2023-05-30: Belonging

• Cast: Alouette Pommier, Rikka Takarada
• Where: Garuda, Medical Facilities
• Date: U.C. 0097 05 27
• Summary: Given they're together for the time being, Alouette tries to get a sense of where Rikka's head's at: and it doesn't look good. Although it means using the name Vist provided her, she does her best to affirm that Rikka will always have a place to return to. CW: Identity alteration, implied torture and brainwashing

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<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.

The Battle of Dakar is still fresh in everyone’s minds, whether forced to leave by Martha Vist Carbine’s ultimatum, or a hostage on the Garuda supercarrier.

Ultimately, it’s a medical ward that Alouette wakes in. It’s an unfamiliar place, but it’s also very familiar, the sights and sounds in this ward. She’s informed of very little, but she remembers why she’s here - Akane, or Aumerei’s ‘betrayal’, and the sting that comes with it.

She’d rather be home, she’d rather be anywhere but here, but all she can do is grasp onto the things that remind her of home. Names, places, important dates - anything she can hold onto she repeats to herself in almost a ritualistic manner.

She’s not alone here, though, even if post-battle makes things very quite busy aboard the Garuda. For one, Aumerei currently has business with Banagher, leaving Rikka, or Treasure Chest time to take a break and decompress from the immense pressure the HADES-E system undoubtedly took upon her.

When Alouette sees her, her heart sinks a little. She was so focused on her own situation in the battle, against Aumerei and the Garuda and all those mobile suits aiming for her throat, that Rikka’s condition never quite settled in until now.

Alouette won’t abandon her, though, and approaches her, even in spite of the aggression she displayed during the battle. “It’s Alouette. Thanks to Aumerei, it looks like we’ll be working together for the time being, so let’s try to get along, okay?” She just hopes that she remembers her. “So to start.. How should I address you?” Akane called her ‘Treasure Chest’, and as horrible a pun it is, and a little dehumanizing… “I’ll respect your wishes.”

<Pose Tracker> Treasure Chest has posed.

The haze of HADES has subsided somewhat, but it still creeps at the corner of Treasure Chest's mind. A part of her feels like snapping at every shadow. So far, though, she has yet to snap at any of the personnel that have come to retrieve her - recoiling mentally every time the thought occurs to her.

Just as bad as the mental effects, though, are the physical. She hadn't noticed it at first through the adrenaline of battle and the system itself keeping her razor-focused on the objective, on the enemy, but now that it has started to fade she can feel the strain it was beginning to put on her. As a result... as much as she'd like to continue making herself useful elsewhere, she can't complain when she's sent down to medical to keep an eye on their latest acquisition. She may not be allowed to properly rest, but minimizing activity may be for the best now.

She sits back in her chosen seat, arms folded in front of her. Her mind wanders - to battles of the recent past, and of the hypothetical. And then, movement. She's shaken from her thoughts and tenses as Alouette approaches, sitting up as if ready to defend herself at any moment - but recognition crosses her face a moment later and she forces herself to relax, just a bit.

"Alouette." Treasure Chest replies with a nod of greeting. "...Yeah. I don't intend to start anything. I'd prefer to get along."

She hesitates for a moment, looking away briefly.

"...I'm glad you decided to cooperate." She says. If she hadn't... there might have been an even worse fight, and she wouldn't have had any choice. Alouette asks her how to address her, and the answer comes almost immediately. She unfolds her arms, coming to rest instead on her legs.

"It's Treasure Chest." She replies, tapping her thigh as she does. "...Thanks."

<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.

Alouette studies Treasure Chest for a few moments - her movements, her posture, her expressions. They’re certainly not quite those of the laid-back Rikka she knew. She’s tense, but not in the way of someone here against their will.

In response, Alouette’s own movements are soft and gentle, as she slowly takes a seat closer to Treasure Chest, eyes meeting her as if to affirm “Is this okay?” You can never be too careful, and her 3G training in working with people like her hopefully come in handy.

“How are you doing?” Alouette asks. “It was a long and tiring battle. There were so many people, and you looked like you really needed to push yourself.” She recalls. Treasure Chest didn’t fight like Rikka did in Synchrotank, who fought with a certain purpose and resolve, whose funnels were like falling petals in the breeze.

“Mmm. Not that we’ve ever had any trouble getting along anyways…” Alouette reminds her. “But it’s not like I had any choice but to cooperate. The last thing I wanted was to make things harder for you.” She frowns. “I don’t plan on giving up on going home, but I won’t do anything that puts you at risk. It’s a promise.”

And her expression turns neutral again when she addresses herself as Treasure Chest. “...Okay, Treasure Chest. Understood.”

<Pose Tracker> Treasure Chest has posed.

Treasure Chest watches Alouette carefully as she moves closer, but her soft, gentle approach does a lot to disarm her. She relaxes - and as Alouette's eyes meet her own, she offers a nod of acceptance.

"I'm alright. And, it's fine. I did what I needed to do, and that's the only thing that matters." She replies with a shake of her head. She says it's fine... but her screaming and thrashing is a marked difference from her behavior here and now. "And you, you aren't hurt, are you?"

She pauses for a moment. They've never had any trouble... That's right, isn't it?

"...You're right. We've always gotten along..." She replies hesitantly. She may be reminding /herself/, as well. Alouette says she didn't have any choice - she didn't want to make things harder for her. She hasn't given up, though she promises not to do anything that would put her at risk. "...Okay. I'll hold you to that. I don't want you risking yourself, either."

Alouette acknowledges her name and, in response, Treasure Chest nods.

<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.

Alouette’s not quite able to smile when she gets closer to Treasure Chest - none of this makes her willing to smile. But there’s still warmth in her expression as she meets her friend - even if Treasure Chest doesn’t seem to remember she’s Rikka.

Treasure Chest is chillingly calm, nothing like she was in battle. She assures Alouette she’s fine and did what she must. “What is it you fight for anyways? It’s not just for Vist, right?” She’s attempting to see where her head’s at right now, expecting her to answer it’s for Aumerei.

“No.. I’m not hurt. Not physically. Aumerei made sure of that.” She can give her that, at least. “And as long as I cooperate with her, and with Dr. Murasame, it’ll stay that way.” She adds.

“...Yeah. We’d go to concerts and listen to music.” She nods, when Rikka hesitantly agrees that they get along. “Come to think, if only we had a music player of some sort… it’s deafeningly quiet in here.” She doesn’t forget that her birthday gift for Rikka was a Synchrotank shaped CD player, either.

“I’m not really in a position where I can take any risks, anyways.” Alouette admits. “But I appreciate it. You’re still kind, Treasure Chest…”

<Pose Tracker> Treasure Chest has posed.

The warmth in her expression... She's not sure how to handle it. The only warmth she's received so far was from Aumerei. A distant part of herself reminds her that Puru-1 showed her kindness, as well - but she suppresses it.

...What does she fight for? She shakes her head.

"...It isn't. It's for her. Akane." Treasure Chest confirms. "I just..." She trails off, uncertainly. "...I won't let anyone hurt her ever again."

Alouette says she isn't hurt - not physically, thanks to Aumerei. And it'll stay that way as long as she cooperates.

"...That's good." She says. "It's for the best."

Alouette reminds Treasure Chest of the things they used to do together. Going to concerts and listening to music... That feels like a world away, now - something for someone else more deserving. She remembers the pain and confusion and Sheryl's voice, and finds she can't quite meet Alouette's eyes for a moment. The mention of a music player gets her attention for a moment, however - and the briefest hint of recognition, though it fades almost as soon as it appears.

"It is a little quiet..." Treasure Chest admits. She wouldn't mind listening to music, either, but...she can't, shouldn't need it. "I think they like it that way, though."

She nods, as Alouette admits that she's in no position to take risks - and hesitates, when she says she's kind. Is she, really...? She looks away again, idly tapping a finger against her thigh.

"...I don't think I am." She replies.

<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.

Treasure Chest does not in fact fight for Aumerei. Hearing the name Akane from her, it feels like a good sign in a way. “I don’t know what to think about what she’s done. But I feel the same way. I wish you two could’ve just had a good time on your vacation.”

There’s a brief frown when Treasure Chest looks away at the mention of music and concerts, until it clicks. She still can’t believe Sheryl was there. It feels as if there’s no way she was lured there as well. It must’ve been a horrible coincidence. She does see the light in her eyes at the mention of a music player… but it flickers out.

“All you can hear is the beeps and clicks of all the medical equipment in here,” Alouette points out. “I don’t like it. Sometimes people talk… but I hate hearing what they have to say.” This place does seem to bring out some truly awful staff. “I think so, too,” she agrees. “I guess it’s better than the loudness of the battlefield, at least.”

That tap on the thigh again… Treasure Chest disagrees that she’s a kind person. “Maybe you’re neither, the way you are now.” Alouette considers. “You fight ruthlessly because you must. But when you’re left to your devices… you’ve been looking out for Akane’s well-being and even mine. So… don’t let go of that, okay?”

<Pose Tracker> Treasure Chest has posed.

 

The vacation... That, too, feels so long away. She's quiet for a moment. It's difficult for her to raise that kind of protest, to pull up the memories. But eventually she admits...

"...Me too."

The beeps and clicks of medical equipment...

"...I don't like it either. Or them. But it's better to listen." Treasure Chest replies with a shake of her head. The battlefield, though... "I think I prefer it. On the battlefield... at least I know where I stand. It's loud, but I only need to focus on one thing. Here, everything is... Obscured. Covered in layers."

Alouette considers - maybe she's neither. She fights ruthlessly, but also looks out for them... Treasure Chest thinks it over for a moment.

"...Maybe." She admits - and then, she nods. Once - and then again, with a bit more resolve. "...Alright. I won't."

She won't let go. She'll hold onto it for as long as she can.

<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.

“You might be right. It’s a good idea to stay sharp in a place like this.” Sometimes, people’s words can be useful. Sometimes the background noises reveal something important. That can be everything.

As for the battlefield… “It’s a little like fencing,” Alouette proposes. “You focus on yourself, and your opponent. But every single decision you make can have extreme consequences. It’s similar that way too.” She also nods carefully at Treasure Chest’s assessment of this place. “The smiles of the people here don’t quite meet their eyes.”

Treasure Chest concedes Alouette might be right and her own smile does meet her eyes for the first time today. “I’m glad.” She hopes that she can keep holding on until she can return to where she belongs.