Phase Eleven: Keep Calm and Drink Tea

[emorangerpink]

1. (the hangar)

[After the chaos of the fight, the hangar crew are working overtime on cleanup duty. Laura's pitching in, flying around in The Great Pretender, righting fallen mechs and clearing heavy objects.

For now, though, she's in the open cockpit of the Knightpolice she's been working on in her own time for the last while, and which came through the confusion blessedly unscathed. There's one last finishing touch to cap off her modifications to it, and this is just the time to make it. There are some odd whistling noises, a fan whirring, and what looks like - no, it's not smoke, it's steam rising...

Laura sinks back into the pilot's seat, out of armour and so with her leg propped up in a cast, and takes a deep, satisfied drink from the mug with the 501st's insignia emblazoned on it.]

Ahhh... got the kettle working at least.


2. (the Arboretum)

[Even using the Pretender for all her activity, Laura's under doctor's orders not to push herself too hard, so she's sitting untransformed under a tree trying not to scratch at her leg in its cast. She's not exactly relaxed, though - tapping away at a tablet, it looks like whatever she's reading or writing is giving her some grief.]

They probably won't even recognize me. Maybe they'll just think it's a sick prank.

Comments

2)

[aceshighhealer.livejournal.com]

Hi, Laura~! Were you the one who helped fix up my Striker-?

(And she experiences a double-take upon seeing Laura in a cast.) Waaah! A-Are you okay? What happened? Do you need me to heal you?

[emorangerpink]

Hi, Yoshika. I'm okay, something fell on my leg in all the confusion, is all. My armour's already healed it a lot, so it's probably safer to leave it to work, but thanks.

I didn't see your Strikes, though. I was trying to clear the hangar and let people launch to help the fight and help out in the city. Were you out in the battle itself?

[aceshighhealer.livejournal.com]

Anytime. You were outside during the attack?

Yeah I was, and my Strikers were damaged a bit by Gen; he kicked some circular devices that had clamped around them off, and...

(They're called cylinders Yoshika, but yes.)

[emorangerpink]

[Laura shakes her head.] I was working in the hangar. The first shot knocked an equipment trolley over and in to me. Literally before I knew there was an attack I'd been injured.

I was just lucky I could summon my armour and start flying right away. Between shock and the work of trying to clear out the hangar and get things ready to launch again, I almost didn't notice the pain until my armour had already started healing it.

You got through it without any injuries, yourself? It sounded like things got pretty rough out there.

[aceshighhealer.livejournal.com]

Wow...

Yeah I did, but my Striker Unit didn't. I might be able to fix it, but...it's never been damaged like this before.

[emorangerpink]

Hmmm... I guess if the other Witches aren't able to help, your best bets would be MarKus and Roads. I've tried to get a handle on how they work, but if the damage is something unusual I'm not the best person to figure out how to fix it.

I hope you won't have to wait for a replacement...

[aceshighhealer.livejournal.com]

Well, Shirley's the best when it comes to fixing the Strikers but Lynne's pretty capable too. Never really asked Lucchini about it... (For obvious reasons.)

I hope so, too...who knows when I'll be called for another sortie again?

[emorangerpink]

Well, if they can't keep you supplied they can't expect you to jump when they say so... but I suppose the brass back home don't think of it like that. We'll have to be resourceful.

(It's not quite "creative". She has a ways to go before she starts trying to imitate that talent of Lowe's.)

[aceshighhealer.livejournal.com]

Ehhh? I-It's not like they don't keep us supplied, just that it's my first time trying to repair damage like this. And I can't think of better mechanics who are more resourceful than my friends~

(Yoshika still believes in her.)

[emorangerpink]

Even the best mechanics still need parts, though... well, we'll see what the experts think. Let me know if I can help at all, okay?

[aceshighhealer.livejournal.com]

Okay! Until then...mind if we hang out for a while? I haven't been here since I celebrated Lynne's birthday.

[emorangerpink]

Of course! Did that go well, by the way? And the festival date?

[aceshighhealer.livejournal.com]

Yes~! She enjoyed her present, and we had fun at the festival.

[emorangerpink]

Glad to hear it. It's important to take opportunities like that.

[aceshighhealer.livejournal.com]

What about you? Have you found someone special to be with?

[emorangerpink]

Ah... eheh... I have, actually... it took me by surprise a bit, but I've been seeing both Dita and Lily for a while now.

[aceshighhealer.livejournal.com]

...Ehhhh?! T-Two girls? Really?

[emorangerpink]

Well like I said, it took me by surprise!

[She sounds defensive, but she can't keep herself from smiling.]

It's a little strange, but everyone seems to be happy with it so far. I know I am.

[aceshighhealer.livejournal.com]

Well...i-if you're happy about it, I'm happy for you!

I want you to be happy Laura, 'cause you're my friend and you've helped me out so much with Lynne.

[emorangerpink]

Thanks, Yoshika. I'm just glad I could be some help. Or - well, more relieved that my advice didn't turn out to be completely terrible, I guess!

[aceshighhealer.livejournal.com]

But you're always helping me out, Laura; your advice is never terrible! I wish I could do more for you...but we rarely have missions together, and when you come back you've been brought to the infirmary before I can heal you...

[emorangerpink]

[Laura smiles softly at the Witch.]

Don't worry about that. My armour lets me heal quickly; even if I get hurt on a mission, other people need your help more, I'm sure.

You do a lot for me already, Yoshika. Knowing you have confidence in me helps me have confidence in myself.

[aceshighhealer.livejournal.com]

...! (Yoshika smiles back before pulling the older girl into a tight hug.)

Thanks, Laura! I'm so glad we became friends. Maybe one day you, me, Lynne, Dita and Lily can spend time together?

(Yoshika's way of asking for a double date, per say.)

[emorangerpink]

[Laura hugs her back, less tightly, but tenderly.]

That'd be lovely. Or, well - er, I haven't actually spent time with Dita and Lily together... I'm not sure they wouldn't find that awkward... but something like that.

[aceshighhealer.livejournal.com]

...Eh-heh, m-maybe just you, me, Lynne and Dita then? If that would be better for everyone.