The Cranagan 11.
Disclaimer: Characters of MGLN belong to Seven Arcs and other respective copyright owners. No ownership is assumed. Credits to ABRICK of TV Tropes Nanoha Fanfiction thread for the genesis of the idea.
Chapter 1: The Devil and the Con Artist.
In retrospect, Seiko "Grinface" Takamachi probably should have waited at least for her hair to have grown out to the appropriate length before attempting to impersonate the TSAB's Ace of Aces in an attempt to scam said bureau, preferably ending up making off with several trucks worth of Devices that will fetch a tidy penny or two.
Going further back, she should have also tried to make sure that Nanoha Takamachi, the famed mage she was trying to pass by as, actually WAS down with Anti Magic Flu before trying to explain the lack of both a strong magical presence and Limiters. Making sure that there is such a thing as Anti Magic Flu would probably also is a good idea, if not common sense. Another a good idea to would be for her Intelligent Device be something she could use with ease and pass off as her own, rather than being a stubborn piece of overpowered sentient junk that literally laughed at her attempts to command it.
The damned trinket even mocked her further when she told the Bureau security that she had told it to laugh and the darned gem proceeded to stop laughing. Technically, she had the jewel for as long as her memories can recall, but it certainly didn't behave like she owned the thing.
All in all, not the most thought out plan of her criminal career.
Of course, as the alert was raised and Grinface was chased through half of the Mid-Childia capitol Cranagan by pissed off Enforcers and Ground Mages, the Device couldn't help snickering at her misfortune. It had been kind enough to allow the con-artist to activate it and use a Barrier Jacket, but the little magic sucker was brutal in overclocking her Linker Core. Luciferion was meant as a tool for at least an A-Rank mage while Grinface barely made it to C+ or B- tops.
All in all, this was a rather uninspired attempt to cheat a dimension spanning peacekeeping force. Grinface swore to herself there will be a proper after action review done of this fiasco. Hell, she'd even do it without the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs this time round.
"You really screwed the pooch on this one, My Master," Luciferion would have said between laughs if it could actually laugh. As it was however, the mechanical and choppy voice from the device caused the laughter to sound like a dishwasher exploding a tray load of china while simultaneously grounding puppy into mince.
Shooting a dirty glare at the gloating gem fixed on a ring on her right hand, Grinface scowled as she topped the promise to not include hookers into the next review.
"Considering the last sex worker you had, Master. It may be a good idea not to indulge in them too much especially since you caught three different infections from her when you snorted the crushed cocktail of narcotics off her vag..." The Device felt the hands of her alleged owner squeeze hard on it to shut it off.
"That's quite enough out of you, you treacherous piece of garbage, "The con-artist growled out as she stopped her running and looked around her surroundings and noticed she had stumbled into a park, complete with trees, bushes and a playground. Feeling nauseous and exhausted, Grinface dispelled her Barrier Jacket to conserve whatever magical energy she had left and ease the strain Luciferion was having on her Linker Core. Staggering over to a nearby tree, the con-artist proceeded to lose her lunch loudly on the base of the tree. Having tossed her Ground Forces brown tunic at a pursuing TSAB Enforcer in a moment of desperation, Grinface was dressed in a simple white shirt, which was now soaked through with sweat and khaki brown pants. Fortunately, the con-artist had the sense to have worn comfortable running shoes in lieu of the more restricting dress shoes, which meant the blisters on her feet were not quite so plentiful.
Had there been an unknowing bystander, he would have remarked that Grinface was a dead ringer for the real Ace of Aces. That is, if the other Takamichi had trimmed her hair short to her collars and her eyes a shade of dark purple. The observer would also have noticed something was...off about her smile. Despite her whispered White Devil persona, Nanoha Takamichi was a rather cheerful young woman, ever ready to extend a helping hand and her bright visage reflected that.
Grinface Takamichi on the other hand was always spotting a ready smile, even when she really should not be smiling. It was not the bright shiny smile that her righteous counterpart would have however. Sure, the con-artist could fake that expression if she wanted to, but her natural expression was that of a perpetual smug grin, hence the nickname which she adopted as a replacement for her birth name of Seiko. That name could mean either starlight or star child. The former spoke of a brightness of character which the grinning yet sullen con-artist most certainly did not have and star child reminds her of something she would see when having a bad trip after ingesting chemicals to get high.
It did not mean however that Grinface was not charming in her own right. Being in her line of work, the short haired brunette was proud of her ability to charm almost anyone with her disarming smile and smooth talking that she had picked up after countless hours of practice on the mirror and unsuspecting marks and the ability to switch personae to match the situation. These skills also ensured she kept full use of her limbs despite her run in with several vicious crime lords and law enforcement. Still, she now faced a bunch of coppers who would stop at nothing to bring her in and her charms worked only if the mark wasn't outright hostile which the Enforcers and Mages on her tail most certainly were.
As Grinface heaved out the last of her midday meal, she staggered a few feet away from the pile of filth she had produced and rolled over to a grassy knoll where she laid down facing the entrance of the park. Confident that she would be able to spot any pursuers from her vantage point, the con-artist pulled out a cigarette from her shirt pocket and placed it in her mouth. Lifting Luciferion to the tip of the cig, waited for a few seconds before noticing that the Device had not lit up her source of nicotine.
"Luciferion, you mind lighting this up for me?" The Device glowed but made no reply to her query. Narrowing her eyes, Grinface pulled the ring closer to her face.
"If you don't light it up, I'll find a sharp piece of rock and scrape you over it to make sparks and light up with that instead." Upon hearing no answer, the brunette started searching for a stone or pebble before she felt her Barrier Jacket forming up. Finely honed danger instincts prompted her to dodge, allowing her to survive an energy blast that hollowed out the knoll she had inhabited just seconds ago. Turning her head up towards the sky, she saw an Enforcer with spiky green hair clad in the standard breastplate and camouflage green bodysuit favoured by the Bureau.
"Surrender or I'll shoot," said the Enforcer as he levelled his stave against her, the gem at the end of it glowing ominously.
"Aren't you supposed to say that BEFORE you try to waste me with a giant energy beam?" Grinface accused her pursuer who only shrugged in response before letting fly another magical blast at her. Dodging the incoming attack by jumping out of its path, the con-artist started to run for her freedom and life again.
Vivio Takamachi seldom took the short cut home after lessons at St Hilde's Academy. However, the extended hours she had spent at school today plus the overcast sky made her think the usual route wasn't going to cut it today. Her mamas had warned her of course of using a dirt path through the underbrush between her school and home as a short cut and the thorns, snakes and other myriad dangers that she might encounter when going into the forested areas, but at ten years old and a practicing Strike Arts artist, she was sure that she could take on anything without unduly worrying her mamas.
Of course, she was not prepared to find the prone form of Nanoha mama with cuts and bruises all over herself lying face down in her path, smelling of smoke.
"Nanoha mama!" The younger Takamachi cried out in alarm as she dashed over the fallen form of her parent and grunted as she pushed the prone body over. Giving a cursory look over the adult lying in front of her, Vivio noticed several things different with this Nanoha mama.
Her hair is cut really short and her cheeks are thinner than I remember, thought the young blonde as she studied her mother's doppelganger. Turning her nose in disgust as her adrenaline wore off and her sense of smell kicked in she thought of the person lying down, she smells of smoke and something I can't really recognise. Mama never smells of smoke.
"Levi, is that you? Finally decided to get off your blonde, speech impaired ass and rescue me you dumb broad?" The brunette muttered as she stirred. Vivo narrowed her duo coloured eyes at the language at the woman who was decidedly not her mama was using. Vivio wasn't sure what broad means, but it was definitely the type of language that her mama would spank her for using.
"Sacred Heart! Set Up!" A flash of light and Vivio was in her adult form. Whoever this woman was, she needed help and Vivio Takamachi was not the type to leave her without it. Scooping up the brunette in her arms, the younger girl placed her mother's doppelganger over her shoulder and made for her home.
Waking up in a warm, comfortable bed was not something Grinface was used to. Sure, some of the five star hotels she stayed in when she scored a big job had really comfortable furnishings but those beds had a commercial, the best money can buy type of comfortable. The covers of the bed Grinface found she woke up in had the type of warm, lived in feeling that just screamed homeliness.
Of course, the beds in the hotels didn't have pink sheets with bunnies on them complete with pink pillow and bolsters either. Nor did the staff over at the more reputable hotels she lived in left their guests in the nude, which the con-artist's sleep addled mind added as a side remark after informing her that she was indeed in her birthday suit.
Let's see, I woke up naked in a strange bed after collapsing from exhaustion while being pursued by the cops. Time to do the check list then and see if I'm all there, thought Grinface as she felt for her legs. Okay, legs are intact and not in fact surgically removed, said Grinface to herself in relief as she felt the soles of her feet and ran her fingers over her toes which were beginning to regain mobility and feeling.
Hmm, can't feel any gaping wounds where all the saleable organs are located nor are there any fresh stitches. So this rules out ending up in the hands of the black market organ traders. Rolling her tongue in her mouth, the brunette felt genuine surprise that all her teeth, including two gold molars were still in place. As the feeling of incredulity grew, she took a deep breath and was surprised to find the place not to be carrying an overbearing odour of stale booze, air fresheners but rather a freshness that came with a well aired and cleaned room and...stew?
You've got to be fucking kidding me! Did I just get picked up by the Good Belkan or something? Deciding there was one last plausible reason she would end up in the buff on a warm bed but unharmed; Grinface placed a hand between her legs and searched for any tell tale signs of sexual activity. Upon feeling no sensation of dulled pain or a wet, sticky liquid, Grinface felt her mental paradigm collapse around her.
Huh, so no one opened this clam as of yet. Guess I still count as a virgin where men are concerned. A nervous chuckle escaped her lips as the con-artist's mind struggled to make sense of her predicament. So I'm either the plaything of some kind of abomination from outer space that likes to toy with their prey before tossing them into eternal torture, or I really have met the Good Belkan and got rescued by him, or her, or whatever it is.
"A young girl who can transform into a young woman with heterochromia found you unconscious and carried you here, Master." Luciferion's monotone announced suddenly, causing Grinface to jump.
"Fuck me! You're still around? What's this I hear of small girls turning into big ones? And what you doing within easy reach of me? Hell, why are you even still on my finger. It's like they trust me or something" The con-artist got more manic with each passing second as more things that don't make sense start to show itself.
The uneasy laughter and Grinface's increasingly manic ramblings were interrupted by the sound of the doors opening. Turning her head towards, the now open door, the con-artist saw a young girl with orange blond hair tied into a ponytail with a green ribbon and sporting a green eye on the right and red on the left. She was wearing the white school uniform of St Hilde's Academy consisting of a white blouse with black highlights on the collar and white skirt, a pair of bunny slippers and an apron over her uniform. The girl was carrying a pink bunny plushie on her left arm and looked nervously at her.
"Umm, I was heating up the cream stew in the kitchen when I heard you shouting...are you okay?" The young blonde looked nervous and gripped onto her soft toy and her voice was soft. The sight of the startled girl in front of her made Grinface feel something she hadn't felt in a very long time.
"Guilty. The little tyke's making me feel absolutely guilty. I can't believe this."Grinface muttered to herself as she saw the younger girl shuffle her feet nervously. Putting on her best smile, Grinface said warmly to her rescuer, "I was just regaining my bearing, that's all. Thank you for your help."
Vivio and the way her face lit up at the thanks caused Grinface's heart to skip a beat. "Oh, please. It was nothing at all. "The younger girl gushed as she bowed deeply in reply. Grinface resisted the urge to pinch her as she felt her heart heat up at the unbearable cuteness and the urge to protect this girl in front of her. What the hell's happening to me?
"I hate to be nosey, but I seem to be missing my clothing at the moment." The con-artist decided to be direct as her mind pondered the next course of action. "I wonder if you know what happened to them."
"They smelt of sweat and smoke, so I put them in the wash while I washed you with a wet cloth and some soap."Vivio replied as she moved within inches of the brunette's face, her bright duo colour eyes staring intently at Grinface. Feeling nervous at the close proximity, the con-artist asked casually even as her heartbeat increased with each passing second. "What's up, kiddo? Something on my face?"
Shaking her head, the blonde girl replied, "No, it's just that you look really like one of my mamas." Vivio pursed her lips in thought before breaking into the brightest smile the con-artist ever saw on another human being, "Maybe you're related to her?"
"Doubt it, kiddo. You don't look like someone who is related to me. Though even if you were, I wouldn't be surprised. My mother fu...fu...knew so many boyfriends in the years I remember spending with her I wouldn't be surprised if your mama was somehow related to me. "Inside her mind, Grinface felt a telepathic giggle from Luciferion at her attempt to censor out inappropriate language in the presence of the child.
"But you really do look like my mama." the blonde child insisted despite Grinface's dismissal. Blinking in curiosity, she continued to ask, "What's a boyfriend, auntie?"
"A boyfriend is something you should not be bothered with right now. And don't call me auntie! I'm not that old." Grinface retorted as she reached out and muzzled Vivio's hair who squealed in surprise and delight. As the younger girl sat down on the bed with her, the con-artist wondered as to how so natural it felt to just dote on this child in front of her.
Maybe she's releasing some kind of pheromone or charm spell, thought the older woman as she smiled at Vivio. Staring into the inquisitive duo coloured eyes, she decided she didn't really care.
"Master, maybe you would like to check what her name is before you kidnap her and take her home with you?" Luciferion's monotone resounded in her mind and broke her cuteness induced reverie. Feeling a chill crawling up her spine, Grinface suddenly recalled a particular white clad mage she was supposed to be a dead ringer for.
"Hey kid, you never told me your name. Mine's Seiko Takamachi but I prefer to go by Grinface. "Fighting her budding panic, the con-artist summoned her experience to keep her emotions firmly in control and asked casually.
"Grin...Grip..." The younger girl struggled with the unusual alias that her new friend had given her. Sighing, the brunette conceded, "You can call me Grinny if you really want to. Now tell me your name, kiddo."
Cheering at the newfound nickname to go with her new friend, Vivio squealed and replied. "Grinny-Nee." Standing up and then bowing, "My name is Vivio Takamachi. Please give me your guidance."
The con-artist felt as if someone had removed her from the warm covers she was lying in and dumped her into an icebox. "Hey Vivio, you were speaking Japanese just now, weren't you. As in you were speaking Japanese and your translation spell gave a literal translation."
"Uh huh. That's how my mama taught me to greet people. "Sticking out her tongue in embarrassment, "Although the auto translation spell makes it hard for me to tell if someone is speaking Mid-Childean or Japanese so sometimes I get confused."
"I see. That's very nice of her." Grinface's knuckles went white as her grip on the sheets got tighter as her worst fears started to take shape. "Vivio, sweetie. About that surname of yours. Who is your ma...?"
The con-artist never got to finish her sentence as a clear female voice rang out from the living room, "Vivio, I'm home!"
"Nanoha mama! You're back!" The blonde yelped in delight as she raced out into the living room, leaving Grinface alone with her thoughts and an impending sense of doom.
I'm in the devil's lair. Fuck me, I'm in the lair of the White Devil and I just chatted and played with the literal spawn of the Devil.
The brunette's dire thoughts were interrupted as soft footsteps approached, her heart skipping as each step got closer before the door was darkened by a figure dressed in a white blouse with blue sleeves, blue skirt and white stockings with Vivio clinging to her leg. Tidy brown hair was tied into a ponytail and clear blue eyes a lighter shade of her own colours stared at her in curiosity. A golden staff with a red gem at the tip which was held in a stylised crescent rested casually in her left hand but Grinface had no illusions that she wouldn't have time to blind before it was brought to bear against her. It felt like looking into a mirror, except this mirror image promised to bring much pain if she made a wrong move. Now, if only someone could tell her the correct move...
Grinface almost got ready to bolt out of the window, naked or not before her unofficial twin bowed deeply. The con-artist felt her worldview shatter yet again as she noticed...gratefulness in the tone of the renowned mage who could turn her into dust if she so desired. "My name is Takamachi Nanoha. Thank you for taking care of my daughter."
Utterly bewildered, Grinface returned a slight bow. "No, the pleasure's all mine. She found me unconscious on the way home and carried me here. You've raised her well, Takamachi-san."
Nanoha tilted her head sideways as she studied her house guest before she stated with telepathy, "You're speaking Japanese, albeit with an unfamiliar accent, Takamachi Seiko-san. You're from Earth?"
Wincing as she realised that the jig was up, the con-artist replied, "I've never been to Unadministrated Planet #97 if that's what you're saying. My mother's from there though. Whenever she's feeling maternal, she'd sometimes teach me about my heritage."
Maintaining a neutral smile, Nanoha hesitated for awhile before asking again with telepathy, "You sound a bit bitter, Takamachi Seiko-san. Perhaps you'd want to talk..." Shaking her head slightly, Grinface rejected the offer. "I'm still a criminal, Captain and I'm quite sure you were ready to burst into here with that glowstick of yours to tear me a new breathing hole if your daughter hadn't come out to greet you. By the way, I maybe a criminal, but I'm a 100%, born in Southern Zone Mid Criminal. Most people in the capitol consider me a hick, but I'm still a Mid and I'd like my name to go ahead of my surname."
"I see, well..." Any further attempts at conversation were cut by a loud growling sound. Grinface coughed into her hands as her cheeks burned red while Nanoha let out a giggle. Turning to her daughter, the white clad mage bent to Vivio's eye level and said, "Vivio, be a dear and help set the table?" As the Takamachi daughter dashed out to the kitchen, Nanoha turned back to her guest cum prisoner. "I assume you will be coming with us quietly."
"Can I get dressed first? I really don't wanna maintain a Barrier Jacket for that long." asked the con-artist resignedly.
"I will lend you some of my old clothes. Perhaps you would want to stay for dinner as well?" Nanoha's expression changed into one of pity as she looked at her guest. "It might be the last home cooked meal you have in a few years after tonight."
"Don't give me that look, Ace of Aces." said the con-artist with a tad of annoyance. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she resumed her trade mark grin. "I've been in the big house before, I will survive."
"Merely surviving is a waste of your considerable talents, Seiko-san. I only hope that this will be the last time you enter a correctional facility." Nanoha pleaded with the con-artist.
Shrugging, Grinface sighed, "Eh, what will be, will be." Flashing a winning smile, the con-artist boasted, "Next time, you won't even know I was there. They don't call me Grinface because I keep getting caught you know. It's because I laugh knowing ultimately, I'm getting the last one."
Shaking her head, Nanoha looked upon her guest with pity once more and the disappointment apparent in the mage's expression sent a stab of pain into the heart of the con-artist.
Damnit, what the hell is it with this mother and daughter and how do they keep getting under my skin? The brunette thought as Nanoha left to collect her clothing.
Dinner was a friendly, cosy affair that is immensely enjoyable but also left Grinface feeling very uneasy and confused over the strange, long forgotten emotions she was feeling. The comfortable white t-shirt, sweat pants and a fresh pair of underwear she had been gifted with also weighed heavily on her heart as the con-artist struggled to accept that such gestures of generosity was offered without prompting or apparent motive. As she was escorted out to the car park outside the apartment however, Seiko found herself back in more familiar ground.
Namely, getting roughed up by armed goons after a botched job.
Sure, the TSAB ones were less likely to extract her eyes and teeth as punishment or remove a limb or vital organ compared to the mob. But like law enforcement agents all over the mulitverse, they had ways of getting their pound of flesh without leaving any marks and bruises that'd be hard to explain in court. Right now, the con-artist was getting the classic treatment of being slammed chest first into an awaiting paddy wagon with her hands cuffed behind her back, a manoeuvre by law enforcement types as one way to quieten a perp who was resisting arrest.
Even if said perp had ceased to resist arrest hours ago, but then no one of importance was really keeping count between the time the resisting began and the forceful introduction of cold metal against soft flesh by the Enforcer.
"Criminal scum! You're under arrest for impersonating a Bureau official, attempted theft of Bureau property, unauthorised possession of TSAB Armed Services uniforms, seventeen counts of resisting arrest, a charge of assaulting an officer of the law, obstruction of justice, littering while assaulting an officer of the law in the process of obstructing justice, trespassing on private property and disturbance of the peace in a public park."
Turning the con-artist around, a snarling Fate then slammed the previously unhurt back of her suspect hard against the side of the wagon. Her burgundy eyes simmered with rage while her golden blonde hair was frazzled as her face twisted in anger. "How do you plead?" stated the enforcer venomously.
Grinface made a show of humming loudly before replying, "Not guilty to the trespassing. I was brought into the Takamachi home by one of the residents inside. By the way, can I have your autograph? Not every day I get the police brutality treatment from a celebrity like you."
Snarling at the cheeky reply, Fate spat out her answer, "Sure you can have my autograph. I have my initials carved right here into the side of the van."Grabbing the con-artist by the hair, Fate made to push her face first into the TSAB coat of arms adorning the side of the vehicle before she felt an arm grabbing onto her own forcefully.
"Nanoha-chan?" The blonde asked in shock as she realised who it was that prevented her from exacting a little payback. For her part, the brunette shot her a look of disapproval before shaking her head.
"Fate-chan, you're better than this. Seiko here also deserves better." The blonde winced at the open lecture her long time partner was giving her over her conduct while Grinface protested, "Call me Grinface, damn it!"
Ignoring the con-artist's complaints, Nanoha placed her arm on the shoulder of the enforcer, whose frame was now trembling from anger, shame and nerves after learning that their daughter was in potential danger. Despite the fact that the suspect was now safely in custody, Fate still could not calm herself enough to form the needed detachment and calmness she usually displays when handling suspects.
"Fate-chan, promise me you'll do this the right way, the correct way. Do it by the book." Nanoha pleaded with her partner even as she squeezed Fate's shoulder's in a show of support.
"Nanoha, she was in the same room as Vivio and she tried to impersonate you! How can you be so calm?" Switching to telepathy to keep things private and maintain her dignity in front of her subordinates, Fate was shocked at the relative lack of emotion the brunette was displaying.
"Vivio is safe and from what I observed, she was never in any real danger. Fate, you are one of the best Enforcers the Bureau has. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgement. Do it by the book." Nanoha immediately regretted insinuating that the blonde was acting in a less than acceptable manner but hardened her heart against the temptation to back down. She cannot allow her partner to do wrong if she can help avoid it.
Fate's cheeks puffed in anger at her partner's rebuke, "I'm emotional?" The enforcer blurted out verbally before catching her slip and reverting to telepathy. "Fine, I'll do things by the book. I promise you."
"No phone books in the interview room either, Fate-chan." The mage added as she felt the need to cover all the possible loopholes her partner might exploit. It pained her greatly, but Fate was not being her usual self with so many personal factors being involved. Phone books were a common back up for suspects to get the numbers of whomever it was they wished to call in case of a power breakdown. Usually though, it was a tool for Enforcers to punch a perp through without leaving any visible marks.
Biting back a snappy comeback, Fate nodded and said simply, "I promise." Gently but firmly, the blonde escorted Grinface to the back of the wagon and sat down facing the con-artist.
"When you comeback, I'll be waiting for you in the living room." Nanoha sent a telepathic message to Fate before the brunette then turned on her heels and went upstairs.
When Fate arrived back at her shared apartment with the combat ace, the enforcer had built up a full head of steam and was ready to lash out. Grinface had been a royal pain in the ass throughout the interview. Although he had admitted to enough crimes to be put away for a good quarter of a decade at least, she had been snarky and Fate's promise to her partner meant she had to spend time prevent her own men from pummelling the confidence woman while keeping her own rage in check. Fate had even left strict instructions that unless in case of a medical emergency, no Enforcer was allowed to approach the holding cell till she was back to prevent them from inflicting a little extra punishment of their own. It raised the ire of her own subordinates and frankly, her own but Fate was determined to fulfil her promise in both letter and spirit.
Standing outside the door to count to thirty, the blonde also took several deep breathes to calm herself before stepping inside. Fate was greeted with the sight of Nanoha in her pyjamas seating on her couch watching the news with the volume turned off. Her heart sank as she noticed her quilt and pillow was also beside her on the couch. Whenever the brunette got into a funk or they had a fight, Nanoha would withdraw her affection as punishment. Gulping, Fate braced herself for the worst.
"Nanoha, I'm back."
Looking up from the television, Nanoha flashed a tired smile at her partner, "Welcome home, dear."Walking up to the visibly relieved enforcer, the mage gave a hug to Fate and kissed her on the lips. Gladly returning the gesture, Fate heaved a sigh of relief that her partner had not decided to give her the cold shoulder.
Not letting go of the embrace, Fate muttered into her partner's ears, "I'm sorry for overreacting like that just now when I took in Grinface, darling. Just that the thought of Vivio being hurt or someone having the audacity to even attempt to impersonate you..." Letting her sentence fade away, the blonde decided that no more words were sufficient to convey her worry.
Giving her partner another peck on the cheek, Nanoha replied, "I'm sorry for undermining you in front of your subordinates like that just now as well, Fate-chan. I could have just used telepathy from the beginning rather than physically stopping you and forcing you to promise me."
Shaking her head, the blonde replied forcefully, "No, you did the right thing. I should not have roughed him up like that. It's unbecoming of an Enforcer." Nanoha sighed at Fate's reply and withdrew from the hug, walking back to the couch.
"I need some time to think, Fate-chan. You were right in saying that I am too trusting sometimes."Even if Seiko reminds me of both you and I before we found each other." Turning off the television with the remote, Nanoha pulled her quilt over herself as she turned to face the couch.
"I will sleep her tonight. Good night, my dear." Nanoha said in a tone of finality. Knowing that attempting to force the issue at this point will only lead to a fight that will awaken Vivio, the blonde stalked to the bathroom, her eyes watering from tears of exhaustion, anger and frustration.
"Bardiche." stated the blonde enforcer coldly.
"Yes Sir?"
"Mark my words; I will put that impostor away for good. One way or another." The blonde spat out in an icy whisper that would remind people of her deceased birth mother.
"...Yes Sir."
Author's notes.
While browsing through TV Tropes, I came across this idea of an AU version of Nanoha and Co staging a heist involving a bag of Infinite money after her release from prison. The idea stayed stuck in my head and wouldn't let go, so here it is. The first chapter pretty much is background for Grinface. I had initially taught of using Stern, the official name of Material -S but realised that Stern is a rather silly given name, especially for a woman. Admittedly, Grinface as name is just as bad but it's a nickname and I really want something for her to differentiate between her and Nanoha. So Seiko as taken from the Material Days fanfic it is then. Kudos to Epsilon Zeta for translating the romanji of the Material's titles.
When the other two Materials are introduced, they will likely be using their official names, which are rather less silly even if rather unisex. Please note however, they are NOT the Materials from Nanoha Portable. I will be using some aspects of their characters, but it's safer to think of them as an AU of an AU character.
The story will really begin in the next chapter, where Grinface gets released from prison. Timeskip galore and the Lost Logia in the title get introduced.