Nanoha StrikerS: Pursuit of Perfection 2
It was night at the dorms as a bright blue magical energy with scrawl on it painted the air. Silently a pair of roller blades dashed across it and up to the helipad. "Shari." The figure whispered.
"Hai." The bespectacled techie opened the door from her watch in the control room. She giggled. "Did you have fun?"
"Unh." The blades disappeared from her feet and her normal shoes materialized. "I'll tell you about it tomorrow. I have to get back." She padded down the hall quickly. As the figure opened up the door, she saw an orange-headed girl sleeping in her lower bunk. 'Ah, thank you! She's asleep. I need to get in bed quickly.'
She stripped out of her clothes quickly, when she was down to her underwear she reached for her nightclothes. "Finally caught you." She stopped in her tracks. "And just where the hell were you, Subaru?"
"T-Tea?" The blue-headed girl turned around. She found her partner and sometimes friend kneeling behind the door with a magic circle under her. Looking to the bed, she saw that the one there had disappeared. "Tch, illusion magic."
"It's time to pay the piper, Subaru. You've been doing this once a week for God knows how long. And if I've noticed it then you just KNOW the instructors have. Just where do you go every week? You're not doing anything criminal, right?"
"Eh?! No of course not! Tea you know me better than that!" The illusionist raised an eyebrow. "Well okay, there was this one time when I stole a cookie from the cafeteria back at the academy, but I was starving, you know that!"
Teana tromped over to her. "Then what the hell is it you've been doing? Your training suffers the day after, and you're holding the rest of us back. Especially since Nanoha's mock battles are tomorrow in the early morning!"
"Tea… I'm sorry." She looked away. "It's just that this is my only chance to get out, since Shari-san is on shift only this night. It's the only time I get to see him."
"See who? If it's your father or sister I can understand."
"My boyfriend." She whispered under her breath.
Tea's jaw hit the floor and she couldn't think. "K…Koi…" She turned red. "BOYFRIEND?!"
"Shh! Keep it down, Tea!"
"When did you… no, scratch the when, how did you manage to land a boyfriend? I was with you all the time."
"Hey, what do you mean 'how'? Am I suddenly not cute enough to get a boyfriend?"
"That doesn't matter! You… with a boyfriend… I just can't picture it!"
Subaru pouted as she remembered to start dressing. "It's not like you don't have someone of your own. You and your precious Vice-kun."
Tea's jaw dropped in shock again as her face went completely red. "Th-that's… that's a professional relationship, you fool! When it comes to weaponry, he's my senior! I'm just trying to be friendly and learn from him. Just to learn, that's all!"
"Uh-huh." Subaru hoisted herself into her bunk. "But I only get to see him once a week, and if I don't, I really miss him."
"Sounds like you really like this guy."
"Unh. I talked with Shari, and she told me that if she was on shift, she would let me back in without problems."
"That woman is a hopeless romantic, isn't she?"
"And Nanoha-san changed the schedules so that the mock battles are the next morning. So I've not been getting much sleep the night before. Speaking of which, Tea, I'm about to pass out here."
"Just one more thing. What's his name?" She climbed into her own bed.
Subaru smiled as her eyes closed. "Soran… Soran Berkt."
"Okay, that's enough!" Nanoha blew her whistle and all the forwards gathered. "Looks like you're all warmed up for today's mock battle."
"Hai!"
"Too bad there isn't going to be one." The forwards blinked, waiting for more. "Tomorrow is the public inspection of Section Six. Does anyone know what that means? Hai, Erio, let's hear it."
"Ma'am!" He straightened. "Each department of the military not deemed top secret holds a sort of open-house event exhibiting the talents of servicemembers. It is also a time for the military to recruit members."
"Correct. That means we'll be doing our mock battles tomorrow instead. We're going to show the worlds what Section Six is made of. This will give you all the opportunity to bring your friends in too. Of course the battles are only one event. We'll have plenty of food and games set up, so it'll be a nice big festival." As she continued describing the event, the forwards smiled and turned to each other, excited for the day to come.
"Well, Signum and I aren't that good at putting things up more than we are at knocking them down." Vita tapped Eisen on her shoulder. "So we're going to need your help to set things up. Any extra time left over at the end will be free, so you can do what you want."
"You mean…" Erio's grin got wider.
"A vacation day? And a festival after that?!" Teana could barely contain her excitement.
"Unh." Nanoha nodded. "Of course if you don't have everything set up before you leave, it's going to be a problem for everyone, so let's get to it!"
"Hai!"
Caro leaned forward. "Let's get everything done in three hours! Then we'll have lunch and the rest of the day is free!"
"Sounds good to me." Teana nodded. "Subaru, go with Caro and Fried to get the materials. Erio and I will start plotting out the tent locations."
"Understood." Subaru saluted. "Now, let's go, Caro! Fried!"
"Hyuu!" The little dragon grinned as its master agreed.
As Subaru turned away, Nanoha called her back. "Oh, and Subaru."
"Uh? Hai." She rolled back over to the older teen.
Nanoha leaned down and whispered in her ear. "I expect him to be here tomorrow too. Your bo-y-fr-ie-nd." Subaru stiffened and gulped. "Oh and I've had to switch Shari's shift again… to Friday nights. Look after her for me, okay? She gets lonely easily."
"Uh… um… well…."
"Technically I should put you in solitary, or at the very least lock your use of Mach Caliber. The least you could do is say thanks."
"H…hai. Arigato gozaimasu." She bowed low, before dashing off to catch up with Caro.
Subaru lugged the tents over her shoulder one by one, finally feeling grateful for her cyborg frame. Fried flew overhead with a palate of holo-image game projectors as Caro gave directions to him from the ground. PVOW. PVOW. Teana shot holes in the ground into which she put the stakes. "HAH!" Vita slammed the first one with Eisen. Everyone stared at her in disbelief, the stake now completely buried in the ground. "Hmm, guess I overdid it."
"Sie sind nicht ein sanftes Mädchen." You are not a gentle girl. Eisen teased.
"Shut up, you!"
"Rein, Erio. Are you ready?" Signum gripped the hilt of her sword.
Erio gulped as he held onto a long trail of multicolored paper with one hand, and Strada's jet form in the other, floating in midair. "M-More or less."
"Hai desu!" Rein waved from the other end of the long trail.
"Akito, make sure you catch it all." She reminded her unison partner.
"Heh, who do you think you're talking to?" She crossed her arms.
"Levantine!" Signum twisted the hilt and it loaded a cartridge.
"Schlangenform." Serpent Form Her sword flashed forward, breaking into separate blades held together by wire. With blinding speed she whipped it around and through the paper barrier multiple times.
"Woah! Here we go! Ah! Almost missed that one! Get back here you!" Akito dashed back and forth with a giant bag under her to catch all the pieces.
Signum returned her sword to its casing. "I've cut another useless object."
"Whew!" Akito panted. "That's all of it."
"Yay! Operation Confetti is a success desu!"
"Unh, unh!" Nanoha nodded, Rasing Heart floating by her side. "Good teamwork. Battles aren't the only way to teach that."
"The devices seem to have fun as well." Her partner blinked.
"It's because they all share the same desire. To be one with each other, and become the best they can be for everyone's sake. It's what makes them strong."
"And us strong too."
"Exactly." She giggled.
"Mama! Nanoha-mama!" Vivio ran for her with her arms wide, Fate and Hayate slowly approaching from the building as well.
"Ah! Vivio!" Her mother knelt down.
"Bwah!" Vivio tripped and fell flat on her face. "Ouchies." She grunted as she pushed herself up again. Making eye contact with her mom cheered her up and she dashed forward again, giving Nanoha a giant hug. "Mama. Nanoha-mama, can Vivio help too?"
"More accurately, can all of us lend a hand?" Hayate played with a strand of her hair as she stopped in front of the family.
"Unh. Of course." Nanoha stood up and patted Vivo's head. "We'll all do our part."
"Hey, Fried, what are you… woah!" Caro gasped as the dragon lost its grip on the palate and its shadow began to get larger and larger underneath her.
"Caro!" Subaru gasped as she dashed to her aid.
"Protection." Mach Caliber cast a field directly above them.
"Bardiche!"
"Zanber Form!" Fate slid the giant blade underneath the palate.
"Get out of there, you two!"
"Just leave that to me!" Zaphila galloped forward, grabbing Caro by the scruff of her neck and slamming Subaru to the side.
"Bardiche, mode cancel. Return to standby form."
"Javohl." Understood. The black equipment exploded, and it returned to the golden triangle of its compact form. The palette hit the ground hard, making everyone shake.
"Thank you, Zaphila." Caro dusted herself off. "Uh? Fried!" The dragon was panting heavily as it lay on the ground. "Fried… this is what happens when you go overboard. You shouldn't push yourself so much. You need to rest."
"Hurruh, hurruh." It shook its head.
"No arguments now." Her summoning powers activated and the big dragon returned to its more compact form. "Vivio, could you look after Fried for me? That'll be your job."
"Hai!" Vivio happily picked up the little pet. "Let's have fun today, Fried!"
"But now, what are we gonna do with this wreck?" Tea scratched the back of her head as she looked at the crashed technology.
"Well, I guess that means it's our turn. Raising Heart."
"Yes, my Master." The little orb turned into her basic staff. "Chain Bind."
Small Raising Heart bits materialized around the smashed crate and shot out energy ropes. "Everyone, I'll lift off the lid. Surround and catch whatever starts to fall out, okay?"
"Hai!"
"Okay! Everything's complete!" Nanoha announced. "A couple of setbacks pushed us back about an hour, but good work everyone. Hayate-chan, how is it?"
The young woman surveyed the field. All the tents were set up. All but two of the game projectors were functioning normally, and the decorations were ready to be set up tomorrow. "It looks just great. Thank you everyone."
"Hai. Arigato gozaimasu." The forwards bowed.
"Now I've got a little present for all of you, including the commanders too." She held up a bundle of envelopes. "Bonuses!"
"EH?!" Everyone took a step back.
"You're all long overdue for this, so please, take this bonus and use it today and tomorrow."
Teana opened her envelope. "Uh… this much? Yagami-daicho, this is far more than I deserve!"
"Oh stop that, stop." She waved off the others as they began to agree. "Remember everything you've all been through. Besides, who is the commander around here? Don't make me make it an order, okay? Just take it and be grateful."
Subaru stuffed her envelope in her pocket and straightened. "Hai, Yagami-daicho. As the forwards of Section Six, we will not disappoint you!" She saluted, and the others followed quickly, although a bit confused as to her sudden formal reaction.
Hayate saluted in return. "Well then, enjoy the rest of your day off. All personnel, dismissed."
"Hai!"
As everyone left earshot, Signum crossed her arms and stood next to the young woman. "Are you sure this is ok? You gave up one of your own paychecks to give them that bonus, didn't you? Will you be ok?"
"Don't worry about me, Signum. You should enjoy this as well. Besides, I'm getting paid enough that I can skip one check. They all deserve this. Everyone has sacrificed their lives, personal well being, and happiness for Section Six. When Nanoha-chan told me about Subaru, I finally realized what I was taking from her and everyone. The least I can do is to let them be normal children for a while."
"In that case, I shall accompany you today. It has been a while, after all."
"Eh? Signum?"
"You forget about your own personal happiness, Master. As your loyal knight it is my duty to protect you and your smile."
"I'll go too." Vita put her hands behind her head. "There's not many places I can go without being treated like a minor and it pisses me off. I think I'd have more fun with the two of you anyway. Besides, you forgot to give yourself a part of the bonus, so I'll share mine."
"Guys…." Hayate looked guilty for a moment. "Thank you."
"Subaru, what was that whole thing about?" Tea shot her a look.
"Well, Hayate-san would have been really sad if we didn't accept." She looked up into the sky and rolled forward. "And I also didn't want to feel bad about taking it either, because it would have showed as well." She turned around and winked at the rest of the young squad while rolling backwards. "So let's use some of the dough to get her something really nice!"
"Uh? Hey that's a good idea! We should get something for the captains too!" Erio nodded.
"But what kind of stuff should we get, I wonder." Caro pondered the subject.
Mach Caliber blinked. "Incoming message, Master."
"Uh?" The video window popped up next to her.
"Yo."
"Soran-kun! Did you get my message?"
"Oooh. Uh-huuu." Teana chuckled. "So it's Subaru's phantom boyfriend."
"Eh?" Erio blinked in disbelief.
"Just when did she…." Caro also couldn't believe her ears.
"Sorry for being a phantom. Honestly. She's really as annoying as you said, Su." The video spoke.
"Ehheheh…" Subaru sweatdropped.
"I got your message. I'll be waiting in the usual spot. See you soon." The window closed.
"Su-Ba-Ru…." Tea's eyes were dark, and waves of ominous energy undulated from her.
"Well guys, I have to get going! Wing Road!" Her wheels ground the magic bridge as fast as she could.
"Get back here you!"
An hour and a half later…
Subaru burst into the restaurant, panting. She looked around the room until she saw a teen her own age signal her. "Yo." He spoke as she sat down. "A bit late, aren't you, Subaru?" She looked up to
meet his gaze. His eyes were a captivating bright purple. His skin was very well tanned, except his left arm. That seemed to be a bit pale in color. He also had long black hair with a slight green tint to it, spiked into one of the latest styles.
"My bad, my bad. Tea was chasing me all over the place. What was with that anyway, Soran?"
"With what? You mean calling her annoying?"
"Yeah!"
"Well that's what she is, isn't she?" He smiled and leaned back in his chair.
"No I… I mean she's my best friend, Soran, annoying or not. You shouldn't just call her that, especially when you haven't met her."
"Okay, okay… fine." He sighed as he put his feet on the table and leaned back on the heels of his chair.
Subaru blinked at the action. "So we're finally back together again. What do you want to do?"
"Well first off I'd like to…" He pulled out a standard device staff with civilian markings and put it under her chin, "know just who the hell you are?"
"Eh? Soran? Wh-what are you doing?" Subaru trembled.
Suddenly another blue-haired girl burst in, her blades still on her feet. "Soran? Soran are you…" She gasped as she saw the girl in front of him. "TEA!"
"Eheh… looks like I've been found out. Oh well." The seated girl shimmered away, and Teana Lanster was in her place. "It was fun while it lasted."
"Tea, I can't believe you! Mach Caliber, standby."
"All right." Her roller blades disappeared and her necklace reappeared around her neck.
She sat down next to Soran as his device returned to normal as well. "So this is the infamous Teana Lanster. Su has told me a lot about you. Not enough to know you'd pull a trick like that though."
Tea shrugged, fixing her hair. "Well it's not exactly an easy thing for me. You're boobs are small in comparison with mine, Subaru, it was tough to keep the dimensions right in the transformation." Subaru blushed. "So how'd you figure it out?"
"Simple really." He put his feet up on the table again.
"Ah! Soran, stop that!" Subaru pouted. "That's dangerous, plus the owners won't like it when you leave footprints on the furniture!"
"That." He held his hand out to exhibit the girl. Subaru blushed. "She's a creature of habit, this one. Every time I put my feet up on a table she scolds me. All you did was blink."
Tea glanced over to her roommate, who kept fidgeting and blushing. She activated her mind link. 'God, will you quit it? You're acting like a little schoolgirl with cooties!'
'I can't help it! This is the first time he's met anyone I know.'
'Oh girls…!' Soran's voice echoed in both their heads.
'Wha?'
'Agh, he's in my head!'
'It's kind of rude to talk behind someone's back when they're sitting in front of you.' "So can we actually make a conversation here?"
"Oh yeah… sorry about that." Tea tried to avoid eye contact. "Because of that little prank, I'm buying." A menu appeared on a screen after she lifted up her hand. "What do you guys want?"
"Thanks for the wait." The waitress put down their order. "Two meat lovers pizzas with mushrooms, and a veggie lovers, light on the cheese."
"Thanks for the meal!" All three spoke and Soran and Subaru dug in, while Tea watched with a look of slight disgust.
"I can't believe you two can eat that stuff." She lifted a slice of her own.
"Well, you know me, Tea. Gotta grease the ol' gears once in a while."
"Subaru!" Tea scolded. She leaned over to whisper. "You're going to give away your secret!"
"Oh, if you mean about that cyborg thing, I already know." Soran waved it off. Tea's eyes went wide. "Don't worry, I'm not concerned about it. Cyborg or no, she's still a great girl, right? And a girl this beautiful can't be manufactured, only grown over a long 15 years of development." He stared straight into Subaru's eyes.
"S-Soran…" She completely turned red. "Stop it. Stop it!" She hit him playfully. "You're embarrassing me so freaking much!"
"But you're so much fun to tease, Su!"
"But still… saying something like that in public…"
"What would you rather me say? That I wish to whisk you away on a romantic journey that we'll spend the rest of our lives on?" Soran took a fake bow.
"No! Oh god, that's even worse!"
All the while, Tea's eyes just dashed back and forth between speakers, looking bored. "Somehow you guys are pissing me off." She sipped her soda. "You wanna stop gushing for a bit and actually speak words? Like how did the two of you meet?"
"Oh, that? Eheheh…" Subaru rubbed the back of her head. "It's kind of a stupid story."
"Trust me, I live for stupid… I room with you after all."
"MmmH!" She huffed. "You remember the last time we had a full day off? I was so excited the day before that I didn't sleep a wink, and late night training had drained me earlier in the week. So at one point in the middle of downtown I just passed out."
"I was the first one to find her, so I took her to the nearest bench. I was about to call for help, but she woke up."
"I guess you could say it was the damsel in distress scenario. My knight saved the day."
"I was worried that she'd pass out again so I stayed with her, since I wasn't doing anything anyway. Eventually it turned into a full fledged date."
"We've been together ever since."
"Hmmm?" Teana sipped on her drink again. "Sounds like a scenario only a weak anime or bad fanfiction could come up with. But if that's the way it happened, then truth is stranger than fiction."
"Tea, why are you being so cruel?" Subaru puffed out her cheeks and sulked.
"Probably the wrong time of the month." Soran took a verbal swing back at her, and Tea looked like her device had shot her. As if on cue, Tea's dessert arrived, a super-decadent chocolate cake. "I rest my case." In realizing that saying anything more would hurt her case more than help it, Tea shoved a big forkful in her mouth and sulk-chewed.
"Oh, Soran!" A light went off in Subaru's brain. "We're having an open house at Section Six tomorrow. Think you can make it?"
"Eh? An open house?" The boy raised his eyebrow. "I dunno Su, that's a military installation after all. I'm a freelance mage. They don't exactly take kindly to me."
"Please? The instructors really want to meet you, especially Nanoha-san!"
"Yeah, she's wants to know who's been making her fail her morning tests every week." Tea snickered before ordering some coffee.
"Mmph!" Subaru glared at her again. "Besides, Soran, you'll get to see all sorts of rare devices in action! That's your hobby, isn't it?"
He chuckled and sighed. "Okay, okay! You win! You know me too well, Su."
"Yes!" She pumped her fist. "Hey, wanna go see a movie?"
"Sure, what's playing?"
"Dunno. Give me a sec, I'll call ahead and find out." Subaru stood up and left.
Once she was outside the door, Teana shot Soran the meanest look she could muster. "If I find out that you're with her only because she has a rare device, I will shoot your balls straight off."
"I don't care about her device, Teana. Well okay, I admit I do find it interesting, but in the end it pales in comparison with her herself." He smiled at her. "Thank you though. By threatening me, you've proven that you really are her best friend."
"I… I…."
"Let's make a deal." He put his feet on the table again. "If for some reason I hurt her because of my love of rare devices, I expect you to keep your promise. On the flipside, you have to be the maid of honor at the wedding if I don't." Soran gave her a quick wink.
Tea was speechless. She wasn't able to say anything anyway, because Subaru returned. "They just got a shipment of Terran movies in! Who wants to watch Saw VIII? Ah! Soran you put your feet on the table again!"