I don't think so. Feels like you've grown an inch or two to me. C'mon now, I'm giving you actual praise here.
[Van's eyes do wander to her legs for a split second, but he mentally scolds himself for letting them do that. Shutting the door and moving over to the driver's side, he'll be starting up the car and starts driving ahead!]
I've got the radio here if you wanna listen to anything special. I ain't too picky with music, ya know.
Tch... You wanna get out and walk? Or maybe you can sit in the cargo bed instead.
[All said with his usual snark... Not that he's really going to stop the car or make her sit in the back like that. Secretly, he'd feel bad for doing either of those.]
You know, you never struck me being in the old classics. And here I thought that you were more into loud and upbeat pop music.
[Van himself often found himself tuning into the smooth jazz station more often than not. But this was a refreshing change of pace... Though he does hear some loud rock music playing in one of the cars off to the side. It appeared to be a guy in a new model sports car and he's honking over at their direction.]
What the hell? Doesn't this dude know that he could get a ticket for noise violation? What's he tryin' to prove here?
He's probably just trying to get you to race him. Just ignore the guy. I bet he'll speed off like an idiot and ruin his own day.
[Or maybe she'll fuck with the wind resistance on his vehicle a little bit like she does with her boats out in the ocean and get him to crash that fancy little sports car (without injury, of course; just want to drain his wallet with some car repairs).]
Hah! I deal with assholes like this all the time. I know better than to take easy bait like this.
[Though the guy pulls over to their side and rolls down his window. Seeing Rin gets him to do a little sleazy wolf whistle and he obnoxiously honks his horn again.]
Nyahaha~! Hey there, hot stuff! Why don't ya ditch the old geezer ridin' a dumpster and take a ride with a REAL stud here?
[There's a very stained smile on Van's face and the hint of a vein on his forehead. This guy not only called him an old geezer, but also insulted his car? Van's aura of murderous intent begins to drip from his shoulders.]
What. Did. He. Just. Say? He called me an old geezer and said what about my car?
If you actually intend to race him I'll just walk back to the university.
[If Van is actually able to show some restraint then maybe he'll be rewarded with a couple little surprises. But for now Tohsaka simply seems unimpressed with both drivers.]
[They were already at a stop light and he continues hearing the guy jeering at them. Van takes a deep breath before finally pushing his anger aside.]
--Ugh! Fine, fine. I've got better things to do here than waste time with some punk.
[While it hurts his pride, he'll let that anger simmer before it takes control of him. The so-called punk still has some words to say... Van decides to pull down his window for some words of wisdom here.]
Awww... What's wrong? You're gonna chicken out, old man? Bet you couldn't outdo me!
... Listen, kid. Here's a friendly ol' suggestion. If I were you, I wouldn't be picking fights out on the road. You've got a real beauty of a car there, so don't let it go to waste.
Oh, you're just acting all cool now! I'll show you what's what!
[The moment that the light goes green, the punk goes racing off... But what follows is the sounds of police sirens in the distance. Meanwhile, Van decides to calmly keep driving forward.]
Well, it'll be the police's job to put him in his place and not mine. I did warm him not to pick fights.
[There is a crashing noise that is most certainly from that same punk and when they have to drive by the wreckage (the idiot driver mostly unscathed) Rin puts her hand on Van's thigh.]
Don't tell anyone, but I may have used a little magecraft on his wheels.
[Van's face turns red for two big reasons! The first would be from feeling her hand against his thigh like that! Then the second one would be anger from her pure recklessness. How can one girl make him feel so angeroused?!]
For the love of-- Even a normal race could've helped with breaking his pride, you know?
[But in hindsight, it still would've distracted them from their destination. He does let out another sigh as he relaxes a bit more.]
... You held back enough magic to not kill him, right?
[There's a hint of concern in his voice. Van knew how it felt to take a human life and the weight never left you as long as you lived. That's a line he never wants her crossing if he could help it.]
[Didn't "only meant to humiliate him" mean anything? Gosh. Besides, causing a death might put her on the radar of the Mage's Association because normies can't learn about magecraft.
Rin squeezes his thigh.]
Also the point was to get him out of the conversation as soon as possible! Isn't this supposed to be a get-away for us? Forget about everyone else!
[He lets out a bit of a huff before moving a hand over to gently pat her on the head. Even though he was doing his best to keep up a cool demeanor, he lets a warm smile finally crawl to his face.]
You have my vow as a Spriggan that I'll focus on you and only one from here on out. I'm a shitty person when it comes to a lot of things, but I never go back on my promises.
[A-ah... a head-pat. Tohsaka dips her head a little so that her hair hides the way color rises to her face. In turn her hand loosens her grip on his thigh, and she even strokes his leg briefly as an unspoken apology.]
Don't worry. You cannot be worse than the ideal mage.
[Pulling his hand back on the wheel, Van thinks about the weight of those words. He's dealt and interacted with all kinds of shady scumbags in his line of work, yet he never allowed himself to be fully tainted in that darkness. That's why it was important to put up a mask sometimes to make sure that the world's evils didn't break you and making sure people didn't see through you. Even if that meant becoming the villain, yet never fully committing to that role.
Even as a child, he's seen the worst that humanity has to offer. Despite that, it was almost impressive that he wasn't on some crusade for revenge or anything like that. There were just some ideals that he would never fully compromise on.]
So in your mind... What do you think a mage should be like? It sounds like that side of society has a strict definition to follow.
Mm, it's not about what I think. Mages are researchers. They all desire one thing, to reach the Root — the source of all Mystery and phenomena in this world. It doesn't matter how many people are hurt or suffer from their methods of reaching it. As long as magecraft and Mystery stay secret from the common public the Mage's Association will not intervene. Mages are meant to be cold, calculating, and do only what's necessary to further their goals.
[As such there is no such thing as "cruelty" or "evil" to a mage. Only what works, and what doesn't.]
[Van couldn't help and feel an uncomfortable twist in both his heart and stomach. Those types of people are ones that he knows all too well. He thinks back to those cold days whenever he was strapped down to a table and was experimented on like a guinea pig. The D∴G cult didn't care who or what was sacrificed in the end... As long as it benefited their own goals.
Those days when his only meals were those bitter Gnosis pills... Those days when he lost everything including his sense of self. Those days that he couldn't even speak... If he wasn't saved by his Master, then who knows what kind of person he'd be now?]
I can say this from my own personal experience, Tohsaka... You're absolutely nothing like that. You may walk along those kinds of people, but it feels like you've chosen your own path. One that hasn't rejected humanity, yet hasn't abandoned your magecraft teachings either... Am I wrong?
...Did you ever consider your philosophy talk is a huge mood killer?
[Pot vs Kettle, but she honestly doesn't want to answer him. Not in the slightest. Even after all that happened with the Grail, Tohsaka is still trying to find her place and attempting to be like her father. Separate from humanity without being cruel or wicked. A mage shouldn't revel in the misfortune of others, but they shouldn't be overly concerned about their happiness either.]
Hey... I'm just rambling to myself with some green tea in hand over here. But if you ever wanna shut me up, then I'm sure you can come up with a few ways being as resourceful as you are.
[But he's not hearing a no from her. That was okay, though... Van himself was still trying to make his own path in the world too. But he meant what he said whenever he felt that she wasn't like those creeps he knew back then and even now. Compared to them, Rin's scent was much more pleasant.]
Anyway, I'm just here to say that you're a good girl. Even if you're like a cat that likes to bite at my freakin' heels from time to time.
[He's trying his best to sound annoyed, but it comes out more amused instead. Van was secretly a cat lover even if he didn't seem like the type.]
[Green tea? He's already trying to paint a picture of serenity and wisdom and they haven't even gotten to the onsen yet. What a dork. Resourceful, though. Yeah, she is that. And his little "good girl" comment strikes something in her so deeply that she decides to put her resourcefulness to work. Her hand finding itself at his thigh again, but this time purposefully up high and curving toward his inseam.]
[Feeling her hand on his pants makes Van do a double take and it was much higher this time. She wasn't going to do what he thought she was going to do, was she?! He felt that he was good at reading people at times, but there was no predicting what this wild girl would do next! He realizes that he couldn't get distracted here...!]
--H-Hey... What's going on? What are you up to now?!
[He wants to sound to authoritative, but it comes out more flustered instead. Maybe he's overthinking things... It wouldn't be the first time that's happened. But his body was becoming far more honest than his words. He could feel his heart racing and the hints of an erection starting.
Calm down, Arkride. You've got the road to focus on... You've been in tighter situation than this...!]
Hmm? Aren't I being a resourceful good girl? Are you trying to say if I leaned over into your lap that you wouldn't pat my head?
[She won't give him much longer to think about it. Her palm grazes over here his growing interest starts to become evident. Gently she applies stroking pressure there before moving upward toward his waistband. Hm... would she have to get through a buckle or just a button and zipper?]
[He was doing his damnest to not sound vulnerable right now, but what escapes from his throat are strained grunts. His hips wiggle beyond his own control to the rhythm of her touch. This just wasn't fair at all! If she wants to go further, she simply had to get through a belt buckle, button and a zipper. It's a triple A.T field threat!]
For the love of-- You can't be serious right now! How can I even do that when my hands are on THE WHEEL, you dummy!?
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[She'll climb into his car, and will be careful to tuck her skirt underneath her as she settles in shotgun.]
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[Van's eyes do wander to her legs for a split second, but he mentally scolds himself for letting them do that. Shutting the door and moving over to the driver's side, he'll be starting up the car and starts driving ahead!]
I've got the radio here if you wanna listen to anything special. I ain't too picky with music, ya know.
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[Sorry but she's old at heart, and puts on a orchestral classics station after buckling up.]
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[All said with his usual snark... Not that he's really going to stop the car or make her sit in the back like that. Secretly, he'd feel bad for doing either of those.]
You know, you never struck me being in the old classics. And here I thought that you were more into loud and upbeat pop music.
[Van himself often found himself tuning into the smooth jazz station more often than not. But this was a refreshing change of pace... Though he does hear some loud rock music playing in one of the cars off to the side. It appeared to be a guy in a new model sports car and he's honking over at their direction.]
What the hell? Doesn't this dude know that he could get a ticket for noise violation? What's he tryin' to prove here?
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[Or maybe she'll fuck with the wind resistance on his vehicle a little bit like she does with her boats out in the ocean and get him to crash that fancy little sports car (without injury, of course; just want to drain his wallet with some car repairs).]
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[Though the guy pulls over to their side and rolls down his window. Seeing Rin gets him to do a little sleazy wolf whistle and he obnoxiously honks his horn again.]
Nyahaha~! Hey there, hot stuff! Why don't ya ditch the old geezer ridin' a dumpster and take a ride with a REAL stud here?
[There's a very stained smile on Van's face and the hint of a vein on his forehead. This guy not only called him an old geezer, but also insulted his car? Van's aura of murderous intent begins to drip from his shoulders.]
What. Did. He. Just. Say? He called me an old geezer and said what about my car?
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[If Van is actually able to show some restraint then maybe he'll be rewarded with a couple little surprises. But for now Tohsaka simply seems unimpressed with both drivers.]
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--Ugh! Fine, fine. I've got better things to do here than waste time with some punk.
[While it hurts his pride, he'll let that anger simmer before it takes control of him. The so-called punk still has some words to say... Van decides to pull down his window for some words of wisdom here.]
Awww... What's wrong? You're gonna chicken out, old man? Bet you couldn't outdo me!
... Listen, kid. Here's a friendly ol' suggestion. If I were you, I wouldn't be picking fights out on the road. You've got a real beauty of a car there, so don't let it go to waste.
Oh, you're just acting all cool now! I'll show you what's what!
[The moment that the light goes green, the punk goes racing off... But what follows is the sounds of police sirens in the distance. Meanwhile, Van decides to calmly keep driving forward.]
Well, it'll be the police's job to put him in his place and not mine. I did warm him not to pick fights.
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Don't tell anyone, but I may have used a little magecraft on his wheels.
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[Van's face turns red for two big reasons! The first would be from feeling her hand against his thigh like that! Then the second one would be anger from her pure recklessness. How can one girl make him feel so angeroused?!]
YOU. DID. WHAAAAAAT!?
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Don't be so loud! Besides, it was only meant to humiliate him a little. That's why I didn't want you racing him.
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[But in hindsight, it still would've distracted them from their destination. He does let out another sigh as he relaxes a bit more.]
... You held back enough magic to not kill him, right?
[There's a hint of concern in his voice. Van knew how it felt to take a human life and the weight never left you as long as you lived. That's a line he never wants her crossing if he could help it.]
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[Didn't "only meant to humiliate him" mean anything? Gosh. Besides, causing a death might put her on the radar of the Mage's Association because normies can't learn about magecraft.
Rin squeezes his thigh.]
Also the point was to get him out of the conversation as soon as possible! Isn't this supposed to be a get-away for us? Forget about everyone else!
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--Ow! Is it just me or have you gotten even more possessive since we've spent time together?! You act even more like a tyrant than usual!
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[He lets out a bit of a huff before moving a hand over to gently pat her on the head. Even though he was doing his best to keep up a cool demeanor, he lets a warm smile finally crawl to his face.]
You have my vow as a Spriggan that I'll focus on you and only one from here on out. I'm a shitty person when it comes to a lot of things, but I never go back on my promises.
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Don't worry. You cannot be worse than the ideal mage.
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[Pulling his hand back on the wheel, Van thinks about the weight of those words. He's dealt and interacted with all kinds of shady scumbags in his line of work, yet he never allowed himself to be fully tainted in that darkness. That's why it was important to put up a mask sometimes to make sure that the world's evils didn't break you and making sure people didn't see through you. Even if that meant becoming the villain, yet never fully committing to that role.
Even as a child, he's seen the worst that humanity has to offer. Despite that, it was almost impressive that he wasn't on some crusade for revenge or anything like that. There were just some ideals that he would never fully compromise on.]
So in your mind... What do you think a mage should be like? It sounds like that side of society has a strict definition to follow.
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[As such there is no such thing as "cruelty" or "evil" to a mage. Only what works, and what doesn't.]
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Those days when his only meals were those bitter Gnosis pills... Those days when he lost everything including his sense of self. Those days that he couldn't even speak... If he wasn't saved by his Master, then who knows what kind of person he'd be now?]
I can say this from my own personal experience, Tohsaka... You're absolutely nothing like that. You may walk along those kinds of people, but it feels like you've chosen your own path. One that hasn't rejected humanity, yet hasn't abandoned your magecraft teachings either... Am I wrong?
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[Pot vs Kettle, but she honestly doesn't want to answer him. Not in the slightest. Even after all that happened with the Grail, Tohsaka is still trying to find her place and attempting to be like her father. Separate from humanity without being cruel or wicked. A mage shouldn't revel in the misfortune of others, but they shouldn't be overly concerned about their happiness either.]
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[But he's not hearing a no from her. That was okay, though... Van himself was still trying to make his own path in the world too. But he meant what he said whenever he felt that she wasn't like those creeps he knew back then and even now. Compared to them, Rin's scent was much more pleasant.]
Anyway, I'm just here to say that you're a good girl. Even if you're like a cat that likes to bite at my freakin' heels from time to time.
[He's trying his best to sound annoyed, but it comes out more amused instead. Van was secretly a cat lover even if he didn't seem like the type.]
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--H-Hey... What's going on? What are you up to now?!
[He wants to sound to authoritative, but it comes out more flustered instead. Maybe he's overthinking things... It wouldn't be the first time that's happened. But his body was becoming far more honest than his words. He could feel his heart racing and the hints of an erection starting.
Calm down, Arkride. You've got the road to focus on... You've been in tighter situation than this...!]
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[She won't give him much longer to think about it. Her palm grazes over here his growing interest starts to become evident. Gently she applies stroking pressure there before moving upward toward his waistband. Hm... would she have to get through a buckle or just a button and zipper?]
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For the love of-- You can't be serious right now! How can I even do that when my hands are on THE WHEEL, you dummy!?
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