IC INBOX

[ritualized]

INBOX

☏ | ✉ | ✎ | ⌨ | ❕ Oh, my, it works after all! That's right: You've reached Irisviel von Einzbern. Please leave a message.

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LEMME SMASH ( action )

[sheathes]

[ After they get their apartment ig... but before the jumpscares have kicked into gear. Let's have something nice.

ANYWAY. Saber knocks on the door even though it's her place too (because ~chivalry~), and calls out. ]

Irisviel. Are you within?

[ritualized]

[She's been spending her time at home investigating the appliances with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. Irisviel doesn't trust half of them and doesn't yet understand just as many, but their novelty is a draw.

Her head's halfway into the refrigeration unit to see what certain settings control when Saber knocks at the door. She jerks back, listens for a moment, then calls out her response.]

Oh? Saber? Can't you get in?

[sheathes]

No, that is not the issue. I simply did not wish to intrude.

[ Again, on her own apartment. It's not like Irisviel makes a habit out of doing nudie runs around the place. Saber opens the door, closes it behind her, and hesitantly approaches the kitchenette; not wishing to interrupt whatever investigating Irisviel is doing. ]

I... have something for you, if you would accept it. [ She has one hand behind her back as she speaks, her stance otherwise firm and respectful. ]

[ritualized]

You can come and go as you please. [She parrots what Saber said to her earlier, knowing that it might help for her to hear it spoken by someone else.] Use this space however you'd like. It's nice to have a...home here.

[Smiling, she closes the refrigerator and turns to face Saber, back against the door, hands clasped in front of her.]

[sheathes]

I know. Still, it is only polite...

[ She sighs. Irisviel has a point; she would be bothered if their positions were reversed, so she should take them to heart.

Stepping forward, she pulls the wooden hawk from behind her back. ]

A man named Magnus created it for me. [ ... ] Once, when I was sick, my brother carved a lion for me from wood. ... It was a rather poor representation, in truth, but the gesture comforted me, and I treasured it all the same.

I possess no such artistic talents, but I thought the item might bring you some small amount of comfort, regardless. [ She holds it out, back stiff and expression firm. Too firm. It's not easy to tell, but she's actually nervous. ]

audio;

[hotspurred]

[After Pleasant Valley, Henry assumes that Irisviel will be able to recognise him by voice, so he deems introducing himself as unnecessary. While his tone is sharper and much more guarded in comparison, the harshness of his normal manner is somewhat tempered by embarrassment.]

Irisviel. Might we speak?

[ritualized]

[For the first few days, speaking to Henry after the illusion of their happy life together was shattered had seemed...uncomfortable. To lose what little control she had over her body, to have been intimate with someone while barely knowing them, had been quite overwhelming in the aftermath.

There's more going on in this word than that, however, so she's done her best to abolish that uncertainty. There's no reason to swell on that stress.]

Harry! [She pauses.] Lord Percy. Of course I can talk to you. Is everything all right at the city guard?

[hotspurred]

Ah... yes. We have much to consider where the Null are concerned, but...

[He trails off awkwardly.]

Feel no obligation to use my title. None in this city do.

[Does she use it to enforce distance, or to be polite? To put one or both of them at ease? He's never had much skill at interpreting such nuance, and the delicacy of the matter at hand leaves him uneasy. Give him a battle any day over navigating a conversation on uncertain ground. He's never liked feeling uncomfortable.

Henry sighs in frustration. He has a purpose here which he is straying from. Focusing on the matter at hand, he follows with:]

Do not think me a coward for approaching you through this means. What I must say I believe is best done in person, but I... wanted to afford you the choice. After what has, ah, passed.

[It's an important courtesy to offer.]

[ritualized]

Hm? [He sounds distracted, and as strange as it is to recognize that from falsified memories of a fake life, she decides to follow the clue anyway. Her voice is gentle; Irisviel knows she has his honor to consider.]

Yes, that's fine. If it's easier for you to talk in person, let's meet. Should I come to you?

[hotspurred]

Please do. [There is a brief pause.] I am at the park.

[While he could have used HQ, it will be easier to speak of Saber somewhere that she isn't likely to be. While the apology he owes Irisviel is about her alone, there is a second conversation that he would have concerning Saber.]

text; backdated to drunk (k)night(s) out/19th. i'm so sorry for this

[hotspurred]

artur is hoepless

fr the love of gosd iri pleasd take poityt on her

[ritualized]

[It's rather late, so her first response to a text message like this from the usual composed and archaic Henry is concern.]

Harry? Is everything all right? You're with Saber?

[hotspurred]

[He answers that with with by sending a her a photo; it's 1/3 fingers, wonky and sort of blurry, but it shows a table in the Speakeasy littered with an absurd amount of empty bottles, a few full ones, and Saber at the other side.]

i think tyhat she might actyallt fight me to grtab my phone,. she does not want me to talkj ti you

I told her that she cannot sto pmne

[ritualized]

[Oh, that's a lot of bottles. Depending on how many of them are Henry's, he's likely to be having a pretty rough time. Time to play around.]

It looks like you're having a good time! Say hi to Saber for me!

You know she's rather strong, Henry. She really might be able to stop you. But I'm not sure there's any reason she wouldn't want us talking?

text, after the above

[sheathes]

PLeae do not lok at anyhtgin henry sends

[ritualized]

[Now she's just getting more and more intrigued.]

Why, Saber? He sent me pictures of you! I'm glad you two are having fun!

[sheathes]

surly youu do not need pictures

you hav

me

[ As in, the physical version... she's oblivious to how gay this sounds. ]

text

[sheathes]

I have asked Henry for ideas on how we might pass the time.

[ Lawful good... she can't take credit for ideas that weren't her own. She leaves out the context though, that she asked him for the sole purpose of ways to make Irisviel smile. ]

Naturally, I require no excuse to enjoy your company, but new experiences are always welcome. Would you care to join me at the hot springs?

[ritualized]

[This doesn't seem suspicious at all. Of course, after the cryptic drunken messages from Henry and Saber's dream, Iri's curiosity is mounting.]

The hot springs? That would practically be a vacation, with the way things have been recently!

I can't think of anything that would be more relaxing!

[sheathes]

Then consider this an invitation. I will meet you there once my duties for the day are complete.

[ritualized]

I accept your invitation wholeheartedly!

Hm...Do you think there's anything I should bring from home?

text. (i am so sorry)

[wantsnudes]

Good afternoon.

It has come to my attention that I have treated you with great rudeness, and for that, I must set things right. Akira has informed me of something I have hitherto been unaware of: that you are in fact his mother, who has also suffered the misfortune of being whisked away to Hadriel.

That being the case, I would like to introduce myself. I am Yusuke Kitagawa, a student of fine arts at Kosei High. Your son has been a true friend to me over the better part of the past year, so I am honoured to likewise make your acquaintance.

If possible, may I visit you sometime soon? I have a gift I would like to offer you as an apology, for neglecting to speak with you until now.

I look forward to hearing your reply, and truly hope you do not think ill of me for how I have behaved.

[ritualized]

[...]

I'm sorry, what?

Let me see if I follow... You're Akira's friend, and since we both know him, you wanted to introduce yourself to me? I'd be happy to! It's a relief that he has friends here that he can trust.

But that's where you've lost me. Why do you think you've disrespected me?

[wantsnudes]

Well, I have been here for a number of months now, and it escaped my notice that Akira's mother was here all along. It was not my intention to ignore you in such a way, and I cannot excuse such absent-mindedness. That is why I am apologising.

[ritualized]

[This communication error will continue for a while, given that she embraces the friendships she made in that strange, fake family. This doesn't seem weird to her at all.]

You don't have to worry about that! I don't need to know all of Akira's friends. I guess this is me saying that you're "off the hook." But please do come see me if you want, no gifts needed.

It's sweet that he still thinks of me! He's a nice boy.