if you did open all the doors. That would be kind of silly. I’m a silly person, but that much. Two, if I liked you that way, I would have just said so. I’d prefer just being friends honestly. It’s a better situation for the both of us, and I’m probably a terrible girlfriend all things considered. Do you see how much trouble I get myself into? I’m just complaining about my luck with men all. Evidently, being the senshi of love means pretty much nothing. Perhaps I should blame it on being unladylike all the time,” she jokes.

She jumps at the growl a little. For someone who had no issue looking into eyes of a youma, she was awfully jumpy around loud noises. “No dancing for you then?” she says as Peter walks back to the car. “You know, he always stalks off like that after we talk…” After a brief moment, she nods, “Yeah, let’s go.”

Running through the list of ways tonight was supposed to go, Peter summarized quite succinctly, it want precisely... None of them. His identity was given away, he had been friend zoned by the Senshi of Love. HOW, and was called a pedophile. That woman stoked an anger in Peter that he had been so... Detached from.

And in one fell swoop, he understood, with that terrible knowledge. He would never be free. Looking at his hands, as he sat down in his car, he exhaled slowly. It was alive in him again. And it was not controlled.

“Is this it?” Celeste... She would have known what to do. His hands shook as he gripped the steering wheel. “Is this what I become?” Char, and Blues had won! Why was he sinking in darkness? How long have you been fighting with your mind clouded by that brand of sweet poison?

“Get out of my head.”

How long have you tried to deny it?

“I am not you. I made you watch as I killed a servant of darkness![/i]

That attacked you first. You relished in it, just as I relished in killing all of them.

Hands shaking, he tried to reach deep into himself, call on reserves of willpower he had learned in controlling this taint. But the spectre of the blonde man, silver mask, haunting whisper, was there, beside him. Give in, Inquisitor. Join me in ending this world of insatiable desire.

“I am a dragon. Not you. Not Lorekeeper. In my blood flows the blood of a better man than you.”

You mean a man who tried to kill his own son, and all other infants? Or the one who slew his own father? You are not Galahad's heir, Peter, but Mordred's. You and I both know what that means.

He slowly drove out of the parking lot. He did not need to raise any more attention.

“Damned if I do. Damned if I do not. To hell with them all. I am a Dragon. And to hell with you, Crucible.”

I will be waiting for you.

“See you in hell.”

Skip the slurpee. He just needed to go home, and get a couple hours sleep.

[Peter Emile -> Thread(s) exit]