The Holy Grail War. A night like tonight was perhaps not when one would expect such a conflict to begin. It was quite peaceful, a pleasant spring's night with a rather bright moon and not a cloud in the sky. The city of Mifune was in a rather sleepy state at the moment, most of its resident had gone home for the night and those who were still out on the streets were likely to be engaging in business that they would not want interrupted. Perhaps the same could be said for those who were soon about to clash. The figure in the church swept her crimson hair back as she sat down. She was present for no other reason then to oversee the Holy Grail War. That was the entire reason she had been summoned. Her existence was as a Ruler-class Servant. She brought her hand to her mouth and yawned. It had hardly been the most exciting experience, thus far. The Holy Grail War had yet to truly begin, until tonight. Indeed... she had not monitored the situation particularly closely, beyond ensuring that no unsuitable conduct had occurred, but to her awareness... things would truly begin tonight. While she had not been particularly excited either way, this change would be a welcome one. Ruler would do what she must. [hr] The Holy Grail War. It wasn't the sort of business she was used to conducting, that was for certain. To be engaged in what would undeniably be a real battle... that was something entirely outside of her experience. And yet, it had been the duty she had been assigned to. Shinonome Akira was prepared for anything. At least, as far as she was concerned. Had she considered that statement further, it perhaps would have occurred to her that it was difficult to prepare for anything when it came to an event such as the Holy Grail War. This was more than that, even: A clash between seven Servants would already be overwhelming, but a clash between two teams of seven was beyond even that. And yet, all the same, her mind was focused. There was no point in panicking like some kind of fool. Not only was this a duty assigned to her by the association, but it was a duty that had been assigned to her based on the history of her family. And mage from a self-respecting lineage would wish to do well to uphold their family name. Akira, in this respect, was no different. No simply for her family's name, but for herself. Besides, what was the point of doing something without putting the effort, the thought, and the confidence into it? Their opponents were the Ainsworths, and the freelancers and other agents that the family had recruited for their cause, alongside whatever Servants they had summoned. This first night was already promising to be... eventful, to say the least. Their familiars had reported large-scale movement by the opposing faction, indicating that they were likely going to mount some sort of attack. It was only natural to attempt to cut this off before anything could come of it. Personally, Akira was wary. However she understood the opportunity was rather difficult to pass up... The old bamboo forest through which their opponents had been seen moving was quite nearby. But Akira, given the nature of her Servant, would not be part of the initial attack. Speaking of which... Rather then a arabic madman who wrote of horrors from beyond the bounds of reality, she had summoned what appeared to be a female child. Who was also a book. To say she had expected this was far from accurate. As for her attitude... "... Caster," she began, glancing towards her Servant's small, frail-looking form(not that she was particularly large herself), "Tonight will be a test of your abilities. I feel like you've been waiting to show off, haven't you?" [hr] This was the reason she had been summoned. Ultimately, above all else, she was a manslayer. Someone whose skills, whose being, had been honed into killing humans. Regardless of anything else, that was her purpose. A Servants... even those most far removed from humanity were still of human origin. This was why she had been summoned. This was the purpose of the second life she had been given. ... But why did it have to be as Assassin, of all things?! Saber... Saber was her correct class! She should have been Saber! To think, she was summoned back into her homeland, and yet she was saddled with the wrong class?! Okita Souji didn't allow these thoughts to distract her from her duty, but it was something that had been bothering her ever since she had been summoned. Saber was much more reflective of her actual skills, after all... But those skills were still possessed by her regardless of her class. It was hardly the first time she would fight in a bamboo forest. As part of the Shinsengumi, she had drawn her blade time and time again in such situations. Even if all the players were different, a battlefield was a battlefield. And on the battlefield, there was no good or evil. Only killing. Slowly, the pale girl moved through the bamboo. Her Presence Concealment wasn't particularly strong, but she could dull her existence like this. It would be far harder to spot her, no matter how perceptive her opponents were. At least, if they were without particular skills. She would not be able to conceal herself if she made any aggressive movements, let alone attack, but for now... she could rely on not being immediately spotted. "[i]Master?[/i]", the Assassin-class Servant's voice spoke directly into her Master's mind, "[i]Do you have any more information on the enemy's movements?[/i]" It was important to keep focused, to keep updated on the enemy. The movements of her allies were crucial, too, when it came to- The girl samurai paused. Ahead of her, there was movement...! [@Raineh Daze][@Rin][@RolePlayerRoxas][@PKMNB0Y][@KoL][@Cu Chulainn][@Heavy Snark][@Anza][@1Charak2][@Crusader Lord]