2022-09-07: Well Wishers

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<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        Sayla's been getting some much needed rest. Shortly after her conversation with Renais, she fell asleep again- asleep and not unconscious. And unbeknownst to her, a changing of the guard happened.

        So when Sayla wakes up the next morning, she finds a hand clutching hers tightly. It's not as warm as Renais, which means...

        She looks up to see someone waiting for her, now asleep herself. Poor thing. "Oh, pollito..." She says, a smile on her face. Then, a little more loudly. "Leina, I'm awake. I'm here." She turns her hand up to squeeze Leina's gently. A gentle awakening is the kindest thing here. 

<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.


Leina isn't typically the most sound sleeper. Yet for once, she is. She must have been pushing herself to stay up as long as possible after the ride over. She'd fallen asleep with her head on the edge of the bed, her hand across Sayla's

At Sayla's squeeze, the teenage girl's head moves slightly. Lashes flutter, and then green eyes open, looking only half aware of where she is, recognition dawns though, "Oh."

An apologetic smile appears on her lips as she sits up, rubbing the cobwebs out of one eye, "Was supposed to be me, greeting you when you-" A soft yawn, "-woke up..."

Her short brown bangs show off some bedhead, thanks to the position she slept in, "How're you feeling? Your nurse let me know you were due for another dose of pain medication any time you wanted it."

She seems reluctant to move her hand, but eventually she does. Reaching to a bag at her side, she pulls out a bento box, which she nudges onto the bedside table. "I was told you're on a full diet, so long as you're feeling it. So thought you'd prefer to wake up to something that wasn't hospital food."

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

Hospitals make Yuta anxious. He's only been in one once, and it hadn't exactly been a helpful experience. But this is important! Heart-2 has done so much for them, and it was his fault she got hurt to begin with.

Holding a small bouquet of flowers, Yuta walks next to Rikka. He wasn't sure which flowers would be best, so he'd just picked whichever ones he liked the best. It ended up being a bouquet of roses dyed blue and purple, with baby's breath scattered throughout. It had seemed friendly and colorful in the shop, but would it be too garish for a hospital? Yuta frowns down at the flowers. Maybe he should've let Rikka handle this part...

Soon, though, they're outside the hospital room. Yuta glances at the door, then at Rikka, then at the door again. Knocking is polite, right? Cradling the bouquet in one hand, Yuta reaches out and knocks twice.

Assuming he's told to come inside, Yuta will open the door for both him and Rikka. "Hi," He offers, in a politely quiet voice. Yuta's eyebrows draw together as he sees Sayla in the hospital bed. "It's good to see you again, Leina, and --" Glancing at a whiteboard on the wall, Yuta quickly looks back to Sayla. "Ms. Mass? Is it okay if I call you that?"

Making his way to the other side of Sayla's hospital bed, he awkwardly hands her the blue-and-purple flowers. "Here, these are for you." Once she takes them, he bows deeply. "I'm sorry. It was my negligence that resulted in you getting hurt. If there's anything I can do to make it up to you, I will, I promise!" Yuta keeps his head lowered, his voice a little wobbly.
Sayaka Yumi teleports in. 

<Pose Tracker> Nidaime has posed.

Nidaime heard Sayla got hurt! BY HER PROBLEMS. And she is upset by that. She has wibbled and wobbled on going due to the IMMENSE GUILT she feels--and ultimately has difficulty getting in to see Sayla because she looks like a homeless child but eventually...

Nidaime runs off, takes a bath, and comes back. Her eyes are big and wide and quivering. She sees her holding Leina's hand. She is relieved that they're both ok.

"Auntie..." Her lip quivers.

"I'm so glad you're okayyy...!"

Nidaime rushes over and promptly glomps onto LEina. Sayla's hurt and she's not sure she can receive hugs so she's going to hug Leina until she's sure about that. She rubs her head into Leina's body as she openly bawls. 

<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.

Rikka has been worried about Sayla, but there hasn't been much she can do except worry. It's almost enough to drive one mad, so she's found herself doing everything she can to keep herself distracted - including a trip over to Jindai High School to watch some of their DecuFes events.

But, eventually, she receives news that Sayla is awake, so naturally she immediately makes arrangements to come visit. She arrives with Yuta, who she knows must have been worried sick this whole time, too - maybe even more than she was.

"Hey, Leina, Miss Mass." Rikka greets with a wave as she steps through the door. "...And Nidaime, too."

With that done, she looks between Sayla and Leina.

"...How are you both holding up?" She asks. The question is for both of them, of course. Sayla may be the one who's hurt, but this probably hasn't been easy for either of them, either. "Can I get you anything?" 

<Pose Tracker> Renais Cardiff has posed.

        Well, it was supposed to be a five-minute trip to grab coffee for herself and Leina.

        But one heated argument with a barista and thirty minutes later, she finally returns, holding two tall mochas in a drink tray. She pauses in the door, blinking once.

        "Well... I see the entire world decided to visit while I was gone," she snarks, holding a cup in front of Leina from above. "Pour vous, Madamoiselle Ashta. Apologies for the delay. The coffee is..." She wrinkles her nose. "Not good. But it will keep you awake." 

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

It's pretty unusual for Koji to be visiting a friend in the hospital rather than a patient himself. It's oddly uncomfortable, in fact - part of him is used to coming around with an IV drip stuck in him and his limbs in casts, even though something like that hasn't happened in ten years.

He pauses, carrying the flowers that Sayaka (of course) picked out, glancing through the open door. "Wow. It's pretty crowded in here." He takes in the individuals present - Leina, two of the kids from Tsutsujidai, and Renais? That makes sense - and if they're here in response to that dual-kaiju attack in Kabukicho...

"Hmm." He smiles, though. "Hi, Sayla."

<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.

Sayaka for one, growing up with Koji, is pretty used to hospital visits. And she's quite good at picking flowers too, carrying a bouquet of her own for Sayla, as she arrives with Koji

When the way is relatively clear, Sayaka places the flowers next to Sayla's bedside and smiles. "Hello Sayla. I'm glad you're recovering well." Sayaka's not too aware of the circumstances that led to Sayla, of all people, being at a red-light district, but it seems there was a kaiju attack at Kabukicho. They said most people evacuated though, so was Sayla back in the cockpit...?

She also greets the girl who's been at Sayla's side the whole time. "And hello, Leina! It's been so long since I've seen you, I've been so busy." 

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        Sayla gives a gentle smile to Leina. "Thank you, Leina. I'm doing okay right now, but I haven't started moving yet either." Sayla's free hand moves to the bed controls, moving up to a lifesaver, and her eyes move to the bento box. "Leina Ashta, what would I do without you."

        However, she hears the bawling as Nidaime rushes in, and Sayla reaches over very slowly to pat Nidaime on the head. "I'm okay, really. I just need to be careful with my ribs and neck for a few weeks. Believe me, I've had worse. Of course I was younger and healed quicker then."

        She looks up to see Yuta and Rikka entering, with the flowers. "You can both call me Sayla. It's fine." She reaches out for the flowers, and winces and leans back before taking them. "Thank you for coming to check on me."

        The advantage of a private room is a bit more space. Renais is back next, and Sayla smirks. "I mean you can't expect your level of coffee, Renais. These cafes are all about profit maximization- and yet it's still better than the coffee on the wards half the time."

        And then Koji and Sayaka and they are a surprise. That they're entering together is actually... heartening. More flowers. But she notes Koji's 'hm'. Uh oh. Time to shift topic. "Koji! Sayaka! I see the two of you are on better terms." She COULD put Koji on blast right now, but Sayla is saving that as a get out of jail free card.

        And then Yuta apologises, and Sayla shakes her head. "It's not your fault, Yuta. It was out of your control, and I think you know that. You did all you could under the circumstances- and no less." She remains deliberately vague- Koji and Sayaka aren't part of the Shuffle Alliance, and she's still trying to manage secrecy. Rikka's question is well enough. "I'm doing well enough, under the circumstances. Some injured ribs and I have to go easy on my neck for a bit, but I should be out once they've finished ovservation." Still, given the question is directed to Leina too, Sayla won't speak for her. She looks to Nidaime instead. "Nidaime, can you do me a favour and see if there's a vase in the big bottom drawer?" Something to do so often helps.

<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.


"We'll get you up and about before you know it." While one may argue whether it might be to Leina's benefit to keep Sayla in bed longer... Leina's always been about early physical therapy, before there's a glimmer of mischief in her eyes as she asks what she'd do without her? "I had Kevin cancel your appointments for at least the next few days. We'll see if I need to give him another call before the end of the day once you're up.

Yuta and Rikka coming in earn a reflexive smile, "Hey Yuta, Rikka! Nice to see you both." She gives Sayla a momentary look as if trying to assess if she was up for a crowd of visitors as she answers Rikka. "I'm good. Could really go for a cup of coffee right n-" Then... GLOMP.

Leina starts at Nidaime's sudden appearance, even if she caught her psychically about a split second before it, and just wraps her arms around her tightly, "Hey. It's okay. She's okay, Nidaime." Leina unravels one arm, and once Sayla is finished patting her head, she takes over, running her fingers through her perpetually dirty hair, "She's made of tougher stuff than that." She gives her an affectionate smile, then just hoists her onto her lap and lets her cling and bawl. "Just let it all out."

Sayla is the only one in the room that would notice how far up Leina's walls are in this moment, to the point of psychic inscrutability.

Renais returns, and produces the magical brew- "Tu es un sauveur, Renais. Merci." Her French is surprisingly passable, though her accent is atrocious. Leina holds out one hand to grip the coffee. "That's fine, even terrible coffee has its uses." She says with a wink as she takes her first sip. Though, it's pretty alright???

... She learns something about Renais in this moment, as she puts down the coffee on the bedside table. "Also thanks again for taking the 'first watch' as it were." As she gives Renais an earnest smile while still clinging to Nidaime, "It's very much appreciated."

"Hey you two. Figured you wouldn't be too far behind." She smiles at Koji and Sayaka, before it splits into an even bigger grin at what Sayaka says "Oh that's alright, I'd actually been intending to swing by and catch up with you the other day. Just, something came up."

She cants her head unsubtly sideways at Sayla Mass, as 'the thing that came up'.

"Koji was telling me the good news. Can't wait to hear your account of that."

Sayla addresses Yuta's apology first, but afterwards, she unravels her arms from around Nidaime so that she can do as Sayla asks, before saying to Rikka and Yuta, "While I wasn't there, I'm guessing you three-" As she counts in Renais, "-are actually a lot of the reason why she's in not much worse shape right now. Don't beat yourself up about it. Honestly? I'm grateful."

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

Yuta straightens up. His smile is still a little wobbly, but he nods. "Right. Thank you, Sayla. I'm really glad to hear your injuries aren't too severe. And thank you, too, Leina."

Nidaime is here! That's surprising -- though, when Yuta thinks about it, it shouldn't be. They are a family, after all. "Hi Nidaime. Everything's going to be just fine, I promise. Like Leina said, Sayla's tough!"

Koji and Sayaka get a polite nod when they enter. Yuta doesn't know them, but if Leina does, it's probably fine. "It's good to see you, Renais. Thank you for your help." He has a thought to apologize to her, too, but maybe now isn't the time.

Hospital rooms never have enough chairs, and Yuta will be just fine standing. He backs up from the hospital bed just a bit so others can approach if they'd like to. He's admittedly not sure what to do with himself now. It was kind of strange seeing that Heart-2 was a real live person, instead of this invincible supportive presence in combat. Yuta isn't sure what he'd been imaginging them as... maybe some kind of grizzled military woman, with an icy stare and a cigar. But Sayla looks almost ordinary, laying in her hospital bed.

Rikka asks if she can get them anything, and Yuta's quick to add his support to that idea. "Yeah! Anything at all, even if it's just snacks, or a book or something. We're at your service!" 

<Pose Tracker> Renais Cardiff has posed.

Renais pauses, a look of surprise on her face. "<Not bad.>" Glancing over at Sayla, she rolls her eyes. "I do not expect coffee on *my level*, Doctor Mass. I expect a--" She pauses and glances at the rest, clearing her throat. "Anyway..." She glances around the room, looking at Leina.

        "So everyone here knows, then?" A sigh. She feels... inadequate. Like she didn't do enough. But she nods, "I did what I could. My Gernsback is... worse for the wear, but..."

        What if she'd been the one who took the shot Sayla had? For Renais to be sidelined would have been less of a loss, surely... 

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

Koji glances at Sayaka with a wry little half-smile. "We had a talk the other night about... stuff, and given everything that's going on with the world, we're going to be getting the Photon Power Lab back up and running as a defensive facility." He lets Sayaka speak her thoughts on it as well, though.

He didn't see Nidaime at first but he smiles when he sees her embracing Leina, looking around to nod in greeting to Renais. "Glad to see you," he offers the cyborg. "I feel like a very late 'welcome back to Earth' is in order, huh?"

As Yuta and Rikka voice their concerns and guilt over the battle, Koji's lips thin and he glances to Sayaka again. This is a topic they're pretty well-suited to handling. "Sometimes - more often than not, honestly - battles don't go how you plan. Things get messy."

<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.

"Okay, I'll do that." Rikka replies with a nod, as Sayla assures Yuta and herself that they can just call her Sayla. "And... no problem. I'm glad to see you'll be okay... I was worried."

Rikka nods to Leina, then, offering her a smile.

"It's good to see you too. And, oh, I can-" She starts. There's the sound of someone else approaching the room now, though. Rikka looks back toward the door as Renais arrives, then steps aside to give her some extra space since her hands are full. It looks like Renais already has the coffee handled.

"Sayla has a lot of people who worry for her." Rikka comments with a smile. And a smile, too, for Nidaime and her concern.

Soon enough, there's two others. Rikka recognizes Koji, but not Sayaka - still, both of them get a brief wave before her attention returns back to Sayla.

"...That's good." She replies with a nod, and then looks toward Leina. She says she's grateful... It's a bit of a weight off Rikka's chest. She was still a little worried about how she'd feel about all this. "We did what we could... I'm just glad it didn't go any worse."

It could have been, she knows that. They're lucky they made it through like they did.

She looks toward Koji, then, as he offers some words of wisdom. She hesitates on that for a bit.

"I think we're start to figure that out..." She admits. It hasn't been the easiest lesson to learn.

She waits, then, to hear if anyone takes Yuta up on his offer.

<Pose Tracker> Renais Cardiff has posed.

Renais pauses, a look of surprise on her face. "<Not bad.>" Glancing over at Sayla, she rolls her eyes. "I do not expect coffee on *my level*, Doctor Mass. I expect a--" She pauses and glances at the rest, clearing her throat. "Anyway..." She glances around the room, looking at Leina.

        "So everyone here knows, then?" A sigh. She feels... inadequate. Like she didn't do enough. But she nods, "I did what I could. My Gernsback is... worse for the wear, but..."

        What if she'd been the one who took the shot Sayla had? For Renais to be sidelined would have been less of a loss, surely...

        She nods to Yuta, and looks between him and Rikka. "Thank you, as well." To Koji, she gives a nod in return, looking him over. "I... appreciate it, Dr. Kabuto." An awkward, silent moment. "I hope I didn't tarnish the name of Photon Power Labs too much," she says, a little quietly. Reine Noire was a Mazin, after all...

<Pose Tracker> Nidaime has posed.

Nidaime weeps quietly into Leina. She is actually pretty good at closing herself off but only if she feels like there's a need for it. Otherwise, life is a song. Sometimes it's a sad song in front of a live audience.

She looks up at Koji and Sayaka and stares at them quietly before looking to the Tsutsujidai pals and--particularly--staring at Yuta for a particularly long time. It's not accusatory exactly, but maybe it's a bit impatient.

She takes in a rbeath and closes her eyes and then turns her head away, calming herself. Don't look at him like that.

"Okay," She says. "If you say it'll be fine. If Sayla says it'll be fine. Then it'll be fine. I trust you."

Simply and all that, but she keeps her head buried into Leina.

"Okay," She says to Sayla. "Rest up and get better soon." 

<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.

Sayaka gives an affirming nod to Yuta and Rikka, two kids she doesn't recognize, but seem to be trusted by Sayla in some regard.

Sayla and Leina certainly heard the news already, which Leina teases her a bit about. "You make it sound so.. oh, just what *did* you tell them, Koji?" Sayaka playfully jabs Koji's elbow. "But yes! We had a good, long talk, and sometimes that's all that it really takes. Besides that, we're bringing back the Labs' defense forces, and we have a new project in the works, it's all pretty exciting." By "project" she's referring to the Aphrodite Areia, and while she doesn't want a reaction from Sayla about piloting a machine with *that* name (not unlike Koji's own reaction) now, she's quite proud of the design both as a weapon and a scientific advancement in the efficient use of Photon Power.

Koji offers some good advice to the kids, and Sayaka has some of her own to contribute. "Not only that, but how you handle the care after the battle is just as important. It seems you're doing an excellent job on that front, Sayla is almost as lucky as Koji here was back in the day."

Renais is apologetic about what she did using a Mazin, but she's an old comrade too, and she understands the circumstances around the situation were difficult. "I can't speak for Koji, but as the director, I consider you cleared at least. A Mazin is capable of both great things and terrible things, but as long as you're an ally now, you're welcome at the Photon Power Labs anytime." 

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

Koji smiles as Renais expresses concerns over his institution's reputation. "Guy's filled me in on what was going on there. As far as I'm concerned, I don't blame you - or Reine Noire - for any of it." There's so many questions he wants to ask about her experience, but it's not the time. "If you're in the market for a replacement, you know where to find us." Sayaka mentions the terrible potential of a Mazin and he nods. "The old 'Be a Devil or a God' bit coming back again. Somehow it never stops being relevant."

Sayaka jabs him and he looks flustered. "Well, I didn't want to give Leina the whole story without you there, I just said we had worked through some things and were getting back to business." He sighs, shaking his head. "I should make some proper introductions, I think; Nidaime, Yuta, Rikka, this is Sayaka Yumi, Director of the Photon Power Research Institute. Which makes her my boss, technically." He grins. "We fought side-by-side against Doctor Hell and we've saved each other's lives... too many times." Despite the banter, Koji is visibly very comfortable standing side-by-side with Sayaka.

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        "And I take it you imparted much more strongly that if I say I'm ready to go back to work, I'm not to be listened to, hm?" There's a smirk, like making life difficult for her EA is a running joke. Still... walls fully up in a room without newtypes.. Not this second but soon... "Something, am I? I'm wounded, Leina." Wait did Sayla make a joke? Was it intentional?

        I mean... she did have the icy stare but that was half a lifetime ago. She thinks a bit for a moment. "Actually, Yuta, there's something I could ask you to get. Let me text you." She reaches for her personal phone on the bedside table, and texts a very short list of items to Yuta- as well as a code with money to pay for it- and a short note. It's a very short trip, thankfully, but again. something to do, something to action.

        Koji though seems to know what was going on. Sayla shifts her gaze slightly. She's been made, and she knows it. Well, she's been made a while but they don't know the details. "...I think everyone knows some of it," Sayla says with a tired sigh to Renais. This is her own fault... or was it simply inevitable? Probably the latter.

        "It seems I do, Rikka. But sometimes we need reminders of that..." She sighs. "I'm really dense sometimes, aren't I?" She pauses. "I don't actually want answers to that."

        "I promise. I'll get better as soon as I can." Once again the tables are turned. Still there's a sigh. "And here I thought Koji had finally gotten down on one knee." Sa6yla and Jun must never team up. "Still, I'm happy you're standing side by side again." She's about to say something but thinks better of it. That's a conversation for another day.

        And now, every wheel in motion, she looks to Leina. "You heard what Rikka said, Leina. You don't have to be the pillar here." Normally, she would not be so blatant but... she doesn't need newtype senses to tell what Leina's going through. "I know everyone's here to check on me, but they aren't here only for me." She reaches out a hand to Leina, to squeeze it. "It's okay." 

<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.


"He's to clear it with me first." Leina says, completely serious, "Given that it's all too easy for you to put some pressure on your attending." Before Sayla makes a joke, and Leina just sideeyes her, "You are definitely something Sayla Mass."

However, despite all this, she just rocks Nidaime back and forth while conversing with the others, keeping a hand stroking the side of her head, before leaning down to kiss her on the forehead. "When have I ever been wrong about her?" Leina tries to say, reassuringly, though perhaps there's some smugness for Sayla's benefit, like a tease.

Leina just grins at Renais, seemingly glad her French won some approval. Then 'So everyone here knows then?' Leina looks towards Sayla, then back to Renais, and offers a casual shrug, "It's more just I know her." Leina's never once so much as whispered the word 'Alliance' save in private with Sayla. However, because she's in her orbit... some things are easy guesses.

"I'm sure you did that and more. It's just, noone can do everything, be everywhere all at once." She offers softly to Rikka, in understanding... before her eyes light up, "More than she even knows." For once, she doesn't rub it in when Sayla mentions how dense she is. However something Renais says...

"If you could go back and do something differently-" Leina asks Renais quietly, "-would you have stood in front of her?"

These words in particular may be meaningful and/or alarming to Sayla, who knows that once upon a time... Leina stood in front of Judau while he was staring down the barrel of a gun. However, it feels less like she's evaluating that perspective as a negative. Far from it, or even suggesting she should have done that, or should do that in the future. It's more... like her realizing how much this girl she only just met cares about Sayla. In some ways it's worrisome to Leina, in many others... it's a relief, that people who care for her this much are out there where she can't be.

Koji answers Sayla about the two being on better terms, but then Leina just smirks at Koji over Sayaka's reaction. Honestly she's hoping he'll be telling her something else entirely soon which she doesn't have to bring up subtly, as Sayla said it outright, however- "And that's exactly what he told me." She sees no reason to put him on the hook. He's doing her a favor after all. Though there's a glimmer of mischief in her eyes, "All except for the new project part. You'll have to tell me all about that later."

Leina's eyes half-lid as Sayla calls her on it, as she reaches out a hand for hers, to squeeze it. Which she allows while letting Nidaime keep clinging to her. "There's no need to do this right now." Leina replies quietly now, like she's barely holding it together, "You're the one in the hospital bed." As she keeps her eyes shut, her arm clinging around Nidaime, and one hand in Sayla's. As she takes a deep shuddering breath, sounding a bit overwhelmed, "S'only the first time this has happened... since... you know..."

And she stops speaking, as if afraid to say anything else.

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

"Thank you, Koji." Yuta murmurs, looking down briefly. Koji's right, but he still feels bad. It's hard not to feel guilty when so much of Akane does is because of his presence.

That look from Nidaime shakes Yuta up a bit! He swallows quietly. The trust of a little girl -- of a kaiju? -- is a heavy burden. Yuta quietly resolves to make sure he doesn't break it, no matter what.

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Yumi." Yuta smiles at her. The ease between Sayaka and Koji is amazing! Would he and Rikka be that way, someday? Yuta blushes a little, imagining it. "We're grateful to have you both on our side."

"Oh!" Yuta hurridly takes his phone out, glancing down at the list. "Of course, Sayla. I'll be back before you know it!" Sayla's insight is spot on, Yuta seems to brighten at having a task to do. Someone is relying on him! This is a space he knows how to navigate in.

Yuta's red sneakers squeak on the tile floor as he hurries out of the room. Sayla was true to her word -- everything on her list would be easy to find in the hospital cafeteria. It takes him a moment to find his way down there, but once he does, he sets to work. Almost everything is a dessert, which makes it easy. Yuta piles a tray high with sweets, humming a cheeerful tune to himself.

The last item is the most difficult. "Whatever you'd like for yourself". Yuta wasn't entirely sure what he liked yet, but he could hardly come back empty-handed. Glancing around the cafeteria, his eyes land on something bright red. Good enough!

"Coming through!" Yuta says, cheerfully, as he comes back into the room. Balancing the tray in one hand, he begins to hand out his treasures. For Leina, mochi-wrapped ice cream. Yuta's the most curious about this one. He's never seen anything like it, and it looks so dainty. A strawberry popsicle is waved close to Nidaime, hoping to tempt her into letting go of Leina long enough to take it.

A plate full of cream puff pastries is offered to Sayaka and Koji both. Hopefully there's enough there for them to share! Renais gets several small bags of fruit gummies. One seemed far too small, but Yuta feels a little silly handing over a handful of them.

Finally, Rikka is handed a can of her favorite iced tea, the same flavor Yuta had brought her at Sheryl Nome's beach concert. He blushes a little when he hands it over -- clearly proud of finding the same one. Putting the tray off to the side on a table, Yuta settles back in next to Rikka. In his hand is a shiny red apple, and he takes a bite out of it. It wasn't as vibrant as the fruit in Tsutsujidai, but it was still delicious.

<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.

Rikka watches Renais for a moment, and then nods when she thanks her.

"Thanks... I'm glad you were there with us, too. It would have been a lot harder without you." Rikka replies. With that, she looks toward Sayaka, who has some advice of her own for them.

How you handle care after the battle is just as important... Just saying that is enough for Rikka to decide she likes her already. That's something she feels strongly about, too. Rikka nods.

"Yeah... We care a lot about that, too. That's why I started taking first aid classes." Rikka replies. Koji introduces her, then, so Rikka offers her a smile. "It's nice to meet you, Miss Yumi."

Sayaka was someone who fought side-by-side with Koji against Doctor Hell... Rikka definitely likes her, then.

Leina offers her some words of understanding, and Rikka nods.

"...Yeah. It's kind of hard to accept that sometimes... but you're right." She agrees, before looking toward Sayla.

"...Yeah. It's nice, to know people care about you." Rikka agrees with Sayla... and politely elects not to comment on her next question.

Instead, she watches Yuta leave... and then, a little while return, with something for everyone!

"Oh, thanks, Hibiki." Rikka replies gratefully, accepting the tea. There's always that little bit of gratitude when people remember her preferences. With that she takes a seat, starting to sip at her drink. She watches Leina and Sayla for a moment.

So, this has happened before... Rikka is curious, but she doesn't want to poke at something that's so clearly a painful memory. So, she just sits back.

Now that she knows for sure that Sayla is going to be okay, she can let herself relax a little...

...Hopefully not too much, though. It'd be embarrassing to drift off into a nap right here. 

<Pose Tracker> Nidaime has posed.

Nidaime is soothed by Leina. This seems to be SUPER EFFECTIVE. She's not FEELING GREAT but her wretched sobbing at least ceases and she's down to mild sniffles. That's probably about as good as it's going to be for a minute. Sayla is hard enough to say goodbye to even when she's only going away for a while, let alone the idea of saying goodbye forever.

She needs to prepare her heart. But not today, at least.

"Sayla," She says, calming down enough to speak properly. "I'm sorry for saying I had to leave. I'll stay around. I'll just find..other ways to be careful, okay/ I won't go away. I promise."

She lookd up to Leina as Sayla accuses her of being a pillar.

She exhales for a moment and gives Leina one last squeeze before finally pulling away. "Thanks sis..." She says softly.

She'll have to be a strong kaiju whose shoulder Leina can cry on someday, she decides.

She wipes at her eyes and nose with her wrist. SHE EVEN TOOK A BATH.

She eventually nods to Sayaka. "Hi Sayaka." She says, subdued but. She does say it. 

<Pose Tracker> Renais Cardiff has posed.

Renais nods to Sayaka and Koji. "I appreciate that. I... may consider taking you up on that, at some point, but I think I'm happy in my Gernsback for the time being. Not exactly... pleasant associations, right now." She looks off to the side, and takes a sip from her coffee. She wrinkles her nose.

        Leina's question catches her by surprise, and she glances over at her, eyes a little wide. It barely takes a moment's consideration before she replies, quite sure. "Yes."

        The tension of the moment breaks, all at once, when Yuta comes in and fills her arms with candy. "Oh! Uh, merci, Yuta, Doctor Mass." She slides a couple of the bags into her coat pocket, tearing one open to pop a handful of gummies into her mouth. She seems... a little happier, this way.

        The cyborg steps over toward Nidaime next. Carefully, not wanting to surprise her, she tugs the little kaiju's hood up onto her head, then... pats her gently a few times with a gloved hand. "I don't want you to leave, either, little Anosillus... I think we'd all miss you."

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

Even injured, Sayla is taking charge of the needs of the people around her. Koji sighs, though he smiles at Yuta when he and Sayaka are delivered a plate of pastries. "Thanks, Yuta." Getting the younger kids to move and think about something else for a bit is going to be helpful; the veterans can compartmentalise better.

Renais's movements are gentler than he remembers - she's reaching out to people and taking care to protect them from the unfortunate reality of her nature. Koji's smile broadens a little. "Whether or not you pilot a Mazin, Renais, you'll always be a friend to us."

"If you feel like the Gridman Alliance is struggling with Akane's kaiju," this offered to Yuta as Rikka leans back to relax, "I can take a look at your machines." It won't be the first time he's helped tune up a junkyard kitbash - the impressive round pinkness of Boss Borot looms in his memory for a moment.

He nods in agreement as Renais points out how missed Nidaime would be. "I haven't known you for very long but you've been a delight to get to know, it would be a shame to have you gone so suddenly." 

<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.

Koji introduces Sayaka to Yuta, Rikka, and Nidaime, and she smiles at the trio. "It's nice to meet you all, Yuta, Rikka, Nidaime." She gives an affirming nod and smile to Rikka when she brings up the first-aid classes. "Good. That's a very important skill to have.. especially in this field of work."

When Sayla jokes about Koji not "getting on one knee", it's Sayaka's turn to get flustered. She's sure that day will come eventually, when they can actually say the world is at peace with the help of their efforts. Leina points out her mention of the project. "It's not done yet, but I'd love to tell you all about it when we get the chance."

Yuta briefly leaves the room, and when he returns, snacks for everyone! Pastries for her and Koji.. Sayla definitely knows it's their favourite. "Oh, Sayla, we should be the ones treating you. I won't say no, though. Thank you very much! To you too, Yuta." She takes a bite of a pastry. "As soon as you're out, Sayla, we're booking Boss Ramen, on me."

Koji says that no matter what, Renais is a friend and Sayaka nods. Despite what happened, Sayaka still has a lot of respect for Renais, and even if she's not ready now, the Photon Power Labs will always be a home for her friends and allies. 

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        A lot happens all at once. Leina asks Renais a question and Sayla tenses. "Renais-" But she doesn't get a chance to speak, as Nidaime lets out her fears too. "Nidaime..." She shakes her head. "We'll work it out, okay? We'll work it out." She gives her best reassuring smile.

        The thoughts in the room start to get a little... concerning. Longing. Curiousity. Nidaime's distress. Renais' willingness to sacrifice. And Leina...

        Koji and Sayaka are blessings right now. "I hope you don't mind me bringing guests, Sayaka. Trust me, Nidaime, you'll love it." A reminder to the young kaiju girl. She gives a meaningful look to Renais too. Reminders of the little things that matter. (Leina is assumed invited but she tried Boss's place before Sayla did.)

        And then... Leina just says it and Sayla realizes. "...Since the Axis Shock." That was when Sayla dropped off everyone's radars, and took so long to restablish contact. "It won't be like that again. I promise." She gives a gentle tug on Leina's hand, to guide her into a safe hug. "We're both still here, we're both going to be okay."

        She looks up to the assorted crowd. "I think... things are a little crowded out here." She looks to Koji and Sayaka, then indicates Nidaime and Renais with her eyes. Assigning the adults where they are needed. Yuta and Rikka, though... "Do you mind giving me a breather?"

        She cares for all of them but... Leina is the person she cares for most, more than anyone else. And they need each other right now. 

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

Koji nods. "Sure, let's make some space. C'mon, Nidaime." He smiles warmly at the kaiju girl. "I want to hear more about your parents."

There's something wistful in the look he casts Sayla and Leina on the way out, almost like he finds something about their relationship unaccountably familiar. "I hope you recover soon, Sayla, but not too soon. You need a break." He grins, ducking out of the room before something is thrown at him.

Once out of the room he murmurs to Sayaka, "I think we're not the only ones who've un-retired. She hasn't confirmed it, but those injuries... they're pretty consistent with getting thrown around a cockpit."

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

Yuta smiles as he's thanked. It feels really good to be useful! He crunches away on his apple in the corner of the room, quietly listening to the conversations flowing around the room. When Koji speaks up, Yuta pays attention, then nods seriously. "Yeah. We've been having a rough time. If you wouldn't mind, we could really use someone experienced taking a look at things." Synchrotank could use a tune-up, sure, but could they trust Koji with Junk? If he could find a way to upgrade it, things would get easier for everyone. Yuta decides to bring it up in private.

Rikka has fallen asleep. Yuta is looking at her softly, a little smile on his face. He carefully takes the can of iced tea from her hand, placing it where it won't spill on her. But, Sayla asks for privacy, and Yuta blinks, coming back to reality. "Oh, of course! We'll, um --" He looks at Rikka again. Maybe... He finishes his apple in a few bites, and stuffs the core into his pants pocket.

With more strength than his small frame would reveal, Yuta gently lifts Rikka from the chair. He cradles her into his chest, one arm beneath his knees and the other supporting his back. Bending down, he wobbles a little, but he manages to get her iced tea safely in one hand. "Could someone get the door, please?"

Rikka is so light. And the smell of her hair is so nice, this close to his face. Yuta is careful to make sure her skirt is hanging properly, though he's extremely careful with his hands. It should be pretty easy to get her back to the train like this. Rikka's been working so hard, helping with the school events, piloting Synchrotank, even taking first aid classes. It feels good to be able to do something for her, even if it's small.

"We'll be on our way home. Thank you again, everyone." Yuta makes a movement that might be a bow, but it's hard to tell with someone in his arms. "Sayla, please take it easy and recover! You too, Leina, I know you must have been worried sick. We'll check in soon." 

<Pose Tracker> Nidaime has posed.

Nidaime is reassured. She wanted to be the one doing the reassuring, actually, but she didn't want that dwelling on her any second longer. She wanted to say that well before this happened. Now she has to.

She sas, "Okay." She looks to Leina. She vows sagain one day she'll be a cool boss lady who can be relied on. But right now, she has to do the relying.

She moves towards Sayaka and Koji obediently as directed. She isn't going to argue with someone in a hospital bed.

Renais pulls up a hoodie so she can headpat the turtle girl.

She's at a loss for words. Anything complicated wouldn't feel right so instead she just says, "Um. Thank you, Renais. But Auntie said she needed a breather so--I'll be here, over there."

She wants to give Sayla the requested space.

She pats Renais's shoulder in an attempt to reassure HER and then trudgles after Koji and Saykaa. 

<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.

Sayla asks if Sayaka doesn't mind some guests, and she grins. "Of course I don't mind, and I'm sure Boss would be happy to see some new faces stop by too." She offers a second smile to Nidaime.

From there, the atmosphere of the room darkens a bit when the Axis Shock is mentioned, and Sayla asks for some space. "We'll be heading out, then. Best wishes for your recovery." She exists with Koji and Nidaime.

"Yeah, that's what I thought too. And why else would she be in Kabukicho if she wasn't part of a response team?" Sayaka whispers back to Koji It's something to discuss for another time, though. For now, Sayla just needs to heal. 

<Pose Tracker> Renais Cardiff has posed.

        Renais pauses... she nods, not fully grasping the significance, but certainly grasping that Sayla and Leina need some time alone. "Right... I'll come along. Nidaime, I'll get you some hot chocolate downstairs." She falls into place behind the girl, and promptly tosses her mostly-full cup of coffee into the nearest garbage can once she's out of the room.

<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.


It's a blunt question, as Leina's green eyes fasten onto her however when Renais answers honestly. There's just a quiet nod, of validation perhaps. Because she understands that feeling far too well. Even if she would never ask someone to act upon it... she knows without knowing next to anything about her how much Renais cares.

And that's important to her, when she can't be there herself.

Nidaime's words though... "It's-" 'not your fault' she wants to say to Nidaime even after Sayla says they'll work it out. However before she can. Nidaime lets go of her, and Leina's eyes open in wonder, "Nidaime?" Pause, and she tries to validate her maturity, "Hey... anytime."

As she accepts the Mochi Ice Cream from Yuta - well she knows instantly what Sayla texted him. "Ah thanks Yuta." She says, subdued, though she doesn't start to unwrap it yet. She wishes she could answer Sayaka right now, take her up on that date, force Sayla to commit to it, but she can't because a certain spectre looms over them.

The 'Axis Shock.' And Leina just gives a quiet nod, as if remembering the near ruination it brought to their happiness afterwards. The position it's still putting them in now, with Sayla being in this hospital bed.

However, for once, she doesn't refute it, doesn't argue, doesn't say anything else at all.

Putting down the ice cream on the bedside table too, beside her coffee as Sayla guides her into a safe hug. She doesn't squeeze her too hard, she hardly applies any weight to her at all. As if she were afraid she'd break if she did. Her forehead touches her shoulder so lightly, that it feels like if Sayla tilted backwards, she would stay right where she is so as not to burden her.

For a few seconds longer, she stays strong, but then, just... with a light sniff, it's clear to everyone in the room, she's crying against Sayla's shoulder, and trying her best to hide that from everyone. She's not someone who likes to cry in front of other people, or at all...

... but the recent days have given her plenty of reason to.

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