[closed]

[wirefu]

Characters: Irisviel (wirefu) & Archer (swordedpast)
Setting: Floor 38
Format: Action
Summary: Archer blows his cover. Things are Awkward.
Warnings: Prooobably none?

[Unlike some other residents of the tower, Irisviel hadn't reacted too negatively to the sudden harsh drop in temperature yet. Honestly, it didn't bother her at all for the first week! She had been brought into this world by a family that hid themselves in the far north, amidst a sprawling forest of never-ending winter, where the harsh blizzard winds would cut easily through old stone walls. She was used to this cold. But then the temperature kept dropping, and soon enough, it began to even bother her. But she never once complained! Even after wrapping herself up in her thick fur coat and hat, she still projected quite a sunny disposition.

The cold didn't even stop her from going about her normal business. Not that she really had much of a schedule to stick to, outside of spending time with Saber... but she was still moving about the tower without much reluctance. Take now, for example... she was currently situated in one of the chairs closest to the windows, eyes drawn upwards towards the clouds not too far off. Even after spending her entire life in that winter forest, Irisviel never tired of watching the snow slowly falling...]

Comments

[wirefu]

You're not just a tool. [Her voice is surprisingly firm as she says this. It's... not really a sore subject for her, but it's one she feels strongly about. After all, until she met her husband, she was treated the same way by her own family.]

... That's one of the few things I really disagreed with Kiritsugu on, you know. You, Saber, all the other Servants... you may be the spirits of people who are long gone, but I don't think that makes you any less human.

[swordedpast]

[His mouth turns down at the firmness in her voice on that point.]

It's not that I disagree about Servants, but you're truly different than most magi in saying so.

[But before he can marshal his slightly fuzzy brain to antagonize her further about this...]

Wait. You knew Saber?

[And he immediately curses himself inwardly for even saying it. Of course she knew Saber; she was Kiritsugu's wife, and Saber was his Servant. Saber never got along with Kiritsugu, so someone had to stay at her side during the war. It's only natural that it would be this woman.]

[wirefu]

[Some magi might be offended at being seen as different from the norm, but not Irisviel. If anything, the light smile on her face implies that she sees it as a compliment.]

Of course. I have nothing but fond memories of Saber during her short she was summoned for.

[To match her words, her voice takes on a fond tone as well.]

[swordedpast]

[Normally he'd be quicker. He'd cover up his slip easily, or he wouldn't have made it at all. But he's hazy from the illness and surprised that he's ill at all. It takes a bit of a toll. So he blinks a few times at Irisviel's words, before realizing that he needs to distance himself from there.]

I see. What a shame that she's my enemy in the war I was summoned for, then.

[wirefu]

[And, of course, Irisviel smile fades at that. It was one subject she was incredibly curious about, but it was also something she forbade herself from questioning Saber on. The knight had so much anger and bitterness inside of her as a result of fighting for the Holy Grail that she just... didn't have the heart to ask. She didn't want to hurt the girl by asking her to bring up old wounds.]

Of course. You were both Servants, so it's only natural that you were enemies. If you were hoping to shock me with that information, than I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you.

[swordedpast]

But I wonder why she never reached the Grail that time.

[This woman is too understanding. Too kind. Maybe if he pries, she'll back off. She'll be less gentle.]

At the side of a woman who supported her, and commanded by one as efficient as Kiritsugu Emiya, it should not have gone wrong. She would never have needed--

[He almost says too much. She would never have needed that stupid kid. He cuts himself off, shaking his head.]

She would never have needed another war, right?