[IC] Neon Exodus Evangelion Act 1 - Promised Land

[Twinwolf]

Satomi rubbed the back of her head a bit awkwardly. "...A bit important, I guess." Satomi wasn't generally the one to bring such a thing up, not really liking the attention. "He was in the pod right next to mine, but he'd already gone to get his checkup when I looked."

Edited August 24, 2017 by Twinwolf

[rustytengo]

Beverly smirked a bit when Kyou turned away she was about to say something but stopped when the girl Satomi mentioned her father the named sounded very familiar. She thought for a bit trying to get her brain to work fully (she was really hating the grogginess from the sleep) after a few moments it clicked in to place and she let out an "Ah" before speaking up again "Ah....that's right your the princess, almost didn't recognize you without your glasses. Your father is the science director. I'm surprised he would have his daughter running around with us commoners." she said with a bemused look on her face.

Edited August 24, 2017 by rustytengo

[Chevaleresse]

Kyou tilted her head in confusion at Ranga's response, but decided not to question it. Hey, we're going to the doctor right now, right? "Science director? That's more than a bit important, honestly. I guess that makes you kinda like a celebrity." She shrugged. "As long as this doesn't end up like one of those messed-up scifi things, where he turns us all into robots or something." She grinned at her own joke, and elbowed Satomi a bit. 

[Twinwolf]

Satomi gave Beverly this look, and then turned back to Kyou. She gave a nervous smile and did that adjusting-glasses thing again that would probably work better with glasses. "Heh... I wouldn't really call myself a 'princess' or a 'celebrity' really. That implies I've done something. And I'm sure he's not a mad scientist. I only heard him laugh maniacally that one time, and it was more a crazy giggle really." She's pretty clearly joking there. 

[Notus]

 "Hey kids, I´m sorry to interrupt but it´s your turn." 

 The line had moved, unnoticed to them, and now the kids were the first ones in the office´s door. They were hurriedly sent in to make a battery of exams, from the basics (blood samples, reflexes, memory tests) to some much more complex ones involving x-ray scans and other strange machines they didn´t know. It took quite some time, and thankfully there seemed to be no shortage of medical personnel aboard the ark.

 After finishing everything, each of them received a piece of paper proving they passed the exams, their regular clothes and some of their personal items in a bag, and a communicator (much like a cellphone of old) for them to contact their parents - who should by now be outside the ark , settling down in one of the provisional homes that were set in the surroundings by the construction crew after the landing, they were informed. After those procedure, the kids were free to go.

 But not all of them. Beverly, Satomi and Ranga were separated from the others at some point, directed to another office and politely asked to wait a bit. The room was much more confortable, with a big couch facing a work desk and virtual paintings of Earth landscapes from before the Impacts decorating the walls like windows. They weren´t told what they were waiting for, but it wasn´t for long.
 

Spoiler

 

 The door opened again and a tall, dark haired woman wearing a doctor´s coat entered. "Oh, hello." she said with a calm smile while leaning on the table to face the girls "Sorry to keep you waiting. I´m Dr. Alma Neummann, Head of NERV´s Medical Department. Pleased to meet you!" she had a really jovial tone to her voice, which combined with her gentle blue eyes gave off a sense of security. "I know due to the circumstances you might be worried but I assure you that there´s nothing wrong with your health, so you can relax. May I ask your names?"
    

[Twinwolf]

Satomi had been relieved that she'd gotten through the tests with all being well, and even more so when they returned her glasses - she could properly see, at least. Getting out of the jumpsuit and into normal clothes felt nice too - her clothes were nothing particularly fancy, and in fact a bit casual. A clean white button-shirt and a blue skirt, black leggings, and sneakers. She'd slipped on her hoodie too - she was just a bit chilly still, but the doctor had said that was normal, considering how they'd been practically ice cubes. She'd been about to call her dad - he wouldn't be too busy to hear that she was alright, probably - when other staff ushered her and a couple others into an office. What was it? Had something happened...? She sat down, her leg bouncing and occasionally adjusting her glasses (oh god it felt better to have those again), as she waited for something to happen in quiet. 

 

Satomi had nearly stood as the woman entered, but relaxed as the doctor's tone implied a bit less serious of a matter. She took a deep breath as the doctor informed them they were fine. "Good to meet you, Doctor Neummann." she says, shoving the nerves out of her voice. "Satomi Hashimoto. ...Why was it that you called us here, if I can ask?"

[rustytengo]

Beverly's mood improved slightly once she was back in her regular clothes. Though they didn't help with the chill much. she looked slightly disgusted when she was handed the communicator though that was changed to confusion when she was told to go a different office. the office was nice though it reminded her of all the psychologist offices she had been in or maybe the school consular. Though she did what she always did in those and sat at one of the ends of couch and leaned on the arm with her legs crossed.

 

it didn't take to long for the doctor to show up after that. after she introduce herself as Alma Neummann and Satomi spoke up(she must really like her glasses) Beverly replied next "I don't know why you asking us our names you should have them or we wouldn't be her. "She said with a scoff. "Oh are you the one i should complain to about letting rats crawl amongst us after we just got unfrozen?" She finished before playing with her nails she was surprised, she though they would have grown longer then they have.

Edited August 25, 2017 by rustytengo

[Bfroger6]

Ranga grabbed the clothes and the communicator somberly, its purpose only accentuating the memories she didn't want to have bothering her. Changing into a light green and white summer dress that dropped to her knees and short boots, she followed the others in confusion as they were separated from Kyou and Ahmed.

 

She didn't know what was happening so she nervously fidgeted in place, only sitting down as the others did and more so out of social obligation than anything else, as she didn't feel like imposing on anyone, not even the couch itself. The girl listened to the woman orderly before nodding. "Ranga Durian. A-and uhm..." She glanced at Beverly, putting a finger to her chin. "T-there were no rats..." Unsure if this comment was going to anger the older girl, she pulled her head back in expectations of it.

[Yours Truly]

Ahmed had quickly changed out of the increasingly uncomfortable jump suit he had been wearing this whole time, and he put on a white collared shirt and white long pants just as quickly.

 

Afterwards he would be found just outside of the office with his communicator held to his right ear, and he seemed to be singing something in Arabic to it while he waited for his father to pick it up.

[Chevaleresse]

Kyou drifted about a bit after the appointment. She'd been a bit worried that she'd have some weird space sickness syndrome, and she was still watching for allergies and such. She'd been warned about that, though she was also told it wasn't much to be worried about. Either way. The others had been dragged off to go who knows where, and the crows were starting to get to be a bit much; plus, she didn't particularly want to go outside quite yet. Though. . . She spied Ahmed near the office, and shortly thereafter hatched a small plan of her own. She sidled up to him, and waved at him in order to get his attention. "Got a second or three?"

[Notus]

Dr. Neummann´s Office

"I don't know why you´re asking us our names. You should have them or we wouldn't be here. "
Alma smiled softly at Beverly. "You´re such a smart girl, miss Beverly! Yes indeed, I do have them. But that´s no reason to forget common courtesy now, is it? Also I do assure you the ark is perfectly sterelized, but if you say you´ve found a rat I can order a complete check on the ship... Though that would be an unfortunate delay in our activities."

 The woman paused a bit before continuing. "So, as for the reason I called you three here. It´s about a project of mine... Besides being the Medicine Director, I´m also a psychologist and in charge of the general mental health of the colony. That´s a role that I asked for myself, because I believe the greatest threats to mankind lie right here in our heads, always close. Our demons, fears and lack of confidence. I want to see our species come back from the hell brought by the Third Impact strong and, more importantly, wise and happy."

 She got hold of the chair and pulled it closer to the couch, sitting and looking at the girls from the same level. "I asked for you because you all lack one important piece of what makes a human being feel complete and happy: family. Beverly and Ranga lost both parents and you, Satomi lost your mother; all of you know the emptiness that something like that leaves within us. I want to help in anyway I can, more specifically: I´d like to find foster families to you, and offer some psychological support myself. Satomi wouldn´t need the former, but you´re welcome for the latter anyway. What do you think?" 

[Yours Truly]

Ahmed had started to slouch against the wall as he waited for his father to pick up, and anyone who understood Arabic might wonder why he was saying 'Oh just pick up for once Ahmed' over and over again.

 

He was very surprised to hear Kyou speak next to him and he almost dropped the communicator he was carrying. Despite this he still tried to compose himself a bit by turning to face the man and saying "Sure, what do you need me to do?".

[Chevaleresse]

"Well, I don't actually need anything from you, but I was wondering if you wanted to come with me for a bit? I saw the general direction that they took the others, and, I don't know." Kyou shrugged. "I got curious. I bet I can find a route through the maintenance tunnels that takes us close enough that we'd be able to hear their voices through the walls. They can't be all that far away, and there's an entrance right here." Kyou reached up toward a panel - the same panel they had, well, crashed out of previously. They dug fingers into a hidden recess, and pulled; a brief shriek of still somewhat poorly-lubricated hinges, and there was room to squeeze up into the tunnel hidden behind it. Squeezing that was already happening as Kyou climbed in, pushing the hatch a bit further out. "Well? Coming or not?"

[Yours Truly]

Ahmed smiled confidently before he walked up to the maintenance hatch and proudly said "Well a knight wouldn't turn down a chance for adventure wouldn't he?". He then gestured at Kyou to lead the way before redundantly saying "So lead the way Sir Kyou!".

[Chevaleresse]

"Alright, just hang close to me. If I duck, duck, 'cause there's some places where machines run through and it'd be bad to get caught in one. Moazeb bash." The tunnels themselves largely resembled darker, somewhat greasier, and more cramped versions of the normal hallways, with the occasional tool left unattended or patch of exposed wiring. Pipes also frequently ran along or across them, coded with a variety of colors. "I wanna say that to get that way. . . " she said, pointing vaguely in the direction she'd seen the trio escorted in, ". . . we have to circle around a ways and cut through a bigger room where they store some of the heavier equipment. There shouldn't be anyone in here, but if there is, just pretend to be lost. Worst that'll happen is they drag you outside." Kyou didn't seem to note that Ahmed would, in fact, be very lost. "Ba man bia." She headed down a tunnel in what seemed to be the exact opposite direction of the way she'd pointed, waving Ahmed along.

[Yours Truly]

Ahmed nodded along to everything that Kyou told him, and he made damn sure that he was focused on following his movements whenever humanly possible. After a while he decided to pass the time by asking Kyou some simple questions.

"So what does Ba man bia mean anyway? And how long have you been doing this sort of thing?".

[Chevaleresse]

"It's Farsi. Means 'come with me.' And, I've been doing this pretty much since I could walk. Mom and Dad kept an eye on me at first, but I wasn't a stupid kid, so they let me roam around for the most part. Did get into trouble a couple times, though, wandered into places they didn't want me to be. . ." Kyou lapsed into silence for a moment, the relative darkness of the corridor covering the slightly panicked expression that flitted over her face. Wasn't supposed to mention that at all. . . ! "Uh, here, we've gotta climb this ladder and then drop down." Kyou vaulted up it with eminent familiarity, past a few sets of yellow striping stained black in places with grease, with VORSICHT and SPERRGEBIET written alternately on the legible portions - CAUTION, RESTRICTED AREA. "Kema dewretr berw. A little farther."

[rustytengo]

Beverly seemed board as the shrink talked about happiness and sunshine and daisies or whatever they were talking about though at the mention of her parents she gripped the arm of the couch tightly with one of her hand. She then locked her eyes with the Doctor's giving her a look of hate. Has the Doctor continued to talk the other's could see her hand gripping the arm tighter to the point of her knuckles becoming white. Once the Doctor finished her speech Beverly spoke "You talk about common courtesy yet you go and blab about our private stuff. i guess patient confidentiality got lost in the hundred or so years I've been a ice cube. Besides where do you get off saying someone isn't happy with out a family? I've been perfectly fine on my own since my parents died." she said a bit louder then usually and with venom in her words.

Edited August 25, 2017 by rustytengo

[Notus]

Dr. Neummann´s Office
"Besides where do you get off saying someone isn't happy with out a family?"

"Personal experience. I lost mine as well when I was around your age." Alma replied. "You may be doing fine, but the care and love a family can provide you really make a difference..."
The doctor leaned back on her chair, assuming a more formal posture. "I can´t force you to accept that, of course, but it´s either this or the command will take custody over you until you´ve reached adulthood. I´m sure they´ll take good care of you, but they´re military after all so... Not the best in the loving part. If you decide to give it a try with a foster family and don´t like it, you can drop the program anytime. It´s all your choice, Beverly." 

[Twinwolf]

Satomi blinked as Alma explained why she'd called them. A nice goal, very admirable - seeing humanity come back from this was what they all wanted, wasn't it? She'd not known much about the others, but enough to have an inkling where it was going. Still, she was quiet as she listened to Alma recount their losses.

 

...It had certainly hurt. She was 7 at the time - she was a smart kid, and understood what had happened to some degree. But she'd so, so wished that she hadn't. Father hadn't been much help after that either. Or since. Again, adjusting her glasses. She considered her words carefully. "...I like to think I feel fine, Doctor. That said, I don't think I'd have a problem coming to talk if an issue comes up." ...Well, Beverly wasn't entirely wrong about the patient confidentiality thing. Satomi didn't mean to bring up any issues she may or may not have when there were people right here. Still, probably best not to start off the new world burning bridges - which was apparently an opinion at least one of the girls here did not share. 

[Yours Truly]

4 hours ago, King Murdoc said:

"It's Farsi. Means 'come with me.' And, I've been doing this pretty much since I could walk. Mom and Dad kept an eye on me at first, but I wasn't a stupid kid, so they let me roam around for the most part. Did get into trouble a couple times, though, wandered into places they didn't want me to be. . ." Kyou lapsed into silence for a moment, the relative darkness of the corridor covering the slightly panicked expression that flitted over her face. Wasn't supposed to mention that at all. . . ! "Uh, here, we've gotta climb this ladder and then drop down." Kyou vaulted up it with eminent familiarity, past a few sets of yellow striping stained black in places with grease, with VORSICHT and SPERRGEBIET written alternately on the legible portions - CAUTION, RESTRICTED AREA. "Kema dewretr berw. A little farther."

Ahmed slowly and carefully climbed up  the ladder after Kyou, and he made a mental note to try and get some more rest and exercise later after he almost lost his grip.

"Hah! An adventurous soul is a very good thing to have Sir Kyou, even if it can get yourself into trouble sometimes".

[Chevaleresse]

Kyou frowned. Was this the right spot, or had she gotten turned around. . . ? "Thanks." Going straight forward from this point would have ran them right into a wall, so Kyou led Ahmed to the left; after a short distance, a stepladder leading a foot or two downwards presented itself. Kyou simply jumped downward, skipping the ladder entirely and landing with a slight thump, then turned to face the bulkhead; there was a panel outlined in red, with a rotating lever latch in the same color. "I think this is the spot. . ." The uncertainty was palpable in Crash's voice - after all, she couldn't hear the voices of the others. That could just be a difference in the thickness of the walls, however. "If we just pop open this panel, we should be able to peek downward and check where we're at."

[rustytengo]

Beverly leans back in the couch with a "humph" as she let her grip loosen as a sign of defeat she definitely wouldn't want to be under the military's custody. "Fine." she says well folding he arms across her chest indicating that the shrink should continue still looking annoyed about the situation.

[Bfroger6]

As soon as the doctor started talking, Ranga could see what was brewing behind her words. First Kyou mentioned her brother and now the doctor mentioned her whole family. Ranga couldn't help but look down. She'd been looking down more than anything else after waking up and she didn't like it, but also couldn't look at any of their faces for more than a couple seconds at a time for some reason.

The younger girl flinched when Beverly started shouting. She looked up at the girl not in confusion, but in understanding. To an extent, of course. As much as she understood where Beverly was coming from, Ranga didn't approve of such behaviour. She was meek by nature and polite by upbringing. Mustering up what courage she had, she looked at the doctor.

"I'd like to be a part of your program." Ranga replied. "I-if it'll help your study..."

[Yours Truly]

11 hours ago, King Murdoc said:

Kyou frowned. Was this the right spot, or had she gotten turned around. . . ? "Thanks." Going straight forward from this point would have ran them right into a wall, so Kyou led Ahmed to the left; after a short distance, a stepladder leading a foot or two downwards presented itself. Kyou simply jumped downward, skipping the ladder entirely and landing with a slight thump, then turned to face the bulkhead; there was a panel outlined in red, with a rotating lever latch in the same color. "I think this is the spot. . ." The uncertainty was palpable in Crash's voice - after all, she couldn't hear the voices of the others. That could just be a difference in the thickness of the walls, however. "If we just pop open this panel, we should be able to peek downward and check where we're at."

Ahmed was starting to get into the spirit of things when he slid down the step ladder, and he stared long and hard at the panel that Kyou had suggested that they open. He shrugged his shoulders before he immediately tried to open it while quietly saying "Well, here goes...".