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The fresh snow littering the ground by his feet contrasted sharply with the black hoodie that covered his form and kept the warmth trapped within. Jonathan looked up, puffs of breath visible in the night air as he made his way through the white blanket, footsteps leaving deep impressions behind in a long trail. The boots were a wise choice, thick enough to keep his feet warm. His pants, however, while certainly in style, were thin and unable to block the occasional breeze cold enough to make him shiver to the bones. 

Looking around him, Jonathan noted that he was more than halfway to his destination. His destination being an assigned meeting place, a meeting place that is also the ideal spot to be jumped or caught unawares by all the other participants of the Grail War. While he was tentative about cultivating allies, it was perhaps for the best to pick someone to fight [i]with[/i] and have support rather than facing everyone in a free-for-all battle. The one other glaring downside to gathering everyone in one place was that the summoned Servants wouldn't be stopped by mere rules and restrictions, not if their Masters had no care to play by them. 

Shivering inwardly at the thought of all the endless possibilities that could unfurl once they reached, Jonathan ducked his head to check his inventory once more, if he still had on himself everything he had prepared the day before coming here. An advantage of being a Rune Magus was that mystic codes could be produced through the inscription of runic magic. For one, his current outfit had the '[b]Ehwaz[/b]' rune placed on them while his glasses had the '[b]Kenaz[/b]' and '[b]Ansuz[/b]' runes. Activating these items would indeed consume some mana but it was better to have them on hand just in case the situation called for it, and besides, one could never be too prepared when participating in the Grail War. In fact, there is no such thing as being 'overly prepared'. Still, even this was the bare minimum and he disliked nothing more than walking into situations like this heavily under-prepped. 

Shooting a glance at Caster, his companion and Servant in this War, he eventually broke the silence between them. [color=00aeef][u][b]"So... I know it's a terrible idea coming to this but care to remind me how bad this can turn out?"[/b][/u][/color] 

Jonathan had chosen this specific question to ask out of a dozen others, hoping that he would at least enjoy talking about the horrible situation that they both were walking into. Caster would surely have something to say about the current scenario, if the mild anticipation thrumming through their telepathic link was real. His Servant was a relatively silent partner who didn't hesitate to give critique or provide his opinion when asked and it was one of the few ways to get him to talk. Caster was a very polite person from what he could tell so far, almost unwavering in how he acted and presented himself.

The Servant was trailing slightly behind the man as they walked at a sedate pace, positioning himself where he could oversee his Master and be able to protect him at a second's notice, eyes roaming the horizon ceaselessly in contrast to his casual gait. He didn't doubt his Master's ability to handle himself should an opponent reveal themselves, but Jonathan shouldn't be forced to do so, not when his Servant was close at hand. Even more so if it was a Servant attacking, thus his constant vigilance the moment the pair had stepped out onto the streets. Hands buried in the pockets of his modern office slacks, Caster pursed his lips, tilting his head slightly to the side in thought. As always, his Master went for the pessimistic side of things right from the get-go. Not that he had any problems with that, for a good Commander would always consider the worst case scenario. All the better to make contingency plans when things do go wrong.. His fingers twitched minutely as he killed the urge to pull out his fan when in deep thought, for it would be a dead-giveaway. The knowledge of a Servant's true identity was best limited to their Master, especially when there's every possibility the opponent has a way to counter one's attack should they correctly deduce it. Assumptions were as useful a weapon as a blade in this War if one played it masterfully. 

[b][color=00aeef]"What could be worse than dying even before the Grail War has truly started, Master?"[/color][/b] Caster replied with a lightly amused air despite the seriousness of the situation, and the severity of the question, which was in itself not a laughing matter. [b][color=00aeef]"But it is my belief it will not come down to something so drastic. A terrible idea it might be, to reveal one's identity as a Master to the other participants of the War, however, we shall not be the only one disadvantaged in that regard. Take comfort that Servants can blend into the world, making it more difficult for normal magi to discern our true identities. So even if they know you might have already summoned someone, they wouldn't know who, or what class you have to heed your call. Unless the Servant themselves have a personal skill apt in analysing opponents."[/color][/b]

[color=00aeef][b][u]"I know you have something that would be much better than this, so what would you suggest?"[/u][/b][/color] 

[b][color=00aeef]"Currently, with limited knowledge comes limited plausible plans of action. We have not been in this city long to fully scout the place out, nor have I been summoned long enough to determine which Servants have been summoned besides myself. Or if the case may be, have yet to be called. The only fact I am certain about is that we are close to having all seven classes on this plane, else the Overseer would not have called us to gather in the cathedral. I would suggest staking out a vantage point where one has a clear view of the meeting place, if only to note each potential Masters, as well as their individual skill levels. I strongly advice against walking in blind, neutral grounds it may be. Many a death have occurred in these places, especially if any one person does not value the truce explicitly made and wordlessly accepted upon entry."[/color][/b]

[b][u][color=00aeef]"Hmm, that’s true."[/color][/u][/b] Jonathan replied absently as he observed the surrounding area carefully before turning his head back to look at the trail of footsteps he left behind. 'Maybe I should have covered my tracks', he thought to himself with a sigh and chuckle directed at his silliness. As he was too lazy to backtrack all that way to their starting point, that option was crossed off immediately, but maybe he could do something more stupid instead...

[u][b][color=00aeef]"Caster, what would you think of a Snowstorm to cover our tracks and provide potential protection? I am entirely capable of it, it's just something that might be useful right now but at the same time it might not be..."[/color][/b][/u] He asked curiously. [b][u][color=00aeef]"Also... What if we aren't the only ones with this fine idea? In case of a scuffle, are you entirely capable of defending the two of us if X or Y attacked us?"[/color][/u][/b] Even as the question left his mouth, he shuddered at the thought of them being ganked by someone from the Assassin-class who would be the type of Servant to do exactly that... 

[color=00aeef][b]"If this were the start of the War, Master, I have no objections. However, with us rather close to our destination and no spells cast previously to conceal your use of magecraft...the effects would be similar to sending out a beacon to the entire city."[/b][/color] Caster replied with a small shake of his head. [b][color=00aeef]"As for potential hostiles...I am perfectly capable of defending us from one assailant. Depending on the Servant, we might be forced to make a strategic retreat in the direction of the neutral grounds. As long as we do not actively go on the offensive, we have no cause to worry about being denied entry. Let us not forget we are here to collect information, not engage in a serious battle." [/color][/b]

Of course, his statement was purely objective. In the off-chance that they were attacked, no matter what class of Servant the assailant might be, Caster would be forced to reveal his fan even if he went on the defensive. While several other heroic spirits were capable of Item Creation, the item he creates would narrow the potential list of spirits down to a scant few. But it was a risk they would have to take. Knowledge was power, and nothing worth gaining was ever non-risky. That said, Caster was not so arrogant to believe he would be the only one to recommend this course of action. Anyone who was in their position - little knowledge of the city and summoned spirits - will not wish to simply walk through those door unless they were perfectly confident in either their Servant or their own abilities to get out of the situation with lives intact. 

[u][b][color=00aeef]"Of course I know we're here not to cause a scene. It’s just ya know..."[/color][/b][/u] Jonathan tried to explain, but waved it off as he continued walking through the inch-deep or so carpet of snow.

Caster gave a single nod of acknowledgement for his Master's concern even if he knew Jonathan couldn't see it. [b][color=00aeef]"I understand perfectly. Nevertheless, it's like chess. Something gained, something lost. The only thing that really matters is if the gains make your loses worth it. In this case, I say take the risk, for making the first move means being able to predict the course of the other's actions."[/color][/b]

Jonathan looked at Caster as the spirit commented on his apparent nervousness which Caster had no problems picking up on. Grinning at the words which sounded exactly like a quote someone would steal to sound wise, he nonetheless admitted it was sound advice. Figuratively pulling himself together, he started walking again, resolve solid once more with Caster a firm presence at his side. The pair studied the buildings on both sides as they passed by, getting closer and closer to the neutral ground with every step as they tried to find a decent vantage point that allowed them a clear view of the cathedral and its immediate vicinity. After moving through alleyways, considering a few of the residential and industrial buildings, they made one final scouting before Caster chose the best spot. It was a decently sized apartment about four stories high. Jonathan was carried to the roof in a few short jumps. Together, the two scanned the surroundings visible in their line of sight from the little nest that they had claimed as theirs before settling to watch the meeting point from afar.

[b][color=00aeef]"Hmm...it seems we have missed the arrival of at least one potential Master."[/color][/b] Caster murmured quietly, narrowed gaze fixed on the Overseer's house and the lone figure standing guard outside the front gate. From this distance, he could vaguely make out the features of the tall male, as well as sense the mana within him. But besides the fact he was probably a magus guarding the house, nothing else stood out. Caster was certain this one wasn't a Master. [b][color=00aeef]"There are at least four magi gathered already, and if one is the Overseer himself and another that guard, the other two might be the Masters."[/color][/b]

[u][b][color=00aeef]"Okay then, I guess all we do now is more or less wait for the potential Masters of the other Servants to walk in the front door. Make sure to keep your guard up in case anyone decides to walk in on our little peeping session."[/color][/b][/u] He told Caster as he observed from the rooftop with his Servant, snow falling around them as they waited.