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Post by ROBIN on Feb 6, 2016 2:51:35 GMT
"Don't say stuff like that, it's beneath you" EMIYA scolded, telling Robert off for his tirade about women. "OH WHO THE HELL AM I OFFENDING, THE GOD-DAMNED ASSASSIN?! YES, PRAY FORGIVE ME FOR UPSETTING THE WOMAN WHO TRIED TO STAB ME IN THE LITERAL FACE. IT IS TRULY I THAT SHOULD BE SORRY, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND." It seemed that even when angry, the sarcasm meter was rising way above recommended levels.
As the girl went off to fix the tea, wandering into EMIYA's kitchen without even getting the host's permission first, Robert had a moment to calm down. First, his body came back into existence, the expression of anger splayed across his face rather than just his voice. Why did this always happen to him? What had he ever done to make women hate him so much? Was spending his life in service of the people not enough, was dying again and again to protect humanity not enough, what could he have done that made him deserve being treated this way by every woman?!
---
It was over. It was finally, finally over.
The last decade since he had been sent home from Acre had been the longest of his life. Every day had incurred some new form of pain, having to watch innocent people get debased by a monstrous sheriff. Now, after everything, after all the pain and after all the tears had been shed, he had finally won. Bless Alaya, and bless every single one of his merry men who had died in the taking of the keep.
For the first time in years, this feeling of elation wasn't tinged by even the slightest bit of fear or trepidation for the future. Sure, he had lost the feeling in his legs and he might never be able to walk again, but that was a price that he was more than willing to pay to end what had seemed like an endless conflict. His friends...no, his country was free.
His ears pricked to the sound of knocking on his door, and when he called out an inquiry as to who it was, he got a soft voice in return. A voice that he hadn't heard in years, one that he had resigned himself to never hearing again.
"It's Marion! The men asked me to bring up some food for you, my love~"
---
His mind crumpled from a mental punch to that gut as he remembered that ancient memory. It seemed like a lifetime ago, and yet at the same time it felt like it had only happened yesterday. Even to the outside world, it was clear that something horrible was playing behind his eyes, like watching a war veteran relive a war inside their head.
He had never mentioned this to EMIYA, nor Joan, nor even Amakusa - he had refused to bring up anything about that area of his life, EMIYA didn't even know that he was Robin Hood until one of their more recent excursions. Yet, even without knowing exactly what, it was clear something was troubling him.
"Tell me something, Shirou." He was using his actual name rather than the alias he chose to go by... was it that serious? "What, exactly, do you think we could do even if we were allowed free roam under Alaya? Do you think that people like Atlas will get better just because we give them a hug and a slap on the back and tell them to "get back out there and be nicer to people"? Tell me, your father stopped doing everything he could to protect people, and what happened? Gilgamesh happened. Kirei happened. How many people died because he didn't finish what he started? How many people died because Kirei was allowed to walk out of Fuyuki alive?"
The brutality of what he was saying might have seemed shocking for someone who had seen this man be a kind, gentle old man to kids, who had seen him walk through a battle-zone and turn his eyes away from the corpses of children because he could not bear to look at them. How could they be the same person?
"I went through what you're going through now. Everything I had was stolen from me - my beloved, my home, my friends, my cause and my King, I lost all of them. I was forced to live like a nomad in the forest, and even then I did what you're doing. I turned the nicer cheek. I stole money to give to the populace. I stole food and hunted the king's animals to ensure that people on the street had enough to not simply starve to death. I refused to kill a single man, and I showed the people that there could be a better way than bloodshed and violence. Do you know what happened?
Nobody cared. The sheriff continued on, stealing from good people and murdering those who didn't give him exactly what he wanted. He killed for fun, or because they annoyed him, or because he could. Yet again and again I foiled him.... and I let him live. I let him continue to pray on innocent people because I thought it was wrong to kill him. I had killed innocents time and again in the holy land, and for the longest time I truly believed that taking another life was not the way.
No matter what else I tried, people died. People bled, and they suffered and they died. The only time I made any headway, the only time their future was ever made to be brighter was when I stopped pussyfooting around with morality and "Being the better person" and killed the bastard. I ripped apart entire divisions of monsters, of people who chose to hurt others simply because that was how they got paid and I killed the man who I had seen take so much from so many. And you know what? Things got better."
The usual sarcastic silliness that he adopted, the stage theatrics and the dynamic voices that he used to make himself seem like a big hero had dropped. In its place was a man who was tired. Tired of seeing good people die because bad people were allowed to continue on with their day. Tired of seeing people he respected drone on about how he trod 'the nobler path' when he knew his actions had allowed a monster to continue his reign of terror for years longer than it should have. How many people died because he had been as idealistic as EMIYA was being in this moment.
"So tell me, Shirou, how else would you have protected my people? What could I have done differently that would have protected good, innocent people that I didn't do? Stopping them didn't work, simply acting as a shield didn't work, intimidation and fear tactics didn't work. The only thing that worked was removing the problem, as much as you seem to believe differently. Tuck said the same as you're saying now, but he never came up with a satisfying answer - How do you stop monsters without slaying them?"
A quiet came over the man, as he expectedly waited for his partner to fill him on how exactly he planned to fix the world. The aura that radiated from him was one of a man who had just heard a child espouse that the best way to stop war is to "take the weapons away from all the bad people".
".. Also, I take milk and two sugars."
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Post by emiya on Feb 6, 2016 5:47:57 GMT
“Yes. You’re insulting the assassin. She was only trying to rescue me from the crazed attacker that barged his way in here and destroyed my door. Not the craziest idea, don’t you think?” I let Chiyome prepare the tea for me. I hoped she was either good at brewing tea, or at least had the common sense to avoid my good leaves. Normally he’d politely thank her for the effort, but she seemed to be aware she caused him trouble, so he left it at that. He’ll probably thank her when she brings the tea out. Turning back to Robert, he shakes his head. “Just wait for your tea like a civilized person, alright?”
It was then that I noticed Robin struggling with a memory. It was far from unusual...Alaya was a bitch that seemed to want to make sure that those who contracted with it had depressing circumstances...it could be said that Counter Guardians were suffering made corporeal. In any event, I simply remained silent and waited for him to work through what was troubling him. It wasn’t like he was the only one that saw flashbacks.
Surprised and annoyed slightly by the use of his given name, he nevertheless listens to Robin’s speech. Eventually it gets to a point where he can’t help but laugh. “Hahaha....I’m sorry, Robin, but you seem to have made a fundamental miscalculation of what my ideals are...or even were, being honest”
I answer his question as simply as I can. “You kill the sheriff, to limit immediate harm to the townsfolk, and kill the prince to show the nobility that they’re not to be trifled with. If the soldiers remain aggressive rather than run with their leaders dead, then they die too. I do not, and I don’t believe I have ever stated that I disagreed with the actions you took. Killing Atlas was fine, and I have no regrets for that. Killing Gilgamesh was a pleasure. I think you showed exactly the kind of action I can agree with.”
He was far from finished, however. “That does not mean, though, that I condone what the Counter Force does. Just the opposite. The Counter Force doesn’t work with sniping...it’s a sledgehammer. It would kill the townsfolk to reach the sheriff, level the castle and kill everyone inside to end the Prince. People that had nothing to do with the conflict get caught in the crossfire. Usually the threat can be ended without resulting in the death of these people, but I’m simply not given the choice not to slaughter these innocents.
I turn back to Chiyome. “You heard him. I'll have mine straight, thank you."
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Post by chiyome on Feb 7, 2016 17:37:54 GMT
It sure has been a long time since she felt useful for somebody, even if it was just tea every single bit of attention that she could give counted for her. EMIYA's kitchen was exceptionally clean, it almost looked as a professional chef's workplace or something. Making tea for one person also was not such a difficult task, if anything something very simple... Even if the person she was serving the tea for was just yelling around for no reason there was also no reason to make a big deal out of it.
"Almost done"
Said Chiyome in a soft tone of voice. She was not really a person that loved to socialize or speak freely to others so she always tried her best to keep her words short and as precise as possible. In the other hand, EMIYA denying the Tea only meant something for her... He was a strong man, and strong man needed a strong beverage! Well of course Chiyome was prepared, hidden in her sleeve, a small bottle of sake that she always carried around with her to celebrate or for a quick medical treatment and to make it all perfect he also had the small cups you use to serve the sake with. Could it be that he was prepared for this too?
Regardless of her thoughts, she carried the drinks in a portable table all the way to the couch where the two men were having their conversation. Passing by unnoticed, she had the chance to place the table near the loud stranger making it easier for him to spot his tea and grab it anytime. Not having finished there, she approached EMIYA by sitting right next to him, her legs on the couch and her sandals placed on the floor, her right hand holding the sake cup out for him and her other hand already filling it.
"Here you go, please enjoy your drink."
And with those words she revealed her presence. The picture of EMIYA and Chiyome almost resembling that of a lord and his loyal servant. More of a code of etiquette for Chiyome than anything else, being able to "serve" the owner of the house was just a great honor for her, regardless of whatever thought any of the men in the room had about her.
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Post by ROBIN on Feb 8, 2016 9:04:15 GMT
"Oh yes, because I was clearly being so aggressive by waiting calmly and sweetly on the sofa. All I did was kick a door in, it's not like I murdered someone. Hell, even if I was being aggressive to you somehow, have you never heard of the term "justified force"? It states that you are only allowed to do things that would not enhance the danger of the situation. A good example of this is if she'd tried to restrain me. That I could forgive. But she didn't even hesitate before attempting to stab. me. in. the. face." Every single word in that statement was emphasized, showing the depths of Robert's displeasure with the girl.
Taking a breath to calm himself down, Robert ran his hand clearly agitatedly through his hair. He didn't like this, he didn't like it at all. He should have been used to being around women by now, especially with all the time he spent with Joanne, but seeing how this girl treated EMIYA... it reminded him of how Marion used to treat him. Did that make him Guy in this situation? Was he somehow the bad guy? No, he hadn't DONE anything!
"Why do you always side with the women over me, Shirou?" Robert asked, after the drinks were given. "Jeanne could kick an old man down the stairs and you'd still imply she was justified. I could stop a murderer without killing him and you'd reprimand me for getting his clothes dusty in the struggle. There something you ain't telling me, mate?" A raised eyebrow seemed to inquire into this little facet of his character. Was it simply that he was used to women over men? After all, he had seen Shinji, and it seemed from the circumstances that they had once been friends. Was that who he was mentally comparing him to? What a sodding joke. "Though, perhaps that's why women fawn over you like a piece of meat. Who doesn't want the tall, dark and handsome stranger who won't stop giving them praise, even when its undeserved?"
Turning his attention back to the conversation about the counter-force, Robert smiled slightly. The fact that someone was complimenting what he had done in Sherwood Forest actually not only surprised him but gave him a slight feeling of happiness that he hadn't connected with those days in a long time. For all the bravado and the "It was all I could do" attitude he showed, there was a part of him that wasn't certain whether that was quite true. Perhaps Tuck's voice still spoke somewhat in his subconscious.
"First... thank you." The show of appreciation was quiet and subdued, almost as if Robert wasn't quite okay with having to say it, but it was genuine. "I've seen my legends, how people rewrite the ending to make it so I died without accomplishing my goal. I guess I always thought that people did that because what I had to resort to was so repugnant in the mind of the people I spent my life trying to protect that they couldn't accept I did it. I stand by it being necessary but it's not something that's ever made me all that happy.
That being said... are you certain you've not just been on the wrong missions? The counter-force sent me to take out Genghis a few missions back, I only had to kill one man to scatter his entire army back to the fens. No unwarranted bloodshed, no murderous rampage, just an in-and-out like any good sniper. I agree, there are more "Kill everything, scorch the earth, send a message" missions than I'd like there to be, but they aren't all by any means.
Besides, you say that like you're a robot, incapable of ignoring your master's wishes. As long as we've worked together, I've never once seen you actively attempt to spare someone. Have you ever tried putting your bow down and ignoring that voice in your head telling you to kill them? Though, to be fair, I've never seen Jeanne try either... I honestly thought that was because of her Christian zeal to "kill all the non-believers". I wonder how she'd react to attacking the Vatican..." his mind drifted off for a moment, as if attempting to imagine what sort of situation would call for counter-guardians to be summoned to the vatican. They were certainly a thaumaturgical nuisance, but they weren't a proper threat. At least, not as far as he could remember.
"I'm sorry," he turned his head to the ninja girl and tried to see if anything about her gave him a clue to her identity. No, she seemed subdued... and weirdly innocent for an attempted murderess. There was nothing out of the ordinary that would give him any clues. Apart from the weirdly high amount of pink she wore for a ninja. ", I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Robert, and this is my friend Shirou. Though, if you'd like, you can just call me Robin Hood. What about you, lass? Other than Assassin, is there another name to call you by?"
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Post by emiya on Feb 8, 2016 9:52:36 GMT
I nod as Robert aggressively explains the obvious once again. Really, didn't he understand why I told him that. "Yes, I'm aware. And being honest, I agree with you. The lady was clearly in the wrong, and being completely honest, normally I'd be more on your side about this. But surely you can understand that using restraining tactics against a Heroic Spirit is a laughable thing to do, the Servant willing to use lethal force will overcome the Servant restraining herself every single time."
I grumble a bit, letting my frustration seep through more than I normally allow. Still, I manage to calm myself down as I take the sake from Chiyome, responding with a polite "thank you." I'm sure she overheard what we were saying, yet she chose to keep her silence. Perhaps it would help her to understand if I made this clear a statement of what I thought of her actions? "Besides, you ruined me attempting to keep a low profile with your stunt. She'd likely be on-edge if she even heard anything about how the altercation with Atlas started...she might have thought there was a crazy Servant ripping out doors or somethi-"
Robert's response all but knocks me across the room. I stare at him with wide eyes, as if I can't even comprehend what he had said. And being honest, I really couldn't. Did...did I really act that way? No, that was impossible. Gender wasn't something to be considered, even if he his main experience with friendships with people in his same gender had been people like Shinji, who refused to be condescended to in any way, or Issei, who went out of his way to show that he was fully competent and composed. Even if his main experiences with women were with Sakura, who needed to be taken care of more than the norm, or Rin, who was a terrifying force that needed to be dodged around.
Or Ilya...
I shake my head. No. I had to dispell this line of reasoning Robert was going down right away. It wasn't good for my focus to let it stand. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Robert. I look at the situations as they are. If you think there is a gendered element to it, I don't understand where you could get that from." I think back to the times in the fires of Hell...did I really treat Jeanne special in comparison to other Counter-Guardians? "I don't mean to offend, but is it possible you're being too sensitive about this? I...didn't mean to give that sort of impression..."
This was still bad. He wasn't able to disprove anything...still, it seemed he had been able to earn a reprieve from that certain line of reasoning based on Robert's gratitude for his comments about his time in Sherwood. I sip my sake as he speaks, and nods with him. "The fact that it doesn't make you happy means you still have a soul. It's not something anyone should be happy about...Self-assurance is about the most one can expect...though occasionally, one might be content in it. I'd imagine that might be difficult for you...as you see people rewrite your story so that you are successful following the blind optimism Tuck offered, saved by a timely return of the Lionhearted."
As he moves onto the topic of the Counter-Force, I lose any good mood I had gradually kindled. "No. I don't think I've been on many missions like that. It's all scorched earth...the only differences are in the size of the area to be fully eliminated. I've had small amounts, military convoys, small patrols to end, but that's about as narrowed a use that the Counter Force seems to allow me. If you've been given more freedom or luck in that regard, I can't help but be slightly jealous of you."
He'd be fine leaving it like that, but as Robin questions his desire to spare people, to try and avoid meaningless bloodshed, I finish my sake in an instant and slam the cup down on the table. "Don't you ever question that about me, Robert." I regain my composure, letting the gears begin to spin, let myself settle down into the standard way, leaving the flare of anger dip behind the back. "When I'm on a mission, I can move how I like, so long as I stay on the objective. If I stray from it, try to spare someone, my hands move without me telling them. My legs don't let me turn away. My magic can't help but summon swords to end their lives. The most powerful resistance I've been able to manage is to convince both myself and the Counter Force that something isn't where it probably is."
I remember after I destroyed a chemical weapons convoy, I heard a rustling in the sands behind me. I remember not looking back, focusing ahead to dull my hearing, doing everything I can not to notice the little girl that was so obviously there behind me...and I succeeded. One single life I was able to save.
I sigh, and turn back towards Robin. "Again, if you can avoid the absolute orders of the Counter Force, manage to avoid being a cleaner and being something less destructive and more focused, I envy you." I laugh slightly. "Though maybe that's my own problem, Alaya might have me pegged as a softie that'd endanger a mission if I'd been given more freedom. How annoying."
As Robert introduces me...by the same name I wished he wouldn't use...to the Assassin, I raise a hand slightly as I'm indicated. "Thank you for the drinks." Otherwise, I leave Robert and Assassin to their introductions.
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Post by chiyome on Feb 8, 2016 23:10:03 GMT
Time was sure passing quickly for Chiyome, who was sitting on the couch next to EMIYA and constantly analyzing the new person called 'Robin'. There was not much to do for her in the small room, other than re-fill with sake her host's cup and listen to their conversation filled with memories of their past lives probably, achievements maybe and what not. They both seemed like strong figures who had a huge impact in the world.
"..." Chiyome blinked confused while looking at the hole where the front door was. There was nothing. Of course there wouldn't be anything if there was no door there to behind with but it was different... Some sort of unknown material had covered the door completely as if being caged like birds in the room.
"..." Just when she was about to say something, introductions came at hand.
The tall man in front of her, Robin Hood, from what she knew a servant under the Archer class and with a good reputation that preceded him. On the other hand and the servant she was serving for the moment, Shirou Emiya, Not much she knew about him but the fact that he was Japanese gave her some sort of respect towards him, as she's always fond of Japanese figures in front of her. It was only fair that she introduced her self now and by gently getting off the couch and back on her sandals, she bowed down slightly at both of them, her black kimono and her long sleeves hanging now from her body as she did and with a soft, yet calm voice she exclaimed: "My name is Chiyome, Mochizuki Chiyome." She then sat back on the couch without removing her gaze from Robin "A pleasure to meet you both".
Her face although not showing hostility, it clearly showed curiosity towards the man in front of her "Would you like some Sake too, young master?" And so she referred to him as if he was some sort of sibling of EMIYA and if so, it was only fair for both of them to receive the same treatment while in their house.
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Post by Chaldea-san on Feb 13, 2016 22:10:32 GMT
What had happened? That was the likely thoughts that were sure to go through everyone's minds, in the following moments. With no warning, or rhyme or reason, a massive explosion was heard and felt through every inch of the buildings.
It was far larger than a squabble among servants, or a small accident in the research department. The explosion had happened on the higher floors, where trismegistus was located, and it had been tremendous.
A loud siren began echoing throughout the halls, and the hurried pace of Operatives hurrying to the scene was heard.
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Post by ROBIN on Feb 16, 2016 15:35:44 GMT
Heh - looking at the way that EMIYA was reacting to this entire situation made Robert smile wickedly. The way that he became flustered was adorable, but it also seemed to suggest that he had only just realized that he did it. So, he treated women better than men subconsciously? Well now, he wasn't quite sure whether that was better than the alternative or worse. Still, it gave him plenty of material to tease him over. He was, in fact, winding up for a jab when the man slammed his cup down on the table and began giving a rant.
At first, Robert had a stony gaze upon his face, as if to communicate that no matter how much EMIYA yelled at him, it wouldn't change the fact that he had never witnessed this control over his psyche that EMIYA spoke about. Yet, as he continued to rant, Robert noticed something about the look in the man's eye. This anger didn't seem to be just related to Robert's statement here, but rather it seemed to be connected to a much larger pot of anger that he hadn't noticed before. Was it possible that he was angry at himself for his inability to stop it? That would fit with the mental image Robert had of him.
He sighed. "Please, forgive my impertinence. I was still a little worked up about Chiyome's attack, I wasn't thinking straight. I didn't mean to imply that you enjoyed our job, or that you were one of the more zealous people working for Alaya. Truth be told, I can understand your reticence to perform many of the tasks we're asked to do, and whilst I've never felt that myself, I can certainly see how losing all sense of control over your own actions would upset you, especially when it leads to the kinds of things that we've seen.
Its just... I've never felt that, because I've never held back." That was somewhat of a horrendous comment to make - They had killed entire villages to kill one man, they had wiped entire countries off the map. Hell, when they took down Atlas, they took down Atlantis with him, and that was an entire continent. They had killed so many and done so much that claiming that he had never even considered holding back seemed to paint him in a rather negative light.
"I don't think I ever told you this before, Shirou, but... do you believe in Vampires? In the Crusades, I fought in the honour-guard of King Richard himself. Richard's enemy in the Holy Land wasn't just the Muslims, though his zealotry makes me almost certain that they would have been enough on their own. According to him, he went there to kill the population of Dead Apostles that had risen within their ranks. To put it entirely in words that you could understand... the nation was infested with vampires.
These vampires weren't men dressed in battle armour or wielding weapons against us. They were anyone who was strong enough to survive being polluted - Men mainly, but women and children too. It was monstrous. But that's why I've never held back, because if Alaya is asking us to kill them, that means that their existence is dangerous to the rest of the world. No matter how they appear, they are a threat, even if they don't mean to be. I lost too many and too much to ever consider holding back when lives are on the line, even should the enemy be infants."
He sighed and upended his tea, drinking it in an unbelievably ungentlemanly fashion. There was nobody here, he figured, that he needed to impress. He and EMIYA were of a shared opinion about whether heroes truly existed or not, and Chiyome here was a cold-blooded killer. She likely cared little for Errol Flynn charades. Though, maybe he was wrong about her, as she moved to offer him some of the drink she had poured for their host. He was about to politely deny it when an explosion rocked the building.
The sound got there first, causing Robert to snap his neck around almost 180', his eyes wide open in shock. "What the hell..." Then the vibrations rocked the room, certain to knock over anyone who was standing up. Robert, used to dealing with these kinds of explosions, waited until the first shock had passed to get up, bringing himself to his feet as he turned his attention to the door to leave... and found a giant stone tablet in the way. There was only one person who could have done this. "... Atlas."
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Post by emiya on Feb 16, 2016 18:54:18 GMT
Robert's patience again struck me hard, and I shake my head. "I shouldn't have let my emotions get the better of me like that. I was out of line. Regardless of what our circumstances are, they're set in stone. I seemed to misunderstand you regardless." I shrug at Robin's comment about not holding back, rather than bothering me, it's simply to be expected. "It makes sense. I don't agree with it, I'd have probably tried to confirm which ones were Vampires and which ones were mere vassals that could be saved, but taking the safe approach is valid. It's just not something I'd do if I had any choice in the matter."
While I was convinced that the ideals of trying to save everyone possible was a correct and valid view of the world I wanted to hold once again, that didn't change the fact that such situations were rarely possible. While fighting for the best case scenario was honorable, he could hardly blame people for not holding themselves to such foolish impossibilities. He was about to continue, to thank the now-named Chiyome for her service and perhaps offer a sarcastic comment about how much less troublesome this was than trying to warn her away from attacking Robin when a huge explosion seemed to rock Chaldea.
"What was that!?" I call, standing up immediately after the schockwave subsides. Robin's quicker, and confirms that their exit was blocked. If it was Atlas as Robin suspected, then not only was he in danger in a more relaxed, in-the-future sense, but they wouldn't be able to get out easily and find out what happened to Chaldea as a whole. That simply wasn't acceptable. Drawing my bow, I rapid-fire several prana-charged explosive arrows into one of the walls, blowing a whole into the next room. "Let's move. We need to get out of here." Whoever's room that was, he'd apologize and make repairs himself later. As it was, they needed to see if there was a fight, or if it was an accident on that scale, help whatever efforts were being made to rescue survivors.
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