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]

No.

[Koltira doesn't have friends.]

But we spoke.

[defenceless]

[archer doesn't have friends either]

—Oh, I see.

[wait for it...]

About what?

[respired]

His enslavement. And my own.

[defenceless]

Is that how he described it to you?

[respired]

Yes. Do you have a better term?

[defenceless]

... No.

What Heroic Spirits like Archer face is tantamount to enslavement. Even then, usually they have a wish that makes submitting to the summons of the Holy Grail worth it.

I don't know if Archer ever had a wish like that.

[respired]

Meaning he has no reason to fight these battles. Other than the reasons forced on him.

[defenceless]

That's true. I wonder if Archer's told you my reason for fighting.

[respired]

He has not. Do you intend to enlighten me?

[defenceless]

It's because I can.

[fight, that is.]

[respired]

That is no reason at all.

[defenceless]

How so? [she actually sounds ready to contradict him. she'll beat you up, koltira.] It's a reason because it acts as a reason. I can't just roll over and surrender and let someone else win so easily!

[respired]

[LET'S GO, KIDDO.]

You seemed a person with principles. Perhaps I judged too quickly.

[defenceless]

[h-hey...! now that makes her really mad!]

Listen, I don't think you understand what Holy Grail Wars are all about. Seven participants are selected. The winner has access to a giant wish granting machine.

It isn't as though I'm determined and it's meaningless. My family raised me to see success. I'll fight for the goals my ancestors died for...

[that her father died for, in the grail war previous to her own.]

I won't allow someone corrupt to destroy the world with that immense power.

[respired]

In that case, you don't fight merely because you can, do you?

[defenceless]

[not exactly, but you aren't supposed to point that out, koltira!

it's true her goal is very self-serving and designed to test her own abilities and mettle in the end, though.]

Hmph. Say and think what you like. The point is, I fight for what I choose—and I'll never regret it.

[respired]

You've never regretted any battle you've fought?

[Hmm. His eyebrows furrow. He's regretted most of his--but then, they weren't fought willingly.]

[defenceless]

[she pauses, noticeably.]

... No. Why would I?

That would defeat the point of battling in the first place.

[respired]

You hesitated.

[defenceless]

Don't get smart with me. It's because your question was so absurd I don't know why anyone would spend time wondering over it.

[respired]

[The lady doth protest too much.]

It's fine if you don't wish to speak of it. I do not pry.

[defenceless]

I'm telling you I don't do anything I'll regret. [no, really.] I never regret my choices, once I commit to them. If I think there's a chance I would regret it, why would I go through with something? It's self-defeating.

It's the same for you, isn't it?

[respired]

[He has a difficult time believing that anyone has no regrets, but then--he reminds himself--she is young.]

No. It is not.

[defenceless]

[she is young.

but it's more than that. her personality is of a particular type.]

You have... regrets...?

[he may have never seen her look this sorrowful.]

[respired]

[His own expression turns hard; his eyes sharp and cold.]

Slaves often do.