[Kirei is absent from Leathann and somewhere near Caer Glaem again, and perhaps he hasn't bothered to share much news with Gilgamesh about where he is or why. He still finds the time to stop for Archer. He replies while airborne, answering his locket on the back of his cleg while he flies.
What is this all about?]
You ask for it, and you shall have it. What do you need, Gilgamesh?
Why are you not with me, first of all? I do not recall sending you elsewhere.
[So much for follow your own path. Apparently it's a rule Gilgamesh abides only when it's convenient, and right now it isn't. He needs all the hands he can spare, including Kirei's, even if they're of questionable use.
But they are reliable, and that's exactly what he needs buried neck deep in this sort of disaster.]
Leathann finds itself in increasing uproar, and you're diddling away on some side venture. Explain before I lose my patience.
It becomes worse by the hour. I've no idea how this island manages to hold itself together, but "by the grace of God" as you say.
[It's a sign of strange, yet undeniable trust that Gilgamesh relays his true feelings on the matter to Kirei. Usually he was able to remain chipper, but underneath, he's scrambling. And he's not above asking for help when it's become obvious he can't get by without it.
Gilgamesh tap, tap, taps his pen against the parchment and tries to gather his focus again.]
Kirei. It may be time to act as we discussed. Back at the feast.
Back when you were blatantly using me. [Yes, he still remembers. But the comment is made with no real emotion to it. He continues to be used, now. No doubt Gilgamesh is fancifying up his own drama, whether he honestly intends to or not.
That's the critical piece, though.
He wouldn't call him like this and be this unsettled if Leathann was fine.]
The grace of God is powerful. If I had to guess, you're talking about the church. First of all, Leathann is far from Caer Glaem. Second of all, I lack the funds.
[He can and will argue his case, Kirei. Don't think for a second he won't hold his ground. He may be frustrated, but if anything is obvious here, it's that he won't give up his island without one hell of a fight. The will of the King of Heroes was a very scary thing when in full force.
Gilgamesh levels a very serious stare at his locket, considering.]
So gather them, then. Are you not the "Defender of Innocents"? Can you not find a way to guide lost souls and empty their pockets in the process? Truthfully, I care little if you have to invoke the name of your beloved Void to do it, so long as it's done. Caer Glaem's a distant concern in comparison.
[...but because Kirei made that confession, Gilgamesh will yield something to him: earnest faith.]
I believe you can accomplish this task. I would not have contacted you otherwise.
[He isn't going to get into a lovers' quarrel with you over the lockets, Gilgamesh, don't even try.
The force and the conviction behind Gilgamesh are at once ill-fitting and a reminder of better times. This is more of the King he knows. Perhaps, this is how he acted, to some degree, when he was a king. It should be an occasion to celebrate, but the same concerning care for Leathann that he saw in Hermione is present in Gilgamesh, too.
Why are they even Seelie if they will not let the Void move as it will?]
What am I to do for Leathann?
[Which is his way of announcing he's accepted Gilgamesh's plea.
He couldn't rightfully worship the Void around the already present temples of Pol without suffering their exasperation, and the religious landscape might be hard to navigate just given he's Seelie.
He can try, however. Gilgamesh understands where his values sit. He knows what he stands for.
[So he's agreed, then. Gilgamesh sighs in relief and makes no show of hiding it; these days he's rather transparent, especially around those he knows well. He cannot pretend to be above it all any longer because, as has been stressed to him time and time again by various circumstances, the game has changed.
That did not make Kirei any less of a useful pawn to prod about when it suited him. At least he would still move when told, when convinced. That gives Gilgamesh some hope he could accomplish his goals, however slight.
In acknowledgment of a fair answer, Gilgamesh grants Kirei a fair proposal.]
Raise their spirits. Give them hope. It's what you do, isn't it? You stand there at the altar and feed them your consolations, your condolences. Preach to them of a brighter future. Regale them the tales of a merciful God that might save them. Whether it is true or not...
[Gilgamesh shakes his head, shrugs as if to say who knows? then trails off.]
Anyway, you need to stay active. [Smirking a little.] You'll get pudgy otherwise. I don't tolerate that in my bed.
[The compassion matters more than he may know. "Shaken" is certainly a way to describe it, if for no other reason than that the god in question has a temper that's actually worse than Gilgamesh's.]
You will not consider even the idea of your own failure?
[He criticizes, lightly, but he's honest.]
If you don't understand what they need, they will never calm down. I will go there. I will build your church. But I will try to appease a god, at the same time.
[So if the Void comes, Gilgamesh will be swallowed along with it? Kirei doesn't comprehend what he's thinking-- whether it's a good sign of kingship, a bad sign, or neither.
It doesn't matter to him if he receives a reward or not for this, so he doesn't ask about it.]
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video;
What is this all about?]
You ask for it, and you shall have it. What do you need, Gilgamesh?
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[So much for follow your own path. Apparently it's a rule Gilgamesh abides only when it's convenient, and right now it isn't. He needs all the hands he can spare, including Kirei's, even if they're of questionable use.
But they are reliable, and that's exactly what he needs buried neck deep in this sort of disaster.]
Leathann finds itself in increasing uproar, and you're diddling away on some side venture. Explain before I lose my patience.
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[And that's all he'll say of it, no more. He knows he doesn't need Gilgamesh's permission to travel freely. He is not his Master.]
What sort of uproar do you mean?
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Everything's falling apart. I require more feet on the ground to keep the situation stable.
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It has become worse in only a few days' time?
[There is tangible concern in Kirei's voice. His eyes narrow with wariness.
And a small part of him is excited, too. If the Void is coming, he must rush out to Leathann immediately to view it.]
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[It's a sign of strange, yet undeniable trust that Gilgamesh relays his true feelings on the matter to Kirei. Usually he was able to remain chipper, but underneath, he's scrambling. And he's not above asking for help when it's become obvious he can't get by without it.
Gilgamesh tap, tap, taps his pen against the parchment and tries to gather his focus again.]
Kirei. It may be time to act as we discussed. Back at the feast.
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That's the critical piece, though.
He wouldn't call him like this and be this unsettled if Leathann was fine.]
The grace of God is powerful. If I had to guess, you're talking about the church. First of all, Leathann is far from Caer Glaem. Second of all, I lack the funds.
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[He can and will argue his case, Kirei. Don't think for a second he won't hold his ground. He may be frustrated, but if anything is obvious here, it's that he won't give up his island without one hell of a fight. The will of the King of Heroes was a very scary thing when in full force.
Gilgamesh levels a very serious stare at his locket, considering.]
So gather them, then. Are you not the "Defender of Innocents"? Can you not find a way to guide lost souls and empty their pockets in the process? Truthfully, I care little if you have to invoke the name of your beloved Void to do it, so long as it's done. Caer Glaem's a distant concern in comparison.
[...but because Kirei made that confession, Gilgamesh will yield something to him: earnest faith.]
I believe you can accomplish this task. I would not have contacted you otherwise.
no subject
The force and the conviction behind Gilgamesh are at once ill-fitting and a reminder of better times. This is more of the King he knows. Perhaps, this is how he acted, to some degree, when he was a king. It should be an occasion to celebrate, but the same concerning care for Leathann that he saw in Hermione is present in Gilgamesh, too.
Why are they even Seelie if they will not let the Void move as it will?]
What am I to do for Leathann?
[Which is his way of announcing he's accepted Gilgamesh's plea.
He couldn't rightfully worship the Void around the already present temples of Pol without suffering their exasperation, and the religious landscape might be hard to navigate just given he's Seelie.
He can try, however. Gilgamesh understands where his values sit. He knows what he stands for.
Kirei wants more details.]
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That did not make Kirei any less of a useful pawn to prod about when it suited him. At least he would still move when told, when convinced. That gives Gilgamesh some hope he could accomplish his goals, however slight.
In acknowledgment of a fair answer, Gilgamesh grants Kirei a fair proposal.]
Raise their spirits. Give them hope. It's what you do, isn't it? You stand there at the altar and feed them your consolations, your condolences. Preach to them of a brighter future. Regale them the tales of a merciful God that might save them. Whether it is true or not...
[Gilgamesh shakes his head, shrugs as if to say who knows? then trails off.]
Anyway, you need to stay active. [Smirking a little.] You'll get pudgy otherwise. I don't tolerate that in my bed.
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[Kirei finds little amusing in Gilgamesh's comments. Most of it is because the conflict between them has reared its ugly head again.]
I will only do it if this "brighter future" includes the Void, and the future beyond the Void.
[What should happen to the people if they are not saved-- at least in this life.]
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Do whatever you'd like. But get it done.
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But.
After a moment or so, he speaks. And there is something new in his voice, lost, searching, aimless. Hopeful.]
... Gilgamesh. Would you believe a god has talked to me?
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[But Gilgamesh would believe a great deal that he wouldn't before. Kirei clearly wishes to speak on the matter, so he indulges him.]
Tell me what it said.
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I don't know if I should.
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You were chosen. Take heart.
[...he at least bears some concern for that aimlessness. It must have shaken him. Even if they quarrel, fondness remains.]
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[The compassion matters more than he may know. "Shaken" is certainly a way to describe it, if for no other reason than that the god in question has a temper that's actually worse than Gilgamesh's.]
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[Gilgamesh smiles, perhaps the slightest bit teasing now. Mortals always did have an interesting view of divinity.]
You've spoken with a god among men all along. Surely another could not rile you overmuch.
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If the Void does come. Are there any plans in action to help people escape the island, even if they do not possess the means?
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[With great reluctance:]
And against you, should our interests no longer find themselves aligned.
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[He criticizes, lightly, but he's honest.]
If you don't understand what they need, they will never calm down. I will go there. I will build your church. But I will try to appease a god, at the same time.
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[Well, it's the truth. Even if he's tasted failure more than once here, he's stubborn. He won't let go of his ideals that easily, or of his home.]
As I said, take whatever actions are necessary. I shall eagerly await reports of your success.
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It doesn't matter to him if he receives a reward or not for this, so he doesn't ask about it.]
Success is my intention.
[Although the parameters are shaky at best.]
Is that all, King of Heroes?
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That Tohsaka girl's here.
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What...?
[Kirei's thoughts skid to a screeching halt. He even stops the cleg, sailing down to the ground.]
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