2023-03-26: Haro, Nice to Meet You!

• Cast: Banagher Links, Kikka Kobayashi
• Where: HaroCon Convention Center
• Date: U.C. 0097 03 26
• Summary: Banagher runs into Kikka at Harocon, and finds himself starstruck by an encounter with the Haro of Haros!

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<Pose Tracker> Kikka Kobayashi has posed.

The HaroCon Convention Center has been going as strong as ever, still drawing quite the crowd, including one Kikka Kobayashi, who is here making the rounds for the second time. She didn't quite get to see everything she wanted to the first time.

Haro is here too, of course! And Kikka is much more successful in containing his boundless energy this time. The pair can be found in the merch section, where Kikka is currently surveying the endless amounts of merch. Domon Cashews, huh... she still needs to talk to that guy sometime soon.

Haro finds himself distracted by someone else, bouncing off to approach a brown-haired youth. "Amuro! How are you feeling? Amuro!" Kikka rushes over, with a slightly panicked look. "No! Haro, that's not Amuro." Kikka realizes she recognizes this person.. he was at the Mass Villa, wasn't he? Leina's boyfriend, and seemed to pass the vibecheck. "Haro, that's Banagher."

"Sorry," she lightly bows. "Even the mass-produced ones are programmed for that, right? But this is the original." Haro now firmly rests on Kikka's shoulder. "Banagher! Hello!"

"What a coincidence, running into each other here, though." Kikka smiles. "I'm guessing you're a big Haro fan yourself then?"

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

HaroCon is drawing to a close, filled with late-comers and last-minute fans. Dressed in a official Staff shirt, Banagher is helping arrange for the final week of events. With Sayla Mass found, he won't be able to help much longer... So he's got to do what he can while he's here!

Amuro! How are you feeling? Amuro!

With a blink of surprise, Banagher turns around. Was he really mistaken for Amuro Ray..? He can't keep a pleased flush from his cheeks, even when he sees the speaker is a little Haro.

"Amuro! Amuro!" Chimes in another Haro, much like the first. Brilliant green and cheerful -- the two could be brothers.

"Hello, Haro. I'm doing well." Banagher greets the little companion robot first, before turning his gaze to Kikka. Golden eyes widen. "O--oh, you're! From the Villa -- Miss Kikka!"

A real member of White Base. Someone who knew Amuro better than anyone. He has so many questions..! A starstruck look enters his eyes, but he manages to keep his composure.

"I am, yeah, I love Haros." This much is clear from the little companion in his arms -- clearly both well-loved and well-cared for. "You must be too, with a special edition model like that little guy! Haro, look, you have a brother!"

Haro examines his fellow. "Hmm... No, no. Amuro! Amuro!"

"What are you saying..?" Banagher puts down the data pad he was typing on and smiles. "Have you eaten, Miss Kikka? There's an amazing crepe place here. I'd be happy to treat you, if you don't mind some company."

<Pose Tracker> Kikka Kobayashi has posed.

Kikka nods, as Banagher also recognizes her from the Villa. "Yeah! That's me. I'm not sure if I got to say this over at the Villa, but I'm a student over at Von Braun." She explains, before patting Haro. "But I'm on a break right now.. which is perfect timing with HaroCon, of course." She grins.

Haro is also getting along well with his new companion, as he jumps from atop Kikka's shoulder to meet him. "Haro! Hello!"

"Ahaha, yeah. This little one has been my friend for so many years. We've been through a lot.. and we've gotten into a lot of trouble together, too." She lightly laughs. "That hasn't changed at least. Someone tried to snatch him last time we visited!" Noting his staff outfit, she clarifies. "Oh, um.. don't worry, though. It's been resolved."

Banagher suggests a crepes place, and Kikka does realize she's a little hungry herself. "Oh, not yet. Crepes sound pretty good right now.. so let's do it!" She enthuses, and follows Banagher to the crepe restaurant.

On the way, there is something on her mind, though.. "Hey - by the way, how's Leina doing? Is she.. holding up okay?" What she heard at the Villa was a lot to take in for even her, she can't imagine how Leina must be feeling.

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

"Wow, Von Braun, nice!" Banagher seems genuinely impressed. "I was at Anaheim Electric before -- everything."

A little dismissive gesture, as if 'everything' doesn't really affect things.

"Hello! Hello! Haro!" Haro greets his fellow, extending a spindly arm. "Handshake?"

"Oh, he just learned how to do handshakes. He's asking everyone for one." Banagher laughs. "What are you studying, Miss Kikka?"

At the word of an attempted Haro-snatching, Banagher's eyes go wide. "No way, here? I'm glad it's okay, but... I never thought anyone would act like that at HaroCon. We're all Haro lovers. Besides, your little guy is rare, but..."

Banagher looks at Kikka's Haro more closely. Wait, with those lines, and the flicker pattern of his LEDs...

"...This isn't a third generation. How old is this guy? If I had to guess, I'd say generation...one..."

Golden eyes blow wide. Banagher nearly drops his Haro, scrambling to keep the little robot in his arms. "Miss Kikka, is that -- is that -- the Haro?"

It's as though he's speaking of something holy. Reverance is in Banagher's voice, and he's utterly still.

"C--crepes, right! Crepes." Banagher shakes his head. "Yeah, over here, by the wall..." He leads the way to the stall, standing in the line. They're only a few people back -- Banagher keeps sneaking glances at Kikka's Haro.

Amuro's Haro... The Haro Amuro made... Here? No way. It's not possible.

"Leina." He repeats, broken from his stupor by perhaps the one thing he loves more than Amuro Ray's own Haro. "She's holding up, but... It's not going well. I made her smile a little at the con a few days ago, but she's working herself ragged. I don't think she's eating enough, and I know she isn't sleeping enough." Banagher's concern radiates from him in waves. "I don't think anything will help until we bring Sayla home."

<Pose Tracker> Kikka Kobayashi has posed.

"Thank you!" Kikka exclaims, before deciding not to pry on what 'everything' might be for Banagher. "I know a lot of people have to drop out for outside reasons. Whatever happened though, I hope you're able to continue your studies one day," she continues.

Haro, on the other hand, studies his younger companion, before reaching to return the handshake. "Handshake! Handshake!"

"Oh, that's just adorable," Kikka asides, before Banagher asks her his question. "Oh, I'm studying to become a writer! I won the Fujinomiya Junior writing competition, and that was my ticket into the university." She explains. "Up until now I've been writing fiction, which I really enjoy but..." She pauses for a moment, brushing her hair.

"...I made some really strong connections on the White Base. And I think, one day, it'd make me happy to tell their stories, too." One such connection she made seems to leave Banagher stunned.

"How old? Well, definitely old. I've had him around since forever. But he still bounces around like he's new, hehe." Kikka tries to answer, not quite knowing all the technical generation terms, but with a love for this Haro nonetheless.

Kikka is a little taken aback by Banagher's wide-eyed shock, but she can imagine how such a huge Haro stan might react like that. "The one and only. Which I guess means he's less like your Haro's brother and more like his great grandpa," she muses. "Haro was made by Amuro Ray, but he was a gift to my mom. When we were all boarded the White Base, Haro became a mascot of sorts for the ship. Eventually, Haro became part of the family." She squeezes the robot lovingly. "...Even if poor Mister Amuro Ray never had enough luck with women to end up marrying Mom." She jokes, maybe a bit of an irreverent joke in HaroCon in all places. But Kikka still has a sense of humour!

..Right, crepes! Kikka helps herself to an order with a generous amount of whipped cream. Noticing Banagher stare Haro's way, she adds. "You can hold him if you'd like. I don't think he minds."

And then on the topic of Leina, her expression darkens a little. "...Yeah, I can't say I'm surprised. It's all so hard for me to believe still, that Sayla's missing and that she's..." She stops herself, considering that is a significant secret. "On the way to the Villa, I had a really bad feeling. Like I was going to walk in on something awful. I guess I was right, but.. I've always been the stubborn type." She scratches the back of her head, and frowns a little. Of course Leina would handle it like this.. she hasn't forgotten how hard she had to push Leina to enjoy herself when they hung out in Fujinomiya as kids.

"Still.. if that means I can be of any help when it comes to Sayla and Leina.. then it's a good thing." She concludes, even if she has no idea how she can help if she won't pilot a mobile suit. But maybe there's not enough people who do help by just being there.

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

"Thanks." Banagher smiles gently. "I haven't thought about it much yet, but -- maybe someday, right?"

If Kikka doesn't know the fate of his college, Banagher won't bring it up. Not at HaroCon -- and besides, it upsets Haro to talk about.

Banagher raises his phone and snaps a picture of the two Haros shaking hands -- careful to keep Kikka out of the shot. He didn't get permission, after all. Stepping closer to her, he shows off the image. It's adorable! A moment of Haro-unity.

"A writer, that's amazing. Congraulations, Miss Kikka!" Banagher says, sincerely. "That kind of thing is so amazing. Taking possibility from nothing and creating something beautiful from it. Writing, art -- it's almost a miracle, don't you think?"

Banagher tries not to look too eager to read a potential White Base biography, though there's certainly stars in his eyes. "I'd read it, that's for sure. I'm sure you have incredible stories."

Haro takes his adjusted familial connection in stride, flapping his winglets enthusiastically. "Grandpa! Grandpa!"

"Y--yeah, Haro..." Banagher runs his eyes along The Haro with new respect, now. Amuro Ray built this little companion... No wonder he's still running so well! He'll probably run for another century! "I never dreamed I'd get to meet him. I've idolized Amuro Ray since I was a kid, he's the reason I got into Haros..."

Kikka earns a laugh with her joke! Bangher doesn't say how much speculation there was about Amuro's love life on the message boards he frequented as a child. That'd be weird, right? Especially the stuff about Char. Definitely weird.

As Kikka and Banagher get to the front of the line, the crepe salesperson looks between Banagher and his companion, raising an eyebrow. Scowling, the young man places his own order -- once again offering a generous tip.

"I just have a lot of friends." Banagher says, only to be met with a knowing wink. "It's not like that!"

It seems these two have some history.

The crepes are delivered quickly, and Banagher shuffles Haro to one arm, carrying both his and Kikka's plates to a nearby table.

"Are you sure? I can really--?" Banagher all-but giggles, picking up The Haro with a reverent care. Fingertips trace along the scuff marks and imperfections. "Hello. Thank you for everything you did for Amuro, Haro. I'm so happy to get to meet you. When you helped Amuro, you were helping me, too."

Placing Haro down with the greatest caution, Banagher sits, letting his own Haro roll along the tabletop. "I'm worried about her. This is even worse than when Sayla vanished with that PLANT city. At least Leina was still eating properly. Now, even if I bring her her favorites, it's like she can't manage more than half, even on the best days."

"I'm sure you must be struggling too, Miss Kikka. Please make sure to take care of yourself." Banagher asks, quietly. "Your support is going to make a difference, when we get her back. Times like this -- people need loved ones more than ever."

There's no question of if they'll be successful. Sayla has to come home, so Leina will be alright. It's the only possibility Banagher will accept.

<Pose Tracker> Kikka Kobayashi has posed.

"Yeah. I think whatever you decide, you'll be able to do something great with it. Even if it comes down to running the entire Harocon yourself one day out of passion." She smiles back, softly.

And her expression further brightens as that moment of Haro-unity is captured forever. "Oh my gosh.. it's adorable!" Kikka gushes, at the friendship between two Haros. "Come to think, we should exchange VERTEX. Then you can send it to me!" She suggests, reaching for her phone.

"I think you're completely right," Kikka nods, at Banagher's assessment of what it means to be a writer. "In my writing, I always take care to make sure the world feels lived in. I don't just want to draw attention to the great heroes of the story, and the villain they must vanquish. It's important to me that everyone's contributions get their narrative weight." She explains, passionately. "That's what miracles mean to me - it takes the hope of more than one person.. maybe it's even a little cruel to put the weight of a miracle on that one person's shoulders." She concludes, maybe a little obviously about Amuro Ray and the narrative surrounding the miracle of Axis.

Once Banagher says he'd love to read a White Base biography, she slows down and nods. "I went a on a tangent but there's definitely a lot of stories to share. I was so little I don't remember absolutely everything.. and when I hear stories about myself and my antics it's a little..." She flushes red momentarily. "Embarrassing. But even that's a story worth telling."

Haro flutters as Banagher compliments how well he runs. "Right?" Kikka adds. "As impressive as the museum Haros are, I'm glad he's still running. It means we inevitably become something of an attraction whenever we come around, but he hardly minds at all!" If anything, Haro is positively reveling in the attention.

Kikka doesn't comment on the raised eyebrow, but noticing the palpable tension, yet clear friendship between Banagher and the salesperson, she asks quietly. "Oh, is that your friend?" Before clarifying, "Not like that at all, ahaaa. We just ran into each other on the way."

Kikka gets started on her sugary-sweet crepe, before nodding. "Of course." Haro is happy to be held by this new friend, and really does seem to process Banagher's words. "Yes! Help Amuro! Help Banagher!"

"Me too. When we were at the Villa, I offered her a place to stay in case the worst happens. But.. it's not what I want to think about right now. Both Sayla and Leina are so strong, yet vulnerable in their own ways." Kikka wipes a little bit of whipped cream from her cheek. "I think.. even if she doesn't say it, she's glad you're being there for her right now."

Banagher thinks of her too, and Kikka nods slowly. "Yeah, it's... it's a lot." She admits. "But thank you. I'll try my best." Kikka, too, won't accept any possibility but Sayla's safety. It's only a matter of time, and a matter of not being worn down before it happens.

<Pose Tracker> Banagher Links has posed.

Banagher laughs. "I can't imagine the work that would go into running an event this huge. Even helping out as staff is a huge job. It sounds like a fun challenge, in some ways."

"Sure! Mine's thelastHaro." Banagher sends the picture Kikka's way, quickly setting it as his phone's lockscreen as well. The interior background is a picture of him, Leina, and another young lady. All three are wearing sunglasses and laughing, clearly having a wonderful time.

Listening to Kikka's passion about her writing is inspiring, Banagher's expression attentive. "I think that's amazing. With how much love you have for your stories, I think they'll change the world. I'll be first in line, whenever you're ready to share one."

"Miracles..." Banagher's smile turns a little wistful. "Yeah. Miracles take the hearts of everyone, united in a single wish. If only that energy could keep going afterwards, so much real change could come about."

Laughing around a mouthful of crepe, Banagher covers his mouth politely. "I'm sure everyone would especially love hearing about the antics. It'd be humanizing, right? Everyone on White Base weren't just heroes, they were people, first."

"Generation One Haros are really rare, even in museums. This little guy's been through so much. He's a miracle in his own right. His socialization has got to be beyond anything anyone has seen." Banagher pats The Haro on the head affectionately -- but still very, very carefully.

"No." Banagher says, of the crepe chef. "They think I'm some kind of ladies' man, for some reason. It's not weird to have friends who are girls!"

The Haro gets a quick, tight hug before Banagher releases him. He said Banagher's name..! This is a moment he's going to remember always.

"Of course." Banagher murmurs. Thinking of Sayla and Leina's suffering is hard. He doesn't want to put that on Kikka. "I'll always be there for Leina, no matter what happens."

It's spoken like a vow, something of unbreakable devotion. The moment of love and affection is perhaps enhanced by the simple setting of a picnic table at HaroCon. Banagher expresses his feelings with such ease and confidence.

As the con winds down, Banagher will have one more sweet memory. Getting to meet someone he's idolized -- and finding they're a wonderful friend.