♟ 001 ♟ In the Tower With Kariya

[vermicompost]

Characters: Kariya and OPEN
Setting: various
Format: either
Summary: Kariya's arrival in the Tower
Warnings: blood, possible body horror


Dormitories:
It's confusing, arriving here. This place, the letters, they're alarming. How could the world be destroyed? Where's Sakura? Where's Aoi? Kariya's heartbeat is accelerated, his breathing harsh and quick. His own agitation agitates the worms within him. In this state, it's difficult for him to walk, let alone make his way through an entirely new, strange environment, but he does his best. At times, he staggers and coughs, or stumbles to one side, disoriented. He has to pause to rest, more than once. Blood flecks his lips, gathering at the corners of his mouth and sliding down over his chin.

"Berserker, Berserker..." He calls out now and then as he goes, but no one comes to his call.


Cafeteria:
He managed to make his way down to the cafeteria. Sitting at the table, he gazes down at his oatmeal he was given, mournfully. He's not very hungry. He tries to eat it, but even just the plain oatmeal is difficult for him to choke down. It takes him a few tries, but he takes his time. When he pauses to cough, he wipes up the scattered bits of oatmeal flecking the table, a little embarrassed.


Infirmary:
The medical facility looks promising, but Kariya isn't sure if they have anything there he can use. He doesn't know if there's any medicine in existence that can help him. He'd like to try, but he doesn't want to risk disturbing the worms further. It's hard to say how they'll react to any stimulus. Much of his life has become a matter of worm management. He walks in slowly, quietly. "Hello, is anyone here?"


Meadow:
After wandering restlessly, at last Kariya settles himself, all but spent, exhausted from his wandering. He sinks down among the flowers with a sigh. When he focuses his gaze on the blooms, he feels more content, calmer than he was before. The flowers are lovely and fragrant, the petals soft and colorful. He just wants to rest a little while...

Comments

[vermicompost]

No, I don't--know.

[It's painful for him to talk about.]

Her husband sent Sakura away.

[puppy_lancer]

Oh yeah, you talked about that. She still has Rin, right?

[vermicompost]

That's right. The girls were split up. Sakura has to act as if she never had a sister.

[Kariya turns away, his face twisting.]

I hate him.

[puppy_lancer]

Maybe he only meant for the best.

[Adoption and fosterage existed back in his time.]

Still, that's gotta be tough, knowing someone you love loves another person you hate.

[vermicompost]

He didn't! He knew what my family was like, what they'd--what they'd do to her.

[He can't believe someone like Tohsaka would fail to realize the form the Matou family crest would take. He knew far too much.]

It is... I can't bear it. Not anymore.

[Talking about Tokiomi takes some of the humanity from Kariya's voice.]

[puppy_lancer]

Are you sure? I mean, lots of magi don't divulge their secrets. Even neighbors and classmates could know squat about the details of each other's magecraft.

[The sheer amount of bitterness in Kariya's voice has started to disturb him.]

[vermicompost]

I'm sure. He had to know something. He knows what Zouken's like.

[He might not be right (well, he might be partly right), but he's SURE.]

This is all his fault.

[puppy_lancer]

Tch. Guess if I ever run into this Tohsaka guy, I should kill him too.

[Because fathers not caring for their daughters just pushes Lancer's berserk button.]

[vermicompost]

Yes. You should. That's what I'm going to do, when I find him.

[He may usually be gentle, but there's no gentleness in his manner when he's discussing Tokiomi.]

[puppy_lancer]

Good luck.

[Still, he has to wonder if Kariya's body can hold up in a battle between magi.]

[vermicompost]

Thank you. That's what I'll do, when I get back.

That's why I have to get back as soon as I can.

[The answer to that question is no, not really.]

[puppy_lancer]

And on the off chance that he ends up over here?

[vermicompost]

Then I'll fight him. Here.

[And he'll lose, most likely.]

[puppy_lancer]

You know, if he's also a Master, he might have a Servant with him.

[In other words, Kariya would do better to wait until Berserker arrived.]

[vermicompost]

But I don't have Berserker here. He might not. I have to fight him. It's just--something I have to do.

[Rational or not!]

[puppy_lancer]

[Lancer stares at Kariya for a moment before nodding. He could understand about it being a matter of honor.]

[vermicompost]

[He nods back.]

I don't have a choice. If you could help me--I would be grateful. I'm not strong enough, alone.

[puppy_lancer]

I could keep a watchout and fend off any Servants he might bring along.

[vermicompost]

Thank you. I want to fight him myself, but that would help a great deal.

I know there's probably nothing I could do to help you, other than look for Misaya, but I would.

[puppy_lancer]

That really means a lot. Thanks.

[He lies back and looks up at the sky. The sun had shifted. Had they really sat and talked for this long? Then again, Servants didn't tire as quickly as humans.]

[vermicompost]

I'm glad. You're welcome.

[Kariya let out a long breath as Lancer looked up. For all that he rested when he could, he was still so tired. He could never seem to get stronger or better. He still felt so weak. He coughed, quietly, putting a hand to his mouth.]

[puppy_lancer]

[Lancer's ears are just enough to catch the cough.]

You okay?

[vermicompost]

[He nods, but coughs again.]

This happens sometimes, that's all.

[puppy_lancer]

Is it some sort of disease? I think we should have medicine around for that. Second floor, if I remember right.

[vermicompost]

No, it's a--condition. I don't think there's anything in the infirmary that can help. I tried already. [He takes another breath. He doesn't want to get worse, not now.]

It's my family's familiars. [Saying "I'm being eaten by worms" doesn't come to him easily.]