drear | god, he called for rain

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god, he called for rain

[ the shatterdome is too loud, smells of seawater and sweat, and half the time k-science won't even let him stay in the lab, one of the few quiet places in the entire base. but it's home, in some ways, because heine has lived here for more than half of his life.

and that reason is also the reason why he's doing the introductions for the new pilot arriving today. she's not new new, but new to this shatterdome. heine has read her file.

now he's in his fatigues, arms crossed as he waits on the tarmac for her to arrive. there's a lot to go through before her jaeger even arrives. ]

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[It took Naoto to dump everything on the bed and get it all sorted, still surprised at how much she'd been talked into receiving and buying. She couldn't complain too much, since when she had mentioned she wasn't alone, they'd gotten gifts for Rammsteiner too. It was enough to make her happy they'd come here, where people were warm, as if to make up for the biting cold.

It took her longer than she would have liked, but once all of Rammsteiner's gifts were gathered up, she went to knock on his door.]

[ heine doesn't respond at first, asleep—it takes another knock or two for him to stir and get the door. his hair is even more mussed than before, and he rubs his eyes, a motion less controlled than his usual movements. ]

Hey. [ tiny yawn. ]

Sorry to disturb you.

[She was a bit surprised that Rammsteiner was already sleeping, and slightly guilty she had woken him.]

Here.

[She held out the bags, most of them containing clothes and an assortment of random knick knacks.]

You don't have to keep them if you don't want to.

[She inclined her head, expression smoothing back to apologetic.]

I'll leave you to your rest.

...thanks.

[ he takes the bag, still a little too out of it to prevent his expression from showing the mild confusion and surprise. gifts aren't something he's used to. he wouldn't throw them away unless they were totally unusable and/or he didn't have space for them later.

before he closes the door, he remembers to ask: ]

Dinner at 7?

[ which, on second thought, makes it sound oddly like a date... ]

[Yeah she wasn't sure what he was going to do with all of those items, or even if they were to his taste, but she was terrible at denying those she loved simple pleasures. She inclined her head at his thanks, shrugging slightly.]

They aren't all from me.

[If that makes it somehow more palatable. She was already turning back to her room when she heard the question, pausing to look at him thoughtfully.]

If you're tired, you should rest. Just come get me when you wake up.

[Would either of them know what to do on a date or even realize it was a date? Let's have realistic expectations here.]

[ well, that works too. heine nods, going to put the bags down. ]

See you then.

[ it's almost eight by the time he hauls himself over to her room. he's in fresh clothes and showered, but his hair is no better. ]

[Naoto had been too keyed up to go to sleep, so she had done a few futile exercises before giving up and going down to speak with the concierge. He was pretty helpful in recommending sights to see, nearby plays, and even boat tours.

She had returned back to her room to leaf through all the pamphlets she'd been given, though she must have dozed off halfway through because the next thing she was aware of was knocking on her door.

Straightening herself out as quickly as possible, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes as she opened the door.]

Where did you want to eat?

[ looks like they've switched positions. heine doesn't smile, but he looks a little amused. ]

Dunno. You still know this place better than I do.

[She was still out of sorts at that, one eyebrow raised challengingly as if daring him to say something, before she turned back to glance over at the fliers.]

How interested were you in actually seeing a play? The personnel at the front desk were very knowledgeable.

Uh— [ he follows her look back at the flyers, eyebrows raised slightly. ]

I could go. If there are subtitles.

[She was just going to head back and pick up one of the fliers then, before closing the door behind her and handing it to him for his inspection.]

There's a small theater a few blocks down that does plays along with serving dinner. It should have subtitles.

Like a... an amateur thing?

[ he's not sure he wants to watch amateur actors while eating. it might be funny, admittedly. ]

They said it was a small but decent troupe.

[So, it might be. But it might be entertaining, and it wasn't like Naoto was enough of a play snob to know any better.]

[ ...he'll take it. ]

Sure, then. Are you going to change?

[ heine didn't, but he figures as long as his clothes aren't stained and decently warm, good enough. ]

This should be fine.

[Though that would make her look down to try to straighten out her clothes and smooth out the wrinkles. She'd fallen asleep in what she'd been wearing, but it was still serviceable. She had known people who seemed to change outfits for every outing, but that had seemed like too much work for her.]

We can walk there, or would you prefer a cab?

[If walking around the day was chilly, it would be freezing now as night had fallen.]

Walking's fine.

[ vaguely, heine guesses that it'll be colder now. but he should be fine, right?

nope. as soon as he steps outside he stiffens and shivers, violently. ]

[Naoto was trying not to look amused but probably failing, tightening her scarf around her neck.]

Did you want to go back and get a jacket? It'll only get colder.

...I don't have any jackets.

[ hong kong did not prepare him for winter. ]

There should have been one in one of those bags...

[Still, it might not have been to Rammsteiner's taste.]

We should get you some winter clothes if we're going to stay here.

[It was firm. Dinner could wait until afterwards.]

[ ah, guilty. he didn't look very closely at them. ]

We might miss the play.

[ though he's honestly less worried about missing the play than looking like he needs help taking care of himself. ]

We can see it some other time.

[She glanced at him curiously, her eyebrows quirked. For someone who hadn't seemed so keen on it a while ago, this change was a bit odd.

But, if he was set on going... She unwound her scarf, holding it out to him.]

Take this at least.

[ heine hesitates for a moment longer, but another gust of wind makes him shiver. ugh. embarrassing. but he takes it, nodding jerkily. ]

Thanks.

[ he wraps it around his neck and tugs it up, then tucks the ends into his light jacket. it's been so long since he was in a cold place. ]

[Naoto didn't look too convinced that would be enough to keep him from getting frost bitten, but instead of saying so she hailed a cab, which was mercifully warm. Hopefully the theater would be the same way.

The sound of prerecorded music wafted out of the sturdy, old building they were dropped in front of, and despite how unkept the exterior looked, the interior looked like it had seen far more care.

It looked like the place was half filled with customers already murmuring and speaking with the waitstaff as they placed orders, waiting for the show to begin.

Once seated, Naoto looked at the menu curiously, but was more interested in looking at their surroundings.]

What do you think?

[ heine takes a menu as well, looking over the unfamiliar characters and stilted english. ]

It's nice. [ a shrug. ] I guess. Any idea what the play is?

[She leaned around the table to get a better look at the stage, squinting to see the placard that was off to the side.]

The Cherry Orchard.

[Which, frankly, might as well have still be in Russia since it didn't sound familiar. She'd find out soon enough. Hopefully it would be decently entertaining...]

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