[h1]Rider[/h1] [h2]The Habsburg Ruin[/h2] The drive had been exhilarating. Truly, the modern world was full of marvels. Amongst her hyperactive swerving, however, Rider had also managed to take in a bit of the countryside. The suburbs were beautiful in a quaint sort of way, and for a moment she lamented that she was passing through them at double the posted speed limit. As the Winter Palace glided along through the summer heat, however, she found her thoughts drawn to their destination. She had been summoned for a war. The past few days had almost persuaded her to forget that fact. Mentally, she began to prepare herself for the possibility that the reality of that war could meet them soon. Still, this was a scouting mission at best, a casual (if incredibly expedited) sightseeing tour at worst. There was no intention of seeking out trouble. They would just see what there was to see and be on their way. As the food truck passed into the woods, Rider felt a bit uneasy. What if the Habsburg Master planned an ambush? Of course, Rider masked this feeling of uneasiness with a bright smile. “Well Naoko, are you ready to scope out our competition?” Catherine giggled softly as the truck began to slow to a somewhat normal pace. “You really should let me drive more often, Master. Modern vehicles are so much fun! Do you think we could perhaps arrange to get me a sports ca-” Rider’s lips creased into a hard line as the estate came into view. “Oh. It seems we’re a bit late. Someone else has taken the first shot…” The truck slowed to a halt about twenty yards from the ruined gate. Rider sat silently for a moment, looking over the damage. It was difficult to gauge her emotions from behind her shades, but her lips suggested… disappointment? “Well, let us see if we can determine what happened. Perhaps we’ll find something of value.” The door of the Winter Palace opened, and Rider slid out, the soles of her new boots meeting the newly-worn ground. The closer she came to the building, the clearer the severity of the destruction became. The conflict had been intense, and if the flames that still licked out from the van were any indication, it hadn’t been too long ago. Catherine took a few more steps towards the wreck of an estate before coming to an immediate stop. Blood. “Naoko, please stay close to me.” Rider began following the blood trail, keeping a close watch on the estate in case something might be waiting in ambush.Her right hand opened, and multi-colored sparks flickered within it. A flintlock pistol emerged from the sparks, and Rider’s gloved fingers wrapped tightly around its ivory grip as they neared the gatehouse. Pausing at the door, Sophie raised the pistol, her thumb cocking the hammer. [i]"I’ll go first. Be ready though, there could be anything in there."[/i] Rider’s left hand counted down. [i]One.[/i] [i]Two.[/i] [i]Three![/i] The Servant’s boot slammed into the gatehouse door, easily forcing it open. Rider dashed into the room, her eyes scanning about rapidly… only to fall upon a ghost of a man slumped in the far corner. Bloodshot eyes strained themselves to focus on the newcomers, cracked lips scarcely managed to mouth “Don’t shoot.” Rider lowered the pistol, taking a step forward. The man before her was obviously a survivor of the catastrophe that had just unfolded. A layer of chalky dust marred his suit. Sweat had glued his inky hair to his forehead. A tourniquet had been tied beneath his knee. A gunshot? Sophie kneeled down in front of the disheveled guard, removing her shades. Her bright silver eyes shown with a radiant warmth, and she brushed the man’s hair from his eyes. “Don’t worry, you’re safe now. We’ve come to help! What is your name? Can you speak? Oh, actually.” Rider put a hand behind her back, a teacup bearing an insignia of a two-headed eagle materializing instantaneously. It seemed to fill itself with water. “Here, here. Drink up! Please, can you tell us what happened here? Did something happen to Mister Habsburg?” Her voice was smooth and soothing, enough to put even the most panicked soul at ease. “Just take a deep breath. Everything is going to be alright.” [i]"Master, do you happen to know any sort of Healing Magecraft? If we get him more stable he might be able to tell us something."[/i]