Well, you wonder why I always dress in black, why you never see bright colors on my back

[failedprotagonist]

WHO: Kiritsugu Emiya and YOU (except for one closed prompt)
WHERE: In the MAC, the park, and around the City
WHEN: Throughout the week
WARNINGS: None yet!
SUMMARY: You'll never see me wear a suit of white.
FORMAT: Quick


a. his apartment: [closed to gandere]
[After Rin's texts, it turns out he's agreed to a visit, not that he particularly wants one. He would leave, if he truly wanted to avoid the company, but there's no point in that. No, it'll be fine. He sits down on the couch and waits.]

b. the park:
[After being extremely ill and bedridden for weeks, he's ready to be out of the apartment building. He makes his slow way to the park. Without thinking about it, he gets himself a hamburger and sits down on one of the benches. He's not going anywhere in particular, but he's dressed in a black suit and tie, as he usually does when going out.

It isn't long before he finds himself with company. A black mutt sits looking up at him hopefully, tail wagging. While not in the habit of feeding hamburgers to stray dogs, his grip isn't steady, and when he accidentally drops his burger--well, there's someone waiting to snatch it up.

Kiritsugu sighs as his burger is inhaled, but it looks like he's found a new friend. He could get another burger, but for now he sits--and pats the dog on the head. He'll probably get fleas, but why not?]

c. moving out:
[Now that Shirou's gone, he has no reason to stay with Saber. He should have moved out from the beginning, but he can correct the situation now. He'd rather have as little to do with Saber as possible. So, in the most mature way possible, he waits until she's away at work to move, without a word to her. It's not as if he has too many things to transport, so even in his condition, he doesn't have too much trouble. He carries boxes through the halls to his new apartment, stepping aside to let others pass when necessary and setting the boxes down for a brief rest if he needs it.

Later, he comes in from outside, bearing objects he found at local thrift stores: a lamp, a can opener, some glasses.]

d. around the city:
[Looking for a way to occupy his time and a way to help, Kiritsugu has started to volunteer for a local homeless shelter. They've asked him to pass out fliers, and he does so diligently. As he walks down the streets, he hands one to each person he encounters who's willing to take one, with a greeting, followed by:]

Remember to donate your unneeded blankets and winter clothes this year.

[To a receptive party, he may continue, telling them more about the shelter and the work they do. Sometimes he pauses to post one of the fliers on an appropriate (or inappropriate) surface.

As he walks, there's a black dog trailing at his heels, hoping for more hamburgers.]

Comments

D

[fronttowardenemy]

[ One of those pamphlets winds up in the hands of one man who is very unreceptive to it. Frank is used to this; New York is full of both well-meaning and irritating street-goers who don't take 'no' for an answer. His good eye squints down at the lettering and he frowns. He doesn't look down at charity (much the opposite) but he's not the kind to participate.

He intends to just shove the pamphlet into his jacket pocket and carry on, but he's stalled when a whining bark follows the man's polite little promotion. Frank glances down at the dog, the lack of a collar and messy appearance betraying it as a stray, and he arches a brow. ]

Someone else is out for donations.

[ The dog would probably be more successful; people found animals cuter than the homeless. ]

[failedprotagonist]

[In truth, Kiritsugu isn't the best flier-distributor. He's not one for nice speeches. Or speeches in general, his words sparing and to the point. When someone isn't interested, he doesn't press, even though nothing could be easier for most of these people than giving up a used coat or hat. He does this anyway, because he has a lot to answer for. Maybe it's foolish, but he's a foolish man.

At the bark, he looks down himself without surprise, already used to his small shadow.]

Oh, that's Dog.

[Kiritsugu doesn't name things. He didn't name his children. He leaves such decisions to other people.]

Don't let him fool you, he's already eaten. He knows he'll get something else later, that's why he keeps hanging around.

[As if sensing he's being discussed, the dog--medium-sized, perhaps some kind of terrier mix--looks up at Kiritsugu expectantly. Kiritsugu tells himself he shouldn't keep feeding the dog, but the truth is, although he wouldn't admit it, he is a little lonely. He misses Shirou and Taiga and everyone from back home. Not that he's likely to get to see them if he goes back... He supposes he won't ever see them again. What a cheerful thought.]

[fronttowardenemy]

[ Frank is just about as uncreative with naming. His wife was responsible for the kids, and even his own dog was named courtesy of Micro -- not that 'Max' was a very inspired animal name. Frank hadn't even bothered to name the dogs which follows him through the City for awhile. Then again, there were too many to keep track of, and they're gone now. ]

You make a habit of picking up strays then?

[ Considering the dog, and the people he's advertising for, it seems that way. ]

[failedprotagonist]

[He's still deciding between "Dog" and "Hey You", as the animal answers to both. Or anything, really, as long as there's food involved. He likes the dog well enough. Another thing he won't admit: he enjoys having something to take care of.]

Yes. You could say that.

[It's true enough, in a way, although he hasn't thought of it like that. His "strays" probably wouldn't appreciate the appellation.]

Maybe they can sense a fellow stray.

[He's been a stray, himself. He still remembers it, tagging along after Natalia like the dog is following him now. It seems like a long, long time ago. But it could be that he's still a stray.

There is perhaps a passing similarity between the messy-haired Kiritsugu and the shaggy mutt.]

[fronttowardenemy]

Usually can. [ Frank folds the pamphlet up, glancing at the man as he speaks. ] That's what you call yourself, huh.

[ For some reason, Frank looks twice. It isn't just the dog this time; something about the man himself makes Frank linger. He looks ordinary enough as he is, but there's more to it than that.

If he's an imPort, that means he's here for a reason. ]

Anyone picked you up, then?

[failedprotagonist]

It's a sixth sense. [He shrugs.] Used to be.

[He guesses he isn't, now. He's a family man. Or was. It's difficult to define what, exactly, he is currently, other than a man who should be dead.]

It's been a while since anyone did that.

[He makes a quiet noise that's almost a chuckle. He's not counting being kidnapped. He's not of much use here. His health is too poor, and experience indicates that everything he does ends in failure. A sane man might decide that it's better not to try.

Nonetheless, he continues to try. The people at the shelter are grateful enough, although his current course of action is a far cry from his old grand ideas.]

[fronttowardenemy]

[ Frank isn't stupid. There's a sense about people who live a certain life. Even when it's been left behind, the echo of it lingers about them, and it is difficult to miss. Another, more ordinary person might overlook that detail entirely, but someone else, who has lived that same kind of life? Unlikely.

Like how Kiritsugu claims about sensing a fellow stray -- it's a fellow something. ]

You're an imPort. [ Not a question, but a statement. ] You alone?

[failedprotagonist]

That's right.

[He has no reason to deny it, so he doesn't. He doesn't need to ask if the other man is an imPort as well. He considers Frank, sensing something of what the other man does. One comes to recognize comrades after a long time on the battlefield--in a manner of speaking.

The statement is easy enough to agree with, but the question is--difficult. He's not alone. His son is here. But Kiritsugu's not exactly acknowledging Archer as his son. He would, but Shirou doesn't want to admit who he is, and Kiritsugu isn't going to force him.]

More or less.

[Especially as he's moving out now, leaving Saber behind. It's likely better for both of them to be apart. He'll be living alone, for the first time since--for the first time in a while. Experience has taught him he's not a man who likes to be alone, but that's fine.]

[fronttowardenemy]

[ Frank studies him for a moment. The way he speaks alone betrays enough. There's no effort on smalltalk, or trying to coax any warmth from him -- even if his current 'job' is all about promotion. He's not deliberately engaging; he's guarded. ]

Should be careful then. [ Frank's tone alone betrays the warning is more laced with implication. ] Dangerous city.

Unless you know how to defend yourself. [ which Frank is willing to bet he does. ]

a!

[gandere]

[ Isn't it her responsibility as the Second Owner of Fuyuki City to look after those who need someone? Even if it wasn't, here she was standing outside the door to Emiya's apartment with a bag of sandwiches hung around her wrist. She's been there for a few minutes with lingering thoughts of ten years ago on her mind.

Finally, she bangs on the door loudly. ]

Emiya-san, let me in! [ Speaking in Japanese now. ]

[failedprotagonist]

[They're not in Fuyuki City, and he doesn't want to talk to any Second Owners. It's fortunate she hadn't phrased it in that way, or he might actually have objected. On the other hand, he's willing to visit with a friend of Shirou.

At her knock, he rises and crosses to the door. She speaks in Japanese, so he replies in the same, smiling as he opens the door--his heart isn't exactly in the smile, and his weeks of illness show, but he puts on the best show he can.]

Yes, I'm here. Come in. Welcome.

[gandere]

[ At least he lucks out with Rin. She's not a person who can look at another being and recognize they're suffering. Years of being locked up alone and deluding herself into thinking she was alright conditioned her mind to assume no one else was as clever as her. That is if they were hurt they would say so instead of keeping it inside. ]

Thank you for having me tonight. [ Slipping out of her shoes once inside, she offers him the bag. ] I told you dinner's on me, didn't I?

[failedprotagonist]

[Unlike Rin, Kiritsugu is of the opinion that many people hide their pain. He's also noticed that most people don't pay enough attention to others to notice that pain, so he's not too worried he'll be found out. He takes the offered bag.]

You're welcome. I'm happy to have you. [Not that he had a choice, but he's not going to complain now.] So you did, and I appreciate it. I could probably have made something...

[He glances toward the kitchen, but it's probably not a good idea that he cook. The non-Shirou Emiyas are driven and preoccupied people who neglect housework. Kiritsugu is, and has been, Noritaka's son in more ways than he'll ever recognize.]

[gandere]

It'd be rude of me to invite myself over Emiya-san and then not bring some sort of gift to make up for it. I should have brought you a proper housewarming gift when you first arrived, but due to my poor manners I neglected in doing so. I hope you'll forgive me for that.

[ She treats him different than she ever did his son. Polite, well-mannered and quick to give a better impression of herself. ]

Do you mind if we eat at the table now? I haven't had a bite all day.

[failedprotagonist]

That's fine. I don't need anything anyway. There's nothing to forgive. [He's not hung up on gestures like that, and he prefers to keep things simple. Now that Rin's actually here, he finds that he enjoys the company.]

I don't mind at all. [He turns toward the table obligingly, walking normally, no sign that anything's wrong with him.] Would you like something to drink?

[gandere]

Oh, I forgot drinks...

[ Sheepish at her error (how is she meant to make a good impression if she keeps messing up?), she gives him a weak nod. ]

Please, we'll need them to wash down this food. That's the phrase, isn't it? I've been trying to pick up some American terms since my arrival and I've had a lot of bad luck with getting them mixed up lately.

[failedprotagonist]

That's fine. I'm the host, I should provide them.

[This isn't technically a rule, of course, but she actually seems to mind having forgotten the drinks, and he'd rather she not worry.]

What would you like? I have coffee, tea... Some soda, I think. Or water.

That's right, yes.

[He's not particularly worried about idioms, but he's fairly sure about that one.]

Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. It's good you're trying.

C

[swordedpast]

[Except, in a way, Shirou isn't entirely gone; which is why as Kiritsugu makes one of his trips with a box to his new apartment, there's suddenly Archer at his side.]

Give me that. Jeez, you didn't think to ask for help carrying this stuff?

[failedprotagonist]

[It's true, he isn't, really, even if the Shirou he'd lived with is gone. Kiritsugu turns to him without surprise, nodding acknowledgement.

Archer, don't scold your father. Kiritsugu is glad to see him, but he doesn't give up the box yet, continuing stubbornly along his forward path.]

I can get by.

[swordedpast]

Don't "I can get by" me.

[His voice is still different, but for all that difference...it sounds like Shirou.]

[failedprotagonist]

[Kiritsugu glances down the hall, but there's no one else there but the two of them. In the next moment, he seems to disappear--seemingly reappearing an instant later at the door to his new apartment, still carrying the box.]

I'm fine.

[See, your dad has a few tricks up his sleeve. That actually doesn't make it any easier for him to carry the box, though... But he's not telling Archer that.]

[swordedpast]

[He straightens up a little in surprise.]

I see. You've still got magecraft, here.

[But then--]

Do you have the prana reserves to handle it, though?

[failedprotagonist]

[He shakes his head, indicating for Archer to follow him into the apartment.]

My magecraft is gone. It's one of those abilities they give to people who don't have any.

[Like him, as that's what he became in his last years.]

It's like something I used to be able to do, but it's not the same. It doesn't take any prana.

[It also doesn't tear his body apart. It's oddly effortless. However, he's lucky it didn't knock him into a wall this time, as he's not used to using it yet.

[swordedpast]

That's good. I'd have to make you stop if it taxed your strength any more than this.

[He speaks matter-of-factly, as if he were capable of such a thing.]

[failedprotagonist]

Glad I haven't incurred your wrath, then.

[As if he'd tell Archer if his strength was being taxed too much.

He can carry a box himself! He is doing his best to look as if his current box is no trouble at all, even if he's starting to tire. He heads unhurriedly toward a suitable place to put his burden down.]

Why don't you come in and have a drink?