Munetsuchi

Strangely, Charles and Anais were living a similar life of dealing with two people who were being extraordinarily obtuse about the nature of their problems. Admittedly they both had two very different problems, but the fact remained. Astolfo said she shouldn't wallow, apparently more men preferred the bottom to the top, which while not unpleasant as a thought, wasn't at all the point. At the same time a huge rant came from the man known as Ailen, who she was still in the arms of but that was a matter of happenstance at present. Still she heard every word he spoke, including casual mentions of concoctions to gain her the physical assets she wanted, or receiving multiple mana transfers from any of about five people just to get the physique she might have wanted. Her brain overloaded and then her emotional immaturity resurfaced. It'd been quite a while since she snapped to the point of tears, but now she had them running down her face and she was saying just as many outrageous things as those spoken to her between sobs. "What?! I don't even understand. Why am I still being held by you? I mean I didn't move but it's crazy. I don't care how big they are or how small I was just explaining! I can't take all of this and I was sent here with them to protect Charlie and I am barely capable of doing anything. I've been involved in an evil cult that probably killed my family, I don't know why Ivy trusted me with this mission. And Astolfo is Astolfo'ing and I just can't do this tod-aaah--," and that was it. The lass was shedding tears and all events of the day had stacked and stacked until her emotional fortitude crumbled. And now she had her face buried in this man's chest, because she was an adult in tears and she was supposed to be a knight and soldier who protected people.

"Hm, that took a bit longer than I expected," was Miwa's thoughts about the emotional break of Anais. Moving on though, Charles expressed some disbelief in the form of a comparison that Miwa didn't truly understand. Well, the words themselves made sense, just the context seemed strange. Oh, that was unusual, she'd have to think that one over. "I am not sure I understand the context completely, but many things are risky. I should say I don't think it will destroy you. I just have no current observable proof," she explained of her own understanding. True enough, it was mostly theoretical but she understood enough of how magic worked to think it wouldn't end in the lad's death. Of course, the random words spoken by Sakura hit two different sets of ears very differently. Charles had an entire tirade about the potential of his burning up, but instead, Miwa seemed to excited. "That's... great. It's brilliant. It all makes sense, Saku-chan~" the woman said while happily squeezing her daughter into herself. "Iie, that wasn't me... Onii-san that gave me the tea said that to me... and I thought it applied to the situation," she mentioned. "Well that guy is a genius," Miwa menitoned. "He and Fox-Onee-san are by the sakura tree... doing something sexy. At least it felt that way," she said thinking about the feelings coming off the pair as they left her presence.

Ah, there was Charles now as well. Miwa looked at the lad and smiled. "That goddess of yours sounds interesting. It is probably for the best that I likely didn't meet her the other day... that demon seems to like feisty women," she said with a nod as casually as one mentioned anything. "I don't think it's worse, I think it's a metaphor not a physical thing that will happen. Also given that statement I'd also like to meet her," mentioned Sakura. She wouldn't have suggested anything that would harm him and she was sure the man who'd given her the tea wouldn't have suggested it either. "Anyway, that information seems to make the rest of the things click together. The way the magic works, having contact with higher order mana should jumpstart that which is hidden behind your core. If that happens your Source, as it is called will active making you a version of yourself that can't be absorbed, and likely making you a new core. Lesser versions of yourself burn up, but the you that is left is far greater than the initial spark that made you... does that clarify it for you?" asked Miwa. Of course there were a few more issues. No simple mana transfer would do this kind of sparking. He couldn't get away with something as simple as a kiss, he'd need a full exchange and likely one that could mostly purge the negative influence from him while leaving something bigger behind. Miwa for her understanding of this situation couldn't be part of it. And Sakura might not have quite been strong enough to do it as completely as it needed to be done. She might need a bit of a spark as well, but as a goddess couldn't possess the holy grail she should be able to purify it by drinking its contents. Yes that was the ultimate plan.

After a few things said by Astolfo, and a ton of things mentioned by Ailen, something strange happened with Anais. To Ailen, her mana seemed rather shaky for a few moments. That eventually became something physically notable as moisture welled up and overflowed from her eyes. How very strange. Ah, but her breakdown was being explained as she sobbed. All this talk of breast size had simply piled atop her alleged inability to protect the broken lad, in addition to the fact that she'd unknowingly been part of a cult of sorts probably responsible for the death of her family. Ailen supposed any normal person should have been weeping, but he believed it was not conducive to development. If one had the freedom to cry, they had time to be productive. Of course, he was not a heartless elf at the end of it all. A young girl was sobbing against his chest, and his embrace firmed with a slow rub against the back of her head. "You seem to be quite troubled. Come with me. I have a solution," he said, seeming prepared to move already. If refusal was an option, it didn't seem to be much of one at all.

Two people weren't being given a lot of options, apparently. On Charlemagne's end, it seemed the only viable choice for Charlemagne's current predicament would be one that sounded very... experimental. He didn't like the sound of exploding. He didn't like the idea of being absorbed into Father An or any other vessel either. Of the two, exploding frankly sounded like the better option... though he would have liked it if either of these two presented an idea that was somehow less frightening. It wasn't helping that both Miwa and Sakura showed an interest in meeting Angelica, who herself had the energy of someone ready to act without thinking at a moment's notice. Oh well; it wasn't as if he had any bright ideas to work with.

From the sound of it all, Charlemagne could assume this entire process would work a specific way. He would need to suffer a mana overload in such a way as to awaken his Source, likely ridding him of that remnant Core and spawning a new one. If it didn't erase him first, it seemed like something that would make him much better. That would be nice. "I guess it makes sense? It still sounds like the chance of me blowing up is way too high, but it's not like I have a better idea... or the ability to do much of anything myself. So, what, I get magical shock therapy or something?"

Anais was having a minor breakdown. She'd probably be alright after a few moments of shed tears, and likely would have been content if she'd just be allowed to break as her mind wanted to. Strangely though, it seemed that Ailen was a fairly nice man, and he let her cry into him and what was more offered a rather firm embrace which she found rather comforting. The calm words from this man were that she seemed troubled and that he had a solution. It didn't seem like she was being given much of an option to come along and this man hadn't made her feel like he'd harm her in any way, so she saw little harm in joining him. Besides, she didn't even consider herself good for morale in the moment so there was no point in bringing the mood down for everyone. So off she slunk in tow of a tall elf man who apparently had something for her.

At the same time, Charles was coming to terms with the apparently experimental treatment he'd likely be receiving. According to the lad, he claimed it still sounded like he had a chance of blowing up, but he didn't have better idea. He went on to compare the potential to magical shock therapy. Non-magical shock therapy sounded terrible, but context alone said the potential was similar. "Hm, I don't know fully what non-magical shock therapy would entail, but the basic idea is a bit of outside force to make your Source begin behaving the way it should. It is a bit invasive, but I can't think of a better way to treat what potentially ails you. I'd actually liken it more to the creation of a wedge. The Anunnaki did that once, creating the Wedge of Heaven out of a mostly godly being to connect them with the lower realms. That didn't work out long term because the wedge decided that he didn't like the actions of some of the gods so he closed the link in a single direction," she said giving it a bit of thought. "In this case those, the wedge on this end would simply serve the purpose of making sure you couldn't be fully absorbed even if you came in contact with your life thief again. It seems you already have a small one, but a more substantial one will be needed to sustain the entirety of your new existence," she explaimed calmly. "But I think that can all be taken care of at once. Saku-chan... if you cleanse his holy grail, you can make that apparatus usable by him again, then you'd have enough mana to make sure he fully wakes up before he cracks," she stated clearly. Sakura gave it a bit of consideration. She could definitely cleanse his Holy Grail, and she could also definitely feed him enough mana afterwards if he was willing to accept it. She wanted wanted to know about the woman already tied to him, and she didn't mind offering herself for the purpose of making sure this man didn't have to live as a piece of another. "I'll do it." she said as if it was the simplest thing in the world, irrespective of the potential of her tying herself to Charles for any limited or extended amount of time.

Anais didn't even attempt to avoid the situation. Excellent. Ailen considered this a major step in the right direction already. Speaking of stepping in the right direction, he led the way to a more suitable place for their discussion. Just beyond the room full of distracting presences, there was a tatami room with one of its mats at the rear wall shifted out of place. A long staircase was in the opening, leading down through darkness until a warm, seemingly natural light could be seen. Ailen would lead the girl through that dark corridor, but what was ahead? That lighting seemed to come from an underground grove. Greenery was plentiful, primarily coming from trees overgrown with moss ─ though the grove was not lacking in plentiful flowers of varying types. It seemed this place was designed to be an alchemist's natural workstation, featuring an abundance of filled bottles, phials spread across a few alchemy tables with all necessary equipment. "Here we are. So, you worry about your abilities and your involvement with a band of ne'er-do-wells, yes? I must ask if you have ever found yourself thinking negative thoughts about those people."

Two left, and five remained. Charlemagne received the rundown of a 'functional' plan to repair him, taking it all in stride even as he feared his own explosion. Something about hearing the word 'invasive' in reference to any process was always terrifying. At least he had a mental image of shock therapy in the non-magical sense; his assumption of the coming process could stem from that. Strange, however, was the talk of a wedge being placed in him. Based on context clues combined with mention of him having one already, Charlemagne figured Angelica functioned as something of the sort currently... but not enough of one. Was he to be permanently linked to someone else? That sounded like the most invasive thing of all! Maybe it was necessary only while he stabilized himself; these sorts always had some caveats like that worked in... right? "So whoever shocks the hell out of me is going to be connected to my Source or whatever... until I don't have to worry about being absorbed, right?" he questioned. So far, it seemed Sakura would be the one cleansing his tainted Holy Grail and repairing his broken soul. She seemed a bit young and innocent; he definitely didn't want to drag her into this ridiculous ordeal at all, if it could be avoided. "I mean... I'm all for having this grail purified, but linking yourself to me in any way right now is too much for me to ask of anyone. I'm finding my way back to Aincrad at some point, and I'm taking down Father An if it's the last thing I do! I can't drag someone else into that."

Anais found herself following Ailen where he was leading. Of course, she seemed to have no problem with what was happening, but there was an underlying reason for that, and it had to do with Instinct. Though she was skeptical at least a bit of new people, this man had given her no direct reason to doubt him. He didn't make the hairs on the back of her neck standup and he was a rather calming presence nearby her person. As such she walked along finding herself in a grove and alchemical lab of sorts. She looked around seeming stunned by the natural state of this place and also felt a bit more at peace. "Sugoi!" a slip of the tongue casual though it was. Here within a few moments of her arrival she was asked a question, was she worried about her abilities. "I am a bit yes. I don't think I am as suited to this as most... though I don't think I am bad," she mentioned. As for the second half of that question... "Some people within the overall organization make me feel uncomfortable, but I avoid them most times. The group I am in with Charlie doesn't generally give me those sorts of feelings... well except one person, but I avoid him too," she stated honestly. Such a line of questioning was strange, but she was sure it had merit, somewhere.

Charles went on to try and understand the situation as laid out by Miwa. He seemed to have the gist of it. "That seems to be the truth of it, but I should warn you that I do not know how long or strong such a connection will be. Sources are too unknown to this world, I don't have enough examples to go by yet," she explained the truth of the matter and why it was potentially truly invasive. As for Charles, it seemed it did want his grail cleansed and also wanted to be able to hunt down the one who'd wronged him, but didn't want to drag anyone else into it. Especially not one as a young as Sakura. "Well if you don't want it to be the last thing you do, then you'd want to establish a connection with someone more flexible whose powers still have potentials which are unknown and who doesn't already have an agenda. Besides Sakura is as unique as I am, not born and bound to Celestia her view of the world and life are a bit more flexible," said Miwa. "Besides, there is no better time to do something potentially irresponsible than when you're young and impressionable. Seeing the words goods and evils with your own eyes is the best way to determine where you stand in the grand scheme of things," she concluded. Sakura took in all the necessary information and came to a single conclusion. "I'll still do it. I don't think it is outside my abilities to sever our connection once everything is done, even without fully understanding this source, as Kaa-sama calls it. I want to meet the other goddess, so making sure you get back to her is something I will do of my own accord," said the girl, she seemed so very certain of this point.

Upon reaching his workshop, Ailen immediately heard the astounded utterance of Anais. He paid little to no mind to it, deciding instead to let go of the girl and begin shuffling through various fluids and herbs. This was something done while she went about answering his questions. He'd have more to ask, but first and foremost was a test of her senses. Anais was not fully confident in her own abilities, and she did seem to have some small sense of the negatives in people around her. "Hmm. The sense to avoid those with ill intent is a wonderful start. Perhaps thistle branch. Holly would also do well," he murmured while sorting through the options on an alchemy table. "Do you consume any herbal mixtures that would affect cognitive functions or otherwise tamper with your mana?" he asked further.

Sadly, Miwa didn't have enough information about Sources to have any concrete conclusions about the coming bond. Problematic as that could be, there were still no other options present; he just didn't want an innocent bystander being involved in the living hell he was sure to walk into. Ah, but Miwa had something to say about that as well. True enough, approaching Father An would probably be the last thing he ever did without help. He could agree that an ideal aide would be someone flexible without an agenda that would be impeded by coming events. Like Miwa, Sakura was apparently unbound by Celestia or the ways of Celestials. Knowing Angelica was much the same, he figured he could use that kind of help... though it still didn't sit right with him. According to Miwa though, youth was the perfect time to be irresponsible, adventure, and learn the truth of the world. Sakura agreed with the added note that she had an interest in meeting Angelica. What was he to do?

As always, Charlemagne's final decision was made only when consulting his most trusted companions. Astolfo was the only one present, so it was the pink-haired lad he looked toward. In doing so, he saw the other male with one thumb pointed high, and a wide smile on his face. "Ching! I say go for it if she's got your back. Just do the usual and have her back if things go south. That looks like a lot of back to get, too, so you'll like it!" he said in usual Astolfo manner. Charlemagne sighed; he should have expected the response to go in that direction. Not needing to ask what Astolfo meant by 'back', he set his gaze on Sakura again. "Fine. I'll be counting on you, Tohsaka-... dono? Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!" Charlemagne said, bowing as much as he could under the circumstances. "So do I just... give you the grail? I'm not sure how this works─"

Sometime after reaching this rather interesting place to look at, she was let go as the elf began to wonder about his workshop. He seemed to be taking strange notes and asking some rather invasive questions but they were no worse than what she would have expected visiting the doctor's office in her previous life. At the very least, she was here alone and not being asked something which would have made her blush to answer. That being said, she found his collection of various natural things curious, she wondered what he did which needed this sort of workshop. She would have assumed he was an Alchemist but that seemed to be a bit of an underestimation of his abilities. In answering his question she didn't need to do much thinking and instead watched both him and the things he looked at. "No, I definitely don't do anything like that. Even when we celebrate as a group and everyone drinks, I have juice..." she said. Ah some things about her previous life stuck with her just the same. No matter. "Is this whole workshop just for alchemy?" she asked strangely seeming to find it a bit odd, but once more she was led to believe that questioning things in this case wouldn't be the wrong thing to do, and she was always a bit curious.

After all was said and done, it seemed that Charles looked to his companion for advice. Interesting was the pink haired lad, who gave the sort of advice that quite honestly, Miwa thought this lad definitely needed to hear. Perhaps something had gone quite wrong in this lad's upbringing or perhaps he truly was just a shy and quite type, but Miwa knew the sort of connection that needed to be made and it wouldn't be made with shyness. Astolfo also seemed to realize it as he gave his encouragement with a few extra words. Strangely, Sakura seemed to understand the implications, "I don't think it's that big..." she mused about her own rear. Ah, Miwa knew this was going to be an interesting day, "Saku-chan, why don't you take the Zen Pavilion, it has a good atmosphere... run along. Come back when is Source is awake, I'd like to see it," said Miwa who was surely about to go nestle herself back into Qin as they had quite a few things left to do. "As for order, he drinks the grail, you sort it out after, that would be the best way to make sure he keeps what he needs as his connection to that," she said in a manner most encouraging. "Hai, Kaa-sama..." she murmured. As for Charles, well there was a matter which was being address and first and foremost she'd be leading him away to where her mother said they should go. "You know the language so you know you're being really formal... why?" she asked seeming to not understand this sort of approach to someone who in all likelihood should be seen as equivalent to her.

The Zen Pavilion was a bit like an open air garden. It had a huge sun roof with a large window and large potted trees with gentle white flowers floating around. The light that shown from overhead wasn't intense but seemed to show gently through the leaves and petals over head. And in the middle of the room was another large dais with another large throne like bed in the middle of it, with pristine white colored silk and fluffy padding.

Continuing about his business of locating the proper ingredients, Ailen kept an open ear for all Anais would say. In total, he counted that she had little belief in herself, was aware of others' potential darkness, and did not partake of things that would affect her mana. "I see. Though drinking is not counted among these things, that is good information to have. Do know that most alcohols will not affect you negatively, if you do wish to partake. A glass or two of wine actually boosts the Spiritual Core's ability to metabolize incoming mana during transfers or consumption. Of course, that is only the case if said mana is not for the purpose of conceiving. That would almost be a surefire way to have something go awry," he explained needlessly. Already, he was preparing a pestle and mortar to begin a mixture, though Anais had a question to ask before his next one could be spoken. What an interesting little creature she was proving to be. "Curious about my work, are you? I don't mind. This is where I grow and store my primary ingredients. Alchemy is my passion and my study. Most of my time is spent here, but I suppose it is not exclusively for alchemy. With your sense, I'm sure you realize this place is suited to meditation and awakenings of the soul. I may also use it to test a few wand or stave crafts, tinker with organic puppets, or a number of other things."

Though he was an alchemist by choice, Ailen enjoyed a great deal of trades as options. Most involved herbs and the like, but that was a matter of his study and application. Here and now, he wouldn't just be making an elixir for Anais; he'd be constructing something else. First though, he needed more information. "Are you sexually active? If so, what is the frequency? If not, have you ever received a mana transfer of any sort? Where would your preferred receptacle for mana be? That is assuming you have an idea. If not, that will be fine; other information can tell me all I need to know."

After Astolfo's unnecessary commentary, Sakura was the first to speak. Oh. So she knew what he was talking about. How strange. "It's pretty meaty. What, am I the only one who thinks so?" he asked with a very pointed glance in Charlemagne's direction. No. No, he wasn't doing this. Charlemagne would have been shaking his head if he thought it reasonable, but instead he moved on with the conversation... much to Astolfo's obvious disappointment. "Booo, no fun!"

Moving on, Charlemagne was to drink from the tainted Holy Grail and have Sakura do something about the corruption he consumed. That sounded dangerous, but these people had done right by him thus far; he had little reason to distrust the process. Whatever this Zen Pavilion was, it sounded like the appropriate kind of place for purifying. He was starting to have a fair bit of hope moving forward. Ready to follow Sakura to this new location, he paused only to address her rather odd question. "Huh? Well I figured you're... you know... a princess-slash-goddess. I was just being respectful," he clarified sheepishly.

Lessons for the lot continued. It would seem that Anais would be informed about her intake habits not needing to be as meticulous as she thought. This man truly did have the general aspect of a doctor and claimed the same kind of health benefits she'd been familiar with in her previous life to enjoying a bit of alcohol should she decide to partake. The only real warning given was one about conceiving while intoxicated but as that was nothing she intended to do she didn't see it as a problem. Her two index fingers were tapping together as she gave it gentle consideration, "Duly noted, maybe I'll have one when all this is over as a celebration. I think I am starting to understand why Ivy and Livy claim that drink is a good way to end the day... it's been a really stressful time," she mused seeming to give it consideration. What was more, she soon received an answer to her curiosity. This place was his lab, but also a place for spiritual and magical awakenings. He used it not only to grow his main alchemical ingredients, but also to do magical experiments, create staves and wands, and tinker with organic puppets. "Sou ka, that's a vast array of interests, but they seem pretty interconnected. I am interested quite a bit and we don't have anyone doing things like this in our group. Well, I guess there is Olga but I don't find armoring so interesting as more organic crafts," she stated seeming to take a pretty reasonable interest in his work. Her obvious affinity towards more natural things making more sense as time went on.

Of course, her happy little conversation could only remain so for a certain amount of time. One of those blushing questions reared its ugly head. Well that was wrong, it was a series of very uncomfortable questions and she wasn't really prepared for it initially. In fact, her face immediately reddened as she silently thanked whatever gods were currently good and in existence that she was no longer a human child in high school with a parent sitting next to her, to make it even more awkward. "I'm not sexually active and I've never been given a mana transfer, that I'm aware of. I've never considered how I would prefer that to happen and now that I am saying all this aloud I am pretty sure I'm not mentally prepared to consider it either," she said. The movements of her face and hands making her sink into the shadow of her hood and try and cool off her burning face. Still, those little ears of hers were twitching, it was quite strange to consider these sorts of questions of course given her status in life it wasn't at all odd that she'd have trouble answering these questions.

Strangely, the conversation with Astolfo seemed to be one which was understood, Charles avoided speaking on the matter completely and it seemed to be quite the struggle in some way. Sakura didn't understand this either, but strangely Miwa would be the one to agree with Astolfo. "You're quite right, her body came out a bit more like my sisters'. I'm quite proud of that~" she said seeming to take a great deal of pride in the child she made, even in the oddest of ways. Moving right along, while they walked to the Zen Pavilion, Sakura herself chose to question Charles' use of formal language when addressing her and received a strange answer in return. She was a Princess and a Goddess so he thought to be respectful. He even seemed to be a bit embarrassed. "Sou ka, but you were Emperor in your own right and I am a goddess without a distinct authority. You are not a subject of my mother's so shouldn't that mean we should address each other as equals even while being polite?" she questioned in a manner most logical. She didn't really mind what she was called, she just found the extra formality odd. Upon reaching the Zen Pavilion she walked inside and if Charles followed the doors would close behind them. Shady but sunny, a large dais and even the places for them to lie and relax she'd approach it while slipping out of her sandals and keep walking forward until of course she took a seat on that throne like bed. She figured the lad should rest himself lest he experience any more physical problems as they worked to place his mana back within his form after the transfer took place.

Despite her lack of experience with alcoholic beverages, Anais showed some interest in alcohol after the events of her day thus far. Ailen wasn't very surprised at all; hers was the sort of day people drank over more often than not. "If that is what you want, I can add a similar enough effect to the potion. It would only be the sensation, mind you; I cannot have it interfering with your mana directly," he explained. With that out of the way, his curiosity was sated as well. Anais was not sexually active, and had never received mana from another person... as far as she knew. She didn't want to delve too deep into where she would prefer receiving a mana transfer either, which was perfectly fine. As one who showed an interest in his works the way she did, he could easily allow a few additional leniencies based on their similarities alone. "Very well. I'll ask you this: If you were to receive power, would you prefer it course through you and meld into all that you are, have it blended with that of the provider in both directions, which would also grant them your existing power, or hold it within yourself to decide how it is allocated and applied at your discretion? If you will, please answer with your reason for the decision," he said while breaking from the current work. This stage was rather important for all he had planned today, but there was something else he could deem important as well. "It is understandable that you would find organic crafts more interesting. That much is in your very nature. Be warned that learning alchemy of this caliber is no small undertaking. However, if you earnestly wish to learn, I am willing to share my knowledge with you."

Something was wrong with so many people. In hearing Astolfo talk about her daughter's backside, Miwa seemed... proud. No, that wasn't it. She said she was proud! How did Charlemagne go a thousand years in this world without seeing this many strange people?! No, this was another thing he wouldn't be dealing with. He'd move on. He'd follow Sakura, hoping she was a less-jarring individual than the likes of her own mother and Angelica, and he'd... be questioned about his respectful speech. Well, at least there was some logic behind it. Sakura was a goddess in existence, but not in title. Her being a princess and him being an emperor should have shifted the direction of honorifics. With those two things being true and her being a higher-quality existence than himself, there should have been a more balanced arrangement between them. On the other hand, he couldn't see it the same way. "Iia, iia. I was crowned Holy Emperor of Aincrad, but I'm not too sure that's a real title. So... I'm just Charlemagne the Adventurer: a half-broken guy talking to the princess of a country I just fell into."

While disregarding any absence of honorifics toward Sakura, Charlemagne found himself in a room that boasted the most interesting lighting. Frankly, it looked the part of a sanctified room in some sort of utopia. Assuming that throne was where some form of ascension occurred, he tentatively seated himself beside Sakura, still holding that tainted grail. "So do I just... drink this?" he asked. Assuming that was the way to go, Charlemagne seemed ready to begin right away. If he wasn't halted or dissuaded, he'd be gulping down the grail's contents in a matter of seconds, taking into himself all of its power... and all of the corruption born of negative emotions alongside it.