[h1][color=00aeef]Ernest LaCreux[/color][/h1]

[h2]Ernest's House, Eastern Fuyuki, Near the Foreigner's Cemetery[/h2]

Ernest nodded grimly at the Tyrant's distaste for the meager, modern meal. In truth, he once had been accustomed to great feasts as well. Though he doubted dinner at the LaCreux Manor in New Orleans could hold a candle to the kingly feasts Chi-You had experienced. Not that he himself had been too familiar with any sort of formal meal as of late. For the last few years he had been almost entirely consumed with research, and meals were scarce, small, and typically only eaten when he absolutely needed them. Thus, the prospect of eating some meager dish didn't particularly bother him. He looked over to Chi-You, nodding again.[color=00aeef] “I apologize for the simplicity. I assure you, if and when we are victorious in this War, there will be plenty of feasts to be had.”[/color] The thought of celebration was so alien to him he had difficulty imagining it. Regardless, food was the least of their concerns.

Chi-You did not seem content to sit and wait for an attack, a disposition Ernest had predicted for the most part. Thankfully, she also didn't seem to be the type to rush in without a plan. Ernest considered the Tyrant's plan for a moment. [color=00aeef]“Yes, I think you're right... One moment.”[/color] The magus left the living room, descending down into the basement. After a few moments, he returned, carrying the map of Fuyuki, which he unrolled on the floor in front of Chi-You. [color=00aeef]“Here we are.”[/color] He began pointing to specific locations on the map. [color=00aeef]“These are fallen leylines. We are likely to find enemy Masters near these points.”[/color] He tapped the location of the Church with his cane. 

[color=00aeef]“There are likely still several pairs that will visit the Church. Obviously, attacking them near the neutral zone would be a poor decision, but we could use this opportunity for some reconnaissance.”[/color] A slight shadow fell over the man's face as he drug the end of his cane to the forest. [color=00aeef]“This is where I was attacked last night. Venturing into that area could be dangerous... but there is also the possibility that we could uncover more information regarding the enemy I encountered.”[/color] He looked at Chi-You again. [color=00aeef]“If that... thing was tied to one of the enemy Masters or Servants in any way, then there's also the possibility of encountering an enemy there.”[/color] The prospect of returning to the forest concerned him deeply. Still, this time he would be prepared.

Ernest stared down at the map, evidently absorbed in thought. [color=00aeef]“There are also the other fallen leylines that we could investigate. There's a chance we could uncover something at one of those...”[/color] He tapped his cane on the wooden floor. [color=00aeef]“Very well, I leave the decision of where we go first up to you. I can also make use of my Thralls for observation purposes, which gives us the ability to monitor one location while exploring another.”[/color] He still had one dove left, and both of the human Thralls. Truth be told, though, he preferred to keep those two armed and nearby if he could. He didn't doubt Chi-You in the slightest, but there was always the potential for a surprise attack, and the Thralls were capable of protecting him adequately if nothing else. 

[@Holy Grail]