Exhaustion

[a_linear_mind]

[With the events at Aidoneus Island concluded, Strahlend has somehow managed to limp it's way back to Fort Alhambra. Once again the machine came back in critical condition despite this being the first time it had been active in months. To make matters worse, there's now a large hole in the roof over where the machine usually stood, thanks to Willis learning that he could activate the machine remotely no matter where he was and the Unity Group was down another Gespenst. The pilot himself is not doing much better, thanks to his usual complete disregard for his own well-being while in combat. He practically falls out of the cockpit of his machine with the side of his head busted open and one of his arms dangling lifelessly in the air. Bits of metal and crystals were still embedded in him but all of these injuries were of course being taken care of by the nanomachines in his system while his machine began to repair itself as well.]

What a long day...

Comments

[star_of_sad]

Willis?

[Setsuko looks at the extent of Willis' injuries - and at Strahlend. Back at Willis. Is that metal sticking out of him?]

Are you... really okay?

[a_linear_mind]

Oh, hey Setsuko. I'm fine just...a bit shaken up mentally...and physically I guess.

[star_of_sad]

That looks... more than just a bit shaken up.

Just what happened? Well, I have the general idea but...

1/2

[a_linear_mind]

I don't even know where to start.

[Willis backs up slightly to brace himself against Strahlend's leg]

The Crystal Chimaera, they were there trying to...retrieve Meteor-3 or something but the moment they noticed me they tried to capture me instead. Now they're becoming even stronger and I almost ended up becoming a Core for one of them. That's why I have all of this on me.

[He shakes off the bits of metal on him as an example.]

2/2

[a_linear_mind]

If it wasn't for Elys I would have ended up like...everyone at that place...

[star_of_sad]

They almost, I mean... they wanted to...

I'm sorry Willis.

[Setsuko sighs. From the two of them, she's the one who needs to collect herself?]

This is all very worrying, isn't it.

[a_linear_mind]

Luckily I'm still here...anyways, on top of all of that...well, I'm sure you saw what happened afterwards with Meteor-3.

I'm just hoping it was responsible for the changes in those creatures and this doesn't happen again.

[star_of_sad]

[Setsuko nods.]

I'm very grateful for this rescue. It was really close...

So, umm.

You mentioned your own unit is based on EOT from Meteor-3?

[She did watch the recordings.]

[a_linear_mind]

Elys mentioned that the U.I.I.N system was based off of samples taken from Meteor-3. I just connected the dots after it changed forms.

...that probably explains why it also takes the form of crystals when the system runs wild.

[abugslife]

The day has not ended yet, Willis.

...Are you currently in risk of assimilation?
[Hetepheres looks at the crystals piercingly.]

[a_linear_mind]

No, at least not with the Core of those things destroyed.

[To ease her worries Willis has his Core Cells break down the bits still embedded in him.]

[abugslife]

You said that normally, there are people inside the cores of those crystalline abominations.

[a_linear_mind]

...yeah...up until now every single crystal creature I've encountered has used a human core partially assimilated by their Core Cells.

[abugslife]

Why do I only learn about this now? And, more importantly, where did those humans come from?

[a_linear_mind]

...originally they came from an Aegis base...in Antarctica. That's where they first showed up...

[abugslife]

Then all the people who have died there...

[a_linear_mind]

...were assimilated and then made into the Cores of creatures like that...the U.I.I.N system that went out of control and started all of it belonged to my fiancée.

[not_a_prize]

Willisss....

[Peola is dragging herself out of Regalis Filia, while Willis definitely had the harder time throughout the fight (and how)... the princess was looking extremely tired from the whole incident. She stumbles partway, having tripped over her own feet due to loss of coordination from the ki-exhaustion as well as the good old plain exhaustion.]

Buaffu!

[To that end Peola simply drags herself as best as she can over to Willis to glare at him.]

You have a lot of explaining t' do...

[a_linear_mind]

Peola!?

[And despite his injuries he still moves forward to lend a hand and help the princess stand on her feet. Considering he was partially responsible for the additional damage she took due to not explaining all of the details behind the Crystal Chimaera, it was the least he could]

Maybe this can wait til later...you really need to rest.

[not_a_prize]

And you need a doctor. You got exploded out there.

[She fixes him with a rather irritated look, had she more energy she'd try slap that hand away and get up on her on. Now it was just flailing at that hand and grabbing onto it.]

First there was those weird crystal things, then the Balmarian thing, then you saying things-

[Peola sways in place a little, but manages to keep her footing this time.]

I really don't get you...

[a_linear_mind]

You should know as well as I do that I really don't.

[And since she didn't just outright refuse his help, he's maintaining his stance despite the pain involved. That look was one that he was used to receiving anyways.]

I just...have a bit of a complicated past. I'm sure you can sympathize, you didn't exactly give us all the details either when you arrived here.

[not_a_prize]

Maybe... but you just need someone looking after you. I just get this feeling off of you... like you shouldn't be alone right now.

[Her grimace softens into worry, she could feel some of that pain all but radiating off of him. She tries to make sure that Willis doesn't have to shoulder that much of her weight.]

... You're right on that. I wouldn't have said anything if I could either if it didn't get out.

[a_linear_mind]

I'm just as guilty...if I had it my way and was smarter about things no one else besides me would have had to deal with my baggage.

[It's probably pretty easy for Peola to read him like a book right now. Clear feelings of guilt and pain were the only thing coming from him.]

You shouldn't worry about me though, right now it's more important that you take care of yourself.

[Somehow he manages to raise a smile, and it's probably one of the first genuine ones from him that Peola has seen.]

...thanks though.

[not_a_prize]

Well... you managed to get away with it longer than most other people do here. That's probably something.

[Those feelings were making Peola's gut twist. For a person whose solution to problems tended to be some variation of hitting things... it was difficult to figure out what to do here.]

Willis I-

[Then that smile pops up.]

... You're welcome. Just... if you ever need my help, I'll be around. Promise.

[a_linear_mind]

...I appreciate it.

[And with that taken care of he starts to help Peola towards the infirmary, surprisingly he's a lot stronger than he usually seems and doesn't seem to be to strained even while supporting Peola with his injured body.]

Hopefully the next time we have a chat like this we'll both be in better shape.