Defragmentation

[a_linear_mind]

1. [Slightly backdated]

[After the conclusion to what should have been a relatively simple job in Tokyo Willis has been in a somewhat somber mood ever since returning to Alhambra. While technically they were successful and prevented the situation from getting even worse than it could have been thanks to the efforts of everyone else there, the implications of everything that happened were still weighing on him. From reemergence of his formerly deceased fiancee's machine along with the woman herself, the fog that could assimilate machines and turn them into Chimaera, and the Aegis members who were now chasing after Licht. There was a lot that he was now worried about.]

How does this keep happening?

[At the very least given what the Olympios Facility was restored for he could be confident that with medical aid only a few blocks away from where the Chimaera attacked the collateral that was caused there would be minimized. Especially after his own freak-out upon seeing those Chimaera again.]

Every time I think I understand a situation things change...

2. [Recharging]

[Sometime later Willis has seemingly made it his mission to devour anything and everything served in Alhambra's cafeteria. While it wasn't exactly necessary for him to eat at all it did at the very least gave his nanomachines more to work with in helping to treat some of his injuries which seemed to be a bit slower to heal than usual.

For some reason however there's a small pile of discarded tomatoes and other random vegetables between the pile of dishes.]

3.

[Late into the night in a quieter section of Alhambra Willis can be found staring up at the starlit sky, trying to clear his mind. While it's hard to notice at first given the lack of light around him he seems to be holding up a familiar necklace, staring intensely at the pair of rings held on the chain.]

I shouldn't have to kill her twice...huh.

Comments

3

[star_of_sad]

Willis...

[Setsuko is here for a reason. But having heard that, her plans get derailed a bit.]

Please tell me, what's going on?

What is this all about?

[a_linear_mind]

Setsuko...I didn't think you'd be up this late.

[At the very least he seems a lot more calm compared to how he was acting during the mission.]

...when I went to the garden before the ceremonies started...I wasn't alone...my fiancee...she was there somehow, waiting for me like she used to. I looked right at her and before I could say a thing the attack started and she disappeared.

Those large Chimaera we encountered and that fog...., it was almost exactly the same as the ones when Licht's nanomachine systems went out of control.

I didn't want to put the two together, but when Licht showed up...let's just say I had to face reality.

[star_of_sad]

I... I see.

There really aren't many ways left to interpret what happened.

But, even back there, she was still trying to protect you, wasn't she.

[a_linear_mind]

That's the thing that's been bothering me the most...

[star_of_sad]

Maybe it's on purpose. Someone is controlling the chimaera, and they want to create more chaos and confusion.

2

[an_emulated_mind]

Heeeeeey~! You should eat your vegetables, they're good for you! Besides, the lentil-pasta salad here is delicious!

-Or so I'm told!

[a_linear_mind]

I don't really need to worry about nutrition...

[an_emulated_mind]

Oh, is that so, Mr. Fancy-pants? Because if I'm not mistaken, the transmutation of elements and the synthesis of organic molecules via nanomachine is a really slow! So if you want to heal up fast you better eat your vegetables, like a real adult.

Besides, there are cool robots out there who just wish they could taste those veggies. Think of the robots!

[a_linear_mind]

Maybe if you're using technology that's more than a few decades behind...

[Or not based on alien technology harvested from a spooky meteor.]

You sure do know a lot for someone who's just arrived here though.

[an_emulated_mind]

What amazing technology you must have, to freely waste your food without a care. Now all those starving african children your mom warned you about will live happy and fulfilling lives.

-Gwenhwyfar Jen二 Douglas, at your service. I might have just arrived, but I've got most of Jen's memories bouncing around in my skull.

1

[a_centered_mind]

You're not the only one.

[Elys comes over with two bottles of drinks. The one she proceeds to hand over to Willis is one filled with iced lemon tea. The other is one filled with good old H20 for herself.

There is a momentary pause before she asks...]

...That was her, then?

Re: 1

[a_linear_mind]

Thanks...

[The tired pilot downs the drink quickly, considering they just got back from Tokyo in the middle of the summer it was appreciated.]

Yeah...I forgot that you two never met, but I guess you would have recognized Licht.

I think you two would have gotten along.

[a_centered_mind]

...What makes you say that?

[a_linear_mind]

...she was the type of person who could get along with almost everyone.

Kind of the opposite of me I guess...

[a_centered_mind]

...Well, you're likeable in your own way.

And... it looks like she's still attached to you.

[Despite her attempt to stay positive, there is a sad tone to her voice.]

1

[empress_without_a_throne]

...

Hey there.

Need to talk?

[a_linear_mind]

Ah...Mizuki

That'd be nice, though I think I forgot to thank you and Zankuro for what you guys did back there. So...thanks.

[empress_without_a_throne]

Yeah, it was a big crazy but... it worked out like I hoped it would. Mom and Dad are actually gonna getting Zankuro a lot of ice cream for helping save the day.

[Though they also had cried a bunch over Zankuro completely skipping over the "constantly getting kidnapped" phase of growing into a hero too.]

But... I'm sorry too.

Stopping bombs is one thing... but it's not going to be that easy for you, is it?

[a_linear_mind]

I've done it before but...no it probably never will be.

You don't need to apologize, what happened back there...it's my problem.

If I had it my way none of you would have to deal with my black history.

[empress_without_a_throne]

It's usually that way when demons from the past spring up.

... But you don't have to do this alone. Not when it's hitting so close to you. NOt after everything you've done while you're here.

2

[abugslife]

[A large shadow looms over.]

Oh? I did not expect you to be a picky eater.

[a_linear_mind]

Really? I didn't think that it'd surprise you at all.

[abugslife]

Well, considering how your nanomachine swarm works in action, I would imagine voracious consumption of all food in sight to be more in character.

[a_linear_mind]

Well...that's not exactly wrong.

[Somehow the pile of plates had grown far more quickly than he would have expected.]

[abugslife]

[A pause. Willis may take it as an opportunity to shovel more food, though that may be a mistake, because...]

...I did not know you killed your lover with your very own hand.