4th Record ｢Bonds Formed｣

[guiding_starlight]

[ Phone ]
Good morning, Mayfield. This is Nanoha Takamachi speaking. [ How formal! But she has a question, so it's only right she does it this way. ] I have a request. I know that we can recover items from home, and such technology was not available in the era this town is modeled after, but does anyone have a more modern television or entertainment system available that I might be able to borrow? It would need to play video discs of DVD quality or higher. I promise to take really good care of it. [ And she is using her mature-but-cheerful voice for this call. ] It would either be that, or I would ask to borrow your property for a time, so that I might show off a film from home. I will even clean up when we are finished.

---

[ Action : On the streets of Mayfield ]
[ Nanoha is out walking today, dressed simply but outside of Mayfield's usual standards. It's amazing the difference a shorter skirt makes. Those who know her can probably take a guess that her neighbor and friend, Hayate, is the one responsible for this alteration.

The woman is moving with a purpose in mind, but she'll still stop for some pleasant conversation if someone approaches her. ]

---

[ Action : 945 Beulah : Closed to residents ]
[ There is a knock at the door! But this should come to no surprise as she had called ahead the day before to make certain everyone she wanted to see would be here. Nanoha would very much like to meet Fate's assigned "family". No reason they cannot all get along well, right? ]

Comments

[42_passes]

[Instead of answering, Crona does very slowly shut the door behind Nanoha. When the door is shut, the child will continue to stare at the ground, taking the opportunity to grab that right forearm in that left hand.]

I'm okay. Should I...go get Miss Fate?

[It's obvious this child does not do all that well with new people.]

[guiding_starlight]

You won't have to. She already knows I'm here. [ That... isn't creepy at all, right? Nanoha smiles and dips forward a bit, bringing the necklace's bright red jewel to view. ] We don't need the telephones to communicate, after all.

[ And standing up straight. ] Besides, I came here today hoping to meet you in person. Fate obviously cares about you a great deal, so as her long-time close friend, I should get to know you as well!

[42_passes]

She...cares about me?

Why?

[Crona seems to be just a little upset by this revelation, and obviously confused.]

[guiding_starlight]

[ That isn't an expected reaction, but Nanoha is beginning to rethink her approach. ] It is natural for her. The details are up to her to explain, but Fate has taken several children into her care over the years. [ With a wink. ] What's a few more under her wing, hm?

[42_passes]

[Crona's not...exactly sure how to process what's going on. The statement has reminded the kid of Fate's mother position in the house...and the things being said are bringing up an entire slew of mommy issues.

As such, the child seems to have shut down for the moment, frozen to the spot and staring at the floor. Those eyes, though, seem to be seeing things other than the floor.]

[guiding_starlight]

[ ...oh dear. Nanoha has clearly underestimated the girl's skittishness. This isn't enough to stump her, but the roadblock was unexpected.

She shoots a glance toward the stairs, after sending Fate a quick mental message about the situation. That done she clasps her hands together in front of her, calm as ever. ] Have you had lunch, yet?

[42_passes]

[Crona's head slowly shakes a few times...before the kid flinches. Crona suddenly doubles over as if in pain, and from the child's back something black begins to pour out and take shape.

In an instant, a small black form has materialized out of Crona's spine, directing its attention toward Nanoha.]

Are you making lunch?? I want some, too!

[guiding_starlight]

[ Fate had sort of warned her about this happening, but details were lacking. Nanoha's surprise is brief, but quite apparent. ] Ah...!

You're welcome to join us. What kind would you both like? [ She half-turns, ready to head into the kitchen. ]

[42_passes]

Spicy curry!

[Crona says nothing, and just remains frozen in place...at least until Ragnarok starts pulling on the kid's head.]

Hey, don't just stand there follow her!

[Really, Ragnarok's just kind of trying to break the tension in his own bratty way. Unfortunately it sure doesn't look like it.]

[guiding_starlight]

You can take your time. [ Her eyes narrow suspiciously, but she keeps that feeling at bay for the moment. She puts a finger to her chin. ] I'm not sure I've ever made a spicy curry sandwich before, either... I wonder if they even have the right spices available in this town.

[ She starts to head into the kitchen, calling over her shoulder. ] How about giving me a second choice, in case raiding the cupboards doesn't work?

[42_passes]

Curry is not a sandwich! Anything spicy is fine, that's what I like!

[As Ragnarok speaks, he continues to abuse Crona's head, trying to get the kid to follow and seem enthused. It's not working.]

Stoooopppp...that hurrrrrrrrts.

[guiding_starlight]

But I specifically asked about sandwiches, only! It isn't my kitchen, after all.

[ At the whining, Nanoha turns at the door and clutches the frame tightly. ] ...that isn't necessary. Crona can stay where she would like until I've finished whipping something up.

[42_passes]

[At this point, Ragnarok's just going to sit on Crona's head and pout. Jeeze, nothing ever goes his way here.

At least, he will until Nanoha disappears into the kitchen again. Crona, on the other hand, just really isn't sure what to do and simply continues to stand near the door, staring at the ground. New people are hard to deal with...]

[guiding_starlight]

[ Nanoha is at least glad the hair-pulling and such stopped. She'll just make her own judgement with it comes to the snacks. The woman hops into the kitchen, slaps on an apron even though it's not really necessary, and just generally makes herself at home as she pulls out the bread and various condiments, meats, and cheeses.

Why, no, she's never been in this house or in this kitchen before, but she knows Fate's habit all too well. The only time she cannot find something she attributes it to someone else having control over the placement of said items.

Some time later, she has a plate stacked with a number of different kinds of sandwiches, and sets them down on the dining table, along with some juice. ] They are ready! Please, take whichever and however many you would like. [ She'll just have to go shopping to replenish the supplies later. ]

[42_passes]

[Crona's still standing near the door, STILL staring at the ground. However, there is the possibility of good things to eat...and Ragnarok is getting impatient.]

Hey, did you hear? Go go go! Or I'll MAKE you go!

[Thus, a slow shuffle to the dining room begins. Crona keeps those eyes firmly set upon the ground as they approach the table...and Ragnarok wastes no time in grabbing something and wolfing it down. He didn't even appear to have a mouth before, but as he consumes one he opens that nasty, massive mouth of his, taking to gluttony quite quickly.

Crona, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be taking anything.]

[guiding_starlight]

[ That is certainly an appetite on the black... being. Nanoha takes a few of the triangles and sets them aside on a second plate. ] I'm not sure how your arrangement with Crona works, but be sure to share.

[42_passes]

[That's right, you don't! I take care of this kid, you know! Like some kind of teenage father!

[Crona, meanwhile is having a bit of an inner conflict. The kid doesn't really eat often...but it would be really rude if Crona didn't at least just eat one sandwich, right? After a short mental struggle, Crona finally picks one up and at least begins to nibble on it, remaining silent.

It's a lot like dealing with a highly timid animal.]

[guiding_starlight]

Is that how role models act? [ She casually asks, as she works at cleaning the dishes and utensils she used, as well as any that had been used since breakfast. ]

[42_passes]

Are you trying to say I'm doing it wrong? I know how to treat the kid and I don't need any old ladies telling me otherwise!

[Yea...Crona's just staying out of this one.]

[guiding_starlight]

[ Nanoha's hands pause briefly. "Old lady"? That's a new one on her. ] While I do have a wealth of experience with children and students of all types, you're overestimating my age a little.

[42_passes]

Well you sound like a know-it-all old lady! You cook at least halfway decent so I guess you can stick around.

[C'mon that's mean...Crona really doesn't want Ragnarok to make Miss Fate's friend hate them...she's really nice. The kid will finally pipe up.]

You're being rude...

[guiding_starlight]

[ Nanoha actually laughs a bit at that. ] If it's my cooking that you approve of, there is more where that came from. [ Hey, if it's one way to gain their approval, she doesn't mind starting there. Though she is also glad that Crona has said something. ]

[42_passes]

Who would APPROVE of it?? I said it was halfway decent!

[Ragnarok has moved into tsun mode, apparently.]

You ate five of them...

Shut up, idiot, or I'll eat all of your food for the next week!

[Ah, and now we've devolved into Ragnarok giving Crona noogies.]

[guiding_starlight]

[ Still somewhat amused, though wishing there was some way of ceasing Ragnarok's physical behavior without causing problems. ] Crona is right. Your appetite speaks for itself. Though I won't go comparing my cooking to Fate's. I know she has had plenty of time to practice, away from work.

[42_passes]

I...like the food too...

Both of you shut up! Just because I ate five doesn't mean they were any good! You just...enjoy your slop! Don't think I'm gonna forget this!

[With that, Ragnarok's going to disappear back into Crona's bloodstream like a pouting child. Well...that sucks...now Crona has no buffer. The kid will just stare at the table and quietly nibble on that sandwich.]