Rin and Mille
Despite being a veritable cess pool, filled with many dangers and beings that could rival gods in their power, people still eked out enough of a living in the Nexus, even to the point where luxury was an option. The lovely series of apartment buildings seemed an odd contrast to the decaying docks, and despite such a thing not being so unusual in their home dimension, the difference was so stark that the girls had to stand there and register it for a minute or two. The one they were looking at in particular
was a bit odd, as it came off almost more like a luxury hotel than an apartment complex, with a pool and everything. But that of course wasn't why they were so interested, despite both girls rather liking the idea of getting out of their still dripping wet clothing and resting in a nice, soft bed.
"I hope this is the right one, it'd be awkward to walk in soaked like this for nothing." Rin eyed the complex one more time before smiling cheerfully. "Still, I don't know if we could afford it, but it'd be nice to stay in a place like this. Would certainly beat having to take our chances elsewhere."
Mille glowered at the towering building, not even bothering to look back towards Tohsaka. "That's not important right now. What
is important is finding clues to what caused that dimensional rift. That takes priority over everything else, even if it means we have to sleep in a tree for the night. "
Rin sighed.
Even Sausage Curls is more fun than this. "Look, the Association isn't here to monitor our progress. Without those stupid sticks, we can't even get back to the rift, assuming it hasn't closed entirely. We might as well assume we're going to be here for awhile. There's no point making ourselves miserable if it's avoidable."
"Doesn't matter. Finding the source is still our top priority."
"You do realize this place is probably dangerous, right? It's probably smarter to find a more secure place to stay than a
tree. There's no point to any of this if we're
dead."
"Better than not accomplishing our mission."
Rin sighed. "Ugh, lighten up already. It's not like the world is going to end if we don't find the source of the rift this very second."
"For all we know, it is. That's why this is important." Mille glared back at Rin. "As a magus, you should be taking this more seriously. Honestly, I don't know why you have your reputation, when you're making such amateurish assumptions."
There wasn't any arrogance in her voice, just... a rather stubborn conviction. Which honestly threw Rin a bit. Granted, the odd girl showed more of a penchant for being duty obsessed, overzealous, and impulsive than overly egotistical, but Rin found it puzzling regardless. And yet, still...
"Why do I have the feeling that if the Association told you to retrieve someone's used toothbrush, you'd be treating it with the same urgency?"
"What was that?"
Rin smiled sweetly. Too sweetly. "Oh nothing, nothing~"
Garrison rolled her eyes and turned back to the complex. "We've wasted enough time. Let's head inside." Without waiting for Rin, Mille marched toward the doors. With a slow shake of her head before following, Tohsaka followed suit.
Inside was a cozy looking reception area, again more reminiscent of a hotel than an apartment complex. A kindly looking old woman sat at the desk. A bell rang as the doors opened, drawing the lady's attention to the two girls. She squinted at them for a moment before her eyes lit up in recognition.
"Oh! Well hello, you must be related to the young man living in the penthouse upstairs. You look so much alike! Come in, come in!"
The two paused for a moment, stunned. A look passed between them as they processed one of two things. One, that someone related to one of them, rather by blood or otherwise, was in this world. And two, that based on the woman's gaze, that someone was Rin.
The old woman's voice broke their stunned silence. "Oh dear, you poor things! You're soaking wet." She turned her gaze on Rin. "I'm afraid your relative is out for the moment, dear, but I can get you two a towel and direct you to his room. So what is he to you dear, cousin, brother?"
Rin snapped out of her shock entirely, trying to focus on the current situation. After all, she was a Tohsaka. The Tohsaka were all about elegance. Right now, if this was indeed the lead they were searching for, she would need to keep it together. And as she'd put on a masquerade like this on a daily basis before, it didn't take long for her to give the elderly caretaker a pleasant smile.
"My brother. I just arrived here recently, so I've had some trouble finding him. I'm glad I found this place finally, I've been wanting to chat with him for awhile."
The woman smiled back and nodded. "Yes, yes, I suspect so! Such a nice, polite young man! You two are so much alike! I'm sure he'll be happy to see you."
Probably not at all, Rin muttered to herself mentally. To the old woman, she replied, "I'm sure he will, as will I."
"Good, good! Now then dears, I'll get you those towels, and I'll send you up to his room! I'll be right back!"
With that, the old woman waddled her way out of the room. When she was well out of earshot, Mille turned to Rin.
"I didn't hear anything about you having a brother, Tohsaka."
Rin sighed. "No, of course not. The fact that there's a man that looks very similar to me is more than a bit odd though, don't you think?"
The redhead rolled her eyes. "Well, duh. You think this and the rift are related?"
Rin blew the reaction off, despite the tiny flame of anger that was starting to gain fuel inside her. "They have to be. Possibly this place is a sort of magnet for dimensional rifts. Like a big, interdimensional Nexus. Possibly this place opens portals not just from other dimensions, but alternate timelines as well."
"So, then, your 'brother.' Do you think he's-"
Mille cut off mid sentence as she heard the opening and closing of a door, the old woman carrying a pair of fluffy, white towels.
"Here you go dears. Now, I'll write down the room number for you, and you can wait up there. Is that all right with you?"
Rin approached her and graciously took the towels, Mille warily following behind. Rin reached back and gave Mille a towel before bowing to the old woman.
"Thank you very much, we appreciate it." She straightened up, wrapping the towel around her shoulders. The old woman dismissively waved a hand as she went behind the desk.
"Oh, for goodness sake, it's no problem, none at all! Certainly nothing to be bowing to me for! Now here, just give me a moment." She dragged out a post it note and pen, scrawled a number in barely legible handwriting, and handed the paper to Rin.
"Here you go, dear! Now, that's on the second to highest floor. I'll tell your brother when he gets here that you're visiting. Enjoy!"
With another quick "thank you," Rin made her way to the elevator, Mille in tow. One button push later, and they were headed to the top floor, their faces reflected on the glass that allowed them a rather nice view of the pool that sat in the center of the complex.
"So, Tohsaka. What's the plan?"
"Take down any defenses he has around the door. Get inside. See what we can find."
"Sounds simple enough."
Rin looked over at Mille. "How experienced are you with bounded fields? Making them, dismantling them-"
"More than most magi, I can tell you that. I've always been good with bounded fields."
"Ugh, and how was I supposed to know that exactly?"
"I didn't figure you would. But I also figured you'd look down on me, underestimate me. Big shot magus that everyone says you are. I've worked enough with bounded fields that I can use one of my runes to see them. But, even that wasn't enough for-"
There was a ding as the elevator came to a halt. The doors opened with barely a sound.
"Enough for who, Garrison-chan?"
"It's none of your business."
"It's the Association, isn't it? Is that why you're doing this, to try to impress them?"
"Forget it." Mille's words bordered on a shout. "Let's just go. We're wasting valuable time." She forcefully pushed on the elevator doors to keep them from closing. Behind her, Rin silently regarded her companion as she followed not far behind.
