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Action; Kramden Road maguskiller September 18 2011, 18:13:25 UTC
..Ciel-san.

[Kiritsugu seems distracted, clearly looking for someone.]

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expiatrice September 19 2011, 02:18:00 UTC
[She halts, three Keys in hands and one foot on the pole. He'll definitely recognize these instruments from another Executor that he knew from Fuyuki City. She's in her habits too; her affiliation is unmistakable.]

Emiya-san. [She WOULD jump down, but up there gives her a good vantage point over the rest of the terrain, so she can headshot any undead before they get close.

The distraction is noted; normally, people would either be focused or panicked in a time like this, so the unusual airs of someone who seems preoccupied by something else is easy to pick up.]

You're distracted. [There's almost a reproachful quality to it. To be fair, this isn't the time to let one's guard down.] Are you looking for something, or someone?

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maguskiller September 19 2011, 05:37:48 UTC
[Even in his current state, alarms ring all over his head. Kiritsugu doesn't have anything against the Church, specifically. They simply provided the skillset of his archenemy. However, he recognizes how powerful Kotomine was. He's not about to trust anyone with that kind of potential.]

Family. My real one.

...Not strong enough to be Ghouls. Do you think this could be the work of a Dead Apostle?

[Might as well get acknowledgment of her profession out of the way. He may not trust Executors, but at least he recognizes their abilities.]

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expiatrice September 19 2011, 07:05:08 UTC
[Ah. True, Shirou was adopted.] Have you tried calling, or checked up on their house?

No. The one Dead Apostle Ancestor that I know of who was previously here has just been droned a few days ago, though he would not have done something like this anyhow. It's not his style, he has no interest, and he knows the consequences. Besides, it would seem that someone already made an announcement this morning; it's nothing that originates from our world. [She never hid the fact that she knew Merem, though she doesn't openly announce the fact that she's forcibly allied with him despite being an Executor. The Burial Agency was a peculiar organization, and it would be easier to simply not explain it, to people who don't already know how they operate and what they do.

Either way, her explanation is thorough and held little back.]

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maguskiller September 19 2011, 08:13:15 UTC
Yes. They're my neighbors.

In that case, it's most likely viral. Regardless, the same methods work on them. They're too many to fully dispose of, however.

[Not that it's impossible. Given the time, Kiritsugu could think of a plan. He's through putting the safety of other people over Ilya, however.]

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expiatrice September 19 2011, 10:15:38 UTC
The Church is open for shelter to any civilian who is unable to fight. While its efficiency is weakened and fluctuates because of this town's unstable nature, I have consecrated the Church grounds and set up a boundary field to repel and weaken demons and undead. [She doesn't ask him to, but it is offered as a viable option.]

It is; I've observed it on drones. Theoretically, any actual person who is infected and then killed should reawaken tomorrow morning as a human: Mayfield completely restores one's original physical state upon revival. This is a first however, so what will truly happen remains to be seen. ...Hunting may be a waste of time and effort unless the source can be eliminated. In this situation, it could be best to focus on defending and regrouping civilians: it will not last, but there's no telling when it shall end.

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maguskiller September 19 2011, 12:43:26 UTC
[As a former Master, Kiritsugu appreciates the irony in having the Church available as safe ground.]

[With the intention of getting as much done in as little time as possible, he calmly draws a rifle and starts to examine it, intending to start using it from now on. The Weatherby Mk V was created in 1958, and as such, took a bit of modifications on Kiritsugu's part to create. However, that, as well as a certain other instrument in his backpack, are carried thanks to memories of his former teacher. He knows from experience how appropriate these weapons are against the undead.

I've gathered several explosives and firearms from what's left of the town. I'll join you and reinforce the Church's defenses when I find who I'm looking for.

['When'. Not 'if'. There's no alternatives to finding and protecting his daughter in his mind.]

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expiatrice September 21 2011, 15:58:33 UTC
[A Mediator is supposed to mediate, as the term implies. Power corruption has been observed during both the Fourth and Fifth Grail war, and painfully aware of this, she does try to do what little she can, to make up for it here to any participants who've had to suffer during a conflict that should only matter to Magi. The representative of the Church should never have participated ( ... )

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maguskiller September 22 2011, 03:15:47 UTC
...Just one. Small girl. White hair, red eyes. Name's Ilyasviel.

[Though there's still a fair amount of distrust in there, Kiritsugu's decision works under cold reasoning. After all, Executor or not, being with Ciel can only be safer for his daughter than facing the undead alone. If there's anyone capable of dealing with a crisis like this, it's the Church. Kiritsugu may be wary of their power, but like any good assassin, he knows to respect it.]

Same type of ammunition as my handgun. Still took some from the store... I'll make do.

Be careful.

[This last statement was certainly out of character for the man, yet he was insistent on saying it. It served as one last attempt to clutch at the world of emotions, even if directed at a person he knew didn't need to hear it from him. At the time, Emiya Kiritsugu was not aware that it would be the last sign he would show of his humanity for a long time.]

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expiatrice September 22 2011, 19:06:31 UTC
[White and red. ...The Einzbern...?] Understood. The Church is also stocked up on bullets; you are free to come by whenever to pick up more. [That's all she needs to tell him - that's all he needs to know.

That was a bit surprising; she didn't peg him as a man of many words from the first time they met. OF course, back then she didn't know his family name is Emiya, and he in all likelihood was also unaware of her affiliation.

Regardless.]

You as well, Emiya-san. We are both only human. [She's not trying to say anything, this is just a small reminder of the truth. Born with flaws, they cannot be perfect machines no matter how hard they try. Not that she'll ever admit it to anyone on her part, but to her credit, the "superficial" layer of her personality works exceptionally well already to fend off questions from more or less everyone.

Turning her heel a bit, she's already set to spring back up. She probably should just go for it and leave; he likely doesn't have more to add, but maybe, just in case...?

Ah, only human indeed...]

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maguskiller September 22 2011, 22:16:34 UTC
[Kiritsugu's response isn't verbal, yet it holds more significance than his words could express. Contemplatively, he gives a solemn nod, silently hoping that Ciel's words remain true. In reality, he holds the belief that a person could, should be a machine if he wants to reach his goal as soon as possible.]

[But... he has so little left to lose. He doesn't want the last pieces of his life to be taken away.]

[Either he remains a man and loses everything he holds dear to Mayfield, or he becomes mechanical, and loses it to himself.]

[Made heavy by the armament they carry, footsteps start echoing into the night's streets.]

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expiatrice September 23 2011, 03:51:31 UTC
[Though things are rarely so clean cut. No matter how hard a person tries to pretend to be another, they can never quite discard their true selves. No matter how insidious the act and how devastating the consequences, the heart that beats under the driving forces of these choices remains one that cared. Maybe some are better at holding up the mask in the long run than others. Maybe some have an easier time shifting between facades than others. In the end, absolutes don't exist, not anymore than perfection in this world.

That won't stop some from trying to live in denial of that fact forever. As long as it's left unacknowledged, they'll be free to pretend.

In that sense, maybe she was the same. Either way, only time shall tell.

The sound of hard-woven boots follow, against asphalt tiles instead of the concrete floor. They'll run into each other again, whenever that is to happen once more.]

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