[h3]Prologue: Storm Warning[/h3][hr]Though the Einzberns found themselves anxious to begin and the Overseer found herself simply cursing the slow pace of proceedings, there was little doubt that the arrival of the eve of the Sako Grail War was a formality at best. Though it seemed none had been bold or bloody-minded enough to initiate the ritual early, any magus worth their salt would have been on the move from the moment they arrived in the city, getting a feel for the lay of the land and identifying advantageous spots to lock down in their favour, while keeping an eye open for anyone foolish or brazen enough to court an early fight.

Perhaps if she'd happened across any of that last category in the week she'd been here, Beatrice would have felt more at ease. A premature brawl or two would have at least served to take the edge off of proceedings, but as things were, Sako was eerily devoid of any sign of the coming War other than her own presence and that of the woman waiting ahead. 

[color=aa8585]"Nothing more on your end?"[/color] She asked, seemingly to no-one in particular, as she picked up her pace through the darkening street. With the sun still cresting the sky, and this close to the site, it was unlikely anyone would risk incurring the Church's wrath; but between what she knew and what she [i]didn't[/i], it was best not to tarry.

[color=#94b8b8]"Nothing yet. I would not doubt that another pair has been by this way, but not so recently or so near us now that I could sniff them out. The rest is your purview."[/color] As though stepping out of the shadows of the street itself, a tall man joined the woman as she hurried along. His long, relaxed strides had little difficulty keeping up with her, the man glancing around with a disinterested air. [color=#94b8b8]"It is merely ordinary here."[/color]

Not that he expected his saying so to do anything to ease Beatrice's mood, but for a moment he hoped it might anyways. Gradually growing far more important than their current search, however, was the approaching sunset. Sako, as he had fast discovered, was not a large city with a vibrant nightlife. It was small, peaceful, and grew even more still under starlight.

[color=#94b8b8]"We should not be wandering about like this. If the battle is to start as soon as you say, you would be wiser to secure a position than to continue ferreting out whatever scraps you can."[/color]

[color=aa8585]"I know, I know,"[/color] the woman replied to the man, with the tone of someone whose intentions had been pre-empted a few steps ahead of schedule; not irritated as such, but coolly focused on seeing things through as planned.

[color=aa8585]"If we haven't found anything by now, we're only putting ourselves at a risk by dragging out the investigation into the start of [i]festivities[/i],"[/color] she continued, opting to concede the point to her companion. At the same time, however, her voice lingered on that last word for long enough that it was unclear how much was sarcastic and how much was genuine, unfettered [i]excitement[/i]. [color=aa8585]"But we have time yet, and we are here on business. One last rendezvous with the fair Sister, and [i]then[/i] we bunker down and see who's feeling lucky tonight."[/color]

[color=#94b8b8]"Hmmph. I hope your misplaced priorities do not result in a sorry fate for the both of us."[/color]

As they spoke, they cleared the street, stepping out into one of the city's open spaces. Nestled within the small park was the city's church, a stalwart building harkening back to the Gothic Revival of the 19th century that would have stuck out like a sore thumb in Sako even if it hadn't been confined to a small island of green amidst an ocean of either modern or traditional Japanese architecture. Despite its apparent austerity, however, it carried an atmosphere about it that made one feel at ease, as if the church were a guardian against the world outside its walls.

Beatrice had no doubt that was by design, but whether those designs belonged to the missionaries who had constructed it centuries prior or the party that currently occupied it was more of an open question. As of yet, there was no ironclad reason to suspect a repeat of the unfortunate circumstances that had arisen out of the previous arrangement; but all the same she couldn't help but be reminded of a carnivorous plant, resting invitingly among the trees as it waited for some fool to wander unsuspecting into its jaws.

The tall man's stride slowed as they approached the spired building, gazing blankly up at the arched and windowed façade. His eyes narrowed slightly at the sight, before he turned away from the building. [color=#94b8b8]"Be fast about it. I would prefer to avoid getting caught out in the open like this."[/color] As soon as he spoke the words, he seemed to disappear again in only another couple of steps.

[color=aa8585]"Sentimental [i]and[/i] skittish?"[/color] The woman jabbed at the disappearing man, though it was more a matter of pride than conviction, and they both knew it. The open space of the park suited the Church, affording them a broad field of awareness of anything that approached their base of operations, but it was better suited to discouraging a Saber or Berserker from getting any funny ideas than keeping interlopers sheltered from the attention of an Archer or Assassin. So long as Lancer was with her, however, she felt confident in her decision.

[color=#94b8b8][i]"Spare me the criticisms. There's a natural choke point in the trees at the north end of this park. Seems our architects were preparing for having to make a quick escape. If anything happens, run there and circle back around towards the town."[/i][/color]

[color=aa8585]"Got it."[/color] Not that she'd give him the satisfaction of admitting it. But they knew where they stood at this point, and she didn't have any intention of dragging this out longer than necessary, either. One last visit to the Overseer, one representative to another, and then it was time to get to work.[hr][center][h2][color=aa8585]Beatrice LaForet[/color] and [color=#94b8b8]Lancer[/color][/h2][/center]