Fate/Blackened Sugar

[] Those kind people at the relief center may need help again. Go there.

Watching the cars go by was fun and all, but those who do not work will not eat. Life may have been easy before but now, you needed to work. Picking up your cane, you used it as support and got to your feet. You winced at the pain coming from your bum leg but you endured it.

You leaned down to pick up your sign and hold it beneath your right arm. It was difficult to move when two limbs were outright unusable. You began to limp down the street as the cold winter air caused your breath to smoke.

The night grew darker these days but that was only normal. You were after all smack dabbed in Winter after all. It helped that you acquired a number of coats to keep you warm.

You avoided people as much as possible while keeping a good pace. Eventually, you reached the little trailer being used as a relief center. It wasn't an office or even a proper building but more of a mobile soup kitchen and supply depot the Homeless could make use of.

You drew closer to it and were greeted by the volunteers working there.

"Oh, Mr. Smith. Good evening," a youthful volunteer said as they were hauling their supplies.

You chuckled as you replied, "I'm only 27. Don't Mr. me yet."

"Must be the beard then. How can we help you? Breakfast is in 4 hours," the volunteer told you with a curious look.

"I was hoping I'd get to do some work for you. Perhaps get myself a midnight snack from your stores?" You guessed with a raised eyebrow.

"Ah. Well, we would appreciate the extra pair of eyes. Some punks have been going around making things difficult for the Homeless. A couple days back, Mr. Sanders was brought to a hospital due to being mugged," the volunteer said with a worried tone.

Ah, that's what happened to Jerry. No wonder you haven't seen him.

"I see. Have the police been involved?" You asked with a frown.

"They're on the lookout but our organisation's told volunteers to back off until this is resolved. But, we can't. People need our help, especially in these times," the volunteer said with a nod.

"I see. I might not be much but I'll holler if anything comes up," you told him as you leaned on your cane.

"Then would you like an omelette once we've finished here?" The volunteer asked as he crossed his arms.

"That would be great," you said with a nod before you took your place before their trailer.

Life was difficult but if one were resourceful, they could survive in the city. You stood before the trailer as the volunteers finished bringing in the supplies for the day. They were good folk but some punks just couldn't help themselves. You supposed that there lay pleasure to be derived from corrupting the good... Or destroying it.

Those people were the worst.

Half an hour later, they came.

"We have company," you warned and the two volunteers tensed up as a group of five youths holding bats emerged.

They couldn't have been a few years younger than you were. Late teens, possibly at the cusp of adulthood.

"W-What do you want? Stay back, we're a private organisation!" One of the volunteers yelled from within the trailer, "We'll call the cops!"

"Hey now, we're part of an organisation too! We're just here to clean up the streets a bit," the rough looking youth said with an arrogant smirk, "Isn't that what we're supposed to do? Picking up the dregs of society and giving them warm beds?"

You grimaced beneath your beard, "If you mean hospital beds, then that doesn't make it right."

"Oh so you disagree with that, huh?" The rough youth growled as he swung his bat at you.

Lifting up your cane, you braced yourself and blocked his blow.

CLACK

You turned and swept him off with a low kick, tripping him up. The youth fell, hitting the ground and groaning as his friends backed up. You stabbed him lightly with your cane as you looked down on him.

"You better leave before you get hurt," you warned him just as one of the youths pulled out a gun.

"Mister!" A volunteer warned you just as you threw your cane at the youth and sidestepped a swing from another. Flicking your wrist, your cane flew back to your grasp before you jammed it into the stomach of another enemy.

You kneed his face before whipping your cane at his knees and shattering his kneecap.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" The youth yelled as he fell. The boy with the gun tried crawling to it just as you smacked it away.

Police sirens rang in the distance. The bodies of your would be assailants sprawled on the ground groaning. The volunteers stepped out with fearful looks.

"You all right, Smith?" The volunteer said as he checked you for injuries.

"I'm fine. Can't say for these boys, though," you noted with a raised eyebrow.

"We'll vouch for you. We don't know what would have happened if you didn't... Fuck, that was cool," the volunteer said as he nodded in approval, "Almost like magic or something."

"Just martial arts. Not magic," you chuckled as you tapped his shoulder.

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

The cops carted off youths having gotten video evidence of their assault. You were cleared of anything that would have made you suspicious with the help of the relief people.

You were eating omelettes thanks to your heroics. You had just gotten done with your meal when a new arrival came by. A black car drove by the street and stopped, a few men in dark suits stepped out.

The Volunteers perked up at the sight of them but you simply held up your hand.

A man stepped out from the passenger's seat. He was a mousy looking individual dressed in a pinstriped suit while having balding hair. Your eyes narrowed as you stared at him before he stopped in front of you.

"We have finally found you, Mr. Derrinsmith. A pleasure to finally see you in the flesh," the man said with a polite tone.

"What do you want?" You asked as you lifted up your water cup and washed down your meal, "Depending on where you're from, I might have to get violent."

"We mean you no harm as of the moment. We simply require your expertise in some matter regarding the events that are about to unfold in the city," the man said with a small smile.

You felt your hand ache beneath the bandages you covered it with.

"And that is?" You asked.

"We wish to summon a Servant for the Liar's Grail War with a particular catalyst. Do this for us and we might just be able to hide you from your pursuers," the man said with a nod.

You blinked. So they want in on the action too. Well this makes things simpler, especially with their catalyst.

"You're not with the Clocktower and you're too scummy to be with the church. Are you sure you want to dip your toes in this bloody affair?" You asked as you stood up.

"We would be grateful for your assistance," the man said with a smile.

You limped past him, "Fine. Take me to your place."

"Of course, sir," the man replied as you stepped into his car.

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

You were seated in the backseat with the streets rolling by your window. You can't help but wonder what kind of catalyst they have to summon a Servant with but... Liar's Grail War? Was that a different format from the other Petty Wars?

"Forgive the later introductions. My name is Luther Valses, a candidate for the position of Master in this War. Our family has been eyeing this area as a possible battlefield for the Petty Grail predicted to manifest here," Luther said from the passenger's seat, "But worry not, Mr. Derrinsmith, we will make this endeavour worthwhile."

You were being transported to the summoning grounds of this man.

What do you do now?

[] "What is this Liar's Grail War? How different is it from the others?"
[] "This catalyst you wish me to see. What can you tell me about it?"
[] "What servant do you intend to summon that needs an outsider like me to assist with?"