[The church is deserted. It's still new only in how it exists in an abandoned building left behind by those fleeing from the Void, and in fact, the orphans and other children who used to come here have since been whisked off to the safety of the orphanage as they should.
But the church's priest is around. He enters from the darkness of the pillars stretching towards the back of the building, he walks with purpose. The Void approaches, every day a little closer, but he is here.
And perhaps there's a hint of a hidden smile on his lips, before he catches sight of Jekyll.]
... Welcome to this place. You may stay as long as you would like. I don't know why you come, but the island teeters between hope and its last days, just as the rest of the world does.
[He looks up, startled out of his focus on...nothing at all. Even without the telling greeting, there is an air about this man's person that seems to be authoritative. There's something comforting about that. He recalls brief interaction in order to donate, and offers a small smile, rising to his feet.]
It is nothing more than a brief visit. I...wanted to see it.
[Although his voice may be telling of the religious aspect. He offers a hand.]
Berserker - I sent a donation. It is good to finally meet you, Mr. Kotomine, was it?
[It is. Telling, that is. Kirei greets him as he would any person seeking the shelter of a house of religion—which is to say, he takes his hand and responds with a gentle, but firm, shake.
He's obviously surprised, eyes a bit big following Jekyll's claim that he goes by "Berserker", but it doesn't infringe on polite pleasantries.]
I understand. I must thank you for taking the time to visit Leathann, then, if that is the case. The hearts of the people of Leathann were cheered by your generous donation, and it is your gold that, in part, ensures the children are kept at a safe place.
[To show his gratitude, his other hand curls over Jekyll's in his grip, briefly—a lasting handshake, and next he lets him go.]
Please, call me Kirei. This will sound alarming, I'm sure [But the prana signature makes sense.], but are you a Servant summoned by the Holy Grail?
I'm very glad to hear that, I hope that they are doing well.
[He smiles, all appreciation, especially for Kirei's kindness toward him. The added hand offers him a feeling of safety, and surely the love of God, coming from the operator of a church, who wears a cross. Does that make Kirei a priest or pastor? It seems like a rude question to ask, which denomination he is.
The question isn't as surprising as it could be, he's met some unlikely Grail War participants here, and even more who know of it thanks to interactions with them.]
-I am, yes. I was summoned to the first war.
[He presses his lips together. That's one of the reasons he came here really, having recently found out his Master is to be murdered, because Berserker wasn't at his side.]
[The first war? Would that mean the first Holy Grail War of Fuyuki or some other war? Kirei can't identify it based on the way he appears. He doesn't offer a smile himself, but he does courteously roll up the sleeve of his robes, exposing darkened red slashes covering the skin entirely up his arm, Command Seal after Command Seal. More rest against the back of one hand.]
I am a Master chosen by the Holy Grail, and Supervisor of the Fourth Holy Grail War, after my father. Though at this time I remain lacking of a contract with a Servant, and the true power of the Grail hidden in my Command Seals is useless and inaccessible.
[Now that is more surprising. He had no contact with the church in his war, and with a Master who stumbled into the war accidentally, he doesn't know that there even is such a thing. He regards the expanse of Command Seals curiously, with some amount of awe. He can't help but try to search for any sign of his Master's, even knowing that it's more than likely Kirei is from the timeline that most others seem to be, and that even if he was not, any other Master of the Princes rank would have the same seals.]
Both a Master and a supervisor - that is very impressive!
[If he's going to be given so much information, it's only right that Jekyll should reply in kind.]
My Master from the war is not here, although I have taken a contract with another, unaffiliated with the Grail War. I hope that you are safe enough without a Servant in this war? Although I imagine you must be quite an impressive magus.
[Ah, he isn't surprised to hear it. It appears to be a pattern—to take on new Masters in this world. Without a Holy Grail War breathing down their necks, the Servants are freer.
He shakes his head, brushing off the idea that his magecraft should in any way be called "impressive".]
Do not be mistaken—I am no skilled magus, simply one with Magic Circuits who is able to make it by. Indeed, I live and fight without the ally of a Servant. I believe in my court and in my cause, and if I did not stay safe, I could no longer fight for them.
Even so, there is a distinction between those who simply happen to possess a few Magic Circuits, and those who are able to make use of them.
[Sry2say his original Master is in the first category. Still, as much as he's interested in magecraft, Kirei's modesty is something Jekyll appreciates. He must not be like the cruel magi they were fighting against.]
That isn't what Kirei mentions directly, but perhaps the shift of his stare, careful to leave Berserker alone for a moment, could be obvious. Eventually:]
It is not unheard of for some of us to be placed in a court that does not suit us. Do you wish to become an ally of the Seelie? You appear to be a goodhearted man. One who seeks reason; one who finds comfort in a church.
...I think so. My Master seems to believe in the Seelie cause, while I am do believe I am leaning toward the Seelie route as the better course.
[But he doesn't know if he can be reliable, with the war between his own self. And that reaction of Kirei's is certainly telling.]
That is, however, the sort of man I try to be, at least. [Sheepishly, he grins, eyes darting down.] ...I have sworn to be an ally of justice. [Even if he has to be a monster to do it.]
[Speaking of, who is his Master? Is his Master also Unseelie? Are there not one, but two Unseelies heavily leaning towards the Seelie cause? Briefly, Kirei wonders how many more there might be and what can be done, if anything, to earn his own court additional supporters.
... Well, there was always that option.
His eyes flit to Berserker, watching him softly. For that matter, this Berserker doesn't seem much like a Berserker. At all. He's an odd Servant for sure, less confident than he should be but with a sort of honorableness to him.]
I say to you that the Seelie way is the correct way, and the way of justice, as a man of God with His power invested in me. Berserker, how steadfast is your connection to your shard, that which divested of would free you from Unseelie chains?
[He wouldn't be a priest, after all, if he wasn't merciful.]
He still wants to do right by God, and so it's difficult indeed to ignore that declaration, or to question it. And though he may not be Catholic, the denomination doesn't much matter. His eyes snap back up, and Berserker stands a little taller, straightens his spine and shoulders properly.]
As another Servant of my war has appeared recently, all attachment I have to it is gone. However, to remove it would be something quite difficult - due to certain skills I possess.
My body heals almost instantly. ...If there is something in the way of it, then it will simply accept any foreign object as a part of itself.
[If he needed any proof that he's a monster, that would be it.]
So you see, to be killed or simply to remove it surgically would be quite the feat, it is not something I have any control over. Although I have considered making an attempt at a surgical removal myself.
[To the contrary, Kirei appears slightly intrigued by, even interested in, the news. His eyebrows raise a bit higher and he stares directly at the center of Berserker's chest as if to spy the healing taking place.]
You are an immortal Servant? Impossible to kill?
[It's entirely possible. It's as though he's a combination of the Berserker from his war—with the absorption linked not to weapons for battle, but to a body for survival—and a Servant who might perpetually reappear, or recover from apparent death.
No, no, certainly not impossible, only...very difficult. It does, after all, rely somewhat on the prana available, and I was a mortal man, not at all one fit to become a Heroic Spirit, I should think.
[It would be wise not to go on, but Kirei is a good man, devout and just, surely he shouldn't have to think twice about sharing details.]
I am told that other participants plotted to lure my Master away, killed him to weaken me, and thus was I defeated in the Grail War. Similarly, I had feared, as my Master was not a true magus, it would be quite possible the strain I might cause would end in his death. There are always flaws.
[But his Master here is a positively endless source, and would be far more difficult to kill than Berserker.]
[At least he doesn't plan on sharing them with anyone else?
Kirei thinks on it for only a second or two, and then he nods.] I understand. Your regenerative ability is linked to the quality of your Master and the prana stores to which they have access.
[So not immortal, just close to it. He wonders if there are ways of building up prana in the Drabwurld. There must be, right?
He also wonders if his cursed blood would resist the self-healing of a Servant. Perhaps there is value in it.]
Edited (masters can be girls too kirei) 2015-09-19 15:58 (UTC)
Something along those lines, yes. Of course, even if there is no prana to be had, I imagine it would still attempt. Likely at the cost of something else.
[His Master's life, or maybe something like his mind, seeing as Berserkers are meant to be mad and he is usually still able to retain some thought even as a beast.]
Well, regardless, it is an experiment I have wished to perform. Whether it is even possible to surgically remove a shard. I suppose it couldn't hurt to try.
[Even if that isn't his field wwwhateverrr, he can do it. Nothing could go wrong. Not like anything bad happens when he uses himself as a guinea pig.]
... There are other ways for both you and your Master to abscond to the Seelie side. The end of times arrives and it would be in your best interest to avoid more extreme measures. For example, you could pledge your loyalty to a high-ranking member of the Seelie Court. [He is such a member.] That Seelie might shelter and account for you.
[His brow furrows, eyes narrowing. Kirei truly isn't that noble of a priest—this Unseelie Berserker could cut himself open and die and he wouldn't care, especially if he could pluck his shard and toss it into the Void—but he at least looks like one.]
Perhaps I have driven the conversation off-course, pressed by interests from my own world. In any case, this is a church. Servant Berserker from a Holy Grail War that is not my own, I would seek to provide you with whatever you might have from this place as a renowned Seelie priest, Comer to the Void. I realize the identities and needs of Servants are quite complex.
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no subject
But the church's priest is around. He enters from the darkness of the pillars stretching towards the back of the building, he walks with purpose. The Void approaches, every day a little closer, but he is here.
And perhaps there's a hint of a hidden smile on his lips, before he catches sight of Jekyll.]
... Welcome to this place. You may stay as long as you would like. I don't know why you come, but the island teeters between hope and its last days, just as the rest of the world does.
no subject
It is nothing more than a brief visit. I...wanted to see it.
[Although his voice may be telling of the religious aspect. He offers a hand.]
Berserker - I sent a donation. It is good to finally meet you, Mr. Kotomine, was it?
no subject
He's obviously surprised, eyes a bit big following Jekyll's claim that he goes by "Berserker", but it doesn't infringe on polite pleasantries.]
I understand. I must thank you for taking the time to visit Leathann, then, if that is the case. The hearts of the people of Leathann were cheered by your generous donation, and it is your gold that, in part, ensures the children are kept at a safe place.
[To show his gratitude, his other hand curls over Jekyll's in his grip, briefly—a lasting handshake, and next he lets him go.]
Please, call me Kirei. This will sound alarming, I'm sure [But the prana signature makes sense.], but are you a Servant summoned by the Holy Grail?
no subject
[He smiles, all appreciation, especially for Kirei's kindness toward him. The added hand offers him a feeling of safety, and surely the love of God, coming from the operator of a church, who wears a cross. Does that make Kirei a priest or pastor? It seems like a rude question to ask, which denomination he is.
The question isn't as surprising as it could be, he's met some unlikely Grail War participants here, and even more who know of it thanks to interactions with them.]
-I am, yes. I was summoned to the first war.
[He presses his lips together. That's one of the reasons he came here really, having recently found out his Master is to be murdered, because Berserker wasn't at his side.]
And yourself...?
no subject
I am a Master chosen by the Holy Grail, and Supervisor of the Fourth Holy Grail War, after my father. Though at this time I remain lacking of a contract with a Servant, and the true power of the Grail hidden in my Command Seals is useless and inaccessible.
no subject
Both a Master and a supervisor - that is very impressive!
[If he's going to be given so much information, it's only right that Jekyll should reply in kind.]
My Master from the war is not here, although I have taken a contract with another, unaffiliated with the Grail War. I hope that you are safe enough without a Servant in this war? Although I imagine you must be quite an impressive magus.
no subject
He shakes his head, brushing off the idea that his magecraft should in any way be called "impressive".]
Do not be mistaken—I am no skilled magus, simply one with Magic Circuits who is able to make it by. Indeed, I live and fight without the ally of a Servant. I believe in my court and in my cause, and if I did not stay safe, I could no longer fight for them.
no subject
[Sry2say his original Master is in the first category. Still, as much as he's interested in magecraft, Kirei's modesty is something Jekyll appreciates. He must not be like the cruel magi they were fighting against.]
Your court - I assume that you must be Seelie?
he's so cute
You assume correctly. Is it obvious?
no just stupid
[He smiles. It's a compliment, he still wishes he'd been in the Seelie court.]
We share those ideals. And how good of you to help the people of neutral territories through this.
well i guess that's good in kirei's case
[Kirei lacks the ability to sense it one way or another.]
no subject
[He looks away as he says it, still ashamed of the fact. After all, the reason for it is Hyde. He thinks.]
Although I would say I am much more in line with the Seelie code.
no subject
That isn't what Kirei mentions directly, but perhaps the shift of his stare, careful to leave Berserker alone for a moment, could be obvious. Eventually:]
It is not unheard of for some of us to be placed in a court that does not suit us. Do you wish to become an ally of the Seelie? You appear to be a goodhearted man. One who seeks reason; one who finds comfort in a church.
no subject
[But he doesn't know if he can be reliable, with the war between his own self. And that reaction of Kirei's is certainly telling.]
That is, however, the sort of man I try to be, at least. [Sheepishly, he grins, eyes darting down.] ...I have sworn to be an ally of justice. [Even if he has to be a monster to do it.]
no subject
... Well, there was always that option.
His eyes flit to Berserker, watching him softly. For that matter, this Berserker doesn't seem much like a Berserker. At all. He's an odd Servant for sure, less confident than he should be but with a sort of honorableness to him.]
I say to you that the Seelie way is the correct way, and the way of justice, as a man of God with His power invested in me. Berserker, how steadfast is your connection to your shard, that which divested of would free you from Unseelie chains?
[He wouldn't be a priest, after all, if he wasn't merciful.]
no subject
He still wants to do right by God, and so it's difficult indeed to ignore that declaration, or to question it. And though he may not be Catholic, the denomination doesn't much matter. His eyes snap back up, and Berserker stands a little taller, straightens his spine and shoulders properly.]
As another Servant of my war has appeared recently, all attachment I have to it is gone. However, to remove it would be something quite difficult - due to certain skills I possess.
no subject
I am not encouraging you to dislodge it from your chest— [Not obviously, anyway.] but I admit I am curious about what you mean.
no subject
My body heals almost instantly. ...If there is something in the way of it, then it will simply accept any foreign object as a part of itself.
[If he needed any proof that he's a monster, that would be it.]
So you see, to be killed or simply to remove it surgically would be quite the feat, it is not something I have any control over. Although I have considered making an attempt at a surgical removal myself.
no subject
You are an immortal Servant? Impossible to kill?
[It's entirely possible. It's as though he's a combination of the Berserker from his war—with the absorption linked not to weapons for battle, but to a body for survival—and a Servant who might perpetually reappear, or recover from apparent death.
A Servant like that would be useful, indeed.]
no subject
[It would be wise not to go on, but Kirei is a good man, devout and just, surely he shouldn't have to think twice about sharing details.]
I am told that other participants plotted to lure my Master away, killed him to weaken me, and thus was I defeated in the Grail War. Similarly, I had feared, as my Master was not a true magus, it would be quite possible the strain I might cause would end in his death. There are always flaws.
[But his Master here is a positively endless source, and would be far more difficult to kill than Berserker.]
no subject
Kirei thinks on it for only a second or two, and then he nods.] I understand. Your regenerative ability is linked to the quality of your Master and the prana stores to which they have access.
[So not immortal, just close to it. He wonders if there are ways of building up prana in the Drabwurld. There must be, right?
He also wonders if his cursed blood would resist the self-healing of a Servant. Perhaps there is value in it.]
no subject
[His Master's life, or maybe something like his mind, seeing as Berserkers are meant to be mad and he is usually still able to retain some thought even as a beast.]
Well, regardless, it is an experiment I have wished to perform. Whether it is even possible to surgically remove a shard. I suppose it couldn't hurt to try.
[Even if that isn't his field wwwhateverrr, he can do it. Nothing could go wrong. Not like anything bad happens when he uses himself as a guinea pig.]
no subject
... There are other ways for both you and your Master to abscond to the Seelie side. The end of times arrives and it would be in your best interest to avoid more extreme measures. For example, you could pledge your loyalty to a high-ranking member of the Seelie Court. [He is such a member.] That Seelie might shelter and account for you.
[His brow furrows, eyes narrowing. Kirei truly isn't that noble of a priest—this Unseelie Berserker could cut himself open and die and he wouldn't care, especially if he could pluck his shard and toss it into the Void—but he at least looks like one.]
Perhaps I have driven the conversation off-course, pressed by interests from my own world. In any case, this is a church. Servant Berserker from a Holy Grail War that is not my own, I would seek to provide you with whatever you might have from this place as a renowned Seelie priest, Comer to the Void. I realize the identities and needs of Servants are quite complex.