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[h2][b][color=fff79a]Rider - Jan Sobieski[/color][/b][/h2]
[b][u]Location:[/u][/b] A low-end hotel room, somewhere within Kyoto.
[b][u]Interacting with:[/u][/b][@FatPrincess][/center]
[hr]

That.. was not the shock and awe he had expected. Jan's first impressions of his master were; [i]sharp.[/i] Dangerously sharp! Both in wit and in observation. He had to confess, what little he knew of magecraft before his death was negligible. That lack of intel, filled in with information from the Grail made him wonder, was sharpness such as this commonplace among Magus? If so, it was perhaps for the best Jan had never walked down that particular path in life. He'd have struggled to match wits! He held no illusions about his life, he was a wise tactician, and a strong military leader. That was about it. Cleverness was better left to his lovely Marie. Ah, now she would have [i]excelled[/i] as a Mage. As she excelled at all things, of course!

[b][color=fff79a]"You've no need to worry there. My faith is ingrained deep within me, it is true! But I have always had an open mind. Even against those who wished me ill! Besides, if an object as Holy as the Grail saw fit to permit you as master, it would be foolish for me to second guess."[/color][/b]

Fortunately, afterwards more proper greetings followed. It seemed there was no true venom in her earlier statement, or if there was, it had been set aside. That was good, he did not wish for conflict to arise between allies! Especially not the one keeping him anchored in this land of the living.

[b][color=fff79a]"The pleasure is mine, Lady Grimmelshausen! And the shoddy dwellings can easily be remedied, so worry not. I am happy to once again walk the earth with great purpose. As I am certain you are aware, warfare happens to be my expertise-"[/color][/b]

[Color=#89CFF0][b]"I know almost nothing about you."[/b][/color]

Most kings recorded within the Throne of Heroes would take great issue with this, that one dared call upon them without truly knowing them, without paying proper homage to royalty. It was, after all, the duty of a King to be the grandest possible. To be a beacon to their people. So to be unknown.. well, it was similar to a snuffed torch. Unable to shine light upon their subjects.

While not a legendary king on the same level as Arthur or Alexander, Jan was certainly not like most kings.

[b][color=fff79a]"Oh my! How embarrassing for me to brag as if my exploits were obvious. I hope you can forgive my boisterousness, I fear I let my excitement get the best of me. And Marie is not hear to bend my ear about it!"[/color][/b]

As a larger-than-life presence eager for battle, one would not expect [i]humble[/i] to be a trait ascribed to this Rider. But after his greatest victory, he rather firmly directed the honor and praise away from himself, and towards God and the Hussars. A good trait for a hero, but an unfitting one for a king. It seemed instead of taking offense, he was instead chastened by the admission.

[b][color=fff79a]"I fear it is my own fault I am not as well known. To spare you a droning lecture I shall keep it brief; Whilst I was dominant on the battlefield in my era, and commanded a great company of cavalry, I was merely a passingly decent ruler. Poland suffered no losses while I was king, but it did not do much growing either."[/color][/b]

He spoke with a sort of reluctance saved for long-past mistakes that, while no longer weighed heavily on the mind, were clearly still embarrassing. No deep sorrow for a failing, but more self-criticism for the lack of remarkability he showed in all facets other than the battlefield. He did not fail his people, after all. But he certainly believed he could have done more for them. Jan smiles wryly, and waves away the hesitance with practiced ease. No need to dwell on it now, it would not help anyone.

[b][color=fff79a]"Regardless, you needn't worry you've summoned a dullard or a lesser spirit. Whilst my sweet Marie was far better suited to the court, I find myself quite comfortable in battlefields such as this Grail War."[/color][/b]