Day 56: Bus 1

[scintillatingly]

Claire (the second) had turned out to be a nice and interesting person. Sora wished that he'd had some more time to chat with her, but the failing light and the urging from the staff had made it clear before long that their trip was coming to an end, meaning that he'd had to rush to make his purchases. That was how Sora ended up walking back to the

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[hasnomeaning]

Of the stricter checks, Rei had no qualms. There were worse things to endure, after all--this, in and of itself, was relatively close to nothing. She had nothing on her, bought or stolen, and as she did exactly what was told, it went by quick. She was pointed to the first bus, and she stepped onto it without anything else.

Ikari seemed like himself, as vague a thought as that was. If there was trauma, it wasn't something that she could saw, and if anything, he seemed... Okay. Able to move. And that was something to be glad for. She still had pieces and things to place together, but of that, she was fine. There were still many issues with the individuals she knew, of the pilots and otherwise, but she could make no moves until they were back. She slid into a seat, eyes slanting towards the window. She missed... watching the sky.

[Aigis]

[no_dont_go]

Aigis' mind was still full of conflict from her discussion with Aidou when she reached the bus loading area. She hardly noticed the clinical pat down or the confiscation of her parcel, and merely walked onto the bus in a state of intense confusion.

Her hand reached up to touch the bandage on her neck. The attack from last night had been refreshed in her mind and now she could think of nothing else.

Something in her subconscious must have sought out a comforting presence, for Aigis was almost completely unconscious of whom she sat next to, only that she had chosen a seat to share with another. She leaned back and closed her eyes. What was she going to do about that young man?

[hasnomeaning]

The presence of another next to her was quite like the morning, and she did nothing to question it. She did look over, however, and noted the familiarity of the individual. And the strange differences of self. This one was a bit more outgoing. A bit less willing to neglect others in greeting. Something had shifted, and Rei found herself wondering if that happened often here. Too often to speak of.

And then she noticed something similar. A bandage placed in the same place and area hers had been. After something had happened for Rei to move and react differently. Had the same--

"Aigis," she said quietly to get the girl's attention. "What happened?"

[no_dont_go]

"Ayanami-san." Aigis blinked over at the other girl. The question posed to her was relatively straightforward, and less cryptic, than her usual fare. It was almost as disconcerting as meeting Aidou the shift before had been, but Aigis appreciated her friend's concern.

She tried to smile, though the attempt was weak. "I met someone that distressed me. Someone..." She touched the bandage on her neck again, eyes losing focus. "Someone dangerous."

She almost did not want to tell Rei about the young man she had met. He was her problem, and yet she felt ignoring the issue completely might cause more trouble than she could handle. As long as she confided in Rei the perhaps no one else would be drawn in who would take action, like Minato or Heat would have.

[hasnomeaning]

Alone, the explanation was unwanted and a bit unnerving. There was something off about the interaction, a lack of something Ayanami had become used to in the short amount of time. Alone, that would have concerned her.

But it was not alone. With the words, came a movement, as Rei herself had done. A touch to a bandage in rembrance, a slightly unfocused gaze. She was sure. What had Sakura said? A patient to prey on others. Ayanami had not thought the action would repeat to people that she knew.

"...Yes," she finally said, after watching the other for a moment. "Someone at night. An action that resulted in a loss of blood." She kept her gaze on Aigis, expression calm. The girl had shown up after that had happened to Rei. It shouldn't take much... for the other to put it together.

[no_dont_go]

Aigis looked up at her friend, alarmed. Rei knew. And more than that, she seemed to have intimate information on the attack. That meant that either Rei herself had seen the attack on Aigis and done nothing, or...

And then the memory returned to her. Their first meeting. Rei leaning against the wall. Blood on her neck, an odd place for a human to bleed. Weakened and alone.

"Ayanami-san, this--" Aigis stopped herself, then lowered her voice, softening it. "This is a delicate subject. I was informed not to speak on the matter." Threatened, more like, but Aigis felt not need to fear the threat herself. She hunched down a bit in their seat, leaning closer in order to hide their words even more from the rest of the patient body. "We must be cautious."

[hasnomeaning]

Yes. That had been what had happened. This was now something known entirely. The same exact instance, although.... Not in its entirety. Aigis spoke as if she had spoke or met the person in question. She had 'met someone dangerous' and was 'informed not to speak on it'. That spoke more that Aigis had been conscious. Perhaps unlike Rei she had not wholly succumbed, the part of the other girl that was technological giving an advantage? She couldn't know. That was not the issue.

Whether or not Aigis had been informed not to speak of it was of little concern. Why hold a vow to one who had harmed you? Dangerous, was perhaps the clue in that, and so Rei only nodded her understanding, waiting for the other to continue.

[no_dont_go]

How much information should she give out? She desperately didn't want Rei to be subject to more injury because of her indiscretion, but part of her wished to spill it all. Her caution for her friend's safety would win out, no doubt, but it didn't mean a little rebellion couldn't rise up within her. She was allowed to choose her own path. Her friends had given her that will. Another could not take that away.

"I am not at liberty to give you a name," she said, continuing to keep her voice low. "However, I will say that it is indeed another patient that has been conducting these attacks. I do not know if I can manage it, but I plan to negotiate with him on the matter in time."

She paused, and looked ahead at the seat in front of them. "I am fairly certain he will not be agreeable."

[hasnomeaning]

All of this was known already. 'Male' was not confirmed, but memory dictated the body behind her had been male despite no visual analysis. Another patient was already determined. And Aigis said she was not at liberty. Choice or she did not know

sorry for late, aison ;;

[no_dont_go]

"I was incapacitated for a while, but his blow was too shallow and I recovered." Aigis took a deep breath, fighting back at the panic that started to build at the thought of that time. It was such a horrific moment for her. Losing power was always unnerving, but in this body she couldn't guarantee a tune-up would be all she needed to recover.

She bit her lip. Should she say anything more? It would be breaking from what she had said to Aidou, that she had no intention of telling anyone else. But what choice did she have? As long as she had one ally... but it was dangerous. For Rei. Her words came out in a pained hiss. "I am not at liberty to go into detail. It is much too dangerous."

She looked to her friend, her eyes swollen in worry. "Please understand. I am... frightened. And very little frightens me."

<3

[hasnomeaning]

Deeper breaths. Biting her lip. Widened eyes. All things spoke of what Aigis said and fortified her claim. The other was fearful. Or worried. Aigis did not know what would happen next. That was far too certain. In any other subject, for any other thing, Ayanami would have accepted that. She was not one to press others. Their concerns were not her own, and her existence had no import on their lives. This was something constant.

There existed a discrepancy in this scenario. For she had been violated as much as the other--and had reason to want understanding. She lacked all information, and-- "You'll choose what is best for you," she said quietly, staring at Aigis. "But do not take action alone."

There was a moment, and then the neutrality wavered marginally, Rei glancing away and back, something unchecked in her eyes. "And if there is anything that you can share, I would ask it. There is nothing in this that I understand." She seemed to have no more to say, then continued abruptly. "...Being powerless is not something that I can

<333

[no_dont_go]

Aigis waited a moment, then nodded. "I understand. I will be careful