2022-10-11: Pianoforte
- Log: 2022-10-11 Pianoforte
- Cast: Kaworu Nagisa, Alouette Pommier
- Where: Tsutsujidai
- OOC - IC Date: October 11, 0096 (2022)
- Summary: Kaworu and Alouette have a rooftop talk about a peaceful future and the path of one's own desiring.
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
"Hm hm hm hm hm hm hm hm hm hm hm hmhm, hmhm..."
The soft, hummed sounds of Beethoven's 9th, more commonly known as Ode to Joy, waft on the hot, summery air of Tsutsujidai, down from the rooftop of its high school. It's the end of the school day, after classes but before clubs. Dance Club isn't meeting today, so there's no need to play piano for them. There's time enough to simply watch over the schoolgrounds and enjoy a song.
That's where Kaworu sits: atop the fence that surrounds the roof, perched upon it as easily and gracefully as a nightingale. Though he looks as though he might fall off any moment, at the same time, he looks as though he's perfectly balanced, one hand along the metal pole, the other arm draped over a bent leg, the other leg dangling casually off the ledge. Kaworu himself gazes down at his fellow students as they jog across the grounds. It's no Volleyball Club, but it does seem like one of the sports associates doing a jog along the track.
A soft breeze blows, bringing some relief from the heat. For Kaworu, it isn't necessary. He doesn't sweat. No more than Akane ever has.
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
Another day at Tsutsujidai High, and Alouette's been adjusting quite well, honestly. The classes aren't exactly "difficult" but they're still surprisingly stimulating no less. Alouette found Dr. Ohta's lessons on kaiju biology to be particularly interesting, not that there are any kaiju in Tsutsujidai anymore...right?
Despite adjusting well, Alouette still has a pretty low social battery overall, and when classes end, instead of socializing with her new friends in the courtyard, she takes the time to climb up to the rooftop to get some air and quiet time.
As expected, there aren't too many students up on the rooftop, but there's one who looks familiar, who she thinks shouldn't be here... no way.
She perches herself at a decent distance away from Kaworu, leaning against the ledge. She's honestly terrified to initiate this conversation, but she feels like it'd be safer if she did, before he starts questioning her. She doesn't get the sense that Kaworu would snatch her up and take her back to NERV headquarters though.. he's always had that more peaceful presence to him.
"Hey, Kaworu-kun. The song you were humming.. it's really nice." She greets, and she means it. Still, he's not her boss anymore, she doesn't have to call him Administrator, and she asserts that. "I didn't know you were a student here, or are you just investigating again?" He does seem to be wearing the uniform, which could either mean he really is a student or he's just trying to blend in. Her dark blue eyes cross him with an inquisitive look. She hopes Ikumi isn't here again... she still feels awful about that situation.
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
The door to the roof opens somewhere to Kaworu's back. He doesn't turn around or stop humming or react in any way--not until Alouette actually speaks up to greet him. It's only then that he stops and looks around his shoulder, smiling such a calm smile of greeting that it's clear he knew she was there. But maybe that's a good thing? If he was aware of her presence and didn't acknowledge it, that means he doesn't have any intention to drag her off anywhere.
"Thank you, Alouette Pommier," he replies. "Don't worry. I've been a student of this school since April. It's not quite accurate to say I transferred in, since I also still attend Tokyo-3 Municipal Middle School, but in short, my presence here predates your own."
Looking closer at his uniform, it does look similar to the Tsutsujidai High uniform... but that's only because it's such a simplistic one. A white button-up short-sleeved shirt, a violet undershirt, black slacks, a belt to tie it all together, and gray sneakers... It's such a generic look that it could be for any school. It could even be normal street clothes. It is in fact the exact same uniform he wears at his other school. Yet, it doesn't look out of place here at all.
"It's nice to see you again. I'm sorry we upset you the other day," he continues. "You and several others left without any explanation, so we were all concerned. Mamoru Amami and Ikumi Kaidou in particular are worried about you. However, you and I have only spoken once or twice before. If you're here of your uncoerced will, I have no reason to try to take you away from here."
He looks back down at the grounds, away from her. "I can understand what you said about not wanting to fight anymore. It's tiring, isn't it? Living life as someone else's tool. And this place is quiet. I came here not that long ago for a short stay when I needed a break, too. Akane can tell you all about it, I'm sure."
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
Kaworu is very kind. He doesn't even question Alouette's behaviour, never mind dragging her back to NERV. He just offers her a serene smile.
And then he explains he's actually been a student here for several months.. that's odd, Akane never actually told her that. "Oh.. I see! We're around the same age, but I guess I never saw you in class because I got skipped ahead." Akane insisted on it because she thought Alouette would find the lower year subjects too easy, and she wanted her in her class.
"I'm sorry, too... it seems Kaidou and I both upset each other, really. We'll probably never see each other again, but I hope he's happy with his life, too." How happy could he really be fighting for his life, against his family and friends, though?
Most of all, Kaworu is understanding, and emphasizes with Alouette's point of view. "Tiring... yes. Although I'm grateful for what GGG did for me, I really wanted to live the life BioNet stole from me, too." A wistful smile. "That's what Akane offered me, and I accepted. Nothing more, nothing less."
Even Kaworu feels the same way sometimes.. it seems hard not to, since NERV also treats their Evangelion pilots as if fighting the Angels is something only they can do. Akane said "something only one can do" is a myth. "You're right, it is very peaceful here. I'm glad Akane stopped attacking with her kaiju, and we can finally be friends..."
Of course, as far as Alouette knows, Akane decided to stop making kaiju after the battle in France, and now they've come to a mutual understanding of sorts. There's no reason to fight anymore.
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
"Oh, is that so? Yes, that would explain it," Kaworu replies, turning back around to gaze at Alouette. "I'm a first year here, so if you were skipped ahead, then it's no wonder we haven't seen each other before now." He pauses a beat. "If you're ahead a grade, does that mean you're in Akane's class?"
His smile turns briefly rueful when Alouette speaks of Kaidou and her upsetting each other. That much he doesn't comment on, though. "I hope so, too," he says instead.
A life stolen from BioNet... "So you're like Renais Cardiff-Shishioh," he observes. "I'm sorry to hear that. She's told me about her experiences. If yours are even half as bad, it's no wonder you wish for a chance to live the life you would have had."
On the surface, it does seem like it's no more or less than what Alouette describes. But if it really were that way... "Were you afraid that GGG wouldn't let you leave?" he wonders. "NERV has been willing to let even Evangelion pilots resign, so I find it hard to imagine that GGG would be more draconic. I admit I'm not as familiar with the way they work, but at the least, Acting Chief Shishioh doesn't seem like he would have refused your resignation."
He gazes at her steadily for a moment longer. 'Stopped attacking with her kaiju'... Well, that is certainly technically correct. He turns back partway towards the grounds, but a bit of his head still tilts her way.
"Would you like to join me, Alouette Pommier? The view is nice from up here," he offers. "One of the clubs is having practice down below. It's enjoyable to watch them try their best for what they love."
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
Alouette nods. "Same class as Akane, yes. Some of the students have been chatting about how strange it is that we're always together, but I don't think there's anything wrong with it..." She can see how it might seem unusual of course, but Alouette is mostly glad to have a friend at school for once.
Alouette only half-nods when Kaworu compares her to Renais. "Mmm, we have solidarity as former BioNet subjects, but we were part of different projects. I'm not a cyborg like her. I was the result of their project to create a genius - for weapons development. A form of a Coordinator, if you had to categorize me." She feels safer mentioning that, because like Akane told her, the people in Tsutsujidai don't mind if you're a Coordinator.
Consequently, she feels safe asking her next question. "By the way, Kaworu-kun, I used to hear rumours at NERV. Are we alike in that sense?" Being a Coordinator would certainly explain Kaworu's abilities and knowledge, and maybe why he feels "safe" in this city.
At the next question, whether she thought 3G wouldn't let her leave, Alouette entirely shakes her head. "No, it's not like that at all. I was more scared of... seeing their reactions. How sad they'd be. It was entirely irrational, I know... and it only made Kaidou's reaction worse in the long run." As for shutting down the Program Drive and related programs... "Also, I wanted my talents to be used for something other than weapons. I'm proud of the Final Fusion program, but learning new things is why I'm here." She looks more directly at Kaworu. "Like, musical talent isn't something BioNet can just implant in you. I'd love to learn how to sing or play an instrument. Like you can."
As Kaworu offers, Alouette makes her way closer to him, fully taking in the breeze and gazing upon the students. "Yeah.. maybe this school is something worth trying your best for." Alouette Pommier may have given up on fighting, but there's plenty she hasn't given up on.
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
"Is that so?" Kaworu says quietly, a breeze ruffling his gray hair. "To their perspectives, I can see why it seems strange. As far as they know, you're brand-new to the school. But you and Akane have known each other for longer than that, I'm guessing?"
A form of Coordinator. Kaworu chuckles a bit at that. "I see... I could tell that you weren't a cyborg, but... so that's the kind of project you were to them. It makes sense. I saw your work during Gridman Sigma's invasion of Central Dogma, and your skills with electronics are marvelous."
He pauses a half-beat when she brings up those rumors at NERV. Then he laughs a little, more like a faint breath than anything else. "We're alike," he confirms. "I'm not a Coordinator, precisely, but I have abilities much like yours. I try to be somewhat discreet with them, however."
'Somewhat discreet' is extremely relative. But that's neither here nor there.
"I see... So you acknowledge it was irrational." There's a lot more that Kaworu could say on top of that... but he leaves it there for now. If it's true that some part of her really did want this, then pushing too hard won't do either of them any good. Besides, he really does understand how she feels. When she brings up musical talent, his smile broadens as he chuckles again, more sincere this time.
"Oh? I can't help you with singing, but I can help you with learning an instrument. If you want to learn to sing, too, I have several friends who are interested in it too. One of them is working on becoming a professional songstress, even. If you like, I could introduce you, and you could learn together. For now, though... what instrument would you like to learn to play?"
She comes over to stand next to the fence, and he looks back out towards the students below from his perch above her. It's not this school that he'd consider worth trying one's best for, but... "There are rumors at my other school that I'm a Coordinator, you know. My classmates used to not take them very seriously, but then I was shot and survived. Since I returned from the hospital, they've been avoiding me." His smile turns wistful. "I don't blame them. It's true someone wanted me dead. I would hate it if one of them died because they were caught up in an attempt on my life."
For a moment, there's silence. A warm wind blows. Then he looks over at Alouette again. "My other school's student council president asked me to participate in a recital. It'll take place sometime in December. If you feel up to it, I'd be happy if you'd come see."
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"That's true," Alouette agrees. "We first became acquainted during Renais's rescue. After that, we met again as enemies during the kaiju attacks." She looks down when she mentions that. "But she always kept hinting that it.. wasn't what she wanted. I didn't want to be enemies, either." Sometimes the worst enemies can become the best of friends with a little bit of understanding.. even if Akane had to use a little force to get there.
Kaworu brings up her work in stopping Gridman Sigma at Central Dogma, and although that somewhat brings back bad memories, she forces a smile. "Thank you! I tried my best, although.. if I didn't have to fight people I used to know, it probably couldve gone better, I think." This is, partially, the core behind Alouette "giving up". The inability to properly work against those she emphasizes with.
And then she gets a little nervous, at the faint laugh, worried she might have offended Kaworu in some capacity, but then her face returns to a smile when he confirms they're alike. "Oh! I won't pry anymore but.. I've never been to the PLANTs before Tsutsujidai, so I never really got to meet anyone like me growing up, especially since BioNet mostly isolated me. So it's nice to see someone similar." If he isn't a traditional Coordinator, she wonders for a moment what type of person he really is.. certainly not one of BioNet's children. Still, labels like that shouldn't be too important, Alouette thinks.
Alouette does get a little defensive when Kaworu mentions her acknowledging her actions were irrational. "Leaving without a trace without trying to make them understand was irrational. But I don't regret anything else. I truly think I made the right decision." Despite that, Kaworu doesn't further press onto that point, seemingly preferring to take a gentler approach.
And so, they move onto an easier topic: music, and like Kaworu, Alouette grins. "Mhm, I'd love to try meeting them. As for instruments.. the piano is very popular in France, and I know you have experience with it. We could try that?" It's genuinely kind of exciting; learning something new from scratch, at her own pace, was an experience Alouette never really got to have. Not with BioNet's doctors drilling a non-stop stream of information in her as a child in their schools.
Alouette knew about the attempt on Kaworu's life, it was all over NERV's channels, and she attended a number of meetings and debriefings about it. And many were quick to point the finger of blame at Akane... Alouette and Kaworu both have an understanding she truly wasn't involved, though. "Ah.. that's horrible. It's true it's not easy to blame them, but it must feel terribly isolating."
As the wind blows across Alouette's oversized curls, she nods. "Yes, I'll absolutely see if I can make it. It would be nice to see you perform."
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
"Ah... So that's when. I do remember seeing you there, thinking back. You were on a motorcycle and she was riding it with you, as I recall," Kaworu muses. "So you became friends after that... I see. I don't want to be enemies with her, either. Actually, I consider her a good friend..." His head tilts to one side. "Though I'm not sure how she feels about me, anymore. I have a hard time understanding those who don't express themselves honestly."
His expression turns sympathetic as she mentions how the fight against Sigma could have gone better. "It's hard fighting against someone who was once a friend. Who you still consider a friend. Pushing through those feelings only distances yourself from what's important to you yet further."
He might not outright say that he gets why she 'gave up,' but it does sound like he has some similar experiences. He smiles back as she says she won't pry further--he doesn't mind answering questions, but he can only answer them so far. It's best for both of them if they don't cross a certain line. "I can certainly understand that isolation, too. Actually, if you don't mind my saying so, you should talk to Ruri Hoshino of the Nadesico sometime. She's also like us in regards to our abilities with electronics. She's a very sweet girl, and she likes music, too."
Though she gets defensive about how she left GGG, Kaworu only gazes at her in a soft silence. He doesn't agree or argue with her about whether it was the right decision. It's enough that she acknowledges some of it.
"Certainly. I play piano for the Dance Club here, as you might know." He swings his legs around gracefully, folding them so that he now faces inwards towards Alouette and the school rather than the grounds below. "If you like, we could head to the music room now. I'll probably be playing the piano for the recital, so it would be good for me to get some practice in anyway." He laughs a little. "Though we haven't actually chosen what pieces we're playing yet. But that's part of what makes it exciting."
His smile softens, but there's a shadow over his eyes. "It is," he admits. His gaze brightens a bit, like a lamp in the darkness. "But I don't mind. They're safer that way, and it's not like it's everyone. As long as I still have some friends there to support me--" as long as he has Shinji, "--then it's all right." And when Alouette agrees to attend, his smile broadens enough to squint his eyes shut. "I'm glad to hear it! I look forward to seeing you there, Alouette Pommier."
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"That's right, we were riding Porc-Auto. We chatted a bit, about Tarabaman and the nature of kaiju. At the time I didn't realize she was talking about actual, real-life kaiju..." Alouette's head tilts along with Kaworu, as she takes in what he says next. People who don't express themselves honestly... is Akane being dishonest, to Alouette, even now? It's not something Alouette would prefer to think about right now.
"Mhm, it's very difficult. For the rest of 3G too..." She thinks to Kaidou asserting his independence from J, as a warrior of Earth and the Red Planet, while still vowing to bring him back. "Although, honestly, I think they're a lot braver about it than I was."
"Ruri... Hoshino..." she sounds out. "Oh, she was at the battle against Gridman Sigma too! Her AI friend cheered us on, I remember." Alouette got the sense that Ruri was a very quiet, matter-of-fact, individual, just like herself as a child. "It would be lovely to meet outside of battle, then."
"Okay," Alouette nods, at Kaworu's suggestion to visit the music room. "You haven't chosen yet? Unpredictability is pretty exciting, I agree. Do you have any songs you like to play in particular?"
If Kaworu has friends - and as he implies, when he stops mid-sentence, a specific important person, he is all right... "Friends do make things a lot easier. I never enjoyed school at all before now.. I have Akane to thank for making that possible." Alouette's glowing smile matches Kaworu's. "Yes! Looking forward to it, too! Thanks for the invite~"
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
"Yes, she was. Her friend's name is Omoikane. He's my friend too of course, but he tends to stick close to Ruri for various reasons," Kaworu replies, pleased. He does give her a thoughtful look when she says the rest of 3G is braver than she is about it--but he doesn't question it. After all, the whole reason they're here is because she said that she was tired of fighting and wanted to quit.
"The recital was only announced a few days ago, to be honest. We still have a week and a half to decide what pieces we'll be playing," he replies, hopping--sliding? gliding??--down from the top of the fence to land as light as a feather, hands slipping into his pockets, next to Alouette. It might be jarring until one remembers that this is a PLANT and has only a portion of Earth's gravity.
"I like Beethoven, of course--Mozart, Bach, Haydn--and I've become a big fan of Chopin lately. His pieces are a great deal of fun to play," Kaworu replies with a demure sort of enthusiasm. "But I also enjoy Fire Bomber, Lynn Minmay, and other Macross fleet songstresses. They have a truly rich music history, despite having only existed for a few decades."
Akane to thank, hm... "Then I hope you can make the most of your time while you're here," he replies. He laughs in pleasure at her matched joy. "You're quite welcome. Then shall we be off?"
From there, he'll walk her to the music room and teach her the basics of playing the piano. There's enough room at the keyboard for both of them to sit together, and while it's not the same as it was with him... It is fun, in its own way.
There is joy here. Kaworu hopes, for Alouette's sake, that it remains real even after Akane's kaiju is gone.
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"I see. Omoikane reminded me of GGG's Super AI in some ways... very smart, perceptive, and most of all, kind." No matter if she left, Alouette still can't help but make comparisons to her old organization... does she miss them?
Alouette surprisingly keeps her balance just well as Kaworu, as they jump down from the fence, despite being new to the PLANTs. Her strong reflexes always seem to come in handy. She listens attentively as Kaworu lists off his favourite classical artists, all ones Alouette's surely heard of, but his passion brings a new perspective to it, compared to the disinterested way she used to study things like this. "Macross artists.. my friend Rikka is a big fan of Sheryl Nome." She adds. "I have a lot of respect for her and her strong attitude, too." She even got to meet the idol briefly when they competed in the Millympic games.. that was pretty exciting. "Anyways, yes, let's go!" She follows Kaworu's lead to the musical room.
And then, just as attentively as she listened to Kaworu speak, Alouette also listens to him play, her eyes scanning his keystrokes, trying to match Kaworu's. She's fast and skilled for sure, but she doesn't quite have the talent for how to connect it into a song yet. Still, it was very fun.
Bujack may have been forcing Alouette's worries to the back of her mind, but the joy she felt today was no less real.. and she may have made another valuable friendship.