2022-11-30: People You Can Trust
- Log: People You Can Trust
- Cast: Anita Rosetta, Banagher Links, Eight York
- Where: Ra Mari
- OOC - IC Date: 11-30-0096
- Summary: Banagher spends time with the crew of the Ra Mari, and gets the answer to a difficult question.
<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.
The lounges of the Ra Mari are well-equipped for the comfort of its crew, places where they can relax and unwind whenever they're off duty. Anita is a fairly common in them whenever she isn't on-duty or sneaking away for a nap in one of her many designated Secret Nap Locations.
Normally, Anita would just be lounging on a sofa... but, Banagher had expressed interest in her Haros so, if he's going to be on the ship for the time being, now's a great time for that!
"This one's been my buddy for the longest time." Anita explains, leaning back and resting a hand atop a little round robot. He might recognize it - it's the sea green Haro, same color as her hair. "It helped me through some pretty rough times as a kid. After that, I was pretty much hopelessly hooked on Haro..."
She laughs a little at her own alliteration. She's brought a couple of others with her, too - one with a shell painted in a swirling rainbow pattern, and another painted in blue, with the Kakapo Squadron emblem painted on the back. The two of them bounce tirelessly in the background. They must be enjoying themselves...
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
"They're amazing!"
Banagher, utterly captivated by the rainbow of Haros, can't help but rush between each of them. Each is clearly customized, matching Anita's personality and mannerisms perfectly, from what he's seen so far. "Haros can do so much for us, I really think they should be allowed to be classified as service animals with proper programming and training."
Another Haro flaps through the room, trying to slyly show himself off to Anita. This one is bright green, much like a certain Federation Ace's once was. As Banagher gives attention to Anita's Haros, Banagher's Haro hopes for some from her in return. He floats prettily in the low gravity. Despite being a standard color, he's clearly been well-cared for. Minor scuffs and scratches abound, but the bigger ones have been delicately repaired.
"Anita! Anita!" Haro chirps. "Look!"
Folding back his head, the little companion displays a video screen. On it is a picture of a much younger Banagher holding Haro, standing in front of a sprawling school building. "Anaheim Electric" is emblazoned above the doors. Banagher looks much smaller than the other students, but a big smile is on his face.
"Haro!" Banagher floats over to the little machine. "She doesn't want to see that.." Scooping Haro into his arms, the young man turns to Anita, an embarrassed smile on his face. "Sorry. He loves that picture. We've been together for a long time, now, but he's stuck on that one!"
<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.
Eight York, as it turns out, does not have a Haro. She likes them, though! Perhaps one day...
But this day--this evening actually--Eight too is off-duty, and passing close by. She had been on her way through the ship after heading to Engineering, but as she senses a couple of familiar presences, she pauses. "Hey," she says to her companion. "Let's make a stop."
So it is that the door to the lounge opens and Eight York steps in, followed by a Zentradi taller than even she is. They both smile, though Eight's is wider and his more formal to Banagher; both are more obviously familiar with Anita.
"Awwww," Eight says. "I hope I'm allowed to see that picture. It's cute!"
A beat, "I see you're talking Haros. I shouldn't be surprised! Annie here really loves hers."
<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.
Anita's Haros are clearly enjoying the attention, the bouncing only getting more vigorous as Banagher praises them. They're clearly appreciating the attention.
"Right? I think so, too. There's so much you can teach them how to do, and so much they can do for us." Anita agrees, patting the Haro in her lap again. "They're great with kids going through medical treatments, especially - they can both keep them company and report to their caretaker if they're experiencing any health problems and can't do so themselves. ...That's why I was given this one, actually."
But, Banagher's Haro wants her attention so Anita smiles, looking his way.
"What's up, little guy?" Anita asks. The Haro's head folds back, and the screen within displays a picture of a younger, smiling Banagher in front of a school building. Anita can't help but smile when she sees it.
"Aww." She says, and shakes her head when Banagher scoops the Haro up, looking embarrassed. She waves, good-naturedly. "It's fine, it's fine. You both were adorable!"
She 'hm's for a moment, consideringly.
"I think mine still has some old pictures of me, too, actually... Though lately it's been more interested in taking pictures of animals." She says. It's at this point that Anita realises that they have company. Anita waves in greeting.
"Eight, Lavhi, good to see you." Anita greets with a smile, and then, a chuckle. "Guilty as charged."
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
"Oh." Banagher murmurs, turning his attention back to Anita as he floats before her. "I'm sorry to hear that, but -- I'm glad you had them, all the same. I found Haro in my mom's closet after she died. I think he was going to be a birthday gift, but he really helped me while I was adjusting to life without her. Leina has a story a lot like yours. And a Haro of her own, too!" He hesitates a moment, then goes on. "If you want to talk about your, um, experiences... I'm here."
Haro waves his little winglets happily at Anita's praise. Mission accomplished! "Adorable~!" He repeats in, clearly quite proud of himself.
Laughing, Banagher shakes his head. "He's unstoppable if he thinks he has an audience. What kind of customizations have you done on yours? Obviously the paint, but anything internally? I've been too nervous to try anything with Haro, but Rena said she'd give me some tips. If you have any, I'd be grateful!"
Banagher smiles at Eight's appearance. "Captain York! And, um -- sir." His eyes widen slightly at the enomrous Zentradi man, but he's focused on being polite. "My name is Banagher Links, it's nice to meet you."
Haro, seemingly unphased by new people, flutters out of Banagher's arms, over to Eight and her companion. "Hello! Hello!" He makes a circuit of the room, then settles by Anita's sea-green Haro. "Friends! I want to see animals!"
<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.
"I bet yours has pictures of most of us," Eight answers Anita amiably. Lavhi, meanwhile, looks to Banagher with a crisp nod. "Lavnadim Orlodhari. Chief Engineer on the Ra Mari. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mister Links."
"He's safe," Eight explains. "I trust Lavhi with anything. ...He's not just our chief engineer, but also well..." Eight takes his arm and leans on him for a moment by way of explanation. "We've been seeing each other for a while now. But we keep it professional on duty!"
"Indeed we do, Captain."
"Though we're not on duty now."
"True."
Then Eight smiles. "Hello there!" she says, and Lavhi remains utterly formal for just a moment, before, "Ah! What a charming Haro you have! I, also, wish to see these animals," he decides.
"Yeah!" this one's Eight, and they both step in to take seats. "If we're not intruding, that is."
<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.
"Hey, it's okay. Didn't mean to bring the mood down. I'm alright with it now." Anita says with a shake of her head, offering him a smile. She listens as he recounts his own story - he found the Haro in his mother's closet after she died. And Leina has a similar story, too. Anita offers him a sad smile. "That, so, huh..."
But, he says she can talk about her own experiences, so after considering how much she should say, she decided to take him up on that.
"Sorry to hear that... I kind of know how it is. I lost my parents when I was young, too. Shuttle accident." Anita explains. There's a bit more to it than that, but she'll leave it at that for now. She doesn't need to bring up the Federation's old ghosts right now. "I was pretty badly hurt, too. They basically had to rebuild the left side of me. Cybernetics. There was so much I had to re-learn how to do... but, thanks to Haro's company and later, Rena, Eight, and everyone, I was able to readjust."
But, Banagher's Haro, pleased by the praise, brings a smile to her face, and she laughs.
"Let's see... It can pick up radio stations, for when I go Earth-side. It can also use some basic tools if I put it in the right harness, which is great when I'm working on machines or something and need a second pair of hands. It has some basic flight, too... There's a lot more, but those are the basics." She says, and then grins. "Oh yeah, Rena's a great source of help. Me, I'm great with hardware but only okay with software, so she's had to bail me out more than a few times. TIps, though..."
Anita 'hm's to herself.
"I'd recommend starting with something simple. Haros are pretty sturdy and easy to fix if you mess something up, but you don't wanna get in over your head before you're sure what you're doing. There are a lot of simple projects that can still give your little buddy a lot of extra functionality." She says. "And, I'd figure out what make and model your Haro is and track down the manuals for it. There's some online communities, too, that have some great tutorials."
But, Eight and Lavhi are here! Anita grins, as Eight brings up the pictures.
"You know it. I'd never lose those." Anita agrees. "I even still have that group picture we took at the beach. This little one's got a lot of precious memories stored inside."
Lavhi introduces himself to Banagher, and Anita nods. She can't help but smile at the show of affection between him and Eight - it's always great to see her friends happy with each other.
But, there's a lot of interest in her Haro's animal pictures, so Anita looks down at the little robot in her lap.
"Nah, you two are always welcome. Come on, have a seat." Anita says brightly, and then looks down to the Haro in her lap. "What do you think, pal? Wanna give us a little slide show?"
"Animals! Animals!" Her Haro confirms in response. Much like Banagher's before, the top half of Anita's Haro tilts back to show off the screen within, displaying a series of pictures. It's city wildlife, mostly - squirrels, birds, the occasional dog or cat... but there's some frogs and rabbits, too, and even a single picture of a deer spotted through some trees.
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
"Oh, no worries." Banagher smiles. "I'm glad you're alright, though." He listens carefully to Anita speak, his eyebrows drawing together. "Anita... I --" Having to rebuild someone... How bad of an injury does that take? Losing her parents, and half of her body in one event. Banagher squeezes his eyes closed, coming to terms with what Anita's told him. "You're amazing. You're so strong, just being here with everyone." A shy little smile. "I'm so thankful you had Haro, and everyone."
Part of Banagher wants to float over and hug Anita, but he doesn't want to make her uncomfortable. So he simply smiles, hoping he can mimic Leina's own smiles' sunny warmth.
At Eight's reassurance, Banagher relaxes, smiling at Lavnadim. "Mister Lavnadim! Please, you're both welcome to join us. If you're the chief engineer, you must've been helping with the Unicorn. Thank you so much!"
Haro, seemingly thrilled by the possibilities, begins to bounce up and down. "Flight! Flight!" He chirps, excited. "Functionality!" Then, once more, he opens in the middle and displays his screen. It seems Banagher has uploaded the manuals onto Haro himself!
"Honestly, all of those sound amazing. I made him a carseat type thing for the Unicorn after he went flying and cracked my visor one time, but if he could actually lend me a hand for things, it'd be a whole new world. I actually, um -- well, before things happened." Banagher says, a little shyly. "I was a moderator on this Haro appreciation website. So I'm sure those guys would be happy to lend a hand for videos and things. I haven't logged in for... months, now."
Hearing the Zentradi man is a chief engiiner seems to have warmed him instantly to Banagher, who looks at him with stars in his eyes. While the two of them take seats, Banagher seems content to float in the air, glancing between Lavnadim and Anita's bouncing Haros. "Thanks, he means a lot to me. Do you have any Haros yourself, Mister Lavnadim? They seem really popular around here."
Animal pictures are displayed! Haro closes himself to crowd around the screen, making appropiate "ooh" noises with each new picture. Banagher seems captivated as well -- growing up in space doesn't lead to a lot of experience with wildlife. "Oh! A deer, woah. I've never seen one in real life before." The young man floats more closely, a soft look on his face. "It looks so gentle..."
<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.
"I've still got them too," Eight replies amiably to Anita. "Aw, yeah. Well, good on you, little guy."
"I have," Lavhi answers. "We have avoided letting most technicians near your Unicorn for security reasons. But she is a very interesting machine!"
"Oh," Eight says, "Annie's has done so much with hers."
But--a moderator! "Oh, that's really nice," she says, "Getting to moderate something you like that way." A carseat is... very cute.
"Thanks," Eight says of being welcome, while Lavhi nods. And then Lavhi is talking about Haros with Banagher! "I had one when I was somewhat younger," he says, and he's not that old to look at him--so it wasn't that long ago! But, "But I left it with my parents when I left to join Londo Bell. I wanted to leave them something to keep them company in my absence." He seems to like Banagher so far; it's hard to read his feelings, but he's clear enough in his expressions that it doesn't make it too hard.
Then animals!! Many animals. Eight hasn't seen most of these, either, and neither has Lavhi, since they both grew up in space too. "Ah, the cat!" Eight says, "Look at that little black cat, too..."
"I am fond of rabbits," Lavhi says for his part.
<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.
"Thanks." Anita says with a nod, as Banagher says he's glad she's okay. She tells her story, then, and Banagher... well, it seems to be a lot for him. He even says she's amazing. Anita chuckles a bit sheepishly, massaging the back of her neck. "Ah, geez... I'm not that great, really. But... thanks."
She is pleased by his response, though, and ultimately glad she told him. She wants to be more open about it with people, and he's a good start.
"I'm glad." Anita replies to Eight on the pictures. Her Haro's wings flap gratefully at her comment, too.
"Oh yeah, he's great. Few people I'd trust more to look after my Valkyrie." Anita says brightly, attesting to Lavhi's skills. She grins, then, as Banagher's Haro seems excited about the possibility of upgrades.
"Oh, yup - there you go, that'll do you just fine." Anita says, nodding in approval as she looks over the manuals that are brought up. She smiles, though, when Banagher mentions that he used to be a moderator for a Haro appreciation website.
"Yeah, I bet. I'm a member of a few of those, myself... it's great seeing so many people come together for the sole purpose of loving a single thing." She says, nodding. "I bet they'd be glad to know you're okay."
Banagher asks if Lavhi has a Haro himself, and Anita listens with interest - that's actually something she doesn't know for sure.
"Oh yeah? That's really sweet... I bet they appreciated that." Anita says.
And so, animals! The pictures get a good reception. Anita is also from space, herself... but, since her job takes her down to Earth a lot, she's been taking good advantage of the opportunity.
"They're great, right? I like all the little guys, myself... Squirrels and their tiny hands." Anita says fondly. She looks over to Banagher, then, as he remarks on the door. "Yeah, they are. The thing about deer is that they scare really easily. So you have to be slow and quiet - no sudden or big movements or anything like that, or you'll scare 'em right off."
With that, Anita cracks a grin.
"...Of course, I'm great at laying around and doing nothing, so we get along pretty well." She says. This sounds like self-deprecation, but it's something she's actually proud of.
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
"It seems like you guys have been together for a really long time." Banagher tilts his head, looking between the three adults around him. "Like a family. I think that's really cool."
Banagher's eyes light up as Lavhi praises the Unicorn. "Isn't she incredible? There's never been anything like her, I think -- well, until that wedding." A brief, intense frown. "But she's still the best. That black Gundam, something's off with it. It was so angry." Banagher pulls his hoodie in a bit more tightly around him. "Unicorn wants to protect me, but that other one... I think it just wanted to fight. I don't know. I'm -- really worried."
"That's really kind of you. I bet all three of them miss you lots." Banagher replies to Lavhi, smiling. "But I bet they're super proud, too. The same branch of the Federation military as Amuro Ray and Captain Bright... That pretty much makes you a hero." Banagher says this playfully, but there's just enough weight to his voice to tell that it isn't 100% a joke.
"Rabbits are great. We used to have those --" A blink, and the young man seems faraway for a moment, his eyes distant. A memory floats through the room -- a child looking out an enormous window, held in the arms of a beautiful woman. They both coo at the sight of a rabbit hopping across a wide expanse of greenery. It lasts only moments, and Banagher blinks back to awareness. "...at my father's house. Huh."
Banagher picks up his own Haro, hugging the little creature in his arms. "One of the other moderators was this super serious guy. I don't think he ever even used an emoji or anything. But he knew everything about Haros. It's kinda funny, I hadn't thought about those guys for ages now, but I guess here is safe enough that I don't need to worry. Maybe I'll log back in tonight..."
"Having steady hands is important!" Banagher seems to understand what Anita's saying about being still, taking it as a genuine talent more than anything.
Taking a deep breath, Banagher looks at Eight, then her two comrades. "I've spent time all over, now. Space, Earth, lots of -- different factions." He's very careful to be vague, here. "But not much time with anyone aligned with the Federation. If you don't mind me asking -- what do you see in it? Why do you serve them?" His words are earnest and light, full of genuine curiosity.
"A lot of people seem to wind up in the places they do because of pain. If that's true for you guys, you don't need to go into it if you don't want to, but -- I have a decision to make. Me, and the Unicorn. I want to learn everything I can, so I make the right choice."
<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.
Like a family... Eight smiles. "Yeah. It's like that." Not exactly like that maybe, for a few reasons... but definitely like that. And Anita's Haro remains super cute!!
"I am glad that you think so," Lavhi answers Anita, and Eight looks to Banagher as he talks fondly about the Unicorn. Hmm. Unicorn 'wants'. That's not completely foreign to her or anything, because she is familiar with AI, but it's certainly notable. "I've heard about this 'other one'," Eight says, because she has heard a little by this point. "Sounds worrisome."
Lavhi smiles at Banagher, though. It is playful the way he says it, but even so, it is a compliment. "I hope to see them again soon," he says, rather than directly answering the matter of his heroism. "Eight and I are going to go when there is time."
Eight smiles, and sets a hand on his arm briefly. Then, Eight says, "I..." She pauses, though. That memory in the room--Lavhi doesn't see it. But Eight does. A child and a woman....
"That is nice," Lavhi says of having rabbit's at his father's house, and glances curiously between those who are sensitive enough to pause over it.
"Ahahaha," Eight laughs as Anita says she's good at lazing around. "True! But you're pretty quick when you want to be..."
And then there is a serious question. Spending time all over. And...
"Mm," Eight says, gathering her thoughts. "It's..."
Lavhi offers, "I can go first. ...The Federation is the government that runs my home. I am troubled by the wars and conflicts in which it is involved, this is true. But there are still those who try towards peace and well-being of the many, instead of only the few. So long as Eight believes in the Federation, then so will I."
Then Eight says, "...No pressure, right?" she says. Then she says, "Likewise, though. The Federation's home. It took me in after my history--I... Well. You may not know this, but I'm originally from Zeon. I was a part of a Cyber-Newtype experiment, and some people took me away from that and brought me to a Federation colony, where I got to grow up more normally."
"...The Federation that opposed that kind of experimentation--that's what I believe in. The truth is that the Federation has a lot of problems that I see more of day to day, as I see more of it. But so long as I believe in Bright Noa as my commander, and that the Federation at least can get better, and that I can have a part in it doing it..."
"Well. I won't say 'until'. But I'm part of it, for better or worse, right now."
<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.
"Yeah, since we've been kids... I owe them a lot." Anita agrees. They're the closest things she has to family, these days - irreplacable friends. She nods to Eight at her smile.
Banagher speaks of the Unicorn. She nods with interest but then, he speaks of the black Gundam and the wedding. Anita grimaces. She knows the one he's talking about. She's heard the stories.
"Oh, geez... did you caught up in that, too? Are you alright?" She asks. She smiles, though, when he says that Lavhi's parents would be proud. And as for the rabbits... Anita watches with interest. It's only a moment, but she can see his eyes go distant. "Really? That's cool."
He brings up someone from his website, and Anita listens with interest.
"Yeah, go say hi." She agrees... and chuckles. Banagher says that having steady hands is important, and Eight points out that she can move quick when she wants to. "Hahah. Yeah, I guess that's true, too."
...But then, Banagher has a serious, earnest question for all of them. What do they see in the Federation? Why do they serve them...?
She lets Lavhi and Eight go first, and as for Anita herself...
"Ahh... well. I wish I could say I have some big, noble reason for it. But honestly... I kind of just started doing this out of necessity at first, because I had nowhere else to go and my body needed maintenance, and it was only a stroke of luck that I ended up with Eight and everyone in Londo Bell..." She admits. By 'ended up' she means she got reassigned because she was inconvenient, but... he doesn't need to know that. "...But, the reason I stay with 'em... Well, I mostly just want to help people. Londo Bell puts me in the best position to do that, I think. And with Eight here, I know we're going to be steered right."
<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.
Banagher nods to Eight and Anita. "Yeah, we're okay. We were there as guests, and that black Unicorn nearly killed Audrey and I. She went right for the cockpit, and -- a friend saved us." He goes quiet, hugging Haro tighter. The little machine waves its winglets supportively. "The pilot of the black Unicorn is someone I trusted. I don't understand why this is happening..." Not to mention that horrible gate Yuliana's bride summoned. Banagher isn't even sure how to find the words to describe it, though, and Audrey doesn't like talking about it.
Eight and Lahvi visiting his parents? That sounds so serious! He can't help but smile at the thought of it. It's not he or Audrey or Leina can meet each others' parents, after all. Well -- there is Sayla Mass, but it doesn't quite seem like she and Leina are to that point yet...
"I will." Banagher says, shyly, smiling. "It'll be great to see everyone again. Haro missed them too, right?"
"Yes!" Haro chirps, rocking back and forth in Banagher's arms. "Friends!"
Lavhi is given Banagher's full attention as he speaks. The young man's eyes are focused, gold in the artificial light, as he memorizes what Lavhi says. It sounds like... Lavhi wants things to be better for his home, and he still believes in the future enough to be willing to fight for it. Banagher nods gratefully as Eight speaks up.
Like her partner, Captain York is focused on. Despite the differences between Eight and Lavhi, their reasons are really very similar. Banagher breathes in softly when she mentions being a Cyber-Newtype, concern drawing his brows together. Believing in the people who saved her, and believing in the man she follows. Banagher nods to her as well, considering her words.
Finally, Anita takes her turn. Luck and necessity entertwined together forged her path. A desire to help, and a belief in the people she's claimed as a family. With the maintenance Anita's body must need, it's no wonder she and Eight connected. They must see a lot of each other in themselves. One final nod to Anita, and the young man thinks for a few moments, letting the silence stretch out.
"Thank you, all of you." He murmurs, eyes faraway. "I -- really appreciate it. I have so much to learn. It seems like... the best thing to do is to find some people you can trust, and stick with them. And then you all keep each other on the right path. Mix in necessity and hope for the future, and that's the right thing to do." Banagher looks up to see if he's gotten it right, his eyes soft.
<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.
Eight finds Anita irreplaceable, too. She feels the same. Though she does have a 'family' too--the Yorks.
"I see," Eight answers about the Black Unicorn. "..." Eight looks distant, at the matter of 'the pilot'. But there is little she can say right now. "I'm glad you're OK," she says instead.
It is pretty serious! But, "Great," Eight says of meeting everyone. Friends!
Eight knows how Anita ended up here, as much as she knows why she ended up here. But eventully, Banagher answers, and...
"Yeah," Eight answers. "Obviously, you have to find your own way. But trying to go it alone is no good."
Lavhi says, "...You must have both hope and also consider practicality. A mix of these things is necessary. Without hope, we cannot see where we wish to be. Without practicality, we cannot see where we are."
"...Yeah," Eight says. "But either way, organizationally... I still think the Federation has hope, despite the fact that there's some terrible influences. And it can't improve without people to make it better. It's a foundation, anyway."
<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.
Anita frowns and nods as Banagher explains.
"...Geez." She repeats, exhaling and massaging the back of her neck. "Sounds like you've had a really rough time of it lately. I'm sorry. Glad you and her made it out alright."
But the mention of friends does get a smile out of her. The idea of reconnecting with friends you haven't seen in a while... there's something nice about that.
Banagher listens, and Anita listens in turn as he summarizes up what he's heard. She nods, and nods again at Eight's observation.
"Yeah. ...Not a lot any one person can do on their own. But when you work together - and, yeah, keep each other on the right path - that's when things start looking brighter." She says. "Everyone's got things they can and can't do. When you've got people you trust around you, you can cover for each other's 'can't do's."
She nods, too, appreciating Lavhi's view of the situation. It's a good way to look at things, she thinks. And as for Eight's view of the Federation...
"Yeah. If folks start giving up on it... that's it. Just like anything worth doing, it's something that folks gotta work at." She says.