driftfleet | mk.02 (video)

Who: Kaworu Nagisa, and anyone else.
Broadcast: fleetwide
Action: In the laundry facilities of the Heron.
When: The evening of 2/13.

[When Kaworu's video feed flips on, it looks like it's got a slight vibration to it. If you look closely, you might be able to tell why: he's sitting on top of a washing machine. He looks pretty content with things right now; the washer must be a comfortable perch, and he a pleasant bird, or a kid on a particularly shitty carousel. He's wearing one of the provided utility jumpers, in beige. The color frankly looks terrible with his natural palette, but he's content with that, too.]

Hi. [With that alongside his smile, he's off to a great start!] I initially arrived on the Marsiva a few weeks ago. It was an unexpected thing, but I've been thinking it must have been for the best. But, while I've been here with this fleet, I've also been able to talk to some of you. It's nice. Now, though, I have some questions of my own. I hope you'll answer, and we can get to know each other. [God, but he's earnest, huh? He doesn't really seem like the type of person to feel shame or social anxiety. Or, really, any sort of anxiety at all. That's not exactly true, but his composure is the stuff of legends.]

So, I'd heard that Valentine's Day is almost upon us. I'd explain for those who are still unaware, but I'm really one of the uninitiated myself. The holiday was an observable part of several cultures in the world I came from, but I hadn't had any experience with it personally. What I do know about it is that it's a day intended to celebrate love. [If he was pleased before, he's outright glad right now, perking up even further.] I really like that. That's mostly what I wanted to ask about: I'd be happy if someone could tell me more about the day and what all it entails. Love, I think, is one of the most wonderful things to be celebrated, and from what I understand, an individual is also meant to revel in the person they love on this day. I want to know what's expected of me for the person who is closest to my heart.

But I understand that there are those of you who don't celebrate the holiday, or who have never even encountered it. In that case, I'd like to know about your customs, as well. I want to learn about other days dedicated to the pursuit of love, and the actions a person may take in order to ensure that their lover knows they are loved. What's your favorite way to convey your love? What's your favorite way to relish in the feeling? Will you tell me?

[He's got the face of a teenager, so maybe he's just hormone-addled or something like that, but with his tepid voice and the calm of his eyes, it could be... that he's really... really serious about all this. Maybe a little too serious. Finally, he says,] Thanks for your time. [He means that just as much.]

[And, Heron, he's playing hooky from the Vanquish again. If you find him sitting atop the little washing machine, please don't be too angry at him for hogging it; he's doing laundry for two. At any rate, he's still treating the Heron like it's his home away from home. You've probably seen him around a little too much. He doesn't crowd the Heron's bunks, at least — he can never be found sleeping. He's just ever-present.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There's such a long pause that it almost seems as if Asuka's shut the device off. Her face, thankfully unseen, is blood-red, heart pounding painfully in her chest. He called her out on it. He actually called her out on it.]

Leave me alone!

I thought you said you could take it.

Shut up! Just shut the hell up! You-- y-you bastard, you don't know anything!

I've known about this for a long time, Asuka.

[It's still bewildering. It will never be anything but bewildering. Fourteen years later, and...

...]

You don't have to be jealous.

Because you don't need me. That's it, isn't it? You can just go off with him! Go ahead! Go!

[As steady as possible:] I need you. I need Kaworu-kun, too. That's...

That's just the way it is. I'm really selfish like that.

No, you don't! He calms you down! He makes you happy! Go off with him! I don't care!

No one can make me happy. No one can make me do anything.

[Neither Asuka nor Kaworu seem to understand that. They'd rather tear each other apart than admit it's out of their control.]

But I feel less awful when you're both nearby. I... I don't know why, or what that means, but it's something. It means something to me.

[Softer, much softer:]

I'm sorry. Like I said before, I don't deserve you.

Edited 2016-02-15 08:37 (UTC)

Isn't that a recommendation! You feel less awful! How about what I feel? You don't give a shit!

You won't tell me how you feel. I can't know how you feel when you won't tell me. If you'd just... talk to me, instead of... talking around me...

I'm here, Asuka. I'm here. I want to stay here with you, and I want to hear about your feelings.

Edited 2016-02-15 08:56 (UTC)

No, you don't! [It's not true. It's not true. Asuka's throat feels painfully tight. She won't cry. A little boy is the stupidest thing to cry over.] You left me! Who else am I ever going to have?!

I'm not going to leave you again.

[That's a very bold promise to make when he doesn't know what's going to happen next. But...]

Hey, I'll prove it to you. Where are you? Are you on board the Heron?

mk.02 (video)

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