[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.]
[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?
[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.
[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?
[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.]
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.
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?
(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.
[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.
[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.]
[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.]
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?]
[His highness is, without a doubt, pleased by Tokiomi's service as tour guide. Ignoring the stares he's getting (Because even in Australia, "tall, loud blonde with bizarre fashion" draws its own share of attention), he flits from store to store, commenting on the clothes, the jewelry, the electronics -- he even pauses to examine a Nintendo DS before giving Tokiomi an expectant look]
I do not suppose your people make habit of paying tribute to royalty.
[He follows, casually preening over his success. Yes, this Master is more certainly acceptable. For the moment, Gil feels at ease about the strange affection he feels for Tokiomi.]
[The king graciously accepts the gift, though seems like there's no need to paint the thing. He's sparkling over the box alone.]
I will be waiting. It was a true disappointment to be called back to the throne without laying hands on this device!
[In his distracted pleasure, he forgets his restraint and speaks of the last time he was summoned. It's a perfectly natural motion, something that's become a part of him.]
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streetwalkers2013-05-04 05:27 am
no subject
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.]
no subject
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?
no subject
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.
no subject
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?
no subject
[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.
no subject
[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.]
no subject
[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.
no subject
[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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
As such he's cautiously cheerful as he follows Gil up the stairs.]
I wouldn't dare. Where would you like to go?
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[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?]
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Which way depends on if you want food or trinkets.
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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]
no subject
[And off we go to the nearest shopping district YEAH!!]
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I do not suppose your people make habit of paying tribute to royalty.
[Yes, he wants it]
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[He's amused, and he lets it show. Gil's different now for sure, but it's easy to see the boy he knew in this troublesome man.]
What colour do you think suits you best?
no subject
[Hear that, Nintendo? He's criticizing you]
Still, this once I will allow my curiosity to trump my choosiness. Silver will suffice.
no subject
[Either way, he's heading in to buy his Gil a present.]
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Then I will allow you to do so.
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[Shortly he is in possesion of a silver DS, which he presents to Gil.]
We'll have it altered in a few days.
no subject
I will be waiting. It was a true disappointment to be called back to the throne without laying hands on this device!
[In his distracted pleasure, he forgets his restraint and speaks of the last time he was summoned. It's a perfectly natural motion, something that's become a part of him.]
no subject
[Honest? Yes. There is true affection on his face.]