2023-08-03: A Return No Too Soon
- Cast: Killy Garrett, Sayaka Yumi
- Where: Fujinomiya City - Photon Power Research Lab
- Date: U.C. 0097 08 03
- Summary: Breaking the good news to Alma Stirner's former squadron leader, Sayaka catches up with an old ally of her own. Killy teases Sayaka about how much she's changed and how little her love life has. And most of all, she's eager to accept Sayaka's request to take care of Alma along with Lilith Aiden.
<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.
It's been nearly a week since that final gambit to recover Alma's agency. It's going to be a long road for her... but Sayaka's trying to remind her that even if the Kafims 'abandoned' her, she is still not alone in this world.
It's for this reason that she painstakingly tried to get in contact with Killy Garrett. Although she knew the woman from the AEUG days, she's fallen out of the public eyes these days as far as she knows - it was a surprise to see her at Ra-Shalom.
Sayaka on the other hand, has certainly never fallen out of the public eye, re-emerging from her hot-blooded teenage years as the highly respected Director of the Photon Power Labs. And once she finally broke a lead in getting in touch with Killy, she receives an invitation for an 'urgent' meeting in her office in Fujinomiya.
"Welcome, Ms. Garrett. It's... been a good decade since we've spoken face-to-face, hasn't it?" She greets the older woman, with a surprising calmness despite the 'urgency'.There's refreshments - water and tea, as is polite. "I'll get the small talk out of the way. It's good news: Alma Stirner has been recovered from the Kafims."
"To be clear, I don't plan on handing her to the Federation." She was a Lieutenant in Londo Bell, but she wants to make sure Alma can make the decisions for herself first. "What I believe she needs most are the people who were close to her. I know you've been trying to reconnect with her for a long time, but... she currently believes she's burned those bridges for good. If you could be there for her, I think it would help her recovery a lot." With the news broken and the request made, she waits for Killy's response.
<Pose Tracker> Killy Garrett has posed.
Killy was surprised to get an 'urgent' invitiation from none other than Sayaka Yumi herself - She knew Sayaka from her time in Karaba, when she was a hotheaded teenager in the AEUG, thankfully that doesn't seem to be the case anymore as Killy enters her office in Fujinomiya.
"Thank you, Dr. Yumi, it's good to see you." Killy replied, politelytaking a seat in the young lady's office. "It really has been, last time we met wasn't during the best circumstances." She was referring to the events that went down at Ra-Shalom.
She had some ideas as to why she was invited here, but she let Sayaka talk - however it doesn't take long for Killy's eyes to widen at the news. Alma? Recovered? Killy was taken aback, this was wonderful news, but she kept her cool, letting Sayaka continue talking before saying anything.
She listened with great interest, relieved to hear she wasn't going to be handed to the federation. It was clear this mattered alot to her, and she didn't hesitate one bit before answering. "Absolutely, I'll gladly be there for her every step of the way until she makes a full recovery." Killy couldn't help but smile, thinking about it, but there was one question on her mind. "...but how? How was she recoverd?"
<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.
Sayaka's teenage aggressiveness has mostly matured into assertiveness and a command of respect in her adulthood. On the other hand, that hot-headedness comes out in full swing when she's in battle. But it is lucky that she doesn't conduct negotiations with that sort of mindset. Unfortunately, politics means keeping a cool head.
"Yes... it really wasn't," Sayaka shakes her head, taking a sip of tea, recalling the battle at Ra-Shalom. "I'm really glad you made it out safe... reality-bending's a hell of a situation to get caught up in." Continuing the small talk, she adds, "How've you been keeping up? Sounds like you prefer the quiet life these days... I can't blame you honestly." Although at the same time, it's hard to say most people get to live in total peace in these times. Even if you aren't secretly an anti-Britannian insurgent.
%"Thank you very much, Ms. Garrett. Getting 'Noisy Fairy' back... I think that was always something she wanted too." She smiles, at the thought of that reunion. "I'm going to want to get in contact with Lilith Aiden, too. They're going to have a lot to work through, I think... and having you as a mediator might help them out." Is she assigning Killy the job of relationship therapist?
And well, how is a long story. Sayaka's expression darkens a little, as she prepares to tell the tale. "She sent me a message, asking to gather everyone I could... because she wanted to settle things with Lilith once and for all." She explains. "I knew what she really wanted. A fight. So I brought a friend of hers, Anita, and told her we'd settle this in her stead."
"I... didn't think you'd want to see her like that. She was fighting like she was meaning to kill, but... I think she also wanted a way out of what she was going through, within her constraints." She frowns. "When your name came up, she thought you must hate her because she tried to kill you. To reinforce the feeling that she had no one left but Yuliana Kafim." And even her... she felt alone when she was with her.
"The two of us eventually disabled her machine, and she agreed to come with us... but it's going to take a lot before she can rebuild her relationships. That's why your presence is so important for her recovery, of course." She takes a sip of tea.
BBSYS: Post 1128, 'Amuro Ray' has been published to Character Pitches by Lina Lombardi.
<Pose Tracker> Killy Garrett has posed.
Sayaka having a sip of tea reminds Killy of her own cup sitting right in front of her, to which she grabs and gently lifts up to her lips, taking a sip as well. "I'm glad you made it out safe too, it was quite the situation I must admit." She then stared at her own tea cup for a moment, before continuing - "Quiet life...is one way to describe it, I've been doing well, thanks for asking. Just doing my own thing, haven't really caught a break since Karaba." Killy laughed, it was partially true, with her work as black knight keeping her busy recently.
"What about you? You seem to be doing rather well for yourself." She continued, looking around Sayaka's very nice office. "What happened to hot-headed teenager I knew from AEUG? Now a well-respected Dr. Yumi? Oh my." Killy laid back in her seat, she knew Sayaka was brilliant back in their shared days, but she couldn't help but wanting to tease the younger lady, despite the seriousness of the conversation, it's been a while since she was able to drink a nice cup of tea and relax, and it seems like knowing Alma is recoverd and in good hands has put her in a rather good mood.
"I should be the one thanking you, this is amazing news. Wanting to get "Noisy Fairy" back is something I wanted to do as well, which you've made much more possible now. I'll make sure to make it happen as soon as I can." The thought of gathering her old comrades made her quite happy, she does feel slightly bad however, as she promised to see them again after the OYW but never got the chance to.
Lilith Aiden - that reminds her. "Please do, I would like to get in touch with her as well, and I'll make sure to help them best I can, rest assured."
Sayaka then proceeds to explain everything, Killy shaking her head as she listens to the story. "A fight, huh." Doesn't sound out of the ordinary for Alma. She has seen Alma fight countless times before, and it doesn't bother her, nor would it ever make her hate Alma. Then Yuliana's name comes up, the witch behind it all - from what saw at Ra-Shalom, that woman is far more powerful than she took her for, and now that Alma is out of her grasp, Killy sees no point in revenge, nor is she typically a vindictive person, if she ever got the chance however...
I would never hate her, and I'm very thankful you two handled it well. If you ever need anything from me, please don't hesitate to ask, I'm indebted to you." Killy was determined to do everything in her power to help Alma.
<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.
"We made it out safe... but I think the whole situation drove Koji insane for a few days." Sayaka comments, about the chaos that Emptear wrought. "At least until we got the chance to talk to Yuliana face to face, ironically enough." Complicated as she is, it does pay to understand her better. And not everyone has the chance to have such cordial conversations with her. Even if she and Elisa both affirmed they'd always be enemies...
"I get it," she nods, about doing her own thing, but the times being extremely busy lately... even if she's unaware of her latest activities.
And then her eyes widen at Killy's teasing about her as a teenager, and she nearly spits out her drink. "I mean... you should look at Koji! He was even worse than me, and now he's lead researcher in quantum mechanics, always lost in his theories." She jokingly scoffs. In their bickering-filled relationship, Killy must wonder if they've finally tied the knot. (They have not. But they're getting there.)
"The whole thing was my idea, though, admittedly. We ended up going to college after Gryps, preparing for a life more suited for the peace we earned after years of non-stop fighting." She reminisces. "But as you know, that peace is constantly being threatened, so... we agreed we needed to step out of piloting retirement. Mazinger Z is back and a new Aphrodite was born, so you might just get to see hot-blooded Sayaka again." She laughs at that second part.
"I'm glad I could help. It's a little strange to hear that, considering I have no real connection to Noisy Fairy... but I know what it's like to want to reunite an old group of friends." She smiles. "As for Lilith Aiden... of course. I'm sure she'll be here as soon as she gets the news." She nods.
"The emotions behind it was probably just as important as the weapons clashing themselves." Sayaka clarifies, about the fight. "Like she felt it was the only way she had left to express herself." She frowns - it's a sentiment that she and Koji have felt at times, too. "The Kafims are still active. Turning to 'charity' these days, it seems like... but I don't think they're going to fight to get Alma back." If Elisa's words can be trusted... or Alma's feelings of Yuliana abandoning her. "If they threaten the world like they did before... the Mazins will stand against them again, however."
"No debt needed,' Sayaka answers with a smile. "I'm just making sure things are how they should be. And yes, Anita deserves your thanks, too. I'd never be able to help Alma without her."
<Pose Tracker> Killy Garrett has posed.
"Oh dear, that sounds terrible." Killy sympathizes. "I'm glad to hear you got that sorted out, how is he doing now? That battle seemed to leave everyone in bad shape..." She shook her head, it's getting harder and harder to keep quiet about Yuliana, but Killy is exceptional at remaining calm.
"I've seen, somehow that really suits him. I'm happy to see him doing well for himself. Especially that he has you by his side." Killy innocently smiles, but that smile quickly turns into a smirk as she leans in, getting ready to ask the question. "Say, how are things between you and Koji?"
"That's...really wonderuful! You two definitely deserve it, but unfortunately..." Killy lets out a sigh. "No one seems to be able to catch a break these days." However she quickly laughs along. "Wonderful, I will admit I quite missed her." Killy admits, sipping her tea and reminiscing about memories of her time in Karaba.
"It means a lot to me, and I really appreciate everything you did. So again, thank you. Please contact me as well once you get in contact with Ms. Aiden." Killy smiles back, happy that things are finally going well.
She nods along as Sayaka clarifies, it all makes sense, that's Alma alright. "Sounds about right, poor Alma..." Sayaka then mentions that the Kafims are active again, and not planning on fighting for Alma back. "I don't know how much I can believe that, I hope you understand my concerns - I'll take your word for it but I'll always be available if you need my help." Killy has a serious look on her face while she responds. "Charity work, huh... Interesting to say the least." She doesn't know how to feel about that, especially coming from the Kafims.
"I appreciate it regardless." Killy's mouth forms into a smile once again, incredibly grateful for the news she received today. "I would love to thank Anita personally, I understand if this isn't possible at the moment, but please let her know I'm grateful for everything you two did."
<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.
"He's doing alright, now." Sayaka nods. "Another friend of ours was in danger recently... but we were able to help save him." It pays to split off like this sometimes - Koji's mostly been tending to Liam's situation, while she takes care of Alma's. "Still... it's a reminder of all the cruelties in this Universal Century... just as Alma's situation was."
"Yeah, he's like... you'd think he's a total jock because he was a motor-meathead when he was a teen. But once he was able to find his footing? Turns out he's a total nerd." Sayaka grins. And then it fades just a little when Killy pops the question about popping the question. "Better!" She manages. "Things were distant for a while, especially after Axis. Dad was starting to nudge me about finding another suitor, even, and I was ready to agree. We stuck it out though... and I'm glad we did." There's a genuinely lovestruck expression on her face now. "How about you, hmm?" A smirk creeps up her own face. "Any particularly exciting love life you're hiding?"
"No kidding. But in a way... fighting's what we live for, too." She admits. "At least, I don't think we were whole without it. Probably something to think about..." She gestures.
"That's fair. I don't entirely understand their motives with Alma aside from proving a point. It was rather petty. But I hope they'll... just let her be. She's been through enough." Her tone is a little cold. "As for Anita... you can find her through the Three Ships Alliance." She explains. "They helped us at Ra-Shalom and even if they're technically enemies of the Federation... the Labs are also technically independent from those matters."
<Pose Tracker> Killy Garrett has posed.
Killy is relieved. "As long as everyone is recovering, I'm glad to hear it." She nods, slowly as her expression darkens a bit. "Indeed. A rather cruel reminder."
The conversation lightens up however as Sayaka talks about Koji, to which Killy leans back and listens - with great interest, especially when Sayaka answers her question. Killy can't explain it, but she strangely feels very proud - she always thought they were a cute couple, and the way Sayaka is talking about him and the expression on her face, she knows they're perfect for eachother. A warm smile forms on her face before speaking. "I'm very happy for you two, and I wish you nothing but the best for you two."
However when it's Sayaka's turn to ask the question, Killy is unphased, only a lighthearted laugh coming out of the older woman. "I'm afraid not, nothing exciting I can share with you." And it didn't bother her one bit, love was never a priority for her, as long as she was surrounded by comrades, friends, and loved ones, she was more than satisfied. "I'll make sure you're the first one to know if that changes however." Another laugh, followed by a wink this time.
Killy really enjoyed this, despite the situation, she has received good news and is now having a pleasant conversation and catching up with whom she considers an old friend. She was relaxed, she really wishes she could do this more often.
"That's true, I understand what you mean." Killy nods slowly, it really is something to think about, she feels the same way.
"I hope so too. I really hope so." It was clear Killy cared deeply about Alma, getting lost in thought thinking of what she went through. "She really has been, she deserves some peace." The conversation shifts to Anita, to which Killy perks up. "Three Ships Alliance, got it. That's good to know, thank you." Enemies of the federation, Nice.
Killy really enjoyed this, despite the situation, she has received good news and is now having a pleasant conversation and catching up with whom she considers an old friend. She was relaxed, she really wishes she could do this more often.