The Irish Tree

Fate/Grand Order - Advent of the World Shattering Star

Things were coming to a head in a way that Elise wasn't a fan of. ...Mordred was restrained from killing Scarlett at least, but that was a verbal prohibition without a command spell. The reality of it was that Scarlett was veritably dancing upon the edge of a knife and daring the hand to tip. Thank goodness that Fran existed as a bastion of some semblance of sanity. Ironic, given that she was the Berserker here.

Right now, Elise doubted she had the words to convince Mordred in any capacity...but there was, of course, the obvious of there being bigger fish to fry. And, with the four-to-one request for a chance to stop and establish a base denied, it was becoming readily apparent that the team was more there for body count than it was to provide actual advice for their leader's course of action. Elise guessed that now, mages seemed to operate more on gut feelings than the evidence at hand, but whatever. Now Scarlett was being allowed to set up a base, and that was at least the mildest step towards getting a foot dug-in.

Even if it also involved Scarlett putting herself in danger. ...Though, from the events of this morning, Elise was doubting that it was really Scarlett at all. After all, if a doll could fool her for hours, who's to say that this wasn't a facsimile and the real Scarlett was already setting up the base before receiving her orders?

Either way, one thing was becoming abundantly clear: working on this team was going to be damn stressful. Taking out a flask and taking a swig, Elise didn't care if this was a minor breach in protocol, exhaling after downing her liquid courage. "I'm going South too. Bunbuku Chagama, keep on the lookout for anything strange. ...Scarlett. ...Stay safe. Celtchar, protect her, or else I'll be the one making threats around here."

---

The Ulster Lancer would exhale, rubbing the back of his neck as he eyed his Master egging Mordred on, his offer to get beaten the fuck up by Mordred falling on deaf ears since Mordred was focused on the bad vibes of the city. At best, the group would go off, complete their mission, and come home to a happy little workshop that Scarlett set up. Worst case scenario, he'd rush Mordred, target her sword arm, and rile her up enough to make enough mistakes that he can bridge the gap in power with skill.

...The last thing he wanted to do was fight someone that was supposed to be on his side. There was virtually no chance of victory for him if Scarlett died...though, killing Leon would be a win in its own right-

Clapping his hands against his cheeks, Celtchar would discard his thoughts of hypothetical vengeance and power-scaling to just...focus on the task at hand. Putting his lance over his shoulder, Celtchar would say: "I'll keep her safe. Ulster knights are nothing if not dedicated to oaths. We have to be, since Geas will weaken us if broken."

Fate/Grand Order - Advent of the World Shattering Star

Hope you feel better, and double hope that it wasn't COVID.

Fate/Grand Order - Advent of the World Shattering Star

Right here!

Enkryption has been busy but he's still interested too!

Guild of Renta-Experts [[CANCELLED]]

Alice would shake her head heartily, wanting no part of dressing in such a scandalous outfit when half of her materials would melt through her skin if handled improperly while wearing...jeez, could you even call it clothes when the design was sheer!? Putting the sketch back in Sofia's hands, Alice would begin walking with the other girls to head towards their graveyard shift.

After Sofia and Alice had a good laugh at the blow Brandy dealt to the cat-calling caravanner, Alice would answer Brandy's question.

"Well, the job wasn't very descriptive...just to go there and investigate some strange happenings. Might be ghosts, might just be robbers using people's superstitions to cover up their hideout," Alice explained, while Sofia tactically scanned the area around them...really hoping that the graveyard was haunted by bandits and not like...people ghosts. That would be well and truly awful.

The group would be there to find out in an hour, with Alice sniffing the graveyard for anything suspicious, resisting the temptations to dig a hole and gnaw on bones. ...Werewolves lived by instincts more than wit, after all. Sofia meanwhle would maintain a solid 20 foot avoidance of any graves, clutching her bow in her arms as if it was a teddy bear. "Ghosts are real but they're not here...ghosts are real but they're not here..." Sofia chanted to herself, looking perfectly prankable if Brandy felt mischief-inclined.

Fate/Grand Order - Advent of the World Shattering Star

Sandwiches and Train Stations

“You should reserve some of your strength, Char,” Scarlett says. “If these are just bog-standard sentries, then, most likely, they spend a lot of time standing around. If that’s the case, their summoner isn’t going to think much of them ceasing movement,” she says, taking a big bite of her baby sandwich, “That said, Assassins pair best with Casters, in my experience; a flashy distraction for a subdued assailant. As such, I’d like to head inside and set up a workshop. See if I can’t transmute more Dolls...”

The Ulster Servant would nod, saying: "Small-fries like that are barely worth the fight. I bet it was kinda boring for the rest too. As for making a workshop," Celtchar would look from the rooftop down to Leon, cupping his hands to half-yell and be heard, saying: "Leader, think we have the time for making a workshop? It could be helpful, with this being a half-rescue. Not to mention, Archimedes did say that one of those Servants was being pursued by another. Could be one of our’s chasing. I can stay here and bring Scarlett as soon as the workshop is established."

It may not be a bad idea to at least have a fallback location, since fighting that many Servants consecutively would take its toll on all of them, the Masters most of all. Adding on at the end, Celtchar would say: "Oh, but if you want to do that at the station, that works too."

“Unless the station is infested with skeletons, in which case, I can do nothing,” Scarlett says, “I wouldn’t know. I haven’t got that far. There’s clearly a heightened enemy presence moving forward,” she says, concluding sarcastically, “and, maybe I’m crazy for not wanting to rush ahead, but a place to set up our bearings and know is safe tends to be good for that.”

Scarlett munched the last of her sandwich, and hashed out, “Buff wuff do I no? Ah’m juff a ‘cout.”

Without looking at her, Celtchar would poke his Master’s stuffed cheeks. ”Don’t talk with your mouth full. If you die to something stupid like a sandwich, I’ll just laugh to death. Anyways, even if we have to wait to set up a workshop, I can keep Scarlett safe."

“Ah woffint!” Scarlett swallowed, nipping at Celtchar’s fingers - something like a playful child or a wild puppy.

That however would get her flicked on her forehead in retaliation.

“Rude!” Scarlett huffed, before looking into the sky. Hard marching into downtime. Rubbing her arm, she released Heartstring from Heartbeat; jamming the knife into her arm - reloading and reuniting the Mystic Codes once again.

---

Mages and Firefighters

Elise did have to admit, getting praised for fighting efficiently felt good, even if most of it was just on the basic fact that Casters were just mana efficient Servants in general. Still, she'd say: "Thanks Archimedes! I'll let you know if Bunbuku needs a power-up."

With the rather…interesting scene unfolding on the rooftop, Elise nearly completely forgot what she was going to say before finally braining hard enough to recall. Turning on her heel to Leon, she would say: "Hey, Leon? I have a proposal. Orson said there was a fading Servant to the South that might be Chaldean. I’m the only one of us with healing magic, and Bunbuku is fast enough that we can get away from a non-Assassin Servant, in most cases. While you guys secure the station, I could try and ensure we have at least one ally in all this."

“Committing myself to the task of running away is easy enough,” Bunbuku says. “I won’t lie, though, I’ve zero interest in rescuing anyone, unless they are on the path. As disagreeable as you all seem to find it, Scarlett was not completely off by suggesting to ditch Team A,” she puffed smoke into the air, “After all, let’s be pragmatic about this. They are lost to sensors, radio, and vital readings indicate no activity in their brains or hearts. So, they are either dead or they removed their Mystic Codes to avoid detection.”

“Sure, finding them would be a boon. I don’t disagree with that, either,” Bunbuku says. “However, if they are in bad shape, wasting our own limited resources on mending them, and babysitting them, detracts from the primarily goal of ending this Singularity,” she tapped her kiseru against her heel, “A goal they failed to accomplish, mind. That doesn’t inspire confidence.”

“Still, as they say, Servants serve. I’m just suggesting pragmatism...” Bunbuku concluded. She wasn’t taking sides, left or right, good or bad, but clearly valuing her own welfare, first and foremost - a common Caster trait.

Elise always had a feeling she’d have to butt heads with her Servant over something, but wasn’t expecting it to be now of all things. Listlessly going along with a plan wasn’t exactly the greatest thing, especially when she was sure Bunbuku could just knock Elise out and drag her back if it came down to a rescue going south. Even still-

"Just because its pragmatic doesn’t make it the best choice," Elise said outright. "Saving one person doesn’t mean our mission succeeds. I’m aware of that. But any person we rescue is bound to have a better idea of what’s going on than any of us here, or in the command room. And that’s why I’m the person best suited to try and find anyone in a position to go off and heal someone, with your efficient fighting style and my potion-craft." Approaching her Servant, Elise would add: "Besides, If we were the smart, pragmatic, snicker behind fifty five seal kind of mages, we’d be in our cozy little workshops instead of actively doing dangerous work. Think of it as firefighting, if it makes the illogical nature of my decision any more palatable."

Standing directly before Bunbuku, Elise wasn’t backing down from her plan unless Leon outright denied it. "I won’t use a Command Spell on you to make you follow my plan if you don’t want to. But right now, information and manpower are things we’re utterly outclassed in by whoever could take all of Team A down."

Bunbuku hummed, before she clicked the flint in her kiseru, and passed it to Elise. “Hm.” she held it with intention.

Elise would take a drag of it, blowing the smoke into the air before handing it back.

“Alright, Firefighter Master o’ mine,” Bunbuku says, clapping her hand, “Let’s go follow the smoke. I’ll extinguish the flames, and you save the lives.”

Bunbuku was a simple Caster. Aimless, beyond her smoking and drinking. A peace pipe was as simple as an agreement she needed. It was timeless, rife with honor, and acknowledged equality between those that shared it.

It was probably a little hard on Elise, though, smoking Earl Grey tea leaves.

Oh definitely, considering she was hacking up a lung, expecting tobacco and getting a potent herbal scent flooding her nose and mouth. "Ugh…y-yeah…Leon? That plan sound good?"

Guild of Renta-Experts [[CANCELLED]]

Sofia had to admit that this wasn't exactly how she'd expected to spend today. Making a choker, a headband, and getting the most touchy with someone she'd been in...what, a century? Well it wasn't exactly easy to score a date when a guy saw that you were undead but...y-y'know, true love finds all, and all that. She definitely wasn't also idly wondering if maybe Brandy could give tips on finding a boyfriend, but that conversation would only come after Brandy was deeply, horribly in debt to her for fashion reasons.

DEEP in debt.

Still, she had to admit, being hugged felt nice and she'd hug back, before very gently tugging the Satyr's horns with barely enough force to move her head, saying: "N-Now uh...we can work on outfit ideas later. We need to meet back up with Alice and begin our quest to...t-t-to go and investigate that graveyard... It was clear she was dreading it, but it wasn't like she could back out with her party already set to go there.

Meanwhile, Alice would trot along to the meeting place, humming happily as she'd bought the materials for and created replacements for three rejuvenation potions, and four vials of holy water, in case of an emergency. With her pack once more bulging with alchemical delights and reagents, she would trot along to greet her party once they arrived. "Ready to head out girls? Oh, that choker's cute. And you found a headband too Brandy?"

Sofia saw her time to shine and would place a hand atop her chest, the other gesturing towards the choker she herself had made. "Such top-of-the-line craftsmanship could come from none other than I! If you want a similar one, that could be arranged."

Alice seemed decently impressed, enough so to beam, tail wagging. "Oh wow! And here I thought you both went and spent a ton. I guess you really are a good sewer Sofia."

Basking in praise, Sofia would let out a chuckle, hiding her eyes with her hand splayed out over her face. "Hmhm! Now, if you will, I considered some adjustments to everyone's attire with Brandy's suggestions." She would hurriedly pull out a sketchbook and show off her "improved" version of Alice's outfit, which got the werewolf's tail standing on end.

"That's uh...a lot of exposed skin. ...I don't think that's compliant with Alchemy Standards and Practices Regulation code 37-B. N-Not that I'm saying its bad! Its just a health hazard."

Fate/Grand Order - Advent of the World Shattering Star

Yes.

Fate/Grand Order - Advent of the World Shattering Star

@vancexentan

Regarding the stuff that could be changed for the situation:

As it stands, it really feels like Archimedes is only contacting Leon directly when honestly, his warnings could also be useful for Celtchar/Scarlett in the field.

Even if you did accept Scarlett to fill up bodies, Orson and Archimedes should still probably understand where Scarlett is coming from in terms of trauma, and handle her with a bit more delicacy given that she's got psychological issues to go with her battle prowess.

Scarlett and Celtchar were scouting, and combat was meant to be a last resort. Scarlett even slowed her heartrate so they could sneak around better. It just feels odd to get randomly jumped by 20 skeletons all at once when the intent was stealth with combat maybe happening. Not to say I don't want Celtchar to fight, but they were going to try and pinch the enemy with the other Servants.

Also I'd say that in the future, Leon should be more specific with orders since if he specified "Celtchar, Scarlett, scout 200 meters ahead of the rest of us" that gives a very good metric for distance, and then it'd make sense if Archimedes was irate that they went well beyond that distance.

I hope this was helpful and doesn't come across as mean. Also, remember, its always possible to improve your writing! Heck, RPGuild helped me improve a lot myself.

Fate/Grand Order - Advent of the World Shattering Star

Weren't Celtchar and Scarlett given the go-ahead to scout at the bridge as the vanguard?

Fate/Grand Order - Advent of the World Shattering Star

Lancer and Scarlett Mobilizing

As soon as Libra mentioned Saber, Scarlett was already out the window; armed and moving out. Loosely, he’d given her the right to go-ahead at her ready, and that was all she wanted - to be away from him, away from Capricorn, before she did something beyond speak. To be lectured about not listening, and then demonstrated monstrous hypocrisy - That little shit. I’m not listening? I readily agreed with Celtchar, and then suddenly, I’m being told I should follow through on an idea I already said yes to!? - on the highest level before Leon tried to make a plan that she neither cared to hear or follow.

“Celtchar, I can handle myself on the ground. So, you take to the rooves,” she says, “Unless you can do that spooky ghost thing, in which case, let’s swap. The rooves aren’t so far apart that I can’t jump the gaps.”

Prior to departing, Celtchar would sigh, holding his sheathed lance over his shoulders with his arms over it. "Yeah, I’m all for taking point. Don’t worry, I’ll scope out the river. But don’t hang around too long. Place reeks of something wrong with it…Saber’s instincts are on the money." Heading towards the window, his body would begin to dissolve as he entered his spirit form, giving one last regard to Leon and Connor by saying: "If you’re gonna stay put, do as mages do and make it a pain in the ass to get inside."

Catching up with little effort to Scarlett, Celtchar would re-materialize, running backwards atop the rooftops while looking at his Master. "Archimedes said the bridge is a hot zone, so I’m going to make that a caution area. I know we agreed to fight together, but if its multiple Servants, I’ll have to ask you to stand back. And, sure I can move in my Spirit form, but are you sure you wouldn’t rather take the road?"

Dropping down before Scarlett, Celtchar would say: "Also, don’t forget one important thing. To trust me. I’ll keep you safe if the situation calls for it."

“I’m a gunner. I specialize in the high ground and staying back,” Scarlett says, “Unless there’s an Archer or an offensive Caster present, I will be safe in your shadow,” she says, smiling up at him. “However, I am glad I can trust you... I have.... I.... hrm...”

Scarlett seemed wary to speak, glancing at her collar, where her issued Mystic Code’s radio was located.

Celtchar would note her hesitancy to speak, before smirking. "Oh I know, I’m as devilishly handsome as Diarmuid and have completely stolen the words from your mouth," he said, slicking his hair back with a hand, before descending beside her, taking his lance and gouging the Earth while keeping the facade up, writing out: “Shh” in the concrete. "My ridiculously handsome face aside, let’s get you up on the rooftops. I’ll turn any skeletons we run into into bone meal," he said, picking Scarlett up in his arms before depositing her on the roof.

Scarlett would meep, blushing as she was pulled up, before she pulled out her “helpful book”, and started writing in Gaelic script with a bit of Modern Irish script to fill in the blanks.

<I don’t trust Orson.> Scarlett sucked on her pen nib, as before the green pen hit the page again. <I don’t trust Archimedes, either.>

Snatching the book, Celtchar would write with her pen in a much messier script, saying: <That’s okay. Just trust me then.>

Scarlett nodded, taking the book back. <I feel like you are the only one I can. However...> Her eyes turned to look at him, before she continued. <How much of that loyalty is in me, and not the oath that binds we?>

Another snatching, this time with Celtchar saying: "Are you drawing my handsome face in there? Nice, nice, my beard looks perfect in that color," as he wrote out: <Your oath fucking sucked, so…all of it?>

“Not much else to do, while you’re carrying me. Damn bridge must be far off...” Scarlett says, before writing out. <Screw you. I’m an Alchemist. Not a fucking Mage. As you’ve seen, I’m a woman of action.>

Celtchar smirked. "Who the hell said I was carrying you all the way there?" he said before putting her on her feet. Fast as could be he would write: <Alchemist, mage, all the same. At least you have balls. Let’s go.>

“You better not slow down,” Scarlett says, nodding to his written message. “Since I have a life force, I’ll play the role of bait. Skeletons love that kind of shit,” she says, “Sound like a plan?”

"Not really. It’d be better to go along to the bridge and avoid fighting as much as we can aside from mopping up stragglers."

“Yes, but if we turn the enemy force’s attention in a direction we favour...” Scarlett hinted.

"So long as I get to crack some skulls, I guess I don’t care. Let’s go!"

Scarlett smiled, and started for the bridge. “The plan is simple,” she says, “We’ll go underneath it, to the other side, and then attack from there in quick strikes. That will open the enemy to a flanking attack.”

"Got it. But if we spot a Servant, you let me do the fighting."

“Deal,” Scarlett says, “Still Heart.” she says, before Cletchar could hear her heartbeat slow down to dangerously slow BPM. She was all but perfectly hidden to anything listening hard enough.

With their plan in motion, Celtchar and Scarlett would cut their way to the bridge, ready to face whatever awaited them as the vanguard…

---

Meanwhile…

Elise stared in horror at the knife being presented. So that was human blood…and from a renowned family’s member. Something had gone wrong with this place to be certain but…had it been caused by interference, or a naturally occurring branch in a series of decisions? Regardless, Elise would shake her head, saying: "So, we have a knife, a blood type, and that’s it…we don’t really have a lot to go on with this. But…maybe we should do as Celtchar said and fortify this place if we’re going to stay put. But…frankly, I’m not the type of Mage with a lot of spells for fortifying an area. Best I can do is make a minor bounded field with some of the plants but that would take a ritual."

Getting an idea, Elise would go and get Bunbuku in the kitchen to see if the knife had come from the kitchen…and it certainly seemed it had, judging from the missing knife in the sharpening block. "Bunbuku, we might be having the Servants mobilize towards the bridge. Think you’re combat ready?"

“Yeah, but I don’t see the point,” Bunbuku says. “Scarry and Charry already left. I assume they are going to the bridge,” she says, “If I had to guess, based on the average warrior tactics, they are going to cross the bridge somehow, and distract, so better for Mordy and Franny to go, and hit them from behind.”

Elise would shake her head, saying: "If we knew the enemy numbers that’d be a valid tactic. But we need to bring out all our firepower just in case we’re up against an equal or greater number of Servants. After all, do you think Celtchar could take on five of Mordred if it came down to it? Just based on what you can tell about their strengths?"

“Probably,” Bunbuku says. “Charry isn’t stupid. He would goad Mordy into a trap - he seem like the hunter-type, after all - and take each of them out, one by one,” she says, “Not to mention his lance and its bloody smell... well... we’ll worry about that if it comes to it.”

Elise wasn’t sure how Bunbuku figured any one Servant could beat five strong Sabers, but would say: "Okay, but you have to admit he’d fare better with backup. Regardless, please, just get ready. Much as I look forward to your cooking, right now clearing out hostiles is our top priority."

“Is that not what his Master is for,” Bunbuku asks.

Elise sighed, before saying: "Bunbuku…I’m talking Servant-level backup. Besides, if you’re not there…" She would suddenly point at Bunbuku Chagama, and say: "Who would make sure that Lancer gets a nice hot cup of tea after a raging battle!?"

Bunbuku sighed, before drawing on her kiseru. “Guilt tripping me,” she asks. “I’m impressed.”

Elise playfully stuck her tongue out of the corner of her mouth, knocking herself on the head once. "Caught me! But I am a mage y’know. And its more efficient than burning a Command Spell."

“Very well,” Bunbuku says. “Come along. I’m sure it’s best that we get to moving on. If anything, perhaps, it is best I come along, since my Noble Phantasm will be quite useful.”

"Mhm, mhm. I’ll go with you and the other Servants too. Once everyone’s ready, of course."

“Do hurry them up,” Bunbuku says. “I’m not made of either time or patience.”

Elise would go ahead and get things ready, wondering how a tea kettle lacked patience.

Fire burned hot. But, water yielded at its own pace. And yet, fire still burned hot, impatiently trying to bring the water to its temperature, until it did so.

Returning to the men of the squad, she would say: "So, Bunbuku is ready to depart. How long do you think until we can get Frankenstein and Mordred ready to move?"