[Closed] Deja vu

[holygrailed]

Who: Irisviel von Einzbern and Chris Yukine
When: February 26th
Where: Far Shore, from Western District to the library.
What: Chris needs a ride to the library and asks Irisviel for a ride in her car.



Giant's Grave is not a friendly temple. There's a coldness surrounding the grounds despite the weather and the approach on the stone path is largely barren or dead. With the temple itself an old, angular gothic building covered in moss and dead overgrowth, it's an entirely unwelcoming place. That is why Irisviel is waiting at the front of the temple, dressed in her usual dark wine blouse and white skirt. She's normally the brightest thing around the temple, but parked on the dead lawn of the temple is a shiny silver car rivaling her in style.

"Chris! Hello!" There's a friendly wave and cry out as she spots her friend coming up the path.

Comments

[trustheart]

Chris had been to the temple before, to meet Irisviel for lunch, and at the very least, her company was enough to distract from the atmosphere of it, at least a little bit. But it was definitely distracting. But that wasn't what Chris was here for today, and when she spied Iri, her face lit up in a smile. She hurried over, having no idea what she was in for. She herself was wearing a red and white blouse with a black skirt, white stockings, and a pair of shoes with bows on them, while her hair was tied back in her traditional double pigtails. "Hey there!" she exclaimed. "Thanks again for helping me."

[holygrailed]

"Of course! Oh, look at you! You look lovely!"

Sincere as always, Irisviel walks a quick circle around Chris to admire her outfit. One day, when she has more money to spare, she'll have to buy Chris some cute hair clips and ribbons.

"Shall we then? I can't wait to see the library."

It's just as much a boon to her. There's so much to see and to keep herself busy with, but having some books to read will be nice. Irisviel gets into the car and starts it up, a casual confidence in her movements.

[trustheart]

Chris's face turns red as Irisviel compliments her. It's different when it's someone who isn't... well, Hibiki, or one of the people she looks up to and admires like Maria or crushes on like Tsubasa. In fact, Chris is reminded more of Miku, the thought of which causes her to smile even wider. "H-eh! Thanks! You look nice too..." she replies, somewhat awkwardly. But she nods. "Okay, let's go," she said, moving to get into the passenger side of the car.

[holygrailed]

The ground is dry enough to dry on, but it's uneven at best. The car bumps along as Irisviel drives, steering a careful path off the grounds. As it moves from the grounds of Giant's Grave, the dried grass and underbrush gives away to the wilds of the district. There are no roads to drive on and the way the district changes prevents any well-traveled paths from forming.

All in all, it means things are going to be very bumpy for awhile as Irisviel steers the car, speed gradually gaining in more open areas.

[trustheart]

This is... about what Chris expects, honestly, given the way the terrain is set up. She has to cling to the door and arm rest a bit as they go along, but she's not quite aware of where this is heading yet, and fully believes that it'll even out once they get to proper civilization. "Th-they really need to put some real roads out here, huh?"

[holygrailed]

"I agree! Though I can't imagine there are many cars around here!" They bump and roll along the path. Irisviel spots a fallen log hidden in the grass ahead and easily avoids it, the car rumbling as the ground inclines slightly.

Despite the terrain, Irisviel isn't going any slower.

[trustheart]

"Well, that'd change if there were actual ro- H-Hey! What the heck?!" They're speeding up going downhill?! And with all the stuff that's in their way now?! What's Irisviel doing?!

[holygrailed]

"It's fine! It's easier to turn if you're going faster and we'll go over the bumps faster!"

Irisviel shifts gears effortlessly as the car bumps and rattle along. The car wasn't made to be an off-road vehicle and it shows in how bumpy things are, but it's a little bit smoother too. A little.

On the bright side, at least the outer wall of the Central District is visible in the distance?

[trustheart]

"That... that doesn't sound right..." But the wall does give her some comfort. When they're not offroad anymore and there's less stuff in their way, surely this ride will become calmer, right? ... Right?

[holygrailed]

The only saving grace is as they race closer to the river separating the Western District from the Central District, the wilds are gradually tamed. They're still rolling along a bumpy field, thumping whenever they roll over a pothole or other obstruction, but eventually, the field levels out and soon even a packed road leading to one of the bridges crossing the river is visible.

This also means with something closer to a real road to drive on, Irisviel takes it as a cue to drive faster. The bridge is study and solid as they race along it. Thankfully there's no one else on the path as they zoom into the Central District, tires rolling along the smooth white cobblestone paths.

"Oh, this is much better!" Irisviel exclaims, putting on more speed.

[trustheart]

Chris still feels cause to cling for dear life as she's bounced up and down by the bumps, her petite body being thrown up and down against the seat over and over. When they get to the real road, Chris breathes a sigh of relief. "Finally, civilizaTIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON?!" That. Is a lot more speed, and Chris is thrown back against her seat by the inertia. She grits her teeth, eyes wide with fear and her knuckles white as they cling as hard as they can to the arm rests.

[holygrailed]

The pristine white cobblestones of the Central District weren't made for driving on either. The car slides a little on the smooth stones; Irisviel grips the wheel tighter, managing the slight drift and slides with expert ease.

There's screeching as they take a corner, car drifting through the turn, black marks left on the white stones. Irisviel corrects the car with only minimal swerving, laughing merrily. She must take Avenger and Berserker for a ride too.

"Oh, this is so much fun, don't you agree?"

[trustheart]

Oh god oh god they're sliding they're out of control they're gonna crash they're... drifting? Chris's head is spinning as they take those curves without losing speed, and the less said about what the sensation is doing to her stomach the better. "Fun... sure... it's such a joy..."

[holygrailed]

Caught up in her own excitement of driving, Chris's less than enthused response goes overlooked. A passing patrol of Amaterasu's shinki hurry to the side of the road, shouting angrily as they race past.

"We must go to the Near Shore sometime! I imagine it's only better driving on real roads!"

[trustheart]

Oh dear god, this isn't even a real road? What would this be like on places you're supposed to drive on? The possibilities made Chris's stomach lurch even more. "M-Maybe it'd be nice... to go on a nice walk instead..."

[holygrailed]

"The scenery around here is very nice, would you like to walk around before I drive you back to your temple?"

Central District is large and sprawling in its grandeur. At their current speed, they zoom through it with barely any time to appreciate the manicured landscapes and grand temples. At least the meeting hall is beginning to show in the distance. Soon, their drive will be at an end.

[trustheart]

"Yes! Yes! Walking sounds amazing! In fact, why don't we walk back all the way home?! Good exercise!" Because the idea of going through this a second time except in reverse is terrifying.

[holygrailed]

"That won't do to leave the car behind!"

They take another turn a bit too sharply, now driving along a scenic river. At least for Chris, she can teleport between the library and her temple and save herself from all future trips. Assuming she's learned gods can teleport.

[trustheart]

Chris let out a choked sob. Oh god, she couldn't ask Irisviel to leave the car behind, could she? And Chris had no idea how to drive herself. "Well... maybe I could teleport back?!" she groaned, trying to avoid being tossed about the sharp turn. "If you're okay with driving home yourself, I mean..."

[holygrailed]

"That's true, gods can teleport, can't they. That must be convenient." It'll be a lonelier drive back, but she doesn't want to take up so much of Chris's time either. "Though if you do want to ride back, I'm happy to drive you!"

There's another turn as they veer onto the bridge, the rumble of wheels on the surface of the bridge a low rattle. Ahead is the orchard and finally, the library. Irisviel pulls sharply onto the lawn in front of the building and parks the car.

"What a lovely building!" She unbuckles and happily leaves the car on steady feet.

[trustheart]

The remaining legs of their trip go by in a blur for Chris, as she mutters a very resolute sounding, "I'm gonna be cramming really late so I'll just teleport back." Once they've stopped... Chris doesn't get out of the car so much as she tumbles out of it, somehow remaining in a standing position as she tries to avoid falling on her ass. Solid ground. She's so thankful.

[holygrailed]

"Shall we go inside?" Irisviel asks, turning toward Chris. She pauses, a worried expression crossing her face. She walks around the car to Chris's side to take a better look at her friend.

"Are you alright? You look a little unwell."

[trustheart]

Just... just an upset stomach... [She turns towards Irisviel, and gives her an uneasy smile. She's just... so nice! She can't bring herself to be angry.] I'll be fine once I give it a chance to settle.

[holygrailed]

Irisviel hovers a little, even gently touching Chris's forehead to ensure she isn't overheating. Perhaps she's a little motion sick; the road was very bumpy after all.

"Let's go inside and sit down for a little." With a smile, Irisviel offers a hand to Chris.

[trustheart]

[ooc - apologies for messing up tense in that last tag.]

Chris blinks... and nods, somehow smiling even wider. Her face turns red at taking Irisviel's hand, but does it anyway.

"That sounds like a good idea."

[holygrailed]

The library is what most people would expect; row after row of books, tables and chairs for reading and studying at, and a desk staffed by some of Amaterasu's shinki for anyone who needs help finding a book.

Irisviel gasps at the sight, eyes lighting up as she looks at everything.

"Oh my, this is wonderful!"

One thing most people would expect from a library that's absent here? There's no rhyme or reason to the sorting system. There's been work done by volunteers to try to make the shelves a little more manageable, but don't be surprised to find historical books mixed up with fiction mixed in with cookbooks mixed in with the yet to be published.

[trustheart]

"Oh wow." Chris is momentarily in aw of the raw volume, causing her to stare at the sight before her. So many books, more than she's ever seen in her entire life. It definitely puts the one at Lydian Academy to shame. She doesn't have an opportunity to realize how disorganized everything is, though. "Where'd they get all of this...?"

[holygrailed]

"Do you think they're brought in from the Near Shore?" Irisviel walks closer to the nearest shelf, still holding Chris's hand. Mixed in among the books are also magazines, loose sheets of paper, folders, and even some rolled up scrolls. The languages the media is written in is just as varied. "No, that doesn't seem right."

She releases Chris's hand as she pulls a book off a shelf, an old cloth-covered and gilded book that turns out to be a collection of fairy tales. She thumbs through the book, a few illustrations popping out.

"Is there anything you're looking for?"

[trustheart]

"Maybe they all come from different worlds?" Chris offers. Chris begins looking through things herself, frowning as she realizes they're all out of order. She pulls a hefty tome, and opens it up, eyes widening as realizes she just opened an anatomy resource. "I was hoping to catch up on my math subjects," she said, frowning. "And Japanese and world history."

[holygrailed]

"Perhaps so. Isn't that exciting to think?"

Irisviel looks over at the large book Chris has, stifling a giggle at the drawings inside. How... well-drawn.

"Oh my, so studious. Perhaps I should study history too."

[trustheart]

"Sure, but it doesn't help me if, say, I find a history book that tells us about the time Japan fought Portugal in World War 4, or something." She scans through the shelves. "But it couldn't hurt. I have no idea how we're gonna find what I need, though."

[holygrailed]

"No, probably not, but wouldn't it be fascinating to see the history of other worlds too?"

None of the immediate books seem to be history-related. Irisviel pulls another book off the shelf, the language on the spine unfamiliar. There are simple ink drawings of food inside the book and it appears to be a cookbook, but unable to understand it, she puts the book back.

"Perhaps we should ask someone for help?"

[trustheart]

"... I guess. I should ask Elfnein if she's tried researching any of that." Chris frowns as her efforts prove similarly unfruitful. She lets out a sigh, and nods. "I guess we don't have any choice."

[holygrailed]

Irisviel heads over to the front desk, hands lacing behind her back as she smiles at the white-robed shinki seated behind it. The shinki looks up, quickly setting a magazine aside.

"Yes, how can I help you?" he asks.

"My friend and I are looking for history books. Can you tell us where we might find some?"

The shinki pulls over a log book and flips through it, finger trailing down the records written inside.

"Yes... try going back five shelves and go on the right side. Some history books were put there recently, though I can't promise they'll still be there."

[trustheart]

Chris has to resist the urge to ask why the hell the books are organized so badly, but she nods. "Thank you," she says, before Irisviel can, before immediately heading in that direction. She motions for Iri to follow her, eager to find the books so she can get to work.

[holygrailed]

Irisviel mouths a quick thank you before following after Chris. True to the shinki's words, the shelf contains history books. However, it's not any more organized than the other shelves and other subjects are mixed in.

"Are there any particular history subjects you're looking for?" Irisviel asks as she sets down her fairy tale book to thumb through the shelf.

[trustheart]

"Like I said, I'm looking for stuff about Japanese and world history," she said. "Hopefully something a bit less biased than they typically teach in schools." Chris frowns, the fact that her native country isn't perfect and that she knows one of the people responsible for keeping it that way professionally weighing on her mind.

[holygrailed]

A narrow book turns out to be an atlas of Earth aimed at children that's only a few years old. Irisviel flips through a few of the pages before setting it aside for herself. The next book is written in a language she doesn't recognize and the maps inside don't match any countries or continents she's aware of.

"Ah, how about this one?" The third book, written in Japanese, is titled Reflections of the Taishō Era.

[trustheart]

Chris takes the book and rifles through it a bit, before nodding. "Yeah, this is totally the sort of thing I need! This is just about where we were getting to in class, actually!"

[holygrailed]

"May I borrow it when you finish?"

Irisviel hums as she returns to browsing the shelves, pulling out more books for herself and setting aside others for Chris to look at.

"What is school like? Do you enjoy it?"

[trustheart]

"Sure," she said, turning back towards the shelves. "If I can find some stuff on modern history I'll be golden." She blinked. That felt like an odd question to her... but since Iri was missing her memories, it made sense. "Oh, well... it's perfectly fine. I'm a member of the archery club, and it's a music academy, so I'm pretty well off most of the time."