Testrun for UG@

[cleavestwice]

1. Action prompt

[It could be a battle, or a disaster. It could be a sneak shot at your back, or a collapsing mess of debris about to bury you. Either way there's a sound and a movement almost too close together to separate -]

Sonic Move!

[- and you're saved - carried to safety, or shielded by a golden magical barrier. Your suddenly-appeared rescuer, a flying woman in a white cloak, spares you a worried look.]

I got here as quickly as I could. Are you hurt?


2. Shenanigans prompt

[Baking a cake. Preparing a surprise party. Gift-wrapping someone's entire office. Whatever the occasion, you've managed - somehow - to persuade Fate to go along with it.]

Are you sure this is a good idea?


3. Sweetness prompt

[You're a child. You have a child. A child just appeared in front of you and started crying inexplicably. Point is, you need the help of someone with vast reserves of patience and a soft, gentle voice.]

It's okay. Whatever's wrong, you can tell me about it.

Comments

2, because IMAGINE IT

[orewagundamda]

All the people I've asked about this prior to approaching you seemed to think so. [See, Setsuna's a responsible Gundam young adult, he knows what he's doing.]

Don't worry, this vehicle was purchased using Celestial Being's funds, and is ensured under a legal company. [He offers Fate the keys... to the monster truck.] The hydraulics used in this will be used in the next generation of Celestial Being's Gundams, so we need to stress test them thoroughly. [It's a monster truck.] I'll be in the seat with you to record the data. [It's a monster truck, god damnit.]

[cleavestwice]

I'm more concerned about safety than about the cost... although I don't imagine my salary would cover this. I should be able to protect myself if something goes wrong, but you'll be in a little more danger.

Well... fasten your seatbelt, please.

[Fate slips on her gloves, because handling this beast is clearly going to be serious business, and examines the controls. Earth and Mid-Childan cars probably aren't that different, right?]

[orewagundamda]

[The controls are probably dead similar, which is strange considering the total lack of trade between the two worlds. Regardless, it's not the controls you should be worrying about.]

[Setsuna buckles up.] I'm fully trained in Mobile Suit combat protocols. It will take more than this to put me at significant risk. [What kind of training program was Setsuna subjected to?] First, take it out to the track, please. [The track looks pretty intense, Fate. This is likely to be either the least stressful part of the test or most stressful.]

[cleavestwice]

Very well. Hold on.

[Fate guns it. And however good the suspension may be, it's getting a workout - she aims right for the most challenging path at every option. The whole monster truck is moving like a bucking bronco.

Through it all, Fate's handling the controls with calm, steady discipline. And just the slightest hint of a smile.]

1

[a_linear_mind]

Pretty badly.

[The poor man seems to have gotten himself pretty messed up evacuating people from the collapsing building. If it wasn't for the barrier he'd be a pancake right now.]

I guess this is why I should leave this kind of stuff to the professionals.

[cleavestwice]

Don't feel bad for doing what you could.

Can you walk? I don't think it's safe to try to heal you here. We'd better get you to safety.

[a_linear_mind]

[The man tries to take a step and stumbles almost immediately.]

Mind lending me a shoulder at least? My injuries are a bit worse than I thought they were.

[cleavestwice]

[Fate does the math. Letting him slow her down a little is probably worth the risk until they can get somewhere more stable, at which point she can take the time to heal him somewhat. And in a pinch, she can just pick him up and fly.]

All right. Here.

[a_linear_mind]

[And he'll gladly take the assistance.]

Thanks, I really appreciate it.

I'm a bit surprised though, you don't seem like the typical search and rescue type.

[Small talk go!]

[cleavestwice]

I'm not, but Bureau mages are trained to handle emergencies. This isn't the first time I've helped fight a fire, and getting civilians out of danger can be part of an Enforcer's job if things go wrong.

1

[stardreadnought]

[Woah, that was a close one. You've just spared Nanoha from being sneak-attacked by a barrage of shots. Yes, she was getting in over her head again.]

Eheheh. I'm fine, Fate-chan. Looks like you've saved me again...

[Now, let's not count the number of times that happened...]

[cleavestwice]

It's not like you to leave gaps in your defense.

There sure are a lot of them...

[stardreadnought]

Sorry, sorry~ I think being back here is bringing out some old habits...


...But still, these guys are nothing like the gadget drones. I'm almost out of cartridges, too.

We're going to need a better plan.

[cleavestwice]

We need to make a break in opposite directions. When they follow, we can catch them in a crossfire.

3

[zenbuzenbuzenbu]

Good thing you came along. This kid won't stop crying, no matter what I tell him!

"M... my ball..oon! Waaah!"

[The child in question is a little boy who, indeed, lost his balloon. It floated away a fair bit of time ago already, so it's irretrievable.]

[cleavestwice]

[Fate crouches in front of the boy and holds out her hand, wordlessly making a tiny ball of light appear at the tip of each finger. She waggles them to get his attention, then starts moving the hand from side to side to make him track it.]

Don't worry. We can find you a new balloon. There's no need to cry.

[Meanwhile, Chris hears a voice in her head.]

Kids can be a handful, can't they? Thank you for trying to help him.

[zenbuzenbuzenbu]

[The child sniffs loudly and wipes his noise.]

"R... really?"

Hey, I told him it's just a stupid balloon and not to care about it, but it didn't work. Kids are weird.

[Chris can't into telepathy so she has to answer normally.]

[cleavestwice]

Really.

Did you come here with your parents? How about we find them together?

[The voice in Chris' head practically comes with a sweatdrop.]

Sometimes what children need is just reassurance that things are all right.

2

[way_of_vengeance]

I'm quite sure it's a terrible idea.


Now now Sayo, don't be such a downer. It's been so long since Hanae saw me, a birthday surprise would be just perfect!

Now, we'll have to replace the cake with one of those ones people can hide in, and I'll get in that. And while the guards are distracted with that, you can zip in and put my gift on the pile. It's a great plan.

Oh, and when they start shooting, you can take the guards out non-lethally!

[cleavestwice]

If your sister is so on edge that she'd shoot at you over a surprise, wouldn't it be better to send a card?

[way_of_vengeance]

Don't be silly, Hanae wouldn't shoot at me! It's my fiancé who'd do that.

Speaking of which, we need to see if he'd be there. If Shishikui came, he's certain to have brought his men, and probably his armor, so we'll need guns...

[cleavestwice]

I know this may be a rude question, but what exactly is the gift you want to leave?

[way_of_vengeance]

Oh, I was thinking of giving her a nice painting I found while abroad, a Toulouse-Lautrec. It'll help liven up the house a bit.

Do you think she'd hate it? I know Shishikui hates anything from foreign countries...

[cleavestwice]

Are you sure your fiance won't throw it out once he finds it?

[Shishikui is her fiance, right? Kanae's, not Hanae's. Even if that leaves Fate confused as to who's in charge of what. But hey, at least it's a painting and not a bomb!]

[way_of_vengeance]

Well, he's the current head of the family, but...


But, mistress Hanae takes after her elder sister in more ways than one. Indeed, sometimes I wonder how such wicked vixens were born to such virtuous parents.


Sayo...

[Suffice to say, if Hanae likes it, that painting's sticking around. Though there's still the matter of (probably) sneaking in past all the guards and fighting your way out past Shishikui and his men.]

[cleavestwice]

[...Look Fate, Hayate said to help this strange lady, and it's not like she'd be friends with some kind of untrustworthy female pervert - right?]

...Maybe I should be in the cake with you. Then I can put up a barrier without having to shoot anyone.

[way_of_vengeance]

Why would we need to do that? Couldn't we just dodge the bullets while you deal with the guards?

[cleavestwice]

That sounds dangerous. And means attacking the guards unnecessarily...

[Fate... gets the feeling she's not likely to win this argument.]

1/2

[way_of_vengeance]

...Eh? What do you mean, we wouldn't be...

2/2

[way_of_vengeance]

Ooooooooh, I see. Let me explain: the guards will try to kill me on general principle. They really don't want me to bring presents for some reason!

And dodging bullets is easy. Why, I can do it with one eye closed.

[Come to think of it, she's had both her eyes closed this entire conversation. And every single time you've seen her.]

[cleavestwice]

Your fiance's guards? Wouldn't that make the wedding a little bit awkward?

2

[dolorous_sensei]

Of course it's not a good idea. Why would anyone want to be surprisedly reminded of their mortality is beyond me.

[cleavestwice]

But this was your idea!

[dolorous_sensei]

Social obligation is a scary thing!

[cleavestwice]

Well, that's not right! Birthdays are a happy time! Don't you want to celebrate with your friends?

[dolorous_sensei]

I celebrated with my friends once... They eat my food, drink my booze, and clogged my toilet...

[dolorous_sensei]

I can do that all by myself!

[cleavestwice]

Well, you're not hosting this party, just helping to set it up. So you can relax and enjoy yourself once it starts!

[dolorous_sensei]

Well, I guess I can eat up some other people's food and drink other people's booze and clog their toilet for once.

[dolorous_sensei]

And end up having more people disliking me.

[cleavestwice]

Perhaps if you skip the last part, they'll enjoy your company instead.