[CENTER][H3][b]AWAKENING - (ACT 1)[/b][/H3][/CENTER]
[CENTER]Rider - Forest Grove Base - Morning[/CENTER]


The quiet morning finds itself swiftly interrupted by a man’s voice, cutting through the air like razors through paper. It overcomes the very sound of the forest, as if the domain of nature were making way for a soon-to-be-master over all. Given what was about to occur, it would be a most appropriate reaction, after all.

All things considered, it was rather an unconventional ritual compared to the usual procedures used to summon a Heroic Spirit.

But not ineffective! Even this method would suffice, and the proof that it was not to be a waste was soon clear to see. Bright lights and crackling multi-colored lightning arcs across the earth originating from the summoning circle, which glows an iridescent rainbow-ish hue. A gale picks up as leaves and idle debris are tossed asunder, such is the force of it all.

That mighty scale from a once-great creature calls forth its owner, long consigned to the furthest corners of mythology.

A great flash shines even over the glorious morning sun-- basking all around in the deepest of shadow against the purest of white.

…What emerges is, to put it bluntly, not what one may expect.

When utilizing catalysts, usually the part of a great beast calls forth its adversary or companions in its former life. Whether it be the greatest of heroes with a glimmering blade and armor to match, or a conniving villain with a domineering silhouette and similarly intimidating force of personality to match. History has always drawn attention to the strong, noble, or cruel, not often focusing on the weak and feeble unless to illustrate a hero or villain’s greatness at their expense.

Instead of getting any of these potential options, whether it be a beast-slayer or a beast-wrangler, or even the beast itself, what beholds the magus is instead the visage of a smaller girl, with unkempt black hair and dark, dark red eyes. She appears before him dressed in rags not even fit for a beggar, obviously once a decent dress but long resigned to absolute neglect and decay. To top it all off were a pair of seemingly wooden cuffs in horrendous condition, literally rotting at the corners and rusting in what few metal parts could be seen-- holding her arms in front of her.

Those wide eyes blink as the girl seemingly snaps out of an idle state of mind, quickly glancing around before her gaze rests upon the very young man crouched in front of her. She thinks to say something for just a moment, before her thoughts are quickly interrupted.

[quote][color=2E8B57]“…Welcome,”[/color] he said softly. [color=2E8B57]“You’re… not quite what I expected.”[/color][/quote]

What…? What did he mean by ‘You’re not what I expected’?

A litany of thoughts rushes through the girl’s mind as she continues to stare wide-eyed at this individual before her. Sure, she looked weak. Sure, she wasn’t some great sword, spear, or bow-wielding warrior. Sure, she was locked up in a pair of cuffs and dressed in rags. That didn’t mean she was weak! She was a Servant, after all!

And so, a pout forms upon her face as she closes her eyes angrily and quickly turns her head.

[color=FFB65D]"Well, that's not a very nice how-do-you-do, mister!"[/color]

Reopening her eyes, they’re rather narrowed, in stark contrast to her more curious expression from moments ago.

[color=FFB65D]“Hmph… I had a cool introduction planned, but I don’t want to do it anymore.”[/color]

One gets the feeling that if she could cross her arms, she would.

[color=FFB65D]“But I gotta do one, so I guess I’ll do another one.”[/color]

Closing her eyes, the girl clears her throat dramatically, puffing her chest out.

[color=FFB65D]“I’m Rider! A Servant, Heroic Spirit, whateveryoucallit. Here for the holy grail! And, whoever my Master is, I guess! So…”[/color]

She reopens her eyes, tilting her head somewhat.

[color=FFB65D]“Are [i][b]you[/b][/i] my master, mister…?”[/color]