Yankee

Fate/『 』Märchen

Master: Mercedes

City Outskirts, Tokyo | Night

When Archer still did not to speak to her, Mercedes moved on quietly. Several thoughts swirled around her mind, some about the Grail War she presently found herself in, but most relating to her servant. Though he was invisible to her eye now, she could feel him through their bond. In the attic room, she'd gotten a faint feeling of... something through it, but not a clear message. As she'd talked about herself to him as they walked, she'd gotten what felt like a hint of kinship. The servant was still with her, they had already shaken hands and made a pact through the Grail together. He didn't dislike - or so she assumed. Why did he not speak? As she thought over the summoning ritual, wondering if her lack of expertise in that area of magecraft had somehow affected the servant, a sudden epiphany came to her.

What if he couldn't speak? There were many heroes of history rendered mute through injury of the body or mind, or had curses laid upon them that stole their voice. Was Archer just such a hero?

Her mind changed direction, bringing up every historical figure she could think of that met that description. Most magi studied the history and theory of Grail Wars, and read up on heroic spirits in hopes to one day fight in one. Mercedes had no such day dreams, but she wasn't totally ignorant to the heroes of the past. She was once a young mage too. Still, the answer didn't immediately come to her. A mystery to solve once they returned to her base. The wonderings of the Grail War fresh in her mind, she was reminded that since she was chosen by the Grail to compete, she must have some desire for it. She supposed that was true. Some selfish wish, deep down within herself... another mystery, for another time.

Mercedes said nothing more as she worked her way closer to the city's edge, moving quickly and idly drawing runes in front of her from time to time. They were small spells of deflection, designed to keep curious pedestrian eyes from lingering on her for too long. They wouldn't fool any half-decent magus, but they didn't need to. After an hour of walking, the red haired woman approached an old gravel trail, leading up a small hill. She climbed the trail and came upon a small ramshackle building. From the outside it appeared as what could only be described as an abandoned shed. The area wasn't devoid of homes by any means, and the city was perfectly visible from it. Behind the shed was a field and some broken fence work. The previous owners of the property had likely been homesteaders that preferred to move up country when the bright lights of the city began to reach all the way toward their little farm. Now, it belonged to the Fomonar family, hastily but confidentially acquired as soon as the burning red marks had appeared on the woman's hand.

"Home sweet home," she laughed, checking up on the runes carved into the earth around the building. A bounded field. After a quick touch-up, she opened the door which led immediately to a few short steps downward. The area opened up to a much larger space, well lit and cozy with a large plush futon and a fur pelt of some kind laid on the floor. Mercedes' workshop.

Besides the futon and pelt, a large wooden table stood in the center of the room with a few chairs tucked beneath it. A few empty take-out containers still sat on the table, and Mercedes scooped them up and dumped them into a wastebasket nearby. "I'm not exactly a Michelin star chef," she chuckled as she did so. Above the wastebasket, mounted to the wall, was a huge board with the map of Tokyo Prefecture. There were several places on the map circled or outlined, and beside it were documents pinned to the board. Missing mages, potential participants in the War. Areas where magi were likely to gather. Although Mercedes hadn't planned to be a part of this War, she was diligently preparing for it.

"Archer," she called, waiting for the man to give her his attention before continuing, "I've been thinking about it. You can't actually speak, can you?"

@King Cosmos

Fire Emblem: Ashes of Sacrifice [Fall of the Empire]

Yep, Bel will be heading back to the castle as soon as her lil situation is resolved

Fate/『 』Märchen

Master: Mercedes

???, Tokyo | Night

The woman's smile only grew wider when Archer took her hand. Relief overcame her and assuaged a worry she didn't even know she had. The servant accepted her as his master, his silence wasn't a rejection. And the sincere look in his eyes... this was good. Though the man had yet to say a word, she got the feeling he had a reason not to - or at the very least, he wasn't trying to be a jerk.

"Good," she said, more to herself than anything, and after a firm handshake she gestured for Archer to leave the magic circle as she began collecting the candles and rubbing away the chalk with the heel of her boot. Though they were abandoning this location soon, she wanted to take some steps to protect them as they moved. If another mage had felt the draw of mana here and found the circle, there were certain ways they may be able to identify the summoner. If they did that, she would be at a disadvantage. It was unlikely, but she had to be sure. When she was through, she glanced back at Archer with a grin.

"Strong silent type, I take it? No worries. My name is Mercedes Fomonar, just to let you know. Even though I'm your master, I'm having a little... well, trouble, seeing your true name. It would help me to know it so I could come up with a proper battle plan for us." Although she made the request of him, Mercedes didn't stand around waiting for his answer. With the room cleaned out, she pulled her cloak on a little tighter and made for the exit. There was no time to waste. She headed back down the narrow stair well, fully expecting Archer to follow her either as he was or in his incorporeal form. The man wouldn't exactly blend in with the way he looked now, but the chill in the air and the late hour kept most people from roaming the streets anyway.

"As for me, I'm a 'take the fight to the enemy' kind of gal. Hunting magi down is kind of my profession," she spoke as she walked, her volume low though she expected the other could hear her either way, no matter if it was a servant's enhanced senses or the quasi-psychic link they now shared. As she expected, the street was barren.

"That said, I'd like to get you acquainted with our base of operations. We're a team now, Archer, and I expect we'll make a good one, but it might be a good idea to get any information tonight while we can." She made her thoughts known to the man as she walked briskly down the street and through alleys, heading South.

@King Cosmos

Fate/『 』Märchen

Master: Mercedes

???, Tokyo | Night

As the swell of magic dissipated and the visage of a man appeared before, Mercedes quickly appraised the - servant, right? She'd actually managed to summon a servant despite her poor skill with summon and familiar crafts. The pull of her mana wasn't as much as she expected to be either. She supposed that the Holy Grail had helped on both fronts. Back to the being in front of her, she watched as he silently looked around. He was clad in leather and had a bow with him. That fact, coupled with the relatively little mana he seemed to draw from her, seemed to imply that he was of the Archer class. When she focused on him, information slowly began to drift into her mind. Information about the person before her. Archer, indeed. She found that a name did not come to her, but she didn't let it bother her. His lack of greeting did not upset her either. Maybe he was just the shy type.

Mercedes said nothing for the moment, instead turning to follow Archer's eyes around the room. She had rented the small space a few days ago in preparation for the ritual, and it was little more than a barren attic room with a single window letting the moonlight in.

"Depressing, huh?" she tried, looking back over at the servant. She grinned at him before continuing. "It's temporary though. I've got a place closer to the edge of the city. We'll be heading there soon... if... that's alright with you. Archer, was it?"

Mercedes held out her hand, emblazoned with the command spells, toward the spirit with a warm smile.

@King Cosmos

Fate/『 』Märchen

Master: Mercedes

???, Tokyo | Night

A brisk wind swept low through a lonesome street in the center of Tokyo. The few people on the side walk shivered and wrapped their coats tighter around themselves, walking by without a second glance at a particular red haired woman. She sat at a small outdoor table, alone, enjoying the bite of winter wind. She brought a small cup to her lips, slowly sipping hot tea with a pleased expression on her face.

Yes, Mercedes certainly had a lot to be pleased about.

Least of all how delicious this cafe's tea was. She savored it as she thought over the events of the last few days. Her latest mission had gone very well. The target was a man who'd grown disillusioned with the Clocktower and the Mage's Association in general. Apparently he had fled after promising the destruction of several dozen colleagues - and some feared he had the power to enact said destruction. After being sent to the Eastern nation in pursuit of the disgraced magus, she'd cornered him in a rather nice hotel. Mercedes had been prepared for anything, and expected to have to deal with the guy ruthlessly, as the vengeful types were usually the worst to deal with in her experience. It came as a pleasant surprise that the would-be 'destroyer of mage society' had eaten himself full of junk food as his ego deflated as a result of his lack of a plan. He was a superior magus, that much was certain, but it seemed that he lacked in future sight department. A second son, with a wealth of magic power and the circuits to use them, but not the willpower! Well, it worked out for Mercedes. The scene almost became comical when the man cried on her shoulder.

Mercedes consoled the man and sent him back to Clocktower - with a little something she'd slipped on his person to make sure he followed through. She expected he would, though. Now finding herself with much more free time than anticipated, she'd decided to make a mini-holiday of the rest of her time in the lovely cities of Japan. That's when it happened: a gut feeling, a surge of distant magic... a brand new mark on her body.

Mercedes stood, finishing the last of her tea and placing the cup back down on the table before making her way down the chilly street. The bright lights of the city seemed to illuminate every street, even the quiet, out of the way one she currently walked. The soon-to-be master felt light headed with... emotion. Surprise, elation, anticipation, fear, hope, curiosity. They all rushed in and out of her heart. What she was most though was excited. For whatever reason, the Holy Grail had chosen her to become a master in the latest war. What were the chances of that? She had never expected, nor intended, to ever participate in a Grail War - yet her she was.

The red head stopped in front of an unassuming building, much taller than it was wide. She stepped over the property's threshold, feeling the bristle of her bounded field as she passed it. After a quick glance to make sure the runes making up the field were holding up, she ventured quickly inside. Once the door was shut behind her, she left her hand up to her face. She admired the bold red command spells etched into her skin, not for the first time today. A grin made it's way onto her face, and she moved upstairs with a purpose. It was about time to summon her servant.

'I never was good at summoning magicks, but let's give it a shot,' she thought to herself as she drew out a magic circle, taking her time as not to commit some grave error. She had no catalyst, but that's just the way she preferred it. She got her command spells by chance, why not leave the summoning up to fate as well? After the circle was complete, she lit a few candles and sat down on the floor. She withdrew a deck of cards from the pouch on her waist and idly shuffled them, considering an incantation.

'I suppose the words don't matter much,' she concludes. Maybe out of habit, maybe out of nerves, she stops her shuffle and pulls several cards from the top of the deck and places them face down on the ground in front of her. Flipping them over one by one, she can only laugh and shake her head at the result. Six of clubs: go with your gut. Ace of hearts: a new relationship will begin. Eight of spades: an important decision will have to made.

"Okay," she chuckles, and moves to her feet. Placing her hand out in front of her with her palm facing the magic circle, she closes her eyes. Heart beating, she begins the ritual.

"Thy essence is silver, and iron.
Thy foundation is stone, and of noble rank.
Construct a gate against wind.
Travel now the branching road.
Come out from under under the Throne.
Fill it up. Fill it up. Fill it up. Fill it up. Fill it up..."

As she chanted, Mercedes could feel the pull of her mana. It seemed to be working. She didn't let the revelation distract her, continuing the incantation until the end. She opened her eyes and called out.

"Come forth, my servant!"

Fire Emblem: Ashes of Sacrifice [Fall of the Empire]

Belisendé
Evening | Stables | Garleton, Lothian Empire

Belisendé stared hard at the bandit, as if she could somehow will him into ceasing his assault of the poor woman. As the cacophony of the chaos grew louder and louder around her, the panicked mind in Bel's head grew quieter and quieter, narrowing down to a single thought. No one was going to come and help this woman, it was up to her. She could do this. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this I can do this I can do this IcandothisIcandothisIcandothisIcan-- She felt fear slowly gripping her, ceasing her hand, and she wished for the strength to shoot. Before she was totally petrified, a single noise made it's way through to her: the clop of hooves on cobblestone, coming closer. The town and all it's fury came back to her with a rush, and the scene in front of her had hardly changed. The woman sobbed and by chance turned her way. She met eyes with Bel, and the hopeful recruit was struck by the pleading look on her face. She was reinvigorated by the woman's silent cry for help and the knowledge that her loyal stead was on his way. Bel silently loosed her arrow at the place she thought would end this sad scene as swiftly as possible: the bandit's oblivious head.

_________________________ Status: Alive & Panicking Class: Squire Inventory: Iron Bow Vulnerary Stats END: E STR: E MAG: D DEX: C SPD: D DEF: E RES: D LCK: C Supports N/A

Fate/『 』Märchen

Okay, as far as master relations I was thinking something like this for Mercedes?

@Duoya If Daisuke hold such potential for familiars and was left to his own devices, the Clocktower may be keeping an eye on him to make sure he doesn't manifest the power to summon servants at will? In that case Mercedes would at the very least know of him.

@heroic2019 Of course she would know of the famous Sekimoto Family. Enforcers surely would want the best of the best mystic codes for their work, perhaps Mercedes' cloak was even commissioned to her? Or at the very least from her department. Mercedes would probably frequent the department, and they may be passing acquaintances that trade banter every now and then.

@KoL Alex's views on mage society are similar to Mercedes' own, and Mercedes is rather fond of younger people and if they ever bumped into each other while they were both at the Clock Tower, I'm sure Mercedes would have struck up a conversation with her, probably on multiple occasions. Alex probably reminds Mercedes of her own younger sister (something I left off the CS because it wasn't relevant and I didn't want to go over the 2 paragraph limit). And then if finding out her true age, well, they might have become friends.

@Reflection Vlad being a regular staff member at Clocktower, Mercedes might have seen him around when she returns to it. She would most likely be very interested in his family history and his golem research, since it seems so pure hearted. She probably would have tried to make conversation with him.

Also people can feel free to PM or message me on discord for deeper planning or anything like that I am very receptive and like to tell a story through RP, I'm not worried about Mercedes winning or anything, if it happens it happens :P

Fate/『 』Märchen

The talk of deeper relationships between masters is great, I would be really interested in that and tomorrow when I have more time I'm going to reread the whole conversation so I can actually pitch in.

Fate/『 』Märchen

Mercedes Palma Fomonar

"Come on, it's all or nothing."

Name: Mercedes Palma Fomonar
Rank: Fes
Age: 27
Background:
Hailing from Western Europe, Mercedes is a tall and physically fit woman with an incredible poker face. Although she has a usually cheerful disposition, when it matters it is impossible to read her thoughts or emotions on her face. This is a skill she makes frequent use of, both during recreation and work related matters.
Mercedes is what is known as an Enforcer - on orders from the Clock Tower Headquarters in London, she travels the world to investigate allegations of any magi that may (either accidentally or maliciously) reveal the existence of magecraft to the non-magus populace. At the conclusion of her investigation, if it is decided that the threat of the exposure is too great, at times it is also her job to arrest or otherwise put that magus down if the proper magical authorities can't make it in time. Though the nature of her work focuses only on exposure of magecraft and that alone, Mercedes has been known to take matters into her own hands during investigations if the magus has been dealing in particularly nasty business. This has earned her a reputation as unreliable, preventing her from being tasked with going after high profile magi with sealing designations or other more important figures. Still, she remains one of the Association's best Enforcers in terms of skill.

When she isn't working, Mercedes enjoys sampling the local food and alcohol of all the places she's sent to. She loves talking with people of different cultures, and in particular - young magi. Mercedes cares little for the stilted hierarchy of the Mage's Association, and hearing about how the next generations of magi are shaping up and bucking the system delights her. More than all of the above though, her true passion is gambling. Games of skill are fun, but games of chance are where the real excitement happens. She is well versed in dozens of types of card and dice games and enjoys playing them regardless of wagers - she will also bet on almost anything, if asked. She has spent so much time gambling that her magecraft has evolved through the years to compensate for her penchant of placing herself in situations of 'uncertainty.'

Mercedes receives her command spells by chance after just finishing an assignment in Japan, much to her delight.

Magecraft:
Though not a particularly notable magus family, the Fomonar bloodline does hold a magic crest. The crest is supplied only with mana and the most basic spells, only serving to strengthen it's bearer instead of provide them with access to any lost arts. The crest is inscribed on her sternum just below her breasts.

Mercedes' method of magecraft is runic - though not the most popular choice, it was the type she resonated most with as a developing magus. She knows a variety of runes from elemental ones to healing ones. Because she doesn't specialize in any particular area of runic magecraft, none of her individual runes are very powerful. For example, her healing rune only amounts to basic first aid and stabilization, and wouldn't be able to heal a mortal wound. Her battling style involves backing her opponent into a corner with strategic and concentrated low power attacks before finishing them off with a blow to their weak point. In a pinch she can also inscribe runes directly onto her body to increase her physical skills.

Besides this, Mercedes has developed considerable skill in divination, especially in regards to cartomancy. She uses this ability more as a hobby, but takes the result of her divination seriously when it pertains to her missions.

Mystic Codes:
Fomonar Brooch
A simple brooch bearing the symbol of the Fomonar family. It has been charged with a significant amount of mana. In an emergency, it can be crushed to replenish the user's magic circuits , vitality, and stamina by some amount. It's effects can be gained by anyone who crushes it, it is not limited to Mercedes.
Cloak of Anti-Magic
A heavy coat woven with mana absorbing fibers and enchanted with magecraft. The fabric extinguishes all instant and single action spells, protecting the wearer from harm. It is especially useful for protecting one's back. It is limited to modern spells and can't protect against curses, Age of Gods level spells or True Magic. Mercedes wears it over her shoulders more like a cape than a coat.
Engraved Deck Case
An intricate case for holding cards in, it has been etched with magic runes for the purpose of instantly charging any item placed inside with mana, allowing them to be quickly enchanted with spells. Mercedes' uses it to carry her preferred method of divination: a standard 52 card French playing deck. In addition to being used as quick and dirty spell containers, any card charged with mana cannot be destroyed by conventional means (they can be destroyed with magecraft or magic). Though their main use (besides divination and games) is to act as spell containers, their toughness can be utilized in many ways, such as cutting things or deflecting non-magical attacks. Because some of Mercedes' mana is in each card, she always knows the location of them, and they can be also used as makeshift tracking devices.

Misc/Trivia:
- She despises those magi that participate in human experimentation
- The one thing she won't gamble over is another person's life, though she's gambled her own plenty of times in the past.
- She's secretly always wanted an apprentice, even though she's not a great teacher

Special Boon:
Mystic Eyes of Projection
Mystic eyes with the power to use magecraft at a distance. For Mercedes', a rune user, this means conjuring runes without the need to draw them. Mercedes' forged these mystic eyes in order to better keep herself alive during her assignments. Anything she focuses on with her eyes can be inscribed with a rune. With enough focus, this can also include targets with certain levels of magic resistance. Because she was not born with these mystic eyes, extended use of them takes a heavy toll on both her magic circuits and her eyesight. She will use them when she needs to but prefers not to reveal this trump card unless necessary, especially in drawn out battles.

Fate/『 』Märchen

@Parallel Hearts Oops, didn't mean for it to come off like that! If I rewrite it to specify the level of spell it can block (instant and single use as you've stated), will that be alright?