[X] Plan: Furthering the Quintet Agenda
Your conversation with the rest of your team and the Pleiades Saints comes to a close shortly afterwards, and you fall back into the couch of Oriko's living room, sighing to yourself. "How could this have happened," you moan to yourself. "It's not like I'd prefer to be facing Walpurgisnacht again, but… At least then we didn't have to worry about rogue agents selling our families out to her."
"I know," Kirika says. "This whole mess has sucked serious dick, and I can't wait for it to be over."
"Don't be crass," Archer says, flicking Kirika on the ear. "You can express your frustration without being crass about it."
"Nah, she's right," Kyouko says. Archer glares at her, but Kyouko holds fast; she knows he can't punish her. "This whole bullshit mess with Sidonia sucks major donkey balls, and I can't fucking wait fer it ta be over."
"I just hope we'll all be in one piece when that happens," Oriko says. "I have tried to see what I can of our futures, but Sidonia's perception-blocking has made even seeing if any of us survive a difficult task." Oriko purses her lips, and Kirika slips out of Archer's watch to cuddle up beside her girlfriend. "The best we can do is to continue what we're already doing, and hope that we manage to do enough to counter whatever advantages Sidonia has for herself."
"Speaking of advantages," Archer says, "I think we should get Lancer started on making Luck charms as soon as possible, if she hasn't gotten started already."
"Why luck charms?"
"Because we'll need them in case Sidonia decides to have Hans start targeting any of us," Archer says in response to your question. "They'll make us resistant to having our fates altered, which is something Sidonia might try to make him do if she thinks of it." No longer needing them to grab hold of Kirika to admonish her, Archer crosses his arms over his chest, saying "Frankly, the idea of that woman having a servant with a virtual "I win" button at his disposal isn't something I like the idea of. I wish we'd actually had the chance to do something about him earlier."
"We'll manage, Archer," Oriko says. "I'll have Lancer get started on those charms right away. They can't be too difficult, can they?"
"I don't imagine they would be," Archer replies. "But if you need help getting them finished in time, don't hesitate to reach out to Rin or Sakura. I'm sure they'd be willing to help." A sudden flash of inspiration takes over Archer, and he says "Actually, there might be someone else I could reach out to to help, right now. Homura-" You turn to Archer as he addresses you, and he says "Can I borrow your phone for a few minutes?"
"Uh, yeah," you say. "Sure." Your phone is still lying there on the living room table, so you make no motion to retrieve it, letting Archer take it instead. Given your upcoming punishment, you likely won't need to take your phone back from Archer between now and the first of November, so you imagine Archer will be keeping it from this point on.
"What do you need Homura's phone for?" Kirika asks. "You just trying to get started on her punishment a few days early, or what? 'Cause that's not fair if you are-"
While Oriko does what she can to comfort Kirika, keeping her from getting agitated, Archer's response is a single, simple "No," to Kirika. "I've got someone I need to call, and I know Homura has her number. I'll bring it back when I'm done, and she can keep it until her punishment officially starts."
You ere fine with turning your phone over to Archer anyway, but you appreciate Kirika's willingness to stick up for you. "I'm just going to check on Hijiri Kanna," you say, excusing yourself form the living room with a bow. "If anyone wants to come with me, that's fine. I don't imagine we'll have much to talk about, though." You are hoping that Hijiri Kanna is asleep when you arrive. A good night's rest was part of your deal with her, and despite it being more than she deserves, you aren't going to go back on your word.
Oriko gets up, and it looks like she and Kirika will be joining you, but Kyouko decides to excuse herself. "It's been swell," she says, "But I should be getting on. Mami's probably wondering when I'm getting back, and with all this shit going on I don't wanna make her worry any more than she probably already is."
"We'll see you later then, Sakura-san," Oriko says, bidding the redheaded guest farewell. "Stay safe."
Kyouko sees herself out, and you head upstairs. When you first saw Nightingale setting up her operating room, you couldn't believe the way in which she could make a room appear where none had been before. If you weren't already familiar with the concept, you would have not believed it even after seeing it. There is nobody guarding the door when you approach, but you find Minako sitting inside, beside the bed of a sleeping Hijiri Kanna. Her eyes are closed, so you can't see if her eyes look any less blown-out, but the black veins that once crept up her neck have receded, and her breathing is gently and steady. Her platinum-blonde locks, thoroughly washed after her earlier shower, cascade over her shoulder – her missing arm is made all the more obvious by the bandages that poke out from underneath the collar of the shirt – and the chest of a familiar white shirt. Its lettering is obscured, but you can still make out enough of the "Vada a bordo, cazzo!" slogan, and you smile faintly.
Oriko really did lend her something to wear after all.
"How is she?" you ask.
"Sleeping like a baby," Minako replies. She bites her lip, and says "She looks so vulnerable like this. It's so hard to imagine that she's only supposed to be a year older than Kirika."
"Or that she's caused us so much trouble," you add. "Are you watching her to make sure she doesn't run off and cause any more?"
Minako shakes her head. "It crossed my mind, but that's not why I'm here," your mother replies. "It sounds silly of me, but if she wakes up, I just want her to know that someone cared enough about her to watch over her." Your mother purses her lips, and turns her head back towards the sleeping form of Hijiri Kanna. "I know she's caused us so much trouble, but when I see her like this… I am a mother, after all, Homura. I can't just look at a girl who needs help, and do nothing."
"So, you're not going to contribute anything when the subject of how she should be punished comes up, then?"
"Oh, no, you'd better believe I've got some words to give to her parents,' Minako says; "And to the girl who made her. All of them should be ashamed they let things get this far. That doesn't excuse her actions, but it does mean that maybe they should share in some of her punishment." Minako sighs to herself, adding "I just don't think grounding her for an extended period of time is going to solve anything. From everything I've heard, their whole family could use some serious counselling."
You nod your head. The Hijiri parents did little to nothing to help their daughter after the accidental shooting of her friends, and in her desperation to escape her guilt, Hijiri Kanna made a double to live her life in her place. "Their whole family's pretty screwed up," you say. "I just hope the two youngest daughters don't get caught in the middle of this mess."
Minako gestures for you to lean in, and she hugs you. "I'm just glad you and Kirika turned out okay," she says. "Mostly. I mean, you both get in plenty of trouble, and you put yourselves in danger even when I tell you to be safe. But I'm glad neither of you are anything like this one."
"You did a very good job raising Kirika, in spite of all the hardships you faced," you say. "I'm honoured you think I turned out anywhere near as good."
"Nonsense, Homura,' Minako says. "Sure, you didn't come from me, but you're just as much my daughter as Kirika is. So don't talk down to yourself like you're only second-best, because you're not." Minako releases you, quickly planting a kiss on the top of your head before letting you go. "You're both number one in my heart, sweetie."
"I hope you two know we have a patient trying to sleep here." You hadn't even noticed Nurse Ortensia entering the room; she did it so quietly. "So please, keep it down. I'd rather not have to sedate her again just to make sure she sleeps through the night. That would be a real pain."
"Sorry," you say, immediately taking your voice down by several notches. "I only came in to check on how she was resting. I didn't mean to get wrapped up talking to mom."
"No, no, be my guest," Nurse Ortensia says. "It'll just be on my head if I have to sedate her again, that's all. Don't worry about causing little old me any trouble." Under her breath, Nurse Ortensia grumbles "As if that isn't all you girls give me."
You've seen how Hijiri Kanna is doing, so you feel like you can leave her, for now.
Kyouko has left, and Oriko and your daughters have gone upstairs to check on the sleeping little rat. You're not going to wish any further harm on her than what she's already been through – having to lose an arm because it's useless and infecting your entire body with a poisonous corruption doesn't sound like your idea of a fun time – but that doesn't change the fact that you're still furious at Hijiri Kanna for selling your family out to Sidonia.
But you aren't going to worry about that right now. Because right now, you've got a phone call to make, so someone you think will be able to help come the first. So you search for their name under Homura's contact list, and dial the first of two numbers, hoping for a little luck.
*Ring*
*Ring*
*Ring*
"Moshi moshi, Emiya residence."
It's Fuji-nee. Good, you're getting somewhere. "Hi, Taiga, it's Archer – the other Archer, I mean."
"Ooh! The other Archer, you say?" It's only been about a week since the last time you heard Taiga's voice – the last time before this was when you called asked about a number to reach Sakura at; you hope this doesn't become a recurring thing – and she sounds just the same as always. At least someone isn't having their world fall down on their heads. "Well, what can I do for you, then. Huh? Just calling to check on little old me, or is this a business call?"
"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't good to hear your voice again, but no, this is business," you say. "Do you know where Illya is right now?" You had been hoping to wait for the right moment to introduce your daughters to Illya – and to introduce to Illya the fact that she's gained two nieces she never even knew about – but desperate times call for desperate measures. You may have Rin, Sakura, and Rider on your side, but another powerful mage, with another powerful servant, ought to tip the odds just that much more in your favour. "It's… Important."
"Hm… Important, you say? Well, unfortunately she's not here at the moment, but I can give you her cell phone number, if that'll make things easier?"
"Yes, thank you," you say. "Rin only gave me the home number and the number for the Einzbern's Fuyuki mansion. Having her cell number would be great, thank you."
"Not a problem~! Hey, you take care now, you hear?" You laugh; "And hey, what's Sakura up to, anyway? I remember you calling asking about how to get in touch with her about a week ago. Are you putting together like, some kind of reunion or something? 'Cause you could always come home for a bit if you're feeling homesick."
"No, it's nothing of the sort," you respond, though you won't deny that things are shaping up that way regardless. "Just something that's come up recently, that's all. Anyway, it was nice talking to you again, Taiga. Maybe I'll come visit over the holidays, if you're free."
"Oo~h, a chance to meet the infamous other Archer and his family? How could I say no! Please, feel free to come visit any time you like. I'm sure Shirou won't mind if you need to borrow a few rooms around the house. Not like he's ever home to use them…"
"Thank you, Taiga," you say. "I'll definitely keep that in mind."
You and Taiga end your call, but not before she gives you Illya's cell phone number. You make sure to put that number into Homura's contacts as well, and as soon as that's done and taken care of, you breathe in deep. "Well, here goes nothing," you say, as you tell Homura's phone to dial the new number. Your breathing stops as you hold the phone up to your ear; Rin, Sakura, Taiga; sure, you all but abandoned them on your crusade to become a hero of justice, but at least you said goodbye to them before you left. Illya wasn't able to get that from you.
"Illyasviel von Einzbern speaking. Who is this?"
"Illya, it's Archer," you say. "Listen, there's something important I need to talk to you about…"
