Great Expectations
Part II
(22 January—1 February)
I fall in love with you,
and eternity ends
The joy and pain of living begins
In the light
—ARIA, Kalafina
1
22 January 2005. 4:05 PM.
To: Irisviel V. Emiya
From: Arturia Pendragon
Subject: RE: fuyuki
First of all, thank you for the invitation—and it was very thoughtful of you to include Gil as well, even though I know you didn't have a good impression of him even through my scanty and infrequent letters. Also, I've repeated this a lot of times, but please stop referring to me as "Saber"… He laughs whenever I let him read your letters and see you still calling me like that. Also, I don't practice much swordplay anymore, since I don't have anywhere to do it. My sword is almost always hung on the wall whenever Gil is looking. He's afraid that I might break his expensive furniture if I so much as take it out of its sheath.
Well, to get to the point, today I've finally broken the news to him. He seemed a bit reluctant to accept your invitation at first, but after finding out that you're the daughter of one of his mother's many social friends, he was more than happy to accept. I'm relieved; at least that's one worry out of the way. And now that it's actually a reality, I think I'm actually a bit excited. You're right, I do need a break—I think it's been ages since I last saw Illyasviel—I don't think she's even the height of my knee the last time. I'm already making a list of what to bring… Regarding that, I wonder if you could ask Illya what she would like me to buy for her? I know that she barely knows me, so this is a small way to make up for all these years. She is a very bright child, literally and figuratively. It would be my pleasure to be reacquainted with her again.
Please don't worry about Kiritsugu and me. I know we've had a bit of a history over the years, but I'm willing to put it behind us for a few days. I'm sure he wants to do so too. However, Irisviel, I don't think I'll take kindly to any attempt you will make to force us to talk for more than necessary. That is something I should probably tell you now.
However, I'm quite interested in the boy that you guys have adopted. Shirou, is it? If he was ten years old when you adopted him… I guess that would make him around seventeen now, correct? Hm… Should I also buy something for him? Well, if it's not overstepping my boundaries, perhaps I'll also give him something as a little gift. You have mentioned that he likes cooking, so maybe I'll buy him something related to food—if that's not very simplistic…
Well, that's all I've wanted to address for now, so I guess I should end this message.
Yours, Arturia
2
24 January 2005. 9:24 PM.
To: Irisviel V. Emiya
From: Arturia Pendragon
Subject: RE: RE: RE: fuyuki
I've had a little falling-out with Gil earlier this morning, I'm sorry if I'm only able to reply to your e-mail tonight—though I'm not really sure how much the time difference between our cities is. Don't worry about it though, we've made up. It was just a little lovers' spat like usual. Gil is just really neat when it comes to his stuff. I should be more careful about being more ladylike. I guess I haven't really flushed out my big movements out of my system. Although I am a bit jealous since he was worried much more about his childhood friend's gift to him than he was about me. Yes, I know it's stupid to get jealous of a vase. I can already hear you telling me off as I type this, so I'm preempting you.
Anyway, I've bought presents for the kids while I was out cooling my head off after the argument—I bought Illya a hat with a really large floppy brim and a huge feather (it almost looks like a theater costume, but I'm sure that'll increase the appeal for her). For Shirou, I got a simple book about English cuisine, nothing too expensive. He might want to challenge himself with something new if he's already mastered Japanese cooking like you've said. I look forward to giving them these gifts.
However, your gift shall have to be a surprise. Sorry, Irisviel. : )
As I write this, I'm also studying to see if my checklist is comprehensive. Let's see… You said we should see the indoor pool recently built in town, so do I have to pack a swimsuit? (!) I don't have to put in too many heavy clothes, right? Some sweaters should probably be enough for Fuyuki's climate. One pair of jeans, then some skirts, then maybe some leggings to go with that oversized sweater that you liked on me. Thinking of conservative clothing reminds me, I'd like to see the church as well…
Oh. Sorry for rambling. I'd like to delete that entire last paragraph, but it'd be a waste of effort and besides, you could suggest what else I'll have to bring… I'm a bit frantic here, sorry. I'm not so used to long trips abroad.
Yours, Arturia
3
27 January 2005. 10:00 AM.
To: Irisviel V. Emiya
From: Arturia Pendragon
Subject: About our flight details
I've attached a picture of our flight details to this e-mail. You can just download and print it out. If we get confused, don't worry, I'll just message you by phone.
Will you be alone when you pick us up, or will you have Maiya (or him) with you? Please answer this question promptly, I want Gil to be prepared.
Yours, Arturia
P.S. We don't need the sedan after all—Gil's going to have his luggage shipped in advance to your house instead. Can you take care of it when it arrives? It might arrive a day before we do. Don't worry, it's just three suitcases and a box. (That's his idea of light packing.)
4
29 January 2005. 7:16 AM.
To: Maiya Hisau
From: Arturia Pendragon
Subject: We're here
Maiya, we're waiting in the terminal somewhere near a 7-11. I'm in a royal blue dress with a white belt. Gil's wearing a white wool longsleeve and snakeskin-patterned pants and is yelling at some guy who happened to step on his toes earlier. Please hurry up. Thank you.
Arturia
(On second thought, I think it's easier to find Gil. He's tall, blonde, and shouting.)
5
29 January 2005. 7:30 AM.
To: Irisviel V. Emiya
From: Arturia Pendragon
Subject: RE: RE: Arrived
Don't worry. We sorted out the trouble. We're now in the car and heading out of the airport. I'm already apologizing for Gil causing such a ruckus in his first ten minutes here.
Anyway, looking forward to seeing you and Illya!
Arturia
6
29 January 2005. 7:32 AM.
To: Irisviel V. Emiya
From: Arturia Pendragon
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: Arrived
Oh, I see. Well, I guess you can just leave the box in the yard. I'll have Gil carry it into the room himself later. He deserves a punishment for behaving so disgracefully earlier. Don't worry about it.
Arturia
7
1 February 2005. 1:55 PM.
To: Irisviel V. Emiya
From: Arturia Pendragon
Subject: RE: RE: Going out for a bit
Yes, Gil and I are just going to take a stroll around. Maiya's given us a map, so I don't think we'll get lost or anything. We'll be back before evening.
Arturia
8
1 February 2005. 3:04 PM.
To: Irisviel V. Emiya
From: Arturia Pendragon
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Going out for a bit
We're in Ahnenerbe as you suggested. It's a cozy little place. : ) I'm glad you suggested it. I'll bring back a green-tea cake for dessert later after dinner.
Arturia
9
1 February 2005. 3:32 PM.
To: Irisviel V. Emiya
From: Arturia Pendragon
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Going out for a bit
Sorry, I forgot to buy the cake, but then something happened and it just slipped my mind. Do you mind if I just bring someone home, just for some medicine and a change of clothes? I'm afraid the accident was partly my fault. I'll tell you all about it later. I'm very sorry about this.
Arturia
Tuesday, 1 February 2005.
This was perhaps the strangest scenario I've ever been in.
I'm walking on the road to the bus stop, with a long dark coffee stain down my favorite coat, a first-degree burn on the back of my neck, and two gorgeous foreigners flanking me on each side—one clearly displeased, while the other was sending worried glances down my way. All around, people stared after us as if we were celebrities. I was used to those kinds of glances in school, but somehow, in the real world, it just seemed unsettling.
The golden-haired girl had introduced herself as Arturia. I glanced at her surreptitiously, and accidentally catching her look of repentant worry, I started and quickly trained my eyes back to the street in front of me. What an unusual name. Maybe the female derivative of Arthur? I then glanced at the guy on my other side. He had a faintly disgusted look about him, as if he smelled something unpleasant. I have the faintest idea of who that might be. Arturia told me that his name is Gil, and that they're engaged to be married. (I privately thought that he looks more like a Goldy than a Gil. I'll call him appropriately from now on.)
That little thing about their engagement was really making my stomach uncomfortable for some reason. I mean, I know I've developed these weirdly sudden feelings for her, but I'm not sure I should already be feeling jealous in the presence of a rival. I mean… isn't that too hasty? Or is this normal?
The journey back to Miyama was mostly silent. Arturia insisted strongly that I have to go and get my burns tended to, and that includes going back with them to the place where they were staying. I wasn't stupid enough to willingly go with two strangers, of course, but Arturia had this certain attitude about her that could have earned a lion its trust. Maybe it was because of her straightforward, earnest way of speaking, or perhaps the clear look in her emerald eyes. Perhaps it was the way she held herself, her elegant and queenly posture, or her firm grasp when she helped me up. I wouldn't really know.
To my surprise, instead of going to the foreigners' district of Miyama, we dropped off at its more traditional half. I've never had much occasion to go here before—but now that I saw the street of Japanese houses before me, I felt a slight curiosity.
Arturia and Goldy led the way. They were speaking in quick English—I heard him snort and throw me a withering glance, but Arturia shook her head and suddenly stopped at a huge gate. I fidgeted as she opened the gate and let Goldy in, and then turned to give me a gentle smile and a welcoming gesture. I bowed past her into the front yard, and looked around. It seemed to be more spacious and open than my own house.
Arturia rang the doorbell, and in answer I heard the patter of quick, heavy steps and a muffled "Coming!" before the front door slid open. I caught a glimpse of somewhat familiar red hair and a gaping mouth, upon which the apparition said, half in awe,
"Tohsaka?"
My eyes widened. This guy… I know I've seen him before!
"Oh, Emiya Shirou-kun." I struggled to keep my composure. Behind me, I can feel Arturia and Goldy exchange bemused glances. "Well… I'll be intruding then."
And with that I stepped past him, as bold as a thief, and silently, the other three followed me inside the house.
"What are you doing here?" he whispered urgently as he led me to their living room-slash-kitchen, where a small silver-haired girl, wearing a ridiculously huge hat, was watching the musical on TV with great interest. Shirou quickly grabbed the remote and turned the volume down, much to the pipsqueak's annoyance.
"What are you doing, Shirou?" she squealed, trying to take back the remote.
"Illya, didn't I tell you to don't turn up the volume too much?" he scolded gently, holding it out of her grasp until she gave up and pouted on the mat. "Also, we have another guest."
The kid named Illya glanced at me uninterestedly, almost haughtily—it was almost as if she sized me up and decided that I was beneath her powers. Fighting back the urge to go duke it out with a little girl half my size, I instead went to the table and sat when Shirou gestured us to do so. I saw with satisfaction that he seemed to be irked when I picked the place on the left-hand side of the head—most probably this was his usual place at table. Arturia and Goldy sat side-by-side opposite me, Arturia adopting a comfortable Japanese-style sitting position and Goldy just letting his legs sprawl under the table.
"Shirou, where is the first-aid kit?" Arturia said quickly, as Shirou started boiling a pot of water over the stove. He gestured to the direction of the hall.
"Dad keeps one in the bathroom, I think."
Arturia smiled at me and went off in search for the medicine kit. This left me with three uncomfortable people: the pipsqueak, Shirou, and Goldy. For some reason, the first two were determinedly not meeting my gaze, while Goldy was staring at me in utter contempt. I don't even know what I could have possibly done to warrant this staring.
"What is it?" I snapped. He was about to open his mouth when Arturia came back in, holding a white kit to her chest.
"Let's see the burn, Rin." She was about to open the kit when she seemed to have hit upon a realization. "Or… will you prefer to get patched up in somewhere with more privacy? I understand it might be a bit…"
Well, anything to get away from these three people who were now all watching us. I notice Illya's eyes glance jealously at Arturia, then to me. I guess she really likes Arturia. Well, I can't blame her, but at the same time, this is also an unexpected opportunity to piss off the pipsqueak and Goldy and hog Arturia at the same time. Ha!
"Okay." I fake a laugh. "Can we do it somewhere else instead? It's a bit…"
Arturia nodded understandingly and stood up. Leading me down the hall to the bathroom, she said in a quiet voice, "I'll also have to wash the coffee off your coat. Do you mind?"
"Well…" I thought for a bit, then guessing that I don't want to walk through town with a stain on my coat, nodded. "Okay. I'll have to take a light shower anyway to rinse my burn."
She smiled and draped the coat over her arm. "I'll give you a little privacy then. I'll just put this in the washing machine." She paused. "Maybe I can wash the rest of your clothes too?"
Whew. I'm not yet ready to let her wash my intimate clothing. "Er, no, no need."The coffee hadn't seeped through to my shirt anyway.
"Alright." Arturia went out to leave me in peace. I stripped off the rest of my clothes, reached for the showerhead and, flipping my hair over my shoulder, started to awkwardly run my burn under the cool water. After making sure that it has cooled down, I wiped myself down with one of the towels in the cabinet and dressed myself.
I then heard a knock on the door and Arturia's voice saying, "Are you finished, Rin?" She must have heard the water stop.
"Yeah," I called out, and let her in. She was still in her cream sweater, but her hair was done up now in a cute braided bun, tied with a simple blue ribbon.
She seemed to me to be even more beautiful than before, if possible.
"Let's get some medicine on that burn," she said, and made me sit on the edge of the tub facing away from her. I can hear her rummage in the kit and then uncap a tube of the burn medicine. Quickly, I swept my long hair away from the burn area once more to allow her to administer the ointment.
The first touch of her fingers on my skin felt as good as cool water, if not even better. She rubbed the medicine in gentle, careful circles, her skin against mine all the time, slippery and soothing. I can faintly feel my heart as it pounded nervously at Arturia's touch.
"Are you alright, Rin? It doesn't hurt?"
I quickly nodded. "Y-Yeah."
I tried to suppress the tremors that were threatening to break out onto the surface of my skin—threatening to break out… and betray me.
God. This is hopeless. Stop it, hormones.
"Alright." Sticking a plaster on my burn to keep my hair from making contact with it, Arturia placed a hand on my shoulder. "Let's go. Shirou should have tea waiting."
She left me in the bathroom. My legs trembling slightly, I pushed myself up against the wall and followed after her slowly, the burn that she has touched stinging at every step.
Part II END