Chapter Text
{Shot: Unimari pano}
(male voice-over): There are approximately six-and-a-half-billion people on this planet, each with a unique web of connections to others - some tenuous, some permanent, and some transient.
{Pan to Nanoha looking out over the harbour with her hair down alongside a short, bespectacled, black-haired man of indeterminate European stock who looks to be in his early 20s with his arm around her shoulders}
This story is about such a connection, which completely blindsided one of the parties involved, and the connections that sprang from it - many of them nigh-unbreakable.
The funny part is, the whole thing only spans a few weeks in the spring of my class' third year - but it's not the first time I've experienced such bonds being forged so quickly. What was a first for me was the type of encounter that started the whole thing...
In the end, this story is really one of new beginnings for all involved.
{end intro}
{subsequent scene unchanged from movie: Yuuno's fight at the marina with the incorporeal Jewel Seed}
{Shot: The bedroom of an upscale single-bedroom apartment, showing a full-size futon currently in use as a bed in one corner and a dressed twin-size mattress on top of a matching box-spring in the other with a nightstand between them, within reach of the futon.}
[A musical tone sounds from a BlackBerry-style phone on it, sitting next to a fuzzy spectacle-case with a white leopard print.]
(man in futon): [reaches from the futon for a certain button on the phone's face, missing it a couple of times before hitting it] Bleeehhhhh.
Nanoha: [slowly sits up on the mattress, rubbing her eyes] That was some kinda weird dream...
(man): [rolls onto his side] Eh? You too, Nanoha-chan? What kind?
Nanoha: [stretches, then looks at him curiously] Hoeh? We both had one? Mine was like...A battle of some kind, maybe?
(man): [props his head up with an elbow, looking both thoughtful and concerned] At a lakeside, things getting wrecked..?
Nanoha: [stares for a moment] ...That's exactly it. Did...did we seriously have the same dream?
(man): It seems so. That's...singular. Why don't we keep an eye out for unusual things happening today, ne?
Nanoha: [slightly shocked] Eh?! You really think there's something to it?
(man): Nanoha-chan, we may have known each-other for a long time now, but we're not related and we haven't been living together very long, so both of us having the same weird dream at the same time? Yeah, I'd call that noteworthy.
Nanoha: [gets out of bed, stretching again] Well, when you put it that way, it's kinda hard to argue...
(man): [nods, then flops back onto his back, arms spread] MEEHHHH. Can I have five more minutes, Mommy?
Nanoha: [giggles, heading for the bathroom with clothing in hand] Remind me again which of us is the kid here?
(man): Depends on how you look at things...
[Nanoha closes the bathroom door behind her]
(man) [voice-over]: [takes a pair of thin-rimmed rectangular glasses out of the case and puts them on while still lying in bed, proving himself to be the same man from the opening] My name, at least for now, is Mishima Ōjirō. It's not the name I was born with, obviously, but it's the one I've been using since I came to Japan.
{camera pans away as he gets up} Don't ask about my birthname - nobody in Japan has heard it. Though that, along with my chosen family-name, may change soon.
{shot changes to Nanoha, now dressed for the day, brushing her hair} The charming young lady currently in my bathroom is Takamachi Nanoha, one of my best students at Seisho Elementary; she had to move in with me about two weeks ago.
{shot changes back to Ōjirō, now buttoning down a blue silk shirt} To be honest, I'm glad she did; we've grown quite close since then. [his hazel eyes begin to show a small amount of sorrow, his expression otherwise unchanged] I just wish the reason for it wasn't so...
...Tragic. {Flashback: Takamachi residence, two weeks prior - night-time aerial view}
[An entire wing of the house erupts in a massive fireball]
{Cut to Nanoha, who pauses just before putting the final touches on her hairdo, eyes haunted} Officially, it was an accident caused by a random electrical spark touching off a gas leak.
{Cut back to Ōjirō, eyes narrowed, his expression now showing small amounts of both sorrow and anger} ...I'm not buying. It was small enough that it only took out the side of the house opposite Nanoha-chan's room, and her siblings were conveniently out of the house that night - not to mention that their café downstairs would reportedly only take minor renovations to open back up again. In short, it was too perfect. [goes into the bathroom with a cheery smile at Nanoha, starting to comb his hair as well - the angle and lighting allow the observant to see that his hair is dyed] I've started looking into it in my spare time. Of course, being a teacher, I don't have as much as I'd like...but I'm patient.
[looks fondly down at Nanoha, then hugs her across the shoulders] Besides, Nanoha-chan's gotta have at least one parent. Not that I like being single.
{Cut to the two of them getting into a small four-door and him starting the engine} Yeah, I drive. Our apartment's far enough away that it's either that or public transit, and the bus schedule sucks for when I prefer to get to work. I've always preferred driving anyway. The only downside is that it risks Nanoha-chan being bored for a little while before class.
{Cut to them entering the empty classroom, him flicking on the lights} If she doesn't have some leftover bit of schoolwork to do, I often let her help out with my lesson-planning. She comes up with some great ideas once in a while. [both sit down at his desk, discussing the day's lessons] I've actually come to admire her over the past two weeks; if anything like that ever happens to me, I can only hope to be as strong as she's been.
{Flashback to some unspecified recent night, the bedroom only lit by the phone that was functioning as their alarm earlier, her crying in his arms} Not to say that there hasn't been the occasional breakdown.
{Cut back to classroom, now full with class in session, focused on Nanoha and the girls to either side of her} But that's to be expected, and I like to think that between me and these two, we've been able to minimize them.
{Close-ups on each as they're introduced} The quiet, dark-haired one is Tsukimura Suzuka - engineering runs in her blood; both her parents are amazing at it, their family's stupendously wealthy because of it, and she shows every indication of picking up right where they left off. Not to mention that she's a total sweetheart.
The blonde is Alisa Bannings, an Australian immigrant. I love having another Anglophone in my class, especially since we're not from the same country. A real fireplug, that one, and kind of a bully at one point - but apparently Nanoha-chan set her straight a couple years ago, which was somehow related to the three of them becoming as close as they are. Her parents are also filthy rich, in this case both being hugely successful in the business world - her combination of aggression and brains would serve her well in that arena.
{Brief shot of the four being followed and yapped at by a passerby’s small dog as they walk offscreen}
Alisa: [steps back onscreen] [in English] Shut it!
{Close-up on him, watching the trio fondly while he's heard non-voiceover in the background: "You know, back home, we didn't put nearly as much emphasis on plans for the future at your age. Many parents think that's making their kids grow up too fast."} Yes, English is my native language. No, I'm not getting any more specific.
{End scene; cut to the four of them approaching the damaged marina.}
Nanoha: You know, I don't really have a clear idea what I want to do for a living...
Ōjirō: I think that's fine, Nanoha-chan - like I alluded to a few minutes ago, I don't think you need to put that much planning into it at your age. Think about it, sure, but -
Security: [halting them] You should stay out of this area for today; it's not safe.
Ōjirō: O...I see. {Flashback to the dream} [interior monologue] This is the lakeside...
Nanoha: {Flashback to a different scene of the same event} [interior monologue] ...from the dream we had. [spoken] Um, excuse me? What happened here?
Security: Well, the pier and most of the boats here were completely wrecked. We're doing cleanup currently.
Alisa: Is that so?
[Nanoha takes a couple of steps toward the pier, Ōjirō watching her closely]
Security: Seems a bit much for a prank. We had the police come in and take a look.
Ōjirō: [steps toward Nanoha, resting a hand on her shoulder] This is the place, right? From the dream?
[Nanoha nods, starting to speak, but gets interrupted]
{Brief cut to "innerspace" shot.}
Yuuno: [long-distance] (Help me!)
[Both of them startle]
{Simultaneously:
Suzuka: Nanoha-chan?
Alisa: Mishima-sensei?
}
Nanoha: Suzuka-chan, did you hear something just now?
Suzuka: Like what..?
Ōjirō: I sure did. [squeezes Nanoha's shoulder with a slight nod] You two sit tight; we'll be right back.
[The two run off toward the treeline; after a few moments, Ōjirō swings Nanoha up onto his back until they reach Yuuno in his ferret form, who looks up them as they lean over him]
Ōjirō: [catching the glint of sunlight off Raging Heart's standby form] Hello, what have you got there..?
Nanoha: You saw it too?
[Jewel Seed monster is shown finding the other two Seeds]
{End scene; cut to vet's office.}
Vet: Well, he's not badly injured, but whatever the poor thing went through seems to have sapped his energy.
Ōjirō: That's a relief, at least.
Nanoha: Thanks, Doctor.
Suzuka+Alisa: Thanks a lot!
Ōjirō: Doctor, have you ever seen a ferret quite like this? I'm no expert, but I've been wondering if he isn't actually a marmot or something...
Vet: He's definitely not any kind of ferret I've seen before. Maybe a rare breed?
Ōjirō: [smirks playfully] Maybe an undocumented subspecies, eh?
[All the girls pore over him for a moment]
Vet: Hee, maybe! Regardless, I'd say he could use some rest, so why don't I look after him until tomorrow?
Ōjirō: Sounds like a plan.
All four: Take good care of him!
{End scene; cut to Nanoha and Ōjirō's room.}
Ōjirō: [shakes head, watching Nanoha write a text-message] It still amazes me how fast you can type those in. I have enough trouble with twentysix letters to choose from!
Nanoha: [headtilts, sending the message] Eh? How does it work with an English phone? [sets her phone on its cradle]
Ōjirō: O, it's simple: each number has three letters attached to - [interrupted by high-pitched telepathy sound, which makes them both clutch at their heads but he reacts to much worse, leaning over] GAAAAHHH! What the hell..?!
{Brief cut to "innerspace" scene.}
Yuuno: Can you hear me? Can you hear my voice?
Nanoha: That voice..! [looks up at Ōjirō; both nod at each-other]
Yuuno: Please, listen to me. {Cut to Yuuno's cage at the vet's office.} Whoever can hear this, I beg you: Please help me!
Ōjirō: [puts a hand on Nanoha’s shoulder] I’ll take care of it; you’re already ready for bed. If it doesn’t take too long, though, I’ll tell you what happened when I get back.
{Cut to Ōjirō arriving at the clinic at a dead run, skidding to a halt as the telepathy sound hits him again and Yuuno puts up his barrier.}
Ōjirō: [clutches at his head, doubling over] AGH! {Cut to show the barrier's effects, then back to him.} [looks around] [interior monologue] Hm? What's all this?
{Cut the monster chasing and attacking Yuuno.}
Ōjirō: [skids into the scene again, watching Yuuno sailing through the air, his bandages falling off] You? [holds out arms to catch Yuuno, shifting him onto his shoulder automatically, then barely dodges the monster's lunge] The hell is that thing?!
Yuuno: You came for me!
Ōjirō: [blinks several times, then gives Yuuno a look of disbelief] You can talk?!
Yuuno: Um, I'll explain later; right now I need a favour from you: help me, just for a little while!
Ōjirō: [narrows eyes suspiciously, bolting down the street] Alright...it better be one hell of an explanation though.
Yuuno: Thanks. I'll be sure to repay you for this.
Ōjirō: We can discuss that later. What's the situation?
Yuuno: [hops down off of Ōjirō's shoulder] I can't tackle that thing at my current power. You, on the other hand...
Ōjirō: [holds up a hand] Hold on - "power"? [The monster growls behind them, briefly drawing their attention] ...On second thought, that can wait. [sigh] What do I need to do?
Yuuno: [takes Raging Heart off of its chain] Here, take this.
Ōjirō: [kneels down to take it from him] This is no ordinary bauble, is it?
Yuuno: Not in the least. Hold it in your hand, close your eyes, and clear your mind.
Ōjirō: ...Clear my mind? Is this going to involve telepathy?
Yuuno: Something like that. Open new user registration: Admin, full rights.
Ōjirō: Wait, this thing's an AI? Lemme see what I can find out on my own before you go any further. [telepathically] (Are you there? Will you listen to me?)
Yuuno: [utterly confused] Eh..?
Raging Heart: (|Welcome, new user. Please identify yourself.|)
Ōjirō: (My name in this world is currently Mishima Ōjirō - don't write that in stone, though; it may change in the near future.)
RH: (|Understood; your name is only needed to have an identity to associate with your magical signature. Your magic level qualifies you to use me; however, there appears to be a type mismatch which may hamper our effectiveness should you do so.|)
Ōjirō: (I'm guessing you read me as a defensive specialist?)
RH: (|Correct, with a secondary aptitude for spatial techniques.|)
Ōjirō: (Sounds about right. What about you? And what should I call you, anyway?)
RH: (|I am called Raging Heart; I specialize in focussed bombardment attacks.|)
Ōjirō: (Ah, yes, an offense-oriented weapon wouldn't find its optimal performance in the hands of a defense specialist. "Focussed" bombardment? Like...high-power, long-range attacks meant for use against single targets or small groups?)
RH: (|Correct. Such techniques are known to be somewhat hard on the user; thus the power requirement.|)
Ōjirō: (High-risk/high-reward, sounds like. Perhaps, then, we can make ours a temporary partnership, and I can help you find and maybe train a proper partner later on?)
RH: (|Such an arrangement can be made. May I select the optimal configuration for the device and barrier-jacket?|)
Ōjirō: [narrows eyes] (...Can it be changed later on?)
RH: (|Unfortunately, not without considerable effort.|)
Ōjirō: (Better let me have a hand in it, then. I don't know your methodology and we may not have time for you to explain it. Show me what you'd suggest and I'll tweak it to my liking.
RH: (|Alright.|)
Yuuno: [interior monologue] What's he doing? Is he actually...talking to Raging Heart?
Ōjirō: Raging Heart: Setup.
RH: Standby; ready. Setup.
{Transformation sequence, ending with Ōjirō in a very wizard-like cloak with light armour and Raging Heart looking essentially like a bardiche, both primarily in red with gold trim. Commercial break.}
Yuuno: [staring at Ōjirō] It worked...and he didn’t even use the passcode. How in the world..?
Ōjirō: [looks around, suddenly finding himself airborne, flails and swears in English due to panic] Fuck! [drops to the ground on one knee and a hand, breathing almost as hard as when he'd just gotten through running for a bit] Bloody hell, Raging Heart, you coulda warned me!
{Simultaneously:
Yuuno: ...Huh?
RH: |What seems to be the problem?|
}
Ōjirō: I'm acrophobic! Can you even imagine what it was like for me to find myself suddenly twenty feet in the air?!
{Simultaneously:
Yuuno: [sweatdrop] Seriously?
RH: |That could be an issue.|
}
Ōjirō: Lemme guess: You're also tuned for aerial combat?
RH: |To a large degree, yes.|
Yuuno: [narrows eyes] [interior monologue] Wait...did the way he talks just take a sudden, major change?.
Ōjirō: [sigh] Well...knowing there's something keeping me from falling to a painful death does help a lot. We'll see how it goes. [looks up as the monster leaps from perch to perch, then pounces on him] ...Here it comes. Right. [holds out his left hand, which emits a golden pulse that throws the monster back to the next street, then peers at the hand] Okay, that works.
RH: |Recommend taking flight to avoid further damage to structures.|
Ōjirō: Much as it pains me to do so, I have to agree. How does it work?
RH: |Flier Fin.| [Ōjirō jumps up and backward as Flier Fin activates, looking quite panicked as he ascends]
Ōjirō: [probes beneath him with a foot, then looks rather relieved] Okay, as long as this holds out, I think I'll be alright.
RH: |How much do you know about magic?|
Ōjirō: Absolutely nothing of any certainty - it may shock you to learn that magic is quite firmly the stuff of legends on this planet.
RH: |Yet your instincts for it appear to be excellent.|
Ōjirō: I've long been dis-satisfied with this world, so I spend a lot of time pondering how I might function in one where magic was a thing.
RH: |Would you like me to teach you how it works?|
Ōjirō: Mmmm...later. For now I’d like to experiment, though if something I try doesn’t work, I’ll rely on you to explain why.
RH: |Alright. Warning! Evasive action!|
Ōjirō: [instinctively dodges several shots from the monster] If there’s one thing I know, it’s how to move my own body - and being airborne gives you that many more options for it. I do love a good shield, though...
RH: |Protection.| [a golden shell comes up around them, blocking a powerful attack]
Ōjirō: Explain to me the properties of this shield here?
RH: |It’s essentially a shell - nearly impenetrable, but also inert, nonreactive to any other actions the caster takes.|
Ōjirō: ...”Other actions”, hmm? Do we have another option?
RH: |Yes. Hold out your dominant hand when it attacks again.|
{Brief cut to Yuuno, back on the ground.}
Yuuno: [interior monologue] He’s pretty impressive. This thing probably won’t be too tough for him. … [twitches ears, suddenly takes on a “eureka” expression] Wait, translation isn’t active anymore - I’m hearing him unfiltered! But...how could..?
RH: [as Ōjirō holds out his left hand] |Round Shield.| [several small attacks bounce harmlessly off of the shield, also in gold]
Ōjirō: So. If Protection is an inert shell, I’m guessing the Round Shield is weaker but more pliable?
RH: |Exactly. However, manipulating a shield spell is quite difficult.|
Ōjirō: [chuckles as the shield shrugs off several more attacks] This thing isn’t very creative. What is it, anyway?
RH: |It’s an aggressive form created by compressed magic from a powerful Lost Logia.|
Ōjirō: Nonliving, I take it?
RH: |Correct.|
Ōjirō: Interesting. As for it being hard to play with a shield...[grins rakishly] I’m a defensive specialist, remember? The one thing any defensive specialist worth their salt knows... [the monster charges, bashing itself against the shield; his grin turns predatory] ...is the art of the counterattack! Shield Spike! [A small extra ring of code appears in the shield’s composition, after which a bolt fires from the middle of the shield, straight through the monster, which splits into three smaller entities that dart the opposite direction, causing him to peer after them speculatively] Hmph...they can’t get away from us that easily, can they?
RH: |The Lost Logia creating this entity need to be sealed, for which there are two options: Using the magic especially for such a purpose, which requires being at close range, or using a powerful spell at long range.|
Ōjirō: Looks like these things aren’t too keen on getting up in my face after being spiked like that. Why don’t we see what we can do at range, hm? [A large, golden magic-circle springs up around his feet]
RH: |Yes, exactly like that - focus your spiritual energy through your arms. Mode-change: Cannon Mode.| [The “blade” of the “bardiche” reconfigures and the trigger flips out from its housing]
Ōjirō: I believe I’ve done this before without fully realizing it...[glances at RH, taking hold of the trigger] Mode-shift, eh? Well ain’t that somethin’.
Yuuno: [interior monologue] He changed Raging Heart into a...sealing cannon?
RH: |Fire immediately once the target is locked.|
Ōjirō: I love this HUD thing you’re doing with my vision. Raging Heart, lead the targets by about ten yards - if my abilities work anything like I think they do, direct-fire won’t work very well with me; we’ll need to use your shots as anchors for a sort of net.
RH: |Alright. Adjusting targetting parameters.|
Ōjirō: [braces himself, watching his “HUD”] ...FIRE! [pulls the trigger, staggering back a pace as three bolts of golden energy roar past their targets and explode a short way in front of them, forming a partial sphere that gradually encases them] {Cut to inside the sphere, where the three entities gradually get battered into submission by compressing waves of energy.} Jeez, that recoil’s a bitch!
Yuuno: He sealed all three...with one blast?
Ōjirō: [floating down next to Yuuno, peering at RH] Mmph...that didn’t quite feel right, did it?
RH: |In a way, we were working at cross purposes. However, you anticipated this and engineered a creative solution that made effective use of both our specialties. Are you certain that you know nothing about magic?|
Ōjirō: I said that I knew nothing for certain - by which I meant to imply that I have some amount of unconfirmed information. We’ll have to compare notes in a bit.
RH: |Alright.|
Yuuno: [the three artifacts float toward them] These are called Jewel Seeds; hold Raging Heart out toward them.
Ōjirō: Like so? [does as directed]
RH: [draws the three Seeds into herself] |Internalized: Numbers 18, 20, 21.|
Ōjirō: [wobbles a bit as RH releases her device form and his barrier-jacket, taking a deep breath] Whoof...
Yuuno: You alright?
Ōjirō: More or less, yeah. Apparently this magic stuff takes a lot out of ya.
Yuuno: [nod] Mmh, at least when you’re new to it. Um...I don’t know if you’ll believe me, but I’m actually from another world...
Ōjirō: It makes about as much sense as any other explanation would, and it’s honestly simpler than most. There’s something you need to keep in mind, though: In this world, magic is the stuff of legends. Very few people actually believe it exists. Though more might if they were actually shown it...especially if they were shown that it’s actually a form of technology! [laughs lightly, shaking his head in disbelief]
Yuuno: That’s inconvenient. As if we needed another reason to keep people from seeing it... [sigh]
Ōjirō: Yeah...[nod] I hate coverups. Either way, though, we’d better get home. I promised Nanoha I’d tell her what happened when I got back. [starts heading for the apartment]
Yuuno: Nanoha?
Ōjirō: Takamachi Nanoha. She’s...I guess you’d kinda call her my foster-daughter at this point.
Yuuno: Errrr...are you sure it’s a good idea to tell her, considering..?
Ōjirō: She heard you too. The only reason she didn’t come is that she was already getting into bed.
Yuuno: [eyewiden] Really? That means she has magical potential as well...
Ōjirō: [nod] Whether it ever gets developed, who can say, but...there you have it.
{Cut them entering the apartment.}
Nanoha? Are you still up?
Nanoha: [from bedroom] Haaaiii!
Ōjirō: [peeks around the door-frame, beaming] We’re back.
Nanoha: [beams back] Welcome ba - wait, “we”?
Ōjirō: [nods, moving fully into the room and pointing at Yuuno, riding on his shoulder] I brought our ferrety friend back with me. His name is Yuuno.
Yuuno: [hops down onto the bed next to Nanoha, nods] Yuuno Scryer. Pleased to meet you.
Nanoha: [blinks, stares slightly] Same to you; I’m Nanoha - Takamachi Nanoha...[flails] wait, you can talk?!
Yuuno: Is it really that big a surprise when I can also talk to you telepathically?
Nanoha: Well, since you put it that way, I suppose not...
RH: (|She has even more magical potential than you do. May I speak with her, to find out her aptitudes?|)
Ōjirō: (Hmm...I suppose so. I did promise to tell her what happened, after all, and that would be a natural extension of it…) So, Nanoha-chan, you’re not going to believe what actually happened...
Nanoha: O? [eyewidens, looks at Yuuno again] I’m guessing it has something to do with Yuuno-kun, since you brought him back with you?
Ōjirō: [nod] Something, though I’m not quite sure what yet; hopefully we can get him to explain that bit while we’re at it...simply put, he made a mage out of me so I could help him deal with this monster created by a couple of dangerous artifacts...
Nanoha: [disbelieving look, sweatdrop] Uhhh...are you sure you didn’t just fall asleep watching an anime or something?
Ōjirō: [eyeroll] Believe me, I wondered the same thing at one point...so, Yuuno, would you mind explaining to her what you explained to me, and elabourating on your part in this whole thing?
Yuuno: Sure. I’m actually from another world entirely. Where I’m from, magic is actually an everyday thing...though from what Ōjirō’s told me, it isn’t exactly magic like you’re used to thinking of it - it’s actually a form of technology.
Nanoha: [baffled] Hoeh? “Magic” and “technology” are...the same thing?
Ōjirō: That seems to be how it is in this case, at least. Heh...in the science-fiction community, it’s often said: “Any sufficiently-advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
Yuuno: Hah! I wonder if some of your science-fiction writers have had some kind of contact with my world...
Ōjirō: I wouldn’t bet against it! O, speaking of which, Nanoha-chan...I have someone-else who wants to meet you.
[Yuuno startles slightly, staring at Ōjirō in curiosity]
Nanoha: Eh? Someone-else? [looks to either side of him, then out the door] Where are they? Did they not come with you?
Ōjirō: [chuckle] Hold out your hand. [Nanoha does so with another small “Eh?”; he covers it with his own, holding RH] This is Raging Heart - she’s basically the AI for the weapon I used tonight.
{Scene transform to “innerspace” with both of them, RH levitating out of Nanoha’s hand.}
Nanoha: Hoeh? A...weapon-computer...wants to meet me? [clearly confused and rather nervous]
RH: |Yes, and it is a pleasure.|
Nanoha: [spooks for a moment] Wha? Um... [interior monologue] This is like when Yuuno-kun contacted us. [verbal] Sa-same here. But, why would you be interested in me? I’m just your average third-grader...
RH: |Both of you have enough magical potential to use me; however, his focus is different enough from mine that it reduces our effectiveness as a unit.|
Ōjirō: [nod] ...So I suggested that I’d help her find and train a more-suitable partner. Not that I know much about training a mage, obviously, but I figure I can at least provide an extra point of reference.
Nanoha: [now distinctly nervous, almost to the point of panic] And...you think that might be me..?
Ōjirō: [glances at RH after a brief pause] Well, Raging Heart? You were the one who noticed her to begin with.
RH: |I could not be sure without direct interaction; but now that I’ve had a chance to assess your potential in various areas, I’ll say with confidence that a partnership between us would be extraordinary - not only is your overall potential impressive; you have an aptitude for offense in general and projectile attacks in particular which would be an excellent compliment to my focussed-bombardment specialization. The final processing of that data was the cause of my momentary silence.|
Ōjirō: There you have it, Nanoha-chan: You’ve been identified as a prime mage candidate. The only question is whether you’re willing to take on the responsibilities that come with the job and go through the training.
Nanoha: Well...it’d be a little selfish of me to turn it down. Don’t you think?
Ōjirō: [smiles and puts a hand on her shoulder] You’re an amazing girl, Nanoha. I didn’t know your parents very well, but I think they’d be proud of you.
{Scene returns to outer reality.}
RH: |New user registered. I look forward to working with you, my master.| [returns to her chain]
Yuuno: [in shock] “My master”?! How did you..?
Ōjirō: [taps the side of his head] All it takes is an open mind, Yuuno - if an AI can talk to you just like a normal person would, why wouldn’t they respond like one if you returned the favour? Speaking of which... (Can you hear me?)
{Simultaneously:
Yuuno: [verbally, shocked again] You pick things up amazingly fast..!
Nanoha: Whoah, how did you do that?!
}
Ōjirō: It’s simple, Nanoha-chan - you basically just...picture who you wanna contact and...”think at” them, if you know what I’m getting at.
Nanoha: (Erm...like this?)
Ōjirō: [verbally] See, Yuuno? There’s a reason she’s one of my best students.
Yuuno: [headtilt] Your students?
Ōjirō: O, yeah, I didn’t mention that, did I? I’m also her teacher; that’s essentially why she...er, ended up with me. If you will.
Yuuno: There’s...a lot of details I’m missing, aren’t there?
Ōjirō: [eyes darkening somewhat] You could say that; maybe I’ll fill you in after Nanoha-chan goes to bed. For now, though, we’ve gotten a bit off-topic - I believe I’d asked you to explain your part in all this, Yuuno?
Nanoha: Yeah, and why did such dangerous things end up around here?
Yuuno: [looks down] Well...those two are...kinda the same thing, actually. {Cut to flashback with voice-over.} You see, I was working on a dig at an ancient ruin on my homeworld - archaeology is sort of a Scryer-clan pastime - and I unearthed this set of twentyone fragmentary Lost Logia that we dubbed Jewel Seeds. Even apparently being fragments, it was obvious how powerful they were, so I sent them off to the Spacetime Administration Bureau for analysis and safe-keeping -
{Cut back to the room.}
Ōjirō: [holds up a hand with a sweatdrop] Hold on a moment. “Spacetime Administration Bureau”?
Yuuno: Yeah, they often handle things like this. Is there a problem?
Ōjirō: Well, I’ve never heard of them, but...back home, I used to say that “bureaucracy” is the longest four-letter word in the English language.
[Yuuno snickers.]
Nanoha: [looking back-and-forth between the two, lost] Hoeh? But...isn’t that a lot longer than..?
Ōjirō: [bland look] That’s the joke, Nanoha-chan.
Nanoha: [smacks forehead] Right, I knew that.
Ōjirō: Anyway...the point is, it sounds like a governmental organization, and I really dislike those. Not to say that they’re all bad people or anything, but they tend to be unwieldy, static, and unresponsive to the situation and the needs of the people dealing with them, just because of how they operate and how they have to be organized. Not to mention that I object to their existence as such from the beginning.
Yuuno: Hmm...well, I can’t say much about that last part, but I’ve dealt with the SAB before - they’re actually quite responsive and competent, at least in my experience. Though this time {Cut back to flashback.} they never managed to get involved because the ship I sent the Jewel Seeds to them on had some kind of accident - the whole thing’s turned into a huge fiasco at this point, as far as I’m concerned. The Seeds ended up here because this was the nearest world when the accident happened. {End flashback.} So I came here to clean up my mess, you might say - collect all the Jewel Seeds so I can get them where I was trying to get them in the first place. I haven’t had any luck at all, though, unless you count the three from tonight.
Ōjirō: [whistle] Pretty hardcore. Well...at the very least, I’m inclined to help out since they rightfully belong to you but you’re having trouble recovering them - and if they’re all like the three we dealt with tonight, they should make good practice. I think we should sleep on it, though, just to be sure; how does that sound to you, Nanoha-chan?
Nanoha: Works for me! [stretches] My head’s all fuzzy, anyway; I’m too tired to make big decisions right now.
Ōjirō: [chuckle] Yuuno, why don’t you head out into the living-room while I tuck Nanoha-chan in? I figure the couch is as good a place as any for you to curl up for the night, anyway, once we’re done.
Yuuno: [hops down and leaves the room] Alright. See ya in a minute.
Ōjirō: [shifts over next to Nanoha] Man...this promises to be a major bear. We’ll want to start training as soon as we can, and we’ve got school tomorrow...
Nanoha: Ugh, seriously...when are we even gonna find the time?
RH: |That isn’t as great a problem as it sounds - I can construct a mental training simulation that leaves most of your mind free for other tasks.|
Ōjirō: [eyebrows rising as far as they can] Do tell? And we won’t forget half of it afterward?
RH: |Correct. As you may know, a great deal of the human brain generally goes unused; it’s this space that I use for the training.|
Nanoha: [stares] That’s...amazingly handy.
Ōjirō: [looks at Nanoha worriedly] Not to mention that it sound incredibly easy to overdo. [points at her] You’d better keep a lid on it, young lady - I won’t have you burning yourself out. Understood?
Nanoha: Haaaiii. [nods, then tugs on his sleeve] Hey, um...that reminds me of something I’ve been thinking about the last couple of days...
Ōjirō: [headtilt] Hmm? What’s up?
Nanoha: [blushing slightly, looking down] Would...would it be alright if I started calling you “papa”? You’ve been so sweet and comforting to me these last couple of weeks that you’ve kinda started reminding me of Daddy - well, except for when he acted like a... [starts tearing up] ...total airhead...
Ōjirō: [gently pulls her head into his shoulder, petting at her hair and rocking slightly] Shh, shh. Not right before bed - you’ll give yourself another nightmare if you’re not careful.
Nanoha: [sniffles a little but manages to keep herself from outright sobbing] Yeah...thanks. Sorry ‘bout that.
Ōjirō: No apologies, Nanoha-chan - it’s not your fault.
Nanoha: I know, I know. But anyway...[looks up at him] You’ve really started to feel like a father to me, but there’s no way I could call you “Daddy”...so...would that be okay?
Ōjirō: [pushes her slightly away to look into her eyes, head tilted slightly] Actually...I’d really like that. As long as you’re sure.
Nanoha: [nods almost excitedly] I’m definitely sure. [lays back down on her side and pulls her covers up around her, head turned to smile up at him] G’night...papa.
Ōjirō: [smiles with mixed fondness and pride, leaning over to kiss her cheek] Sleep well, my Nanoha-chan. [rises to leave the room and rejoin Yuuno]
Yuuno: [looks up as Ōjirō enters the living-room] O? You look happy.
Ōjirō: [chuckles, almost beaming] Yeah. Remember how I told you Nanoha was basically my foster-daughter?
Yuuno: What about it?
Ōjirō: Well...she just made it the next thing to official. [passes by the couch to open the freezer]
Yuuno: [headtilt] Whatcha mean?
Ōjirō: She decided to start calling me “papa”. [sits down next to Yuuno with a bottle of cherry rum, pouring some into a glass]
Yuuno: Sounds like the whole situation is pretty new to both of you.
Ōjirō: Yeah...[swirls his drink around a little, then takes a sip] And unfortunate as all Hell. You see, her parents were...[uncomfortable pause] killed, about two weeks ago.
Yuuno: [looks at him for a moment] ...It wasn’t an accident, was it?
Ōjirō: Officially it was, but...I’m not convinced. It was too perfect, like it was engineered for them and only them. The blast basically missed Nanoha-chan and conveniently happened while her siblings were out of the house.
Yuuno: That...does sound suspicious. But who’d do such a thing? I mean, is Nanoha’s family famous or something?
Ōjirō: Not as far as I can tell. [sigh] If I had a list of suspects, I’d be halfway home. I mean, I could understand if it’d happened to one of her friends - Alisa or Suzuka - their families are both rich. But why the Takamachis? They just run a little coffee-shop in the middle of town and basically keep to themselves. ‘S why I’ve been trying to dig a little into their background, figure out if one of them had somehow made some enemies in the past or something.
Yuuno: [eyes slightly wide] Wow...you’re really taking this personally, aren’t you?
Ōjirō: [scowl] Damn right I am. Nobody messes with one of my students like that - especially not Nanoha-chan. I’ve always liked her; she was one of the ones I’d say was a friend even before all this.
Yuuno: Really? Pretty unusual to have “friends” that much younger.
Ōjirō: [shrug] Age has never been important to me, Yuuno. When I was young, many of my friends were also my parents’ friends, and I could deal with them nearly on their level, depending on when you asked. All that age gives you to work with is a vague sense of someone’s maturity and experience - both of which can vary hugely between individuals.
Yuuno: So, if someone comes to you acting a lot more mature than you’d expect, you basically ignore their age?
Ōjirō: More or less, yeah. And Nanoha’s always been incredibly mature for her age, along with her friends to a lesser extent. She only has a couple of friends, but they’re excellent ones, I must say...
Yuuno: That’s good to hear; even if they can’t help with what you do, you really need a few people you can go home to and relax with or unload on.
Ōjirō: [nod] Without a doubt. [takes a long pull at his drink, then looks at Yuuno again] Oi...once we get all your Jewel Seeds corralled, do you think we might be able to go with you when you deliver them?
Yuuno: Hmm...maybe. If you’ve got time for the trip, it shouldn’t be too hard to arrange.
Ōjirō: Well, whether we have time for it depends on when it happens...
Yuuno: Ah, I see. Well, we can look into it once all’s said and done.
Ōjirō: Sounds good. Sorry I don’t really have anything to use as a proper bed for you, but...[shrugs with a sheepish smile] Short notice, you understand.
Yuuno: [laughs softly] Yeah, I know. I think I’ll manage - the sofa has pillows and things on it, after all. By the way, did you know we’re not speaking the same language?
Ōjirō: [pauses mid-sip, blinks] ...What?
Yuuno: [nod] I’m serious. You see, devices have two forms of translation routines, and I noticed while you were talking with Raging Heart that neither of them was active - I could understand you just fine on my own.
Ōjirō: How is that even possible? We’re from two different worlds, right?
Yuuno: Your guess is as good as mine. And you just switched over, didn’t you?
Ōjirō: Yeah, I did. [shakes head disbelievingly, then chuckles] I may hafta start speaking English to Nanoha-chan, see how long it takes’r to notice.
Yuuno: Heh, that could be interesting. I noticed you sound a lot different between the two languages.
Ōjirō: Yeah, my Japanese is still pretty imperfect. Fluent - I almost-never have trouble gettin’ my point across - but I often don’t know how to get it across the way I want.
Yuuno: [nods again] The way it gets translated to me sounds extremely formal. Almost stilted at times.
Ōjirō: Sounds about right. [finishes his drink and rises to put the bottle back in the freezer] Hey, can I ask ya a question?
Yuuno: What’s that?
Ōjirō: You really a ferret?
Yuuno: No...I just use this form for convenience and such. I’m actually human.
Ōjirō: [lifts one eyebrow way up his forehead] Really? You’ll hafta teach me that shapeshifting technique sometime.
Yuuno: [smirk] It takes a lot of skill. It’ll probably be a while before you can even think about it.
Ōjirō: [snickers, stretching as he heads back into the bedroom] G’night, showoff-kun.
Yuuno: [chuckle] Goodnight, Ōjirō.
{Fade to black. Show Fate movie intro unchanged. Resume at school the next day, with RH on her chain around Nanoha’s neck as Ōjirō lectures.}
Nanoha: [peering inside her outer top] (Can you hear me, Raging Heart?)
RH: (|Yes, I can hear you.|)
Nanoha: (Just what makes you think I’d be a good partner for you?)
RH: (|As I said last night, you are impressively powerful, and our specialties mesh well. As long as you are willing to put in the work, I am confident that we will become an excellent team.|)
Nanoha: (I don’t have a problem with that, but I’m curious: What kind of work?)
RH: (|First, I should teach you the fundaments of dealing with magical energies and my abilities, along with the basics of aerial combat. After that, I recommend shoring up the most-glaring of the weaknesses that I’m certain will show in our initial training.|)
Nanoha: (Wait...did you say “aerial combat”?)
RH: (|Yes. My spells, particularly those relating to movement, are mostly geared toward fighting in and from the air.|)
Nanoha: (Wow...fancy. That actually sounds like fun!)
RH: (|You think you’ll enjoy flying?|)
Nanoha: (Yeah!)
RH: (|I’m glad to hear that. Your foster-father panicked badly when he first found himself airborne.|)
Nanoha: ([giggle] Seriously?! Why?)
RH: |(He apparently has a crippling fear of heights. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say, a crippling fear of falling from heights - he calmed down greatly when he came to understand that he wouldn’t fall.|)
Nanoha: (Huh. I had no idea; I guess it’s just never come up...wait. Foster-father? Where did you hear that?)
RH: (|That was how he first described to Yuuno the relationship between you two. Though he didn’t state it with much certainty until after you, in his words, “made it the next thing to official”.|)
Nanoha: [blushes slightly] (I guess I did, didn’t I?)
RH: (|Yes, my master.|)
{Cut to after school, scene of Nanoha parting ways with Alisa and Suzuka unchanged apart from Ōjirō being present.}
Ōjirō: [after the pair leaves] (Well, Nanoha...how about we head to the park for our training-session?)
Nanoha: (Sounds good! Just hope it doesn’t get too weird...)
RH: (|Passersby are unlikely to notice anything unusual.|)
Nanoha: (I hope you’re right...)
{Cut briefly to the pair sitting on a park bench.}
Ōjirō: [long-distance] (We’re gonna start our training now, Yuuno. Didn’t you say you had something to tell us before we did?)
Yuuno: (Yeah, I wanted to explain to you the basic mechanism of magic - that is, how you gather mana.)
Ōjirō: (“Gather”? You mean it isn’t internally generated?)
Yuuno: (No, or at least not mostly. It’s like this: Every mage has an...organ, for lack of a better word, called a “linker core”, which draws mana in from your surroundings. It’s in the area around your heart; try to visualize it.)
Nanoha: [both close their eyes] (Okay...I think I’ve got it.)
Ōjirō: (Me too. Now what?)
Yuuno: (Now imagine “breathing in” with your linker core.)
Ōjirō: (Whoah...I think I’ve done this before without realizing it. Though never this efficiently.)
Nanoha: (Really? When? Why?)
Ōjirō: (High-school...Long story. Let’s just say some of my old friends were as weird as I am.)
Nanoha: [giggle] (Papa’s such a weirdo.)
Yuuno: (Raging Heart, is it actually working?)
RH: (|It appears so.|)
Yuuno: (Excellent. At the most-basic level, a mage’s potential power basically equals the size of their linker core, which determines how fast they can draw mana in.)
Ōjirō: (Really? So magical power isn’t actually a matter of storage-space but of bandwidth?)
Yuuno: (That’s...actually a really-good way of putting it. You work with computers a lot, don’t you?)
Ōjirō: (My stepdad majored in computer-science, if that tells you anything.)
Yuuno: ([laughs] So you kinda grew up around computers even more than most people, huh?)
Ōjirō: (Pretty much. That and geology; he was a double-major. Total genius; drove me bonkers sometimes.)
Yuuno: (Wow. “Total genius”, coming from you? That says a lot.)
Ōjirō: [slightly uncomfortable] (Yeah...well. Anything else from your end?)
Yuuno: (Nope; I’ll let Raging Heart take it from here and keep an eye on things.)
RH: (|Begin image training.|)
{Cut to said image training, with Ōjirō and Nanoha both present.}
Ōjirō: [stares down at the water for a moment, then flails] GAH! ...Wait, Flier Fin’s up. I’m okay. Though I’d really feel a little better with something to...hmm. Raging Heart, is it possible to create a magic circle that doesn’t actually do anything, but sticks around and stays oriented a certain way relative to yourself?
RH: |It shouldn’t be a problem. Try it.|
Ōjirō: [does so, conjuring a circle about twice as wide as his shoulders with very little code in it, then peers at his work] Okay. That makes me feel a lot better. Also [points] to me, this magic circle is clear evidence that we weren’t meant for each-other, Raging Heart.
RH: |What about it?|
Ōjirō: The colour’s all wrong - I hate gold. I mean, it’s a lovely colour, but it has associations that I find disagreeable to the point that I can’t wear gold jewelry.
Nanoha: [points at his ring, then his necklace] That’s why all your jewelry is silver?
Ōjirō: [nod] That and the fact that I love silver. I tried on one of my grandma’s gold rings once, and it actually felt like it jacked up my ki flow, if you can believe that. Or mana flow, if you prefer.
Nanoha: Wow...I’ll have to ask about those associations sometime. For now, though...shall we get started, Raging Heart?
RH: |Yes, my master! The first thing you’ll need to do to make yourself ready for combat is to design your barrier-jacket and my device form. Though I can take care of either if you prefer.|
Ōjirō: Make sure it’s really what you want, though, because it’s hard to change it later on.
RH: |Your memory is superb.|
Ōjirō: [deadpan] ...Sometimes.
Nanoha: ...And other times he can’t remember where he left his keys the night before!
Ōjirō: [mock-glare, snort] Traitor.
RH: |It might be worth noting that most devices have functions that can serve as memory aids.|
Ōjirō: [sweatdrop as Nanoha giggles loudly] ...Am I seriously getting teased by an AI now? That’s gotta be a new personal low. [points at RH] I’m gonna get you back, just you wait.
RH: [brief pause] |Standby; ready.|
Ōjirō: So, Nanoha-chan. Got an idea what kinda look you want yet?
Nanoha: [thoughtful expression] Hmm...only the beginning of one, really...can I see yours, Papa? Did you get time to think about it?
Ōjirō: No - but it’s the kind of thing I’ve been thinking about every so often for literally years, so most of the thinking was already done. I just had to adapt it a bit because I knew it wouldn’t suit Raging Heart. Is it possible to show her here?
RH: |Of course.|
Ōjirō: [changes into his barrier-jacket and acquires what seems to be a mock-up of RH, twirls once] What do you think?
Nanoha: Whoah! Actually sort of stylish, and it looks good on you. What’s Raging Heart’s design supposed to be - a naginata with a huge curve in the blade?
Ōjirō: Basically. The blade's shape is influenced by a European weapon called a “bardiche” - I felt a fusion of two primarily-defensive weapons, one Japanese and one European, would express a lot of things about me all at once.
Nanoha: [giggle] Talking about using a naginata for defense sorta makes you sound like a samurai wife.
Ōjirō: [blinks, then shrugs] Nothing new there, really...
Nanoha: [blinks in confusion, eyes wide] Hoeh..?
Ōjirō: You'll understand as you get to know me better.
Nanoha: Errrr...okay... [peers at RH] Hmm. Should I make Raging Heart look like some kind of weapon too?
Ōjirō: Not necessarily. Do what makes the most sense to you.
Nanoha: Hmm...alright. What’s next?
RH: |There are three basic types of spells: attacks, shields, and binds.|
Ōjirō: [perks slightly, interested] Binds, you say? As in, spells intended to restrict an opponent’s mobility?
RH: |Yes. There are subtypes of each, as well as various utility spells - including mobility-enhancers such as Flier Fin.|
Ōjirō: [looks down at Flier Fin] Ahh, yes - to each action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. If there are movement-enhancers, obviously there are also movement-restrictors.
RH: |Interesting that you would analogize magic to physics, but your reasoning is sound. Learning to use each of these types of spells to whatever degree you can is the key to maximizing your potential.|
Ōjirō: *chuckle* I think you’re getting ahead of yourself there, Raging Heart. It’s fundamentals day, remember?
RH: |Yes. This is a “bullet”, the most-basic projectile spell. Many more-powerful mages can actually generate these without their devices active - in fact, this would be the basis of my recommended form of control training for you later on, Master.|
Nanoha: Really? I could use that anytime I wanted?
RH: |Yes - I suspect either of you could, with enough practice. Though its usefulness for Guest-master would be quite limited.|
Ōjirō: Because, ideally, I won’t be using a whole lot of projectiles, right?
RH: |Exactly. Also, if you wouldn’t mind demonstrating the two different shield spells we used last night?|
Ōjirō: Ah, sure.
RH: |This is a Round Shield - essentially the basic shield used by all mages of the Mid-childan style, which is the style I was built around.|
Ōjirō: Would you define the term “Mid-childan” for me?
RH: |Mid-childa is the homeworld of the Spacetime Administration Bureau.|
Ōjirō: [pokerface] Ahh...I see. [switches to Protection]
RH: |This is my specialty barrier spell, Protection - many devices have such a spell, and many of them are quite similar. Protection is a strong shield but essentially impossible to modify or add to, unlike Round Shield; though I do have a wide-area variant of it.|
Nanoha: So...since I can’t do anything with a Round Shield yet, why would I use it over Protection?
Ōjirō: I was wondering the same thing, actually...
RH: |Round Shield is noticeably easier to cast, making it a better choice for zero-notice situations; it’s also more mana-efficient except when guarding against an attack of great magnitude.|
Nanoha: Ohhhh...so, use Protection when you have time and think you can block the attack completely, but keep Round Shield sort of as your go-to defense?
RH: |That would be a sensible course of action, yes. As for oth - Caution! Magical reaction detected!|
Yuuno: [long-distance] (Nanoha! Ōjirō! There’s a Jewel Seed activating, and I think it’s right near you!)