001 | Yes, It's the End of the World As We Know It | Audio/Visual

[A young woman's voice echoes over the Vine first. IN fact, it sounds almost exactly like that of someone else the residents have heard from recently. A shrill note of panic has managed to worm its way into her voice, though.]

What is this place? Where-? How-?


[After a moment the mirror comes on. It's Asuka! Or her doppelganger. The only real difference is that she has a swathe of bandages covering her right arm and another tied tightly around her head, covering her left eye. The one that is visible is bright, blue, alert and almost panicked. Her uncovered hand reaches out toward the mirror.]

This isn't right! I was just-

I was-

[Her eye widens slightly.]

Oh my God. I-

[She chokes, retches and she sinks out of sight for a moment, hand covering her mouth. The rather unpleasant sound of someone losing their lunch is all that can be heard for a few moments, gasps for air and then more retching.]

I feel sick.

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[identity profile] orderlybento.livejournal.com 2010-12-28 07:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[her eyes flicker with a deep sorrow when Asuka stops on Suzuharu's name. not just what happened to him because of the Angel. but also because he's- the sorrow lifts from her eyes after a moment. forces a small, sad smile while looking forward, only concentrating on the sound of their footsteps.]

Yeah, especially Suzuharu.

[tilts her gaze towards Asuka, the smile a tiny bit more genuine, though it's still sad and doesn't make it to her eyes.]

I know you did.

[ooc: ashbsk sorry this took longer than it should have. I rewatched ep. 23 for that scene with them while writing this comment.]
Edited 2010-12-28 19:56 (UTC)

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[identity profile] orderlybento.livejournal.com 2010-12-28 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[sees Asuka stop, and halts her steps too. she sees a glimpse of her friend's face as she gags and turns to the side. half a step towards her - worried she'll throw up again.]

Asu-?

[she hears those words, and feels the distance between them. the same distance that night when Asuka spoke from some deep, unknown place inside her, and all Hikari could do was say what she thought was comforting, what she thought was true. but that thread of sorrow they shared now - death - made her unable to just say words this time. hesitantly, she lifts her hand up and rests it on Asuka's shoulder.]

... You're not.

[[ooc: Alright! :)]]
Edited 2010-12-28 21:14 (UTC)

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[identity profile] orderlybento.livejournal.com 2010-12-28 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[her hand tightens comfortingly on Asuka's shoulder as she listens, hoping that somehow she can help. help Asuka. help herself. help them both. there were many people here, but only the two of them right now - three of them if Ayanami-san could ever show something she could connect to - could honestly get the impact of it this deep, she believed. she didn't know for certain that was the reality.]

You took out so many Angels, Asuka. You protected everyone from so much.. It isn't your fault!... And... it scares me, honestly; that you're blaming yourself for any of it.

[it comes out more and shakily towards the end, her hand on Asuka's shoulder trembling, and she feels like she's going to going to cry, but she said it. even if Asuka doesn't believe her, it feels honest to Hikari right now.]

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[identity profile] orderlybento.livejournal.com 2010-12-28 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[she feels herself crying silently, tears making wet tracks while she keeps a numb hold on her composure, feeling the shaking of a shoulder under her hand from Asuka trying to do the same.]

This place isn't safe, and it isn't home... We're alive though, in some way.

[that last part makes her lose hold for a moment. everyone's gone. Asuka's her friend. she can't lose her again. no. she can't.]

What's wrong with relying on people you care about, Asuka?
Edited 2010-12-28 23:23 (UTC)

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[identity profile] orderlybento.livejournal.com 2010-12-29 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
[Asuka responded to her. It's a relief, even if it's small, and she gets back her composure for the moment. Her eyes are stinging and she's got a dull ache in her head from crying.]

... You are strong, Asuka. But... having someone to help you out sometimes, when you do need it, that's important.

[These words would be less desperate, less likely to be said out loud if she didn't know that back home there was nothing more to do.]

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[identity profile] orderlybento.livejournal.com 2010-12-29 07:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hikari's quiet as she thinks.]

That's what happens sometimes, when you have people who see you as something that's only a little part of who you actually are.

There are people who can see all of you, though. I know there are.

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[identity profile] orderlybento.livejournal.com 2010-12-30 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
[She's about to say something in response as Asuka turns to look at her, and the words die in her throat. What is she-? When she hugs her, Hikari is so stunned she can only return the hug - with care to not hurt her bandaged arm - for a little while.]

... I'm sorry. You are worth something, Asuka.

[Your jacket might get a little wet, Asuka. Sorry about that.]

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[identity profile] orderlybento.livejournal.com 2010-12-30 01:22 am (UTC)(link)
[Alright she's cool with that. Along with a bunch of other emotions. Hikari's not that much better off. She kind of is amused in a sad way at what Asuka says, and clings a little more to her.]

I won't, promise.

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[identity profile] orderlybento.livejournal.com 2010-12-30 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
[When Asuka begins to loosen her grip, she lets up on the clinging and gives her room to wipe her face. Hikari feels a little relieved, but still worried, by the subject change.]

Mm, yeah, it's called the Gardens. Apparently only girls are brought here.

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[identity profile] orderlybento.livejournal.com 2010-12-30 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
It really is weird.

[starts trying to rub off some of her tears with the back of her hand.]

The person behind the Gardens names herself the Queen of Hearts.

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[identity profile] orderlybento.livejournal.com 2010-12-30 04:50 am (UTC)(link)
[A faint smile eases onto her face at Asuka's hand on her shoulder. Hikari appreciates the gesture.]

This place might be. But I've actually seen technology here, even if it's pretty limited.

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[identity profile] orderlybento.livejournal.com 2010-12-30 04:27 pm (UTC)(link)
I know what you mean, Asuka. It's really like a dream...

[looks at Asuka looking at the sky.]

This is probably not the best time to mention that there's magic involved, huh?

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