Posted: 18/08/2008
1st Revision: 20/08/2008

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Impasse
A Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Fanfiction, brought to you by Eagle8819

Thanks to Astarael00 for beta-ing.

Disclaimer: Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha does not belong to me. Characters used copyright to respective owners.

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Chapter 2:
Names
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Nanoha twitched.

The homeroom teacher smiled. "Haiii, let's give a round of applause to 1-D class representatives: Fate Testarossa and Takamachi Nanoha!"

Cue loud claps.

The brunette resisted the urge to sigh.

This was what happened fifteen minutes ago.

"My name is Lindy Harlaown," the teacher, with long, wavy blue hair, smiled at the class cheerfully; a piece of chalk pressed to the blackboard. "Also your English teacher, and homeroom teacher."

Why, some may ask, was this introduction a day late?

That was because said person had been absent the day before; hence, despite simple introductions by students during homeroom yesterday, the election of class representatives was not completed.

Fate Testarossa, of course, had been automatically voted by random classmate A, backed up by nearly half the class.

She, on the other hand...was voted by Yuuno. Though the brunette wasn't entirely sure how she felt about the enthusiastic number of votes that came for her, too.

In other words, no, Nanoha did not realize how popular she was - including the fact that she was one of the highest scoring students in the entrance exam and therefore a target of curiosity.

And Yuuno always wondered why he seemed to be the target of Nanoha's roughhousing - though it was a question he could very well answer himself.

The problem with him, indeed, was that he saw through Nanoha very easily. And because he knew she knew he knew she wouldn't be able to muster up enough courage to attempt something, he would be the one to divert her path to it.

He was like the older brother taking care of his little sister.

Even if Nanoha wasn't always appreciative of his handiwork.

But then again, she couldn't really blame him. A lot of things had changed since that incident...

Anyway, back to the present.

She turned to glance at the blonde who inclined her head at her curiously.

"I hope we work well together, Takamachi-san."

Nanoha smiled back.

"I'm sure we will."

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Soon enough, it was clear that Fate was a really, really busy girl.

In between the council meetings (the blonde had mentioned something about festivals), kendo practice, and homework, it became obvious that Nanoha would have to handle the majority of their class issues.

Not that Nanoha gave Fate a chance to argue about it as she put her foot down on the subject.

A shame though, mused Nanoha. She would have liked to talk to Fate a little more, but the first-year representative had been dragged away for some pressing issues.

Fate was nice. Understanding, gentle, a good listener, studious, the prime example of a high school student and -- she was like the epitome of...perfection.

But Nanoha did not believe in perfection.

No matter how faultless a person was, there would always be flaws.

She definitely wanted to get to know her better.

It was just mildly miffing (no, not really, but still) that she did not realize she would be one step closer to sating her curiosity very soon.

Though she did not expect it to happen this way.

Craaaaaaaaaaaash!

Books fell.

Papers scattered.

Nanoha grimaced.

"...Are you okay?" a soft voice asked.

She blinked once. Twice. Then she looked up at the figure (definitely female) who held her before she could fall.

Fate Testarossa.

"We really have to stop meeting like this...Takamachi-san." Slight amusement.

The brunette laughed nervously, righting herself instantly. "Sorry! I...um..." Her eyebrow twitched. "For some reason, people just keep banging into me these few days..." she glanced backwards and glared at a boy who was disappearing around the corridor.

"I know the feeling." The blonde chuckled, bending to pick up the fallen books and papers.

Nanoha blinked, and quickly moved. "Ah, Testarossa-san, I can do this myself - "

"It's fine. You are heading to the staff room to hand these in, right?"

"Well, yes..."

Fate smiled. "I'm heading there myself, so please, allow me to help you?"

The brunette twitched.

"That's not very fair, Testarossa-san." Nanoha muttered, "I can't say no if you put it that way, can I?"

There was a bland expression on Fate's face; her only response to that was another raise of eyebrows and lips that curled into a little knowing grin.

"Is that so?" the vague reply came, a hint of amusement playing in that tone. "Well, you do have a lot of books and papers to carry..." Fate hefted the bundle of books in her hands, adjusting her grip as she stood. There was an unsaid question in her eyes.

"Homework for the last three subjects in class today," Nanoha said, picking up the last few books at her side.

"...Ah. No wonder."

They walked to the staff room in a comfortable silence, until Fate broke her train of thought.

"I'm truly sorry about this, Takamachi-san."

Nanoha blinked.

"Sorry about?"

"I've been busy with other matters, and you had to handle most of the class issues..." The blonde trailed off. The guilt and regret was clear in her soft voice.

Nanoha gave an exasperated sigh. "Fate-chan, what did I say about this?"

It was Fate's turn to blink, and she stopped in her tracks.

The brunette glanced back at her, and paused. "What is it, Testar - "

And then Nanoha realized her mistake.

"Oh! Um...I...sorry about that. I said it by reflex - "

"No."

" - and I didn't mean to offend...eh?"

Fate gave her a curious and amused look.

"It's alright. Please continue to call me that."

The smile on the blonde's face was genuine.

Nanoha faltered for a moment before she could gather herself.

"...Only if you will call me Nanoha," Nanoha raised an eyebrow.

Fate's lips curled into a little half smile that she would soon grow to love.

"Of course...Nanoha."

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A/N: I know this is an incredibly short chapter, and I'm sorry. But I honestly couldn't think of anything else that I could, should, add after the above scene.

...At least I updated? :D

Well, I will be honest. The above two scenes had been written a very, very long time ago. I just took the courtesy to add some good few paragraphs/lines, edit a couple of things, and voila. I'm not going to promise updates - and really, the only reason why I opened the Impasse folder (that had not been touched for ages) was because Enraptured brought my attention to it via a recent post at LJ (one that most of you will be interested in, as well, considering that it concerns a certain fic that hasn't been updated for a while.).

It's also due to that that the gears in my brain started moving, despite all the squeaks and screeches it's making from old age, rust and lack of oil. I do have a half-hearted plot, sort of, but how to reach from A to C is not coming to mind.

So, yes, indeed, you have her to thank for this chapter. And future chapters, perhaps, if any at all :P

Till next time,
Eagle.