2022-11-10: "Let Others See You"
- Log: "Let Others See You"
- Cast: Banagher Links, Ennil El
- Where: Sweetwater Colony, Side 4
- OOC - IC Date: 0096-11-10
- Summary: Ennil El is betting on a Unicorn. Banagher Links believes everyone should be saved.
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
Gentle notes float through the air as Ennil approaches the apartment. Someone fairly skilled is playing -- a cheap keyboard by the sound of it. For anyone familiar with classical music, the tune would be easy to identify. Clair de Lune. The favorite of a certain white-haired Eva pilot, recommended to Banagher in the hopes of pleasing one of the girls he loves.
When Ennil knocks on the door, the music abruptly stops. Footsteps approach the door, opening to reveal a young man with messy brown hair. Today, he's wearing jeans and a t-shirt cheerfully displaying a floating Haro. "Hello." The young man says, witha slight smile. He's a little nervous. "You must be Ennil, right? I'm Banagher," A pause, somehow full of significance. "Links. Banagher Links."
Inviting her in, Ennil is treated to a somewhat-shabby hotel room. It's respectable, but certainly not fancy. Banagher has set up a small table and two chairs, with a nice assortment of baked goods waiting. He sits down with an inviting smile. "Leina told me about you. She said you wanted to meet."
<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.
The girl greeting him is a bit of a knock-out. Tall, big blue eyes, easy confidence. Normally she dresses and acts the part. Today, though, although she's in her usual outfit, the confidence that goes with it is... lacking. It takes her a moment to respond to Banagher, and another moment for her to accept the invitation in, inspecting him all the while.
"Yeah. Yeah, this makes sense," she says, a little cryptically. What she means is - yeah, this is the kind of normal guy Leina likes - and there's... something, under that thought. Muddy. Still, she returns Banagher's soft smile. "Ennil El."
She takes one of the shabby chairs without any sign of discomfort. As if it were a luxury. She fetches something small from the offered baked goods and gently bites off a tiny piece of cookie, turning the rest over in her hand. "You're comfortable having conversations here? Even... sensitive ones?"
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
"Makes sense..?" Banagher asks, somewhat oblivious to the beauty of the girl in front of him. It's a little strange to be investigated so closely. Maybe Ennil is nervous -- in an effort to help her feel better, Banagher keeps his movements smooth and well-broadcasted. While his guest's thoughts are a bit confusing, he doesn't show any sign of distress. Some people just had different thoughts.
"It's nice to properly meet you." Ennil only takes something small, and then takes such a tiny bite. Hmm. Hoping to encourage her, Banagher takes a generously-sized, sugar-glazed muffin top. Chomping into it, he gives her a bright smile. "Please have as much as you like! Audrey and I are friends with a local baker, and he gives us all the stuff that doesn't sell. So it's really no trouble at all."
Swallowing his bite, Banagher tilts his head a bit. "Yeah, this room was prepared for Audrey and I by someone we can trust. If you'd be more comfortable, though, we can go on a walk, or anywhere else you like. As long as we're careful not to bump into a Fed patrol, of course." There's a pause, Banagher leaving room for Ennil to reply before he asks another question. "Why do you ask?"
<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.
She smiles, and the next bite is a little bigger. "That's good. Oh, Aubrey?" Hmm. Leina didn't... tell her much about that. Another little twinge of quiet confusion. "Well, whatever."
She takes a slow breath, and then lays out the main point. "The main thing I do, Banagher, is mobile suit salvaging and repair. Primarily for people like... The captain we both know. I specialize in it. I've spent more time in Zeon holdouts across the Earth than almost anyone else. So, I don't know if this is going to make sense to you, but... Did it seem like the Shamblo, leaving Torrington, would have been operational without help?"
There's a sad look in her eyes as she gazes back towards the door. "So why did no one find Loni Garvey?"
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
"Audrey is Leina and I's girlfriend." Banagher explains, pride and cheer in his voice. This is clearly one of his favorite subjects. "She's wonderful. She's out doing some training right now, but I hope she'll be back in time for you two to meet."
Golden eyes seem to light up at the mention of a certain Captain. "You know Captain Zinnerman! How is he doing? I really miss him, and everyone on the crew. They're good men." Refocusing on what Ennil's actually saying, Bangaher nods. "Salvaging and repair. That's a tough job, really dangerous. I had a part time job like that when I was still in school."
The mention of the Shamblo makes Banagher freeze up, midway through another bite of his muffin. Slowly, he finishes chewing, then shakes his head. "I was..." He looks down. Wishing he'd put on a hoodie, Banagher fusses with the hem of his shirt. "Were you there, at Torrington, Ennil? The Unicorn and I -- when --"
It's a little too much. He takes a breath, deciding to answer Ennil's second question. "I wasn't awake for most of the battle, and I passed out again once the Unicorn was stopped. I didn't see it with my own eyes, but all I've been told is that the Shamblo retreated into the ocean, and disappeared. It's difficult to mount a search in the ocean, and even more difficult with the Feds everywhere after the battle."
"It's... something I've been thinking about. A lot." Banagher can't quite meet Ennil's eyes, still, and his muffin is abandoned entirely. "I entered the battle to try and save her. She wasn't herself. She was consumed by her anger and grief already, and then the psychoframe in the Shamblo just -- took over."
Flashes of scarlet light against darkness. Banagher closes his eyes, leaning back in his chair just a bit.
"Miss Loni isn't a bad person." His voice is barely a murmur. "I really hope she's somewhere safe."
<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.
Her eyes widen a little to find out Leina has - a girlfriend? - but that shouldn't surprise her. It's not unusual. Still, it sticks to her a little bit. She turns it over in her mind, but smiles when Banagher suggests they might be able to meet. "I'm glad. Leina has people who make her happy." The chatter about Zinnerman is nice too - they didn't get to spend long together, but the old man... Yeah, Ennil nods, thinking about it. He's the type to take care of people, isn't he? Marida was happy there. "He's a good man. Why I asked him about you. I figured he'd be square with me, and he was."
It's hard on Banagher, remembering Torrington. Even Ennil can see that. Or... maybe she's gotten better at seeing, lately. It's not that hard when you try. "I'm afraid I was. On the wrong side of it, maybe. I... told Leina I'll need to apologize to her doctor, later." Another one of those little hesitations. More confusion. Maybe she's just embarassed again. But then Banagher says what she was hoping to hear. "I think so too, Banagher. I want to help Loni Garvey, but..." She gives a little hmm. "If the Shamblo had just crashed, Vultures like me would've been all over it. I'd have found wreckage when I went looking. If it had been repaired, same thing."
The nervousness returns to her frame, though now the anxiety manifests in quick, sharp bites through her offered treat, and before long there's another sweet in her hand. "I think someone wanted to take her. Use her. It wouldn't be the first time someone's taken advantage of a girl like her." Leina would know, if she was here. Had she told Banagher about Elpeo? Did Banagher know what she knew about Marida Cruz? "In which case... the psycoframe. It could be even worse. And I can't do anything about that. But... you can."
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
"Leina deserves so much." Banagher says, eyes soft. "We'll do our very best to make her happy. And the Captain... you can always trust him. He might put up a fuss, but deep down, he's a true-hearted good man." Ennil asked about Banagher? "But you asked him about me..? Oh, because you were at Torrington, I guess."
Wait, Leina's doctor-- "Do you mean Dr. Bidan?" Banagher's eyes go wide. "You fought Dr. Bidan? He's my mentor! It must've been incredible to see him in action. Er-- but, I'm sorry you guys wound up fighting. I'm sure it must've been a misunderstanding." Or so he hopes. The Earthsphere can be so strange, and so small.
"Overall, I'm glad you're safe. Torrington was a nightmare. Lots of people didn't make it out." Banagher smiles, picking at his snack once more. Sugar glints on his fingertips -- he's too polite to lick it off in front of a new friend. "Yes, that makes sense. A machine with that much psychoframe would be worth a ton. Especially since everyone saw what the Unicorn can do with it... The Federation should've had it salvaged before the base was even cleared of rubble."
Ennil's worry echoes against Banagher's heart, and he breathes out softly. Ride the wave. Don't drown in her feelings. At least she's taking another treat, anxiety is far worse on an empty stomach. Hearing what Ennil says, Banagher's face darkens. "You're right. Miss Loni's a Newtype, one with clear piloting skills. There's probably a hundred different labs who would want her. Just like--" Banagher stops himself. "There's something I can do, Ennil?" Banagher leans forward, eager. "If I can help Miss Loni, I'll do whatever I can. Please, tell me what it is."
<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.
This is the hardest part. What she's about to do... This is someone important to Leina. And it's going to be dangerous.
"Me and Loni aren't... very different. I think I can help her. If I can reach her, I think we can get her away from that machine. That monster." There's a twitch in her shoulders. A suppressed shudder. "Which means interrupting the psycoframe. Weakening its hold on her. But I don't have the abilities you have, and I don't have the Unicorn. I need to be there when we do it, and I need you..." She bites at her lip. "I need you to use the Unicorn again. And make contact with the psycoframe in her machine. I can't imagine it won't be incredibly dangerous for you. But I watched you fight... not to hurt anyone. That's something I don't know how to do, too." Those blue eyes waver a little.
"Because of Leina, I'm putting my faith in you, Banagher Links."
...and when was the last time she'd done that?
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
Me and Loni aren't... very different.
Banagher's eyes go faraway for a moment. Memories of a town going up in flames, children trapped inside with their families. Screams echo in his ears. If Ennil knows the Captain, she must be a member of Neo-Zeon. What sort of suffering could be hidden in her past?
Clutching the edge of the table, he drags himself away from the memory. "I've been working hard, while I've been here in Sweetwater. I've controlled the Unicorn when it transformed in one battle. It wasn't against an enemy with a psychoframe, but--"
Ennil invokes Leina's name. It wouldn't have taken much to convince Banagher to do this, but now, how could he say no? A solemn nod. "I'll do it. Though there are a few things you need to know about the Unicorn. It hides a system called the NT-D. The Newtype Destroyer." It never gets less stressful to explain this to someone. "It activates when we face a Newtype enemy in a Psychoframe. It's what allows her to transform and glow red. A part of this process injects the pilot, and their passengers with. An unknown cocktail of drugs. It allows them to better handle the g forces they'll be exposed to."
"The NT-D feeds on my fear and anger. It -- The Unicorn wants to protect me. The NT-D puts my feelings into a feedback loop until I'm blinded to anything but the battle. If this happens, the Unicorn will run wild. She'll attack whoever feels like the biggest threat to me." Banagher's voice is very serious. "I believe I can control it now. I've done it once. But Miss Loni's machine is a far bigger threat, in the NT-D's eyes. I can't tell you that I'll 100% for sure be able to hold it back."
"And finally... there's a lot of people after the Unicorn, and after me. If you ride with me, you might be targeted by them. The Federation, Neo-Zeon, who knows who else. They'd do just about anything to get their hands on us."
Banagher sighs. "That's all. I'm willing to do this, and I'll give it my all, but you needed to know the truth of things. Miss Loni is a fierce and capable pilot in her own right, and if she's been... brainwashed or altered by some shady group... I don't know if we can count on her going easy on us. I -- can do this. I can stop her. But it's not going to be an easy fight."
<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.
She sees it again. The first time she had seen Banagher he had been so... plain. Charming enough, but an ordinary boy in a lot of ways. Which had made her happy. Leina deserved ordinary happiness... But that's not the whole truth, is it? In some way, Banagher can see her. The same way Leina can see her. He knows more than he lets on.
There's a spike of fear that comes with that thought. Muddled memory. She smothers it. She just doesn't want to hurt Leina again. Keep him moving. Push his thoughts away. She's done it before. She nods along with his discussion of the Unicorn's power, grimacing a bit at the thought. Making machines like that, that treat their pilot like another gear - why does it keep happening? "That's... what went wrong at Torrington. I wondered. You seemed so miserable. The way the machine moved, I mean..."
How else would Ennil know? "I'll trust in your skills. I'm a good pilot, but if I'm going to do this, I probably need to be as close as possible. The Unicorn has room for passengers, right?" Her mouth is cloyingly sweet at this point, and she's only vaguely aware that she's got a third cookie in her hand. "And... if I'm going to be here a while. It feels silly to ask, but could I get something to drink?"
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
There's that odd feeling again, coming from Ennil. Banagher looks at her curiously, but he's not quite sure how to ask about something like this. It could very well be a painful memory, one Ennil wouldn't appreciate having dragged forward.
"Yeah." Banagher lowers his gaze again, this time picking apart a napkin. "When Amuro Ray appeared, the Unicorn couldn't handle it. To her, he was the biggest threat we'd ever faced. She doesn't want to hurt anyone." The young man talks about his Gundam as though it were a living being. It's completely genuine. "The NT-D takes her over as much as it takes me over. I just have to let her know we can fight together, that I don't need to be protected to the point where I'm no longer -- awake."
Banagher stands and brings over a pair of water bottles, an apologetic smile on his face. "Sorry. I forgot to set these out. And yes, the Unicorn has two passenger seats now. Complete with injectors and enough straps to keep anyone safe. Even a Haro." Another little smile -- he's trying to lighten the mood a bit. "Do you need to stay here in Sweetwater? Audrey and I are planning on leaving tomorrow, but you're welcome to stay the night."
There are, in fact, two beds. But only one looks slept in. "Audrey and I have just been sharing. It's -- um. Things were so awful after Torrington, and -- I stay on the top of the blankets, she goes underneath, it's not like--" Banagher blushes. "Well. There's another bed, if you'd like it. I'm sure we could arrange somewhere for us all to stay once we leave."
"We've put a lot of heat on the people here, once the Feds found out Full Frontal made an appearance. And he only did that because Audrey and I were here." Banagher shakes his head. "The people have all been so kind to us. We've got to go somewhere else and make sure the Unicorn is seen, so maybe the Feds will back off, at least a little."
<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.
She takes a big swig of the water - not very ladylike of her, but this is Business Ennil - only to regret it a little when Banagher's wholesome embarrassment makes her choke back a giggle. "Don't worry, you won't keep me up. I sleep like a log." It's not totally true - Ennil keeps one eye open in a lot of situations - but in a place like this? She'd feel perfectly safe. "If you'll be taking off tomorrow, it's probably best if I stick around, yeah. It'd look even more suspicious if the Unicorn had a Geara Zulu tailing it wherever you go."
The fact that Full Frontal was here definitely raises an eye for her. He was on the Garancieres, too. Does Banagher know that Zinnerman is reporting to him? ...Does Full Frontal know that Zinnerman and Banagher are in touch? She wonders, briefly, who's playing who. "Well. We can work out the specifics later. I think we've got the business end of things sorted, and you've been going to a lot of effort to make me comfy. Go ahead and relax, Banagher. I'd actually... appreciate some time to talk." She leans back in the cheap chair, sipping on her water. "Starting to realize how much I missed out, not knowing Leina was still around..."
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
Banagher blushes a bit more, than laughs, seeing Ennil's struggle to keep from laughing. "Sorry. And thanks -- the beds aren't anything fancy, but they're definitely comfortable enough. I'm really glad I bothered everyone for another seat in the Unicorn, now. Will your Geara Zulu be alright if you leave it here?"
"Thanks!" Banagher says, once again. He actually gets up and grabs a minty-green hoodie from its place sprawled on the bed. "I'm way more comfortable with one of these on. How'd you meet Leina, Ennil? Not that I'm surprised, really. She knows practically everyone in the Earthsphere, I think."
There's so many other questions he could ask, but instead, he just smiles. It's nice, having someone to talk to like this. Taking a cookie of his own, he munches on it, listening thoughtfully to Ennil's answers. "I'd love to hear more about yourself, too."
<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.
"One of the advantages of being a Vulture," Ennil smiles. "I can put the word out, and someone with the space will hold onto it for me. I've used it before to hide my movements - make it obvious I'm in the area, then make sure someone sees my mobile suit going the wrong direction. More or less your plan with the Unicorn, I suppose."
She tilts her head a bit as Banagher picks up his hoodie, but doesn't comment. It's not the strangest thing. Then the topic of Leina comes up. "We were..." She rolls the word around in her head a bit. "I suppose, technically, I was holding her prisoner. Not personally, you understand." She runs a hand down her leg, fingers playing at the smooth texture. "I was servicing suits on behalf of Glemy Toto. He needed someone who was familiar with Zeon mechanics, and who wouldn't leave a trail or be tempted to say anything further up the chain." She sighs here. "I was a starstruck teen. One of the only times in my life I've been dumb enough to be an easy target. Didn't think anything of it when Leina showed up, either - just a prisoner - but you know how she is. Irrepressible. Made a big impression on me." Then there's the hardest part. "...And on Elpeo."
The other question gives her a chance to draw away from that topic a bit. "As for me, well. I'm nothing special. There are Sleeves all around the world with my story. Folks the world left behind, who found something they could do to survive. And got sick of waiting for the world to remember they exist."
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
"That's so cool! Having those kinds of connections has got to make life easier." Banagher chews on the cookie. "Yeah. Maybe you could give me some tips, for getting the heat off Sweetwater? I have no idea if a big spectacle would help, or just sneaking away..."
Ennil answers his question, and at first... It's like the temperature drops in the room. Pressure exudes from the young man, even though he's frozen in place. Something about those golden eyes lock onto Ennil's own, piercing, accusing...
...but then Ennil completes her thought. The pressure eases up, vanishes, and Banagher nods. "Alright. You had me scared there for a second. That was... a horrible time for Leina. I don't know how she made it through all alone. Only ten years old..."
As he trails off, Banagher listens to Ennil go on. His eyes fill with emotion again, this time with sympathy. "I can understand that. I've made a lot of mistakes just because I didn't know any better. But -- you really didn't mind children being used as prisoners of war? Or -- what was being done to Elpeo?"
Again, Banagher thinks of his experiences with Zinnerman and his crew. People the world left behind... "I see. You're pretty inspirational, being able to get by all on your own like this. When I lost my mother, I would've been doomed. I just got lucky to make it through."
"Do you have anything you like to do for fun? Or hobbies?" Banagher picks up his phone, flipping through pictures, then holds it up to Ennil. On the screen is a video of a bright-green Haro, flapping its little wings cheerfully. "I really like playing with my Haro. He's back with Leina for now, I miss him a lot."
<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.
Banagher locks eyes with her, and she doesn't shrink under his gaze. It's strange, even. Her deep blue eyes reflect in his golden ones, and for a moment, there is the strangest sensation as Banagher's upset and suspicion bears down on her.
As if Ennil El is seeing herself through a mirror.
He finishes his question, and she takes another deep breath. "It really didn't. Things had been going on so long... I was only a couple years older than Leina, myself. Posted to a warship, part of some guy's game." It's an unhappy memory for Ennil, and this one she doesn't bother to cloak. "It was like I was... dreaming. Or at the bottom of an ocean. It was awful for Leina, of course, but. She found ways to smile. And when she did, I realized I wanted her to. I kept finding excuses to make her smile. I woke up for a while." Just talking about it, it is as if there is so much more Ennil in the room. "And then, Elpeo..." She has to take a long drink after that. "I didn't know it was wrong, Banagher. But Leina stopped smiling." What she can't say is - how long it's been since anything felt right. "I'm glad it's different now."
It's weird for her to hear someone tell her what she's done is impressive. She lets it slide past her, but nods along agreeably enough. "It's good work. People always need it. And it puts me in a place where folks aren't getting much help. I make good money, I take care of myself, but I never cared to keep it. Not when I see how little some folks are getting by on." She smiles a little at that, and again when Banagher shows her his Haro. "Hey, look at that. We have something in common. Never really got into the Haro craze, but I do a lot of tinkering. Kind of stereotypical, for a Vulture, but it wasn't good enough for me to just tape something together and bet my life on it. Wanted to know everything I could. Aside from that, sometimes I'll go out and dance on a good night. See who I meet. The world's an interesting place, Banagher Links."
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
Stranger and stranger... Why does Ennil feel so -- almost like he can't quite reach her? Normally, the feelings echoed onto him from others are far more clear. This is like an improperly tuned radio.
Of course Ennil had been young, but hearing it... Banagher closes his eyes. "You were just like them, then. As much a prisoner of Zeon's reach as the other girls. You don't bear the blame for Glemy's actions. I really hope you don't blame yourself for them." Eyes open again, and he smiles, soft and sympathetic. Some emotions radiate clearly from Ennil, it seems, if this unhappiness is anything to go by. "I'm really glad you were there for her. Leina -- anything that would've brought her happiness helped keep her going. It helped her get to where she is now. I know it."
"I understand." Banagher murmurs. "Leina still mourns Elpeo, even after everything that happened between them. After everything Elpeo tried to do. She's still fighting for Elpeo, even though it hurts her." Another smile. "I'm glad it's different, too."
"You work so hard, and you give your money to others?" A tone of genuine respect enters the young man's voice. "That's really incredible, Ennil. People like you... If everyone could be this way, I think the whole Earthsphere would be happy. If we all do what we can, everyone will be taken care of!" Banagher seems very interested in this topic. "It's something I've been putting a lot of thought into. What can inspire people to love each other like this, and take action for themselves..."
A grin as Ennil describes her love of tinkering. "If it's your life, you should have fun with it! Otherwise you'd be bored all the time. And dancing, huh?" Banagher looks thoughtful. "I've been meaning to learn how to dance. Both Audrey and Leina can, but I've spent all my time studying instead of learning anything girls would like. Do you have any tips?"
<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.
She helped save Leina?
She's making the world a better place?
She loves other people?
Ennil El shakes her head, fiercely. "I wish it was that easy. The work I do... A father goes out to fight. Because his son died in the name of some would-be aristocrat... I put that gun in his hand. It's the least I can do to make sure no one starves because of it." She looks at Banagher, and... Even she couldn't say what she's feeling right now. "You have a much more genuine chance than I do, Banagher. Only certain people get to be heroes. I just want to do this one thing right, so Loni gets a chance too..."
But she doesn't want to be sad. And she doesn't want to see Banagher stop smiling, either. Leina will need that smile. So she moves on. "A little, yeah. Though, if you wanna know the secret - Dancing's all context and confidence. Once you have a decent sense of rhythm, as long as you look like you're having a good time and not just shuffling your feet, almost anything works. Just let yourself be part of the crowd. Let others see you. Don't be embarrassed."
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
Ennil pushes away his praise so easily. Banagher frowns. Maybe she and Leina have more in common than they know. "No. You can't blame yourself for things like that. Especially not when you were a kid. Even if you can't make up for the harm you caused -- all you can do is your best now. And you're doing that!" His voice is earnest, and his words come with such confidence. "It's not a competition between us. All any of us can do is our best. And I think -- if we do that, it's enough. You can forgive yourself."
Maybe he hasn't been where Ennil has been, but Banagher's haunted by his own failures and mistakes.
"I think you're a hero. My mother -- she worked herself to death. We never had enough money, and then she was gone. You're keeping lots of kids from having to go through that." Banagher clears his throat, looking away. "You'll never convince me that's not heroic."
He's quiet for a moment, but seems to recover. The smile comes back as Ennil describes what dancing is really like. "I was invited to a dance once, but I didn't go. I was too worried about studying. I wish I had, now!" He laughs, then glances back to a corner of the room. Two cheap keyboards stand side by side. "I'm pretty okay with rhythm. I guess that's something. Confidence and context. That's really good advice, Ennil, thank you. I'll do my best, if the moment ever comes!"
<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.
This time, when Banagher pushes, Ennil just... isn't at home. She nods, and talks, easily enough. "It matters. I know. I'm trying - really, I am." There's a moment where she focuses in again, when Banagher mentions losing his mother, but then...
She's gone again. She looks over to the keyboards and smiles. "Yeah. You were playing a little when I got here?" It's an empty question, since the answer is obvious. "Aubrey a fan?" She remembers the way his face lit up talking about her. Something happier, then. One of the muffins, something with a soft glaze of sugar. "What's she like, actually? She's not going to be mad you have a lady staying the night? Or that I'm stealing you away for something dangerous?" She smirks a little, letting Banagher know it's a joke.
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
Something's really wrong, now. Ennil doesn't feel right -- and he gets the message. "I believe in you." Banagher murmurs, resolving to stop pressing.
Time to move to happier things. "Yeah! Audrey and I both learned how to play as kids. Leina did, too, but it was from Glemy. So it's hard on her. I thought if we played some music from her favorite TV shows, it might help. Nothing like Glemy would've wanted her to play." Banagher blushes softly. "We've been working really hard."
"Audrey... she's amazing. So brave, so kind. She's a little shy. Sometimes she doesn't quite know how to interact with situations, but she's learning so fast." Banagher taps his phone awake again, scrolling back through his pictures. "Here's all three of us!"
On the screen this time are three teenagers. Leina is there in her wheelchair, Banagher by her side, and a third girl to his other side. All three are laughing up at the camera, and wearing absolutely ridiculous sunglasses. That third girl... She's in an oversized hoodie, and her eyes are covered, but lovely deep blonde hair peeks through. It's a very distinct shape -- round bangs curling just above her eyes.
Ennil's gentle teasing makes Banagher blush all the more -- though he catches on to the joke, laughing. "No way! She'll be totally understanding. We've tested our bond a lot here! And really, Audrey'll probably come along to the battle. We're determined never to be apart again. Well, you know, long term apart."
<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.
Ennil El smiles when Banagher brightens again. And - it's not as if she's lying. Seeing Banagher smile is nice. She listens a bit, nodding solemnly when he mentions Glemy - "I think I heard, once or twice..." - but more than happy to focus on the happier elements of the story. "You're a really considerate person. I'm not surprised Leina likes you." And then he starts in on Aubrey. "Wow, you're really over the moon, huh? That's good, though."
She leans in to take a better look at the picture. The first thing she sees is, of course, Leina. "Oh, this is pretty recent. She looks happy." But of course, then she needs to check out this 'Aubrey'. There's not much to go off of - at best she could maybe guess at her general frame, and maybe how old she is, but - Something is on the tip of her tongue. "Cute. I think, anyway. Not a great look at her, but -" She remembers Banagher saying how much better he feels with his own hoodie. "I'm sure she has her reasons. Reminds me of someone." But that would be pretty unlikely. Any more unlikely than one ghost already? If Leina survived, well.
Then Banagher mentions that Aubrey will probably be coming along with him and - there's another little spike, crashing against the glass. She takes a steadying breath. "Brave girl. Hope I get a chance to talk to her before we have to take off. Can swap Leina stories. I'm really curious what she's been up to - all we really talked about was music and lunch." Which was, honestly, the nicest day Ennil's had in a long while.
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
Nodding eagerly, Banagher grins. "I can't believe how lucky I am. Leina and Audrey and I found each other, and we all want to be together, and it's working. I guess some things really are different for Newtypes. And -- thank you. I just want them to be happy, you know? It's not too hard."
"She's definitely cute! They both are! Even in disguise. We were on the run, kinda. We still are." Banagher says this as though it's practically a normal thing. "Audrey's got that kind of face, everyond thinks they know her. I think she looks like one of those old earth movie stars."
Ennil's feelings lurch like a boat in the sea. "Ennil, I'm sorry if I'm prying, but are you alright? You've felt -- lost, a few times. Upset, maybe."
He won't press too hard. He learned his lesson on that one. "I hope we'll have time to all chat together, too. Maybe I can run out for breakfast, and you two can chat while I'm out."
<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.
She screwed up. He's curious now, and - What can she possibly say?
She's going to save Loni Garvey. And this is how she's going to do it. It's not fair to Banagher Links.
"I'm just... a little shaken, that's all." Well. That's true. She wasn't expecting him to be like Leina. To be someone who puts her at ease and weakens the locks. "Planning all this out... it's started to feel a lot like Torrington, you know? Hearing that voice - Amuro's voice, I guess - it made me sick." Because it dug so deep. Because it made sense. "I wanted to do this myself, Banagher, but I can't. And that means you and Aubrey have to deal with all this again too. You seem brave, and kind, and... you make Leina smile." She gives a shaky little grin. "I believe in us. I know we can do this. But that shouldn't come at you or Aubrey's expense. I have to fight as hard as I can to make sure it doesn't."
He'll understand that, right?
"Ah, yeah. And... that sounds nice." She gives Banagher a soft look, blue eyes placid and deep. "I'm hoping to have a chance to reconnect with Leina. So I'll probably be seeing a lot more of the two of you, too, right?"
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
Banagher stands, walking to the neatly-made bed. There's a throw blanket on the edge, and he picks it up, then softly drapes it around Ennil's shoulders. "I'm sorry. We've talked about a lot of intense stuff. Can I do anything to help you feel better?"
"Yeah. It reminds me of how much planning the Captain and I did beforehand. I was so sure nobody was going to get hurt." He closes his eyes for a moment, but quickly recovers. This is about Ennil. "I hope... we can save both of them. Miss Loni and Amuro both. Neither of them deserve to be forced into being monsters like this." Banagher rallies a little more, bringing a hand over his heart. "I believe in us too! We're going to do this. I'll be fighting with you every step of the way."
"At Torrington, Leina was in the Unicorn with me, and her older brother got his mobile suit in really close. Then, in the middle of a battlefield, he opened his cockpit and JUMPED onto the Unicorn's arm and just climbed in. Leina opened the Unicorn up and he got inside." Banagher can't help but smile at the story. "I know I'm nowhere near Judau's level, but if we have to, we'll do the same thing for Miss Loni."
Banagher smiles, his eyes soft in turn. "Yeah. We'll see a lot more of each other. Leina could use friends right now, with her recovery. I'm really grateful you reconnected."
<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.
Ennil runs the edge of the blanket between a few fingers. There's a small, faded scar on her palm, and her eyes seem to follow it as she twists her fingers back and forth. "Don't worry about me. I'm a survivor, always have been." She smiles. This guy. He wants to save Amuro, too? Yeah, of course. Amuro Ray is a hero. Rescuing Amuro would help people. Banagher's such a nice guy.
She'd seen the mobile suit flying around at Torrington, but she hadn't had the whole story. "Oh god. I don't think I ever got to meet Judau, but - that sounds just like him. Somehow no matter how crazy it seemed, Judau was doing it." She shakes her head, amused. "How do you even think of things like that?" She stands and stretches, though she doesn't let go of the blanket. "We've been at this a while. Let me help you clean up. Then I can kick back for a while and you can let me know what I've missed. No sense spending the whole night worrying." She grins, and waves casually at the basket of baked goods, even if its load is quite a bit lighter by now. "And I wouldn't want anyone's hard work going to waste."