2024-11-24: What About Your Star?
- Log: 2024-11-24
- Cast: Sheryl Nome, Alouette Pommier
- Where: The ruins of Shanghai, China
- OOC - IC Date: November 24, 0099 (2024)
- Summary: Alouette is surprised to run into Sheryl Nome while helping with the reconstruction effort in Shanghai. They catch up a little, though Alouette finds she's only able to provide cold comfort in light of Sheryl's situation.
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
It wasn't that long ago that Sheryl hired S3 of VTX. To do what? She herself is a little unclear on that point, since Sagiri asked her for a dollar, then declared she'd hired them for whatever she needed. It was a gesture for which Sheryl's grateful, considering she was nearly out of money and had nowhere to go. She'd confided in Sagiri and Rin about her situation and let them know what she wanted to do...
She's been to Kamogawa since. From there, trips planned to the various impact sites of the recent Junius-7 fall. At the end, she wants to return to Lagos. But right now, she's in Shanghai--or what remains of it, anyway.
VTX is present, but they're not with her just this second. Right now, she's holding an umbrella--dark red, to match her shoulderless dress with ruffled skirt, longer in back than in front. Shanghai used to be a lively city, described as the "showpiece" of the economy of China. It's now a lake. Gray clouds smear the skies and leak rain onto the dirty ground and waters below. The edges of the 'lake' are dotted with tents and encampments for the survivors who weren't at ground zero.
Even with relief efforts actively going on, it's a harrowing sight to be sure. Sheryl's gloved hands grip the handle of her umbrella. She isn't made up at present, and for most people, that's enough to disguise her. They have enough problems of their own.
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
GGG's mandate is quite broad indeed - and while the Blue division's main focus is on science crime, the need for disaster relief has also been higher than it's been in years since the Junius Seven Break the World incident.
Shanghai is one such impact location, and while it's firmly the territory of the REA, not on the greatest of terms with the OCU, it was a massive impact, and many of the communities struck were on the border with the OCU. For these communities, GGG support is an offer of goodwill beyond what NUNE was willing to offer many of them.
For today's work, Alouette is present to direct the relief efforts in a former border village around Shanghai - she is a 'Captain' now, after all... though most of the rebuilding itself is led by those charming orange robots called the Carpenters. It's a mountain of work, even when you have seemingly magical means of reconstructing buildings at your disposal.
Most people who aren't involved with the relief efforts are refugees, but there's always surprises. Sheryl might not be wearing her makeup, but Alouette would recognize that strawberry blonde hair of hers anywhere. But why here? When they go on break, she decides to approach - still in uniform. "Sheryl?" She asks, twisting her own umbrella. "What are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be in the hospital!" She questions, her tone tinged with worry.
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
The Carpenters busy at work are a heartening sight, but Sheryl's vibe remains melancholy. Even with S3's help--and she is truly grateful for it--her condition is only... manageable. There's still no cure. Maybe they'll develop one, but will they develop one in time?
Such thoughts swirl around her when Alouette walks up from the GGG support groups. She doesn't notice until she actually speaks, at which point she blinks rapidly at her. "Alouette?" Her lips twist into a bittersweet smile at her worry. "Haven't been paying the news any mind, hm? Well, after the rumors died down, it's been all Ranka anyway." Words tinged by jealousy in turn, and more than a little bit--but after having thrown away her old phone and hired S3, she's gotten a new one, so she can check news feeds and see what's been said. It hasn't been heartening, either.
"No, I was discharged a while ago," she continues, looking back out at the ruins of the once-vibrant city. "I decided to take a trip to see the state of the Earth with my own eyes. You can tell Rikka you saw me."
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
Alouette has heard the news about Sheryl's condition, at least - it's worrying, and she can't imagine how awful it'd be to develop a disease with no known cure. But she's holding out hope for her.
As for her whereabouts since... "You could say I've been a little too swamped with work to," Alouette admits, with a wry smile. It's hard to ignore the jealousy in Sheryl's tone when she brings up Ranka. "I heard she was contributing to the effort against the Vajra," she recalls, though GGG hasn't had much opportunity to involve themselves there.
"But that doesn't make you old news to me, Sheryl," She smiles. "I was just hoping... you'd be making good progress in your recovery is all." She adds, a little more melancholy herself. "And when you hear 'there's nothing that can be done'... it just makes you wish you could anyways, doesn't it?" Alas, for all her brilliance, Alouette's field isn't in medicine.
But rather than recovering in a hospital, Sheryl is here, in the ruins of what was once one of the major financial hubs of the Earth Sphere. "A differnt kind of world tour, isn't it?" Alouette sighs, looking off into the distance. "But even though it was broken, the world is healing... at its own pace." She hopes it means Sheryl will be able to, as well. Even if it doesn't work that way. "I'll be sure to let her know," Alouette nods, when Sheryl mentions Rikka. "I know she's been just as worried about you lately."
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
"There's sure plenty to keep you busy with, the world being in the state that it is," Sheryl replies. She doesn't quite manage a wry smile back. What she's talking about is the thing right in front of them, and even with relief efforts going on right this second... it's too much to smile at, even for her.
She nods once at the talk of Ranka. "Her song has an effect on them, I hear. Makes it easier for the SMS and other forces to get rid of them," she says. It's a good thing--for the anti-Vajra effort, and for Ranka in particular, both things Sheryl cares about--but... still.
Her lips do twist in an ironic smile when Alouette brings up her recovery. "So you heard about that already, hm...?" She sighs, smile falling away. "It does."
She looks back up at the ruins with Alouette. The world is healing at its own pace... They're words of hope. Sheryl wishes she could take them in. It's not Alouette's fault--she knows she's trying to support her. It's comforting to hear she's still thinking about her, too. Sheryl's fans have always been important to her, and her friends even more so.
She does manage one more wan smile at the end. "Thanks. Is she around now?" she adds, looking around at the GGG encampments. "You two are working together now, right?"
There's no need to ask about Rikka's worry. Sheryl's sure she would've stuck her neck out for her even further if Sheryl had let her.
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"For sure," Alouette nods, though she doesn't blame Sheryl for not being able to smile about it. But sometimes, a smile is what it takes to keep going. And even in a place like this, there are small joys, as homes are slowly but surely rebuilt, changing the lives of the families waiting for them.
"Weaponizing music, hmm?" Alouette considers. She can imagine an idol would have complicated feelings about that, but it's not like GGG hasn't done similar in the past, with the power of Mic Sounders' song. "I can see that getting dangerous, if she's singing on the front lines, but I'm glad it's making people's lives easier for now.
"Yes..." Alouette gives Sheryl a bittersweet look. "But if there's anything I can do, there's no need to hold back on asking." She adds. "Would you like me to get you some water?" She can offer at least that much - they have plenty to go around.
"Not this time, I'm afraid." Alouette shakes her head about Rikka. "She's probably busy with, well... Chief things." It's still awkward to call her that, but as far as Alouette's concerned, Rikka's proved herself in the role. "And we're in different departments, but we still work pretty closely together." She adds, to answer Sheryl's question. "If you wanted to meet with her, I could certainly pass along a message." Alouette too, knows the extent Rikka will stick her neck out for her friends.
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
"It wouldn't be the first time. It's practically a time-honored tradition among the Macross fleets," Sheryl points out of weaponizing music. Lynn Minmay, Fire Bomber... even Sharon Apple, technically, even if it was used against humanity rather than for it. That's not Sharon's fault, though. (Or so Sheryl believes.) "In this case, it's only Ranka who can do it, anyway. Her song is... special."
Alouette might have an idea for the reason behind that note of jealousy now. It's hard for anyone who's been at the top of a cutthroat business to accept that, actually, they just aren't good enough.
She shakes her head at the offer of water, though at least a smile returns to her lips. "No, I'm fine. I'm here with a couple of friends, and I can get water from them when we meet back up," she reassures her. "But it's sweet of you to offer anyway. Merci."
Chief things. That makes sense. Sheryl nods once, brushing her hair back; her drop earring sways, though it remains dull in the rainy weather. "No, it's all right. I know she's got her hands full right now, and I'm doing all right now. If you could just let her know that much, I'd really appreciate it."
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"You might be right about that," Alouette considers, when Sheryl points out the history behind weaponizing music. "It's probably more that music has been proven time and time again to be a powerful force." It's.. different if you take a systematic approach to it, she thinks. But she doesn't raise it in the context of Ranka. "It's special?" She asks, though. "...Do you wish it was you, instead, singing against the Vajra?" She can understand Sheryl's jealousy.
Alouette nods too, when Sheryl says she can get water from her friends. "Okay, no problem. De rein~" She smiles. "Who are you here with?" It's not really a probing question, she's just curious.
"Of course! I think she'd be happy to hear you're doing the best you can," Alouette says, as she kicks back a couple stray rocks. "I think she's doing pretty well for herself, too, if you were wondering... even if she's pretty busy. It sounded like she and Akane wanted to upgrade their living space." She twists around her curls with her spare hand, kept safe from her umbrella.
"...As for me, I've been helping my mom move out to the OCU. We felt NUNE wasn't the safest place to stay, you see. Even if France wasn't exactly hit hard by the drop." Sheryl knows she's a Coordinator, so she doesn't outline exactly why.
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
"..."
Sheryl hadn't expected Alouette to ask that so directly. She folds her arms under her chest, still gripping her umbrella. "I wanted to get revenge against them for what they did to my home," she murmurs, voice low. "It's... frustrating, knowing I can't do a thing. Either in a Valkyrie, or with my song..." She shakes her head. "Stupid, isn't it? It shouldn't matter who takes out the Vajra, as long as someone does. I know Ranka understands how I feel, too, so it's not like I can't leave it to her. I just..." She falls silent. Then she shakes her head again, but doesn't follow up.
She knows it's Ranka at Alto's side. She knows they're together, and she's not with them. The thought alone makes her throat close up and the song die behind her lips.
"I don't know if you know them or not, but their names are Rin and Sagiri," she replies. No need to specify that it's technically a contract. That contract is really just an excuse for her friends to have her back, anyway. "Rin was with us in GUTS when that was still a thing; you might know her from that?"
She nods when Alouette weighs in on Rikka in return, including her situation with Akane. That brings a slight, bittersweet smile back, especially as she remembers a certain proposition Akane had confided in her. "Oh yeah? I'm glad to hear that. I hope they have years of happiness together ahead of them."
Alouette moves on to herself and her mother, and Sheryl's smile fades, even as she nods. "I hope wherever she lives next, she stays safe and healthy." She looks back out towards the crater lake. "When I first arrived here on Earth, I'd heard a little about its history. It seemed dumbfounding to me. I understood it, but it didn't seem real." She pauses. "It's so much more real now."
She breathes out a sigh, bowing her head. Then she looks back at Alouette. "Say... Do you or Lina do any songwriting still? Or was it enough to place in my contest that once?"
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"Revenge..." Alouette's eyes widen, not knowing that's what Sheryl has been aiming for this whole time. "It sounds like it would be frustrating... but I don't think it's stupid." It was never revenge Alouette was after, but she does understand what it's like to throw everything behind a single goal, when she was trying to save the Ruin Apostles. "I didn't realize how personal it was... I should apologize."
But she doesn't leave it at that, either. "I'm sure she's thinking of you whenever she sings that song of hers. In a way... that makes it yours, too, since she's carrying on your wishes." She wonders if that makes it easier for Sheryl to swallow the fact she isn't on that stage.
Rin and Sagiri... the names sort of ring a bell, because GGG has contracts with Cathedra, and by extension the VTX Union as well. But it's not until Sheryl specifies GUTS that Alouette knows who she's talking about. "Ah, I might be familiar. Starking? She was at prom, and the GUTS beach party that year, too." She recalls, with perfect precision. "We went to different schools, but I still hope she's doing well."
"I hope so, too," Alouette agrees. "It sounds like they're already very happy together." Of course, she's aware of what Akane's got planned. But she thinks Rikka has at least a faint idea of it as well - because being honest, subtly is NOT Akane's strongest point.
"I appreciate that," Alouette replies to Sheryl's well wishes. "I think it'll be better, in Nouvelle. I always felt bad, that my circumstances have given her such a hard time... but that's probably not the best way to look at it." She sighs, and then considers Sheryl's thoughts about Earth. "It's a strange little planet, I have to admit. But for a lot of people... it's home." Even as broken as it is right now.
Songwriting... "I'm not sure about Lina, but your contest taught me a lot about the songwriting process. I enjoyed it, but it's like I told you in our interview... as much as I love music, I don't think I could make a career out of it." She admits. She's aware that the winner of that contest's been making a name for herself, both in the world of music and kaiju - but even if it worries her, she doesn't mention it out loud considering Leila's connection to Black King remains classified.
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
"Apologize? You don't need to do that," Sheryl says, brushing her hair back as she looks at her friend. "It's not like you insulted me about it. You just didn't know. If you really feel that bad about it, though, I accept your apology. No need to dwell on it."
It is a kind sentiment when Alouette says that Ranka's song is Sheryl's too in a way. It doesn't make it any easier, but Sheryl knows she's trying to comfort her. She nods and lets it go. She's no doubt right, anyway. Ranka's her biggest fan and her dearest friend. Sheryl knows that well.
"Naujakaite, now," Sheryl replies. "Family matters." As opposed to a marriage. She doesn't go into detail either way. "She is. She's a diligent worker now--she graduated and she's doing quite well for herself now. Both of them went on the Gallia-IV expedition, same as Ranka and me. I was already friendly with Rin, but that's how I met Sagiri."
It'd be no surprise to Sheryl to find out Alouette also knows about the upcoming proposal--but Alouette doesn't mention it, and neither does Sheryl. Without knowing for sure, it's best not to gossip.
"Nouvelle Tokyo is a nice city, at least--the rampant kaiju and science crime aside," she says, this time wry. "But things seem in control over there. I think. I did hear about some Black King that's just standing around doing nothing? I don't know the details." She of course doesn't know about Leila's connection--it's pure coincidence that she brings it up.
Home. Sheryl nods once. It's become like a home to her, same as Frontier. But in the end, for good or ill, it's Galaxy where she grew up. She's not sure if she misses it or not anymore. Her feelings on it are so mixed up--just like her feelings for Grace and Brera, now.
"Mm. Yes, you did say that," she murmurs. She didn't even mean as a career, but it's an answer to her question all the same. She hasn't sung or written any songs in what feels like ages, now. The way things are now, it feels like she can't sing a note or write a word--no matter how much the urge itches at her throat and her fingers. She sighs. "Well, it doesn't matter, really. I was just wondering."
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"All right," Alouette nods, when Sheryl says she doesn't need to apologize. She's not really the type to insist on one. She understands too, that her words can't make things any easier for Sheryl. The best she can offer right now is her presence.
Alouette makes a mental note of the surname change, before moving on. "She definitely seemed like the type," Alouette considers of her being a hard worker, though they weren't particularly close, being from different schools. "That would've been around the time we went to Jupiter to fight the King of Ruin," She notes, about Gallia-IV.
"At least all the kaiju are something you come to expect." Alouette sees the silver lining in Nouvelle Tokyo's situation. "And the 'science crime' is usually someone with too much money and time deciding to send a hoard of mouse robots to steal all the cheese from the cheese factory." That one actually happened! Black King is a little more worrying though, even if it's not moving...
"Right. I think Rikka and Akane went to investigate recently, but I'm worried people just aren't taking it seriously enough. That's a problem too, right?" She shakes her head.
"I suppose that probably wasn't the answer you wanted to hear," Alouette frowns, when Sheryl goes quiet. "Maybe I should, when I find the time for it. It's not like I wouldn't get something out of spilling words over a page again." She smiles. "...Have you?" She asks, though, she gets the impression from Sheryl's tone that she hasn't.
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
"That sounds right. I wasn't around for that, obviously, but I remember hearing afterwards it was all resolved by the time we came back," Sheryl replies. Of course, she'd been in a hospital for a couple of weeks, but she hadn't been cut off from the world. Not like...
She chuckles faintly. "Right. It's a more light-hearted crime you find over in Nouvelle Tokyo, half the time. That Black King, though..." She nods. "Well, if Rikka and Akane are on top of it, I'm sure it'll work out, even if it is a problem, like you say. Then again, maybe it's that kind of attitude that people have in the first place? I admit, I've got my own problems right now, so I don't have a lot of energy to spare worrying about a kaiju that isn't moving." She shakes her head. "But then, I don't live there. I hope your mom stays safe, either way."
She shrugs a bit at Alouette's answer. "Maybe not, but you don't need to force yourself to do something because I got a little sad about it," she points out. "If you want to, that's great, but it isn't a big deal. Seriously."
Has she, though?
Sheryl's lips part, but hesitate to form words. In that instant she hesitates, her shoulders convulse, and she claps a hand over her mouth just before she breaks into a raw, violent coughing fit. It's brief, but intense.
"...I've been busy," she croaks at the end, swaying on her feet. "Sorry, Alouette, but I should get back to my friends. I bet you've got work to do still too." She forces a smile. There's red on her lips. "Good luck out there, all right?"
She turns to start to hurry away. There's a certain wobble to her step that keeps her from being that fast, though, so if Alouette really wanted to, she could stop her. Either way, Sheryl's shouldering her umbrella to her other hand--the one she just coughed into, which she isn't actually using to clutch her umbrella with--so she can grab her phone from a pocket and shoot off a text, presumably to meet back up.
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"Right. And I remember once we were back, it was a lot of news to catch up on, before we could even celebrate a new year." Dr. Hell's schemes, the Bloody Euphemia massacre... a lot happened in the Earth Sphere that month. That's not really what Alouette wants to dwell on, though.
"It does keep the job fun," Alouette smiles, about the lighthearted kind of science crime. She was fond of Julia Ampere, an energy thief who put in just as much care in evacuating her target locations as she did her crimes. "Right. And if it does end up moving, I have the Mobile Corps on standby and can intervene myself if necessary. If it comes to that." Many don't seem to think so. "I can't blame people for not having the energy to worry about that. But it's still our job to keep them safe."
"It's not really like that..." Alouette shakes her head, about forcing herself. "Of course, my heart lies with programming and computer science. And not just because it's what I was made to do. But there's some merit in keeping in touch with your creative side. I... didn't really get that chance until I met you." She smiles, softly.
As brief as it is, she notices the way Sheryl trembles, and coughs. She wonders if she'll need to contact the paramedics on standby. But it doesn't quite come to that. "I understand. But I want you to promise me something before you go." Alouette says, as she scans Sheryl for any signs of collapse. "Please take care of yourself."
She knows she could stop Sheryl, even without accounting for her enhanced strength and uncanny reflexes. But she's only going to put those to use if Sheryl's in danger. "And if you ever want to talk again... you know where to reach me." She adds, though she doesn't truly get back to work until she knows Sheryl's in safe hands with her friends.
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
GGG are professionals, after all. Even if the people of Nouvelle Tokyo are being too lackadaisical about that Black King, they'll do their jobs and do them right. Sheryl nods.
She smiles back--small but sincere--when Alouette attributes her for getting a chance to be creative. "I'm glad to hear it. It makes me feel good to hear I've been an inspiration," she says. Normally, she might say it in a light tone of voice and add a 'just kidding~' afterwards, but right now, she's quite sincere.
But then that coughing fit comes, and she turns to go. Alouette asks for a promise, and she pauses--stands up straight--and squares her shoulders. "Of course. I don't plan on just rolling over and dying," she replies, a touch of steel in her voice. Muginami had asked her the same ages ago, and she'd brushed it off back then. She won't make that mistake again now.
"...I'll remember that," she concludes. But she'll return to her hires soon enough all the same.