erbe | KENOS INBOX

[Quetz reaching out to her so suddenly gives Tohsaka a noticeable surprise. There is quiet. Hesitation. The sensation of a shadow shying from the light.]

...Ah. Yes, I just got back not too long ago.

[ The feeling of how Rin shirks away from her presence quickly reminds Quetzalcoatl to take it back a little. Luckily Set had explained things to her in a way she could understand, so that sunny presence does finish a bit as she intentionally dials it back. ]

Oh, so you didn’t run away from Dark?

[ hm. Slightly disappointing, that dude sucks!! But she’ll get to that later at least. ]

Mm, well, did you mean to go away? I guess that’s the way to put it.

[Run away from Dark? Hah... she's afraid to ask what happened while she was gone. At least a little amusement comes through over the connection even if her exhaustion cannot bring herself to laugh.]

I was cornered at the Baubles Market in Highstorm and killed. After that my shard was kept away for a while.

Oh—

[ Her voice falls a little into a soft noise. It’s not as if it’s out of the question, as she’d just personally spent time at the Tree waiting for Set to revive, but it’s still a surprise. It’s one thing for her or Set to die because they just wouldn’t be as bothered by it. A mortal thought… A pang of sympathy comes through strongly. ]

I’m… sorry. [ She feels like she should say that first. ] Are you sure you’re okay? That’s—

[ You can hear the frown in her voice easily at this point. ]

Who did it?

He called himself, "the Fun John," out of the two in Zenith. He said it was for the greater good.

[His vague explanations and lack of any request made sure that she was an incredibly upset little lab rat. While he kept his promise — it was not painful or drawn out — she still found herself shaken. Worried that she might have come to her end before achieving anything.

Worried that what was to come might be worse than even that.]

I doubt there is any reward to be had in revenge.

[ While Quetzalcoatl may not know the Johns, well. At all, really. She’s at least heard enough of them both through Communion or otherwise to be sure that there’s only one John that would call himself “the fun John.” That’s enough to make her ire rise, since she’s also heard a few of “the fun John’s” transgressions at this point. It’s not just Rin in this case, but it’s Liem and Set too. ]

A greater good… Como si...

[ Quetzalcoatl scoffs, and there’s scorn clear in it from its tone and the emotion that comes through. She feels like maybe it’s her duty to do something. It pulls at her in a way that duty pulls at any god, but. She’s also aware that this isn’t her lands or her people, and she’s not here to be the hero for all of them. Rules are different in many ways. So instead, she gently asks: ]

How do you feel about it?

[Something like the roar of a fire bursts through the emotional connection from Rin's side, but as the 'flames' spread and die out the only thing left in their wake is chilling cold. A biting frost that would touch Quetzalcoatl only to melt against her. The god is much stronger than Rin is, so any wayward 'accidents' wouldn't reach her in a way that would make a lasting impact.]

I do not have words for it. I wish to crush his throat under my heal. I wish for him to regret not only the sins against myself, but any of his transgressions against others. I want him to know pain and fear. I would use my magecraft to rend fl—

[No. There's a sudden lurch. A hard stop. This isn't her. Yes, as a mage those are things that are normal to think and want. Revenge is only natural. It's only right. But it's not her.

The silence continues as disgust begins to cloud everything and make it murky. She feels sick about herself, and yet there is still this want. A budding desire to test her strength and use her skills at the expense of others.]

[This can't be her, can it? Is it the influence of the new crest? Or perhaps the level of discord? The wish to break and destroy... She has to swallow it down.]

—All of that was just frustration. Realistically we are of the same faction and his abilities outclass mine for now. I wish for his comeuppance to be bitter and hard to swallow. I want it to be humiliating, but... it doesn't have to be at the cost of his life. And it doesn't have to be immediate. He treated death like it was nothing, so I doubt violent retaliation would bring satisfaction or peace.

[ At the very least, there’s not even a hint of judgement that’s thrown Rin’s way as she expresses the desire for revenge, even as vividly as she does. There’s surprise, but of course there would be. Quetzalcoatl hasn’t seen the sharp edge of Rin’s mind or even fully realized the fact that she’s a mage from the same world (and thus, it would be less surprising, unfortunately). Quetzalcoatl is a god, after all, and as warm and friendly as she was… She wasn’t a god that oversaw peace. She was the sun and the winds, and they could be as destructive as they could be life-giving. If Rin wanted revenge, then she understood.

However, the way that Rin recoils from it as if suddenly burned by its intensity isn’t something she overlooks. It’s not hard to guess what Rin feels here, even if it wasn’t shared through Communion. Quetzalcoatl may not hear her thoughts, but she does feel the churn and the conflict that comes with it. ]

Mm, it is frustrating… I don’t think it’s bad to hate someone that kills you. If you’re frustrated, then that’s okay. And I promise that it’ll be our secret too, yes?

[ Rin might not need the reassurance, but Quetzalcoatl offers it anyways. ]

…And he doesn’t value life, no. It’s a problem to me. [ A grave sin to the god of life, but she keeps the extent quieter. ] Mm… I know it might be odd to offer, since we’re different factions, but I’ll support you, you know?

[She hates this, she hates this, she hates this, she hates this, she hates this, she hates this, she hates this, she hates this, she hates this, she hates this, she hates this, she hates this, she hates this, she hates this—

It hurts. It's too kind. It's suffocating. It's what she's always wanted. It's what she never deserved. Especially not now. Especially not feeling like this.]

It's... not odd. You're Meridian. You won't be the first to... haha offer help like this. We're, hm. We're not close, but thank you for reaching out. I continue to be in your debt.

[ What Rin feels in response is something that’s much more obscure to Quetzalcoatl. She’s not able to pick out the complex thing that Rin feels here, since it’s just something that’s maybe a little too human for her to understand. Her understanding of people is loving, and it’s also simple. So… She’s not sure how to take this. But even so, it doesn’t dissuade her. ]

Oh, you don’t have to think of it as debt! I help people out, you know? It’s… Hm, It’s duty, I guess, but more than that! It’s what I’m meant to do as a god, sí?

[ Or it’s how she thinks of it, at least. She’s a big sister here to help where she can. Even if it’s revenge. ]

But it’s up to you, okay? I might have to go give this guy a patadas voladoras, but that’s because he keeps causing problems for people I like, yes! I won’t do anything more than that, though, not if you don’t want.

["You don't have to think of it as a debt!" Yes, she does. Or else she'll explode. The fact that Quetzalcoatl persists despite her rancid vibes is honestly so much to Rin. She's tired. Too tired to really argue continually. So instead she focuses on what she can manage.]

If you have other reasons, that's fine. But if someone is to be killed in my name I should be the one to shoulder that responsibility. I was too weak, and so I'll just have to find a way to make myself better. To make sure he can't do it again.

Mm, I don’t think it’s weakness.

[ You’re not weak is what Quetzalcoatl wants to say, but she has an impression that Rin might not accept that. And if she’s honest, they don’t know each other that well for her to make that assessment with the unshakeable conviction that she’d really want to. Though in this case, it doesn’t matter. ]

Some people here cheat, after all! Like, I’m strong, and señor Silco still killed me, yes? Or… Sometimes it’s just bad luck. We’re just lucky that we get to come back. No one here has to head to Mictlan that easily.

[ But she does understand the urge, all the same. She just also wants to offer reassurance. But after that heartfelt piece that’s seriously stated, she laughs and gives another totally serious offer, but it’s also sillier by nature. ]

But I’ll wish you luck with your training, if that’s what you want to do! If you ever want to learn a lucha move to pin him down, I’d be happy to teach my favorites!

[But how can she exist if she's not under the constant pressure she puts herself under? To be a girl with pride that's also endlessly hard on herself... it's just how she exists. She doesn't know any other way to be.]

I suppose I could expand my move-set. Bajiquan might become predictable if I face off against the same people more than once. I'm not sure it'd work on him, but I'll still accept your offer if it's genuine.

[And she's sure it is. Rin doesn't take Quetzalcoatl for the deceitful type.]

And it might be nice to have some time away from him. He's been nothing more than a clingy baby since I returned.

[ !!! ]

[ Quetzalcoatl’s response is immediate upon hearing “bajiquan”, since (thanks to the Throne) she recognizes the term and is surprised and delighted! She’s used to people brushing off her offers for training since it’s admittedly intense, and martial arts aren’t something you just pick up casually. Having an actual student and being able to teach her something useful is exciting! ]

Sí, I’m totally serious!! I would love to, ah—

[ But! Right! The other thing she wanted to talk about!

The excitement does cut off with a little ah of recognition, and it’s followed by a Concerned Intensity. The big sister vibes are coming out in full force here. ]

Ay, but you mean Dark, yes? I wanted to talk to you about him too!! He was looking for you, but it was… [ She pauses, thinking about how to put it… ] Well, it was a rudo’s speech, and a bad one too! ¡Mucho rudo! You’re not actually… You know… with him, are you?

...Ah. About that. He has a curse on him that if he's kissed by a virgin he "changes forms". His other identity is the kid named Lucien who I convinced to stay with Zenith during that Oracle ritual. I feel responsible for Lucien, and Dark has set aside a large bedroom, a study that doubles as a library, a magecraft workshop, and a green house for me. I'm not sure if we can define our relationship as "with" or "without" due to the complicated nature.

[Landlord that you babysit? An untrained dog you allowed give you mana once? He's so enthralled with her despite any of her outbursts. It's a struggle, but she also enjoys not being alone. Rin never knew how overbearingly empty her own manor had been until she lived consistently with someone else.]

¿Cómo?

[ This is definitely Quetzalcoatl’s equivalent of the stereotypical anime girl “eh???” because this is…not what she expected. In fact, this is a step beyond anything she would have guessed. It at least makes more sense why Rin would be there, since she doesn’t seem like the type of girl to put up with Dark. But. Still. What? ]

[ But! Even so!! ]

Ay, even if you feel responsible for, um, the Lucien part, though!! The Dark part is so bad, yes! He wouldn't stop being rude about your tetas or talking about his verga… There’s no way it’s safe to stay up there, Rin!!

[Her... what? Her "tetas" and his "verga"? Context clues help a lot considering how Dark is. But the realization makes her groan. She'll have to say something after she stabilizes this discord.]

Honestly I'm more afraid of the girls he keeps around than him. I've had to throw out some of the most violent of his fan club myself, and if it's me he doesn't complain. He seems absolutely convinced he'll have my virginity one day, so that's been an easy bargaining chip.

[If he never gets it she can stay perpetually, right?]

Mm, they were kind of...

[ Quetzalcoatl trails off slowly, since there's... Not a nice way to put it. So, she doesn't! ]

[ But, no, wait, that’s not what matters at all here?! She gasps dramatically, but it is absolutely genuine concern still, dramatic as it may sound. Are there tears of absolute horror in her eyes? Who could say. ]

But absolutely do not give it to him!! I don’t care what those women said, there’s no way he’s actually good in bed! Or gentle!!

[ Which. You know, if that’s what you’re looking for, that’s one thing, but not for the first time!! RIN!! ]

If he ever— I don’t know! Gets too handsy or aggressive or anything! You send me a message right away, yes? No matter what I’m doing, I’ll be there right away and piledrive him from his stupid castle!!

[Gosh, she's so—! So kind, so genuine, so bright and warm! Rin can't even keep up her little act when she's like that.

A small little stint of giggles falls from her as Quetz's concern floods the connection.]

Okay, okay! I got it. I never had the intention of giving it to him. Really it was just an excuse. But thank you... I'll call if I need your help. I promise — but only if you ever let me know if there's something I can do for you.

[ Honestly, it’s probably the most reassuring thing Rin could do. When she laughs, the concern still lingers from Quetzalcoatl, but it softens. If she can laugh like that, well… It’s probably okay, she decides. No need to come do a valiant, dinosaur-mounted rescue. Or at least, not yet. ]

Ah,sí, if you say so. Then I’ll just say be careful, yes?

[ The way Dark talks about people, she still can’t trust him, exactly, but! Rin seems confident that she can handle him, so she’ll trust her and hope that if it gets out of hand, she’s made it clear that she can ask for help without judgement for Quetzalcoatl. The concern fades a little more, almost resolute as if Quetzalcoatl was nodding to comfort herself too. ]

But I’ll of course let you know! I don’t usually need much since Servants aren’t very complicated, but if I think of something, absolutely!

KENOS INBOX

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/?

no subject

done

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

no subject

no subject

1/2

no subject

no subject

1/2 (again,)

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)