Magical Atoner Lyrical Alicia

Chapter 27

Olivia Fiat was sitting across from Nene Scaglietti at Arisugawa's Locket that night, both women more than a bit buzzed. "Did you tell her?" Qlivia asked tipsily. "About You Know Who," she added cheerfully.

Both knew they were discussing Vivio and Einhart, but didn't use the names. That much security was possibly a bit paranoid, but why take chances? "Oh hell no," Nene said, "I don't want Colonel Signum angry at me."

"She's not THAT bad," Olivia said loyally.

Nene just LOOKED at her. "She's a THOUSAND YEAR OLD UBER WARRIOR. She could crush me like a bug," Nene pointed out.

"You like her don't you?" Olivia realized.

Nene blushed pinkly, "DO NOT."

"You totally want her to order you around, huh?" Olivia teased.

"No, thank you. There's someone else that I'm interested in," Nene started to say, then she quickly shut up.

Olivia raised her eyebrow, "Oooh, Ms Aston-Martin?"

"Argh," Nene groaned. "PLEASE don't tell her," she sighed.

"Why? Olivia blinked.

"Embassy rules," Nene shook her head, "bosses can't date staff."

"I forgot," Olivia blinked owlishly.

"Besides, I don't think she's interested in me, anyway," Nene added.

Olivia offered, "You never know..."

Nene flagged down a staffer for more beer. "Are you on duty tomorrow?" she checked with the other woman.

"Nope. The Boss said she has errands to run," Olivia said cheerfully.

"Well, let's drink up then," Nene poured her another glass from the fresh pitcher, "hopefully nothing else happens..."

"Don't SAY that. You'll jinx us!" Olivia said.

"Yeah yeah," Nene shook her head. Then hiccuped.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Alicia Testrarossa's device Bardiche told her gruffly, "We have received a message from the Midchilde Embassy."

"Drat," Alicia muttered.

The Hinata Inn was quiet that morning, and Alicia had just gotten up and dressed. She had been debating using the hot springs, then maybe meeting up with Subaru later...

"Display message," Alicia ordered.

"Yes Sir," Bardiche responded, showing the text in a holograph.

It was a simple request to meet at Crystal Tokyo's Library, a time, and a note that there would be others there. "Probably Signum," Alicia sighed, shaking her head. "What do they want NOW?" she wondered aloud.

"Unknown," Bardiche paused, "Suggestion: Ask Subaru to accompany."

"Good idea," Alicia agreed. She didn't think Signum would try to grab her, and as far as she knew she was OK with Mid... but why take chances?

Later that afternoon, Subaru and Alicia were walking to the Library entrance. "I called Erika and the others," Subaru noted, "if something happens, they'll come."

"Thanks," Alicia said, "though I don't think they'll try anything again."

"I really don't trust Aston-Martin," Subaru said darkly.

"Hmm," Alicia nodded slightly.

"Miss Testarossa," one of the holographic guides for the Library popped in, "Miss Yagami. Your party is waiting in room 212B."

"Thank you," Subaru said.

Raising Heart chirped. "There are teleport blocks and scanner baffles in play," she noted.

"So our friends can't teleport in," Subaru didn't sound happy.

"True, but if something does comes up we can bust ourselves out if we have to," Alicia said to her firmly.

They reached the room, the door swishing open automatically revealing Signum, Veronica and two women they didn't know.

"Can I just point out the teleport and scanner blocks make me a bit nervous, considering you tried to jump me last year," Alicia noted to Signum forcefully.

Both Signum AND Veronica looked sheepish, while the other two looked faintly amused. The woman with long, light brown hair noted, "But you came anyway."

"I figure we can fight our way out if we have to," Alicia said dryly.

The silver haired woman smiled, "She reminds me of Fate."

Veronica QUICKLY jumped in, "The security measures were for our two friends here, not to entrap you."

"Oh?" Subaru looked dubious.

Signum then said, "Alicia, I'd like to introduce your niece, Vivio Takamachi-Stratos, and her wife, Einhart Stratos-Takamachi."

Alicia looked stunned, "WHAT."

"Please don't faint," Vivio said as she saw Alicia pale and sway a bit, stunned.

"Got you," Subaru grabbed Alicia's arm. She scowled at the others, "A little warning, maybe?!"

"Sorry," Einhart said sheepishly.

Alicia shook herself, "I'm okay." She looked at Vivio searchingly, "I tried to find you after I first arrived, but you disappeared."

"Long story," Vivio sighed.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Vivio decided she liked Alicia, though it was a bit of a weird experience. She knew from talking to Fate-momma that she had effectively started as a 'copy' of Alicia, so obviously they'd be similar. But the young woman was also different in various surprising ways.

Signum and Veronica had excused themselves, wanting to give them some time alone.

"So can I call you Auntie?" Vivio teased.

"Oh, this is SO strange," Alicia shook her head, laughing.

"Auntie-in-law," Einhart chuckled.

Alicia snorted.

They had, of course, skeptched in why both Vivio and Einhart had disappeared. The young woman seemed very understanding, though her friend was giving them a look.

"And you're Hayate-san's descendant?" Vivio asked curiously.

"Ah, yes," Subaru replied, then blinked. "I'm still digesting you KNEW our revered Great-something Grandmother." she admitted.

"It's a little odd, I admit," Einhart conceded.

"It's sad that Hayate gave up the Book to give Reinforce a separate existence," Vivio noted.

Subaru brightened, "I've met Reinforce-sama. She's surprisingly nice, actually."

"Can I admit I'm a bit irked you didn't contact me for a year?" Alicia admitted.

"That's fair," Vivio conceded willingly. "In my defence, I wasn't sure I should contact you, and it's a bit odd to us too, as you're a twin to Fate-momma."

"Point," Alicia conceded.

"I DID suggest this stick in the mud should contact you," Einhart noted and added, "she's stubborn though."

"Einhart," Vivio whined.

Alicia laughed warmly.

Subaru looked thoughtful, "Will contacting us put you in danger? I mean, assuming there are people looking for you."

Vivio shook her head, "It's a chance I'm willing to take, I think. Besides, we have the assistance of Usagi-chan, too."

"Usagi-chan?" Alicia blinked.

"You call the QUEEN that?" Subaru choked.

Vivio grinned and shrugged, "We have known her for nearly a thousand years, after all."

Alicia shook her head, "THAT is going to take some getting used to, too."

Einhart and Vivio exchanged glances then Vivio asked, "Would you like to grab dinner, or something? I'd like to talk a bit longer."

"I'd like that," Alicia agreed, "can Subaru come too?"

"Certainly," Einhart agreed.

To be continued...

Notes: As far as the 'canon' Nanoha stuff, I'm using all the anime series, but ignoring the manga FORCE. Because other than the art, it sucked. Sorry, FORCE fans.

At this point, I am assuming Nanoha, Fate and Hayate are long dead. ADMITTEDLY, I might change that if a story idea I like hits me. I also need to figure out if I want Reinforce to appear.

Magical Atoner Lyrical Alicia

Chapter 28

"You use Disguise Pens from Queen Serenity?" Subaru blinked in surprise.

"Yup," Vivio held it up as she noted, "we could just use our devices, but these put out less of an energy signature."

"Oh," Alicia blinked, "that makes sense."

"Make my hair red!" "Make my hair black!" both used the pens.

They then left the meeting room and joined Veronica. "If you don't mind," the woman said briskly, "I'll leave you four to get to know each other."

"Certainly," Einhart nodded.

A bit reluctantly Alicia told Veronica, "Thank you for arranging this meeting."

"Your welcome," Veronica nodded. Mildly she added, "Maybe you'll trust me a bit more, from now on?"

"Don't hold your breath," Subaru muttered as she left.

"Issues?" Vivio asked curiously once Veronica was gone.

"Something from when we first met," Alicisa admitted as she explained, while the group headed out from the library.

"THEY TRIED TO HACK BARDICHE?!"

Both Vivio and Einhart were upset, interestingly enough. Which made sense, considering it was an heirloom belonging to an adopted mother of one of them...

"Not hack so much as fiddle with his settings," Vivio noted.

"Still!" Vivio looked personally offended.

"And she held back info when she told us about what's been going on with the Saint Church," Subaru added.

Einhart made a face, "Trust me, we keep a VERY close eye on that sort of thing."

"That's understandable," Alicia agreed.

"But yes, I intend to talk to the Ambassador about that later," Vivio murmured darkly.

"Okay, enough seriousness for now," Einhart changed the subject as she continued, "let's go get something to eat."

"Yeah!" the other three agreed.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Uggggh," Alicia woke up the next morning in her room at the Hinata Inn.

"Hmm," a voice murmured from nearby.

Alicia froze. Very carefully she rolled over, then blinked as she saw Subaru sprawled out beside her in her bed.

Subaru flopped over on her back, giving a soft snore.

Alicia realized she was in a nightie, and Subaru was in t-shirt and panties, so probably nothing happened. She also noticed the sun was high in the sky, meaning they'd probably slept in. "Bardiche," she ordered, "time?"

"Nine twenty AM, ma'am," the Device noted.

"Thank you," Alicia sighed. 'Yup, slept in.' she thought, then reached over to shake Subaru, "Wake up."

"Mom, five more minutes...," Subaru muttered sleepily.

Alicia chuckled, remembering saying that to her own mother, then shook her again firmly. "Subaru, it's time to wake up," she said.

With a groan Subaru opened her eyes, then looked around her in confusion. "Alicia?" she asked, clearly not remembering how she got there.

"We were out so late with Vivio and Einhart," Alicia noted, "you called your parents for permission and we crashed here."

Subaru sat up, her messy hair fell in her eyes as she blinked owlishly. "Right, right," she shook her head.

As Alicia got up she noted, "You could borrow some of my clothes, if you need..."

"You're taller and thinner than I," Subaru noted. She looked thoughtfully, "I can just have Raising Heart create a Barrier Jacket for now."

"That works," Alicia agreed, "let's dip in the hot springs, then get breakfast."

"Hmm," Subaru nodded agreeably. She tilted her head to the side, "Did Vivio and Einhart go home or...?"

"Morning!" came cheerfully from outside.

"I guess they got a room here," Alicia chuckled, recognizing the voice outside.

After Alicia threw on a robe and leant one to Subaru, they went out to find the manager, Yoko, talking to Vivio and Einhart. "Morning," Einhart waved as they entered the common room.

"You didn't tell me you had a niece," Yoko addressed Alicia cheerfully, the redhead in a VERY skimpy bikini and shorts.

"Time travel thing," Alicia said, "long story."

"Ah," Yoko clearly wasn't even phased by that. It was probably she'd heard weirder.

"Slept well?" Subaru asked the two older women politely.

"Yeah, we pretty much crashed," Vivio agreed cheerfully.

"I was thinking we could all hit the hot springs, then get something for breakfast," Alicia suggested.

"Lets," Einhart agreed.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Una Scaglietti banged open her big sister's door, "UP AND AT EM!"

Nene and a strange lady were curled up in bed together, naked.

"Oops," Una shut the door again, despite having woke both women up.

"What the heck...?" Olivia Fiat blinked.

"Argh," Nene groaned as she sat up beside her. "Sorry. My Mom clearly decided to send my sis to wake me," she explained.

"I am SO hung over," Olivia winced visibly.

"Sorry. I did warn you, I think," Nene noted.

Olivia picked up her Device, "Medical mode."

"Yes ma'am," it glowed.

"Oh, that's better," Olivia sighed.

"Wimp," Nene teased, getting out of bed and looking for her clothes.

"What did we do last night?" Olivia asked as she dressed.

"You don't remember? I'm hurt," Nene pouted.

Olivia just gave her a LOOK.

Nene chuckled, "I thought about just dumping your drunk ass at a hotel, but I took pity on you and took you home."

"Ah. Thank you," Olivia said sheepishly.

"Come on, let's get some breakfast... and my Mom will probably grill you," Nene said cheerfully.

"Oh joy," Olivia chuckled.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"It's been really good meeting you," Vivio hesitated, clearly wanting to go for a hug but seeing that Alicia looked really uncomfortable.

Alicia reached out and took her hands, squeezing gently. "Me too," she agreed, "and let's stay in touch, huh?"

"I promise," Vivio agreed.

"If she doesn't call, I'll nag her," Einhart added warmly.

Vivio pouted while Alicia chuckled.

"It's been an honor to meet both of you," Subaru added, still a bit star struck at meeting them.

"It's been fun," Vivio agreed as the two women teleported out.

"Phew," Alicia puffed out a breath.

"You okay?" Subaru asked gently.

:I just had a niece I thought was long dead pop up to say hello...," Alicia made a face. "It's been a weird two days."

"Ok, fair enough," Subaru conceded.

"AND we have school tomorrow," Alicia sighed.

"There there," Subaru patted her shoulder. "Wanna work together getting homework done?"

"Please," Alicia groaned.

To be continued...

Notes: I haven't mentioned devices much. I assume they're not heavily in use on Earth...