1stknight | PSL (closed)

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.]

[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.]

[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.]

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.]

[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.]

[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.]

[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.]

[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.]

[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?

[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.]

[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.

[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.]

[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.]

Edited 2020-10-14 02:52 (UTC)

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.]

[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.]

[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.

[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.

[Bedivere and Dazai worked perfectly as a team in this regard. Dazai could bait their opponent verbally while Bedivere focused on the fight. He didn't mind if Dazai did all the talking, he struggled to come up with clever comebacks anyway.

The fight wasn't serious yet, though. Bedivere did defend with more force if they got too close to Dazai, but otherwise it was an exchange of blows, with Rider and Bedivere feeling out how each other fought. Bedivere's style was very disciplined and smooth, while Rider's was rougher and with more force. Both were men of the battlefield, but one fought purely from experience, while the other bore the weight of training.]

He's an interesting man, I think you'll like him! It's a shame we have to be enemies though, fighting alongside you two might be fun. Ahh, but I suppose I get to have fun anyway, hmm~?

Tell you what: if you two can beat me, I'll see if I can introduce you two.

Edited 2020-10-15 05:17 (UTC)

That implies you already think we won't cooperate, doesn't it? Besides, how do you know I'll like him?

[And he didn't think he knew anyone Ability Users who fought with wire, outside of Kunikida having a wire gun.

In any case - this Servant was a pirate, and pirates weren't strangers to playing dirty. That sounded like an invitation of sorts, too. So if Bedivere was focused on keeping the other Servant from harming him, Dazai would use that to his advantage by walking around, keeping Bedivere between himself and the other Servant. By having Bedivere push the pirate away from Dazai by default, he hoped the other Servant would backstep into an inconvenient location.

Now, was there any chance Mr. Pirate was generous enough to trip over a tree root or one of the stupid wires and traps he set up?]

Edited 2020-10-15 06:09 (UTC)

That's because he talks too much.

[Now that voice was one Dazai might recognize. It came at just the right time too, right as Bedivere and Rider ended up with their swords clashed, each trying to keep the other from breaking off.

The man of the hour stepped out from behind a tree, carefully regarding Dazai. After a few moments, he tilted his head to the side slightly.]

The Agency wasn't invited to this. Why do you have a servant, Dazai?

Rider did not trip, nor did Bedivere, but both would be occupied for a few moments.

[Steinbeck, getting right to the point that day.]

Edited 2020-10-15 23:38 (UTC)

Well, hello to you, too.

[So Steinbeck knew and colluded with whoever else was supposed to be in this?

Dazai gave him a keen look from the corner of his eye, still pleasant but without his earlier levity. This guy was pretty ruthless, and there was a grim edge to him that hadn't been present before he split off from Fitzgerald.

Well then. If he was willing to talk while the Servant - Rider - kept Bedivere busy, Dazai would take up that offer.]

You probably already know this, but tracking down unusual business is part of a detective's job description. Getting these command spells, however, was entirely unintentional.

What do you want from the grail, Steinbeck, that you can't accomplish for yourself? You've done well to build yourself up while avoiding Dostoevsky's active interference.

[Or so he assumed. Steinbeck didn't strike him as the type who'd ally with Dostoevsky, and Dostoevsky would've at least considered Steinbeck's half of the guild as additional pawns to dismantle Yokohama.]

I think you know what I want, Dazai.

[A home. Allies who would stand by him. Enough money to keep everyone fed and happy. As dark as the Guild got at points, he still cherished his co-workers, and he missed their presence in his life. Especially Lovecraft's.

Whether by Book or by Grail, Steinbecks's wish was a simple one. That made him a dangerous opponent.]

You should be careful uttering that man's name. He's involved in all of this too, you know.

[Steinbeck glanced over to where Rider and Bedivere fought. the two were still parrying each other's attacks, and there was no clear winner yet.]

He's the most dangerous one here. How about we agree on a truce until the Rats are gone, hmm?

[So nothing much has changed then from the time Steinbeck dropped off the radar. That was somewhat reassuring.

Dazai was about to nod when the warning about Dostoevsky's name came up, and he couldn't help but burst out in laughter. Look, it wasn't as if he didn't know how much of a headache the guy was, but -]

Is his name so cursed now that he's the devil that shall appear? [Using actual magic this time, and not with someone's Ability.] It's a given that he'll find a way to involve himself if he hasn't already. But why stop with the Rats, when he's known to join multiple organizations?

[The Decay of Angels was still fresh in his mind - hell, Dazai went to jail because of their scheming. He was inclined to agree to Steinbeck's proposal if the scope broadened beyond just the Rats to cover the known pies Dostoevsky's stuck his fingers in, so to speak. Moreover, he couldn't fail but notice that the scope could be interpreted as something that went beyond the duration of this Grail War should both Steinbeck and Dostoevsky stick around after.]

You joke, but it'd be just like him to show up like that if you dare speak his name. Plus 'Rats' sound more derogatory than 'Angels'.

[Steinbeck still had a hint of humor too, at least?

Still Steinbeck looked to Rider and called out something else.]

Pin him down, Rider, but don't kill him. We could use them.

[Rider gave a little salute before returning to the fight. It was a fight Bedivere was steadily losing, too. He was better suited for quick bursts of action, and as the fight went on, weight of his arm and armor dragged him down. Heroic Spirits didn't get tired, exactly, but he was losing energy. And since he didn't want to kill Rider yet, not until Dazai gave him the command (or he had no choice but to kill), he was stuck.

After a firm strike, Bedivere backed up a couple steps, and called out to Dazai:]

Master?

[He didn't want to get caught and pinned, but he also wouldn't move to kill without the word from Dazai.]

We can refer to his collection of groups as something else, you know.

[As much as he'd like to list off the silliest names, now was not the time. Rider might laugh, but Steinbeck's focus might've killed off his sense of humor. And speaking of now not being the time -]

Come to me, Saber.

[To both Steinbeck and Rider:] If we are to make a truce, let's not waste any more energy than we need to, hmm?

[He wasn't about to let Bedivere lose face. Moreover, knowing that they were up against Steinbeck made staying in this forest unappealing: areas with plants and trees rooted to the earth were now effectively less secure for them. Finally, this was a concession to Dazai's own competitiveness: while he could see the tiredness in Bedivere's form and he had his reasons to not order Bedivere to win at the moment, Dazai rather disliked how Steinbeck seemed to underestimate his Servant.]

By the way, Steinbeck. How did you end up participating instead of a magus?

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