05: † text

[salvagedsoul]

Hello, everyone.

I have been in United Earth territory since June. I was released last week. Although I have been inspected and declared safe by the Initiative, I feel that it is my obligation to notify you all of what happened.

I am very eager to see some of you again. I am staying in my assigned housing at 502 while I continue to recover. Please come by at your convenience.


((feel free to use this post for both network conversations and action!))

Comments

[reassures]

You made it back here alive. That's more than most people are capable of.

You haven't failed anyone.

[salvagedsoul]

Only at the will of those who kept me.

[reassures]

Does that matter?

[salvagedsoul]

Would it matter to you?

[reassures]

Yes.

But it would not matter more than making it back alive. It's better than being sent back in a body bag, only to be revived-- or not come back at all.

[salvagedsoul]

[oh Nill, you still don't know his history with that subject.]

Death may be the only true freedom there is.

[ private ]

[reassures]

Death is the only true freedom.

It's better for the people here that you didn't come back dead. That would have been much worse than failing them.

[In the eyes of the people here, anyway. Not so much for him, but well... It sounded like he had enough experience that one more death wouldn't make much difference.]

[ private ]

[salvagedsoul]

I failed them when I left.

[ permaprivate ]

[reassures]

If you think you failed them, then make it up to them. There's nothing else you can do about that.

[salvagedsoul]

What does one do when others are angry with him?

[reassures]

You apologize-- and try not to do whatever you did to make them angry again if you can help it.

[salvagedsoul]

There are people I care about who don't take apologies well, even if they try.

[reassures]

Then you have to try to make it up for them in some other way.

If they won't accept apologies, then-- I think the best thing you can do is wait. If they're that upset, then they probably just need time to stop being upset.

[salvagedsoul]

Yes... you're right. Thank you for the advice. You are very patient.

[reassures]

I've known a lot of people.

You never said if I could get you anything. I have tea.

[It's pretty shitty tea, but slightly better than nothing?]

[salvagedsoul]

Only if I may learn the face and voice of this strange person who has been a surprising counselor to me.

[reassures]

Okay. I'll make the tea here and bring it over.

[salvagedsoul]

Thank you, Nill.

502.

[ text -> action! ]

[reassures]

You're welcome.

[About twenty minutes later there's going to be a knock at the door! If he doesn't answer it, since she's not sure what kind of state he's in, she'll just slip in provided the door's open.]

[salvagedsoul]

[The door's open, and one of his roommates would have probably let her in anyway. Kaworu is in his room, sitting back in bed, looking out the window. When he hears her stop in the doorway, he glances over.

Is this "Nill"? Kaworu didn't realize that Nill was a she. Her mature face and demeanor is clear, even with her more whimsical clothing. He offers her a polite smile.]

[reassures]

[Nill has always looked a little on the young side - maybe sixteen or so at this point, though she's actually nineteen. Anyone that asks is told she's twenty. It makes her life easier. A small smile appears on her face, and she nods towards him, before actually stepping into the room. She sets two mugs on whatever flat surface is nearest to him (a bedside table, maybe), and then opens the thermos she brought to pour tea into them both. As she does, her wings flutter slightly, before settling comfortably against against her back.]

[salvagedsoul]

[Whatever her age, Kaworu senses that she's older than he is, although her youth is still surprising either way. Can someone this young have expressed herself so calmly? Her thoughts and questions were careful and considerate, much more than he's used to seeing from humans at least.]

Thank you for coming, Miss Nill. It's nice to meet you.

[As she's pouring the tea, he notices the small wings on her back. His surprise shows on his face. Are those a part of her body or her clothes? They seem to move naturally...

Kaworu looks back to her with renewed curiosity.]

Are you not human?

[reassures]

[Her smile widens slightly, a silent return of the sentiment. After she's done pouring for both of them, she picks up a cup and hands it to him. Be careful though, it's fresh and still steaming.

Since Kaworu's probably had other visitors, there's probably a chair somewhere in the room, right? She holds up a finger, a gesture for him to please wait for a moment, and regardless of where another chair might be she pulls it over next to the bed so she can sit.

Then, because she had to tell him at some point, she pulls her tablet out of a pocket on her jacket (which is dark, and doesn't really suit the rest of her attire, but also has holes in the back for her wings) and begins typing.]

Just Nill is fine. It's nice to meet you too.

I am human. Some people in my world are just a little different than people from other worlds.

I'm sorry if this is inconvenient. I can't speak.

[salvagedsoul]

[Kaworu watches her with calm curiosity. When she pulls her tablet out, he begins to suspect what is confirmed by her message.

Looking up from his own tablet, he smiles again with a newer glimmer in his tired eyes.]

It's not inconvenient. Would you prefer me to write back, or speak?

[so far, he's ignoring the tea.]

[reassures]

[Her wings flutter, and Nill is quick to lift a hand, shaking both it and her head at the same time with a more awkward smile. Her typing is only slightly slower than someone talking might be - she leaves no doubt that she's been doing things this way for a fairly long time.]

There's no need for you to write back. I love it when people talk.

[Her wings settle again. She reaches over for her own cup, and takes a tentative sip, though she shows no outward sign that him not drinking his bothers her.]