2022-08-01: A Fool's Errand
- Log: 2022-08-01: A Fool's Errand
- Cast: Regina Everhart
- Where: A raging sandstorm
- Date: U.C. 0096 08 01
- Summary: Regina Everhart yet again comes across that which has evaded her for so long - only for it to vanish before she can grasp it. Will she ever be able to truly claim what she seeks?
A single Maganac unit traces its way through the desert, undeterred by the sandstorm raging about it. The beam-resistant cloak serves a double purpose now, bound tightly around it to limit the intake of the invasive sand. It is foolishness to travel in weather such as this even in a mobile suit engineered for desert activity, but Regina Everhart is used to her fool's errands. It's a song and dance she has been through many times - but one she must pursue, despite knowing the most likely outcome. The heat burning at her chest urges her on.
It is a very literal heat. The copper key, traced through with glowing rivulets reminiscent of molten metal, that was entrusted to her remains as ever around her neck - and right now it burns with supernatural heat. An ordinary key would have melted away from the intensity of it. An ordinary woman would have discarded it, or been burned through. She can endure it. She must. The Maganac picks up speed, and the heat from the key only intensifies.
It is here. It must be here.
The mobile suit thrusts itself into the heart of the sandstorm. Here, all is sand and dust, or will be reduced to such. And yet, within the vortex, there is a glimmer. A faint glimmer. Rare excitement builds in Regina's heart - the sort usually experienced only in the midst of battle. The mobile suit reaches out desperately to close its hand around it, to keep it from -
The glimmer winks away. It is as if it was never there at all. Is it a coincidence, that the sandstorm too begins to subside with its disappearance? Within mere moments, there is nothing left but the mobile suit frozen in place, its hand still outstretched. And its pilot - slumps back into her seat, shutting her eyes in defeat as she reaches for the key around her neck. It is cold now, as if it had not been just seconds ago that it burned with the intensity of a glowing forge.
"...Again." Regina murmurs to herself, the words flowing unbidden from her mind to her lips. "...Again."
Always, is it like this. Always does she seek it, to behold it, only for it to vanish before her eyes.
The mobile suit's arm drops to its side. It stands there, for a moment, before it turns to return the way it came. She has never been one to dwell too long on her defeats. She cannot afford to. She can only press forward, to keep looking, and to try again, and again, and again, as many times as it takes, while she still draws breath...
...And in the meantime, to await word of whatever operation comes next for Celestial Being.