Thanatos 06

[12:17] <Neph-GM> The hospital room is white and spacious, the latter unnecessarily so. Clear daylight flows in from the open windows, and the first thing Lianna notices is the blonde woman standing next to her, providing a measure of shade.
[12:21] * Lianna_Cien seems to be out of breath and in a cold sweat as she looks up at the woman. "W-where am I!?"
[12:23] <Neph-GM> "Shhh..." Dr. Ionides says as she softly places a hand on Lianna's shoulder. "You're in the hospital. It's safe."
[12:26] <Lianna_Cien> "Th-the girl...with blue eyes...she tried to kill me...in the cave...it was full of rotting corpses!"
[12:27] <Neph-GM> "It was just a dream, calm down. It's fine here, look," she gestures to the room, "all clean, no corpses."
[12:29] * Lianna_Cien nods quietly, still shaking visibly. "I-if you say so...how are the others?"
[12:33] <Neph-GM> "They... Abraham was wounded. Nothing life threatening, but he needs rest and visits are prohibited. DJ is fine, as are you, bad dreams aside," she wipes the sweat off Lianna's forehead witha a white handkerchief.
[12:35] <Lianna_Cien> "Th-thank you..." Lianna seems too shaken up to notice the absent mention of one pilot.
[12:38] <Neph-GM> She shakes her head and brushes the girl's hair aside. "Here, I brought you your clothes. Clean and fresh." She places the bundle on the bed. "You're free to go whenever you wish."
[12:49] <Lianna_Cien> "Okay...I'll get dressed in a moment, soon as I'm feeling more myself..."
[12:50] <Neph-GM> The woman nods with a gentle smile on her face, and stands up, making her way to the exit.
[12:52] <Lianna_Cien> "Thank you Doctor...though...what was the voice I heard when the Angel was floating?"
[12:53] <Neph-GM> The woman stops. "Voice?" She asks, eyeing the girl with a raised eyebrow.
[12:54] <Lianna_Cien> "Someone told me to wake up..."
[12:56] <Neph-GM> The woman considers this for a moment, tilting her head back.
[12:57] <Neph-GM> "Could it be..."
[12:58] <Neph-GM> The woman shrugs. "I don't know," she finally says, "but the only voices you should listen to are the people in HQ. For your own good."
[12:59] <Lianna_Cien> "Alright...I'll be out in just a moment then."
[13:00] <Neph-GM> She nods and exists. As the door closes, she turns to see DJ, the only other person on the hallway. "You're awake."
[13:01] <DJ_Hammond> "Hey!" DJ says. He's slightly cheery despite having been in a fight for his life
[13:02] <DJ_Hammond> "How's everybody else?"
[13:04] <Neph-GM> The woman's smile disappears for a moment. "Lianna is inside. She's healthy but a little shaken up. Abraham was wounded, he'll need rest. No visitors allowed."
[13:04] <DJ_Hammond> "What about Katie?"
[13:05] <Neph-GM> "She... she wanted to go home."
[13:05] <DJ_Hammond> "Is she okay though? What was that thing the Commander did to her?"
[13:10] <Neph-GM> "He... forcefully severed the Evangelion's control systems from the rest of the body. It's a drastic measure... I'm sure he had his reasons."
[13:10] * DJ_Hammond nods. He assumed worse.
[13:12] <Neph-GM> "Well... as I told Lianna you two are free to go. Ah!" She produces a key from her coat pocket. "You'll probably need this to get into Abraham's apartment."
[13:13] * DJ_Hammond takes the key.
[13:13] <DJ_Hammond> "Thanks."
[13:15] <Neph-GM> She shakes her head. "Things are going to be hectic for a while at HQ, but you're free to enjoy yourselves in the meantime. NERV will conact you when it needs you."
[13:15] <Neph-GM> She turns to leave.
[13:17] <Neph-GM> "Oh! And..." she stops and turns around. "You were very brave. I'm proud of you." Leaving you with a warm smile, she again turns and walks away, this time disappearing behind a corner.
[13:18] <DJ_Hammond> "Thanks"
[13:18] * DJ_Hammond walks to Lianna's room to see how she is
[13:26] * Lianna_Cien doesn't particularly hear DJ coming in, nor can she see him due to the shirt bundled up over her face at the moment. As a small dignity, she does already have her skirt in place.
[13:28] * DJ_Hammond walks in on Lianna changing, and his face turns the deepest shade of red possible.
[13:28] <DJ_Hammond> "SORRY!" he shouts hurriedly and he closes the door and gets the hell out of there
[13:35] <Lianna_Cien> Lianna yanks her shirt down and dashes toward the door. "Alright, who was that!? Who's getting their head bashed in!?"
[13:36] * Lianna_Cien slams into the door to fling it wide open, still screaming profanities and declarations of violence
[13:36] <DJ_Hammond> "I didn't know you were changing sorry!"
[13:38] <Lianna_Cien> "Fine...but I suggest knocking from now o---Goddammit I broke the door!"
[13:39] * DJ_Hammond shudders some. Damn she's strong.
[13:40] <Lianna_Cien> "Uhh...let's get out of here...tell the front desk they have a busted door on the way out."
[13:41] <DJ_Hammond> "Sure."
[13:42] * Lianna_Cien bolts for the front of the hospital, dragging DJ along by the arm.
[13:44] * DJ_Hammond staggers along
[13:45] <Lianna_Cien> "I'd rather they not know I did that..."
[13:45] <DJ_Hammond> "Yeah..." DJ says, trying not to get his arm yanked from its socket
[13:53] <Neph-GM> The pair make it out of the hospital, and after some fumbling around with the city's public transportation system manage to make to Abraham's apartment. It is readily apparent upon entering that all of Katie's belongings are gone.
[14:00] <Neph-GM> A week passes by without incident. Without contact from Reiko or any other NERV personel, but with money enough to take care of themselves, the two pilots settle into a routine characterized by aimlessness, but tempered by the expectations of change. Nearly a week after the defeat of their first enemy, it happens.
[14:01] <Neph-GM> The doorbell rings.
[14:01] * DJ_Hammond answers the door
[14:03] <Neph-GM> DJ is met with a mostly familiar face, alongside a completely unfamiliar, but rather pretty one.
[14:03] * Miu_Setogiri (~FryGuy@Rizon-CD0BC0E5.hsd1.wa.comcast.net) has joined #ThanatosIC
[14:03] * Reiko_Shishigami (~Nephilm@F31656AB.B3802017.A073A89C.IP) has joined #ThanatosIC
[14:03] <DJ_Hammond> "Reiko?"
[14:06] <Reiko_Shishigami> "DJ." She carries some binders under her arm. "We're coming in."
[14:06] <DJ_Hammond> "Sure."
[14:06] * DJ_Hammond moves aside.
[14:07] * Reiko_Shishigami steps in, and motions the girl besides her to follow.
[14:07] * Miu_Setogiri goes inside, waving. "Hello!"
[14:11] * Lianna_Cien jumps up off the couch, leaving her book sitting on the top as she walks over. "Morning Reiko, who's this girl?"
[14:12] * Miu_Setogiri bows "I'm Setogiri Miu, nice to meet you."
[14:13] <DJ_Hammond> "DJ Hammond. Pleased to meet you"
[14:14] <Reiko_Shishigami> "She'll be... your new teammate." Her voice is cold, lacking the cheerfulness that had characterized her before.
[14:15] <Lianna_Cien> "Reiko...you alright?"
[14:19] * Miu_Setogiri looks up at the woman.
[14:21] * Reiko_Shishigami ignores the question.
[14:21] <Reiko_Shishigami> "These documents," she says, placing the binders on the nearest surface, "contain important information on the functioning of the Evangelion Units. Be sure to study them carefully. Next week we'll commence with combat simulations, after... Abe is cleared from the hospital."
[14:22] <Neph-GM> There's 4 of them, presumably one for each pilot.
[14:22] <Miu_Setogiri> <"Thank you very much.">
[14:28] * Reiko_Shishigami glanes at Miu before continuing.
[14:28] <Reiko_Shishigami> "Additionally, next week you'll also commence school activities. You've already been enrolled; the uniforms and schoolbooks are in the trunk of the car. DJ..."
[14:28] * Reiko_Shishigami hands him the keys.
[14:28] <Reiko_Shishigami> "Bring them up."
[14:28] * DJ_Hammond takes the keys and walks them down
[14:29] <DJ_Hammond> -them*
[14:29] <Lianna_Cien> "Umm...miss...Miu was it? You've already been briefed on why you're here, right?"
[14:31] * Miu_Setogiri nods. "I have to save mankind!"
[14:32] <Lianna_Cien> "Well, you're an enthusiastic one, aren't you?"
[14:33] * Miu_Setogiri smiles, "If you put your heart into something, the result will always be better."
[14:34] * Reiko_Shishigami looks at the exchange with a distant expression, her arms crossed.
[14:35] * DJ_Hammond comes in a few minutes later, and drops down two boxes with Lianna and Abe's names on them. He then immediately heads back out
[14:38] <Lianna_Cien> "Reiko...is Katie leaving getting you down that much? You don't seem like yourself..."
[14:39] <Miu_Setogiri> "Who is leaving?"
[14:40] <Lianna_Cien> "The pilot we had before you...apparently they let her go home after our first fight...which brings me to a point I've been mulling over the past week, because something hasn't set right with me the whole damn time."
[14:41] * Reiko_Shishigami walks over to the window, her back to the girls.
[14:43] <Lianna_Cien> "...DJ, you said that the doctor told you they severed the controls, right? The controls for the Eva are the plug, and I'm pretty sure the severing was an explosion...I can't be the only one who thinks that smells rotten."
[14:43] * DJ_Hammond 's heart sinks. He never thought of that
[14:44] <Lianna_Cien> "Can you think of another possible meaning for the phrase 'went home'?"
[14:45] <DJ_Hammond> 'I... never thought of it that way."
[14:46] * DJ_Hammond heads out again to grab the next boxes
[14:47] * Miu_Setogiri says softly "The last girl died?"
[14:48] <Lianna_Cien> "We were told she went home...apparently the Commander saw fit to make her plug explode with her still inside of it."
[14:48] <Miu_Setogiri> "..."
[14:50] <Lianna_Cien> "Reiko...you care to elaborate on why the Commander is a cruel, evil man who would murder his pilots...and please give me a good reason why he shouldn't be lynched if you have one."
[14:51] <DJ_Hammond> After a few minutes, DJ comes back in with the last two boxes.
[14:52] <Reiko_Shishigami> "Are you done?" She asks.
[14:53] <DJ_Hammond> "Yeah," he says as he tosses the keys back to her.
[14:54] <Lianna_Cien> "Depends, do you have an answer? I know you aren't nearly as absent minded as you normally seem, so be honest with us."
[14:55] * Reiko_Shishigami casually catches the keys DJ threw at her.
[14:58] <Miu_Setogiri> "Maybe she didn't? Or that must have been because of something important. You don't kill someone if you don't have to!"
[15:03] <Reiko_Shishigami> "I only know basic information about how the Evangelions function. I've read every document that my clearance allows but it's scratching the surface at best, if I manage to understand them at all. But I'll tell you this: the basis of the Evangelion's functioning is the core. Apparently, what the Commander did is activate a series of charges around the core, forcefully disconnecting it from the rest of the body."
[15:05] <Reiko_Shishigami> "I was told to tell you that Katie was sent home. But what if you're right? What if she's dead? Does it make a difference to you?"
[15:10] <Lianna_Cien> "Knowing that we're being forced to work for a man who sees us as expendable and has no problem killing us when we become to troublesome makes a lot of difference if you ask me! A man like that doesn't deserve loyal subordinates or any degree of respect! As I see it, NERV would be better off if he was dead and anybody else was put in charge, be it the Doctor, that Sub-Commander, you, or
[15:10] <Lianna_Cien> even the pilots!"
[15:30] <Reiko_Shishigami> "Everyone is expendable, if the goal is important enough." She states coldly. "Thousands died before the Evangelions were deployed, and not just soldiers; civillians as well. And I'm responsible for every one of those deaths." She places her hand on her chest. "My job is numbers. My job is risk analysis. My job is to tell people to lay down their lives without knowing why, and to order the bombardment of areas that aren't full
[15:30] <Reiko_Shishigami> y evacuated if I think it'll give us a tactical advantage. And I can do this without hesitation because I'm a monster. And so is that woman, and the old witch, and the commander... he's the biggest monster of all. He's a corpse barely clinging to life through strength of conviction and technology that could save a thousand other lives. And I hate him. But if he ordered me to fall on my sword I'd do that, as would anyone servin
[15:30] <Reiko_Shishigami> g on NERV. Because we all know he's right, and however terrible his way is, the alternative is even worse."
[15:32] * Reiko_Shishigami takes a deep breath. Visibly shaken.
[15:35] * DJ_Hammond is staying out of this.
[15:40] <Lianna_Cien> "No...you're just all afraid to stand up to him! You've been trained and beaten until you're all broken, obedient dogs, but we would have still won without him! We had a handle on the problem before he interfered, and we'll take care of the problem ourselves if it ever happens again! NERV DOESN'T NEED HIM, AND NEITHER DOES THE HUMAN RACE, SO HE MIGHT AS WELL HANG HIMSELF ALREADY!"
[15:47] * Miu_Setogiri makes her way away from the two fighting and quietly asks. "What is your name?"
[15:49] * Reiko_Shishigami chuckles.
[15:49] <Reiko_Shishigami> "You really are a child," she says while covering her mouth. "I'm sorry," she says and bows. "Katie is fine. We sent her home."
[15:49] * Reiko_Shishigami smiles.
[15:50] <Lianna_Cien> "Reiko, do I look like a fucking idiot to you?! Everything I've just said, I'll gladly say to the old bastard's face, right before I put a bullet between his eyes, so take me to see him and give me your gun if you think I'm stupid or bluffing."
[15:53] * Lianna_Cien stands there and looks Reiko square in the eyes
[15:54] <DJ_Hammond> "All shooting the old man will do is get you shot in turn Lianna," DJ says, finally speaking up. "And then how are you going to save anybody?"
[16:02] <Lianna_Cien> "Ugh...bastard's probably got a goddamn metal plate in his skull just in case...so fine, I won't shoot him, but you can make damn sure he knows I'm not afraid of him, and he can keep his writhered up ass out of our fights!"
[16:09] <Reiko_Shishigami> "Are are..."
[16:09] * Reiko_Shishigami scraches the back of her neck.
[16:09] <Reiko_Shishigami> "I was told that I should be stricter, but you're just kids supposed to be living carefree lives. I can't treat you like soldiers..." she pouts.
[16:13] <Lianna_Cien> "I get it you know...you're trying to play the role of a mother figure to us because we're younger, but you have to remember that I might as well have been living on my own since I was little, for all my real mother cared."
[16:14] <Miu_Setogiri> "I'll still do my best, Reiko-sama!"
[16:14] <Reiko_Shishigami> "Eeeh?!"
[16:14] * DJ_Hammond goes to Miu and tries to not absolutely terrify her.
[16:14] * Reiko_Shishigami looks genuinely taken back.
[16:14] <DJ_Hammond> "So, where are you from?" he asks.
[16:15] <Reiko_Shishigami> "I... no. No. No. No. No. No. No." She shakes her head furiously. "I'm not anyone's mother. Maybe call me a big sister but no, I refuse to be your mother. And that's final!"
[16:16] * Lianna_Cien can't quite hold her temper in place and falls over laughing
[16:17] <Miu_Setogiri> "Okay onee-chan!"
[16:18] * Miu_Setogiri turns back to DJ. "I'm from Yokohama, but I travel all over."
[16:18] * Reiko_Shishigami sighs, looking quite distressed.
[16:21] <Lianna_Cien> "Haha! R-Reiko, I promise I'll keep fighting. Hahaha! I'm not so heartless I would damn millions of lives just because the guy in charge has no soul."
[16:22] * Miu_Setogiri counts them off on her fingers, "I've seen Tokyo and Osaka and been to many other cities too."
[16:23] * Reiko_Shishigami sighs again, this time regaining some composure.
[16:23] <Reiko_Shishigami> "Glad to hear that at least..."
[16:26] <Miu_Setogiri> "Where did you live..?"
[16:26] * Miu_Setogiri looks curiously at DJ.
[16:26] <DJ_Hammond> "I'm from Oklahoma."
[16:27] <Miu_Setogiri> "Was it nice there?"
[16:28] <DJ_Hammond> "Yeah. Beautiful. Managed to survive Third Impact well."
[16:28] <Miu_Setogiri> "This place is also beautiful."
[16:32] <DJ_Hammond> "Yeah. Bit of an oasis in the desert"
[16:33] * Lianna_Cien finally picks herself up from rolling around on the floor and smiles. "Sorry 'bout that...I'm Lianna."
[16:34] * Miu_Setogiri gives a small bow "It is nice to meet both of you."
[16:34] <DJ_Hammond> "Other pilot is Abe. This is his place really."
[16:34] <Miu_Setogiri> "Is this where you live?"
[16:35] <DJ_Hammond> "Unless Abe kicks us out, yeah."
[16:36] * Miu_Setogiri looks around "I don't see many rooms..."
[16:37] <Reiko_Shishigami> "Oh, I'm sure Abe wouldn't kick you out... would he?"
[16:37] <DJ_Hammond> "Lianna's in the guest room, I'm on the couch."
[16:39] * Miu_Setogiri looks at Reiko. "Will I stay here too, onee-chan?"
[16:39] <Reiko_Shishigami> "Eeehh..."
[16:40] * Reiko_Shishigami looks around.
[16:40] <Reiko_Shishigami> "There's two rooms so if you share..."
[16:40] * Miu_Setogiri nods. "I can share."
[16:44] * Miu_Setogiri looks at Lianna. "If that is okay.."
[16:44] <Lianna_Cien> "Eh...I'm kinda used to having a full group in here now, so I don't see it as a huge issue."
[16:46] <Reiko_Shishigami> "But you'd probably want your own roooms..."
[16:47] * Miu_Setogiri looks back at Reiko and pleads with her eyes "Could we stay with you, then? If you have extra rooms."
[16:48] <Reiko_Shishigami> "Eeeh? With me?"
[16:49] * Miu_Setogiri clasps her hands together.
[16:49] * Reiko_Shishigami starts rubbing the back of her neck rather nervously.
[16:50] <Reiko_Shishigami> "Let me... make a phonecall." She says, and goes out to the balcony, closing the glass door behind her.
[16:51] * Miu_Setogiri turns back to DJ. "Not that you don't seem nice, but I haven't lived with a boy before." then giggles nervously.
[16:56] <Neph-GM> Outside, Reiko makes her call with her cell. It goes as one would normally expect until a muffled cry of "What?!" is heard, followed by a louder "WHAT?!", after of which Reiko lets her hands hang limp on her sides while staring at the cusp of the geofront.
[16:57] <Miu_Setogiri> "Is she okay?"
[16:57] <Lianna_Cien> "No idea..."
[16:58] * Reiko_Shishigami comes back in.
[16:58] <Reiko_Shishigami> "I just wanted them to..."
[16:59] * Reiko_Shishigami sighs.
[16:59] <Miu_Setogiri> "What?"
[16:59] <Reiko_Shishigami> "DJ..."
[16:59] <DJ_Hammond> "Yes?"
[17:00] * Reiko_Shishigami throws him the car keys. "Can you carry Miu's and Lianna's boxes back to my car?"
[17:00] <DJ_Hammond> "Yeah."
[17:01] * DJ_Hammond lifts the boxes up and heads back down.
[17:02] <Reiko_Shishigami> "Lianna, start packing your things. You're coming to live with me." She says with a fake smile.
[17:03] <Lianna_Cien> "...This is about my rant isn't it? I'll get my stuff."
[17:05] <Miu_Setogiri> "So we are going to live with you?"
[17:06] <Reiko_Shishigami> "...Yes." She answers with the same fake smile.
[17:07] * Miu_Setogiri beams, "I will try not to bother you too much onee-chan."
[17:08] * Reiko_Shishigami cringes a bit, but keeps smiling.
[17:10] <Lianna_Cien> "Sorry Reiko, I'll try to not take out my rants when you're around."