GBG Session 4.5: Pilots in Public

<Darkling> It's the end of your second school day. Everything went about as normal as it could be, and of course there were wild rumors about why you were all missing from last week, though none even close to the mark.
<Darkling> Children are pouring out of the school at this time, leaving you all behind.
Rasia wipes a bit of blood from a swelling lip, stuffing her fists into her pockets.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "How dull..." Lahja remarks, the relatively normal day seeming to get to her. She watches the other children go with an almost bored expression.
Corrin practically sprints out of the doors.
<Corrin> "Come on!" Corrin calls over his shoulder. "Let's go!"
<Darkling> Those who have your tablets on you, they all *bloop* simultaneously. It's a message from Lit that he won't be able to pick you up.
Wilhelm_Faustus is nowhere to be seen. He's found a quite place to relax in an empty classroom, feet up and hands behind his head. He pulls out his tablet, looks it over, then tucks it back away.
<Corrin> "Ah." Corrin says, checking his tablet. "Right, then..."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja picks up her pace a bit, but stops when the tablet makes noise. She looks it over, seeming to have gotten quite used to it.* "Oh... I suppose we walk home then?"
Corrin shrugs.
Rasia snorts, though she hasn't seen the message.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Lit won't be picking us up today." she says to Rasia. She glances about after a while. "Has anyone seen Wilhelm?
<Darkling> Well, though inconvenient for getting home, since it is a good twenty block hike, this does give you some time outside the apartment to do something.
<Corrin> "Probably reading a book somewhere."
Rasia signs. 'Fetch?'
<Darkling> Looks like you're the only student left now.
<Darkling> *students
Wilhelm_Faustus gets out of his chair and walks to the chalkboard, erasing everything on it because...fuck the police. Then he starts writing.
<Corrin> "Pilot Wilhelm can't have missed the Captain's message. He knows."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "I'm a bit curious. I'd like to know that he hasn't been abducted." She nods to Rasia.
Rasia nods as well, and heads back into the school with a long stride.
<Darkling> Rushing out past Rasia and knocking into Corrin and Lahja, a student they hadn't met before sprints out carrying a bunch of books and down the street.
<Corrin> "Someone's in a hurry."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Arms folded over his chest he steps back to admire what hes written so far. "...hrm."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja almost gets knocked over by the kid. She looks less than thrilled about it and runs after said student. "Come back here!"
Rasia attempts to open the door soundlessly, stepping out of her shoes...
<Darkling> He keeps running, casting a glance at Lahja his eyes go wide and he trips, throwing books everywhere.
<Corrin> "Might as we-" Corrin begins as Lahja takes off after the runner. "Pilot Lahja!" he calls.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "What's the hurry?" She slows to a walking pace after the trip, turning and waving toward Corrin. "It's under control!"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Hearing Corrin yell he glances toward the classroom door. ". . ."
Corrin starts to jog over.
Rasia freezes, muscles tensing, and sits on the nearest desk. #5"..."
<Darkling> The kid picks himself up and starts grabbing his books.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> His gaze follows her until she sits, then turns back to the blackboard and continues his work. Something he titled 'Anti-AT Field.'
<Corrin> "So what's with the running?"
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja leans over to take a random book as well, smiling all the while. It is not a particularly pleasant looking smile. "Are you alright? Can you speak?"
<Darkling> "I gotta get home!" He's breathing hard and looks like he got a few scrapes in his fall.
<Rasia> It all flies over Rasia's head. She picks up her own piece of chalk, and promptly writes over some of his equations. 'Fetch'
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "And you're not even going to apologize?" She asks, still smiling.
<Corrin> "Alright." Corrin shrugs. "Watch where you're going."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...not now." He starts writting in some free space near the bottom.
<Darkling> "Oh. I-I'm sorry." He looks up, his glasses bent, possibly from the fall.
Corrin just watches the scene unfold.
<Rasia> A growl. She grabs for his wrist.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He pulls it away and looks to her. "..."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> She hands the book over, apparently placated by that. "Here you go. We'll see you in school another day."
<Darkling> He adjusts his glasses smiling, and takes the book. "Thanks."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Try not to get abducted by pirates on the way home. They might make you into their cabin boy, and that's no good." She waves.
<Rasia> Another one, a little angrier. She interposes herself between Aryan and chalkboard. Too short to actually block his vision, the presence is palpable.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...just go, I'm busy."
<Corrin> "Come on, Pilot Lahja. No point in waiting over here."
<Darkling> The boy smiles awkwardly at that before running off again. Lahja, you notice what looks like a standing bear, and it disappears around a corner, or are you just crazy?
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "I'm not really a pilot. He just takes his roleplaying games too seriously." Lahja gives an apologetic smile as she points her thumb to indicate Corrin.
<Darkling> He's already gone, who knows if he heard you.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja blinks, and then looks to Corrin. "A bear in the streets? Did you see it?"
<Corrin> "Role what?"
Corrin shakes his head.
<Corrin> "A bear?"
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Nevermind... and yes. A bear walking about on its hind legs, just around the corner."
Rasia gives the boy a nice shove, right at his center of mass.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He stumbles back and manages to fall on his rear, glasses slipping down his nose.
<Corrin> "We should probably get going."
Corrin looks back at the school.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> She begins walking toward the corner afterwards, at a slow and cautious pace. "Oh, if only I had a rifle! I want to see if I'm seeing things or not first."
<Corrin> "Can't be." Corrin comments. "Aren't they extinct?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He climbs to his feet, frowning.
<Rasia> She's right in your face, Wilhelm, hands on shoulders keeping you knelt. For once she's the taller one.
<Darkling> Rounding the corner you find an empty alleyway.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Let go of me." His eyes narrow.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Hm..." She peeks around the corner, eventually looking disappointed and relieved at the same time. "I suppose you're right. Let's go back and meet up with the others."
Corrin hangs back, hands clenched. "We should go."
<Rasia> A simple shake of the head. She's bristling.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja nods, making her way back to the school. "I guess at worst it just eats that kid with the glasses, if I missed anything."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He drops his piece of chalk and reaches for her arms, though he knows all too well he can't really fight her when it comes to strength.
<Corrin> "Probably choke on the books first."
<Rasia> She does abate. Now why would she want you to just drop the chalk?
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Who knows? She's...argh. He bends down to pick the piece back up.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Or maybe the glasses will rupture its digestive system on the way out..."
Rasia slugs him in the chest. A weak blow, thanks to the distance.
<Corrin> "I don't see them. Think Pilot Wilhelm went off on his own?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He takes a few steps back, for the sake of more distance.
<Rasia> Rubber squeaks, grinding beneath her teeth. The standoff.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "<What do you WANT?" He asks in Hebrew.
<Rasia> A brief pause. She points at the Aryan, and promptly picks him up like a potato sack, whether he struggles or not. To the other pilots!
<Corrin> "Come on. Let's see if Pilot Rasia's found him yet." Corrin calls, jogging towards the doors. "Probably reading or something."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Oi! Let go! This isn't some game, release me!"
Rasia carries him out into the hallway, using her free hand to wave at Corrin.
<Corrin> "She found him."
<Corrin> "Hello, Pilot Wilhelm." Corrin says cheerily, waving back.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He's frowning...and not speaking.
<Darkling> Well Pilots, you're all back together, what now?
Rasia doesn't put Wilhelm back down. She almost seems to be enjoying it. With her free hand, she spells rather than half-sign. 'F-O-O-D'
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...put me down right now."
<Darkling> Looks like a few straggler students are wandering past. Brina, Arthur and Penelope. The girls can't help but giggle at Wil.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> They get some sharp glares.
<Corrin> "We should get going." Corrin says, still grinning. "No point in hanging around, reading."
 <Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja comes in as well, looking rather surprised at Wilhelm's predicament. She nods in agreement with Corrin, still trying to wrap her mind around the situation. "Yes... we should get home."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...tell her to put me down."
<Corrin> "Let's go, then!" Corrin announces brightly.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "I think it's safe to put him down now that we're all together..."
<Darkling> Lahja.. you saw it again.
<Corrin> "You sure? There's a bear out there, after all."
Rasia drops the aryan, giving him one last look--did she cop a feel?
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "... Yes. I'd actually feel more comfortable if Rasia wasn't encumbered. There it is again." Lahja quickly points in the direction she saw the bear.
Corrin is grinning fit to burst.
<Corrin> "Wait, what?"
Corrin spins around. "Really?"
Rasia jerks her head, following 'it'.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He stands up straight and dusts himself off. "...I'll be retrieving my things. Don't send her after me again...ever." He heads back into the classroom.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "I'm content to believe I imagined it once, but twice? It must be something."
<Corrin> "Come on, let's go see!"
<Rasia> --Nnnope your collar pulls taught, Wil.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Let me go!"
<Lahja_Ilvainen> She nods, moving ahead in the direction she saw the bear. Very slowly.
<Rasia> Nope.png Rasia's grip is ironclad as she drags him. You'd have to go shirtless, Wilhelm.
Corrin is a bit faster, jogging in the general direction Lahja pointed.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> ...he's already unbuttoning his shirt. "...I won't be leaving my things behind."
<Corrin> "Can't be a bear." Corrin comments. "What'd it look like, anyway?"
Rasia jerks, growling. Do you really think you can outrun her, anyway?
<Wilhelm_Faustus> ...maybe, if he's desperate enough.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "It walked on its back legs and was large and furry..." Lahja's eyes quickly dart about the area. She's starting to look a bit edgy.
<Darkling> The streets are pretty devoid of people right now.
<Rasia> Damn, she switched to your wrist. Rasia prowls ahead, dragging Wilhelm, eyes and ears peeled for a sign of the purported prey.
Corrin is still grinning as he jogs along, glancing from side to side. "Nothing here, Pilot Lahja. We should get going."
<Darkling> Corrin and Rasia, you spot a furry bulk hide behind a truck.
<Corrin> "What's that?"
<Darkling> Lahja, your tablet distracts you with a *bloop* and Wil, you're twisted away from the sight.
Rasia sprints for the bear. Wilhelm's let free, but the muffled noises Rasia makes are worrying enough.
<Darkling> The bear is still in the spot it was before Rasia, as you sprint closer.
Rasia tackles it, of course.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja slows down, stopping to open the tablet. She types out a quick response before tucking the tablet away.
<Darkling> Rasia collides with the bear, bringing it down to the sidewalk with a shriek and an "-oompf."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Afterwards Lahja looks toward Rasia, seeming quite alarmed by this situation. "Eeeek!"
Wilhelm_Faustus sticks his hands in his pockets, watching.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...oh, how fitting."
Rasia rips the bear's head off.
<Darkling> Which is followed by another cut off shriek.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja's eyes widen. She looks at Rasia in sheer disbelief.
Rasia stops, realizing she isn't being covered in gore.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...a drunk in a bear suit. Such a...unique smell."
<Corrin> "A drunk?"
Rasia looks down at the bear-man, straddling his fallen form.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Yes." He strides over. "You can get off of him now."
<Corrin> "So that's the bear?"
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Oh... how disappointing." Lahja sighs, then nods. "It looks like him."
<Darkling> He's starting to freak out and flailing his arms.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He moves in to pull Rasia away before he hits her, why does he even care?
Rasia stumbles back, still holding the head. She looks as confused as anyone.
<Darkling> "Get away from me!" He stumbles up and sideways, then back.
Rasia cocks her head, not even sure if she should growl...
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...just get out of here." He points off, staring at the drunk.
Corrin just watches the drunk. "Let's go."
<Darkling> He flails some more, looking violent and crazed. The rest of the bear suit falls off, it must've been held up by the head.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Well... yes. I have to agree. We should be on our way."
<Corrin> "No bears in NERV domes."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He takes a step back. "Quickly, at that."
Corrin nods. "Shouldn't take too long to get back to the apartment."
<Darkling> He takes a step forward, obviously bolstered by alcohol.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Oh, Lit is on his way." She knocks on her forehead. "I suppose I forgot in all the excitement."
Rasia just...kind of stares at the man. She doesn't step back.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...that'll be helpful then." He looks up at the drunk.
<Corrin> "Oh. Then we should get back to the school, quickly. We don't want to keep the Captain waiting."
<Darkling> The naked drunk makes to put a hand on Rasia.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Oi!" He steps forward, batting aside the drunks hand.
Rasia freezes and stumbles, her arm already cocked back.
<Darkling> And you get a fist to the jaw Wil, sending you to the sidewalk.
<Corrin> "Hey!"
<Rasia> --Welp.
Rasia leaps at the man again, headbutting him right in the stomach. She doesn't stop there.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja waves to the drunken man.
Corrin starts to move, then stops as Rasia starts to take the man apart.
<Rasia> A few blows, and she backs off, standing over Wilhelm...protectively? Quite literally, the gloves come off, knuckles popping.
<Darkling> He's down on the ground, stumbling to get back up.
<Darkling> Wil, you can feel the side of your face throbbing, but mostly your lip.
<Rasia> Nope. You were better off on the ground, drunk. This time she doesn't stop until he's bloody. Scratches, bruises...--oh, that was a bone breaking. Probably that arm hanging the wrong way.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He rolls onto his side, touching at his face experimentally.
<Darkling> "Rasia!" That's Lit's voice, he's charging out of the back of the APC.
<Darkling> It's split. Sweet mercurial blood dribbling down your chin.
Corrin stares.
<Corrin> "Captain?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "..." He stares at his silver lifeblood leaking down his chin and onto the street.
Corrin turns automatically, tearing his gaze away from the grisly scene.
<Rasia> ...She doesn't stop, despite the order. A punch turns the drunk's stomach blue-black.
<Darkling> "Rasia, off him now!" Lit's made it across the street now. A few agents in black suits are rushing over too.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja watches the beating with a wide eyed look of morbid fascination, utterly transfixed. She doesn't even seem to notice Lit and his agents yet.
<Corrin> "Sir! I...we..." Corrin stammers. It's all he can do not to look back.
<Rasia> A moment's hesitation. If nothing else, Lit stopped him from getting his brains bashed out on the asphalt. She lets go of the drunkard's head, heeling to Wilhelm's side, unable to look at their Director.
<Darkling> One of the agents kneels over the man, calling for support on a radio. Lit puts his huge body in between them and the pilots. "Come on, now. You can't be seen here, into the APC."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He spits out some of the blood that leaked into his mouth before he stands up.
Corrin is standing stiffly, attention on the Captain. "Yes, sir..."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja stares at that spot for a few moments later, then snaps a salute toward Lit before rushing into the APC.
Rasia stares at the aryan, her knuckles and nails covered in blood.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He looks to her, on hand held to cover his split lip, the other landing on her head and ruffling her hair, briefly. Then its off to the APC.
Corrin clambers inside after her, following the familiar routine.
Rasia piles in last, her scarf pulled so high it obscures most of her face...
<Darkling> Lit comes in after, placing the black bladed machete he was holding into his lap. HE must've had that out the whole time, you just didn't see it. The APC closes and starts to roll away.
Rasia lifts her hand to her mouth once or twice, before remembering she can't lick the blood off.
Corrin doesn't look away from the Captain, his hands limp at his side.
<Darkling> Lit's face is as hard to read as rocks right now. "We're going to have a talk when we get home."
==================================================================
Wilhelm_Faustus has been hiding in the bathroom since the end of their lecture from Lit.
Rasia pounds on the door.
Corrin is sitting numbly on his bed, staring at the wall. He failed. They'll send him back. He failed. They'll send him back.
<Corrin> "I can't. I can't. I can't."
Corrin is rocking back and forth, shaking.
<Corrin> *"I can't. I won't. I can't."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He funally opens up, touching at his lip tenderly as he steps out.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Meanwhile, Lahja paces about through the kitchen. Seems she's having an energetic moment again.
Rasia grips Wilhelm's shirt, examining the injury on his mouth intensely.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He frowns a bit, he's getting tired of this treatment, despite her coming to his defense.
<Rasia> She lets him go, growling quietly.
Corrin 's fingers dig into his palms as he shakes. "Can't go back. Won't."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...got something to say?"
Corrin leaps up, eyes frantic.
<Rasia> You're such a dick, Wil. Her gaze hardens, but she moves aside.
Corrin rushes out into the hallway, scrambling to move.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He sighs. "...thanks...for...what you did."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja eventually sits, composing herself. She types away on her tablet, using it as an outlet for her nervous energy. Whatever she's typing, she deletes large chunks of it every now and then.
<Rasia> A...sheepish?...grunt. She leans in, but has to jerk aside to let Corrin through.
Corrin doesn't even bother looking.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> After watching Corrin rush by he shakes his head a bit. Using the distraction he reaches over, a hand brushing the hair from her forehead, lips (one swollen) brushing against the exposed spot. With that he leaves the hallway for the commons, scooping up Hel as he goes.
Corrin appears in the doorway, head jerking from side to side. There's a nervous energy to his movements. "Pilot Lahja. Where's the Captain?"
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "He didn't say. I don't think it's a good idea to talk to him now anyway." She says, keeping her eyes on her tablet.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...he'll be pissed for a while, but not too long. It isn't in his nature." He walks to the balcony glass door, staring out as he strokes Hel.
Rasia ducks into the restroom, to buy some time away from Corrin's stressing presence.
Corrin hesitates, gripping the doorframe. "Yes. Yes. You're right." he says, the words pouring out. He stands there, uncertain.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Captain probably thinks... or hopes... we'll try harder next time. A day or two from now and all will be well." She says it rather nonchalatantly, then adds after a small pause. "Are you well?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> That punch hurt. The man was drunk, his form was bad, but he'd never been hit that hard before...by anyone.
<Corrin> "It won't happen again. I won't let it." Corrin says, a strange look in his eyes. "I'm fine."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "I suppose trying is what counts in these situations. It's what's wanted, even when it goes against self preservation."
Corrin shakes his head after a few moments, calming. "She didn't listen. The Captain told her to stop. She didn't."
<Corrin> "She broke orders."
<Rasia> The bathroom door opens. She strides through the commons, headed for the kitchen.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Yes. It could have been nipped in the bud, though. I'm the one who pushed to find the bear." She doesn't particularly seem to mean that, though whether it's because she's bummed or she's just saying that is unclear.
<Rasia> Whirrrrrr~ The microwave's cooking something up. She watches it as intently as she does the oven.
<Corrin> "You just saw it. I ran after it." Corrin says flatly. "We all failed."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> A snort.
Corrin 's fingers are digging into the doorframe.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Suppose you're right. It would be good if we had known what the protocol for this sort of situation was..." She sighs again, putting away her tablet for now.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...yes, protocol for encountering a drunken man in a bear suit. Avoidance."
<Corrin> "So you can listen to orders."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "You don't need orders if you have common sense."
Corrin laughs, a barking noise. "Don't need orders? Don't need orders? She didn't need orders, and look what fricken happened!"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He just shakes his head.
<Corrin> "This whole thing wouldn't have happened if you hadn't been playing hide and seek!"
<Rasia> Bing! She pulls the paper towel out, sticking the hot dog on a fork, and eats without giving it even a few seconds to cool off.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja rests her head on the table, letting out an annoyed groan.
<Corrin> "Well? Nothing from books to say?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "You really want to start something...right now?"
Corrin freezes, realizing what he's doing.
<Corrin> "...no."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Good."
Rasia sits down next to Lahja, eating her ground up scrapmeat.
<Corrin> "It can't happen again." Corrin says after a moment, voice calm. At the smell of the meat, his hand absently clenches again. "It just can't."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He puts Hel down and slips out onto the balcony, then up the ladder and out of sight.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "I would shoot a man for you right now, Wilhelm." Lahja says it quietly. She glances at Rasia's meat, but doesn't seem especially interested in it.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Regardless of whatever the Captain says, I like how you handled that bear fellow." Lahja says to Rasia, quietly and sounding on the verge of passing out. "Team spirit."
<Rasia> A low rumble passes from her throat. She's studying Lahja quite intensely.
<Corrin> "Screw team spirit." Corrin says, voice still level. "You did this. You didn't listen. The Captain gave an order. Why didn't you listen?"
<Rasia> Her gaze turns slowly. "...mad." Munch, munch~
<Corrin> "It was an order."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "I want to be able to do that. I want to be able to shoot or maim someone effectively and without hesitation when they threaten what's important." She rambles a bit, head still on the table.
Rasia stares straight at Corrin, trying to formulate a response...
<Corrin> "Orders are important." Corrin says at once. "Orders matters. Orders are to be followed."
Rasia swallows, touching her neck. Without a rebuttal, she stands up, and skulks for her room.
Corrin is baffled, staring as the other pilot vanishes.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Three cheers for diplomacy tonight." She rises, giving Corrin a quick salute.
<Corrin> "Three cheers." Corrin echoes, still looking lost.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "I agree. Orders are important. But we do have to look out for each other. I admire how instinctive it was for her."
Corrin nods slowly. "But look what happened."
<Corrin> "It was brave." Corrin adds reluctantly after a moment of silence. "But she didn't stop..."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "It was just some idiot in a bear suit. Human trash." Lahja says dismissively. "I regret that it disappointed the captain and made us look bad. But I don't regret whatever broken bones he might have now."
Corrin nods again.
<Corrin> "We have to show that it won't happen again. Follow the Captain's orders."
Corrin says, with a slight emphasis on the second sentence.
<Corrin> *Orders matter. Orders are to be followed.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "We'll get the chance to prove ourselves again. I'm going to go check on Wilhelm now and then go to bed. So good night."
<Corrin> "Good night, Pilot Lahja."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> And then she goes up to the balcony and up to the roof in search of a certain Aryan.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He's laying down, as usual, staring up at the top of the dome, or maybe something beyond it?
Corrin stands there for a moment after the other pilot disappears onto the balcony, watching, then walks away.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja looks up at the top of the dome as well, her head tilted back as she stares. "What do you see up there, Wilhelm?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...It's more what I imagine I see, I suppose."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Seems like the whole point of gazing up at the stars or the clouds."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...the glare off the domes glass isn't helpful...or when the sprinklers decide its time for a downpour."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...something you needed?"
Corrin goes into his room, closing the door after him, and sits on the bed. He's starting to understand what Pilot Wilhelm meant the other day. He sits there, staring at the wall, and thinking.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Suppose it wouldn't be. But no. I was just coming up to check is all. I was curious about what it was that had your attention up here."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...the Moon, actually."
 <Lahja_Ilvainen> "The Moon? It's pretty, but... is there anything specific about it?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...what if I told you it's where I'm from?" He sits up.
Rasia slumbers peacefully on her bed, licking at something in her sleep, a purr filling her chest.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> She looks at Wilhelm, rather oddly for a moment. "Well... I would have to consider it as a possibility, given the strange things in our world."
<Corrin> "Another chance..."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...just between us, hm?"
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "I can keep a secret." She nods slowly.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He nods slightly. "I'm glad. Maybe, when I'm sure I can trust you, I'll share a few more." He sucks on his lip a moment, runs in thumb across it. "More important ones." He holds out his hand.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> She looks to Wilhelm's hand, half expecting a handshake at first. Something catches her sight, and she looks confused. "Is that... healthy?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He smirks, smearing his fingertips against his thumb. "...well, it's natural for me." He holds his hand out palm up, revealing fingers colored with silver.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja stares at this for a while. She looks genuinely upset for a while as she ponders what to make of it all. "... So you really are..."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...who knows? As long as I know I can trust you, I'll tell you next time." He slips that particular hand into a pocket.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> She makes a quick little motion, running her fingers across her lips as if to zip them up. "Well... thank you for sharing this, WIlhelm. I think I should be going to bed now, though, so good night."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...good night, Lahja." He goes back to what he was doing when she first found him.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> She makes her way down to the balcony, and then to her room to crash!
==================================================================
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He pulls his lip down with care as he stares into the mirror. He can't help but frown at the discoloration from bruising. Getting hit...hurt. He'd need to be more careful in the future. It isn't his place to step in, clearly the girl could handle herself quite well.
<Mr_Rage> Ah, but you already knew that.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> A frown. Indeed, so what was that?
<Mr_Rage> Well, let's see. The list of reasons a living thing leaps to the defense of another living thing...
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Idiotic! None of those reasons have anything to do with him. He'd lost a valuable observational opportunity by stepping in.
<Mr_Rage> True enough. But no situation is a total loss.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Hm. Well, it is adventagous to know what her reaction is when a fellow pilot is physically menaced. Could be useful, if she can be fooled.
<Mr_Rage> Now you're thinking.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Though that does limit the ways he can deal with the other pilots should they become problems. He turns off the lights and steps into the hallway.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> A glance around, no sign of Hel. With Lahja, more than likely. Or sleeping somewhere. A hand through his hair as he enters the commons. If Lahja can be swayed to his side, she could be useful. Tempting, having someone that would kill for you.
<Mr_Rage> She doesn't count as a weapon, now?
<Wilhelm_Faustus> But can she be manipulated to the proper degree? Even Lit had to give her orders twice. A quick look around, as she nearby?
<Mr_Rage> The Israeli? Busy sleeping on the couch. The pillow under her head is pooling saliva.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> ...geez. Well, best not to involve one of EI's own in his plans anyhow. He moves toward the couch quietly, hands slipping into his pockets once he stops. He looks down at her, just...watching.
<Mr_Rage> She's at peace, it seems. No prey to chase or predators to flee. Not even that intense, ever-alert look on her face. If not for dem teef, she could be any shapely teenage girl.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> True they said the world of teenagers was like the animal kingdom, but she took it a bit too far. Did they do this to her, or is something they just took advantage of? He squats down so he's closer to eye level. ...what is it hopes to learn doing this?
<Mr_Rage> Her breath smells sweet. Peaches? Did they even have peaches in the apartment? Her teeth clicked, eyes fluttered. Perhaps she smells you.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Hm. Best not to wake her. He stands carefully and backs away, turning on his heel after a few steps, carrying him back down the hallway. She said she'd been made to pilot, how much like him did that make her? Was SEELE planning to make more like her? Why would they need to? They have him.
<Mr_Rage> Why, indeed...
<Wilhelm_Faustus> ...and what is it he wanted from her? He hated to admit it, loathe to do so, but that had to be it. What else drew him to her? Infuriating, this place. He'd rather be back on the Moon, suspended silently in LCL...right?
<Mr_Rage> Perhaps. Love lost and never loved at all and all that rot. ...wait is that the right one?
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Bah. A useless line of thinking. Focus.
<Mr_Rage> On~?
<Wilhelm_Faustus> On...the Jotunn.
<Mr_Rage> They've been quiet as of late. What of them?
<Wilhelm_Faustus> One down...they never told him how many to expect. They didn't tell him much of anything when it came to the Jotunn. He knew enough, and not enough in the same breath.
<Mr_Rage> Perhaps more digging should be done.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Perhaps. But...digging around NERV and EI was one thing...the old men? That
<Wilhelm_Faustus> 's a game he isn't sure he's ready for. He doesn't have enough allies yet. Can he even trust Dr.Freyja?
<Mr_Rage> Pretty women...never tend to work out.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Could the same be said of Rasia, then?
<Mr_Rage> Can animals be pretty?
<Wilhelm_Faustus> She's only an animal on the inside, if he even accepts that. She's still a person somewhere in there.
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