Scene #1979: This Day In History

Owner	Pose
Mikase Yamato	The tiny atoll of Midway is not simply a circle of sand in the middle of the Pacific. It's a ring of coral and sand, holding an airfield and a navy base. The ring-like shape produces two 'arms' that shelter the harbor, and it's on the end of one of these small capes that the maiden of the Yamato stands. Mikase stares out to sea, her arms folded behind her back. She ignores the sting of the salty sea breeze and pays no attention to how it plays through her hair. The wind dries the tears running down her cheeks, though they replenish themselves quickly. Tears that began somewhere around an hour ago and haven't stopped since. The tall Japanese stares out across the sea, looking roughly Westward, thinking intensely about the Yamato. Reaching out to the old warship's spirit. Thus far, she has received no answer.
Rider	For someone who's been watching the Fleet Maiden for several months now, it isn't very hard to tell that something has been off today. And, while she may not look it and definitely doesn't act like it, Rider does know how to do research. Her Hoyl Grail War was in part a battle of information, after all. It didn't take much for her to find out what made this day different. And so, in the quiet time on the cape, Rider materializes. She doesn't say anything right away, but she also does little to mask her presence. It's a few moments before she finally speaks up, walking up behind the girl. "Penny for your thoughts, Mikase?"
Mikase Yamato	Mikase notes the Servant's presence, as she tends to. She's grown accustomed to Rider lurking around in her immaterial form and has picked up the subtle changes in mana use when the older woman takes on a physical form. She doesn't turn, though. Not until she's addressed. The girl lets out a sigh, shoulders slumping and eyes closing. With no response from the ship's powerful spirit, she turns her attention from reaching out and turns to face Rider side-on, "It won't stop." The tears, she means. When she smiles, there's a profound sadness behind the expression that she's clearly trying to work through. "I don't even know why, but I think She might." Lowering her head, Mikase mumbles, "...But She hasn't answered."
Rider	When the girl turns partway toward her, Rider steps closer. "You know, I hate it when cute girls cry. You look so much nicer when you're happy. C'mere..." The Servant reaches up - perhaps not quite so high if Mikase bends over to meet her part way - and dabs at her cheeks with a handkerchief pulled from inside her coat. "Well, today's a noteworthy day for her, isn't it? She's probably sad as well." Once she's done with the handkerchief, Rider reaches out to grab the girl's arm and just... hold it, for the moment. "It's a painful memory, the loss of a ship. I can only imagine what the ship herself feels."
Mikase Yamato	When the smaller woman reaches for her face, Mikase's first reaction is to lean back. After a moment, though, she surrenders and leans down. Wiping the tears away just prompts more to escape down her cheeks. The effort is appreciated, at least, and she straightens back up to look out to sea once more, "Mn.. You're right, Francis. All those years ago, this was the day she sank." Eyes closing, she amends, "...The day she died." Letting out a little sigh of her own, Mikase admits, "I think... I'm picking up only a portion of her feelings." There's no resistance when Rider holds on to her arm, "...Certain pains probably can't just go away."
Rider	"Fr--" Rider blinks for a moment. "That's the first time you've ever called me by name." She lets out a short, amused laugh. "First time I've heard anyone use it in ages. Sounds almost weird now." The Servant tilts her head slightly, glancing up to the tall girl. "I think that it's at least a little comfort to her to know that she's remembered. Not just by you, but by the world." She releases the arm and slides her own around Mikase's waist, just to hold her closely. "From what I've read about her and what I've seen of her in you, I'd have been proud to captain her myself. It's okay to hurt... but you're not alone, mm? And neither is she."
Mikase Yamato	Mikase hesitates, glancing away from Rider, "...I thought it'd make this a little more personal. We've been together long enough to have that much, right?" She lets out a sigh, her shoulders sagging, "I mean. You manifested to try and make me feel better, right? It'd be pretty nasty if I didn't treat you like a real person." The arm around her middle isn't objected to. The closeness is appreciated. Like this, even the towering vassal of Yamato feels vulnerable. Rather than object, she simply hangs her own arm across Rider's shoulders and returns her eyes to the sea. "She was a magnificent ship. You would have loved her. A far cry from the wood and metal reinforcements your ships were made of." Eyes closing, she tilts her head back, "'When a warship is launched, there is great joy.'"
Rider	The Servant glances up slightly, an amused smirk on her face. "Heh... Just so long as nobody overhears. I like not being recognized just yet." She tilts her head slightly. "Maybe I just manifested because I saw you were vulnerable and would let me hug you as closely as I wanted. I -am- a pirate and a scoundrel, after all." There's a dry humor to her words, though, and her hand indeed does not go anywhere inappropriate. "Even in my day, that was true. And even though I can still captain newer vessels... it'd be a little hard to call up the Yamato. Maybe her spirit... one day." She'd have to think about how, if she even wanted to. "Though I suppose for now, I can feel her in you."
Mikase Yamato	"That's right," Mikase plays into it, "The lowest rank of villainous scum there could ever be on the waves." But she does give that shoulder a squeeze, "I trust you enough to know you wouldn't do anything unseemly unless you had to." There's another little sigh and Mikase lifts her hand to her face, wiping at her tears again, "Thank you, Francis. You don't have to call her up when she's right here to call you up, though." There's the sound of footsteps. Stepping up beside the two women is a third woman, just as tall as Mikase, dressed in battered samurai armor and torn clothes. Straight black hair frames her face, streaked with tears. Mikase might not notice it, but from Rider's perspective, they're nearly identical. Almost like twins. Or mother and daughter. Mikase also hasn't noticed the appearance of Yamato's spirit, though the warship's great presence is unmistakable to a similar being.
Rider	"Ah, you're finally understanding me." Rider pulls her arm a bit, squeezing the girl to her side. "I'm just biding my time until a good opportunity comes up, though, don't worry." She tilts her head slightly, leaning against Mikase's side. "Mm?" Rider glances over her shoulder as she feels another presence there. "Well, I'll be..." She doesn't bring up the similarities of appearance, though she does give the ship's spirit a nod of greeting. "She's proud of you, Mikase. Proud that someone like you can carry on her legacy."
Mikase Yamato	"It wasn't hard," Mikase comments with a wry smile. The tears seem to have finally stopped, at least. "I'll just have to be on my guard, lest you swoop in and do something improper while I'm vulnerable." The sudden shift in tone gets Mikase glancing down towards Rider's face, in the opposite direction of where the ship's spirit stands, "Hmm?" Her head tilts, "I don't doubt it... but that's an odd thing for you to say out of the blue like that." Behind her, Yamato's head nods slightly. Though she smiles, her own tears remain, adding profound sadness to what is otherwise a cheerful expression. While the old spirit says nothing, the look on her face is one of agreement. Without a sound, her figure fades out to nothing. By the time Mikase follows Rider's gaze, the figure is gone. That curious look returns to Rider, "..Hmm..?" She sighs and returns her gaze to the sea, "...Thank you."