[IC][WIP][Arc 1] How I Managed to Quit Worrying and Love The Grief Seed

[robkelk]

Okay folks.  This is just a rough, so have at it.

First quick pass...

He then scoffed in dry amusement.  “It probably is, too, now that I think of it.  That damned contract belongs in a museum.”

Since it's my SI saying this...

That damned contract - that literally damned contract - belongs in a museum.

Mihoshi giggled.  “Ryouko has a new brother!”

Ryouko grumbled at that.  “Not like I mind the idea, but please don’t.”

There strained faces at that as people only managed to succeed in not laughing.  Aeka, though, placed a comforting hand on Ryouko’s shoulder, and Ryouko responded with a wan smile.

After all, they’ve had time now to get used to the idea that they were going to be sisters in all but blood.

"Everybody needs a sibling, Niiko Misaka opines."

Ryouko gave her a dirty look. "That's easy to say when you've always had one. And from what Ben told me, his siblings weren't the best in the bunch - I don't want him thinking of me that way."

“You too, Nanoha!?” said Lindy in shock.

“Unh,” replied the Takamachi girl with a nod of her head.  “I know it’s strange, but the very first moment I saw him…  I knew that Benjamin was special.  Just like Fate is.  He is very strong, but he’s been hurt so much - it makes me sad to even think about it.  But he is such a kind person, even though he would be justified in being angry and bitter at the entire world.  I don’t know of anyone that is that strong.  Not even my father or my brother could be what Benjamin is, and they are some of the kindest men I know.”

Once Rob finally hears about this, then looks through Skuld's glasses at Ben's hand (maybe at Callahan's later, so this is an omake):

"What's wrong?"

Rob looked at Ben's face instead of his hand. "Nothing. Just wondering how strong a rope you could braid out of all those red strings of fate tied around your pinky. Although, knowing you, they'll need a rope to haul you out of danger with - or, more likely, follow you in."

"How many girlfriends have I got?"

"Who says they're all girls, or friends?" {{insert Ben's reaction here)) Rob continued, "I'm not going to count them - that's none of my business."

Ben smiled at that - private lives are private for a reason, after all. "Okay, how many have you got?"

"Three so far, with something wispy leading somewhere I can't figure out. I hope that means I'm only getting four altogether."

"Have I got one of those wisps, too?"

"Oh, yeah. Big time."

“Lying by omission or stretching the truth is the Incubator’s shtick.  The Goddesses aren’t even capable of lying.”

The First Class Goddesses - Belldandy and Peorth - aren't capable of lying. In canon, Urd gave up a promotion so she could continue to lie when necessary. But maybe Ben didn't know that.


Oh, and the whole thing needs a spelling-check on the character names. You have multiple "Alissa" for "Alisa", multiple "Lindsey" for Lindy, one "Lies" for Lise, etc.