[h2][center]Alter Ego — Meltryllis[/center][/h2]

Though she was rather unimpressed with the massive ghost's prodigious size, Meltryllis found herself rather annoyed at the fact that it was simply abnormally [i]persistent[/i] rather than properly threatening. She and the cosplaying fox had already proven that its size meant nothing, but given that it seemed to lack any proper sapience, their ability to dispatch it seemed to mean nothing.

If only it could simply die like any other ordinary enemy...

With a curt 'hmph', the Alter Ego jumped backward as the odd tendrils struck out at her, her gaze sharp as she watched the billowing smog flood the area. It went without saying that actually fighting the monster would be more of an exercise in patience than it had been for the Shadow Servants prior, but going straight for it with reckless abandon would be the height of stupidity.

"Well, given how enclosed this place is, it's only a matter of time before the ground is flooded with... Well, whatever that vile smoke it. In that case, the only solution is to avoid it entirely, no?"

Though the smoke was flowing rather freely about, its mass seemed to be heavy, hanging closer to the ground while leaving the upper areas intact. Of course, as a primarily melee combatant, Meltryllis noted to herself to at least be able to strike and retreat without fail.

Not like she had any belief that she [i]would[/i] fail, of course.

"Perhaps you should use your head more often; it might suit you better than acting like an airhead all day," she concluded, leaping towards the nearest wall and using it as a springboard to propel herself further upwards. At the very least, moving up above the mindless monster where its attacks could not easily reach would give her time to figure out if she could execute it and melt it down.

Even something like this had to be of some use as EXP, after all.

[@Rune_Alchemist][@VitaVitaAR][@Pyromania99]

[h3][center]Fusang Streets[/center][/h3]
If he had to be honest, Waver found Conner's own restraint in getting involved in the affairs of others like this rather commendable; of course, if he didn't pry into matters further, then that was that. Then again, he had gotten his own students involved in a great variety of problems of his in the past, so maybe this was for the best for now.

"Alright, then. I suppose we'll see you again during our next lecture," he said, bidding the young man and his Servant farewell before turning back towards the other pair. Of course, he still had a bit of trouble looking the Saber in the eye, but at the very least, he could half-address her by referring to her Master instead. "I should probably go and cancel my appointment, then, but I can do that on the way. Follow me."

At the very least, calling in to do so was notably less mired in paperwork than doing something similar back at the Clock Tower...
[@Rezod92]

[hr]
Compared to his old office, the new one Waver found himself using at the university notably less cluttered. There was enough space for all of the documents he had decided to bring with him on the move over, but most of the other things he had used to decorate had been left behind. For the moment, though, that bare minimum—a desk and a few chairs scattered about—would be sufficient for the sake of an impromptu meeting like this.

With both Charlotte and her Saber haven taken their seats, Waver took a moment to compose himself behind his desk. Gray seemed to be looking at the two with mild worry, but given that she had at least elected to take a seat, the professor could at least focus on explaining the situation.

"...Right. Well... To put it simply, my assistant here did not originally appear as such. Her family had originally intended to turn her into a perfect copy of... Well, yourself," he stated coldly, gesturing towards Artoria before turning back towards Gray. She gave a slight nod towards the two to confirm his words, after which point he continued his explanation.

"Of course, things had escalated twice in the past, both of which coincided with your repeated incarnations in Fuyuki City in the last three decades. The first had brought about her initial change in appearance to something one might call an 'uncanny resemblance', but the second in 2006 has brought her even closer to your form in life, including that which resides here," he said, pointing towards the center of his chest. "In other words, your being summoned here once more..."

"...Means that professor is worried about what might happen to me again. Isn't that right?"

Of course, Waver hadn't expected Gray to speak up, but the fact that she at least had the strength of mind to look at the two head-on already meant that the shock from earlier might have already worn off, if only slightly.

"...Right. Of course, there is also the matter of her carrying the Holy Lance around, but at the very least, those are her circumstances. That aside, though, I would like if you could not spread the truth behind all this around. Though I have no doubt that others might 'understand', getting wrapped up in more trouble due to loose lips would be rather... Problematic, to say the least."

With that, Waver straightened his back and looked at the two in front of him, waiting for some sort of response. He couldn't stop them by any means if they decided to go against his request, which meant all that he could do was wait and see how they would react.

[@Rune_Alchemist][@VitaVitaAR]