daisy023 | REPORT 003 :: HOMECOMING // VOICE // ENCRYPTED 20% // BACKDATED TO SUNDAY EVENING

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REPORT 003 :: HOMECOMING // VOICE // ENCRYPTED 20% // BACKDATED TO SUNDAY EVENING

This is SPARTAN-023...[Click, click, click, click.] logging an event in the journal on Jannuary 30, 2531. MJOLNIR helmet inoperative. Temporary measure-- [Click-click!] until UNSC logging equipment is repaired.

I've been hit by an experiment of the Malnosso. Current effects are reduced height, speed, reflexes... [A groan accompanies the fall of something heavy into a table.] strength. Even physical conditioning is gone. Conservation of race, memories, training, gender, and some mental prowess. [Metallic munitions of many kinds are scrambled in a box.] At least I won't have to crouch to not hit the doors.

[She continues to walk through the room with rushed steps, and quickly creaks a door open.]

Lucky I hadn't set myself up in the MJOLNIR, otherwise--

[Her words and steps end abruptly. The hinges continue to screech until they lose momentum.

There is a silence in the apartment that lasts a minute.]

Mom.

[The woman remains in silence until the journal ceases recording.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

((Mama Val, requesting permission to hack o7))

((Oh yeah!))

Oh? And weren't you saying that it passed you over?

So, what is it?

[There is a gasp on the other end of the room. There are steps and a quick read.]

This is restricted information, Ms. Valvalis.

[It is not spoken as a threat. She sounds somewhat nervious as she says it.]

It happened just now. It's... [Someone she missed ever since she had been called to serve. Someone she loved more than anything.] someone I knew.

Restricted? Oh no! I didn't meant to invade! It just... happened.

[[She waits a bit after the hesitant explanation, not sure how to approach it delicately.]]

Someone you knew hmm? Must be someone close Are you alright? It's not... awkward, is it? Kirimi became her older brother so you can surely imagine how strange that is~

[Sigh.] It's the lowest classification level within the UNSC. At most you'd get a slap on the wrist.

I don't like being powerless. With powered wizards going insane, [She loads a clip into a rifle.], I need to be prepared.

But for who I am right now, It's strange... but comforting.

Are you going to slap me on the wrist~ [[TEASE!]]

Would you like somewhere safer to stay? With us?

[DAMN IT ~~DONUT~~ VAL, YOU CAN RUIN ANYTHING.

Daisy keeps silent for a moment.]

That won't be necessary. [This is spoken softly, answering both questions.] I still have my training, and my apartment is well-placed.

...

But thank you.

You're welcome. And if you ever change your mind, I'm always here. I have to look out for my students, after all.

[A brief moment of silence over the comms.]

If you chose to go, I'm on the fifth Community Housing, seventh floor, thirty-fourth room.

...

I have a lot to think about, anyway.

I see~

[[Only because you told her, will Val actually come by. It's after a while there's a knock on the door. It's Nel-Val~]]

[SPARTAN-023 readies her pistol and runs towards the side door. She had given her position to Valvalis, only because she was one of the few she trusted enough in this strange world. Even then, could've been someone else.

She positions herself by the side of the hinges, opens the door with her right hand, her pistol at the ready in her left... and sees the form she had seen Valvalis with earlier in the week. Her pistol drops into forty five degrees.

Valvalis will see a woman in her thirties, barely six feet tall, with long hair, and a long cyan dress. She lacks the steely expression of the Spartan. It's as if Daisy had never become a super-soldier, and instead had chosen to be a mother.]

[[Val was bubbly, but not dumb. When the four only opened partially, she called out first.]] Daisy, its me. [[A kind voice as always. She paused a little longer before slipping into the apartment and closing the door. Next time, she'd be coming by window.

Val kept to herself this time, the gun an obvious sigh Daisy was uncomfortable.]] You look... wonderful to be honest. [[She was trying to make the best of her predicament. Who knows if she could thought.]]

A sister?

[Daisy puts the lock back on the weapon, and holsters it. Valvalis was a recent friend... And she was right. The Spartan was tense. Torn between losing her powers... and seeing her mother again.

She smiles nerviously, but more to comfort Valvalis, not to worry her. Daisy thought the same. That woman was beautiful. Amidst all nightmares she had about the deaths of loved ones, and the malformation of others from the SPARTAN-II Project, her face always calmed her, and made her feel safe. More than weaponry, more than a fleet of destroyers above them, even more than the MJOLNIR.]

Family. [She speaks softly. She wanted to avoid the question. Not only was it a personal question, but classified information.] I haven't seen her in a long time. I don't know what to think.

Hmm... well... I suppose being in their body wouldn't be at all like actually seeing them again. But whomever this is, you must certainly miss them, despite all you've went through.

[[Val wanders a little thinking.]] I've been meaning to do this myself... Well, before that... Hmm, how should I put this... Do you want to remember this person?

[Upon a lot of thought, the mature woman walks towards one of the couches, ignoring for a moment the munitions and the rifle that had been at the ready. She shifts her dress to sit. And remains silent for a minute.]

I miss her. [Daisy mentions with a whisper.] I don't want to forget her. It's painful, but I don't.

[It's part of her being. What remained of her prior to her conscription. Along with the teddy bear that hung in her armor, the evidence she had that she was human, and that she had a life before having been called to serve.]

Well then, I'll go on with what I was going to stay. [[Val struts over a little, and kneels, rather than bending forward and being all... "hello boobs" about Nel's body.]]

Get a picture of yourself. Something pleasant, that way you'll always have the picture of her. I've been meaning to get one of myself, Kirimi, and Nel, so... whenever we do part, we'll always have proof our time together.

[[Val take a pause.]] I have to admit, I love the hair though~

[Daisy looks at Valvalis for a long time, her fearful expression softening, understanding what she meant. She only had the memory of her mom until now... and after this, she doesn't know if she'll ever get the chance to see her again.

She blushes, caressing her long hair. Kuudere mode go.]

I prefer short hair. It's more practical.

[The woman looks at her journal, then at her massive hulk of armor, and the broken helmet by its' side. The idea is rather tempting to her.]

The camera of the helmet isn't probably working... but the journal could work for it. I don't know if it'd get the same quality.

Is it? [[Val snickers, flicking Nel's long green hair back.]] I suppose if you don't have hair like mine, it may be. But you can also be beautiful and elegant on the battlefield you know. [[Constant. Teasing.

Constant.

But that's because she cares. She wouldn't pick on people if she didn't care. Especially since she's learned of this monogamy thing, and can't go flirting with every pretty face she sees.

Val extends a hand, smiling.]] I know someone with a camera. If we're quick about it, nobody will see you like this. Though, I'm sure nobody will recognize you either. After all, I'm the only one that knows, aren't I? [[Val looks to the window and... hesitates.]]

That's right... this isn't my body. I can't fly.

[Daisy is still getting used to Val's flirts and invasion of personal space. But she comes to wonder if she won't get accustomed too fast for it.

She answers in a deadpan manner, but with a hint of a smile.]

You don't have to stuff hair inside a helmet.

[...OKAY. Cal-141 does, but Daisy always suspected her helmet was adapted to have a hammerspace carefully designed inside her helmet by ONI R&D branches.

The woman looks at Valvalis. Then stands up with her dress to close the windows and put the curtains on, pushes the most blatant boxes of munitions where she could most quickly hide them (albeit hilariously not too used to have so little strength), readying a pistol, and then picking the ket to her apartment.

...She doesn't know whenever if to be comforted or scared that she just realized that she couldn't fly.]

...Then we walk?

Unfortunately. It's not something I actually do often. Floating along is so much easier.

[[Val wanted to speak up about the gun. She knew it wasn't necessary, but she was learning that Daisy simply had her habits that would take time to break. Val could only provide so much comfort to the woman; guns and the like seemed to do much more for her confidence. And being told repeatedly that this place was strange to her.]]

Well, I don't think anyone will really stop and ask who you are. We should be okay in that right, but, the faster we are, the better off you are, I suppose. [[Val waits by the door, ready to go on a nice little field trip.]]

I like my feet on the ground. [That's just Spartan paranoia. It doesn't apply only to flying elementals. ~~They ain't getting on no planes, foo.~~]

That's true. We'll do that.

[As for the gun... It's putting it lightly. SPARTAN-023 had been trained to be on the defensive for over half her lifetime.

And without the armor and the augmentations, she felt naked.

...Either way, she follows Valvalis, standing behind her.]

[[They're actually heading into someone else's place... A friend's she knws she can get into. And she knows the girl has a camera as well.]]

Mmmh, now... how did this thing work again... [[Oh Polaroids... classic little things.]] This one, ri- [[And it flashes, with some awkward angle aimed at Daisy's feet...]]

Oh! I suppose that's it then?

[The woman blinks and covers her eyes upon seeing the flash. But notes the photograph coming out darkened... To then reveal a pair of feet in cyan shoes beneath a dress.]

I don't think it's how it works, Valvalis.

[She picks the contraption up in curiosity, eyeing the lens, buttons, and markings.]

I think I've seen this in museums... It was before the rise of the digital photograph, when these things still used flash for quality.

[The grown woman turns it around, puts her eye in the slit on the back, directs it to Valvalis' form, and tries again. After a flash, another darkened picture comes out.]

I've only seen it used once. I'm not entirely sure mys- [[And there goes the flash from Daisy. The blackened photo turns into a photo of mostly Val, it cuts off her calves a bit, but the shot was far better than Valvalis's photo.]]

Well... I did have it right after all! Hopefully we don't break it before we get a picture of you. Hmm, now... let's get one of you, since we've got it all figured out. [[Val retrieves the camera and does just as Daisy did, looking through the viewfinder and trying to get the woman in view.]]

You should smile dear. After all, you want this to be a happy memory, don't you? [[And Val is nice and ready~]]

((And you can mod her taking the picture too))

[The woman sets herself in position, carefully flattening her dress so the folds in the fabric would not ruin the shot, and caresses her newly long hair to avoid blocking the shot. As a Spartan, she would not have thought too much about pictures taken from her (for propaganda or otherwise), but her mom...

She was different. For all she cared about, she deserved the best. She deserved memory. At first, the woman hesitates, not knowing which other details would she have forgot, but then looks at the camera, and at Valvalis.

For the time she had spent in this strange place, she greeted her with open arms, and treated her not like a demi-god, a freak, or an enemy. But like family.

Daisy remembers the way her mom used to look at her. And she smiles.]

[[Val lets Daisy get prepared, watching her flattening the hair and the dress. Before taking the picture, she peers away from the camera, smiling at "Daisy" then looking through and...

*flash*

The camera spits out a blackened picture, the elemental smiling as she tugs it away and sets the camera down. While the newest fades in, Val grabs the other two and stacks them, handing them over; a picture of Daisy's family, the woman's feet, and Val in Nel's body... Now, if only it had been Val herself.]]

Here we go. Is this one alright?

[She waits by the side of Valvalis for the photographs to reveal themselves. The first two reveal their clumsy attempts at using the artifact... and the third one enlightens, with the portrait of her mother.]

Perfect.

[Daisy holds the photos for a long time, looking at them with the hint of a smile, and remains still, deep in thought. Until she decides to speak the truth.]

...She was my mother.

[[Val's eyes widen a bit. Really, she was thinking...]]

Oh, she's not your sister? Well, that just makes the photos all that more important, hmm? [[She did say plural.. on purpose.]]

Mmmm, even if this one isn't exactly me.

Well, let's put this away and get back, alright? Can't spend all day here.

[The woman looks at the elemental for a long moment, and nods. When she opens her journal, she puts the three pictures on the end, between the last page and the leather hardcover.

When she closes it, her eyes shut, as well. It may not be an authentic photo of her mother. But it was her memory.]

Yes, Valvalis.

[And so, Daisy stands up, and follows her newfound friend.]

[[It's a nice, uneventful trip back to Daisy's apartment. Later, she'll have to get a frame or something like it.

And Val is very much aware she's got all three pictures, her own included.]]

So... can I ask about her? Or... would you prefer not to talk about it? I really have nothing to do today so... I have plenty of time~

[Daisy is somewhat more calm on the walk back to her living quarters, holding the journal with both hands as she thinks to herself.

How much could she tell her? She knew well she could not reveal about why was she the way she was. Most troubling to her, though, there were many things she forgot from the time she used to have a home.]

I don't remember much of her. [She admits, somewhat sad.] I remember the way she used to talk to me, and the things we would do together. But not much.

[This is why she looks somewhat young. Because she was like this when she last saw her.]

I see. Well, I can't fault you for not remembering. But, what little you do remember is pleasant... so I'm glad.

You look a lot like her. I thought she was your sister, not your mother.

[[And here comes the intrusive... painful assumption.]] Did she... pass on?

[She smiles. While she hated not having her abilities... she was happy that she got to see her mother again. Though the mention of her looking like Daisy's sister makes her raise an eyebrow.

But with the question... Daisy turns her sight back to the road, and remains silent. She does not know how to answer that. She knew well what had happened. But not only was it classified... the memory of losing her family remained on her mind.

Daisy liked Valvalis. But there were things that were meant to be faced alone.]

[[And Val looks a little remorseful for having asked.]]

I'm sorry Daisy. I forget that people often have boundaries. I didn't mean to upset you.

It's okay, Val. [She mutters honestly. After having revealed who was she right now, it was natural that she would've asked.

Reaching the fifth community housing, the woman comes to think. If she retreated to her apartment, she would be left to think and wonder about all of this; On the other hand, she was the only Spartan in this place -the only person from the UNSC in this universe-.

The thought bothered her. Considering it the strangest thing she would ever say, Daisy asks.]

Will you want something?

Want something? [[Val wasn't sure what Daisy was offering. Was it meant to be in exchange for helping with the photo? Or, some sort of invitation to spend more time together. Val's mind deviated for a second, but she knew Daisy wasn't that kind of girl. Perhaps she just didn't want to be alone at the moment; which Val didn't mind being the cure for. Still... the question alone seemed out of place.]] I'm not certain what you mean.

Want something? [[Val wasn't sure what Daisy was offering. Was it meant to be in exchange for helping with the photo? Or, some sort of invitation to spend more time together.

Val's mind deviated for a second, but she knew Daisy wasn't that kind of girl. Perhaps she just didn't want to be alone at the moment; which Val didn't mind being the cure for.

Still... the question alone seemed out of place.]] I'm not certain what you mean.

Something to eat, or drink.

[The Chief Petty Officer would have insisted it was a safety measure while she was in this form, and unable to wear the MJOLNIR. But truth was, Val's suspicion was correct: She didn't want to be alone while she felt vulnerable. Companionless.]

I don't have much. But if you want.

Sure dear. I'll stay for a drink. [[Val quickens her step a bit, not really realizing it, but, she is a bit pleased to spend some more tiem with her new friend.

There was something between Val and Daisy... but it wasn't that same sort of something that she felt for Nel, or anyone else she'd fallen for before... but it was a familiar feeling for sure.]] I'd love a drink.

[SPARTAN-023 takes notice of her quickened step as they advance to her quarters. They had become closer as of late. Very few outsiders ever dared to get close to a Spartan, let alone bond with one.

The place is frugally decorated, with at most a rug carpet amidst the boxes of munitions hidden around the place, though the appliances that had been in her apartment prior to claiming it remained as the most visible features. And well-maintained, too.

She wordlessly prepares chocolate, not knowing what else to say. If there were words to be said at all.]

[[Val didn't have many words either. Not at the moment. Val's house wasn't grandly furnished either, but there was more to it, what with Nel and Kirimi's tastes involved. She wandered around a little, avoiding the bedroom of course, taking note of the cases of rounds about.]]

Did you find all of these while you were here? These... bullets? [[That's what they were, right? ]] I didn't think there would be so many in the retrieval shops.

Many aren't even calibers I use. [She admits.] I keep them... just in case.

[Perhaps she could get the chance to have a Sniper Rifle, or an MG, though what she'd favor the most is a shotgun. Who knows?

Once the chocolate has boiled, she serves two cups, giving one of them towards Valvalis. Even the motion of granting somebody something was odd to Daisy since she had just lost over thirty centimeters in height.]

I see. [[She has an idea in mind, but, she'll have to think on it later on. For now, she takes the mug from Daisy, wanting, but not actually commenting on why I soldier would know how to cook... or specifically, know how to make a treat like hot chocolate.

Val simply smiles back at Daisy.]]

[SPARTAN-023 did not consider herself an excellent cook. She just knew how to prepare these things out of lessons given by her instructors, on how to make their own food and drink should personnel lack.

Secretly, Daisy had always loved sweets.

Daisy sat with Valvalis, and drank her cup in silence. And for what remained of the afternoon, she was happy.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

REPORT 003 :: HOMECOMING // VOICE // ENCRYPTED 20% // BACKDATED TO SUNDAY EVENING

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