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

If there ever was a Master most unexpected to the odd girl of not-so-grand stature, it would be this one. Rather than be rebuked and 'shown her place by her better' for such abrasive behavior, Rider instead observed an earnest apology and a serious attempt at dialogue. Though she had initially assumed the worst out of this man due to his initial reactions, it seemed as if her face scrunched up further. Not in anger, but out of some kind of deep self-contemplation.

[quote][color=2E8B57]“Though ‘Master’ feels a bit grand, doesn’t it?”[/color] He rested his hand lightly over his heart. [color=2E8B57]“I’m Thalorian. And if it’s alright with you, I’d rather be your partner.”[/color][/quote]
Wait...

Partner...?

With this word, the girl's attention was rapidly piqued, as her eyes darted back to offer him her full attention, now wide as they had been since her initial summoning, rather than glaring vicious daggers. There was no malice nor sarcasm in that tone, which caused Rider to indeed consider the potential weight of her next actions. The prospect of being 'partners' rather than simply a Servant to a Master, whilst attractive, was entirely unconventional. The rules gave the magus unlimited authority over their Servant, and Rider would know better than anyone that absolute power corrupts even the purest of hearts.

For just a few moments, she seems to be entirely at a loss for words.

But as a soft breeze rolls by, brushing through her somewhat messy black bangs, a smile does not return, but those eyes most notably don't seem to narrow. A look of curious caution, perhaps...?

[color=FFB65D]“I... I guess that's doable...?”[/color]

The response seems to come almost subconsciously, absentmindedly. The balance of power that Rider had spent all that time upon the Throne of Heroes preparing for was now entirely null, all thanks to one man, perhaps just as odd as Rider herself. In spite of her obviously overwhelming presence as a Servant, Rider still found it a bit strange that someone so magically capable would act in such a humble manner. She had been so lost in this train of thought in fact, that she had missed the fact that her Master was staring down at her cuffs, which creak and groan with almost every minor movement.
 
[quote][color=2E8B57]“Do those hurt?” he asked, quiet again.[/color] [color=2E8B57]“You don’t have to wear them here. Not if you don’t want to.”[/color][/quote]
Why... Why did he care so much about her...? About some 'ghost liner' that he had just met? Even if she looked like someone to be underestimated, most certainly one would expect her to be strong enough not to worry about such things, right?

She stares, beady-eyed up at the druidic forest-dweller, blinking as she receives yet another generosity, as if she were royalty setting foot upon her new domain for the first time. A very comfortable-looking and very well-made scarf. Looking it over, those curious eyes never lose their shimmer.

[quote][color=2E8B57]“It’s not much, but it’s warm. And it’s yours for as long as you need it.”[/color][/quote]
For just a moment, the girl feels her heart grow warmer, even amidst the frigid morning.
She once again turns her gaze upwards back at the one whom had summoned her, and finally wears a smile of her own, the first seen since she had been summoned.

The board of moldy wood holding her wrists together suddenly glows a bright blue, before shattering into flakes which quickly dissipate. With her hands now free, she runs them across the soft embroidery, holding the tapestry to her face. Most curiously, with this positioning of her hands, her Master can make out three small sigils on one of her wrists.

[color=FFB65D]“You know... You're not quite what I expected, Mast-- er, mister!”[/color]

She joins her hands in front of her, smiling warmly up at her new master as her eyes close happily.

[color=FFB65D]"And that's a good thing...! You know-- so many magi tend to be absolute meanies. But you...?"[/color]

Reopening her eyes, the girl steps forth, and grabs one of Thalorian's hands with both of her own.

[color=FFB65D]"You're a good person, Thally! I've decided! Yes, I [i]will[/i] be your partner!"[/color]

The girl in decaying rags thrusts a fist high into the air, closing her eyes happily once more. Now that Rider had seemingly gotten comfortable with the one who claimed the forest, it could now be asked; is this what Rider's true personality is like?

[color=FFB65D]"Let's beat up all the bad guys and win the Grail together, Thally!~ Beat beat beat 'em up! Let's do our best, Okay?!?"[/color]