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this is my united states of yuetsu

[It was a fascinating advantage, knowing whenever a servant materialized. Of course, the knowledge had been bestowed upon Kirei in faith that he would conduct himself in the unbiased manner that was expected of the war's mediator, but he had given up pretenses of behaving as expected quite some time ago. When a hilariously familiar spirit was summoned not far outside of Fuyuki, it was only natural for Kirei to give in to temptation and go pay that old friend a visit.

Stealing the command spells had been all too easy. A black key to the wrist from a safe, secreted away place. Another, just to be sure that hand had been severed, then a killing blow to the heart. Mages were arrogant, careless people, and if he hadn't decided that a surprise entrance would be worth his while, he would have taken the time to kill this one slowly and watch his ego shatter at the realization of what a defenseless thing he really was.

If he had summoned another spirit, Kirei wouldn't have even hesitated -- but at the moment, he was far more interested in the servant's reaction. It was strange that a naive, misguided man like Tohsaka Tokiomi had found his way to the Throne of Heroes, but Kirei was not one to scoff at a opportunity such as this.

When he finally steps into plain view, he's calm, undaunted by the presence of a servant. He has no reason to fear them, especially not this one, and with a calm smirk he plucks the torn, bloodied hand from the wall and smiles at Tokiomi.]

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another...do you believe those are words to live by, Tokiomi?

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[It's a bitter joke, this. There was no way he should have become any kind of hero, so the fact that his death left him set up like one had to be some mistake -- a glitch in the system, a cruel laugh for the World at his expense. And even funnier that he had, in a way, reached Akasha after all. Still, regardless of his reason for being there the floating, isolated non-existence of the Throne of Heroes hadn't been left to simmer nearly long enough.

It was another awful joke that someone actually ended up summoning him. A part of him wished not to show up at all, and he could have refused to appear had he really tried, but... there was something left that he wanted. Answers. Why was he here? Why was this even possible? And more, and further back, why had he died that way? He hadn't even had time to register it when it happened, but stewing for awhile made it a dimly conscious thought, and then a nagging worry. Had he not given his trust -- and indeed his love -- to Kirei? Had he not placed every faith in his student and treated him with utmost respect and pride? There was no reason for it, no honor, no elegance; just a shameful death and a betrayal that shook Tokiomi to the core.

So he answered the summons, and slipped straight into work mode. They'd begun to plan, to strategize, to figure out how best to make use of his admittedly paltry abilities, and for a few hours it seemed all was well, so long as he didn't think about the church...

Kirei's attack is sudden and his appearance entirely unexpected. Tokiomi hardly has a moment to move before that all too familiar voice draws his attention and makes him freeze as if he's turned to stone. For a moment, he's mentally and emotionally blank. But then the words sink in, "forgiveness" and "bitterness" and suddenly it all wells up at once, making his chest tighten painfully. Anger. Love. Hate. Betrayal. Frustration. Fear. Why does it have to be him? Why Kirei? Of all people, and of all things -- he can hardly think, focusing only on Kirei. Kirei, who he'd thought was his truest friend. Kirei, who he'd left his clueless family to. Kirei, who took everything away from him that day. Kirei. Kirei. KireiKireikireikirei --

For just a moment the look on his face is closer to that of a Vengeful Spirit than a Heroic Spirit. But then he clamps down on all of it, pulls himself together, and schools his expression into a stern frown.]

...Kotomine Kirei. What do you think you're doing?

[He extends a hand to Tokiomi. Well. Two hands. One of them isn't his, though. His eyes are fixed on Tokiomi, watching all those emotions play across the Servant's face with the utmost fascination. It's a horrific thing to realize, isn't it, Tokiomi? You don't know how Rin is right now, you have no idea how she's faring, and oh Kirei only hopes you're imagining the worst of scenarios. None of them are true, of course, Kirei had no reason to harm her, but Tokiomi doesn't know that. He never did know much.]

You know just as much about the Servant system as I do -- is it not obvious? Or are you simply too unwilling to accept the situation on your own, hoping that I'll deliver you an answer contrary to all evidence? If that's the case, I'm afraid that I must tell you the most obvious answer is, in fact, the truth. I came to claim a Servant for myself.

[Of course Kirei has no real use for Tokiomi. His usefulness pales in comparison to Gilgamesh or Lancer, and Kirei isn't about to place any hopes for the grail on Tokiomi's shoulders. It's simple personal desire that drives him now - he wants nothing more than to see the damage he dealt, to force Tokiomi to raise a hand against his own daughter, and perhaps even see what a man looks like when driven twice to tragic ruin.]

[He already knows he's got little chance. He's never lied to himself about his own abilities in that regard. His confidence in the fourth war was based on strategy and on the resources he could pull from his family's connections. As Caster, he has no illusions about his actual ability. If Kirei's looking to win this time, he should already be aware that he won't be able to do it with Tokiomi.

But that just makes this whole thing worse. Knowing that, then Kirei must have other motives. But why? Why did it end up this way, and why is Kirei here? He had to be targeting him specifically, but despite his need to answers Tokiomi isn't prepared to confront a Kirei who would do that.]

Don't mock me, Kirei. If the grail didn't choose you, you have no business interfering.

I assure you, master, if I meant to mock you, I would make my intentions more than clear.

[There's a sneer in his voice, and it's more than apparent]

And if you would like to debate the Grail's will, I have reason to believe it has more than a passing interest in me. You see, Tokiomi, it's chosen to call me back twice.

[He slides a sleeve up to reveal all those command spells. mmm gurrll them's some pretty fine command spells there. yea. and yeah he kinda cheated the second time but the grail didn't really argue so he figures he's in the clear.]

Once while you were still here with us, in the flesh, if I remember correctly. It was not something I desired, and wished dearly to separate myself from the war, but its call was persistent. And if it was so enthralled with a man such as myself, it would be a travesty to deny its invitation.

[Kirei doesn't sneer. Not the Kirei that Tokiomi remembers, anyway. It's completely out of character -- or maybe it isn't. Maybe things have changed that much. Maybe, just maybe, they were never the way he thought they were in the first place. There's just no way the righteous, obedient, practical Kirei he'd been so fond of could ever be the same person as this smug, arrogant man in front of him.

And he doesn't know how to handle it. The struggle between facing reality and desperately clawing for a way to deny it shows plain on his face. He doesn't want to let anything show, but the confusion and emotional turmoil are raging barely under the surface and threatening to overspill.]

It seems you've become an interesting man, Kirei. What will you do with those command spells you just stole?

I do wonder. I have little use for you in the war, of course, which means these spells are divorced from utilitarian or strategic concerns. The possibilities are endless and the aims only hedonistic.

[He pauses, studying the expression on Tokiomi's face]

Did you know? Rin received a seal and a servant.

[That doesn't sound promising. So Kirei did this just for his own pleasure? Tokiomi cant help but wonder if his death was the same.

The mention of Rin is distracting, though, and his hostility peeks through just a bit in his tone of voice.]

Of course. I had best find her to be intact, Kirei. Physically and mentally.

Edited 2012-08-03 02:55 (UTC)

Suspicious words from the man who trusted her well-being to me. But I did agree to care for her, did I not? It's neither in my nature nor my vocation to lie.

[He smirks, pacing in a vaguely circular path around Tokiomi. Yeah it's your turn to be on the receiving end of that baffling behavior]

At the moment, I'd venture to say that her continued well-being now relies less on my actions and more upon yours. I have few concerns regarding her emotional fortitude or her skill as a Master, but even the most stubborn of constitutions can be shaken by the appearance of a variable that had been previously unaccounted for.

I trusted you, Kirei. I wouldn't have left them to your hands if I'd known you're as treacherous as you are.

[The pacing that was elegant when he did it is creepy when it's being done to him. It makes him feel off-balance and frankly intimidated -- but concern for his family is more important than that.]

And it would be best if she never encountered me this way. You know that.

For the best, perhaps, but if she wished to achieve what her father could not, sacrifices would have to be made, wouldn't they?

[Kirei's enjoying himself far too thoroughly, and thinks nothing of using all that he knows about Tokiomi to make him squirm. To be honest, he bears no ill will towards the other man, and resisted the notion of betraying him for as long as his own mind could manage. But there were (and still are) questions that needed answering -- he's sure if Tokiomi knew, he'd understand. He's acquainted with the notion of sacrifice, after all.]

Perhaps that is all my treachery was in the end. A price that had to be paid for my own sake.

If that was so, you wouldn't be here for "hedonistic" reasons.

[He frowns deeply, keeping an eye on Kirei as much as possible without looking foolish.]

I didn't come here to win. I'll accomplish my goals and then I'll bow out gracefully. There's no reason for us to meet.

And what goals are those? You've already seen Akasha, have you not? What more is left?

It isn't any of your business. You may leave now, Kirei.

How uncouth. You should offer a token of gratitude to the man who helped you on your way.

Go away, Kirei.

[Kirei tsks a bit - mockingly, of course]

That elegant facade dissolved rather quickly. I do wonder what's deeper beneath that. As I have no intention of dissolving this contract, I'll have time to investigate, I suppose.

I suppose you will.

[But for now, Tokiomi's going to dematerialize and refuse to talk about it. He's too close to losing his composure entirely and doing worse than snapping at Kirei.]

[Guess who's slouched in one of the back pews of the church like a child who's been dragged to mass against his will?

If you guessed Gilgamesh, that answer is 100% correct. For the most part, he's content to let Kirei do as he pleases, as he's allowed the same freedom, but today he knows there might be another Servant returning to the church alongside Kirei. He's feeling rather territorial about this matter, as he did when Cu first appeared, though Cu's absolute unwillingness to be Kirei's servant smoothed that matter over rather quickly.

But this is a new presence, someone else that he has to assert his dominance over, and Gilgamesh won't waste a moment in doing just that. So yes, here he is, sulking and planning on being particularly aggressive today]

[For his part, he'd prefer to stay as far away as possible. He wouldn't have followed Kirei home at all, in fact, except that he doesn't want to make stupid mistakes again. He wants to know what Kirei is up to -- that's half the reason he answered that summons in the first place -- and that means hanging around at least enough to know what's being planned.

Still, he's acting as if he isn't there the whole way back home, and won't answer any attempt at communication from Kirei. Once they're in the church he intends to be the same, but then he stops, immediately noting the other presence in the room.

Why is he here? How is he here? Gilgamesh's presence is nearly as baffling as Kirei himself, and it makes Tokiomi's blood chill. Still, he's not going to approach. That would be idiotic.]

[Kirei retreats to his room almost immediately and gives Gilgamesh an entertained sort of smirk as he leaves - leaving Tokiomi to Gil's nonexistent mercies? Sounds pretty yuetsu.

As for Gil himself, the bad mood dissolves almost immediately when he realizes that, WELP THAT SURE IS TOKIOMI. He's on that shit like white on rice, hopping over the back of the pew like he's five years old to go gloat in Tokiomi's direction. He's silent for several uncomfortable moments before a smirk spreads across his face and he laughs]

Of all the fools to reappear! I wonder what the grail was thinking, calling a man like you to the throne of heroes! Was it in search of its own brand of amusement? Hah!

Perhaps it found something in my life worthy of remembering.

[Hell will freeze over before Tokiomi admits to Gilgamesh that he thinks his current existence is a mistake. He knows his legacy is little and his power was always mediocre, and to be honest he does wonder if this is the grail laughing at him. But he is a Tohsaka. He's a better magus than so many with more raw power than he, simply because his intentions are pure and his dedication to true magecraft is stronger than his dedication to himself. That's what gives a magus worth. That's what makes Tohsaka great -- there's more to it than simple numbers of magic circuits. Power and lineage is very important, of course, but one's hard work and unselfish scholarly mindset are even more deserving of pride.

So perhaps there's a very good reason he was chosen. To adhere strongly to what's right despite the world's degeneration and to die uncommonly young in a tragic betrayal -- maybe those things did add up to something the grail wanted. And if it really is a cruel joke, he'll make the best of it and not give in to shame or anger. He'll continue to be elegant even when faced with the men who turned on him in the first place.]

You must have lead a truly remarkable life before the war! It's a pity it ended on such a mundane note.

[he drapes an arm casually over Tokiomi's shoulder.]

Kirei was excited when you showed up, you know. He hardly had time to tell me what he was doing before he went to greet you.

Was he?

[It takes a lot of effort to keep his voice emotionless. Gilgamesh grated on him before, and it's already clear that he'll continue to do so. The difference is that before, Tokiomi had to carefully avoid irritating him as much as possible despite having a way to control the king of heroes at least briefly if necessary. Now he has no such control, but he also has no reason to brown-nose.]

You look a bit different than I remember. But you're the same King of Heroes, aren't you?

Any other man who lays claim to my name is a faker.

I meant you remember the last war. What did you do?

You should know as well as I, Tokiomi.

[A beat]

Or perhaps not -- Kirei sent you off to the other side before it was all over!

[Yeah, he finds that hilarious. Like, super hilarious, in his not-quite-balanced giggling and throwing his hands in the air sort of way]

You missed quite the finale. The whole city nearly burnt to the ground!

[Tokiomi's eye narrow, and his frown grows tighter. It had been his job to prevent that kind of public overflow. If Caster and his master hadn't been bad enough, Kirei and Gilgamesh allowing that sort of thing to happen is a downright insult.]

And you allowed that?

[Gilgamesh is terrible at reading the mood at best, but he learned long ago how to pick out Tokiomi's irritation and use it in his favor. He grins, a manic, infuriating little smirk.]

Kirei took the grail and it granted his wish. Perhaps if it was a boring result I would have put a stop to it, but the cup proved itself a worthy source of entertainment. Perhaps we'll get to see it again!

...Preferably, someone will see to it that you won't.

[Gilgamesh takes a few steps closer, less angry than entertained]

You say that as though we wished for what the grail gave us -- ah, that would make sense, wouldn't it? But it's not that simple, you know, it's much more interesting, rooted something you never grasped.

[He raises a hand, like he's considering lashing out, but instead he turns on his heel, back to Tokiomi, fearless.]

He never knew what he wanted. He still barely understands! The cup just delivered what it thought best.

[He stiffens a little, but doesn't otherwise flinch. Backing down too fast would be entirely inelegant, especially when the only reason to be careful with Gilgamesh now is for his own survival.]

Then someone who does know what they want will have to take it this time.

Such as? Yourself? That girl of yours? Please.

We shall see when the time comes.

[He laughs, a long, drawn out affair that starts as a giggle and spirals out of control from there. Leaning backwards, he falls into a pew and kicks his legs out, arms crossed over his chest]

That just means you don't know! Tell me Tokiomi, who else have you seen in this war that would be worthy of the grail? Kirei took care of your master as quickly as he took care of that girl from the Mage's Association! I've never seen such a pathetic group of mongrels in my life -- if you or the girl are more prepared than them, it means little to me!

Even if Tohsaka Rin did turn out to be below expectation, I doubt every Master involved is as low-caliber as the one that summoned me. The grail will choose more wisely than that.

You'd trust such an object?

[He scoffs -- he's seen that thing. He knows what's inside, though he won't let Tokiomi in on that secret for the moment. Kirei would be irate if he didn't get to see that reaction]

Have you not learned your judgement there leaves much to be desired?

Edited 2012-09-17 07:12 (UTC)

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this is my united states of yuetsu

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