[IC] Fate/Kaleid: Shatter Prisma

[The Irish Tree]

Reign of Terror

@Guess Who,@Fourze,@Suku,@1Charak2

July 19th/Time: 10:24 AM

The last shuddering breath the police officer took was labored, and painful to partake in. To think that all his efforts, all his ambitions would amount to dying in the street. No cause or real reason behind it, save for this woman being a master out for blood...he assumed. All he could make were assumptions as he in vain tried to prop himself up on his arm, only to feel it quiver and falter, letting his body fall limp as his heart sought to pump, only letting more blood flow out than into itself. Looking at Jeanne, his eyes were glassy and sullen, as if he'd had all hope stripped away from him. Martyr? Murderer? He was neither. Slinking down and starting to slowly close his eyes, the faintest calling of the card that had once been hid was audible, but not important. He'd sleep the wound off and go back to business...they all deserved punishment. And that's what an officer did. It was his job to punish them...and he'd punish her as well, after he took his little nap that would last forever.

The class card that had been in his possession, now wedged between concrete cracks reverberated its sorrow in a dull, and quiet pulse of leftover mana from his being. Perhaps a desperate call for help, or perhaps just the anguish of a being losing one similar to itself. Either way, that pulse would remain a while, and as such the card was not to be hard to find should one seek it out.

It would take the police eleven minutes to arrive and find their brother in arms dead on the pavement, first responders carrying his body off after searching out evidence that didn't exist. The only thing knowable was that he had died from a massive puncture wound that wasn't from a gunshot, and that according to eye witnesses, some pale woman had caused him to have an accident, his ruined bike crashed into a nearby bookstore's front window. Carnage and brutality in the eye of the public, giving fuel to something that nobody intended to feed.

---

Seamus paused suddenly as he opened the door to his car, bearing a close resemblance to a Lexus GS Sedan, and looked at the general direction the incident had occurred with Jeanne, the mana in the air being tangible from this far away...and maybe even a bit further. "...Get in. That was no ordinary servant being installed. Change of plans." Naturally, the threesome of Philip, Marie, and Thomas would sense that influx of mana that dabbed the air with the taste of murder and figure that maybe this guy was trying to help rather than cause more problems. With Thomas taking shotgun and the two youngers in the back, they would soon come to realize that Seamus was fucking godawful at driving, and it was a miracle that they got there in one piece at all with the influx of people being directed away due to the police setting up the yellow tape, after a seven minute drive. Assuming that they saw that they wouldn't need to go fight right away, the trio would likely Un-Install/Un-Include their cards for the time being. Especially since Philip likely didn't want to explain to the police why he was carrying a sword and wearing plate mail.

Stepping out from his car with a look of confidence, as if he hadn't just tried to Tokyo Drift his way out here, Seamus opened the doors for Thomas and the others, before heading over to have a talk with the officer in charge. Seemed he must have had some connections if he was able to wade in police territory. Probably helped with the traffic violations.

---

Meanwhile, at Julianna's apartment, Jeanne's mind would slowly piece together the murders and slight fragments of memories she had taken from the card, even if it had only been through brief contact. Beheadings, and mangling of bodies...far more than the police had found. Strong feelings of hatred were rampant in these windows into the officer's past...but also, the True Name of his class card's sealed servant became evident as well.

The adoration of murder in the sake of a self-righteous worldview, all built around tearing down those who stand against you. Though he opposed the death penalty, he soon found himself abusing it to silence those against him. The one who beheaded thousands of people during the reign of the Jacobins, and cemented himself as a political power before his ironic and untimely execution, brought about by his fellow Jacobins.

Maximilian Robespierre: The Incorruptible. Fittingly, an Assassin class Servant with a Noble Phantasm used purely for single target execution.

While the information was useful in a way, it did little, since now Jeanne wouldn't have to fight him...unless someone else picked up his card.

The Exiled Heir(s)?

@Etranger

July 19th/Time: 1:36 PM

The guy was out like a light, in for the worst hangover of his life whenever he'd awaken. Quickly responding to the call placed, a rather tired sounding man picked up to answer Sajan. "Agent Kaur? We've recieved those reports, and are getting eyes on your area now. Stand by, and try and pinpoint the mana signature of their card if you can. The armored figure was seen carrying a dufflebag with the stolen goods, so there might be a chance they're blending in while carrying it. Even if it wasn't the target, good work on apprehending the one with the bait cash. Although, your acting needs some work." the voice said, ending the call after that bit of a jab at Sajan. While Sajan had only recently been in Junyo for a week at best, she'd likely recognize that the person she'd called was the Chief Operating Officer of Muninn, Abigail Miller. While she had been helpful in the immediacy of information gathering and sending out various persons to monitor the area, it did seem that the lapse in information was a major error.

Now, Sajan would be left to monitor the area while backup was being rolled out for monitoring the area, as the mana signature started getting closer, but identifiably weaker. They had definitely uninstalled their class card by now, and were attempting to blend into the civilian crowd in the area. of the people coming by on the street, many looked like typical street toughs, which would make it difficult to discern who could be it. However, one man was visibly carrying a duffel bag slung over his shoulder, a phone pressed to his ear and a ring on the hand holding it inset with some large red gemstone. Whether it was real or fake didn't matter much, but the man's air gave off a sense of unease, dressed in rather normal looking street clothes with unkempt hair, yet sporting a gem that looked almost fake and looking at his phone with impatience and worry on his face. Regardless, if Sajan was going to try and make a move, she'd need to make sure he didn't immediately get spotted as another Class Card user. Perhaps a higher vantage point would serve better for this...or just a flat out assassination attempt.

The Delusions of a Desperate Damsel

@Pie Flavor,@Enkryption
Daikichi was left to dangle for a bit, not wanting to scream of fear of looking pathetic, and also because Ophelia could...make it look like an accident if he dropped.

Awakening some time after in the Nurse's office once more, Mitsugi left while the nurse was busy with a call somewhere...somewhere unimportant. All that mattered was him right now, her thoughts were a hissing and knotted ball of desires and emotions all biting at each other, all killing one another for sport and dominance in her mind, leading her to wobble a bit as she walked. Soon however her steps became steady, her right hand covering its respectively sided eye and continuing to walk. Even if her mind was...melting a little, she still felt a throbbing pain in her eyes in particular...as if there were signs leading somewhere that didn't make sense. Regardless...oh! He forgot his lunch, right? That'd be the romantic thing to happen right? So of course it happened...of course that pathetic, idiotic man could so easily scorn and forget something prepared with love and care for him, and instead settle for cheap slop processed at the hands of some faceless nameless machine...but now she could make him food!

The atmosphere at the school was growing more...oppressive. Snakes could be heard in the walls as Mitsugi walked down to the home economics room. It wasn't that Ophelia was there at all...in fact, she didn't even see her, in her personal delusion. The flour on Ophelia's countertop started...running away in straight lines etched across Samuel's portrait. Sliding the door open, Mitsugi didn't even seem to have entered the room at all, she was just...at a counter making dough now. Ophelia could probably easily get away unscathed, but the green haired girl seemed in a trance, just...humming something to herself.

Not to mention, with two class cards present in one room, it was practically a "Here we are" searchlight for any other masters within the school at the time.

[Enkryption]

Snakes. Slithering. Hissing. Slipping between the cracks of her focus, into the forefront of her mind, and into her magic. Ophelia snarled, as the foreign magic encroached upon her own, and forced it back... down. No woman forced her to move -- neither physically nor metaphysically. ~Empress...~ Lucius opened dialog, however, he didn't press, as he knew Ophelia's temper was raised beyond honeyed words of calming.

Instead, he got himself prepared for her. Ophelia's left hand curled around a handful of flour, while her right slid into her bra, and curled around a playing card. Her eyes narrowed, as she pinpointed the hisses, and settled on the green-haired girl. In a singular instance, she whipped her flour-filled hand at Mitsugi -- polluting the air around her head -- and crushed Lucius's card.

Forward, she flung herself, as a mammoth iron shield in the style of an Roman scutum formed; destined to slam into the girl.

@The Irish Tree

[Guess Who]

Walking towards the car that Seamus was directing them towards, Phillip would uninstall his class card as he realized that his full plate mail armor would make it difficult to not only get inside the sedan, but also uncomfortable for anyone sitting next to him. As he was ducking underneath the roof of the car, the wave of mana would pass through the group, it's overwhelming pressure being felt by all of the masters present and their new chaperone. With no sound of an argument from the blue haired young man, he'd ride with the rest of the group to the crime scene.

---

Upon their arrival, Phillip would be the second person out of the car after their driver. His legs were wobbly from the second rate Takumi Fujiwara who had gotten them to their destination, but he didn't complain. Instead, he wordlessly made his way past the police and their yellow tape just as he had at the last crime scene, kneeling down where the officer was now End of Watch. The coroners were already in the process of taking away the body, but detectives were still combing over the evidence left behind by the one who'd killed their brother. He didn't have any sort of gloves or cotton swabs that would allow him to touch anything without contaminating it, but he could still help. Pulling on the sleeve of one of the cops to get their attention, he pointed toward the discarded class card that was covered in saliva. "Did any of the eye witnesses mention the attacker spitting out a piece of paper or card? Perhaps some DNA could be acquired from that object."

Wouldn't it have been better to take the card yourself? A voice asked in his head as the detectives inspected the class card of Robespierre. I alone cannot protect you from every enemy we may face in the future.

Phillip shook his head in response. I'm more worried about catching whoever did this. If they went so far as to attack who I assume to be another master in broad daylight, I believe that they're a much larger threat than any other.

What makes you think this officer of the law was a master?

If I killed that man in the alley who had been pointing his gun at me, would I have then left you behind so you could be taken by others? No. If this person's so confident in their ability to attack in broad daylight, they might believe that their current card is all they need to hunt us down and wouldn't care to collect the ones their victims dropped.

That does sound like a very probably scenario. For a moment, there was silence before Richard asked the question on most master's minds. Do you think this officer was the murderer we were trying to find before? The card, the motorcycle, the knowledge on how to cover up a crime. He would have all of these.

Yes, it is possible, but it's also no longer my main concern. His murderer is however.

[Suku]

Marie stayed silent as she watched the one person examine the scene it was obvious what was happened and she honestly couldn't say she cared any more or less about it. "To be a magus is to walk with death" that was one of the first things that was taught and as such it means that you cant let death be a hurdle. Or so it was how she interpreted it the officer who was killed probably had it coming from her understanding such was the way when dealing with servants. "Uuu.... Uuu" She heard in her head as her servant tried speaking to her. Agreeing with the advice berserker gave her she gave a subtle nod no matter how she wanted to see it was best to wait till the officers was gone before doing anything.

[Etranger]

Sajan

Sajan took in the call silently, trying ignore the jab at the end. Right now she needed to find a dangerous criminal, not trade words with an operator. She did wonder how long they had been tracking her progress, however. But her thoughts would need to be squarely focused on sussing out where her target might be. She sensed as the signature ebbed out, and given it was getting closer at the time, it could only mean they had abandoned their installation in favour of hiding among the populace. They would have to be picked out by more conventional means. Fortunately, someone extremely suspicious appeared in the crowd in due time. If this man was indeed the criminal, he was not doing a remotely good job of making himself inconspicuous. His overall nervousness aside, one look told Sajan he was unlikely to be a Japanese native. Given the man she had just apprehended stood out as a Caucasian here himself, it hardly seemed unfair to think his potential co-conspirator was of a similar shade. In fact, while it could be due to a lack of familiarity with white people, Sajan swore they looked alike in more ways than their skin tone.

Sajan had made up her mind; this man was all too likely their murderous knight. If this had been under similar circumstances to the first man, she would've continued to favor the subtle approach, but he did not look like he was in the mood to be approached by anyone, let alone another card user. Instead, Sajan looked to a nearby apartment building and began to ascend the stairs within, heading for the roof access.

'What are you doing, Sajan? What is your plan here?' The Guru piped up as she dashed up the steps.


'I'm going to give this guy a taste of his own medicine from the roof.' Sajan let him know plainly.

'Is this not too rash? Should you kill him now, it will be in public for all to see.'

'Perhaps, but our intelligence failure has already costed more lives. I think it's worth the risk to put an end to this before he kills again.' This man's robberies were known to be lethal. If they let him escape here, he would inevitably kill again. Sajan would endure any consequences, and even the Guru's disapproval, as long as this was brought to an end.

Emerging onto the roof, Sajan could see that the man was still down there. Wasting no time, Sajan readied the Guru's bow and let loose. With luck, this would be over in one brief moment. If not, Sajan was worried about what might come next.

@The Irish Tree

[The Irish Tree]

Reign of Terror

@Guess Who,@Fourze,@Suku
It would be roughly half an hour before Seamus got the threesome clearance to investigate the crime scene...and though it was a grusome sight, there was an idea in Seamus' mind that these masters must have already seen a share of bloodshed. Whether it be via their mental link to their cards, or from their encounters with other masters. At his orders, the detectives would clear out, clearly displeased. Although strangely, the one who had obtained the class card as evidence handed it over to Seamus, contained in a plastic bag. "We appreciate your cooperation." he said to the detective as he walked by, seeming to have slipped something into his pocket. "I doubt you all have backgrounds in investigation, but magical matters such as this are best handled by those with the highest degree of power. However, I want to make something very clear here: I am having it on good faith that you won't meddle with the scene too much."

It seemed that Seamus was letting them have their run of the show for now, but unsatisfactory behavior might get them removed from the premises...legally. The dreaded powers of someone who seemed to have more money than time.

The scene itself was rather violent, what with the bloodstain and the destroyed motorcycle still needing to be cleaned up. Thankfully, it at least seemed to not be on fire, merely crumpled up like a tin can with rubber included. There was a puncture mark made at a 1 inch depth in the wall the officer's body had slumped up against. The concrete also seemed to have cracked a few paces away from where he had been...it seemed that whoever it was had strength enough to crack it either by impact or just by standing. A line gouged into the concrete about 30 feet back leading to that same spot also gave the impression that they had approached from there after destroying his bike. That didn't narrow the servant's class down very much, but one could probably presume that it could be a powerful Caster, Saber, or Berserker given how far away its presence was felt. In addition, the mana in the air felt...light. Something extremely strange, given that no class typically just sucked mana out of the air to such a degree. In fact, heading South there was a noticeable line of air drained of mana that tapered off quickly. It seemed they fled in that direction, and uninstalled quickly. While not the largest trail to follow, it was at least one that existed. However, South was a very...unhelpfully broad category to search. It seemed whatever class card they possessed, it could drain mana from the air itself. Standing nearby, a few people had already returned to the crime scene, mostly civilians hoping to get a peek at the scene of the crime. Perhaps one saw something.

The Exiled Heir(s)?

@Etranger
The arrow would take mere seconds to launch, and with Guru Singh's skills, there was no doubt that the target would be hit. However, even if it was merely a ten second window during which Sajan summoned out the Guru's bow, that was enough time for it to be felt. Raising his head sharply, the man barely had time to start trying to run before instinct had him slam something into his heart, before the arrow would find itself embedded in his right shoulder, which was now covered in thick black plate as was his entire body. It seemed he had finally Installed, though now this just meant that Sajan could be very certain of his position at all times. Unknowingly having cornered himself even further, the man ducked into a nearby alleyway to try and pull the arrow out despite lacking any medical knowledge. He would likely be a sitting duck...however, something seemed to have happened on a far lower floor of the building Sajan was on. A smoke alarm's chirp...and then another. And then another. And another. Suddenly dozens of people were fleeing the apartment complex as the obvious started to happen...whatever had occurred, whether it having been his doing, had sparked a fire in the building that was rising up.

Suddenly, an arrow whizzed by Sajan's ear and landed in the ground, causing the roof to start catching fire. It seemed that rather than trying to face her directly, he was trying to burn her alive and then make his escape. The arrow present could lead Sajan to also assume that whatever his class card's true name was, that he was of the Archer class as well. However, fire seemed a more pressing matter, as arrows continued to pelt the complex, fire burning and even spreading over brick. It seemed material was of no consequence to these flames. Smoke was rising, and time was running out, for both Sajan and those who may have still been inside the building. Continuing to make his escape, the black armored man continued to stay within alleyways, figuring there was no way someone could hit him at such an angle.

"Agent Kaur you need to leave now, your position is compromised. We have eyes on the target, and an evactation of the building in progress. Just focus on escaping and stopping him. Hope your class card lets you make a good landing." Miller suddenly said, Sajan's phone having blared to life. Magic involving technology was rare, but in cases like this very handy for hands-free talking and sniping.

The Delusions of a Desperate Damsel

@Pie Flavor,@Enkryption

Flour clouded Mitsugi's vision before she felt a huge iron weight slam into her, making her feel as if several of her ribs had just cracked or been broken entirely. Shuddering in pain, she looked up at Ophelia, eyes burning a bright gold, her pupils like thin slits set into fine topaz. As if she didn't even think, the girl shoved the class card into her chest and let out a high pitched scream as she was pushed out into the hallway before she seemed to burst entirely into flame. Clearing quickly, the fire dissipated to reveal Mitsugi dressed in a traditional looking teal, green, and white kimono, with golden patterns depicting fire running across each sleeve's exit and entry point. Looking at Ophelia with a cold look, she seemed almost possessed...perhaps the power of a class card had corrupted her mind, or taken it over entirely. Either way, the serpent of a woman standing before Ophelia seemed far from human, and from the aura she was exuding, definitely of the Berserker class.

"You won't stop my love...nobody can. Anchin-sama is mine and mine alone...and any woman that gets in my way is less than combustible garbage." she said, not missing a beat and slithering to her feet, a wave of the paper fan in her hand caused the air to combust around her, launching several balls of fire whizzing down the hall at Ophelia's shield, and setting off the fire alarm and sprinklers. "How impolite to douse the bride on her wedding day...I'll have to tan you for a new dress. Ah~, but I forgot to make Anchin-sama lunch! You wretched, horrible woman, I wouldn't have to kill you if you just let me bake." Mitsugi hissed, seeming even more serpent like...in fact, the sounds of snakes only started growing louder and louder, as if simply being around her was enough to drive one to madness.

[Enkryption]

A simple grunt of exertion sounded, as Ophelia sank her shield into the flooring -- letting the fireballs impact and shatter; scattering away like clouds of flour from a counter-top. ~This is mildly favorable, Empress. Berserker has no advantage over myself, a Shielder. However, the opposite holds true, as well. All we hope for, here, is a war of attrition...~ Lucius held a moment's silence, before finishing, ~Berserker's forte.~ Ophelia curled her lips into a sneer, and hefted her shield. "I have no intention of letting some two-bit trollop overtake my position," she says, steeling her resolve and footing, as she marched forward against the assault of flames, "Not today. Not tomorrow. Not EVER."

In the midst of her monologue of devotion to being Alpha Bitch, Ophelia was looking for a weapon. As fine a weapon as her shield -- standing as tall as she, three of her wide, and made of magical spirit iron -- was, it was still a shield. It's primary purpose was defense, and limited offense; to swing it around like a flattened out club was to waste energy and open opportunity. 'If I can get close enough to throw flour at her...' Ophelia grimaced, and hunkered down where she stood. 'That sound! So annoying!'

~Embrace it, Empress. The wartime sounds of battle are chilling, unless you embrace it.~ Lucius consoled his Master, ~Embrace it, so you cannot be swayed in your march. Surely, sometime lies before you to cull this fire.~ Ophelia grit her teeth, and reached into her flour divination sack; taking a large handful, and cramming it into her mouth. It was a nervous habit turned into a compulsion that brought a moment of inspiration, as she closed her eyes and let the bitter, chalky grain powder soften and thicken in her mouth.

All too sudden, Ophelia opened her eyes, and spat out the flour paste. "I know what to do," she said, as she scanned for a fire extinguisher. Eyes darting up the hall, she saw one, resting in its regular interval, seven feet behind Mitsugi. "Here goes everything!" Ophelia shouted, jumping back, and rearing back with the shield.

Lucius reminded her that she had merely seconds to do this right, and would find little, perhaps, no, opportunity to do it twice. Aware, Ophelia stomped surged forth, and threw her entire body weight forward with all her might; sending the shield ahead of her, and straight at Mitsugi. The Berserker Master had two options: duck or deflect.

Ether way, the opening existed for Ophelia to break the fire extinguisher free of its housing, and get behind her.

[Etranger]

Sajan

In spite of hitting her mark, Sajan couldn't help but think of this as something approaching the worst case scenario. She was hoping to try and nail the bastard a few more times, but the advent of fire in the building below her certainly absorbed her attention. She could hardly expect any better from a lowlife criminal, but she cursed the fact that she hadn't considered the danger to the people nearby in confronting this man. They were all now in danger due to her recklessness.

'Guru Ji...' Sajan began, wanting to apologise to the Guru for her failure.

'Don't. Just act decisively.' His words were commanding, but not harsh. It was true; there was no real time to lament her lack of foresight. There was still an opportunity to make something of this situation. The window was closing, however, as the man seemed to be rapidly counter-attacking, in spite of actively fleeing the scene. A barrage of flaming arrows was coming down on the building, as though he meant to drown her in fire. Her phone activated to update her on the situation. Sajan was more happy to hear they were mounting an evacuation for the building than anything else. For now, though, she would have to focus on making her way out of this inferno.

Racing to the side of the roof, she noticed a balcony with a railing attached to the building just over from the apartments. Deciding to take a chance, Sajan leapt from the roof, aiming to grab hold of the railing. She met her mark, and from there dropped down to a window sill below before finally dropping down safely to the streets. At this point, she decided to install her card in full, as this was now a full blown duel between the two of them. With his own installation giving away his position, Sajan felt it was time to let him know just how powerful the Guru's bow was. As she rushed forward towards the alley, she arced a few shots in the direction she knew the man was traveling. While she couldn't be sure of a hit, she could be sure that her arrows would impact near him, and he would soon learn that the alleys could not hide him from the bow that intimidated Aurangzeb's generals at Anandpur. No matter what, Sajan intended to chase him wherever he intended to flee.

@The Irish Tree

[Guess Who]

Looking over the destruction left behind by the fight between the killer he'd originally been trying to find and the killer's killer, Phillip tried to piece together what had occurred on this street. Whoever this was, they were certainly strong in order to create cracks in the concrete and their weapon sharp to make such an incision. Impossibly so. Of course, ever since he met Richard the Lionheart he had learned that what used to be defined as impossible was considered parlor tricks by these other masters and their servants.

The biggest mystery was the appearance of this new player in the game, and there was no way of knowing that by looking at a crumpled bike and cracks in the ground. Approaching a random civilian on the outskirts of the police tape, he asked them, "Did you happen to see the one who did this? Or even better, capture it on video or on your phone?"

[The Irish Tree]

Reign of Terror

@Guess Who,@Fourze,@Suku
The witnesses who had been present gave a general description of the woman that had attacked. Pale skin, dressed in a lot of black, and one young man excitedly claimed: "She was really hot." The general average description seemed to line up with the suspect definitely being female, and being extraordinarily pale of skin and hair, and dressed in black. It wasn't much, but it narrowed down half the population by gender. So, 50% of Japan just got knocked off the list.

Seamus was eventually handed a clipboard by one of the investigators that had stayed behind to observe, leading him to say: "Seems our victim here fought back. A single bullet was found, matching the caliber of his gun. Our suspect is injured...but we can't rule them out as having some form of Regeneration. I wouldn't rule it out for a Skill." When the threesome were ready, he'd be waiting to hear their thoughts on the investigation. "Maybe a DNA analysis will turn up a suspect, but we can't rely on that. We'd need to have someone in mind already, and so far the case is cold from the starting gate to a normal police officer. I'd say this is a perfect job for Card Masters." Seamus said, stepping aside with another investigator to go over some details of the deceased.

The Exiled Heir(s)?

@Etranger
"Shit, shit shit..." The robber Master cursed under his breath, starting to make himself as scarce as he could be, one hand curled around his bleeding shoulder. "The hell...Marcus you useless ass. I knew sticking around was a bad idea, but he just had to have one more night with cheap whores and booze..." he moaned, taking a moment to duck behind a dumpster and bite his free hand, before yanking the arrow out, biting his glove hard enough to bruise the skin underneath, trying not to cry out from the searing pain of the chunk of flesh that came with the arrow. Looking it over for a moment, he swelled with anger and threw it on the ground. Gold!? He got shot with fucking gold!? Today was ironic for sure...his brother abandons him to drink away the money HE earned, and now he was getting shot with money arrows.

Hearing and seeing the thunk of more arrows landing, he tensed up and started to grow pale. He was losing blood fast, and if he kept going, the Archer was going to run him down.

...Wait, an Archer? Grinning to himself, he held his hand out as a sword with a blade fashioned in the style of a falchion, resembling a great white feather attached to a black hilt. Like a quill in ink, the man smirked as he held it. If the other Master was using an Archer...he just needed to close the distance. Not only that, but if he was running at them, then he'd be able to see the shots coming.

Feeling that his plane was foolproof, the man started charging back down those same alleys, an enraged look on his face as flaming arrows started returning fire on Sajan, and the various buildings in the area. It seemed that whatever those arrows touched ignited, given that it even caught a small puddle of water in an alley on fire. Barreling down to where the origins of the shots were, it was likely that whatever Servant was sealed into his card was guiding him, just as Sajan's card guided her.

The Delusions of a Desperate Damsel

@Pie Flavor,@Enkryption
Ophelia's plan worked as intended, the possessed Mitsugi batting the shield away as if it were child's play for her. A shield without someone behind it was nothing more than a piece of paper to a Berserker. What she didn't anticipate was Ophelia getting behind her, the girl quickly looking back after hearing the extinguisher case being smashed open and the contents taken, just in time to get a face full of extinguisher foam that blinded her briefly. Servant powers or no, without Clairvoyance or another Skill that let one see without eyes, she was effectively stopped from seeing while she attempted to clear her face off the white foam, presenting enough time for Ophelia to either fight or take flight. Fleeing now would let her get a better field to fight on, but there was no guarantee of Mitsugi following or not.

In the mind of a normal human, the response to follow successfully distracting a villain was to flee. Flee, and find aid in that of a stronger force – forces, if one could be so lucky. Ophelia was neither normal, nor prone to flights, unless those of fancy. As such, she squared herself in for the long-haul; eyeing her shield as it bounced forward and away, no closer to her than went she had thrown it. It wouldn’t matter. She was going to retrieve it, now that she had something of an upper hand.

And, a weapon. That helped.

~You risk much for little gain, Empress.~ Lucius offered, a small council. “Nothing is little, when you gain,” Ophelia says, as her actions opened a window, not only for further attack, but the dousing of rampant flames of spurned affection and misguided temper. In short, the students had time to escape, before the hall became a warzone. ~Ever thoughtful, Empress. Carry this way, and some may mistake you for a charade of cruelty, as you ascend.~ Lucius says, bemused, and impressed, by the result.

Ophelia smirked, and hefted the fire extinguisher. “Never think I’m going soft,” she says, lunging straight at Mitsugi, intend to cave her face clean in. “My ascension is to be divine with you, my Primipilus,” she grinned, “and all that follow under you.”

Having wiped the foam away from her body, Mitsugi glowered at Ophelia, grabbing the extinguisher and trying to push Ophelia away. ”Such a small thing...can’t put out my fire.” She declared, before suddenly Ophelia was smacked in the gut with something hard and cold, knocking her back. When she looked back at Mitsugi, she would see that her legs had completely vanished, instead having been replaced by the lower half of a monstrous snake, a white tail curling around the fire extinguisher, crushing it entirely.

With her fan igniting once more, Mitsugi launched another barrage at Ophelia. People weren’t really questioning what the hell was going on, more just trying to get out of the building as small embers fizzled out on the floor.

“Someone’s cranky,” Ophelia teased, rubbing her armored stomach. “Now, how does one grapple a snake,” she wondered, seeing her shield had come to rest a ways away. ~Regain your shield, that’s the first step.~ Lucius says. “That’s in the works,” Ophelia says, “It’s a ways out, though.” ~Not if you doff your armor, and don it anew, Empress. Sometimes, we must weaken ourselves to empower ourselves.~ Lucius says, in his cryptic way.

Ophelia smiled, and set her weight back, and shoved forward. At the same time, she “doffed” her armor; Lucius’s worn armor vanishing, as his Class Card materialized in her hand, and her schoolgirl attired billowed by the sudden lack of encumberment. Mitsugi, or rather, her Servant, would have been able to adjust for the armored speed of Ophelia’s charge, however, unarmored, she put an unaccounted for fraction of speed on, and that adjustment off.

“Eyes up!” Ophelia grinned, before leaping up, and crushing her Class Card. Instantly, her armored reforged, and her body became heavier as a result; all that weight crashing forward, and down, with her shield to soak the recoil.

Mitsugi flew back from the slam jam inflicted upon her, the girl’s body, despite being monstrously heavy, was still her own, and she felt herself collide against the hard ground, shivering as she was showered from the fountains. “...A-Anchin...it hurts…” she said, her head spinning before all at once she let out a piercing roar that seemed to shake the air around her, madness overtaking the air once more as the air itself seemed to hiss around her, steam coming off her body as droplets collided with it, white scales starting to creep along her form, her arms now completely covered as she slammed her tail into Ophelia’s shield, before suddenly wrapping it around Ophelia and her shield, throwing her into the ceiling to break the sprinklers.

Ophelia grunted with the impact, both that of the ceiling, and that of the floor, before trying to rationalize her next move. Mitsugi was a lost cause, nothing worth the time or effort of recovering, however, the Servant was well worth the effort to capture and contain – any fool would be able to tell that much. Unfortunately, she was not a capture and contain kinda Servant, herself, as Lucius was highly immobile and meant to tank for... well, ever.

Of course, she wasn’t duty-bound to the rules of her Class... at least, she figured as such, since she could throw her shield around and use bludgeoning objects. As such, she, probably wasn’t duty-bound to adhering to Lucius’s policies and all. So, hopping off the ground, and doffing her armor, she sprinted for the stairs... hoping that her orders had been carried out, as she ran down...

Mitsugi slithered along the floor after Ophelia, baring her teeth as she slammed into walls, literally so infuriated that she was having a hard time moving. That and, she wasn’t accustomed to the new snakelike movement her body possessed. Regardless, she wasn’t all that much faster than Ophelia, but she was gaining on her. “If you help me make a cake for Anchin, I promise I won’t burn you beyond 2nd degree…” she called, clearly a bit out of her fucking mind.

Ophelia grinned, as she saw her normal “servants,” so to speak, where marching a bound youth from one zone of torture to another. “Oh, Dai...” she cooed, crushing Lucius’s Card, “Let’s take a trip.” before he could fathom it, the object of Mitsugi’s wrapped dreams was tackled by the armored train of human carelessness that was Ophelia, and plummeting out the second story window.

Straight to the ground.

Mitsugi’s eyes went wide as she zoomed over the edge and plummeted after Ophelia and Daikichi, the latter of which was screaming, not only from falling, but also from Mitsugi looking like a goddamn snake monster that wanted to eat him. Which...wasn’t inaccurate, one could suppose. Wrapping her tail around the twosome, Mitsugi coiled them tightly, and landed, taking the brunt of the force of the landing before worriedly rising up. “ANCHIN!? ARE YOU OKAY!?” she shouted, holding the unconscious Daikichi in her tail, having almost all but forgotten Ophelia.

Ophelia was glad to have the moment, as she hefted her shield, and kneed it upwards; banging the weapon, loosely termed, into Mitsugi’s chin. All she needed was to loosen her up, and keep Daikichi right where he was. Now, she didn’t have to fight Mitsugi, or stall into her attrition-based combat...

Not now.

Daikichi was here. Helpless. Targetable. A stepping stone. Uninstalling and Reinstalling, Ophelia kept banging the shield up into Mitsugi’s face, until her grip would free her all the way.

Mitsugi’s grip would loosen, her thoughts only being of her beloved...no, that wasn’t especially right. After all...he was a useless jerk that was just using her from the start. With her jaw just about broken...and her heart COMPLETELY broken, Mitsugi’s hands let go, while her Class Card emerged from her back and fluttered to the ground. With her body back to normal, the girl slumped onto her side, one hand curled around Daikichi’s neck.

Meanwhile, various onlookers were wondering what the hell was going on.

Ophelia popped to her feet, and step her shield on his neck; letting it rest, as she scooped up the Card. “Berserker...” she says, looking at the symbol. She didn’t know that, without Lucius have told her, but, the symbol worked.

“Hey, lover girl,” she says, kicking Mitsugi onto her back, and stepping onto her belly, before kneeling down, taking her face in hand, and slapping her back into reality. “Look at me, and listen...” she didn’t have any reason to say these words, “I’m going to do you a solid, and, in return, you will do me a solid – one of two,” she offers. “I’m going to get you help. Good help. Money help. You’ll be gone, awhile, but, in the end, you’ll function. In return, you work for me, in one of two ways: this way,” she flashed the Class Card, “or this way,” she poked Mitsugi’s forehead, “Either way, I’ll see you better than shit stain over there. Hell, I’ll even break a few of his bones in your honor.”

~Empress, she is suffering multiple traumas, and can’t probably hardly conceive you, much less consent.~ Lucius pointed out. “I know, I’m on a roll, and feeling good,” Ophelia says, exasperatedly. “I’ll call emergency, under the Sander’s card, and I’ll see this through...” she says, “After all, an Empress shouldn’t leave her citizen to suffer... long.”

Mitsugi’s head...kiiiinda nodded. She was a bit delirious, and a bit unused to...thinking after being crazy for a day. But hey, that was probably consent enough.

Ophelia put in the call... several, really. Hush-hush phone calls were numerous and tedious, but, with the money of a globally seeded dessert company and the power of the Sander Family Thaumaturgical Bakery, she could fix everything right as rain. That included, but was not limited to: funding Mitsugi's medical treatments, rehabilitation, and make her less of a side character in everyone lives, pay for Daikichi's broken... well, she's spin a wheel on that... no, she'd have him spin it... and, of course, mend the damage to her schoolground.

Of course, she knew one thing in the back of her mind... the powers-that-be were going to be unhappy...

~Eventually, they will send someone...~ Lucius says.

Eventually, Ophelia would find herself sitting in the back of Seamus’ car, while he drove like a fucking madman. ”You are in a lot of trouble, young lady.” he said.

“Who taught you how to drive,” Ophelia asks. “I have an ancient centurion, and a homicidal princess in my pocket,” she says, adding flatly, “literally,” before continuing, “and, I feel they could drive respectably in comparison...”

~He handles this machine like a child handles a new dog. Poorly.~ Lucius says.

~I wish to return my old Master. This one is cold at heart towards, and unfeeling for, the flesh of men.~ Kiyohime griped.

Ophelia rolled her eyes, “Anyways, back to the question at hand,” she resumed, as if her captor had even heard that. “Also, PERSON.”

”I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Seamus said, having literally just glided past hitting someone J-Walking. “And, I doubt it. Neither are riders I’m assuming, judging from the lack of hoofprints around your school, which not only got torn up on the third floor, it also now has a news article being written about a giant snake woman. So, put simply, the question at hand is whether the Mage’s Association is going to have to do some deep brain scrubbing on an entire population.”

“Up to you,” Ophelia says, reaching into her pocket, while opening the car door, and draw Kiyohime’s Class Card, “I’ll be taking the snake express on outta here,” she says, while crushing the card, and setting to roll out the car, while moving. If Mitsugi could survive a two-story dead drop, she reckoned this would be... similar. “Later.”

Seamus slammed on the breaks after seeing that, looking incredibly pissed off. Removing his phone from his pocket, he put in a call. It seemed Target Charlie was now present…

Case Closed. Time: 2:32 PM, July 19th

[Suku]

Marie watched as they investigated and asking questions when she overheard the person saying the attacker was "hot" this meant that they saw how she looked like from the sounds of it or at least a solid glimpse. "Beyond being pale of skin and hair was their any other distinguishing feature you can tell me about the assailant?" Marie asked walking up to the person her short stature and child like appearance giving her a cute look despite how she was trying to look important which served the opposite and made her look a bit like a child trying to play tough with how she was all but sticking her chest out in the attempt. The tall figure of the person she was asking easily towering over her which made it all the more comedic to those watching. Just as Marie was about to ask another question she sneezed ruining her "imposing" look she was trying for and in the end looked all the more cute from her sneeze and how "adorable" sounding she heard over the crowd but couldn't place who exactly.

"Uuu..." Marie heard over the mental link she shared with her servant card it nudging her to ask about anything else they may have noticed. With a agreement in her head Marie spoke up once more. "Beyond features can anyone tell me if they say what weapon if possible they used?" She asked that was a important question with it they would be able to at least narrow what class somewhat as it was highly unlikely that a archer would be using a sword of all things.

[Etranger]

It seemed as though this robber was content to turn the area into a veritable inferno. He truly had no honour to recklessly endanger those around him on such a massive scale. Although she lamented the devastation, at this point, she had only resolved harder than before to catch the bastard. If he would burn up an entire district just to escape her, what would happen the next time someone tried to bring him in? His viciousness needed to be stopped here and now.

Surprisingly, it turned out that rather than running, he had decided to come back and face her. It was beyond belief; not only was he rushing into the hands of someone that wanted to kill him, while injured no less, but he was heading in the same direction of all the fire and smoke he had a hand in creating. When he finally came into her direct sight, however, Sajan had an inkling as to his plan. Did he believe it would be as simple as engaging her with a sword to defeat her? He either truly believed she would be defenseless at close range or was extremely confident in his swordplay. Without hesitation, Sajan simply shouldered her bow and called forth the Guru's Kirpan. Unlike the modern Kirpan she concealed on her person, this was a significantly larger blade. Sajan hoped for his sake that the man actually knew how to use his sword, or she would be about to humiliate him with her skills. Moving to close the gap, Sajan planned to allow the man to attempt to strike first, and then slip past his attack and strike herself. Alternatively, if he should lose his nerve, she could just try and run him through from behind.

@The Irish Tree

[The Irish Tree]

@Guess Who,@Fourze,@Suku

Reign of Terror

A couple of people might have been wondering what a little girl was doing there, but at least one person was willing to speak up, giving Marie the info that it looked like some kind of black sword with red writing on it all over. The woman describing it said that it definitely looked like foreign writing, and definitely wasn't in English characters. After a few more minutes, someone else would bring up that they'd walked around the block just as the assailant had the officer on the ground and had some kind of weird black armor on. Though from the way he was describing it, it was more obvious that the assailant was different from the one that would be reported robbing transit vehicles...given that the news reports didn't show them having a tiara.

Regardless, unless the trio felt like investigating around the entire city for that specific woman with just the three of them, it'd take an insane amount of time. Perhaps that was best left to the police. They'd be able to get a composite sketch from a witness, one could assume.

"We've gotten the saliva swabbed from the Card. It might still be a bit unsanitary, but one of you should try and cull the Servant inside's favor. A first hand account would be invaluable." Seamus piped up, holding the bag with the Assassin Class Card. He didn't especially care on who got it, but if one were to Install it to try and force a connection, then it'd be best to not be in public. Maybe just inside Seamus' car would work. Regardless, it wasn't likely that one would want to connect their mind to one who'd lend their powers to murder...

@Etranger

The Exiled Heirs

"Yep...just keep waiting..." the man about to assault Sajan thought to himself, his sword turning in his hand as a shield materialized on his opposite arm, emblazoned with three white feathers standing up straight painted onto it. It seemed that he wasn't an Archer class after all, judging by his eagerness for close quarters, his blade slicing through the air like butter as Sajan approached, her Kirpan clashing with his blade and letting sparks fly, the grin on his face slightly visible from inside his helmet as he moved to try and push her with his weight. Whatever his Card's Strength was, it seemed he was a hair's breadth stronger than Guru's Strength, and if Sajan intended to end this quickly, she'd need to think fast and act faster to find a chink in that black plate mail.

Suddenly, a whiz echoed past Sajan's ear, the distinct heat of something burning being able to be felt, even if for just a moment. The arrows had come from behind him, and as he started moving the slightest bit to expose his side, Sajan could see that several more were being fired...not from any human source, but from his own shadow, as well as that of a nearby water tower. "Chevauchée!" the man proclaimed with a grin, before shots began to be fired from the shadows of buildings surrounding them. Whatever this Noble Phantasm was, it seemed he was confident enough to not get hit by his own arrows to use it inches from Sajan, trying to turn her into a blazing pincushion from multiple directions.

Even with how staggering such an ability was, Sajan still could count on her own Install providing more speed than this man's...at least, one could assume from the armor. Speed would be key to avoiding those deadly flaming shots, as well as slipping a knife right through the man's heart. From the corner of her eye, Sajan would likely see some Muninn workers evacuating people from the area. If there was any time to reposition to fire, or find a more favorable location to lure the man to, it would be now while the location was emptying. The arrows, while focused on her, seemed inaccurate and more just relying on luck as to whether they'd land or not, since a few were landing a dozen feet away at the edges of the rooftop.

[Enkryption]

It was with a grunt and a groan that Ophelia slammed into the pavement, bounced to the sidewalk, and popped onto her feet; brushing off her rather ornate and elegant kimono, erasing dirt from the soft, teal-green fabric. “My, my, sturdier than I thought,” she purred, fetching her paper fan, Samadhi, and unfolding it. “Such an exciting man, so wild and fast,” Ophelia said, fanning herself. “Wait? What? No! No, no, no, no, hellll no!” she says, snapping the fan shut. ~He is fetching, isn’t he?~ Kiyohime asks, very glad that Seamus happened to be fetching male, and Ophelia a young female; it made taking control so much easier. ~He isn’t far. We aren’t far. Go to him, our Anchin.~ Ophelia groaned, shaking her head. “I won’t...” she says, slowly breaking due to Kiyohime's double-edged skill, Stalking.

“I’m not so weak-willed!” Ophelia couldn't shake Seamus from her thoughts, though. ~Weak-willed? To love? To passion? Silly child, you are so young and foolish.~ Kiyohime teases. “I am not!” Ophelia countered. “I don’t have time for love and passion,” she says, trying to resist falling to temptations, “I’m a Sander, first and foremost,” her eyes narrowed, the sun-kissed yellow of Kiyohime’s serpentine eyes overwrote her natural born crimson iris, but not their seriousness. ~And, blood should interfere with nature? I was born a headman’s daughter, and yet, I swept it all away for my Anchin. So, too, should you.~ There was barely an argument – more like an suggestive order to follow from the bottom of her heart... and damned teenage hormones.

“Yes,” Ophelia says, cracking further, and listening to her heart, as Kiyohime’s honey-sweet words wrapped around it, like a snake. “I should go to Anchin!” she mewled, looking down the road. Seamus hadn’t gotten far. “But, shouldn’t I bring him something first,” she puzzled, “A meal?” Kiyohime nodded, agreeing. ~A meal would do great for him. But, first, you have to get him in your possession.~ Ophelia nodded, and drew her fan open. In her mind, she knew that Seamus wouldn’t notice her without good reason.

“I’ll get him,” she says, reduced to almost the same mental state as Mitsugi. However, unlike Mitsugi, she had a secondary personality, of sorts, and Lucius would tame her, if she got out of hand. However, he knew better than to interfere with the flights of fancy of a woman; especially, if she perceived herself in love and was the current emulation of Kiyohime. It would be embarrassing, and he would console her in quieter moments, but, for now, he would let this play out, as it would.

Ophelia was stronger, in intelligence, than Mitsugi, so, at the very least, there wouldn’t be fires to put out.

“Anchin~!” Ophelia cooed, literally shoving parked cars out of her way, as she marched over to Seamus.

At least, physical ones.

[Etranger]

It seemed like it was to be a day of worst case scenarios for Sajan. She had been directed to the wrong person, allowing the robber to kill and steal once more. Her arrow had failed to deliver the killing blow, resulting in this scumbag being able to unleash devastation on the surrounding area. Now, it turned out this guy really did have some skill and certainly much strength in close quarters combat. From their clash, Sajan learned it was best never to lock blades with him, lest he overwhelm her. Fortunately, it proved simple enough to maneuver out of any such clashes, especially as he lacked agility.

It only got worse, however, as he revealed his ability to spit flaming arrows from just about wherever he pleased, or so it seemed. This explained how he was able to maintain his assault as he fled earlier. The saving grace of the situation was that for as intimidating as this storm of arrows he was unleashing appeared, they appeared to lack accuracy. She could easily maneuver in and around the mess of arrows. The only worry was that the ever rising flames might prove too much. However, with all this thought of arrows, Sajan came to a realisation; the arrow she had hit this man with was most certainly not sticking out of him any longer. Had he pulled it out? If that was the case, he truly wasn't all that clever. Unless he possessed some obnoxious healing factor, or his armor was so tight it bound the wound, then he would certainly be bleeding all the more profusely from it.

A plan forming in Sajan's head, she intended to keep moving, perhaps even circling the man. As she moved, she would take intermittent jabs and slashes aimed at his right side, more specifically his right arm. Though she fully intended to exploit any gap in his defense, it was less important to her strategy to actually hit him, and more to put strain on the wound that she expected was already straining him quite fiercely. If she could overwhelm by exploiting his weakness, then perhaps he would wear himself out, or at least find it all too difficult to raise his rightmost armament in his defense.

@The Irish Tree

[Guess Who]

Noticing that neither of the other two masters were jumping at the chance to accept the new card, Phillip decided to accept the card. They needed to learn more about what happened here, and who better to ask then the victim of the crime. Holding out his hand to accept the card from Seamus, he removed it from it's sealed plastic bag and held it up to get one last look at the crumpled piece of magic paper.

Are you sure this is the wisest course of action? The man at your feet was probably corrupted into a murderer because of his card's beguiling words. Not wanting to see his new master fall from grace after only knowing him for a few weeks, Richard spoke up.

We need answers and this is the surest way to get them. I accept any consequences this may bring us. With those final thoughts, Phillip brought the card to his chest, adding it to his now growing collection of servants.

Bonjour, monsieur. I've been waiting for you. The voice reeked of pompous superiority and self-importance as it spoke within the young man's mind. This was not a voice he would enjoy listening to.

Why me specifically?

Well no, not you. Just someone else who'd become so greedy for power that they'd come to me for my gifts.

Actually, I'm here for answers. If you're cooperative, I might even keep you instead of locking you inside a police evidence locker to rot away. It's probably what you deserve after the dozen or so murders you've made so far.

Hmmph. You aren't even worthy enough to hold me between your filthy fingers.

I didn't realize that being locked inside a mold filled room with no contact with any other human being for the next several decades would sound so much more appealing in comparison.

There was a silence within Phillip's mind for several prolonged seconds as Robespierre considered his options. There's not much to say. We were discussing that list my old dog of the aristocracy, that you'd refer to as a master, used to keep of all the people we planned to bring to justice before he was suddenly knocked down to the ground. I told him to activate me or otherwise be killed by our attacker, but he refused and tried to use his own power to stop her. It was a poor decision. He was stabbed and I was taken, at first to be digested by this servant class I hadn't seen before, before being spit back out.

You said you didn't recognize the class?

The sword may have suggested Saber, but the aura it gave off certainly didn't match any that I knew of.

Is there anything else you can tell me?

Just one, a name. Before she stabbed him, she gloated over her kill by telling him to reserve a seat in the afterlife. She was none other than Jeanne D'arc

That's all for now. I need to discuss these findings with the others. With that, Phillip packed the new voice away in his mind, ignoring any further words he may have had for him. He turned towards Marie, Seamus, and Thomas and told them, "I know the servant's name, but not her class. Robespierre claims that they weren't among the eight known to us. However, the servant we're looking for is Joan of Arc."

[The Irish Tree]

@Guess Who,@Suku

Reign of Terror

"Joan of Arc...the Maiden of Orleans." Seamus said,musing something to himself as he curled his index finger and thumb around his chin. "...But history reports her as being a woman of God...why would she allow her card to be used for a murder? The bit about her not being part of the eight classes is especially troubling. Thus far, we've only documented Eight Classes of Class Cards. If there is a Ninth waiting to be discovered...it must be extremely powerful to allow her to sap up mana in such a wide area."

It was clear to see that even with the new information present, Seamus was absolutely stumped as to how to proceed. It wasn't like they could go knocking down doors looking for cards. Well, they COULD, but the Mages' Association would likely have those responsible fired. With the little evidence they had on hand, it seemed that they were all at a dead end. The best they could hope for would be results from the forensics team, and even then they'd need a potential suspect to test DNA from.

"I appreciate your cooperation in this. For now though while we wait for more leads...I'd like to take you all to meet my boss." Seamus said, heading to his car, expecting the Masters to follow him.

One hectic failed stunt of a Fast and the Furious Movie later, and Seamus would have them double parked safe and sound in front of the pharmaceutical company known as "Muninn Medicines"' head office. "Walk with me, and stay close. Can't get into the important areas without clearance. Many of our employees are in the know about Class Cards and such, but...do keep your voices down. I don't need to order any more brain scrubbings after today, I should hope." Leading them along, Seamus would take them around to see the various subsections of Muninn's operations, ranging from the alchemists and healers creating the various seemingly normal drugs used by people, ranging from stuff to treat blood pressure, to stuff that looked like it was made to have someone's blood vessels explode. This...definitely wasn't an ordinary pharmaceutical company.

The awkwardly silent minutes would tick on by as the Masters were lead along by their supervisor, before they were deposited in a bright white room, adorned with dull furnishings with a rather dull looking older man sitting behind a dull desk. His attention seemed entirely focused on the only object of multiple colors in the room: A normal looking dart board with several darts already lining the innermost sections, three on the bordering green line of the bullseye, one sticking out of the bullseye, and two on the inner 9 and 16 respectively. His tongue was pushed out of his mouth in concentration. Clearing his throat, Seamus said: "Director..." just as he was about to throw the dart. His concentration completely shot, he would up hitting the wall with the dart, causing his expression to pale. "Shiiiit...dammit Seamus, I just got done with all that paperwork, and you jus- Oh. Uh...hi there kids." the man said, suddenly trying to appear proper again as he fixed his loosened tie. "Welcome to Humanity's Last Hope."

@Etranger

The Exiled Heirs

"HOW LONG ARE YOU GONNA KEEP THIS HIT N' RUN UP!?" The man roared at Sajan, seeming to be trying to fight in spite of his accumulated injuries. It seemed that he was nearly at his end when all of a sudden, his body lost its black armor and weaponry, his Class Card shooting out of his chest and to the ground. "...Edward...WHAT ARE YOU DOING EDWARD!?" he screamed before kneeling down to pick it up, suddenly collapsing. It seemed that his Class Card had uninstalled once he'd run out of mana...his Noble Phantasm, though seemingly powerful against a large area, was incredibly draining for him to use. Now, his bleeding and defenseless form lied sprawled out before Sajan, his Class Card stuck into the concrete by the corner. Now would be by far the easiest time to strike and end this once and for all, but...apprehending him could be just as simple, given that he was unconscious.

Whichever choice Sajan would make, the flames were steadily growing nearer, seeming to spread even despite the Noble Phantasm's user being indisposed. He was losing blood fast, and would likely just die from the smoke and flames if Sajan chose to just leave him there. The arrows were at least gone, so that was surely something to be thankful for when needing to make a critical decision.

@Enkryption

RUN SEAMUS RUN!

It took maybe four seconds before Seamus decided that running would be the best course of action...given that he knew how powerful a Berserker Install was. Even a weak one could break his spine easily...and that one seemed...especially huggy.

Stepping on the gas of his car, Seamus hurriedly drew out a magic circle on the passenger seat, before all lights on his way started turning green. With his hand freed from creating the circle, and now trying to speed the hell away from Ophelia, his call would get put through to Muninn...and put on hold. Seeing that he was lacking in ways to defend himself from a Class Card user, his next course of action was to abandon his car after cancelling his spell, considering that Ophelia was likely already closing in past where the lights had been green. Kicking open a manhole cover by reinforcing his shoe, Seamus dove into the sewers, figuring that just maybe she wouldn't want to follow him down there. Keeping his phone in his breast pocket, he cold only wait while on hold to call in backup. ...In times like these, he really regretted not taking a card himself.

[Enkryption]

Dutifully, Ophelia followed her Anchin, shoving everything that stood in her way aside; blinded by ignored passion that was forced to the surface, unbidden, by Kiyohime's powerful influence. The world that surrounded her presented no challenge, no threat, only nuisances to overcome or bypass with brute, unyielding force. Seamus couldn't escape her, not with Kiyohime's Stalking in full effect; her mind only knew of him, saw him, needed him... it was hell on her thoughts, slowly dissolving her sense of will as she moved forward. Spying him drop into the manhole, she followed without fail...

...and came to see the vastness of the sewer system. It was rivers of sewage, left and right, back and forth... rivers... everywhere... Ophelia trembled, enraged that her Anchin would flee from her, once more, as he did, back then. Across the riverbed. Seeking sanctuary in the temple. "Grrrraaahhh~!" she bellowed, the roar hybridized human and dragon, yet hissing underneath like a den of snake roused in anger. In bursts, Kiyohime's scales began to coat her arms and hands; stealing her fingers and gilding her arms to her elbows in the snow-white, scale keratin.

Into the water, murky and rotten, she plunged, and waded. Seeking, in desperation, old, yet unresolved. Lucius held his silence. If his Empress couldn't overcome her most troublesome first subject, on her own, she would be unable to advance. This was her first, real trial in this war of Servants and Masters...

He had to let her fight on her own here.

[Etranger]

Eventually, Sajan's strategy paid off. The robber exhausted himself attempting to keep up with her unrelenting assault and ended up disengaging from his card and collapsing. The day belonged to her. As he lay there on the ground, she instinctively aimed her kirpan at his neck. It would be effortless to finish him off in this state, and she certainly felt a gnawing urge to hurt him for all the trouble he had given her, not to mention the general monster he had proven to be. However, between the judging gaze of the Guru that she felt on her back, and her own misgivings over executing a defenseless man no matter his crimes, she could not bring herself to do it. Earlier, she had made up her mind to kill him for the sake of saving others. Not only had she ultimately failed to do that, but now there was no way he could rise from this place without someone intervening.

Against her impulses, she gathered both him and his card from the ground. She would hold onto the card for now, but she had serious misgivings about ever trying to tap into it. She could not be certain of its nature, but it had certainly aided and abetted a vicious criminal. Swiftly exiting the burning alley, Sajan brought the man over to her car, which had fortunately escaped fire damage so far. She briefly mused that it would be terribly ironic if he had managed to burn her car with his arrows, as he would have been responsible for killing his comrade, or brother, or whoever he was to him, as he was still inside. Propping him up, she tore a piece of his clothing to bind his wound with. Hopefully, she could at least stop him from bleeding out. She called out to one of the nearby Muninn workers, saying, "Does anybody here know first aid?" With luck, somebody among them might be able to stabilise the man a bit better. Regardless, Sajan phoned the foundation to report in.

"Ms. Miller, I've subdued the target. Where do you want them?" She hadn't been here long enough to become overly familiar with how Muninn dealt with its prisoners. Either way, she would be prepared to deliver these two wretches to whatever awaited them.

@The Irish Tree

[Guess Who]

Phillip was the first to approach the man, who's only information he knew of being his title within this suspicious pharmaceutical company. Wanting to appear sophisticated and powerful, the young man held his hands behind his back, straightening his posture as he made his way forward. Every step was slow, matching the speed of a fading heart beat until he was face to face with the man.

It was then that he realized this attitude was most likely the result of the newest class card he had picked up today. Robespierre's influence was trying to seep into his mind and take control, just like its last host. That's what he felt like, more akin to a parasite than a servant. Relaxing his muscles to appear more casual again, Phillip extended his hand toward the director for a friendly shake. "Phillip Sato, sir. Pleased to meet you."