Second Life -- Welcome to Fairplay [Stage 1]

[cityship]

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.]

Comments

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

"I do know that... I really want her to get help." Fate's voice was shaking just a little. "But you don't understand! She's the only family I have left... if I tell someone, they have to separate us, and..."

For a brief moment, an overwhelming feeling of loneliness washed over her. It was worse than anything she'd ever felt; not even the days after Alicia's death hurt this badly.

But it was gone as soon as it came, and Fate shook her head a little. "I can deal with this. Really."

[starlightace]

Nanoha drew back, but judging by the look on her face she was far from convinced. "...Fate, you look so sad all the time. I don't think I believe you."

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

"Just... trust me, please." Fate said, practically pleading. "I've dealt with it for this long. I'll be fine."

[starlightace]

"...how much longer, Fate?" A quiet question. "I'll wait a few more months, but I won't wait forever."

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

"... I don't know." Fate replied in the same tone. "Maybe just a few more months. Maybe I can find a job and move to a place somewhere close after I graduate. But until then... please don't tell anyone."

She had actually been thinking about that, too. If she could find a cheap apartment or something nearby, maybe she'd be able to keep an eye on her mother without having to worry about her fits of anger.

[starlightace]

"I could ask mom and dad if they could give you a job at the bakery." No, she couldn't. They couldn't afford another salary - not enough to pay rent on - and she knew it. "I can't stand seeing you this sad."

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

"N-No, that's okay..." After all, that would mean she'd be working with Nanoha every day and wasn't she supposed to be avoiding her...?

"If I start looking after the holidays, I'm sure I'll find something by summer."

[starlightace]

Why do you think she offered? Nanoha didn't like being avoided. "That's way too long. I can't take that."

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

It's for your own good, Nanoha. Really.

"But I don't want to take any money away from your family. You need it."

[starlightace]

Bullshit, Fate.

"Ah, but you know how much they like you! I'm sure we could spare a bit..."

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

It's the truth!

"I know..." Oh, did she know. In the period between Alicia's death and The Incident that caused her to start distancing herself from Nanoha, the Takamachis had almost seemed like a second family to her.

"But that doesn't change the fact that your family needs all the money they can get. I just need enough for food and a cheap apartment for myself... you have five people you need to keep afloat."

[starlightace]

"That's why I'm saying it, though. ...it's just one more, so it shouldn't be too hard to find room in the budget. I can give you my allowance, too."

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

"No!" For the second time that day, Fate raised her voice. Whatever was truly bothering her must be really affecting her, if it was causing her to act unlike herself.

"I appreciate the offer... I really do. But I can't do something like that..."

[starlightace]

Nanoha looked away, a pained expression on their face. They were going to be late for school at this rate, but she couldn't just...

"Whatever's bothering you, Fate... it isn't something I can just ignore so easily."

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

"... It would be best if you did." Not that Fate can say anything to make Nanoha change her mind if she was worried about a friend, but she can always try.

"Really. It's just something I have to take care of alone."

[starlightace]

She shook her head. "It's not going to happen. I'll figure out a way around it."

"...but I can't fix anything if you won't even tell me what's going on."

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

"I can't tell you." Fate said. See, she can be stubborn too.

[starlightace]

"Then I'll have to fix it my own way." And she'd do it, too.

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

"How can you fix something when you don't even know what's going on?" She asked. Oh, if she only knew...

[starlightace]

"I'll find a way," Nanoha said in that quiet yet firm way she was used to doing things.

"...we're going to be late to school."

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

"Yeah... we should probably get going now."

Glad for the easy change of subject, Fate began walking again, a little quicker this time. If she can get a head start, maybe she can lose Nanoha before they reached the high school...