nysalogs | (open) with that soul to sell

Entry tags:

(open) with that soul to sell

Who: mikazuki (

sparsity) & various & you!
What: THIS, boy and mecha are reunited. (EDIT: now a catch-all for other prompts!)
When: early april. (EDIT: and through may)
Where: thesa station - hangar deck, space, observation room! (EDIT: now on el nysa, inn wyver, mikazuki's residence)
Warning(s): mentions of kidnapping events, probably some blood. now ft. domesticity.

I. THESA STATION

[ Show us we can trust you, and he shall fall back into your capable hands.

It crosses his mind, from time to time. That promise in the face of a promise. What strength he possesses had been given to him by such things — promises. His home and heart destroyed by a force far more common than the Storm, that was all that was left. And when he had the chance to trade his compliance for another life, his, and everyone else's, he seized it. Sunk his fingers in and clawed his way back, too chaotic and exhausted with dissatisfaction to give up. Mikazuki takes because it is the only way he knows how to give.

No matter how much things stayed the same. He doesn't know what he'd proved by going through the same motions he was always going through, knuckles upside his face and blood in his mouth, deaths that remind him of being fifteen again, but this trip to Thesa yields something different.

Barbatos is no longer under Darma's lock and key. ]

A. HANGAR STATION — THE BLOOD AND SHIRTLESSNESS OPTION
[ Usually standing dormant, Gundam Barbatos cuts an intimidating figure among the Natha mobile suits. Elongated limbs capped with golden claws and notched with inhuman joints, horns jutted from atop its brow like a devil. Its pearly white color shines in the light of the bay, every seam, facet, and angle gleaming as if new.

Finding Mikazuki here with it isn't unusual, his visits with it in tandem with his visits to the stasis unit. He comes here often despite months and months of no changes in the suit's status, always quiet and standing sentinel. Like he's drawn to it by a force that can only be called fondness, stronger than any gravity. But today, the cage mount the machine is usually fixed against is lowered, two maintenance catwalks closed over its chest unit. ...And Mikazuki is no where to be found despite the area looking as if it's in launch prep.

At its front, the forward-facing cockpit hatch yawns open, and there's the sound of rustling around coming from inside. A loose shirt and jacket come drifting out, discarded, but caught harmlessly in the low gravity of the bay. Also an empty space capri sun, and a power bar wrapper...

Because that's not weird. ]

B-THE FIRST. CATAPULT DECK — THE JOYRIDE OPTION (CASUAL/NEW CR)
[ When he finally gets situated in the machine, however arduous a reunion that might be, Mikazuki requests a code for launch clearance once he figures out he's allowed. He's done his waiting, and among all the violent human familiarity and the planet's alien freedom down below, this is what he knows. However unassuming his disposition is, he's quick to grasp at it and hold tight now that he's able. Nothing has to flood back to him — it's already all there.

There's a great lurch and hiss of metal that rocks the catwalks as the cage disengages from the hangar wall, pistons whirring. A static clip fills the immediate area as Mikazuki activates his comm. Voice as mild as always despite the way it booms from the Gundam: ]

You'd better get in here if you're staying.

[ A pause. ]

They're about to let all the air out.

[ You know, no pressure. ]

B-REDUX. CATAPULT DECK — THE JOYRIDE OPTION (CLOSE CR)
[ Maybe it's all of that above, but he's not yet climbed into the suit despite being attached to it by neural system implanted at the topmost curve of his spine. It might seem a brutal, nearly inhuman thing to share synapses with a machine, to share his retinas and his cerebellum, all the blood in his body, but he wears it well. Wears it like it's pumped some of his own colors back into him, vibrancy in every one of his harsh angles.

Hanging out of the cockpit, cord curled in a wide arc behind him, he grasps the hatch with one hand to keep his balance upright and holds his other out. ]

Come on, I'll show you.

[ Be brave. You basically asked for it. ]

C. OBSERVATION ROOM — THE CHILL EXISTENTIAL OPTION
[ He's been told gaining access to this place is also a measure of trust by the Natha's standards. Mikazuki could be curious about that in itself, but he finds that he isn't, brain too full of a comfortable mechanical hum, alive with the presence of the machine he shares his strength and existence with. That's plenty enough for him, giving him a peace he hasn't known since waking up months and months ago. All the metal in his blood is singing, the natural violence of it satiating.

Not as though he looks the part, perched on the rails by the vast panels of glass overlooking the space outside as Thesa orbits El Nysa. Up this high and with no competitive light to silence them, the stars roar out against the sky. Small in comparison to that darkness, his shoulders slope, eyes reflecting the pale, celestial blue glow of the room. He's fixed on no one point, not searching for familiar constellations when there are none.

He only knows them thanks to Barbatos' guidance system, anyway.

With everything awash in that calm color, there's a lot to look at around him too. Consoles meant to track the activities in the hangar, programs monitoring the station's axis and velocity, research materials, projections of star systems thrown about. Out of the blue, he ventures to anyone partaking: ]

If it's hard for you to study like this, I'll go.

[ Despite not being loud or disruptive, he feels it, momentarily personal. The space at his side is so achingly empty that nothing else here is louder to him. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Well, if that's how he's going to play, Mikazuki will just have to meet him halfway. He gives a dedicated swipe of his tongue over his lower lip, leaning forward in his seat. It seems the presence of his suit has done a little bit to breathe color back into him, burning away the edges of his sedentary demeanor. ]

Then you'll just have to believe in me for a while.

[ Because Barbatos lurches as it comes to rest on the launch deck's rails, the entire machine set at a low, constant rumble. Waiting. ]

[ Duo's not thinking he's going to bite the big one with Mika at the controls or anything like that, just... he has a healthy appreciation for g force and exactly how a Gundam could launch a body around a cockpit when it wanted to. He's been on the receiving end of too many bruised collarbones and rib cages to not understand that, no matter how safely he tried to pilot Deathscythe at times. Yes, he could thread the needle with a gigantic gundam when the timing called for it, but damn if he didn't have a hell of a time with making sure he didn't injure himself at times. ]

Guess I have no other choice, huh?

[ But he nods, giving Mika as close to his blessing as he'll ever get. ]

Do what you gotta.

Got it.

[ Maybe he has to believe in blessings first, but the twin Ahab reactors burning at his back have always been a decent substitute. That cord wiring him to the system embedded in back of the cockpit surges with data, so much that it doesn't even look like he's helming the suit. Still, he pulls back on the rakers, putting his feet to the propulsion. ]

Then... let's go.

[ It's not the Isaribi, so he doesn't bother announcing his launch. He's got the code, and the catapult cranks back, tilts, and sends the whole Gundam racing down the rails in a grind of sparks.

It hauls enough force as it reaches the end of the line, releasing into the vacuum of space with a strange smoothness, nearly alive. Mindful of his cargo, Barbatos heeds Mikazuki's every instinct and thought, even those uncommunicated with words or console commands — suspended in a brief pocket of lull before really kicking into gear. It's as if this minimal space was designed to protect and mold to the human within, using methods other than belts and straps.

A calm moment passes, just to get a feel for this. This experience he's been a long eight months without. ]

[ This mobile suit... is kind of unreal. Definitely not like Deathscythe in ay way but a marvel on its own even though it's not what he's familiar with. In a way, Duo is slightly jealous that he's never gotten to pilot something like this, that he probably won't considering he'd need a surgery to do it.

Don't get him wrong - if he'd been in Mika's world and offered the opportunity to do it in order to pilot? He'd absolutely go right on through with it. No need to even think past something like would he effect the greater good of the rest of the crew if he was gone - just going with his gut and that meant piloting. Being in space, having the sort of freedom he'd only wished for as a small child watching people load up to take off from the place he'd called home.

Duo is a bit suspended in wonder, if he's honest, just kind of taking it all in, surmising how Mika must make this work, enjoying the ride all the same. He isn't slammed in to a wall at launch, which is a fantastic development, those blue eyes a bit wide as he realizes it.

The weightlessness of space hits like a soothing blanket, Duo sighing softly as they hit it. He lets the moment of peace settle, soaks it in, but then can't help but to finally vocalize what he'd been noting mentally - ]

This is so different from Deathscythe but in like.. the best way possible. Remind me I owe you a ride, sometime..

Different? [ Piloting is like an undercurrent to the act of existing for Mikazuki. He's not so much in control of it as the motions are pouring out of him, natural and balanced. ] It's a Gundam too, right?

[ Foot shifting on one of the pedals for propulsion, the verniers on the right side of Barbatos burn brighter, giving it a slight tilt as it pitches off to the side and down, tumbling through that expanse of black where the stars don't appear any closer or further. There's no destination in mind, no purpose.

A literal joyride. Around them, the indefinite hum of the machine is almost content. ]

Yeah, a bit. [ It's the same in the very basics of it - there's no changing the oneness of a pilot and his Gundam, whether they're attached at the nervous system or simply through controls. Duo's own had been modified more than a few times to work in ways he preferred, and might well be too customized for the others to want to deal with. Such is the life of a Gundam whose pilot likes to tinker, he supposes. ]

Mmhmm.. Deathscythe's a Gundam. [ Duo confirms in distracted tones, too busy taking in every detail of the suit, what's going on around him, and most importantly : space.

An easy laugh rolls up his throat as Mika maneuvers Barbatos, thrilling in the freedoms of space again. ]

My ol' buddy's gonna enjoy a flight when he's all prepped.

I didn't know how it'd feel, after everything.

[ Seeing Barbatos repaired from a distance is one thing, but feeling its liveliness coursing unbroken through his nerves is another. It's especially different from the last time he'd piloted, both man and machine gnashed down to bloody, metallic marrow.

Mikazuki hadn't been able to function without Barbatos then. It's different now, but there's still a sense of wholeness and security to it, nearly bright.

He widens the way the Gundam banks, pulling it back into a cruise. ]

But it's good now.

[ He can only imagine it'll be the same for another pilot, however different their suits and situations. ]

Yeah.. I'm curious if Deathscythe will handle exactly the same after everything, too.. [ Namely being blown up entirely and the remains sent in to the sun, but that's not really something he's going to expand upon. He'd been reluctant to part with the mobile suit even with 'lasting peace' established, and now with Deathscythe back he has zero intention of parting with it ever again.

At least not willingly.

Duo laughs as Mika confirms it's good now, shrugging his shoulders. ]

Well, I would guess so. Now that you can take him out and cruise and all.. I think this is what I've been needing too, honestly.

Just the space to come out here and joy ride a little since.. everything..

There's one way to check.

[ Going out in his own suit, though Mikazuki doesn't mind having him in his for a bit.

With the suit flying level, its balance auto-control taking over to give them the impression of being upright in the void, Mikazuki just lets the Gundam soar, the motion mismatched to the stars that don't seem to be going anywhere in comparison. ]

I still don't mind the surface. [ It seems as though the experiences, that "everything" Duo's talking about, just roll off his back. ] Barbatos isn't meant to fly on its own though, so being out here is the best way to know that it's fine.

[ He makes it sound like a work arrangement — though he's glad to have it back, he's never really been one for joyrides despite... well, what he's doing right now. All work and no play, etc. ]

Still... it seems like it's in a good mood.

Trust me, I'm planning on it ASAP. [ Duo laughs lowly, casting Mika a little bit of a glance as he shakes his head at him. A bit too much like Heero in most ways, though Mika tended to be at least a little bit more up front instead of glares and stares that were supposed to teleport thoughts in to Duo's head. ]

It's not? [ An earnest question, if only because his own can propel itself both in and out of space. But then again, they'd been optimized to fight in both so it made sense for his generation of Gundams. ] Deathscythe and the others were made to fight in both about equally... though I think Heavyarms was best on Earth by far.

[ Considering it just kinda.. stood and fired bullets and that's about it. ]

I mean anyone would be after being cooped up for so long, yeah?

When we get back if you want a ride in Deathscythe I'd be happy to provide.

Fighting in both is fine. It needs a booster for traveling long distances in space, though. [ Its twin Ahab reactors would keep the thing functioning, but fuel, propellant, and even ammunition were all finite resources for a small group like Tekkadan. ] And it can't really fly on Earth.

[ Jump, cruise, hover along the ground? All good, but it was made for fighting in close quarters at high speeds, or so he got the impression of after Hashmal. ]

But yeah, I like the sound of that.

Yeah, you do need a good bit of power to keep things steady out here in space without a whole hell of a lot of effort. [ Duo laughs a little, thinking to the first time Deathscythe and himself had been captured due to the doctor's over sight of how often the Gundam would need to fight in space. They'd rectified that problem in the second iteration of Deathscythe, but Duo couldn't help but to hinge a little on how much he could've gotten done if that little detail hadn't been neglected in the beginning. ]

If we ever got the parts I could maybe fix that for you.. flying on Earth I mean. [ Though, wait a sec - ]

How would you get it back in to space once you grounded it, though?

I guess ya just wouldn't without a little help?

[ Though he's focused on the last question in short order, Mikazuki tucks away the knowledge that Duo might be able to help out with furthering Barbatos' abilities. His mechanic had recently been returned to the pods. ]

It needs a transport shuttle to go back and forth easily.

[ He has to qualify that statement, because he had entered the atmosphere without one, but it was... well. ]

.. Does it have to be a shuttle? [ Possibly a stupid question, but Duo has a thought blooming in that little braided noggin of his. Mainly involving his own favorite Gundam. ]

Askin' cause Deathscythe can take off and re-enter on it's own so I could probably help you out there if it's ever needed.

[ Duo had eventually boosted the output of his thrusters when he'd found himself unhappy with how long it took to leave atmo on his way back out in to space. So, on days off or when he simply couldn't sleep, many things were born on Deathscythe Hell.

Also hi Tekkedan Zechs Marquise... ]

Maybe not. As long as it doesn't burn up in the atmosphere too... well, it should be okay.

[ It's a meandering thought as the Gundam tears through space, white and gold and burning against the depth of emptiness. The smooth roar of the verniers is a welcome sound to him, the thumping of the machine through his body, as if he himself is the heart of this thing. ]

Unless this atmosphere is like.. twenty times Earth's then it shouldn't be a big deal at all... [ A shrug. They could always give it a shot if the need was there, and that way they knew going out ahead. The Natha had already talked to him about not entering and exiting the atmosphere too often so that they don't rouse the suspicions of those planet side, and while he appreciated their forethought...

Well, since when has he given a fuck about rules? ]

'Scythe's a tough thing anyways. Helps that the wings help to shield the body and all. Less stress on joints.

Wings, huh?

[ That sounds interesting, and he doesn't mask that much in his tone. He'll have to take a look when he gets back — it's not as though he's unused to hefty diversions in Gundam designs, given what Gusion and Flauros looked like, but he's never seen one with wings.

Well, what better for flight, right? Through an atmosphere or otherwise. Speaking of, he sees an asteroid field coming up. It's small, artificial. Honestly, it's probably the leftovers from when Sael had tried to throttle them all on their way back to the planet with the new recruits that one time.

Giving the thrusters a good kick, he veers off towards it. ]

Yeah.. they're like bat wings. You'll see when we get back I'm sure. [ Duo's going to insist on having a little joy ride like this too before he takes the Gundam earthside. There's not a chance in hell Duo is leaving the mobile suit up on Thesa for any longer than he needs to, just in case he might need it planet side sooner than later. One can never be too careful, after all.

There's a little laugh as Mika diverts to the asteroid field, knowing exactly what their up to in a moment. ]

So here's the real play time, uh?

Just to see.

[ It — it sort of sounds like a warning and an assurance all in one. Navigating those things with the neuro-ships had been a chore, but this? Well, it'll feel like a little bit of a welcome stretch.

That, and Deathscythe isn't the only Gundam with a little weird anatomy. ]

If we go... here.

[ A small pocket of space that the nav systems are already mapping. ]

It should be fine.

[ Just for a bit. ]

Listen, it's your gundam to ding up.. [ Duo teases lightly, though that spread wide grin on his face says that he trusts Mika with this fully even if he's giving him a raft of shit right now. It's all he can do, really, stand there and trust that Mika knows what the hell he's doing with his own Gundam. He'd hope he would, at least.

That would make him feel a lot better. ]

So the nav systems map it out through radar, I'm guessing? Helps you to navigate a bit easier without having to rely on your sight alone?

[ A deliberating noise rolls around the inside of his cheeks, like he's chewing it over. ]

Sort of. It's not really much the system...

[ Sure, it's there. Radar, navigation, triangulating based on what Barbatos learned from the star maps he'd uploaded from the observation room. It's the retinal projection, giving his eyes that chilly green hue. But mostly — ]

It's like this.

[ Coming up on the first cluster, Mikazuki can approach at speeds that are beyond safe, that would plaster them on that space rock in an instant. But the machine gives a low flicker of its thrusters like a body might coil before a leap. It cuts above the first asteroid with the balance and sinew of a living thing, pushing into a turn that puts it belly-down as it coasts over the rock. It rockets off again, dipping through narrow corridors, weaving through icy clouds of debris.

All the while, the cord at his back pulses with the data that's just... instinct, now. ]

[ Duo isn't the type to grill Mika about how the hell this works - he works best by watching, by anyone's measure. Howard and Heero both had marveled at his ability to tear something down and put it back together just by watching the process once. It's a bit of an idiot savant talent - he'll confess that much.

It doesn't take more than that motion to go around the asteroid belly down before Duo is muttering to himself with wonder written all over his stupidly grinning face - ]

Holy fuck. It just does it itself.. [ Well, he can give Barbatos one thing - it is more advanced that Deathscythe. ]

[ It's all of Mikazuki's years of honing himself routed through the teeth of this machine. It's his potential given shape, given sharpness and energy beyond human limits. This is just a taste of it, the way Barbatos swivels upwards, animalistic knee joints bent as it crashes down onto an asteroid, claws sinking and kicking up a spray of space dust. It coils and vaults off again, wheeling further into the tight quarters the field provides.

Luckily, concentrating on his piloting, the rakers and buttons getting a minimal workout in the process, it's easier for him to show than to tell. ]

[ It's all very.. wondrous to him. He'd spent so long in flight simulators, had spent so much time weaving in and out of asteroid fields both virtual and real to learn how best to dodge and dive through them, both in space craft and his Gundam. All of that relied on his hands and his reflexes, which had become a hellacious weapon all their own. If Heero trusted him to pilot a ship with him in it..

Well that had given his ego at least a little of a boost. ]

That's unreal.. I'd have to do all of this in maneuvering in Deathscythe. But then again I don't think the implant thing even exists in my universe so..

It's just a different skill.

[ And a different set of choices they faced growing up, from one orphan turned pilot to another. Mikazuki isn't so dense as to not recognize that. Even without the implant, he would have found a way to translate his body to the machine roaring around them right now. He gives it his all either way. ]

For us, the decision was easy.

[ Even if the implant's success rate was abysmal, leaving around half paralyzed and worse off.

Cutting the verniers, Mikazuki allows Barbatos to coast on its own momentum before something new emerges, a great rushing sound from high on the torso unit. On the cameras, a tail comes careening out from the machine, bladed tip embedding into an asteroid. Its thick, prehensile cable coils, like it has a mind of its own. It hauls it around and sends it flying to crash into another, causing an icy cloud of minerals to plume up from the impact.

Deathsycthe has its wings, Barbatos has its tail. ]

(open) with that soul to sell

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