driftfleet | (no subject)

Hermione!

[Caster bounces up on her toes to give a cheerful wave. (How she can manage to balance like that on three-inch platform sandals is perhaps a mystery best left for another time.)

But, all things considered... She's not entirely sure why Hermione's approaching. They're friends, of course. Maybe she just wanted to say hi? After all, taking a Servant is important, and something that requires careful thought. Would Hermione really have come up with her answer that quickly? (Probably, if her instincts are right, watching how she grips that ring. But if she's wrong, pushing the matter won't help anyone.]

Oh, my, you came all this way just to see me? Ah, I'm so happy~!

Caster -

[ All Hermione can do is smile, fighting her laugh, and she knows she's made the right choice. This isn't a Servant that's going to leave her feeling uncomfortable or out of place like Saber did, nor someone that she thinks she won't get along with. This is a Servant that needs someone for mana, for energy, and Hermione can give it to her, be a friend and a Partner and everything between the two extremes because she can see the happiness in the way the other woman greets her, the way that she bounces and smiles, and it's enough.

When she goes back to the Drabwurld things will be different, she knows that, but for now - she can give Caster this, and she can find someone she can trust, someone she can rely on, and she believes in that. She understands what it means to be a Master, after all - how many other people on the fleet might have that kind of empathy? ]

Of course I came to see you. I wanted to tell you that... That if you still wanted me I'd be your Master.

Eh-

[The gasp of surprise escapes her almost before she notices. She had been aware, of course, that that was what seemed likely, but to know it's likely and to hear it happen are two different things. (And, after the life of Tamamo-no-Mae, she couldn't help but be wary- Even when things seem to be at their best, the chance is always there for humans to decide she is simply not worth it.

She recovers quickly enough, ears standing straight up, and tail pointed up after them.]

I'm happy to hear that, but... Are you sure? This is a really big deal, after all, and you can't take it back later if you change your mind!

I'm sure.

[ She shifts, standing up a little taller, determined and not tearing her gaze away with her own nerves. ]

The reason I became a Master in the Drabwurld was because a friend needed me. He needed someone to take care of him, just like I needed someone to take care of me, and I was happy to do that for him. He might not have needed the mana that I could give him, but it was nice for us both to have someone to lean on, to reach out for when we were afraid or uncertain. That's why I was happy to be his Master, because I knew that we would be good to each other.

[ Hand falling away from Gilgamesh's ring, Hermione touches the marks on her hand absently. ]

I want to be your Master because I can help you, and because I know that you need it, but more importantly? I know that we could be good friends, too, and - and I don't want you to suffer being stuck to someone who doesn't understand what it means to have a Servant, what it means to have them with you and to take care of them.

[Well. With a speech like that, Caster can only sit in stunned silence, a slow blush creeping through her features, ending up spreading all the way back to the tips of her human ears. And possibly her fox ears, too, but who can tell for sure there?

Even after Hermione finishes, there's a pause as Caster tries to compose herself...]

[And then she remembers, oh right, she's Caster. Who needs composure?

She jumps for joy, and then straight-up throws herself at Hermione to hug her, her tail wagging about behind her excitedly.]

Ahh, I knew I was making the right choice! You're my savior, Master!

[ Hermione squeaks a noise, almost tumbling back before her arms reach up to wrap around Caster, huffing out a little noise before she smiles and adjusts her weight so she can hold the other woman properly. Her embrace is gentle, and her hand rests on the arch of Caster's spine before she fights her little laugh. ]

I don't know if I'd go as far as to say saviour, but...

[ Leaning back, she looks at Caster with a smile. ]

And you don't have to call me Master, even when the contract is done. Just Hermione is fine.

[As Hermione catches her, the one thing she might notice is that Caster is actually really light. Her clothes, her ribbon in her hair, even the way she holds her ears and tail, are all carefully designed to make her appear much bigger than she is, but once they're in close contact like that, it's much easier to tell just how small and light, and honestly fragile-looking she seems.

(And not just looking- She is incredibly fragile... for a Servant. Which is still infinitely beyond any human.)]

Nonsense! I was nearing my limit, you know? You really are saving me!

Hm... If you don't like Master, then what about 'Husband'? Ah, I said it! ♥

[ It just confirms to her the knowledge that she made the right choice, letting herself hold onto Caster and not worry about what might happen other than this; sharing something and helping someone she thinks she might really, really enjoy getting to know be safer and stronger. Relaxing, she tilts her head and watches her for a moment before she fights her smile, shaking her head and reaching to find Caster's hand for a moment, squeezing gently. ]

That doesn't make me a saviour just yet, not really.

[ Modesty comes easy to her and it's not false at all; it's just something that comes without her pausing to think. Caster's next words do make her stop, though, and heat floods her cheeks before she coughs. ]

I - I don't think husband quite fits either. Just - name?

[She can't stop herself from giggling at that reaction- Not that she's making any effort to, either.]

Hehee, what a cute reaction! I'm looking forward to our partnership ♥

[She does become a bit more subdued, though there is a faint smile playing at her lips as she considers.]

Ah, yes, that's right... Names. That is something important...

[ Hermione shakes her head, cheeks still a little pink. ]

Honestly...

[ But at least she's smiling and, stepping forward, she reaches out to take Caster's hand in her own. ]

I know your real name is important to you and it's important to the contract, too. If you want I can use a spell so I can't hear your true name when you say it?

[There is a huge, beaming smile as Hermione takes Caster's hand, but it becomes more subdued again at the subject matter.]

... No, it is all right. Rather... Continuing to hide my name could have a negative effect on our relationship. Since my name will inevitably be discovered anyway, I would rather be the one to say it.

Then we can talk about it.

[ Hermione wants Caster to be comfortable, and it's obvious from how she holds herself, her smile soft and settled in place. ]

Shall we do this, then?

Let's! ... Ah, although, perhaps we should find a more private place for it?

That's probably a good idea.

[ Not that there are many private places on the fleet, but... ]

You can decide. Where would you like to go?

Then, allow me to lead the way!

[She starts walking, though without letting go of Hermione's hand, tugging her along. They'll end up at one of the empty, unused rooms, the kind with thick walls, no windows, a door to be shut behind them, and honestly not that much space.

And Caster will finally let go of her, to start placing ofuda periodically along the walls.]

There. That should help a little bit!

[ Hermione has never seen an ofuda before and she watches with interest as Caster places them around, curious but not wanting to break the moment. Last time she had formed a contract it had been in the comfort of home with nothing to worry about - not on the middle of a ship in the midst of a fleet of people she barely knew with memories that haunted her.

Still, she smiles, turning back to look at Caster, nodding her head and squeezing her hand, not really wanting to let go and quick to take her hand back as soon as it's free. ]

Perfect.

[ It's the best they're going to get, given their situation. ]

Are you sure you're ready?

I am, whenever you're willing to start! It's a low-rank, temporary version of Territory Creation, but at the very least, it should block scrying or eavesdropping.

[She's not sure how the Atroma watch everyone, but she's hoping her magecraft will disrupt or block it for now in here.]

You can begin whenever!

I think it'll be enough for now. It's as close to completely private as we're going to get here.

[ But now it's time to start, and Hermione breathes out a soft noise. She remembers how she did this with Diarmuid, and it's a little harder here without her shard to guide her - but she does it. She finds the spot of magic inside of her, as present as it ever was, and she reaches out with it, offering it for Caster to take, for their bond to form. She imagines it as something real, an actual rope that Caster can hold onto, and it strikes her for a moment before she tilts her head and closes her eyes.

This is intense, and remarkable, and real, and her fear is mingled up with a delight she can't hide. ]

[Caster is a bit of an oddity among Heroic Spirits. Strictly speaking, she should either be a Divine Spirit or an evil one, but she willingly cut off eight of her tails and lowered herself to a Heroic Spirit state in order to be able to be summoned. And in life, as Tamamo, she was never capable of any magecraft- In fact, she never used magic at all until she realized she was a fox, and that was shortly before she died. And since her fox skills, Shapeshifting and Witchcraft, are mostly sealed off, only allowing for the lowest rank of her Witchcraft, most of her abilities are more akin to a cheat, twisting the rules of the Caster class into a way that is comfortable for her to allow her spells based on her nature as part of Amaterasu.

Due to her unorthodox methods, she doesn't do anything like simply reach out with her own prana to form the connection, or use the ritual's words. Instead, she leans forward, getting on her toes, and touches her hand to Hermione, physically touching the abstract rope of magic, connecting it to herself.

There are a thousand reasons as to why that should not work, and yet she doesn't seem to mind, because it just did work anyway, and she can feel the prana flowing through her. A... rather incredible amount, actually. Isn't this more than Twice and Hakuno put together?]

Complete! Contract established, and all parameters ranked up! You never said you were this strong as a magus!

[Normally, the contract should require a question to confirm Hermione as her Master. But who needs to pay attention to the rules when she can make it work anyway?

Her excitement, and affection, can both be felt strongly through that new bond.]

[ It's vastly different from her bond with Diarmuid; they had given into that one easily and she had ended up falling into his thoughts and memories, sharing something hard and dangerous to look at before they'd settled into each other. It's different but she can feel the aftereffects in a similar way, the bond she now shares with a Servant and the intensity of it, knowing that someone else can pick up on her thoughts and her feelings, knowing that Caster will come to her side if she needs it and vice versa; they're stronger together, even if it's going to take a little bit of time for the two of them to get used to what it means to be bound, to be united as Servant and Master.

Caster's touch is enough to snap Hermione out of her own thoughts and she blinks, rapidly, before she turns her head and looks over at the other woman. It's so, so different but it's good and familiar as well, Hermione breathing out a soft noise before she relaxes and leans back, something soft overcoming her. It's a little awkward because she had expected some things she'd known before, the question and answer and the promises, but if this is how it works for Caster then she isn't going to complain.

It's not as though she's an expert in being a Master, after all. Just... Familiar. ]

I didn't realise I was that strong.

[ No matter what Gilgamesh or Diarmuid said. The burn on her hand is incredibly familiar, though, and Hermione's eyes dart down to look at her Commands with trepidation. Seeing that the markings are the same three familiar bright red spots makes her breathe out and relax and she calms, touching them gently. Even though she is contracted to Caster there's still a hint of her relationship with Diarmuid and she's glad she hasn't lost it. ]

You're... So happy.

You are definitely strong! This is the absolute limit of Tamamo's power as a one-tail! Any more and I'd ascend beyond a Servant!

[She giggles to herself, tail wagging around behind her. She doesn't seem to care about that name she just very casually dropped, and in fact she seems even happier now that she's said it.]

Of course I'm happy. After all, this is Tamamo's wish being granted, like this!

Tamamo. [ That must be her name, and Hermione softens as she hears it. She can see the happiness, feel it through their new bond, and she softens as she reaches out to hold onto her Servant, expression tender. ]

You told me your name. You should hear about mine.

[ Because she isn't just Hermione anymore, and she breathes out. ]

I'm Hermione Granger. I was Marchioness of the White Citadel, a tower of defence against the Unseelie that wanted to attack us. I was Lioness Courant, Sorceress and Protectress of Caer Glaem and Master to Diarmuid ua Duibhne. Anything else you want to know... Well.

[ She lifts her hand, touching her head. ]

It's there, I suppose.

Oh? Oho, my Master is a big shot, hmm? Well, such dramatics are not your humble Tamamo's normal style, but I suppose I must return the favor.

[She has a broad smile, that never wavers, even as she continues. And her happiness doesn't abate at all.]

My name is Tamamo-no-Mae. Though I am a Heroic Spirit, I am classed as an Anti-Hero. If you look at legends, you won't find a single positive anecdote anywhere... Well, the legends passed down are pretty much all falsehoods and exaggerations. But, let's not get into that!

More importantly, in life, I was a courtesan to Emperor Toba. Though I began as the weakest Servant, I am skilled in song, poetry, reading, and telling stories. My dream is to be a good wife, so I hope we'll get along from now on!

I'm not a big shot - it's just who I am.

[ But they're going to get closer to each other, and Hermione brightens as she listens to Tamamo talk, tilting her head up to listen. ]

We'll have to read some poems together, then, and see if there are any books we'd both like, especially if there are any stories you want to share with me.

[ She can't really comment on her being a good wife, though. ]

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