towerofanimus | (no subject)

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Characters: Irisviel von Einzbern and YOU
Setting: Anywhere on the safe floors
Format: Action, but I can match
Summary: Irisviel is trying to cope with the new symptoms of her flu. It's not going very well.
Warnings: Mentions of death, possibly of the bloody kind.

[When Irisviel had first gotten sick... well. Things weren't that bad, honestly. She had never gotten sick in the entirety of her short lifespan, so it was more of a strange occurrence than a frustrating or annoying thing. And she had Saber taking care of her, keeping her warm when she needed it while she hoped that would be enough to burn through whatever illness had befallen her.

It was a bit of an inconvenience, but nothing too horrible. Not until three days ago, at least.

She hadn't been doing anything, really, just reading in the library, when an image flashed before her eyes, completely unbidden; Illyasviel, her beloved daughter, lying still in a puddle of blood, a gaping, bloody hole in her chest where her heart should have been. The image had been so sudden and startling that she had cried out, jumping from her seat. After a quick glance around, she realized... it must have been a figment of her imagination. Possibly the flu twisting her tired mind somehow. Just a strange, random occurrence...

Sadly enough for Irisviel, that horrible, heartbreaking image was not the only one to cross her mind without warning. Since then, she had seen countless images flashing through her mind - Archer, being torn apart by the monsters that lurked in the shadows of the tower at night. Illya, always lying broken and bloodied on the ground, or else seemingly just fading away with a sad smile on her face. Saber, valiantly fighting a losing battle as she's swallowed up by darkness. Even those who she only knew in passing or from only a few interactions - Waver, Kazumi, Kariya, Zelda - had shown up several times in these visions. Irisviel was not a woman who enjoyed seeing death or bloodshed, so needless to say, these hallucinations were taking a great toll on her. She hasn't slept more than an hour or two at a time, afraid that they would haunt her dreams if she fell into too deep a sleep. She had begun keeping away from the others, so as not to worry them (though this distant attitude probably would worry them even more).

But even a homunculi's body had its limits. After three days of little sleep and only the nutrition bars to eat, added on to the still-present symptoms of her sickness... Irisviel was weak. Very weak. It was getting harder to keep puttering about the tower in an attempt to keep her mind focused on something, anything, to prevent the visions from coming back... but she just couldn't anymore. More and more often she could be found leaning against the wall of one of the lounges, or the dormitory halls, or any of the other semi-safe floors. Other times, she could be found back in the library, staring blankly at a book in front of her, trying to absorb the words her frazzled mind refused to understand.

Or one might find her just after the last of her endurance crumbles, and she finally gives into her exhaustion. Thankfully she's in the cafeteria when this happens, and not a floor where she might be easy prey for the monsters. Now, she's simply slumped over one of the empty tables, head pillowed on her arms and an uneasy look on her pale, sickly face...

Do you dare disturb her in any of these situations? She might welcome the distraction.]

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[Rosa herself is not doing very well. She too had taken ill. But she has one comfort, and that is Maria. Her daughter follows behind her, but only as she walks, so even in her feverish state, she keeps on walking. There is no other way for her to speak to her daughter, because every time she stands still, someone takes her, or she runs off somewhere.]

Ah, Maria, this is the library. Do you want to read some books? Maybe they have books about magic in here.

[But Maria is oddly silent. The girl does not even give a single "uguu." Rosa whips around, trying to find her daughter. She can only see a white haired woman sitting at a table.]

Excuse me, but have you seen Maria anywhere?

[Illya had come to the cafeteria for a bite to eat between her usual daily routine of sleeping, reading, and complaining. She had expected to be alone, as she often was, but fate seemed to have other plans.

Seeing the woman in white slumped over in such a horrid state, her heart began to race out of fear of who it maybe. Nervously, she approaches, a mixture of sweat and half formed tears trialing down her porcelain skin.

Finally approaching the woman, she finds her fears confirmed. It was her beloved mother. Unable to utter more then a few words, she reaches out to Irisviel.]

Mommy...is something wrong?

Edited 2012-12-19 06:11 (UTC)

[Irisviel stirs at the touch, bleary red eyes opening and focusing on the one that had woken her up. All hint of grogginess in her expression quickly disappeared as she sat up, her face now a mask of worry.]

Illya... no, I'm fine, really. [A tired smile crosses her face and she reaches out, placing her hands on her daughter's shoulders.] What about you? Are you all right?

[Illya tries her best to put on a happy face and a forced smile, despite all of her worries.]

I'm fine, Mommy. I've been making sure to take care of myself.

[Irisviel lets out a relieved sigh at that.] Good... I'm glad to hear that.

[Even without the visions flaring to life inside of her mind, she can still picture the made-up sight of her daughter lying dead and bloodied on the floor. It doesn't make her paranoid, oh no. She's still level-headed enough to fight those feelings off. But it did put her a bit on edge.]

More and more people are getting sick... and it's no ordinary disease. [Affecting homunculi and Servants as well as humans... it was strange indeed.] Do you know if any of your roommates have gotten sick as well?

[Saber was looking far from okay herself. Not bothering to put her hair up, so the washed out strands hung loose about her shoulders, the blue greatcloak was the only thing about her that seemed grand. She looked exhausted even though it was mental exhaustion more than the physical. Oh, she was still coughing and sneezing a bit, but it was the toll of seeing them all and not being able to get to them, to speak to her subjects, her knights, that had her burdened like never before.

So, she was chasing after ghosts when she passed right by Irisviel in the dorm hallway, running after a woman she cared deeply for, when something in her mind made her stop and turn back. It was the love reminding her that the woman she did love was clearly not okay, but her mind's eye was still seeing the other woman, the one she had married all those years ago...]

Guinevere... My love, are you alright?

[She pulled Irisviel to her in an embrace, warm and true, not realizing just what she'd done just yet as her eyes were still looking for something that was not there...]

[Irisviel had meant to call out to Saber as she passed, to try and snap her out of whatever strange daze had clouded over the woman's eyes. A pang of worry had shot through her, then; if she looked as bad as Irisviel had felt, does that mean that Saber was under similar effects of this strange flu...?]

Saber...

[But that's all that she managed to get out before Saber turned to her. The worry doubled when the knight called her by a name that was most certainly not her own, but instead one that anyone who knew King Arthur's legends would know...

Ah. So something strange is going on with her. Something that is most certainly hurting her. And through breaking whatever illusion Saber was under would hurt as well, staying silent would only make it worse. So Irisviel placed her hands on Saber's shoulders, gently pushing her back so she can break the hug and look at the other woman straight in the eye.]

Saber, you must snap out of this illusion. I'm not who you think I am.

Edited 2012-12-19 20:42 (UTC)

[Saber did not want to let her go. She was concerned and... she missed Guinevere. Despite the two women looking different, she loved them both, though there was a difference as one was a deeper love and the other an honorable one. And yet, she would never have either. So she didn't want to let her go...]

Guinevere, what's--

[Red eyes, snowy hair... this wasn't her wife. This was...]

Ir... Irisviel?

Yes, it's me. [She makes sure to speak clearly, despite the slight rough edge to her voice thanks to her sickness, hoping that Saber will pick up on (what she hoped were) the differences between her voice and the voice of the woman Saber was imagining.]

... You've become trapped by the strange effects of this sickness too, haven't you?

[Saber blinked her eyes then shook her head a little to clear it. She looked down the hall she'd been heading toward, chasing after ghosts, and then back to the woman in her arms. When she spoke again, there was more certainty to it.]

Irisviel.

[Saber leaned back against the wall, pulling Irisviel to her chest, still not willing to let her go. If she could take this moment... she would.]

I am afraid I have. I keep seeing... them. All of them.

[Irisviel doesn't complain at all about the hug. She's tired, and it's nice to have someone to lean on... that, and. Well. Saber had been a frequent subject of the horrible visions she'd been experiencing since falling ill. The hug was just a nice reminder that this was real, not those disturbingly vivid hallucinations...

She does shift a bit, though. Just so that she can get her arms around Saber as well. Just with those words, she knew the knight would need comfort as well, and Irisviel was more than willing to provide it.]

I'm sorry, Saber. If there was something I could do to aid you in fighting off those visions, I would... [Of course she thinks of Saber first. She'll always put the health and safety of those she cares about in her top priority.] But... I'm afraid my healing magecraft can't be used for matters such as this.

[The hug is appreciated in so many ways. Arms tightening a bit, one hand moving to rest on Irisviel's hair - even grip it a bit, Saber rest her head against the others.]

Just... let me hold you. That shall give me strength enough, my Lady.

Of course. [She offers Saber a tired smile, one that doesn't completely reach her eyes.] We can stay like this for as long as you need, my knight.

[It's still daytime, or at least it was before she had collapsed, so at least there's no risk of monsters finding them here in the halls. And that meant there was no need to quickly relocate.]

[Saber nodded and remained silent for a few long minutes. She was caught between what she needed and what she wanted. She didn't need to continue holding Irisviel as she was, but she wanted to hold her forever.]

You know... You know I will do anything for you. Anything. You need but ask.

[Again, Irisviel seems content with this position as well. The warmth of the hug is doing wonders to soothe her nerves and mind frazzled by her recurring visions.]

I know that. [A soft chuckle.] That's one thing that managed to remain unchanged.

I needed to make sure it was clear, my Lady.

You don't need to worry about that, Saber. It's as clear as crystal!

[Saber takes the moment to smooth her hand gently over Irisviel's hair before letting her head fall back against the wall.]

I should take you to your room, before...

[Jellal has thankfully been spared from catching anything (he is busy enough adjusting to this place) - but even though he's only been here for a few days, he certainly can't help noticing the number of people fighting some sort of sickness.

He doesn't know the woman sitting at that table, but... seeing her like this, he feels that he should at least try to reach out. See if there is anything he can do to help.]

Miss...? [Asking if something is wrong, kind of seems redundant, so...] Do you need anything?

[Irisviel lifts her head up, and when she notices someone staring at her, she manages to pull herself up into a sitting position.]

No, no, I think I'll be fine... I just need to wait for this sickness to pass, that's all.

[He tilts his head just lightly as he takes a step closer to her, concern lighting his eyes.]

I mean no offense, but... this doesn't seem to be the best place for that.

[Temperature aside, that table certainly doesn't look all that comfortable.]

I think I saw a few couches a few floors up from here...

[Right... right. The lounge. That would be a good place to rest. But she can't rest now, not with the visions just waiting to invade her mind again...]

I'll head up there in a bit, I think. I should probably find something to eat before that.

[Not that she really needs to eat, but she'd rather try to assure this man, to shoo him away before he runs the risk of catching whatever it was that she had.]

[Catching whatever she has is currently kind of the last thought on Jellal's mind, really. He just nods.]

Ah... would you like me to get something for you?

[She probably shouldn't move too much after all, huh?]

I think... another glass of water would be nice, if it's not too much trouble.

[Her throat is dry and scratchy, and she hates to admit it, but it hurts a bit. She's not too used to dealing with sickness, so she's not really sure what else she can do but keep trying to soothe that rough feeling.]

Of course.

[He nods as he starts to move, glancing around the cafeteria as he searches for glasses and the water tap. It takes a few minutes - he is still very unfamiliar with this place after all, frowning deeply when he sees... nutrition bars. And even more nutrition bars.

Shaking his head, he moves back towards Irisviel, setting the glass down beside her.]

Here you go. [And after a moment of hesitation.] This place really doesn't have much of a selection...

Edited 2013-01-02 20:58 (UTC)

Thank you. [She offers him a smile, and takes the glass.] I've been here for a month now, and I have to say, it's a bit strange. Last month they did have a decent selection here, but now...

[She wonders if it's a common occurrence. Maybe it's a sign of something. When she's feeling better, she'll be sure to ask around.]

A matter to be investigated, I suppose.

[He'll add that to his own list of questions to be answers. It's not like there can ever by enough of those anyways.]

[chaos sighed to himself as he entered the kitchen. He was used to dealing with a lot of problems, but he had never expected to deal with this sort of problem. He wouldn't mind finding a solution to it..it was just that it would be hard to get the solution to work and keep working. He wasn't sure why Shion's opinion of Margulis had been lowered. He hadn't seen or heard of any fighting between his friends, so the sudden fight between them was odd.

He was just tempted to lock the two in a room until they both got over their differences, but he wasn't going to do that..not yet, anyway.

As he thought of his problem, he sensed a person sitting at the table that wasn't quite human. She felt more like KOS-MOS-like an artificial human holding something-than a normal person. However, chaos was used to such things. However, he was not happy about seeing that person lying on the table, looking like she was half-dead. Worried, chaos walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder, to both warm her up and try to heal her a little. His healing abilities were small, but they might help.]

Are you alright? What's wrong?

[The woman instantly jumped awake - either she's a light sleeper, or she obviously hasn't been asleep that long. The cool touch of healing magic was soothing to her frazzled nerves, but even so, she just smiled and shook her head.]

I'm fine. I'm not used to getting sick, that's all, so I'm not quite sure how to cope with this whole ordeal.

[After hearing that, chaos gave the woman a smile.]

Well, if you are sick, it is best to eat, drink, and rest up, especially in these conditions. Where is your dorm room? I would be happy to take you there.

[She smiles; it's a tired smile, but still mostly genuine.] Oh, I think I'll be able to make it back there on my own... with the elevator, there's no danger of running into any of the unpleasant creatures roaming the tower, so I should be as far from danger as one can possibly get in this tower.

Unless, of course, a monster decides to hide in the elevator and attacks you there, or your illness gets to you and you pass out in the hallway. Please, allow me to help you.

... Has that happened before?

[Irisviel looks surprised at that. It's not like she was trying to change the subject intentionally, but if this is something she should be watching out for...]

Not to my knowledge. But it is something that could happen.

[chaos gave her a calm smile, trying to calm her down.]

Yes you're right... "better be safe than sorry" is the phrase, isn't it?

Ah, it wouldn't be too much trouble for you, would it...?

That would be the phrase. And it wouldn't be a trouble for me at all. I enjoy helping people.

If you say so... I think I would appreciate the help.

Alright then. Can you stand on your own? I shall not mind it if you need to be carried. Which dorm room is yours?

[Irisviel can't help but chuckle a little at his questions.] You're quite the gentleman... thank you for the offer, but I'll be fine standing on my own.

[And she does, without much problem. She's just tired, so her motor skills aren't really bad at all. She just might pause every once in a while if a dizzy spell (or one of those horrible visions, can't think about them oh no) takes over her.]

The very first room, actually. 1-01. [Seems pretty convenient in this case.]

[And chaos returned the chuckle, even though it didn't last long.]

I am glad to hear that.

[chaos nodded as she stood and smiled.]

Alright then. Shall we be off?

[He would let her go first and then follow behind her, to make sure that she was alright.]

[Much like Irisviel, Archer has been making his way restlessly through the tower in search of some small reprieve from the visions that plague him. His are more impersonal. He doesn't even remember most of the anguished faces that confront him in his hallucinations: all he knows is that every one of them is his responsibility, someone he cut down to save another.

On their own, they aren't so bad. He can put up with some pain and blood. All together, though, they've become a constant, crushing reminder of everything he wants to escape about himself.

Which is why he's leaning against the stairway leading up from floor 19, contemplating throwing himself off the tower from the floor above. He's not clear-headed enough to remember whether it would last or not, but surely it would offer him some relief.

No. No, there's something that should be stopping him; he still needs to take care of Rin here. He forces himself to turn and walk away from the stairway--

--and nearly trips over Irisviel.]

[Irisviel lets out a yelp, snapping out of the exhausted daze she has fallen into, and quickly staggers to her feet. She's not sure what's lurking around, but she knows she has to be on her guard--

Oh. It's him.]

Archer...

[There's relief in her expression and voice, when she sees him, but that quickly warps to concern when she sees just how badly he's progressed since their last encounter. And just like last time, she reaches out to steady him, fighting back the vivid hallucinations that were invading her mind more and more frequently. His deaths were always so violent, so to see him whole and unbloodied is a bit of a relief.]

--Irisviel.

[A moment of clarity descends upon him. This is someone he needs to watch out for and protect, in Kiritsugu's name. So for just a few seconds, he can fight back the confused and painful haze of guilt and distant terrible memories in order to study her. To make sure she's okay. Even if behind her, someone he knows he killed bleeds out while reaching for him.

It only takes the quickest of glances at her face. She's not okay. His shoulders slump, but he tries to keep the cool expression on his face. He doesn't do a very good job of it.]

How unfortunate; you were also a fool, and got yourself ill. Weren't you aware...such a thing would happen?

[She can't help but chuckle a little at that.] Yes, it seems I was a fool...

[But then any humor in her voice quickly vanishes.] I knew I might get sick. I thought I would be prepared for it. But the side-effects have been... very strange.

[Vast, vast understatement there.]

Heh. You don't say?

[Bitterness clouds his eyes. He tries to keep them cold and blank, but it's hard to shut out the guilt and despair right now.]

What visions plague you? I'd cut them down were it up to me, you know.

[All he can do is bluster.]

It's one thing for someone like me to see these things, but you're best off without them.

[She shakes her head, a small frown crossing her face.] There's no need to do such a thing. They are visions, and nothing more...

[She tries to replace that frown with a smile, but it comes off as a pretty tired expression.] I can endure this, as long as they are just images in my head.

[She can't say she hasn't cried at this point, seeing Ilya, Saber, Archer and now even Kiritsugu dying in horrible, gory ways... but she has to remain strong. She was going to remain strong. Definitely.]

There is a need.

[His voice is distant and weary.]

You should be smiling, but you're distressed. So, I'd stop the visions. I'd do whatever I could to stop them. I--

[And he catches himself--too late to stop and not say those words, thanks to the exhaustion the visions have brought on. What is he saying? He's talking like he's that kid again, that boy who wanted to make the people around him smile. Why does she do that to him? Why does she make him wonder what that house would have been like with her there as well as Kiritsugu?

She's dangerous that way.]

...well, the problem is that it's hard to tell what's just images, here in this tower. But none of that is important to me, naturally.

Is it really that hard to tell...?

[She can, at least, pick some visions apart. The ones of Kiritsugu, as deeply as they hurt and as unsettled as they leave her, she can almost take comfort in because she knows they're not real. They're all of him being torn apart inside this tower, and she knows for a fact that he's not here.

But the others... those are a different story.]

These strange visions only appeared when we started getting sick. They're the work of the people who are confining us here, aren't they...? Therefor, you can't believe for one moment that they're real.

Hmph.

[He touches a hand to his head to try to steady himself.]

Everything we see here might as well be the work of the people who confine us in this place. We can't trust any of it...it all might as well be real, or false.

[But he hesitates for a moment--]

Well, you have a point. Do you truly believe that, Irisviel...? Can you rise above the pain so well?

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library

Cafeteria

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Cafeteria

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floor 19; forward-dated to the next day

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