Meet the folks (a post in several parts!)

[empress_without_a_throne]

[1]

[Mizuki's going about her business recently exclusively wearing her Abyss Empress clothing... and anyone in the Sakihama Base's hangar will notice the DuskBird's got several Solaris mechanics working on it virtually around the clock.  But more importantly-]

Ow.

Ow.

Ow.

[Even if she's just walking down the hall, the Abyssian is frequently wincing or reacting to unseen sources of pain.  And then-]

[Video]



Hello, everyone!  As you may remember, when the Unity Group began combat operations, I introduced to you an unlikely ally: the Abyss Empress herself.  And now... I give you her very followers!  The Grand Vizier Zangango and General Salanshiel!

[The video screen shifts to show the two other Abyssians, who actually are wearing normal clothing and just sort of sheepishly wave at the camera before they start to speak to each other.]

I hope Mizuki doesn't get too embarassed about this.

Well it's a special occasion, hopefully she'll understand.

[What's to understand?  It's just Sara pulling another melodramatic prank... and that's reason enough to storm down the halls!]

[2]



[And after THAT's all been sorted out, Mizuki's still happy about her parents paying a visit.]

So... yeah.  These are my parents... legally "Ichi Onodera" and "Haru Onodera".



A pleasure to meet all of you.  And thank you so much for helping take care of our daughter.



We apologize for the short notice of the visit, we would've let Mizuki know in advance but Sara thought to make it more of a surprise.  That said.... we also didn't come empty handed.

[Indeed they didn't.  In fact, they're carrying several hand-bags filled with sealed containers labeled 'Safe' or 'Sol only'.]

We were hoping to have a meal together with Mizuki, like a family... but we brought along extras just in case anyone wanted to join us.

Comments

2

[star_of_sad]

Hello. Don't worry, you are not interrupting anything important. It's a pleasure to meet Mizuki's parents in person, really.

[Setsuko smiles politely. What to talk about... ah yes.]

I see the familial resemblance.

[Which means all three have an aura of an evil demon lord's minions about them.]

Re: 2

[empress_without_a_throne]

We're actually not related by blood, but we somehow managed to pull off a functioning family unit after some practice.

Mom? Dad? This is Setsuko. She's one of the members who's only recently gotten into piloting.



Always nice to meet one of Mizuki's new friends. We were both worried so much when she first left with Sara and-

[He seems to pause, sheepishly looking left and right before leaning in a little closer.]

I'm sorry, but my eye's not bothering you, is it? I thought wearing an eyepatch would be too menacing but now I'm not so-



Dad, nobody cares about that... Sorry Setsuko, they're just a little self-conscious.

[star_of_sad]

No, no! Of course it doesn't bother me. Please don't worry about it.

[Quick, change the topic!]

Mizuki is doing very well in Unity Group. Why were you worried about her?

[empress_without_a_throne]

We know, but seeing her, knowing she'd be around so many other people...

[Haru's already starting to tear up even as she tries to keep up her smiling.]


There was so much anxiety in wondering if we'd raised her right!



They really tried to take their parenting duties as seriously as they could. And it was a really long road for all of us, considering the roles we were meant to fill.

1

[majestic_keiki]

[Kei had randomly been walking around nearby when the video popped up. Seeing Mizuki right there as it happened, she gave the woman an awkward smile. This just had embarrassing written all over it.]

[empress_without_a_throne]

... The stuff we let friends do, huh?

[She gives Kei back a smile of her own.]

[majestic_keiki]

Yeah. The rest of the team has dragged me into some stuff already...Must be awkward to have your parents introduced to everyone like that.

1)

[break_the_nine]

Oh.. Oh WOW! They really do look like a Grand Vizier and a General!

[Leos is amazed at this, looking all the part of a joyful teenager.]

So awesome!

I know you're good guys and Mizuki said you don't have a Skull Fortress...

But... is it Mister Onodera or Mister Vangango..... you totally you totally would have had a skull shaped eyepatch! With a laser built into it that shoots whenever you glare at someone!

[empress_without_a_throne]

A... skull-shaped patch? With a laser?! THat's just to...-



Mom, Dad, this is Leos. He... really tries to hammer the idea of me and skulls.

[break_the_nine]

I still say you should get a Skull Fortress. You could call it Onodera Acropolis ... or some other fancy name.

...

Skull fortresses are awesome!

1

[actuallyselfish]

Not long after Mizuki gets pranked by Sara, she feels a sharp stinging sensation in the small of her back, almost as if someone shoved an acupuncture needle into the exact wrong pressure point.

From the hanger, you hear a sharp clattering noise. Dido rushes out of the hanger doors wiping her fingers with a rag.

"Hey, Mizuki! Did you hear? Your parents are coming to visit! Also–!"

She holds up something that looks like a black pearl mixed with a screw. "Do you know what this is?"

[empress_without_a_throne]

No, but with all the poking and prodding you've been doing inside of my other half, I'd rather we keep things to the bare minimum. If it's important it'll grow back.

Also...

[She winces again, glaring at another mechanic who drilled in a docking clamp a little too forcefully.]

... Since my parents are visiting, can you please be careful with this? The last thing I need is them freaking out over part of me getting open-cavity surgery.

[actuallyselfish]

"Of course! Don't worry!" Dido says, holding up her hands. "I'll be as gentle as a Dove's warbles!"

She frowns in thought.

"Never thought about it before, but do your parents have machines of their own? I mean, they were created to be your accomplices, in a manner of speaking..."

2

[tiger_ken]

[...A certain teammate of Mizuki's appears to be a bit shy, only leaning his head around a corner whilst anyone else actually, you know, introduces themselves.

May or may not help that he's trying to 'act natural' as he sweeps the halls.]

[empress_without_a_throne]

Ken. You've been cleaning that spot for five minutes now.

Come on and get over here.

[tiger_ken]

Ah... well... Fine.

[A bit timid for whatever reason, Ken steps out and steps up to... what could have been villains at one point.]

...Hello.

2

[cloningblues]

Err...

What is it that your parents do for a living, Mizuki?

Re: 2

[empress_without_a_throne]

[Oh dear. The two of them exchange nervous glances before-]

They're considered "professional subjects of study"... and occasionally emergency power sources at Solaris's HQ whenever we couldn't afford the electric bill.

[There, that's a reasonable way of explaining it without outright saying anything that could be interpreted as "lab rat".]



Right. Yes. We needed a home, and they needed some new direction to proceed in. And thanks to staying together, we managed to have some semblance of stability.

[cloningblues]

Electric bill? How does Solaris' budget look like?

2

[ben_dixon]

I'd never say no to a free meal.

[empress_without_a_throne]

Great!

So...

[A few foods were raised out of their bags. Some more mundane, normal-looking meals... but then there started to get into bizarre, freakish-looking chunks of things.]

Gonna play it safe or would you like to try some cooked kaiju?

[ben_dixon]

Urgh. To be honest I...

2

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya encounters Mizuki and her parents and nods to them respectfully as he begins to speak.]

"Hello, it is a pleasure to meet you. Megumi has only spoken briefly of you but it was quite fondly. She has done quite a lot to assist several members of our organization so what little we've been able to do to assist her has simply been repaying those efforts."

[Yuuya's face seems to drop momentarily at the mention of the meal before he shakes his his head and speaks again with a complicated smile.]

"I appreciate the invitation but I ate just a little while ago and would hate to intrude. Family is important and I wouldn't want to interrupt the time you have with Mizuki on my account. Speaking of I have a message I've been meaning to write to my own parents so I think I'll be heading on to my quarters for now."

[Yuuya turns past the "elder" Onoderas and pauses to speak quietly to Mizuki.]

"You're lucky you have parents that care enough to come visit like this, you should appreciate the visit and make all the time you can to spend with them."

[empress_without_a_throne]

[Yuuya? Write a letter to his parents? Amazing just how easily a single letter can sink a lie, and when Yuuya speaks to her...]

Don't worry, I intend to. But I'd appreciate it if you spent at least a little time here.

I insist.

[The words were assertive, but the smile and her tone were inviting.]

We have plenty of "Western" cooking too.

[ugyuuya]

[Looking at Mizuki and her parents Yuuya tries to think of another means to bow out politely but Mizuki's words and expression leave him cornered without any real options. Hopeful that he can steer conversation away from his parents well enough to not get caught.]

"Well if you're going to insist that I won't be intruding then I guess I can take some time. I'd hate to leave everything to you if you're going to be offering a free meal, is there anything I can do to help?"