GBG Session 7: Getaway

<Darkling> Ahh, the weekend. No more school for a couple days. Instead, Lit has informed you all that you're going away on a trip. The Commander has decided that you deserve it and allowed use of his private vacation dome for the whole weekend. You'll be all alone out there, no construction racket going on next door like there has been all week, and Lit has even informed you that there is a 'beach,' though he couldn't tell you if it was an ice beach or a sand beach and instead asked you to pack for both.
<Darkling> It's the morning that you're leaving, breakfast has been served and eaten, and he's just waiting on you now to gather your things and leave.
Rasia looks down at the bag packed for her, in a dour mood ever since she got up, for some reason.
Wilhelm_Faustus has a dufflebag packed, sitting on the couch and waiting. He's dressed in white silk clothing today, with some gauze wrapped around his right forearm.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja paces about, bag in hand. She looks tired, but her actions are certainly energetic.
Corrin stands in the corner, bag in hand. He's wearing his usual, plain street clothes, and is glancing around from side to side.
<Darkling> Wonderful construction noises continue next door, Lit has to raise his voice almost to yelling to be heard. "Everyone got everything?"
<Rasia> A nod.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Sigh.
<Corrin> "Yes, sir!" Corrin yells back, head jerking around.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "All set, sir!" Lahja replies.
<Darkling> "Let's be off then." He takes you downstairs, into an APC which drives them to the edge of the dome where they board onto one of the long distance subways. It's a private one, small, but comfortable, more so than their apartment. Rich wood and red velvet cover the walls and furniture inside and smells faintly of cigars
Corrin turns his head from side to side, looking around, his bag at his feet.
Wilhelm_Faustus sits quietly, eyes closed and arms folded over his chest.
Rasia growls, low and lazy, and moves to find a spot to curl up.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja looks around at the surroundings and settles into a comfortable position. She seems relaxed here, almost at home.
Corrin shifts in his seat, straight-backed.
<Darkling> Lit makes himself at home, he seems to be familiar with the train car, finding a stereo and putting on some light classical music and fixing a drink. "Get comfy kids, it's a 3 hours ride to the cabin."
Rasia frowns under her guard, hunching.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He fidgets a bit, then stands. Whoever supplied this ride with books had his eternal protection from harm. He snags a book on evolution and starts flipping through it as he sits back down.
Corrin nods, posture loosening, but still less than completely relaxed. Looking away from the Director, his gaze settles on the window.
<Darkling> Black and the occasional light is all you can see out the window. You are underground after all.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Did he just chuckle? At a book about evolution?
Rasia swivels her head, glaring at the boy.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He doesn't seem to notice you Rasia, or is being sure to ignore your burning gaze.
Corrin continues to look out the window, shifting in his seat before going still again.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja looks to Wilhelm's book, mildly curious. After staring a while she addresses the Aryan. "Did you read about the stabby bugs, Wilhelm?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Stabby bugs?" He lowers the book enough to look to Lahja.
Corrin turns his head at the word "stabby", listening.
<Darkling> Lit moves to the far end of the cabin and uncovers a snooker table and begins setting it up.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "They come up in debates on evolution from time to time. The males have sharp, stabbing genitalia, and sometimes they stab other males and inject their sperm into them." Lahja puts on an amused smile afterwards.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...you just wanted a reason to say genitalia."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "They're bedbugs." She says, matter of factly. Then she looks to Corrin and adapts an overdramatic tone. "Be afraid, Pilot Corrin!"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...if is fungus you should fear." The book lifts back up.
Rasia looks at her groin, after listening to the conversation as a consequence of hatebeams.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Fungus? Why so?"
Corrin jerks his head up slightly at Lahja's sudden reaction, then goes back to listening.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "There was once a sort of fungus that would take control of smaller insects, such as ants. They would use them to carry and spread the spores. Or sometimes kill the ant and become a node. Imagine if it were to realize the potential for conquering larger hosts."
<Corrin> "It wouldn't be a problem for humans."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "No?"
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja ponders that for a while, giving Wilhelm a doubtful look at first. Eventually she seems to accept the idea, then looks about the room suspiciously in search of mold.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "That's very interesting... but at the same time disturbing."
<Rasia> Rasia's wandered off. Relevant to Wilhelm because the side of his head isn't burning anymore.
<Corrin> "Humanity has survived everything else the world's thrown at them. Why should a fungus be different?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...it takes little for a fungal infection to kill a person. A bit in the lungs, it takes hold...grows..."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Dinosaurs survived everything the world had thrown at them. Up until the point where they didn't." Lahja says seriously.
<Corrin> "We're different. With NERV's guidance and direction, humanity can overcome whatever the world has to offer."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...don't you imagine Hitler had the same idea, and some of the German people felt the same way about him?"
<Corrin> "Are you serious?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "I am."
<Darkling> Lit listens disinterestedly while playing away at the snooker table. If you were paying attention at all, he was actually pretty good at it.
<Corrin> "NERV's dedicated to protecting the human race. That's what it's for! All it's for. Where did you get that...idea from?"
Corrin has half-risen from his seat, gesturing as he speaks.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "People believed Hitler's idea of genocide would save Germany, then the rest of the world. He was a monster, but people loved him. It isn't difficult to indoctrinate people."
<Corrin> "So you're saying killing the enemy is genocide?" Corrin snorts incredulously. "Do you really think the Jotuun are like us? They're the enemy! It's our duty to kill them." He shakes his head.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "I never mentioned the Jotunn, though we do know very little of them."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "I like NERV. But I think some things are out of their control. And out of human control, for now."
<Corrin> "We know enough. They're not human. Animals. The enemy. And what were you talking about, then?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "I'm glad someone understood the point I was making."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "As for animals, is an animal your enemy then? Because its below you? It can't communicate in some way you recognize?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Fingertips brush the gauze wrapped around his forearm.
<Corrin> "They're the enemy, and we're ordered to kill them. That's all that matters."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "It must be nice, not having to think."
Corrin balls his hands into fists. "Better than being defeatist. You think too much."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Defeatist? On the contrary, the Jotunn will fall to us without a doubt. It just seems like...a waste."
<Rasia> A warmth beside you, Lahja.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja almost jumps, startled by the sudden presence. She slowly looks to the side.
<Corrin> "What's that supposed to mean?" Corrin asks, having nodded automatically at the first part of Wilhelm's reply.
Rasia does the same, meeting Lahja's gaze. Her eyes are listless and unfocused. The tightness around her belly indicates the reason for her contentment.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "That red core of theirs, it provides them with a number of things humans could benefit from."
<Corrin> "Is that why you were playing with the last one after we broke it?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> A questioning look. Had he touched it?
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Hello." Lahja says after a few moments, her tone chipper enough. After another awkward pause she goes on. "Enjoying the ride?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> His brow knits, eyes looking off to the side. A look of concern, maybe?
<Rasia> She nods. --Wait how did she stuff her face with her guard on...
Corrin shrugs, sinking back into his seat.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja ponders that for a moment or two. Then she decides Wilhelm is right. It's easier not to think.
Corrin is staring out of the window again, strangely looking much more relaxed now.
=======================================================
<Darkling> The subway train left behind, Lit leads the pilots towards the 'cabin' he mentioned, if it could be called that. A sprawling large cabin is up ahead on top of a hill beside some large spruce. It looks to be built with wood logs, has a deck circling three quarters of it, and the main deck looks off and leads down to the beach proper.
<Darkling> It's an actual beach too, soft white sand is being lapped at by clear blue water. It's warm here, warmer than back in the dome. Feels like a tropical summer almost.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...it's...hot." He's already sweating, looking a bit more pale than usual.
Rasia breathes harder, echoing the sentiment in silence.
<Darkling> By now it's a little after noon. Lit unlocks the cabin and lets the pilots roam about as he heads out onto the deck to fire up the grill for lunch.
Corrin is grinning despite the sweat-stains appearing under his shirt arms.
Rasia gravitates towards the water, the wheels turning...
Wilhelm_Faustus sets up a large umbrella, taking off his shirt and taking a seat in the sand. Looks like he won't be leaving any time soon.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja wanders about, but never out of visual range. The beach environment seems more than a little alien to her, inspiring enough wonder to shake her out of her normally perpetual half-lidded gaze.
<Darkling> You can tell no expense was spared in the making of this dome. It's either made of super clear glass, or that cloudless blue sky with the beaming sun is superficial.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...people enjoyed going to these kinds of places?" He pants, apparently talking to himself.
Corrin stands on the beach, looking around constantly.
<Darkling> There's something in the water.
 <Corrin> "It's so warm...."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "What did people do here?" She asks, almost sounding in shock.
<Darkling> Wait, no... more than one thing in the water.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...die of heat exhaustian, clearly."
<Darkling> Heading for shore too.
<Rasia> --After a minute or two contemplation, she turns and walks directly away from the beach, nearly reaching the house before turning about face. One...two...three...whoosh. Rasia in her underwear splashes into the water, nearly twelve feet out from her last footprint.
<Corrin> "No idea, but it's just..."
<Darkling> That is likely the most refreshing thing ever Rasia.
Rasia swims like a goddamn fish, only surfacing every few minutes. It's awkward to breathe around the guard.
<Darkling> The objects in the water are getting closer. It looks like people.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...someone take that thing off her before she drowns." He lays back to relax.
Corrin is looking up at the "sky", craning his neck back.
<Darkling> Yes, definitely people, and one of them looks familiar. Crimson red hair matted against her face, it's Freyja.
<Rasia> --Rasia growls, making the water froth a little around her face.
<Darkling> Freyja and her companion slowly come ashore. They could almost be twins except for the second looking a bit more boyish with her shorter hair and less voluptuous chest.
<Rasia> Still, the water feels too nice to harass Freyja. She ignores the twin nuisances, and resumes her watery exercise.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja looks to the twins. She tries to place where she's seen one of them before.
Wilhelm_Faustus eventually looks in their direction. For a moment his face lights up as he sees Freyja, but its quickly gone, remembering...
<Lahja_Ilvainen> After a while Lahja gives up on it, simply thinking they're teachers. She approaches Corrin, giving him a pat on the back. "Do you suppose Rasia or I will ever look like that?"
<Corrin> "Uh..."
<Corrin> "Yes?"
<Darkling> They approach the pilots on the beach still. "Good day for a swim, don't you think?" Water beads on their toned bodies, dripping to the sand."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Its too hot to move, he'll stay under the umbrella and listen.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Absolutely. Maybe once some people snap out of it." Lahja says with a smile.
<Corrin> "Yes, ma'am." Corrin replies automatically, gaze sporatically jerking between straight ahead and a nice, safe point in the distance.
<Darkling> "Doctor Freyja, if you don't recall." She smiles to you Lahja. "And this is my sister, Freyr. We decided to join you for the weekend."
Rasia surfaces, to fill her lungs and lurk. It's vaguely reminiscent of an alligator.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> So thats her name...Freyr. Hm. He stares. Has he seen her before?
<Darkling> Maybe. Her face seems to be in your memory, or is that just because she looks like Freyja?
<Rasia> Bloop. Down into the depths she goes again.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "A pleasure." Lahja smiles in return, first to Freyja, then to her twin. "It must be interesting having a twin."
<Darkling> Looks like Lit has got a fire going on the deck in a fire bowl. He waves to the doctor and her sister before going back to the food.
Corrin nods at the Doctor's comments, then abruptly jerks back his head back up, making a point of keeping his gaze directed upwards. "Yes, ma'am."
<Darkling> "It's almost like having another of yourself." Freyja says, her twin adding, "Except we're nothing alike."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Smooth Corrin.
<Darkling> Heck, they're even wearing matching swimsuits, black with red floral decorations, quite revealing too.
Wilhelm_Faustus eventually stands. It's Freyja. No matter what, he can't ignore her, can he? He slips on his sandles and wanders out, looking positively miserable in the heat.
<Rasia> Splish splash. Rasia trudges up the beach, carrying a fish to present to Lit.
<Darkling> "Nice catch Rasia." Lit exclaims. "Want me to prepare it?"
<Rasia> A nod. Killing something seems to have lifted her spirits, at least.
<Darkling> He takes the fish and motions to her mouthguard questioningly.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> His shirt isn't buttoned, but at least he has it on to avoid sunburn. If that's possible in here. "Doctor." He looks to Freyr and offers a hand. "Ma'am."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja watches Rasia go by, looking at the fish. Then she turns her attentions back to the twins. "I like the swimsuits. I'm sure Corrin does as well."
<Darkling> Freyr takes his hand shaking it. She at least feels nice and cool, likely from the water. "Nice to meet you Wilhelm."
<Rasia> ...Another nod. It takes a look at Freyja and Freyr to make up her mind.
<Darkling> He unlatches it for her then takes the fish aside for cleaning.
Corrin mutters something indistinct, red-faced, and hastily goes back to looking at the hand-over of the fish.
Rasia clicks her teeth, glancing at Corrin on her way back to the water.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> His gaze leaves the twins for the water.
Rasia blows bubbles into the salt water.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "I think I'm going to change and swim a bit now. Enjoy!" Lahja skips away, bag in hand.
<Darkling> "Good idea." Freyja says. "We'll be joining Lit on the deck,” and that they do, heading off.
<Corrin> "Uh...right...Pilot Lahja." Corrin says, still a bit dazed.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> ". . ." For a moment he hates himself, watching the two go. He gets over it quickly, and returns to his refuge under the umbrella.
<Darkling> If the pilots didn't have swimsuits, there's some in the cabin for them, almost matching the twins in style.
<Darkling> Of course, they could just take a hint from Rasia and swim in their underwear.
Rasia watches Wilhelm sit. There's a distinct possibility she does own a suit, but...really now.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He lays back down and...there he is...and there he plans to be until they can get back into the cabin.
Corrin looks at the water thoughtfully.
Rasia lifts her head, eyes wandering lazily between the two boys.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...whoever came up with this idea...fick dich du hurensohn." He mutters.
Corrin quickly comes to a decision and heads off towards the cabin. Pilot Lahja had the right idea with swimming a bit...
<Rasia> And now Wilhelm is alone. Rasia creeps out of the water with the patience of stone.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja slips out of her clothes, right in eyeshot of the others. But alas! She isn't terribly lacking in modesty. She just thought to wear a swimsuit under her clothes. It's a cute shade of pink.
<Darkling> Lit's on the deck chatting up the twins. He must have changed at some point too, as he is in shorts and a tank top, hair bristling all over his exposed skin.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Too bad for him hes too busy suffering to notice his approaching doom.
<Rasia> It takes her far too long to decide. Her teeth itch and ache, bare throat but inches away.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> His eyes open.
<Rasia> A spasm, and her nerve breaks. She stands, rending teeth hiding away.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> ". . ."
Corrin heads into the cabin bathroom, swimwear in hand.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Time to try something. "...ich liebe dich."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja folds up her clothes, then stashes them into her bag. She runs into the water, slowing to a wade. A peculiar look forms on her face afterwards. She's probably thinking and suffering for it. Alas!
<Rasia> Her eyes widen. She backs off.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Well, thats an interesting reaction. He sits up.
<Rasia> A scowl. Rasia turns half-away, glancing out at the water.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...no need to frown so heavily." He's looking out at the water too, maybe Lahja.
Rasia growls...
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...I suppose thats better."
Rasia takes a testing step for the water.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He decides to lay back down. Guess the timing was off on a confession like that. Something to remember.
<Rasia> Off to the water she goes, half-harassing Lahja and half hunting fish.
<Darkling> Wilhelm, you get a sense that something is near you still.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja eventually wades out further. For the hell of it she looks for a fish as well, not really expecting to catch it.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> One eye opens.
<Darkling> Nothing immediately in your line of vision... but that feeling.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He sits up to look. Can't he be miserable in peace?
<Rasia> It's quite exciting, Lahja. Everything goes rigid for just a moment, and then splashing everywhere, whether you get a fish or not!
<Darkling> No. At least that seagull staring at you seems to imply.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...go away."
<Darkling> It tilts it's head.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Shoo."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja tentatively splashes some water toward Rasia. Seems to be a test of mood more than anything else.
<Rasia> It startles her more than anything. A curious look in reply.
<Darkling> It doesn't. In fact it takes a step closer.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...away with you."
<Darkling> Not working. It lets out a bit of a squawk.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Go the fuck away!"
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "So why do you look at Wilhelm like that lately?" She asks, settling into a more serious mode.
<Rasia> "Look." She repeats back, trying to make it sound like a question despite her expression.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He grabs a sandle, hurling it at the seagull.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Like so." Lahja imitates Rasia's stare from earlier, though she looks slightly away from Rasia as she does so, directing her gaze toward some random patch of water.
<Darkling> It flaps away, only to return.
Corrin trots down the beach in trunks, making a beeline for the water. There's an oblivious grin on his face.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Grabbing the other one he stands. "...go, get."
<Darkling> It squawks in return.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Go bother him." He points to Corrin.
<Darkling> It flutters a foot towards you.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...I hate this planet."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Gripping the sandle a littl tighter he decides to charge the rat with wings.
<Darkling> It flies out of the way, much quicker than you, and settles a good dozen feet away.
Corrin is wading into the shallows, feeling the unfamiliar sensation of sand under his toes.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He scoops up the other sandle. Now dual-wielding he charges it again, yelling in some hope of scaring it away.
Rasia scratches at her cheek, glancing over at Corrin and back at Lahja. "Feel."
<Darkling> It flies up and around you, swooping once past your head squawking angrily.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Gottverdammt!" He makes for the cover of his umbrella again.
Corrin starts to swim out, doing a reasonable breaststroke, his head bobbing up and down. The water here tastes very different from the sterile, chemical reek he's used to.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja looks from Rasia to Corrin and then back to Rasia. She doesn't seem to grasp it at first, and it shows, but after a few moments it dawns on her. "You're saying I should feel Wilhelm?" She asks, almost meekly.
<Darkling> It chases after Wil, diving again.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Fick, fick!" He covers his head and he dives for the umbrella.
<Rasia> ...What? Rasia squints at the girl--mention of Wilhelm draws attention to his plight. She splashes her way over to get a look.
Corrin swims back and forth, turning after a certain number of strokes and swimming back the other way. There are no lanes or markers here, but he's still following routines as though he's in a pool.
<Darkling> The seagull is harassing him maliciously with no end in sight.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He either ducks or tries to swat at it with a sandle, losing this battle.
<Rasia> "..." Her lip curls, and twitches open.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja sighs as Rasia departs. She chalks it up to something she said, at least initially, and then she looks at where she's going, taking note of Wilhelm. She wades out back toward dry land.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Get the fuck out of here!" He chucks a sandle at it again.
<Darkling> The seagull makes another dive, squawking away. The squawk dies off suddenly and the seagull plummets into the sand.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> ". . ."
Rasia pounces on the body, squatting down to look.
<Darkling> A small throwing knife sticks out of it.
<Rasia> "--!"
<Darkling> Lit walks back to the grill looking smug.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He pulls it out, wiping the blood off on its feathers.
Rasia opens her jaws. She puts serious consideration to it.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja wanders up to Wilhelm, leaving the seagull to Rasia. She gives her fellow pilot an unbidden pat on the back. After an awkward pause she speaks. "Are you alright, Wilhelm?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> A slight of hand and the throwing knife is gone.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He looks to Lahja. "...it's hot out here."
Corrin finally noticed all the other pilots clustering and splashes his way back to shore.
<Darkling> Lit yells from the deck. "Food's almost ready."
Rasia spits up feathers, getting to her feet.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "It's a bit cooler in the water."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...can't swim." He mutters, and returns to hiding in the shade.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja feels a distinct urge to point and laugh at Wilhelm, but decides against it. She simply snaps him an amused salute instead. "Almost time to eat, anyway. Your secret is safe."
Corrin jogs up to the others, grinning. "Hey, Pilot Lahja. What's going on?"
<Darkling> Dinner gets served, Rasia's catch with some sausages, steaks, pineapple, and other treats. Goes down well, and the sun sets across the water.  Soon enough it's nighttime. The sky is still crystal clear, speckled with starts, crickets and what you can assume to be frogs chirp in the night. Lit's got a bonfire roaring in the middle of the deck. Quite a nice evening to end the day.
Rasia curls up by the fire, belly distended from gorging herself. Even relaxed her breath is labored.
Wilhelm_Faustus skips dinner, still laying out under the umbrella.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja stares at the fire. She looks interested in it to a potentially unhealthy degree.
Corrin sighs, slumped against the wall, and happily stuffed. Warm, full, and it looks like there won't be a call for them to pilot today...
<Rasia> A familiar gait makes its way across the sands. Wilhelm knows for a fact he's safe, she only walks like that when she's full.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "That was very good, sir." Lahja says absently.
<Darkling> Lit is sitting on a bench, a twin on each side oh him, wrapped in a blanket.
<Darkling> "I'm glad you like my cooking." He smiles.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "I'm going to learn to cook well someday."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He doesn't budge. Maybe he dozed off, dreaming of giant robot sex.
<Darkling> "I have a few cookbooks you can look through back home. You're welcome to try something with me."
<Rasia> Pity. He won't get to see the comedy of her trying to parse out proper German. "Ish...ikh..."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Thank you, sir. I'll give it a try."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Mmnh?" He stirs, an eye opening.
<Rasia> "Leebe..." Good God she's slaughtering it. Is she trying to say or merely copy.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...ich liebe dich?"
Corrin is looking up, his movements sluggish.
<Rasia> "What." At least she's using words.
<Darkling> There might even be bats flying above you Corrin. They're fast moving and hard to spot against the black sky.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...is that what you're trying to say?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...maybe you mean ich hasse dich."
Corrin squints absently, trying to make out the darting shapes.
<Rasia> An agitated growl. "What is."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...oh." He sighs. Just how much German did she or didn't she understand? "Ich liebe dich means I love you."
<Corrin> "Where'd they come from?" Corrin mutters, head tilted back.
<Darkling> "This dome is not just a vacation spot. It's a nature reserve." Lit explains.
<Rasia> "What is." She repeats, more adamantly.
Corrin hastily jerks back into a more normal posture at the unexpected answer, then nods.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja looks from Rasia to Wilhelm curiously.
<Rasia> Waaay out at the beach.
<Rasia> They seem to be conversing, though.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "What is what? Love? Better to ask a philosipher."
Rasia growls, striking his arm for that answer.
<Corrin> "Pilot Lahja?" Corrin says suddenly.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Yes, Pilot Corrin?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "What is love? Its the most difficult question mankind has ever asked." He stands up slowly, brushing sand from his clothing.
<Corrin> "What was it like? At the UN dome? There was a pool, right?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Centuries have passed by, relationships have bloomed and so has love. But no one can give the proper definition of love. To some love is friendship set on fire. For others maybe love is like luck. You have to go all the way to find it. No matter how you define it or feel it, love is the eternal truth in the history of mankind."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...or something like that."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "The person who tries to live alone will not succeed as a human being. His heart withers if it does not answer another heart. His mind shrinks away if he hears only the echoes of his own thoughts and finds no other inspiration. Pearl S. Buck."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu."
<Rasia> A moment to absorb the answer. Or, perhaps, answers.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "It was very nice. Colorful." Lahja grows a bit more enthusiastic as she speaks. "Imagine how things are at the school, except there are more plants and colors everywhere."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "I have been astonished that men could die martys for their religion. I have shutter'd at it. I shudder no more. I could be marty'd for my religion. Love is my religion. And I could die for that. I could die for you. John Keats...whoever he was." With a sigh he sits back down, done.
<Darkling> Looks like the twins fell asleep on Lit, who is more than happy looking right now.
<Corrin> "Plants and colors..." Corrin repeats. "Fewer idiots though, right?"
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "That depends. How do you define idiots?"
<Rasia> Her teeth click. Either you broke her or that didn't earn a blow to the head, Wilhelm.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Of course, there are those who believe love is just a misinterpretation of the human instict to breed and pass along our DNA."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Like so many other animals."
<Corrin> "Usel...that Arthur guy. Ones who just don't follow orders, or listen. There were a few of those back in Austin..."
Corrin slumps back.
<Corrin> "Heh. Wonder where they are now..."
<Rasia> "You?" Hey she got inflection.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Oh. I didn't really meet anyone like Arthur there. So maybe there are less idiots there."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "I havn't decided." He puts his hands under his head.
 <Rasia> More silence. She looks up, searching for a moon.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...do you hate me?"
<Corrin> "Lucky," Corrin yawns. "It's so warm..."
<Rasia> "What is."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...wow."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Really?"
<Rasia> A grin. "No."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He groans. "A sense of humor, someone call the local paper."
Rasia stares at him, discontent.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...what?"
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Where is this Austin you speak of? Is it in Europe?"
<Darkling> Lit may have dozed off too now, and the bonfire is settling down a bit.
<Corrin> "Wha?" Corrin starts, then replies. "No, no, it's in Texas, part of the US. The NERV Austin Geodome."
Rasia reaches for his bandages.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> While certainly on guard, he doesn't stop her.
<Rasia> TRUST BETRAYED as she squeezes the bandages more than hard enough to make them hurt. "Book." She blurts.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Texas..." She says with an air of almost wonder. She stares at Corrin for a short while. "You don't look like a hat wearing gunslinger."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He winces. "What...about it?"
<Corrin> "Why'd I wear a hat?" Corrin asks, baffled.
<Rasia> The pressure abates. "Book." And surges back. Well it wasn't a simple question like she'd already been asking...
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "It's a cultural stereotype."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "I didn't look, now let go!"
Corrin shrugs, still baffled. "Come to think of it, the only person I ever saw with a hat there was Commander Ashley."
<Rasia> She doesn't release, but doesn't squeeze any harder. She's visibly struggling with it.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "I suppose the world changing so much might have killed the culture for the younger generation. A bit sad."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Hes stuggling with the pain, trying to worm free of her grasp.
<Rasia> Giving up, she lets him go, a vaguely apologetic look.
Corrin shrugs. "Surviving comes first. Everything else is just extra."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...sick of this shit." He stands, holding the arm and walking off down the beach.
Corrin is suddenly more alert, drowsiness gone for now. "Think there'll ever be places like this again?"
Rasia sits on the wet sand, letting the waves splash on her feet and butt.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Maybe." Lahja says in a nonchalant way. "It's pretty, but I've come to find a certain attraction in places like Berlin, and in looking at pictures of ruined buildings. In the end it doesn't matter to me."
<Corrin> "What's pretty about ruins?" Corrin snaps, leaning forwards abruptly. "And what about...outside? The slums. Don't they matter?"
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "I don't know. I just feel calm looking at them. Might as well ask why a bullet hole is pretty." She shrugs. "As for the slums... they matter. But they matter less. The important people who can have an impact on the future need the protection of the domes."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He stops walking once its gotten dark. Just outside the circle of light provided by the bondfire he stares out at the sea.
<Rasia> At least she's leaving you be.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Too bad the guilt wasn't. But what was there to feel guilt about? Psh.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He unwraps the bandages from his arm, letting the strips of gauze drop to the sand.
Corrin sits back, nodding reluctantly. "You're pretty." he blurts absently.
<Rasia> It probably still isn't bleeding. Scabbed over.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He runs his fingertips across it absently.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja nods in agreement with Corrin. "Of course."
Corrin is still leaning back, drifting off again.
<Darkling> Morning. It's bursting its way into your eyelids, no matter where you are hiding. Most of the walls of the cabin are glass, and the curtains very translucent. One way or another, everyone is being woken up.
Rasia curls up tighter, becoming vaguely aware of the intense discomfort sleeping in salt water caused her.
Corrin leaps up, following a familiar routine...and steps straight into a wall.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He throws an arm over his eyes and refuses to move.
Corrin hops back a few steps on one foot, cradling his stubbed toe.
Corrin hobbles away from the wall, looking around the cabin as he does so.
<Darkling> Sounds like Lit might already be in the kitchen, and some girlish giggles suggest the twins are too.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja takes a few minutes to  brush out her hair and otherwise freshen up before she ventures out into the kitchen.
Corrin takes the smart choice for once and opts to head for the deck instead, looking for the others.
<Rasia> Well. There's Rasia, Corrin.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He gets up and stretches. At least the heat of the day hasn't settled in. He'll shower, change, eat then hide. In that order. Bad in hand he makes for the bathroom.
Corrin squints through still-bleary eyes at the beachfront, switching to just watching the tide once it's clear that it's just Rasia out there. It's strange how quickly something can seem...normal.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Eventually he emerges, dressed and smelling refreshed. He's even sporting a slighty different hair sytle, but the same look of mild annoyance and disinterest.
<Rasia> Eventually she gets to her feet, covered in sand and salt, skin dessicated and irritated.
<Darkling> The sun is still rising, that's how early it is, the sun seems extra strong at this time.
Corrin breathes in and out, soaking in the warmth. He's strangely relaxed, hands limp at his side.
<Darkling> More giggles from inside behind you Corrin.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He makes his way into the kitchen, eyes darting about looking for the other pilots.
Rasia cranes her neck to look back at Corrin. The wind tries to dislodge a chunk of her hair that has, for lack of a better word, calcified.
<Darkling> Corrin's outside. Lit's in the kitchen with the twins, both wearing short shorts and long shirts on top... possibly Lit's..
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja is about. Seems she's settled to sit at a table with her head resting on it for now.
Corrin ignores the noises from inside. The Captain's obviously...busy, and, just once, he wants to stop and watch. There's no enemy, no orders...It's warm.
Corrin waves, on impulse.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He doesn't miss the implications...more he doesn't care. So he takes a seat next to Lahja.
<Rasia> ...she returns it, after a moment's hesitation. The motion looks awkward for her--she's coming for the deck.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Wilhelm, hello."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...morgen..."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Enjoy the night?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He shrugs. No sign of his glasses, he must have his contacts in. "It was cooler...thats about it."
<Darkling> Lit serves up some breakfast with a cheerful smile.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He picks at his breakfast.
Corrin sniffs quickly and eats away, leaving the sausage for last.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja sits up as the food comes along. "I didn't dream of anything stupid."
Rasia picks at salt-scabs on her body as she eats, even eating one or two of the crunchy things. Guess it really is better than tablesalt.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...is that so?"
Corrin makes a vague noise. "Good for you, Pilot Lahja."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "None that I remember, anyway..."
<Corrin> "Better that way." Corrin comments, spearing the sausage at last and eating it.
<Darkling> "Everyone slept well enough then?" Lit asks.
<Corrin> "Yes, sir."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He finishes, sliding his plate and whats left toward Rasia. "...excuse me." He stands and disappears.
Rasia just gives Lit a look.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "It's nice here." Lahja says with a nod. She takes to eating her food with quite a bit of enthusiasm.
Corrin nods as well.
<Corrin> "Thank you for letting us come here, sir." Corrin says, genuine gratitude in his voice.
<Darkling> "It was the Commander's idea." He says. "The credit should not be mine."
Rasia snorts, eating Wilhelm's food.
<Corrin> "...Still, thank you, sir."
<Darkling> "I'm glad you enjoyed it. You all deserved a break."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He steps into his room, wondering if it were possible to turn the AC up any more.
<Darkling> There is a control on the wall.
<Corrin> "A break." Corrin grins.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Yes, thank you. And thank the Commander, too. We'll continue to perform well in the future."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He gives it a turn, then settles down on the bed.
<Darkling> "Make the best of the day then, we'll be heading back tonight."
<Corrin> "...Yes, sir." Corrin says, slumping slightly and doing his best to conceal his disappointment. Being Corrin, it doesn't really work.
<Corrin> "Come on, then." Corrin grins. "Let's go exploring!"
<Darkling> ====================END====================