2022-10-11: Syzygy
- Cast: Banagher Links, Leina Ashta, Mineva Lao Zavi
- Where: Orbital Ring
- Date: U.C. 0096 10 11
- Summary: In astronomy, a syzygy is a roughly straight-line configuration of three or more celestial bodies in a gravitational system. The term is often applied when the Sun and Moon are in conjunction or opposition.
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
The Orbital Ring
The platform to Sweetwater flies shuttles regularly, but today people on it are relatively sparse. Just a handful are waiting for the next shuttle, and there isn't much cargo being transported to the platform.
As a result there are so many empty spaces about that are underutilized. Right now, a girl in a wheelchair, wearing a light cream colored, worn jeans, and sneakers is taking up one of those with a boy.
An alcove that ends in a cordoned off maintenance door that gives them an angle on the platform while being remote enough to give them relative privacy to say their farewells.
And that means privacy even from Judau and Roux, whom Sayla have distracted away so the two can have a proper goodbye.
"Don't worry. We only have to lay low for a while, and this will be good for you."
Leina is trying her best to smile, but she hates partings. She always has. "I'm sure Sayla's expert will be able to help you get a handle on the Unicorn."
Leina looks away from him for a moment, and takes a deep breath, as if getting herself ready for this.
It won't be eight years. Just a while. And it's Sweetwater, not Jupiter.
Looking back at him, she radiates this sense of warmth, trying not to worry him too much, "I'll text you every day, hopefully the Minovsky interference won't be too dense... we can start planning our next date for when you're back."
There's a pause, and her wheelchair moves closer, "One last kiss for the road?" She asks him, but certainly doesn't demand it.
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
Still in his ill-fitting replacement clothes, Banagher has dragged a spare chair over to the alcove. It puts him on eye-level with Leina, thankfully -- he doesn't want her to have to tilt her head up to talk to him with a hurt back. He's grateful for Sayla's discretion, and the privacy of the alcove.
Despite his efforts, it's clear Banagher is pretty miserable. He's trying to push it away, not wanting to spoil his last few minutes with Leina. Being sent off alone to meet someone he doesn't know is depressingly similar to the time after his mother died.
Managing a smile, he nods to Leina. "Y--yeah. It's important to know how she works, and how I can become a better pilot. And you'll be able to have some time with Judau and Roux. I know you've been wanting that for ages."
He can tell Leina's putting on a brave face, too. Banagher reaches out, taking her hand softly, basking in the warmth of her energy. He tries memorize the way her short hair falls, the tug of her smile, and expecially the feeling of Leina's aura. Warm, sunlit expressions of selfless love.
"As soon as we have things figured out, I'll come back to you." Banagher promises, his voice soft. "I'll send lots of pictures of Sweetwater. Maybe they've got some tourist attractions?"
Probably not.
Banagher laughs softly, leaning in to Leina. One hand cups her cheek, and he kisses her once. There's no lip gloss this time, but Banagher still thinks she tastes sweet. Leaning back just a bit, he kisses her again, then again -- three times, total.
"As many as you like." Banagher says, blushing. "I'll think of you every day, and -- I'll work hard. The next time we meet, we'll have the best date ever."
<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.
Out of the frying pan, and into Limbo...
Mineva managed to escape from the Gwennangorn as it came into dock, narrowly avoiding a likely transfer to a proper prison. The plan worked flawlessly!
Up to a point.
The problem is that the only way out, short of hijacking a shuttle, is through customs; there may be other avenues, but she hasn't yet found them, despite searching.
So she's spent the past several days staying in a cheap hotel, wearing the same clothes, eating from vending machines and food stands.
It's been a trying weekend for Mineva Zabi.
She's sitting at a coffee stand, staring into her cup, when she feels it... feels him.
It's like a breath of fresh air in this stale sea of humanity. A clarion call over the din. Quickly, she stands, leaving payment next to her untouched cup... and she runs.
I'm coming...!
She weaves between people and through corridors, stumbling over herself in a rush, not paying attention to *where* this is leading her... because she doesn't need to. The closer she gets, the stronger the feeling is. It's more than just him... but he's there. That's what's important.
She arrives at the Sweetwater platform out of breath, heart racing. Her eyes fix on a mop of dark brown hair... and there's nothing she'd rather see right now than that.
"Banagher!" she calls out. Her hair is a tousled mess, clothes stained and dirtied... but she doesn't care. It's him!
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
When he reaches out, she gives him his hand, curling his fingers into his, she understands by the tremor in his voice that he's in a similar place. "You'll get there. Don't push yourself too hard, too fast."
Before she laughs, then winks at him, "Sure, use your best judgment." That might seem like an unusual statement on sending her lots of pictures, but Leina knows something about Sweetwater perhaps that Banagher doesn't...
... what it gave birth to.
Leina though, kisses Banagher gently, there's a light osculation of her lips across his before they part from the first. "Setting my expectations pretty high, aren't you?" She says with a sense of mischief.
However, there's a feeling, something indirect - like it's coming from Banagher more than the source, being directed through him at this point.
And - 'Banagher!' Leina turns and she sees someone she hasn't met before face to face-
Trappedtrappedtrappedtrappedtrappedtrappedcantgetoutcantgetoutcantgetout
The pressure of a hand upon her shoulder.
The sight of a shorter red haired girl in clothes that seem ill-suited for her.
The hand of that girl forcefully taken by a much taller woman with purple hair.
Only a view from behind. Inmates in separate gilded cages.
The two march forward with their wardens into the light...
It's just a moment, and Leina smiles as she regains her composure and tells Banagher without hesitation, "Go to her." There's an urgency in her tone, "You've been waiting for this moment for so long."
And when he almost certainly does, she just moves behind her at a steady pace, with a smile, letting the two reunite in this moment.
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
"I'll have plenty of time to plan out something great, right?" There's a bittersweet tone to his words, but he manages to keep his smile. Before he can go on, Banagher stops, his eyes widening. "Audrey..." A whispered word, murmured like it's something sacred. He turns to look around, a new light shimmering in his eyes. "Leina, I think --"
A vision hits him. Two girls, far too young to be used this way. Tools of a regime. It isn't a shock, knowing what he knew about Leina's captivity, and he could certainly imagine what Audrey must've been through... But all the same, horror and anger flash hot in his core.
Banagher grabs one of Leina's hands in both of his own, holding tight. "You're safe. And so is she. I promise, I promise." Fierce, protective love burns, white-hot. "Please, come meet her, she's -- wonderful. You're going to love her." Every word is breathless, the young man nearly manic with the emotion of feeling the two girls he's bonded with so close. "Thank you." He murmurs, at Leina's words.
And with that, he's off, tearing across the thankfully-uncrowded loading area. "Audrey!" He calls in response, running so frantically he almost loses his footing once. "Audrey..!"
When he reaches her, Banagher wraps her in his arms, holding her close to his body. After a moment, he lifts her into the air and spins, laughing, before putting her back down. "I'm so -- I'm so happy -- you're here, you're safe!" Reaching out, he keeps his fingers knit with Audrey's own. It's as though he fears she'll disappear into mist if he lets go.
"How... you were in Torrington, how did you get here? Is anyone coming after you?" Banagher clings to her, tears sparkling in his eyes. Her rejection in the past is entirely forgotten, nothing matters but the fact that she's /here/. "I won't leave you again."
As Leina approaches, Banagher's smile only gets that much brigher. "Audrey, I want you to meet someone. This is Leina Ashta. We met when I was searching for the Box, and we're dating now." Despite these words, he still holds tight to Audrey's hand, as though blind to the possible contradiction of his actions. "She's brave, and kind, and wonderful. Leina saved me from the NT-D at Torrington."
The words tumble out of his mouth, one after the other. Banagher has never radiated this much pure joy before. Even the bags beneath his eyes seem lighter. If he was capable of it, he'd be glowing.
<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.
Mineva--Audrey--can't help shifting her gaze to Leina, showing no familiarity with the memory she's just witnessed... but she shows understanding. Sadness.
The smaller girl isn't her. But she knows... at least somewhat.
Audrey holds out her arms as Banagher runs to her, clinging tightly against him. His laughter is infectious--she laughs too. She's forgotten about all of her worries, the struggles... she's just...
He's here.
She squeezes his hands, clings just as tightly. She wants this moment, this feeling...
She blinks once. There's... a bit of surprise as he explains that he's dating Leina. The joy mellows a little. This feeling... it's not jealousy. Anxiety. The fear that... that things have changed too much. An opportunity gone. But even that's tempered by happiness, the joy of knowing that he wasn't alone.
So she turns to Leina again, beaming bright. "It's lovely to meet you, Leina. I'm... Audrey Burne." A brief glance at Banagher, then back, laughing as she continues, "Though it doesn't sound like you need me to tell you that." She grows a little more serious for a moment, adding, "And it seems like you know my other name already... Mineva Zabi. But please. Call me Audrey." Releasing one hand from Banagher's, she curtsies with the hem of her long shirt. "Thank you... I'm so grateful to you for taking care of Banagher." Despite that pang of anxiety, she's genuinely happy. She gives his hand a firm squeeze.
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
"I know. Just unexpected... I'm okay now."
Leina has full faith in what Banagher says on how wonderful she is. And he can tell just by how she feels afterwards, when she comes down from the initial shock of the unexpected appearance. She's looking forward to this too.
Leina's rolls at a more sedate pace given her injured back, smiling at the reunion between the two. There's nothing to indicate she's upset by these turn of events. If anything she just seems happy to see them both together.
There's a light laugh at the way Banagher introduces her, but its cut short by a wince. She was going to ask which name she prefers, Audrey or Mineva, however Mineva clarifies that right away, and there is no need, "You're so welcome." Leina smiles Mineva's way. "And Audrey it is, for as long as you'd prefer it."
In her eyes, Audrey gets to define who she is, and noone else. Audrey curtsies, but there's just this air of informality around Leina, this casualness.
"He doesn't give himself enough credit. Really he saved himself, by who he is." She winks at Mineva, "The two of us just gave him a little nudge."
Because, indeed she felt her presence, and knows she deserves her efforts to be acknowledged.
However, Leina feels that anxiety from her, and perhaps - she can guess what a girl like her is feeling, "He missed you each and every day. Anytime he got to talking about you, he couldn't stop." There's just this openness, this smile, this warmth, "As for me, I've been waiting eight years for this moment."
The wheelchair rolls up to Audrey and... there's no bow, no curtsie, even if she were uninjured, she'd do the same thing.
All she does is extend her hand, for her to take - to shake, if she wishes to. "It's very nice to finally meet you. It wasn't you back then, I realized the moment I brushed against your presence at Torrington but-"
A beat pause, a sparkle of - something in those green eyes, "-I suspect that changes very little about how I feel, every single time I thought of you."
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
Banagher had forgotten how beautiful Audrey is. Lost in the moment, he feels lighter than air. A memory from Torrington comes to his mind -- he felt this lightness then, too. Suspended between twin gravities, held safe in their embrace. Such a pure sensation of freedom, as though even gravity can't touch him.
The hint of distress in Audrey's emotions isn't lost on him. Banagher is puzzled, for the length of a heartbeat, and then -- ah. Realization sinks in. He'd never planned ahead for this moment. What... How do you handle a moment like this? The girl you knew was your soul mate at first glance, and the girl you've fallen in love through actually spending time together.
Banagher wants them both. Desperately. He can't imagine being apart from Leina or Audrey.
Is that a possibility? Would either of them want that? How do you even begin a conversation like that? As he ponders, Leina and Audrey seem to be getting along well together. Thank goodness for that much. Squeezing Audrey's hand in return, he gives her a brilliant smile.
"I have so much to tell you." A memory appears, of a young lady with long violet hair. "And someone else who desperately wants to meet you."
Leina gets a warm smile of approval at the way she greets Audrey. He knew Leina wouldn't treat Audrey as the princess she is -- Audrey wouldn't want that. But it feels good for his trust in her to be proven right. For a moment, he considers filling Audrey in on what Leina means about eight years ago, but that's Leina's story to tell. Banagher wouldn't take that choice away from her.
"I'm so happy." Banagher says, glancing between the two women. "You're both here, you're safe -- it's everything I could wish for. Do you want to go back to our alcove and talk a little? We've still got time before we need to go." The realization that their time /is/ limited makes Banagher offer a sudden option. "Audrey, I'm going to Sweetwater to meet a mobile suit specialist. Leina's going home to recover. Come with me?" It's spoken so hopefully, Banagher's whole heart in his words. "We'll be safer together."
<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.
Audrey takes Leina's hand without a moment's hesitation, shaking it firmly. "He's stronger than he knows," she agrees, smiling, looking over at Banagher as Leina explains. She giggles softly, cheeks flushing pink.
"I'm flattered... but... I hope that didn't make you feel too jealous." She looks over at Leina again, and her blush deepens just slightly at the remark. "--and... how do you feel?" she asks, a little cautiously, perhaps even a little flustered.
She beams at Banagher, nodding, "I'd love to meet her. We have so much to catch up on... and I can't wait."
Sweetwater. Memories spill out of her... memories of home. Happiness. Living something like a normal life, one very unlike the one led by the 'Mineva' that Leina knew. "Let's go sit down," she agrees. "Sweetwater... I'd like that. I really would."
Following the other two, she continues, "... but I don't know if I can. I escaped from the Gwennangorn a few days ago... they were going to transfer me, I think. Probably to an actual prison." She shakes her head, folding her arms. "It was a clean escape, but..." She shrugs. "I've been stuck here. I need papers to go through customs, and I can't exactly tell them I'm Mineva Lao Zabi, Princess of Zeon."
She gives a nervous little chuckle. "I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do. But if we can figure something out, I'd.... I'd really love to come with you."
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
"He is." Leina agrees, with a firm shake of her hand.
"Hmm?" Leina blinks owlishly on the idea of jealously examining her blush, and then... there's a snerk, "Pfft, he told me he felt you two were soulmates even before we started to date." There may have been moments when she was worried she was jealous? Worried she'd turn into that girl...
But she finds after meeting her face to face, she's not? "I'm not going to even try to compete with that. But we connected - strongly, the first time we met. So I still decided to be there for him, and to ask him out. I hope you don't mind either?"
And truly, it does seem like she cares strongly about Mineva's feelings in this moment. That she's not asking her out of jealousy herself.
There's a look of wonder at Banagher's memory of a girl with violet hair. Someone who wants to meet Audrey? She doesn't say anything. She could speculate but - best she wait for him to tell her himself.
Happy memories spill out of Mineva, and there's something like... relief? Coming from her. "Yeah, let's get out of sight, just in case."
Leina takes out her phone, and taps out a text as the wheelchair moves onward. Audrey will note there's no visible controls, and she's not propelling it herself, so it's very obvious what kind of mechanism it is, "Just letting someone know we need more time." She promises. And indeed, she doesn't tap anything in a text about Mineva.
"The shuttles leave every half hour. It'll be fine."
Leina puts her phone aside into her purse, and looks sideways, "Yeah. Sadly I'm not in a good place for travel right now. It'll be another month at least before I'm on my feet." She doesn't say how she got injured, but Mineva can probably guess. "I really wish I could come with you both, but that's just how it is."
Mineva describes how she escapes, and her current predicament. And there's a thoughtful look, and... "I think I might be able to help you with that. Uhhhh god, this is usually a little awkward..." There's a lengthy pause, a lopsided smile as she decides how to phrase this, "... So, I came into the custody of Sayla Mass - eight years ago just after..." There's a light sigh, and she looks rueful, "... what you saw, I was a prisoner of war under strange circumstances."
While she's a bit vague, it's not because she's lying or trying to hide something, it feels like it's just painful, "Anyhow - I know that she fought for the Federation during the One Year War, but that wasn't by her choice. She was forcefully conscripted under threat of imprisonment. And her beliefs... might surprise you, given what most people know her for..."
It is an assumption that Mineva might be worried about her given her history as a Federation hero, "... in any case she's my Guardian and... she has connections. I'm going to bet she could get you those credentials with a single phone call."
She gives Mineva an apologetic look. "I can't guarantee she'll think that's the best course, for you to go to Sweetwater to lay low with him? However, there's a good chance she might at that. If you're willing to take that risk, then I'll let her know, she's nearby."
Folding her hands in her lap, she looks serious, determined, "Whatever she decides, I can promise you that she'd help you stay out of the reach of both the Federation and the Sleeves, for as long as she could."
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
Blushing from the praise, Banagher can't help but grin. "Thank you," he manages, shyly.
Leina's reaction is surprising. It sounds like -- she's okay with the way he feels about Audrey? A little glimmer of hope ignites in his heart. Maybe this could work out. "I--!" Banagher starts, then blushes and closes his mouth.
Leading the way back to their little alcove, Banagher makes sure to grab another free chair. It's awkward to carry while holding Audrey's hand, but he stubbornly refuses to let go. When they make it back, he waits for Leina to position herself, then places the chairs for himself and Audrey close to wheelchair.
Once they're all settled, Banagher reaches out for Leina's hand on one side, and Audrey's on the other. "I wish we could all go together." He murmurs, eyes soft. Leina's hand gets a gentle squeeze as she talks about her time as a prisoner of war. Someday, Banagher hopes these two have time to talk about it in more detail. Maybe they could help each other heal. "But you getting time to recover is far more important."
"I didn't know you'd been to Sweetwater before." Banagher says, in response to Audrey's memories. He smiles at the glimpses of normalcy that he can pick up. "I hope it'll be good to be back. Maybe we can visit old friends of yours?"
A fierce determination enters Banagher's eyes when Audrey talks about her escape. It's one the Leina and Audrey have assuredly seen before, at different points. "The Gwennangorn crew allowed that? I thought I could trust them." He glares down at the floor. Lilith and Alma... Why would they allow this? Maybe they didn't have a choice. "I'm so thankful you were able to escape. You really are amazing."
With a shake of his head, Banagher continues. "I won't let you be alone anymore. I'm sure Sayla can work out a way for you to come with me. I'm not exactly cleared to travel either. Not to mention the Unicorn." Now that Audrey has made her way back to him, nothing in the Earthsphere could tear him away from her. "I won't go if you can't."
"Maybe --" Once Leina talks about Sayla's connections and capabilities, Banagher steels himself. "Maybe Audrey would be safer at the Villa with you guys. What do you think, Leina? If Sayla would be okay with it."
It'd be horrible to be parted from Audrey right as he found her again, but -- her safety matters most. Just like Leina's. Banagher's heart hammers in his chest, full of icy fear despite himself.
<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.
Audrey turns crimson. "S-Soul mates..." She sputters, flustered and perhaps a little overwhelmed. "I-- er..." Her expression softens, and she squeezes Banagher's hand extra tight. "... So you're okay with that, then," she concludes.
She smiles softly. "I wouldn't want to get in the way of what you two have, though, either..." She glances off to one side, searching and thoughtful. "If there's room in your hearts... then there's room in mine."
"I didn't have a lot of friends in Sweetwater, but I'm sure there are a few people we can check in on... it's been a while. I left pretty soon after..."
Why? After all you taught me about the horrors of war... why would you...
Far away, seen through a colony window, a world reaches out as one. An aurora traces a loop around the Earth.
You're wrong. There's still hope for this world.
"... after Axis."
"I don't know who ordered the transfer, or why. I was just confined to quarters, and nobody told me why. I could guess, though. Before that, they always told me *why*, and it was always when the ship came into combat. It was probably an order from above, though... I can't imagine Captain Aiden deciding on it herself."
Leina explains her idea--and there's a brief look of surprise, followed by a smile of relief, as she talks about Sayla. It's difficult to say *why*, but she seems to find the prospect comforting.
She shakes her head. "I'm not worried. I've heard about the sort of work she does, and... I think she'll be willing to help. Especially after I've had the chance to explain." The prospect of *not* going to Sweetwater does earn some disappointment from her, but she shakes her head. "If we're separated again, I know we can find each other." She looks at Banagher. "I'll make sure of it. I swear..."
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
When Banagher reaches for her hand, she gives it, however she maneuvers the wheelchair first a bit to make certain she can sit up straight to do so, curling her fingers into his palm, letting that warmth flood throughout it...
... 'so you're okay with that, then,' 'if there's room in your hearts'
Leina's mind momentarily blanks, as if she's trying to parse the context that Mineva means that comment, and it's her turn to flush gently, pink from the tips of her ears all the way to her nose.
She doesn't fluster easily, however in this moment, she does.
Because, in which way does she mean that? She decides not to read into it too much for now but that doesn't halt that feeling, "I-um, yes." She swallows, "I am. We can-" She struggles for a moment, "-figure it out as we go? If that works for you."
There's that moment when Mineva discusses Sweetwater and Axis As that sight, those strong emotions flow into her head.
And Leina puts her free hand to her temple and rubs.
"You were right. There is."
Leina asides, absently, like the feelings of the moment took precedence to her over anything about Sweetwater. It feels like it's harder to feel her in this moment, like Axis just makes her more distant naturally as a subject, like she simply has to blunt the impact to everyone of the pain those long two weeks brought her...
... but the smile on her face is both sympathetic, validating, and warm all in one. "Still hope. And potential - possibility."
Mineva's story aboard the Gwennangorn causes a grimace to her features given what it implies, "Bright must be struggling against the pressure the Vist Foundation is putting on him. They control so many levers of power within the Federation, it's hard for him to openly resist."
There's open relief when Mineva seems to be open to trusting Sayla. Leina was... worried that the Zabi scion might not, and for understandable reasons. "Thank goodness. Alright. I'll start... drafting the message to her." And with that, she uses the hand to grab her phone, unlock it, and one handed tap a message.
There's some deliberation, and Banagher suggests... the Villa? Leina blinks her eyes several times as if she might have misheard him. Then there's a tilt of her head in thought, as she tries to put herself in Sayla's headspace for this. "I'd absolutely house you both there if I thought we could pull it off. However, while Sayla's connections and security are impressive, she'd be keeping you a secret against the considerable resources of the Vist Foundation, Federation Intelligence, and Neo-Zeon's backers. That might be too much even for her."
There's a pause, as she works it out - aloud for them both to hear, "More likely she sends you to Sweetwater, since - Audrey is already here past security and customs. Any other path requires us to go through many more security checkpoints or risky action. If Audrey was run through facial recognition software at Earth customs - I imagine we could get her through but the computers would pass it along instantly, and that gives them an immediate trail to sniff out."
There's an apologetic look Audrey's way, "More likely if she brought you down to Earth she'd ferry you away to some safehouse until things have blown over." It turns into a smile again, "However, I think there's a good chance she'll send you both together. I think she can do more on that side without making big moves."
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
Banagher's heart beats fast as Audrey says the words, "soul mates". She squeezes his hand -- she doesn't seem upset by it. Maybe... she felt the same, from the very start? Maybe her feelings were as strong as Banagher's own?
And then -- Audrey offers exactly what Banagher's been hoping for. A sharp intake of breath is the only reaction he gives, though both women must be able to sense how hopeful he is. Leina's opinion is the one that matters, here.
It's exceptionally rare to see Leina blushing, and Banagher can't help but smile at the sight. The soft pink covering her cheeks is so charming, such a rare, genuine expression of emotion from the usually guarded girl. Her words make his heart soar. "Yes!" Banagher says, the moment she stops talking. "I couldn't -- having to choose would be --" Banagher shakes his head, as though even saying it out loud would be too much. "I l-- I want to be with both of you. More than anything."
Desperately, he hopes he doesn't come across as selfish or creepy. From the earnest expression on his face to the radiant shine of love in his heart, it's pretty clear his feelings are genuine.
"After Axis..."
Despite the strength of their bond, there's still so much he doesn't know about Audrey. What her life was like, then. How must she have felt, witnessing the Miracle from so far away? Banagher knows the toll it took on Leina -- maybe not in exact detail, but the distress that radiates from her whenever she thinks about it is enough to give him an idea.
Banagher glances at Leina with concern as her emotions fade away just a bit. "I think... the two of you should talk about it together, sometime." Not sure how else to respond, Banagher simply squeezes Audrey's hand tightly. "I'll be with you in Sweetwater every second, if you want me to be."
"The next time I see Captain Aiden, or Alma -- I'm going to have words with them." Banagher murmurs, an angry note in his voice. "I want to hear their side of this. What really matters is that you got away, and you're safe." Secretly, he's worried Audrey's almost-imprisonment is some kind of punishment for his actions at Torrington, and the idea frightens him.
"I know you will." Banagher says, when Audrey swears to find him, if they're separated once more. "It won't be like before ever again."
Leina mentions Bright, and Banagher's eyes get that sparkly sheen they do whenever a veteran of White Base is brought up. "If my father was still alive, I'm sure things would be easier. Maybe..." Banagher turns to Leina. "...if I publicly claim him as my father, do you think I could do something to make the Foundation stop, even a little? Or would it just put us in more danger? I don't want a hero like Bright to have to deal with their garbage."
"It wouldn't be fair to ask Sayla to endure all that, not while she's healing." Banagher nods. Of course, he's glad that Audrey won't be taken away from him again, but the worry for her safety remains. "Sayla needs to focus on herself and you. Though I'm sure she's going to try and figure out how to save Amuro, too."
The world of intrigue so familiar to Audrey and Leina is a little baffling to Banagher. Not that he doesn't understand the need for secrecy, but the depth of the care they'll need to take is just a bit overwhelming. "Thank you, Leina." He says, as she begins to draft the message. "Do you need your other hand?" Notably, he doesn't let go unless she says she does. Banagher hasn't forgotten that they'll soon be parted.
<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.
Audrey shakes her head and sighs, "Sorry... it... I didn't mean to do that." She bites her lip. She knows how difficult a moment like that would have been for others like her... the last thing she wants to do is pile any more of that onto them.
She nods to Leina, "We'll take it as we go." A smile, as she pushes those old memories back away. "I agree with Leina... it's a bad idea for me to go to Earth right now. Any way we leave is going to be a risk, it's just a question of how little risk we can manage to take."
Looking up, she brushes an unruly bit of hair away from her eye. "God, I look like a mess... this isn't how I wanted to meet again..." She knows Banagher will say he doesn't care. But it still leaves her feeling self-conscious...
Banagher suggests coming forward as Cardeas Vist's son, and she shakes her head. "No. That's going to put a target on your back, Banagher--another one. I don't know what they'd do with the Unicorn, but... they meant to do something with it."
Whatever is in Laplace's Box... Audrey shuts her eyes tight. There are so many willing to hurt, willing to *kill* for it...
Can they trust anyone with the Unicorn?
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
"It's okay." Leina tries to tell Audrey, supportive, validating on what she saw. "With three Newtypes like us - it's bound to happen. And both Banagher and me know what that's like. We'll take those moments as they come too - together."
I l-- I want to be with both of you. More than anything.
Leina knows what he wants to say there, and there's something in her heart that flutters. Again she wonders how much of it is the bond, and how much... still she can't help but smile, at the feelings. "We'll figure it out." She promises to him.
Banagher suggests that Audrey and her should talk, and Leina's green eyes find Audrey's own, the look she gives her isn't one of trepidation. It's more like she's steeling herself for the future.
"I'd like that." There's no lie in those words, "I think we'll have a lot to talk about, when there's time."
Banagher talks about confronting Captain Aiden or Alma and - "Banagher. If they followed orders regarding Audrey, they're likely looking to arrest you." She warns, "Be careful, please?"
However... there's the idea of publically claiming Cardeas as his father, and Leina considers it, looking aside at Audrey as if trying to gauge her thoughts too, and there's a nod at the idea of a target on his back, then, "Blood and heritage is... a power amplifier in the Federation. It needs to be played carefully. If you don't have the clout to back it up, then... like Audrey says, it just makes you a target."
There's a sigh and a shake of her head, the soft fuzzy brown hair only shifting subtly at the motion, "I don't think it would allow Bright to push back, what'd be more useful is some... leverage, some proof that they're involved in something that would be inconvenient to the Federation to get out. Something big enough that they couldn't make it go away with a few phone calls."
Honestly, Leina hates discussions of blood and parentage, but - she unfortunately understands it better than she likes, when she had to spend almost a year in the company of a Neo-Zeon fop with Zabi blood.
There's a pause, as Banagher mentions that Sayla is going to try and figure out how to save Amuro. A slow blink of her eyes, then just a nod with closed eyes. It's hard to feel anything from her in this moment, she's shored up those walls, that Sayla has taught her to erect.
However, she seems to lighten immediately as he asks if she needs her hand, "Banagher. I'm in high school." There's a grin on her face as she makes a light joke, "I'd consider myself a failure as a high school girl if I couldn't tap a text one handed." And indeed, while looking at him, she continues to tap it without even looking.
Newtype Spatial Awareness almost feels like cheating sometimes for mundane tasks.
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
"It's okay. I can't control it either." Banagher says, sympathetically. "Leina offered to teach me how to put walls up, but -- well, it'll have to be later. Maybe we can learn together."
"Maybe, when Leina's doing better, we can all meet up somewhere safe. We can all go on a date! There's got to be lots of places without too many unfriendly eyes." Banagher offers. "And before that, we can text each other all the time. I wouldn't want Audrey to be bored while I'm working with Unicorn, anyway. Do you have a phone, Audrey? I'm sure we can find one around here, if you need one."
What kinds of dates do you go on with three people? Is that any different than with two? Banagher wonders to himself. Swimming comes to mind, but only when Leina's ready for it. Maybe seeing another play or musical, maybe flying... Maybe he could ask Sayla's contact to install another passenger seat in the Unicorn, just in case.
Turning his attention back to Leina, Banagher asks, "Do you know anything about this specialist Sayla's sending me to see?"
"You're right." His shoulders slump a little. "Alma and Captain Aiden wouldn't have a choice, I guess, they could've been court martialed. For the moment, maybe it's better to try and avoid anyone in the Federation." A little frown. "Though I still feel like I need to spend time with people who believe in the Federation. I learned so much about Neo-Zeon from the Garencieres' crew, it's only right to give the Federation the same chance."
But how would he keep Audrey safe, if he pursued this idea? Is there any Federation crew that wouldn't immediately arrest him and seize the Unicorn?
As expected, Banagher immediately tries to push aside Audrey's worries. "You look beautiful." Reaching out, he helps tuck a bit of hair behind Audrey's ear. "Besides, I'm a mess, too. All my clothes are still with Captain Zinnerman, and -- well. He probably threw them out the airlock. I hope he at least would take care of Haro." He sounds a little embarrassed -- something must've happened between the two.
Listening to Leina and Audrey's reasons he shouldn't come forward, Banagher nods, slowly. "I wish I could use my family for something, instead of just being used by them. There's got to be something I can do with it." He pauses, thinking. "Leverage... Some kind of proof they've been doing something wrong. With everything they've been doing, there's got to be plenty of skeletons in their closet. I just -- don't know how we'd go about finding them." Banagher breathes out in a little huff.
Leina's joke succeeds! Banagher laughs, nodding. "I had a friend, her name was Micott. She could text one handed under a desk faster than you would believe." His eyes turn a little sad. "I hope she's doing well." Almost without realizing, Banagher has lumped Micott in the same group as his friends who died at Industrial 7. Someone lost to him permanently in his new life. Unfortunately for Micott, he doesn't seem particularly distressed by this.
<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.
\Audrey nods to Banagher, "I can help, too... it's an important skill." She nods. And to the suggestion of a date, her cheeks flush pink again, and she nods to the two. "Y-yeah. I'd like that... um, I don't have one." She lifts up the ratty-looking bag in her hand. "This is all I've got. A EFSF uniform and some medical supplies I took from the infirmary," she whispers.
"If I have a phone, it's probably still on the Garencieres," she laughs. "I didn't want them to be able to track me... of course, they found me anyway, but." Audrey smiles at Banagher, then looks at Leina. "Has he told you how we met?"
She blushes a little as she thinks about it, and beams at the compliment--though her smile quickly turns to concern. "Threw them out the airlock...? What in the world... why would Zinnerman do that?" She frowns deeply. "Did you two get in a fight or something?"
Ugh.
"I don't know much about the Vist Foundation... if we can trust this technician Dr. Mass is sending the Unicorn to... maybe we'll get some clues from whatever she finds out. Right now... there's not much we can do except wait. We need to be ready to act, but we don't know enough to do anything except what we're doing now." She rubs the back of her neck with her free hand.
"The Sleeves..." She's conflited about them. Very conflicted. She cares about the crew of the Garencieres, but the movement... "No. We don't know enough about... anyone who wants the Box, yet." She presses her lips together tightly.
She doesn't seem to trust any of the players after the Box. And yet, she doesn't seem bothered at all by the idea of the Unicorn being examined by someone at Sayla Mass' behest...? There's something about her that seems different.
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
"I'll do my best. I'm not an expert at it like Sayla... but even learning to protect yourselves a little would help. Especially if Newtypes are going to be after you both."
She doesn't say Full Frontal, but it's certainly a grim consideration on her mind. "Newtypes powerful enough to overwhelm it are rare."
Banagher was one of them, certainly. And it's becoming more and more difficult with the bond they've forged. She suspects... it'll be difficult soon with Audrey too.
The mention of a date with all three of them causes her to fumble her phone, which she catches before it rocks off her knee. "Uh- sure. That'd be a good way for all of us to get to know each other better." There's certainly some anxiety, but overall she feels good about the idea? "No pressure, no expectations. We just see how it goes." And then she gives Mineva this easy smile, "He sure did. I'm glad he was able to sense you in time to come to your aid. It wasn't so dramatic for us? We uh, met on the street of a Colony slum I grew up in?"
There's a gentle pause, and rather than asking about Audrey's phone since Banagher did - and instead she doesn't have one, "I'll cover you getting one." She tells her, "Whether you go to Sweetwater or stay here. I'll see if we can't get you proper encryption for it too so you don't have to worry about that again."
A beat... and she casually transitions to asking.
"Hey Audrey, is there anything you enjoy doing in your spare time?"
It feels only right that even if it's the three of them, that they make it something Audrey can enjoy. And she can't decide that without knowing anything about her.
On the expert, Leina just gives a shake of her head, "Sorry, I don't. Sayla kind of - tries to keep me away from 'business' if she can help it. I'm guessing she's a Newtype technology expert? Or a Mobile Suit Engineer? I don't know."
She watches Mineva and Banagher interact with a smile before trying to reassure Banagher, "I'm very upset with Captain Zinnerman right now, but even I don't think he'd be that cruel. If he had orders - sure? But who's going to be petty enough to order him to mistreat your Haro?"
Audrey asking if they got into a fight. Leina sideeyes Banagher, but lets him ultimately tell her.
She gives him a sympathetic look, as he wishes he could use his family for something but... it's hard for her to relate to that struggle. The only blood relation that matters to her in this world is her older brother. She can't imagine wanting to let the world know she's her father - or mother's daughter.
Trying to claim any part of them, feels wrong to her.
"Me neither." She says quietly, before...
The joke succeeds, and despite the sadness, she tries to ground him in just a more hopeful idea. "Oh yeah? If you ever run into her again, I'd like to meet her."
There is this growing thread of confusion in Leina as she watches Audrey closely. Why does the Zabi Princess trust Sayla so readily when she doesn't seem to anyone else? It can't just be her charity work right? Is it just because Banagher trusts Leina so much? It's not something that makes her suspicious - there's no malicious intent looming, it's just something Leina notes and is baffled by.
"I think it's a good idea for us to assume noone in the Sleeves, or the Federation, or the Vist Foundation should have what's in the Box at least. As for who should?" There's this, light sigh, "I don't know. I'm not sure how Cardeas expected Banagher to make that kind of judgment call without really knowing anything about what it is?"
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
For some reason, the memory of his meeting with Audrey is what makes Banagher flustered. "I didn't mention this part, but -- once I saved her, she pinned me with my face in the dirt the second we landed. Audrey had no idea who I was, and so was worried I was someone after her."
Banagher Links, capable of fighting off grown Neo-Zeon soldiers and Cyber-Newtypes, but easily taken down by a princess.
"I'd be grateful!" Banagher says, with a smile, though that quickly fades at Audrey's lack of a phone. "You can always have mine, but there's gotta be a shop selling burner phones in a place like this." He glances around, as if hoping to see one nearby. "We can put some stickers on it, if you want! Or maybe a little charm..." Leina offers to cover it, and Banagher gives her hand a gentle squeeze. "You're the best, Leina. Thank you."
Banagher's own communicator is from Captain Zinnerman. Maybe he should change it out for a new phone, too. Though that would mean losing the cute green Haro sticker plastered to one side -- even if part of it is peeling up and caked in sand.
"W--well." Banagher blushes. "Before the battle at Torrington, he was... Really not himself. Talking about how he was glad people were getting hurt. I know that isn't him, and I got so angry!"
Flashes of the fight play out in Banagher's mind. Zinnerman slamming the young man into a wall, pointing a gun at his head, and Banagher rallying and beating the stuffing out of the Captain. Even Flaste and Gilboa refusing to get involved, letting Banagher beat Captain Zinnerman into the floor of his own bridge.
Looking away, Banagher winces. "I fought pretty dirty. But he was kinda choking me. I really hope you're right, Leina. Haro is the last thing I have from my mother. He's really important to me." Really, he can't imagine Zinnerman doing something so petty, even if ordered, but the worry is there all the same.
"I don't know much about the Vist Foundation, either." Banagher murmurs. He really should've put more time into learning about it, but so much has been going on. "I think we'll be safe on Sweetwater. Nobody would expect us to take Unicorn there." He squeezes Audrey's hand softly. "Waiting is awful, but we won't be doing nothing. I'll work my hardest every day, I promise."
Micott is a fuzzy memory in Banagher's mind, after all this. What color were her eyes? Her hair was brown, he remembers that much. "Sure! I hope she wound up somewhere safe. Micott was always really nice to me." He laughs again. "She didn't care that much about historical mobile suits, though. Me and Takuya always talked about it, and she'd get so annoyed."
At the mention of the Box, Banagher's shoulders droop a little. "I thought about offering the Box to Sayla, at first. But she doesn't want that. I haven't found any groups I think could use it properly yet." Unspoken worries radiate from Banagher. What if whatever's inside the Box makes things worse? What if they find it, and he still can't decide what to do? "I guess that's another 'we'll take it as it comes' problem. Maybe there's a perfect person for it out there."
<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.
Audrey looks over at Banagher at the mention of Micott. "She probably misses you... you should try and get in contact, when you can."
She nods, her thoughts going toward Amuro Ray briefly. The pressure she felt at Torrington...
She's still blushy, but seems to be taking a little better than Leina is. The prospect of a three-person date, the mutual relationship in general... but she's still nervous, too. She nods, though. "Yeah. We'll play it by ear..."
And promptly looks very embarassed as Banagher brings up that part of the rescue. "Yeah... I'd just escaped the Garencieres, and I knew Marida would have people after me. Not to mention, I was worried about who else might've been after me..."
Marida. The name accompanies a memory--a red-haired young woman, looking... very much like an older Elpeo Puru.
She blinks as Leina offers to cover the cost of a phone for her. She's conflicted for a moment; she has money... but this isn't about the money, is it?
In the end, she just smiles and nods. "Thank you, Leina. I really appreciate it." She's excited for the idea of putting cute stickers and a charm on it, too.
"Mh? What do I like to do in my spare time... well... I like movies a lot. That's actually where I got 'Audrey' from... 'Audrey Burne'. After Audrey Hepburn, an actress from the A.D. era. The whole situation reminded me of a movie she was in. 'Roman Holiday'. I found an arcade not too far from where I've been staying up here, and I've had some fun with the games there..."
"Ugh... Zinnerman... how could he..." She winces at the memories. She's glad that the others didn't agree, but. "He wouldn't throw away your Haro. Something like that... he wouldn't hold onto that anger, not like that." She hopes.
And if he did, she hopes Flast or Gilboa would yell at him.
She looks at Leina. "I don't think his father had any other options. The Sleeves attack was tearing the whole colony apart, and..." Her eyes move back to Banagher. She doesn't expect him to relive those memories and talk about it. Her gaze drops.
"... He didn't have time to do more."
"Sweetwater is our best bet, I think. It's... it's a little riskier for me. The Sleeves know that's where I'm from, but I doubt they'd expect me to go back there." Even if they do... it's still home. She's spent so long away...
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
Leina's never laid eyes on Marida directly. She gets glimpses from Banagher sometimes, her own connection to Elpeo is strong enough that it spreads to her 'siblings' even if only incidentally...
... the sight of her again still takes her breath away for a moment. That feeling of being so close, and so far... she has to get Callisto and her together. She has to convince the Captain to let the two help each other, no matter how upset she is with him.
"Honestly?" Leina looks Audrey's way on the story of Banagher getting planted facedown in the dirt, "Respect. If I were in your position I'd have probably done the same thing. Sorry Banagher."
Leina smiles as she gives Banagher's hand a squeeze, "What's the use of having money if you can't at least use it to help the people you care about?" Before saying to Mineva, "You're welcome-"
Mineva tells her about her like of old movies and, Leina's eyes light up, "I think we'll get along just fine. I'm a fan of old movies myself - though my true passion is the theater." Leina gives Audrey a wink. "Think I have a few ideas already, for things we can do together."
She was already so closely connected to Banagher at the time of the fight, none of the images are a surprise to her. Audrey and Banagher in turn see a glimpse of Leina in the cockpit... a handgun cradled in her hands. As she sits, waits, and feels all of it.
"... You think I'd be mad at you for fighting dirty? People were dying, and if he'd won there..." She leaves that thought unspoken, "I'm... not sure that it wasn't him though." Leina tries to put it to him as gently as possible, "After all he's gone through, there must have been days where he thought like that. It's not a side of himself he probably likes, or lets win most days. ... But I think it's there. I think it has to be there, even if only a little bit - for someone to fight for Neo-Zeon for so long of their own free will."
Banagher mentions that he doesn't know much about the Vist Foundation, and Leina decides there's no need to go into that right now other than - "It'd take a while to go into the Vist Foundation. For now just... avoid anyone connected to Anaheim, even if they claim they have information on the Unicorn. It's likely a trap. If someone offers, send word to Sayla instead and let her figure out how to handle it." Leina advises, "The Vist Foundation are majority shareholders in Anaheim."
However Audrey mentions that his father didn't have any other options, and Leina finds herself in that moment, disagreeing... "I feel he could have done more a long time ago." It's just a polite disagreement, she doesn't qualify that, as it might reveal things that Banagher - wants to tell Audrey in his own time. Leina herself doesn't know what she knows or doesn't know.
In the end, she has mostly contempt for the man, but part of it is unfair and she knows it, her own parents biased her.
"Hmm." Leina hums lightly, as Audrey notes Sweetwater is risky, "I doubt Sayla would send Banagher there without a plan for him to dodge the Sleeves. But..." Leina gives Audrey an apologetic look, "... you do stand out a lot more than him. A lot more people know what you look like."
She thinks about it for a time then, "Maybe there's time for me to go shopping around the ring. I'm sure we could disguise you a little better without too much effort." Or at least, the theater kid in Leina thinks she can manage that.
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
"I wouldn't know where to begin looking for her." Banagher admits, a little sadly. "But I'll give it a try. I wouldn't want to put her in any danger, though... Maybe once this is all over. The school website, or something."
Banagher is still on cloud nine from the thought of getting to date both the girls he cares for so dearly. Even the memory of Audrey's suspicion and fear in the first meeting can't dampen his spirits. "It's fine, you did the only thing you could've in the moment." Leina's comment makes him laugh, and he shakes his head. "No, I get it."
As the memory of Marida comes in, Banagher gives Audrey a reassuring smile. "I was with Miss Marida until just before Torrington. She's doing well. We've even found a few of her sisters, and -- hopefully we can reunite them really soon."
"That's where you got the name?" Banagher grins. "I've never heard of her. Let's watch her movies all together!" There's a genuine sense of excitement from him. "Old movies... The oldest one I've seen is that ancient 'The Last Unicorn' cartoon. Ones with live actors will be different, I'm sure."
Leina gets a questioning glance. "What about arcades? I've never been in one, but they always looked fun."
"I -- don't want to believe that." Baangher says, in response to Zinnerman's true self. "I want to believe that deep down, he's a good man who loves his family and wanted to fight for a better world for them. It doesn't excuse -- all the rest, but." Banagher looks down. "I want that to count for something. Maybe we can get him away from all this fighting, and he'll be more of the man I see in him."
Mineva and Leina's reassurance works. "Yeah, you're right. For all we know, the Captain could have Haro on the bridge with him."
Gilboa certainly wouldn't let a child's 'toy' be mistreated. He's too good a father to allow that to happen.
"Nobody from Anaheim, and nobody from Vist." It's a strange thought, to have to avoid two groups who were such a huge part of his childhood. "Got it. I'll get Sayla's number from you before we go -- if that's okay with her." Thinking about Cardeas' options and behavior is sobering. "In the moment, I think you're right, Audrey. He was bleeding out, someone had shot him, and -- someone had to take the Unicorn. I was the only one there. But before then..." Banagher closes his eyes, thinking about all the times his mother came home exhausted from trying to earn enough money for them to get by. "...he could've done so much more. Even if my mom didn't want to be with him anymore. He shouldn't have waited until she was gone to do something."
"Leina's a pro at costumes. We'll do something so nobody will bother you!" Banagher reassures Audrey. "And for now..." He takes his ill-fitting hoodie off, giving both girls' hands a quick squeeze before he lets go. "Maybe if you cover your hair with the hood, we could go look around for a phone?" The hoodie is draped around Audrey's shoulders, and he pulls the hood over her head. "What do you think, Leina?"
<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.
Someone she cares about? They've only just met, but... it's easy to imagine Leina got quite a lot about her from Banagher. It's still got her blushing, though. "I don't think I've ever been to see a play," confesses Mineva, "But I think I'd really love to. --oh, I think I've heard of The Last Unicorn! I've never seen it, but... I think maybe we all should, considering."
"Zinnerman is a good man," she agrees with Banagher, "But there's some part of him that believes what he was saying, and what he was doing. He's been through so much. He's got a lot of anger toward the Federation. And if you hold onto those kinds of emotions..."
"Well, they can drive people to do irrational things."
She leaves that train of thought where it is. Now isn't the time to talk about that.
About Char.
Leina suggests picking out some clothes. "I think I saw some clothing shops yesterday, actually... I think I can pay for it, though. I'd feel terrible if I made you buy me everything. And arcades are really fun--I, uh, blew through the spending limit I set myself trying to beat one, my first day down here."
She really needed it, though. It was hard to pull her body out of fight-or-flight mode. Everything was tensed, and cursing gratuitously at a shmup was exactly what the doctor ordered.
She slips her hands through the sleeves of the hoodie, hugging it closed. "Ooh, it's really warm... my hair's all messed up, too, so with the hood up... this is probably a good disguise!" she concludes.
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
Banagher's search for Micott, well... Leina hopes she's out there, parts of his account make her wonder about... something.
The topic of Zinnerman... "I know you don't." Leina emphasizes, and repeats it more softly, "I know. But if he had absolutely nothing in common with people like Loni, then he would have left long ago. I want him gone from there too. It's..." Her eyes close, and there's something more pained in her words, "...It's not a good place for anyone to be."
Audrey backs Banagher up on him being a good man, and Leina exhales once and there's a light sigh, "I've never once disputed that he is, and I have a lot more sympathy to his anger towards the Federation than you know..." Leina suddenly just looks tired, weary...
Footsteps through a Palace.
An aristocratic officer with blonde hair and blue eyes.
A girl who looks very much like Marida, only, much younger.
Excitedly she runs by at top speed, only half dressed, shouting nonsense.
"I'm grateful to him for what he's done for Marida." Leina says quietly, not understanding that she shared anything there at all, "I am. But that's also why I'm so frustrated with him. The machines that conditioned her, they're..."
They can almost feel her walls rising back up as she speaks, "... torturous. And I can't help but hate that she's still fighting for the cause that did that to her, and that to some extent, she doesn't have a choice in the matter."
It takes her a moment to recompose herself, "Sorry." A momentary pause and, "I know he's important to you both. I just can't help how I feel about that."
Leina doesn't argue with Banagher when it comes to Cardeas, not on the first part. And there's no sense of triumph on the second part - only sadness for him. All she does is squeeze his hand a bit more firmly, giving her a sad look.
She seems almost grateful when the subject switches to clothes, "Alright. I understand why that might make you uncomfortable." She notes to Audrey feeling terrible about her buying her everything, before she grins, and laughs lightly, "They're addictive aren't they? I remember when a friend of mine blew through all of his allowance in under an hour."
Leina inspects Audrey for a moment, then after a moment nods, "Yeah, given how people usually think of you, I don't think anyone would even give you a second glance if we hit up a shop real quick-"
The wheelchair turns and - "-I really don't mind going on my own for both of your safety but, it's kind of more fun this way? Like we're just on some shopping trip."
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
"It's a great movie." Banagher says, with a smile. "But the ending's pretty sad. I think it's still worth watching, personally."
"One of the crew told me why the Captain hates the Federation so much. It's.. understandable." Banagher's voice is quiet. "But if we keep doing horrible things to each other in the name of revenge, this will never end. Someone's got to be the one to break the cycle."
A breath in, and he continues. "I believve he can be that person. Even if all he can do is step away from fighting for Neo-Zeon, I -- think that'd still be a change worth honoring." After he listens to what Leina says, the vision hits him, and Banagher is lost for a moment.
Blinking rapidly to clear his head as Leina's memories fade, Banagher's heart aches. Of course. How had he never thought about things that way? Of course Zinnerman would represent everything she, and the Puru girls, went through. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize -- it's not right of him to keep her fighting for Neo Zeon. She might not even know how to stop." The echoes of an excited child's voice are haunting. "I -- can't imagnie what it must've been like, having to witness this. The next time I see Captain Zinnerman, I'm going to ask him about it. Why he has Miss Marida keep fighting."
"You haven't done anything wrong. It makes me really happy when you express yourself." It's important to him to emphasize this, after he learned just how much responsibility Leina carries.
"I could honestly use some better-fitting clothes, too. I just grabbed what was in the hospital gift shop. Sayla was kind enough to give me some money." That explains the shirt Banagher is wearing -- emblazoned with the icon of the hospital he and Leina had been treated as. Besides, he always heard girls like going shopping. Maybe this can be a sort of mini-date.
"I bet you'd destroy me if we played against each other." Banagher grins. "I didn't know you liked that kind of thing. I think it suits you." The image of Audrey furiously tapping buttons in an arcade fits perfectly next to the image of her devouring a street vendor's hot dog. A step away from the Princess of Zeon and towards the person Banagher believes she is.
Audrey with her hands in the oversized sleeves of Banagher's hoodie is too cute! He blushes just from the sight, adjusting the hood a bit so it conceals her face. "It's really -- adorable on you." He murmurs, flustered. "I like it. Nobody would think to suspect you."
"Let's all go together! I think it's a great idea. Nobody really knows what I look like, and Audrey's in disguise. I'm sure it'll be fine!" Banagher stands as Leina begins to move her wheelchair. Thankfully, it won't be too long of a walk to the shops. "What are your favorite colors, Leina, Audrey? I've always liked green."
<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.
\Mineva nods to Banagher. "Yes. Exactly..." Her thoughts are interrupted by that memory... and she falls quiet.
She has no answers for Banagher, either. She's melancholy, there, thinking about Marida. Surely, she has her own choice in the matter... surely, she's not just fighting out of a sense of duty to Zinnerman.
Right?
Her smile returns when Banagher talks about video games suiting her, and... "Ah, gosh... really?" She looks at herself in the sweater, flapping the sleeve-ends a little. "Well. I guess this part's pretty adorable," she agrees. "And I probably would, but... maybe if you got some practice, we could compete!"
"I think... as long as I'm in disguise, we should be fine..." She's making no secret of her emotions, either--she wants companionship. She needs friends right now, after so long as a 'guest' on the Gwennangorn. "Colors... I like pink, honestly. Pink, yellow, blue... those are some of my favorites." She nods, following along behind the other two as they begin to move. She keeps her hood pulled up.
<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.
"I do too." Leina says quietly on it being a change worth honoring with Zinnerman leaving Neo-Zeon. And her eyes lift sadly to Banagher, "And I think you're right. That she doesn't. I'm hoping that the Captain will be willing to let Callisto work with her."
A beat, and she explains who that is to Audrey, "Marida's sister. She's... broken free of... that."
She manages a subdued smile, as Banagher says he likes her expressing herself, and she certainly seems lighter.
"That sure explains the shirt." Leina teases lightly Banagher's way.
Leina's wheelchair is turning around when Banagher calls Audrey adorable. She looks over her shoulder to catch a look at her as she starts flapping the sleeve ends.
Then finds herself looking straight back forward as she finds herself flushing, "Think he's got you pegged on this one Audrey." As she swiftly seems to switch to a tease, as Banagher notes Audrey would probably destroy him again in game, "And almost certainly. She'd put you facedown in the dirt, again - except this time in game." She just keeps that wheelchair moving forward which takes basically no mental energy basically, looking thoughtful as he asks her favorite color.
It takes her a moment to land upon her answers... "Pink, white, and green."
Banagher if he thinks about that might find that unusual, as he's... not ever seen her wearing pink.
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
"I can't imagine the Captain preventing it, at least." Banagher offers, hopefully. "Even if he tries to, I don't think Miss Marida would take it. She's still got a lot of spirit in some areas, and I think this would be one of them.
Banagher laughs at Leina's trash talk, eyes alight with happiness. "I'll battle you for second place, Leina!" A video game battle between three such powerful Newtypes... It was sure to be a spectacle.
Leina calls Audrey adorable as well -- Banagher can't help but grin. "It's a different look for you, but a good one. Hoodies are the best, right? They're so comforting."
Both young women enjoy pink. Banagher does pick up on the oddity of Leina mentioning a color she's never worn around him. Something to ask later. "That'll be easy to remember." He says, with a smile. "Let's find lots of things in your favorites."
Surely, the rest of their time together must pass by happily. Banagher finds himself a hoodie that fits him much better, and it's even in a lovely shade of minty green. He's quick to offer items he thinks would look nice on Leina or on Audrey, always in one of the colors they've named.
Before their shopping trip ends, Banagher makes sure to find a place selling sunglasses. He encourages the others to try on the most ridiculous pairs he can find, and they all take selfies together. This will be a precious memory in the month to follow, one he'll hold close to his heart.