⚔ 005; [text]

[croibhristeoir]

[Lancer didn't appear on the network himself today. Whether out of shame or cowardice, he didn't know. But today, he simply couldn't show his face. The message he sent out was short and directly to the point.]

I seem to have something of a problem today.

I would like to ask for advice, if I could. Could anyone listen for a minute?

Comments

[croibhristeoir]

It's not hers either, if you're going to insist on such a thing.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

Being in love is not at all the same as being an obsessive stalker.

[croibhristeoir]

I'm very aware of that. More than you may realize.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

I maintain that you should look into the restraining order.

[croibhristeoir]

And I maintain it would most likely not help. Or simply make things worse.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

It tends to show that you're serious about not returning their affections.

[croibhristeoir]

I told her as much when we last spoke. I don't want to hurt her any more than I likely have already.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

I think she might deserve that much.

[croibhristeoir]

It's not her fault, and she's hardly the first.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

How many divinely cursed women do you know?

[croibhristeoir]

...er...all of them?

Except Saber, at least. And to be specific, I would be the one with the curse.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

...

You really could use a hug.

[croibhristeoir]

I hardly need anyone's pity, Issei.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

It's not pity, closer to sympathy.

[croibhristeoir]

...don't worry about it. I've dealt with it this long, I can manage Sola well enough should I need to.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

Be safe and don't get in over your head.

[croibhristeoir]

It's nothing so serious as all that. As long as she lacks Command Spells, I expect I'll be fine.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

What are those?

[croibhristeoir]

Oh--right, sorry. I keep forgetting you wouldn't know.

Essentially, they are the mark of one's status as a Master--they appear as a mark in three parts most commonly on the back of one's hand.

[He reached offscreen, pausing for a moment or two before holding up a piece of paper with a design somewhat like a pair of wings drawn on it.]

This is more or less what my Master's resembled. A simple way to phrase it would be that they are the manifestation of the authority a Master holds over their Servant.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

I'm assuming that they do something.

[croibhristeoir]

Well, yes. Humans, even magi, can't always hope to control a Servant. Gilgamesh, for example. I can't imagine the trouble his Master must have had with him--he doesn't seem the type to be subservient to anyone.

Command Spells are in three parts because they represent three absolute orders. When a Master issues one, the Servant absolutely has to follow it.

[He tore the paper in half with a bitter look on his face.]

No matter what.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

[Issei stared at the screen for a second, trying to process the full implications of that.]

...I am not letting her near you.

[croibhristeoir]

Tch...she no longer has them. Even if she did, I'm a human. There's no order she or my former Master could give that I would follow now.

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

I don't care! She was willing to use those for despicable ends when she had them, wasn't she? How can I stand to let that kind of person have her way?

[croibhristeoir]

She didn't. I think you're imagining a scenario that didn't occur, Issei.

[It was only forced suicide, nbd.]