(no subject)

[eighteen_winters]

Characters: Illya and OPEN
Setting: The dormitories, the cafeteria, the 38th floor lounge, anywhere else.
Format: Either is fine.
Summary: Illya has been in the towers for nearly two decades and, having had most of her hopes and dreams broken into a million pieces, has reverted to the personality of a small child to cope with the stress.
Warnings: None

[With the dawn of another day, Illya rises from bed with a sigh. It had been many years since any glimmer of hope had been extinguished in her youthful eyes, leaving the girl who had once been the very image of self-reliance and energy had now only exists as a shell of her former self who mannerisms and personality recall her days spent in a snowy castle hidden deep in the German countryside. Indeed, She had thought she would die long ago and join her father in the hereafter, being forced to live on in a state of stagnation was simply to much for to take. To bury the pain of being in such a sad state, Illya has hidden herself behind the facade of a small girl who desires only for others to stand and her side and say that everything will be OK.

After rising and clumsily dressing herself for the day ahead, Illya, a stuffed animal held close to her heart, leaves her room and sets out with the hope of finding someone to play with and stave off the pain in her heart for one more day.] 

[Illya's trip eventually takes her to the cafeteria where she, with great difficulty, manages to procure food for herself. Taking her meal to a table to eat, she sits for a short while before digging in with no regard for manners or common decency.

As she makes a mess of herself, her dress, and the table surrounding the disasters area that was once the table upon which she had taken her meal, Illya seems more then a bit lonely.

She had become used to eating with others, and even being fed on occasion, to be alone like this was a terrible feeling. Enough so to make Illya stop eating entirely, and begin pouting like the small-child whose identity she had assumed some years ago.]


[Having finished eating, Illya finally comes to rest in the 38th floor lounge. Tired from a long day of walking all over the tower, she now sits in a soft chair and sleepily plays with her stuffed animal.

After awhile, as the lids of her eyes begin to grow heavy with the weight of the day behind her, she begins to nod off and eventually falls into a full fledged slumber.]

Comments

cafeteria

[redbranch]

You okay there, kid?

[Lancer already knows the answer, even before he asks. No, she isn't okay. Even someone like him could see that. She hasn't been okay since Shirou left. And, like Ayaka before her, she's given up on waiting. However, whereas Ayaka became cynical and mature, Illya had...done differently.]

Look, you're getting so many stains on your clothes.

[If she had another reason for it, then it might have been a relief to see her acting like the child that she seemed to be. Especially since her role as the Grail put a great deal of pressure upon her. But since Lancer knows the reason, it's just...painful.]

[eighteen_winters]

[Illya pouted, crossing her across her chest and holding her breath in protest to Lancer's words. She had been like this for nearly two decades, had Shirou still been in the tower she likely would have been married and living a happy life, rather then reliving her childhood year in and year out.]

I know that!

[redbranch]

So...who's gonna clean all that up?

[eighteen_winters]

My mommy will!

[redbranch]

Your mother?

[Lancer can remember that other white-haired woman. She seems a little too dignified to have to be reduced to cleaning up messes, but she also loved her daughter.]

Well, if she's alright with it, then. And I'll help if she needs it.

[eighteen_winters]

I don't think my mommy needs help, she can take of me and herself just fine.

[redbranch]

Ah, right. And if you do get into anything too bad, there's always Saber.

Lounge

[scorchedchivalry]

[Saber finds the sleeping girl alone and watches her for a moment. The corrupt knight hadn't changed much in the last ten years and she still loved this girl's mother. Yes, the darkness pulled on her more and more each day because ten years and Irisviel still looked at her the same, but she had come to feel responsible for the girl.

So, scooping her up in her arms gently, Saber prepares to carry the sleeping girl back to her room so she can properly rest.]

Re: Lounge

[eighteen_winters]

[For awhile, Illya sleeps peacefully in Saber's arms, dreaming of a time when her life was still full of hope and promise. It was a pleasant dream, but one that would soon come to an end.

As Illya eventually rouses to a hazy state of existence.]

Saber, when did you get here...?

[scorchedchivalry]

Shh... Go back to sleep. You are safe with me.

[eighteen_winters]

[Illya nods.]

Oh ok. Where are we going?

[scorchedchivalry]

I am taking you back to your room. You should not sleep anywhere else while alone, lest you become someone's prey.

[eighteen_winters]

Oh, thank you... Mommy would be very sad if anything ever happened to me.

[scorchedchivalry]

She would indeed, and the Tower is not as safe for you as it once was.

[The way some of the other Servants had changed, the loss of some people... the loss of purpose.]

Dormitories

[worldend_dominator]

Oh, Maria.

[The old woman waves at the young girl who she sincerely believes to be her daughter.]

And Sakutaro too. Are you going out to play?

[If she was, Rosa wanted to know if she had anyone specific in mind. She would certainly worry less if she knew who "Maria" was playing with.]

Re: Dormitories

[eighteen_winters]

[Illya offers a wave and a smile back, though she knew very well that this woman was not her mother, she nevertheless enjoyed having an outlet for the excess affection stowed deep in her small heart.]

Yup! I'm going to get something to eat then I'm going to play!

Re: Dormitories

[worldend_dominator]

[Rosa nods.]

A good breakfast helps you get energy for the entire day. But do remember to eat the right things. Nothing too sweet now, alright?

Re: Dormitories

[eighteen_winters]

I know... I'll make sure to eat my vegetables to.

Re: Dormitories

[worldend_dominator]

Good girl.

[Rosa is clearly beaming with pride. "Maria" was behaving so well lately. It was like her daughter had finally started acting her age.]

Re: Dormitories

[eighteen_winters]

[Illya smiles.]

How are you?

[Cafeteria]

[starofpleiades]

[Oooh, boy. Kazumi had been busy cooking, but taking a break, she sees Illya by herself. Opposite of Illya, in the decade that passed for Kazumi she's become a rather motherly person, cooking for and helping as many people as she can, getting to know everyone in the tower she can. Of course, she hasn't changed physically, but her peppier, cheery demeanor is more of a tempered gentleness now. It mostly conceals a steely strength hardened to do what was necessary... but that wouldn't be needed here.

Hurrying over, she comes to comfort the girl, a hot bowl of soup in one hand and a much-needed cloth napkin in the other, already dabbing at the mess on Illya's face as she takes a seat next to her]

There, there, Illya... what's the matter?

Re: [Cafeteria]

[eighteen_winters]

[For awhile Illya sits silent and stubbornly as Kazumi cleans her off, as any small child would around strangers. However, she eventually speaks up, yearning for someone to take away her loneliness.]

I don't like eating by myself. It's not fun at all...

[starofpleiades]

[Kazumi's glad for that, soon getting Illya and the table cleaned up and setting the cloth aside for now]

Oh? Well, if it's just that, I can fix it. Would it be okay if I joined you?

[eighteen_winters]

I'd like that.

[Illya said with a hesitant smile.]

[starofpleiades]

Alrighty, then.

[Taking a seat besides her, Kazumi smiles warmly, hoping to cheer her up a bit]

So how has your day been so far, Illya?