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[h2]The Barbecue[/h2]
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And so the meeting began. As Airi had opted to come along, teasing him for his uncertainty if she would, he decided to give her a slight reprimand. It was something that he'd been thinking about, albeit a much-distant priority compared to other matters. [color=tomato]"Please try to curb that potty mouth to some degree, Lass?"[/color] And he'd lapsed right back into calling her that! [@SIGINT]

Still, the Emperor was amused at being the most shabbily-dressed among them. The grey-haired knight with a glowing, unrecognized symbol on his chest had, in particular, taken no concealing measures. The strong build, heavy armor, and sword across his back left little doubts regarding his class. Likewise, the middle-eastern man with a tiger-striped hide draped over elegant robes addressing the knight was certainly not hiding his noble airs, particularly with his- wait what? Rostam? Did that Servant just casually drop his true name in front of everyone here!? And HE was supposed to be the crazy one? [@Breo] [@Beloss] 

Speaking of others, it seemed as though not everyone had arrived yet, as the pair he'd seen in the Church before, under the cunning disguise of Boxzerker, were in absentia. 

With that example set, the Emperor chose to approach Ruler and the other Servant addressing him, waving his hand to beckon Airi to follow along while brushing off her likely protests to him chiding her profanities. Every step of the way, those ridiculous foam slippers made faint squeak noises. These "Crocs" had nothing to do with mighty crocodiles, to his disappointment, but were excellently comfortable footwear. 

Ruler's burgers smelled delicious, and the Emperor couldn't resist a taste of his home country's cuisine! He'd need Airi evaluate the parameters of everyone present, but disregarding his personal tastes, being in closer proximity to the mediator of this occasion was sensible. As light-hearted as the gathering seemed so far, it was anything but. Even when greetings were exchanged, the matter remained that they were all enemies. Listening in on what the others said, he took particular note of Ruler speaking to the Servant behind him. One servant, it seemed, would not be in attendance, despite the order. Ruler acknowledged this, referring to the non-attendee as a freak, while the other confirmed she was female. Thus far, additionally, there was no sight of the 'Berserker of the Einzbern', who certainly did fit the definition of a freak given the abysmal glimpse of her abilities he'd spied on. Plus, as a Berserker who wasn't him, having her around the meeting would threaten it with violent collapse at any moment. Unless she arrived, the Emperor would assume her as the one being referred to. What to take from this? The Einzbern had an ally with a servant of their own, one who knew Ruler beforehand. As he did not know of the war's invitation letter jointly sent by the Matou and Einzbern, he was unable to piece this together. Still, he knew that this servant in proximity to Ruler was allied with the Einzbern's Berserker. Even before this meeting had been called, no less, about the war's interference. Given how the war had only just begun, that meant there was an established partnership from the start. Which made him recall something Ruler had also let slip. The Einzbern faction had some sort of head start. [@Moonlit Sonata]

The Emperor mentally tallied up what he'd learned here already, glancing about with his eyes hidden by the brim of his cap. Quite a bit! Given his eccentric attire and educated manner, the Emperor was hoping to be mistaken as a Caster. Several of the others, it seemed, were much less concerned with discretion or misdirection. Honestly, he was almost content to let everyone else continue dropping clues to piece together. 

If not for Stirner. The lad was still unaccounted for and in presumed grave danger. Furthermore, the threat to the war's conduct had stolen him away, which was, allegedly, only part of the reason for this meeting. Thus, the Emperor spoke up for any of the assembly to hear, roughly the same volume as the female Servant of the east's greeting. 

[color=tomato]"Pardon me. Something is preying on this Grail War that is not part of it. Lest we be picked off like stray sheep, action is needed. I witnessed this black-haired demon's speed firsthand. Faster than even my senses, he had invaded, attacked, and left. That glimpse was enough, however, for me to know he was no Servant. Alarming, given that no human could move like that."[/color]