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]

Sure?

[Sorry, Bedi, there was no hiding that blush with your skin tone. Dazai poked his cheek.]

You know, there's a reason married couples traditionally place their futons side-by-side. I wouldn't be surprised if you had someone else in mind when you "woke up" this morning.

[1stknight]

[Bedivere tolerated the poking, but it was with all the grace of a cat that had accepted its lot in life as a bedraggled pet. The frown was there, but controlled.]

The only thing on my mind is how to best serve you, Master.

[neverwashere]

And I've known people who focus on duty too much, to the point that it weathers them.

[If his finger lingered on the curve of Bedivere's cheek for a second too long before he withdrew his hand, well. Maybe it wouldn't be noticed.]

Humor me in the quest for the spice of life, Ellis.

[1stknight]

[God help him, Dazai was going to be the end of him.]

Y-your concerns and requests are noted.

[Then he started to walk faster, trying to get some space between him and Dazai. It wasn't because he was mad, though. No, it was quite the opposite. He had to wrestle with his own thoughts on all of this, and when he was a few steps ahead, he reflexively reached up to touch the cheek Dazai had just touched.

He would deny it if asked, but that had stirred some kind of emotion in him. He just didn't know how to put that emotion into words.]

[neverwashere]

[Bedivere sure got away.

Shrugging, Dazai followed at a more sedate pace, slipping his hands into his pockets, and told himself he wasn't disappointed. Anyway, Bedivere was probably in love with his king, wasn't he? A dream wasn't a good basis for any sort of conclusion, but he saw how Bedivere's features softened when he spoke of King Arthur.

Ah, well. He supposed he'd enjoy this partnership while it lasted.

(Shame that his greed might undermine even that later.)

As they neared the forest, Dazai quickened his pace to catch up with Bedivere.]

Sense anything?

[1stknight]

[Bedivere's feelings were far too complicated for even him to understand them. He also thought that the Grail War would be too short to sort them out, and was determined to just not think about how that touch to his cheek made him feel warm.

It wasn't the same blinding loyalty he felt towards Artoria, but it was something. And he didn't know what to think about it.]

Not yet. The residual magic from the summoning is too weak for me to pick up on it. This circle was likely destroyed, just like the others.

[But unlike with the other circles, this servant was still in the area. And Bedivere had missed seeing a trap on the path ahead. They were about three steps away from setting off a tripwire and finding themselves in a precarious position.]

[neverwashere]

Shame.

Think they left the catalyst?

[That tripwire would be a clue that, no, this new Master wasn't as careless. How visible was it along their path? Dazai might be looking past Bedivere, but he'd only see the metal if there was enough light streaming through the forest canopy.

Admittedly, this was one of the reasons why he tended to walk a few paces behind Chuuya back in the day, and it showed up as a habit in the present. The pipsqueak made holding out a branch or something to search for traps and other forest things redundant.

In any case - if he could see the light glinting off the wire just so,] he'd tug Bedivere back by the shirt. If something came shooting at them, he'd try to dodge and roll.]

[1stknight]

They might have-

[Dazai absolutely could see that trip wire glint in the sunlight, and he caught Bedivere just in time to avoid Disaster. Bedivere was surprised by the sudden movement, though, and he cast Dazai a confused look.]

Master?

[neverwashere]

Shhh.

[Dazai pointed at the wire with keen interest. Good to know someone else here wasn't relying on magic.]

Here, take three steps back with me - one, two, three. Now, let's see if we can go around where it's tied to.

We'll need to take a tree branch with us or something; I doubt you'd want to use your sword to get through the foliage. Hopefully the actual area where the summoning circle is has doesn't have a lot of traps.

[Deliberately tripping a wire was as good as dialing that other Master's number. Something to keep in mind for later.]

[1stknight]

[Ah. Now there was something interesting.

Bedivere nodded, and he stepped backwards with Dazai. There was no telling how close the other Master and Servant were, but if they were setting wires up like this, then they expected people to investigate the area.

The Assassin, maybe? But no, an assassin's trap wouldn't be so obvious. It had to be someone who could be summoned as both an Assassin and another class, and they were summoned as their other class this time. That would explain the obvious trap.

Bedivere did get a long stick, though, and used it to search out the path they took around the tripwire. Dazai's plan was a good one, because Bedivere found a second, harder-to-see tripwire in the bushes. He silently indicated to Dazai and pointed to that one, so Dazai would see. Since it was in the shade of the trees and bushes, it was even harder to notice. This person had made traps upon traps.]

[neverwashere]

[Ugh. This was going to be a pain. It also meant that these were setup before yesterday sundown, unless this Servant had unusually good night vision.

Dazai exhaled and couldn't resist a mutter.]

Well, they've been here for a while. Terrible blow for wildlife conservation.

[After catching Bedivere's attention, he tipped his head up at the branches and raised an eyebrow. Anything up there? Because short of indiscriminately blowing stuff up, mayyyybe the path up on the canopy was free, and Bedivere could either carry Dazai up there or navigate the forest alone while Dazai waited.

Preferably the former if it was possible, and Dazai would suggest as much if Bedivere confirmed he didn't spot any traps way up in the branches. Getting split up in unmapped enemy territory was a terrible idea.]

[1stknight]

Wildlife...

[Bedivere paused, and he frowned, looking at the area around them. It was then that he noticed something he had missed before: the sounds of the birds were distant, and there were no rustling bushes, no rabbits or squirrels running by. There wasn't any notable wildlife in the area.

He looked up, following Dazai's nod. No tripwires were up there, but there were no birds either. Had their adversary planned on making them go that way? Or was there perhaps some other kind of danger waiting up there?

The answer, of course, was that there was a trap up in the trees. If they stepped on the wrong branch, it would break and they would fall right into a spiked pit, one carefully hidden by leaves. Bedivere hadn't noticed that yet, but he was still on edge from the lack of animals. So much so that he didn't want to climb the trees at all.]

...Master. We need to go.

[The hair was raising up on the back of his neck. Were they already too deep in the trap?

Signs pointed to 'maybe'. They weren't completely surrounded by tripwires, but the tripwires were definitely arranged in a way to try and funnel them to a specific point. It was lucky that they had caught them early.

Or perhaps not lucky. Because directly behind them was another wire, but this one was higher than the rest, right about at neck-height on the two men.]

[neverwashere]

[Maybe being taken in as a hostage several times had unexpected benefits, because instead of jumping at the surprising pressure that pressed into his nape when he inched backwards, Dazai squeezed Bedivere's arm and let out a very long, slow breath as he withdrew his fingers. Now was not he right time to disable the nice metal arm.]

Don't move.

[His tone was mild, but there was something dark in his eyes. Somehow, this situation reminded him an awful lot of his days with the mafia. Getting caught like a fly in a spider web was ever a curious novelty, and he had to wonder if Dostoevsky was somehow involved.]

If you cut through these, can you move fast enough?

[If the wire hadn't disappeared when Dazai's nape lightly grazed it, it followed that they weren't produced by an ability. In other words, it may be an understatement to say that whoever set this trap up was pretty damn skilled.]

[1stknight]

[The wire definitely didn't disappear when Dazai touched it. This was a normal, mundane wire, and it was a very real threat. Fortunately just touching it didn't set off the trap, as Dazai would have literally lost his head.

Bedivere stayed still, his eyes still on the wire. He could cut through it, certainly. But moving fast enough after the fact, that was the problem. He held up two silver fingers, bringing them close to the wire, but not touching it yet.]

Let me take the wire, and you can step out of harm's way. Then I will cut it.

[He couldn't carry Dazai to safety, not without losing use of one of his arms. But if Dazai moved away first, Bedivere could get himself out of trouble.]

[neverwashere]

[Dazai whistled. Not the kind of utility he'd expect from a metal arm, and he'd really have to ask more about it once they were alone.]

Slice after you move yourself too, hmm?

[That was an important step in Dazai's opinion. Who knew what would happen at the spots they now stood in if they were still there after the wire was cut?

For now - yes, he'd step away, eyes flickering to where Bedivere's fingers were as a point of reference, before looking ahead just in case another line appeared. Real, sturdy wire. Whoever set it up had access to a lot of it if they had this much to spare for highly specific circumstances.]

[1stknight]

[Sometimes your arm is actually a sword, it's NBD

Everything happened in one quick motion. Once Dazai was safely out of the way, Bedivere tugged his two fingers forward, snapping the tripwire. Then he immediately ducked down, avoiding the snap of a much larger wire as it went flying across the area. Thicker and razor-sharp, that one would have beheaded anyone caught by it. The wire ended up wrapping itself around a tree moments later, cutting into the bark.

Bedivere stared at the wire for a moment, and then he quickly scrambled over to where Dazai was. It was time to go, no more investigating the area.

Unfortunately for them, tripwires weren't the only hazard. As Bedivere scrambled over to Dazai, he stepped on a leaf pile. And under that leaf pile was a net trap, one that scooped Bedivere up rather easily. It wasn't as deadly as the other trap, but it would take him a bit to escape.]

Master, be careful!

[Dangling in the air made it difficult for Bedivere to be helpful, though.]

[neverwashere]

[Had that been Chuuya, Dazai would've snickered.

This was Bedivere though, and Dazai bit the inside of his cheek to focus and stop himself from grinning. Couldn't even brush his hair from his face because he'd get caught.]

Take a deep breath and cut the net!

[Because that arm? More useful than having to fumble around for a pocket knife.

Dazai didn't move and thought it was a shame he didn't have a handful of rocks nearby to look out for nets. Here's what he'd say loudly though, since there was little he could do against a Servant until Bedivere untangled himself:]

I think we've well established that you're keeping a close eye on us. Mind showing yourself so we can talk properly?

[1stknight]

[Bedivere was trying, he really was. But that declaration from Dazai made him feel like he aged a decade. What was he doing, calling out to the opponent like that, when Bedivere was temporarily caught? This man was going to give him a heart attack.

But while Bedivere worked on that, a voice did indeed call out to Dazai:]

Hah! And here I thought the Master would fall for that, not the Servant.

[Standing on the open path was a man dressed like...well, a pirate. He absolutely looked like a pirate. He was a handsome one, though, not marred by countless years at sea. Because Fate likes their bishounens.

He also seemed to be regarding Dazai with a keen eye, and he had an approving smile on his face.]

[neverwashere]

[This was faster, Bedivere. Promise.

Also, his smile might've taken on an edge. Bedivere had done his job to keep Dazai from harm.]

No one expects to nearly slice their neck with thin wire that wasn't there moments ago, but here we are.

You're not lost, are you? [He jerked his thumb to the left. Even this dense forest was still within Yokohama, and Dazai unfortunately knew how to get to Port Mafia's HQ from here.] The docks are that way.

[1stknight]

[The man laughed heartily. Dazai was amusing! That, combined with his good looks, was definitely in his favor. It meant that Rider wasn't going to attack immediately.]

But you saw the traps, didn't you? Only a keen eye would have noticed all of them in the first place. That makes you a worthy opponent.

Aaah, but I do hate to cut down such an attractive man. Tell you what: let me defeat your Servant, and I'll let you go free. Sound good?

[Bedivere was nearly free from the net, having cut through most of the rope already. One or two more cuts, and he would be free. But when he heard Rider say that, he paused and glanced to Dazai.

He wanted to say that he trusted Dazai, and that he just wanted to see what Dazai's plan would be. But for a moment there, his heart did falter. Even if it wasn't today- Bedivere doubted Dazai would take the offer when he was nearly free and the opponent was distracted- would Dazai eventually take an offer like that?

That was a dark thought he tried to push out of his mind, as he grit his teeth and returned to cutting the ropes. Just a few more seconds, and he would be free.]

[neverwashere]

[Oh, a flatterer. Dazai knew the type.]

It's rude to assume you'll win this early in the game, Mr. Pirate.

Why not let me talk to your Master first? I'd like to know why he signed up for this.

[Bedivere needn't worry. Dazai was quite serious when he said he'd prefer negotiating when possible.]

[1stknight]

What's to say about my Master? If my Master wants to be involved, then he'll make himself known.

[Rider took that moment to draw his sword, a long, curved blade. Then he pointed it right at Dazai.]

So, how about it? Will you surrender? I'd hate to cut you down here and now, but there's no helping it if you resist.

[It was at that moment that Bedivere made it through the last rope, and he fell out of the net. But as he fell, he rolled himself to land on his hands and feet.

Eyes focused on Rider, Bedivere sprung forward, charging for him. And as he ran, a shimmer of light flashed past him, starting at his arm and moving outwards. It only lasted a moment, but Bedivere quite literally cut out of that light, sword in hand and armor gleaming. In one swift movement, he was ready to attack.

Watch out, Dazai. Bedivere was trusting you to step out of the way.]

[neverwashere]

[Hard to miss the scuffle of movement behind him, and he leapt sideways to a spot without wire before cupping the side of his mouth and speaking very loudly so he can be heard above the clash.]

You tell me then: what's his wish from the Grail?

['He,' eh? That's half the population down.

Also he clearly expected Mr. Pirate to juggle a conversation while fighting. Get to it, Mr. Pirate.]

[1stknight]

[Dazai leapt sideways, and Bedivere filled the spot he had been in a moment before. Swords clashed with a spark, leaving Rider laughing heartily as he held that deadlock with Bedivere.]

You'd have to ask him!

[He sounded thoroughly amused, and he took the sword fighting as a bit of entertainment, rather than a serious fight. Bedivere was much more serious about it, but he was also fighting defensively, with mind paid to Dazai's location in all of this. Dazai's life had already been threatened, he wasn't about to take any risks.]

You might know him though. He sticks out like a sore thumb in this country.

[neverwashere]

[Such a shame this guy was working for someone else. He seemed like the right kind of guy who knew how to correctly mix business and pleasure while maintaining his professionalism.

Of course, replacing Bedivere was still out of the question, and there was something endearing about the way he took Mr. Pirate seriously. The absence of comments about supposedly dishonorable behavior and the like was also refreshing.

Dazai kept an eye out for additional traps while maintaining his distance from the sword play: even if this Servant had been completely committed to letting Dazai walk free, that didn't mean he couldn't be forced to do something with a Command Spell.]

Describe him to me.