Heart and soul

[jianai]

[1]
[In order to get better as a pilot and not wreck a mobile suit each time they're piloting, Ren is doing some good old fashioned physical exercise.]

And one, and two...

[Running laps around Alhambra Base - with a lack of haste that'd cause any drill sergeant worth their salt to pop a vein or a dozen. But what's this - 15, 20, 30 laps around the base done, and Ren isn't even sweaty yet.

Comment? Or maybe join in, if you dare?]

[2]
[Some time after the exercise, but directed at whomever seems willing to listen.]

Do you believe in the afterlife?

Comments

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Isn't it one of the things people usually get told not to discuss with strangers?

But I guess the answer is that I don't really know if I do and haven't thought much about it.

[jianai]

We're not really strangers anymore, are we?

Anyway, I personally believe that there is an afterlife. For some at least.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I guess that's true.

Still, I'm not really sure I believe. They say there are no atheists in the foxholes, but I didn't really have time to contemplate theological topics during the battle and I haven't really felt any change in my beliefs either way since then.

[jianai]

When so much on the battlefield depends on luck, it's hard not to turn towards a higher power.

Hard, but not wrong. Beliefs aren't right or wrong, they're something that is up for an individual - though I guess history shows that many people disagree.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I know...But it's probably more something that happens while you wait for the battle than during it.

[jianai]

"Oh God please don't let me die" - something like that?

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Yes. Or desperate prayers that the attack at your position will fail.

[jianai]

Being a soldier is a terrifying experience. I am so glad that from all the things I have done in my life, this is not one of them.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Aren't you one right now?

[jianai]

I like to think of myself as an independently hired pilot.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Not very different from a soldier for this topic, is it?

[jianai]

You may have a point there. Though the thick mobile suit armor between me and my opponents makes it much safer and more bearable.

That, and the fact I can't really die.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Wait, you can't die?

[jianai]

Not the way I am now, no.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

How does that even work?

[jianai]

Do you remember how I said that I am not a human being, Alexandra? One of key differences is that I am possess a certain kind of psychic ability.

I can bleed and be hurt, quite severely either, but that ability will keep me alive for as long as it is there.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

...That's really hard to believe. Then again, lots of stuff has been the last few days. How does it work? Does your body repair damage quickly or do attacks somehow always fail to hit anything vital or is there nothing vital?

[jianai]

I heal faster than most, but I don't think that's related. No, it's just that no matter what happens to me I'm just somehow... still alive.

My heart was shot a few weeks ago. The wound should have healed by now, but even when it was there I was able to live and move around.

I still have veins and blood but they could as well be just for show.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

So the no vitals kind in other words, even if the parts for them are there. They just aren't, well, vital.

[jianai]

They still hurt quite a lot, though!

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I can imagine...[She trailed off, not quite wanting to address how Ren could say it with such a calm expression.]

[jianai]

But in the end, you could say I'm glad.

All things considered, it's like a gift. There must be something I can do with it in my life.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

And even if not, you don't need to worry about losing it on accident.

[jianai]

Not in most accidents, no. Though sometimes that may not be the best of fates.

Let's consider a space shuttle catastrophe in deep space. Or, a volcanic explosion that covers everyone in magma!

[The light conversational tone is maintained.]

[itbelongsinamuseum]

...You went straight for the worst scenarios to shock me, didn't you?