Breo

Fate/Empty Providence

Let the misunderstandings begin, I suppose.

Fate/Empty Providence

David Ríos

(Southern Miyama, Riverside Cottage - Attic)

---

It had been perfect – in as much as something can be, anyway. Or, at least, so had he thought.

The brilliant flash had caused him to close his eyes for an instant simply to avoid being blinded, as was natural. When he opened them, however, blinking and noting the silvery smoke that had likely been another byproduct of the summoning, he came face to face with something he did not quite expect.

…He might not have known much about the history of this country, but he had informed himself about the Servant he had elected to summon. He was quite certain none of the texts he had read had mentioned that ‘Yukimura Sanada’ was a woman.

For a second, he did not really know how to react. Had he been misled, supplied a forgery of a catalyst and actually been fooled by it? The mere thought almost caused his entire mood to darken – and were he alone, he would have likely not been able to keep a composed countenance. As it was, however, he tried to show proper decorum.

Appearances were everything, and so, a flawless image must be presented. He lowered his left hand, silently observing the one that would be his partner for the remainder of this battle royale – her clothing certainly seemed to at least evoke the style of the country and the appropriate period, even if they were not exactly the garments he would have figured a warrior would wear. The symbol she bore lightened his worries, if only slightly.

Having acquainted himself in passing with the history of the Servant he had chosen, he recognized the significance of those six coins, so at least she should be related to Yukimura Sanada… unless history had gotten some facts wrong.

Oh, well, today seemed like a day for impossibilities regardless, did it not? Adding just one more to the pile did not seem all that presumptuous.

He felt the burn of the Command Seal on the back of his left hand, the symbols etching themselves upon the skin, proof of the contract between himself and whatever legend he had managed to summon forth – regardless of it being the one he had intended to or not.

For an instant, he seemed to ponder what to do, as if out of his depth – after all, how does one go about establishing conversation with a warrior from ages long past? Thankfully enough, his Servant was so kind as to provide an opening.

“I am the Servant Lancer! I have answered your call! Would you be the one claiming the honor of calling yourself my Lord?”

@Ijoyen

He felt his jaw twitch for an instant, attempting to disguise a grimace with what he hoped would come across as a courteous bow. Theatrical, but he figured he might as well play along, particularly if this was truly one of those prideful heroes that would take anything else as a personal slight. A working relationship was paramount.

“Indeed.”, the words left his mouth simply and easily, a smooth baritone carried across the room. Still, Lancer… he supposed it was a rather fine outcome. Master Clairvoyance had offered him an overview of his Servant’s capabilities, and he was suitably impressed – not only had he secured a Knight Class with power above the norm, he had avoided the dreaded Archer Class that might have proven too uncontrollable with their Independent Action. Yes, all considered, he had been dealt a good hand overall. Now what was left was figuring out how to use said hand to his advantage, but first…

Straightening himself, his gaze shifted from the ground to meet his Servant’s eyes. Though respect was indeed important when dealing with such individuals, one must also take care to not let themselves be stepped upon, else risking to lose any influence they might have hoped to hold without needing to bring Command Seals into the equation.

And he would not allow that. He would definitely not allow that. He still had some pride to his name, thank you very much.

“I am David Ríos, and I have called you forth in order to compete – nay, win this Holy Grail War.” Lifting his hand, he showed the sigils now carved upon its back. Whether to glory or doom, this was a path he would tread together with Lancer.

…Preferably glory. He cleared his throat, parched and dry and noting in the back of his mind that he really did need a glass of water, and looked almost as if he was unsure as to how to proceed from this point on. His features turned from stern to a laxer visage, some might say slightly confused, even.

“Well, that said, I must admit I am surprised, Lancer.” He nodded towards the helmet, as though it was supposed to explain it all. “When I thought to summon Yukimura Sanada, I was expecting a man to step out of that circle, considering all texts I read mentioned the Crimson Demon of War as such.”, upon saying so, however, he lifted his hands in front of himself, as if to signal that he meant no offense. “Not that I would doubt the capabilities of a Heroic Spirit because of something as paltry as that.”

Surprised by his Servant’s very gender, said Servant potentially proving a troublesome, if powerful, card and now fumbling over his choice of words in a manner so unbefitting of his upbringing. Truly, his ancestors must be rolling in their graves.

He had envisioned this first meeting going so much better. Oh, well, no plan survives contact – just be content to salvage what you can. Absentmindedly, he also noted that registering at the Church now that he had made his status as a Master 'official' so to speak was of great importance, but first, the exchange of pleasantries with his Servant would need to be completed.

At the very least, he would be able to say it was an enlightening experience.

It was not every day that one learned that a famous heroic figure from centuries past had been recorded by history as the opposite gender, right?

Fate/Empty Providence

Little did we know, Ruler has been out to bamboozle us all this time and he was Servant Baker all along.

Fate/Empty Providence

Okay that's really cool. I'll keep it in mind. Nice nice. Also dear god trying to match you @Breo is tough. Been awhile since I had to do a long RP type post. Fun!

@Ijoyen

I'm used to long posts, so it's usually how I try to do things, sorry ^^

Truth be told, I actually wondered if it was a good enough read before posting it for a while, before deciding that padding's just useless, so...

Fate/Empty Providence

David Ríos

(Southern Miyama, Riverside Cottage)

The new homeowner walked aimlessly through the corridors, taking note of the house for the umpteenth time that day. It was, he mused, far from an ideal location, but it was also far from a terrible one. A few other houses dotted the landscape here and there, but it was far more isolated than any apartment or hotel suite he would have managed to acquire within the confines of the city – just how he preferred it, thankfully enough.

It was not the first time he had made such observations that day – his heartbeat quickened as he chanced a glance in the direction of the staircase that led to the attic and the thought of what lay within. A strange mix of excitement, agitation and perhaps just that bit of giddiness swirled within his breast, and he took one moment to got to the bathroom and splash cold wáter on his face. Breathing out, he looked towards the face staring back at him from the mirror.

Sandy blond hair fell down past his ears, some particularly messy strands clinging to his face. Brown eyes stared from their sockets, bags of tiredness under them as he muttered some choice words about the backwater the Ritual took place in. His usual jacket had been discarded, leaving him with only a white shirt with the sleeves pulled up to his forearms, hands stained red. Hardly an image befitting the heir of a family like his own, but he supposed it was fine so long as nobody else caught a glimpse of it. Without delay, he endeavored to wash the crimson off his hands before combing his hair in an attempt to make himself look more respectable, deciding to pick his usual ensemble before going through with his task.

Dress shoes, slacks, white shirt and a jacket to go along with it. They would not do much for his tired features, but he supposed it was the best he could do considering the circumstances.

First meetings, after all, were everything. It would not do to appear as some sort of vagabond, he mused as he straightened his appearance, nor would it do to give the impression of an overeager puppy, was the thought as he calmed himself and schooled his features.

Nonetheless, as he glanced towards the object he had managed to gain as catalyst for his summon in satisfaction. It was a helmet – or rather, the remains of one, battered by the wear of both battle and years – which had once belonged to one of this land’s most famous heroes. Though he would be the first to admit that his first choices would have laid with some closer to his home (heart), the fact remained that he was here to win.

And that meant ruling himself through logic rather than letting childish admiration make his choices for him.

Picking it up from its resting place on his table, he climbed upstairs with a certainty that, should he be honest with himself, he did not truly feel. Nonetheless, he had commited himself to this course of action, and he would see it through to the very end.

Opening the door to the attic, he saw the fruits of his earlier labor during the day, the summoning circle, drawn in blood, perfect down to the smallest detail. He had already disposed of the animal carcasses, so with as much care as he was able to, he placed the relic before it and then stepped back, eyes flashing to check if the blinders were correctly closed.

He observed the setup for a moment, trying to discern if he had made a mistake somewhere, but there was none.

“…Ah, well. Let us stop dawdling. There is a task at hand.”

Lifting his left hand up, palm facing the circle, he began his chant.

“Silver and steel shall be the essence,
Gems and the archduke of contracts shall be the foundation.
The ancestor shall be the great master, Schweinorg.”

He could feel it, the slight shift in the air as the words left his mouth, but he closed himself off to all distractions and continued on with the incantation.

“Let the alighted wind become a Wall, close off the Cardinal Gates.
Approach from the Crown, Rotate the thrice-forked road leading to the Kingdom.”

His was not a wish borne of selflessness, but neither was it a destructive one borne of hatred. His was simply the desire of a man to leave a definite mark, the desire to advance his family and the desire to gain recognition.
Just another small, selfish wish.

“Fill (Shut), Fill (Shut), Fill (Shut), Fill (Shut), Fill (Shut).
Simply shatter once filled.
I hereby propose an accord.
Your self will be under my Command.
My fate will rest in your Blade.
If you accede to the Summons of the Holy Grail. If you recognize this Will, this Reason.
Answer me thus!”

But is it so bad to be selfish? Such is human nature. If anything, it is true selflessness what is unattainable, like a distant, impossible dream.
And so, for the sake of his selfish desires, for his own sake and no one else’s, he will participate in this War for the Holy Grail.

“I swear.
I shall embody all Good in this world.
I shall expunge all Evil from this world.
You, from the Seventh Heaven, clad in Three Words of Power, come forth from the Circle of Restraint –
– O’ Guardian of the Balance!”

The circle, which had steadily become brighter with each spoken line, with each syllable leaving the magus’ mouth, suddenly released it all in a single, dazzling flash.

@Ijoyen

Fate/Empty Providence

Hm.

Well, all considered, I figure I'll ask. @Ijoyen, would you be interested in partnering up with my Master?

Fate/Empty Providence

Master added.

Fate/Empty Providence

I should have my Master ready soon, unexpected delays notwithstanding. That said, I have little clue how things will go.

I don't really expect Siegfried to be a very sought-after partner, anyway. He isn't as interesting an app as others here.

Truly, Sumanai.

Fate/Empty Providence

EDIT: It was bothering me too much so I downloaded the mats and did a patch job on the translation of it. @Breo, check PMs.

@Moonlit Sonata

Added.

...Tfw it's basically the vague S T O R Y bonus we expected as far as proper Skill descriptions go.

Sumanai.

Fate/Empty Providence

Meet Saber 2. Alas, I did not make an original one, but I wanted to write this guy, so...

You don't summon him for his Skills, but hey, his toys are pretty solid in return.