Fate/Blackened Sugar

[] Call for Assassin. You need to speak with her and get to know her. You want a full rundown of her abilities.

The night was still on. There was still a few hours till sunrise. You suppose you could do something productive in the mean time. You fixed what clothes you had until you were in just a single layer of a buttoned up shirt and jacket.

Now that you had a Servant on you, you didn't have to worry about the Family trying to kill you in your sleep. You're much more inclined to trust a Servant watching over you than your own employees and allies. Fighting your grandfather's Dolls was just out of the cards.

You weren't a gorilla like a certain Cheese.

Hm... You've been thinking about her a lot. Was it because you're finally participating in a new war? December 1st, that was when the war truly began in the previous year too. If things played off like some sick joke, it should end at Christmas day as well.

You sat on your bedside and brought your hands together.

"Assassin, show yourself," you ordered before noticing your servant step out of the shadowy corner of your room.

She knelt down and lowered her head, "Master, I've arrived."

"Anything to report outside?" You asked with a raised eyebrow.

"None. I've also taken the initiative of investigating the other tenants of this Inn. None of them are threats to us," Assassin reported with a firm tone.

"Good. That should give us a few hours of rest," you said as you rubbed your chin, "In any case, you should take a seat. We could allow ourselves a few moments of reprieve."

Assassin blinked and raised her head, "My Lord?"

"Sit, Assassin. I wish to speak with you," you clarified clearly, causing the Servant to stand from where she was and take her place on the floor in a seiza position.

This will take some getting used to it would seem.

"Right. Why don't we start from the top? My name is Hans Derrinsmith. I come from a mediocre pencil pusher family of Magi," you told her with a friendly tone, "Though not only that but I'm also member of the Luctworths, renowned Automata Makers of the Moonlit World, I've been disgraced and tossed out. I've participated in 7 Petty Grail Wars and won six of them. At the seventh, I lost my arm and was forced to retire at the final battle."

Assassin stared at you from where she was seated. She was listening. She took a glance at your loose sleeve where your left arm should have been.

You still remembered the way that girl just outright ripped it off its socket. It would have killed you from the shock had you not inscribed some runes to kill the pain back then.

"Well... If you wish to know more, you can ask. Now it's your turn. I know you're Assassin, you just said that when we met. But who are you, really?"

Assassin hesitated before lowering her head, "Is my Lord asking for my True Name?"

"Yes. Tell me who you are. I believe it would benefit us both if we got to know one another. Trust and bonds bring both Master and Servants a great way through trials," you told her with a nod. You leaned back and added, "You may speak freely."

".... Is it wise?" Assassin asked.

"It's a risk I'm willing to take. Names have power and now that you know mine, you would be able to discern the type of person I am. Simply uttering a name would draw their attention, call people to your side or even rally warriors. Names are powerful things indeed and I understand the gravity of simply bearing the knowledge of yours," you replied as you tapped your foot, "So what do you think?"

Silence reigned between the two of you once more. You waited and waited, your eyes never leaving hers.

Assassin met your gaze before replying, "Mochizuki Chiyome. I bear the curse of Kouga Saburou and serve as shinobi for the Lord I serve under. I am proficient in the Shinobi Arts and reconnaissance missions. Infiltration and Spying are my greatest strengths. However I will not be able to disclose my Noble Phantasm yet. I apologize...For the duration of this War, I will serve under you, Master."

"Shinobi," you blinked in surprise. That explains her movements and weapons, "The first Kunoichi. And you said you were the descendant of Kouga Saburou? The man who descended into a mystical cave and emerged as a Serpent?"

"Yes. The very same. Though his transformation was less a product of his travels but a curse cast upon him. A curse our clan continued to carry till my time," Assassin said as she lowered her head, "I would like to ask for your forgiveness, this Shinobi carries this grotesque sin that should be left well alone. As Shinobi, my duty was to serve within the shadows out of sight of my Lord's eyes so that I may not taint them with my appearance. I ask forgiveness for being unsightly."

You were surprised by this before cracking a gentle smile, "Well, I don't think I agree. While it may be true that you carry a curse you find foul, I refuse to let it get between our rapport as Master and Servant. You do not offend me with your presence, Assassin. You have nothing to apologize for."

Assassin blinked before bowing her head, "You are most generous, Master."

"It's not being generous. It's being a decent human being to others," you told her with a nod, "Though I suspect that our foes wouldn't be as kind."

"I agree. But regardless, I will be your blade should you make use of me," Assassin said as she looked back at you.

Well, she's certainly less enthusiastic than Ferdiad but this was a change of pace. You won't push her to socialize.

For a Shinobi, she seems to be the introverted type. Still, she seemed to be bothered by something.

"Do you not like war, Assassin?" You asked her with a curious tone. Assassin seemed surprised by that before she tried forming an answer.

"No one would truly desire wars. These battles, they just be fought for a reason. They are not something to like or enjoy, I trust that your reasons for battle are not like that?" Assassin said as she gave you a look, "You've waved seven wars, you said so yourself."

"You're right. I don't like it either. But it is necessary if my wish were to be granted," you told her as you looked at your command seals, "That's why we're here. You answered the Grail because you had a wish. So do I. It's a wish worth losing an arm and leg for."

You chuckled as you joked of your crippling scars from your previous battles.

You cleared your throat and said, "And it's certainly a wish worth going to war for."

"I... I see," Assassin said as she looked to the side.

"Miss Mochizuki, I'll be counting on you from now on," you said as you smiled her way.

"Understood, Master. Have a good evening," Assassin said as she stood up and vanished from your sight.

You closed your eyes and fell back on your bed. You were tired. It was time to get some shut eye...

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

A Doll sat on the edge of a building, looking down the city of canals and lights beneath her. She looked down before taking her phone out and listened.

"Yes? Huh? Popping in and vanishing again, he sure is making this hard," the Doll said as she smiled, "It's fine. He must have a Servant now. He's becoming bold."

She looked down at the city and swung her legs.

The Doll nodded her head and said, "It's fine, Father. He won't get away this time. Saber will deal with him in due time. For now... We have to do something about the Caster that's turned the entire city into their playground."

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

You woke up.

Nothing. You dreamed of nothing.

That was good. You weren't ready to look into a Servant's past just yet. You held your forehead before stepping off your bed. You stumbled to the bathroom and opened the faucet.

Splashing your face, you felt less drowsy before wiping the water off.

Your blue eyes stared back at you before you walked out.

Looking down on yourself, you grimaced as you saw the state of your clothes. This won't do... This will definitely not do.

Walking to the drawer, you pulled out a smartphone used by one of the Magi last night. You went to an online store and picked out some clothes.

It should take an hour.

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

"Master. A man is approaching your room."

"It's fine," you said as you walked up to the door. You opened it and was greeted by a man holding a box for you.

"Mr. Derrinsmith? Please sign here," he said as you did as he told you.

You then took the package and went back in.

"Master?"

"Just a moment, Assassin," you assured her as you opened the box.

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

You buttoned up your vest and stepped into your shoes. Putting on your blazer, you tried making yourself as presentable as you could before you picked up your cane.

Assassin showed up a moment later and blinked, "You changed."

"The suit makes the man, Assassin," you told her as you leaned on your cane, "When we're settled, we'll get you some clothes too."

"My attire is sufficient. Shinobi don't get to choose their outfits," Assassin said as she looked at herself, "That aside, only my Master may see me. Anyone else are either targets or Servants. So where are we going?"

[] "My employees should be waiting in their respective positions. They can provide us with a safe base of operations. Supplies, manpower and a good hiding spot while you scout outwards."
[] "We'll be going incognito today and walk through the city. I want to give you free reign on exploring today, I want to mark leylines in the city we can use."
[] "I have a safehouse of my own cut off from the network my employees had made. I have some items I need to procure that may aid us."
[] "Visiting the police station may be a good choice. Strange occurrences, murders and even sightings could lead us to potential servants. Once we have a trail, you would be able to make better use of your talents."