trans_9 | Second Life -- Welcome to Fairplay [Stage 1]

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Second Life -- Welcome to Fairplay [Stage 1]

It had been the usual mission briefing, not that any of them remembered it. The crew knew they were gone and had no idea when they'd be back, and likely wouldn't attempt rescue for quite some time, especially with Stacy considering the mission "ongoing."

They had no idea when they'd be back, either, namely because they never remembered being on the ship in the first place.

It was home. It had always been home.

Welcome to Fairplay, Iowa, folks, happiest little town in the Midwest.

[ooc: Read this before tagging.]

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Nanoha slipped her fingers beneath the straps of her backpack as she slowed to a walking pace, giving her friend a warm, affectionate smile. "Where were you going, anyway? School's the other way."

"I... thought I left something at home." Okay, lamest excuse ever, but it was the best she could come up with on the spot. And just to make sure Nanoha believed it, Fate opened up her messenger bag and began looking through it.

"Guess I was just being paranoid...?

"Hmm. If it's a textbook, you can always borrow one of mine. We have the same teachers, don't we?" They did; Nanoha knew they did. But for some reason, Fate had rearranged her schedule so that they didn't share any periods anymore. It was weird.

"Y-Yeah... thanks." Fate said, laughing. But, like her smile, it seemed just a little forced.

"So.. how have you been, Nanoha?"

Nanoha noticed, but she opted not to say anything. "I've been okay. It's the time of year when a lot of people buy cakes, so we're getting ready for a busy Christmas." They were hoping for one, anyway. "What about you?"

"That's good. I'm glad you've been getting a lot of business lately." Fate may not have visited the bakery in ages, but she knew how much her friend's family had to struggle to keep everything afloat. And as for Nanoha's question...

"... I've been fine." Which, considering how long they've known each other, Nanoha might easily translate as everything not being okay.

They hadn't, really. But there was no reason Fate needed to worry about that. The girl's brows furrowed ever so slightly. "...fine? It's better than bad, I guess. But not quite good. School hasn't been giving too much trouble, right?"

"Not really..." A total and blatant lie, but hey. Aside from The Problem Nanoha Didn't Know About, there really wouldn't be any reason for anyone to bully someone like Fate, right?

"It's been a little stressful, but I guess that's just because all the teachers are trying to cram before winter break."

"That's true. There are always so many projects and exams this time of year." Nanoha agreed, but don't pretend like you didn't know Nanoha could see through your lies, Fate. They walked in silence a little while longer.

"...Fate, what's bothering you?"

"What makes you think something's bothering me?" Fate asked. She tried to sound curious, even though on the inside she was freaking out and trying to find a way to change the subject.

"Geez, do you think I really can't tell when something's bothering you? I know you better than that." It was all she was going to say. She had a sixth sense about this sort of thing.

Nunnally didn't really know if she believed what the Good Book had to say. Too many contradictions, too many things that just seemed off or wrong. But she'd gone to church almost every week since she was born, so it would have felt weird to stop... even if she did get dirty looks from everyone she knew whenever they noticed her there. It was as if they were saying, You're damned anyway; don't bother coming.

Long after the other attendees had filed out of the building, Nunnally remained sitting in a pew near the back of the sanctuary, flipping through a hymn book that lie open on her lap.

Nanoha was right. Fate should know by now that it was futile to hide something like this from her friend.

It's not that she didn't want to talk about it, or wanted to completely pretend that nothing was wrong, she just... didn't want to burden Nanoha with her problems. The other girl had enough to deal with concerning her own family.

So Fate stayed silent, staring down at her feet as they walked.

"May, you need to get up! They need me early at the library!" Both the yell and the scent of strong coffee cut through the haze of her dreams and had her sitting up in bed, both hands raised to her face.

Why she would have repetitive dreams of armor and a sword...she had no idea. Maybe it was trying to tell her something.

"Stop reading fantasy books before bed?" she quipped to herself as she rose and prepared to start the day. She heard the door slam on her way to the shower. That just meant that she'd need to check the dining room table--her mother tended to leave her notes there to spell out things that May would have to do while Ava was at the library.

Between the shower and breakfast, she just had time to skim over the note before rushing out the door.

Seemed she'd be heading to the library after school today.

The steps beside her stopped, and Nanoha's slender hand came to rest on the other girl's shoulder. "Fate."

It was one word, but the meaning should have been more than obvious.

As soon as the school bell rang, he could be seen rushing out of his classroom, pulling a stack of reusable grocery bags out of his backpack, and setting to work cleaning up all the garbage along the street.

He stepped dutifully out of the way of cars trying to park in the gutter, waving hello to the drivers before picking up the crushed beverage cups and crumpled hamburger wrappers from the shadows of the vehicles. He pulled toilet paper out of a tree (with help from a nearby newspaper dispenser) and carefully separated the recyclables into their own separate bags. Two hours later, he'd made it all the way down the street, just in time to watch a garbage truck bouncing through a rain gutter, stray bits of litter tumbling out of the back and all over the street again.

Junior's eyes glazed over as he read the familiar old logo on the side of the truck-- KING WASTE DISPOSAL AND RECYCLING.

"Just you wait, Papa. I'll make you proud someday!"

Then he went back to picking up trash.

Fate flinched a little at the tone of Nanoha's voice, but at least she stopped. She wasn't going to just start talking though, so she still didn't say anything. But if Nanoha asked...

Edited 2010-12-12 19:45 (UTC)

Vita was, of course, also on the way to the school. Her mood was...somewhat sour, somewhat okay. On the one hand, school. Somehow, she just didn't seem to fit in perfectly.
On the other hand, Hayate was there, which cheered her up. Hayate was one of the few people she got along with. Well, to be fair, she did not have much contact with her but...it counted, right?

If only there wasn't that unpleasant Nantoka-girl. For some reason, the redhead kept getting on her nerves, and what made it worse was that she didn't even know why. It was unfuriating.

So lost in thought, she bumped into someone.

"Oi, can't you look where you're going?" She said with an annoyed tone in her voice, disregarding that it was her fault.

Oh...the other girl she had often seen around. Something was off about her, but Vita couldn't really tell what it was. She didn't really cause her trouble, though, so she wasn't a particular target of her annoyance, she just...was.

"Fate, look at me." A soft tone, but a commanding one.

Nanoha had been so consumed with her conversation with Fate that she hadn't even noticed the smaller - much smaller - girl on a collision course with them.

That is, until they literally ran into each other. "O-oh, I'm sorry!"

"...Vita?"

If you want to feel better about yourself, go out and really help someone...

Corinne remained kneeling for a long time after the sermon. Normally, she would brush off such a speech with a quick 'he doesn't know what feeling good really is'. Winning, that felt good. Choosing one of many willing men to go to the dance with, that felt good. Giving? If you needed to do that to be happy, then you didn't really have much at all.

But this time, she felt as if she had heard two voices speaking with Father Thomas. Someone was going on about the joys of celebrating with friends, no matter who they are. That voice had a powerful swell of happiness behind it, beyond anything she'd ever heard.

All that feel-goody stuff was just fantasy...right? She would look good on the Christmas cards, dance the night away with a dreamboat, and give her hugs and smiles on Christmas day. That was all she needed to do.

After a moment, Fate turned, looking right at her.

"What?"

"Oh... hello Vita." Was all Fate said. She didn't know the other girl well, but she knew about the strange "rivalry" she had with Nanoha... so she was just a little wary.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The sound of Father Thomas' cane echoed through the quiet church as he made his way back inside. He paused for a moment, hearing the quiet sound of pages turning.

"Is someone still there?" he asked.

"Oh. It's you two." Vita replied, and glared up to Nanoha. "Fate and Nantoka! I know who you are!"

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Second Life -- Welcome to Fairplay [Stage 1]

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Re: Location: Church of St. Michael

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Re: Home - At each character's home

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Down the street from the grade school

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Re: Location: Church of St. Michael

Ak, didn't notice Fate was already there o.o;