starryhorizon | Call Me Out meme

[The two are in some sort of jamjar or nexus setting. At some point, they've become very close...but Athrun has kept one vital detail a secret from her. After much deliberating, Athrun has decided to tell Petra about his most closely-guarded secret.

They're sitting in Athrun's room at the moment. Athrun knows there are no listening devices here, which is why he asked her to come here.]

I suppose you're still wondering why I asked you to come here, huh?

[He'd made it clear it was a serious matter. There were no ulterior motives to having her in his room.]

[Somehow, Winry has managed to talk Asemu into giving her a ride in his Gundam. So, right now, Asemu is standing next to it, wearing his flight suit.

However, it doesn't look humanoid at all. The seat appears to also be hanging down from below the body. At some point Asemu probably did mention that it transforms, though.

At any rate, he was here first, and he used the time to conduct a pre-flight examination. Once he determined that everything was OK, he waited.]

[Ever since he had shown up at the location (jamjar, nexus, whatever) where Madoka was and been given lodging in their house, Zeheart had been extremely absent. He only showed up at meals and didn't talk much -- otherwise he spent all of his time in his bedroom. And when he did appear, he seemed generally melancholy.

Well, Madoka finally got curious enough to see what was up. She managed to catch him right before he entered his bedroom, wanting to have a conversation with him.]

...Yes? What is it?

[Five and a half years ago, a sudden extradimensional activity was catalogued in world GG-1998. Preliminary reports indicated that a being of significant power was sealed away in a pocket dimension. It was not followed up on, however, as the being in question had started a war that raged for 95 years and cut the human population down to a third of what it was before the war began.

But then there was another major incident. The being managed to rip out of the pocket dimension she had been trapped in and was about to start the war anew...when she was suddenly killed. Since then, there had been more fluctuations, and it got to the point that the TSAB could no longer ignore it. They sent one of their own to investigate.

As it turns out, Ky had once received a visitor from the Bureau before. He knew that it existed, but not much else. So when he received notice that someone would be stopping by to talk to him, he was unsurprised.

When the day came, the doorbell rang and he answered the door to find a woman, approximately the same age as him, with long brown hair.]

Hello. Are you from the Bureau?

[Yeaaah, she spends a lot of time in the company of men, who are just a bit or a lot older than him. But they don't really call her to their rooms often -- one being an exception, but you know, same ones tries to ask her to marry him all the time and she's not taking any of it seriously. So this? Feels a bit weird, but that's just about it. She's not nervous, much, though he did say that it's something serious. So that's worrying her more than making her nervous, or maybe it's also making her a bit nervous.

But considering how these rooms are the only places without listening devices, Petra is pretty much used to talking about serious businesses in these. Just with few more people around, because she's part of a tiny squad consisting of herself and six other members.¨

So, this must be something very serious. He can tell her anything, of course, she's glad he knows it.]

Kind of. But considering how no one can hear us here, I'm guessing it's something very serious?

[It's obviously her natural charm, that has done the talking for this! Who can resist a charming mechanic? Or maybe her wrench throwing skills are too scary for anyone to deny anything from her, we just don't know!

Anyway, Winry is not the type to be late from meetings. She'll be arriving a bit earlier than they agreed on, in casual clothing like jeans and whatever fits the weather for the upper body.

Even if he mentioned the transforming thing, she sure doesn't -- remember it anymore. So Winry is very confused right now; she's looking for a humanoid robot ...thing, that's probably best described as like Buccaneer covered in metal! And she's not seeing one like that here.

So she'll walk to that other one then and maybe, just a very sarcastic maybe, the mention about transforming skills hits her once she gets there. You're going to get one very sheepish grin, Asemu.]

H-Hi. I was kind of around, looking for a more human-like ...Gundam. [Ha, at least she knows the term by now.] So I hope you didn't have to wait for too long while did that for a while?

[Is she embarrassed? Yes, a mechanic shouldn't forget these things. Still, she's also very impressed because wow, yes, she's been waiting for this and this looks amazing.]

[She's been trying to talk to him even before this, but somehow he's always managed to go before she's had the chance. No one can't blame Madoka for not trying at least! Now when she suddenly manages to catch his attention before he disappears again, Madoka... is actually not sure what to say or do!

She twitches nervously at first, making a tiny nervous sound at the same time as if she's the one who's been caught in the middle of something she wouldn't want others to know about herself. (like someone suddenly finding out that she's a magical girl) How does one talk to boys?? No, wait, that's not the question here.]

Umm -- [she's not good at this!!] -- w-well, I was um, wondering... if you'd like to do something together?

[Nanoha has had her share of major incidents. In all honesty, she doesn't really do them anymore, having rejected the promotion she was offered after JS one. But this -- this is too serious for the ace of aces to ignore. Her reputation is certainly enough for people to even suggest her to go for it.

So now she's standing behind this door, wearing her white-blue uniform and Raising Heart in standby mode as a necklace. Her smile is friendly as soon as he opens the door.]

Hello, and yes! My name is Nanoha Takamachi, I'm one of their aerial mages. Nice to meet you!

[...or you know, she might be the best aerial mage and whatever else she's the best at from there, but no need to brag with her skills at all, for now. Sure is a cheerful introduction, but it's great to be good at first impressions.]

[Athrun nodded.]

Yeah. It's plenty serious. In fact, where I come from, a war was fought over it.

I've told you about my own home, right? About how the technology there surpasses most of what we have here?

Ah. I guess I should have mentioned one more time that it's a transforming mobile suit. No big deal. So, you ready?

[Asemu walked over to the seat that was hanging down from the machine's underside. All Winry needs to do is say the word and he'll get in and let her on.]

Do something together?

[Zeheart was surprised. He had figured if he kept to himself he wouldn't be asked to spend time with people. Apparently that wasn't working.

Still, he couldn't deny that going and doing something with one of his housemates seemed somewhat appealing.]

What did you have in mind?

In that case, please come in. I'm Captain Ky Kiske of the International Police Force.

[Ky invites Nanoha into his house and closes the door behind her. His house is very fancy, as he clearly has money to spend and he enjoys art.]

Would you like some tea? I have several different varieties of black tea here. Coffee is also an option, if you'd prefer that.

[The word war is certainly more than enough to get her even more serious about this.]

Well, whatever it is, you can tell me anything. [which he obviously knows by now.]

Yeah, you've told me about it. It's so far from anything we have back home either, but I think you've explained it well.

[So maybe she understands it well. Somehow. As well as someone from 850 can understand it at least.]

Oh but I might have missed it in the middle of all my excitement! Yes, I'm ready, very much ready ready, let's go.

[Wow, if the excitement isn't clear from her words, then at least her face is about as excited as it gets about getting to know new machines and technology.]

Umm, yes, wouldn't it be better than being alone?

[She just really can't leave people alone, that wouldn't be very good at all.]

I -- I'm not sure! Would you like to play board games? Or go to see a movie? Take a tour around the city? Grocery shopping? Some sports? Paint or draw something? Going somewhere like to the amusement park, or zoo or something?

...Anything? Whatever you want to do.

[The real answer to that question is that actually Madoka has nothing in her mind, but she's throwing random ideas as anyone can tell.]

Well, there was one thing I neglected to mention. We have the means to perform genetic manipulation surgery. When a person is still in the embryonic stage of prenatal development, the scientists in my world can go into their body and alter the DNA -- the blueprints of their body -- as they wish. They can change a person's hair or eye color, their height...or even things such as their threshold for physical strength or intellectual capabilities.

The people they produce tend to be superior in raw potential to those without it. We know them as Coordinators.

All right then.

[Asemu walks over to the seat and straps himself in.]

You'll have to hop on my lap so I can lift us into the cockpit.

[It would be...if Zeheart would allow himself a moment of pleasure. As it stands, he still doesn't consider himself worthy of that.]

You seem a bit invested in this...

[So much so that he'd feel bad about turning her down. In which case...]

Very well. How do you feel about going for a walk?

[She listens to that, clearly not bothered by how he neglected to mention it until now. Because it's okay, some things take time to mention and maybe some things are just things people never even tell others.

Science can do stuff like that? ... Okay, the closest thing she can think from that are titan shifters; humans who can transform into titans in her world, that is. Even though she has no idea how they become that way, but it's certainly not the first time she hears about something being able to change people's abilities. She'll stay quiet about that though, at least for now.

Petra is honestly not sure what to say about that whole surgery thing. She always leaves science talk to other people in her world even if all that makes sense to her too. She knows someone, who'd be all over him with question about that science part, but that's not this girl here. But the last line makes her really curious about one thing.]

So, are you a normal human or are you a coordinator? [Is that too straightforward? Sorry, being blunt is not always a bad thing back home.]

[She watches him as he does that, definitely interested in every detail of how one straps himself or herself in.

... HOP ON HIS LAP THOUGH? Winry winces and blushes a lot at that.

She doesn't generally just jump on a guy's lap and you're saying it just like that?? Ed would kil--]

[Okay, you know what?

This is about getting to know/ride a new machine, and some stupid reaction from that tiny alchemist or things she generally doesn't do can be thrown out of the window!! With a wrench, so maybe it will shut Ed's stupid head if he happened to be anywhere near to say something stupid about situations like this.]

Okay... I mean, sure, no problem. Just don't drop me or something...

[Winry is still blushing a bit, a lot less than before but ugh, she just stops thinking how weird that sounds.

She grins at him first before hopping on his lap. Gently, like she's definitely not just rushing there even though she's all too excited about the ride with the machine.]

W-Well, being invested to people isn't a bad thing -- I think.

[She looks shy in the end. Is it a bad thing? No, it shouldn't be. Everyone deserves good things in their lives.

Ohhh, he's not actually going to say no? Madoka is smiling again!]

I'd really like that! I can give you a mini tour around here, or something, or we can just --- walk around and see where it takes us.

[Athrun pauses before responding. He hadn't expected Petra to ask so bluntly.]

I'm what's known as a second-generation Coordinator. I never received any form of genetic surgery, but both of my parents did -- so I didn't need it. I just inherited Coordinator genes from both of them.

[Now for the moment of truth. Athrun silently prays that she won't turn against him now that she knows the truth of his heritage.]

[The implication about riding on his lap hadn't even sunk in for Asemu until Winry actually got on his lap. Trying to hide his own face before it turns read, he then activates the lift to bring the seat into the cockpit.

Once inside, the hatch closes shut. Asemu pulls a small object out of his pocket, rears his right hand back, and slides it into place on the console. When that happens, the entire interior begins to light up as instrument panels and cameras flare to life.]

I think a tour would be good. This way I can better acquaint myself with the surroundings, particularly since I need to find a job and shop for myself.

[It feels strange to say such things after spending his whole life training to be a soldier, and then finally being one. There's a twinge of hope in his heart right now -- maybe he could fulfill his true dream here.]

So, please show me the area.

[She can be very blunt sometimes, or all the time depending on the company or topic. It's part of her job. Better get used to it.

...Well, there's always more to it than just humans and something else than humans, isn't there? Back in her home world, it's humans, titans and titan shifters. Now he's telling about humans, coordinators and second-generation coordinators.

Petra is surprised to hear that, for sure, but it's more in her amber eyes while everything else on her looks mostly cool, calm and collected. Things people don't usually know about her; she's trained to be an elite soldier, trained to be prepared for the worst case scenarios and she babysits a titan shifter, who is not always in control of his titan form even if he tries to use that ability to help them. And that she really needs to be prepared to kill anyone, who is a danger (including Eren if he goes out of control( to humanity without any hesitation.

There's a silent moment here while she thinks about what he just said and she's looking at the floor while she thinks about it.]

Well, that's interesting. [it is, even if this girl still doesn't understand much about science, nor is she very interested in it, but to be able to inherit it like that... She looks at him again with a little smile on her face.]

Thank you, I really appreciate you telling that to me. And well, unless the next thing you'd tell me was something about using that heritage to take out all humanity or something, I don't really see a problem with it.

[That's certainly not enough to make her turn against him or walk away from this friendship, though who wouldn't think about it after telling something like that? No, she doesn't think you'd kill that many people for all the wrong reasons, but hey, girl comes place where some humans can become giant mass murderers. Literally.]

[The response fueled a mixture of emotions within Athrun's heart. On one hand, he was relieved. Petra seems willing to accept him as he is. On the other hand...]

I wouldn't...but one man did. He declared Coordinators to be a superior species, and tried to drive Naturals to extinction.

That man -- that man was my father.

[Father, huh. She looks surprised by that, even if she's not that surprised by the fact, that someone would think so... But someone who is from his family... Well, Petra does have her problems with her father too, so it's another reason why the words get her quiet for a moment.]

I guess ... there's always at least someone, who's going to think try something like that. But I'm glad you're not like him. [The word extinction gets her pretty serious about it too, since well, home world being a place of humans vs. giant monsters trying to drive each other into extinction.]

...was? Something happened to him? [Or he just cut ties with him? She's not sure if either option is a huge surprise or not.]

Yes.

[It's an unpleasant memory. He doesn't enjoy recalling it.]

He gave the order to have the superweapon he had built to open fire on Earth. Had the shot gone off, it would have burned away the entire surface and been the worst genocide in the history of mankind. When that happened, an officer -- one of the moderates -- drew his sidearm and shot him. I found him shortly after that happened, and with his dying breaths, he begged me to fire the weapon.

Needless to say, I didn't do it. As a matter of fact, I destroyed it.

Edited 2015-03-16 20:11 (UTC)

[Well that... is ... certainly a story you don't hear every day. Tragic stories are common where she's from considering how humanity is almost reaching extinction there and she's part of the groups defending it, so she even sees a lot of tragic deaths and stuff happening... but...

Okay, she's kind of speechless right now and she's rarely speechless.]

I would have destroyed something like that too if I had the skills for it.

I'm sorry for your father. [Even if back in her world, or anywhere else, she'd probably be one "good" option for killing people like him.]

It's all right. This happened almost three years ago. I've been able to recover.

[Though the process is incomplete. Otherwise, Athrun's path during the Second Bloody Valentine War would have been very different.]

At least he wasn't always like that.

Recovering is good. We shouldn't stop even when those things happen.

[Incomplete process or not, the not stopping part and recovering as well as people can is what matters. She's learned it the hard way after joining the Scouting Legion and going outside the walls, where friends who've become like family keep dying while they're fighting.]

I'm glad he wasn't always like that. We just need to cherish the memories of how things were before... I mean, I didn't always fight with my father, but he really disliked my decision of joining the military and hated it when I joined the Scouting Legion. Can't really blame him, we fight against giant monsters and a lot of people die, so he'd just like to keep me as safe as possible.

That's true, and if you get lost here somehow, you can always call me or into this house, so we can help you in a situation like that.

[Not that she thinks he'll get lost easily, but it's always possible in all new places and she wouldn't want him to feel like he can't call them in that situation. Madoka claps her hands together in happy excitement after he says please.]

Yes, I will gladly show you the area! Umm, it's a big city but I'll try to show all the important places and some others on the way too.

[So it's time to head out after she lets her parents know where they're going, because that's important so they won't be worried about them.]

[He nods.]

I know the feeling of having things to protect. That was originally why I enlisted. I felt that the Naturals had infringed upon our right to exist, as demonstrated in the Bloody Valentine incident, and so I took up arms to defend myself and my fellow Coordinators.

...Speaking of which...that was what caused my father to begin to slide down the slippery slope. The Earth forces fired a missile equipped with a nuclear warhead at the agricultural colony of Junius Seven. It completely obliterated the colony, and the lives of 243,721 Coordinators, mostly civilian, along with it.

...Including my mother.

[As he speaks about the Bloody Valentine incident, he closes his eyes. He doesn't want to show the pain they still reveal when he talks about his mother's death.]

Lead, and I shall follow wherever you decide to take me.

[Meanwhile, Zeheart is ready. Not much for him to prepare -- he has no connections here, anyway.]

Do you have a place in mind to go first?

Call Me Out meme

Petra

Winry

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Nanoha

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everyone in Briggs should know that the mention on this tag is a compliment

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1/2

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omg, i didn't realize this was so late. I'm sorry! ;-;

All is forgiven.

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