The weary world rejoices

[toolongdidntrejoice]

WHO: OPEN
WHERE: The Church
WHEN: From today and onto the New Year!
WARNINGS: Kirei.....
SUMMARY: Rejoice, Cityzens! The Church is hosting an event for the holiday season: accepting donations and offering dinner for all those in need during this harsh December! Donate yourself or take part in some free food. You don't have to worship to take part, but you may get a priest breathing down your neck about that.
FORMAT: Whatever you please!


Even in this day and age, certain tired methods of communication remain. A Church flyer is a old tradition and the City has had several passed by hand, or stapled onto walls. They are all advertising open invitations not just for worship but for food on behalf of the City's generous inhabitants -- regardless of beliefs or credo. On top of that, there is a certain tagline which appeals to the City's imPorts:

Be a Hero to one less fortunate than you this holiday season.

It's a sticky, blatant piece of baiting; hamfisted and obvious. Of course, no Church has ever really excelled at subtlety. Guilt is a powerful motivator, especially this time of year. That shows in the turn out: there is quite a few natives already participating, which leads to generous spread.

The Church is welcoming all without distinction -- however, you'll only get to taste wine if you're one of the faithful.

Comments

[toolongdidntrejoice]

It's simply a change; you've always worn your hair the same since the day I met you.

[ In fact, he reaches out, lightly touching one long, loose lock of hair. ]

You look much older, like this.

[gandere]

[ She has, hasn't she? Always with those childish pigtails as if wearing them could bring back her father. If he were to show up in the City, would he be able to recognize her without them?

It's an immature fear, but one that grips her unlike any manner Kirei would hold her in. Her eyes dart to watch his hand, cautious even now of the man. ]

I told you I was older. In a couple months I will be nineteen years old and then what would you do?

[toolongdidntrejoice]

That is a fair question. [ He seems unhurried and not bothered by the idea of lingering, slowly letting her hair slip from between his fingers. ] I suppose my position as your guardian will be no longer necessary.

I doubt you'll have any further need of me.

[ It's a light bit of goading. She should have no reason to want his company, not after the several trespasses he has made against her, yet he wonders if guilt will still compel her. ]

[gandere]

That's not true.

[ It isn't because she feels an attachment to him (though it doesn't need to be said out loud), but because of something else that lingers from their world. ]

The Tohsaka family has always had good relations with the Church and the Mage Association. Slighting you would only dampen that and I won't be the cause of it.

[toolongdidntrejoice]

[ Kirei makes a thoughtful sound, as if considering this, before he speaks. ]

But as you know, neither the Holy Church as I knew it, nor the Mage Association, exist here within this City.

[ Is she making excuses? ]

Any good candor with me is irrelevant, as I will cease to exist outside of this world. [ He smiles too much for a man referring to his own imminent demise. ] You shouldn't trouble yourself with a dead man.

[gandere]

If it was trouble, I wouldn't.

[ Honestly, if it were trouble, she still may go through with it. Rin's a person who has to uphold herself to standards even if there's no one to judge her for them. Too much of her father's rules and regulations have been instilled in her; neglecting them now meant she would begin to forget what he's taught her and in the end further distance herself from his memory. ]

We have no idea if you speak the truth or not. If there are others from the Mage Association or the Holy Church, they likely have kept themselves well hidden. [ As they should, that's the precedence in their world. ] Until they acknowledge us, all we can do is keep up our good appearances.

[toolongdidntrejoice]

[ That may be so. Kirei won't argue the matter, even if he doubts that there is any other mages here, or any members of the Holy Church. ]

And we are keeping up quite the appearance. [ Another light gesture to Rin's hair, before he withdraws his hand. ] You truly look like the head of the family now.

No one would doubt it, would they? Not at first glance, at least.

[gandere]

That is because I am the head of the family. [ Rin reminds him curtly. ]

If they doubt it, then I have no qualms showing them first hand just what it means to cross the Tohsaka family. [ Just as she showed him, she bitterly thinks. ]

[toolongdidntrejoice]

Oh, no doubt -- but before, one would not have known it at first glance.

[ is that a compliment or an insult? ]

You have grown quite confident in this place, haven't you?

[gandere]

[ Both knowing him. ]

I have to be confident. If not for myself, then for the man who serves directly under me. Without me to guide and encourage him, surely he would lose his way.

[toolongdidntrejoice]

[ totally both.

what follows, though, is purely insult: ]

Oh?

I had no idea you were contracted to such a helpless Servant.

[gandere]

[ Only she can get away with calling Archer helpless!! ]

Yeah, well now you know.

Though I won't tolerate you slandering him in public like this. Keep your opinions about his state of mind to yourself.

[toolongdidntrejoice]

Mh. We wouldn't want to soil his good reputation.

[ His tone is difficult to decipher as joking or serious. ]

I will do as the head of the Tohsaka family wishes, of course.