Their comfortable silence was broken by an unvoiced curiosity. "Are video games really that fun?"
"Mm?" With a soft click, the sounds of virtual combat vanished. Only the voiceless Reggae music that played softly from Club Cove's speakers remained. Afternoon light filtered in from the adjacent window, casting its towering square spotlight onto a white-haired samurai as she quickly collected her answer. "The challenging ones are. All the slower ones bore me if there's no one to play with."
Tomoe's ponytail swished as warm red eyes landed back on the sole companion across from her. With hands still clasped to her PSP, the legendary warrior in a white tank top smiled to the assassin. "You want to try?"
"No. I… could never understand why my daughter's friends liked them so much." Shiki's answer was near-dismissive curiosity, though her expression proved no rude intent. She only gently closed her eyes and sipped on a glass of water. A drop of condensation almost slipped off the cold glass to land on her premium ebony kimono, but she lowered it back to the booth's table in time. Once more, her eyes locked with the device as Tomoe unpaused her game. "They feel like a waste of time when there's more important matters to focus on."
"Oh? You mean like saving the world?" Tomoe smiled cheekily with a brief glance from her screen.
A demonic scream echoed from her console, but Shiki offered the tiniest of smirks. "Our case is different. There's a lot of off-time, but we're always on call. You haven't skipped a deployment to play video games."
"Because it's more important," Tomoe declared simply, then giggled. "…Though I have thought about trading my place with someone... Sometimes."
"My, my… The disciplined, mighty Tomoe? Shrinking from duty?" Shiki raised an eyebrow, but the two shared a tiny smile. The pseudo-servant sipped from her glass again.
"Those games aren't going anywhere. They'd only delay your duties." The newcomer's voice drew their small smiles to the gentle clacks of a powerful magus' heels. A flash of red hair and a white collared-shirt appeared before sliding into the booth beside Shiki a second later. Smelling lightly of cigarette smoke, Touko adjusted her glasses. "It's curious, though… I don't think I'll tire seeing heroic spirits soaking in modern amenities."
"They're human too," Shiki commented. Though Touko looked like she wanted to insert a matter-of-fact comment, she exchanged it for a simple shrug. "If they want to play games, then why stop them? It's not like Tomoe is skipping classes."
"You mean like Chacha does?" Tomoe asked, but smiled. "Well… she's not really a true child. Nobu says she only shows up to prove she's really an adult."
"If you ask me, Nobu usually acts like the real child between the two of them," Shiki swung, and earned a giggle from Tomoe. "Hard to imagine she was a mighty conqueror sometimes… I guess there's that war hobby of hers. What'd they call it? Paintball?"
"The ones with the paint or the real looking ones? Because they play airsoft too," the archer pointed out. "Nobu likes paintball more because it gets messy. Vanguard has to clean their Killhouse when she goes wild."
"On Artesia's watch, I imagine," Touko mused quietly as she eyed Shiki. She smirked lightly. "And what about you, Shiki? All this time and you still shy away from any sort of hobby."
"That's rich coming from you," Shiki lightly jabbed, and the two shared a knowing look. "It's fine. It's not like Chaldea is boring."
"Especially this time of the year." The archer glanced at the small snowman centerpiece on their table before returning to her game. Touko and Shiki hardly looked offended Tomoe's attention was split. "I hope the Secret Santa turns out well. Are you two joining?"
Their conversation almost seemed to shift with every other crash of a distant wave. To any who may eavesdrop, it'd appear uninteresting; Another aimless conversation among the countless that occur. Another glimpse into the mundane window that often filled the gaps between trivial deployments, since the serious singularities fell few. More instances that bolster the calm atmosphere within the walls… Acts that ultimately don't change what has already been determined.
Nonetheless, the hidden soul found watching these meaningless acts of passing time so… enthralling…
…But why?
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
Fragment 106: Void of Reason
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
Lunch had proven incredibly uneventful. Relaxed conversation between Shiki, Tomoe, and Touko had only fallen interrupted on a few beats. The first was to get some food. Another was when Jekyll joined them, and between the assassin's idol and a bowl of Häagen-Dazs, her smile leaked out more. Finally, it ended with Shiki's decision to leave for a post-lunch nap… An occasional excuse just to lie around in her room and think for herself.
Already, on her short trip down the stairs and halls, the assassin's mood was faltering. Months had passed since she laid eyes on her counterpart with the family she could no longer hold. Over that time, her bonds with a few other Chaldeans had grown, but the company of those closest like Touko and Tomoe could never fill that hole in her heart. Shiki missed Mana. She missed Mikiya just as much, but ultimately, no matter what she did, nothing would change.
Deep down, that much was always obvious to her… and her.
Once more, through Shiki's own eyes, the hidden identity peered out curiously. She watched as, though outwardly calm and stoic, Shiki seemed to drag her feet into her still-plain room; The door locked behind her. She'd walked passed her minifridge to plop unceremoniously onto her futon with a tired exhale. There Shiki lay, and all the one within could glimpse through tired eyes was the side of a plain pillow.
With every slow breath, Shiki's gaze fell weaker. To most, the change was unnoticeable; The soul within knew absolutely. The assassin was reminiscing and yearning. Without a word, Shiki tried to nurse her wounded heart, unaware of the one who watched this occasional act as she always had. Breath after breath, Shiki's mind flashed with longing for what was lost.
…She still couldn't quite grasp why.
What was the point of mourning? By the logic of the timelines, shouldn't the assassin also be happy for what is in another? That, here, Shiki had helped preserve what was ultimately her greatest happiness? The knowledge of what was remained obvious, and yet her heart chose to be both sorrowful and happy.
Why? With what the assassin understood for herself, why did Shiki choose to feel this way? In the end, what was would remain, and by Chaldea's usual logic, it was only correct to focus on what remained bright. Still, like many, the assassin felt for both, when ultimately the decision meant nothing for what had been, is, and was still to come.
Absolutely… for despite all the knowledge of the world, human thought and feelings remained a strange hypocrisy.
…But it was a concept that the identity who dwelt within, the secret Shiki still didn't understand, grew to reaffirm with every incomprehensible glimpse…
Dare she admit, it was one that was also pushing her to meaningless acts she couldn't understand; Another was soon to begin. In an increasingly common act of mercy, laced with selfish intent, the might that often slumbered within ushered a mist into Shiki's mind. The soothing haze dimmed the assassin's vision, urging her with sudden lethargy towards sweet shelter from the downpour. Quietly, Shiki's breathing fell to a slumbering pace as the unknown power quickly took control.
As far as Shiki was ever concerned, the assassin was falling into a sudden nap. Despite the insistence some saw a long-haired version of her walking the halls, Shiki's curiosity hadn't grown. As much as the pseudo-servant grasped, it was an absurdity, yet with every time she had allowed herself to be glimpsed, she risked revealing herself to the other soul.
That never did stop her from taking over.
Finally, the other mind had fallen to peaceful rest, yet the eyes of the assassin gently opened.
Her once dark orbs were nowhere to be found, replaced instead by the gentle hum of glacial blue. In a warm glow, like an aurora blanketing the northern skies, the assassin's body gently lifted from the futon. The dark room flashed for but a moment with a sudden crescendo of heavenly white, allowing the unknown identity to truly take form. As soon as it began, the light faded, revealing the identity's similar form in the purest white with cascading black locks.
Her gaze was gentle and serene. With but a glance to the door, the spirit's hair swished silently, but echoed like soft wind chimes to any who'd bare witness to but the simple act. A sense of power and omniscience roared within, but did not leak out. To any around, she'd only feel like serene sunset, rather than what she truly was. All they'd remember was the glimpse of a near-permanent, perfect smile that rivalled the goddesses of Chaldea; Few would ever grace that sight.
Of the one who lurked within… The omnipotent identity that should be left unknown. The one who slumbered in the void of Shiki's mind.
Like a comforting warmth from a winter campfire, 「」 vanished within a shower of twinkling mist to begin her unseen walk.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ III ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
Piano music danced through the salon, joined by a lovely voice of a cello. Together, the uniformed Mozart and Phantom played their newly minted duet for their small audience of two. Hessian, prim and noble in a black tuxedo, sat with crossed legs on a nearby chair. Marie lounged and listened on an nearby ottoman while clutching her phone and precious Sphinx kitten to her crystal blue princess dress. The kitten mewled gently as it played with a yellow yarn ball in its paws.
Further away, a few of the knitting group claimed their usual ottomans. Raikou and Chacha were playing peekaboo with Giovanni as his mother knitted with Vlad and Boudica. Though their conversation was hard to make out, it was mixed with comfortable pauses and lingering mirth. Their attention was only snagged occasionally by a pair of avengers by the window, but that was mainly because Joan was still vividly complaining about something to Dantes.
Mata Hari and Sanson were in a surprisingly rich conversation behind the bar. It was unusual to see the male assassin as more than stoic, but whatever they talked about ushered his smile from the shadows. On two stools nearby, Carmilla and Semiramis were enjoying a classy conversation after subtly trying to one-up the other with their choice of dress. Carmilla's wine-colored strapless hugged her form with silver filigree, but the other assassin's black one-shoulder with mithril accents tied it.
「」 gently smiled, unseen from the ballroom side's balcony.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ IV ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
"I'm surprised Edison let you off early. Tesla insists he's a ruthless boss."
"He cares. I learned that much from the other one… But yea. He can be very demanding. Very. Very…"
"Not enough to let his pupil off early for Friday." Kiyohime's soft, happy giggles echoed over gently wafting fields of tropical flowers. Among one of the many inviting patches of green, she sat with her legs to the side atop a classic picnic blanket. With just a white beach sweater thrown over her light blue bikini, it appeared difficult for Omar to keep his eyes off her and not the hot food laid out before them. Kiyohime was quick to notice the employee's mixed attention with a tiny smile. "My eyes are up here, Omar~..."
Giggles tickled his ear. He flushed quickly. "I-! Sorry, it's just-! …I'm glad my vision is back?"
A blushing Kiyohime smiled brighter at the employee she leaned against. His uniform's coat lay discarded beside him, and she gently loosened his tie more so he was more comfortable. She giggled at his clear indecision while a few butterflies floated by. "The croissants might get cold if you keep staring, but I don't mind."
"…I'm not wasting your cooking." Happy and carefree, the berserker's giggle escaped for seemingly the hundredth time in the past few minutes as Omar carefully grasped one of the warm treats. "…Very fresh."
"With my own personal touches," she smiled to him, then quietly reached for her own while he took a bite of the soft treat. They fell silent, but the small smiles on their faces colored the air more than the rainbow of flowers. Further away, a similar picnic between Anton and Frankenstein seemingly played out. Louder than the two pairs, Astolfo's voice echoed happily over the summer resort air as he conversed with Flat and Chiron.
「」 smiled at them all, unseen from the treetops.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ V ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
"Oh! Should we add this to the shelves?"
"Will it sell?" There was a small pause before the man chuckled. "Yea, true! Who cares!"
Shelves of the Novelties Store, as it was finally called, were chalk full of various imported and hand-crafted goods. Though it appeared as just a normal convenience store, the vast majority of its products were magazines and assorted books. One section was dedicated to figurines, while another few shelves housed a variety of goods like models and swag. One part of the store was even cordoned off and censored due to its materials' nature.
Though currently empty, the store owners looked far from sad. They seemed very distracted, if anything, as their mirthful chuckles flew from behind the counter. Before him, Blackbeard carefully put together some sort of model of a large, multi-colored robot. His white shirt with the One Piece logo on the front looked far cleaner than most of his usual attires, likely from the insistence from his usually more elegant partner beside him. "Your doujin are selling well. They're currently our bestsellers in the JP market."
"As they should!" At her own computer, Osakabehime was wrapped warmly in a fuzzy blanket with sakura petal designs plastering it like tiles. Her hand sneaked out of the covering embrace to push up her glasses, if only to try and hide her cute, excited smile. "They're royal masterpieces! Made more so with your help!"
"What are partners for?" Blackbeard grinned as he clicked to another website. Moans quickly echoed from his computer, but the pirate seemed unperturbed. Curiously enough, so did the assassin who only glanced to him briefly. The increasingly lustful sounds stopped when he nonchalantly closed the window and shook his head. "Clickbait title and the content looked cheesy. At least the animations looked decent… Do you think we should do animations in the future?"
"We might have to. Maybe the more popular doujins though."
"I'll let you handle the intimate scenes if you don't mind. I'll still do quality control and proofreading."
Though a touch unsettled, 「」's faltered smile remained as she passed by unseen further towards the center of the Agora.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ VI ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
A fourth room, previously unoccupied, had finally been claimed in the masters' wing. Across from Rama and Sita's room, a space previously belonging to a late master candidate had been taken up by the newest. Though still far from the title, one had chosen to walk down the road and reclaim the mantle under a different organization. The ponderings of many remained mixed at best, but if it swayed him at all, it certainly didn't show.
The plain room remained mostly empty save for a few cardboard moving boxes. Only one lay open, and the clothes within were scattered between its interior, the bed, and the open closet. Save for a few legacy sets of the Vigil uniform, a bunch of casual clothes like jeans and plaid shirts filled the new ranks. One set of paint-stained jeans and a black and white checkered shirt currently clad the candidate, who remained glued to his study desk.
Atop its surface, a laptop replayed a singularity as he quickly jotted down notes to a pad in-between. Books, reports, and a few hard drives lay scattered nearby and within reach, but order seemed far from the priority. Skyler's focused eyes only glanced between the screen, his notepad, and very rarely the nearby clock.
On the screen, Gudao was struck with two arrows, making the cousin's eyes narrow ever so slightly as Mashu's scream echoed quietly from the speakers. Still, he quickly jotted down a few more notes as he shook his head. "And my cuz is a magus… I'll have to be triple careful."
Within his eyes, one could see numbers and calculations flying through his irises; A far cry from the often aloof, relaxed eyes many caught sea or cloud gazing. Calloused hands recorded thoughts and observations without hesitation, pausing only to shake his hand free of pins and needles. Though locked away from sight, not a second went by as he went about his own preparations for a smoother integration.
It was a more dutiful sight than the previous ones, but ultimately, another meaningless gesture. What would come would happen regardless of what he did. Whether Skyler believed himself to be underprepared despite his experience was a weightless debate point. In other timelines, a completely inexperienced, juvenile, average human managed to make it through trying times… alone, with fewer servants too.
This former master would be in good company among three experienced souls with diverse skill sets. In time, he'd likely win over many servants to have a personal, loyal roster like the others had. Even if many might not come to like him like the others, the incoming threat would no doubt force their unity as they fought to preserve humanity. Together. Even if it could have been done with far less martial might, and even less dutiful focus like Skyler showed.
Yet, unknowing of this, they threw all their effort in. But that was only determined for this timeline. They'd fight hard thinking what they could lose, even if in the end what would happen could never be shifted. Whether bright or dim, happy or bittersweet, tragic or grim… Akasha had already dictated everything certain, and trivial enterprises like Skyler's disciplined studying would prove meaningless.
…And nevertheless, 「」 smiled in soft appreciation at the future master's diligence and beautiful ignorance, unseen from his doorway.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ VII ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
Masked in spirit form, 「」 strolled down the hallways aimlessly, looking for something more… anything more. Nothing in particular, but everything was a welcome surprise. From the craziest sights, to the most boring of moments, her mind welcomed what a part worried she'd miss. The nights offered very few sights, and thus, she found herself daring to take control from the weaker identity to sate the lingering sentiment within… Despite all the risks.
"…Huh!?" A passing employee felt a smile cross their face, though they looked confused why. She didn't glance back as yet another felt a sense of comfort waft over them as they carried a stack of reports elsewhere. A robot, carting a stack of laundry bags, remained unaware. Uncaring of the subtle influence she had on the humans drifting near, 「」 glided on to see anything and everything.
'Why?'
By all accounts, this act, growing in frequency, was meaningless. The often-hidden identity's search was, in the end, futile. It held no meaning or consequence that could change what would be. Everything that is and was never surprised her. Everything that was to transpire was already known, not because of true omniscience, but something far simpler.
The identity that dwelt within, whose origin lay entwined with the Root itself, was already aware of everything.
What was to come was already decided. The variations didn't matter. Individual action and decisions had, in truth, been decided well before the questions and prompts were poised. In the grand scheme of all, nothing could change and every act, motive, and exerted effort was ultimately meaningless. Every soul were pieces moving in accordance with what humans deemed Fate… and that included herself.
And yet, why did she act as she did? Knowing all she had because of what she is, there was no reason to do anything. Yet, the reason to do anything was meaningless because she was going to do this regardless; How convoluted and absolute. Despite knowing what was recorded to come and would never change, she acted, of her will or not. She secretly indulged in these meaningless dances most other Chaldeans readily drank.
'…Why?'
What was the point? Not even the existential dread that weighed heavy on 「」's shoulders could shake the serene smile that endlessly painted her lips. Not even the certainty of knowing her little whims meant nothing stopped her from chasing them; Why was she even doing anything? Without any doubt, she should just be continuing to slumber within while the other identity retained control, wishing never to exist and refusing to leave any trace of her existence.
But she'd done exactly the opposite of that. Knowing what she did, she was floating around. She was searching for little moments. She was enjoying fleeting moments that mean absolutely nothing to this timeline at large; So insignificant and useless were these glimpses that the Akashic Records jotted them as vaguer footnotes, like just another miniscule grain of sand on the unending beach of time. Even if all grains, tiny as they were, had impact on the tide.
And so, 「」 couldn't help but want to watch handfuls of those grains as they slipped through delicate fingers.
'…Why…?'
That answer was elusive, for what to come was inevitable. What was the point of examining the grains when the beach would be churned by the coming storm? Even if this timeline would be one that would see lesser carnage, there was no stopping what would come to pass. Goetia's defeat was merely another stepping stone towards the cliff. But what would they see over that approaching vista? What would she hope to see beyond what was already set in stone?
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ VIII ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
Within their little realm, separated from the world at large, 「」 wandered into the snow-wreathed landscape. With the afternoon clouds brighter and the snowfall light, the night may offer one of her favorite moments. A soft, snowy evening offered a sense of bliss she couldn't understand, but favored nonetheless. For those by the Cemetery, it was the convenient break in the storm they needed.
"Raise it carefully, please!" "See? What did we tell you. Perfectly intact." "We're almost done digging out the next one."
Even if she hadn't known what was taking place today, 「」 would have been attracted over regardless. The distant words echoed over the peaceful snowfall, drawing the unseen spirit towards the memorial hill. With but serene steps, akin to an unearthly glide, 「」 made it to the top of the small overlook, where rows of graves formed the quiet neighborhood. They were disturbed only by the day's important commotion.
Among the mages and battle-clad servants of Chaldea's council, a few robots hovered back and forth to execute their precise work. Though they worked fast, the uprooting of select graves may have been seen as disrespectful; The Clock Tower mages likely cared the least. With stern faces, their attention remained undivided save for Touko. Contently smoking a cigarette by Lord El-Melloi II, she was the only one who didn't eye the first uprooted Leyshift Coffin.
Dusted with frost and ice, the mithril-colored technological marvel was a relic of Chaldea's older days. Due to the nature of their war, the ease of using Leyshift pads was chosen over the claustrophobic, potential death traps these coffins proved to be. Now, they only served as their namesake within this graveyard, preserving the deceased former masters frozen during their final rest… until today.
Gordolf, looking a touch cold, but doing his best to hide it, fidgeted in his oversized white overcoat. "Right then. So we'll just send this back to the Clock Tower as-"
"With all due respect, Team Leader…" one of the other mages quickly interrupted, earning the blonde and Da Vinci's gaze. The woman in a bright blue suit kept her arms crossed and stared at the Leyshift coffin. "I advise we crack open this coffin just to ensure everything is in order."
"We'll be breaking the cryo-seal," Da Vinci pointed out quickly as David nodded beside her. "It'll risk earlier contamination of the corpse, which in turn, means the crest you desire will be placed at risk."
"A fair point, but we'd like to ensure each one of the team members are as reported in your records," the woman persisted flatly. "After the second wave of bombs, the cryo-systems were said to have failed, leading to the masters' clinical deaths as determined by the life monitoring protocols, yes? If that's the case, then that means Chaldea hadn't opened the coffins to ensure no further damage was sustained to the goods… An oversight we may or may not overlook."
"Scorch marks, burn damage, dents… The hulls look fine on the outside… but I'm afraid my colleague has a point," Gordolf quietly scratched his chin as Vernier remained silent at his side. "You'll have to excuse us, Da Vinci, but we have to be certain before sending it to London. It's not just Chaldea's credibility and reputation on the line if something is amiss."
"…I guess it's only expected when there's high quality goods on the line," El-Melloi subtly stabbed before puffing on his cigar. He didn't earn a single open glare, but a handful of stern gazes. "If it puts you at ease, then I wouldn't be opposed to opening a coffin, but the temperature and sanitized environment within should have kept them pristine."
After a gaze to Da Vinci and David, who then glanced to each other, a pause followed. Chaldea's Director turned to two floating robots beside the coffin and nodded. "Please carefully open it. Lean it back as a precaution too."
With beeps of acknowledgement, the robots' multiple eyes shifted to their task at hand. Attached to one of their arms was a specialized tool which they inserted on either side of the coffin. They rotated, whirred, and synced as beeps registered from the coffin. With a slow hum, blue lines rushed down the flanks of the coffin, warming the frost as new energy flowed into its dormant drives. The soft cracks of ice joined the sounds of gentle thrusters in the calm air.
Moments later, the devices whirred, spun, and zapped at the coffin's sides. One of the robots beeped. "Battery levels sufficient. Proceeding to disengage locks."
Carefully, the two robots leaned the coffin back slightly so two more could help hold it in place. With a final crack, a few locking sheets of ice slid off the burned, cylindrical hull. The slightly dented door groaned, then pushed forward from its embedded space as the locks disengaged with a hiss. Air blew from the cracks, sending a dusting of snow and frost to join the snowflakes. Finally, creaking and weak, the door hinged open.
The unseen 「」 was the only one who didn't gasp or murmur. A ruby-haired magus' voice tore over the murmurs. "What's the meaning of this!?"
"Why is Phamrsolone's coffin empty!?" the woman in a blue suit cried out, then glared accusingly at Da Vinci. "Well, Chaldea? You have an explanation for this?"
Touko and Gordolf turned to Da Vinci, but the shock on her face was unadulterated and genuine. Quickly, she raised her wrist and typed away at her wrist-mounted transmitter, only for a confirming-pitch to echo from its chassis. Once more, she stared stunned at the coffin. "…How? The coffin's signal is still transmitting an occupant."
"I certainly don't see one," the woman retorted as she marched up to the coffin, nearly pushed a robot aside, and swung her gloved hand fervently over the interior. As the council insisted, the interior looked untouched. A screen was blinking with a confirming reading, several lights and diodes were flashing, and the cushioned backer looked as new as the fateful day it closed. Yet, the master within was missing. "Is this some kind of ploy? What did you do with the corpses!?"
"It might just be this one!" David insisted, even as Da Vinci and El-Melloi were scrambling for an answer. The two casters stared towards Holmes, who'd distanced himself from the rest, but the detective only stared with narrowed eyes to the coffin and puffed on his pipe. David still attempted to control the growing outcry from the Clock Tower team, "We're certain they were buried properly. Right, Da Vinci?"
"Clearly not," the ruby-haired magus countered as he jabbed his finger at the coffin. "The accord with the Clock Tower was clear, Chaldea. The crests of A Team are to be returned into Clock Tower jurisdiction as part of the exchange for opening channels with Atlas. Now that you got what you wanted, you mean to rob the Clock Tower of its due? Did you think this will go without consequence?"
"The consequence of this may be more than any of us are truly aware." The new voice caused a few to look around, but with a flourish of amethyst flowers, Merlin appeared from the snowy air. His shoes gently crunched against the snow beneath him as he held his staff gently, but his usual smile had faded to a thin line. "I must invite you to think rationally about what has happened rather than acting on your instincts."
"What's irrational about believing you're withholding powerful relics for your own use?" another magus cried out.
"Because they wouldn't need the crests." Many members of the Clock Tower team quickly turned their gaze to Touko, who puffed her special cigarette. Her eyes remained on the coffin, and offered only a small sidelong glance past her glasses to Da Vinci, then Holmes. "Wodime in particular was a prodigy, but what are they compared to a servant? A caster? Medea alone is capable of far more than many prestigious families combined, so what use would they have for the crests of the A Team?"
"…Furthermore, Chaldea has been rather accommodating at the negotiation table," Gordolf decided to agree. Still, his eyes remained narrowed. "Chaldea seems to be the safe suspect, but what if it was one of the Clock Tower team? It wouldn't be the first time we've had a traitor act on their own intent."
Though many of the lesser mages were arguing over preposterous notions and fault, Touko puffed out a breath; Her calmness was always remarkable. She glanced to Merlin, then Da Vinci. "The cemetery was protected, right?"
"The runes and interlaced boundaries are something that could even cause me problems," Merlin commented.
Da Vinci nodded. "Breaking any of them would have sent an alert to one of our mages… But that network was only installed around this time last year with Nitocris' help."
"Then it couldn't have been any of us, since we're oh so weak," another magus grumbled out. "So you're admitting the blame is on you?"
"But why would they need it?" "Spite out of spite is reason enough." "Let's open the next one and see how far this treachery goes!" "I'm unconvinced."
Their squabbling and grumbling continued, even as Chaldea's council struggled for an answer. Merlin's firm gaze towards the coffins shifted to where 「」 stood unseen. His stare lingered, and she felt a hole burn through her as their blooming purple met glacial blue, but he glanced away just as Touko's contemplative expression fell grim. "…In the event it isn't Chaldea… There's the possibility someone or something managed to breach Chaldea's defensive network and steal the corpses away."
Many fell silent, but another magus scoffed. "With all due respect, Miss Aozaki, if they were capable enough to get past Chaldea's army of servants, then why would they need a bunch of weaker mages?"
"…Why indeed…" Merlin mumbled to himself, then gazed towards 「」again. She felt a miniscule, unsettling tingle across her skin, but it could not rattle a mountain. Merlin only relieved her by turning to the coffin, then to the next one. "Let's see how many of the masters are missing. I'd hate to disturb the graves, but we need to be certain it's not just one missing corpse."
But that was an answer 「」 already knew: Only the A Team would be missing. The corpses of the lesser masters would be untouched, but the Clock Tower didn't care about them. Relations with the Mage's Association would degrade, but wouldn't break outright; The mages had much to gain with potential negotiations. Though the ripples with relations would be vivid, the true value of the missing A Team corpses would remain unknown for over a year.
Deceased or not, that Alien God could do a lot when given ample time.
「」 knew precisely what would happen, despite all the potential preparations a year could bring. This timeline was well ahead of the usual curve, but the quantum time locks were absolute. Maybe if given more warning, things could change. Maybe if told outright, the world would be better prepared with all the curious quirks of this iteration.
…No. 「」 already knew the answers, for it was always the same value as her meandering strolls. 'How meaningless…'
Merlin peered one last time towards 「」 before she glided back to Chaldea.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ IX ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
Upon her return, the identity within surrendered control back to the pseudo-servant. Refreshed after a sudden nap, Shiki had gone about the rest of her day. She spent more time with Tomoe, helped out the children decorating a Christmas tree, then spent the last hours in the comfort of the Shrine among other Eastern servants. All that time, the one within took glimpses, rather than slumbered away in self-imposed isolation.
That's how it was supposed to be. Despite everything that happened outside, which should have sparked the endless curiosity of the human intellect, the identity cared not. The forceful merge of endless knowledge and the human psyche had determined her disposition long ago; It was a miracle the identity hadn't succumbed to the weight. It was a greater oddity that she acted at all on pointless whims that carried no weight.
The sights flashed before Shiki's vision for her to gleam, only to spin and twirl with the sights of what was and still has yet to be. One second, Mia and Miyu were trying to put a star on the Christmas tree. The next, servant attacks fell useless against an unholy, frozen construct that dwarfed even demon pillars. Anishka and Parvati were looking at a magazine together and laughing, only for an image of the crying goddess holding an injured Indian child to plaster itself over it.
BB cheered as she won a card game, and screaming innocents vanished into clouds of dust by snaking roots.
Asterios was pretending to be a lumbering giant for the laughing Giovanni, but then morphed into an apocalyptic behemoth of fire and ice.
Ushiwakamaru was berating Benkei about something with her kimono, only for the desolated Amazon to turn as white as the cloth's decorative petals.
The sights intertwined. The insignificant glimpses drowned under the weight of reality to be. And after that, the wheel would only keep turning. What they called fate has already been decreed, and every heroic attempt was simply what would and must be. Only these little glimpses amid the turning points of a timeline remained free from the shackling leash of universal permanence, for they held no weight.
…Yet, despite all her insistence and certainty, the slumbering identity once more roused when Shiki's head hit the pillow for the evening.
'…Why…?'
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As growing more common, 「」 didn't wait for the hand to pass midnight. Unseen and unformed, she drifted through the halls, risking late night surprises that may unveil her existence. If there was anything to be dreaded, it was the active identity learning she had been here all along. If that happened, everything remained uncertain… yet what was there to be afraid of what was already certain?
Shiki would never find out about her, as comforting and dreadful as it may have been.
So why did the feeling of anxiety persist? Was it simply an unfortunate byproduct of being manifested with the human identity? Even such philosophical questions had their answers… but why didn't the voice within accept them as the truth they were? Why did she question what was, and act in tandem with insignificant grains? 'Why…?'
The answered questions remained asked. That which was meaningless was pursued. 「」 once more graced the halls of Chaldea that evening. 'What was the point?'
"Shhhh! Keep it down!" "You're the one making the most noise, Astolfo!" "You're both too loud!"
「」's waltz down the windowed hallway was brought to a halt. Smiling, she turned towards the intersection ahead as Astolfo's head popped into view. After swift studious glances in both directions, he finally stepped forth and sighed. He scratched his head and kept his other hand planted on the hip of his pink skirt, which Meuniere occasionally made not-so-subtle glances at. After the uniformed employee's eyes washed over Astolfo's exposed midriff, he carefully looked behind him to check their third companion didn't see.
"Nope! No ghost behind us!" Flat called out as he jumped into view. Though primly dressed in his gray formal pants, matching vest, and red shirt, he'd been the only magus not with the rest of the investigation team. As expected. "Where are you, ghostie?"
"Flat! You can't call out like that! You'll scare it away and we'll never see it!" Astolfo chastised with a chuckle. "We have to be quiet! That way we can sneak up on it!"
"We're not being very subtle…" Funny words coming from the employee who keeps shooting a glance towards Astolfo. Meuniere placed his hands akimbo. "Are you sure the ghost is even a thing? Artemis said it was just Shiki sleepwalking."
"But Shiki denies all of it, so either she's keeping a secret or there's something using her as a disguise!" Astolfo countered adamantly. Amusingly enough, he wasn't too far off, though Meuniere didn't look to be buying his friend's pedaled lunacy. "Now, let's go sneak up on… Wait."
The trio fell silent as the rider in a pink schoolgirl uniform closed his eyes and seemingly sensed. 「」 remained unperturbed, and didn't even flinch when Astolfo turned in her direction with a smile. "I sense something! Over here!"
"Hey, wait up! What about being quiet!?" Meuniere called out as Flat laughed in pursuit. Astolfo ran directly towards 「」, but dashed straight through. The unformed being turned as Flat and Meuniere chased after their friend. As the rider turned down another intersection ahead, 「」 could have left them alone.
She didn't.
She glided after them, following along their merry quest as Astolfo finally stopped at a slightly open doorway. Making exaggerated motions of tiptoeing closer, the pink-haired boy snuck as close as possible, then waited for his two friends to do the same. After making a shushing noise with a finger to his lips, he winked, grinned, and counted down from three on one hand. Unknowingly beside them, 「」 watched curiously.
"WE FOUND YOU GHOST!" Astolfo cried out as he jumped through the doorway. There was a clatter of metal as Flat and Meuniere glanced in with worry. 「」 moved to see but, as obvious, it was a case of mistaken identity.
"Please unhand me so I can continue with late night cleaning patrols…" a robot beeped out as its three eyes focused on the rider clinging to him.
"Aheh… Sorry, sorry!" Astolfo sheepishly grinned as he quickly got up, then helped the robot to a standing position. Upon looking at all the overturned buckets, brooms, and other cleaning products of the small closet, he chuckled nervously. "I uh… didn't break anything, right?"
"Oh Astolfo…" Meuniere deadpanned as Flat laughed merrily.
'Trying to catch me… How pointless…' 「」 still smiled eternal tranquility. She'd evaded notice from her other identity for an entire lifetime. It was only when 「」 wanted to be discovered that she'd let someone else glimpse her, but that in itself was a questionable act; One she'd done countless times before. First with Mikiya on that snowy evening, then with some Chaldeans. Across several timelines, iterations of her had allowed themselves to be seen despite the risks.
But the risks meant nothing. In the end, she'd remain an enigmatic presence none could explain. Not even footsteps would be left in her wake, nor should they. But she had. By the very act of appearing, she went against her being's founded disposition in order to show herself to a select few… all despite her ideal never to leave a trace of herself. She should be but a transient dream at worst, but undiscovered at best.
Yet, as evidenced by these merry ghost hunters, she was far from forgotten. The sleeping identity had become a myth of the Chaldean night in this iteration, and she felt nothing for it. Why should she? In the end, her feelings about it were meaningless just like the concept of being known.
So why did it give a rush of adrenaline? A sense of taboo? Why was it unsettling, amusing, or even feel anything at all to have someone know this identity existed?
She held the answers, but the reasoning was inexplicable.
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Over the course of the night, she wandered. An hour past midnight, it was guaranteed nearly all of Chaldea fell silent. The halls would be still as fresh snow. The only eyes would be the security cameras, but even those would not stop her from manifesting; They couldn't see her anyway.
On another plane from even the servants, her form resided ethereally. Visible to those that could grasp the mythical, but otherwise intangible, she drifted through the halls. It was a sense of exhibitionism to drift along on her patrolling whims, enjoying the stillness of the night with the chance of being found. Maybe it was like a game, but to the identity, it was but a walk.
Like a whisper of serene moonlight, 「」 floated down the halls, turn after turn, without a care. A robot passed her unknowingly, and a security camera swept past what could not be grasped. She floated on, feeling the little rush of amusement that used to remain unknown yet known to her heart as she slumbered within. Only if she sensed a soul, whether servant or not, would she cloak once more… save for but a few.
One lay just ahead, standing silent sentinel as he always would.
Before the newly reinforced vault, King Hassan was a statue. He was one of but a few servants who never slept, for duty preceded any meaningless comfort. With hand atop his mighty blade, he waited for nothing and anything. His eyes gazed forward across the hall, and only shifted her way when she quietly passed.
Cold and calculating, he watched diligently as she drifted by. Not a glance was spared for him, nor the grace of her unyieldingly tranquil smile; They'd met many times before in the same manner. On strict guard, he watched until the long-haired woman floated out of reach, then turned his gaze once more across the hall. If he even recognized her, which was safe to say, he did not show or say. He never told either.
All he ever did was stand guard, and all 「」 did in turn was walk further on.
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Onwards she floated, her nightly patrols having grown unusually long. A few minutes was satisfying before. Now they stretched for hours without reason. Throughout the night, Chaldea was her garden, but there was nothing she tended to.
The flowers were hers to simply glimpse; A show a rare few ever likely glimpsed. Intangible and undetectable, she fazed through walls to glimpse the longest moments of all. Sleeping and slumbering, the sights of those within resting was profoundly resonating, for even the strongest and mightiest could fall so still.
Room after room, she drifted through unseen, only returning to a less wraithlike form when the hallways passed beneath her feet. Through a wall, she passed through, but paused for but a moment. Within the dark confines of the room, Anishka slept soundly, cuddled into her blankets like a child as she clutched her teddy bear to her chest with a smile. 「」's smile grew in turn before she wandered away, leaving the growing master in peace.
Next, she gleamed into the most energetic master's room. By contrast, she slept like a mess. Her clothes were ruffled and she snored lightly from a lingering cold. Clutching part of her strewn blanket and hugging a pillow, Gabrielle smiled in an unseen dream. After lingering for just as long, the spirit moved on to leave the orange-haired wildcard to rest.
Finally, her eyes graced the couple's room. Covered by the sheets, only their heads peered from the comforting shield. Mashu clung loosely to Gudao, relaxed and unmoving save for soft breaths. Suddenly, she fidgeted slightly in her sleep. Her brow furrowed, and she inched just a little closer to the sleeping master. 「」's smile faltered a hair in turn.
Despite how many guardians were present in Chaldea, Mashu's worry never did diminish. Though she hid it well, her anxiety for being unable to draw out her former power and aid the others remained a muddy sediment beneath her flowing river of satisfaction. In other timelines, it remained very much the same play, but it shouldn't have been as prominent in this dance. 「」 could understand, and yet she couldn't sympathize.
Unseen, she glided out of the room and missed a tired, quick glance from the lightly sleeping beast.
As she glided down the halls again, she made one final glance back and smiled. Chaldean iterations with multiple masters often wound up a shade more peculiar to witness. Housing the familiar two identities, each a bit more distinct than their counterparts, made this one... fascinating. It made this Chaldea one of the more attractive amongst the infinity, but more so by the addition of the third master with ancient heritage and reverence.
Even so, 「」 would always appreciate them… the masters who ensured humanity prospered. She'd swore to guard them. To swing her blade with promised finality, even if act and oath remained ultimately meaningless, and possibly unvoiced too. It felt only right, despite the futility. It was simply what was ordained.
In this timeline, and others.
Among the many iterations, this much held true. She was the hidden guardian, but sometimes not. In how many others had she felt profound emotion she couldn't truly comprehend, yet felt absolute? In fewer still, how many masters knew her far more intimately, despite how meaningless it all was with the passage of time? She didn't know, but without doubt, the all-knowing identity always reached her hand out in one way or another.
Necessary or not, different or the same, she truly felt compelled to support and protect the Chaldean masters. Their actions and success were guaranteed; The how and why shifted, but the result was immovable. It was meaningless to give them any praise for merely following what was already decreed, but she still did readily. She acknowledged that's what she did, yet the answer could never be comprehended. She understood, yet she didn't.
「」 drifted further along with her meaningless wanderings, for much remained of the night.
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Almost every night, 「」 now wandered the halls. Never did she count. Never did she grasp why, though she did. She only continued to chase irrational whims.
Nearly an hour later, they brought her to Fantasia. The full moon now faded with each passing day. Christmas drew close, and the many lights and glowing decorations seemed brighter in anticipation. Amid the darkness of the beach, over tickling echoes of waves and beneath the whisperings of the milky way, 「」 drifted aimlessly in her lone waltz.
Formed and tangible, she floated through the forest. Her glow was ethereal, as if beckoning for fairies to rise and join her flight. Ever alone, she swept beneath branches where automata slept, then through a meadow where a resting wolf lay curled. She offered but a brief glance to Lobo, whose magnificent coat had become mostly free from marring tension. Even his eyes seemed far less scrunched, though the pangs of aching and anger remained a beating drumline.
With a fleeting smile, she turned away from the wolf and wandered on, pleased with the sight but not understanding why.
The true beauty of the nighttime resort remained lost to her. Gentle sparkles of moonlit water were shadowed by her own surreal grace, yet she saw none of it. Her ebony kimono glimmered like a winter paradise amid the comforting summer air. As if to praise her, the waves caressed her bare feet like adoring fans.
As she drifted along the empty shoreline, her eyes gazed out to the ocean. For a brief moment, its beauty calmed her mind, yet steady reality sunk it a second later. Once more, the mind took in the tranquil sight, only for it to be dashed on the rocks again. Like the waves tickling her, the brief tinges of human sentiment could only wash fleeting relief across the shores of absolute logic and inevitability.
Yet, here 「」 was, letting herself swim in futile gestures. "Oh! You're out tonight, Shiki?"
The spirit allowed herself to enjoy the tiny chimes of a delighted heart before she paused to a lapping wave. With a smile bright like shimmering icicles, she glanced to the quickly approaching lancer. "Good morning, Ereshkigal. You didn't wish to sleep?"
"I wanted to look at the stars tonight," the goddess beamed as she closed the final few meters happily. The self-proclaimed gloomy goddess had succumbed to an enthusiastic beat over the months, but 「」 supposed it was only inevitable when she arrived. Looking comfy in black short shorts and a partially oversized white sweater, the goddess stared to the stars before readdressing the spirit before her. "Did you come to look at them too?"
"I'm not sure," she answered with certainty as a stronger wave reached out to touch Ereshkigal's sandals. As they licked her toes, the goddess smiled, then quickly reached down to undo the strap. Freeing her feet from their comfortable confines, she stepped closer to allow the next waves to grace her form. 「」's endlessly serene smile grew just a bit, "Do the waves feel nice?"
"Of course! Don't you think so too?" 「」's answer remained convoluted and unspoken. The goddess still beamed despite the silence. "It's been weeks since we last talked. Were you lonely?"
Lonely at night? Always, yet what did that matter? The solemn sigh in her heart said otherwise, but steady rationale blunted any sorrow. It just simply was, because it should be… Even if she'd broken it here, as she'd done so many times before.
"It was peaceful." 「」 stared to their feet, then to the goddess. "But a talk every now and again isn't so bad. Like a transient dream."
"…There you go with those strange sayings again," Ereshkigal mulled with a playfully judging smile, but then quickly giggled. Not even a moment later, the blonde divine stepped eagerly closer to lapping waves, letting them offer her their praise. A larger cascade careened forward, striking higher to splash her clothes with misty spray. Still, she giggled happily. "A shame you're always wearing that kimono. The water feels great!"
As if the mild discomfort of wet clothes were anything to factor. 「」 smiled, "Is it really?"
Another of Ereshkigal's happy nods said enough. Without another word, 「」 curiously walked closer. Soon enough, the waves lapped and crashed against the hems of her pristine kimono. They couldn't tarnish the heavenly. To Ereshkigal's brief confusion, the clothes remained unmarred, but the often-slumbering identity could feel the rush of water. It was powerful but soothing, like the sight of a blizzard preceding the frosty canvas to follow.
"See? Isn't it great?"
"I suppose you're right," 「」 giggled, like gentle bells tickled on a merry sleigh ride. As fleeting as this sense of comfort was, she was right. Meaningless or not, such a fleeting act was… pleasing. Enjoyable. Merry.
Enough so she wished to indulge in it, despite the much of her repulsing the empty reasoning for doing so.
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How long through the morning had she allowed herself to dance among the waves with Ereshkigal? It had become their longest meeting yet, far overshadowing any others who even glimpsed her; 「」 felt she cared not. The identity allowed it, and even indulged in the unusually potent sense of greedy interest.
But Ereshkigal's sense of captivation and allure struck deep ever since that fateful battle. Her words rang fascinating yet solemn, and her desires plucked unusual chords for the slumbering identity. She couldn't help but want to meet with the goddess, against everything she'd decided long ago. As seemingly hollow as the act was, 「」 felt glad she met the goddess who readily kept her secret.
Sitting comfortably at the edge of the pier, Ereshkigal allowed her lightly soaked clothes to dry as she dipped her delicate feet in the water. Beside her, 「」 stood quietly, staring out towards the moonlit ocean to join her. Only in the lancer's company did she allow her icy orbs to grace the sights offered and accept them for what they were, though she couldn't fathom the reasoning.
Amid the comfortable silence which reigned king, Ereshkigal breathed happily. It drew 「」's attention, and her studying gaze remained on the content blonde. In crimson eyes, eager satisfaction and greedy indulgence flew free like flocks of flamingoes at sunrise. Not an inch of her form was marred with constricting leashes of what was the divine's promised fate… '…Why…?'
"Hmm?" Ereshkigal perked up to stare curiously at 「」. Though confusion remained captive, the identity realized she'd voiced the question. "Why what, Shiki?"
「」 could have left it there. The answer was unknown, but she felt she understood what it would be. It was meaningless either way, yet as growing common with this identity, she fell compelled to ask with smiling lips. "You're carefree and happy even if you know what your destiny remains… Why, Ereshkigal?"
The goddess' expression dampened slightly at the reminder, but as dictated by her very being, the logic of the all-knowing Root pressed her to declare what was only truth. "Will this fleeting dream have any value when it's over?"
The silence remained deep, and for a moment, 「」 wondered if she'd offended the only servant with which she'd allowed a blasphemous bond to grow. Thankfully, the lancer only threw a jokingly offended glance her way. "If this goddess didn't understand you're a different Shiki, I'd have been offended… I still don't quite understand what you really are."
"Just as I don't understand you," she replied with her unfading smile. "All these moments are meaningless in the grand scheme of what is. So why hold it at all?"
Ereshkigal only giggled in turn, and her mood brightened back. "You already know, don't you? I'm just doing what the humans do… Enjoying these little moments so I can cherish them forever. It feels like a reward after countless millennia of watching my Underworld alone, but to the me still dutifully there… Maybe she'll get a glimpse of this happiness too?"
"Maybe," 「」 answered ambiguously. Whether or not Ereshkigal could or not was, as always, irrelevant to the grand design. "But is that meaning enough? Does this reasoning from human sentiment make up for everything you're forced to endure?"
"Isn't that the beauty of it?" Ereshkigal's attention snapped behind her, and for once, a pang of anxiety and excitement rushed genuinely through 「」. She turned around just as Merlin formed from a shower of ethereal blooms with a smile to match. With begging forgiveness in his mirthful eyes, he nodded to both and chuckled lightly. "You'll have to excuse my snooping, but I couldn't help but feel attracted to you two."
Ereshkigal's stare quickly turned dry, but Merlin only laughed brighter. "Oh, not like that! But it's safe to assume the Magus of Flowers always enjoys beautiful blooms, yes? Rather… This time it's your conversation, and coincidentally, my matching interest in your existence, Shiki."
"So you knew I existed all along?" Of course she knew he did. This didn't come as a surprise to her, yet the embodiment of her human capsule's heart still beat erratically for the revelation. How incomprehensible… Endearing… "Should I worry you've told others? I'm afraid I'd be… disappointed if you have."
"You should know the answer to that question," Merlin smiled calmly. Of course. There was no need for his reassurance, and he knew that too. "But we stray from your own ponderings… Does any of this have meaning, you ask? Of course not. It's not something those outside can wholly understand, but don't we understand to some extent? Don't we pursue it too?"
The robed caster stepped up to join them at the edge, then swept his hand over the beautiful forgery around them. "This resort is fake, but the enjoyment drawn from it is not. Why does it matter if it's fake? Why would it matter if life is fleeting, or if the moments we live are but little blooms amid a sorrowful wasteland? Time is an endless wasteland, and in the truth of all things, nothing beyond the ruthless certainties of what is and was retain any meaning."
"How cold…" Ereshkigal murmured, even though her eyes glinted with agreement. 「」's too. They, three souls not perfectly human, could all see it well. Of that there was no doubt. "I'd rather not think about all that time alone in the dark…"
"Who would blame you? But were you ever truly alone? Or were you accompanied by the hope born from the blessings of the souls who fell into your care?" Merlin smiled to her. Though a bit annoyed by his philosophical direction, a gratified smile returned. "Of course… That's the beauty of humanity. For all their weakness, flaws, and inability compared to those like us, they learned to do what we often struggled with. To dream, to learn, to grow... To cherish the insignificant and give it meaning to hold for eternity. Maybe it's a useless, feeble gesture, but to grant eternal significance and happiness to a fleeting moment… Isn't that a power they wield potently?"
Merlin turned to her with a small, omniscient, undebatable glint before gazing back to the stars. "Even the meaningless has meaning. Incomprehensible, right, Shiki?"
She only smiled back. Without doubt, that was the answer that rang illogically from what was forged of her being's heart. Though all the logic of the Root and knowledge of what was, is, and ever will be rang loudly, it couldn't drown out that small vestige within her. It'd convolute the answer… interrogate it thoroughly. Its value and sanity would be questioned, for it was an illogical fit amid cold truth.
Yet it was a warm blanket and hot drink on a snowy evening, for as diminished as it was, human sentiment rang within her.
No matter how long she'd debate it with herself, or how many times this cycle of questioning and answering would continue unabated, the real truth remained. Belief was a powerful thing for humans. Sentiment and emotion pushed them forward. 「」 would never be able to truly grasp more than a handful of it because of what she embodied and saw, but… she could enjoy it. She couldn't feel as powerfully as they did, but unlike before, she certainly tried to taste.
Amid the brief pause that lasted an eternity, she glanced beside her. A goddess, alone to her duty for eternity, did the same with this fleeting dream that could never hope to drown the millennia of isolation. The half-incubus, locked forever more in another existence, still toyed with and observed happiness from those that had come to interest him. In their own ways, they did the incomprehensible as she felt compelled to.
'Why?' She knew and didn't. But what did that matter? It didn't have meaning, but it did. All because just a piece of her wanted it to, just as it did for countless others. Truly, those humans were blessed more than they understood.
"Meaningless indeed, but beautiful," 「」 finally agreed. "Maybe even worthy of protection, these dreams of theirs."
"Maybe so…" the white-haired man mumbled with agreement as a new, comfortable silence settled. For a bit.
"…So, is there any other reason you were eavesdropping on us?" Ereshkigal prodded to break the pause. 「」 offered a sly and almost judging smile to Merlin, who seemingly began to squirm under two curious gazes. "The knights said to be careful around you… Something about being a big womanizing flirt like them?"
"Can't I enjoy nice new company from time to time too? Why must everyone judge me so skeptically!?" he complained, then seemingly glanced around as if some beast was about to try and attack him. With his glance returning to 「」, he sighed, but smiled apologetically. "In truth, there was something more I wished to talk to you about before we had a nice little moment… but my hopeful inquiries about what the future holds can come after you handle a possible… problem on your part?"
Though Ereshkigal sat confused and he said nothing more, Merlin glanced back to the dimly lit entrance of Club Cove. 「」 turned to, and finally saw they had one more guest, even if she could faintly feel their presence. Wrapped comfortably in a newly minted black trench coat, 「」 felt her heart race upon meeting a gaze she wished to avoid. Quietly, she turned back to Merlin, who simply shrugged her way as Ereshkigal glanced between them and the distant, familiar observer.
"I see. I'll return shortly." With only a smile, 「」 shunted herself to greet them.
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Touko leaned against the railing, smoking her cigarette patiently beside the newly decorated Christmas tree. Her glasses were hooked to her white undershirt, and one leg crossed over the other as she straightened herself. Pocketing a hand into her black slacks, she turned to greet the manifesting spirit before she appeared beside the magus in a shower of glittering, chiming sparkles. "I guess I was only obvious, hm? So should I address you as anything in particular?"
"Shiki is fine," the smiling identity greeted, making Touko smirk lightly. "How long have you known?"
"I theorized it was possible long ago. Our boy never made any mention, but he alluded to the possibility of another identity existing, intentionally or not. You know how he can be sometimes."
「」 giggled. "Of course… But I must ask. What will you do now that you're aware? I'm afraid I can't have you telling Shiki about any of this."
"I figured as much," Touko countered, and though her smirk faded, there was no sign of arguing. "Losing that other identity took a toll on her. She seemed to handle it well, but I garnered she often felt lost. Alone."
"Shiki wasn't alone for long. She isn't now either," the slumbering identity corrected, and Touko's little smirk returned. As she took a moment to puff on a cigarette, 「」 turned to her. Compelled with playful curiosity of human whispers, she dared to run with the unusual rush of sly excitement. "Isn't there anything you wanted to know now that I'm here?"
Touko returned to mulling as studious eyes glanced over her. The slumbering identity knew well enough how this magus can be. Even if her disposition differed as the years went on, she was still a magus at heart. That lost, pursued desire of her youth was within arm's reach, whether she realized it or not. But, as smart and gifted as the Aozaki sisters were, would the eldest understand?
Her answer finally came with a sly glint. "I'm not sure what to ask you. You feel serene, tranquil… A whole different Shiki. Not quite the tomboy Mikiya offered a ring."
After a small pause, 「」 giggled, echoing like children playing in fresh snow. "I suppose I'm not. But is that so wrong?"
"Possibly not," the famed magus concluded. "But I have to wonder if that's all you really are. So I guess I'll ask. What are you really, Shiki?"
It took only a moment for the smiling spirit to offer the truth. "Anything and everything."
If she was confused, or even realized what she meant, Touko betrayed neither in her curious smirk. She only chuckled briefly and shook her head. "…Playful then. You're an amusing identity. A shame I can't tell Shiki. I'm sure she'd love to know."
'As would you.' But that was another beautiful piece of humanity: Ignorance. The pursuit of knowledge gave many reason, despite the certainty of everything playing out according to plan. Telling them or anyone of anything and everything could feasibly shift the outcome, or so her heart believed. In the end, it was just another meaningless act to forge another new story to tell what was laid long before.
「」 would gladly leave her to ignorance, for it was truly bliss compared to the blight involving any sense of omniscience.
"Take care of Shiki, Touko." Her sudden request drew the magus' curiosity, but the being meant it. "You mean more to her now than you may realize."
"I think I understand how much," Touko rationalized, then smirked with skeptical amusement as she placed her glasses on. In a flash, her mood seemed to shift, and her smirk turned to a calmer smile. "Another reason I guess I'm stuck here for the long haul… Besides the perks. Safety from annoying headhunters. Gifts like this concealing coat. Learning from servants."
"Most importantly…" If Touko was expecting friends and companions to be mentioned, she guessed wrong; That was only obvious. "The endless supply of poor cigarettes?"
After a second elapsed, the two fell to light laughter. Touko, in agreement, took a puff of her cigarette and gently blew out. "That too."
"Do you ever wish for more? Like becoming a master?" If 「」 appreciated the masters, who helped protect this fleeting dream, then she'd only appreciate Touko more if she became one. Truly, she had the potential, and would be far more of a capable powerhouse compared to the current three… but…
"It'd be nice, but I'm unqualified. But I'd be lying if I said no should anything change," Touko mused, then allowed her smirk to turn a bit eager. "It'd be nostalgic bossing Shiki around again."
"Is that the reason then," the being concluded amusingly, and they shared a knowing glint; Certainty and uncertain. With a nod of finality, 「」 took a step towards the distant pier, where Ereshkigal was now yelling at Merlin for something… likely an attempt to flirt. By contrast, her mind fell peaceful, matching her aura that soothed like flowing water beneath a frozen river. "I feel I must go. My… friend could use some assistance."
"Feel free to wave me over if you need help. I wouldn't mind testing my mettle against the famed wizard," Touko joked, or maybe it wasn't quite one. "…Shiki. If I want to ask you anything, is this the right time of night to do so?"
She floated onto the boardwalk railing, then paused. Smile serene like an aurora over frost-kissed hills, she smiled down at Touko. "My favorite evenings are when the snow falls peacefully. Look for me silently, and I may answer."
In a shower of shimmering blue, 「」 vanished, leaving Touko in blissful ignorance of what was.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ XVI ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
Though 「」 talked a while longer in new company, she never did answer Merlin's inquiry. After all, ignorance was bliss.
It was morning by the time 「」 returned to her active identity's room. Without any doubt, the past day had been the longest she'd allowed herself to appear aimlessly; Meaninglessly, yet not. Once more, her mind fumbled with certainty and sentiment, but 「」 only smiled. Before she laid down to surrender herself to the pseudo-servant, she paused to stare into the full-length mirror.
Like a beautiful dream, she glowed. Yet, unlike the transience of this reality, the memories she'd begun to leave held far more value than she initially believed. The whims of what remained of her human merging declared it just. Inevitability declared it futile. Still, she smiled for standing among fleeting grains, and catching what she could with her own eyes.
As she laid down, with a smile mythical like a snow-capped, misty mountain, the spirit returned to peaceful rest.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ XVII ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
"Mia! Your reindeer cookies are the best!" "Are they seriously letting Gawain try to cook again?" "Parvati, Tamacat, and Boudica are true saints."
The lunchtime commotion waxed and waned as it always had. Festivity or not, the cries of joy and merry conversation weaved themselves thoroughly amid the aromas of wood-fired grills. Though the buffet was well-stocked, the Chaldeans and guests always threatened to drain the baskets and platters empty. The pseudo-servant identity wasn't one to overindulge, but it never stopped her from peering over with mild amusement.
"You'd think they weren't fed for a day," Shiki commented as she swirled her glass of water. Before her, the simple Japanese dish remained barely touched. The assassin in a teal kimono switched her attention to Tomoe across from her, who merrily snacked on French fries while playing with her PSP.
After a glance to the lines and munching residents, the gamer in a red sweater giggled. "Maybe… but the offerings look extra delicious this time of the year."
Shiki eyed the other's plate across the table. "Says the one who chose only French fries?"
"Hey! I wanted easy finger food and Jack took the last biscuits," the archer pouted in retort. "I'll get some when Tamamo finishes the next batch."
Deep within, the other identity smiled. The moments today were proving just as mundane and silly, but as inconsequential as they were, she felt compelled not to spill a glimpse. There was no telling what new sight might rouse a new whim to possibly pursue, especially since she'd grown a bit more open about it. To change the tune, Tomoe's curious gaze towards the boardwalk caused Shiki's attention to shift… Along with her inner feelings.
"Oh. She must be the new servant…" Tomoe mused as the cafeteria's attention turned to the newcomer. "…Shiki? You look like… Oh. Do you possibly know her?"
Deep within, the emotions swirled around the often-slumbering identity, but she too stared through focused, curious vision. Whatever the pseudo-servant may have felt, it didn't quite match the inner spirit. Intrigue held firm, rivalled only by dismissive acceptance and acknowledgement that this was just another turn of the wheel… An inconsequential development, but yet another hint towards what was coming to be.
Now returning the gaze, flanked by the uniformed masters and a few servants… No, neither Shiki could quite tell the blurs around her apart. All that mattered right now was the curious appearance of unmistakable indigo. Clad in a familiar conservative black dress with ivory collars, it was as if the former adversary appeared like a dream… or perhaps nightmare. Whatever the case, those wine eyes of Fujino Asagami had yet to roar with malice or discontent when they met with Shiki's.
'…Why?' The voice within cared little, but understood the meaning. She shouldn't have been a servant, yet with the expansions and tamperings with Chaldea's system, the possibilities had grown. Regardless of why or how, she was yet another clue of what's to come. A hint of the possible desperation leaking from the throne, seemingly panicking to send more varied allies in an attempt to stop what was to come.
…How amusing. As if what was inevitable could be changed, but the sentiment remained. One that matched her host, who stared dumbfounded and surprised. "Yea… I know her. We almost killed each other one time."
"Killed!?" Tomoe's attention snapped to her with worry. A few others within earshot did too. "…Are you…?"
"Have you decapitated Ushi yet?" Shiki's rhetorical answer made Tomoe's brows furrow with natural distaste and grudge, but the assassin let slip a teensy smirk in response. "…It's been a long time since I talked with her. I guess it won't hurt to see how she feels about her circumstances. I think we can see eye to eye on that much."
Yet beyond the inevitable guaranteed, bright or not, the embodying identity couldn't help but smile with… agreeing curiosity. Her human fancy tickled, she couldn't help but feel that she wanted to talk with her now that they were allies. Would Fujino allow that? What would be the outcome, inconsequential as it may be?
Deep within, the often-slumbering identity smiled upon feeling the familiar tugs of human whims. She knew why, and yet she didn't comprehend. She never would, yet when had that mattered in recent memory? If nothing else, there was transient beauty to be found nestled among pointless grains of time.
…So tonight, if the snow fell beautifully calm, 「」would walk again.