2024-11-11: Attachment
- Log: Attachment
- Cast: Elisa Kafim, Kaworu Nagisa
- Where: Nouvelle Tokyo, Japan, Earth
- OOC - IC Date: November 11, 0099
- Summary: Staring up at the same kaiju, Elisa Kafim and Kaworu Nagisa speak as friends. They both know something approaches...
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
The Black King stands, apparently inert, in the middle of Nouvelle Tokyo. There is much that is unknown about it. But it is there, all the same.
So too is Elisa Kafim, standing in the cordoned-off area looking up at the great kaiju in thought. She is not particularly disguised, but not advertising her nature, either; ordinary clothes, a pencil skirt and dress blouse under a cardigan. She looks like a scientist in her high heels, and that's true. She is a scientist. But science is not the only reason that she is here.
She knows, after all, that her friend (perhaps her only friend) lives near.
And so she waits, for the moment.
No one yet has attempted to stop her other than a couple of police that she harmlessly walked past, not at all appearing in their mind's eyes.
It is evening, here.
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
There is much about the Black King that's unknown. What is known, at least to Kaworu Nagisa, is that Leila Misakiyama is the one who summoned it into being. Elisa Kafim would know that too, though, since both of them were there when it happened.
In the daytime, it's a striking figure, for all that the citizens of Nouvelle Tokyo have grown used to it to the point of mostly ignoring it. In the nighttime, it blots out the stars. It's more than large enough to be visible almost everywhere in town, but the best view, as always, is right in front of it.
Kaworu Nagisa steps up next to Elisa, dressed in the uniform of a school he no longer attends, hands tucked in his pockets as he habitually does. For a moment, he simply stands next to her, gazing up at the Black King from their position at its feet within the cordoned-off area. Then he smiles over at his friend.
"Hey. It's good to see you, Elisa," he says conversationally. He looks back up at the Black King. "It hasn't moved at all, has it? That girl who called it into being had very strong feelings, so it's curious to me that nothing has happened since then."
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
Elisa does know that. She's curious. And for a few moments, she's content simply to stand with Kaworu as they both look up at the kaiju. When he smiles, she inclines her head at him. She does not show teeth, but there is something pleased in her expression all the same.
"Likewise," Elisa answers him. "I had hoped that you would come. It is... an interesting feeling, to hope for something one does not control."
She looks back up to the Black King, too. "I wonder if I misjudged her passion," Elisa admits. "...But I do not think so. She must be patient, I think. Her strong feelings do not waver with time... and so her kaiju waits for its chance to act."
"Or perhaps she simply needs to work up the energy to control it further. But I prefer my first hyphothesis. It makes her a more interesting human."
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
Elisa doesn't need to show her teeth. Kaworu has long since noted the correct number of them. That's what being friends is all about.
He does show his, though, eyes squinting shut, when she speaks of hoping for things out of one's control. "It is," he agrees.%
They look together at the Black King, and Elisa weighs in on Leila's nature. Kaworu considers both the scenarios she suggests.
"Hmmm... I agree. Young Lilim are often impatient, so if one such as she can let her passion burn without burning out, it makes her very interesting indeed," he muses thoughtfully. "I am concerned about her... companion, however. You and Yuliana were acquainted with Alexis before, were you not?"
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
It is!
Elisa has enjoyed the exploration of such 'feelings'. But she also enjoys considering this much.
"Quite. ...I remember impatience," Elisa comments. "My wife has been encouraging me to recall my life 'before'... And so I recall some."
A pause. "But I do remember Alexis Kerib. I was fond enough of him; he introduced me to many other acquaintances. However, his derision for my wife could not be tolerated. We would have become enemies in time."
"...As we may yet be with this 'new' Alexis."
"Unfortunately, I know nothing of his nature. He has not reached out to me, and I have been... occupied."
"I am now tied strongly to this world," Elisa says, turning back to Kaworu. "To Earth's oceans and mountains and ice and desert."
"...Should he move against my interests, I will learn much more of him."
"And you? What do you imagine he might wish?"
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
Impatience is an unfamiliar feeling to Kaworu; he knows what it is, but he doesn't experience it. So when Elisa remarks that she did feel it once upon a time and has been recalling it thanks to Yuliana's encouragement, he gives her a curious look. "Do you? What are you impatient for?" he wonders.
He considers what Elisa says about Alexis--how she felt about him, and how his derision for Yuliana had been a hard no. Enemies in time... which means they weren't enemies yet by the time he was defeated and incarcerated.
"Likewise. I only know what I've observed so far, and I've observed very little," he replies. "Should that girl decide to move the Black King," her heart, "we may learn more."
But that, in and of itself, requires patience. That's fine, though. Kaworu can wait.
He smiles as Elisa speaks of her ties to the world. "They are all beautiful," he agrees. "I'm glad you've come to appreciate them too."
What does he imagine that 'new' Alexis wishes? Kaworu contemplates this. "He did mention he's missing memories. He may be trying to recover them. Or he may be trying to learn more of this world by exploring it through a human heart. That may be the 'love' of which he speaks. I don't think he is Alexis Kerib, but... it's clear they have some relation, whether it's the brotherly relation Crisis Alexis describes or not."
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
"To return to my wife, of course." That is her impatience. But also, "For my wife's strength to return. She has been so torn down by her enemies... I wish to see her in glory once again. Soon, I think."
Elisa was remarkably tolerant, back then. She would not tolerate such again for long.
"Hmm. Yes. I will keep an eye out..." She would like to learn more. "The sort of person who uses kaiju... They fascinate me. Once, I believed kaiju were the future of this world's evolution."
"...But Earth does not wish my 'evolution'."
"They are," Elisa agrees. "I did not appreciate them until I sought them for myself. But now that they empower me, I feel ready to face my true Enemy. In time. ...I 'hope' as well that the Earth survives our clash."
She considers. Missing memories... "Some relation, but if he seeks 'love' then that relation must be distant on at least one axis."
"Well, if he only wishes his memories, I suppose I won't begrudge him that. As I mentioned, I have been attempting to recover my own. What the Empress took from me, when she activated my Power... I would make the trade again."
"But if I can recover what I lost, remember 'family'... Then yes. I will do this."
"...But I speak of myself, and the ones dear to me. How are you, and he in your heart?"
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
Of course. Kaworu's smile broadens. It really is beautiful, how in love with each other Elisa and Yuliana are. Concern soon tinges that smile, though, and he wonders, "She is unwell now, then? It saddens me to hear that. But if she will be well again soon, then that's good."
Kaiju, the future of this world's evolution... Kaworu's smile turns a touch rueful. "Kaiju is a very broad term. There are some that existed in the distant past--some that are not creatures of Earth at all--and some that are of Earth, but are incompatible with the life that exists here now. Perhaps another world will welcome your evolution."
But if Elisa wants to stay here on Earth, and it does sound so, Kaworu understands. He understands very well indeed.
She 'hopes' that the Earth survives her clash with her Enemy. That's something else that Kaworu understands. "I will do all I can to make sure of it," he thus reassures her.
As for Crisis Alexis: "Memories can be very powerful. They can be the difference between a friend and an enemy, at times," he warns her. "There was a time where I made myself forget what I am, so that I could be closer to Lilim. But..." His expression turns wistful. "You can't forget what you are forever. I think you will inevitably regain yours, too."
Whether she wants to or not--whether she trades for it or not.
He chuckles faintly when she asks of him and his. "I like hearing about you," he reassures her. "Things have been quiet for me lately, the fall of Junius-7 notwithstanding. It's neither a good thing nor a bad thing. A great reckoning will come in time, and I will bear witness to it."
He gazes back up at the Black King. "Perhaps I will even be able to stop it... but that isn't always my role."
<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.
"Not as such," Elisa says. "Weighed down by the petty moralities of those who wish to chain her. By the pressure that her captors had put upon her. Recently, she came across someone that she had trained, in the REA. ...A confrontation ensued; it did not go in her favor."
Kaiju... Kaworu explains of them, and Elisa nods. "Once, the natural variety especially were my field of study. But I was fond of all of them. ...But perhaps, indeed, another will."
"Not for some time, I think. My wife is not yet willing to let go of this world... and I am inclined to maintain my base of power, until it is time to Return."
She does like Earth. And when Kaworu reassures her, she nods. "Good. There is much that threatens this world."
But memories... Hm. He made himself forget. This is a warning indeed, and it brings with it an idea that perhaps he knows something beyond. ...But how could he? "...No, I suppose not. Then I will keep searching. That it is inevitable does not mean that it need come on terms other than my own."
Though it will, in the end.
"Hmm. I suppose you do. You have more... 'empathy', than I. I must remind myself to show interest in things that are not my own."
Of course, Kaworu is part of that, now. He is 'her friend', after all.
"Yes, the Fall... it nearly destroyed my castle," she reflects. "But a reckoning, is it...?"
"Perhaps I shall be involved," she says. "There is much that must be addressed."
But only perhaps. If it's something he wishes to stop, then...
"Then we shall see what roles we have to play," Elisa says.
"Soon. I sense it, too. Something great, on the horizon... Great and terrible."
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
"I see. So it's psychological rather than physical," Kaworu replies--though it seems that there's a physical component as well. He's aware enough of the kind of person Yuliana is that those 'petty moralities' may not be petty at all for those affected by her past actions, but he doesn't press on that matter. It is an eminently human affair, the things of which she speaks.
"You do seem like one who has always been fond of kaiju," he says warmly. "Akane Shinjo is much the same way." (That's a compliment, coming from him.) "So, too, is another friend of mine named Yuka Ohta, though she remains fully human."
There's much in and of Earth to be attached to. Kaworu is inherently an unworldly being, and when his time in this world as at an end, he will accept it as he always does. Still, he treasures his time and friends here while it all lasts, and he will do what he can to remain. There's much that threatens this world--themselves included.
"Yes. I encourage you. You're remembering your 'impatience,' after all," he tells her.
It's a little strange to be told he has more empathy. But then, Elisa is a bit more alien than he is, comparatively speaking. He nods his encouragement to her resolve to show interest, too. He is a supportive friend. Shinji knows this well, even if Kaworu doesn't go into what he's doing lately. Elisa's kind to ask after him, but Shinji... really doesn't like the messengers of the Void.
"Yes. I know some of what may be, but only some. The world, when entwined like this with others, is not easily predicted. But that's part of its charm," he adds, warmly. Still, they'll both have to wait and see what their roles will be. That Elisa senses it too is no surprise to him. They are not the same, but they are similar.
"I think you will be involved," he muses. "You're too attached to the Earth now not to be." He still smiles, but it's rueful again as he looks at her. "As am I."