PSL (closed)

[1stknight]

[Honestly, being summoned was quite the surprise to Bedivere. Being a saber, he knew he was at a disadvantage. After all, there were so many more sabers even just from the Round Table who were much more famous, so surely they would have been summoned over him. In fact, he was sure it had happened countless times before. That one master he had met, the one from Chaldea, they had spoken of singularities and grail wars to span several worlds and timelines. And with so many fine Sabers to choose from, he was sure that he hadn't ever been summoned before. The short time between the 'creation of his legend' and 'now' notwithstanding.

It made him feel a touch inadequate, if he was being truthful. After all, he was a simple knight. The master who had summoned him, he deserved better than someone like him. But if he was the one who was summoned, then he would fulfill his duty to this new master. Nothing would be done in half-steps, never again.

So as his form solidified in the summoning circle, Bedivere offered his new master a warm smile. Once again, his life was sworn to someone else's. Whatever his master wished for, Bedivere would help him achieve it.]

Saber, Bedivere. I am honored to be summoned by you. From now on, I shall be your Servant.

['I am honored to be summoned at all' was the truth, but he didn't speak that.

Then he paused, and he took a survey of the situation. The summoning circle was expertly made, but this man in front of him...well. He didn't look like a mage. He looked like a normal person. Perhaps it was a disguise? Or maybe there was more to this situation than he could see immediately. He would have to wait for his new master to respond in order to find out more.]

Comments

[neverwashere]

[Bumping into a feverish shambling guy hiding chicken carcasses under a thick trenchcoat probably wasn't the weirdest thing in Yokohama. Questionable, sure, but if the guy willingly wanted to go to the great beyond with a nauseating dinner, dead olfactory nerves, salmonella and food poisoning, who was Dazai to stop him?

Following him, now, that was the mistake. Last he heard, local cults relied on numbers and preferred renting office auditoriums instead of condemned buildings, and people into New Age stuff tended to dislike animal cruelty in the name of loving the earth and all her precious children - that's why they had a billion cats, right? But no, the guy only bothered to pluck the chickens after draining their blood, and Dazai just wasted an hour waiting for him to finish a diagram of sorts on the swept-up floor in between coughing fits, shaky hands, and general unwellness.

Dazai spared a thought for what might've pushed the guy this far for something that wasn't going to work. The man's chanting grew from hoarse whisper to pained determination - in English, curiously enough. Wasn't Latin in vogue for wannabes?

Well, at least Dazai's wait was nearly over, and he'd be able to get the story out of the guy after the inevitable breakdown. Stifling his yawns had been hard and both his legs and feet were stiff.

Then the circle glowed, impossible to miss in the dim light, and the wind picked up and carried the stink of raw poultry and dried blood. In spite of himself, Dazai's jaw dropped as he felt energy pulsing beneath his skin, an amplification of all the times No Longer Human kicked in to deactivate other abilities.

That shouldn't be possible. And the guy's words -

My will shall create thy body, and thy sword shall create my fate. Abide by the summons of the Holy Grail. If thou dost accede to this will and reason, answer me!

The next few lines were ridiculous - a vow to do good, to dispose of evil, and Dazai had no time to mock them when the guy suddenly collapsed at the edge of the circle, choking on his last few words as blinding light blasted outward.

In the face of an emergency, the flash of heat that spread on the back of his right hand was far from a priority. Dazai strode forward once he determined the building wasn't about to collapse around them, his wrist upturned as he immediately checked for a pulse, breath, pupil dilation, and oh this wasn't looking good.

Dazai clicked his tongue, the urge to call emergency services warring with memories of disposing bodies when the cleanup crew was unavailable. Sure the guy looked feverish, but he didn't think it was terminal!]

Great.

[He really started regretting this entire evening, too, when he heard a clink of metal from within the circle, and wasn't that the most sincere smile he's seen on a person since Nakajima Atsushi? It was a real damn shame he couldn't enjoy the moment and deconstruct that introduction (That armor? Servant? Bedivere?) instead of pointing at the fresh body he was crouched over, as he did now.]

You know this guy?

[The reflexive smile on his face felt too plastered on. Nothing he hasn't gotten away with before, but the past five minutes was A Lot.]

[1stknight]

[Thoughts of cult activity were certainly accurate, as far as grail wars went. And given the uptick in ritualistic sacrifice of animals in Yokohama, there were no doubt rumors of some 'dark magic cult' going around. Not every participant in this grail war understood discretion, it seemed. If a case of 'strange circle made of dried blood found in an abandoned warehouse' made it across Fukuzawa's desk, it wouldn't be the last one.

Ah, but that poor mage. Too weak to fully appreciate the results of his work. And the situation had been all too perfect too, with a viable (if questionable) candidate for a Master available to pick up for the fallen mage. It wouldn't have been much of a grail war if the Saber had been immediately eliminated, even if Bedivere himself found that sort of situation to be ironic. A questionable hero summoned under questionable circumstances, bound to a questionable master.

(It would have been even more questionable if Bedivere had realized just how similar he and Dazai sounded. But Bedivere had never heard his recorded voice, and the way he spoke sounded different in his mind than it did to anyone else who heard him. So that connection would have to be made later.)

Bedivere followed Dazai's finger, his gaze dropping to the dead man on the ground. For a moment, Bedivere questioned if this man had been part of the sacrifice to summon him, but he realized it was wrong. This man's blood was not spilled in such a way that would indicate that. No, this was something else entirely.]

...eh? Why would I, I just got here. Did he help you summon me?

[The confusion was because, to Bedivere, Dazai was his master. He could feel the connection between them, and because of the timing of everything it was as if Dazai had been his master from the start.

Frowning, Bedivere crouched down next to the man to check on him. Even though the man was still, Bedivere still wanted to check and see if he was alive. And when he turned up no positive results for that check, he turned a touch sad.]

Hopefully we have time to bury him. He must have burned himself out making this ritual work.

[If he sounded guilty for being indirectly involved in this man's death, that's because he did feel guilty.]

[neverwashere]

[(The similarity of their voices was especially pronounced when Dazai was pensive. Indeed, Bedivere was what he might have sounded like had Dazai attained zen and were he less prone to theatrics, and Dazai's idea of inner peace didn't involve shaving his head, swearing off booze, and staying awake through boring sutra chanting. He liked his fun, thanks.)]

No, I just happened to pass by. So you're the product of his light show instead of being his accomplice?

[Dazai could tell his own line of questioning was already less pointed than it should be. Sure their newly dead friend had no idea he had an audience, which meant this wasn't likely a performance meant to leave an impression. Then the new person - knight, even - more or less confirmed this was a ritual, which implied that traditional magic existed independent of abilities.

...did it really?

The closest skills he could liken to summoning were Kyouka's and Kouyou's, and while it was a wide world out there, the fact that this knight hadn't disappeared the moment his summoner keeled over probably meant something.

Sighing, Dazai moved to peel open the corpse's coat and rummaged the pockets for a wallet or something else to ID him. It was the smile, he decided, because he somehow let his guard down without noticing and -]

Huh.

[There's no way that the red marks on the back of his right hand were blood stains. Frowning, Dazai tried to rub them off.]

You could - I don't see the rush. Or we could leave him at a morgue.

[Whatever brought the least amount of work in the long run.

Dazai would know after finding guy's wallet. But first: figuring out what the hell was up with his hand.]

[1stknight]

[So a random passerby had become his master. Honestly, Bedivere wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing. Or if it was even the truth to begin with. What were the odds that a random person would just happen to have a magic crest and be here at just the right moment to take over the summoning ritual? The simplest explanation was the one more likely to be true, after all. And regardless of how he was summoned, he would be bound to his master anyway, so why did it matter?

Though truthfully, it did matter to Bedivere. A sworn knight bound by honor, he preferred to do the right thing (or at least, the most straightforward and honest thing) and not employ too many underhanded tactics. Such was the code of chivalry. And besides that, starting out their partnership by doubting his master just wouldn't do, would it?

So, despite his doubts, he simply accepted Dazai's explanation. This was his master, he could give him the benefit of the doubt. That reaction to the command seals helped to support his explanation of being a passerby as well. Anyone familiar with the ritual would know what command seals were.]

Those won't come off, they're imprinted on your hand. You will have them until you use all three of them.

[He paused, and then realized that more context would likely be needed, if Dazai truly didn't know what they were for.]

Ah, those are command seals. I am your servant and will follow your every order, but should you ever need me to do something that requires a bit of magic- like teleporting to your side from a far distance- you can use those to command me to do such acts. Though you are limited to three, and our contract will be broken once the third is used.

[Then he pulled back and stood up, so he could look around the area. The room wasn't tiny, but it was small enough to make him question if other teams were sneaking up on them. Surely people would be drawn to the source of so much magic, wouldn't they? Waiting too long was unwise.

Perhaps leaving the body there was for the best. The others would assume the summoning failed, and that misunderstanding would allow the two of them to remain undetected for longer.]

We should move on, though. As regrettable as it is to leave this man here, I don't see an easy way of burying him. Getting discovered before I can inform you about the grail war would be very unfortunate.

[So he held out a hand, offering to help Dazai stand up again.

His right hand.

The one that was a metal arm that ran on magic.

Bedivere was about to get a very practical lesson in what kind of magic Dazai had.]

[neverwashere]

Huh. [He flexed his hand. Sounded like magical slavery with a bonus tattoo, except the new guy - Bedivere, where had he heard of that name before? - looks like he entered into this willingly? Or as willing as a not-demon summoning with a contract gets] Like a genie.

[He had so many questions, but then Bedivere looked around, reminding Dazai of a soldier surveying the area - so this summoning wasn't just a run-of-the-mill desperate act, then? The mention of a grail war confirmed his suspicions, and Bedivere might see a glint of sharp awareness in Dazai's gaze before his usual smile returned.]

Your original summoner doesn't look fit enough for a fight. Besides, this isn't the first place anyone would check, and I'm sure no one's tailed him.

[Apart from Dazai himself, that was.

Right, time to check that inner pocket, and Dazai retrieved a plastic packet containing a passport and a few other items. These, he slipped into his own coat before taking Bedivere's very shiny prosthetic.

He might not have fully connected with the idea of accidentally signing up for a mess just because he was at the wrong place and the wrong time, but he also knew that playing twenty questions at an allegedly compromised location was foolish.]

[1stknight]

That comparison isn't wrong, I suppose.

[It was an amusing one, though. Bedivere certainly didn't see himself as an all-powerful genie, though comparing the general mechanics of heroic spirits to one could have been seen as accurate.

Despite Dazai's reassurances, Bedivere was still cautious. Even if no one had tailed that man, others could potentially sense the magic in the air and be drawn to that location. After all, Bedivere was not the ideal Saber to summon, if one could only summon one Saber total. There were so many better ones out there, and Bedivere had sneaking suspicions that he was summoned for a less than stellar reason. He forced down those negative thoughts, though. He didn't want to say such a self-centered explanation if it wasn't true to begin with. Hope for the best, he reminded himself.

Besides, he was promptly distracted a moment later. As soon as flesh touched silver, Bedivere's right arm went inert. It didn't fall off, thankfully, but Bedivere found himself unable to move it at all. The joints were still mobile, but there was no magic there to force them to move.]

-eh? What did you do to my arm?

[neverwashere]

[Caution was good. Prudent caution was even better, a quality Bedivere seemed more than acquainted with.

(Perhaps he had a good reason to question why he was summoned. A glance back at the center of the circle, at least, might reveal a clue: the catalyst used was a fragment of wood, remarkably preserved given its age and origin.)

Just as Dazai was deciding whether or not he should feel reassured, however, Bedivere's arm seemed stuck, and Dazai whistled in surprise.]

I can nullify the ability of anyone I touch. [All standard, but that didn't quite explain the intricate metal work in front of him. It sure hadn't disappeared, which was awfully convenient, but did that mean it was powered by an ability? Dazai took his hand away and pushed himself up from the floor, giving Bedivere time to reacquaint himself with his arm and - oh, interesting. Dazai hadn't realized his new acquaintance was that tall. He thumbed his chin in thought.] Having these, ah, command seals is a first, but let's find a comfortable spot with seats before catching up, shall we?

[The armor would stand out, but Bedivere's cloak looked long and voluminous enough to hide it.]

[1stknight]

[Bedivere would notice that catalyst at some point before they left, though in the moment the significance of it would be lost on him. It would be later, when he mulled over the events of the day, that he finally remembered the fragment of wood and figured out its significance.

That explanation of Dazai's magic was both enlightening and fascinating. Bedivere himself didn't know much about magic- he was not very proficient in it himself, so he preferred diplomacy and his blade to magic spells- but he knew enough to understand that Dazai's ability was both strong and useful. No wonder the command seals had gone right to him, if that was the kind of power he packed.]

Your magic must be incredibly strong, to break the spell over Airgetlám like that.

[Good luck pronouncing that name, Dazai.

Bedivere worked his fingers a few times, stretching them out and curling them into a fist. With Dazai's touch removed, the power flowed back into the arm and granted him movement once more. So it was merely blocked, not removed entirely. That was good. He was sure Merlin would have been...well no, he would have been amused by the situation, but Bedivere dreaded having to ask him for help with his arm. That man could be challenging.

Then, satisfied with his arm, he looked to Dazai and nodded. He reached over to pull his cloak around him, hood up over his head. The cloak still stood out, but it was a lot less attention-grabbing than the armor. They could, in theory, get somewhere else without causing too much trouble.]

Do you have a secure location we can go to?

[neverwashere]

[Yeah, no, he's not gonna attempt that after hearing it only once. He might know English, French, and a smattering of basic phrases in other languages, but what does that new word even mean.]

It has its useless, for all that it's only ever worked one way.

[In other words: don't expect him to do any actual magic in the way you know of it, Bedivere. No Longer Human might be useful, but it was an instrument with a single note.

Apart from being a walking off switch, it was the trickery and misdirection parts Dazai excelled at. Now, if Bedivere's sense of honor was within the range of Atsushi's or Kunikida's, Dazai idly wondered how his new companion for the foreseeable future would react if he found out just what kind of person he was tied to.]

I know just the place.

[Not back to the dorms. If Bedivere expected unwelcome company, Dazai would rather spare his futon the trouble.

No, they'd end up in yet another abandoned building in the middle of a forest, its main doors and hallways riddled with bullet holes. The bloodstains from Odasaku's final encounter with Mimic were still there if one looked at the floors long enough, and the brilliant sunset flooding the second floor's halls was rather bittersweet.]

Only two other people know of this place, and neither of them should know I'm here at the moment.

[As far as he knew, anyway. As Dazai might find out at some point, he was at a disadvantage when it came to magical surveillance.

Nothing much had changed in the building itself, other than the lone crate placed at a particular spot in the massive dining hall. There, Dazai sat and crossed his legs, resting his chin atop his laced fingers as he finally let himself openly look at Bedivere. The dim light at their previous location didn't do him justice.]

You mentioned a war?

[1stknight]

[I'm sorry Dazai, did you want to have a serious talk? Because Bedivere was a bit distracted at the moment.

You see, Bedivere was from a time long, long before modern conveniences. And sure, he knew of greater technology- he had seen the Atlas Institute, after all. But Even knowing that great marvels of technical might existed in the future, Bedivere was still awestruck by it all. He had meant to keep his head down on the way there, but seeing all of the tall buildings and cars and everything in-between was so much for him to take in. He did his best to keep his reaction reserved, as he had to keep from drawing too much attention, but there was still a look of wonder on his face as they traveled through Yokohama.

And in the building, Bedivere allowed himself to become momentarily distracted by one of the large chandeliers hanging down from the ceiling. It was too far to reach, but he was still left wondering how the thing even worked, or if it had a purpose at all beyond decoration. It was Dazai's question that drew him out of those thoughts.]

Ah, yes. The grail war.

[He straightened himself up, tucking away his curiosity for the time being. Dazai wasn't a usual mage, and he hadn't been prepped on any of the details about the grail war. Luckily being summoned gave Bedivere a lot more knowledge about the process, so he could give Dazai the expository information.]

The grail war is a tradition between powerful magus families and their allies. It's a ritual, strictly speaking. Seven Masters summon seven Servants, and those Servants do battle until only one team remains. For that remaining Master and Servant pair, they are able to create the holy grail, which grants the pair one wish each. The grail is a culmination of quite a bit of magical energy, and such a powerful spell would be impossible for one person to attain on their own. So seven agree to it, and use the grail war to decide who reaps the benefits.

Those seven Servants that are summoned are known by their classes, primarily. Since each Servant is based on a legendary hero, if their true names are known, then their weaknesses will be easy to exploit. For that reason, it is probably best if you call me 'Saber' out loud, as that is my class. There will be one servant each of the seven classes: Saber, Lancer, Archer, Rider, Caster, Assassin, and Berserker. The other six, those are our enemies for the time being. Though, ah, don't hold too much of a grudge against other servants. They are bound to servitude just like I am, regardless of the character of their Master.

Unfortunately, I am not that strong of a Servant, so we will be at a disadvantage. But I will try my best for you, Master.

[neverwashere]

[The distraction was fine. The armor was a glaring hint Bedivere didn't exactly live sometime in the past century, and maybe Dazai might be excused for his lack of familiarity with Arthurian lore. Growing up, Greek tragedies involving deities with all too human flaws were more to his tastes, although he'd find himself expanding his reading list over the next couple of days.

By the time Bedivere was done explaining, Dazai's features were drawn in thought as his gaze settled on a point beyond Bedivere's shoulder. Obviously this sort of thing has been going under their noses the entire time if he's never heard of it even in rumor, and that was the strange part - since when did Yokohama have two wish granting devices?]

I don't suppose you can tell me how long this has been going on?

[That was just the beginning, really. Dazai knew the half-assed wishes he thought of since he learned of the Book's existence, but not his new associate's. In that length of time, he'd also debated with himself at length the pros and cons of attaining his wishes through the use of Abilities or the standard MO of planning, because even such temptations were worth running through a cost-benefit analysis.

He wondered if it was the same for Bedivere.]

We're in the same boat, then. [Here, he cracked a smile and gestured down at himself.] In case you haven't noticed, I'm no powerhouse, and the one magic trick I have at my disposal requires me to get up close and personal.

[Dazai had his ways of getting around it, but plotting could come in a few minutes once he got Bedivere to describe what, in his opinion, made a strong Servant. No, he had something more important in mind at the moment.]

What's your wish anyway, if you're willing to go through all this trouble?

[1stknight]

Far longer than I have been around. Which is saying something, actually.

[His response was with a touch of humor, but it just helped make the bitter pill easier to swallow. A magic ritual of wish-granting had been going on for centuries, all under the nose of everyone alive. Unscrupulous mages really would do anything for the chance at unlimited power, wouldn't they?

Ah, but that wasn't exactly fair of Bedivere either. Only some of the mages involved were unscrupulous. Others just happened to get caught up with the wrong crowd. Or, like Dazai, they happened to be at the right place at the wrong time. In fact, Dazai's lack of suitability for this task was made even more evident by his comment there. One trick, one that put the user at great risk, hmm? That certainly was familiar to Bedivere.

Still, he found the need to offer reassurances, so he crossed his right arm over his chest and bowed his head to Dazai.]

Worry not, you won't be the one fighting this war. Masters do help to some extent, but the majority of their job is to provide mana to their Servant. And from what I can sense, you have plenty of that to spare. If you don't wish to fight, that is fine. I am your sword in this war.

[Then he lifted his head once more, only to be confronted by an interesting question.]

Ah...well. Truthfully I never expected to be summoned in the first place. If someone wanted a great knight for their Servant, then I would expect Sir Gawain, or even the King himself. I never put thought to a wish, as I never expected to have the opportunity to fight for one again.

But if I had to pick...mmm...I suppose 'to be able to protect others' would be a good wish. I can't protect people from the Throne of Heroes, and my chances of being summoned at all are very slim. So helping as many people as I can, for the short time that I am in this world, that would be nice.

[neverwashere]

[That sure sounded like an inside joke if there ever was one. Dazai lifted a brow but made no further comment - his questions on the grail war aside, how was it that people with that smile seemed to carry interesting weights on their shoulders?]

Then having you here's like hitting the jackpot? [Yep, this was what he zoomed in on while the buzz in his brain got busier - Gawain was a more recognizable name, so was Bedivere describing what Dazai thought it was, what the hell?] And that has to be the most un-selfish wish I've heard of. 'Befitting of a knight,' one might say, but in the interest of minding how unscrupulous people can be, 'befitting of an ideal' may be more apt.

[Was he making fun of Bedivere? Probably, but his gaze carried a hint of fascination he wasn't aware he showed.]

Whatever the case, Sir Knight, consistently engaging in battle isn't the only way to victory. [Leaving the grail alone was probably out of the question if the other competitors were ruthless - getting hunted down would be inevitable, and letting an opponent pick the battlefield wasn't a wise choice when he and Bedivere had scant few options.] What, in your experience, makes for a strong Servant, anyway?

[1stknight]

A jackpot?

[Bedivere sounded honestly confused by that assertion. Hadn't he just talked about how he wasn't nearly as impressive as the other knights of the Round Table? Though perhaps that was what Dazai found fortunate. And really, being a bit more obscure could help. If nobody knew his identity, then they could use that to surprise the enemy and catch them off-guard. But Dazai didn't know of the grail war until just now, so he couldn't be strategizing like that yet. Right?

Interestingly, he didn't take Dazai's comment as being made fun of. Instead, he took it at face value and gave it an honest answer.]

I certainly would like to live to that ideal, yes. The code of chivalry is very important to all knights. But as for what makes a strong servant, I would say 'a strong or versatile Noble Phantasm' is pretty important. A useful Noble Phantasm can easily make up for inadequacies in other areas.

[After pausing for a moment, he hastily added a bit more of an explanation:]

Noble Phantasms are like a 'powerful final attack' of sorts. A servant isn't supposed to use it carelessly, but it is a secret technique that could turn the tide of battle.

Aah, but that isn't the only important part. Being dedicated and loyal is important too. If a Master and Servant don't get along, working together is impossible.

[neverwashere]

Well, you were the one summoned in spite of 'very slim' chances. How else should I call it?

[Hint: 'fluke' was a boring answer.

Maybe he wasn't taking this as seriously as he should, or he was getting alarmingly comfortable with encountering the beginnings of yet another conflict taking place in Yokohama. Dazai could admit to seeing this as a game if Bedivere had to use phrases like 'powerful final attack,' and he had to stop himself from thinking about controller inputs for finisher moves.]

Tell you what: as a sign of us getting along, how about you describe what your final attack does, and what special moves you're expecting from the other contestants... ah, classes, was it? [Here, Dazai's smile turned wry.] The better contained this war is, the better - and not just for us. If that holy grail's as real as you say it is and certain parties start noticing, we'll have more than six other teams to worry about.

[1stknight]

['Fluke' was actually the answer Bedivere had been considering, but Dazai's explanation was much, much nicer. Which was why, even if Bedivere didn't actually believe he was worthy of being called 'good fortune', he still found his chest feeling a bit warm. Dazai seemed like a good person, and that made Bedivere feel a bit more at ease.]

You are too kind, Master.

[But he left it at that, rather than explain why he disagreed with the sentiment.

Instead, he raised his silver arm slightly.]

This arm is mine. I fight with a sword, but this arm is full of magic, and when I strike an opponent with it I do much more damage than any sword can. Though the downside is that, when someone sees this arm, they can figure out who I am pretty quickly.

As for the others, well, It's hard to say for certain. Each Servant's power is based off of their legend, so we would have to know who the Servant is before we could figure out their Noble Phantasm. There are some things we could expect from each class, though. Assassins can conceal their presence, so they can sneak up and attack from behind with ease. Archers have the advantage over Sabers due to their long attack range and have a bit more freedom of mobility compared to the other classes, which need to stay close to their Master, so it is best if we avoid engaging in battle with whichever Archer is summoned here. Berserker is another one who could cause trouble, since they're very difficult for a Master to control and could attack without following orders.

[neverwashere]

[There was a difference between genuine agreement and agreeing for the sake of moving on. Bedivere seemed to go for the latter, not unlike another silver-haired person, and Dazai simply gave him a knowing look.

Dazai wasn't kind, as far as he was concerned. The sheer novelty of the situation was simply entertaining, and how often did one come across a charming and genuine knight who wasn't a pompous overbearing airhead?]

I see. Is there any way to scout the competition without being found out?

[Missing the fine print didn't sit well with Dazai. There was winging it, and then there was winging it only find out how badly you fucked things up for yourself down the line. Assuming this was close enough to fighting another ability user was tempting.]

Seeing your opponents in action might take part of the burden of explaining off you. From the way you spoke, I get the impression that we could be up against someone like, hmm. [What were the more absurd suggestion suggestion here, if all myths were fair game?] Prometheus with a torch and his half-eaten liver, or one of the sun's many personifications. Are all Servants human-shaped? I'd rather not face something like a kraken any time soon.

[1stknight]

We can. Since you aren't a notable magus from a prominent family, moving around the city should be much easier for you. I would say I could follow you in spirit form to conceal my presence, but we can't communicate when I am like that. Instead, disguising myself may be better.

[The big thing was that his armor made it very, very obvious that he wasn't from the present. He stuck out like a sore thumb, which would make it easy for others to find them.

And, honestly? Modern clothes looked interesting. Bedivere wanted the chance to dress in some, but he wouldn't express that want so easily. It was better to make it sound like it was needed than to admit that it was something he wanted.]

If you want to go that route, I will try my best to blend in with whatever your living and employment situations are.

And you are correct, servants are generally human. Some may have animal companions, though.

[neverwashere]

Spirit form, huh. [Turning invisible, then, if communication was an issue unless Dazai pretended he had auditory hallucinations.] Sounds useful for stalking.

My colleagues probably won't mind having you on board.

[In fact, Dazai was certain Bedivere would like the Agency. His disposition was suited for it.

...now, how to explain this to Fukuzawa? Coming across a case related to the grail war should smoothen that introduction just before they had to field in questions on what happened to the corpse of Bedivere's would-be summoner.

Speaking of which, he took out the packet from his coat. Might as well check what ID the guy had on him.]

Depending on what investigation requests we receive, we might even get updates on the war.

Hypothetically speaking - if the last two participants agree to not fight each other for whatsoever reason and all their command seals are still intact, what happens to their servants?

[1stknight]

Your colleagues?

[That's right, he realized. He didn't know what Dazai did for work. Hell, he didn't even know Dazai's name yet. But Dazai hadn't offered it up, even when Bedivere had introduced himself. So there must have been a reason for that, right?

He wouldn't ask about the name, as he figured Dazai would tell him when the time was right. And Bedivere didn't mind calling him 'Master' anyway. Being from a time of knighthood, the term 'Master' wasn't quite as loaded as it was in modern day.]

What kind of work do you do, Master? Are you a soldier?

[Since investigations were usually handled by soldiers or constables, at least in Bedivere's time.

But that last question. Boy, that last question. Bedivere's expression turned to a soft frown, and he glanced away, looking instead towards one of the large windows in the room. The light flowing through it cast everything in a yellowish glow, making it feel even more like he was standing in a sunrise, waiting for morning.]

No agreement like that would ever be made. There can only be one winner. All other Servants must either perish in battle or become unsummoned upon the death of their Master. Until six servants are eliminated, the grail cannot be completed. And if two masters try to stall, the heads of the magus families observing the war would step in and, ah, 'provide encouragement'. Or kill the Master, steal their command seals, and take control of the Servant for themselves.

[neverwashere]

Yeah. [He frowned for a moment when he fished out the passport from the pouch and read the guy's details. Whoever named him seemed to mistake length for style, but its distinctiveness might be helpful in an online search.] I'm a detective. Call me Dazai, Saber, unless we're up against another Servant and their Master.

[The first time Bedivere called him master, Dazai was a touch distracted by the descriptions of the other classes. Now that he could think about this conflict separate from battle, well. Being called 'Master' was too conspicuous, amongst other things, and he didn't think Bedivere would get BDSM jokes.]

Aah, it's a shame that the death of the competition really is the win condition. [He handed Bedivere the passport - even if the name wasn't recognizable now, someone they were up against might look for the guy.] By default, that makes any alliances very temporary.

[His eyes were drawn to one section of the floor with a dark stain before he recalled himself and shook his head. What counted as doing good in these circumstances, Odasaku?]

Think anyone from those families would be on the lookout for your original Master?

[1stknight]

[The name was indeed a long one, but it wasn't one Bedivere was familiar with. However, given that the passport was a British one, it was probably safe to assume it was someone sent from the Clock Tower. Agatha Christie had always wanted her fingers in all the pies, and she was absolutely the kind of person to get indirectly involved in something like this.

After looking over the information and memorizing it, Bedivere nodded to Dazai and offered the passport back to him.]

Is that why you were following that man? Something related to your detective work?

[Not that it made too much of a difference, but it did explain a few things. And it piqued Bedivere's curiosity too. If they were detectives, then maybe they could be helpful in finding out the other Grail War participants.]

I can't say for certain, but he didn't get here on his own. Someone is bound to miss him. We likely only have a couple days before they start seriously searching for us, so it would be wise for us to search for them in the meantime. Even a temporary alliance would be handy in this situation, too. The magus families will easily overpower us, we need allies if you truly want to win this.

Aah, but if I am to help, then I should take a false name too, hmm? It's unwise to speak my true name, and just calling me 'Saber' will likely draw the wrong kind of attention.

[neverwashere]

Not really, but wouldn't you get curious why a sickly looking man was walking around with dead chickens stuffed in his clothes?

[Indeed, one must wonder how the Clock Tower was related to the Order of the Clock Tower.

The passport, now safe in its previous container, was slipped back in Dazai's coat pocket.

Bedivere's plan was sound, too. Always a pleasure to work with someone who used their head before reaching for their sword. Mind, whatever else they could offer to another party could be hammered out once they had a better idea of who the other participants were, and the advantage of home territory might not mean much in this conflict. For now-]

Not a bad idea. Just be forewarned that one of my colleagues will see through you in less than a minute, and I'll probably have to give my boss a brief overview of the situation. The Agency's rather invested in keeping this city safe, you see, and we've run into a fair number of conflicts this year.

What would you like to be called, Sir Knight?

[1stknight]

As to be expected of a group of detectives. But if they are trustworthy, then we can tell them the truth. Outside of that...hmmm...

[Bedivere tapped his chin thoughtfully with his left hand as he considered his options. He did have a fake name he had used in the past, but that was tied into his legend, and someone else could possibly figure out his identity from it. Something new was a safer bet. But what to choose, what to choose...]

...Ellis would be a good false name, I think. It's a softer name, and not likely to draw too much attention.

[With that decided, Bedivere pulled his hand away from his face and bowed his head to Dazai.]

If it is your wish to protect this city from being harmed by the grail war, then I will help you fulfill it. I would like to keep casualties to a minimum as well.

Shall we go meet your fellow detectives, then? I can go into spirit form for now, until we collect adequate clothing for me.

[neverwashere]

'Ellis,' it is.

[There was a shade of approval in Dazai's eyes when Bedivere made that promise, for all that it wasn't necessarily what he might wish from the Grail. Returning to this ghost of a building reminded him of one other possibility, best kept out of his mind until he could have a moment to himself and let all this sink in. Dwell on what might be and its consequences.

...Odasaku might like Bedivere. As he would with Atsushi.

With a clap, he stood up from the crate and dusted off his coat.]

Meeting them could wait until the morning. [It was after hours, and while both Fukuzawa and Kunikida were probably still there... hmm. That might make things smoother in the morning, and Dazai bid a mournful goodbye to his evening drink.] Most of them, at least.

If you don't mind borrowing some old clothes for now, we can go for dinner first.