View source for 2022-12-29: Swear to Me by Your Tears that a Miracle will Cling to You

*'''Log: 2022-12-29: Swear to Me by Your Tears that a Miracle will Cling to You'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Character :: Rikka Takarada]], [[Character :: Kaworu Nagisa]], [[Character :: Alouette Pommier]]
*'''Where:''' Junk Shop Aya, Tsutsujidai
*'''OOC - IC Date:''' December 29, 0096 (2022)
*'''Summary''': ''Rikka asks Kaworu and Alouette for help on an upcoming gambit to break through to Akane once and for all.''

----


 <Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
<poem>
Over the past few days, Rikka has gotten in touch with Kaworu and Alouette - either in person or by passing a message through someone else. She's been working on a project, something related to Akane... but it's not something she can complete on her own, so she'd like to ask for their help and input on it.

A day has been arranged to get together and talk it over... and that day is today! They're gathered in the Takarada living room right now, as a more private and comfortable place to talk. Rikka sits on one of the two sofas, each facing the other with a coffee table in the middle. She's brought her laptop with her, just in case, currently sitting on the table.

She has also provided coffee - a pot and several mugs set out on the table as well. It's not the best coffee, but it's the best she can do while everyone's rationing resources. She felt she at least owed them a warm drink, if she's going to be asking their help.

</poem>
 <Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
<poem>
        As someone who signed up right away for Rikka's rescue team, among other reasons, Kaworu has been spending a good amount of time at Junk Shop Aya of late. It wasn't hard for Rikka to get him a message to meet up with her as a result, and at the appointed time on the appointed day, he arrives, hands tucked in his pockets. Several of his fellow Evangelion pilots have taken to wearing their plug suits around town for the most part; he, on the inverse, has been mostly wearing his street clothes. It's not that he ''doesn't'' have a plug suit available. He's simply choosing not to wear it.
        
        He's been keeping clean, at least. The persistent rain gives plenty of water to shower and wash his clothes in. He seems to be frequently damp, though. For some reason, despite all the rain, he simply doesn't take an umbrella with him anywhere. He doesn't seem to mind, though.
        
        He lets himself dry off some before he sits opposite Rikka, legs crossing. He doesn't take one of the mugs of coffee, though he does give her a smile and a word of thanks for the offer. (Rikka may have heard or seen that Kaworu hasn't been taking any rations for himself, even though he's been helping give them out each day.)
        
        After a bit of conversation, Kaworu finally asks, "So what is it that you need our help with, Rikka Takarada?" It's no question to him that he ''will'' help, only what specifically he'll be helping with, of course.

</poem>
 <Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
<poem>
When Rikka pitched discussing a project between her and Kaworu, Alouette was certainly interested. Rikka has been on a long streak of good ideas, so Alouette decides to place her trust and accept the invite.

She arrives at Junk Shop Aya, making her way to the Takarada Living Room area. The fresh scent of warm coffee looms in the air... a relief after walking in the pouring rain. As Kaworu arrives around the same time she does, she motions a short wave. They'd seen each other plenty, but never had time to sit down and talk since the collapse, until now at least.

"Thank you very much for the coffee, Rikka." She quickly pours herself a cup. "And for your trust!" She warmly smiles, choosing to take the other end of the sofa Rikka sits on.

"So..." she begins, taking a sip from her coffee. "I'd like to know too." She echoes Kaworu's question. "If it's something I can help with, I'll do everything I can." If it's specifically her and Kaworu, perhaps something that requires tech expertise...? But normally, she could just ask Vit about that. So perhaps it's something else about them that she hadn't considered.
</poem>

 <Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
<poem>
"I'm glad you both could make it." Rikka greets with a smile, as Alouette and Kaworu both arrive. If Kaworu doesn't take any of the coffee, she won't press him to, and when Alouette offers her thanks, Rikka nods, pleased.

And, of course, they're both curious as to what she needs their help with. Rikka nods.

"So... I want to put on a concert for Akane. About a couple of months ago, Sheryl Nome reached out to me. She'd been in contact with Akane, and wanted to write a song capable of reaching her heart - and since she knew I was... friends with her," ...Okay, she figured out a bit more than ''that'', but she skates over that with just a slight hint of a blush. "She asked for my help to work on a song. And eventually, it evolved into a concert - a song from her, and a song from me, directly to Akane... and, I think that might be something she needs sooner rather than later."

She lets that settle in before continuing - to address the question of what she needs their help with.

"I have her recording of her song, and I have the equipment she brought over for the concert. ...But, because everything happened so quickly, we weren't able to get all the preparations done. We were going to pick out a wardrobe for me, but we didn't have the time... and, the equipment still needs to be programmed properly for the routine." She explains. "Kaworu, after seeing what you were able to do with Yuta, I couldn't think of anyone better to ask. And, Alouette... when it comes up technology, you're the smartest person I know. And if either of you have anything you'd like to contribute, that'd be great, too. I just - this is something I can't do on my own."
</poem>

 <Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
<poem>
        Kaworu accepts Alouette's wave and gives her a warm smile in return. It has been a bit since they've had the chance to sit down and talk, but the current situation has them all busy. He in particular was busy until recently setting up a Christmas recital with his fellow Children (or most of them, anyway), which they performed on the 24th in the auditorium of Tsutsujidai High. He played piano, Asuka played violin, Shinji played cello, Rei played viola, and Mari--and Rei--provided vocals, with arguably the star performance of the night their duet of Ave Maria.
        
        That's not all Rikka and Alouette would have been that night. Kaworu had also set up a Christmas tree decorated in a score of ornaments--each of them customized and hung with a slip of paper with the names of various people in Tsutsujidai on them, for them to claim as their gifts. Rikka's had been a dark blue bulb frosted in silver to give the impressive of a snowy night, with a large, intricate white snowflake in the center; Alouette's, a round cyan bulb painted at the center with a skylark perched on a twig, eyes bright and beak open as if about to break into song. It's up to them what they've done with those ornaments since.
        
        But with all that in mind, it's no wonder Rikka decided to reach out to Kaworu with help for putting on a concert, given that he'd just helped organize and put one on--though it turns out Rikka's actually asking her for help with her look, which is a pleasant surprise. He takes the news that Rikka apparently did a collab with the Galactic Fairy in stride, simply nodding at the news, simply smiling at Rikka's attempt to claim that she and Akane are just friends.
        
        "I'm more than happy to help, if you think I'd be helpful," he replies. "Actually, I'm very happy that you reached out to me about this, Rikka. I've been struggling for a long while to think of what I could do to meaningfully help Akane, and I can't conceive of anything better than what you've just described." His lips part into a broad smile. "I'll do all I can to bring out your charms to their greatest heights."
        
        He looks over at Alouette then. "I have some skill with technology as well--" (this is a massive understatement) "--and while I've never had the chance to attend a Sheryl Nome concert, I ''am'' familiar with the most influential performers from the Macross fleets. If you'd like some assistance on your end, Alouette Pommier, I'm willing to give it there also."
        
        Smiling back at Rikka, he continues, "For now, though, could you give us more details on these songs? Everything starts from there."
</poem>

 <Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
<poem>
"It's good to see you as well, Kaworu," Alouette greets him as he makes himself comfortable, despite not taking the coffee. "You were really amazing on piano." Although she had been paying attention to everyone's lovely performances, she made the closest notice of Kaworu, her temporary teacher of sorts in piano. "Oh -- and I never got the chance to thank you for your gift. It's.. really beautiful." Currently, it's being proudly displayed in her temporary quarters on the Wadatsumi. But she'll doubtlessly take it wherever she stays.

And then Rikka outlines her plan in full, and Alouette patiently listens, though her eyes light up. "Oh, wow, that's.. it's a wonderful idea, Rikka. And I know you'll make it work." She even got to collaborate with ''the'' Sheryl Nome. Just the previous day, during her conversation with Gridman, she was wondering what she could do to reach Akane. Leave it to Rikka to find a perfect opportunity.

"I've never worked with concerts, before," Alouette admits. "But I've recently become more interested in music lately.. so I'll do my very best to make it the best concert Akane's ever seen." Alouette grins, thinking about some of the technology Liger Shishioh used for Mic Sounders' concerts.

"Absolutely, I'd appreciate your help." She answers Kaworu. "After all, it's something we can't do alone."

</poem>
 <Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
<poem>
"Oh, yeah - you were great!" Rikka chimes in with a nod, as Alouette praises Kaworu's piano skill. "You have a way of just... really entrancing the listener with your music."

"I loved the gift, too. It's beautiful, I was really impressed..." She says. ...And, in fact, in one corner of the room the Takarada family Christmas tree is still up - a small one since they don't have a whole lot of room to spare, but there's enough room for ornaments - and hers is still proudly displayed on it.

And, indeed, the recital may very well another reason why Rikka thought of Kaworu specifically for this. She nods... and, seems pleased, when he remarks that he's happy she reached out to him.

"I ''know'' you will. And... I'm glad, that you're so willing to help her. Both of you. It means a lot to me. I'm glad to be able to help you help her, too." Rikka replies.

She nods, when Alouette says she's become more interested in music lately.

"You have? That's great!" She says. It feels like everything is coming together perfectly. "But, yeah - it'll be the best."

As for the songs... Rikka nods, and reaching over to open her laptop.

"Here, let me play them for you - her new song is 'Obelisk', and I'll be singing 'Diamond Crevasse'. You'll... know why we decided on the latter when you hear it." Rikka says. ...They might be able to infer more than a few things, actually... but if that happens, she's okay with that. In a way, she's trusting them with her heart - they can't help her completely if she isn't honest with them.
</poem>

 <Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
<poem>
        "Thank you," Kaworu tells Alouette and Rikka both when they compliment his performance, smile and demeanor quiet but warm in his usual way. Orpheus had suggested to him a while back that he could be a professional pianist, and while that isn't his dream, he certainly wouldn't be against playing music for a living. Really, more and more the idea of existing in the spotlight for more than a precious few moments at a time appeals. Perhaps that's also selfish of him, but if Shinji and Mari both want him to be selfish, who is he to refuse?
        
        In the same way, when Alouette and Rikka thank him for the present, he chuckles a little. "I'm glad you both like them. I hoped they would resonate with each of you." After all, ''alouette'' means skylark, and ''rikka'' is a poetic word for snow. Maybe a bit obvious, but there's something nice about an emblematic gift, too. Alouette's may not be with her at the moment, but he does see Rikka's on the Takarada family tree.
        
        He's happy, too, that Rikka is so confident he'll be able to help with this. His smile turns briefly bittersweet... but he opts not to tell her about his conversation with Anti, before the collapse. She's the star of this concert; he's simply helping her out. Really, as Rikka says, they're all helping each other out. He already knew of Alouette's interest in music--he'd encouraged her to talk to a few friends of his, including Mari and Rei due to their singing at that recent recital--but to think Rikka hadn't known... Is this, too, fate?
        
        If it is, it's wonderfully expansive.
        
        "Wonderful. I look forward to working with you," he tells Alouette, but also Rikka. When she goes to open her laptop and play the new song, he quiets and shuts his eyes to listen. She needn't worry about trusting her heart to him; he told her ages ago that she was Akane's favorite. Knowing that Akane's her favorite in return will surprise him not at all.

</poem>
 <Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
<poem>
"For sure..! I can't wait to show mother once I can see her again." Alouette replies, at Kaworu's hope that the gift resonates. "It might be obvious, but she happens to love skylarks." She lightly giggles.

"For a while I was worried I would never be able to help her.. that we would never have an honest understanding of each other ever again." She expresses, looking just a little sad for a moment. "But a concert... with ''you'' as the singer? That's something she can't just ignore." Her playful smile returns in full force.

"I started studying under Kaworu for a while while I was a part of your Music Club." She explains, ruefully. "For a while I wasn't so sure, but I decided I wanted to keep going. So I'm glad it worked out this way."

After that, Rikka plays the music, and Alouette quietly listens to its completion. Obelisk is new - it's a very special opportunity indeed for Sheryl to entrust Rikka with this.

On the other hand, Diamond Crevasse is a well-known song Alouette heard many times. Although when she actually studies its lyrics... "She's very special to you, isn't she.." When she talked about her, Akane seemed to make it very clear that she "loved Rikka as a woman". It's heartwarming to know that Rikka seems to share the feeling - the lyrics representing a bittersweet farewell coupled with a desire to never let go. "In that case, I hope she understands. That you feel the same way as her." Even if it takes putting those feelings on the front stage.

</poem>
 <Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
<poem>
"It was perfect." Rikka confirms with a nod. Maybe it was obvious - but clear care and attention was paid to the design, to make it beautiful while incorporating the meaning, and that makes it special.

Rikka listens as Alouette explains that she was worried she would never be able to help her - never have an honest understanding.

"We'll make sure it happens. We'll reach her." Rikka says... and then nods. "That's my hope, anyway..."

Alouette explains that she studied under Kawory in the Music Club, while she was a part of it. Rikka can't help but smile.

"...I'm glad you still want to keep going with it. Music is something that's important to me, too, so I'm glad it didn't harm your love for it." She replies.

The music plays. Rikka listens to it, of course, but her focus is primarily on Kaworu and Alouette, to see how they react, their thoughts and feelings. Kaworu's lack of surprise... well, it's expected, in a way, but it's also reassuring. It's a relief, and as for Alouette... Rikka can tell that she understands, and a smile crosses her face at her words. That they both understand and accept the feelings she's showed them... It means a lot.

"...Yeah. She really, really is..." She murmurs in confirmation. "...Thanks. I really hope so, too."

...She's... a little emotionally off-kilter at the moment, actually, after that show of vulnerability, even if it's in a good way, but she tries to push past it.

"S-so, um, I have videos of some of Sheryl's past concerts saved onto here too if we want to watch them for inspiration, but it might be good to do our own thing a little, too..." She says.

</poem>
 <Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
<poem>
        "Then she's expressed that love for you well," Kaworu tells Alouette. He hopes, too, that her mother will like the ornament he gave her, but he's fairly sure his hopes will be rewarded if she likes it so well herself.
        
        A chuckle flutters on his breath when Alouette says that Akane won't be able to ignore a concert starring Rikka. "I quite agree. This time, I'm certain you--we--will reach her," he says, the confidence in his tone conveying his faith even better than his words.
        
        He nods at Alouette's mention of his tutelage. It hasn't really been much--after all, she started while she was under the influence of Bujack, and not long after that, the collapse took place--but at Rikka's comment that she's glad she's keeping up with her love of music, he adds, "If you wish, let's continue that while we're here, Alouette. We have the time now."
        
        ...More or less.
        
        For a few moments, they listen. He marvels silently at the passion, energy, and message of ''Obelisk''. He can hear Rikka's influence on the lyrics--this voice conveys the story of Akane and her world well. ''The darkness has been protecting me, so with puffy eyelids, I offer it a prayer...'' It's almost enough to make him shiver.
        
        ''Diamond Crevasse'', meanwhile, is a song with which he's familiar, but the new context does add quite a bit. So this is Rikka's message to Akane... His smile continues unabated when at last he opens his eyes to regard her.
        
        Even if Alouette hadn't made it plain, his understanding is right there. "I wish the best for both of you."
        
        But when Rikka gets flustered and offers a topic change, he's willing to follow her tempo. "I don't see the harm in watching those videos. One needs a firm grasp of the fundamentals before one can skillfully start to improvise," he says. "By familiarizing ourselves with Sheryl Nome's style, we can better decide on what style best suits Rikka Takarada." He chuckles. "...Though the most important thing of all is for you to convey to us how you want to present yourself."
        
        But watching videos of Sheryl's concerts will only help with that, too, no doubt.
</poem>
 
 <Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
<poem>
"...Right. There's a lot of memories I regret, but my time attending Tsutsujidai High.. it wasn't entirely bad." She wistfully smiles. "I think it's better to remember the happier moments, which is why I've continued loving music." And her room containing a Tarabaman Eclatant poster is a statement in its own right.

"Oh, I'd love to!" She replies to Kaworu's offer to continue practicing piano. "At least when I'm not working on the Galeoria Pliers or the rescue team duties," she adds, tugging a curl. "But we can always meet at the high school when you're willing."

Even if she tries her very best to keep her cool as she always does, Alouette can certainly sense that embarrassment from Rikka. There's a lot Alouette doesn't understand about romantic love, that she's still continuing to learn. Rikka and Akane's feelings are both different from how she understands love, but they're beautiful in their own way.

Regardless, she saves Rikka from ''further'' embarrassment, as she moves along with her on the topic change. "That's a really good idea - and it would definitely provide me a reference point for all the stage techniques." She nods. "Lighting is also important in making a statement.. what colours do you think would catch Akane's attention?" She asks - knowing this would definitely help when she begins her work, and she's sure it would also help Kaworu with outfit design.
</poem>

 <Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
<poem>
Kaworu expresses his faith that they'll be able to reach her, and Rikka nods. It means a lot, coming from him.

Alouette, meanwhile mentions how while she has a lot of memories she regrets, her time at Tsutsujidai High wasn't entirely bad.

"I'm glad." Rikka replies with a smile.

And they listen, and Kaworu offers his best wishes, as well.

"Thank you." She replies.

But then, a question - how does she want to present herself...? Rikka thinks on it for a moment.

"I guess... As 'me', if that makes sense? ...Sorry, that's a little vague. Uh... Someone who cares about her, who accepts her, and wants to support her..." Rikka considers. "...And I want to look good for her too, of course..."

...She hadn't forgotten Kaworu's comment about bringing out her charms to their greatest heights, even if she skated over it a bit in the moment out of embarrassment...

And Alouette offers another good question, too - what colors would catch Akane's attention? Rikka thinks on that for a moment.

"It's for Akane, then... purples, pinks, yellows... and reds, definitely, of course. The colors of a beautiful sunset..." Rikka says, with a wistful smile. ...She realises what she said a moment after she says it, but. They already know now, she doesn't need to backpedal.
</poem>

 <Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
<poem>
        Rikka's answer on how she wants to present herself hadn't been quite what Kaworu had been in mind--but the fact that she does answer that way is just as telling. He nods thoughtfully as he considers it.
        
        "I'll need to look through your wardrobe later," he says, and for as weird as he can be sometimes, there isn't an ounce of being weird about this. That might help with the embarrassment, or it might do the opposite; Kaworu seems to hardly ever get embarrassed by anything himself, after all. "If you have any couture magazines around, I'd like you to show me what fashion articles you like best."
        
        The colors for the concert are a good focus to start with, too. It's not just Rikka's song; it's Sheryl's song, too. Kaworu's smile grows as Rikka speaks of the colors of a beautiful sunset, and it remains when she lets her statement ring without trying to take it back.
        
        Yes. They're sure to reach Akane this time. Their hopes are all one for this, now.
</poem>

 <Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
<poem>
"I admit, my taste in clothing tends to be highly specific. But I can help you with the wardrobe as well, if you're comfortable!" Alouette offers. "Presenting as just yourself is a great idea. You tend to have this laid-back, but subtly powerful energy in your clothes, I think.." It's hard to put that into proper words, but she definitely thinks Rikka makes looking good look easy.

As Kaworu brought the idea to the forefront of name meanings in his gifts towards Alouette and Rikka, the implications of the meanings of Rikka's colour choices aren't lost on her. And visions of a glowing purple, pink and yellow stage, highlighting by a vivid red come to her mind. Like Kaworu, she lets Rikka's statement about a beautiful sunset speak for itself.

"Thank you so much for having me for this project..." Alouette takes the last sip of her tea. "Being a part of this, I feel a lot more confident. That there's something I can do to help, and we don't have to do it alone." She pauses for a few moments, thinking about what Rikka disclosed. "And I'll always be cheering you both on, both on and off the stage."
</poem>

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[[Category:Phase 1, Turn 2]]