Sorry about the delay everyone. Work has been work and I've really only had time to write during my lunch break. Not to mention things are in a rather messy transition period at the moment. But enough of my excuses, you're here for more important things. Like fanfiction.
I was a little disappointed with the reaction to the expansion on the last chapter. But I suppose a lemon isn't to everyone's tastes. At least it was better than the first one I wrote I hope.
Some good news and some bad news. The bad news... is the unfortunate fact Medieval Belka is dead. I simply cannot continue it with what I have and every outline I've tried has just not worked in the slightest. I will be posting what has been written so those who enjoyed it can continue to do so. Who knows? Maybe it'll inspire someone else to take a stab at something similar.
The good news, is I have an outline (which works, mind you) for something with a little romance and a little horror. I'll be starting work on it when I've finished Swords and Shields.
Well, here you go everyone. We've got maybe one or two more chapters left and I hope to make them good ones for you. Give your thanks to KnightOfCerberus for doing the beta work and making sure I don't do something horrible. Again. As usual, I own nothing and I'd really appreciate comments and criticisms. Good, bad, or what have you, it helps.
Enjoy~
EDIT: After having multiple complaints about the anniversary chapter and also mentions of deletion of this story in its entirety because if its existence, I have removed it. If you wish to read War and Peace, the Mediaminer link can be found in my profile. It is a bonus extension of mature content for the scene between Yuuno and Signum in chapter 7 and not required in order to enjoy the rest of the story.
-CHAPTER START-
It was a starry night which Signum beheld this eve as she sat upon the back porch of the Yagami home, her mind awhirl in all manner of thoughts and her belly full of a delicious meal. The trip. Hayate. Yuuno. Her family. Nearly anything one can imagine crossed her mind at some point or another. Some of more import than others.
She was most certainly looking forward to welcoming Hayate home. It would be nice to have the whole family back together again. Not only for the obvious reason of simply missing a member of their dear family, but were they asked to be completely honest, they also missed their Mistress' cooking. True, Vita and herself were more than capable cooks, but they could not hope to compare to the culinary mastery which Hayate possessed.
And apparently, during her trip with Yuuno, Shamal had found her way into the kitchen. Signum shuddered at the tale which had been woven for her when she returned. Waffles. How Shamal had managed to turn the simple crafting of waffles into what had apparently become the catalyst for summoning some manner of eldritch abomination would forever remain beyond her. It was likely for the better. She quite liked her sanity.
Thoughts of her trip away from home brought up more. Thoughts of Yuuno. Thoughts of the time they had spent together in a way she would never have imagined possible a year ago. Thoughts of the night they had shared, engaged in a battle like no other. It still sent a shiver down her spine to recall it so vividly. Not only the acts they had engaged in, but also the raw emotions which had been experienced and exchanged. It was a sensation so wondrous, a part of her had not wanted their trip to end. Yearning only to remain steeped in such feelings and desires.
Unfortunately, life demanded they return. And return they had some weeks ago. Some might have expected a grand proclamation of their love upon their return. A ceremony of such grandiose proportions it would put the crowning of the Kaiser to shame. Well, perhaps the latter was an exaggeration, but such is the imagination of people. Yet they had made no such announcement. Rather, they had kept it to themselves. A secret love they were certain only a select few would be able to discover existed between them.
Were Signum to venture a guess as to who might have ascertained the entire truth of the matter, she would place Shamal at the very top of the list. There was no fooling one's physician. Particularly when it came to the... physical aspects of love's more intimate expressions. In fact, she was fairly certain her entire family knew by now. And by extension, a few friends as well. Yet not a one had said anything. Whether they were waiting until she came out and said it herself, or were waiting for some slip of the tongue, none had made any comment thus far.
Though Takamachi had surreptitiously given her a wink a few days after she had arrived home. There was very little anyone could hide from the White Devil and expect her to not make some manner of expression about it. She supposed a wink was the best she could hope for, really. Signum recalled quite well the spectacle the brunette had made upon learning about Mondial's attraction to Lu Ruche.
Yet aside from their desire to maintain what privacy they could, there was another reason they had kept their lips sealed about the entire ordeal. They needed time. Time to think. Time to understand. Oh, there was little doubt their shared love and attraction was real and burned brightly. But what they had done, the lapse in control to finally give in to their vicious carnal desires, it had changed the status quo. They could never be 'just friends' again. They could ever go back to even those battles of such raw tension not even the sharpest blade could cleave. Even if she did not wish to go back to those days, it still left her with a great deal on her mind.
Her thoughts wandering to such a degree, she barely sensed the approach of their dinner guest for the evening. One specifically invited by her.
Signum turned her head slightly to look up at the woman who was about to sit down: Lindy Harlaown.
Where one might think her's and Yuuno's love was to be the makings of a fairy tale or some manner of 'Happily Ever After' penned to fuel the imaginations of young children, they would be quite mistaken. They did indeed love one another. With a passion and fire enough to sear the world a thousand times over no less. Yet for their wants, there was the unfortunate existence of reality. Both of them had jobs which consumed an immense amount of time at odd hours. To say nothing of their respective responsibilities outside of work. They had not even managed time to go on a proper date. At best, they had managed to exchange smiles most secret in the rare chance they crossed paths at work. The presence of onlookers halted the much desired opportunity to go beyond a mere expression.
There was also a rather significant problem Signum faced which Yuuno did not. Or at the very least, he faced to a far lesser degree than herself. He had experience to draw upon from his relationship with Takamachi. He knew of the mechanics of dating, of romantic evenings, of how a relationship might advance. At the very least it was accurately surmised he did. She... did not.
It was for that reason, she sought out the former Admiral Harlaown. Lindy was a woman who, while bearing the unfortunate descriptor of being a widow, had lived and loved. Fallen in love. Married the man she had fallen so head over heels for. Raised a family. She was truly the one person Signum knew she could turn to for advice. Advice she so desperately needed.
It was Lindy who broke the relatively peaceful silence under the stars, for the inside of the house was hardly peaceful or silent. As Vita's shout of victory threatened to bleed into the level of volume typically reserved for being a public disturbance. "Dinner was delicious. I didn't know Vita was such a skilled cook." A little small talk never hurt to get things started.
Signum nodded, now letting her gaze trace one of the many constellations above. "She enjoys surprising people with that." An amused expression graces her features. "Zafira once joked it was the only thing feminine about her. She took exception to that."
Lindy chuckled at the image of just how the redhead might have taken exception. "I take it he learned his lesson then?"
"After a week of being fed Shamal's cooking, he most certainly did." Signum's amused expression lingered for only a little while longer as the pause in conversation grew.
"Signum, what was it you wished to speak with me about?" Lindy had her suspicions, mostly stemming from brief conversations with Fate and Nanoha, but she was not going to jump to conclusions without all the information she could gather first. At the very least she knew it did not involve the so called battle involving her daughter. The event had long since passed and she had already spoken with the Knight about it. Explanations, apologies, and acceptance had been dealt with and there was no sense in continuing to beat a dead horse, as the saying on Earth went.
Signum looked down before drawing a somewhat pensive breath. "I require... advice." A feeling of nervousness gripped her. Why was this more difficult than she had imagined?
Lindy gave no indication of surprise. In truth, she had been expecting something like this. Even the most independent of individuals needed guidance of some sort along the way. It was merely an issue of them realizing they needed it. She herself had sought out help on myriad subjects over the course of her life, a few of which after receiving a shove or two from friends and family who had grown tired of her ignorance. The real issue was what sort of advice Signum was seeking. "What about?" She smiled gently. "It's rare for you to seek help. From myself least of all."
"I have recently become... involved with someone." Involved? What a poor way of describing it. Can she not be more honest in her own words? Swallowing, Signum shakes her head. "No, it is more proper to say I have fallen in love."
It took a great deal of effort on Lindy's part to not allow herself to break into a catty grin and begin teasing the woman seated next to her. Love? The stoic and devout knight of the sword had fallen in love? Oh who could it be to have stolen away the heart of Signum Yagami? Schooling her emotions and expression into one far more appropriate for the subject at hand, she allows herself a happy smile. "That's wonderful! Who's the lucky one to catch your fancy?"
Signum smiled. A warm and secret smile as she spoke the name of her beloved. "Yuuno Scrya."
Of all the individuals Signum could have named, Yuuno's was not one Lindy quite expected to be revealed to her. However considering the frequent and often heated battles she'd heard about between the two, she really shouldn't be as surprised as she is. She must be getting a little rusty in her retirement to have not seen the signs. Still, her composure threatens to break as the inner desire to meddle and torment grows ever stronger. "Oh? Our young librarian has caught the eye of the might Knight of the Sword? You're going to make a lot of people cry you know~"
Signum could only blush slightly at the teasing tone of Lindy's voice. "I... Well..." Really, if she can handle Lady Hayate, she ought to be capable of handling Lindy. Taking a breath to compose herself, she gives a small shrug. "It is their own fault."
Lindy merely chuckled. "Does he know? He's not a fool, no matter what my son might say." Indeed, Chrono was almost always ready to lay down an insult or reprimand about his friend. Such an odd friendship they have.
The blush upon Signum's cheeks could have been far worse had she not fought to control it. Even so, it was enough to be quite obvious. "He does. We confessed to one another during the excavation I accompanied him on." Confessed and far more.
The response warranted a briefly raised eyebrow from the retired Admiral. She would have thought it would be the confession which was most difficult for Signum. And Yuuno returned the feelings? Then in all theory, things should be going swimmingly. Or at least as swimmingly as a newfound couple can. What, then, is the problem? "What seems to be the problem then?"
"I am... uncertain where to go from here." Signum bowed her head slightly as she spoke. "It is... unusual. Normally I would expect a couple to go on dates and spend time together to learn more about one another and deepen their bonds. Yet, our situation is hardly... normal." There was a pause as she gathered her words, Lindy waiting patiently for her to continue. "We have known each other for so many years already. Our attraction grew through battle to the point of becoming almost unhealthy. No, it was unhealthy. We would have destroyed each other in our battle lust had Takamachi not intervened. He is so much more experienced than I am. He's human. I'm a sentient combat program hundreds of years old. We love each other but I cannot help but feel worried. I don't know... I feel lost... I..." Her voice had become rambling as she began to pour out her concerns. Lindy halted Signum's uncharacteristic break in composure by placing a comforting hand upon her back.
"Signum, it's all right. Love is love partly because it makes no sense at all. And I think you're making some rather dangerous assumptions there." Lindy began rubbing the confused Knight's back as she would her son's when he had been particularly distraught in his younger years. Signum glanced over with a questioning look in her eyes at the rebuke. "You're assuming there's such a thing as 'normal' when it comes to love and relationships and that experience is the trump to making something succeed. They aren't."
"What do you mean?" Shouldn't there be a norm for everything? Some standard by which to gauge all others? How else can things fall into the categories they do? And should not something with greater experience hold an advantage and lead?
Lindy paused as she thought about how to answer the query placed before her. "Everyone is different and everyone goes about living differently. Sure there can be similarities, but I think you could search for ten thousand years and never find two couples that go about love in the same way. Why, I remember when I first realized I had fallen in love with Clyde."
Remaining silent, Signum listened intently.
"I was a few years younger than him and we were in the same squadron at the time. He was a good man who enjoyed a good drink with his comrades and had the strangest obsession with the color blue. But despite his quirks, I found myself wanting to know more about him. And the more I knew, the more I fell in love with him. I was always making a fool of myself in front of him and he always gave me this kind smile full of mirth whenever we saw one another. I have to say, my confession could have gone far better than it had." She giggled fondly at the memory and placed a hand on her slightly red cheeks. "I had called him out to an overlook by the ocean on the planet we were stationed on. I don't think I'd ever been that nervous before."
"What happened?" Signum's inquiry was filled with curiosity, eager to know what had happened.
Lindy laughed. "I fell off the overlook halfway through and he tried to catch me. We wound up walking back to base soaked to the bone and me feeling completely miserable." Her laughter grew even further, so steeped in precious memories was she. Signum's confused gaze made the laughter ever more amused. "He said that confessing by the ocean probably wasn't a good idea and asked if I'd like to have dinner after we'd both gotten into something dry."
"You mean he was...?" To Signum, it sounded more like a romantic comedy of sorts. The sort Shamal was fond of.
Lindy nodded. "He was in love with me as well. He just never quite knew what to do with his feelings or how to express them. You wouldn't believe just how much stumbling in the dark we did trying to figure out what a couple was supposed to do. And we made it work somehow, even though neither of us had any sort of experience" Casting a sideways glance at Signum at the mention of experience, she continued. "But that's how we became what we did. Admiral Leti met her husband in a completely different way. And a far less embarrassing one as well."
The former admiral smiled as she recalled the event as Leti had relayed it to her one day. "He's an engineer for the TSAB's ship development division. They met when she had to go down to the docks and retrieve some hard copy reports about something. I can't recall what, exactly. Probably an engine design. But that's not important. He began explaining something and by the end, she'd asked if he'd like to continue their talk over lunch. And the rest is history."
Signum appeared somewhat conflicted at hearing the two very different tales. There was no basis for her to compare her own situation to. While being no stranger to venturing into the unknown, those situations tended to involve life or death struggles against an unknown foe. Something she could sink her sword into and hopefully emerge triumphant against. The realm of battle where she was truly in her element. The realm of the heart, she was far less so. The idea of failing here was far more terrifying than being cut down by some fearsome and unknown enemy. "Then... There truly is no 'normal' way about it?"
Lindy shook her head and gave an honest and simple answer. "None at all. You could ask a thousand people and get a thousand or more answers."
"I see... That does not put me at ease." There was no sort of complaint or condemnation in her voice or bearing, merely an admittance of her feelings. Then again, when has anything ever been so easy? She would admit it was a little foolish to expect it from this matter.
"It wasn't really supposed to. But I think sometimes knowing how hard things can be will help later on when you reach that point." It was something she wished she'd truly taken the time to consider when she'd wed Clyde. Perhaps it would have made dealing with his loss just a little more bearable. Opting to try and steer the conversation onto something she hoped would let her provide a little more assistance to the confused knight, she dove for one of the potentially more juicy morsels of Signum's romance. "I'm a little curious about something... How did you confess to him? Or did he confess first?"
Signum looked away, the crimson from before returning to her cheeks in full force. For all her composure, intimate matters were still rather... difficult to convey in many ways. "He confessed first. But at my insistence. We were..." She swallows nervously before continuing. "In bed at the time..."
Lindy's expression was one of surprise as she held a hand up to her mouth. "Oh my." If Yuuno being the object of Signum's affection had been unexpected, then circumstances of their mutual admission was certainly more so by a great margin.
Turning back to Lindy, she continued. "It was something begun in the heat of the moment. There had been a great deal of tension between us, building over the course of our battles and interactions. It eventually snapped. But before we went too far, I asked him. I had to know if he felt the same as I did."
"And he did." Lindy's statement of the obvious was met with a nod of the head.
"There was no falsehood in him. Not in his words. His eyes. Nowhere. He was as sure and honest as I have ever seen him. I confessed to him my own feelings. And then..." She trailed off, the memories of the eve coming back en masse.
"You had sex?" Signum nodded once more, appearing to feel a slight more composed in her demeanor. Lindy coughed with an awkward smile. "Well, I have to say I was not expecting things to develop so quickly from what you told me before. Then again, Clyde and I weren't exactly waiting till marriage either, so I don't have much room to talk. ...Speaking of talking, I imagine the two of you came to terms in the morning?" It was a probing question, not one Lindy was entirely sure she ought to be asking. But from what she gathered, Signum and Yuuno had been acting on a great deal of built up passion.
"We did... Somewhat." The knight's eyes seemed to fade as she recalled the morning after in all its myriad details. Even now, she was still somewhat surprised she had experienced such a thing.
-FLASHBACK-
The first sensation which had encroached upon her waking senses was warmth. An alien, but not unwelcome warmth as she felt a pair of arms wrapped around her midsection. Those arms pulled her closely against their owner, the man which whom she'd shared a night of violent and loving ecstasy with. Her first night no less. The reminder of which prompted her to acknowledge the second sensation to assail her mind.
It was an ache like no other. A pain which began from her loins and saturated her lower half. Something she could not begin to compare to all her training. And she decided, it was not entirely unpleasant. At the very least the memories associated with its origins were certainly enough to make it so.
But as the light of day began to creep through the window, past the shuttered blinds, and lay upon them, she began to truly recall the night before.
The lust.
The violence.
The love.
The brutality.
She and Yuuno had given in to their desires and enacted a battle of such sensuality, she can scarcely believe her own memories at her actions. Was she not the stoic and proud knight of her Lady Hayate? She very much was. But now she had gone beyond being a knight and had become a woman as well. She had always been a woman, but now she had acted upon her wishes as one.
A stirring and a groan drew her from such thoughts as her bedmate and lover began to rise.
She turned her head slightly to look to over as Yuuno perched his head upon her shoulder, his sleepy gaze still hidden by closed eyelids. "Good morning." Part of her wonders if she shouldn't have said something more. Something of greater significance. However this part is drowned out by an onslaught of two rather potent emotions. Contentment and concern.
Contentment at just how simple and comfortable she feels at the moment.
Concern at the fact their lives have been irreparably changed in a very powerful way.
"Morning..." His response was groggy and made him sound as though he would like nothing more than to return to the land of slumber. And he probably would if he doesn't get a cup of coffee in him sooner than later. Combine the fact Yuuno was already sluggish in the morning with what they'd done last night, she was quite certain he'd fall back asleep in very short order.
She attempted to extricate herself from his embrace to no avail, not even being able to turn and face him given their positions. "We must get up or the day will be wasted." In more ways than one. The only response Signum received was a mumble as Yuuno nuzzled against her neck, burying his face in her messy locks of pink. It certainly felt nice, but they could not remain in bed forever. Her voice dropped into a more commanding tone, one she used to make scatter brained recruits pay attention rather quickly. "Yuuno, wake up."
Yuuno nearly shot up at the tone and his reaction brought a small grin to her face. She'll have to remember this. It would be easier than physically dragging him from the bed. More amusing too.
"I'm up! I'm up. What's happening?" Awake he may be, but aware he is obviously not. As she turns and sits up to face him, recognition dawns upon his features. Signum notes his disheveled appearance and bewildered expression is somewhat... endearing. Before he can utter another word, she shifts somewhat awkwardly and leans over for a kiss.
It was neither searing, nor was it passionate. It was simple. A showing of affection between lovers. Lovers, is such a term accurate for them now? It certainly seems so. But can she truly know for certain? A few of those novels of hers seems to state as such. But life does not always parallel fiction so well. Regardless, a good morning kiss is something she feels should not be missed. As they separate she hesitates, not entirely certain how to go about bringing up the numerous thoughts swirling about her mind. In the end, it seemed as if Yuuno was the one to recover first.
He sits up properly to face her, taking in her contemplative look as he does so. Are her concerns so clearly etched on her face? They must be for him to be giving her such a worried look after what they'd done. Their exchanged confessions. The heat of their bodies moving together. The feeling of love both physical and emotional. "Are... Are you alright?"
Signum nodded with an assured look. "I am a little sore, but otherwise fine." It is to be expected, is it not?
Yuuno shook his head. "That's... not what I meant. I mean, I'm glad you're only feeling a little sore after all that. We weren't exactly too gentle with each other. I tried to be in the end and... And I'm rambling, aren't I?" He took a deep breath to try and calm himself before continuing. "I meant, are you alright with... us? With what we did and what we said to each other."
"...Oh." So he realized it too. She should not be so surprised. He has been in this situation with at least Takamachi before. This world changing scenario wherein one's life undergoes a dramatic alteration. A gnawing feeling of immense worry begins to settle in her belly. A deep fear her actions may have been driven solely by the heat of the moment. Joining it is an even greater one. The fear Yuuno's actions were driven as such. It ties her tongue and stills her thoughts, trapping her.
It does make sense on some level. How heated their battles became. How driven they were to conquer the other. And she will not deny just how much she wanted to see Yuuno try to dominate her whilst she put forth every effort to do the same to him. The eve prior had become so much like battle it was hard to tell when it diverged from conquest to caresses. Had it all just been a new form of combat? Something resulting from the heat of the moment?
"Signum." Yuuno's words broke through her ever darkening thoughts like a hammer upon glass. He reached over and placed his hands on her cheeks. She could not help but note how warm they were. "Look at me." And she did, her normally sure and determined blue eyes showing slivers of the fears preying upon her. "I meant it. Every word."
Signum would count herself as a very good judge of character. And much as she had felt last night, she could feel his words were true. Yuuno Scrya is not a liar.
As her heart fights away the darkness and fear, she places a hand atop his and nods with a small smile. "I as well. I just... I need time. Time to come to grips with this. To understand everything." Already everything had happened so fast. She could not continue to charge in head first. She needs to think. About so very much. Where to go from here. What to do. How to do it.
"I think we both do. I mean, this is the first time we've really stopped to think about... well, us. It's a lot to take in." He gave a silly chuckle. The sort one gives when they realize they've done something foolish. Indeed they had been rather foolish, to not stop and think until now. After they'd run full tilt into the most intimate of physical relationships and heartfelt confessions. She cannot stop herself from joining in Yuuno's laughter.
After their amusement had begun to fade, Signum pulled Yuuno's hands into her own. "It is. But, we have some time."
Yuuno nodded in agreement before leaning forward to give her a gentle kiss. A kiss which was interrupted by a pair of hungry stomachs. Both turned red with embarrassment, a rather amusing imagine given just how much they had revealed to one another in so short a time. "How about we get dressed and get something to eat? I'll cook."
Signum nodded in agreement, noting just now how hungry she was. "Much appreciated."
He smiled. "Anytime"
-END FLASHBACK-
Noting Signum was not going to be any more forthcoming on the details of what exactly had been talked about and deciding there were indeed limits to how far she could pry, Lindy decided to leave the topic be for the time being. "Well, so long as you talked about it. Silence isn't exactly as golden as they say it is." There was another question which had been burning on her tongue since she'd heard who the lucy man was. But simply jumping into it seemed rather rude. Especially since Signum was in need of advice rather than fueling her desire to gossip. "Mind if I ask how long have you two been attracted to one another?"
It took a little while for Signum to answer as she tried to pinpoint exactly when it all began. "I suppose... early last Autumn at the earliest. By winter most certainly." It was truly difficult to tell. For someone who had never expected to find such love, it was rather difficult to pinpoint exactly when she had fallen for the librarian.
"Not so short a time after all. And now you've come to realize how you feel for one another and don't know where to go..." They'd come back to the heart of the matter. Lindy placed her hands on her lap and met the crystal blue eyes of the knight with a gentle, yet serious, look. "Signum, I'd like you to ask yourself something."
Signum gave a quizzical look in response. Wondering just what sort of question she would be given.
"What is it you want out of this? It's something I wish I'd asked myself when Clyde and I got together. We were honestly flying by the seat of our pants. We may have had a wonderful time before he passed and made countless irreplaceable memories, but... I can't help but wonder if maybe things could have turned out differently if we'd taken the time to think a little more about what we wanted." Maybe one of them would have decided to stay home and spend more time with Chrono. Maybe they've have had another child. Maybe Clyde would have lived to see his son become an admiral. So many maybes...
There was a light in Signum's gaze as she drank in Lindy's words. What did she want? She already knew she had a sparring partner in Yuuno. But such a thing could be found anywhere. Her gaze went skyward once more as she ruminated upon the question. What did she want? It was easy to imagine all manner of scenario with Yuuno in her life in all degree of closeness.
But then she began to imagine life without.
A life bereft of this love she'd found.
A love which belonged only to her. One which she had tasted the fruit of and did not wish to relinquish. Did not wish to never taste again.
The thought of suffering such a fate made a cold weight settle in the pit of her stomach.
"I... do not wish to be without. I wish to have him. Only him. Now and..." Her gaze, now firm in her resolve, lowered to the horizon. "Now and forever. For good and ill."
A smile graced Lindy's lips at Signum's words. "And what of a family? Do you want one of your own?"
This gave Signum pause. A family. A family of her own. She may already be a part of a loving and warm family. But the notion of creating her own with Yuuno... She did not have an immediate answer. It was not something she had thought about. The concept of being a... mother. Of having children to call her own. Never before had the idea crossed her mind. "I... I am unsure. I have not considered it before."
"So long as you do better than I and start thinking about it now. I know quite a few couples who are perfectly content with no children. I just think it would be better for you to think about it before you get married is all." She and Clyde had actually not even considered the idea of children until Chrono came along. And tragedy had ended their plans to give their son more siblings. Perhaps if they'd thought ahead... Asked those questions... No, it's in the past now. She's moved on and raised a wonderful son.
Signum nodded, deep in thought. There was so much she had never considered. She had been living more in the moment than considering the future. It brought a measure of shame to her countenance to realize how short sighted she'd been. And not only in regards to her own feelings. but Yuuno's as well. At the very least, she now had something to think about. A set of destinations to choose. And with those destinations, she could plan.
Suddenly, she did not feel so... unnerved of the future.
Lindy stood to give the pondering Knight time to think, but was stopped before she could leave by Signum's grateful voice. "Thank you Lindy. I appreciate what you've done for me. I believe... I will be able to find my answer now."
"It was no trouble at all." Lindy's motherly smile made her eyes glimmer with warmth and no small amount of mischief. "I'll leave you be. And thank you again for dinner."
Signum returned the smile and nodded, turning her gaze back up to the stars.
As Lindy reentered the house, complete with it's riotous level of noise, she could not help the long suppressed grin any longer. It split her face in a catlike manner. Oh, the look on her son's face when he hears about this~
As for the pink haired knight beneath the starlight, she had a great deal on her mind.
To cling to the idea of normalcy would likely only invite disaster.
To expect experience to guide and trump inexperience was folly.
She needed time. Time to speak with Yuuno. To question and affirm what they were. What they could become. And she could not simply wait for the right opportunity to present itself. The longer it went on, the worse it could become. She would strike out of her own accord, force open a path, and find out what sort of future they could make.
Lindy had given her questions and no answers to them, only a frame of reference from what her own life had been like. Signum could draw no conclusions from such a reference. As a Belkan Knight, she knew only blood, war, and death. As Lady Hayate's Knight, she had known the warmth of a home and a loving family. Now? Now she had the chance to make her own family with the man she had come to discover love for. Somehow it was more terrifying to consider some of the easiest parts had already passed by and only the truly difficult trials lay ahead than it was to consider what failure would entail.
A failure she did not wish to experience.
But she could only ensure such a failure would not be guaranteed if she made time to talk to Yuuno. Damn her schedule, she would grasp the future with both hands no matter what.
A determined smile graces her lips as she stares heavenward. "Prepare yourself Yuuno Scrya, our greatest battle has yet to come..."
-SCENE BREAK-
The small sphere of light flew across the back yard at great speed, appearing like a miniature comet to the casual observer. Its path was intercepted by a small hand which then hurled the ball back from whence it came with a flick of the wrist and a shout of effort. The tiny figure's grin faded to shock and irritation as its assault was caught and caught and sent right back.
Agito was so certain Zwei wouldn't have been able to catch such a fast return.
Indeed the two Unison Devices were playing a game of catch. Well, in a manner of speaking. Rather it more closely resembled a game of tennis or even pong. A pair of barriers had been erected behind each and both were attempting to hurl the sphere of magic past the other and into the wall they defended. A strike was worth a point and a broken barrier worth three.
It was a fun game which doubled as a training exercise for control and power. The former being something the fiery redhead appeared to be in considerable need of. Assuming the score of four to twenty-seven was to be believed.
A crash and a shout of indignation.
Thirty.
Rather than continue the clearly one-sided game, Zwei paused and called out to her friend. Normally she fared much better than this. Even in her most foul of moods. Whatever had the fiery girl's attention was clearly beyond anything which had come before. "Agito, are you okay?"
Agito stomped her tiny foot in midair as she snapped back, "I'm fine. I'm just having a bad day, okay!" She regretted using such a caustic tone as she saw the other girl visibly flinch and hide behind her hands. It wasn't Zwei's fault she was like this. No it was the fault of her Meister and the stupid librarian. And at the moment, she wasn't sure who she ought to be more irate with.
Zwei tentatively peeked out from behind her rather ineffective hiding place. "A-Are you s-"
She was cut off as the redhead flew over to her with a growl, "No. You know what? I'm not okay! I'm freaking pissed off and I don't know who at!" Agito swept her hands to the sides before placing them on her hips in a rough manner, a tongue of flame spouting from past her lips. A surefire sign she was truly in a foul mood. It had once been theorized she would spontaneously combust if angry enough. Something Vita had been sorely tempted to test.
"Wh-Who are you so angry at? I've never seen you like this." Well, the statement was not completely true. Zwei had seen Agito's fury reach the level of apoplectic, but never had it been directed at someone specifically. As for the question of who, she had a fairly good idea if she said so herself. Which she would have had it not been potentially hazardous to her current and future well-being.
"Who else? That damned librarian and Signum!" Rarely did she refer to Signum by her name aloud, perhaps one of the few acts of proper decorum she was able to follow with regularity. She began walking in circles in midair, frustrated and irate. "First he starts taking up her time with all these sparring matches without telling me. Then she doesn't even let me go with her because she wants to test her own strength. Bull! And what the hell kind of sparring match would make someone look that satisfied!?"
Zwei could have commented, but wisely decided to let her friend continue venting.
"If it was such a damn good fight, why couldn't I come along? We're partners, right? And then, oh fun of fun, they run off to an 'archaeological dig' together. Alone. To look at rocks and old bones! Rocks and old bones! If she wanted to do that, she could have gone to a damned museum! Not to mention when they get back, she had this supremely smug and pleased expression on her face" By now she was ranting and raving, waving her hands about while a heat haze followed her every move.
Zwei would definitely have to disagree on the 'supremely smug and pleased expression' comment. They had been looking at the same woman, right? Signum had appeared a little more happy than before she had left, not to say she was unhappy at the time. It was like there was a little more of a spring in her step. The sort which would pass the notice of any who weren't truly looking for it. Plus, there were brief moments where the swordswoman appeared a slight radiant. Usually when she thought no one else was looking.
But smug?
Hardly.
Agito wasn't quite finished, though she appeared to be winding down. "And now. And now..." There was a hesitance as her fiery voice turned more subdued and worried. Almost afraid to voice the rest of her thoughts. "Now she's hiding things from me."
This gave Zwei pause. The relationship between Unison Device and its Meister was a very open one. The very nature of it made such openness practically a requirement. It took a great deal of conscious effort to hide things from one another when unisoned. Such an action could easily be taken as a lack of trust. And for someone like Agito... "What do you mean, she's hiding things from you? I don't think Signum would do something like that so simply."
Agito shook her head and scowled. "She is. There's this... thing that stands out whenever we unison. If feels like a door or a treasure chest. All locked up." She turned to Zwei and clenched her fists in a helpless anger. "Yeah, there are things we don't talk to each other about, but we've never hid anything!" A dark gleam appeared in her eyes as her voice grew low. "I bet it has to do with that librarian. It has to. He did something."
Zwei could take no more of this as she placed her hands on the other device's shoulders in a desperate motion. "Agito! Calm down. Please... calm down." Something tells her she's going be having a word or two with her elder sister soon. Well, after helping clear up a few things her friend seems to be in the dark about at the very least. "First off, err..."
"Err, what?" Now Agito was glowering at her. This certainly was off to a fine start.
"You... did ask her about it, right?" Much like Signum, Zwei had long since realized Agito had the same problem about verbosity. It just manifested in different ways. For the redhead, it came in the form of assuming things and expecting more answers to be given to her rather than digging for the information she wanted. Even Vita was better at questioning things.
"Of course I did! What do you think I am? Stupid?" The manner of her heated reply only lent more credit to Zwei's observation. "I asked her what happened on the damned trip and she smiled and said she'd had a good time."
There are times when Reinforce Zwei truly worries about her friend's intellect.
This is one of them.
"And you just left it at that?" A nod indicating such a thing should be obvious made the powder blue haired girl sigh and hang her head in resignation. "Then you don't know Signum and Yuuno are..." She trailed off as she tried to find the best descriptor which would not reduce her to a blushing mess. "...lovers?"
You could hear a pin drop in the silence which followed. And the shocked expression on Agito's face was one which would have made for a painting of legendary composition.
"WHAT!?"
Zwei had to wait for her ears to stop ringing before she could put futilely try to put a stop to another session of ranting and raving. Most of it consisting of disbelief and remarks pertaining to the now deceased Zest and Lutecia's mother. Well, at least she knows who the father is now. Hayate will be pleased. Apparently her Master had money riding on such a pairing. Though many of the more colorful remarks turned her cheeks a cherry hue.
It boggled her how someone could know so much while being so blind.
Even she was not so blind in her innocence.
However one would argue the constant presence of Yagami Hayate and having seen deep into the woman's mind would corrupt even a saint. The eroge alone was enough to make the most hardened of individuals blush.
Now the hold was reversed as Agito had grabbed Zwei by the shoulders and was shaking her, demanding answers she could have had a long time ago had she merely inquired a little further. "How? Why? When? What is going on? Is that what she's hiding?!"
Prying herself from the fire pixie's grasp, Zwei took a few moments to make the world stop spinning. "It happened by chance I think. I think only Nanoha knows when it actually stopped being sparring and started being some kind of weird dating thing. Hayate said something about the 'UST' being thicker than Zafira's skull over the phone." Shaking her head to clear up the rest of her thoughts, she crossed her arms thoughtfully. "I think they told each other how they feel on the trip and that's why things are like this now."
Agito growled slightly as she ruffled her hair. "That doesn't explain why she's hiding it from me."
Zwei could only shrug helplessly. "Maybe she wasn't ready to share it? It must be a pretty personal moment for her. She and Yuuno haven't actually told anybody yet either." Open secrets were funny like that.
It was a decent length silence which followed as the redhead chewed on what she'd been told. "Dammit. Now I feel like an idiot... I should have trusted her. But... dammit!"
"You were worried. I'd feel the same if I were in your shoes. Are you... okay with this?" There was a hesitancy in her last words. Because if things panned out like she and more than a few other hoped, then...
A nod and a snort. "Of course I'm okay with it. I just hate being in the dark. Signum deserves to be happy. I do think she could have chosen someone better than a damn bookworm though. Especially that one. He's so puny and weak."
"I think both of them would disagree with you on that." Zwei couldn't help but laugh merrily as the tension in the air began to ease. She felt a measure of amusement imagining what sort of individuals Agito was comparing Yuuno to.
"Sh-Shut up! Until I see it for myself, he's a stupid weakling who is undeserving of my Meister's affection!"
Zwei could only continue to laugh as Agito spouted denials and attacks upon Yuuno's perceived manliness.
-SCENE BREAK-
She could not help the ominous chuckle which escaped her lips as she stalked her target. There would be no hiding from her. Especially not after forcing her to wait for so long. For nearly four weeks since his return she had plotted and planned. Every possible avenue of attack was considered and taken advantage of in her quest.
Yet all of it for nought as it seemed life was fully determined to get in the way of her inquisition at each and every turn. Whether against her or against him, something always seemed to get in the way.
It was enough to drive a woman mad.
Nevertheless, Nanoha Takamachi had finally managed to divine the proper time and place where there would be no escape. No convenient shield to protect him from her.
Yes, she would finally ferret out some answers from Yuuno.
Hopefully without the use of terrible puns.
Stealthy footsteps brought Nanoha to the massive doors of his office. She'd not risk him hearing her approach in any way. How else would she get the drop on him? While many would consider this course of action childish, many were not her. And she would thoroughly enjoy seeing the shocked look on his face.
She blames Hayate for this, she really does. Such a bad influence the Mistress of the Tome was. But who is she to complain now? Such teasing and sneaking was fun.
With years of experience, Nanoha gently nudges open one of the doors. Just a crack. Just a sliver so she might see inside and catch sight of her quarry. Lo and behold, there rests her target. The Head Librarian seemed fast asleep at his desk, head down upon an open tome and a pen still held in one hand.
It would seem he's overworked himself. Again.
Well, given what he's found recently and the general chaos which sprung up in the wake of his discovery, it's to be somewhat expected. He was rewriting more historical data than anyone could have ever imagined possible. It was like he'd found the Belkan equivalent of the Rose Rock. Or something to like that. History wasn't her greatest subject, after all. Though if she didn't know Signum was just as busy as the snoozing blonde, she'd have given the swordswoman a piece of her mind about letting her boyfriend work himself to exhaustion.
Now there had been a fun little development.
From her initial discovery of what had seemed to be a brutal and sexually charged series of battles to her revealing talk with Fate, Nanoha could not say she didn't see such a development coming. It didn't make it any less of a shock, however. Theory, no matter how well founded, could still surprise you when it turned into reality. Especially when it came to the love lives of her friends.
Now if only those two weren't the only ones being interesting.
Everyone else in a relationship was becoming predictable. Is this the sort of irritation Hayate feels when nothing of interest is going on? Something tells her she's allowing the woman to have just a bit too much influence on her life.
However, she can contemplate these thoughts later. She has a duty to perform. The duty of the previous girlfriend and current best friend to tease, torment, and find good natured amusement in her former magic instructor.
The doors opened just far enough for Nanoha to slip in undetected and with as little noise as possible. A task made far easier considering how well taken care of they were. The doors made barely a sound as they moved. Had she a hat, she would have tipped it to the maintenance crews for a job well done.
Now then, she has a certain Scrya to wake~
Nanoha's light footsteps were barely audible as she prowled the room, stalking ever closer to the sleeping Yuuno whilst weaving through the piles of parchment and mounds of codices and tomes. It did not take her long to cross the distance and circle around to the other side of his desk. Though there was a close call when her hip bumped a particularly large stack of tomes, fortunately she managed to catch it in time. Fortunately for her, that is.
Fighting back a giggle, the White Devil leaned over to get a better look at Yuuno. His sleeping face was just as cute as ever. Taking the end of her long reddish brown tresses in hand, she carefully began to tease the sleeping man with it. Beginning with his cheeks, Nanoha began to tickle him ever more dangerously with her silky mane as she moved about from his nose to his ear.
She was not disappointed as Yuuno began to stir and mumble, vainly trying to ward off his assailant with meager movements and sleepy, unintelligible mutterings. This was always fun. Too bad she never really had a chance to do so lately. And now it might be considered inappropriate. Perhaps she ought to tell Signum about this little game. The knight certainly had the hair for it and such a fun technique shouldn't be lost to the ages. Yes, she would definitely give the pink haired woman proper instruction on this.
Well, she can't play with him forever.
Moving aside some papers and books, Nanoha hops up to take a seat on Yuuno's desk. The action produces enough noise and motion to finally wake the tuckered out librarian. She chuckles as he looks about for his glasses and the source of the disturbance. He didn't really have to look far. "Good morning sleepyhead."
Yuuno finally managed to secure his glasses and get a proper look at who was sitting on his desk. Granted, the voice alone was enough to tell him right off, but humans tend to be visual creatures. "Nanoha?" He blinked in slight confusion as he gathered his wits. He couldn't recall her saying she'd stop by. Then again, Nanoha does as Nanoha is wont to do.
"How many times have we all told you to stop overworking yourself?" The rebuke is stern, but well-worn and friendly. If she were to take the time and count up the actual number, it would easily exceed the hundreds. She crossed her legs as she smiled down at him.
The blonde yawned and stretched, feeling his back pop rather loudly, before grinning. "Far too many times to count. I've been so busy lately that I've barely had time to eat." Which is unfortunately, not exactly an exaggeration.
Nanoha nodded in a manner resembling a resigned agreement. "So has everyone else. Just the the day, Fate was called out not five minutes after walking in the door. It's crazy." Her despondent expression turns to one of mirth and teasing, eliciting a slightly nervous look from her friend, but to her enjoyment. "However~"
"However...?" A raised eyebrow accompanied the questioning reply.
"That's no excuse for you to not be sweeping Signum off her feet, now is it?" A softness had joined her expression as she delivered the second rebuke of the day to Yuuno. She and Yuuno had stalled and hit a wall they could not overcome in their attempt at a serious relationship. The woman did not want to see a similar thing happen to him again.
Yuuno blinked before smiling with a mixture of resignation and amusement. No one could hide anything from Takamachi Nanoha. Well, perhaps Hayate. But Hayate is some kind of monstrous being, so he's not so sure it counts. He shouldn't be surprised Nanoha knows about Signum and himself. Even if they'd not gone out of their way to announce it, they hadn't hidden it either. The gargantuan piles of work they both suffered had made contact limited. It did not help their relationship was not exactly standard and neither were the most eloquent of individuals. How he longed for a chance to even just sit down with Signum for a short time and enjoy her company.
Loving glances and the brushing of fingers as they passed on another could only sate them for so long at this stage.
Theirs was a love borne from fire and battle. He supposed this would be the quenching process before it was returned to the forge. The thought did not make it much more bearable.
He shook his head before looking up at Nanoha. "No, it's not. I just wish we had time. Even if one of us managed some free time, the other ends up being stuck with some task they can't get away from." It was truly maddening. A sentiment he had little doubt Signum shared. Yuuno set his chin on his palm with a grimace. "I haven't even had the chance to take her out on a proper date yet."
Nanoha gave a sympathetic wince. "And I bet even less of a chance for one of your battles either." A despondent nod confirmed her words. Ouch. Such was the downside of having such busy and high profile jobs. One might think Yuuno, being the Head of the Infinity LIbrary, could just take time off whenever. Unfortunately it was not so. He had so much on his plate there was little chance to actually use the accumulated vacation time. He, and many of their friends, was not one to simply drop everything on a whim for a little R&R or even some personal time.
No matter how much they wished they could at times.
The brunette adopted a melancholy expression as she looked up to the ceiling, her thoughts awash in memories. "Remember what happened to us? The proverbial wall we hit?" The wall they had struck and been unable to surpass had been one of their own making. There had indeed been a genuine love between the two. One which could have taken them to a great and wonderful future. But their nemesis had been time. A nemesis they could have surpassed had they not built the wall, brick by brick, with their own hands.
Yuuno looked down at the surface of his desk, recalling all too vividly what Nanoha was referring to. "Yeah... We were awkward childhood friends and tried to become something more. And that was even more awkward sometimes." It was a great understatement. Things had been clumsy and terribly confusing for the couple, but they had managed to persevere and take it as far as they had. "We just... didn't make time for each other. Not the right kind of time, anyways."
They'd set aside time which was convenient.
Not time which took effort and work.
"We were young, dumb, and workaholics. So we took the easy route." Nanoha's melancholy spread further into her voice. The easy route is rarely ever the good route. Especially in a relationship. "Well, we're still workaholics, but we should know better by now. I just don't want what happened to us to happen to the two of you. I don't want you or Signum to wake up one day next to someone you don't recognize."
Both would readily admit later on they had been running on the momentum they'd built up as children during the death defying escapades which had made up a good portion of their younger years. But momentum runs out. And by the time they started to lose it, neither were the same people they'd been when they'd set out on their path. People change as they grow up. Sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. But when it came down to it, Nanoha had still been in love with the young boy from her childhood and Yuuno the little girl from his youth. They hadn't grown to love the people they had become because they simply hadn't been able to make the time to do so.
They had worked and worked and worked, not seeing the changed they'd undergone whenever they'd met. Only seeing themselves still as the awkward and loving couple they had used to be.
Yuuno could only nod, knowing just how true Nanoha's words were. "At the very least we made some precious memories." But memories alone cannot give a couple the momentum to make a future.
The realization of the insurmountable roadblock had been a stunning one. One which had left them dumbfounded and heartbroken. There was no magic solution. No mystical fix-all. No special tape they could use to put themselves back together. There was still love. A great love between them which would never burn out. But it was not the sort of love which belonged to lovers, rather it was the sort which belonged to friends. Friends and nothing more.
Nanoha chuckled despite the somber mood. "We sure did, didn't we..."
They sat in silence for a short time, reminiscing upon their youth and the follies within. Neither would ever regret the time they'd had together. There was indeed some regret over how life had panned out afterwards, but they are only human. But they still had their own futures to look forward to.
The increasingly gloomy mood was shattered when Nanoha took it upon herself to get back on track and go about her original purpose. "So, what exactly happened on that little trip~?" Her tone was so catty, so teasing, Yuuno could not help but recoil slightly and blush.
"N-Nothing!" Yuuno's gut reaction did little to placate the White Devil. A statement made quite obvious by the playful narrowing of her eyes.
"Hmm~?" Yes, she's definitely been too greatly influenced by Hayate. "Nothing doesn't make a couple. Nor does it suddenly clear up a massive amount of... tension." She could tell quite readily what had happened on the excavation. It was hard not to. But she wanted her fun in making Yuuno talk.
Yuuno coughed and tried to compose himself. She was getting much better at throwing him off balance. And at a far faster rate than he could adapt, no less. Still, Nanoha wanted him to say it and she wasn't going to relent until he did. There was no place he could run or hide even if he wanted to. With a sigh and warm smile, he confessed, "We told each other how we felt. We love each other and we want to see where this will go. Even if we did get off to a really bizarre start." He chuckled at the end, feeling a lightness in his heart.
For her part, Nanoha looked rather pleased. But Yuuno wasn't done as he held her gaze. "But I'm actually a little concerned about how you feel about this whole thing."
The brunette tilted her head in mild confusion. "How I feel?"
A nod. "Yeah. Signum told me about that talk you had with her before we left. I wanted to speak with you about it, but, well..." He trailed off, gesturing to the piles of work splayed about the office.
Nanoha's mouth opened in an expression of recognition. "Ahh. Ahahaha... Yeah, I was pretty worried about you. No one had said anything and suddenly I'm watching you and Signum looking like you're trying to kill each other." She held up a hand before Yuuno could respond. "It was a side of you I'd never seen and I honestly thought Signum was trying to use you as some sort of plaything."
The shocked look on Yuuno's face told her he hadn't really thought about it in such a manner.
"I was afraid I was going to lose you. That she would break you or you'd go too far and never return." The smile on her face was a little awkward and embarrassed. "Even if we're not lovers anymore, we're still best friends."
Running a hand through his hair, Yuuno looked apologetic. "I'm sorry. I should have said something."
Nanoha waved him off with a more relaxed smile. "You didn't think you were doing anything wrong. And you don't have to be held accountable to me." Her expression turned stern for a moment as she continued. "But you do know who you do need to be held accountable to."
Yuuno nodded, a similar expression gracing his own features. "Myself. ...And Signum." If he could not hold himself accountable for his actions, then how could he do the same for Signum. He was responsible for his every action. They reflected upon himself and now the woman he had fallen in love with.
"So there is more than book smarts in that cranium of yours." The return of the brunette's amused smile eased the once more increasingly somber mood which had begun to settle. "Now use those smarts to figure out what you need to do next." Left unsaid was the reminder of what they'd lost. If he couldn't, he and Signum were doomed to share the same fate as he'd shared with her. Nanoha did not wish for one of her dear friends to suffer in such a way a second time.
"Yeah, I will. If I screw this up, a Starlight Breaker will be the least of my concerns." His grin was simple in its slight teasing, green eyes showing a sliver of mischief as he replied in a mix of good humor and warm sincerity.
Crossing her arms, Nanoha pouted even as she approved of his response. "I don't use that to solve all my problems, you know."
He didn't let the chance slide. "No, just most of them." The impotent growl she gave made him laugh. His grin sobered into a friendly smile. "Still, thanks for watching out for us and for kicking my head back into working order."
She smiled as she reached over and mussed his hair. "What are friends for?" With a hop off the desk, Nanoha stood and swung around behind Yuuno's chair. "Now..." Her slender arms snaked around the blonde's shoulder, holding him in his seat.
"Nanoha?" He did not like the tone she used. It sent a chill down his spine. And not the good sort. Not good at all.
The White Devil's grin became one fit to match her title. "Tell me~ Were you rough or gentle with her~?"
Even as the conversation devolved into sputters, laughs, and teasing, Yuuno was making plans. Plans for the future. He would not make the same mistake twice. Mistakes he surely would have repeated had Nanoha not made her impromptu visit and reminded of what had been lost.
This was not convenience. This was not simple R&R. He was in love with Signum Yagami and he would make sure to not let this chance slip from his fingers. No matter how hard he had to work to do so, he would do it with a smile on his face and in his heart.
He had to start somewhere. And the fact he'd yet to take the lovely Knight of the Sword out on a proper date seemed to be a good one. There they could talk. There they could do as he had not in the past. He refused to allow this to be lost without a fight. A fight he would put everything he had into it. He would bleed himself dry if needed and then some.
No longer would he sit by and wait for the first move. He could wait until the end of time for Signum to approach him and break this state of existence if she was so inclined. But not now. Not again. He would make the first move.
He wanted to be a sword.
It was time for him to act like it.
A glint of intent filled his eyes as a very specific plan began to form. A plan which he could not accomplish on his own. He would miss something vital or trip himself up at the worst possible moment if he attempted this venture on his own. He folded his hands in front of his face as he spoke. "Nanoha, may I ask for your help with something?"
As the White Devil listened, she began to grin in a manner which could almost be considered wicked.
It looks like Arf is going to be pulling overtime again.
-CHAPTER END-
-OMAKE-
As her heart fights away the darkness and fear, she places a hand atop his and nods with a small smile. "I as well. I just... I need time. Time to come to grips with this. To understand everything." A rare sliver of mirth slips into her voice. "Unlike you who has plundered the innocence of so many fair maidens, I am still pure of heart."
Yuuno nearly fell over at the taunt. "I didn't 'plunder' anything!"
"Takamachi asked when you would next set sail for the high seas."
"Wha-?"
"And Testarossa said to be a bit more gentle the next time you shiver her timbers."
"I-!"
"Hayate showed me the eyepatch."
"..."
"..."
"...She really showed you the eyepatch"
"She was quite disappointed when you would not let her dress up in the cabin boy outfit."
"It wasn't done yet. Nanoha told her that."
"Understandable. Now then, I believe you have a first mate's booty to plunder?
"Eh?"
The return home was delayed for a few more days.