Falling into the cockpit

[itbelongsinamuseum]

1
[Following the attack on Brussels, Alex had followed the Unity Group people back to their base. Not like the city was terribly livable at the time and if anybody could help her make sense of things it was the people whose job was dealing with these issues. The awful weather in Brussels during the mission was still clear as she was sitting in the transports back to base, showing themselves as wet, matted hair and positively soaked clothes.]

I should explain...Anything you want to know?

2
[In the hours following the return a new girl could be found trying to find her way around base. She seemed faintly uncertain and rather preoccupied with something.]

Is there a shower I can borrow somewhere?

Comments

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Thanks...I live near the fighting. The supermarket I do my daily shopping in was in one of the buildings destroyed and I'm not sure my apartment is still standing.

[jianai]

It happens again, people are losing their homes and well-being because of all the conflicts going on.

If I can help you in any way, please just say the word.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I think I'm good for now.

But I'll probably need somebody to talk to to figure out what to do now.

[jianai]

I'm just a perfectly ordinary Unity Group pilot, but maybe you should talk to the commander in chief?

After you heat up a little, if I may suggest. You look rather cold and miserable, how about some coffee?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

A cup of coffee would be nice. And a shower afterwards, even if I don't have any clothes to change into.

[jianai]

That shouldn't be a problem.

[Ren smooths out the baggy overalls they're wearing.]

My attire isn't technically mine, either. I'm sure you can borrow a change of clothes.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

That's good to hear, I'd like a change of clothes as well, even if it's just something temporary. I really wish that the attack had come with more warning so I could have done some packing.

Where is the base anyway?

[jianai]

There's one in America, another in Japan, oh - and you can visit the Star Rose, too. Isn't that convenient?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

So I get the chance for sightseeing and shopping, I see. I'll better make use of it while staying with you.

[jianai]

Oh, now that you mention it, it'd be nice to do one or the other some day, wouldn't it? I didn't even consider that.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

So what kind of place in America and Japan are the bases? Not everywhere has anything to see or buy.

[jianai]

The American base is in the middle of great wilderness. Ah, the air there is so refreshing!

I haven't been much to the Japanese one, but it's under ground, and in a city. As you can see, there's quite a variety there.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Seems like it...I guess I know what I'll do for the next few days while I sort things out, reassure people that I'm fine and such.

[jianai]

Ah! That's right, I almost forgot. Your family and friends must be really worried, Alexandra. We should contact them as fast as possible.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Right, I'll call them in a bit. I just needed some time to think. I still need to figure out what to tell them about, well, everything today, really.

[jianai]

Why not tell them the truth - that your home city was attacked, but fortunately Unity Group rescued you and everyone else?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Well, yes, but there's a lot of other stuff going on too...

[jianai]

That's true, isn't it? But it might be best to break news in slowly and focus only on the most essential parts at first.

You are safe. That's what should matter most.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Right and that I'm with Unity Group. I should probably tell them before news reports do. Some of those UN troops or the people owning security cameras have to go to the media about the giant monster and the strange robot popping out of nowhere.

[jianai]

It's not such a rare occurence as far as Unity Group is concerned. I mean, it is unusual either way, but not something that never happened before.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Yes, but I doubt my friends and family will be as used to it. I know I'm not.

Still, I'll figure out how to tell them. At least there are lots of strange things going on at the moment.

[jianai]

I wonder how will they react to discover that the talisman your father tried to pawn off had the power of an actual mythical deity sealed inside.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

My dad's fenced so much stuff that if magic actually exists, a bunch of it has passed through his hands.

[jianai]

You have quite an interesting family situation, Alexandra. Are you sure it's wise to admit such things casually to someone you just met?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

He's a legitimate antiquities dealer, but what else do you call trade in stuff taken by British soldiers when they burned the summer palace?