Fate/White Parmesan

[] All of the above

Where can you start? You were feeling a whole lot just from that one encounter. You didn't even have the strength to tell Rider off for what she did as you were left stunned by what just happened. You felt exhausted for the most part. What Od you had left in you was just going to scrape by if you tried to cast another spell. You were spent both physically and mentally leaving you to sit on your bed with the same stunned expression as earlier.

You mulled over what happened and you can't help but feel terrified. What did it mean? The voice which spoke into your mind was certainly your own but you had no control over it. You had no driving will to maneuver yourself at the time. It was like you were looking at someone else move your body back there.

Almost like your body had become one big involuntary muscle. Your own personality was pushed back from the forefront of your mind as your emotions were quickly muted. Your body took control away from you then and there without warning. What else was hidden away in this body of yours?

What changed between summoning Rider and calling for her with your command seal back then. You wore the face of a dead girl and you had no memories to work with. You were afraid on what this could all mean down the line. Why was this happening and for what purpose?

It scared you witless as you stared at your empty mug. You were shaking. What were you? You can't help but feel lost in it all. You didn't understand it. Why give you this body, this personality and these skills and throw you into a Grail War? Did someone expect you to win? Why? Who would do it?

You ended up losing your grip on the mug and letting it fall. Rider caught it before it shattered as you raised your head to meet her gaze. You let out a shaky breath as you closed your eyes. What the hell were you?

"I feel a lot of things. And with no small part on your end," You told Rider as you looked to the side as she pulled away and sat on her bed.

"I see," Rider murmured as she set aside the mug, "Sorry. I didn't intend it to get that heated."

"Well it was enough to push my buttons... Whatever they may be," you murmured as you looked her way, "Thanks a lot, dumbass."

"Now now, no need for that," Rider huffed as she turned to meet your eyes.

"What the hell's that supposed to mean?! I'm in a Holy Grail War! I can't remember who I am or where I came from! I'm left fearing for my life every single second, I killed someone and I'm manipulating the lives of many others! I'm a target to be killed in a god fucking battle royale for psychos!" You snapped as you got up and grabbed your Servant by the shoulders, "What the hell do you want me to feel?! I'm scared, Rider! I don't know what to do, Rider! I'm tired of running and hiding, Rider! I want to understand what's happening to me, Rider! That's how I feel!"

Medb said nothing but wore a hard look before you let her go. You pulled away and grit your teeth, clenching your fist as you held your throbbing head.

You fought back tears before hissing, "I never asked for this. I'm scared. One wrong move and I could die. I don't want to die, Rider. I'm scared... It's too much. And now I have to process whatever's happening to me?! It's unfair! Why me?! Why did I have to be in this situation?! I can't brush it off! I feel like exploding!"

The lights within the room you were in flickered as the prana in the air shifted from your emotions. You were opening and closing the television as white noise escaped from it with every boot up.

The lamp by your side crackled as the ceiling lights blinked rapidly. The power within the entire Inn became unstable as you stepped back from your Servant and held your head. Falling on your bed and sitting on it edges, you let out a shaky breath as you closed your eyes.

"What's going to happen to me after this War? I don't know a lot but I can make guesses. I'm not human... There's few ways to go from there. My circuits are high quality for someone like me, I have this... Program inside my head... I'm not stupid. I know this because my head feeds me information. Sending a homonculi to fight a War isn't all illogical from the perspective of a Magus Family. It shouldn't be too hard to make an expendable doll to fight for the Grail! I had no emotions, you said it yourself! What's that supposed to-" you snapped before Rider pushed you down.

Her long slender hands felt like they were clamps on your shoulders. You were pinned down as Rider loomed over you with a serious look in her eyes.

It was the most serious you've seen her since you met her. She wasn't the playful succubus that preyed on men, she wasn't the polite Eternal Lady that caught everyone's gaze, she wasn't your Servant that bantered with you on the most inane reasons.

You were being pinned by the Queen of Connacht, the Queen that spilled the blood of heroes for her own greed. She stared you down like a true Royalty would and it was enough to take the words from your lips. Her overflowing aura was enough to cut you off as you spoke.

"You forget who you're speaking to, Girl. So listen to me and listen well because I will not be repeating myself," Medb snarled as she pushed you down. You let out a shaky breath as she continued, "This is but a trial. One that you will overcome if you're to stand by my side, got it? You're afraid, this is something you don't understand. Something alien and strange and it horrifies you due to unspoken implications. You're a smart girl but that intelligence would be both your greatest strength and weakness."

"Rider?" You blinked in a weak tone before she pulled you up. She held you steady as she stood before you with the same firm expression.

"You overthink. You're not the one with eyes that can see the future, Brie. You fear tomorrow before it could come and that haunts you. But it's because you think like that that you can overcome your trials," Rider said as she relaxed her grip on you, "You think yourself alone but I am here. I can help. I can ease your pain. You think you're weak but you're stronger than you think. I didn't expect much at first but I grew to see what sort of person you are. Braver Men, mightier Kings, and stronger Heroes have fallen in the face of crises on the level of what you're experiencing now. And yet for all your fear and cowardice, you stubbornly clung to where you are now. You're better than what you believe, child."

She placed a hand on your head before pulling you into an embrace. Your head rested on her abdomen as she stroked your hair.

"You are afraid, lost and confused. But I've seen your bravery overcome your fear. Eventually, you will find your way and you'll understand the mysteries set upon you," Medb continued as she hugged you tight, "That's impressive for a girl like you. Human or not, one thing's for sure is that you are my partner and Master. I don't care if you're undead or a phantasmal beast so long as you hold your Command Seals as proof of our contract I will fight by your side. Difficult as you could be... I've had fun, you know?"

"Rider?" You blinked as she pulled away to wipe your tears.

"What sort of Queen would I be if I didn't take care of my Retainers? Well... No, I didn't, in life. But getting brained by cheese hurts, you now? So I will do my best now that I have this chance," Medb said with a small smile. She placed a hand on your shoulder, "I'm a cruel and selfish Queen. Be grateful for this reception you're receiving..."

"It's not fair. Don't expect that just by talking like you're some big shot that it'll be all fine," You growled as you wiped your tears.

"But it's working, isn't it?" Rider asked with a raised eyebrow.

"A little," you grumbled as she smiled brightly. It was a radiant one.

"I think I'm going to make you cry more often. It's tickling a little nerve in me," Rider said as she grabbed your shoulders again.

You looked at her with a betrayed expression as tears welled up in your eyes once more. Rider's smile turned goofy before you palmed her face and moved her aside.

She laughed as she held your hand and placed it on her cheek. She gave you a smirk as you felt the warmth of her skin.

"I think I'm starting to get your personality down pat, Master," Rider chuckled as she leaned on your hand.

You looked aside and sighed, "I hate your guts."

She wasn't letting go of you any time soon. You could only resign yourself to this fate as you mulled over her words. Of all Servants that could give you a peptalk it had to be this one. Beggars can't be choosers but still... You could do better, right?

....

Well, maybe this wouldn't be as bad as you imagined it.

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

In the following morning you received a message from the police station. You were surprised by this so it must have been important but you would have really preferred if you didn't get these things whenever you were eating.

Rider was busy looking through her own phone as you read the Chief's message...

[] It was about the white cloaked gunmen. It seemed that there's a lead on their whereabouts now. Archer should be with them...
[] There was a mysterious gas leak that occurred by the suburban residential areas the previous night. It seemed relevant to you according to the Chief. Sightings of a monster had been spreading too.
[] Corpses have been found at an abandoned factory chopped up and stuffed in boxes. There were signs at the crime scenes that whoever was there left in a hurry.
[] You were needed at the station. Perhaps you could take the time to procure more weaponry from their armory while you're there.
[] You didn't read the message and simply ignored it. You're going to hunker down in this Inn some more before you made your moves. A lot's been going on...

[] You were needed at the station. Perhaps you could take the time to procure more weaponry from their armory while you're there.

The police station had been your first true progress in this war. Linking up whatever information they had with yourself was an easy way to get on top of the strange occurrences within the city. It helped that they had a way of communicating with you fast but this call in itself was strange. You're not sure what to make of it.

Medb's charms were strong enough to bend their wills to serve your own ends but an accomplished Magi could dispel it. Maybe the monsters in the Clocktower could negate it entirely at the level Medb applied her skills to the police. You couldn't help but wonder if any of the other Masters had caught wind of your operations with the police.

But they hadn't and you're going to milk this advantage for all you could. Which meant that you could use what resources they had not just in terms of information but also weapons. All you had was the handgun you showed into your pocket during the night you saw those Dead Apostles and it only had seven shots.

You probably should return and replace it with something better. So long as Medb was around you could carry it around even when you were questioned by other cops. Life was convenient like that.

Standing inside the Chief's office, you crossed your arms as the man raised his gaze towards you, "Miss Brie, Lady Medb, good morning to you two."

"What's this about, Eddy? Calling us here like this?" Medb wondered with a raised eyebrow.

"It occurs to me that in this War of yours, it would serve Lady Brie better if she were to be capable of defending herself," Police Chief Edmund suggested as he nodded, "As such, we're opening the Armory for her use alongside the training room."

"Huh?" You blinked before Medb laughed out loud. It was like a serene bell-like sound as she walked to the grizzled man and leaned forward over his desk.

"Ah... Isn't that considerate of you. Are you boys so starved that you'll try and curry my favor through my Master?" Rider smirked as she tapped the man's cheek, making him visibly shudder from her touch.

You're not sure how it was affecting him but it seemed that by just being close to her made him unable to form a response. Was this how dogs were with chocolate? You're not entirely sure but it was surreal on how wrapped the poor old guy was around Medb's finger.

He eventually found his composure and cleared his throat, "Rest assured, Mistress, that we're only keeping her well being in mind. We have trainers willing to give her pointers... Let's say twice a week?"

"Hmm?" Medb hummed before she gave you a cat-like smile.

You sighed as you raised your hands, "I'll go check the Armory. Try not to bring the whole floor down."

"See you later~," Medb giggled as you walked out of the office. Well then... Maybe this was your cue to become the Magus Killer 2.0.

You walked down the hall with your arms crossed. If anything Medb's quirk was saving you a lot in terms of magical energy. You just didn't want the entire police force being coerced to explaining their broken pelvises. You didn't want to be in the fallout of that so you made your exit as swiftly as possible.

Nearly everyone in the department had been tagged by Medb's charm so you had a relatively free reign of the place. Those that didn't get charmed were hastily transferred or sent to Christmas vacations. You were surprised by the number of excuses people could make.

You descended down the basement where the Armory was waiting for you. It was down the hall from the shooting range inside a dingy little room manned by a young woman in a clerk's outfit. You were surprised to see her but she seemed happy to see you.

"Hi and welcome! The chief told me you were visiting. Brie, right?" The girl smiled as she leaned from behind the counter.

"I... Yes," you nodded with a frown, "He said I could make use of what's in... Here? Is that okay?"

"Oh sure. I think everyone's acting weird but I've been paid to keep my mouth shut. And boy, I could get used to it! You can pick out some weapons we have here. No one's going to complain," the girl replied as she waved you off.

"I came here to return this at least," you said as you placed your gun on the table, "I just sort of took it."

"Ah. No wonder there's one unaccounted for. No worries. You can pick out a new one to use!" The clerk girl said before taking out a box and sliding it to you, "How about using this? Standard issue for our beat cops. It's the same model as the one you had but this one's brand new."

"I... See. I never used these weapons before," you admitted as you looked inside the box to find some ammo and the case which held the gun. Though you wouldn't be surprised if your brain had the data which will allow you to use it.You nearly shot Medb's warrior the previous night.

"Well it's not my problem. If you get hurt or if you shoot your foot, you can visit our in-house clinic," The clerk girl with a bright smile.

"Right. Thanks... I'll go now," you replied as you walked away. What a weird girl. Almost creepy in fact. She wasn't charmed by Medb but she still let you have this.

Maybe you shouldn't pry if she's taking bribes happily. She seemed like the bad sort of person you can't deal with. You walked down the hall into the shooting range which you found empty. There were still some equipment around and fresh targets for you to fire at.

Setting down the box, you inspected the earmuffs hanging on the wall. Putting them on, you then wore a pair of safety glasses and gloves.

You stopped before sighing, "God, I'm doing it again aren't I?"

True enough your body had been moving in autopilot. You only noticed it when you were about to take out the handgun. You can't take it, this was weird so you stopped and slumped against an available chair.

Your thoughts returned to the previous night. Was it really okay to tap into that power again? It felt so unreal at the time, almost like you were mechanical. What humanity you had vanished in a surge of magical energy as you fought to survive. But if that were the case then why didn't it activate while you were trapped in that bounded field?

No... It did in a fashion. It fueled your will to live and gave you access to a weaker version of Aegis. You're not sure what to think of that shield either, it must have a meaning if it was yours. It wasn't a mystic code that could be summoned for sure. Everything was just unnatural.

You held your chest as you found yourself having trouble breathing. Pain. It was painful. Every time your heart beat, pain flashed through your chest as you grit your teeth. The earmuffs muted sound in the quiet shooting range so you were more aware of your thoughts.

"Are you all right?" A voice asked from the shadows. You tensed before you saw a woman in a dark suit step out from the dark holding a clipboard.

She was a beautiful woman dressed in that form fitting suit, crisply ironed while she carried herself with a noble aura. Her purple hair was tied into a tight bun while her violet eyes studied you from behind her rimless glasses. She was tall and intimidating, almost waking you from your stupid just by being in her presence.

"I-I..." You started speaking before taking off your earmuffs.

"This place is normally restricted from civilians... And you are most certainly not police," the woman pointed out as she wrote something down on her clipboard.

"I... Was going to be taught how to shoot. An uncle of mine led me here," you told her with a quiet tone. You're not sure if you can lie about this. Maybe you can get Rider here-

"I see. He hasn't come back then? Mr. Derrinsmith would be interested in hearing about this," the woman said before she set aside the clipboard and placed it by the table you had your box on.

"Who are you?" You stared at her as she took out the gun you brought with you. She then started loading it with bullets before glanced at you.

"I'm Mr. Derrinsmith's assistant. I was tasked to speak with a few detectives on behalf of my Boss as well as to inspect the department," The woman said before she turned your way, "He's running for office next month. I'm sure you've heard of him."

"I think so," you replied as you gave it some thought. You stared at the gun in her hand as she took the earmuffs that was available on the rack.

"Care to watch? I can show you how to do it if you wish," the Assistant smiled as she pulled the slide and walked to the shooting range.

You put on your earmuffs and stood up. The woman in the dark suit raised the weapon and got into a stance. She didn't hesitate as she pulled the trigger causing three shots to ring out and find their marks as the targets shifted afar.

"The trick is not that different from handling other weapons. Whether you use a knife, a gun or your fists, you use them as tools... And you use them so long as they are able to help you meet your purpose," the Assistant said as she lowered her gun, "When the gun runs out of bullets or if a blade turns dull, it's time to discard them. The same goes for people too. But discarding them haphazardly is also foolish. The true wisdom when handling weapons is to make the most out of them while in your hands... So don't miss."

"That's a roundabout way of saying don't fuck up," you replied with a dry tone.

"Well now, what a crude girl you are. Here," the woman said as she offered you the gun, "Do you want me to run you by the basics?"

[] Accept.
[] Decline.