Danchou

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@The World

Down for Business: The Rascal King is Running... At You?!

Wandering the Business District

“Now sometimes y’want them to come to you… Not that it was ever a thing back when I was alive, but I guess that’s how it’s gonna be now. We want to meet an enemy right? Then we walk around where we obviously don’t fit. Someone’s gonna throw a fit eventually, right? Well, let me know if you feel anything, and I’ll do so too.”

He grinned and sipped at a coffee as they walked down the streets. Two foreigners who obviously weren't conforming to the manners expected around here. Ah but sorry, there's no time to sit down leisurely at night like this. Besides, he wasn't ever one to sit around too long when danger was afoot.

"Wanderin about here, sticking out like two nails was it? We're obviously not locals and it'll be easy enough with those seals to tell that there's a master. Plus even if I'm not good with magic I can definitely know if a servant's about."

He tucked his fingers into the shape of a gun. “Bam. The moment they show up I’ll take care of’em. They'll definitely notice us. Right? good for them. Better for us."

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@Unoedipal@Phonic @SSW

Confron-templation

Core District: High Building's Roof.

Love and duty. How they kept each other at bay, one often sacrificed for another. Both were noble and beauty things but one should never mix the two, or turn one into the other. In legend duty was something that transcended love, and love was something that transcended duty.

To truly shine in one regard one had to sacrifice the other.

If he had been asked which he chose then he would say that there was no love to dull this sword.

If he were asked what his father chose…

The bright light of the fireworks that they released atop this building brought a gasp from the knight and a squee from the fairy. All the more beautiful with his magical sight. He could see the cloud of dust separate from the lights, almost shimmering as it fell in a wave. It fell from the released blaze, dirt and ash mixed in with the fireworks.

Burial dust and crematory ash, what showered upon them was a means to sanctify the area that was prepared as the grounds for a confrontation.

While he kept it primarily as a generally neutral battleground there was no shame in this preparation he felt. This would be a place where things not of the normal world would confront each other, separated in a battlefield where only those involved and with magic could intrude upon. A place where they could fight without restraint.

The comment of his servant brought him to turn away from the signal. Yes no matter how pretty it was for a moment the sight of that pleasant face, carrying a wholesome sort of quietness that left him without worry was more of a wonder. Quite literally at that too. Indeed, he felt as though there were no other servant as reliable or trustworthy as his.

“A good feeling? Then it shall be a nice night for sure. I hope that this night is a proper one. The last ones were fun yet… strange I must admit.”

He shook his head. His feelings on their encounters prior was mixed. It was… far from satisfying. He had not felt much terror, trusting in Ywain. Yes even when he was the target of that murderous intent, he felt safe.

“Ywain. What is more beautiful to you? The lights of the city, or the vastness of a forest? Truth be told The quiet sounds of a lake are the nicest to me. But the sounds of the critters and creatures crying out and swimming make it feel quite lonely if I were to go alone. Were it not for Elaine or you, I do not think I would enjoy it much.”

A place that while not ideal for him like the parks. Would be ok for his work.

Even in this modern age in this city full of lights even at night such a display was like a star that shone under the moon as though proudly exclaiming that even in its smallness it could outdo its light. Even if only for a moment that one spark…

If those servants were a moon, or even a sun, then what would it take for him to become a firework with its glow that burns brighter if only for a moment?

“Oh, Noon, Noon. I see a pair coming! That magical energy… that’s definitely a servant.”

Magical energy in his eyes brought him a vision that reached farther beyond human limits. His presence hardened as he took on the mantle of a knight once more. He could see them. An old man and… was that?... he couldn’t say but. The man who was no doubt a servant was someone he felt a danger from.

“Yeah… Here we go. Elaine. What are my orders?”

“Yeah, sure. Comin' right up, you workaholic! Why can’t you ask me to do more fun things? I’m your Fairy Godmother you know. We’re supposed to grant wishes of fun you know. Why not ask for a princess? I’m sure there’s one among the servants somewhere. Or maybe even the masters.”

She shed her guise as a human, and rested her hands over Noon’s ears. “I don’t really know why you need me to remind you.”

“Attain the Holy Grail and seat of Paris. Defeat this foe and bring glory to me.”

The words, her voice that wasn’t her voice soaked into his brain. A throbbing sensation, not quite pain anchored his mind as it came to a halt. His magic circuits heated up and blazed to life. The orange glow came from him and his magical energy as he felt the throbbing build up. It was painting over him, washing away everything that was him and rebuilding him. With barely an instance passed his transformation was complete.

“Gawain.” he announced as he twisted the blade in its sheath. Out came forth in a brilliant shine of flickering flame his sword, a torch and beacon as bright as the fireworks that they released earlier. Only then as a completed blade did he speak words to acknowledge the command.

“Yes, my lord.”

He was always worrying about things, always looking thinking on how to improve himself and yet coming short. He simply wasn’t well geared towards innovation, or a genius in unorthodox means in utilizing his abilities. If anything out of all the Triswich she’d been with so far he was the most inflexible, the most uncreative.

Yet despite that the rigidity that was born of his lacks, that straightforwardness was in turn what made her not worry. His sincereness in how he pursued what he was given, and the burden he was made to carry was second to none. Really, he really was an idiot.

It’s ok, you just need to do what you do. I’ll watch you. Now… let’s see what they’re like.

“Noon Triswich.” he confirmed in response to the man's greeting and declaration. “Master of Sir Ywain of the Round Table under the class of Saber.”

“Likewise I represent my lord and set to claim Paris and the Grail in their stead. If it were a matter of fighting Noon Triswich and his own ambitions then I would invite you to strive for victory. But as the blade of my lord victory is the only outcome that can be.”

Blade in hand, nonetheless he offered a smile.

“Stories are something I have been told a many. I am better at listening, and I am not sure if I would have anything you have not heard. But even a known story can be different with a new teller, right?”

“Hey hey, you wanna come up here? Or do you want us to come down? He won’t mind you know. It’s all the same for me either way. Although I guess if I wanted to give a comment it’d be easier to fight up here but it’s cold and the wind’s strong! Hey Noon, go down there.”

“There’s no sense in making such a man have to walk up here. Ywain, we’ll meet them down there.”

The two took each other by the hand wordlessly and then leapt off the roof. Floating down, caressed by the wind, they came to land without disturbance before their challenges. It went without saying that he trusted Ywain to defend him against any foul play or sudden hostility. But he did not expect such either to exist in the first place. Naive? Expecting? In a sense it did not matter to him. What laid between the beginning and end of a fight was a record that did not matter. All that was needed was that he claim victory.

“With battle there is always the chance of loss. Either of one’s life, or of things more important than that. No matter how short or long one’s life is there are always regrets, and always desires. As the one that shall claim victory I shall listen and I shall tell as you wish. Until you are satisfied.”

Still carrying the smile, there was no insult meant in his words and arrogance.
“Ah this is gonna take all night isn’t it?” chimed a Fairy who took to fluttering by the side of Noon. With a stretch she let out a exasperated groan that swiftly gave way to a giggle.

“Just so you know if you guys take too long I’ll be chiming in as the ref to make sure we don’t waste the entire night alright?... Hmm hmmm, if you promise some snacks or somewhere warmer I miiiiight let it go on for longer than it should. Wink wink.”

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@Reflection@King Cosmos @SSW @Manythings @Crusader Lord

False Camelot - A Meal To Remember

They only returned for a bit, mainly to do a bit of work and rest behind secure walls.

But before they left.

Dressed in a outfit more fitting a servant or waiter, the knight that came from the Clock Tower set the round table with plate after plate. Groceries that Elaine ended up buying the day before, preserved in ice boxes, finally prepared by Noon after their return.

“Hey hey, he’s cooking again. Let’s grab some and feed it to the toads."

"Y’think they’ll explode like last time? "

“I saw one leap out of the marsh and onto the road to get squished by a truck last time!”

The cackling and planning of faeries, disturbing as it was, both in their intentions and also of what they spoke of the meal.

Setting aside a well folded chef’s uniform, Noon was all smiles as he both offered a plate and a glass of wine to his servant.

What was presented at the very least looked fantastic. Fluffy potatoes as smooth as cream without any disturbance to its blend of yellow and white and the light sprinkling of pepper.

A roast of beef coated in a crust of seared meat, herbs, and spice held a strong aroma of rosemary while blackened pan-fried slices of garlic mixed in with grains of sticky moist rice.

Onions and carrots cooked until soft and sweet, almost like candy were also piled up.

Local bread was offered with herbal butter, and oil mixed with vinegar with some of the garlic soaking in it.

Despite the demands of Elaine that they’d go out to town and have fun for as many hours as they were out fighting in the city, and despite the work that was lined up this preparation was insisted on by the knight.

Of course one had to ask how he managed to set up a kitchen.

A number of exhausted faeries fluttering around, moaning and complaining might give a hint as to that.

“Please eat.” he said, beaming with a smile. With the face and movements of a man who couldn’t help but show a certain sort of pride despite feeling as though he were acting normal and nonchalant about things. Almost childish, not smug, nor not quite giddy, but still it was clear that on this matter he was wearing his feelings on his sleeves.

Yet deserved pride came hand in hand with work as he sat down and with a wave of his hand encouraged his guests and allies to dig into the feast.

...Sitting beside the knight the fairy leaned in to whisper to him.

“Just enjoy the meal... Truth is however I cooked it. I sneak it in and replace what he makes with something edible.”

She points over to a bed of wilted flowers that had been hale and beautiful only hours ago.

“I dumped it there. That sort of thing would probably do irreparable damage to even you. Just trust me, it’s something about the entire family. His dad was like that, his grandfather was like that. His great grandmother before that was like that… I think it’s some sort of curse or karmic inheritance. I just don’t get it.”

The zeal was there… but the talent was just not. But whether it was a lie or not the feast being beautiful and delicious due to the covert operations of a fairy caretaker, dressing up the drab normalcy of her human ward just like any old fairy tale, was undeniable.

But then as the meal came to a close...

“And for dessert I made a chocolate fondant cake. If you’d indulge me and bring yourselves to eat a bit more.”

“W-wait, dessert? I thought you said you weren’t going to make anything because we’d be buying some sweets out in the streets!”

“Mhm, I thought about it and I figured that I should offer an entire full meal. Even if we’re a mixture of servants here only for a week, and magi that may become enemies I choose to bare myself fully, just as I declared Ywain’s identity.”

“Ah… shit.”

The little girl visibly wilted, hands fidgeting as her mind went blank for a moment. Ah what was she going to do? There was no time to make a replacement. If he was serving mundane people then she could probably hypnotize them and fool them and mitigate the damage… but there was nothing she could do, nothing that could prevent the incoming catastrophe and keep her secret running through generations.

The first plate was set down before Ywain. A cracking shell of chocolate somewhat dried out with pockets of caved in parts that left holes… covered up almost by a heaping pile of powdered sugar caked on like make up nevertheless showed a hint of the innard of a unsmooth grainy and mash-like melted chocolate.

If one were to taste it, it’d taste like the oddest and most terrible sort of gravy and mashed potatoes. Mentally and intellectually one would register the presence of the flavor known as sweetness due to the sugar and chocolate. Yet the feeling was that of something akin to both a mash and a hardened undercooked root vegetable in weird chunks and clumps. It tasted nothing like chocolate, it tasted nothing like a dessert.

In essence it was perhaps a curse materialized, a terrible weapon and a terrible existence to poison the day.

This was the truth of Noon Triswich’s talent.

This was the curse of those who inherited the sash.

"I-I'm full, I'm smaller than you all and I didn't know this was coming so I ate too much..."

The face of the knight was a rather apparent and strong pout, sad like a puppy denied. "Ah... that's ok." he said, words very clearly at odds with his feelings.

Was he really not that aware of himself when it came to this topic?

"Geh..."

"F-fine, I'll eat, I'll eat."

The moaning of the fairy girl, and her paling of her skin would last throughout the entire day.

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Wandering the Core, having fun in the city

“Pardner, your aim’s gettin better. But sometimes the aim isn’t all you need. Sometimes you need something different, a change of the.. What do they call it? Hardware.”Y’seem smart, and y’seem odd considering you landed with me. What doesn’t work with other magic. Does it just not click in your head? Does it just not go boom when you say alakazam? Why does your spell work?”

He pointed down the alleys they passed by as they walked through the streets.

“Bam, bam, bam. It’s a curse right? But you treat it like a gun. Maybe there’s an answer to that. From what y’told me you got it good with that and you put in enough magic energy to pack a whallop. That stuff’s not even s’pose to be solid right? Maybe you’re good at making things that aren’t suppose to be physical into physical? Maybe you’re good with your fingers, or maybe you’re a gunman like me.”

He thought back to the first night. Patroling, shopping, having some fun. They didn’t end up fighting, but he saw the other servants, he saw some of the other masters as they passed by. He was no legendary hero from centuries upon centuries ago. But his intuition was sharp and his aim sharper. Of course he could notice a few things. Perhaps she couldn’t notice but he drove her certain ways, whimsical and yet calculating with his roguish sense. The sort of sense that kept him alive all this time, the sort of sense that drove him to satisfy his desires and freedoms because it burned in his heart and told him “This is something I know I can do.”

He wanted some time to learn about her, to train her a bit before they were going to fight. Maybe he was being a bit soft on her. Maybe he was being too selfish in wanting some free time in a war. But that was fine right? That was Billy the Kid.

The first night they worked on her aim. Basic accuracy, which she was good at. The practices of a mage in controlling their body, and the discipline in their mind meant that it was easy to teach her. Then came training of shooting something moving while he threw bean balls at her. Hit, and don’t get hit. For someone who couldn’t shoot first all the time like him that was a necessary part of life.

These mages really had everything put together to make a human weapon. Shame he didn’t know many of them in life, and shame that they’re all a bunch of nerds… er… bookmen too.

But no amount of training, even if they ended up not finishing the job of it could easily change her demeanor. Well, he trusted in her own desires and wish. If he couldn’t trust in that to give her the drive to fight then there’s no hope for anyone!

Then they ended with learning how to handle a gun. The gun she had, and the gun he brought.

Bang.

Bang.

THe smell of gunpowder, the sparks of civilization’s fang. Deadlier than an arrow, farther than a spear. The weapon of the final frontier, the ultimate end of human’s ability to destroy. That’s what he thought of it anyway. The slugthrower that signified the west, the pistols that were the last bastion of romantic duels and battle.

Modern, fantastical.

Hey, master.

What do you feel when you hold this thing, when you squeeze the trigger?

What do you feel when I pull you into all these places I want to go, when I push on a beer to you.

You look so lost, but you don’t even know where you’re going. But that’s fine. No destination needed.

“You ever smoked before? If not let’s get you a cig too. The french love smokes and wine right? Oh we should try wine. I might be called a rascal and they might think Americans are dirty here but I still love wine. Alcohol’s great, we should have more.

What do you wanna do master? We got a bit of time left before it’s time to go back to practice. Tomorrow I promise ya, tomorrow I’m bringing you a bounty of enemies. Dead or alive.” He winked at the last statement. “We’re all dead y’know? Servants. We’re ghosts, so no need to go easy on them~”

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@Reflection@King Cosmos @SSW @Manythings

Foreign District: Metro Hideaway

“I’m afraid we’d have to tell you to look for a girl somewhere else.” Noon, nodding over at Ywain. Took out his own weapon. Although in this case it was a shield that he took in hand.

“Hey.. hey there! I’m not a prize or anything. OR well, at least not for you. It might be different if someone like Ywain asked me, but you don’t seem to have a proper head on your shoulder. Some faeries might like them mad, but this isn’t my type at all.”

She twirled and slipped away curving on her wheels to behind Ywain. Clinging to his back, she peeps out slightly while making sure that the Berserker couldn't see too much of him. A hideaway and impasse that continued until the two Paladins reached their... agreement “Huh wait, you know him?” The identity? Of the other saber being revealed aside the fact that this madman was…

“Besides you’re making a mistake. Faeries don’t live in trees. They live in mounds or lakes.”

A partial truth, a partial lie. All she knew was that she didn’t want to be on a tree strung up by that… guy.

“Who said I’m a fairy anyway?” Oh right an important point. Was there some sort of strange intuition to this man, or was he just that loony that he saw the first little girl or thing and decided to crown it as a fairy?

But it seemed like everything was… resolved?

“Ehm.. er… yeah?” It wasn’t all that easy for him to take the discussion between those two friends and the on the dot switch of directions the Berserker took, but the sheepish smile that rose up on Noon’s face grew more steady until he finally began to walk off. But this time he took Elaine by the hand.

“Huh, wh-hey Noon. I can walk by myself you know.”

“You’re a bit too popular. Here I thought I was the target and master you know. So I’ll just have to protect you like this.”

“What kind of teasing is this suppose to be? It’s too… you’re bad at this!”

“I don’t know. Ywain, you’re good at protecting Faeries, right? What’s your opinion? Maybe I should just carry her on my shoulders?”


“Oh come on.” She tugged back, but rolled along due to her shoes. Turning towards Saber she stretched out a hand “Waah, I want to roll around!”

To the protests of a local girl, the party soon made their way to the den of their target.

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@SSW@ManyThings @Cu Chulainn @King Cosmos

Latin District -> Foreign District

To Hunt The Dastardly

He let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

“I’m sorry that you got mingled up in this.” he mentioned. Ah, even if they were allies…

“This was a fight left over from yesterday. I’m not very sure about the details of it truth be told. Ywain and I are both surprised by Archer’s attack in more ways than one. In truth I’m not really sure why he attacked like that. Did he wish to fight Ywain? Did he wish to simply kill me?” The in his hand tapped against the ground, the wood that formed the floor curling around it as its tip sunk in, its surroundings turned into shavings by the light touch and made to crawl up it like thirsty vines.

“I do not know, I do not understand.”

I’m a bit frightened, he thought to himself. I’m disappointed, said a deeper voice not his own.

“If he was attempting to eliminate us then it is strange that he attacked when he could see a group of four. If he was trying to duel Ywain then it is strange he attacked me. If he simply had a desire or reason to kill me… Well, is it a folly of love that drove him so? Archer is a knight who knew many tragedies in his life. Is he fighting to erase one? And if so.”

He thought of the knight so independent from the others in his legends and tales.

“Which one is he trying to burn away?...”

The fairy in turn who looked rather nonplussed, as though expecting this result hopped back onto her foot, having been lazing about in a rather relaxed manner, practically taking a nap on the ground

“Well, that’s fine isn’t it. If he ever attacks again we’ll just beat him. He’s tried a one on one, he’s tried a sneak attack. The only thing left for him to do is bring some allies of his own. We’ll be fine even then. That said, you’re a pretty firm one, aren’t you?” Elaine asked of Cleo.

“Kill him.” she declared, in mimicry, deepening her voice and giving a swaying gesture with her hand. “Well, that sort of decisions important. It’s a shame he got away, but it was some good work I imagine… Puh, I can’t actually see the battles happen unlike you guys so it gets a bit boring. Anyway, yeah, it was a bit weird I thought when your Saber barged in but I think things are working quite well. If you ever need to find us come over to these areas.”

Unfolding a map of the city from one of her pockets, Elaine descended upon Cleo, happily sharing tidbits, both of information actually related to their positions and alliance… and completely trivial information such as which streets had a nice view of the skyline, which ones had a nice sound and environment.

“This part is really nice along the river… and oh, this place looked like it had really nice pastries. It was closed when we passed by however because Noon was taking too long making dirt-hills! Then he took a nap after yesterday. I’m half-tempted to sneak out all by myself.”

Noon let out an exasperated sigh that gave way to a smile before turning away. He held up his sword and left the building. “Ywain, return. We’re hunting for Assassin. I trust your combat prowess have not declined after that warm up?”

Looking over his shoulder he called out to his ally. “Lady Forsberg. It was an honor to fight alongside you for the first time. If you would wish to come with us your presence would be welcome. However this errand of hunting a thief is a personal manner so you are not under any obligation.”

Whether they were joined or not the three would leave into the night, and come to approach where the stolen sheath was held.

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@SSW@ManyThings @Cu Chulainn @King Cosmos

Latin District - Deadly Wind

The topic of when exactly he realized he was in danger was a bit muddy. It was before Ywain had covered him, sending his world tumbling. Yet far from being quick enough for someone like him to defend against such an assault.

“Noon!” Despite her worry the girl made her way out of sight, knowing all too well that lingering would only make her another liability. Yet her worried glanced carried over, even as the knight rolled out of his servant’s arms before Ywain disappeared both from sight with his ring and from their presence in a burst of speed.

“I’m fine!” he cried out as his feet touched the ground, almost stumbling but swiftly taking control of himself and establishing balance and smoothly breaking into a run.

“Was that truly?...”

He was unable, or perhaps unwilling to finish his question to his servant over their mental link. Dismissing it with a shake of his head he instead steeled himself as he and Cleo retreated to safety.

“Archer has shown himself to be an active threat. This obstacle to victory and my duty cannot be tolerated. Ywain, defeat and dispose of him.”

A shame really. The night was off to a nice start, even with the issue of the thief wearing down on him. He hadn’t expected to be attacked in such a way with the obvious presence of the two being together. A confident powerful servant may have, without regard to the numbers disadvantage boldly made for battle. Or perhaps an assassin, caster or archer would have simply watched them in hopes of learning more of them.

But a knight, and an archer not only choosing to attack such a group, but also attack in such a manner. It was no prideful strike, but he also wondered if it could even be called pragmatic at all. It simply made no sense to him.

“Ywain was there… no, this is not the time.”

He directed the faeries that were tracking down the thieves to come to the area, to have a set of eyes in the sky to overwatch the unfolding battle between servants.

“You’re okay too, right?” The girl asked of Cleo. Her worry and concern faded away for the most part the moment she saw her companion was in one piece, but it seems that some was extended to her too.

“Well, either way it’s all good to let the servants fight but we shouldn’t sit completely idle too. Noon, Cleo, let’s get to work! Hm, do you have any familiars around?”

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@SSW@ManyThings @1Charak2 @Sunglass @Cu Chulainn @Crusader Lord @King Cosmos

Latin District - Meeting

“It’s boring to spend the night in the same place you know.” the girl said before rolling over to the side of one of the buildings and sweeping up the wall, rolling against it for a moment before springing off with a spinning landing. “Not as rotational as you Noon, but I’m pretty good aren’t I?”

“It’s cheating with your body.”

“Excuse you, I’m doing this perfectly naturally.”

“Hmm… well, you’re good at it either way. I agree however, spending the night here isn’t the best of ideas. It just works as a meeting place due to a small amount of familiarity. If another servant is around well, there’s no sense in aggravating a new potential enemy before we solve our current engagements.”

He nodded in agreement to both of the women before gesturing with his hand down the road. “If you would care to accompany me, we shall leave and take to elsewhere. I was going to go track down the thief from yesterday as well. Perhaps we should move in their direction while we discuss things further? You are free to help, or simply watch or part before the confrontation with the thief. This is a somewhat personal matter as much as it’s a task to fulfill for the sake of the war.”

Letting out a quiet cough to try and mask his abashed feelings at the fact that he had to track down a thief at all.. He stood there in silence for a few moments before taking out his blade with a sigh. “It’s a simple way of tracking them down, but connections are something any magus can work with. Even with servants they can’t erase such links so easily. Tracking them down is certainly possible even if they were an Assassin.. Or maybe even a Caster?”

With a confident smile the knight nodded over to Ywain before setting down the road towards his chosen foe.

“Wonder why they stole that of all things anyway.”

To that question Noon could only shrug.

Latin District -> Residential District: Thief Hunt

Wynter finished preparing a backpack with food and drink and turned to Archer. "I was thinking that tonight we could scope out the bigger attractions, since most will probably have a mage or two hiding around them. I'd honestly like to befriend rather than fight, so if we can accomplish that I'd be happy. A team would make the war easier and I want to use this opportunity to learn from the others, if possible. What do you think, Archer?"

@The World

"Mmhm, pals, accomplices. Both are nice, but you gotta have a goal with them. Having "friends" sometimes muddles things up. They want to take from you, and you're suppose to take from'em also but sometimes they don't got that much to take to begin with. It isn't like we can offer a big heist to work together with either. There's only one grail, right? Not many people, even heroes are gonna share that. Or maybe it's because they're heroes that they won't share that? If you want friends however... carry a big gun and a bigger smile. Why don't we sniff around and see if we can find an area with a master or a servant? If they're rotten I'll shoot'em down, if they're nice, then it's up to you."

He let out a long drawn out hmm as he considered their destinations. "How about that big tower, or that Museum then? Otherwise I guess it wouldn't be bad to see the water."

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@SSW@ManyThings @1Charak2 @Sunglass @Cu Chulainn @Crusader Lord @King Cosmos

Latin District - Alley-Hidden War

Set End: Dawning Noon

The strike was strong, but her guard was surprisingly robust. He had used plenty of magical energy, enough to strike down most, but her defense was enough to leave her whole in shape, if not fully untouched in condition.

“Ah… so it is.” he whispered after her as she retreated. Ywain mentioned his own conclusion of his fight and he simply nodded as both of his companions made their way to him.

Ywain came in with a surprising swiftness as only a Servant could. But Elaine... Elaine flew. The girl had shed her mask, a small little thing in truth. Normal modern wear was replaced with a a beautiful dress, and fluttering on her back was a pair of wings like those of a butterfly, sprinklings of sparkling dust dispersing into the air around her with each flap. She wasn't human at all. She was, along with Ywain, his familiar and companion.

Elaine the Fairy.

“Scary, scary. You know, if they wanted to attack me I don’t think even I could be ok.”

“Next time you’ll stay with me. But your eyes were a lot of help.”

“Of course, of course… Anyway what’s important is that you’re ok. She was pretty tough to take that wasn’t she? Ah, of course if she didn’t run you’d have beaten her.”

“I’m not sure about that. There could be more that she didn’t reveal yet. She’ll be prepared more next time anyway.”

Noon moved to sheath his blade on reflex… only to note the rather large problem with that motion that he noticed during the fight. A fact that wasn’t important in the moment in a struggle to the death, but rather important now at the end of it.

“...”

“What’s wrong?”

“Logres is gone. I think… someone took-“

“Whaaaaaaaa?!”

The girl’s mixture of a bombardment of questions and chastising remarks rained down on the young knight who simply stared at his blade in silence.

He’d lost it. Or worse, let someone steal it. Was he so absorbed in the fight that he lost sight of his responsibilities and duties? Was he just so unable and inept that someone plucked such a thing away from him? What would his father say? What would that man they aspired to be like say?

His thoughts looped together, waves of disbelief, plummeting gut-twisting guilt and confusion assaulting him. How could he lose such a thing? In truth their battle performance would not be harmed by the loss of Logres, but the mystery of the Glorypledge, and the pride of the Triswichs would be besmirched.

Was he truly a mistake as those around him called him in soft spoken whispers? A foolish tryst, a laughable result from a unsightly pairing.

Ah, father. If duty was everything then why did you pursue such a silly love?

That thought flashed through his dark clouded mind for a moment and send a greater pang of pain through his heart. To berate his father and blame his circumstances was one thing. But to think anything close to the idea that the love of his parents, or that his mother was a mistake.

How disgusting.

…

“Well we’ll just have to go find it and get it back! It should be easy enough!”

“Huh?”

“You heard me. If something’s lost or stolen you just get it back. That thing’s older than you, and so am I. We don’t disappear all that easy you know! You’re going to win this war and get Paris right? So you shouldn’t worry even if you lose a leg or an arm, let alone a paperweight!”

“...If it’s just a paperweight then why bother getting it back then?” he croaked out. His throat felt a bit numb, but there was a hint of a amusement in the rough voice.

“Nevermind that. We’ve got work to do. Why don’t we go home and take care of our business and get some rest first?”

“Yeah.. sure.”

“Leave it all to me. Get some sleep and work on getting the sheath back. I’ll take care of everything. A hero doesn’t have to do the dirty work, and we’ve got enough help to make sure you don’t need to shovel dirt anymore.”

“I don’t mind dirt… It smells nice.”

“You’re still a bit of a dirty little boy aren’t you? Honestly, you, dogs and pigs. I’m not sure who’d enjoy rolling in mud the most. But I guess your father was fine with that stuff either. Still, you even like the smell of that dirt?”

The smell of death, the somewhat unsettling feeling it brings to most people. The dirt of a burial mound would surely be something that was notable to the senses of a magus.

“I don’t mind it at all.” he said, now sobered up. “It smells like you, Elaine.”

"Eh wha?!-"

The smell of death, the smell of spirits, the feeling and presence of lingering fragments and memories.

The girl turned into a fairy, a ghost made into a godmother.

He smiled at her.

"Hmph."

She turned away.

Bois de Vincennes: Forest of the Dead

The form of the forest was changing.

The sounds of harlots and excited, impatient men gave way. Yet the giggles and flirtatious cries did not disappear. A sickening sweetness, mixed in with a tinge of malice, both intentional and innocently inherit brought the leaves to sway. Dancing lights, strange hypnotic circles and trees that seemed to bend under the wind in ways that formed paths. To step in that forest was to be confronted with a fairytale.

How terrible, how sweet.

She flew among the skyline of the forest, watching as it expanded, slowly encroaching forward and also growing thicker. This was no longer simply a park meant to be a contained exhibit to stare at for city folks, but a genuine forest of the wilds and fey.

Dancing ghosts turned faeries bounced upon mushrooms in their moments of break. Mountains were colored with the cold and dark feeling of death as graves. The dead of the forest gathered and were painted anew. This was no longer a place for humans, no longer a place for man. The boundary between death and life blurred, between illusion and reality.

It was a place where she felt rather at ease at, but that wasn’t what she came to Paris for.

She dropped down onto one of the roads leading out where two other figures were waiting. Her wings disappeared and her dress was replaced with a simple outfit of a short, cap, overalls and a rather trendy and heelies. Apparently the fairy enjoyed skating when she walked as a more normal girl.

“Let’s go, ok?” she grinned before skating away, leaving a trail of sparking lights from her shoes and hints of leaking dust.

Northern Latin District: Meeting Place in the Streets

“Sorry we’re a bit late.” Noon declared as he walked in with a proper posture and confident yet relaxed gait. I had to prepare for a hunt after our meeting. There was a thief and I needed to make sure I could track him down.”

A few faeries taken from his in-Paris home wandered the cities. Giggling and laughing even as he wandered about alleyways and streets, unseen and yet certainly not unfelt. A prank or two played as they went, unable to resist. But with the guidance of the sword they slowly helped form the image in his head.

Yes, the thief is there.

But for now.

“My lady. I hope that you are not too cold this evening having to wait for a knight that has foolishly kept you waiting.”

Fate/Blind Logos

Latin District - Alley-Hidden War

Set: 1/??? (3) 3 X 4 Yazhua versus Noon

@SSW @KoL @Subjectvision



She was fast, fast both in the sense of the speed of her movements and in her decisions. The hesitation and delay she had was small, swiftly making decisions, swiftly reacting. More than anything the way she carried herself wasted little. The martial arts of the east. Her visage alone revealed her roots, but her movements were the true proof of her background.

A textbook perfect redirection came towards his spear to redirect it. Even if he saw it coming he could not completely stop himself, so instead he pushed at the end of the spear while letting go, sending it spinning in counter to the way it flew. An act more to pressure and halt her advance rather than kill.

Palamedes

From his sheath came the hilt of a long blade, a curious mix between a sword and spear due to its hilt that could lengthen or shorten, similar to the famous weapon of the Trojan hero that switched between forms. With it in his hand he felt the oath he made burning in his mind. An oath made to a blade, an oath made to a knight.

Sir Palamedes.

"The battle must be one-on-one"

It was perhaps his terrible advantage. The lack of need to commit to a single weapon, the arsenal of oaths that weighed down on him yet paradoxically gave him strength. In combat without arms she would surely outdo him, but he needed not overextend to preserve his advantage of arms.

He felt the world shrink. He felt his mind hone in further, further, further.

His breath disappeared, the only thing in his head outside of that oath that vibrated so loudly in his mind being those eyes.

He wasn’t alone.

Iaido.

A Japanese martial art.

An art that focused on preparedness and an immediate flow into opposition. A swift presence which paradoxically was a path to nothingness. Yet he was far from a master who could reach zero or infinity.

All he could do was cut things away from himself until he reached one goal. It was a comforting exercise, a ritual in mimicry that simply was something he took to.

He slashed. "Cross Ecliptic!"

Magical energy overflowing from his blade as he met Yazhu, intersecting her with his blow. He held no restraint, Palamedes swung forth with the full intention of defeating her. But even if it were to strike… with the magical energy that surrounded her and her potent enhancements would it be enough? He did not ponder the question as a doubt but rather because he felt that this battle would not end without more.

A touch of guilt. Somewhere deep inside he wished to see just how strong this girl is. That interest in a fight was something he could only feel ashamed of. He was a blade for his lord. That’s all he needed to be.