♟ 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

[puppy_lancer]

You might wanna try an audio or text function first then. In case somebody gets angry or scared at your face.

[vermicompost]

Oh, I hadn't thought of that... I know how I look. I don't want anyone else angry at me.

[It's not the most flattering thought.]

I'll be careful.

[puppy_lancer]

Well, Saber certainly didn't hold the highest opinion of you, and according to you, you don't remember pissing her off. So yeah, be careful.

[vermicompost]

You're right.

She's angry about me because of something I haven't done. I know I haven't. It must have been another me, or she's wrong.

Someone else could have an idea like that.

[puppy_lancer]

Well, then hope you can get the right function. I'd just say for a case like yours, try starting out general with the message.

[vermicompost]

I'll try. It's just a simple message. I need someone who can heal with magecraft. Not to get rid of the worms, just to make it better.

[puppy_lancer]

You want me to show you to a terminal, or do you wanna sit here a bit longer?

[vermicompost]

Maybe I should go look.

I've been here a while now. Though it's nice, to rest. [He sighs. He's not looking forward to getting up.]

[puppy_lancer]

I know. Pretty places make you wanna stay forever. I'm not even tired all of the time and I like to sit here.

[vermicompost]

That's true.

This is the prettiest place I've found here. Most of it isn't so pleasant. I know they said we should be happy here, but I don't know if they really meant it.

Even heroes like flowers, I guess.

[puppy_lancer]

Well, you can't mope all the time even if you wanted to.

[He sputters when he hears the last remark.]

It's...I don't...I just like nature as a whole.

[vermicompost]

No, I guess no one can. Not all the time. That's good, isn't it?

[Kariya smiles.]

So you're telling me you don't like flowers? Why not?

[puppy_lancer]

Pretty much.

[He scratches his head.]

I don't dislike them either. They're pretty. I like giving them to girls. But it's not like I spend all day sniffing flowers either.

[vermicompost]

So you do like flowers, then. You don't have to spend all day smelling them to like them.

[He is teasing, a little.]

I like flowers, myself. After all, they're beautiful.

[puppy_lancer]

Okay, fine. I like flowers by that logic.

[Was this some sort of karma for him teasing everybody else so much?]

Oh? Did you ever give any to Aoi? Or some other lucky girl?

[vermicompost]

Good. I'm glad you admitted it.

[It's been a while since he teased someone. He laughs a little, but breaks off when Lancer asks his question.]

I used to give Aoi flowers all the time, when we were younger, but it's been a while. I give her daughters flowers, too.

[puppy_lancer]

Store-bought, right? Maybe if you can find Sakura, you can show her the wildflowers growing here.

[vermicompost]

Sometimes I would buy the flowers, and sometimes I would pick them.

I'd like that. Rin was here-- She was really here for a little while. [He smiles.] Sakura might come here, too. I know they'd both like the flowers.

[puppy_lancer]

...Really?

[Well, that's surprising.]

That Rin kid ended up here too?

[vermicompost]

Yes, I met her here. At first I thought it might be a dream.

She's different, but she's still Rin. She talked to me until she had to go. I was happy to see her again.

[puppy_lancer]

[He should stop being surprised at this point. After all, Lancer has met more than one unbelievable person himself.]

And you're sure she's well-cared for in this tower, right?

[vermicompost]

No, I'm not sure. She's from another place, like Saber. Something very different happened to her. I'm worried about her, but I don't know what to do. It's not that she can't take care of herself, but--

[It has been troubling him.]

She has the worms too, and a Servant...

[puppy_lancer]

Is he doing his job? I mean, she gets along with him, doesn't she?

[vermicompost]

I don't know. I didn't meet her Servant. I hope so. She seemed to think he did.

But her hair was white, like mine... I'm worried about her.

[puppy_lancer]

Did she have scars like you do? Maybe you should try asking for help for her too.