video ✨ seelie/unseelie

[gandere]

[ This isn't the first time she's discovered a powerful necklace capable of miracles beyond being a plot device, but as an experienced magus who is used to artifacts passing along messages over cell phones, it's no trouble to adjust to it. While she doesn't understand why it works the way it does (what's the purpose of keeping a conversation permanently), from what she gathers it is a primary tool used by many of the others here. Having met someone already from her world, there remains the possibility there may be others so she sits all prim and proper for her debut. ]

Good evening. I'm sure the lot of you are tired of hearing introductions, but it'd be poor manners to not announce myself. While it would be discreet to do this one by one, idle time is limited so I'll make this brief and as memorable as I can.

I'm Rin Tohsaka. [ Surname second only because she assumes Japanese mannerisms are frowned upon in this world. ] Though I've been called away from my studies in London to fight in a war, I must admit my experience in combat is limited. From what I've gathered, there are many like me here. What is there for us to do? How can we aid beyond training and letting our inexperienced manner add to the favor of the opposing side? Showing both intelligence and courage can only get you so far. It seems rather meaningless to have us younger adults throw ourselves into the fray.

So what is it that you do to be of use? Every person brought here must have some value to them and hearing of your experiences may be able to help guide me towards my own. Keep it brief and with as little bias as you can--I frankly don't care to hear about the war this or the war that. Thank you.

Comments

[gandere]

I have an inkling. [ Enough to defend herself against the ones who would bring harm to her, that much she's certain of. ]

Saber of the Fourth and Fifth War. Lancer of the Fifth War. Archer of the Fifth War. Berserker of the Fourth.

Now the Lancer of the Fourth, I presume?

[oathshackledbird]

Yes, my war is the 4th.

[If his words seem distracted, it is because they are.]

You said the Saber of the 4th and 5th wars? Your war must be very different from mine, because the Saber I know from the 4th war could only be found in my court and she is not here.

[gandere]

She isn't from my war either.

[ Rin says without any hesitation to it. ] Second Magic is what has brought us here, but it's the work of the Fifth Magic at play here. Do you recall what you said of your lord appearing from a different time?

What if I told you it's possible to have allies here from a completely different realm? A parallel world.

[oathshackledbird]

[Second and Fifth Magic? Diarmuid understands the basics of both thanks to the Grail and that is part of the reason he finds it so hard to believe that both are at work in one place. True Magic is suppose to be rare, but...

Well, what else has made logical sense in this place? Magic doesn't often mix with logic.]

I wouldn't argue with you. It is hard to argue against anything being possible considering what we have already seen here.

[gandere]

Then that's what we have to deal with. People who we thought were friends can be enemies and how they perceived us could be entirely different. You should tread with caution when speaking with a familiar face.

[ And that's as much of a warning as she can give him about Saber. ]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid recognizes a warning when he hears one and can't help but raise an eyebrow in response. What does she know that she's not telling him?]

I will take your warning to heart. There is a lot at stake here and it doesn't take much of a slip up in a war like this to cost one a great deal.

[gandere]

[ A number of things, but keeping it a secret is the only leverage she has. All he needs to do is ask and she'll probably spill them though because she is Rin Tohsaka, the biggest softie magus there ever was. ]

Oh, is that how it is? I thought heroes could recover from their mistakes.

[oathshackledbird]

[Fortunately for Rin, Diarmuid doesn't feel like pressing at the moment. Later, he might regret that decision...]

We can, but those who are hurt as a result? It is they who have a harder time recovering.

[And it's them he worries about more than he worries about himself.]

[gandere]

[ Are they? Rin's felt pretty slighted before by a "hero" in her life, but seems to be doing swell just picking up the pieces. Granted, it's a lot easier here knowing that she's not alone, but details... ]

So do you watch every step to make sure you don't hurt anyone who crosses your path or-?

[oathshackledbird]

I try, though I think we both know that it isn't always possible to avoid hurting people.

[He can't help but think back to the command spell his master had used on him to make him fight against Saber with Berserker. It's not quite the same, but having to fight against a Servant like that feels just as dishonorable to him as hurting an innocent would.]

All we can do is try to plan to the best of our abilities and then keep calm and focus on new plans when the first ones inevitably are changed.

[gandere]

[ Psst, watch out for that honor boner of yours, bro. ]

I admit I don't understand nor particularly care for avoiding hurting others. True, it's the kind thing to do, but shouldn't more responsibility fall on those who you do cross paths with to protect themselves? If they end up in harm's way, wouldn't it be the result of choosing to move down that path unguarded?

[oathshackledbird]

[Whatever are you talking about...]

So, are you saying that if you were pulled into something you underestimated or misunderstood ahead of time, you would like yourself to be left to your fate just because you failed to properly plan?

[If that is true, what is with saving Shirou, hmm, young lady?]

[gandere]

[ That third spear that shows up when Saber is within proximity, that one. ]

Correct, if it were to happen it would be entirely my fault and therefore my responsibility to remove myself from it. With that said, it isn't as if people go without help all the time.

There are those who happen upon those individuals who are in the wrong place at the wrong time and provide aid. Those kind of soft people are needed in a world like ours from time to time so it's all right for them to exist. [ That's what's up with saving Shirou. ]

[oathshackledbird]

[Is that a spear in your pocket or are you just happy....]

Well, I can't say I mind being one of those soft people. To be honest, those soft people are some of the strongest there are.

[It's all right, Rin. He won't tell your secret.]

As for those who go without help, don't mind me if I try to make sure that number stays as low as possible. Just call me Knight of Softies if you must...

[gandere]

[ Reveal her secret and die. Again. For the third time. ]

All right, I shall call you the Knight of Softies from now on.

[ Never give Rin Tohsaka an opportunity. ] I suppose that extends to more than the battlefield, yes?

[ Making fun of the guy with how many kids again?? ]

[oathshackledbird]

[Five kids, Rin. Five. His heart might be soft, but other parts are most certainly not...]

More than the battlefield? Why do I get the feeling there is a double meaning in that statement?

[Whoosh... Right over his head.]

[gandere]

[ It's no fun if she has to explain it. ] Never mind.

I'm just not used to speaking with men like you.

[oathshackledbird]

Men like me? I didn't realize I was so different from most men...

[Diarmuid, do you really have so little clue?]

[gandere]

[ To be fair, Rin's not used to speaking with men in general. ]

Yes, yes you are. First off, you're a heroic spirit and therefore a knightly sort. Men with valor simply don't exist in my time.

[oathshackledbird]

None at all? Surely you must be mistaken.

[Diarmuid hopes that is the case anyway. It's true that honor and nobility don't seem to have as much value in the world he was summoned back into, but there has to still be some...

Right?]

[gandere]

They all died in the Fourth Holy Grail War.

[ And that is how she's going to view him: as a possible executor of the ones she loved and admired. ]

[oathshackledbird]

[Really, Rin? And he was just starting to give you credit for knowing things about wars...]

There are no executions in war, Lady. There are battles--some more honorable than others--but they are battles nonetheless. Most people go into these battles knowing full well the consequences. Don't place blame where it isn't deserved. It is...childish.

[gandere]

[ It's okay, she bounces between respectable magus and arrogant child too much. ]

You asked a question and I provided an answer. Perhaps next time you shouldn't indulge your curiosity if the answer you may receive will seem unfavorable.

[oathshackledbird]

Less unfavorable and more biased.

[A look of disappointment crosses his face.]

I honestly expected a wider view from someone who claims they have won a Holy Grail War.

[gandere]

It isn't a claim. Ask the others from the Fifth Holy Grail War and they will support what I say. I, Tohsaka Rin, am the only person capable of winning it at that given time.

[ Frowning, she looks away from the locket, as if what she was going to admit next made her uncomfortable. ]

There was a boy who thought himself to be a hero, but it wasn't something I'd call valor, more like a stubborn itch that he tried to scratch over and over again with no relief. When I told him to run, he wouldn't despite his inability to add any benefit to the situation.

... but at the same time, he was the only one who stood by me when I had no one else to support me.