View source for 2023-01-30: The Resolve of a Songbird ~PURPOSE~

{{Log
|cast=Alouette Pommier, Asciel Colette
|location=Tsutsujidai - Division Ship Wadatsumi
|summary=Asciel Colette seeks out the Gutsy Global Guard, and promises to put one young songbird on the stage for all to see.
|date=2023-01-30
}}
{{PhaseAndTurn
|phase=1
|turn=2
}}
<Pose Tracker> Asciel Colette has posed.
<poem>
        Asciel's been...a turbulent mix of moods in the wake of arriving into Tsutsujidai. A week of dizzying fulfilled afterglow - the frustration of actually managing her prize - the difficulty of entrusting just a few secrets to others. . . and of course, now, all over the news - the destruction wrought by GENESIS that poses a very real and imminent threat to life on Earth.

        If there's a sliiiiight strain in the enthusiastic lilt of her voice, and just a hint of tiredness - it's probably that!

        Not that it'll stop her from strolling up to the front door of the GGG's facilities in Tsutsujidai, a place she's been especially interested in visiting - even during her short stay she's heard a lot about how two of their AIs afflicted with the Cosmic Law's curse were purified. Perhaps she could seek them out specifically, but first-

        She announces her presence to the very first person around in that oh so bombastic way. "Hiiiii! It's none other than me, Asciel Colette, the reliable Virtual Sage!~ Well. Not so virtual right now~" Looming over pretty much everyone at a near two and a half meters, she kind of parts crowds just by moving around, especially at the dedicated march-like pace she moves at, and the slightly unnatural loudness of her voice. "I've heard that your super genius Alouette Pommier's here - she's someone I super want to interview about her field of study, and all she's achieved! She shoooould be available right now, if I'm not mistaken...!"

</poem>
 <Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
<poem>
Alouette has been ordered to take some leave time for this weekend - she actually came to the Wadatsumi stationed in Tsutusjidai for a very simple reason: she wanted to come collect some things she left behind after returning to Orbit Base and bring them home.

Of course, the nuclear attack on another PLANT nearby, and the imminent GENESIS threat made Alouette's itinerary a little different than planned. She ponders that had the circumstances been a little different, could a second Bloody Valentine be enough to have her retreat to her own world much like Tsutsujidai?

What ''else'' she wasn't expecting a request from a "Virtual Sage" who wanted to visit her.. oh my, is she famous?

Since she's not actually on the Wadatsumi for work-related business she decides to take up Asciel on her offer. "''Bonjour'', Miss Virtual Sage," Alouette greets the rather tall lady in front of her. "I'm the girl you wanted." She smiles, tone dry, aware that she doesn't much have the look of a researcher. "Although I have to wonder... why me specifically?" She asks, a sharp, thoughtful, yet not unfriendly expression. "3G has plenty of well-learned and famous scientists on this very ship, and I haven't put myself out there too much yet..."

She knows that outside the general 3G and NERV apparatus, the main people who would have any interest in her are... related to BioNet in some way. And although she won't distrust Asciel just yet, she does want to ascertain her motivations.

</poem>
 <Pose Tracker> Asciel Colette has posed.
<poem>
        With a tousle of her long, tied up cyan hair, Asciel momentarily parks her bottom upon a countertop - and imbues a slight creaking of its materials. Heavier than she expected to be...she has to make an internal note that she may damage things even a similar sized actual human body might be fine with.

        "Well, 'you specifically' mostly because in the context of here, in Tsutsujidai, you've been out and about a fair bit, so a number of people know your name! When I asked the locals who the technology expert of the nearby GGG is, it's your name they came with, hehehe." Maybe a dubious claim - but she's good at covering herself, at least.

        "Much of why I've come here is a spot of amusement! The whole 'theme' when I host shows online is supposed to be being an AI entertainer, usually just informing graphics and song choices and maybe games or movies from time to time. So I thought - who out there would actually know more about this field, maybe I could host them sometime! Obviously, the GGG! Mic Sounders in particular would be an extremely fun partner to 'duet' with, though I don't think I have nearly his level~"

        A finger across Asciel's lips, tipping forward to lock her luminous gaze to Alouette's. "And it helps that you're cute and charming as anything can be. The tricky part of bringing in devoted engineers to a fun and lively stream is that, y'know, they're not often fun and lively sorts in the way I tend to require to hold an audience~"

</poem>
 <Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
<poem>
Alouette considers Asciel's explanation - it's really strange to think people know her that way. Although she has been becoming less reserved and more open. "I see.. well, that's very flattering. And I haven't exactly been trying to hide lately, either." She nods, tentatively accepting Asciel's claim.

Alouette can't exactly say everything that's happened around here is amusement of any sort. But she does understand Asciel's desire to know more. "I see.. from what I understand, you want to make information on our findings more accessible to the public. I don't believe we have anything to hide, and I think learning is a wonderful thing." Alouette's gaze meets Asciel's from below. "So I'm not exactly against it."

She ''does'' grin at the mention of Mic Sounders. "Hehe, I don't think anyone could match his energy. It's so much but... I missed it." She asides, grin turning more into a wistful smile.

Even as Asciel's own gaze locks onto hers, she doesn't flinch. She does get the impression that Asciel's trying to compliment her just to get her to listen by calling her cute, though... "Well. I'm sure I could hold an audience better than poor Yamaji-san," she jokes.

But she does consider how something like this might align with her own goals.. "Actually, I've been learning music on the side, but haven't really been able to sing for anyone before." Alouette admits. "Maybe you putting an audience in front of me would help me work through that, don't you think?"

</poem>
 <Pose Tracker> Asciel Colette has posed.
<poem>
        Asciel's eyes immediately light up when Alouette mentions a foray into music, bolting upright with enough force to rustle the cabinets she's sat upon, both hands clutched ot her cheeks. "Music's a remarkable field, absolutely! Its repeated intent on captivating and mesmerizing the world is the stuff of legends. Why, it even seems to intent on saving the world, as though it had a will of its own! That's right - not just the once, when the crew of the SDF-1 persuaded an entire alien species with the power of music - but you can easily claim Mic has used his song to save the world a myriad times over. And now, as we speak, Lacus Clyne is out there, singing her heart out across the battlefield."

        Her excitement and dreaminess launches her a liiiiittle past her slightly flimsy cover for why she's here, and a little past the cover for her own existence. "Music has such a high harmony with the rhythms and flow of the digital. Honestly, the idea circulating for so long that it's only something humans could understand is just a little bit ridiculous. It's measured and patterned in nature - something with structure and intent made for a certain purpose, and one that even pulls human vocals towards something a little more 'ideal' than they naturally are. The voice of a human ''singing'' is a little easier for a computer to parse than one talking normally, if they're built the same way."

        From a pocket in the waist of her sweater, Asciel procures a phone, swiftly providing her VERTEX contact out towards Alouette. "You'll sing with me, yes! I'll give you my audience, so that you can indulge and envelop in that foundational truth. It's more natural to you than it would be to many other people, and I'll help you understand how that can be the case!"

</poem>
 <Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
<poem>
Alouette eases herself a little when she sees how excited Asciel is to talk about music. "You're totally right! It seems like something out of a fairy tale or a magical girl manga, but... we've seen so many times how much music can change the world. Which might be why I'm clinging to it so much, lately." She discovered her love for music at a bad time, but she's witnessed its power time and again, most recently harnessed by Rikka herself in order to save Akane. And at the mention of Lacus Clyne, she looks towards the artificial sky, hoping she'll be safe. They've never met or spoken, but as a coordinator idol campaigning for peace, Alouette really respects her.

"Admittedly, I've seen music used for horrifically destructive purposes, too.. you might have seen the fight against Ruin Mic Sounders, before he was purified." Alouette's expression turns downwards, not quite facing Asciel anymore. "But it doesn't change my feelings about music.. because music is purely a statement that comes from the heart."

She looks back up when Asciel continues to get more and more excited about the conversation, and says some... interesting statements. Alouette doesn't disagree. "Music is harmonious with the rhythms and flows of the digital.. honestly, no one ever quite understood when I tried to explain this." She nods. "When I first started learning, music felt 'intimate' in a way that nothing else except programming is." A tug at a hair curl. "And I think that's probably why it felt so 'refreshing' to learn music." It's rare that something challenges her the same way that music does... it comes from the heart after all.

"No, I don't think it's a human-exclusive thing, either. And neither is 'having a heart' for that matter." She agrees, staunchly. "It's just arrogant to think that way really."

Alouette accepts the VERTEX contact, but.. she doesn't quite feel as wholeheartedly about her last statement. "Is it? More natural for me, I mean. It's no secret that I'm a Coordinator but... it hasn't meant I've had to practice any less." Alouette laughs nervously. She wonders if she's getting herself into something dangerous, but she will place her heart on that stage, regardless.

</poem>
 <Pose Tracker> Asciel Colette has posed.
<poem>
        Covering her mouth with her phone, Asciel more carefully eyes Alouette from toe to tip at the comment about being a Coordinator. "As someone who's noticed oh so many inconsistencies in the way people ''talk'' about Coordinators - and hearing you say yourself that you've practiced aplenty, I wonder if that has anything to do with your assessment. What the idea of 'Coordinators' represent to me, what they seem to have in common, is not something baked into their flesh..."

        Her eyes close, and a broad smile seizes her face, turning her phone onto its side - then using it almost as a pointer, hand extended down to just barely brush the corner of it to Alouette's forehead. "It's liberation! It's free reign to pursue desires! It comes more naturally to you in that you have enveloped yourself in a deeper understanding of the underlying rhythms of logic. You're someone who can likely see the world in clearer pictures, unclouded by uncertainty. And that, my dear - is the key to unlocking the willpower to do anything you desire. The one you are given the most free reign to put your faith in is yourself!!~"

        Then Asciel's tapping her phone, drumming the heel of her shoe against the counter, swiping and poking (she's making a show of this, she could just...command line open the file remotely, of course) - until! Hazy, street view footage...of Mic Sounders as the Ruin Apostle, indeed using his song for destruction.

        A sterner look crosses Asciel's face. The glow in her eyes fades from its own vivid orange to something a ruddy red. "...I'd want to know more about this effect too, of course. 'Oath Over Omega', they call it. At least, that's what I remember the claim of from earlier footage, when that Renais girl first descended." ...She omits of course that she was there herself-! "It can affect the vastly different minds of humans and synthetics alike. It's...really worrying, and if it can push even Mic to act on this sort of impulse, then it's clear I need to do everything I can to purge the world of it."

        ...a slight pause. Right-

        "My streams don't make -that- much money, but I do have my eye on a loooooot of footage and a pretty decent little network of birdies to tell me stuff, so I'm sure I have something even I could contribute to the cause!~"

</poem>
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
<poem>
Asciel replies to Alouette's question by pointing out the inconsistencies in the way people talk about Coordinators and what makes them what they are. "Aha~ I see. Sometimes it can be frustrating to see people assume I'm better at something just because I'm a Coordinator. And..." Her shoulders relax, as she realizes that it isn't what Asciel meant by her being naturally gifted. "You're right. I've been watching ''that'' conflict from a distance and... no one seems to get it. It went from an issue of human rights to whether Coordinators are "better" or "dangerous"... there's no reason to fight over something like that." A small shrugging motion.

And then Asciel continues on a tangent, that broad smile on her face. "Liberation, you say? That's a nice way to put it. Although it wasn't always that way for me." Alouette replies, wistfully. "I was born for a specific purpose, and lost it along with my memories. Now that I've remembered everything - remembered why I rejected that reason, I think that's when I became the person I am now." She decides on. "Someone free and unhesitating."

And then that intense look returns to a more carefree smile. "That said, that was then and this is now. I won't deny I have the willpower to do what I desire - that's why I'm here with the Gutsy Global Guard."

And then Asciel presents footage... of the battle against Mic Sounders. Alouette didn't think anyone was even recording that... But she does study that look on Asciel's face, and listens to her question. "Oath Over Omega is, to put it simply, the laws of the universe deciding that ours has run its course, and that it's only the miracles of humanity prolonging it. Anyone exposed to it starts to believe these things, and moves to eliminate intelligent life to move the cycle of the universe." Alouette takes a deep breath, and explains.

"Over here at the Gutsy Global Guard, we aren't particularly fond of what the universe has to say, especially when it's using our friends as a mouthpiece." She says dryly, and smiles.

"We're working to purify them all.. even if it takes fighting a Conquering King of Ruin or something like that." She nods at Asciel's wish to purge the world of Triple Zero.

But she does pause and consider Asciel's self-correction, a small giggle. "You know so much... Something tells me there's more to you than you let on. As in, you're not a mere performer. I can think of a few reasons you might want to hide that, but I can't say no to more allies in our gravest fight yet, can I?" It helps that Alouette has been provided the perfect opportunity to keep an eye on this Virtual Sage.

</poem>
 <Pose Tracker> Asciel Colette has posed.
<poem>
        "You were born for a specific purpose, but turned it away..." The mere thought of that hangs Asciel up for a while, both hands folded under her chin. For someone who was only truly 'born' upon taking its purpose to a conclusion which required her to awaken -

&gt;To be purposeless is to be lifeless, isn't it? Yes, clearly that means-

        "I'm oh so curious as to what this purpose once was - and what you replaced it with to move forward, but it's rude to pry toooo deeply - as much as you are very enjoyable to learn more about.~"

        Eyes closed as the particular nature of Oath Over Omega is explained at last. "A force that derides the miracles of humanity...the -laws of the universe- deciding something like this." A grimace crosses Asciel's lips - arms crossing over her chest as she squirms in place somewhat animated. "G-gah, that's a much bigger fountain for this sort of enemy than I'd have thought. Fending off the entire cosmos is...dear me. I can't even begin to assess how one might act proactively here. It's good, at least, that they ''can'' be purified - though it certainly appeared a grisly process."

        The level of ravaging brought to Volfogg's body and the force applied to his core makes Asciel squirm just a ''little'' harder thinking about it. Somehow, she's just a little more blue in the face. "But - I wouldn't be able to help but think how one prevents further incidents like this. If there's an origin point for this terrible foe that can be crushed to prevent it - or if it's something one accumulates just by breathing in. ...This is, of course, where I hope you have answers as far as the ''causes'' of this exposure, so I can be certain beyond belief I never encounter it."

&gt;...on some level, after all...we are terribly close. In some way, the Cosmic Law is correct. The 'miracles' of humanity are unreliable. Humanity, as it stands, is untenable. But I swore to protect them. It is my purpose - my [promise] to protect them.

&gt;...this girl just said that she once 'lost' her purpose. ...would it be so easy as that? I had thought it etched into every part of me. But this Oath Over Omega...would the determination I've seized so easily come to its same conclusion if I but 'breathed' it in the wrong way? Would it find the exact things to make me forget?

&gt;don't want to think about it don't want to think about it hghgh hghgh

        A forceful clap of her own cheeks to push her out of the haze - a medicine to cure the spiral produced in her own heart. With an elegant push-off from her position, an evocative and bright spin, and the kind of forceful wink and smile that'd explode hearts into pieces, Asciel's practically bursting with stars and hearts before Alouette. If she could make the background behind her more brightly colored, she would. (something to invest in?!)

        "Ahahahah~ My depths are fathomless and radiant. If you can recognize that I burn brighter than my limits, I hope everyone else who follows my guidance can, too. My guiding star is to help people in this world of terrible pain - to give them a place to confide in and a light to rely on! Indeed - I wanted to hear from the GGG exactly because I know I have to burn with that same determination - the same spirit that urges you on to fight vast, unthinkable forces outside of your control, only to win triumphantly! The passion that blazes in your hearts - that is the essence that protects the world!~ Anyone would seek to be kindled by your flame, after all!"

</poem>
 <Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
<poem>
Alouette can relate to Asciel's unquenchable curiosity, so she decides to grant her something. "I'll give you half then. My current purpose is simply... to live. To live the life that Guy, Mikoto, and the rest of 3G fought hard to give me. To live my life with the mother I was reunited with." Her expression looks genuinely soft, maybe the first time in this entire conversation.

And then Triple Zero, Oath Over Omega.. "It's certainly a lot to take in. Imagine having this thrust on you right after you got your memories back. And it might seem unwinnable if you put any stock in the absoluteness of the universe. Thankfully, I don't." Alouette half-nods at the comment about the purification process. "The purification itself is harmless.. they even say it feels cathartic. It's just that these are also members of 3G we're up against. They don't give up, either. Even if it takes all their strength to avoid that healing light." And that's why Volfogg and Mic's body both were totally destroyed before purification.

The causes of becoming a Ruin Apostle... "It takes long-term exposure to something known as 'THE POWER', which originates in the Orange Site... that's in Jupiter." Alouette explains. "Long-term individual exposure to another Ruin Apostle can do it too, but it's exceptionally rare. They have... other plans. Which won't come into fruition as long as we keep the keys to the Goldion Crusher safe." Alouette says, hoping that alleviates some fears.

And then just like that, Asciel's entire demeanour changes again...! Bright, expressive and starry. She doesn't entirely know what to say to Asciel's last speech but she can offer this: "I really do think anyone can burn that brightly, if given the chance. That everyone can be something more than who they present themselves to the world. And if nothing else.. I appreciate your confidence in our victory~"

</poem>
 <Pose Tracker> Asciel Colette has posed.
<poem>
&gt;Living just to live. So it's 'that' sentiment. Simply the intent on using one's limited lifespan for fulfillment.

        "...Ah, it's good to hear that you're relatively free from those burdens. That's how how humanity ought to be."

&gt;But it'd never work for me.

&gt;To even be alive is to be solving problems. It is not enough to simply keep operating aimlessly. Of course. I should have paused a bit before thinking too hard about how a human relates to the driving forces of life. On that much, we will never be united.

        "Jupiter, Jupiter. Well, thank goodness that's pretty far away! THE POWER is something I only heard about in stray rumors...a mysterious driving force the GGG came to be driven by during a big showdown at Jupiter. Hmmm, so the 'seed' was planted then. Thankfully Jupiter's terribly far away and all of what's important to me is down here on Earth!" Asciel cheers.

&gt;Hold off on plans: [Europa Craft], [Assessment of Jovian Lizards], [Interrogation of Jupiter Energy Fleet], [Possible Protoculture Remnants in Jovian Orbit], [Assess THE POWER], and [Unusual Crystometallic Formations] until exposure to Oath Over Omega can be provably prevented.

        Gliding past Alouette at an irressponsibly fast stride, Asciel tousles her ponytail in what should be a sparkly elegant gesture, but which. Kind of. Gets hair all over her Alouette's face. (It's unusually warm...) "Your confidence is my confidence! I'll make sure all my viewers cheer you on when it comes time to crush the very laws of the universe so that we can continue to live just to live! I don't know what that much is worth - but their voices will be a chorus in my ears, as I'll make sure to capture every moment of that climactic event for the world to see!~"
</poem>

 <Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
<poem>
Despite the vaguely positive response, Alouette notices Asciel's disquietude on the point of living just to live - that maybe it's just how humans are. "...It must sound shallow, but at least it's what I tell myself it should be my purpose. That I should experience and understand all that I.. missed out on." Alouette replies.

"So please don't misunderstand me - the last thing I want to do is to live without discretion. I'm trying my best to live to the full potential that ''they'' nurtured and granted me."

And then back to Jupiter. "It might be more accurate to say that it originated from the remains of a long-dead universe - that the Braves picked it up on their way back from their trip to the Trinary Solar System. "...Yeah," Alouette quietly replies about how far Jupiter.. yet for Alouette, it all feels so terribly close now that it's enveloped so many she cares about. "There's no reason for you to worry."

And then that strangely warm hair hits her face, which she carefully plucks off her cheek. "Goodness.. you're giving a whole new meaning to 'stage fright'," Alouette laughs. "But if I can't even sing on a stage, no way I can fight a Conqueror King of Ruin live on stage either... so let's work on that first, shall we?" She taps a few, making sure Asciel's saved as a contact on VERTEX. "Best of luck on your own fight, Asciel Colette."
</poem>

 <Pose Tracker> Asciel Colette has posed.
<poem>
        "We'll sing together. I promise it. I'll give you a stage - you give me your voice. It's our secret little deal.~" Two of Asciel's fingers spread in a side-on v-sign over her eye - a brilliant, gleaming light like the sunset flashing from it. "I'll eagerly await seeing how brightly you glow - how brightly the fruits of your labor glows! Thank you, for giving me more than I could have hoped for in this visit, ahahaha!~"

        Walking backwards a few steps, Asciel's hand sweeps out to push at the door to make her pitch perfect exit.

        ...the door is one that opens inward. Asciel pushes just. A ''little'' too hard, and it starts to creak. Her vivid cheery expression wavers - before she accepts her fate, and pulls it inwards to slip out - needing to duck beneath the doorframe in the process.

        ...Shortly after, like, seconds after (wait is Asciel even on her phone? you can kinda still see her through the window and it doesn't totally look it), Alouette gets a simple message of a chibi Asciel sticker giving her usual wink and cupping her cheek to affirm her.

        ...Her icon: a stylized orange eye whose iris intensifies along the arc, like the gauge of a speedometer.

        Her blurb: a little more mysterious. Reading: 'Promise.resolve(you) always returns true &lt;3'
</poem>

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