Fate/Echo's Call

[empression]

[ She hadn't wanted this. She had disagreed with her father's plan, to participate in the Holy Grail war at all, but perhaps it hadn't been loud enough.

(Perhaps, Haru thinks, tiredly now, as though she didn't know that it had been nowhere near loud.)

But with mages hearing the stirrings of a powerful man ready to put Tokyo beneath his heel, she ought to have expected this. Instead, she had come home and found her father, face-down on the ivory shag carpet, body having long since grown cold. But the armor. The armor was still where he had hidden it, five sets of hidden drawers locked with a seal only a member of the Okumura family could undo.

She hadn't wanted this. But things couldn't stay as they were, and only a few days after his funeral, Haru had finished preparations. The circle, etched carefully and painstakingly on the floor with care given to each individual symbol. The armor, placed in the center.

... She can't shake the feeling that she is still her father's subservient puppet, but as she finishes chanting--

The room explodes in light and her hand burns as the lines of three Command Seals engrave themselves onto her skin.

Much to her embarrassment, she's tipped over backwards from the shock. ]

Comments

[paladorable]

I am Echo-blessed, so we needn't worry about mental influence over me, at least. I can shield you from it as well, but it seems dangerous to hedge our bets on my being able to, especially if I'll be engaged in battle.

[empression]

Please, don't worry about me. Even if I'm targeted, I believe the fastest path to victory would be to defeat Caster as quickly as possible. Any effect he could possibly have would vanish with his death.

... And I'm sure Sugimura-san wants me alive, if nothing else.

[paladorable]

Haru… I wouldn’t want to put you through that.

[empression]

I'm only thinking of the worst case scenario. For all we know, he could simply have imprisoning techniques.

... Regardless, don't prioritize me this time. All right?

[paladorable]

That's an awfully tall order.

[ But by that same token, he realizes he needs to have faith in her, or else this partnership won't work. ]

I'll do my best.

[empression]

... Thank you.

[ And she reaches out to take his hand, bringing her lips to the top of it in a rather courtly gesture. ]

I swear to you, we'll be victorious.

[paladorable]

[ Gods above, did she just kiss the back of his hand? His heart may have skipped a beat and leapt up into his throat all at once. ]

I thought I was supposed to be the knight in shining armor here.

[empression]

You were my teacher today. I suppose I just felt inspired.

[ no, she's inwardly wailing about her own impulsiveness. ]

[paladorable]

Oh, is that it?

[ Trying to play it cool even though he’s totally blushing? Oh yes. ]

Mayhap I should inspire you more often.

[ Ah, no, that was probably too forward, wasn’t it? ]

[empression]

Ah--

[ Oh. Is this... is he flirting? With her? Or is he merely being polite, or teasing?

Haru swallows slowly, after a minute. ]

Mayhap you should.

[paladorable]

Oh.

[ He has a feeling this is going somewhere, or would be if either of them had even the slightest clue about what they were doing. Probably best they stop this ride now before they go careening downhill. ]

We should... we should probably rest up before we confront Sugimura, yeah?

[empression]

... Mm. You're right. I need to be at full energy, to properly support you.

[ He's absolutely right, but she can't shake the feeling of... disappointment? Is that what this is?

Either way, Haru dusts herself off, slowly shaking her head. She absolutely can't trouble him; she knows that. ]

[paladorable]

[ He can't help but feel that maybe he made the wrong move, but Haru is quick to move on. This is a war, after all, and they really can't afford distractions. ]

The same goes for me. Just let me know if you need anything, alright?

[empression]

Of course.

[ And with a polite bow of her head, Haru will scoop to gather the books, replace them on the shelves, and excuse herself.

Gently kicking herself all the way? Quite possibly. ]