[h1][center][b][color=0054a6]Reiki Matou[/color][/b][/center][/h1] [h3][center]The Study, Matou Manor[/center][/h3] [hr] All wrong. There were far too many. Reiki spun around and around in her grandfather's office chair with a troubled look on her face. At the same time, she gave the grocer a warm smile as he bagged her fresh fruit. Meanwhile, she observed the numerous magi operating in Fuyuki. Far too numerous. Surely they couldn't all have been mobilized under one Master? If so, even the mighty Matou would likely crumble. But no, each was distinct, operating in their own way or in small groups. There was only one conclusion that could be reached from her observations of the many magi and occasional heroic spirits now active in and around town. The number of participants had increased.[color=0054a6] "This is a really awful development, Lancer."[/color] She swivelled to look at [url=https://i.redd.it/k3dal5qdcu3z.png]the woman[/url] who sat on top of the desk. Reiki's desk, now that the house was empty. Just as she made eye contact with her Servant, Reiki heard the front door open and then close as "Reiki" entered the house carrying groceries. She walked into the kitchen, placed her bags on the counter, and collapsed into a mass of worms which hastily dispersed to their hiding places. [color=9e0039]"Likely so, but those without strength will quickly fall in the chaos, and just one will be left, no matter the starting number."[/color] Her Servant stood from the desk and walked to the window. In theory, such an action could be described as absent-minded, but Lancer always seemed to consciously decide on everything she did. [color=9e0039]"Make no mistake about my power. Unless my wish can be granted in the midst of battle, I [i]will[/i] be the last one standing."[/color] Her Servant's death-wish. Even if it was troublesome, she had to respect Lancer's desires or there could be no partnership. [color=0054a6]"Well, I hope you can get what you want, but don't forget about me, okay?"[/color] She gave the woman a smile from behind, which shrunk somewhat as the thing she had been tracking reached within a few blocks of the manor. [color=0054a6]"Anyhow, it seems like there's a-"[/color] [color=9e0039]"-A bird familiar bearing a letter."[/color] Lancer interrupted. Reiki nodded wordlessly. She had seen the creature approach through her worms, but how had Lancer taken notice? Did the protective runes she had placed on the property extend that far, or was she making use of "Clairvoyance" or "Presence Detection" or something else along those lines. She couldn't be sure Lancer also somehow knew that the familiar in question had originated from Ryuudou Temple, but she wouldn't be surprised. Her intent had been to summon the Hound of Culann, but she had gotten lucky and ended up with a Servant with really amazing versatility. In any case, she sent a few flying units to carefully take hold of the messenger's payload. Once the winged worms carried the letter into the mansion, the bird turned back the way it had come, seemingly having satisfied the parameters of its mission. A moment after, Lancer opened the window and received the envelope from the worms. Reiki noticed her Servant raise an eyebrow as she glanced at the seal on the front. After a moment, she handed over the item, which Reiki took to mean that it contained no dangerous magical traps. Observing that Lancer's attention must have been grabbed by the runes covering the wax seal, Reiki produced a letter opener from a drawer and laid the message flat on the desk. [color=0054a6]"We're in luck, Lancer."[/color] Her face lit up as she read over the formal letter. [color=0054a6]"A Master in a favourable position is proposing an alliance."[/color] [color=9e0039]"Dealing with the modern is your field of work. Just remember that at the very least, their Servant must eventually fall."[/color] Always saying things to dampen her mood, that Lancer. Couldn't she enjoy the idea of some peaceful cooperation for even- [color=0054a6]"Oh! She's found Shinji!"[/color] Reiki broke out into a joyous smile. [color=0054a6]"Well, there's no question about it now. I'd better write her back and invite her here for this afternoon."[/color] Reiki sat cross-legged in the swivel-chair, brought out a pen and paper, and got to work. [hr] [h1][center][b][color=9e0039]Scáthach[/color][/b][/center][/h1] [h3][center]The Front Yard, Matou Manor[/center][/h3] [hr] The response, a sealed letter bearing a wax seal of her Master's coat of arms, was carried off to the Temple by a group of winged insects. Lancer stood outside, leaning against the manor's front door while Reiki- the real Reiki, arranged chairs, a table, and a tablecloth in a small gazebo in the Matous' well-kept garden. The thing was located about halfway through the house's defences, such that they could invite their potential ally in as a show of trust while still leaving space behind for a retreat where it would be difficult to follow. Once Reiki seemed satisfied with the display, Lancer quickly moved to that point and scratched a few concealed runes in select places as preparation for conflict. This was almost over-caution. Playing it safe could get old quickly, but worse still was carelessly falling to an avoidable fate. For now, this house was her Land of Shadows and the other Servants were the spirits who sought to invade it. After all, killing gods and killing heroes were two different affairs entirely, and one couldn't always be relied on to be easier than the other. [color=9e0039]"The preparations are complete. If there's nothing else, I'll remain on watch from the roof."[/color] She stepped back toward the manor, and after a moment she tensed her legs and- [color=0054a6]"Oh, Lancer?"[/color] She stopped. [color=0054a6]"I know you said you didn't like anything else in the wardrobe, but since we're having guests, do you think you could look again?"[/color] She sighed. Her Master's potential as a warrior would be best summed up as "a negative number." [color=9e0039]"I will make an effort."[/color] Nonetheless, she had grown a bit fond of the girl.