Astarte

Fate/Charonioi Klimakes

---

Ilya Muromets

Tomb of Gül Baba, District II

---

Heterochromatic eyes widening, the Lancer took in every beat of what was happening before her with trained precision. A history of battles, be they against one strong foe or an army of enemies, lived on in Ilya's mind. She was disciplined in the art of war, and it was the reason that she was able to notice Berserker's feint with his left arm when he finished bridging the gap between the two Servants.

The mud created by Adina's song had little effect on Ilya's actual movement, that is, it would've had little effect if she had any intention to move from where she stood. Alas, the Lancer made it clear from the start, she was a protective wall, summoned to guard Kelemen no matter what dangers approach.

I am a fortress, my body is a castle.

With this reason for being once more pumping through her body, Ilya steadied in her defensive stance, shifting the positioning of her body only slightly to her left, and bringing her focus to what the true danger in this approach was.

Aligning her body ever so slightly with the right half of the Berserker's body but still keeping Kelemen perfectly positioned directly behind her, Ilya once more took a quick observation of the situation. In order to protect her Master from such an attack, she could either brace herself and take the full force of the impact...or she could try to cancel his attack out with her own. For anyone who knew of Ilya's legend and her personality, well, her answer should've be obvious.

For just one single moment, barely longer than a blink, Ilya's attention seemed to shift from absolute focus on the approaching beast to a generalized state of tranquility. For just that single moment, she relaxed. For just that single moment, she released a soft, quiet but whistling breath. Once that moment was over, her eyes snapped back up to lock on the incoming downward swing of Berserker's right hand, her body brimming with new strength.

With a sudden growl that crescendoed and erupted into a roar to match the Beast's, Ilya swung her right arm up with all the strength imbued in her body. Fists cracked against one another, Servant meeting Servant in a test of raw power. A loud clap echoed out from the moment their bodies met, and Ilya could feel the weight of Berserker's swing forcing her feet further into the ground. Holding steady, their fists continued to grind against each other, a battle of a Giant's strength attempting to fend off a Beast's.

However, it was just that, an attempt. Despite noticing that he could still overpower her, instead of feeling despair, Ilya felt ecstatic. Once more that wickedly sharp grin that spread across her face when she initially noticed Berserker's presence in the area arose. Her eyes sparkled with rapture. She knew what was to come next, but that didn't stop her from praising her partner in this vicious dance. "So, the dog has a bite that matches his bark-"

With only a few seconds of their fists fighting against each other to cheer out her approval, Ilya had to cut herself short. As quickly as their swings met, they eventually broke off, Ilya's arm sliding slightly to the outside of Berserker's and giving him room to finish his downward swing, though slightly off target now that they had clashed. Even with the full force of her hit pushing his hand to the side, Berserker's swing was still able to connect with the inside of her arm, sliding down along her forearm and ripping the skin. It was a good hit, but it was merely a fraction of what could've been had Ilya not fortified her mind and body before parrying his blow.

As Berserker finished his downward swing, Ilya used her momentum from being shoved back from the blow to spin towards Kelemen, wrapping him up in her unharmed arm and throwing him over her shoulder. She cut her feet briskly, changing directions and taking off in a perpendicular route from where Berserker approached. Her spear manifested in her right hand, drops of blood trickling down its form and peppering the ground behind her.

Though it was just a fraction of a difference, Ilya found herself cursing over the mud she had to run through, but as long as she could carry Kelemen so that his untrained body didn't need to fight through it, she was satisfied. The Beast had support from his Master, but Ilya had a source of determination and a purpose for her existence from hers.

---

_{Addressing @ShadowKingman @Mr President @AThousandCurses}

Fate/Charonioi Klimakes

---

Ilya Muromets

Tomb of Gül Baba, District II

---

Ilya's face curled into a snarl, mirroring the disgust in Adina's voice as she practically spat insult after insult at the Lancer. Who was she, to act so much better than this hero? The Master across from her did not leave Ilya feeling threatened in the slightest - though her Servant did continue to leave her quite guarded. She didn't doubt the statement that Adina had said. Most masters would have attempted at Kelemen's life, but what none of them knew was Ilya's true driving force. The real, and only reason she decided to fight in this war alongside a child.

"You know nothing." Her voice was cold. Still. Guarded yet attacking. Carefully composed yet obviously angered. Her whole body held stable despite how she wanted to quiver with emotion. "You think I'm endangering him to chase after my wish? You get disgusted by the thought of me being so selfish? Tch-" Once more, Ilya had to hold herself back from shaking with revulsion. "You are utterly and completely wrong. I am still here for one reason."

"I stand before Kelemen, not as a fighter, but as a protector. I will protect this boy, and I will protect his wish."

This girl...this girl who knew nothing, of course Ilya couldn't completely fault her for not knowing why it was that Kelemen wanted to participate in the war. Of course Ilya couldn't expect this other Master to know that this child was working to regain what had been lost, what any child would desire if it were stripped from them. It was only Ilya who knew, and it was only Ilya who could be the proper Servant to watch over this particular Master in this war. It was only Ilya who could devote herself full-heartedly to not only fight for her Master, but who could devote her very reason for existing to protecting her Master.

If one were to find themselves wondering, what could this wish be that would lead someone as prideful as Ilya to forego her own simple-minded desires to protect, then the answer to their question was simple. This child simply wanted his family back. Though, Ilya only felt the need to explain herself. Whether Kelemen wanted to defend his own wish and his own reason to fight in this war would be up to him, but this was all of an explanation that the Lancer was going to give to the pressuring Master staring her down.

It would be up to that girl, so filled with disgust and resentment for Ilya, to decide what would happen next, but nonetheless, the Lancer refused to be caught off-guard by whichever decision she made. Once she finished her menacing retort, Ilya finally felt her shoulders relax ever so slightly, one hand slipping behind her back to take Kelemen's small child-sized hand in her own, and giving it a squeeze. Hopefully he could feel her reassurance in her grip, but if not, she sent a single, four word sentence his way between their connection.

I will protect you.

She did no more explaining, whether it be to Adina to address more of her taunts, or to Kelemen, to actually explain the horrid, gruesome truth of this war. For now, he was still innocent. She didn't know how fully he would accept Adina's words, but Ilya would work on that later. For now - she had one focus. One drive.

Bending her knees and turning slightly, she fell into a defensive position with one hand lifted in front of her, the other still behind her from holding Kelemen's hand and prepared to materialize her spear at any moment. Her skin tingled, prickles of needle like sensations spreading over her body as she felt it prepare to stand for what her legend foretold. Ilya was a fortress, and Kelemen was her precious treasure.

---

_{Addressing @ShadowKingman @Mr President @AThousandCurses}

Fate/Charonioi Klimakes

---

Ilya Muromets

Tomb of Gül Baba, District II

---

Ilya's eyes were locked on Berserker, her focus almost too entirely trapped on him as she stared him down, that hot blood continuing to pump through her veins, drowning out all other sound...until she heard the other Master speak.

Oh no.

The small girl next to Berserker was not to be looked over. Ilya was preparing herself for the thrill of fight, but that almost came at the cost of forgetting to protect her young Master. Red and blue irises suddenly shifting to lock on the girl, Ilya realized immediately what the other Master had been able to figure out. That very last question made her deduction apparent, and the girl focusing on Ilya's Master put the Lancer on edge.

Ilya, of course, was used to her Master's childish ways and pure-hearted behavior by now, but by no means did that mean she was prepared to see the young boy confidently stride forward, even extending his hand in good sportsmanship! Whether it was the difference in height or Ilya's impressive speed did not matter, but before Kelemen could finish his approach towards the girl and the Berserker, there she was, standing in front of him - and effectively cutting him off.

"Now now, little Miss! What makes you ask such a question? My Master over here is obviously aware of the situation!" She could feel the slight cold chill in her spine over the lie. Despite that, she did not desire for this other Master to come to realize the naivety of Kelemen. She wanted to protect him, to keep from learning the horrid dark truths of this war they were participating in. Sure, it was a risky gamble, but Ilya found herself leaning further towards protecting the young mind of her Master as opposed to the opposite.

And so, she continued. Leaning forwards slightly, a dangerous gleam sparkled in her eye, a mischievous grin sharpened on her face, and that same intimidating aura from before began to roll off her body. "You see, not only is my Master perfectly cognizant, he's also so confident in himself and me to approach you without a care in the world out of a show of good sport! Truly, such an overzealous boy."

She knew she had to speed this along. She had to get Kelemen out of there. As friendly as Ilya could be at her core, as ready for a fight as her soul may be, she had one desire that overshadowed it all. Her sheer devotion to protect those she cares for.

"So, now that we have what could pass for as much of an introduction as most will get, I have to ask - what do you want from us?"

...Ilya had completely forgotten that it was she who charged forward and led both pairs directly into this situation.

---

_{Adressing @ShadowKingman @Mr President @AThousandCurses}

Fate/Charonioi Klimakes

---

Ilya Muromets

Mechwart Park, District II

---

For someone as lively as Ilya, the initial low-spirited reaction from her Master drew concern from the Servant. The young boy seemed a bit reserved around her after her initial summoning, which left the Lancer feeling a bit befuddled at how to handle what would be their ongoing relationship. Friendship, of course, would be the ultimate goal for her to achieve with him! However, all it took was a few days in Kelemen's presence to ease her mind, for now the two were joyously taking a stroll throughout town while clasped hand in hand.

Ilya's heterochromatic eyes darted back and forth, nothing short of a childishly wide grin tugging across her face. While the child skipped along with excited steps, the tall woman simply took long, stabled strides, easily counting one step of hers for every three of her Master's. Her enthralled glances drew for just a second longer in a particular direction, the old hero feeling a fleeting moment's distraction as the pair strolled past a tavern, though she showed no other sign of interest beyond that single pause. Without missing a single beat in her step, Ilya continued to follow along with Kelemen's tour, now turning her attention to the park he was pointing out.

With a sharp sense suddenly pulling taught in the back of her mind, Ilya suddenly planted both feet firmly to the ground, stopping both herself and the boy at the same moment that he suddenly cried out in pain, withdrawing from her grip and cautiously tending to his own hand. While he was distracted with that sharp pain, it could be assumed that the young boy would miss the sudden shift in the hero's expression, a brief flash of her inner thoughts becoming transparent.

A sharp smirk paired with eyes widened from thorough excitement.

As quickly as her face shifted into that expression, it was gone, immediately replaced with a softer smile as she gracefully dropped down to one knee, taking Kelemen's right hand between both of her own.

"Hey, hey. Don't worry, don't worry! That pain may feel sharp now, but it's just the starting signal for your rise to becoming-...t-to becoming..." She bit her tongue, stumbling over her words as se struggled to remember the name of the hero the boy idolized. She knew many heroes such as herself from her time...but none of them had such flamboyant titles as the one Kelemen looked up to! "To becoming Justice Fleet Specializer!" ...well, she tried.

Carrying on before he (or she, herself) could begin to question her statement, Ilya took Kelemen's hand in a more sturdy grip, leading the two in the direction where that mental cord was tugging her towards. Another hero. Ilya's blood burned hot as she was the one now pulling the other along. Though...something about this Servant puts me on guard...it's absolutely thrilling. With her strides placing her before the boy, she once more dropped the mask and allowed that transient expression to spread across her face once more.

---

_{Adressing @ShadowKingman
Indirectly addressing @Mr President @AThousandCurses}

Fate/Charonioi Klimakes

Ilya Muromets

Ilya Muromets

Title: Leader of the Bogatyrs
Class: Lancer
Gender: Female
Alignment: Neutral Good

--

Motivation for the Holy Grail:

Ilya’s motivation for the Holy Grail stems from a desire to reconnect with what was once lost - her dearest friends from the past. From Dobrynya Nikitich and Alyosha Popovich of the bogatyrs to Svyatogor the giant to Prince Vladimir. She wishes to see all of her beloved friends once more...so that she may challenge each and one of them to a fight.

Personality:

Ilya could be described as a boisterous girl, known for being cheery, generous and a bit simple minded. She is dedicated to protecting those she feels responsible for, whether she has known them her whole life or has just met them. She tends to have a pinch of temperament, most commonly recognized from the tale of when Prince Vladimir failed to extend an invitation to a party of his to her, causing Ilya to stomp through town, angrily ripping steeples off of churches until Prince Vladimir sent a personal invitation her way.

Appearance:

Ilya's Appearance

Biography:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilya_Muromets with the modification of Ilya’s gender being changed to female.

Equipment:

A steel spear.

--

Parameters:

Strength: B+
Endurance: B
Agility: B
Magic: D
Luck: B

Class Skills (Lancer):

Magic Resistance B:
The aptitude to resist magecraft. Over the course of Ilya's adventures, she was victorious myriad spellcasters without suffering injury, and further rose to the title of becoming a monastic saint of the Orthodox church. At this rank, even affecting her with High Thaumaturgy is difficult, and weaker magecraft is unlikely to so much as effect her in the first place.

Personal Skills:

Guardian Knight A:
A skill that grants the Servant a temporary attribute bonus if acting in the defense of others. Ilya is an icon who acted in defense of a nation- the guardian of the Rus who held cities against countless invasions. When designating a target to be protected, the legendary defender of the Rus arises once more, and her defensive power is significantly increased. When combined with the effects of the Personal Skill "Castle Skin," she can be considered an unbreakable wall.

Eye of the Mind (True) B:
A heightened capacity for observation, refined through training, discipline and experience. Ilya's instincts have been honed to a razor's edge over the course of countless battles, and her skill for deduction and analysis is nothing to read over either. She is capable of calm analysis of battle conditions even when in danger, and can deduce an appropriate course of action after considering all possibilities to escape from a predicament.

Body of the Rus B:
The exclusive skill belonging to Ilya. It is said that her skin boasted the same strength as a castle wall to the point that attacks that would be mortal to ordinary men bounce harmlessly off of her with her charge being akin to the blows of a siege engine. This grants her an innate level of physical protection, making her worthy of the title "moving fortress." However, this does not protect against attacks which do not pass the barrier of the skin.

Noble Phantasms:

Svyatogor’s Dying Wish
A Giant’s strength imbued within a mere human.
Rank: A
Type: Anti-Unit
Range: 2-10
Maximum number of targets: 1

Upon her travels, Ilya came across a Giant sleeping atop his horse. Due to unexpected circumstances, Ilya and the Giant, who would later be learned to go by the name of Svyatogor, became good friends with one another. Continuing their travels together, the two spent a rather long time in each other’s company. One day their travels led them upon the curious discovery of a peculiarly large coffin. Concerned that the coffin was meant for one or the other, both set off on a foot race to reach the coffin first. Beating Svyatogor, Ilya climbed into the coffin and laid herself within it. Immediately she noticed something amiss, for the coffin was much too large to fit her body, but rather, it was the exact size of someone of a Giant’s stature. Trading places with Svyatogor, Ilya watched in distress as the coffin door began to swing shut on her dear friend. Try as she might to stop it, she found herself powerless against the door, and before it could finally latch shut, Svyatogor beckoned Ilya to draw near to his face. Drawing one last breath, the Giant exhaled a burst of holy breath over Ilya, endowing a portion of his mighty strength unto her body.
It is with this immense strength that Ilya Muromets was able to achieve the feats that she did, defending and protecting city after city from invasion. She grew to be a hero, a protector of her homelands and of its people.
This legend focuses around the breath that blessed Ilya with the strength to become the women of legend as most remember. Steadying herself, whether in the midst of battle or in preparation for attack, Ilya can draw all of her focus to one single moment, and one single breath. A quick, sharp intake. A low, whistling exhale. Just one breath created her legend, and once more, just one breath strengthens her when it is most necessary. Invoking the true name of this noble phantasm following her focused breath, Ilya's superhuman strength is magnified once more. With a speed that could out run a Giant, and the unfettered strength of a Giant, Ilya can rush towards her enemies, dealing one single blow to remind them all of who the true protector of the Rus truly is.

Karushka
An old friend returned once more.
Rank: B
Type: Anti-unit
Range: -
Maximum number of targets: 1

Ilya once happened upon a foal, dirty and malnourished, barely clinging to life. She chose to take this foal under her care, nursing him to health, and in doing so gained a lifelong ally. The horse, who Ilya named Karushka, was a pinnacle of his kind, a Monstrous Beast bearing the intellect of a man and even the gift of flight. Beyond even that, though, is the familiarity Karushka and Ilya bear with one another, warriors who are capable of acting in perfect coordination who have weathered countless battles at each other's side.
While lacking the Riding skill in this class, through the bond engraved on her soul, Ilya is nonetheless capable of summoning her trusted ally to her side to aid her in combat. However, due to lacking the abilities of the Rider class, Karushka's body has been altered to better suit aiding Ilya in the present conflict, and so he presently resembles a hunting dog moreso than he does his original form. Still, even in this form, neither his abilities nor his loyalty to Ilya has diminished in the slightest.

Fate/Charonioi Klimakes

Hi hiiii! Servant-desu!!

Ilya Muromets

Ilya Muromets

Title: Leader of the Bogatyrs
Class: Lancer
Gender: Female
Alignment: Neutral Good

--

Motivation for the Holy Grail:

Ilya’s motivation for the Holy Grail stems from a desire to reconnect with what was once lost - her dearest friends from the past. From Dobrynya Nikitich and Alyosha Popovich of the bogatyrs to Svyatogor the giant to Prince Vladimir. She wishes to see all of her beloved friends once more...so that she may challenge each and one of them to a fight.

Personality:

Ilya could be described as a boisterous girl, known for being cheery, generous and a bit simple minded. She is dedicated to protecting those she feels responsible for, whether she has known them her whole life or has just met them. She tends to have a pinch of temperament, most commonly recognized from the tale of when Prince Vladimir failed to extend an invitation to a party of his to her, causing Ilya to stomp through town, angrily ripping steeples off of churches until Prince Vladimir sent a personal invitation her way.

Appearance:

Ilya's Appearance

Biography:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilya_Muromets with the modification of Ilya’s gender being changed to female.

Equipment:

A steel spear.

--

Parameters:

Strength: B+
Endurance: B
Agility: B
Magic: D
Luck: B

Class Skills (Lancer):

Magic Resistance B:
The aptitude to resist magecraft. Over the course of Ilya's adventures, she was victorious myriad spellcasters without suffering injury, and further rose to the title of becoming a monastic saint of the Orthodox church. At this rank, even affecting her with High Thaumaturgy is difficult, and weaker magecraft is unlikely to so much as effect her in the first place.

Personal Skills:

Guardian Knight A:
A skill that grants the Servant a temporary attribute bonus if acting in the defense of others. Ilya is an icon who acted in defense of a nation- the guardian of the Rus who held cities against countless invasions. When designating a target to be protected, the legendary defender of the Rus arises once more, and her defensive power is significantly increased. When combined with the effects of the Personal Skill "Castle Skin," she can be considered an unbreakable wall.

Eye of the Mind (True) B:
A heightened capacity for observation, refined through training, discipline and experience. Ilya's instincts have been honed to a razor's edge over the course of countless battles, and her skill for deduction and analysis is nothing to read over either. She is capable of calm analysis of battle conditions even when in danger, and can deduce an appropriate course of action after considering all possibilities to escape from a predicament.

Body of the Rus B:
The exclusive skill belonging to Ilya. It is said that her skin boasted the same strength as a castle wall to the point that attacks that would be mortal to ordinary men bounce harmlessly off of her with her charge being akin to the blows of a siege engine. This grants her an innate level of physical protection, making her worthy of the title "moving fortress." However, this does not protect against attacks which do not pass the barrier of the skin.

Noble Phantasms:

Svyatogor’s Dying Wish
A Giant’s strength imbued within a mere human.
Rank: A
Type: Anti-Unit
Range: 2-10
Maximum number of targets: 1

Upon her travels, Ilya came across a Giant sleeping atop his horse. Due to unexpected circumstances, Ilya and the Giant, who would later be learned to go by the name of Svyatogor, became good friends with one another. Continuing their travels together, the two spent a rather long time in each other’s company. One day their travels led them upon the curious discovery of a peculiarly large coffin. Concerned that the coffin was meant for one or the other, both set off on a foot race to reach the coffin first. Beating Svyatogor, Ilya climbed into the coffin and laid herself within it. Immediately she noticed something amiss, for the coffin was much too large to fit her body, but rather, it was the exact size of someone of a Giant’s stature. Trading places with Svyatogor, Ilya watched in distress as the coffin door began to swing shut on her dear friend. Try as she might to stop it, she found herself powerless against the door, and before it could finally latch shut, Svyatogor beckoned Ilya to draw near to his face. Drawing one last breath, the Giant exhaled a burst of holy breath over Ilya, endowing a portion of his mighty strength unto her body.
It is with this immense strength that Ilya Muromets was able to achieve the feats that she did, defending and protecting city after city from invasion. She grew to be a hero, a protector of her homelands and of its people.
This legend focuses around the breath that blessed Ilya with the strength to become the women of legend as most remember. Steadying herself, whether in the midst of battle or in preparation for attack, Ilya can draw all of her focus to one single moment, and one single breath. A quick, sharp intake. A low, whistling exhale. Just one breath created her legend, and once more, just one breath strengthens her when it is most necessary. Invoking the true name of this noble phantasm following her focused breath, Ilya's superhuman strength is magnified once more. With a speed that could out run a Giant, and the unfettered strength of a Giant, Ilya can rush towards her enemies, dealing one single blow to remind them all of who the true protector of the Rus truly is.

Karushka
An old friend returned once more.
Rank: B
Type: Anti-unit
Range: -
Maximum number of targets: 1

Ilya once happened upon a foal, dirty and malnourished, barely clinging to life. She chose to take this foal under her care, nursing him to health, and in doing so gained a lifelong ally. The horse, who Ilya named Karushka, was a pinnacle of his kind, a Monstrous Beast bearing the intellect of a man and even the gift of flight. Beyond even that, though, is the familiarity Karushka and Ilya bear with one another, warriors who are capable of acting in perfect coordination who have weathered countless battles at each other's side.
While lacking the Riding skill in this class, through the bond engraved on her soul, Ilya is nonetheless capable of summoning her trusted ally to her side to aid her in combat. However, due to lacking the abilities of the Rider class, Karushka's body has been altered to better suit aiding Ilya in the present conflict, and so he presently resembles a hunting dog moreso than he does his original form. Still, even in this form, neither his abilities nor his loyalty to Ilya has diminished in the slightest.

Fate/Lost Epoch

---

Plane Crash, Foreign District

---

So many things.
She had so many things that she wished to say to her Master at this current moment.

Most concerning...what was this talk of panties?!

Though, if there was one thing that Hou Yi had learned in her single day of being summoned, it was undoubtedly that trying to completely understand her Master's train of thoughts would do nothing beyond give the Archer herself a crippling headache. Straining to the point that her internal strife was beginning to show on her face, the girl let out a great sigh, her eyes fluttering shut as her entire body seeming to deflate for just a moment -

A hero.

- before she snapped her eyes back open, a new flicker lit behind them as she realized that despite the phrasing and the potential motive behind ordering her to bring the pink lady along, Hou Yi had just received an order from her Master. He seemed to be having some kind of interpersonal conflict with a friend of his, and part of helping him solve this problem included the Archer securing the Mountain that the friend currently resided on. Mending relationships and protecting those held dear are both acts fit for a hero. Fit for the greater good. Such a noble source of motivation absolutely sparked and added to the flame inside of Hou Yi. Adrenaline surged through her body, and the Archer could feel the tension in the air suddenly pull taught between herself and the Paladin.

With her hand still holding Astolfo's, Hou Yi suddenly broke out into a full-speed dash, calling out to the pink woman she dragged along. "You'll have to excuse my manners, but my Master has given me an order and he requests that I bring you along. We must protect a place that he considers crucial and the important people the-..."

Why do I feel like anything I say will just go over the bunny lady's head...let's try this a different way. You can do this, Sunny Y-...Hou Yi.

"So...umm, there's like a super duper big problem, Astolfo!" _{Tch- this is so embarrassing to talk like this.} "My Master had a little...disagreement with his friend and he really really wants to make up with this friend but that friend might be in super duper danger! We need to protect this friend - and his place - in order to make sure my Master can mend their best friendship!"

It would have to do. Trying to change her way of speaking to one that Astolfo would follow along with was even more laborious for the Archer than was slaying some of China's greatest beasts. Besides, there was little time to speak more on the matter considering they were quickly closing the distance to the bottom of the stairs leading up the mountain, and thus leading them to the servant who threatened her Master's friend.

---

_{@SSW @Cu Chulainn @DeltaGenesis}

Fate/Lost Epoch

---

Crashed plane, Foreign District

---

Hou Yi stared at the pink-haired woman with an expression that just exuded complete disbelief and confusion. This...this bunny maid was absolutely insane! What on Earth was she even talking about right now-

"_{What does talking in red even mean-} Hey hey hey, wait wait wait! What do you mean talk in pink...also why are you posing?! What is going on???"

The Archer could feel herself being pushed to her wit's end just speaking to the girl. She didn't truly believe it to be possible but somehow there was a being more difficult to handle than her own Master - and she had found him only to be accused of both shooting down Santa Clause and simultaneously becoming the new Santa by default.

Rubbing at her temples, she came to a pause as the Servant introduced herself, causing Hou Yi to hesitate for just a moment at how easily she offered up such important information. She stared at Astolfo in silence, yellow eyes tracing up and down her form once more to observe the self-proclaimed paladin.

Did the small Archer truly seem that friendly right off the bat?

...or...

Did this pink girl think it would be funny to pull a prank on Hou Yi?

No matter what the explanation was, Hou Yi just couldn't shake the feeling that she shouldn't reveal her name right off the bat in front of this person. At least not until she explained the situation to her Master first. Speaking of..

Master? Are you there? Can you see me from the house?

Without waiting for his response, she assumed that he was either already watching or his curiosity would pique and he would rush over to a viewpoint to observe Hou Yi's interaction with Astolfo. Forcing a tense smile on her face, the Archer reached out to take the bunny maid's hand, shaking it and trying with all her might to keep that awkward smile atop her lips the entire time.

"A-Ahh...yes. Astolfo, you said? Mhm, I see, I see. My name is...uhh.." Her gaze shifted to the sky. "Sunny. Sunny...Yi. Archer Sunny Yi. Yup! T-That's me..."

_{Hou Yi this is the most degrading thing you have ever put yourself through in your entire life-}

---

_{@SSW@Cu Chulainn}

---

Penthouse, Foreign District

---

Blink. Blink blink.

"Y-Ya know, if you're going to say my name, you can't just follow it up by immediately messing it up again a second later! Chris! Ch-ris! C'mon, I know you must be the bestest and most strongest servant so the least you can do is just! Say! My! Name!!"

She didn't even realize that she had started stomping, a small huff coming from the girl as she turned her head to the side once before snapping it forward once more to toss her short hair from her face. She continued to grumble and huff as he shoved his tunic to the side, the girl only pausing once her blue eyes caught a better view of the toughened skin underneath.

Walking up to him, she observed the man curiously, a glimmer of excitement sparkling in that child-like gaze of observant titillation. Once more, the young witch found herself bouncing on her heels. He even called her properly by her name to boot!

"You know what, you're like absolutely right! True fashion is wearing whatever you want and still looking good in it! Ferdiad, my Servant, shall we find ourselves a little entertainment for the night?"

Chris's smile was mischievous, the look of a kid who had nothing better to do with their time than get into trouble. Of course, she wasn't looking for trouble, per se. What the gal wanted was something much simpler than that. She was like a kid on Christmas morning, ready to try out her new toy. And more importantly - she was ready to show off to all the other kids how much better her toy truly was.

---

_@Relex

Fate/Lost Epoch

---

Crashed Plane, Foreign District

---

The girl couldn't help but stare at her Master for a moment longer than was respectfully necessary, her bow dematerializing from her hands as she lifted both hands to rub at her temples in concern. She could feel the headaches beginning but she refused to let it take hold.

I told him that wasn't Santa, right? He knows this fictional being named Santa Claus to his understanding...isn't real, right?? My Master can't possibly be this out of touch with reality, RIGHT???

Ugh. A hero, Hou Yi. A hero.

With a quick huff, the Archer hopped from the roof, rolling onto her shoulder and popping back up immediately into a run and taking off for the woods. Before she ran off, she slowed her pace and called out to her carefree Master who was retreating into the house.

"I expect at least 3 strawberry tacos when I return!"

Turning to face forward, Hou Yi took off for the plane crash, prepared to eradicate this Servant Santa Claus from the war so that she could return home to a hefty plate of Ron's waffle tacos. For as troublesome as the boy was, his unique take on cuisine was rather enjoyable for the Archer to partake in.

Breaking through the last couple of trees that stood in her way, Hou Yi hopped into the clearing created by the wrecked red plane only to have to skid to an immediate stop. She had definitely sensed the presence of a Servant and had assumed the Master was in the plane with them, but the male before her was not the aviator she had laid eyes on earlier. Instead, she found a pink haired...boy? Girl? Definitely girl.

Holding her right arm just behind her body, her magnificent bow appeared once more. She held her position, the golden eyes of the young girl trained on the Servant before her. From her thigh high socks, to her pleated skirt, to her oddly maid-ish looking outfit to her...bunny ears?

Oh gods above...Master is going to have a field day with this.

As she listened in on the bunny maid's fretting erratic statements, she came to quite the worrisome realization. This pink girl even thinks like Master. Quickly, very quickly, Hou Yi should remove this problematic presence from her sight. Though...seeing the Servant act so similarly to Ron's behaviors made her hesitate in lifting her bow before herself.

I can't believe such a silly thing is making me pause, but...

With a sigh, she stepped forward and cleared her throat soon after.

"Ma'am, the person who died here was not Santa, that is not a sleigh, and you are not the new Santa either."

---

_{@Cu Chulainn@SSW}

---

Penthouse, Foreign District, 10:10 pm

---

As soon as the first signs of her call being answered began, Chris simultaneously started bouncing on her heels in anticipation. Her short bobbed haircut bobbled with each rebound, the girl's blue eyes lit up with her unwavering excitement.

Aha! I knew I could do it! Take that you sheltered little weakling of a witch, Angela! I dare you to ever try and call me a sad halloween attempt at the wicken ever agai-...ah, no getting carried now, Chris. You must welcome your strong champion!

Stepping over to flicker on the overhead light, Chris spun about to introduce herself to her Servant.
Only to stumble slightly over her feet a second later.

"Gilla? Uhh..I mean, like, I went to Anguilla on a spring break once but they didn't even have an all inclusive resort and TBH their beaches weren't that amazing either. But no no, I'm American. The United States. Of America. The U. S. of A! And my name is Chris!"

Now that she had regained her balance, she began to walk in a circle around the tattooed man, carefully gauging him with those trained blue eyes of hers. She had spent many a year giving guys the judgmental and calculating survey of a single once-over, as anyone would expect of a best friend meeting her gal pal's new boy toy for the first time! Much to her delight, with that quick observation, what she saw was exactly what she was looking for.

Mhm mhm! Very strong! Very tough! Very...servant-y! Perfect!

Holding one hand out, Chris flashed a bright and toothy grin to the man. Once more, her excitement was clear.

"An absolute pleasure to meet you, Ferdiad!"

With a clap of her hands and a setting of her foot, the girl's expression suddenly lost most of the childish delight that it had displayed just a moment before.

"Now then, I am not one who likes to waste her precious time so I do believe we should get straight to business. And to kick it all of I do believe we should tackle the most glaring order of business before us. Ferdiad - you need a major wardrobe upgrade."

---

_@Relex

Fate/Lost Epoch

---

Penthouse, Foreign District, 10:00 pm

---

In the quiet of night, in an otherwise hushed building, the voice of a young adult woman could be heard.

"Haah...I wish I had worked on actually adapting my sleep schedule before coming to Japan...being nocturnal is doing nothing for my skin right now..."

Staring at herself in the mirror, Kuristine Marie-Louise Bradbury gave one last check over her appearance, turning this way and that as she made sure that every angle was flawless. Had one been wondering why she was dressing herself up so late in the evening, they would find her answer to be quite simple, though completely unnecessary.

I have to look my best to summon the best servant, of course~!

With a satisfied nod, the girl spun away from the mirror, crossing through two doorways before making it to the living room set-up of her penthouse suite. The view from the Four Seasons Fuyuki was beautiful, an entire wall of the room being made entirely of windows that looked out over the foreign district. All that could truly be seen at this time of night was the peppering of street lights that illuminated paths and roads, but it was a wonderful sight nonetheless.

Approaching the center of the room, it would be easy to tell that the furniture had been shifted ever so slightly, opening a central area up where the girl had drawn out her magical circles earlier in the night.

Mhm, mhm~! Perfect! These circles look absolutely perfect! I knew taking those painting courses in France would evennntually pay off, mhm!

Taking a step back, the girl lifted her hand, and-

Ah! Almost forgot! Silly silly Chris, don't forget to toss your relic in there!

Lifting her hands to her chest, she tugged the chain of her necklace up and out from her shirt. Metal snapped as she yanked the chain from her neck, not particularly caring for it as much as she did what was attached at the end of it. Besides, pulling it up and over her head could potentially mess up her hair and the hat she had taken so long to angle perfectly atop her head!

Holding the necklace up to her face, she took one last look at the pointed charm attached at the end of it. After she had to miss out on a weekend getaway to Ireland, her friends had returned with a souvenir for the poor dejected witch. They had claimed it was some kind of thorn they bought off from a museum there, but what hung before her face resembled more of a claw to her than anything else.

With a shrug, she tossed the necklace to the middle circle, leaving her arm extended after doing so to continue what she had initially began just a moment earlier.

_{"Alright, let's see...}

The purest of silver and the strongest of iron to the origin!
The purest of gems and some archduke of contracts to the cornerstone!

May the wind become an impenetrable wall! Close the castle's gates!
An order from the crown, may all the roads lead to the queendom!

Fill, fill, fill, fill, fill it up~!"

Sheesh...this all sounds kinda lame, ya know? Well, I'm sure as long as I've got the right idea this should go just fine!

"I proclaim!
You shall serve your Queen. And your Queen's fate relies on your strength.
If you agree to protect me and prove me most worthy, then answer my royal decree!

Here is my promise. I am the one who will be crowned the strongest among this competition. I am the one who will rid the battle of those weaker than herself.

You, whose power will bring you forward and to your Queen's side, oh warrior of mine, come forth~!"

It might not have been the exact chant she had learned earlier, but why should the strongest use the same words as the weak? Of course! Giving it her own touch would surely work in her favor!

With her excited heartbeat thrumming in her chest, the witch waited for her servant to answer her call.

---

@Relex