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]

"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.

[starlightace]

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?"

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

"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."

[starlightace]

"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?"

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

"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.

[starlightace]

"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.

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

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.

[starlightace]

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.

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

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...

[starlightace]

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

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

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

"What?"

[starlightace]

Fate could probably see Nanoha's gaze moving to the spot underneath her left eye that the girl had so carefully tried to conceal. "...what's wrong? You haven't been yourself lately at all."

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

Fate noticed where Nanoha's gaze was heading, and immediately moved her hand up to cover the spot.

"Nothing. Just... the usual." More blatant lies. But maybe if Nanoha thought it was just Precia's cycle of abuse, she might back off a little...

[starlightace]

A small hand reached up to grab the other girl's wrist so that she couldn't do just that. She had a feeling that it was her mother, and it broke her heart to see that. "...I think I should tell my parents that this keeps happening."

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

"No!" Fate very rarely, if ever, raised her voice, so that might have surprised Nanoha just a bit.

"I know you're worried, and I... I appreciate that. But you can't."

[starlightace]

It might have, but she didn't show it. "I can't just let it keep happening, either! You have to tell someone that your mom is doing this to you."

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

"No, I don't." Almost reluctantly, Fate pulled her hand away from Nanoha's. "You don't know what she's been going through... how much pain she's been in all these years. If I tell someone, they'll take her away, and that'll just make everything worse..."

[starlightace]

"It won't!" Nanoha's face twisted in more than a bit of pain. "Fate, you know that if she doesn't get help, she'll never get better. And that's no excuse for what she does."

[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."