2014-09-06 - A Magical Date!
| Title: A Magical Date! | |
|---|---|
| Summary: Endo and Ren finally go on their date! But Fate shows up to possibly ruin it! Thankfully, Nanoha and Lera are there to stop her! A single bush is harmed in the process. | |
| Who: Endo Naoki, Fate Testarossa, Lera Camry, Nanoha Takamachi, and Ren Aizawa | |
| Where: Tomoeda Theme Par | |
| OOC - IC Date: 9/6/2014 - 9 March 2014 | |
<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
It's here! It's finally here! A nice stress-free Sunday at the amusement park serves as the backdrop for...
DRUMROLL
A SUPER COOL AND ROMANTIC MAGICAL DATE!
FANFARE
Ren is pretty excited. She walks along with Endo, both arms wrapped around one of his as she tries to keep herself from launching off into space. She's got her eyes glued to the various attractions before them, wondering where they should go first. Part of her wants to start dragging him to the different attractions. But that wouldn't be very fair to him! So she instead waits for him to ask if she has any preference. That way she can make suggestions without coming off as overbearing. Ren's still getting to know Endo in a "more-than-just-friends" sort of way. This date has to be /perfect/...
<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Endo, of course, has set the day aside to go running around the park with Ren. Which is more enjoyable than work, but will probably be no less exhausting in the long run. Still, he can't complain that much. He's even dressed a little nicer than usual, but nothing too fancy.
He's also been summarily distracted by food upon arrival, and has been occupying his Ren-free hand with a chunk of grilled squid on a stick. There's lots of chewing involved, tentacles stretching as his teeth attempt to tear bits of it off.
He also knows Ren is probably holding herself back from dragging him in a dozen different directions, like usual. Eventually, though, he has to give in. "I think Ren-san," He begins, pausing his efforts at squid consumption, "Is the kind of person who likes to ride the roller coaster the most."
<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (3)] has posed.
Meanwhile, while a super special and momentous occasion of a MAGICAL DATE is in the beginning stages, someone else is here at the theme park. Well it's a public place, so why not right? Actually, in regards to young Nanoha Takamachi of Infinity Institute's grade 3 is present. She has no clue Endo and Ren are here, and she certainly has no clue there's anything special about the day. She's actually here waiting for someone else. No, it's not Arisa and Suzuka, Arisa is still not talking with her, a fact that makes the girl sigh lightly as she flops onto a bench to slurp at her soda. It's not SO bad though. Things have been quiet lately; at least for her which means the girl is... Gasp... Rested and in a good mood! Hooray~.
<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [None] has posed.
Mystical Algorithms danced in Fate's head. Equations and formulas that represented all the intricacies of Midchildan magic that she had been taught. And yet, even for all of her talent, her skill, and her training none of it seemed adequate to the task of finding every single Jewel Seed. It had been some time since she'd last detected one, and as the days dragged on, she could only imagine her mother becoming more impatient upon her throne in another dimension.
Lidding her eyes, she murmured softly, "I'm sorry that I'm taking so long, Mother." A gloved hand drifted up from a mystical display, to rub at her cheek. "I promise I'll make you happy, the way you used to be."
Something changes, and she suddenly she sees the solution more clearly. Scarlet eyes open with iron determination and complete focus as she imposes her magic upon the area search. Talent, skill, training. Those things hardly matter compared to certain emotions, which came from the heart.
<SIR. JEWEL SEED DETECTED.> Chimed the smoothest of Intelligent Devices, as Fate checked the coordinates on the magical grid. "It's signature is very faint." A beat, "It must be sealed away."
<YES SIR. YOU WILL NEED TO GET CLOSER TO PINPOINT IT.>
Bardiche hadn't even finished his suggestion, before she felt the wind in her hair, her cape dancing behind her as she started to fly across the Tokyo skyline towards the more rural Tama, trailing yellow sparkles...
In the distance, she sees the colorful rollercoasters running upon her track filled with screaming, enthusiastic people who look like mere specks from up here. Some small, repressed part of her wishes she could join in on the fun, but she had a mission, and things like fun didn't even enter into the equation.
<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
The person that Nanoha is waiting for is none other than the fabulous American, Lera Camry! The ninth grader waves a hand at the younger girl, before she walks closer, and sits down on the bench too. "Hello, Nanoha-san!" she says, brightly, and then she looks around. Amusement parks are fun, though she has to fret about the looming threat of finals. She keepsall of that inside for the moment. "Thanks for meeting me here. This place looks pretty fun, huh?"
She pauses, before she catches something -- a glint, a sense of foreboding. Her eyes widen. "Nanoha-san," she says immediately after, voice falling into a whisper. "Keep quiet and look out, but isn't that..."
With a deadly serious look on her face, she points a ways across the park, at where Ren is hanging onto Endo's arm. Lera feels a swell of pride and maybe a little jealousy. "...they're on a /date/!"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
Ren giggles. "Really? Well, I /do/ think rollercoasters are pretty fun..." Though so are ferris wheels! And there happens to be a big one right there in front of them. "But maybe we could start off a bit slower and work our way up?" She points to the gigantic wheel, making her intention to ride it known. "Besides. You just ate! You might get sick if we go on something fast before your food has settled." Sage nod. Even on a magical date Ren can't help but point out stuff like that.
"Come on!" Annnd the dragging commences. What? Endo totally opened himself up to it! He has no one to blame for this but himself. B|
Oh, Nanoha and Lera are here! But Ren totally doesn't notice them. Nope.
<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Endo squints at Ren, like he doesn't quite believe her. He's pretty sure she likes roller-coasters. The giant wheel she indicates seems satisfactory enough, though. "Ah-well, I guess we could do that. I don't get sick though, don't worry." Still, maybe it's better to play it safe. So off in that direction he goes, attempting to keep pace when Ren starts hauling him along. He loses the squid, though.
"You're too excited for a ferris wheel!" He seems to be having a good time, despite his grievances.
<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (3)] has posed.
Just a perfectly ordinary Sunday at the theme park, nothing out of the ordinary at all. Nanoha's just an ordinary little girl waiting for her completely normal, very AMERICAN schoolmate. For a good moment longer, Nanoha is actually unaware of Ren and Endo's happy little outing, and she's already beaming by the time Lera finds her. "Mm! Lera-san, hi~." Chipper as ever, and this time it's genuine. It's not until Lera's tone shifts that the pigtailed redhead is suddenly on edge, blue eyes sweeping the park before Lera indicates with much more precision where to look. "Huhhhh? That's Ren-san and um. Endo-san ri-" She is hugging on his arm. It's a sight that takes a second to parse for the little girl, before Lera very unsubtly drops the bomb of realization. Because that's America's job. For several beats of silence, she's just staring as the words sink in, more focused on the sight of the two than anything else just yet because one finger comes up to point, and her cheeks are a lot hotter than they were a second ago. "A date?!" Is what she wants to say. "Wh... Weeeeeeeeeeeeh?!!?" Is what actually comes out.
<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [None] has posed.
In the distance, something alights upon a high point in the theme park. This just so happens to be on the head of the park's mascot that kept a stately vigil above the entrance to the mirror maze. A gaggle of laughing excited children rush in by cutting through velour rope dividers below her, and she's momentarily distracted by a mother coming to the realization that her charges were escaping.
If anything, her eyes, grow more sad, before she moves on to the work ahead of her. New magical displays form, and the mighty nine year old begins her search anew. A cloud shifts, and the rays of dappled sunlight shine through, glinting off the midnight black metal of Bardiche. And just maybe, just maybe it might attract a certain elementary schooler's eye.
Yes Nanoha, that is in fact Fate standing atop a giant penguin.
<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"Wh--weeeeeeh is right, Nanoha-san!" Lera says, making a face as she looks at the two. It loos like Ren is dragging him. Ren got a boyfriend! And the boyfriend is Endo! On the one hand, she feels a swell of pride. On the other, she feels jealous because she hasn't gotten a boyfriend yet! She puts her head in her hand, and then she shakes her head. "We've gotta do something!"
The girl turns, her gold-brown eyes following after Ren and Endo curiously. A ferris wheel is certainly romantic. "We need to get closer! And watch carefully and make sure everything goes okay!"
She stands up, determined, and starts forward. "Let's go!"
And then she rushes right by a giant penguin with Fate Testarossa standing atop, because ~true love~ is on the line.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
"I like Ferris Wheels!" Ren insists as they walk up to the attendant. They're admitted into the first vacant carriage immediately, the door being closed behind them. In just a few moments the wheel is turning again, carrying them high up into the sky. Ren proceeds to rest two hands against the window as she leans forward to look out over the park. It really is a great view!
"We can see the whole park from here!" She exclaims, turning to beam at Endo. "Quick! Come see!" Because apparently Endo can't see the magnificent view she's witnessing from the window he's near. Heh heh.
<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"The Ferris Wheel doesn't seem violent enough for Ren-san." No, he's never going to let that go. Endo moves alongside the girl he's with, blissfully ignorant of both date spies and the incoming disruptor. After all, he has more important things to worry about. Like being in the sky!
"Is it?" Once in the air Endo scoots over, craning his head to peer over at Ren's side. "Yeah," He agrees somberly, "It's kind of cool. I guess I wish I could come here more often." And the company isn't bad either. What could go wrong.
<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Lera's dash to a bush to watch the date unfold is interrupted when her phone goes off. She raises a finger to indicate she will need a moment to Nanoha -- and then she ducks behind a lamp post to hide from the couple on the ferris wheel -- and answers her phone. "Oh, hi, Yukimi," she says into it. "Um, not much, um--"
She flushes red and laughs awkwardly into her phone. "Totally normal day, it's not like I'm sneaking around an amusement park watching a couple on a date because that wouldn't be weird at all, nope!"
She may be a bit.
<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (3)] has posed.
"W-wait!"
Did Lera say get CLOSER? And watch. Nanoha is nine, but even she knows when people should be afforded their privacy. And yet she finds herself chasing Lera anyway. "We can't do that! Not while they're on a date!" She argues feebly, blitzing right by the penguin. And in the chaos of a park full of excitable children and teens, somewhere in the hubbub, Nanoha loses track of Lera. And somehow ends up within TEN FEET of Ren and Endo as they're being let into the carriage. This is a terrible situation to be in. "Wah!" After a beat of wild flying panic, Nanoha does the best and first thing she can do to avoid being seen as the wheel starts to turn and prevent herself from being spotted from higher on up. Just like she was taught in Survival Club... She leaps clean into the nearest available bush.
<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [None] has posed.
<<SIR. THE JEWEL SEED IS IN THE VICINITY OF THE FERRIS WHEEL> Fate's eyes are carried forward towards the giant wheel, as she grips the haft of Bardiche firmly. "What is a Ferris Wheel, Bardiche?"
Bardiche always could come up with an answer. <THE INTERNET LISTS IT AS AN ATTRACTION MEANT FOR RECREATION.> A beat, <AND ROMANCE, SIR.>
Fate's cheeks color, just a bit. That blush recedes gradually as she sizes it up "I shouldn't destroy the Ferris Wheel if I can help it. I need to get closer and detect who has it."
Not long after, she's standing right by the bushes. Magical displays reappearing, as she looks skywards towards the occupants of the various carriages.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
"I'm not that violent!" Ren protests with a pout. Endo knows how to tease her by now. It's sweet, really. "I wish I could come here more often too!" She's completely neglected to tell Endo about the incident that occurred the last time she was here. Wouldn't want to spoil the mood. Ahem. Ren focuses in on a rollercoaster as it goes by, carrying screaming occupants. Her heart races.
Soon. Very soon.
Turning around to face Endo she leans against the window, smiling brightly. "Oh! Before we leave we should definitely play some games. I'll win you something cute like a stuffed animal."
Hah. Now it's /her/ turn to tease /him/!
<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Uh-huh." Endo agrees with a grin. It's fun to tease Ren. "Well, maybe we can come back later, if I can get some time." Time is a hard thing to find, sometimes.
Endo's head slowly leans to the side, until he's taking in the view of the window at an awkward tilt. When Ren turns to offer him a prize he makes a face at her, small eyes scrunching up in the girl's direction. "Hey, I'm really good at these kinds of games." At long as they aren't crane games. "I'm really good at throwing stuff into other stuff, you don't even stand a chance!" The grin remains, the boy making a throwing motion to help prove his point. Which looks silly, considering he doesn't have a lot of room to do it in.
Once the wheel completes its rotation he offers his hand to Ren, helping her out and back to the ground again.
<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (3)] has posed.
All Nanoha has to do is wait. Be patient. Let the wheel come around and the two get off... Then just wait a little longer for them to walk off, and conveniently apologize to Lera for losing them, so that they can enjoy their outing in peace. Blue eyes watch in breath-held silence, following that one special car the whole way around, so she can know when she finally gets to crawl out of the leaves. And then Fate Testarossa lands right in front of her. On the one hand this means Nanoha can't SEE the wheel. On the other hand... It's that girl again. Heart gripped in a chilling beat of surprise and terror as Fate begins her scan, Nanoha goes as stiff as a board, every muscle in her body tensing as she both tries to peek around the blonde and think of WHAT TO DO. Nanoha's first idea is not the best. It is ill thought out, in the panic and haste of the moment. Park goers probably won't give Fate too much mind, she's just cosplaying, right? That's why no one probably notices the arm sloooooooowly reaching from the bush... Fingers that stealthily curl around the high collar of the blonde's cape... So Nanoha can YANK Fate into the bushes with her. The ensuing scramble and flailing at her own bad idea follows after until she can get one finger in front of her lips with a pleading: "Shh! SHHHHHH!"
<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [None] has posed.
"I think it's in that carria.." Yoink! "UWWWWAAAAAEEEH!" Nanoha's boldness is rewarded with a shriek as Fate Testarossa finds herself suddenly being pulled backwards into the foliage, with leaves flying everywhere.
Having no idea what is happening, and caught flat footed, thus denying her typically huge dexterity bonus to AC, she's panic flailing almost immediately and entangling herself more and more in the fabric of her cape. She even forgets the fact that she can fly. It's probably the second time Nanoha has seen her this rattled.
She has a leaf in her mouth, and she's sputtering and just as frantically wiping the back of her glove against her mouth. It's only at that point that she sees the face of her rival, shushing her. And surprisingly, she shushes, and stops her flailing. She finishes wiping off her mouth, and takes one deep calming breath, before finally replying "I was hoping you wouldn't be here." The determination in those typically morose scarlet eyes tells the girl in the bushes with her that she probably isn't going to /stay/ quiet for very long.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
"Oh yeah? You're on!" Friendly competition is always healthy for dates, right? Ren thinks so! And apparently Endo too! So it must be alright. Clearly. "Just don't get too broken up when I beat you."
The ferris wheel ride comes to an end -- too soon if you ask her -- and she's helped off by Endo. "Alright. Rollercoaster time?" She asks, nearly bursting at the seams. "We can ride a few others things after. Then..." She points directly at him. "...It's time to face off!"
She turns, /just/ missing an eyeful of Fate thanks to Nanoha's quick thinking. But... is that bush moving? Maybe it's just the wind. Or her imagination. Hmm...
<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
It's probably just a cat or something. There's definitely nothing suspicious about that bush. Endo doesn't even pay it a second thought as he steps by, but that could be because Ren is pointing fingers in his face.
So this time he grabs her arm, and drags her toward the rollercoaster. It's not far, the cars making lots of click-click-click sounds that are punctuated by people yelling a lot. The boy heads toward the line, mentioning, "Now that I think about it, I hope this is exciting enough. I mean, you already fly around everywhere, so it probably won't be very scary."
<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (3)] has posed.
Just an ordinary bush at an ordinary fun time theme park on an ordinary date. There's nothing out of the ordinary here, it's just a cat, dog, mouse, bunny. and other bush-residing local fauna. Seriously, stop looking at the bush, it's going to get self conscious. In the scramble INSIDE the bush however, Nanoha is doing her best to keep Fate from wriggling away or getting loud. This is not as easy as it sounds, amid leaves getting in the girl's mouth, and tangling up in that cape, but by god Nanoha tries. "SHHHHH!" That one's a little louder, and makes a small park-going child beside the bush turn her head to peek into it. "This is a -bad time-." Nanoha explains quickly in an urgent hiss. And it clearly is a bad time as she tries to wriggle a bit, herself, making the tangle even worse. "If you could just please wait a little bit, for -whatever- you're doing..." She's pleading here, stealing a glance as Ren and Endo start heading for the roller coaster. Now looks like as good a time as any. "I'm going to climb out- please don't let anyone see you, I'll explain everything um... Later." Yes, later as she squirms and... "... Uh." There seems to be an issue. "... I think I'm stuck."
<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [None] has posed.
Oh well, when you put it that way Nanoha! "A bad time." Fate repeats, then nods. Obviously she is going to do the reasonable thing here and be completely understanding. "I'm sorry..." So polite and apologetic too!
A pause hangs in the air as Nanoha declares she's stuck, "...but I can't. That doesn't make the slightest bit of difference in this situation." Well nevermind then.
Fate twists, and succeeds in wiggling a booted foot out, but as she tries to stand up, she realizes.. her cape is twisted around at least a dozen branches. Wiggle. Wiggle. Squirm. Then suddenly she's motionless, completely still. "I'm stuck too."
By the look in her eyes Nanoha had best do something soon. Fate's reaction is likely to be something close to 'SHAZAM'! Either that or Bardiche is going to become the world's most overpowered weed whacker ever.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
Yeah. Totally just a cat. Onward!
She lets Endo drag her along. It's only fair after all the dragging she's done to him thus far. They queue up, the line moving pretty steadily. Looks like they'll be screeching along those tracks pretty soon at this rate!
"Oh rollercoasters are plenty exciting! I don't think my flying will put a damper on things." Or at least she hopes not. That would be a shame! "...Oh yeah, you /can't/ fly, can you? I thought all mages could to be honest, but I don't think Lera-san does either..." Curious!
Meanwhile, Souverain Heraut has detected the presence of other device-wielders in the area. Especially Bardiche. This apparently warrants some super secret device-to-device communication. <HELLO BARDICHE. HELLO RAISING HEART. WHAT BRINGS YOU HERE?> And then he addresses Fallen Stern in an even more super secret private channel. <OUR MASTERS CLEARLY SHOULD NOT BE DISTURBED. I DO NOT TRUST BARDICHE NOR HIS MASTER TO REMAIN CIVIL.>
Oh, and Soaring Sky? He's ignored. Souverain Heraut can be a bit of a jerk.
<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Lera turns her phone off -- with a press of a finger, because she has an American-style smartphone instead of a flip phone (it was her mother's advice and the best part of her cover) -- and she jogs back towards the ferris wheel. She looks around, side-to-side, for a moment. Where, she wonders, did Nanoha go? It takes her a moment before she spots the couple and her eyes go wide.
They'll see her any moment now! What does she do? What can she--
A bush. Lera takes a flying leap, and abruptly, a dissheveled fifteen year-old girl with a twig in her mouth and leaves in her hair is next to Fate and Nanoha both, with arms aound their shoulders to keep herself in one place. "Oh! Sorry," she says, "I was so lost. Oh, hello, Fate, I--"
THAT'S FATE TESTAROSSA.
Her mouth opens and she's /just/ about to shout. Clearly, someone better cover her her mouth. At the same time, someone does shout -- over the Intelligent Device radio frequency of choice. <Don't ignore me or I'll put you back in the broom closet! I will not submit myself to these childish games!>
<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
The line flows along toward the cars, providing Ren and Endo enough time to chat before being flung around at high speed. "Well-" He pauses. "I can jump really high. And sort of float, sometimes, and go up and down. I just kind of go whichever way I'm taken." Maybe one day he'll figure out how to do it properly.
Once it's their turn in line he offers to help get Ren seated, plopping down himself after. Nothing wrong around here!
Speaking of jerks: <OBSERVATION NOTED.> At least Fallen Stern didn't ignore Heraut completely? Maybe that's progress.
<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (3)] has posed.
The situation worsens with every passing second. While Nanoha is trapped in the bushes with her eternal rival, Souverain Heraut opens a comms link to Raising Heart, and things are just going miserably. At least Raising Heart is loyal enough to cover for her master, while Nanoha struggles to extricate herself from her leafy cage with Fate. <HELLO! MY MASTER IS BUSY AVERTING A DISASTER RIGHT NOW. PLEASE CONTINUE WITH YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED THEME PARK ACTIVITES AND PAY US NO MIND. THERE IS NOTHING OF URGENCY HAPPENING AT ALL AND ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IS WRONG AND PLEASE DISREGARD ALL SHRUBBERY IN SIGHT.> And then things get WORSE when Lera chooses to employ the same means of stealth as Nanoha. "LERA!" The poor bush is now extra cramped as the AMERICAN joins the two nine year olds in NOT SPYING on Ren and Endo. Thusly, in her last fit of having any good ideas at all, Nanoha does indeed do something. She claps a hand over BOTH Fate and Lera's mouths and bites hard on her own lip hoping no one heard her own blunder. To which Raising Heart further broadcasts: <WE HAVE THE SITUATION UNDER CONTROL.>
<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [None] has posed.
Fate Testarossa's infinite patience with this debacle is rewarded by a Magical Cheeseburger Propane-chan straight to the face. Bowled backwards into the gigantic bush, she finds herself even more tangled and twisted up in the foliage. Her every instinct told her to blast her way out of here except... now there were two mages. And whoever had the Jewel Seed was an unknown factor. Fate did not like those odds at all. Glaring warily at the new occupant of the bush, Fate states mildly, "Hello Magical Cheeseburger Propane Chan." Once again proving, that even though her rival just shouted her name? Fate is seriously bad with people's actual names.
However, then Heraut /confirms/ the odds that Fate was up against for the day to Bardiche. Also it confirms some other things to Bardiche given Soaring Sky's indignant reply
What Bardiche says to Fate alone telepathically: <SIR. THERE IS AT LEAST ONE OTHER MAGE PRESENT>
What Bardiche replies over the device frequency, with his typical brand of laconic smoothness: <HERAUT.> A beat, <YOU ARE A LOUSE.>
And now Fate has a hand clapped over her mouth, there's more flailing as a result, and suddenly Bardiche has cleaved through some of the top branches of the bush. A few hang limply, while others fall to the ground, and still others get caught in the rest of the shrubbery. The landscaper is definitely going to be pissed.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
"I saw your jumps! They are huuuuge." Ren gestures her hands for emphasis. Yes, Endo is really good at jumping. With as much air as he clears in a single bound it's pretty close to flying she supposes. The line moves more, and they both squeeze into one of the cars, the attendant passing by the lock down their restraints. Whee! "Try not to scream too much, Endo-kun." Hee hee.
Ah. Souverain Heraut really does like Raising Heart. Talk about a device with its head on straight! <THANK YOU. AS ALWAYS YOU ARE EVER SO EFFICIENT.> And then he pauses for a bit before speaking up again. <OH. HELLO SOARING SKY.> Yes. Hello fellow device that was totally ignored. Ahem. Heraut is also glad Stern seems to be on the same page. It's hard to tell where the Belkan device stands at times to be honest. Then, Bardiche's reply comes through, and Heraut remains quiet. A louse? The nerve! This is why he does not care for Bardiche and his master!
<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"Mmrff--mmrf!" Lera grumps and complains, when the hand covers her mouth. Fate Testarossa is here. She made it clear that she will try to fight them, if it comes down to it, and she somehow suspects that Fate is not here to cheer Ren on, either. She gives Nanoha a look, and then gives Fate a look. Her eyes widen, as Bardiche slashes through part of the bush, and she realizes she better transform.
She has to take action before Ren and Endo have to spend part of their date fighting! They are on the roller coaster, after all. She talks through Nanoha's hand, and it's mumbled: "Soaring Sky, set up!"
<Don't hello me! You were ignoring me! Are these two really on a date? Please don't tell me I will have to worry about my wielder's love life. I'm not paid enough for that. This is entirely unfair and I blame all of you.>
"Set up! Come on, Sky!" Lera complains.
<What? Oh. Yes. Quite.>
<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"Well, I get really high up by bouncing up stuff, usually." He's happy to discuss the semantics of how he ping-pongs up things. Even if it looks kind of weird in action. "I kind of-" And then the ride starts. The cars give one good shake, and then begin to slowly plod forward on the rails. "Then they take a picture of Ren-san's face it's going to be like this:" His head tilts back, making his best wide-eyed look of terror.
Fallen Stern, if it's listening to the various messages pinging around, doesn't feel the need to chime in. All of this is very silly, after all. Endo should probably just be happy it's leaving him alone on his date.
<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (3)] has posed.
<OF COURSE!> Raising Heart pings back to Heraut. To Nanoha, Sky, and Lera, Raising Heart pings a subtle communique. <WE ARE IN THE CLEAR, THEY DO NOT SUSPECT A THING.> However there is now the sudden issue of Fate attempting to break free. <MISTAKES WERE MADE!> This is an issue INSTANTLY as Bardiche cleaves the top of the bush and leaves go flying everywhere. The landscaper's reaction will have to wait as Nanoha is given no choice. "A-ah! Raising Heart, Set Up!" The resultant flash of bright pink from the bushes probably draws attention as in the ensuing chaos of everyone WRIGGLING NONSTOP, Nanoha has just put every ounce of her strength into a flying dutchman tackle to try and keep Fate pinned, and probably pulling Lera WITH THEM if she's not wiggly enough. And now the park will be subjected to what appears to be cosplaying girls suddenly wrestling.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
"That makes sense." Ren nods along as Endo explains his technique. And the ride begins soon after! Ren puts her hands up prematurely, turning to laugh in Endo's direction. She's full of silliness today! "It won't be like that! I think you're going to be the one with the funny face in the picture!" The train leaves the station and starts to climb up the lift hill, accompanied by a bunch of clicks and clacks. It's what rollercoasters do.
Heraut continues to monitor the situation while Ren remains in the dark. <YES, HER MAJESTY IS ON A DATE. SHE IS ALLOWED TO DO SUCH THINGS. YOU SHOULD BE MORE OPEN-MINDED.> He can't help but get a little jab in on Sky. Oh Heraut. And then things seem to escalate from there. <PLEASE TRY TO LEAVE THE PARK UNHARMED.> That's the only advice the devices receive from him.
<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
"I don't think so." Endo is content to argue with Ren as the car ascends, until it actually starts on its first dip into an incline. Then he grabs on the rail in front of him. Not because he's scared or anything. He just doesn't want to fall out. That's it. Either way, it looks like he's enjoying himself as they start wibble-wobbling and shooting around corners. Thankfully, everything from up here is a blur.
<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [None] has posed.
Mistakes were made?
That is one way to put it. Bardiche is suddenly shut out of all of the conversations, and he responds to the sudden transformations with a rather loud aria, <SONIC...>
He does not finish, as Fate is suddenly tackled right into a large crowd of people. Laying on the ground, hacking and coughing, with the wind knocked of her, Fate Testarossa has had just about enough of this. And around them. People start to gather, and talk.
"Their cosplay is so Kawaiiiiii! Anyone know what their source material is?" "Do you think they're advertising for a new Tokusatsu?" "Well it looks more like Mahou Shoujo.."
Which is when a Fate's mighty nine year old knee tries to connect with her rival's just as mighty nine year old gut. Bardiche's head folds up on his own, retracting, as a blade of golden mana erupts from it. <SCYTHE FORM> She's not exactly in a position to use him yet, with Nanoha in her guard but...
"Wow! That's definitely not PVC!" "I told you it has to be Tokusatsu, if they have that kind of a budget!"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
When the train crests the hill and proceeds to zoom down it, Ren lets out a scream. But it's one of joy, not terror, as she throws her head back and enjoys the ride. There are many twists and turns -- and even a barrel roll at one point! Ok, maybe not, but it's still just as exciting! Who cares about a silly magical girl fight to save a magical date when you're on a rollercoaster?! Wheeeee!
<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"Kyaaaah!" Lera yelps, instead of her battle cry. She transforms as she rolls with the two younger girls, suddenly wearing her coat-tailed barrier jacket and skirt, and clutching Soaring Sky in both hands -- with the energy blades deactivated, mercilessly -- and then they roll right in front of a crowd of people. She gets pulled along without Nanoha and pauses, then stares, for a moment, at the people speculating.
"HELLO, EARTHLINGS!" she declares loudly. "I am just like you and completely amazed at this but please take a few steps back so we do not, um, cause undue harm or trouble, um--I am the amazing Magical Cheeseburger Propane-chan, from America!"
She hops up, and stares down at the other two; then her voice falls into a stage whisper. "I-I don't think we should fight here!"
<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (3)] has posed.
Mistakes were REALLY made when Nanoha and Fate come tumbling out into a heap, into the middle of a sudden crowd of onlookers who are now VERY curious about the primetime television lineup for the upcoming season. Well at least her idendity getting out isn't an issue but she does cough and gasp when Fate knees her in the armored section of her gut. Rolling off and standing with a puff of breath, she slings Raising Heart in one hand in Device form and... Is suddenly caught completely by stage fright. "Wuh...?" Thankfully Lera covers for ALL OF THEM. "Aheh... Heh..." And then Raising Heart gets into it. <<MAGICAL LYRICAL-CHAN, MY MASTER! FOR VIEWER RATINGS LET THERE BE JUSTICE.> She has to stop and stare at her staff for a moment. "U-um... JUSTICE?!" Hopefully she can be convincing, AND throw Fate off her game by going along with it. Maybe. Please. JUSTICE.
<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Endo yells, of course. That's what people do on these rides. Like Ren, though, it's mostly with glee as they bounce around. And also totally manly honest. Up and down, side to side, lots of directions. By the time they're slowing down he's beaming over at Ren, hands loosening on the rail.
"That was...pretty fun, actually."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
Yes. Still blissfully unaware! Ren giggles for the rest of the ride until the train hits the brakes and pulls back into the station. "That /was/ pretty fun!" Yes. So much fun. Outrageous fun. When the restraints are undone she climbs out with Endo, taking a moment to regain her bearings after being shaken up so much. "Alright! More rides? Or do you want to try your luck at the games against me?" There may be a certain manic glint in her eyes. The same one Endo is likely familiar with. Beware!
<THEY HAVE EXITED THE ROLLERCOASTER. HOW IS THE SITUATION?> Souverain Heraut pings Sky and Heart.
<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [None] has posed.
Fate Testarossa scrambles to her feet in short order. Any hint of sadness that people usually see in her eyes is gone, replaced by determination. Her mission was failing. Worse yet from the voices around her, it sounded like the civilians were mocking her mission. Even if they really didn't understand what was going on. Bardiche is held behind her, at the ready in a threatening pose, his scythe blade shimmering dangerously.
"Earthlings!? Is she an alien? Wait what!? She's from America!? This plot is confusing!" "What kind of a name is Magical Cheeseburger Propane-chan?" "An incredible one obviously! Who doesn't like cheeseburgers!?" "I'm more confused about the propane part myself." "Everyone in America /grills/ their Hamburgers with propane and propane accessories!"
The look in Fate's eyes is.. dangerous. "So which one is the villain?" "That girl with the energy scythe!" "How can you tell!?" "Because she's wearing black, /obviously/!" "And that girl over there? She's on the side of Justice!"
Suddenly the whole crowd is cheering, 'JUSTICE!' With a few people who spend too much time on the internet changing it up with 'FOR GREAT JUSTICE!'
One of Fate's eyebrows twitch, and it's about that moment, that her anger starts to simmer over. And yet, her voice is soft as she finally replies, "Do both of you think this is funny?" The pregnant pause that lingers before she speaks again, inflecting some sadness into her voice, "I suppose my life is a joke to both of you."
And then, she loses it, her white hot fury finally boiling over as she leaps forward, sweeping Bardiche in a great slash towards Nanoha. "I'm not laughing!" <SCYTHE SLASH> A single hand is extended backwards towards Lera, a single orb of yellow light with arcs of violet electricity criss-crossing the surface forms from her palm before it lances towards her. <PHOTON LANCER>
Well at least even in her anger, she's not using anything that would cause collateral damage to the crowd. At first they all seem stunned, but then as one the cheering has renewed vigor.
"Wow! Maybe it's for a movie! Tokusatsu shows don't get special effects that good!"
<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
The lance of light comes crashing down towards Lera. She has no barrier to block it with, so instead she leaps and just narrowly escapes. The Photon Lancer smashes into the ground, and leaves a black smudge there. She turns her head, staring down at the people below -- they don't realize what's happening, or how they're making it worse -- and then she looks down at Fate. "What?" she asks. "No, don't think your life is funny, Fate! They're just--they don't understand that this is real!"
It doesn't make sense; she is falling out of character a little, but she has an upset opponent on her hand. But, Lera thinks, why should she care if Fate is upset?
She got her ice cream, once. It's enough of a reason.
Lera aims her sword in her right hand down. A magical circle appears in front of the tip as Lera falls to the ground below. It traces itself out -- and then vanishes, as a bolt of plasma fires off it, straight down towards Fate, though aimed away from the crowd.
<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (3)] has posed.
This was not as planned. Not at ALL. And Nanoha is really wishing they could have all just stayed quiet in the bush right now. But with the crowd pointing at her and cheering for Justice, Magical Lyrical-chan can't exactly back down can she. "I'm not laughing either!" She blurts helplessly in reply as Fate comes gunning for her. Even in front of the crowd Nanoha is given little option but to openly use magic. Thankfully they all think it's a show, so the sudden flare of pink light that summons a round shield in front of her just BARELY in time to fend of Bardiche probably will just get some oohs and aahs as the shield SHATTERS and Nanoha is forced to wildly backpedal. "We can't -do- this here, there are too many people!" She points out. Leave it to a hero of justice to think of the innocent as she scrambles to barely avoid the cleaving slash that her shield only barely stopped. Raising Heart thinks fast, though when she replies to the other Devices: <EVERYTHING IS FINE. THE COSPLAY SHOWS HERE ARE OF LOW QUALITY, I SUGGEST NOT BOTHERING TO WATCH THEM, CONTINUE ON OTHER DATING ACTIVITES. CAN I SUGGEST ICE CREAM? ICE CREAM IS GOOD. THE BEST STALL IS ALL THE WAY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PARK.> She helpfully provides a GPS pin to follow.
<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
Endo steps out of the cart, arm taking Ren's again to haul her to her feet. He considers that, head tilting back and forth before he decides, "Let's go try and win some things. I can probably get more for you than you will." Challenge accepted.
Meanwhile, Fallen Stern has taken note of the various magical signals shooting up nearby. Before it lets Endo know about that, it sends a message to Souverain Heraut: <INCREASED ACTIVITY IN LOCAL AREA. CONSIDER DESTRUCTION...
...OF SOCIAL ACTIVITES.> AKA wet blanket protocol.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
Big displays like the one Nanoha, Lera, and Fate are making are pretty commonplace here at the park. Of course none of them as as real as this one is. Still, when Ren notices people gathered around "ooing" and "ahing" she doesn't pay it much attention. It's probably some sort of promotion for a new show. She doesn't watch much TV these days. "Alright! Let's g-"
<YOUR MAJESTY. MAY I SUGGEST ICE CREAM? I HAVE A STAND MARKED> Heraut suddenly addresses his master for the first time since the date began. Ren blinks, looking down at the device. "Oh! Well, ice cream would be pretty nice. Maybe we should stop off somewhere before heading to the games?"
And with that a light shines from the ring around her neck, thinning out into a small arrow that points in the direction of the aforementioned stand.
"Ok! Did... you study the map or something?" Ren is puzzled. And Heraut isn't saying anything. "...Let's go, Endo-kun!" She hooks her arm in Endo's and starts pulling him /away/ from the fight that they have no clue exists.
More private communication springs up between their devices. <NO. RAISING HEART AND SOARING SKY HAVE THINGS UNDER CONTROL. WE MUST ALLOW OUR MASTERS TO HAVE FUN.> Yeah Stern! Fun!
<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
<<It isn't like I'm helping because I want to! Idiot!> Soaring Sky quips back at the other Intelligent Devices. Tsun tsun~
<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [None] has posed.
Fate's voice is like a tiny roar as she replies to Lera, "Not them! You! The two of you!" Fate knew the crowd had no idea what was going on, she just felt like she'd suffered humiliation after humiliation today, and for what!? Nothing! She had to go back empty-handed again...
...that would likely mean punishment. The very thought of that terrified her more than anything she could suffer in battle.
"So what if you're not laughing! Do you think I like being tugged into bushes and being told that today is a bad time for everything that is important to me!" A bolt of plasma screams towards her, and she barely turns around in time. <DEFENSER> Superheated energy washes over rippling waves of force which emanate to defend her, but despite the protection, parts of her dark leotard are singed. Several in the crowd gasp audibly, while others seem to be cheering Cheeseburger Propane-chan and Lyrical-chan on!
There was nothing that Bardiche wouldn't support Fate in doing, if she chose it of her own free will. However he knew her heart better than anyone, and he knew that given the circumstances had spurred her to impulsive anger that her heart wasn't in this fight.
They seem unmoved, and so Bardiche does something uncommon, for him... he intervenes.
<SIR. SHE'S RIGHT.>
Fate lowers Bardiche, just fractionally, all of that anger just dispersing like steam in the spring air at his words. The logical part of her mind starts to work again, as she rationalizes, "You're right." She speaks towards her rival, "We can't do this here, and even if we could, this is pointless." She was outnumbered, there was a huge crowd so she couldn't fight at her best and she was no closer to getting the Jewel Seed she came for. "I'm leaving. Don't try to follow me."
The crowd is suddenly silent before someone speaks out, "You're not going to let her go right!? JUSTICE!" The entire crowd cheers as one, "JUSTICE!"
<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (3)] has posed.
This is the worst park trip ever. With Fate seemingly upset, and Nanoha so desperately trying to calm things down. It's not working with the cheering crowds, but when Fate finally decides to pull back and leave... Nanoha isn't going to stop her. A heavy SIGH and she sags where she stands. To the observers it might look like a heroic sigh of JUSTICE now that the villain has left, but truth be told she's simply relieved the brief fight out in the open didn't get anyone hurt. She'll have to try and talk with Fate later but... Let her get way? She looks up, a sudden "Wheh?" of confusion is all she can muster before Raising Heart covers for her again, while quietly pinging to her master and Lera that Endo and Ren are heading far off for ice cream. <THANK YOU FOR WATCHING. MAGICAL CHEESEBURGER PROPANE-CHAN AND LYRICAL-CHAN WILL BE TAKING AUTOGRAPHS NOW.> "WEHHHHHHHHH?!"
<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.
<YOUR OPINION HAS BEEN CONSIDERED. IT IS WRONG.> So there. Fortunately, whatever was going on seems to be de-escalating, and energy has stopped shooting everywhere. So, Fallen Stern decides to keep a lid on it. For now.
"Whaa-" Endo's turns from his path rather abruptly, pivoting to face the direction that Ren wants to go. "What about the stuff?" Ice cream does sound pretty good, though. He even treats, handing Ren a cone and taking one for himself. "I wonder what's down here." And that way he begins to wander, away from the big fuss. It's probably not important at all.
<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Lera /wants/ to go after Fate. Part of her really does, and she hesitates, as the girl takes off. She hears the anger in her voice, and somehow, it hits home when other fights haven't. She feels many things in this work: pride, desperation, determination, fear, and sadness. She rarely feels guilt.
She does, now. <Lera...> Sky says. <Later. We need to focus. Raising Heart is right.>
"Right?' she asks. "But--" She pauses, and realizes the crowd is staring at her. Then she processes what Raising Heart promised, and her cheeks redden, and she shakes her head quickly before she laughs nervously after Nanoha. "Uh... o-okay, autographs it is! Line up, everyone!"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
"Let's finish this ice cream! Think of it as a way to get yourself amped up before the competition." Ren laughs, taking the cone from him to consume the sugary treat. "...But I'm still going to totally win." That manic glint returns. Endo is truly in for it now.
An so a crisis has been averted thanks to the very brave efforts of Nanoha, Raising Heart, and Lera! Oh, and Soaring Sky too. Cannot forget him, even if Heraut pretends to so blatantly. The date seems to have gone off without a hitch, with Endo and Ren finishing the day up competing against one another. No one comes out the true victor though, both of them having pretty much kept up with one another. Ren wins him a tough-looking bulldog plush toy, while Endo wins her a cute stuffed replica of King Penguin. Aww.
<Pose Tracker> Fate Testarossa [None] has posed.
Fate is already gone, because she's fast. Really fast. So fast that the crowd thinks she did some sort of yellow sparkle smoke bomb rather than actually flew away, which is what really happened.
