towerofanimus | [ 03 ] ✿✿ [ Open ]

Entry tags:

[ 03 ] ✿✿ [ Open ]

Characters:

Dark Rin & YOU.
Setting: Floor 48
Time: November 9
Format: Quick to start, will match
Summary: The tower taunts Rin when she's already in a poor mood.
Warnings: Characters are likely to be endangered if they provoke her.

►►► FLOOR 48;
[ Rin knew the moment he was taken from her. Any Master can feel the bond ripped from them and if that wasn't enough indication, the Command Seals along her flesh went dormant. In fact it was the hand she found herself gazing upon in the graveyard, sitting on a freshly dug (up?) patch of dity, the formerly vibrant red seals now barely seen against her pale skin. If that wasn't evident enough, then the stone marker with the name L A N C E R was indication enough of who she lost. Rin's never had anyone in her life, so for the brief time she held a Servant was the most social interaction she's ever had.

Losing him stung more than she's willing to let on.

For those brave enough to seek her out, they might feel a more ominous presence in the air around them. Yes, she's vulnerable without a Servant, but in no way is she weak. Willing to advertise that much, she hopes it's enough to keep people away.

Later on the evening, even if she's left, Rin will return to this place not to mourn. No, she'll wait around as though expecting him to return. For all of those jokes she often cracked about him being a puppy, it was her that will wait patiently for him to come pick her up. ]

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[ He wasn't entirely prepared for how quickly she snaps. His eyes flash and squint with hurt for a second before the emotion vanishes. Because if he wasn't entirely prepared, he was close enough to it. He knows, deep down even if he doesn't want to admit it, how easy it is to get her to fall apart. He should have been expecting it. ]

A man who doesn't believe the mud got too far in its corruption.

[ --it wasn't just the mud. It's not just the ugly scent of the Grail on her. He knows that now, after seeing the way the bugs crawled on her in the darkness. But he'll cling to that insistence for now, even if he knows better. He's not ready to deal with the rest. ]

I've already died a few times, so it's no big deal if you kill me. I'll be annoyed, but it's no big deal for me.

But you'll be alone then, and that'd be too bad.

I'm already alone. [ Rin doesn't mind admitting that easily as she forces herself to look away from the bothersome Servant. ] I've always been alone and I accept that. Maybe it's time that you learned to do the same.

[ Her anger comes and goes as quick as any other emotion she feels once that's said. Rin wasn't allowed to have friends or people who care for her. The ones that did come into her life were killed soon enough. And this man?

This man who bothered her enough when this tower transformed her into something else (not a monster, because she's already one) chooses to remain by her side even now? ]

You'll be annoyed if I killed you and I'll be annoyed if you died. I suppose it'd be for the best if I allowed you to live just for a little while longer.

[ So just like that she makes a 'compromise' with as little emotion behind it as possible. ]

[ It hurts to hear her admit that, and he's not sure why. His memories of her still grow muddled after the first few days together. But he knows he doesn't want to see her like this, colder and darker than even he is. That isn't how it should be. So for the moment, he doesn't question why he cares. He just does it. There isn't any other way he can deal with this. ]

You'll find out sooner or later, I'm terrible at accepting things. I'm just a stubborn guy.

[ When was the last time he was really stubborn over something, anyway? No, don't think about that. ]

I'm all right with that compromise. It's not like I want anything more than to live a little while longer while keeping an eye on you.

[ He wears the face of a man furiously trying to convince himself that he's lying. He's definitely lying. He doesn't want to live a little while longer at all. Not even for Rin. Right? ]

It's probably just curiosity.

Curiosity killed the cat, you know. [ Tilting her head to the side. ] Although cat ears would look strange on you. I'm not sure if that's a visual I really want to have in my life.

[ Teasing aside, she tries to not be bothered further by his presence. If anything, he got a real kick out of it, so she must deny him that. ]

Ah, so once you figure out whatever it is you aim to figure out, you'll be gone? Well go on, ask me any question. The sooner we get this out of the way, the better.

Too late. It's in your head now, like I'm at your side. I know it's a pain, but you'll have to put up with it.

As soon as I figure out what I aim to figure out...?

[ He's managed to readjust the masks now. His smile is condescending as ever. ]

Maybe. Maybe I'm just curious to see how much it'd take before you'll cook for yourself.

Then why don't you humor me as my Servant and sew yourself a pair? [ Holding up her own hands on top of her head, she wriggles her fingers as though they were ears themselves. ] Like so.

[ Realizing quick enough that she was being silly, her hands quickly go back to the ground with a huff. ]

I've had to take care of myself all my life. What makes you think I can't cook?

I might.

[ He won't. He likes to pretend he has some dignity, after all.

At that last, though, he clicks his tongue, as if he learned it from her. ]

Listen more carefully, Rin. I didn't say you couldn't. I know you can. I said you wouldn't.

You will if I ask it of you. Embarrass me any further and you'll be Catcher. [ Smirking. ]

Besides, why would you have me waste my time cooking when it's something you can do decently?

So this is a game of how much we can embarrass each other. I see.

[ It's like something occurs to him, something he's been trying to suppress. They were lighthearted there for a moment, as much as they ever are; but now he glances away, and something serious hangs in the air between them.

Unfortunately. ]

In that case. I suppose there's something I should mention to you. It'll bring embarrassment to both of us, but what can I do?

[ This moment was almost nice for her, but then has to ruin it. It may be too early to tell, but he seems to be that type of guy. Get her smiling and laughing, then take it away by reminding her that those were the things she didn't deserve. Crestfallen, she looks back towards the grave.

Lancer.

Her only friend and ally in her entire life. It's probably unfair to say that judging by how her uncle is here, but he's not her uncle; instead, he's some savior for Sakura. Which doesn't bother her (it does), because Sakura needs someone (but doesn't she too?) and because Rin has to be the selfless elder sibling (or else why did she endure this life otherwise?) so that's that. ]

Do you have some kind of magical resurrection spell? I don't know, some miracle to bring the dead back to life?

[ He'd offer to be her savior, but it would be a bitter and half-sarcastic offer. Neither of them wants that.

Probably. ]

I do, but it's been used. That's just our luck, isn't it?

[ He takes something insignificant from a pocket and hands it to her. ]

Nevertheless, it belongs to you, and you left it somewhere, so take it back.

Wha-? [ It bothers her to see that pendant as she fumbles back away from him on the ground. ] Where did you get that?

[ Did he steal that from her? The dull-colored stone bothers her. Well, it's not necessarily dull in essence as it glimmers in the bits of light around them, but it's without power. The one she locked away in this tower, hidden in a specific spot, was charged by a man she will never see again. ]

Did you steal that from someone? [ Because she tries to play off as if it doesn't belong to her. It shouldn't, right? ]

I told you. You left it somewhere, so I picked it up for you and kept it until I could give it back to you.

[ That's not entirely a lie, right? A long time ago, he was keeping it until he could find out who it really belonged to and give it back, but that was a very long time ago and it took him too long to figure it out, so...

The point is, it isn't his, and he thought he'd given it back, but he hadn't. So now seems like as good a time as any to do it. Now, when this strange and bleak Rin with her red eyes and hair much like his is more alone than she has been. ]

...it's a reminder.

A reminder?

[ Of what? What happened to it since then? She mentioned a miracle and he said that it was used. Did he do something with it? Snatching it, she clutches the necklace to to her chest all while seething in the same motion. ]

A reminder of what? Come on, out with it.

[ He's certain this will give him the final word here. ]

--a reminder that once, you saved a stupid kid who didn't deserve it.

That's something you have in you, as embarrassing as it is to admit.

A stupid kid...

[ Shaking her head as though it can deny it ever happening. ] Why would I have ever?! I never would save anyone!

You must have me really mistaken for someone else.

[ Except she sounds so desperate. Almost as though she wishes it was the truth. ]

I'm sure I don't.

[ He keeps that expression on, both resigned and confident at the same time, but the resignation starts to creep up a bit more. ]

I guess you might need to be saved before you can save anyone else, huh? I wonder who'll do that. But it's not my business; I'm only your Servant, in another world that might be destroyed.

[ And he has to say it-- ]

...in this case you made the right decision anyway.

[ She said she had a different Servant. Now that he thinks about it, that can only mean one thing. ]

That kid's better off dead there and then. There are better people for you to save, once someone's set things right with you.

Don't say that! [ Rin might have not known Shirou personally, but she's watched how Sakura's never once stopped looking at him. ] To someone... that boy must have been something special. He must have... well, you know! Someone must have loved him! His parents! His friends!

[ The pressure of the gemstone in her palm begins to hurt noticeably, so she lessens her hold on it with a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. A small process meant to help keep whatever lies dormant within her calm. ]

I know I made the right decision. [ She says after all of that. ] It's part of the rules of the Holy Grail War. I've met his Servant in this place and if he had really called forth Saber to fight my Lancer that day... it would have been problematic for me, you see. So I had to do what I did.

[ Bitterly adding on: ] Besides, what's the point in saving me? I already have blood on my hands.

To someone...? Then that someone was a fool who needed their eyes and heart checked.

[ His own smile is bitter as well. But he waves a hand dismissively to indicate that he's done with that topic. He won't talk about the boy that this Rin didn't save any longer. There's far too much potential there to simply give things away. ]

It's all right. I'll let whoever steps up to save you know that all of that blood is a mistake, and you're not really a person who wanted to shed it. I'm sure they'll understand. It's not something you could tell them, since you don't admit to making mistakes. So I'll be of some use after all.

Probably, but she--! [ Rin cuts herself off too quick when he dismisses it. Surprisingly she listens to him and obeys, giving a nod. ]

No one is going to step up to save me. [ 'Stupid' She should add. ] The bad guys aren't the ones who get rescued by heroes. It's the defenseless people I might hurt that are going to get saved.

That's the way it works in VHS, right?

[ All of that is a troubling thing for her to say. It's so troubling because it reminds him that this Rin hurts defenseless people, so how could he defend her? Wouldn't it be more cost-effective to do as she says and save the she hurts? And to do that--

No, he's not going to think about that right now. It makes him a bit sick. ]

A VHS? You're hilariously behind on technology as always, Master.

H-Hey! What are you going on about with me being behind on technology?!

[ Huffing up and shaking a finger. ] I'm not behind!

They use something called "DVDs" now.

[ He's not even getting into stuff like Blu-Rays...yet. Maybe he'll take her to the right floor later... ]

I don't think you'll ever figure it out, so you should just give up now.

DVDs...

[ You know what? That sounds like a challenge and if anything, this Rin doesn't back down from one easily. ]

I'll figure it out. Instead of a TV, it's a DV now?! Delevision?

[ His eyes gleam just a little. ]

Wrong. It's still a television. Like I said, you're the one who's fallen behind.

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