They were just about out of time to prepare, and Kilian was well aware that it was only the beginning of what would prove to be a long night. It was well past the point of even the most stubborn of unremarkable souls stumbling around, be they drunk or overworked, leaving only one particular group lingering around. People like him, looking to get one step closer to claiming the wish of this Faux Grail War, at least he had no promises to believe that it was worth going all in on, even now. Especially now, certainly, though he had no intentions of heading back to his safehouse. That was a last resort, and there had to be at least one of the Masters among his peers, and competitors, who would be attempting to sniff out confirmed or possible safehouses, and Kilian had no intention of falling into that trap so easily.
Rather, Kilian was heading out to have a walk about, a calculated decision that was not as openly cocky as it seemed. Between Archer being capable of intervening in a moment's notice, and his own ability to respond to danger, it was a calculated decision. It also gave him the chance to spot trouble first, giving him the chance to assess and direct Archer to lead the attack. Speaking of, Kilian reached out through the mental link, knowing well it was impossible to tell who was listening at any given point in time. He had information to discuss, given Archer had, by his own assessment, found other Servants to assess before the night began proper.
<"Archer, time for us to go for a walk. Anything of note gleaned from earlier in the evening?">As had been the case for the evening up to this point, Archer had remained at a distance from Kilian as he concluded his rendezvous with the other suspected Master, and as he made to finally announce his participation from the Church. He had been unusually quiet in that interrim, with only the flow of power between them and the occasional crackle coming down the line to Kilian indicating he hadn't met an unfortunate end: even now, as his Master reached out to him directly, the Servant took a noticeable moment to respond.
<Some weal, some woe. Allow me a moment, I believe it better to speak in person.>The line fell silent once more, but Kilian would feel Archer's aura draw nearer to him little by little as he closed the distance between themselves, stopping perhaps a handful of seconds apart at a time to scan the horizon. The Servant's senses were keen even by the measure of a Heroic Spirit, whose presence in this world eclipsed the abilities of mortal men: but as the day was swallowed up into night they grew sharper still, the glare of his golden eyes penetrating the darkness into the distance beyond as if he was a creature forged by aeons of adaptation or the careful hands of a creator to stalk by night afforded the shape of a man.
Kilian, however, would know there was a simpler explanation at play. While certainly a hunter in his element, it was the cover of night that best afforded the ancient mage the opportunity to ply his skills with minimal interference from the noise of the modern world.
It was perhaps a minute hence from Kilian reaching out to him that the light footfall of Archer's became audible to him, that he felt the Servant's shape take substance besides him. It seemed he'd found nothing for now that troubled their tentative plan of action for the evening, nor anything for him to second-guess his decision to come speak to Kilian directly rather than keep to their link.
"As I related, before you set out for the Church I happened across another of the seven." Although, Kilian may have noticed his lips drawn and level rather than twisted in their characteristic cocksure smirk, as if in a more pensive frame of his mind than usual.
"I would not presume him an ally at this juncture, but I see potential. Prudent in the face of the uncertain, and conscious of the true rhythm of war... provided his thoughts aren't too far divorced from his Master's, I would approach them as prospective fellows."As Archer spoke, a curated profile of information took form in Kilian's mind: an image of the man, the various quirks and tells Archer had observed of him, and his Servant's best educated guess of which class he occupied. As before, the reasoning was simple. A Lancer or a Saber would be unlikely to carry or conduct themselves in this fashion whether they would have met Archer with violence from the beat or not, and his seemingly lackadaisacal manner and means seemed uncharacteristic for a Caster, Assassin or Berserker, who would either have to tread lightly in these opening stages or presumably wouldn't have the presence of mind or free rein to do so.
That, of course, suggested that the man who Archer had spoken with was
Rider. A cavalry class, explaining his relatively subdued presence and means, but also his confidence; much like Archer, Rider characteristically concealed a potent, even
avant-garde Noble Phantasm beneath an unassuming profile, ready to turn a situation on its head in the blink of an eye.
Kilian was aware of Archer and his current position, roughly speaking, even after reaching out through their innate connection. He responded after a delay, brief as it was, and spoke of some good, some ill, and to grant him a few moments. Kilian simply nodded, not pursuing further or wasting time with needless words. Archer had been more remote than their relatively short time interacting would indicate as normal, though it was too earlier to prod such things. If Archer needed a moment, he could grant the Servant such, doubly so given, as he monitored the rough location of the man, his actions were increasingly clear.
Archer approached as a hunter would, scanning and assessing before moving again, never spending more than a few fleeting seconds at rest. He considered waxing poetic, however briefly, but pragmatically the night allowed them the greatest range of motion to act and react, Archer included in that equation, and after a minute's worth of wait, it seemed Archer elected to speak in person instead of continuing to act through their shared link. An interesting choice, to be sure, but given the lack of immediate threats, overt or otherwise, it was not strictly a bad move either.
It seemed, as Kilian listened and observed, Archer had indeed identified another of the seven servants at play. Though his much more, what was the word, muted demeanor hinted it had not gone nearly as well as one might like. Kilian didn't waste his breath commenting on that subdued self, focusing on the assessment instead. Not strictly an ally, naturally of course, but also much of their thinking as well. Possible fellows instead of foes, then? A bold statement and assessment, given only one could win this contest should it prove true.
"A prospective fellow, then? A charming turn of phrase. We are running out of options for our first target at this rate."Kilian had a pleasant tone despite discussing the execution of another Servant, and possible Master, from the Faux Grail War. A part of him had hoped to foil the best advantage Assassin had, which was being unknown, but alas no such luck. It would have been a poor Assassin indeed to just rush down someone screaming like an absolute lunatic, even if it was not a traditional Assassin as far as Grail Wars went. Add in the relative lack of information otherwise, and it would make the first proper Night of the war as fraught as he expected it to be. Though that meant the same for everyone else as well, and who said they had to seek out a single fight?
"Our best bet is to assess then, and intrude on behalf of those we can sway to our cause, temporary as it might be. A task we are well suited to, I dare say.""Now, no need to be coy." Archer levelled a curious look upon Kilian as he responded to his assessment of their likely Rider; but after a moment he shrugged and let his mouth creep back upwards as he dipped back into familiar rhythms.
"I thought my meaning plain, however finely I chose to dress it."Inevitably, with the circumstances behind the war, there would be parties whose participation was more a matter of acting on curiosity or impulse than by dint of ambition, who might well offer their co-operation to ensure they could remain in the game long enough to achieve some satisfaction or form of return, however meagre. Naturally, no-one who came here would be entirely without their reasons to pursue victory, whether that were to accumulate the respect they thought they were owed, complete some grand design that had long since elluded their grasp, or simply to stake it all on whatever laid at the end. But however fleeting an alliance may be, there was value that could be extracted from it before it ran its course.
It was ultimately nothing more than the human condition in action. Exchanging favours and courtesies to survive and improve one's station in the world, while ensuring one did not give more than what they received in kind.
"Very good." He nodded to Kilian; though, a moment later, his smile flattened a little as their thoughts beckoned him back to the
other intelligence he had to share.
"That being said, the second piece of intelligence I've collected is of paramount importance to these ends."At his words, the image of the alleged Rider faded briskly from Kilian's mind; replaced in an instant with the gaunt, scarred visage of the towering man Archer had encountered outside the church. Compared to the largely speculative but ultimately logical inferrences that had guided Archer to his conclusion on the first man's identity, he was notably more cautious here. All he seemed confident to openly surmise was that he was as powerful as his imposing frame implied, and was more than aware of that in how he carried and conducted himself. At best, they were looking at an unusually composed Berserker; otherwise they may well have been looking at the war's Lancer or even Saber, incarnated in a frame that rippled with intent menace.
"While you made contact with the lady Master, I encountered this one waiting along the path to the Church." Archer's tone was cold and deliberate, as if pulling upon his powers of presentation to preface the ominous conclusion he was clearly building to.
"As with our 'Rider', I sought to make contact, to gain an understanding of where he stood in our present circumstances.""I will not belabour the point, Master. It was an utter travesty. He had no interest in friendly dialogue, let alone in entertaining any arrangement that might expect him or his Master to yield anything, however minute, to ensure a path forward; I suspect it was merely consciousness of his surroundings that kept him from attacking me on sight." Archer shook his head grimly: from the information he relayed to Kilian, it was now apparent why he been so reserved between them regrouping and the present.
"Now, I can't be sure whether he was the Einzbern's attack mutt, or just a lapdog for some other woefully over-ambitious and under-educated soul. But however we arrive there, the conclusion remains the same.""A brute of limited manners and even more limited comprehension, and I doubt whoever chose to beckon him from across time will offer anything more of value." He fixed Kilian with an intent look, as if to emphasize the severity of the information he was relaying; there was a nigh-sepulchral seriousness to his tone, far from the self-assured wit he had espoused in their previous interactions.
"If we must approach them, it should be with the utmost caution and an exit plan.""Consider it a way of amusing myself, before the night turns into conflict proper."Kilian replied calmly, walking along calmly as they spoke on matters of the approaching night. He would be a fool to think there was even one person in this contest who was not intent on winning or advancing themselves. Ambition was the universal truth of humanity, one of them at least, even for those that tried to be otherwise. He was just as guilty of it as well, naturally, though he operated under no disillusion on the matter. Though he tempered his ambition with pragmatism, after all, dying before seeing his ambitions come true would be quite the waste of everything done up to this point.
"Paramount importance, is it?"Kilian glanced as the image of the supposed Rider faded, to be replaced with another figure entirely. Far more cautious, far less logical speculation and reason, and overall much less to work with it seemed. Perhaps this meeting had not gone as well, which Archer would confirm just after the thought came to mind. One of the heavy hitters, most likely, listening closely as Archer explained the situation that played out while meeting the lady Master. No friendly dialogue, no attempts at playing the game of discretion and coy words, no chance of giving an inch but absolutely willing to take a mile. The reservation from before was far more understandable now, whoever this one answered to would likely not be playing the same game as everyone else.
"A more robust exit plan than normal then, noted. Though with careful posturing we can still capitalize on that brutish nature."Kilian's tone indicated an understanding of the point Archer wanted to get across, though he was not as quick to write the pair off as a brute and handler. Conventional diplomacy and posturing might not work, simply playing the long game and flanks and striking when opportunistic could prove useful as well. Archer's feelings on the matter were noted, however, and if a plan involving them had to be made, it would be done with due caution. More due caution compared to the expected amount for dealing with
any of the Servant/Master pairings.
"Naturally. Even the lowliest of beasts can serve a purpose, provided one keeps their expectations tempered." Archer nodded along to Kilian's assessment of the situation, clearly pleased that his counsel had been properly absorbed. His expression remained serious, though now it appeared more resolute, as if a plan of action were forming in his head.
"Provided we keep a safe distance, we can levy their strength to deal with other intractable obstacles. Let them shoulder the burden of dealing with the dolls, or whatever other bloody-minded fools may have come here."As he spoke his grim resolve, Kilian would perceive a flash of silver as something appeared in Archer's left hand; and as the Servant raised it to his eye level and opened his gloved fist, he would see
it. To an untrained eye, it would seem a mere bullet, albeit unusually ornate in design. Four long strands of metal sprouted from a tapered base, coiling around a slender central body like a double caduceus before converging into a tip that, rather than a single point, rather resembled a maw formed by jagged points curving towards each-other: it appeared more a work of bizarre art than practical munitions. But the elaborate form was no mistake or flight of fancy; Kilian would perceive the frenzied whispers that crept into the air from the power contained within its structure, and how it seemed to
writhe between the grip of Archer's forefinger and thumb like an animal eager to escape and sink its teeth into prey.
"Should they think to set upon us once that quarry is devoured, I shall make short work of the curs." Archer did not elaborate further, for there was no need. The Noble Phantasm in his hand was the bedrock upon which their confidence was built; their assurance that any unruly beast could be tamed through dialogue or
death.
Kilian noted the pleased response from Archer in regards to his response, though that did not seem to snap the Servant out of his serious demeanor, though now it was more a case of purpose instead of brooding, which he could work with. He nodded along as Archer spoke, commenting on playing to the strengths of distance and observation to do the lion's share of the work before swooping in for the prize. Easier thought than done, naturally, but that was all part of planning things out, knowing when it would come unstuck and they would have to get creative.
What was unexpected was the presentation of Noble Phantasm, given such a display would catch the attention of those who were alert to such things. They had a small fortune in not being in such a position currently, though as the phantasm seemed to squirm and twist, eager to be set loose, Kilian was reminded of a beast turned to the hunt instead of turned on by it. One wrong move and it would snap as readily at the hunter as the prey. The declaration of making short work of the curs needed no further elaboration, even if Kilian thought to prod further it would prove less than fruitful.
"All the better they learn to listen then, at least until it is their time to bow out of the contest. Gracefully or not is ultimately their decision."Kilian continued, focusing next on providing some information from his own efforts to discuss matters with the Master he had a brief chat with. Nothing of note, intelligence wise, had been gathered but it had been fruitful enough as far as first discussions had gone.
"As for my own discussion with a certain Master, she offered to not interfere so long as the same courtesy is offered in kind. No information on who her Servant is, mind, but another who is not wholly sold on betting it all on the outset of this contest. More traditionally useful to keep in mind, at least from the outset of things."Whether Kilian strictly believed the matter of non-interference or not was unclear, but compared to the dealings with a certain Servant from before, it was downright civil. Meaning they could maneuver and play at diplomacy as far as required, allowing more focus to be given to the more overt threats before making an opportunity to take advantage of, should one not arise naturally.
"Gracious indeed." Satisfied with whatever point he'd made, Archer closed his fist and returned it to his side, the horrid
thing in his grasp returning to the liminal space beyond his Master's comprehension, his smile creeping back upwards as Kilian relayed his own encounter.
"As I recall, she seemed to carry herself more intently than if she were just here to satisfy some intellectual curiosity; but provided she proves more tractable than our friend at the Church, I'll be sure to keep her in my thoughts."He looked away from Kilian, up to the night sky above. The moon was gradually ascending to its zenith, with only a scant few hours between the onset of night and the prime hours for the war to be conducted. Thus far, it seemed none among them were rushing to draw first blood, or to upset the nominal guidelines set down by the Church and the Association to prevent the Sako Grail War from growing beyond their control as its formal predecessors had: but even the most guileless among them could surmise that reticence was born of pragmatism rather than bashfulness.
"The night is young, and yet we know we are not alone in prowling the streets." Archer's outline darkened, a deep, dark black flooding into his frame. A moment passed, and the smart clothes he had worn to blend in during his reconnaissance of the city were swallowed up and replaced by heavier apparel, completed by the long, form-obscuring coat that flowed as if it were one with the night and the wind moving through it. Despite the apparent increase in mass, including the heavy boots that took the place of his pointed shoes, his already light footsteps melted into an eerie silence, and he simply he raised his hand to sweep it through his hair to complete the 'transformation'.
"I will return to my position along the skyline, and watch for any signs of disturbance in the distance." As he withdrew it, a dark shape had filled in its path along his head; with the addition of the tricorne hat, almost his entire body was ensconced in that darkness, the only light escaping his form being the keen glint of his golden eyes. Those pierced into Kilian as Archer turned to address him one last time, the well-dressed man now fully embracing the persona of the swift and terrible hunter.
"Keep me apprised of affairs on the ground, Master, and I shall do the rest."Kilian did not attempt to keep an eye on where that writhing example of a Phantasm was secreted away to, some things were not worth pursuing. Instead it seemed that smile of Archer's returned after the recounting of his humble, though fruitful, encounter with the fellow Master. Ultimately, Archer would keep her in mind should the opportunity arise for her to be useful to them, getting a single nod from Kilian as he followed up with his prior remarks on a mutual agreement.
"It almost goes without saying, but such agreements stop mattering the moment it benefits us more to ignore them."Archer cast his gaze skyward, while Kilian turned his attention to the more immediate surroundings. While he was well equipped to square off with any of the other Masters in this contest directly, he was not foolhardy enough to even consider the possibility of doing more than maybe delaying against a Servant. Though given Archer's talents and overall role in such conflicts, he was in a unique position to capitalize on that particular skillset. It would be a dangerous gambit should it become necessary, but one they had as an option. Archer spoke again, confirming the obvious of the night being young, and would be long indeed as well.
With that, Kilian observed the gradual transformation as Archer assumed his true form as a Servant instead of the smarter, nominally more discreet attire from before out of the corner of his eye. From observer and tourist to a hunter of the darkest things that could go bump in the night, growing ever more silent in spite of the heavier garb and tread of sturdy boots. One more gesture, and Archer was in true, fitting form for the first night of conflict, meaning that Kilian could no longer allow himself idle thoughts, such as he had up to this point. The hunter would take to the skyline, and he would walk the streets, one informing the other of any prey to bring under the hunter's piercing golden eyes.
"Then that is that, as far as talk goes. Hunt well, Archer, I will be in touch as needed."Kilian turned from the deep shadows that Archer had taken to, instead focusing his sense and attention on his immediate surroundings. While one naturally stayed alert for magecraft, it was easy to forget that just as many tells came from the mundane. Footsteps, mutterings, and more besides. But for now, the time for talk had well and truly passed for this night. Now it was time to stalk the empty streets, and see whether Master or Servant spotted trouble first, and from there, well, that was when things got interesting again.
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