Talia Heigen-Schwertz

---

Talia looked down at her map, it's complete unfolded body dragging slightly along the sidewalk as she consulted it.

"Accommodations have been prepared, but still. One should always go and greet their host before partaking in their generosity no?

"We are very lucky that their current abode is very close by."

Folding the ludicrously sized map took some effort, at one point the procession stopped as she attempted to figure out the original orientation of the folds.

Some might say they heard some panting. Such a thing is of course, preposterous, and would greatly offend Talia to hear.

Of course, such behavior was beneath her. And she promptly discarded of the unhelpful guidance chart and trampled it beneath her feet.

"We didn't require help anyways," Talia declared.

"Behold, within a few blocks we will be within view of our shelter during our sojourn. I have heard many a great thing about this household, their heir is truly a terrifying being. I'm sure if we just mention his name and our awareness of his great achievements, they'll surely let us in."

@Aoko Aozaki

<Snipped quote by Lucker13>

SHINTO DISTRICT, FRUITS OF ECSTASY

Mehdi Al-Belia'al

"No, the shakes are what we do for tips," Mehdi replies absently, toying with loose strands of hair as he palms his hand into trees lining the sidewalk before blinking, "OH!" He blinks owlishly before turning a cunning smile towards Gunner, "Yes, you and I need to blend in to our surroundings. Be a natural part of this city." The magus gestures towards the rest of the city, "In this city, we have the three families, who've long prepared for the war. They'll be looking out for oddities. Travelers. Suspicious trespassers into their little grove. But you and me?"

Master turns away from Servant, and approaches the door to the fruit bar, "We'll blend like in. Just another tree in the old forest."

As Mehdi enters the establishment, the pale man strides towards the counter of the fruit bar, where a lanky twenty-something stands at attention with the fearful attentiveness of those trapped in the hell that is the food industry. The raven haired magus closes the distance swiftly, slamming both palms onto the countertop while affixing the young man with a glare.

"Let me see your manager."

"I'm sorry sir, but I'm authorized to resolve any issues you have?" The shorter, nervous Japanese quails beneath Mehdis piercing gaze. The silence draws out for a moment, before he opens his mouth again, "Sir, I-,

"Let me see your manager."

The fruit bartender sighs, his shoulders sagging in defeat before walking towards the back. As he watches him go, Mehdi casts an appraising eye over his retreating figure before shaking his head in dismissal, idly peeling open the upper layers of his outfit, the better to expose his chest to the air.

In a few short moments a dimunitive figure trundles behind the bar, an older woman, still youthful appearing but honestly that told Mehdi nothing.

The new arrival cast an eye over him warily, "What do you want?"

Mehdi turned his best smile to the obvious proprietess, "Are you hiring? My friend and I," he gestures towards Gunner behind him, "Are searching for a place to work for a short while, just raise some money to fund the rest of our trip across your fine..." Mehdi leans over, as if to meet the older womans eyes. He traces her gaze and pauses, then continues to descend further and just turn it into a full fledged bow, "Country."

A faint feeling of heat bloomed over his chest as he felt the store managers hungry gaze linger, before he heard the sound of her throat clearing.

Got 'em.

"We can see what we can do." Mehdi leaned back up, still holding the woman's eye, "I'll need to see some identification for you though."

Red eyes twinkled, and the scent of an alluring, sweet breeze wafted from his body, "No, you don't think thats necessary at all."

She breathes deeply, her eyes going oddly placid as the woman's elevated heartrate took the particules that actuated the hypnosis through her bloodstream, and directly into her mind, "You're right. I don't." She grins simply, a sensation of childish euphoria filling her being, "You smell nice."

"I know." Mehdi smirks, "Now, why don't you tell me if there's any where my friend and I can stay around here...?"

SHINTO DISTRICT, FRUITS OF ECSTASY


"I fear that anyone that catches your eye would have trouble keeping up, man or woman but they would enjoy it all the same." They were upstairs, apparently the building used to be an old apartment before it got reworked as a "Smoothie" shop and had the basic necessities available to use. Much better than anything he was used to, Manfred took a seat at one of the beds, both in the same room and connected to a small bathroom, luxurious honestly to Manfred's opinion. Bare furniture but it wouldn't see much use, his Master trying on different clothes and inspecting himself on a nearby mirror to better blend in and 'make business booming!'. He knew that his Master had more in plan than just simply blending in, even with his 'style' many other methods were honestly better in that regard. It was connected to these 'Smoothies' and with their base being fruits, he had thoughts of what may proceed.

Still this was rare moment of peace, something Gunner learned didn't come often in War and would be even rarer as the whole thing went on. So he decided it was time to get a better feel of Mehdi then what base impressions he had so far.

"Master." Stopping him mid cock sure grin with his thumb at the corner and index finger running underneath his lips, Mehdi turned around with an eyebrow raised asking the silent question.

"Seeing as we have the time to talk, to know you and your goals better before this War truly begins." Manfred leans back on his, still appreciating how soft the bed was.

"Likes, dislikes, favorite 'type' the works as it were. When I became a leader during The War, I found it useful and nice to have chats like these with those that risked their lives with me up in the Sky. None of us had good chances to making it back home which came more apparent as the tides shifted and the Yanks came rolling in."

Growing a bit melancholy, Manfred focuses back in on his very interesting Master who had now faced him fully with an odd look on his face.

"I won't ask for what you wish for or anything personal, that's something a man decides for himself to share. Just call it curiosity from an Old War Hawk."

His piece finished, Manfred waits on his silently thinking Master.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUYUKI PARK

"Now this is going to be good...."

A Latino man in a secluded spot of the woods in this park talked silently to himself while making preparations to summon his 'Ally'. When those marks had appeared on his hand, he had first cursed his luck loudly while walking down a street in New York, a rare lost of cool. However now here he stood about to take part of the deadliest war with who knows what flying about. He wasn't much of a fighter and had little to contribute in a Magus fight considering his families history so he needed to play to his strengths. The rewards for all this however were juicy, artifacts galore potentially if he played it right.

Most wanted some powerful demi-god or invincible hero in a War like this, not him though. He just needed something that was deadly, able to do it quickly and high get away speed when it probably went to shit. Doing research it was easy enough to get the right catalyst for this person, convenient too. Smoking on a pipe he finishes the way too long chant and with a flash he sees the figure emerge. He then looks upward.

".....I can work with this."

@TehChron@ObsidianNoir

He soaked in the applause, swapping poses every couple of seconds as he took in the adoration of his Master. Or, at least, he supposed the boy was his Master? He never actually clarified that one. Oh well. 

...the applause had stopped. Had the boy gotten tired? It was only natural, he supposed. The excitement of seeing one as great as himself would be a tremendous strain on any mortal body. Ah well. He'd probably wake up eventually. Probably. 

"...magecraft?"

Oh, this boy was a mage of some sort, given the reek that hung over this basement. Or maybe that was mold. 

...yeah, it was definitely mold.

Well, regardless, he was a hero. He was Hercules. He had no plans to stay cooped up in a basement that reeked of magecraft and mold while he waited for his adoring fan to wake up from his nap. How was that heroic?! A hero was one who stood front and center before the masses, dazzling them with displays of might and valor! What sort of hero lived in a basement?!

...sadly, this city was no Rome Commodusland. He could feel it, even without being present. Or maybe it was just an educated guess. Regardless of the method, he doubted this land had a Colosseum, and so he would simply have to make do. Without an arena to showcase their heroics, what did heroes do? 

...well, kill monsters, but there were no monsters around right now. Probably. Maybe.

So, instead, there was only one option! Dazzle the populace on his own terms!

Lifting the unconscious boy up and tossing him over his shoulder, Commodus' steps thundered beneath him as he exited the basement and departed towards the city.

Time to announce to the people that the great Hercules had returned.

Shinto Town - Copenhagen

SUMMON THE HERO OF GREECE! SUMMON A HERO WITH NO EQUAL!

Summmon... Hippomenes...

@Remon

As Hippomenes' body finished assembling itself out of mana he opened his eyes, a laid back smile twisting his lips. His eyes roved over the girl that he assumed was going to be his Master for this "Holy Grail War", taking in her youthful visage then shifting to his surrounding, noting the bottles of liquor, relative lack of personal belongings and a thousand others little details.

Then he used his other senses.

His ears twitched, his nostrils flared and his tongue tasted the air as it made its way to his lungs.

Alcohol, mayem and madness, a distinct blend of smells and flavors that he was familiar with. He shifted his attention back to his Master noting the same smells and flavors coming off of her, another wiff identified her age, 45... no 46. Well, isn't someone self conscious...

"Well, little missy, I don't know about the 'no equal' part but I'll be certainly happy to be your partner in this War." he said purposely dodging the formalities. "So, what's your name?"

@Lucker13

Fuyuki Park - Kawakami Gensai

As she appeared, coming into life, Gensai couldn’t help but take a wistful breath, a serene smile on her face. Ah... Japan. Even if she was unaware of the passing of time emotionally speaking, she would never mistake the air she was taking in. At once, information flowed into her head. Her smile wavered ever so slightly. This history of her home... She couldn’t say she liked it. But she shook off the melancholy and instead took her surroundings in.

Buildings unknown to her. People wearing clothes from a time far beyond hers. But even with all the changes, changes she didn’t have to like... this was the Japan she fought for. THis was the Japan which choose its path. Even if she wanted to, she suppressed the faint spark of loyalty towards her country. She had her chance and fought as hard as she could. Now? Now was the time to be a bit more self indulgent. And for that, she required the grail. Naturally that meant she needed a good master. Turning to him, her smile remained even as her eyebrow twitched a bit.

Hm. A westerner. Disappointing, but beggars could not be chosen. It was a petty dislike anyway, Gensai was mature enough to recognize that. So instead of acting out like a child, she merely bowed with respect.

“Your servant Assassin, heeding the call,” she said in a polite tone. Still, she couldn’t help but cover her mouth as she opened her eyes ever so slightly. “Quite the frank summon, I must say. In daylight, in a park.”

Some might call it even foolish. While she felt at peace during the day, there was a time and place after all. Paranoia born from a long life of being a Manslayer made her touch the hilt of her katana, sheathed at her hip as she glanced around.

///

@Reflection

Miyama Town - Abaondoned Home - Jacob Ainsworth

Fuyuki City. A quaint place, if one were to compare it to London. But it had its own charm. The air was quite clean and the weather rather nice. If the evenings had the same weather, his night walks would be even more enjoyable than they already were.

“P...please... “

Jacob closed his eyes, sighing wistfully. Ah. There was just something about hearing another language entirely. So different from English. It was quite exotic and the change was already filling his mind with inspiration. The differences in general were ever so slightly. In a smaller city like this, the commotion over the TV was bigger in comparison. The long black hair had a nice touch with the red color of the blood that dripped from her. Even the smell was quite exquisite if he could say so himself. Mixed with the more 'antique' smell of the building he was inhabiting. Yes, it was left alone, but the structure alone was just something new. The amount of wood was gave this entire situation just the right amount of refreshing aura. Humming to himself, the man cut the flesh in front of him into proper sizes. A glance, out of mere old habit, told him that his familiars, his guard dogs, were securing his parameter.

Movement from the corner of his eyes caused him to gasp dramatically. Oh no, what bad manners of him! Putting the knives down, he stood up, shaking his head, chiding himself mentally. That would not do!

“My apologies. I have become distracted.” The man chuckled, wiping his hands with a handkerchief. Pouring some tea into two cups, he shoved one of them over the table, before sitting down with his legs crossed. Taking a sip as if their surroundings were completely normal, he smiled as he savored the taste of his drink. “How do you feel about your current circumstances... Rider?”

@TehChron



A wary sigh escaped Francesco's lips as he made his way back into his base for the War, a fairly spacious two story family home with a basement owned by a well off family situated in an ideal place for him to set up a workshop, thanks to the empty hills and the nearby forest, something that he had not wasted any time in doing.

Acquiring the house had been fairly easy, hypnotise the residents who suddenly decided to go on vacation, convince them that they needed an house sitter for when they where away, a few calls to make sure the neighbors wouldn't find his presence allarming and then all that was left was getting all of his stuff inside.

Quick and easy with no documentation left to track him. Old habits die hard, even when the risk of being tracked and assassinated wasn't there anymore, or at least, he amended, not by the same people.

With a twist of his torso his back released a cracking sound and another sigh, this time of relief, escaped him. The italian mage had just spent the last twenty minutes setting up a couple of basic wards that would keep any prying eyes away then proceeded to plant as many of his seeds as he felt comfortable being without, a few spells made sure that his plants would be fully grown quickly and then the real preparations could begin.

But for now it was time to summon his partner for the War.

He made his way to the basement where he had already prepared a summoning circle, he rised his hand, activated his circuits and began to chant.

"Gah!"

The seventeen year old student flopped backwards onto the grass dramatically, flinging his arms out in frustration. Around him on the concrete of the canal were many crudely drawn "magic circles," if one could even call them that. Jigen had just about run out of chalk, let alone hope that the thick intricately titled book at his feet was real. It was certainly an impressive tome - leather bound, engraved lettering on the cover, twice as long as any of his text books... plus an unknown author. So despite the name "Magic: it's real and here's how to do it!!" Jigen had thought hey, maybe it was real when he checked it out of the old library. It wasn't, but how was he to know?

The chapter on "summoning" made it clear that a perfectly drawn circle was needed to converse with a spirit, or angel or demon or youkai that would give him advice if he asked. Advice was definitely something he needed. If they happened to grant him some cool super powers, that'd be alright too.

"Don't give up, Saito-san," the boy whispered to himself in a voice slightly higher pitched than his own, "come on, you can do it!"

With a quick nod of his head Jigen sprang back up, but he winced as the first rays of sunlight started to peek over the horizon. Seriously? I've been out here this long?! he thought, Okay, I'll give it one more shot before I'll have to get going to school...

The student got to work painstakingly drawing another circle, doing his best to make it as neat as possible. His school bag was nearby with his uniform and notebooks inside, as well as his simple cellphone. The gadget had been purchased for him so he could better stay in touch with his parents, but it hadn't rang with the notification of a message since he got it - and it didn't ring now, even though he'd been out all night attempting to summon some kind of magical being. When he was finishing drawing, Jigen stepped back and wiped his hands on his clothes, getting chalk dust and dirt all over himself.

"Hey, this one actually looks pretty good!" he said to himself with a grin. Okay, what's next... oh, right, the actual spell! He picked up the book and read the incantation lines to himself again. They were... a little embarrassing. Okay, a lot embarrassing. Was it really supposed to rhyme? Still, he was alone out there by the river, so he quickly read the lines while focusing on his chalk circle.

"Here these words, here my cries, spirit from the other side, come to me who calls you near, cross now the great divide?"

The "summoning spell" hadn't worked the last few times, but he attributed it to his poor drawing skills. Surely this time...?

---

Astonishing. That he would be summoned back to Earth and met with this... "grand feast." That he, a Pharaoh, would be as a servant to... well, this odd fellow. Markansas Valdark Reschyshyn, as he'd proudly claimed. What a fool. TutBerserker really wanted to shout at the mage about what the hell he thought he was doing.

He didn't. Though it seemed to Berserker that Markansas was indeed some kind of jester - whether intentionally or not - he sensed something familiar about the man. Dark, hateful grievances swirled about him, though not from him. Curious, but also a little mortifying if they really did have some things in common. Perhaps it was best to get along for now...

"..."

Nope, he couldn't do it. He needed to keep his mouth shut if he didn't want to turn his master away from him not only on the first night, but in the first hour. They said fools had thick heads, but did they have thick hearts? Berserker stared hard at Markansas as if trying to burrow a hole through the magus' skull with just his eyes. He listened to his master speak but he would swear the man wasn't actually saying anything. After a few long, silent moments where it looked as if Berserker might just lash out with his words, the boy drew in a deep breath and held it. He gazed around the graveyard again since he'd been summoned, noting there was no one around save for master, servant and puppet. At least, none that could be sensed.

"Master," the Pharaoh began, already finding the word distasteful, "if you seek advice from me, speak plainly and I'll give it. As you can see, I am..." he paused, and raised his arms up with a shrug, "...not well suited to direct combat. For now I suggest we stay clear of powerful martial servants... or..."

A cursory look at Berserker's stats with his master's clairvoyance and Markansas would be able to tell that what his servant said was true. As the young king trailed off, he considered what he was about to say. If it was possible to land his draining curse on a powerful servant in the first night, it would be a major boon. The thought of using his Noble Phantasm gave Berserker a headache, but in the end it would only benefit them... he did have a personal duty to fulfill, but it was a really awful ability.

"Never mind for now. If you have a base like a magician's workshop, let me see it."

Yes, it seemed that there was no Colosseum in this land. Tragic, really. He would need to see to fixing that once he had been incarnated. These people had no idea what they were missing out on. What did they have for entertainment? Where did they raise their gladiators? Truly, society had degraded in many ways.

Yet, at the same time, the item in his hand showed him that society had evolved in equally many ways.

Fishing around in his Master's clothes had yielded some useful results. A strange piece of plastic with various numbers on it, the fledgeling bits of information he had been granted by the Holy Grail informed him that this was some form of currency. How interesting, to use something like this as currency. Were such things easy to produce in these days? It seemed so. The modern world was truly an oddity.

The catalyst the boy had evidently used to summon him had been examined. "Hercules Against the Moon Men", it was called, a work from the country his great empire had fallen into. How quaint that such a thing would dredge him from the Throne, yet at the same time, that catalyst alone was not enough. In order to summon him forwards in this form...

"...so that's how you did it, hm?"

For a moment, the bombastic grin splitting Commodus' face broke, replaced by a sort of melancholy. Yes, he was no magus and certainly no Consecrator, but for a person like this, he could see it. It was impossible for him to not see it, after all; it was something that he knew better than anything else in this world. The weight that settled over that human youth, the fate that he was assigned from the moment of birth, it was-

"Ha. We really are a sorry lot, aren't we, boy?"

Words that none but Commodus would hear, before that melancholy was wiped back over with manic excitement.

Yes, that matter had to be left behind. He had plans to work with. He could not simply wait for the boy to wake up. And so, unconscious Tom on his shoulder, the great emperor took to the town. His first stop had been a quaint little place called a 'Costume Emporium', a marketplace which offered the pelts of strange beasts. The shop proprietor must have been mighty to quell this number. Or perhaps they simply purchased them from another? A worthy rival, in any case.

"That'll be seven thousand yen."

For his purchase, Commodus simply handed over the piece of plastic, expectant that the wealth of his Master would be sufficient to acquire this pelt. However, surprise came when, mere moments later, the plastic was returned to him, as well as his purchase.

A renewable currency? Money that you got back as soon as spending it? How excellent! His Master must have prepared this especially for Commodus' own use, how commendable! It would be remiss if he did not make proper use of it, in that case.

A shopping spree ensued, but this was a mere prelude. Preparations had to be made for later in the war, after all. This was the basic doctrine of warfare. Prepare, then eradicate the enemy. He had yet to locate the enemy, so he was stuck in the former stage.

But, there was an often-unknown middle stage. To raise the morale of one's people, to be an inspiration that they could live in pursuit of. A dazzling star above the Earth, a "hero".


And that was precisely why he was currently outside of an esteemed investment bank, laying beneath a very nice Mercedes S-class which he was pressing up with one hand, while his other hand kept the unconscious boy at his side. He was currently doing his third set, after which he would pivot to working another muscle group. The populace was, of course, amazed with this feat of strength, as expected of Hercules.

A crowd was forming. Excellent, excellent.

Soon, the yo-yo trick.

To meet another hero or heroine beyond herself...it was like a dream come true! To pair with the likes of a legendary soul, venture forth into danger, and defy all adversities at length! To be able to go beyond the borders of the familiar, to strike down evil and-

"Zoe, dear...you need to stop jumping up and down...and hugging the relic. You need to start the summoning if you are going to make your plane in time."

Oh.

Well, her mother was right in the end. Her father wasn't here for some reason, probably due to family business, but at least her mother and brother had stayed to see her summon a proper heroic spirit! It was exciting to no end, and her fiance had well understood the situation it seemed to boot. Already her things were ready to go, and-...ah, yes, the summoning ritual. The ritual to summon the heroic spirit. Yes. She needed to do that before anything else. Whew.

Setting the lyre fragment within the center of the silvery and large summoning circle, this piece itself a catalyst that had been provided by her fiance in an neatly-wrapped box before she had come here, Zoe stepped back and extended a hand towards the circle. Though giddy excitement and raw anticipation coursed through her more than obviously, however, her face seemed to take on a focused look of great concentration at this time. For a moment it was like she was a mature individual, or a magus of serious countenance, but before such thoughts could settle in for her mother and twin brother the girl began the chant she had memorized for this occasion. Indeed...but maybe she had added a minor tweak or two to it admittedly.



For a moment her mother's face went pale, though her brother only seemed to barely stifle a giggle from where her stood. Yet as she finished those fated words, a great light erupted from within the summoning circle that filled the room. Indeed, a legendary hero was once again being brought into this world to save it anew! Zoe could barely restrain her excitement as she finished the ritual herself, closing her eyes to avoid the light blinding her...awaiting in eager anticipation to open them again in a moment and view the great heroic spirit before her!

Then maybe she could get an autograph from them too. She always did love good music.

@ReallyDumb

He was... Certainly impressive. Watching a Heroic spirit materialize into the world was a rare kind of treat. Notably it wasn't the one she would have preferred, as this, Atalanta, and Paris were the only servants with enough association with golden apples to have such a catalyst call out to them. Though she really did wish she had something from Heracles. Maybe he could have been a Rider, and taken her for a ride on C- Focus!

Ariadne had to admit, the feline ears, the masculine figure, and the fact that he was sniffing the air pointed at Hippomenes. Again, options were narrow. "You may refer to me as Master. Or Ariadne. Either is fine, but if you combine the two, that would be even nicer. So yes, call me both. Master Ariadne." Her smile was practically infectious. After all, this was her first step into the war at large, and such a chaotic atmosphere was sure to grow.

"Now, if you are who I think you are, we should settle on figuring out..." She paused and bit her lip at the word. "Strategize, so that we can be ready." Another pause... "Ooooooor, we can both welcome you back, by getting something to drink. I'd suggest wine, but I'm saving some of this for a ritual before the war properly begins. We can get a drink someplace else in town if you wish. I'm sure there are many foods you would wish to taste."

__________________________________________________________________


He ignored the pleading. The woman had become a slave to the whims of another, and as such her life was in the hands of another. Her body, more than her mind though. A king was well in their right to treat any under them as a slave. At least, that was one of the rules of his time. The time of King Xerxes, where all men under a king were slaves who could die on a whim.
Naturally, he felt no reason to do such, but the other man in the room... Strange, and Xerxes wasn't sure if he liked him yet. Probably not.

Xerxes took the offered cup as it slide across the table. His hand was larger than the cup by a fair bit, and he was as delicate as possible as he lifted it to his lips. He would have preferred wine over the hot leaf juice he had been offered. Tea was for healing, not planning. Wine would take the edge off, allow one to think more freely. Though that was another time, another place.

"I feel our circumstances are going to be interesting. The location we have chosen is in roughly the center of the city. This means all news shall be passing through us. But, it means we are the most likely to be in the middle of another foe's battle." Xerxes said after a long time to think about it. "I would like to spend this day going out. Possibly find allies, strengthen our cause. After all, there is no doubt another force already making their move." He reached up with a hand, and dragged it through his brilliant white beard. As if stroking it might give him some inspiration.
"I shall keep you up to date on if I find any allies." This was a partial desire to find allies, and more a desire to be out of the room. Watching a young lady die horribly over the course of several hours wasn't his desired way to pass the day. Were he feeling generous, he might have removed her head, and eased her passing.

Standing, the Rider adjusted his coat. "I shall leave you with this." He handed over one of his gloves. It was probably a size too big. "It shall warn you if another finds you." With that though, Rider stepped out of the room, ducking his head a little to avoid the doorframe.

---

William held up two packs of microwaveable ramen to Yamato, one beef flavored and the other chicken flavored. "Which flavor should we get? I quite enjoy the texture of beef, but you really can't go wrong with the classics right? You would know of these things best, this is your homeland after all right?" He motioned theatrically at the beautiful land of Japan all around... or the convenience store they were in anyhow. The teenager at the cash register sighed loudly in hopes of getting the weirdly dressed man to go away, however William ignored it just as easily as he had the other six sighs the teenager had released over the past... two hours. Two hours and William had collected a box of peanut butter cereal, a carton of skim milk, three bananas, and all the chocolate bars in the store. The chocolate had actually been the easiest decision, the first thing William did when he walked in was grab a shopping basket and then begin collecting every chocolate bar in the store.

Regardless of what Yamato chose, he would finally end his grocery shopping for the week and bring everything up to the register, ringing up to some ridiculous total that meant absolutely nothing to the eccentric Magus that was William Flur. As they exited the convenience store, with Yamato carrying the grocery bags of course, William unwrapped his first chocolate bar and started talking to Yamato as they walked in a random direction. "So basically Yama, I'm completely relying on you until the war is over. Not to brag or anything, but I've lived my entire life under the care of a butler and a staff of maids, so outside of matters of Magecraft I'm completely useless! I would probably burn cereal if given the chance, so I need you to make sure I don't do something silly like walk down a dark alleyway in the middle of the night and get shanked by some ruffian hopped up on opioids." He turned to Yamato with a graceful smile, as if he hadn't just admitted that he was completely useless as a person. "I can count on you right?"

As his Master left the room, Arash's brow furrowed in thought. His Master wasn't what he had expected from the information the Grail had given him (he had been expecting some sort of ruthless super-magus, so maybe that was his fault?), but perhaps that wasn't a bad thing. His Master didn't seem to have any great desire for the Grail either, so they were alike in that respect at least.

What's more, his Master wasn't immediately treating him as some hyped-up familiar (which Arash supposed he was now, from a certain point of view), but was genuinely trying to extend an invitation for mutual cooperation. That alone had already given Arash great hopes for his Master. But there was something that his Master had mentioned that confused Arash...

"Young girls? Uniform? What kind of things does my Master have in mind for me?" Arash thought. But regardless, there were more pressing issues than whatever unusual task his Master had for Arash. Namely, the exchanging of names. Arash knew that a Servant's name was their greatest weakness, and such a thing was even more true for him. If the other Servants were to learn about the limitations on his Noble Phantasm...

Arash shook away the thought, and began to follow his Master out of the room. "I must say Master, I'm surprised you didn't demand my name immediately upon summoning. From what I understand, a Servant's name is one of the most important aspects of the War. Then again," Arash gave off a slightly amused smile, "it doesn't look like you have any great interest in the War either."

@Breo

@ObsidianNOir

Fuyuki Park
Well that was a fair question, time to explain his thought process.

"It is but not as much as you would expect, early enough in the day where there isn't much people walking around and the few that are wouldn't be near this part of the Park for another couple hours in the least. I've got some talent in checking a surrounding area for any unwanted people snooping about."

He takes a big puff of his pipe and shoots it up in the air watching it a bit.

"After doing my research I also wanted to get an early start on the war as it were with you and do some ah, 'fishing'. The Park was perfect in that regard and while risky I hope it will lead to catching some of the pairs out there unaware since most are expecting the action later tonight."

Giving a nod to his Servant he turns around and starts walking towards Miyama Town. He calls back out.

"First step is to have you looking more modern, since even in Japan your current outfit is going to stand out just a wee bit much. We can give each other a rundown of what the oher can do while getting there."

<Snipped quote by TehChron>
SHINTO DISTRICT, FRUITS OF ECSTASY

Servant Gunner

SHINTO DISTRICT, FRUITS OF ECSTASY

Having finally settled on a tight fitting black leather piece that matched his hair, Mehdi turned towards the inquisitive Servant.

"Likes, dislikes, huh?" He chuckles,"We'll we're putting our lives in each others hands, so whats more intimate than that?" A pale palm is held up, "I suppose you could say I sympathize with those little kids that grow up not knowing anything. The idea that ignorance is bliss, right? Innocence and all. It's the kind of thing that you dont realize is stifling until you get out of it." Mehdi gestures towards himself.

"Our family are magi, yeah?" Gunner nods and so he continues, "Means we're a bunch of crazies chasing our dream. Like a tree. Each generation, adding another ring, another layer, until we either reach the sky or die in the attempt."

He snorts, "Used to be...When I was a kid, I grew plants because I liked it. Learned magecraft because I liked it. Even when it hurt, it wasnt any different from working our fields, yeah?" Mehdi shrugs, "But that's all it was. That kid didnt get anything. He just followed directions, growing upwards without rhyme or reason because why would he? The world was everything around him."

"Then I got sent out. Made to really interact with people. Realize that innocence is nice, but it isnt really living. And when I did, I understood. Those guys, they're our competitors. Our allies. Its all one big, interacting, crosspollinating ecosystem baby. Each family puffs out and scatters its seeds hoping that when they take root they'll be just another inch closer to what we all want.

"And since we all came from the same place. And we're all going the same place, why not live it up while we're still here?" Mehdi chuckled, "Before we all return to the soil, lets eat, drink, fuck, and leave everyone around us feeling the ecstasy of our existence."

With that, he poses one last time, dragging his hands over his form

@Lucker13

Miyama Town - Abandoned House - Jacob Ainsworth

@Reflection

Oh, how thoughtful! While he did have some eyes out there, ready to warn him, Jacob was never one to say no to more security. With a life that he led, a certain degree of caution was necessary. A truly good man knew how to balance pleasure and professionalism.

“I appreciate it very much, my dear Rider!” Jacob said with a graceful bow. A pity, he was looking forward to speaking with this man a bit more. The stories he might hide. The darkness that was within his soul. The experience and view of a man from ages past, where people were more drowned by the Sin of Ignorance. Oh well. There was always night time, where he would definitely join him.

For now however? He had some business to do. While the familiars he had around were meant to protect him, by finding his enemies, this item of Rider left him with a bit more leeway. And who would suspect some innocent black dogs? Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing at all, good sir!

“Well, it would be foolish to not check the obvious places.”

Sending out all of his dogs would be foolish. If only for his peace of mind, he kept one of his dogs in the vicinity. Naturally it would be the dog that could actually fight in some way. If nothing else, it can serve as a solid distraction. The other dogs? Well, even if they were taken out, it’d tell him that they were taken out. With a mental command, he send the two of his three dogs into two different directions. One, towards the East, hurrying to the local shrine that was on top of a potent leyline. The other, towards the opposite direction, to enter the grounds of the Church. It was a classic location for things to get... interesting after all. And at last, one to the bridge connecting to Miyama Town. It was where people went and left and a clear vantage point.

With that done and said, he picked up his tableware and made sure to clean them thoroughly. It would be difficult to replace this tea set after all. taking the few minutes to relax a bit, he then moved back to his latest acquisition. Her breathing was labored, her voice hoarse from the meaningless screaming that would not leave these walls. Looking up, a faint light of consciousness was in her eyes. Jacob hummed. Rather resilient! Splendid!

“Well. Where were we?” He chuckled lightly before spreading his arms, an apologizing expression on his face. “Of course, I haven’t forgotten about you, my dear. But you know what they say, a gentleman has to pay attention to all of the guests of the house!”

“W-why... ?”

At her voice, filled with hatred and confusion despite its weakness, Jacob took a deep breath. Excellent. But he had to focus for now. Using her blood and some hair strings, he began to draw some circles on the ground. There were many elements added to it from his own research and his experiences. But to him? It was a painting, a thing of beauty. Because of that, he focused on perfection. Art had to be given the attention it deserved after all. For him, it felt merely like minutes as he finished the details up. With that done, he pulled out a knife, perfectly clean, as he ran his finger over its pristine edge.

“Do you know about the importance of sacrifices?” Jacob asked and chuckled to himself when he glanced at the woman. “It’s quite interesting. Back then, humanity was divided as ever. Continents were practically different worlds. Yet, they managed to develop in similar ways!”

He raised his hand and began to count with his fingers.

“The Aztecs. The Norse mythology. Ancient Greece, all kinds of religion.” He nodded to himself, twirling a second knife in his other hand. “Well, it is only natural. What could be more powerful, to have more meaning, than extinguishing a life for one’s gain? Of course not always were it humans that had to be culled, but it has the same principle.”

As horror dawned in the woman’s face, Jacob smiled fondly. Ah good. She was beginning to understand. Going down on one knee, he began to wave his knife in front of her eyes, the other one tapping at the ground in a rhythm.

“Of course, you cannot sacrifice just about anything. It’s like food. While yes, we could subsist, in theory, of a pile of slush that has all the nutrients the human body requires... but there would be no meaning. No culture, no emotional content!”

“Thus, you are fortunate,” he whispered, his voice like a good natured father. As she began to struggle against he restraints, wheezes of fear echoing against the walls, Jacob stood up, spreading his arms in joy. “I am not just killing you. I am not just torturing you. If I did, you would be just like most people these days. Mediocre. Not realizing the true value of the world.”

“There is still life in you. But do not worry. I will make sure that your sacrifice will be of the utmost quality. After all... “

The effects of his Boundary Field reinforced her terror. Quality required quality after all. Thus, he raised his knives, a wide smile on his face as he aimed them at her.

“Only the most distilled, purest fear, untainted by hope or determination, can make my Black Dog less hungry.”

“Now then, my little pup needs growing... “ He touched her skin, shivering and ice cold in his eyes. “Apologies for the delays. Shall we~?”

The screaming began anew soon after. But this time it was not screams of merely pain. It were the screams of someone’s existence being broken down and distilled into a fine wine.

Ah... There was nothing better but the classics to start off a good day!

Fuyuki Park - Kawakami Gensai

@Lucker13

Gensai narrowed her eyes ever so slightly. The way he phrased his words made it sound like he already knew who she was. Or rather, that he was specifically summoning her. If that was true, well, she thought with a smile, she was somewhat flattered. After all, compared to other legendary figures, she wasn’t as good in her humble opinion.

Her smile wavered a bit. Or was she his last choice? What kind of catalyst did he use anyway, in case her assumption was correct? Shaking her head, she made an effort to dematerialize her swords, but still keeping an eye out for threats. Crossing her arms, she couldn’t help but huff.

“With all due respect, I quite like my clothes as they are.” She sighed, shaking her head. “But I suppose if my master demands it, I should be eager to comply. I do see the logic after all.” Tilting her head, she hummed in thought. “If I may ask the first question... are you aware who you have summoned? You give the impression you do.”

Rider sat in a throne, or what one might consider a mockery of such. A disgusting device formed from interlocking blades; an asymmetric monstrosity of spikes and jagged edges and twisted metal. His blades were a symbol of his reign. Even to those who had surrendered without conflict were not spared from this demonic god of war.

His bored expression conveyed his irked self, his arm sitting on the rest of his “chair” while he crossed his legs, reclining back resting his head on his shoulders. His eyes were cold and inorganic, giving off a stinging light from the flickering fire beside him.

“You dolls were going off about how a Grail War might be interesting. I thought it couldn’t be the worst thing. This is a waste of my time. Boring. Worthless. If everything in this world is this boring, I shall destroy it. Maybe I’ll even rip apart your little “mistress” while I’m at it!”

To either side of him was an Einzbern homunculus, voiceless to the complaints of this brutish man. This was his throne room. A place where the desires of the king would always be met. Where the masses, in a single declaration, are used to their limit for the benefit of a single person. That is what it meant to be “king”.

However, there was no response from these two women, and with an annoyed “tch”, he sighed and stopped laughing. It appeared that he wanted some sort of reaction from these two women, but much to his chagrin, his statement failed to, at least obviously, produce any sort of rise between these dolls. When one was not gotten from them, he simply went back to looking bored.

“Where are you, Slave? When I am bored, you are to come to my side. Never keep me waiting. The next time you make a mistake, I shall punish you harshly. I have already used the two you had left for me, and they had bored me. We shall expand our influence elsewhere. This world belongs to me, yet this city does not? What sort of stupidity is that, slave? You are to accompany me. Gahahaha!”

While Rider was speaking out loud, it was clear that, through the shared connection to his Master, he was able to communicate with them. Though he was the “Servant”, it appeared that he held a degree of disdain for his Master. No, perhaps it was more apt to state that he held a degree of disdain for all who stood before him, and all that stood with him.

He was the conqueror of cruelty.

He was the demon of war.

He was the Grand Khan.

The King of Samarkand.

The man who brought cruelty to the world before him.

He was the king of this castle, and it was his territory. His “city” that he would bring prosperity to, yet ruin to all else. To destroy, so that one may prosper; that is what it meant to be a conqueror.

The Greatest Amir stood up from his chair, pushing himself to his feet with ease. And with that, he proclaimed the person whom he had answered the call of the grail.

“Hurry, Slave! When I say come, you shall be by my side already! We shall take this city for our own, then the world itself! Gahahaha!”

@ObsidianNoir @TehChron
FUYUKI PARK, HEADING TO MIYAMA TOWN

Waiting for her to catch up he gives his Servant a little look before chuckling.

"Guess it is a bit odd to summon someone like you in a War with so many other options available. Could of gone for any big shot Hero and I definitely had the means to get them with my work as a uh, collector of the past so to say. But I felt that wasn't my MO, didn't suit my style of dealing with trouble and I would rather look to work with who I got as a Servant as that would have the best chances for winning this thing."

That was the honest truth. He'd done his research of what he would be expecting here and it wasn't pretty, those thought myth turned real and flinging about some honestly crazy shit with even crazier magi behind them. He needed someone competent that wouldn't be some headstrong asshole. The Assassin class was the best fit for him and researching those famous in these lands, he thought 'she'(wasn't that a shock) was a great choice. Giving a slight smile he continues.

"And yeah, I do know who you are and you were pretty ballsy back in the day huh? Being able to pull that off the one time people know about and however many times after that, well I couldn't resist really. Used some connections and a little hunting on my end before I got a hand on your sheath, supposedly the one you had on you with that famous day if my sources were to say."

Giving a bigger grin he goes on.

"Which proved to be correct. I was thinking that our main time of operation would be during the day and some planning at night to play to our strengths. No need to run headlong into fights, best to let some of these Magus kill each other off while we pick off the others if given the chance."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SHINTO DISTRICT, FRUITS OF ECSTASY
Well that was about what he thought, the way his Master had carried himself since he was first summoned suggested as such. His philosophy of sorts wasn't something new to him but he was the most upfront about it if he were to say. He couldn't agree with parts of it, the way he was raised and lived had his own moments doing his own thing, but nothing like this.

"I can see that, how little I've spent with you had already given me an idea but the confirmation is nice to have. I can agree to some of it as well, living the best you can before the end, hard not to with my life."

Here Gunner does frown a bit while looking at his Master. "I was put into Cadets against my wishes as a child because my Father thought it best for me, and because I didn't like it but still had to be there, I coasted by as it were. Putting in the bare minimum and doing just enough to pass into the Army like that."

Sighing, Gunner presses on.

"Then The War began and as part of the Calvary at the time, felt useless, used as transporting supplies. It was necessary work but it wasn't for me, so I signed up with the Air Corps and the rest was History. I found my place up their in the Sky and found many others I would call good comrades as well. I found purpose and with that freedom."

Scratching his chin, Manfred thinks for a moment.

"You don't seem the worst I could work with and War has had me used to some pretty terrible things. The most I would ask out of you is your best to keep Civs out of this. I know that can be impossible at times but consider this my one condition, from someone who lived his last in protecting the Fatherland. As long as you Mehdi try your best in that regard I will not care for any other horrors you have planned."

“I see…” Markansas muttered, swirling the wine in his hand before draining it with a final sip. “You wish to enter through Gehenna’s Gate into my lair of sin…” Markansas threw down the wine glass with a dramatic flourish, and it crashed against a gravestone. It was either that or return the glass to pizza hut after he had run off with it in the first place, and this felt like a time for drama. And carelessly littering dangerous glass in a graveyard was a sin worthy of his darkness, too.

“Naturally!” He exclaimed, adjusting his gloves. “I shall guide you there, but beware that only those who I have granted my permission may enter without facing utter obliteration. And do remember when we arrive; though it’s disguised as a simple hotel, it is in truth a hell of my creation, hidden from mortal eyes.”

He paused a moment, looking at his Servant. “Well then,” He said. “Let us depart. Time rushes on always to perdition. There’s none of it to waste…”

The walk wasn’t a long one, and Markansas’ noodly legs gave him a fast pace. In truth, the area near the church had a somewhat eerie feeling about it, and he was happy to leave it as fast as possible.

Markansas brazenly strode through the town with no attempt to hide himself or lessen the amount of attention his extravagant outfit. The puppet followed after, its movements slightly inhuman, still holding the box of now stone-cold pizza.



@Yankee

Fuyuki Park - > Miyami Town - Kawakami Gensai

@Lucker13

As she walked alongside her master, using her Presence Concealment to make people less likely to pay closer attention to her, she listened to him with a thoughtful expression. How unusual. Most people even in her time would love to do nothing more than jump into the glory of combat. But here was someone who knew the true face of battle. The wisdom that came from experience to avoid certain death. She could respect that.

Her eyes widened ever so slightly. So he did summon her specifically? And her sheathe she used on that fateful day? What were the odds? She couldn#t think much more about it, as the praises flew out of his mouth once again. The praise for her and her class. She couldn’t help but preen a bit, a small blush on her face as she giggled, covering her mouth. Sure, she was a bit peeved that she couldn’t hide her identity any longer or that her master seemed a bit too relaxed about his surroundings. But it was in a way endearing. So endearing that she couldn’t help but tease him a bit.

“Now now. I am a married woman, you must know. Too many compliments and I might get the wrong idea.”

Listening to his approach, it was like music to her ears. She knew that being summoned was a matter of luck for both sides. What was the compatibility? Would a master be foolish to not use their servant properly or would the servant be unyielding to other commands? Thus far, Gensai was rather happy. With an approving nod, she took in her surroundings.

“Well said. I cannot say I would object to such an approach.”

As the foreign buildings were observed by her, she hummed, a sound of melancholy escaping her. So much has changed. In just about a hundred years. Her home truly moved on, didn’t it? Shaking her head, she sighed, glancing at her master.

“You don’t happen to have that sheathe with you? I’d be happy to investigate that theory yours.”

Here we have a single child.

This child had lost everything. Everything important to this child was lost.

At first, they didn’t have the slightest idea as to what they would do with themselves. Everyone the child had known was now gone; their brother, their sister, their mother, their father. They were all taken away from them in an instant. The child would not be able to see them again, and they would never return to her. They were gone.

An adult came to their side and began to talk about something, however, this child had no idea what the adult wanted. The child had never met the man before, nor did they understand what the man wanted of them.



The child screamed and cried. Tears running down their cheeks, the child screamed for help. They did not stop. They could not stop. It was as if it was a reaction to a stimulus that was uncontrollable; an involuntary action taken by herself. It was as if they were watching themselves through a pane of glass. It was unreal.


There was no answer.



And what became of this child?

Well, as it turns out....

---



A Holy Grail War was not something that, under normal circumstances, Tabethya would wish to participate in. After all, she was rather timid herself and often found herself at the mercy of others to tell her what to do. That was, after all, how she ended up joining this war. A request from her distant relative.

Well, if Tabethya was here in Fuyuki for a Grail War, she might as well enjoy herself while she was there. If she was going to be here for a week in a place where she had never visited before with the limited intel she could find about the area on hand.

The more rural farmland would allow her to accomplish her goals better. Magi, like herself, were beings that would prefer not to engage others, and with Tabethya especially, she held a degree of dislike for being in any form of the spotlight.

She had found an abandoned house towards the forest that seemed a bit rundown fo her taste, but it was merely to summon a Servant. She likely did not wish to live in an abandoned home, but as a Master, it was dangerous to move without her Servant. As a magus, however, she could not just summon a Servant out in the open. To grant sight of the moonlit veil to those who were not magi was against the established rules of magecraft. After all, it was a craft of secrecy. Anyone who saw her would have to be killed.

It took the albino girl but a few seconds to draw the magical circles on the ground with some chalk.

With a deep breath, she began.

---To the void---
---Upon the World, I call upon you---
---The Knight---
---The one to grant me Power---
---The one to grant me joy---
---The one to grant me love---
---The one to grant me protection---
---I shall provide you my body---
---I shall grant you form---
---I shall grant you glory---
---I shall grant you victory---
---Therefore, heed my call and let me grant you new life!---

A shine glared on the world, and before her, and the heroic spirit chosen to be her Servant would appear before her!