2023-03-18: Pointed Questions

• Cutscene: Pointed Questions
• Cast: Eight York, Dimara Kadun (Senior)
• Where: Zum City, Zeon, Side 3
• Date: 0097 March 18
• Summary: Eight has some new for her grandmother. Her grandmother has things to say about it.

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Eight smiles at her grandmother, a warm expression that has a great deal more confidence than she once held for interacting with her. They've definitely learned to get along by now. "...So, there is something else I'd wanted to talk about."

They've been chatting for a while so far today; one can judge it by the two half-empty bottles on the small table, sparkling water since Eight doesn't drink alcohol. Dimara has been waiting for this subject, meanwhile; she sets down her glass and folds her hands, the very picture of elegance to look at her. But for demeanor, she and Eight look a great deal alike; her white hair might once have been Eight's golden-blonde, and they have the same red eyes.

Dimara is rather more imposing, and Eight rather more amiable, but one can easily see the similar roots of each.

After letting that statement hang for a few moments though, Eight's grandmother says, "I thought so. A visit is nice, but you didn't come here just to keep an old woman company for a while. And most news you could easily deliver over video."

The blonde's smile stays. "There's no reason to bother keeping much from you, hm?" A beat, before Dimara gets impatient, "I do have news." She rehearsed this particular statement, so it comes out smoothly: "I'm having a baby, Grandmother. With the man I brought to see you before."

Dimara watches Eight for a long moment–and then breaks into a rare smile. "Well," she says, "How lovely. Our family is looking a little sparse, isn't it? You're getting started on that nicely." A pause. "But I can't help but recall an important detail as yet unattended."

She pauses.

"When is the wedding?" Eight's grandmother asks, her eyes piercing. There is no argument to be had in her tone, though Eight opens her mouth to start to–and then puts up her hands.

"Ah," she says, "We're still talking about that…"

"The Kadun heiress will /not/ have her first child illegitimately. You may not be using our name, but there is some decorum to consider. I insist."

Eight opens her mouth and closes it. "Well," she says, "I would like to."

"Then put him in touch with me, I'll give him the necessary details as to how to do it 'right'. You mentioned his family is unfamiliar with many of our customs; perhaps that's the only reason he hasn't already asked you."

"That… might be…" Eight hesitates, not quite sure how to answer that one.

Then, Dimara's severe expression turns into a smile. "That aside, congratulations, my dear. I won't make the same mistakes I did with your mother, I promise you that. I'll be there for you, Eight. I take it this news was welcome?"

"...Thank you," Eight answers, and finds herself relaxing at the heartfelt statement. "I'll need at least some advice! I've never done this before, and Dr. York didn't have any children before she adopted me." A beat, "But very welcome. We'd decided to try; the surprise was more 'right now' than 'at all'."

"Don't you worry about that. Women have been having babies for a long time. You'll do just fine. …But I do have some other questions. Are you planning to resign your post? You will at least take some leave."

"No," Eight answers, with a shake of her head. "I'm not. I'll keep working. I'll definitely take leave–the others can carry on without me for a while, at least–but when I'm ready, and after that when I'm ready to return I will. I have a responsibility to wield the power I have. They need me, Grandmother."

"Mm, well… You should know that I at least think you should leave it to others. Focus on your child, your family. You'll remember all your great battles, I'm sure, but you can never get back the time you miss with those closest to you."

"Grandmother…"

"It is, however, your decision. …That aside," she says, "What about that girlfriend of yours? Another woman around should make your life a little easier during all this, at least."

"I already told her about it," Eight starts. "She supports me. She'll be a good aunt."

"An Aunt, eh? Very well. If that's how it works, then that's how it works." Dimara finds herself a little baffled sometimes by Eight's love life, but Eight seems to have it under control. "If you need some time away from the ship, too, you're always welcome here. Him and her, too."

"Thanks," the blonde answers, nodding along. "...If things calm down enough with the Federation, I might come for a longer visit," she says. "But for now I'm not going to get much time to slow down. I just wanted to come and tell you in person about this."

"Good. I'm not kidding about putting your man in touch with me, by the way. Or about anything I've said. You know me well enough to know by now that I rarely 'kid'."

"That's true! I will," Eight says, and has to suppress a laugh. "I will."

"...And be careful," Dimara then says very seriously, setting down her drink to reach out to take Eight's hand in her own. "I trust Captain Zinnerman. That's why I arranged a meeting between you. But I don't know this 'reborn Char Aznable',and I don't trust him. So be very, very careful. You've told me about your negotiations… But the original Char was very good at negotiations, and you saw how that turned out. The last thing we need here in Zeon is another plan like his."

"Right. …Don't worry too much. I'm keeping my eyes wide open. I promise."

"See that you do." The older woman nods, thoughtfully. "I have a bad feeling," she says. "That something on the horizon is coming, and that it will be bad. I don't often have these feelings… but when I do, they're often correct."

"...Grandmother?" Eight wonders.

"Just keep it in mind. In the meantime…" She claps her hands together. "Tell me all about it," the old woman says, a quiet excitement obvious in her sly smile. "You won't shock me with details, I assure you–I did it three times. Tell me how things are going for my new great-grandchild!"

Eight, still thrown by the revelation of her grandmother's 'feelings', has to take a moment before she can start to answer.

She will probably end up saying more than she meant to…