02 - Welp (backdated to the 24th)

[agelostdoll]

((ooc: had meant to put this up a few days ago but I had to clean a virus off my PC; sorry about that!))

[Asuka - the eyepatch'd one - comes onto the screen... and looking none too good. Pale, bags under her eye and shivering despite a blanket and a heavy jacket. Yeah. Even her voice is hoarse:]

Anyone wondering about that side effects thing... well, it's pretty fucking confirmed. I'm about three weeks in; haven't touched anybody. Said I would a while ago; experiment.

Fever, headaches, sleep disruption... I think I'm starting to hallucinate. I'm calling it off.

They're not lying about that.

Private text to greenteengenius

you want your scans make it quick

Private text to favored_four_eyes

could use a hand

Comments

[agelostdoll]

...


...Your priorities are seriously skewed.

[paraclete]

This is not the first time I've heard so.

What I mean is that you look very unwell, and so you probably feel very unwell. Wouldn't it be nice not to? It has surprised me that a species with fragile bodies push their limits to such great extremes. Truly tenacious.

[agelostdoll]

I had to be sure. Either it was the power thing, or I just happened to be sick by coincidence. It's the former.

[paraclete]

And so extends the studiousness of the Lilin. It's remarkable as ever.

Well, I'm sure that you have contributed an important degree of knowledge. I expect now you will let yourself recuperate?

[agelostdoll]

Naturally. Don't worry; I can handle that part.

I take it you've not had any difficulties with this yourself?

[paraclete]

I am sure that you can. [If he comes across as patronizing, he doesn't mean to - he has faith in Asuka's abilities, it's just his way.]

There have been plenty of opportunities to shake someone's hand or otherwise come into contact with them. Many are wary of embracing so easily, though. Still, no problems for me.

[agelostdoll]

Well, that wariness isn't going to last very long; it's that or get sick. I just hope it doesn't get fatal.

[paraclete]

Perhaps. Though a death or two would motivate that wariness away much more quickly, I'm sure.

[agelostdoll]

[the casual lilt to his tone makes her flinch.]

Nagisa. Don't even joke about that. Not from you.

[paraclete]

[Oh. Faux pas. He knows what those are.]

Yes. That would not be the best case scenario. It would be preferable to avoid it.

I hope you know that I'll welcome anyone in that state with open arms. [Literally.]

[agelostdoll]

[she... knows what he means but even so cannot shake the image of an Angel of Death taking in the dying with grace and beauty.

As if that could disguise it. Death was never pleasant. And only short to the lucky. And my oh my did the Angels bring death...

Not quite trusting herself to reply with words, she simply nods once, stiffly.]

[paraclete]

My apologies. I've made you uneasy. Shall I excuse you from my company, Captain Shikinami?

[Because he's used to those stiff nods from the folks from Seele and Nerv, but he respects her.]

[agelostdoll]

...



When you talked about people dying, did you mean it is a joke? Or did you not see it as something serious?

[paraclete]

I wasn't joking. It seemed to me that many creatures have learned which actions to avoid by witnessing the deaths of their brethren. From an evolutionary standpoint, it would be a logical conclusion.

I do not hope for anyone to die. Yet there are cases in which death is reasonable. I must have spoken inappropriately.

[agelostdoll]

Then; I'll put it in perspective. If someone dying from the withdrawal would benefit the rest of us, as you say, does that mean you would agree with Shinji doing it?

[paraclete]

No. The Evangelion project seemed perfectly content with that prospect, however. Even you participated and were used with such a risk in mind. Is it different?

[agelostdoll]

Yes. Scale.

It was a matter of risk us, or lose everything. That danger doesn't exist here; not to such an extent.

...Well, I'll admit I was piloting because I was told to when I started. Just the glory. But there are people I care about; that I've lost and that remain. If fighting is the only way I can protect them, I will accept that risk.

[paraclete]

So, death is currently an unacceptable risk?

[agelostdoll]

Not here. There's nothing to potentially gain; more to potentially lose. Our own lives aside, of course.

[paraclete]

[A nod of comprehension.]

Then those lives should indeed be preserved.

[agelostdoll]

Quite so. Make sure the other one understands it as well. [it's not a conversation feels up to holding twice]

[paraclete]

I can speak with him, but time has created differences between us, so I can't promise you anything.

[agelostdoll]

Still better than doing nothing; thank you.

[paraclete]

Yes.

Take care of yourself, Shikinami. I am happy to talk with you.