hopeled

[hopeled]

for those who knew her, or were close to the master, her time in the Abyss was no secret. it's been years since the island was clouded in mist, years since ghosts of the past came to haunt and years since a desperate attempt to save a friend went so wrong. Ritsuka likes to think she's gotten over it for the most part. as backwards as it was.....no longer being plagued by nightmares, her soul free from Cagliostro's influence, played a big part in it. flashes of bright red eyes and a maniacal giggle no longer chased her, lingering in every shadow, following in every step.

as for the Abyss.....that time, at least, was far more easier to speak about. maybe it's because she's already died a few times that the question doesn't earn a shocked look, maybe not, who is to say?

" The Abyss......well, first off, it's like a replica of the city but there's no color. Everything is dim, lifeless. Sometimes the buildings are fine but you blink and everything is in ruins. Nothing feels right down there. You don't feel safe which goes hand in hand with the place you go when you die. "

arms fold atop the railing as Ritsuka leans forward, her gaze turning from Lumine to focus on the cityscape. " I was down there for two weeks but after the first four or five days.....it got worse. I felt like I was being watched, I swear I saw things but when I looked they weren't there. And sometimes, when I passed by a mirror, I saw a shadow. The longer I spent in there, the more these things started to happen. I felt like I was going to go crazy if I didn't get out soon but....I couldn't leave until things were settled above."

the master sighs softly, shaking her head a few times, ignoring the pointed ache in the scar running down her spine. "Why do you ask?"

the confidence with which the other stood her ground told the tale, and Ritsuka was just terribly observant. a glance surveyed the customers abuzz with idle chatter and adoration of the critters under the cafe's care. the conversation would not happen here. "roof," was all the Traveler faintly demanded whilst passing by, leaving the innocents to their tranquillity.

in contrast to the comfortable heat, autumn's air soothed her throat with fresh cool in way the surface would offer relief after diving underwater momentarily. a weighted release parted her throat, figuring sooner or later, someone would be audience to the story — but she would not be the only one to speak. this was a conversation, not an interrogation, and Lumine would not have control wrested from her yet again. a firm shine blazed in gold as they set upon the Master.

"Ritsuka, you are the only person I know who has set foot in the Abyss of this world — first, tell me everything about it".

[hopeled]

oh here is my bsky!

[hopeled]

there was no shortage of colorful figures that ritsuka has come to know over the years. from your less-than-known characters in stories and novels to beings as grand as the cosmos itself. it's a good thing that she never thought to treat them as anything different– not from a lack of respect or from a place of hardly caring but because that simply is how she approaches it.

it mattered not if they were the villain of a tale, a tragic hero, or a deity with a fleeting existence. if they were willing to help her, to lend their aid to that almost impossible goal, then she would gladly take their hand in return.

and she knows she cannot change how they behave towards her. even so, it's still odd to be bowed to– she was just a normal human, a third-rate mage with a mission too heavy for her shoulders. don't think i'll ever get used to this.....

" It's good to see you as well." truly, it was. heroic spirits by nature were ephemeral, here for a purpose and gone when it was fulfilled. she knew this but ritsuka could never truly stop the sadness that would fill her when their time came. it's one of the strange silver lining's of this place.

even if it was only for a short period of time, she got to see a familiar face once more.

" Yes, I've....been here a few years now. It's a long story." and thankfully not a too confusing one. " No, it isn't a Singularity....I've yet to come across a grail nor have any of the other Servants sensed one. There's no Fantasy Tree here either. I think it's just a different world altogether."

After Olympus, Quirinus had stared into the heart of Chaos and relinquished all that he was. It was the fate of all Grand Servants, wasn't it? He had done what the world needed- opened a path to the future. In the end, that was what he had always wanted, even in life.

Had he not built a shining empire for that very reason? ⎛ Sometimes, he wondered if Remus had been watching. It was the dream they both had, and how sad it was that it was built on blood! ⎠ Somehow, he'd continued to exist- and it was then that he had made the choice.

Like the Grand Servants before him, to continue on the path to the future, he was to relinquish that title. He would never regret that choice.

❝ It is good to see you, Master, ❞ Since when did the gods bow to mortals? Ritsuka was a peculiar case. If it was for the sake of the future, then ... he couldn't really complain.

❝ I suppose it's been some time ... but I hope you've been well. ❞ It's his way of showing that he cares, because he does. In a divine way, at least. His bonds with humanity, his love for them, was rooted in old myths and prayers. Somewhere along the way, he'd forgotten mortal bonds- but he only ever wished for others to act naturally around him. As if it would remind him how to be that way for them.

❝ This place is rather interesting- I have yet to know its light, ❞ as it has yet to know mine is left unspoken, ❝ but you seem ... familiar with it. Is it a singularity? A lostbelt? I have met many people who feel out of place while also feeling right at home. ❞

❲ @hopeled ❳

[hopeled]

talking about your feelings is SO important I won’t do it but u guys definitely should

[hopeled]

"Hey! I'll have you know my acting is good enough when the situation calls for it!" which isn't too often but that's perfectly fine with her. contrary to appearances, Ritsuka wasn't fond of being in the spotlight so much, preferring to be in something more of a supporting role. but this wasn't like that dance she was forced to do back in Shinjuku, and as such, she could afford to be a little more loose. " ....Though I don't know how people back then could wear this all the time. If it wasn't the fall, I'd be sweating buckets by now."

but it wasn't so bad. asides from having a chance to let the worry and stress go for a night....it made it a bit easier to deal with the pain. it was unavoidable– this complicated ball of feelings she kept hidden deep down towards the Count. she loved him, more than anything to be quite frank. nothing could ever change that and yet, she must handle this mess on her own. it would be unfair to him otherwise.

and she didn't want to ruin the time she had now, the time this place afforded her, to be near what she couldn't any longer back home.

" Are you enjoying yourself, though?" a much more important question. even if it felt silly at ask. he wouldn't be here right now if he wasn't to some degree. " If not, don't worry. Soon, they'll leave for the night and it'll be quiet once more."

⠀⠀Her mask joined a fractured one of a dark ebony shade on that table, the pair taking a break from socializing while the guests continue to enjoy themselves in peace. The dark and gloomy atmosphere of the Chateau has greatly receded each time enough people gathered on the property, as if the teeming signs of life and joy were strong enough to subdue the natural aura of the estate. Wispy trails of smoke come from the depleted stub of his cigarette, quick to fade away after a firm trap of the finger. He presses the smouldering end into the glass ashtray after turning away from the balcony, intent to keep his property clean like any gentleman should.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"At the very least, one of us spent many years blending into the 'stuffy noble' lifestyle, as you put it." A light chuckle stays in his throat after he glances towards his mistress, the Count feeling content to bask in the brightest light of the evening. "You adapt rather well, at least. You're certainly not a stranger to blending in when a situation calls for it— though your acting isn't quite perfect yet. At the very least, I can keep the facade going for the both of us."

[hopeled]

the title wasn't too surprising, as there were a few in this city who used it towards her. it was just the voice attached to it that had the master staring wide-eyed at the woman on the other side of the cafe glass for a few moments. a myriad of emotions coursed through her, the most prominent being a bittersweet sort of joy.

ever since the spring, it happened every time she laid her eyes on the Count. it's not the sort of thing she could just.....talk about, let alone explain. it's a lingering pain, an hole inside of her chest that no amount of time could ever heal. she wonders if this is how Saber or Goetia felt– having to look at someone they love, knowing what was to come yet being unable to say a single word. some futile attempt at sparing an unavoidable pain.

and now, it seems, she'll experience the same each time her eyes come across Jalter.

like clockwork, she falls back into step. surprise turns into a wide smile (because even with the pain, she's happy to see Avenger) as she sets aside the new menus on the counter. approaching the glass, Ritsuka merely gestures towards the door with her head. " It's unlocked, you can come on in!"

@hopeled

how big is this damn city?

she'd been walking for what felt like hours at this point, taking trains and busses and all manner of transportation. at this point she seemed to be in a completely different part of the city, though from the map on her phone it looked like she was the complete opposite direction from where her living quarters were.

i knew i took the wrong train maybe i should have stayed with melusine

a long, drawn out sigh as she's resigned to her fate, about to turn around and head back to the train station before she noticed something, someone, familiar. it was the hair that was a dead giveaway, and a color she knew to recognize instantly. melusine had said master was in this city, but jalter hadn't the slightest idea on how she was going to find her.

must be my lucky day

she almost sprints to the other side of the road, peaking into the window of the cafe to confirm her eyes were not deceiving her. her look of disbelief soon turned to one of joy, and before she could calm herself down to look like her cool and normal self she found herself blurting out loud enough for anyone behind the glass to hear.

' master?! '

[hopeled]

" Paimon is attached to you. You and I both know that it would take a lot for her to willingly be away from you for long."

yes, it was that out of the ordinary. whenever the blonde traveler came around, her presence wasn't the first felt but her flying companion who always announced herself in whatever colorful way she decided to that day. and yes, perhaps it shouldn't be that surprising, but something is off. call it intuition or a result of Ritsuka having experienced what this city does for years now, but she knows. no amount of a brave face could save Lumine from the mage's keen observation. " He decided to spend the day with the Count. But Fou is different than Paimon."

and not important right now. she could beat around the bush, try to bring it up gently, but Ritsuka knows that look in the other's eyes. " What happened, Lumine? And don't try to say nothing– you can't fool me."

@hopeled

"is it that out of the ordinary? Paimon's just feeling under the weather, so I promised her some snacks on the way home".

technically, none of it were a lie. before parting, as fingers ran over her partner's hair, Lumine muttered the offer — a brief and fragile ray of light before clouds could smother it back into shade. she knew Ritsuka to be perceptive, aware the mage had experienced a tremendous amount herself, but putting on a brave face had long been second nature to the Traveler. most would accept her calm act and consider her fine, though if Ritsuka had suspicions, it must have been from first-hand experience. which made the extent of her tale all the more troubling.

"she's better off resting than getting your customers sick. besides, its not like Fou is glued to you or Mashu. where is he anyway?"

[hopeled]

gives u the sad lost puppy-dog jalter eyes

wow, it's been a hot minute since she's seen that look!

"....................fine, here." is what the avenger was after a piece of her cake? maybe, maybe not, but cake cheers everyone up!

[hopeled]

this site can be hella unreliable at times and as well as my own shitty memory, while i hunt things down, if i owe you a reply for a thread OR you made a starter and i didn't see it, please feel free to like this so i can go hunt it down!!! sometimes my tag won't show me something or i won't get notified so this seems like a better course of action

[hopeled]

if one was to walk past the open doors of the Hope-au-Lait cafe, they would find the owner seemingly lost in her own world, busying herself putting up decorations while blaring season appropriate music.

[hopeled]

sorry for being mia, gaming got me in the grip and i also have recently come down with a chest cold but! just making a post to say i have updated ritsuka's canon point to post OC3! there's a very, very, very slim chance of any spoilers being brought up currently or in the future for now, but if they are, they will be tagged of course!

[hopeled]

i wanted to go ahead and make this post just real quick in case anyone is wondering specifics.

you can use the equinox ball for starters until TOMORROW. the cutoff time will be at 11:59pm EST on September 16th, so tomorrow just a minute before midnight!! do keep this in mind xoxoxo

[hopeled]

sure is a good thing i'm waiting until oc3 is fully completed before updating ritsuka's canon point because great googly moogly

[hopeled]

" You know, I expected a curtain or two to have caught on fire by now. I'm pleasantly surprised that it hasn't." is how she breaks the silence as she makes her way over to the Avenger, currently enjoying a cigarette on one of the unocuppied balconies. out here, the noise of it all dies down considerably. she already has her mask set down upon the small table nearby (place it on the railing and it'd be lost within seconds.), eyes closing briefly to enjoy the cooled evening air caress her cheeks.

the rustling of the fabric of her dress comes to a stop as she pauses by his side, leaning forward to cross her arms over the stone railing. the moon hangs high, shining brightly on everything below. really, she couldn't have asked for a more perfect night.

" You know, some people think we're a pair of stuffy nobles." it's enough to cause her to laugh, light and airy. " They'd lose their mind if I told them I never even went to college and took the first job I found."

@volontedacier

[hopeled]

lt amazes her that so far, nothing has gone wrong. not that Ritsuka doubts the ability of her guests to behave themselves, but there was always the possibility of something going awry. yet, the chandelier remains hanging and she hasn't discovered a body tucked away in a side-room (she wasn't looking forward to possibly having to play a game of Hint here). a blessing, truly.

as with any party, there comes mingling. she'd be a terrible host if she didn't come and greet somebody every so often, even those who held no familiarity to the master, such as the woman clad in reds & blacks, seated off to the side in the dining area, enjoying either the wine or the tea.

for some reason or another, Ritsuka feels compelled to take a seat opposite the woman, gathering the fabric of her gown. " Are you enjoying yourself, Madame? "

@balemoonash

[hopeled]

in a sea of bodies moving eternally inside the ballroom, accidents were bound to happen, even those hanging on the fringe to observe or rest their feet every few songs. she doesn't know whether it's the tip of her heel catching on the edges of her dress or someone else accidentally stepping on the fabric, but Ritsuka finds her movement suddenly halted, and that throws her off balance.

she expects to collide with the ground in an instant, but instead, finds her body being spun to the side as hands carefully grip her forearms and when she comes to a pause, they steady her and all in one fluid movement.

eyes wide, she peers up at her savior and is thankful the mask covers the embarrassment that colors her cheeks. " Oh, I am so sorry!" a quick apology given as she presses a hand to her chest to calm her racing heart. " Thank you for saving me before i became a floor decoration."

@hollowfaith

[hopeled]

she has to admit, at first, it was difficult to move around in an outfit of this caliber, the layers to the dress made putting it on an at least hour long endeavo, nevermind the amount of time she took to practice so Ritsuka could at least look somewhat elegant and refined moving about the ballroom. the melody of the live band punctuated every so often from the singer they had hired blends wonderfully and there is a smile beneath her mask as she takes this chance to venture out and see how everyone is doing.

tonight and the following nights were meant for fun and she intended to have that.

a glance to the left over by the place along the wall reserved for refreshments, she spots a familiar Lancer. words are spoken softly as Ritsuka moves through dancing couples to reach the other, a laugh following suit as she spots the other devouring one of the trays of small cakes baked for the party.

" Slow down there, there's more in the kitchen."

@robustdragonheart