come out of hiding, i'm right here beside you

[barehands]

[A while after the execution has ended, everyone will find a simple note slipped under their door.]

If you don't want to be alone after everything that's happening, some of us will be in the dining room. Even if you decide not to come, please remember that you aren't alone here.

[The note isn't signed, but the handwriting is feminine and neat.

For anyone who decides to come, there's a good array of food laid out on the table. There are some small and simple cakes, cookies, and pastries, a healthy amount of okonomiyaki, okayu, and other Japanese dishes (with a focus on rice and eggs), along with curry. In addition, there are pancakes, and a large pot of soup. It looks like a few people collaborated to make enough food for everyone here.

Just like the meal they shared together earlier in the week, the candles from the storage room lend a more peaceful light than the fluorescent lights above.]

Comments

[heritrix]

[Rin pretends to look about, determining her seat while reflecting back on today.

She'd watched, of course, as Arietta went back to her podium and the two shared their goodbyes. She wonders what they said. She hopes it gave Sakura some closure.

But even if it didn't, encountering death is just a part of being a mage.]

It makes no difference for us. We were prepared that it could be any of them to begin with. [Rin decides to sit at the desk, turning sideways in her chair so she can face Sakura should she choose to sit on the edge of the bed.] But the others... Those who weren't already will be more wary now than ever before. That the person among us they most wanted to protect would betray them first will be a harsh blow.

[And that her victim was so kind; that was done in by her compassion... That makes it worse, but Rin can't bring herself to be the one to drag Felicia's name into this first.]

[imaginex]

Yes...

[Chewing on her bottom lip, she takes a seat at the edge of her bed as expected.]

Everyone seemed more closed off than usual today.

... Shinya-san was also a little on edge.

[heritrix]

How shocking.

[imaginex]

[... Oh, right. They don't like each other - or that's what Sakura guesses from what she saw at the trials. Normally that would be enough reason to change the subject out of nervousness, but the Matou heir brought up the other for a reason]

His resolve has been strengthened. I don't know if that means he'll kill, but he's one of the more likely suspects now.

[All things Rin probably knows, but frankly? She's telling the girl to be careful anyway.

It's not a betrayal to Kogami as she sees it. The man... she cares for him. Probably more than is safe. On top of that, she's working to accept the fact he's desperate to leave this place, and all that will entail.

But if he kills Rin, or brings her to any kind of harm, Sakura won't be able to forgive him. That's just how this selfish girl works]

[heritrix]

He was the person I most suspected would snap, so again, this changes nothing for me.

Just to confirm, but you'll be following your own advice, right? [Rin rests her left arm in her lap, draping her right over the back of the chair.] You seemed to like him.

[imaginex]

My own advice...?

[heritrix]

This is a warning that you're giving me. I'm asking if you're taking the same precautions.

[imaginex]

Aah.

Yes, of course.

[She doesn't seem at all worried, in fact, and merely blinks.

For better or worse, Sakura doesn't seem to fear Kogami]

We both have an understanding.

[heritrix]

[Well that's good, but the last part of that is disturbing.]

An understanding?

[imaginex]

Yes.

We can never let our guards down around each other.

[Not fully. Not without realizing it's foolish. She assumes he feels that, too. And though it's unspoken, that is the basis of their understanding:

If the other truly wanted to go home by any means necessary, the other person wouldn't be able to stop them. There will always be a slivered crack in their trust.]

[heritrix]

Just like us.

[A heavy silence hangs in the air, having voiced that. ...Fine. Considering that, that's enough that she can let this go, for now.]

1/2

[imaginex]

[imaginex]

... Yes.

[A nod of agreement.]

[heritrix]

...If we get out of here this week, that won't be a problem for us, you realize.

[imaginex]

[...]

If we simply enacted rule #7 ourselves?

[She should be at least a little surprised that Rin implied it, just as she should be shocked she herself actually voiced it.

Strange... she feels calm instead, expression blank]

[heritrix]

[From the day they were born, they were expected to some day take part in a bloody war. They just though it would be among seven mages, not thirty strangers.

And for a mage, really. Does that matter?]
[It matters, and Rin's chest feels tight suggesting it.]
I think it's possible to accomplish.

[She exhales shakily, as her sharp gaze lands on the back of her right hand. The place where her Command Seals should be.]

And you and I are on a tight timetable. If this is a different dimension, there's a chance that's not a problem for us. But in the event it isn't...

The Fifth Holy Grail War isn't going to wait for us. It's already been a week. The upcoming days might be our last chance to make it back. As members of the Matou and Tohsaka, we're aware of a loophole the other Masters won't be. If the war hasn't already finished, we can forge a new Master/Servant contract, but only if we act.

[imaginex]

[But I don't want to fight

is what the Matou heir desperately wants to say. She never did. Shinji might howl to the moon how he's the sibling most deserving of the honor of wielding a Servant, but deep in her heart, wiggling like a worm is the acknowledgement that she shoved the responsibility onto her brother. And he might very well die for it.

If he hasn't killed Senpai yet

As her heart clenches on that evasive thought, Sakura mimics Rin's exhale silently, eyes turned toward the floor.]

Then we need to decide on a victim.

[Victim. Yes, she'll frame it that way.]

[heritrix]

[In a strange way, it's a relief to know Sakura is just as awful as she is. She didn't hesitate.

But Rin does. Victim. Yeah... That's what it is, of course. Rin steels her face, but her heart hammers. Don't overthink it; she hasn't been feeling well for a while now.]

There's something else I need to confirm, even before that. [Rin turns her head away to glance at Sakura's phone.] I have a plan that could work, but today proved something to me. We haven't been asking enough questions; what the Transmitter answers the ones on my mind will decide how we go from here.

[imaginex]

[Stalling?

Excellent.

She's more than happy to redirect her attention to the phone]

Yes... you're right. [Some of the steel leaves her spine, allowing her to relax into a more natural posture.] W-would you like me to ask the questions?

[The choice she leaves to Rin. Sakura will follow whatever instruction she gives]

[heritrix]

Use common sense, Sakura. We both should, separately. To confirm she doesn't lie to us, and that we won't lie to each other.

[imaginex]

R-right. Of course.

[Chastised, but she nods in agreement and without complaint.]

You don't think she'll find it suspicious if two Patients ask the same questions, will she? [Though after a pause, Sakura shakes her head and answers her own question]

No... Even if she did care, I don't think she'd intervene.

[heritrix]

I doubt it as well, but she's a hard one to read. Her reaction should be interesting, to say the least.

[Rin drops her hand to her left elbow, massaging it thoughtfully.]

[imaginex]

[Sakura's eyes drop to Rin's elbow as well, thoughtlessly tracing the movement while her mind works.

Eventually, she gives another nod]

What questions will we ask?

[heritrix]

[Rin beckons her forward.]

Find a pen and paper; you can write this down.

[And when she does, Rin gives her the outline.]

It will go like this...

[/scene end]