Seventy-First Launch

[shieldofjustice]

[Action; Goldenrod City]

[Athrun is lying on his bed, hands behind his head and looking up at the ceiling. He's lost in thought. Over this past month, he's lost a lot of people that he's known here. Miki, Mitsuru, Sheryl, Shinn...there's been a lot of people disappearing, and these disappearances have had some effect on Athrun. He keeps thinking

Comments

[eliciadaddy]

It's nice, isn't it, to have friends like that!

[ He pauses to think over your question. ]

I can't say there are a whole lot of similarities between my friends, but they definitely do all compliment me! [ A laugh ] Maybe I just lack a lot of things~

[shieldofjustice]

It's certainly a refreshing change of pace.

Well, nobody's perfect. I've noticed the same thing with myself and my friends.

[eliciadaddy]

No, not at all. So it's even better to have friends who'll fill in where you may be lacking!

I'm not so good at cooking, for example, but my wife...! She makes the most delicious food.

[shieldofjustice]

She does, huh? I know good food, but I imagine it must be nicer to have someone you love make it.

[eliciadaddy]

Yes! It's made with all of her love. If she's ever here, I'll definitely invite you to try some!

[ Oh, right, introductions ]

I'm Maes Hughes, by the way.

[shieldofjustice]

I'd be more than up for that. It's hard to find good home-cooked food around here.

Athrun Zala. It's nice to meet you.

[eliciadaddy]

You said it! [ He laughs ] Being here has reminded me of how little I know about cooking.

Ah, but Gracia's cooking~ it was so delicious...

[shieldofjustice]

...Well, that's motivation to get home, right?

[He tries channeling that down a constructive path.]

[eliciadaddy]

[ Sorry... not likely it'll get very constructive... ]

Yes~ I have a little daughter waiting for me at home too! She's quite adorable!

[shieldofjustice]

Oh, really? So you've got a lot of incentive to get moving, huh?

[eliciadaddy]

[ nod, nod ]

Do you? Family you're eager to get back to~? Girlfriend, even?

[shieldofjustice]

[He averts his gaze at that. While he used to have a girlfriend, he doesn't now.]

...I'm afraid I can't say either. For me, it's about my friends and my duty.

[eliciadaddy]

[ What is it with the people here and being bond to duty? That's nice and all, but... wouldn't love be nicer?

Even still, Maes has noticed the averted gaze. He pauses for a second, before smiling. ]

Well, you could always meet someone wonderful here, hmm?

[shieldofjustice]

...Maybe. Maybe not.

[That was a little curt, even for Athrun.

There is a good reason for that.]

[eliciadaddy]

[ Thankfully, he knows when to stop pushing. ]

Either way, from the sounds of it, you've already got a pretty solid friend base. That's more than what most people could say for themselves.

[shieldofjustice]

...Yeah, I do, and I know it well enough to appreciate them. Both at home and here. I don't know where I'd be without them.