brainiest | ic contact.

[ Hermione is curled up in bed, but it's obvious that she's miserable, pressed into the pillows with a duvet over her as if it might protect her from the world.

Still, she's soundless, keeping to herself and biting back the urge, even in her sleep, to appear as though she's weak or suffering, as if it might draw attention to her somehow. She loses herself in the memories instead, having them replay in front of her like dreams, reminding her of her failures and her mistakes before she comes close to waking up - which happens slowly, more like breaching the surface of water than it is snapping to wakefulness.

What brings her out of it properly is the feeling of something familiar, a warmth at her side; it reminds her of the times she had slept near Diarmuid and he had sung her to sleep, careful and gentle and sweet to be around. It's that tenderness that makes her turn her body, lifting a hand to wipe at her eyes - they're damp from the midnight tears, but she does her best not to let them show.

It's only when her eyes land on Tamamo that she remembers what their connection means and she breathes out a sharp little noise, reaching out a little before her hand drops and she sits up. She remembers the other dream, of course, the one that wasn't her own, and there's a long, drawn-out pause before Hermione squeezes her eyes shut and just... Breathes.

Then she's holding out her hand, shifting over to make room in the bed. ]

Come on, Tamamo.

Ah... Already inviting me to bed? Oh, no, Tamamo's heart isn't ready...

[All she can do is try to keep things lighthearted. Make a joke. Pretend neither of them had seen what they just saw. The state Hermione is in is enough to prove that it was a shared connection, after all.

Even so, even when she says it, her voice sounds a little strained. She's forcing herself to try to be cheerful, and obediently lying down next to Hermione, taking her hand.]

... Are you all right now?

[That's the most she can bring herself to say, honestly, and she can tell it's a stupid question. Neither of them are okay. Not after that.]

Don't get too excited. I'm too tired for anything right now.

[ It's easy enough to joke back, even with pink cheeks, pretending as though this is normal and not at all borne of desperation and pain. They're Servant and Master and both of them have suffered memories that have burned their hearts, and Hermione doesn't have it in her to protest the closeness or the teasing, not right now.

The hand in her own draws her away from that darkness, though, and Hermione blinks for a moment, considering. The echo of the screams are still there, preying on her mind, and she leans forward to press her forehead against her Partner's knuckle, breathing out a soft noise, too afraid to speak until she's gathered her thoughts. ]

No. But I will be.

[ That's how it always goes. She suffers, she hurts, but she pulls herself back together because nothing else is acceptable. ]

What about you? I know it wasn't just me that remembered things tonight.

Ah, what a terrible pity...

[Even so, she can only fondly smile at Hermione. Her Master- Someone who cares about her enough, that even after that kind of pain, she's still concerned about Caster's... It's still hard for her to believe someone could care for her that much.

(Someone besides Hakuno, anyway.)]

I'm all right. It is a story of a thousand years ago now, after all.

[A thousand years of dwelling on her pain, centuries haunting that boulder... She doesn't like to dwell on the past, on old memories. She's done enough of that, after she died. She just wants to focus on the good things, and it will hurt less. And honestly, to receive as much happiness as she had until then, she was truly blessed.

She slides closer to Hermione, taking her free arm to hold her close. That will help comfort her, right?]

It could have been a million years ago. That doesn't mean it stops hurting.

[ Some aches never go away, and Hermione knows that. Guilt gnaws at her heart, making her stomach twist with pain as she tries to contain herself, to hold her own emotions at bay. She had let her best friend die and, in return, she had taken a life. It brought her tally higher and higher and for someone like her, someone who struggled to hurt anyone, be it by word or deed, save in intense moments of anger... It was almost too much for her to handle.

It's easier, than, to move and shift to lean against Caster, to bask in her warmth and the feeling of being safe, of being protected. They had said, after all, that they would take care of each other. No one was going to hurt them when they were together - or when they were apart, their minds and power linked through a bond that she doesn't think anyone else on the fleet could understand.

Carefully, Hermione offers an open arm, shifting closer, allowing Caster the choice to cuddle into her or just have the loose hold the two of them share. ]

[She's still herself, and when given the opportunity (and many times, even when she isn't) she will always go for the closer cuddling option, getting in as snug as she can.

And, well. It's a shitty night, and neither of them are going to be sleeping, it seems, so Caster just does one small trick- Her tail glows, giving off a very faint, warm sunlight. It's not too bright, but at least, the light of the sun is always comforting, she thinks. And it's not like Hermione doesn't know about her status as a goddess, so there's no point in hiding it.]

You're right. It doesn't, but... There are good things, too. My mortal life was, until the end, full of happiness and love. You, too, had a friend you cared for and who cared for you to that extent.

[ The delight Hermione feels when Tamamo's tail glows is obvious, and she moves a little so she can get a better look, her expression calming into something far sweeter than the despair she had fallen into before. Anyone showing their powers to her was incredible and she revelled in it, especially when she knew that the other woman must be doing it to make things a little easier for the both of them, to cast a little brightness to the otherwise cold and rather dark room.

It's easy to wrap herself around Tamamo then, to lean close and feel soft and warm and content, to close her eyes and bask for a handful of moments, to let the sadness slip away and something replace it. She wants to feel calm, she wants to feel happy, and she has to do her best not to trip over and fall into her own hurt again, especially when Caster is right here beside her. ]

We loved each other, even if we were a little messy sometimes. [ Huffing a noise, she shakes her head, leaning forward. ] I just... Forgot that he would come back. He was immortal, he was never dead for long, and I... Just forgot.

It is an easy thing to forget. The sight of those you love dying... It is never an easy thing. No one can keep a calm head during those times.

[The sight of Twice slowly disappearing as he leaves will haunt her, no matter how much he was twisted from the Master she once knew.

Her glowing tail looks almost as though it isn't even a tail anymore, but simply a tail-shaped spot of sun. Though it's dim enough to look at without even needing to shield your eyes.]

That you lost your head over it so much rather speaks volumes to the love you hold for him, does it not?

I can't keep a calm head through a lot of things.

[ Hermione remembers so much anger and frustration during the months upon months she spent in the Drabwurld, and it's not easier in hindsight. Knowing how she could have made better choices, stronger choices, made the decision to walk the right path... It's horrible to think about.

The point is, she supposes, that there wasn't a right path at the time. There's what she knew and what she didn't know, and she had to go with what she thought was the best way.

Closing her eyes, she leans against Caster gently. ]

He was my best friend. I loved him, I really did, more than he really knew what to do with.

Then don't. Keeping a calm head is overrated.

[She holds Hermione close, running a hand through her hair.]

Besides, he's immortal, right? As long as you feel that love for him, there is the chance your paths will cross again. You'll return there one day.

It's important to try and be rational! Sometimes logical thinking can save lives, you know.

[ It had done when she and Harry and Ron had been running around England, trying to figure things out, before Ron had run away. Still, the gentle hand in her hair is soothing, and she relaxes as she tilts into the touch. ]

We might not be from the same worlds. If we are, though... I'll find him. I'll do whatever I can to see him again.

Sometimes! And sometimes they are saved through the power of love that ignores reason.

[The weakest Servant and the weakest Master... It is only through their love that they survived to win in the end, defying all reason. Or so she believes, anyway.]

Even if you aren't, I'm sure you will. Either to return to that world, or to cross worlds again to see his... There are many ways, after all!

Love is a magic that's far, far stronger than any other in the world. People just don't recognise that sometimes.

[ Hermione makes a small noise of agreement, leaning forward and holding Caster closer, gentle and uncertain with her touches. ]

I want to return to that world. It's my home.

[She leans into the touch, but otherwise seems a bit hesitant. Like... Well, like she is totally unused to being touched gently. She doesn't know what to do with herself, being on this side of it.]

Then that is all you need to say. I, Tamamo-no-Mae, will do all in my considerable power to return you there.

[ Breathing in, sharply, Hermione hesitates before she leans forward and wraps her arms around Tamamo. ]

Thank you. I - I know it might never be possible, but... It means so much to me that you would even try.

[Oh. Okay. That's happening. Tamamo's face turns beet-red, and she has to fight to keep her voice normal.]

Y- You shouldn't sound so defeated! After all, if I were to return to my nine-tailed form, something so trivial as crossing worlds, I could do before breakfast!

[... Of course, if she did return to her nine-tailed form, she would no longer be a Servant, just a spirit. A monstrous one or a divine one, she isn't sure, but... To grant a wish like that, wouldn't it be worth it? She would certainly be of use.]

[ Hermione, of course, is oblivious to her Servant's embarrassment and just lays there, trying to ignore her own nightmares and bask, instead, in the comfort of closeness. ]

Then we'll see what happens for us in the future, then? We're a good team, we could do almost anything.

[ Though if they managed to make it to the Drabwurld she's not sure if Caster would survive properly without a shard - unless their bond remained, in which case Gilgamesh would probably be quite upset. ]

You're absolutely right. Not many Masters are lucky enough to contract with a goddess, after all, so between the two of us, there's nothing we can't accomplish!

[She nods to herself, determination building.

... But, she wonders, if Hermione does go back there, what about her? Will Caster follow her? Give up her status as a servant, and just be Tamamo again? Try one more time for a life free from being betrayed? Or...

Or maybe she would return to the Moon Cell. Even though it means the end, to spend those last few precious seconds with Hakuno again... Even those few seconds would make the extinguishing of her soul worth it in the end.

But now isn't the time to think about that. Now she has to comfort Hermione. Her own circumstances are less important.]

That sounds about right to me.

[ At least Caster is determined, and it makes Hermione soften a little, closing her eyes and breathing out. It's still hard to wrap her mind around everything that's happened and everything that's going on, but she's trying. She really is, trying to keep her head up and her excitement alive within the fleet, but it's hard.

It gets harder every day.

Strangely enough, having a Servant makes her feel a little better and she tilts her head, smiling softly and trying to stamp down her emotions. ]

Did - you could come, too, if you wanted. The Drabwurld isn't perfect, but... You might like it.

[Could she? Could she really accept a world like that? It isn't as though she has strong feelings about her home, and to escape the Moon Cell for good could only be a plus. It would be a life far beyond any she thought she could have.

... But, Hakuno. And even besides Hakuno, was she even capable of settling on a different world? She already suffered so much as a result of going against divine providence. Would a goddess of Earth trying to settle on a different world not cause even more problems?

She can't think about that just yet. In the first place, she has to figure out her own feelings, and that will take some time. So, in the meantime... Evade the topic in the only way Caster can.]

You want to take me home? Ah, is this a proposal? I knew you'd come around eventually!

[.... yeah.]

[ Hermione's not really sure if it would even work, if she's being honest. It's not as though she can just ask the Atroma to let Caster come back with her if she wants, but their bond might be enough to overcome whatever they do anyway. The problem is that she might not ever have a shard, so she would be stuck in the Drabwurld, but - maybe Hermione could give up her own for Caster, so that Tamamo could go back if she wanted. She must have her old Master waiting for her, and a world she might want to return to.

A shard is a shard; maybe it would work.

That's all dependent upon Tamamo wanting to join her, of course, which isn't something that has to happen.

Fight off her flush, Hermione shakes her head, closing her eyes and breathing out. ]

It's definitely not a proposal. I've had enough of those for a lifetime, I'm afraid.

Ehh, how cruel, to toy with a maiden's heart in such a way...

[Even this close and cuddling, she's still capable of putting on a great show, practically radiating disappointment.

... Whether it's feigned to keep the mood light, or genuine, is something of a mystery. Maybe both? Or maybe better not to question it.]

Well, then! I'll just have to up my appeal! Tamamo will charm the daylights out of you, so just wait!

I'm not toying with anything!

[ Hermione shakes her head, fighting off her laugh as she pretends to huff, all dramatics despite the weight on her shoulders. ]

When you have a man proposing to you practically every month and then calling you queen despite saying no it might be a little tricky for you, too.

Hm... Well, the King of Heroes was never known for his restraint.

But, it's okay! If he ever tries it again, I can teach you the sure-fire way to stop it. It's a super-move, a martial art directly from the gods, that no man can possibly stand against! Even the King of Heroes would be no match for this mighty blow, and his surrender will be sweet indeed!

You don't have to tell me twice.

[ Hermione raises an eyebrow before she grins, fighting her giggle. ]

I've already hit him around the head a few times, it's fine. He always listens to me in the end.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject