HUMANITY'S HOPE.

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castilium‌:

@possidere

There was time to spare after arriving. The worry of elaborating to allow him a clearer picture of what he was walking into permeated throughout the journey and wait. The terms had been set without her consent. Numerous times her fingers added further detail which was never delivered in bout of trepidation. His gentle heart, would it ache more from awareness or ignorance? Without understanding why, she had taken to soaking in the sights around her more thoroughly, as if dreaded that it be her final opportunity. This was no Time Temple, yet the stakes felt easily escalated in its shadow.

Her knees quivered with automatic anxiety; each Singularity brought with them fear which drove her on as much terrify her — the present seem no different. Might she had grown past this in his Chaldean todays? Hurried footfalls rotated her frame to greet him, guilty smile on her face. “Sorry to call you out here so suddenly, on today of all days”. The smile faded, yet unrest not so easily masked by enforced sternness did not yet. “I’m worried this won’t sit and wait”.

“You don’t have to apologize at all, Mashu.” Be it New Year’s, Easter, Halloween, or even Summer vacation - no matter what happens, he, and his sister too, would hardly think twice before coming to their Servant, and kouhai’s, aid. Further explanation isn’t even necessary, either. No matter what it is, if something troubles her, then it troubles Gudao as well. It has always been like that, and it will continue to be such. 

But of course, even then, Gudao is still human. There’s something nostalgic in Mashu’s attire, one he has gotten used to seeing her wearing for the front lines for a year, but one he hasn’t seen in two. In his memories, she looks completely different. Here, it’s almost like they’re back to those old, easy days.

To match her, he has come with the old Chaldean uniform, too. The pure white makes the Master feel like he’s inexperienced and utterly naive again. “It has been a long time since we’ve fought together, hasn’t it?” And through it all - he smiles. Small, and weak, but there’s some light in it. Some genuine happiness, and weird excitement. It feels right, even if his memories tell him it hasn’t been all that long ago. “Hopefully I’ll be able to support you appropriately..- no. I will most certainly not let you down, Mashu.”

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landsharkbite‌:

@causerank

Names disappearing from the list isn’t anything new. You’ve been seeing it happen for years now on a weekly basis, or at least on those weeks where you can gather mental fortitude enough to pay attention. While the fleeting way in which people are brought to these places and are whisked away just as easily chilled you to the bone at first, It’s something you’ve slowly grown numb to with repeated exposure.

Maybe that’s why you didn’t notice it when it happened. It was only when you went to search for his name specifically in the list of contacts on your phone, after having finally worked up the nerve (and the madness, perhaps) needed to do so, that you realized—

Arjuna’s name had vanished.

You don’t know why accepting another loss this time around is so damn difficult. No, actually, you know exactly why. But at least another name that you’ve always connected to his is still around. It wouldn’t… hurt to be sure. Would it?

If you can’t hear it from the horse’s mouth, you’ll ask his master.

TO: Fujimaru Ritsuka FROM: Rosa Cervantes

You struggle for a moment, despite just how determined you were half a second ago.

[TXT] Is Arjuna really gone

He’s used to it, both because Ritsuka has been here for years, and because since the very beginning of Chaldea, he has known this day would come. Where they would part, them and Mashu, them and their Servants, them and the new-found family he and his sister had found in the Chaldea staff. It doesn’t make it any less sad, any less painful when he turns around a corner and expect the company of many, but he has always been someone to rely on the good memories. On what makes him smile, what makes him laugh, and what makes him love all these people he has come to rely on.

Being back home from Spirale isn’t something sad. He won’t see them here, but he will see them back home, after every night of a new memory he dreams, and remembers. But for others... for the sender of this text, whose name isn’t immediately recognizable, it’s different. It could mean good-bye forever.

TO: Rosa Cervantes. FROM: Gudao.

He has never been in this position before. It’s... not exactly the easiest thing. Ritsuka minces his words, wonders what kind of relationship this Rosa had with Arjuna - rather, he couldn’t help but be glad, that there’s someone out there who has noticed his absence, someone Arjuna has come to tell about him to -, and types --

( text. ) he is

( text. ) i’m sorry...

A pause, and then,

( text. ) but that doesn’t mean he’ll be gone forever!!

( text. ) i mean.. i have seen people come and go.. and come back again

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lunarchained‌:

@causerank

A few exchanged texts and half an hour later, the two met up at the Arcade in the Golden Ward. There were fond memories of such a place with Saber, even if that was months ago, and that’s why she agreed in an instant. Today it wasn’t racing, it was something else. 

“So you’re going to roll now? Good luck~ !” An action-rpg gacha game released a new character today, which her new friend has been looking forward to. The ads described it as epic adventure starring mythical weapons from all over the world. Something like Blade/Banned Border Arcade? Arc crossed her fingers for Gudao.

He should have been saving... he should! Really! But the temptation of rolling is always so much stronger, and Gudao is only one boy, and there’s always, always that belief that this time, this one time, he’ll see gold and rainbow sparkles and it will be something good. Something new. Perhaps the rarest character in that game! But thankfully, half of his anxieties fly away and set him free once Arc cheers him on. Definitely, this time.

He exhales the rest of his anxiety again, and nods. “I... I’m doing it!” And button press. The gacha sparkles gold, then turns into rainbow, and the new character actually shows up?!

“Eh? Ehhh?? Eh?!?! No way! I did it!” Cute this very excited boy with glistering eyes looking back and forth between the machine’s screen and Arcueid. He could barely form coherent words! “No way! I’ve had the worst luck steak for weeks! D-Did you do something? Or maybe you’re actually super lucky?!?!”

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flodeuyn‌:

    ≪❀≫ A TWINKLE OF mischief appears in the GRAND CASTER’s eyes when he sees the other – it appeared he hadn’t been noticed yet himself, so? He wouldn’t waste this opportunity.

      Careful footsteps put him behind the young Chaldean MASTER, the young hero he’d gotten to know through the SINGULARITY – he made no sounds, and was careful that his footsteps didn’t bring him too close too fast. He didn’t want the other to sense him because of his AURA, ether. He wanted to surprise the young human.

      So, as he reaches him, MERLIN’s reaches his hands to cover the other’s eyes.

      It’s a careful gesture, all in all. The GRAND CASTER didn’t want to hit the young MASTER with his layers of sleeves or anything like that – it certainly wasn’t meant to hurt him, only to surprise him. Merlin, being the half-human, half-incubus, he was? Thrived off-of mischief. So? Once his goal had been accomplished, the MAGUS of FLOWERS leans forward to whisper into the youths ear – “Guess who?” Grinning from ear to ear.

      Now the question was this – Would the young MASTER play along? Or would Ritsuka/GUDAO call him out immediately? Now that he was close enough to touch the other, there was a good chance he would be able to smell the ever-blooming flowers that followed the AVALONIAN BOUND magus. Plus: He remembered hearing that he had a very distinctive voice, so… he’d see. Regardless, he was happy to find the other again. It was always good to run into an ally and friend.

/ @causerank

It’s very lucky for Merlin that this one had been so caught up in his thoughts to pay attention to his surroundings; it is true, that the Magus of Flowers has a rather distinctive scent, and Ritsuka is quite used to it, at this point. The hands, thankfully, don’t startle him. They’re gentle and delicate, and if anyone had the intention to kidnap him, or hurt him, or even rob from him, they wouldn’t be this nice... right?

But then comes that smell he knows, and suddenly the Master can feel the callous in the man’s hands, and that voice so close to his hear does send a chill down his spine and a faint blush to his face. Too close, way too close!!!! 

It’s quite obvious, the answer. Chaldea has a rather broad list of Servants, but there’s only a few who would thrive in being this mischievous with their Master. Only one who smells like flowers, whose hands are so kind, who would dare to speak this close to Ritsuka’s ear.

“Hmmmmm...” Oh, he doesn’t need to think that hard, not at all. But who would Ritsuka Fujimaru be if he didn’t play along? “Definitely not Merlin... There’s no way he’d smell this nice.” No hard feelings! “Maybe Bedivere... or Yan Qing? --Wait, I know! It can’t be anyone but you, Blackbeard!” Oof. How does that one feel, Merlin?

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vitchslap replied to I infiltrated your home and You Won't Believe What...

ummm could you be nice to me? like???? one time???

you literally almost killed me and gordolf-san?????????

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arsnova‌:

“Oh, Ritsuka! Is it Valentine’s Day already? You really shouldn’t–” The word dies on his tongue. He can’t say that, not now. Not after seeing the cake itself and imagining all the hours the young Master’s put into it. He can tell from looking - a labour of love, made just for him. It brings Roman up short for a brief moment.

“Ah, really, Ritsuka! What am I going to do with you?” He knows he should expect this by now, given how close they are, but even so, Roman’s shocked all the same. Instead he opens the door and steps back, beckoning. “You really went all in this year, huh? Come on in.” 

He gestures to a desk and a set of chairs to the left, plush and empty, as if waiting. “Let me put the kettle on and get some plates. This sort of thing needs to be shared with the people you love, right? That’s what makes treats taste even sweeter.”

“Hehe~ Of course! Emiya, Cat and Boudica-san have been helping me since day one with cooking, so I want to get better and better every year. I want to make them proud, after all.” Besides, what kind of Master - and friend - would he be if he didn’t give his all every year for the people he cares for? The bag with all the chocolate is left on the couch carefully, so Ritsuka could settle himself easy for lunch time. What? Cake definitely doesn’t count as ‘lunch’? It’s not like these two care much for that!

“Sorry for making you go through the trouble. Even though I was the one who brought you the gift...” But Romani will be Romani no matter when, or where. He would say it’s no problem at all, it’s his clinic after all, and Ritsuka is a guest. It would just feel nice, to be able to treat the man fully and completely one day. He takes a look around, as though it’s his first time there. It isn’t, and it wouldn’t be the last if he could help it, but it always gives him some comfort. “Have you gotten any other chocolate today, Doctor? I’m sure some of your regulars must have! And Mashu did tell me some of the neighborhood old ladies have been enchanted with you~~”

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I infiltrated your home and You Won't Believe What I Did To Your Pillow

sigh. don’t tell me you’re shedding again, koyanskaya............

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shikotei‌:

“We are always busy.” Not really; Ritsuka had caught them at a perfectly fine time. But this was Qin, after all. “But, We suppose We can make an exception just this once.” There was a certain level of expectation placed on their retainer. None of which lasted long, when he gifted them with, well, a gift. Under the lid was confectionery, of all things.

“Ho? A tribute? Hm. It has something to do with the current ritual known as Valentines, correct?” Certainly, they weren’t blind - though the meaning of the holiday had skimmed their notice for the most part. What was so interesting about all these festivals? Oh well. A pop of the lid and a bite of the food inside. “We appreciate the… mm, efforts… nm, but… ah! Sweet! It’s sweet!” 

And there was a whole box still to eat. “No, well, rather then it being to Our tastes… We are shocked, truly! And you made this for Us?”

“Oh, you’ve heard of it? Mhm, today is Valentine’s Day. A holiday to celebrate those you are fond of by giving them sweets!” That’s the gist of it; it runs a lot deeper, with the different kind of chocolates you can give a person, but Chaldea has always had its own little tradition. The female Servants give their Masters chocolate, the Masters give the male Servants chocolate, and they give a gift back just like that, before White Day. It took a while to get used to it, but now it’s fun. 

It’s a bit unexpected to see the First Emperor of China speaking with a full mouth, but hey. There’s something cute about it. “Hopefully it’s not too sweet?” Ritsuka has experience in sweet-making, but every Servant has their own preferences.

“Hm? Of course! Gudako and I always make sweets for everyone in Chaldea; staff and Servants alike! It’s a way to thank everyone for their support and help. You’re no exception, even if you’re new here, your Majesty! ... I hope it’s not too intrusive?”

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tzarov‌:

THESE ANSWERS TROUBLE HIM, but instead of a pensive rumble in his throat or anything like that, he falls silent like a shutdown automaton just for a moment. “… LET US SIT DOWN OVER THERE.” Motioning towards a bench not too far away, he waits for the master to take seat there and then proceeds to sit just next to it. He knew being sat down for a talk was the furthest from exciting but hearing the request for his name, this kind of answer, he thought it better to get out what was on their minds.

“’TO CALL ME BY MY NAME’.“ Just repeating that, he had to support the weight of his head with his hand. “PEOPLE WOULD TOUCH THE GROUND BOWING THEIR HEADS TO ME IN GRATITUDE. THEY WOULD BE OVERJOYED. PERHAPS THEY WOULD ASK FOR NOTHING ELSE OR PERHAPS THEY WOULD SHEEPISHLY TRY TO SEE HOW FAR THEY COULD PUSH MY GENEROSITY. AND NOT RARELY, THEY WOULD SEEK TO EXPLOIT IT.“ His hand slid down, his voice trailed down this lane of memories. “THEN THERE ART THOU. NO MATTER WHAT IT IS I OFFER THEE, ALWAYS THOU REJECTEST UNTIL IT IS A FAVOR SO SMALL THAT IT IS A COMPROMISE. A THING SO SIMPLE, ANYONE COULD GIFT IT TO THEE WITH ENOUGH EFFORT. THOSE VERY AVERAGE THINGS.”

“… TO GRANT MY SUBJECTS MY FAVOR WAS THE ONLY JOY I HAD LEFT SINCE MY COUNTRY WAS REMOVED FROM THE WORLD. ALTHOUGH THOU PROFESSEST THY GRATITUDE AND HAPPINESS, I HAVE YET TO SEE TRUE JOY ON THY FACE. AND NOW, THOU ASKEST FOR MY NAME.  THAT WHICH THOU ASKED FOR IS A GREAT HONOR, BUT ALL THE SAME, IT IS OF NO WORTH AT ALL. IT IS NOT AS THOU WOULD BOAST OF THE PERMISSION TO OTHERS. IT WILL NOT CHANGE THY LIFE IN ANY MEANINGFUL WAY. NEITHER MAKE IT SAFER, NOR BETTER, EVEN FOR A LITTLE MOMENT. IT WILL BE A WORD MORE OR LESS IN A CONVERSATION SUCH LIKE THIS ONE … I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THEE AT ALL, GUDAO.“

Uh oh. What is this, a father-son talk????? Nice job in giving this little Master a bit of anxiety, Tzar!

But he listens - attentively, carefully, word per word. It’s the same dance and song; Gudao is too humble, asks for too little, when so many would request the world from the Tzar. What the Thunder Emperor thinks this boy deserves, and what Gudao thinks he deserves are two very different things. He appreciates it, of course, from the very bottom of his heart. Whenever Servants gift him or his sister the most expensive-looking gifts, they take the utmost care of it. It’s something almost otherworldly for them, after all.

I have yet to see true joy in your face.

Ah... That’s because...

“It’s not like that at all, though?” He figures, here, that Ivan can’t understand him because of their so different upbringings. Gudao is perfectly ordinary; just a boy born in Japanese with a twin sister, orphaned at a young age and left to fend for themselves for a while. They have no special talents, aren’t prodigies or geniuses. If anything, they just led a bit of an unfortunate life, right up until Chaldea scooped them up. It’s no wonder they accept the smallest of things with the brightest smile. 

“I mean, I wouldn’t boast, yeah, but it will change my life. I will be happy, knowing that maybe this will bring us closer, even if a little. I would look back to this single day with a fond smile, and when the time comes we have to part ways, I will recall this as something special between us. You don’t need anything material to change a person’s life, Tzar. Sometimes even a smile can make a big difference. Do you really think this wouldn’t be special to me?”

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ruzhenqu‌:

“At ease?” He starts, then thinks back to their conversation. That’s right, it had been surprisingly natural. This should be fine, right? It’s not a formal setting…

“Master…um. I’m glad I am able to help! Although I’m not sure how much I can do, I know that having someone listen to your thoughts is always comforting.” 

“Maybe it’s because Master’s a good listener too, so even emperor-rank Servants will seek you out. Being a member of royalty can be isolating…” Which brings them back to the original topic. Gao Changgong pauses, then mentally brushes it aside. Some regrets were best left in the past.

“Then shall we continue like this, my lord? Please tell me what makes you happiest.”

He thinks it’s a bit surprising, to hear such words. Being a member of royalty can be isolating. Ritsuka knows, not because of experience, but because many of the Servants in Chaldea are royals. Some are even socially awkward, and it’s not an uncommon trope in manga to see nobility be raised secluded from the world. If being ordinary as he is is enough to bring those outstanding Servants to his side, then he will do his best to be... normal.

“Thank you, Gao. You, too, you know! You’re free to seek me out anytime you want.”

His question, though, does catch him off guard. “What makes me happiest...?” Well... Ritsuka has never been one to need much to feel happiness. Rather, he would often hear complaints about how he needs... very little. “Hmmm... Like eating my favorite food after months without having it, or sleeping under fresh out of laundry blankets in a cold night, or having gaming tournaments with Tomoe Gozen and everyone.” A pause, and then, “Our new Chaldea is nice, but... back in our old base, there’s a lot we could do with everyone. Despite everything, spending time with them made me really happy.”

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drakulya‌:

        “Lord Vlad! There you are! –”

The words of a melody. A gentle hope for the world. A humble welcome to all. There was no mistaking who it belonged to. The Master’s voice drew him from his trance watching the bustle of Pearl Street.(Where to begin!) He could hardly believe he could be spotted from the crowd. The young man, charming as ever, pulled him excitedly to the side by his sleeve out of the main walkway. Vlad hummed, but did not fight. He only straightened his cuffs afterward. To know the master was here in this city… The feeling was mixed. Should he feel gratitude, a sense of purpose here now, or concern? Where was Chaldea? The others?  The answer lay before him.  Ritsuka’s expression changed once in full view.. Vlad’s eyes darted to the box in his hands, noting the tiny clutch around it. 

     “Master. ”  Expectant. There was no golden irises to reflect warmth in his tone.Absent. Lost. Blue hues stared from under furrowed brows. “Is all well?”

                                     @causerank

He’s right where he thought the man would be, and Ritsuka is certainly thankful he hadn’t had to look far for the Lord Impaler. This one gift is special, he thinks, because this Vlad (?) isn’t Chaldea’s (??), this Vlad doesn’t know their customs and likely has never gotten a Valentine’s Gift ( because well, Ritsuka doesn’t think back in the days where he thrived in life had such a holiday ). So of course, he has been excited about it - for days, weeks perhaps. This handmade chocolate is special, carefully made, and all of the boy’s cooking abilities had gone into it.

This one is his Servant - not Chaldea’s, but his -, and with how his previous Master treated him, he wanted this to be special. He wanted Lord Vlad to feel cherished.

“Mhm! Here, this is for you.” Though he had done no effort to hide the box, it’s handed to the Lancer (???) in a rather excited fashion. For days he had been eager to know what Vlad’s reaction would be, and his eyes are expectantly on his face for the reaction, until... --

Blue. Like his. Not gold, the ones he had gotten used to it. There, the Master’s smile falters for a bit, his blood turning cold. There’s no reason to come up with the worst case scenario, here - it could... it could just be the best one. Two of them. It’s possible. But there’s something in Ritsuka’s guts that say no, it’s just the opposite. ... He does nothing about it. Brings the smile back, shoos the feeling away, and disregards the incident as just he’s tired, and nothing is wrong.

“H... Happy Valentine’s Day, Lord Vlad!”

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ruzhenqu‌:

“Somewhat…” He’s hesitating. “My family was related to the royal line.” 

“Ah but, maybe I’m not the best to ask, since my brothers and I all died from imperial decrees…” 

“Yet His Majesty Qin is your Servant now, one of many. They cannot fault you for taking breaks from Them with the responsibilities you bear. S-shall I take it up with Them in your place?”

“Oh...” A touchy subject. Good job. “I’m... sorry to hear that.”

“No, they’re fine. I don’t really mind, and it’s not like it’s just them. I guess I just haven’t dealt with those types in a while, so maybe I got unaccustomed.” Ozymandias is bond 10, and he tends to mind his own business for most of the time. Gilgamesh doesn’t tend to give them much attention, like the two Lostbelt Emperors. “See, unlike how I talk with them, I feel a lot more at ease with you, Gao. I do have fun with Qin and Ivan, don’t get me wrong, they’re... interesting, in their own ways. But sometimes I just need to sit and talk casually with someone, like I’m doing with you.”

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ruzhenqu‌:

“Master, if you need to run away, I’ll take you with me.”

Although he didn’t manage to escape his own emperor in the end, he has experience avoiding them!

“Ahhhh, no no, I don’t think I need anything like running away...” That’d probably just make things worse?? “Thank you, though. It just feels a bit too demanding, sometimes. Have you gone through something like this before?” Please advise him, senpai.

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“Kudos to every servant and retainer in history who lived all their lives in service of an Emperor...” Juggling between the First Emperor of China and the First Tzar of Russia sure is exhausting.

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tzarov‌:

“WHAT PRESENT?“ He couldn’t help it. Gudao made it too easy, and those small contortions to his initial answer were already enough a gift. His heart was pitch-black like that. It needed some horror to be satisfied, and then, graciously go back and grant his mercy. “… AH. RIGHT, THAT PRESENT.“ The Tzar’s voice approached a laughter, but it never sounded. 

But he took the gift into his hands. Even if it looked like a miniature in them, the meaning and heart that went into it (and its shape! hah) meant too much for him. “GUDAO … THE MORES OF THE OCCASION MEAN LITTLE. ONE MUST BE OPEN-MINDED OF THE VALUES BEHIND PRACTICES. WHAT MATTERETH IS THAT IT IS A DAY OF GIVING AND RECEIVING LOVE AND GRATITUDE.“ Then, unexpectedly he paused. His breath cut like he hadn’t thought further on how to formulate this speech. “… TO BEGIN WITH, THAT GIFT WAS TOO HUMBLE FOR A TZAR. I AM MOVED THAT THOU FINDEST IT LOVELY. BUT KNOW THAT ONCE I RETRIEVE MY ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY, I WILL MAKE CERTAIN THAT THOU RECEIVEST ONE THAT MEASURETH IN WORTH TO WHAT THOU DESERVEST.“

Haha, very funny pretending it hadn’t been you all this time and almost giving your tiny Advisor a heart attack! The second-hand embarrassment would’ve killed him for sure. “I know. I know, but it feels nice when it’s done as per tradition, don’t you think?” To a boy who has nothing like a normal life like the boys his age, following traditions felt nice. Like he belongs in the normal world. Like he’s one of them, again. To do it any differently feels cold, and it exposes him to the reality of his situation far more than he would ever wish.

“... I appreciate it, but you know I don’t need anything big. The music box is fine - perfect, even.” Truthfully, he couldn’t help but worry what kind of extravagant gift the Thunder Emperor would give him, if he could. One that measures in worth to what you deserves. It’s not like he deserves a lot - Gudao is just an average boy who had been involved by accident on something much bigger. It’s his responsibility, his duty, to work as Chaldea’s sole Master next to his sister. Not anything they think is a chore, far from it, but it’s all only a job, at the end.

Nothing they should receive much for. “You guys already went all out on my birthday, right? So I don’t need anything.” A pause, and... “Rather, if you really want to give me something, how about letting me call you by your name for a day?”

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shikotei‌:

“Ha, indeed! We know simply by looking at you. Retainer, you are the kind to spend things on others and not himself, aren’t you? As one equal to Us, you must learn to take better care of yourself. Indulgences are permitted! That is Our kindness.” A small huff, as if the conversation were to be put on pause for the time being. 

Instead, Qin turned to the stall, stopping near the door frame for a moment. “There is no need to mention it, We are aware of what to do. Despite Our sacred frame, We were human once, too.” Then, like that, the door to the change room closed with an uneasy creak. The sound of the lock followed shortly after. At the very least, they seemed to know what to do with door locks in the modern era. 

They took their time picking from those Ritsuka had left. Perhaps too much time, but they were the Emperor, after all. Eventually, Qin emerged dressed and different - perhaps even a little modern. All thanks to Ritsuka’s choices, of course.

“Hmm, these are different to what that Shield girl chose for us during Christmas. But, well, We cannot say We dislike them. Retainer! You picked something too, did you not? Show Us! We wish to see for Ourselves.”

Oof. Called out so easily, and it’s not even like they know each other that well, that deeply. We know simply by looking at you. It’s hard to tell whether that’s a good or bad thing. That kindness of his, as he is often told, is both his strength and his weakness. -- But yes, on pause. For such a thing, such depth, such feelings do not belong in a conversation between a Master and a Servant at such low bond. Perhaps, in the future, it would be more worth it.

 So he hopes.

“Hmmm... I’m glad you like the--” Wait a minute? “Eh-- Mashu gave you clothes?! For Christmas???” Rather, Mashu knows the Emperor?! He knows that ( this ) Mashu hasn’t experienced the Lostbelts like he has - or even the Sub-Singularities, for he had to confess all of it to her, but... So they’ve met. There’s a ting of worry, that perhaps Qin would’ve told something unnecessary to his kouhai, but... No. They wouldn’t be the kind to spoil her future, would they? “I... I see. I’ll be out in a second...--”

Ritsuka’s choice of clothing, too, are unusual, despite how much better he suits the modern age. Rather, from how average he looks, the clothing definitely helps him look more “popular”. Boots, torn black jeans, a varsity jacket with a rather intricate design. It’s completely out of his league. “Woah-- I almost didn’t recognize you, Your Majesty!” It’s a joke. “Uhm, doesn’t this actually suit you a lot?! You look really cool.” More so than he’d have expected. Something something, Qin Shi Huang’s perfect body surely would match any kind of clothing. “If anything, you look too cool, like one of those popular kids someone like me would never get the chance to hang out with.” Because they are an Emperor, and Ritsuka is just... Ritsuka. “H... How do I look?”

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tenkouseii‌:

The surprised expression that crosses Ritsuka’s face is exactly what he expects, but it brings him great amusement nonetheless. Amusement and an overwhelming sense of relief. Finding his Master had been a priority since coming to this place, and now it was fulfilled. Not that he says anything. Instead, his free hand moves to ruffle the other’s hair playfully. ❛ Of course, of course. ❜  

Still, at his command, the Assassin attempts to hold the box with more care— if such a thing was even possible. All tasks carried out for his Master deserved his attention to the utmost, even something as mundane as carrying a box from one place to another. Such was the very purpose of a Servant to his Lord. At Ritsuka’s simple query, however, Yan Qing’s expression turns to a pout. ❛ I was placed nearby, but I’ve primarily been wandering about. I did hear you were here from some, but luck had it that I couldn’t find you until now. It was very troubling! ❜ 

❛ I hope you’ve been keeping yourself out of too much trouble, Master. This Yan Qing has spent many a night concerned for your well being, you know! ❜  Says one of the most troublesome Servants of Chaldea— at least, when those who weren’t Ritsuka Fujimaru were concerned. 

“Really?! Just where have you been looking for me...?” It’s a bit of a rhetorical question, because knowing Yan Qing, he’d look at all the wrong places. But ah, Ritsuka would hardly fault him; he has been working, you see. Not overworking himself as he would once upon a time, but like a normal boy his age, part-time and all. Figures the Assassin wouldn’t look for his Master in a simple clerk. It’s far too high a contrast. “Sorry for worrying you, though. I have been well. Maybe too well, recently.” The entire double event had been weird in part, even though his other self hadn’t been much different. But other than that, it has been... calm. In part.

“Ah, but since you’ve found me now, we can text! And call! And maybe even facetime. We never needed phones in Chaldea, so it might feel weird at first, but it’s really nice, being able to talk to you guys like that.”

You guys being the Servants, of course. It’s an unique experience, and the idea of texting Yan Qing is rather fun, in his mind. It’s always nice to see how each Servant texts, and he couldn’t help but try to picture the man next to him doing it. Perhaps he’d abbreviate words a lot...? “I figure you’ve gotten used to the place? It’s different from what we know, but...” Speaking as someone who has “been” away from Chaldea - their world, for so many years... Ritsuka sighs, and it’s hard to tell whether it’s a nostalgic sigh, or something coated in something much sadder. “You get used to it. It has its ups and downs, of course. Have you found something fun to do, or maybe even made some friends?” Because Yan Qing is definitely the kind to befriend people really fast. “I wanna know everything!!”