testrun_box | A strong possibility at last_free

Entry tags:

A strong possibility at last_free_city...

➥ Ｉ．

What a strange device. It's too modern for my tastes, but subtle enough to draw out those who prefer things a little old-fashioned.

[ The image on the screen hardly matches with the well-spoken tone; the girl addressing the strange PDA can't be no older than a teen. In actuality, she knows just how important a first impression is, so she'll give quite the flattering one of herself. ]

War is my expertise, but I suppose if it wasn't, I would not be amongst the rest of you. So tell me of your tales, great heroes, so that I know just how to properly use it. After all, are we not all tools to be used in same form in this world of clashed opinions?

➥ ＩＩ．

[ It's one of those rare days where there's no struggle to be found, so instead of preparing for some battle that's on the horizon, this young woman is off to find some enjoyment. While there's a distinct lack of social activities in the area, Misaya's taken the initiative to start a party amongst the poorer residents of this world. For the rest of the night, she can be found doing a number of things in this part of town. Anything from doing a fast-paced dance that might resemble a tango or relaxing with a bowl of something that resembles food in her hands. Even if she was brought here as a hero, she understands one thing: people need morale and so she'll give it. ]

➥ ＩＩＩ．

Ugh... [ That pained groan comes from a bed in the hospital that's been occupied for the past couple days. It seems louder than usual, as the inhabitant of the covers makes her presence known by sitting up abruptly. ] What the hell?

[ Her gaze darts around the hospital before the realization sinks in. She was brought here due to her sickness, right? Which means... ]

Where is that worthless mutt of mine!?

➥ ＩＶ．

[ As expected of a user of magic, Misaya's already set up her own public workshop to "assist" with the battle. Surprisingly, she doesn't question as to which side her customers take, so it's a fairly popular shop to buy items of magical power. Plus, her hound is really good at digging up artifacts that she can sell for a profit, making this small shop the number one place to go to.

~~Besides, we all know she has Lancer wreck any competitors before they can start.~~

If one's come to do business, they can find the owner of this establishment sitting on her desk with her Servant beside her, the girl tugging on his tie as though it were a leash. Seems the two might have been in a debate and failed to notice any potential customers come in. Or perhaps she intentionally wished for them to see the scene. ]

You can start wagging your tail in excitement again. [ A cool remark to the man beside her as she releases him. ] Go dig up another bone or two outside, boy.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I don't have a tail!

[Seriously, would it kill her to remember that he's a legendary hero right out of mythology instead of a mere dog?]

[ Reaching out to grab at his ponytail to prove otherwise. ]

You were saying?

[Owowowow.]

Okay, fine! But I don't wag it!

You do.

[ He so does. ]

Come on, it can't be that bad. You know my reputation is as a master of hounds. You should consider it a honor I place you on the same level as my beasts.

I'm a thousand levels above those mindless drooling brutes. Those things are a dime a dozen.

[For some weird reason, it always became like this. No matter how glad he was to see her here, they always returned to bickering within five seconds.]

Incidentally, so are Irish heroes of myth.

[ They were notorious for having one too many. ]

...Alright, alright. I get your point. I'm still leagues above any other hero, though. You did summon the best Servant, didn't you?

Hm, did I? I seem to recall thinking I did, but even I could make a mistake.

[ It might be difficult to tell if she's teasing or not judging by the nonchalant expression she wears. ]

And I was sure I had the best Master...up to I saw how everyone else treated their Servants.

[He is simply teasing, of course.]

My, would you prefer if I treat you in the same manner those weaklings treat their Servants? Hm, yes, maybe you'd like it if I gave you back your precious weapon so that you wouldn't have to show off your skill. While I'm at it, let me fall in love with you and just helplessly throw myself into incoming danger so that my beloved wouldn't have to fight.

[ Her tone's laced thick with her sarcasm as she eyes the customer. One that's smart enough to avoid interrupting the two and is currently busy with looking over a few vials. ]

[He nods.]

The first one would be much appreciated, but don't try the second two, okay? You have to get a couple years older before I even consider any confessions, and even if I do, I'll probably end up breaking your heart. And if you got killed, there goes my prana supply.

[He's still teasing her. It was something of a vicious cycle. He would tease her to the point of a reaction which would leave him cowering, but as soon as his punishment was over, he was back to teasing.]

[ And just as he might expect: ]

Not a chance in hell for any of it.

You know, even though I don't need a Noble Phantasm to kill all the other Servants out there, doesn't it reflect badly on you that your Servant is the only one without a Noble Phantasm?

It just means they haven't a chance in the world to identify you. Only a good Master would take a risk and succeed at it.

[ Ominous pause. ]

Unless you intend to suggest otherwise. That I'm not good because of my decision?

...Of course not.

[His voice shakes a little, but not just out of fear of punishment. There was also guilt and memories of the grief he had felt upon her death.]

[He is going to appreciate his time with her this time around. Even if it got him killed by her or anyone else.]

What's the matter?

[ While she normally dismisses any change in his attitude, this time she's going to poke and prod about it. ]

...Nothing.

[He can't really tell her about what he feels. If anything, he doesn't want her to find out what she became after her death.]

Just...thought of something.

Well, speak boy. I haven't got all day to sit here and wonder just what it is that's crawled up up inside of you and died.

[He squirms under her gaze. On one hand, he wants to talk about this as little as possible. On the other hand, he couldn't refuse to answer her.]

I...just remembered something that happened back in our world.

Tell me.

[ Manners are beneath her as she leans back on the table, watching him. ]

You're too loyal to me to ignore my request.

...Fine.

[He sighs.]

It...you...I remember seeing you die, okay?

Die..?

[ Her voice cracks as she repeats the single word. Bringing a hand to her chest to help keep her breathing calm, she looks away from her Servant, unable to find the courage to gaze upon him. ]

So I failed you as a Master.

N-No!

[Crap. Crap. He didn't think it would have this sort of reaction on her.]

You never failed me. Up to the last second you...were a good Master. And a good magus.

...I was the one who failed.

[He had been summoned into the world to serve as her loyal hound...and yet he could not even save her from her curse.]

You make the claim that you were the one to fail, but I was the one who died? It seems as though my death wasn't the conclusion to your tale? [ An accusation, naturally, but she can't help the bitterness that forms at the thought of Lancer choosing another Master. ] You must have planned for my death from the start to have picked a new Master so quickly...

I really did summon the best Servant of all time.

Yeah...I failed. I couldn't get the Grail for you in time, so...

[Had anyone else accussed him of that, he would have lashed out at them. But it's different when it comes from the very Master he "betrayed". Instead, he only gives a quiet, half-hearted protest.]

I did it because there was something that I still needed to do.

Mm... of course. It was a selfish move of me to call for a Servant when I was on a time constraint. [ She'll move to climb down from the desk, feeling awkward and no longer truly in her position of "power". ] It wasn't too much trouble for you, was it?

[ There's something about the news of your death when you leave this place that makes you appreciate what's been given to you. Misaya is no different; here she has a purpose and life. What happens after they save the day and go home though? There is no second chance. There is no Valkyrie that will come to give someone the chance to make it so she doesn't perish. Life has ended for Misaya and once again she's running on borrowed time.

Except this time she knows just how the end will play out. ]

No. It wasn't selfish. Just...stupid. If you had told me sooner, I wouldn't have dawdled with all those other Servants. Sure, I enjoy fun fights, and once you get past the uptightness, Saber and Rider are pretty likeable guys, but if you just told me, I would've killed them as fast as possible.

[He leaves out the part about the Gae Bolg. After all, he knows more than one way to kill.]

And it wasn't...too much trouble. I saw something similar before, and what happened when I hesitated.

[His voice shakes a little as he speaks and he averts his eyes. In truth, it had been difficult. He had to stare into the eyes of a girl he had grown to care for, and who reminded him of his teacher to boot, and stab her in the heart. He knew at the time that it was no longer her per se, but it had looked so much like her...]

[However, even though he sucks at lying, he has to do so anyway. She's already upset enough.]

Hmph... What would have been the point of summoning you if you couldn't enjoy the once in a lifetime opportunity? Not many others would have wasted time with a hero that can hardly be tamed.

[ She's not going to scold or pry, choosing instead to be a bit more honest with him. ]

You enjoyed it, didn't you?

Every last second of it...with the exception of the times your curse acted up. Because putting spears through people is my specialty--not tending to sick teenage girls.

[He decides to try a half-hearted joke at that last minute.]

But...otherwise, it was a pretty fun experience. Wouldn't mind giving it another go.

Well, even if it's a problem here... I'll manage on my own. You shouldn't worry about it.

[ He had to find out she was still cursed one way or the other, right? ]

[He frowns and crosses his arms.]

It is gone now, isn't it? The Valkyries fixed you, right?

Why would they fix something that isn't broken, mutt?

[He looks absolutely serious now.]

Tell me, Master. Do you still have your curse? Or did the Valkyries find a way to undo it?

OI, SOMEONE'S TRYING TO SLEEP HERE!

[And across her bed is an equally irate blue-haired man.]

[ No one has ever raised their voice to Misaya before, so he catches her interest easily with that outburst. ]

Excuse you?

Aaa, you deaf too? No wonder you can't control your damn volume.

[Welp...]

[ The flash of blue hair confuses her for the moment as she looks him over, thinking just how me he reminded her of said mutt. His arrogance was just was overwhelming even.

Good thing she comes to her senses quick enough to give him a cool glare. ]

No, I'm not deaf. Do you not find that sort of joke to be in poor taste considering where we are?

Eh, I make jokes wherever I like, lady.

[In other words: Piss off.]

No matter who's feelings might be hurt? You must be quite the tough guy. Making jokes in a hospital ward, that is.

Hey, if they're deaf, they won't listen anyways.

[/SHRUG]

You're the one that started it by being loud.

I was startled by waking up in a hospital bed. Seeing as I never see combat, it's truly something out of the ordinary.

What is your excuse for being here? Use that loud mouth of yours and got in trouble for it?

Nah, got injured in a freaking battle.

Not surprising. Did you yell at the wrong person and just piss them off?

Hey! I'll have you know that the Great Kamina doesn't piss people off! They're the ones pissed off by my amazingness!

[...does your idiocy knows no bound, Kamina...]

And what exactly is so amazing about you?

[ Misaya, this is a question you just don't ask Kamina. ]

EVERYTHING!

[...can I stop with this horrible now /sob]

Prove it.

[ Not until he makes an ass out of himself. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A strong possibility at last_free_city...

IV

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

III I regret nothing.

... OH MY GOD THIS WILL NOT END WELL

THIS WILL NEVER END WELL AT ALL

HOW MANY WOMEN CAN KAMINA PISS OFF... GO.

ALL OF THEM...?

I THINK ILLYA WILL BE MY ONLY ONE TO GET ALONG WELL WITH HIM...

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject