2023-09-20: Leaving No Regrets
- Cast: Alouette Pommier, Sho Tachibana
- Where: GGG Orbit Base
- Date: U.C. 0097 09 20
- Summary: Hearing of GGG's mission to put a stop to the Invisible Burst and challenge the King of Ruin, Sho Tachibana pays the Orbit Base a visit, hoping to see her partner before she sets off. Although melancholy, Alouette promises to come home safely, recognizing that there's a future beyond her mission.
<Pose Tracker> Sho Tachibana has posed.
"Orbit Base, this is NISAR-NGM2 Jaguar on approach. Standing by to receive docking telemetry."
Sho Tachibana leans back in the pilot seat of the red Neo Getter Machine, her gaze inexorably tracking to the amber spectre of the King of Ruin burning in the area of space where Jupiter ought to be. She rubs her arms, feeling goosebumps rise under her pilot suit.
"I gotta see her," she murmurs to herself. "Before everything goes to hell."
====== ======
Neo Jaguar is very out of place next to the 3G secure shuttles used to ferry crew to and from the Orbital Ring, its slender, streamlined design a stark contrast next to the bulky, armoured transport ships; even the Polymorphic Alloy of its fuselage has a subtly different texture in the hangar lighting.
Dismounting, Sho hauls out her duffle bag and drops her helmet in her seat, shaking out her long red hair before descending the gantry and passing through the security checkpoint. She takes a second to look at her machine secure in the magnetic clamps, before turning back to the security guard. "Hey, do you know if Operator Pommier's on duty?"
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
Sho picked the perfect time - Alouette is just finishing up her shift for the afternoon - as she monitors the situation outside Orbit Base, the scarlet form of the Neo Jaguar is immediately recognizable. It's not long before Sho is let through and Alouette comes to meet her, still fully-uniformed.
"Tachi-chan...!" She exclaims as she wraps the slightly short redhead into a hug. "As you can imagine, it's pretty busy around here." She gestures to the buzzling activity through the Main Order Room camera. "It's been a lot of hard work, making all these final preparations, making sure nothing gets looked over. Thankfully, I'm not the only one working that hard... and how could I ever say no to time with you?" She smiles slightly, removing her programming glove from her hand.
"And there's definitely a lot we need to talk about." She adds, more seriously, before looking around for where to take this important conversation. "What do you think, should we pick up some tea from the cafe or something, first? I bet it was a long trip if you just took Neo Jaguar." She offers.
Regardless, once she makes her offer - she doesn't try to run from the most important point. "I'm going to be headed to Jupiter very soon." She says, calmly. "I know I can't ask you, let alone the whole team, to come along. You have your own responsibilities." Who knows when the Mechasaurus Empire could strike again? It wouldn't be surprising if they took advantage of the situation, no less.
"...It's a shame. I wish I could have taken you on one last date, shown you the time of your life... before it was time for me to leave all of the sudden." Even someone as optimistic as her can't ignore the potential finality of it all. "I guess that probably wouldn't be fair, right? But there's no way I'm not coming back. Being able to reunite with them is everything I've been waiting for all this time. And the last thing I want to do is keep you waiting, too."
<Pose Tracker> Sho Tachibana has posed.
Sho beams as Alouette wraps her up in a hug, squeezing back tightly. "Hey, Lou-chan," she returns the greeting, burying her face in the blonde's curls for a moment before looking around. "... Yeah. Everyone's on high alert down at NISAR HQ, too - we still haven't managed to track down that aquatic mechasaur." There's a lot of water on Earth for it to hide in, after all.
"I could go for some tea," she says with a nod as Alouette mentions the cafe. "Space drinks just don't cut it, half the time." She sneaks her hand into Alouette's as they head down to the cafe. Once seated at a table at the cafeteria, she nods as Alouette explains. "Yeah, I figured as much - there's no way you'd sit back and let the others do all the hard work getting the rest of the Guard back. That's why I knew I had to come see you before you left."
She smiles. "We can save a big all-expenses-paid date for when you're home safe. Right now..." She reaches across the table to squeeze the blonde's hand. "I just want to spend time with you - even if you're busy."
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"I can imagine that has people nervous," Alouette nods, letting Sho bury her face. "Especially considering the possibility that it could be a reconnaissance mechasaurus." The idea that it could simply be a prelude to a larger-scale attack... Alouette decides to shove that for a little while. Better to not worry about these things in the time they have for each other.
"It's hard to beat Orbit Cafe," she agrees, and gets the kettle brewing, preparing some apple for herself... pretending she doesn't notice that hand in hers (she does).
"Right... it's been my dream ever since I got my memories back." She nods, as Sho understands her decision. "It's been a joy getting to see Guy, Renais, even Mic and Volfogg again... but it's not everyone." She frowns. "And I'll fight as hard as I can to make that the case. Because I know so many people here want the exact same thing as I do." Mamoru and his guardian lion, Ikumi, J, and Tomoro... the Ushiyama brothers... even Hana wants to see Mikoto just as much as she does.
"I don't expect it to be easy." She says, plainly. "But because we have so many people supporting us... and even people on Earth praying for us, I know we can do it. And I know my partner mechanoid is up for the task, too. I took some lessons from you, after all." She grins, eyeing the distant stars, even as the Conqueror King shines beyond.
"So the least I can say," she starts, taking a sip of her apple tea after it arrives, "is that I can't wait for the date. Heaven knows I'll have all the time in the world to plan it on the way there," she laughs.
"I guess there's nothing wrong with focusing on the small miracle that we can even spend time together at all." She considers thoughtfully. "Outside my already mostly packed up private quarters, there's not a whole lot left to do on Orbit Base that isn't work... but there is a killer spa. Staff only... but I'm sure some strings could be pulled for a NISAR pilot." She glares into her teacup, her reflection displaying a truly devious look.
You are now gagging Entertainment.
<Pose Tracker> Sho Tachibana has posed.
"Whatever it is," Sho states as Alouette puts the worry about the Dinosaur Empire's plans out of her mind, "We'll figure it out. They won't win, as long as we're around."
"The original Gutsy Galaxy Guard..." Sho thinks. "When I was a kid, they were just kind of... untouchable heroes. Moreso when they were exiled after Musashi's sacrifice." She grins. "I can't wait to meet them, too."
She nods as Alouette says it won't be easy but she took lessons from her. "I wish I could watch your swordwork out there - you'll just have to make sure battle data survives for me to review, okay? I've been learning a lot from your fighting style, too."
She lets out a deep breath. "I won't deny I'm worried - I mean - I know how hard Triple 0 is to fight. But it's already been proven to not be unbeatable, and I know for a fact that if anyone can do it, you and all the other Braves you've pulled back from its embrace can."
"... I've heard rumours about the famous Orbit Base spa," she admits, with a grin. "Never thought I'd have the opportunity to test them out."
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"Exactly." She nods, when Sho assures her they'll handle the dinosaurs. "I know that even if we're far away... the Earth will be safe in your capable hands." Of course, the dinosaur empire aren't the only ones rearing their hands. ...It means placing her trust in a lot of different people and groups, but she wants to believe there will be an Earth to come back to.
"They've done so much for me," Alouette smiles, in regards to the original Gutsy Galaxy Guard. "I'm so glad to know... I can finally pay them back this time." Her gaze meets the window once again. "I can't wait either, though. I mean, they totally seem untouchable, but most of them are complete goofballs!"
"Hehehe, so you'll know what I can do when I fight my hardest?" She giggles at the idea of sending back battle data. "But of course... I'll make sure that Aviaire and I put on a show-stopping performance, just for you." She concludes, with a hint of pride. "Besides... it's kind of an honour that someone as amazingly skilled as you can learn from me."
But that worry does spill out a little, and Alouette lets it happen. "And I can't deny it's at least a little terrifying, too. They don't just use sheer physical prowess - they're not afraid of using emotional tactics and attrition, either. And since they still have Mikoto..." She trails off for a second. "...Yeah. It's going to take all we have to muster, but the power of courage is no less infinite than Triple Zero itself, right?"
"Apparently those rumours spread pretty far~" Alouette chimes about the legendary Orbit Base spa. "Honestly, I wasn't sure what the hype could possibly be all about until Hana and the other girls dragged me along..." A testament to her previous inability to relax, no doubt. "But by the end of it, I felt like I was in heaven. Being able to unwind like that, even if it's just for a little bit -- is probably good for both of us." But before that, they can't let their tea get cold! Alouette takes a nice, relaxed sip from her mug.
<Pose Tracker> Sho Tachibana has posed.
"Exactly," Sho grins. "And of course I'm learning from you - we're both still young, right? Lots of stuff to learn together, including how to fight better - together or apart!"
"All I can say is... give 'em everything you have, Lou-chan." She nods, picking up her tea and taking a deep sip.
"... No wonder your look is always on-point if you have access to a facility like that whenever you need it," she grins. "3G really knows the importance of looking after its staff, huh?" Morale would have been the key battling the Zonderians and Primevals, after all.
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"Of course!" Alouette raises her teacup, with a smile - as Sho points out that they have a lot to learn together. "Whether it's for sport, or being able to protect the people we love, I couldn't ask for a better teacher, really." And even outside battle... she's certain they have much they can teach each other.
"I will, Tachi-chan. I'll show them just how much I've grown and changed... and the future I want to build together with them. No matter what Triple Zero thinks..." She sounds a little strained - but nonetheless in agreement. This is something she has to do, and she's prepared herself for it.
"Ehehe..." She smiles, as Sho points out how her look's always on point. "I definitely put a lot of effort into it. But a place like that certainly helps~"
The importance of looking after staff... Alouette nods. "It's always been the personal philosophy of Chief Taiga, understanding the weight of the world he carried in his hands. But even now... some things haven't changed." She regards Akamatsu well, in this aspect.
"It's so strange," Alouette remarks as she sips her tea. "Being able to spend time with the people I consider 'family' again is one thing, but other than that, I haven't even decided what I was going to do after we rescue everyone... and now here you are making sure I'll never get bored with this life." She can't help but laugh a little. "I'm truly glad."
<Pose Tracker> Sho Tachibana has posed.
Sho has been growing progressively redder as they compliment each other, and eventually she stands up, moving around the table to Alouette's side and bending down to peck her on the cheek. "I never imagined I'd end up with a girlfriend at all, much less someone like you." She grins. "I'm really glad I went to the prom alone and met you that way."
She nods. "Yeah... this whole thing with Emperor Gore had eaten up my future for so long that I couldn't even imagine what I'd do when we were done with him, but now..." She giggles. "I'm excited, because I know whatever the future holds, my team and I have people we care about to face it with together."
She leans in for another kiss.
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"I almost didn't end up going to prom in the first place," Alouette admits. "Or at the very least, planned on leaving early. I think we both know that would have been a huge mistake." She leans in a little closer.
And considers that Sho's situation - from the loss of Musashi, to the rise of Emperor Gore, isn't so different from her own. Of course their brainworms resemble each other in a few crucial places. "The future is terrifying..." She considers the idea that even after all this is done, the Bettermen might target Guy and she might lose him if she doesn't act. "But we'll just have to give each other the courage to face it."
A playful peck on the cheek in return - yet one with all the weight of the conversation. "To victory and good luck. For both of us."