inborn (
inborn) wrote in
bakerstreet2017-03-28 01:51 pm
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Entry tags:
Sentinels and Guides;

Sentinels and Guides Shipping Meme
A Sentinel!AU Meme
A Sentinel!AU Meme
There are special people in the world: Sentinels--whose five senses are incredibly enhanced, sometimes to the point of overwhelming and who can easily lose themselves in fugue states--and Guides, the empaths with the ability to ground a Sentinel and focus them. Meant to be the protectors of the Guides, for every Sentinel there exists a guide that is their perfect match. In some universes, when matches are made, a Sentinel and Guide form a soulbond to fill the feeling of emptiness.
How easy was it for you to find yours? How are Sentinels and Guides treated in your universe? Or maybe you're one of the normal, unremarkable people. Do you fear Sentinels and Guides? Despise them?
Rules
1) Post with your character/canon in the subject header.
2a) Choose whether your character is a Sentinel or a Guide
or
2b) If you don't know or don't care, just leave it blank!
3) Information about Sentinels and Guides can be found here and here. Information on 'The Sentinel' which this meme comes from can be found here.
Prompts
oo1. The Meeting:
How did you meet? Was it at an event organized specifically for finding your other half? By accident? Did you follow a mystical calling to them? Some other way?
oo2. The Bonding:
Do Sentinels and Guides in your universe soulbond? How does it go down? Is there a ceremony or do you just retreat to the bedroom?
oo3. Rejection:
Sometimes Sentinels or Guides propose a match but it's just not perfect. You don't feel the pull or maybe you think there is someone better or maybe you're already claimed. Maybe you were claimed and someone better came along?
oo4. Protection:
Sentinels are meant to protect Guides, any Guides, but it's even worse when they feel their Guide is in danger. They go feral; blind to anything but stopping and killing whoever threatened their Guide or the bond. Maybe someone attacked your Guide or you haven't bonded yet and you feel threatened or maybe you're the one doing the threatening. Whatever the reason, Sentinels in a feral state are dangerous and only their Guides can stop them.
oo5. Lost:
Sentinels often lose themselves in their senses. Either you're a Sentinel who has lost themselves or a Guide that has stumbled on one or a friend trying to draw them out. Unbonded Sentinels will find it hard to escape without a Guide. Or maybe you're bonded already which means you just need yours to come home.
006. Persecution:
Sometimes normal people or the government fear the power of Guides and Sentinels. Guides are empaths, feeling the emotions and sometimes passing thoughts of others and it can make people feel violated. Sentinels often have enhanced strength, which can make them dangerous. So they scorn them, hurt them or in the case of governments, regulate them.
oo7. Death:
Unbonded Sentinels and Guides eventually lose themselves to the empty cavern inside them. Torn apart from the inside by the feeling of something missing. Breaking the soulbond of a Sentinel and Guide is agonizing and horrifying, leading quickly to death for the remaining partner.
oo8. Old-School:
Guides used to be treated on the same level as slaves. Unable to work unless their Sentinel said. Not allowed out on their own. They used to wear collars and couldn't own land or inherit money. Maybe the old ways haven't completely fallen out of style.
oo9. Unbonded:
Nothing is worse than being an unbonded Guide or Sentinel. Always looking for your other half to fill that empty feeling but you probably have friends that aren't your match or who are trying to set you up with someone. Maybe you're skeptical about the whole love at first sight thing and haven't been looking.
o10. Wildcard: Some mish-mash of the above or anything else you can come up with!
Image from weheartit / original meme by
imadeamistake
1) Post with your character/canon in the subject header.
2a) Choose whether your character is a Sentinel or a Guide
or
2b) If you don't know or don't care, just leave it blank!
3) Information about Sentinels and Guides can be found here and here. Information on 'The Sentinel' which this meme comes from can be found here.
4) All the tagging! Have fun 8D
Prompts
oo1. The Meeting:
How did you meet? Was it at an event organized specifically for finding your other half? By accident? Did you follow a mystical calling to them? Some other way?
oo2. The Bonding:
Do Sentinels and Guides in your universe soulbond? How does it go down? Is there a ceremony or do you just retreat to the bedroom?
oo3. Rejection:
Sometimes Sentinels or Guides propose a match but it's just not perfect. You don't feel the pull or maybe you think there is someone better or maybe you're already claimed. Maybe you were claimed and someone better came along?
oo4. Protection:
Sentinels are meant to protect Guides, any Guides, but it's even worse when they feel their Guide is in danger. They go feral; blind to anything but stopping and killing whoever threatened their Guide or the bond. Maybe someone attacked your Guide or you haven't bonded yet and you feel threatened or maybe you're the one doing the threatening. Whatever the reason, Sentinels in a feral state are dangerous and only their Guides can stop them.
oo5. Lost:
Sentinels often lose themselves in their senses. Either you're a Sentinel who has lost themselves or a Guide that has stumbled on one or a friend trying to draw them out. Unbonded Sentinels will find it hard to escape without a Guide. Or maybe you're bonded already which means you just need yours to come home.
006. Persecution:
Sometimes normal people or the government fear the power of Guides and Sentinels. Guides are empaths, feeling the emotions and sometimes passing thoughts of others and it can make people feel violated. Sentinels often have enhanced strength, which can make them dangerous. So they scorn them, hurt them or in the case of governments, regulate them.
oo7. Death:
Unbonded Sentinels and Guides eventually lose themselves to the empty cavern inside them. Torn apart from the inside by the feeling of something missing. Breaking the soulbond of a Sentinel and Guide is agonizing and horrifying, leading quickly to death for the remaining partner.
oo8. Old-School:
Guides used to be treated on the same level as slaves. Unable to work unless their Sentinel said. Not allowed out on their own. They used to wear collars and couldn't own land or inherit money. Maybe the old ways haven't completely fallen out of style.
oo9. Unbonded:
Nothing is worse than being an unbonded Guide or Sentinel. Always looking for your other half to fill that empty feeling but you probably have friends that aren't your match or who are trying to set you up with someone. Maybe you're skeptical about the whole love at first sight thing and haven't been looking.
o10. Wildcard: Some mish-mash of the above or anything else you can come up with!
Image from weheartit / original meme by
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Shall we timeskip a bit to arriving at Luna's place?
John listens intently to the advice, even if he... apparently doesn't need to? Still, he supposes he can just rely on his military manners. If he's the most formal one at this little get together, so be it. Better to impress with good behavior than embarrass his Sentinel or the prince by being a little too casual.
Instead of letting that sense of being on edge translate fully over the Bond, John consciously adjusts what he's putting out to favor the general eagerness he's also feeling. This is a chance to help with whatever the poisoned potions are.
"I'll do my best, mate. Managed not to trip over my own feet the first time I met her." Granted, he'd just been stood there at attention and offered a 'thank you, m'am' when she'd addressed him briefly for the transfer of a small piece of her magic for the battlefield. Still, that... should serve him well enough.
An omelette is delivered to Gladio's plate and Ignis goes off to fetch his black shirt for John. While his Sentinel eats, the Guide heads off to change into his dress attire. He feels a like a priest, dressed all in a black formal suit, but it really can't be helped. At least it's slimming? Not that he needs much help with that these days. John does take a moment to slick his hair back with a little gel to give it a touch of flair. It's too short to do much with, as far as styling goes, but the others seem to have a thing for interesting haircuts. John considers trying to grow out a mustache or a beard for a long moment before deciding against it. He already looks older than the other men. He doesn't need to further accentuate it and make himself feel ancient.
"Think I'm ready to go whenever the rest of us are," John offers as he steps back out to the common area. Ignis' shirt is tight around the chest and long in the arms, but it's a decent fit for the moment.
That works for me!
"Even if you did," Noctis adds to the feet-tripping comment, "she probably wouldn't care." There's a certain level of blazé about him when he speaks on that, though there's a faint pull of his lip that suggests there's a joke in there somewhere that John isn't in on.
When John comes back out and speaks up, Gladio glances up over the last of his omelette. There's an appreciation in his glance over seeing John in the look, even if it's a bit (way) more formal than their group tends to. Prompto also looks up, tilts his head, then perks up. "You know what'd look great on him? One of those long... you know, like a rain coat. Slickers, right? That's what they call them?"
"We'll get stuff for him when we go home," Gladio points out, but he does look critically. "He's not wrong, though." Much to Prompto's pride, making the blond perk up.
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Specifically, they'd see about the price, and John would have to figure out what his pride might allow as far as other people purchasing him clothing goes. For now, the party seems to be getting ready to head out. Once Gladio is finished up, John snags his plate and sets about doing what dishes remain before Ignis can. They're down the elevator and into Ignis' car quickly enough. John ends up in the back with Gladio and Prompto for the trip. It only takes any time at all thanks to traffic, and John's thinking they could have just foregone this by taking the Tube, but royalty or something, he supposes.
John stays quiet throughout the ride. His nerves are ticking away just below the surface, but he does his best to keep that out of his scent and away from the Bond, to mixed success. Gladio will be getting alternating pulses of genuine eager excitement for this meeting and anxiety that the Guide is going to muck something up somehow.
Lady Lunafreya's palace isn't quite Buckingham Palace, but it's a beautiful and historic building right in the heart of London. John's been through the tall gates only once, but he's aware of the fact that they tend to open more often than that. Lady Lunafreya's charity work is unrivaled in the country and possibly the world.
John mutters under his breath to himself as he steps out of the car, "Once more unto the breach, old son."
He stands near Gladio as they assemble and a guard moves to show them inside. John's alert, watchful, falling into the old habits of a soldier at the ready with the Sentinel as the rest of the entourage as his charge.
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"You'll be fine," Gladio does murmur once they're inside, reaching out and briefly squeezing John's shoulder. They head through the beautiful building and up into a sunny sitting room, something far more intimate than when John had originally 'met' Lady Lunafreya. They had both been younger, and now she stands tall as a woman, still shining and all in white. Her smile is as bright as the sun pouring in through the massive windows. "Noctis. It's so good to see you."
She smiles each in turn to the others with him. "You must be Prompto, Ignis, and Gladio. He's told me so much about you." The smile doesn't fade as she turns it on John. "And you are Doctor Watson? Noctis texted me about your joining them." There is the faintest touch of amusement but nothing unkind, only knowing it is a very recent addition indeed.
Sorry for the delay! I've been running a big event in one of my games.
John bows his head respectfully when he's addressed. "Yes, m'am. Thank you for allowing me to join the audience with you on such short notice." Should he say something more? He's not sure if he should mention that they've met before. Well, it can't hurt. "And thank you, as well, for your assistance with the war efforts in Afghanistan. I'm recently returned from the front. Our men and women wouldn't have half the fighting chance they do without the help of you and your family. I'm sorry this matter with the potions has come up. They're vital out there."
Perhaps he shouldn't get straight to business, but he can't help it. He doesn't know that he has anything to say that Luna might be interested in that isn't to do with the matter at hand.
Don't worry! ^_^ What game are you playing in, anyway??
Lunafreya's head tilts, studying him more closely, almost like looking right down into John's soul. Then, the smile only seems to grow as she nods like she's found something. "It is only a small part that we offer. It's the brave men and women who take to the front lines that truly deserve our gratitude. Thank you for your service, and now, for your work with Gladio." There's a crinkle around her eyes and amusement threading into her voice. "Maybe you can civilize him?"
"H-Hey!" Gladio's eyes go wide as he breaks his solid stance of respect tucked behind Noctis, looking to his friend then back to Lunafreya. "It was the one time...!" Clearly there's something that's happened in the past that the lot of them know, though not Prompto from the confusion on the young man's face, because Noctis starts grinning, too.
*You accidentally come into the wrong room a total mess and stinking from training at the wrong time and some people never forget it...*
The recent event was for We the Lost, a CRAU game I'm the main story mod at.
John finds himself flushing slightly at the suggestion that he can civilize Gladio... well, that and the young woman's attention on him. He can't help it. Guide or not, she's beautiful. He glances over at Prompto and sees confusion there, while there's only the faintest smirk on Ignis' lips. It seems like Lunafreya's trying to lighten the mood and general tone of the conversation, though.
"We'll see what I can do in the next few days, m'am. I'm sure I can work something out with a bit of help. Maybe make sure he keeps his shirt on, at least." God. This feels so strange to be joking with her. Gladio will be getting a mixture of emotions off his Guide, but one of the ones that's coming through most clearly over the Bond is that the doctor is entirely charmed.
John clears his throat and tries to regain his more military bearing. "In the meanwhile, I don't wish to disrupt from any planned discussions. Please, if you have limited time, I think Prince Noctis and the others have more claim to it than I do."
Oh hey I didn't know that! I hope it's going well! ^_^
Luna graces John with another bright smile before she gestures for them to follow her. "It's amazing how long it's been since we last saw each other. I've been waiting to meet Prompto for so long now. I never did get to thank you for saving my loved Pryna."
Prompto, not unexpectedly, immediately flushes. "It was my privilege. I-I'm just glad she was okay!"
"All thanks to you. And now you're taking care of Noctis for me. I couldn't have asked for someone better."
Prompto is evidently devolving into a tomato. He rubs the back of his head, still smiling. "I'm just lucky to have met him, but I'll do you proud! Him proud! Uh, everyone proud!"
When we were all kids, Luna's dog had gotten out of the Citadel and got lost in the city. In some kinda crazy coincidence, Prompto was the one that found her and took care of her until the pup got back to Luna. We had no idea who he was and had no idea about their connection until Prompto came to live in the Citadel, funny enough. Gladio finally informs John about what that's all about, looking amused.
We've been going for 4 years and got a recent influx of players. It's small but good! :3
"Strange coincidence, but maybe not. There're threads of fate binding Guides and Sentinels together, if you believe all the romantic nonsense about it. Maybe what happened was just one strand of that thread, reaching out." John shrugs. "Could be that's why I met Lady Lunafreya before I met you, as well. Six degrees of separation, yeah?" One degree, really, even if Luna doesn't remember him. He can't blame her. He'd just been one among several stoic-faced soldiers that day, and they hadn't chatted. And meeting Lady Lunafreya is a far more momentous event in a person's life than meeting John Watson.
While John talks to Gladio, Ignis sets a hand on Prompto's shoulder. "You've already done a great deal to be proud of, Prompto." Quiet encouragement to keep the younger man from keeling over with embarrassment or whatever else he's feeling. "Everyone here knows that."
That's awesome though!!
Perhaps John's right. It does seem like a level of coincidence that might be near impossible. Six degrees of separation indeed.
Prompto, meanwhile, looks up to Ignis at the simple touch and blinks before a little smile touches his lips, then he ducks his head. "T-Thanks."
Lunafreya smiles, her expression speaking volumes on her feelings towards Noctis' friend and Guide. "Why don't we take a seat? I want to hear everything that's been happening... then we can discuss what we need to handle." She's well aware they need to handle the corrupted potions, but it has been years since she's seen Noctis and she has never gotten to meet his Guide! And now Gladio has his Guide as well, an Englishman nonetheless!
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"What news of your brother, then?" Ignis asks. "I've not seen much about him in the papers of late." But perhaps that's for the best, really.
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Luna's lips briefly thin at the question, a sure sign that something has been less than well when it comes to this brother in question. "He is ever as Ravus is, but recently he has been digging deeply into the question of these black market potions. The idea of it has consumed him, knowing that each time one is found, it not only hurts our people, but would taint our name."
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"He is a man of great passions," Ignis says, diplomatic, as ever. "And these tainted potions are a grave danger. I'm sorry they're the reason we've been brought here. I should have hoped for happier times." He falls quiet and looks to Noct to say something to lift Lunafreya's spirits.
makes sad noise at the account name
Lunafreya smiles; she knows. She understands. "I'd like that. In the mean time, whatever you can do to help... I want no more of our people to be hurt." Her smile fades, an honest concern in her voice.
And in that? She and Noctis seem to agree. He nods, firm, eyes serious. "They won't, if I have a choice."
Ignis is my prince, tbh
"They won't if any of us have a choice," Ignis agrees.
"On that point," John says, speaking up at last. "May I ask if there's any new intel you could provide to us, Lady Lunafreya? I've offered to assist with the mission Prince Noctis--Noct--is undertaking. I have some... less common abilities as a Guide that might be useful." He glances over at Prompto, and the other Guide will sense some anxiety now. John doesn't really talk about his abilities much to strangers for good reason. Prompto likely knows the feeling. And John's fully aware that they may not be particularly welcome to a Guide like Lunafreya who fits more of the traditional Guide mold of helping others rather than hurting them.
"But having the most up-to-date information will help, regardless, m'am."
D'awww <3
It isn't disgust or distaste that hesitates that last word, but a quiet, genuine sort of sorrow. Prompto's gaze drops to the table, his lips thinning. No, he doesn't like discussing his abilities and he generally doesn't, so only the people currently in the room - and Noctis' father and his Shield, back home - know about them at all.
"We are currently attempting to work in an agent into the black market here-" Lunafreya begins, but Noctis lets out a small sigh as he quickly cuts in to explain.
"Except we haven't had much luck in that area, either, not even with someone who's the best at this sort of thing. These people making these potions... they're tight."
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Ignis takes pity on the Guide and steps in to address Lunafreya. "I'm certain we can obtain any necessary data we need from your experts, if there's additional information to be had there. Understanding the threat is the first step to overcoming it."
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"If it's anything like the pictures sent to us before, we've seen a little of it." Gladio's voice is flat, a hardening in his eyes, and John will be able to feel the brief wave of anger-frustration-rage that comes and goes as the Sentinel remembers them. It looked like a horrific way for someone to die, and no one knows if they remember anything once they've turn into a zombie or not.
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A voice in the back of his head tells him this isn't Captain Watson's mission and he needs to quiet down. With a brief nod, John falls silent again, watching Gladio out of the corner of his eye for any signs of disapproval from the Sentinel. John's still feeling out his dynamic in this group and with all of them being younger, he can't help the inclination to take some sort of lead.
Ignis picks up once more. "We have plans for an intercept mission in the near future. Do you know if this group running the potions is making use of Sentinels and Guides?" Because one John can influence. If it's just normal people, then Prompto is going to have to be their best bet.
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Lunafreya shakes her head. "Thus far, we have no knowledge if they are. The attacks seem random, and so far no Sentinel or Guide has been afflicted. We are uncertain if they're doing this on purpose or if it has been purely circumstance, but given that Guides and Sentinels are such a small percentage of the population, this is to be expected. We fear for what will happen if one or the other becomes infected, for it will, without a doubt, infect the other as well - even if only in the reaction." She brings her chin up, determination in her eyes.
"...something... that'd be able to infect the other," Gladio mutters, frowning hard. "If a Sentinel gets messed up by this stuff, we don't know if a Guide would be able to calm them down or just make the whole damn situation worse." It could lead to both needing to be put down, but it would be so much more damage in the process.
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John focuses on the conversation, though. The strategy is probably going to be born here.
Ignis places a hand to his chin, looking thoughtful.
"Opportunity, I'd wager. They're testing out their product before sending it to market." He shakes his head in disgust. And what a market there would be in manufacturing potions that don't heal, but kill the enemy when they're left behind. No one would think twice about using a potion, really. Not for now, and when they do? It would only sow more chaos, result in more deaths that might have been prevented for the fear that they were going to use something tainted. "They'll want to have a large-scale demonstration, though, something that will get their potential buyers interested. That is what we need to be on the look-out for."
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"Large-scale demonstration," Gladio says slowly that sickening thought, "means there's going to be a body count, and not just the ones infected."
"There's something important to consider." Gladio looks over as Noctis speaks up. The Prince's eyes are dark, thoughtful, and to his credit, angry as well in a quieter way. "There's very few people who are capable of making potions like that, no more than a half dozen in the world. We know them." Luna, himself, and his father are three of them. "...Is someone hijacking potions? Stealing them? or... creating them?"
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"Unbonded Guides might be difficult to spot, but the Bonded ones certainly aren't. Not unless they're making an effort to hide." There's a side-eye in John's direction. "Find one half of the pair and you'll find the other easily enough. Those with access to the government registers could also target them. Something to consider if these potions do end up affecting a wider audience."
That's a troubling thought, and John unconsciously reaches for Gladio under the table, just to touch him. John's not registered; though, he suspects that's something he's going to need to do now, unless he wants to deal with make-up for his mark and constantly washing off Gladio's scent. That might well upset the Sentinel, and John doesn't particularly look forward to the level of effort involved in that.
"I think we have to assume whomever is doing this is hijacking or stealing the potions and injecting them with something to taint them," Ignis says. He looks from Noctis to Luna and back after a moment. "Unless either of you are aware of others who might be able to make use of the magic of the Crystal. Perhaps..." And his gaze turns to John again. "Lunafreya, you do grant some measure of your abilities to others, as Noctis grants us his. Is there any way a soldier with some access to your magic could do something like this?"
Gladio will get a spike of anger across the Bond before John speaks up again. "There is no soldier in the medical corps who would do this."
Ignis raises a hand slightly. "I mean no insult, doctor, but it is something that we must consider."
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"I don't think it's nearly as obvious as you think," Gladio protests, shaking his head. "Yeah, other Sentinels and Guides might be able to pick it out easier, but the general population can't tell unless there's a giveaway. Otherwise it's not something that can't be explained by guessing they're a couple." A shrug, thinking honestly that John sounds kind of paranoid in some aspects. Not that the situation as a whole isn't insane and dangerous, but he doesn't want them leaping off into the crazy distance, either.
However, he isn't beyond slipping his hand down and touching John's, briefly. They've changed this ball game by ending up together, for better or worse.
Lunafreya shakes her head, glancing to Noctis. "So far as I know, even with some of my gift, no soldier has been able to create a potion."
Noctis quickly nods. "Same. The three of you can't, either. I can call my Dad and double-check, but I've never heard of it happening."
"We know of only one or two others in the world who can create a potion with some sort of.. natural connection to the world," Lunafreya points out, a sadness in her eyes. "It isn't beyond concept that another has emerged, an unknown."
Unfortunately for John, it's a truth. It could be a soldier, it could be anybody at this point.
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John's not the most religious man, but he is aware of them. You'd have to be living under several rocks not to.
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