co_pilot | (no subject)

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The next leg of their tour is the European section - there aren't as many cities that were directly affected by the kaiju here, though the people seem no less effusive in their enthusiasm. Mako is at an equal disadvantage when it comes to the talk shows - her languages are better, perhaps, than Raleigh's, but she doesn't possess complete fluency in this particular part of the world.

The interviews are fairly easy to get through, though they always manage to end up fielding some question about the two of them.

("Mr. Becket, Ms. Mori, can you talk to me about the status of your relationship?")

Too many shared glances, too many moments alone; people don't want to talk about the losses of the past. They want gossip, sensational news. It's enough to make her want to scream, or tear her hair out in frustration.

She settles for the next best thing - the exercise room of the hotel they're staying in is empty at night, and there's enough space for her to wind through the movements that calm her.

She doesn't need to watch her form in the mirrors around the room; she merely closes her eyes, focuses on her breathing - and lets the stress slip away.

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"No, I'm a dirty liar. But it is a lot of food."

Spanish hotels apparently send up a serving plate and then you dish out the meal you want yourself from the choices. Raleigh's busy with his back to Mako, making up two of them to bring over.

She's elected to put the movie on pause. All the better for him to enjoy the disastrous plot when he returns to sit beside her.

She leaves enough room for him to sit, sprawl or whatever he likes, absently shooting a glance down at her knuckles. They look better, though the bruising will have to be covered up somehow before their next interview spot.

"Hand still hurt?"

He places her plate on the coffee table instead of making her grab it.

"A little. It is better now."

She slowly slides to sit on the floor in front of the table, fork wielded in hand.

They eat in silence for a minute before: "I do have to admit that was kind of sexy."

Her attention's still on the movie; it takes her a moment to process.

" - the hitting?"

"Well, not entirely. More the defending and the being able to do something about a thing you don't like."

For him - not Yancy, not anyone else.

It's nice.

She shakes her head slowly.

"It was - unbecoming. I should not have done it."

"You're a Ranger, though. You can play it off. Besides --

" -- people will forgive you easy."

"As long as you have," she answers quietly.

"What? What would I need to forgive you for?"

She shrugs, a small helpless movement.

(She needs someone to, without him here. Even if he would somehow manage to do it without words.)

There's something here that's not...this is not something Raleigh knows yet.

(He misses the Drift. Again.)

"I don't believe that there is forgiveness that is needed when you do what you feel's right."

That's a small comfort, at least.

She reaches up from her place on the floor, lightly resting her hand on his knee.

"Arigatou."

"Welcome. Now -- food and movie? Maybe a couple of drinks later?"

She nods readily.

Upon the first bite, her eyes close, and she sighs softly. A contented sound.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, makes up for the obvious rubber and foam scenery props in the movie they're watching.

The last leg of the tour returns them to Hong Kong, which appears to be in a state of reconstruction - looking better than when they'd first left it.

According to Raleigh, this is the perfect time to start drinking. Plentifully.

It seems only appropriate they return to the Shatterdome, given that there are a few days left before it closes its doors. They ditch their escorts and wander the halls, passing a bottle back and forth.

Mako isn't drinking quite as much, and she stops once they reach the old hangar, looking up and up further at the remnants of Jaegers looming over their heads.

Edited 2013-07-16 17:28 (UTC)

"You know there's talk of reconstructing a Jaeger to turn it into some kind of amusement park ride?"

For as much as Raleigh thinks that piloting has its fun parts, it is obvious he disapproves.

"And then the Dome will probably end up a museum."

"Mmm."

From the tone of her response, it's clear she doesn't approve of the idea either.

"Well, there is one Jaeger that won't end up in a museum."

"Nope. But she doesn't even exist anymore, so I'm not quite sure which one's worse."

"She held her own until the end," Mako murmurs, stepping to him.

Her fingers gently encircle his wrist.

"I know. So did Yancy, Hansen, Stacker, everybody - that doesn't make it easier.

"Sometimes," he admits, "It does make it better, but it's a damn fine line."

She nods.

Her hand drifts away, and she takes a few steps further into the hangar, the sound of her footfalls echoing off the empty shapes.

Currently, they're standing in front of the bay where Crimson Typhoon was housed, before.

"...What came first, the pilots or the Jaeger?" he tries to joke.