Heading somewhere while still looking

[emaiya]

So you intend to send me somewhere on my own, do you? I can't say I approve, but your mind is already set. This display of restraint, while rare, is only delaying the inevitable.

If you want ideal results, the earlier pull points are superior. The more I know, the less effective I'll be. Especially if you intend to put me somewhere without him.

... [ A light hum shows off her curiosity at a thought. ] A tool is nothing when left alone. A gun is harmless without a hand to pull the trigger and a knife meaningless without the tenacity to throw it.

Acting in this manner is trivial.

[ That's all she'll have to say on the topic as she grows silent once more. ]

Comments

[zerosummed]

Cursory self-assessment: you're operative?

[emaiya]

Uncertain. [ In a curt manner. ] I've been asked to help save a country from succumbing to crime.

Pointless. [ The world will always have crime. ] A momentary distraction, but nothing more. It'll pass and then I can resume providing aid.

[zerosummed]

Keep a statistical record of your - new contractor's demands on your services after criteria of frequency, duration, priority, expense of personal and alternative resources. Standard surveillance of their activity otherwise.

[emaiya]

I shouldn't get involved. [ She doesn't really think herself capable of saving a single person, much less an entire country. ] Let someone else get their hands dirty while I just monitor the events.

[ Since it's Kiritsugu asking though.. ]

Gathering intel wouldn't do much harm. [ It'd give her something to do. ] It could be useful. It could be sold to the right person. [ Hm. ] It could change the events of the world.

[zerosummed]

It's a basic necessity. Failure to collect information can't be corrected at any point in time. Any other arrangement you make can be substituted.

[majorityrules]

Regardless of where your mun places you, never forget your mission, Maiya.

[emaiya]

Understood. [ Without a single ounce of defiance, she accepts his words as right. That's the way it's always been. No need to change it now. ] The environment is technologically advanced. Advanced beyond my skill. It'll have to be done the old way.

[emaiya]

I never could. [ It's frustration more than anything to be apart from him, but relying on someone is a weakness. So it goes unspoken. ] No matter where we are, it's imperative we don't neglect it.

[zerosummed]

....your odds of survival?

[majorityrules]

Precisely. If we do not fight for it, no one will.

[[Don't worry; he understands.

.....]]

You have the skills. You have the training.

I know you won't fail me.

[[It's the closest he'll ever get to giving you his approval, but it's still spoken bluntly. You won't fail him; it's a fact.]]

[emaiya]

Favorable. Most others will be clouded with greed and thoughts of how to spend their new fortune.

[emaiya]

[ It's fortunate that she has someone that does. There's blurred memories and fog that shrouds her mind, the visage of the man being the only concise thing. Certainly she will follow him through to the end.

His words bring her the closest thing to comfort she'll ever have. ]

I won't. [ Still though. ] Working away from my task puts the whole mission at risk.

[majorityrules]

What intel have you gathered about your destination?

[[And now he's back to that cold, business-only visage, any flickers of emotion forcefully buried.]]

I know how these places operate. I know it won't be possible for you to leave.

[[He lights up a cigarette, puffing on it softly as he thinks.]]

You are to blend in; don't stand out. Continue the mission at all costs. Find out what you can.

If any obstacles present themselves, you know what to do.

[zerosummed]

Maintain the psychological advantage. If your position is compromised, make an immediate priority of gaining arsenal. If not... keep low. You're one. We don't operate as well in teams of one.

[emaiya]

I've been assigned the role of 'Seleção 9'. I've been tasked with the mission of restoring a country and if results are unsatisfactory, I will have to report in to an assigned 'Supporter'.

[ Her response is linear and without flaw, understanding the situation all too well. ]

A threat I doubt they will be able to follow through with. Blending in will be more difficult here than it was in other places. [ Mostly because she'll be forced to communicate on her own. It's strange, overwhelming even, but she has no choice. ] If I'm in luck, it's temporary and I'll be reassigned elsewhere.

[emaiya]

I intend to stock up as soon as I arrive. [ A sheathed weapon is no good after all. ] If I can, then it means others will be able to as well.

[ That doesn't bode well for her nor this country she's supposed to restore. ]

[zerosummed]

[ It almost physically pains him to make this kind of suggestion, really. ]

Prepare for the... possibility of giving up the offensive advantage.

[emaiya]

Is that really the best method to take? [ Definitely not sure how to handle this. ] It's suicidal at best.

[zerosummed]

No. Balance offence and defence in the beginning, but prepare for the possibility of exhausting your funds too soon to carry on offensively. At that time, withdraw, refocus on intelligence and defence, while until new resources become available. Work cyclically. Don't persevere in the offensive if the odds are minimal.

You'll know which approach to take once you've gathered enough information on the other variables.

[ ...people, Kiritsugu. They're people. ]

[timeywimeymagus]

Trivial actions are common in the thought process of most mundanes.

[emaiya]

They don't understand what it's like to do what we do.

[emaiya]

Understood.

[ As always he knew how to handle a situation no matter how many surprises were thrown in. Inevitably calmer (not that it shows as she has years of keeping her expression the same), she hardens into the steel blade he needs her to become. ]

Strike, fall back, and strike again. A classic strategy, but one often unexpected.

[majorityrules]

[[Kiritsugu closes his eyes, taking a drag of his cigarette. At least the goal is noble, if not quite what they're aiming to do.]]

You should have no trouble with it, then.

[[Is this the point where he says something like 'I don't want to lose you again?' The words won't come out. Not that he's all that surprised, but still. This place is doing things to his hear-...head. Doing things to his head.]]

...you don't need my help.

[[At this stage he doesn't even know if that's true or not; regardless, his voice is firm, unyielding. He's not going to be there to assist, so she doesn't need him. Shouldn't need him.

So why is he so desperate to protect her?]]

[emaiya]

[ Maiya can't recall the last time he's said something of that nature. Their relationship had, no, was simple. She provided aid when he asked it of her and in return, she could indulge in the things her twisted mind craved. ]

No trouble provided I don't have to speak to someone. [ She's not the best at small talk. Never has been, never will be. ] If I must, I'll have to hire a diplomat to do it in my place.

Besides. [ She cuts herself short with just that word alone. There are things she has to do for him and to leave him to the mission alone seems cruel. ] Will you manage on your own?

[timeywimeymagus]

Depending on the person, that could be a good or bad thing.

[emaiya]

She has no business involving herself with me.