Fate/White Parmesan

[] Pay Kotomine a visit

You don't know much of the church personally. But in your mind, you knew it was a place where bad things came from. You had nothing against the religion or the order itself but certain individuals crawled from this place. Your memories, the basic knowledge imprinted into your mind much like instructions on how to breathe, see, read and live, it told you not to trust the church.

Especially the name-

"Kotomine," you breathed as you knocked on a door.

You pulled your hand back once the door opened to reveal a dark haired young man. He took off his glasses and managed a smile before stepping back.

"Miss Brie. It's nice to see you. Come in, please," he greeted with a friendly tone before letting you in.

Kotomine's office was finely furnished and not all that cluttered. You didn't know what you were expecting, really. There was a bookshelf by the window and a couch with a coffee table on it. On the far end of the room was a wooden desk and another window hidden by a curtain.

You stood by the couch before Kotomine sat on the armchair. He gestured you to sit so you did, bouncing a bit from the leather before looking his way.

"I don't have anything in terms of beverages but I hope these sweets would suffice," Kotomine replied as he slid you a jar of candy. He took one out and popped it into his mouth, "They're quite good."

"I'll pass. Ruler already provided me with some stuff earlier," you assured him.

"I see. Well, that's good. I hope she wasn't too hard on you," Kotomine said as he leaned back on his chair, "I suppose you've discussed your battle with Assassin with her."

"Yes," you nodded with a sigh, "And the crater which resulted in it."

"Don't think much about her lectures. She means well but she's still a Heroic Spirit. She can be hard to deal with," Kotomine said as he chuckled lightly. His face grew a bit more firm, "Still, I doubt you came here just for a pleasant chat."

"I didn't want to bother Ruler about it but I figured you'd be free. What can you tell me of the war right now?" You asked with a serious tone.

"The war... Well, suffice to say after your feat, everyone is tense," Kotomine said as he waved his hand, "Rejoice, girl. You've struck fear and caution into the hearts of your foes. They're going to be more wary of you."

"I don't like the sound of how you put that," you admitted with a grimace.

"I'm just saying you could use that hesitance to your advantage," Kotomine said as he got up and walked to the window, "There will come a time where they will face your way and you need to be prepared for that. Standing idle and hiding away, it won't work against foes you have against."

"Is that right? The neutral church siding with me?" You blinked.

"I do have fondness for underdogs. But no, take it as a guy rambling to himself. I just hope you'd do something with it compared to the last soul that came before me," Kotomine replied as he looked out the window.

"You must be a popular guy, huh? The confession booth been bustling lately?" You frowned.

"Assassin's Master was one underdog that needed much guidance. Unfortunately, my words weren't able to help her. Ruler's advice for her to seek the aid of another master went to deaf ears. She was a strong willed young woman... Better she perished under your blade than another Magius'," Kotomine said in a somber tone, closing his eyes as if he was remembering something regretful.

"You met Assassin's Master?" You asked once again before leaning forward, "When?"

"I've met most of them. She was one of the few that came directly instead of a familiar or representative..." Kotomine recalled as he faced you, "Her name was Olga Marie Animusphere, former heir to the disgraced family of Animusphere."

"Disgraced. She did mention that when we fought," you remembered.

"You would do well to learn from her mistakes. You will win this war on your lonesome, Brie," Kotomine said as he placed his hands behind his back, "Planning and preparing is good, but alone with just your Servant? You saw how far that Olga. Ruler would be saddened if you were to be killed."

"She will?" You stared at him for that before he simply gave you a smug smile that could give Rider a run for her money.

"She's that sort of person. But please, don't tell her that I told you that. She can use that Flag Pole in creative ways," Kotomine sighed as he rubbed the back of his head.

"She did mention she beat away Caster and Berserker alone..." You recalled as you rubbed your chin.

"Caster I would understand. But Berserker? That monster nearly killed her. Honestly, she's such a stubborn woman," Kotomine pinched the bridge of his nose. It seemed that he was having a Master-like problem despite not being one. You could feel for him though.

He recomposed himself and fixed his clothes. Rubbing the silver cross on his chest, he then turned to you once more.

"That aside, I've got what you asked me. You requested to learn of your identity, right?" Kotomine reminded you as he walked to his desk to pull his drawer open, "I think I might know who you are."

"Well that's nice. Can you tell me?" You asked him with a curious tone.

Kotomine dropped the folder on the coffee table, "Here. Have a read."

You looked down on the folder and pulled out the documents within.

"I took a sample of your DNA from when you were passed out. Rider helped," Kotomine had the decency to look remorseful as he looked away.

"That's a gross violation of privacy but I'll lecture my Servant about it later. So you ran through some fancy tests or something?" You wondered as you read the file.

"Using both modern technology and Magecraft, we found a lead. But that's wherein this gets weird," the Priest said as he sat in the arm of his chair.

You looked down and frowned.

Name: Celine Derrinsmith Luctworth
Age: 12 years old
Blood Type: B
Sex: Female
Status: Deceased
......
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....

Click to expand...

Click to shrink...

You failed to read past the last bit. Something felt like it had took hold of your chest and squeezed your beating heart. Your eyes widened before your gaze turned to Kotomine as he watched your expression. He wasn't showing any emotion while he studied your reaction.

His gaze turned worried once you lowered the document.

"Is this some sort of joke?" You asked him. Your hands were shaking as you looked at him, "Is this some sort of sick joke?!"

"No. By all accounts and evidence, you have the flesh and blood of a girl that died eight years ago, Brie," Kotomine said as he sat before you and picked up the piece of paper you let go, "We checked the grave site too. The body of this girl was there. She died in a car accident. Crushed skull. Dead on arrival in the hospital. There are post-mortem autopsies too made by both Doctors and Magi."

"I... I don't know," you murmured as you leaned back on your chair while your body began to tremble, "I... I don't know..."

"Brie. Brie, listen to me. This girl, she's dead. And yet here you are, alive, breathing, speaking," Kotomine tried making you focus on him as he leaned forward, "Brie, do you know what's going on here?"

[] "I don't. I don't know anything. I don't remember anything. I just... What I do know is how to survive. How to live. That's all I know."
[] "I'll find out. I'll get my answers. I... I just won't be able to say it now. I don't think there's anything that say anyway. But I'll figure it out."
[] "Magi. I can make guesses. Several guesses but nothing that could lead to a concrete answer. But if Magi are involved, then that makes this simpler to solve."
[] "That name. That's the name of the politician. The one running in the election. We have the same name. He might know... And if Magi are involved then he might know more than what I expect."
[] Write in...

[] "That name. That's the name of the politician. The one running in the election. We have the same name. He might know... And if Magi are involved then he might know more than what I expect."

"That name," you breathed as you kept your eyes down. You were still reeling from this... Whatever this feeling was. It made you feel sick in the stomach, like acid eating you from the inside.

"That's the name of the politician. The one running in the election," you swallowed as you raised your gaze, "We have the same name. He might know... And if Magi are involved then he might know more than what I expect."

"I figured that much. But do you think he has a connection to the old you or the moonlit world?" Kotomine asked as he adjusted his glasses.

"I'll have to figure it out..." You hissed as you held your shoulder while looking down at the documents, "These things really do link me... Hey, can you tell me about this family?"

"Well there's not much to tell, really. The Derrinsmiths are not particularly old or new but are an accomplished line of mages that stay in the background. They handle external affairs of the Clocktower relating to mundane relations with the normal world. Pencil Pushers if the description could be used here," Kotomine said as he leaned back with a more relaxed tone, "They're not exactly in decline but they lack the drive to pursue every Magi's goal."

"Reaching the Root through generations of research?" You guessed with a raised eyebrow.

Kotomine smiled before raising a hand, "Indeed. Once in a generation, they would make a breakthrough that keeps them relevant."

"And what of the other family tied to the dead kid's name?" You asked.

"Sculptors. The Luctworth were proficient in creating sculptures for the use of Magecraft. Unlike the previous clan, they act more of the stereotypical Magus Family. Obsessed with the Root and generations of research," Kotomine glanced at the porcelain duck on his desk, "They're well known in the Clocktower and one of their kin was even a student to a Lord, what they learned under that man propelling them to contribute better to the family magecraft."

"Sculptors? That's certainly creepy," you grimaced as you crossed your arms.

"Trust me, I haven't told you about Necromancers yet," Kotomine chuckled as he managed a smile now. He then brought his hands together and said, "I don't know how things came to be but if you survive this war, I will help in finding answers with you. This may just involve enough heresy to warrant our intervention."

"Never going to let the chance to thumb some mages in the eye, huh?" You observed as you crossed your legs.

"Well... A church man has to do what a church man has to do. Magi are heretics after all..." Kotomine said before waving his hand.

"Riiiight," you sighed as you hung you head, "Still... This a lot to think about. Thanks for looking it up for me."

"Do you know what you're going to do now, Brie?" Kotomine asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Maybe. I'll deal with this when I come to it later," you said as you leaned on your seat, "Still doesn't answer my questions but I can't have everything."

"Good. Keep that focus and you may just overcome your next opponent," Kotomine said as he stood up, "Rejoice, girl. You've found new strength. Don't forget that when you confront the truth you seek."

"Whatever, Priest man," you chuckled lightly as your thoughts surfaced.

What were you? Who were you? What were those families to you? Why didn't you have any memories? Where did you come from? Where did you summon Medb? Why did you participate in this war?

These questions lingered in your mind and no answer in sight... Except asking that man.

You felt as if something inside you just unlocked and a strange weight settled on your shoulders. You had a bad feeling... A very bad feeling. Should you seek him out? Why did it feel like you were afraid...

"Brie, are you all right?" Kotomine asked with concern in his tone.

"Yeah I'm fine," you lied as you rubbed your arm. You were hating this war more and more...

[] Go find Rider. Maybe she'll be a better conversation partner for once.
[] Go meet Ruler. You should help her out with anything she needed.
[] Write in...

[] Go find Rider. Maybe she'll be a better conversation partner for once.

Rider wasn't that hard to find given she was your Servant but she did make you work for it though. She was on the bell tower leaning against the wall, looking towards the city as the sun set in the distance. The orange skies was like fading candle light that acted as a prelude to the chilly December evening to come. You just wished that she got a better place to hang around than this one, it was cold here already.

You walked over to her shivering a bit before she turned to you with a curious look. A smile curled on her lips as she let you come close by her side. You looked down at where she was staring and saw that the church guards were being handed their hot meals by Ruler. You couldn't help but crouch down to rest your legs from the climb you just had to make.

"You look like you've seen some things, Little Master. I never took you for someone to find my presence preferable to anywhere else," Medb said as she glanced your way.

"Just some things that makes me want to run away from this war. But no, just by knowing I'm getting tied down more and more," you growled as you closed your eyes.

"Well it seems like the poor little bird's found herself tired. Though I doubt this bell tower would make a good resting spot for you," Medb said as she walked over to you and pet your head.

"I found out about who I am. Well... No, that's not true but Kotomine figured things out. I'm feeling that I need to find answers if I want closure," you replied as you looked out the city.

"But that doesn't seem like something that's relevant to you now, huh?" Medb said as she circled around the bell with a hum.

"Between the war and my memories, the war's important. I might die after all," you murmured as you leaned back on the wall.

"That's true. It's nice to have your focus but there are some mysteries linking you with this war," Medb pointed out before standing on the edge of the bell tower, "When you first summoned me, when you disappeared, then your sudden acquisition of a personality, isn't that something worth finding out about?"

You looked her way and narrowed your gaze, "You think... Someone brought us here... To fight?"

"I didn't say that but now that we're there, it's either that or... You're sent here to die," Rider suggested as she hopped back to where you were. She knelt down before you and grabbed your cheeks with her mittens, "I couldn't imagine someone sending someone so cute to die."

"You'd be surprised, your Majesty," you sighed as you held her hand and pushed it away, "Whatever the case, we're probably here for some higher purpose and it most likely involves the Grail."

"You think we'll find out as we go?" Rider wondered with a curious tone.

"Probably. I'm counting on you for now at least. I'm too scared to do it myself," you admitted as you slowly got up and removed the dirt from your clothes.

"I'm your Queen and you're my subject. It's only proper I pull you along," Rider huffed as she crossed her arms, "Even when you have few to offer other than your mana and ideas."

"I'll take the compliment," you coughed before you two looked down at the city before you. It was decided then, you're definitely in this war now.

.....
....
...

It was evening when you received the call. Medb answered the phone in the presence of Ruler and Kotomine just as you were about to leave. She then handed it to you and frowned before you recognized the voice of Police Chief Edmund speaking to you.

"There's been an incident you might be interested in, Miss Brie. We'll be sending you the data now."

You frowned before you were given a PDF file through the message attachment of your phone. You opened it up and read the file with the images attached to them. They were camera feeds of an armored individual fighting through an underground parking lot.

You could barely make it out from the grainy photo attached to the report.

"As per your orders we have given you a swift report of anything strange. The location of that place should be east of the city by the Super Mall. There have been reports of disturbances occurring for the past hour now."

"Got it. Thanks. We'll act based on what you've told us," you replied before hanging up.

Ruler stepped forward and asked, "What was it?"

"Servants. I think there might be fighting going on in the city right now," you answered her as you looked between her and Kotomine, "East of the City underneath a Super Mall. It's probably happening right now."

"I see. Then I'll go," Ruler said as she moved to make her way to the door, "I have to make sure they don't overdo it."

"Wait, hold on. Don't you remember you're being targeted? Archer could get you from afar," Kotomine said as he grabbed her shoulder, "At least take these two with you."

You and Rider glanced at one another before you both raised your hands.

"No we're not," you quickly blurted out.

"We have other plans," Rider giggled and winked.

The Priest rolled his eyes before Ruler shifted into her armor and walking out of the church doors past the guards. She vanished into the night before Kotomine turned to you with a shake of his head.

You really didn't plan on getting involved in any fight. You can't even watch unless you're present so why take the risk? You and Rider stared at Kotomine as he rubbed his hands together.

"Right. She'll be fine. I won't have to drag her body back here again armor and all. She'll be fine..." The Priest griped before glancing at you, "You two stay safe out there. There's still a few Masters available to jump you."

"We'll try and be safe," you assured him as you and Rider walked out.

"The Church will always be open for you two," Kotomine Kinzo said as the door closed behind you two.

Walking down the street, you distanced yourself from the church before glancing at your Servant. The battle was going on the east side of the city so you might want to avoid that area for now. You need information though if you want to know how to move forward.

"We're going to the station. We might get a view of what's going on from there," you decided as Rider smiled and hailed down a car.

You stood back as she walked forward as the window rolled down to reveal a pair of young men inside. She smiled brightly and winked before speaking up.

"Hi, can we borrow this for a minute?"

......
.....
....

You stopped screaming when the car skidded to a halt before the police station and you got out. She was a Rider, of course that didn't just mean her legend being enough to qualify her for the class. You let out a shaky breath as you stood up from the sidewalk while Medb picked you up.

The two of you walked into the police station where it was still relatively packed. The law seldom sleeps if ever. The officers you passed by ignore you before you found Edmund in his office.

"Are your people monitoring the situation?" You asked him while Rider shut the door.

"We are. It was said to be an armed conflict but there were anomalies which clashed with our men. I have a video right here sent just five minutes ago," Edmund said as he showed you the laptop he had.

The screen showed a shaky bodycam of a first responder stop and raise his gun at a bloodied yet approaching individual. The hostile had graying skin and a gaunt expression before lunging with snarl, prompting three reports of gunfire.

"The officer was gravely injured while the suspect was subdued despite shots to the shoulder and abdomen," Edmund explained as he glanced up at you, "Here's another video sent here but we can't make heads or tails of it."

You watched a video of some officers taking to the rooftop as a man with a sword clashed against a larger man in a dark jacket. The officers ordered the two combatants to freeze but a laughter from off screen rang followed by projectiles striking bodies.

The armored man in white was picked up by the brute and smashed through the ground.

"Saber," you murmured as you stepped back.

"We're getting reports by the minute and the fighting has yet to stop," Edmund went on before turning the device back to himself.

Rider crossed her arms and shrugged, "Seems like Saber's taking a beating. Second only to Berserker in terms of the strength of Servants, I can't help but wonder just how strong his foe is."

"Still those people. The hostiles weren't normal. They were like in the reports. Corpses," you murmured as you looked down.

"Well? What's your plan Master? We have nothing to do with this. If Saber's out of the picture then that's one less hassle to deal with with," Rider offered with a smile as she leaned on the Chief's desk, "Or are you going to spice up our life?"

[] You'll need more people. Medb will power them up with her skills and you'll send them to investigate this matter. You'll be nearby of course, you want to know what freak was giving a Saber Class a hard time.
[] You'll use this chance to find a secure location away from prying eyes. You'll hide until this all blows over. If Saber dies then Medb's right, that's one less problem for you to deal with. You're not getting involved.
[] write in...