Confringentur, Mk.2; a Madoka Magica / Fate/Stay Night crossover
- Thread starter SVS
- Start date
- Crossover
Day 17 Chapter 6
- Location
- Around here
[X] Check out Mikuni Oriko's residence before heading to investigate the church
You want to at least make time to check out the abandoned Sakura Church before calling it a day. It would be a good place for a Master to lay low at without arousing suspicion, so it's as good a place as any to check out. You might even find your missing master, or one of the other three if you're lucky. But, checking your map against the address given to you by Kure Minako reveals that it would actually make more sense to investigate Mikuni Oriko first. It's barely a kilometer away, and its located in such a way that you'd be able to take the train back into Mitakihara, and then over the bridge into Kazamino.
Yes, that sounds like a good plan.
Kure Minako was right when she said that you "can't miss it", when it takes up the entire block all by itself. You aren't sure just how rich Mikuni Oriko is, but her mansion is easily the size of the Tohsaka residence. Standing tall above a fence of brick and wrought iron, the western-style structure exudes the kind of wealth and prestige that would be right at home among some of the longest-lived mage families at the Clocktower. You wonder just who its owner really is, or what she's doing dating an apparent ruffian like Kure Kirika. Perhaps that's something you should look into. It might be helpful to know more about the allies of each of your masters.
But that's not all. Much like the highrise residence of Tomoe, this mansion has a Bounded Field of some quality surrounding it. It's actually rather impressive how, despite the gaping hole in the fence that invites a direct view of a rose garden in the process of some pretty severe landscaping work, no one seems to want to bother trying to gain entry. You seem to be the only one who even notices it, judging by the nonchalant reactions of passersbys.
[ ] Kure Kirika has a Caster servant with a great rank in Territory Creation
[ ] Kure Kirika is a better mage than you gave her credit for; maybe she's not a placeholder
[ ] Mikuni Oriko is a skilled mage, though not a member of Kure's order
-[ ] Could Mikuni Oriko still be a master despite not being in that order?
--[ ] If yes, is this Bounded Field the work of her, or of her servant?
[ ] Other (write-in)
At any rate, should you attempt to gain entry now, it would be troublesome if the wrong pair of eyes were to spy your actions. Seeing no immediate signs of life, save for the bushy white tail of a stray cat as it saunters away from the boundary, you decide to turn around and head back into town to check out the abandoned church.
Or at least, that's what you would do if the train bridge weren't closed for repairs - That's right, Archer and Berserker had been fighting here a few nights ago - Instead, you're forced to get off at the stop near the school and leg it the rest of the way. Fortunately, there is a footbridge not too far from the school that you can use, otherwise you might have had to swim across. You cut through the woods that flank either side of the train tracks, and as you leave the treeline, there it is.
It really is a damn sorry sight. Windows are busted, the outer walls blackened with soot, hell, even part of the roof's caved in. And yet, you can still sense something faint here. Maybe it's just the flow of this city's leylines, but you'd wager a pint or two that someone's been making camp here, and recently at that. Now, there's trespassing, and then there's trespassing. Both will get you in the same trouble, but only one will get you in trouble. So unlike the Tomoe, Akemi, or Mikuni residences, you're feeling a bit more confident about your odds inside the old church.
The doors aren't locked, and once you've entered, you see just how right you were. Discarded candy wrappers can be seen scattered about the first few rows of seats, much of the broken glass and debris you would expect to see have been swept off to the sides, and the dust isn't quite so thick in some places as in others. In fact, as you run a finger across one of the frontmost seats, you realize that some places don't even have dust.
There are a few distinct sets of footprints that you can make out against the dusty floor. Judging by their size and the lengths of their stride, four females and two taller males have been here within the past week or two, with varying degrees of ambulance based on the way one pair seems to drag their foot. You'd guess that they belong to ( ) and that this is their hideout. But there doesn't seem to be anyone around at the moment.
[ ] The masters and their servants
[ ] A gang of random hoodlums
[ ] Other (write-in)
With the coast clear, you decide to see about checking the basement. Down the dusty stairs, only one set of footprints dares to tread. You reach the bottom, and aren't quite sure what to expect as you come upon a closed door. Hesitantly, head on a swivel, you grasp the handle and jiggle it.
It opens with little complaint into a sparse basement room, charred black like much everything else in the church. A heater, minifridge, and a futon have been set up off in the corner, and by the tracks in the dust these are changes made fairly recently, within the past few weeks or so. There's little else to see of note, save for a curling piece of paper sitting on top of the minifridge. Carefully, you pick it up, finding it to be no more than a black-and-white photograph, weathered by age and marred with the same burns as the rest of the building. It depicts a young girl with braided hair, flanked on either side by figures too burnt to identify.
"Well Ortensia, it looks like there might be some truth to those rumours, after all," you say, placing the photograph back where you found it. "But, if the elder Sakura daughter really is still alive, then what's she doing back here after all this time?"
And, what should you do now that you've found her hideout?
You can hear school bells ringing in the distance, and a quick check of your watch informs you that those are likely the end-of-day bells.
Do you
[ ] Head back to school and try to catch Akemi or Tomoe
-[ ] What do you want to ask them if you can manage?
[ ] Stay here and see if anyone comes by the church
-[ ] What do you do if you are caught?
-[ ] How long do you stay if no one shows up?
[ ] Head to the library and do some digging
-[ ] on Mikuni Oriko
-[ ] on the Sakura family
-[ ] On (write-in who or what you're interested in)
[ ] Head back to your hotel room and wait for nightfall
-[ ] What do you do then?
[ ] Other (write-in)
?
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- Location
- United States
[X] Mikuni Oriko is a skilled mage, though not a member of Kure's order. It's likely that she may be Kure Kirika's mentor in Magecraft, given Oriko's family's affluent status.
[X] The masters and their servants
[X] Stay here and see if anyone comes by the church
-[X] Stay out of the Church but linger nearby in a position that would allow observation without being obviously noticed. If a person does come around and they are Sakura Kyoko, and if she has the presence of a Servant and/or a ring on her go to speak with her.
--[X] Wait at most 90 minutes for somebody to show up, leave if there's no one.
--[X] Explain that you were sent to investigate strange happenings in this town and the on the suspicion that the Grail War had started up. Ask about the rings, and how they're cursed; mention that she's spoken with one Akemi Homura about this but she was being annoyingly mysterious about the whole thing. Ask about any unusual class containers she may have encountered, or anything else that's strange about this False Grail War. Ask if she can disclose what Servants have been summoned so far, and what Servant hasn't.
[X] The masters and their servants
[X] Stay here and see if anyone comes by the church
-[X] Stay out of the Church but linger nearby in a position that would allow observation without being obviously noticed. If a person does come around and they are Sakura Kyoko, and if she has the presence of a Servant and/or a ring on her go to speak with her.
--[X] Wait at most 90 minutes for somebody to show up, leave if there's no one.
--[X] Explain that you were sent to investigate strange happenings in this town and the on the suspicion that the Grail War had started up. Ask about the rings, and how they're cursed; mention that she's spoken with one Akemi Homura about this but she was being annoyingly mysterious about the whole thing. Ask about any unusual class containers she may have encountered, or anything else that's strange about this False Grail War. Ask if she can disclose what Servants have been summoned so far, and what Servant hasn't.
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- Location
- Around here
I just realized that it would probably be a good idea to state how long we're planning on staying by the church, and how long we're willing to wait before leaving if no one show sup.
Edit: And probably what we plan to do afterwards.
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- Location
- Florida
[X] Mikuni Oriko is a skilled mage, though not a member of Kure's order. It's likely that she may be Kure Kirika's mentor in Magecraft, given Oriko's family's affluent status.
[X] The masters and their servants
[X] Stay here and see if anyone comes by the church
-[X] Stay out of the Church but linger nearby in a position that would allow observation without being obviously noticed. If a person does come around and they are Sakura Kyoko, and if she has the presence of a Servant and/or a ring on her go to speak with her.
--[X] Wait at most 90 minutes for somebody to show up, leave if there's no one.
--[X] Explain that you were sent to investigate strange happenings in this town and the on the suspicion that the Grail War had started up. Ask about the rings, and how they're cursed; mention that she's spoken with one Akemi Homura about this but she was being annoyingly mysterious about the whole thing. Ask about any unusual class containers she may have encountered, or anything else that's strange about this False Grail War. Ask if she can disclose what Servants have been summoned so far, and what Servant hasn't.
I'm going to leave what we do after to the other players, or until I could think of something.
[X] The masters and their servants
[X] Stay here and see if anyone comes by the church
-[X] Stay out of the Church but linger nearby in a position that would allow observation without being obviously noticed. If a person does come around and they are Sakura Kyoko, and if she has the presence of a Servant and/or a ring on her go to speak with her.
--[X] Wait at most 90 minutes for somebody to show up, leave if there's no one.
--[X] Explain that you were sent to investigate strange happenings in this town and the on the suspicion that the Grail War had started up. Ask about the rings, and how they're cursed; mention that she's spoken with one Akemi Homura about this but she was being annoyingly mysterious about the whole thing. Ask about any unusual class containers she may have encountered, or anything else that's strange about this False Grail War. Ask if she can disclose what Servants have been summoned so far, and what Servant hasn't.
I'm going to leave what we do after to the other players, or until I could think of something.
Tempting just to see the reactions
- Location
- Around here
"Local delinquents brutally beaten at abandoned church, police baffled by reports of gorilla woman fleeing the scene."
WanderingTwix
Posting something good once in a full moon
- Location
- United Kingdom
[X] Mikuni Oriko is a skilled mage, though not a member of Kure's order. It's likely that she may be Kure Kirika's mentor in Magecraft, given Oriko's family's affluent status.
[X] The masters and their servants
[X] Stay here and see if anyone comes by the church
-[X] Stay out of the Church but linger nearby in a position that would allow observation without being obviously noticed. If a person does come around and they are Sakura Kyoko, and if she has the presence of a Servant and/or a ring on her go to speak with her.
--[X] Wait at most 90 minutes for somebody to show up, leave if there's no one.
--[X] Explain that you were sent to investigate strange happenings in this town and the on the suspicion that the Grail War had started up. Ask about the rings, and how they're cursed; mention that she's spoken with one Akemi Homura about this but she was being annoyingly mysterious about the whole thing. Ask about any unusual class containers she may have encountered, or anything else that's strange about this False Grail War. Ask if she can disclose what Servants have been summoned so far, and what Servant hasn't.
[X] The masters and their servants
[X] Stay here and see if anyone comes by the church
-[X] Stay out of the Church but linger nearby in a position that would allow observation without being obviously noticed. If a person does come around and they are Sakura Kyoko, and if she has the presence of a Servant and/or a ring on her go to speak with her.
--[X] Wait at most 90 minutes for somebody to show up, leave if there's no one.
--[X] Explain that you were sent to investigate strange happenings in this town and the on the suspicion that the Grail War had started up. Ask about the rings, and how they're cursed; mention that she's spoken with one Akemi Homura about this but she was being annoyingly mysterious about the whole thing. Ask about any unusual class containers she may have encountered, or anything else that's strange about this False Grail War. Ask if she can disclose what Servants have been summoned so far, and what Servant hasn't.
Day 17 Chapter 7
- Location
- Around here
[X] Stay here and see if anyone comes by the church
-[X] Stay out of the Church but linger nearby in a position that would allow observation without being obviously noticed. If a person does come around and they are Sakura Kyoko, and if she has the presence of a Servant and/or a ring on her go to speak with her.
--[X] Wait at most 90 minutes for somebody to show up, leave if there's no one.
--[X] Explain that you were sent to investigate strange happenings in this town and the on the suspicion that the Grail War had started up. Ask about the rings, and how they're cursed; mention that she's spoken with one Akemi Homura about this but she was being annoyingly mysterious about the whole thing. Ask about any unusual class containers she may have encountered, or anything else that's strange about this False Grail War. Ask if she can disclose what Servants have been summoned so far, and what Servant hasn't.
-[X] Stay out of the Church but linger nearby in a position that would allow observation without being obviously noticed. If a person does come around and they are Sakura Kyoko, and if she has the presence of a Servant and/or a ring on her go to speak with her.
--[X] Wait at most 90 minutes for somebody to show up, leave if there's no one.
--[X] Explain that you were sent to investigate strange happenings in this town and the on the suspicion that the Grail War had started up. Ask about the rings, and how they're cursed; mention that she's spoken with one Akemi Homura about this but she was being annoyingly mysterious about the whole thing. Ask about any unusual class containers she may have encountered, or anything else that's strange about this False Grail War. Ask if she can disclose what Servants have been summoned so far, and what Servant hasn't.
Six pairs of footprints, four female and two male. There's a very good chance that this church is a hideout for at least three of the Mitakihara masters, possibly four depending on the composition of their servants. Given their proximity to the church, you'd guess that Tomoe Mami and Akemi Homura make up two among that number. Having seen her own presumed hideout, you aren't sure if Kure Kirika can be included among the four sets of female footprints. There's no proof that Mikuni Oriko is involved in this War as a master, but by giving refuge to Kure Kirika she's marked herself as being involved all the same. And then there's the elder Sakura daughter. What's her role in all this?
[ ] She's a master just like Tomoe, Akemi, and Kure
[ ] She's involved by way of giving refuge to Tomoe and Akemi, but isn't a master herself
[ ] She's dead, and it's another master using her identity that lives in the basement
At any rate, while it's probably dangerous for you to loiter around inside the church, hanging back some ways in the treeline and watching for any signs of movement should be safe enough.
It takes about a half hour before you hear voices. "Are you sure she'll be here?" the first voice asks. From your position, you're able to identify it as belonging to Tomoe Mami, heading in the direction of the church along with Akemi Homura.
"Based on what Mikuni Oriko told me, as well as the subject of our own conversation, I'm quite positive that she'll be heading here at some point."
"Are you sure you can trust Mikuni-san's word?"
"Her sudden willingness to cooperate is discomforting, but thus far she has proven herself reliable. I'm not sure how I feel about working with her, but I see nothing wrong with utilizing her cooperation for as long as she is willing to give it."
"You perplex me, Akemi-san. You claim to hate and distrust her, and I cannot say that I fault you for feeling that way; yet you hold clandestine meetings with her and ask-" Akemi holds up her hand, cutting Tomoe off mid-sentence.
"We're being watched," she says, combing through the treeline with that cold gaze of hers. "You can come out now, McRemitz-san."
"We meet again, Akemi Homura," you say, brushing a wayward leaf from your shoulder as you emerge from the treeline. Looking to her blonde partner, you add "And you must be Tomoe Mami." Tomoe nods. "How did you know I was here?"
Akemi's eyes meet yours as she says "I received word from Mikuni Oriko that she had seen a foreigner matching your description snooping around her mansion. Given the subject of our own conversation, it was easy enough to guess that you would probably be heading here at some point."
So your guess about this church's involvement in the War was correct. "You're a smart kid," you say. Akemi makes no response. "I suppose you just got lucky, then, in coming here at the same time that I did."
It looks like Akemi is about to answer, but Tomoe beats her to the punch. "Actually, I just came to retrieve Sakura-san's things. Akemi-san came along because she was worried about me."
"I've already informed Akemi that I have no intention of interfering with either her or the other masters unless absolutely necessary. I just want to ask you a few questions is all, if you don't mind." Your words take a few kilos off of Tomoe's shoulders, but Akemi remains unconvinced. Briefly, you spot a glimpse of Tomoe's Command Seals - a five-petaled flower shaped very much like her hairpins - before she catches you staring and covers them with her other hand.
"Well, I suppose that wouldn't be a problem..." Tomoe falters as she comes up blank on your name.
"McRemitz."
"Right, McRemitz-san. Anyway, what is it you need to ask me?"
"Can I assume that Akemi has told you at least the basics about my mission in this city?" Tomoe nods. "Good; then I can skip the introductions. First, if you could, tell me about those rings that each of the masters at your school have. I tried asking your partner but she was being rather secretive about the whole thing. She offhandedly mentioned they were cursed; can you tell me about more about what she meant?"
There's a silence of a few seconds as Akemi's stare bores a hole through Tomoe's head, almost as if they're having a conversation you can't hear. "I'm sorry, McRemitz-san, but Akemi-san is my friend, and I trust her judgement. If she feels the need to withhold information from you, then I suspect she has a good reason for doing so."
"I see." You sigh in defeat, crossing your arms over your chest. "Alright then, perhaps you can tell me about this War's servants. How many have been summoned so far?"
"Six." The same response that Akemi gave.
"Are there any special classes among them, or any other oddities you might be aware of?"
"Well, I'm not sure what you mean by "special classes", McRemitz-san, but based on my understanding of this whole affair, I might say that it's out of the ordinary for Assassin to be able to support themselves without a master."
Really now? The Assassin servant lacks a master? Then that means there are only five masters, and not six. "That's not something that Akemi informed me of. What else can you tell me about Assassin?"
"Not much, most of what I know comes secondhand from Akemi-san and Archer."
"And what might that be?" you ask, as your eyes turn to Akemi. "Any bit of information is helpful to me."
"Assassin is a serial killer who feeds on the mana of her victims to stay corporeal," Akemi responds. "Trying to seek her out for questioning would be a fool's errand, McRemitz-san, as I doubt she is capable of holding a civilized conversation for any length of time."
Somehow, it seems that it always comes down to that, though you're surprised that it would be Assassin, and not Caster, performing that role. Records of the Fourth and Fifth Holy Grail Wars by Lord El-Melloi II and Rin Tohsaka didn't prepare you for this.
[ ] You'll have to be careful when trying to observe Assassin in the future
[ ] You'll have to gather information about Assassin through other means
[ ] "Then I'll just make sure to punch my way out if I ever run into her."
"What about the regular servants of the war. I'm already aware of Archer, Berserker, and Assassin. Perhaps you'd be willing to help put names to faces, or tell me who else has been summoned?"
Your guess about Tomoe being the ringleader might have been wrong, if her frequent deference to Akemi is any indication. "I don't believe that it's my place to tell you about someone else's servant, McRemitz-san, but I can tell you that my own servant is Caster."
Archer, Berserker, Assassin, and now Caster. That still leaves Saber, Lancer, and Rider up in the air between your two remaining masters. You smile as you feel your earrings grow heavy; perhaps there's still a chance after all. "Thank you for the information. You've been more of a help than you realize."
"Then perhaps you might be able to help us in return, McRemitz-san," Akemi responds. "Who are you, and what reason do any of us have to trust you or your intentions?"
"I thought I had already told you. My name is Bazett Fraga McRemitz. I was called in to investigate whether or not a Holy Grail War had been started up in this city."
"My trust in your cohort is already strained, McRemitz-san," Akemi says. My cohort? Does she mean Ortensia? If it were possible for your thoughts to scoff, they would. As if. "As well, if you were seen investigating the residence of Mikuni Oriko and Kure Kirika and are also investigating here, then I have no reason to believe that you have not also investigated the residences of Tomoe-san and myself as well. Archer warned me to be cautious of the wrong people getting wind of things in this city, McRemitz-san, and as of right now I very strongly suspect you of being the wrong person."
"You're a cheeky kid, talking back to your elders like that."
"And yet you still haven't given my master a reason to trust you, Bazett Fraga McRemitz." No way... A familiar voice fills your ears, and your mind races back six years as the servant of Akemi Homura materializes. "Perhaps you should work on rectifying that before commenting on her cheek."
[ ] Wat do?
- Location
- Florida
Alright, let's see if I can take a crack at it.
[X] She's a master just like Tomoe, Akemi, and Kure
[X] "Then I'll just make sure to punch my way out if I ever run into her."
[X] Be surprised at Archer's appearance here; exclaim that he was the Archer Servant in both the Fifth Holy Grail War and the Hollow Grail War and ask him why he's here and not with Tohsaka Rin as he should be. Explain that she's here primarily to see if the Masters here posed a threat to the Mages Association and that she will not interfere otherwise. Be prepared to fight your way out, prepping your gloves just in case. Interrogate Akemi Homura, asking how she came into having control over a Servant of a apprentice of the Wizard Marshall of the Mages Association, and if she stole Archer from Tohsaka Rin.
-[X] Ask all involved, most especially Archer, if this gathering of servants and masters is something other than a grail war like Akemi explained. If so, ask what exactly is going on.
-[X] Ask for more details of Assassin, as she poses a threat to the Mages Association. Depending on how Akemi Homura and Archer answered her previous questions, propose cooperation in eliminating Assassin before she gets too out of hand.
A stupid question regarding Madoka, is she having an inner voice talk to her subconciously like Akemi has, possibly more encouraging than what Akemi is dealing with? If so, I suspect there's more going on with these two but that's further along I guess.
EDIT: Removed "Counter Force" Suggestion due to Bazet having no knowledge on Archer being a CG. Thanks Enetious.
EDIT#2: Changed choices to what Enetious typed to prevent tie. The show must go on!
[X] She's a master just like Tomoe, Akemi, and Kure
[X] "Then I'll just make sure to punch my way out if I ever run into her."
[X] Be surprised at Archer's appearance here; exclaim that he was the Archer Servant in both the Fifth Holy Grail War and the Hollow Grail War and ask him why he's here and not with Tohsaka Rin as he should be. Explain that she's here primarily to see if the Masters here posed a threat to the Mages Association and that she will not interfere otherwise. Be prepared to fight your way out, prepping your gloves just in case. Interrogate Akemi Homura, asking how she came into having control over a Servant of a apprentice of the Wizard Marshall of the Mages Association, and if she stole Archer from Tohsaka Rin.
-[X] Ask all involved, most especially Archer, if this gathering of servants and masters is something other than a grail war like Akemi explained. If so, ask what exactly is going on.
-[X] Ask for more details of Assassin, as she poses a threat to the Mages Association. Depending on how Akemi Homura and Archer answered her previous questions, propose cooperation in eliminating Assassin before she gets too out of hand.
A stupid question regarding Madoka, is she having an inner voice talk to her subconciously like Akemi has, possibly more encouraging than what Akemi is dealing with? If so, I suspect there's more going on with these two but that's further along I guess.
EDIT: Removed "Counter Force" Suggestion due to Bazet having no knowledge on Archer being a CG. Thanks Enetious.
EDIT#2: Changed choices to what Enetious typed to prevent tie. The show must go on!
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- Location
- United States
[] "Then I'll just make sure to punch my way out if I ever run into her."
[] Be surprised at Archer's appearance here; exclaim that he was the Archer Servant in both the Fifth Holy Grail War and the Hollow Grail War and ask him why he's here and not with Tohsaka Rin as he should be. Prep her gloves and get ready to fight the Master who stole Rin's Archer Servant if things don't get explained to her in a timely fashion. Explain that she's also here to make sure the Masters here don't pose a threat to the Mages Association in any way, and that its looking to be the case now that she's discovered Archer's presence here.
... So, turns out brushing up on my knowledge of Hollow Ataraxia was pretty important, as at the end of the VN, Avenger with the last bits of power from the Grail, utilizing an experiment Rin and Ilya did 6 months after the Fate route in recreating Zelretch's Jeweled Sword used the Second Magic to alter the timeline to being more like that of Hollow Ataraxia's, with all Servants and Masters being alive and living peacefully with memories of them being alive as well. Only Bazett, Caren, Illya, and Caster knowing of the full truth of the Hollow Grail War and the time loop Avenger put Bazett through. So, there are two iterations of EMIYA running around, so this is going to be very interesting.
EDIT: @itrytofight Bazett has no knowledge of Archer being a Counter Guardian, and considering how few successful Grail Wars there have been in this timeline, there has been no evidence of it relating in an way to the Counter Force (though if it were a different continuity, then that could be the case).
Also, Bazett prepping to fight two Masters and Servants isn't actually all that unreasonable, as its been stated many times she can defeat Servants in one-on-one combat, and that her threat rating as a Sealing Designate Enforcer is incredibly high enough to make Rin freak out just from her presence in the same room with Saber, and Archer nearby, stating that "she'll massacre us all!" to Shirou in private.
EDIT 2: Sorry for this long post and many edits, but Caren currently has control over Lancer from F/SN & F/HA! As in, right now. She is only willing to relinquish control of him to Bazett in exchange for the artificial hand Avenger granted Bazett, as both of them want it as a reminder of him for differing reasons. Also Kid Gil is still around, so if Bazett gets sight of Adult Gil things will also be rather interesting.
EDIT3: Crossed out old vote
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- Location
- Around here
Homura doesn't have an inner voice talking to her. That's Archer you're thinking of. What's going on with Madoka is something else entirely.
Not quite, but it's an issue I"ll be addressing later on.
- Location
- Florida
I meant how she seems to subconciously belittle herself, especially when she tries to get closer to Madoka (the Italics dialogue).
Anyway's if the tie goes on for far too long I'll change my vote, just post that you need it broken and I'll do so.
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Oh, that's just her own doubts and insecurities getting the better of her. She's trying to get better, but she's failed Madoka so many times that it's still rather difficult. Every character can be assumed to have internal dialogues of varying degrees, with their positivity or negativity being commensurate to their own feelings of self-worth.
- Location
- United States
[X] ... Uh, we can explain?
[X] She's a master just like Tomoe, Akemi, and Kure
[X] "Then I'll just make sure to punch my way out if I ever run into her."
[X] Be surprised at Archer's appearance here; exclaim that he was the Archer Servant in both the Fifth Holy Grail War and the Hollow Grail War and ask him why he's here and not with Tohsaka Rin as he should be. Explain that she's here primarily to see if the Masters here posed a threat to the Mages Association and that she will not interfere otherwise. Be prepared to fight your way out, prepping your gloves just in case. Interrogate Akemi Homura, asking how she came into having control over a Servant of a apprentice of the Wizard Marshall of the Mages Association, and if she stole Archer from Tohsaka Rin.
-[X] Ask all involved, most especially Archer, if this gathering of servants and masters is something other than a grail war like Akemi explained. If so, ask what exactly is going on.
-[X] Ask for more details of Assassin, as she poses a threat to the Mages Association. Depending on how Akemi Homura and Archer answered her previous questions, propose cooperation in eliminating Assassin before she gets too out of hand.
@itrytofight and so I propose an altered vote. Also Bazett would know that Archer isn't the same one as the one in her Hollow Grail War, as that Archer was in her mind simulated by Angra Mainyu/Avenger, and at the end of F/HA the Masters and Servants only got memories that cover the three routes of F/SN and the events leading up to all of them surviving and the Grail being destroyed, so I left out that part of the vote. Also left out the "patrol" part of the vote for now, as the current vote is pretty lengthy for SVS to write.
EDIT: Moved Alaya's vote to this post
[X] She's a master just like Tomoe, Akemi, and Kure
[X] "Then I'll just make sure to punch my way out if I ever run into her."
[X] Be surprised at Archer's appearance here; exclaim that he was the Archer Servant in both the Fifth Holy Grail War and the Hollow Grail War and ask him why he's here and not with Tohsaka Rin as he should be. Explain that she's here primarily to see if the Masters here posed a threat to the Mages Association and that she will not interfere otherwise. Be prepared to fight your way out, prepping your gloves just in case. Interrogate Akemi Homura, asking how she came into having control over a Servant of a apprentice of the Wizard Marshall of the Mages Association, and if she stole Archer from Tohsaka Rin.
-[X] Ask all involved, most especially Archer, if this gathering of servants and masters is something other than a grail war like Akemi explained. If so, ask what exactly is going on.
-[X] Ask for more details of Assassin, as she poses a threat to the Mages Association. Depending on how Akemi Homura and Archer answered her previous questions, propose cooperation in eliminating Assassin before she gets too out of hand.
@itrytofight and so I propose an altered vote. Also Bazett would know that Archer isn't the same one as the one in her Hollow Grail War, as that Archer was in her mind simulated by Angra Mainyu/Avenger, and at the end of F/HA the Masters and Servants only got memories that cover the three routes of F/SN and the events leading up to all of them surviving and the Grail being destroyed, so I left out that part of the vote. Also left out the "patrol" part of the vote for now, as the current vote is pretty lengthy for SVS to write.
EDIT: Moved Alaya's vote to this post
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- Location
- Florida
Oh, in that case I read too much into it.
Changed my vote by the way.
@Enetious , Thanks for the run down regarding Bazet.
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Day 17 Chapter 8
- Location
- Around here
[X] Be surprised at Archer's appearance here; exclaim that he was the Archer Servant in both the Fifth Holy Grail War and the Hollow Grail War and ask him why he's here and not with Tohsaka Rin as he should be. Explain that she's here primarily to see if the Masters here posed a threat to the Mages Association and that she will not interfere otherwise. Be prepared to fight your way out, prepping your gloves just in case. Interrogate Akemi Homura, asking how she came into having control over a Servant of a apprentice of the Wizard Marshall of the Mages Association, and if she stole Archer from Tohsaka Rin.
-[X] Ask all involved, most especially Archer, if this gathering of servants and masters is something other than a grail war like Akemi explained. If so, ask what exactly is going on.
-[X] Ask for more details of Assassin, as she poses a threat to the Mages Association. Depending on how Akemi Homura and Archer answered her previous questions, propose cooperation in eliminating Assassin before she gets too out of hand.
-[X] Ask all involved, most especially Archer, if this gathering of servants and masters is something other than a grail war like Akemi explained. If so, ask what exactly is going on.
-[X] Ask for more details of Assassin, as she poses a threat to the Mages Association. Depending on how Akemi Homura and Archer answered her previous questions, propose cooperation in eliminating Assassin before she gets too out of hand.
Your mind races back six years as the servant of Akemi Homura materializes. "Perhaps you should work on rectifying that before commenting on her cheek. In fact, why don't you start by telling us who you really are?"
You've never met him - at least, not in person - but the image painted by Tohsaka Rin of her crimson Archer is of a servant she wouldn't have given up without a fight. And, being who she is, being the stellar mage she is, you can't imagine that it would have been an easy fight. Whoever she is, Akemi Homura must be an incredibly dangerous mage.
"I have no idea what you mean by that, Archer," you say, as your muscles tense and the adrenaline courses through your veins. "I am exactly who I say I am. But perhaps you can tell me what's going on here. What's the servant of Tohsaka Rin doing in the hands of some unknown mage from a secret order? Who is she, and how did she manage to steal you from your rightful master?"
"I don't know how you know who I am, but I know exactly who you aren't," Archer responds. "Bazett Fraga McRemitz was killed seven years ago, at the start of the Fifth Holy Grail War. Perhaps the next time you try to steal the identity of an Enforcer, you'll remember to pick one that isn't dead."
"Clearly I can't be too dead, if I'm standing right here." Archer's hand twitches, Projecting a short sword into his grasp. You can feel your fight response kicking in. "But let's say that you're right, and I'm not who I say I am. Clearly, your own master isn't quite who she says she is, either." Both Archer and Akemi stare at you in confusion. "Tohsaka Rin was the apprentice of the Wizard Marshal himself. I doubt someone like her would have just given up her servant without a fight. Whoever your new master is, she's clearly not giving you the whole picture if you're this willing to defend her."
"But that's okay, because I'm going to get some answers out of her, one way or another."
In less than a second, Akemi is gone, vanishing from your sight in the time it takes you to blink as your mind registers her disappearance. Your body goes still as you feel the barrel of a gun pressed against the base of your skull. At this distance, there can be no room for error in your movement if you want to survive the next few seconds. "Enforcer." Akemi says. "Wizard Marshal. Association. These words have no meaning to me, and in the next five seconds neither will your life if you cannot provide me with the answers I seek."
"What was that? Teleportation? No... Innate time control? Just who are you, Akemi Homura?"
"Four."
Against any other opponent - even against a servant - you would have been absolutely confident in your ability to escape this situation. But you're apparently dealing with the reincarnation of the Mage Killer. You were prepared to fight a duel of mages, not of guns. You hate to admit it, but compliance might be your best option right now. "I already told you. My name is Bazett Fraga McRemitz. I was sent here to investigate the possibility of another Grail War starting up in this city."
"By whom? Who sent you? Was it Nurse Ortensia? Or was it this "Association" you spoke of?"
You nod your head, taking even the brief moments when your head is no longer touching the barrel of Akemi's gun as a small victory. "The Mage's Association is an international organization formed for the purpose of controlling, concealing, and developing magecraft away from the eyes of the public. I'm an Enforcer, a combat mage employed by the Association. I was brought in to investigate whether any of the masters might pose a threat to the Association, and to make sure that if this was a Grail War, that it didn't run the risk of exposing our secrets to the normal world."
"In other words, master, they're the wrong people I warned you about. If the Mage's Association has decided to get involved, then you and the other masters are in a lot more trouble than I gave you credit for." You really wish Archer hadn't said that at a time like this. You'd really like to go one Grail War without suffering grievous bodily injury.
Thankfully, Akemi goes right along to her next point of contention without ever so much as acknowledging Archer's comment. "You mentioned Tohsaka Rin. Who is she to you, and who is this "Wizard Marshal" you mentioned?"
"Tohsaka Rin was one of the masters of the Fifth Holy Grail War, with her servant being the very same Archer that you now command. Wizard Marshal Zelretch is an exceptionally powerful magician among the Clocktower, the academic branch of the Mage's Association. Tohsaka Rin is his apprentice. Or was, I suppose, as I can't imagine a situation where she would have handed Archer over to you willingly. Did you kill her with a bullet to the skull, too?"
"She's telling the truth," Archer says to Akemi, nodding in time to your words. "But you're still way off the mark in your assumption that my current master killed my previous one. I'm still a little vague on why I'm here, but I'm fairly confident that it's not because anyone killed Rin."
Well, that's certainly interesting. "You don't know why you're here?" you ask, to which Archer replies with a shake of his head. But, if not because it's a Grail War, then why else would he be here? "I take it Akemi was telling me the truth when she said that what was going on was some shade of War other than a Grail War. Do you know what else it might be?"
"I have a vague idea of what my goal is, but nothing concrete, and no idea why anyone else would have shown up. Frankly, this whole thing is just plain mysterious, up to and including a dead Enforcer suddenly being not dead after seven years."
Well, this has been a gross embarrassment for you. You had planned on interrogating them, but somehow Akemi turned out to be the reincarnation of the Mage Killer and you ended up being interrogated instead. Still, you breathe easy as you feel Akemi withdraw her firearm from its place at the back of your head. "Then, you believe me?"
"I'm not really sure what to believe right now. But if even half of what you've said is the truth, then my master is doing this city no favours by killing you."
"And likewise, helping make my mission easier might earn your master brownie points with the Association, if I put in a good word for her." You don't like that look Archer is giving you, but you're more concerned with Akemi's sudden change in attire. There's no way she would have been able to conceal an entire second outfit underneath her school uniform, so where did it come from? Where did her silver ring go? And what is that amethyst jewel on the back of her hand, and why is it shaped like her Command Seals?
But more importantly, do you
[ ] Offer to cooperate in eliminating Assassin
-[ ] What are the terms of your cooperation?
[ ] Eliminate Akemi, Archer, and Tomoe now that their guards are down
[ ] Other (write-in)
?
I'm disappointed by how this post turned out, but it's not because of the quality of the writing. I was conflicted about whether I should have kept it the full length, or whether I should have cut it off sooner to allow you guys the decision to fight it out or keep talking.If you guys ever feel like you'd prefer greater player agency over longer posts, let me know so I can rectify things.
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- Location
- United States
[X] Offer to cooperate in eliminating Assassin
-[X] Neither party will kill or maim the other. At some point in the future, Bazett will meet with Akemi's cabal of Mages in order to coordinate against Assassin.
[X] Question Archer of what he recalls of the Grail War, and explain what she knows of it as a counter-point to Archer's experience (such as the continued existence of almost all Masters and Servants from the Fifth Grail War). Briefly describe the happenings of the Hollow Grail War and how she came to be after supposedly being killed in Archer's rendition of things.
-[X] Neither party will kill or maim the other. At some point in the future, Bazett will meet with Akemi's cabal of Mages in order to coordinate against Assassin.
[X] Question Archer of what he recalls of the Grail War, and explain what she knows of it as a counter-point to Archer's experience (such as the continued existence of almost all Masters and Servants from the Fifth Grail War). Briefly describe the happenings of the Hollow Grail War and how she came to be after supposedly being killed in Archer's rendition of things.
I doubt Archer would have let her kill us. Until he knows Bazett isn't an Enforcer, killing her would mean the next investigators aren't going to be polite. Which would just be bad for everyone with how hard the situation could escalate from there.
Also, while it might be hard to kill Homura, it's still a possibility that could happen and that would just solve the whole issue Archer is there for (I think?), so...
Homura's horribly pragmatic. Even if she hates it, she'll see the value of (trying to be) diplomatic about it. To a point at least.
I think.
Also, while it might be hard to kill Homura, it's still a possibility that could happen and that would just solve the whole issue Archer is there for (I think?), so...
Homura's horribly pragmatic. Even if she hates it, she'll see the value of (trying to be) diplomatic about it. To a point at least.
I think.
- Location
- Around here
Hence why Homura put the gun away the second Archer thought that even half of what Bazett was saying was true. We didn't see it, for obvious reasons, but they were having their own conversation while all of that was going on. I might omake it at some point, if I feel up to revisiting the scene from a different perspective.
It would solve the problem of preventing Madokami and then Akuma Homura from rewriting the universe, but you can bet that if Homura dies, them Madoka will have to die before her witch can destroy humanity, and then things snowball from there until all of our magical girls are dead and probably their families and friends as well.
Archer really lucked out with this one. Sent back in time to prevent thing 1 and thing 2 from ruining the day, only to wind up in a time where thing 0 can just as easily ruin the day as anything else if he's not careful. Really incentivizes him to do the right thing, doesn't it?
- Location
- Florida
[X] Offer to cooperate in eliminating Assassin.
-[X] Neither party will kill or maim the other. At some point in the future, Bazett will meet with Akemi's cabal of Mages in order to coordinate against Assassin.
[X] Question Archer of what he recalls of the Grail War, and explain what she knows of it as a counter-point to Archer's experience (such as the continued existence of almost all Masters and Servants from the Fifth Grail War). Briefly describe the happenings of the Hollow Grail War and how she came to be after supposedly being killed in Archer's rendition of things.
Finally, the two worlds of magic finally meet (aside from the Servants of course). I wonder where Kyubie is, probably slinking off to the side somewherw observing Bazet and her side's version of magic.
On another subject, let Bazet be diplomatic and not risk her mission and life by brute forcing everything.
-[X] Neither party will kill or maim the other. At some point in the future, Bazett will meet with Akemi's cabal of Mages in order to coordinate against Assassin.
[X] Question Archer of what he recalls of the Grail War, and explain what she knows of it as a counter-point to Archer's experience (such as the continued existence of almost all Masters and Servants from the Fifth Grail War). Briefly describe the happenings of the Hollow Grail War and how she came to be after supposedly being killed in Archer's rendition of things.
Finally, the two worlds of magic finally meet (aside from the Servants of course). I wonder where Kyubie is, probably slinking off to the side somewherw observing Bazet and her side's version of magic.
On another subject, let Bazet be diplomatic and not risk her mission and life by brute forcing everything.
WanderingTwix
Posting something good once in a full moon
- Location
- United Kingdom
[X] Offer to cooperate in eliminating Assassin
-[X] Neither party will kill or maim the other. At some point in the future, Bazett will meet with Akemi's cabal of Mages in order to coordinate against Assassin.
[X] Question Archer of what he recalls of the Grail War, and explain what she knows of it as a counter-point to Archer's experience (such as the continued existence of almost all Masters and Servants from the Fifth Grail War). Briefly describe the happenings of the Hollow Grail War and how she came to be after supposedly being killed in Archer's rendition of things.
-[X] Neither party will kill or maim the other. At some point in the future, Bazett will meet with Akemi's cabal of Mages in order to coordinate against Assassin.
[X] Question Archer of what he recalls of the Grail War, and explain what she knows of it as a counter-point to Archer's experience (such as the continued existence of almost all Masters and Servants from the Fifth Grail War). Briefly describe the happenings of the Hollow Grail War and how she came to be after supposedly being killed in Archer's rendition of things.
[X] Offer to cooperate in eliminating Assassin
-[X] Neither party will kill or maim the other. At some point in the future, Bazett will meet with Akemi's cabal of Mages in order to coordinate against Assassin.
[X] Question Archer of what he recalls of the Grail War, and explain what she knows of it as a counter-point to Archer's experience (such as the continued existence of almost all Masters and Servants from the Fifth Grail War). Briefly describe the happenings of the Hollow Grail War and how she came to be after supposedly being killed in Archer's rendition of things.
-[X] Neither party will kill or maim the other. At some point in the future, Bazett will meet with Akemi's cabal of Mages in order to coordinate against Assassin.
[X] Question Archer of what he recalls of the Grail War, and explain what she knows of it as a counter-point to Archer's experience (such as the continued existence of almost all Masters and Servants from the Fifth Grail War). Briefly describe the happenings of the Hollow Grail War and how she came to be after supposedly being killed in Archer's rendition of things.
Day 17 Chapter 9
- Location
- Around here
[X] Offer to cooperate in eliminating Assassin
-[X] Neither party will kill or maim the other. At some point in the future, Bazett will meet with Akemi's cabal of Mages in order to coordinate against Assassin.
[X] Question Archer of what he recalls of the Grail War, and explain what she knows of it as a counter-point to Archer's experience (such as the continued existence of almost all Masters and Servants from the Fifth Grail War). Briefly describe the happenings of the Hollow Grail War and how she came to be after supposedly being killed in Archer's rendition of things.
-[X] Neither party will kill or maim the other. At some point in the future, Bazett will meet with Akemi's cabal of Mages in order to coordinate against Assassin.
[X] Question Archer of what he recalls of the Grail War, and explain what she knows of it as a counter-point to Archer's experience (such as the continued existence of almost all Masters and Servants from the Fifth Grail War). Briefly describe the happenings of the Hollow Grail War and how she came to be after supposedly being killed in Archer's rendition of things.
"And likewise, helping make my mission easier might earn your master brownie points with the Association, if I put in a good word for her." So far, things look like they have reached an acceptable ground. You still want to know how an unknown mage like Akemi living in some city the rest of the Association has never heard of could have access to magecraft like innate time control, but right now you don't think the time is right to press the matter. "Though presently, I believe Assassin to be a greater threat to the Association than either her or the other masters. Perhaps cooperation is in order."
"That's up to my master to decide." Archer's sword vanishes from his grasp, and in a flash of gold he's changed out of his servant garb and into civilian clothes.
"The situation with you is murky, McRemitz-san," Akemi says, hiding her firearm behind a small metal shield strapped to her arm. "You have given me no reason to believe you are who you say you are, and even if I were to take you at face value, that would mean allowing a dangerous outsider into our ranks. Normally, people are supposed to die when they are killed, so you can understand my hesitation in dealing with someone who should be dead."
"To be perfectly honest, I'm a little murky on the whole "I'm supposed to be dead" thing as well. Maybe if Archer told me where he got his info from I'd have a better idea of what's going on."
"Records of the Fourth and Fifth Holy Grail Wars, by Lord El-Melloi II and Tohsaka Rin," comes Archer's response. Curiously, Akemi's face takes on a strange and curious appearance at her servant's mention of the Lord El-Melloi's name. "Compiled from both her first-hand accounts of the War, as well as post-war records she had access to while studying at the Clocktower, she determined that the original master of Lancer had been an Association Enforcer by the name of Bazett Fraga McRemitz, on the recommendation of Kotomine Kirei, the overseer of the war who betrayed and murdered her for her Command Seals."
"Interesting..." You've read your own copy front-to-back several times in your effort to understand the time that had been stolen from you, and not once can you ever recall reading anything about your own death. You're pretty sure you would have noticed such a glaring editorial oversight as that. You take off your glove, and roll back your sleeve as far as it can go, revealing your elaborate and realistic prosthetic. "You're right on all accounts, up to the part where Kotomine actually succeeded in murdering me."
"I don't imagine that a man as twisted as Kotomine would have given you medical treatment after chopping your arm off. How did you survive?"
"I was given a second chance at life by... A friend, I guess you could say. It wasn't until six months later that I even became aware of my survival, and at that point he had trapped me inside a repeating simulacrum of the war I had missed while I was being nursed back to health. When I found out, I..." You clutch at your arm, returning your sleeve and glove to their proper place. "I didn't want to leave, in part because I was afraid that I would die if I left, and in part because I knew that if I did, then this man... My friend, would have been returned to the nothingness he came from. But eventually, his desire to see me return to the real world won out."
"I left the simulacrum he had created for me, and was allowed to live my life again. I replaced the arm Kotomine had taken from me, and went right back to work as an Enforcer as soon as my rehabilitation was over. That was six years ago."
Written on the faces of Akemi and Archer are a myriad of questions you can tell they both have for you. But what comes next isn't a series of inquiries, but rather, a hand. "Give me your hand, McRemitz-san," Akemi says. You do as she asks, holding out your hand as she grabs hold of both yours and Archer's. In an instant, the world around you goes grey, and you can no longer feel your heart beating.
You try to pull your hand away, but Akemi's grip is iron. "What... What is this? This... This isn't just magecraft, this... This is true magic. Akemi Homura... Just what are you?"
"What I am is the person who has figured out why there is a discrepancy between your version of reality, and Archer's." You can't pack away your mounting concerns about Akemi's true identity just yet, but you'll keep them silent until she gives her answer. "Archer, you said that you experienced multiple iterations of the same Grail War, correct?"
"That's correct; three, to be precise. ... I think I see what you're getting at, master."
"Right. If it's possible for you to have experienced three iterations of the same Grail War, then is it possible that you only experienced those iterations in which McRemitz-san died, while she experienced the iteration in which she lived?"
"It's possible. It's also possible that she survived in at least one of my iterations without my knowledge. Given what she described, I doubt anyone involved would have noticed that she wasn't really dead until long after the war was over." Archer turns to you, while your mind still reels as you try to process what's going on. "What do you think, McRemitz? Does any of this sound plausible to you?"
"... It's extraordinary, but I suppose it's not outside the realm of possibility. You were there in the Hollow War inside my head, and an Archer servant matching your description did serve Tohsaka Rin during the Fifth War. It's possible that we missed each other, or that you only experienced iterations of the Fifth War where I died."
"Nurse Ortensia also made mention of a Hollow Grail War," Akemi says. "But according to you, the Hollow Grail War was an artificial construct of your friend, so how could she have participated? And, what did you mean that your friend would have been returned to nothingness? Just who was your friend?"
"Ortensia was unaffected by the simulacrum because she wasn't originally a participant of the Fifth War. She came to Fuyuki to replace the now-deceased Kotomine as overseer, which is where she found my body and helped to nurse me back to health. Actually, it was around the time that she arrived that the simulacrum started, but because she had been absent during the events it was trying to replicate, it was unable to affect her."
"As for my friend, he... He was a servant, an irregular class called Avenger. He would have expired without binding himself to a master, and I would have died without him keeping me alive. It was an... Odd, friendship, but by the end we really did come to care for one another."
"So, that's why you were asking about unusual servant classes..." muses Akemi.
"One of many reasons. The presence of an irregular class might also indicate that something about this War was dangerous and might require intervention."
Colour returns to the world, and you can once again feel the beating of your heart in your chest. You blink, allowing the real world and the passage of time to inform your senses once again. Akemi lets go of your hand, saying "Intervention will not be necessary, McRemitz-san. The others and I are more than capable of handling Assassin without outside help."
"So, regarding the possibility of cooperation, is that..."
"I shall let you know my decision at a later date, McRemitz-san."
[ ] Wat do?
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