01 💢 Video

[angramaintsu]

[ Rare is it for Rin to use the terminals, but when she does her skill with it is anything but decent. Her typing is usually off, so when she uses video early this morning, it's only natural that it catches a a brief glimpse of her. Most of her head is clipped off by the edges of the camera, but she doesn't bother to move into position properly. Behind her mostly is an empty hallway, void of any life (human and monster) surprisingly. ]

Some of you have items that were damaged. [ A simple phrase, but she comes off as awkward in saying it. ] From the weather.

I'll try to help you with them. [ A pause, then: ] With restoration, that is. I might be able to assist, but don't get your hopes up. I'll decide when we meet face-to-face if it's something I want to do or not.

It'll cost you more than likely. [ It wont, but if she comes off too charitable in public, who knows what people might ask of her next. ] We can discuss that in person. It'd be scandalous to invite you to my room to personally discuss it, so think of another place we can meet up.

Okay?

Comments

[angramaintsu]

You?

[ Surprised entirely by this turn of events, it takes her a few seconds to overcome it. Soon enough, she's giving a nod of her head in agreement. ]

Yeah, sure. I'll try, I guess.

[chevalier_mal_fet]

Yes, even so.
[Lancelot inclines his head slightly.]

Then I shall meet you at your pleasure. Name the time.

[angramaintsu]

This afternoon. The ninety-ninth floor.

[ An extra bit of security for her as she shifts her weight against the terminal. ]

Be there.

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[Lancelot comes to this place occasionally, on his own. He almost prefers the more dangerous of the two caves-- this one tends to leave him too much alone in his thoughts. But there are no Beasts or Monsters here save himself. Though in his dark suit, his weapon undrawn, he hardly embodies the name of his Class.

He waits by a pool-- a rather limp, sad-appearing, and obviously hand-bound book in his gloved hand.]

[angramaintsu]

[ For Rin this place is practically a sanctuary for her. Gems as far as the eye can see and when you're already as twisted as she, does it really get under the skin? Some days she can't tell, but others she's human enough to be bothered.

At least now she's okay. The water bothers her only due to the dripping in the atmosphere, but soon enough it'll be drowned out with conversation.

Provided either of them are willing to fill in the silence. She walks up to him and then stops, not a word to greet him to be found. It isn't that she's hostile, she just knows the dangers of meeting with a Servant without her own present. ]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[The lack of greeting does not trouble Lancelot. He has the young woman's name from his Master-- and doubtless she has knowledge of he himself.
Lancelot inclines his head in polite greeting.]

I thank you for meeting with me. Rin Matou.

I have the item here, should you wish to examine it.

[He offers the book in his hand. The thing is obviously incredibly old an quite delicate-- especially now that it has sustained a fair amount of water damage. The cover is in worked leather, the pages are a thick, flexible paper, closely written.]

[angramaintsu]

[ Taking it from him, she thumbs through a corner of the book without much regard to it's current state. ]

Books are often the easiest. [ Rin finally says. ] All the materials are usually natural and even if the ink has been washed away, there was crevices where the words used to be.

Was it handwritten? I assume so.

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[Lancelot watches as she handles the book-- he has not seen it in another's hands for a very, very long time. He waits patiently until she speaks.]

Yes, it is handwritten-- though some passages have been inserted that are not in my hand, but that of a copyist.
[He pauses a long moment before he resumes speaking, as if having reached a decision.]
It is my commonplace book, and precious to me.
Can you mend it so easily, then?

[angramaintsu]

I'd hope so. It might even end up in a greater state than you've seen in many years.

[ Boasting about her skill is one thing she's excellent at. A copyist though--that interests her. ]

Who was this copyist? [ She asks as she rubs her thumb against it and flinches slightly. A papercut naturally, but that doesn't stop her from letting her blood spread along the corner of the book. ] I'm interested in knowing.

[chevalier_mal_fet]

In my day, books were all of them copied by hand as you may well know.
The pages you see here not in my hand -- [He reaches out, runs a gloved fingertip over the cover.]
are taken from other volumes. I do not know the name of every copyist. Only one.

There are some few pages written out by a Lady-- [He supposed when dealing with a Magus, particularly in the matter of a boon, it would be best to be honest.]
to a Queen, rather. Guinevere.

[Ah, but the Magus has cut herself. He does not touch her hand, but his fingers do hover over hers on the book, now a little marked with her blood. Doubtless she will repair the damage.]
Strange how some things retain a bright edge, no matter their age. Have a care for yourself, Rin Matou.

[angramaintsu]

Guinevere, she is well known in history books, but not in the kindest of light.

[ She comments as she turns the book over to look at the blood. ] A necessary reagent for repair, you see. Something has to be given in return for the restoration. You can't create something out of nothing, but I have plenty of blood to spare.

So it'll be fine.

[ Chanting an incantation under her breath, the language might not be easy for him to understand. German? Seems that's her preference over Japanese or English, but soon enough the book is enveloped in a warm glow as the pages flutter. ]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

You are mistaken. Guinevere is not known at all.
"King Arthur's Traitorous Wife" is known, but then History was ever written by those who merely outlasted those with whom they shared a stage and could not outshine in life.

[Lancelot's tone is cold as the grave, but it is clear that Rin is not the target of his ire. After a long moment, he seems to calm.]

I will give my own blood, if you wish it--

[But the Magus has already begun, and Lancelot only watches as the book glows in her hands. Magic is not a mystery to him, but it is rare that he is able to simply observe it.]

[angramaintsu]

That depends on the story.

[ Rin says as she finishes the restoration. It seems so simple for her and in actuality it is; that's the miracle of magecraft. Holding it out towards him gently, the condition of the book has definitely been improved.

She might have even made it a little tougher. It isn't immune to water, but might not bend or rip as easy. ]

There are plenty of stories that all deviate from the same source, but can tell a different story. You could tell me your own version if you like sometime.

[chevalier_mal_fet]

It is an Old Story. Both simpler and more complex than retellings would have it.
Have you not heard a version from-- others here?

[Lancleot removes a glove before reaching out to run his fingers over the cover-- then take the book from Rin's hand. It seems not only restored, but nearly renewed.
He bows his head to her in a low fashion.]

I thank you, Rin Matou.
Do you wish a Service from me at this time-- or will you keep my debt until you have cause to redeem it?

[angramaintsu]

People tend to not enjoy telling stories to me if that's what you're asking. I could pry and pry--in the end, it's how they feel and most of the time they don't feel up to speaking with me.

[ Shaking her head. ] There's no debt. Just continue to watch over my uncle, alright?

[ Sneaking like this just to gain a better understanding of her uncle's Servant was probably in poor taste, but that's Rin for you. ]

[chevalier_mal_fet]

You need not ask that I do that. I am your-- Uncle's Servant. I shall do my duty by him.

Have you no Servant of your own, Rin Matou?

[angramaintsu]

Of course I have a Servant of my own. It'd be irresponsible of me to have failed in acquiring one, don't you think?

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[The Magus is odd, but then they all are-- everyone of them Lancelot has known, at any rate. He raises a brow in reaction.]

As you say, Rin Matou.
If you had not, however, I would be pleased to aid you at need. For the service you have done me, as well as for the love of your Uncle, who holds your safety dear.

Bear it in mind.