New and homeless.

[brilliantcut]

Dear mun...

That is to say, "mun"? You told me you didn't like that word, didn't you? But what's to dislike? It's really appropriate! Between the two of us, it's obvious that you're the mundane here. I'm an incredibly brilliant magus with great talents that have yet to be honed to their true potential, and you're an ordinary human capable of nothing more than controlling every last thing I do, down to...the tiniest twitch of my toes...

Um, it's a little abrupt, but let's move on to the subject at hand.

Do you really think you have the nerve to play me? I don't think you can handle me in the slightest.

Comments

[shiroutohero]

That's just like you, isn't it? Expressing little faith in those around you isn't suitable for a little lady of your social upbringing.

[ arrogance mode enabled. ]

[brilliantcut]

Archer, I know your manners are poor but you can't just scold me in a public theater like this. It reflects badly on both of us.

[brilliantcut]

This is a public theater, isn't it...?

[shiroutohero]

[ she's one to talk, but he doesn't dare bring it up, choosing instead to answer her with a dismissive shake of his head. ]

More than just that. You are unaware of the situation your mun has placed you in then?

[brilliantcut]

It's your job to know about technology, Archer. Don't blame me for your ignorance.

[shiroutohero]

Your innocence can't be helped. [ that's just laced with sarcasm. ]

Should I explain it to you?

[brilliantcut]

My innocence isn't in question here.

[ A pause. ]

Explain it to me without spoiling my innocence, Archer.

[shiroutohero]

[ it never was up for question in the first place. he knows how much of a devilish fiend she is. ]

Simply put, everyone who speaks to you here is capable of knowing every little thing about you even if you've never met them before.

[ then all too cheerful: ] Even things you never knew you were capable of.

[brilliantcut]

That's not funny. That's not funny at all! If you think that's funny, you must be a defective Servant and I'm trading you in for Saber.

Um, but you're not a defective Servant, so that means...

It's true?

[shiroutohero]

[ now why would he ever lie to her? ] It's the truth.

Saber would tell you the same if you were to ask her. [ though she might break it to Rin a little easier than Archer. ]

If you're lucky, you can find her here and be done with me. What a relief it will be to not have to see that killer's look in your eyes every morning.

[brilliantcut]

...

[brilliantcut]

But you know perfectly well I'm not letting you go that easily.

You owe me, Archer.

[shiroutohero]

For what? [ humoring her.

mostly because he wants to see how much she'll spill in a public place. ]

[brilliantcut]

[ Bites her lip hard for a moment, trying to figure out how to word this without giving too much away... ]

My mun says you leave me in all three routes.

If that's true, you're really a coward, and you owe it to me to learn to be braver.

[shiroutohero]

[ did her mun also tell her she has eroge scenes in all three routes? ]

What a tattletale your mun is.

[brilliantcut]

[ Her mun is still alive, so no. ]

Mmm. At least you're not trying to deny it.

I'd have had to kill you all over again if you gave me an insolent face and tried to say you'd always stay at my side.

[shiroutohero]

[ tempting to bring it to her attention... but Archer values his morality here if only to tease her himself. ]

When have you known me to lie to you, Rin? [ somehow keeping a straight face. ]

[brilliantcut]

...

[ All the time, about really important things, but she can't admit that to him. It's way too frightening. So... ]

There was one morning where you told me my tea was perfect.

And it was terrible.

You liar.

[shiroutohero]

[ fretting on the inside because how did he mess up a cup of tea? ]

Was there?

It must have been brewed too fine for your venomous tongue.

[brilliantcut]

You won't say that when you don't have a tongue yourself. Lean down and open your mouth.

[shiroutohero]

I was unaware it was my tongue you wanted all this time, Rin.

[ shaking his head as his knee gives in. stupid command. ] Are you certain this is the place you'd like to have it? A place where everyone can witness it?

[brilliantcut]

Huh?

[ Something about his expression and his tone of voice makes her feel...weird. ]

...um, I guess it would be unladylike of me to be so violent in public.

[shiroutohero]

I wasn't aware you knew how to act the part of a lady at all. [ such smirk. ]

It's good that you realize your actions will have consequences.

[brilliantcut]

Oh, but I'll make you take all those consequences for me, Archer.

[shiroutohero]

Naturally.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

[brilliantcut]

Just don't try to leave me this time.

I'll take your feet as well as your tongue.

[ Wasn't she supposed to be tsundere, not yandere? ]

[shiroutohero]

But then you'd have to wait on me hand and foot. [ not a bad idea, but he knows she'll object to it. ]

Can you take on the responsibility of caring for another with how busy your studies will keep you?

[brilliantcut]

I'm not someone who can take on the responsibility of caring for another in the first place, Archer.

So that's not a good idea after all.

[shiroutohero]

[ he knows. ] Of course.

Suppose that means for now I can continue to serve you with all of my limbs intact.

Is it time to troll? I think it's time to troll.

[leftjoker]

Ho, Tohsaka-san seems to have a high opinion of herself, and yet she doesn't realize that she's being played right now?

[brilliantcut]

At least you know how to address a lady.

Now you just have to do something about what you're telling her. "Being played"? That's a terrible thing to tell me!

[leftjoker]

I speak nothing but the terrible truth, Tohsaka-san. Even as we speak, the one who calls themself "Mundane" is playing you.

[brilliantcut]

I'm not sorry to say it, but I'm nothing like an instrument. I can't be played.

[leftjoker]

None of us are instruments in an orchestra, Tohsaka-san. But the fact that you said that? That wasn't you. That was the mun playing you.

We're pawns on a chessboard-no, that's not right, it's better to say we're all individual cards in the mun's hands, to use as they see fit.

[brilliantcut]

A card?

I'll give them papercuts.

What happened to the trolling? Did I go wrong somewhere?

[leftjoker]

Well said, Tohsaka-san. Be careful when dealing with muns, there's is a twisted lot.

But then, Tohsaka-san is a Tohsaka, is she not? You should be fine if you can face your trials with elegance.

[bestarcher]

Handling someone like you definitely won't be an easy task, Tohsaka.

[puppy_lancer]

Ah? I bet it takes a special mun to play a special lady. Tell your mun mine is wishing her luck.