2024-07-29: Two Princesses
- Log: 2024-07-29
- Cast: Flay Allster, Cagalli Yula Athha
- Where: Onogoro Island, United Emirates of Orb
- OOC - IC Date: July 27, 0099
- Summary: A chance encounter between two young women with a lot in common. While they can understand each other better this time, the two Strike pilots end up going their separate ways once again.
<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.
After such an eventful week in the Orbital Ring, it might come off as a surprise that Flay Allster decided to spend her short time on leave in the United Emirates of Orb, a nominally neutral nation. It's not like she has any kind of official business here, even as some of the families of Orb flirt with the idea of NUNE ascendency. But it is the place where she grew up, and the place where many people important to her live. Part of her wonders how Kira, or even Sai is doing - though she decides it'd probably mostly bring them bad memories if she visited.
Instead, she decides to pay a visit somewhere else - the small cenotaph memorial on Onogoro Island, dedicated to the citizens of Orb lost during the Bloody Valentine War - particularly during the attack on Heliopolis and the Federation's attempted invasion of the country. Since it's not anything official, she doesn't wear a uniform - just a casual purple summer dress.
Not a lot of people come by here, due to Onogoro mostly housing military facilities, as well as the rough waves of the island's coastline. Because of this, Flay chose it as a place to reflect on a few things, now that she finally has the time to... though she decides not to leave any flowers behind - it's not like they'll bring back the dead. As she's about to leave the memorial, she looks a little lost in thought - not really expecting to run into anyone on her way. Definitely not the 'Princess' of Orb at that.
<Pose Tracker> Cagalli Yula Athha has posed.
It has been two years and some since the Bloody Valentine War. But for Cagalli Yula Athha, now not just a 'Princess', but the leader of an entire country, the memories of the invasion is still fresh on her mind. She took part in the conflict, as both a commander and upon the Strike Rouge. But part of her now wondered if things could've panned out differently if Orb had simply surrendered and gave up without a fight. How many lives could've been saved that day? And how many enemy lives could she have spared?
The thought weighs heavily on her. The sale of new warships to Terminal, production of the new Murasames, and even a new Gundam only serves to reaffirm such a distracting thought. So, a visit then, to the cenotaph for everyone that was lost that day. Maybe it'll help. At the very least, she's going to pay her respects. The flowers should be in full bloom now too, but she's still going to bring a little bouquet, wearing her uniform that signifies her as the Supreme Commander of Orb.
And just like Flay, the 'Princess' herself wasn't expecting to see her here. A reunion for the first time in two, maybe three years. Cagalli didn't exactly have fond memories of her during their time on the Archangel. But as far as she's concerned, she was a citizen of Orb. Cagalli has a duty to her. A regret pulling at her heart she didn't perform it way back when.
"Flay..."
<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.
Maybe things would be different if Orb had immediately surrendered to the Earth Federation... and it's hard to say whether they'd be better or worse, if there would be more or less names on the memorial. But the history they live in is one where Orb decided to fight. This encounter in the present might be just one of the consequences of that decision.
"...Cagalli?" Flay stops in her tracks, recognizing the Supreme Commander's uniform... and the face that wears it. She finds it's hard to, either seriously or mockingly, call her 'princess' in-person. She shifts a little uncomfortably to hear that Cagalli recognizes her in turn, not quite looking her in the eye.
"I guess it would make sense to find you here." Cagalli might not have the same fierce reputation as the Lion of Orb, but it says a lot about her priorities as a leader that she'd take the time to come here. "It's been a while since I came to Orb. Last time, it was to..." She pauses, tilting her head to the side. "Do you still keep in touch with Kira?"
Following her last question, she's quiet for a few moments. And after some deliberation, her pale blue eyes finally fix on Cagalli, as she takes a deep breath. "I never got the chance to tell you this, but um..." It's a difficult topic to breach, though she's heard it a lot herself, she doesn't want to sound insincere.
"My condolesences for what happened to your father." The waves continue to crash against the shoreline. "I hope, one day... you can make whoever's responsible pay." Is... that her idea of sincerity?
<Pose Tracker> Cagalli Yula Athha has posed.
"...I didn't expect I'd find you here... I heard you joined Gaia Sabers..." Cagalli replied. She was surprised to see her here of all places. Even more surprised that she didn't call her a 'Princess' immediately when they happened upon each other for the first time in so long. But it's for the best. She wasn't in the mood for an argument. It seemed to her Flay has stopped being as prickly as she did two years ago. And so she flashed a small smile. Appreciating the time she's taking out to visit the cenotaph, even if she's similarly uncomfortable in meeting her again.
"There's...just a lot on my mind... Wanted to pay my respects..." Cagalli indeed did not share the same reputation as her adopted father - though that fact is only known by select few. To many, both within and beyond Orb, she's still just a naive Princess. And she's always wondered why the position is befallen to her instead of uncle Homura. "My... new duties have kept me away. So... not as much as I'd like to." A slight beat, then she adds, "have you?"
Cagalli allows the silence to linger as she moves past her to place the bouquet at the base of the cenotaph. But as she stood up, something seemingly gets caught in her throat when Flay speaks. 'Make whoever's responsible pay'? That's not what father would've wanted. He taught her not to hate. If she were to try and find out who did it, she wouldn't be able to bear not being able to hate them. So she's always tried to push that thought out of her mind as much as possible. If she didn't, she'd just be betraying her father's last wishes.
"I- that's not what father would've wanted..." She turned back towards Flay and face her. Her yellow eyes staring daggers at her. She didn't want to argue, but is Flay actually mocking her father's ideals here at the cenotaph, a memorial dedicated to so many people who have lost their lives that day?
<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.
"I did," Flay nods, when Cagalli points out that she joined the Gaia Sabers. "Learning to fight is a decision I'm proud of. But..." She closes her eyes for a second, thinking about the autonomous drones the Gaia Sabers deployed. "That's not really why I'm here. So don't worry, I'll abide by your territory's rules." She doesn't really have a reason to pick a fight here, anyways, but she's surprised to see Cagalli smile. Flay can't quite find a smile of her own - but her expression softens a little.
Another careful nod when Cagalli says she has a lot on her mind and wanted to pay respects. Though when Cagalli says her duties kept her away from Kira, there's a bitter shake of the head. "What a shame. You two seemed to get along so well... at least that's the impression I got." She looks away with that beat. "I said what I needed to, so I decided it was better to keep my distance from him. But.. I still hope he's doing okay." She decides it's probably best not to linger on that much longer.
But the next thing Flay told Cagalli was probably a mistake, as those bright eyes shoot her a glare. Her own blue eyes return a look of surprise... because the Cagalli she remembers probably wouldn't have reacted that way at all. "You know what... fine. What I said probably sounded harsh," Flay is willing to admit. "And I'm not saying you shouldn't respect your father," If anything, that only makes her respect Cagalli more than back when she was playing the rebellious daughter.
"...But I don't get it." She adds, quietly. "How could anyone forgive someone who took away their family?" She doesn't goad the point much further, but ideals or not, she thinks Cagalli deserves to be mad about this!
<Pose Tracker> Cagalli Yula Athha has posed.
It's like their positions have been flipped. Cagalli is a tomboy who loved to fight. She relished in the freedom she was allowed when she ran off to Africa. Being able to fight and help the oppressed was a fond memory of hers. But as the months and years passed, she's grown to regret it. All the lessons she ran away from in pursuit of personal strength and liberty... The things that could've better prepared her for this role as the Chief Representative... She discarded it all for her own selfish desires. Desires that led to actions that resulted in her perpetuating more violence and conflict. Learning to fight... is no longer a decision she's proud of.
But she silently acknowledged Flay. And there's a nod, when Flay assures her she's not here to start trouble.
"It's- We're not like that! He's more like a little brother to me!" She exclaims, which is more truth than it is deflection. Even if she did used to have a crush on him. Kira IS her twin brother, as she later learned. A secret she can't just simply announce. What would people think? That she's not actually Uzumi's child? Or that maybe Kira's actually an Athha too. Either would make for a troublesome scandal. "...Besides, he has Lacus now," there was no sense of bitterness in her voice when she continues. She's happy for them, more than anything. But she still offered, "if you wanted to, I could bring you to see him?"
And she was about to go off on Flay, but her anger quickly quelled as she then recalls Flay's situation. Her father was also taken away from her. So she understands Flay's anger. It was an anger that is mutual to the both of them. "...I don't get it either... I can't forgive them... But I can't go after them either..." Her head dipped and stared at nothing. She's been struggling with deciding to either respect her father's wishes, or to bring the culprits to justice - something Athrun reminds her of constantly. Then her hands ball up into fists. Tense shoulders shaking, and her expression visibly holding back tears. "What am I... What am I supposed to do...?"
<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.
Flay's still trying to wrap her head around this new side of Cagalli, the side of her that despises conflict. But she knows first-hand how much grief can change a person... so maybe it just changed her in a different way. And more than that, being suddenly thrust into the position of Chief Representative is its own obstacle. Maybe it's no wonder she feels so chained to her duties.
"Hehe... little brother?" Flay asks, almost playfully teasing in her tone. Of course, she was never around to learn that it's more true than it sounds... but it's almost hard to ignore how much she can see Kira's face in Cagalli's. Which might be why she doesn't look her in the eye when she does explain how he's doing.
"Lacus... I see. So they decided to get together." Flay nods, quietly. Another person she was left on bad terms with. "I think that would only be trouble for all three of us." She shakes her head. "It's more than enough just to know how he's doing." She pauses, looking Cagalli in the eye again. "But... thanks for offering." Even if it's just a gesture, it's one that means a lot.
Cagalli probably wouldn't have been wrong to be angry with her, but when she calms down, Flay's expression softens a little. She remembers what Murasaki told her, about how Cagalli's feelings about this are probably a lot more complex than she lets on. "I guess... there's a certain balance to it?" Flay considers, when it comes to forgiveness and revenge. "If you lose yourself in those feelings, you won't be able to do anything. And... I know what that's like, too."
She notices how visibly tense Cagalli has become, shaking and almost crying. "So what do I think you should do? I think you have to figure it out for yourself, because only you can make that decision." Flay could go further, and be a lot more cruel right now, but it's hard to kick someone while they're already down. "Both as the 'Princess of Orb' and the pilot of the Strike Rouge." A beat. "Or is that only a ceremonial mobile suit?"
<Pose Tracker> Cagalli Yula Athha has posed.
There's a sense of deja vu when Flay seemingly teased her. "Of course! I'm obviously more mature than that crybaby!" She exclaims once more, ignoring the fact that she herself is just as much of a crybaby as Kira is. Another characteristic that the twins unknowingly shared.
She didn't push the subject when Flay shook her head. She remembered that little drama back on the Archangel between them. That ugly jealously Flay had that made everyone uncomfortable for days. She hides a quiet chuckle of her own, when she realized she didn't have the same issue with Athrun - even if their relationship is a little complicated right now...
And there it is. The 'Princess of Orb'. At this point she thinks she may never be known for anything else other than just a 'Princess'. Everyone's been calling her that lately. Councilor Durandal, that infuriating Hero, and now even Flay. "You think I'm not trying?! I'm not good at politics! I'm not good at piloting! Everything I do, the people around me can do better!" She doesn't know why, or how... But as Flay tries to confront her feelings, she just allowed her feelings to come flowing out honest and true. Ever since she became the Chief Representative, she started to keep her feelings closer to heart. But perhaps it's how they shared a similar tragedy. There's a sense of bond there that teared down that wall she put up.
"The Strike Rouge?! Chief Representative?! They might as well be ceremonial!" She continued, with her tears running down her cheeks. Her self-doubt rising to the surface. She really shouldn't have been the new Chief Representative. Uncle Homura is more experienced and better suited for that role. As for the Strike Rouge, why does she even have it? Kira probably doesn't even need the Freedom to beat her. She should just give the pink Strike to someone else at this point.
<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.
Flay actually smiles when Cagalli proudly declares that of course she's more mature than Kira. "Hahaha...! Well, at least it sounds like some things haven't changed." For just a brief moment, she wishes she could be a part of that, that she could share in those feelings, even if it's selfish. But she pushes that away, feeling that it would be impossible.
Not willing to admit that jealousy again, she lets the silence hang for a bit, until Cagalli reacts to her using that title on her, no longer keeping her emotions to herself. "And do you think I don't get it? I... I'm not that much better than you!" She snaps back, instead of using her pride as a shield, thanks to Cagalli's own honesty. "But what other choice do people like us have?"
Her fist tightens, as she looks to the memorial, and the ocean beyond it, and then back to Cagalli. "I know people only pay attention to my family name when they see me, and I know that's the only reason was allowed to join the Gaia Sabers at all." She admits. "But I really want to believe in what I'm doing! That this time... I can use the Strike to make the world better."
Eventually Cagalli's tears come out... just like her brother's, as she calls both her position and the Strike Rouge itself ceremonial. "You know... it might be hypocritical of me to say this, but if all you'll do is rely on the strength of others, then you really are a princess." All the same, she gives Cagalli what's almost a sympathetic look. "But the Strike Rouge is yours, and no one else's, so... I'd rather know what Cagalli can do with it." Even if it means one day, the two Strikes will have to face each other.
<Pose Tracker> Cagalli Yula Athha has posed.
Cagalli is surprised Flay managed to smile. It seemed to her Flay has been avoiding doing so since they encountered each other here. And she laughed as well, probably the first time they ever exchanged one. At this moment, at least, it seemed to the world that they're laughing together like old friends. There's a silent thought of her own, that if Flay ever wanted to return to Orb, she would welcome her with open arms.
There's a sniffle when Flay snaps back. Cagalli turned away, unable to look Flay in the eyes. She was right, of course. They're just Naturals. Not like they're anything special like a Coordinator or THE Ultimate Coordinator. Some things have changed, but if the two of them never really grew out of their shell... "...then it seems like we're still just two princesses..." She muttered under her breath. As for the choice they could take... Cagalli had no retort. It was her yearning for choices that wasn't decided by others a deep source of regret today. Yet Flay is telling her that is precisely what she needs right now at this turning point of her life. Cagalli just have no retort.
Making the world better? Is piloting a war machine the only way to do so? And joining the Gaia Sabers at that. NUNE is not exactly the same organization that invaded Orb two years ago, but all the same, they maintained many of the same leadership and even new ones, who still have designs for Orb. A country she believes deep down that Flay is still a part of. "...then I hope you can do it... I really do..." She says, finally facing Flay in the eyes once more with her own reddened expression.
Then finally, she turned away. There was no goodbye or farewell. There was much she could say. Like how she wanted Flay to come back to Orb. Or that she never really wanted to fly the Strike Rouge again and to shoot another man down and destroy his family. The mood remained heavy as waves continues to crash against the rocks.
She simply left unceremoniously. Her footsteps heavy and tears dried on her face. She didn't want to think about it. With this chance meeting being as such as it is, the day the two Strikes come to blow may come to pass sooner rather than later.