Not so mysterious anymore (takes place right after 'Arbitration')

[a_centered_mind]

What a long day...

[After the battle alongside the SSR, the UG has an additional member (temporary) to its roster. Elys, as she is known, looks up briefly at her damaged machine, and then down at the wound in her abdomen - both have already begun to self-recover. She then turns to face you.]

...I decided to come with you because I heard that Willis has been causing some trouble here.

Either way, if you have questions, I'll try my best to answer them.

Comments

[a_linear_mind]

[No words, Willis just walks up to Elys with this look on his face.]

[a_centered_mind]

[In return, Willis is getting this one.]

1/2

[a_linear_mind]

[This continues on for a while, this entire situation was just weird. Finally Willis seems to gather enough courage to speak up.]

I...

2/2

[a_linear_mind]

[Until he loses those words and grows silent again...]

[a_centered_mind]

You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?

[a_linear_mind]

What am I supposed to say?

[He had no idea where to begin with this.]

[herodrawing]

You're mr Willis' friend?!

[a_centered_mind]

...I suppose.

We haven't seen each other for years, though.

[herodrawing]

Umm.

[Izuru stares at the girl in front of him. She can't be much older than him, right?]

How long have you known each other?

[a_centered_mind]

Hmmm...

[Elys ponders that for a bit.]

I honestly don't remember. If I'm not mistaken, it's been at least 10 years since we first met.

[herodrawing]

Wow! I can barely believe it.

[There must be only one explanation for this.]

You must've been childhood friends!

[a_centered_mind]

Ah, no. Actually...we met in a piloting academy.

[Which was for older teens, but she doesn't mention that.]

[abugslife]

Am I to take that you were also a part of Aegis?

[a_centered_mind]

I officially identify myself as an Aegis member when out on the field, hence part-timing. Unlike Willis, who was under them before.

It's not exactly the same, but you could say so.

[abugslife]

Do you know what happened in Antarctica, so many years ago?

1/2

[a_centered_mind]

That is what I'm trying to find out. The incident was under Aegis jurisdiction and mostly covered up.

My company is only a partner of theirs; so while we share technologies, I can't investigate it normally...

2/2

[a_centered_mind]

According to the records I was able to access, a test of a new UIIN system - that is, the nanomachine system that the Aegis members, Willis and myself use - was being conducted there at the time.

I've only recently been able to connect this to the appearance of the crystal Chimaera. But that means the only person outside of Aegis who knows exactly what happened is...

[abugslife]

We are in a similar situation, then. I tried to pull information out of him in the past, to little result. Perhaps he will be more willing to talk after what happened today.

[stupidhonor]

[Sielje's sight is transfixed at the machine - then it moves towards its pilot. Then, realizing she's staring, she looks away, awkwardly.]

I believe you to be a warrior. Is that... an Arm of yours?

[a_centered_mind]

[Blink.]

...Come again?

What's an Arm?

[stupidhonor]

Your... machine. I understand they can take many different names, and forms.

Its form is very... elegant.

1/2

[a_centered_mind]

Elegant...

[She replays the word in her mind a few times here.]

2/2

[a_centered_mind]

[But then, she regains her composure.]

...Ah, I mean... thank you.

That's the first time anyone has ever said that.

[stupidhonor]

Is that so? I would not expect anyone on Earth to craft a machine like that... even so, it must be a rare one indeed.

[Sielje coughs, her eyes drifting to the side again.]

Of - of course, it is important first and foremost for it to be powerful when used by a skilled warrior. Appearance in itself is worthless.

[a_monetized_mind]

[Sielje's not the only one to watch Elys's miraculous recovery.]

...Okay, I'll bite. How are you doing that?