Hey, everybody. I have been lurking around in the VC Fanfiction for sometime now and since with all these stories up I might as well contribute to this section. I initially came up with this idea about 2 months ago, but with me fretting about whether it can meet the high quality writing around here and school had put me off until about now. For now it's planned to be a two-shot, but depending how it turns out It might just expand…. If I feel motivated (and brave!) enough. So please R&R and remember this is my first time writing fan fiction.
Disclaimer: This work is not for profit and Valkyria Chronicles is owned by SEGA (or whomever it is….)
It was a bright and sunny Sunday in Bruhl, but the mood in the town was anything but cheery. Throngs of people were in the street, but instead of the usual scenes of merchants hawking their wares, housewives spreading gossip amongst themselves, or bored children causing mischief; there were low murmurs of worry and the general look of unease amongst the townsfolk. Most were heading west, for worrying rumors were circulating that the Eastern Imperial Alliance could be targeting Gallia for invasion. Not surprisingly, the Bruhl Town Watch was out in force the last several days and among them was a certain female pacifist…
Susie stood by with her Gallian carbine and watched as people passed by her, with sad faces on almost all of them as they take their last look at their home before the leave with their most valuable possessions in tow.
"Even the possibility of war has already inflicted misery among the people." she thought dejectedly. "Why must people seek to hurt others? Is the need of acquiring ragnite really justify bloodshed?"
Ragnite. Just about everything seems to be powered with ragnite these days and invasion of Gallia could only mean the attempt to grab more of the blue rocks it seems. Susie just couldn't understand, Europa had already erupted in flames once in EW1 and now a second conflict is already underway with Gallia in imminent danger of being swept up in the conflict, is there already a need for more blood?
However, before Susie's thoughts could sink deeper, she was interrupted by the arrival of Noce.
"Hey Susie!" gasped Noce, apparently out of breath. "Sorry, I'm late! You see I was thinking about what rhymes with 'bread' and I had totally forgot I was suppose to take your place, please don't report me or anything!"
Susie shook her head in wonder. Noce was well known as the town's poet, unfortunately his poetry isn't exactly the best to say the least and even she found it hard to scrounge up a complement in some of his works.
"Oh, please don't worry, Noce. You know that I won't report you or anything like that!" she said reassuringly.
Relieved, Noce went on thanking her and promising her that he will think up of a grand poem just for her. Susie smiled and waved goodbye to the poet, but inwardly shudder at thought of yet another poem from Noce to look at.
Susie wander aimlessly around the town, walking past many boarded up residences and business that had already moved west. Her family made sure that everything had moved to estate near Randgriz at the first sign of trouble. Despite family urging, she remained in the Bruhl town watch to try to help the town residence to the best of her ability, despite the dread that she might have to fight if she doesn't evacuate in time. Today was the last day she was to remain in Bruhl as the family's servants were to arrive later this day to take her home, by force if needed. Truthfully, she had intend that today would be the day to leave, but she thought it was still shameful for her to leave, as the rest of Bruhl town watch would be forced to stay and wait for the Imperial onslaught to hit before they can go.
As She neared the Town's flower shop, she was surprise to discover Jane Turner was still packing up to move, no doubt by her insistence to transport all her flowers with her. Susie felt sorry for the poor beast of burdens that were hired specifically so she can move all her flowers.
"Hello Jane, umm… still packing up I see." she stated plainly.
"Hey Susie, yep, I taking all my flower with me, can't have those damn Imperials ruin them you know!" chirped up Jane. Susie knew better then to ask Jane if it was smarter for her to just leave those flowers behind and just grow newer ones later. Everybody in Bruhl knew that she seems…. a bit attached to those flowers, she was even somewhat reluctant to sell them if she knew that the flowers were most likely to be neglected by their new owners.
"Susie, hate to ask you this, knowing you have Watch duty and all, but can you help load the flowers on to the cart?"
"I would love to, but-" As Susie started to explain she need to report back to Town Headquarters, Jane handed Susie a very large bouquet of freshly cut tulips.
"Wonderful, I knew I could count on you! Now go load them on that cart over there…."
Susie, traditionally was unable to muster up even a feeble protest, just sighed, propped up her Gallian on a wall and went to work. Besides, even through Jane was just a florist, Susie could sense something bad might happen if she didn't do what Jane asked. As she carefully placed the first bundle on to a cart, she reasoned with herself. "After all, how long could this take?"
An hour later, when Susie was starting to question exactly how many flowers this women had, Jane announced that they were finally done.
"Thanks for the help Susie!" Jane exclaimed. "Really this mean a lot for me, taking your time to help me."
"Please do not worry, I had the time to spare." Susie said smiling. In truth however, she should be racing off to Headquarters as soon as possible.
"Oh, before you go, here take this flower, I think it matches your hair perfectly!" Jane plucked a flower in one swift motion and placed in Susie palm.
Surprised, Susie managed to stutter out a thanks and went to retrieve her rifle before walking away. Rounding a corner she started studying the flower, it wasn't particularly small and it seemed to have a pale yellow center and seems to be white around edges.
As she was walking along, Susie thought she hear an indistinct thump off from the up she saw the Sister Mills for a brief moment, seeing it stand serenely in place as it always had been, the old castle tower standing guard over the town with the giant fans seemingly blowing away all troubles that would threaten Bruhl.
Suddenly an explosion ripped through the smaller of the twin mills, the masonry slowly coming apart, crumbling away from the blast. Susie could only stare in mute horror as another artillery struck the mills, violent smashing away it foundation with one of it fans breaking off and plunging to the ground.
The invasion has begun.