"Don't worry, I won't force him, just... strongly encourage him a bit. But like I said, I can't even do that right now, I have bigger fish to fry", said Rin.
Rider sighed at Rin's obstinancy. Kiyoshi's Aunt had been "strongly encouraging" him to take up magecraft for pretty much the entirety of his life, with no success. She somehow doubted that this version would come off any better.
But, still, as long as she wasn't going to be any worse than the version Rider knew, there wasn't going to be any issue there. Kiyoshi would just ignore her, as he always did. She knew it would likely drive her mad with frustration, but as long as she didn't harm Kiyoshi or make him unhappy, she didn't particularly care.
At the stronghold
"That'll only happen if you keep screaming it out at every chance you get", Shirou angrily retorted in response to Rider's comment.
Rider smiled. Her comment and, indeed, her very presence seemed to upset him, and that was something she could take much pleasure in. The guy deserved to suffer for what he had done to Sakura. He already seemed aware that what he had done was wrong, deep-down, and she was determined to make him feel as horrible as possible about his actions.
Then, Finn spoke up, replying to her question about the phone. She wanted to get moving as soon as possible. The thought of what would happen after the battle was already making her feel rather aroused. She couldn't wait to receive her reward for victory. Or her "punishment" for defeat....
Even so, she couldn't help but chuckle at his sister's abrupt response to his lack of understanding of her name.
Just like Rin, she thought.
"Thanks, Finn. I'll be sure to avoid damaging it.
And, don't worry what your sister says, she seems to expect everyone to know everything, and she seems to have a bit of a short temper.
I guess it's a 'magi' thing. Rin is the same...", she said.
She noticed Shirou walking in the direction of the kitchen. Which, judging from the commotion, was in somewhat of a messy state. Whilst she didn't trust the guy, she had to admit that he wouldn't be a bad choice as a chef.
She spoke up to the rest of the group.
"I suggest you ask one of the Shirous to cook dinner. I've eaten many meals cooked by him, along with my master."
Then, looking somewhat pointedly at Shirou and raising her voice to ensure he could hear it, she added, "you can really taste the love when Shirou cooks for or with my master.
Hmm, maybe we should ask the Archers to do it. After all, cooking has to be done with love, and I'm not sure if this Shirou is capable of love. Or perhaps he'll murder the cooking just in case it accidentally chokes someone...."
And, with that, she turned and walked off, looking for a room where she could make a phone call. As for choosing rooms, she had heard Rin discussing her sleeping arrangements, and she suspected that it would be best if Kiyoshi were to remain close to her. She also knew she would need to reserve a room with a double bed for her master and her husband when they arrived, preferably close to Kiyoshi's room.
Initially, Rider thought it might be best if she put Kiyoshi in the room next to Rin. However, it was blindingly obvious to everyone but Rin that the Darkened Archer was determined to get into Rin's panties at the first opportunity, and she knew Rin and her sexual desires well enough to know that he was likely to succeed in that endevour. So, she thought it might be best to give Kiyoshi enough space that he wouldn't overhear their activities. Similarly, it would be best to give Sakura and Shirou some privacy, when they arrived.
Still, she didn't need to choose just yet. Calling Satoshi was first priority and, in any case, she couldn't pick until she had seen where Rin was staying. All she needed right now was some privacy. So, Rider headed up to the dormatories on the fourth floor.
Her arousal at the thought of what was to come rising, she took out the phone, typed in the number and waited for an answer.
"What's the difference?" Kiyoshi said, somewhat bemused. "Someone who protects and loves you should be your hero. That's why daddy is mummy's hero, he protected her no matter what the situation and did everything in his power to save her."
"I understand why she looks up to Satoshi, though, if he's always been the one she could depend on. That's what heroes are. But, why didn't daddy do that stuff, if he loves her?
And, yes, I do want to be a hero. If Satoshi is willing to train me in how to be a hero then I will gladly take his help. Daddy is always trying to encourage me away from that path, although he's never mean or forceful about it, so he doesn't really give me lessons in heroism."
Then, after a moment's pause, he realised that there was another thing bothering him about her statement.
"Hmm, why is it wrong to make girls cry but not boys? Girls are just as strong as boys, so why do they need special protection? Mummy says I should treat people according to who they are. And if Aunty Rin ever saw me assuming girls were weaker, she'd give me a practical demonstration of why they're not...."
Kiyoshi didn't really understand how some people saw girls as weaker, or more in need of protection. His mother had far more mental strength than anyone he knew, and his Aunt and eldest sister were both extremely powerful magi, far above his father or brother. He knew that society did still treat women differently in many ways, especially magus society, but his family had never encouraged that. His parents had always given them full support to take any path they desired.
