Obligatory beach episode!

[srwu_npc]

"May I have everyone's attention? Members of Unity Group, we noticed that you've been working very hard lately but also some of our people were pretty stressed out. Resting is a part of your duties too, so I have talked to a few people in charge from other organisations and, long story short, you have a short vacation in a tropical resort."

"Please enjoy it."


"I'll be there too!"

[1 - mingle thread]
As commander Antov just said, you have a two day vacation to enjoy. Beach, ocean, beautiful weather - it's all there just for you!

Unity Group is not the only organisation making use of the resort. You may be able to find interesting individuals from other groups lurking about... or maybe just swimsuit-clad bodies to ogle. If that's your thing you pervert.

All general vacation shenanigans go here.

[2 - for Yuuya]
The famous Russian TSF pilots known as Scarlet Twins are here - and unfortunately it seems Tarisa got in a bit of a fight with the younger one, Inia. It was decided the two will get along by participating in a paddle boat competition together, except there's one tiny problem...


"Nooo! I don't want to... I must be together with Cryska!"

The young Russian girl was grabbing a tree firmly, refusing to budge. Finally, with an exasperated sigh, Cryska decided to intervene. But she was not alone...


"... Fine, I'll switch with you then."
"... Fine, I'll switch with you then."

And that's how Yui and Cryska ended in one boat together, awkwardly paddling away. But what's this - if you give their vessel a glance, suddenly there's only a (rather panicked looking, unusually for herself) Yui on board. Did the Russian ditch her?

[3 - for Izuru]
As you wander around the resort, a sight draws your attention.


A young white-haired woman is talking to a tall man in a suit. It's too far to see what they're talking about, but suddenly it seems the conversation takes a turn for the heated. She tries to leave, and he grabs her by the arm.

Are they arguing? Are they fighting?! Also... why does the woman seem so familiar?

[4]
It seems the trip was not without incident. Several participants of the boat rowing contest are missing and the weather is getting worse. It's time to organize an in-mecha search party before they are caught in the rain for days and starve or something.

Also, someone threw Izuru into deep waters and he's not too good of a swimmer. Someone should probably rescue him.

Comments

[ugyuuya]

[Taking a moment to force Yui to sit down gently he checks her foot.]

This has swollen rather badly, you shouldn't put weight on it and it'd be faster to get back to Cryska if I just carried you.

[With that he turns around to offer his back to carry her but after a few moments of hesitation sighs exasperatedly.]

The things I put up with.

[And with that he picks up the young woman in a princess carry and begins to move back towards the gave at a moderate jog.]

[srwu_npc]

"Ahh, wait, what are you doing?"

"I can go on my own! It's a matter of..."

[ugyuuya]

You were scolding me about leaving Cryska alone but I'm not leaving you alone out here either. We can either stop and argue which will take longer to get back to her or just let me carry you.

[srwu_npc]

"Hrrm..." Yui avoids your gaze for some reason.

"It will help you if I do this, won't it?"

She moves her arms to grab at you. It's only for equal distribution of weight. It's most definitely not a hug or anything stupid like that.

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya manages to keep his surprise from showing too readily on his face and quickly transports her to the cave that he had set up their shelter in. setting her on a rock where she could sit Yuuya adds a few more sticks to the fire and takes some time to begin to warm back up from the cold rain.]

[srwu_npc]

Now the three of you are sitting in a dark cave. Not exactly a dream vacation.

"Uhh..."

At least Cryska is waking up, eventually.

[ugyuuya]

[Sitting idly with Yui while Cryska is unconscious only works for so long, with a brief word Yuuya returns to check on the boat finding the mooring line broken and their means of egress from the island gone. Returning to the cave with a broken branch long and sturdy enough to serve as a temporary walking aid for Yui he finds Cryska awake and an awkward air between the two. Thankfully the rain has gotten lighter so it's not all terrible.]

Did I miss something?

[When no response is forthcoming he continues.]

The raft washed away after the rope we tied it off with broke. I'll head out again here in a few minutes and find more firewood since it seems we'll be here a bit longer than originally planned.

[srwu_npc]

"The raft is gone?!"

Needless to say, both are in shock. But surprise gets replaced by pragmatism.


"I request permission to accompany lt Bridges in his search for firewood."


"... Permission granted."

Were the two plotting something? Once outside, it becomes clear.


"Lieutenant, I wish to ask you a personal question if you do not mind."

"What do you think of Inia?"

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya is caught rather off guard by the question and quickly turns to look at the Russian pilot.]

Where did that come from? You've seen most of the interactions I've had with her, she's almost like that kid sister who just wants your attention and drags you all over creation to get it.

What were you thinking it was?

[srwu_npc]

"I see. Lt Takamura ordered me to direct any questions regarding your personal life to yourself."

[ugyuuya]

Oh, so the Japanese doll finally admitted that maybe she doesn't know everything? Perhaps we should mark today for future celebration.

[srwu_npc]

"I don't understand. You keep referring to the Japanese in derogatory terms, yet you're Japanese yourself."

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya's face hardens quickly at the rather innocent statement by Cryska.]

Everyone has something that they absolutely hate to be called. I have never claimed any attachment to that country and it has caused me trouble and discrimination for a lot of my life while people just see a "Japanese" person rather than who I really am.

Would you like it if everyone just called you Russian all the time and didn't get to know you before judging you?

[srwu_npc]

"That's not a problem."

Cryska looks serious.

"My nation is what defines me. From allegiance to the Motherland, comes my identity as a person. The group, then the individual."

[ugyuuya]

[Waving his arms into an exaggerated shrug Yuuya begins to talk somewhat dismissively.]

Well that's pretty stupid. You have to worry about yourself first before you can worry about anyone else. It's always the person before the group and then the country. It just can't be done the other way around.

[srwu_npc]

"I received my answers. But Lt Bridges, I do not understand your way of thinking at all."

That's enough firewood gathering. Back in the cave, uneasy silence fills the air. But then...

"The ocean..."


"... Eh?"


"The reason for why I fainted... I am afraid of the ocean. I never saw it in real life before."

"It is alright if I am in a TSF. But if you are in just a boat, its depths threatens to engulf you. It's overwhelming."

[ugyuuya]

Then why did you volunteer for this then? We're lucky that things have turned out this well but if something else had gone wrong it could have turned out much worse for everyone involved. This is why you can't always put the group or country ahead of yourself Cryska.

[srwu_npc]

"It was for Inia's sake..."


"You're eager to criticize others, Lt."

Look who's talking.

[ugyuuya]

Really? Well you'd know all about criticizing others with helpful advice wouldn't you Lieutenant? Sometimes I wonder if you even want to get along with others at all.

[srwu_npc]

"What does that have to do with anything?!"

Tsun, tsun.

"W... well... it's not that I do not want to get along with others."

Yui hesitates for a bit, but finally asks.

"It's just that - you seem to hate me just because of my nationality. Why do you dislike the Japanese so much?"

[ugyuuya]

It's your insistence on the clan and the mission over all else. If the country asks you to die you just accept it without looking for another way, you choose principles and honor over your own families and will discard their partner and unborn child if it is demanded of them.

It's a cruel, cold, and unnecessarily strict method of living and you are quick to judge others who do not view the world in the same manner.

[srwu_npc]

"You say unnecessarily strict. As a TSF developer, more than just my life depends on my decisions and performance. You should very well know that! If we don't sacrifice ourselves for the country, even more people will die."


"This topic interests me too. What happened in your personal history that it caused a dislike for Japanese and their methods, lt Bridges?"

[ugyuuya]

[Yuuya begins by addressing Yui before speaking to Cryska's concerns. A weary look covering his face as he speaks.]

Yes, there are reasons to work hard and to make sure the work you're doing is done well for the protection and benefit of others but there comes a time where just doing that will hurt those who would be important to you for no appreciable reason.

My 'father' left my mother before I was born on a mission and clan duties. I have never once met him and don't even know his name. I grew up watching my mother struggle and face ridiculed not only from strangers but my grandfather as well all the while she still believed in him and defended him. I still think the two decades of stain and stress that his leaving left her to manage is part of why she passed away.