towerofanimus | you should smile, little thing

Entry tags:

you should smile, little thing

Characters: au kariya & open.
Setting: out & about. .. ngl he's probs lost.
Format: i action-spam, but feel free to reply in prose if that's more comfortable for you.
Summary: this is one upset little body horror.
Warnings: body.. horror via worm infestation?

[ waking up in a strange place when he'd just been with lancelot had been not only jarring, but extremely upsetting. he'd spent the first few minutes in a terrified haze, vainly searching the room for his servant. he can't sense him anymore, though the seal remains on the back of his right hand. so.. shouldn't that mean he's still here? he'd said he wouldn't leave kariya. he'd sworn it, that he'd be by his side as long as he could.

that had been before saber, though. before he realized he'd have to fight his king for the grail. that he'd have to choose between her and a little boy he barely knew. maybe.. maybe he'd made his decision.

there are letters, but kariya can't focus to read them right now. he's upset and frightened and he hurts. he always hurts these days. father says the pain is a good thing, that it means the crest worms are making him stronger, to take care of his family. kariya doesn't understand it, of course, but if it's what father says, then it must be the truth.

father isn't here. lancelot is gone, father is gone, and kariya is all alone in a strange place and he doesn't know what to do.

he has the presence of mind to fold up the letter, tucking it into a pocket. he slips out, then, little bare feet silent on the floor. he has no idea where he is, and there are rooms everywhere, and stairs, and-- he has no idea where he should go or where he should begin looking. surely, after all, this is a test. father likes testing him. so.. so he can't cry, because crying doesn't do any good. and anyway, it always makes father angry. instead, he takes a deep breath, picks a direction, and starts walking.

residents of the tower may later find a small, white-haired boy with an eyepatch and bare feet wandering the various halls and rooms. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He glances down when the kid, shaking violently and sobbing, tugs on his shirt and nearly tripping over his own words. His eyes widen and he looks up at Ryuunosuke when the man chimes in. A serial killer? Don't show fear, Hidetoshi coaches himself. Punks like this loved that. At least he knows a good lecture like he'd originally intended would be useless.

Directed down to Kariya softly, as reassuringly as he can, placing a hand on his small shoulder; ] Alright, we will. Don't worry, we're leaving right now. He's not going to kill us.

[ Give somebody just confirmed as a serial killer who preyed on children and women his name? No. But all that shows on his face when he looks at is tightness around his eyes and mouth.

Don't panic. ]

I see. My name is Daisuke Tanaka. Now that we've exchanged pleasantries, I believe we're be parting from each other's company. This child is none of your business.

[ He takes Kariya's hand and starts pulling him away, unwilling to turn his back on this man. ]

[ he's only too glad to go with the stranger as he begins drawing him away, keeping himself all but plastered to his side as he backs up. his other hand lifts, and in his palm, a bloody blade wing worm unfurls, shaking its wings loose and lifting into the air, buzzing angrily as it darts protectively in front of its host.

kariya closes his fingers around the wound left behind in his palm, then, keeping the blood staunched. ]

W-We're going, now. And-- And don't follow or-- or my insects will eat you.

[Ryuunosuke has seen the bigger Kariya do this, responsible for one of his... five deaths? That was fun~]

You'll never sound threatening with a stammer, kid. Buuut I'm actually overdue for breakfast, so I guess I'll see you around?

You too, Daisuke.

I hope not, Uryuu-san.

[ Hidetoshi's voice is firm but polite, thankfully giving away none of his fear. It's not the same fear most of the Tower inspires in him; it's that Ryunnosuke was a human, if clearly insane, and serial killers were a threat that felt more horribly commonplace than all of the unworldly creatures he's encountered.

The buzzing of that... sudden grotesque insect briefly drew his attention and earned a uneasy look, but it seemed to have popped out of the kid's hand somehow, so he let it dart about as protection.

Annnd then he'll keep walking away until they hit the corner of the hallway at which point Hidetoshi turns on his heel and pulls Kariya, stuck to his side, around it, out of view of Ryunnosuke. He lets out a small exhale of air. ]

... Phew.

[ kariya drops into a trembling crouch, clutching his wounded hand against himself as he tries to get his terror and hysteria under control. the insect returns a few moments later, landing in the boy's hair, where it stills for the moment. --kariya knows he'll have to feed or kill it eventually, though. the blade wing worms aren't pets, after all.

he dashes his good hand across his eye, finally glancing up tearfully at hidetoshi. ]

Th-Thank you. I'm s-s-sorry, I didn't-- I should have been able t-to handle that on my own, but-- [ he hiccups, shaking his head. ]

[ Hahah, fuck he just saved a small child from a serial killer, fuck. Stay calm, for the kid, be a pillar of stability.

Hidetoshi was an only child and has had very little interaction with small children and their responsibilities. Honestly, he looks at Kariya, a trembling crying bundle with a weird bug, on the floor, and his feelings could be roughly summed up as "what am i supposed to do with this." But he wasn't dumb either.

Carefully, Hidetoshi dropped down to one knee, attempting to lessen the chance of appearing threatening to him. Okay, he could do this. He waited for the kid to get back a little control and cry it out. Small children talk: ]

It's fine. It's not your fault, there is no need for you to say sorry. You were placed in a situation out of your control. Don't feel bad. [ He awkwardly tries to soothe him and places a hand on his shoulder, cracking a smile. If kariya doesn't recoil from the physical touch, he'll hug him. ] I was scared too.

[ he does flinch at the touch at first, but once he realizes it's harmless, he relaxes somewhat. this person is.. nice.

he sniffles, struggling to get himself back under control, adjusting his eyepatch as he tries to stop crying. ]

I-- I should have been able to, though. I-- I have to lead my f-family one day, and I'm a magus. I--

[ he shakes his head, offering a tiny, tremulous smile. ]

I'm glad you were there.

[ Children need hugs after trauma, right? ~~Little does he know the extent.~~ He lets Kariya sniffle and cry all he wants. ]

That's an unrealistic expectation to place on yourself. It's not your fault.

[ Now Hidetoshi rather wanted to ~~smack~~ lecture this kid's parents. Being raised with the knowledge he'd be leading the family business one day was one thing, that was fine but pushing him so hard the kid thought he should be able to fend off a serial killer at his age? Good grief.

Wait, 'magus?' Where had he heard that before...

At Kariya's tiny smile, he looked mildly relieved. A positive response, no matter how small, was welcomed. ]

You're welcome then. Are you hurt? Did that man hurt you before I got there?

[ And now that Hidetoshi's pausing to really look at this child, he doesn't look good. Prominent sickly veins standing out on the skin under his eye and neck, pale, and thin, and an eyepatch over one eye; none of those indicated good physical health. ]

[ he shakes his head at the question, finally rising to his feet again, shaky and dizzy, but steadier than a few moments before. ]

No, I-- I'm okay. I just.. I didn't.. expect to see him again. I thought he was dead.

[ he fidgets in place, bare toes curling a little against the floor, curling his good hand in his shirt. ] Um. I-- I'm Kariya. I just-- got here.

[ He lets go, but stays crouching down at the child's level.

Then it clicks when Hidetoshi recalls a few names they'd mentioned, Berserker, Lancelot, "I'm a magus": this kid was from a version of the universe where they had holy grail wars and Heroic Spirits. And from the sound of it, he'd participated or been involved, and that assumption was awful if it was correct.

He nods, hands held loosely at his sides in full view. ]

As far as shocks go, that must have been a nasty one. I'll do my best to keep him away from you. [ And since he doubted he'd heard him give that false name in his hysteria, and he should return the favor; ] I'm Hidetoshi. It's nice to meet you, Kariya-chan.

[ Hidetoshi sounds sympathetic. The administrators taking children to this hellhole never failed to sicken him on some level. ] I've been here awhile myself... Did you read the letter that was in the room you woke up in?

[ he nods solemnly at the mention of how much of a shock it had been, gray eye wide and serious. ] He's a very, very bad man. I'll-- I'll be okay now, though. N-Now that I know he's here, I can fight him if I have to. I was just--

[ he'd been shocked, yes, too stunned to react, too terrified. but now he knows to be on his guard, especially since he's alone here.

at the mention of the letter, he startles a little, reaching in his pocket and pulling out the crumpled piece of paper. when he glances back up, the tips of his ears are a little red. ]

I-- I was upset, so I haven't read it yet..

[Though he is supplied well enough by the Tower itself, his Master's Prana flows into and through him as if it were his Lifesblood. It is Familiar in its taints and courses, in its ebb and flow, in the particular flavor of its Power. So used to its presence and variance is Lancelot that at first, the fluctuation goes largely unnoticed. He puts the oddity down to some emotional state his Master must be experiencing-- or possibly a dream, if the man is resting.
It is only when he senses the sharp, panicked disturbance in the Flow that Lancelot at last senses a true difference.
There is no Pain or Agitation in the Bond he shares with his Master-- so then this familiar yet strange Prana, it must belong to another.
It is easy enough to trace-- and though there is no true call in it for his presence, he cannot leave the disturbance uninvestigated.

Once decided, Lancelot arrives swiftly at the Source in a rush and flare of Black Mist. His gloved hands are empty.
The young man, he knows-- Hideotoshi, with whom he shares a room. The Child is his Master, writ small-- and is plainly distressed, as well as radiating Power.
He gives a nod to Hidetoshi, dropping to one knee before the obviously shaken Boy, so as to be on his level.]

Do you know me, Child? I would ask your Name.

[Hidetoshi looks as shaken as the Boy. Lancelot looks up askance at the young man.]
What has happened here?

[ He glances at the rumpled-looking piece of paper and steadfastly doesn't wince. The kid hadn't been informed his world was as good as dead, somebody needed to get oatmeal into him, check him over sickness, get that bleeding hand bandaged up, make sure he knows to avoid the more hazardous floors, and!

Hidetoshi rubs his forehead, brushing a spray lock of hair out of his face. ]

Alright, that's understandable. It's not necessary to read it, but it explains some things. This place is called the Tower of Animus and—

[ He breaks off once an oil-slick of black mist appears, tensing up in wary readiness for defensive action... Huh? Oh, good.

Somebody from the kid's world, Berserker, materializes, nodding to Hidetoshi before dropping to one knee in front of Kariya to question him. After greeting the kid, the older man looks at Hidetoshi again. The teenager takes a deep breath and elaborates when he asks what happened: ]

A—[ disgusting, scummy pile of human offal, but there is a child present ]—man named Ryunnosuke Uryuu was threatening Kariya-chan, and displayed presumably ill-diguised murderous intentions towards him, before I chanced upon them. I intervened, and removed both of us from the scene.

[ honestly, at the first appearance of the semi-familiar mist, kariya had frozen again, staring as it materialized into a form he knew very, very well. for a few moments, he can't respond at all, throat tight and single eye blurring with sudden, overwhelmed tears. it's-- it's really lancelot. he's here, he found kariya, he kept his promise. (no one ever promises anything to kariya. no one actually cares enough about him to do so.)

finally, he manages to take a shaky breath, body unfreezing as he all but throws himself at the dark-haired servant. ] L-Lancelot! [ he flings tiny arms around the knight's neck, burying his face in his shoulder, shaking against him as he presses as close as he can. ] Y-You came for me! I th-thought I was all alone here, I couldn't-- I can't sense you at all, and I was scared, and I th-thought you'd left me because of S-S-Saber!

[In Life, Lancelot never held his own Child. That simple pleasure had been kept from him. The Boy in his arms now (for he could not refuse the embrace the Child desired) is not his Son, and the protective impulse he feels is not that of a Father. It is of a Servant for his Master.
Though the Boy is not that either-- save in his identity, which is plain even without a Name.

Though much of what he evinces as Human Feeling is only a remnant of the emotional range he had in Life, Lancelot is moved to more than Wrath. He does not relish telling the Boy that his Servant has not come to him. Though he does wonder what it might be like to meet Himself, differently Summoned.

The first flash of the expression he displays to Hidetoshi is terrifying in its Rage-- before he schools himself.]
I know of the Beast.

You did well-- and are evidently Wiser than many. I do Thank you, Hidetoshi. I am in your debt.
Tell me, did he give you any Threat?

[The shaking child, he calms as best he may. When he speaks, his voice is low and even. He thinks of his Master, who is no doubt resting in the Meadow.]
Kariya. Be easy-- you are not Alone.

Can you think why you do not sense me, even now? For it was not any Bond that drew me here.
[Mad and Forbidding though he is in Battle, Lancelot has no wish to panic a Child. He had rather this version of his Master arrive at the Truth gradually. The mention of Saber he sets aside-- for now.]

[ Hidetoshi looks a little worried when it looks like the kid's about to start crying again at the appearance of the new arrival, but it's relief that Kariya shakes with, not fear, when he throws himself at the Servant and clings as tightly to him as a clam.

At least the older man was calming Kariya down after the kid's initial stammering and trembling and that meant he himself didn't have to fumble at comforting him. The teenager straightens up to his feet.

Even when he's aware that fury is not directed at him, the coldly enraged expression that flashes across Lancelot's face from when he holds the kid when Hidetoshi relays the information, causes an unsettling trickle of discomfort down his spine which he ignores. ]

You're welcome, Lancelot-san. To remain a bystander to things like that wasn't something I could stomach. [ A pause. ] So you already know of him, excellent. I can't imagine that punk was too pleased to be thwarted of a victim. [ Calm, voice, calm nerves, pull yourself together. His lips tighten, though he is grateful for the simple compliment to his intelligence.

Hidetoshi folds his arms across his chest. ] In terms of threats, he mentioned seeing Kariya-chan and I around later, but. . . Nothing specific, I'm afraid.

[ he's too distraught to really understand what's going on around him right now, the conversation between lancelot and hidetoshi just meaningless words. he knows they must be discussing their encounter with the man kariya knows as berserker's master, but he can't bring himself to care about that person right now. the threat is gone right now, after all, his terror at seeing him calmed by the simple comfort of being with someone he he loves and feared he wouldn't see again.

still, he lifts his head at lancelot's words to him, scrubbing his uninjured hand across his good eye and nearly dislodging his eyepatch and the insect perched on his head as he does. he has to be stronger than this. he's a magus and a master, he's supposed to protect his family. (but how can he do that when he can't even protect himself?) he has to be worthy of lancelot, because lancelot is the only one in the entire world that seems to care about him as kariya instead of just the next matou head. ]

I-- [ he glances down at his hand, where the seal still remains in full. ] I thought-- maybe it was because you didn't want to be my Servant anymore. But the-- the Seal is still there, so.. so I don't know. [ he glances back up, injured hand curling into a fist again. the bleeding has almost stopped, anyway, but he doesn't have anything to bandage it right now. ] But-- But you said.. it's not.. our bond that brought you. And you do look a little bit different, Lancelot. [ he touches fingers shyly to the long hair, pushing it up behind the knight's ear uncertainly. ] Um. Do-- Do you and Hidetoshi-san know one another? [ he glances back up to the older boy, a tiny, slightly shaky smile curving across his mouth again. ] He was very brave. Even though that man was really, really bad, Hidetoshi-san was just like a knight, Lancelot.

[ he turns a serious gray eye on the servant, expression solemn and certain. ] Saber-san would have been lucky to have him.

{Not even his own Master touches him so freely as this Child. There is no self-pity in it, but Lancelot knows himself for a Terrible thing. He is glad in this moment not to be Mad, to be as Terrible to look upon without as he is within.
Reaching up a long, gloved hand, he straightens the patch covering the Child's eye and steadies the Worm upon his head. This much is no different, at least, though his own Master dislikes the Creatures. The Kariya he knows has reason enough.

In response to this second mention of Saber, silenced by his own thoughts and reflecting the Boy's serious demeanor, Lancelot can only nod.
He looks once more to Hidetoshi, while still addressing Kariya.]
I can tell that. Indeed, he has done very well-- and I do know him. He shares rooms with myself and another in this Place.

Only do not wander alone if it can be helped, Hidetoshi-- until I have dealt with this matter. Indeed, he is known to me. You are correct in thinking he dislikes being deprived of Prey-- but you need not be Fearful. Simply be cautious.
You will not have a long wait.
[For he does intend to do Murder upon the Man. As he would do to any who would threaten his Master, or one of his Master's blood.]

[Looking back now to the Boy, he does his best to appear the Man he was in Life. A Knight, worthy of Loyalty and Honors such as are offered him.]
This Place you have come to, Child-- there are many Strange and Fell things here. I cannot imagine that in any Lifetime I would not wish to remain in your Service-- and indeed, I do serve Kariya Matou. But in this Place, though he is my Master still, he is grown to Manhood. It was your familiar energy drew me here to you.

You are a Magus, and so must know of that Magic which makes it so that there may be various Wars for the Grail. Those of us gathered here who have fought in the Wars, we are brought seemingly from different Worlds.
But in whatever World I Served you, Child, I pray that I Served you well.

I will Guard and Keep you here, still, if you allow it. For my Master, in whatever form, is Dear to me.

[ So it was another case of the difference between worlds, yet with the same people existing within them. Like the two Minatos, and the redheaded girl who had claimed to know him. That saved Hidetoshi the trouble of locating and securing some kind of protection for Kariya from Ryunnosuke then, since Lancelot was perfectly willing to take up that mantle. Then the little kid glances up at him, smiling slightly and shakily and praises him. (He doesn't know anything about Saber, but a Servant is always a famous and/or mythical person from what he gathered, and if they were connected to Lancelot, that'd be... the Arthurian mythos, correct? 8|)

He blinks. What a serious, solemn kid, to be bruised up so much and still thank him for what merely was the right thing to do; he must have a big heart. Kariya is small beside the big, imposing knight. Before he speaks, Lancelot answers in the affirmative and Hidetoshi agrees with a nod. ]

Hey. Kariya-chan, I'm glad you think a guy like me brave enough to look up to. Thanks, for that. [ He returns that smile confidently, showing none of his worn nerves. ]

I will keep that firmly in mind. Since he's from your world and a person you know of, I suppose you have more right to him. [ A little untruthfully; ] Hmn, I'm not afraid of him. Only a little... shaken.

[ He directs that towards the older man. Fortunately, "murder" is not the first thing that leaps to mind for him when Lancelot promises he will be dealt with very quickly. Punishment, yes. But not the death penalty. Hidetoshi still struggled with the idea of how punish those who had committed such crimes as to honestly deserve death; the most he'd ever had to think about sentencing others to before the Tower were lectures, detention, and getting expelled from school. A serious look in his eyes; ] Don't worry, I'll exercise appropriate caution. I usually don't linger alone in the hallways often anyhow.

[ Hidetoshi observes the following exchange between the child and Berserker with a tinge of curiosity, even if he takes care to make his interest too obvious because that would be impolite. It speaks of things he knows personally little of. He stays quiet. It's not his business.

The concept of something like the Master/Servant set-up in their universe is more than a little bizarre to him; it's odd, for instance, to think of somebody with power and authority and history like that bowing to somebody weaker than themselves, binding themselves to each other with magic and oftentimes an absolute stranger before that to boot. The teenager keeps his thoughts to himself. Their customs and reasons were their own. ]

[ second magic. they're all here because of second magic, then. (he never even considers disbelieving lancelot-- as far as he's concerned, the knight can do no wrong.) so they're all from different worlds, and lancelot-- lancelot isn't his lancelot. for a few stunned moments, that's so upsetting that he can feel the tears rising, can't respond at all except to stare. but-- it's still lancelot, even if it's not his, and when the knight goes on, he takes a shuddery little breath.

slowly, a little tentatively--not entirely certain it's welcome, if lancelot's kariya is a grown-up--he shifts closer again, arms curling around his neck in a desperate hug. he doesn't want to be a bother, he doesn't want to cause any trouble, but he also can't give lancelot up if he doesn't have to. ]

N-No, I don't want you to go, Lancelot. I-- I'm glad-- I'm glad you want to k-keep me. [ he presses his face into the curve of the servant's neck again, breathing in the strange-familiar scent of him, shaking gradually easing off again. his voice, when it comes again, is small and a little muffled. ] You don't-- have anything to worry about. Lancelot in any world is the best, and I couldn't ever ever imagine wanting to be b-beside anyone else. I'm trying really hard to be a good Master, I promise. [ his small fingers curl in the long hair, clutching at him as if afraid to let him go. ] Even if I'm n-not your master here.

[He only whispers against the Boy's ear in reply.]
I do believe you are a fine Master, and I shall serve you as best I may, though you are not my own.
You have what Oaths remain mine to give.
[The Boy is no weight at all, and with his arms already firmly around Lancelot's neck, it's only the matter of a supporting arm about the Boy's body as he stands, drawing himself up to his full height. From over the top of Kariya's head, he looks down upon Hidetoshi with tolerance, nodding once more in thanks.]

Fear can be a Healthy thing, if it keeps you from such a Man-- but your caution and common sense will stand you in better stead still.

[He looks back to the Child in his arms, a thought suddenly occurring to him.]
I wager Kariya has not yet had his first Meal in this Place. I will escort him to the Dining Hall-- will you join us?

[ It appeared that Lancelot and Kariya-chan's conversation had concluded in mutual agreement if not positively, Hidetoshi thinks as he watches the kid wrap his arms around the older man's neck and tucks his face into the hard line of his neck, more words softly exchanged between them before the Servant rights himself and stands up. It seemed shamefully easy to pick him up for a child of Kariya's age and size; he was too thin.

The teenager returns the nod. ]

Hm. Serial killers are out of my ability range, I'm aware of that. I'm not going to charge in and be an idiot about this. [ Then the knight glances down at the kid he'd holding in his arms, and Hidetoshi smiles. ] Alright. Certainly, if you wouldn't mind that. Thank you.

Edited 2013-09-09 20:21 (UTC)

[ being picked up like this is certainly familiar. back home, it's their primary mode of transport, since kariya's too small to keep up with the knight otherwise. the first time, it had startled him, but now it's just comforting. he lifts his head to scrub a hand over his eyes, the other arm still curled around lancelot's neck to steady himself. ]

If-- If it's Second Magic that brought us here, he might not be a lot like the one Lancelot and I fought. B-But.. if he is, he has a-- a Servant, too. [ he tries not to shake at the memory, breathing in a shuddery little breath. ] N-Named Berserker. If he's.. here, then-- then just run away. Okay?

[ warning given, he leans his temple tiredly against lancelot's shoulder. the mention of food reminds him that he is a little hungry, though as always, he's not entirely sure how much he'll be able to keep down. he's in relatively good health, considering what's been done to him over the years, but there are good days and bad days, after all. ]

We would welcome your company, Hidetoshi. You have made a friend this day--Kariya seems fond of you already.
Though you are not a fighter, you have acquitted yourself well. Should you ever wish to learn any of the Arts of War, you will find me an expert teacher.

Let us go then all together.

[As they set out, Lancelot gives a grimly amused ghost of a smile against Kariya's hair. The Boy is light in his arms, no burden at all. He speaks close to his ear.]
Ah, but there is no need to Run, as there nothing that I Fear-- it is I who am Berserker.
Though here in this Place I am not Mad, even so I am more Powerful even than you knew me to be.

Tell me, what class was I Summoned as, then-- in this Second Magic?

[ :|aa ]

... That's a gratuitous offer, Lancerlot-san. I might take up you on that, if you would be willing to spare some time from your Master and Kariya-chan later on. [ The teenager nodded seriously as they walks through the hallways, towards the elevator which could take them to the first floor and skip the hazards of the rest of the floors. Kariya was really in no shape to be dragged through all of that after such a scare.

While Hidetoshi could defend himself from the monsters that infested the Tower with throwing knives, he would still be useless in a more intensive fight, and to remedy that, perhaps learning from an expert teacher was necessary; Hidetoshi hated being powerless. ]

[ Momentarily, his attention is returned to Kariya, twig-arm curled around the Servent's neck when the child speaks weakly and then leans against the man when he's done. ] Berserker, is that who 'your' him commanded? Hm. Very well, I promise I'll keep that in mind. Here, I've gotten pretty good at running. My PE teacher would be simply amazed at my rate of improvement.

you should smile, little thing

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