towerofanimus | arrival

Entry tags:

arrival | open

Characters: Sakura Matou and YOU
Setting: Dorm Floors, Library, and Cafeteria though meeting her in between floors works as well.
Format: Action, while I can do prose it takes me longer
Summary: Sakura arrives, becomes confused, and then becomes even MORE confused after meeting the people she meets. And then she solves her problems with cooking. That's legit, right?
Warnings: None for the actual post but I know the thread between her and Rin is probably going to get violent. I'll add more if needed.

[Dormitory Floors]

[ After arriving and eating her god awful oatmeal, Sakura enters room 1-01 to find her things and take stock of everything that she's arrived with in her trunk. Not a lot, but it's still comforting to find that she has some things from home. After perhaps talking with a few roommates, she exits her room and wanders on the other dorm floors, mostly to try to find anyone she knows. Particularly Senpai, Nee-san, or Rider, but for some reason she has a feeling that they aren't here. ]

[Library]

[ While she's not a book worm by any means, she knows that being here without any knowledge is a bad idea. Sakura's a smart girl so she hits the books, trying to flip through and find any information about where she's stuck at.

Of course, she's not having much of any luck. ]

[Cafeteria]

[ After all of that, she decides to relax a bit by cooking a meal later in the day. Fried rice is on the menu, served over the best cuts of fish she could find in the Tower's stock with tons of veggies and other goodies stuffed into the rice. She's even cooked a sauce with a bit of spice to it to serve over it. She made enough for multiple people, and she doesn't particularly care who comes to eat, so feel free to serve yourself and join her for a meal. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Loyalty was something Saber always had to her masters. Even if she disliked them or, in some cases, hated them for what they made her do ~~like destroy the Holy Grail~~, she was loyal. She was a knight. Even Angra Mainyu could not take the knight out of her. Neither had Sakura. Sakura had given her a choice, whether the girl realized it or not, and Saber had made the choice. Being what she was now instead of perishing had been the King of Knights' decision. Though it was forced upon her, she still had chosen to accept it at the end.

Kiritsugu had never given her a choice and forced what he did upon her through the use of multiple command seals. No matter how much she raged, she could not stop herself. And so, no matter what Sakura may think, Saber did not hate her for what she did. Silently, she thanked her for giving her the ability to see herself and her kingly ways as the foolishness they were.]

I have endured. [A pause.] Do you have any questions I can answer regarding this Tower and our current situation? I must warn you that there are many Servants and Masters present within the Tower. From three different Holy Grail Wars - the Fourth, the Fifth and the Mooncell War.

Second Magic is quite prevalent here.

[ Feeling incredibly relieved, she closed her book and slid it away from her, seeing as it would now be no use to her. Sakura felt guilty about doubting Saber, but it wasn't something that she was going to voice. She'd just have to make it up to her in the future somehow.

Sakura had expected to be alone here, so hearing of all of the people here made her feel a little bit dizzy. While she considered rising to show her respect, she now thought that maybe staying seated would be a better idea. ]

I appreciate you telling me, and I certainly do have a few questions that I would like answered. You may sit down, if you'd like.

...

[There was a moment's hesitation before her visor was dismissed and she swept the library with those pale yellow eyes. She didn't feel the presence of any Servants, but that didn't mean there wasn't a Master about. And it would be less suspicious if she conversed with Sakura like they had before the magus had claimed her. When she was contracted with Shirou.

Sakura might be a bit surprised to see Saber's attire once the armor faded away and she pulled the chair next to the girl out. Black suit, black gloves and her hair drawn back in a low ponytail, the knight looked far more androgynous than Sakura had ever seen her.

Even now, the suit still felt more natural than that stupid school uniform had. The latter she gave to her other self, but the former she wore every now and then when she wasn't in the mood for a dress.]

What would you like me to start with?

[ Anything that Saber had worn around Sakura had always made her look like a girl. Now she understood how she was able to pass as a man in her former life. At least she looked a bit more comfortable, which was more than fine with Sakura. ]

I believe I understand the nature of the tower. However, if at all possible, I'd be interested in knowing who is responsible or in charge. Not to talk to them, but to understand how to protect myself against them if need be.

I will be your sword and shield against them. As much as I can. [Even she knew she was subject to their whims.]

They are called the Administrators. There had been five of them, though we have been lead to believe one of them killed the fifth Administrator. Their names are Ruana, Jason, Zo and Riki.

Ruana is an anomaly I know little about. She likes to play games and has the cruel demeanor of a sadistic child that thinks suffering is just part of the game. Jason is analytical and likes to experiment upon us. He is cold and lacks empathy. Zo is a boy that possesses the power that brought each of us here. Riki is the one who designed and built the Tower.

The one thought dead was Dax. He possessed powers of the mind and was... reasonable in comparison to the others. I am under the impression he was trying to help us from within. Others would know better than I. Dax was supposedly killed by Ruana. I was [an unsettling pause] absent from the Tower when that occurred. Recently.

[ Sakura honestly felt incredibly guilty about using Saber as her sword and shield. It felt manipulative of her. But when hasn't she been manipulative? Even if she tried, Sakura couldn't pretend to be a good person, she was flawed, and right now she needed Saber's protection. So she'd use it and only hope that she can make it up to her in some way later on. ]

I see, so even our inside help has been extinguished. [ She sounds like she isn't surprised. ] Hopefully we can still make the best of our situation when we can despite that. At least we have some information, despite how limited it seems to be.

[ Trying to stay positive, she shifts gears and asks a different question. ]

Are... are there any other people I should avoid? From the different wars or from another world altogether?

There are some I would like you to avoid. [She said that with a bit of darkening in her eyes.] And there are some I am concerned about you meeting.

But none I could say with certainty must be avoided. Not any more. [Caster was gone and so was the Roman.]

I am prepared to take your advice seriously.

[ After all, if Saber was going to treat herself like Sakura's sword and shield, the very least she can do is put her faith in her. ]

There is a Master and a Servant that I do not like at the moment. One for his inability to keep his mouth shut about things that should not be openly spoken of. And the other because he is trying too hard to be something he no longer is. He also accuses me of lying and no longer being a knight.

[Oh, the rage in her eyes. REMEMBER ALL THAT, SAKURA?]

I speak of Waver Velvet and Lancer of the Fourth War - Diarmuid Ua Duibhne.

[ Both of things are not okay with Sakura. She lives in a secret world, her father and her grandfather both taught her and one of the only lessons she took seriously. And calling Saber a liar isn't something that she's okay with, either. ]

Thank you for telling me. I will certainly be careful with that Waver fellow considering that I don't need my personal information being broadcast.

[ She'd certainly prefer if the details of the Matou magic stays between her and related parties. ]

I fear some of your personal information may already be known to too many here. I cannot be sure, but I do not want you to be... surprised.

[The anger settles down some.]

Your uncle is here. Do you remember him?

[ Sakura tries to remain composed for Saber's sake. Though honestly, this news is not pleasing her. She'd prefer to be judged on the nature of her character, not by her family name.

Though, at the mention of her Uncle, she tenses up a bit. Not because she doesn't mind seeing him, in fact, she'd love to see him, but the fact that he's been here alone... Who has been taking care of him this whole time? ]

I do, though my memory is fuzzy, I know what he did for me.

He is here, still trying to fight the War he cannot win. He still bears the Matou magecraft. His Servant is here.

...who was once my greatest and most trusted knight. And friend.

Perhaps when he sees me, he'll be able to give up.

[ Sakura knew even as a small child that her Uncle's fight was pointless. Didn't mean she didn't appreciate it, but if anything it was painful to watch someone suffer for you when they had no chance of surviving. ]

I suppose I will get to meet this knight. I will treat him with the respect he deserves.

[ Which is a lot if he means that much to Saber. ]

Edited 2013-03-17 01:07 (UTC)

[Saber is of the thought that if Kariya knew for certain his fight was hopeless, he would curl into a ball and lose all will to do anything. And she didn't know which is better for him.

Not that she cares one way or another given his participation in Irisviel's abduction.]

Thank you. Though know, Lancelot and I have been... distanced for a long time. There is much unresolved between us.

I see.

[ Sakura doesn't want to get in the middle of Saber's business. But helping the two get on better terms might be a thoughtful thing for her to do. ]

Maybe I could help with that, if that's what you'd want.

I do not know what I want. [Her gaze lowers, brow furrowing.] Many things are not as... clear as they once were.

[Her thoughts linger on that a moment before she looks up again.]

What other questions do you have?

[ And part of that was her fault, at least in her own mind.

But there was one other question weighing on her mind. ]

Is Rin Tohsaka here?

No.

[There was a very pregnant pause after she said that, eyes meeting her master's.]

Rin Matou is here.

[ Sakura doesn't say anything for a few minutes, her eyes locked on her servant. ]

A result of the second magic, I assume?

[ Her voice became cold and lifeless, a remnant of the girl that Saber was more familiar with. ]

Yes. In her reality, she was given to the Matou instead of you. I believe she made the choice herself. To protect you.

...she bears the marks I do. Be wary of her. She will wish you harm. For many reasons.

[Her eyes harden.] I will not let her. You will call me to keep you safe.

[ She smiles, but it's a dead expression plastered onto her face with years of practice. She had many thoughts running through her head, most of which Sakura believed that Rin should be able to rough her up a bit. She had that right. But Sakura knew Saber wouldn't allow that and she had no power to stop the servant from protecting her. ]

I understand. [ Probably more than even Saber or Rin know. ] If I need you, you will be summoned. However, I ask that as a favor, Rin Matou is not killed unless it is absolutely necessary.

I have already decided the circumstances in which I would take her head. She and I have been... drawn toward each other. [She touches the marks of Angra Mainyu on her neck briefly to convey why.] I have no wish to kill her unless required. I have been the only one who understands her here. Archer wish to save her, seeing Rin Tohsaka when he looks at her. He does not understand that he cannot save her.

[No more than Shirou could save Sakura, but Saber keeps that to herself.]

She is not stable, Sakura. Worse than you. She destroyed her world and has ruined Servants, unable to give them the choice you gave me.

[At least she assumes Sakura gave Berserker the same choice, though with his Mad Enhancement, who knew...]

I'm glad we feel the same way.

[ Matou or Tohsaka, it was still Rin, and now the two even shared similar blood. Maybe that could count for something.

Even when she was corrupted, she still had been able to make choices. Though she may have not been completely aware of it at the time, it was still there. The choice to kill her grandfather, to purge herself of the crest worms, and to give all of the servants a choice, even though it was a small one.

It seemed as if Rin was not as strong as her, which wasn't hard for Sakura to believe. In her mind, even though it was difficult, she was chosen to be a Matou for a reason. She could handle it. Rin had tried to change things, similar to how Kariya had in her own world, and that never went well. You can't fight fate. ]

I understand the consequences of her foolish choice. If I can, I would like to be on good terms with her. Though, I suppose that is up to Nii-san herself to decide.

I hope she chooses wisely. I... enjoy her company.

arrival | open

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