3/4ths Beat, Finale

[marinefashion]

[There's a familiar, if badly battered mecha flying into docking. When the pilot gets out, she sighs and brushes a hand through her blue locks which had been chopped hideously short.] Man, it hasn't changed a bit.

[In her hands she had a data pad, holding it up.] I wonder if anyone missed me.

[Later on, she'll be found in an unoccupied room, and setting up a presentation. When she's ready, she'll turn to the others.]

I know where DUNE went.

Comments

Before the meeting

[latelybloomed]

Hana! Hana, come quick-desu! It's...!

[And Hana's eyes go wide at the sight of the battered Erika Mk-II. And at the pilot stepping out...]

Eri... Eri!

[And she's quick to rush to her side and hug her.]

Re: Before the meeting

[marinefashion]

Hey. [She hugs back, giving her a tight squeeze for a moment before letting go. There's a very tired smile on the usually hyperactive girl's face.]

I'm glad you're looking good.

Re: Before the meeting

[latelybloomed]

Mmm, thank you... but, what happened? You look like you went through hell...

Re: Before the meeting

[marinefashion]

Got a little too close to Graf. Had to fight him off before retreating. The hair is courtesy of Seiren. Don't worry, I'm just going to need a good sleep since I've been searching for weeks now non-stop.

Re: Before the meeting

[latelybloomed]

...just like me...

[And she pulls Eri close before...] Wait... does this mean...?

Re: Before the meeting

[marinefashion]

Yeah, we can finally take the battle to DUNE. Finish him off for good before he does whatever he's planning. It took me almost a week to get here, so we should still have a buffer. I hope.

Re: Before the meeting

[latelybloomed]

...this is it. Where is he?

1/2

[darkfashion]

(And what is the first thing Eri gets upon her return? A sneak attack noogie from her big sister.)

Well, well. Looks like your senses have dropped a bit if I was able to sneak up on you like this.

(Momo eventually stops and gives Eri a gentle hug.)

It's good to have you back.

2/2

[darkfashion]

(At the last bit Momo looks at Eri very seriously.)

You do?! Where is he?

Re: 2/2

[marinefashion]

Ack, Momo, geez... [She rubs her head a little.]

I'll let you guys know as soon as I set up the powerpoint so to speak. It's been a grueling search but I finally found what he was looking for.

[darkfashion]

(Momo nods a little when Eri explains how hard it was to find him.)

I don't doubt it. We'll talk more about that when you're ready then.

Still though, it is good to see you again. The Chalice was slightly less insane with you around.

[marinefashion]

Only a little less insane? I can't believe that. I left at the same time Tsukasa did and I know you guys woulda missed his cooking at least.

[darkfashion]

Well we kind of have that natural ability to attract crazy...Like the fact that we...kind of destroyed some of Saturn's moons.

Don't get me start on the kitchen incident. For a bit I thought some of the crew was going to try and eat each other.

[sunshine_maiden]

[In the hangar, Eri will find a certain familiar redhead, looking somewhat worse for wear herself, having been assessing Itsuki's repairs. She frowns at the damage Eri's taken, but she can't help but smile when Eri finally gets out.] What kind of question is that, silly girl? Of course we did.

[marinefashion]

Sora hey. [And she collapsed into a hug with a breathless sigh.] God I feel worn. I'm glad you look okay despite everything.

[sunshine_maiden]

[The girl suppresses a wince, both at the sudden weight and at the missing feeling in her back. But she wraps her arms around her partner all the same.] I don't know how. I'm very good at skirting the line between reckless and dead. I... almost didn't make it, this last time.

And what in the world were you doing that got Eri so damaged?

[marinefashion]

Geez, I leave, you get reckless, this is ridiculous. You're tender too.

Eh heh, would you believe in a run and gun with DUNE?

[sunshine_maiden]

It's... not on purpose? Well, it was, but- [She sighs.] I'm sorry. You're right, I was being a little reckless, if not for quite as bad of reasons as you might think. And... yeah. Everything still hurts, honestly, but I've been laying around too long. I need to get back to work.

[Sora can't help but gawk at the explanation.] You fought DUNE? By yourself? That's... sheesh, I'm amazed you came back with this little damage.

[marinefashion]

I'll help you out. We'll need all the help we can get.

[Eri rubbed her hair.] He was toying with me. That's how I survived. The haircut is courtesy of Seiren who still hates me so much.

[nietzsche_waifu]

You do not look too good. It is because of aforementioned DUNE, isn't it?

[marinefashion]

Got it in one. Though I'm glad I found you guys considering everything.

[nietzsche_waifu]

You return, your machine barely holding itself together, and you say you have information about DUNE. It's not that hard to piece the two together.

Good to see you again, Eri.

[marinefashion]

Yeah it went a little crazy there. Almost lost my head too before boarding the mecha as well. [She rubbed the length of uneven hair on her head.]

But we'll get everyone briefed and try to make our way to the location. And thanks Devon, that's actually really appreciated.

[nietzsche_waifu]

Ah. So that explains the haircut.

A chance to finish DUNE off once and for all - we waited for it far too long to let is slip away right now.

[marinefashion]

Yeah, I got a little too close. It wasn't fun at all.

[She nods at that] Yep. So many years of fighting all boiling to this.