One Shackle (backdated to Tuesday)

[godlyreigns]

I - [action for 769 Bunker]

[Rider was instantly on edge. Feeling no connection to Sakura, and waking up next to a strange man probably did the trick. So the instant she regains full consciousness, she springs out of bed.]

[a) Jonathan - your new notwaifu has acquired a kitchen cleaver and is pointing it at you.] Answers. Now. What have you done with me? Where is my Master?

[b) Sealand - your notmom is padding around the house, wearily. When she sees you, wherever you are, she stops and looks quizzical.] Are you the one they think is my son?

II - [phone - morning]

[Rider's voice is calm, but has an edge of intense worry and anxiety.] Is someone named Sakura Matou in this town? I must find her, immediately.

III - [florists - the next afternoon]

[She'd gotten a call the previous day, asking why she hadn't come in for work at the flower shop. So, dutifully, she'd went there. However, she looks ridiculously uncertain. Her steps have a certain tentative air to them, and she looks like she's not even sure she's in the right building.]

Ah...hello? Does anyone work here...?

[If you happen to be going there for whatever reason, feel free to bump into the confused lady who knows nothing about her job :<]

Comments

II

[ex_seventh238]

...You're looking for Matou-san. [But if that's the case...] Rider?

[godlyreigns]

Yes. [A pause.] My apologies, but if we've spoken before, I do not remember.

[ex_seventh238]

I see... [A small sigh before the voice resumes, and you can hear the sympathetic smile.] That's okay, Rider. Rather, I should be the one to apologize to you, since it must be destabilizing to suddenly arrive here, separated from your Master and being recognized by people you don't ever recall previously speaking to before. But yes, that is the case; you and Matou-san were here before, and I knew you both. To answer your question, Matou-san isn't here anymore. Not even her drone remains; I do pray that she has been returned safely and rightfully to her world, by Emiya-kun's side. That said, my name is Ciel; it's nice to meet you again, even if the circumstances aren't the most favorable.

[godlyreigns]

[Rider pauses for the longest time, almost as if the feed has just been disconnected.]

Thank you.

[ex_seventh238]

Aha... [feels like a derp]

You're welcome, but... Was that too much? I'm sorry. I'll slow down, if I inadvertently just confused you more...

[godlyreigns]

No, I am fine.

Thank you for the honest explanation, is what I meant.

[ex_seventh238]

Oh, that's a relief to hear!... [And she does sigh too, proving that she has sort of been holding her breath.] That said, do you have any more questions about this place? Other Masters and Servants are also here. You may prefer to hear explanations from more familiar faces, but I'd like to extend the offer too, now or later if you'd like to meet in person. About the town, or about Matou-san and you the last time you were both in Mayfield.

[godlyreigns]

I think I would like to hear. [A pause.] If you would. About when Sakura and I were last here...

[ex_seventh238]

Mm. [Her tone seems to grow more quiet.] You must have noticed how the town forces everyone into fake families, assigning parent or child slots generally depending on the individual's physical age, right?

[godlyreigns]

So I have.

[ex_seventh238]

...Mm.

[It does occur to her, why is she telling Rider this? She knows Rider is Sakura's guardian Servant and close friend, but even given that tie, there's no need for her to babble on about her own relationship that she shared with Sakura during the 6 months or so of her stay in Mayfield.

...Ah. She does miss her a bit, doesn't she?]

Matou-san was my assigned daughter, from when she first arrived here early December last year up until when she left in late June. You weren't present at first, arriving later, though I admit it's the reason why I knew her rather well. You are her Servant and a very dear friend, so we have also spoken quite a bit during your previous stay. ...There were some difficulties because the Emiya-kun from back then wasn't from her timeline, coming from a Grail War with a different outcome. While that changed later with that Emiya-kun's droning, shortly followed by his re-awakening but with memories matching Matou-san's this time, we were trying to get her to value herself more and smile for her own sake, not just for Emiya-kun's, when both of them became droned at around the same time. ...Does that make sense? [Oh right she hasn't explained the ALTERNATE REALITIES of the same world yet... ;; whelp well Rider can ask if any part was too confusing to follow without further context...]

[godlyreigns]

No, it does.

By different timelines, do you mean the work of Second Magic? Rin questioned me to make sure our memories matched...

[ex_seventh238]

Yes, something to that effect! It's good to hear that you've also gotten in contact with Tohsaka-san already, she could also certainly tell you more about this town and answer any further questions that you may have. I've never been to Fuyuki City, but I have heard of it. We're from the same overarching world, so that helped me understand Matou-san's situation better too, when she first arrived. Are you from the same timeline as her, then?

[godlyreigns]

Yes, she and a friend have explained a great deal.

[The overarching world thing catches her attention.]

What city do you come from, then?

[ex_seventh238]

That's a relief, but please still take your time and go at your own pace. Even with the presence of friends, this place isn't always easy to adjust to. I'm from Misaki City, also in Japan. [Well okay no not totally true but not a lie either.] I don't think that the town is very popular though, so you may not have heard of it?

[godlyreigns]

Ah, no. I have not.

[ex_seventh238]

It's normal, so please don't let that be a point of concern to you. I'm just glad it made things easier, to understand Matou-san and do what I could for her situation. [She's obviously speaking quite warmly about the purple-haired girl. Then again, 6 months is a considerable stretch of time when living under the same roof.] ...This probably sounds silly, and I do apologize if it's a bit forward, but it's partially why I'd like to extend to you again, the same of what I already have offered you once before. If you have any further questions or would need help for anything at all, I would be happy to try answering or hear you out. I can also heal and fight, so that may also be of some support?

[godlyreigns]

Thank you. But only until I regain what I need. [Or in Riderspeak, 'I'll accept your help, sure, but when I get my powers back kthx for the help bye.']