trans_9 | Ala Alba's Reborn! ...in Pink

Setsuna's reaction to the sight was much less enthusiastic. "N-Negi-sensei," she greeted him, inwardly wondering how on earth he had gotten himself into this. For some strange reason, though, it made her feel -- only very slightly -- but a little more at home. Mahora Academy was (had been) no stranger to antics of this nature.

"Mghlphl," replied Negi eloquently as he was plastered into Konoka's always affectionate hugging. "Hi there. I'd be dressed better but Rein-san stole my clothing AGAIN."

"Worse when she and Chamo-kun are in league," grumbled Negi. "Come on in, and watch your step, it's kind of a steep first step."

"Oh dear~" Konoka said. "I think I like their style of fashion, though!" She chirped. I mean really, the only person who came close to approaching Setsuna's level of cute was her child teacher. And right now, she was reveling in it.

Enough of that, though, she beckoned Setsuna to follow, and stepped into the wide bus. Somehow, it was odd--there was more space on the inside than the outside, and it was... spacious. Amazing.

"Whoa..." was the only thing she could really say.

Setsuna put a hand to her mouth to mask the snicker that escape. "I must admit, sensei, it does suit you." She couldn't help but tease, just a little bit.

Her eyes widened when she followed Konoka into the bus. "Amazing..." she whispered. From Negi's description, she had expected it to be somewhat different on the inside, but this surpassed her expectations. "Where did this bus come from, Negi-sensei?" she asked the diminutive teacher. "Did you create it? Or assist in doing so?"

Katara had decided to pay the bus a visit: considering that she had a feeling she was going to get a workout from the girl she'd just met on the ship, it would require some definite focus and training. So Irma's room would be one place to clear the mind and Will's gym would be to reevaluate how to go about fighting next. Zhin had decided to accompany her this time, so there was no leaving her in hydroponics this time, so now Katara was being accompanied by a rather large alien puppy that looked more like a large beast.

And it just so happened sh stumbled not only into this conversation, but another awkward moment with Negi.

"Actually, this bus is something that belongs to the world of my friend Matt," Katara interrupted. "Sorry to butt in. He helps this magical girl team fight bad guys, and this was the bus they used to train others."

She gave them a polite bow. "I'm Katara, of the Southern Water Tribe. Nice to meet you!"

She just plain stared at Negi. "Uh Negi, you really seem to like dressing like a girl a lot. I don't mind, but I kinda wonder what Sasami will say..."

"Mou Oneesama it's not my fault, Rein pranked me again," whined Negi just a little.

"But at least yeah, it's bigger than it is on the inside than it is outside. It's all because of the way it was made," said Negi.

"I see, I see!" Konoka stopped squishing him and went to look around a bit more in depth. However, Katara's appearance interrupted that--she needed a proper introduction to her, after all! "Hello, hello! I'm Konoka Konoe, one of Negi-kun's students!" She gave a small bow. "This is my partner, Seccha--err Setsuna Sakurazaki." She had to clear her throat before she could introduce her partner properly.

"...where can we sleep, by the way?" Konoka asked.

"I see." Katara's answer was instructive and very interesting. Magical girls? There were (had been) worlds with real magical girls? For the moment Setsuna just listened -- and lifted an eyebrow at hearing the word "oneesama" from Negi. It seemed he had gathered together a family in the time between his awakening and theirs. Honestly, she wasn't surprised. It just seemed to be in the boy's nature to draw people to him.

Setsuna's cheeks reddened slightly at Konoka's introduction. Was it the way Konoka so easily called her "my partner"? Or was it the almost-use of her pet name? Regardless, she nodded politely. "Mm. It is a pleasure to meet you, Katara-san." She left the inquiries to Konoka. Wherever her partner went, she would follow.

"It's good to meet more friends from Negi's world," Katara said, grinning. "I already met his mother pretty recently, and I know Evangeline a little, although she is a little hard to relate to. Its good to meet both of you, Konoka and Setsuna."

And to tell the truth, Katara had a tendency to gather familial figures herself. It was hard not to on a ship like this. It was pretty interesting about the names too: their names sounded a bit more like ones he knew back home where Negi's sounded quite different. She would have to ask about that later.

Where would they sleep? It was possible that they didn't have their own room just yet. "Until you guys get a room, I'm sure Matt wouldn't mind putting you up here for a few days. It's where Negi and I sleep sometimes."

"Matt's looking for full residents anyhow," said Negi with a blush and a rub of his head. "And mother is moving in so I was thinking of moving in full time as well but uh..."

He fiddled his fingers a little, thinking of how this arrangement could go since he did sleep with Katara at times.

Oh? This was going to be interesting. With no Asuna, who did Negi crawl into bed with? She was willing to stay here regardless of what that produced. Maybe if she was lucky, he'd squeeze in between herself and Secchan, and he'd be extra adorable.

"That's great! Secchan, let's stay here!" She said. Negi was here, and so was everyone from their world, so this pretty much made this her roosting spot.

Setsuna chuckled at Katara's comment. Yes, that certainly sounded like Evangeline. Arrangements were considered, and Setsuna glanced up at the ceiling as she thought briefly. The bus was a bit strange-looking, but it seemed comfortable, and she also thought it best that everyone from their world stay together.

So without hesitation, Setsuna nodded to Konoka's happy exclamation. "I have no objections, ojousama," she said, oblique as usual.

"Your mother is staying in the same place as you?" Well, she guessed that made sense, being that she was his mother, but she wondered if that was the right thing to do considering Negi was trying to mature a little more. Then again, she wondered if maybe she thought that because Negi wouldn't sleep in her bed anymore. She had to admit to herself she really liked having a younger brother, and now that Negi's mom and friends was here, she'd have to get used to him not coming around anymore.

She offered him a smile, and ruffled his hair. "Whatever you decide, I support you Negi-kun. I'm happy you have more of your friends and your mom here."

Negi nodded. "She wanted to be introduced to the bus later but for now, she's off getting clothing made up I think," said Negi with a rub of his head.

"Oneesama, I'll still come visit all the time," said Negi with a blush. "I mean, I like sleeping with you."

"Oneesama?" Konoka blinked. Then she began to pout. "Awww! I didn't know you gave preferential treatment, Negi-kun!" She gave him a playful hug. "Secchan and I are always open!" To be honest, she always wanted to have him sleep between herself and Secchan one day.

Was Setsuna the only person there who found something intensely awkward about this conversation? It wasn't as if she didn't know that it was all completely innocent, but if anyone had been listening in, it would have sounded... Well, she was probably putting too much thought into it. Mind wandering, Setsuna reflexively agreed with Konoka's exclamation: "Yes, of course, sense--"

Wait. "Secchan and I"? Did that mean... Konoka intended for them to... And cue the luminescent blush on Setsuna's cheeks.

No, Setsuna was definitely not the only person who heard exactly how this conversation sounded, not a bit. Katara blushed, but knew perfectly well that Negi had only meant it in the most innocent way. She shook her head, smiling.

"Honestly, I got pretty used to it. Not as many bad dreams when you're there." And that was the truth: she'd had some pretty bad ones since the Nightmare King fiasco, specifically with Aang getting shot, so she was more than happy to see them end when her younger brother climbed into bed with her.

What also didn't escape her notice was what Konoka said though. "Oh, so you guys like each other...like Nanoha and Fate?"

Negi pinked in the cheeks when Katara hit the nail on the head. He tried to make warding gestures but Chamo perked up from his sundress pocket, "Oh they totally are!"

"Chamo-kun...!"

They were saved from Konoka figuring it out due to the fact that Konoka only knew of Nanoha, not that they were in a relationship. "Ummm, who's Fate? I get the feeling you're not talking about Averrunicus."

Setsuna, meanwhile, had only met Fate and not yet Nanoha. But she understood Katara's implication and immediately overreacted to it. "Wha -- K-Katara-san, it's not like -- I-I mean, we are simply --" And then Chamo popped up and put in his two cents, and Setsuna had to suppress a very real urge to slash his fuzzy head off. "That's not it at all!" she wailed uselessly.

Konoka hadn't caught it, though, thank goodness. And her question was a good distraction, and something Setsuna could answer. "Er... I believe she is referring to Fate Harlaown-san. I met her in the Observation Deck shortly after I awoke." Belatedly, the other implication in Katara's question occurred to her. Did that mean that Fate and this Nanoha she hadn't met were...

Katara could tell, by the reactions, that it was definitely like that, though Konoka didn't really seem to get it. That made sense though: they were both young, and they were going to have to get used to being on the ship to begin with before they decided anything like that. But she could see that Setsuna despite her objections, liked Konoka and was just embarrassed to have it said aloud. Of course Chamo would make it all uncomfortable.

"Yup, Fate and Nanoha are both in the magical department. They both work really hard to make sure people on the ship are protected, you should have seen them during the Nightmare King episode! But they've known each other since childhood too, and they're together. They're very sweet, and you can see that since they knew each other for so long and cared about each other, it makes sense they're together."

"Oh, so it really is a lot like Konoka-san and Setsuna-san. They grew up together, they fight together..." said Negi.

"They're partners together," put in Chamo.

"DWAH!? When did that happen?" demanded Negi.

"Before we met up with Amnesia!Yue of course!" exclaimed Chamo. "You didn't notice?"

"I didn't even have a chance to check," said Negi lamely.

"Ah!" Konoka finally got it! Life partners, together in everything! "So of course we're like that!" She completely missed the sexual connotations, but romantic? Not a chance. Konoka smiled, harassing Setsuna further by giving her a quick hug.

As for Negi's point? "Yeah, we made our pactio a bit while ago, before you found Yue!"

Those sexual connotations will catch up to her at some point.

Katara really did have Setsuna's number, loath as she was to admit it. "I-I see." It did seem to be a rather similar situation... But really, though Setsuna and Konoka were childhood friends and partners, they had never taken the next step. Surely Konoka would -- agree with Katara? So easily? Setsuna's blush reached new heights, and she just stood in place as her partner caught her up in a hug. "O-Ojousama..." she managed weakly, unable or unwilling to protest.

At Negi's question, Setsuna held up her Pactio card, merely nodding. She was a little overwhelmed for speech at the moment.

It looked like Konoka might have missed exactly what Katara was saying, and that was okay: they were both really young. She smiled and patted Setsuna's shoulder. She actually reminded her a bit of Fate and how easy it was to tease the older girl. They were both cute together: she could see why they would be with each other

"You're not the only one," Katara said, holding up her own card. "I did this with Negi a little while ago because I wanted a way to help him. I only used to once: it brought out chalice that was able to amplify my healing abilities."

Negi nodded, still a little mute with embarrassment that his kissing habits had caught up with him once more. "Well it was an important incident at least," he defended lamely.

"But Aniki's empowered four people by now. At least he's working properly to become a good magister," said Chamo with a sage nod.

"Geez, Negi-kun! You never change, do you?" She said good-naturedly. She was still attached to Setsuna though, making sure not to let go. "Well, I want to become a good Magister Magi, too! I'm convinced of it!" She sombered up, though her bright cheer never left. "It's like I told Secchan, I want to help others and be strong--and right now, people are going to need help more than ever. That's why I want to be a Magister Magi."

Setsuna managed to give Katara a weak smile at the shoulder pat. And when the conversation switched over to Negi's Pactios, she had a chance to fully recover. "Healing abilities?" she asked curiously. "That happens to be Konoka-ojousama's specialty as well." She wasn't surprised at the sight of the card, since Negi had shown his four new cards to her, however briefly, when they had first reunited.

At Konoka's words, Setsuna smiled softly as she remembered that speech back in the magical world. It seemed so long ago that she had shown Setsuna just how strong, how determined she truly was. The swordswoman gave her still-clinging friend a fond glance. "You will be, ojousama. I'm certain of it."

Katara offered the girl a hug. "You know, you remind me a little of me when I was first trying to become a master waterbender. It took a long time, believe me: we had to travel halfway around the world for me to find a good teacher, and I was barely a novice back then. If i can do it, I'm sure you can too. Negi is an excellent teacher!"

She would know: Negi had, in is own way, taught her a lot about magic users and what they could do. She turned to Setsuna and gave her a wink. "And she can;t fail with your help. I can sense you're pretty strong yourself. Trust me, you two will need each other when it comes to getting stronger. There's nothing more powerful than the encouragement of a loved one."

"Oneesama's right of course," said Negi with a light smile in his expression. "After all, something always needs to be surpassed and maybe both of you could learn from each other."

"Sounds great," Konoka gave a warm smile. It was always fun to learn from new people, and she could always gain greater knowledge from that. "So... what's our next step?" It was awesome to have so many friends now, but she needed a direction to work towards!

Setsuna blushed again, both from Katara's wink and her compliments. "Mm, I agree. Let us all grow stronger, then, together." With Konoka's and everyone else's support, there was no way she could fail.

But, of course, now they needed a plan. Setsuna nodded at that question of Konoka's. "Any plans or suggestions you might have would be most welcome," she added.

((Sorry for the delay, everyone!))

Ala Alba's Reborn! ...in Pink

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