Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanova
A Despairing Past and a Hopeful Future
Anastasia:
Ah, there you are, Master.
May I speak to you for a moment?
Fujimaru 1:
Of course.
Anastasia:
Wonderful. That's just what I like to hear.
Fujimaru 2:
Sure, but what's this about?
Anastasia:
Well, as it turns out, it's about something extremely important. Something that directly concerns me.
Anastasia:
Let me get straight to the point:
I have something I wish to confess to you.
Anastasia:
Well, that's rude. There's no need to look as though you're bracing for impact.
Anastasia:
Unlike a certain dragon princess I could name,
I am under no delusions about who you truly are.
Anastasia:
...Ahem.
Anastasia:
I know I may have been treating you a bit, well, coldly, Master. Not to put too fine a point on it.
Anastasia:
Yet despite that, you have been perfectly patient with me and welcomed me with open arms.
Anastasia:
Therefore, I feel it is only right that I let my hair down, so to speak, and be my true self around here.
Anastasia:
I know what the others say about me.
Anastasia:
“The young beauty so cool she's ice-cold.”
“Prim and proper to a fault.”
Anastasia:
“A porcelain doll who'll shatter at the slightest touch.”
“Lovely bangs that half-hide her eyes.”
Anastasia:
Those are just a few of the things I've heard myself called.
Anastasia:
But the truth is...
Anastasia:
I am...
Anastasia:
An irredeemable imp.
Fujimaru 1:
Bwa?
Anastasia:
I suppose I should be thankful that you seem so befuddled.
Fujimaru 2:
An imp? Really?
Anastasia:
Oh? You sound skeptical.
Anastasia:
Then again, I suppose I'm usually so elegantly well-behaved that it's no wonder you find it hard to believe.
Anastasia:
At any rate, the reason why I went to the trouble of announcing it like this...
Anastasia:
...is because now that you and I are on better terms, you have an obligation to know who I truly am.
Anastasia:
Specifically, I'm going to engage in mischief.
Fujimaru 1:
Mischief, huh...?
Anastasia:
Yes. Mischief.
Anastasia:
There is something about making mischief that makes my heart dance with joy. Perhaps it takes me back to my childhood days or something like that.
Anastasia:
At any rate, I can no longer bear to act like the good little girl I'm not, so I will no longer be doing so.
Anastasia:
But I will apologize in advance for the mischief I'm going to cause. I'm sorry, Master.
Fujimaru 1:
Got it. But what kind of mischief are we talking about here?
Fujimaru 2:
Okay, so exactly what kind of mischief did you have in mind?
Anastasia:
For that...
Anastasia:
You'll just have to wait till tomorrow to find out.
Anastasia:
Teeheeheehee.
Anastasia:
...Teeheeheehee.
Fujimaru 1:
Okay, time to get up...
Fujimaru 1:
...and seize the...
Fujimaru 1:
day!?
Anastasia:
Did I surprise you!?
Fujimaru 1:
I'll say you did...
Anastasia:
Teeheehee. My first bit of mischief was to change your room around.
Anastasia:
Of course, this is nothing the professor et al. haven't already done, so I'm still only getting started.
Fujimaru 1:
Okay, but can I at least change into my uniform first?
Anastasia:
Oh my.
Anastasia:
Very well then, I'll just stay right here in the meantime.
Anastasia:
No? I can't? Too bad...
Anastasia:
But for the record, I've had some experience comforting wounded soldiers...
Anastasia:
...so I have no issue with a man getting changed in front of me. Hehehe.
Anastasia:
Of course.
Anastasia:
...Well? What are you waiting for?
The sooner you're done, the better.
Anastasia:
What, do you need a hand?
My, my, I guess I'm not the only princess here, hm?
Fujimaru 2:
I guess that's one way to say good morning...
Anastasia:
Indeed. Good morning, Master.
Hehe, nothing fazes you, does it?
Anastasia:
Now then, today is our combat simulation day, right?
So let's get going.
Anastasia:
Don't worry, Viy already set everything up.
Fujimaru 1:
...Mind if I tweak some of those settings first?
Anastasia:
Oh my. How could you even suggest such a thing?
(Crocodile tears)
Anastasia:
No, I think we'll be leaving the settings right where they are, thank you very much.
Fujimaru 2:
And by “set everything up,” I assume you mean “more mischief”?
Anastasia:
Why yes.
Anastasia:
We always train in the same boring environments these days...
Anastasia:
...so we decided to “mix it up” with some random data from the database.
Anastasia:
Now then, come along.
The day's not getting any younger!
Anastasia:
Oh my, I wonder where we'll end up first.
These random choices are so exciting.
Fujimaru 1:
There's no possible way this can end well...
P.A. System:
Beginning combat simulation in three, two, one...
Anastasia:
Let's see. This looks like...
Fujimaru 1:
...So much lava...
Anastasia:
So hot.
Anastasia:
...I mean, it's fine. This is fine.
Fujimaru 2:
Aren't you hot in here?
Anastasia:
Who, me? Don't be silly.
Anastasia:
So hot.
Anastasia:
...What? I didn't say anything.
Anastasia:
Ahem, ahem.
Anastasia:
I must say, Master, it must be awfully difficult for you, having to prepare for combat in an environment like this.
Fujimaru 1:
It's okay. I'm used to it.
Anastasia:
Teehee, you're a stubborn one, aren't you?
Anastasia:
But you know...I actually prefer stubborn people over wishy-washy types.
Fujimaru 2:
You can say that again...
Anastasia:
Oh, very well then.
Anastasia:
I'll just have to cool you off a bit myself!
And by “cool you off” I mean freeze you solid!
Anastasia:
What's that? Thanks, but you'll manage?
...Hmph, too bad.
Anastasia:
You'd be surprised how much cooler your whole body will feel with just a mildly frozen nape.
Anastasia:
Anyway, I assume we'll be attacked shortly, yes?
Let's see, where will the enemies come from...?
Anastasia:
Huh? The lava?
Anastasia:
Oh my... How did they all survive in there?
Fujimaru 1:
Lava... Swimming... Khh, my head!
Anastasia:
Master? Master! What happened?
You look white as driven snow!
Anastasia:
What is it? Cyanosis? Anemia? A migraine?
Anastasia:
Well, don't you worry. I might not look it, but I've actually worked as a nurse (or something similar) before!
Anastasia:
And if I remember my training correctly, you should be fine as long as I keep performing CPR on your heart!
Fujimaru 2:
This is... This is from that Halloween!
Anastasia:
Halloween?
Anastasia:
That's that festival Chaldea holds in autumn on an irregular basis, right?
Anastasia:
Does that mean you last encountered Servants swimming in lava during Halloween?
Anastasia:
...How does that work?
Fujimaru 1:
Believe me, I wish I knew...
Anastasia:
Ahem, ahem.
Anastasia:
At any rate, I'll take care of them.
Anastasia:
All you have to do, Master, is ensure I can make full use of my abilities as your Servant. Are we agreed?
--BATTLE--:
Anastasia:
...
...
Anastasia:
...So hot...
Fujimaru 1:
Well, we DID just fight while surrounded by lava...
Anastasia:
Ugh!
Anastasia:
Whose bright idea was it to set the combat simulator to an environment like this!?
Anastasia:
Oh right! It was Viy!
Anastasia:
Well, I've learned my lesson. From now on, I'll pay much closer attention when adjusting the simulator's settings.
Anastasia:
Now come on, let's get out of here.
I can't stand this heat for a moment longer.
Fujimaru 1:
Fine by me.
Fujimaru 2:
Okay, let's go ahead and shut the simulator down then.
Anastasia:
Thank you, Master.
Anastasia:
...
...
Anastasia:
...Well?
Fujimaru 1:
Hang on. It'll just be a minute.
Anastasia:
Well!?
Fujimaru 1:
That's weird...
Anastasia:
It's sooo hooot!
Fujimaru 1:
All that squirming around is just gonna make you hotter!
Anastasia:
Ghhh... But not moving makes the heat worse, too...
Anastasia:
I know. Maybe some light conversation will serve as a distraction.
Anastasia:
Let's see, what to talk about...
Say, how much do you know about me, anyway?
Fujimaru 1:
A little something, I'd say...
Anastasia:
I see. Well, I'm happy to hear you've done your homework.
Anastasia:
In that case, I'll skip ahead a bit.
Fujimaru 2:
Nada.
Anastasia:
Oh my. Well, that won't do at all.
Anastasia:
Every good Master should know at least a little something about their Servants.
Anastasia:
Very well then.
Anastasia:
In that case, I will tell you about my background myself.
Anastasia:
...But I'll keep it to under five minutes,
since it's so unbearably hot.
Fujimaru 1:
That's like nothing!
Anastasia:
What do you expect?
I already mentioned the unbearable heat.
Anastasia:
Now then. To begin, I was born into the title of Grand Duchess of the Romanov Dynasty...
Anastasia:
...And that is how I died.
Anastasia:
Oh yes, it was dreadful. Growing up, I never expected I would die in such a cruel manner.
Anastasia:
Even now, I will never forget this grudge. If those soldiers' graves were within walking distance, I would march right over there, spit on them, and rub it into the dirt.
Anastasia:
And yet, strangely enough...
Anastasia:
Here in Chaldea, it all seems like a far-off, vaguely nostalgic dream.
Fujimaru 1:
Does that mean you'd be glad to see humanity die off?
Anastasia:
Ulp.
Anastasia:
Well, um... Not always, but...
Maybe sometimes...
Fujimaru 2:
Is that a bad thing?
Anastasia:
Good question...
Anastasia:
I would say yes, but there is also a part of me that's glad for it...because it makes me feel like I'm practically a normal person.
Anastasia:
Hmm...
Anastasia:
I suppose, deep down, I still believe people are fundamentally good.
Anastasia:
Not people like those barbaric soldiers, of course,
but people like my family.
Anastasia:
...Which isn't to say I'm not aware that, historically speaking, my family did some rather dreadful things, too.
Anastasia:
I know they lived, and grew up, and learned, and ate, and lived their lives like any other person would.
Anastasia:
Or at least, I thought I did.
Anastasia:
I'm still not sure if our people starving to death was my fault or my father's fault.
Anastasia:
Or perhaps it was entirely Father and the government officials who swore loyalty to him who were to blame.
Anastasia:
Maybe the things they did were simply so terrible that my family...
Anastasia:
...Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and myself...
Anastasia:
...all deserved to be hacked to pieces and dissolved in sulfuric acid.
Fujimaru 1:
I don't–
Anastasia:
...(Sigh)
Anastasia:
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up such unpleasant memories.
Anastasia:
And besides, I know I will never find answers to those questions, no matter how long I look.
Anastasia:
I just have to keep agonizing over them and looking back on them forever.
Anastasia:
It's not right for me to expect you to answer them for me, Master.
Anastasia:
Oh my, this won't do at all. If I don't snap out of it, I'm liable to end up being summoned as an Avenger.
Fujimaru 1:
Yeah... I'd really prefer if that didn't happen.
Anastasia:
Is that so? ...Hehe.
All right, Master, if you insist.
Anastasia:
Let's see... I believe this is how you make an unbreakable promise in your homeland, yes?
Anastasia:
I swear that I will never become an Avenger.
Pinky promise.
Anastasia:
If this turns out to be a lie,
then cross my heart and hope to die.
Anastasia:
...You know, I thought this would be a more lighthearted endeavor. I didn't realize quite how morbid it was until we got to the end.
Anastasia:
Though admittedly, I'm still not sure how crossing one's heart could actually bring about one's death.
Fujimaru 1:
And I'm still not sure how one would actuallygo about crossing a heart at all.
Anastasia:
Good point.
Fujimaru 2:
I'd just as soon not find out...
Anastasia:
True. Some mysteries are better left unsolved.
Anastasia:
Oh my, was that an earthquake? ...No, it couldn't be, could it? Hopefully, it's a sign that we'll get to leave soon.
Anastasia:
I suppose this would never have happened in the first place if I hadn't encouraged Viy to play with the simulator's settings...
Anastasia:
Then again, who's to say it wouldn't have?
Anastasia:
Oh my. From the look on your face, I take it you don't believe it could have happened any other way?
Anastasia:
Well, say what you will; my Viy is still adorable.
Especially his eyes when he has them both wide open.
Anastasia:
Though I know some people have complained that he's scary, or shows up in their nightmares...
Anastasia:
...or that they'd wish he'd stop glomming on to the backs of their heads.
Fujimaru 1:
Me! I'M “some people”!
Anastasia:
Hehehe, yes, I suppose you are, aren't you?
Anastasia:
Still, you should know that Viy holds you in very high regard, even if he has his own way of showing–
Anastasia:
It's freezing.
Fujimaru 1:
If it's not one thing, it's another!
Anastasia:
What is this place?
It looks like...a prison made out of ice?
Anastasia:
Well I've never seen anywhere like this before. Perhaps the system is “bugging out,” as they say. All right, shall we make our escape?
Fujimaru 1:
Sure, but how can we get this cell door open?
Anastasia:
There we go. Now we can walk right out of here.
Anastasia:
...Hm? Now why are you looking at me like that? Are you surprised that I would employ such a brutish method?
Anastasia:
Well in case you need a reminder, I am the Grand Duchess of the holy Romanov Dynasty. Brute force is absolutely in my wheelhouse.
Anastasia:
Now let's be on our way!
Anastasia:
Oh my...
Anastasia:
Now we're at a party hall?
It's just one surprise after another.
Fujimaru 1:
Looks like there's food for the taking, too...
Anastasia:
Hmm... Well, the flavor is nothing to write home about. And it doesn't seem to have replenished any of my magical energy.
Anastasia:
Then again, perhaps that's only to be expected, since we are in a simulation and all... I suppose that makes this no different than eating mist.
Anastasia:
And in that case, does that mean I've become a wise parsley, able to live off nothing but the faintest drops of dew?
Fujimaru 1:
Parsley? ...Ohhh, are you thinking of “sage”?'Cause if so, that kind of sage isn't a plant.
Anastasia:
...I swear, English can be so difficult sometimes.
Anastasia:
Why can't you all keep things simple and just speak Russian like civilized folk!?
Fujimaru 1:
From my perspective, I could say the same to you!
Fujimaru 2:
Right back at you, only in reverse!
Anastasia:
...Fair enough.
Anastasia:
On a different subject, I trust you're familiar with Jason the hero, yes?
Anastasia:
And you're also familiar with the series of horror films starring an antagonist by the same name?
Anastasia:
Well, can you even imagine our Jason running around with a shaved head and a hockey mask in place of that other Jason?
Anastasia:
I certainly can't. The very idea of it gives me a huge case of the giggles.
Anastasia:
I'm sure our Jason wouldn't be very happy to hear that...
Anastasia:
...but the way I see it, if you can't be free to imagine whatever you like, then where can you be free?
Anastasia:
...And on that note, it looks like Viy is doing his best to be considerate.
Anastasia:
What's that? This is the opposite of being considerate?
Yes, you may be right.
Anastasia:
Anyway, I suppose this is still a combat simulation,
so I won't feel too bad about crushing them.
Anastasia:
Let's go, Master!
--BATTLE--:
Anastasia:
Phew, that's that.
I would say that battle went rather well.
Anastasia:
Your orders were absolutely on point, Master.
Now then, shall we take our leave of this place?
Anastasia:
...We CAN leave, can't we?
Fujimaru 1:
It'd be a really big deal if we couldn't.
Anastasia:
Hehe.
Anastasia:
Well, if we couldn't, I suppose we'd just have to throw a never-ending party here.
Anastasia:
...Yes, that might have been the case.
Now that I think about it...
Anastasia:
If we'd been left to our own devices, my family and I might have continued throwing endless parties forever.
Anastasia:
We would have continued to eat, and learn, and grow, without ever growing tired of our day-to-day lives.
Anastasia:
...All the while oblivious to the people starving to death right beneath our noses.
Fujimaru 1:
...I don't think you can blame yourself for not noticing them.
Anastasia:
...I suppose you're right.
Anastasia:
People can only barely keep up with what's going on around them.
Anastasia:
They're just not capable of seriously considering the plights of perfect strangers in the rest of the world.
Anastasia:
If there was an exception to that rule...I guess it'd be the person I'm looking at right now.
Anastasia:
...I take it from your expression that you have mixed feelings about that statement?
Anastasia:
Yes, I know. It's very difficult to truly be concerned for others during peaceful, ordinary times.
Anastasia:
But in your case, you still wouldn't hesitate to help anyone in your field of vision, would you?
Anastasia:
I'm sure that way of life will bring you more than your share of headaches, but even so, I hope you never lose that spirit, Master.
Fujimaru 1:
I'll do my best.
Anastasia:
Good. That's all I ask.
Anastasia:
Because I have every faith that your best will be more than enough.
Fujimaru 2:
...All right.
Anastasia:
There's no need to think too hard about it.
Anastasia:
Knowing you, I'm sure all you'll need to do is follow your heart. You can always rationalize your actions later.
Anastasia:
In your case, I think that's all you'll need to be satisfied.
Anastasia:
Now then, let's get out of here, Master.
Tomorrow is another day, after all.
Anastasia:
Phew...
Anastasia:
Say, Viy? Do you think there's something wrong with me?
Anastasia:
I might be a Servant now thanks to meeting a creature as strange and mysterious as you...
Anastasia:
...but do you think I'm really doing the best I can?
...I am, right?
Narration:
...My chest feels like it's filled with knives.
How can I be sickly, even though I'm a Servant?
Narration:
This pain... It's just like the pain I felt back then, when my family and I were lined up in that basement.
Narration:
But, that's impossible.
Narration:
Humanity has been restored. Everything should be headed towards a happy, peaceful ending.
Narration:
...Is that right?
Narration:
Something doesn't seem right. It feels like I've overlooked something important.
Narration:
...Who's there?
Narration:
Is that me?
Narration:
Hey, you. What is it you're doing there?
Narration:
...No way.
Anastasia:
Huh?
Am I...sleeping?
Anastasia:
Even though I'm a Servant?
Anastasia:
...Was this your doing, Viy?
Anastasia:
If this is your idea of mischief, it's not funny.
I'm very sensitive, remember?
Anastasia:
Or what? Are you telling me...that's a scene from my future?
Anastasia:
...
...
Anastasia:
That's ridiculous.
No, that's not even possible.
Viy:
—.
—.
Anastasia:
...Nobody's coming.
Maybe this means Master isn't here.
Anastasia:
...There's nobody here.
Anastasia:
...!
Anastasia:
Um... Who are you?
Anastasia:
!
Anastasia:
Enemies!
???:
...No.
Anastasia:
...?
???:
We obey your orders.
Anastasia:
Who are...
What are you talking about?
???:
We will kill everyone here,
because that is what you want.
Anastasia:
!
Anastasia:
Master! Where are you!?
We're under attack!
Anastasia:
...Master? Where are you?
Where is everyone...?
Anastasia:
Khh... Open your eyes, Viy!
--BATTLE--:
Anastasia:
That's strange...
Anastasia:
I don't remember the hallway...being this broken...
Anastasia:
And...why is there nobody here?
...Master?
Anastasia:
...Huh?
Viy:
—.
—.
Anastasia:
Viy? Do you remember when I was summoned?
Anastasia:
...!
Anastasia:
My head... It hurts...
No... Stop it, stop it, stop it!
Narration:
This isn't me!
It's not, it's not, it's not!!!
???:
...Whose side are you on?
Anastasia:
...!
Narration:
I know the answer to that.
Or maybe, I only thought I did?
Narration:
I can't tell.
I think things always feel like some hazy dream.
Narration:
It feels as though I'm suffering, then forgetting it all, then suffering, and then the whole thing just...repeats.
Narration:
...If only I'd never been born.
Narration:
It's with that lament that...
I wake up.
Anastasia:
Huh?
Fujimaru 1:
What's wrong, Anastasia?
Anastasia:
Aah!
M-Master!?
Anastasia:
I-I'm sorry. I must have fallen asleep.
Fujimaru 1:
Yup. You were sleeping like a baby.
Anastasia:
C-come now, Master, don't tease me like that.
I'm supposed to be doing the teasing here, remember?
Anastasia:
I am an imp, after all.
Anastasia:
...And don't look at me like that.
This is perfectly fair.
Narration:
...Strange.
It feels like...we've had this conversation before.
Anastasia:
Hey...Master?
Anastasia:
I just had a bad dream.
A really, REALLY bad dream.
Anastasia:
So, um... Would you mind holding my hand, Master?
Anastasia:
Would you please hold my hand so that I don't go crazy or fall to pieces?
Narration:
Yes... I know. I do.
Narration:
I must still be dreaming.
I've been suffering from my guilt all this time.
Anastasia:
...Master? I know I'm being a scaredy-cat now,
but would you please help me anyway?
Fujimaru 1:
Of course!
Fujimaru 2:
I'm always here for you. Always.
Anastasia:
Thank you...
Narration:
Still, I know the truth.
Narration:
I know there's still hope. I know tomorrow will always come. I know the future isn't a lost cause.
Narration:
And I know that...
because I know someone who taught me that.
Narration:
Someone strict, and cowardly, and stubborn... Someone utterly adorable who's probably staring up at the sky even as we speak.
Narration:
Thank you. I'm grateful to you.
So for now, I'm going to get just a little sleep.
Narration:
But I'll never stop waiting for you...because I believe that one day, this hand holding mine will be real.
Narration:
You're the only thing I truly believe in as I while away in this dark, almost frozen time...
Narration:
Fujimaru. I'll be waiting for you, my Master...