Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.

[carnivorously]

[Well, that was one hell of a trial. Kogami’s tired and hungry. He’ll get his staple hamburgers, but maybe he’ll be nice enough to help make some for everyone.

So there’s a note that goes out:]

Food in the dining hall – K, P, Q, & R

[It’s quickly written and straightforward.

And indeed there is food. There’s a shitton of hamburgers made by Kogami and Rose, the sliced cheese prepared by Pizzaz, and cake by QQ. Pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and other such condiments are set out as well as an assortment of buns.

There’s not lighted candles this time, so it’s clear that the usual preparers didn’t help with this ‘buffet’. (Well, if it wasn’t clear with the note).

So rest, relax, and well, you’re probably going to have to get your own drinks this time, sorry…]

Comments

[heritrix]

Did you get a yes or no?

[nachetanya]

A yes. A yes twice, actually. I asked both Tsubasas.

[ She seems... weirdly proud of this. ]

[heritrix]

[Pffthaha. Rin laughs.]

How conscientious of you.

[nachetanya]

It seemed important to!

[ She shakes her head, laughing. ]

After all, if I'm going to be dating her, I'd prefer to be clear with all of her.

[heritrix]

No, it makes sense. Especially if her Mr. Hyde is aware of everything.

[nachetanya]

Mr... Hyde?

[heritrix]

It's a reference to a book. Ask Tsubasa; she told me once she had a special interest in it.

[Another reason why Rin thinks there must be something more going on there. They talked about many books that day in passing, eventually talking most about the works of HP Lovecraft. But still Tsubasa had mentioned being particularly fascinated with The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.]

[nachetanya]

I'll be certain to.

[ she leans back a little bit, placing her arm behind her to support her as she looks up at the ceiling... ]

Ah, I guess I should tell her, though.

[heritrix]

Duh. The only reason I haven't is because that would be taking that right from you. But if you keep holding off on it, I won't be able to avoid the subject for much longer.

[nachetanya]

I'm grateful you have that much respect for me, then.

[ "that right," huh? ]

[heritrix]

I'd also know how I'd feel if someone blundered into my business and made things bad for me.

[So yeah, of course. Still lazily kicking her feet in the water, Rin makes a little big bigger of a wave for the fun of it.]

[nachetanya]

[ Mmm ]

So what sort of magecraft do the Tohsaka specialize in?

[ It might seem like an abrupt question - and it is - but she asks with some curiosity. ]

[heritrix]

Secret.

[Gosh, Nachetanya. She's okay with you knowing she's a mage, but she has to have some pride. Or maybe at least the semblance of it, because she's grinning.]

[nachetanya]

Oh, but does that even matter here? I've told you about my own abilities!

[heritrix]

No you didn't! When I asked, you changed the subject.

[Totally dodged that whole Saint thing to ask about her supervisor role instead.]

[nachetanya]

Oh... Oh! I did, didn't I?

[ And then she got tired and... she bursts out laughing ]

My apologies! No, no, alright...

[ She puts a hand over her chest fucking really ]

In my world, "saints" are women who've inherited a fraction of the gods' power. There's seventy-eight in all, with unique abilities each. For example, there's the Saint of Fire, the Saint of the Sun, the Saint of Words...

I'm the Saint of Blades, personally.

[heritrix]

[Wow, there's that many gods running about Nachetanya's world still. Given her story about being one of the Six Braves, that makes good sense actually. Rin wonders how her world has developed; if it's more akin to the Age of the Gods, or medieval times, or a cross between.

Saint of Blades, though...]

Are any of the Saints opposed, or do you generally work together?

[nachetanya]

In theory, all of the recognized saints are loosely united under All-Heavens Temple. However, it's not like they don't have their own allegiances to different nations of princes. For example, in her youth, the current Saint of the Sun, Leura, almost single-handed won a war that her country was involved in by using the forces of the sun to immolate an enemy castle.

[ She hums ] Other saints, such as the Saint of Medicine or the Saint of Fresh Blood are usually recognized across all borders, because it would be foolish not to. And of course, in the era I was born into, where fiend activity is on the rise, most human squabbles have to fall to the wayside.

[heritrix]

[Well that sure sounds like a Noble Phantasm.]

Are all Saints that powerful? I know you have that toxin in the air to worry about, but if all 78 of you banded together you could probably overcome it. Especially if there's a Saint of Wind or Water.

[nachetanya]

No, Leura was always particularly skilled. She was actually the head of All-Heavens Temple for a time.

[ Mmm ]

It's probably fair to say that the majority of saints at a given time have a much more limited use of their abilities, and of them a handful are trained for combat. Those who show the most promise.

[ she stretches, her arm behind her head- ]

There is a Saint of Wind and... I suppose the closest would be the Saint of Rivers.

[heritrix]

Your skill lends particularly well to combat. There's no way Blades isn't useful for that at any rate, especially as you were chosen as a Brave.

[nachetanya]

Well, yes.

[ She smiles. ]

If I could use them right now, I could summon forth blades from the ground here, to use for attack or defense.

[heritrix]

Oh, so they're larger than your rapier?

[nachetanya]

Yes! I can also work them to be any size I need them to be, or split them apart to become more than one. I suppose you could say while I do fight rapier, in an idea combat situation I can "conduct" my blades before the enemy gets within several meters of me.

[heritrix]

[So literally as you pray, Unlimited Blade Works?]

Your skill set is well-balanced. You could even say you have an edge.