2022-03-05: A Goddess Seeking Wisdom

• Log: A Goddess Seeking Wisdom
• Cast: Teletha Testarossa, Sousuke Sagara
• Where: Tiger's Mansion, Jindai, Nouvelle Tokyo
• OOC - IC Date: 2022-03-05
• Summary: Sousuke comes home to find a quite unexpected visitor.

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<Pose Tracker> Teletha Testarossa has posed.

Late evening. The sun setting over the Land of the Rising sun, Tessa completely cognizant of where she was in the grand state of things. Or at the very least, where she was in the city. Thoughts swarmed in her mind of the greater picture; Britannia, Getter, Mazinger, the kaiju, Tsutsujidai...It was enough to overwhelm even the best strategist in less trying times.

Or so she tried to think, anyways. Tapping her finger at the table of Sousuke's apartment was enough of a way to pass the time while reading over her notes. ALl unclassified and cleared to be written down, mind. All that she had to do now was wait for the bodyguard of the Whispered to come home.

<Pose Tracker> Sousuke Sagara has posed.

As long as Command understands, then I don't need to know everything. Sousuke has somewhat bluntly excused himself from some of the stranger explanations he's had pointed at him lately with that logic. It's true enough. A soldier's job isn't to understand, it's to follow orders. But...Sousuke's phenomenal achievements rely heavily on his broad understanding of fundamentals most people leave for granted. The contradiction there, like a thorn in his mind, has been bothering him off and on since he spoke to Riku, and started working with the Gridman Alliance.

Also, sometimes Kaname gives him a very special smile not even an hour after smashing his head with a golf club, and he doesn't really understand why that makes him feel like he could fight off Britannia all on his own.

After another long day at school - made longer by a Student Council session that Sousuke ended up attending because Kaname didn't want him to set another time bomb under the karate club - Sousuke has finally returned to home base. With the short-term assignment ended with things wrapped up in Khanka, the apartment has been Sousuke's alone for weeks now. He slips the door open...and freezes.

Something's askew. It's microscopic. If Kaname were here she'd call him paranoid. He slips a hand into the waistband of his school uniform pants, pulling his trusty Glock 19. Checks that it's loaded, checks the safety. Creeps in...

Creeps in........

AND COMBAT ROLLS PAST THE DIVIDER OF THE KITCHEN TO LAND IN A CROUCH WITH HIS GUN DRAWN!!

Then he looks Teletha Testarossa in the face with a face of full-burn confusion. "C, Captain?!"

He's so shocked it takes him a full second to realize he has his weapon out and point it away from her.

<Pose Tracker> Teletha Testarossa has posed.

There was little in the way of school thoughts that occupied her own mindset, at least in this moment. Tapping her finger, the Captain of one of the most advanced submarines that the world had even known idly sitting by, checking on the newspapers. Same as always. Concerning. Foreboding. And she knew that it wasn't the half of it; Only the juicy stuff that couldn't escape scrutiny. What was she to do...

...Than to discard those same thoughts, lightly jumping in place at what she expected to happen. The slow, subtle creaking of a doorhinge. Soft steps. And...

At the end of it all, Tessa staring down the barrel of a gun, jumping in place as well as any 16 year old should. "...Sergeant Sagara." Her voice barely controlled, by way of being pointed to by a gun. "I should...commend you on your training, once more." A cough. That second did feel like an eternity, what with staring death in the face and all. Really, she knew this was the way Sousuke was, so why did she lightly delight in that jumpscare so?

"I apologize for not being able to notify you in advance." A light bow. Still formal, even if she's in civilian clothes. The trademark ponytail wrapped around her shoulder, still. And yet, she tries her best with a disarming smile. "Have things been well?"

<Pose Tracker> Sousuke Sagara has posed.

It's fine. At Kaname's insistence the magazine he keeps loaded at school is rubber bullets. Definitely completely safe. That's how impact physics works! (*no)

It's definitely a good face. Getting Sousuke to switch directly from fight mode to vnipasdvniopdanvpioa??? mode is a task few are equipped for and the rewards are commensurate.

He sets the safety and then tucks his gun away, still looking rather poleaxed. After a few seconds he remembers to salute. "C, Captain," he repeats, this time more as a formal acknowledgment than a shocked exclamation. "I, ah, apologize. I realized the door had been opened and was concerned about a possible assailant." Ahum. "I would have prepared something." 'Something'. Anything, really? Sousuke's apartment looks like he doesn't live in it. The furniture hasn't changed a lick since Mao and Kurz were living here with him. He's sleeping on the metal frame mattress now, rather than a bedroll, that's about it. A few tables, one with his comms equipment on it, another set up as a work bench for his weapons. A gun case, because it's Sousuke. No pictures whatsoever. The kitchen is stocked with CalorieMark and cheap MREs, mostly.

To her question, as he finds his center, he says, "No problems," meaning of his mission. "Angel...Miss Chidori, should be at home now. Despite the disturbances in Tsutsujidai, I have observed no analogous issues here in Jindai."

<Pose Tracker> Teletha Testarossa has posed.

Tessa did have a backup plan in mind. (She did, really.) You know, in case this wasn't the right house and she was accidentally breaking in. But! The fact that the place looks (sadly) dreary confirmed two things.

One, this was Sousuke Sagara's house. Two...He hasn't changed at all. ...Change takes time. That's what she told herself.

"No, no, it's fine! I expected you to do as you do when you're in that type of situation." A response with a shake of her head, skipping over the fact of preparation. Really, a store-bought bento would be the height of luxury. "Rather, I brought something, since I expected as much."

Two store-bought bento. The most nondescript boxes of nondescript marking from a nondescript convenience store, save for a small sticker of a Tarabaman collaboration. "I brought dinner as a preemptive apology."

The smallest raise of eyebrows. "Still? I didn't expect the two to be completely disconnected...That must be what they mean by a parallel space without anything happening." A sigh. "With what we know, the best way to keep investigating is through the inside." Mitsuba Greyvalley has arrived. Mitsuba Greyvalley leaves for China [REA].

<Pose Tracker> Sousuke Sagara has posed.

Sayla recently felt bad about herself and made Sousuke eat fancy Moon Asian Food as a price. He didn't really know what to do with that. THIS...

This he knows what to do immediately. The Captain still sets him to nervous - it is his superior officer, the very smart and very talented young woman, after all - but he's been around enough campfires to know that food equalizes many things. It's tough to call the face he makes a smile, but he looks more comfortable now, at least. "My thanks, Captain," he says.

His eyes do scan past her, to the documents she's sprawled across the table, then back. Hard at work. "I agree," he says. "This talk of parallel spaces, dimensional faults, reality layers...I confess, it's beyond me, Captain." He seems ashamed by that - maybe in a way even he doesn't understand, as his gaze is lured to the side, out the window. Not even to Kaname's apartment, its lights on in the building across the street. Just off, into space. Apparently not even Sagara is an actual stone. "When we spoke with the Ultraman named Riku Asakura, he spoke of alternate universes as if they were as natural as breathing. I still don't entirely understand."

...he runs back through the last few seconds, and then AHEMS uncomfortably. "Apologies, Captain. It seems my mind started wandering. I'll assist with any operation inside you ask me to, of course."

<Pose Tracker> Teletha Testarossa has posed.

The food had its intended effect: Calm Sousuke down. Good! That was what was planned, what was expected, and frankly, extremely thankful. A nod right back, thankful for just having an attempt at a smile. It's what Sousuke deserved, after all this.

"I don't expect anyone to take to it easily. The concepts at play here are...strange. Mithril says they haven't found someone capable of that, nor have I heard anything through my own channels." Thoughts after thoughts. "If someone, somewhere, did find something that can do things like that, then that's a matter Mithril will get involved in." A matter of fact statement. "There's no shame in admitting it. I'm not sure of the spec-" Alternate universes. Her breath hitched right then, eyes widening on instinctual connection.

"..." A deep breath in. Out. Whispered details were a need to know basis. Need. To. Know. Which meant... "Sergeant Sagara. You are to keep an eye on Riku Asakura. Additionally, know that I will pay a visit to Tsutsujidai when able." A slight strain was added to her voice, hand gripping pen to scribble a few notes in the margins. Acronyms, abbreviations, and shorthand practically indecipherable to the common observer.

"I can only hope what's in Tsutsujidai isn't what I'm hoping it is." A long, slow breath as tension tried to flow out. She partially succeeded. "Ah, I'm sorry for that. Just that this might be a lead."

<Pose Tracker> Sousuke Sagara has posed.

Sousuke pulls up one of the (very) small number of (metal, folding) chairs to his comms table, busying himself to create a space they can eat.

Tessa - the Captain, cutting herself off prompts him to look up again, concern in his face.

Instead of an explanation he receives an order, and he nods. "Understood, Captain. Not a problem." Well. A small problem, in that Riku currently lives in Tsutsujidai, which means he'll probably have to -- hm. Well, he'll think of something. Maybe drones? Yeah...like a quadcopter...

"I am pleased to be of help, then. The people there seem to be upright sorts." That one sounds like he learned it from Kurz or Kalinin or something. Mao, maybe, even. "That they are under threat is." ...

He trails off, his own thoughts disappearing into a hole for a moment. He thinks of the way the Gridman Alliance could smile and play games in the little local junk shop, not far at all from their mobile weapons. He thinks of Kaname in the Khankan moonlight, wrapped in his uniform dress shirt and scared out of her mind.

"Bad," he finally settles on.

<Pose Tracker> Teletha Testarossa has posed.

Order recieved without a complaint. Good. And bad. But mostly good. She's got faith in Sousuke's abilities for these type of situations. Thoughts racing in her mind as she popped open the plastic cover of that bento, beginning to chow down proper. Granted, she looked more settled in than what would be expected of a quick visit. Eating in her usual dignified manner, refusing to crack that Commander-Soldier relationship...For now, anyways. "As always, report what you need to the submarine."

...Good food. Its been a while since she's had anything other than the mess hall stuff that the cafeteria served (which, to be quite frank, is actually half-decent for morale and retention reasons). "Bad, yes. Strange, moreso." A slow, steady relaxation. "There's too many factors about them that doesn't add up. I'm afraid you'll have another person under your care here."

...Really, really good food. Definintely not trying to distance herself from the main thrust of the visit. "That means that I'll be taking a stay for a few weeks in this apartment, Sagara. The school alibi has already been arranged." Arranged, dedicated, and a suitcase stashed in one corner behind a wall coincidentally not in view of the main dining room, however meager that wall was.

"We need to know how...bad, as you say, the situation is."

<Pose Tracker> Sousuke Sagara has posed.

Sousuke digs in as well. He eats efficiently - maybe a little quickly, but not ravenously, either. The way soldiers, especially ones who have worked in particularly dangerous circumstances like Sousuke, tend to; like the meal could be interrupted at any time. Still, he does slow himself a bit, partly because the Captain is looking, and partly because...hm. He sits back in his chair, tipping his head thoughtfully. "Salty," he observes, considering. "Common for mass-produced food."

He stands up, as if that was explanation for what he's doing, and steps over to the kitchen while the Captain explains herself. "Of course, Captain. I'll be taking stock tomorrow ahead of the week-start report."

Too many factors that don't add up. Yes, that sounds right. It's good to see the Captain is focused on such matters. She says he'll be taking care of another person, but he doesn't even blink, thinking she means his new orders to keep an eye on Riku Asakura. He comes back over with a large water bottle, setting it next to her bento, cap still on. "Hydration balance is critical," he says, the third part of his thought from earlier.

Then she gives him the bombshell and oh hey boy that one's new! He makes a face like he's just heard the Grim Reaper whisper his name, a startled noise escaping his throat. "Ah! Uhm!? I!"

... A deep breath, meant to calm him but which mostly makes his face puff up like Arnie getting depressurized in Total Recall. "U, understood!" he yelps. "I will assist in any way I am able, ma'am!"

<Pose Tracker> Teletha Testarossa has posed.

Food. Food was good. She's still concentrated on that food. Trying to associate what she just said with what she'll be doing. School matters. Lighthearted matters. And exploring Tsutsujidai in the process; Something that has to be done to see exactly who was in the inside. If, appropriately, if it was an alternate universe of sorts...Could it be?

Best to not worry. She nodded in acceptance for the water bottle, sipping (after opening) like any good Captain would for a freshly offered, freshly bottled, freshly untampered with thing.

"...!? Sagara!?" Granted, she did intend for it to be a bombshell, but at this extent. "Do you need some water?" And a smooth offering of holding out the open water bottle, concern etched into her face. The Grim Reaper may not whisper his name, but he was certainly trying.

"Don't think that I can't...be of use outside of the submarine, you know."

<Pose Tracker> Sousuke Sagara has posed.

Sagara does not himself recognize that the Captain coming to Tsutsujidai will probably be the best kind of disaster, but maybe his distress is in part because some lizard part of him has detected that this moment has sealed his fate as a person who in the next three weeks, is going to get his shins kicked off by a twintailed shorty in a suit.

Or maybe it's because he's actually pretty excitable when it comes to social surprises. "No ma'am!" he barks, and then turns around, leans on the table, and siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiighs out that whole breath. C'mon, Sagara, get it together...he thinks.

His nerves calming with the initial startlement cleared, he straightens, setting his own water down, and turning back with his face mostly back at neutral. "That is not my concern, ma'am," Sousuke says. Though, he does seem to recall a few times Mao drunkenly lamenting the Captain to be. Less than capable. At. .... things. He doesn't say that, instead adding: "Merely that Tokyo takes me by surprise quite often. Still."

He meets her eyes with his dark gray. "I will protect you. It won't be a problem."

<Pose Tracker> Teletha Testarossa has posed.

...Well. Save for the overanimated bit of surprise, she's...more than surprised that Sousuke took it as well as he could. Chain of command did serve for something, even if Tessa had rumors like that. Thanks, Mao. (She'll never hear who's dissemenating such rumors. Everyone's got more common sense than that.

Taking another long sip of her own bottle to process these emotions, those bright, shining eyes of someone who's not been in the field of tempered fire. She's got herself together better than she thinks, Tsutsujidai stuff and Whispered stuff and many many more Need To Know things notwithstanding. She'll deal with it all. In time.

"That does sound like Tokyo. I would expect as much from the birthplace of...So many esteemed people." A slight curiosity in ehr voice, but more of 'Wow, Japan's nice'. A touristy vibe.

"Good." She had to trust Sagara. She had to. And yet, that small gesture was enough to brighten up her mood, setting the notes aside. "Resume your normal bodyguard duties for the interm. Once everything has been established, we'll move on our separate ways."

More for herself than anything. A normal school life....