Ritsu and the band of sisters.
Err yea so I don't own anything A-1, Aniplex, Kyoani please don't sue me.
Reviews would be helpful. ^^
The gentle spring breeze brushed against auburn locks playing with it as the VW Typ 82 Kubelwagen speeds through the rough pebbled road leading to destination unknown. She lets out a yelp as the open top automobile ran over a bump causing it to buckle violently startling the brunette out of her slumber. The driver paying no mind to her, but merely inform her that they were nearing their destination.
"We're close."
"Huh, who the hell are you," she questioned but he didn't respond.
She stole a few glances at her driver, quite older than herself maybe in his 50s. I'm I being kidnapped? Is he going to... Wait what I'm I wearing? She looked down at her appearance, some sort of military uniform; green with black accents. Her attention then snapped back to the surrounding, we never had mountains like these in Japan. Oww my head, how in the world?
"Wait wait wait, stop this car! Where are you taking me?"
"PRIVATE Tainaka, I suggest you not continue speaking like THAT if you wish to remain in the military, especially when you are talking to a superior OFFICER."
"I'm still in high school, how...," however her words trailed off as their destination came into view.
"Wha... what is that," she gasp the city was straight out of some fairy tale, or maybe something out of an old foreign movie she once saw on television, It's just like that movie, The Sound of Music.
"Seize...," her driver replied.
Sitting atop a mountain overlooking the border to no mans land, one of the few treasures left of this dying world the city of Seize. Surrounded by lush scenery and mountain vistas the grand city sits in a warm summit protected from the outside world. "The city of spring and glass," Seize was known for its glass production supplying a huge percentage of the glass needed during the war. The windshield of this vehicle probably came from this city. Powered by an artificial damn created eons ago, the city of Seize is pretty much self sustaining.
Beautiful, she thought blissfully as she took in the view something she rarely gets to see in the front lines of Vingt-et-Un. Wait what? What the hell I'm I thinking about... I don't even know where I am. Mio must have hit me a bit too hard... I must be in a coma or something, this is all a dream...
The car made an abrupt stop almost causing the poor girl to crash head first into the windshield.
"Hey watch it! What's the big deal," she angrily questioned the man. The soldier decided to ignore her insolence and got up from the driver seat. He grabbed a bag from the backseat and made his way to the front of the vehicle where he tossed it on the ground.
"Hey you old fart! You almost killed me back there!"
"NEED I remind you, Pvt. Tainaka to NOT talk like that especially when addressing a SUPERIOR OFFICER," this time the gentlemen was at his wits end with this new girl.
"Well err...S-sorry," normally someone like Ritsu would not yield so easily not to anybody especially some guy. But this man, he obviously means business, Ritsu figured not to get in his way.
"Alright then... Ahem... PVT. Tainaka Ritsu, assignment: the 1121st Panzer Regiment," as he hands her a piece of paper awaiting her signature.
"t-tank?!"
"...Look...Your platoon is stationed in that clock tower," he pointed to the location since it could easily be seen as it sits overlooking the city. A run down clock tower badly in need of renovation with large portions of the building falling apart, in there house a Vector Type-Zero. "I'm sure they would be able to answer whatever questions you may have in regards to your deployment." He pushed the piece of paper to her again, this time pulling out a pen and handing it to her. She promptly took the pen and paper signing her name: Ritsu Tainaka in English alphabet. Huh.
"Thank you," he saluted her she saluted in return as not to be rude.
"Thank you, Major," she doesn't quite understand why she's calling him Major or how military hierarchy even works. But somehow all of this was now new to her.
"Very well then, my mission is complete," he said as he ends the salute hands falling to his side. The brunette did the same, she turned around towards the city steps hoping to find a phone or at least someone who could help her in the vast unknown city.
"May I ask you a question," the older gentlemen interrupted starling her. Ritsu nervously turned around to meet his gaze.
"S-sure," for a man in his early 50s she couldn't get over how handsome he was. His face is adorn with many small scars probably as a result of years of fighting. His beard gave him a sense of regal and class, he was quite the gentlemen she thought. The Desert Wolf himself.
"Why did you enlist... someon like you, well you kinda look... out of place...," he smiled.
"I don't have anywhere to go, my family was killed during the mortar raids," she couldn't understand why she said that. Her family isn't dead, in fact they are probably desperately searching for her whereabouts. They must be worried sick! I must find a phone!
"Oh, I- I'm sorry," she was surprised by how genuine his apology was.
"It's okay, it was a long time ago," that's right she needs to find a phone to call her family. What on earth is she saying? Has she gone mad?
"Very well then," giving her a final salute before they both parted ways, she promptly gave one in return.
"Okay, well I guess I'll be off then Major..."
"Call me Klaus," he smiled.
-
Ritsu walked slowly through the city occasionally wiping strains of hair from her eyes, it was getting hot and she could feel the sweat on her brow. I should tie this hair up, her hair was somewhat long almost shoulder length, not conforming to military regulations. The hair itself looked untamed, wild giving her a delinquent look however she is far from a delinquent in fact behind the facade of being a loudmouth the girl is quite shy.
I need to find a phone, I'm sure everyone is looking for me...
The city itself, looked like it was built many centuries ago with arching walkways and old stone steps. Modern technology hasn't touched an inch of this great city. Ritsu always wanted to visit Europe, getting lost in Europe is another matter. Ritsu wasn't even positive that this is Europe, and most of all she wasn't sure how she managed to get here nor how to get back.
She walked around from shop to shop asking to use a phone and to her surprised none of the many shops she visited actually have a working unit. She desperately wished she had her mobile with her, however being in this strange city she doubt it would even get a working signal. She made her way through the vast alleyways flagging down anybody who might potentially have a phone with them, unfortunately no one seems to have or even know what a mobile phone is. Eventually her search led her to what seems to be a huge clearing with crowds of people going about their business, buying and selling goods quite similar to a flea market.
Ritsu was busy absorbing in the atmosphere as she felt something tug against her pants.
"Are you a soldier," questioned a small girl. She had blonde hair and stood about shoulder height to Ritsu. From her clothing, she looked quite poor, maybe an orphan.
"Huh," Ritsu didn't know how to answer this.
"That uniform its similar to the people over at the old clock tower," said the little blonde. Ahh that's right them again, the 1121st.
"Umm... I guess I am, do you happen to know where I can find a phone," questioned the brunette.
"Kanata-oneechan said they have one where she lives," replied the blonde.
"Err where does Kanata-oneechan live," Ritsu continued her questioning.
"Umm...," however before she could finish she spots someone in the crowd. "Well I have to go now bye," and with that she rushed off in the opposite direction. Ritsu could only watch as the young girl ran off into the crowd. She was about to follow her when.
"Mishio-san come back, Umph," as she felt somebody run into her at full force slightly knocking her off balance but not enough for her to lose her footing. She quickly turned around ready to yell at her assailant only for her eyes to come to rest on a girl similar to her height, maybe a tiny bit shorter.
"S-sorry," said the girl as she eyed Ritsu's military uniform.
"Y-Yui? What are you doing here," she questioned as the other brunette gets up from the ground. The girl was wearing a weird colorful dress, like different fabric patched together and on her head adorn a very unique haircut, one which wasn't even remotely symmetrical. Oh what a relief to know I'm not alone in this weird place, even if its with Yui.
"Huh? Yui?," the girl looked surprised and confused.
Upon closer inspection the girl merely only looked and sounded like the guitarist. This girl as ditzy and as clumsy as she may be is a completely different person. Ritsu blushed, couldn't control her embarrassment of mistaking the girl for one of her closest friends.
"You must be Tainaka-san," said the girl. Ritsu is still amaze that there's someone else in this world like Yui and to be able to meet them here of all places.
"H-how did you know my name?"
"Private Sorami Kanata, we received a report from Klaus-san that you will be joining us," she saluted. "But, you can just call me Kanata, that's how Filicia-san wants us to address each other anyways... err... doing away with rank I mean."
Kanata! She must know where I can find a phone.
"Filicia-san?"
"1st Lieutenant Heidemann, that's who you will be reporting to," she explained. "Gah I almost forgot! I'm sorry Tainaka-san I need to find Mishio and bring her home before Yumina-san gets angry at the both of us!"
And with that she ran off after the smaller girl disappearing into the crowd of people. What a peculiar girl, thought the brunette.
"W...what just happened?"
At this point the drummer felt she had no choice but to head towards the clock tower, the only place that might have the answer to her predicament. As she reached the end of the main path cutting across the the bustling bazaar, the walkway turned into a quiet alleyway with concrete steps leading upwards to the highest point of the town. Soon the long pathway lead to an opening and red hanging bridge, on the other side is the clock tower. The bridge itself looks stable enough so the brunette made her way across. At that time it was getting late in the afternoon as the first signs of dusk is settling in, she noticed the sun set behind the mountains the view itself was breathtaking. This place isn't so bad after all, I need to get home though I'm sure everyone is worried sick. And as she was admiring the sunset something swooped past her, it was an owl.
She looked up fearing that it might hurt her, sure enough the owl looks like its turning around for another pass. She grab whatever she could from her army standard issued backpack hoping that it would be of any use against the angry bird of prey . D-Drumsticks? What the heck I'm I going to do with this?! However as she was fumbling with pair of drumsticks the owl quickly with its talons grabbed onto her hair, or more specifically her yellow hairband yanking it from the brunette making her bangs fall down covering most of her forehead.
"Hey," she screamed at the animal as it flies off into the direction of the city. Great...
-
It was early dusk as she made her way into the base of operations for the 1121st, she noticed two VW Typ 82 Kubelwagen similar to the one she rode in with Krauss, she also noticed a KS750 motorbike. She made out a figure lying next to the bike, a girl in the same military uniform that she was wearing. She tried to make out the figure however the only thing she managed to get a glimpse of is her hair, long raven hair flowing down past her shoulders and resting against her back. This haircut doesn't seem to be in line with military regulations, especially for a tank platoon with a lot of heavy machinery to get it tangled up in. As the brunette got closer the other girl noticed her; the raven quickly got up from where she was diligently working and walked towards the brunette. As Rtisu took in the full view of the girl she could not help but find her incredibly beautiful and surprisingly familiar, M-Mio? However as she got closer Ritsu was disappointed that it wasn't her best friend, this girl was a lot more built, with well defined muscle tone, she also presents her self as more masculine than the ultra feminine bassist. Pretty much the total opposite of Mio.
"You must be Tainaka-san," came the scruffy voice.
"Y-yes! Nice meeting you," she bowed, this girl looked so much like Mio a part of Ritsu wanted to tease her however seeing that she was much bigger than her, well her common sense dictates that she shouldn't. The brunette quickly searched her bag to find the proper paper work. Once she found them she handed them over to the bigger girl who read it attentively.
"..."
"Err... Nice bike," Ritsu trying to make small talk as the silence was killing her.
"T-Thanks, I fixed it up myself," she gave the brunette a smile before going to too the paperwork. "Don't touch it," as an aura of seriousness came over the girl, Ritsu knows to obey the order.
"he...heh...," the brunette was quite nervous at this point. She doesn't know how people in the military in general usually act.
"Ara Rio-chan you didn't tell me we have company," came a somewhat accented voice emanating from one of the doors of the clock tower. The accent is quite distinct as it could be easily be distinguished that there was one, especially in contrast to the biker's dialect. However this mysterious accent is not familiar to the drummer, making it unidentifiable. Ritsu turned around to meet the face that was attached to the voice.
There stood quite a charming woman with her an air of nobility and class, a beautiful princess like face with curves to match. Blonde shady locks neatly comb as to not cover her exquisite facial features, she doesn't look like the other two; quite foreign and mysterious. The only minor flaw in this perfect western beauty is the glasses that has adorn her face, probably due to all the reading. The girl presented herself as someone with intelligence to match her striking beauty. Ritsu was quite embarrassed at herself for staring at the lovely lady far longer than she should, making the blonde look a bit nervous. M-mugi?
"And don't you mind Rio-chan, she always tries to act tough during first impressions, in truth she's really a softy," as the blonde nestle her arms under the biker causing the tomboy to be quite flustered by the gesture. Ritsu just stared at them blankly not really knowing how to respond.
"Err..."
"Oh where are my manners," said the blonde. "may I present Master Sergeant Rio Kazumiya and myself I am 1st Lieutenant Filicia Heidemann."
"Err my name is Tainaka Ritsu nice meeting you," she bowed to the blonde.
"Nice meeting you Ritsu...san," replied the blonde.
"AHH, This IS a special occasion indeed, another new recruit," the blond commander said that as she clasp her hands together. "How about some tea and sweets after dinner... Rio-chan may I ask you to go pick up some cakes at our regular bakery?"
She is Mugi!
"I'm almost done with the bike, just give me a few more minutes."
"Well, you see Rio-chan its getting quite late... and we wouldn't want the store to close..." smiled the blonde the biker who really didn't want to argue with her commanding officer. "Oh and if you fine Kanata please bring her back before dinner, since it is my turn to cook I decided to make her that stew that she liked so much."
"Honestly, you're like a worried mother Filicia, fine fine I'll take the VW," said Rio as she walked to one of the two parked cars. The Sergeant realized a long time ago how pointless it is to deny Filicia.
"Hurry back now," said Filicia as she waved to Rio.
Ritsu could only stand there and watch the exchange between the two. Then both girls watch as the Sergeant drove off into the direction of the city. Cakes and teas? What kind of a military is this?
"Ahh I almost forgot about dinner," as a thought hits the blonde commander. At this point the sky was a shade of bright orange and indigo, the sun halfway down the horizon Ritsu was taken back by such a sight. Normally the loud mouth Ritsu wouldn't notice things like sunsets or scenic vistas, however today after all the strange things that happened she figured she would make an exception.
"Ricchan do you want you help me with dinner," asked her commander. Ricchan?
"Umm... sure."