Twila@M3 - Thursday, September 06, 2001, 9:57 PM
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Sage sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Ms... Pietra?
You send a tightbeam radio transmission to Sage: "Yes, Wilson. I'm here. Although, a friend just stopped by as well. Fellow civilian. Mind if I get in touch with you later?"
Sage sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "*pause* Not at all.. *concern*"
Rio - Northern Downtown
Northern downtown Rio opens before you as you enter the district, a rush of sights and sounds assaulting your senses. The multi-level highways and blocks zigzag through the sky, wrapping around buildings and skyscrapers like spaghetti. Synthetic palm trees are built into the corners of streets to add a warmer flair to the city, to try and take away from much of the devastatingly surrounding technology. So close to the northern coastline, the downtown area has more than its share of tourists and attractions, making sure that things are never slow nor quiet here.
From the distance, the slight humming of a perfectly tuned hovercycle echoes. A shadow bordered in red, cleanly cutting through the air like a sharpened katana.
Upon reaching the general area, its driver and only occupant dismounts, taking off his helmet and showing a brilliant red mane. Jeanno Thundersoul. Surely the climate is not the most appropriate for his usual clothing, but it's not like it can be helped. .oO(Ahh, the Leblon. I kind of missed this place.)Oo.
Twila Peterson leans against one of the many walkways that stands aways from the coast itself...yet offers a pretty good view of the rolling was as they continue their relentless washing of the beach itself. She overhears the her radio and moves to answer...just as she's hailed by the arriving cycle...already knowing who it could be. She offers a small wave...as she whispers into the link.
Jeanno eventually spots the red-haired woman, and depositing his helmet in a cabin within the Shadow, he activates its security system. In a moment it looks about as closed as a nutshell. The musician waves back, and begins to walk towards her, offering a tentatively encouraging "Hey...."
Twila Peterson presses her lips together and half raises her hand in a wave. She doesn't look that much more tired than she had on the radio. But she has looked better. If anything, one can sense a strain on her features. She doesn't offer anything other than a quiet "Hello" as if reconcidering this meeting. After all she's been through, she didn't want to deal with the berating from a child to top it off.
Jeanno would not be as terribly stupid or insensible to deal about this with Priss. She... is a matter for later. And it is a basically already solved matter as it stands, at any rate.
The musician motions closer to her to attempt a small embrace, hoping to soften her features at least a bit. "So, Twila.... Where would you rather talk about it?"
The young woman actually appears to slightly stiffen towards the gesture and turns away. "I don't know Rio at all well. But here seems just as a good a place as any."
Jeanno looks a bit down. "I'm sorry... And..." He would like to speak, "....about Priss...." but he does not. This is not about their relationship. It's about Twila. He will have to talk about it later, when and IF she gets better. "So....... would you mind to tell me what happened?"
Twila Peterson steps towards the railing held in place and keeps her gaze on the view below her...pondering something or other. "There's some...internal problems within the Maverick Hunters. I won't speak of them...and I won't get into to much detail. Other than...I attempted to offer some points to consider. And well...got slammed back for it. When the Commander returned from a lengthy absence...he didn't seem concerned about what was reported either. He stated if you don't like it...leave. So," she states with difficulty, "I left."
Jeanno attempts to put a hand to Twila's shoulder. Despite the fact that she seems to be abominating it at this moment (or, in his own opinion, that this might look like he's trying to take advantage or her apparently weakened emotional state) he's always believed that physical contact is one of the best ways to show how one cares.
"Twila, I'd like to ask you something. Why did you join the Hunters in the first place?"
"Too do something, to be a part of something that would help in this stupid war," the girl gets out. Although stiffening a little at the contact, she doesn't pull away from it. Nor does she encourge any more ot it.
Jeanno then makes a slight confession. "Did anyone arise and quit along with you? Did anyone even try to dissolute you of the idea? I once... I once wanted to join the Hunters. Unlike what it could seem, not as a kid or a teen... but as an adult. Then I realized that, no matter how skilled I could've become, I was not apt to contribute in anything with them that they did not already have. Until I realized.... That people need to have more than just people that fight for them. They need to know who cares."
"Heh. I don't even know why I'm telling you this. At this point, it doesn't seem like you would care." Yes, he looks a tad away from his usual chivalrous, gentle self. But why?
"There was one," Twila admits. Although she's all but certain Azor had his own reasons for doing so...unrelated. To the rest, she doesn't outwardly show that she would care. Either that or she won't be baited by jibes.
Jeanno merely asks, "Look into my eyes, Twila, and prove me wrong." His stare is strangely cold, the blue in his eyes seeming like a blizzard in the horizon. What IS up with him? What's his point?
Twila doesn't at first...merely to spite him or because there are issues she would rather hide is irrevelent. She contines purposely avoiding his gaze for several long moments. But when she does, her bluish-green orbs flash with a mulitude of emotions...simmering not terribly far from the surface.
Anger
Confusion
Pain
Betrayal
And when she does so, she doesn't flinch, nor does she move back from her own stance. She merely stands there silent...and stares.
Jeanno observes. All these emotions, and many more he (and perhaps even Twila herself) would not be able to identify. But one of them he clearly recognizes. It is fear.
"Why do you force yourself to be this strong, Twila? Why do you not lay your worries on someone's shoulder to share the burden with you?" His cold stare then fades as melting ice, a desarming glance of worry and care. Somewhat warm. His features soften, and he allows a single tear to run along his cheek. To be short...
........it seems Twila is hurting someone who just wants to help.
He's right. Mixed with everything else is a deep rooted fear that only seems to rise into somewhat of a recognizable state in very few times of the ex-Hunter's life. Still, for now, although no longer dormant, it still lurks within the darkend crevices.
Even as the man's demeaner changes, Twila's doesn't. Her stare remains steadfast, watching him. And only when he speaks, she looks away. "You wouldn't understand."
Jeanno controls himself, at great cost, as he speaks, "I DO understand, Twila. I understand because I've once tried to carry the burden on my own, and have suffered undeniable pain from it. I... I don't want to see that happen to you. Damn it, I...."
He whispers, a barely, practically inaudible tone "I love you too much to let that happen..."
A young "couple" stand on a ridge overlooking the ocean waters below. At the moment, Jeanno has a hand on the woman's shoulder. As he speaks, she seems to stiffen a bit more. Internal defenses rise as she slowly shakes her head, "No trust me. You *wouldn't* understand," she states, finally taking that step back, inwardly shuddering from the revelation of his true feelings. Something that frightens her even more now...and doesn't exactly want, or know how, to deal with.
*Clank*
The sort of sound of metalshod feet on the surface of a boardwalk would usually accompany the arrival of a reploid of some sort. Not this time however, as instead it heralds the presence of one of those few who can make claim to a heritage of machine and flesh blended together.
Although Rick's makeup might not be considered as extreme as some other cyborgs of course. Hands set on his hips, he peers out to the ocean beyond for a moment, blond hair whipping lightly as a breeze whistles through it, unimpeded by his bandanna...which seems to have become more of a memory lately than something he wears all the time. For the moment, he stands still, looking thoughtful, peering out over the scenery nearby...and a certain ridge.
Jeanno looks a bit surprised, and somewhat resignated to see Twila as such. Time will heal the wounds, or so he hopes. Which is why he says, "Well, if it truly bothers you so much for me trying to help you, Twila, I'll be on my way. Just remember that you -DO- have someone you can trust in me. If you wish to speak, or if you need anything, just contact me. You know the number." He turns softly away, glancing once more to her. "Bye", the musician waves. But strangely, he does not immediately leave. Instead, he seems to pick a guitar (a sweet one, not an electric) on the Shadow, and softly plays a beautiful melody. In Japanese. But onee beautiful melody nonetheless. The song in question is "Friends."
What was the saying? "Music soothes the savage beast?" The young woman knows Jeanno's attempting to help in whatever way he knows how deep down. But it's too soon, too fast for her. And in springs up other issues that Twila has no wish to deal with at this point. Setting her features into neutral she glances towards a certain direction and starts to walk past the man, offering him much less as a response as she had Jet Stingray earlier that day.
Jeanno merely sings in the meantime.
Zutto sagashiteita onaji hitomi
Onaji yume wo idaiteru My friends
Kinou made no namida Kyou kara no egao
Sono subete wo uketometai...
If Twila hears any of the melody, her she doesn't give a hint that she's listening at this point. She merely continues walking.
Rick Morgan by now has his arms crossed over his chest, continuing to stare out. He even hears music not all that far away...though he dosen't pay mind to it for the moment. Instead, out of his peripheral vision, he catches movement...and something tells him to look. What? Don't ask...even Rick couldn't tell you really. It'd be the same mysterious thing that brought him -here- of all places for some quiet time...and Twila oh so happened to be in the area. Maybe it's some bond, maybe it's fate, maybe Rick's really an avatar in an imaginary word who's very actions are determined by some shmuck at a keyboard...
...nah.
Rick Morgan glances at the familiar shock of red hair, and furrows his eyebrows for a moment, pursuing his lips in a half frown. "Twila?" He says finally as she gets closer...
Jeanno finishes the song, and not without grief, leaves the place in awe and silence.
So locked into her own state, Twila was unable to sense the presence of her "other-half". She hadn't expected him to be here and...she stops, somewhat startled, as he even calls her name. She doesn't offer him a glance within his general direction. Although, she does offer a quiet "Hey," in response.
She moves her hand over the ring he had given her that she still wears on her finger as if to hide it. She hadn't taken it off...but in some ways she had forgot it. One detail Rick would notice if he were to look before it was shielded is how dim the light has become.
"Didn't expect to run into you here..." Rick offers, hands in his jacket pockets at this point. What he says might be true to him, then again it might not. Maybe somehow he did expect to find her here...just didn't realize it. He dosen't bother to think on that however...he's had enough headaches lately as it is.
"Just out getting some air?" he asks finally.
Twila offers a small shrug in response. "Perhaps," is all she states, not being particularly all to talkative...especially in light of what had just happened. Just one more concern she didn't need to deal with right now...regardless of Jeanno's good intentions.
"Hey now.." Rick offers at that, removing his hands from his pockets and crossing them over his chest. "What's with the distant greeting huh?" he asks quietly. "I know things have been rough and I kinda been having my own problems even seeing them as of late, but seeing you like that just isn't right."
Twila has to forceably choose to bite her tongue before going into him full-tilt so to speak. Even now she knows circumstances may have prevented him from responding...whatever had had been working with at the time. But it still hurts her all the same. It may be somewhat selfish for her to think so, but she still relied on him to "be there"...even though it may not have been humanly possible. But, as it is in most states just as hers, there are certain facts she just can't see right now.
So what does she do? She offers him another simple shrug.
"Well then..." Rick says finally, mouth turned slightly into a frown. He gestures with one hand at that point. "Get it out. Yell at me...scream at me. Tell me I wasn't there when I was needed..." At that he grunts and turns half off to the side. "Get rid of it already..."
The younger of the two offers an uncertain glance towards him, not knowing how to take his willingness to take a verbal lashing. "Good start. Go on..."
Rick Morgan grunts. "What more is there to go on about then?" He peers off towards the ocean nearby. "What's it matter anymore it seems? Everything's falling apart as of late, according to how I hear it from all angles. What am I supposed to think? What am I supposed to do? Be a god who can fix everything on a whim?" At that his frown deepens. "...this is exactly why I told Rock I want my old job back."
"Good. You weren't cutting it at what you were," Twila snipes. In her view, can't keep up with the responsibility, don't accept it. In that at least the girl is glad...somewhere. "No one expects any one person to fix everything. That would be too much of anyone. What I don't get is how so many wouldn't even bother seeing that there were problems in the first place. They just don't go away when they go ignored. I've tried to talk to you...as a brother and my commanding officer several times already." Maybe not in specifics...but in gereral, she has...she may not have the best memory...but what she has is good enough. "I expected more than I would have gotten from most of the others. The only other one who did listen, ironically, was Dischord."
"It's not that I never saw other problems the whole time..." Rick grunts. "...just in alot of cases they weren't in my avenue to fix." At that he looks back, an annoyed expression on his features. "I didn't WANT it to come out this way alright? I gave it a shot. At first things were fine but then they started to fall apart. I tried to keep up for as long as I could but I couldn't. I'm -not- cut out for this sort of thing. I guess that just makes me one big FAILURE." His voice raises at the last word, enough that it carries for some distance in the ocean air. "I know things have gone bad, I know things couldn't be worked out in some avenues. What I didn't need..." he trails off then, looking away and walking up to the nearest railing, setting his hands on it. "...what I didn't need...and I don't need is getting kicked repeatedly while I'm down now. And it's all I seem to be getting anyway. I screwed up...yeah. Yay. Rick's human, he's mortal...he makes mistakes." He then lowers his head just slightly, resting his elbows on the railing instead as he puts his hands to his forehead. "Just please....stop...rubbing my nose in it."
Twila watches him give himself over to his own frustrations. "You're the one who asked me to 'let it out'," she reminds him steadily, but not choosing to add to his tirade. He did a better job of lashing at himself than she could. The ex-Hunter sees how this is hurting him as well. And she idly wonders if back at base some of the concerns at base are starting to be taken seriously...but instead of everyone facing up to their own part in whatever happened...they're pointing fingers. Which...does little to help in the short or long term. "The only failure I see is if you didn't choose to do anything about it."
"What am I supposed to do huh?" Rick says, straightening up at that point and glancing towards her. "What -can- I do? Zero's too thickheaded to even listen. Rock's off on what he thinks is going to solve this which I have yet to see if it's going to work or not. Those in charge are just saying 'stop it or else' and I have no clue WHAT Dr. Light has been up to. There's nothing I CAN do anymore...that's why I said I didn't want to do what I was doing anymore." At that he grunts and takes a step back, shaking his head.
Twila lets her hands move to her sides, uncovering the ring as she does. Although still dim, it pusles lightly...even though it can hardly be seen. "Rick, I don't know what you're supposed to do. Neither of us can read minds or change them unless they either see the need to change or they get to the point that they can do nothing but change. If they don't, there's only one alternative left. All I wanted...all I was ever asking, was to someone to at least listen. You can't change anyone else but you. And by admitting your own shortcomings and wanting to deal with them is a good start. Beyond that, I don't know."
The girl's not saying she doesn't have her own shortcomings either. And she wonders if there was something she had done to contribute to the decay in the faction herself, or something she could have done to help prevent it. But could have's and should have's have little bearing right now.
"Rick, I love you. You know I do. Why do you think I'm being harder on you than anyone else? You're worth it."
"It still hurts..." Rick says quietly, turning away at this point, keeping his arms crossed over his chest nevertheless. "I want things to go back to how they were, but lately I'm starting to even wonder if that's even possible at all..."
Twila is forced to nod in agreement. "I know. So am I." She stops to glance over towards her sibling, releasing a sigh. And, unbeknownst to her, her eyes begin to grow moist. Something she wouldn't allow most others to see right now. "Why do you think I left? You...know me well enough that everything I posted was not something I took lightly or carelessly, or that I was airing some sort of personal grudge. And you know I love the people there at the Labs. Neither can I stand by and watch them self-destruct either. I pray it doesn't happen. But there's a good chance it will by the way it's going."
She takes a brief moment to reing in some of what's inside to try and calm herself. What she said may be hypocrytical to some. After all, it's clear she's loosing faith in those she loves. Although Rick proved her wrong in one aspect, what of the others? It's hard to say...and saying the whole matter itself is mindboggling.
Rick Morgan hooks his arm under one elbow, lightly pressing the knuckles of his other hand against his face at the same time. He grunts for a moment, then gives a small shrug. "Don't....don't lose hope yet Twila..." he says finally, looking up. "It's not all lost, otherwise things would have already collapsed some time ago."
"Have I been given reason not to," she softly intones, then glances wout towards the ocean.
"I think the fact that you're not exactly alone in how you're thinking is a sign enough in itself." Rick offers with a gesture of one hand. "You said so yourself that you spoke to Dischord about it."
Twila glances down, not knowing what to answer. She did say that, yes. Yet, despite that fact there are so many other things playing out within her mind that...well, it's hard. "I dunno....maybe..." she muses begrudgingly.
"Then it's not over. It's not hopeless, it hasn't ended yet." Rick says firmly, clenching his right hand and raising it just slightly. "Not as long as other people are thinking along those lines. One way or another things will work out. For now we'll wait and see just what these fixes are that Rock is supposed to be implementing, and we'll see if they work or not. If not, we'll manage something else that will work."
The young woman doesn't ask what her brother means at the last, knowing he may fully know yet. But...one step at a time shall we? Her chin lifts itself back up as she eyes him, not daring to hope or not. "Then...I suppose waiting is all we can do," she ponders aloud.
"For now, yes." Rick concludes with a slow nod. "We'll see what these solutions provide and whether they really are solutions or not."
She doesn't immediately respond to that. All she does is stand there to think on that before once more glancing towards him, whispering a, "Only time will tell."