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

[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?

[jianai]

I assure you, that was not my intention.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

[There was a long look trying to somehow divine something from Ren's unchanging expression.]

Those would be pretty awful to get trapped in.

[jianai]

It really would. I should be glad the rest of my kin want my body untouched, and I don't really have other enemies.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

You didn't mention your kin before...But I'd imagine you'd get a lot of enemies staying here, even if they don't target you specifically.

[jianai]

I hope not to make any on a personal level. I realize a lot will try to shoot and kill me for opposing them during operations, but I cannot really blame them for that.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

That's what I meant.

[jianai]

And I am fine with that. I hold no grudge towards people who try to kill me in such circumstance, I realize it's nothing personal. I hope they will return the sentiment.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

...That might be a bit hopeful. People generally don't like getting shot at.

[jianai]

Considering the circumstacnces in which I might be willing to shoot at them...

They really would have no one but themselves to blame.

[Smile, smile.]

[itbelongsinamuseum]

You know that they're not going to see it that way, though.

[jianai]

If I can make at least one of my would-be opponents realize that, and hopefully stand down...

That'd be a wonderful thing.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Once you've started shooting at people you're pretty committed and it doesn't seem like you're fighting random robbers who screw up or kids trying to look tough.

[jianai]

I believe that given enough time and goodwill, anyone can understand and become friends with each other... or at least, tolerate their existence.

Unfortunately sometimes giving that time means a person is free to wreak havoc and take lives in the meantime. It's a tragedy.

[jianai]

I walked around from place to place, settling in here and there for a while if the location was nice, or if I found people who needed my help.

You could say I was a drifter.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

I meant Unity Group, not you specifically.

[jianai]

(Disregard that second tag, it was a mistell)

... Oh.