001 § it was supposed to be a quiet one

[gdit-rider.livejournal.com]

[The Plane has probably seen all sorts of loud and extravagant entrances, but not this one. …In fact, veterans may spot one pale and scrawny young boy unfamiliar to these parts pacing around aimlessly without watching where he was going, looking rather distressed while he muttered to himself.]

…But that makes no sense. Even if this was a Reality Marble, for it to be that solid and everlasting is beyond what even the most skilled of magi at the Clock Tower can do. It’s impossible for something this – this… organized to exist and be continuously maintained without me having ever come across a single book depicting a place as such! It’s even more impossible that nothing would have been archived about this place to begin with, if it was really here during all this time!

[And then a white brochure literally falls onto his head. Any onlookers shall hear a yelp of surprise and some interesting flailing, before the boy takes hold of the piece of paper, and frowning, begins to read.

Two seconds later.]

“The Astral Plane, so named for no given reason, acts as a 'meeting point' between multiple universes.”

[He pauses and looks up, fidgeting with the brochure, but still leaving it in perfect condition. He’s wholly pensive, now.] …Ugh, this really sounds like a bad joke, but if anything on this is actually true… Caster has already been defeated, and since I’ve never heard or seen of anything like this back at the Clock Tower, then it would only make sense that this Plane reached out for my world, as opposed to it having been created from mine. [Calming down with that, he buries his nose back into reading.

Two seconds later.]

E-eh? Really? So… It’s that easy to come and go? That’s good… [A sigh of relief.] Provided that what this says is true… At least I don’t have to explain this to Rider, I guess. That’s good. I can still feel him, too. That does prove that we’re still connected to Fuyuki, so it doesn’t seem like there’s any inconsistencies so far… …Yeah. If I can do this on my own, that’s fine. I don’t need that selfish idiot to know about this to complicate things further! [And before he knew it he was shouting at a constant source of headache that wasn’t even there, though he grows quiet and thoughtful again, quick enough. Back to the brochure.

Some unintelligible mutter about ‘Meredith’ and ‘twin’ and ‘this writing is terrible – are they having fun or trying to actually inform newcomers of this place?’ follow, and then –

...

......

...... ......

Silence.

............ ............

Followed by a cry of pure anguish and terror that contained the immeasurable despair of the entire populace of Persepolis upon learning that they lost everything because Alexander the Great got really drunk one night, and you would probably be surprised that such a small kid could have such impressive vocal cords --

W-WHHAAAAAAAAAAAAT? RIDER, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!?!?!??

[The brochure is now on the ground. So is Waver. He looks absolutely horrified. ...Approach?]

Comments

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

{oh my god poor waver haha omg I am dying though. Rider is laughing quite heartily as well. Is that--yes, it is! Rider is proud}

Well, you've heard of my major feat already! I have conquered this place and taken it as part of my new kingdom, but I have also managed to meet many of the local visitors! They are all quite interesting people!

[gdit-rider.livejournal.com]

[HTML fail OTL HE'D POUND YOUR STUPIDLY TOUGH AND BURLY CHEST IF IT WOULDN'T END UP HURTING THE SIDES OF HIS HANDS INSTEAD, ;~;

....................

WHY ARE YOU SO HAPPY YOU BIG MORON!!-

Just. Spluttering. That goofy grin just completely took away any remnants of reason from him. He's. Definitely shaking. Very visibly. You would be able to tell. Even at a distance. It's going to blow and nothing will happen --]

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

{Putting a finger in his ear}

Oi, Oi, calm down, Waver! Haha, at this rate, you'll pass out!

[gdit-rider.livejournal.com]

[...And just on cue... Woah. Flickers at the edge of his vision, not good. His throat also now felt very, very dry- he had to let his voice die down and try to catch his breath.

...He just sits back onto the ground. ...Space. Whatever. It was solid, and as much as he would like to study this otherwise, he really can't be bothered to now.

And then sigh.

And then droop his shoulders.

And then bury his face in his hands.

He won't cry, but he might as well be crying.

Just. ...He needs time to digest this. You inconsiderate git, OTL]

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

{Rider sits with him!}

Like I said, it would be troublesome if you passed out. Haha, but welcome to the Astral Plane, otherwise!

[gdit-rider.livejournal.com]

[FML FML FML FML FML]

I don't need you telling me that. I can take care of myself. And I should feel honored that its king is personally welcoming me, right? [He grumbles very, very dryly, curling himself up into a fetal position. ...Now he's just tired and cranky and depressed - it really wasn't a good idea to yell that much. ;;]

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

Haha, that's the spirit! Though, I personally welcome all of our new residents if I can. What a wonderful way to meet people! All you have to do is conquer them, really, and they'll be much more inclined to talk to you. {:D}

[gdit-rider.livejournal.com]

[........................

Someone please find him a SPACE WALL OR SOMETHING. SO HE CAN BASH HIS HEAD AGAINST IT. REPEATEDLY.]

I was being sarcastic, Rider. Why do you have to conquer them?! You can perfectly greet and talk to people normally, without imposing your rule on them! The Grail War is already enough to worry about, I don't need you to cause more trouble here- wherever and WHATever this Astral Plane is!!

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

Well, I waited long enough for that! I only conquered it recently, so you should be glad I waited so long! Hmm, but no one objected, either!

[gdit-rider.livejournal.com]

[He runs both hands through his hair.]

Arghh, that's not the point! Why would you want this place, anyway? What does it have that you must obtain???

[...Sob why is he still asking when he already has a pretty good idea of the answer. And why is he still trying when he KNEW that this was a losing battle for him?]

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

For my own personal gain, I would say that it's the ability to own a place where time stops! Well, relatively. Time doesn't pass while we're here!

{Then seriously, because he just remembered,} Ahh, but I suppose we'll have the problem of being separate for a month or two, won't we? Hmm, that would be a problem.

[gdit-rider.livejournal.com]

[He would have raged on more, but 'time stops' does ping the nerdier part of him, getting him to successfully calm down a bit. ...Somewhat.]

A place where time stops is just a place of respite. If only the select few who managed to get here knows about it, then it is meaningless to everyone else who don't! [He clutches both sides of his head with his hands with exasperation.] ...Arrgh! I thought you wanted to see the other side of the Ocean, but the other side of Space? That's just ridiculous!

[...

He lets go of himself and warily looks up.]

Separated? ...What do you mean by that, Rider? Now that I'm here, I don't ever plan on letting you out of my sight again!

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

It is one side-effect of this place that I had not fully considered! I had heard of it, but to have it happen is troublesome, to say the least...

Hmm, I cannot explain why or how, but when people from the same worlds arrive here, they appear to be absent from each others' worlds to everyone else. We will still be able to see each other, but participating in the War will be troublesome.

1/3

[gdit-rider.livejournal.com]

You're more troublesome! [He blurts out, feeling himself starting to get angry again.

...]

2/3

[gdit-rider.livejournal.com]

3/3

[gdit-rider.livejournal.com]

Are you saying that when we are both here, we would both disappear to all the other remaining Masters and Servants in Fuyuki City? [He repeats slowly. ...This is VITAL information, so even if it's from Rider, he'll make sure to get it properly.]

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

{Nods} I do not know precisely how it works, but that is my understanding.

[gdit-rider.livejournal.com]

[That shuts him up for a minute. He's trying to make sense of this, but even the Clock Tower's teachings don't exactly prepare one for sudden unexpected warps to another plane whose concept of time and space are entirely different from your home world.]

This does not occur when only one of us is here, but it does when both of us are? That doesn't seem to make sense at all right now because I still don't know enough, but wouldn't that be to our advantage? The Mackenzies' place has been a good base, but here, no other Masters or Servants may sense us. It's actually an ideal location to regroup, unless-

[Blink, and he looks up seriously, for once.]

Have you seen, felt, or heard of the presence of another Master or Servant relating to Heaven's Feel, here? [...It might have been an useless question, knowing how Rider is, but it never hurts to take that chance and ask.]

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

{Brightens}

Haha, yes, just one! Saber is able to come here as well, though she seems to be from a bit later in the War than us! How odd that is! But I did not ask any details, since we would both like it to remain a surprise, wouldn't we?

1/3

[gdit-rider.livejournal.com]

[facepalm.jpg]

Don't lump what you would like with what I would like!

[gdit-rider.livejournal.com]

[...Wait what.]

She's- from a bit later? Are you saying that she's from our future? [Surprise is quickly turning into thought, however. ...Well, why not? Time and Space are relative. If this plane can meddle with Space, then wouldn't it be natural for it to be able to do so with time, too?]

3/3

[gdit-rider.livejournal.com]

[...grumble.]

Don't get excited. If this world can truly draw people from any world and any time, what tells you that it can't do the same for alternate realities? For all you may know, maybe this Saber from a Fuyuki City where the war would turn out differently, so even if you ask, it may be pointless. [It probably sounded like wistful babble, but it's honestly half of his scholarly speculations rambling. ...They weren't doing bad at all, after all, and the war was progressing. Despite all he whines about, Waver wasn't actually lacking in confidence right now. He's just talking more because he's still upset and a bit nervous, admittedly.]

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

Perhaps! But we need not worry about it. Victory will be in the hands of the one most fit to bear it!

[gdit-rider.livejournal.com]

[Sigh.] You may not need to worry about it, but I will! [.../runs hand through hair. Alright let's try to talk about something else. He's got enough of a headache from this already.] Rider, the brochure mentioned a library, here. Do you know where it is, exactly? I'll no doubt be able to find something, there.

[oikoumene.livejournal.com]

Oh, would you like me to show you? It's easy to find, I promise you!