Cold and far from home.

[Nanoha Takamachi]

There was a chill to the night's air and a quiet whistle of a breeze as Nanoha stepped away from the portal. There were several guards, just like the ones that had arrived at the fountain with Dredd and Bradley, nearby who looked curiously at the sudden arrival. She waved them off as several stepped forward; she could already see that she wasn't going to be walking to the city itself on foot either- much like the portal back in the nexus. It had only taken a minute of walking to realise that the portal to this shining city was much further away from the central landmark than expected. An hour's walk, at least, and Nanoha was determined to get there before Dredd and the rest of his soldiers did. She had no real desire to enter the city under that man's terms. In the end she had sought deep within for that Omnillium again and, much like she surmised, found it easy to shape something, albeit rather time consuming. She summoned a motorbike, not unlike the one she had back on Mid-Childa, and rode it across the flat white of the nexus world to the portal before the others had managed to catch up.

Dismissing her Barrier Jacket and returning Raising Heart to her sphere of glinting crimson, Nanoha stepped quietly into the flying transport some of the soldier escorted her to. That she had arrived before any of their comrades, or either commanders, had returned didn't seem to bother them. It was becoming even more starkly obvious that those two Primes had enough power to take care of themselves even when confronted with a dozen or so new arrivals. Until more information about the Lost Logia behind all of this became apparent, steering clear of any of the older primes was going to be a very prudent plan.

As the transport soared through the sky toward the massive stalagmite of a citadel that dominated the skyline of Coruscant, Nanoha couldn't help but realise that this shiny city really was a breathtaking sight to behold. It continued as far as she could see: an endless carpet of glittering steel and glass, of polished ebony and rich colours. Even the greatest cities of Mid-Childa could not compare to this excessive splendour, but with only the gentle hum of the machine that carried her and the soft warmth of Raising Heart next to her, Nanoha could not help but feel the cold of the air outside washing over here. Until she found a way out of here, she was separated from all her loved ones, from all those she protected. Separated from those which she drew her strength from. As beautiful as it was, this was a cold and unfeeling city crafted from a mysterious and sinister power, not a true inner strength of a collective society.

One of the soldiers had handed her a small metal-rimmed tablet with a map of the city. She saw no library there and few interesting landmarks on the apparently military specific map. It did have information about a further six tiers below the one she could see below, however. The idea of a city with six more as its foundation sent another chill down Nanoha's spine. It would be far too worryingly ironic if that was symbolic as well as literal.

"We're landing shortly, Miss, there should be a droid waiting outside for you once we're down."

Nanoha was snapped out of her deep thought by the guard seated opposite her in the transport. He was a young man, with bright eyes and blond hair; his helmet lay nested in the crook of his right arm. A few moments later and the familiar thud of landing shuddered through the metal around her. The guard waited until she had stood before standing himself and donning his helmet again. It wasn't clear if the young man was just following protocol or being a gentleman, but he offered an arm to support her as she went to take the short hop down. Likewise, she wasn't sure if it was his kind face or the tiredness beginning to seep into her very bones, but Nanoha gratefully accepted the offer. After getting her bearings on the smooth concrete of the landing pad, Nanoha turned to offer thanks, only to find that the door had already shut, motor whirring as the transport took off again.

There was a soft tap on her shoulder and, turning back, Nanoha was politely greeted by a strange humanoid robot.
"Welcome to Coruscant. My name is CR-354. I have been instructed to assist all newly arrived Primes with a guide to the city and to ensure you are comfortable in your accommodation."

Accommodation. Some rest and a warm shower sounded very appealing right now.
"Could we go straight to my accommodation, please? I'd like some rest first."

The robot paused for a moment, several odd lights on it flickering in the gloom before it replied.
"I have requested a hover transport to take us to your accommodation, miss. Will this unit's assistance be required any further after you have settled into your lodging?"

Nanoha considered the map she had been given by the soldier on the transport. Perhaps a look at the lower tiers of the city would be a good idea, but first she needed to find the city's library. If Coruscant was as advanced and civilised as Bradley had claimed it to be, then a library should be a given.
"Yes, please. I would appreciate some help finding my way around the city in the morning if you could."

The robot made a small and very awkward bow of affirmation.

The wind was still cold around them as a hovering car whistled to a halt in front of them a few minutes later. The strange pit of lonesomeness that was building in Nanoha's gut would take some getting used to, but for now she would have to make do with what she could. Stepping inside the car, Raising Heart glided down to rest against her throat.

I am here, my master. You are not e%gg so alone.

Nanoha smiled slightly. Raising Heart never ceased to remind her master just how accurate the Device's name was.