Tohsaka Residence, Reception Room
Dressed in a custom crimson suit, Tohsaka Tokiomi sat gracefully on an ornate sofa. With practised precision, he lifted the porcelain lid of his teacup, skimmed the surface once, added two cubes of sugar with a silver spoon, and gently stirred with a tea whisk until the mix turned uniform. Wisps of white powder floated to the top - a delicate display indeed.
His movements were elegant to the point of art. Coupled with his refined appearance, they exuded poise and class. Yet to Lucien, this level of formality was overdone to the point of excess.
Even among European nobles, few still adhered so religiously to every archaic step. Most would stir once or twice and drink. "You're a magus," Lucien thought wryly. "Shouldn't you be studying magecraft instead of tea ceremonies? Nobility in magecraft means magic first, decorum second."
"Please, Lord Crowley."
Across from him, still the picture of grace, Tokiomi invited him to taste the tea, unaware of Lucien's internal complaints.
"Thank you, Lord Tohsaka."
Lucien mirrored the motion from memory, imitating how his old mentor used to taste tea: lifting the lid, swirling the cup lightly, taking a small sip, and offering a compliment.
"Excellent tea," Lucien said with a smile. "Your brewing rivals that of the best London salons. I hadn't realised Lord Tohsaka possessed such remarkable skill."
"Is that so? You flatter me," said Tokiomi warmly, clearly pleased. "I'm glad it suits your taste. It seems I've not lost my touch after all."
In truth, Lucien couldn't tell it apart from any instant blend... he simply wasn't a man of pretence.
"Lord Tohsaka," Lucien said after setting his cup down, "a happy New Year once again, and forgive me for the intrusion."
"Not at all," Tokiomi replied, waving off the apology. "It is I who am honoured that the head of the Crowley family would personally visit our humble home this New Year."
He paused before adding, "But if I may be forthright, surely this visit is not merely social? You must have business of importance."
Lucien nodded slightly. "Indeed, there is something important I hoped to discuss. I did not send prior word because I couldn't find any way to contact the Tohsaka family. From Europe, I had no reliable means to send word ahead. I hope my sudden appearance hasn't caused inconvenience."
Seeing Lucien's sincerity, Tokiomi leaned forward slightly, intrigued. "Then, Lord Crowley, what matter brings you here today?"
"It is a long story," Lucien began gently. "But it concerns your daughters."
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.
The air tightened. The friendliness evaporated.
Tokiomi's eyes sharpened, a faint crease forming between his brows. One hand quietly gripped the jewelled staff beside him, subtle mana radiating into the air. His voice was calm, but firm.
"My daughters…? Please, elaborate, Lord Crowley."
Lucien noted the tension but kept his demeanor relaxed. He raised a hand slightly in reassurance. "Please, calm yourself, Lord Tohsaka. I swear in the name of the Crowley family, my intentions do not threaten your daughters, nor the interests of the Tohsaka household. You need not be alarmed."
Tokiomi hesitated, though the intensity in his eyes softened somewhat. "I see. Then please, explain."
"I differ from the obstinate relics of the Clock Tower," Lucien continued, smiling faintly. "I am not an Enforcer, nor a threat. I came here as a fellow seeker of the Root, with honesty and purpose."
After a thoughtful silence, Tokiomi finally nodded, some of his guards lowering. "Very well," he said. "You speak as one who understands. I'm listening."
Seeing the shift in tone, Lucien pressed on. "As magi who pursue the same path, the path to Akasha, you surely understand, Lord Tohsaka, the meaning of our existence: to reach the Root."
"Of course!" Tokiomi replied, his composure warming into fervor. "To reach the Root, that is the glory we magi live for, the ultimate truth that defines our being! It is the eternal goal of the Tohsaka line as well."
"Yes," Lucien said earnestly. "And every magus knows that this path cannot be walked alone. That is why we safeguard our bloodlines, passing down Crests through generations, to give our descendants the chance to grasp what we ourselves could not."
Listening, Tokiomi nodded emphatically, echoing every word.
Lucien smiled inwardly. Hook, line, and sinker, he thought. Convince Tohsaka of shared ideals, and everything else follows.
"You truly are a man walking the same path, Lord Tohsaka!"
Tokiomi's chest swelled with pride. "Naturally! To reach the Root is and always will be the goal of the Tohsaka family!"
But soon he asked, wary again, "And how does this concern my daughters?"
Lucien's expression turned serious. "It concerns them deeply."
He met Tokiomi's gaze. "I've long heard of their extraordinary talents, but seeing them myself surpasses even the rumours. Both are miracles, blessed by the very foundation of magecraft."
"Your elder daughter wields the rare affinity of all five great elements, a genius beyond compare. And your younger possesses the even rarer imaginary number element. Truly, the world has never seen such prodigious gifts."
Tokiomi froze... the young man's assessment was entirely correct.
Every hidden truth, down to the details he had concealed with magical masking, lay bare. The shock made his heart tighten with unease.
How could this stranger know?
For years, he had taken pains to protect this secret from prying eyes. Yet, somehow, the Clock Tower, or at least this Crowley, had learned everything.
He clenched his fist around his staff, his mind racing. Someone must have spied on them, investigated far too closely.
Unacceptable.
Lucien caught the wary glint in his host's eyes but offered no explanation. Information came easily to those who knew the author of fate.
"So," Tokiomi said after a tense pause, "your meaning is... adoption?"
Lucien nodded slowly. "Precisely as you imagine. I wish to formally adopt one of your daughters. In time, she would succeed the Crowley family as heir to our Crest and continue my pursuit of the Root."
His voice was calm, his tone resolute.
After all the buildup, he spoke plainly now:
He had come to claim Tohsaka's daughter... not by force, not in secret, but by right and reasoned request.
Thy daughter, mine to raise.
(Chapter End)