Chapter 2, Arrival in Fuyuki
Several days later
I arrived at Fuyuki's local bus station with ease. Of course, Dio could not accompany me himself, seeing as he was still vulnerable to the rays of sunlight, and I had almost found myself attacked by some of his subordinates.
One such subordinate, Enya the Hag appeared to be this world's version of the faithful woman Rida Mænz, who was a follower of The Sect of Lord Deus since she had been part of the Administrator since the early 1900s, which meant she was raised in that cult for the majority of her childhood. It was strange how similar the two were, but unlike how Rida was, Enya was more fanatical, and she never attempted to use unrestrained actions outright against major global powers thay had caused Lord Deus to act (which had made him fall into a slumber of recovery). Enya had almost impaled me with one of the Arrows Dio had told me about, but fortunately that didn't happen.
It was imperative that I didn't have a Stand, for it would have others gravitate towards me. And besides, my powers and skills were enough to defend myself should the need arise.
Dio was already well aware of the existence of Enya the Hag, so he knew I was in good hands for the most part, although he did still worry a bit about what she might do. So far, though, it seemed that he was satisfied with how well I was doing in keeping her at bay and avoiding her attacks, which was certainly impressed. He was especially pleased to see that I had managed to avoid her attempts to give you a Stand, a decision he fully approved of in my remaining a non-Stand user, much to the confusion of his more fanatic followers.
In the Fujimura residence
After explaining why Enya had to arrive herself with the unknown young man that was an acquaintance of Dio, Raiga had found that he could benefit from the situation at hand.
"Ah, well we're in luck. See, I've promised a late friend of mine to look over his son. The boy's rather mature for his age, but recently he had injured himself and has quit the Archery club. I'm a bit worried he'd start to become reclusive himself, but the kid is a kind man. His residence is quite large for one person; that place is enough for a clan, so he'd host you while you're here."
He then chuckles to himself, finding that he has more to offer. "My granddaughter is also a teacher at the Homurahara Academy, so if you are an exchange student while you're on your mission, Taiga will do what she can to see to it that the administration allows you to enter the school. Will that be acceptable for the time being, Mr. Ruel?"
Abraham nodded, smiling as he considered the offer. It sounded like the perfect solution for his current needs, offering a safe place to stay and a way to integrate into society as his cover story. He was eager to get started with his mission, but he recognized the importance of taking the necessary preparations first.
"Yes, that is absolutely acceptable. I appreciate your generosity and assistance, Mr. Raiga. I will do my best to make sure that your generosity and help is not wasted."
Raiga then remembered one of Kiritsugu's wishes, and decided he could further establish that they would be fulfilled by asking Abraham for assistance.
"While you're staying with Shirou, I do have one favor to ask." He laughs in a bit of embarrassment, but Abraham knew that from a Yakuza, a favor was a serious manner "I do hope you could befriend the kid; he's been aspiring to follow his adopted father's path of fulfilling the wish to be a hero. I've noticed it with his behavior, and he's been neglectful of his own needs sometimes. If you could get him to realize how unhealthy his actions are, I'd really appreciate it."
When Abraham hears Raiga explain, his eyes widen as the underlying favor was revealed to him. The kid was trying to get himself killed if he tried to follow an ideology like that: one that would be involved with the criminals that avoided justice, and that was an unforgiving future should he go at it with the mindset that Raiga had mentioned. He couldn't allow such a kid through his life like that. Not when he had other methods possible for similar needs. "I'll see what I can do, Mr Fujimura."
Abraham nodded, his interest now piqued further. He understood that Raiga was concerned about Shirou following in his adoptive father's footsteps and how that would potentially put the kid's life at risk were he to do so. Abraham was familiar with situations like this, so he was willing to help and guide Shirou as best he could to keep him from going down a path of destruction.
"I will do everything in my ability to assist Shirou and help him see the consequences of pursuing his current path. I will try my best to help him find a better way to live his life."
As Raiga Fujimura led me over to the Emiya residence, I allowed Enya to take leave. Apparently she was glad that I let her, and while not appreciative of having been tasked with escorting me to Japan, she did explain that she would be explaining to Dio that I was now safely in Fuyuki, and that my mission can now go forward.
"Just how old is Shirou, Mr Fujimura?"
As Abraham asked that question, both Raiga and the young man arrive at the residence, and are allowed in by Taiga, who had recently returned from her office at the academy. Further inside, in the living room, was the redhead boy whom Raiga had informed Abraham about earlier.
Taiga, seeing her grandfather had brought in a guest, took it upon herself to inform Shirou of the arrival of the person who would be staying for a while in his house.
Abraham kept calm and tried to hide his emotions as he stepped inside the Emiya residence. He noticed the redhead boy who immediately became his person of interest, the one he hoped to guide away from his self-destructive path towards heroism. He knew that he would have to approach Shirou carefully and gain his trust slowly but surely. As he waited for Taiga to inform Shirou of his arrival, he was also curious about what type of person Shirou was going to be.
"Hello there. I'm Abraham Ruel. Mr Fujimura told me that you had enough space for me to stay, and I'm looking forward to staying in Japan for a while. I'll be around for as long as I can study, as an exchange student of course." I add that bit at the end, seeing as I didn't want to prompt them to bring up why I'd be staying here instead of a hotel. It also allowed Mr Fujimura to transition to his discussion with Taiga about some of the documentations that needed to be done for me, thus allowing me to start on the favor Raiga had asked me of.
The redhead boy, Shirou Emiya, stood there and observed Abraham with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his coat. He had been informed by his surrogate grandfather of the unexpected visitor, but he still didn't fully know what to expect. As Abraham gave his introduction as an exchange student, he couldn't help but notice how well-spoken the young man was. He seemed to be rather confident in himself and well-mannered. But there was something about him that seemed to indicate that he was hiding something.
"So...what kind of things do you know people like to do around Fuyuki? I'm sorry if I'm coming a bit too hard as if I were a tourist, but I'd like to familiarize myself with the residents of Fuyuki a bit. Some of them will be fellow students after all."
Shirou decides to drop his reservation once the other adolescent had asked a friendly question. While he didn't spend much of his time as a socialite compared to everyone else, he had enough experience in Fuyuki to know where the population would go for entertainment.
Smiling slightly, he provided a little advice for the new arrival he was to host, as it would allow him to collect himself and discover more of Abraham as a person. "Well... the local library is a place to find students, but there's likely more of a chance for you to catch any of them acting themselves if you head to the mall or cinema. It is the weekend, so they mostly prefer spending the night out with friends." Shirou answered.
It was a relief for Abraham to see that Shirou wasn't as hard to talk to as he feared he might be. His slightly more friendly expression when he was smiling made him seem more approachable, and from how he had described the students, it seemed like he understood what type of person they were and what they liked to do. His answer on where people liked to spend time on the weekend was also helpful, as it allowed Abraham to learn more of his environment without seeming like an outright outsider.
Hmm. I don't want to bring any attention to myself, so I'd do good without standing out in public. However, in a library, I would have people watching my movements if I am not using the resources inside. I'll settle for a compromise: inquire through their city government for the family name "Kujo" and then if they can, have them reach out for me to Holly Kujo, that way I don't seem like a stalker by just showing up at their front door.
He congratulated himself for the plan he built on the spot, as it would do him well. Perhaps he would also check other familiar names as well, the local public community spaces, or the church.
The church in Fuyuki...if Dio's world was an apparent mirrored world of his own, then he'd likely see Tokiomi or his associates.
He might even get to see HER again...now grown beyond childhood...
After finishing the task needed for Dio's goals and the sun now setting, Abraham headed towards the Church that a priest named Father Kotomine led. His memories from his world had little info of who it could have been, but should it had been the soon-to-replace-the-elder Kotomine by now, then he would have to behave himself and not allow the priest to gather ANY information on him.
Letting out a sigh, he steels himself and enters, ready for whichever scenario it would be.
"Hello? Is the service closed?"
Abraham enters the church and is greeted by a priest; a young looking one around his early twenties, if he had to guess. His first impression of this priest was of mild unease, as he felt there was something... uncanny about him. Even so, he tried to keep himself calm and respectful when he spoke to the priest.
The young priest turned towards the guest with a calm expression. "Yes, the service recently concluded but do not worry, we allow visitors to visit our church. What may I help you with, my son?"
Kirei Kotomine stood before him. It was uncanny how he looked quite similar to the man he knew was an associate of Tokiomi, but it was also a break of character when comparing the two. The Kirei he knew looked like he was uneasy-as if he was lost and going through the motions of a person recently experiencing nihilism but still performing their duties. This Kirei...he felt like a snake. Ready to strike as he watched their target's movements.
This would indeed be dangerous if Abraham allowed him to know anything more than he wanted.
"Ah. Yes, thank you! I was just coming to see if there were any community events planned, and I understand that the church would likely help organize them. I'm rather new here, and don't exactly know how things are in Fuyuki, but I will be here for a while. Are there any events of interest I might be able to attend as a foreign exchange student, Father?"
Kirei's cold glance at Abraham definitely sets off some inner alarms within him. He can't help but notice how the young priest had a completely different vibe and air about him compared to the one he knew from his own universe. He could feel that his danger senses were telling him to be more cautious of this "Father" as their interactions went on. Still, he decided to stick with his original plan and kept himself in character as a friendly, curious exchange student.
Kirei smiled back, though there was no warmth or true friendliness in his own eyes.
Thinking to himself (This guy seems to have no soul. He feels like an undead, much more corrupted than how Brother Brando explained himself to have been a reborn vampire. A DAMN VAMPIRE! I'm going to send for assistance from Pucci if this Kirei shows any signs of being a problem.)
"Sorry, Father Kotomine. I should have been more precise of the events I'm looking to participate in. I guess Youth Meetings would be one that I look forward to."
As Abraham's words are spoken, Kirei comprehends what he was implying, but whether or not he was irritated by the words, his expression remained the same. This was a foreign student, and by now he would have been in contact with the host family. Taking him out wouldn't do well, as his sudden disappearance would be investigated.
However...
Yes. YES.
By now Kirei had felt that there was something special about the boy. And if he played his cards right, he could have him investigated. He'd just have Rin do this for him; let her think that the young man was preparing for reconnaissance on the territory the HGW would take place, even if it was supposedly going to take place another 50 years from now. What she didn't know wouldn't be an issue.
"As much as I'd like to answer you, my son, it is unfortunately in the negative. The Youth meetings have been suspended for this summer, and will likely not return until the start of next year. I have a lot on my plate, and managing the main church duties is my priority as a community leader." Kirei finishes, then bids Abraham farewell as he closes the doors. He would then take it upon himself to inform Tokiomi's daughter of the scenario that had come up.
(Abel): Something has come up.
(Brother Brando): What? Has the Joestars found you out this soon?
(Abel): No. Fortunately I've sent over an official inquirement letter to meet with Holly Kujo from the Fuyuki city government. She'd let me into her home should she be as you said "A kind-hearted woman". What happened is of higher concern for me.
(Brother Brando): There is opposition in Fuyuki?
(Abel): Most likely. There's a local church where a priest has encountered me. He's...uncanny, and rubs me off the wrong way. I'm normally able to tell what a person is like, but he's more dangerous than he lets off. I might need more assistance. Maybe Pucci can take a look.
(Brother Brando): ...I'll see what I can do. For now, remain in character for the role you're playing. Perhaps even behave as you did when you were of this age. If things are as you said, then this Priest has merely started his investigation on you himself. Take care, Brother.
(Abel): Brother Brando, is Pucci already gifted his own stand?
(Brother Brando): Indeed he has. It is 'White Snake' and is capable of removing aspects of a person- primarily their memories and stand. You could say that he has a bit of domain over one's soul with this. Why do you ask?
(Abel): I was wondering if he'd be capable of defending himself, but the way you described his stand relieves me of worry. Of course, he will need to remain hidden from the Joestars, so Pucci won't be able to protect me for long. If he can remove Stands, do you think he'd be capable of fusing them? Make a Stand power stronger than their separate components?
(Brother Brando): ...I see where you are coming from, Brother. But I thought you needn't worry about opposition. What changes your mind?
(Abel): ...Our worlds are too similar to my liking, and if my theory is correct, then I have taken base in an upcoming war zone where my powers wouldn't do me enough favor without compromising my role.
Dio read the message carefully, listening intently to Abraham's explanation and his thoughts about their worlds being dangerously similar to one another. He couldn't help but feel interested in their similarities and how it might affect their plans here. He could tell that Abraham was beginning to grow wary of Fuyuki and its residents, especially after meeting this "uncanny priest". Dio thought that this priest might pose a problem to their plans of Heaven, so he decided to probe Abraham further to determine just how much of a threat this priest truly represented.
(Abel): If I am correct, this world's 4th HGW didn't end as catastrophic as mine did. There was an unexpected fire, yes, but it didn't kill as much as the catastrophe in my world. This must mean that the Grail is still in the hands of the Magus society. And if Kirei is still alive... I suspect that he has access to it. In my world, he participated in the 4th HGW, and his father was the overseer. This would mean that he'd know more of its secrets than just any regular magus, and with how he carries himself... Well, let's just say that the Joestars have more to worry about than just Dio Brando.
After reading this message, Dio quickly made a mental note of the threat that Kirei could pose to his plans, especially since he had access to the Grail and could therefore cause a catastrophic event. Dio knew he had to tread carefully and approach this situation intelligently if he wanted his Heaven Plan to go off without a hitch.