2022-08-16: Never Meet Your Heroes

• Log: Never Meet Your Heroes
• Cast: Sayla Mass, Banagher Links
• Where: Melbourne, Australia
• OOC - IC Date: 16 August 0096
• Summary: Sayla arranges a meeting with Banagher, to get his measure. She handles it poorly.

---

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        Since the loss of Sydney and Canberra in the One Year War, the city of Melbourne has taken the title of 'Australia's Best City' and 'Center of Political Power' both. It still has the trams, the coffee and the god awful hook turns.

        It is also, based on one person's information, where one Banagher Links is currently exploring. "...Yes. The bar at the new Victor Churchill, in sixty minutes. Two guests. And send a courier with a message... here."

        It is through obscene amounts of effort that Federation Square has remained intact. It's been updated over the centuries, but when you have so few places throwing back to before the Universal Century, it became something of a cultural heritage site. It's also right now, home to museums, theaters, and street performers of all stripes. It's nothing special, they're just busking.

        It's also where Banagher will find himself accosted by a courier with a message: "Banagher Links, right? I've got a message from Miss Ashta's guardian. She wants to meet you- details are on the card. Don't be late!"

        When Banagher arrives at the locale, he is guided to a horseshoe shaped bar in the back. A Charcuterie board is laid out, with very fine food. The bartender gets him a drink of his choosing, and invites him to enjoy.

        And then he is left to stew for about ten minutes. Where is this guardian?

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

Australia -- he's heard so much about it, over the course of his studies, but the real thing is far more different than he'd ever expected. Which, Banagher realizes, is starting to become a pattern. The Captain had dropped him off for some shopping a few hours ago, and now, his arms are heavy with packages.

Flowers wouldn't keep, Banagher reasoned, a lesson well-learned by the little bottle of petals in his hoodie pocket. Leina had said something Unicorn related might be cute, which was enough of a starting point to send Banagher wandering through a toy store. By the time he emerges, he's got a cutesy white-and-purple unicorn plushie in a bag, along with a keychain bearing a little green Haro. The next stop is a jewelry store -- a delicate-looking ceramic unicorn is carefully wrapped and placed next to the plushie. A little box joins it, costing the majority of Banagher's allowance, kept tightly shut for now.

"Ah -- what?" Banagher blinks at the courier. "Her guardian!" After thanking the courier (do you tip couriers?), Banagher makes a frantic call to Zinnerman.

And thus, he arrives, five minutes early. Banagher's floofy brown hair has been combed until it shines, somewhat smoothed down from its typical messy status. His familiar hoodies have vanished, leaving Banagher sitting at the table in a white, button-up shirt (slightly too big, probably from a member of the Garencieres crew). He shifts uncomfortably, pulling at the buttons on his sleeves. The Charcuterie board lays before him, tempting. Was he supposed to start eating..?

Banagher orders a glass of water and waits. His shopping bags have been replaced with a nicely-wrapped box, sitting on the table before the chair opposing him.

Ten minutes pass by achingly slowly. Is Leina's guardian really going to show up..?

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        There are the sound of shoes clicking on the marble floor, as someone walks up the stairs. A blonde woman, her hair in an iconic wedge, wearing a white suit with a lavender blouse and a pale yellow waterfall cravat style scarf.

        She walks over to the bar, and sits next to Banagher. She does not extend her hand to shake. And she is not giving anything off on the newtype radar, despite her closeness. Her blue eyes seem to be assessing Banagher for a minute, but there's no mistaking who she is. The bartender pours her a gin and tonic.

        "Banagher Links, yes? My name is Sayla Mass. I'm Leina's guardian."

        She does not sound thrilled.

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

Banagher looks up at the sound of heels. A flicker of recognition crosses his face -- is that..? He looks away, nervous. It couldn't be. As the woman continues to walk toward him, Banagher looks up again, meeting her eyes.

Excitement and anxiety, in equal parts, roll from Banagher in waves. The closer Sayla comes, the more certain he is in her identity. He tries to stay calm, but a small smile crosses his face. As Sayla introduces herself, Banagher breathes in sharply.

"Yes! I'm -- Banagher." Banagher's looks, and feels, starstruck. His soft gold eyes glimmer, not seeming to notice Sayla's unenthusiastic greeting. "Are you really -- I --" He pauses, taking a deep breath. "It's great to meet you. I -- have a gift, it's nothing much..."

Unspoken thoughts flutter in time with the young man's heartbeats. You flew with my hero. I've read everything ever written about you. I can't believe I'm meeting you. What was he like?

Thankfully, Banagher has enough sense to at least pretend to behave like a normal young man. He offers the little wrapped gift to Sayla, his cheeks tinged soft pink with excitement.

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        The gift is a surprise, but also... probably Leina's idea. "...Thank you." Sayla says, gently picking up the box from his hands, so incredibly delicately, so careful not to touch Banagher. She opens it and...

        Her expression is unchanging, but the faintest hints of... sadness and frustration can be felt, no matter how much she pushes it back. "...A white unicorn." She pauses. "It's well made." She closes the box again, before putting it safely on the bar.

        She takes a sip of her drink. "Please, have something to eat." To demonstrate, she take a cracker, a slice of fancy cheese, some cured ham, and drizzles some honey (from the comb) over it, before eating the mix in one bite. It gives her time to think.

        "...I've heard a lot about you from Leina, Mr Links." Her voice is still measured, but a touch hard. "She seems to like you a lot. But I can't say I like what I've heard."

        After a long pause, she finally speaks. "You're careless. You act without thinking, and say things without thinking who might hear. Have you ever heard of opsec?"

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

Sayla thanks him, and Banagher smiles even more widely -- until he feels the hints of her emotion. Does she not like it..? His face falls slightly.

With a nod, Banagher mirrors Sayla's actions. He isn't used to food like this, but -- his smile returns, just a bit. It's good! Banagher has another cracker combination, then another. "This is really good, thank you," he hesitates, "Miss Mass."

Leina likes him a lot..! "She does?" Another little blush, as Banagher works up his courage to look back up at Sayla. But -- "O--oh." He looks down again, shrinking into himself a little. "I --" Banagher winces as she goes on, looking down at his half-loaded cracker. "No, I haven't."

Hearing one of his heroes criticize him is distressing. Banagher so badly wants Sayla to like him -- a sense of almost desperation rises in his chest. "I -- don't act without thinking. Leina always asked me to tell her everything -- I checked, to make sure nothing would trigger her first!"

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        Sayla's expression doesn't change, remaining impassive, but she waves away the bartender. "That explains something. It means Operational Security. Not telling people things that could put people in danger, or compromise them." Another sip. "Things like the location of Mineva Lao Zabi. Or the fact that you have the key to Laplace's box. Or who your father is."

        Sayla gives that a second to sink in. "Leina's at risk enough by being my ward, telling her this puts both her and your friend in more danger in case you were overheard at all. So many people have wanted to use that woman in history... Haman Karn, Char Aznable. Full Frontal." Venom rises above Sayla's barriers at the mention of Char's name and worsens at Frontal's. "The Federation would too, in a heartbeat. Lots of people want what's in that box. Being near you, and your gundam, makes them targets to manipulate you. You understand that, don't you?"

        Sayla's words are harsh, but she softens slightly. "...Some of that is Leina's fault." She says, with sadness in her voice. "Leina has a tendency to put her own needs last. And if you can't keep it in mind, you'll hurt her and she'll never let you know. And I'll deal with the consequences of telling you that when I get home." Sayla deems it necessary with someone as forward as Banagher.

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

Leina had told him she was going to tell her Guardian everything, but it still stings to hear just how much information Sayla has on him before they've even met. "I see what you mean." He murmurs, fussing with his shirt cuffs again.

"I don't want to do anything to hurt Leina." Banagher says, hurridly. "Or Audrey. I promise." Sincerity rings true in his words, pillowed by adolescent feelings of affection.

Sayla's venomous feelings all-but send Banagher reeling. He's terribly open to her, in his desire to win her approval, and each new negative emotion instills almost-panic in his heart. Of course she'd be angry at Char, he was her enemy during the One Year War. And he and Amuro died together... Sympathy floats to the surface of Banagher's emotions. It must be awful seeing the ghost of Char return as Full Frontal.

Coming back to reality, Banagher focuses on Sayla's words. "I -- know. Leina's told me about her experiences, a little. Her own, and a time she saw Audrey as a child. I couldn't believe things like that really happen in the world. What happened to Miss Marida and her sisters..." Banagher eats another cracker, grounding himself. A long moment of chewing gives him time to think on how best to respond. "I understand. I never connected with anyone like I did with Audrey, and with Leina, and --" It isn't an excuse. Banagher realizes that. "...it was nice to have someone to talk with."

Banagher's eyes widen as Sayla puts Leina at fault for some of this. "Wait -- no, I'm the one who dragged her into this. I don't want her to get in trouble." Audrey's words ring in his mind. 'Go home, Banagher.' Is this why she did it? Trying to protect him from this world of conspiracy and danger? Banagher looks up at Sayla, steeling himself. "If -- I need to stay away from Leina to keep her safe, I will. But I want to talk to her about it, first. She deserves to have her own say."

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        He at least listens. That's a point in his favour. "I'm sure you don't. But you will, and she'll hurt you. It's how you both handle that is what matters." She takes another long sip of her drink. Pausing, thinking before she speaks.

        "...Those connections can be dangerous, Mr Links. They can leave scars that don't heal." She's very slow and thoughtful. He doesn't get the full story. "They're what happens when two sufficiently powerful newtypes meet, and the bonds they forge aren't always healthy." Loneliness and isolation, hm. She can get this no wonder he opened up so quickly. "I don't know, frankly, if there's any way to control them though."

        "I am saying Leina is partially at fault because she is, and giving you the knowledge you need to handle that. And then Sayla pauses. It's as though th temperature in the room dips. "You fucking idiot." Sayla's tone is harsh, angry. The emotion she was suppressing. "You claim to pull her into this, and then you're just going to disappear?" Sayla *glares* at him. "Leina can make her own decisions. But with everything she said, I needed to know who you were. If I would be picking up the pieces afterwards." She puts her glass down. "Right now, I'm not impressed."

        She looks Banagher square in the eye. "Sometimes you can help someone by leaving. But you can't keep them *safe* by leaving."

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

Banagher watches Sayla drink. She's every bit as elegant and cool as he thought she'd be, as a child, during those long hours spent on message boards and video sites. There's so much he wants to ask her. His heart cries out for advice, for guidance, from someone who'd been in his position. Maybe Sayla would know who best deserves the Box -- maybe Sayla is the one who it should be given to? Banagher blinks at the thought.

"Leina mentioned you taught her how to -- disguise her presence." Banagher says. "Could you -- if it isn't too much trouble -- teach me, too? I had no idea I was a Newtype until a few weeks ago, and now there's -- so much." He finishes, lamely. How do you put into words the new sensory experiences of connecting with human beings, with his Gundam, purely through your spirit? "It's overwhelming. I pick up everyone's feelings, sometimes even flashes of their memory.. I don't mean to, it just keeps happening."

'You fucking idiot.' Tears spring to Banagher's eyes, though he's quick to blink them away. Devastation crashes against the feelings of admiration and shy awe he was feeling, chasing them away entirely. "No. I wouldn't -- disappear! I -- would never do that to her!" He sits up straight, clenching his fists in his lap. "I just want her to be safe! You made it sound like --!" He closes his mouth, helplessly.

"You already know so much about me." His voice is softer now. "All the facts, everything that's been going on. I didn't -- want this. It isn't what I thought it would be. I didn't -- think my father would die in front of me. Or all my friends." A pause, as the tears threaten to well up again. "I didn't think I'd have to worry about -- killing anyone. But this is what I'm faced with, and I'm going to see it through to the end! The Unicorn is a part of me, now, and -- I'm going to find the right person for the Box. Someone who will use it to end war, and -- make the Earthsphere safe for everyone!"

"Leina's been through more than she should've been. But that doesn't define who she is. She's brave, and smart, and fun -- a thousand things, beyond her trauma. I -- really like her!" Banagher blushes, but maintains eye contact. "I feel like our connection means something. I'm willing to do what I have to for her! But -- I can't ignore my responsibility to Unicorn and the Box, either." Banagher stops, frustrated at himself. These weren't the right words. "I don't -- know what the future has. I don't know what the right choice is. I'm trying to learn as much as I can. The only thing I can do is the next right thing -- again, and again. Leina feels like a part of that."

Banagher's hair begins to fluff up once more, as though emphasizing his emotional words.

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        A lot happens all at once, there, and Banagher's emotions flair. He lets everything out there. And Sayla waits for it all to finish. She hadn't intended to push Banagher to breaking point. But it may have been useful to.

        But in this moment, Sayla feels like shit- and she hides that feeling from Banagher.

        "...I can try and teach you." She says, after a long silence. "Theere's some exercises you can start with. But it's not a quick process, and not every newtype can do it. Some are simply so powerful than when they touch a newtype it forces a connection." She pauses. "...You might be in that category." Sayla sighs deeply. "If that's the case... there's someone else I'd have you talk to, if he's willing."

        Sayla does not look away from Banagher's eyes as she speaks. "None of us on the White Base did either. It's not fair, but the story is... not uncommon now." Another pause, a long one. She has to think about that. About what that box contains, what she can do. There's no point in giving advice when he's riled up and so is she.

        After a moment, she taps something on her phone. "You're right about her. And if I can spare her any more hurt, I will." Sayla's voice is quiet. "...But as I said, Leina can make her own decisions. And she decided to ask you out. I'm not going to stop that happening. What I do ask is that your... associates stay out of her life and mine as much as possible. I don't want them on my doorstep without a damned good reason. Is that clear?" Banagher's associates does not include Banagher, evidently.

        The bartender comes back with a hot chocolate, which he wordlessly sets in front of Banagher, before retreating again, as Sayla returns to her drink.

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

Banagher catches his breath, a little embarrassed out his outburst as the seconds tick by. He busies himself with the food, thankful for the excuse to look away from Sayla's eyes.

"...thank you, Miss Mass. I -- appreciate it." Banagher murmurs. After working up his courage, he manages to look back into her face. "I'm sorry. I -- said too much. I know you can understand this, you all had it a lot harder than I do."

At her next words, Banagher nods, solemnly. "I promise. I won't tell anyone where she is, or bring them to her. Er -- unless -- Miss Marida and her... work something out. I guess that'd be a good reason." Banagher wishes for his hoodie, feeling exposed in the dress shirt.

The bartender is given a grateful "thank you". Banagher wraps his hands around the hot chocolate, sighing at the comforting warmth. He drinks it slowly, feeling it ground him all the more.

"Miss Mass, if I can -- ask one more thing." He begins, choosing his words carefully. "I need... to be exposed to more perspectives. The world is so different from the things I studied. I've learned a lot about Neo Zeon, thanks to the Captain. I need to learn about others. Judau and Roux said -- you might be able to help with that?"

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

<poem>

       "You said what needed to be said." Sayla's still not gentle, but her intensity has lessened at least. "It's not about who had it worse. That's a path that leaves no one feeling good about themselves." She finishes her drink in one go, but doesn't order another. "...It would. And it would be what Leina wanted." Sayla seems to have her own doubts, but...

       "...Judau and Roux did, huh?" Sayla pauses. She places a business card on the counter, and slides it to Banagher. Her office line. "I might be able to. People you can talk to, or places you can go." She stands up. "I have friends who may be able to talk to you. ...And some people who may want to meet you, if you'd be alright with that."

       She takes a deep breath. "I have to get back to work. If you want, take the leftovers back to your ship, if not they can send it to a local food reclamation group. If you need anything more, it will be paid for." She walks away, before stopping at the stairs to the main area.

       "I hope you and Leina have a good time. She's been eying a production of Marauders of Moore, but she can't quite justify the ticket cost to herself. I suggest getting a refund on that gift, and spending the money on something you'll both enjoy. I'd rather that than a reminder of the lost."

       With that, Sayla leaves. Her walls never betraying how truly tumultuous her feelings have been.