say bye to kris kringle, it's a mingle!

[geonomy]

Who: The Vanquish crew and visitors!
Broadcast: Nein?
Action: On the Vanquish lollipop, and around it maybe!
When: During the month of January

[Hey crew! It looks like there's some new changes that have come over the ship as well as a couple of new crewmates from the past shuffle or two! Have you been enjoying the planet, or is it too cold for you? Have you caught a nasty cold like your poor captain a few posts down, or are you a Vanquish member and are fine? Come along for a mingle, let the viewers see what you're up to! And also meet the tiniest, cutest crew member too!]

Comments

[iwatobi]

[Haruka hears-- metal creaking? Is the ship having some issues? Looking up-

-his eyes widen.

He stares for a good five seconds before he stands up, animal forgotten. A small pink blush blossoms across his cheeks as he stares at this giant metal mascot.] Cute...

[thebloodseal]

Me? Uh- th-thank you. ... That's the first time someone's ever called me cute.

[iwatobi]

Don't listen to people who don't matter. People like that could never understand. [He steps forward, eyes still wide with awe.] You can talk...

[thebloodseal]

I can, yeah... I'm a human, after all! And I don't mind that nobody thinks I'm cute... I do look pretty fearsome.

[iwatobi]

[He shakes his head.] You're not fearsome. I like how you look.

[He reaches a hand out.] Can I?

[thebloodseal]

Thank you. That does make me happy.

Touch me? Sure. Just don't be alarmed... I'm hollow inside.

[iwatobi]

[He places a hand on the metal chestplate, slightly flushed.] You're real...

[This is the happiest moment of his life...]

[thebloodseal]

Yeah... I am. A little beaten up, but I'm definitely real.

[iwatobi]

Beaten up? Why?

[HE'LL FIGHT SOMEONE IF THE CUTE ROBO-HUMAN HAS BEEN BULLIED.]

[thebloodseal]

Brother and I would get into fights a lot back home. Not with each other, though... long story.

[iwatobi]

[HE'LL FIGHT THEM.] I'm sorry... you're safe here. [Right?]

[thebloodseal]

Yeah, so far I have been. It's kinda nice.

[iwatobi]

Can you swim? [Asking the important questions.]

[thebloodseal]

Not in this body, no... it's too heavy.

[iwatobi]

[Haru looks absolutely DEVASTATED.] Can you be in water at all?

[thebloodseal]

It's probably not a good idea, no.

[iwatobi]

I'm sorry... [That's so tragic...] There has to be a way...

[thebloodseal]

There is- Brother and I are working on a way for me to get my real body back. I believe in him completely.

[iwatobi]

[Blink blink.] That's possible?

[thebloodseal]

Yes... do you know what alchemy is?

[iwatobi]

[Blank stare.] No.

[thebloodseal]

Back home, alchemy is a science. It involves deconstructing and reconstructing matter into new forms, more or less... but if you try something far beyond your level, it can backfire. That's what happened when I was younger. My body disappeared, but Brother saved my soul and bound it to this armor.

[iwatobi]

I'm sorry. [He puts a hand on the cool metal, saddened by the explanation. To a normal person, it's probably a very unbelievable story. But Haruka puts faith in it. He trusts this person.] It must have been unpleasant.