[b]Xiang, Marianne's Safehouse[/b] Well, when it's put like that it just makes her feel bad. Xiang sighed, rubbing her chin in thought. It wasn't particularly relevant, but this kind of conversation was good for breaking the ice a little. Better to have a Partner you can openly talk with after all. "Can't be helped then..." She lowered her head, defeated by her Masters reasoning. "If that's how you stay strong, then eat as you wish. I will not impede you in doing what you must do." Xiang nodded. It wouldn't be the first time she'd allowed something unsavoury to happen under her watch. Such was the reality of the life she lived, nasty things happened and sometimes you just had to go with it. She cleared her throat, going back to the matter of planning. It was a relatively simple idea, one she'd used plenty of times in life in situations similar to this. However, it was not entirely a tactic of her making - a certain war philosopher had that credit. Xiang had merely refined it. The Rider turned to face her Master, a mischievous smile tugging at her face. "Tell me, Partner, how do you feel about the work of-" --- [b]Michiko, Apartment Summoning[/b] "Hnaaagh..." Things were going well for Michiko. A few seconds past summoning her servant and Lancer was already making her look absurd. The girl flailed her hands a little in protest, unable to form whole words as her cheeks were tugged, pulled and pushed to make an arrange of silly faces. Lancer found it hilarious, Michiko just found it embarrassing. Upon release she cupped her face with a groan, taking in her servants words as she spoke. "I-I was just being polite! I'm unsure what's appropriate when talking to a Heroic Spirit..." "We can do that tomorrow when it's safer. We should just...look around, I guess? How much do you know about the modern world?" In truth, Michiko just wanted to get outside for some air, this was just a good excuse for it. The summoning had sort of exhausted her, and being inside certainly wasn't helping the approaching mother of all headaches. Getting the lay of the land was the more productive option for the night. She continued to speak to the incorporeal form of Lancer, making her way towards the door. Admittedly she also wanted to hang around to spend some time with her Servant. The older woman was undoubtedly cool - and she hadn't even done anything yet! "A lot has changed, and I've never been to this place before. It'd be nice to check out the city a bit." --- [b]The Gardener, Lakeside Summoning[/b] "Mmh?" Rider rubbed the back of his neck, looking at their surroundings for a while in silence other than the occasional hum and glance to William. "That will be a very long walk." He said with a heavy sigh, closing his eyes. His hands came to rest at the back of his head, closing his eyes. "You do have a point though, Master. There's a map and then there's getting a feel for the land." His Master was an eager one, perhaps overly so. Who could blame him? The promise of the grail was grand, but it was that prize which could draw out the worst in people. Then there was the laughter... definitely reminded him of someone, but he couldn't place who at this exact moement. Rider would not go as far as to call the man in front of him a fool, he could tell there was brilliance at work in his mind, but possibly overinflated. The type of personality he could handle in small doses - but hopefully the Gardener could work that out of him. If not...well. That was a thought for another time. "Is that it for introductions? I was hoping for something a little bit more social." The servant snapped his fingers. "Lets shoot questions back and forth, just so we know who we're working with!" Whoever Rider was, he was the happy sort, a jovial eagerness carrying on his voice. "I will start. What do you wish from the grail, Master?"