File: Von Braun Surface.jpg (273 KB, 1089x814)

273 KB JPG

>>5533615

You lean back from the small window, resting in your seat as the slow descent continues, eyes closed as you think of what lies ahead… An entire week with Elena, your first chance to see her in years. You can’t help but smile at the thought, though it fades quickly - You won’t truly be free. The flight from Zum has gone unsupervised from the moment you stepped aboard the transport shuttle, but as soon as you land you’ll be joined by a guard, one of Dozle’s men. Hopefully they aren’t too much of a drag.

“This is the captain speaking. We’ll be setting down in Von Braun in three minutes, I hope you’ve all had a comfortable flight…”

The shuttle touches down soon enough, a metallic thud sounding through it as the magnetic landing legs find purchase on the steel of one of the spaceport’s great rectangular landing bays. Flight attendants guide you and the other passengers off the craft, and you soon get a better look at the cavernous and fully enclosed landing bay - There are couple dozen other shuttles landing here and there, some on the ground level but many others at jutting landing pads along the towering walls. High overhead, great airlock doors cycle slowly, rumbling apart as they allow the next batch of shuttles to enter, each vessel guided to its destination by ghostly trails of yellow light.

Exiting among the other passengers, luggage in hand, you make your way to the nearest door where a monorail awaits to take you all to the spaceport proper. It’s a short trip, lights rushing past quickly, the door eventually opening to allow you out into the spaceport’s main terminals.

Speakers overhead announce arrivals and departures, screens along the high walls flashing with the same information, news tickers running across their bottoms. Dozens of other people are soon pushing past and around you, joining the steady stream of pedestrian traffic through the spaceport… it would be easy to get lost here, just one person among thousands, but you push the hustle and bustle from your mind, keeping your wits about you as you walk to the distant pickup area.

Sliding doors hiss open, and you step outside, the low hum of electric motors filling the air as cars and taxis pick up other arrivals in what looks to be a real mess of traffic. The skyline of Von Braun’s first level shines brightly in the distance, an entire city nestled beneath steel and glass. You scan over the cars and people nearby, looking for any sign of your guard… he was supposed to find you here, but there’s no sign of him.

“Hey, Taxi!” A woman shouts playfully from nearby, something about her voice oddly familiar.

File: Von Braun Interior.png (716 KB, 808x542)

716 KB PNG

>>5533622

Turning, you see a pretty blond in a long tan coat making her way toward one of the nearby cars, one hand lowering her dark sunglasses as she passes by you, giving a quick wink. You blink, taking a moment to place her - She’s a little older than when you last saw her, but there’s no mistaking her.

“...Miss Hamon?” You call after the woman, taking a few steps in pursuit, entirely caught up in the moment - What are the chances?

“Where are you headed, miss?” A man’s voice sounds from within the nearest car, a dark sedan which very much is not a taxi.

“I was thinking I might let you pick.” She replies, leaning over to look in through the rolled down window of the car, smiling mischievously at the driver before glancing back toward you, nodding to the door.

Oh. Oh!

You move over quickly and put your things in the trunk, finding it already unlocked, and then get in the back of the car. Could it be?...

“It’s been a long time, Felix!” Ramba says from the driver’s seat, reaching back to shake your hand. He has a firm grip, scars on his knuckles and forearm speaking of years of brawls.

“Far too long, Ramba!” You answer, nearly overjoyed to see the man; it's been years, but he was almost like an uncle to you when you were a child.

Ramba is definitely the more aged looking of the two, military service having transformed him from the dark haired young captain of your childhood memories to a slowly graying veteran - But he’s not that old, and his toothy grin does a lot to hide the passage of time. The look suits him very well, a properly rugged officer. Hamon’s barely changed at all for her part, a few very, very faint wrinkles here and there but otherwise the same fox she’s always been. The electric car whirs to life, nearly silent as it pulls out into the slow spaceport traffic.

“How have you both been?” You ask, “I’ve been trying to find a way to see you, we all have, but things-”

“Things have been complicated.” Ramba finishes for you, nodding, “The Colonel’s been working me like a dog, haven’t had a chance to drop by - Not that I’d be welcomed outside of a party. Managed to convince him to give me this job, took a bit of doing though.”

“Ramba’s threatened to sneak into the palace for the last couple of months,” Hamon says idly, checking herself over in a small hand mirror, “Personally I was all for it, but he would have had to shave his mustache and that just wouldn’t do…”

“Hah, still doing that disguise stuff?” You ask, the idea of the two of them still sneaking like they did years ago bringing a smile to your face.

“Still? Careful there.” Hamon warns, eliciting a laugh from Ramba, which in turn elicits a sharp elbow from Hamon, though their antics soon die down, ”...I was glad to hear Astraia is doing better, Felix. She was so frail when I saw her last.”

File: Von Braun Layers.png (961 KB, 803x535)

961 KB PNG

>>5533625

“She’s much better, almost back to her old self.” You reply, your smile fading as quickly as it came, “...It was a really close call though. Thank you for visiting her while we were all away, Hamon. I know the letters didn’t get through to her, but it means a lot that you tried, it… it probably saved her.”

“She’s like a sister to me, Felix, I’d do anything for her.” Hamon says somberly, “...I didn’t think she was going to make it for a while there, but if she’s back to her old self already…”

Ramba chuckles, “We should sneak her out to see the old bar, that’s the real test.”

“If only. Maybe she still has a few songs left in her too…” Hamon sighs, “How are your brother and sister?”

“They’re both as well as they can be, considering the circumstances. Having mom back has been good for all of us, especially Artiesa. We’ll be starting at the academy soon, if you hadn’t heard already.”

“All three of you at once?” Ramba questions, taking an exit and merging into the faster traffic of Von Braun proper, neon billboards and corporate advertisements playing along the towering buildings which surround the underground highway, the central pillar of the city ahead in the distance, “Isn’t Artesia too young for it still?”

“She’s got a lot of fight in her, and it’s that or stay around Kycilia.” You answer with a shrug, though it’s a concern that nags at you as well.

“With motivation like that I’m sure she’ll be top of the class…” Hamon laughs, though as she looks back to you she catches the worried look in your eye, “Don’t worry, the car’s squeaky clean, we traded out that awful bugged one earlier.”

“Traded it out? You can just… do that?” You ask, the simplicity of the solution a bit baffling.

“The other one had a tragic accident at the car wash a few hours ago, it’s a real mystery how water got that far into the electronics… Such a tragedy.” Ramba explains with a chuckle, “This one’s from the officer’s club, Dozle keeps a few in reserve for occasions like this.”

>”So how have you both been? Dozle mentioned that he took you in after… after everything that happened. Mobile suit testing, right?”
>”Then I take it that you’re my ‘guards’, right? Well, this is a lot better than what I expected.”
>”...Ramba… About your father…”
>Write-in.

File: Von Braun Day.png (1.04 MB, 804x540)

1.04 MB PNG

>>5533627

Voting:
Feel free to vote for several options and list them numerically [1), 2), 3), etc.] in order of your preference. Numerical listing is very important to avoid confusion. If your first choice loses your vote will shift to your second choice, and so on. If you switch preferences before votes are counted, please link back to your original preference vote. If you do not pick multiple options it will be assumed that you only want one. If you list several options without numerical separation I will assume you want to combine them.

Previous Threads
Thread one: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5414507/
Thread two: https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5492260/

>>5533627
>1).”So how have you both been? Dozle mentioned that he took you in after… after everything that happened. Mobile suit testing, right?”
>2).”...Ramba… About your father…”
I'd like to combine these, otherwise they're ordered. And shit yeah, Ramba and Hamon are great.

File: 1664924971042264.png (98 KB, 512x512)

98 KB PNG

>>5533627
>”So how have you both been? Dozle mentioned that he took you in after… after everything that happened. Mobile suit testing, right?”
>”...Ramba… About your father…”
Good to see this back so soon!

>>5533627
>”...Ramba… About your father…”

>>5533627
>”So how have you both been? Dozle mentioned that he took you in after… after everything that happened. Mobile suit testing, right?”
>”...Ramba… About your father…”

>>5533627
>”...Ramba… About your father…”

With Hamon and Ramba being our guards, I'm way more open to investigate the terrorists now.
Shame that it would be make Artesia sad since we said we wouldn't put ourselves in danger.

>>5533650
Though having Hamon and/or Ramba die because of us looking for them would be bad.

Besides Contolist said that we haven't escaped danger yet last thread.

>>5533627
+1 >>5533639

Is it a good idea to mention his father's fate? It might be a mood killer.

>>5533650
>breaking a promise made to our little sister
I'm getting Do Your Best flashbacks.

>>5533806
>Is it a good idea to mention his father's fate? It might be a mood killer.
It'll probably be fine, since Ramba might already know.

>I'm getting Do Your Best flashbacks.
That's actually a very interesting parallel, especially since the situation seems to be similar with us literally saying we would stay safe (and we'd probably be breaking Artesia's trust if we decided to change our minds without a good reason).
Well either way that mess is something I'd like to avoid.

>>5533806
Yeah, breaking a promise to our sister is the reason I'm hesitant to do it even with them around
>I'm getting Do Your Best flashbacks.
How's that quest? I stopped following it early, but it now has more than 100 threads.

>>5533846
I have the same feeling about that, honestly.

Last I saw of that quest the mc got depressed and then made his own team. Apparently he's stuck in some sort of past virtual reality now.
I'm actually surprised at how long it's been going on for, it seems to have kept it's humor through all of it.

>>5533861
>Past virtual reality.
When I was following there was some kind of apocalypse coming, but I left before it started. Did things change, or is it part of that?

>>5533872
Actually ignore that, asking for some sort of summary would take a while, and it would be rude to talk about another quest in this one.

>>5533874
You're right, I probably shouldn't of talked much about it too.

File: Von Braun Lasers.png (908 KB, 806x538)

908 KB PNG

>>5533639
>>5533647
>>5533770
Ask how they've been + Jimba.

>>5533644
>>5533648
>>5533637 (second option)
Jimba.

Got a tie. Any opposition to just combining them?

>>5533915
I'll go with
>”So how have you both been? Dozle mentioned that he took you in after… after everything that happened. Mobile suit testing, right?”
>”...Ramba… About your father…”
then.

>>5533915
I'm fine with a combination

>>5533915
I'm fine with combining it.

>>5533922
>>5533924
We almost said the same thing at the same time kek

>>5533917
>>5533922
>>5533924
Alright, going with the combination then, just wanted to see if there was any opposition. Writing.

”So how have you both been?” You ask curiously, eager to learn as much of your years apart as you can, “Dozle mentioned that he took you in after… after everything that happened. Mobile suit testing, right?”

“We’ve made our way, there have been some ups and downs but the last couple of years have been steadier.” Ramba explains, eyes on rushing lights of the road ahead of him, “...And that’s right, I’ve been in with mobile suits from nearly from the very beginning, they weren’t much more than construction equipment then. Just how much do you know?”

“Just about everything, they’ve got a simulator at their palace.” You say with a shrug, “Dozle offered me a spot in a mobile suit after graduation, and I’ve already put in a few dozen hours.”

Ramba whistles, clearly impressed, “So you can fly them then. It’s nothing compared to the real thing though, you’ll see.”

“I got a brief ride in one already, the simulator just doesn’t capture the acceleration at all....” You agree, though you didn’t mean to distract Ramba into just talking shop, “So how about these ‘ups and downs’ though?”

“Ramba lounged around at Eden for most of a year getting drunk and starting fights,” Hamon explains, “Business slowed down.”

“Won too many fights.” Ramba says ruefully, “But I think it was that singer that kept me at Eden, not the drinks. Quite the lady.”

“Stop it, you.” Hamon replies, feigning bashfulness before continuing the story, “...We laid low during the worst of the purges, made ourselves look burnt out. It was a rough time, Felix, a lot of people didn’t make it.”

“And then Dozle waltzed in and offered me my commission back - and a promotion.” Ramba continues.

“Just like that?”

“No. There’s always strings.” Ramba answers somberly, “I had to sign over the last of my family’s resources. It was all dead paper by then, nothing was usable anymore, but I still almost refused.”

“I heard Dozle was taking in a lot of people around that time… It’s a tragedy though, all of it.” You say quietly, the mood about as dampened as it’s going to get, “But it was up from there?”

Ramba grunts in acknowledgement, “Mostly up, Felix. Work hasn’t been easy or safe, test pilots don’t have a long shelf life, but I’ve had lady luck on my side - and Dozle doesn’t like to throw people away, even if he is bullheaded about pace.”

“Things were still uncertain for the first few months, people still… disappeared sometimes, but by the time I was able to start seeing Astraia the worst of the purges were over. Gihren getting shot was a scare, there was another bad round after that, but we got through it…” Hamon “I won’t ask for it to come back, but the last two years have been boringly safe in comparison, not much of a chance for intrigue.”

“She just likes dressing up.” Ramba jokes, eliciting another small elbow from Hamon.

>>5534088

“...Speaking of Gihren getting shot… Ramba… About your father…”

Ramba's face darkens, the faint lines of age suddenly much deeper, “My old man had something to do with it.”

“...He helped fund it.”

“Stubborn fool.” Ramba says, a hint of pain mixed in with his frustration, “He was never one to give up… Time on earth wasn’t good for him, was it? He didn’t send letters.”

“He was pretty bad by the end, paranoid… Like a ghost of himself. I’m sorry, Ramba, maybe I shouldn’t have brought this up, it’s hard to even talk about… He was like a grandfather to me…”

“I’ve had a long time to come to terms with things, Felix. My father wasn’t an easy man to be around at times, I saw the writing on the wall before he left… How’d he go?”

“Trying to fight." You say, the words a struggle to get out, "I was there with him at the end… The Zabis sent soldiers after Gihren was shot.”

“Stubborn fool.” Ramba growls, his grip on the steering wheel tightening, “...At least someone was there. I’m sorry he brought that on you, he never knew when to let things lie. Dozle mentioned the attack, but I didn’t realize you were there.”

“...We survived.” You say, finding it increasingly difficult to discuss the matter. Gunshots and screams, the awful concussion and noise of it all, burning powder heavy in the air, the limp bodies and pooling blood - It’s hard to even think of it, bile threatening to rise in your throat. The memories are still fresh even after years.

“Where was he buried?”

“The town closest to our villa, a small plot at the local cemetery… It should still be there, if-”

“Not going to be visiting anytime soon.” Ramba says quietly, “Maybe someday. Let’s talk about something else.”

A silence settles over the car for a minute or two, somber and heavy.

>>5534089

“How about this girl you’re going to see then? How do you know her?” Hamon asks, breaking the depressing quiet.

“I’ve known her since we… Well, since we were both living in Spain. She lived near our villa, we haven’t seen each other since a few days after the attack. We've kept in touch by letter, we write nearly every week.”

“The attack? …She knows who you are?” Hamon questions, her brow furrowing as she twists a little in her seat to look back to you.

“She does.” You confirm.

“And you write every week?” Hamon asks, arching an eyebrow, “She must be pretty.”

“Uhm, yes, she is, but we’re just friends. Sometimes it’s every other week though.” You say, warmth flooding your cheeks despite your claimed status.

“And you like her?” Hamon questions, her line of inquiry already eerily familiar - She really is on the same wavelength as your mother. Why does it always go to this when you talk about Elena with people?

“Of course.”

“And you must trust her if she knows who you are…” Hamon says mostly to herself, thinking through things aloud, “Are... are you sure you’re just friends, Felix?”

“Best friends, maybe, but…” Ramba trails off, exchanging a skeptical look with Hamon, “Felix, why’d you ask to come here of all places then? Just that close with this girl?”

“She always wanted to see Von Braun, it was her dream, and we promised to meet each other here when things settled down…” You explain, a little embarrassed by the details but the story still coming to you easily enough, “I promised to fly her around the city in one of our letters later on, so… so there’s that too. Got to keep a promise once it’s made, right?”

Hamon’s blue eyes go a bit soft at your words, something about them seeming to really strike here, “A girl could write a song about that…”

>”...So where are we headed exactly?” Not a subtle way to change the subject.
>”I’d like to hear that, I think… Have either of you been to Von Braun before? Seems like your kind of city.”
>”So, when are you two getting married?” Ask not about relationships lest your own be asked about in kind, Hamon.
>Write-in.

>>5534092
1)
>”I’d like to hear that, I think… Have either of you been to Von Braun before? Seems like your kind of city.”
>”So, when are you two getting married?” Ask not about relationships lest your own be asked about in kind, Hamon.

2)
>”I’d like to hear that, I think… Have either of you been to Von Braun before? Seems like your kind of city.”

>>5534092
>>”So, when are you two getting married?” Ask not about relationships lest your own be asked about in kind, Hamon.

>>5534092
>>”I’d like to hear that, I think… Have either of you been to Von Braun before? Seems like your kind of city.”
>>”So, when are you two getting married?” Ask not about relationships lest your own be asked about in kind, Hamon.

>>5534092
>”So, when are you two getting married?” Ask not about relationships lest your own be asked about in kind, Hamon.

>>5534092
>>”I’d like to hear that, I think… Have either of you been to Von Braun before? Seems like your kind of city.”

>>5534092
>”I’d like to hear that, I think… Have either of you been to Von Braun before? Seems like your kind of city.”
>”So, when are you two getting married?” Ask not about relationships lest your own be asked about in kind, Hamon.
>Like a ghost of himself
Ghost Jimba strikes again

>>5534092
>>5534094
Changing my vote to
1)
>”I’d like to hear that, I think… Have either of you been to Von Braun before? Seems like your kind of city.”

2)
>”I’d like to hear that, I think… Have either of you been to Von Braun before? Seems like your kind of city.”
>”So, when are you two getting married?” Ask not about relationships lest your own be asked about in kind, Hamon.
I'm only supporting this second choice on the condition that Felix says it more in a joking banter-like way, without any real pettiness.

>>5534117
>>5534304
>>5534349 (2nd option)
Writing.

“I’d like to hear that, I think…” You reply, a little curious about her music if nothing else, “Have either of you been to Von Braun before? Seems like your kind of city.”

“Our kind of city?” Hamon asks, “Now just what do you mean by that?”

“...It seems like an exciting place?” You reply innocently, “Lots of casinos, a good club scene.”

“Crowley, he’s got you figured out completely.” Ramba chuckles, the streaking lights of traffic still rushing by outside the car’s windows, “We’ve been a few times.”

Hamon shrugs, smirking and ignoring Ramba’s comment, “Exciting? Clubs? This one’s dangerous, Ramba.”

Ramba just keeps his eyes on the road, taking the car along a looping exit that winds its way down deeper into Von Braun, “Must run in the family.”

“Mm, some things definitely do.” Hamon agrees cryptically, returning to a more comfortable position in her seat, “We’ve both been a few times, I lived here for a few months once, just a little stint away from Eden.”

“I feel like there’s a story there.” You comment, sensing a faint… embarrassment to her words?

“That was a fun one.” Ramba says, grinning enthusiastically, “Bunny ears, wasn’t it, Crowley? I wouldn’t mind seeing those ag-”

“Ramba!” Hamon protests, her cheeks flushing with color, “...Anyways, Felix, the point is that we know the city fairly well. Clubs, casinos, even the lower levels.”

“Good to know,” You reply, though you’re still not quite sure what this business about bunny ears is, “...So, when are you two getting married?”

“Where the hell did that come from?” Ramba asks, sounding quite a lot like a soldier who’s just been shot at by a sniper, the car swerving slightly. He exchanges a look with Hamon, who seems to find Ramba’s reaction incredibly funny, at least if her stifled laughter is anything to go by.

“Just snuck right up on us with that, didn’t he, Ramba?” Hamon says between fits of laughter, “That’s definitely Astraia, she just leaps out of the bushes like that too.”

“...So you’re not then?”

“Later.” They respond practically simultaneously. Well, if they’ve got something figured out then good for them, even if it does confuse you a little.

The ride can’t be much longer, the spaceport is far behind you now and its been a few minutes already. The city is very dense, but at highway speeds there just isn’t that much of Von Braun to get around - not unless you’re going down a few levels anyways.

>”...So where are we headed to? A hotel or…?”
>”Ramba, you’re a test pilot, right? Do you know a Lieutenant Blanche?” Knowing who knows who could be useful.
>”Well, I’ll leave that where it is then. Hamon, you could probably see my mother easily enough if you want to, she’s been going out to Laplace park a few times a week.” Explaining Glemy might be a little more difficult.
>Write-in.

>>5534503
>”Ramba, you’re a test pilot, right? Do you know a Lieutenant Blanche?” Knowing who knows who could be useful.

>>5534503
>”Ramba, you’re a test pilot, right? Do you know a Lieutenant Blanche?” Knowing who knows who could be useful.

>>5534503
>”Well, I’ll leave that where it is then. Hamon, you could probably see my mother easily enough if you want to, she’s been going out to Laplace park a few times a week.” Explaining Glemy might be a little more difficult.
Having that connection between Hamon and Astraia might be important for future plotting.

>>5534503
>>”Ramba, you’re a test pilot, right? Do you know a Lieutenant Blanche?” Knowing who knows who could be useful.
>>”...So where are we headed to? A hotel or…?”
young Hamon in a bunny costume, Ramba was a lucky man

>>5534503
>”Well, I’ll leave that where it is then. Hamon, you could probably see my mother easily enough if you want to, she’s been going out to Laplace park a few times a week.” Explaining Glemy might be a little more difficult.

Does anyone think Hamon will take how Astraia cares for Glemy badly?

>>5534503
>>”Ramba, you’re a test pilot, right? Do you know a Lieutenant Blanche?” Knowing who knows who could be useful.

>>5534510
>>5534513
>>5534545
Writing.

You let the topic drop, moving onto something much less personal, “Ramba, you’re a test pilot right? Do you know a Lieutenant Blanche?”

“...Lieutenant Blanche? Familiar for some reason…” Ramba questions, mulling over the name for a moment.

“White hair, well put together, very prim.” You describe, trying to help jog his memory.

“Nice rack?” Hamon asks, sort of miming her hands across her own chest as she looks back to you, emphasizing things a bit, her question nearly causing you to jump in surprise.

“Uh, yeah.” You manage to say after blinking and taking a moment to recover, not at all used to this kind of very direct talk, especially from a woman Hamon's age.

“He means Blanche Rugens, Ramba. From the other unit.” Hamon nods, satisfied with your answer and settling back into her seat, “She was at the new years party, didn’t realize Kord was gay and kept trying to flirt with him…”

…That does match.

“Right, her.” Ramba nods, “Had a real stick up her ass until she got drinking. I think we’ve met a few times other than that. Why do you ask, Felix?”

“I’m just trying to get an idea of who knows who, she mentioned Dozle covering for her family during the purge.” You explain with a shrug, “Seemed like a similar situation to yours, thought there might be others too or something.”

“Dozle did take in a lot of strays, General Rugens was one of the bigger ones now that I think about it… Good soldier, even more of a plank of wood though.” Ramba says, thinking aloud for a few moments and slowing the car down as you exit off onto a much less busy street, tall apartment buildings flanking the car on either side, “Met her through Dozle then, did you?”

“She’s the one that grabbed me…” You begin to explain, retelling a greatly abridged version of your odd capture and time aboard the Zam, Ramba and Hamon both listening intently, leaving out the bit about getting drunk as a skunk.

“...Took out her thruster with a worker pod? That’s some serious flying, boy.” Ramba comments, “Glad you made it out of that in one piece.”

“Almost didn’t,” You admit freely, “Visor was cracked, and it’s a wonder the radio even got through. I’m just glad things worked out how they did. We were planning to come back to Zeon anyways, just not quite like… that.”

“So why’d you decided to come back? Just your mother, or…?” Ramba asks, leaving the question open-ended. It’s a good thing the car is free of bugs or this would be a very, very treacherous conversation.

>”For her, but… Also for a chance to get back what’s meant to be ours. I’m not quite sure what that’s going to look like in the end, but we haven’t forgotten.”
>”Revenge, mostly. I thought mom was already dead…”
>”...I’m not so sure anymore.”
>Write-in.

>>5534654
1)
>”For her, but… Also for a chance to get back what’s meant to be ours. I’m not quite sure what that’s going to look like in the end, but we haven’t forgotten.”

2)
>”Revenge, mostly. I thought mom was already dead…”

>>5534654
>>5534664
Wait, changing my vote to
1)
>”For her, but… Also for a chance to get back what’s meant to be ours. I’m not quite sure what that’s going to look like in the end, but we haven’t forgotten.”
>"I suppose justice for all the suffering that's been caused to us also plays a part into this."
I'll put this write-in as a suggestion if Contolist wants to use it, since Felix doesn't seem to care much about pure revenge by itself.

>>5534654
>”...I’m not so sure anymore.”
Is Felix living a lie, does he want it to be?

>>5534666
+1
Satan digits

>>5534669
He seems to want it against Kycilia and Gihren at least from what I've seen.

>>5534674
Besides the dancing practice with Mink seemed to imply to him that the Zabis were responsible in killing his father, and that's not to mention having put his mother in that tower for all those years.

>>5534654
>>5534666
Support

>>5534654
>”...I’m not so sure anymore.”
I'm going with this not because I want Felix to be conflicted on his motivations but because I don't want to drag Ramba and Hamon into anything just yet.

>>5534758
I don't think we're necessarily going to drag them into anything just yet, we're just answering with what Felix thinks.

>>5534654
1)
>”Revenge, mostly. I thought mom was already dead…”
2)
>”For her, but… Also for a chance to get back what’s meant to be ours. I’m not quite sure what that’s going to look like in the end, but we haven’t forgotten.”
>"I suppose justice for all the suffering that's been caused to us also plays a part into this."

>>5534758
I think they're already involved in helping us, they wanted to become our bodyguards and stuff. This kind of puts them at odds with the Zabis.

>>5534666
>>5534672
>>5534700
>>5534769 (second option)
Write-in.

>>5534669
>>5534758
No sure anymore.

Writing.

>>5534654
>”Revenge, mostly. I thought mom was already dead…”

File: Ramba and Hamon.jpg (85 KB, 546x350)

85 KB JPG

It takes you a few seconds to find the right words, the car slowly pulling to stop along the street in front of an apartment block, “For her, but… Also for a chance to get back what’s meant to be ours. I’m not quite sure what that’s going to look like in the end, but we haven’t forgotten. …I suppose justice for all the suffering that’s been caused to us plays a part too, but it’s not just revenge.”

“So you’re still fighting then.” Ramba says, his tone serious, eyes flashing up to look at you in the rear view mirror, “That’s a hard life, Felix. Burns people up.”

“...I know. I’ve seen what it can do, but what other choice is there?” You say quietly, thinking of Jimba’s last few weeks, that deranged look in his eye, utterly convinced that there were Zabi assassins in every shadow.

“You could let it go.” Ramba sighs and shakes his head, “Haven’t been good at doing that myself though, just look at me now. I won’t lecture you about it. …You’re all in on it then? Brother, sister?”

“Of course they are, didn’t you listen to his story?” Hamon asks, though there’s no real edge to the question.

“I just want to hear it. I need to hear it.” Ramba says, turning back to face you directly. A few people are walking by on the sidewalk outside the car, completely oblivious to your conversion just feet away.

“We’re all in.” You confirm, though it feels wrong to leave it at just that, “Casval’s gunning for it the most, he always has, but even Artesia’s come around in the last few months. We thought we’d… get close to the Zabis, find allies, build up to something over the years.”

“We’re back to it then, aren’t we?” Ramba asks Hamon, and she flashes a small smirk, willingness tempered by experience.

“One last run at them then?” Hamon asks playfully, a determined look in her eyes, “Oh, now I do like the sound of that. Quiet living doesn’t suit me.”

“No, it doesn’t, but… Last run?” Ramba asks, a hint of worry in his voice.

“We’ll win this time.” Hamon says with a shrug, pushing past Ramba’s concern, “I could write a song about this too, once the dust settles - Romantic, isn’t it? One last ride against an old enemy. I’ve always loved that sort of story, they never fail to excite. …Come on, Ramba, how about it?”

“Mm, damn, this is why I love you, Crowley.” Ramba says, something low and excited in his voice, almost a growl.

>>5534980

“Do you two need a minute?” You joke, holding back a laugh; they’re really quite the pair, it’s almost impossible to imagine them doing anything but this… Well mannered at times, but really not the type to just fade away. No, they’d never be happy with a quiet life.

“Hah!” Ramba barks, “He has a point though. We shouldn’t just sit here, I’m sure that tail that was on us earlier is… They’re back. The room is going to be bugged, Felix, we didn’t pick it.”

“Then let the games begin.” Hamon says mischievously, opening her door and stepping out into the neon lit early night of Von Braun.

You and Ramba are out a moment later, getting your luggage from the trunk and making your way into the nearest building. Ramba exchanges a few words with someone over the intercom and get you buzzed in, and after a brief elevator ride you arrive at a relatively spacious apartment. The furniture is sleek and neo-modern, definitely stylish but almost alien looking in comparison to the baroque pieces you become used to at the Zabi palace.

“Nice place.” You comment, surveying the living room and connected kitchen approvingly, “Is this just for me or…?”

“For the week. We’ll be two rooms down.” Ramba says, fishing around in his jacket pocket for a few seconds and then throwing you a keycard, “That’ll let you in, and…”

He throws a set of keys to you, “...And that’s for the car. You can drive, right?”

You catch the keys and then open your palm, looking down at them, “Of course, how hard can it be?”

That causes him to pause for a moment, but only a moment, before carrying on, “We’re going to be very hands off, Felix. I’m sure they have another team watching from the shadows, but Hamon and I aren’t going to hover over your shoulder all week. Go have fun, just don’t be a fool. If you get into trouble we shouldn't be far.”

“Right. Yes, sir.” You say, smiling and standing a little straighter, glad to have them for your ‘main’ guards, “And how should I signal you if there is trouble?”

He walks over and hands you a small radio, “Good old fashioned shouting, or this. You know how to work it?”

You nod, “It looks pretty standard.”

“It is. Frequencies are pre-set, check in every few hours or if you’re going someplace new. What name are you going by for the week?”

“Maxime Mass.”

Ramba nods, “Good. That should be everything… Did they give you a card?”

“For money? Yes.” You answer, pulling your thin wallet from your pants pocket and checking that the card is still there; it is. You put the access card for the apartment in while you’ve got it out, and then slide it back away.

>>5534984

He pats you on the shoulder, “You’re good to go then. The girl’s expecting you, right?”

“I sent a letter last week, but I wasn’t sure about the exact days I’d be here… She’s been getting ready for a while though so I can probably just drop by. The public terminals have maps here, right? I should be able to figure out how to get to her place.”

“They’re just like on colonies.” Hamon confirms, stalking on over to Ramba, a bottle of wine in hand, “The night’s very young, go ahead and run off. We’ll follow along in a little while.”

Hamon’s not quite kicking you out of the apartment, but it would probably be best to get out sooner rather than later.

>Walk over to Elena’s place. It’s more fun to surprise her.
>Drive. Prove your mastery of the automobile. It can’t possibly be harder than a mobile suit, right?
>Call Elena, let her know you’ve just arrived.
>Write-in.

>>5534985
>Drive. Prove your mastery of the automobile. It can’t possibly be harder than a mobile suit, right?

THE THING GOES SKRRRTTT

>>5534985
>Drive. Prove your mastery of the automobile. It can’t possibly be harder than a mobile suit, right?

>>5534985
>Walk over to Elena’s place. It’s more fun to surprise her.

>>5534985
>>Drive. Prove your mastery of the automobile. It can’t possibly be harder than a mobile suit, right?
What could possible go wrong?

>>5534985
>Drive. Prove your mastery of the automobile. It can’t possibly be harder than a mobile suit, right?
Where's Felix's scorpion jacket?

>>5534985
>>5534991
Changing to
>Drive. Prove your mastery of the automobile. It can’t possibly be harder than a mobile suit, right?
You know what, this is probably pretty dumb. But a good reality check might be needed if we don't want to get ourselves killed.

>>5534996
In other words, this is going to be fun or funny.

>>5534985
>Walk over to Elena’s place. It’s more fun to surprise her.

>>5534985
>>5534996
Changing once more to
>Walk over to Elena’s place. It’s more fun to surprise her.
Let's not disappoint Ramba the very second we come to Von Braun.

>>5534985
>>Drive. Prove your mastery of the automobile. It can’t possibly be harder than a mobile suit, right?
>>Call Elena, let her know you’ve just arrived.
Call throught the bluetooth so we dont get pulled over!

>>5534985
>Walk over to Elena’s place. It’s more fun to surprise her.

>>5534987
>>5534989
>>5534992
>>5534995
Drive.

>>5535034
Call and drive.

>>5535023
>>5535033
>>5535043
Walk.

Writing.

Is this the same car that doesn't have any bugs in it? And there's a big chance of totalling it?
Oh no...

>>5535061
Speedy speed boy~

>>5535061
I'm sure there will be a replacement for it provided by Ramba/Hamon.

>>5535066
No wait, scratch that. We probably won't be allowed into a car anytime soon if we do crash it.

File: Newtype drift.gif (861 KB, 500x200)

861 KB GIF

>>5535061

>>5535080
>>5535061
>Why won't this self driving car crash already! We have its throttle stuck open!

>Felix a new-type
"Car goes ZRRRROOOOM"

You wave farewell and head off, a spring in your step as you exit the apartment and make your way to the elevator; for once the weight of the world just doesn’t seem so bad, and it’s not just Luna’s lower gravity. It’s been years of letters, hundreds of the things, but you’re finally going to get to see Elena again! The elevator doors shut and the ride goes by quickly, the lights of other levels flashing by the glass door as it descends, but your mind is a thousand miles distant. When you exit you make sure to stop at one of the public terminals nearby, input Elena’s address and do your best to memorize how to get there… worst case scenario you stop and ask for directions. Does the car have a navigation system? You can’t remember. Oh well.

Hands tucked in your jacket pockets you stroll back on out to the car, unlock it, and get behind the wheel… There’s no master switch or startup procedure, you just turn a key. Easy! Lights flash on across the dash, little digital displays winking to life, and take a few moments to look everything over. Pfff, this is nothing compared to flying. You tap the accelerator... and nothing happens.

Oh, that’s right, got to shift into drive. Should’ve expected that. Tapping the accelerator again, the car jolts forward, nearly slamming into the van parked a few meters ahead - You barely manage to brake at the last moment, tires screeching to a stop.

…Okay, so it’s a little sensitive. That’s fine. Letting out a deep breath you focus, taking the task more seriously. You back up a hair and then pull out, merging into the slow traffic of the street without issue, rolling along. Von Braun’s pretty at night, lots of neon and bright lights cutting through the dark. Now which way was it to Elena’s again?

Her place isn’t that far, only a few kilometers, but it’s down a level - closer to the university. There was a lift you could have taken if you walked, but cars have to get back on the main highways to go down - That might take awhile, probably best to drive faster.

…The handling on this car is actually pretty good, and after an initial cautious experiment you find that it’s not hard at all to move between other cars! You can drive a lot faster than traffic, they’re all moving so slow.

>>5535162

A few minutes later.

You screech to a stop just outside of the Elena’s apartment building, an almost menacing looking concrete structure with angles that are a bit too sharp for your taste and lots of balconies. The university is off in the distance, its iconic glass pyramid towering over much of the surrounding landscape. You shut off the car and exit, making sure to lock it - Driving is easy! A few people honked, but they must have just been panicky, there’s no way you were going to hit them.

Most of the people moving along the sidewalk are close to your age, a handful of years older at most, late teens and early twenties - probably students. You blend right in, though you might be a touch overdressed. Walking to the door of the building you find that someone has just left a brick jammed in it to keep it slightly ajar. Convenient, but what’s the point of the buzzer then? You shake your head and continue inside, making your way up the stairs and along brightly colored hallways, until you arrive at room 304.

You knock lightly. A few moments pass. And then a few more. You can hear footsteps on the other side.

The door just barely opens, a blond haired girl peeking out to look at you, surprise and confusion written across her face. She looks a bit frazzled, her shoulder length hair is wet and clinging to her head, and it looks like she must have just changed - clearly she’s not ready for company. She squints at you, as if there's something just not quite computing in her head, looking you up and down for a moment with her blue eyes. She’s pretty, or at least easily could be if she wasn’t a mess right now, but she’s definitely not Elena.

“Hello? Who are you?” She asks, “Did admin send you? I didn’t rewire much, it was just inefficient, there’s nothing to throw a fit-”

>”I’m not from admin, calm down. Here to see Elena, I just got in from Side Three. Name’s Max.”
>”I’m Maxime Mass, I believe Elena is expecting me.”
>”...You must be Nina, right? I’m Max.” and then, in Spanish, “Hey, Elena, are you in there?”
>Write-in.

>>5535169
>”I’m not from admin, calm down. Here to see Elena, I just got in from Side Three. Name’s Max.”

>>5535169
>>”...You must be Nina, right? I’m Max.” and then, in Spanish, “Hey, Elena, are you in there?”

>>5535169
>”I’m not from admin, calm down. Here to see Elena, I just got in from Side Three. Name’s Max.”

We probably should have called ahead.

also as someone who is currently leaning to drive I know what this feels like

>>5535169
>”...You must be Nina, right? I’m Max.” and then, in Spanish, “Hey, Elena, are you in there?”

>>5535169
>”...You must be Nina, right? I’m Max.” and then, in Spanish, “Hey, Elena, are you in there?”

>>5535169
>>”I’m not from admin, calm down. Here to see Elena, I just got in from Side Three. Name’s Max.”

>>5535169
>>”I’m not from admin, calm down. Here to see Elena, I just got in from Side Three. Name’s Max.”

>>5535171
>>5535174
>>5535186
>>5535198
Not from admin.

>>5535172
>>5535178
>>5535183
Spanish.

Writing.

“I’m not from admin, calm down.” You assure the frazzled looking girl, “Here to see Elena, I just got in from Side Three. Name’s Max.”

The words only seem to confuse her even more, and she opens the door a little wider to take a better look at you, “...You’re Max?”

“Yeah. Is Elena here? I think this is the right room.” You confirm, smiling to try to put her at ease; there’s something just subtly off about her mannerisms, it’s difficult to place what exactly though.

“You’re real?” She questions, her expression shifting from confusion to one of near total shock, eyes going wide in disbelief as she opens the door a bit wider, “Oh my god, I thought she was making you up.”

“...What?” You ask, scratching at the back of your head and trying not to laugh, “Why’d you think something like that?”

“I just… Would you like to come in?” She asks, avoiding the question and looking terribly embarrassed, cheeks bright red, “I’m Nina. Elena’s out on a grocery run, she’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Thanks, Nina.” You say, stepping inside as Nina allows you to pass by, a faint cinnamon scent in the air as soon as you enter, “Elena mentioned you a lot in her letters. You live together now?”

It’s a relatively spacious apartment, the entranceway leading right into the small kitchen, a living room visible just beyond; the entire area is meticulously cleaned, a few books and scattered papers on the kitchen counter next to a backpack but otherwise spotless.

“Roomies as of two weeks ago.” Nina says, still befuddled by your presence, “...How long are you in for?”

“A week, then it’s back to Side Three.” You inform her, stopping to look at one of the framed pictures on the wall, a painting that you’ve seen vaguely similar versions of in the past - A glass horse reflecting the cosmos within it.

“A week? Oh god, our project’s going to be ruined.” Nina groans, “I told her we didn’t have time to waste going out tonight, but she insisted I get ready anyways, and now this?”

“Did she not say I’d be visiting?” You ask, moving past the kitchen and into the living room.

It’s all pretty standard fare, bright colors and comfortable furniture, a decent television, and a few burning candles that must be the source of that wonderful smell in the air. The only real oddity is a work bench along one of the walls, just next to the sliding glass doors leading out to the balcony; it has half disassembled electronics on it and a few books left open, an inactive computer on one end. …Is that a model kit?

>>5535321

“She’s been saying you might show up for weeks and weeks, I thought she was lying.” Nina admits sheepishly, “We have an engineering project due soon, I thought we’d be working on it all week.”

All week?

>”...So why exactly did you think I wasn’t real, Nina?”
>”What kind of engineering project?”
>”You were both going out tonight? Sounds like a good time.”
>Write-in.

>>5535322
>”What kind of engineering project?”

>>5535322
>”...So why exactly did you think I wasn’t real, Nina?”

>>5535322

>”...So why exactly did you think I wasn’t real, Nina?”

>>5535322
1)
>”...So why exactly did you think I wasn’t real, Nina?”
>”What kind of engineering project?”

2)
>”...So why exactly did you think I wasn’t real, Nina?”

>>5535322
>>”What kind of engineering project?”
>>Write-in.
"Lemme take a look."

>>5535322
>>”What kind of engineering project?”

>>5535359
+1

>>5535322
>”...So why exactly did you think I wasn’t real, Nina?”
Let's get Elena to tell us instead.

>>5535322
>”...So why exactly did you think I wasn’t real, Nina?”
>”What kind of engineering project?”
>"Is that a model kit?"
Did Elena get into it because we are a pilot, and it's one of our hobbies? Or is it Nina's?

>>5535564
Asking about that model kit could be a fun interaction.

>>5535458
Tell us about what? The engineering?
That might not be a bad idea, since I bet Nina wouldn't trust us enough to tell us the details (and might even warn Elena if we start asking about it now).

>>5535325
>>5535360
>>5535454
Engineering project.

>>5535359
Engineering + Take a look.

>>5535327
>>5535328
>>5535343 (second option)
>>5535458
Not real.

>>5535564
Not real + Engineering + Model kit.

Writing.

“...So why exactly did you think I wasn’t real, Nina?” You ask, walking around the living room a bit and taking a closer look at things; seems like a comfortable enough place, very welcoming if still a bit slapped together.

“Well, to be frank it’s because she never shows off pictures, and she’s so cagey whenever I ask about things.” Nina says, frustration clear in her tone as she trudges back toward one of the closed doors at the edge of the living room, “I can understand being embarrassed about doing things long distance, but she really took things to extremes. A tall, handsome, athletic young pilot who’s a very good friend with her but never visits, there are no pictures of him, his name doesn’t show up in a records search, and he can’t be talked about much without making her clearly nervous - but he’ll fly her around the city one day when he shows up? I thought she just made it all up so I wouldn’t bother her about not having a man, sort of like guys claiming to have a girlfriend in the Jupiter fleet.”

You grin at that, you just can’t help it; of course Elena wasn’t talking people’s ears off about you or flashing pictures, that would hardly be a safe habit. You hold your arms out and shrug, “...Well, here I am. Can’t begrudge somebody for being private, can you? She said I’m handsome?”

Nina facepalms, “Oh god, she wasn’t lying, was she? This is going to be such a disaster. …Make yourself at home, Max, Elena should be back in a few minutes. I need to finish getting ready.”

“Right, right. I’ll just-”

Nina disappears into the other room before you can finish speaking. What a weird girl. A little too focused on her studies and clearly not much of a people person, but not that bad - You did just sort of barge in from out of nowhere, at least from her perspective.

>Just settle in and wait, Elena shouldn’t be long now.
>Check out that work bench nearby. That definitely looks like a model kit of somekind near all the electronics.
>Head out onto the balcony, enjoy the view of Von Braun at night. Maybe you can catch sight of Elena on her way back.
>Write-in.

>>5535727
1)
>Check out that work bench nearby. That definitely looks like a model kit of somekind near all the electronics.
>Head out onto the balcony, enjoy the view of Von Braun at night. Maybe you can catch sight of Elena on her way back.

2)
>Check out that work bench nearby. That definitely looks like a model kit of somekind near all the electronics.

3)
>Head out onto the balcony, enjoy the view of Von Braun at night. Maybe you can catch sight of Elena on her way back.

>>5535727
1)
>Check out that work bench nearby. That definitely looks like a model kit of somekind near all the electronics.
2)
>Head out onto the balcony, enjoy the view of Von Braun at night. Maybe you can catch sight of Elena on her way back.
3)
>Just settle in and wait, Elena shouldn’t be long now.

>>5535727
>Head out onto the balcony, enjoy the view of Von Braun at night. Maybe you can catch sight of Elena on her way back.

>>5535727
>Check out that work bench nearby. That definitely looks like a model kit of somekind near all the electronics.

>>5535731 (second option)
>>5535734
>>5535739

Writing.

File: Anaheim Factory.jpg (322 KB, 1507x844)

322 KB JPG

Absent any company and with a few minutes to burn, you make your way over to the workbench near the balcony, taking a closer look at. The bench itself is various shades of blue, an Anaheim hobbyist model, a number of power and data ports running along its sides and back, a few of them connected to the computer setup on the left and others leading to small tools lined up in neat little racks.

Scattered across the center of the table is what you think might be a robotic arm of some kind, a skeletal thing of servos and wires, half assembled up to the elbow. The few sections sporting external panels are chunky, not sleek at all, almost reminding your of the utility arms pods sometimes sport, or simplified mobiles suit limbs… of course those aren’t public knowledge, and they rarely incorporate old fashioned servos like this, the fluid pulse system handles most of the work of moving something like a Waff around.

You don’t recognize any particular model of robot that the arm belongs to, small humanoid robots are pretty uncommon on the market due to creeping people out, and the general preference is for friendlier household assistants that come in non-threatening but shapes; spheres, little rovers, generally small and cute things. One of the books left open on the bench is a programming guide for servo-controllers.

Interesting work. Maybe this is the project they’re working on?

Off the corner is the model kit you spotted from across the room, an empty box for a Saberfish model, a few clipped sprues slid neatly back inside of it and no sign of the assembled model itself. Looking down on the ground nearby you find several other boxes for various models, neatly stacks and… as you pick one of them up you can tell immediately that it’s mostly empty as well. You set it back down and back off a step, not wanting to disturb whatever organization the workbench has; it’s all fairly tidy, in its own way. The models are probably Nina’s, Elena has never sent you pictures of them before and she’s pretty open with you about her art…

>>5535884

The door to the apartment opens, and you can hear faint footsteps as someone enters.

“Nina, they still don’t have the drinks you wanted! Nobody called while I was out, did they? Some jerk with colony plates parked in your spot on the road, I had to use the side lot - thanks for letting me borrow your car though!” A very familiar voice shouts, just a little huskier than you remember, and you can hear something heavy being set down on the kitchen table; there’s no line of sight from where you’re at to the apartment’s entrance or most of the kitchen.

There’s no response from Nina’s room. She probably didn’t hear it with her door closed; it sounds like she might have a hair dryer running or something.

>”I decided not to call ahead, hope you don’t mind.” Stroll on over into the kitchen.
>Move quietly over to the kitchen while she’s unloading things, ”...Hey, Elena.”
>Wait for her to come around the corner; that’ll be a reaction to remember.
>Write-in.

>>5535886
>”I decided not to call ahead, hope you don’t mind.” Stroll on over into the kitchen.
This is the choice we'd make if we're set on being her friend, I think.

>>5535889
Honestly it shouldn't make much of a difference, except the other choices might emphasize on the whole 'handsome mysterious stranger' type.
They could still be fun to do, unless something unexpected happens (like her fainting).

>>5535886
>Move quietly over to the kitchen while she’s unloading things, ”...Hey, Elena.”

>>5535886
>>5535889
Changing vote to
1)
>Move quietly over to the kitchen while she’s unloading things, ”...Hey, Elena.”
On second thought let's make this a surprise. We already came here without calling her, might as well commit.

2)
>”I decided not to call ahead, hope you don’t mind.” Stroll on over into the kitchen.

File: Spoiler Image (113 KB, 629x809)

113 KB JPG

>>5535886
>>Move quietly over to the kitchen while she’s unloading things, ”...Hey, Elena.”

>>5535886
>>Wait for her to come around the corner; that’ll be a reaction to remember.
Stand there looking good, ultimate romantic option

>>5535886
>Wait for her to come around the corner; that’ll be a reaction to remember.

>>5535886
>Write-in.
spill spaghetti

>>5535886
>Wait for her to come around the corner; that’ll be a reaction to remember.

>>5535886
>Move quietly over to the kitchen while she’s unloading things, ”...Hey, Elena.”

>>5535892
>>5535899
>>5535901
>>5535955
Hey, Elena.

>>5535906
>>5535918
>>5535946
Stand around looking good.

>>5535945
Spaghetti.

Writing. Might not get the update out for a few hours, got a class in a bit.

>>5535886
>Wait for her to come around the corner; that’ll be a reaction to remember.

A few quiet steps carry you most of the way across the living room, moving along the wall to stay out of sight of the kitchen and entranceway. Glass clinks together, and you can hear the seal of the refrigerator opening; she’s putting away groceries, distracted. The faint whirring of Nina’s hair dryer can be heard even through her closed door, doing a lot to help mask your steps, and you get just the edge of the kitchen and peek around…

…And stop to admire the view for a moment. Elena’s turned away from you, busy sorting a few things in the open fridge, tight jeans with a few torn holes clinging close to shapely legs, drawing your gaze all the way up their length - that slight gap between her thighs, the swell and curve of her hips that you don’t remember at all the last time you saw her - It’s hard not stare. She’s wearing her hair in a braided ponytail and longer than she used to, warm red satin wrapped around itself, draping down to just above the small of her back, a few loose strands hanging down by her face. Her light green jacket is a slightly exaggerated style you’ve seen a few people wearing on the streets of Von Braun, but its vibrant look suits her, hanging open and just a bit loose.

You lead against the wall with one arm, smirking just slightly, “...Hey, Elena.”

She freezes for a moment, glass clinking on metal as she drops the drink she was putting into the back of the fridge, and slowly she turns around, her slightly upturned emerald eyes wide in surprise, one of the most beautiful smiles you’ve ever seen slowly spreading across her face.

>>5536204

“Hi, Max.” She whispers, one pale hand covering her mouth in shock; half a moment later and she’s running to you, arms wide - You’re ready for it, but she still nearly knocks you over, a lot more excited than you were ready for, practically jumping onto you.

“I’ve missed you so much.” Her words barely come out, choking back tears of joy and relief, “You wrote.”

“I said I would, didn’t I?” You ask in a low voice, pulling her a bit tighter with one arm, surprised by the firmness of her back, still soft and yet more muscled than you would have expected, a tight fitness, “I keep my promises.”

“You do!” She exclaims, emerald eyes gazing into yours as she moves much closer, the shared gaze deep enough to easily get lost in, the swell of her chest close, “I think that deserves a reward~”

There’s an almost intoxicating aroma about her, a subtle cinnamon similar to that which pervades the entire apartment, seeming to make it harder to think of anything but her with every breath, a sort of frantic energy carried with her touch. It’s electric, pure physicality, a sudden intimacy that she’s clearly burning to share, your own hormones and blood sent pumping - How long has this been building up in her? It’s a dim thought, pleasantly clouded. It would be easy to drift off in the moment, to ride this wave; she moves to your touch, natural and easy.

“...Elena, what did you say about the - Oh my! Sorry, sorry!” Nina sputters out from her room, the door slightly cracked open, “Wow!”

Elena pulls back from you, cheeks flush and emerald eyes flashing, waving Nina off with a hand, “Shoo, Nina!”

“Sorry!” Nina squeaks, disappearing back into her room like a mouse fleeing a cat, door shutting loudly.

“...I didn’t want to wait too long this time.” Elena says, biting at her lower lip, words just spilling out, “I’ve been thinking about you for years, Max. Every letter. Every night. Getting ready for this. I’m so happy you’re here, I... God, it’s hard to even talk.”

>Kiss her!
>”Hold onto this for when we’re flying, Elena. Let’s not rush in.” An effort of will, but that might be better.
>”I’ve missed you too.” Back off a little more, even if it’s a struggle. Just a friend, right?
>Write-in.

>>5536210
>Kiss her!
Fuck, I can't cockblock Felix here

>>5536210
>”I’ve missed you too.” Back off a little more, even if it’s a struggle. Just a friend, right?
Emotions are pretty strong here, but we shouldn't just jump into a relationship in the third thread.
I know some anons are against being with her since she's the first girl and an earthnoid, but I don't see the relationship coming to anything good due to different worldviews and opposing sides.

>>5536210
>”I’ve missed you too.” Back off a little more, even if it’s a struggle. Just a friend, right?

>>5536210
>”I’ve missed you too.” Back off a little more, even if it’s a struggle. Just a friend, right?

>>5536210
>”Hold onto this for when we’re flying, Elena. Let’s not rush in.” An effort of will, but that might be better.

>>5536210
>”Hold onto this for when we’re flying, Elena. Let’s not rush in.” An effort of will, but that might be better.

>>5536210
>”Hold onto this for when we’re flying, Elena. Let’s not rush in.” An effort of will, but that might be better.

>>5536217
>different worldviews and opposing sides.
Well, this is just an assumption on my part. I think it would be smarter to know what her personality is like and what her beliefs on spacenoids/contolism are before we do anything.
Also there's the question of Tryphosa. I don't know how Elena would react to another girl literally being in Felix's head (or about the bond in general).

>>5536210
>(1. Kiss her!
>(2. ”Hold onto this for when we’re flying, Elena. Let’s not rush in.” An effort of will, but that might be better.

>>5536226
She works for Anaheim, and has lived most of her life in earth or earth-aligned colonies. So it's a fair assumption to believe she's against Contolism in some way.

>>5536210
>”I’ve missed you too.” Back off a little more, even if it’s a struggle. Just a friend, right?
This is the second time I'm posting this, since it looks like 4chan just ate my post.

>>5536253
Like I said, it's an assumption. But you're probably right, it does make sense. This isn't to say she can't be our friend, or even our best friend. That and I still think it would be cruel not to tell her that there's another girl we're emotionally bonded with before leading her on.

I'm not saying we shouldn't go with her, in fact she might be the ideal waifu, but I'd like to get to know her first after all this time has passed before doing anything we might regret.

>>5536216
Kiss!

>>5536217
>>5536218
>>5536219
>>5536262
"I've missed you too."

>>5536220
>>5536221
>>5536223
>>5536228
"Hold onto this for when we're flying, Elena."

Looks like we've got a tie, I'll give it another hour.

>>5536210
>”Hold onto this for when we’re flying, Elena. Let’s not rush in.” An effort of will, but that might be better.

>>5536318
I shall amend my vote to
>1)Kiss her!
>2)”Hold onto this for when we’re flying, Elena. Let’s not rush in.” An effort of will, but that might be better.

>>5536318
'Tis this vote >>5536216 I am amending. Forgive my mobile-voting

>>5536324
Looks like your ID switched, which was your other vote?

>>5536327
>>5536325
Never mind. Thanks for jumping right on that before I even asked, anon.

The first girl curse lives on

>>5536210
Hold onto this for when we’re flying, Elena. Let’s not rush in.” An effort of will, but that might be better.

>>5536363
I wouldn't go as far as that. Contolist said that he wouldn't route lock.
Besides I feel like the "Hold onto this" as more of a seeing how things will turn out, maybe after a few dates.

>>5536370
I know, I'm just meming around.

>>5536370
chances are one or both of them are going to die in the OYW, so just go for the one that lives.

>>5536379
Sigmanon detected

>>5536379
I'm worried that we'll be a two-timer if we settle for someone long term now (and there's a good chance of that, since that's just how qst works) since we won't get either if we do that.

>>5536380
Accurate

>>5536324
>>5536323
>>5536220
>>5536221
>>5536223
>>5536228
Writing.

“Hold onto this for when we’re flying, Elena.” You back off a step, her hands settling to your hips, “Let’s not rush in.”

“Rush in?” She asks, lips scrunching up for a moment as she looks you over, considering the suggestion, “...Alright, I can wait a little longer; good things come to those who wait, don’t they?~”

An excited, subtle shudder runs through you at her words; it’s a primal reaction, a motor running, revving, turned on with a word and a wink - An entire week of this. You’ll go insane at this rate, this ache is isn’t like anything like you’ve felt before. It’s not a desire so much as a demand from your body, waist down anyways, but with tremendous effort you manage to push through the hormonal fog - the excitement is far from gone though, your heart still racing.

“...So I’ve heard.” You smirk, Elena pulling away from you slowly, eyes still locked - She gives your butt a farewell squeeze - Your eyes go a little wider in surprise and she laughs, a rich tone to her voice.

“You’ll like what I’ve got planned - For flying, too.” Elena teases, absolutely relentless, “I’ve got a surprise for you down on the industrial level, I’ve been working on something special for when you got here.”

“What is it?” You ask, though it’s already clear she’s not going to give a straight answer, she just has that look in her eyes.

She puts a finger to her lips, “Shh, now don’t go asking my questions - I just might answer them. It’s a surprise. I think I might even have you wear a blindfold, that’d be fun, wouldn’t it?”

Well, there’s only one way to follow up a tease like that, “When do we go?”

“It isn’t quite ready yet.” Elena says, leaning back against the wall, her long braid draped over one shoulder, “Another day or two - I wasn’t sure when you’d be getting here.”

“Neither was I, didn’t have much of a say in when I showed up.” You admit with a shrug, settling into something a little more like a normal conversation, that fever in you slowly burning off. Achingly slowly.

>>5536469

“You’re… back in Side Three now, with them, right?” Elena asks, her voice quiet, emerald eyes glancing toward the door to Nina’s room, “They put tails on me sometimes, I don’t think they know I’m onto them. I can slip them pretty reliably now. We’re going to be followed around all week, right?”

You blink, surprised by her… competence? She was always bright and quick to notice things, on the same highly accelerated education program you were back in Spain, or at least a very similar track, but she was never quite this switched on - There’s something much more alert about her in general, really alive, ready to go; or maybe you’re just seeing things you want to be there.

“...Not too closely. I lucked out, my guards are old family friends, good people - they’ll be keeping their distance. There’s another team though, I’m not sure how nosy they’re going to get. We might be able to lose them… They’ve sent people to follow you though?” You nearly wince as you ask the question, a pang of guilt shooting through you - Your family’s political troubles got Elena shot before, and now Kycilia is practically holding a sword over her head.

Elena nods, still speaking in a hushed voice, wary of the door, “Ever since… Ever since what happened in Spain I’ve tried to be more alert. I was useless, so scared I couldn’t think, I still have nightmares about it… I hate that feeling, not being able to do anything. Things were really bad for a while there with... with mom and dad. I had a lot of time alone, so… so I sort of took a few self-defense classes, read some old intelligence manuals, had a soldier back in Brazil show me how to shoot a bit - I didn’t want to worry you, and writing it down didn’t seem smart, but I… I want to help.”

She trails off, one hand drifting to her side, right where she was shot all those years ago.

>”This isn’t something you want to jump in on, Elena. It’s life and death. You should already know that.” She’s just smart enough to get into serious trouble, try to warn her off.
>”...You already are. Just keep playing it safe, alright?... So where are we off to tonight? Nina mentioned you were both going out.” If she’s on board then she’s on board, but it’s probably not smart to stand her discussing things for ages with Nina just a door away.
>”God, you’re hot.” Okay, maybe not the most intelligent response, but this is a level of dedication that’s just hitting like a freight train.
>Write-in.

>>5536474
>>”This isn’t something you want to jump in on, Elena. It’s life and death. You should already know that.” She’s just smart enough to get into serious trouble, try to warn her off.

>>5536474
>”God, you’re hot.” Okay, maybe not the most intelligent response, but this is a level of dedication that’s just hitting like a freight train.
Elena is proving herself to be more based by the update. What a comeback!

>>5536474
>”...You already are. Just keep playing it safe, alright?... So where are we off to tonight? Nina mentioned you were both going out.” If she’s on board then she’s on board, but it’s probably not smart to stand her discussing things for ages with Nina just a door away.

>>5536474
1)
>”...You already are. Just keep playing it safe, alright?... So where are we off to tonight? Nina mentioned you were both going out.” If she’s on board then she’s on board, but it’s probably not smart to stand her discussing things for ages with Nina just a door away.
That plan of making her a spy is looking more and more realistic with each post.

2)
>”This isn’t something you want to jump in on, Elena. It’s life and death. You should already know that.” She’s just smart enough to get into serious trouble, try to warn her off.

>>5536540
I wanted to vote for the first choice, but honestly warning her off might be more of an insult to her than otherwise. And even if she does back down, she'll still be trailed by Kycilia for the rest of her life (and that's being optimistic about it).
Best if she does something to make sure she's safer in the future than pretend everything is alright now.

I didn't think there would be much competition to Tryphosa, but man you're full of surprises Contolist.

>>5536474
>”...You already are. Just keep playing it safe, alright?... So where are we off to tonight? Nina mentioned you were both going out.” If she’s on board then she’s on board, but it’s probably not smart to stand her discussing things for ages with Nina just a door away.

>>5536474
>”This isn’t something you want to jump in on, Elena. It’s life and death. You should already know that.” She’s just smart enough to get into serious trouble, try to warn her off.

Ah shit man how many teams are involved shadowing this one (you know what) project? How many cells are grouped up here for someone to repeatedly notice them?

>>5536474
>>5536540
To stay committed to my reasoning, I'll change my vote to just
>”...You already are. Just keep playing it safe, alright?... So where are we off to tonight? Nina mentioned you were both going out.” If she’s on board then she’s on board, but it’s probably not smart to stand her discussing things for ages with Nina just a door away.

>>5536474
>”God, you’re hot.” Okay, maybe not the most intelligent response, but this is a level of dedication that’s just hitting like a freight train.
>”...You already are. Just keep playing it safe, alright?... So where are we off to tonight? Nina mentioned you were both going out.” If she’s on board then she’s on board, but it’s probably not smart to stand her discussing things for ages with Nina just a door away.
I always believed in Elenacoin

>>5536474
>”...You already are. Just keep playing it safe, alright?... So where are we off to tonight? Nina mentioned you were both going out.” If she’s on board then she’s on board, but it’s probably not smart to stand her discussing things for ages with Nina just a door away.
This is the second time 4chan seems to have eaten my post. Maybe this is a problem on my end?

>>5536598
At least Kycilia is involved. The Jovians probably know about something, since this involves Felix.

>>5536474
>”...You already are. Just keep playing it safe, alright?... So where are we off to tonight? Nina mentioned you were both going out.” If she’s on board then she’s on board, but it’s probably not smart to stand her discussing things for ages with Nina just a door away.

>>5536636
It's been happening on and off recently, you aren't alone.

>>5536477
>>5536598
Warn her off.

>>5536480
Hot!

>>5536487
>>5536548
>>5536605
>>5536636 Happens to me sometimes too.
>>5536753
Already in.

>>5536611
Hot + Already in.

Writing. I have a long class starting soon, might take a bit to get the post out.

>>5536388
I was going to say how Felix is clever enough to get away with cheating, but then I realized Tryphosa and Artesia will know because of psychic fuckery.

>>5537036
Yeah, Artesia is a living lie detector (and can probably feel our thoughts/emotions) and Tryphosa knows everything we're thinking (consciously or subconsciously) just by being near us.

>>5537047
But beyond that it just doesn't feel right to cheat on one of the waifus. Felix is probably emphatic enough to realize that being a two-timer is heartless, and is smart enough to know that it will probably cause problems in the future (for his family, politically, and for his relationships as well).

>>5537036
>>5537053
Is it really cheating if Felix makes no promises though?

>>5537079
Maybe not overtly, but leading on someone while getting it on with another is manipulative (even if the leading on is unintentional, which it clearly isn't seen from Felix's reactions and the votes).
Besides its pretty clear that Elena is going for an actual relationship between just herself and Felix. Not telling her that we might have a side girl(s), while still having her believe that we're only with her is just begging for a disaster to happen either Kycilia or some other Zabi/enemy will use it as blackmail if they find out and it probably won't go well with anyone.

>>5537095
>and it probably won't go well with anyone.
All the more reason to spend time with Blanche, then.

I don't see no issues

>>5537079
>technically it wasn't cheating
Tell that to Tryphosa/Elena/Artesia.
If we (try to) keep either side in the dark if we do this it'll be bad. Fallout from this will be hell, I've seen it happen before.

“...You already are, Elena. Just keep playing it safe, alright?” You assure her quietly, her willingness to leap into the fray really striking something in you, but lingering on the topic overlong seems unwise with Nina just a door away, “...So where are we off to tonight? Nina mentioned you were going out.”

Elena’s smile returns and she slinks over to the backpack left in the kitchen, unzipping it, “It took weeks but I finally convinced her to go, I thought I was bad, but Nina’s a real shut-in. There’s this club down a level, good music but sort of hidden, a little rough around the edges, but they’ve got…”

She produces a red rattle can from the backpack, a few others with colorful caps visible just inside, “...Walls outside that they don’t mind people tagging up - I don’t really go to talk or dance, it’s mostly older students and local so I don't really... fit in. I go for the art, it changes every week or so - there’s always something new.”

“Sharing your art with the world then? It’s about time.” You smile, thinking back to just how shy and secretive about her art she’d been when you last saw her, too embarrassed to show anyone else her work.

“Not quite. It’s anonymous, you just spray and pray someone likes it before it gets covered up - It’s liberating, no one knows who did what unless they sign it. You get an eye for styles, it’s obvious some people come back, but I couldn’t put names to faces. I like to think of it as practice for the s… Mm, never mind that.” Elena trails off rather cryptically, lips scrunched up again for a moment, “You’re going to love it.”

“Practice for the surprise?” You guess, a bit more intrigued, and her smirk does more than enough to confirm your suspicion, “So when do we go?”

“When Nina’s ready. I don’t think she understands what kind of place it is, I tried to tell her not to dress up too much but she wouldn’t listen - She’s got a guy she’s supposed to meet there, from one of the classes we don’t share.”

>>5537128

“Oh? Well, good for her.” You say, shrugging but finding the prospect of even an unexpected sort-of double date better than having Nina as a complete third wheel, “She got all worked up worrying over an engineering project earlier.”

“Ugh, that. She’s been trotting it out as an excuse not to go on her date. We barely even have the arm done.” Elena groans, “She’s been obsessing over it, I swear she loves robots more than life…”

You chuckle sympathetically, “Careful now, your excitement might rub off on me.”

“Pfff, right.” Elena rolls her eyes and moves over to Nina’s door, tapping on it lightly, “Ready to go?”

“Almost!” Nina’s muffled voice responds, “Green or blue?”

Elena cracks open the door and looks inside, “Turn… Blue for sure. Oh come on, what’s with that look? You’ll knock him out.”

“How can you be sure though?” You faintly hear Nina asks. Elena says something you don’t quite catch, and then looks back to you with a sigh.

“Give us a minute, okay?” Elena asks, her tone apologetic, “She’s terrible at picking when things get down to a few options.”

“Take all the time you need.”

Twenty minutes later.

While you’re waiting, occasional muffled voices heard from Nina’s room, you take the time to send a short message to Ramba and Hamon; it’s a quick exchange, just enough to keep to security protocol.

…And you’re beginning to realize that telling Elena to take ‘all the time you need’ might have been a poor choice of words. Eventually the two of them emerge, Nina looking almost completely different from the mop haired girl you saw half an hour ago - rather gorgeous really, wearing a blue dress that really suits her - you only barely take note of it, eyes settling on Elena.

“All ready! Nina looks good, doesn’t she, Max?” Elena asks you, motioning to the rather nervous looking Nina; she’s just looking for a confidence boost for her friend.

You flash a smile and nod, “Looking great. Who’s it all for?”

“Harin. He’s in one of my advanced robotics courses, it's mostly theory…” Nina says, glancing back to the workbench near the far end of the living room - Really can’t make up her mind, can she?

“He won’t stand a chance.” Elena says amusedly, moving past you and toward the apartment’s door, “How’d you get here, Max, bus or…?”

“I drove.”

“Oh?~” Elena questions, that glint in her eyes again, “Want to go in separate cars? Nina, you know the way, right? Max can drive me there.”

“Of course, I saw the map yesterday.” Nina says, almost sounding insulted, “You left mine around the side, right?”

“Yep, not too far. So how about it, Max?”

>”Absolutely. I’m parked just out front.”
>”I drive you both, no need to split up.”
>”...Was sort of hoping we’d walk, haven’t gotten to take in the sights yet. There are lifts to go down levels, right?”
>Write-in.

>>5537098
Imagine how shit she will feel if when she finds out that she's a side dish if we do that.
Also it'll cause tension if we decide to put her in our team once the OYW starts.

>spoiler
You might not, but people around Felix will.
And at least Tryphosa and Artesia will notice because of newtype weirdness (I don't know how Tryphosa will react, but Artesia will probably hate us if we keep Elena in the dark like that. It might be enough to cause a rift in the family, especially since she's now probably thinking about a relationship with Garma), and Elena will probably be devastated.
Also do you really want to give Gihren/Kycilia good blackmail material to use against us?

But if you're saying that we should tell any waifus about Tryphosa before being officially in any relationship (not giving away too much information of course, just that we're newtype bonded with her) then I'm a bit more open to it.

>>5537136
>>”Absolutely. I’m parked just out front.”

>>5537136
>”Absolutely. I’m parked just out front.”

>>5537136
>”Absolutely. I’m parked just out front.”
As funny as it would be to take them both, getting the chance to talk with Elena alone is important.

>>5537137
>spoiler
If it gives them a specific and "easy" set of leavers to pull on they are less likely to go after other things immediately and they may well feel more content that they still have control and "allow" us more rope to hang ourselves with.

>it'll cause tension if we decide to put her in our team once the OYW starts.
Depending on what exactly we end up getting up to I doubt there will be anywhere safer to be while still within our influence, and at least we are likely to be able to exert some control over things with her "under" Felix.

>>5537136
>”Absolutely. I’m parked just out front.”

Can anyone think of anything that might potentially be worth mentioning on the drive over there.

Eb the Rear Admiral might be a good idea to help close the loop on the Federation's awareness of Newtypes / the Jovian connection and our continued survival

>>5537136
1)
>”I drive you both, no need to split up.”
2)
>”Absolutely. I’m parked just out front.”

>>5537136
>”Absolutely. I’m parked just out front.”

>>5537151
>spoiler
Playing with other people's hearts for political leverage is a very machiavellian thing for Felix to do. Maybe Casval might, but Felix actually seems to care about other people's feelings.

>Depending on what exactly we end up getting up to I doubt there will be anywhere safer to be while still within our influence, and at least we are likely to be able to exert some control over things with her "under" Felix.
Emotionally and politically compelling people to work for us, or being 'safer' option to unwillingly follow is Zabi-tier (see Ramba and Hamon, they were ready to betray the Zabis the moment we told them of our plans). That's not to mention the possibility that she'll even be under us.
And don't forget she's loyal to Dozle first, not Felix. If act romantically with her, then pressure her to follow our orders (or worse, keep pressuring her into being romantically active with us even if she wants to break up), she won't trust us and there will be easily avoidable drama with political ramifications. Having herself and her father against us for something we could've avoided just doesn't make sense. It's better to have good friends that trust us than a bitter ex and her angry father.

Also the issue of Artesia and Elena being angry at us and the potential family rift still stands.

I'm not against going with Blanche (or any of the waifus for that matter), but we have to make sure we don't do things in a way that will ruin everything.

>>5537141
>>5537144
>>5537146
>>5537170
>>5537174
>>5537184
Writing.

Well, there’s no turning down an offer like that, “Absolutely. I’m parked just out front.”

“Let’s get moving then!” Elena says, moving alongside, your arm finding its way around her almost on its own, that wonderful cinnamon aroma drawing you in again, focusing your attention on the moment and nothing else; this feels right.

Nina smiles a little awkwardly, watching the two of you for a moment and then sighing, deflating just a little, “...I’ll see you both there. Try not to get too… distracted. Ugh, what a pair of lovebirds…”

Nina grumbles to herself as you make your way to the door, most of it too quiet even for you to discern.

“...We’ll be waiting for you there!” Elena replies cheerfully before speaking to you in almost a whisper, “...I’m so glad you’re here.”

[A minute or so later.]

Elena stands next to the car Ramba gave to you, slightly bent over with one hand resting on the dark hood, head turned toward you with a look of bemusement, “I should have known.”

You scratch at the back of your head, cheeks warming a bit in embarrassment, “Didn’t realize this was Nina’s spot.”

“Missed the sign then?” Elena’s emerald eyes glance to a nearby ‘residents only’ sign that you absolutely didn’t see earlier, “...Well, better you than someone else; I almost keyed your car for being here with colony plates, thought it might have just been a lazy spy.”

“No, you didn’t.” You chuckle at Elena’s joking threat anyways, opening the passenger door for her to get in, and then moving around the widely spaced wheels of the rover car to settle into the driver’s seat.

As soon as your door shuts you feel a sense of freedom that you’ve never had outside of a cockpit. It’s just you and Elena, the whole of Von Braun a possible destination, or even the flats outside the crater the city rests in - You’d want normal suits for it, but the car itself is sealed just like most others on Luna. And sure, you have a destination in mind right now, but there’s no one actually stopping you from just going… anywhere. No immediate threats, no siblings to watch after, nothing.

You really needed this, a long deserved break from a false life.

>>5537344

“Can we talk in here?” Elena asks, and you nod, focusing for a moment on the slow but unpredictable university traffic as you get the car moving and pull out into the road.

“There aren’t any bugs. Might not be safe tomorrow though, the other set of guards can’t be happy that I’m using it.”

“...Is it bad that I find that really exciting? I know I shouldn’t, but…” Elena asks, biting her lower lip and looking altogether far too distracting even out of the corner of your eye, “Anyways, I can check the car over for bugs, I do checks of my apartment with my microscanner every so often.”

“Really, a microscanner? Ever find any?” You question, stopping at a light briefly, the neon lights of storefronts and gaudy advertising covering much of the buildings along the street.

“It's for my engineering projects, or at least that was the excuse I used to buy it. Only found bugs a few times here.” Elena answers, leaning back in her seat and sighing, arms crossed, “They probably think I’m the clumsiest girl on Luna, all those spills ruining cushions and clocks falling off walls.”

“Gave them a nice speech a few times too, I’m guessing.” You chuckle, all too familiar with the game of cat and mouse but never having found quite so much joy in it - maybe you’ve been missing out, “I’ve gotten so used to it by now that I don’t even think about hiding things. I’m not used to being able to just… talk. It’s rare, especially where we live now.”

“And where do you live now? I know it’s back in Zeon, but you’ve never said.” Elena asks.

“The Zabi palace.” No way around that piece of news.

There’s a few moments of shocked silence before she manages to find her words, “...You’re serious, aren’t you? You live with them?”

“For a little over two months now.” You admit, “Which way from here?”

“Left, then forward for two lights and take the exit ramp down on the right.” Elena relays, focusing on the simple task of giving directions for a moment, visibly trying to make sense of things, “...So you mean the giant spiky fortress, right? The one that’s always on the news when there’s some problem with Zeon?”

“When isn’t there a problem?” You question, the news almost being a 24/7 feed of Zeon and Federation disputes these days, many of which you hear about before Gihren even starts them up, “...And yeah, that’s the one. It’s actually quite nice inside, for a prison. Sort of a Versailles look, but… ominous. Everything is monitored.”

“A gilded cage then. That does explain those pictures you sent, I was wondering what place looked so nice - But you did live in a castle when I met you, so I just sort of chalked it up to secret space prince stuff.” Elena says with a sigh, understanding at once, and you let that ‘space prince’ comment slide for the moment, “...Why’d they let you come here then?”

>>5537351

“They still have Casval and Artesia, and my mother. They’re practically hostages, and they’ve got those guards following me around… but I also helped out with a problem the Zabis had, I think they’re trying to buy me off, stockholm syndrome or something… It won’t work, but I really couldn’t pass up on seeing you.”

“Your mom is alive?” Elena gasps, her face alight with joy, “Max, that’s amazing news! …How is she doing?”

“Recovering well,” You grip around the wheel tightens, knuckles white, “...they had her locked up on her own for years, she barely made it.”

“Fucking assholes.” Elena nearly spits the words out, and a silence settles over the car for a few seconds before she speaks more gently, one slender hand finding its way over to your thigh, “I’m glad she’s okay, Max. I know how bad you must have missed her. ...Is there anything else you couldn’t put in the letters? There’s so much I know we couldn’t write about, it’s just been burning a hole in me for years!”

Well, there’s a mountain of things to talk about, but just how much do you really want to dump on her right now?

>”...I’ll be going to the Zeon military academy in a few months. Casval and Artesia will be too.”
>”...Have you ever heard of newtypes?”
>”...I'm more interested in you, Elena. What’s on your chest?”
>Write-in.

>>5537355
1)
>”...Have you ever heard of newtypes?”

2)
>”...Have you ever heard of newtypes?”
>”...I’ll be going to the Zeon military academy in a few months. Casval and Artesia will be too.”

3)
>”...Have you ever heard of newtypes?”
>”...I'm more interested in you, Elena. What’s on your chest?”

Talking about newtypes could save her life down the line (or at least help us both out in some way), I think.

>>5537355
>1)”...Have you ever heard of newtypes?”
>2)>”...I’ll be going to the Zeon military academy in a few months. Casval and Artesia will be too.”

>>5537355
>>”...Have you ever heard of newtypes?”
>>”...I'm more interested in you, Elena. What’s on your chest?”

>>5537361
Though it's implied that Elena will take us to some sort of incognito mask party. I'm guessing she'll ask us not to cheat. It'll be a shame to not use our powers to make everyone impressed by the 'handsome mysterious stranger' Elena brought with her.
Still we got our [Perception] so it should still be fun.

>>5537355
>”...Have you ever heard of newtypes?”
My heroic space-prince childhood friend is a psychic???

>>5537355
1)
>”...Have you ever heard of newtypes?”
>”...I'm more interested in you, Elena. What’s on your chest?”
2)
>”...Have you ever heard of newtypes?”
3)
>”...I'm more interested in you, Elena. What’s on your chest?”

>>5537355
>1. ”...I'm more interested in you, Elena. What’s on your chest?”
>2. ”...I'm more interested in you, Elena. What’s on your chest?”
>2. ”...Have you ever heard of newtypes?”
2. Is a combination.
I wanna see if she opens up more about Anaheim.

>>5537355
Switching my vote >>5537381 to just
>”...Have you ever heard of newtypes?”
This is probably more important for now.

>>5537367
kek

File: mrcrzf28ore91[1].jpg (19 KB, 400x300)

19 KB JPG

....

oh my fucking god.

I finally figured out who her roomie is.

AND WHO SHES MEETING. Its fucking gatooooo

>>5537420
We should try to be his bud if we meet him.

>>5537355
>”...I’ll be going to the Zeon military academy in a few months. Casval and Artesia will be too.”
>”...Have you ever heard of newtypes?”

>>5537355
>>5537361
Changing my vote to:
1)
>”...I’ll be going to the Zeon military academy in a few months. Casval and Artesia will be too.”
>”...Have you ever heard of newtypes?”

2)
>”...Have you ever heard of newtypes?”

3)
>”...Have you ever heard of newtypes?”
>”...I'm more interested in you, Elena. What’s on your chest?”

At least telling her where we'll be for the next few months could be vital.

>>5537425
I'd almost rather we did the universe a favour and remove his existance

>>5537435
But where's the fun in that?
But really, this gives us some things to think about.

>>5537355
>>>”...I’ll be going to the Zeon military academy in a few months. Casval and Artesia will be too.”
>>”...Have you ever heard of newtypes?”
>>5537435
Eat your carrots, Kou.

>>5537362
>>5537367
>>5537383
>>5537434 (second option)
>>5537379 (second option)
Newtypes?

>>5537365
Newtypes+What's on her chest.

>>5537428
>>5537467
Academy+Newtypes.

Writing.

>>5537420
Correct, but wrong on the second count. Gato does happen to be seventeen right now though, which is the normal age for entering the academy...

“...Have you ever heard of newtypes?” You ask, eyes steady on the road as you take the exit down to the lower level of Von Braun.

“Like in your father’s books?” Elena asks with a smile, “I read all of them as soon as I could after we got separated. It was actually pretty funny, the librarian on base got worried when I checked out so many of them at once…”

“Well, they’re not really light reading. You were what, thirteen?”

“I’ve never done light reading, Max.” Elena scrunches up her lips again and gives you an ‘oh come on now’ look, and you can’t do much other than shrug in concession, “No, it wasn’t that - she thought I was getting radicalized and somehow got it into her head that it was a good idea to tell my mom, it was nearly a big mess. I still ended up reading them a couple of times. I was buried in books as much as I could be with everything that was going on…”

“...So what did you think of them?” You ask, the gentle curve of the ramp rolling out ahead of you, the twinkling lights of the lower level in the distance.

She considering your question carefully before speaking, fidgeting a bit with the end of her braided ponytail, "Well… It didn’t really make much sense at the time. It’s not a hard line of reasoning to follow, at least not broadly, but it, uhm… I guess it didn’t click until I moved up here.”

“Oh?”

“...The first time I saw the earth from up here I felt… I don’t quite know how to describe it… I just felt that everything I’d seen down there was so small, like earth was just a little orb that could vanish into the black. Not that everything else was petty, but just that people have been less than what they could be.” Her words cause your heartbeat to quicken, the answer far more than you hoped or expected, “I’m not sure if that means much, or if it’s really what it was about, but it started to make some kind of sense then... I thought of you too, Max. So, yes - I’ve heard of newtypes. Why?”

>>5537617

“Would you believe it if I told you they exist?” You ask, exiting the ramp and merging into the faster traffic of the lower level.

“...It’s only a change of viewpoint, right? So sure, of course they can exist.” She answers almost casually, simultaneously touching upon the truth and yet leagues away.

“It’s not just that, Elena. When a person’s mind opens and they become a newtype it… it’s an entirely new existence, not just a change in viewpoint but a change in their ability to perceive at a basic level. Everything is different.”

“So something more… mystical then?” She questions, intently curious but lacking in understanding, her voice softening, quieting nearly to a whisper, “This means a lot to you, doesn’t it? You believe it?”

You nod. How do you tell her just how much further it goes than belief?

“Did you have an experience or…?” She asks hesitantly.

“Experience?”

“You know, a mystical one? Some people talk about having out of body experiences, or feeling others around them… seeing things. You looked so intense a moment ago, like you were reliving something.” She bites nervously at her lip, waiting for a response, emerald eyes watching you intently.

“Would you believe me if I said I did?” You ask, and the words are barely past your lips before she responds.

“Yes. I trust you, Max. What happened?”

>”...I met a Jovian girl who was visiting Texas colony, her name is Tryphosa…” The whole story, start to finish. Stop the car if you have to.
>”I… awakened. For a moment I could see everything stretching out around me, time didn’t have a meaning, and my awareness expanded so far beyond my body that I didn’t feel like myself, I shared my soul with someone else... I’m not sure how else to describe it. Maybe mystical isn’t a bad word for it.”
>”Maybe an example will get it across better than a story. Could you think about which direction I need to go next? Try not give it away with an expression, just think about it loudly.”
>Write-in.

>>5537619
>>”Maybe an example will get it across better than a story. Could you think about which direction I need to go next? Try not give it away with an expression, just think about it loudly.”

>>5537619
>>”Maybe an example will get it across better than a story. Could you think about which direction I need to go next? Try not give it away with an expression, just think about it loudly.”

>>5537619
>”Maybe an example will get it across better than a story. Could you think about which direction I need to go next? Try not give it away with an expression, just think about it loudly.”

>>5537619
>”I… awakened. For a moment I could see everything stretching out around me, time didn’t have a meaning, and my awareness expanded so far beyond my body that I didn’t feel like myself, I shared my soul with someone else... I’m not sure how else to describe it. Maybe mystical isn’t a bad word for it.”

>>5537619
1)
>”...I met a Jovian girl who was visiting Texas colony, her name is Tryphosa…” The whole story, start to finish. Stop the car if you have to.
>Write-in
>"...she's being experimented on as we speak."
>Don't just talk about Tryphosa and your bond, warn her about the Jovians and their plans, as well as some of the experiments you've seen. They are also a factor to watch out for.

2)
>”...I met a Jovian girl who was visiting Texas colony, her name is Tryphosa…” The whole story, start to finish. Stop the car if you have to.

3)
>”I… awakened. For a moment I could see everything stretching out around me, time didn’t have a meaning, and my awareness expanded so far beyond my body that I didn’t feel like myself, I shared my soul with someone else... I’m not sure how else to describe it. Maybe mystical isn’t a bad word for it.”

The Jovians are important enough to mention.

>>5537640
+1

>>5537640
Does the write in talk about Flanagan? Well supporting this either way. Elena can be trusted, and I'm sure she'll understand the bond was out of Felix's control.

>>5537619
>>>”Maybe an example will get it across better than a story. Could you think about which direction I need to go next? Try not give it away with an expression, just think about it loudly.”

>>5537667
The question is if she will think the bond is romantic or not.
But I get that it's better to tell her now than have it explode in our face.

>>5537640
+1
Vote didn't seem to go through, again.

>>5537619
1)
>”...I met a Jovian girl who was visiting Texas colony, her name is Tryphosa…” The whole story, start to finish. Stop the car if you have to.
>Write-in
>"...she's being experimented on as we speak."
>Don't just talk about Tryphosa and your bond, warn her about the Jovians and their plans, as well as some of the experiments you've seen. They are also a factor to watch out for.
2)
>”...I met a Jovian girl who was visiting Texas colony, her name is Tryphosa…” The whole story, start to finish. Stop the car if you have to.
3)
>”I… awakened. For a moment I could see everything stretching out around me, time didn’t have a meaning, and my awareness expanded so far beyond my body that I didn’t feel like myself, I shared my soul with someone else... I’m not sure how else to describe it. Maybe mystical isn’t a bad word for it.”

>>5537619
>>”Maybe an example will get it across better than a story. Could you think about which direction I need to go next? Try not give it away with an expression, just think about it loudly.”

>>5537619
>”...I met a Jovian girl who was visiting Texas colony, her name is Tryphosa…” The whole story, start to finish. Stop the car if you have to.
>Write-in
>"...she's being experimented on as we speak."
>Don't just talk about Tryphosa and your bond, warn her about the Jovians and their plans, as well as some of the experiments you've seen. They are also a factor to watch out for.
Fuck it I'll support thi

>>5537624
>>5537625
>>5537630
>>5537681
>>5537847
Example.

>>5537635
Awakened

>>5537875
>>5537640
>>5537645
>>5537844
Everything+write-in.

Example wins. Barely. Writing.

>>5538012
OP you missed a couple of votes I think.

>>5538038
Yeah, he missed these two
>>5537667
>>5537695
So, it was thw write-in that barely won

>>5538038
>>5538049
...So I did. Fuck. Well, time to scrap that entire post. Rewriting, give me a bit.

>>5538081
Maybe you can do both?
Give her an example and then talk about tryphosia

>>5538081
Sorry for making it harder Contolist.

>>5538091
Nah, already deleted the other one. It's my fault for not counting correctly.

“It’s a long story, Elena. …I met a Jovian girl who was visiting Texas colony, her name is Tryphosa…”

As you recount the long tale, careful to leave nothing out, Elena listens intently, growing a bit more nervous and fidgeting with her ponytail a little more but reserving any questions or judgment; occasionally she gives you directions to keep on track to the club, but otherwise she’s silent as a statue.

A while later, parked in an alley near the club.

“...And so as far as I know they’re running experiments on her right now, but she’s a fighter; I still worry about her but she can handle it.”

“And that’s everything?” Elena asks hesitantly, brow furrowed and biting nervously at her lip, “So you’re a newtype and… and bonded with this girl, Tryphosa, and she’s a clone?”

“...Yeah. It’s a lot to take in, I know.” You nod, reaching out to take her hand, finding it still more than ready to grip your own, gentle and soft, “I wanted to tell you as soon as I could, I don’t want to keep any secrets from you. None.”

Elena’s breath catches in her throat for a moment but she eventually manages a tiny nod, her emerald eyes soft and wet but no tears are yet flowing, “...Are you and her… together?”

You shake your head, “No, no, it’s not like that at all. It’s a… spiritual bond, I guess. I understand her, and she understands me, sometimes I’ve even felt like I was her, but it isn’t… It’s not romantic, if that’s what you mean. Bonds aren’t like that.”

“Could they be though?”

“...I suppose they could, but ours isn’t.” You assure her, tightening your grip just a hair; you’ve definitely felt the urge to push things further with Tryphosa before, and you know she’s felt the same at times, but neither of you have actually done anything, “She’s a friend, Elena.”

>>5538135

“Good.” Elena sighs in relief, tension just easing out of her, “...Do you think she’d like me, max?”

“Yes, absolutely.” The answer comes out immediately, there’s no need to even consider it, “I’m not sure when you’d meet though, even Artesia probably won’t be seeing her much off in that lab… Why?”

“She’s on your side, so she’s on my side.” Elena says, her voice growing more firm, a determined look settling over her, “Maybe she can show me how to be a newtype… I’d settle for just being friends though, it doesn’t sound like she’s going anywhere.”

You smile at the idea but shake your head, a touch amused, “That’s… I don’t think that’s how becoming a newtype works, Elena. I wish it was that simple.”

Elena scrunches up her lips at that, giving you a look, “Well, I’m a spacenoid now, so what’s the next step?”

“You’re a spacenoid now, are you?” You question, the declaration surprising you a bit but not entirely unwelcome; there’s not really a hard definition of who is and isn’t.

“I live in space, don’t I?” Elena asks, crossing her arms, “...There’s not much back on earth anyways. I don’t think I’m going back… Maybe to visit, I miss dad a lot, but…”

There’s a tapping on the window of the car, startling Elena and causing her to jump a bit in her seat, Nina’s face peering through the tinted window.

“There you two are! How long have you been in there?” Nina demands, clearly miffed.

You roll down the window, the faint sound of muffled music a little more clear from the building nearby as you do so, “We needed some time to talk, Nina, we’ll be right out.”

“I’ve been alone out here for twenty minutes!” Nina protests, refusing to look at either of you.

“Sorry, Nina. We’ll be right out.” Elena gives her friend an apologetic look, opening her door and stepping out into the alley, “Where’s Harin?”

“Inside, getting drinks.” Nina answers, “Are you two staying out here?”

You open your own door and step outside, the faint scent of cigarette smoke and drying paint hitting you immediately, clinging all about the alley strongly; there are colorful, almost garish murals and images of all sorts stretching out over the walls. A few bright spotlights overhead, clearly rigged up haphazardly, provide the otherwise shadowed alleyways with a bright source of light to work by.

>>5538138

The muffled racket from inside of the building sounds only barely like music, and you can see a few people standing around near the far end of the alley, close to an emergency exit and a dumpster. Or maybe 'standing' is the wrong word, it looks more like one guy is getting pushed around by the others, though they aren't really managing to move him.

"Fucking Zeek lover, get the hell off of Luna!"

>”Let’s head in for a bit, Elena.”
>”...This is where you do your art, right Elena? We’ll swing inside in a little while, Nina.”
>”Are they fighting over there? Give me a minute, both of you.”
>Write-in.

>>5538139
1)
>”...This is where you do your art, right Elena? We’ll swing inside in a little while, Nina.”

2)
>”Let’s head in for a bit, Elena.”

It's really tempting to intervene, but we did say we'd stay out of trouble.

>>5538139
>1. ”Let’s head in for a bit, Elena.”
>2. ”...This is where you do your art, right Elena? We’ll swing inside in a little while, Nina.”

>>5538139
1)
>”Are they fighting over there? Give me a minute, both of you.”
2)
>”...This is where you do your art, right Elena? We’ll swing inside in a little while, Nina.”
Alright, I'll bite the bait

>>5538139
>”Are they fighting over there? Give me a minute, both of you.”
Gotta save our subjects.

If we fight them we'll get too beat up to go to the club.

1)
>”...This is where you do your art, right Elena? We’ll swing inside in a little while, Nina.”
2)
>”Let’s head in for a bit, Elena.”

>>5538168
I don't think we'll get beat up but we might get shanked or shot.

>>5538139
Contolist, do we have any weapons with us?

>>5538173
No. Other than your mind and years of physical training. There's some junk near the edges of the alleyways, pieces of pallets and other trash.

>>5538139
>”Are they fighting over there? Give me a minute, both of you.”
JUSTICE calls

>>5538141
Who did we say that to again?

>>5538139
1.
>”...This is where you do your art, right Elena? We’ll swing inside in a little while, Nina.”
2.
>”Let’s head in for a bit, Elena.”
If we fight them we'll get too beat up to go to the club.

>>5538168
I'm agreeing with this anon by the way.

>>5538177
That makes me feel a bit better about it.

>>5538219
It was Artesia.

>>5538221
I think Contolist implied that wasn't going to happen (unless something unexpected occurs or a gun gets pulled on us, I imagine).