Tohsaka Tokiomi (mini!) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
weddingcupcake) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
streetwalkers2013-05-04 05:27 am
weddingcupcake) wrote in streetwalkers2013-05-04 05:27 am
...Master -- you've done well...
[He drapes his arms around his Master and lets him cry. Gilgamesh had counted on cruelty and hardship for the both of them, but he never once thought to question Tokiomi's ability or resilience. His Master had proved worthy from the beginning, and that sense of acknowledgement has become an undeniable affection, the sort that he imagines he'd only be capable of in this younger body of his.
In his down time, he's meditated on the sort of person he knows he became -- he can't call the result good or bad, but it's something he doesn't wish to see his Master duplicate. The modern world does not strike him as well-equipped to handle many great yet cruel men (indeed, it barely weathered his older self), and so he'd prefer Tokiomi to remain as he is now, kind and noble. The loneliness, in this case, is fixable, and Gilgamesh has set his mind to aiding in that.]
[He drapes his arms around his Master and lets him cry. Gilgamesh had counted on cruelty and hardship for the both of them, but he never once thought to question Tokiomi's ability or resilience. His Master had proved worthy from the beginning, and that sense of acknowledgement has become an undeniable affection, the sort that he imagines he'd only be capable of in this younger body of his.
In his down time, he's meditated on the sort of person he knows he became -- he can't call the result good or bad, but it's something he doesn't wish to see his Master duplicate. The modern world does not strike him as well-equipped to handle many great yet cruel men (indeed, it barely weathered his older self), and so he'd prefer Tokiomi to remain as he is now, kind and noble. The loneliness, in this case, is fixable, and Gilgamesh has set his mind to aiding in that.]
Edited 2013-05-22 11:25 (UTC)
I trusted him. I thought he was helping, but he was just toying with me all along! I should have let you kill him, but I couldn't...
[This is a moment nine years in the making. Tokiomi is 21 now, and after single-mindedly ignoring first Kiritsugu and then Waver's warnings (and eventually convincing Waver to supervise and help), the moment of truth is here. The magic circle for the Holy Grail has been destroyed, and bits of the components have been recycled and modified with dedicated research until a spell to materialize a Heroic Spirit's true self has been created.
With this, a real hero can be reborn. With this, that hero might remember previous full summonings such as have only been accomplished by the Grail War before. The downside -- the thing that makes this spell ridiculous and impractical and likely to be banned in the future -- is that there's no way to directly control a heroic spirit revived this way. It could cause a massive disaster if things are done incorrectly.
Still, the basement of the house in London isn't much different than the basement of the house in Fuyuki. It's the same dim light, the same scent of old paper and magic. And when the smoke clears, Gil's being stared at with the same wide blue eyes, determined but full of both nervousness and hope.]
With this, a real hero can be reborn. With this, that hero might remember previous full summonings such as have only been accomplished by the Grail War before. The downside -- the thing that makes this spell ridiculous and impractical and likely to be banned in the future -- is that there's no way to directly control a heroic spirit revived this way. It could cause a massive disaster if things are done incorrectly.
Still, the basement of the house in London isn't much different than the basement of the house in Fuyuki. It's the same dim light, the same scent of old paper and magic. And when the smoke clears, Gil's being stared at with the same wide blue eyes, determined but full of both nervousness and hope.]
[He's never been summoned like this before - it's a gauche process, really, a power that yanks him from his place at the throne without his assent. Still. Still. Someone has called, and he cannot ignore the fact that he would have agreed to answer anyways.
What a fearless summoner this must be! What a blasphemous man, to assume he'd have the king's approval!
Somehow, Gilgamesh is curious - it abates the anger, at the very least. It makes the situation a bit more palatable. And when the smoke clears, when he sees the face of the Master who called, he feels an unfamiliar twinge in his gut. Familiarity? Gratitude? He does not know the latter word, not well enough to call it forth properly in his mind, so he simply glares down at the man, confused and disapproving.
For all the knowledge the throne can bestow upon him, it does not distribute the names of Masters freely - that's something that must be exchanged properly by one's own choosing. Still, Gilgamesh knows this man's face and can speak his name.]
...Tohsaka Tokiomi. What foolishness possesses you to call me here?
What a fearless summoner this must be! What a blasphemous man, to assume he'd have the king's approval!
Somehow, Gilgamesh is curious - it abates the anger, at the very least. It makes the situation a bit more palatable. And when the smoke clears, when he sees the face of the Master who called, he feels an unfamiliar twinge in his gut. Familiarity? Gratitude? He does not know the latter word, not well enough to call it forth properly in his mind, so he simply glares down at the man, confused and disapproving.
For all the knowledge the throne can bestow upon him, it does not distribute the names of Masters freely - that's something that must be exchanged properly by one's own choosing. Still, Gilgamesh knows this man's face and can speak his name.]
...Tohsaka Tokiomi. What foolishness possesses you to call me here?
[He can't say he was expecting a joyful reunion. He was afraid it wouldn't be a reunion at all, really. He could have gotten something wrong and ended up with a monster, or a Gilgamesh that didn't remember a thing.
A bad attitude on revival is well within the acceptable limits -- especially considering he seems to have gotten the older version this time. Even with the insult, hearing his name come out of Gil's mouth causes relief and a wash of other complicated emotions to hit his face. His legs threaten to go out from under him, but he won't let them. He knows he has to be as strong now as he was back then if he's going to have any kind of positive result.]
It was you who taught me to answer to my true desires.
A bad attitude on revival is well within the acceptable limits -- especially considering he seems to have gotten the older version this time. Even with the insult, hearing his name come out of Gil's mouth causes relief and a wash of other complicated emotions to hit his face. His legs threaten to go out from under him, but he won't let them. He knows he has to be as strong now as he was back then if he's going to have any kind of positive result.]
It was you who taught me to answer to my true desires.
[It's all still hazy in his mind - like trying to peer through a dense fog, he can make out the shapes of memories in his mind, ones formed in this era, with this Tokiomi who now stands before him. He recalls praising this man, loving this man in a manner that he had only considered appropriate for Enkidu, his friend, his equal. All at once he wants to run Tokiomi through for daring to intrude on the place reserved for only the dearest, the most precious, but a heaviness in his stomach stays his hand.
Somehow, he's sorry. Somehow, he regrets leaving too soon. Somehow, he knows he considered this Tokiomi is as strong and brave and worthy a man as Enkidu, and the thought of losing one such as him is a frightening prospect.
Gilgamesh doesn't understand it entirely, not yet, and so he can only mask his confused rage with annoyance and his offense with haughtiness.]
So you heed my teachings and treat me as your dog all the same - I must know, mongrel, what forced your hand?
Somehow, he's sorry. Somehow, he regrets leaving too soon. Somehow, he knows he considered this Tokiomi is as strong and brave and worthy a man as Enkidu, and the thought of losing one such as him is a frightening prospect.
Gilgamesh doesn't understand it entirely, not yet, and so he can only mask his confused rage with annoyance and his offense with haughtiness.]
So you heed my teachings and treat me as your dog all the same - I must know, mongrel, what forced your hand?
It isn't the same as before.
[He sighs, holding back any reaction to the change in personality. He knew this was likely. He studied hard, and he prepared for this eventuality. Even if it stings, he knows he can't ask for anything else.
What he can do is present both hands to Gilgamesh, to show conclusively that there is no command spell. His smile is forced, but it's gentle.]
This time, your life and body are your own. I've worked all this time to make sure of it.
[He sighs, holding back any reaction to the change in personality. He knew this was likely. He studied hard, and he prepared for this eventuality. Even if it stings, he knows he can't ask for anything else.
What he can do is present both hands to Gilgamesh, to show conclusively that there is no command spell. His smile is forced, but it's gentle.]
This time, your life and body are your own. I've worked all this time to make sure of it.
And so there is nothing to keep me from rending you limb from limb if I so chose. There are few men who would dare call upon me knowing that.
[He takes several steps forward, an action both threat and confused feint. There is a reason for this bravery, and Gilgamesh knows it. The answer is in a remembered kiss, in the fear of uncertainty and the determination to serve a Master he treasured dearly. He was smaller then, more foolish, more... more...
It's something he can't put into words. His childhood is, almost without exception, easily forgotten, readily brushed off. He has no fondness for the days he spent as a willing servant of the gods, foolish in an earnestness that only youth possess; if he was such a person in the company of this man, then surely he is no different from the impotent fools who called forth the Bull of Heaven.
Surely Tohsaka Tokiomi is the same, a man too arrogant, wielding power too great for him.
There is no cause for regret. No reason to apologize for failing. No point in remembering how he felt pride for this man, even as his own body was eaten away.
He will take the offering of an incarnation and make it his own. He will leave this man as a show of mercy and not look back. He refuses to imagine why he would do otherwise.]
[He takes several steps forward, an action both threat and confused feint. There is a reason for this bravery, and Gilgamesh knows it. The answer is in a remembered kiss, in the fear of uncertainty and the determination to serve a Master he treasured dearly. He was smaller then, more foolish, more... more...
It's something he can't put into words. His childhood is, almost without exception, easily forgotten, readily brushed off. He has no fondness for the days he spent as a willing servant of the gods, foolish in an earnestness that only youth possess; if he was such a person in the company of this man, then surely he is no different from the impotent fools who called forth the Bull of Heaven.
Surely Tohsaka Tokiomi is the same, a man too arrogant, wielding power too great for him.
There is no cause for regret. No reason to apologize for failing. No point in remembering how he felt pride for this man, even as his own body was eaten away.
He will take the offering of an incarnation and make it his own. He will leave this man as a show of mercy and not look back. He refuses to imagine why he would do otherwise.]
If that's what you really wish to do, I'll meet that fate without cowardice. My life is yours to do with as you will.
[He won't run. If Gilgamesh wants to kill him, there'd be no point in doing so anyway. He'll give himself, whether it means dying or anything else. It's Gil walking away and never coming back that scares him most. That would hurt so much he's not sure he could get back on his feet -- at least not for awhile. He knows his family wouldn't let him wallow forever, but he'd be tempted.]
I only ask that if you spare it, you let me use it to follow you.
[He won't run. If Gilgamesh wants to kill him, there'd be no point in doing so anyway. He'll give himself, whether it means dying or anything else. It's Gil walking away and never coming back that scares him most. That would hurt so much he's not sure he could get back on his feet -- at least not for awhile. He knows his family wouldn't let him wallow forever, but he'd be tempted.]
I only ask that if you spare it, you let me use it to follow you.
Oh? Your gesture is admirable - surely as King I could not refuse such an offer.
[Is it fear or respect that forces him to make such a pledge?
He's curious, enough to consent to sparing this life, and the show of submission quells his anger and allows him to, for the moment, forget about those troublesome memories. For now, everything is at it should be, just as the King of Heroes likes it.]
...Very well. If you will serve me, then this is my first order: show me the world I've been summoned into. I can only hope it is as pleasing as I recall.
[Is it fear or respect that forces him to make such a pledge?
(There is a third option, something called "love," that Gilgamesh will not consider)
He's curious, enough to consent to sparing this life, and the show of submission quells his anger and allows him to, for the moment, forget about those troublesome memories. For now, everything is at it should be, just as the King of Heroes likes it.]
...Very well. If you will serve me, then this is my first order: show me the world I've been summoned into. I can only hope it is as pleasing as I recall.
Edited 2013-05-25 09:39 (UTC)
[Gil might not remember clearly, but Tokiomi does. It's the memories of those two weeks, both horrible and wonderful, that have driven him ever since. He'll never know what kind of person he would have turned out to be without that incident, but with the seeds that Gil placed and Emiya Kiritsugu's big mismatched family nurtured, he's grown into someone he's sure that smaller Gilgamesh would be proud of.
The current Tohsaka Tokiomi is still a hard worker and still graceful. He's still the sort to bow to the man in front of him despite their past. But he's also the sort who lets himself feel (though he tries to be subtle about drying the tears that well up at hearing that same demand again). Most importantly, he isn't so terrified or disinterested at the prospect of going out.]
As you wish. The door is up the stairs and to your left.
The current Tohsaka Tokiomi is still a hard worker and still graceful. He's still the sort to bow to the man in front of him despite their past. But he's also the sort who lets himself feel (though he tries to be subtle about drying the tears that well up at hearing that same demand again). Most importantly, he isn't so terrified or disinterested at the prospect of going out.]
As you wish. The door is up the stairs and to your left.
[As a boy, he'd take the stairs two or three at a time - however many his legs would allow - and clamber outside to investigate. The world had been something worth hurrying for when he was too young to realize what a disgusting place it was.
Now it was his and going nowhere, because he hadn't commanded it to do so. He's more languid now, in an arrogant, deliberate sort of way, and clearly far too accustomed to being pampered and feared.
The door is shoved open carelessly, and Gilgamesh glares down at Tokiomi, impatient.]
Do not make me wait.
Now it was his and going nowhere, because he hadn't commanded it to do so. He's more languid now, in an arrogant, deliberate sort of way, and clearly far too accustomed to being pampered and feared.
The door is shoved open carelessly, and Gilgamesh glares down at Tokiomi, impatient.]
Do not make me wait.
[He's perfectly willing to pamper Gilgamesh. He isn't afraid of him, though. As formidable as this version is, he's still a form of the bright and eager boy that saved Tokiomi in innumerable ways, taking only his first kiss (and, truthfully, his heart) as payment.
As such he's cautiously cheerful as he follows Gil up the stairs.]
I wouldn't dare. Where would you like to go?
As such he's cautiously cheerful as he follows Gil up the stairs.]
I wouldn't dare. Where would you like to go?
Certainly there is a marketplace you could show me. Do your best to not leave me bored.
[Behind his casual, demanding presence is a bit of curiosity, a question that he wants answered: have you learned? Or did you forget while he was gone and remain frightened?]
[Behind his casual, demanding presence is a bit of curiosity, a question that he wants answered: have you learned? Or did you forget while he was gone and remain frightened?]
[They made it more than half a year. Tokiomi & Gilgamesh have continued and evolved their strange relationship despite the practical advice of outsiders (and family), and all seems to be going well.
That is, until the day Tokiomi goes out to the post office and comes back scuffed up, worn out -- and very, very ill. It's not that surprising that someone would want to annihilate the remainders of the families responsible for the Holy Grail. When one of them has been bordering on crossing the line into taboo, it's even more expected. But even though Tokiomi won that confrontation, it left him suffering under the effects of an unknown curse.
Three days later he's bedridden, feverish and in pain that mundane medicine doesn't help. Without being able to dispel the curse, it's almost certain his future is now shortened to days. A less stubborn individual could have passed already.
For Gil, it must be akin to a horrible flashback.]
That is, until the day Tokiomi goes out to the post office and comes back scuffed up, worn out -- and very, very ill. It's not that surprising that someone would want to annihilate the remainders of the families responsible for the Holy Grail. When one of them has been bordering on crossing the line into taboo, it's even more expected. But even though Tokiomi won that confrontation, it left him suffering under the effects of an unknown curse.
Three days later he's bedridden, feverish and in pain that mundane medicine doesn't help. Without being able to dispel the curse, it's almost certain his future is now shortened to days. A less stubborn individual could have passed already.
For Gil, it must be akin to a horrible flashback.]
Edited 2013-05-27 10:43 (UTC)
[He could not imagine something more terrifying than this - he, the king who had won every treasure known to man, had been unable to save the one man who had mattered most to him. And now, days away from enduring the same thing all over again, Gilgamesh is on edge. He knows from experience that denial is a pointless endeavor, but he has no knowledge of curses or magic and spends what time he thinks he can afford barking orders at Kariya and Shirou. Surely if they have even a tenth of Tokiomi's worthiness, they could find some means to dispel this thing.
As for himself? He is a constant fixture by Tokiomi's bedside as he attempts to maintain a facade of his normal personality. He grumbles in Tokiomi's direction, insults Kariya and Shirou's intelligences, and generally makes a nervous, babbling idiot of himself. He can only pretend to handle this well - the reality is quite the opposite]
...I cannot imagine what's taking so long this time. One would expect the command of a king to inspire greater haste.
As for himself? He is a constant fixture by Tokiomi's bedside as he attempts to maintain a facade of his normal personality. He grumbles in Tokiomi's direction, insults Kariya and Shirou's intelligences, and generally makes a nervous, babbling idiot of himself. He can only pretend to handle this well - the reality is quite the opposite]
...I cannot imagine what's taking so long this time. One would expect the command of a king to inspire greater haste.
[He takes a moment to consider this - surely as king he could have both. Still, he laughs and gives Tokiomi a smug sort of smile]
Surely I could care less for peasant's swill. I'd rather see what trinkets your people have to offer now.
[He never did get that gameboy]
Surely I could care less for peasant's swill. I'd rather see what trinkets your people have to offer now.
[He never did get that gameboy]
They're busy trying to solve it, you know.
[The last time Tokiomi complained about pain was when Kirei betrayed him. Since then, he's doubled his efforts to be calm and in control of himself at all times. He never makes a fuss about hardship, because it's always just a small obstacle in his pursuit of his wishes.
Even now, he does his best to be composed. He tosses and turns both in his sleep and in the delirious in-between state that's replaced the majority of "waking", but he never cries and never admits defeat. His breathing is ragged and shallow as a constant, and yet he grits his teeth through the worst pain and insists that he'll be fine. Of course it's a given that they'll figure it out. He can't accept impending death.
But occasionally he's hit with an episode that takes all his determination to weather. Waves of nausea and agony come at irregular intervals, each seeming worse than the last. His immovable elegance up to this point only makes it a sharper difference when the next one hits. He was reaching to give a reassuring touch, but it suddenly turns into gripping at Gil's sleeve, Tokiomi's face paling as he gasps and curls in on himself. This time, he can't help the drawn out whine -- or the hyperventilating that follows. All he can do is put his free arm over his face to try to hide the tears pricking at his eyes.]
[The last time Tokiomi complained about pain was when Kirei betrayed him. Since then, he's doubled his efforts to be calm and in control of himself at all times. He never makes a fuss about hardship, because it's always just a small obstacle in his pursuit of his wishes.
Even now, he does his best to be composed. He tosses and turns both in his sleep and in the delirious in-between state that's replaced the majority of "waking", but he never cries and never admits defeat. His breathing is ragged and shallow as a constant, and yet he grits his teeth through the worst pain and insists that he'll be fine. Of course it's a given that they'll figure it out. He can't accept impending death.
But occasionally he's hit with an episode that takes all his determination to weather. Waves of nausea and agony come at irregular intervals, each seeming worse than the last. His immovable elegance up to this point only makes it a sharper difference when the next one hits. He was reaching to give a reassuring touch, but it suddenly turns into gripping at Gil's sleeve, Tokiomi's face paling as he gasps and curls in on himself. This time, he can't help the drawn out whine -- or the hyperventilating that follows. All he can do is put his free arm over his face to try to hide the tears pricking at his eyes.]
And you said you'd leave the wish to me. You should know I'm unlikely to succeed without your participation.
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