2023-03-12: HaroCon: Path A!

• Cast: Marida Cruz, Banagher Links, Yurika Misumaru, Sonia Sophia-Grace, Hikaru Amano, R. Dorothy Wayneright, Rin S, Rin Starking, Ujico Issa
• Where: The Orbital Ring
• Date: U.C. 0097 03 12
• Summary: HaroCon! A month-long celebration for everyone's favorite companion robot. Who knows what colorful characters will be drawn to today's events?

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<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

With blocky, colorful letters, a banner hangs above the entrance to a premium convention center located in the Orbital Ring. "WELCOME TO HAROCON!" Entry lines are long. Pre-bought tickets get people in much more quickly, but even buying tickets at the door won't be /too/ terrible.

Upon entering, guests are greeted with the Haro Hall of Fame, celebrating some of the most accomplished miniature robots.

A video plays from within a display. Two white Haros with blue crosses painted just above their faces wave to passers-by. "Nouvelle Tokyo Hospital has integrated Haros to their treatment plans! Assisting in patient monitoring, physical therapy, and emotional support, the program has received near-universal approval from those who have participated." On the screen, a patient lays in a hospital bed, smiling at a Haro cuddling them.

Across the Hall, a bronze statue commemorates another heroic Haro. It is sculpted to be wearing protective padding, both of its wing-flaps open. A plaque beneath the statue reads: Cerulean, a custom generation two Haro, performed over 50 combat-assist missions before his untimely destruction during Axis Shock.

Other entries are available to be viewed if desired, but at the end of the Hall is a map of the convention! It's somewhat convoluted -- the convention center has multiple floors. Labeling is sparse and people crowd around it. It may take some effort to figure out where you'd like to go.

<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.

        The last time Yurika Misumaru cosplayed - at Tanabata! - it was a lavish and ridiculous enough outfit to actually be a cover-up operation for a Treasure Robotics science crime culminating in serving as a control OS for a giant mechanical cow kaiju.

        It should be /really predictable/ that she's not just going to be wearing 'some kind of clothes' here at HaroCon.

        A valkyrie and her entourage have descended upon HaroCon. Megumi, Minato, Akito, Jun, Howmei, and Goat are all dressed in matching, angelic togas (inasmuch as you can /match/ with Goat Hoary involved - he certainly is his own gravity well), all flanking the centerpiece of the entourage-

        Yurika, clad in an elaborate armor-like cosplay unclear at first, but which is clearly meant to be - her, as the Nadesico itself. Her legs are clad in chunky paired sheathes that make up the thrusters, beneath a breezy and clean white miniskirt - while a big hatch covers her chest. The two massive front prongs of the Nadesico are quite literally just one for one hanging off of her shoulders, close enough that she can grab them around midway. And the gigantic 'bridge' of the ship is sort of chibi-fied and condensed into a visor, with the little red point at its tip directly over her eyes, lower face breezy and smiling, blue hair tumbling freely.

        The entourage approaches - the massive statue of Cerulean the Haro, whereupon Yurika stands at attention, raises her arm in a valiant salute to the fallen, aaaand immediately thwaps Jun with one of those big arm-prongs in doing so, making him stumble back and topple onto his butt. Ita ita ita.

        Any who approach and ask Yurika about 'what the heck' and then also several who do /not/ ask are given the full PR treatment sponsored by Nergal about how great and amazing the Nadesico is and what an innovative flagship it'll prove to be for the space exploration duties of tomorrow and all that and onward! There's so many lights and sounds and functions incorporated in this cosplay that it's cleeeeearly something the company spent A Little Too Much Money on...

<Pose Tracker> R. Dorothy Wayneright has posed.

"You're going to... a convention? For... what's a Haro?"

"Those small round robots, sir. I believe they're very popular in other cities."

"Ah, right... And Dorothy, you /like/ these things?"

"I think Koro would like a friend. And when I was reading about them, they sounded very talented. The convention will even have a concert."

"A... concert? What's the point of a robot singing? Couldn't you just buy a radio?"

"...You're a louse, Roger Smith."

"Ah... Norman, did I... Mess up?"

"She's a very sensitive young woman, you know."

"What's that got to do with anything? ...wait, that nightclub... Norman! Get the car ready."

"Of course, sir."

~~

"Do you really... need all this stuff, Dorothy?"

The young woman, in her casual seafoam dress with its white buttons (the top one has been replaced by a little Haro face! How delightful!), simply lays another bag into Roger's arms. "I didn't ask you to come, Roger Smith. I can carry it all myself, if you're just going to complain."

"No, I came to... forget it."

Is that... a smile, on the face of one R. Dorothy Wayneright?

Of course not. At least, not by the time Roger Smith manages to sort the bags of merchandise he's been burdened with enough to peer over them. Just the same old Dorothy...

<Pose Tracker> Ujico Issa has posed.

        Ujico bought a ticket online, because of course she did. She likes controlling for variables. This is why she also reviewed her packing list twice before even leaving the Ptolomaios. There are emergency snacks and first aid supplies in her backpack, which is shaped like a snail. There is also plenty of room for con merch and souvenirs.

        When fully loaded, it's kind of a fat snail. Ujico loves it.

        The clothes she wore are unremarkable - baggy faded overalls over a loose long-sleeved yellow t-shirt, and comfortable walking shoes. And a pair of headphones to blunt some of the noise, but she hasn't got anything playing yet. (But Apple is in one of her hip pockets if she needs her.)

        Is it rude to take a picture of a cosplayer, especially if they're a company shill? Do people still say shill? She digs her phone out of her pocket - but doesn't open the camera app. Type type type...

        >cosplayer photo etiqueete_

<Pose Tracker> Rin Starking has posed.

RIN STARKING isn't just a presenter at HaroCon.

She's also an enthuisiast.

Right now she is walking around in some comfortable silk trousers and is wearing a leather jacket, suitable for motorcycling. It even has a single additional pauldron, which is SUPER cool. The reason for this is manifold, but one of the reasons is that on this pauldron there is a kitbashed Air Haro - the top shell turned upside down and hanging beneath a standard consumer drone, tilted at the side, with a unifoot 'gripper'. It is currently perched on that pauldron.

SPORTY!

"Oh! Oh!" Rin says, suddenly moving to intercept the armored Yurika. "Let me get a picture!" Her Air Haro detaches, hovering and whirling around with flashing lights. "Scorn, get me and Macross-chan right quick! Thanks!"

"PHOTO! PHOTO!" echoes this rather darkly named Haro.

Scorn the Air Haro turns to face Ujico afterwards, a dyad of remorseless red eyes pointed at -- no, it's Haro. Haro is not that ominous. Haro is, perhaps, durpy.

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Amano has posed.

The Nadesico crew has some time off! As such, the next of their wacky adventures takes them to the ubiquitous HaroCon. Hikaru is more of an artist than anything.. but she has been learning about models from Uribatake. These days, the round loveable robots have been become more and more accessible to beginners, so Hikaru thought "Heck, why not?" and is thus here with the crew to check out the hype.

But what excites her the most is a very specific item on the itinerary... it's the Haro cosplay of course. She spent all of last night in the mechanics wing of the Nadesico putting together her very important masterpiece. "Ken-Haro, Joe-Haro, Akira-Haro, LET'S GEKIGA IN!" An entourage of three Haros dressed in the iconic pilot suits of the Gekiganger trio make a rather dramatic appearance. "Your time is nigh, hot-blooded heroes... lie in wait for the true show!"

Hikaru of course, is dressed as Gekiganger's obligatory girl character, Miss Nanako. She wears a pink pilot suit that is.. a little more revealing than her standard Nergal one, truthfully.. it's an old anime, okay? A visor is lowered below the eyes, and the whole thing is adorned with a yellow scarf.

But if Hikaru's shtick was ridiculous, leave it to the Captain of the Nadesico to top her thoroughly. Hikaru bursts into laughter as she sees WHAT Yurika is cosplaying as. "Oh my gosh... /oh my gosh/, Captain that is /amazing/. Ahh, and you /all/ committed to the bit too. Ahahahaaaaa~"

<Pose Tracker> Sonia Sophia-Grace has posed.

Sonia is... familiar with haros.

One or two people she knows have their own, and they're quite adorable, so she's here for a multitude of reasons, mainly, perhaps, an artist or shopping alley. But... "Where?" She asks, mumbling to herself, frowning. She doesn't have improved eyesight, she didn't get that bonus, so-

"Haro?" A inquisitive voice asks, a haro with a live map constantly being updated is born on it. "Haro, haro!"

"Oh! Thank you!" Sonia says in delight, peering at the map. She's Content.

<Pose Tracker> Marida Cruz has posed.

         A Haro blankly stares.

         A weapon stares back.

         Marida, dressed in her typical black coat and hat, had come to Harocon and was staring one of the many orbs directly in the face. Banagher had been speaking nonstop about this, and the Haros in general, and she had found herself curious enough to go. Strangely, the Captain had also given his blessing on this. What was he planning?

         The Haro she was staring at was a pale violet hue, which seemed to call to her for some reason. These things were used as digital assistants, yes? Marida figured she could use it as a clock. There was a...charm to them, she supposed.

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

Once guests have made their way through the Haro Hall of Fame, taking in the helpful map or not, they will find themselves within the vendor hall and artist alley. It's a truly enormous room, filled with the bustle and chatter of an excited crowd.

One far wall hosts food and drink stands. A few popular chain restaurants have set up shop, along with small pop-up stands. Suitably, many items are shaped like Haros, including a pancake stand that will color your pancake to match your own little companion robot, should you have one.

A nearby corner of the room features a 6-foot-tall Haro statue, eyes glowing in ever-changing colors. It seems to mark the location of a macronization chamber, open for all Zendtradi guests. Even the very tallest of those guests have plenty of ceiling clearance in this room -- this main room is designed for the comfort of all.

And in that huge chamber is an equally large man--dressed in a nice, but casual brown suit, Lavnadim Orlodhari ('Lavhi' to his friends) stands beside a gigantic Haro in deep green, not quite as large as the statue. "And this," he says, "Is ideal for children in their larger states, but is also welcome when one is smaller! My lovely assistant will demonstrate..."

A blonde woman in red--Eight York--steps over to the giant Haro and hugs it with both arms, leaning on the large robot, which flaps happily. "Miss York! Miss York!"

"So I hope you will consider bringing one home as I have. My own resides at the Macronization chambers!"

Near the doors, an interesting new item is available for rent. An indoor scooter molded around a Haro of soft-orange hue. It seems Haro does the driving for you, leaving you free to take in the sights. They may be especially helpful for those who are disabled or tire easily. Quite a few scooters are already buzzing about the convention floor -- they're a hit!

Dominating the majority of this open area are the vendor tables. The very center row features Haro sellers themselves. The SUN Corporation has the biggest display by far. As the original creators of the Haro, they're treated with a sort of honor here, though there are dozens of other vendors. Generation 4 is the newest Haro on the market, and its ability to be customized is on full display. Mini Haros are ever-present, arranged in rainbow displays with their winglets eagerly flapping. Every color of the rainbow is available for both sizes, along with alterations made to the shell of the little robot, the interior, or even the mechanics within.

A few vendors even offer to modify your Haro's shell as you wait. The only limit to their services is the imagination of their guests. For those a bit more cautious with their tiny friends, there are an equally large number of vendors offering to paint, engrave, or apply decals to a customer's Haro.

Another booth is off to the side, decorated in furiously saturated crimson and purple. It's selling all sorts of cheap-looking merchandise that is nonetheless a garden of novelty items. A Devil Gundam Haro costume stands out as the centerpiece. The most well-crafted item of the bunch, it even includes new arms and legs for your Haro that telescope out like its namesake. Other merch includes God and Shining Gundam keychains, in new Haro-fied forms, a selection of Demon Cashew knockoff plushies, and a big wall scroll listing the 100 Commandments of the Undefeated of the East. A sad-looking tip jar languishes at the corner of the table, placed to both look unobtrusive, yet still in full sight. A piece of paper taped to it reads "Please help me get my next lunch."

Slouching his way between the tables, a lanky man with a dark mop of hair examines the artwork on display. His attention is drawn by anything particularly pink. "E-excuse me." He asks an artist, pointing to a painting of a Momo Haro holding a magic wand against a starry background. "Is this a magical girl?"

Moving out further from the central row, the merch continues, possibilities as infinite as the stars in the sky. Haro clothing, jewelry, accessories! Both human-sized and Haro-sized, a particularly dedicated owner could create a full matching wardrobe with their companion. Branded items are plentiful. One booth offers authentic Gundam Fighter signed magnetic patches. Another, Anaheim Electronics hats -- for humans and Haros.

One booth is specially dedicated to Sheryl Nome merch for your Haro. Even though she's not traditionally been associated with Haros, it looks like the con was able to score a deal with her manager to feature her anyway. The booth features stickers and decals of Sheryl in pink silhouette, Sheryl in various costumes including the Black and White Bunnies from her Universal Bunny live performances, and Sheryl in chibi mode, also in various costumes. These decals also include stylized text reading UNIVERSAL BUNNY with a bunny-eared planet in between, PINK MONSOON in rough text, and no-text renditions of Sheryl's emblem, a golden heart with a fairy wing on the right. They're also selling a limited line of custom pink Haros with a blonde wig and a single drop crystal earring on their right winglet. Their eyes flash blue, and they repeat, "Because I'm Sheryl Nome! Because I'm Sheryl Nome!"

Even utilizing a Haro scooter, any guest could spend days in this place and not see everything. Smart shoppers will look at one of the regularly-placed map kiosks and plan out their route.

<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.

        Rin Starking has, unknowingly, declared war.

        "Macross-chan?! MACROSS-CHAN!?" Cheeks go puffy, one of Yurika's arm-prongs thwap Rin right on the butt. "No no no! Nergal's Nadesico is a state of the art compact flagship /far/ more practical for the needs and demands of space travel in the 0090s! Macrosses are so passe! They're way too huge to be practical, needing dedicated facilities just for them both on Earth and in space - the Nadesico is sleeker and slimmer in every way! If I were a Macross I'd need to go on a serious diet just to waddle around!"

        "A-ah, not that the Nadesico can actually walk, like this."

        As soon as the ever-stylish Hikaru is in sight, though, Yurika's running her way towards her colleague, tipping forwards and quickly commanding a floating nearby Haro to take selfies together, cheeks mooshed as close as they can when such elaborate helmets are involved. "So this is why you didn't go along with my plan! Hehehe...if only Ryoko and Izumi were here, you'd have a whole Gekigan Panel going on! WAIT NO I NEVER SAID ANYTHING LIKE THAT-"

        Haros slowly begin Converging upon Yurika, as though trying to 'board' her, rolling against her shoes and hovering against her shoulders. It's cute for now. Will it stay being cute?!

<Pose Tracker> Sonia Sophia-Grace has posed.

"Ohhh... oh dear. I should have just walked further, shouldn't I have?" Sonia asks Lost & Found Haro, slightly embarrassed by the very next space is what she's looking for... and ... looking for and ... looking for, although hearing Macross-chan yelled out and comments about the Nadeisco, well--

She /is/ a captain herself, and she remarks, with deadpan sweetness, "Paradiso is Paradise, compared to other battleships!"

War, engaged.

That being said, the SUN tables get her immediate curiousity, both the small ones and the full-sized companion haros as she starts going through the various options available.

<Pose Tracker> Ujico Issa has posed.

        Ujico feels Eyes on her. She looks up from scrolling through the search results (why are there so many videos? Who has time to watch a video? She just wants a short list!) to stare back into the eyes of a flying Haro. "..."

        She looks at him. He looks at her. She looks at him. He looks at her--

        "...So it's okay to take pictures of cosplayers without asking permission first?" she asks, because that would be way faster than watching ShadowDaHedgehog46's video essay.

        Once they're let into the exhibition hall proper, Ujico is very glad she wore headphones. It's MASSIVE! And busy! There's a Zentraedi she kind of recognizes (maybe) from her short stay as a guest on the Ra Mari II, and someone she /does/ recognize, from a meeting that turned bad and a lunch that was much nicer. Eight looks so happy!

        The scooters look really fun, though she's not sure if she likes the idea of not doing the steering herself. Maybe it's better for Inside, though. If they're all networked together they'll be able to avoid crashing into each other! Though that doesn't take /people/ into account--

        Yeah she's... kind of staring at them and 'hmmm'-ing to herself. While standing in the middle of a busy aisle. Con foul!!

<Pose Tracker> Rin Starking has posed.

Rin Starking holds the chaotic soul of a teenager. When Yurika makes a puffy face, Rin looks off to the side with a distinct note of >:3 for some of the onlookers to see, but then she looks over, showing some genuine interest.

"Oh, cool!" Rin then says - and means it. Scorn's lights flash a few times to no particular end. The rotor-drone frame guides Scorn-the-Air-Haro to an orbit around Yurika, but it perches on Rin's shoulder again, granting her a sense of authority normally limited to Decepticons.

SOON ENOUGH

At the sight of the 2 Meter Haro, Rin looks upwards. She whistles a little.

Scorn's comment on the situation is: "BIG"

Meandering around the merch table, Rin pauses at the customization place. "... hmmmm," she says, glancing at Scorn, then back at the guy. "OK, I want you to paint this like coat of arms - hold on, let me send you the image file if that's OK...?"

At the crimson-and-purple booth, Rin buys one of them wall scrolls and tips 5G on top, because gosh darn it, she wants to support the community.

<Pose Tracker> Marida Cruz has posed.

         After a bit of a staredown, Marida gently pokes at the Haro, causing it to activate and wave its wings.

         "Haro! Haro!"

         "...Hello."

         "Welcome to Harocon! Welcome to Harocon! Name, please! Name, please!"

         ".......Marida."

         "Marida! Marida! Nice to meet you! Nice to meet you!"

         "........The same."

         They are communicating.

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Amano has posed.

As Yurika's cheeks squish close to Hikaru's for the round of selfies, part of the Nadesico shoulder-pauldron does too, but that's okay. Hikaru strikes a triumphant "three" sign with a wide grin on her face. "Every battleship needs its ace after all~! But alas, Ryoko would definitely force ten extra laps on me for even suggesting it... it's a shame, she'd look really good in it too!"

Oh, but then the captain of the Paradiso declares war, staking a claim for the "best battleship competition". "Oh yeah? How's the food, living quarters, media selection, and most importantly, the pilots?" Hikaru challenges back, defending the Nadesico, and Yurika's honour.

Ken-Haro, Joe-Haro, and Akira-Haro have been let loose to mingle with the other Haros. If there's any explosions, it's not Hikaru's fault, she promises!

<Pose Tracker> R. Dorothy Wayneright has posed.

"Oh. Mr. Orlodhari. So he's a Haro enthusiast too?" Dorothy seems... especially intrigued by Lavhi, and quickly steps towards it, Roger Smith tenatively following behind while attempting to shift several bags around.

"It takes all types, I guess... they're a little loud, though, aren't they?" For his part, Roger Smith does not /seem/ enthused by the many talkative orbs of varying description.

But honestly, he wasn't even invited. Dorothy's track towards something recognizable stops when she spots something else out of the corner of her eye, stopping cold (Roger Smith promptly stomps his heels to avoid skidding into the steel wall that is the surprisingly resilient Ms. Wayneright) as her head pivots, in one mechanically smooth movement, to the Sheryl Nome display.

Roger, following her vision, just groans. His wallet's not making it out of this one alive...

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

After a likely-exhausting journey through the merch hall, an informative panel must seem appealing. If not for the discussion, for the padded chairs waiting in lines in each room. Food and drink are allowed, as long as it doesn't become disruptive.

Dozens of smaller panels are in session, or soon to be, but there are three large rooms that may be the most comfortable to rest in. Or perhaps the most informative, depending on one's perspective. Helpful signs inform which room hosts which presenter.

To the right: Dr. Koji Kabuto, Technical Panel

To the left: thelastHaro of Haroics, Enrichment Panel

Straight ahead: Rin Starking, Modding Panel

A host who disguises his real name? That's certainly mysterious. Large doors are welcomingly open. The room is about half-full, a respectable turnout!

At the front of the room is a young man, dressed in expensive jeans, an official HaroCon shirt, and a hoodie lined with luxurious fluffy fur. His eyes are half-hidden behind a pair of academic-looking glasses and his hair... A shock of Haro-green fluff floats wildly around his face. Messy curls seem gleeful in their vibrancy.

After a few minutes, the young man sits up straight and takes a deep breath. Time to begin.

"Welcome to HaroCon's enrichment panel!" He says, with a smile on his face. If this were any other subject, he'd be terrified, but he could talk about Haros to anyone. "And a special greeting to all my Haroics! Thank you so much for coming out to see me."

A group of several dozen people in the audience clap loudly. Those with sharp eyes will see they all have a matching pin -- a green Haro wearing the helmet of an RX-78-2 Gundam. The presenter has one as well.

Picking up a bright green Haro, the speaker places him on the table next to the microphone. "Hello! Hello!" Haro greets the crowd.

"The idea of providing enrichment to a robot companion might be an odd one. But it truly makes a difference in their intelligence and lifespan!" The presenter says, enthusiastically. "A Haro given proper enrichment gains a sort of sentience most people would never expect from a consumer electronic."

Adjusting his glasses, the presenter smiles at his companion. "In a few minutes, I'll open the floor to questions for Haro. Ask the most existential, strange things you can -- things nobody'd be able to prepare a response for. He'll impress you!"

While the green-haired presenter goes on, a screen on the back wall displays various ideas for Haro enrichment. Still images cycle through. A green Haro with two hands plays a handheld video game. Two Haros, slightly blurry, race down a hallway with a cat hot on their heels. Set up before a laptop, a Haro has a video call with another of its kind...

The panel continues, the presenter's Haro answering questions with surprising insight and depth. The little companion robot speaks of dreams he's had, goals for the future, and even presents a song he wrote specifically for the convention.

Guests wishing to listen in will surely learn something new! Those who just want somewhere to rest will also find what they're looking for. Quiet conversation won't distract anyone, as long as it is kept to the back of the room.

"In conclusion..." The presenter picks up his Haro and hugs him to his chest. "If you treat your Haro the same way you would a living creature, it'll reward you in ways you could never imagine. For more ideas and discussion on everything Haro-related, come visit us online at Haroics!"

<Pose Tracker> R. Dorothy Wayneright has posed.

While the appeal of the con was definitely the concert, this panel is /also/ very important to Dorothy. She tilts her head for a moment when prompted to ask a question for Haro, and settles for,

"Did the young man next to you construct you? Who is he, to you? Haro, do you have... a father?"

Roger's ongoing grumbling comes to a thoughtful stop. Does Dorothy... She denied it, when he made that same comparison between her and the man who claimed credit for building her. But there had also been Thomas Wayneright. She'd been right there beside him when both men were killed. She'd been so matter of fact about it, he'd let it slip his mind, all the moreso after she was abducted and used as a weapon.

Evidently, it hadn't slipped hers.

"And also! What kind of music do you like, Haro!"

Well. That's more like her, at least.

<Pose Tracker> Yurika Misumaru has posed.

        Yurika cannot actively /believe/ that after being at a Haro convention to promote a battleship of all things, that there's /competition/. Hands on her hips (prongs awkwardly pressed into her calves), Yurika marches forward and gives Sonia the old what for - pointing at her and probably genuinely threatening her life with how irresponsible she's being with those big props next to her arms. (they're plastic, it's fine, probably)

        "You, missy, are going to have to prove it. I'm equipped with /pamphlets/ for how great the Nadesico is. Pamphlets!!! And which one of us showed up in the 5-figure cosplay?! That's what I thought!" A bundle of five identical brochures making the Nadesico look like a 5 star luxury hotel and talking about its missile complements in the way you'd describe a sun lounge or a massage service is soon foisted upon Sonia.

        Yurika /does/ however march towards the Haro Enrichment panel, waving her arm up high to grab attention to the presenter long before he's actually taking questions, and for her terrible rudeness, she's not exactly called on first. But persistence makes practice, and at the first 'yes, you' from the presenter, she blurts out, "CAN A HARO FALL IN LOVE?!"

        She is still somewhat blissfully unaware of the gradually accumulating swarm of stray Haros hopping and floating around her, repeatedly bumping into the cosplay.

<Pose Tracker> Ujico Issa has posed.

        Eventually, someone very politely but firmly asks Ujico not to stand in the middle of the aisle. This is an improvement from the last time this happened, when someone ran into her!

        It also has the added bonus effect of getting her to move around the hall. Ujico actually ends up buying a PINK MONSOON magnet, thus adding to her small collection of Sheryl Nome merchandise. (She checks at the Devil Gundam booth, seeing a villain-coded costume and all, but there's no Sharon Apple merchandise. It was worth looking!)

        But she spots a familiar face, and one she didn't expect to see at all. Lieutenant Cruz, from the Garancieres - she'd been quiet and seemed thoughtful, although Ujico had been a little too nervous at the time to really approach her for anything except to pass around a tray of apple bunnies.

        "Uhm... Miss Marida," Ujico pipes up, approaching from the side. She's wearing a pin on one strap of her overalls that looks a little like a Haro wearing a Gundam helmet. "I didn't know you like Haros. Are you thinking of getting one?" Maybe Banagher is wearing off on her? Or maybe Marida is a Haro Connoisseur, who taught Banagher everything he knows?!

        Marida has that kind of secretive, still waters run deep air about her!

        Ujico, you think that about /everyone/ who doesn't talk much.

        "Want to sit together at the panel? B, uh, our mutual friend is going to be there!" Whether or not Marida wants to join her, Ujico won't miss the start of Banagher's panel. She grabs a seat behind some of the other Haroics forum members. ...She doesn't have a question to ask, though.

        She's more interested in learning from what other people ask.

<Pose Tracker> Rin Starking has posed.

Rin, for her part, disappears from the panel. However, Scorn the Flying Haro hangs out towards the back, in a zone designated for this purpose! It's recording for mommy!

It turns sixty degrees to look at Yurika when she pops her question.

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Amano has posed.

Yurika's question is SUCH an important one. "Oh! Can they? Can they?" She glances down at the three of her Haros with a look that just screams 'can I make my shipping dreams a reality?'.

"Ah, the forbidden, yet passionate love of a Haro... this too is-" She is prompted by one of the staff to please be quiet.

<Pose Tracker> Marida Cruz has posed.

         After a bit of object-to-object communication, Marida had made a decision.

         And as such, now walked along the convention floor, holding her new Haro to her chest.

         "Miss Marida! Miss Marida! Would you like to register this Haro with a name?"

         "A name..." She was just getting used to having a name herself. Far be it from her to name something else. She thought a bit..."How about Violette?"

         "Registering! Registering! Violette! Violette!"

         "Master is going to kill me..."

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

To answer Dorothy's question, the green-haired presenter speaks up, pride in his voice. "Haro's a limited-edition generation three! Based on the model Amuro Ray owned. He was a gift from my," there's an imperceptible pause. "mother."

"Bana--" Haro begins, until the young presenter quickly nudges him. "..." Haro thinks. He rocks back and forth. "Big brother! Big brother! Father is gone."

Behind his studious glasses, the presenter looks a little shocked. Perhaps this answer comes as a surprise!

"Music..." Haro thinks, again rocking for a moment. He raises his winglets and broadcasts into the microphone the title theme to "Dozoo Degwa DX Kanpeito Kampello - HANDHELD EDITION".

Yurika's question earns a blink from the presenter, who looks eagerly at the little robot for his answer. The green companion rocks back and forth. "Love... Yes! Princess! Princess!"

Turning a laugh into a cough, the presenter rests a hand on top his Haro.

This time slot's offered panels draw to a close, and guests come filtering out of the second-floor rooms. It seems the majority of events will take place on the first floor now, including...

A special performance by the Haro choir!

Thirty Haros have been arranged on individual pedestals, wirelessly connected to large speakers to amplify their little voices. Each one is a slightly different color, creating a gradient from the softest red to the deepest purple. At the end of HaroCon, each choir member will be given to a deserving owner, free of charge. Nominations are being accepted at a desk just to the side of the display.

At the front of the choir is a single open podium. Haro owners can place their own companion robot upon this one to hear their friend join in the chorus. A long list of possible songs are available to select -- as long as it has vocals, it's probably available. A Haro placed on the lead podium will take on the role of lead vocalist. And, of course, a copy of your Haros' performance is available for purchase at the accompanying desk.

Amusingly, the desk is /also/ being run by a Haro, though this one seems... Remarkably intelligent, compared to its fellows. "Conductor", reads a plate just beneath this unusual Haro. With the entirety of the choir under their direction, they seem to be taking glee in their role.

"Fufufufu, wasn't that an immaculate performance? To think, the humble Haro has come so far - even able to tackle the ever-iconic Do You Remember Love! Perhaps wherever Lynn Minmay is, she'll strongly consider whether her career's in danger from thirty passionate little darlings! Each performance, a cymbal of triumph, an upheaval of the conflict between passion and logic - no! A proof that what is called 'passion' is tameable, capturable, calculable! To think, from such humble beginnings. Hehehe...once upon a time, a Haro was something to be dismissed of as a toy, a trinket - but they have forged their own path, captivating the masses in their simple, ideal form - anchoring their own future with their tireless devotion and reliability!

...hehe, but a most indomitable challenger has appeared. If the Haro is to charm the universe, there's a clear, obvious holder of that throne. Indeed, if there is a clear successor to that very Minmay, it's none other than our /most/ special guest. Her voice transcends the bonds of the Sun - and indeed, has been echoing across the galaxy. No, this is hardly a lead-in to some subversion - it's true! None other than /the/ Namie Amuro is here with a very special performance! ...well, not /in person/, should you fervor and passion for her art send you into such a frenzy that you leap onto the stage in pursuit, but when her soul is cast in light and shining upon the stage...I'm sure your hearts will catch alight! Do begin heralding her arrival, and cheering her onward!!!~"

They've been singing through the entirety of the convention, but this is their main event!

The Haro choir warms up as mysterious music begins to play. Drums beat like the heart, and the Haros's eyes flash in time with them. Above them, they project a misty image of a strange, bandaged robonoid man in a red jacket crossing a desert. Light flashes, and suddenly he's in the ruins of an ancient studio, seated at a massive computer system. An antique cathode TV with an RX-78-2 Gundam figurine standing in front of it comes alive. The images flash to a nude, long-haired woman curled up within a sphere, two massive pipes hooked up to it. The jacketed man turns up the volume just as the bass drops.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRI_VIRikTA

         Just how far through time-space must I travel, how many answers must I deduce
         Please, before the fog of this gloomy world will clear?
         The topology twisted with information that seems hard to sort
         Will reawaken the ancient memories that should have vanished

A score of hologram screens light up before the jacketed man as the vocalist sings. He staggers up from his seat, drops himself in front of the cathode TV, and yanks it up to press his face to the screen. Old footage of the RX-78-2 Gundam in battle during the One Year War plays, taking up not just the screen but the entire holographic performance.

         (Defend Love)
         Who is it seeking, this S.O.S.?
         If there's no will to change, it's endless
         Tell me no lie about your true form
It's impossible to keep on hiding it

The bandaged man is back at his seat, fingers flying over a keyboard as he looks up and down from the footage before him. We see the woman in the orb again, then cut back to a close-up of the man as he cackles to himself. More footage of the RX-78-2 Gundam in battle plays, cleaving through enemies with ease.

         (Why)
         What use will a self-righteous conflict be?
         Where are these sins that you shoulder all alone?
         If you desire love, you must know pain
         Don't be afraid, don't avert your eyes
         We must defend love

The bandaged man continues to type away as the screen before him plays more One Year War footage. Several shots pass of the woman in the sphere as that data seemingly pumps into her, her long, sugar-brown hair flowing and her legs curled up to her chest to defend her modesty.

         (We must defend love)

When we return to the bandaged man, the screen before him says, "Data Loading"--and then he hits the enter key.

         I don't wanna fight no more
         The results are rough
         Yet we'll overcome crises, and even alone, we'll be tough
         That's how we'll stand against the stagnant atmosphere
         We have a duty to defend love

The screen now reads, "Downloading Weaponry." The bandaged man watches as several hologram plates float through the air and file themselves neatly into a nearby bag. Each of them displays blueprints of the Gundam. The man giggles to himself again.

         It's when you're lost that the chains called trust will bind you
         Look, to the wisdom for surviving the world as it crumbles again
         If you pour water on flowers that look parched, better make it fresh
         And thus, about how many hopes have you thoughtlessly thrown away?

More footage of the One Year War plays, this time in space, of the Gundam's various victories in battle. The perspective shifts, and now we watch the bandaged man watching the footage and tapping a foot to the beat before he knocks back a beer.

         (Defend Love)
         Incomplete preparations are meaningless
         Trace the light in a no-limit race
         It's when you're suffering that chances come
         To gain the strength to struggle against this destiny

More and more of the Gundam's capabilities display, now not just against mobile suits but entire ships as the scope of the battle footage continues to escalate.

         (Why)
         What use will a self-righteous conflict be?
         Where are these sins that you shoulder all alone?
         If you desire love, you must know pain
         Don't be afraid, don't avert your eyes
         We must defend love

All of this data pours more and more into the woman's sphere, surrounding and suffusing her, as the man looks on. At last, she raises her head and an red oval gem appears on her forehead.

         What do you shun? What do you lament?
         Whether black or white, it's just like an opera
         What do you mock? What do you loathe?
         Where will you draw the correct borders?
         Ah, to where will my pride go?
         Ah, to where will my heart go?

The tone of the song changes from heavy electronica to a softer, more pleading piano. Iridescent light, like a rainbow aurora, suffuses the area as the shot pans up. In that space, we see the long-haired woman and--Amuro Ray? No, an actor who looks very much like him, both of them clad in flight suits. The two of them float around each other as they stretch out their hands to touch each other--but the tone shifts again, and the woman's eyes widen just before she dissolves into a stream of sparkles.

         Please remember, because it's important
         How was the journey up to this point?
         If we're together
         We'll find the answer
         So I beg you, bring us to the future
         Please save us, Dr.

The woman and the Amuro-alike reappear in a sparkling space as the music turns sweet. The two of them have a conversation, conveniently subtitled in the ether: the Amuro-actor asks the woman, "Miss Amuro, I presume?" When she nods, he continues, "I knew you would come!" The woman only gazes at him--until something overcomes her and her eyes turn blank. An expression of shock crosses her face, which she clutches, just before she is sent spinning backwards.

         (Why)
         What use will a self-righteous conflict be?
         Where are these sins that you shoulder all alone?
         If you desire love, you must know pain
         Don't be afraid, don't avert your eyes
         We must defend love

The sound returns to the original heavy electronica as an image of a massive orb of a battle station appears. From it, the woman deploys in a massive purple mobile suit, known as the Elmeth. The Amuro actor stands up against her in the RX-78-2 Gundam, or, as one might reasonably assume, reasonable facsimiles of each unit. "Amuro" implores her as he evades her fire, "You mustn't let yourself get used for war!!" But his words don't reach her, and they clash. The battle is over in an instant: he cleaves through her unit with a beam saber, and the woman in the sphere projecting her other self is surrounded by destruction as the pipes rupture and the sphere cracks. The her within the Elmeth, wearing the flight suit, recoils from the controls in horror as the jewel on her forehead flashes like lightning.

         (Why)
         What use will a self-righteous conflict be?
         Where are these sins that you shoulder all alone?
         If you desire love, you must know pain
         Don't be afraid, don't avert your eyes
         We must defend love

The Elmeth is overcome as the Gundam flies past, and erupts with light. Within, the woman's other self floats in sparkle space, spinning slowly and haplessly as her helmet drifts away, its faceplate shattered. In the sphere, the red oval on the forehead of her original fades away as her simulated projection comes to an end. Out in space, the RX-78-2 Gundam flies past, and within it, Amuro weeps in frustration and regret. He reaches up to touch the side of his helmet, and its faceplate shuts, hiding his grief from view. One last shot shows us the woman in the ruined sphere, still alive, but also still trapped.

         (Defend Love)

Nearby, the bandaged man sits slumped in his chair as the hologram plates rise from his bag. One by one, they break and fall apart in midair, until the shot pans rapidly away and out from the ruins, then fades out.

<Pose Tracker> Ujico Issa has posed.

        On further thought, Ujico takes Apple out of her hip pocket and settles the little mini-Haro in her lap for the panel. This, too, is enrichment! And as she thought she would, Ujico learns a lot from what other people had to ask~

        Also, it's fun to see Banagher try a new hair color! Look, he matches Haro! Or does Haro match him?

        She'll catch up to him later on, for a soda and crepes with HomeRunHopper. He'll probably want some time to relax after running a panel. It's draining to be on the spot.

        She carries Apple in her hands this time as she wanders out into the greater meeting hall again. She'd been hoping to see the [Haro Choir]! And even better, there's Attendee Participation!! Ujico's eyes shine as she gazes over the immaculately-done gradient.

        "...Want to try it out, Apple?" she murmurs. "You can pick anything I taught you, except the secret playlist."

        Apple flaps an affirmative, and Ujico waits their turn before carefully setting her down in the lead Haro position. "Roger. Roger. <Initiating playback.>"

        Ujico hasn't uploaded /all/ of her music yet. She's kind of wondering if Apple will sing Pink Monsoon - it'd be thematic, and it's definitely her most-played Sheryl nome track - but Apple picks the first theme from Pastel Defender Heliotrope instead. "...Huh." Still, she's sure to buy the recording! Her dad will want to see it! It's part of being a grandfather.

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Amano has posed.

So Haros /can/ feel love! Which makes their next performance all the more moving, as the song implores defending love.

Gekiganger is about burning passion and love, so perhaps the song resonates with her Haros as well. "DEFEND! LOVE!"

It resonates with Hikaru, too. She'll have to continue to fight for the time being.. but the last thing she wants is to have to fight forever. There's room in this world for love too, whether it's real or sprawling across a comic book page.

Ultimately, when the performance ends, Hikaru cheers with a "WOOOO!". Of course, she has plans for the Haro's capability to play music, too.

<Pose Tracker> R. Dorothy Wayneright has posed.

This time, it's Dorothy's turn to carefully watch. She was wondering if it might be a Sheryl Nome performance today, given the merchandise booth and all, but - while this is pretty far from the sort of thing she's usually listening to and playing, it's rather exciting all the same! The footage of the One Year War is... rather curious, to her. A quiet review of information available on the net does confirm that this is how the One Year War played out, but...

For some reason, Dorothy thinks, /no, that isn't what happened at all, is it?/

Still, it's difficult to worry too much about that when she's enjoying the music! Roger seems a little less impressed, but he's still got a (somewhat bemused) smile on his face by the end of it. Dorothy is quick to submit her own name in hopes of winning one of the singing Haros - a robustly purple-pink one from right about the middle of the pack - and takes a quizzical look around when she notices that Roger has disappeared.

Along with all her bags of Haro and Sheryl goodies! The nerve! The eternally placid Dorothy Wayneright narrows her lips in the closest thing her mechanical heart can express to frustration.

Except... By the time the performance is done, that sleek black suit is creeping back into the room.

"Negotiator! Negotiator!"

"No, you don't understand. I don't think you'd make a very good Negotiator, you're for - Dorothy!"

"Dorothy, Dorothy!"

Along with a hovering, bright red orb, shifting around his (softly reddening, as he realizes the performance is just now ending, and he's got a chirping Haro following him around - well, that's to be expected here, right?) head and shoulders.

"I... well, look. You seemed pretty excited, so. If you're going to teach it to sing... Just, let me sleep in a little, alright? And... Piano lessons. We absolutely have to get you some piano lessons, if you're going to be making even /more/ noise in the mornings..."

"There's absolutely nothing wrong with my piano playing, Roger Smith."

"That's not what I... besides, there's no... soul to it. If you really love music so much... Listen, at least meet the guy I have in mind, okay? I think you'll understand, when you do."

The little Haro shifts, having identified its new owner, flitting over Dorothy's head.

"...Very well, Roger Smith. I hope your friend isn't as rude as you are."

"Be more delicate! Delicate!"

<Pose Tracker> Sonia Sophia-Grace has posed.

Sonia looks at Yurika with a smile, that goes sly. "Paradise is what you make of it, my dear."

God, don't be so SMUG.

She does follow the rest of the way to the aperture sci-- er, HaroCon Enrichment Center, fascinated with the various questions and answers that people are asking and receiving. Truly, though, the star of the show is the Haro Choir. Sonia, as a historian, knows the story that seems to be getting told, and she clutches the handful of receipts she's acquired from today in her hands, up against her heart.

"So pretty..."

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

Applause answers the conclusion of the Haro Choir's performance. Everything in the main area had paused to listen to them, and slowly, events get back into motion.

"All cosplay contest entrants, make your way to the main stage! We will begin in five minutes!" A cheerful voice announces over the intercom system.

The contest must be a hit. A good portion of the crowd makes their way over to the main stage, including quite a few people in spectacular costumes. By the time everyone is settled, there are at least ten on stage -- with room for a few more, should there be any last-minute entries!

"Welcome to HaroCon's annual cosplay contest!" A cutely-dressed announcer greets the crowd. Neon Haro-patterned leggings cover their legs, vanishing beneath a tunic-length official HaroCon shirt. "We've got more fantastic entries than ever before, and a great panel of judges! First, from the SUN Corporation..."

The announcer goes on to introduce a trio of judges. No one particularly famous, but they all look happy to be here, at least! Each judge has a Haro of their own resting at the table with them. It seems Haros' opinions count for quite a bit in this contest... Contestants would be wise to seek their favor.

"Entry one, please come out onto the stage!" The announcer leads the crowd in a round of applause.

A group of five children come tumbling out from backstage. They each have a ball-shaped costume around their middle, with a curved hat, and a few other oddly-shaped pieces on their arms or legs. Once they reach the center of the stage, they wave, and then each curls up... transforming into a small group of Haros!

The announcer seems charmed by this. One of the children topples over near-immediately, but the crowd is on their side, and the laughter that follows is good-natured.

"How cute! A whole little family. And the workmanship is beautiful. Look at the thin exterior lines -- these are clearly examples of SUN Corporation's generation two!" The announcer helps right the toppled child, and the whole group waves, then takes their leave. "We're off to a great start!"

More entries follow. The announcer is equally enthusiastic and chipper for each and every one, ensuring all contestants get applause and praise.

"Next up: entry seven!" The announcer smiles brightly. "Please give them a warm welcome!"

'Number Seven' is, as it turns out, Riika Sheder - though it might not be obvious, given her costume completely hides her face and hair so there's not much to distinguish her other than height. She waves cheerfully as she walks onto the stage!

Riika has gone with a unique costume... she's chosen the rarely seen Mobile Haro, a walker-style fan addon that was briefly popular in the 0080s with mechanics, as it had improved manipulators and could retrieve or operate some handheld tools.

Her head and chest are covered with the traditional round Haro head with its smiling face, with the shoulders of the Mobile Haro serving as her shoulders. Built around it, and extending down her stomach to her hips, is the green-grey 'armored torso' of the Mobile Haro, though a little more accommodating of humanoid proportions and build than the cylindrical original. At her hips it meets grey plates meant to look like the Mobile Haro's ball joints, and her hands and feet are in rigid grey costume gauntlets and boots. She has a bodysuit underneath of the same green-grey as the torso, to cover her upper arms and legs.

As an accessory, across Riika's back is a back-mounted 'jet thruster' like the original Haro Mobile designs with cosmetic exhaust pipes, and while it does not actually fire, the bell thruster does light up and the exhaust pipes emit fog when it does. While she is up on stage, she shows it off, standing on tiptoe to look taller when it 'fires' even if she does not take off.

Another few entries come and go across the stage. The announcer gives the judges 15 minutes to deliberate, then walks over to the panel for their decision. Hushed whispers follow, with the announcer bringing a hand up to their cheek in surprise.

They return to the stage, and call out all previous entries. "In the face of our steep competition this year..." They say, grinning ear to ear. "Our generous sponsors at the SUN Corporation have decided it's simply too difficult to choose one winner."

They let the suspense linger for a moment.

"Instead, every entry has been declared worthy of our grand prize: a brand new generation four Haro! Please come by the judge's table to claim your prize. Thank you to all our entrants, and to the SUN Corporation!"

<Pose Tracker> Ujico Issa has posed.

        Huh, the pale lady and her date have an interesting dynamic... Ujico watches them while she's waiting for Apple's footage to be loaded onto a data chip. Hmmm... is that a kind of love? The man, at least, seems to really care about the redhead.

        At least, Ujico has never seen anybody buy a somewhat expensive electronic for someone they weren't at least a /little/ bit fond of.

        She's staring, but at least she's not being a super creep about it. And then her video is ready, and she tucks it into a safe pocket in her fat snail backpack before making her way to the costume contest.

        She's not sure how people are going to interpret Haro, to be honest. But she's got her phone's camera ready, because she finally did get some answers about 'when it's okay to photograph cosplayers'. (She finally made herself watch the damn video essay.)

        Will there be a Sexy Haro entry? People will dress as Sexy Anything. It's kind of cool! All clothes are just costumes anyway. Sexy clothes doubly so.

        But the entries are more wholesome (and way more creative) than that. They all get a round of applause from her, but then... the detail! The originality! The sheer niche devotion of picking the /Mobile Haro/, of anything!

        "I hope Bana-ji's watching this from somewhere," she whispers to Apple. He'll love it.

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Amano has posed.

"Entry number eight: Welcome the Haro Gekiganger Team!" The announcer calls out, after Riika and her Haro's performance comes to an end. "Ehehe... look like that's our cue!" Hikaru stands up cheerfully, taking the stage in her role as Miss Nanako, alongside Ken-Haro, Joe-Haro, and Akira-Haro.

"Three! Two! One! LET'S GEKIGA IN!" She shouts, and just like that, the Haros repeat after her, each one saying one word in "LET'S! GEKIGA! IN!" Next, the iconic theme song is played in perfect harmony. Let's go passion!

"And guess what?" Hikaru enthuses. "That's not all they can do! Show 'em your special moves!" Akira-Haro, representing Rikuganger opens to reveal arms picks up a nearby rock on stage, matching its mighty judo powers. "Musashi no Jigoku Meguri!" Umiganger, piloted by Joe-Haro moves at blinding speeds, ending with a pose. "Gekigan Vision!" And Ken-Haro unleashes Gekiganger's finishing move, driving forth at the rock with enough force to shatter it. "Gekigan Flare!"

After the colourful performance of her Haros, Hikaru bows, and receives her prize from the judges. "A new one?! Why, this is just like when they upgrade to Gekiganger V!" She exclaims, while holding it. "Looooook Yurika-chan, I won!" The new Haro simply repeats the words of his new brothers. "LET'S GO PASSION!"

<Pose Tracker> Sonia Sophia-Grace has posed.

As her knowledge of Haros is limited, Sonia is entranced by the cosplay event - the first group especially, of the littles in the generation two costumes get her biggest round of applause. Yes, she's just like that. It's the cutest group of the cosplay by far.

For all she was in Tsutsujidai, Sonia has... no actual idea who Riika is. That doesn't stop her from being surprised and excited at the look of her cosplay, however - this is event is teaching her many things! (And taking a lot of money out of her wallet.) The same goes for Haro Gekiganger team - it's so cool! Sonia ... is becoming a Haro fan.

Who isn't at least tolerant of these round, adorable cuddlebuds?

<Pose Tracker> R. Dorothy Wayneright has posed.

The cosplay contest is a pretty novel idea for Dorothy, honestly. She's not terribly fashion-aware, especially limited to Roger's obsession with black, so the idea of dressing up like this is... Well, there are some holidays with costumes, she supposes.

"Oh. I could have won a Haro, hmm? I didn't prepare a costume, though. Oh well, I have you, Ringo."

"No prize! No prize!"

The little children turning into Haros are delightful, though. And Riika and Hikaru's little shows are so inventive! Dorothy offers polite applause for both, and even more when they receive their prizes.

And, Dorothy might be getting a prize after all - as one of the con staff leans over to whisper to the cute young lady! A larger, vividly pink Haro is placed in her lap, and she contentedly folds her hands over its head, entangling her fingers as she smiles.

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

"Thank you, everyone, for attending today's events at HaroCon! As we start to wind down, please come to the main event floor for a special presentation!"

What could that be? The majority of guests make their way to the main room. Thankfully, even with the crowd, there's still plenty of space. HaroCon went all out with renting a space this huge!

"This has been our biggest and best HaroCon yet!" A cheerful announcer speaks over the PA system. "All of our staff are so grateful to you, our guests. We hope you've enjoyed yourselves, and we hope to see you again next year! Without further ado -- we have one last surprise for you tonight. An interview with the man who popularized Haros himself -- Amuro Ray!"

Lights dim, and a projected image rises above the crowd.

---

INTERVIEWER: So, Mr. Ray, what do you think the Haro represents? ... Mr. Ray?

Shaky footage of the camera looking around to find AMURO RAY, floating in zero-g, cross-legged and tinkering with a circuit board. He looks completely lost in his own world.

INTERVIEWER: Mister Ray? ... Amuro!!

AMURO RAY: Huh? ... Oh. Is it time for the question? I'm almost done here -- give me just a second... or five minutes... and then I... huh...

CAMERA FEED CUTS OUT

CUT BACK TO AMURO, FLOATING UPSIDE-DOWN, STILL WORKING ON THAT CIRCUIT

INTERVIEWER: Amuro...

AMURO RAY: Right. Okay. I'm done. See, that barely even took ten minutes. ... What time is it?

INTERVIEWER: ... It's been three hours--

CAMERA CUTS OUT

CUT BACK TO AMURO, EATING A SANDWICH

AMURO RAY: Okay. Shoot.

INTERVIEWER: Alright. Thank you. As you know, we're putting together a Haro Convention, and we wanted to know straight from the source: the Haro started as something of an obscure toy line until your heavily publicized feats during the One Year War, where your heavily modified Haro took the world by storm. So -- what do you think the Haro represents?

AMURO RAY: What it represents...? Oh, that's easy. The Haro represents a huge potential in rudimentary artificial intelligence that I think can one day serve as a secondary memory system for humans; see, as we continue to develop in the future, I think the amount of information we have access to will escalate exponentially relative to our capacity to retain it, and--

INTERVIEWER: ... Amuro... no--

CAMERA CUTS OUT

CUT BACK TO AMURO, SITTING NORMALLY

INTERVIEWER: ... Okay. We're recording again. Why don't we try it like this... Amuro, your Haro was with you through the worst of the One Year War. What did it mean to you?

AMURO RAY: Ah. *scratches his cheek* I mean... it was irreplaceable, right? The Haro -- it started as just a hobby, you know? This random little toy I got for cheap that I found out had a base you could modify really easily when you cracked it open. When I was a kid, I kept to myself a lot, and it was usually tinkering with things like the Haro that kept me company. Kept me busy. So it started out as like a little diversion, and then I got more invested in it... and by the time the fighting really started, it was... well. It was always with us. It was always helping. Through all my best and all my worst times, taking care of the kids, helping Frau... it saved our lives, a couple times. It was like family. It's kind of heartening, to see the whole Haro line get a second lease on life thanks to ours. I guess... I don't know. ...

AMURO RAY: I guess to me, the Haro was something that was always there for me. It meant that I never had to be alone. If it can do that for other people, that's all I really need.

<Pose Tracker> Ujico Issa has posed.

        It's a scene worthy of Through the Looking-Glass! 'In the end everybody has won, and so everybody must have prizes.' It's really the best ending Ujico could have imagined for the contest.

        But everything must come to an end eventually. She's starting to flag a little bit, anyway - yesterday was rough, emotionally. The promise of the convention carried her through the hours between, but Ujico really, really would like to grab a cheapish motel room somewhere on the Ring and crash for a few hours before the flight back to December 02.

        There are still the closing ceremonies to go, though, and Ujico doesn't want to miss them. Especially since there's some kind of special video, apparently...?

        But she hadn't expected to see footage of Amuro Ray.

        She watches silently, Apple held close to her chest as the interview plays.

        He would have been close to her age when this interview happened, right? He'd done so much, experienced so much by then.

        ...It's funny. She recognizes some of his mannerisms. How many times had she gotten lost in something and had hours fly past? Her mouth curves a bit; her eyes remain glued to the image of a once-dead man.

        Wouldn't it be funny if it turned out that Amuro Ray was an alien too?

<Pose Tracker> Sonia Sophia-Grace has posed.

When everyone is announced as a winner, Sonia cheers. That's her type of competition! However, at the announcement she follows the rest of group curiously, eyes widening as the view on the screen.

It takes only a moment for Sonia to place Amuro Ray, and she, definitely, seeing him entranced with his work on the circuit board, understands so hard. She Gets It. Even the 'must eat after hyperfixation' mode. She definitely understands everything that is happening here, and she has a moment, gaze focused past the screen momentarily, at the memory of a gentle meeting. Two birds and a very curious third party. Tsutsujidai....

"Connections are important." She murmurs, to no one in particular. "Whether humanoid or mechanical."

With that done, she turns and heads back to the vendor floor, aiming to pick up her Haro.