Repairs in the Night

[a_linear_mind]

[With Fort Alhambra in pretty bad shape after everything that had happened, a familiar (to some) cloud of nanomachines erupts out from the hangar very late into the night and quickly covers the Fort. As the swarm scattered out broken parts of the base began to restore themselves, fallen debris disappeared within seconds, and even damaged machines in the hangar are repaired to working order.

The culprit behind this can easily be found trying to stealthily exit his machine Unfortunately, a strange sense of guilt causes him to pause for a moment and take a long look at the partner he had practically abandoned, making it even easier to catch him in the act.]

....this is probably the only place that I can use you without having to worry.

Comments

[a_linear_mind]

Well...

[For a second he considers making up yet another story but...]

...I've been worried about Aegis or those crystal creatures showing up again.

[star_of_sad]

Do you think they may be drawn towards Strahlend if it's active? Or...

[Setsuko considers the alternatives. Some of them sound really bad.]

[a_linear_mind]

Something like that, ever since I stopped using him we haven't run into either. I had a feeling that those things were probably hunting for Strahlend...or at least other machines like it....maybe.

As for my...old friends. It's harder for Aegis to make up an excuse to go after us if I'm not immediately recognizable.

[star_of_sad]

So you're trying to lay low for a while? And since it seems to be working...

Well. No one here is definitely going to tell Aegis about what you did just now.

[a_linear_mind]

I'm sure they know better than to attack a Unity Group base directly in order to get at me, even if they did know.

And...it's more that I would rather avoid causing any more problems for everyone. Call it a compromise between me wanting to disappear and wanting to stay here.

[star_of_sad]

[A small nod.]

Alright. If you say so. And...

This is a compromise I'm happy with. I don't know about others, but I am. It's definitely better than the alternative.

[a_linear_mind]

[Despite his attempts to hide it, a smile - a genuine one for once, actually forms on his face.]

...thanks Setsuko. That means a lot coming from you.

[star_of_sad]

Really?

[Setsuko can't help but feel happier, hearing that.]

Just... remember one thing, alright? Please don't forget that you have friends here Willis. More than just me.

So if something troubles you, maybe you could talk... to someone.

[a_linear_mind]

I'll be fine, they're my own problems...and...I know, but you were the one of the first friends I made here, probably the first in over a decade or so.

[star_of_sad]

A decade?

That's... that's a long time, spent being alone.

[Sounds familiar for Setsuko, too.]

[a_linear_mind]

It is, isn't it.

I've haven't had the best of luck keeping my friends either...although, I only have myself to blame for losing some of them.

[star_of_sad]

Yeah...

[Willis may say it light heartedly, but Setsuko knows the circumstances behind it are not happy at all. Well, neither are hers for that matter.]

But it's the past.

It's all gone now.

[a_linear_mind]

And that's why I should at least appreciate what I still have.

[star_of_sad]

Yes.

[Setsuko smiles carefully.]

The truth is...

I should do the same.

Now I wonder, can I even get something sweet somewhere, at this hour?

[a_linear_mind]

We could head up to Star Rose, my treat. There's a nice 24-Hour Cafe there.

If you don't mind going with me of course.

[star_of_sad]

No...

I really don't mind.

[a_linear_mind]

It's a date then.

[star_of_sad]

Date? W-well, I wouldn't exactly use this word, but...

Let's just go, okay?

[a_linear_mind]

Fine fine.

[He doesn't say anything else but the grin on his face tells it all.]