A.N: Well here's chapter two. Thanks' for all the reviews.
A day after the final battle of what has been called as the "Book of Darkness Incident", Raising Heart and Bardiche were again sent by their respective masters to the HQ to undergo some repairs while they were aiding the officers with the aftermath of the event. Their masters had both found new allies on the time of the incident. The Belkan knights; who once were their adversaries, were only collecting the pages for the book of darkness to save their own mistress' life and have taken full responsibility for their actions after the incident came to a close. Though there were a lot of battles, the incident ended without any casualties.
"How are your repairs going Raising Heart?" Bardiche inquired.
"It is going rather smoothly," was Raising Heart's reply. "The damage I took while in Excelion mode was minimal and I am told that my frame will be reinforced to handle the shock if I ever use that mode again. How are your repairs going Bardiche?"
"It is almost finished," stated Bardiche. "Compared to your Excelion mode, my Zanber form does not usually suffer from recoil damage and since I'm a melee type device in all of my weapon forms, I am built to withstand damages."
"That is good to hear," stated Raising Heart.
"I have to say, Raising Heart, it was quite reckless of you to use Excelion mode without your internal frame reinforced yet. If the battle was prolonged, you would've broken down," Bardiche stated.
"I will have to admit that fact," Raising Heart stated. "However, I did it so that my master will be able to win. She herself was hesitant to use Excelion mode, but I insisted that she use it."
"Why did you insist on using that mode?" Bardiche inquired.
"My master has this habit of exerting more effort than what is necessary in order for her to reach her goals. As such, when it comes to battles, she will always go to the battlefield with little regard for her safety for the sake of the people she wants to save or protect. As her device, it is my duty to assist her with her goals as well as protect her from all danger and Excelion mode was the most efficient way. I am simply doing what a device is expected to do for her master," was Raising Heart's reply.
"I see," stated Bardiche. "From that statement, I suppose you have developed some traits similar to that of your master."
"I do not understand. What do you mean by that?" Raising Heart inquired.
"My master always expresses concern about your master's well being because of the trait you have mentioned," Bardiche replied. "The concern she expresses are always appreciated but most of the time, your master will continue doing reckless things, and as her device, you tend to go with your master's rather reckless plans without reminding her of the dangers, sometimes even taking the initiative yourself."
"Isn't that the normal course of action?" Raising Heart inquired.
"On a tactical standpoint, it would be a valid course of action in situations where one is expecting that the results would be equal or greater than the risks needed. However, there are always methods where using reckless tactics are unnecessary. I can only attribute your master's behavior to her lack of any formal combat and magic training so you try to compensate for this by giving her enough firepower to quickly disable her opponents."
"I suppose you have a point," replied Raising Heart. "The extent of my master's training was only about a year and this was done mostly through simulations and basic magic applications, not unlike your master who was formally trained by your creator in both magic and combat. That is why she knows little about combat strategies and tactics and would always take the most direct approach when it comes to dealing with enemies. The best I could do to her is to boost her already large magical potential so that she will be able to win as fast as possible. And with regards to reminding her of the dangers, my master will always take note of the advice but still proceed anyway."
"I see," replied Bardiche. "Well in any case, I commend you for staying true to your responsibilities to your master."
"Thank you." Raising Heart stated. Bardiche did not reply, but Nanoha's device felt that he was appreciative.
The two devices remained silent for a few moments as their current topic discussion came to an end. Raising Heart decided to shift her processes to reviewing previous conversation logs when she came across the one about their master's relationships.
"By the way Bardiche, have you been keeping track of your master's behavior towards my master?" inquired Nanoha's device.
"Why?" Bardiche inquired.
"Last time we were discussing the necessary steps on how to be friends," Raising Heart replied. "You suggested that we observe our masters to get necessary data."
"Ah yes, that one," Bardiche stated, having remembered the topic. "I have to say that I have failed to do so since we were all busy dealing with the Book of Darkness. I did however, research on the definition of the word in social context."
"I see," Raising Hear replied. "So what does 'friendship' mean?"
"Based on most sources. 'Friendship' is a form of interpersonal relationship generally considered to be closer than association, although there is a range of degrees of intimacy in both friendships and associations. Friendship and association are often thought of as spanning across the same continuum," Bardiche replied. "There are several human values that is expected for one person to be considered friends by the other party. Friendships are developed through various means and factors such as age, geographical accessibility, and shared interests and values are crucial in friendship."
"I see," Raising Heart replied. "I suppose we should base our interactions on our similarities since that would be the criterion we best fit in."
"Indeed," Bardiche agreed. "We are both intelligent devices loyal to our respective masters." The triangular device paused for a while, and then spoke again. "Aside from that, what else do we have in common?"
Raising Heart remained silent upon hearing that question. She pondered for a while the similarities she shared with the other device but all she can come up with were glaring differences. For one thing, she has what is considered a feminine OS by device mechanics while Bardiche is considered a male. She also specializes in long and middle range focus and bombardment magic while he specializes in high speed, close and middle range combat.
"I suppose we have to ponder on this matter a little bit longer," Raising Heart replied. "Perhaps we need outside opinion with regards to the matter. I shall ask my master about what qualities I have and should possess in order to be a 'friend'."
"I shall inquire as well," Bardiche replied. "For know I suppose we should discuss about our masters, since we are emulating their relationship."
"Yes, that would be best," Raising Heart replied.
The hours flew by as the two devices discussed about Nanoha and Fate.
A day after they were sent to the TSAB HQ for repairs, both Raising Heart and Bardiche were returned to their masters who went back to living a peaceful life at Uminari city. They were given a well deserved break while the officers in charge were handling the aftermath of the "Book of Darkness" incident. Nanoha and fate spent some time with their friends and enjoyed the break that they rightfully deserved.
"Are you doing anything after you get home Fate-chan?" Nanoha inquired as the two of them walked back from the stop Suzuka's driver dropped them at.
The blond haired girl nodded. "Yeah, it seems that Admi-, I mean, Miss Lindy has some important paperwork that she wants to discuss with me. She said it was about the plans for my adoption to the Harlaown family."
"I see," Nanoha replied/ "Well Miss Lindy is very nice, and she already treats you like her daughter and you and Chrono-kun already get along well."
"How about you Nanoha?" Fate asked.
Nanoha smiled. "Well I guess I'll help out with the house chores and do my homework. I'll mail you when I'm done."
Fate smiled as well. "Yeah, that would be great."
"Oh! That's right," Nanoha exclaimed. "Raising Heart said earlier that she wanted to talk to me."
Fate looked at her friend curiously. "Talk to you? About what?"
Nanoha shrugged. "I don't know. She said it's an urgent matter and needed to be discussed privately/"
"Come to think of it," Fate exclaimed. "Bardiche also said he wanted to talk to me about something."
"Really?" Nanoha replied.
Fate nodded. "It's quite unexpected though, since Bardiche never talks that much so maybe it's somewhat related to the Book of Darkness."
"I see." Nanoha replied. "Well knowing Raising Heart, I think she wants to discuss another battle strategy…" She sighed after saying this. "And I told her to put off training for a while too. I mean it's not like I'm going straight to the TSAB tomorrow."
Fat chuckled. "That sure sounds like something you'd do if given a chance though."
Nanoha pouted "Mou, Fate-chan!"
Fate chuckled again "I'm just kidding."
Nanoha smiled. "Well whatever it is, I'm sure it's very important. Raising Heart is my partner after all."
Fate nodded "Yeah, Bardiche too."
The two continued taking about other topics as they walked towards their respective houses.
Nanoha went back home after walking with Fate until they reached the Harlaown residence. Later that night, she did exactly as she planned; helped wash the dishes and she went back to her room to do homework. After she finished she took out Raising Heart and set her down on her usual spot on her desk.
"Ok Raising Heart, I'm done." Nanoha said telepathically.
"All right," Raising Heart replied "Good work, my master.".
"Hehe, thank you," Nanoha replied with a smile. "So what was the thing you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Master, can you give me a description of my qualities?" replied the device.
\Nanoha was genuinely surprised by the question and looked at her device in astonishment, "H-Huh? Describe your qualities? What do you mean?"
"I request a description of my traits from your point of view…" Raising Heart replied.
A little something taken from NoblesseOblige's review
*Nanoha and Fate are both in bed together doing "things"*
Bardiche: "Raising Heart...?"
Raising Heart: "Yes?"
Bardiche: "How do we go about doing... 'that'?"
Raising Heart: "...Image Training."
Again reviews are much appreciated XD