Latin District, Northern Edge

---

"Have I found anything yet? I've found a glorious city. I've found stout and good-hearted people. I've found buildings reminiscent of my own time, unlike the rectangles of smooth stone and steel which the Grail informed me of."

A robust man materialized for a moment on a rooftop, his eyes scanning the surrounding terrain, and lingering for a spell on the tower that functioned as a beautiful sort of centrepiece for Paris. He conferred with his Master, who had elected to manage operations from her workshop, using their shared mental link.

"But no, I've not found any Servants or Masters yet if that's what you mean."

It irked this man that his orders forbade him from engaging in combat. Were that not the case, he could have simply let loose the full measure of his presence as a Servant and allowed some interesting person to come to him. Of course, Cleo was only being logical and playing her cards carefully. As her Servant, he wouldn't actually move against her wishes.

Still, this man was no Assassin. His presence could be minimized to a point, but not concealed from those in his vicinity. It wouldn't align with his Master's desires, but an excited smile crept for a moment onto the hero's face. If he was attacked by someone too quick to escape from, he would have to defend himself. It wouldn't do for him to get killed without fighting back, or for Cleo to spend a command seal to get him out of trouble.

Besides, observing the skills of fellow heroes was certainly no sour job or waste of time.

"Don't worry. The night is still young, and I can cover a fair bit of ground. Reconnaissance isn't one of the things I'm renowned for, but have faith in this hero to carry out anything you command, Master."

The man began to dematerialize, leaving a disturbance in the air like the slight pressure on a lake from a twig or insect that hasn't quite broken the surface tension. The last part to vanish was a head with an enthusiastic grin. A war of this size was sure to hold its share of joys and surprises for Ogier the Dane.

@King Cosmos

My, my, how arrogant of her opponent to presume to lecture her using her own voice.

A true samurai need not seek their own self-satisfaction, but rather, pursue the interests of their lord. What a weak accusation, for the threat was gone save for a few nuisances, and that achieved Yoshitsune’s goals.

Mm, perhaps her opponent was a sore loser?

She blew through the practically harmless traps, her sheer speed and the winds at her command easily clearing the shrapnel and smoke, and her sword flicked once, two heads separated from their bodies.

Efficiency was key, after all.

Yoshitsune picked her Master up, and leapt high, going at a slow enough speed to not harm her master, guarding her with winds just in case, and launched her way towards a deserted area near enough to an entrance to the catacombs to walk to, but not give away their destination so easily.

“I rather think you’ve had a little too much excitement tonight, Master. If it’s not too presumptuous, I’d like to suggest scouting a bit more with your abilities before going out at night again personally,” Saber spoke lightly. “Also, you look rather shaky on your feet, so you really quite ought to rest a bit. Wouldn’t do to burn out on the first night on this conflict!”

@1Charak2

Rei @The World @1Charak2
Eiffel Tower

---

Rei was able to feel the sensation of Rider in his spirit-form and parted his way with her to do her bidding and just when things were going to go her way, a spider out of nowhere attacked and caused her to panic. For a moment, Rei was considering using her Yuki Onna abilities and she did but there was no heat found in the Spider and her fear only grew stronger as moments passed. The thought of death was within her and she started screaming for her life for the Spider was already in her skin.

She tried shaking it off but all of her efforts were hopeless. Truly, Rei was afraid of dying and her scream may be the last thing she wanted everyone to hear, a cry for help from her distress.

---

@Seirei no Hai
@GreenGoat
@Cu Chulainn

Caster

Venue of Saber vs Caster fight

Indeed the victory was on Caster's side and the Saber of Decimation was no competition for the Man of God who wielded the power of Jacob's Limbs but when his Master issued a command seal, he did as he was told and Moses seemingly moaned and laughed like a child from the command; his grip of Saber is gone and he is just on the floor, rolling and laughing from excitement.

"HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I really quoted that! I really did! Praise be to God of the heavens! For thy servant is overwhelmed by the joy he is feeling MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The truth is, Moses felt a sensation, it was none other than a bond with his Master, and confirmed by her commands, the little girl was compatible with him.

"Hahahahaha! I can tell from the look of Saber's Master and Saber that they were amazed by YHWH's demonstration of greatness!" Cutting the tension from his childish feats, Moses coughed and stopped laughing.

"Nice to see Saber's Master, and most of all you, Milady, state your name, God is watching us right now and it is my duty to serve you."

---

---

Combat: Failed. Mission: Terminated, Survival: Confirmed. Enemy assassin, uses wraiths to supplement combat style. No indication of anything else. Yes the assassin was most certainly a Shinobi. _{Your life is meaningless} Had their getaway been so clean? Had she cleanly covered her tracks.

Those were the thoughts that was plaguing her mind as she was being carried by her servant, Simple ideas that were relevant to the failed mission they had taken. Perhaps it was because her dream was mislaid? Or maybe it was because of the fact that she perhaps she had no true aspirations for this war beyond dying for something meaningful? Maybe that was her issue she had nothing to live for.

_{Your life is meaningless, Agria Schluss.} The thought would nag the back of her mind as she shook her head. Disembarking from her servants carry as she struggled to stand up on concrete, her legs a little weak now from the sudden movements. Ah, it was funny then that she stumbled now but not once did she stumbled while death was in her face. Humour wasn't something Agria would understand though so she wouldn't even laugh at the irony as she simply brushed herself off and stood up straight.

"Change of plans Yoshi." Agria said as she stood at the entrance to the catacombs and turned around. "We need to secure materia tonight, before we head back so I actually have materials to work with. Where do you think we could acquire a high-volume of organic matter to carry back, know of any morgues?"

---

Oni no Hanzo
Business District

---

Hanzo, while having failed to assassinate anyone, did get some choice bits of information on the Servant she dueled. While she was nowhere near the levels of a true sword saint, she was also not someone who relied solely on trickery and misdirection; her skills with most weapons wasn't to be scoffed at, and her ability with the spear was well known when she was alive. Hanzo could tell how skilled someone was by clashing with them, and that Saber was leagues beyond her. That movement wasn't normal either, and Hanzo prided herself on her own speed. With how easily she commanded wind...

She shook her head.

Now was not time for combat, but of protection. If her Master wanted to meet up with her then so shall her wish be done. Her ninja, who was at her Master's side at all times, would already be escorting her to her destination, and thus, so too shall Hanzo hasten there. Within moments, she arrived at the area.

"I am here Master. Again, I apologize for not getting results. I will write a full report for you to peruse tomorrow."

@Reflection

---

Mordred pushed him further and further back, running on pure instinct as she dodged the first two thrusts of the spear. The third one brushed against her blond locks, barely missing her as she tilted her head to the left to avoid what could have been a nasty blow. She took advantage of this near miss and grabbed the shaft of the spear to prevent Honda from retreating any further. There would be no running away from your fate, not this time. This would be the finishing blow, she would pull the spear out of his hands entirely, leaving him defenseless as she tore him limb from limb without mercy. She began to pull the spear in, ready to finish him off-

She was struck by a sudden sense that something was wrong. Her Master was in danger, there was no time to waste. "▃▃▅▅!" With a loud grunt, Mordred pushed the spear away from her with all her strength, forcing Honda in the opposite direction of the Magus as she turned to her Master. Two other Magus were advancing on her position, a pit in the Earth opened up beneath her feet. There was no time to waste.

The ground exploded beneath Mordred's feet as she dashed towards her Master, throwing her sword at the Master of Honda in an attempt to impale him and remove a threat from her Master. Within an instant she was at her Master's side, scooping her up before she could fall into the depths of the Earth. And then she was gone, another burst of speed had the two of them leaping over the canal and back to base. Regardless of whether or not her attempted attack on Honda's Master worked she would summon her sword back to her side, holding her Master in one arm and her sword in the other. The intense aura of mana around her faded away once they were far away enough, taking the burden off of her Master for now.

---

---

Eiffel Tower

---

Rider stopped himself as he reached his perch. Something was wrong. It felt as if he didn't have the clothes he'd put on anymore. Quickly materializing he realized that he had left them behind by entering spirit form, and immediately returned to spirit form and went back. Naked was no way to make a good first impression, after all. With inhuman speed he returned to Rei's location only to find her being "attacked" by a wooden spider. At first he was concerned, but as he materialized (a bush thankfully hiding his lower half from his Master) he noticed that the spider was incredibly inept, crawling all over her clothes but unable to bite her. Rider couldn't help himself, he laughed at the scene in front of him.
After a minute or so of laughter he finally composed himself and once again dressed himself in the clothes Rei had given him before walking over to her and grabbing the spider by its abdomen and held it away from himself, tempted to break it before he had a better idea. "Master, you should freeze this with your magic into a block of ice. It may be worth keeping somehow; perhaps it could lead us back to its owner if you dissect it and trace the magic in it? I'm unclear on how these things work, but as a mage I'm sure you can figure something out."

A sigh escaped the Magus’ lips as Ogier responded to her question. While under normal circumstances she might have found her Servant’s ebullient manner charming, right now all she wanted from the knight was some professionalism. “Yes, I meant Servants and Masters. I’m glad you’re enjoying Paris Saber, but please try to stay focused on the matter at hand.”

She could well understand Ogier’s desire to fight; he was a knight after all and this city was about to become one of the greatest battlegrounds that had ever existed. It was a rare occasion for so many strong and powerful heroes to gather in one place for the sole purpose of facing each other in combat. Nonetheless, he was known as the Knight of Patience, so he would just need to restrain himself for now and wait for the right moment; his turn would come in time.

“It doesn’t matter if they spot you Saber, so long as you can avoid a direct conflict where possible. Defend yourself if you have to, even kill them if you think you can, but your focus should be to observe and to escape. There’s no merit to this if you die or give away as much as you learn.”

@ManyThings

In a mess of sobs, tears and snots. The poor girl had heard the words of salvation coming from a complete stranger. The way that she honored the command of her Servant not to kill her Servant was enough to make the homunculus believe that Tenryuu could be trusted. With no hesitation, she grabbed the hand... gripping it tight as if someone had come to rescue her from all this chaos. Still sobbing and holding onto Tenryuu like a loving family member- a sister.

She didn't pay Caster any mind, she was too distraught to even notice him and the angry Saber at this point. She wanted rest, it was night and she didn't know what the hell she got herself into.

Let this little girl sleep tonight.

@Indra
@Cu Chulainn
@GreenGoat

Tenryuu Gensai
???, Arènes de Lutèce

---

She closed her eyes as the girl took her hand, a sign that she had understood and accepted the terms of the agreement. Closing her hand over the girl's, she put her other hand on top, the stitched Japanese character for power on the back of the glove glowing slightly.

"I, Tenryuu Gensai, recognize and acknowledge this pact. This girl, recognize and acknowledge this pact. Henceforth, shall it be upheld, and may those who break it swallow a thousand needles."

It was a simple declaration in Japanese, with a simple but rather unbreakable effect with her expertise in kotodama. Words that seemed to seep into one's very being as it was said. To her and her family, it was simply called a pact, but to others it may be a vow, oath or geas. Upon finishing the declaration, Tenryuu sat back on the ground, sighing loudly in relief as all the tension drained from her body.

"Aaah... that was nerve wracking. I wouldn't have known to trust you or not if you didn't accept those terms."

"Congratulations, Mistress." Chii clapped her hands in a slightly energetic way. "You have subdued a clueless Master crying for mercy and probably had no clue what a Grail War is. Perhaps I shall bring a toddler to you that you may demonstrate your prowess at boxing."

"Nggh, sharp tongued as always. Chii, get us a taxi please." Tenryuu grasped the girl's hands firmly. "Cmon, lets get you somewhere safer."

"Saber, enlist the Caster to secure the leyline here for our usage. We could use all the help we can get."

---

At the moment of Caster's counter-attack, Saber had accepted defeat for that single time. It was imperative that the Caster was cooperative in order for Saber's Master to do what she needed to do. And thus far, everything seems to have worked as planned. Now that Tenryuu was able to bend the crying homunculus to her will, it was clear that they were the true victors of that encounter. In the end, the homunculus and her impetuous Caster would end up with a few powerful allies after the first night of this Holy Grail War...

... However, the Caster just had to boast afterwards.

As the Masters of both Servants began to arrange for peace, Saber stood up. Standing above the laughing Caster, the anger that welled up within the Demon Prince had seemed to reach its apex. The enemy Caster, who not only panic-attacked like some sort of fool, but afterwards bragged about his own strength like this was his absolute victory. To Saber, Caster was nothing but a cockroach who needed to be put in its place.

And without warning, just like the pest he was, Saber stomped his foot down on Moses's chest with all his strength. The strength in question that Saber demonstrated was far higher than what was originally stated in his original parameters. Indeed, this surge of Saber's physical parameters was not too different from the Mad Enhancement skill of a Berserker. Crushing his opponent with the intent to obliterate him, Saber inhaled sharply as a small compartment on his helmet covering his mouth slid open. Despite opening with an attack that would decimate lesser Servants, it seemed that Saber's true intention was to hold down the enemy Caster. What came next, however, was a true display of Saber's wrath.

It did not matter if Caster was fast enough to evade Saber's original attack, nor did it matter if he was able to defend himself in some way despite the effects of the Command Spell preventing him from fighting. Whatever Caster had planned to save his life at that moment was all but for naught, as even the angels that sung to him would merely sing a song of how unwise it was to anger this particular warrior. As soon as the Masters were both out of the cottage and in safety, Saber had began to exhale.


The Demon Prince of Slaughter, Dietrich von Bern, had brought his fire down onto the defenseless Caster. The wave of demonic flames that would overtake Moses burned wit the intensity of Saber's own anger for the ill-fated prophet. As Caster had delivered unto Saber the "Strength of YHWH", Saber in return delivered unto Caster the "Wrath of The Devil". It mattered not if Moses was fast enough to avoid the gout of hellfire, as it came pouring out of Saber's mouth in a wide angle encompassing whatever happened to be in the rage-filled warrior's sight. Saber, too, made sure to follow Caster's every movements to ensure that he received as much of the Demon Prince's wrath as possible, going so far as to burn down the cottage if it meant his hated enemy would be reduced to ash.

The only thing that would sate Saber's anger now was the death of Caster.

There was a reason she had stopped by the ice cream parlor. 'Mr. Freezy's Icy Treats' may not be the premiere ice cream parlor in town, but it did have one thing going for it. Choices. Choices of chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and the usuals. But then there was the exotic flavors like tortoise shell, or even grape of all things. And on top of that you could chose a million different toppings, or a dozen different bowls! Some bowls were edible.

So when Hanzo arrived, Chieko was sitting there, waiting patiently the whole time. Until finally her servant arrived. "Assassin... Don't worry." She said, smiling at the servant. "You did a great job either way. So, to celebrate the first night of our last nights, I thought to myself that you deserve something special. You've been away for a long time, right? So... I said to myself, what's the best thing to show the wonders of the modern world, that the grail couldn't tell you. And I said..." She paused for dramatic effect. "Ice Cream. So, treats on me, and pick whatever you want. _{Just not anything with more than two toppings... I'm not made of money.}"

So, sitting up from the table, she turned to the boy who was manning the open window. He had clearly tried his best to ignore the strange group that had arrived, but as Chieko stepped over to the counter that was no longer an option.
"One vanilla ice cream for me." She said, brimming full of confidence. But only really because she had spent the last ten minutes humming and hah'ing over every option.
"You sure, we got in a new flavor. Triple Chocolate mocha. It's great stuff. You're got chocolate ice cream, but then there is chocolate inside it." The clerk said, already anticipating a yes. But he didn't get it. Instead the reaction he got couldn't be described. Rather it made clear one emotion. Complete and utter disgust at the word "chocolate." "Right... Vanilla it is."
There wasn't much else to say. She got no toppings, paid for her own, and then waited for Hanzo to order whatever she wanted. Making sure to pay for that, she walked over to the table, and took a seat.

"I wonder... Why do you think people like chocolate so much?" Chieko said, biting into her vanilla. There was a pause, as if disappointed, and a sigh. "You know... I was expecting something more from vanilla."

Not counted.

@SSW @Sunglass @1Charak2





“Two prizes, one vastly superior to the other that hangs as decoration. But there are many people who wish for different things, all the more when they surround a Holy Grail. But which one do you wish for?”

He became silent for a time as the woman gave her proposal. There were many other servants and there were plenty of magi who ventured to Paris in hopes of gaining this prize but…

Would it be a risk to attempt gaining an ally? Were his own abilities, his own allies inadequate?

No, that wasn’t it.

Was he afraid of having to turn his blade against someone he worked with?

No, that wasn’t it. The life of a magus left one with a strange set of relations and values. Clinging to what they held precious tighter than any normal man, driven by goals and obsessions so divorced from the norm. There was nothing wrong with killing each other, there was nothing wrong with opposing each other. So there were no hard feelings, no animosity in their confrontation.

Was it his own pride? He was the blade of his lord, the blade that should be able to cut through this ritual and claim victory.

…

“Be ready for anything they may attempt to do.”

Blade still in hand, held with a firm controlled grip despite the immense size of the sword, he looked over not at the opposing servant but instead the master with distant and yet brimming eyes. How they looked from afar, yet how they burned, like the sun they held a presence and nobility that was overbearing even when not focused.

Yet…

They were quite clearly stiff. The young man known as Noon clearly not fully at ease about the current situation.

“I would not mind working together, but there are a few things I must say.”

He held up a finger.

“First. We may work together but we will not be allies. Eventually, whether it is the end of this war, or earlier we will face each other as enemies.”

He held up a second finger.

“Second. We may be enemies but we will be enemies to others first, then enemies to each other second. We will not interfere in each others work, we will sometimes help each other and we will individually win. If there comes the time for a strong enemy that requires more than one servant, or another enemy group then we will face them together. However we will not drag each other to our deaths. This is not an alliance that we will have to honor to self-destruction”

He raised another finger.

“Third. We will be inviting you to my territory. I do not know of your abilities as a magus, nor of your servant. However for the time being it would be best to be in the same area. Enemy attacks would be easier to deter and I have already established a suitable grounds.”

“Fourth, we will establish a contract of hospitality so as to prevent hostile actions towards each other and not have to worry about daggers in our back as we rest in our grounds.”

The notion that they’d be vulnerable when their alliance was ended by needing to leave it was unsaid. However… there was the risk that perhaps they’d try to subvert his territory. But he considered that unlikely.

But it was true. It would genuinely make any bothersome intrusions or outright assaults easier to repel.

“My name is Noon Triswich. Knight of my Lord. I come from Britain in representation of my lord as his blade in this conflict. My battle is to claim this land as his with little need for the wish.”

He offered a smile. “I’m afraid that I cannot afford to lose. But defeat need not be determined now.”

How arrogant, and yet how sincere were his words. His face was kind and nice, but perhaps that would strike at one’s ego even more than a twisted boisterous face. A knight who genuinely believed in his success.

He was not one who looked at others as losers before the battle was determined, but rather already held the image of himself as the victor.

Latin District

---

"Very well! I'll stop marvelling at these sights and focus on the task you've given me."

This was the last message Saber sent to Cleo before he began moving quite a bit faster southward and scanning closer to ground level. The man, in spirit form, hopped from rooftop to rooftop, often focusing his mind to scan for large pools of magical energy. Eventually, something brushed against the edge of his senses. He quickly turned and changed direction, heading towards what he had sensed. Two Servants! And their Masters, as well! If they were already clashing, the situation would be perfect to fulfil his mission by observing them.

With just a few more leaps..!

As Noon laid out the terms under which he would accept an alliance, the unmistakable presence of a Servant rocketed into the group's area of perception, landing on a rooftop a half-dozen or so buildings away that gave a fine view down into the meeting. The Servant's form began to materialize from thin air, moving into the physical world like a player emerging from behind a curtain.

"Good evening, all!"

On that rooftop was a man armoured in a mix of padding and polished steel. He wore no helmet at the moment, so the gathering before him could look upon the smiling face of a man that remained handsome and robust despite a few scars. He held no weapons in his hands, instead raising them into the air as a signal of peacefulness. The sudden addition of a third Servant presence was sure turn some heads and cause its share of alarm, after all.

"Have no fear! I'm not here to do battle, and though I thought that you all might have been out here for that reason, it seems I was quite off the mark! If its an alliance you're forming, count me in! Sir Noon, Bold knight of Britain! His companion! And the noble ladies! Let me join your warband for a time, hm?"

@Danchou@SSW@Sunglass@1Charak2@King Cosmos

Lancer stepped outside and approached the white haired Magus, his gaze directed upwards at the illuminated buildings that surrounded them; the artistic architecture was unlike anything he had seen in life, a modern city the size and scale of Paris a marvel to him. “To call such a vibrant and beautiful city a battlefield…” The young man let out a sigh.

The thought of the city and its people becoming embroiled in this war between heroes, that Paris should suffer any kind of damage due to this war, caused Lancer some anguish. He would have to ensure that he did his best to keep such carnage to a minimum as he fought, as best he could, like he had done in the past as he had protected Bomba from its enemies. His own home was gone, lost to time, he was a king without a kingdom; until such a time as Bomba could be restored he would just have to make himself the protector of this city instead. It would soon belong to his Master after all.

“Well, you are not wrong Master. Come; let us end this war as soon as possible, so that we may make our vision for a peaceful world a reality.”

@ItMeGritty

---

---

This man was a curious one. Sure plenty of magi could be described as strange people but even among a population like that there was a few that stood out still. Here's to hoping the guys not a psycho I suppose... Although by the way the guy was glaring at her it didn't instil much hope for that notion if any at all.

She stood and listened intently to what this man had to say. To what 'Noon' had to say rather. Well that certainly is an odd name, wonder who gave him that. Might be a title though.

Perhaps it is best to start things off with an introduction hmm.

"Well Monsieur Triswich... I am Lucienne, Head of the Arouet-Rousseau's and I call Bordeaux my home. Although I have also come over to Paris from Britain, I am a student at the clocktower you see, perhaps we might cross paths there after everything is said and done." She thought it best to continue in an open and friendly manner, even though it seemed to be that Noon had some intention to mock her a little, or maybe he was just prodding to see how she would react. Well whatever it is it doesn't matter much.

"I am fine with however you want to refer to this cooperation between us Monsieur Triswich, alliance seemed to be quite convenient for even what you proposed in response however~. As for your second point I see no problem with that, it would help both of us to help each other no? Also I intend to avoid deaths altogether if possible if you don't mind me saying, sure it's called the 'Holy Grail War' but hey I have the rest of my life to live as well right? Don't throw your life away for anything fleeting Monsieur!" It was more than probable that she had said quite a bit more than she needed too. But perhaps that would warm this strange man up to her, if not well. Can't win them all eh?

"Unfortunately on that third point there I would have to ask that we discuss it further. You see I have already established my own place to workout of as well. The fourth point is completely fine with me though, if I were going to try and do you any harm I wouldn't have requested that we avoided a conflict. And i'm not the type of woman to be scheming in the shadows either." For some reason an image of herself cackling like a witch came into mind. Hey now does this guy think I am some kind of evil villain trying to pull the wool over his eyes?

And just as that thought left her mind it happened again...

Another one...

She turned to look at the Servant who had just arrived, yelling out his greetings to the group below. But well... Something felt rather positive about this one. He seemed friendly enough and if this is how he is starting things out his master must be rather agreeable too!

"Hey there! The name is Lucienne by the way! I would love for you to join us kind hero! Your master could come and talk with us too if they aren't too shy! Ah it seemed that even if one negotiation went south then she could have a second chance with this one.

And here's to think I was thinking of spending this night scrunched up inside. You made a great choice Lucienne! Perhaps it was too early on to be congratulating herself but well, she was rather happy with how things seemed to be turning out.

---

Oni no Hanzo
Business District

---

When Hanzo arrived, she arrived not in her kimono, but in a rather modern, conservative turtleneck and pants, looking for all the world like a normal but fashionable Parisian if not for her features. Disguises were her forte, and that meant learning about the local languages, mannerisms, and people. A peddler from Owari who knew naught of their customs, specialties and way of speaking was not an effective disguise after all.

It was thus, effectively, almost impossible for anyone to figure out her true identity without resorting to more forceful methods.

"Apologies again, Master."

"Ufufu, then, I shall take you up on your offer. Can I have the strawberry please?" In addition to the eight still out on duty, and observing the rest of the Servants they found in the Core, she had already materialized two more, for a total of 11 ninja materialized, including the one that was assigned to Chieko.

She closed her eyes for a moment at her Master's questions. "Perhaps they like its bitterness. Do you not like chocolate or vanilla?"

Hanzo enjoyed her own ice cream, sweet, cold and delectable. The bright pink color was attractive as well, it made her feel like she was eating those cherry blossoms. A nice snack to accompany her thoughts, going round and round and round until she was very sure who the Saber was.

"If my Master should be troubled by the ice cream, I would be delighted to dispose of it for you."

Escape was indeed the wisest idea on the intruders part.

It was not something that would go pursued, just not by himself personally. He had his own servants for such matters.

Formless Shiki-no-kami, spirits drawn from the land; expressions of ideas, forces of nature, hidden in shinkai. The art of binding one to the will of the caster was something that took years to truly master without error. Error was not something Abe no Seimei had to be concerned about. Were Byakko, Seiryu, or the Heavenly Ocean Tenkou with him... it would all be over already, but alas. It's simply too much to ask for a fraudulent device to retain the summit of his Magecraft.

The one bound for the simple task of spying was a being which could have been called a 'fragment' of Paris' pride -- loud, old and somewhat riddled with dementia in recent years. A bit of human nature which had, in and of itself, become nature. Without shape, it ranted and raved about being 'the emperor', being 'the president', and then back to 'the emperor'. Then it was a 'prince-president'. It simply could not make up its mind.

Something about invading the land of Russia too. Ill advised, but Caster would give the spirit a Russia to hound.

While the spirit was formless, he was nonetheless able to perceive it -- such was the gift of his eyes, granting him vision of what was the 'truth'. A shadowy body, more akin to a hunched and masked Nue than a man, wearing loud golden epaulettes, something between a tricorn and a crown upon its masked head, the latter of which could only really be described as 'mixed in mood'.

"Go," he commanded the creature, and it went, slipping back into the world of shinkai, in pursuit of the brutish intruder and their similarly daft Master. From then on he would operate as if all others had seen his warning: Intruding upon the territory of Abe no Seimei was unwise. The land was his -- not merely his and the Master's joint workshop, but beyond it too.

Let them squabble and skirmish for a false system and an equally false wish. He had his own goals to attend to.

'I will applaud where it is due. She did manage to fend of the most lasting effects of my work, but a human mind is a human mind, Magus or no. Hopefully a lesson has been learned here today,' the Caster communicated to his Master, the smug tone of it making his praise sound dishonest in nature. Like one appraising a cute animal's failure, more than anything else. 'Now, what to do with the others? I can't say I'm fond of inviting people into our little getaway, but...' Caster moped, pursing his lips together.

The idea of working with people other than his given partner and the scion of the Minamoto was giving him a headache already.

---

"Anyway, I'm the Magnificent Ahez! But you, Assassin, can call me Princess, Shadow Antoinette, or Master, or Buddy, or Ahez. Whatever work, really!"

The introduction was a brief one, but Assassin had said it himself -- she was not to disappoint him. Upon spotting his first 'disguise', the undeniable King of Knights, she had almost puked on the floor from the very prospect of working alongside him. King Arthur was a goody-two-shoes! She was a mastermind! A Morgan! But... without the incest. One-hundred percent without that. And anything like that at all, really.

But then he had turned out to be a clearly deranged clown. Much better!

A deranged clown with an appreciation for the stage too. What a good haul for her. His relative power didn't even matter, she clearly got the only Servant worth having from her perspective.

"So here's the skinny, Vinny; We need to get a lay of the land, so we're going to do some scouting. I mean, I already know the lay out of Paris but I don't know where everyone else is. And if we're going to be doing this all sneaky like, then we'll need..."

She paused for dramatic effect, the stage lights adjusting and spinning around the stage, as if leading up to a big reveal.

Then they homed back in on her, illuminating her stance with one hand on her hip, two fingers raised over the 'eye' of her mask in a V, a magnificent glint coming from the vertical, blinking thing.

"Knowledge."

"I mean, if that's okay with you. I've already got Eagowl Swift and Rat Prince working on what they can, but they're only two things."

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D'Art's smile immediately broadened at the sight of their opponent standing firm and getting into a proper stance... She really didn't like to chase them down if she could help it!

The skyward pistol in her grip lowered, barrel lining up with the enemy servant as the ground between them rapidly vanished. Even at speed the jostling of the horse did nothing to disrupt the rock steady aim as she pointed the weapon at center mass "I'm sorry our friendship couldn't last long, but I'll give you a proper introduction if I see you again on the other side- Au Revoir!" Click!

Just click. These were one-shot, and she had already discharged it. "...Oh, right." Whoosh! She chucked the useless trinket masquerading as a weapon right at his face, the whoosh-whoosh-whoosh of the irregularly shaped projectile splitting the air like the beating of great wings with its speed.

It was wholly a distraction, before it even reached the enemy the other pistol from the pair flashed into being and she pulled the trigger. Boom! Eat your heart out Lancer, maybe literally- though lead shot doesn't have teeth!

She wouldn't sit idle to see the result either way though, as she pulled the reigns on her mount hard to steer her aside, barring her right side (where her sword was) towards the enemy as she aborted her headlong charge. It was better to keep a little distance until she got the measure of his sword arm against her pistol.

[For the sake of Clarity, I am using Knight Tactics with the double pistol nonsense]

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