[center][h1][color=ed1c24]David Ríos[/color][/h1][/center]
[h3](Southern Miyama, Riverside Cottage)[/h3]
[hr]

The day had proven relatively fruitful, as far as he was concerned. He had acquired the clothing his Servant had desired – which seemed to have been enough to curry some favor, adding to his attitude during the summoning. That was good, at least. Indeed, having problems with the very individual he would have to entrust his life to in this war would have meant he would have been off to a less-than-stellar start.

However, the night was young, and the tasks that needed to be done knew no end. Lancer had left to scout the area, and he had not objected to such – though being separated from his Servant was certainly somewhat worrisome, he had managed to make do with a rudimentary Bounded Field to alert him to undesirables that would enter his property. It meant little in the way of defense, but he hoped that his following preparations throughout the remainder of the night would manage to make his base of operations a moderately safe haven, and if not, it was always nice to know when to make a run for it – useless as that would be if a Servant was hunting him down, it was human nature to struggle even against something so inevitable.

His idea of how he would spend the time until the morning – continue setting up his defenses, analyze whatever report or input Lancer would give him, make plans for the following nights, perhaps stake out advantageous locations and pay a visit to the Overseer for formal registration afterwards. How sad such quiet plans are always rudely interrupted at the worst moment.

Lancer had come back unexpectedly early. Though he doubted she would have taken overly-long to begin with, her abrupt return was still surprising – and she seemed to bear no shortage of concerning news.

A presence at the riverbank? Considering just where this small cottage was located, it was a bothersome thought indeed. Regardless of what it might have been, making absolutely sure of its nature and intentions should be the first step, he thought as he prepared himself to abandon his plans for the night.

“Though I appreciate your promptness in informing me, Lancer,” he sighed, exhaling as his eyes swept the room, finding his jacket and briskly donning it. “I would not have minded if you had investigated on your own before returning or alerting me. I did give you leave to do as you thought appropriate. But, well, that matters little for the moment.”

He walked toward the door, yet did not reach to open it. Signaling to Lancer, he motioned for her to take the lead.

“Let us go. I will accompany you for now, both to ascertain the presence and to avoid leaving myself open to an attack – though your Agility is certainly top notch, it would not do to send you away if a potential enemy is out and about and has possibly followed you here – this place is still much too open to attacks. I trust you to protect me should the worst situation occur, Lancer.”

[@Ijoyen]