srwug_alpha_rp

Entry tags:

3x - V

[ Char can be found in the observation deck on the Starboard side of the ship, standing near a railing, and leaning over. His sunglasses obscure the facial expression of his, but he seems to be staring out of the window, at nothing in particular; but from his expression, it almost seems like he does see something against A Baoa Qu's silhouette. One might even be able to hear him whisper the word "Lalah" under his breath, if you listened very carefully.

Expect him to be somewhat startled when his trance-like stare is broken by someone trying to talk to him, or getting his attention by some other means. Whatever the case, it is obvious he has been waiting to go back into space for quite some time now. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ And yet he seems so calm. Asuka doesn't know a lot about war, but she knows hell doesn't even begin to describe it. She looks away, almost guilty for bringing the subject up. ]

Did you lose someone? [ It's just an educated guess, but surprisingly on target. ] Someone important to you.

[ Char closes his eyes for a moment. He knew this topic would come up eventually with her, just not so soon. ]

A lot of good men and women died during the One Year War. There was one in particular who didn't deserve it. A Newtype I found in an Indian brothel by the name of Lalah Sune.

[ And just another guess here: ] You loved her.

[ And that was why he was dreading this conversation. ]

I did. At first, she was sort of a pet project of mine. Her Newtype potential dwarfed my own, and almost everyone else I had ever met. She was so eager to learn... Kycilia Zabi eventually took an interest in her, and she became the willing lab rat to test the Psycommu system. Soon after, an entire Federation fleet was destroyed outside of Solomon.

[ Char choked back a tear. ]

It wasn't long before she drew the attention of the Federation's White Devil, the Gundam, piloted by Amuro Ray. While her bits wreaked havoc on a Federation fleet, the Gundam tracked her down. I did my best to protect her, but she ended up sacrificing her life to save my own. She took a stab from a beam saber that was meant for me.

[ Char trembled somewhat. It should be obvious that Char's not just dealing with grief that never went away, but a serious case of survivor's guilt. ]

[ A tragic tale indeed. No wonder Char had avoided talking about it. Seeing him in near tears, even Asuka is moved, and seeing him tremble, even her cold heart breaks a bit. ]

Char... [ What could she even say to that? Words wouldn't bring Lalah back. She doesn't even think to be jealous of another occupying Char's affections. Right now, she's just worried about him.

Tentatively, she brings a hand to his cheek, fingers gently tracing the line of his jaw. Trying to bring him some comfort, however minor. ]

[ Char appreciated her gesture. A tear managed to break through his own efforts to stop himself; but only one. He eventually broke down, however, and embraced Asuka tightly. ]

She didn't deserve to die, Asuka. All she wanted was to prove herself to me.

[ It was all he could say. ]

[ This particular embrace is one she accepts whole-heartedly. Asuka holds him close, cradling his head in her arms and trying to radiate strength enough for the two of them. Anything to keep him afloat. ]

I didn't know Lalah, but I think... I think if she really cared about you, she'd want you to be happy. Not sad. [ Continuing to stroke soothingly along his face. ] Even if crying makes you feel better, you've gotta keep going. For the future she would've wanted...

You've gotta keep fighting, Char. Just doing that, it's enough.

[ Frankly, he hadn't told anyone about Lalah in forever. Not even Haman was willing to listen, and Haman was a Newtype herself. He was somewhat relieved to actually get this out of his system. ]

Lalah... is actually able to talk to me sometimes.

[ He knows how crazy that sounds, so he pulls himself together somewhat to elaborate. ]

She was such a powerful Newtype that she could actually communicate telepathically with me. She still does... sometimes. It's not easy to communicate from beyond the grave.

[ Asuka's eyes go wide. She pulls back a little, is about to stammer about how that's impossible, but she trusts Char, listens carefully, nods. ]

I'd imagine so, yeah. [ Hesitantly: ] She wouldn't blame you. You shouldn't have to bear that guilt on your own. It isn't fair.

I know that, Asuka. [ He adjusts his position against her, but accepts the affection all the more. ] For the longest time, all I could think about was how I want-- no... needed to kill Amuro for what he did. I must have shot down seventy Mobile Suits looking for him at A Baoa Qu. Thankfully... my sister talked me out of it.

[ He wasn't going to mention that instead of killing Amuro, he made Kycilia Zabi eat a rocket. ]

[ This is so hard for Asuka, mostly because they're two very different people. Sure, they're similar, too, but Char is an adult, a real one. He's seen things she can't even imagine, can't even contemplate. For all her bragging and boasting, she's still just a child. Still so little compared to him, so insignificant. It hurts her inside that she can't be stronger.

No... she has to be stronger. There's simply no other way. Straightening up, boldly meeting his eyes, she says, ]

Let me help.

[ It's a vague sort of response, but determined. This isn't Asuka the brat, but Asuka the woman shining through. ]

I don't care what I have to do. I don't really know what I have to do. But... I want to help, however I can. Just tell me, and I'll do it! [ She sounds almost desperate. ] I swear I will! Whatever it takes, so it doesn't hurt anymore! Please!

Asuka... [ That was more hysterical than he was a moment ago. He smiled, however, and placed his hand over hers, the one that was on his cheek. ] Alright. Of course.

[ No words at first, just... burying her face in his chest. And then quietly, though just as strongly as before: ]

I won't leave you. I won't die. [ She sounds very, very sure of this, surer than anything else in the world. ] I'll stay. I promise. So be happy, okay?

[ Looking up with pleading eyes. ] Just be happy, Char. Because without you, I...

[ She doesn't finish. She hopes she doesn't have to. ]

[ He had honestly never seen anyone care about him this much. It was almost like Haman, only without the ulterior motive. Looking into her eyes, that pleading need, that desperate desire to please him... he couldn't help himself. He leaned down, and kissed her. ]

[ Asuka is... well, kissed. She wasn't expecting it, of course, so she's startled a bit, but she melts against his mouth soon enough.

If this is what it took to make him happy -- to forget about Lalah, as if that could ever happen -- she'd gladly do it. A thousand times over. ]

[ It was almost a solid minute of that before he let up, withdrawing from the kiss. His eyes were still closed, however. ]

... Thank you.

[ It was all he could bring himself to say at the moment. ]

[ Asuka can't really say much, either. Just a soft "you're welcome".

...she'd have to thank Mio later for this. ]

[ Char couldn't say anything further. He simply took her hand, and turned back to looking out into space. A small comet could be seen in the distance, passing in between Mars off in the distance, and the moon. It was certainly a beautiful sight, before the comet was gone, as quickly as it had appeared in their view. ]

[ Now that the passion of the moment is over, Asuka is decidedly nervous. She hedges a little in his grip, watching the stars with him. ]

So... what now?

[ Char exhaled a bit. ] That's up to you, Asuka. [ He wasn't sure where else to go with that. ] If you meant what you said... then I want the same thing.

[ That manages to pull Asuka back. Her fingers squeeze around his. ]

I wouldn't lie. Not to you. [ So that's a yes. ] I won't be held down by gravity any longer.

Then you have your answer. [ And that last bit about being held down by gravity... a favorite of his. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

3x - V

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject