2022-05-20: Striated irruption secondary to our reconstruction

• Log: Striated irruption secondary to our reconstruction
• Cast: Yuliana Dispersal, Brera Sterne, Ranka Lee, Alto Saotome, Sayla Mass, Sheryl Nome, Mitsuba Greyvalley, Elisa Kafim, Lucine Azul, Anita Rosetta, Koji Kabuto, Grace O'Connor, Treize Khushrenada, Rena Lancaster, Arriety Hearn, Eisen Daiwel, Lina Lombardi, Nidaime
• Where: Nameless Function Hall (China)
• Date: 2022-05-20
• Summary: The Federation holds a black-tie event for the sake of infrastructure, and several conversations within reveal the structural faults of those present.

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<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.

        Federation social events are opportunities for the citizens of the Federation to come face to face with its defenders. For some this is uncomfortable, while for others, it's a perfect place to make connections. Today's theme is INFRASTRUCTURE -- its care and keeping.

        While mechanical engineers produce the mobile suits which dominate the era, there are other types of engineer essential to society: civic and structural engineers. Designers of roads, bridges, dams, pipelines and processing plants are here in droves, eager to discuss their work with a captive audience. Several of them have already spoken.

        The final guest at the microphone is the REA's very own Daughter of Bridges, Gayatri D'Cruze, a girl with long, light brown hair, dark skin, and piercing blue eyes. (Rumour has it she's half-Britannian; despite that scandal, she's always lived in India.) At a scarce sixteen years old, she is a genius of structural engineering, having revolutionised the sorts of background structures which no one would guess needed revolutionising. Her advancements in structure over the past years have helped the REA maintain their breadwinning position in the Federation, despite the many wars going on around them. She doesn't just do bridges, either -- for one, she's come up with an innovative new mixture of asphalt to help protect their roads from blast damage and heavy vehicle transport, reducing pothole accumulation by 90%.

        "The things which facilitate our lives," Gayatri says, quite polite, "can easily go overlooked in the heat of battle, I think. Because of this, I want to thank the pilots for every time they have taken care to direct their damage... it only takes seconds to crush an airport, but the demolition and reconstruction process is far more involved. I can't imagine the data involved in calculating active conflict... but I'm involved in the aftermath, these days. That you all work so hard to minimise the damage of ZAFT and other malignant parties is important to mention, as much as I would also like to speak about my findings. So -- thank you, and I hope that together, we can keep safeguarding the people of Earth!"

        She bows, at the end of her speech, and hands her microphone away; it was scripted, evidently, and her youth is made plain in the polarising language she uses. It's probably no coincidence that someone so young and sympathetic was asked to thank everyone so directly.

        The partygoers are released from their listening duties to mingle, instead -- there's a snack table, obviously, as well as some tables dotted around with presentations on engineering research from some of the particularly invested engineers present. There is, of course, a clear floor for dancing, if it takes one's fancy. A bar to the side offers alcoholic refreshments, though youthful patrons will naturally have their ID checked first. Perhaps, for some people, this is the single glimmer of light and hope illuminating an otherwise dry affair.

        Social mixers like this are what you make of them, though. All sorts of agreements can happen under the guise of a black tie.

        The Daughter of Bridges, for her part, steps away from the podium at the front of the room to meet another REA dignitary: Captain Yuliana Dispersal, special operative. Gayatri looks terribly discomforted, stepping up to her, but the conversation goes something like this:

        "How did I do, Captain?" With a nervous glance behind her, as if checking for something. (It's not there; she returns her gaze forward again.)

        "You were great, sweetie," and Minovsky's Woman sounds reassuring, just like she's bolstering Gayatri's nerves after the harrowing act of public speaking. Though, notably -- there's zero emotional information coming from Yuliana, no matter one's level of Awakening. So who could really tell? "Why don't you go get something to eat? We'll get you out of this mess soon, don't worry."

        "Um... yeah," Gayatri agrees, with clear nervousness. It's a feeling which calms down, a little, when she skitters off to the canapes. Maybe she really did just need something to eat!

        Maybe.

        Having divested herself of babysitter duty -- which the entire Nega Force is here to see to, in fact, despite the fact that Cascade had to remind Parminder how to wear a monkey suit properly again -- Yuliana swans off to go and bother someone else. Enough people part for her that she has no trouble, making her way through the crowd. Perhaps they realise she's important...?

        She does look important. Her deep purple evening gown hangs loosely to her ankles and their low white heels, with a modest neckline and generous straps, cinched about the waist with a band of glittering black and silver. Sheer fabric drapes off of each shoulder, hanging from her arms and tumbling down to the hem of her dress. There's an air of mystery to it -- or, perhaps, to her. She feels like...

        That's the strangest thing. To an empathic gaze, Yuliana Dispersal does not exist. Certainly she is talking, certainly she is smiling... and yet there is nothing which can be intuitively gleaned from her, even at a distance. And around her, close enough for Yuliana to lunge forward and grasp -- which, at this scale, is a sphere of around six feet -- is a total emotional dead zone. It does no harm to the average person she passes by, but to sensitive souls, it is as if a great chasm separates them from all the input they are used to feeling from the world around them: her sphere of influence is totally, horrifically silent. Perhaps there is something to those unbelievable rumours which surround her -- that she's some sort of anti-Newtype operative.

        The fact that she and her people are the ones here to escort Gayatri... well, perhaps it's a subtle nudge in the right direction.

        (As for the rest of the REA's special operations team here today: Cascade Wattana, a cadet not far past twenty with short blue hair and a stunning black suit, quietly diverts their own path towards snacks. The pink-haired Wen Yuan and orange-haired Parminder Chaudhri, meanwhile, have colonised the bar and are telling a remarkable tale in manzai style. It's bawdy! She and he both had a few drinks already!)

<Pose Tracker> Lina Lombardi has posed.

         Geez, the frickin' monkey suit again. Lina had come to this affair as a representative of CDS, but never really felt comfortable in formal dress. Despite this, the tailored dark red suit definitely sat on her body well. Her hair was tied back into a low ponytail for tonight, giving a rare glimpse of her left eye not covered by her bangs. Finishing the ensemble was a half-full martini glass in her gloved hand. At least the booze was free.

         She wanders around slightly aimlessly, taking quick glances at each table and giving a small chuckle to herself. This really wasn't too different from Saudi Arabia just a few days ago, only on the other side of society. At least the other side of the coin let her wear jeans. After a bit, she noticed that her glass was already empty. Popping the olive in her mouth, she makes her way back over to the bar for the second of probably several drinks tonight.

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

Rena Lancaster isn't really one for fancy parties.

Oh, she attended many in her youth, before she came to Winter Wonderland. Her home, before that, specialized in rather fancy parties for the cream of the crop. Those were different, though; these still take her back to those days. As Gayatri speaks, the ashen-haired woman looks distant for a moment -- staring off into space, as the memories come back to her. Then, she shakes her head quickly.

She applauds politely, as one is expected to, but she still seems distant for a second. She looks to her side, then, at the friend that she came with. Rena, for her part, is wearing a dark blue dress, with a couple of golden bracelets on her wrist. Her hair, once long, is now short but carefully styled.

She has on holographic makeup; it makes her cheeks glitter at times, when the light hits them right, and she looks at her friend. Her eyes don't quite catch Yuliana yet. Even if something feels... off, in that direction.

"This is... pretty expensive," Rena settles on to Anita.

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

        Arriety isn't sure why she's invited here. As far as she's concerned, she's still a civilian attache-slash-assistant cook-slash-temp pilot. She wouldn't really consider herself an 'important' person by any means, and she doesn't... she doesn't own a nice dress for this occasion either.

        Which means she had to go renting, and finding a long sleeve dress isn't as easy as the alternative. Especially one with sleeves thick enough for her liking. (Despite being in Londo Bell, she's all about the Sleeves. Who, I've realised, are more about the Cuffs. How does that even work?)

        Still, she found black, and so in a black dress with several pleats of skirting she is, with leggings underneath and an old pair of Mary Janes. She looks cold without her enormous jacket.

        "Adults sure like to throw... their parties," she murmurs to herself, noticing the gaping void that is Yuliana and... ... ...

        That feels kinda nice, actually. To have a big, black void of Nothing amidst all the Bruised Egos, the Ruffled Prides, the Cloak and Daggers, the usual Why Am I Even Heres.

        It reminds her of when she was five years old and everything was, as she knew, reasonably normal.

        There's so much damn noise, still. She deploys her good old friend the Benzo, downs it with some Non-Alcohol Champagne. Yeeeees.

<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.

Dr. Elisa D. Kafim is also in attendance, though the things that made her famous are many years ago now; she is but another partygoer, though one in a dashing green dress, her long purple hair dramatically back in a ponytail and her heels tall, black and strappy. She is far from the center of the room, nowhere near Yuliana Dispersal in particular--but she watches the speech, applauds politely.

She has a drink! Nobody IDs her. It's fine. Her jewelry is lovely, a few green gems the highlight of her attire, and... just now...

Well, if anyone happens to try to isolate her, she's not readable, either. But she doesn't give out that sense of silence; she just doesn't show up on the radar, as it were. But most people wouldn't notice that at all. just like most people wouldn't notice that Elisa is currently discussing something animatedly with a man in a suit.

"Ah, and so this is how I would identify 'gardeners' in the wild, yes...?"

<Pose Tracker> Eisen Daiwel has posed.

An event such as this normally would not have much interest to someone like Eisen, who seems to thoroughly self-obsessed to much of the outside world. Yet, the NERV member is here, only partially as a pilot.

He's donned up his gear quite well. Wearing what looks like a designer suit, the youth could easily get away with making people think he's an adult. A grey undershirt, with a gleaming and tucked in green tie, and a perfectly new-black suit. Slacks and shoes. All of that almost would seem normal, were it not for the thing that makes him stand out in the crowd. A device is mounted over his right eye, though he seems to have gone out of his way to 'fancy it up' with a few green barbs that come from the cybernetic looking device.

He's wearing a name-badge that declares:

Eisen Daiwel
NERV Representee
Academic Professor

He is also wearing a lapel pin with the NERV logo on the other side of his chest, though it has [underscore]some writing under it that is almost too small to read without leaning in.

After entry, he seems to blend in a bit, picking up an offered orange juice stack near the bar, stepping around. It would not be long before he hears something weird and awkward. So, the young man steps in towards Elisa Kafim, and offers a nod to her. There's a quick glance over her person, sticking longer on her purple haircolor than anything else - a somewhat odd behavior.

"My apologies, I do not mean to butt in..." Yes he does. "... but I am curious: since when a simple gardener has become such a devious infiltrant into society, that they require identification in the wild?" Eisen asks with true and honest curiousity.

<Pose Tracker> Treize Khushrenada has posed.

        Infrastructure is and has always been an important piece of civilization and it is why the commander of G-Hound is present today. Treize Khushrenada has not just been a presence in the crowd either, no he has been an active participant in questions and conversation. Some of the questions were obviously times when he was simply playing devil's advocate and then other times the questions seem legitimate.

         As the presentations for the day end and the party takes over as the center piece of the activites Treize transitions from an engineer to the political role of Treize Khushrenada. Casually picking up a flute of champagne and makes his way towards Captain Dispersal.

         Treize's approaches the captain in a way one might a predator, calmly, casually, no suddden movements, gentle smile. When he reaches a respectable distant he greets her, "Commander Dispersal, a pleasure to meet you..." Treizes tone is smooth and soft.

         Allowing a beat for the formal return of the greeting, Treize continues, "I am under the impression you may be able to help me. I would like to get a moment with the young presenter, Ms. D'Cruze, I am quite fascinated by her renovations she has made. I was hoping she may be interested in seeing her renovations put in to places around the world and to lead that charge herself. It would be a fascinating opportunity for such a young lady." It would also be a great opportunity for a REA asset to be plucked for G-Hound to acquire.

<Pose Tracker> Mitsuba Greyvalley has posed.

Mitsuba, who has glassed a significant amount of desert in recent memory, feels a little bit embarrassed when Gayatri talks about the amount of time it takes to destroy versus create. It's a difficult thing to think about -- the ship-of-ships cannot move gently, after all. At least the Macross was designed for deep space; the Dreisstrager is simply an absolutely enormous amount of passive violence visited on the Earth.

It's different when she's in the Captain's chair, of course. At that time, the only concern she can entertain is whether the next action she'll take contributes to peace and freedom in the world. But... it's important to her, to see those other considerations. If there's a fear she has, it's that power might make her arrogant.

In a deep navy dress with a handful of bright gold accents and fur trim, Mitsuba takes in the room, a bit, now that the speeches have finished. For a 21-year-old Federation spacenoid, this is among the more... lavish things she's ever seen.

She's finding she already misses the speeches. Technical has never been quite her speed, but high-specificity talk is a little easier to handle than... this. What is she even doing?

She and Yuliana pass by each other. It's the least remarkable thing that's happened, possibly ever; they don't even exchange words yet. And yet: it makes Mitsuba stop cold in her tracks. Her eyes shut a moment; her brow furrows a bit.

It passes, but Mitsuba looks a little smaller, afterward. Her stance no longer carries quite the same absolute, reflexive sense of authority. The shoulders she puts the weight of the world on don't seem quite so broad. That feeling that she's out of her depth manages to find its way back to the fore; it's rare for Mitsuba to look lost, yet here we are.

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

=== SOME TIME BEFORE THE PARTY ===

So APPARENTLY a nice suit isn't enough to go to one of these events. Not that Koji knows, usually Sayaka handles this kind of diplomatic soiree thing. Unfortunately, she's booked up for a meeting with her father to discuss funding for the next wave of upgrades to the Photon Power grid that covers Free Japan as well as expanding into the rest of the OCU, so this dreary duty falls upon the only other employee of the Lab who looks good in a formal outfit.

Which means that it's time for a Fashion Upgrade.

"You didn't go for the tuxedo, Koji-kun?" Sayaka Yumi fusses over his choices. The former pilot shakes his head. "I like the colour of the dinner jacket." The blue matches his suit jacket, and Sayaka knows that perfectly well, so she just shakes her head with a chuckle, straightening the garment on her... friend's shoulders. "The black lapels look good, at least. What are you going to do about..." Her eyes track upwards of Koji's forehead and it's his turn to laugh. "My best, I think. I think this hair eats combs, you know. Bowties really aren't optional, huh?"

Sayaka has the only pair of hands Koji would trust around his neck, so she helps him fasten this strangulation accessory, before stepping back to regard him carefully. "... I think you can get away with your hair just as it is," she says carefully, causing the man to relax visibly.

"Hey, thanks, Sayaka. I..." the rest of the sentence, 'dunno how I'd handle something like this without you' dies in his throat soundlessly, leaving a hollow gulf between them, infinite and unnavigable even though they're only three feet apart.

Sayaka breaks the silence, looking away. "I need to get ready for my meeting with the Prime Minister. You should get going, don't forget to keep the jacket pressed neatly on the flight." Before Koji can answer, she sweeps out of the room, leaving the scientist to watch helplessly after her wake.

"Damn it."

=== NOW ===

Koji Kabuto, PhD, is attending on behalf of the Photon Power Research Institute, the broader apparatus that encompasses the old and new laboratories as well as a certain site burrowed into Mt. Fuji that is extremely classified even to other nations in the OCU beyond 1) its existence and 2) the fact that NERV manage the site security rather than OCU military. It's probably fine.

Listening to Gayatri's speech, he thinks back to his own battles, the desperate struggle to prevent Hell's Kikaiju crushing Japanese infrastructure and housing in the wake of his quest for revenge. He couldn't exactly claim success in mitigating collateral damage, but once he had learned a bit he did his best.

Speaking of 'best', it turns out that That Hair is no less neat than it was in his childhood, but Sayaka, is usual, is right: He can get away with it.

He scans the venue, noting the familiar Captain Dispersal seemingly charged with being the young speaker's ward, and moves to - what did the old man call it again? Ugh, that's right - "mingle".

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.

        Infrastructure may not be especially exciting, but it really is crucial for making sure people have quality of life--especially in places that are so often torn by war and conflict. Sheryl Nome isn't keen on war, but she has grown an appreciation for soldiers over the last several months, and she's long had an appreciation for those who much survive in the face of conflict. So while she may be in the middle of her Earth Sphere Global Tour (and indeed had to backtrack again from Africa to attend), she's decided to attend and show her support.
        
        Sheryl Nome's look du jour might seem fairly straightforward at first glance--a sleeveless floor-length black gown--but details sparkle in her dress both at a distance and up close. The dress itself is patterned subtly with an overlay of dozens of embroidered flowers, black on black, with a rich texture that breaks apart on the sides to defer to a veil trailing down from her hips, over her thighs, all the way to the floor. White jewels glitter up those sides all the way from the top of her dress at her chest and trailing down into the trail, sparkling along with black jewels as it goes further down into the veil that layers into the flowers of the gown. On her feet are tall, black, strappy heels, though they're hard to spot under the folds of her dress. A diamond necklace sparkles around her neck and a diamond bracelet adorns her right wrist, matching the jewels sewn into her dress. Her usual crystal drop earring adorns her right ear, but it's lost in the curls of her golden hair, which are twisted up on one side with a black flower pin flaring out a ribbon of black veil. Her make-up is on point--smoky eyes highlighted like the twilight, her lips the last red stop sign of the night, while tiny starlight jewels stud her expertly manicured nails.
        
        When she arrives, she strolls into the party hall as if she belongs there, and is flanked at one side by her secretary and at both sides by her bodyguards, all of them as elegantly dressed (at her insistence, naturally, and she won't accept anything less, Alto). She's spent her time so far chatting with various officials, and has at some point picked up a champagne flute, though being seventeen (legally an adult in the Macross colony ships), it's filled with non-alcoholic champagne. She applauded politely for Gayatri's speech, and when the young Daughter of Bridges skitters off, first to talk to Yuliana, then to the snack table.
        
        Sheryl glances over her shoulder at her companions, whom she's given permission to mingle as they please--though probably none of them are going that far from her--and then sashays over to Gayatri, eschewing Yuliana entirely unlike Treize. Why would she bother going through a bodyguard? She's Sheryl Nome.
        
        "You're not used to speaking in front of crowds, are you?" she comments to Gayatri. She offers a smile next. "Oh, I'm not criticizing, so you know. I respect the work you're doing, and you did well enough on stage. But your nerves are pretty plain, too."

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

Anita Rosetta, as a rule, prefers the kind of work that lets her accomplish things without drawing much attention to herself - the kind of attention that comes with it Expectations and Responsibilities, and extra, more tedious duties. All those nasty things that she could really do well without. Unfortunately, this has one small side effect - when it comes time for the sort of duties where someone just needs to be Present, she tends to be one of the first ones selected because it's not like she's doing anything else.

Attending fancy fundraiser parties is among these duties. For the casual, laidback Anita, this is hell. But, she's here and she does her duty well - smiling and nodding when expected and applauding when appropriate. ...Mostly she follows Rena's lead on this. This is only her second such event.

She is dressed for the occasion, at least, in a black formal blazer with matching dress pants and tie with a dark blue dress shirt underneath. Her gloves are a similar dark blue. All of this is there to help conceal her cybernetics. This isn't really the kind of event she wants to show them off at. She can't do anything about her eyes, but those at least are harder to detect unless someone's looking way too close. Her dark sea green hair, meanwhile, is swept neatly behind her ears.

All told, while it might not have been her decision to do so it's a testament to how, when she actually puts some effort into looking good...

...Anita can actually be pretty dangerous.

Currently, she stands with Rena and Arriety, a glass of some sort of fancy, obnoxiously fruity beverage in one hand. Unlike them, she can't feel the aura of silence, that void where emotional connections vanish. She hasn't yet noticed that something might be up.

"...Yeah. It sure is." She agrees with a nod toward Rena, before offering a smile to her and Arriety both. "You both look great tonight, by the way."

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        ---BEFORE---

        After some very eventful trips to Tokyo, the first of which was to choose a plant (with Liam), and the other to talk about her Angel experience and then, more importantly, watch a sunset off a cliff (with Kaworu), Lucine was happy to settle back into her greenhouse aboard the Nadesico and endlessly tend plants for a while.

        Except, an alert comes on her phone. She needs to represent the good folks of Nergal by being at some talk or another, something about buildings, and not crashing into them, and something that does not involve plants or piloting, which are two things she feels very confident with. ".... I don't think I've crashed into any buildings..."

        "You destroyed the watermill in Nemi." Her mother, on a voice-only chat, reminds Lucine as she gets dressed.

        "I was eight, and the Orion's controls were harder for me to grasp." Zipping up the back of her maroon dress, which was one she's worn before for one of Sheryl Nome's concerts, Lucine moves onto her hair. "Besides, that was Dad's fault for not watching me. He had one of his friends over, remember?"

        "He should have not let you climb into a giant war machine in the first place." Diana's sigh comes over the line. "... I was so angry with him. But all he kept saying was, 'My Lulu's a natural!' over and over like a complete idiot." Wistfulness is felt in the pause afterwards, along with a million words left unsaid.

        Lucine didn't need to be in the same room as her mother to know that chief among them would be, 'I miss him.'

        ---NOW---

        The maroon dress had to be repaired since it had been ripped in a few spots during the first wearing, when the concert was attacked. But now it's good as new, contrasting nicely with the blue-teal of her hair and the sprig of white flowers, in lieu of her barrette, helping pin her hair up.

        "So..... I can do this. I can do this. Represent time!" She shoots a determined look in the mirror in the ladies' room, then flounders as her gold eyes look just a little too sharp. ".... Not like that, less Azul, and more... inviting. Right."

        The door opens, and Lucine steps out.... and feels immediately underdressed, as she tries to mix in with the crowd. Maybe, if she has something in a glass? That always looks elegant. See, Sheryl Nome is over there, holding one too!

        And Sheryl Nome is here.

        Lucine is already screwing this up!!

        'Ah, and so this is how I would identify 'gardeners' in the wild, yes...?'
        '....since when a simple gardener has become such a devious infiltrant into society, that they require identification in the wild?'

        "Did someone say something about gardening?" says the seventeen year old holding a glass of some kind of punch, looking desperate to cling to some topic rock before she drowns in the social sea.

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        Dr Mass is never keen on Federation events. It's usually an excuse to peddle out the war heroes, and use them to drum up support. She has to talk to to impressionable young officers about what it was like on the White Base, and avoiding glares from old brass when she starts to say 'they used us as bait'. But it is necessary for the foundation's work, and infrastructure? That's highly relevant now.

        She knows the REA is not going to let her poach a bright young mind like Gayatri, but getting her to consult would be nice. If nothing else Sayla will have to talk to her, see if she can get her interested in the foundation. As long as that godawful headache eases up.

        Sayla is dressed in a black evening dress, low cut with a single strap going around the neck, and flowing ruffles. With it she wears a silver necklace with a large sapphire, a silver bracelet, and black high heels.

        https:''upload.wikimedia.orgwikipediacommons55bBlack_evening_dress_by_Patou.jpg

        She's also accompanied by a young guest, for whom she has just got a glass of orange juice. Sayla herself has a gin and tonic. She suspects she'll need it for the rest of the evening. "Please try and stop squirming. That's what you have to wear for work parties like this." Her eyes scour the room, assessing. Treize Khushrenada of G-Hound, several pilots of the Ra Mari, Seryl Nome, that singer from the Macross Fleets...

        And a positive familiar face, thank god. "Hey, why don't I introduce to you an old friend?" She suggests to Nidaime, pointing subtly to Koji, before walking towards him. "Dr Kabuto, it's been a while."

<Pose Tracker> Grace O'Connor has posed.

        For the talent manager and secretary of the Galaxy renown Sheryl Nome, attending a formal fundraising event is hardly unusual. The only difference perhaps for her in attending one on Earth is a slight difference in the feel. To her, a woman who had lived her entire life as the far reaches of explored space, a world with so many people and so much human history feels denser. More compacted. It doesn't help that she's also aware on some level of all the electronic devices around her - ones that people, are carrying, are communicating with. A burst of unencrypted data from one corporate functionary's phone indicating her disdain for just these sorts of proceedings before responding with joy to a wave from an older gentleman, expressing her gratitude for the invite. The older gentleman who, representing a party concerned with moral standards of today's youth and in particular had expressed concerns over the content of Sheryl Nome's shows, she had caught sending lurid pictures of himself to his assistant just minutes earlier.

        No, Grace isn't a New Type nor a psychic of any sort, but sometimes you don't have to be in order to read one's mind.

        Still there are things she can see that are hard to explain. Not all of her augmentations can be found on a Galaxy cyberdoc's shelf after all: Some are fresh from the military tech foundries in the highest echelons of Galaxy's corporate structure. One of these allows her to perceive fold waves in the environment... after a fashion. Fold waves, both natural and artificial, exist throughout the galaxy flowing with predictable patterns and hues. Save for anomalies like fold faults they move through matter as easily as open air and not much changes them.

        ... which is why it surprises Grace slightly when there is something in this room that does. Though that said, it's hard to read her surprise - either on her face, or from her mind. To an empath Grace herself would come off a bit odd. Reading her mind is like listening into a radio station with a damaged antenna: Every other word is lost. It's hard to decipher her thoughts and feelings... well, unless her feeling is particuarly STRONG as a young technopath found out.

        As for her arrival she arrived... yes, of course with Sheryl and her security escort. For her part instead of her usual understated green business attire she is instead wearing a sleeveless burgandy dress with a pink fabric cinch around her waist. The skirt has a slightly daring slit exposing her right leg up to the hip, while the collar of the dress parts and dips just enough to show the slightest hint of cleavage. Her usual (implant) necklace is worn around her collarbone, and a pair of dark violet strappy heels completes the ensemble. Her hair is worn in its typical loose twist, and her makeup is a bit more liberally applied but still natural and understated with the most obvious touch being her purple lipstick.

        As the group approaches Gayatri, and for her part Grace allows Sheryl to take the lead. She smiles politely in response to Sheryl's gentle needling at the fact the Daughter of Bridges was clearly uncomfortable on stage in front of people. She seems to relax a bit when she quickly follows it up with the explanation that she wasn't leveling a criticism so much as commisseration "Are you looking for another young woman to take under your wing, Sheryl?" Grace asks, gently chiding.

        As for the secretary, unlike her charge, her eyes the sweep some of the nearby individuals. In particular her violet gaze will meet with Treize, and she will incline her head politely: "Colonel Khushrenada, it's an honor." Her true goal though is that of his conversational partner: Yuliana Dispersal. Grace's violet eyes regard her with a neutral expression. She will hold her gaze, even should the woman return it, but at that moment her neutral gaze will become a polite smile. "A pleasure, your charge is doing well for one so young."

<Pose Tracker> Nidaime has posed.

Nidaime is accompanying Sayla. She has been told to dress formally. Nidaime doesn't have formal wear exactly but Sayla was able to get her into a long purple gown with a keyhole cut in the back with an a-line scoop neck and assymetrical chiffon lace. She is continuously sliding her feet over the low heeled shoes she has had her feet stuck into. She looks incredibly uncomfortable.

The one concession made is that Nidaime has been allowed to bring her ipod along which is fastened by a clip to her dress with both earbuds in her ears.

NIDAIME'S MOM: https:''www.youtube.comwatch?v=J0xe5DcnYSA&ab_channel=GreenDay-Topic

She wiggles like she's trying to escape from being wrapped up in poison ivy chains though she does stiffen and try to listen to Sayla's request she 'stop squirming'.

She pulls an earbud out of her ear and says, "Okay Auntie." She wants to seem as being cooperative, eyes slanting towards Sheryl Nome, beaming brightly as she sees her and giving her a big wave--

Oh, sayla wants her to speak to Koji. "Okay okay," She says.

She tries to put her hand in her pockets but she doesn't have any pockets so she just keeps fumbling with her hands together with the glass of orange juice as she looks up towards Koji.

"Hello Koji Kabuto! I'm The Second."

She's doing her best Sayla. She takes a long sip of OJ, leaving a thin layer of OJ around her lips.

<Pose Tracker> Brera Sterne has posed.

Brera is so unversed in matters of social etiquette that it's only by the miracle of Sheryl Nome he dressed for the occasion at all (and a miracle of dress codes that further forces the issue): a black suit with accents in violet that help turn a basic silhouette into something stylish enough to be suitable on someone working as an accessory to the Galactic Fairy. It is terribly impractical as far as Brera is concerned. Constricting. Hindering. Uncomfortable. His only solace is that everyone else present is equally compromised by their respective outfits.

Listening to speeches is not more important than listening for threats. Mingling with guests is not on Brera's schedule for the day. Neither is snacking, drinking, or dancing.

He is here to stand around, face like blank stone, observing the situation and its people to evaluate their potential threat levels. So when set free to mingle, he absolutely does not do this. He stays obnoxiously close to Sheryl Nome's sphere of existence, maintaining an unwelcoming presence.

It's important to keep tabs on the room as a whole, but with Sheryl Nome's popularity, Brera's gaze flicks frequently to those showing interest in the idol, contemplating how much force he would need to tackle them to the ground should it prove necessary, and where they might be keeping weapons hidden in their otherwise impractical clothing.

What do you mean many of those people would be categorized as admirers or fans? Brera has no concept of this.

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        This is not Alto's first black tie fundraiser. Which he had reminded to a certain popular idol when she insisted her wear the appropriate attire. And he looks pretty good in a tuxedo, if a little more on the beautiful than handsome side. But it has been some time since he last went to one of these parties. And he can't say that he's missed it. But, he's not going to be able to escape it so long as said idol is here.

        As such, Alto has a somewhat resigned look on his face while the final speaker finishes her speech. Once she does, Alto does applaud along with the rest of the crowd. He had never heard of her before today-structural engineering is not really his thing-but he had picked up on some of the basics about who she is and as such respects her accomplishments. Not to mention he sympathies with her position as a young prodigy in her field.

        With the listening part over, Alto finds Sheryl heading off, making a beeline towards the last speaker. Alto ends up following, less so out of concern or duty to his job as her bodyguard and more because so long as she's around, people will be more inclined to talk to her and less to him. Which is better, in his opinion.

        So to that end, Alto ends up walking with Sheryl and joining in a conversation with Gayatri. Though when Sheryl somewhat bluntly opens by pointing out Gayatri's lacking public speaking skills, Alto does try to smooth things out a bit and reassure her, adding, "Being in the spotlight is difficult for most people in the beginning. But you'll get the hang of it in time." It definitely sounds like he's speaking from experience.

<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.

"Ahahahaha," Elisa laughs at Eisen's assessment. "You didn't realize, did you? And yet they are always among us..." Despite any ideas that this should be awkward, Elisa and her companion of the moment are laughing in turn about the statement. Indeed, there is a moment of awkwardness--as the man in the suit turns to look uncomfortably at Eisen as he butts in. "Ah, you see, in context," he starts to say, and Elisa chuckles a little more, musically.

"What a charming boy! Yes, that inquisitive nature will serve you well when you get a bit older, I think." Then, she leans in conspiratorially, "You see, I happen to be recruiting for a gardener for a most interesting position soon! Terrible to use such an occasion as this for work, isn't it? But in the face of such talented engineers, perhaps I'll find someone with the passion for horticulture I need, yes?"

Lucine appears! Elisa brightens visibly. "Why yes, I certainly did," Elisa answers Lucine pleasantly, and nods to the gentleman she'd been talking to with a wink. he lifts his drink and starts to extricate hmself, his mission... accomplished?

"Is it an interest of yours?" she asks Lucine pleasantly.

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

Rena glances sideways at Arriety, and smiles -- a little sheepishly -- and then she glances back at Anita. It is impressive, she thinks, how laidback Anita can look dangerous when she puts her mind to it. Though, that's not all, she thinks. She looks at her for a moment more -- then her cheeks flush a bit after the compliment. "Ah, thanks, Annie. You do, too. The shirt, tie, and blazer really suits you."

Her hand comes up to the necklace she wears, and she adjusts it. A little aquamarine gemstone hangs from it.

She can't really keep track of everyone here. She does boggle a little at just seeing Sheryl Nome out in the party. But she ends up looking back to her friends, after a moment. "Want to get some food? Or...?"

There remains that strange feeling. Coming from Yuliana's direction. Rena glances in her general direction -- and there is another distracted look on her face.

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

        Anita in a suit is really good looking, Arriety thinks, and Rena looks nice too. "Yeah... I really like it," she remarks, then looks down at herself. "Mmm... I hope so. This was so expensive to rent... I don't like dresses. Like more than half of them have no sleeves, and the remaining half have transparent sleeves. They're made for people without scars."

        She spots Sheryl, Alto and some others in the crowd, moving to speak with the Daughter of Bridges. Well, that's really important people for you... There's Dr. Mass too, and Lucine... who's she talking to?

        "Hey... you feel it too, right? That woman..." Arriety starts up. "It's nice. Around her, it's like I'm back to being five years old. I kinda wish every party had a space away from emotions like that that wasn't the bathroom stall. It's like a non-smoking zone." wow, did arriety just compare yuliana to a

<Pose Tracker> Eisen Daiwel has posed.

"Hmmm?" Eisen's head shifts a bit when Lucine Azul pipes up. "That voice... you're Door Girl." He doesn't remember her name, but somehow does recognize her voice. This is normal. She has been reduced to just a nickname. This is also normal.

Still, he recognizes the desperate attempt of the Introvert kind, so he adds a welcoming nod to it all. Only to suddenly be treated like a young'in. Being called a boy. There's a little wince there at the word itself. He brings his hand left to his chest and adjusts his tie a bit, as if that could somehow recover his precious image. He looks like he's an adult to most - so it does stand out.

Eisen does however get drawn into the conspiratorial moment. Keyed in to such vocal adjustments, he answers on a low tone; "I see, yes. It must be a top secret project, seeking a gardener in this place. Let me know if you come across any Extreme Structural Engineers - and I will let you know if I spot any undercover gardeners."

He then leans out and tilts back to Lucine again while the other gentleman extracates himself. "I could swear I recognize your voice from somewhere." He then proposes to Elisa Kafim, giving her a look. "I swear I'd remember someone with your aesthetics. Have you been to any of my Bio-cybernetics conferences?" He inquires, taking a sip from the orange drink.

Maybe it's the orange-juice.

<Pose Tracker> Lina Lombardi has posed.

         Leaning against the bar, Lina takes a sip of her new martini and scans her eyes across the room. Geez, a whole lot of big shots here, huh? Makes her feel a bit small in comparison. I mean, hell, even Sayla Mass is here, from the One Year War! And that's Sheryl Nome--

         SHERYL GODDAMN NOME?!

         Lina very nearly chokes on her drink, wiping off her face with a very small napkin. What the hell were the chances of seeing her so soon after that concert? Truth be told, despite pop music not usually being her thing and the concert ending in...well, THAT, Sheryl's EPs had somehow found themselves in Lina's playlist rotation. It's all friggin' Alina's fault.

         Speaking of Alina, the mechanic who had pressured Lina into going to that concert in the first place, it sure was embarrassing having to go back to Moralia empty-handed after the kaiju attack. A few phone shots and videos were all she had been able to get, which placated Alina in the moment, but Lina sure hadn't gotten that fuel for the Alto. But hmm, if Sheryl is here, maybe...she could get an autograph to make up for it?

         Geez, no way, she probably gets that all the time. It'd be rude to just come up to her at an unrelated event and ask for something like that. But she's a celebrity, she's used to it, right? Ah, jeez.

<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.

        At the bar, Wen raises a glass, to Lina. "Try the brandy," she suggests, and doesn't have to feign her warmth. "I hear it's pretty good, here." Her eyes are distinctive red rings -- a cyborg, even if she's still got her skin. (She is drinking brandy, herself, so it might be strange that she's heard it tastes good. That's probably fine.) "Get your courage up! Go talk to them!" She hasn't noticed exactly what girl Lina is choking about. That's probably for the best.

        Yuliana knows something of Arriety's good old friends, but she's already been medicated. It wouldn't do to have a ranking officer downing pills in public. ... depot injections are more suitable for a situation like this, anyway.

        She brushes past Mitsuba, and her eyes dart to her, for a moment, as she catches that sudden lack of movement. She smiles; she continues on. But as it happens, there's no escaping the shadow of G-Hound -- because her attention is soon called aside by one Treize Khushrenada.

        "Oh?" She asks, a hand lifting, all shrouded in sheer veil, to curl by her chest. "Quite fascinating, isn't she? We're all very proud of her, here. But I regret to say that the young D'Cruze has something of a sensitive constitution -- for all the offers which have come to her, it is so important to ensure the safety of our youth, wouldn't you agree?" Yuliana smiles, easily, and projects warmth, even if there's no temperature to her.

        She has no intention -- indeed, no jurisdiction over -- releasing their Whispered to the hounds, but the game is still worth playing.

        And so, Grace is welcomed into the circle just as well, with a sweeping outwards gesture from Yuliana. "She rather is, isn't she? Though, you have me at a disadvantage, I fear. You are..?" She holds Grace's expression, with her one exposed eye; she, at least, does not stop smiling.

        Her gaze slips from her, behind her; she meets Rena's eyes, and dips her head, in a nod.

        Meanwhile, Gayatri startles at the snack bar, when she's approached by -- "S-Sheryl Nome?! I-- oh, I didn't, um--!" She reaches up to grasp her hair, which, judging by the split ends which haven't been entirely fixed up for the event, is used to a bit of worrying. "N-no, I was just, um... yeah," she settles on, a moment later, bowing her head down.

        "Get the hang of it..? I didn't even want to be here," she admits, to Alto and implicitly also with Brera, a shade morose. "But Jingyi -- sorry, the head engineer -- said that if I'm getting interested in the world stage, I should get involved in stuff like this... he even arranged, someone, to help me out here." A little pause, on that descriptor, as if Gayatri is hesitant to use the word she was going to use. "I just gave my dad some advice, come on... like, this whole thing is such a pain?"

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

"Dr. Mass! Good to see you." Koji looks for just a moment like he's been saved from having to talk to, Mazins forfend, dignitaries. "I don't think our paths have had a chance to cross since... Well, since a long time ago." Best not to be another person bringing up the Old War Stories, he thinks, Sayla must be getting way too much of that. "Sayaka would be here, but she has an appointment with Prime Minister Yumi. She told me to send her love though if you were here, and to, uh, I think her exact words were 'insist on having another girl's night out before the month ends'?"

His attention is drawn downwards, to a young lady who seems as stifled by formal dress as he feels. He offers The Second a sympathetic smile, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "You're pretty brave for coming to a big Grown Up Thing like this even though you don't have to." He looks back to Sayla. "How is the Foundation doing lately?"

Some lurking instinct keeps his eyes roving over and scanning the party. Old habits dying hard, or just curiosity? Hard to say.

<Pose Tracker> Mitsuba Greyvalley has posed.

Mitsuba startles a bit when she's addressed; her situational awareness -- usually very, very keen -- is presently a little bit in the hole. (This would be even passing stranger if anyone knew that Mitsuba's psychic awareness has never tested particularly highly.)

"... I suppose it is," Mitsuba answers, rubbing at the back of her head a little bit. "I was told G-Hound needed to maintain a presence at this event, but... honestly, I haven't had much exposure to this kind of thing." She doesn't want to quite admit that this is her very first party of this style, but she does concede, "The only time I've ever worn a dress this nice was the annual family gathering in October... and the last time I went was when I was six."

It's at this point that she laughs a little at herself, and adds, "I had to get Lian and Mayvy to even pick out a dress that would halfway suit."

Mitsuba does a little bit of mental calculation, before concluding, "... I think I'm going to get a drink, actually," she says, heading toward the bar. She overhears 'Try the brandy,' and decides she's going to do just that. She does need to pace herself, but...

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        "Ah, yes, I'm the Nadesico's gardener, in fact!" Lucine beams as she states her title. "And you are?"

        The last time Eisen saw (or rather heard) Lucine, she was inside the Dianthus, which was inside the Angel Jophiel, which was what Eisen himself was inside of. She was soft-spoken there, but somehow, more confident than here, which is not the stomach(?) of an Angel. This is normal.

        "You're..." Lucine is about to place where she's possibly heard (but not seen) Eisen's voice when he calls her 'Door Girl'.

        Now it's Lucine's turn to adjust the flowers in her hair, attempting to hide her wince. "... A-ah, I think we've met before. In... ah..." How does one delicately say 'in the stomach of an angel' in polite company? "You're one of the NERV pilots. Yes... ah... I was in a bit of a pickle right then..."

         Gathering her wits, Lucine bobs her head. "Lucine Azul, gardener and pilot of the Nadesico."

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

"Hahah, thanks." Anita replies with a chuckle, as Rena and Arriety echo the compliments. She takes in stride, as she does. So too does the presence of so many Big Names not really bother her. She notices them, of course, but they're simply There - much like she is. Rena, though, suggests food.

"That's a great idea. Let's check it out before all the good stuff disappears." She agrees. Of course, they could probably replace it before that - her train of thought is cut off when she notices that distracted look on Rena's face.

"...What's up?" Anita asks, setting her drink aside. She looks toward Arriety, then who seems to have noticed... something, too. She is, briefly taken aback by her descriptor. But she doesn't correct her. ...A space away from emotions, huh? "Which one?"

She glances in Yuliana's direction, as well... but, there's a few others in that area who could qualify, too, so Anita isn't sure who she should be looking at.

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"Ah, yeah, I'm sorry, Ah-ri," Rena says, with a bit of a frown. She hadn't thought about that. She doesn't mind the dress herself -- though she doesn't point it out -- but she always liked being dressed up. She inclines her neck a little, and looks up when Arriety points it out. Though, she wouldn't call it nice.

Disturbing, maybe.

"I feel it," she says. "I... don't like it." She keeps her voice quiet. "Not being able to sense anything around her... it's disturbing."

She swallows. Why is this familiar?

She looks at Anita, then. She won't sense it. "Yuliana Dispersal," Rena says, quietly. She heard of the name; an REA ace. "I'm going to go talk to her."

She gives Anita and Arriety a nod. She doesn't expect either to follow -- but she won't complain. She starts closer to her, and the others. Rena lifts a hand, in a little wave, as she gets closer. There is a glance at Grace and Treize, too; a respectful one, especially for the latter. She knows him by sight.

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.

        How can Sheryl trust Alto to dress fashionably when he chose a drab trenchcoat as the main piece of his bodyguard look! ...so Sheryl had told him when he'd reminded her he's been to these sorts of things before. For some reason, though, it had a token feel to it, and she didn't actually put up any resistance beyond that. He does look very good in that tuxedo, after all--as does Brera, which is good, because he's been sticking so close to Sheryl he's practically an accessory in his own right.
        
        It's fine, really. Sheryl had figured he'd act that way after their first meeting, permission or no to stray from her side. She doesn't mind serious types... though she has to say she prefers Alto's brand of seriousness over Brera's.
        
        "What are you talking about, Grace? Isn't it only natural to want to talk to the star of an event?" Sheryl huffs at Grace--quite a compliment to Gayatri, given her own superstar status. It's not a scripted line, either; she simply said what she was thinking. (Sheryl Nome has a bit of a reputation for saying too much in her interviews.) Alto chimes in with his own reassurances to Gayatri, while Brera keeps his attention on the crowds, searching out potential threats before they become actual threats.
        
        A hand waving high over the crowd catches Sheryl's eye for a second--but by the time she glances that way, it's gone (that is, Sayla's already directed Nidaime away). Funny... For some reason, she thought it was for her. Oh well, she's sure there'll be plenty of other grand gestures that will be. (Lina over there is already debating over whether or not to make one, even.)
        
        Sheryl directs her attention back at Gayatri. That's plenty easy, considering Gayatri startles and babbles a bit. "That's me!" she can't help but giggle, pleased to be recognized; it helps keep a smile on her lips as she spots those split ends, too, though Sheryl's gracious enough to not comment on them. Poor girl. Not everyone's made for the spotlight.
        
        "You'd rather be working on your passion, hmm?" Sheryl suggests, a touch of sympathy in her smile. It cools a bit when Gayatri complains that everything is a pain, but-- "Obviously I like the attention of the crowds, so I can't say I know exactly how you feel, but that Jingyi person is right. Even if you don't like being in the open like this, the cause you're fighting for is worth the trouble, isn't it?"
        
        A pause, and then she raises a hand to her lips in a tiny gasp. "Oh, but where are my manners? I haven't introduced you yet! Even I can make a little faux pas now and then, it looks like." She winks at Gayatri; perhaps that and the implication that even she isn't perfect at social functions might help the younger girl relax. "You obviously know me, and I obviously know you, but this--" She gestures to one side, "is Alto Saotome, and this--" she gestures to the other side, "is Brera Sterne. They're my bodyguards, but they're also my friends."
        
        It's maybe a little early to call Brera her friend, but Sheryl wants that to be the case, and so it shall be. She leans in towards Gayatri, raising her hand up next to her mouth, and stage-whispers theatrically, "Don't mind either of them if they're a little stodgy." She smirks playfully. "Boys are more fun when they start out uptight~."

<Pose Tracker> Lina Lombardi has posed.

         Lina sets her glass down and coughs a couple times, glancing over to Wen. "I just might, I can tell I'm gonna need something strong to get through the night." Her cheeks darken at the misunderstanding and the suggestion to just approach Sheryl. "Hey now, that's...that's not what that was about. I was just surprised to see Sheryl Nome here. I happened to be at a concert of hers not too long ago, what are the odds, right? It'd be pretty rude to approach her in a place like this, huh? I don't even have a backstage pass."

         She's done wiping herself off once Mitsuba approaches the bar. Lina had done the occasional job with G-Hound, so she was passingly familiar with her, though she doubted that the familiarity was mutual. "Captain Greyvalley, right? You're looking nice tonight."

<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.

Door Girl! How charming! Elisa, for her part, doesn't even seem to notice Eisen's wince. She is too busy being cheerful and genial. It's fine. But the conspiratorial moment is a fine thing to draw into, and she says, "Indeed, very hush-hush. I appreciate your discretion, Professor." She can read his card! Presumably. "I will certainly pass on any such useful intellignce..."

Lucine introduces herself, and Elisa beams at her. "Dr. Kafim," she introcues heself in turn. "Ahhh, it sounds as if the two of you have history!" she says. "A NERV pilot and a gardender for the Nadesico. What a fascinating pair you make!"

But her voice? Hmmmm. "Interesting!" she says. "And my aesthetics, mmm?" A beat, "I have not. Your face is entirely new to me! But your work is certainly of interest. The most fascinating beings, those NERV faces off against..."

Then she looks to Lucine, "Your expertise is particularly useful to me, however. Would you have any advice in seeking out a gardener for a ship? Things that might entice someone like you?"

<Pose Tracker> Treize Khushrenada has posed.

        Treize nods his head as he glances to Gayatri and watches the young lady for a moment while talking with the Captain, "Oh yes I am sure she is quite the gem of the Republic, after seeing the way that she implemented the new design of those renovations and at such a young age. It is no surprise that I am not the first to approach with offers." Turning his head back he returns his own smile, but its different then Yuliana's, it is cold and portrays little actual emotion or intent behind it. The iceberg of poker faces sits on Treize's face.

         This smile is soon turned upon the newcomer, Grace O'connor as he assess her for a moment before , "The pleasure is all mine. As I am sure you heard yoou are right in time to talk about the amazing accomplishments of Gayatri D'Cruze. Hoping to figure out how to get her out there into the world." A quick glance back to the Captain before he finally lifts the flute of champagne to his mouth and sips it. Waiting to see how things go from here.

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

        "I think it's the teal-haired lady..." Arriety muses, though she isn't certain -- there's quite a range on the void of emotional resonance, after all, and Yuliana is speaking to other people, but... in a way, the absence feels strongest around her. Rena says she doesn't like it, though, which confuses her.

        "Ah..." feeling worried, Arriety gets up to follow. "I guess we'll get food after," she says apologetically to Anita.

        Arriety doesn't know Grace or Treize, but can sense that they're important people; she kind of hovers behind Rena, since this was her idea anyway. She also feels awkward as someone with enormous gloves to go with her black dress. Another sip from her non-alcohol champagne. Maybe she should sub it out for something stronger later...

<Pose Tracker> Eisen Daiwel has posed.

Eisen nods his head, "That's right. Eisen Daiwel." He touches the nameplate. "Mad Scientist." They would not let him wear a rediculously large labcoat to this event, but he sure as hell will not be stopped from declaring his profession. And he looks so incredibly confident any excited about declaring that title.

Okay, so maybe Elisa Kafim was right.

"I do believe that being within the devouring belly of such a being would indeed be referred to as 'quite a pickle'." The youth then agrees. "Though I fear I do not recall..." Much after the last parts of the battle, hardly something to discuss within public. So he just cuts himself off and instead focuses on Elisa Kafim in that moment.

"A most curious pair indeed." He touches his hand to his chin and drops his gaze a bit, furrowing his brow. He's trying his damnest best trying to remember the voice. "Hmm - yes. The Kaiju we oppose are rather mysterious beings." He mumbles, while his eyes are clearly seeking for an answer.

"Nouvelle Tokyo?" He squints his eyes a bit. "You said that my work is of interest. Having you been near any Kaiju operations of NERV's in the last few months?" His memory is actually quite excellent. Being a Coordinator seems to have its perks. He quiets though, not wishing to interfere too much with the question Elisa has offered to Lucine.

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

It's interesting - the way Rena and Arriety both have very different views on the silence. Anita can only imagine what it feels like. If she were more like them, would she have a stronger opinion on it...? But she can't, really - she can only have an opinion on how it makes her friends feel.

Arriety points out the woman with the teal hair, and Rena gives her a name - Yuliana Dispersal.

"Nah, it's alright. It's not like it's all gonna go away." Anita replies with a shake of her head as Arriety apologizes. She's not about to abandon her friends in a situation like this - not when it's one that's making Rena uncomfortable.

She accompanies Rena and Arriety as they approach Yuliana and those around her, following Rena's example with a casual wave.

<Pose Tracker> Grace O'Connor has posed.

        "Grace O'Connor." The lilac haired secretary responds to Yuliana's inquiry with a polite curtsey. She then gives an apologetic smile, "Ah... but of course. You're probably more familiar with my work than with me personally. I'm the secretary and talent manager for the Galactic Fairy, Miss Sheryl Nome." She gestures to Sheryl nearby, who is currently regarding her secretary with a bit of a huff. It seems that her gentle chiding had the result of making her protege puff up in indignance. For her part the secretary just gives a suffering sigh, "Of course." Grace then returns her attnetion to Yuliana: "The two young gentlemen are with us as well. Warrant Officer Saotome and Major Sterne are both under contract to help protect Miss Nome." She sighs softly, "Honestly, it's been a while since such measures were necessary. But within weeks of our arrival in the Earth Sphere, we were involved in two incidents - one by pirates, and the other by Zentradi Separatists attempting to assassinate Federation officials in attendance. You can't imagine how frightening it was, nearly being swept up in a political assassination like that!"

        She blinks, and then looks immediately mortified. Her eyes turn towards Treize. She raises a hand to her mouth, "Ah, please excuse me I did not mean... I should watch my words more carefully. I didn't mean to bring up any rumors that..." Grace finally just offers a deep, apologetic bow, "Please excuse me, Colonel Khushrenada."

        Rising from her bow, Grace then attempts to change subject, "That said... as refugees from the Macross Galaxy following its disappearance, we're painfully aware of the need for money and attention to be brought to the plight of regions stricken by warfare. We have our money to offer as well... though I'm hoping there might be a better way for us to provide assistance to such a worthy cause?"

<Pose Tracker> Mitsuba Greyvalley has posed.

"Thanks! My technical chief picked the overall look, and my comms officer helped with color," comes Mitsuba's pleasant-enough answer to Lina. "You're --" She pauses, blinks a few times. Does she know her? ... Usually she's more on top of this. On the other hand, she basically sits directly in the personnel dossiers for hours each day, so -- "... a contractor, right? It's nice to see you under pleasant circumstances."

Sipping at her brandy, she offers, "Oh, this is good. I don't get to drink much... more than about one drink a day is hard on me. Sometimes even that's a little much." A little embarrassed, she follows up with, "... I get very noticeable facial flushing, and the hangovers are... an event. It's a little embarrassing." She rubs at the back of her head with her free hand.

<Pose Tracker> Sophia Mayhew Castellan has posed.

"It's not a bad idea. And, the captains of two different motherships," Sophia muses to Mitsuba. "Yes, I'm sure someone thinks it's a display of strength, for us two to be here as well as Colonel Khushrenada. These can be insufferable, but...it's sometimes worth seeing who turns up."

Her eye itches at the thought, drawing her attention to its power. No, too much of a crowd, she decides. Not yet.

"Well," she says instead, "they did a good job, for what it's worth."

<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.

        "Oh, is that Sheryl Nome? Wow! All sorts of people come to places like this," Wen exclaims, to Lina, as she finishes her drink and orders another. "But hey, parties like this are made for you to approach people you normally couldn't. Why not introduce yourself?"

        Meanwhile, Parminder looks over, as Mitsuba enters the BAR ZONE. "Ah, the Dreisstrager's Captain," he recognises her, immediately -- not so strange, considering his job is to know things. "Greyvalley, right? You don't look like you're having fun." He swivels around, on his seat, and points out a few of the pilots, immediately. "You can tell who was dragged out here, and who has something to say. Take that cluster over there," he jerks a thumb at Anita, Rena, and Arriety, "Londo Bell pilots who mostly just came here to look pretty. Oh? And it looks like they're off to talk to the Captain. Heh. Now, over there," he gestures to Koji, Sayla and Nidaime, "you've got the old guard, but at least one of them will talk your ear off all night on the subject. Just -- don't ask me about the kid. Most of the teenagers seem to be clustering off around each other, too... and huh, yeah, there's Nome. Maybe I should go rescue D'Cruze." He pauses, and decides: "Nah."

        "Hey, Parminder, how's the whiskey?" Wen interjects. She has a glass of it already.

        "Dry as a bone," Parminder says, "with a mahogany undertaste."

        Gayatri continues worrying at her hair, twisting it about her hands, as SHERYL NOME TALKS TO HER OH GOD? Sheryl Nome is winking at her, even, and that makes Gayatri hide herself in her hair entirely. "H-hi," she says, hidden in hair town. "Your bodyguards... are your age?" She wonders a moment later, peeking out from behind the twisted locks, looking from Alto to Brera. "You mean, you get along..?" She asks, with honest surprise.

        What does Gayatri have to compare to, after all? Oh, right -- Yuliana.

        "She is remarkably talented," Yuliana agrees, breezily, to Treize. "But you know, I admit to being a little surprised... I wouldn't have guessed G-Hound would be so keen on infrastructure, given your edict." Which may answer the question as to why she didn't ask for Treize's name -- she knew him already.

        And she thinks his cold smile is delightful.

        "And -- Grace O'Connor, I see," she nods, in turn, to Grace. "So you're the one behind the great Sheryl Nome! My cadet is quite the fan. So awful to hear about your poor luck on Earth," Yuliana sympathises, and it -- sounds like real sympathy, anyway. "But you know, there may well be something we could arrange, together. Shall I get you a contact card?"

        Yuliana turns, though, as Rena and her party approach, gesturing to them with an open palm. At the precipice of her sphere of influence is -- a sense of psychic vertigo, the warning before the drop, where things grow indistinct and, perhaps, uncomfortable. "Welcome," she smiles, to the three of them. "You make quite a striking party! Is that holographic make-up? And such a stunning suit, as well."

        Her voice doesn't sound familiar to them, thanks to the vocal distorter she employs when she's acting as Verdiska -- but there's nothing those measures can do to obscure the way she speaks.

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        Eisen Daiwel. Mad Scientist. Lucine frowns. ".... but your badge says 'Academic Professor'..."

        Sure, it's a joke, but the eye piece seems to suggest the lengths with which this young man would go for a joke.

        'What a fascinating pair you make!' Lucine is thankful that she wasn't drinking. Not that Eisen isn't a bad-looking fellow in her estimation; she's still just hoping the 'mad scientist' part was a joke. And not the sort of person who just might come straight to her if he knew--

        Oh, wait, he does seem to know. He called her 'Door Girl'. Lucine sips her punch, trying to keep from blushing. "I apologize if I was mistaken! It's just that, you called me 'Door Girl', and I suppose, you might not be a pilot, maybe someone I heard over the radio, and--" This is Eisen's out, if he wants to remain a Mad Scientist. Or an 'Academic Professor'.

        Which is why the topic of 'gardening' makes such a promising beacon of safety before Lucine lodges a foot in her mouth again. "Well, I suppose... it would depend on the ship? I'm not interested in switching jobs, of course... I find the Nadesico the right fit for me. But... I imagine you could interest someone. I can send you the blueprints of the greenhouse setup I use. I imagine it could provide a very good foundation for whatever layout your ship may have..."

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

Rena keeps her back straight as she walks. Yuliana's aura is disturbing to her; that sense of nothingness, that pries at her mind and makes it hard for her to focus on things. The fact she is having trouble focusing in front of a dignitary like Treize Khushrenada is telling. She doesn't quite have the wherewithal to tell Arriety why it bothers her.

Nonetheless, she is glad for both of them being there.

She smiles at Yuliana, and then she nods. "It is," she says. "The brand is from Side 6. I heard it came from one of the returning Macross fleets, originally, but I don't know about that."

She hesitates a second. "Lieutenant Rena Lancaster," she says. "With Londo Bell. This is Ensign Anita Rosetta and this is Arriety Hearne, a civilian attache to our squadron. Your subordinate -- compatriot? -- did a fine job with this."

<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.

Mad Scientist! "My!" Dr. Kafim answers. "I'd heard that mad science is terribly difficult to get insurance and funding for, but it would seem NERV is moving quite along with it!" Is she teasing? Is she sincere? It's hard to tell! One can't really read her feelings, even if they usually can; she is a bit of a mystery. But she smiles again at Lucile as she inquires whether it was a joke. "I'm sure no one in our little circle would ever joke about science."

"Aaah, so you were inside the kaiju?" Elisa asks with interest. "I should ask you all about it! We only have so much information on the internals of various kaiju, particularly those as exotic and interesting as those..."

Nouvelle Tokyo? Elisa looks blank as it's mentioned, waiting for Eisen to mention why the city is relevant. And then he asks the question, and she is rueful. "I've been in the city, but nowhere near as close to the operations as I would like. 'Safety regulations' and some such. NERV does like to keep its secrets... which I suppose I can't blame. it would be dangerous if all that information were released to the general public, wouldn't it?"

"But that," she says, turning to Lucine, "Would be ideal! Obviously i'd hate to poach someone happy in her role, but I am hardly a botanist myself..."

<Pose Tracker> Nidaime has posed.

Nidaime says, "Oh it isn't so big, heehee..! I could be way bigger than anyone else here if I wanted to be. I'm a kaiju." She just throws that out there because Sayla already said this man is a friend of hers but she seems pleased for the compliment anyway. She glances around obliviously. The room is filled with enough noise that it's hard to pick out anything beyond a general feel of the room.

"You're pretty brave for going to be a big grown up thing too," She tells Koji. She thinks it's pretty reasonable to reassure grown ups over going to grown up things too. Grownups forget to tell each other they're brave about doing this kind of stuff a lot.

"I came because I wanted to say goodbyes in case I didn't get the chance later."

She looks up to Sayla and then shuffles closer to her, holding her hand tightly. "You never know when you have to say goodbye."

"Auntie Sayla's really incredible isn't she? I don't know how to fix people like her."

<Pose Tracker> Lina Lombardi has posed.

         "I'm not surprised, you probably go through hundreds of contractors. Lina Lombardi, Concord Defense Solutions. I'm the one that pilots the outdated piece of junk." She lets out a small chuckle. She was probably one of the only ones around still using an EXAMAC, but hey, it got results. "And yeah, it sure is. Truth be told, it's been a little quiet around the company lately. Mostly a lot of public relation stuff like this."

         She turns back to Wen, following her lead and ordering a brandy. "Yeah, well it's still hard not to feel like a little fish in a big pond. She looks a bit busy right now, so I don't wanna bother her just yet. Need to get some more liquid courage in me, anyway."

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        Ah, Gayatri would just prefer to be doing the things she wants to focus on and not worry about things such as this party. Yes, Alto definitely sympathizes with her in that regard too. Which he openly laments with her, saying, "It's unfortunate but sometimes, in order to follow our passions, we have to end up doing things we'd rather not." There's been a few cases of that for Alto it seems, given the expression on his face.

        But Alto also agrees with Sheryl, nodding, "We learn to endure and adapt, because it's worth it." Alto glances at Sheryl as he says this. But only for a few moments.

        Alto is introduced, nodding his head to Gayatri in greeting. Though as Sheryl proceeds to stagewhisper, Alto naturally catches it and his eyebrow twitches a little, "Who are you calling stodgy?" He crosses his arms, before quickly adding, "Him, I can understand." He motions his head to the side in Brera's direction.

        Gayatri asks about them getting along. Alto relaxes a little once more and nods, "To be fair though, we were friends before I became her bodyguard." He refrains from mentioning that he doesn't necessarily get along with Brera though.

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        The wave surprises Sayla. "Have you met her, Nidaime?" She asks quietly. "We can definitely circle around. I'm going to need to talk to lots of people tonight." The void moves around the room. It's not like Sagara, who is simply unreadable. She'd find it closer to...

        Kerib. But Kerib didn't hurt so damn much. And eventually, she's going to have to talk to her.She's not looking forward to it. So she turns to lighter topics. "Nidaime's my nieve, of sorts." Explaining the whole relationship might be too much, even if Koji of all people might get it. "It's been far too long, anyway." It was last month, but Koji doesn't need to know that. And then Sayla smirks. "...That has been far too long as well. I'll try and make time, you both still have my number don't you?" For the newtypes, there's a definite increase in warmth from Sayla. Being reminded she still has friends, even if they're younger than her is important.

        "Well, for the moment. Counsellor Chidori seems to be distancing himself, so I'm going to have to start poking at others." She doesn't mention that she'd probably have to look at Japan, "And ever since things kicked off with ZAFT it's been harder to work in the colonies."

        And then Nidaime casually blurts it out. She shrugs. "That's a conversation I'll have with over a drink later, Koji." Still, Nidaime's maudlinness is... upsetting. The problem is... Sayla can't argue with it. After all... She's not wrong. Sayla takes Nidaime's hand, and squeeze it reassuringly.

        And then she blushes a little, because even Sayla Mass can be embarrassed by praise when it's in front of a friend. "...You'll do incredible things too. Sooner than you think."

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

        Some people have to pay ridiculously out of their high school student budget to look pretty, Parminder, gosh. She doesn't even get to keep it after! Inadvertently, Arriety is getting a face-first lesson in the horrors of being leeched dry in rent by the ballgown landlords. Just wait until she gets her truly independent streak and moves out from Minae's apartment.

        Yuliana turns to them. At this close a range, that quiet, dull comfort's turned into something like vertigo -- like staring at the precipice of an abyss, where things grow indistinct and uncomfortable. It's like all her senses are shutting down. Sight, smell, hearing, taste...

        It's like she's breaking down as a human being and...

        ...

        It's kinda nice, honestly. Like being at the precipice, when the seed shatters, and she sees the beautiful golden doors where her parents beckon to her...

        A liminal boundary, between life and death, just beckoning for her to leap without worry of the consequences!

        Physically, this mostly manifests as Arriety looking kinda distracted, with a kinda unsettling smile on her face.

        "Hello," Arriety answers, a little distracted, but with way less hesitation than Rena. "You should show me how to use that sometime, Rena... ah. Um, yes, I pilot sometimes, and cook other times."

<Pose Tracker> Treize Khushrenada has posed.

        Treize shakes his head at Grace, "Ms. O'Connor, it is quite alright , I appreciate the apoligy but rumors are rumors and I find the best thing to do is to simply ignore them. They will fade in time. At the same time given all the trouble it sounds like you have had, I would say those are a bit more then rumors. It is almost like someone is trying to put an end to your star, your people, and yourself of course. Have you any idea why?" Concern can be heard in his voice with the final question.

         Then of course he looks to Yuliana and doesn't answer her question right away taking a sip of his champagne for a momentary pause, " G-Hound is a military organization, this is true. However I like to think of us as an orginization there for the people. Indeed with the backers of some of Britannia's and Romefellers most generous members it gives us the ability to do more then just be a military force."

         Treize's eyes focus past Yuliana to those he recognizes as part of G-Hound, and almost wishes they could hear him. Then again the amount of times they are made to suffer through a Treize speech they would likely run if he was to clink his glass for even a brief toast. " The young lady said it herself, the battle doesn't end just because the fighting is over. The aftermath must still be handled, and improving and renovating the infrastructure of the world makes such tasks easier. It saves more innocent lives and contains the ripples that battle causes. "

<Pose Tracker> Mitsuba Greyvalley has posed.

"That's kind of you to say... I feel like it's wearing me, a bit," Mitsuba says to Sophia, still looking a bit embarrassed. She really ought to have just come in uniform...

Parminder gets her attention, and she answers honestly. "I was fine during the speeches, but a minute after we started mingling I just lost my nerve entirely. I thought I'd settle in over here, but..." Parminder starts people-watching, and Mitsuba follows along with that. "You're very astute. Your Captain is lucky to have you, I think." ... would these events be easier if she brought Lian along?

And back to Lina. "Oh! Yes, Concord. ... You seem like a hard worker, so I'm sure that'll turn around soon." She has thoughts about PMCs. She has decided they are not going to get voiced tonight.

<Pose Tracker> Eisen Daiwel has posed.

He barely seems to notice the blush, or the insinuation of the two of them being a pair. Almost like he lacks the drive to engage with such topics at that level.

He then turns to Dr. Kafim as she mentions insurance and funding. "Insurance is always an issue. It seems that people get really uppity about science that breaks the established well established practices." The young man speaks even-handedly on the topic, though he doesn't speak of whether or not NERV actually funds him.

He then nods; "Correct, Science is no joke. I would never joke on the topic of Science."

With Lucine piping up, he adds; "Hmm. That's because the venue does not accept 'Mad Scientist' as a valid occupation. So I had to use my fall-back." Eisen admits to Lucine with an expression that almost sounds far too serious. "And you are not mistaken. I was a pilot participating in the battle. I was the one who theorized what you meant with 'Door'." He impresses upon her that memory of meeting him.

The youth seems calm, but Lucine would pick up strange ripples beneath the surface. This constant anxious 'movement'. It'd take some more concerted effort to catch something beyond the surface.

"Indeed. We were inside the Kaiju. NERV of course has gathered specimens in order to combat them and keep humanity safe using the information found. The exotic insides of the creature were..." Pause, considering his wording, before he remarks; "Rather beautiful, in a way. I cannot speak of the details of course. You would have to get a commission with NERV and the clearance for more than that - as you say, the information could be dangerous. But I have found the new Kaiju we have been encountering to be strangely and exotically... fascinating and beautiful." He expresses. Which definitely doesn't sound normal.

"Hmmm." He then adds. "I could have sworn..." He shakes his head. "Maybe you just have a similar voice." He decides, and drops it.

<Pose Tracker> Brera Sterne has posed.

Gayatri tries to respond to Alto and Brera as a unit, but Brera is not so much as looking in her direction in that moment. The rudeness of it does not register. He assumes she isn't speaking to him in any capacity. He assumes he is not here to be spoken to.

All of this speaking back and forth, this 'mingling', does not draw him in. It's like a static buzz, and trying to focus on the context only makes it feel further away.

'Friends.' Brera's scanning of the crowd abruptly becomes looking straight at Sheryl for a solid three seconds. This is an eternity in Brera Time. This sounds like something of an inaccuracy. Or a cue he hasn't the information he needs to follow on. It leads to him finally looking at Gayatri, at least -- direct eye contact which is as close as Brera has to an acknowledgment and greeting.

You mean, you get along..? Gayatri asks. Brera looks away from everything to go back to doing his job, a way of answering her question.

"Do not forget why you are here," Brera tells Alto with no warmth.

This may also answer the question.

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

Koji...! Has seen too much to display overt alarm at Nidaime's pround announcement of her nature. He's had a giant robot confess her love to his own machine before, a small girl calling herself a kaiju is not that far removed. Not to mention.

"A kaiju for a niece, huh Sayla?" He's keeping his voice in that conspiratorial tone, not wanting too many people to overhear. "That's definitely a story I'd have to hear." He raises his voice a little. "Sayaka is meticulous about keeping everyone in touch with everyone else," he chuckles. "And I think she gets frustrated when she can't get together with Jun to talk as often as she'd like."

Nidaime is very clearly a young girl wrestling with something deep and complex, which gets Koji's attention, too. "It's... rough, to have to say goodbye to family. You're right - you never know when it'll be too late." An image of the Science Fortress Lab in flames in his mind, the last words of a man he didn't know enough - he shakes it off. "There's no sense worrying over having to do it, though. You should cherish the time you do get to spend with the people you care about. And, yes, Sayla is incredible," he agrees with a grin.

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

"It's not normal!" Ranka says into her phone with no small amount of heat. The gruff voice of Ozma Lee responds, "You weren't answering my messages! What was I supposed to do?"

-=Earlier=-

"I see. So this has all been a misunderstanding. I'm glad that it's been cleared up. Now Miss Lee, we're happy to release you on one condition..."

Ranka sat on the edge of her seat, hands on knees in an airport security office as she gave him a focused look. "Of course. Anything."

"Call your Brother, he's been driving us crazy."

Ranka crosses her arms and looks away. "I take that back."

The middle aged airport security officer gave her a severe look, in a stare down for a good fifteen seconds seeming not to back down, then eventually he adds...

"Please don't make me beg."

-=Back to now=-

"Not file a missing person's report with airport security! Now I'm late!" Ranka replies as she checks her makeup with a little compact. Silence stretches on from the phone, "Alright. Now that I know you're fine... I will let you go. Just one thing first." Ranka just glanced at her phone, "What's that?" "Turn on the video so I can get a good look at you." Ranka gives her phone a suspicious look, "This wouldn't so you can check what I'm wearing tonight- right?"

By the sound that followed, Ozma was supremely busted as he fumbled over a response, "Uhhh- I just wanted to make sure it was... something suitable, since there's someone in my squadron attending." "I'm hanging up now." "RAN-"

Ranka cuts him off by squishing her phone so hard that it turns black, and deflates, the eyes turning into x_x's.

Ranka is definitively late, though she doesn't seem worse for wear. As she enters, she tries to be discreet due to being so late, she's wearing a floor sweeping asymmetric pink gown with a sweetheart neckline and a bow tied over it. This asymmetric cut reveals a different layer of a skirt cut to look like person sized petals, in a contrasting gradient of white to a subtler yet vibrant shade of pink than the top layer that trails down to the floor in a final layer of white with a pink hem.

She's wearing a red corsage on the right side of one of her puppy dog like green hair, with the ribbon tucking behind and trailing into a longer satin ribbon behind her. She has on a pair of heels in a subdued shade of gold. Immediately spying Yuliana, Ranka goes deer in the headlights and contemplates retreat...

... except that she spies Alto and Sheryl not long after, as well as Grace and Brera soon after in other locations nearby. There's even other friendly faces in Arriety and Doctor Kafim now that she takes a good look around! Ranka looks around from side to side, and hunches over slightly as she grips her skirts and seemingly tries to make slow but steady progress towards Sheryl and Alto.

"It's okay... it's okay... she has more important things to do than notice you..." She mumbles to herself as if to psyche herself up for the idea of being in the same room, "... it'll be a nice night. A great night. Best night." Crossing the check point of the direct opposite of the room from the snack table, she circles around, and towards Alto and Sheryl, only straightening up and letting go of her skirts as she heads straight towards Sheryl and Alto - and thankfully Brera too as she breathes out a long sigh, "Saffeee..." Perking up, she puts on her best smile and approaches the three with a demure wave as she greets them emphatically but with a lowered voice, "Sheryl! Alto! Brera!"

<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.

        "Lieutenant Rena Lancaster..." Yuliana echoes, gaze lidding as her expression -- for just a moment -- grows entirely self-satisfied.

        How kind of her, she thinks, to pull herself back into her orbit.

        She blinks, and smiles warmly, again. "And Ensign Anita Rosetta -- and Arriety Hearn, is it?" She pauses on that last name, fingers veiling over her smile, for a moment, before she reaches out in a gesture towards her. (Or, perhaps, gesturing her forwards.) "A civilian pilot... how interesting. I'm sure you have quite the unique perspective!"

        She lets Treize put on his sympathy -- with enough professional courtesy not to interrupt. "Oh, yes, you have quite the backing," Yuliana agrees, mildly. "But this is the strength of the Federation, no? We have so many channels available to pool our resources together." She does not, in so many words, point out the implications of going around those channels to scout out talent.

        Meanwhile, Gayatri looks from Brera to Alto, and goes "...", because she knows better than to point out when someone's feelings don't line up with the stated facts. "But... you're right," she decides to settle on, a moment later, looking to Alto. "I guess there are always things in life you just have to find your way through." When Ranka makes her way in, she blinks, fixing her with a concerned expression. "... are you okay?" She can't help but ask, feeling that pushed-down desire to retreat.

<Pose Tracker> Nidaime has posed.

"Mmhmm! She sang a concert in Tsutsujidai and summoned my mom who looked into her heart and I think she liked what she saw." Nidaime says. She doesn't know for certain this is what happened but it's what she got from the situation. She doesn't always understand her mother and just usually tries to roll with it which works better for her. She knows it's important work at least.

Nidaime doesn't treat her status as a kaiju as a secret right now. Especially lately where she's still pretty excited at having found a kaiju friend who she hasn't seen in a while but he's probably okay!!

She returns the handsquoz tightly.

"Eheheh--thanks Saylie..." A pause. Maybe this is the opportunity. "Actually there's something I wanted to talk about later... After the party. About this guy I met."

Her own cheeks pinken a little oh no.

"I promise to cherish it," Nidaime says. "But I'm still sad."

She quirks he head thoughtfully at the Doctor.

"A lot of people have lost people close to them. But it's still rough to live out here."

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

The way she speaks... there is something familiar about it, but it's not something Anita can quite place, coming from an unfamiliar voice.

"It's nothing special, but thanks." Anita replies to the compliment with a nod. "Yours is nice, though - liking the color scheme."

Rena introduces both herself and the others and Anita nods at her introduction - briefly glancing Arriety's way as she does. She looks a little distracted...

"...You okay?" Anita asks, her voice low, before turning her attention back to Yuliana.

"Yeah, it's very, uh..." She starts, trying to find a good descriptor to follow up Rena's comment. "...Intricate."

...That feels like a bit of a fumble, but it's better than the thought that initially came to her mind, which was simply, 'expensive'.

"...Like a lot of care went into it." She adds, as an attempt at a save.

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.

        As Grace schmoozes up Yuliana and bows to Treize, Sheryl glances briefly her way. They're a respectable distance apart at this point, but not so far that she can't hear her name on her manager's lips. For as much as she'd huffed earlier, she does trust Grace implicitly, though. When she sees her with Yuliana specifically, she smiles, assuming it's more networking, and leaves her to it.
        
        "Oh? You think you aren't a little grouch too, Alto?" Sheryl teases, leaning towards him to give him a light and playful elbow in the side. "Though it's true Brera has even you beat!"
        
        Though speaking of Brera, Sheryl certainly catches the way he stares at her for a full three seconds when she calls him a 'friend.' It's true they aren't really there yet, but... even so, she meets his stare without backing down, her chin raised defiantly as if daring him to contradict her.
        
        But when those seconds end, Sheryl smiles brilliantly at Gayatri, sparkling as bright as the diamonds on her dress. "They sure are," she replies, and, "We sure do!" That smile warms as Alto admits they are friends, and she looks over at him with fondness in her blue eyes. It's masked a moment later as she draws herself up faux-haughtily and adds, "But yes, stodgy. Here you have a beautiful girl right in front of you and you haven't even asked her to dance! Aren't you going to fix that?"
        
        With Gayatri here, it's two boys and two girls, after all. Maybe it'll help her come out of her shell if she has an opportunity to get out of her shell. And if Sheryl can get a dance in too, well... so much the better!
        
        ...Of course, this is right when Ranka circles around and approaches the group, which might put a wrench in things. That's fine, though. Sheryl will figure something out, and indeed brightens when she sees her coming close, returning her wave with one of her own.

<Pose Tracker> Grace O'Connor has posed.

        'I'm a kaiju.'

        Even for a baseline human, there are certain combinations of words that just... carry their way to you, even across the relatively noisy din of a black tie fundraiser. For someone like Grace, it's far easier. Her cybernetic OS isolates individual voices and based on the ebb and flow of conversation links them together and places them in recordings. These conversation files are then stored away for future perusal, either by Grace or others. That said they are typically filed away ...

        ... unless something of particular interest is said.

        In truth, a childish voice saying out loud that she is kaiju isn't that interesting. But Grace recalls this particular voice. Recalls the sight of an impressively large figure wielding two normal sized glowsticks. Were she not there, had she not seen that same figure in a much pint-sized form factor, she might had simply assumed she was a Meltrandi child.

        But instead...

        Grace's eyes slide back to Treize, and once again she is smiling apologetically. But when he suggests to her that there is someone targeting her and her people her eyes widen a bit, as if in fear. "Do you know something...?" She then takes a deep breath, as if to steady her nerves, and raises her hand against her chest as if to hold still her own trembling heart. "Unfortunately danger isn't as uncommon as you might think in the idol business. Early on we had to face off the occasional threat from anti-Natural terrorists on Galaxy, and the threat of kidnapping and ransom is ever-present. That said, my client is ever motivated to stand bravely and confident as a symbol of hope and dreams to our people. And as long as that is true, I will do everything I can to protect her."

        ... "But, I'm just a single woman, Colonel Khushrenada, and there's not much I can do. I hope I can continue to count on the guidance and protection of yourself and the Federation." She offers a polite bow, and then her attention turns to Yuliana. "A card would be appreciated, but not necessary. I believe as long as we're in similar lines of work we'll have many opportunities to speak with one another. Now, if you both please excuse me."

        Grace moves then to approach Nidaime and ... Auntie Sayla? Hm, that's interesting. And alongside them both is Koji Kabuto. More and more interesting. It's so interesting that for now Grace is willing to put aside Ranka's arrival. Still, she does take a quick second to update Brera's mission priorities to reflect L-Q's presence.

        "Oh my, what a terribly frightening Kaiju." Grace's voice can be heard over the noise of the party as she approaches. "Please excuse me, I recognized this little one from Sheryl's Tsutsujidai concert and thought I would come over. Her enthusiasm for the music was infectious after all. I feel terribly that the concert had to end abruptly due to... inclement weather." She sighs a bit... "Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Grace O'Connor - I am Sheryl Nome's secretary and talent agent. I don't believe any of us have been properly introduced?"

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"Sure," Rena says to Arriety, with a glance over her shoulder, and a smile. "I can do that sometime."

She can't place Yuliana. Only a vague sense of familiarity -- and she looks sideways at Anita for a moment, before she tilts her head to the side. She doesn't keep eye contact with her for long, though, and then she looks back at Yuliana. She is quiet for just a second, then, at the self-satisfied expression. She can't place what it is.

She doesn't feel anything from her. That makes Rena feel colder and colder, on the inside. "Mm-hm. I'm... glad to see the Federation pooling their resources, to make things better," she says. She smiles. "It's nice to see. I think it helps morale among the pilots, too, to see us working hard. So... thank you for that."

<Pose Tracker> Lina Lombardi has posed.

         In a hypothetical, Lina would fire back with her own thoughts about the Federation, but this was proper company. "Yeah, always gotta be a war going on, I suppose." She downs her drink and continues scanning around, keeping a few glances towards Sheryl and her group. Yeah, she was definitely gonna be busy for the forseeable night. Lina supposes that's one of the downsides of celebrity, everyone wants a piece of you. Feels like that woman in the suit near her would snap her hand off if she even got close anyway.

         "Hey, you were right. The brandy is great." The mercenary's cheeks were slightly flushed red at this point, certainly she was good at holding her liquor (she's Italian, after all), but three drinks would make anyone buzzed.

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        If Eisen had been the sort of person to follow along with that pairing quip, it may have been his tally would have had to include one pilot as well as whatever amount of Angels he's defeated.

        "So you are a mad scientist?" Lucine blinks, her head tilting. "... But... not... say... the bad kind, right? I suppose science does not always need to be logical in order to happen... Ah, the door part was... I made a report to Mr. Nagisa." Sorry, Kaworu. You're going to have to take the hit for Lucine.

        Now that Lucine has had time to settle her nerves, she's taken notice of the two she's conversing with on a psychic level. Eisen seems to move with an anxious energy, either due to the situation, or perhaps... Lucine wonders. Could this be his normal state, more or less? It would make sense, for a mad scientist...

        Elisa, meanwhile, is unreadable. There are many such individuals that Lucine has encountered, often seeming that way due to no real fault of their own. Kaworu was one, but it was like encountering a calm lake of unreadable depth, existing rather than hiding. Elisa is...

        There's a perplexing amount of nothing at all.

        Lucine's not sure what to think of it.

        ".... Oh, ah, the kaiju, yes." Lucine drinks her glass down. "It was... the first I've ever encountered. I've encountered kaiju before, but never one like that... It was.... sad." Her brow is furrowed, as she looks down. "... I never got a clear look at the exterior of it... I will have to take Eisen's word for it..."

        If the EVAs are gargoyles and the Angels are what they fend off, what would the Angels look like?

        "Ah, don't worry too much about finding a botanist." Lucine smiles. "I was simply someone who liked gardening, and it felt better than to just be a pilot... I can't consider myself a botanist, even. I imagine you could find one, if you show the interest in hiring one."
        

<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.

"It's return on investment," Dr. Kafim reflects, a hint of melancholy in her tone. Just a hint, though. "If they can't be assured that the science in question is likely to profit them, then they won't endorse it. And well-established practices are predictable. Unpredictable things are a risk."

Mad Scientist... No, it isn't particularly 'acceptable', now is it? She considers the two as they discuss the battle and the Door. "Mad science is not illogical; it simply seeks to push limits. Do I have it right?"

"Fascinating," Elisa mentions of their being inside. "Of course, of course," she says when he says he cannot speak of the details. "But 'beautiful' is intriguing. Perhaps one day I will become curious enough. But today, I think I will have to pursue my own career, instead." It doesn't sound normal at all! But Elisa doesn't even blink at his finding the kaiju fascinating. As for what he could have sworn...

"Could be." She focuses instead for the moment on Lucine, continuing to be a 'blank' psychically. There's just nothing really there, is all. But for the moment, "Sad, was it? Hmmm... Kaiju are often misunderstood. It would make sense that they would have their own inner lives as any living being, yes?"

But a smile. "A gardener will be sufficient. I simply want a bit of beauty on a project I'm hoping to embark upon."

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

        Here, in this sphere of Yuliana's influence, Arriety is...

        ...

        Ultimately, she's been reduced down to nothing but herself -- the very essence of herself, without a single excuse like 'emotions around me are confusing me' or many other distractions and thoughts. The sheer violence in which that's all been ripped away is... she doesn't want to say 'exhilirating', but it's close.

        The first time she entered this space all on her own, she realised how disgusting and broken and unhealed she is. She panicked. She realised just how thin the guise of papered-over normalcy is underneath the still-gushing wound that's still roaring underneath.

        She's been there twice more, now. She's more used to it. And yet...

        This still feels like 'her'. No, this is 'her'. This was always been 'her'. She's never been okay. She's never coped. She never managed to find resolution.

        "Arriety Hearn," Arriety responds, still with that smile bleeding out wider as Yuliana punctuates her name, her smile a little mysterious and intriguing. "Ah, I'm not so sure... it sounds like there's been quite a few times when a teenage boy or girl accidentally ends up in the cockpit of a Gundam. The number of parties I've been to now where people wince at that reality... they've experienced it before, it seems."

        She nods quietly at Anita -- though both Rena and Anita probably knows Arriety well enough that she's definitely not okay... but maybe not in the usual way of 'not okay'. "Mmm. I'm managing."

<Pose Tracker> Treize Khushrenada has posed.

        Treize returns the bow to Grace, "It's been a pleasure Ms. O'Connor may you find safety and peace." He watches her excuse herself which causes a small itch in the back of Treize head like he isn't realizing something. However he ignores it for now as he is pursuing a goal and playing a game of politcs and he feels he is about to win.

         Then it hits him, Treize realizes moments before he is about to respond to Yuliana about the social faux pas he is making and chastizes himself. Taking a breath he does what needs to be done. Social etiquette demands he retreats from the current battle for now, "You have a point there Captain. I would say even Duke Dermail doesn't have even a percentage of the funds that the federation can supply. However Captain Dispersal, I must apologize I have kept you from the other guests and your duties. My apologies. I will reach out another time to continue this through more official capacity." With his own bow given to Yuliana he moves himself away from the Captain before stopping and sipping his champagne a moment to find it is empty.

         Treize begins to gravitate towards the bar where he had spotted several of his companions. Once there he places his empty glass casually on the bar for the bartender to take before he glances to occupants of Mitsuba, Lina, Parminder, and Sophia, "How is everyone doing tonight?"

<Pose Tracker> Brera Sterne has posed.

There's no further challenge given to Sheryl, but Brera does not know what to make of her response of staring right back. No additional information seems to come from it -- simply her continuing to insist on this precarious reality.

But a voice cuts through the crowd and Brera's attention is drawn to it above all else. "Ranka?"

The static cotton of the room clears a little, before new mission priorities arrive in an instant, and it blurs the line between what he thought he may have experienced and what's merely a command he must follow.

Gayatri asks if Ranka is okay, and Brera double takes, looking Ranka over more carefully, wondering what it is that Gayatri identifies that he hasn't. Did something happen? Is something wrong? Was she hurt...?

<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.

        When Sheryl says that there's a beautiful girl who he hasn't asked to dance, Gayatri physically squeaks. All in one breath, she excuses herself: "SorryIhavetogoaskCadetWattanasomethingitwasnicetomeetyoubye!!" She proceeds to do a veritable youth roll over to the snack bar and scramble over to Cascade, who is currently very busy stress-eating and perfectly happy to welcome another to the arena.

        "Of course," Yuliana agrees, easily, to Grace, smiling to her. "Do have a good time." She's not going to stop her from chasing her dreams. Or... a small child. Why is there a small child at the party? Oh, right, she thinks, as she looks over that way -- Mass. It's probably one of her orphans.

        "We'll be happy to be in touch," Yuliana tells Treize, in turn, with that same pleasantness. Part of her feels it's a bit of a shame to point out the obvious, when they were having so much fun -- but there are many people here to play with, by her reckoning.

        For instance: the Londo Bell contingent.

        "Why, thank you," Yuliana smiles to Anita when she compliments the colour of her dress, and it's the expression she has to try the least about, amongst the three Londo Bell pilots. "I'm quite fond of it." Despite herself, her gaze flicks across the room, for a moment; there are plenty of people with purple hair in attendance, though, so it's hard to say she's looking at one scientist in particular, especially when her attention goes right back to the pilots afterwards.

        She kindly elides Anita's social faux pas, even. This is the true currency... of respect. Perhaps it weighs more, hearing the way she declined to ignore Treize's. Perhaps not!

        "It's important to see to the union's cohesion now and then," Yuliana agrees, too easily, with Rena. "The smallest thing can bring such an elaborate agreement down... and it's the normal citizens of Earth who would suffer. A formal party now and then is a small price to pay, wouldn't you agree?"

        She smiles, too, too welcoming, to Arriety.

        "In a world like that... falling into the cockpit would consign you to a life entirely apart from civilian, after all. You're right, it is a sad reality -- I'm quite privileged to have chosen to enter the military of my own volition."

        Choice is such a normal thing. Isn't it?

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        Alto gives Gayatri a reassuring smile as she seems to understand what the two are getting at. It doesn't last long though as Brera interrupts with seemingly the only words he's said all party. And they are to essentially complain about Alto's lack of focus on the job. Or at least, that's how he takes it. Alto gives Brera a hard look, countering with some annoyance in his voice, "I know." Alto looks rather frustrated at the cold comment and may even be considering going further.

        But thankfully Sheryl draws his attention once more, so he drops it. Instead he listens as she points out his failure to ask the 'beautiful girl right in front of him' to dance. At which point Ranka happens to join them. Alto briefly glances at her, before looking back at Sheryl and smiling, "You know what, you're right."

        Alto takes a few steps towards Sheryl...

        ... Before moving past her just slightly to stand in front of Ranka. He smiles as he looks down at her, raising his hand up to her, "Ranka, would you like to dance?"

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

Rena's brow furrows for a moment, but she nods her head in agreement. It's still a little hard to keep her focus on Yuliana. "We can all survive some formality," she says. "Because you're right. The normal citizens of the Earth Sphere would suffer."

Nevermind that Yuliana didn't specify that.

She tilts her head to the side. "I'm glad you could. It's good when people get to," she says. "Even if it doesn't always work out that way. It's important to make sure people have a choice, whenever they can."

A little part of her rankles, reminding herself that she is probably saying too much. She manages to quiet that, for the moment.

"I'm glad we could come, Captain," she says, with another smile.

<Pose Tracker> Brera Sterne has posed.

Alto asks Ranka to dance.

Brera straightens somehow impossibly more than he already is by default. He looks at Alto, his cybernetic eyes a few shades redder. The knives inside him itch.

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        "I won't lie, it's certainly changed my life a bit having Nidaime and Leina to look after. Not that I really need to look after Leina anymore." A little sadness, a lot of pride there. Sayla shakes her head. "Gods, Jun too. Guy told me she was expecting, I really need to make time. Sort out a suitable gift, too." This is Sayla Mass. A suitable gift for a baby shower might be a fully refitted nursery. She's like that.

        And then Koji takes over comforting Nidaime and Sayla... relaxes. She smiles. "You've come a long way, Koji."

        Nidaime then raises something and that catches the ever confident Sayla Mass off guard. "About a guy you met, huh?" Sayla raises an eyebrow. Oh good. "I suppose this isn't something your parents can help with much, huh. Alright."

        And then Grace walks past and Sayla glances up. And Tsutsujidai as well. Has it become that open? Can it ever go back to the world it was? Sayla is carefully hiding her emotions. And trying to read Grace's. But it's hard here. She has to keep her walls up. Protect herself. Especially with the green haired woman lurking around the edges. "I see. That's unfortunate." Sayla extends a hand.

        "Dr Sayla Mass, from the Yumi Foundation. This is Dr Koji Kabuto, Photon Power Labs. And this is Nidaime. A pleasure to meet you, Ms O'Connor. I hear Miss Nome has been making something of splash of late."

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

Ranka gives Sheryl the biggest smile as she waves back, utterly oblivious to her prior plans, before she says with all sincerity to him. "It's good to see you."

Though Gayatri seems to sense her discomfort and Ranka quickly tries to cover for it. "Fine! Perfectly fine." Ranka chirps to Gayatri, as she smiles back before there's a sparkle of recognition, "Oh you were the final speaker right? Miss D'Cruze? Pleased to meet you - I'm Ranka Lee." She'd very diligently been streaming the speeches from the party on the way through her phone since she was going to be late until Ozma interrupted that too with yet another call. "I really liked your speech. I wish more people out there thought like you do."

Alto moving towards Sheryl is not unsurprising to Ranka... though when he moves past her up to Ranka, it causes her green hair to lift on both sides as if she were startled...

Brera if so inclined to get a detailed scan of Ranka in this time frame for things he might have missed sense a subtle increase in body temperature, a distinct elevation in heart rate. Respiratory rate slowing into brief apnea, before then quickening. A distinct pink hue is cast upon her cheeks that nearly matches her dress.

... slowly she puts a gloved hand in Alto's, before saying back quietly, "I'd like that." That statement probably ranks as one of the biggest understatements of her life.

<Pose Tracker> Mitsuba Greyvalley has posed.

Mitsuba has, by this point, downed a fairly tall glass of brandy. She looks to Lina, noting, "I'm honestly hoping we can unify the Earth within the next two years. It's for that purpose that the Dreisstrager exists, after all." A hand comes up to her forehead, rubbing in a small circle before adding, "Though it seems like it actually exists for me to find random noise in the projections and then sit there for three days..."

... That's definitely too clipped. She'd been considering a second glass, but, no, that's definitely enough for now. "What theaters have you been operating in lately? The Dreisstrager saw its first direct combat in months in Africa..."

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

        Arriety's never really been one to speak about unity or groups of people larger than a classroom; the bigger they get, the more abstract and confusing it becomes to her, and yet... the easier it seems to be for people to justify doing real shitty things to each other, is all she's concluded out of it, and it's not even a conclusion she had to enter the military foray for -- she's seen it enough in high school.

        "A lot of times we think we have a choice, but I wonder..." Arriety muses. "But you're right. I can't pretend I'm a civilian anymore. The more I try, the more it just seems to push me back away from that life. I'm probably just pretending I'm a civilian attache at this point."

        Arriety's being more aggressive than usual tonight. Part of it is her meds -- she's always more blunt and less timid when sedated. Or maybe she's just decided she's done wanting to pretend at this kind of event.

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.

        No one can accuse Gayatri of lacking discretion. Unfortunately, Sheryl's brewing scheme of helping her social skills by setting her up on a dance with one of her bodyguards goes up in smoke when Gayatri, at the mere implication that a dance might happen, squeals and ejects from the situation like a Knightmare Frame pilot. Sheryl gives her an astonished stare that she fixes into a gracious smile, however annoyed she otherwise feels.
        
        "Nice meeting you too!" she calls at her back and lets her remove herself. She shoots a glance Ranka's way and shrugs, as if to say, 'What's up with her?' like it was no big deal, then takes a sip of her bubbly. When she draws the flute away, she tosses her golden locks, styled into drill curls draping over her right shoulder, to give herself a little air. Alto gives her a smile...
        
        ...and then asks Ranka to dance.
        
        Gayatri is one thing. She's a shy, awkward girl who they'd all just met. Alto is clearly messing with her by asking Ranka out to dance, and right as she arrives, no less. Not that Ranka isn't an adorable sight--Sheryl would want to dance with her herself--but it's still... and when Ranka accepts his hand...
        
        Sheryl sets her barely-touched drink down on the nearby table with a resolute quiet. She turns a sweet smile to Brera. "We can't let them have all the fun, can we?" she says, more a statement than a question despite the upward lilt of her voice. She holds her hand out to him. "Shall we?"

<Pose Tracker> Nidaime has posed.

Nidaime remembers Grace as the nice lady who helped set up that concert so she grins, showing off that little fang of hers as she, with her free hand, claws the air at her, "Rawwrr...!" She rawwrs playfully. "It's okay. Because you put on that nice concert I got to see my mom again. Thank you." She beams. It's no wonder that she has such a positive opinion of Grace if that's what she (inadvertantly) did for her.

IT makes her happy to think about how many friends and family Sayla has.

"Not really," Nidaime admits. "Though he did meet mom cause he was at the concert. Come to think of it, he met dad too."

Though Anosillus the First isn't that much of a talker unless you can speak turtlekaiju.

"I'm the Second," Nidaime tells Grace, dipping her head. She doesn't remember if she introduced herself last time. Nidaime and The Second mean the same thing, of course but Nidaime usually uses The Second when trying to be formal.

"I will treasure my Galactic Fairy t-shirt forever." She adds. "That other lady who liked singing was peaty neat too!" Ranka Lee, she means.

<Pose Tracker> Lina Lombardi has posed.

         "Ah, lemme see, where was I last deployed...I think it might have been Brittania. Dreadful place, that. And two years? Well, that's plenty of time for me to get my resume all together, ha! Gotta find an opening for a saxophone player or somethin'!" The alcohol is definitely starting to make Lina a little louder, which Treize can hear coming up to the bar. "I'm doing just fine, dear. Try the brandy!"

<Pose Tracker> Eisen Daiwel has posed.

"Hmm!" Eisen nods his head acknowledgingly when Lucine once again seeks to confirm whether or not he's a Mad Scientist. But when she asks whether or not he's the bad kind, all he really does is show a little short smile to her. He doesn't answer her, and instead skips the door topic; "I will have to inquire with the Pinch-Hitter then." He answers her, as he puts his now empty glass of orange juice onto the platter of a waiter who happens to be coming by with far too much ease.

He then nods when Elisa speaks on returns of investment. "No, it makes sense. They have to protect their own livelihood. I get it. But... it gets in the way of progress." He expresses to Dr. Kafim. "As you say - it seeks to push the limits." He motions his hand as he speaks, warming up to the woman.

"Sad?" He then asks, as she furrows her brow. "Hmm - I don't think I've ever really considered that it could be 'sad'." He considers Lucine's words for a moment longer, giving her a focused look. That right eye of his sounds like it's got some fine cogs whirring within it for a moment. "It seems like my theory tracked after all then." He notes. She no doubt would remember the words he spoke to he within that Kaiju.

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

"Yeah, for the longest time it was just me looking after Shiro, and then, well, Everything Happened. I'm lucky he grew up such a good kid." He leaves it at that for now, but - aw geeze, Sad Child Alert. Think, Koji, what would Tetsuya say?

"It's okay to be sad, I think. It means you care, especially if you think you have to say goodbye." Without more information, Koji can't really offer much in the way of concrete advice.

Sayla thinks he's 'come a long way'? Now it's his turn to look embarrassed. "I guess, yeah. Can't let Tetsuya hog all the Good Example glory, right? And yeah, uh, I think a present would be in order, otherwise when she's had the kid she might come after you demanding an explanation." He's joking about his old rivalries but there is genuine affection for his adoptive siblings under that banter. When Nidaime starts talking about a guy she met, though, he shakes his head. "Ah, there I'm most definitely out of my depth."

And then they're approached by someone who claims to be Space Idol Sheryl Nome's manager. That's curious, though perhaps less so when Grace volunteers the reason she's joined them. Still, to take interest in a child, even a kaiju...

Koji offers a handshake when Sayla introduces him to Grace. "Nice to meet you. The 'Galactic Fairy' is making waves pretty quickly, my little brother's caught the bug now too."

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        Alto's initial thought had been to ask Gayatri to dance, not realizing that he had almost been playing right along with Sheryl's plans. It would have been a nice, polite dance for sure, given the two had only just met. And, not being aware of said plans of Sheryl's, a way to once more tease her in a similar way that she has done to him in the past.

        However, as Alto takes Ranka's hand and proceeds to guide her out onto the dance floor, he quickly realizes that this situation is NOTHING like that and his quick decision to instead change to asking Ranka (Gayatri having made a quick exit) had changes things drastically.

        And now, as Alto begins to lead Ranka in a slow dance-somewhat expertly and gracefully too, especially for a teenage bodyguard-he is definitely aware of how this looks. And it's starting to show on his face as he looks at Ranka.

        Trying to distract himself and also perhaps Ranka from it, Alto decides to try some conversation, asking, "I was wondering when you were going to arrive. Did you have some trouble finding the place?" Yes. A flawless distraction.

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

Anita doesn't miss the way Yuliana's eyes go elsewhere on the topic of the color scheme... but it isn't long enough to pinpoint where. Nor does Anita try to figure it out - it's not like she's here to pry into her social life.

Yuliana speaks, and Rena... Anita glances her way. Anita can tell when she's a little heated. It's not like she's against it - in any other situation she'd even encourage her to speak her mind. But this might not be the place for it, with so many eyes watching and ears listening, and tensions so high, so Anita takes a careful step closer to Rena and sends a glance her way - a reminder of her presence.

Arriety, though... Anita frowns, massaging the back of her neck. She's not sure what she can say to help her there.

"...Yeah, glad to be here." Anita adds after Rena, with a glance at Yuliana.

<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.

        Parminder is just casually listening in on Mitsuba and Lina's gossip. This is probably fine.

        Perhaps when Yuliana is fond of 'it', that's not quite the pronoun which ought to be there -- but it would introduce far too many questions if Yuliana were honest about the glance Anita catches.

        She smiles at -- the Earth Sphere, hmm. What an interesting edit to the statement. "Yes," she agrees, spreading a hand to Anita and Rena. "It's always nice to meet people from other organisations under this broad umbrella." She meets Rena's gaze, steadily, through her patter, and therein lies the unspoken statement: how nice to look in their eyes.

        At last.

        Her attention moves to Arriety, though, after she wonders about whether they really have a choice. For the first time, her brow twitches -- the shadow of a frown, though she puts it aside for a smile quickly enough. "Is that so?" She asks, and there's no way to tell her concern is feigned, really, when her empathic signature is such a black hole. The strongest clue to her insincerity is the denseness of her back-and-forth, over-written like an author trying to make a point -- and as they all know, some people just talk like that. "How sad... if you wish for a quiet life, it's a failure of the world that it would ask you to fight." Her gaze settles on Arriety, and the question in her eyes is left to the wistful edge of her phrase:

        So, do you?

        Wish for a quiet life, that is.

<Pose Tracker> Treize Khushrenada has posed.

        Treize blinks at Lina, being called dear is not what he expected, in fact he is obviously thrown off a little as he looks at the others at the bar for a moment and then his mind finishes up parsing the sentence. The brandy. " I see and it appears you have made quite an acquaintence with the brandy already, right dear?" The word is added intentionally in hopes Lina will take notice of the situation, or else they will end up in the gossip column.

        Taking a moment to give his own order to the bar tender he looks around the bar once more before speaking to Mitsuba, " Captain Greyvalley, a pleasure to see you again. I must thank you once again for the support in Africa. I suspect I would not have survived the Zaft incursion had you not been there."

         Looking for a moment over to Parminder he makes note of the man before continuing with his remarks, "Are the repairs to your ship going well? Given the incursion by Zaft last time, who is to say what may appear next."

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.

        'Shall we what?' Brera asks, seemingly genuinely baffled.
        
        Sheryl frowns slightly.
        
        "I see I'll have to lead," she says, and grabs his hand. "We're going to dance. Don't worry about it, just follow my lead," she asks, because Sheryl has some mercy in her fierce and golden heart. Because that absolutely doesn't stop her from trampling all over Brera's innocence, she pulls him close and adds in a murmur, "You're not allowed to refuse!"
        
        Then, with Alto and Ranka in the corner of her eye, Sheryl pulls Brera onto the dance floor and sways with him to the beat of the music. Hopefully it's not a frenetic one, for his sake.

<Pose Tracker> Grace O'Connor has posed.

        'He looks at Alto, his cybernetic eyes a few shades redder. The knives inside him itch.'

        <Sterne, I'm detecting an unexpected activation of your combat interface. I'm unable to detect a threat on my scans or yours. Please explain the reason for activation, or stand down and submit yourself for a maintenance cycle after this engagement.>

        To a certain extent though, Grace already knows the answer. Though even she is surprised sometimes just how much this stimuli... jars her Stella Project Prototype. Putting aside the augmentations simply the fact that he was left nearly catatonic and largely amensiatic. If only she could have brought the stimuli to him sooner . . . though, well, that would be very much using the solution to fix the problem.

        If she knew where the stimuli was back then, she wouldn't have needed Brera to begin with...

        These feelings, and others, are hard for Sayla to read. Beyond the disruption from the nearby Dispersal, there's also the fact that Grace's mind is strange to read. Despite her external appearance being that of a completely normal human the fact remains that all of her body and even most of her brain has been replaced with advanced cybernetics. Someone familiar with war time injuries, particularly head injuries, might be familiar with reading a mind like this. Where one part of the brain is attempting to talk to the other... but is only met with silence. In that case though the brain, and the person, becomes confused or disorganized: Two words that no one would associate with Grace O'Connor.

        "Ah! Dr. Sayla Mass, it's an honor. I've read of your exploits while catching up with Earth history before our arrival. Though I wouldn't be surprised that I've only scratched the surface."

        "The Second, hm?" Well... it's not unusual, particularly for male children, to be called The Second. But who is the first? The mother? Or the mysterious father? Every answer leads to even more questions. It is certainly enough to set her researcher's heart racing. "And I'm certainly happy to hear you'll treasure one of Sheryl's shirts. I'm glad your mom was there to help buy it for you. Hm?" The other lady who was singing, "Ah, you must mean Miss Lee. She's a fan of Sheryl's... and I think she has a bright future ahead of her."

        A bright future indeed.

        Grace offers her own hand to Koji, when it is offered. Despite how alien her mind might feel to Sayla, to Koji her hand feels as natural and normal as any other human hand. "Ah! And Dr. Kabuto, it really is a pleasure. I had high hopes for this evening, but even I didn't expect to find myself in such august company."

        Once her hand is returned to her, Grace glances over the three. Though this time there is something different - her eyes seem to be brighter%, almost like they are glowing. If Sayla is familiar with medical grade optical implants she'll likely recognize this as a scan. Her eyes linger just slightly longer on Nidaime... and then the glow starts to fade as the eyes return back to their normal dark violet color. "Sheryl is excited to do her part to support those impacted by the ongoing warfare. I'm hopeful that tonight will give us an opportunity to network with other interested parties. Dr. Mass, I understand you do a lot of work with war orphans?"

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        The cogs whirring are just loud enough for Lucine to hear them; instinctively, she has the empty glass in front of her, as if... what, would she really do something with it here? He's just looking at her.

        Curiosity is not, by itself, a bad thing, as she knows just a little of what exists on the surface of his psyche. Still. "... I've made my report, so..."

        It's as likely to a 'yes' as Eisen will get.

        "Kaiju seem to be a very large category..." She clears her throat. "... That is... I didn't mean a pun by that... but, I imagine what exists is beyond what box we have. The Kaiji that attacked Tokyo-3.... I'm not sure I could really say what they are, but... it was sad that one of them was enslaved that way... It meant harm to humanity, yes, but... to be used like that is... cruel."

        Eisen's mind is active.

        Elisa's... is blank. She needs a gardener. For a project.

        And this shouldn't be a problem. This is the way it is for everyone without her abilities, and they function just fine. She'd even say they might do even better, taking chances and risks that someone like her with never do, in fear of putting herself in harm's way and knowing exactly why.

        It wouldn't hurt to at least ask. "... Well, what sort of project is this? I suppose... Nergal wouldn't mind, as long as I am keeping up with my duties..."

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

Ranka resolves not to stumble on the dance floor in her heels. Despite the fact that she stumbled at Nyan Nyan all the time even without that handicap.

However, despite that perceived lack of grace in herself, dancing with Alto somehow makes it easier? Perhaps because he's so graceful when she's leading her. Content to follow his lead, she's unable unable to keep herself from smiling as she goes through the steps of the dance - just allowing herself to enjoy this moment, be swept up in it, as if it made all she's had to endure recently from numerous attacks and brushes with death worth it.

When Alto asks her that question though, Ranka's eyes shift to the side briefly before coming back to him. "Ah. No. Not this time." She drops her volume further before confiding what happened in a quick summary, "My big brother is just... a lot, sometimes."

A beat, then she amends.

"Most of the time."

Ranka just gives her head a small shake before trying to put a more positive spin, "I'm just glad I made it. I feel like tonight has already more than made up for all of that." As Alto turns her around in the slow dance step, she blinks - surprised yet not that surprised as she sees Sheryl leading Brera onto the dance floor, before quickly moving her eyes back up to meet Alto's.

"Did I miss much?"

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

Rena feels Anita step closer. She can sense her -- it's one way, something she sometimes is grateful for, and sometimes regrets -- and it reminds her of where she is and what she should be doing. She lets out a breath, and pushes a smile onto her face. She does catch, though, the way Yuliana's eyes look at her.

She hesitates for a second. There is something about the way that she looks at her and Anita. Something familiar -- and yet alien and unreachable, that her consciousness cannot even penetrate. Rena tenses, back growing straighter.

She hears the question to Arriety, but she already knows the answer. The biggest difference between them, perhaps. Rena never wanted a quiet life.

She pushes a smile to her face. "It is," she agrees. "It's illuminating. Thank you again, Captain Dispersal. I'm sure we'll meet again."

She looks sideways at Anita. "Wanna go get some food?"

<Pose Tracker> Brera Sterne has posed.

Grace's communications cause the spike of Brera's violent inclinations to settle as he forces them down. A maintenance cycle...

<A threat was erroneously detected before verification. It will not happen again.>

It will probably happen again, and the excuse is weak -- even having given it, Brera already knows where he will be going once this engagement has ended. But Sheryl is about to make herself a more pressing problem.

"Lead?"

Brera looks to his hand now, in Sheryl's, and has only a moment to internally question that before his feet have to move to keep from stumbling as she marches on with him in tow. There is, perhaps, a surprising amount of compliance when Sheryl pulls him close, if only out of a vested interest in not falling over and not causing unnecessary harm to his charge.

Those same interests have Brera moving in step with Sheryl in what almost looks like he is not entirely out of place in the activity. Sheryl herself, however, has a more direct way of experiencing the stiffness of Brera's movements.

This isn't relevant to the mission... Though the proximity has its advantages. (One of those advantages is it also lets him see Alto and Ranka out of the corner of his eyes as well.) There is no reason not to comply.

"I see. It will be easier to defend you this way."

<Pose Tracker> Elisa Kafim has posed.

Dr. Kafim, for her part, periodically glances at others while she's talking. Across at a dignitary here, over at a security agent there... She never lets her eyes linger on Yuliana, but she is aware of her general area. But this does not stop her engaging with the younger people around her. Like Eisen!

"Indeed it does. Short-sighted financiers so often fail to see the potential in good science. I hope that with NERV, you are given the chance to flourish as your mind deserves, Mad Scientist."

Whirrr. Whirrr. She doesn't recall that theory, because she never knew it! But she can imagine a kaiju could be 'sad'. It is an interesting idea to her...

"Ahahahah," Elisa replies to 'large category'. But to the matter of cruelty she instead offers a sympathetic look. "You are a kind girl, to think even of the feelings of such alien beings as kaiju can be. I think that's a very admiral quality."

But the project... "Aaah, now that's a secret! But a secret I'm willing to divulge to you. Here's my business card," she offers, "Please do contact me later. I will ask for those plans you mentioned... and tell you more of what I have in mind. Perhaps you can help me more directly." Smile smile.

"But I see an old colleague there; I think I must make to catch up. Do take care, you two."

<Pose Tracker> Eisen Daiwel has posed.

Eisen's mind seems to... well... it's hard to say. It's like he's grasped onto something, which stills the movement. Yet the grasping helps the movement keep going. It's this strange circular feeling that feels... awful. Not in a 'this is a bad person' kind of awful way. No. Something else.

"Hmm-hmm." He notes as she acknowledges what he was thinking. Indeed, as close to a yes as he'll get. And he's already decided that he is right. Largely because Eisen is fairly confident about himself and his ability to understand people - and ignore findings that say otherwise.

"We have an internal name for their type, and we have a research division devoted to them." Eisen answers Lucine in an almost political kind of manner to assuade fears. But it's other things she says that draw him to be curious. "There were two Kaiju?" Pause. "Are you referring to the adjustments made by the Empire - did they knit two together?"

He then nods his head to Elisa Kafim, and shifts his hand. "May we speak again in the future." He answers her, before looking back to Lucine. "And the same to you. I should do some more rounds through the crowds. I am still looking to see if any of the Civil Engineers in attendance today know how to finance and work a Volcano Lair." He then pats her shoulder for a short moment - lest she draw away from the friendly gesture - and moves around her and into the crowds.

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

        At the corner of her eye, Arriety is aware she's making Anita uncomfortable -- or perhaps uncomfortable is the wrong word for it, but as if... she needs to signal to her something.

        But her attention is most focused on Yuliana, as she... well, no, Arriety doesn't scrutinise her face -- she's not an experienced face-reader, the way a socialiate or a spy might be. But she focuses on her words, and there's an implicit question just placed on the surface of those words, one that makes her reflect for a moment:

        Does she wish for a quiet life?

        "... maybe I did, once upon a time," Arriety remarks. "There was a time when my world was really small and comfortable, just me and my closest friends--" she flits her eyes openly to Anita and Rena, "--and it felt like the darkness and violence of the bigger world outside wasn't something I had to care about."

        A longer pause, and she thinks of Tsutsujidai for some reason.

        "I guess I'm just fooling myself if I think anyone can live like that forever. Maybe if you're rich and privileged enough, but... it's real hard to be in a black hole out of reach of everyone. Even if you wholeheartedly want to, someone's going to meddle sooner or later, for better or worse..."

        But that's not really answering the question, is it? Does she want a quiet life. The conscious mind of Arriety that wants to be close to Rena and Eight and Anita and Minae, the Arriety that wants to make better banchan and kimchi, to sing pop songs with Ranka in the middle of the night...

        And...

        The wounded heart of Arriety, who whispers to Myrme to keep her promise, who is gripping at the periphery of her vision at the moment as she answers:

        I want a quiet death.

        It's a wonderful contradiction, that boundary between life and death. When Arriety's fooling herself, she'll say one side of her's more real than the other, but in the end, they're both as real as each other.

        Right now, though, there's one thing both Arrietys can agree on:

        "I think I'm happy where I am with my closest ones, whether my life is quiet or not."

        And she's sure she'll absolutely murder anyone who takes them away, speaks the heart.

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

"Well, this is a fundraiser for infrastructure, the Photon Power Research Institute is obligated to send a representative. Plus it's as good a time as any to make new acquaintances."

Then Grace's eyes glow. Koji's bearing... stiffens, ever so slightly, as his expression seems to glaze. He glances to Sayla, but stays quiet, eyes returning to flicking around the room.

Take no action yet, Kabuto. You can't just accuse a total stranger of being a Gamia Q - even if it's worked before.

<Pose Tracker> Mitsuba Greyvalley has posed.

Treize offers Mitsuba some praise (preize), and Mitsuba makes the effort to straighten up a little bit. It's... actually kind of difficult, at this stage. "It's good to see you as well, commander. I regret that we couldn't do more for you, but we needed to keep our flight wing in reserve. If ZAFT is pulling kaiju out of nowhere, we need to be cautious about our..." She blinks. She struggles, a little, to find the words.

Oh, right. "Still... you performed very well. I'm impressed." Treize isn't that much older than Mitsuba herself, and yet he's truly impressive in the breadth of his talent.

Mitsuba feels herself lean back onto the bar counter a tiny bit for stability, and decides that's totally fine.

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        Ranka can probably feel it as Alto briefly tenses up at the mention of her brother. His instinctual response as a thought rushes through his head, 'Oh crap, he's not here is he?' But after thinking on it for a moment or two more, it becomes obvious that he wouldn't be. He's probably still back on the Frontier Fleet and not there to see the two dancing. Which would probably lead to Alto immediately being reassigned to some suicide mission.

        But still, Alto should say something about it, "I guess that just shows how much he cares about you." Alto has certainly seen this first hand, so is confident in that.

        Alto gently spins Ranka, before pulling her back to him, perhaps a little bit closer than before. He says, "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. I'll admit that I wasn't looking forward to this party. These kinds of things remind me too much of..." He trails off a bit, apparently thinking about things in his past. He regains his train of thought though, finishing, "But I'm enjoying it more than I expected." Perhaps it's the company.

        Alto almost stumbles though as he spots Sheryl starting to dance with Brera. Alto almost wants to stop and watch, partially because it's amusing to see the stoic, stiff Brera Sterne dancing. Partially because he's not too fond of the guy. But thinking on it, Alto would rather keep dancing with Ranka.

        "You haven't missed much. Some speeches about subjects that I'm sure are thrilling to some. Some equally thrilling conversation. Haven't tried the food yet so can't say if it's good or not."

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

Anita feels a little like she's being studied. She shuffles in place a little uncertainly, but she does nod when Yuliana comments about meeting other people.

"Yeah. Networking, right?" She agrees, keeping in mind Rena's answer. ...Yeah, it sure is. Nice meeting you, Captain.

She looks toward Arriety, then, listening to her response. She studies her for a moment before looking back at Rena.

"Yeah, food sounds great about now." She agrees, and then looks back to Arriety. She offers her a smile. "What do you think, are you ready to grab a bite to eat?"

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

Koji glances to Sayla and nods in silent understanding - she's Got This. "C'mon, Nidaime, let's talk about - " well, find a topic, quick! "let's talk about this boy. Or why you have to say goodbye, whichever." With that, he takes the small lady's hand and leads her off to the dance floor, quietly thanking Sayla's strategic nous for helping him chase away ghosts, letting Nidaime choose where to take the conversation as they have a cute little dance.

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.

        "That's exactly right," Sheryl informs Brera loftily. They sway several steps as Sheryl pulls him in her wake; then she adds, "You could stand to relax, though. How are you going to react to a threat if you're too tense to be fluid?"
        
        This isn't the turnout she wanted. Brera is hardly the dancing partner she wanted. But now that they're in this situation... well, she did want to be friends with him for real. Maybe this will be a step in the right direction. She glances slightly over Alto and Ranka's way; then she focuses back on her partner and resolves to stay focused. She's Sheryl Nome! She's hardly so pathetic that she's going to stare at another couple while she's dancing with someone else.
        
        "Have you ever danced before?" she thus prompts. "I know you're a skilled soldier, but it's really not that different from fighting." She assumes. She's heard that in some movies she's seen and she has no reason to think it isn't true. "It's all about rhythm and timing, you know?" She gives him a teasing smile as she tilts her head to one side. The fold crystal in her single earring glints. "And you're not going to make me look bad, are you?"

<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.

        She is trying so, so hard, Yuliana reflects, as she watches Rena straighten further and further upwards. (A little taller than she is, give or take heels.) Should she regret tying her to the rack, like this?

        Oh, not at all.

        Her gaze is on Arriety, though, as she offers her answer. Her expression is sympathetic enough, as she speaks about living in a small world -- but then, the pause, and...

        When Arriety supposes it must be real hard to be in a black hole, out of reach of everyone, Yuliana's eyes narrow. Her lips part over her teeth, all curled up to show the upper row. Her lips thin out and her expression relaxes, a moment later, with a loose shrug. "What a shame the world is this way," she says, as if that's what bothered her.

        She's furious, of course. These -- people, given half a chance, how dare they --

        (Perhaps it's a good thing Yuliana hasn't noticed Ranka.)

        But she fixes a smile to her face, which feels appreciative enough. She is probably making the face for gratitude. This is almost certainly what it is. "I'm so glad to hear you have such important people in your life," Yuliana tells Arriety, looking to Rena and Anita, in turn.

        She resolves, in this moment, to take it away.

        "Oh, I'm sure we will," she assures Rena -- which may not be so reassuring. To Anita, she goes on: "So wonderful to meet you. Do enjoy the canapes, won't you?"

        With that, Yuliana swans off, deeper into the party. Turned away, for one step, another, her expression darkens... and then she puts her smile on, again.

<Pose Tracker> Nidaime has posed.

Nidaime isn't oblivious enough to miss glowing eyes but she's not sure what it means. It didn't feel like some kind of empathic scan, she knows that much. Did the others notice it?

Nidaime glances to Koji. THere does seem to be a shift in his demeanor. Fear? Uncertainty? Caution, she settles on.

She glances over to Sayla. While she sometimes misses some of Sayla's cues, she does know to follow them when they become apparent.

But it isn't immediately obvious. Sayla's certainly being attentive but Sayla is often attentive in her experience. She theorized that is praobably due to needing to be at alert for long periods of her life. She suspects that's why she needs to drink occassionally too but that's neither here nor there.

But she understands that Sayla is trying to get hey away from Grace. This wouldn't be the first time when she drew too many eyes and Sayla was worried for her well being. This doesn't mean there is danger necessarily but Auntie Sayla is an intelligent lady. Doesn't mean there isn't.

Nidaime looks down at her orange juice and sets it onto a table.

She clenches her hands tightly against one another.

She is an ecological problem, she knows. She doesn't belong in this reality. Even if she doesn't directly cause danger to the biosphere, her existence is a danger. If people figure out how to make kaiju like her en masse... it could really cause a lot of problems.

She thinks of Gramps...

It's the fault of existences like hers, she thinks.

That's why he went crazy, that's why he did the things that led to their deaths. He said so himself it was for environment.

And she is a disaster waiting to happen.

She takes in a deep breath, lets it out slowly. Surely Grace isn't that kind of person though. It's just a legitimate concern of Auntie Sayla's. So she should go, and make it so she can do her job and make sure Earth is safe.

"Okay Auntie." She says, with a surprising little amount of complaint. She takes Koji's hands.

She smiles at him brilliantly, a truly incredible smile.

"Let's dance!"

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

Ranka tries to give Alto a reassuring look, briefly experiencing a moment of embarrassment just by knowing this is how people react to her brother... as much as it makes her feel some solidarity with Alto's reaction.

"Yeah." And there is fondness in her smile, despite how frustrated she is about his behavior, she does love him a lot, "I just wish he'd be more normal about it. I imagine it can't be all that fun for you to have to deal with it either."

Ranka makes the spin more deftly than she imagined, almost certainly the result of Alto keeping the motion smooth, before being pulled in a bit closer. Now her cheeks are indeed growing more flushed. That smile of happy contentment shining through even brighter than before.

Her head does cock a little to the side to look Alto in the eyes when he says they remind him too much of... 'What?' she almost asks... because she wants to know how he feels. However, perhaps sensing that he cut off that thought for a reason, she doesn't pry.

Alto's tiny near-stumble is one that carries subtle tremors through Ranka, though this time she doesn't look. ... She doesn't need to know to know what he probably just saw.

"Sounds like I got here just in time for the good p-"

At that moment Ranka's heel strikes the dance floor a little off-kilter - at the exact moment that Alto's expert lead in the dance is carrying her forward. "-ART!" Before he can course correct her, the motion is carrying Ranka forward- very much forward...

... he'll have to catch her at very close range, basically up against him if he doesn't want to risk her rolling her ankle... or one of many other various injuries that might result from her sudden lack of coordination.

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

        Sometimes, intentions don't need words. They don't even need emotions. Emotions, while on the surface more truthful, are as deceitful as words. No, sometimes the tension that happens exists on an even less palpable level...

        "It is a shame indeed," Arriety smiles in turn. "I'm glad too. I'd do anything to defend them."

        Maybe Arriety is more cut out to do cloak and dagger stuff than she realises. Yuliana urges them to enjoy the canapes and swans off, and Arriety nods to Anita as the yandere mood bleeds off off her head and shoulders and replies, "Let's have some food. I'm starving."

<Pose Tracker> Brera Sterne has posed.

Brera takes Sheryl's criticism in stride, adjusting his movements -- it's easier now that he is gaining some feel for the patterns, and is less distracted by concern over the purpose the exercise.

He, too, steals a glance at Ranka and Alto. They are speaking, but Brera finds himself with no curiosity for the words. He cannot imagine there is a combination of them that would change his current opinion.

That the details of that opinion are hazy is no concern, either. All of Brera's opinions are hazy.

"No," he says to Sheryl. "I have not." This comparison to fighting makes him skeptical. Rhythm and timing? One move in reaction to another... "This is a collaboration. A fight is a confrontation." That is a critical difference, especially for someone inexperienced in collaborations.

At her rhetorical question, Brera's head barely tilts to one side. "I will not alter your appearance."

A fluctuation in Ranka's tone and volume from across the dance floor makes his gaze jerk toward her and Alto. His body tenses, grip on Sheryl reflexively tighter for an instant. (Brera had better be prepared for that maintenance cycle.)

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

It isn't so reassuring.

Rena's ale brown eyes meet Yuliana's for a moment. She smiles at her, but it doesn't stay for very long after Yuliana saunters away. Something about that woman...

She keeps the shiver down. The ashen-haired woman glances sideways at Anita for a second. She takes a deep breath, then, and smiles at her. "Yeah. Definitely food. Maybe a drink, too," she says. Then, she looks at Arriety. She can feel that defensive mood coming from her. It's... strange, she thinks. She never knew she had that in her.

It makes Rena stare for a second.

"Me, too," she says. "Let's get some food."

<Pose Tracker> Treize Khushrenada has posed.

        The bartender finally get's to Treize's order as he seems to get a tonic water, with ice, and a splash of gin on top that one may argue is more for decoration then actual inebriation. Taking the cup Treize sips at it and smiles as he looks at the others. "Small piece of advice for those of you not use to these celebrations. Always add ice to your drinks."

         Just as he gives the advice he watches Lina wonder off to the dance floor and blinks for a moment before looking over at Mitsuba for a moment as he tries to remember who the lady who called him dear was, "Captain," Treize was going to ask a question abut Lina but instead takes a moment to notice Mitsuba's current state. "I appreciate the compliment, your ship did outstanding work as well."

         Taking a moment to notice that Mitsuba is leaning against the bar corner , " Are you doing ok Ms. Greyvalley?" Treize is trying to pass on through the lack of formality to make it known that he is asking out of concern and not from any other standpoint.

<Pose Tracker> Grace O'Connor has posed.

        Grace knows where Brera will be going after this engagement. While she would be satisfied to sit back and observe, she's also willing to put her combat cyborg on a shorter leash as required. She's not yet prepared to let the Sterne prototype off his chain.

        Speaking of someone who looks like they are about to go off the chain... Koji Kabuto's sudden shift in expression and posture do not go unnoticed. Meanwhile her own combat interface kicks in. She lacks the faint red glow present in Brera's eyes, but it still gives her a tactical readout which is ... actually rather detailed, thanks in part to the earlier medical scan. If he makes a move at least she'll be ready - but it's hard for her to know exactly how she'll defend herself from someone like Koji without giving away the extent of her combat augmentations.

        Thankfully though she won't have to, as Sayla steps in to suggest that Koji and Nidaime leave Grace and Sayla to their discussions while the other two find a way to entertaint themselves. For her part, Grace's expression is one of ... concern. It's hard to tell just how genuine said concern is due to the unusual composition of her brain, but at least from what can be seen (and soon, heard) it seems to be sincere.

        "I'm sorry..." Grace says to Sayla once Koji and Nidaime have moved away, "... sometimes I forget that outside of Galaxy, these sorts of augmentations are rare. It was just a basic medical scan - no harmful radiation or anything like that. It's just." She shifts her weight a bit, her eyes glancing about uncomfortably.

        Finally she sighs, lowering her voice conspiratorily, "The concert in Tsutsujidai was attacked, by multiple kaiju. Despite how large they are, and that we were in an open area, they appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the concert. I was wondering if maybe there was a way that they could be hiding."

        Grace shakes her head, "I'm sorry, you must think I'm ridiculous and jumping at shadows!" She tries to laugh it off, but the laughter falters, "It's just... Sheryl was very close to being eaten by one of them." Grace raises both of her hands in front of her, holding her left wrist with her right hand, "All I could do was watch."

        It sounds sincere. It LOOKS sincere. But for a NewType, it's frustratingly hard to tell if she IS being sincere.

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

Nidaime's brightness... Koji thinks of little Shiro, always cheering him on and even sometimes joining him in battle, for all Robot Junior didn't exactly match up to the labs' frontline Mazins, and now a grown man, leading a squad in the OCU's Ichinana corps.

He never noticed, back then, just how troubled his younger brother was, especially when they found out their father was alive.

Well, that was then and this is now. Making sure not to step on Nidaime's toes as they move to the rhythm, Koji keeps his voice low. "Keeping the heavy stuff to yourself isn't good for you, you should open up to somebody. I can't promise to understand, but I can listen at least. Besides, I've seen some weird stuff, maybe I can help."

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

Anita catches that expression. She's not so bad at reading faces. When Yuliana smiles, Anita smiles back - but it's a little more guarded. She looks toward Arriety at her response. ...It's a little surprising, but not in a bad way.

"Certainly!" Anita replies to Yuliana as she departs, before turning her attention back to Arriety and Rena.

"...Yeah, absolutely." She agrees. They probably could all use something at this point, even if Anita herself can't benefit, so to speak, from drinking. She can sure eat, though.

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        Lucine, now with a new drink in hand, merrily walks to where she last saw Sheryl Nome. Certainly, Sheryl could have left by now, but--

        Is that Alto and Ranka, dancing? And Sheryl and... a new face.

        Ah, so sweet, to watch them all!

        "Ah, and here I was, wondering if all of you would find dance partners... Silly me." Thank goodness, actually.

        Lucine's not even sure if she could dance, if just because she's never... done so.

        Oh no, Ranka has tripped, and is falling into Alto?

        Lucine sips her drink, and smiles. Of course Alto will catch her. She knows it from the reflexes he's displayed on the battlefield.

<Pose Tracker> Mitsuba Greyvalley has posed.

"... I've been off since the mingling started," Mitsuba answers. Part of her brain is wired to answer a superior officer honestly even if it feels like it might not reflect particularly well on her. "I'll be fine. It's not that I'm drunk, or anything, even, just --"

She scowls a little bit, at herself. "I'm being excessively critical of myself, I suppose. I apologize, sir -- it's unbecoming at an event like this." She feels like she did not long after this started, when she'd tried to resign her commission.

Blegh.

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.

        Sheryl smiles as Brera adjusts; she appreciates a man who listens. Even if it's just his job. As she looks to one side and looks back, she catches him looking too, though. Hmm. If he's here for her, what's he so interested in Alto and Ranka for? Sheryl assumes for the moment that he was just looking where she was looking to see what she was interested in, though.
        
        "I can tell," she murmurs wryly. Her expression turns thoughtful when he points out the difference in fighting and dancing. "True... but I never said it was exactly the same, just that it's not all that different." She pauses a beat, then adds, "Are you against collaborating? You're going to have to at some point, you know. You and Alto are both my bodyguards. If you're not in sync, then it'll cause a problem when you're trying to protect me."
        
        Brera meanwhile tells her he won't alter her appearance. Sheryl just barely holds back a snort. It wouldn't look good in public. "That's not what I meant, Brera. Have you ever had a life outside the military? You're only a little older than--"
        
        She sucks in a sharp breath as two things happen in rapid succession: Ranka cries out somewhere at Sheryl's back, and Brera tenses up and squeezes his hands on Sheryl uncomfortably tight. That grip passes in the blink or two of an eye, but it's impossible for her to miss.
        
        ...So he really is interested in those two.
        
        Still, Sheryl can't say she's any different, so she turns to look over her shoulder as she sees Ranka stumble directly into Alto's chest. Her lips purse briefly. Then she holds up a finger to Brera, then pulls him in her wake as she heads over to those two.
        
        "Looks like you two are having some trouble," she says dryly to Alto and Ranka once she's close enough. Alto's presumably caught Ranka by now, but the position they're in at this point might be a bit... awkward. "Mind if I cut in?"
        
        Once she gets consent, Sheryl smiles sweetly... and then takes Ranka's hand before giving Brera a little push in Alto's direction. "Remember what I said," she lilts, winking at him.

<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.

        Yuliana pauses at the side of the dance floor, and watches the entertainment -- uh -- that is to say, all the people dancing in total sync with each other.

        Well -- no -- she's watching one girl, intently, from the sidelines. Entirely focused on one Ranka Lee, as she earns attention from the famed Sheryl Nome.

        Just waiting for the moment she catches her eye... so she can smile. Nothing more, nothing less.

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        Sayla pauses, analysing Grace as she puts the situation together. She can't be certain. And because she can't be certain, Sayla tilts towards distrust. Ultimately, at her heart, Sayla Mass is a Deikun.

        And that means she can give an earnest awkward smile while she lies to your face.

        "This is more... specific to Koji, I think. Dr Hell sent humanoid robots to murder him." Sayla says this like it isn't absurd. "Old wounds." Sayla takes a breath.

        "I understand your concern. It may be worth coordinating with STORAGE for future incidents." She doesn't trust them, either. "They're the authorities on Kaiju here." She doesn't betray anything extra about Tsutsujidai. "If anyone will have a way to detect them, it's that organisation."

        "Are medical scans commonplace implants on the Macross Fleets?" She asks, with seemingly genuine curiousity. And it is, a bit, she's not up to date on their most common medical practices... It's a seemingly quiet tidbit before...

        Sayla, if allowed, places one hand gently on the outside of Grace's forearm. "I don't. Ours is a dangerous world. Kaiju, Zeon Remnants, war, roving madmen..." Britannia, G-Hound and manhunters don't get a mention out loud. "I imagine the Earthsphere is a far cry from the one the fleets left." There's a beat. "...And I imagine you're quite close to Miss Nome, being her manager. Leina can take care of herself no, and so mostly can Nidaime, but I'd be horrified if something happened to them." Sayla has an expression of gentle care and concern, as she focuses all her attention on Grace.

        "When you've been caring for someone for a while, you realize that it's our lot to worry about them. It's a reminder of how much they matter to you."

        This right here, right now is the test of sincerity. How well Grace's mouth matches her heart.

        After all, you want to to know how genuine a potential business partner is.

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        "He does seem to take the big brother role very seriously." Alto has wondered from time to time whether the seemingly harsh treatment he gets from Ozma Lee is normal, or because of Alto's friendship with Ranka. It's kind of hard to tell... But still Alto tries to reassure Ranka, "It's not too bad. He definitely knows his stuff, so if I'm going to learn from the best, having him as my squadron leader definitely helps." Alto then realizes that talking about that kind of stuff might not be the best with Ranka, "Sorry..."

        Alto is silently glad that Ranka doesn't ask the follow up question she is thinking. It's not that he really minds her knowing about his past. It's just that he prefers not to think about it if he can help it. And talking about it, especially in a public setting like this, is difficult. He'll probably have to some day... But preferably not today.

        The two continue to dance, Alto taking a step back and gently pulling Ranka along with him. His eyes go a little wide as her voice suddenly rises mid-sentence and she starts to fall towards him. Definitely concerned about her getting hurt, Alto puts his pilot reaction times on display just as Lucine anticipated, reaching out to wrap his arm around Ranka and pull her in against him to keep her from falling.

        Holding Ranka close, Alto looks down at her and asks, "Are you okay?"

        Of course, it's not until Sheryl and Brera end up near the two that Alto realizes the position he and Ranka are in. He starts to go a bit red in the face. And as Sheryl asks if she can cut in, Alto is a bit too flustered to say anything other than, "Okay."

        Alto lets go of Ranka once more, taking a couple of steps back to separate from him and give Sheryl a chance to step in. He was expecting she'd do so to dance with him. So when she proceeds to instead take Ranka's hand, Alto blinks in obvious surprise, watching the two dance off. Though not before Brera gets nudged in his direction. Alto looks at his fellow bodyguard, asking, "What'd she say?"

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

"It's okay." She had said back then to Alto, she still has mixed feelings of Ozma lying to her for years about being in a combat role but... "Honestly... it's kind of good to know that people look up to him." It... actually takes the sting off of that for a while.

However then comes the fall...

Ranka braces for the inevitable. She's fallen a lot of times. It's reflexive to her.

That's not what happens though... as Alto's arm comes behind her and pulls her in before the discombobulation of the fallen makes injury inevitable, and she finds herself all but resting her head against his chest, surprised at first, then cheeks utterly aflame the next. "Yeah... thanks to you... Alto. ... Sorry." She is sincerely sorry... but on some level, she's not... that sorry that her clumsiness caused this kind of accident.

'Looks like you two are having some trouble, Mind if I cut in?'

Ranka quickly brings herself a step away from being too close to Alto as he lets go, looking at Sheryl quickly and... giving her this embarrassed smile. "Of course not...!"

It's only fair. It's only fair. It's only fair.

She tells herself, expecting Sheryl to lead Alto off - or the other way around perhaps in some contest of wills between two.

Then... Sheryl's hand takes hers, and her hair briefly flips up, as she inhales sharply - cheeks not losing their color. "Sheryl..." She's... definitely not saying no. As she turns to grace Alto with one final smile that becomes shared with Brera when both enter her field of vision, "...you two have fun." She says, utterly oblivious to any sort of malice radiating out of Brera at this moment...

...she has an especially hard time reading him and Grace.

Happily letting herself be led away by Sheryl. In this moment of the two moving away into position to dance, Sheryl might catch all the color drain out of her cheeks... as she sees Yuliana make eye contact and smile at her across the room - before she quickly looks back to Sheryl - wanting to enjoy this despite the slight tremor that's now running through her arms.

<Pose Tracker> Brera Sterne has posed.

If Sheryl is trying to tease Brera, she has woefully picked a target that does not yet have enough concept of teasing for her hits to land. But his brow does furrow again when she mentions collaborating with Alto.

"He needs to keep up," Brera says instead, willing to frame this entirely as Alto's fault before there's anything to blame him for.

Despite his own interest in the other pair of dancers, there's still a delay in the shift from dancing to being strung along, and Sheryl has half a second of tugging Brera before balance demands he walk. Why is she holding onto him? She only needs move and he would shadow her.

Not knowing what 'cut in' means in this context, Brera has no basis to understand where this is going until Sheryl has whisked Ranka away (!!) and then he's stumbling in Alto's direction (?!).

If what she said is true -- and Brera is not confident that it is, for Sheryl Nome seems to know precious little of fighting outside of being frequently caught up in battle -- then what she's proposing is a training exercise. Can Alto keep up?

"That we need to be in sync."

This is the warning Alto gets before Brera moves to take Alto's hand -- a little too tightly, and tugging him a little too roughly in step. To call it an attempt at collaboration, or even an invitation to dance, would be generous. Brera means to provoke a movement to respond to, so on and so forth... but something that looks like a dance could well result.

<Pose Tracker> Grace O'Connor has posed.

        'Dr. Hell sent humanoid robots to murder him.'

        Anger. Loss. Pain. For the first time Sayla actually feels CLEAR emotions from Grace, and none of them are pleasant and none of them are reflected clearly on her face.

        Did Koji Kabuto think she was a robot?

        Is Sayla Mass suggesting she is a robot?

        When Sayla reaches out to place a hand gently on the manager's forearm, she suddenly jerks away and takes a step back, as if being touched by a hot iron. Her eyes are momentarily cold as she looks up at Sayla in the face, and then slowly fatigue creeps into them. "I'm sorry." Grace responds, in as gentle a tone as she can manage, "Sometimes I forget what it means to be so far from home."

        Her eyes close. Her chest rises and falls in the perfect simulation of a deep breath. Her hand reaches up to adjust the delicate frame of the lenses, an unnecessary emotional touchstone to remind her of the vision problems she once had, to sit more evenly on the synthetic skin covering the bridge of her nose. When her eyes open again her expression has changed once more into that of an apologetic smile, "It was rude of me to engage in a scan of you and your companions without asking. For that as apologize. And as way of apology I'll help prevent you from being rude to me in the future."

        "I am not a robot."

        There is a momentary pause to let those words sink in, "Please inform Dr. Kabuto of the same. Despite my prosthesis I am still human, and would appreciate being treated as such."

        Grace then reaches down into a wristlet she is carrying. Despite claiming to Yuliana earlier that cards are unnecessary (which they are... Grace hardly struggles with finding someone's contact details no matter how hard they try to hide them), they're still useful in handing HER contact information out to others. A professional business card with Grace's name and contact information is offered for Sayla to take.

        "I think we should conclude our business for the night, but if you'd like to discuss future charitable ventures please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I'll look forward to your communication."

        Once the card is taken, or declined, Grace will then move to exit the party and wait in the car outside. She'll be able to watch the rest from Brera's viewpoint anyway, and at this point she really needs a moment to recompose herself.

        After all... if anything, she feels ashamed. It's not like her to let emotions get in the way of her mission.

<Pose Tracker> Nidaime has posed.

Nidaime is a pretty cheery kid and considers a strong smile the best offense against the humdrums and the badfeels.

Of course, the troubles that Nidaime has aren't troubles she feels the need to hoist upon Koji they just met. She dances like a complete amateur. She wants to be a graceful dancing lady someday but she isn't really there yet.

Koji tells her that she should open up and her eyes widen faintly. Then she smiles. "You're pretty good at reading people huh?"

This might be experience more than talent speaking Nidaime but nevertheless she adds, "It just gets a little lonely sometimes. Don't you ever feel alone even when you are in a crowded building, Koji?" This is maybe not the literal truth but it is the emotional truth and for Nidaime that is generally more real than the other kinds of truths out there "Feeling alone when surrounded by people, perhaps there is a term for it, but I don't know it yet. Feeling alone even when you're with people who you know care about you a lot."

"You've felt like that, haven't you?"

She dances along. "I'm sure she was just being cautious. I should learn to watch what I say. Just saying what I am, I wish I could, but this isn't the kind of reality where I can just do that, I guess."

She glances over to Sayla and Grace briefly. She hasn't been able to get her mind off the strange exchange.

"Being so earnest with someone you just met," Nidaime tells Koji. "You're an incredible guy, aren't you? I was made to protect the Layers but I'm still learning a lot. It wouldn't be right for me to help break them just because I feel alone in a crowded room."

She quirks her head thoughtfully. "The First, I think you asked about him? He helped defend this realm before me. He's still doing it, but he's old. He should rest soon since he really did his best."

<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.

        That clumsy, clumsy girl pales, and Yuliana settles in, leaning against the wall, arms folded -- entangled draping tumbling from them.

        She keeps her eyes on Ranka, and watches her dancing with such a shining star. That she is watching her cannot be mistaken, the way she inclines her head, if Ranka can't avoid catching sight of her again.

        She is perfectly pleasant, perfectly PRESENT, sending nothing but smiles to the dance floor.

        Why would anyone view attention as a threat?

        Why, indeed.

        Small comfort that she can do something to ruin Ranka's day, after Arriety went and ruined hers. She's a simple woman: making that unwitting Newtype uncomfortable goes a long way to cheering her up. She doesn't even have to bolt the smile onto her face, after a while.

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.

        It's fine. Brera will learn. And then Sheryl will tease him all the time.
        
        "Hmmm... Keep up, hm?" is all Sheryl says to Brera before leading him over to Alto and Ranka--and there they part. He might have little experience with the world outside of combat, but he's keen enough to pick up what she laid down. As Sheryl leads Ranka away on a dance, she keeps an eye over on Brera and Alto, and grins when the former makes his move. Bravo, Brera. Bravo.
        
        "I think they will have fun," she tells Ranka in a confiding air, eyes twinkling. "Or if they don't, they'll make plenty of fun." For her, to watch. "For now, let's have plenty of fun for ourselves."
        
        It would be great if Brera and Alto got along better. They really have to, being coworkers. If the two of them ended up falling for each other, that would be sort of a weird feeling for Sheryl. Sort of like her feeling for Ranka, although that's weird in a good way. For all that the Galactic Fairy is universally beloved, being a diva on her level gives her a weird separation from other people. It's really nice to dance like this with someone she cares about and not worry about anything else.
        
        So when Ranka ducks her head and starts trembling, even just a little, Sheryl's expression shifts into one of concern. Yuliana being at her back, and having no particular psychic sensitivity, Sheryl can only see her effects by that tremor. "Ranka? Are you all right?" she murmurs, leaning in closer as they dance in step together. "If you're feeling overwhelmed, we can take a break."
        
        Maybe she's upset to be dancing with her instead of Alto. That... Sheryl would have a hard time blaming Ranka for that... "You did only just get here," she says aloud, as if maybe the problem is just that Ranka needs a drink or a bite to eat.

<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.

        "An excellent save, Mr. Saotome." Lucine tilts her head, drop earrings shifting as she watches with a good-natured smile, after he catches Ranka.

        She doesn't dare say it loud enough for him to hear.

        Sheryl intervenes, and trades partners. Lucine's small smile widens in amusement.

        ".... But it seems Ms. Nome has the upper hand."

        Lucine has finished her drink, a thing she only notices when she raises the glass to her lips and finds it empty.

        She does not leave to refill it. She does not want to miss a moment of this.

        .... What is a pleasant time of amusement crosses the line, however, when Lucine feels that sudden spike of terror. "...." She tries to trace the source. It can't be Sheryl, judging by their body language. It wouldn't make sense.

        Who could it be? Who is looking at Ranka? Lucine's eyes settle on Yuliana, by virtue of the woman being the easiest to look at, being one of the main stars. Could it be her?

        If it is...

        .... So Lucine can be capable of such an emotion.

        That of anger.

<Pose Tracker> Treize Khushrenada has posed.

        Treize to was engaging in the game of spectating from the bar when he notices the body language of Grace before she walks off, Treize leans over to the bartender and requests another drink before continuing to watch till the drink is ready. Drink pouring time passes and Treize gathers the two drinks and makes his way across the room with his so called gin and tonic in one hand, and a glass of brandy in the other. Treize's destination appears to be none other then Dr. Sayla Mass.

         Saying nothing at first he just walks up beside her and offers the glass of brandy, a few moments would pass to see whether Sayla would take it or not before he speaks up, "My compatriots tell me that it is quite good brandy, though I will understand if that is not your cup of tea, so to speak."

         Treize recognizes he has stepped in to dangerous waters but at the same time, sometimes you must swim with the sharks to get to the other side of the lake, or however it goes.

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        "What the-" Alto is suddenly grabbed and pulled. It catches him by surprise a bit. Initially confused as to why, Alto quickly catches on. His first instinct is to pull away and refuse. Not because he's got a problem with dancing with another guy. He's done that before, a number of times. It's just this one in particular...

        But then Sheryl's words, even spoken by Brera, do ring true. As much as Alto doesn't want to admit it. The two aren't really in sync. Which for normal situations, isn't necessarily a problem. But for two pilots expected to fight alongside each other...

        That can be Dangerous.

        Alto gives in with a sigh of resignation, saying, "Fine." Alto eyes Brera, saying, "You lead." The unspoken 'if you can' is there, though whether Brera will catch it is another matter.

        To Alto's credit, this is not the first time he's had to follow another man in a dance either. That said, he's not having an easy time of it. It could be lack of skill, or grace, on Brera's part. But it could also easily be Alto's mistrust of him making it difficult.

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.

Ranka sees that sparkle of mischief in Sheryl's eye, and a soft giggle bubbles outward. "Definitely... though I don't intend to get distracted watching~"

Ranka doesn't really know that the two don't get along??? She thinks they get along famously! Anything she feels negative from Alto towards Brera she just chalks up to Alto being himself. Grumpy, but endearingly so.

Unfortunately Yuliana penetrates that mood like a knife. And Ranka while thoroughly terrified for a few moments to try and recompose herself hastily to prevent being led right back off the dance floor. It's easier when Sheryl is nearby for her to do so... Sheryl's led her out of her terror and into courage so many times already. "No... no it's fine." She says quickly, "I want to dance." 'With you.' She doesn't say that part, yet she might as well. Trying to smile again.

However, she feels an obligation to at least explain herself to Sheryl, even a little - to keep her from getting too concerned, "Just someone was watching... I've met before. I don't want her to spoil this for us."

That second part definitely implies just how poor Ranka's impression is of her. Straightening up, she tries her best to focus on the dance, giving Sheryl her full attention, that smile returning to her lips, "Being with you is too much fun, I don't want anyone to take that away."

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

"You remind me a lot of my little brother. Shiro's a heart-on-his-sleeve kinda guy, I learned to tell when something's bothering him - he tries harder to act like nothing's wrong."

For Koji, of course, forcing a smile hasn't felt as... satisfying a weapon as screaming defiance against the darkness, but not every problem can be solved the same way.

"You feel like you don't fit in even around people you care about, who care about you?" A 16-year old him, launching his motorcycle over an oncoming car simply because it made him feel something. "Yeah. I think I know what you're talking about."

He smiles warmly when Nidaime does in fact open up a little. "Like I said, I've seen weird stuff. Not much of it makes for a good story for a kid, though." They mostly end, as many of these stories do, with sadness. "I guess I'm not a very guarded person, I like to take the world head-on. My job dictates I have to keep secrets of my own, though, so I understand if you don't want to share yours."

He doesn't precisely understand what the 'Layers' the little kaiju refers to are, but his recent research gives him enough of a footing to approximate. "So you've got a big family duty that you have to inherit, but it means you won't get to see Sayla again, huh?"

<Pose Tracker> Brera Sterne has posed.

Alto demands Brera lead. "Then follow," he says, with the same unspoken challenge, which is as much a mirror as anything.

Inexperience. Mistrust. Misplaced threat. It's a terrible cocktail to spill on the dance floor. Brera is not even aware there is a gendered component to the roles in play, or what the roles are. All he has is what Sheryl briefly showed him, and what he otherwise observed. Being a cyborg of his make means 'remembering' that is easier than the average person. Small mercies.

So if Alto spun Ranka, then Brera will spin Alto with none of the gentleness. This is a form of retribution.

It at least gives way to Sheryl's slower example, but even so, this won't promise to be a performance of the highest grace for observing parties.

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        Well. The woman has feelings- and is excellent at hiding them. THat makes two of them. When she jerks away, Sayla doesn't pursue, slowly pulling her hand back. No sudden movements. She's quiet. Not impassive, there is contrition on her face but she is intensely controlled.

        Once the words sink in, Sayla nods slowly. "I am sorry for my carelessness and callousness, Ms O'Connor. It will not happen again." She takes the card, a show of acceptance of the outreach after her misstep. "We'll be in touch should a suitable opportunity arise." Not committing here, immediately after that.

        Well that went disastrously. Was she so focused on testing the woman that she didn't think? It hadn't occured to her that Grace would think that. She turns away to place the card in her clutch- and down her Gin and Tonic without it being powerfully obvious. She should get another drink, or find Miss D'Cruze...

        And the one of G-Hound's best a brightest walks up to her with drink. Inwardly, she sighs deeply. Outwardly? "Your timing is impeccable, Colonel Khushrenada."

        She feels terror come from the dance floor. Nidaime? No? Who, then? Her eyes scan. There's too many damn people here, but... but..

        "Well, I do enjoy a good brandy." She swirls the balloon, and takes a sip. It's... decent brandy. "Thank you. I'm sure you have reasons to see me other than to offer me a drink, Colonel." Fear that vivid... a newtype, certainly. She can imagine what would cause that. "Still, do you mind talking while we walk? I've been standing in the same place more than long enough, and I think trying to stretch my legs on the dance floor next to teenagers would age me prematurely."

        Should Treize agree, her path leads toward the void that is Yuliana Dispersal. She does not look forward to crossing that threshold.

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.

        When Ranka says she wants to dance--that she doesn't want someone to spoil this for them--that being with her is too much fun, a light, bubbly feeling rises up in Sheryl's heart like the sip of champagne she had a while back. She smiles back at Ranka, keeping hold of her now-steady hands. It's tempting for her to look around, to see who exactly Ranka was talking about, and stare down whoever she is for daring to try to spoil this night. Ranka's resolve to not let her keeps her grounded, though. Better to let whoever it is stew in how truly insignificant she is instead.
        
        "Agreed," she says warmly. "Then why don't we show the boys how it's done~?"
        
        Sheryl Nome puts her all into everything she does. This dance is no different. Whatever the tempo of the music, she leads Ranka into a spinning dance of pure joy. It's certainly a sight better than the dance Brera and Alto get up to, and no doubt it's because Sheryl and Ranka are actually enjoying the other's company. It won't last the whole night--Sheryl will end up dancing with a number of other people, male and female, maybe even including Gayanti, before snacking, schmoozing, and eventually heading out for the night--but for now, they've got each other to themselves.
        
        Sheryl Nome and her entourage: bisexual icons.

<Pose Tracker> Nidaime has posed.

Nidaime says, "Heehee, he sounds like a great guy." While this is true it's also a way for Nidaime to be cheeky to compliment herself in a roundabout way. She is a bit of a gremlin.

"Before I moved in with Sayla, the Shuffles were looking after me. They taught me how to take care of myself. I can do lots of stuff. But when Gramps got them killed, Auntie Sayla took me in. I'm not really a child. I'm a kaiju. But I look like a child because that is a result of my self perception. I actually looked a little older for a little while, earlier, but my self recognition changed."

"But she still took me in. And I really look up to her because she's smart and kind and she does her best even though she wasn't really given the best life. Even though people important to her got hurt, she hasn't turned in on herself. She still fights for other people. That's what makes her so incredible. I want to be a person like that, but it's hard to be a person like that. I think it's important to know that being like Auntie Sayla isn't easy. It's work."

"But it's work worth doing. So it isn't easy to say goodbye, it's hard so I've been practicing so I can do a good job of it later. Saying goodbye is also a kind of work."

Dr. Kabuto does know, doesn't he? Perhaps Sayla noticed she was feeling a little down and guided her to him so they could talk today. Sayla really is smart, she thinks.

"It wasn't very easy looking after me because I'm not human but if I seem well behaved it's 'cause she taught me. It's work but that's okay. I like working for Auntie Sayla. They say that work that you love isn't really work but I don't think that's really true. Work that you love is still work you, you just get this sort of tired-happy feeling in your stomach when you do it that way."

She doesn't explain Layers. But she does nod and says, "Well, so long as the human heart births kaiju, I guess I would eventually but...you never know when people who you think might be there for a while might be gone suddenly."

"That's what the Shuffle Alliance taught me. I am grateful they taught me something so important early on so I don't forget it. It's one of the most important lessons."

"I hope she has a long happy life and gets someone to fuss over her a bit."

Her eyes trail towards Treize as he brings Sayla a...

Drink.

Nidaime doesn't say anything, but Koji can see a world in those eyes as Sayla has a drink. Some things are best communicated with a look rather than words.

"It's hard to know what I can say and what I shouldn't." She admits. "But I think you're a good listener, Doctor Kabuto."

<Pose Tracker> Treize Khushrenada has posed.

         Treize gestures forward, "Please lead on. I learned at a young age to walk and talk." The colonel smiles and follows wherever the doctor may lead watching the dance floor as they go. " Truthfully doctor, you simply looked like you could use a drink and I chose to help facilitate." The sincerity could most likely be felt in his words.

        " How goes your humanitarian efforts? I heard your gala was quite a hit a few months back? " Yes Treize is attempting to mamke small talk, but its unclear if he is beating around the bush or truly was simply trying small talk.

         As they walk Treize's eyes move towards the dance floor and watches the events unfold on the floor before he makes a comment , " They look good together." Who he is talking about remains unknown, it could apply to so many on the floor.

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        As much as he hates to admit it. And as much as he hates when people point it out. Alto does have a grace to him. A star on the kabuki stage for years, his work was praised by many, fans and critics alike. There was a sense of wonder when watching his movements on stage.

        Absolutely NONE of this is on display right now.

        What is on display is a collection of jerky, disconnected movements. Brera's precise recreation of other's movements are no doubt close to perfection. But from Alto's perspective, they lack soul. And the frustration from this is building inside him. Of course, the fact that he's part of the problem doesn't enter into Alto's mind at all.

        It finally ends with Alto stepping back away from Brera, twisting his hand out of the other's grip, and saying, "That's enough." Alto rubs the bridge of his nose in frustration, "Obviously we don't make for good dance partners." Some may recognize that Alto's not just talking about literal dancing. He frowns, "I suggest we just stay out of each other's way and do our own things."

        Alto spins around, starting to march off the dance floor and towards the bar, muttering something about wanting a drink. Non-alcoholic of course, since he's not yet of drinking age.

<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.

        Gayanti will insist (truthfully) that she can't dance and (falsely) that she doesn't want to, but the charismatic magic of Sheryl Nome and the familiar reluctance of Alto and Brera -- and the instant understanding she'll grasp with Ranka, given their similarly-high levels of Awakening -- may eventually end with ENGINEERS ON THE DANCEFLOOR. Koji Kabuto has, after all, paved the way.

        The brandy is good, but Wen, who can't taste it anyway, will keep an eye on Mitsuba to make sure she doesn't end up having a rough experience in the bar zone. Call it professional courtesy if that helps, but actually, she can just tell she's having an off night.

        Meanwhile, leaning against the wall -- the picture of an innocuous wallflower -- is Yuliana Dispersal, who isn't even being particularly menacing. She has a smile on her face, still, but the way her arms are folded, perhaps she's feeling a little Done with the festivities.

        (Well, that's what her body language projects. It is not entirely falsified.)

        Her attention shifts when someone approaches her, though -- and recognition flashes in her eyes, with a smile which looks perfectly warm. "Ah, Doctor Mass," Yuliana greets her like an old friend, which is... half right. (They're acquainted, anyway.) She straightens from her leaning-post, and -- with a little awkward fumbling to untangle her cape dress, a spot of clearing her throat -- gestures, openly, to her.

        An invitation, of course. Come closer...

        "I knew we could rely on you to attend this function," she says, regardless. "I see you've found the Colonel, as well -- my, what esteemed company I've found!" How strange that she didn't make reference to that the last time she was talking to Treize.

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

There are more than a few things Nidaime says that Koji can't quite follow through on - secrets he's not in on, metaphysical contexts he doesn't have a grasp of yet, but they're not important. What's important is the heart of the girl's worry, an outsider in so many senses of the word and yet an earnest, emotional truth that resonates with him too.

"So you see yourself as younger now after what happened?" That makes sense, he thinks, trauma can do something like that to a person, and just because she's a kaiju doesn't mean Nidaime isn't a person. "Maybe that means something about what you want right now too. Maybe it's a sign you're not ready to be like Sayla yet." A glance over at just the right time to see Sayla downing a drink and then immediately accepting a second. Hmm. "If you're not ready to become someone like us, you wind up hurting inside real bad when it's forced."

He blinks a little in surprise at that own admission, but, no, it's not wrong. "We might have to pull Sayla out in a little bit," he says quietly. He doesn't drink much himself, preferring to lose himself in tinkering than drown in a bottle, so he might be better equipped than most to intercede if Sayla gets blasted.

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        "Ever an effort, Colonel. Ever an effort." She sighs, taking another sip. Her words are careful, Treize is connected enough to make her life difficult. She knows this. "It would be nice if the need for the Foundation at least stayed steady instead of increasing. The comment of 'them' looking good together causes a minor pang of frustration and loneliness that she keeps down. "Then best leave the stage to them."

        `Come into my parlor, said the spider to the fly.`

        It hurts walking into Yuliana's presence. A fundamental part of her being torn away, literally losing a sense, along with actual physical pain. Somehow Sayla masks much of it with a sip of her drink. Much, but not all.

        She hates it here. She hates it here so much. But no one can hear it. "Captain Dispersal. My thanks for your invitation." Truthful. Not honest.

        "Miss D'Cruze's talk was quite enlightening. I hope her developments get rolled out more widely. There's still so much rebuilding to do." The girls attitude seemed to match her own. It's quick work to destroy, slow work to repair. "Still. It would be nice were her efforts not needed."

<Pose Tracker> Nidaime has posed.

Nidaime heard it once said: In Vino Veritas but she isn't really sure that's a slogan she buys. Just because someone thinks something and decides not to say it doesn't mean that what they thought is how they truyl feel.

"Not exactly," Nidaime says. "They taught me a valuable lesson before they died so I saw myself as a real big kid. But Sayla taught me that it was just one important lesson. You learn a lot more from people who don't kill themselves."

There's some tension in her body but it isn't about what they're talking about. Nidaime might not have worked everything through from those days but just as protective Sayla can be of her, she has that same impulse for Dr. Mass.

It's a relief that Dr. Kabuto has the same concern.

"Yeah, you're right." Nidaime smiles again. It has the same kind of energy as the last smile though it reaches her eyes more. "Does it look like I'm forcing it?"

She starts to move to Sayla but--

--they enter Yuliana's orbit and Nidaime freezes suddenly.

She's getting a weird feeling, but she gets weird feelings a lot. That's not what stops her.

It's the absence that makes her stop cold. She doesn't know what else to call it but 'Absence'.

"...I can't do it." She tells Koji. In that space, she wonders, can her mother exist?

She tries tso come up with a plan. Unfortunately some of the easy kid options are blacked out because SAyla knows it'd be a flat out lie and she's not sure if that'd be recognized as a lifeline.

An idea occurs to her It's not even incorrect, really. "Can you..." She shuffles her feet. "I'd like to dance with auntie Sayla?"

She looks to Koji suggestively.

<Pose Tracker> Treize Khushrenada has posed.

        Treize must agree with the doctor on all she said, he would be a selfish cold hearted monster if he didn't. "Hopefully one day the fighting will end and there will be no more need for your foundation, at least not for war related efforts. " A hint of sadness slips in as he adds, " Even a peaceful world would not get rid of all the suffering. That is unfortunately how life must go sometimes."

         As Treize continues to follow the doctor he ends up back with Captan Dispersal, "It seems we just keep crossing paths Captain, I hope you have been enjoying yourself."

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

Nidaime's physical inability to cross an invisible threshold catches Koji's attention, too, and now that he looks again Sayla's mood has definitely worsened since she stepped inside that orbit. So he wasn't just being too jumpy in that power plant. "Good idea," he says quietly, breaking away from Nidaime to approach on an intercept course. After all, it is a Mazin's duty to protect others, and he can handle this at least.

"Dr. Mass?" An illusion of propriety as he closes. "Nidaime would like to ask you to come dance with her." He's returning the favour she paid him earlier this very event, in fact.

<Pose Tracker> Yuliana Dispersal has posed.

        "Entirely," Yuliana responds, without hesitation, to Treize's hopes. This is neither truthful nor honest, but she is rather good at lying; Yuliana often plagues parties such as these, after all.

        Besides, she's enjoying herself more than she isn't enjoying herself. She's hurt an awful lot of sensitive people, today -- judging by the way Sayla drinks her brandy, she can add one more to that list. This, she thinks, is entirely a positive.

        "It would be nice, wouldn't it?" Yuliana supposes, ruefully. "Though, I suppose even if there were no war, there would still be need for maintenance -- as we've heard today, it is one thing to build a dam, and another thing entirely to ensure it stays in working condition for the decades afterwards." Which means, at least, she was paying attention to their guests of honour. It would be so much easier if she were just being cruel, wouldn't it?

        She isn't... saying, anything particularly heinous. Indeed, Yuliana is saying very nice things, which any reasonable and kindhearted person would agree with.

        That she can use this language, perhaps, only makes her even more horrifying.

        "We hope that Miss D'Cruze will take this opportunity to spread her wings on a wider stage, of course," Yuliana lies, again, with an easy smile. "Whether she'll wish to expand her work, of course, is her own choice. She is just a girl -- even with her gifts, it would be cruel to overwork her. Though I hardly need to impress that fact on you, do I, Doctor Mass?"

        Her attention falls squarely on Nidaime, and she smiles.

        "You have such a way with children."

        Looking back up to Sayla, Yuliana laughs, good-naturedly, behind a hand. "I'd hate to interrupt such an important invitation -- do enjoy the party, Doctor. I've a few things I need to handle before the end of the night, so please excuse me." This, she directs to the Colonel, and she adds a passing, "good evening, doctor Kabuto," with a warm smile as she exits stage right.

        Soon enough, the Nega Force -- plus their youthful engineer -- will exit the party.

<Pose Tracker> Koji Kabuto has posed.

Koji watches Captain Dispersal leave, expression souring to a glower once her back is to him. He's not quite a Newtype, but he doesn't need to be to pick up on that polite, cheerful menace she exudes, managing to somehow threaten children - or those with the appearance of children, at any rate - without ever saying as much. Even Ashura had the decency to properly ham it up.

His palms itch. He thinks of Nagoya Ward, and Behemoth, and being back in the cockpit (alongside, unbeknownst to him, Sayla).

"Some people you're just not allowed to Rocket Punch," he grumbles quietly. The flame of justice is stoked for a moment, but now is not the time to let it blaze forth, not while a bowtie is choking him at any rate.

"I'm going to get some fresh air," he says to Sayla. "Let me know when you're up to filling me in on, uh, all of that stuff you mentioned earlier."

<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.

        If Sayla could get a better read on Yuliana, how she approached this would be different. But she can't. So she plays at sincere. She can't understand Treize. He seems so earnest, but then why would he be part of G-Hound? Or the federation at all. She smiles sadly. "You're right. There will always be suffering. But we can't exist without it. There will always be loss, there will always be disasters, there will always be people who need to hurt others. It's what we collectively and individually do about suffering that matters. We'll never eliminate it nor should we try to, but at least we can make it more bearable."

        Ah. Caught up in a moment of carelessness. That's twice tonight. What is wrong with here? Another, longer sip. "Very true, for now. But perhaps her inventions will mitigate that too. Needing maintenance every 50 years is a lot better than every three. Maybe I'm just feeling optimistic tonight." Another sip. "Of course. She still has a childhood to experience, after all. You wouldn't want to rush her through that." Sayla's venom stays in her mouth, but there is a sharpness to the words.

        Koji comes to the rescue and Sayla has to press something down. Those seven words sound like a threat, coming from Yuliana. Or maybe Sayla's off balance. "...Thank you, Doctor Kabuto." She says, tense, handing him what little is left of her brandy. "And thank you for the drink, Colonel. If you'll excuse me, I'm off to embarrass myself on the dance floor."

        She takes a few moments to breathe, and straighten out her dress. "Of course. I'll be in touch." And then she walks over to Nidaime, managing a smile.

        She would not be able to had she heard their conversation.