Higher Powers by Wordsworthy
Disclaimer: I obviously do not own the Suikoden series, or the Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha Series for that matter. This is, after all, just a fanfiction written for the sole purpose of entertainment and no profit motive whatsoever. So please just enjoy the story and do not sue me for this. If you wish to know more about the series, please support the companies producing them directly and purchase their merchandise if you like.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 13: Passing Daydreams
A vacation eh? Sounds familiar… hey, wasn't I supposed to be on one from the very beginning? Reminder to self: ask Matron for the balance of my leave when I get back. That's right… do not take no for an answer… on second thoughts, I better not. I think I'm busier on vacation then off… but this isn't so bad. After all, it beats a vacation alone. Things couldn't have been turned out for the better really.
A spectrum of light flashed and a brunette led a group of young men and women out from the prism of light. The time of the day was early morning, the weather was fine with a lazy warmth and the hint of breeze, and the sky graced us with the sight of a velvet dawn. In short, it's a perfect day for…
"Shopping! We've got to do lots of shopping!" exclaimed a bouncing pink head.
"That's right! There's so many things we have to get! Clothes, bags, shoes… oh and we can't forget senbei and manjyu! They're the most important things of all!" agreed a now bouncing purple head.
"Senbei? Manjyu?" I asked a little confused.
"Yah. Gotta love that crisp sound and the sticky goodness." chipped in the red head this time. I could tell by the bobbing head he was resisting the urge to bounce as best he could.
I looked at Vivio, hoping she wasn't bouncing too, as well as for some answers. Suffice to say I was pretty confused now.
"Nan to ka… well, they're popular souvenirs from this country we're in. Senbei is the local rice cracker and manjyu is kinda like a sweet sticky rice bun with various stuffing inside. Nanoha-mama brought a bunch of it back when we were still kids and for some reason they got hooked on it… it's pretty popular with the Mid Childa people too. Fate-mama used to say we could make a fortune doing imports…"
"I see…" I muttered as I carefully avoided the oddly senbei-manjyu gushing trio to whisper in her ear. "Have I told you how glad I'm that you're normal?"
She gave a slight shiver as a slight tinge lit up the ridge of her cute nose. I couldn't help but think
Oh, a new one.
"Well… I have someone else on my mind." she admitted softly.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A little distance off from the clearing we arrived at was Fate-san, with another of those horseless carriages from before, except it was a larger version. The captains greeted each other with a quick peck and everyone settled into it before long. I watched intrigued at the design of the buildings along the way. There were quite a few variations, ranging from tall towers of glass to shorter ones of concrete; but the ones that caught my eye were the more modest looking ones tucked in between others with small differentiations of design. They looked warm and cosy. They looked not old but well-lived. They looked like people really lived in them. I was a little envious.
Despite the splendid marble walls and corridors I had been accustomed to, nothing beats the marvel of a real home…
"Penny for your thoughts?" asked Vivio in a whisper. Apparently the other three had fallen asleep after expending their energy gushing earlier while the two captains set in the front.
"It's nothing. I was just thinking of how charming these houses were. It would be nice if we could get to live in one someday."
"We?" came a hushed whisper.
"Huh? Did you say something?" I asked, a little apologetic for not having paid due attentions to her.
"N-nothing. I just said ya, it would be nice."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The carriage pulled up inside a larger version of those cosy houses we saw earlier and the lot of us alighted. I looked around and I felt validated for my earlier admiration. A tiny rose garden was all that adorned the front but gave it a refreshing charm. The interior was a little narrow, but the important rooms like the commons and the dining area were of suitable size. Truly a place where people lived, for living with people you care about is really what makes a vessel a home.
"All right, you guys can take the same rooms as before. Lazlo can have the spare one on the third storey. The rooms have been dusted earlier and there are a few changes of Earth clothes inside. Take the time to change and freshen up. I thought you guys might not want to go running around in TSAB training fatigues the whole week. Meet downstairs when you're ready. We'll set off together."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I stood before the bookcase in the commons and picked up one of the books on the shelves. Not that I could read it of course, but I missed the feel of having an actual one in my hands. This world was convenient and all, with its touch-screens and pads, but really… there's something undoubtedly missing compared to it. I was musing whether I should try to read it, for a lack of anything better to do, when the other Forwards milled in.
"Wow, Lazlo! You look great in that. How come we don't get something as nice?" chipped a cheerful Caro-san.
I blinked and looked at myself. I thought I was inconspicuously dressed. After all, apart from the long dark maroon coat, I was merely wearing black dress shirt and matching pants. If anything, the only striking features on them were the singular small white cross near the top of the concealed buttons just below the v-neck and the silver of Yukishiro which I had wrapped around my left hand as opposed to wearing it.
"That's because he makes it look good." added the new, familiar voice of a young blonde.
I turned towards the new entry and proceeded to eye her up and down unconsciously. She was wearing a deceptively simple black and white ensemble consisting of a white sleeveless blouse with a black silk tie, a black pleated skirt with thigh-high cuts along their sides, a pair of white silk pants underneath and matching long gloves. Her blonde tresses were braided at the back with bangs in front and held up with a black ribbon as well. I was at a loss for words from how strikingly beautiful she has become.
"What took you two?" quipped Caro-san
"Sorry," offered Lutecia-san slyly. "I was doing her hair. I want her to look just right for their first date."
"D-d-date?" I suddenly found my voice at the same time with Vivio. When was the last time I stammered, I wondered.
"Sou sou. It's about time. We had a lucky break with this vacation so you two better make the most of it and kiss before the end of it." continued the devious purple head.
"K-k-ki…" blurted out the flustered red-faced blonde. I was feeling a little warm in the cheeks myself.
Caro-san sniffed a little overdramatically. "Our girl is growing up so fast. I didn't want her to leave us so soon."
"There, there. Don't feel so bad. We can always look forward to grandchildren now." comforted the not so comforting Lutecia-san.
"Mou! That's enough. Let's go already! My mamas are already waiting in the car." deflected a hopeful Vivio.
"Fine, fine. I'll let you off for today." ceded Lutecia-san. "For now."
"Where's Erio?" asked Caro-san, looking around.
I tilted my head to the long couch that was ignored during the whole comedy routine. On it was a napping red head, muttering something about flying manjyus…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The carriage, I mean the SUV, as the others called it, pulled up alongside a train station. What a train is I have no idea, but there'll be plenty of time to find out later. As Erio-san and the other two girls got off, Nanoha-san pulled out a small gold card from her purse and handed it to Erio-san.
"Don't let the girls get a hold of it or go out of control okay, Erio? Fate and I have a bank account here so we'll be paying for you first. But we fully intend to collect it back from your wages though, so please, try not to repeat what happened the last time."
Erio-san gulped considerably. "Yes mdm! I'll try to hold on as best I can this time."
Fate-san remarked as she watched her boy walk off to join the other two girls. "My poor boy. He's whipped, with two girls no less."
Nanoha-san giggled a little as she settled back alongside Fate-san. "There, there. He's got two cute girls going for him. If that's not luck I don't know what is."
Fate-san chuckled a little. "How about you two? We're going to meet Alisa and Suzuka later at a café later. If you two have no plans, why not tag along for a while. There're always other interesting places at that stretch of town."
The two of us nodded. That's a plan at least. However, something gnawed at the back of my mind, a small detail that I had so glaringly overlooked.
"Vivio, you mean we actually get paid?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The SUV was parked and the four of us were walking down a street that had many interesting shops alongside. A particularly charming one caught my eye, one with its door and windows welcomingly open with pleasant-looking customers perusing a wide selection of books displayed. I went over with Vivio and she began translating the titles for me, as well as offering a brief summary, before I even said anything.
"Nanoha! Fate!" a gentle yet excited voice sounded out.
"Suzuka! And Alisa too! It's been too long!" greeted Nanoha-san fondly as the four girls began hugging each other warmly.
"I'll say! You guys should at least give us a call once in a while." began a short haired blonde.
"Alisa! You cut your hair short! It suits you though!" Nanoha-san commented.
"I know. I like it this way too. Where's our favourite niece?"
By this time, Vivio and I had walked up back to the two captains, with a small brown paper bag containing two books I had just acquired.
"Aunt Alisa! Aunt Suzuka! It's been a long time! It's good to see you two again!" began Vivio cheerfully.
"Yes, that's what I've been telling the two lovebirds there. In any case, Vivio! You grew up when I wasn't looking! You've become so pretty now! You're definitely the daughter of those two." continued Alisa-san as she gave Vivio the once-over, before doing it again for good measure.
"Aww… you're just saying that Aunt Alisa." replied the younger blonde modestly.
"Who's the young man there?" noted the Suzuka-san.
Noticing that she was referring to me, I gave a curt little bow and introduced myself.
"Hello. I'm Lazlo En Kuldes. It's a pleasure to meet you acquaintances."
"My! What polite manners! And the name… is he European or something?" continued Suzuka-san demurely.
"No. It's complicated… but he's one of the new members of our team. He's Vivio's partner." Fade-san explained, with an unnecessary but oh so blatant wink.
"Oh!" went Suzuka-san with a knowing smile.
"Hmmm…" went Alisa-san as she closed in onto Vivio and eyed her down like a cat would a mouse caught in a trap.
The said mouse shrunk a little and I could imagine steam coming out from those red ears. I smiled wryly as I made a mental note to try that sometimes.
"Huh?" went our slightly slow captain.
"It's nothing dear," interceded our slightly brighter one. "We'll be chatting with your aunts for a while at the café. Why don't you two take the time and explore the place? Just be at your grandpa's in time for dinner. It is Lazlo's first time here after all, so do try to make it memorable for him okay?"
She paused a little before a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. "But not anything too memorable okay? Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
Suzuka-san and Alisa-san laughed aloud as Vivio grabbed my arm and stomped off as dramatically as she could. It seemed to be that everyone loved the way the colour red looks on her.
"They look good together." commented Suzuka-san as she watched the two go off.
"Huh?" repeated the brunette.
"Mou! Nanoha! You're still hopeless after so many years." teased Alisa-san playfully.
"But I still love you anyway." added the other blonde as she hooked her arms around her waist.
"Tee-hee."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Mou! Why do I keep getting teased like this?" exclaimed Vivio, who incidentally was still hanging on to my arm. Not that I minded of course. I reached my other hand and pinched her cheeks lightly.
"Maybe you're just too adorable when you do your tomato thing."
"Don't you start!" growled the blonde, the cute grrrs actually making her more adorable than before.
"Where to now?" I asked, sparing her for now.
"Hmm… I'll show you one of my favourite places to hang out. The weather is just fine for it."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suzuka set her tea cup back onto her saucer with a contemplative look. "I see. It seems that things are pretty bad at the moment doesn't it."
"Yes. But don't worry too much. We're around to keep things under control if things go too crazy" reassured Nanoha.
"But all the same, if there's any help you need, any at all, just let us know okay? Our companies are at your disposal." offered Alisa.
"Thanks. I'll bear that in mind." thanked Fate.
"Now, down to the more important business. Tell me about him. What's he like?" said Alisa as she leaned in closer to Fate.
"Huh?" went Nanoha again as Suzuka followed suit too.
"Well, he's quite a …" began Fate to her captive audience.
"Mou! Don't ignore me! Alisa! Suzuka! Fate!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The two of us left the town area towards a small hill. Before me was a picture of tranquillity; a few couples lounging on the benches at the foot, the distant sounds of a fountain somewhere and the gaily laugher of children playing under the watchful eyes of their own matrons. I let myself be led to the single tree at the top of the hill and seated right at its base. The peaceful view was really quite breathtaking from the simplicity of life in front me and the dash of the spring breeze. Vivio sat herself down next to me and leaned her head slightly on my shoulder.
"I like this place. It's very peaceful." she began.
"Yes it is." I agreed.
"I thought you might. That's why I brought you here. You need to relax more."
I smiled.
"You really think of everything. Have I told you how glad I have you around yet?"
"No. Not for today, but tell me anyway."
I felt the weight lift from my shoulder and turned to see what happened. Vivio took out one of the books I bought from the brown paper and promptly plopped herself unto my lap, snuggling in and curling up like a kitten would. I felt affection well up again and I couldn't stop myself from patting her head like one, half anticipating some sort of purr to sneak out of her.
"Come, I'll read you this one. It's a collection of poems, but you can just relax, close your eyes and listen."
I nodded and let myself do as she said. She's probably the only other woman in my life that I'll ever listen to. My eyes closed and my breathing smoothed out further as she read, even though I only caught fleeting parts of it. Something about patting a cat really tends to make you feel sleepy it seems. I haven't felt this light for a long time so I indulged myself a little on my favourite person as I drifted along with the words spoken by my favourite voice.
---------------
"Almost suspended, we are laid asleep
In body, and become a living soul:
While with an eye made quiet by the power of harmony, and the deep power of joy,
We see into the life of things."
---------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Notes:
A shorter chapter here. I'm breaking up the vacation theme into a few chapters since I lack the time to write a longer one due to school. This one is still mostly fluff and relationship progression, but I enjoyed writing it to calm a mind wrecked by stuffy old men like Hume, Kant and Popper. A small excerpt from my favourite poem by my favourite poet at the ending, since I think it fits in nicely.
No further references today, so maybe some fashion advice. No, just kidding. But really, Lazlo's attire was inspired by Archer from FSN again. I just liked the idea of the striking maroon coat against a sombre colour. But having said that, I could say the same for Dante from Devil May Cry, so that was really a moot point. Vivio's attire was inspired from one of the fanart of Saber that I had chanced upon sent by one of my email(pen)-pals. Nothing of the hentai quality, but a rather refined, demure look which I liked pretty much. That's all for now.
Next chapter, I'll have Lazlo tell some stories about his past, as well as shine some light on his concerns, emotional baggage and explain some part of his relationship with Luc, which had been hinted in earlier chapters. That's mostly going to be me doing the spinning again, but some of it will be inspired from the Suikoden 3 manga which I had dug out once again. Yes, they have a manga series! But really, the really good parts are the later parts. If I have the time, or if the next chapter doesn't get too long, I'll spin in the part I've envisaged for my secret character as soon as I can. A real-life Suikoden character this time.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Omake 10: Seishun (More of a side-story, but it's kinda funny anyway.)
(At the café)
N (slams her hands on the table in surprise, shaking the teacups and cutlery): WHAT!?
S: N, you've gotta calm down.
N: But F! What do you mean the two of them are together?
A: Boy. Talk about slow…
N: A! What do you mean!
A: Come on N! Even I could see the love love beam shining from the stars in their eyes, not to mention the cherubs flying around their heads.
N: F! You knew about this all along? Why didn't you tell me?
F: I asked before right? You did say he's a fine boy and your impression on him was good.
N: But now we know he's not a boy! And my V is just 15 going on 16. I can't have my precious girl be taken by a paedophile!
F: N, you do realise that almost everyone is younger than him by at least a century.
N (bolts up from her chair): But! I can't let my V be taken away like that… wait till I see them again! I'll Starlight Breaker him back into the last century!
F (stands up against N and points her finger to N's cake): N! You will do no such thing! V has a good thing going on with him and I don't want you to spoil it. So sit down and finish you mille-feuille
(N sits down to sulk, but slices a piece of the above mentioned cake and into her mouth.)
S: N, it's not a bad thing that V has found someone she loves so early on.
N: But I didn't want our girl growing up so fast. I don't want her to leave us so soon.
A: There, there. Don't feel so bad. We can always look forward to grandchildren now.
(N stands up and get ready to Starlight Breaker L)
S: A! Don't make things worse for N! We all know they'll be responsible adults and…
N: Mou! Yamateh!
F (grins): Adults eh? I vaguely remember someone doing something adult with me when she was 15 too.
N (does an imitation of V while the others snigger): F!!!