5th Worm

[waiting_for_the_worms]

[It's been a little while since Kariya got his worms back, and thanks to some timely and largely unexpected assistance from a certain agent of the church, he's on the road to at least a partial recovery.  Ciel was able to purge the Crest Worms from his body, but she couldn't reverse any of the damage they did to his body tissue - not that Kariya seems to care much about that.  In a very real sense, he feels that he's gotten a new lease on life in Mayfield, and he's out taking a walk in the cool fall weather today to enjoy it.  He's wearing his usual hoodie, but is no longer making any efforts to obscure his face - if this is the new normal, he's going to have to learn not to be afraid to show people what he looks like under there.  And even though his hair is still shock-white and he's still blind in one eye and dealing with a heavy limp, Kariya's smile is clearly genuine, reflecting the relief of a man who's just gotten his life back.

Feel free to bump into him anywhere in town as he's wandering, though he will be making at least one specific stop: 310 Miller Street, where his niece Rin Tohsaka lives.]

Comments

[doudemoe]

[The bank's closed, so Minato is walking home now. Or just taking a walk. It's hard to tell these days.

He sees Kariya, looking in (somewhat) better shape than before, and greets him.]

Kariya-san, hello.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

Hi, Minato. Sorry to worry you before.

[Even though he looks largely the same apart from the fact that he's smiling and doesn't seem to be in constant pain.]

[doudemoe]

No, it wasn't any trouble.

[Helping him is just what any decent person would do. Minato's not someone who would question that logic.]

How is your body?

[waiting_for_the_worms]

Better. Ciel is a real lifesaver.

[doudemoe]

[He smiles and nods. With everything else going on, it's some good news.]

[waiting_for_the_worms]

I don't think I'll be having those health problems anymore.

[gandere]

[ He'll find this niece of his sitting on her porch with her head propped up into her hands as a puppy chases it's tail excitedly around the yard. The sight should make her laugh, but really there's far too much on her mind.

At least she notices Kariya quick enough as she rises to her feet to straighten out her skirt. ]

Uncle Kariya? Ah, let me get you something to drink or eat!

[waiting_for_the_worms]

All right, but you don't have to go to any special trouble.

[He slowly makes his way up to the porch, still limping but with a rather relaxed smile on his face.]

[gandere]

Um, Uncle Kariya? [ She stops when she hears his shuffled footsteps behind her. ] I don't mean to be rude, but it's better if I bring you something out here.

[ The entire house save for that redheaded boy was full of drones. Rather uninviting ones that were sure to question Rin's relationship with an older man. ]

S-Sorry... it's just things are a little hectic here now.

[waiting_for_the_worms]

All right...

[He knows better than to grill her about her home life at this point, so he'll just step back and wait for her to join him on the front lawn.]

[riastrad_ridire]

...Holy shit.

[Or in more polite terms, 'hi'.]

[waiting_for_the_worms]

Oh... Lancer. Sorry I've been out of touch lately.

[riastrad_ridire]

No, uh....sorry. I've been kinda the same myself.

You alright?

[waiting_for_the_worms]

Well... not as well as I was the last time I saw you, but I'll be all right.