Nanoha FanFiction Discussion

[Kaijo]

Porn? *raises an eyebrow, and looks over at my "Perils of Lost Logia" series, as well as my lemon material on mediaminer* Hmmm...

To not make this a total waste, I'll just say that work on the next chapter of Perils: The 2nd Cumming is progressing. And thus, I'll give a little (mostly) SFW teaser trailer for those interested:

Spoiler for Perils of Lost Logia: The 2nd Cumming teaser:

"NO!" Yuuno blurted, suddenly slapping Chrono's hands away and backing up. "I can't!"

"What do you mean you can't?!" Chrono exclaimed in disbelief, growing angry. "Two good men sacrificed themselves so that I could make it here! If you don't-"

"No, you don't understand, brother, he really can't," Chrono's sister interrupted, pulling the attention of both men.

"He can't get it up anymore," Nanoha explained with all the tone of one saying they were out of flour.

"He's got ED," Fate clarified.

Yuuno removed his glasses and buried his face in his hands, while Chrono made an "O" with this lips in understanding and newly appraised the other man sympathetically. "So... you really can't... um...?"

"No, I can't, OKAY?!" Yunno barked, crossing his arms over his chest and looking away.

Nanoha moved closer to pat him on the shoulder. "It's okay, Yuuno-kun. The psychologist said it's just all in your mind, and we are all trying to help work you through this."

[00-Raiser]

Originally Posted by Nanya01

"You're scaring a four year old girl, I hope you're happy for yourself!"

Vivio was 6 in StrikerS.

[Kagerou]

No notes this time; this scene is short enough that it's pretty straightforward. One more scene before this chapter is finished, then I'll put it all together and post it here all at once.

Scene I
Scene II

Spoiler for Episode 00, Scene III:

The thing about powerful mages fighting is that it sends "echoes" throughout time and space. Similar to a beacon, it lets anyone with a sufficiently-sized Linker Core detect it. They feel as if tremors in the air, and similar to tremors, the further out one is from the epicenter the weaker it is.

The Aces were sitting on the roof of their middile school, eating lunch quietly, when Vita was the first one to feel the magic tremors.

What the hell is that?! She practically shouted through telepathy. That kind of power is impossible!

I feel it too. Came Shamal's thoughts as she stood on a distant rooftop. It feels like... ancient power.

Hayate and the girls looked at each other quizzically. What are you- Hayate began, but then it struck her.

A powerful, crushing magical force radiated against the three Aces. Unlike the Wolkenritter, who were immune to the sheer power due to their weaker Cores, the force was like a thousand pounds pushing down on the girls. Hayate clutched her arms to her sides and shivered with pain, biting back a piercing scream. What is this?! she screamed in her mind. This kind of power feels like a magic battlefield!

Fate and Nanoha fared no better. The girls tried to ignore the odd stares as they screamed out in pain, unholy pain as the force of the battle beat into their Linker Cores. But for these two, the power was even more amplified than it was for Hayate. Something behind it caused their Linker Cores to almost rupture from the pressure, and Nanoha felt the twinges of something that she knew to be impossible.

This... this energy... she groaned as a pained scream came out of her. This is the energy that comes from my spells! This is the power of a fully powered Starlight Breaker!

What?! Vita exclaimed, moving from her position to fly rapidly toward the school. But how is that possible?! The only people capable of performing that spell are you and Mistress Hayate!

I know, I know... Nanoha tried to stand, stumbled forward, and fell flat on her face. She cried out and hugged herself, curling into a ball with tears coming out of her eyes. But how can this even be possible? It feels just like the energy I use! There is literally no difference!

No, there's a subtle one, I can taste it now. Signum was biting her tongue, trying to look nonchalant as the tremors worsened, pushing onto her Core. It's... much darker than yours. Twinged with only the faintest taste of corruption.

Nanoha turned her attention from the energy. F...Fate... are you...

Fate was shaking. Not just with the sheer bone-crushing pain, but from a feeling that she knew all too well. Nnn... this feeling... I know this feeling! Nanoha-chan... it's... it's...

"M... mama..." Fate sobbed. Tears began to streak from her face as Precia's terrible power punished her once more, an inescapable feeling as she curled up into herself. She began to cry uncontrollably. "It's mama... I know this... I feel it... Nanoha..." she looked to the ponytailed girl the best she could, her tears streaming now. "Nanoha... I can't... Mama is...!"

The girl who's mother had forsaken her couldn't hold it in anymore. She started to cry loudly, her sobs echoing across the rooftop and causing people to slowly move toward her. Nanoha slowly, painfully stood up, Hayate trying her best to do the same. Together, the girls reached over to Fate and, fighting the unholy pain, took the blonde into the best embrace they could. Fate's cries became louder, the very act of moving unbearable as the pain mixed in with her memories of her "birth" mother.

Confused tears mixed in. Why... why did she still love this woman? Why did she care about these feelings?

"Nanoha... Hayate..." Fate clenched her eyes as fresh pain hammered her, the tears spilling to the ground beneath. "She's dead... Mama is... she's dead!" She reached out the best she could and reached out for Nanoha, grabbing her uniform and pulling her close, crying into her shirt. "She's dead! She's dead! Oh God, she's dead!"

Seconds later, ignoring everything else they ever knew, three Knights and a Guardian Beast broke open the door to the roof, rushed across it, and took the three Aces into the tightest, most desperate embrace they could. Fate's sobbing was the only thing heard as the girl cried, with silent tears streaming down the faces of the other two Aces. Vita let her own come forth, as did Shamal, but Signum and Zafira kept stoic, holding in their own feelings as they watched the Ace of Power succumb deeper into her sadness.

"She's dead... she's dead..." Fate sobbed out, and a pained scream that would tear worlds asunder ripped from her throat.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Across the dimensions, Admiral Chrono Harlown as well as everyone aboard his ship felt the same tremor, though much weaker. He looked up from his book and wondered what that was. A feeling of protectiveness suddenly hit him, a bolt of lightning from heaven above. Dropping his book, he slammed his hand down on the com system.

"Brid-"
"Turn the ship around." He barked. The officer in charge blinked.
"I'm sorry, sir?"

"I said turn the ship around, damnit!" Chrono shouted, all decency in his voice blown away. "Make a direct course for Terra, now! I don't care how many naval rules we have to break!"

"What's wrong, sir?"
"My sister is in trouble, and I intend to find out why!"

[00-Raiser]

Posted Desperate Measures and Hero's Reward.

Up to short #40 now. I know it's not much but it's by far my highest chapter count.

[deathcurse]

Originally Posted by Shigan

So... I'm the default writer for when we want sex? O_o

Originally Posted by RadiantBeam

.... Kind of?

Originally Posted by Shigan

*shakes her Nanoha manuscripts in Kuroi's face*

Porn where!?

*sulks*

Originally Posted by RadiantBeam

*pat pat*

There, there. It's just teasing. It's not our fault (or yours) that you write good mild sex scenes.

You write classy mild sex scenes? As in, they are hot but not pornographic? I normally only skim the actual sex scenes in stories, even if they're well written (as in, not IKEA Erotica) since I still have a distaste for scenes like that. But I actually read (and re-read ) the stuff you slipped into The Things We Tame . So technically, you're not a good "sex scene writer", but a good "not-a-sex-scene-but-the-right-feeling-is-there-so-the-reader-gets-the-point-but-it's-not-icky/uncomfortable-scene writer"?

Originally Posted by DezoPenguin

Speaking as someone who actually likes Vivio (it's interesting how many people here who do write about her don't actually seem to have any particular affection for her ), I can't really deny that in StrikerS she's more of a plot device than she is a character. She's the MacGuffin being chased by Jail's troops, and she's something small and innocent for Nanoha to get attached to to give her a personal stake. How effective she is at that is largely dependent on whether you think she's cute and adorable or just irritating. For some odd reason ("odd" because, frankly, I hate small children, and children in the media so often consist of annoying stereotypes) I found Vivio to be the former. I felt sorry for her loneliness and I felt rip-out-her-guts furious at Quattro when she was laughing at Vivio's screaming when the Relic was being implanted. But what really won me over was when, after eating five Starlight Breakers and being devolved back into her six-year-old form, she looks up at Nanoha and tells her something that amounts to "No, Mama, I can walk out of the crater myself!" (The cynic in me would say that she demonstrated more personality in that moment than Erio and Caro did in the whole show, but that's a different rant about the StrikerS cast bloat.)

Well, I do admit that I felt bad for her in StrikerS, and I actually felt something when she was kidnapped and in pain/crying. And her loneliness was really sad (which made the scene where Nanoha woke up, pulled out of Vivio's embrace, and when she noticed Vivio's asleep distress and moved her into Fate's arms (and Fate hugged her) so touching and cute ).

Originally Posted by DezoPenguin

Lastly, about Nanoha herself...it's true that other than giving her maternal instincts post-timeskip (not just for Vivio, but also in the sense of her becoming a trainer for student mages) she gets very little character development, but that's not the same thing as saying that she's not a well-rounded character. Compare, for example, Batman--he's actually a fairly complex character in a lot of ways, but he hasn't changed (except by retcon, which isn't character development, it's just editorially altering the base template) in any meaningful way since the 1930s.

Agreed! I don't mind how Nanoha's character hasn't changed much in the recent works--she has a pretty complex character, with some mystery to her so that one wonders sometimes at her motivations like we do with real people. So even if her personality hasn't been laid out in clear-cut ways, she's still an interesting character despite the lack of recent character development.

[deathcurse]

Sorry for the double post, but "Little Girl" is now posted on Fanfiction.net .

A newly updated Hayate x Vivio Files story links for those who are interested:

Spoiler for Hayate x Vivio Files Chronology:

Stories
Gut Feeling - by deathcurse
Little Girl - by deathcurse (Part 1 of 3 stories)
Lose By Holding Back - by deathcurse
You Never Lose By Loving - by deathcurse *First story in the series, recommended to be read first*
Prerogative of the Brave - by deathcurse (in progress)
To Let Nature Run its Course - by Extrinsical/Eagle8819
Grandmama Wolf - by RadiantBeam
Judgement Day - by deathcurse
The Things We Tame - by Shigan
No Explanation Will Be Good Enough – by Shigan

Fanon
Unforseen Complications - by Moczo
Bad End - by deathcurse

EDIT: Added Shigan's new fic ^^.
EDIT 2: Added RB's fic and another dc short.

[MaxwellDemon]

Originally Posted by Shigan

So the ball's in my court? This might be no three-pointer, but hey, butter!Yui needs to be buttered. Slowly and patiently.

Aaaand we're here! The finale! This finishes my first contribution to the Hayate x Vivio Files. This was a nice story to write, mostly because I got to write what I really enjoyed while deathcurse plunged into the stuff I would have had enourmous difficulties writing. Thanks mate! *writer-fist*

What more to say? I'll be writing more, no point in jumping ship now when I've helped to set so many things in motion. Also, I do recommend you to re-read Part 5: One Mama Laughs Best if you cannot recall what happened. Things We Tame were written to be read as a one-shot to begin with and I think that it generally flows better if you read two or three parts in one go.

Now, onwards! To brave new skies!

The Things We Tame
By Shigan

'Men have forgotten this truth,' said the fox. 'But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.'
Antoine de Saint-Exupery


Previous parts:

Prelude: Not Today
Part 1: Team Takamachi
Part 2: When I Get Home There had Better Be Kisses
part 3: Headbands
Part 5: One Mama Laughs Best

Spoiler for Duty's Call:

Spoiler for Author's Notes:

*high fives Deathcurse and Extriniscal*

Looking back at it, I really like the first half of this last part most. I think this is where Vivio really comes through as an adult compared to dc's young, teenaged (and adorable) take on her in Prerogative. Viv's growing up to become a contributing part in her society and she's doing this by being a good soldier, a considerate leader, a good daughter and finally slowly becoming a more mature companion for Hayate (who I'm afraid, will never outgrow french maid uniforms. Cranagan should be very afraid if we one day indeed make her a High Marshal.). I'll be looking forward to write more of those two in the future! x)

And finally, thanks to deathcurse for inspiring this whole thing. Without her, this story would never have been. Without Extriniscal, this ball would never have started rolling.

Last but never, ever least: Thank you, anamatics, for being a patient beta-reader through my storms of writing schizophrenia, a support and a ear for my creative woes.

Go H x V!

Is it me or the link to Part 4 isn't showing for some weird reason? Anyway, onto my reaction...

Awesome. Deliciously awesome.

I love what you did here. What seemingly seems to be a regular routine with Vivio going out to her missions with her fellow Hounds and the event before it evolved into something bigger and becoming more emotionally nurturing for both parties.

Great ending. You are honestly tempting me to pick my pen up again to write fictions. First Flying and now this.

Originally Posted by Kaijo

Porn? *raises an eyebrow, and looks over at my "Perils of Lost Logia" series, as well as my lemon material on mediaminer* Hmmm...

To not make this a total waste, I'll just say that work on the next chapter of Perils: The 2nd Cumming is progressing. And thus, I'll give a little (mostly) SFW teaser trailer for those interested:

Spoiler for Perils of Lost Logia: The 2nd Cumming teaser:

"NO!" Yuuno blurted, suddenly slapping Chrono's hands away and backing up. "I can't!"

"What do you mean you can't?!" Chrono exclaimed in disbelief, growing angry. "Two good men sacrificed themselves so that I could make it here! If you don't-"

"No, you don't understand, brother, he really can't," Chrono's sister interrupted, pulling the attention of both men.

"He can't get it up anymore," Nanoha explained with all the tone of one saying they were out of flour.

"He's got ED," Fate clarified.

Yuuno removed his glasses and buried his face in his hands, while Chrono made an "O" with this lips in understanding and newly appraised the other man sympathetically. "So... you really can't... um...?"

"No, I can't, OKAY?!" Yunno barked, crossing his arms over his chest and looking away.

Nanoha moved closer to pat him on the shoulder. "It's okay, Yuuno-kun. The psychologist said it's just all in your mind, and we are all trying to help work you through this."

Hahahaha, poor Yuuno. That's really all I can say. I can't believe how too much hotness did that to him.

[RadiantBeam]

Originally Posted by deathcurse

Sorry for the double post, but "Little Girl" is now posted on Fanfiction.net .

A newly updated Hayate x Vivio Files story links for those who are interested:

Spoiler for Hayate x Vivio Files Chronology:

Stories
Gut Feeling - by deathcurse
Little Girl - by deathcurse (Part 1 of 3 stories)
Lose By Holding Back - by deathcurse
You Never Lose By Loving - by deathcurse *First story in the series, recommended to be read first*
Prerogative of the Brave - by deathcurse (in progress)
To Let Nature Run its Course - by Extrinsical/Eagle8819
The Things We Tame - by Shigan

Fanon
Unforseen Complications - by Moczo
Bad End - by deathcurse

Awesome. It looks good when it's all put together. Are you planning to put a link in your sig so people can find it like you did with the Logs and CNS?

[Shigan]

Originally Posted by MaxwellDemon

You are honestly tempting me to pick my pen up again to write fictions. First Flying and now this.

Glad you liked it! And shucks, that's beyond flattering. I can't think of a greater compliment than to have been an inspiration for others' writings. *bows*

...this makes me feel like something more refined than the thread's default porn scribe. xD Sulky-Shigan jokes aside, thanks guys, I'm glad you're... using my steam for 're-readings'.

[deathcurse]

Originally Posted by RadiantBeam

Awesome. It looks good when it's all put together. Are you planning to put a link in your sig so people can find it like you did with the Logs and CNS?

Hm, good idea--I'll go do that now ^_^.

[yuiseppe]

Originally Posted by Shigan

So the ball's in my court? This might be no three-pointer, but hey, butter!Yui needs to be buttered. Slowly and patiently.

snip

The Things We Tame
By Shigan

'Men have forgotten this truth,' said the fox. 'But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.'
Antoine de Saint-Exupery


Previous parts:

Prelude: Not Today
Part 1: Team Takamachi
Part 2: When I Get Home There had Better Be Kisses
part 3: Headbands
Part 5: One Mama Laughs Best

Spoiler for Duty's Call:

The next three week passed in a blur.

Vivio divided her time the best she could between her family, Hayate and preparations for her next deployment. The Navy had requested the STG’s assistance for a counter-strike measure against a conglomerate of interplanetary criminal organisations dealing in arms, rare Logias and restricted pharmaceutics. Enforcer intelligence had located several key bases of their operations and needed firepower for the ground-work. Vivio didn’t need numbers to know that it was going to be ugly, not with this kind of money involved.

She balanced her team, considered their specialities and strengths before sending preparation recommendations to Rhen, Kvick and Harley. They needed to be ready as she doubted communications would be good once they touched down, especially Kvick’s security slicing skills would be invaluable.

Hayate was busy and remained so during the last days of Vivio’s leave. They spent the nights together, alternating between having late dinners, making love or just cuddled and talked. While Vivio lacked the insight or grasp of the larger picture of Mid-Childa’s political situation, she could give smaller advice, words that balanced Hayate’s sense of peace and self when the high games grew to weary to bear. It gave Vivio a sense of deep satisfaction when they rested together.

Vita and Signum, having heard the news, engaged her in a fourteen days long training program where the captains mercilessly drilled her through the more advanced infiltration strategies. They trained night and day, finishing with a continual multi-field exercise spanning ninety-six hours. The pair was harsh, but Signum’s tactical shrewdness was a good balance to Vita’s brute strength and Vivio found it difficult to not appreciate the challenge. When they were finally done, she all but crashed in her bed and was ready to sleep for months.

Shamal gave her a batch of modified cartridges, reminding her sternly to use them only in moderation while Zafira, who rarely left Hayate’s side, came by and gave Vivio an upgraded wristband for Sacred Heart. Her mothers’ mood was dampened over her early departure. They were quiet at times, cheerful at others. Fate made sure to cook her favourite foods while Nanoha stubbornly refused to treat her any different. They were small things, tiny details to the passing of days, but Vivio saw the love in their actions and would carry them all deeply.

It was hard to believe that she once had been a lonely child in a madman’s scheme. Vivio could barely remember Jail and the events that had thrown her into Nanoha’s path, and while she couldn’t find it in herself to quite be grateful, she acknowledged his contribution to her life. In her darkest dreams, she would sometimes remember the soft whispers of a raspy voice and the cool feeling of her small hands hitting against glass. She had been so frightened and mama was not there.

That was in the past. Vivio knew this once she grew tall and her limbs grew stronger. She knew it in every scar on her body and every bite of delicious food. It was hard not to when you were constantly surrounded by the unyielding, determined love of the Takamachi-Harlaown and Yagami families. Erio’s and Caro’s child would be born into a good world and Vivio’s mind boggled at the thought of becoming an aunt.

The days passed and she found herself standing on the loading bay of The Guardia.

It was a nice ship, an Arbiter class with the sleek design of a smaller cruising vessel. The hull was polished and even the lower decks seemed without a speck of rust, the whole ship smelled of oil and sharp ozone. Vivio admired her uncle’s ship and felt right at home. Admiral Chrono Harlaown was known to many for his unlikeness of enjoying speedy space vessels. Of course, those same people had probably never met the other Harlaown sibling or familiarized themselves with her “modest” interest in sport cars.

Vivio was double checking a crate containing their surface gear when the rest of her team arrived. The three of them looked well, rested and in good spirits, Vivio nodded her greetings as they exchanged salutes.

Harley threw himself atop a metallic box, pulling out his device, a rifle with range-adjustable upgrades and started dismantle it for maintenance. He looked to be in a good mood, though none of them dared to ask why. Kvick was reading up on the technical details on the systems they expected to force through a pair of tech-boosted specs, an odd, bordering wicked smile plastered on her hawkish face. Vivio liked the security expert despite her manic tendencies; Kvick was fun, surgical in field and certainly lacked no skill with her spellwork.

Rhen joined her and they fell in work.

“Ho, kid.” He greeted.

“Ho, Rhen.” She returned with a smile, meaning it. “How’s your wife?”

“Fat and jolly, bless her. How’s your dirty, secret hush-hush affair?” Both Kvick and Harley chuckled at this.

Vivio shot him a glare over the crate, somehow managing to simultaneously look embarrassed and happy at once. Rhen raised an eyebrow.

“That good, huh? Just give us the steam, woman. We need a topic while burning space.”

The blonde threw him a package with rations in friendly humour, aiming for his head. “One of these days, I will.”

“I’m glad. I freshened up my arsonist skills as you recommended by the way, brushed up the explosives stuff too when I was at it.” He continued conversationally.

“Good, it never hurts if there’re two of us.” She replied. “I’m expecting a few pure sabotage missions together with regular hit-and-run ones.”

“What’s the Navy’s take on this?”

“Infiltration mostly, I’m expecting they’ll be handling intelligence while the STG do the damage.”

Harley looked up from his rifle, face wry. “We’ll have one hell of a run then. Say what you want about those pretty-capes, but they do know their spells and data.”

“The hot uniforms had to be for something, right?” Kvick added absentmindedly.

Vivio sometimes wondered if the Navy indeed employed their own fashion designer, anyone could see the bordering comical difference.

Harley guffawed. “Poofs, I tell you.”

They all snickered and fell back to their individual preparations. Vivio found herself a spot and booted up Sacred Heart’s configuration panel, eager to see the new calibrations Shari had performed. She had put in a request to have her limiter modified since the algorithms conflicted with her more powerful offensive spells. The scientist spent two days working on it and had sworn on the white of her lab coat that the problem would be no more. She was happily scrolling away on her holo, completely engrossed by the task when Harley spoke up.

“Hey, would you look at that.” He whistled.

Kvick joined in a moment later. “That’s a lot of brass, yah. Why do you reckon she’s down here?”

“Lost probably, I doubt that one’s ever been outside a command deck.” The large man answered. Vivio didn’t bother to look. People got lost in the lower decks all the time, that’s why ships like this had intercoms installed.

“Well, what rank do you figure she is?”

“Judging by the stripes I would say general. She’s lost alright.” Harley said while leering goofily. “You don’t reckon she would appreciate some help, do you? Pretty thing like that.”

Rhen spoke last, his tune curious. “I don’t think so. She’s seems to be looking for something.”

His words made Vivio look up. She froze.

Hayate stood in the middle of the loading bay, dressed in the dark-blue uniform issued to high command and carrying her portfolio. She looked as striking as ever, though slightly out of breath. They had said their good-byes the night before since the general was supposed to oversee the proceedings of a juridical case and Rein had almost cried when she reviewed the number of related meetings. Hayate’s eyes lit up when she saw Vivio.

“Hoo yeah, she’s smiling at me.”

“It’s not you she’s looking at, idiot. It’s…”

Vivio ignored them as she jumped up and ran over, happy that the other had found the time to see her off, but worried as well. Hayate had an unhealthy habit of skipping lunch which no one but her waistline endorsed.

“Hey,” Hayate greeted softly. “Your uncle let me on.”

Vivio smiled. “He’s a handy guy to have around.”

They stood silently for a while, looking at each other. It was not an uncomfortable silence but a loaded one nonetheless. Vivio thought there must be a pocket in space between them, sucking out and spitting forth what she had been dreading to feel for weeks. She thought of the long days when Hayate would not be there and all the things they could have talked about, she thought of the smiles she would miss and the touch of ashen hair beneath her fingers. Most of all, she thought of the presence, the person of Yagami Hayate who had become so irrecoverably integrate to her life.

Vivio didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t one for long good-byes and there were things no words could do real justice. Hayate observed her calmly, her eyes unusually stormy in contemplation.

“Six months,” she spoke. Hayate drew a long breath, as if she wanted to confirm her own words.

“It sounds scarier than it probably really is.” Vivio tried meekly, unsure if her own voice would hold up.

“You might be half-way to become an aunt when you get back.”

She nodded happily at the mention of her foster siblings.

Somewhere, in a far corner of her mind, Vivio was aware of Rhen and the others’ curious looks. She saw them for the brawny, good soldiers they were and decided to take a leap of faith. After all, Hounds ran in packs and she was their leader.

She thought of Nanoha and Fate and the boundless love in their actions and words, and how much she valued their consult. She thought of the world in general, and how things would always be difficult. Falling in love had been so easy when she was a girl, a flutter in her steps and the desire for the other’s attention. It was the keeping of the emotion, nurturing it through time and life that was the truly hard part. It was a task of a lifetime and one that took courage.

Did she want to spend her life with Hayate?

Did she want the burdens their hearts and careers would undoubtedly place upon them? Could she endure the grievance and heartbreaks of the differences that would always be there?

The answers came ridiculously easy and with great relief.

She stepped forwards like her fifteen-years-old self once had done with a rose in hand, her hands clutching nothing but the weight of her decisions. Hayate met her halfway, no doubt carrying her own fears.

They embraced tightly and stayed that way. Hayate cradled Vivio against her, trembling as her hands moved along the blonde’s back. Vivio kissed her. Not passionately, not desperately but gently, moving her lips against Hayate’s in patient, soft caress. It was not a kiss of parting lovers but a pledge, an uncompromised promise of return and dedication.

They broke apart as quietly as they had begun, arms still encircled.

“I must go back.” Hayate said after a while.

“Mnh.”

“Fight well and be safe.” Her eyes were wet. “Please, promise me to be safe.”

“If you promise to take care of yourself, or at least let Shamal do it.”

Hayate pinched her arm. “You’re in no position to negotiate, officer Takamachi.”

“No ma’m.” Vivio answered jokingly and rested her forehead against the other. “I will miss you.”

Oh Vivio. The reply came telepathically, because Hayate was a general and it would not do to cry in front of Vivio’s men. I shall miss you too. I love you so much, so promise me you’ll be careful.

The lieutenant nodded. I promise. And I love you too.

They spoke no more as they parted. Vivio watched Hayate leave; she watched the beautiful, retreating back and tried to measure the impact of what the woman was to her. Had her fifteen-years-old self foreseen the depths her feelings one day would have? Probably not. She looked to Hayate and appreciated her for everything she was.

The rest of the Hounds came up behind her, all with varying expression of sly grins and smug smirks.

“Cock and balls, Takamachi.” Harley exclaimed, staring at her. Kvick groaned and rolled her eyes while Vivio raised an eyebrow in honest puzzlement.

“It means he is impressed.” Rhen filled in helpfully while he looked after the general, bemused. “So that’s your steam, huh? No wonder you kept it under lids. That’s way too brassy to not cause a stink.”

“Well played kid,” Kvick shrugged and grinned while she tapped at her specs quickly. “There’s only one general in the whole bureau with those characteristics. She’s the deal isn’t she? Yagami Hayate, the genius tactician, legendary ace, decorated general and City Defence Commander. The woman is our freaking boss.”

To their surprise, Vivio did not seem embarrassed but stood proudly, eyeing them in challenge. “She is.” And what of it? Her silent question hung in the air.

“Well, that came not a day to early.” Rhen remarked. He smiled and clapped Vivio on the shoulder. The three of them seemed oddly at peace with this new information.

“What now?” Vivio asked, nonplussed at their behaviour. “I thought you were all gonna string me up and milk me for dirt.”

Rhen laughed. “Naw. We’re glad you’re aiming for the high scores.”

“Dirt no, extra munitions hell yeah.” Kvick commented.

“Chill Takamachi,” Harley said in a merry, rumbling voice. “We’re Hounds remember? Boss, general or whatever, if Yagami’s your bitch then she’s pack. We look after our own.”

It wasn’t the most beautiful of declarations but Vivio couldn’t argue as her soldiers laughed. After all, it made perfectly sense.

**-fin-**

Spoiler for Author's Notes:

*high fives Deathcurse and Extriniscal*

Looking back at it, I really like the first half of this last part most. I think this is where Vivio really comes through as an adult compared to dc's young, teenaged (and adorable) take on her in Prerogative. Viv's growing up to become a contributing part in her society and she's doing this by being a good soldier, a considerate leader, a good daughter and finally slowly becoming a more mature companion for Hayate (who I'm afraid, will never outgrow french maid uniforms. Cranagan should be very afraid if we one day indeed make her a High Marshal.). I'll be looking forward to write more of those two in the future! x)

And finally, thanks to deathcurse for inspiring this whole thing. Without her, this story would never have been. Without Extriniscal, this ball would never have started rolling.

Last but never, ever least: Thank you, anamatics, for being a patient beta-reader through my storms of writing schizophrenia, a support and a ear for my creative woes.

Go H x V!

Hehehe well, people here have said it already, but very nice end which just gives it that air of maturity I wanted. Although, I did begin to wonder about the Hounds' operation protocols when it sounded like the team was basically checking out their upgrades or doing maintenance when they're actually being deployed. I'd have hoped they would have done that beforehand at least once as a matter of prudence.

And yes, I am amiable to almost all attempts at bribery.

Originally Posted by NTFTH

That picture looks amazing.

I'm guessing Vivio's going to enjoy what happens next?

hehehe or maybe Hayate's just going to rile her up for a bit of revenge?

Originally Posted by RadiantBeam

My imagination thanks you for the image, and has no problem figuring out what happens next.

Originally Posted by blissfullyunaware

yuiseppe- great picture as always.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by DezoPenguin

It is officially a good day for fans of this series! Yui's art is, as always, and that was a nice wrap-up to this segment of the series, Shigan. I especially like that you spent considerable time inside Vivio's head for this story, which itself makes a nice balance for deathcurse's story since that one centers around Hayate as POV character.

Oh I know what could make it a good WEEK for fans of the series...

Originally Posted by Shigan

And Yui: HOT! Especially since I know -exactly- what happens after! xD

Care to share?

Originally Posted by deathcurse

I love you yui! My imagination has nothing on this! *saves picture*

And now for some context??? *innocent whistling*NUDGENUDGE SHIGAN NUDGENUDGE*

Careful there dc, if we all nudge Shigan at the same time, it'll turn into one great shove XD

(And I'd like to point out that Vivio still can't roll up her sleeves tidily. Yes, of all things, that was my favourite part of the pic.)

Originally Posted by Shigan

So... I'm the default writer for when we want sex? O_o

Naw, not porn. HOT FLUFF. HOT Fluff.

Originally Posted by Kaijo

Porn? *raises an eyebrow, and looks over at my "Perils of Lost Logia" series, as well as my lemon material on mediaminer* Hmmm...

To not make this a total waste, I'll just say that work on the next chapter of Perils: The 2nd Cumming is progressing. And thus, I'll give a little (mostly) SFW teaser trailer for those interested:

Spoiler for Perils of Lost Logia: The 2nd Cumming teaser:

"NO!" Yuuno blurted, suddenly slapping Chrono's hands away and backing up. "I can't!"

"What do you mean you can't?!" Chrono exclaimed in disbelief, growing angry. "Two good men sacrificed themselves so that I could make it here! If you don't-"

"No, you don't understand, brother, he really can't," Chrono's sister interrupted, pulling the attention of both men.

"He can't get it up anymore," Nanoha explained with all the tone of one saying they were out of flour.

"He's got ED," Fate clarified.

Yuuno removed his glasses and buried his face in his hands, while Chrono made an "O" with this lips in understanding and newly appraised the other man sympathetically. "So... you really can't... um...?"

"No, I can't, OKAY?!" Yunno barked, crossing his arms over his chest and looking away.

Nanoha moved closer to pat him on the shoulder. "It's okay, Yuuno-kun. The psychologist said it's just all in your mind, and we are all trying to help work you through this."

See? We have the mighty Kaijo for our crack porn

Originally Posted by Shigan

Glad you liked it! And shucks, that's beyond flattering. I can't think of a greater compliment than to have been an inspiration for others' writings. *bows*

...this makes me feel like something more refined than the thread's default porn scribe. xD Sulky-Shigan jokes aside, thanks guys, I'm glad you're... using my steam for 're-readings'.

Re-reading is the correct terminology. *nods* I would be re-reading your fics but I need to wake up in 3 hours to get back to work.

[deathcurse]

Originally Posted by yuiseppe

Careful there dc, if we all nudge Shigan at the same time, it'll turn into one great shove XD

(And I'd like to point out that Vivio still can't roll up her sleeves tidily. Yes, of all things, that was my favourite part of the pic.)

Very true . We should time our nudges to different days, so there's a constant stream of puppy-dog eyes and begging to sway Shigan's mind .

(.........OMG, I can't believe I missed that on my first look! XD I was so preoccupied with the hotness of the scene, but yes, I love the screwed up sleeves! Thanks for the continuity nod!)

[NTFTH]

Originally Posted by yuiseppe

And yes, I am amiable to almost all attempts at bribery.

Can you be bribed by anyone?

[mega1987]

Originally Posted by Nanya01

Hey guys! You miss me?

*Crickets chirp*

...Huh, guess not.

Red

Yagami

Spoiler for Blood That Flows - Peak - Mid Start:

It was early morning on Mid-Childa and Zest took a deep breath as he stood in front of the door. It had been a couple of years. He wondered how his friends had been doing since he last saw them. Not to mention that he had to deal with a couple of hanger-ons that came to Mid-Childa. 'Not really.' He reminded himself, but he still wanted to check on them and make sure that they were where they were supposed to be.

After all, they were comrades of his on Non-Administered World 500.

"Morning." Zest nodded to the woman, who didn't even look up. "If you," she looked up and gasped, "Zest! You're back!"

"Good to see you too, Auris." Zest nodded to her and let a small smile grace his lips. "You've grown rather pretty since I saw you last."

The girl blushed heavily. "Oh, thanks. Anyway, yeah, he's here." Zest nodded as he walked in. Even if it had been a couple of years and an office change, Zest oddly felt comfortable about being here.

Though, when he walked in and saw just a bare desk and Regius stand at the window with his back to the door, Zest wondered if there was a new Ground Forces HQ built soon. "Regius?"

The man turned and raised an eyebrow at what he saw. "Zest, it's been a long time." Zest nodded as he walked forward. "I take it you found what you were looking for?"

Zest shrugged as he stood in front of the desk. "I managed to get my mind off of things. Why is your office so empty?"

Regius smirked softly. "We have a new HQ building ready to go. We're just finishing moving our stuff there."

Zest nodded. "I'm surprised it took so long."

Regius shrugged at that. "It's been going slow, between finding a good place for the new building and all the tech the R&D guys have come up with have kept us pretty busy and out of any new buildings until just now."

"New tech?" Zest raised an eyebrow before noticing something clipped to Regius' belt. "What the..?"

"A new toy that they came up with. It's called the Shine Sword."

"Looks like the Sword of Light." Zest noted and Regius nodded. "...They created a copy of the Sword of Light?"

"Yes. The upper limits aren't fully tested yet, but this thing is strong." He patted his belt and nodded. "More and more of these things are being made every day. I find it a little odd that you recognized it so quickly."

Zest shook his head. "No. Just yesterday, I was fighting alongside several people against several high-powered Mazoku on the world that I was on." Regius' blinked at that. "I would have died had it not been for a healer named Sylphiel and her husband Gourry.

"So, how..." Regius started and Zest nodded to him.

"Let's get some chairs, this is going to take awhile." Regius nodded and told Auris to get them what they needed. "You know, she can listen in." Regius blinked at Zest. "Something like this, it's important to know the details."

Regius nodded. A couple of years was enough to change anyone. "Just remember to visit Quint when you're done here." When Zest raised an eyebrow, he chuckled. "She said, 'I don't care if I still can't walk, I'm going to get out of this wheelchair and kick both your asses if he doesn't visit'."

Zest actually laughed at that. "I don't doubt it." Quint was always creative when she wanted to be.

sorry for the late review/reply, Nanya... Finding a job is no easy task for a laid back person like me. Especially if you're the eldest and the pressure to go find a new one is sooo annoying.

Anyways... Looks like whatever Regius pass on to Jail from Zest's tale is sure gonna be interesting for him and a space warship full of trouble for Quattro/Levi...

A Plucky Girl like Quint who's still crippled, gonna kick Regius' and Zest's Ass if the latter didn't visit her. *Gives the captured muses to Nanya's Muse.* Make that happen!!!

[RadiantBeam]

Originally Posted by deathcurse

Hm, good idea--I'll go do that now ^_^.

Looks awesome.

Originally Posted by yuiseppe

And yes, I am amiable to almost all attempts at bribery.

Darn it, I have nothing to bribe you with if I wanted to make a request!

[shiroi mahotsukai]

Nonsense, where there's a will there's a way. You just have to find something that's all.

[00-Raiser]

Originally Posted by RadiantBeam

Darn it, I have nothing to bribe you with if I wanted to make a request!

I think you'd just have to ask nicely I've noticed a trend that when you say you'd like to see a certain fic some one does end up writing it.

[Shigan]

Originally Posted by yuiseppe

Careful there dc, if we all nudge Shigan at the same time, it'll turn into one great shove XD

Originally Posted by deathcurse

Very true . We should time our nudges to different days, so there's a constant stream of puppy-dog eyes and begging to sway Shigan's mind .

*is trounced by dc's and Yui's massive shove for Hot!/"fluff"/pr0N* ^^;

Just to make sure... what exactly is it you're shoving me for? I mean, mild sex scenes of the Tame kind do take a whole story that goes with it to build up. I think RB is actually more skilled than me in producing hot shorts *holds up It Never Hurts With You*.

[RadiantBeam]

Originally Posted by Shigan

*is trounced by dc's and Yui's massive shove for Hot!/"fluff"/pr0N* ^^;

Just to make sure... what exactly is it you're shoving me for? I mean, mild sex scenes of the Tame kind do take a whole story that goes with it to build up. I think RB is actually more skilled than me in producing hot shorts *holds up It Never Hurts With You*.

... That was actually my first time attempting that kind of hot fluff, and I don't know if I could pull it off again and get the same positive reaction.

[Kagerou]

Completely random post time brought to you by a serious lack of inspiration.

A while back Satashi (I think) used to issue little challenges to the writers here in an attempt to stir up some creativity. This was YEARS ago, but some of you are veteran enough that you may remember. I'm thinking of starting that back up again. There's no contest and no rewards, just something fun to do. By making you write something you may not have written before or thought about, it makes you think a bit harder about what you're writing.

What say you?