2022-10-19: Three and Two

• Cast: Leina Ashta, Mineva Lao Zabi
• Where: Villa Mass, AEU Spain / Sweetwater Colony, Side 4
• Date: U.C. 0096 10 19
• Summary: Leina gets to know Mineva better. As it turns out, she's a bisexual disaster.

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<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.

AEU Spain - Mass Villa

"Foras. I'll have you know I feel a little taken advantage of."

Leina told him, as the wheelchair lift finished bringing her to the top of a set of stairs, her hand never far away from petting the Blue Maine Coon on her lap, who was shameless in his desire for affection.

"Before when I was on my feet, you couldn't monopolize my time like this unless I dared to sit down."

Once at the top, she disengaged the lift, and... off she went. It didn't take anything but thought to move her around. Psycommu wheelchairs were a wonder of technology for her independence.

"Not that I mind because you're such a cute little devil. Oh yes you are."

Leina found herself going a little stir crazy. Sayla had given her more remote Yumi Foundation, on her request. However, her swim training was out, her morning runs were out. And Travel? Had just become so much more difficult.

She loved living with her brother and Roux, and she was throwing herself into trying to bond with both of them again, but still, her mind yearned for things to distract herself with and in the absence of activity, there was thought. And with thought...

...there was just more, and more detachment from what she tries to focus on, like her attention is being drawn places she cannot go. Paths closed off to her by her circumstances, yet she still felt drawn to that connection all the same.

To relieve it, she thought she'd go into her room and maybe listen to the soundtracks of one of her favorite musicals to unwind as she reviewed more grant applications.

However she found herself on the balcony instead, staring at the crescent moon and its dark, mysterious earthshine. And there was suddenly just this growing discontentment with continuing the applications, even if there was none with petting the friendly feline.

With a tap on the keys of her datapad, she did a check for Minovsky interference for the Moon - but more importantly, for Side 4.

"Clear as the night." She murmurs to herself, and... after a moment, picks up her phone, and places a call. The line is heavily encrypted, and Audrey's phone was new, so the risk was low. It would identify the caller as Leina.

And when the screen comes on, Audrey would see her, in a cream colored jumper, and with a beaded barrette in her curly, and fluffy brown hair. The setting appears to be a home, and she'd probably catch that Leina is outside of what is likely her room.

There are... lots of pictures, and what are probably awards, but the room itself is very normal. A sliver of a vanity, a dresser, and a flash of fur as Foras decides to rectify his current cruel lack of pets, before Leina coaxes him back down into her lap that causes a contented purring to become part of the ambient noise in the background.

"Hey Audrey. Would you happen to be in a good place for some girl talk?" There's an understanding in her smile of her circumstances, on the run, laying low, "If you're not, I could always call back."

She has such a casual air about her, as if she'd speak like this to anyone their age, and the fact she's a Princess... doesn't even factor in.

<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.

Meanwhile, roughly a light-second away, in a hotel room in the Side 4 colony of Sweetwater, Mineva Lao Zabi sits in her bed, reading a book. She looks up as the phone starts to ring, saving the vibrating device from leaping to the floor and promptly answering.

The signal may not be the greatest, even with interference this low--but even so, the young princess looks much better than she did on the Orbital Ring. A shower and a change of clothes can do wonders, to say nothing of the fact that she's been able to spend time with Banagher... there's not much to be seen behind her except a beat-up bed headboard and the dingy wallpaper. Typical enough for a colony like Sweetwater.

"Leina, hey!" she grins, Her tone is casual, friendly. Quite unlike the last two times Leina's seen her... it's not difficult, even at this distance, to feel that she's at ease in a way she wasn't before. "Banagher's out right now, so it's a perfect time for just us to talk... I was actually thinking about calling you, too. Haven't really had much of a chance to talk, have we..."

<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.

In the same way, Mineva can feel Leina's intentionality upon her, even from here. It's all friendly, warm.

"Yeah, figured I'd change that. Honestly? I just wanted to get to know you better, and wanted to give you the same offer. Also say Hi to Audrey Foras~"

Leina picks up Foras, and the Blue Maine Coon comes into view, as Leina mock waves a paw in greeting. Surprisingly he doesn't look grumpy by this treatment before she lowers him back to her lap.

"Anyhow. I'm interested in getting to know the real you. Whatever you'd like to share. Doesn't need to be just, you know - facts, a timeline, though I'm okay with that too. I'm more interested in just things like - your hopes, your dreams, your views on life?"

Despite the interference, she picks up the details of how she just looks much better than last she saw her, "Also, looking way better now that you're not on the run. I'm glad you finally got somewhere safe where you could just enjoy a shower, some clean clothes, and get a warm meal in you."

Three easy things that Leina regards as care.

<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.

Audrey gasps a little at the sight of the cat, hand coming up to her chin. "Oh my gosh, he's adorable! Hi, Foras!" She lets out a laugh.

She nods a few times, "Yeah. I actually got to relax in the shower! I've spent so long on ships, I almost forgot what it was like..." A small grin. "Anyway. That's fair. Knowing where I come from is probably helpful, though... you probably already know a little bit of it. I'm the daughter of Dozle and Zenna Zabi."

"I grew up in Axis after the war, as the 'ruler' of Zeon in Exile... I was only a couple of years old when my mother died, so I had a regent, Maharaja Karn. I don't remember him very well, but I remember thinking he was nice." Her face darkens just a little. "He died when I was four, and that's when his daughter Haman took over." She gives Leina a knowing look.

<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.

"He's my fluffy friendly boii~"

Leina Ashta, big cat lover.

"Oh gosh, I've been there. Though it's been years since I've dealt with ship life. I just had to put up with a week of bed baths instead of a proper shower." Her tone becomes grim, "Not fun. Think I was in the shower for half a day once I got home."

In a shower chair of course.

Leina however listens, and nods slowly at her parentage. Then on hearing she grew up on Axis, she can't help but wince at both that, and reading... between the lines on what Haman did.

"Life on Axis... I'm sorry it was like that for you. I wish I could be surprised by how far back that poisonous hatred and lust for power went.

Leina lets out a sigh, "I wish." There's an abstracted look, and Audrey might feel a flash, just a glimpse.

... of Haman Karn walking by from the eyes of another. A single glance is cast at someone beneath her notice. There is this aura, a pressure that takes an almost demonic form. Blink, and it's gone.

"How did she treat you?" Leina finally asks, as her focus turns fully back to Audrey, a little, afraid of the answer.

<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.

There's a brief wince. Audrey's unfamiliar with the sight in her mind's eye, but... completely unsurprised, too.

"Strictly," she replies. "She raised me like the princess I was 'supposed' to be, and turned me into a parrot for her own ways of thinking. That Zabi rule would lead to freedom and prosperity for all Spacenoids." She sighs. "She wasn't so bad at first, before Char left to join AEUG. I don't think he wanted any of that for me, but... once he was gone..."

Vague flashes. Lesson after lesson. Manners, etiquette, behavior befitting a ruler... Haman Karn, filling her head with ideas of her superiority, her right to rule, and the evils of those whose souls are weighed down by gravity.

Evils to be corrected by force.

"...anyway. At the end of the Gryps conflict, Char took me away. Here, to Sweetwater. He... well, he was like a father to me." There's a small smile on her face as her thoughts drift to happier times. "He taught me about the other side of things. The cost of the One Year War, the atrocities and..."

She drifts off again. "He set me straight... he's why I'm not what Haman wanted me to be. We lived in an apartment in the closed section of the colony. It, uh, took some getting used to, after living like a princess on Axis."

"But I was happy. Things were great, but."

Nothing lasts forever, does it?

<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.

There's a long slow blink as Audrey relates her experiences under Haman Karn...

And she sees what might as well be a mirror in Leina. Vague flashes of her at a piano in familiar halls of Axis, being watched over by a blonde haired man in Neo-Zeon uniform. Too many tutors to count in etiquette, ballet, ballroom dance - lectures on the philosophy of the Neo-Zeon upper class. How to command one's lessers.

All to groom her for something more than her lowly birth...

It is not quite the same. She was spared the strict rod of Haman Karn. It was not to rule all of Axis, simply to be part of the nobility. Glemy was much softer than she, treated Leina more gently - however... more gently does not mean there are no scars.

There's a soft shudder through her form, but Leina doesn't ask Audrey to stop.

"I hate that you had to go through all of that." There's a slow blink of her eyes, "I hate it. I'm sorry. I'm glad you got out of there."

There's a long pause afterwards, and Leina takes a slow deep breath. "That he got you out. You got to see a side of him that I think... few did." Leina briefly thinks of Kamille, "Maybe noone else, even."

Leina's posture seems to slump lightly, this is obviously painful to her, it's the second time she's had to validate someone on their love for Char Aznable, and this time as someone's father of all things.

"I'm glad you were happy. I wish..." What does she wish? It takes her a few moments groping in the dark. "...I wish he would have stayed there with you."

However, Leina is far too used to the concept of fathers leaving their daughters behind to fend for themselves.

"That you two could have been happy together for longer."

That feeling is strong though in that echo...

Nothing lasts forever.

Char Aznable made certain that Leina's happiness in her life with Sayla... did not.

<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.

"... What he did was a betrayal of everything he was to me. If I'd known... I'm sorry."

Maybe she could have stopped him.

"But... the Axis Shock gave me hope, too, that war isn't the only future we have. If we can create miracles like that, then surely... surely we can find peace." It's a conviction. Something she believes with all her heart.

"You, uh... probably didn't call to hear about all this, though," she adds, sheepishly.

<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.

There's, this long deflation in her exhalation, "I wish I was shocked that Casval Rem Deikun betrayed his own daughter." There's bitterness in that, like his first betrayal to Leina was of his father's ideals, "I'm sorry that's..." There's a slow blink, "...sorry. I know you loved him. I'm not trying to be unkind to your love for him."

She listens to the end, then, "No. Actually. This is exactly what I called you about." Leina gives her a subdued smile. This conversation is painful but, it's also necessary if she wants to get to know her. There's something soft, quiet in her tone, "I couldn't see Rainbows that day." There's just sadness in that moment from her, "For me I suppose..."

Leina looks away from the screen, "... I think the problem is that Amuro's Miracle, and Char's... aims. Both relied on the benevolence of the people in power. The miracle to inspire aristocrats with empty hearts to benevolence to create a better world. The aim of moving people to space so the Earth could heal. The people that would have escaped most of all - are those with the wealth and power and influence to start again. All that would have changed, is their seat of power."

She raises one hand, and another like she's weighing it on scales. Foras doesn't like this, cat paws bat up at Leina's hand, and then he settles on his haunches, staring at that hand.

"Miracles give people hope, but they also make people believe that nothing can change without one. So many people are crushed under the weight of despair, the feeling that nothing can change, that they give up their ability to work for change - to the prospect of a future miracle. I just wish that more people would put in the hard work and effort towards a better world - without waiting for one."

There's that subdued smile, "Sorry... I don't look down on the fact that Axis gave you hope towards a world without war. I want to give all that I have to work for a kinder world - a better world. There's so much potential and possibility for one... if only we'd all but reach for it." She drops her hands, Foras gets back his petting hand, creating a chorus of purring, "I guess the only miracles in my life have ever been my brother, and Sayla."

<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.

Audrey shakes her head, a little bit amused. "No. I get it. I... honestly, I hate him as much as I love him. I can't forgive him for what he did. So I don't mind you saying that... and I get why."

Leina talks about how she couldn't see rainbows that day. About the ethos of power, and the complacency of miracles. Audrey's eyes are thoughtful as she listens.

"I understand. But I don't want to rely on more miracles, either..." She shakes her head. "It opened my eyes. What I felt that day was..." She looks aside slightly, thoughtful. "I felt a world reaching out as one. All together, united in a common purpose. What happened was merely that will given form."

"It made me realize that we can be united. We can work together, we don't have to fight each other. And... that's what I'm working toward. That's why I fight."

<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.

There's some relief at least that Audrey can take... that kind of talk against him. Trying to validate everything about someone's love for Char Aznable makes her viscerally ill, thus, knowing she hates him for that betrayal. It's a distinct relief.

She listens to Audrey's response instead, of what she felt during Axis. And Leina finds herself staring at the screen with those green eyes, however there's nothing negative in her intentionality... it's more like she's taking in Audrey's perspective. Not rejecting it outright, trying to see it from a different angle.

And when she finishes, there's a genuine smile on her lips, "The whole world, reaching in common purpose. It's a wonderful thought, to think that one day, it could actually happen."

Leina finds herself tilting her chin up at the Moon, as if she were looking at Audrey's real position, rather than through a screen.

"I'd like it if the two of us could be allies in that fight. Things need to change. And as impossible as it might seem to do anything against the inimicable status quo... I have hope that we can get there."

There's this somber look as she looks back at her screen, "It used to be different for me - I was despairing myself over the way the world refused to change. My brother? After... after he fought Haman. After he saw how little the Federation, how little even the AEUG cared. He actually left for Jupiter for eight years because he couldn't deal with it any longer."

It takes her a moment to continue, like even now it's still a bitterness that's crept down to her bones, "I was heartbroken over how much he gave, how much he sacrificed and... how he'd been crushed by it." Tentatively, a smile returns to her face, "But believe it or not... Sayla? She gave me the teachings of Zeon Zum Deikun to read and... after poring over them long enough I dared to hope again."

It's easy perhaps then to see how Leina regards Char's actions... as such a betrayal, given that.

<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.

"That's... awful. I understand why he's so frustrated, too. the Federation is a self-interested oligarchy, and AEUG got co-opted into a puppet party operating inside the system. The fact that he's back now... well, if I believed in fate, I'd wonder if maybe it was a sign that things can change."

"I think we can be allies... really, I think we already are." She smiles a little. "We feel the same way, don't we? And you're anything but a bystander in all this." She's quiet a moment. "All three of us... fate or not, we've been brought together." There's a tint of pink to her cheeks... and a feeling of affection touches Leina, from the direction of that faraway moon. "And besides, I don't think either of us plans to leave Banagher's side."

"Which means we're going to have to fight for a better future anyway." She chuckles a little, though it's not an entirely happy one. "I think we can all agree that none of the groups that want the Box should be trusted with it, which is going to put us up against them. Even if you and I aren't fighting with force of arms, we're still part of the battle, aren't we?"

<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.

"... Maybe so. It'd be a wonderful thought."

Leina smiles, despite herself, "After all he's done, I'd like to give him a kinder world... he deserves one."

Maybe it's not about deserving. It never is. However, to Leina when it comes to her brother, Sayla? She can be selfish.

Audrey talks about how they're already allies, how Leina isn't a bystander - how they've been brought together. And how neither of them plans to leave Banagher's side.

She certainly catches that faint blush.

"I don't. Intend to leave his side." Leina pauses, "And I absolutely agree that noone who wants the box, should have it. Would you believe Banagher offered it to me not so long ago, if I only asked for it?"

Before Audrey can say anything, she quickly adds, "I turned him down. Because I told him the same. If I asked for it, then it means I shouldn't have it. That he'd know who it belongs to - when it comes time - and once he knows what's inside it."

However, there's then this lopsided smile, "I was actually avoiding talking about Banagher too much tonight, because even if it's the three of us. It's also the two of us too."

There's a certain confidence in her voice as she says that, with a straight face, without even blushing or flustering - just that same smile, "I like you Audrey. And even if we were bonded together through Banagher - I'm sure I'd still feel this way even if we weren't. Because... I'm attracted to you. And I'd like to explore that too - assuming you and Banagher are fine with that."

There's a pause.

"If you are, we can take that at whatever speed you'd like. It would be my first real relationship with another girl."

Leina certainly had been attracted to other girls in her school, had even flirted with a possible relationship with some of them - but - it never quite got there, or they just weren't into her in that way. So she's only had boyfriends.

She takes on a reassuring tone, "And if you aren't interested - then I promise, I will take no offense - and I'd love to remain your friend and ally."

<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.

Audrey wasn't prepared for this. Not tonight.

She probably should have been! She knew the relationship could go this way, and she was... honestly thinking about it herself. Leina is cute, clever, funny...

But she wasn't expecting Leina to initiate it. Not tonight. Not now.

She's never had a romantic partner before Banagher. And neither of them had to say anything. She was going to sit down and figure things out. Decide what to say! She doesn't know what to say!! Nobody ever prepared her for this!!!

And so Mineva Lao Zabi, Princess of Zeon, is left speechless and beet-red.

"I-- uhm-- err..."

Get it together, Minnie. You know what you want to say. Just say it. Just say it!

She nods vigorously. "Y-yes! I am!"

She has no idea what to say next.

<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.

If only she'd gotten to ask Banagher more about how the two of them met. Because... Leina asked Banagher out the second time they talked. Maybe then she'd have expected this. Maybe.

Save that it's often a bit different between two girls. Especially two who haven't had that first relationship with another girl yet. It's harder to know, and there's so many things to disentangle. Things tend to be shyer, both parties less confident.

It must be Sayla's influence, that has Leina bridge that gap so easily.

As she turns red, Leina puts a finger against the screen and there's this smile... and then, a wink, that seems so natural for her. "You're adorable."

Leina says with only the lightest tease, "I'm looking forward to getting to know you better, Audrey Burne."

However, for whatever tease there was in her tone before, there's a genuine smile after. "We'll figure this out together. The three of us. ... And the two of us."

<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.

"R-right," Audrey nods.

"I'm looking forward to getting to know you better too, Leina. This is just... you caught me off-guard. I've never... this is all really new to me." She takes a deep breath, in, then out. "I was thinking about bringing this up to you, too, I just..." She glances away. "Hadn't figured out how yet."

Rubbing the back of her neck, she adds, "I'm really glad you did, though. I'm not sure I would've managed it for a while yet. Thanks." She's grinning warmly, now.

She wishes they weren't 58 thousand kilometers apart, but...

"I'll just have to give you a hug when I see you again."

<Pose Tracker> Leina Ashta has posed.

"It's okay." Leina tells her quietly, "It's hard - finding the courage for something like this. A lot of girls in my school had the same problem."

There's such a warmth to her smile.

"I'll definitely be happy for that hug."

A beat, another wink.

"We'll see if Banagher beats me to your first kiss - before you're back."

<Pose Tracker> Mineva Lao Zabi has posed.

Audrey promptly fumbles her phone, yelping as the picture on Leina's end descends into a mess of color and encoding artifacts before going black with a muted 'thump'.

A few moments later, a slightly distant Audrey can be heard saying, "I-it's fine! I'm fine, it just slipped." She picks up the phone and gives Leina a (very blushy) smile. "R-right, uh, we'll talk more later! Bye...!"

The girl, still red-faced, hangs up promptly, dangling halfway between embarassment and excitement.