1st Day - Arrival

[wistfulsmile]

Characters: Sakura and vatheon
Location: Outside the forest
Time: Evening
Style: Either or. I'm not picky.
Status: Open wide~!

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[runsyoudown]

Once again, Rider had been standing on top of the tallest building in the plaza, just observing all the wet and shivering newcomers who happened to drop in. They typically came in groups, so when one arrived, it was almost guaranteed that more would follow directly afterward.

For the most part, Rider would never interact with the new arrivals. The most she would do was to determine if they were familiar and how powerful they were. Of course, she recognized none of them, and so she would turn her attention away shortly after.

This time, however, was different. Rider could tell immediately that something was different as soon as Sakura arrived, and it didn't take the former Servant long to locate this familiar source of energy.

And sure enough, there was Sakura, looking just as wet and scared as the rest of them.

Jumping down from her building, Rider landed a good distance away and quickly proceeded to close the gap.

"Sakura."

[wistfulsmile]

"!!!" Jumping, Sakura whirled around, a hand still fumbling to hold her sweater close. She knew that voice, but it was impossible - she'd been defeated, hadn't she?

Blinking, she stayed where she was; a tiny gasp escaped her when she saw her former Servant walking up to her. "Rider..."

[runsyoudown]

As Rider got closer to Sakura, she began sensing how her former Master's body was holding up. When she had left, Sakura's body was plagued with the illness brought on by Zouken and his worms. However, while Sakura definitely still had them inside her body, she seemed well.

"I am glad you are well, Sakura."

[wistfulsmile]

"..." She nodded, unsure of what to say. The last person she'd thought she'd see was Rider, and yet, there she stood, apparently alive and well.

Biting her lip to keep from crying, Sakura's voice was quiet as she walked up to the Servant. "H...how are you...?"

She'd meant to ask "how are you here?" but she'd trailed off instead.

[runsyoudown]

"I am well."

Sensing the girl's tears, Rider bowed her head slightly in concern.

"Sakura...?"

[wistfulsmile]

Realizing Rider had noticed her crying, Sakura lowered her eyes.

"I-I'm just happy to see you're all right...I thought you were dead."

[runsyoudown]

Oh, right. Rider had almost forgotten that she was supposed to have been blown away by Saber that night. As her Master, Sakura would have undoubtedly felt the passing of her Servant, and since Rider was now stuck in a place far away from Fuyuki City...

"I apologize, Sakura. Had I been more powerful, I would have defeated Saber and returned to you."

[wistfulsmile]

Sakura shook her head, wiping hurriedly at her eyes before looking up with a smile. "It's all right, Rider. You're here, a-and that's a good thing, right?"

[runsyoudown]

For the first time in a while, Rider let a small smile of her own grace her lips.

"It is."

[wistfulsmile]

Another deep breath - she wasn't going to break down, swore to herself she wouldn't - and Sakura nodded, letting out a soft giggle.

"How have you been doing here, Rider?"

[runsyoudown]

"I have been surviving. While there is the occasional fight to be had, this place is relatively boring."

[wistfulsmile]

"Fights?" Her eyes widening, Sakura walked up to the Servant, pausing just before the taller woman. "You look well enough, though. There...there aren't any other Servants here, are there?"

[runsyoudown]

She gave a small shake of her head, remaining in place as Sakura approached her.

"There are not. The Holy Grails Wars do not exist in this land."

[wistfulsmile]

She blinked, seemingly confused. "If there aren't any other Servants...why have you been fighting?"

[runsyoudown]

"On occasion, creatures have appeared that wish to do harm to the people here."

[wistfulsmile]

Lowering her eyes, Sakura bit her lip. "...but you're okay." She looked up, smiling again. "Do you have a place you're staying at here, too?"