text 💎 un: Tohsaka Rin

[defenceless]

[shortly after the storm clears on may 11th and the network connection between both sides of the group is reestablished, the following post appears:]

We're fine, as far as I know. I don't think anyone's dead, at least.

The storm that separated us was brought about by a Dakal named Pomarr. Some of you may remember her as our feline friend who sold her soul to Ryba—or whatever it is she did—to continue to live on after death.

She swept us to an island that looked like it was raised from the seafloor. It wasn't a vacation, but there were definitely remnants of what those big cats must have called home.

Her plan is to revive her entire race, in the same way Ryba "revived" her. As if life-or-death deals with shady goddesses aren't concerning enough, she wants to grant Ryba the power to carry out this mass revival by having her suck Nalanni dry. Pomarr understandably doesn't care much for Nalanni after she drowned everyone she loved; in fact, she showed us this in morbid detail. She's taken Nalanni. Hence, all the Nalawi losing their Gifts and all of this inconvenience we have to deal with.

Pomarr knows where Nalanni is, but she's asking us not to interfere, and she wouldn't give us the opportunity to speak with Nalanni when I requested it. For some reason, she didn't expect that we would be suffering like the Nalawi are. She's promised to try to fix that.

What do we do now, ALASTAIR? I can share anything else you want to know about our meeting with Pomarr, or Yukimura Sanada-san or Mr. Keats can, but this is most of it. We have a situation where the balance of this whole world might be upended if we sit and twiddle our thumbs.

I don't think I need to remind anyone of the potential consequences of messing with either goddess. Or a litter of zombie cats roaming free.

(( ooc: infodump for rin, yukimura, and keats' conversation with a dakal npc, for one of the plot slots! feel free to handwave your character (in either the marooned group or the left behind group) learned this info by reading the post or talking with rin/yukimura/keats/another recruit. yukimura and keats may also be replying to tags! ))

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voice | un: archer - private

[anti_altruisms]

You should listen to your better half.

private;

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh won't argue over the merits of better half, as he knows it very well to be true, but...]

You of all people must know that extermination sometimes proves necessary for the sake of balance. Do not deceive me, Archer; I know you are torn.

private;

[anti_altruisms]

I'm well aware.

[ He has slain countless numbers of people for the sake of balance so, of course, he understands what Gilgamesh is saying. On the other hand, he still isn't sold that it's the best solution they have. ]

Given our own weakened state, however, I'm more inclined to encourage caution.

[babbylon]

[Privately, Gilgamesh may be inclined to agree that nothing may change, even if they were to defeat these gods. However, pride dictates everything for this man. At least he entertains Archer's argument rather than dismissing it outright, a sign of considerable respect for his former rival.]

I have already pledged myself to this course of action. To back down now... I would look like a fool, and a coward besides.

private;

[anti_altruisms]

[ Pride, thankfully, doesn't factor into his own thoughts on the matter. At the very least, they can discuss this like adults. ]

Then don't.

[ He wouldn't expect Gilgamesh to change course and then announce it, on top of that. ]

Consider how much power has been taken from us and what it may cost you attempt to use the Gate or your most powerful weapons at their full capacity.

[babbylon]

It would be difficult.

[This much he can admit, even if he's underestimating the situation overall.]

But I believe I can do it. This Koltira, who vows to battle beside me... he's nearly the equal of a Servant. I am not alone by far.

[anti_altruisms]

And how much power, which has not only been taken from our ranks, but from the Nalawi themselves, will be directed squarely at you?

[babbylon]

I cannot say for certain.

[anti_altruisms]

At full strength, I could contest your arsenal with weapons of my own.

[ It worked once, at the very least, and while he isn't trying to brag, he is trying to put things in perspective. ]

It is not wise to abandon caution in favor of conceit.

[babbylon]

Perhaps not.

[But the implication here is that he will anyway, because he cannot help it. He cannot change who he is, nor would he. Not for anything. Not even if it killed him. Pride really was everything; it was the death of him in that doomed future, and it may very be the death of him here.

So be it. That is what made a King a King.]

Will you oppose me here, Archer? If you are so ordered?

[anti_altruisms]

If I am so ordered, yes.

[ They have reached an understanding, but they have both always known that Archer will prioritize Rin over everything else.

It's nothing personal. It's simply how it is. ]

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh nods, and looks no worse for the wear to hear of it. It's expected, really.]

Then know it will bring me no joy to oppose you, should we come to blows. Do whatever you deem necessary; I follow the same law.

[anti_altruisms]

Then we will see what happens.

[babbylon]

Regardless of what the future may bring, it was not a mistake to have met you.

[To have known you.]

Serve your Master without regrets, Archer. Time marches ever onward.

[anti_altruisms]

[ He isn't sure how to answer that.

Part of him wants to say, if you could see what happened, the future I've already experienced, you wouldn't believe that, but the words never come. He doesn't know how he feels about all of this -- only that, above all else, serving Rin is the only thing he knows he can do now where he won't feel any regrets.

Finally, he responds. ]

It does.

[ A beat, then- ]

Until such an order comes, I do not consider you my enemy in this matter.

[babbylon]

[Some emotion does crack through Gilgamesh's mask: relief. For now, they are not enemies. For now, they can simply continue as they were. And maybe... maybe nothing will happen. Maybe fighting the gods won't even be necessary. If a better solution presented itself, Gilgamesh could resign himself to it. He could bow in the face of that sort of logic, if it truly promised something a battle could not achieve.

For now, they can only wait.]

Come and see me as you like. Until you receive such an order... I would not turn you away.

[anti_altruisms]

[ He's tired.

It's a strange feeling, certainly, but having his bond with Rin nearly severed has drained as much, if not more of his energy than he was already lacking.

He needs to see her first, to get their menagerie situated, and then he'll consider other visitations. ]

When things settle.

[ And, of course, he has to say it- ]

I am ready to give her children back.

[babbylon]

[He's tired, too, but Archer's words earn something rare—genuine laughter.]

Shishi will be excited to see you again, at least. He's a bit more manageable than his cubs.

[anti_altruisms]

[ Archer doesn't laugh, but...well. His tone, at least, is less business-like.

He lets out a quiet huff. ]

I can't say I'll return it.

Pfeil has kept me busy.

[babbylon]

Good. Better your hands remain occupied than not.

[Which is also something Gilgamesh understands better than most.]

[anti_altruisms]

[ Well. He can't exactly argue with that. ]

Perhaps.

[ A beat, then- ]

I'll visit tomorrow.

[babbylon]

I look forward to your visit.

[You can't see it, Archer, but his imaginary tail is wagging. At least some good has come out of this.]