PSL Post - Athrun Zala and Asuna Yuuki

[infinitejustice]

This post will be used for PSL threads between infinitejustice and fencerflash.

Comments

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun waits for her to finish. He had been expecting a certain amount of that kind of reaction when he was assigned to this.]

The five ruling families wanted to emphasize Orb's commitment to building a peaceful world. Chief Representative Athha felt the best way to do that would be to send a war hero in charge of the aid package.

[One of the few circumstances in which Athrun will ever refer to himself as a hero in any capacity.]

Windam Fleuret, eh? I had been told there was an ace at this base, but I wasn't necessarily expecting a custom unit.

[And it wasn't his first time seeing one, either. Briefly, the image of a different custom Windam appeared before Athrun's mind's eye before he forcibly shut it out.]

[fencerflash]

It's not a real custom unit, to be honest. They used the Jet Striker Pack, but reduced the wing span some, and added the beam sword... but it's otherwise a normal Windam.

[She's underselling herself. It's a strategy she took to doing; people liked to talk about how the Lightning Flash was just as good as a Coordinator. Proof that Naturals could match them, some of them said.]

It makes sense. What do you think of our base? I know it's... not much, to be honest.

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun doesn't comment on that. He does, however, notice what she's doing. It sounds like an ace custom to him, too.]

It still serves its purpose, especially for a base set up so long ago. The adjustment to mobile suits looks to have been made quite smoothly. And it's Okinawa, so atmosphere and morale are easy to handle.

[fencerflash]

We had to get used to it quickly, over the last two wars. I didn't fight in the first, but by the second...

[She nods. Of course, those wars were against PLANT. It's a little awkward; she clams up briefly, there, before she looks at him.]

Our biggest problem is manpower, as you can see.

[infinitejustice]

[Athrun nods. At least he knows why Asuna trailed off there.]

I expected as much. From what I recall, Chairman Durandal took a page out of Captain Sutherland's book in the assault on Heaven's Base.

[The tone of Athrun's voice does not sound at all content. He hated LOGOS as much as anybody for all of the lives they sacrificed, but sacrificing lives even further just to take them out...]

Anyway, that's why I'm here. With us around, not even the Atlantic Federation will make a move in the western Pacific.

[fencerflash]

That's a mercy. I've heard they've made noises already. Though...

[She looks down and shakes her head.]

Some people in the Republic agree with them, Admiral Zala. [Oh yes, she's using ranks. He may not be in the same army, but he does outrank her. Or would if they were.] That could be a problem. It's... complicated, by that.

[infinitejustice]

I know.

[Athrun's briefing had been thorough. In addition, he spent his entire time flying to Okinawa browsing relevant files. He had hoped that most of them would have learned their lesson from Heaven's Base, but some people are just slow learners.]

Our hope is to sway public opinion in Orb's direction. We may not be perfect, but I think that the world needs an example of a society in which Naturals and Coordinators can live in harmony with each other. And until the Atlantic Federation changes its position on Coordinators, they can't be trusted to lead -- yet again.

[fencerflash]

[She nods. It's a nice idea; she doesn't know if people will believe it, but... if anyone can show them, it's the people who stopped two of these wars.]

I agree with that. Hopefully we'll show them. Of course... we have to start small, I suppose.

[She looks up at her Windam.]

Where do we start?

[infinitejustice]

[That gets a look from Athrun. With the purpose or the machine?]

Start on what? Because I can see two things.

[fencerflash]

Getting our military forces up to shape. The rest... well, that's what it takes, right? Showing that Orb is here to help.

[infinitejustice]

Ah, yes. Then I'd say that, for the first step, how about you give me your name? You have mine, but you have yet to introduce yourself to me.

[fencerflash]

Ah--ah, sorry!

[She looks embarrassed and laughs. She's not always a serious girl, it seems.]

Lieutenant Commander Asuna Yuuki, at your service.

[infinitejustice]

No problem. And it's nice to meet you, Asuna. It's good to see a pilot who wants to talk about these sorts of things -- most of the others here have been too intimidated by me to talk for long.

[fencerflash]

Well... you are famous. I can't say I blame them.

[infinitejustice]

Sure, but it's not the best for getting anything done. That sort of thing is always more trouble than it's worth.

[He's remembering his time spent aboard the Minerva now.

[fencerflash]

We haven't seen many of the really famous aces out here. I think that's a lot of it.

[infinitejustice]

That would make sense. I still hope it'll clear up quickly, though. Like I said, it doesn't help when it comes to getting things done.

[fencerflash]

I can imagine.

[There's a small smile there, before she nods.]

What else would you change?

[infinitejustice]

I'm hoping we can provide more opportunities for Naturals and Coordinators to work alongside one another. We need to show both sides that the opposite side is just as human as they are, and interaction is the best way we have of doing that.

[fencerflash]

[A thoughtful look crosses Asuna's face, while she looks up at the Windam Fleuret. She nods, then, and looks sideways at him.]

I'll do the best I can to help there, Admiral. I'd... like to see people change their minds.

[Even if part of her reputation is built on being a Natural who was an ace pilot.]

[infinitejustice]

Thank you. I appreciate it. That goal is something which will require all of the help we can get. Changing people's minds may take time, but it's still worth it if it takes fifty years or five years to do.

[fencerflash]

I can't argue with that. [She pauses.] Though I'd much prefer five.

[infinitejustice]

Same here. Hopefully the fact that we've had two wars since the decade began will make people more receptive to change.

[fencerflash]

Mm. Yes. It's what I'd like to see, too. [She looks down from her robot and back at Athrun, then.] Where do we start here? Training exercises?

[infinitejustice]

The first thing I'd like to do is see the pilots here in action. Some drills, maybe a mock battle or two.