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|2013-01-31, 17:04
|Link #37501
Sleep beneath the flowers
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Lording above all of humanity >;3
Age: 29
Well my friend has written several shorts for our co-op project, so far just titled "Strife" (or Nanoha Strife, to be all proper and formal). I'll just post a few for now, rather then dump the roughly dozen he's written so far.
Look at OC for the profile of the original character featured in these, Britta a TSAB agent. One you don't publicly acknowledge and only kind of send to get the job done, regardless of the cost.
Spoiler for Those limits...:
Britta brushed back her snow-white hair and held out her palm. There was a hiss, a crackle…and a tiny blue flame began to burn brightly. She prodded it with her finger and it bubbled and swayed – popping joyously. She smiled and it ballooned: not hissing but roaring! Sucking at the air, drawing everything in to feed itself. The tiny fingertip of a flame hand become a fist of fire and…
Britta turned: "Ein?" Sitting on the desk, Ein the pendant blinked a yellow blink. Beep, beep, beep.
"That ain't good, Partner. Ain't good at all."
Britta looked a little hurt and clenched her fist. The flame extinguished. Einherjar kept blinking his yellow blink. She could feel him shaking his digital head in disappointment.
"You're practicing. Now, I'm all for practice – all for it! – but that ain't the sort of practice ya should be doing…"
Sighing, Britta reached for Ein and lifted him up off the desk. He dangled aloft in front of her, swaying slightly. "Oh? And what sort of practice would that be?" she said defiantly, looking down at the clear-headed and sensible member of the duo.
Ein seemed to pause as if drawing in a deep breath full of gravitas…
"Your recorded use of magic did not exceed your F-class heavy limiter. But environmental magical output was recorded in excess of D-class with a corresponding drop in ambient magical energy. You're the only one here, partner. Stop skirting your limits…"
Britta pouted and tossed Ein back onto her bed. "Busybody! Let me have a little fun every now and again."
"The last time you had 'fun', you caused property damage in excess of-"
"Fine! Fine…I'll just…go to bed or something."
Ein kept blinking. Waiting, watching…eventually: "Good night, partner." Britta sighed and led back, staring at the ceiling. At least she'd get to have fun in her dreams, yes. Oh yes indeed.
As for this second one, we have Roderick, who basically is Britta's handler.
Spoiler for Glass Houses, Big Stones:
"Yes, yes I assure you, sir~ everything has been taken care of!" Roderick glanced down at the audio only communication panel before looking back up, squinting out across the green. He lined up his next shot. By this time tomorrow, you won't even have that problem anymore. It'll have vanished – gone!" Angry chatter echoed down the line. He didn't pay it much heed…after all, his swing had to be perfect. "Nothing to worry about; I will handle any clean up that needs doing personally. On my head be it." He swung and a long, arcing swing and set the golf ball down the range:
"So you can leave everything to me."
"Sooo youuu can leeeeave everythiiing to meeee…!" Britta parroted sarcastically to the empty alleyway. "Is that what he promised, now?"
"You got it, partner!"
"Prick. What he really meant was 'I'll just kick Britta onto some little shithole and hope the fires she'll start burn away any evidence that'll make me look like the goddamn grease stain wearing human skin that I am.'"
"People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."
Britta just looked down blankly at her device. She was not amused. "Don't you start too! I may be a godforsaken monster, but at least I'm clean. I feel like I need a fucking shower to wash the slime off my skin every time I talk to him. He's a slug! A parasitic slug that's living large while ordering his own private hit men to scrub scrum off the galaxy's backside!"
She threw her arms up in the air: "I am a war hero and I am on a leash tighter than the Gordian knot. And HE is playing golf without a care in the world. There is no justice in this universe!"
Britta mimed some frantic strangling motions to no one in particular. "I'm too frustrated to even be angry. This is just such a killjoy. 'Don't make a mess, don't cause too much collateral, there are too many innocent people around to just set everything on fire willy-nilly…'" Frustrated guttural noises: "And still he sent me! Doesn't he know who I am? Is he really just sending me on this job to take the piss out of me!?"
"Your limiter has been lifted to B-rank, partner! You shouldn't need more than that."
"DON'T. Just don't you help him. Give me my goddamn power and I will do this fucking job. Let him toy with me and I swear I will snap you into pieces."
She audibly hissed. "No, you know what? I just don't care anymore. I'm not even mad! I'm just going to walk into that building, and make everyone inside scream for me. One at a time. While they die in agony. And I will feel so, so, so much better about myself!"
"Throwing BIIIG stones."
Britta didn't even dignify Einherjar's smartass comment with a response. She just went ahead, made her own door and started listening to the music.
Enjoy! I'll pass along any feedback or whatever. There might be some format issues, as well, copy/paste doesn't copy formatting. Lazy thing.
|2013-01-31, 21:01
|Link #37502
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: There's this dot on the world map...
Yo dawg, I heard you like QB...
Thanks MAEt for the av!
|2013-02-01, 04:12
|Link #37503
The Interstellar Medium
Join Date: May 2008
Location: [SWE]
Age: 29
|2013-02-02, 16:26
|Link #37504
. . .
Hey everybody, Iron here with a status update.
Swords and Shields chapter 8 was sent to beta and subsequently put through a shredder. So now that the beta release's bugs have been found, I get to go through and fix them. And there were quite a few. Not nearly as many as in... that chapter, but let us not speak further of the abomination I attempted to call writing before Kuroi beat me over the head with it. There is also a lot of expansion I missed that needs filling, not to mention the fleshing out of certain issues and the reordering of the scenes.
So worry not, the next chapter is on its way~
The Art of Shipping is as profound as it is dangerous; not for the faint of heart nor the weak of will, it makes gods and devils out of us all.
|2013-02-02, 16:30
|Link #37505
The Flame Crussader
Join Date: Aug 2009
Yay! i'll be waiting for it xD!
May 29 2010-2018
...8 years ago, the day after never would be the same
~The ASFB~
|2013-02-04, 06:47
|Link #37506
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: forge-world Moscow 1
Age: 32
Well, after managing to beat some of my lazyness back I write the first part of stage 2.
Stage 1 is here, by the way.
Stage 2. Road to Camelot.
Spoiler for part1:
Carefully, avoiding disturbing a wounded ferret, Nanoha leaved her hideout, behind the oak and strode toward the place, where humanoid machines gathered around the corpse of recently killed monstrous bush. Arisa quickly followed her, still glancing around, trying to make sure, that no monster, that could leapt from the surrounding darkness, would catch them unguarded.
Not that three present Knightmares would allow any dangerous being to roam free, but can she try to be useful to her friend and curious magic using ferret, arent she?
One of the said knightmares, which slowly turned around, catch the trio into the blinding ray of light from the shoulder-installed searchlight, forcing girls to shriek from the surprise and pain in eyes and hastily turning around, cowering the watering eyes with hand (or, in Yuuno case, quickly burrowing his head into his savior`s chest).
What? A brats ? Came a gruff voice that was a mixture of annoyance and amusement from the loudspeaker. What, in the heck, are you doing here?! It was a raging battlefield a moment ago? Knightpolice unit even lightly shook his rocket launcher for emphasis.
Please, dont shoot!! Cried girls in unison, stepping back instinctually wavering the hands that previously shield their eyes from the light franticly, the last knightmares movement looked pretty threatening. We just wanted to save my pet ferret, Yuuno, who run away, and then almost got caught by monster!
Thankfully, another knightmare put himself between them and his comrade, blocking the line of fire from bazooka to the group with his right hand. And, to his further credit, he avoid to shine at small group with his own searchlight.
Tamaki, stop it at once!! Come new voice, smoother and older, with a hints of perturbations in it. What are you thinking, pointing an armed weapon on civilians?! And put out the searchlight already, you blinding them.
The loudspeaker on the knightmare emit a low huff, but still, pilot obey his commander and stream of light flew to the left, finally stopping assaulting Nanoha, Arisa and Yuunos eyes. Both girls carefully walked toward four meter tall humanoids, still feeling unease from recent behavior of their savior and preparing themselves to run at any hits of hostility.
Operator of second KM frame seemed to understand teens feelings and decide to reduce the tension. Turning his machine sideways to girls, he sat knightmare on left knee and open hatch, allowing his seat to move out. After all, talking to living person is different thing from talking to faceless metal being.
The pilot was a tall Japanese man in the middle of twenties. He has a blue eyes and short black hairs with and occasional bangs, dangling over red bandana that encompass his head He wore an tight flight suit, that has a similar white with red and blue color scheme as a knightmare. The older man smiled reassuringly, rising his right arm in greeting gesture.
Dont worry. He called out to two girls and one ferret. You`re safe now Suddenly, his eyes shoot wide open, when he take a careful glance at girls` faces. Ah! Takamachi-kun is that you?!
Kaname-sensei?! Gaped both girls in unison, also staring at the Japanese man, also bug-eyed.
Whoa-whoa! Interrupted them a first voice Tamaki, if they recalled correctly.
You know those brats, Ohgi?! Inquired a pilot of rocket launcher-armed knightmare.
They`re my students from military training courses. Answered Ohgi, turning his head toward Tamaki`s unit, while narrowing his eyes in annoyance. And for kami sake, Tamaki, stop calling those girls brats! Where are your manners?!
Keh! Snorted his compatriot, obviously ignoring the last line, much to Ohgi visible displeasure. Hai-hai, so, cute little ojou-samas train to be grunts in Britannia army under you tutelage?
Arisa bristled at last sentence. A grunt?! Thankfully, before enraged girl could try something stupid, as assaulting a knightmare frame on her own, Ohgi coldly retorted.
Tamaki I really start to consider revoking your bonus payment for this month.
Eeeeh?! Shrieked said man, in fear; it wasn`t a bluff as chief of their station, Ohgi have an authority to deprive him from his additional payment, since they already was a few incidents.
Damn that old hag, it wasnt his fault that stupid cat got so scared of his KMF that she jumped right under the bus wheels. Hey, that was the first day, when he get the right to pilot knightmare frame, he couldnt miss the opportunity.
And he definitely wasn`t at fault when he awake butt-naked in his cabinet with his pet mastiff on his laps, right at the moment when Ohgi goes in. He not swing that way dammit, why did he forced to hear two-hours long lecture about not giving in for animal instincts and be a decent human being, Garuru is like little brother for him, shit.
Hey-hey, cool off buddy I-I mean, sir! That`s right, my commander! Uh, Im very sorry, and I wouldnt call those bra I mean brave girls! Brats again! Pleasedontrevokemybonuspayment!
He added hastily, all present peoples, and ferrets, could see sweat running down his face, even thought he was shielded by his machines frame.
Ohgi sighed, und turned toward his pupils with a smile, giving them a wink. The girls return the smiles: Nanoha give out a shy and relieved one, and Alisa not very successfully tried to hide a vindictive smirk, payback was so sweet. Yes, she know it was petty, but this guy called her grunt after all the efforts she put in her trainings.
By the way, Tamaki. Ohgi returned his attention toward his comrades knightmare, which emit a quick gulp at sudden start of conversation. Those girl not a grunts, as you assume right now. Bannings-kun and Takamachi-kun both shown a excellent results in their basic training and recently joined knightmare frames piloting courses.
The Japanese policeman/teacher turned his gaze back on girls and pumped his right fist, showing his respect toward hard-working teenagers. Both of them flushed, embarrassed and honored on the same time. Not wishing, to be present as ungrateful, two girls also show their gratitude toward their teacher Nanoha by slowly bowing. Gently cradling Yuuno in her hands, which cause her to press him to her chest. Drowning in soft and plump curves, Yuuno never cursed his hormones as viciously as today.
Arisa perform an elegant curtsey, lifting tips of her skirt lightly and slightly bending her knees, as she was taught in Bannings household.
Ohgi Kaname nodded, with a quick salute in response to girls gestures, and continued.
I also wanted to add, that both of them grasp basis of knigtmare control very well, very unlike you Tamaki. He know, it was not nice, but he couldnt forget all the bragging, his friend did, when they just started to learn how to pilot humanoid machines. And Tsukimura-kun, while not displaying particular affinity to knightmare piloting, prove herself to be an excellent mechanic Oh!!
Suddenly unit commander understood, what gnaw him for a while: Nanoha Takamachi, Arisa Bannings and Suzuka Tsukimura were an unspeakable trio of close friends. They rarely leave each other, if they could, especially in circumstances like recent ones. Then, where lavender haired girl was?
The suddenly widened eyes of girls and they paled faces told him, that they also got caught in argument with hot-headed Japanese policeman and forgot about their friend.
Uh. Carefully started Ohgi, now glancing carefully around, gesturing Tamaki to scan area, hoping that now sergeant Shinichiro would use his factsphere, instead of franticly lit every bush with searchlight. Can I ask, was Tsukimura-kun with you two this evening; and if she was, where is she now?
Both girls desperately started to shout, interrupting each others, glorking and beginning again, and finally, after exchanging a desperate glance, dashing toward Ohgis knightamre, as if he could misunderstood them, if they wouldnt come closer. Though, he really more or less understood their rambling only when they shout right from under his devicer`s seat.
At first, he almost rushed into cockpit, when he heard that Tsukimura was caught by monster, even thought it was pointless now; but, thankfully, he waited enough to hear that one of his trainees was saved by mysterious girl and two boys trio.
Almost, as an answer on his unspoken question What a trio?, Arisa and Nanoha suddenly shout:
Ohgi`s head turned with such speed, that he almost break his neck. He also could hear sound of working hydraulics system, which tell him, that Tamaki`s knightmare shifted its position.
The gazes of all present peoples fell on the group consisted from pink-haired girl, who wield a rather massive gunblade (as Tamaki and Ohgi hear from Nanoha and Arisa) on her back, the blue haired boy, who slightly bend under the weight of his traveling bag, who walked behind her; and the further away marched a athletic, brown haired boy, who bore a said Tsukimura-heir. He used a princess carry, to be specific. The third remaining knightmare, who was absent during conversation between two schoolgirls and two policeman stood beside the corpse of slain beats using his factspehere to scan the monsters remains.
Without thinking, Arisa and Nanoha rushed toward their friend, with a small pause Ohgi followed in his knightmare, still not closing the hatch and opening small container on the right wall of cabin, where first aid kit lay, so he can rush to help, if it would be necessary.
Two groups meet each other on the ravaged crossroad, amidst remaining streetlights and nearly fallen bush-monster. Thankfully, the dead beast emit a piercing smell of herbs, rather than stench of gore, otherwise only knightmare devisers would escape the enjoyment of gagging and coughing at stink of blasted flesh.
The girl smiled reassuringly giving them a small nod and step sideway, pulling her friend with feathered hair on his sleeve, giving younger girls a free pass to Suzuka, who lay in green eyed boy hands.
Suzuka! Suzuka-chan! Shouted both teenagers in unison, stopping right before they could collide with their friends savior. Are you okay?!
At first glance Suzuka Tsukimura wasnt seriously harmed: mudded shirt, rumpled skirt and ripped socks wasnt a terrible damage (excluding, of course, very unpleasant conversation with Suzukas parents, who wouldnt be happy know that one of their precious daughters was careless enough, to put herself in grave danger). But still her state worried her friends - she lay still in older boy hands, unmoving, silent and with beet red face.
Nanoha and Arisa couldnt even imagine that normally reversed and calm Suzuka could blush like this. Her hands, which she clasp tight oh her chest, trembled, her eyes swirl and when they keened their ear, they could hear a quiet mewls.
Hey! Tsukimura-kun, are you alright? Shouted Ohgi, stopping his knightmare and sliding down on elevation cable, when cable stop he rushed toward assembled group, clutching first aid kit in his right hand.
Dont worry. Stated pink haired girl, striding closer toward them and slightly patting Nanohas shoulder reassuringly. We already checked her, after we hide in the forest. She not injured, thanks God we was fast enough to interfere before that best could harm an innocent girl.
Indeed. Nodded green eyed athlete, smiling somehow shyly. I think she was shocked deeply by those horrible events, so I helper her to get there.
Thanks God. Exclaimed younger girls wiping happy tears from corner of their eyes they couldnt even imagine what they would do, if they lost Suzuka here.
Thank you very much! Shouted Arisa happily, jumping toward pinkette, and grabbing her hands. I cant thank you enough for saving Suzuka. And you were so cool!! Exited blonde freeing amethyst eyed (as they all saw after taking a careful look at her pretty face) girl, whose cheeks reddened a bit at praise, from her grip, wavering her hands in delight.
You hacked and smacked this bush-bastard with your sword ! And then you even shoot him!! Damn, such awesome weapon! Her glittering eyes now gazed right at boy, who still held unmoving Suzuka in his arms.
You also were super awesome!! That kick and way you jumped around like Cicada-man that was incredible!
Nanoha could feel with her entire back how third senpai gloomily staring at them and hastily added turning toward him.
You also did a good job, distracting the monster in the end, senpai. Thank to you, your friends was able to escape without creatures attention!
Her words seemingly increase his spirit and blue haired student flashed a happy grin, rubbing his head with left hand.
Hehehe, thank you, missy. Though, I indeed just helper fetch your friend from this oversized tumbleweed and octopus spawn.
Still, thank you very much for saving my students from this being. Interrupted them Ohgi, moving closer and bowing respectfully toward trio of students, who immediately return his gesture, brown eyed one even manage to do so without letting Suzuka go.
Ara ? Are you from Ashford academy? Inquired Ohgi carefully studying uniform on the boy with travel bag.
Youre right, mister Pink-haired fencer faltered, looking at Ohgi with obvious question in eyes.
Commander of 3d Special Platoon of Uminary 45th police station Captain Ohgi Kaname, at your serves, miss. Answered Ohgi dutifully, giving them a small salute.
Nice to meet you, mister Ohgi. Im student of second term in Ashford academy. Euphemia Valentine. This my friends: Rivalz Cardemone. She gestured toward grinning boy with blue feathered hairs. And this gentleman is Suzaku Kururugi. Said boy, give them another bow.
Again, thousand of thanks for your brave deeds, Euphemia-senpai, Suzaku-senpai and Rivalz-senpai. Thanked three older students Nanoha, giving each of them a deep bow. Arisa immediately followed her example. Then both girls provide themselves.
Im Nanoha Takamachi, a student of Seishou High School. Class 3A.
Arisa Bannings, same school and class.
Amethyst-eyed girl smiled, followed by her green-eyed and gray-eyed friends, nodding in answer. In the distance could be hears quiet, but steady growing in volume sound of alarm claxons of approaching police vans and ambulance. The day totally give up before night and now surrounding darkness was fight off with knightmares searchlights and remains streetlights.
Whoa, Rivalz?! Suddenly voice of Shinichiro Tamaki distributed above them. Quickly turning toward source, Nanoha saw how rocket launcher-wielding knightmare stood just two in meters from her. With a loud yelp brunet stumbled back, almost falling on her butt, but was caught by Arisa.
Mister Tamaki? Rivalz went bug-eye, hearing familiar voice from loudspeaker of KM Frame. What are you mean, that you really were serious when you said that you a knightmare frame pilot?
Hey?! What was that supposed to mean?!Shouted angered Tamaki.
Maybe that you like to brag to much without any basis behind it, Tamaki? Like when you boast that you like to swim in cold water, but when we was dragged in winter exercise, when we was forced to cross the river on our own you cry like baby, in fear of falling in blood-chilling mass of death, how you name that little river.
Smiled Ohgi, taking a derisive glance at his subordinate unit, which emitted a sound, that make present people think for a second, that knightmare pilot tried to swallow controllers out of embarrassment.
Um, Rivalz. Asked Euphemea her blue haired friend, pointing at white anthropomorphic machine, while warming up fingers on her other hand. Do you know this gentleman?
Ah, yes. It`s Tamaki Shinichiro, a regular customer in the bar where I work, you know, that one, on 2nd Ultramarine street? Explained Rivalz. He often visit our tavern The Cats hat on Monday, Wednessday and Fraiday. Like to buy large amount of liquor and then start to tell various stories. Very funny fellow and you know, hes a pretty interesting company, when you manage to get through his thorny behavior. Oh last sentence he scratched side of his head, with confused expression.
Ohgi, who stood nearby could only sigh sympathetically: to call Tamakis behavior thorny it was to put it charitably. Tamaki was brash, hot-headed, violent and didnt have almost any perspective about proper behavior; moreover, sometimes he outright couldnt keep his mouth shut. And Ohgi was sure, that those stories was Tamakis bragging about his past feats. Most of which, if not all, not occur in real life.
Oh, so you became friends exchanging stories? Happily exclaimed Euphemia, clasping her palms together.
Rivalz suddenly blushed, and sudden whizzing noise from Tamaki`s machine told them that he also affected by pink haired girl question.
Erm, no... Slowly started to explain gray eyed boy. We have chance to learn more about each other after a certain incident.
Incident ? Inquired Euphemia, with an puzzled expression, tapping her chin. You mean, battle with hooligans, or
Or when they both was almost sued for sexual harassment. It`s happened on that unfortunate day, during Ashford Academy Opening Ceremony, when academic complex was reopened after massive construction and repair works. Answered Ohgi on her question with dry tone.
Well. Interrupted them Suzaku, whose cheeks also was red and his greens eyes tried their best not to meet Euphemias amethyst orbs. Surprisingly the boy still hold flabbergasted Suzuka, without showing any hints of fatigue, much to Nanoha, Arisa and, Yuunos shock and admiration.
I dont think that Rivalz and mr. Tamaki really wanted to humiliate young lady Liddenfort, they just made a wrong choice of words
Indeed. Enthusiastically agreed Tamaki, almost making his knightmare to nod. I was so shocked by her big eyes, that I
Shout Whoa boobzilla!? Signed Ohgi, he really didnt want to remember that day. He was so proud then, it was his first day as commander of knightpolice unit. He couldnt believe that he would be picked to command his station reprehensive units on this grandiose event. He managed to make a good expression before organizers of event by his and his mens performance and professionalism. And thus make all of haggard extra trainings, which often take place during holydays finally paid off.
He made a few friends among guests and personnel alike, regardless of their origin. Which reinforce his beliefs that if you treat your nation with loyalty and respect, you would prosper. And he anyway didnt have anything against Britannia, even though she absorb Japan.
And moreover, he managed to impress Major Viletta Nu, his trainer in knightmare combat and overall very important person to him (he blushed slightly, when he think about last line) by his achievements. Everything proceed smoothly and he though, this would be one of the most wonderful days in his life.
In retrospective, he really should check the list of commissioned personal.
When the event reach the banquet time, he was on his post inside of his Glasgow Guardian, guarding a north-east edge of campus. When his transmitter start to emit faint screams, which his machine detect through new scanners, he, to his future dismay, ignore, thinking, its just another event, orchestra by eccentric academy student council president.
This line of thoughts was proven wrong when together with increased screams he also receive a message, that a policeman number №LE2345678SS Tamaki Shinichiro make a fuss on the food court.
When he barged in the spacious plaza, filled with massive tables that groaned
under the weight of numerous dishes and drinks, his gaze meet and unpleasant view of drunk brown haired policeman, who, together with blue-haired boy (whom his knightmare computer, after scanning his ID chip, recognize as Rivalz Cardemone, a student of academy and member of student council) have a shouting match, while pointing at visibly infuriated and embarrassed Amelia Liddenfrot, daughter of wealthy merchant family, who now stood in the circle, created by surrounding students, together with two mans who, rather loudly discussed all pros and cons of her body.
Only Amaterasu knew how tempted Ohgi was to squeeze Tamaki, while he transported him, and his partner-in-crime to police station. Basically, 25 year old Japanese was more than sure that if he wouldnt be gunned down, he would be happy if he was allowed to regulate a traffic for the rest of his live.
And his dreams to become a teacher after he finishes his service in police now officially became idle thoughts.
To his utter surprise, while he was reprimanded for his inability to control his subordinates behavior, he didnt get a more that tenth amount of flak he could receive for stunt like this for his failure as commanding officer.
Tamaki and that Rivalz-boy also get away with lighter punishment that they could very much get, sentenced for nine weeks of public duties and Tamaki for six months forget the words bonus payment. Though, Ohgi have a some amount of grim satisfaction, seen how timid and well-behaved his subordinate was during next few months, after returning from public duties.
Ohgi, himself didnt hesitate to put brown haired hot-head in jail, for incident like that to humiliate young girl before her peers like that, Tamaki was lucky that he wasnt gunned down by britannian policeman right on the spot.
Later he found out that, the reason of such leniency was the personal involvement of Ruben K. Ashford, the patriarch of Ashford family and one of the most influent knightmare developers in empire. He managed to cajole Liddenfort family with gifts and promises of help in future and asked his friend, the head of entire police forces in Uminari city to not be too harsh of hew knightpolice officer.
When he asked, during their accident meeting, when he was part of guard of Kinightamre Developing Conference in Tokya city, why such great man as Ruben Ashford helped such insignificant member of Britannia society as him, Ohgi Kaname, who just recently integrated in empire old man answered.
Just like you I often suffered because of my friends misbehaving, though, unlike you, mr. Ohgi, I also have a big part in their stunts. Then he smirked mischievously, starting to look very like his granddaughter. And Mildred thought it was fun. I must agree the look on pompous Liddenfort girl, when she was called boobzilla was simply priceless.
While Ohgi couldnt agree with Ashford sense of humor, he was deeply grateful to him for his help. And now Ohgi Kaname hoped that he would be able to serve peacefully, without any incident, for next two years, and then, which obtained license he could start his teaching career, how he longed for.
What the ? Sudden shout of Yoshitaka Minami, who was silent upon this, dragged attention of every present person.
The bulb-like head of monster, which lied motionless on cracked concrete, now was illuminated from inside, by ghostly purple shine. Yuuno inhaled sharply the Jewel Seed reacted, something affected it. Minamis knightmare pulled back a bit and aimed his assault rifle at monsters body.
Minami, status! Roared Ohgi, darting toward his knightamre, Tamaki raised his unit rocket launcher, aiming at source of mysterious light. Nanoha and Arisa nestled to each other, while Suzuka suddenly jolted in Suzakus arms.
Said Boy gently put her on her legs, while helping her, in the case, if she fall, Euphemia and Rivalz took positions on both sides of Suzaku, preparing for combat. Euphemia, unsheathe her gun blade, Rivalz pull out another bottle of liquor, and Suzaku acquired a battle-stance, his legs on shoulders width for balance, both arms raised to his neck level with left arm a bit higher than right,
and both hands curled into fists.
Suzuka took a light bow of gratitude and sprinted toward her friends, who stood behind of improvised wall. While present knightmares scanned remains of beast, using their factspheres.
By Ohgis order, Minamis machine pulled assault rifle on his machines back, and then jammed his knightmares fist into giant bulb, aiming for the center of circle of light. A few seconds after, the loudspeakers emit a triumphant shout, and then, white machine pulled out source of disturbance.
Minami! Commanded Ohgi sharply from his machine. Uplift Yggdrasil Drive output and put this thing, as close to your unit as you can. The Sacuradite reaction in our knightmares have almost as diffusing effect on all those magic things as Sacurahydrogen! Ill call reinforcement and contact with colonel Mayers, he would call the army and syentists. Until then someone must stay here and guard the area! Understood?!
Sir, yes sir! Roared Tamaki and Minami simultaneously, now Tmakais voice was devoid of any hints of his air-headness and boredom, now he was a man of duty and stark contrast with his previous behavior. Seems that earthlings never took any incidents, where magic was involved as insignificant.
And Minami. Continued Ohgi, turning his knightmare, that now it`s face looked directly at three girls and one ferret. Took Takamachi-kun and her friends to Takamachi-kuns home, while I and Tamaki will wait for reinforcement. Those three always hand together, so I can conclude they come here to stay at night at Midory-Ya, Im right Takamachi-kun? Nanoha nodded slowly, and Japanese officer continued.
I think mrs. Valentine, mr. Kardemone and Kururugi-sama dont need our help. Suzaku flinched when his surname was mentioned for some reason, but nevertheless he nodded together with his friends and then trio of Ashford students dashed away from crossroad plaza.
The third knightmare slowly come closer, sitting down on his knees, while outstretching both his hands toward girls, palms upward.
Okay, girls, its time to go to home. Siad unseen man clamly. All students of Seishou High School climbed up at metal hands of anthropomorphic machine, who then raised its fingers, creating some sort of nest around girls and then wheeled away from his two comrades, into brighter areas of park and then toward exit.
It It over, arent it? Whispered Suzuka, still somehow shocked by all things that happened.
Yes, Suzuka-chan, it is. Answered nanoha, and then, after exchanging gazes with Arisa, she added quietly. For now
Wh-what do you mean? Inquired Suzuka, somehow scared. For now?
We told you, when we would be alone, okay? Said Arisa gloomily. Seeing how Suzukas eyes open wider in shock, she added pleadingly. Please, Suzuka. Just believe in me and Nanoha, okay?
Lavender haired girl slowly turned her head from Arisa to Nanoha, and, seeing the same pleading and grim expression on her best friends faces, nodded reluctantly.
I understand, Nanoha-chan, Arisa-chan. Ill wait for time, when you two would be ready.
Thank you, Suzuka. Smiled Nanoha, slightly bowing, happy that Suzuka is such kind and understanding girl. Though, why she still blushing slightly, did she catch a fewer? But she spent almost all time, snuggling into Kururugi-senpais chest.
We need to give her a warm tea, when we come back to my home. Decided brunette.
Yuuno Scrya wasnt happy at all. While he was more than sure, that local authorities capable to handle the Jewel Seed, that now was in their hands, and stall the magical reaction in the Lost Logia he couldnt say what can happen in future.
Moreover, he involver innocent civilians in his problems. And one of them , the girl named Suzuka, almost died because of his weakness and carelessness. He need to train harder and work even more better, to prevent identical incidents from occurring in future.
Though, he thinks darkly, the jewel Seeds was infamous for their chaotic nature, and he couldnt predict the ability of another Lost Logia. So who know, what disaster those ancient relics would bring on this planet.
Still, the biggest problem was his current location. Earth, the capital world of Earth Empire of united Directories. The same start nation, who two decades ago started the invasion into shattered Belkan Empire, weakened by countless civil wars and then destroyed WolkenReich, one of the oldest members of Empire, that always wished to unify the empire and bring the peace to its land.
And the Holy Britannia Empire, the leading nation of Earth Empire, was labeled as main suspect in assassination of Selig-Kaiser Olivie Segberth and her husband Haegemon Klaus Ingvalt and their children.
So now he need to find and collect all of the remaining twenty Jewel Seeds until they didnt fall in the hands of powerful and conquering star-nation and became stepping stone of Earths plans of galaxy domination.
Last edited by vic-vic; 2013-11-25 at 03:18.
|2013-02-04, 13:28
|Link #37507
The Interstellar Medium
Join Date: May 2008
Location: [SWE]
Age: 29
But the universe wasn't really unfair, she thought, and her mouth quirked. It just didn't give much of a damn one way or the other.
- The Short Victorious War, David Weber
Spoiler for X: END GAME:
Silence had ruled when Subaru sacrificed herself. They'd stared in horror at the wreck that remained, but as if that wasn't enough the Absolution had proceeded with annihilating that, too. With clenched fists and teeth gritted, Nanoha pushed back the turmoil inside her, cutting it off from reaching the surface. Judging from the strained, wide-eyed expressions from the three around her, she wasn't the only one. Grief morphed into rage as their faces scrounged up and their breathing grew deeper.
"She did that to protect them," Vivio said. "To protect Teana. And the others."
"Dumbass. The idiot." Vita looked away, clutching Graf Eisen in a shaking hand. "Didn't even tell us. She knew we would've talked her out of it!"
"No, I don't think so." Signum crossed her arms. "I don't think she planned it. It just happened."
I don't care about the whys, Nanoha thought. She's gone. That's what we have to face. Dammit, Subaru.
With reinforcements on the field, their numbers became even. The TSAB fired accurate magical beams from far away, outside the hostiles' range. Working in pairs, the Warships would use the Sea over and over as an instant teleportation device, moving further away from the incoming Absolution ships as they approached. One by one the battlecruisers exploded, split in part, and outright ruptured. A few TSAB ships too slow to align suffered similar fates, acting as shields for the rest of the fleet.
But something loomed in the back of Nanoha's head, suppressed by shock, and that was the titan. All it had done since arriving on the field was to send out shuttles to the surface, but that couldn't be its only purpose. The support fleet partly explained why it might be undefended, lacking any offensive weapons and solely acting as a colony ship, but that didn't fit with the Absolution. They had some kind of ace up their sleeve and she had a feeling they'd soon show it.
At this point, the forty or so TSAB Warships were split up into three main battlegroups: One was closer to the enemy, trying to shield those further away; the second was in the middle backing the first group up; the third was at a far distance, providing long-range fire support. The whole battle had come to a stalemate as the Absolution's defenses started absorbing some of the TSAB's firepower, but, at the same time, they didn't have the range to attack back.
Nanoha's hope rose. This might be their chance while the hostile fleet was distracted. Focus returning, she pushed away Subaru as awful as it felt and said, "You want to take a gamble?" They looked at her as one, eyebrows raised. "Put this ship on a collision course with the main battlecruiser fleet. Go back to the Harbingers, fly to that titan, and take it over."
Silence. They stared at her as if insane.
Vita broke into roaring laughter as she faced Nanoha. "I'm in! Let's do it."
"It's our only chance, right?" Vivio said. "For Subaru's sake, it's what we have to do."
"A sound plan," Signum grunted, nodding. "We create a diversion of our own, buying the TSAB fleet some time. It should be enough to even the score."
"It's settled, then." Nanoha accessed the codebreaker again and wrote a few short commands into the dreadnought's control system. The software in the Messiah started to change, rewriting itself. It pinged once it was done. Nanoha double-checked its course and pushed a button on the console. The ship shuddered and started to tilt, aligning towards the Absolution fleet. With a few thousand tons heading towards them, they had to respond.
"Now let's go."
They found their Pecs where they had left them and put them on, entered the airlock and cycled through. Space was as it always had been, though since the dreadnought had changed course all she could see was Mid-Childa above her, filling her visor. Her soles let go of the hull and she drifted into Huginn, settling in the seat. Once Vivio was inside the canopy closed and the systems came online, illuminating the cockpit.
[I knew you would come back, Ladies,] Huginn said.
She noticed a hint of happiness in it and she smiled. "You know what to do, don't you?"
[I do indeed.]
An objective marker appeared on her visor and the Harbinger let go of the hull with a shudder, drifting off with a soft push from its thrusters.
[As a mere precaution, I must make you aware that our energy levels are starting to deplete. I advise avoiding combat as much as possible for the time being.]
"Only dodging then, right?" Nanoha said.
[If possible.]
"We can try."
The two Harbingers shot forward, engines flaring. On her grid map, Nanoha could see a horde of Fighters coming to welcome them as they drew closer to the hostile fleet. She counted forty at the most, splitting up into two groups to overwhelm the Harbingers separately.
"Dodging won't be enough for this," Nanoha said and pushed the front thrusters, forcing the craft to a complete halt. The G-forces threw her head forward, accompanied by a grunt of pain. Harbinger Two slowed down, but didn't stop. "Vivio, get ready. It's time to put you to the test, Huginn, even if it drains us a little too much."
[As you wish. I will make sure our energy supplies will be sufficient. Siege Mode activated.] The Harbinger shuddered as its hull remodeled itself. Its delta-wings became smaller, pulling themselves into the hull, and the front beam turrets moved further apart and became longer. The front thrusters withdrew into the hull and two extra thrusters emerged on their stern.
"Signum, Vita. Stay in Assault Mode and support us."
"Raising Heart, link up with Huginn."
[Yes, Master.]
The pendant around her neck morphed with Huginn, magical cables connecting with the cockpit through various ports. The blue ambient light pulsed with a red hue as the connection pended, until it settled with a deep purple once it was established.
[Uplink complete.] A merged version between Huginn and Raising Heart echoed in the cockpit. Strange at first, she soon adjusted to it. [Parameters optimal. Energy levels satisfactory.] It they paused. [Master Lady, we can be shot.]
"Fighters locked," Vivio said. "Firing solution is go. Tracking is green. Ready to fire."
Nanoha gripped the joysticks and steeled herself. All or nothing. "Divine Siege Buster Extension!"
Energy accumulated at the bow, lightning sparking between the turrets. A second later a massive beam erupted from its center, bursting out into space. It enveloped most of the Fighters, vaporizing them before they had time to react. The thrusters on the stern burned as they countered the massive recoil as the beam continued its onslaught and bent, aiming for a few more Fighters unlucky enough to turn at the wrong moment. Their hulls glowed as the beam washed over their weak shields and melted their armor in a heartbeat, small explosions glinting within the beam's funnel.
After that group had been destroyed, the beam evaporated and Huginn reverted back to Assault Mode automatically. The light pulsated back to its blue state and Raising Heart returned to hanging around Nanoha's neck. Their energy levels were low, but enough to get them to where they wanted.
"So that's what you can do," Nanoha said and grinned as Harbinger Two cleaned up the remaining Fighters, tearing them apart as they came in too close. They made short work of them and joined Harbinger One when they were done.
Nanoha's helmet pinged. The visuals showed her a strange phenomena at the titan's bow. It was similar to the effect it had had when it appeared, except it was smaller. And more menacing.
[Warning! Massive space-time disturbance detected. Advise caution.]
Nanoha banked to port, putting some distance between the TSAB fleet in case that's where the titan planned to fire. The cockpit was silent, her heart beating in her chest as she observed a ball of darkness growing larger, spinning with lightning dancing on its surface round and round. It had no real shape or form. The titan harnessed blackness.
"What is that thing?" Vivio asked in a voice of wonder.
Nanoha couldn't answer. She just stared at it, a vile taste rising in her throat. She tried to open a channel to Hayate, but she still couldn't connect. The thing forming in front of her was foreboding, terrifying. A phrase passed by her mind, words forming a truth she didn't want to acknowledge.
"It can't be," she whispered. "A doomsday weapon. Power of God."
Lucifer unleashed its reckoning. The black orb travelled away from the titan's bow, passing through the Absolution battlecruisers as if they weren't there. They remained unaffected as the ball moved, lightning dancing on the ships' surface, towards the first TSAB battlegroup and picked up speed. Nanoha expected the Warships to die she wasn't sure what to expect from the black orb , but it passed through them without harming them. The farther it went, the more its spin increased. White rays of light and glowing lightning strikes hopped on its surface and it was hard keeping track of its shape, to create a fitting mental image. It became unfocused, blurring, then returning to a black orb and blurred again, repeating it over and over.
However, when it reached the second battlegroup it froze, right in the middle of them. The dancing light vanished and the void pulsated outwards once. It started to shrink with increasing speed while the TSAB battlegroup dispersed, trying to escape into the Sea. They tore holes into the space fabric and transitioned into them.
Too late, Nanoha thought, holding her breath.
The orb shrank to the size of a football Huginn calculated the size based on its sensors and the Warships within its invisible area of influence were pulled towards it, forced out from their portals of salvation. Their engines went haywire trying to adjust their bearings as their hulls pointed this way and that, no logic applying to the way they were going. One Warship drifted on its side, with its thrusters' flames raging on full power in the other direction. Complete and utter chaos ruled the battlegroup. Nanoha could only imagine the sheer turmoil the crew went through as they fought against an invisible force, trying to get their ship back under control and avoid whatever fate waited for them.
Some Warships started to fire their beams and missiles at the orb of darkness, revealing another odd property; the beams bent and slowed until they stood still. No beam reached the core of the orb. Missiles came to a halt, frozen in time. They didn't move or explode. They were just there, suspended.
[Micro Black Hole Generator.]
Nanona blinked. Had she heard him wrong? Micro Black Holes? Couldn't be. You couldn't harness the forces of the universe with a single ship. Impossible. But reality stared her in the face and she had to admit it was the one explanation that could make sense. What other weapon could create this kind of effect? Some magic she knew of had similar visual illusions, but it didn't do this. No mage could possibly control such power.
Or could they?
When the Warships reached the same area where the beams and missiles had stopped dead, they froze as well. They stopped in time, moving so slow Nanoha had a hard time deciding if they were moving at all. Soon, however, they started to speed up again, except they bent at peculiar angles. They moved along the orb's spherical appearance, transforming into a maelstrom of white beams, gleaming hulls and engine flare exhausts, disappearing into the black hole itself. When they were halfway through, the orb disappeared and the twenty Warships burst apart at the exact same time. As each wreck collided with one another, a chain-reaction started among them and Warship after Warship erupted into blinding explosions.
Huginn's sensors went haywire as the circles of light from the unleashed energy expanded through space until they dimmed into nothingness. The broken, fragmented wrecks of twenty Warships were the sole thing remaining in that area, cut in half and gutted like fishes, venting air and bodies into the cosmos.
"My god," Nanoha whispered and clenched the joysticks. They couldn't go up against that again. The TSAB didn't stand a chance. It was all up to her now. The Unforgiving had to take over the titan or the battle was over. That was all the hope that remained.
[Destination almost reached, my Lady.]
"Good. Good..."
No more Fighters tried to intercept them. Only a few of the small craft remained on the field, and they received no reinforcements from the larger ships. The Fighters didn't last long against the TSAB warships and they soon joined their dead brethren.
The remaining battlecruisers moved further away from the titan, followed by the dreadnoughts, in an attempt to pursue the TSAB, but all of them ignored the Harbingers once again. Nanoha didn't know if they didn't have any more Fighters to send out or if they simply ignored them. Either way, the Harbingers were out of harm's way. For now.
"Pick an entry point close to the bridge," Nanoha said.
Huginn's sensor worked and showed the feedback across her visor. [Problem, my Lady. Someone is interfering with my sensors. I cannot detect the points of entry. An alternate solution is recommended.]
"Do we have to blast a hole?"
"That probably won't work without airlocks," Vivio said. She fell into silence, thinking. Then: "The hangar. It's in the first module so it shouldn't be far from the bridge. I think that's the closest we can get."
"Huginn, can you do that?" Nanoha said.
[Should be no problem, my Lady.]
The Harbinger banked and settled onto a course headed for the hangar module. Even from this distance, Nanoha could see the open slits in the hull, allowing smaller craft to pass through.
"There should be an airlock inside," Vivio said. "Judging from the design, the hangar is open to space. No force fields."
Nanoha grunted. "Let's hope they don't have droids waiting for us. I don't feel like blowing up the entire hangar to get rid of them."
With the entry point determined, the Harbinger planed out, decelerated and entered the hangar. Along the wall ahead of them there were individual docking bays meant for shuttles, but all of them were empty. No droids either as far as they could see. The size of the docking bays were large enough for the Harbinger to fit and they eased it into one of them. It secured itself against the bay's arms and Nanoha opened the canopy, the hooks on her suit releasing her. Peeking her head out, she saw an airlock gate far to their right.
[Good luck, Ladies. I will see you when you return.]
Both of them climbed out while Harbinger Two opened its canopy beside them. They pushed off their vessel and landed on the catwalk, boots sticking to the metal.
Once Signum and Vita joined them, they moved to the airlock gate with clonking steps. Nanoha let the codebreaker do its work and they eventually cycled through. What met them on the other side was a huge compartment , void of life. It was similar to the room they'd seen in the dreadnought with all the droids, except it was rectangular and larger.
"What the hell is this place?" Vita said as they moved forward, taking their helmets off. The air was breathable, but stale. Her voice echoed. "It's so big it could house a Warship in it."
"Or half a million droids," Signum said. "They have to store them somewhere."
"Or produce them," Vivio said, peering around. "They have to produce them somewhere. This ship is so large it has to have some kind of facility for it."
"Don't jinx it," Vita said with a grimace. "I'm all for bashing droids, but not if they just keep coming."
The hall was poorly lit and Nanoha could see it darkening ahead of them. The route on her visor updated as they walked and pointed them towards a side passage which they entered, leaving the huge hall behind them. The corridor they now walked in was much smaller, curving at some points, leading them through several other smaller rooms. In one of the rooms they stopped and removed their Pec suits, hiding them in a corner, and summoned their Purge Suits before continuing onward
The rest of the rooms and their purpose were unknown to Nanoha, as most of them contained strange machines they didn't have time to investigate.
"This whole ship must be decades old," Vivio said as they passed another room. "Imagine the resources it would take to build."
"The TSAB might be able to construct something like this," Nanoha said. "I just don't see the point unless you had a specific purpose in mind. You could just build more Warships instead."
"Purpose?" Vivio said.
"This titan, or whatever you want to call it, it works like a colony ship, doesn't it? Shuttles being sent down to a planet. Production facilities. We've only seen less than half of the first module. We have no idea what the other two contains. And that weapon..."
"Not very adaptable," Vita said. "As devastating as it seems, it has to take an enormous amount of energy just to fire. Shock and awe?"
"Makes sense," Signum said. "Surprise the enemy, overpower them with insane firepower. The confusion will work in your favor."
Nanoha nodded and frowned. "It still seems like a very desperate move to me. They're risking their flagship this early already. Are they in a rush?"
"They might not have a choice," Signum said. "They might be running out of resources and ships so the longer they keep the war up, the more likely they're going to lose. That's why they are at Mid-Childa now. They can't hold several planets in other sectors because it would take too long."
"So they've come to finish the war," Vita said, grinning. "That's not gonna work out for them. They showed their hand too early."
"Unless they have more forces somewhere." Nanoha furrowed her brow. "We don't know the Absolution's total numbers, but even if they have more waiting out there somewhere, this does seem a bit final. They must be counting on this ship to turn the tide."
"Then why is this so easy?" Vivio said. "No one is trying to stop us. The Fighters didn't put up much of a fight. They have to know our capabilities by now."
"They aren't just underestimating us," Signum said. "Something else is going on. Someone behind the scenes..."
"That someone might be behind that," Vita said and pointed to the end of the corridor where a peculiar gate adorned with strange silvery symbols obstructed them. Some curved to form shapes of animals, serpents, while others formed shapes Nanoha didn't recognize. Religious symbols, perhaps. Old Gods and prophecies, texts. She did recognize the language, the Absolution's native tongue, but she couldn't make sense of it.
"Yuuno would have loved to see this," she said and marveled at the gate.
"The bridge has to be behind it," Vivio said as she frowned, looking at different points on the gate. "How do we get inside? There isn't a port for the codebreaker here."
"Time for a good old beating, then?" Vita said, flashing her teeth.
"Go for it," Nanoha said.
"Eisen, Zerstörungsform."
The Iron Hammer grew, jets materializing on one side of its head while the other formed a drilling spike. The corridor was just large enough to accommodate its size as the others stepped back and Vita prepared to swing.
Graf Eisen's jet engine flared and roared in tune with Vita as she swung it, smashing into the gate with its drill. The hammer balanced on it, sparks flying, but the gate didn't budge. Enraged, Vita pushed the jet engine harder, flames bursting out if it. A deafening roar filled the corridor. The tip danced on the gate's surface, bounding and screeching.
For five minutes she kept smashing, bashing and tearing at the gate with Graf Eisen, each time coming up with the same result: vague scratches on the silver ornaments, and a closed gate.
Eventually, Graf Eisen clanked to the floor and Vita, panting with sweat dripping from her brow, screamed in frustration. "God damn gate! Open, bastard! Stupid!"
"What now?" Signum said, arms crossed. "Nanoha, what about you?"
She shook her head. "If Vita can't break it, I can't either. At least not in a controlled manner. Vivio?"
"No, don't think so. If it won't break after that much force, it won't open for anything."
"Then we have to find an alternate way in. Damn"
A mechanism in the gate clanked and the ornaments glowed for a brief second before they began to move. They slipped into thin slits and disappeared into the walls as the gate opened, lifted up into the roof above.
"... What did we just do?" Vivio stared at it, dumbfounded.
"Nothing," Signum said. "Someone is letting us inside."
"Why?" Vita brandished Graf Eisen again, eyebrow raised. She'd recovered from her attempts. "It's obvious it's a trap."
"Do you have another suggestion, Vita?" Signum said.
The short girl sneered and looked away. "No."
"Then we spring the trap," Nanoha said and entered.
The room that stretched out before them didn't earn the term 'room'. It was more like a throne room. The floor was white apart from a black wide line leading to an elevated part of the floor. There, monitors aligned the edge in a half-circle. In the middle of the monitors, a lone figure stood with her arms crossed and back turned towards them. All things considering, none of it resembled the interior of a starship. Then again, she'd never been on one this large before.
"Your friend was weak," the figure said without facing them as they got within a few meters of the stairs leading up to the platform. "She could not save her own children. A pity. What I want to know now is if you are too weak to save yours."
Nanoha's vision clouded with rage and she brought Raising Heart to bear. "You're Lord Veena, aren't you?"
Lord Veena turned to face them. Her appearance was similar to the other Zealot Generals Nanoha had come across, except Veena didn't have a mask. Her head was shaved, parts of her scalp replaced by metallic plates, and the armor was as bulky as the rest had been. But there was still something off about her. She was different from the others. More menacing and in control.
True power radiating from her being.
"Judging from the way you look at me, you are filled with the urge for revenge. Perhaps I went a little too far in my interrogation... I was looking forward to seeing your friend's true strength."
Nanoha ignored her. It was the sole defense she could use when words were involved. "I know your origins. I know who you are. You won't succeed with whatever it is you're planning."
Lord Veena shrugged. "Yes, I did receive a notification that someone accessed a particular file in our databases. There was a reason I planted it, of course." She grinned. "I enjoy playing games, you see. Mind games. I have you confused, do I not? You are wondering why I would share the information and let you partake in it."
"What information is she talking about," Vita hissed behind her.
"Don't listen to her."
Lord Veena's grin grew wider. Her self-satisfaction dripped from her being. "Oh. So she has not told you, has she? What a fine Captain you have, keeping information hidden from you. Do you have an agenda of your own, Takamachi? Or... Ah. You do not trust them, is that it? You think they would betray you. That one of them might be a spy for me."
"What the hell is she on about?" Vivio asked, glancing at Nanoha.
"She manipulates people, turns them against each other. Don't listen!"
"I also heard the brainwashing failed for one of my subjects." She pursed her lips, making a show of thinking. "Subaru, was that her name? A useful subject, if you had not killed her."
"I didn't kill her, you did!"
"No, I did not. You left her there and she died because of it. She died because you are weak. You are all weak. If you had been stronger, she would still be alive, because you would have brought her with you. You have not told her friend the truth either, right? That you left her there to die, trying to satisfy yours"
"Enough of this bullshit!" Vita let out a war cry, teeth gritted, and shot forward before Nanoha could stop her. Heaving Graf Eisen above her head, the hammer growing in size, she prepared to slam it down on Veena's head.
Lord Veena flashed her teeth when Vita was a meter away. The giant iron hammer stopped a few centimeters above Lord Veena's head when Vita slammed it down, sparks flying from the grinding of metal against something shimmering below it: a defensive barrier.
Lord Veena chuckled or Nanoha thought she did and flicked her wrist. Graf Eisen flew out of Vita's hands, clattering to the floor a distance away. Vita had enough time to look up with a surprised expression before she was thrown across the floor towards the wall. A shield materialized before she hit and took the brunt of the impact, but she still rumbled into it like a cannonball, cracking the wall and tumbling onto the floor with a broken nose leaking blood over her face.
"Eager to fight," Lord Veena said and started to approach the girl. Signum rushed forward to protect her, cleaving with Laevatein. Lord Veena dodged her with ease, moved hovered towards Vita and picked her up by the neck. "Too weak." She grabbed Vita's left arm and twisted it backwards, bone cracking and piercing her skin. Vita screamed in pain and Lord Veena threw her at Signum who came in from the side for another strike. The two collided in mid-air and tumbled about before they came to a rest on the floor.
"Vivio!" Nanoha, anger and worry flaring inside, charged up Raising Heart and discharged a weak beam. It disintegrated against the shield, but it was enough for Vivio to come up from behind and jump into the air, bearing down a fist at Veena's neck, magic storming around her wrist.
As if sensing the strike, Veena spun around and nudged Vivio's arm enough for it to miss, following up with a fist of her own. Vivio dodged, wide eyes of surprise on her face, and attempted a punch from the side. Veena blocked with her arm and snatched Vivio's throat, squeezing her fingers into her skin. Vivio dangled as she struggled to break free, face turning purple, nails scratching without effect at the shield. Lord Veena grinned and put more strength into it, trying to break her neck.
Signum got back on her feet and joined up with Nanoha, both of them striking at the same time. Laevatein clanged against Veena's shield, bouncing off, but with the combined force of Raising Heart backing it up, Veena had to release Vivio to get away. The girl tumbled to the floor, gasping for air, as Veena rolled to the side. Her wrist flicked for an instant.
"Look out!" Nanoha dodged to the right, but Signum was too slow. Laevatein flew out of her hands and she found herself staring down Veena as she appeared in front of her, wielding a blade of her own. Nanoha had no idea where the curved, pulsing blade of light had come from. Veena slashed it across Signum's face, blood flying in a wide arc across the room and splattered on the floor. Signum staggered back in shock, covering her eyes with a hand. Veena didn't pause and finished Signum off with a gut punch, shattering her armor with a loud crunch. The sheer power behind the blow propelled Signum backwards until she collapsed in a heap on the floor, lying still.
"Signum!" Vita struggled to stand, but fell to her knees, legs shaking. Her arm dangled by her side, white bone sticking through the mangled, bloody flesh.
Nanoha sneered and gritted her teeth. Lord Veena was the sole thing in her vision as adrenaline rushed through her veins. Distorted hair clung to her sweaty face. Her muscles already burned, but she forced herself to ignore it.
"Two to go," Lord Veena muttered as she stood up straight, though Nanoha noticed a change in her breathing. She was getting tired. As strong as she was, going up against four mages proved too much even for her.
Nanoha glanced at Vivio who had recovered. They both nodded at each other. The chance was there. They had to take it.
Vivio burst into motion and attacked from behind again. Lord Veena reacted with an obvious dodge, but the attempted blow from Vivio never came as she instead slipped by. Veena raised an eyebrow and Vivio grinned at her as Nanoha came in from her flank and went into close quarters. She used Raising Heart as a melee weapon, but Veena blocked with her blade. For a moment they could see the whites in each others' eyes as they struggled, trying to overthrow the other with sheer strength. Magic pulsed out from their bodies, shockwaves of light flaring under their feet.
Nanoha was prepared when Veena flicked her wrist again. Raising Heart tugged against her hands, trying to fly away, but Nanoha clenched her fists tighter and pushed down, putting more strength into overpowering her. Lord Veena, to Nanoha's surprise, went down on one knee. A second too late to realize what was happening, Veena gave up the tug o' war and fell to the floor, slashing with her blade as she did. The light cut a horizontal line across Nanoha's armor protecting her thigh, burning through it with ease. She flinched from the stinging pain and Veena rolled to the side.
Anticipating another slash, Nanoha Flash Moved backwards, out of Veena's reach. They both stared each other down, waiting for the other to make a move. Vivio waited a distance away, observing. A stalemate for the time being, neither party wanted to make the first move.
" Tikin Hyoka," Nanoha said, panting. The pain in her thigh was there, but distant. Too shallow to impede her, though a warm liquid slithered down her skin. "I want to know what happened to her."
"Ah. Her." Veena grimaced. "She tried to stop me and failed. She could not compare to any of you. A useless bug who deserved to be stomped on. Though I did not kill her. I assimilated her into my ranks. One less problem for me."
"Is she still alive?" Nanoha noticed Vita standing up behind Lord Veena, eyes flaring with rage. Signum lay still a few meters away. A pool of blood had formed around her head. Nanoha focused back on Lord Veena.
"Yes. She became useful in a different way. Though I still wonder if I should have killed her"
She stopped mid-sentence as Vivio came from the side with Plasma Arm at the ready, magic encircling her fist. Veena ducked and slashed at Vivio's stomach. The armor was sliced open, blood spurting out of the cracks, but Vivio grabbed Veena's shoulder and plunged her fist into the base of her neck.
Lord Veena grunted from the blow and spun, grabbing hold of Vivio's arm and slammed a fist into her face. Vivio stumbled backward, lost her footing, and fell to the floor, holding her nose.
Nanoha saw red. Rage. With her daughter downed and Lord Veena advancing towards her, Raising Heart grew warm in her hands as magical energy gathered around it. However, she still couldn't use Starlight Breaker, not without their Pec suits. The decompression if the walls were breached would spell death for them all, and she couldn't bring herself to sacrifice all of them for the sake of the fleet. There had to be another option for beating her.
"Die, die, die!"
That option came flying through the air. Vita, broken arm dangling by her side, came roaring from the side, iron hammer held high. She crashed Graf Eisen into Lord Veena's back and made her stumble. Overwhelmed for a brief moment dazed and surprised Veena tried to regain her balance while her shield flickered and died.
Chance! "Flash Move!"
She shot forward as Veena's eyes widened. Raising Heart pierced Lord Veena's armor on her flank, rupturing flesh and bursting her insides, until it emerged on the other side. Blood gushed out of her body. They stared at each other, close enough for Nanoha to smell her breath. It stank. Veena's red eyes flared with anger, then softened into acceptance. Nanoha yanked out Raising Heart from Lord Veena's body, ripping the white flesh apart with more blood splattering onto the floor. Gory pieces of intestines fell out with a sickening noise as they landed. Nanoha grimaced while blood trailed down her device's handle, soaking her hands.
It's over.
Lord Veena stared at her wound, touching it with a trembling hand as she sunk to her knees next to the stairs. Blood trailed down her armor. She smeared the crimson liquid with her hand and looked at it, disbelief in her eyes. "Finally..."
"Who are you?" Nanoha said, forcing her breath back under control. Her heart still banged in her chest, adrenaline starting to settle, but she remained alert. She wouldn't let Lord Veena have any openings. "Who are you, really?"
The woman grinned, blood stains on her teeth. A few of them were chipped. "You are smarter than I give credit for. Impressive."
"All of your ambushes. Your traps. It doesn't make sense."
Lord Veena stumbled back towards the stairs and pulled herself up on it, half-lying with her legs dangling. "I tried to save them," she said, looking Nanoha in the eye. For the first time, Lord Veena actually looked vulnerable. Relieved. "My people. My plan backfired and I became this. Voices in my head, speaking riddles and prophecies. I can barely remember how it all started. But yes, you are correct. Actually, you already know my name."
Lord Veena nodded. "I was not lying to you, though. She was killed, by the TSAB. You killed me." She paused. "When you abandoned us, you killed us all. Doomed us all. That is why this happened."
"So you are after revenge, are you?"
"No. Not at the beginning. Our planet was dying. I was the one who initiated the Eden Project; I promised a new world for our people. But we went insane before it was complete. My reasons for coming to Mid-Childa changed. We wanted revenge. We wanted to invade and kill." She chuckled. "You have seen me. You have faced me. All the things I have done has been an act, even to myself. It is highly ironic that now, in the end, the Eden Project succeeded."
"What do you mean? You're dying, your fleet is destroyed... Your people have nowhere to go."
"Nowhere to go?" She pointed at the monitors, showing Mid-Childa. "That's their new home. I have saved them. Why, Takamachi, do you think there were so few humans on our ships? The reason we used droids? Why you found an ambush which failed on the Messiah? No resistance on this ship?"
"Can't be..."
"Yes. Because I wanted it to be so. To keep my people safe and allow you to destroy me. Though I was not aware of it until now. It is as if Hyoka lives on within my head... because she was part of me and all... and told me what to do on the inside. Truth is, the people, my people are not insane or brainwashed. They simply believe in me. In the Eden Project. But the Zealots and the Zealot Generals have all gone mad. Those are the ones you should be afraid of." She paused again, taking a slurred breath, coughed. "When I die, my people will be free. I have killed some of the leaders that suppressed them, including myself." She caught Nanoha's eye again. "My people have done nothing wrong. If you punish them, you are not any better than myself."
"You killed millions... and all because of your delusions?" She couldn't believe it. No way. Lord Veena was manipulating her, swaying her with words.
"They were not delusions. To me they were the truth."
She struggled to comprehend the words. They stabbed her soul, the sheer notion that the entire war could have been avoided disgusted her. Short of breath, she said, "I won't ever forgive you for what you've done."
Lord Veena smiled. "Good. I wanted your friend, Harlaown, to be the one to kill me. To end it, because I could not do it myself. But I was too hard on her. I thought she would recover quicker. For that I am truly sorry."
Nanoha approached, towering over her. She forced the words out of her throat. "If you're speaking the truth, that your people had nothing to do with your carnage... if we take them in, will they turn on us?"
"No. That, at least, I am certain of. Out me for who I was. They will despair, but only temporary. They will recover. They are stronger than you expect." She smiled. "Treat them with kindness."
Nanoha raised Raising Heart over her head with both her arms, tip pointing at Lord Veena's Hyoka's chest. Her arms trembled, muscles straining, and she gritted her teeth. She remember the Aeon bomb after they set foot near Cranagan. The day this chain of events had started for real. And now they had reached the conclusion. They'd reached the end.
"A word of advice," Veena whispered, closing her eyes. "When you have to make sacrifices, make sure it is worth it. I know it was for me."
Nanoha drove Raising Heart down, piercing her heart.
Spoiler for Epilogue: Unforgiven:
What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.
-T.S. Eliot
Nanoha, Vivio and Mariam stood at the edge of a forest, a strong wind rustling the leaves on the trees behind them, and one of the few areas near Cranagan that had remained untouched. Nanoha and Vivio wore black suits with a white shirt underneath, complete with a black tie and black pants all by military regulations while Mariam wore a white officer's uniform. All three of them were waiting for the purpose of their visit to begin. Not that there were any graves, crosses or even coffins in the vicinity; a lack of materials to build them prevented that. Instead, they'd asked those who would attend to wear a white flower in their breast pocket.
As they waited for the proceedings to begin, scanning the crowd who had started to gather, Nanoha asked Mariam about Hayate.
"She was fine last I heard," Mariam said. She stood with a straight back, hands clasped behind her. "The PTSD hit her hard once it was all over. It will take time, but she is well taken care of at the hospital. Shamal is her personal doctor."
Nanoha nodded. No doubt about that. Her contact with Hayate had lessened more and more the past year as she was busy with the rebuilding of Cranagan. She missed her friend, of course. Nevertheless, she also wanted to give her time. She would need it. "And the war?"
"The liberation is... going well, I guess," Mariam said. "There is a lot of Absolution loyalist forces left on the planet, in hiding, but we will find them sooner or later. I have actually received orders myself to search for some of them with the Vengala later this week." She touched the new rank insignia on her shoulder. Mariam, the former XO, had been promoted to Commander after Hayate left, personally recommended to the TSAB Director Board by Hayate before the former Commander had slipped into what could only be described as a personal hell.
"The camps are awful, though," Nanoha said with a grimace, shaking her head. "Filled to the brim. They don't even have clean water or proper medical facilities."
"Neither do Cranagan," Mariam said, looking at her. She shrugged. "I know how you feel, but we cannot do much else right now. I promise it will get better."
"Let's hope so. I didn't promise Lord Veena... But she was right. They had nothing to do with the war."
"I know, Captain." She touched the insignia again. "I did not want this, you know. I have not earned it the way Hayate did. It feels wrong. I am not one to give orders."
Nanoha glanced at her and smiled. "You've earned it, Mariam. The crew looks up to you. They know what you're capable of."
Mariam shook her head. "You may be right, but it does not feel like it. I know an XO taking over command from her CO is a natural progression, but this is different."
"Is it really?" Nanoha said. Mariam frowned. "How is it different? Your CO isn't fit for command. As her XO, the responsibility falls on you to command her Warship in her place. That's how it is. If you don't like it, you can hand it over to someone else. But you don't want to let down Hayate, do you?"
The woman looked at her with an odd expression. She sighed. "No. I do not."
Nanoha glanced up at Lucifer. The gigantic ship of past destruction bore down on Cranagan like an overbearing shadow, covering the land in a shade. Though it was close to the atmosphere, it occluded the sun at the right time of the day. It had remained there ever since they had taken it over. There was nowhere else to put it without risking a hostile overtaking. As long as it remained there they could stop any potential Absolution forces from taking it back.
Nanoha spotted Vita, Zafira and Signum at the entrance to the memorial, the latter sitting in a wheel chair with a black visor covering her destroyed eyes. She would have to use that for some time until her body recovered from the fight with Lord Veena. Zafira pushed her forward, Vita walking beside them with her arm in a sling.
She welcomed them with a smile, Vivio waving, as they approached, coming to stand next to them.
"Vivio," Vita said, "you look healed already."
Vivio patted herself on the stomach. "Takes more than a blade to stop me. Though my throat still hurts a little. Internal bruising."
Vita nodded. "Yea, figures."
"And you still have to wear that sling?"
"Don't mention it, dammit! It's annoying enough being forced to wear it. I don't want to be reminded all the time." She calmed down and grew grim as she looked at Nanoha. "How are the other two?"
"Fate's at the psychiatric ward," Nanoha said in a subdued voice. "Teana, too. I'm not sure how long they'll stay, but at least Fate's wounds have healed. Somewhat."
"Both of them lost the most in this war," Zafira said. "It'll take time for them."
"Did you go to visit them?" Vita said. Nanoha shook her head. "Why not?"
"Time. Space. I have to... take care of things."
"Vita," Signum said, an edge to her voice.
Awkward silence. "Alright, alright. Jeez." Vita sighed, scratching her head. "Sorry about that. We'll take it another time."
"Thank you."
Signum asked Mariam about her new rank and Mariam told her what she told Nanoha. While the two chatted, Nanoha watched the crowd. More people had arrived, a mix between military and civilians, standing side by side. The ceremony was open for anyone who wanted to come, though the military was the majority. Most of the civilians, she figured, were too busy restructuring their lives. They didn't have the safety net of the TSAB to help them back up again. As unfair as it was, she couldn't do much about it.
The crowd dampened as Carim emerged, wearing her usual Knight's Church uniform, and stepped up on the podium near where Nanoha stood. After sorting through her papers she began her speech. Nanoha listened with half an ear, eyeing the faces of those around her. Carim had written a good speech, delivered with an ample amount of grief and pride as Nanoha expected her to. She went on about the bravery of those who had fought back, the sacrifices made, and the strength of the population to resist the invaders on their own terms. Honoring the fallen. She didn't mention any specific names, for the better. No single individual deserved. They'd been in this together. As a people.
I haven't spoken to her in two years, Nanoha thought, eyeing Carim. She hasn't changed much, though. Both of us on different paths, towards the same goal.
At the end of her speech, Carim scoured the crowd as the applauses roared and found Nanoha. She smiled at her, bowing a little. Nanoha nodded back. That was all the interaction the two would get for some time to come.
The crowd started to disperse after that. Some went to pray with the Church's representatives, others had something else to do; most likely to contribute to the rebuild effort. Nanoha could see hope on their faces; sunken eyes, pale faces, yet smiling. Talkative. Caring. A few stayed behind where the crowd had been, standing with their eyes closed, mumbling words of... She wasn't sure. Phrases to those in the beyond.
She left those people alone as her group walked to the exit. Mariam said farewell and left them, heading towards her own little group of crew members. Outside the gates, Nanoha turned to the others. She drew a deep breath. She didn't want to tell them, but she didn't have a choice. She said, "We got orders from the Directors. The Unforgiving is officially disbanded until further notice. You'll all get new orders when the time comes, but for now, this is where it ends." No one argued and she smiled. They understood. If anything, they looked relieved. "Take this time to rest and go visit Fate, Hayate and Teana. They'll need it."
"We'll do that right now," Vita said. "Aren't we, guys?"
Zafira and Signum nodded. "Take care for now, Nanoha," Signum said. "We'll talk to you later."
When they'd split up, Nanoha and Vivio remained at the exit, staring into the sky. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. There was one thing she had to do now, and it didn't involve battle. She'd been fighting for so long she welcomed it with open arms. She would rebuild Cranagan, help those in need. They'd rebuild it all.
"By the way, mom," Vivio said, smirking, "what are you gonna tell Yuuno?"
"How did you Were you listening in? You brat."
"Tehehe~ It's hard not to sometimes."
Nanoha blushed. "I'll see what I'll do. I would like to, but... Fate..."
Vivio sighed. "I know. Just, don't take too long. He's been waiting. You too. It's time to make a decision."
Nanoha glanced up at Lucifer. It stared back at her, a physical, but immobile God. She nodded to herself, smiled, and went back into the city with her daughter in tow.
Spoiler for Author Afterword:
It's been a fun run. I've done a mess of things since I didn't plan out a lot of this fic, but there is one thing it has done for me: Show that I can write at a steady pace for more than a few weeks. This fic totals about 41.000 words, written in less than two months, which makes it the longest and fastest one I've ever completed. Not to mention the giant growth in skill since the start of last year.
Anyway. Thanks for reading. I might be back in the future.
|2013-02-04, 21:42
|Link #37508
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: There's this dot on the world map...
One heck of a ride.
Yo dawg, I heard you like QB...
Thanks MAEt for the av!
|2013-02-06, 14:34
|Link #37509
. . .
An Iron appears with a chapter of Swords and Shields. Ye hath waited long enough. I hope you enjoy it and you may thank Kuroi Hadou for the superb beta work.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3a
Chapter 3b
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Spoiler for Swords and Shields: Chapter 8a:
It was a starry night which Signum beheld this eve as she sat upon the back porch of the Yagami home, her mind awhirl in all manner of thoughts and her belly full of a delicious meal. The trip. Hayate. Yuuno. Her family. Nearly anything one can imagine crossed her mind at some point or another. Some of more import than others.
She was most certainly looking forward to welcoming Hayate home. It would be nice to have the whole family back together again. Not only for the obvious reason of simply missing a member of their dear family, but were they asked to be completely honest, they also missed their Mistress' cooking. True, Vita and herself were more than capable cooks, but they could not hope to compare to the culinary mastery which Hayate possessed.
And apparently, during her trip with Yuuno, Shamal had found her way into the kitchen. Signum shuddered at the tale which had been woven for her when she returned. Waffles. How Shamal had managed to turn the simple crafting of waffles into what had apparently become the catalyst for summoning some manner of eldritch abomination would forever remain beyond her. It was likely for the better. She quite liked her sanity.
Thoughts of her trip away from home brought up more. Thoughts of Yuuno. Thoughts of the time they had spent together in a way she would never have imagined possible a year ago. Thoughts of the night they had shared, engaged in a battle like no other. It still sent a shiver down her spine to recall it so vividly. Not only the acts they had engaged in, but also the raw emotions which had been experienced and exchanged. It was a sensation so wondrous, a part of her had not wanted their trip to end. Yearning only to remain steeped in such feelings and desires.
Unfortunately, life demanded they return. And return they had some weeks ago. Some might have expected a grand proclamation of their love upon their return. A ceremony of such grandiose proportions it would put the crowning of the Kaiser to shame. Well, perhaps the latter was an exaggeration, but such is the imagination of people. Yet they had made no such announcement. Rather, they had kept it to themselves. A secret love they were certain only a select few would be able to discover existed between them.
Were Signum to venture a guess as to who might have ascertained the entire truth of the matter, she would place Shamal at the very top of the list. There was no fooling one's physician. Particularly when it came to the... physical aspects of love's more intimate expressions. In fact, she was fairly certain her entire family knew by now. And by extension, a few friends as well. Yet not a one had said anything. Whether they were waiting until she came out and said it herself, or were waiting for some slip of the tongue, none had made any comment thus far.
Though Takamachi had surreptitiously given her a wink a few days after she had arrived home. There was very little anyone could hide from the White Devil and expect her to not make some manner of expression about it. She supposed a wink was the best she could hope for, really. Signum recalled quite well the spectacle the brunette had made upon learning about Mondial's attraction to Lu Ruche.
Yet aside from their desire to maintain what privacy they could, there was another reason they had kept their lips sealed about the entire ordeal. They needed time. Time to think. Time to understand. Oh, there was little doubt their shared love and attraction was real and burned brightly. But what they had done, the lapse in control to finally give in to their vicious carnal desires, it had changed the status quo. They could never be 'just friends' again. They could ever go back to even those battles of such raw tension not even the sharpest blade could cleave. Even if she did not wish to go back to those days, it still left her with a great deal on her mind.
Her thoughts wandering to such a degree, she barely sensed the approach of their dinner guest for the evening. One specifically invited by her.
Signum turned her head slightly to look up at the woman who was about to sit down: Lindy Harlaown.
Where one might think hers and Yuuno's love was to be the makings of a fairy tale or some manner of 'Happily Ever After' penned to fuel the imaginations of young children, they would be quite mistaken. They did indeed love one another. With a passion and fire enough to sear the world a thousand times over no less. Yet for their wants, there was the unfortunate existence of reality. Both of them had jobs which consumed an immense amount of time at odd hours. To say nothing of their respective responsibilities outside of work. They had not even managed time to go on a proper date. At best, they had managed to exchange smiles most secret in the rare chance they crossed paths at work. The presence of onlookers halted the much desired opportunity to go beyond a mere expression.
There was also a rather significant problem Signum faced which Yuuno did not. Or at the very least, he faced to a far lesser degree than herself. He had experience to draw upon from his relationship with Takamachi. He knew of the mechanics of dating, of romantic evenings, of how a relationship might advance. At the very least it was accurately surmised he did. She... did not.
It was for that reason, she sought out the former Admiral Harlaown. Lindy was a woman who, while bearing the unfortunate descriptor of being a widow, had lived and loved. Fallen in love. Married the man she had fallen so head over heels for. Raised a family. She was truly the one person Signum knew she could turn to for advice. Advice she so desperately needed.
It was Lindy who broke the relatively peaceful silence under the stars, for the inside of the house was hardly peaceful or silent. As Vita's shout of victory threatened to bleed into the level of volume typically reserved for being a public disturbance. "Dinner was delicious. I didn't know Vita was such a skilled cook." A little small talk never hurt to get things started.
Signum nodded, now letting her gaze trace one of the many constellations above. "She enjoys surprising people with that." An amused expression graces her features. "Zafira once joked it was the only thing feminine about her. She took exception to that."
Lindy chuckled at the image of just how the redhead might have taken exception. "I take it he learned his lesson then?"
"After a week of being fed Shamal's cooking, he most certainly did." Signum's amused expression lingered for only a little while longer as the pause in conversation grew.
"Signum, what was it you wished to speak with me about?" Lindy had her suspicions, mostly stemming from brief conversations with Fate and Nanoha, but she was not going to jump to conclusions without all the information she could gather first. At the very least she knew it did not involve the so called battle involving her daughter. The event had long since passed and she had already spoken with the Knight about it. Explanations, apologies, and acceptance had been dealt with and there was no sense in continuing to beat a dead horse, as the saying on Earth went.
Signum looked down before drawing a somewhat pensive breath. "I require... advice." A feeling of nervousness gripped her. Why was this more difficult than she had imagined?
Lindy gave no indication of surprise. In truth, she had been expecting something like this. Even the most independent of individuals needed guidance of some sort along the way. It was merely an issue of them realizing they needed it. She herself had sought out help on myriad subjects over the course of her life, a few of which after receiving a shove or two from friends and family who had grown tired of her ignorance. The real issue was what sort of advice Signum was seeking. "What about?" She smiled gently. "Its rare for you to seek help. From myself least of all."
"I have recently become... involved with someone." Involved? What a poor way of describing it. Can she not be more honest in her own words? Swallowing, Signum shakes her head. "No, it is more proper to say I have fallen in love."
It took a great deal of effort on Lindy's part to not allow herself to break into a catty grin and begin teasing the woman seated next to her. Love? The stoic and devout knight of the sword had fallen in love? Oh who could it be to have stolen away the heart of Signum Yagami? Schooling her emotions and expression into one far more appropriate for the subject at hand, she allows herself a happy smile. "That's wonderful! Who's the lucky one to catch your fancy?"
Signum smiled. A warm and secret smile as she spoke the name of her beloved. "Yuuno Scrya."
Of all the individuals Signum could have named, Yuuno's was not one Lindy quite expected to be revealed to her. However considering the frequent and often heated battles she'd heard about between the two, she really shouldn't be as surprised as she is. She must be getting a little rusty in her retirement to have not seen the signs. Still, her composure threatens to break as the inner desire to meddle and torment grows ever stronger. "Oh? Our young librarian has caught the eye of the might Knight of the Sword? You're going to make a lot of people cry you know~"
Signum could only blush slightly at the teasing tone of Lindy's voice. "I... Well..." Really, if she can handle Lady Hayate, she ought to be capable of handling Lindy. Taking a breath to compose herself, she gives a small shrug. "It is their own fault."
Lindy merely chuckled. "Does he know? He's not a fool, no matter what my son might say." Indeed, Chrono was almost always ready to lay down an insult or reprimand about his friend. Such an odd friendship they have.
The blush upon Signum's cheeks could have been far worse had she not fought to control it. Even so, it was enough to be quite obvious. "He does. We confessed to one another during the excavation I accompanied him on." Confessed and far more.
The response warranted a briefly raised eyebrow from the retired Admiral. She would have thought it would be the confession which was most difficult for Signum. And Yuuno returned the feelings? Then in all theory, things should be going swimmingly. Or at least as swimmingly as a newfound couple can. What, then, is the problem? "What seems to be the problem then?"
"I am... uncertain where to go from here." Signum bowed her head slightly as she spoke. "It is... unusual. Normally I would expect a couple to go on dates and spend time together to learn more about one another and deepen their bonds. Yet, our situation is hardly... normal." There was a pause as she gathered her words, Lindy waiting patiently for her to continue. "We have known each other for so many years already. Our attraction grew through battle to the point of becoming almost unhealthy. No, it was unhealthy. We would have destroyed each other in our battle lust had Takamachi not intervened. He is so much more experienced than I am. He's human. I'm a sentient combat program hundreds of years old. We love each other but I cannot help but feel worried. I don't know... I feel lost... I..." Her voice had become rambling as she began to pour out her concerns. Lindy halted Signum's uncharacteristic break in composure by placing a comforting hand upon her back.
"Signum, its all right. Love is love partly because it makes no sense at all. And I think you're making some rather dangerous assumptions there." Lindy began rubbing the confused Knight's back as she would her son's when he had been particularly distraught in his younger years. Signum glanced over with a questioning look in her eyes at the rebuke. "You're assuming there's such a thing as 'normal' when it comes to love and relationships and that experience is the trump to making something succeed. They aren't."
"What do you mean?" Shouldn't there be a norm for everything? Some standard by which to gauge all others? How else can things fall into the categories they do? And should not something with greater experience hold an advantage and lead?
Lindy paused as she thought about how to answer the query placed before her. "Everyone is different and everyone goes about living differently. Sure there can be similarities, but I think you could search for ten thousand years and never find two couples that go about love in the same way. Why, I remember when I first realized I had fallen in love with Clyde."
Remaining silent, Signum listened intently.
"I was a few years younger than him and we were in the same squadron at the time. He was a good man who enjoyed a good drink with his comrades and had the strangest obsession with the color blue. But despite his quirks, I found myself wanting to know more about him. And the more I knew, the more I fell in love with him. I was always making a fool of myself in front of him and he always gave me this kind smile full of mirth whenever we saw one another. I have to say, my confession could have gone far better than it had." She giggled fondly at the memory and placed a hand on her slightly red cheeks. "I had called him out to an overlook by the ocean on the planet we were stationed on. I don't think I'd ever been that nervous before."
"What happened?" Singum's inquiry was filled with curiosity, eager to know what had happened.
Lindy laughed. "I fell off the overlook halfway through and he tried to catch me. We wound up walking back to base soaked to the bone and me feeling completely miserable." Her laughter grew even further, so steeped in precious memories was she. Signum's confused gaze made the laughter ever more amused. "He said that confessing by the ocean probably wasn't a good idea and asked if I'd like to have dinner after we'd both gotten into something dry."
"You mean he was...?" To Signum, it sounded more like a romantic comedy of sorts. The sort Shamal was fond of.
Lindy nodded. "He was in love with me as well. He just never quite knew what to do with his feelings or how to express them. You wouldn't believe just how much stumbling in the dark we did trying to figure out what a couple was supposed to do. And we made it work somehow, even though neither of us had any sort of experience" Casting a sideways glance at Signum at the mention of experience, she continued. "But that's how we because what we did. Admiral Leti met her husband in a completely different way. And a far less embarrassing one as well."
The former admiral smiled as she recalled the event as Leti had relayed it to her one day. "He's an engineer for the TSAB's ship development division. They met when she had to go down to the docks and retrieve some hard copy reports about something. I can't recall what, exactly. Probably an engine design. But that's not important. He began explaining something and by the end, she'd asked if he'd like to continue their talk over lunch. And the rest is history."
Signum appeared somewhat conflicted at hearing the two very different tales. There was no basis for her to compare her own situation to. While being no stranger to venturing into the unknown, those situations tended to involve life or death struggles against an unknown foe. Something she could sink her sword into and hopefully emerge triumphant against. The realm of battle where she was truly in her element. The realm of the heart, she was far less so. The idea of failing here was far more terrifying than being cut down by some fearsome and unknown enemy. "Then... There truly is no 'normal' way about it?"
Lindy shook her head and gave an honest and simple answer. "None at all. You could ask a thousand people and get a thousand or more answers."
"I see... That does not put me at ease." There was no sort of complaint or condemnation in her voice or bearing, merely an admittance of her feelings. Then again, when has anything ever been so easy? She would admit it was a little foolish to expect it from this matter.
"It wasn't really supposed to. But I think sometimes knowing how hard things can be will help later on when you reach that point." It was something she wished she'd truly taken the time to consider when she'd wed Clyde. Perhaps it would have made dealing with his loss just a little more bearable. Opting to try and steer the conversation onto something she hoped would let her provide a little more assistance to the confused knight, she dove for one of the potentially more juicy morsels of Signum's romance. "I'm a little curious about something... How did you confess to him? Or did he confess first?"
Signum looked away, the crimson from before returning to her cheeks in full force. For all her composure, intimate matters were still rather... difficult to convey in many ways. "He confessed first. But at my insistence. We were..." She swallows nervously before continuing. "In bed at the time..."
Lindy's expression was one of surprise as she held a hand up to her mouth. "Oh my." If Yuuno being the object of Signum's affection had been unexpected, then circumstances of their mutual admission was certainly more so by a great margin.
Turning back to Lindy, she continued. "It was something begun in the heat of the moment. There had been a great deal of tension between us, building over the course of our battles and interactions. It eventually snapped. But before we went too far, I asked him. I had to know if he felt the same as I did."
"And he did." Lindy's statement of the obvious was met with a nod of the head.
"There was no falsehood in him. Not in his words. His eyes. Nowhere. He was as sure and honest as I have ever seen him. I confessed to him my own feelings. And then..." She trailed off, the memories of the eve coming back en masse.
"You had sex?" Signum nodded once more, appearing to feel a slight more composed in her demeanor. Lindy coughed with an awkward smile. "Well, I have to say I was not expecting things to develop so quickly from what you told me before. Then again, Clyde and I weren't exactly waiting till marriage either, so I don't have much room to talk. ...Speaking of talking, I imagine the two of you came to terms in the morning?" It was a probing question, not one Lindy was entirely sure she ought to be asking. But from what she gathered, Signum and Yuuno had been acting on a great deal of built up passion.
"We did... Somewhat." The knight's eyes seemed to fade as she recalled the morning after in all its myriad details. Even now, she was still somewhat surprised she had experienced such a thing.
The first sensation which had encroached upon her waking senses was warmth. An alien, but not unwelcome warmth as she felt a pair of arms wrapped around her midsection. Those arms pulled her closely against their owner, the man which whom she'd shared a night of violent and loving ecstasy with. Her first night no less. The reminder of which prompted her to acknowledge the second sensation to assail her mind.
It was an ache like no other. A pain which began from her loins and saturated her lower half. Something she could not begin to compare to all her training. And she decided, it was not entirely unpleasant. At the very least the memories associated with its origins were certainly enough to make it so.
But as the light of day began to creep through the window, past the shuttered blinds, and lay upon them, she began to truly recall the night before.
The lust.
The violence.
The love.
The brutality.
She and Yuuno had given in to their desires and enacted a battle of such sensuality, she can scarcely believe her own memories at her actions. Was she not the stoic and proud knight of her Lady Hayate? She very much was. But now she had gone beyond being a knight and had become a woman as well. She had always been a woman, but now she had acted upon her wishes as one.
A stirring and a groan drew her from such thoughts as her bedmate and lover began to rise.
She turned her head slightly to look to over as Yuuno perched his head upon her shoulder, his sleepy gaze still hidden by closed eyelids. "Good morning." Part of her wonders if she shouldn't have said something more. Something of greater significance. However this part is drowned out by an onslaught of two rather potent emotions. Contentment and concern.
Contentment at just how simple and comfortable she feels at the moment.
Concern at the fact their lives have been irreparably changed in a very powerful way.
"Morning..." His response was groggy and made him sound as though he would like nothing more than to return to the land of slumber. And he probably would if he doesn't get a cup of coffee in him sooner than later. Combine the fact Yuuno was already sluggish in the morning with what they'd done last night, she was quite certain he'd fall back asleep in very short order.
She attempted to extricate herself from his embrace to no avail, not even being able to turn and face him given their positions. "We must get up or the day will be wasted." In more ways than one. The only response Signum received was a mumble as Yuuno nuzzled against her neck, burying his face in her messy locks of pink. It certainly felt nice, but they could not remain in bed forever. Her voice dropped into a more commanding tone, one she used to make scatter brained recruits pay attention rather quickly. "Yuuno, wake up."
Yuuno nearly shot up at the tone and his reaction brought a small grin to her face. She'll have to remember this. It would be easier than physically dragging him from the bed. More amusing too.
"I'm up! I'm up. What's happening?" Awake he may be, but aware he is obviously not. As she turns and sits up to face him, recognition dawns upon his features. Signum notes his disheveled appearance and bewildered expression is somewhat... endearing. Before he can utter another word, she shifts somewhat awkwardly and leans over for a kiss.
It was neither searing, nor was it passionate. It was simple. A showing of affection between lovers. Lovers, is such a term accurate for them now? It certainly seems so. But can she truly know for certain? A few of those novels of hers seems to state as such. But life does not always parallel fiction so well. Regardless, a good morning kiss is something she feels should not be missed. As they separate she hesitates, not entirely certain how to go about bringing up the numerous thoughts swirling about her mind. In the end, it seemed as if Yuuno was the one to recover first.
He sits up properly to face her, taking in her contemplative look as he does so. Are her concerns so clearly etched on her face? They must be for him to be giving her such a worried look after what they'd done. Their exchanged confessions. The heat of their bodies moving together. The feeling of love both physical and emotional. "Are... Are you alright?"
Signum nodded with an assured look. "I am a little sore, but otherwise fine." It is to be expected, is it not?
Yuuno shook his head. "That's... not what I meant. I mean, I'm glad you're only feeling a little sore after all that. We weren't exactly too gentle with each other. I tried to be in the end and... And I'm rambling, aren't I?" He took a deep breath to try and calm himself before continuing. "I meant, are you alright with... us? With what we did and what we said to each other."
"...Oh." So he realized it too. She should not be so surprised. He has been in this situation with at least Takamachi before. This world changing scenario wherein one's life undergoes a dramatic alteration. A gnawing feeling of immense worry begins to settle in her belly. A deep fear her actions may have been driven solely by the heat of the moment. Joining it is an even greater one. The fear Yuuno's actions were driven as such. It ties her tongue and stills her thoughts, trapping her.
It does make sense on some level. How heated their battles became. How driven they were to conquer the other. And she will not deny just how much she wanted to see Yuuno try to dominate her whilst she put forth every effort to do the same to him. The eve prior had become so much like battle it was hard to tell when it diverged from conquest to caresses. Had it all just been a new form of combat? Something resulting from the heat of the moment?
"Signum." Yuuno's words broke through her ever darkening thoughts like a hammer upon glass. He reached over and placed his hands on her cheeks. She could not help but note how warm they were. "Look at me." And she did, her normally sure and determined blue eyes showing slivers of the fears preying upon her. "I meant it. Every word."
Signum would count herself as a very good judge of character. And much as she had felt last night, she could feel his words were true. Yuuno Scrya is not a liar.
As her heart fights away the darkness and fear, she places a hand atop his and nods with a small smile. "I as well. I just... I need time. Time to come to grips with this. To understand everything." Already everything had happened so fast. She could not continue to charge in head first. She needs to think. About so very much. Where to go from here. What to do. How to do it.
"I think we both do. I mean, this is the first time we've really stopped to think about... well, us. Its a lot to take in." He gave a silly chuckle. The sort one gives when they realize they've done something foolish. Indeed they had been rather foolish, to not stop and think until now. After they'd run full tilt into the most intimate of physical relationships and heartfelt confessions. She cannot stop herself from joining in Yuuno's laughter.
After their amusement had begun to fade, Signum pulled Yuuno's hands into her own. "It is. But, we have some time."
Yuuno nodded in agreement before leaning forward to give her a gentle kiss. A kiss which was interrupted by a pair of hungry stomachs. Both turned red with embarrassment, a rather amusing imagine given just how much they had revealed to one another in so short a time. "How about we get dressed and get something to eat? I'll cook."
Signum nodded in agreement, noting just now how hungry she was. "Much appreciated."
He smiled. "Anytime"
Noting Signum was not going to be any more forthcoming on the details of what exactly had been talked about and deciding there were indeed limits to how far she could pry, Lindy decided to leave the topic be for the time being. "Well, so long as you talked about it. Silence isn't exactly as golden as they say it is." There was another question which had been burning on her tongue since she'd heard who the lucy man was. But simply jumping into it seemed rather rude. Especially since Signum was in need of advice rather than fueling her desire to gossip. "Mind if I ask how long have you two been attracted to one another?"
It took a little while for Signum to answer as she tried to pinpoint exactly when it all began. "I suppose... early last Autumn at the earliest. By winter most certainly." It was truly difficult to tell. For someone who had never expected to find such love, it was rather difficult to pinpoint exactly when she had fallen for the librarian.
"Not so short a time after all. And now you've come to realize how you feel for one another and don't know where to go..." They'd come back to the heart of the matter. Lindy placed her hands on her lap and met the crystal blue eyes of the knight with a gentle, yet serious, look. "Signum, I'd like you to ask yourself something."
Signum gave a quizzical look in response. Wondering just what sort of question she would be given.
"What is it you want out of this? Its something I wish I'd asked myself when Clyde and I got together. We were honestly flying by the seat of our pants. We may have had a wonderful time before he passed and made countless irreplaceable memories, but... I can't help but wonder if maybe things could have turned out differently if we'd taken the time to think a little more about what we wanted." Maybe one of them would have decided to stay home and spend more time with Chrono. Maybe they've have had another child. Maybe Clyde would have lived to see his son become an admiral. So many maybes...
There was a light in Signum's gaze as she drank in Lindy's words. What did she want? She already knew she had a sparring partner in Yuuno. But such a thing could be found anywhere. Her gaze went skyward once more as she ruminated upon the question. What did she want? It was easy to imagine all manner of scenario with Yuuno in her life in all degree of closeness.
But then she began to imagine life without.
A life bereft of this love she'd found.
A love which belonged only to her. One which she had tasted the fruit of and did not wish to relinquish. Did not wish to never taste again.
The thought of suffering such a fate made a cold weight settle in the pit of her stomach.
"I... do not wish to be without. I wish to have him. Only him. Now and..." Her gaze, now firm in her resolve, lowered to the horizon. "Now and forever. For good and ill."
A smile graced Lindy's lips at Signum's words. "And what of a family? Do you want one of your own?"
This gave Signum pause. A family. A family of her own. She may already be a part of a loving and warm family. But the notion of creating her own with Yuuno... She did not have an immediate answer. It was not something she had thought about. The concept of being a... mother. Of having her own children. Never before had the idea crossed her mind. "I... I am unsure. I have not considered it before."
"So long as you do better than I and start thinking about it now. I know quite a few couples who are perfectly content with no children. I just think it would be better for you to think about it before you get married is all." She and Clyde had actually not even considered the idea of children until Chrono came along. And tragedy had ended their plans to give their son more siblings. Perhaps if they'd thought ahead... Asked those questions... No, its in the past now. She's moved on and raised a wonderful son.
Signum nodded, deep in thought. There was so much she had never considered. She had been living more in the moment than considering the future. It brought a measure of shame to her countenance to realize how short sighted she'd been. And not only in regards to her own feelings. but Yuuno's as well. At the very least, she now had something to think about. A set of destinations to choose. And with those destinations, she could plan.
Suddenly, she did not feel so... unnerved of the future.
Lindy stood to give the pondering Knight time to think, but was stopped before she could leave by Signum's grateful voice. "Thank you Lindy. I appreciate what you've done for me. I believe... I will be able to find my answer now."
"It was no trouble at all." Lindy's motherly smile made her eyes glimmer with warmth and no small amount of mischief. "I'll leave you be. And thank you again for dinner."
Signum returned the smile and nodded, turning her gaze back up to the stars.
As Lindy reentered the house, complete with its riotous level of noise, she could not help the long suppressed grin any longer. It split her face in a catlike manner. Oh, the look on her son's face when he hears about this~
As for the pink haired knight beneath the starlight, she had a great deal on her mind.
To cling to the idea of normalcy would likely only invite disaster.
To expect experience to guide and trump inexperience was folly.
She needed time. Time to speak with Yuuno. To question and affirm what they were. What they could become. And she could not simply wait for the right opportunity to present itself. The longer it went on, the worse it could become. She would strike out of her own accord, force open a path, and find out what sort of future they could make.
Lindy had given her questions and no answers to them, only a frame of reference from what her own life had been like. Signum could draw no conclusions from such a reference. As a Belkan Knight, she knew only blood, war, and death. As Lady Hayate's Knight, she had known the warmth of a home and a loving family. Now? Now she had the chance to make her own family with the man she had come to discover love for. Somehow it was more terrifying to consider some of the easiest parts had already passed by and only the truly difficult trials lay ahead than it was to consider what failure would entail.
A failure she did not wish to experience.
But she could only ensure such a failure would not be guaranteed if she made time to talk to Yuuno. Damn her schedule, she would grasp the future with both hands no matter what.
A determined smile graces her lips as she stares heavenward. "Prepare yourself Yuuno Scrya, our greatest battle has yet to come..."
The Art of Shipping is as profound as it is dangerous; not for the faint of heart nor the weak of will, it makes gods and devils out of us all.
|2013-02-06, 14:35
|Link #37510
. . .
Part 2, complete with Omake.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3a
Chapter 3b
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8a
Spoiler for Swords and Shields: Chapter 8b:
The small sphere of light flew across the back yard at great speed, appearing like a miniature comet to the casual observer. Its path was intercepted by a small hand which then hurled the ball back from whence it came with a flick of the wrist and a shout of effort. The tiny figure's grin faded to shock and irritation as its assault was caught and caught and sent right back.
Agito was so certain Zwei wouldn't have been able to catch such a fast return.
Indeed the two Unison Devices were playing a game of catch. Well, in a manner of speaking. Rather it more closely resembled a game of tennis or even pong. A pair of barriers had been erected behind each and both were attempting to hurl the sphere of magic past the other and into the wall they defended. A strike was worth a point and a broken barrier worth three.
It was a fun game which doubled as a training exercise for control and power. The former being something the fiery redhead appeared to be in considerable need of. Assuming the score of four to twenty-seven was to be believed.
A crash and a shout of indignation.
Rather than continue the clearly one-sided game, Zwei paused and called out to her friend. Normally she fared much better than this. Even in her most foul of moods. Whatever had the fiery girl's attention was clearly beyond anything which had come before. "Agito, are you okay?"
Agito stomped her tiny foot in midair as she snapped back, "I'm fine. I'm just having a bad day, okay!" She regretted using such a caustic tone as she saw the other girl visibly flinch and hide behind her hands. It wasn't Zwei's fault she was like this. No it was the fault of her Meister and the stupid librarian. And at the moment, she wasn't sure who she ought to be more irate with.
Zwei tentatively peeked out from behind her rather ineffective hiding place. "A-Are you s-"
She was cut off as the redhead flew over to her with a growl, "No. You know what? I'm not okay! I'm freaking pissed off and I don't know who at!" Agito swept her hands to the sides before placing them on her hips in a rough manner, a tongue of flame spouting from past her lips. A surefire sign she was truly in a foul mood. It had once been theorized she would spontaneously combust if angry enough. Something Vita had been sorely tempted to test.
"Wh-Who are you so angry at? I've never seen you like this." Well, the statement was not completely true. Zwei had seen Agito's fury reach the level of apoplectic, but never had it been directed at someone specifically. As for the question of who, she had a fairly good idea if she said so herself. Which she would have had it not been potentially hazardous to her current and future well-being.
"Who else? That damned librarian and Signum!" Rarely did she refer to Signum by her name aloud, perhaps one of the few acts of proper decorum she was able to follow with regularity. She began walking in circles in midair, frustrated and irate. "First he starts taking up her time with all these sparring matches without telling me. Then she doesn't even let me go with her because she wants to test her own strength. Bull! And what the hell kind of sparring match would make someone look that satisfied!?"
Zwei could have commented, but wisely decided to let her friend continue venting.
"If it was such a damn good fight, why couldn't I come along? We're partners, right? And then, oh fun of fun, they run off to an 'archaeological dig' together. Alone. To look at rocks and old bones! Rocks and old bones! If she wanted to do that, she could have gone to a damned museum! Not to mention when they get back, she had this supremely smug and pleased expression on her face" By now she was ranting and raving, waving her hands about while a heat haze followed her every move.
Zwei would definitely have to disagree on the 'supremely smug and pleased expression' comment. They had been looking at the same woman, right? Signum had appeared a little more happy than before she had left, not to say she was unhappy at the time. It was like there was a little more of a spring in her step. The sort which would pass the notice of any who weren't truly looking for it. Plus, there were brief moments where the swordswoman appeared a slight radiant. Usually when she thought no one else was looking.
But smug?
Agito wasn't quite finished, though she appeared to be winding down. "And now. And now..." There was a hesitance as her fiery voice turned more subdued and worried. Almost afraid to voice the rest of her thoughts. "Now she's hiding things from me."
This gave Zwei pause. The relationship between Unison Device and its Meister was a very open one. The very nature of it made such openness practically a requirement. It took a great deal of conscious effort to hide things from one another when unisoned. Such an action could easily be taken as a lack of trust. And for someone like Agito... "What do you mean, she's hiding things from you? I don't think Signum would do something like that so simply."
Agito shook her head and scowled. "She is. There's this... thing that stands out whenever we unison. If feels like a door or a treasure chest. All locked up." She turned to Zwei and clenched her fists in a helpless anger. "Yeah, there are things we don't talk to each other about, but we've never hid anything!" A dark gleam appeared in her eyes as her voice grew low. "I bet it has to do with that librarian. It has to. He did something."
Zwei could take no more of this as she placed her hands on the other device's shoulders in a desperate motion. "Agito! Calm down. Please... calm down." Something tells her she's going be having a word or two with her elder sister soon. Well, after helping clear up a few things her friend seems to be in the dark about at the very least. "First off, err..."
"Err, what?" Now Agito was glowering at her. This certainly was off to a fine start.
"You... did ask her about it, right?" Much like Signum, Zwei had long since realized Agito had the same problem about verbosity. It just manifested in different ways. For the redhead, it came in the form of assuming things and expecting more answers to be given to her rather than digging for the information she wanted. Even Vita was better at questioning things.
"Of course I did! What do you think I am? Stupid?" The manner of her heated reply only lent more credit to Zwei's observation. "I asked her what happened on the damned trip and she smiled and said she'd had a good time."
There are times when Reinforce Zwei truly worries about her friend's intellect.
This is one of them.
"And you just left it at that?" A nod indicating such a thing should be obvious made the powder blue haired girl sigh and hang her head in resignation. "Then you don't know Signum and Yuuno are..." She trailed off as she tried to find the best descriptor which would not reduce her to a blushing mess. "...lovers?"
You could hear a pin drop in the silence which followed. And the shocked expression on Agito's face was one which would have made for a painting of legendary composition.
Zwei had to wait for her ears to stop ringing before she could put futilely try to put a stop to another session of ranting and raving. Most of it consisting of disbelief and remarks pertaining to the now deceased Zest and Lutecia's mother. Well, at least she knows who the father is now. Hayate will be pleased. Apparently her Master had money riding on such a pairing. Though many of the more colorful remarks turned her cheeks a cherry hue.
It boggled her how someone could know so much while being so blind.
Even she was not so blind in her innocence.
However one would argue the constant presence of Yagami Hayate and having seen deep into the woman's mind would corrupt even a saint. The eroge alone was enough to make the most hardened of individuals blush.
Now the hold was reversed as Agito had grabbed Zwei by the shoulders and was shaking her, demanding answers she could have had a long time ago had she merely inquired a little further. "How? Why? When? What is going on? Is that what she's hiding?!"
Prying herself from the fire pixie's grasp, Zwei took a few moments to make the world stop spinning. "It happened by chance I think. I think only Nanoha knows when it actually stopped being sparring and started being some kind of weird dating thing. Hayate said something about the 'UST' being thicker than Zafira's skull over the phone." Shaking her head to clear up the rest of her thoughts, she crossed her arms thoughtfully. "I think they told each other how they feel on the trip and that's why things are like this now."
Agito growled slightly as she ruffled her hair. "That doesn't explain why she's hiding it from me."
Zwei could only shrug helplessly. "Maybe she wasn't ready to share it? It must be a pretty personal moment for her. She and Yuuno haven't actually told anybody yet either." Open secrets were funny like that.
It was a decent length silence which followed as the redhead chewed on what she'd been told. "Dammit. Now I feel like an idiot... I should have trusted her. But... dammit!"
"You were worried. I'd feel the same if I were in your shoes. Are you... okay with this?" There was a hesitancy in her last words. Because if things panned out like she and more than a few other hoped, then...
A nod and a snort. "Of course I'm okay with it. I just hate being in the dark. Signum deserves to be happy. I do think she could have chosen someone better than a damn bookworm though. Especially that one. He's so puny and weak."
"I think both of them would disagree with you on that." Zwei couldn't help but laugh merrily as the tension in the air began to ease. She felt a measure of amusement imagining what sort of individuals Agito was comparing Yuuno to.
"Sh-Shut up! Until I see it for myself, he's a stupid weakling who is undeserving of my Meister's affection!"
Zwei could only continue to laugh as Agito spouted denials and attacks upon Yuuno's perceived manliness.
She could not help the ominous chuckle which escaped her lips as she stalked her target. There would be no hiding from her. Especially not after forcing her to wait for so long. For nearly four weeks since his return she had plotted and planned. Every possible avenue of attack was considered and taken advantage of in her quest.
Yet all of it for nought as it seemed life was fully determined to get in the way of her inquisition at each and every turn. Whether against her or against him, something always seemed to get in the way.
It was enough to drive a woman mad.
Nevertheless, Nanoha Takamachi had finally managed to divine the proper time and place where there would be no escape. No convenient shield to protect him from her.
Yes, she would finally ferret out some answers from Yuuno.
Hopefully without the use of terrible puns.
Stealthy footsteps brought Nanoha to the massive doors of his office. She'd not risk him hearing her approach in any way. How else would she get the drop on him? While many would consider this course of action childish, many were not her. And she would thoroughly enjoy seeing the shocked look on his face.
She blames Hayate for this, she really does. Such a bad influence the Mistress of the Tome was. But who is she to complain now? Such teasing and sneaking was fun.
With years of experience, Nanoha gently nudges open one of the doors. Just a crack. Just a sliver so she might see inside and catch sight of her quarry. Lo and behold, there rests her target. The Head Librarian seemed fast asleep at his desk, head down upon an open tome and a pen still held in one hand.
It would seem he's overworked himself. Again.
Well, given what he's found recently and the general chaos which sprung up in the wake of his discovery, its to be somewhat expected. He was rewriting more historical data than anyone could have ever imagined possible. It was like he'd found the Belkan equivalent of the Rose Rock. Or something to like that. History wasn't her greatest subject, after all. Though if she didn't know Signum was just as busy as the snoozing blonde, she'd have given the swordswoman a piece of her mind about letting her boyfriend work himself to exhaustion.
Now there had been a fun little development.
From her initial discovery of what had seemed to be a brutal and sexually charged series of battles to her revealing talk with Fate, Nanoha could not say she didn't see such a development coming. It didn't make it any less of a shock, however. Theory, no matter how well founded, could still surprise you when it turned into reality. Especially when it came to the love lives of her friends.
Now if only those two weren't the only ones being interesting.
Everyone else in a relationship was becoming predictable. Is this the sort of irritation Hayate feels when nothing of interest is going on? Something tells her she's allowing the woman to have just a bit too much influence on her life.
However, she can contemplate these thoughts later. She has a duty to perform. The duty of the previous girlfriend and current best friend to tease, torment, and find good natured amusement in her former magic instructor.
The doors opened just far enough for Nanoha to slip in undetected and with as little noise as possible. A task made far easier considering how well taken care of they were. The doors made barely a sound as they moved. Had she a hat, she would have tipped it to the maintenance crews for a job well done.
Now then, she has a certain Scrya to wake~
Nanoha's light footsteps were barely audible as she prowled the room, stalking ever closer to the sleeping Yuuno whilst weaving through the piles of parchment and mounds of codices and tomes. It did not take her long to cross the distance and circle around to the other side of his desk. Though there was a close call when her hip bumped a particularly large stack of tomes, fortunately she managed to catch it in time. Fortunately for her, that is.
Fighting back a giggle, the White Devil leaned over to get a better look at Yuuno. His sleeping face was just as cute as ever. Taking the end of her long reddish brown tresses in hand, she carefully began to tease the sleeping man with it. Beginning with his cheeks, Nanoha began to tickle him ever more dangerously with her silky mane as she moved about from his nose to his ear.
She was not disappointed as Yuuno began to stir and mumble, vainly trying to ward off his assailant with meager movements and sleepy, unintelligible mutterings. This was always fun. Too bad she never really had a chance to do so lately. And now it might be considered inappropriate. Perhaps she ought to tell Signum about this little game. The knight certainly had the hair for it and such a fun technique shouldn't be lost to the ages. Yes, she would definitely give the pink haired woman proper instruction on this.
Well, she can't play with him forever.
Moving aside some papers and books, Nanoha hops up to take a seat on Yuuno's desk. The action produces enough noise and motion to finally wake the tuckered out librarian. She chuckles as he looks about for his glasses and the source of the disturbance. He didn't really have to look far. "Good morning sleepyhead."
Yuuno finally managed to secure his glasses and get a proper look at who was sitting on his desk. Granted, the voice alone was enough to tell him right off, but humans tend to be visual creatures. "Nanoha?" He blinked in slight confusion as he gathered his wits. He couldn't recall her saying she'd stop by. Then again, Nanoha does as Nanoha is wont to do.
"How many times have we all told you to stop overworking yourself?" The rebuke is stern, but well-worn and friendly. If she were to take the time and count up the actual number, it would easily exceed the hundreds. She crossed her legs as she smiled down at him.
The blonde yawned and stretched, feeling his back pop rather loudly, before grinning. "Far too many times to count. I've been so busy lately that I've barely had time to eat." Which is unfortunately, not exactly an exaggeration.
Nanoha nodded in a manner resembling a resigned agreement. "So has everyone else. Just the other day, Fate was called out not five minutes after walking in the door. Its crazy." Her despondent expression turns to one of mirth and teasing, eliciting a slightly nervous look from her friend, but to her enjoyment. "However~"
"However...?" A raised eyebrow accompanied the questioning reply.
"That's no excuse for you to not be sweeping Signum off her feet, now is it?" A softness had joined her expression as she delivered the second rebuke of the day to Yuuno. She and Yuuno had stalled and hit a wall they could not overcome in their attempt at a serious relationship. The woman did not want to see a similar thing happen to him again.
Yuuno blinked before smiling with a mixture of resignation and amusement. No one could hide anything from Takamachi Nanoha. Well, perhaps Hayate. But Hayate is some kind of monstrous being, so he's not so sure it counts. He shouldn't be surprised Nanoha knows about Signum and himself. Even if they'd not gone out of their way to announce it, they hadn't hidden it either. The gargantuan piles of work they both suffered had made contact limited. It did not help their relationship was not exactly standard and neither were the most eloquent of individuals. How he longed for a chance to even just sit down with Signum for a short time and enjoy her company.
Loving glances and the brushing of fingers as they passed on another could only sate them for so long at this stage.
Theirs was a love borne from fire and battle. He supposed this would be the quenching process before it was returned to the forge. The thought did not make it much more bearable.
He shook his head before looking up at Nanoha. "No, its not. I just wish we had time. Even if one of us managed some free time, the other ends up being stuck with some task they can't get away from." It was truly maddening. A sentiment he had little doubt Signum shared. Yuuno set his chin on his palm with a grimace. "I haven't even had the chance to take her out on a proper date yet."
Nanoha gave a sympathetic wince. "And I bet even less of a chance for one of your battles either." A despondent nod confirmed her words. Ouch. Such was the downside of having such busy and high profile jobs. One might think Yuuno, being the Head of the Infinity LIbrary, could just take time off whenever. Unfortunately it was not so. He had so much on his plate there was little chance to actually use the accumulated vacation time. He, and many of their friends, was not one to simply drop everything on a whim for a little R&R or even some personal time.
No matter how much they wished they could at times.
The brunette adopted a melancholy expression as she looked up to the ceiling, her thoughts awash in memories. "Remember what happened to us? The proverbial wall we hit?" The wall they had struck and been unable to surpass had been one of their own making. There had indeed been a genuine love between the two. One which could have taken them to a great and wonderful future. But their nemesis had been time. A nemesis they could have surpassed had they not built the wall, brick by brick, with their own hands.
Yuuno looked down at the surface of his desk, recalling all too vividly what Nanoha was referring to. "Yeah... We were awkward childhood friends and tried to become something more. And that was even more awkward sometimes." It was a great understatement. Things had been clumsy and terribly confusing for the couple, but they had managed to persevere and take it as far as they had. "We just... didn't make time for each other. Not the right kind of time, anyways."
They'd set aside time which was convenient.
Not time which took effort and work.
"We were young, dumb, and workaholics. So we took the easy route." Nanoha's melancholy spread further into her voice. The easy route is rarely ever the good route. Especially in a relationship. "Well, we're still workaholics, but we should know better by now. I just don't want what happened to us to happen to the two of you. I don't want you or Signum to wake up one day next to someone you don't recognize."
Both would readily admit later on they had been running on the momentum they'd built up as children during the death defying escapades which had made up a good portion of their younger years. But momentum runs out. And by the time they started to lose it, neither were the same people they'd been when they'd set out on their path. People change as they grow up. Sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. But when it came down to it, Nanoha had still been in love with the young boy from her childhood and Yuuno the little girl from his youth. They hadn't grown to love the people they had become because they simply hadn't been able to make the time to do so.
They had worked and worked and worked, not seeing the changed they'd undergone whenever they'd met. Only seeing themselves still as the awkward and loving couple they had used to be.
Yuuno could only nod, knowing just how true Nanoha's words were. "At the very least we made some precious memories." But memories alone cannot give a couple the momentum to make a future.
The realization of the insurmountable roadblock had been a stunning one. One which had left them dumbfounded and heartbroken. There was no magic solution. No mystical fix-all. No special tape they could use to put themselves back together. There was still love. A great love between them which would never burn out. But it was not the sort of love which belonged to lovers, rather it was the sort which belonged to friends. Friends and nothing more.
Nanoha chuckled despite the somber mood. "We sure did, didn't we..."
They sat in silence for a short time, reminiscing upon their youth and the follies within. Neither would ever regret the time they'd had together. There was indeed some regret over how life had panned out afterwards, but they are only human. But they still had their own futures to look forward to.
The increasingly gloomy mood was shattered when Nanoha took it upon herself to get back on track and go about her original purpose. "So, what exactly happened on that little trip~?" Her tone was so catty, so teasing, Yuuno could not help but recoil slightly and blush.
"N-Nothing!" Yuuno's gut reaction did little to placate the White Devil. A statement made quite obvious by the playful narrowing of her eyes.
"Hmm~?" Yes, she's definitely been too greatly influenced by Hayate. "Nothing doesn't make a couple. Nor does it suddenly clear up a massive amount of... tension." She could tell quite readily what had happened on the excavation. It was hard not to. But she wanted her fun in making Yuuno talk.
Yuuno coughed and tried to compose himself. She was getting much better at throwing him off balance. And at a far faster rate than he could adapt, no less. Still, Nanoha wanted him to say it and she wasn't going to relent until he did. There was no place he could run or hide even if he wanted to. With a sigh and warm smile, he confessed, "We told each other how we felt. We love each other and we want to see where this will go. Even if we did get off to a really bizarre start." He chuckled at the end, feeling a lightness in his heart.
For her part, Nanoha looked rather pleased. But Yuuno wasn't done as he held her gaze. "But I'm actually a little concerned about how you feel about this whole thing."
The brunette tilted her head in mild confusion. "How I feel?"
A nod. "Yeah. Signum told me about that talk you had with her before we left. I wanted to speak with you about it, but, well..." He trailed off, gesturing to the piles of work splayed about the office.
Nanoha's mouth opened in an expression of recognition. "Ahh. Ahahaha... Yeah, I was pretty worried about you. No one had said anything and suddenly I'm watching you and Signum looking like you're trying to kill each other." She held up a hand before Yuuno could respond. "It was a side of you I'd never seen and I honestly thought Signum was trying to use you as some sort of plaything."
The shocked look on Yuuno's face told her he hadn't really thought about it in such a manner.
"I was afraid I was going to lose you. That she would break you or you'd go too far and never return." The smile on her face was a little awkward and embarrassed. "Even if we're not lovers anymore, we're still best friends."
Running a hand through his hair, Yuuno looked apologetic. "I'm sorry. I should have said something."
Nanoha waved him off with a more relaxed smile. "You didn't think you were doing anything wrong. And you don't have to be held accountable to me." Her expression turned stern for a moment as she continued. "But you do know who you do need to be held accountable to."
Yuuno nodded, a similar expression gracing his own features. "Myself. ...And Signum." If he could not hold himself accountable for his actions, then how could he do the same for Signum. He was responsible for his every action. They reflected upon himself and now the woman he had fallen in love with.
"So there is more than book smarts in that cranium of yours." The return of the brunette's amused smile eased the once more increasingly somber mood which had begun to settle. "Now use those smarts to figure out what you need to do next." Left unsaid was the reminder of what they'd lost. If he couldn't, he and Signum were doomed to share the same fate as he'd shared with her. Nanoha did not wish for one of her dear friends to suffer in such a way a second time.
"Yeah, I will. If I screw this up, a Starlight Breaker will be the least of my concerns." His grin was simple in its slight teasing, green eyes showing a sliver of mischief as he replied in a mix of good humor and warm sincerity.
Crossing her arms, Nanoha pouted even as she approved of his response. "I don't use that to solve all my problems, you know."
He didn't let the chance slide. "No, just most of them." The impotent growl she gave made him laugh. His grin sobered into a friendly smile. "Still, thanks for watching out for us and for kicking my head back into working order."
She smiled as she reached over and mussed his hair. "What are friends for?" With a hop off the desk, Nanoha stood and swung around behind Yuuno's chair. "Now..." Her slender arms snaked around the blonde's shoulder, holding him in his seat.
"Nanoha?" He did not like the tone she used. It sent a chill down his spine. And not the good sort. Not good at all.
The White Devil's grin became one fit to match her title. "Tell me~ Were you rough or gentle with her~?"
Even as the conversation devolved into sputters, laughs, and teasing, Yuuno was making plans. Plans for the future. He would not make the same mistake twice. Mistakes he surely would have repeated had Nanoha not made her impromptu visit and reminded of what had been lost.
This was not convenience. This was not simple R&R. He was in love with Signum Yagami and he would make sure to not let this chance slip from his fingers. No matter how hard he had to work to do so, he would do it with a smile on his face and in his heart.
He had to start somewhere. And the fact he'd yet to take the lovely Knight of the Sword out on a proper date seemed to be a good one. There they could talk. There they could do as he had not in the past. He refused to allow this to be lost without a fight. A fight he would put everything he had into it. He would bleed himself dry if needed and then some.
No longer would he sit by and wait for the first move. He could wait until the end of time for Signum to approach him and break this state of existence if she was so inclined. But not now. Not again. He would make the first move.
He wanted to be a sword.
It was time for him to act like it.
It looks like Arf is going to be pulling overtime again.
As her heart fights away the darkness and fear, she places a hand atop his and nods with a small smile. "I as well. I just... I need time. Time to come to grips with this. To understand everything." A rare sliver of mirth slips into her voice. "Unlike you who has plundered the innocence of so many fair maidens, I am still pure of heart."
Yuuno nearly fell over at the taunt. "I didn't 'plunder' anything!"
"Takamachi asked when you would next set sail for the high seas."
"And Testarossa said to be a bit more gentle the next time you shiver her timbers."
"Hayate showed me the eyepatch."
"...She really showed you the eyepatch"
"She was quite disappointed when you would not let her dress up in the cabin boy outfit."
"It wasn't done yet. Nanoha told her that."
"Understandable. Now then, I believe you have a first mate's booty to plunder?
The return home was delayed for a few more days.
The Art of Shipping is as profound as it is dangerous; not for the faint of heart nor the weak of will, it makes gods and devils out of us all.
Last edited by Old_Iron; 2013-02-06 at 22:42. Reason: Minor typo
|2013-02-06, 21:13
|Link #37511
The Unpronounceable
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Clock Tower
I don't believe. Something this this... beautiful and no one commented? For shame!
Exceptional works Iron. The story, the inner turmoil, the differents between the two - one who never knew romance and one who knew - were very well described.
Also, the omake was kinda funny. So wait, Yuuno was forced by Hayate to dress up as a pirate once?
|2013-02-06, 22:23
|Link #37512
A Drifter...
Yuuno should have went as Gokai Green.
Thanks to 00-Raiser for hooking me up with the sig!
|2013-02-06, 22:53
|Link #37513
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Bad Chicken! Mess You Up!
Thoroughly enjoyed your newest edition to your piece. Nice thoughts and character interaction permeating though each person. I cannot wait to see the conclusion to this wonderful story.
(On a side note we need to see Hayate and crew following them on their date making all kinds of comments)
|2013-02-06, 23:24
|Link #37514
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: MY
I think I enjoyed the omake most lol. That was hilarious.
|2013-02-07, 03:59
|Link #37515
I am no one
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Inside your head
EPIC pure conversation chapter as of yet, I have a hard time BLINKING even.
And the omake
|2013-02-07, 06:31
|Link #37516
Otaku Apprentice
OS-tan Collections (temporary): https://discord.gg/Hv2rBs3
|2013-02-07, 10:20
|Link #37517
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: MY
In fact, the omake's so good I have to post my compliments here again! 'Shiver her timbers' XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD XD
|2013-02-07, 15:30
|Link #37518
. . .
And that is... one way of interpreting the omake. XD
You may actually blame Negima for its inspiration. Guess who said the key line and get a cookie~
Still, I am really happy everyone enjoyed it so much. Now fasten your seatbelts. Right now, the next chapter is looking to be the last. >=3
The Art of Shipping is as profound as it is dangerous; not for the faint of heart nor the weak of will, it makes gods and devils out of us all.
|2013-02-07, 17:44
|Link #37519
Otaku Apprentice
OS-tan Collections (temporary): https://discord.gg/Hv2rBs3
|2013-02-08, 10:58
|Link #37520
The Unpronounceable
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Clock Tower
... Wait, what? The ride's about to end? You're not gonna pull the Time Skip ending are you?
|authorshipping, befriending, fanfiction, interactive fanfiction, nanoha
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