[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/VuJRTXX.png[/img] [i][sub]Banquet of Kings[/sub] Homurahara Academy[/i] [sup]_________________________________[/sup][/center]The heroes attending the makeshift banquet in the courtyard were inspiring indeed. Though Jigen stuck close to his servant, he kept his head up and continued studying the others. To him they all seemed like decent people, which was good news as far as he was concerned. Earlier when Saber had explained just what kind of "war" he was no involved in, Jigen took his warnings to heart. Now, though, he thought it was only right that a noble warrior like Saber would clash with others of the same mind. Yes, all the heroes he could see didn't seem overly hostile or particularly menacing... save for one. The man sat upon his bladed throne. When he stood and spoke Jigen felt nervousness wash over him, but the student forced himself to stay put right where he was, upright. After all, what kind of partner to an epic hero would he be if he got scared off just from the sight of an enemy? The others' replies, including Saber's own, to the man eased the situation just a little. Then, of course, another guest appeared. Jigen looked between the man claiming to be Hercules and Zoe and her servant. She'd told him he was a fake, but even if she hadn't he might have been able to figure it out based on his actions alone. That was no lion, it was a man! [b]"Hey! You can't just - "[/b] Jigen started to say, looking at the poor unconscious man on the ground. He had wanted to somehow defend that man from this indignity, but suddenly the part goers started to move and shout. Javelins rained around them and the heroes gathered fired back until the assault was over. Jigen didn't possess any form of magecraft to speak of, let alone defensive, so he'd thrown his arms around his head but once the rain of attacks ceased he peeked out from between his elbows and cautiously lowered his arms. Another servant protectively holding his master had wandered closer to them, and though Jigen didn't sense any ill intent from the man he stayed vigilant just in case. An attack could come from anywhere at anytime - wasn't that just proven? [b][i]Saber, that was...[/i][/b] Jigen's thoughts drifted through his telekinetic link with Theseus. It was amazing, terrifying, awesome, and horrible. The power of a servant was hard to wrap his head around, but even seeing some of the other masters move to defend he felt conflicted. Being a part of the conflict made him feel larger than life, like he was part of something important, but he might as well be a bystander. [b][i]What should - how can I help out?[/i][/b] [right][sup][color=FFD700][@Wine & Dine][/color][@Breo][@Aoko Aozaki][/sup][/right][hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/y33CMFH.png[/img] [i][sub][/sub] Fruz Estate, Western Farms[/i] [sup]_________________________________[/sup][/center]The Pharaoh considered his current companion's reply. Before the man answered his question, he spoke on the nature of love and hate, and Berserker respectfully let him without interrupting. He made some fine points. Berserker wasn't entirely sure he agreed, but it was an interesting perspective nonetheless. Men and gods alike were made immortal by love, that much Berserker thought to be true, but he knew from experience that hatred could take hold in a person's spirit so firmly that they could pass it on to others. That hatred, though it may take a different shape, could live on in multiple people, in multiple forms, a cursed line that connected all those who shared it. The priests, artisans and spirits that resented his father also resented Berserker, despite his attempts to right Akhenaten's wrongs. The gods his father rejected haunted his family even after his death. The other servant considered the lingering of the feeling, but the ghosts of hatred had been lingering on for a long, long time. At some point during his thoughts, Berserker's eyes had drifted closed. When he sensed the other man shift, his eyes opened once again and he lay his cool gaze on 'Hercules' - or, as it was divulged, [i]not[/i] Hercules. At least, not always. The boy king searched the man's face for the full truth. He wasn't sure if he found it, but he came to understand either way. A man desperate to be anyone else, embracing an identity that was thrust upon him. [color=mediumslateblue]"...wonder if you could trying breaking your curse not as Hercules, but as your true self?"[/color] Berserker guessed, taking advantage of the man's pause. He shrugged a shoulder, absently gesturing with a hand as a bitter smirk formed on his face. [color=mediumslateblue]"A curse is a hard thing to break, though you know this if you had to don the mantle of such a mighty hero to do it. Whether you lived with regrets about your identity then, and still harbor them now... There is no use thinking about it unless you can claim the Grail."[/color] Of course, if only one master and servant could claim it, Berserker had no intentions of letting his ally do so. Though he wouldn't admit it aloud, the Pharaoh was quite content to discuss these things with the man who had become Hercules. When he wasn't speaking in the hero's persona, he had a solemn dignity about him that intrigued Berserker. He thought that perhaps the man really would have been better off fighting his fate as a man and not a legend, but then again, what was the point of thinking about "what if's?" [center][i][sub][/sub] Homurahara Academy[/i] [sup]_________________________________[/sup][/center]Wow, what a greeting. The fireworks were a little unnecessary though. Compared to the large figure of "Hercules," the small servant draped in gold and lapis wasn't very imposing at all. The boy and his master followed behind their boisterous ally as the shower of javelins were dispatched by the combined forces of the kings and their minstrel. Some, Berserker recognized from earlier at the bank, others he didn't, but they were all the same: lowly beings before a Pharaoh. Even as a weak servant, he was still ruler of Egypt. Berserker had the feeling the mysterious Lancer would back off after their failed assault, so while "Hercules" played himself up Berserker's eyes flitted among the crowd. With Markansas at his back, Berserker reached out to him through their bond. [color=mediumslateblue][i]Master, recall what I told you earlier - your servant is a physically weak one. However, should the need arise...[/i][/color] he began. The show of power just a moment ago gave him some idea as to the strength of the others, but if anymore of a scuffle broke out it would be useful to know which he may even have a chance contending with, if any, especially the showboating persona of the other servant next to them would serve as a big enough distraction. [color=mediumslateblue][i]Tell me what you can about them.[/i][/color] [right][sup][color=FFD700][@Wine & Dine][/color][@ReallyDumb][@Over Illusion][@SSW][/sup][/right]