Can't catch a break

[vermicompost]

This isn't fair. You said we could go somewhere nice, somewhere things could be better. Like one of those places where I could have a family...

[He trails off for a moment, temporarily lost in thought. Now, that sounds more like something he'd enjoy.]

I know it wouldn't be the same as a real family. But it has to be better than that tower! It sounds awful. I won't even have Berserker there. What am I supposed to do?

I only--I want to finish what I started, that's all.

Comments

[angramaintsu]

So you're coming to this rotten place too.

[ A frown. ] Why? You died, so I shouldn't have to see you again.

[ It's possible to be this mean and be tsundere all at the same time. ]

[vermicompost]

I don't want to go there. It's not my choice--

[Wait. The fullness of what she said takes a moment to sink in.]

See me again? I died?

[Of course, he knows he's going to die, but he hasn't yet. She's so familiar, yet so strange... It can't be.]

[angramaintsu]

Yes, you died.

[ Her bitterness comes not with his failure, but with her own. Why did he have to get involved even after she left? ]

Can't you tell?

[vermicompost]

Yes, I'm going to die. [He can't deny it.] But the war isn't over. I have to win, first.

[He can still believe that he can win. Believing it is all he has.]

Who are you?

[He's afraid of the answer he's fairly sure he already knows. But could it be a trick? A delusion?]

[angramaintsu]

[ If it was anyone else she would shoot down his hopes with a line of logic or two, Rin having little faith in miracles. This was her uncle and the only family she could have if she sought it out. ]

With Second Magic at hand, you just might. I have been told stories--[ Some she wishes she could have never been told. ]--about parallel versions of the Holy Grail War. Maybe you do come out a victor in yours.

You failed in mine however.

[vermicompost]

Alternate versions.

[It takes him another few moments. His thoughts aren't the clearest. So she's from an alternate time? He does know something about such things.]

Rin? It's you?

[Even though she's older, he can't deny the familiarity any longer. What happened to her? There's hope, and also worry in his voice.]

No! I won't fail. I'm going to win. [He can't allow any other possibility, not when the consequences are so grave. If he stops believing, then he really won't win.] I won't let you down.

[angramaintsu]

Yes, it's me. [ She confirms it by pointing to the ribbons on top of her head. As though that was answer enough. ]

I joined the Matou family before the Fourth Holy Grail War. [ Instead of Sakura she should add, but this was Uncle Kariya. The man she doesn't want to worry too much. ] As you can see, it's worked out well for me.

As for letting me down... perhaps you can save some version of me, but there's no point in making false promises to me now.

[theconqueringworm]

Humph. Even as a ghost, it seems all you can do is whine, Karyia.

[vermicompost]

[Ugh, why?]

I'm not a ghost! I'm still alive.

[This is just adding insult to injury.]

I just don't think it's a good idea to go there, that's all. I have more important things to do.

[vermicompost]

Rin... [He stares at her. Of course it's Rin. It's not that he isn't glad to see her, but how did this happen?]

But that didn't happen. That was Sakura. I'm going to save her.

[He shakes his head, confused but holding on to the "alternate versions" idea.]

No, I--if there's something, anything I can do to help you, I will. There must be something--!

[eighteen_winters]

I'm going to that wretched place as well, though I imagine I'm luckier then you in that my Onii-chan will be there to.

[vermicompost]

You, too? [And she looks so young. Surely that's no place for children. Kariya hates the thought.]

I'm sorry you have to go, but at least you won't be alone. That's nice. I'm sure your Onii-chan will look out for you.

Rin will be there, I know her, but she's different...

[scorchedchivalry]

I suggest, should you find your way into the Tower and you cross paths with me, that you beg for your life. I may take pity upon you.

[eighteen_winters]

Oh, Rin Tohsaka? What's different about her?

[vermicompost]

[The Tower just gets better and better, doesn't it?

Saber looks--different.] You?

I don't want to fight you. [Not that he could, on his own.] We aren't fighting the war there, are we?

[vermicompost]

Yes. I'm her Uncle Kariya.

I'm not sure. But she looks different. She said that something happened to her that wasn't like what I remember.

[scorchedchivalry]

The War within the Tower has yet to begin.

[Because Saber is convinced one will. Since she's there and she only exists if the Grail is there, not actually being part of the Throne of Heroes and all.]

And I have yet to forgive you.

[vermicompost]

I see. I didn't realize. But I don't want to fight you unless I have to.

[That's not good. He's not so optimistic about his chances in a war without a Servant... But he'd try, as usual.]

Forgive me for what?

[scorchedchivalry]

Irisviel.

[vermicompost]

What do you mean? I don't know what you're talking about.

[He hasn't done that yet. But then, he hasn't done a lot of things yet.]

[scorchedchivalry]

[Saber's expression darkens with a flash of rage that he would not know what she was referring to, but she closes her eyes and maintains her temper.]

You would do well to think deeply on her name and give a better response than that.

[vermicompost]

I know who she is.

If I did something, and I didn't realize it, then I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do anything to her. [He only really wants to kill Tokiomi.]

[scorchedchivalry]

It is unwise to lie to me. Or does your Servant act on orders that are not your own?

[vermicompost]

I'm not lying. My Servant is--yes, usually he does what I say. He does.

[Sometimes they do clash a little...]

[scorchedchivalry]

Then you should know what I am referring to as it could have only been done by your order.