( Flowers and chocolate were cliché for a reason, but for Kiritsugu, he wanted to make an impression: a carefully curated bouquet of roses, lilies, and irises; handmade truffles of milk chocolate, caramel, and ganache. The ordeal was nerve-wracking, truth be told, barely able to recount the last time he'd extended a gesture such as this, and difficult to gauge if she'd appreciate his efforts.
Iri had always been so easy to please, after all. He could bring her books and movies, or buy her a car, and she'd be impressed with him no matter what. As for Maiya? She had few personal hobbies of her own, but always appreciated sweets or a new gun. Yor, however, he barely knew. Yes, he believed her to be charming and kind, yet had no reference for what she liked. It all felt stuffy, aloof.
Still, he inhales deeply, gifts in hand, reaching out to knock against her door. )
[ It may or may not make Kiritsugu feel better to know that Yor's nerves have similarly been absolutely racked the entire evening. Arguments with others tend to leave her in a poor state of mind, but when it's supposed to be a cheery day like Valentine's Day? She's more than a little bummed out still, and that's on top of already feeling nervous about actually going out to eat. What's she supposed to do? Say? Her mind blanks even while she's getting ready, but she's mostly managed to brush it aside by the time Kiritsugu comes calling. Mostly.
She's usually not one to wear makeup, but she has applied a little around her eyes and has a nice dress for the occasion. She nearly drops the lipstick she's trying to apply when the knock sounds at the door, and she foregoes wearing it to answer instead. ]
( For Kiritsugu's part, he feared he arrived too early, such as displayed by the makeup (or lack thereof) on Yor's face. Not that her appearance necessarily mattered in his eyes (and in fact, is somewhat gobsmacked just by how pretty he thought she was.) Rather, he couldn't help but feel apologetic for interrupting her, compelled to bow his head slightly to her in shame.
But he recovers swiftly, extending the aforementioned gifts out to where Yor could reach. )
[ A blush lights up her cheeks as she reaches for the gifts. ]
Oh, how lovely! Thank you Kiritsugu. [ She steps back some so she's no longer blocking the entry. ] I'm almost done. Please come in.
[ Yor's room isn't decorated lavishly, but the taste in decor she's chosen to add is certainly a far cry from the rest of Neo Tokyo's aesthetic. Floral print curtains, a richly red rug underneath the four poster bed made of rich, dark wood, and near the bed sits a vanity, a desk, a desk chair, and a dresser made from the same lacquered wood. An armchair, also decked out in a floral design, rests comfortably near the bedside table, and the lamp on the table has the same floral print as the curtains. Not a speck of dust can be seen anywhere, and the bed's pink spread doesn't have so much as a single crease in the pillow cases or blanket.
Yor sets the box down on the desk, but the bouquet goes right into a vase she's set on top of the dresser. Right next to two cat statues she's set to face one another. ]
( Nodding, he follows Yor into her room, as his eyes scan their surroundings: the floral, the shades of pinks and reds, and the traditional wooden furniture all suit her in a cute way, he thinks. Past her harsh, assassin exterior, and ability to ruthlessly kill, she was still quite soft, deep down.
Not unlike him, really.
A soft smile twinges as the corners of his lips, as he watches her arrange the bouquet into the vase. He put quite a bit of effort into picking them out for her, so to know she appreciated the gesture was reassuring, like he could feel the heat rising up in his chest...
[ Lucy's been all too eager to up and quit her job at the coffee place, miserable sack that it is. So Kiritsugu's open call for employees is a godsend. She doesn't have to explain work absences either if she works for a place that has other LILITH members in its employ, as far as she figures.
She opens the door to the izakaya as if she owns the place, but really, that's just her usual arrogance shining through. He said the interview was basically a formality, right? ]
[As instructed, Raidou will come by for an interview. He had to spend some time the evening before reading up in the internet about how job interviews work, since he's never even thought about needing to go to one in his life. His job at home had long since settled. Thanks to those articles and having a style chip, he shows up dressed in a suit.
He's also finding himself to be a little nervous, which isn't a feeling he often ever gets. Mostly because from what he's read, job interviews are all about knowing what to say, and talking is not a skill he's ever had. He slips in through the door quietly.]
I'm making space for you in my dorm. Meet me in the Revelation wing, room: 015.
( Since he was aware Irisviel had made it to the city, he'd been making an active effort to clean up his door. Though he necessarily wouldn't consider it unclean by any stretch, he couldn't help but feel he'd become sloppy, be it forgetting to empty his ashtrays or living out of clothes in a hamper. That was about to change, starting today, starting by discarding the half empty carton of cigarettes into the nearby wastebasket, soon followed by the ashtray.
He knew his wife didn't appreciate his habit, and even quit for 10 years before the Grail War. For her, he'd do it again.
Meanwhile, his fluffy white cat, Iri, had hopped onto the newly made up bed, gnawing on a toy catnip mouse between her paws, as Kiritsugu brought the hamper of clothes and clutch of hangers next to his bed, beginning to hang them, properly. )
[Easily the most relieving news she'd found since arriving in this city was the discovery that her husband was, in fact, here with her, and had been for a couple of months. Having spent some time believing she'd have to adapt to this strange world on her own, Irisviel had nearly jumped for joy when she'd discovered she was wrong.
Thankfully, the place is well mapped out, and she has no trouble following the signs along to the correct wing. She wonders if they'll be able to stay together, or if the situation here will keep them in separate living spaces. It certainly wouldn't be the first time, but the idea does still cast a cloud over the otherwise joyful news.
Well, no matter. One way or another they'll figure it out. Finally she finds herself standing in front of the door to room 015. She reaches out to try the handle without really thinking about it, only to find it locked. Unsurprising, really, anyone could have come by before her. She quickly lifts her hand and taps it on the door.]
( When he hears Iri knock against his door, he could feel his heart practically leap in his chest. He hadn't quite finished his work yet. At this point, hastily sliding the rest of his clothes on their hangers, the plastic clattering against the metal bar when he properly places them in his closet. )
Just a moment, darling.
( He hadn't expected her to arrive so soon. He thought he'd have more time. And in his rush, grabs the can of air freshener, dispersing the scent across the room in an (poor) attempt to mask the scent of smoke. He wanted her to be comfortable.
Finally, he makes it to the door, rattling the knob in a frenzy to unlock. )
[Tilting her head thoughtfully, she waits at the door wondering what he's doing in there while she waits. She can hear a few clattering sounds, and a hissing noise that she can't quite place. And then, shortly after the latter ends, she sees the handle on the door jiggling around a bit.
It turns and opens, and she's greeted with the haggard-looking face of her beloved. Immediately a bright smile breaks out across her face, and she moves forward without hesitation to lift a hand up to press against his cheek.]
( The feeling is immediate: the contact of her hand against his skin, the buzzing of serotonin in his head. How long had it been since he felt like this? The days he'd felt happy since his arrival had been few and far between. Instinctively, his arms wrap around Iri's waist, pulling her against his sturdy frame. )
I'm happy to see you too, Iri.
( Said, lifting a hand to thread into her hair, slanting his head to rest against her shoulder, nearly wanting to cry. )
( When Irisviel arrives, she'll find a pair of weary eyes greeting her behind the counter. Not that Kiritsugu stays there for long, feet shuffling against the floorboards as he makes to exit the bar, and immediately moves to circle his arms around Iri's shoulders, holding her against his chest, as though he were giving her some sort of apology. )
I've reserved the private room. We should move there.
[Literally everything about this is making her more and more nervous. From his expression to the way he hugs her, he's clearly acting the way he does when he has unpleasant news to share and he's trying to both soften the blow for her and steady himself for the coming conversation.
Which means that yes, privacy is probably for the best. Neither of them is going to want anyone seeing them in a few minutes.]
( He lingers for a moment longer as he holds Iri in his arms, before finally dropping his arms to his side, reaching out to take her hand into his own, beckoning her to follow.
Once there, he slides the door open with one hand, leading Iri inside of the room behind him, until he abruptly lets go-- if only to pull out a chair from the table in front of her. )
Order anything you like. ( This goes without saying, but right now, he needed to be extra attentive. ) I'll make sure you're taken care of.
I'm not sure I have much of an appetite right now...
[Seriously, the longer this drags on the more worried she gets. Just what does he have to tell her? And why did he wait this long to bring it up? Both of those thoughts are the exact opposite of comforting.
She does decide to just get a cup of chai tea to keep her nerves calm... or at least try to.]
Darling, I should warn you that if you keep me in suspense much longer, I'm liable to start clawing at the furniture.
[See it's funny because he named a cat after her. Funny, right? Haha?
( He can feel it, the uncomfortable, burgeoning warmth growing in his chest, not unlike the times he's around his wife. In some ways, he could call this boy a kindred spirit: someone who has experienced the absolute worst humanity has to offer, and despite everything, still felt driven to fight for a better world. That had been his own goal, had it not? Humanity's salvation: a shining utopia without suffering or conflict. For as disillusioned as he'd become, a part of him wanted to cling to that hope. )
I see. It's not quite the same, but my own wife is a homunculus. Her family never saw her as anything more than magical vessel. It wasn't until I stepped in that she had any modicum of protection. I think you ought to meet her. You may find some common ground.
( ...Ah. He had to confess, he truly despises describing Irisviel in these terms. She'd come so far from being the listless doll he'd been introduced to all those years ago. Having helped instill a sense of purpose and self within her. )
A homunculus is an artificial human created by using organic matter in tandem with magecraft. They share many commonalities with humans, but are often crafted to be more durable and act as powerful containers for magic. Because of this, they are often treated as subhuman or as tools for their masters, and are not often given personalities of their own. I remember being angry after learning this. The idea that anyone would create a sentient being without giving them a sense of self is abhorrent to me.
( There were many times he considered running away with Irisviel or killing the head of the Einzberns. She'd urged him not to, and go along with the Einzberns plans for the grail instead. For as much as he hated the thought, he respected her decision. One made, no doubt, to give her painfully short life some meaning. )
But, it sounds as though you have a good head on your shoulders. Humans are not monolithic. They all come from differing walks of life, and bring a wide array of experiences to the table. I wish you luck with your goals. You sound very noble at heart. Oni are merely a thing of legend in my world. But I think you have good reason to be proud.
not gonna lie, dude, all of that sounds really unethical
[ but also, he has a hard time following.. still. But the topic changes and, yes, he's very proud of his lineage! ]
haha thanks man! you're super nice.. i get blamed for a lot of stuff back home 'cause i guess i've been told im a lil rowdy.. but i win everything i take fair and square!
( Well. This is inopportune. It feels as though several months have passed, but he's only been gone for a second. What the hell? Kiritsugu makes his way towards the bed of their hotel room, and just. Collapses. )
Iri.
( He feels like there's a migraine coming on, and yet. )
I think I know the identity of our mystery Archer.
[Just a moment ago he'd headed out to prepare things for their plans for this trip, and all of a sudden he stumbles in looking like he's been out on a week-long mission. Irisviel stares at him in utter confusion and worry.
Both of which only get worse when he opens his mouth.]
I... I'm sorry dear, what did you say?
[Did he have some sort of flash of inspiration in the short time she hasn't seen him? What is going on?]
( It happened like a flash. The sudden queasiness tainting his face, the sound of dial-up noises playing in his mind and the resulting pounding of his head. If Iri were to take a closer look at his face, Kiritsugu physically does not look well.
None of this seems to matter to him, though, as evidenced by his capacity to carry on with what he intended to say. )
LILITH.. saw fit to patch in my memories.
( He hopes saying that much should give Iri an idea of his sudden affliction. )
I saw him, about a week ago. ( There's a gasp in between his words as he sputters, attempting to catch his breath. ) Carrying Avalon.
( Which, at the time made no sense to him. After all, how would he been able to obtain if if not from one of them, or being King Arthur, himself? )
Fuyuki, there was a fire. I found a child amid the rubble, and implanted Avalon in his chest. Iri, he's my son.
( The timing of this revelation may be less than ideal. )
[It's hard to tell if he looks more like he hasn't slept in days, or he's coming down with something, but either way she's tempted to redirect their conversation to that.
Right up until he explains himself.]
Oh...
[Well, that's something she won't have to worry about. Ever.]
Avalon? [Her eyes widen. She's as shocked as he no doubt was. But of course he keeps going, and her jaw falls open in utter disbelief.]
I... What? A fire? At the end of the War, you mean? And you... took in a survivor?
[Well, that actually makes a certain amount of sense, especially if it was a child, but she's also been roundhouse'd upside the head with several sudden shocks, so she's stuck staring at him as she tries to absorb all of that for a moment.]
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synflux2024-02-20 07:43 pm
🌹Yor; Valentine's date 02/14
Iri had always been so easy to please, after all. He could bring her books and movies, or buy her a car, and she'd be impressed with him no matter what. As for Maiya? She had few personal hobbies of her own, but always appreciated sweets or a new gun. Yor, however, he barely knew. Yes, he believed her to be charming and kind, yet had no reference for what she liked. It all felt stuffy, aloof.
Still, he inhales deeply, gifts in hand, reaching out to knock against her door. )
shows up late with dutch bros
She's usually not one to wear makeup, but she has applied a little around her eyes and has a nice dress for the occasion. She nearly drops the lipstick she's trying to apply when the knock sounds at the door, and she foregoes wearing it to answer instead. ]
Good evening! You're right on time!
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But he recovers swiftly, extending the aforementioned gifts out to where Yor could reach. )
For you.
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Oh, how lovely! Thank you Kiritsugu. [ She steps back some so she's no longer blocking the entry. ] I'm almost done. Please come in.
[ Yor's room isn't decorated lavishly, but the taste in decor she's chosen to add is certainly a far cry from the rest of Neo Tokyo's aesthetic. Floral print curtains, a richly red rug underneath the four poster bed made of rich, dark wood, and near the bed sits a vanity, a desk, a desk chair, and a dresser made from the same lacquered wood. An armchair, also decked out in a floral design, rests comfortably near the bedside table, and the lamp on the table has the same floral print as the curtains. Not a speck of dust can be seen anywhere, and the bed's pink spread doesn't have so much as a single crease in the pillow cases or blanket.
Yor sets the box down on the desk, but the bouquet goes right into a vase she's set on top of the dresser. Right next to two cat statues she's set to face one another. ]
There we are. Gorgeous!
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Not unlike him, really.
A soft smile twinges as the corners of his lips, as he watches her arrange the bouquet into the vase. He put quite a bit of effort into picking them out for her, so to know she appreciated the gesture was reassuring, like he could feel the heat rising up in his chest...
Weird. )
I'm glad you like them, Yor.
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🍜 Hanabi Interviews; 2/28
u kno why I'm here
She opens the door to the izakaya as if she owns the place, but really, that's just her usual arrogance shining through. He said the interview was basically a formality, right? ]
Hey, Emiya? You in?
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He's also finding himself to be a little nervous, which isn't a feeling he often ever gets. Mostly because from what he's read, job interviews are all about knowing what to say, and talking is not a skill he's ever had. He slips in through the door quietly.]
Excuse me. I'm here for an interview?
🪻 Irisviel; 03/01
I'm making space for you in my dorm. Meet me in the Revelation wing, room: 015.
( Since he was aware Irisviel had made it to the city, he'd been making an active effort to clean up his door. Though he necessarily wouldn't consider it unclean by any stretch, he couldn't help but feel he'd become sloppy, be it forgetting to empty his ashtrays or living out of clothes in a hamper. That was about to change, starting today, starting by discarding the half empty carton of cigarettes into the nearby wastebasket, soon followed by the ashtray.
He knew his wife didn't appreciate his habit, and even quit for 10 years before the Grail War. For her, he'd do it again.
Meanwhile, his fluffy white cat, Iri, had hopped onto the newly made up bed, gnawing on a toy catnip mouse between her paws, as Kiritsugu brought the hamper of clothes and clutch of hangers next to his bed, beginning to hang them, properly. )
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[Easily the most relieving news she'd found since arriving in this city was the discovery that her husband was, in fact, here with her, and had been for a couple of months. Having spent some time believing she'd have to adapt to this strange world on her own, Irisviel had nearly jumped for joy when she'd discovered she was wrong.
Thankfully, the place is well mapped out, and she has no trouble following the signs along to the correct wing. She wonders if they'll be able to stay together, or if the situation here will keep them in separate living spaces. It certainly wouldn't be the first time, but the idea does still cast a cloud over the otherwise joyful news.
Well, no matter. One way or another they'll figure it out. Finally she finds herself standing in front of the door to room 015. She reaches out to try the handle without really thinking about it, only to find it locked. Unsurprising, really, anyone could have come by before her. She quickly lifts her hand and taps it on the door.]
Kiritsugu, love? It's me.
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Just a moment, darling.
( He hadn't expected her to arrive so soon. He thought he'd have more time. And in his rush, grabs the can of air freshener, dispersing the scent across the room in an (poor) attempt to mask the scent of smoke. He wanted her to be comfortable.
Finally, he makes it to the door, rattling the knob in a frenzy to unlock. )
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It turns and opens, and she's greeted with the haggard-looking face of her beloved. Immediately a bright smile breaks out across her face, and she moves forward without hesitation to lift a hand up to press against his cheek.]
Kiritsugu... oh, I'm so glad to see you.
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I'm happy to see you too, Iri.
( Said, lifting a hand to thread into her hair, slanting his head to rest against her shoulder, nearly wanting to cry. )
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Sorry for the dely, I got busy. kdfsjhgjkdf
Same.
And now I am become death, destroyer of back.
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🪻 Irisviel; TDM, 04/26
Iri.
( When Irisviel arrives, she'll find a pair of weary eyes greeting her behind the counter. Not that Kiritsugu stays there for long, feet shuffling against the floorboards as he makes to exit the bar, and immediately moves to circle his arms around Iri's shoulders, holding her against his chest, as though he were giving her some sort of apology. )
I've reserved the private room. We should move there.
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Which means that yes, privacy is probably for the best. Neither of them is going to want anyone seeing them in a few minutes.]
Alright. Lead the way then, love.
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Once there, he slides the door open with one hand, leading Iri inside of the room behind him, until he abruptly lets go-- if only to pull out a chair from the table in front of her. )
Order anything you like. ( This goes without saying, but right now, he needed to be extra attentive. ) I'll make sure you're taken care of.
( He always does. )
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[Seriously, the longer this drags on the more worried she gets. Just what does he have to tell her? And why did he wait this long to bring it up? Both of those thoughts are the exact opposite of comforting.
She does decide to just get a cup of chai tea to keep her nerves calm... or at least try to.]
Darling, I should warn you that if you keep me in suspense much longer, I'm liable to start clawing at the furniture.
[See it's funny because he named a cat after her. Funny, right? Haha?
Something please break this tension.]
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cw: spousal abuse, special no thanks Gen Urobuchi.
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👹 Itto; TDM, 04/26
( He can feel it, the uncomfortable, burgeoning warmth growing in his chest, not unlike the times he's around his wife. In some ways, he could call this boy a kindred spirit: someone who has experienced the absolute worst humanity has to offer, and despite everything, still felt driven to fight for a better world. That had been his own goal, had it not? Humanity's salvation: a shining utopia without suffering or conflict. For as disillusioned as he'd become, a part of him wanted to cling to that hope. )
I see.
It's not quite the same, but my own wife is a homunculus.
Her family never saw her as anything more than magical vessel.
It wasn't until I stepped in that she had any modicum of protection.
I think you ought to meet her.
You may find some common ground.
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[ the rest kind of goes over his head, sorry Kiri. ]
i just think peoples differences shouldn’t divide people!!! but it’s been like that with my family like forever because we are oni.
im proud of what i am anyway! 🌟
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A homunculus is an artificial human created by using organic matter in tandem with magecraft.
They share many commonalities with humans, but are often crafted to be more durable and act as powerful containers for magic.
Because of this, they are often treated as subhuman or as tools for their masters, and are not often given personalities of their own.
I remember being angry after learning this.
The idea that anyone would create a sentient being without giving them a sense of self is abhorrent to me.
( There were many times he considered running away with Irisviel or killing the head of the Einzberns. She'd urged him not to, and go along with the Einzberns plans for the grail instead. For as much as he hated the thought, he respected her decision. One made, no doubt, to give her painfully short life some meaning. )
But, it sounds as though you have a good head on your shoulders.
Humans are not monolithic.
They all come from differing walks of life, and bring a wide array of experiences to the table.
I wish you luck with your goals.
You sound very noble at heart.
Oni are merely a thing of legend in my world.
But I think you have good reason to be proud.
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[ but also, he has a hard time following.. still. But the topic changes and, yes, he's very proud of his lineage! ]
haha thanks man! you're super nice.. i get blamed for a lot of stuff back home 'cause i guess i've been told im a lil rowdy.. but i win everything i take fair and square!
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🪻 Irisviel; Vegas trip, 05/15 for canon update stuff
Iri.
( He feels like there's a migraine coming on, and yet. )
I think I know the identity of our mystery Archer.
( Fuk u LILITH. )
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Both of which only get worse when he opens his mouth.]
I... I'm sorry dear, what did you say?
[Did he have some sort of flash of inspiration in the short time she hasn't seen him? What is going on?]
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None of this seems to matter to him, though, as evidenced by his capacity to carry on with what he intended to say. )
LILITH.. saw fit to patch in my memories.
( He hopes saying that much should give Iri an idea of his sudden affliction. )
I saw him, about a week ago. ( There's a gasp in between his words as he sputters, attempting to catch his breath. ) Carrying Avalon.
( Which, at the time made no sense to him. After all, how would he been able to obtain if if not from one of them, or being King Arthur, himself? )
Fuyuki, there was a fire. I found a child amid the rubble, and implanted Avalon in his chest. Iri, he's my son.
( The timing of this revelation may be less than ideal. )
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Right up until he explains himself.]
Oh...
[Well, that's something she won't have to worry about. Ever.]
Avalon? [Her eyes widen. She's as shocked as he no doubt was. But of course he keeps going, and her jaw falls open in utter disbelief.]
I... What? A fire? At the end of the War, you mean? And you... took in a survivor?
[Well, that actually makes a certain amount of sense, especially if it was a child, but she's also been roundhouse'd upside the head with several sudden shocks, so she's stuck staring at him as she tries to absorb all of that for a moment.]