springsfall - Tumblr blog

[springsfall]

" Arson is a bit extreme as a form of revenge, don't you think? Especially when so many loudly and happily proclaim that they'd engage in it."

[springsfall]

And now, I'm walking together with Sakura. As if we're trying to regain the eleven years we lost. I walk together with Sakura in the time that has started moving.

[springsfall]

" If i have my math right, I should have enough left to order the cake. And I need to pick up the gift later today...." she's mostly speaking to herself while counting off her tasks on her fingers. " Oh but I can't hide them at Shirou's place, he's a liability risk...maybe Illya will let me store them there? At least until I finish buying the party supplies."

[springsfall]

you're giving me too much credit is what remains unsaid and though he means well, the words spoken strike a nerve. you two are sisters. yes, by blood, that is indisputable. but by strength of bond....? it wasn't that simple, nowhere near as cut and dry as Shirou hopes or wants it to be. nothing can change the fact that although it was still Rin, what had happened to Sakura didn't happen to her. the finale of that Holy Grail War she knew was not the one they did. Rin doesn't have the memories of the months spent with her younger sister after the war had ended, months taken to try and repair what had been fractured since childhood. Shirou doesn't know what had to be sacrified in the end. Rin doesn't know the feeling of her own sister goading her into killing her.

it's not like the both of you turned into complete strangers over time. but they did. that's exactly what happened. once the Matous had taken her in, she ceased to exist to the Tohsaka family. no longer their daughter, no longer a sister, but simply the daughter of another family. she was left alone, cut off from the only family Sakura had ever known and the only one who tried to change that was made out to be a lesson to her.

the fact Shirou can say that so.....casually angers her. it's not his fault. he doesn't know but to assume so easily? did he truly think time spent on this island could erase all of that so easily? her and Rin-- it's as if they were starting from scratch again. and strangers don't become the best of friends overnight. hands which had been clenched so tightly into fists unbeknownst to the woman relax, leaving small crescent moons in the flesh of her palm from her nails.

no. don't lash out, Sakura. all of that is already over. don't ruin their happiness by blaming them for something they didn't even experience. " You're not listening to me, Shirou. We were strangers. None of that gets fixed in just a few months, no matter how much you may want it to be. When I say that I don't know her as well as you or Saber might, I'm not doubting myself. I'm telling you the truth."

⠀⠀... Strange— that was the first word that came to his mind during this conversation, listening to Sakura sharing her thoughts over his question. Nothing about what she said seemed... wrong, in the strictest sense of logic. And yet, it still rubbed him the wrong way— the callous tone, as Sakura herself put it. It's difficult to put into words, but he can't stand there and mull it over forever— and there's one detail that he knows she was wrong about, one that didn't need hard thinking to catch.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"— Of course I want your help, Sakura." He couldn't let that slide, the doubt of certainty. She can try to downplay the connection all she wants, but that can't be enough to erase what he knows— what he's seen take place on this island. The facts of what she said may be true; the unfortunate way their time together was limited... coupled with the different circumstances of the Holy Grail War. But even so—

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Nothing changes the fact that you two are sisters, after all— it's not like the both of you turned into complete strangers over time. I'm sure you're just not giving yourself enough credit, Sakura."

[springsfall]

" Honestly.....I can't say I know too much what she would like." it's common sense, is it not? out of everyone Shirou could come to in order to get some sort of holiday gift for Rin, logic says to turn to the sister. the only blood family she has within the city. but that answer would be wrong.

" We only grew up together for a few short years before the Matous took me in and afterwards, I only ever really saw Rin at school. " " Plus, what you and sister experienced during the grail war is different than my own." it isn't something Sakura brings up often and for s good reason. even Rin and Saber only knows a few details, not the whole thing, for if she had told her, the younger sister knew it would snap the other's heart in two.

Illya being the only one who knew the truth makes it a bit easier to keep it quiet from the others.

" It sounds callous, but you'd be better off asking Saber. She would know more about her than I do. Are you sure you want my help?"

@originsword

[springsfall]

brows furrow momentarily at something Lumine says. not the first time? Sakura isn't exactly new to the antics of the Stars and the chaos that sometimes follows, but she can't recall ever being released outside of the island. a troubling thing and even more puzzling, but there's no point in dwelling on it for no answers will be found unless the Stars wanted them to be found. in a way, she was reminded of the secrecy of mages. that thought leaves a bitter taste in her mouth before being cast aside.

"Lumine? A pretty name. I'm Sakura. It's a pleasure to meet you both." circumstances aside, that is. but the offer is comforting and one she'll take without hesitation. in any unknown situation, being around somebody who knows something is better than being alone.

" She doesn't?" odd. " Maybe it's like what happens when someone from the island is sent back home and they forget every experience in the city. You could be remembering because of something unique about you."

she nodded immediately. "in this world, we're known as outlanders. someone who comes from abroad — or in our cases, further afield". setting aside the bemused look on Paimon's face, Lumine gave her full attention to the young woman. "this isn't the first time those Stars have released us outside the island, so they're bound to draw us back in. guess it's about what we do until then".

since encountering others who would fit the criteria of Descenders, she had been wondering about what precisely this Fontaine was — a simulation or illusion? or was really the real thing? she'd had to act accordingly as if the latter were definitively true, not to waste a second that the people could scarcely afford. but still... the question of how to resolve the issue remained unanswered.

"if it would make you feel at ease, we can stick together. I'm Lumine, though some stick to the Traveler, and this is Paimon. don't mind her gawking, she doesn't seem to remember anything about that island. even though others do. it's a kind of weird grey area we're not used to".

[springsfall]

" Not unless they went to culinary school, no. And you don't exactly look like the type who went to such a school so, if I can, how do you know so much about this?" perhaps her phrasing came off as rude or even insulting, but her intentions meant well. when it came to cooking, there were few she could talk in depth to it about. yes, there was Shirou, but he had a job and a life. The same goes for her sister but it was more of a hobby for her than anything else.

" I was thinking of using some to combine with a salted-caramel chocolate cake but if it affects the taste, I want to make sure I don't end up overpowering the cake itself."

⠀⠀... He might have lost track of time a bit there— that might be partly due to not having many chances to... actually talk about food stuff like this. And it's not like Ragna himself is a world class expert... but— spend enough time in this place, and you pick up on hobbies. Or in this case, expand on old hobbies. ... It could also be that the younger woman was too polite to slow him down or interrupt.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"— Oh, well..." The realization of his lengthy rambling momentarily has him taken aback, though he tries to not let his mild embarrassment be obvious. "I guess... not everyone would be able to tell the difference— but it does help to know what you're working with if you wanna aim for a certain kinda taste and stuff."

[springsfall]

she both looks and sounds like a grumpy puppy who is refusing to play with the others. it's somewhat endearing, though if she said that, it would most likely cause the other to react much like her sister did whenever someone brought up the obvious to her face. so the mage relents, instead choosing to wait in expectant silence. Artoria wanted to see more of the festival and as such, she would! even if it meant Sakura had to wait for an hour or more, there was zero intentions to just let the other sit on the sidelines and go against earlier words.

from underneath her scarf does two of her familiars pop up, peeking curiously at the Caster from afar. then, without an order from Sakura herself, they hop down and slide across the ice with little grace to reach the other.

" Look-- they're guiding you. Just follow them and you won't fall before getting to me." and as she draws closer, Sakura holds out a hand. " Almost there....just grab my hand and I'll take care of the rest."

“You’re too far. Do I have to go there? Can’t you just come here?”

the pessimism is not entirely unfounded. she still can’t float as she should, and it makes her daily life more ordinary but that is beside the point. those are her additional inches, not everyone is Morgan who grew up and had the gall of walking with heels. Artoria gets that she is short but it doesn’t mean she has to enjoy it. her sister can be a prodigy with magecraft and the like, the one thing she envies from her is not needing to look up to nearly the whole island.

sighing loudly, she throws a doubtful glance to her skates and then, the ice. curse her curiosity for all the festivities can offer, it is almost as bad as lying. “I’m coming, I’m coming.”

[springsfall]

oh. well, she hadn't given that much thought before interjecting. did Sakura want to buy any.....? habit stated she gather the ingredients and make some herself but they did look rather delicious....

" Maybe one but the rest you can have if you want."

"No, it is not." She answers bluntly. But then (thankfully) adds right after: "If you intend to get some for yourself, I will not buy them all."

Restraint will be initiated. Not easily, though. Not easily at all. Not. At. All.

[springsfall]

all things considered, a spur of the moment competition on eating marshmallows was the last thing she had expected to happen upon running into Rin. but she supposes it was expected, what with the fact she could barely hold back the laugh when seeing a flying bundle of sugar literally deck Rin in the face.

she had time to spare, though. a rare thing before that has become something of the norm for her, so Sakura could afford to engage her sister in games once more. but unlike a simple one of cards between two young girls, one who knew not how to win, it was different now. they were older, no longer so innocent and naive, but like before she finds herself feeling that subtle warmth at getting to experience this once more.

" You're only just now reaching double digits? You're slacking, sister. I'm already on number sixteen." a pause is taken as something whistles through the air. the enchanted marshmallow making a beeline for Sakura was intercepted by none other than one of her familiars. " Correction: seventeen."

⠀⠀⠀HONESTLY, ⠀it was pure coincidence that they were locked in this battle of wits ( or lack thereof ) in the first place. She'd been heading home from the Great Library, books in hand, when she and Sakura quite literally bumped into one another. No sooner had they laughed it off and began picking up the tossed papers and books did Rin get pelted in the side of the face, which she naturally couldn't let slide... That was enchanted marshmallow casualty number one.

⠀⠀⠀⠀Somehow, it didn't stop at one. More and more kept popping up, and pretty soon it had gone from a mild inconvenience to a harebrained competition to see who could conquer ( read : eat ) more of the stupid bastards. Casualty number one was long gone now; no, now she was eating casualty number ten.

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀That’s double digits for me,⠀ ❜ ⠀Rin throws over her shoulder, eyes already scanning the foliage for more. Honestly ? Her stomach was already a little over this competition... But what was she supposed to do, lose ? ⠀❛ ⠀I'm really glad I passed on breakfast this morning... !⠀ ❜ ⠀

⤷ @springsfall.

[springsfall]

" For someone who just said 'one bit of sugar a day', you sure are fast to change your mind the second you think they don't have much in them. " yes, she's been standing behind Rin quietly. listening. watching. waiting. " You're not fooling anyone, sister. You'll buy a box and it'll be gone in under ten minutes. Poor Shirou....whatever will he do when I tell him how far you've moved on from his desserts....."

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀Okay, Rin— one bit of sugar a day. Make it count.⠀ ❜ ⠀SHE ⠀stands outside a newly-decorated store, all sorts of confections on display. Too many to count, really... and they were mercifully cheap. ⠀❛ ⠀... Although, they are pretty small. How much sugar can each one hold, really ? If I just have a little at a time over the course of a day...⠀ ❜ ⠀⠀

[springsfall]

" -- everything?! Isn't that a bit much for just yourself?"

not that she should judge someone on their sweets consumption but still.

She looks into a store window. There is an assortment of new sweets looking right back at her.

"Commencing purchase of all of them."

[springsfall]

"Come on. You're a Servant, aren't you? How can you be scared of a little ice-skating?"

Sakura's words are purposeful in nature. if there's anything she's learned about the Caster, it's that the girl held a competitive side that rivaled Saber's and even her own sister. and seeing as the conventional means of convincing weren't quite working out in getting the other to hop over the barrier and actually get onto the ice.....well, desperate times call for desperate measures.

gloved hands there were holding into the barrier release as she mage pushes herself back, skates sliding on the ice with ease as she spins once before coming to a halt. " If you want me to hold your hand, then you have to at least come over here. Or did old Frosty get to your bones?"

@sommiar / RINK AROUND THE CIRCUITS

[springsfall]

" You seem susprised." and something else, but maybe she is looking too deeply. or maybe the reaction reminded her of how she once was only a few years ago. "They're offering the chocolate to you." a soft laugh follows, though she isn't laughing at the other herself, but more the situation. " They used to do the same with my Servant, Rider. "

like her? she throws a curious glance to the little familiars, suddenly self-conscious at the ease they move towards her. it has never been that simple to accept anything like that. “Oh… You sure you don’t want any chocolate?” a last attempt to hide the painful squeeze in her chest. if anyone liked her for whoever she was… it always felt too important to brush away.

[springsfall]

sakura couldn't quite help but feel like an outsider. nevermind the fact she actually was, given that this......fontaine, as one kind citizen told her, was not her home. it was the fact that she felt severely underdressed. everywhere the mage looked, it was as if she had stepped into the era of neoclassicism. bows, frills, hats, and more all donned the citizens that is both familiar yet foreign. thankfully, most were welcoming to her. a few judged silently, such she could see in their eyes, but that's to be expected.

everyone had told her to go see a fountain by an opera house. a sight for any tourist and given the fact that, for the time being she was stuck here, might as well learn all she could. but upon spotting someone seated by the fountain, there was this distinct feeling that like her, they too were an outsider. perhaps it was the clothes, perhaps it was the floating fairy-like creature beside her or the slight glowing embellishments on her dress. whatever it was. sakura had decided that she was her best lead

approaching quietly, sakura offers a smile in greeting. " Excuse me, I didn't meant to stare so brazenly but...I have something to ask you. It may come off rude but I mean nothing bad by it." a pause is given before she takes a seat along the edge of the fountain, keeping a respectable distance from the other.

"You're someone from 'outside' like me, aren't you?"

@springsfall ✧ Opera Epiclese

seated by the Fountain of Lucine, she couldn't help but feel equal part frustration and helplessness. along each step of their path, the Traveler had been capable of assisting nations embroiled with their inner turmoil free themselves and thrive stronger than before. this time, the task felt so monumental, and nothing thus far had brought them closer towards liberation.

Celestia's oppressive presence in the skies above seemed to signify the greater complexities of this trial, as if its gods had chosen the position to sit and watch the nation they condemned sink, their smiles satiated by the futility of humans' resistance. what sin could possibly warrant such nightmarish a fate, that the people should become no more than what rested before her within the fountain's bowl?

a hand tapped on her shoulder, gold halted from their return from the depths by the warmth of Paimon's breath against her ear. ✦do you think that girl wants to say something to us? she's been watching you for a while now.✦

Lumine hadn't really considered how strange it might have appeared to be so statuesque by the water for so long, her eyes finally parting the water currently silenced of whispering from girls lost to the very living one that Paimon had observed monitoring them.

she was... the one from Old Vanarana?

[springsfall]

she hasn't recalled witnessing such insanity since the holy grail war.

sakura cared little what people chose to eat or drink. it wasn't anything that concerned and, quite frankly, some meal choices out there were not for the faint of heart. but at least those people retained enough common sense to check perhaps the most important thing on any perishable drink or food. even more important than sugar content or caffeine content: the expiration date. she expected this stranger to take a moment to read but it seems that such was asking for too much. there wasn't even a chance for her to speak up. honestly, the fact he stomached the tomato juice without an ounce of hesitation could be impressive. if she was a toddler.

" Surely your stomach can handle it? Only lactose intolerant people think that before they eat a pound of cheese and regret it for the next five hours."

WHEN THE JUICE TOUCHES HIS TONGUE, the undeniable pang of something hits his very core. nothing good, no refreshing tang of tomato which should have greeted him, but rather something that feels it should curdle into scream lost into the night. and once he pulls it from his lips, crimson gaze is careful in how it tiredly falls upon the writing on the can, taking note of the date printed upon it and, silently, comparing it to now. ah 一 had he only paid attention, much like the woman next to him who, better than his prior self, had seemed to taken notice of why such an expression had found his face.

❝ There's no need for such a look, young lady. Is it not only a few days off its expiration? Surely my stomach can handle it well. ❞ certainly that would be the case...

@springsfall

[springsfall]

" The thought had come up but finding fresh rose stems was more of a challenge than I thought."

it had felt weird at first. when looking at herself in the mirror, Sakura almost couldn't believe that she was the person looking back at her. she wondered if maybe-- maybe, if things hadn't gone the way they did, would she look like this? more like her sister, who looked more and more like their mother with each passing day? that wonder never goes beyond that, for it was nothing worth lingering on for longer than a few indulgent moments. the past couldn't be changed.

what mattered was the present.

Rin's smile is met with one of her own and surprise finds Sakura's features. " Do the ears and tail have some hidden control that makes them move? " this wasn't a costume competition but she knows her sister-- any chance to show her skills is one she wouldn't simply let pass her by. " Or are you hiding some secret pouches to put the jewels you'll steal away with when everyone is distracted?"

⠀⠀⠀IT ⠀was jarring to see her with dark hair again.

⠀⠀⠀Darker than it would've been by this time, considering the wig was such a pure inky shade. And the makeup really added to the uncanny valley of it all, as it was such a stark contrast to her usual minimal style — but that's the point of the holiday, right ? It was just a costume, after all. That dark hair was long gone. Rin's smile of appreciation is genuine; it's just that bittersweet nostalgia makes it almost seem wry.

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀I'm surprised you didn't come here with a handful of freshly-clipped rose stems. It's really uncanny.⠀ ❜ 

⤷ @springsfall.