2023-06-06: VERTEX - Tessa/Sousuke - Through Glass
- Cast: Teletha Testarossa, Sousuke Sagara
- Where: TDD-1 - E2EE Channel
- Date: U.C. 0097 06 06
- Summary: A boy and a girl catch up and try to make sense of things. The innocent, the harrowing, and everything in between.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: Captain.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: No, Tessa.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: Sagara? What is it?
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: I just. Felt like I wanted to see you, I think. Are you well?
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: ...I think I am, Sousuke. I'd like to think I am. Its been a difficult few months.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: It has. We're even feeling it in the ranks.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: I'm having trouble understanding it, but I can't deny that even AL is upset.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: Mhm, I've seen the details. And yourself? How do you feel?
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: I believe I can pilot without emotional compromise. But I find it... ...Mao says I am unmotivated. Perhaps that's this listless feeling.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: I find myself thinking of Rikka and Leina often. I could say I hardly knew them, but this turn of events troubles me.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: Unmotivated? ...In general? Work? Something else? ...Powerlessness?
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: I'll admit that Leina and Rikka's situations aren't exactly unprecedented, but I'm...surprised they managed to get two high-profile people in such a way.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: ...the last, I think.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: I...do understand that sort of feeling. It's not a good one, is it?
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: You know my history. I have seen many horrible things. Death and war and....worse. Things I thought were the worst things a person can do to another. It's the first time in a long time I have felt so much like I have failed over something I clearly did not control.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: No. To be defeated by an enemy is already dire. To be forced to terms, with an enemy that has comrades as hostages....In the field, the standard would be to refuse to negotiate. But the thought is unpleasant.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: It becomes much harder to negotiate when everyone has attachments to them. Protocol would dictate them as KIA and we'd shoot anyways.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: Fortunately, Mithril does not follow standard protocol.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: ...For better and for worse, I'll admit.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: I understand.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: ....colonel. I don't know that I've told you this, but...
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: Even aside from our personal feelings, thank you.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: Mhm. Everything I do has the weight of steel behind it, so I couldn't exactly...say anything while Leina was taken.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: Don't falter, okay? I believe in you and what you can do.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: Knowing that our commander will stop at nothing to save every life is... wonderful. I trust you, as my Colonel.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: And, knowing you and Kaname want me to return...not just as a soldier, but as a man, gives me strength.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: I'm glad. It helps to know at least two people will permanently have my back no matter what.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: I'll always come back to you. Even if it takes time, I will.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: Don't split yourself in two. Kaname would love to see you just as much.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: I guess I'd have to pick an order, in that case... ...we'll let operational needs define that.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: Kaname first.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara might have actually chuckled. "Yes, ma'am."
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: When we can again...shall we go somewhere?
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: On that note...How is AL? You said he was feeling the same thing you were.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: ...You mean, a date? The three of us?
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: Yes.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: Ahem. That is. A bit of a surprise. ...Do I take it that we're not going to a military base or anything of the sort, correct?
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: I confess I had not gotten that far in the thinking...my initial thought had simply been to spend time together in this difficult period. That could be as simple as the mess, but...if you would like something grander, I can arrange something.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: I understand. Just...Do a place that won't earn you a harisen. That's my advice.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: If I knew what did that, it wouldn't be an issue. ...but I understand. Very well.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: Good. Don't mess too much with girls' hearts, or they'll bite you hard!
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: Yes, Ma'am.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: As for AL...did you see Bani's message in his logs?
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: The vehicle of possibility, correct?
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: Yes. I don't know what to think about that. He /also/ said AL has the potential to feel as a human does. It's been difficult to accept. A combat computer can only speak to facilitate hands-free operation, normally. But....
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: I cannot deny what his behavior entails, Tessa.
[VERTEX] Teletha Testarossa: I'd trust anything made by Bani with my life. We can't take him off.
[VERTEX] Sousuke Sagara: Understood. I'll attempt to... ...get along, with him.