#wishing i included gudacas kissing scene my gooooood

[mako-neexu]

The scent of fire and ash, sights of grey, debris and smoke.

Artoria grips her staff tighter, her lips pursed as she glances at her friend staring down at the town's remains.

...Being behind her, she couldn't see what Ritsuka's expression was.

Glancing to Oberon, his gaze remained sharp on their friend. But when he spared her a brief look, they understood.

"I'm sorry, Fujimaru. But we're too late."

Da Vinci's voice rings through the intercom. "Not one had survived the incursion."

An attack so sudden, planned by their elusive opponent that continued to do any and all sorts of trouble in this singularity.

It was already hard enough to pinpoint their location, much less when their act has already happened before they even get a wind of it.

Without missing a beat, Da Vinci continued, "In any case, the vehicle you guys rode on will still have energy left enough to go back to base camp. I've already sent Mash and Kadoc the message to regroup over here. But Holmes and I talked about scouting another area of the land."

Artoria makes a face. She knows the situation is urgent and yet, at least, Da Vinci- Chaldea should give Ritsuka a min-

"Understood," Ritsuka replies, opening the controls of her communicator as she pressed and typed on the programs to send in information, "I'm already sending some plans and suggestions your way to capture the enemy with some of the evidence they'd left."

It's hard to see it. More so with her back turned to them, but if Artoria squinted she could see what lies beneath her words.

"As for the terminals, I'll ask Orion and Mordred to guard 3-AT and 5-BK tonight. Is that okay?"

"W-woah! I didn't think of that! We'll do a security lockdown sequence around that area then to protect the devices. That's some quick thinking, Fujimaru."

Finishing the last of her report in record time, the Master closes the programs from her communicator. "No problem."

"We'll see you in a bit then!"

As the line had cut off, Ritsuka finally turned to them.

...The problem with Ritsuka was that when she has her mind set on something, she would wholeheartedly believe it.

So much that in rings true whatever Ritsuka says to Artoria.

"Sorry for the delay," Their friend smiled. "Shall we head back down?"

—The problem with Ritsuka is that along with how her fairy eyes can't sometimes discern her truth, was that she had a perfect poker face.

Right now though, Artoria could see how paper thin it can be.

Empty eyes, easy smile, no light to be found in irises of sunset. And however faint they were, Artoria heard sharp whispers of self-blame, apologies and grief beneath it.

But one was predominant amongst the rest. First heard before it became a small cacophony to her ears.

Cold. She felt so cold.

Both Oberon and Artoria reached out-

And enveloped Ritsuka.

She could see that paper thin smile break in an instant.

-

Suffice to say, Oberon complained later about a wet shoulder with Ritsuka having to apologize while laughing.

...And that smile rang true with a tone of relief and ease to Artoria's eyes.