[center][h1][b]Albert Prelati[/b][/h1]

Interacting with: Berserker ([@Grey]), Kuro-sensei ([@vancexentan])[/center]

[center][h2]An internet cafe across the street from Ahnenerbe - 1:41 PM December 2nd, 2012[/h2][/center]

[hider]Albert smiled at the professor's kindness. The expression was hard to decipher. It had mixed feelings of amusement, pity and thankfulness all wrapped up inside it like a torte, but it was easy to see from just the boy's eyes that it contained no malice or ill-givings.

"Sensei, I appreciate your concern, but you're going to lose even more of your 'air at zis rate. You 'onestly zink I would allow ze presence of a Master to elude me? I 'ave 'ad some friends sweeping zis city from top to bottom since last night. And while I 'aven't located all ze ozer Masters just yet," [i]on account of a mysterious number of zem dying,[/i] he thought, "I know about enough of zem zat I'm not too concerned about strangers. And look, ma chère is 'ere wiz me. Believe it or not, she is very competent 'elp. She's loud, rude, a little disobedient and she can be a 'uge pain in my ass, but I still would not 'ave chosen anyone else."

Albert smirked, his expression teasing Berserker as much as his words. As genuine as he was being, he would live to see her regret that desire for a more frank and open relationship.

"'Er strength is of course what I love about 'er, but 'er real charm is zat she would never even zink of betraying me. Even if I did sink into ze depths of 'ell like you say, I don't zink 'infidelity' is a word she knows or approves of. She's too adorably chivalric for zat. Ma chère would follow me zere wizout a second zought. After all, zere are more 'eazens to kill in 'ell zan in 'eaven."

He allowed himself a quiet chuckle at his private joke, but his expression quickly turned sour. Although he already knew he could trust her with his life, he had a lot of mixed feelings about his Servant's loyalty to him, and none of them had anything to do with her or her behavior.

He took a sip of his disgusting coffee.

"More to ze point, I don't know if 'friend' is exactly ze right word, but we are definitely more zan strangers, are we not? I trusted you enough to believe zat you would not attack me even if you were an enemy, no? Wiz zat being ze case, I would 'ave no objections to calling someone as dependable as you my ally. You are already one of ze best teachers I 'ave ever 'ad, although I'll admit I learned more about philosophy from you zan magecraft." 

Albert twiddled his fingers nervously. 

"So... I guess what I am trying to say is zat we are already friends, no? And, as a friend, I would appreciate any 'elp you can give me in zis war. I know you don't approve, but you don't 'ave to worry. I can take care of myself even when ma chère cannot, and I 'ave no intention of asking you to fight. I don't zink I would 'ave even if you 'ad a Servant, but involving someone wizout one in ze 'Oly Grail War is both callous and stupid. Some people may say zey can make a case for me being ze former, but I pride myself on never being ze latter. All I'd ask is for your 'elp in understanding ze locals. Japan is more zan a little foreign to me, and I'd appreciate 'aving someone to show me around, someone who knows ze streets and ze people."

As quickly as the uncharacteristic earnestness had come, it faded, and Albert grinned slyly. 

"Of course, zis all 'inges on you being able to prove to me zat you aren't in fact an enemy Master like you said. By your own admission, it wouldn't be wise for me to let you leave 'ere until I know for sure, oui? So zen, do you have a syringe, or are we going to 'ave to draw some blood ze old fashioned way? Ma chère is quite proficient at zat if nozing else."
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