2023-07-06: A Calm Visit
- Log: 2023-07-06: A Calm Visit
- Cast: Sayla Mass, Seolla Schweizer, Rikka Takarada
- Where: Villa Mass, Spain
- OOC - IC Date: 6 June 0097
- Summary: Seolla drops by Villa Mass to check in on it's residents, while Rikka comes to Akane. Sayla plays host, through hard topics and gentle teasing.
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
Villa Mass is different these days.
For one thing, there's much more visible security now. Guards from 'Argyros Security' patrol the perimeter, and there's a prefab guard station on the main approach, and even security on the door. The hidden entrances are carefully monitored, in case someone tries to sneak in unannounced- with the locks changed and passcodes reworked. Camoflauged Mobile Suits and ARM Slaves lay hidden, just in case.
Visitors need to check in on arrival, and surprise visitors often get turned away.
But there are people who still have access. Members of the household, obviously. Their partners. And of course, as Argyros is a front for Mithril, it's feasible for say, an SRT Member to be allowed in.
And so it is, the burdens of security handled, Sayla has set down a jug of home made iced tea in the air conditioned second lounge room, along wiht a plate of biscuits. The one with the bar. (The astute may notice that a hip flask sits there now, dry and empty, as it has been for days.
"Akane's still at work I'm afraid, and Leina's still not fully up to visitors." Sayla takes a seat, having poured glasses for all three of them. "But I appreciate you stopping by all the same. I hope you didn't have any problems."
<Pose Tracker> Seolla Schweizer has posed.
Seolla's part of SRT! And she hasn't been so frequent a visitor to Sayla's villa that the sight of increased security is too unwarranted - nor lived a life where such things are unprecedented. There's the slightest uptick in wariness, but only in the sense that it reminds her of, well, the compounds she spent a lot of time in.
Recent weeks have been...a lot, haven't they? Seolla's wearing a half-disheveled Mithril uniform for want of remembering to pack anything else - there's a grogginess in her eyes from the dizzying chaos that subsumed the TDD-1 not too long ago, and from overcoming the residual effects of one last echo of the past.
The iced tea does not go unappreciated in Seolla's care - a careful sip leads to half of her cup being downed in one go, a shocking heaviness as she splays over her armchair, head upwards at the fan.
"Oh, I didn't have issues getting here, no. I kind of worry that I might get turned down at the gate, considering I can sorta...start getting into arguments quickly with people, but it hasn't happened yet, so that's a W for me!" Seolla nods, slipping an entire biscuit between her lips like it was so much a stick of pocky. "Ugh, I'm so glad that the three of you managed to pull out of that mess. ...I was put together better than many when we were all discussing it, but...ugh. What a pit in my stomach the whole time. I...I really need to figure out...some way of having a little more agency when it comes to these conflicts. I want to be able to punish whoever hurts my friends with a bullet between the eyes from two hundred miles away, you know?"
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
Rikka is feeling a lot better! She feels great, actually. She can do a lot of things on her own, now, that she would've needed someone accompanying her to do before.
Such as - taking a trip out to Villa Mass! The security measures are new... but thankfully, she was told about them ahead of time. She can't blame them after everything, either. Fortunately she's a known factor already, and had let everyone know she was coming ahead of time.
And so! Rikka joins Sayla and Seolla in the lounge, gratefully accepting the tea and biscuits that are offered. The iced tea feels incredible after the long trip. She nods, as Sayla explains that Akane's still at work, and that Leina is still not fully up to visitors. That's not... unexpected. She remembers how it was for her - and Leina had gone through it way longer than she had. Still, she offers both of them a smile.
"It's alright, I don't mind waiting. And... thanks. It's good to see both of you. It's been too long. And, no, no problems here. They ran a few checks, but they were polite about it." Rikka replies. She looks towards Seolla, then, and chuckles slightly at her comment. "I bet they're probably used to it..."
Seolla says that she's glad they managed to get out of it, and Rikka offers her a smile.
"Thanks. I'm... really glad, too." She says, and hesitates for a second. "...I'm, uh... sorry about all that stuff I said. You're probably used to this, but I wasn't really... fully myself."
Seolla's fervor is... a lot, but it's kind of nice to hear at the same time, too.
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
There is something slightly relieving about seeing Seolla have a real appetite and not treat food the way Sousuke does. Or the way Leina has been since she got home. Seeing some people still have healthy appetites is definitely something that eases Sayla's heart a little.
"Well, I'm glad you managed it. Hopefully things can go back to normal some time, but until Vist are dealt with, and the furor around my brother has died down a bit... We have to play things safer here." There's a small chuckle. "But if you want to yell at some paparazzi later, I don't think I'd complain."
Seolla mentions how glad she is that everyone got out, and Sayla nods. "So am I." That's an understatement and a half, given how Sayla was while Leina was gone, while Akane and Rikka were prisoner.
Sayla pauses, though, at Seolla's mention. "...I understand the impulse, but it never feels like the solution is ever that clean." She reaches for a biscuit, and takes a thoughtful bite. She swallows before continuing. "I'm sorry for your loss, Seolla. I didn't know Gail that well, but the times I did encounter him, he seemed a good man." Her mind thinks back to that care package they received the day before he died. One of the TDD-1 crew caps sits on her desk in her study.
Rikka apologizes to Seolla, and Sayla stays quiet. This is between them, after all. But after room is given to the topic, Sayla decides to move on to cheerier topics. "So, Akane tells me things are going well between you." Sayla gives a small smirk. "She's absolutely smitten, honestly, it's adorable. I'm glad the two of you are getting to have that time you fought for."
<Pose Tracker> Seolla Schweizer has posed.
Closing eyes. A deep breath. Seolla holds onto her own cheek, and condenses all of her sort of swirly thoughts about that fateful day with Rikka with a, "Y-yeah, I'm...used to it. It's still not easy but I...recognized it. The hardest part was that you sounded a lot like stuff I said. But that just meant I knew really, really fast what was happening. And I guess I got to reassure everyone that this kind of thing happens when people are as malleable as you or I."
A craning over her shoulder to stare a little balefully up at Rikka, trying to read just a little more into what kind of person she is. There's a lot on Seolla's mind all the sudden. "...Me, you, and Leina...we're not really...mm. Aaah, how do I say it? ...nn, what's important is that I could tell Akane was just playing it up, acting out of your interests, trying to protect you two. ...It's...easy to adapt, isn't it? When someone changes the 'truth' on you. I think that's what us three have in common, and what sets Akane apart."
There's a rosiness on Seolla's cheeks when Sayla brings up the whole relationship between the two. Puffing and pouting and pursing her lips all evasively. The works! Tsun tsun. "Y-yeah, I'm happy you two are getting that as well!" Mumble mumble grumble humph. Is the jealousy just because she's less in progress on something like that, or is it specifically...? Seolla buries that right quick with another biscuit. Aumf aumf.
"...mmm, and it was...it's never easy seeing a team-mate die. Especially not the kind of guy who's so warm and outgoing. Gail was kind of like a dad to the whole team, as stereotypical as it sounds. It was like...working together with him made the difficult stuff so much easier, and you could look forward even to the pain in the ass chores with him around. I think in the past, he was the guy who'd power past other crew losses and work that much harder to bring everyone's spirits up, so without him..."
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
Having to play things safer... Rikka nods in understanding.
"Yeah, I imagine... I hope things calm down soon enough." Rikka replies. Even if it's for the purpose of safety, that kind of monitoring would be exhausting after a while. She reaches for a biscuit and takes a bite - and then, quickly finishes it off and grabs another. They're really good...
She nods quietly as Seolla replies. She sounded like things she said... It must have been like a look in a particularly cruel mirror.
"...I wish I could say you were wrong, but... they got my defenses down pretty early, and at that point, it was just a matter of chipping away and saying and doing the right things until I was the kind of person they wanted to be..." Rikka admits. "Akane... I'm glad she was there for me. She kept things from getting as bad as they could have."
Her pace slows somewhat as Sayla apologizes to Seolla for her loss. Gail... Rikka didn't know him. She didn't even know something was happening...
"I-I'm so sorry. I didn't know... Are you alright?" Rikka asks.
...And then, Sayla decides to move to a cheerier topic and brings up Akane. Rikka goes just a little pink, laughing sheepishly and looking, for a moment, just a little dreamy.
"Yeah, things are going great... Really great." Rikka replies. That smirk is a little suspicious. Smitten, though. Rikka laughs. "She is, isn't she?"
Her expression softens, just a little.
"...Thanks. I am, too." She replies. "Speaking of the time we fought for... I don't know if she told you, but I was finally able to show her the tickets to the Truthseeker Serena stageshow... We've made plans and everything. I'm..."
Rikka laughs a little awkwardly.
"...Hoping that trip goes better than the last one we planned..."
Seolla, meanwhile, seems... a little jealous? But she still offers her happiness. Rikka offers her a smile.
"Thanks, I appreciate it." She replies. ...She's just a little curious, but she probably shouldn't pry...
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
"Hopefully, sooner rather than later." Sayla comments, but there's a slight resignation in her voice. She'd keep this up forever if need be to protect her family- but she'd much rather they were able to enjoy their home as they used to.
Sayla takes another sip of her iced tea, listening as Seolla and Rikka talk about their experiences. About what was familiar or not. It was probably best for the two of them to talk this out themselves, so Sayla lets them. There's no need to poke her head in.
"...If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I'll help however I can." ...She should check in on Sousuke, Kaname and Tessa too. She may still be on probation, but...
The move to a lighter topic was maybe a little graceless, but also possibly needed. It's too easy to sink into bad feelings- something she wants to avoid with Leina in her current state. Something she wanted to avoid for herself just as much.
She can't help but smile a bit seeing Rikka's reaction. "I see the feeling is mutual." She doesn't need to be a newtype to know what's going on there. "She hadn't, no." Sayla smiles at Rikka's joke, but it's a bleak smile. "I'm glad you're trying again. You deserve a nice break."
Still, Sayla does notice Seolla's slight... huff. "...Is everything alright, Seolla?" She raises an eyebrow. Ulike Rikka, Sayla is perfectly willing to pry.
<Pose Tracker> Seolla Schweizer has posed.
Seolla shakes her head gently at the expression of concern, waving her hands in front of her in that sort of Akane-ish way with a big old smile. "It's fine, I'm doing fine with it. I'm...really, ever since I've met you all, I've been holding up better than I thought. ...Tessa and the rest of the SRT definitely...need a bit of rest and concern to get over working overtime, but. I've been through worse!"
Kind of an awkward sentiment to leave that topic on, but then - the topic quickly moves into something shaped like teasing Seolla, and that gentle rosiness turns into full face-flooding crimson. "W-w-what do you mean is everything alright, it's all fine! It's just bringing up all that lovey dovey stuff is going to make a lot of people get all lightheaded, you know?!"
To try quenching this awkwardness, Seolla's quick to guzzle down another glass of iced tea at record pace, with that ragged exhalation and sleeve-wiping her mouth afterwards. That cools off the steam billowing from her ears a little, but only by about 12 percent. "...Kh. ...mmm. Ghhh. Aaaaa!" No, she's right back to full tsun agonizing mode. "...It's just that I meet so many people that...you know? But they also wind up being in better sync with...yeah? I'm thinking of just, going, but it never really clicks. You know what I mean! Aaagh." -use your words Seolla. Challenge of all awkward teenagers struggling with their feelings...
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
Rikka nods. She can hear the resignation in her voice... She offers Sayla a slight encouraging smile. And Seolla... she says she's doing fine.
"Well... I'm glad we've been able to help out." Rikka offers. She'll trust her if she says she's doing fine. She doesn't know Tessa and SRT that well... but she hopes they're getting the care they need, too.
And, of course, Sayla absolutely has Rikka's number.
"...Yeah..." She admits with a small laugh. "I can't help it. She's just so... you know? She's incredible."
That... doesn't really explain anything, but if she actually tried to, they'd all be here forever. She nods, though.
"...Thanks. We both do." Rikka agrees. Seolla, meanwhile, insists it's all fine, and this time, Rikka looks at her consideringly. She's agonizing over it... Rikka offers her a small smile.
"If it helps... this kind of thing, it takes time. We're kind of an extreme case, but for Akane and I... it took years of agonizing and worrying and at least one threat to existence as a whole before we were able to get together." She replies. "It takes work and there's going to be some stumbles, but I'm sure you'll get there. Anyone'd be lucky to have you."
Rikka grins, just a little.
"...And if you ever need me to talk you up to someone, I've absolutely got your back." She offers.
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
Sayla gives Seolla a small nod. She'll trust her to judge herself for now. She's come a long way from that exhausted young woman at the doctor's office in Tsutsujidai. "I'll make some time for them, when I can." Leina still has to be her priority- but even stood down, she still felt like she should reach out.
She can't help but smile at Rikka's obvious happiness. She simply gives a nod of understanding, and sips her tea.
"Rikka's right. You've sort of had to jump in at the deep end." She shrugs. "My first relationship, we moved in together almost as soon as we started dating. And things were good for the first few years, but... it ultimately didn't work out." She takes another long sip. "Whereas I'd know Chris for at least a year before we started dating. These things happen at their own pace, and sometimes they don't work out, sometimes we take a few tries." Sayla places her glass on the table, and folds her hands for the moment.
"...I was going to say nothing as drastic as what Akane and Rikka went through and then I remembered we were target number one for what felt like half of Zeon during the tail end of that war."
It's weird how time and the constant series of threat to the Earthsphere dulls these things.
She smiles again at Rikka's offer to Seolla. "Similarly, if you want the advice of someone who's taking part in this rodeo a few times, you're always free to ask. Dealing with those feelings can be a lot at your age. It's not just you, trust me."
<Pose Tracker> Seolla Schweizer has posed.
Pushing fingers together, swirling them around the rim of her glass, pushing a biscuit around her plate before slowly biting at her fingernail - Seolla wouldn't need to be also, incidentally, a rather potent-feeling beacon of emotion on the psychic axis for it to be painfully obvious just how much those very anxieties and energies swell up and shove at her every action.
"...maybe it's that, you know. The way I feel about people has always been...all...controlled, you know? ...This is the first time I've been able to really just. Decide who I cared most about. Does that make any sense? And it's harder than I thought!"
The jug of tea has basically been 75% emptied by Seolla alone, since drinking is serviceable as a nervous tic. "...Talking me up to someone...is that something that's normally done here? I see. I see...! ...Y-you have my permission, to do that, whenever. It's not like I don't prove whatever you say about me! So go totally wild. ...Not that that's really your style, Rikka, but - you know what I mean!"
The flustering and wavering on her words isn't easily going away any time soon tonight...
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
Rikka listens as Sayla agrees, and offers her own advice. It might be largely for Seolla's sake, but she does take note of it. Moving in immediately when they started dating - she's kind of glad she and Akane didn't do that. They might be making plans, but it's for the future. And as Sayla brings up the problems she went through...
"A whole different layer of problems, huh..." Rikka considers. All relationships have something like that... though the scale is usually different.
Rikka offers Seolla a smile. She can feel that swirl of emotions, of course - but at the same time, she doesn't need to.
"It does." Rikka confirms. "It's a lot to get your head around - figuring out how much you care about someone, in what way... worrying about if they feel the same way. It's big and it feels impossible to deal with sometimes... Especially when you're only just getting the chance to even feel that way."
She grins again, though.
"It is! Sometimes it can kind of help to give someone a... friendly nudge in your direction. Talk about your good points, when you might have trouble doing it yourself." Rikka replies, and laughs good-naturedly. "Don't worry, I do. So if I get the chance, I'll take it."