srwug_alpha_rp | This is the beginning

[A small object suddenly emerges from behind the horizon and blazes through the sky, followed by a comet-like trail. It crashes aboard the White Chalice's deck, revealing itself to be... a pair of humans clad in armor. The armor being Black Cloud and the Great Pretender, to be precise.]

I promised... to return...

1.
[Reactions for witnessing the crash come here. Devon and Laura's armors disappear almost immediately, and they lie down on the deck without strength to even get up. Exhausted, wounded and even somewhat singed they may look... but they are definitely alive and conscious.]

2.

[Some time later, once someone mercifully dragged Devon along to the medical bay - she'll be busy lying in bed and recuperating from the recent hell she went through. Still, the bandaged Shifter is good enough for visits.]

3.

[Same as #2, but for Laura. Just as Devon, she is worn out and injured, but the medical staff predicts she will make a full recovery soon enough. Although she has an eyepatch on.]

4.

[Locked to Cheng, and happening BEFORE prompt #2.

The Shifter still had some unfinished business before she could collapse. Mustering what little remains of her strength, she stumbled in a zombie-like gait to wherever her husband was at the time.

And once she makes it there, she just stands in the doorway. And stares.]

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2) Allelujah has found his way to the medical bay. He hovers wordlessly for a time above Devon's bed: whether he chooses not to speak or simply cannot remember words is uncertain. His eyes are glazed over in a mix of shock, relief, and a hint of smoldering anger - but at whom?

Finally, he breaks his silence. "I was afraid you wouldn't make it back. It's good to see you alive."

3) After his exchange with Devon, the young man finds himself drawn to Laura's bedside. After another short silence, he clears his throat and tries to meet her gaze, if she's willing.

"I know you aren't... terribly fond of me. But I just wanted to say that I'm glad you're alive. I'm... probably being presumptuous, but if you'll allow it, I'd like to try and start from scratch." His face is impassive, but his voice broke a few times, heavy with emotion.

Allelujah.

[Devon, on the other hand, is calm and composed.]

I promised to return alive. And so, here I am.

"You always did keep your word. I only wish I'd been there to hear the words," he said. Devon's demeanor made his own skittishness feel foolish, and so he tried to stuff the feelings down.

"The Chalice didn't feel right without you around," he blurted honestly, and immediately condemned himself for the statement.

It is all in the past now. My eyes... are set for the future. This Earth is far from a peaceful place still.

Heh. So even someone like me is needed on board?
[Devon sounds rather amused by this.]

Allelujah couldn't help smiling a bit by her words. "I certainly think so. Who's going to be painstakingly logical when everybody else is struggling with emotions if you leave?"

A small, friendly jibe: Allelujah's spirit seems to have lifted, and though he doesn't expect Devon to laugh, he hopes she might take it with a level of amusement.

Don't we have a robotic AI on board?

Of course, this only means I have to show a human can be better at logical thinking than it, even.

[Yeah, definitely amused now.]

Edited 2012-05-22 02:28 (UTC)

Though her expression wasn't revealing much, he felt the shift of her attitude. It was hard not to smile a little wider. "Numbers and calculations only serve so much: the day they can create an AI that is as good at keeping a level head as you is the day the world ends."

[Laura's too tired for awkwardness or skittishness. She just watches Allelujah warily, softening slightly as he speaks.]

You scared me.

"I know," he said, nodding gently. "I'm sorry for that. I hadn't intended to come off as dangerous."

He paused, then looked down with troubled eyes. "Though I guess that's a pointless struggle, isn't it. We're all dangerous."

[Laura does look away, now.]

I was... easily frightened, then. I couldn't handle what you were saying. Couldn't risk trusting you. I'm sorry.

I don't agree with what you do. But you're hardly the only one. And... what you said, about what was done to you. I've heard things like that, and other things too, since...

Starting from scratch... I'd like that.

He nods a little, fully aware of where she was coming from on that. "It's not something you should apologize for. It's not like being... repulsed by that kind of thing is unusual or even unexpected." He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts, then said. "I'd like that a lot... Thanks."

What else was there to say?

I'm not really in a position to be repulsed by people who've had their minds messed with. Maybe once I'm out of here you can take me through Kyrios' maintenance cycle.

"If you like. It's actually pretty dull, in truth," Allelujah confesses. "I'd be glad for the company, though, if you're interested."

[Dull it may be, but it's also an opportunity to talk in a low-pressure context in a public place. It may be a fresh start, but still, baby steps.]

I'll look forward to it. Whenever they clear me to go anywhere near the hangar again, at least...

"That's true. You probably shouldn't be on your feet for another few days." He hesitates, wondering if it would be appropriate to ask what happened when she and Devon vanished. Probably not... at least, not until they trusted each other more. Baby steps indeed.

"I should get back to my duties before Miss Sumeragi starts to wonder if I'm slacking. I'll stop in again sometime in the next few days."

This is the beginning

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