Fate/Clusterfuck (Fate/Stay Night)

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-obPL9WW6Q

[Talk to the Maid]

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!

—

You do believe wandering around the mansion aimlessly would do little more than cause Illya's rapid mood changes to devolve even further. And, at the moment, you didn't feel much like talking to Fujimaru either. That was not a slight against the woman, just… you still weren't entirely sure what you thought of her and this whole situation.

Well.

You knew what you thought about this, it was a concerted effort on your part at the moment not to think about that ruined shop. But regarding Fujimaru specifically, you didn't know. Chaldea as a concept was a lot to think about, and you had far larger worries at the moment. Namely just keeping everyone you cared for alive, something the universe was seemingly doing its best to make difficult. But you would. You would, and you would pay any cost to do it. But for now… now you wanted to talk to Illya's maid.

You had now met her twice, and both times she had done her best to throw you immediately off balance, and, much to your chagrin, you didn't even know her name. That would need to be rectified since you planned on working with, and getting to know Illya better in the future. That, and the concept itself interested you. Raiga had staff, to be certain, but a maid was something you had no experience with, and those cafes that Gai mentioned sneaking off to whenever his mother wasn't looking… You had turned down his invitation more than once. Though that had somehow led to a passing mention to Otoko, which led to her getting ideas of retheming Copenhagen until her father yelled that idea out of her brain. You did not understand that woman, but then, you came to a realization a long time ago you didn't understand most women. And you certainly didn't understand their interest in you.

But you were distracting yourself. Without a word to Fujimaru you make your way back over to the door, a quick glance over the shoulder shows the master-sans-servant wasn't following, instead looking around at the opulence on display with a look of polite 'while I do not particularly care for the level of wealth on display, I am observing it patiently and with consideration in case you quiz me on it'. It was a skill you had obtained from years of dealing with Raiga. Of course, Raiga didn't have a castle.

Probably.

Opening to the door to the outside, you wince momentarily at the sharp contrast of the heated interior to the Winter making its presence known outside. The plaza was beautiful, if now covered, and you give it only a moment's glance before you look at the Florence Nightingale to your left. At least, that is what the outfit reminded you of in the very least. As the door shuts behind you she ever so slightly turns to look at you, bright red eyes observing you with no hint of emotion. There was no hint of emotion anywhere on her to be honest, she stood there, still as a statue with her hands clasped in front of her waist. Beyond that slight move to observe you, she might as well have been a mannequin.

"Do you require something?" the maid asks after another moment, her posture unchanging.

"I was hoping to talk to you a bit," you respond with a smile.

She stares at you in silence, for seconds drawing on long enough that it almost makes you miss the awkwardness of dealing with Caster at times. Especially after that dre-

You weren't going to think about that at the moment. You still needed to… ask her about that.

"Why?" the maid finally asks.

"I was just hoping to get to know you better." You reply honestly. "I met Illya, and her servant, and you that day."

The maid processes that, then nods, her eyes closing as she does so. "You wish to get into my good graces so that you can use me to sneak into the castle at a later date and murder Lady Illya."

You stare at her, not quite sure what to say. So you simply say. "No."

The maid's eyes open once more. "I see." Then she takes a step to the side. "Then you are doing this so that you may have your way with me."

You open your mouth to defend yourself, but the maid cuts you off.

"My Master's servant has stated you were surrounded by many women, I would have hoped that that would have been enough to protect myself. But I see you are but a wild beast that cannot be contained. Tell me, are you seeking my Lady as well?"

"... I never even got your name." You finally manage to get out.

The maid says nothing once more for several seconds, her eyes studying you for several moments before she speaks. "Leysritt. I am in charge of the garden, cooking, and the laundry."

"That's… a lot of work, are there only the two of you?" you ask, having seen none else around.

Leysritt nods. "Sella is in charge of the cleaning."

You were about to remark on the difference in workload, about to, until you recalled how large this building was. "Are you… a Spirit Liner? If you don't mind me asking?" you would have asked if she was a servant, but she would likely turn that statement around quickly.

"No." Leyritt replies simply. "Lady Illya only has one. I am but a maid in her service. Destined to forever take care of the garden and to cook."

"I think you forgot about the laundry."

"I was attempting to, yes." Leysritt replies. "Milady's dresses are too fragile for a washing machine. Each takes several hours of careful preparation and work so that she may toss them onto the floor once the day is over."

"I-"

"But if they get dirty it is my fault, even if I cannot control the fact that one tends to get messy while flying through the forest at roughly the same speed as a rocket attempting to leave the atmosphere."

"Sounds like a lot of work," you say quietly.

Leyritt nods minutely. "Yes. But Lady Illya is a good master."

That causes you to smile. "Have you been with her for long?"

"My entire life," Leysritt responds. "It is my purpose."

That's a fair bit of dedication, but then, you didn't even pretend to understand how rich people functioned. "Well, it's very nice to meet you in any case, Leysritt."

She smiles, slightly, but it's there. "It is a pleasure Shirou. Now, Illya prefers Vanilla cakes and I should stress that."

You blink.

"She prefers to be in bed at nine, however, for her health it is best if she is tucked in by seven and no later. However, if she complains about it, do not attempt to dissuade her from whatever choice she makes regarding a proper bedtime."

"Be-"

"Her preferred tea is Liu An, though she can accept Spring Longjing if necessary. She prefers to drink it with fresh biscuits prepa-"

"I came here to talk to you, not to ask about Illya." You interject.

Leysritt blinks, several times in rapid succession actually. "So you do wish to have your way with me?"

You felt an overpowering desire to scream, but said urge was removed as the doors to the parlor swung open to reveal Illya. She had changed out of her dress into… what you believe may be called a coat, but it was far fancier and had far more buttons than those you had ever seen before. Purple… wool or velvet ran down to her knees, with a white scarf or cravat wrapped around her neck. On top of her head was a squat and flat purple hat, and from the knees down she was bare legged until you reached her feet, which were covered in boots made of the same material as the dress it appeared.

You might wonder if she was cold, but the fire in her eyes was likely enough to heat the rest of her just fine. Her eyes glowed as she caught sight of you, before, with great apparent effort, she stood up straight. Coughed into her hand, then smiled at you, "how do I look?"

"Pretty." You answer simply.

Illya's smile could have melted the snow away.

—

In rapid order Illya's servant was summoned, and you now all stood, including Fujimaru but not Leysritt, the maid having excused herself. In the parlor. "So, Shirou, what precisely do you desire?" Illya asks.

"Has this happened before?" you ask, turning your gaze to Fujimaru.

Fujimaru nods. "Unfortunately. Mash… my servant, she would attempt to find the nearest leyline, or she would hole up in a safe place. Though she hardly followed protocol, she always tried to find me instead."

… You didn't know anything about the leylines in Fuyuki. But you at least knew some people who might, that being Caster and perhaps Sakura. Beyond that, if she was trying to find people, there was always the police, you had a few friends there as well. You look to Illya. "Can I collect my servants and friends for this?"

Illya goes silent for several moments, her face impassive. Then she looks to her servant who… nods.

Illya looks back towards you, "I don't mind."

Well, that's a relief.

"I suggest-"

—

[] [We ask my servants about the leylines]
You knew what they were but not where they were, of course, knowing what they granted a magus they were likely under watch as well. And they were.

[] [We head into the city]
Pink hair and a giant shield, not exactly subtle. Someone had to have seen her. But there was another, it was back.

[] [We check the school]
Grasping at straws, but it worked for Fujimaru. Though you aren't sure how they would have missed each other. Would be a good way to ask Issei however. But things weren't as they seemed.

—

Sorry for the short length, wasn't going to force it longer. But there'll be a sidestory this week.