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


Ernest nodded with what seemed to be a look of satisfaction. [color=00aeef]“Likewise, Nimr.”[/color] The magus paused for a moment, adjusting his tie and mulling over his thoughts. After a few seconds, he nodded. [color=00aeef]“Together we will triumph in this Grail War.”[/color] The words were decisive, certain, as though no other conclusion was possible. Ernest maintained his grim demeanor, but there was a hint of confidence in the man's gravelly voice now. He turned away from the map and strode back toward the center of the basement where he had summoned Nimrod. [color=00aeef]“We will set out on our survey of the city when the Thralls return.”[/color] Ernest knelt down by the nearby bird cage, which currently contained the two doves that he had sacrificed during the summoning ritual. [color=00aeef]“In the meantime, I will take a few steps to make this place a more satisfactory base of operations.”[/color] He withdrew the two dead birds carefully, placing them on the ground with care. He took a deep breath and began an incantation in Old French.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Some time passed before the sound of the limousine slowing to a halt outside reached Ernest's ears. He motioned for Nimrod to follow him up the stairs. In the time it had taken the Thralls to return, the sun had already sunk below the horizon. In that time, Ernest had taken a few precautionary steps. Firstly, he had setup two Bounded Fields. The first was incredibly basic and served as little more than an alarm. The second was only slightly more complicated, and would only trigger after the first one. It was set to immediately alter the orders of any nearby Thralls in the event of an intruder to defend the house, or at the very least to get a decent look at the invader. Ernest had also raised the two doves to serve as familiars. While living animals were fully capable of serving this purpose, the undead tended to be a bit more sturdy. The doves would be useful for reconnaissance. One had already been sent out to the Church. It was likely that the Masters would be expected to check in in some way, but there was also the possibility of running into other Masters along the way. The dove would be useful for both scouting out the competition and hearing whatever the Overseer had to say. The second bird remained in the house at the moment, but Ernest intended to have it follow them to watch for anything out of the ordinary.

  The Thralls entered the house carrying a few over-sized garment bags, which Ernest beckoned them to open. Inside were suits of various colors: one black, one brown, one charcoal, and one grey with pinstripes. All of the suits were quite large, far too large for any average man. Ernest motioned toward the garments. [color=00aeef]“If my estimations were correct, these should fit you. I can assure you they are of the highest quality that money can buy. Take your pick, Nimr.”[/color] In addition to the suits, the Thralls had brought in several large pairs of dress shoes and a number of silk ties. Ernest waited a few minutes for Lancer to dress, giving his Thralls their new orders in the meantime: One was to stay behind and guard the house, the other was to drive the limousine.


  After Nimrod had finished dressing, Ernest walked toward the door. [color=00aeef]“If you're ready, we should head out now.”[/color] He opened the door with a slight creak and stepped out onto the lawn. The limousine had been parked by the curb, and glinted in the soft glow of a nearby streetlight. [color=00aeef]“This will be our means of transportation, if it suits you.” [/color]In truth, it was their only real means of transportation, other than traveling on foot, which struck Ernest as risky. The magus gripped his cane, looking up toward the moon. The sun had set on the first day of the Holy Grail War. All the Servants had likely been summoned by now. The Thrall opened the door and Ernest entered the vehicle, motioning for Nimrod to follow. The interior of the limousine was quite spacious and comfortable. The vehicle roared to life as the Thrall turned the key. Above them, the dove familiar was circling.

[@Player 2]