video 💎 un: Tohsaka Rin

[defenceless]

[the video opens to display the... somewhat incriminating desk of one rin tohsaka. are those vials and knives? yes, those are vials and knives. a few of the vials contain weird-colored liquids but don’t think about it too much.

apparently this is no reason for a tiny cygnet not to be hopping all over everywhere, chirping happily and nibbling away at a slice of apple rin holds between chopsticks. the gray downy baby swan wears a black collar inlaid with beautiful amethysts and diamonds. lazily leaning her cheek onto her hand, she speaks.]

I’ve developed a means of repelling that godawful holiday plant and withering any sprigs of mistletoe in your immediate vicinity. Simply state clearly,

"Verkümmern, Mistel."

And they’ll die. The catalyst for the enchantment has been sprinkled all across Chantes, so the spell should work wherever you are. Just don’t say the words wrong; I can’t be held responsible for what might happen, in that case.

[r.i.p. thirst. anyway, rin reveals a strange object that those more modern-familiar in alastair will recognize as a bedazzler gun.]

Now, then.

[rin sets down the apple (much to baby swan's dismay!) and calls to the servant carrying a tea tray behind her.]

Archer.

[a tall man in black armor and a pink apron glances over his shoulder. only his back is visible.

she spins her finger, gesturing for him to turn around. he does so with a rather impressive line face. there's a sword bedazzled out of shiny silver rhinestones stuck right to the front of his apron, just at chest level. rin faces the network again.]

Can anyone tell me what this [she lifts up the bedazzler gun and frowns in disgust/confusion.] is? The designs it creates are awfully tacky.

((OOC: The mistletoe-deactivating spell words will actually work, per discussion with the mods! Feel free to do whatever you want with it. Archer may reply to some tags/threads in this post.))

Comments

[respired]

[It's not quite coming together, Koltira has to admit.]

You move on command for Rin.

[anti_altruisms]

She is my Master.

[ He expects that statement will not satisfy so he elaborates- ]

I was summoned by her in a previous war and chose to contract with her again upon arriving here.

[respired]

[Coldly.]

I see.

private;

[anti_altruisms]

[ Normally, at this point, he would simply let the matter go, but instead, he switches the feed to a private line. Servitude rankles, after all, and Koltira is maybe one of the few who truly understands just how much. ]

Speak your mind, death knight.

If you have an issue with this arrangement, say so.

[respired]

You told me that your service was tantamount to slavery.

[anti_altruisms]

In essence, yes. The role of a Heroic Spirit is to serve humanity -- some more so than others.

[ However- ]

I obey Rin, but I do not consider myself her slave.

[respired]

What are you, then?

[anti_altruisms]

Heroic Spirits are fundamentally non-corporeal beings. We cannot survive without the energy of a mage to sustain us unless we wish to prey on others.

Rin is someone I knew from a previous life. Though she appears abrasive and demanding, she offered me a contract out of kindness, knowing it would be difficult for me to maintain a presence here otherwise.

I had betrayed and abandoned her to pursue a different cause, but she was willing to offer it to me anyway, knowing who I used to be.

[ Something he still doesn't think he deserves but appreciates, anyway. ]

I do not enjoy servitude, but I can think of no one else I would rather be contracted to.

[respired]

[It seems like there's a lot of complex history here, and Koltira obviously cannot claim to understand it. The situation Archer described previously still unsettles him, but if Archer is submitting willingly--well, what can he do (not that he could do anything in any case, aside from register his uncertainty)? He makes a noncommittal noise in his throat.

His tone is therefore less overtly antagonistic and more teasing.]

Does she often treat you like a posturing doll?

[anti_altruisms]

[ It's very complex. He doesn't often think of it in such terms, but he is content with this -- or at least, as much as he can be.

He lets out a soft laugh. ]

She seems to be unaware of it -- or at least, of how others might perceive it.

[ He isn't blind to it, but it's funny watching her fumble sometimes. ]

She is a brilliant mage but still very young.

[respired]

She has a strong spirit. I'll give her that.

[anti_altruisms]

Most mages do.

If not, they wouldn't last very long.

[respired]

I more meant that she is willful. But that as well, I suppose.

[anti_altruisms]

Do not let her bother you, Koltira.

She means well, even if it isn't immediately apparent.

[respired]

On the contrary, I appreciate a person with convictions.

[anti_altruisms]

You should appreciate her a great deal, then, since she certainly isn't lacking that.

[ A beat, then- ]

I trust you understand the situation a little better than you did before?

[respired]

I can't say how I feel about her now. You've explained the situation. But it doesn't sit right with me. Not entirely.

[He sighs, long and slow and rumbling.]

Perhaps I am seeing too much of myself in this.

[anti_altruisms]

It is neither right nor fair, Koltira.

[ Enslaving the heroes of the world for such a farce as the Holy Grail War...it is utter foolishness, and he's known that for a long time.

Still- ]

I have sworn my blades to her, and whatever happens, as long as our pact may last, I will abide that oath.

[ Not out of a sense of honor, but rather the fact that she is indeed someone important. ]

[respired]

[Asking for more would delve definitively into the realm of prying. Koltira's already asked more questions than he usually does, and now's the time to pull back. He cannot affect this situation either way, and Archer is a man grown. A man, most importantly, who made his own choice.

He can't resist some further teasing, though.]

Hmm. Seems you've pledged a bit more than your blades.

[anti_altruisms]

Perhaps.

[ He can't say how true that is one way or another, but one thing is clear -- not to someone he just met, or even to those he's known for longer -- but one thing is clear. His fate will always be intertwined with that of the magus who summoned him. ]

I would make the time I spend here my own, if I can.

[ It might not be possible, but if nothing else, he did say he would try. ]

[respired]

You seem to be doing well so far.

[He gestures to the bedazzled sword.]

I assume those gems were your idea.

[anti_altruisms]

[ Ah yes. The "decoration" on his apron.

He glances down at it briefly. ]

An experiment with the gift she received from ALASTAIR over the holidays. The design is...fitting, I suppose.

[ He's all about swords, you know. ]

My only objection at the moment is the creature ALASTAIR sent her recently.

[ Obnoxious poop machine that it is. ]

[respired]

[Gravely:]

Ah, yes. A truly inspiring bit of heraldry.

[He can see--and hear--the cygnet trilling cheerfully. It's a pleasant enough sound. For a few moments.]

Oh? Are you its keeper?

[anti_altruisms]

It leaves its droppings everywhere.

[ Clearly, he does not appreciate this. ]

If it were up to me, we'd be rid of it.

[respired]

Ah.

[A slightly rude grin.]

But it is not.