Scene #6778: FateParadox: A Catch-Up

Owner	Pose
Nanoha Takamachi	Cranagan. The capital of Midchilda. Upon arriving through the warpgate, the two will find themselves in the city's busy airport. Hmmm. Getting through security seems like it might be a bit of an issue. That is until they spot a young man in a blue and white uniform holding up a sign with the name 'Touta Konoe' written across it.
Touta Konoe	"Ah, they're expecting us. Over here Rynith!" The boy turns to his traveling companion with an eager look on his face. He didn't realize that there was a Warpgate on this world that was going to be in such a populated airport so seeing the man with the sign in the distance will hopefully make it easier for him since he had decided to bring Kurobo, the talking sword along as well. Though since Rynith was probably carrying something too maybe it'd be less awkward for him? Or maybe she's one of those Servants that can make their weapons poof from thin air! Truth be told he's still not learned all too much about her, but that was the goal today! Or at least a partial one. One way or another the two of them were in this together, as Mast- as partners! "Oi! Over here!" The young man calls out to the TSAB agent as he starts heading the gentleman's way with a smile that made him seem almost too excited to be here.
Eryl Fairfax	The trepidation on Paradox Lancer Rynith's face as she steps through the warpgate is extremely apparent. It's been a good while since she 'died' and Midchilda has changed a lot. She's not exactly clinging to Touta or anything, but she is certainly hovering around him as they look about for whomever has been sent for them. She follows over to the TSAB agent and offers a polite bow his way. "Thank you for coming to meet us," she says. Even as a bundle of nerves, she's still ever polite.
Nanoha Takamachi	As the TSAB agent is flagged down by Touta, he quickly looks the boy over. Judging that it is indeed the person he's waiting for, the agent walks over to Touta. Giving Touta and Rynith a salute, he says, "Sir! Ma'am! Captain Takamachi has requested that I give you an escort. It will make things easier." Assuming the two agree, the agent proceeds to guide them through security. It's likely far less painful than it might have otherwise been, thanks to some badge flashing by the agent. They're not even asked for any of their weapons. It helps to know people in high places! The two are also treated to a nice car ride. (https://i.imgur.com/mkBWkP5.png) They initially pass through the center of the city with it's tall, sleek, high-tech skyscrapers. But the architecture quickly begins to give way to more conventional looking designs as they move further towards the city's surrounding suburbs. Finally they arrive in a nice looking neighbourhood of houses. The agent pulls up into a driveway and comes to a stop. It's a nice house. Nothing too big. But definitely very cozy. (https://i.imgur.com/qfnDUSq.png) The agent nods to the house, "This is the Captain's residence. I will be remaining in the area for when you are ready to leave."
Touta Konoe	Touta has no problems going for a ride along with the agent, he knows the uniform well enough from Nanoha to trust those who wear it. As the two start driving in the car for a while, Touta takes in the scenic views, he really did find it hard to believe that Midchilda wasn't some city on Earth, but looking into the sky to see the two planetary bodies was convincing enough. As they start making their way into the more suburban areas though, Touta looks back to his traveling companion and gives a bit of a laugh. It's light-hearted in nature but maybe she wouldn't take it as such when someone is laughing at you. "Ehehe, Rynith, you alright? I would barely recognize you acting like this. You look more worried than you ever did the times I've seen you fight." Of course he'd be referring to the few times he's probably butt heads with her personally during the beginning of the war with Mitsu and than just watching her act as Seifer's Servant. And now though, the two were able to find a chance for Rynith to return back to her home world.
Eryl Fairfax	Rynith indeed does not carry any weapons on her person. They just seem to appear when needed, but the brisk wave-through is appreciated. When they get into the car, her eyes are all but glued to the windows, looking out at the skyline. "Things have changed so much..." she mutters once, but is otherwise quiet. She flinches lightly when Touta addresses her. "Fighting is a simple thing. Coming back to a place filled with memories and regrets is... less simple." She smiles lightly. "Don't worry. I'll be certain to explain things properly when the time comes." And then they pull up to the house. Rynith gets out of the car first and offers Touta a hand. "Let's not keep them waiting." And then she strides to the door and knocks.
Nanoha Takamachi	"Coming!" The door opens and Nanoha is standing there. She's not in uniform, instead just wearing a nice blouse and skirt. She smiles as she sees the two. To Touta she says, "Ah, Touta. Nice to see you again. You're just in time! The tea is almost ready and I just finished a batch of cookies." Nanoha then looks at Rynith. Her face reveals quite a bit of her curiosity as she introduces herself, "Hello. I'm Nanoha Takamachi. It's a pleasure to meet you." Even with the awkwardness of this meeting, Nanoha is still quite welcoming. Nanoha steps to the side, "Please, come in! Make yourselves comfortable." As they enter, Nanoha takes a moment to step out and wave to the TSAB agent, "Thanks for your help, Lieutenant!" The living room is homey. A pair of couches on either side of a low table, upon which a plate of freshly baked cookies are sitting. There are a number of photos spread out around the edges of the room, sitting on various surfaces. Many of them contain Nanoha as well as a young girl with twin blonde pigtails. Touta can like surmise that it's Nanoha's daughter. But some of the pictures include a young woman with long blonde hair that will probably look rather familiar to Rynith. Nanoha enters soon after, quickly moving into the adjoining kitchen, "I hope your trip here was pleasant." She returns with a tray with a tea set on it, "You didn't have too much trouble with security, did you? I tried to organize the paperwork for you. But sometimes the airport security can be a bit stubborn."
Touta Konoe	"Less simple, huh?" Hearing Rynith says those words make him wonder something of his own. About a certain Servant who refused to go back to his own world. Maybe there was a similar feeling involved? He wasn't sure, but it didn't matter now. As Rynith encourages them both to not keep anyone waiting he's eager to head over. The two are quickly greated by a familiar face in rather unfamiliar attire. "Hey Nanoha, thanks for having us over." As they start walking in Touta takes his shoes off at the door, and starts looking around. Honestly, for someone as tough as Nanoha is her place looks...Really normal. A casual suburban household with a very casual vibe to it. Touta tries not prying too much but he's really surprised how nice the place was. But ultimately he finds himself a seat somewhere as he starts looking at the photos and briefly making the connection the younger girl is her daughter. Though the other blonde-haired woman he has no idea about whatsoever. "Aw, you didn't have to go out of the way to do that. But thanks, it smells great. Oh, and uh we were fine. No issues at all so thanks for the save on that one. In fact, that was probably one of the most secure but convenient Warpgates I've gone through so nice going on that."
Eryl Fairfax	"Thank you for having us ma'am. I am-or was, I suppose-the Lancer of the Paradox Grail War. But my name is Rynith." Rynith says in reply to Nanoha. She steps inside (taking her shoes off) and looks about. "You have a wonderful home," she says, noticing the pictures. One with the young blonde girl makes her wince lightly, and she looks away, quickly taking a seat. "We got through quickly, thank you," she says. She looks to the tea and cookies and smiles lightly. "But you didn't have us over just for tea and sweets. What did you want to know?"
Nanoha Takamachi	Rynith name-dropping her class as well as the Paradox Grail War gets a slightly noticeable reaction from Nanoha. But she continues on regardless. Nanoha nods to Touta as she starts to prepare some cups of tea for them, "Even before the Multiverse and warpgate, we used similar teleportation devices for travel between worlds and dimensions. Along with regular dimensional ships, of course. So it wasn't too difficult to adapt." As Rynith indicates a desire to get right down to business, Nanoha smiles at her, "To be honest, I simply wanted to meet you. Touta also mentioned you might like a visit to a world similar to your own. Although he failed to mention you're a Servant." Nanoha might not have been out in the Multiverse at wide for very long. But she's read TSAB reports about some of what happens out there. And any world which has been in the Multiverse for even a short time has at least heard the words... "Grail War." Nanoha rubs the back of her head a little as she smiles apologetically, "I'm afraid I actually know very little about it. But now that you mention it... I am wondering why you are involved in such a thing. The Rynith I've heard about didn't sound much like someone who would want that."
Touta Konoe	Did he not mention she was a Servant? Whoops... "Ehehe, sorry about that Nanoha. I figured since you were still new to the Multiverse you'd have been unfamiliar with Servants and Grail Wars. It took me some time before I even learned things like that. I guess you really are a quick study." He looks at Rynith and then towards Nanoha once more before sipping a bit of tea and taking one of the cookies. Both bring a smile on his face before he brings his attention back to the conversation. "Well, I can't say what Rynith's for joining the Grail War are. In fact, most Servants and Masters keep that info pretty hush-hush apparently. Oh uh, and before you ask I'm not really a Master in this war, but someone I know got mixed up in it and so I decided to see what was going on. Apparently this Grail War has been causing some weird kind of distortions in the Multiverse. As of right now the other participants haven't really been too concerned about it and so Rynith'ss been kind enough to try and help me look into it." He looks back at Rynith again seeing if she has anything she wanted to add. Whether he had missed some info or maybe something she just wanted to say as to her own reasons for joining the war. Though given how he was and the expression he gave it seemed like he was fine if she did end up saying nothing on the matter.
Eryl Fairfax	Rynith blinks in surprise as Nanoha casually mentions that she knows of Rynith already. "You know who I am?" Her eyes flick over to the photos again, and she clasps her hands in front of her face, brow furrowed in deep thought. "It couldn't be..." She shakes her head and centres herself, looking to Touta to explain what he knows of the War. "He neglected to mention that he saved my life," she says, offering him a smile. "But he has the right of it. In regards to the distortions though... I can't say for certain, but this War is incredibly strange." She takes her tea and sips it before continuing. "From my understanding, Servants in Grail Wars come from the Throne of Heroes, a... well, concept beyond time on which names of the extraordinary people throughout history are engraved. And yet, here I am. Someone far from extraordinary or world-shaping. And from what I can gather, many Servants in this War also should not qualify. The fact that there are distortions... could it be due to the fact that we're against the natural order?"
Nanoha Takamachi	Nanoha smiles at Touta, apparently unconcerned with the failure to mention it, "It's true that I have very little in the way of details. But I've at least heard the terms before. The TSAB pays attention to the things going on around it." Nanoha looks back at Rynith, feeling a little sorry for the woman and the position she's currently in. It can't be easy, facing a part of your past that's troubling. Nanoha listens intently to the explanations. Finally she says, "I see..." Okay, maybe not completely. But then Nanoha nods a to Rynith, "I know you a little, yes. I'm not sure if you're from my world or another like it. But assuming it's similar..." Nanoha considers it for a moment, looking rather pensive before explaining, "Rynith. A familiar of the great Mage, Precia Testarossa. Formerly a magical researcher, Precia ended up in exile after a certain accident resulted in the deaths of numerous people. Her daughter included. In an attempt to revive her daughter, she completed research of a cutting-edge cloning technology to create artificial mages. Project Fate. Rynith trained the resulting product of those efforts, as well as creating the Intelligent Device, Bardiche. She died shortly afterwards." Heavy. "That's essentially all that history knows about Rynith." Nanoha then smiles, "But that doesn't speak to who she was as a person. Kind. Caring. A good protector of and mentor to her charge." Nanoha's smile turns a little sad, "Fate doesn't have many good memories from that time. But she has always spoken about you fondly." Nanoha tilts her head a little bit, "Perhaps that is why you were chosen to be a Servant?" Still, "Those disturbances sound problematic... So you're trying to figure them out? And stop them?"
Touta Konoe	Touta's unsure if he should have been around for that. It was true, he had wanted to know more about Rynith's past. About what made her a Heroic Spirit, but after hearing that, and her own opinions he can't help but feel like he just pried into the life of someone who hadn't been asking for it. "Cloning..." The words mumble from his mouth with the lightest breath. The happy go lucky smile he had been keeping turning more somber. Though with that somber smile a hand gets placed on Rynith's shoulder... "I don't know anything about you guys being against the Natural Order or what makes someone summonable from the Grail, but I've already made up my mind, Rynith's definitely a Heroic Spirit!" It comes out of nowhere but that happy-go-lucky smile comes back in force, his eyes stare at Rynith with a bit more of a shine and admiration than before. While it might be endearing to some, when there's really no context it's probably really weird though! But for Touta he thinks this person is amazing. He only knows one other person who has gone out of her way to look after a child like she has in such a capacity and the moment he hears Rynith's story the image of that person had overlapped onto her. Getting that out of the way though he turns back towards Nanoha as she gets back to the main issue. "But yeah, the distortions have occurred a few times. When they occur lots of random things can happen. The first time, when it was small it felt like we had skipped through time a bit withut realizing. We had a few issues like that until it got worse. Another time we ended up...Uh, I don't know how to describe it but uh, the best way I could say was that it felt like we had almost gone to a different sector of the Multiverse. We ended up seeing alternate versions of people we were familiar of in this sector. As far as I know it hasn't gotten worse than that yet." Touta takes another sip of tea and another bite of cookie. He starts scratching the back of his head as he starts getting into the nitty gritty of the issue. "As of right now we don't really have a way to spot the distortions. At least I don't, and I don't think the Concord does or they just don't care while the war's still going on. At the moment there's only one person who we know is able to tell when one's gonna happen." Touta pulls out his phone and pulls out an image of his own. "The person here is Ruler. He's a Servant who's not usually part of a normal Grail War but is part of this one. Apparently he's suppose to act as the Judge for it, and I guess because of that they're really strong. As of right now he's the only person who we know that's able to figure out where the distortions are going to happen before hand. Though...The Concord's gone out of their way to get rid of him cause they feel he's not doing his job well..." His attention turning back to Rynith already having been told what Seifer had made her do inorder to try and rid them of Ruler. His hands fold over one another in his lap in discontent as he speaks up next."I've tried asking him about these distortions once or twice but whether the Concord are right or not that guy's such a pain sometimes! But...He's the only guy who seems to know what's actually going on. So finding him and getting him to spill the beans might give us an idea of how dangerous this Grail War really is."
Eryl Fairfax	Nanoha speaks, and Rynith goes stone still. Every detail is accurate. Her history as a familiar, her raising and training of Fate... this is her world. Or at least, a version of it. She takes another sip of tea with shaking hands and asks. "Do you know Fate? Is she..." She can barely bring herself to ask. 'Is she well?' 'Is she dead?' Both Touta and Nanoha seem to think that she has the makings of a Heroic Spirit though. "You two are too kind," she says, managing a small smile. "But that isn't how it works. According to Miss Takamachi, my story is not widely known. That is part of the criteria. A true Heroic Spirit would be..." Touta produces his phone and shows Nanoha a picture of Ruler. "Ruler, yes. He is a true legend. It is not strange at all that he could be summoned." And now apparently Touta wants to bring him in somehow? Make him talk? "Touta, I don't..." She sighs and rubs her eyes. "His strength of monstrous. Mas-Seifer Almasy and I threw everything we had at him. He burned all three Command Seals to empower me. And yet, he was still standing through it all, and walked away the victor. He is unreasonable, and seemingly unbeatable. If you want to force him to talk, it may take more than us."
Nanoha Takamachi	Nanoha can't help but grin as she's asked if she knows Fate, "Ah, yes. We've been close since we were children. It probably wasn't long after your... After you finished training her that we met. It was... A complicated encounter. But one that changed both of our lives greatly." Rynith's next question isn't hard to figure out, "Fate is doing quite well! She's an Enforcer with the Bureau and commands her own ship in the Dimensional Navy. Plus she has many friends and family, including two charges of her own who she adores to no end. Not to mention my own daughter, who considers Fate her second mother!" Nanoha watches Rynith closely as she says, "I can give you her contact details if you'd like to speak to her. It... Might be a little surprising for her. But I think she'd like it." Back to the matter at hand, Nanoha looks puzzled as she listens to Touta's description of the distortions. Possibly some sort of crossing of dimensions? It's hard to guess with what little she's heard. Plus she isn't really a scientist. Maybe she'll have to make some inquiries... Though they'd be easier with first hand experience. Nanoha pays particular attention to the mention of Ruler. The name, plus his apparent role in the war, clearly suggests he's important to all of this. Nanoha nods along with Touta's idea of trying to get Ruler to talk, "If he really can track the distortions, he's the best lead." Though the apparent strength of his... Nanoha's not sure of the specific importance of burning Command Seals, but by the context she can gather it provides a lot of power. And yet that still wasn't enough. "If he's resistant, that could be a problem. I would prefer if we could simply talk it out with him. But if not, perhaps if I helped, we might be able to get through to him?" Nanoha smiles, "Whatever the plan though. I do wish to help. Both at a personal level... I might not have known either of you very long. But I'm confident that you are a good person, Touta. And Rynith... Well, of course I want to help someone who was important to Fate. And at a professional level. These distortions may get worse. And I think this is something that the Paladins would want to see solved."
Touta Konoe	"There's a way we can pin him down I think." He makes a steadfast declaration on the matter. He nods his head as he takes another sip of tea before looking back to the both of them. "It's true that Ruler's powerful, in fact from what I know of his legends when he ended up dying it wasn't even his fault. He's a powerful mage and as far as Rulers even though he's got a lot of sass he's got alot of firepower to back it up. But he does have one weakness that he didn't have back in life. One that we might be able to abuse." Touta looks back into the palm of his hand for a moment. "Back in my world we have a special kind of magic called White of Mars, but alot of people know it by another name, Magic Cancel. Its a type of magic that works by negating other forms. attack spells, magical barriers, enchanted items...And familiars, which at the end of the day are what Servants are. They're magical familiars that have bodies that sustain their form through magic. If we got one good hit using Magic Cancel we should really be able to mess with their ability to maintain their spiritual body. If that were to happen we could maybe use some of Nanoha's magical seals she used against Lory to try and pin him down for questioning...Or..." There's a long pause as he thinks with his eyes looking down at the floor, "...It's also possible it'd damage their spirit origin and have the Servant erased." There's a look of distaste in his mouth as he thinks of that possibility for several reasons, none of which he'll say aloud. That said he looks back to Rynith, "But uh, I guess if anyone would have any idea of whether that'd even work or not it'd be Rynith, it's like she said she did go up against Nagi already, ehehehe.... So she'd have the best idea if it'd even be worth trying or not right? We can always go back to the drawing board if we need to right?"
Eryl Fairfax	Nanoha offers to give Rynith Fate's contact details. She looks /extremely/ tempted, but she eventually shakes her head. "No, best not. I'm a Servant. One way or another, my time is limited. I would hate for her to see me again, only to lose me again so soon." She smiles, and wipes at her eyes. "But I'm glad to know that she grew up into a fine woman. Thank you, Miss Takamachi." Touta has a plan, and lays it all out. Using the White Venus to cancel out Ruler's existence, hopefully wounding him enough to convince him to surrender and talk. Rynith thinks it over. "It might work. At the very least, such an attack would be extremely damaging to a Servant. But he is a skilled fighter. He can trade blows in melee, and devastate the battlefield at range. I think... if you want to damage him with White Venus, you would even need to make it a sneak attack, or goad him into a close-range battle. If he simply decides to take to the air and rain down lightning again, you may not get the chance." She stands, and balls her hands into fists. "But, no matter how we do it, I'll give it my all. Knowing that Fate is out there with a good life... I don't want this War, or these distortions to disturb it.." There's a light in her eyes now, a glimmer of hope, a reason to fight. "One way or another, we'll drag those answers out of him!"
Nanoha Takamachi	The effect that Touta describes sounds very familiar to anti-magic fields that Nanoha has encountered in the past. So she nods in agreement with Touta's idea that it would be an effective counter for the magic Servant. To which Rynith confirms. Nanoha also smiles at the sight of Rynith's determination. But Rynith does raise a good point about needing to catch Ruler by surprise. "Yes, I agree we need to make sure he doesn't see it coming if it is to be the most effective." Thankfully there's more of them now. Nanoha looks thoughtful, "Perhaps Rynith and I can confront him directly." Nanoha looks at Rynith, "If you are anything like Fate, even when I first met her, then I expect you are an excellent close combatant." Nanoha then looks at Touta, "And you've seen some of my strength with ranged attacks." Nanoha looks at both, "With the three of us, we can cover him from both angles and corner him. Possibly get some binds in as well. At which point Touta can come in to deal the blow." Nanoha smiles, "That sounds like a solid strategy, no?"
Touta Konoe	Touta stops and stares as the group agrees with the plan, it's risky but it's the best plan they got. That said Touta can't help but perking up a bit. "Yeah, it sounds like a plan." < Is it what about the Concord? They could very well use the opportunity to try to get rid of Nagi in his weakened state. > A voice picks up from somewhere that hadn't yet occurred from within the house. The black Taichi that Touta had brought in and ended up resting on his lap as he had been indulging himself. It did raise a valid point though, "Mmmmm, it would be a problem wouldn't it. Well if that happens we'll worry about it then. We'll just have to hope that we can find Ruler before they decide to, and if they do decide to...We can..." Touta doesn't finish that thought. There's an air of silence for a moment before he speaks up, "Well...For now we got a team game plan! Honestly, I'm happy I got both of you on board. Honestly, I thought I was going to have to go up against the entire Concord by myself for this. And not that I'm not willing, but Priscilla by herself already packs a nasty wallop!" He scratches at the back of his head once again chuckling as he takes another sip of tea.
Eryl Fairfax	"It's a plan," Rynith agrees. She smiles lightly at Nanoha and nods. "Ah, yes... in fact, my mettle has only improved upon Servanthood. I can call into existance replicas of the Device I created for Fate." She smiles into her teacup. "I did find it odd that I could make them do things I don't recall implementing. I suppose she has enhanced it over the years... perhaps that's why I became a Servant. An extension of her own legend." It sounds self-deprecating, but her tone is gently joyous. "If we have an idea, perhaps we could move on to slightly happier topics? Like... could you tell me more about how Fate is doing?" She smiles at Nanoha, slightly bashfully.