dramadramaduck | [ text | locked from kotomine and archer

I do not wish to be the bearer of ill news, but I fear that I will not have much time left to speak with you, community. My time tonight has been spent pursuing Rider and his Master, as I believed them to have kidnapped Irisviel. But I was mistaken. The true culprit had disguised themselves with some form of illusion, and escaped my sight. Whether it was Berserker, or perhaps even Archer...

... in any case, that detail is irrelevant to this post. I merely wished to say that since the war is fast drawing to its close, I think this may be the last time I speak with you all. I do not know what will transpire in the coming days, or how it will ultimately end. There has been much that has thrown my heart into doubt recently. But it has been a true honour knowing those I have spoken to here, and for your company I thank you.

If I may leave you all with some parting advice... please exercise great caution when having any dealings with either Archer or Father Kirei Kotomine. They are both highly dangerous men, and not simply because of their prowess in their respective martial disciplines. It would greatly vex me if any of you were to fall foul of either of them.

That is all, I believe. Thank you for your attention.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Saber, I'm so sorry--

[Lancer's voice cracked, and it was a few seconds before he spoke again.]

...I hate this. I can't stand knowing that...that there is simply nothing I can do to help.

[ Saber's voice, on the other hand, is filled with false calm. ]

There is precious little about this that is your doing, Lancer. You have offered nothing but chivalry and loyalty throughout our acquaintance; a King could ask for no better.

...please don't say that. Don't--I-...

I've done terribly, both within the war and outside of it. I had hoped to be able to help you, yet I was too much of a coward to explain matters.

Lancer. [ her voice is sharp, now, but it smooths over and quietens an instant later. ] ... that is untrue. If nothing else, you must believe that to be so. You came to me about the situation before I could reach the war's end and [ and there's the barest hesitance here where her voice catches ] discover my foolishness for myself.

[ in her heart, she is still desperately wishing that she could deny it. but she is fast coming to think that that would be fruitless. her problem is - how can she break this news to Kiritsugu, when he will not even look at her? should she instead return to Rider and attempt to explain the situation to him and his Master? but that would mean abandoning Irisviel... ]

I could have done so long ago, so you could be better prepared for this.

Even if that were so... I doubt you could have foreseen that access to this timeline would be restricted, nor that Irisviel would be taken. There are forces at work here beyond what you were aware of.

Please do not heap blame upon yourself.

I'm afraid I can't quite seem to stop doing so.

Would it truly make you happier to receive unwarranted condemnation from elsewhere, Knight of the Fianna?

I don't know. It has been some time since I understood anything of what would truly make me happier.

... I see.

Perhaps, then, that understanding is something you should find. Since you have been released from any duty but that which Issei may give you.

...this isn't right. Why should I be the fortunate one of us when I have done nothing to deserve it?

It is not as if I am free of wrongdoing, Lancer. In any case, neither of us know yet what the end of this war may bring. If it is not the outcome I had hoped for... I can at least attempt the best outcome possible.

...In even the best possible outcome, you and I may very well never meet again.

... Yes. That much is true.

Saber-...Arturia.

I want to tell you how truly grateful I am to have met you, both here and in the fourth war. Everything I said in your world, I...I didn't mean it. None of this should be a burden for you to carry upon your shoulders. And more than anything I wish you to know that y-...

[His voice cracked again; Lancer seemed to be having a terrible time of keeping his composure.]

...that you made me happy. Even in a time when I thought such a thing would never be possible again.

[ there is a rush, an intake of breath, and then a short silence. then: ]

... I am honoured to be told such a thing. [ Saber's own voice is steady, but filled with some heavy emotion, almost struggling under the weight. ] And glad... glad that I could ease your heart even slightly. It has been a true honour and a pleasure to have crossed paths with you, Diarmuid.

[ text | locked from kotomine and archer | dated before gil's post ]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]