"Talking"
'Thinking'
"Master/Servant Link"
Noble Phantasm
Chapter 17: Advice well given
Shirou released a sigh of exasperation as he finished up the repair. While he was expected to receive training from Archer in his magecraft, the jerk actually hadn't gotten around to doing it yet. Thus Shirou decided to continue with what little he had received from the card when he first...used it.
Structural analysis, besides making his job much easier, also held the added benefit of getting him used to the whole process. When Archer inevitably got around to training him in some capacity, he hoped to see that insufferable smirk falter just a little bit when the servant realised he wasn't as clueless as envisioned.
He could have gone to Luvia, although he had a sneaking suspicion she would ask for some form of payment in return for helping him learn the basics of magecraft. And he wasn't talking about the monetary kind.
Screwing the panel back onto the air conditioner, he let out a small smile of pride. He was getting the hang of this magecraft stuff.
His smile quickly fell from his face as he thought about his reason for doing it all. He hadn't lied when he said it was all for Illya's sake he would be a hero. Although he had left out certain details.
'Senpai.'
Certain details that Chloe was aware of now. He'd managed to find something of a kindred spirit in the girl, although considering what the held in common, he'd wished he hadn't. She probably wished the same.
He would be a Hero for Illya...if for no other reason than to make sure she never experienced anything close to what he had.
He was her older brother, so he'd protect her. From everything.
As far as Sakura came into that, it was true that he'd never spoken with her. Their only relation was through the card. That didn't mean he'd want to leave her to that, he wouldn't want something so horrible to happen to anyone.
But…
If Illya continued to delve into the world of Magecraft, she'd eventually encounter something like Zouken, or that shadow. He'd protect Illya from it.
Whatever it took.
He finished placing his tools away and looked up to the clock, it had taken less time than he thought to repair the air conditioner. It meant he was both getting better, and he still had some of his break left.
He'd probably speak with Illya, see how she was getting on with her day. Recent events had certainly taken their toll on his younger sister, and he suspected she'd need cheering up.
"Shirou!" The door behind him was flung open, accompanied by a demanding cry of his name. He jolted and snapped around, grabbing a wrench as he prepared to defend himself from his attacker.
Only to come face to face with Fujimura Taiga.
"Fujimura-Sensei?" Shirou blinked, allowing himself to relax slightly "What are you-"
"Where were you!?" The woman roared, a slightly frustrated tone to her voice as she marched into the room "I was running around all over the school trying to track you down!"
Now Shirou was thoroughly lost "You were...trying to find me?" he asked, rather slowly to make sure he wasn't mistaken.
"That's right buster!" The woman levelled an accusatory finger in his face, eyes narrowed and brows furrowed with an exaggerated frown "Why couldn't you be easy to find like Bow-cha-…" she coughed "I mean, Yumio-Sensei." she straightened herself out, crossing her arms "But we can discuss your illusive nature another time cousi- I mean, Shirou-kun...I mean Shirou-san."
Shirou's eyebrows had gotten further and further up his brow the longer her tirade had gone on, by the end of it they had virtually reached his hairline. "So." his eyes briefly darted to the side "You were looking for me?"
"Ah." Taiga snapped her fingers "Yes!" she then narrowed her eyes at him "You're Yumio-Sensei's cousin, right?"
Shirou nodded, their cover story being that Chloe and Archer were family cousins from overseas, now coming back to Japan.
"Good, good." She nodded, then bit her lip "Would you say you're...close?"
Shirou pursed his lips "We're...He's closer with Illya than me. Probably something to do with Chloe." not entirely a lie. He wasn't very good at that.
Taiga frowned momentarily before returning to a steely expression "I see." she leaned in slightly "I've got a very important question for you."
Shirou leaned back, nervous expression forming on his face at the unusually serious tone in her voice and her proximity to him "A-alright."
She nodded and leaned back "Does he...have a specific type of woman he's interested in?"
Shirou failed to register the question for several moments.
Then he did.
Then he blinked. Twice.
"I...beg your pardon?"
"Yumio-Sensei." She reiterated, now Shirou took a closer look at her, she was in-fact blushing quite heavily, nervously rubbing her hands together and occasionally looking off to the side. "I was wondering if I have been a little too aggressive and that was why he hasn't been receptive." she then shrugged at him "So I was wondering if you had any tips for me? I couldn't ask Chloe-chan because that would be horribly awkward."
'It's more awkward for me!' Shirou shouted in his mind, what he actually said was "But its not awkward to ask me?"
"Well, you're his cousin." She stated as if it was the obvious answer "That makes it okay."
'It really didn't!" He once again shouted in his own mind, the true identity of Archer not-withstanding.
Then Shirou hatched a plan. Irisviel had been continually harassing him about getting a girlfriend. It was a little unfair that Archer hadn't received similar treatment, and he was sure that the woman would be quite pleased with his matchmaking tactics.
It would probably also cheer her up, he hadn't meant to shrug off her concern but at the time he was still processing quite a lot of information, and he still was.
"Well." Shirou cleared his throat "I suppose I have some...tips."
"You seemed disturbed child." The baritone voice had Miyu jolt slightly "There is no reason for your fear, everything you disclose to me will remain in the strictest of confidence.
She'd initially wanted to flee from the man, but she couldn't actually bring herself to try and escape, thus she had, for lack of a better word, been caught up in the flow of meeting the school counsellor. And he'd ushered her into the room.
It was worse on the inside, although the man, Kotomine Kirei, made it all the more horrible to be in. Despite exuding no hostile presence at all, he carried with him, a certain pressure. Or rather, the complete lack of one. It was as if he was a void, his glassy eyes and passive expression doing little to dissuade the comparison.
Although she was here now, she may as well attempt to ask him. He was a counsellor for the school, and a priest. He had to have insight on something.
"M-my friend." She muttered, wincing at how quiet her words were. Although Kotomine appeared to hear them just fine.
"I see." Kotomine nodded "Those who are often considered your pillars of support can lead to mental fatigue." he raised an eyebrow "Are you experiencing such fatigue?"
Miyu blinked, then looked away for a few moments "She's...she's distracted recently."
"Ho?" The Priest turned his head to the side "So you feel as though you are being ignored?"
"No." Miyu shook her head "She's obsessing over something."
"Ah." The man leaned back into his chair "You are concerned for her well being, and are perhaps unsure as to how you may aid her?"
Miyu nodded "She…she wants to help someone."
Something passed through the Priests glassy eyes for a split second "Help someone? And do you disapprove?"
"No." She denied, the priest continued to stare at her. Her skin stared to feel as though it was itching the longer he looked down at her, as if he was looking right through her "...Yes."
"Why?" He asked, he didn't sound judgemental, just curious.
"Because they don't want her help."
"I see." Kotomine nodded his head "Your friend seeks to help someone who does not want or desire it...or perhaps, your friend seeks to help someone who does not desire her help." he titled his head "Which do you think it is?"
Miyu bit her lip for a few seconds, she assumed that Chloe wanted help from someone. Someone who could perhaps give her some purpose or someone to talk to, that was probably why she had disappeared into the kitchen with Archer while the others talked "The second one." she muttered "She hates Il- my friend."
"And this does not dissuade her?" The priest leaned forwards, resting his forearms on his desk "Or does she not realise."
"She does." Miyu found herself frowning "That's why I am concerned."
"I see. What would you propose?"
"That she doesn't help her." Miyu answered, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world "She doesn't want her help. So she shouldn't help her."
"Does anyone else wish to help her?"
"Yes." She answered, Shirou would probably want to. Perhaps Kiritsugu and especially Irisviel.
"Would she accept their help?" Shirou, perhaps. Kiritsugu and Irisviel? No. Chloe seemed to blame them a great deal, Irisviel more than Kiritsugu. Archer, couldn't actually help her. He had very little relation with her and she only seemed to recognise him because he was honest about his intentions towards her from the start. Openly admitting to being willing to kill someone probably wasn't the best place to form a relationship of helping someone.
Her answer must have shown on her face because Kotomine narrowed his eyes "I see there is a problem." he pushed his chair back and stood up "She does not wish for your friends aid." he slowly moved around the room, Miyu was slightly disturbed by how silent he was "But your friend appears to be the only one willing to aid her." he stopped, turning down and looking at Miyu "Tell me child, why does this concern you?"
"Because she'll get hurt." Miyu blurted out "She won't be able to help her and she'll get hurt by it."
"Oh?" Kotomine continued to pace around the room "How can you be so sure?" he asked "You seem rather certain she is doomed for failure." his lips curled into a slight frown "Surely, as her friend, you would have confidence that she would succeed."
Miyu felt her eyes widen slightly, before her face settled back into a frown "She won't."
"Why?"
"Because she can't." She argued back, voice raised "Because she'll keep getting hurt!"
"But she'll continue, regardless of pain?" He asked, although the way Miyu's eyes darted away guilty, he already got his answer "She seems dead set on this endeavour. Yet you want her to stop." the priest shrugged, gesturing to her "Who are you to say how the girl should use her time?"
"She shouldn't be doing something that will hurt her." Miyu snapped "And because she'll hurt her on purpose!"
Kotomine's eyes seemed to narrow slightly, mouth forming a thin line "Is it perhaps that you...do not wish the girl to be saved?"
Miyu froze on the spot for a few moments, eyes wide in surprise before she shook herself off "No." she stated, sternly "She...deserves help." she argued, although it seemed rather weak to her.
"Does she?" Kotomine's arms crossed behind his back, his tone more curious than accusatory "From your own account, she exhibits rather hostile behaviour towards someone who is only trying to help her. Surely, such a person does not deserve salvation."
"She…" Miyu went to argue, then bit her lip and looked to the side, her mind processing her thoughts on the matter. Despite everything, Illya hadn't actually done anything to earn Chloe's hatred. She could partially understand her animosity towards Irisviel, but Illya was basically a bystander during the whole affair.
"I see you are conflicted on the matter." Kotomine solemnly spoke "Then I shall ask you another question. Are you determined to save your friend from further abuse?"
"Yes."
"Even if she does not wish it?"
"Yes."
Kotomine frowned at her "And who are you to do this? You would force salvation upon your friend even though she does not wish it. In much the same way she is attempting to do to another."
Miyu looked down at her hands "Thats...that's different."
"It is not." Kotomine shut her down "In either scenario. Someone is being saved, against their own wishes. What right do either of you have to force salvation on another?"
The young girl continued to stare at her hands, the air around her starting to feel slightly chilly.
She, she wasn't like Illya. Illya was trying to help Chloe out of a sense of obligation towards her dream of being a Hero. Miyu wanted to help Illya because she was her friend. Although, Illya had already made it clear she wouldn't stop trying to save Chloe.
In much the same way that Chloe would probably continue to deny her offer of aid, and how Miyu would probably try to stop Illya from getting hurt.
"Perhaps you should search deeper, child." Kotomine urged her, sitting down behind his desk "Is it the act of saving a person against their will which disturbs you, or who is being saved?"
Chloe had repeatedly tried to hurt Illya. She'd openly tried to kill her the first moment they even met and she'd obviously done something to make her so downcast.
If…
If Chloe was so desperate to make Illya sad…
Then maybe she didn't deserve to…
Miyu abruptly stood up from her seat, face devoid of emotion. Kotomine watched her with a blank face as she marched towards the door.
"I hope you visit again, Miyu Edelfelt." Kotomine called out to her as she slammed the door behind her. Leaving a fleeting thought in her head as she walked through the corridors.
'When did I tell him my name?'
Irisviel sat in the living room, a large book rested on the kitchen table in front of her. Red eyes scanned each page, occasionally a smile played on her lips and a small laugh escaped from her throat as she turned each page.
She flicked over to the next page, eyes fixing themselves upon a specific section. She stared at it for what felt like moments before a voice distantly called out to her.
"Iri?" The woman blinked and looked up, seeing Kiritsugu staring down at her with his usual stony expression, although years of living with him allowed her to notice the hint of concern in his eyes, he looked down at the book she had been looking through before his attention returned to her "Is something wrong?"
"Do you remember that day?" She asked, pointing towards the photo album, Kiritsugu leaned over and stared down at the picture.
Illya's first trip to the beach, a small albino girl no older than five crying over a sand castle. Or what remained of one.
The corner of Kiritsugu's lip twitched upwards slightly "I remember a lot of crying that day."
Irisviel giggled "I also remember making a promise to help her build the biggest sandcastle on the beach, one that would withstand the tide of the ocean."
"I know." Kiritsugu sighed "It took us nearly three hours to build it." he shook his head, sitting down on the opposite end of the table "You didn't make it easier, harassing all those young girls who shot a glance in Shirou's direction."
"They were checking him out!" Irisviel crossed her arms and huffed "I could see it in their eyes! They were practically scanning his body!"
"...He was helping out at a cooking stall." Kiritsugu deadpanned "He was making their food, of course they were looking at him. How else were they going to order it?"
"I know these things, Kiri." Irisviel gave him a condescending smile "They wanted to eat something from that stall...and it wasn't necessarily the food."
Kiritsugu rolled his eyes "I remember Shirou having some choice words about it."
"Feh." Irisviel looked away "That boy doesn't know a thing about women. Despite being a lady killer." her eyes went back to the photo of Illya "She smiled so brightly when we showed her the castle…"
"She did." Kiritsugu nodded "...What's wrong?"
"...Am I a good mother?" She asked in a tired voice, eyes trailing up and looking somewhat glassy while tears began to gather their corners. "She was smiling so brightly when we finished at the beach...But...Chloe...She was there the whole time. I never even…" she sniffed, a bead of water dripping down her cheek.
"You couldn't have known." Kiritsugu assured her with a soft voice, or as soft as he could have managed.
"I should have." Irisviel scoffed "I was the one who- I was the one who did that to her. To both of them."
"You were just trying to protect her."
"Chloe doesn't feel very protected." Irisviel whimpered, leaning back into her seat "And she shouldn't. She's right...I was the one who hurt her."
Kiritsugu furrowed his brows, a complicated expression on his face. He wasn't good at emotional comfort, even in the recent years of his mellowing out he couldn't exactly call himself a personable individual. The fact of the matter was, he couldn't answer her question. She obviously wouldn't believe him if he said she was a good mother, but she would be destroyed if he told her she was a bad one.
Not that she was, she was still leaps and bounds ahead of Natalia, he did think of the woman as his mother, even if she was a money grubbing hedonist. Irisviel wasn't like that, with her exaggerated personality and her rather over involved nature, she was virtually the opposite of Natalia.
"You...made mistakes." Kiritsugu settled with, Irisviel looked into his eyes "You can't be a perfect mother, no one can. That doesn't make you a bad parent." he put on a self-depreciating smile "I don't think I'm a good father to either of our children."
Irisviel frowned "Kiri-"
"I'm not." He sighed "I'm barely around them. If it hadn't been for this whole incident with Archer, I probably wouldn't even be here. I'm not a role model for them either." his eyes glassed over, hollowing out "I think Archer is proof of that…" he muttered out in a defeated voice.
Irisviels eyes softened "You can't blame yourself for Archer."
"I should…" He whispered "All I ever wanted as a kid was to be a Hero. I couldn't do it. So he tried." his lowered his head into his hands "Oh, Iri…" his voice was hoarse "What did I do to him?" he sniffed "Shirou told me he didn't want to be a Hero...Damn it, I was so happy when he said that. Then I look at Archer...I can only see my failure Iri. He couldn't achieve it either." he looked up, Irisviel flinched, she hadn't seen Kiritsugu look so vulnerable in a long time "Now Illya wants to be one. I'm afraid Iri." tears streamed down his cheeks "I'm afraid she'll end up like Archer, and I won't be able to stop her."
The pair sat in silence for what felt like hours, the only sound to be heard was the occasional sniffle from either Kiritsugu or Irisviel.
"I-" Irisviel spoke up before cutting herself off, she remained quiet for a few more moments before letting out a sigh "I'm going to talk to Chloe." Irisviel affirmed to herself "She needs...We both need to speak openly about it. She deserves to know how much I've hurt her." she looked over to Kiritsugu "You should talk to Archer. I know you've been avoiding him."
"I-"
"Kiri." Irisviel spoke in a softer tone of voice "I see the way you send fleeting glances at him before turning away."
Kiritsugu stared at his wife for a few moments before he let out a breath and slumped his shoulders, a small smile playing on his lips "I never could hide anything from you."
"No." Irisviel shook her head, the corner of her lips curling up "You and Shirou are both honest in your own way."
The pair were jolted by a knock at the door. Kiritsugu made to get up before Sella's voice called out through the house.
"I shall see to the visitor." Moments later, the albino maid went for the entrance. The door opened up and she got a look at the visitor. She bowed her head slightly in greeting "Ms Maiya."
"Sella." The woman nodded back in kind "Are Kiritsugu and Madam Irisviel home?"
"They are." Sella stepped back, gesturing for Maiya to follow them, the pair shortly arriving into the living room.
"Maiya." Irisviel face split into a wide smile, swiftly rising from her seat and moving around the table towards the stoic woman "You should have told us when you'd arrive, we'd have picked you up at the airport." she spoke in a playfully chiding manner as she embraced the woman in a hug.
Maiya stood stock still as Irisviel hugged her, the only semblance of emotion was the corner of her lip twisting slightly upwards in a bare bones smile.
"I did not wish to trouble you, Madam Irisviel." Maiya replied as the albino woman released her "It was no concern to arrange for transportation myself."
"Mou!" Irisviel pouted and crossed her arms "You sound like Shirou."
"Shirou probably sounds like her." Kiritsugu snorted, both Shirou and Maiya had become somewhat kindred spirits, having both been saved in some capacity by Kiritsugu. Although it was no secret that they both competed for his attention whenever they were present at the same time.
Maiya turned to Kiritsugu nodding her head slightly, her lips morphing into a bare visible smile "Kiritsugu. Your message sounded urgent."
Kiritsugu's face went into his work mode, gesturing for Maiya to follow him.
Only to be stopped "No." Irisviel crossed her arms "We both know that Archer and Shirou will want to be present for this."
Kiritsugu flinched ever so slightly, Maiya frowned "Shirou?" she turned to Irisviel, a slightly raised eyebrow "I was unaware that he was now affiliated with the moonlit world." her head tilted ever so little in a confused manner "I am also unaware of an individual by the name of Archer."
Irisviel bit her lip "That...is a bit of a long story." she sighed "Shirou and Archer are somewhat recent developments. Illya is also involved now…" she gestured for Maiya to sit down, the woman paused and looked to Kiritsugu for confirmation. At his nod, she took a seat next to Irisviel.
"Well...as for what happened so far…"
Archer wiped the board down as he turned back to his class, most of the students packing up for the end of the day.
"I expect assignments to be turned in, on time, by next week." He reminded them, several students groaned at that although they quickly silenced themselves when Archer's silver orbs landed on them, hastily packing up their notes and quickly darting out of the classroom.
Archer rolled his eyes, returning to his desk and began sorting through his papers. He was expecting Rin to arrive shortly, where they would both meet with the local Church official in regards for the investigation in Zouken.
He suspected it was more a formality than anything else, the prospect of finding something incriminating within the Matou manor was highly likely, at which point Rin would likely utilize his aid, and that of the Church in the removal of Zouken. Illya would probably get involved, as would Shirou.
He'd been somewhat neglectful of the boy in recent days, primarily because he had been spending time training in basics with Kiritsugu.
Kiritsugu was the better of the two to learn anti-magi techniques at the moment. Although Archer would try to give him a basic rundown of his abilities, he wouldn't last against anyone of Zoukens calibre. But then again, he probably wouldn't need to.
There was a very good reason that Matou Zouken had done everything in his power to avoid drawing the attention of Church Executors.
The door to his left opened up, Archer's gaze flicked over to the entrance. He raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Fujimura-sensei." Archer greeted her, still looking at his desk "What can I help you with?"
The woman walked up to him, until she was infront of his desk and stared down at him with a curious expression "I thought you would have walked home with Chloe-chan?"
"She is walking home with her friends." Archer replied "Besides, its in her best interests not to intentionally seek out trouble right now."
"Well, I suppose when her father is a teacher." She muttered under her breath, Archer twitched slightly at the insinuation. The cover story was certainly believable.
"You wanted something I assume?" He asked, now looking up at her...and almost doing a double take at her skittish looking face. The woman was blushing up a storm and doing her level best to avoid looking at him.
"O-one moment." She held up a hand to him, then took in a deep breath before slapping her cheeks twice and slamming her hands down onto his desk, the table jolted causing one of his pen pots to spill. The blush from her face was gone, although there was a slight redness dusting her cheeks, her eyes were aflame with determination.
"Would you care to accompany me for coffee at some point?" She asked, Archer raised an eyebrow at her.
"As co-workers?" He guessed, the woman gave him a half-lidded response.
"Yes, as co-workers." She tilted her head to the side "I just think if we are going to work together in the future, we should at least get to know eachother, Yumi-sensei."
Archer sighed, leaning back in his chair and pinching the bridge of his nose "I suppose…" he muttered after a few moments "I haven't really had the opportunity to go out in a while." he crossed his arms and shrugged "A cup of coffee couldn't hurt."
Taiga beamed and took her hands off the desk, then placed them on her hip, grinning the whole while "I'll call you!" she called out to him as she ran out of the room, almost knocking Tohsaka over as she walked towards the classroom.
Rin did a double take at the Teacher, virtually skipping through the hall and giggling to herself like a young girl, before her eyes went back to Archer and an amused expression played on her face "I see Fujimura-sensei looks pleased."
"She invited me on an outing for coffee." Archer replied, standing up from his desk "I saw no reason to deny her."
"Ah." Rin nodded, lips still in a knowing smile "I see. A cup of coffee between co-workers?"
"She wants to get to know me better." The tanned man shrugged "Makes sense, considering we'll probably be working together for a while."
"Of course." Rin nodded along, mock affirmation on her face "No other reason."
Archer stared at her for a few moments, she was probably hinting at something unimportant "I assume you are here to bring me to your Church contact?"
"Contacts." Rin corrected, the smile falling from her face "Apparently its 'bring your child to work' day at the Church." she turned around, gesturing for him to follow her "And she's every bit his child."
Archer raised his brow at her comment before dismissing it "I assume this is a formality, and a call for his assistance should this investigation bare fruit?"
"Emiya-kun was quite clear with his description of Zouken." Tohsaka huffed as the pair walked through the hallways "Even if he isn't an amalgamation of worms, Executors are quite skilled at dealing with Magi." she gave Archer a glance over her shoulder "Add onto that a Servant and the Magus Killer." she trailed off, turning back "Its more for my Fathers sake. If the Executor stationed her gives his permission, then it will mean he signed off on all potential actions after the fact." a vicious smirk played on her lips "It also means he'll bare responsibility if this ends up a disaster."
Archer's eyes flickered over her in amusement. This was the Tohsaka he had vivid memories from in life.
"Here we are." Rin stopped at the entrance to a counsellors room, Archer's eyes flicked over the door.
Before falling on the name plaque on the wood.
Kotomine Kirei – Student Counsellor
Grey eyes hardened instantly, his lips thinned. What little memories he had of his Grail War told him that Kotomine was not to be trusted in any capacity. Add onto that Shirou's description of the man from the memories of the card.
Still, there hadn't been a Fourth Grail war, so he wasn't entirely sure of the type of man Kotomine would be.
Rin knocked on the door, after a few moments it opened up.
A short woman, garbed in a Nurses outfit emerged, long white hair and golden eyes. They lazily scanned Tohsaka before falling on Archer.
They widened and a hand went to her mouth "I see. Student teacher relationships are very troubling. To think my new colleague would court a school girl." she shook her head "How horrible, perhaps I too am in danger of his-"
Archer's brows slowly went up his forehead, eyes flicked to Rin, whose shoulders were currently trembling. In rage most likely.
"Caren." A baritone voice called out, silencing the woman "Allow them entry."
"Yes." The woman nodded, then opened the door fully to allow Rin and Archer entry.
The small counsellors room barely fit the four of them in there, Kotomine stood behind his desk. Clad in a long black cassock and dark clothes with a golden cross hanging from his neck. Caren walked around to his side, Rin and Archer stood on the opposite side of them, Archer shutting the door behind them.
"Rin." Kotomine greeted the girl "I was surprised to receive your call." his eyes landed on Archer "And I assume this is the Archer servant who facilitated this meeting."
Archer nodded his head minutely "In part."
"I suppose I have to thank you then." Kotomine shrugged "Rin rarely see's fit to visit me, despite my relation to her."
"Perhaps she is afraid harassment from you." Caren chimed in, Kotomine's eyes closed, his lips barely containing the twitch of annoyance, the white haired woman shrugged "Perhaps I was mistaken earlier and it was the student attempting to seduce the other men." she furrowed her brows before she rested her fist in the palm of her hand "Ah." then looked at Tohsaka "Compensated dating?"
"No!" Rin screamed at her, face awash with anger and embarrassment "Why would you even imply that you-"
"Rin."
"Caren."
Two voices called out at the same time, both sounding equally tired. Archer and Kotomine locked eyes, a silent understanding passing between the two of them.
"Rin, we are here for business." Archer chided her "And lashing out like that isn't very becoming of you."
"Caren, attempt to remember your duties come first." Kotomine's hollow voice rang out as he spared a glance at the young girl "We are here to discuss a possible apostle, refrain from instigating conflict."
"Fine." Rin huffed.
"As you wish." Caren nodded her head.
"Now then, Rin." Kotomine looked back at the twin tailed girl "You had a request for aid?"
"I was given information from a...reliable source." Tohsaka replied, having regained some semblance of composure "That Matou Zouken was involved in research that would be considered harmful to the Tohsaka name. It has also been brought to my attention that Matou Zouken may not be fully human."
"The latter part the Church is aware of." Kotomine replied, catching her by surprise "However, his nature does not classify him as a dead apostle." he shrugged, somewhat helplessly "A technicality that he does not consume the blood of his victims, rather their bodies."
Tohsaka blinked "Victims?" then gaped, brows furrowing in outrage "You knew!?"
"I was not aware at the time you are thinking of." Kotomine waved her off "I was not made privy until later years."
"You didn't tell my father!?"
"The Church would have told him had he inquired." Kotomine replied back, the corner of his lip twitching barely at the particularly enraged expression Tohsaka was making at the moment "However, should it have come to light that the Tohsaka family had made dealings with such a being, what would you believe would be the result."
Rin huffed and looked away, her earlier heat dissipating "It would be...damaging."
"It was as much respect for my Teacher's reputation, that I did not reveal why I knew." Kotomine sighed "However, considering you are now aware I assume you are wanting to take action?"
"Why was he allowed to reside in the city?" She asked, eyes narrowed.
"He had connections within the Mages association." Kotomine argued back at her, then continued on when she made to argue "And he did not have a sealing designation. Without such a thing and provided that he did not reveal the secrets of Magecraft, the Church is under no obligation to deal with him." hip lip curled down, eyes gleaming with genuine disgust "Regardless of how certain members feel."
"Fine." Rin shook her head "Fine. I assume I have your assent that I, as acting secondary owner, have full permission to investigate Matou Zouken and call upon your aid should anything be brought to light?"
"You shall." Kotomine nodded, before his eyes wandered over to Archer "There is the matter of your servant." then back to Rin "And the rather peculiar young girl by the name of Chloe Emiya who bares a striking similarity to him." he crossed his arms behind his back "And merely a week after your claim that the Class Card situation had been resolved."
"The girl is being observed." Archer spoke up for the first time, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed "As I'm sure you are already aware."
"The presence of the Magus Killer was a surprise." Kotomine acknowledged, then looked at Rin questioningly "One which your father was unaware of." Rin cringed slightly before Kotomine shrugged his shoulders "However, it is of little interest to the Church. Provided she does not threaten the secrecy of the Association, I am compelled to remain an observer."
Rin rolled her eyes at him before turning to Archer "We've got what we came here for, lets go."
Miyu occasionally sent a glance Illya's way as the pair continued to walk back home, the young girl had spend virtually the whole day thinking about the priests words. They couldn't be true.
Miyu just didn't want to see Illya get hurt, it didn't relate to wanting to see Chloe hurt for hurting Illya.
It didn't…
But...she couldn't say the thought didn't appeal to her in some dark sense. She furrowed her brows, it was a more practical reason behind not wanting Illya to interact with Chloe. The young girl obviously didn't want to interact with Illya more than necessary, so there was no need to force the issue.
Then again...She couldn't get that dark thought out of her head.
Had she and Illya been paying attention to their surroundings, they would have noticed the beetle like insects observing them.
AN: Ooooh.
Kotomine, at it again. Making people question themselves, although in a far less vicious manner than FSN, also a lack of smirking.
Also, Maiya! Yay.
And we get out first little look at Zouken...
