CURSED BE. ⁽ ᵃᵘᵗᵒᵖᶫᵃʸ ⁾

[caninedevotion]

salturia:

     SHE ABSORBS THE DEPTH OF THE WOMAN’S WORDS, studying the wisdom hidden behind first impressions. The baroness reminds her of a glass antique; charming to observe– but only after being tempered by flames hot enough to scorch the earth. Those words of hers are ruinous. “You are better off conforming with the rest of this crowd. Their faces are buried in these dimly-lit devices, captured by the ‘news’ of this artificial reality, no longer caring for their compromising situation. They have settled on the belief that their situation is helpless, and resigned on being victims without aid. That is a simple way to live, isn’t it? Does the truth not depress you enough to submit to such a life?” 

          ❝ Oh wow. You’re trying to say it’s better to do that than fight against it? That’s interesting. ❞ coming from a servant, not that her opinion mattered much to her. yet she would play along on the matter as pleasantly as she would with any other. ❝ I’ve never cared for technology. No change will be made because you submit---I will not heel so easily like some dog. To me, that’s an easy way out to avoid the reality of it. What truth? The truth that these fools that hold us captive say? Or the ones who were broken by them? History is not made by those who give up; it’s made by those who kept going forward until the end. ❞ and if she must, she would be the one to find a way to free all of them.

[caninedevotion]

riiastrad:

a look like that she could kill a man without want of knives, none more dangerous than that of a woman’s fury. that was the sharpest blade, he knew it well, having been run through more than his fair share by them. he was well acquainted with hers; a glare that could rend flesh from muscle, rip the words from your throat before you’ve had a chance to say a damn thing. not this time– this time he held onto everything, only lowering his brow defiantly at her response.

          “that’s up to me, yeah? then i’m makin’ it my business.” he parried coolly. well, since he wasn’t her servant for the moment, he could do whatever the hell he liked– and concerning himself with her would be one of them. he wasn’t stupid, there was something wrong, but she seemed content licking her own wounds than relying on anyone else to mend them for her. she was just that kind of person.

and yet he was here, ready to stay by her side, whatever it takes, and for better or for worse, she was stuck with him. if he had to get a little mouthy with her to make his point clear, then so be it. she had to know already that he wasn’t going to back down, tail between his legs, right? whether he said it outright or not. with that, lancer lifted his chin with a blink, recalling something aside that might be of interest.

          “did y'know? that rider guy was here too.” he figured she should be aware, since they all go way back– and that’s what made him that much more dangerous.

          MOUTHY, SOMETHING SHE WAS HARDLY surprised about despite how obedient he usually was when under their contract. hardly anything could be done about it now, crimson eyes glowering toward him at his smart-mouthed response. despite it all, it was a peculiar comfort that their relationship remained the same as it did in those distant days outside of this wretched city. whatever kept him bound to her was something she could not entirely comprehend, something far different than what she believed heroic spirits to be. loyalty, to them, was only for which master could attain them the grail.

                                        that was how it always had been, she was sure.

          ❝ ... I’m aware. What about him? He hasn’t been around since I met him that day, ❞ she responds coldly, arms crossing over her chest. without presence concealment, it was hardly a concern, though she can only wonder if those two had a scuffle of their own.

          eyes drift away from him thereafter, falling into silent contemplation on the earlier matter of him making it his business. though the quietude in response was enough of a gesture to tell him to do whatever he pleased, it hardly changes the facts of the matter. thus, she keeps her eyes cast aside, glancing down at the masses passing by beneath them. ❝ Lancer. If you’re going to make me your business, then don’t expect it to be easy, ❞ she snaps, though more in a forewarning than anything else. ❝ Unless you want to run away from this curse this time. I’d hardly be surprised by a Servant doing that. ❞

[caninedevotion]

salturia:

     “I would never obey the jurisdiction of fellow man, yet I must when I am here. But tell me, is this any different than the reality that we are familiar with? We are typically caged creatures of our own flesh and instincts. In life, I am bound by obligations, but those obligations do not exist here – nor do those obligations exist for the majority of individuals that find themselves in the city. Some.. do not even consider themselves captive of this faux reality, but think themselves free men.” 

          ❝ I guess that’d depend, right? On where you stand in that reality. Your beliefs. Even if your obligations don’t exist here, you are still caged whether you want to admit it or not. Brought here against your own will, made to play tricks for whoever decides to watch us---isn’t that the definition of one? Even if they think themselves free men, i’d say it’s a lie in order for them to deny the reality of what it is. Not that it’s bad, but I don’t pity or agree with those who think that way, either. ❞

[caninedevotion]

          ❝ What a cozy little prison it is. Familiar, mirroring things many are used to. You could almost get used to living here and prefer it. But it would still remain what it is, right? Just a cage for chained lions to walk in circles. ❞

[caninedevotion]

toxicant:

@caninedevotion

He’s a wandering sort, even here. Really, Sesshomaru doubts that he’ll ever be able to chase away that restlessness that’s made a home for itself in him. So, he takes to the night, or in this case, the twilight, watching the dusk turn the sky into a million different colors. It’s not the same as the woods he knows, but, it’s something, something interesting and mysterious. 

He scents the woman before he hears her, hears her before he spots her. However, he’s content to stay silent for a time, blinking slowly at that same purple sky, before he hears the woman move.

“Do you particularly need something, or do you find it necessary to make so much noise?”

          TWILIGHT HAS ALWAYS BEEN HER calling, where the moon creeps from beyond the reflection of the sky to reveal a blanket of black. even now with her scouts does she prefer the cloaking of eventide, managing her bearings and gathering information that might prove useful in the long run. one such thing being a suspicious figure which her summons had relayed upon returning to her side, dispersing soon after in order to await their orders. what quietude is had is hardly mannered to disturb, arms crossing over her chest as she observes from afar, only shuffling her feet every so often so that the dirt beneath their soles would grind softly into noise.

          whoever this was could not be considered unusual by the standards of the city, though he possessed something different that drew her dogs to him in their searches. whatever it was, she could only bring herself to wonder. something worth checking into, she finds herself thinking as he finally addresses her presence.

          ❝ Not really. If anything, I was wondering how long it took you to acknowledge me here. ❞ nothing malicious in her intentions, more so investigation upon the person that her senses tell her seems far too superior to be normal.  ❝ Am I bothering you? ❞

[caninedevotion]

noninetypes:

If there was silence, 9S could not even grasp it as his mind was currently racing. He saw the strange creature on her side and tried to recall if he had ever looked up a similiar domesticated animals in his past research on humans. As his brain shot through several different levels of analysis though, none of them reached any useful conclusions and his thoughts seemed to just run into each other, and richochet in his own head. 

“No…” He said, suddenly and abruptly, trying to simply speak rather than overthink this situation. “Even if it’s hard to accept, that’s the truth. All humans are dead.” 

It took 9S a moment to realize that was probably not the best thing to say in front of a currently living human. He squeaked, and then bowed his head suddenly in apology. 

“That’s not what I meant… Umm.. in my world they are. I don’t want you to be dead or anything. The world I come from is a world full of androids. I’m a scanner and reconnaissance unit so, information gathering or uh- stalking is kind of what I was programmed to do.”

          EYES REMAIN UPON HIS FIGURE, observing in silence at how he falls silent to compute what was spoken. no, perhaps it was something more which plagues him. when he speaks suddenly, remaining silent is all she can do upon the information received. ah, what a peculiar thing to blurt, brows furrowing briefly as she soaks it in herself. all humans are dead. the words swirl inside her mind as she stands, one hand pulling itself from the pocket of her coat. more so caution than truly guarded in the wake of a weighted statement as this.

          what squeak and bow of his head offered is regarded with quietude still, blinking once as she listens to him rectify his prior mentions. ❝ That’s a lot of info you’ve given there, ❞ she muses, tilting her head partially as if wondering if it were all true. not that he would have any reason to lie to her in this moment.

          ❝ Oh, don’t worry. Had you wanted me dead, I’m sure you would’ve made it known by now. ❞ avoiding to say that he would have succeeded in killing her despite the possibility of it. once more does her smile return, pleasant as always to contrast her somber expression from earlier. ❝ But even if it’s true, you have humans here now, right? I couldn’t know less about technology, but you look just like us. It wouldn’t be hard to waltz up to one and start a conversation... but I guess old habits die hard, hm? If you’d like, I could answer a few questions for you now, event, if it’s so hard to start one. ❞ not without her finding out her own information, too, though she hardly voices such an intent.

[erisreed-blog]

by ag16_

[caninedevotion]

noninetypes:

“I….”

9S stood stock still assessing his options. His eyes and his expression were hidden behind the blindfold that covered more than half of his face as he pulled his lips tight. He was glad she could not see the mechanisms that drove him on the inside, as there was no way he could keep them anywhere near as composed. 

He thought of saying something threatening to scare her away, he thought of even standing his ground he was a combat model after all. Even against somebody like A2, he tied with her in the end. He was not weak, but still…

This was a human.

He put both of his hands over his face as if that could somehow hide him. 

“I don’t know anything about humans. I don’t know what I’d do.”

          QUIETUDE, AN ENVELOPING SENSATION THAT seeps into the atmosphere between the two as they stand squared off. one dog beside her breaks the silence, growling with a low rumble of its voice as it senses the possibility of danger. shoulders remain lax despite the nigh forewarning, bringing one hand down upon its head in order to quell the unease that controls its actions. before long does crimson begin to analyze the one before her, something so lifelike yet inhuman were his words an indication of that much.

          what he was would remain a mystery for now, curiosity burrowing itself into the recesses of her mind as she smiles pleasantly. no hint that she might desire to bring harm to the poor automata, only that of a mistress of elegance which carries herself above such petty trifles. though the mask he wears is visible, he was not alone in concealing the workings beneath with an innocent tilt of the head nor the swift blink at his words.

          ❝ Really now? Not a single one? That’s hard to believe. This might be surprising to hear, but maybe you should ask one. It’s far more simple than stalking, isn’t it? ❞

[caninedevotion]

riiastrad:

guess there was little point in hiding anymore– he was useless at it when it came to her anyways. she was a sharp woman, as shrewd as she was cold, and he could get behind that. he had to hand it to her, she wasn’t an idiot unlike a lot of magus, but she had some arguable methods. despite it all, they were commands he wouldn’t dream of contending with lest he face her wrath– a wrath that could be dealt in a single glare, brandished like a dagger to his throat. he wasn’t sure if he feared it so much as he understood it, but it would always be an unspoken thing; that knowing, and that admiration.

              misaya reiroukan was iron, steel; and she was marble, and porcelain. 

and like that, cú chulainn shed his guise, a thin veil of magic falling away, a dying glimmer riding the wind into nothing. he’d taken form just a few strides at her back, spear resting comfortably against an armoured shoulder and the opposing hand at his hip. he replied coolly, composedly, standing his ground— 

          “sorry, misaya– but i think if i answered that, you wouldn’t like it very much.” well, chances are she wouldn’t like what he had to say either way, but it was probably better to spare her his consideration.

          HANDS CLENCH LOOSELY INTO FISTS, burrowed deep in the pockets of her coat as she remains firm in place. ever poised, like an ornamental beauty meant only to be gazed upon than touched for what dangers lurks beneath. were death a human manifestation, she would be like nightshade---silent, petals blessed with a kiss of toxin to those foolish enough to think they might pluck her from the roots. none would be spared without immunity, not even the faithful dog which stands afar from her in this very moment. like a curse, though one which she gladly embraces into herself to ward those untempered for the gnash of wolfen teeth.

          for those like him, they would only be greeted with nails which found torn flesh their home; bloodied and unapologetic in how they sting.

          crimson is keen, slowly shifting from her brief observance of the city below to the child of light that beckons at her back. one hand slips from her jacket, unfurling beside her as she greets him with naught but a chilled stare. he was right, she would give him that. anything he would say would only cause the weight upon her shoulders to dig deeper without relent, drawing forth blood and slicing through bone.

          ❝ Oh? It wouldn’t be something like ‘because I’m concerned about you’ or ‘I promised, so I won’t back down,’ would it? Don’t make me laugh, Lancer, ❞ she scolds with steeled words, tone lackluster in comparison to the usual venomous essence she would carry with pride. ❝ I told you, didn’t I? You have no business with me now--- ❞

                                                            if only you knew when to run.

[caninedevotion]

          ❝ 'Friends’ with benefits? Wow. So you all talk about things like this here? Better yet, it would be more accurate to simply admit you’re using them. You don’t need friends to have BENEFICIAL interactions. ❞

[caninedevotion]

                         ( @riiastrad )

          HOW GENTLE THE BREEZES ARE, soles firm upon the edge of a building within the fifth sector. raven tresses sway to their whims, hands hidden within the pockets of her coat as she glances down to the passing citizens. so small, though certainly not so weak as their size from such a height might entice one to believe. yes, though she wishes to protect these people, too, there is far more weighing on her mind in this moment. that of a pain which seeps deep into the recesses of her mind, the burning essence of magic which courses through her veins as a reminder of the inevitable fate which awaits her.

                                                    but isn’t that always what curses were?

          inhaling once, she releases only the smallest breath as her thoughts linger far too long on the resurface of it all. perhaps this city had seemed far too good before that it must remind her nothing has changed---she was simply a dead woman walking on borrowed time. what sentiments mulled through her head only pauses momentarily at the notice of a familiar presence, crimson remaining fixated below her as she doesn’t budge from the spot she has planted herself in. ah, she should have known. like some lost puppy who could only return to their owner the moment they found them again.

          ❝ ... why are you here? ❞ even if he had yet to show himself, her senses were enough to tell the servant was lingering by.

[caninedevotion]

brutrait:

perhaps t’was only for a moment, maybe even less, that the deep brown studious gaze of the man hovered across the stranger’s visage. “ —– forgive me, i had hardly meant to cause you discomfort. i suppose, i have just never laid eyes upon such an interesting choice of clothing before. certainly, i have never seen anything quite like it.. “ 

          ❝ Oh? It’s hardly discomforting. I grew used to it back home, too. ❞ much for her popularity than clothing. regardless, she offers a smile to the stranger ❝ The same could be said about yours. The last time someone wore something like that, I’d say it was the warring period. This city’s pretty mysterious, isn’t it? ❞

[caninedevotion]

ferrumiustus:

☀ — Boots scuffed against the sidewalk as another day was happening, the world was still going. Hearing sounds ahead, the blonde watched people bending down to reach out for something – he couldn’t tell what tlll he got closer. It was a little dog!

☀ — The furry creature barked as he walked by, and Guy smiled with a sudden backpedal. Bending down to pet the dog, he heard a voice close by. Turning his head, he saw it was woman. He put up a free hand. “Don’t worry miss, I don’t think this guy bites.” To answer for himself the dog prodded Guy’s gloved hand for some attention. He wondered if he could take the animal home? It had no collar and was very well mannered.

          OBSERVING, RED EYES DO NOT leave the way the creature seems delighted in the attention it now receives. ah, so a friendly stray indeed. definitely nothing like the dogs she could summon that prowled the night and devoured that which she commanded. far too naive, more suited to the man who seemed willing to defend it despite its appearance unlike others.

          ❝ All dogs bite, it’s a matter of their trigger. But it looks like you’re in luck. He seems taken with you, ❞ she muses, soon lifting the cup to her lips to polish off the rest of her drink. placing the money for the bill upon the table she stands, hands in pockets as she walks over. ❝ He’s lucky the pound hasn’t come. There’s been a lot of reports of dog attacks, even if this one doesn’t seem involved. ❞

[caninedevotion]

lamortespoir:

The person who called to him was… unfamiliar. Though he knew few Masters besides his own and the false ones formed by Singularities, it was clear this was one. A normal Magus would have suspected him of being the same, a member of a magic family. Yet a Master would see beyond that, especially if they were from a true War. The fact that they seemed prepared for battle would back that assumption up as well.

“I would expect a bit more thought from a Master. Were I here to take your life, it would already be taken.”

Words of both peace and an indication of possible threat were hat he chose to retort with it. The question in his mind is from what war did she hail. If she were an enemy Master from the war of the Director’s father, she may become his enemy as well. If not… perhaps he was acquainted with the Servant that fought beside her. That could ease any tension that may occur, or so he hoped.

“And where might your Servant be that you take an action as bold as to reveal yourself to another Servant?”

          VEILED THREATS, SUBTLY SWEET IN all their charming glory. none were more acquainted with such things than the mistress who stands before him, one hand finding itself upon her hip without a falter of her smile. surely he would take this posture as a sign of no ill will. after all, he was correct---had he desired to take her life, it would be no grand feat in comparison. ❝ You’re right. Even with your stats all ranked at D, I’d be no match. ❞ something simple to show she could still tell his status like any master could, enough to show that she was well aware of his standing. though she speaks this way, it is clear she is not here to scuffle or cause any direct harm.

                                                  hopefully he, too, would see this.

          ❝ Waiting for my command, of course. Like a Servant ought to. ❞ surely a bluff, though the confidence she exudes in stating so is unmistakable. ❝ But I’m not here to cross blades. I’m more curious about the Grail here. And who better to ask than a Servant? ❞

[caninedevotion]

         CRIMSON DRIFTS, STRAYING FROM THE cup of tea set before her upon the table. it was the scene of another going to reach for what seems a shaggy dog, wagging tail and curious tilt of its head to the attention it receives from a passing citizen. ah, far more tame than her own when it came to most strangers. crossing one leg over the other, she smiles briefly before speaking up.

         ❝ Oh. Dog bites can be pretty vicious. You might want to be careful, it may not be vaccinated properly if it’s a stray. ❞

[caninedevotion]

riiastrad:

as always and even in defeat did his master maintain that seemingly cool facade, like the implications hadn’t grazed her composure even a little bit– like none of what he had just said meant a damn thing. but lancer wasn’t an idiot, and he knew better, searching her eyes amid the silence and finding a glimmer of something else; something cold. it was biting her bones and all he could do was watch as it set in, holding his tongue. what more could he say? there was nothing left.

when she finally did speak again, it was to sprinkle salt in his own wounds, like her hurt wasn’t enough. he flinched from her words as if stung, wrinkling his nose. he deserved her scorn, and in accepting this, his grip about his makeshift weapon tightened, the whine of leather seeping into the moment. the more she went on, the harder it was to swallow his bile. fate was cruel, and they were all but helpless to its wiles. she was eclipsing her sorrows with that practiced mask he’d come to know and understand, while he was fighting against his chains.

          “…. kuh–”

they broke, and cú chulainn flared alike the beast he was famed for.

          “what the hell are you talking like that for?! i made a promise, didn’t i?!” he barked, jabbing a thumb against his chest, “besides, you’re alive, aren’t you? and i’m still here, right? it’s not over ‘til it’s really over.”

                                                   he really couldn’t let it all slide after all.

          LIKE A FLOOD, THE WORDS he dammed up finally began to pour through the horrid words she spewed moments earlier. something to have been expected with his hot-headed tendencies come times, akin to a very beast which lurked beneath the form of some man. what words he speaks hardly embeds themselves into her, feeling the bite of defeat still sinking into her very essence---the very thought of her horrific fate inescapable despite all she had worked so diligently for. only for it to be snatched from her very grasp, gleaming in the distance beyond her fingertips. what smile she gave moments ago fades at his words, tilting her head patronizingly toward him.

                                       since when did she have such a determined dog?

          ❝ You actually think it matters here? Wow, you really are a useless Heroic Spirit! ❞ cold and cutting, her voice lacing itself with derisive undertones meant to wound whatever pride he might cling to. ❝ Don’t insult my intelligence, LANCER. We didn’t win the war, you said? I’m not an idiot. I’m aware what that entails. I died along with you and you broke that promise. Or did you swap to a new master after I was cut down? Or... did you let my shambling body sustain you as you ran around? I wonder which you did, ❞ she lulls, features shifting to one of more of a frosted nature to match her words.

          ❝ It’s over, Lancer. I have no use for Servants who can’t bring me the grail like they promised. Now, get used to it. ❞

[caninedevotion]

noninetypes:

@caninedevotion​

9S wanted to understand the strange new creatures called humans in this city. Adam said humans were special because they were capable of equal amounts hate and love, and hope and despair, but 9S did not exactly find him trustworthy. After all Adam himself only seemed to care about hate.

Even though he wanted to see for himself, 9S had no idea what to look for. The basic compulsion he felt to see humans could not be put into words. Nor could he access that part of his programming and simply rewrite it. So, he ended up following one particular human for a little while. He had no idea if they looked interesting or not from behind the blindfold he wore.

Eventually though, 9S’s nerves overtook him and he gave up. He turned around and started to walk away. However, he noticed something. The person who he had followed, was now following him. He continued to pick up his pace, to no avail he could not shake her.

Finally he turned around. He was shaking and his voice sounded quite childish. “S-stop this human. I’m supposed to be following you, not you following me… alright?” 

          SOMETHING UNSETTLING LINGERS, NERVES ALIGHT with a sensation of being watched by some unknown entity. crimson is careful in scanning the area as she strides forward, ever so keen in the wake of such predicaments as these when it came to the war. though not as powerful as the senses of a heroic spirit, even without her clairvoyance could she find ways to sense unwelcomed presences focused upon her. a matter of survival, that she would not be taken out so easily simply because her servant was far from her side. eyes settle upon what appears a younger boy, blindfolded despite his change in direction.

                                                  as if she would let this go so easily.

          pivoting upon her heel, the hunted soon became the huntress herself as she treks along. hands shove themselves into the pockets of her jacket, keeping her gaze steady on the boy while matching pace. ah, until he suddenly stops and turns to face her. brows lift briefly in mute surprise, though her leisurely smile remains on her face as she stands still.

          ❝ Oh? Human... that’s something. Most don’t use that term addressing others. Either way, that doesn’t explain you following me moments ago, does it? I wonder what you were planning, doing something like that... ❞