Performance anxiety

[star_of_sad]

[Virgola unit 3 was wrecked. Then it was repaired... and wrecked again, along with Setsuko's self-esteem.

At this rate, the mobile suit will never regain full functionality. The damage is just too severe.]

I really am a failure... even after all that happened, it's as if I learnt nothing.

Who thought it was a good idea to give a newbie position in the Glory Stars test team? Maybe I should just... go home...

[The pilot can be found moping not too far away from the hangar. It's like if Setsuko was reluctant to leave her own unit's field of vision.]

Comments

[star_of_sad]

That makes sense. You're only stating the facts as they are.

Still, it just shows how high the stakes are. Sometimes, when I look at powerful machines and veteran or uniquely gifted pilots the rest of Unity Group has, I feel so... little.

[Setsuko sighs - not dejectedly. It is a sigh of relief.]

I'm sorry for whining. I just had to get it off my chest.

[majestic_keiki]

Don't worry...People need to talk after something like that. I can still remember how I felt after the first battle with them.

[star_of_sad]

Terrible, wasn't it? That makes it the two of us.

[majestic_keiki]

It was...What are those things?

[star_of_sad]

I... do not know. But the first time, they copied humans and robots. This time, there was no one in the town as the dome appeared, only some stray animals.

And they looked animal-like as well...

[From the shakiness of Setsuko's voice it's obvious she does not like the implications.]

[majestic_keiki]

And I heard they were resistant to fire as well...Are they trying to adapt to the world?

...Did they talk this time too?

[star_of_sad]

Yes. Random phrases that didn't make any sense on the battlefield.

[majestic_keiki]

They're still like the first time we fought them, then. That was the worst thing, the creepiness of that on top of what they were doing.

[star_of_sad]

This isn't going to change, is it?
We'll just have to get used to it.

[majestic_keiki]

Yeah. I always knew I was going to be a soldier, but not that I'd have to fight some of the things we've seen...I don't think anybody did.

[star_of_sad]

Even BETA aren't as bad... or so I was told. I'm not an eishi, so I'm not really in a position to say.

[An awkward pause.]

Would you like to eat the chocolate?

[majestic_keiki]

I don't want to rank them...[She was clearly remembering that near-disastrous mission as well.]

Ah, yes. I brought it for that.

[star_of_sad]

Good thinking.

...

I'll see if there's some whipped cream, okay? It should make the chocolate taste even better.

[majestic_keiki]

Sure. If there's a kitchen nearby, I haven't looked for one around here.