R1 DEADLAND PT2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

[lockdownmods]

[it’s strange, for the people who were already dead, the shift in scenery is sudden and complete. For those who have just arrived? It’s like you’re back where you left?

How strange.

But if you ever need her, you can always reach out to the guardian of this place.]

LOCATIONS
Note: locations lag a week behind the living counterparts

Comments

[machrophage]

Named after humanity's hero - the first idiot bold enough to steal a Gunman and use it to fight.

[There's something a little wistful and fond in the exasperation.]

[throwabookatit]

Gunman, those are...those things you pilot. The ones that go with--

[ Her hand's halfway to the drill around her neck, undoubtedly...returned by Han, when she pauses. That's something she recognizes anywhere. ]

Did...you know this idiot?

[machrophage]

He was the first human who earned my respect.

[Only semi-consciously, he makes a gesture like going to wipe something off his cheek.]

[throwabookatit]

[ Huh. She tilts her head a little, wondering... What's he doing there? ]

...Does he have to do with...whatever you remembered, before you- well...when we started remembering things?

[ Is there... There's a place to sit somewhere. Rebecca gets comfy, near on of the telescopes. ]

[machrophage]

It's all tied together, really, but it was his successor, Simon, in that memory.

[He realizes where his hand is, pauses, and then drops down into a seat next to her, offering that hand. Only if she wants to.]

[throwabookatit]

[ For a moment, she just looks at the outstretched hand, face lightly coloring...and then remembers, right. The thing, that- the data transference. She hesitates, hers hovering. ]

Are you sure? I...really am still awful at that, if...you'd want anything back.

[machrophage]

I'm not sure you'd believe some of it without seeing for yourself.

[Kamina is just... like that. Completely unbelievable and defying description until he happens to you.]

[throwabookatit]

[ She almost rolls her eyes. Almost. ]

...Of course someone like that would earn your respect.

[ She places her hand in his. Alright, Viral. Fire away. ]

[machrophage]

Did you expect anything less?

[But without really giving her any chance to answer, the memory opens - a shirtless young man, late teens really because the chance that he's actually twenty is slim, seen through some reedgrass, holding some kind of animal with two arrows stuck in it. Drawing his sword, boasting - I'm Kamina of Jiha village, the leader of the famous Team Gurren! - and then the rough skill with which he actually used that sword against Viral's shorter, broader blade, and the arrowhead -

The slice across his cheek that Viral had unconsciously reached for, and sneak attacks only work once. And then the realization, that these were the humans he'd been called out about, who'd stolen a mech for their own use.

Gurren, and Lagann, and then Gurren Lagann, and so much after that is a rush, the combat, losing, clashing again over the greatship. The shame of having underestimated the humans, and yet the respect for the fact that Kamina was crafty instead of just brash -

Losing, again, not just him personally but the entire battle as Thymilph's force fell. Being the only survivor of Adiane's ship. And then Simon, aboard the Dai-Gunten -

My bro is dead. He died that day.

- and the still confusing hole it's left for him to pick at, because the first time he cared about an individual it was an enemy, and yet - ]

There's not really a description I could give him that he'd be satisfied with.

[throwabookatit]

[ For someone to hold this honor, Rebecca knew it had to be a powerful memory. But, she didn't realize there'd be so much. Bits and pieces fill in things she's wondered about, little conversations. A name to the model she'd kept diligently safe, Gurren Lagann, and an understanding, that it came from him. This man.

(...A moment, of Poe entrusting the model to Rebecca, holding it close, passing through their connection.)

The feeling of loss, of knowing the rest fell, died. Another strong, painfully familiar experience. And...

And, in the end...

She's stunned beyond words. It swirls around her and she takes it in. The kind of respect emanating from these memories, the emotion through the connection, it leaves her dumbstruck, jaw hanging open. ]

I... [ After a moment, when she feels she can. ] I can really see why. He- you... I'm... A hero really doesn't...do it justice.

[machrophage]

Oh, don't be mistaken. He was also incredibly stupid.

[A chuckle and an accompanying memory of put some damn clothes on before you fight!]

But he had the sort of madness that wouldn't take no for an answer. A man who wouldn't be caged in by anything.

[A brief imagining, of Kamina trying to fight the wall by swinging his sword at it. Amusement.]

[throwabookatit]

[ Unfortunately, she can't really enjoy the imagined scene, because the moment the memory of the man in question, naked, drifts through her mind, she ducks her head, face burning red, as if that'd shake it clear. ]

I- I'm getting that picture as well, believe me.

[machrophage]

[He's just going to laugh a little.]

Never a dull moment with that group of humans around.

[And flashes, then, of those who had inherited Kamina's mantle - Simon, seven years older than that grieving boy, properly grown into his power and skill, an inspiration to the whole world. Kittan playing successor to Kamina's brash loudness, hand flung up at the moon. Yoko, long hair tied high, still windblown by the blockback of firing her rifle inside the prison walls. Rossiu's composed authority, Nia breaking from the monotone of the Anti-Spiral messenger into herself again, scatterings of others - ]

[throwabookatit]

[ Rebecca almost reprimands him--honestly, he knew she got flustered by that--but then, the others. Flashes of names, people, feelings. So much that she's once again overwhelmed, to silence this time, after a few aborted stammers and a soft gasp.

With every memory, every moment, the scope of what Viral and his--friends? Yes, friends, that's for sure--what they were caught up in. What they stood and faced. It's almost too much to comprehend.

For support? Her free hand finds the drill and curls around it, while her other...well, it's tucked secure in Viral's, so she just squeezes it. His...massive hand, that could engulf both of hers easily, with room leftover. She squeezes it best she can, slender fingers on meaty claws. Not in anything like fear, or apprehension. Just as a response, since she can't find a verbal one. ]