Scene Listing || Scene Schedule || Scene Schedule RSS
Owner Pose
Touta Konoe      Touta's has been to quite a few places in the Multiverse, but he has never been to Grand Dorado. The city exudes an elegance that seems befitting of the Concord's headquarters. The moment he enters into customs he's probably worked over with details of who he is, while his appearence probably seemed harmless the fact that he had brought along his sword even if it was in a kendo bag probably made the process all the more extensive.

     Though once that was over and he began walking through the city it really did give off a certain air. It was a shame he couldn't really just go exploring around the city. It looked like it had alot to offer, but Touta had a meeting and a rather important one. So important that he even went out of the way to try and dress more formal than usual. His t-shirt and gakuran being replaced with a white dress shirt and vest with a tie. It was frankly much more formal than he usually appeared wandering around the Multiverse and funnily enough his attire seemed pretty appropriate for where he was. Now all that needed to be done was just make sure he could get to where he was informed to meet at without losing his head...
Priscilla     Despite the ostensible gravitas of the reason for which Touta arrives, he doesn't face an undue amount of hassle gettin in. Grand Dorado isn't much of a secret clubhouse or private fortress, but a public display of the Concord's wealth, power, and prestige. When it has been ascertained that he is unlikely to cause any real trouble, he is let through without much of a fuss. His directions aren't incredibly complicated, as would be counter to the purpose of him being here, but they do end up with him being lead around by a variety of signs and secretaries to something like a private office; not quite something like the hearing room at the tip of the Elysium Apex, but certainly not a casual meeting.

    Priscilla is dressed as usual for public appearances, as she has probably just stepped away from her job only recently today, having specifically set aside some time for this. That in of itself is at least a tolerant gesture, given how easy it'd be to completely ignore Touta's request, and how doing so might be more conducive to getting work done, even if it isn't quite a hospitable one.

    With the door closed and the room to the two of them, looking out from the inner curvature of the city and over the bay, Priscilla takes her time to assess Touta, and quite specifically the fact he'd actually dressed up for the occasion. After a silence long enough to become tense, she leads only with "Thou art a more respectful young man that I had at first imagined, if still one possessed of exceedingly rash judgement."
Touta Konoe      The young immortal was definitely glad to have gotten some of the secretaries to lead him to the office. Being the person he was, Touta probably ended up trying to talk to them while on the way up, how much of a conversation had actually gone on amongst them was probably irrelevant in the long run but he did like meeting new people. After some time he does arrive to her office. The Queen of the Concord herself. Her attire appearing just the same as the last few times he's seen her. A pure white that contrasted to his more usually black attire.

    When she finally looks his way and addresses him, he really doesn't know what to expect. For all he knew she could have invited him here, than immediately began staring daggers into his soul. Which he was pretty sure at this point she could do. The silence is almost staggering as he waited for Priscilla to say something. Instead she had simply been looking him over. As to why he couldn't say. But when she makes her first remark about his demeanor he almost wants to let out a sigh of relief. He remembers quickly that this is still someone who intended to kill him. But the fact she was even willing to see him today was a good sign.

     So with that said he just tries to relax and do what he had originally intended to and gives a smile that he's more casually known for.

     "Thanks, fom my experience with a few of your members, you're as kind as I imagined..."

    While that was intended to be a compliment now that he thinks about it perhaps that could be taken another way considering how much of a mixed bag the Concord could be sometimes. While he stays quiet for a moment contemplating if what he said was actually appropriate he speaks up while he still has the chance.

    "Hey Priscilla, I intend to do what I said I would on that letter. I know what I plan to apologize for. But before that...I want to hear from you, what do you think I came here to apologize for today?"

    This could probably be seen as an ignorant question. To say to someone before hand that you intend to apologize, but then when you arrive to that person, you ask them what they want you to apologize for. With that sort of remark it could probably even be taken that this apology was simply to get out of trouble. That he hadn't thought over the actions that he had done at all. Still...The look in his eyes that wait for Priscilla's answer so readily might disprove such a notion.
Priscilla     Priscilla isn't an incredibly expressive person, under normal circumstances. It isn't so much that she wears a mask of indifference or detachment to conceal her feelings, but that she had never quite had the experience for it. There is more to be gleaned in the twitch of the tip of her tail than carefully reading her expression, only unsettlingly plain as day that it doesn't hold still to suppress something, but that her thoughts don't manage to make it there, intensely hers and hers alone.

    "I wouldst imagine not for the ramifications of thine actions, for I doubt thou comprehend them." she says, without so much of a pause this time. "I wouldst also doubt solely for the ethical sake of it, for thou didst seemeth quite intent on defending Archer on grounds of personal attachment; a vague and rash sense of what wouldst be 'best'. I believeth thou not so pragmatic as to feign such solely for the benefit afforded to thee for attempting to maketh peace. If I were to maketh assumptions, it wouldst be that thou feel some sort of remorse for upsetting mineself personally."
Touta Konoe      As expected of the Queen of the Concord. For the most part Touta can't really disagree with her statements. So he'll just have to acknowledge her where she's correct.

     "Theo told me before that he was making a deal with you so that you'd forgive what happened before. I bet he'd do a better job at getting this whole thing wrapped up, but at the same time I thought that if I didn't talk to you then nothing was really going to get resolved one way or another."

    He takes a moment to look back at his kendo bag before looking back at her as he thinks of what he should say next. "But yeah, you basically got it all. Guess you've been this for a while? It's probably not a big deal to you but when we first saw those Servants, especially Ruler, I wanted to know what was going on with this war. What was going on with him. I wanted to see if he would be willing to go back to his world and help us out. Reiji Arisu and Xiaomu were apparently in the same spot. He wanted to speak to his dad, so we all made an agreement that we'd keep an eye out for one another's relative. So when I saw that Archer looked like he was about to be taken out I stepped in. It was totally rash like you said but no one else was there, and I made a promise to help Reiji speak to his old man again. And at the end of the day I did keep that promise but..." A bit of sweat goes down his cheek for a moment and he smiles. It's not a overly joyful smile, more of a hesitant one.

    "...You know, I remember the first time I met you at that manor. One of the first things you said to me was, '...Thou shalt see for thineself the severity of the consequence of one making themselves mine enemy.' I can definitely say now you really weren't kidding about that. Cause the moment I hit your gramps you definitely let loose on me."

     It's at this point Touta does something surprising. For the most part since this meeting Touta's been standing up speaking to her. But at this moment he goes to the floor and begins to prostrate himself. His knees bent, his head lowered, his hands placed in front of him. Honestly, it's a rather big change of pace from what he was doing before.

    "And I can't blame you for that. Whether he's a Servant or not that guy is still your family so it only makes sense you'd want to protect him. I guess as someone with...'Family' in this Grail War I should have figured that. Even if I wasn't trying to kill Saber there was probably a better way help Archer and Reiji. The Concord's helped me out since my arrival into Multiverse and I've even made a few friends with your subordinates. So the fact that I ended up pissing off their boss...At the very least, I figured I should apologize to you for striking at your grandfather. So with that said, I'm sorry Priscilla. From here on in I don't plan to mess with any of those Servants in the war unless they they get out of line and start acting out."
Priscilla     "Indeed. Sir Morrison was most proactive on thine behalf. I admit I hath been left to wonder why. As far as I am aware, thou art no member of the Paladins proper, nor especially closely related to him." Priscilla says. There isn't any particular urgency in her voice (as much as there ever is, anyways), and she doesn't let it hang for long, leaving an opening for an answer without stopping to prompt for one.

    The pause stretches a little bit longer when Touta relates that bit of history. Priscilla has an especially long memory, but it isn't all handy at once. When he reminds her of that, of all things, she twitches as if she is about to laugh. "I perhaps shouldst not be as astonished as I am that thou remembereth such. I had put it from mine mind long ago. It is an unfortunately not uncommon threat that must be levied at times."

    And then Touta only surprises her for a second time. More than the first. Priscilla isn't totally familiar with the thoroughly Japanese posture, but the meaning gets through clearly enough, judging by the long silence and thoughtful, reptitive swishing of her tail. ". . . it is far less common that those involved cometh to see it so unambiguously such. Forgiveth mine surprise. Especially for one your age, an objective understanding such as this is . . . rare."

    Priscilla pulls out the seat at the head of the table with her tail and sits down in the same motion, letting out a slow, quiet sigh. "The state of affairs is . . . less than ideal. Sir Arisu and Lady Xiaomu especially art no enemies of mine. I oweth them enough that I had resolved to leave Archer 'till last, if at all possible. I believeth Sir Arisu deserveth the opportunity to maketh amends with his own father, and to see him off. It is unfortunately that their Masters wouldst cometh into conflict so soon. I am not unsympathetic in that regard, however, I cannot afford to bend, and I wouldst not even if the luxury were mine. If it is natural to care for one's kin such, then it is only natural to do so mineself, and the simple truth is that I am far less tepidly resigned to a minimum of interference such as men of the Paladins art."
Touta Konoe     While he doesn't get up from his prostrating position, Touta raises his head slightly as Priscilla begins speaking about Theo. As he thinks back to the first time he really spoke to him he can't help but give a bit of an awkward smile. He knows that their first meeting at the sushi bar where Ruler had appeared at wasn't a pleasant one for the guy. Even Touta knows he had gotten a bit to emotional at that time.

     "Honestly, I think he did it because he was a Paladin than any sort of obligation to help me out..." Though what probably surprises him was the gesture made by Priscilla. Throughout this meeting she had been so solemn, yet it almost looked like this ice queen had cracked a smile. Maybe it was just the boy's imagination. Then there's that swishing of the tail. Was she part dog or something? Was she happy? His mouth opens up for a moment like he's about to question it but something instinctual quiets him quick enough were he almost bites his tongue. Though when she remarks on how serious he had taken the threat and his demeanor in apologizing he takes another moment to respond.

     "Well, it's not like I did this out of fear. Or at least, not entirely anyway. I just figured that if I left things as they were, it might cause problems for some of my friends under you. Last thing I want to do is put people in that kind of position ya know?"

     Of course it made sense that the boy might apologize to secure safety for himself, but it clearly seemed he had been less concerned for his own well-being, and the possible compromising position it might have put the friends of his if it escalated any further. Perhaps Priscilla could assure the loyalty of her members but could she guarantee that should she have designated him a target of the Concord that those who had affiliated themselves with this boy would aid her search without some sort of resilience? Whether it was for his or their sake he had apparently no desire to find out.

     "Rare? Is it really? My chaperone always told me that when you're apologizing or asking for a favor you should always lower your head and grovel."

     This part might have made someone question whether this displayed more of the boy's etiquette or that perhaps the one raising him might have had an unusually sadistic way of raising children...

     As she finally takes her seat at the table, Touta's eyes follow her movement. Taking in everything she said, even the sigh that expressed the displeasure in her next few words. It seemed that Arisu and Xiaomu weren't just pleasant to him but even to someone like Priscilla. Go figure.

     "So even if it's those two you won't give an inch...Well, I can't say I'd be happy about it, but its not like I don't get it. On the bright side I think Reiji and his dad have already been able to talk...I think. Last I heard after we had that scruffle, they were able to get Archer and his Master so I wouldn't be surprised if they got to chat it up already. If that's the case then my job looking out for him is done. So the only reason I'd have anything to do with this Grail War is..."

     At that moment the boy stops as if trying to think of something to say. "Actually, now that I think about it besides jumping in last time against your grandfather, I don't really think I'm rooting for one person over another. If anything I'm more curious about Na- eeer, Ruler. I mean, I'm no expert but when I've talked to Hime-chan, she said she's never heard of the class before. So it just seems sorta strange that he got summoned. Though the times we've talked it really didn't seem like he cared about getting the Grail. Seems like all he does is watch the fights and then find places to eat in between..."

     At this point its Touta who seems a bit disgruntled as he makes the remark. Why did he have to have the lazy ancestor in this war?
Priscilla     "Perhaps." seems to be the extent of what Priscilla has to say on the subject of Theo and his probable motivations for quite a while. The air of silence that follows is less one lost in thought, but one wondering if there is anything else to say. "Rest assured, Sir Morrison hath seen to to a fair repayment for the sake of thine transgression. A 'weregild', as he had put it. The cultures of other worlds' histories continue to be amusing. If this repentance is sincere, then I hath no pressing reason to continue in pursuing thee."

    Past that, it only takes her the space of a slow blink for the rest. "Ah, to clarify, it is the degree of self awareness and personal responsibility thou hast taken upon here that is rare. In the same way that common sense is anything but common, such seemingly simple assessments of responsibility and initiative art difficult for most, who prefer to believeth themselves somehow justified at all junctures. I am . . . unfamiliar with the physical gesture, but I commend the humility behind it, I supposeth."

    "It is unfortunate, but likewise correct. I hath ample respect for Sir Arisu and his accomplice, and they hath done much that I am grateful for, but there art matters of respect and friendship, and matters of honour and family, to say nothing of matters of face and authority." Priscilla rests her elbow on the arm of the chair, curling her fingers under her chin. "Thou art a 'subject' of Lady No Mae's, yes? I had not extensively considered the connotation of such before. I imagine thou hast some level of concern for her sake. What is it that thou intendeth to do from here? For some reason, I cannot imagine thee simply washing thine hands of this business and walking away entirely."
Touta Konoe     As Priscilla finishes her first remarks considering Theo, there's a look of surprise that arises in the young man even more then the discontent look he was giving previously when discussing Nagi. It's hard to say if he's angry but clearly something that she says had brought some form of concern or frustration.

     "Lady Priscilla it's like you said before, I'm not part of the Paladins and Theo isn't too keen on me either. If you don't think what I'm telling you is sincere that's fine but otherwise would you return that 'weregild' thing to Theo? I said it before but I wanted to come here because it didn't feel right to just have someone clean up after me. I wanted to make sure that you and me were square. It just...Sort of feels like if you ended up accepting it then there wasn't a point in me coming here..."

     Apparently that self-awareness and responsibility were there in spades. Enough so that having Theo's weregild rectify his predicament with Priscilla instead of his own actions made him feel as though what he had done was mute. Yet as she continued with the flow of the conversation he doesn't really thank her for the compliments. He's appreciative of her words and that slowly begins to show, but that was just simply the way he was raised. The way he was expected to act. The way he thought that person would act...

     As she continues on about certain matters that outweigh others. He's never held a position of authority or face so it is not like he can truly relate to where she stands in that regard. Though personally he felt there was probably more overlap among those matters than she was letting on. But when she gets to asking him what he intended to do from there, that was probably the biggest question asked of him so far. For a moment it ends up being Touta that ends up staying. Quiet for quite some time to the point he speaks up again. "Sorry, its just I haven't really thought of what I would do from here so...Well, I've been told if you don't have an answer its important to think about these things... Anyway, if I had to give you an answer now I'd say you're probably right. I don't intend on just stopping. Servants can get pretty crazy and one wrong step by them or their Masters could get someone uninvolved caught up. So until the war ends I'll probably end up trying to act like Ruler. I won't get in the way of the war finishing. But if it looks like one of the Servants or Masters are gonna do something over the top, I'll personally make sure that they're not able to Grail..."

     The way he says speaks in that regard makes it seem as though there was no doubt in his mind that would be the case. That regardless of whoever decided to go overboard in their claim for the wish-granting device would be punished in doing so. For the young man who had seemed so self-aware of himself this was perhaps the most naive thing he's said since arriving here.

     Perhaps this was the part of him that had the audacity to strike a blow at Gwyn, or perhaps this was still the self-aware child that Priscilla was coming to know...

     "Oh, it also probably sounds weird but I'd probably try fighting Ruler. Back in my universe he ended up saving the world when it was in trouble, so I figured if I asked he'd be glad to help. But it looks like he just intends to watch over this war. So if he's not willing to help out, I figure if I can knock him down a few pegs I can find out if I'm enough to take his place. At worst I'd imagine it give me an idea on how much more I need to improve."
Priscilla     "At ease, Sir Konoe." Priscilla rather firmly insists. "I doubt not thine sincerity at this point. Regardless, Sir Morrison hath paid me not anything possible to returneth. There is the matter of officially settling grievances, and the matter of mine forgiveness towards thee. The two art separate. The first hast been handled by Sir Morrison, the second by thee, as far as mine concern extendeth."

    She does wait patiently for his answer to her question though, seeming neutral even as he delivers it, but ultimately vaguely pleased. "Thou hast been taught well in many respects. Do think upon it. For the matter of ruler, mine own knowledge of Grail Wars is barely as complete as Lady No Mae. As far as I am able to ascertaineth, the 'Ruler's' position is merely to adjudicate and referee, without aim at the Grail. Poorly, as it wouldst seemeth in this instance." She still pronounces the word Ruler with some evident distaste.

    Finally, Priscilla lets an actual smile happen; faint and thin, but a voluntarily visible smile all the same. "Thou art certainly free to. I in fact encourage thee to try. The man dost seemeth in dire need of a firm dose of reality, and it is most oft the place of youth to deliver it to those old and too certain in their power."
Touta Konoe     While he's not sure what kind of official grievances had to be settled, the way she makes it sounds at the very least there wasn't any sort of monetary transaction of some sort. So that was a little better. As for the matter with Ruler, it seemed that the Concord had just as much information as he did about Ruler. That was probably one of the bigger surprises being heard considering how large of an organization it was.

     Though that's not the surprise that takes the cake. The surprise that really leaves the biggest impact is from that faint and thin smile. Even if it's almost non-existent, it's definitely there and it quickly arouses a smile upon his face as well as he picks himself up off the ground walking over to the Queen at her end of the chair.

     "Yeah, you can say that again. Alright, well I think I've said all I have to...I think I might try to take a bit more of a look around this place before I head out if that's alright with you? You have any recommendations to give to a tourist?"

     And that was about it. Touta had said his piece and it seemed that all was well. It was a pleasant surprise to see that he was able to win someone over that had originally wanted to slice his head off and now was giving him praise. If anything it felt like both of them had managed to bridge a respect for the other. Though how much respect would probably be tested as time continued.
Priscilla     As far as Priscilla is concerned, someone turning around from being a dumb kid to butt into a situation and aggressively be a hero at something she deeply cares about, into apologizing for being that thing and trying to make some kind of amends for it, not to mention expressing a desire to punch Ruler in his smug and lazy fast food hole, is something worthy of good humour. Touta can have the feelgood.

    "Certainly. The city of Grand Dorado exists publicly to exemplify the status of the Concord, and that it possesses no reason to fear or suspect those that enter its territory, as the Watch hides and the Paladins restrict and monitor access. Indulge to thine heart's content, for the Concord's wealth is bottomless and its security unimpeachable." A pause. "I must admit mine especial pride to be the Shrine of Adversity, for the operation that went into creating it, but there is a certain theatre by the sea I wouldst hath thou see . . ."