2023-05-23: Aftermath

• Log: Aftermath
• Cast: Eight York, Kaworu Nagisa, Rena Lancaster, Banagher Links, Liam 7-020, Ruri Hoshino, Koji Kabuto, Anita Rosetta, Sayaka Yumi, Lucine Azul, Sayla Mass, Akane Shinjo, Riika Sheder, Roux Louka, Christina MacKenzie, Enba Rezza
• Where: Ra Mari II, Conference Room
• OOC - IC Date: 0097 05 24
• Summary: A meeting on the happenings of the past week or so is called. The Metis Colony and the Ra-Shalom Mining Colony--and the culprits and victims of each--are important topics.

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<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.

Those of the refugees who had homes to go back to--students with families, miners with homes away from their jobs--are on the way back to those homes. Those who didn't, or who didn't have a place to go immediately, are mostly being let out here in the Orb Union, thanks to some negotiations on Captain York's part with the local government--and possibly more assistance from some of those others on the ship with the right connections. The Three Ships Alliance is far from the only interested party in these lives on the ship alone. Finally, the Ra Mari II and her sister ships are back to something like their usual capacity, with empty space stretching out over this ship... and the aftermath of peoples' lives being upended.

Admittedly, the last thing the crew expected after Metis was even more displaced people from that mining asteroid.

The city outside the viewport stretches out in visibility, but it is not the focus of the room. Spread around a round conference table are a number of chairs, gravity sufficient to keep them in place without being bolted down. Prefabricated walls turn a gigantic chamber into a more normal-sized area for meetings, and by the viewport, it's 'afternoon' now that everything is taken care of for the moment.

Eight York steps into the room, the doors sliding back into the wall as she does. The Captain is in uniform, of course; white, with dark pink and teal accents, hat and (maternity-fit) jacket and shiny shoes and all. She is flanked by Enba Rezza, her XO, a green-haired person of non-obvious gender, shorter than Eight but possessed of a significant presence of their own. Rezza is also in uniform, and when Eight moves to take a seat, they sit beside her.

Seats are available to everyone, and there's a counter at the side of the room with water for those who require something to drink. In addition, a crewman has datapads to hand out to each person attending the meeting, which will have information on the count of refugees, where they're going, and the progress to getting each of them home.

Once everyone is seated, with their datapads...

"We've had an eventful week," Captain York begins. "But not as much so as the people who we've had aboard." Not to mention those they couldn't get aboard. "You'll see from the datapads, though, that our efforts have paid off. Most of them are on their way to what homes they have, and those that aren't have been given sanctuary here in Orb for now. Similar things are true for those who were on the other relief ships. The reports my people have prepared indicate as much for the other survivors as well."

"...We have more to talk about," Eight admits, "But I thought you'd appreciate hearing where your efforts left these people first." The Captain pauses, and looks around the room. "I'm sure you all have a lot to say about what's been happening. So feel free."

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        While Kaworu is not a part of the Three Ships Alliance, he is certainly friendly with several members of it, particularly Eight. Beyond that, he is a ranking member of NERV, a kaiju expert, and someone who understands the value of discretion. It's only sensible to invite him to this meeting.
        
        He arrives in his administrator suit and a windbreaker over it. His hands are tucked as they usually are in his pockets, though as he strolls into the conference room, he holds one out to accept the datapad offered to him, smiling his gratitude to the crewman who does so. When he seats himself, he folds his legs, sets down the datapad, and waits patiently for the meeting to begin. He looks at Eight, gaze lingering for a moment on her bump--but only a moment.
        
        Once Eight does speak, Kaworu nods slightly, thoughtfully. He does know what the datapad contains. (The datapad screen is moving by itself through the data contained within. This is fine, genuinely.) Having not been part of those relief efforts directly up until now, he doesn't offer a remark, but his smile does indicate he's glad they've borne such ripe fruit.

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

Rena Lancaster is also in uniform. Her coat is buttoned up; she sits in one of the chairs that was provided, and she already has a cup of coffee, which she sips from. A datapad sits on the table; the flight commander of the Ra Mari II has a lot of responsibilities, and a lot of pilots to keep an eye out for.

She nods her head, then, and she wrinkles her nose. "I saw that... I'm glad we've got them going to places that are safe," Rena says. "And... hopefully are or will be home."

She looks down, after that.

"Things are growing more tense, aren't they?" she says. She glances sideways, then, at Kaworu. She flashes him a smile -- then waves once, with her hand. "We're going to have our work cut out for us."

Sayla Mass teleports in.

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

In the days since the disaster at Metis Colony, Banagher has run himself ragged trying to assist the survivors. As one of the only survivors of Industrial 7, he's perhaps one of few people who can understand what they're going through.

Of course, the young pilot was pulled away from his relief efforts by the miner's distress call and the appearance of Yuliana's enormous machine. Despite his best efforts, he failed at saving either Yuliana or the Banshee -- who was oddly verbal.

After the Unicorn was towed back to the Ra Mari II, Banagher sat in her cockpit for nearly an hour.

Once he emerged, he went straight back to helping the displaced colonists. Helping provide food, arrange bedding, even just listening to people who needed to cry. Banagher hasn't really slept, or ate, since news of Metis broke. He fears what he'd find waiting for him in his dreams too much to chance it.

Most of the colonists have been relocated now, and Eight called a meeting -- he doesn't want to miss it. Arriving early and settling in to a chair nearby a wall, the young pilot... closes his eyes, just for a second.

Just... for a second... Until the meeting starts...

By the time everyone has filed into the room and Eight has finished speaking, Banagher has half-collapsed onto the table before him, fast asleep.

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        Officially, Liam is here because Koji and Sayaka are here. There's still the tiny matter of how and why he was able to summon a heavily-customized backup machine from the Ra Mari II, but... that's a risk he took, and he's trusting them to exercise discretion.

        The supersoldier has been pitching in where needed, but most of his time has been devoted to caring for himself, and Lucine. But things are well enough that he can come to the meeting. (It helps that there are people aboard who care about him, who've been encouraging him to take regular meals, and get sleep, even if he needs to lean more on the sleep aids than usual.)

        Liam sits in between Banagher and Lucine, wearing a dark blue jumpsuit and boots. A glass of water sits in front of him, and his hands are folded around his datapad. The skin beneath his eyes is darkened and a little puffy.

        He looks across the table at Kaworu for a moment, a brief flare of anxiety manifesting before it's choked down.

        He listens. Eight has... good news.

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        Ruri Hoshino is dressed in Nergal's uniform -- with a pink-and-blue tie which brings it all together with some 3SA flair. She's short, compared to most people here, given she's only thirteen years old. (Almost fourteen, she'd correct the narrative, if you gave her half a chance.) She's spent her time after Metis on technical support, as she does -- like when she helped the Ra Mari II's operator, Gidon Kall, with some bugs which the ship was showing with so many occupants needing resources.

        She's one of the people here representing the Nadesico, now, of course. Even though she's so young! She's very responsible. She also has a guardian with her, of course, and she takes a seat beside Lucine. She wears the stoic expression she always wears, as her gold eyes -- more pale than the woman beside her -- scan over the data pad. Her skin is pale, too, and her hair; the look, overall, is remarkably fey.

        She doesn't speak up immediately, though she is certainly listening.

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

Koji Kabuto looks... fatigued. The nearly back-to-back incidents at Metis and 2100 Ra-Shalom had him fighting like hell, and while he got some measure of catharsis from battling the Void Dragon T'maakva, he has not slept well since, and it shows as he joins the meeting alongside Sayaka.

Emerald-green ink stains his fingertips, and ten minutes ago matching stains were on his cheeks where he fell asleep on his sketches. Fortunately, he's not alone in his quarters on the Ra Mari II or he would definitely be here looking much more disheveled than he actually is.

Rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands, he takes the datapad offered to him and focuses, scrolling through it. As he does so, tension visibly drains out of him - relief that the lives they've saved are managing to find somewhere to settle down, probably. He looks up to Eight and nods - he has many thoughts spinning around his head, but the time to voice them isn't... yet.

Spotting Banagher falling asleep against the wall, he nods to Sayaka and walks over to sit next to the young man, gently squeezing his shoulder. "Banagher. It's time, kiddo."

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

Anita was present for everything that happened... so, it's a little hard for her to justify skipping out on this meeting. Like the rest of her friends on the Ra Mari II, she's present in uniform - though in contrast to Rena she's left the top few buttons of her coat undone, due to how much work they've gone through.

It's good, important work, of course - and to be honest, she feels good about it. This is the kind of work she wanted to be doing.

Anita leans back in her chair, looking over the datapad with her right hand while absent-mindedly drumming her metal fingers against the table with her left. She does pause, though, when she spots Banagher half-asleep on the table. ...She's the last person who'd interrupt someone's nap, so she doesn't call him out.

"...We did good, I think." Anita comments, setting the datapad down. "I'm kinda worried they might come back for the miners... but I guess for now, the best thing we can do is keep an eye on 'em and keep lookin' out for everyone."

She looks toward Rena with a shrug.

"...That's probably definitely true, though... Though I guess we've kinda always been fightin' our way uphill." She comments with a smile. The way she says it suggests she doesn't necessairly have a problem with it, though. It's a lot more work ethic than she's displayed in the past.

<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.

Sayaka isn't a member of the Three Ships Alliance, but given the Photon Power Labs' extensive involvement at both Metis and against the void, it only makes sense that its representatives, Sayaka and Koji sit in on this meeting.

They had offered full use of their available transports for the sake, and are now seated in the Ra Mari II in Orb now that the evacuation effort has been largely completed the best they could.

Dressed in an outfit that screams business but retains a feminine flare with the pink button up and yellow pencil skirt, Sayaka did her best to ensure her partner at least looked.. presentable in the short amount of time they had. She's relieved to see what the datapad offers - so many precious lives saved, and nods to Koji as if to confirm their efforts paid off.

When the meeting's about to begin and they take their seat along with Banagher, she considers the subject matter. They might be some of the few to have done research on the Void thus far... their work might prove valuable.

But first, she politely nods to Eight. "Captain York and crew of the Ra Mari II, thank you for providing refuge and repairs for us." Her smile also reaches Anita, the one to offer in the first place, in the heat of battle. "Most of all, I'm just glad we could help save people. Besides that.. we've been doing private investigation at the Photon Power Labs for quite a while. I hope our discoveries will be of some use in combatting this extra-dimensional threat."

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        It had been a tough couple of days since the battle. The exposure to Yuliana's self had displaced Lucine's own sense of self; while it would be oversimplification to say that being a Newtype was Lucine's entire identity, it had been something a part of her life since she was small.

        It wasn't the same as being near Yuliana, it was *being* Yuliana, in a certain sense. And Lucine couldn't handle it.

        Lucine recovery was fast enough; the Ra Mari II's atmosphere was reaffirming, and she was among people she cared about, as well as medical personnel. Though, it may be one of the many reasons Liam in particular looks drained.

        By the time the meeting happened, Lucine was definitely good enough for babysitting duty. She's dressed in the red and black of the Nergal business uniform, her hair done back in a braid. Seeing Banagher half-asleep on the table, she smiles softly, with a pang of guilt. However, she's better now; she should be able to pitch in from now on.

        But who's to say she isn't now, by playing the part of the guardian to Ruri? It's a very tough job! ".... That's definitely good news," Lucine says, nodding to Eight.

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        When Dr Mass had left for her speaking engagement a week ago, she had not anticipated being dragged by chance into not one but sudden, lethal battles. The fact that she is still standing is arguably a testament to a life hard lived and the wonderful displacing effects of overwork when you are a ball of intense stress.

        As she sips a way too strong coffee, Dr Mass might be a slight bit of an oddity to the other newtypes in the room, her presence might be hard to pin down. Her emotional walls, cracked and broken as they are, are at their highest and it is hard to tell anything about her emotional state beyond 'present'.

        "Thank you, Captain York. While I personally have been aiding the medical teams, I've been coordinating with the Yumi Foundation to acquire necessary items for the refugees, and trying to find places for those refugees who don't want to remain on the Earth longer than necessary." The need for extra supplies seems less on the Ra Mari, but she can't forget those days helping in the refugee camps, or on the White Base. "My representative from relief coordination can say more." She'll give that representative a chance to introduce herself.

        She looks over at the room where Banagher is asleep, and when she sees Koji start to wake him she looks away, and down at her coffee. She's still not really ready to talk about what happened at Boss Ramen, even if Boss managed to talk her down afterwards.

        So for now, she sips slowly, trying not to feel the bags under eyes and the ache in her body. Her sunglasses hide the fact that her right eye is still clearing the blood from the capillary that burst in it due to the fight with Yuliana. It's an unpleasant sight she didn't want to inflict on people.

        And so, she tries to function through the meeting, knowing it still had to hold it together a few more days.

<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.

Alongside Sayla is a young lady -- somewhere between 16 and 19, at a guess -- with long brown-black hair, just a little darker than Akane Shinjo's, for those who happen to know her.

While she usually sticks to the same semi-uniform with dark sweaters and cardigans that she wears for school for work, today she's finally invested in -- or been made to invest in, or heaven forfend, received as a gift -- a nearly-black grey blazer, matching pencil skirt, and purple blouse. There's a little bit of extra color in the form of a bright gold necklace, gold accents on the black shoes, and a gold watch with a purple leather strap.

Don't mistake this for perfection; the blouse goes half-untucked in the front, and she has... significant bags under her eyes, in much the same way Sayla does, except she's not wearing sunglasses that partially hide them. The sloppiness might be endearing to a certain kind of person, though.

"Thank you, Miss Mass," Marusan offers, with a momentary glance toward Kaworu. ... well, it's not as though double lives are uncommon for GUTS students, in the cosmic sense. "I'm Ramo Marusa; I work with the Yumi Foundation as an intern."

She swipes on a grey tablet covered in cute purple stickers. "So far, the Yumi Foundation's work on this front is going well. Basic supplies seem well-handled. The Ra Mari's assistance has been a great help in this matter." Her heart beats a little faster.

"We're having some trouble finding the appropriate points of contact to assist some of the refugees from Metis long-term. With Side 6's recent accession to the Federation, it's... unclear which offices hold responsibility for international students who were studying at Metis before the incident, and we've... mostly been sent in a loop between offices." A moment passes, and then she adds, "This is, um -- pretty common, and I anticipate we'll have it untangled before July, but I thought you deserved a status report."

A long breath out. "If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer. If I can't, well -- Miss Mass is right here." She laughs at herself a little, and it seems to get the tension out of her.

<Pose Tracker> Riika Sheder has posed.

Riika Sheder is also a member of the Three Ships Alliance and has had, let's say, a very occupied few days. As a colonist herself, it is both instinct and training that tells her to assist the survivors of a disaster - and given the evacuation there is always a lot for her to do.

She isn't quite as tired as Banagher in that she has not actually fallen asleep, but she does look more than a little fatigued; given she regularly gets by on four to six hours of sleep a night, that says a lot as to how busy she's been. She is in uniform and at least looks mostly put together. Even Riika's hair is still in its accustomed style, though that may just be what it does. She has gone through an awful lot of coffee.

"I don't know how much pull I have," Riika says, speaking up for the first time, "but I might be able to put you in contact with PLANT groups that might be able to help with the paperwork. I spoke to them about Tsutsujidai back when that first appeared so I know who they are, but I don't exactly have any ... well, I'm not in charge... but at least you might be able to talk to them. I'd rather not do it; I've been staying out of the PLANTs' official notice, mostly."

<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.

Eight would send someone to wake up Banagher, but Koji's got it. Meanwhile, Eight invited Kaworu for a reason. And Rena... "We are," Eight agrees. "We're lucky in that we have people willing to work with us," she says, whom she doesn't name but should be fairly obvious; Koji and Kaworu, among them. "But it's not going to be easy."

Then she smiles Sayaka's way, with a polite nod back. "You're welcome." Then she pauses. "The Void," Eight confirms, of this extradimensional threat. "We knew Yuliana Kafim was a problem, but this is on a scale I haven't seen from her before. And yet, we have seen other related kaiju, from the reports. My scouting team encountered a number of their dragons while investigating the site, even before the largest was summoned up."

She looks over Lucine, to make sure she's doing better, and Liam too. But when Sayla speaks up, "I appreciat ethat," she says. "The Foundation has many more resources for this sort of work than my ship." Eight's emotional presence is somewhat easier to read; those who see auras will see her usual bright, warm reds, but those who simply sense it abstractly will be able to sense some fatigue underneath her polished exterior.

But before saying more, Eight looks to said representative. She listens. "I appreciate the status report," she says. "Thank you for your hard work. I'm glad that we're able to work together on this, and my XO will continue coordinating efforts between us in the future until this is all sorted out." She nods to Rezza, who acknowledges the scrutiny with a nod of their own, and then chimes in to say, "A few of the refugees have elected to seek employment on our ship, in lieu of somewhere else to go; while we cannot take everyone in this manner, it is an option for some."

Eight hears Riika speak up, and nods. "With the Yumi Foundation's pull, I feel like even knowing the right people to be in touch with is going to help a lot."

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"Yeah. Nothing new there, I think," Rena says, with a glance at Anita and a smile.

She looks to Banagher, then -- and her expression softens after a moment. After Koji shakes his shoulder, she smiles -- then slides a cup of coffee over. "Take a second to rest, okay, Banagher?" she says. "Take it from someone who doesn't follow that advice."

Then, she smiles -- and waves once at Koji and Sayaka. She has worked with them a few times, now; she still can't quite believe it. "I'd be really grateful for anything you can add, Doctor Yumi," she says. Then, she glances at Sayla -- and she blinks, before she nods and looks at Marusan.

This is complicated, she thinks. "We can ask Orb, too," Rena says, after Riika. "We'll do everything we can for the people in Metis."

Then, she leans back, and she looks back at Eight. She nods once at her. "Do we know the status of the Phenex?" she asks. "Or... the II Neo-Zeong or either of its pilots? I know they've both encountered Yuliana before, so... maybe there's a connection."

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        Kaworu of course gazes down at Banagher, half-draped on the table, fully asleep, his smile turning a bit rueful. He doesn't rouse Banagher from his rest. He needs it. (Koji has it covered anyway, it seems.)
        
        He does meet Liam's anxious glance and meets it with a serene smile. Does he realize the truth behind Liam's presence? If he does, he does nothing to indicate it. (After all, why would he? He's been keeping silent about it up 'til now anyway.)
        
        Likewise, he meets Rena's greeting wave with a parting of the lips, as does anyone else whose gaze he meets--which will inevitably be anyone who looks his way. When he looks to Lucine, his gaze lingers for a moment again, but he doesn't make any remark here, either.
        
        Nor does he make any remark on Marusan being here, especially with Sayla. Yes, double lives are quite common indeed. He listens attentively to her status report. From there, he looks over to Riika--a face he hasn't seen in a while--as she pipes in. Between them and the Alliance, it seems as though that matter is well in hand, even if not everything is perfectly in place immediately. That much is inevitable.
        
        Then Eight speaks again, and moves from the matter of the refugees to the Void. "I expect that she will continue to escalate," Kaworu says at last. "Last summer, there was an incident on Island-3 of the Macross Frontier fleet where an attempt was made to summon what I expect you all fought the other day."
        
        He glances at Rena as she brings up the Phenex, but doesn't weigh in on that.

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        Liam sets his datapad down, and puts his hand on Lucine's shoulder. He gives her the gentlest of shoulder-rubs, then an equally gentle squeeze, before taking a sip of water.

        He listens. It's... good to know that lives were saved, but as Sayla and Marusan to into the bureaucratic obstacles, his expression sours. "Why should they care about refugees?" he says, like an old wound was just jarred. "Especially ones from space?" He feels his own shoulders bunching with tension, and he takes another drink, focusing on the cool familiarity of recycled water.

        "NERV internal designation HSD-1," Liam says, following up on Kaworu's clarification. "An 'HSD-2' appeared while Tsutsujidai was isolated." He glances at Lucine. "Yuliana was sighted at each appearance; this only confirms her role in their summoning." His eyes meet Rena's. He swallows. "Last I saw of her was the Banshee hauling her off." That may mean any number of things. She might've been able to escaped. She might be in Luio's hands. Worse.

<Pose Tracker> Roux Louka has posed.

Roux Louka, HERO OF THE AEUG, showed up late. She has an eight-inch banh mi in one hand from the galley which has only been nibbled on. She juggles it some as she goes to get coffee. She is still in athletic training clothing which is probably doubling as PJs, given the state of her hair (decidedly less brushed and neat than usual). She has, at least, showered since the EVENTS.

She shuffles to sit down, glancing around but focusing on the sandwich rather than issuing greetings immediately. This *must* have gotten to her.

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

"Whuh!" Banagher jerks awake, his eyes wild for a moment. Glancing around, he notices the full room, and blushes in embarrassment.

"...thanks, Koji. Oh, while you're here, I--"

Sitting up straight, the young pilot rummages around in his hoodie pocket and retrieves a Haro-green data stick. "I remember you were recording the Banshee pilot's communications. She was talking a lot while we fought Yuliana, and I recorded everything."

It's a little odd to have such tragic data housed in such a cheerful little device, but it seems to be the only one Banagher has. If checked, alongside the audio file are several old essays and presentations from his time at Anaheim Electric.

"You look nice today, miss Sayaka." Banagher greets her, smiling tiredly. "And it's good to see you Liam. Are you holding up okay? That fight was..."

Golden eyes trail over to Lucine. "...really rough. Are you alright, Lucine? I was focused on the Banshee, but-- I saw that... woman."

Is She even a woman?

It seems even Banagher was aware of Lucine's severe distress. His worry is clear, despite the young pilot's exhaustion. He doesn't really know what to say -- but they at least have the bond of both experiencing Yuliana's Void together.

With that, Banagher stands, quietly approaching Eight. Is it even okay to walk around right now? Even if it isn't, what he has to say is important.

"Excuse me, everyone, I--" Banagher swallows, looking at the sea of faces before him. Nervousness makes his hands shake, and he hides them in his hoodie pocket. "...uh." A glance to Eight, then he takes a breath and looks back out at the crowd. "I started a fundraiser online for the survivors of Metis. If you could pass the link around, I'd be really grateful. They've got to start over with nothing, and a lot of them don't have anywhere to go back to, so--"

Banagher rattles off a shortened website address.

"...thanks."

He quickly returns to his chair, face hot. Once he's sitting down, Banagher covers his face with his hands, overwhelmed with embarrassment.

Once he's recovered, Banagher listens to Marusan speak, watching her seriously as she stands next to Sayla. "Thank you." He says, quietly, emotion heavy in his voice. "I've gotten contact information from quite a few people, I'll send it to you to see if it can help."

Rena encourages Banagher to rest, and he blushes again, glancing away in embarrassment. "Thanks Rena. I guess this is all hitting a little close to home for me."

The Phenex is brought up, and Banagher sits a little straighter, listening. "The Banshee has attacked the Phenex several times now... Is Vist after it, too? Does it want all three of the Unicorns? Leina knows more about the Phenex than I do, but -- I know it's tried to help out before. I -- really hope it's safe. And it's pilot..."

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

"Nope." Anita agrees with a chuckle toward Rena. She nods then, offering Sayaka a smile of her own as she sends a smile her way.

"No problem. Glad to lend a hand, Doc." Anita replies. She turns her attention to Sayla as she speaks, and then to her assistant when she follows up.

"Guess paperwork's always gonna be a problem..." Anita considers with a frown.

And then, there's the matter of the Void. Anita frowns, folding her arms in front of her.

"...Yeah. They were kinda hounding us everywhere. And then they just... sacrificed them to make a bigger one." Anita says, shaking her head. "...And when it ain't kaiju, it's... whatever sorta thing they're doing to Alma, too."

She frowns, and thinks a bit further.

...So, uh, I know Rena and I did, but did anyone else see it when things went all... weird? There was like a voice, and..."

She shakes her head again.

"...Any idea what that was all about?"

...The Phenex, though, and the others... There's a lot of unknowns. She frowns uncertainly, leaning back in her chair a little.

"...Hope she's okay." She murmurs.

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        Ruri does glance over at Sayla, once and once again. She remembers what Leina said, about her having a hard time. But this is a meeting, so she doesn't interrupt for personal business.

        Lucine is pitching in, beside Ruri as she is. "We understand that their old jobs might be difficult for them to come back to," she speaks up, entirely proper. "Nergal-san is willing to offer new employment to affected individuals with the proper skills." She quiets, and adds: "... but, the Nadesico wasn't able to track the Banshee, after Metis. We had to respond to the colony. Unfortunately, we don't know where they are."

        She glances around Lucine, to Liam, with quiet melancholy. Banagher talks about something she experienced, out there, but... people on the Nadesico don't really talk about their feelings like that.

        She hopes she'll be okay.

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

Koji has, to his credit, run a comb through his hair - not that such attempts at disciplining it really matter - and thrown on a salmon-pink shirt and jeans over his pilot suit.

"Banagher..." He takes the Haro-green memory stick with the same gravitas as a man in the desert accepting the gift of water. "... You did good. I know we couldn't get through to her, but... This will help, I know it."

So why does his gut twist again when he says that? Regardless, he adjusts his jeans slightly to slip the stick into a pouch attached to the belt of his pilot suit - somewhere safe.

Banagher then gets up and approaches Eight, speaking up about a donation drive he's set up. Koji's eyes crinkle a little as he glances to Sayaka. "I think the Research Institute can dip a little into our emergency budget for that, right, Director? ... And we can vet anyone with the right qualifications for training at the Labs, too, of course." The project of Free Energy for Japan can never have enough people supporting it, after all.

Talk then turns to the Banshee and the Phenex, and Koji frowns. "For a moment, I thought Puru-1 was going to let her go... I wonder what happened that changed that."

He has a hypothesis, but it sickens him to think about. "Rita..." He frowns, then glances to Sayaka again. "Think we can afford trying to find that transport they got away on?"

He looks down at his hands. "I was so close to stopping them cold. I miscalculated the Reito Beam cohesion, I... I haven't made a mistake like that since the early days of the Hell War." He clenches his fists, and looks up - in time to catch Sayla glancing away from them.

His frown intensifies, but - later. He already pushed her too far before.

<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.

Given their last conversation ended all too awkwardly, Sayaka's eyes briefly avert from Sayla when she arrives, still wearing those sunglasses. Although she does pay attention to the young intern she has with her, if only just for a moment.

When Banagher compliments her, Sayaka smiles back. "Thank you, Banagher. It's not like there's a ton of options on a military ship after an emergency deployment, but I still wanted to look decent." Aside from that, he hands them that flash drive, cute as it as, having actual recordings of the Banshee's pilot is huge.

After her initial announcement, Eight invokes the kaiju attacks associated with the void. Kaworu brings up the Macross Frontier dragon attack, while Liam brings up the second one that occurred while Tsutsujidai was rifted. "I was there," Sayaka confirms, of HSD-2. "As a civilian consultant for the Federation forces at JOSH-A... not that I couldn't hold my own against it in an Ichinana." She glances over to Koji, who was too busy finding a way out of Tsutsujidai to be there.

"Within the events of that attack, the Photon Power Labs were able to obtain.. a fragment of their power in the form of crystals." Sayaka reveals. "As far as we can understand, the spatial anomaly that occurred the other day was similar to the power of these crystals.. on a significantly larger scale." She frowns, before adding, "We'll continue to safeguard the crystals ourselves," (not that they didn't already blow one to bits with a Breast Fire) "but I would be willing to release to you the results of our experimentation, if kept to absolute secrecy." The Labs are public researchers, and... "After all, we don't know when we will have to face a threat like this next."

As for the donation drive... "Absolutely. I'll get the paperwork set up as soon as possible.. it's for a good cause." And trying to chase down the transport... "It's at least worth a try. Wonder if it's possible to ask Fath- Mr. Prime Minister for the support of the OCU intelligence networks." She considers.

"Koji. I know what it looks like. What it looks like to see you struggle with something new to you. I think.. that's what this is." Sayaka frowns sharply, not quite chiding Koji despite her words. "People like Michele Luio, we've never really had to deal with before, especially working within their constraints. And people like her.. are nothing like Dr. Hell." Even if Hell seems to be adapting to their 'respectable' ways nowadays.

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        Lucine looks up, feeling Kaworu's gaze on him; she gives him a small smile, and a subtle nod.

        Knowing that this topic would come up, Lucine doesn't so much as flinch when the topic of the Void is discussed. It was one of the reasons she came here, in fact, among many others just as important, like the Phoenix, as Rena points out.

        The fight was....

        ".... It was terrible," Lucine admits bluntly to Banagher, with her usual soft tone. After a pause, she says, "You..." Another pause, as Lucine lets some of the tension in her shoulders go, as Liam rubs them. "But I'm not the only one here." Her gaze grows concerned, gazing on Banagher's tired face. "You've had a rough time of things, too. I'm in a good spot, so... make sure you let yourself rest too." Banagher may feel it in the psychic sphere of things: her smile, like to Kaworu, is as genuine as it is small; his concern is not going unnoticed. "Liam's been my faithful nurse since coming here... I'm not sure there's much else a girl could ask for." A rare moment of humor, from the normally serious Lucine.

        As Ruri mentions Nergal's chosen involvement, Lucine straightens her back, attempting to look the part of the professional representative guardian of the professional representative. ".... If Yuliana truly was that concerned about her friend's life... maybe she could have held off this attack...." Bitterness tinges Lucine's words. "Unless she felt this would lead to the Phenex's safety somehow--"

        Could Yuliana have thought that? Or was she able to think like that, in that state?

        Anita points out something that draws Lucine's yellow-eyed gaze. There was... someone there? Someone...?

        "....."

        She focuses back on the incident with HSD-1 and 2-- both of which Lucine was there for. Hearing Sayaka recount the latter, Lucine realizes she was there too. Her eyes slightly widen. "A fragment...? Is that even possible..." But it is, it seems.

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        As Sayla expected, it's not much of a trial for Ramo to get through this. Sayla gives her (extremely well paid) intern a smile and a quiet 'Well done, Ramo.', before looking around the room.

        Ruri gets a tired smile in return to the glance, before Liam's outburst takes her attention. "Because not every Earthnoid is a total bastard, and the ones that are can be made to do so with the right impetus. The same applies to certain subsets of spacenoids." She doesn't see the point of mincing words here. The words may not be satisfying, but they are nonetheless true.

        She noods to Anita about the talk of paperwork. "Thankfully we have people who can facilitate that for those who lost everything. Consider it a Yumi Foundation specialty." Sayla shakes her head at Banagher's suggestion. "I don't think so. I think this is the younger Miss Luio pulling on her connections. I think the only reason she didn't reach out to me is she thought my methods wouldn't help her. She seemed... extremely driven. Enough to throw her entire reputation on the line and risk her sister's ire." She sighs. "And Miss Luio's desire to acquire the Phenex is, I presume, not incompatible with..." She pauses. Does she want NERV knowing the item? Did Banagher already tell them. "..the Vist Foundation's goals," she settles on finally.

        Sayla bites her lip. "Whatever the Kafim's did to Alma..." She pauses, and then. "I don't know, exactly, but I can confirm something to the room here. Whatever Yuliana is- and understand that I don't mean this in the typical federation propaganda sense- is some kind of newtype. I won't ask anyone to step forward- I understand why those would choose to keep quiet on that aspect of themselves. But most of the Earth Sphere knows what I am, so I'll confirm it. Something pulled us into something like a newtype bond there... and I saw the world the way she sees it. That feeling... that would shatter anyone's spirit after long enough."

        Sayla pauses. "I can confirm most of Miss Luio's story, Sayaka. During the Gryps Conflict, I was, in my position as director of the Yumi Foundation was asked to help facilitate a deal to help 'rescue' some victims of the Titans Newtype Labs. That deal only helped three people, and all three of them are in the Luio Family. Now we're seeing the fallout."

        Sayla sips her coffee again, but a hand falls to her pocket almost unconsciously- stopping herself when she remembers she's in public, and her presence on the Newtype radar fades again slightly for a few moments. It seems Dr Mass can always close herself off further.

<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.

"Oh -- that'd be very helpful, though I wonder if the recent accession would mean we'd be heading in the same loop," Marusan murmurs to Riika, giving her a small -- though obviously tired -- smile. At the mention of employment, both on the ship and with Nergal -- "Uh, wow, okay. If you can get me a list of people who take that up, I can cross-reference it with our current efforts... Thank you both." (She is trying very hard not to think about the part where that is a whole-ass child.)

There's definitely some bitterness floating around the room -- Marusan's not oblivious. Liam was one of the people who blew into their class for a few weeks, then back out just as abruptly... someone with trauma, she realizes. Someone Akane thought would 'understand' her, however much that meant. She shrinks a little bit, but Banagher gets her to stop. "That'll help a lot," she affirms. "Thank you."

As the topic turns, Marusan starts to feel a further shift in the vibe. The... void? She looks from side to side. Is this the sort of thing she should... well, no, she was already involved with this kind of thing once before...

She's a little lost, though, and her expression gets steadily more nervous as the conversation gets more specific. By the time Sayla explains 'some kind of Newtype' as if it's just, an assumption that Newtypes exist and are something besides 'really good pilots,' she looks absolutely bewildered.

"Am... I supposed to be hearing this?" she asks, cringing and embarrassed.

<Pose Tracker> Riika Sheder has posed.

Riika reponds to Marusan, "Well, we can try, it's not like the PLANTs didn't get accession about the same time. They must still know someone in the Federation who is in charge of that kind of thing! It's not like either of us redid our entire governmental system..."

"If nothing else," Riika adds to Liam, "there's a certain proportion of people who like to be *seen* helping. It's annoying when it's all the time - we can handle ourselves in space, we're not children! - but after a disaster, if they're able to do something that's actually useful it's worth talking to them." That's perhaps a little more cynical than Riika tends to be, but her optimism is more toward finding common links between Spacenoid and Earthnoid, between Natural and Coordinator - and there are people like that everywhere.

Riika glances away from Sayaka, embarrassed, when she brings up JOSH-A - Riika was part of that attack, even if she tried to call the evacuation when she realized what was planted there, and suffered for it. It's still hard to hear when someone talks about being on the other side... even if a *lot* of the Three Ships Alliance was on the other side of that.

But she has little personal information on the Void, and so - now that she's made her original comment - she listens to learn. She does give Banagher, Ruri, and the others she knows personally a slight smile - Kaworu too, it HAS been a while.

She feels bad for Marusan, and honestly isn't sure if she *is* supposed to hear it. She looks sympathetic, though.

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        Sayla speaks up, offering a more pragmatic and experienced counterpoint to Liam's own anger. He shrinks back, thinks of the blankets and the warm food, and how Sayla's foundation helped keep him alive. The fight goes out of him in an instant. The bitterness curls inwards. "Apologies, D-Doctor." He doesn't know how many times he's said those words, except now they're to someone he actually should respect, deserves respect.

        Liam glances to Riika, manages a weak little smile. His face is reddening.

        'Faithful nurse', Liam thinks. He's focused so much on caring for her, making sure she does her talking with her doctor, but he...

        He's not okay. Is anyone in this room okay, really? Could anyone be?

<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.

Eight nods firmly to Rena. "We will." She's committed to helping the people of Metis. Though... She's also one with questions about the Phenex's status. She doesn't have any information on that, not since she went to Luio's ship.

She looks to Liam, at the bureaucratic matters. She looks concerned at him. But she's sympathetic to his point of view, of course. But at the same time--"She's right," Eight says. "We can't let ourselves be bogged down in cynicism."

"...Mm," she answers Kaworu meanwhile. "That's a problem, and one I don't yet know how we can address long-term," she admits.

When Banagher stands, Rezza keeps an eye on him, but neither they nor Eight stop him from walking. And Banagher speaks up--Eight nods, when he seesm to look for permission.

"That's a good thing to do," Eight says to Banagher. "I hope that it helps."

Eight... does not know what that 'voice' was about, as Anita puts it. But Ruri's statement, "Right. Nergal's helping, too."

When Koji mentions the Research Institute, Eight visibly brightens. "That would be great," she says.

Sayaka mentions their research, and Eight frowns in thought. She looks to Rezza who nods and adds, "Any research you can share on the matter of the Void would be welcome," they say in a smooth, androgynous voice. "While we lack the scientific facilities to help, useful data would make fighting its creatures much easier."

"As to the Phenex," Eight says, "If possible, the Three Ships Alliance is committed to rescuing the Phenex. Its pilot has helped us in many situations, not least of which against the GENESIS weapon, and we'd prefer not to leave her in the position she's in." She pauses; she's speaking vaguely about Rita, for reasons she thinks people are likely to understand. "Blaming ourselves," she says to Koji especially, "Won't get her back any sooner. I wish I could've done more myself." But when it came down to it... her duty was to the people of Metis first. It's a choice she wouldn't want others to have to make.

"Not only is she some kind of newtype," Eight confirms from Sayla, "She's one who was made to be as she is. Like me." Eight knows a lot of people know what she is, too. "...I didn't see what the others saw," she says. "I was on my way back, having returned for backup. But I've dealt with her before, and dealt with her 'aura'."

But Marusan... isn't sure if she's supposed to be hearing this. "Yes. I think you should. ...I'm not your boss, but this kind of thing--a lot of people want it kept under wraps, but these things do exist."

<Pose Tracker> Christina MacKenzie has posed.

        Christina MacKenzie, Yumi Foundation Contractor Attach, walks stiffly through the doorway, as quietly as possible since the speakers already started. She's wearing a formal jacket over her flight suit, and probably hasn't slept since Four Eyes first Opened. She settles in towards Sayla's table, pulling out a chair out to sit next to the woman.

        She slides a notepad over in front of Sayla, which outlines a rough draft for bulk housing with included trauma management clinic space, and fourteen possible locations to start construction at.

"Convoy Kappa has offloaded." Her voice is strained, and quiet, but she's at least wearing a wan smile.

<Pose Tracker> Roux Louka has posed.

Roux takes a big sip of her coffee - and pauses at something Sayaka says. She lowers the cup. "... Do you mean that they've sacrified someone? I mean, literal sacrifice?" Roux asks Sayaka, with a sort of grim 'I don't like it but it sure seems possible' attitude in her tone.

And then -- Marusan speaks up. Roux blinks slowly. She had been listening to what Sayla said but a lot of it is information that she will digest later, because most of it is... interesting but not shocking the way a human sacrifice is.

She looks to Marusan and says: "Sure."

"I don't want to bore you with the theory," Roux says. "I don't understand most of the theory myself. What they call 'Newtype phenomena' are... I don't know the terms, it's just a kind of emergent brain-wave... thing that emerges under stress. Like Amuro Ray. There's a lot of specialized military equipment that ties into it... which sucks. But the phenomenon isn't a weapon. If you stay in space long enough (or, I guess, anywhere), you might come to feel it yourself."

Roux winks at Marusan. "It's something that belongs to everybody~. Don't confuse it with military technology, alright?"

"The good news is that those creatures do break up if you shoot them enough, based on our experience," Roux reports to Eight, before settling down to eat her sandwich. Christina comes in then and Roux gives her a look that communicates OMG SIT DOWN despite having her mouth full of bahn mi.

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        Kaworu nods in confirmation to Liam when he follows up with NERV's designation for the Void kaiju. There's a lot that could be said about his bitterness vis-a-vis Earthnoid attitudes towards Spacenoid tragedies, but Sayla and Riika speak best. Kaworu watches them both, and appreciates Riika's smile back.
        
        His red eyes gentle as Banagher speaks up with the link to a fundraiser for the refugees. "I'll be sure to pass it along," he tells him. He'll likely donate next month's wages to it. He doesn't need money that much.
        
        His smile fades into a sober expression when Anita asks about people's experiences with a voice in the Void--when Banagher references a woman of the Void. A glance towards Ruri--she may not be outwardly expressive, but he does pick up that melancholy from her.
        
        Something to discuss later, perhaps. He understands discretion too well to bring it up now.
        
        "There's no use in regretting what's passed, Dr. Kabuto," he tells Koji gently. "Your heart is better focused on how to do better next time."
        
        A nod to Sayaka--both at her input on Koji, and her mention of the crystals and her experiences with HSD-2. "If you wish, we at NERV can assist with that experimentation in whatever capacity you deem appropriate, Director Yumi."
        
        Lucine mentions that Liam's been her faithful nurse. Kaworu's smile broadens, a whisper of a chuckle in his throat. "You two continue to get along beautifully. I'm glad you have each other." Half the burden, twice the joy, as the Lilim sometimes say. (Would Liam agree?)
        
        But who does the Phenex have? ...It's a good question for the moment. His lips purse a bit as Sayla weighs in on that matter and the involvement of the Luio family... as well as what Yuliana did to everyone. If he cottons on to her stepping around the matter of the Vist's goals, he doesn't comment on it.
        
        Instead, as Eight says that the Three Ships Alliance will help the Phenex, he smiles. He expected that Rita would have allies to come to her aid, but it's reassuring to hear it directly. Then when Marusan wonders if she should be hearing this, he looks at her and her Normal Person reaction with wide-eyed curiosity. "Is there a reason you shouldn't?"
        
        No one who has ever spent even a second in Kaworu's company would ever accuse him of being normal.

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

Sayaka's partial-rebuke partial-morale-boost gets her a Deep Look from Koji, who then leans into her. "Thanks," he murmurs quietly, before returning his attention to the rest of the meeting. Eight and Kaworu chime in, and he flushes. "I know - we've been through enough of that," he admits with a half-smile. "I'm just frustrated. Focusing on the refugees is the right call."

"... I saw it, too," Koji says, when Sayla speaks up about the phenomenon at the end of the incident at the mining asteroid. "I... guess I'm not a total brick on the psychic scale," he jokes half-heartedly. "... She sees other high-sensitivity people - no, feels them as... whirlpools. Draining away the connections she should be forming."

        where are they going?

He rubs the back of his head. "I've, uh, been drawing a lot of sketches of that moment." The laboratory section of the Astro Scrander is starting to look like his grandfather's lab might have before Ashura buried it - papers everywhere, the epitome of a Mad Scientist's lair.

He looks over at Lucine who's wondering why Yuliana would escalate. "'With each day I delay, more lives are lost. More spirits, shattered.'" he quotes. "After what we've experienced, I would venture that... the very nature of the Newtype feels like anathema to her. As something to be... corrected." His expression twists. "Administrator Nagisa is right - her escalating is inevitable. Fortunately, the Research Institute are already committed to opposing her - and figuring out how to get Lieutenant Stirner back from her and her wife."

Liam's own frustration is plain to see - Koji tries to shoot the younger-but-taller man a 'talk later' look.

He recognises that anger.

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

Rena blinks when Banagher explains about a crowdfunding website. She blinks, not answering verbally -- but she is jotting the website down with her datapad. Then she smiles at him.

"It's okay. It's... a little scary for me, too," she says. "Some flashbacks to when I was growing up." She doesn't explain a lot more, though; it isn't quite the time.

Anita asks about when everything 'went weird,' and Rena nods. "I saw it, too. A... woman," she says. "It was after my psychoframe resonated with--what whatever she had inside that super robot. The Emptear."

Then, she looks back at Sayaka. "That would be good," she says. "If we can help, let me know. I could send the Gaia Gear's recordings, from when I was close to it, and the psychoframe resonated."

She looks at Sayla, then -- and she nods, after a moment. "I am too. I mean... psychoframe, right?"

"Damn it..." Rena mutters, when Liam explains about the Banshee's fate. She looks down for a moment, and then she sighs. Banagher asks if Vist is after the Phenex. "...it looks like it," she says. "We have to help her. She's helped me so many times, and..."

She trails off. She looks at Eight, then she nods. "We have to help her. Like you said, since... she was made into the way she is."

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"And I want be sure she has the chance to be who she wants to be," Rena finishes, a little quieter.

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        That is, indeed, a whole-ass child.

        Even so, Ruri is handling herself pretty well. She does recognise a lot of other people here -- like Riika, and Rena, and R...osetta -- but she doesn't interrupt things to talk to them. (A studious half-nod will do.) A lingering glance to Kaworu, just the same.

        She's bothered, by all this, but all that shows on her face is a light frown. "If NERV has catalogued these kaiju," she asks, matter-of-fact, "do you know what kind they are? Are they related to any of the other kaiju we've fought?" There are many classes of kaiju, after all.

        Ruri pauses, and looks to Maru-san.

        "If it's a secret," she says, "I don't support keeping it. Ms. Luio almost destroyed an entire colony to get to the Phenex, and I understand the spatial anomaly by 2100 Ra-Shalom might have been a reality-shattering level event. These things affect your life as well."

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

Banagher, it seems, has started a fundraiser. Anita smiles. She kind of gets it so, she nods.

"No problem. I'll make sure it gets out, too." She replies with a nod.

She listens quietly to the others, nodding as she brings up the Yumi Foundation's specialty.

"Glad it's someone's. It certainly ain't mine, and I'm sure a lot of 'em are really not in any position to handle it on their own." Anita replies with a nod. She frowns, though, as Sayla continues. Yuliana... is a Newtype? 'Some' kind of Newtype, anyway - and, like Eight says, one who was made that way. She frowns consideringly. "That's the way she sees the world, huh..."

She rolls that over in her head a bit - listening with interest, too, as Rena mentions it was a reaction with her psychoframe. It's been a little bit since then, but in a way that's only helped the picture come into sharper relief. She remembers looking at everyone - at Rena, and seeing those cracks in the world. Koji agrees, too, and Anita nods. If someone else put the pieces together, too, then she has to be on the right track.

"...Guess that's how she knows, uh, 'who's who', in a sense. Something to watch out for, I guess." She considers.

...She looks toward Ramo, though, and honestly, she can't blame her. She was surprised, too, when she first learned of it - but with her friends being who they are, at some point she just kind of... got used to it. So, she offers her a smile.

"...Sorry. I guess you're kinda gettin' thrown into the deep end here, huh?" She apologizes. "If it's too much for you, I'm sure your boss wouldn't mind if you excused yourself. ...But, if you wanna talk about it with someone who was in your shoes once, just lemme know."

She offers Chris a brief nod as she walks in, but goes back to quiet.

...Though she does offer Rena a small, quiet smile.

"That's so like you." Anita says, fondly.

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

Koji's reaction brings a small, genuine smile to Banagher's face. "I'm just glad I could do something. The Banshee, she's been so close to me so many times. I keep failing to save her, over and over." Banagher shakes his head, shoulders slumped. "She's saved me several times now, and I can't do more for her than record comms..."

"Thanks, Koji. I wish there'd been someone like you here for the people who survived Industrial-7." Banagher's smile fades. "Not that there were very many of us. I can't believe this happened again."

Banagher squeezes his eyes shut for a long moment.

Lucine's soft voice seems all the more tired now, even with Liam caring for her. "I've got people looking out for me, too. Don't worry." Lucine's spiritual warmth brings a sigh out of Banagher, something deep from his soul. "...I'm really glad you two have each other."

Sayla is... amazingly open. Banagher gives her a subtle nod as she does not mention the Box -- he hasn't told NERV, not really. It's not that he doesn't trust Kaworu, but it's not smart to spread the news around. "I'm scared for her. For... Rita." He says the name as if he's unsure. "If Luio & Co. is willing to use the Banshee to capture her, I'm sure they won't have any qualms using the Phenex for whatever awful goal they have in mind."

He looks down at his own hands. In the end, this too is his fault. The appearance of the Unicorn is responsible for so much sorrow...

"Thanks, Captain York." Banagher asides to Eight, gratefully. "I don't know where we'd be if you hadn't been there at Metis. Or at that mining asteroid. Tens of thousands of people are alive because of you and the Nadesico. And-- I'm really grateful."

Kaworu earns a smile as well, Banagher somehow not surprised to see perhaps one of his most unusual friends here in space. "I appreciate it a lot."

Banagher takes a breath. "I dove into the heart of Yuliana's machine just before things got, weird. The Banshee pulled me out just in time. Otherwise, I--"

"There was someone there." His voice is deadly serious. "A woman, a really, really angry woman. Or maybe more like -- a goddess, I guess? She hated me. I couldn't feel any of my Bonds, not even the Unicorn, and I was literally sitting inside her. That goddess said I wasn't hers, and she was just--"

Brown hair fluffs out as Banagher lowers his head. "If that's what Yuliana is dealing with every single day, I don't know how she's... As sane as she is. There has to be some way to save her from this, right?" A glance toward Sayla, Koji, Eight. "Some way to reverse what was done to her in that awful lab? We can't just leave her like this, no matter what she's done."

"Yuliana and the Phenex both." Banagher brings both his hands together. "I don't understand them, and I don't really know them, but they've both been there for people when we really needed them, haven't they? We can't just -- abandon them! Not after everything they've done! You've all said it, the Phenex has tried to prevent disasters. And right before she got dragged through that portal, Yuliana was crying and begging for help!"

Passion makes Banagher's voice louder. "The Banshee, too. She's saved me again and again. We have to rescue all three of them, and fast. They've all -- victims of people who try to weaponize Newtypes."

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        Koji reminds Lucine of what Yuliana said at the beginning. ".... Ah, that's right... She said that."

        Being among people and discussing what happened, while initially a little frightening, seems to bring more and more of Lucine's memories out-- at least, the ones she's willing to touch. Restless anger is redirected, that energy not allowed to flow into a relentless loop. Rena reminds her of what Liam as said, once, about how Yuliana tried to help him out. She was also made to be like this, much as Eight and Liam.

        Especially, Rena's last quiet sentence. 'And I want be sure she has the chance to be who she wants to be.' The teal blue haired courier's eyes widen, recognizing the similar sentiments she's expressed to Liam. "..... I think I.... understand, Rena. It's not as much about 'fixing her', but.... no, it's not even about a 'fix'. It's undoing the 'fix' that was done to her in the first place, as much as possible. That 'fix' was the part that was wrong. What she did afterwards..."

        It would break anyone's spirit, as Sayla said. As Banagher related to.

        "..... I can't forgive her from afar for what she's done. But.... I want to see the person she can become." She wanted to see the person Liam can and is becoming. "The only correction that is needed... is to undo.... that hold."

        Maru-san's comment draws Lucine's attention next, and she gives a half smile. ".... In the end... it's just another type... of person that can happen." Roux's explanation is one Lucine'll have to remember for later. "Yuliana is what happens when someone takes a Newtype, and... makes those connections... revert away, is what I'm getting. She's able to do as much to everyone with those abilities, when they're close to her. She was made into a weapon, just as bad as if someone was made into a weapon that could numb the nerves of anyone who can physically feel, while feeling numb herself."

        Something pokes at the back of Lucine's head-- not Ruri, no, Ruri seems fine enough. No, it's... Liam.

        '"You two continue to get along beautifully.' When was the last time... Liam focused on his own health? Her hand strays to find his, and gives a squeeze back, as she listens to Banagher. Her hand, unless Liam needs it to, does not stray from his now.

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        Sayla is extremely used to Chris' overwork mode, and when she slides the datapad into view, she glances at it and nods. "Thanks, Chris." She says, before wordlessly reaching up to Chris' shoulder and firmly pushing her down into the seat next to her. An old practiced motion.

        Things only really started breaking down when they stopped doing this for each other- stopped trying to intercept the other's tendencies to avoid everything else through work.

        She then slides the pad to her intern. "I'll read you in fully later if you want. I forget how different Tsutsujidai's history is." It's an apologetic look to Ramo. She doesn't ask her to grab Chris a coffee, as is the ancient ritual of boss to intern. Ramo's as much a part of this conversation as everyone else. "This is the world I live in. You're going to keep getting exposed to it. If you want, I can let you see the library."

        Sayla shakes her had at Liam. "There's no need to apologize. Your anger is justified, but you'll need it later. Not now." She's firm but not... cold. She's got that sort of anger in her at times too.

        Eight confirms long held suspicions, and Sayla is glad for her sunglasses, helping hide the concern in her eyes- and then her frown at the mention of the psychoframe. The metal may have saved her life in Tsutsujidai... but it also got her where she is now.

        Director Nagisa makes his point, and Sayla tenses ever so slightly. But she knows Sayaka's a smart reason, if she takes him up on the offer, she won't misstep.

        Koji's comment elicits surprise. "...I see." She does frown a bit at the use of the word psychic. It might be he truth but...

        It's not the word Zeon zum Deikun had used, and Sayla suspects he had a reason. Even if the newtypes that emerged were so different.

        Sayla shakes her head at Banagher. "...For Michele Luio, the Phenex is the goal. That's my understanding at least. Whatever her end goal... she wants that mobile suit intact."

        Sayla may be surprising Banagher, but... anyone who was there heard Sayla's frustration and despair. And she was one of the first people, along with Amuro and the rest of the White Base crew, to be subject to the Federation's Newtype Testing Regime.

        Before it became screening for the Cyber-Newtype creation process.

        "...I'd appreciate it if we can retrieve the Banshee's pilot alive. For personal reasons." Sayla's voice hardens, and she closes off again. "You'll forgive me if I don't disclose why but... that girl needs to be freed from Vist as soon as possible."

        Leina would never forgive Sayla if she didn't try to save her sister. And Sayla would never forgive herself.

        Ruri calls Yuliana's presence a reality shattering event, and ten years ago she would have stared at the girl for saying nonsense. Now she stares at Ruri because she could be right. "...Much like what Tsutsujidai could have been..." Her fingers start tapping on the table, as she thinks. "Or what the Ruin Apostles are working on..." She shudders, her memories of what Amuro and Char became under that power.

        Still, Doctor Mass is very well informed.

<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.

Marusan gets several rounds of reassurance that she ought to be hearing this. "I guess it's... not guaranteed that it's the weirdest thing I've heard all year," she has to concede, uneasily. She does listen in fairly acute detail when Roux explains the theory.

"That's more like -- the version I heard at home than the one I kept hearing after July," Marusan admits to her, after a little bit. ... Tsutsujidai was always like that. A gentler world, one would suppose.

"I guess I didn't expect it, is all," she replies to Kaworu. "I don't know what I was expecting, but --" Anita's 'thrown into the deep end' gets her to laugh, instead. "I think I'll be fine. I'm doing okay, just. Whoo. It's a lot."

She tries to follow along, even if it's a lot. "Hm. That's kind, but at the same time, like... if she were just blind and had a cell regeneration deficiency that made regeneration impossible, would you still feel like there was a way to -- undo it or whatever? Just because it's something that's harder to wrap your head around doesn't mean it's easier to fix... if anything, it kind of seems like it'd be harder. And besides that, what if the person she wants to be is still..."

She realizes what she's implying, and immediately says, "U -- uh. I don't think you wanting to save her is bad. I'm -- friends with someone who was... different, and needed that kind of help, and that kind of saving. I didn't want anyone to give up on her either, I'm just..."

Her fingers wrap a little bit tighter around her tablet. "... I don't know what I'm saying. Sorry."

When Sayla mentions the library... "I'd like that. Thank you, Miss Mass."

<Pose Tracker> Roux Louka has posed.

Roux glances towards Rena's Psychoframe remarks and then towards Anita. "She was probably adjusted, somehow," she says. She is frowning as she says it. "There won't be anyone else like her coming out of that facility, and I guess it's possible she's just an anomaly, like, one in a million or something, but who knows, I guess."

"I don't give a hot lube job what the Federation wants to keep secret," Roux echoes after Ruri. She says it very matter of factly! She gestures with her sandwich. "This! This is what keeping these things secret got us. They don't weaponize... I don't know... piloting soundscapes!" Roux is, still, moderately unhinged, but the coffee and food are helping her to re-hinge.

"So it's like she's reversed the polarities? Or had the polarities reversed?" Roux answers Lucine, brow furrowing. Regretting, probably, every kick not given to certain scientists.

Marusan raises a grave possibility. Roux frowns even more.

She glances at her, and she eats her sandwich, which tastes less delicious now.

She has resolved something, but there's no reason to kill the mood, right?

<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.

Letting Koji lean in closer, she adds, "It's okay. You never quite made those mistakes forever.. and there'll always be a chance, as long we're coordinating." And then ruffles his very Super Robot pilot hair.

Sayaka also frowns when Sayla explains the truth of her involvement with Luio, and the deal she made. "It really is more complicated than Hell.."

Finally, Kaworu makes his offer, and Sayaka takes a good few moments to consider. Not that she doesn't trust Kaworu, he seems a nice enough kid, but... maybe kid's exactly it, considering NERV's reputation. "It might be something GGG could offer their expertise in." She decides on. "We have a good working relationship. I'm not quite so familiar with the other branches of NERV, admittedly. I'd also request Major Tsurugi's involvement, considering he is with both of our organizations." If she can have enough people that she trusts at the table, then it would be an offer she's willing to consider.

<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.

Whirlpools, draining away... and the things Yuliana said. Eight frowns, but she listens all the same. "She hates Newtypes, and anything like us," Eight says. "...Maybe that starts to explain why."

She nods to Rena, though. Rena says it exactly right, after all. "Yes. Leaving her without that chance... It's not an option." And it is like Rena. Just like it's like Anita to offer Ramo that sympathetic ear.

She smiles briefly at Chris, though; it's good to see her. ...She frowns a little at seeing how tired she looks, but Eight can't exactly get on someone's case for that, herself.

She looks with some interest to the answer of Ruri's question, though. If NERV has catalogued them, then maybe they have more data, too? Either way, she's right; "This affects a lot of lives."

Banagher gives an impassioned set of words, but... "I had a run-in with her after one of her 'meetings'," Eight admits. "Naturally, she still hated me, but she instructed her people to leave me alone once she realized I was pregnant. I don't know that having one standard makes her saveable, but it'd be hypocritical of me to tell you not to try. ...But be careful. Be very, very careful." Rezza frowns at Eight, but it's easy to gt the sense they've talked about that particulra incident before. But it would appear that Ramo gets it. "You're right," she says to her. "We need to approach her carefully. She's very dangerous, to say the least."

Sayla's request as regards the Banshee's pilot, "...From what I understand of that pilot, we're on the same page there." She doesn't need to out Puru Two in order to explain why that's important; saying that she wants the same is sufficient.

"At least the fact that Luio wants the Phenex intact gives us a lot more hope for retreiving her," Eight says.

She sighs. Then, she considers her water, and moves to take a drink.

"With the future in mind, though," Eight says, "I'd like to introduce you to an additional point of contact." She nods to her XO. "Commander Enba Rezza. They have my full confidence, and anything you can trust me with you can trust them with."

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        "No," Kaworu tells Ruri, just as matter-of-fact. ('No' to which, though?) "Compared to other kaiju and alien beings in our databases, the entities that Yuliana and Elisa Kafim call forth are unique. To put it succinctly, they are not of this reality."
        
        Not 'this world'--'this *reality*'. ...One could assume that Kaworu is exaggerating for effect, but is he that kind of person?
        
        "Beyond that..." He glances over at Koji, Lucine, Banagher, Roux, Eight, Ramo, and the others discussing Yuliana's goals and mindset... and the 'goddess' that envelopes her. "Until recently, because of the way the Void in which she exists cuts her off from others, Yuliana Kafim believed that only she and her wife exist. This belief has since been adjusted... but I don't know if that's for the better or for the worse."
        
        He leans back in his seat for a moment, gazing upwards in silent consideration. Can Yuliana be saved? ...It's very much like Banagher to suggest they try all the same--and not just for her but for Rita and the Banshee too. Kaworu gives him and Rena both a soft smile for that reason. "Lilim cannot survive without hope."
        
        It sounds from his tone like it's an agreement? The words themselves might be rather opaque.
        
        Marusan gets a nod. "I see. I'm sure you'll grow used to it in time, Ramo Marusa. You already have experience with the world growing broader."
        
        Sayaka makes her response to his offer. He nods once, and if he catches on to any tension or distrust from either her or Sayla, he seems unruffled by it. "I'll pass it along, then," he says, and doesn't press further. Instead, he regards Commander Rezza when Eight introduces them, and gives them a smile of greeting and a brief self-introduction.

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        "I don't want the Luios to hurt the Phenex. The Phenex is a good girl," Ruri insists, stoic. "She's lonely, but she loves the woman who piloted her a lot. She can be very violent, and suspicious, too, but she was willing to listen to me when I asked her to stop. Well, it's not like Mr. Biaggi didn't do something to provoke her, either." A light frown. She says: "He killed someone her pilot was trying to save. I guess the blood didn't wash off for a long time."

        She relates it so matter-of-factly.

        She's matter-of-fact, just the same, as she says: "I think I had better avoid Mrs. Kafim. I don't want to find out what happens when I get close to her." She doesn't explicitly say she's a Newtype -- because she isn't, exactly, a Newtype -- but the implications are there. Besides, Sayla and Kaworu would know just how much trouble Ruri's gotten into making friends with hollow people, before.

        (How is Mr. Kerib, these days, anyway..?)

        "But if their kaiju are different from the other kaiju here," Ruri points out, looking to Kaworu, "that might mean we can use weapons on them without worrying whether other kaiju will adapt to them."

        Ruri looks to Enba, then. "Commander Rezza is a good person," she gives her assessment, and this one might be more accurate. "They've been very reliable. I trust them, too." The smallest Nadesico's approval..!

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        Liam turns back to Sayla, and listens. It takes a little effort to meet her eyes, but he does so as he nods. He's been getting food. He's been getting sleep. What he hasn't been doing is talking to the doctors, or much of anyone outside his initial debriefing to Eight, and followup necessary to help Lucine.

        The conditioning is there, in the back of his mind, like a trap ready to be sprung. He doesn't want to talk about it. But as Anita, and Lucine, and Rena talk about Yuliana, Liam remembers her, and how she--

        He can't end up like her.

        Liam takes Lucine's hand, and holds it tight.

        "She's... manipulative," Liam says. "Don't know how much is training and how much is her. But... you saw what she did to Alma." He's struggling a little to say full sentences, but-- "Ramo's right. You have to protect yourselves, too."

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"Y-Yeah?" Rena asks, looking sideways at Anita -- and flushing a little.

She looks at Banagher, as he gets worked up -- and her eyes widen, before she nods. She looks down, after a moment. "We do," she says. "I... don't like Yuliana. But... she didn't... she was asking for help. We have to try, at least. Even if..."

She glances to the side, before she shakes her head.

Then, she looks at Sayla -- and she hesitates, but nods. "We have to. I... know someone connected to her," she says. "We have to try. She's... close to a friend of mine."

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

"Yeah." Anita confirms with a smile toward Rena - and looking just a little proud of herself at the sight of that flush.

Anita sits back, listening to the others. She doesn't have much to say here, so she's fine to let the others discuss and take in everything. ...It's a lot, really. The situation is, on the whole, incredibly complicated. ...Well, things can never be easy, she supposes.

Ramo says she'll be fine, so Anita nods.

"Yeah, it is. Hang in there." Anita replies, offering her a smile.

She shakes her head, though.

"You're fine. Honestly, I've thought about it a little, myself. It's important to bring up." She offers. "If that's her choice, that's her choice - and we'll deal with it if it comes down to it."

Rena wants to try, and Anita isn't going to take that away from her.

Eight introduces Enba Rezza, then, and Anita turns her full attention toward them. They are, of course, already well-acquainted - but it's just polite.

<Pose Tracker> Christina MacKenzie has posed.

        Chris's body sinks smoothly under Sayla's touch, brain successfully bypassed. She turns that tired smile to Sayla.

        Chris finally looks around the room, and gives a nod back when familiar faces turn her way. It's good that everyone is here.

        Chris doesn't need a coffee, thankfully, she's been operating at her old efficiency for a while now. As such, she pulls a vial of Engineering Juice from her bag and slugs it, listening to the Newtypes in the room talk about what it's like to be near Yuliana--to be connected to her. Bonded. The conversation turns more fully to who Yuliana is, what she can do, and what she wants. She listens, attentively, to Banagher as he describes what was inside...inside that robot. Was she seeing that... All the time?

                ("Yuliana... Was this the better world you'd fight for? Is this worth it to make her--Rita--your enemy? Can you still save her if you do this?")
                Finally, she speaks up. "Yuliana Kafim... She has her convictions and her pains. Maybe she's twisted, maybe she's being used... but she's certain she's fighting for equality. I don't...I don't know what equality she's fighting for, but be careful, everyone. She truly believes in her cause." She doesn't mention her own care and heartache over Yuliana. She hasn't sorted those feelings out yet. And in any case, this isn't the place to air their shared bonds.

                "Miss Marusa... Your friend is lucky to have you. No apologies, you're right. Not everyone who needs saving is ready for it."

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

"Y--yeah, I went to one of Yuliana's meetings with Leina, and... It went poorly." Banagher mutters, glancing away. "She's done a lot of horrible things, and I don't forgive her for that. But that doesn't mean it's right for her to suffer. I can't stop thinking about the way she was crying."

Banagher is surprised by Sayla, at least a little. Thinking back to the battle, he remembers Sayla's desperate message sent for Leina's sake. He stands from his chair and walks over to her, reaching out and taking Sayla's hand, squeezing it once, then releasing it. "You carry so much for everyone." HIs voice is very, very soft. "Thank you. Please lean on us. I know everyone here will do whatever they can -- for you, and for the Banshee's pilot."

"I don't want you to have to constantly face things that bring up bad memories. It's okay to -- rest."

Turning from Sayla so as not to make a scene, Banagher nods as Eight introduces Commander Rezza. He knows of them, of course, but this is official. "Thank you, Captain York. It's nice to properly meet you, Commander Rezza. Thank you for your help so far."

Kaworu mentions different realities, and Banagher looks thoughtful as he returns to his seat. It certainly makes sense. Those dragons, or serpents, or kaiju -- whatever they are. They didn't behave like any sort of natural creature. But... are the Miracles Banagher has witnessed of this reality? How far has he pulled the fabric of this world in order to get the things he wants?

"...I'm really glad you're here, Kaworu." Banagher offers, clearly taking the other young man's words seriously. He knows Kaworu isn't the sort to exaggerate. "That's -- a really sad way for Yuliana and Elisa to have existed."

Lilim cannot survive without hope.

Golden eyes blink. "Lilim?" It sounds like a good thing, so he adds: "thanks, Kaworu."

"I don't want anyone to put themselves in danger. Not for Yuliana, or the Phenex, or the Banshee's pilot." Banagher says, quite clearly excluding himself from this group. "And I don't think -- you should force yourself to try and save her if you don't want to. Yuliana has hurt so many people..." A breath, and Banagher brings a hand to his chest. "But I'm going to do everything I can, for her and the other two Unicorns. Please rely on me."

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

Despite the large company they're in, Koji visibly warms to Sayaka's returned affection, and lowers his voice to whisper to her; despite his attempts to be clandestine, it's pretty clear by the warmth of his face as he sits up again what exactly he said.

Returning to the topic of the void, Koji frowns. "What the REA tripped over with their experiments - even with this... insight we still don't understand enough about it beyond that this 'Void' is inimical to the fundamental axioms of reality. What kind of plants survive in a universe of total darkness? Would there even be plants? Ground to stand on? Or would it just be... Her?" The hateful woman behind the veil, of the myriad eyes...

"Banagher... Sayaka and I have seen this kind of obsessive mania before." He looks sombre. "It never ends well. Even if we could get her away from Elisa... I don't think that would solve the problem. Yuliana fundamentally sees the reality she lives in as broken by Newtypes... and she means to fix it, whatever it takes. I'm not saying we shouldn't try to help her... but we have to be prepared for it to end badly. After all - most people I know would do ridiculous things for the ones they love - isn't that right, Mr. 'body-blocked a mass-reactive weapon'?" The wry grin he gives Banagher is meant to temper his cautious warning, but it is a warning.

He glances to Kaworu again, raising an eyebrow. "... Lilim, huh." A curious word. He files it away.

"As for the Banshee's pilot, I think everyone here agrees: She has to be rescued." He offers Sayla a warm smile. Solidarity, again.

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        Ramo's stumbling earns a gentle hand on the shoulder from Sayla. "It's okay. The situation is messy." And so she looks out to Captain York, and to Banagher. "...I stand by what I said on the battlefied. At one point I suspect even Mrs Kafim wanted a better world-" She speaks of Yuliana here, once a slightly cruel woman who nonetheless did more than most in the REA to aid the Yumi Foundation's work, even if it came with a bribe.. She doesn't know much about Elisa beyond what the reports tell her- and what Leina has said.

        "-but as it stands right now the world she wants is not one that living beings can occupy. You can only save someone who wants to be saved, somewhere in there. I think... that Yuliana may have already found a 'salvation' that suits her." It's a hard thing to say, especially in front of Ramo. But maybe it will reassure her that deep down, Akane wanted to be saved. And it would be the height of hypocrisy to not consider the lengths some might go to for one others think unsaveable.

        "...I agree with that assessment, Miss Hoshino." They're in a professional setting here, it does not do to treat Ruri as separate from that. "I think it's the right choice to make, under the circumstances."

        Rena gets a nod. "...She's important to someone I care about as well, Pilot Lancaster. I think-" Her entire train of thought is derailed when Banagher tries to comfort her. "...I appreciate the sentiment, Banagher." She manages, but she gently pulls her hand away.

        Perhaps there are people in the room not ready to accept saving. Or even kindness. Not from the people they already hurt.

        Kaworu's words linger. Lilim cannot survive without hope. "...Perhaps that is true, Administrator Nagisa. But sometimes people have to keep going regardless." She had been, for so very long- but had she truly started living again until the last year, when the 'miracles' returned? She avoids her own mental question.

        Sayla bristles slightly at the mention of Yuliana fighting for equality. Even if it's true... "This world of ours isn't equal. If the equality she wants is the world we saw... then the equality she wants will cost so much. And it won't be equitable. It will just be cold, and empty. Even for the oldtypes."

        Koji offers solidarity, and as with Banagher, Sayla tries to avoid it. "And I'm glad for that," she manages.

<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.

"Thanks. I'm... happy to be someone who's there for Akane, even if it's only in a little way," Marusan says, and she gives Chris a pretty bright smile. "I wasn't always perfect for her... for a long time I thought -- it'd be best if we kept each other's secrets, no matter how bad. But..."

She moves along. It's best if she doesn't dwell on the spots where she feels like she was imperfect. Shifting a little closer to Sayla, she finally notices that her blouse is only half tucked in, and hastily shoves it back in there in full view of everyone. "... you're right," she murmurs to 'Miss Mass.'

She shifts uneasily as the conversation turns from Yuliana to the Banshee's pilot. "... I," she starts. "Akane's been really passionate about that. I've been working hard to -- help her narrow down the possibility that it's one of our classmates in that machine. I can't actually account for most of the class, though, now that she's thrown out digital alibis, let alone myself, so she actually asked me to stop..."

Another strained, slightly bewildered smile. "Whoever it is, uh... good luck, you guys?" The exhaustion heightens a bit.

She elects to latch onto Kaworu's words instead. "... You're right. This'll be -- easier, as it keeps going and I get my head around what's going on. It's not the first time..."

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        Lucine nods to Roux. "I'm... not entirely sure, but... that would be a good way to look at it." Already, it's hard to understand or remember what happened back there, in that terrible moment.

        Maybe it's for the best, or maybe...

        Kaworu's choice of words for humanity isn't new to Lucine, and it comes with its own pleasant connotation of lilies. Lilium, Lilim. Only a letter away. "... Hope can be a double-edged sword, but.... like anything, it's something we need. Yuliana... has her own kind of hope. It just, ah, might destroy us all." Sayla's own answer to this is matter-of-fact; something Lucine wonders if she would sound like, if... or when....

        And as the coinversation moves on, everyone's words inspire another thought for Lucine. Where is Elisa in all this? Lucine wants to believe Elisa loves Yuliana, but what if Yuliana is the victim here?

        Or maybe, Lucine should tend to herself, as well as Liam, now that she's sensing his own distress. Maybe she can convince Liam to sit down in front of a doctor. Maybe someone like Kamille, or *anyone* that he could perhaps tolerate. Maybe Banagher could convince him.

        Like falling into that role of being a guardian for Ruri, it seems to settle her to find a role to distract and enrich her time. Ruri's quiet confidence is a salve for sure. Softly, Lucine says to Ruri. "Maybe, someday, Ruri... I should have you meet the pilot of the Phenex properly, when she's rescued. I think... you two might find each other interesting, at the very least."
                
        For now, she holds onto Liam's hand. "..... I didn't say this before, but.... Thank you, Liam," she whispers, Sure, she could have waited until later, but as the threat of Yuliana and Elisa's world seems to draw closer, it felt better to say it sooner, rather than later.

<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.

<poem> Matters inimical to reality itself... It's not something Eight relishes. But Kaworu's explanation about Yuliana is something that illuminates her that much more. Eight has to agree with Sayla on this one. And with Ruri, "You should definitely avoid her. I don't want to find that out, either."

"A 'salvation' that suits her... That may be," Eight answers. The world, though?

She looks to Koji again. "I don't aim to find out," she says. "The world we have... it's worth fighting for. And we will."

Lilim can't exist without hope... Hm. Sometimes... It gives her some insight.

But Banagher, "It's kind of you, to want to save everyone," she says. "I think that kindness is something worth protecting, too. Andwe'll suport you as we're able with the Unicorns."

Rezza meanwhile rises when addressed, and inclines their head. "Thank you. I hope to make an adequate liason. Please come to me with further information on these subjects that you wish to share with the Alliance. ...I have to say though," they say, "Most of the people we'll deal with have their convictions. But remembering that the Kafims are still people with their motivations... it's worth bringing up," they say. "If only for how to predict their behavior."

Eight nods then, regarding Chris for a moment, and then looks to Marusan. "Thanks," she says. "And we'll be relying on you." For the business with the refugees. Then she starts to rise from her seat. "...With all that said, there are a few matters I need to attend. Please leave anything else you have with Rezza, and thank you for meeting with me. We all have our own ideas as to how to move forward... But it seems we agree at least on a few things today."