uruha

[rippled]

Comments

[rippled]

I do prefer it when things are more straightforward.

And some people seem to be getting hit by these outcomes rather badly.

[kumeyuri]

The people here are kind.

[said simply.]

[rippled]

[ god they just. laugh at that. ]

Why is kindness such a curse?

[kumeyuri]

... It's something that thrives most in peace. When things are good.

[it still exists during conflict, of course, but adversity has a way of trying to destroy it.]

[rippled]

[ they actually wince at his words. ]

... yes. It's a same that we don't have that right now.

[kumeyuri]

[...]

I know you don't really like to be asked this, but... are you all right, Saber?

[rippled]

I am as okay as anyone can be here.

[kumeyuri]

... Okay. You just... kind of reacted right now.

[rippled]

Did I?

[ they grimace a bit.

... ]

Do you think it's possible for someone who craves battle to be able to live during peaceful times? That they can ignore those urges for the sake of being kind?

[kumeyuri]

[...

there's something in uruha's expression that suggests this hits a bit close to home.]

I think... for those who find fulfillment on the battlefield, for whatever reason, a part of them might always be left there—that they may never fully integrate into a peaceful society.

But I also believe that even in such a society, there are other things that a person can find. It might never be quite the same, but there is more to the world than battle.

[rippled]

Is that right...

[ sorry that they keep accidentally hitting your pings, uruha. ]

You sound like it's a topic you've thought about before.

[kumeyuri]

... I'd be lying if I said that fighting in the war—on Rokuhira-san's behalf—wasn't a high point of my life.

[rippled]

... mm.

And the transition period has been difficult?

[kumeyuri]

It's been years since then. I learned to adjust, and I know I did it better than some others.

But I wouldn't say that I've ever had the same sense of purpose as I did then, when I could fight for someone's sake.

[rippled]

[ they nod. ]

I am... jealous, of people who live peacefully.

[kumeyuri]

... It's not something you can adjust to.

[a question, but more of a statement.]

[rippled]

Maybe I will be able to, if I can get a chance. But I haven't had one yet.

[ so, they can't actually say. heaven was supposed to be it, and look where they are with that. ]

[kumeyuri]

[why does heaven suck!!!!!!]

... Well, I hope you've enjoyed the moments here that aren't horrible.

[rippled]

It's been fun, if you ignore the parts that haven't been

[ that's a lot of ignoring, but. ]

Have you made friends here?

[kumeyuri]

...

You sound like a parent or a teacher when you ask that.

[rippled]

I am very responsible!

[ they are just also very full of whimsy. ]

[kumeyuri]

... Well, that's true. [he's seen enough of saber's serious side to believe that sincerely.] How old are you, anyway?

[rippled]

Hm... that's a little complicated...

[ hmmm ]

I was in my 40's when I died the first time...? But my Saint Graph is definitely much younger than that... so I'm not really sure...

[kumeyuri]

[squints at saber like you don't look 40+]

... What's a Saint Graph?

[rippled]

I'm something called a Heroic Spirit. Ah, basically it's like...

[ a pause that is clearly them trying to figure out how to explain fate mechanics. ]

Heroic Spirits are basically people who usually made some sort of impact in life, whether it was historically or culturally. I was summoned as one after my initial death to participate in something called the Waxing Moon ritual, which is how I met Iori. I was partnered with him. It's basically a battle to the death to compete for the grand prize of a wish.

But anyway, when we get summoned, the way we manifest doesn't seem to be an exact copy of how we were in death. If we were, I'd seem much older.