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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.

If you hit him in the head, that's the problem. Some men just don't keep anything in there, you know?

But, that isn't a problem for the holiest and most sacred martial art of all! The Polygamist Castration Fist will subdue any man in a heartbeat!

[she sounds 100% serious.]

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

...

No. ]

Castration - No, I'm alright, thank you.

Oh, don't be so alarmed, it's only a name!

[it's not actually what it sounds like!

.... it's actually a series of kicks.]

But, I guess there are other ways.

I - I'm good at keeping him under control most of the time.

[ When he's around her, at least. He did listen to her, at least a little bit. ]

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