[X] Arrange something for Fate.
- [X] Set up a short concert on your new piano, invite everyone to listen.
Business concluded, the technician packs up his tools and departs. Once it's polite to do so, you make your way to Ginga. "Can you call Admiral Lindy Harlaown for me?" She blinks, confused, and you nod. "There's something I want to do, but I need her help." They all stare at you concernedly, but after a moment Ginga nods.
"Alright. Give me a few minutes." You bob your head quickly and return to your piano. For an upright, it really is a marvelous instrument, now that it's been repaired and tested. And, being an upright, it's a lot easier to move and store …. "Flandre!" Ginga waves you over, but instead of the admiral, you see the skeptical face of Alph scowling at you.
"What are you up to? Lindy's busy with Fate right now." You nod; maybe Alph can help you, since she is Fate's familiar.
"Fate's coming back today, isn't she? I finally got a fixed-up piano, so what I wanted to do was hold a little concert for her, so she feels a bit more relaxed and knows that people care about her. Nothing so large and formal as the party when she came back, just something to let her know that this is a good place for her and she doesn't need to worry. The thing is, I don't know about the music she likes, so I wanted to ask her mother if she had any sheet music for the stuff she likes to listen to." Alph stares at you, perhaps wondering if you're being truthful, then her eyes flick over your shoulder. You look back - she's looking at the prisoners, waiting with Ginga farther back - and when you turn back to her, one of her eyebrows is quirked questioningly. You shrug. "Well, Ginga and I are here, and I'm pretty sure that they won't do anything, if nothing else." You and the familiar stare at each other for a moment.
"… How much time do you need with the songs before you can play them?" There's a curious gleam in her eyes, but you shrug instead of bringing it up.
"If it's a notation I'm familiar with, none, really. Unless it's really complicated or complex, I can play anything you put in front of me. Having them beforehand makes things easier, of course, but it's not really necessary." That seems to give her an idea of some kind, because her expression turns fiercely glad for a moment before she smiles more normally.
"Alright, I think … yes. It'll take a bit of time to get the - what did you call it, sheet music? It'll take a bit to get those to you, but then it should be all good. That work for you?" You smile and nod, and she grins fiercely again while rubbing her hands. "Alright, good. I'll contact you or Ginga with the stuff once I have it ready." She cuts off the connection before you can say anything else, and you scowl at the terminal for a few moments before shaking your head and turning away. Not really much to do until you get the music and Fate gets here, but you can still play other things ….
Fate looks quite surprised - almost stunned, in fact - by your impromptu performance. Unfortunately, with the short notice and everyone being so busy, most of her other friends can't show up; Hayate does, bringing Vita - who won't stop scowling at you - and Shamal, and Erio and Caro come along with Lindy and Fate. But it's quite difficult to tell whether you're doing any good, or if Fate just wants to be left alone for a bit. Alph told you these were songs Fate enjoyed listening to, especially when she feels bad, but … maybe it's because you're playing, or because Ginga is singing some of them, or something else. Before you can get really upset, though, Alph scurries over, still in her diminutive form. She smiles and gives you a thumb's-up, then holds a physical sheet out for you to look at. You nod at the music rest and she sets it there, then leans closer and uses telepathy to tell you, "Next song." You nod and she claps her hands. The song you're on is almost done, anyway, and you scan the new music as you continue playing the other. This one has lyrics - a love song. Does she want you to sing it? You glance at the wolfish familiar, but her attention is on Fate, not you.
You finish the song and wait a moment for everyone to finish clapping, then move on to the new one - and the singer reveals herself. You almost - almost - miss a key as a screen flickers to life, showing Nanoha standing in an open area against a blue-green sky, lightning flickering in the distance. You glance at the widely-grinning Alph and Lindy, wanting to scowl … but this has finally broken through to Fate, and she finally lets herself break down. Which … isn't really what you wanted, but it probably helps. Once the song is over, Nanoha waves.
"Hello, Fate-chan. I guess things aren't going so well? Alph-chan didn't want to tell me what happened, not when I couldn't come myself, so I don't really know, but it's something we can get through, right?" You sit at the piano, wondering why they didn't just call Nanoha to begin with. It's not even that she's stealing all the attention; it's that if she's all Fate's going to remember, why bother with the concert to begin with?
"N-Nanoha …." Nanoha shakes her head and waggles her finger at Fate.
"No, no, Fate-chan. I'll be back when I can, but you're not alone, right? Lindy-san and Alph-chan, Caro-chan and Erio-kun, and Ginga-san. And Flandre-chan, who set all this up." That is unexpected - and not just by you. Fate's mouth drops a bit and she looks at you; recovering much more quickly than she does, you smile and shrug a little … and she ducks her head, not wanting to look at you anymore. "We're all here for you, Fate-chan. You're not alone, and the people around you do want to help." Fate slowly nods and looks up at Nanoha.
"… You're right. I'm sorry. Nanoha - Flandre, and everyone -" Before she can continue, however, a warning tone sounds - from Nanoha's screen. She looks up and sighs.
"Ah, I'm sorry, Fate-chan. I have to take care of this. You'll be alright now, though, right?" Fate nods.
"I will. Thank you, Nanoha. Good luck." Nanoha is surrounded in a ball of pink energy, then flies off in her combat uniform as the screen shuts off. A bittersweet reminder of what they're doing, perhaps … although you can't help but wonder if she's going to be fighting, and how much fun it would be to really get to destroy things again. Because that takes a long time to get old. Fate stands up and walks toward you, but instead of simply stopping to talk to you, she leans down to hug you. You respond, a little awkwardly because of the angle, and she tightens her grip. "Thank you, Flandre. Thank you."
What do you do?
[ ] Time-skip:
- [ ] Mission.
- [ ] Visit Lutecia.
[ ] Other?
Um ... if you don't say anything to Hayate now, Satsuki will start training with Alph.
