RE: [IC][WIP][Arc 1] How I Managed to Quit Worrying and Love The Grief Seed
05-03-2019, 07:54 AM
05-03-2019, 07:54 AM
Chapter 2
As Gil Graham filled out paperwork for a rental car, he heard a sound that was almost music to his ears at that moment - his Device was receiving thaumic communication on an official TSAB Frequency.
He tapped his device to connect the line via telepathy.
“This is Graham. To whom am I speaking to?”
“Oh GIL! Thank the stars it’s you!”
“Lindy! It’s good to hear your voice! What in the bloody hell is going on?”
“It’s… complicated. Gil… Dimensional Space itself nearly collapsed.”
“What? You mean here in the vicinity of Earth?”
“No. All of it.”
“All of it?”
“Yes. I know it’s a lot to take in - we’re just getting over the shock ourselves.”
“But how?”
“That’s something that’s still being sorted, but it apparently started as an isolated incident in another parallel universe that somehow got out of control. It began to break down the barriers between universes and merge all their causalities together. A group of 12th dimensional beings managed to stop the worse of it, but there’s still people like us who’ve somehow wound up in this new universe, which they’re calling The Metacontinuity.”
“Metacontinuity? What nonsense is this?”
“It’s apt. Gil, we’re fictional characters to these people. Infinite monkeys on infinite typewriters - and eventually one of them typed up all the great works of Ancient Belka.”
“… If this were coming from anyone else, I’d think that they were daft in the head. Very well then. What now?”
“Someone should have made contact with you by now - someone who is very familiar with the fictional work we appear in. They’re supposed to be an apartment manager and provide you with housing.”
“We’ve met no such person yet.”
“How strange… Gil, are Fate, Nanoha, and Hayate with you by any chance?”
“Hayate is. I would have thought that the Testarossa and Takamachi girls were with you.”
“No. It’s only myself, Chrono, Amy, and Yuuno.”
“Blast it all to hell! As if things can’t get any worse!”
“Gil. What’s wrong?”
“The Book of Darkness - rather the Tome of Night Sky - has gone missing. Along with the remnant of Reinforce Eins, and the Wolkenritter.”
“… Oh no! You’re right, this is VERY bad! Admiral, even though you’ve been discharged from the service, I feel that it’s best that we defer to you for the time being. You not only have experience, but you know this world better than any of the rest of us - including Yuuno.”
“I’m sorry Lindy. As much as I would like to shoulder this burden from you, it’s no longer my place to do so. However, there are no rules saying that I cannot act as a civilian consultant.”
“… Very well then. We’ll make preparations for a teleport to your location. Do you have a safe arrival location for us?”
“I’ll have one for you in fifteen minutes. Anything else?”
“No. Our apartment manager is just now getting fully up to speed herself, but she mentioned that there may be another who does know where Fate and Nanoha are. By the time we arrive we should know more.”
“Good. I’ll see you soon, Lindy.”
“It’ll be good to see you again, Gil. Admiral Harlaown, out.”
The rest of the day passed without incident. Ben set up the aquarium for the Masser, who he had dubbed ‘Squishy’.
“Why ‘Squishy’?” asked Sousuke.
“Because,” said Ben, matter-of-factly, “he’s squishy.” He then demonstrated by squishing the Masser in his hand, causing it to make excited noises that were easily translated as ‘That was FUN! Do it again!’
Sousuke reared back, blanching not because of how it looked, but because Ben was squeezing a living matter/antimatter reactor in his hand.
“See?” said Ben with a shit-eating grin on his face. “Squishy.” Ben then cackled wickedly. “Oh relax, Sousuke. Washu-chan explained it to me. These guys are stupidville tough - nature has designed these creatures very well through the process of evolution.”
“If you say so,” said Sousuke, though the look on his face said otherwise. It quickly circulated around the complex that the Masser’s name is ‘Squishy’ and you should not ask why unless you wanted to have a heart attack.
Afterwards, Ben mowed through his paperwork while alternating between using Squishy as a stress ball and tossing him bits of Masser Kibble that Washu had scared up for him - the little Masser took to gleefully zipping after the treats and snatching them out of the air.
Ben spent that time working out the accounting for the month. The idea for everyone inclined towards it to take up programming had hit upon moderate success and the displacees had more than enough income to cover the meager rents that Ben had asked for.
He smiled as he looked over the lease application for Kyouya and Shinobu - his first official application! Both families had given their blessing, not wanting to stand in the way of a beautifully blossoming love. That, and they trusted the two of them to act responsibly. It was one more unit filled, and one more step closer to balancing out the total operating costs.
As much as Sebastian gave Ben the willies, Lord Phantomhive was a pleasant man in spite of his past - and why not? He had gotten exactly everything he had ever wanted, including a family of his own. And Ben did like giving the man something else to smile about.
“I live to please,” Ben had told him.
He sighed at that, reflecting on how all his young life he’d been nothing but a screw up for such a long time that making someone happy with his efforts was something he did with nearly slavish fervor. He knew it wasn’t a healthy state of mind. It was part of what drove him to make that pact with Hild in the first place - not that he hadn’t thought carefully about it. But he still made that decision on impulse, and only to make someone else happy.
At the very least it was for someone who said that his own happiness is important to them.
Just then, the door to the office had opened and one reason for his own happiness bounded energetically inside.
“Bath time! Bath time!” Alicia practically shouted joyfully, causing Squishy to perk up and bounce around the air after her, attracted by the joyful emotions coming off the girl. She might be deferred for a moment, but she would never allow her desires to be put off forever. And right now, her desire was to draw Ben and her Big Sister as close together as possible.
And Nanoha, too, because she was so much fun to tease. Just like Ben.
Alicia felt that the best way she could pull that off was by making them all be as close and intimate as possible.
Forget those stupid laws. They were stupid laws by stupid people that don’t know what love is like. And Alicia wanted them all to be one big family together.
Even if Mother wasn’t there anymore… Alicia didn’t mind too much. What had truly made her sad was the terrible things Mother had done to Fate. Mother was in a better place now, smiling down on her and everyone else. And someday she knew her Big Sister would be able to forgive Mother. And then the two of them could at last talk about the happy memories of her, which they shared. And she knew that the closer Big Sister Fate and Big Brother Ben got, then the sooner that day would come.
She only wondered about Ben’s family. His life was… rough. Very rough. But now they all seemed to be nice people. They just needed to… say sorry, maybe? Alicia wasn’t certain of how to fix that, but she knew she’d figure it out in time.
Besides, she liked the idea of having a whole bunch of Big Brothers and be doted on by them.
But for now, bath time!
“Okay, okay,” said Ben with his hands up in a placating gesture. “I’m up, I’m going.”
“Yaaayyyyyyy!”
It was a somewhat complex affair.
Despite Alicia’s hardest lobbying, they didn’t actually wash together. Instead, they washed in the separate Men’s and Women’s areas. And to her further disappointment, bathing suits had been mandated by everyone, with herself, Mihoshi, and Ryouko being the only dissenting votes.
And on top of that, a chaperon was to be present.
However, who that chaperon was to be was on a completely voluntary basis. Thus, it was somewhat startling when Aeka volunteered to be their chaperon for the evening.
Nanoha was in first, followed by Fate. Nanoha was wearing a spaghetti-strap choker-top one-piece bathing suit that covered her well - mostly white, with pink bands around the leg holes as well as the edging and straps at the top, complete with a tiny decorative pink bow over her chest. Fate’s was simpler, but far more daring. It was an all-black two-piece bandeau bikini. Ben was just glad that the bottom wasn’t Brazilian-cut, but the amount of exposed skin still left him feeling somewhat on edge.
Alicia was next, wearing a traditional pink one-piece suit with a frill around her waist. And then there was Ben, wearing his Navy PT trunks - good for both regular PT and swimming.
“This is my first time in here,” said the Princess as she entered last. Her bathing suit was a one-piece as well, but with a crawling vine design with beautiful purple flowers. She also wore a sheer sarong around her waist that matched the flowers. “Ah, it is just as lovely in here as the ladies side.”
And indeed it was. Tropical flowers grew from tiered terraces all around in the warm, humid room. Colorful birds and insects flitted around, providing the space with an actual ecology. In fact, the background was filled with the songs of tree frogs and insects, giving the space a rustic ambiance that was not unlike being at a mountainside hot springs resort in Japan.
“Yeah, gotta hand it to Ryouko and Washu-chan,” said Ben with a smile. “They really outdid themselves here.”
Aeka smiled at Ben. “It is rather like a romantic getaway, is it not?”
Ben blushed at that, much to the girls amusement.
“Girls, you three go ahead,” said the Princess of Jyurai. “I must speak with Benjamin on some matters.”
“Okay, Aeka-onee,” said Nanoha and Fate together, causing her smile to grow more fond. Alicia was a bit sullen, but went along with her sister and Nanoha.
Ben smiled and looked up to his little companion. “Oi Squishy?”
“?” said the Masser.
“Do me a favor and keep Alicia company?”
“!” replied Squishy and it flew off after Alicia, causing a startled yelp from Nanoha as the Masser decided to goose her along the way, causing a peal of laughter to erupt from Alicia.
Ben snorted in amusement at the sight and Aeka herself was not immune, giggling behind her had at the shenanigans.
The Princess then turned to him and said, “Please, Benjamin. Walk with me.”
And so, they did, pacing along the boardwalk that surrounded the bath in a meandering circuit.
“One imagines that Her Highness has something important to disclose,” said Ben in a pleasant, but very respectful tone.
Aeka returned a mild smile. “You know that you don’t have to be so formal with me, Benjamin. After all you’ve done for us? I am of a similar mind to my dear little sister. I, too, would wish to welcome you into our family, should you so choose it.”
“My apologies, Aeka,” said Ben with a sigh. “It’s just that even though you’re being so nice about this, I can’t help but feel that this is a matter of great gravity that you wish to discuss.”
“It is,” agreed Aeka. “It involves those girls that love you so dearly already.” They were silent for a moment as Ben took that in and Aeka prepared her words.
“First and foremost,” began the Princess, “we are all very happy for you. Though Miss Chidori’s feelings on the matter are somewhat more complicated, but that is to be expected. But we are all glad that you no longer feel quite so alone.”
“Thank you,” said Ben. “It does feel better… but still…”
Aeka nodded. “Yes. Their age. I understand. Which is why I feel it is all the more important that you consider joining our clan, Benjamin. There is also the marriage to consider. If you go with the Takamachi clan, under the laws of the land there, you can only be wedded to one of them while the other must bear the title of Mistress. And I am certain that does not sit well with you, especially considering that any children that come of your unions will not be lawfully yours.”
Ben sighed. “It might not be so bad. Nanoha and Fate, once they go back home, will enter active service with the Time-Space Administration Bureau. And as such, they’ll become citizens of Midchilda. From what I understand, their laws are different in regards to matters like these.”
Aeka nodded. “There is that, I suppose. And they do have a purpose they need to fulfill. I suppose it cannot be helped then. But know this, Benjamin: when the time does come for us to part ways… I will miss spending time with you. You can be such a loud and brash person, almost like Ryouko. But then, there is always the quieter side of you. The one that grew up with no friends. Only the music of dreamers and books by the light of your moon to keep you company. It breaks my heart sometimes, trying to imagine you - a few years younger than I, taught to think so little of yourself, and escaping into such fantastical worlds. Stories such as our adventures with Lord Tenchi.
“I wish we could have been there for you, Benjamin. To have taken you up to the stars. To let you have the kinds of adventures you would read about. To help you heal while you still had something left of your boyhood. To see what sort of man you would become.
“I know that some say ‘Better late than never.’ But I have never put much stock into such ideas. I do not blame myself or anyone else. It simply hurts to know… even if there was nothing we could have done, it hurts nonetheless.
“And it is not only myself that feels this way. We all do. Lord Tenchi, my dear little sister Sasami, Washu-chan, Mihoshi, Noike… Even Ryouko… No, especially Ryouko.”
Ben looked at Aeka in askance, but then blinked as he thought about it. “Of course. Her having lived under Kagato’s whim all that time.”
Aeka nodded her head solemnly. “It’s part of what has helped me to forgive her and see her as family - knowing that she was forced to live that way.
“But that is another matter. Benjamin, we all want you to be happy. And if being with Miss Takamachi and Miss Testarossa brings you happiness, then we’ll help in any way we can. So long as you never do anything to harm them, we’ll protect you no matter who has a grievance with you.”
“Thank you, Aeka,” said Ben quietly, with a small, wan smile. “All the same, though, I think it would be best if I did as little to court such attention as possible. The reaction that young Alisa had was tame compared to how others would react.”
Aeka sighed. “Sometimes the culture of your country worries me, Benjamin.”
“It wasn’t always this way,” said Ben. “One of the most famous sharpshooters of our history was a woman known as Annie Oakley. Her abilities became known at the age of fifteen when she defeated a marksman named Frank E. Butler, who was twenty-two at the time.” Ben then grinned at Aeka. “She married him a year later after she turned sixteen.”
“Oh my!” said Aeka with a slight flush, but a happy smile. “But did they… last?”
Ben’s smile softened into something more genuine.
“Until the day she died, almost a hundred years ago. Her husband was so heartbroken that he stopped eating and died eighteen days later.”
“Oh!” cried out Aeka, crestfallen. “That is so sad! But… they really did love each other, did they not?”
“They did,” said Ben. “The kind of love that you only ever read about.”
Aeka smiled. “You mean like the love that the two girls over there feel for you.”
Ben scoffed with a rueful smile. “Touche, Milady. Touche.”
“Getting back to what I was saying, though,” said Aeka, “if there is precedence for matters such as these, and in such a well known historical figure, then why is your case so controversial?”
Ben sighed. “There, you start to get into education issues in this country.”
Aeka’s eyes narrowed at that. “I see. Nothing against Miss Tsukino - she is such a sweet person - I believe I will need to speak with her on such matters.”
“That will probably be Ami’s department,” said Ben with a wry grin. “Managing the education system is definitely a task that Usagi would prefer to delegate to someone else.”
Aeka’s serious mien evaporated in a chuckle. “She certainly would! I suppose in that case that I would have nothing to worry about - her people are in good hands.” Aeka then sighed. “I can only wish that the same could be said about your people. Enough of this, now. Let us go and rejoin with your fledgling family, dear Benjamin. I fear that we have kept them waiting long enough.”
“Yeah, any longer now and I bet Alicia will try something,” said Ben with a grin.
“It’s about time!” called out Alicia as she saw them coming. Right away, she climbed out with Squishy orbiting her, ran to Ben, grabbed his hand, and began pulling him over to where Nanoha and Fate were both relaxing in the water of the simulated hot spring.
Ben allowed himself to be pulled along and then eased himself into the hot water, settling in next to Fate and sandwiching her between himself and Nanoha. Alicia hummed contently as she settled in on Ben’s other side, pressing her side against him and practically demanding that he put his arm around her. And Squishy had settled onto what was quickly becoming its favorite perch - the top of Ben’s head.
Aeka watched with a happy smile at how close they all were. It was a pity that they would not choose to go with her and everyone else back to Jyurai. They would be such a magnificent family. And Aeka would not have been surprised if a First Generation Tree would choose him.
And she had not been lying one bit when she told Ben that she would miss him. He really is like everyone’s brother: Brother Benjamin, who cares for others like they were his own. His name’s ancient origins in Hebrew even fit him: The most beloved one; The right-hand son. She was absolutely certain that Ben would become her Father’s Right Hand. Benjamin had a great heart - one that wanted for all people feel peace and happiness. Even if that meant that the mighty beat of that heart became a war drum that called him into action. He would act for the sake of others. Her father would be quick to realize this. And he would be just as quick to put the man into a position where he would have the greatest effect, and, most importantly, quietly praise Benjamin for his devotion and diligence.
She sighed. It was a shame. But as long as Benjamin was happy, then that was all that mattered.
Meanwhile, in her lab, Washu watched the girls with Ben on a monitor. There were several others all around her - each one with various information feeds from Bardiche, Raising Heart, and Alicia’s phylactery.
The pint-sized scientist smiled as she looked over Nanoha’s and Fate’s endocrine readings. The two girls were certainly caught in the throes of their early adolescence. Washu had vowed to herself to keep a careful eye on the two. Puberty was hard on young girls, and doubly so when someone had caught their interest. And at that moment, their heart rates and hormone levels showed clearly that they were experiencing some very strong feelings. Very strong and pleasurable feelings, Washu was certain.
She almost envied them. The awakening of one’s sexuality is certainly a thrilling experience. If Fate and Nanoha weren’t experimenting together already, then it wouldn’t be long until they start - all it will take is an ‘accident’ that provokes their curiosity. And even if Benjamin couldn’t actively take part, those two still had each other. That will hopefully be enough for the time being. However, once she was sure the two were sexually active with each other, she’d make it a point to impress upon them how important it was that Ben hears as little about it as possible. Otherwise…
Well, it was no secret that his anxieties were vile little creatures that paid very little heed to the rational parts of his mind. He would feel a sense of rejection no matter how hard he would try not to. If Dioxygen-Difluoride were an emotional state, then Benjamin would own it, lock, stock, and barrel. It was amazing that he could even function at all with such function with such anger and self-loathing in his head, let alone be a kind and loving person.
The poor man.
Alicia’s readings were far more sedate. In fact, looking at her electroencephalograph readings, Washu figured that she would probably wind up dozing off soon.
What really interested her was the real-time APO images in the holotank. There, she could see Alicia’s soul and Benjamin’s. They were connected somewhere in the fourth and fifth dimensions, with Alicia’s soul hungrily lapping up the energy that Ben’s soul willingly offered. It was actually quite lovely to look at. Ben’s soul was hardy - she might almost use the term ‘built like a tractor’. He had power a-plenty to spare for the girl. Her soul was actually quite fragile looking… but not distressingly so. It had a delicate appearance to it, but in a lovely, graceful sort of way. And the power that Ben fed into her only made that beauty stand out even more.
It was going to be a long process, but Alicia’s soul was already showing improvements as the first tentative connections with her body began to strengthen and develop. Eventually, those bonds would be strong and healthy, and Alicia’s soul by itself would suffice in keeping her alive and well.
Whether or not she would be able live without the phylactery was another matter, but even if she couldn’t, it would not stop her from living a normal life. She would simply have to keep it with her for the rest of her life.
But then there was the thing that interested Washu the most: Benjamin and his anti-magic field.
As nearly as she could figure, Ben’s ability to disrupt magic was very similar to the ability of The Counteractor that had appeared and nearly killed Tsunami. It was amazing how the Choushin was absolutely helpless against that being.
Benjamin’s ability wasn’t even a spark in a dark room compared to that. But if he could bring enough power to bear? Washu shuddered at the thought. The stories of all intelligent species all have at least one legend of a mortal being that rose up and slew a god. And she was of the learned opinion that, no matter how distorted, these tales likely have some truth to them
According to the readings from the phylactery and the intelligent devices, Ben’s AMF was at a low ebb. The lowest she’d ever seen it, in fact. She watched with rapt attention as it continued to dwindle with Ben’s slow lapse into unconsciousness.
And then…
“Huh. Wonder if Belldandy knows about this.”
Later that night, after Squishy was comfortably resting in it’s new home, Ben worked on the enrollment forms for all the girls. He couldn’t help but be reminded of his own past - how he had once had a course catalog for high school thrust in front of him, and no idea what to do because he had no frame of reference, and worse of all, not enough confidence in himself to make the choice.
He sighed as that brought back memories. Not the good ones. The ones where he’d cower in front of a man that was supposed to be his father. How that father would demand that he not cower before him despite doing everything possible to make him cower.
He spent several minutes like that, lost in a sort of memetic loop of bad memories.
There was a knock on the door and Ben looked up from his laptop, his thoughts immediately dispelled as he wondered who on earth it could be. To his surprise, Alicia was waiting for him as he opened the front door.
"Alicia!” said Ben in shock. “What are you doing here so late, sweetie? Come on inside before before someone sees you and wakes up your sister."
Quietly, she came inside, her slippers padding on the ground as she hugged her teddy bear close to her chest. As she worked at getting herself settled, Benjamin went and put a glass of milk in the microwave.
"Alright,” said Ben as he sat down next to the girl, “it's only you and me here now. You can tell me what's bothering you."
Alicia was silent for a moment before the microwave beeped. As Ben went to get her milk, she suddenly said, "You were thinking about bad stuff again, weren't you?"
Benjamin paused in mid motion, then sighed and brought Alicia the warm milk.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," said Ben as he sat down next to her, leaving the glass of milk on the coffee table in front of her. Rather than say anything, though, she latched onto him, sniffling softly. Ben put his arms around her and said, "Oh Alicia. I'm so sorry."
"Don't be," she whispered through her gentle sobs. "You brought me back. You made it so I can live with my sister. You made her happy. You made me happy. But as much as I feel what hurts you, Big Brother, I also feel what makes you happy. And I know that seeing big sister and I together... it makes you so happy that it blots out the pain."
Ben knew it may seem strange for such a little girl to be so articulate, but Alicia had always been ahead of the curve for her age - every bit the budding intellectual that her mother had undoubtedly been in her own youth. And she only grew more sharp and intelligent once she was resurrected. Washu-chan was absolutely certain that Benjamin’s intellect was passively bleeding through like an osmotic process. Which meant that very soon she would be able to start learning the basic calculations she needed to know in order to become a mage like her sister.
Benjamin reached to his computer and brought up some music - a selection of soothing and uplifting tracks from various scores and motion picture soundtracks. Not only to ease Alicia's reciprocal hurt, but to help soothe him as well so the feedback effect would be cut off. He then got her to drink her glass of milk, and then showed her what he was up to (their enrollment paperwork - boring adult stuff, but she found it mildly interesting anyhow to see how things behind the scenes worked). Once she started showing signs of drowsiness, Ben then picked her up and went to Fate and Nanoha's apartment.
Fate opened the door before Ben could even knock. "Just bring her inside, Benjamin," she said kindly. Alicia was already dozing on his shoulder. As Ben laid her down in her bed, Alicia sighed and snuggled her teddy bear closer. A quick little kiss on her forehead left a content smile on her lips as she drifted off completely.
Suddenly, Ben felt Fate's arms around him.
"Fate?"
"It's alright," she said quietly. "I just want to stay like this for a moment. I am so grateful for you and everything you've done, and everything you keep on doing. You know that you're the closest thing she has to a father?"
It made Ben’s heart twinge in a bittersweet way and he put his arms around Fate's petite form and hugged her back.
"Yeah... it's hard not for me to treat her like as if she was my own. Every day she seems to become just a bit more like me - she might as well be my daughter anyhow."
"That's fine by me," whispered Fate. "Her becoming more like you... I can't think of anyone better. I love you so much after all - just as much as I love Nanoha."
Benjamin couldn't even sigh at that. A love that true he could never berate. Not in a million years.
But more importantly, Benjamin knew that Fate would soon start growing like a weed once her adolescence hits - he was sure it would do so hard and fast - and she would start turning into a woman before his eyes. While he knew that the building hormones were a factor, he also knew that there was nothing false about what she felt.
Benjamin kissed the top of Fate's head. There was simply no way for him to lie about it - he loved Fate dearly. And Nanoha, too, for that matter.
Fate looked up at Benjamin with those beautiful ruby eyes of hers. They normally seem more like a brilliant hue of brown, especially when half-shaded by her low-hanging bangs, but once the light caught them, they glittered like the finest cut corundum. She was already so gorgeous, even as a child. She would be breathtaking once she was an adult.
"I need to get some sleep,” she said. “You do, too. Go on, Benjamin. We still have a lot to do tomorrow."
Ben rolled his eyes at that, but smiled anyways. "Oh lardy, do we ever."
As Gil Graham filled out paperwork for a rental car, he heard a sound that was almost music to his ears at that moment - his Device was receiving thaumic communication on an official TSAB Frequency.
He tapped his device to connect the line via telepathy.
“This is Graham. To whom am I speaking to?”
“Oh GIL! Thank the stars it’s you!”
“Lindy! It’s good to hear your voice! What in the bloody hell is going on?”
“It’s… complicated. Gil… Dimensional Space itself nearly collapsed.”
“What? You mean here in the vicinity of Earth?”
“No. All of it.”
“All of it?”
“Yes. I know it’s a lot to take in - we’re just getting over the shock ourselves.”
“But how?”
“That’s something that’s still being sorted, but it apparently started as an isolated incident in another parallel universe that somehow got out of control. It began to break down the barriers between universes and merge all their causalities together. A group of 12th dimensional beings managed to stop the worse of it, but there’s still people like us who’ve somehow wound up in this new universe, which they’re calling The Metacontinuity.”
“Metacontinuity? What nonsense is this?”
“It’s apt. Gil, we’re fictional characters to these people. Infinite monkeys on infinite typewriters - and eventually one of them typed up all the great works of Ancient Belka.”
“… If this were coming from anyone else, I’d think that they were daft in the head. Very well then. What now?”
“Someone should have made contact with you by now - someone who is very familiar with the fictional work we appear in. They’re supposed to be an apartment manager and provide you with housing.”
“We’ve met no such person yet.”
“How strange… Gil, are Fate, Nanoha, and Hayate with you by any chance?”
“Hayate is. I would have thought that the Testarossa and Takamachi girls were with you.”
“No. It’s only myself, Chrono, Amy, and Yuuno.”
“Blast it all to hell! As if things can’t get any worse!”
“Gil. What’s wrong?”
“The Book of Darkness - rather the Tome of Night Sky - has gone missing. Along with the remnant of Reinforce Eins, and the Wolkenritter.”
“… Oh no! You’re right, this is VERY bad! Admiral, even though you’ve been discharged from the service, I feel that it’s best that we defer to you for the time being. You not only have experience, but you know this world better than any of the rest of us - including Yuuno.”
“I’m sorry Lindy. As much as I would like to shoulder this burden from you, it’s no longer my place to do so. However, there are no rules saying that I cannot act as a civilian consultant.”
“… Very well then. We’ll make preparations for a teleport to your location. Do you have a safe arrival location for us?”
“I’ll have one for you in fifteen minutes. Anything else?”
“No. Our apartment manager is just now getting fully up to speed herself, but she mentioned that there may be another who does know where Fate and Nanoha are. By the time we arrive we should know more.”
“Good. I’ll see you soon, Lindy.”
“It’ll be good to see you again, Gil. Admiral Harlaown, out.”
The rest of the day passed without incident. Ben set up the aquarium for the Masser, who he had dubbed ‘Squishy’.
“Why ‘Squishy’?” asked Sousuke.
“Because,” said Ben, matter-of-factly, “he’s squishy.” He then demonstrated by squishing the Masser in his hand, causing it to make excited noises that were easily translated as ‘That was FUN! Do it again!’
Sousuke reared back, blanching not because of how it looked, but because Ben was squeezing a living matter/antimatter reactor in his hand.
“See?” said Ben with a shit-eating grin on his face. “Squishy.” Ben then cackled wickedly. “Oh relax, Sousuke. Washu-chan explained it to me. These guys are stupidville tough - nature has designed these creatures very well through the process of evolution.”
“If you say so,” said Sousuke, though the look on his face said otherwise. It quickly circulated around the complex that the Masser’s name is ‘Squishy’ and you should not ask why unless you wanted to have a heart attack.
Afterwards, Ben mowed through his paperwork while alternating between using Squishy as a stress ball and tossing him bits of Masser Kibble that Washu had scared up for him - the little Masser took to gleefully zipping after the treats and snatching them out of the air.
Ben spent that time working out the accounting for the month. The idea for everyone inclined towards it to take up programming had hit upon moderate success and the displacees had more than enough income to cover the meager rents that Ben had asked for.
He smiled as he looked over the lease application for Kyouya and Shinobu - his first official application! Both families had given their blessing, not wanting to stand in the way of a beautifully blossoming love. That, and they trusted the two of them to act responsibly. It was one more unit filled, and one more step closer to balancing out the total operating costs.
As much as Sebastian gave Ben the willies, Lord Phantomhive was a pleasant man in spite of his past - and why not? He had gotten exactly everything he had ever wanted, including a family of his own. And Ben did like giving the man something else to smile about.
“I live to please,” Ben had told him.
He sighed at that, reflecting on how all his young life he’d been nothing but a screw up for such a long time that making someone happy with his efforts was something he did with nearly slavish fervor. He knew it wasn’t a healthy state of mind. It was part of what drove him to make that pact with Hild in the first place - not that he hadn’t thought carefully about it. But he still made that decision on impulse, and only to make someone else happy.
At the very least it was for someone who said that his own happiness is important to them.
Just then, the door to the office had opened and one reason for his own happiness bounded energetically inside.
“Bath time! Bath time!” Alicia practically shouted joyfully, causing Squishy to perk up and bounce around the air after her, attracted by the joyful emotions coming off the girl. She might be deferred for a moment, but she would never allow her desires to be put off forever. And right now, her desire was to draw Ben and her Big Sister as close together as possible.
And Nanoha, too, because she was so much fun to tease. Just like Ben.
Alicia felt that the best way she could pull that off was by making them all be as close and intimate as possible.
Forget those stupid laws. They were stupid laws by stupid people that don’t know what love is like. And Alicia wanted them all to be one big family together.
Even if Mother wasn’t there anymore… Alicia didn’t mind too much. What had truly made her sad was the terrible things Mother had done to Fate. Mother was in a better place now, smiling down on her and everyone else. And someday she knew her Big Sister would be able to forgive Mother. And then the two of them could at last talk about the happy memories of her, which they shared. And she knew that the closer Big Sister Fate and Big Brother Ben got, then the sooner that day would come.
She only wondered about Ben’s family. His life was… rough. Very rough. But now they all seemed to be nice people. They just needed to… say sorry, maybe? Alicia wasn’t certain of how to fix that, but she knew she’d figure it out in time.
Besides, she liked the idea of having a whole bunch of Big Brothers and be doted on by them.
But for now, bath time!
“Okay, okay,” said Ben with his hands up in a placating gesture. “I’m up, I’m going.”
“Yaaayyyyyyy!”
It was a somewhat complex affair.
Despite Alicia’s hardest lobbying, they didn’t actually wash together. Instead, they washed in the separate Men’s and Women’s areas. And to her further disappointment, bathing suits had been mandated by everyone, with herself, Mihoshi, and Ryouko being the only dissenting votes.
And on top of that, a chaperon was to be present.
However, who that chaperon was to be was on a completely voluntary basis. Thus, it was somewhat startling when Aeka volunteered to be their chaperon for the evening.
Nanoha was in first, followed by Fate. Nanoha was wearing a spaghetti-strap choker-top one-piece bathing suit that covered her well - mostly white, with pink bands around the leg holes as well as the edging and straps at the top, complete with a tiny decorative pink bow over her chest. Fate’s was simpler, but far more daring. It was an all-black two-piece bandeau bikini. Ben was just glad that the bottom wasn’t Brazilian-cut, but the amount of exposed skin still left him feeling somewhat on edge.
Alicia was next, wearing a traditional pink one-piece suit with a frill around her waist. And then there was Ben, wearing his Navy PT trunks - good for both regular PT and swimming.
“This is my first time in here,” said the Princess as she entered last. Her bathing suit was a one-piece as well, but with a crawling vine design with beautiful purple flowers. She also wore a sheer sarong around her waist that matched the flowers. “Ah, it is just as lovely in here as the ladies side.”
And indeed it was. Tropical flowers grew from tiered terraces all around in the warm, humid room. Colorful birds and insects flitted around, providing the space with an actual ecology. In fact, the background was filled with the songs of tree frogs and insects, giving the space a rustic ambiance that was not unlike being at a mountainside hot springs resort in Japan.
“Yeah, gotta hand it to Ryouko and Washu-chan,” said Ben with a smile. “They really outdid themselves here.”
Aeka smiled at Ben. “It is rather like a romantic getaway, is it not?”
Ben blushed at that, much to the girls amusement.
“Girls, you three go ahead,” said the Princess of Jyurai. “I must speak with Benjamin on some matters.”
“Okay, Aeka-onee,” said Nanoha and Fate together, causing her smile to grow more fond. Alicia was a bit sullen, but went along with her sister and Nanoha.
Ben smiled and looked up to his little companion. “Oi Squishy?”
“?” said the Masser.
“Do me a favor and keep Alicia company?”
“!” replied Squishy and it flew off after Alicia, causing a startled yelp from Nanoha as the Masser decided to goose her along the way, causing a peal of laughter to erupt from Alicia.
Ben snorted in amusement at the sight and Aeka herself was not immune, giggling behind her had at the shenanigans.
The Princess then turned to him and said, “Please, Benjamin. Walk with me.”
And so, they did, pacing along the boardwalk that surrounded the bath in a meandering circuit.
“One imagines that Her Highness has something important to disclose,” said Ben in a pleasant, but very respectful tone.
Aeka returned a mild smile. “You know that you don’t have to be so formal with me, Benjamin. After all you’ve done for us? I am of a similar mind to my dear little sister. I, too, would wish to welcome you into our family, should you so choose it.”
“My apologies, Aeka,” said Ben with a sigh. “It’s just that even though you’re being so nice about this, I can’t help but feel that this is a matter of great gravity that you wish to discuss.”
“It is,” agreed Aeka. “It involves those girls that love you so dearly already.” They were silent for a moment as Ben took that in and Aeka prepared her words.
“First and foremost,” began the Princess, “we are all very happy for you. Though Miss Chidori’s feelings on the matter are somewhat more complicated, but that is to be expected. But we are all glad that you no longer feel quite so alone.”
“Thank you,” said Ben. “It does feel better… but still…”
Aeka nodded. “Yes. Their age. I understand. Which is why I feel it is all the more important that you consider joining our clan, Benjamin. There is also the marriage to consider. If you go with the Takamachi clan, under the laws of the land there, you can only be wedded to one of them while the other must bear the title of Mistress. And I am certain that does not sit well with you, especially considering that any children that come of your unions will not be lawfully yours.”
Ben sighed. “It might not be so bad. Nanoha and Fate, once they go back home, will enter active service with the Time-Space Administration Bureau. And as such, they’ll become citizens of Midchilda. From what I understand, their laws are different in regards to matters like these.”
Aeka nodded. “There is that, I suppose. And they do have a purpose they need to fulfill. I suppose it cannot be helped then. But know this, Benjamin: when the time does come for us to part ways… I will miss spending time with you. You can be such a loud and brash person, almost like Ryouko. But then, there is always the quieter side of you. The one that grew up with no friends. Only the music of dreamers and books by the light of your moon to keep you company. It breaks my heart sometimes, trying to imagine you - a few years younger than I, taught to think so little of yourself, and escaping into such fantastical worlds. Stories such as our adventures with Lord Tenchi.
“I wish we could have been there for you, Benjamin. To have taken you up to the stars. To let you have the kinds of adventures you would read about. To help you heal while you still had something left of your boyhood. To see what sort of man you would become.
“I know that some say ‘Better late than never.’ But I have never put much stock into such ideas. I do not blame myself or anyone else. It simply hurts to know… even if there was nothing we could have done, it hurts nonetheless.
“And it is not only myself that feels this way. We all do. Lord Tenchi, my dear little sister Sasami, Washu-chan, Mihoshi, Noike… Even Ryouko… No, especially Ryouko.”
Ben looked at Aeka in askance, but then blinked as he thought about it. “Of course. Her having lived under Kagato’s whim all that time.”
Aeka nodded her head solemnly. “It’s part of what has helped me to forgive her and see her as family - knowing that she was forced to live that way.
“But that is another matter. Benjamin, we all want you to be happy. And if being with Miss Takamachi and Miss Testarossa brings you happiness, then we’ll help in any way we can. So long as you never do anything to harm them, we’ll protect you no matter who has a grievance with you.”
“Thank you, Aeka,” said Ben quietly, with a small, wan smile. “All the same, though, I think it would be best if I did as little to court such attention as possible. The reaction that young Alisa had was tame compared to how others would react.”
Aeka sighed. “Sometimes the culture of your country worries me, Benjamin.”
“It wasn’t always this way,” said Ben. “One of the most famous sharpshooters of our history was a woman known as Annie Oakley. Her abilities became known at the age of fifteen when she defeated a marksman named Frank E. Butler, who was twenty-two at the time.” Ben then grinned at Aeka. “She married him a year later after she turned sixteen.”
“Oh my!” said Aeka with a slight flush, but a happy smile. “But did they… last?”
Ben’s smile softened into something more genuine.
“Until the day she died, almost a hundred years ago. Her husband was so heartbroken that he stopped eating and died eighteen days later.”
“Oh!” cried out Aeka, crestfallen. “That is so sad! But… they really did love each other, did they not?”
“They did,” said Ben. “The kind of love that you only ever read about.”
Aeka smiled. “You mean like the love that the two girls over there feel for you.”
Ben scoffed with a rueful smile. “Touche, Milady. Touche.”
“Getting back to what I was saying, though,” said Aeka, “if there is precedence for matters such as these, and in such a well known historical figure, then why is your case so controversial?”
Ben sighed. “There, you start to get into education issues in this country.”
Aeka’s eyes narrowed at that. “I see. Nothing against Miss Tsukino - she is such a sweet person - I believe I will need to speak with her on such matters.”
“That will probably be Ami’s department,” said Ben with a wry grin. “Managing the education system is definitely a task that Usagi would prefer to delegate to someone else.”
Aeka’s serious mien evaporated in a chuckle. “She certainly would! I suppose in that case that I would have nothing to worry about - her people are in good hands.” Aeka then sighed. “I can only wish that the same could be said about your people. Enough of this, now. Let us go and rejoin with your fledgling family, dear Benjamin. I fear that we have kept them waiting long enough.”
“Yeah, any longer now and I bet Alicia will try something,” said Ben with a grin.
“It’s about time!” called out Alicia as she saw them coming. Right away, she climbed out with Squishy orbiting her, ran to Ben, grabbed his hand, and began pulling him over to where Nanoha and Fate were both relaxing in the water of the simulated hot spring.
Ben allowed himself to be pulled along and then eased himself into the hot water, settling in next to Fate and sandwiching her between himself and Nanoha. Alicia hummed contently as she settled in on Ben’s other side, pressing her side against him and practically demanding that he put his arm around her. And Squishy had settled onto what was quickly becoming its favorite perch - the top of Ben’s head.
Aeka watched with a happy smile at how close they all were. It was a pity that they would not choose to go with her and everyone else back to Jyurai. They would be such a magnificent family. And Aeka would not have been surprised if a First Generation Tree would choose him.
And she had not been lying one bit when she told Ben that she would miss him. He really is like everyone’s brother: Brother Benjamin, who cares for others like they were his own. His name’s ancient origins in Hebrew even fit him: The most beloved one; The right-hand son. She was absolutely certain that Ben would become her Father’s Right Hand. Benjamin had a great heart - one that wanted for all people feel peace and happiness. Even if that meant that the mighty beat of that heart became a war drum that called him into action. He would act for the sake of others. Her father would be quick to realize this. And he would be just as quick to put the man into a position where he would have the greatest effect, and, most importantly, quietly praise Benjamin for his devotion and diligence.
She sighed. It was a shame. But as long as Benjamin was happy, then that was all that mattered.
Meanwhile, in her lab, Washu watched the girls with Ben on a monitor. There were several others all around her - each one with various information feeds from Bardiche, Raising Heart, and Alicia’s phylactery.
The pint-sized scientist smiled as she looked over Nanoha’s and Fate’s endocrine readings. The two girls were certainly caught in the throes of their early adolescence. Washu had vowed to herself to keep a careful eye on the two. Puberty was hard on young girls, and doubly so when someone had caught their interest. And at that moment, their heart rates and hormone levels showed clearly that they were experiencing some very strong feelings. Very strong and pleasurable feelings, Washu was certain.
She almost envied them. The awakening of one’s sexuality is certainly a thrilling experience. If Fate and Nanoha weren’t experimenting together already, then it wouldn’t be long until they start - all it will take is an ‘accident’ that provokes their curiosity. And even if Benjamin couldn’t actively take part, those two still had each other. That will hopefully be enough for the time being. However, once she was sure the two were sexually active with each other, she’d make it a point to impress upon them how important it was that Ben hears as little about it as possible. Otherwise…
Well, it was no secret that his anxieties were vile little creatures that paid very little heed to the rational parts of his mind. He would feel a sense of rejection no matter how hard he would try not to. If Dioxygen-Difluoride were an emotional state, then Benjamin would own it, lock, stock, and barrel. It was amazing that he could even function at all with such function with such anger and self-loathing in his head, let alone be a kind and loving person.
The poor man.
Alicia’s readings were far more sedate. In fact, looking at her electroencephalograph readings, Washu figured that she would probably wind up dozing off soon.
What really interested her was the real-time APO images in the holotank. There, she could see Alicia’s soul and Benjamin’s. They were connected somewhere in the fourth and fifth dimensions, with Alicia’s soul hungrily lapping up the energy that Ben’s soul willingly offered. It was actually quite lovely to look at. Ben’s soul was hardy - she might almost use the term ‘built like a tractor’. He had power a-plenty to spare for the girl. Her soul was actually quite fragile looking… but not distressingly so. It had a delicate appearance to it, but in a lovely, graceful sort of way. And the power that Ben fed into her only made that beauty stand out even more.
It was going to be a long process, but Alicia’s soul was already showing improvements as the first tentative connections with her body began to strengthen and develop. Eventually, those bonds would be strong and healthy, and Alicia’s soul by itself would suffice in keeping her alive and well.
Whether or not she would be able live without the phylactery was another matter, but even if she couldn’t, it would not stop her from living a normal life. She would simply have to keep it with her for the rest of her life.
But then there was the thing that interested Washu the most: Benjamin and his anti-magic field.
As nearly as she could figure, Ben’s ability to disrupt magic was very similar to the ability of The Counteractor that had appeared and nearly killed Tsunami. It was amazing how the Choushin was absolutely helpless against that being.
Benjamin’s ability wasn’t even a spark in a dark room compared to that. But if he could bring enough power to bear? Washu shuddered at the thought. The stories of all intelligent species all have at least one legend of a mortal being that rose up and slew a god. And she was of the learned opinion that, no matter how distorted, these tales likely have some truth to them
According to the readings from the phylactery and the intelligent devices, Ben’s AMF was at a low ebb. The lowest she’d ever seen it, in fact. She watched with rapt attention as it continued to dwindle with Ben’s slow lapse into unconsciousness.
And then…
“Huh. Wonder if Belldandy knows about this.”
Later that night, after Squishy was comfortably resting in it’s new home, Ben worked on the enrollment forms for all the girls. He couldn’t help but be reminded of his own past - how he had once had a course catalog for high school thrust in front of him, and no idea what to do because he had no frame of reference, and worse of all, not enough confidence in himself to make the choice.
He sighed as that brought back memories. Not the good ones. The ones where he’d cower in front of a man that was supposed to be his father. How that father would demand that he not cower before him despite doing everything possible to make him cower.
He spent several minutes like that, lost in a sort of memetic loop of bad memories.
There was a knock on the door and Ben looked up from his laptop, his thoughts immediately dispelled as he wondered who on earth it could be. To his surprise, Alicia was waiting for him as he opened the front door.
"Alicia!” said Ben in shock. “What are you doing here so late, sweetie? Come on inside before before someone sees you and wakes up your sister."
Quietly, she came inside, her slippers padding on the ground as she hugged her teddy bear close to her chest. As she worked at getting herself settled, Benjamin went and put a glass of milk in the microwave.
"Alright,” said Ben as he sat down next to the girl, “it's only you and me here now. You can tell me what's bothering you."
Alicia was silent for a moment before the microwave beeped. As Ben went to get her milk, she suddenly said, "You were thinking about bad stuff again, weren't you?"
Benjamin paused in mid motion, then sighed and brought Alicia the warm milk.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart," said Ben as he sat down next to her, leaving the glass of milk on the coffee table in front of her. Rather than say anything, though, she latched onto him, sniffling softly. Ben put his arms around her and said, "Oh Alicia. I'm so sorry."
"Don't be," she whispered through her gentle sobs. "You brought me back. You made it so I can live with my sister. You made her happy. You made me happy. But as much as I feel what hurts you, Big Brother, I also feel what makes you happy. And I know that seeing big sister and I together... it makes you so happy that it blots out the pain."
Ben knew it may seem strange for such a little girl to be so articulate, but Alicia had always been ahead of the curve for her age - every bit the budding intellectual that her mother had undoubtedly been in her own youth. And she only grew more sharp and intelligent once she was resurrected. Washu-chan was absolutely certain that Benjamin’s intellect was passively bleeding through like an osmotic process. Which meant that very soon she would be able to start learning the basic calculations she needed to know in order to become a mage like her sister.
Benjamin reached to his computer and brought up some music - a selection of soothing and uplifting tracks from various scores and motion picture soundtracks. Not only to ease Alicia's reciprocal hurt, but to help soothe him as well so the feedback effect would be cut off. He then got her to drink her glass of milk, and then showed her what he was up to (their enrollment paperwork - boring adult stuff, but she found it mildly interesting anyhow to see how things behind the scenes worked). Once she started showing signs of drowsiness, Ben then picked her up and went to Fate and Nanoha's apartment.
Fate opened the door before Ben could even knock. "Just bring her inside, Benjamin," she said kindly. Alicia was already dozing on his shoulder. As Ben laid her down in her bed, Alicia sighed and snuggled her teddy bear closer. A quick little kiss on her forehead left a content smile on her lips as she drifted off completely.
Suddenly, Ben felt Fate's arms around him.
"Fate?"
"It's alright," she said quietly. "I just want to stay like this for a moment. I am so grateful for you and everything you've done, and everything you keep on doing. You know that you're the closest thing she has to a father?"
It made Ben’s heart twinge in a bittersweet way and he put his arms around Fate's petite form and hugged her back.
"Yeah... it's hard not for me to treat her like as if she was my own. Every day she seems to become just a bit more like me - she might as well be my daughter anyhow."
"That's fine by me," whispered Fate. "Her becoming more like you... I can't think of anyone better. I love you so much after all - just as much as I love Nanoha."
Benjamin couldn't even sigh at that. A love that true he could never berate. Not in a million years.
But more importantly, Benjamin knew that Fate would soon start growing like a weed once her adolescence hits - he was sure it would do so hard and fast - and she would start turning into a woman before his eyes. While he knew that the building hormones were a factor, he also knew that there was nothing false about what she felt.
Benjamin kissed the top of Fate's head. There was simply no way for him to lie about it - he loved Fate dearly. And Nanoha, too, for that matter.
Fate looked up at Benjamin with those beautiful ruby eyes of hers. They normally seem more like a brilliant hue of brown, especially when half-shaded by her low-hanging bangs, but once the light caught them, they glittered like the finest cut corundum. She was already so gorgeous, even as a child. She would be breathtaking once she was an adult.
"I need to get some sleep,” she said. “You do, too. Go on, Benjamin. We still have a lot to do tomorrow."
Ben rolled his eyes at that, but smiled anyways. "Oh lardy, do we ever."