Things Nanoha does: Get up insanely early everyday and get /running/. It was part of how she got up and trained! To do her best! To be her best! It's one of the things that Yuuno suggested she start doing early on... as 'Early morning first thing runs' was something the TSAB did a lot of- so therefore, it made sense for Yuuno that Nanoha-- a Bombardment-type Intelligent Device user, do so aswell.
So she was out in a blue tanktop and red jogging shorts running down the beach in the sand at a brisk pace. On her shoulder was a ferret that for all intents and purposes seemed to be holding a stopwatch that had a tiny lanyard around his neck.
The ferret looks down as they pass a large rock inset in the wet sand. "Huh, we reached that rock a little faster today. Good. Keep it up, Nanoha-chan!" spouted the ferret.
Nanoha just panted determinedly as she kept up her run in the sand as the early morning waves lapped at the beach. Gentle and not very rough yet.
Running on the beach seemed like a good idea when Naru had the grand idea when she woke up early this morning. Nice scenery, the sound of the water, the lack of being in the park. Hannah was busy, and by some miracle Naru actually got up early on school break to go running alone.
She might have trouble protesting that she hates this later.
What Naru didn't realize was quite how much more difficult running on sand was compared to running on a solid surface. She's honestly more doing run-walk splits this morning, and oh /boy/ is she going to feel this workout later. She's in a walking section right now, at least at a good brisk pace still, coming towards Nanoha and her furry friend. No headphones, but she's just as decked out in running shorts and a bright tank top as any other runner on the beach.
Nanoha Takamachi can only run so far before she has to stop and she does. The ferret ticks the stopwatch and nods matter of factly. "Getting better Nanoha-chan." the ferret says more quietly to Nanoha as someone else approaches.
Nanoha never wears headphones or anything like that it seems.
She looks up at the other approaching as she feels around her pocket and... uh. Whoops.
Her waterbottle isn't in her pocket anymore. Doh!
She waves down the other girl. "Hey!" she says her usual cheerful self.
"Um. Excuse me! Have you seen a waterbottle along the beach at all?" she asks softly at the approaching Naru.
"Morning!" Naru greets Nanoha with a smile and a little wave, and that smile quite deliberately includes the ferret too. "Um." Naru glances back a moment. "Blue? There was a blue one with a twist lid up that way." She gestures back the way she came. "I dont know if you have already been over that direction or not."
Naru takes the moment of conversation to pause, stretching as she does with a little phew. "Running on sand is really hard." She comments with a touch of a rueful smile. "Pretty though."
Nanoha Takamachi frowns and shakes her head. "No.. mine's white." she says softly. "And has 'Nanoha' on the side in permenant marker." she says matter of factly. "Ugh." she crosses her arms. "Guess I'll just have to get a new one if I can't find it... hopefully, the waves didn't grab it..." she says looking over to the water and squinting. No small white things floating on the water.
She sighs a bit and nods. "It is hard, but it's a challenge. And challenges are good for you!" she says.
She head tilts. "My name's Nanoha Takamachi!" she says.
"Do you run in the mornings too?" she asks.
"If it's back that way." Naru points another direction on the beach. "I haven't been that way yet, so there's hope. I'll keep an eye out for it." She offers and then smiles. "So I keep hearing, yes. I'm doing as much walking as I am running today, but that's okay."
"Pleasure to meet you, Nanoha Takamachi.. I'm Naru Osaka." She considers the younger girl for a few moments. "Do you go to Seishou Public?" She asks, her tone curious.
Naru nods to the running question. "I do. I mean, not every morning. I think my legs would go on strike if I tried, but a few mornings a week. I.. well.. I only just started a couple weeks back. I'm still not sure if I like it, but I do like being out when the city is all quiet and still, and there's just something /nice/ about the mornings."
Nanoha Takamachi head tilts. "Keep hearing from who?" she asks softly.
She keeps her arms crossed. "Oh. Right. This is Yuuno." she says. "He's my friend." she motions to the ferret. Who remains quiet. "And yes! I go to Seishou!" she beams. "Fourth Grade."
"Naru Osaka..." she taps her chin a bit. "Are... you the friend Usagi-chan was worried about?" she asks as she head tilts.
She trails off and 'ohs!'. "Yeah I run every morning! It's good training." she insists with a series of nods. Yuuno seems to nod in tandem with her.
"Are you training for something specific?" she asks. "Or just exercise!" she beams.
"Mostly from Kunzite, and he doesn't even really say it, just gets that look." Naru laughs softly, shaking her head, her tone utterly fond as she speaks of the older boy. "Ah! Hello Yuuno." Naru waggles her fingers in greeting to the ferret without any sense of irony about it.
"I thought you looked a little familiar. I go to Seishou too, and yes.. I'm the one that Usagi was worried about, I should expect. Or one of the ones, we've had a bunch of friends who've needed worrying about this year." She grins. "I shouldn't be surprised that you know Usagi. I am pretty sure she knows everyone. Her and Mamoru, between the two of them.."
"I.. er.. mostly to stay in .. well get in shape. I think I'd like to take some self defense stuff, and that's not much help if you get half a block and then can't run any further." Naru chuckles at the idea and then bites her bottom lip. "Although I'm wondering if there's like a 5K race or something in the fall to aim for. Y'know, to have like a specific goal. I haven't looked into it though, I only thought of it this morning on my run."
Nanoha Takamachi ohs! "Yeah. Um. Usagi-chan and Tuxedo Kamen called me to talk about... Intelligent Devices. Um! About the possibility of obtaining one for you." she says. She doesn't seem at odds about talking about it now, since both said Naru had been exposed to this stuff and was in it deep.
"Have you given it any thought yourself?" she asks.
She leans back and nods. "I drill to keep my energy levels up and increasing." she says. "I need to work harder." she says balling up her fists in front of her. Yuuno nods matter of fact again. "Oh. Right... um... I think there's probably a marathon in the summer. Isn't there?" she asks. "So it's gotta be happening soon. I don't run to compete like that though." she admits.
"Oh! Yes! That's why your name is ringing bells, but apparently out of context, couldnt place it at all." Naru's face lights up with the pieces falling into place and she grins and nods. "Right! I have so many questions about Intelligent Devices, and I'm pretty curious on if it could work at all. Ami seems to think I could, even being non-magical myself, but I'm not sure how effective I'd be with something very much an offensive weapon like she and I were talking about. Another perspective would be very welcome."
"I suppose that's really kind what I'm doing. Although when I'm tired /all the time/, it's hard to think that I'm keeping my energy levels up or increasing, but they will eventually." Naru laughs softly and shakes her head. "Hannah keeps me in line. She makes sure I'm not slacking, even when I don't think I'm slacking. I dont really want to compete, but it's nice to have something to aim for, I guess? I'll think about it some more. Marathon seems extreme, for only being a few weeks in. Maybe a 10k."
Nanoha Takamachi smiles a bit. "Well I can answer questions about Intelligent Devices. Um..." she gently tugs the necklace out from under her tanktop to show the bright, almost bright pink/magenta bead on the end. "This is Raising Heart. This is my intelligent device." she says matter of factly.
It lights up a moment with a ping. Then. A.
< Greetings >.
She peers at Naru. "'Much like an offensive weapon'. It sounds like you're talking about an 'Armed Device'." she says.
Yuuno speaks up. Finally. Naru probably doesn't find talking animals weird right? Like. A ferret talking is probably the least weirdest thing to probably happen to her in months. Probably. "Armed Devices are more like Sentient Weapons, yes. They also speak Belkan. Belkan sounds a lot like your planet's 'German' Language, with some variance." he says. "...Right. As I said, my name is Yuuno. I'm an Archelogist."
"A space archeologist!" insists Nanoha. "Anyways." she says.
"Intelligent Devices are 'weapons' too." she says. "But that's just one of the few functions they serve. I think of Raising Heart more as my friend than a weapon."
< *Delightful Ping* >
"Each Intelligent Device is different, with it's own personality, and type and purpose." she says. She frowns. "Like Hannah's... Raging Tempest... allows her to focus wind and punch stronger. But it also acts like a data recorder and I bet she uses that to improve and challenge herself." she frowns some more. "And I've seen one that acts more as a defensive shield than anything for it's user- though I never heard it's name. I've heard there's a magical doctor out there with a device that acts like a triage system or something too." she says.
"A word of warning though. You don't pick the device. The devic picks you!" she beams.
Ferrets as part of the conversation is seriously not even in the top ten of the weird Naru has seen this month. "Ami and I were talking about Eiszapfen, but strictly temporary." She explains to both of them.
Naru nods and smiles. "Pleasure to meet you, Yuuno. I've heard of Belkan, although I dont know much about it." She considers Raising Heart on the necklace. "Hello." She adds to that set of greeting too.
"Oh! Oh that makes a lot of sense now." Naru ahs at the explination of Hannah's Device and the wind and punching ability therein.
There's a quirk of Naru's head at that last and then a little chuckle. "I'm pretty good at not getting picked, other than as a light snack."
Nanoha Takamachi head tilts. "Eiszapfen?" asks Nanoha. Yuuno nods matter of factly. "Belkan for sure. Roughly translates to 'Icicle'" he muses. "So yeah. Armed Device."
She frowns. "...I dunno if I could use a device 'temporarily'..." she admits. "I mean... would you just. Pick up a friend. Use them... then drop them when you don't need them anymore?" she asks honestly and earnestly.
She shakes her head. "A lot of Intelligent Devices were left ownerless during an accident in the recent past." she says. "Sometimes they just show up. I've heard a few stories where someone just happens along one by accident and it accepts them as it's master." she says.
"It might not hurt to have your friends take you to Lindy-san... or. Maybe I even can.. and see about 'introducing' you to a few. There's lots of different personalities in devices." she says. "Some are super talkative, like you or me. Others are more quiet. Raising Heart is a very very old device so it's more 'curt' and 'quiet'." she says.
Nanoha frowns. "I'm sorry you're being attacked. I don't like it when people get hurt. What kind of things are attacking you..?" she asks.
"I am the last person to explain how that one works, I'm very slowly trying to put words and conversations and contexts together, and they're not always quite the same. So forgive me if I make things more confusing than they need to be." Naru looks faintly apologetic as she comments upon that. "I'm not sure it's Intelligent either, I didn't get the sense that it was in our conversation."
"Lindy-san?" Naru asks curiously and then smiles. "People are like that too, though. Not everyone is chattery."
Naru erms softly. "Pretty much anyone that's looking to energy drain finds me eventually. Uh, yeah. Generally about once a week /something/ snags me for something, with various degrees of miserable. The recent ones are getting worse, part of why I'm hoping to defend myself. I hate stuff getting in my head, it's just obnoxious and rude."
Yuuno speaks up. "Armed Devices aren't very vocal. They're sentient and have personalities too, but they often keep opinons to themselves and- in a classic Belkan device- follow a sort of chain of command. They're 'Soldiers' in a more easier way of explaining things. It's why a Armed Device user is often called a 'Knight'. It would be unlikley you'll 'hurt it's feelings'." he offers. "Just show it a modicum of respect-- maybe offering a 'You are dismissed.' when you're ready to give it up. And all that." he offers.
Nanoha frowns. "I dunno..." she says tapping her bottom lip. "I still think it's sort of a mean thing to do..." she says softly.
She frowns at Naru's predicament. "Lindy-san is a TSAB General. She and her friends ship exploded and they're all sort of stranded on Earth. The same thing happened to Yuuno." she offers. "TSAB um. 'Time Space Adminstration Bearu'. Think. 'Time and Space Police'." she says.
Yuuno offers. "They have no jurisidiction on Earth and Lindy seems to be settling down for the long road here to try to make a new go of it here last I heard. She's been collecting effects of lost crew members. That includes now ownerless Intelligent Devices." he offers a little sadly. Nanoha shakes her head. "Still..." she says. "I'm sorry you're being targeted like that. Is there any way I can help?" she offers.
"That's really good to know, thank you." Naru nods as she hears a bit more of how to be polite to an Armed Device. She quirks her head thoughtfully. "Well, its current .. er.. person? Can't use it right now, so I think the mentality is that Eiszapfen would rather be doing things than idle, even if its a temporary assignment."
"Oh! Yes. I've heard of the TSAB, but the name Lindy-san wasn't familiar to me. I'll try and meet her, if she's open to the idea." Naru considers that and then nods, shifting a bit to keep muscles warm as they linger and chat. "Well, honestly? This is helpful. Perhaps not quite as directly helpful, but knowing more about my options and even opening more a few more options for how to actually defend myself is helpful. Thank you." She smiles brightly. "I appreciate it."
Nanoha Takamachi blinks. "Eiszapfen belongs to someone....? Who?" she asks.
She smiles. "Um...." she digs out her cellphone and rattles off her phone number. "If you need help. You can call me. Or. You can come to the Midori-ya to talk to me there if it isn't urgent. My family owns it, and I work sometimes- though not a whole lot. I'm still too young for too much work." she says with a smile.
She head tilts and frowns. "Just be careful around Hannah-chan and don't let her finagle you into 'helping her'. She puts up a friendly front but she's into some mean stuff." she insists.
"I don't know that it's mine to say. After all, I am not Eiszapfen's custodian at the moment.. er.. or human. Or person. Or however that's most politely phrased." Naru struggles a moment with the details of the relationship.
Naru digs out her phone to input the number and nods. "Thanks. I can stop by and say hello certainly. Usually I turn up with questions, rather than specifically needing immediate help, but hey, if I'm right near by and things are going weird, I might pop in." Her expression is a touch rueful on that reality.
Naru nods in quiet agreement on the warning about Hannah. "Yes. I know. She really is friendly, that part isn't a front, but there's some ideological differences. Still, she's a great workout buddy, and I was grateful for her standing up for me when things did threaten to go south. I think we can make it work, her and I."
Nanoha Takamachi frowns. "I guess that's true..." she says silently. "Just. She used to just be nice this girl with the cute service dog that'd come in for her pastry and coffee every morning because we're near Infinity. Then it turns out she's just like... this evil bussinesswoman." she seems to lament a little.
"But I'm not giving up on her!" she huffs, crossing her arms determinedly as she stamps her foot down to a 'squeeeeeaaakkkk'
< Water Container: Location Confirmed. >
Nanoha sort of trails off.... "eh...." she says as she looks down. "No. My bottle." she pouts as she leans down and picks up the half buried bottle. It's all indented now.
"I think she's more.. opportunistic than hard core evil, but they aren't always all that different sometimes." Naru confirms with a little nod and then smiles. "I have hope. I'm good at hope, by and large. I mean, I'd be a wreck who never left my house at this point without a solid grounding in optimism."
Naru glances down at the sound of protesting plastic and then she laughs softly. "Water bottles are usually pretty forgiving. If it didn't crack, you can probably convince it to go back into shape." She stretches a little. "I should get back to my run though, before all my muscles seize up on me. It was good to meet you."
Nanoha Takamachi seems more frowny at her bottle rather than the concept of Hannah being a jerk right now. "Alright Naru-san." she says softly with a frown. "Remember if you have any questions or.. need help. Just call." she says softly as she gently tries to disintend her water bottle.
And also begins to look around for a place to refill it if she can.
Afterall, there was a reason she was looking for it earlier and it's because she's thirsty!