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Post by emiya on Mar 17, 2016 3:51:27 GMT
So, that didn't get through to her. At this point, either one of several circumstances was what was actually happening. The hypothetical curse may be too much to overcome, but that was a situation he won't consider. If that was the case, than his efforts were useless, and he hasn't exhausted his other possibilities. Perhaps he was letting her have more control than he should? Finding the balance wasn't easy, but he did have the most success when he was refuting what she wanted to do. So that was something to factor in. Then there was the third idea. That she was trying to return to her room for some other objective, tying back to the first thought. Perhaps she established a territory there? It was discouraged by Chaldea staff, but that was hardly a bearing on a Servant. It makes sense.
Fighting a Caster in her territory was a foolish idea. So he could combine the two hypotheses and impede her path directly. "Tamamo. I want to speak out here." I gamble once again...he didn't have the curse on him this time, so even if it enraged her, I wouldn't die for it. Hopefully. Grabbing onto her shoulders, I hold her still and look into her eyes, holding a focus that generally worked for reaching people under the effects of mental interference. "Tamamo, listen to me. You...you aren't you. Please, I want to talk to you. I want to see the person I met inside that house...not the one I met in the store, and not the one that was in the corridor."
I sigh. "I realize I touched you once again, and if you find contact that reprehensible then I am sorry. But you're not listening to me. You're not hearing me. And I can't leave someone who I think is in trouble to that danger. That isn't what a hero would do. If I have to do something like this to make you hear me, then I'll deal with it." I sigh. "Once I'm speaking to the real Tamamo, then I can deal with whatever punishment you feel is necessary."
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Post by Tamamo on Mar 17, 2016 4:47:12 GMT
She felt the mana cycling around her body again. Not only that but also the feeling of her curses being able to be used again, yet again EMIYA's perfect timing to ruin her plans happened. This time by grabbing onto Tamamo and making her listen to his words and all he had to say. It didn't even matter now if she was right or wrong about her thoughts, his words got to her again and this time worse than before. "Does he really cares about me that much?" she stopped to try and think but not a chance was given, she was shaken again by him and his words again echoing in her head "He... He really cares?" Her heartbeat again racing fast at every thought she could have about him.
"No way..." She finally realized what she has been denying to herself the first time he managed to break through her defenses. "It cannot be..." But it was, she still didn't want to accept it but deep inside, she knew what was going on. "How did this happen?..." Her facade was over now, her tail and ears softened and she couldn't help but stare at EMIYA while blushing. Unlike the last time, Tamamo didn't feel nervous about looking at him, in fact, she let the feelings flow as they should have... Still, there was the pride of the fox girl, not that it would stop her or her feelings but it wouldn't allow her to have things move as fast as they could.
"Shirou... Emiya..." She lowered her head and looked away "You win... This is me, but this is not the 'me' I show to everybody..." It was clear that her words were honest from the tone of her voice. "Whatever question you have about me, the real me, I won't answer no matter what you do" She now cleared her throat and regained a bit of composure "I am still a woman and If you wish to know more about me... Then you will have to find out yourself" She then faced him once more, her cheeks red from embarrassment yet her words once again serious and honest "You will also have to take responsibility for now on... and I won't accept a No for an answer..."
And with her last words, both their fates would be sealed, she turned around from his grasp and opened the door to her apartment. No territory of her own would be needed to act towards him and no curse would be again needed against him if he decided to commit himself to find out more about her.
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Post by emiya on Mar 17, 2016 5:29:10 GMT
I'm all but flabbergasted as she limps away at just that. Did my strategy work? Did I make it through to the real Tamamo? Was her rage at being touched a feint to keep me from trying something as basic as physical contact? Well, whatever had happened, had happened. He had the same feeling of seeing "the real her" as he had earlier. So it seemed that something as drastic as getting a curse dispelled was unnecessary, though he still had several unanswered questions.
Chief among which was her reaction to him. She was breathing slightly heavier, a clear blush was on her face, and she was staring at me. There was something very clear that could be observed from that demeanor...perhaps her attempts to seduce me earlier weren't wild actions brought on by...whatever that was, but rather simply a twisted manifestation of...sheesh, what did I get myself into?
Her confession made that abundantly clear. However, that last bit was by far the most troubling. He had set out to do this to try to extricate himself from the curse and potential retaliation at first, then to try to help someone in need. Making her attached wasn't something he'd bargained for. However...if what her actions previously had shown, she could be highly volatile. Even as cautious and polite a letdown as he could do would probably cause her to explode.
"Of course, Tamamo." I answer, and follow her inside of her room. I still wasn't sure about this. Not at all. But it was true that my own inquisitiveness seemed like it led to this situation...somehow. And if she did explode, not only would I suffer as a result, but it's likely that all of Chaldea would. It wasn't something I could just ignore. At this point, it seemed to me like I had managed to get myself stuck in something I couldn't pull myself out of. I resolved to try and entertain this girl, to "take responsibility" as she mentioned. If things got out of hand...I would cross that bridge as I came to it.
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Post by Tamamo on Mar 22, 2016 3:52:28 GMT
Tamamo, before anything else she was still an honorable woman who knew when to admit defeat. There was not really anything she could say to him or that she wanted to say at all, the man behind her generated a lot of questions inside of her and at the same time a lot of confusion about herself. Tamamo quietly walked towards the kitchen, she was not speechless but she didn't have any desire to speak a word to him.
"..Hah.." She let a gasp out while drying some dishes she had in her washer, the look in her face not angry nor sad, just empty for no reason at all.
All this time, Tamamo had avoided being attached to somebody other than masters for the sole reasons that they all could be "easily" replaced after they died, yet getting all the love that she had to offer. Being attached to another spirit like her could also be something good, something that she never thought about. "... This is what I want right? I mean, even if it's him or any other spirit... we are all already dead or..." Tamamo was back to be lost in her thoughts, she was trying her hardest to understand why in the first place she didn't allow a "servant x servant" kind-of relationship in the first place.
"Was I wrong all this time?..." She thought while glancing over at EMIYA, this time, with a troubled expresion on her face and her look filled with doubt. Yes was not really aware of him noticing what has been going on around her and even if he pointed it out, she wouldn't say a thing about it.
*The pride of Tamamo-no-Mae*
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Post by emiya on Mar 22, 2016 6:03:06 GMT
As I walk in, my sense of unease grows. She wasn't talking with me. Before, Tamamo had...and it wasn't completely easy to say this, had been all over me just a short while ago. So this was the side of her she didn't show anyone? I couldn't make sense of it. The way she had said that seemed somewhat suggestive, and yet as he entered, what was being presented was...so ordinary it was extraordinary. There was no lingering air of threat as there had been earlier, just the opposite. There was such a lack of threat...I couldn't trust it.
Eventually, I felt overcome with the need to -do- something. And so, I move up next to her, and help her sort the dishes she was drying. It was a simple, menial task that took about no effort, mental or physical. It just let me move my hands, let me feel like I wasn't standing in here without a reason as I continued to think about what was even going on.
As I do this, I simply mention to Tamamo, in an attempt to break the silence. "Now that I know you are you, I can leave for now if my presence makes you uncomfortable. I don't know why you're so quiet, but...I'm happy you shared this much with me. I want to find out more, but I feel little need to rush as much as I did when you...weren't you." I go back to the sorting, not knowing if that affected anything, or if I'd continue to be regarded with silence.
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Post by Tamamo on Mar 23, 2016 20:25:50 GMT
Everything was going fine right? He won right? Then why would he find the need to push on his advantage any further?... Tamamo couldn't understand it. She was quietly doing the dishes when he suddenly moved close to "help" her "..." Just what does he think he's doing? Who gave him permission to enter her kitchen and do as he pleased?
Tamamo ignored his words, she growled a bit angry and slapped his hands off the washer "No, you can't!". She then closed her eyes and pushed him away from the kitchen from his back "You won, I already said it but..." she cleared her throat while leading him out to the living room "The kitchen, The chores and anything that is related to housing chores is MY dominion." Tamamo's words were clear after that.
After clarifying her position to her guest, she walked back to the kitchen to finish off the chores. Not so long after that she started to make lunch for him and from time to time she would quickly stare at him. "Just to be completely clear, EMIYA..." she once again cleared her throat and directed her words towards him "Since you won over me and you'll be taking responsibility as a man, and I, Tamamo-no-Mae bow to you, the winner..." she then bowed in respect and meant every word after that with complete seriousness "Also, it will be my duty to please you in every way you may require it... Even if you don't ask for it, I will be taking care of all the tedious works such as house chores and food for you".
Whether EMIYA liked this turns of events or not, trying to fight her over this would probably turn bad for him "Is this all clear?" She looked right into his eyes, expecting him to either agree or nod in agreement to her words.
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Post by emiya on Mar 23, 2016 20:48:55 GMT
She didn't seem unusual to me...why was she acting like this?
I was angrily pushed back from the dishes I was doing only in an attempt to help her. Fortunately, instead of directly attack him like he was half-expecting, she simply pushes him away while setting clear boundaries. Fairly responsible...though wasn't chores something that would be better avoided? Not once in his life was I complained about doing cleaning, though cooking was a bit more hotly contested. It seemed some things never changed, at least.
I follow her back to the kitchen in spite of her words. I make sure not to help her, and simply lean on the wall, observing her. "You must truly find satisfaction doing mundane acts like this. I'm impressed. I suppose I'm just used to being conscripted into helping with the dishes in my life." As she began to make lunch, my eyes widen. I knew full well that I was a talented cook, but I could clearly see the artsmanship and magic imbued into the food. He could likely match this level, but it would take every bit of my concentration, working at my best. I couldn't match magic by magic, so I would be relying on pure skill...but the end result would likely be inferior as a result.
Her further statement, meant to clarify their position, only serves to surprise me more. "As a man..." I mumble absentmindedly, potentially a costly tactical error. So...a suspicion I had before seemed to come true. This would truly be a difficult situation. "So to understand you correctly, my actions earlier had...won you over...from whatever effect you were under. Therefore, I am to take responsibility as a man, and allow you to take the place you feel most comfortable with." I nod. "I don't necessarily have a problem with this, though I would like to add some conditions."
I cough. "I am, though I likely don't match your talents, a chef by hobby. In addition, I volunteer my services at the cafeteria on occassion. Do you intend to take over food in all ways? I don't mean to put you in a difficult position, Tamamo, especially after I agreed to take full responsibility, but if you could allow me to continue my work for Chaldea, I would be more than happy to honor the boundaries you feel comfortable with. As it is unrelated to the home, I would hope this would not unduly trample on your comfort."
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Post by Tamamo on Mar 23, 2016 21:43:51 GMT
Even when she drove him away, he returned... What's going on in his mind anyways? His eyes widened as he watched her cook for him... was it really that impressive too? all of his actions so far kept surprising her but her pride wouldn't let him win so easily. "Just what do you think you're trying to do?!" She moved towards him and again, pushed him off the kitchen, then walking back to it only to listen to his "conditions".
She stopped cooking only to listen, she had to give him proper attention for that at least... the thing is... his conditions were none to be anything close to an agreement. Even then, her pride wouldn't allow her to accept his demands "Oh no..~" EMIYA will have to accept things her way like it or not.
"Listen here, EMIYA, I thought I was clear about what I said but I guess I was not." She continued to cook while looking at him, her coordination at multi-tasking was just that good "I do not mind doing the work of a wife as I have trained my whole life to be one for my dear husband" She then closed her eyes and focused on the dish she was making. "By NOT allowing you to continue on doing the things you are used to do, such as cooking or other chores it will only serve as my purpose of becoming a good wife" She then smiled confidently... "You, on the other hand will have to be a man and act as my husband, taking responsibility. This of course serving only as practice purposes for my needs" She looked at him again, this time re-affirming her words "Besides, I can't imagine a single man who would refuse having me as their temporal servant for free ~".
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Post by emiya on Mar 23, 2016 22:09:19 GMT
I blink as I'm pushed away again. "I just wanted to observe...I wasn't going to intrude!" Still, I'm forced out of the kitchen yet again...absolutely incomprehensible. It was clear that he'd have to understand this woman much better to even get a glimpse of what was under her head...how troublesome.
Her explanation quashed any hope I had for a reasonable compromise. "I don't wish to break my agreement to be responsible for my actions, so I won't press the issue." To think I'd be punished like this for trying to be a hero...I'd be amused if it wasn't downright annoying. With a sigh, I nod. "So you feel that taking care of all the chores and cooking is integral to being a good wife? Women certainly weren't like you in my time..." Memories of the women I grew up around caused a slight shudder. "I suppose it's something I will simply have to get accustomed to. Though I'll miss cooking, I suppose it's worth it."
Something she said does bother me, though. "Since you have such specific ideas of what the responsibilities of the wife...can you help me understand what the responsibilities of a husband are? You have different social mores than I am accustomed to, though I will endeavor to reach your standards." I look to the side. "And I find it hard to believe you're fine with being a mere...temporal servant. I couldn't treat you as simply one of those either. You seem to want more than that." With a shrug, I go back to watching her cook, trying to toe the line she'll bother to go push me away from.
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Post by Tamamo on Mar 23, 2016 23:48:31 GMT
There was not much else Tamamo could say to EMIYA. She could always define what "husband" and "wife" meant to him but... doing so would just take the fun out of it.
Tamamo smiled.
"Whatever, here." She had finished cooking, a homemade bento that was carefully prepared for him as a lunch with part of the rice they fought over earlier. She handled it in a box she uses for it to him and pushed him off her apartment.
"Listen, EMIYA, this is a temporal good bye. You might think I'm hiding things right now" she looked away "And you're probably right, but I need my space right now and I'm sure you will understand..." She then smiled and looked at him "Today was fun, maybe we could repeat it some other time. Enjoy your food ~" With nothing more to say, she just stood by the door and waited for his answer.
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