希望鶴 ~ hope's crane.

{ late nights }

{ 真実 } “You really think so, Asano-san? That’s a little surprising, hearing that from you.”

He smiles softly, a bit bittersweet at the thought. Yeah, with their collective history there wasn’t exactly much to be nostalgic over...but the few memories they had needed to be cherished too, right? Unless...

“If you’re referring to reminiscing in excess however, then I would agree. I’ll admit I was guilty of that once.”

{ late nights }

{ 真実 } “Sounds like to me you’re speaking from past experience, Saihara-kun.”

It might be his class to oversee, but Ruler’s not going to pry too much into the other’s affairs. His comment is spoken with a matter-of-fact tone, although it did have a hint of curiosity to it. Saihara might be chugging away at yet another pot of coffee (don’t you dare lie about it, he knows the machine’s been running nonstop due to the complaints of Chaldea’s staff), but for him he’ll just stick to his tea, thanks. Aside from the environment, it’s almost like they were simply having an academic discussion.

“However, I would say it’s more of a double-edged sword instead. Anything can be used within your own power for your own benefit - it’s a matter of figuring out how. Whatever is holding back, I believe you will be able to overcome it.”

we are mavericks // accepting

{ 真実 - ルーラー } “You’re wrong.”

The Ruler’s objection is quiet, but firm. It feels like ages ago that he’s ever had to argue with anyone like this, especially someone with steadfast cynical beliefs. To say the world had chaos and insane rhetoric was not totally untrue, but...

“Everything in this world has meaning. Even when I was alive, the Tragedy had meaning. I hated it, but it was true. Causing a world of infinite chaos just to point out the boredom of a single girl, and the flaws humanity had in complacency....that’s still a meaning! We moved on from that event, and the future was brighter because of it!”

A breath. He hasn’t realized his voice has risen with every second of his reply. “I gave up so much for that future. You can ask the others. I destroyed myself being the world’s saint, something I couldn’t keep doing forever. The world was still uncontrollable, unmoving when it exploited me, and unfair to those I loved. But that doesn’t mean anything I did or anything they did was in vain. I...I wouldn’t be here if they were!”

egg hen and lil egg chicks // accepting

{ 真実 - ルーラー } “Hisashi?”

It was something to be expected, that his son wouldn’t listen to whatever advice had been given to him if it got in the way of his wants. After all, Makoto was really no better, both in life and now. Still, it was just the slightest obstacle that the young boy was trying to see his “father” right now - while cute little Hii-kun didn’t know it, the place they were residing in now took more effort to maintain than it appeared. The amount of mana needed to summon this illusion, and then to hold it together to seem as real as possible...Ruler and Avenger had wanted to avoid the use of such a powerful Noble Phantasm, but in this fool’s mission, they had run out of options. The kids safety had to be ensured, at least for one more night. So for the sake of these boys...he would channel the wishes of all the lost souls following them, always buzzing, always murmuring. Their voices were going to fuel this academy of dreams.

“Is that so?” A tired smile graced the former headmaster’s lips, slowly rising from his desk to greet his son. Hopefully Hisashi didn’t notice that Makoto seemed to have gained a more...fragile appearance, pale hands going to scoop the little boy into loving arms. And despite the distant look in his eyes, he glanced at the other dark-haired male in the room, a single message unspoken: I’m fine. I will be fine.

“I’m happy you like it, it took Papa a lot of work to find this place. I was busy with some work, but how about we go play in that garden for a bit since you’re so eager to?”

the soul’s refrain // accepting

{ 真実 - ルーラー } “...I know I try to have a higher perspective on everything, but you’re right. If you’re not perfect, then there’s absolutely no way that I am.” Now this is new. There was a bit of a fire earlier in Ruler’s eyes as the Saver spoke, but today it faded - normally in this case there would be an argument that ended coldly. It was a bitter image, seeing yourself make similar mistakes - but being called out for those mistakes being present in you too. 

Hollow joy - pretending everything was fine, that you were still the saint-like pillar people could rely on.

Vicious self-hatred - knowing that you weren’t fine, that the grief swallowed you whole, and that despite all those haunted voices, you let everyone down.

“...But what have you learned? I’m curious. I always believed if you could learn something about yourself, anything at all, you could improve. I know what I’m supposed to be doing - I want to hear what you’re going to do too. If...” he follows with a respectful bow. “If that’s not a burden on you, Saver.”