No... what was she saying? Disbelief flashes across Shousetsu's face like shades of light, paler and paler still.]
Then, what you mean to tell me is—
[And there— a fracture in her expression, understanding under pressure, like porcelain splintering beneath weight.]
... that this path was inevitable?
[Rider's expression conveys a strange innocence and somehow it makes the truth more painful. She summoned this Heroic Spirit with the intent to right the injustices of the world... and in return her Servant vowed to see her wish through. How terrible, how convoluted— to know that never once did Rider think she had just admitted a lie. Even after they reaffirmed that wish, even as Rider claimed she would never dream of laughing at her ridiculous goal—
An omission instead.
Everything had been decided from the moment Rider knelt before her.]
Hah.
[Shousetsu suddenly recalls that moment in startling clarity— smoke clearing as the summoning came to an end. Rider's armor catching fragments of moonlight, the unearthly glow of of her eyes as she bent her head low before her. The moment Shousetsu knew... her dream was attainable. The world of contortions could be corrected through this terrifying power.
But now—]
Ugh! [Shousetsu turns away sharply, her hand covering her mouth to stifle anymore outbursts. To any other passerby lingering near the Bounded Field they might've assumed she turned away to couch delicately, to smother a laugh.
Instead her breath catches as moisture gathers at the corner of her eyes.]
Ushi Gozen... you are a formidable opponent indeed...
[And here her eyes squeeze shut to allow the first few tears to fall.]
🌧️
No... what was she saying? Disbelief flashes across Shousetsu's face like shades of light, paler and paler still.]
Then, what you mean to tell me is—
[And there— a fracture in her expression, understanding under pressure, like porcelain splintering beneath weight.]
... that this path was inevitable?
[Rider's expression conveys a strange innocence and somehow it makes the truth more painful. She summoned this Heroic Spirit with the intent to right the injustices of the world... and in return her Servant vowed to see her wish through. How terrible, how convoluted— to know that never once did Rider think she had just admitted a lie. Even after they reaffirmed that wish, even as Rider claimed she would never dream of laughing at her ridiculous goal—
An omission instead.
Everything had been decided from the moment Rider knelt before her.]
Hah.
[Shousetsu suddenly recalls that moment in startling clarity— smoke clearing as the summoning came to an end. Rider's armor catching fragments of moonlight, the unearthly glow of of her eyes as she bent her head low before her. The moment Shousetsu knew... her dream was attainable. The world of contortions could be corrected through this terrifying power.
But now—]
Ugh! [Shousetsu turns away sharply, her hand covering her mouth to stifle anymore outbursts. To any other passerby lingering near the Bounded Field they might've assumed she turned away to couch delicately, to smother a laugh.
Instead her breath catches as moisture gathers at the corner of her eyes.]
Ushi Gozen... you are a formidable opponent indeed...
[And here her eyes squeeze shut to allow the first few tears to fall.]