[Kojirou, with his uncanny awareness of his surroundings, might realize Medea's found him before she makes herself known. That's not a problem for her, though; she had never intended to hide from him.]
Assassin.
[Her voice rings out mere moments before a spiral of shadows seeps from the ground and twists itself into the all too familiar shape of a woman in a cloak. The witch doesn't bother to put her hood over her face. She would rather not have anything impede her line of sight right now.]
[ Kojirou's not the easiest person to find. Even though he doesn't bother hiding himself, he's still a wanderer who likes hanging out in forests and mountains way too much. This is perhaps, testament to Medea's skill in scrying.
But if the Assassin is shocked, he doesn't show it. ]
I must say I was rather happier a moment ago. To what do I owe the pleasure, Caster?
[ Sarcasm drips from very word as the samurai returns his sword to its scabbard, the time for training apparently over now that he has a guest. ]
I have been considering something very carefully. Honestly, I wasn't sure if approaching you would even be worth the effort.
[She leans back and crosses her ankles, seated comfortably on the air itself.]
But you crossed a line you should never have dared to. A nameless, third-rate apparition has no business laying his hands on a princess, and I intend to sear that lesson into your very being.
[Medea's feelings about her past, and her past self, are bitter and complicated. They may as well be two different people. But if that's the case, then even if she's already committed unspeakable acts for Jason, even if much of her innocence has already been ungraciously stripped from her by the whims of a goddess, the youthful princess of Colchis hasn't yet fallen into the despair that defines Medea, the witch. Sentimentality like this is only going to be a problem in the long run, but...if it's within her power, Medea wants to protect that fleeting, gentle happiness.
But, as always, it seems like she's failed. And, as always, she's chosen vengeance instead.]
[ The sword is slung over his shoulder, and Kojirou nods in acknowledgement. He certainly remembers how he embraced the younger version of Medea, pushed her against a wall and left her panting in his arms. ]
She was certainly too good for a ruffian like me, but is it not the essence of heroism to reach beyond one's means?
[ Even if he isn't much of a hero. ]
Mmn, and as I recall, she wanted to hold me too. I certainly didn't force myself onto her.
[ Even if he was pretty aggressive. Blame the cruise ship magic. ]
But well, even if we are no longer bound by a contract, I can hardly stop you from enacting your petty vengeance. I have no intentions of playing along either, but I can't change how you feel.
[ He shrugs, and makes to leave. He can't stop her from trying to kick his ass, but he's not going to roll over and let it happen. ]
[With a wave of her hand, Medea conjures a group of dragon tooth warriors, which move to encircle Kojirou.]
Would you care to explain to me what exactly is heroic about taking advantage of a naive child?!
[She'd have been angry regardless of who it was. But because it was the man who used to be her Servant, because of all the people in this land it was the single most humiliating possibility, Medea is furious. Her anger hasn't burned this hot since before her death.]
[ Kojirou finds himself readying his long sword, the presence of the dragon tooth warriors making it clear that he's not going to slip away into the night this time.
He could probably defeat any number of these monsters, the skeletal familiars hardly a match for his swordplay, but with Caster right behind them? Perhaps it might be best to try to defuse the situation. ]
It would certainly not be terribly heroic to do such a thing, but I didn't see a child before me. I saw a beautiful flower already in full bloom. She did say herself that she was already married, I would hardly consider that a child.
What you saw was an opportunity to get back at me. It's almost enough to make me admire the sheer gall it must have taken, knowing what kind of woman I am.
[And it clearly worked. Even so long after it happened, she's out for Kojirou's blood.]
...But perhaps, after being free from my Command Seals for so long, you've forgotten...? In that case, let me remind you.
[The air itself around her warps, and her skeletal minions must easily number close to a hundred by now.]
I am not a woman who will allow herself to be slighted.
[From a distance, someone could easily mistake what Medea unleashes for a fireworks display. Rays of light rain down upon the ground, and though several of her own soldiers are brought down in the attack, it's a simple matter to conjure more.
There's just a wide enough berth between them for Kojirou to dodge them - to Medea, this is little more than the aperitif, a game of cat and mouse to entertain herself before the real game begins.]
You think a little too highly of yourself. I don't need anything as petty as revenge to embrace a beautiful woman.
[ Of course, the sweet thrill of vengeance helps. Kojirou might be more similar to Medea than he cares the admit in that sense. Especially when he's spouting shit for the sole purpose of pissing the Caster off.
He doesn't have that much time to be coming up with any more witticisms, however, as skeletal monsters and beams home in on him on all sides. His swordplay may be immaculate, and he may be impossibly quick on his feet, but that's just the bare minimum necessary to survive such an onslaught.
Dodge a blast to his left, cut down a soldier to his right, pounce forward, grab a skeleton by the collar and toss it into the path of an incoming spell. It all comes out as a frenzy of motion, as Kojirou takes advantage of that berth he's given to get as far away from Medea as possible.
Can he really get away if she found him up here though? Besides, he can't fly. Alas, if only he had a higher rank in Presence Concealment. ]
[All at once, the onslaught of magic stops, and even the soldiers come to a halt.]
That's far enough. I'd hate to have this end on such an impersonal note, especially after all the attention you gave to the princess.
[She lands daintily just outside the ring of skeletons, enshrouds herself in her cloak, and melts into the shadows.
When she reemerges, it's directly in front of Kojirou, hand outstretched. She might not be able to use any Command Seals on him anymore, but she doesn't need something like that to rip his chest open with her magic.
[ Were Kojirou a little more skilled, he might have been able to cut through the tension he felt when the attacks stopped with his sword. Caster is hardly one to give up on her revenge, and stopping the endless barrage of magic and minions can only be the prelude to something worse.
Turns out he's exactly right.
It's a distressingly familiar feeling, lying on his back, facing the sky, feeling the wind whistle past his bones. He's still alive, somehow, though his flesh has been torn from his bones, his ribcage pried open and pointing at unnatural angles, resembling nothing more than the dragon teeth Medea so casually uses.
His heart is still beating somehow. The mercy of his Servant's body keeps him from dying so easily, and the cruelty of Medea's magic has no intention of anything as easy as simply dying. Hanging perilously in the centre of his open chest cavity by his arteries even as the rest of his chest is a mess of exploded flesh. ]
Ah... I liked that haori...
[ But despite all that, Kojirou remains defiant, not letting his fear show. Surely his greatest worry is the dry cleaning bill, because who's going to wash the guts off now? ]
This look suits you much better...but if it bothers you that much, I can always make you a new one.
[Probably not a good move, given her history of fatal garments.
Medea takes a moment to wipe the blood off her cheek, regarding her gloved hand with distaste.]
...This is where I would leave, were this merely a case of insubordination, but it seems a stubborn one like yourself requires a more direct approach. Do your best to stay still.
[With that same hand, she casually reaches into Kojirou's chest cavity, trailing her fingertips along the arteries, pausing as she reaches his heart.]
Good, it's still intact. How are you faring, Assassin? Do tell me if you feel yourself fading.
[Though with his heart literally in her hands like this, it would be easy to tell anyway.]
Any clothes made by your blood-soaked fingers would smell, so I'll pass.
[ Just a little bit of venom in his words. A bit. Kojirou remains defiant despite the hopelessness of his situation. It's the only thing he can possibly do. In the face of impossible odds, confronted with only despair, all he can do is meet it with what weapons he does have left.
Too bad he can't cut people with his razor wit. ]
Don't worry, I have no intention of fading. Certainly not where you can see me.
[ Small blessings that there are no nerve endings on his insides, so he can't actually feel Caster fiddling with his heart.
No, just burning pain because his chest has been pried open by magic. No big deal. ]
In that, it seems we are not so different. A swordsman who for all his skill couldn't achieve anything, and a witch who for all her magic was just the plaything of the gods.
[ Kojirou leans back in the dirt, listening to his heartbeat slowly turn to nothing as Medea holds it tighter. He hopes he's not turning blue in the face because his blood isn't flowing properly. That would be embarrassing. ]
When you were my Master, I would have done it without a second thought. You were standing in the way of my freedom, after all. Now though...
[ He has to think for a moment. Does he still have it in him to do it? He's never been squeamish about killing, but there's a code to how it's done, isn't there? And besides... ]
There's no need. I think your heart was crushed long before I arrived.
Even now, your impertinence astounds me. Don't you know when to lower your head and give a proper answer?
[It takes a remarkable amount of restraint not to completely crush Kojirou's heart in that instant, but somehow she manages. In spite of what Medea sees as many flaws with him, he's a clever man. He must realize at this point that he's only digging himself into an even deeper hole; the fact that he doesn't hesitate to do it anyway only makes her angrier.]
Hahaha, I'm afraid my head is already in the dirt, I can hardly lower it further. My life is already in your hands, surely you can allow me what little amusement I have left.
[ Amusement, like simply telling Caster the truth and watching her react. Because he can. Because though he has no power over her, he can still watch her anger build with no way to release it.
His body has already been destroyed, his heart literally in her hands, what else could she come up with to punish him? And what does a man with nothing left to lose have to fear? ]
The only one to get any amusement out of this will be me, Assassin.
[She carefully places his heart back inside his chest. She'll get back to that a little later.]
And that means I can't have you dying on me until I tire of you. If I were still your Master, it would be easy enough to give you the mana you need to survive this kind of wound...
[She takes a moment to adjust herself so she's straddling him, hips flush against his, picks a splintered piece of rib out of her hair.]
...But I'll need to improvise this time. You've no objections, right? Seeing as this is exactly what brought about our situation in the first place...
And thank the heavens for these small mercies. I couldn't imagine being called once more to be under your command.
[ The Assassin tries to laugh but just coughs, bringing a splatter of red to his lips. No matter how strong his spiritual core is, he simply wouldn't be long for this world, at least under usual circumstances.
But even the weary and wounded Kojirou manages to quirk an eyebrow in surprise when she sits down on him, seemingly unconcerned by the fact that he's bleeding everywhere and that they're supposed to hate each other. ]
Ah... This is certainly not who I expected the last lady I embraced would be... But I suppose you're still a flower, in some fashion.
[How many times does she need to tell him to shut his foolish mouth?
Then again, she supposes that kind of reaction is exactly what he's angling for, and she doesn't want to give him the satisfaction. Still, she isn't unbothered by his comment - the way her eyes narrow even as she grinds down on his hips is enough to give her annoyance away.]
Don't worry. I will do everything in my power to ensure your experience is far from an enjoyable one.
[After all, as long as she's supplying him with mana...as long as there's a surplus, it's fine to do whatever she wants. So while she can't do anything flashy, she can reach back into his chest cavity and root around until she finds what she's looking for.
Casters are among the least powerful Servants, but even someone with a low Strength stat will be able to bend a fractured rib enough to snap it in two.]
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timeasmymeasure
guess you'd better set up your inbox, it's chestbursting time
Date: 2017-09-17 07:30 am (UTC)Assassin.
[Her voice rings out mere moments before a spiral of shadows seeps from the ground and twists itself into the all too familiar shape of a woman in a cloak. The witch doesn't bother to put her hood over her face. She would rather not have anything impede her line of sight right now.]
Are you enjoying yourself this evening?
[The smile on her face doesn't reach her eyes.]
that would require me to not be lazy
Date: 2017-09-17 03:15 pm (UTC)But if the Assassin is shocked, he doesn't show it. ]
I must say I was rather happier a moment ago. To what do I owe the pleasure, Caster?
[ Sarcasm drips from very word as the samurai returns his sword to its scabbard, the time for training apparently over now that he has a guest. ]
no subject
Date: 2017-09-17 04:03 pm (UTC)[She leans back and crosses her ankles, seated comfortably on the air itself.]
But you crossed a line you should never have dared to. A nameless, third-rate apparition has no business laying his hands on a princess, and I intend to sear that lesson into your very being.
[Medea's feelings about her past, and her past self, are bitter and complicated. They may as well be two different people. But if that's the case, then even if she's already committed unspeakable acts for Jason, even if much of her innocence has already been ungraciously stripped from her by the whims of a goddess, the youthful princess of Colchis hasn't yet fallen into the despair that defines Medea, the witch. Sentimentality like this is only going to be a problem in the long run, but...if it's within her power, Medea wants to protect that fleeting, gentle happiness.
But, as always, it seems like she's failed. And, as always, she's chosen vengeance instead.]
no subject
Date: 2017-09-17 05:52 pm (UTC)[ The sword is slung over his shoulder, and Kojirou nods in acknowledgement. He certainly remembers how he embraced the younger version of Medea, pushed her against a wall and left her panting in his arms. ]
She was certainly too good for a ruffian like me, but is it not the essence of heroism to reach beyond one's means?
[ Even if he isn't much of a hero. ]
Mmn, and as I recall, she wanted to hold me too. I certainly didn't force myself onto her.
[ Even if he was pretty aggressive. Blame the cruise ship magic. ]
But well, even if we are no longer bound by a contract, I can hardly stop you from enacting your petty vengeance. I have no intentions of playing along either, but I can't change how you feel.
[ He shrugs, and makes to leave. He can't stop her from trying to kick his ass, but he's not going to roll over and let it happen. ]
no subject
Date: 2017-09-17 11:22 pm (UTC)[With a wave of her hand, Medea conjures a group of dragon tooth warriors, which move to encircle Kojirou.]
Would you care to explain to me what exactly is heroic about taking advantage of a naive child?!
[She'd have been angry regardless of who it was. But because it was the man who used to be her Servant, because of all the people in this land it was the single most humiliating possibility, Medea is furious. Her anger hasn't burned this hot since before her death.]
no subject
Date: 2017-09-18 04:54 pm (UTC)[ Kojirou finds himself readying his long sword, the presence of the dragon tooth warriors making it clear that he's not going to slip away into the night this time.
He could probably defeat any number of these monsters, the skeletal familiars hardly a match for his swordplay, but with Caster right behind them? Perhaps it might be best to try to defuse the situation. ]
It would certainly not be terribly heroic to do such a thing, but I didn't see a child before me. I saw a beautiful flower already in full bloom. She did say herself that she was already married, I would hardly consider that a child.
[ Or not. ]
no subject
Date: 2017-09-20 12:59 am (UTC)[And it clearly worked. Even so long after it happened, she's out for Kojirou's blood.]
...But perhaps, after being free from my Command Seals for so long, you've forgotten...? In that case, let me remind you.
[The air itself around her warps, and her skeletal minions must easily number close to a hundred by now.]
I am not a woman who will allow herself to be slighted.
[From a distance, someone could easily mistake what Medea unleashes for a fireworks display. Rays of light rain down upon the ground, and though several of her own soldiers are brought down in the attack, it's a simple matter to conjure more.
There's just a wide enough berth between them for Kojirou to dodge them - to Medea, this is little more than the aperitif, a game of cat and mouse to entertain herself before the real game begins.]
no subject
Date: 2017-09-20 09:15 am (UTC)[ Of course, the sweet thrill of vengeance helps. Kojirou might be more similar to Medea than he cares the admit in that sense. Especially when he's spouting shit for the sole purpose of pissing the Caster off.
He doesn't have that much time to be coming up with any more witticisms, however, as skeletal monsters and beams home in on him on all sides. His swordplay may be immaculate, and he may be impossibly quick on his feet, but that's just the bare minimum necessary to survive such an onslaught.
Dodge a blast to his left, cut down a soldier to his right, pounce forward, grab a skeleton by the collar and toss it into the path of an incoming spell. It all comes out as a frenzy of motion, as Kojirou takes advantage of that berth he's given to get as far away from Medea as possible.
Can he really get away if she found him up here though? Besides, he can't fly. Alas, if only he had a higher rank in Presence Concealment. ]
no subject
Date: 2017-09-20 05:17 pm (UTC)That's far enough. I'd hate to have this end on such an impersonal note, especially after all the attention you gave to the princess.
[She lands daintily just outside the ring of skeletons, enshrouds herself in her cloak, and melts into the shadows.
When she reemerges, it's directly in front of Kojirou, hand outstretched. She might not be able to use any Command Seals on him anymore, but she doesn't need something like that to rip his chest open with her magic.
It's not quite as cathartic this time.]
yeah this is gross you've been warned
Date: 2017-09-20 06:59 pm (UTC)Turns out he's exactly right.
It's a distressingly familiar feeling, lying on his back, facing the sky, feeling the wind whistle past his bones. He's still alive, somehow, though his flesh has been torn from his bones, his ribcage pried open and pointing at unnatural angles, resembling nothing more than the dragon teeth Medea so casually uses.
His heart is still beating somehow. The mercy of his Servant's body keeps him from dying so easily, and the cruelty of Medea's magic has no intention of anything as easy as simply dying. Hanging perilously in the centre of his open chest cavity by his arteries even as the rest of his chest is a mess of exploded flesh. ]
Ah... I liked that haori...
[ But despite all that, Kojirou remains defiant, not letting his fear show. Surely his greatest worry is the dry cleaning bill, because who's going to wash the guts off now? ]
^q^
Date: 2017-09-20 08:54 pm (UTC)[Probably not a good move, given her history of fatal garments.
Medea takes a moment to wipe the blood off her cheek, regarding her gloved hand with distaste.]
...This is where I would leave, were this merely a case of insubordination, but it seems a stubborn one like yourself requires a more direct approach. Do your best to stay still.
[With that same hand, she casually reaches into Kojirou's chest cavity, trailing her fingertips along the arteries, pausing as she reaches his heart.]
Good, it's still intact. How are you faring, Assassin? Do tell me if you feel yourself fading.
[Though with his heart literally in her hands like this, it would be easy to tell anyway.]
no subject
Date: 2017-10-01 06:04 pm (UTC)[ Just a little bit of venom in his words. A bit. Kojirou remains defiant despite the hopelessness of his situation. It's the only thing he can possibly do. In the face of impossible odds, confronted with only despair, all he can do is meet it with what weapons he does have left.
Too bad he can't cut people with his razor wit. ]
Don't worry, I have no intention of fading. Certainly not where you can see me.
[ Small blessings that there are no nerve endings on his insides, so he can't actually feel Caster fiddling with his heart.
No, just burning pain because his chest has been pried open by magic. No big deal. ]
no subject
Date: 2017-11-12 03:50 am (UTC)[She gently squeezes his heart, just enough to feel it resist her grip.]
...If you were in my position, would you crush it? My heart.
[Her tone is thoughtful, as though she doesn't already know the answer.]
no subject
Date: 2017-11-12 04:06 am (UTC)[ Kojirou leans back in the dirt, listening to his heartbeat slowly turn to nothing as Medea holds it tighter. He hopes he's not turning blue in the face because his blood isn't flowing properly. That would be embarrassing. ]
When you were my Master, I would have done it without a second thought. You were standing in the way of my freedom, after all. Now though...
[ He has to think for a moment. Does he still have it in him to do it? He's never been squeamish about killing, but there's a code to how it's done, isn't there? And besides... ]
There's no need. I think your heart was crushed long before I arrived.
no subject
Date: 2017-11-18 03:09 pm (UTC)[It takes a remarkable amount of restraint not to completely crush Kojirou's heart in that instant, but somehow she manages. In spite of what Medea sees as many flaws with him, he's a clever man. He must realize at this point that he's only digging himself into an even deeper hole; the fact that he doesn't hesitate to do it anyway only makes her angrier.]
no subject
Date: 2017-11-18 07:45 pm (UTC)[ Amusement, like simply telling Caster the truth and watching her react. Because he can. Because though he has no power over her, he can still watch her anger build with no way to release it.
His body has already been destroyed, his heart literally in her hands, what else could she come up with to punish him? And what does a man with nothing left to lose have to fear? ]
3000 years later
Date: 2018-06-06 04:23 am (UTC)[She carefully places his heart back inside his chest. She'll get back to that a little later.]
And that means I can't have you dying on me until I tire of you. If I were still your Master, it would be easy enough to give you the mana you need to survive this kind of wound...
[She takes a moment to adjust herself so she's straddling him, hips flush against his, picks a splintered piece of rib out of her hair.]
...But I'll need to improvise this time. You've no objections, right? Seeing as this is exactly what brought about our situation in the first place...
no subject
Date: 2018-06-17 04:51 pm (UTC)[ The Assassin tries to laugh but just coughs, bringing a splatter of red to his lips. No matter how strong his spiritual core is, he simply wouldn't be long for this world, at least under usual circumstances.
But even the weary and wounded Kojirou manages to quirk an eyebrow in surprise when she sits down on him, seemingly unconcerned by the fact that he's bleeding everywhere and that they're supposed to hate each other. ]
Ah... This is certainly not who I expected the last lady I embraced would be... But I suppose you're still a flower, in some fashion.
no subject
Date: 2018-08-02 10:32 pm (UTC)Then again, she supposes that kind of reaction is exactly what he's angling for, and she doesn't want to give him the satisfaction. Still, she isn't unbothered by his comment - the way her eyes narrow even as she grinds down on his hips is enough to give her annoyance away.]
Don't worry. I will do everything in my power to ensure your experience is far from an enjoyable one.
[After all, as long as she's supplying him with mana...as long as there's a surplus, it's fine to do whatever she wants. So while she can't do anything flashy, she can reach back into his chest cavity and root around until she finds what she's looking for.
Casters are among the least powerful Servants, but even someone with a low Strength stat will be able to bend a fractured rib enough to snap it in two.]