Lude 1.1: Sister Nirika

Lude 1.1: Sister Nirika

Friday, 7/11/2014

* GMAmy changes topic to 'Illusions of Grandeur 3: Mecha | Session 1.1: Sister Nirika | Helicon Base - Friday, Komos 27th, HE 882 | Fridays, 6 pm Pacific | http://sites.google.com/site/iogmecha/ | #iog-ooc'

* GMAmy sets mode: +m

* Niri sits on the bed in her assigned quarters, still holding a switched-off viewscreen in her hands. She leans against the wall, breathing deeply in meditation.

<Mikel> >> Rap a tap tap. Tap tap rap. Tap rap tap. A knocking at the door, soon followed by Mikel's door muffled voice. "Niri? Y'got a moment?"

* Niri opens her eyes and sighs. Better get this over with now rather than later. She sits up a bit. "Sure, come on in."

* Mikel opens the door (or it wooshes open, whatever. What kind of doors do we even have?!). He's back in non hospital clothes, at least. Which help hide his even thinner than usual frame. Shirt, pants, gloves, and boots. in an array of blacks and grays. He's wearing his dark blue jacket over the ensemble at least, unit patches sewn into the shoulder displaying a black arrow superimposed

* Mikel on a setting sun. The silver chain with the jewels is hanging from his neck as well. He doesn't immediately approach, instead picking out a spot on the wall to lean against as he crosses his arms. "So..."

* Niri smiles faintly. "You've got the jacket." In her case, she has opted to wear brown pants, a mint green blouse, and a tan tank top over it, but she has also donned her purple surcoat and her green-and-purple beads. She carefully sets aside the viewscreen, putting it on the endtable. She gestures to the room's single chair. "You can sit, if you like."

* Mikel can't help but grin at that, pulling a bit at the sleeves. "Well, I guess some things did keep in the... simulation. Thing." He shakes his head, moving to take a seat on the chair. "Thanks. It's weird. Sometimes I feel like I'm back at the Academy, or Meribia."

<Niri> You're not kidding. I can't even remember who my real parents are. Were. I mean, I remember them, but I feel like Hiro and Lucia were my parents as well, and they were just people created by the sim designers. You have an entire lifetime of memories about these people, and they never existed even in sim form until a few weeks ago.

* Niri can't keep some of the bitterness out of her voice about that. She seems very slightly surprised by how strongly she's reacting.

* Mikel doesn't seem quite as surprised, leaning forward a bit as he rests his arms on his knees. "Tell me about it. I spent the last few hours just kind of reading up, but... ugh." He shakes his head. "For a bit I still though the Prophetess had actually remade the world. That was my first thought when we woke up, anyways. Tried to blast the doc, but..." He gestures vaguely with his hand.

* Mikel "No willforce."

<Niri> That explains a lot. It almost WOULD make as much sense, wouldn't it? *She sighs and slumps against the wall.* In a way, it does feel sort of like we failed and the Prophetess remade the world. Like everything we did was...pointless.

* Mikel shrugs. "We apparently know how to willforce in this world, I guess? The memories of Erebos and the Spawn are coming back... I think I had to fight against them a fair bit in... Elysia." He has to focus a bit to pluck those details out from his mixed up memories, it seems.

* Niri nods. "I remember that my mom died in the dimensional storms Erebos started." She's silent for a moment, then shrugs. "That's not what you came to talk about though."

<Mikel> "Well, no, but it is a bit of an awkward topic to jump into."

<Niri> Yes, and somewhat gut-twisting and completely lacking any immediate answers, but it's still better than thinking about everything I've lost, so what the hey. *She shrugs* Still...it's awfully upsetting to realize I spent all that time with no idea I'd made sacred vows and was pretty much failing to uphold them in every possible way. We didn't even have the same religions in the sim. I can't even decide if I should feel guilty or not.

<Mikel> "I'm going to go with no, since they didn't... well, make you a nun in the sim." There's a shrug and a faint smile, as he taps his chain. "Where I'm actually from we worship nature spirits and such, so, y'know."

<Niri> Some kind of animism? *She smiles* Don't know much about your brand of it exactly, but I have studied the concept in general. What do you know about the Octavians, actually?

<Mikel> "Animist, yeah. Old... Earth traditions? Shit, we're not even on what was Blue Star." Another sigh, though Niri's question perks him back up. "Not all that much, actually."

* Niri actually looks a bit enthusiastic to talk about it. "Well, it sort of grew out of old Catholic traditions, but the Catholic church doesn't acknowledge the Order. Partly because it's been influenced by Buddhism, animism, Shinto, and other religions. It's a universalist church. And though monastic life is a huge part of the Order, it's a choice made by some adherents for personal reasons.

<Niri> It's not like anyone is going around saying you have to become a nun or a monk or you're not holy enough. Or even that you have to be Christian. We share our ideals and philosophy, but we aren't in the business of telling people they have to follow our path or they're wrong.

* Mikel nods at that, scratching the back of his head. "Huh, kind of an all accepting sort of deal, then. Interesting..." Another pause. "Though I'm curious as to how a nun managed to get on a military program like this. It seemed to be a bit of a surprise."

<Niri> I'm ah...still trying to remember the details on that. But see this? *She fingers the fabric of her surcoat, then points to the beads.* The colors green and purple signify a missionary. See, the Octavians don't believe in staying shut up in the monastery all the time. Periodically you're supposed to go out into the world and teach and learn as a pilgrim, or perform deeds of service as a missionary. I THINK what happened is that I heard about the call for people who can use Geodes, and I signed up.

<Niri> You have to get permission from the church, of course. And there's all these rules I have to follow. I have to have regular contact with my mentor, Sister Leandra. Just finished talking to her, actually. *She pauses* ...She looks a lot like Leah.

<Mikel> "I think it pulled from our memories some, honestly." He shakes his head, leaning back in his seat as arms cross again. "Still, not quite what you'd expect for a sign up... but then again, apparently I'm a military man."

<Niri> I would have thought you were too rebellious to take orders. *She grins a little*

* Mikel shrugs. "If it helps, the Rapid Response Force is a bit... looser when it comes to the formalities."

<Mikel> "... on the other hand, I'm apparently a sniper. So, Godde- er, spirits know."

<Niri> ...I have no idea where we're going to go from here. I barely know where we've come from. Honestly...I'm kind of scared.

<Mikel> "From the sounds of it, we have to help save the world. We're old hands at that, at least."

* Niri can't help but laugh at that. "Well, you've got that right. I guess in a way, there's no one better qualified, huh?"

* Mikel shrugs. "No one else who's gone through a simulated saving the world, I guess... maybe the last folks who did, but that's all classified to the nines except for the code names." He pauses, then frowns. "... which suspiciously describe the Truth Bearers. That must have been on purpose too in the sim."

<Niri> Hmmm. You've got a point. *She pauses* ...When I was a kid, I pretended I was the Mind Singer, valiantly saving the world and fighting off Erebos.

* Mikel eyes Niri for a moment. "... maybe that transfered in as well."

<Niri> Sure seems like it. Still...I have NO idea who the Cerulean Camel is supposed to be. Do you?

* Mikel pauses, thinking. "I... haven't the slightest. Let's see, Mind Singer's Haylee, Argent Wyvern has to be Emili, Mystic Victim... the Headmaster, I guess. Unforgiving Gun would have been Leon down in Takkar..."

* Niri straightens, remembering something. "Johnathan was overseeing the simulation!"

<Niri> ...That would explain why Tanan is the AI.

* Niri goes quiet at that, her expression conflicted.

<Mikel> "Still kind of weird, that, huh?"

<Mikel> "Maybe we can go punch him later."

* Niri brightens. "Oh, I hope so!"

* Mikel chuckles, letting out a sigh. "... alright, so-" He pauses. "I think Camel was Elrika and Xavier."

* Niri scratches her head. "I guess...it would make as much sense as anything else?"

* Mikel shakes his head. "I dunno, nothing else works." He pauses once more, then another sigh comes soon enough. "We're dancing around it. Again."

<Niri> ...Since when do we ever do anything else? *Her smile is faint and nervous.*

<Niri> I talked with Sister Leandra about it a little.

<Mikel> "It's par for the course, yes." He mirrors the smile, though it's gone soon enough. "And?"

<Niri> ...She told me that I was clearly extremely emotional about the topic, and it couldn't be properly discussed until I had had a chance to think about things and meditate. *She looks up at Mikel wretchedly* One of the core principles of the Order is purity. It's not just about physical purity - it means that when you commit to the Order, you make the church your life's focus. You give up outside ties.

* Mikel snorts softly. "That might be a bit problematic in a military outfit." He's not quite meeting Niri's gaze, though.

<Niri> Well, it's a...special case. This is not your typical mission. I was given a special dispensation to join. *She looks away, staring at the wall.* I'm not a full sister yet. Maybe that's why I was allowed to come, because I haven't taken my solemn vows yet, only my simple vows.

<Mikel> "Alright... so..."

<Niri> So...?

* Mikel finally looks at Niri with something a few steps shy of a haunted expression. "Where does that leave us?"

<Niri> ...I don't know. *Niri looks incredibly torn.* I'm not really sure who I am right now. I know I joined the Order for a reason, and it's very important to me. I don't feel like it's something I can just toss aside. And yet... *She shakes her head.* Everything from the simulation is so REAL, it feels like just as much ME as anything I'm starting to remember now. *She looks a little bit unsure

<Niri> and shy for a moment.* What do YOU want? Do you still feel like...I mean, I don't know who you are or how you're different, maybe you're just not interested in me anymore, or...

* Mikel shakes his head with a sad little smile. "It felt like months in there, maybe even a year, but apparently it was just a month. Sometimes I look around and see Blue Star instead of Hemera. And let's not even get started on how weird it is to not be... y'know, basically water and thunder willforce sewn back together in a human body and all that. I'm just a plain human again." He

* Mikel shrugs. "I still care about you, though, if that's what you're asking. We still seem... ourselves."

<Mikel> "Hell, Ryl nearly killed the poor doctor."

* Niri gives him a rueful smile. "Sounds like Ryllan, all right." She hesitates. "Part of me wants to say, forget the church completely, who cares, I just want to be with you." She colors, not meeting his eyes. She's as embarrassed as if it were the first time she's said it. "And part of me says that's blasphemy, how could I even think it...and then I think about all we went through together, you being an idiot and getting yourself shot...."

* Mikel gives Niri a bit of a look. "I refuse to be called the only idiot." A faint smile.

* Niri draws herself up haughtily. "I don't know WHAT you are talking about."

<Mikel> "Of course not."

* Niri freezes for a few seconds, then, without warning, throws herself at Mikel and hugs him tightly, sniffling.

* Mikel manages to not fall over in surprise, wrapping his arms around Niri in a tight embrace. There's a few comforting pats on the back as well. "Easy, easy, it's okay..."

* Niri speaks after a bit, her voice tight, as if she's trying not to cry. "How about this - can we make a deal?" She leans back, her arms still loosely around his neck. "Until we figure out what's going on and what the future's going to look like...can we at least stay best friends? I need a hug and a good cry now and then." She pauses. "I mean...for now. I hope that's enough for you, for a while."

* Mikel doesn't immediately respond, though eventually he looks back down at Niri with a weak smile. "Yeah... I can do that, if you need time and everything."

* Niri frowns, pulling her arms back. "Are you sure? Don't say it's okay if it's not."

* Mikel shakes his head. "I'm not going to be completely okay with it.. but if it is what you need, it is what you need."

* Niri sighs. "Fair enough. I guess it's too much to expect for you to be happy with it. But...just give me at least a couple of days, okay? Gotta figure this out somehow." She stands and goes back over to the bed, picking up the viewscreen. "I was thinking I'd try to read up on the project. Maybe a bit more on the Octavian Order too." She seems dejected, like the energy has been pulled out of her. Once more she isn't meeting Mikel's eyes.

* Mikel sighs, shaking his head. "We're still friends, Nir'."

* Niri nods. "I know. And I know it's not enough. But..." She shrugs. "I don't know what else to do about it." She looks thoughtful. "Maybe punch something."

* Mikel smiles faintly at that. "As long as it isn't me."

* Niri arches an eyebrow at that. "Do you think I'd give you up for anything short of being a nun? Of course it isn't you. But...I'd better be careful or you'll go off after some military girl or something."

<Niri> ...Wait, you meant punching you. Nope, wouldn't do that...unless you DO go off with some military girl, maybe.

* Mikel snorts, shaking his head. "I'll keep that in mind."

<Niri> You know...completely off the subject, but...I would love to meet your sister someday.

<Mikel> "Man... how would I introduce you? 'Here's Niri, we were together but then we found out she was a nun so we need to take a bit to make sure it's all good'." He's smiling as he says this though, tone lighthearted, rising to his feet. "She lives off on the western coast on Elysia, so it'll be tricky... but sometime, sure."

* Niri manages a grin. "If she's anything like you, I suspect she would respond to that with some serious snarkiness." She switches on the viewscreen and swipes through the options, looking for the Makhai documents the team has been given access to. "I guess I'll see you later then, huh?"

<Mikel> "I seem to remember her as being worse... maybe Trune will meet his match in snarkiness." He nods though, starting to head for the door. "Yeah. We'll have to spend a bit recovering before we can even start to get back in the swing of things."

<Niri> Right. *She gives him a somewhat wavery smile and a wave as he exits the room.*

* Mikel smiles and waves as well. "Night, Niri." And out the door he goes.

<GMAmy> == Lude End ==