Closer To Home

[a_centered_mind]

1. [With everything going on as of late, Elys had taken a back seat to most of the action. She still had her own company to run despite being part of Project Unification, and doing so in the middle of all this was not easy. At least, it wasn't just something she could take a swing at with a sword.

As she sits in the lounge, news reports about the Balmarian cease-fire show up on TV, and she sighs. There is also the recent development with Loni's crew to think about.]

...I had to convince my board of directors that sticking with all of you is in their best interest. They're not exactly confident in me after Aegis decided to do goodness knows what, but this helped to push them my way.

I mean, it's hard to argue against a gigantic alien empire and some kind of multidimensional deity...so they've stayed quiet for now.

[There is an air of unease about her as she speaks. And between her fingers, she twirls a small, black pen drive.]

If only the smaller picture was simpler to look at.

-


2. [After the recent battle, Amagahara stands in Sakihama Base's hangar, looking unusually beat up.

It's not just the damage that Desta's Guardian form dealt, but also the result of the strain from using that technique near the end - something she very rarely resorted to. In particular, the unit's arms look like they've been torn apart internally by the forces involved.

Elys examines the damage from floor level. Because of her connection to Amagahara, she notes the nanomachines don't seem to be as active as they usually are, making automatic recovery quite slow.]

I know I might've overdone it there. Hang on, partner...

I'd rather not owe Rand even more than I already do, but this time you'll need a hand.

Comments

[a_centered_mind]

I see you've been playing too many of those social games again.

And that doesn't really work when this place is full of people who can do a better job keeping you safe than I can.

[a_linear_mind]

Haha maybe...

[His expression seems to change for a brief moment.]

But there aren't a lot of people here who I trust more than you. That's why I'm glad you're still here despite everything.

[a_centered_mind]

I see.

...The way I see it: it's either business people or weird people, too. I certainly have more in common with the latter, and I don't really have to keep up appearances here either.

Kind of like your runaway alien princess, minus the engagement.

[a_linear_mind]

I wouldn't know about that, I've been keeping up a very certain kind of appearance here.

Everyone's favourite punching bag I believe it is.

[a_centered_mind]

You're being a bit too hard on yourself again.

I'm sure they joke around, but I looked at the records. You've been here since the Unity Group started, right?

[a_linear_mind]

I think it's a bit justified, and just being here from the beginning isn't enough to gain respect.

Besides, if we're counting then I would lose a bit thanks to the year a spent away when I was in a magical kingdom underneath the Earth.

[a_centered_mind]

Well, sure. You behaved that way and frustrated them a lot. But you still helped out, didn't you?

[a_linear_mind]

Only with what I could do, it just so happened that helping out around here meant doing the only thing I'm good at.

...when all of this is over I don't know where I'll end up, I'll probably end up roaming again or something along those lines.

[a_centered_mind]

We might have a place for you over at Ono-Sendai.

That is, if you're not tired of roaming. It does sound like something you'd do...

[a_linear_mind]

Heh I thought that you would have been sick of having me around by now.

You sure you'd want me there?

[a_centered_mind]

I do feel bad for hiding myself for so long, so it's the least I could do.

...Having an assistant isn't all that bad, either.

[a_linear_mind]

Is that the only reason?

[He suddenly sounds a bit more serious for some reason.]

[a_centered_mind]

It's just...don't you actually want to rest after this is all over?