GBG Session 1: Introductions

<Darkling> The subway train rumbles to a stop in the dark, underground tunnels below the Greater Berlin Geodome. Both Lahja and Corrin are aboard, though in separate seating compartments. A whistle signals everyone is allowed to move about and disembark.
<Darkling> The few other people on the train get up, grab their baggage and exit through the single door.
Corrin looks away from the window, and stands, glancing around the car as he does so.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja remains in her seat for a time, waiting for the initial rush of people to leave before she rises. She stretches out in a leisurely manner before she takes her belongings and makes her way to the door.
Corrin was further towards the back of the car and is heading towards the door.
<Darkling> As you exit the train car, you see your chauffeurs. Standing, and obviously waiting for you is a huge bear of a man surrounded by  a boy and a girl, steam and smoke from the train swirling around them in a more than epic way.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> The boy is sitting, looking off at nothin with earbuds in place. His skin is fair, pale and smooth with slicked back blond hair on top. Cold eyes stare out from behind wire-frame glasses, wearing white clothing from his shirt to his sneakers.
Rasia adjusts her scarf, making sure it hides everything from the nose down. In heavy winter coat despite the relative warmth of the domes, what skin she does show is brown, mismatched boat light eyes fixing on the new arrivals. Dyed white hair doesn't move despite the swirling smoke.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja approaches, halting at a respectful distance to salute the others. It radiates a certain sense of cockiness unbefitting of a soldier. With her dollish dress, pale skin, and long blonde hair loosely curled at the ends it makes for a curious overall image. She pays little attention to the others, focusing on the large man.
Corrin steps down and sees the trio. Blinking as his eyes adjust to the cold outside the car, he quickly starts to pick his way across to them. He's of average height and wiry, but gives off an impression of restrained zeal. His brown hair is cut short, longer after the trip, and his clothes are stained after the boat journey. His gaze seem to be focussed in on the trio, with little regard for anything else as he makes his way over from the
<Rasia> The pale, blonde girl prompts Rasia to turn her head, looking at Wilhelm, and back again.
<Darkling> A smile starts to spread over the big man's bearded face. He gestures for them both to come closer.
Corrin quickly moves to obey, echoing Lahja's gesture as he does so.
Wilhelm_Faustus cosses his legs, elbow resting on his knee with chin in hand, a finger tapping his cheek, possibly in time with whatever he's listening to.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> With that Lahja drops her cocky salute, coming closer at a slow pace. "My name is Lahja Ilvainen. It is a pleasure to meet you." She speaks slowly, her accent a bit muddled and strange. Though she's clearly trying not to, she stresses the first syllable of each word most of the time.
<Corrin> "Trainee Sahn, reporting as ordered." Corrin says quickly, his German still slightly muddled but more or less understandable. It seems the time on the boat helped.
<Darkling> "Well met Lahja, 'trainee Sahn'." His grin splits wider on his brutish face. "I am Captain Lit Skäldbjorn., and these two are Rasia, and Wil." He motions to each correspondingly.
Wilhelm_Faustus isn't paying any attention at all. Or is he?
Rasia hasn't looked away from them since, only moving her head in a measured nod.
<Corrin> "Sir." Corrin says, eyes moving to where the Captain's hand gestured.
<Darkling> The smoke clears, showing a better view of their surroundings. Behind the Captain and the others is a large APC waiting for them, and beyond that, the garish city of Greater Berlin.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "A pleasure to meet you, Captain." With that she turns her gaze toward Wilhelm and Rasia. Noting the boy's seeming lack of interest, she gives him a two fingered salute, lasting only a moment before she drops it.
<Darkling> "We've a tight schedule to stick to today, but I think some time might be able to be spared for you two to get cleaned up first." He's looking at you ever so slightly Corrin.
Corrin looks sheepish, despite his best efforts.
<Darkling> "Come come!" The back of the APC is open and waiting for them, and he steps in first taking a seat against the back wall.
<Corrin> Corrin quickly follows.
Wilhelm_Faustus stands, and moves takes a seat inside the APC.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja steps inside as well, taking a deep breath.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He looks at the two new arrivals for the first time. His expression is a lot like a cats, annoyance and ultimately mild disinterest.
Rasia enters last. Can't have unknowns seeing your back, can we?
Corrin is focused primarily on the Captain, gaze only briefly moving to the other trainees in sight.
<Darkling> The door to the APC lifts up, closing tightly shut, and then the APC itself starts to grind down the street. Little window slits are all the allows them a look outside, and most of it is the same, grey concrete and dark steel.
<Darkling> "Well, how about some better introductions then yes?" Lit says as he looks to Corrin. "Tell us of yourself lad."
Rasia folds her arms, eyes beginning to wander in sharp jumps from person to person.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> She looks to Corrin expectantly, appearing calm and casual.
<Corrin> "Yes, sir." Corrin says after a moment. "I was part of class C of the NERV Dallas trainee program, and recieved transfer orders two weeks ago. I'm ready and willing to do my duty."
<Darkling> Lit nods and looks to Lahja. "And you lass?"
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "I am just a girl from the UN Dome, sir. No formal training, but my father was a military man." She absently reaches up to toy with her Ragnarok necklace. "I have no idea why I am here. But I am also ready and willing."
Corrin glances at Lahja, something that might have been relief flickering in his eyes.
<Darkling> "Ah of course, no one ever told you both why you are here. That makes this all so much more exciting!" Lit seems quite ecstatic about this, something even Rasia hasn't seen often.
<Rasia> It sets her on edge, quite visible despite the numerous efforts to obscure her anatomy.
<Darkling> The APC trudges on slowly, and in utter silence now other than the engine and the grinding up dirt and rocks beneath the treads.
<Corrin> "Sir?" Corrin says hushedly a moment later. "Can you...explain?"
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja simply smiles one of her shortlived smiles. She seems content to wait in silence.
<Darkling> "Explain what lad?"
Corrin hestitates, but presses on. "The reason for our assignment."
<Darkling> "You'll understand in good time. It's hard to explain without, visuals."
<Corrin> "Yes, sir."
Wilhelm_Faustus smirks, staring at the city beyond the APC.
<Darkling> With that, the APC crunches to a halt, and the back slides down and open. "All out!"
Corrin springs to his feet.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja rises, instantly coming out of her casual and relaxed air. She quickly makes her way out of the APC.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Wil files out next, pulling the earbuds free.
Rasia stalks behind the other three pilots, hands returning to her pouch.
<Darkling> Lit follows out last, the APC shutting behind him. "Welcome to your new home."
Corrin stares at the city, blinking rapidly.
<Darkling> Ahead of them looms a six story, grey concrete building, lacking any distinguishing features from the rest of the city.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> She stares at the building for a while. "It's large. Is all of it our home?"
Corrin 's gaze moves to the dome above, then back to the building.
<Darkling> "Just a quarter of the top floor." And he starts for the door, opening it for them.
Corrin follows, glancing from side to side as he does so.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> A worried look crosses over Lahja's face for a moment. She walks through the door at a brisk pace.
<Darkling> Inside is not much different from outside, other than lacking the concrete look. It's white, grey and black marble, trimmed in chrome and rushed steel. An elevator awaits ahead of them.
Corrin looks around. It's so different from the functionalism of the trainee blocks, with their worn, faded tiles and occasional flickering lights.
Rasia utters a low growl, hoping to coax the pilots along.
<Darkling> The elevator doors slide open and they all clamber in. It's like a steel coffin, a crowded one.
<Darkling> Then the doors slide shut, and up the ygo.
<Darkling> Lit swipes a card on the way up, and it beeps it's acceptance. The elevator slows, and the doors part, right into their apartment.
<Darkling> The apartment's decor matches the entryways below, black, white and grey marble tiling with steel and chrome trimming.
<Darkling> "Your rooms are down the hall to the left there," Lit points. "I suggest getting cleaned up and changed before we head out again."
Corrin continues to look around, quickly repressing an urge to touch the wall trim. He turns as soon as Lit speaks.
<Corrin> "Yes, sir."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja takes a quick glance around. She seems to have mixed feelings about her surroundings. "Right away, sir."
Corrin picks his way into the apartment, keeping his shoes on as he heads down the hall.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja makes a beeline down the hall, making her way into her room.
<Rasia> Rasia keeps an eye on the newcomers, lip curling at how close Lahja has to get to her own room.
<Darkling> The pilots rooms are adequate enough. Ten feet long by eight wide., with a comfy looking bed, a bookcase and a desk.
Corrin pauses, then opens the door to his own room and steps inside.
<Darkling> Once both pilots are out of hearing range... "Well?" Lit looks to Wil and Rasia.
<Rasia> 'Strange'. 'New'. Rasia signs, begrudgingly.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> ". . ." He shrugs and moves to sit on the couch, picking up his book from the coffee table.
<Darkling> Corrin, a nice surprise awaits you! Your meager belongings that you forgot at the base in haste of leaving.
Corrin blinks, taking the scene in. A...bookshelf? A desk? No bunk? Noticing the belongings, he shakes his head and quickly pulls out a change of clothes. It had been a rather messy two weeks, and it had been an order.
<Darkling> "I'm wondering why that boy smelled of engine grease so badly.."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...I'm wondering why they're needed here."
<Darkling> "Because they can synchronize, that's reason enough." Lit shakes his head waiting for the two new pilots to finish up.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> A snort, and his busies himself with reading.
Rasia grunts, scrunching her nose.
Corrin rushes back out, having changing into a replacement trainee uniform from his bag and hastily cleaned up.
<Darkling> Lit looks at him, and his change of clothes and shrugs.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja is relatively quick about the whole affair, but thorough. She soon returns, feeling quite ambivalent about the new home. And clean.
<Darkling> "Are you both ready then?"
Corrin glances at the now-reading pilot, then snaps to attention at the Captain's voice. "Yes, sir. I'm ready."
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Completely, sir." She slips into her soldier mode, her walk and stance very stiff.
Corrin is keeping himself still with an effort. This is it. This is what he's been training for, all these years...
Corrin almost-trembles with excitement, despite his efforts.
<Darkling> He ushers them all back to the elevator, down through the lobby, and back into the APC, which begins another drive.
Corrin is silent as he takes his seat. Unconsciously, his right hand twitches every couple of seconds at his side, clenching slightly.
<Darkling> In the APC, he pulls out a large plastic container, popping it open, he passes a few things to Wil beside him. "If you don't mind giving those to our new pilots please."
<Rasia> Doesn't take long to get Raz's attention. She watches it each time, growling again.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He glances down at the items. A slight nod and he holds one out to Corrin. A plastic ID badge.
Corrin glances at Rasia at the noise, then takes the badge.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He holds the next one out to Lahja.
Corrin is looking over the badge, holding it up to the dim light.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> She takes the badge with a nod, paying no heed to Rasia's growling. She looks quite thrilled, even elated, at it. "My... this looks important."
<Darkling> "Your ID badges. You'll need them for access to the facility."
<Darkling> He passes out some more items to Wil, these ones bigger.
Corrin looks up at once as the Captain speaks.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> An eyebrow raises, a brief questioning look to Lit, then he passes them out. Tablet PCs.
<Darkling> "These are a gift I've managed to convince NERV to purchase for you."
Corrin holds his uncertainly.
<Corrin> "Thank...thank you, sir." Corrin says quickly, still baffled.
<Darkling> "You're welcome. You'll need something to do here during your off time."
Wilhelm_Faustus wastes no time turning his on.
Rasia stares at hers in silence.
Corrin is turning his over in his hands, looking at the buttons.
<Darkling> Lit peers out the window to see how far from their destination they are. Outside the city has faded from view. "Ten more minutes." He announces.
<Rasia> An acknowledging grunt.
Corrin is still fiddling with the tablet.
<Darkling> If you were to look outside right now pilots, all you would see is thick, lush foliage. You seem to be driving through a forest of sorts.
Corrin finally gives up for now, and looks more intently at his fellow pilots.
<Rasia> Aaand just like that Raz is #pinned# to a window.
Wilhelm_Faustus picks up Rasia's tablet, turning it on. He seems to be doing to it...whatever it was he did to his.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Hm. I never had the opportunity to make use of these at any length back home. I'll make it a point to learn." Lahja gives the tablet a brief inspection, simply to be polite. Like Rasia she seems more interested in the window.
Corrin blinks, taken back by the sudden movement...and the view.
<Rasia> Her hips move side-to-side. Unsurprising that such a quiet girl could have such intense focus. What is she even looking for?
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He turns off Rasia's tablet, placing it back where she left it, attention back on his own.
Corrin pulls his gaze away from Rasia to the other male pilot. Corrin doesn't really know what to make of him yet.
<Darkling> The forests passes by, back to concrete, and a huge black pyramid flashes into view before they descend down into a tunnel.
Rasia grunts, and sits back down, giving her tablet one last look before ignoring it again.
Corrin is now looking at the APC's grated floor, the other pilot still an enigma. His thoughts turn back to the assignment. Almost there. Soon he'll know what his duty is. He's gone sort of stiff again, hands at his sides.
<Darkling> Darkness and lights flash by through the windows as they pass through the tunnel, then after a few minutes pass normal light streams in again, and the APC halts.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He peers over the top of his tablet, examining the other two pilots.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "How interesting..."
Corrin is instantly looking at the Captain, waiting for orders. He doesn't think he's felt quite like this ever before, not even at the assignment back in Texas.
<Darkling> Finally, the back hatch opens, letting them all out.
Corrin is quick to clamber out, eagerness evident.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...trainee Sahn, why does NERV exist?" He finally speaks! He has the tone of a lecturer rather than inquisitive.
Corrin jerks his head around.
<Darkling> Exits the APC and waits for the rest.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja walks out cautiously, quickly looking about to take in the sights in a hyperactive manner. "I feel like the proverbial moose in the headlights. I wonder... do they still exist?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He comes walking out of the APC, hands clasped behind his back.
<Rasia> Raz again hangs around near the back of the group, stance loose.
<Darkling> They stand in a large hanger, many other APCs and even tanks parked about, men in army and NERV uniforms around them working away.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...well?"
<Corrin> "To defend humanity, and to study phenomena that may threaten that purpose." Corrin recites quickly, tone strangely flat as though reciting from memory.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He smirks, ever so slightly. A look to Rasia, and he remains silent.
<Darkling> Lit looks at the four of them together, waiting for silence.
Corrin blinks, then quickly focuses on the Captain.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Corrin's words seem to snap her out of her wonder induced musing. She quickly looks to Lit, her curiousity obvious.
<Darkling> "Welcome to NERV headquarters! Of course, you all know NERV is now run by EI." He starts walking as he talks.
Rasia lowers her head at the word.
<Darkling> "And as Sahn as so politely told us, the reason it exists now, is to study the ominous Black Moon, and to protect what is left of the human race."
Corrin nods, listening intently.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> She follows, her badge in hand. Despite the unfamiliar names she keeps quiet.
Corrin nods again, much more energetically this time.
<Darkling> They pass through the hanger, to a hallway studded with doors. It would be easy to get lost in here.
Corrin follows closely, hanging onto the Captain's words whenever he speaks.
<Darkling> "This facility operates for protection of a vast expanse of what is left of Europe, which is where you come in."
<Darkling> He brings them into a huge elevator and closes a gate behind them. The elevator starts to lower, machinery humming loudly.
Corrin continues to listen, his earlier tension gone and attention on the Captain.
<Rasia> At least she isn't doing something so cliche as standing in a corner. No, Rasia circles.
Corrin doesn't embrace the cliche so much as marry it and take it home to see the parents...if he had parents. Corrin continues to stand near-at attention, waiting.
Wilhelm_Faustus runs a hand through his hair.
Corrin continues to wait, gaze briefly moving to the gate and the floors beyond that they're passing.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He gaze eventually drifts to Lahja.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Much like Corrin she seems to be standing at attention and focused on Lit. If she notices the stare it doesn't bother her much.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Eventually he looks away, watching Rasia make her cirles.
Corrin finally relaxes slightly, shifting one foot then the other, then returns to his former posture.
<Rasia> Around and around. Her eyes wander from one pilot to another, like she's trying to herd them--
<Darkling> That must've been some long elevator ride, but finally it stops, and the gate opens, and Lit is standing outside it. Wait.. what?
<Darkling> Oh, that's not Lit.
<Darkling> Another bear of a man stands beyond, looking much the same as Lit though. Big, thick and beared, he grins. "Welcome pilots!"
Corrin ignores the prowling pilot, his gaze shifting from Lit to other-Lit and back.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja promptly salutes this man as well. Much like before, it's not an entirely proper salute.
<Corrin> "Thank you, sir." Corrin says after a brief hesitation, noting the "pilots" reference with some confusion. Is this it? What he's here to do?
<Darkling> Lit steps out and embraces the look-alike. They could be twins almost. "Pilots," Lit is speaking, "This is your Vice-Commander Hunding." Of course Raz and Wil had both met him before several times.
Corrin quickly echoes Lahja's earlier salute, snapping to full attention as he does so. "Sir!"
<Darkling> "Come, come" the vice-comm says, and starts leading them down another corridor.
<Darkling> The vice-comm waves to follow and starts to escort you down another corridor. "So I imagine you're very curious about why you're here?" He asks.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Yes, sir. Will we be driving tanks?" She asks curiously and with quite a bit of enthusiasm. Maybe a little too much.
Corrin hestitates as he follows. "Yes, sir."
Wilhelm_Faustus snorts, and can't help but laugh, actually laugh.
Corrin gives Lahja a strange look.
<Darkling> "Oh! You'll be driving something much better!" He opens a door into a dark room, and Lit walks through.
<Darkling> Through the doorway the room is absolutely black except for bits of light guiding on the floors. Lit stands ahead waiting.
Rasia scrunches her nose, drawing a deep whiff.
Corrin follows the path of gleaming dots, blinking as his eyes adjust to the deeper gloom.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja enters as well, retaining her curiousity and eagerness.
<Darkling> Metal clanks under your feet as you walk in the room.
Rasia growls, low and quiet eyes fixing on a point in the darkness.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...hehe." Wilhelm seems to know whats up.
<Darkling> The room is all but pitch black still as you all gather around Lit, except for a little glitter of metal a foot from the walkway.
<Darkling> Seems to be right where Rasia is staring.
Rasia leans forward, pulling her fists from her pouch.
Corrin ignores the other...pilot, and waits for orders. His excitement's bled away, replaced by confusion.
<Darkling> "So," the vice-comm's voice is low.. "still curious?"
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Completely, sir. I can't think of anything better than a tank that I could pilot."
<Corrin> "Yes, sir." Corrin replies quickly, "Ready and willing."
<Darkling> And with that, the lights in the room burst on, blinding everyone momentarily. It takes a minute to refocus, but afterwards you can see clearly what was housed in the room. A giant armored face stares back at you.
Corrin just stares, not understanding what he's seeing.
<Rasia> Rasia meets its snouted gaze without even flinching, listening to something that might not even be there. The dull red metal armoring it shines in the light, long blue streaks marking 'eyes' on either side of its pointed nose.
Corrin 's eyes dart across the thing's face, if you could call it a face.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja stares. She looks positively dumbfounded for a while.
<Corrin> "What...is it?" he asks at last, tearing his gaze away from the metallic helm with an effort. "Sir."
<Darkling> "Wilhelm?" Lit asks.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...meet the Aesir, protectors of humanity from the Jotunn."
Corrin_ just blinks, gaze slowly edging back to the helmet.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "The greatest weapons ever designed, cybernetic war machines and the only thing that can kill the enemy."
Corrin looks back sharply at Wilhelm's last words.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...better than a tank, wouldn't you say?" He passes behind Lahja, further down the ramp toward his own Aesir.
<Darkling> "These are what you shall be piloting." The vice-comm chimes in, and a row of lights further down the room flicker on, illuminating three more giant faces.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "You're right, sir. This is better than a tank."
<Corrin> "Yes..." Corrin says shakily. "Yes, sir!"
<Darkling> "I'm glad you think so. Your first test is tonight." The vice-comm starts down the track past the faces leaving you all with Lit. "The Captain will get you situated." He calls back.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Fingers wrap around the railing as he leans in, staring up at Null Drei. He's talking to it in...Norwegien?
<Darkling> "Wil, Rasia, can you take the pilots to change?"
<Darkling> Lit asks.
 <Wilhelm_Faustus> A look to annoyance, a sigh. "...very well."
Rasia grunts, finally tearing her gaze away from Unit 01 to look Lahja up and down.
Corrin is staring at the row of Aesir, still taken aback.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...trainee." He snaps his fingers until he gets Corrin's attention.
<Corrin> "Yes. Yes." Corrin says, jerking out of his frozen state.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...this way." He leads Corrin out the door opposite the one they entered and down to the male lockerroom.
Corrin follows dully.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja snaps out of it as well. She looks overly eager, her eyes going wide and a very peculiar smile forming on her lips. It stays there.
<Darkling> Lit looks to Rasia and Lahja. "Time to suit up lass. Follow Rasia."
<Rasia> Rasia makes a simple 'follow' gesture, and stalks for the female side of the lockers.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> She nods, quickly following to the lockers.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> Into the lockerroom, and there waiting on a bench is Corrin's own plugsuit vacuum-sealed in plastic. "...put that on."
Corrin has recovered by the time he walks into the locker room, nodding as he picks up the plugsuit.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...it'll be baggy at first. Press the button on the wrist..." He deomstrates with his bare wrist, "...to fit it."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> With that he sits down, facing away from Corrin, and waits.
<Rasia> Rasia doesn't explain nearly as eloquently as her male counterpart. She makes the gestures, sure, but impatiently and more than a little rude.
Corrin nods again, and quickly changes, leaving his trainee uniform on the bench. Some of the anticipation has returned to his face, but he's still somewhat shaken.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja catches on just the same. She quickly changes into the plugsuit, taking little time to investigate it beforehand.
Corrin presses the button after some fumbling, then looks to Wilhelm. "Ready."
<Darkling> The plugsuits are very form fitting and snug, maybe a bit flattering. Obviously some pervert designed them..
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Only after she's changed does she bother to look over the outfit. Even then, it's only briefly. "Done."
Corrin seems to have gotten one finger only partially into the glove, and it takes a few seconds to tug it into place.
Rasia taps her foot, departing as soon as she said the word.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja follows, walking along at a lively pace.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...this way." He leaves the locker room
<Darkling> Lit is waiting, and some workers and engineers are scrambling around now moving stairs into place for the pilots.
Corrin follows, focusing on the Captain rather than the great machines behind him.
<Darkling> "Sahn," Lit walks up to him and gestures to a bright white Aesir not far from them." That is your Aesir, and you'll need to get in. The Engineers will show you how."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He runs a hand through his hair, leaning against the railing.
<Darkling> "Wil, do you want to head up to the control room and get things started in my place?"
<Wilhelm_Faustus> He sighs, pushing away for the railing and heading off to the control room.
<Corrin> "Yes, sir!" Corrin replies, moving to follow the Captain's orders.
Corrin glances up quickly as he runs to the white eva. It's not so bad now that he's expecting it, and orders are orders...
<Darkling> "Lahja," Lit says to her. "This, is yours." He motions to the dark black and grey face beside them. "Saddle up, and treat it well."
Corrin is strangely eager now, as though hoping to make up for his earlier hestitation.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Absolutely. I'll even give it a name, sir." She says it with a stupid smile on her face. She makes her way over to the machine.
Rasia begins to pace, circling near Unit 01, for lack of anything else to do.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "They already have names." His voices comes through the speakers in their entry plugs.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Oh? What is this one called?"
<Darkling> The plug is much like a cockpit, a central chair and some controls, a few screens, buttons and such.
Corrin looks around the plug, the seat plastic strangely slick against his back.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Null Zwei and Null Vier. I suppose you can rename them if you want."
Corrin pauses for a moment, then shakes his head and stares at the central screen, hands clenching and unclenching.
<Darkling> The plugs shut tight behind the pilots. Lit looks at Rasia and heads for the control room.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...try not to drown." He covers the mic. "Start LCL flooding."
<Corrin> "Which one is...Zwei?" Corrin asks absently.
<Darkling> LCL, a reddish-orange liquid, begins to pool up in the plugs, quickly rising.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "Null Vier. I look forward to working with you." She pats some interior part of the machine at random. As the LCL begins to rise she stares at it, then delicately sniffs at the air.
Corrin smells it first, then looks down as it reaches his ankles. "Pilot? There's a sort of liquid...flooding the seat."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...don't hold your breath. LCL is the link between pilot and Aesir synchronization. Once in your lungs it will oxygenate your blood directly."
Rasia growls, pacing the Cage walkway in agitation.
<Corrin> "Copy that." Corrin says, a slight tension in his voice. "Don't hold your breath" was all he needed to hear, or really understood of that.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> "It's breathable. But is it edible?"
<Darkling> You'll find out soon enough, it rises over your faces quickly.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...try not to swallow a lot of it."
Corrin breathes it in, relatively calmly. The taste makes it hard to stop from choking on the fluid, but it went down readily enough.
<Lahja_Ilvainen> Lahja begins breathing deeply, being morbidly curious about the strange fluid. There's some initial gagging, but she gets over it and deliberately makes it a point to suck the stuff in.
Corrin doesn't notice that one hand is clenching again as he's struck by a sense of familiarity that he can't quite place.
Corrin breathes in again, deeply.
Wil's face flickers onto a screen in front of you. He looks unimpressed.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "A-10 nerve connections established." His monotone voice drones through a series of technical read-outs. "Well...a successful contact experiment at least."
<Darkling> Lit enters the room, and the pilots can hear his voice over the comm. "Excellent. Run training program Hrod."
<Darkling> A new, larger screen flashes on in front of the pilots, taking up most of their view, some code running across the black.
Corrin 's eyes have stopped stinging by now, and he waits for instructions, hands hovering above the panels.
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "Loading training program. The graphics are simplistic, because the MAGI have better things to do. It runs in a basic 3D...despite the knowns 10 dimensions. Not that I expect either of you understand Super String theory."
<Wilhelm_Faustus> "...try not to screw up."
<Darkling> ======END======