Confringentur, Mk.2; a Madoka Magica / Fate/Stay Night crossover

[SVS]

[X] You feel bad for her, knowing what it's like to long for someone unattainable.
[X] Telepathically ask Archer to locate and keep an eye on McRemitz-san's activities while they're at school today. As long as Mami and Caster are around, they should be relatively safe enough for Archer to do so. Be happy and affectionate with Madoka throughout the school day, but don't actively voice their relationship to the student body unless Madoka wants to.
[X] Switch perspectives to Archer
​

---

The four of you make it to school without any further interruptions. Hitomi helps to keep Sayaka on her best behaviour, while you and Madoka enjoy each others' company in silence, content to let your smiles and the warmth of your hands say what needs to be said.

That said, one thing still bothers you. "Are you sure you should have told McRemitz as much as you did?" Archer's voice asks you inside your head.

"I only told her as much as I thought I could in order to get her to leave us alone," you respond. You don't feel that it's a very satisfactory answer. "Any less and she might have thought I still had more to hide."

"She's one of the Association's best Enforcers; at least, she was in the timeline that I knew her to have died in. Assuming the loss of an arm hasn't slowed her down, she'll have only gotten better in the six years since she returned to work. I'm sure she still thinks you have things to hide, given how completely unbelievable this city's magic system would look to an outsider used to traditional mage practices."

"If it would put you at ease, perhaps you would be willing to keep an eye on her while I'm at school."

"Are you sure you want me wandering so far away from you when there's a dangerous gorilla woman on the loose?"

"Tomoe-san and Caster should be enough backup for me if the worst should happen."

"I'm fine with that, then. Means you won't have to rely on Mikuni for updates about her movements."

"She took me by surprise yesterday. As much as it pains me to say this, I did in fact appreciate Mikuni Oriko's help."

"... I'll be off, then. I'll report back when I find her or if I run into something interesting."

As the four of your cross the threshold onto school grounds, Archer's presence is nowhere to be felt. As you leave the outside world behind, you give Madoka's hand one final squeeze before untangling your fingers from her own. She looks up into your eyes with concern. "Homura-chan, is something wrong?"

In the corner of your eye, you briefly spot that girl who sits behind and to the left of you in class. Madoka doesn't seem to notice her. "Nothing's wrong," you respond. "I just think that we shouldn't make our relationship known unless that's something you want us to do."

Madoka pouts. "What about you? Don't you want to have a say in something as important as that?"

You shake your head. "I don't need to, because I'm certain that whatever you decide will be the right decision."

Madoka beams at you, before grabbing for your hand once more. "If it's Homura-chan, then I don't mind if other people know."

"To be honest, I'd be surprised if most of our class didn't already suspect you two," Sayaka chimes in. "So I mean, it's not like you've got anything to hide, right?"

"Everyone! Good morning!" Tomoe-san runs towards your group with a bright smile and a spring in her step. She looks much happier than you've seen her lately. A round of greetings from everyone to her sees that smile brighten further. "I'm glad I caught you all. I've got something important I want to ask you, and I just couldn't wait!"

Sayaka speaks for the group as she asks "Sure, what's up Mami-san?"

"Well, I wanted to throw a housewarming party at my place after school today, to celebrate Sakura-san moving in with me. It'll be a little bit cramped compared to Akemi-san's place, but I wanted to extend an invitation for all of you to join me."

"Oh wow, Kyouko's moving in with you?" Sayaka asks. "I mean, I guess it'll be good for her to get out of that creepy old church, but... I mean, she's kind of a handful. Are you sure you'll be alright?"

Tomoe-san nods. "I've known her for a very long time, Miki-san. I thank you for your concern, but I'm sure I'll be able to adjust."

"Alright, then count me in!" Sayaka flashes Tomoe-san a thumbs-up. "Any excuse for a party is okay by me!"

"Sayaka-san, with your grades, perhaps you should spend more time studying," Hitomi chides her energetic friend. "My grades recently took a bit of a dip themselves, as a matter of fact. I'm afraid I won't be able to attend your gathering, Tomoe-san."

"That's perfectly understandable." Tomoe-san turns to you and Madoka, glancing down at your intertwined hands for only a moment, though she says nothing on the matter. "And what about the two of you? Can I count on your presence, Akemi-san, Kaname-san?"

Do you
[ ] Accept Tomoe-san's invitation
[ ] Reject Tomoe-san's invitation
[ ] Other (write-in)

[As Archer]
[ ] Wat do?​

 

[itrytofight]

Alright, let me take a crack at this.

[X] Accept Tomoe-san's invitation
-[X] Notify her ahead of time that they'll discuss what to do with Oriko and Kirika in regards to team-building exercises, pushing for developing a better partnership.

[As Archer]
[X] Start searching for Bazet's base of operations. She seemingly just arrived, so it'll most likely be a mundane hotel room with Bounded Fields and what-not. -[X] Keep an eye out for other paranormal happenings while searching, particularly if it's from the Moonlit World. It's possible that she's the only Clocktower Enforcer here in Mitakihara but you wouldn't be surprised if she was followed or is not the only one perplexed by the "Grail War" in this city.

Ack, really hard to type with the halfbroke cellphone I'm using.

EDIT: To reflect Enetious input via copy and paste.

 

[SVS]

Ack, really hard to type with the halfbroke cellphone I'm using.

Click to shrink...

Not half bad for a half broke phone.

 

[Enetious]

[X] Accept Tomoe-san's invitation
-[X] Notify her ahead of time that they'll discuss what to do with Oriko and Kirika in regards to team-building exercises, pushing for developing a better partnership.

[As Archer]
[X] Start searching for Bazet's base of operations. She seemingly just arrived, so it'll most likely be a mundane hotel room with Bounded Fields and what-not.
-[X] Keep an eye out for other paranormal happenings while searching, particularly if it's from the Moonlit World. It's possible that she's the only Clocktower Enforcer here in Mitakihara but you wouldn't be surprised if she was followed or is not the only one perplexed by the "Grail War" in this city.

@itrytofight tweaked the first part a bit as Homura and Oriko discussed getting Mami to come up with team building exercises, and fixed some grammar. Though you probably typed that better than I would have in such a situation.

 

[SVS]

[X] Accept Tomoe-san's invitation
-[X] Notify her ahead of time that they'll discuss what to do with Oriko and Kirika in regards to team-building exercises, pushing for developing a better partnership.
[X] Start searching for Bazett's base of operations. She seemingly just arrived, so it'll most likely be a mundane hotel room with Bounded Fields and what-not.
-[X] Keep an eye out for other paranormal happenings while searching, particularly if it's from the Moonlit World. It's possible that she's the only Clocktower Enforcer here in Mitakihara but you wouldn't be surprised if she was followed or is not the only one perplexed by the "Grail War" in this city.
​

---

"And what about the two of you? Can I count on your presence, Akemi-san, Kaname-san?"

A party at Tomoe-san's apartment... How long has it been since the five of you were under that same roof? Sayaka... Kyouko... Tomoe-san... Madoka... And yourself. The memory of that timeline, the last timeline that the five of you sat under Tomoe-san's roof as friends, is a poison in your veins that you have never been able to excise. You can feel your heartbeat growing erratic. You don't want to go; don't want to be reminded of all the times you failed to save the people around you, don't want to-

"A party at Tomoe-san's?" Madoka's voice snaps you out of your madness. "That sounds like a lot of fun; doesn't it, Homura-chan?"

You have to go.

You have to keep Madoka safe.

"Yes, that does sound like fun," you say, squeezing Madoka's hand to calm your nerves. Madoka is here. She is near you. She is safe. "I'm sure the five of us will be able to enjoy ourselves even without Hitomi." Tomoe-san's stare lingers on you for a moment too long.

"Akemi-san, is something the matter? You looked a little pale for a moment."

"... I'm fine, thank you for asking. After Madoka and Sayaka have left, I'd like to discuss with you and Kyouko a few things regarding Mikuni Oriko and Kure Kirika, if you wouldn't mind."

"Yes, you had asked me about organizing some exercises for the five of us, hadn't you? I have a few ideas in mind that I'd be willing to run by the both of you."

"Thank you. I know you wanted tonight to be about Kyouko moving in, but I'd hate to have the three of us under one roof and not be able to talk business."

"I understand, Akemi-san. I'm sure Sakura-san won't mind too much, so long as I keep her placated."

Tomoe-san smiles sweetly at the four of you, dashing off in the direction of her class as the bell chimes. You'd better get a move on as well. Hitomi enters first, with Sayaka following closely behind. You look to Madoka, hands still clasped together, and the two of you share a smile as you cross the threshold, stepping into class as one.
​

---

Your name is Emiya Shirou, and right now you're a man on a mission. Your master has ordered you to locate one Bazett Fraga McRemitz, the Enforcer sent by the Mage's Association to Mitakihara in order to investigate the recent occurrences in the city and to assess what level of threat they pose to the Association. To start, that means you'll have to find her base of operations and work forwards from there.

You didn't see her at all on Thursday, and from what hearsay you do know about Enforcers, they're scarily down-to-business. McRemitz would have wasted no time in getting to work once arriving in Mitakihara, which means she only arrived yesterday. That means you're probably looking for somewhere that anyone could set up shop in quickly and where coming and going as you please wouldn't arouse suspicion from the locals.

Arms crossed over your chest, you survey the city from atop its highest point. "If I were an Enforcer, where would I hide?" you ask yourself.

Renting or outright purchasing a property in the city would take too long, even if the Association had a contact embedded within the city's population to speed things along. However, given how little McRemitz knows of the way this city operates, you're thinking that the Association is as new to Mitakihara as you yourself are. Permanent residences are likely out. That leaves hotels, or possibly squatting in an abandoned factory or warehouse across the river. Again though, taking the time to scope out a suitably abandoned facility in which to set up shop would take too long, while booking a hotel room can easily be done the night before departure if your luck and timing are good.

You'll start by casing the local hotels. McRemitz's Japanese was fairly rough, so you're betting that she picked a hotel closer to the train station than not- Less of a chance to get lost reading illegible street signs that way. All things considered, your best bet is probably the Mitakihara Hyatt.

And what do you know? Just as you suspected, there's a Bounded Field set up around the west end of the eighth floor. Check that one off your list. You don't see her in any of the rooms, but there's a chance she could be hiding in one of the rooms whose curtains are still drawn close.

More likely than that, however, is the chance that she's already up and out on the job. But where might that be? You think back to how you did things in your time, wandering the world in search of something to save. What would be the first thing you'd have done in a new area?

[ ] Assessed the quality and location of the local leylines
[ ] Gathered information about the city and its inhabitants
[ ] Attempt to make contact with potential friendlies in the area
[ ] Stubbornly pressed ahead into areas you had been told not to go
[ ] Other (write-in)
​

 

[Enetious]

[X] Gathered information about the city and its inhabitants
-[X] Most likely looking for more information on the Witch phenomenon. Try and search for Labyrinths starting from Bazett's apartment to see if she's gathering information about their frequency, or is examining them. If this doesn't work, scout out once more the apartments and homes of the Mitakihara Masters in case she's trying to discern more information about them and their nature.

EDIT: Added in detail, and tweaked itrytofight's vote. Don't think Bazett will try and search for yet more Magical Girls, nor do I think she'd contact neighboring Clocktower informants as she's in Japan, of which the Clocktower is racist towards Japanese mages (aside from esteemed/old families like the Tohsakas) and tries to avoid all contact entirely with, believing it beneath them.

My idea is, is that she's either searching for more data on Witches and their Labyrinths, more info on the Mitakihara Masters, or (as Homura and Archer probably wouldn't speculate) more likely searching for a Kyuubey to interrogate.

 

[SVS]

[X] Gathered information about the city and its inhabitants

Click to shrink...

I'm a little surprised; usually you come in, guns blazing, and hit me with a fair amount of detail. Was it just that you don't care where we go looking? Because if you do care or have a few ideas in particular, feel free to throw that in there if you want. I don't mind.

I've actually been having a pretty rough time of finding the words for the last few posts, so if you or anyone else want to throw a little bit more detail into your votes, or if you've got a particular sentence, thought, or conclusion you think needs to be conveyed with whatever is being voted on, feel free to include that. I'm disappointed with the most recent post for a number of reasons, the length of which being one of the biggest.

I had wanted to make this most recent post longer, but the words just weren't coming and I wanted to cut to a vote so that we could decide how we wanted to tackle our search, the result of which being that the vote is a lot less involved than it usually is and I'm afraid that, looking at the paltry choices I came up with, that I won't be able to make a competent and complete post on just a single sentence of vote.

And to anyone else reading this, if you come in first and have an idea, don't be afraid to put it to a vote even if you can't word it properly.

 

[itrytofight]

[X] Gathered information about the city and its inhabitants
-[X] Most likely looking for more information on the witch phenomenon. Maybe she can find other mages or additional outliers like the "Magical Girls" to shed more light on this.

I think it's the most likely course of action for Bazet to take. She'll probably try to contact allies in nearby cities/districts, if any, to see if there are similar occurrences like Mitikihara next.

EDITED: As per SVS's request.

EDITED 2: Please disregard this vote, use my next post instead.

 

[SVS]

All in that order, unless we can only do one. I'm thinking she'd still gathering data on this city and the witch phenomenon to include contacting other mages on site or in nearby locales.

Click to shrink...

We can only do one, but feel free to throw out as much information about that one choice as you want. No matter which one we pick I have an idea or two in mind about what it'll get us, but with how strapped I've been for words recently I'm really depending on you guys for this one in particular.

 

[Enetious]

@SVS Sorry bout that, was on my phone at the time and exhausted due to irl reason. Expanded upon my vote.

 

[itrytofight]

Redoing vote as per Enetious:

[X] Gathered information about the city and its inhabitants
-[X] Most likely looking for more information on the Witch phenomenon. Try and search for Labyrinths starting from Bazett's apartment to see if she's gathering information about their frequency, or is examining them. If this doesn't work, scout out once more the apartments and homes of the Mitakihara Masters in case she's trying to discern more information about them and their nature.

@Enetious
I'd think she'd be looking for the typical mage, not exactly a clock tower informant.

She doesn't look like she holds the same prejudices as her contemporaries.

 

[SVS]

nor do I think she'd contact neighboring Clocktower informants as she's in Japan, of which the Clocktower is racist towards Japanese mages (aside from esteemed/old families like the Tohsakas) and tries to avoid all contact entirely with, believing it beneath them.

Click to shrink...

She doesn't look like she holds the same prejudices as her contemporaries.

Click to shrink...

I'm going to say that she does not and for two reasons, those being that her family is separate from the Association and that she's Irish. Not only would she have been raised away from the normal conditions under which the Clocktower's prejudices are allowed to flourish and not come into contact with them until she was too old for them to effectively take root, but she herself is of a nationality that the Clocktower would likely have looked down upon for an extended period of time.

 

[veekie]

[X] Gathered information about the city and its inhabitants
-[X] Most likely looking for more information on the Witch phenomenon. Try and search for Labyrinths starting from Bazett's apartment to see if she's gathering information about their frequency, or is examining them. If this doesn't work, scout out once more the apartments and homes of the Mitakihara Masters in case she's trying to discern more information about them and their nature.

Seems about right.
The average Magus though...

[ ] Stubbornly pressed ahead into areas you had been told not to go

Click to shrink...

100% this

 

[Akumura]

[X] Assessed the quality and location of the local leylines
-[X] To investigate about how the Grailess Grail War has come to be, and if there is any possibility of a Grail appearing in the future

My reasoning being that she has already established her temporary base of operations, has contacted Caren, and has met and talked with the Magical Girl group. Considering that her purpose in the city is to investigate the grail war, i think it would be fair for her to try to find the leylines to observe the magic in the city

 

[itrytofight]

The average Magus though...

100% this

Click to shrink...

Well, we know what to look for if more mages arrive.

 

[SVS]

[X] Gathered information about the city and its inhabitants
-[X] Most likely looking for more information on the Witch phenomenon. Try and search for Labyrinths starting from Bazett's apartment to see if she's gathering information about their frequency, or is examining them. If this doesn't work, scout out once more the apartments and homes of the Mitakihara Masters in case she's trying to discern more information about them and their nature.
​

---

What would be the first thing you'd have done in a new area? If you were smart, you'd first want to gather information about the city and its inhabitants. And after what McRemitz saw last night, there's no doubt in your mind that she'll be trying her damnest to locate any information she can on this city's witch population. Now, you're not entirely sure on all the finer points of witches yourself, but you're fairly confident that their labyrinths don't normally open up to the public this early in the day, based on everything you've seen. Still, it isn't as though McRemitz knows that, so your first best bet in terms of locating her would be to search around in the places that labyrinths like to show up in.

From the top of the hotel, you can identify a few places that a witch might want to set up camp; the train station, the hospital, and a few scattered back alleys here and there that look particularly suspicious. Further out from there are places like the highway overpass, the riverbed, and the abandoned warehouses in Kazamino. Following that, if you still haven't found her, you can always do a check on the residences of Mitakihara's masters, even though there's a good chance that she already checked those yesterday.

You decide to check the train station first. Donning your civilian clothes, you meander about the place for what feels like a lot longer than it actually is. When you see no sign of McRemitz, you move on to the hospital. Again, McRemitz is nowhere to be found. Back alleys it is then, as you work your way east and north in the direction of the river and the overpass.

"Hey, Tohsaka-" You peer over the top of your book, glancing towards the twintailed brunette whose name you called. "Who is "Bazett Fraga McRemitz?"

Rin turns to face you, hands resting on her supple hips. Her eyes wander down towards the ream of paper in your hands - the prototype for what will eventually become Records of the Fourth and Fifth Holy Grail Wars. "I see you mention the name a few times in the chapters leading up to the start of the Fifth War, but once Kotomine-" you seethe as that bastard's name leaves your mouth "-appears, all mention of the name completely stops."

"She was an Enforcer, and served as the Association's representative in the last Grail War. As far as I can tell, she was the one who summoned Lancer, before that phony priest killed her and stole her servant. Bit of a shame, really. I had the chance to look at some of her after-action reports when I was helping Lord El-Melloi with his research, and she seemed like she really knew her stuff. I bet it would have been a lot of fun if she and I had gotten the chance to fight one another."

"Maybe you should put that in here, then." Tohsaka look on your suggestion with a faint smile. "She's dead now, right? This book's going to be the only way that most people will ever know her name. Maybe she deserves more than just a few mentions of her name in passing."

"Well, it's really all up to Lord El-Melloi. I'm just helping with the research and editing. But, I'll talk to him the next chance I get."

A strong breeze passes by for just a moment as you walk down one alley in particular, bringing with it a thing that obscures your vision and disrupts your train of memory. As the breeze dies and the thing falls from your face, you lean over to pick it up. It's a flyer- Black and white and devoid of graphics, save for a red sunburst laid over a cross. It advertises membership in "The Church of the Righteous Sister... Can't say I've ever heard of that one before."

[ ] You crumple it up and toss it aside as you keep going. It's just a bunch of loonies, no need to pay them any heed.
[ ] You fold it up and stuff it in your pocket as you keep going. Your master might want to know about these weirdos.

However, interruption aside, you see neither McRemitz nor the entrance to a labyrinth. You do, however, see a much less desired quarry.

"Archer." The Incubator leaps from its position atop a nearby fence, stalking at your ankles like a cat starved for affection. "Did Akemi Homura ask you to collect more information regarding my whereabouts?"

"Fortunately, you're off the hook for the moment," you respond, none too pleased to have run into Satan's teddy bear. "However, now that I found you, perhaps you can tell me something."

"That will depend on what it is you desire to hear, Archer."

"I'm looking for someone; a foreigner." You hold your hand out to simulate McRemitz's approximate height. "She's about this tall, magenta hair, wears a dark suit. Any of this ringing any bells?"

"As a matter of fact, I have seen the woman that you describe."

"And, would you be kind enough to tell me when and where you saw her?"

"Yesterday. I saw her examining the invisible barrier around Mikuni Oriko's mansion, and I again saw her later that night as she was leaving her hotel. I have not seen her again this morning, but she seemed particularly interested in the barrier surrounding Mikuni Oriko's mansion. If you are looking for her, perhaps you should check there."

You can distinctly recall your master telling McRemitz to stay away from Mikuni Oriko, and yet it seems exactly the place she would have gone anyway. With her impressive mansion and equally impressive Bounded Field, she's probably the closest thing in Mitakihara to what McRemitz might think of as high-stature mage. Add to the fact that there are two masters residing within, and it makes perfect sense.

Still, you want to confirm that she's not lurking by the underpass before moving on to check the Mikuni residence. Assassin is another concern of hers, so it's not a bad idea to go checking out the last place you saw her.

Fortunately, it's a clear morning and there's no sign of Assassin anywhere nearby. Unfortunately, there's also no sign of McRemitz. You sigh; the Mikuni mansion it is.

The mansion is some distance away, and the long walk gives you time to gather your thoughts about this whole affair. If your positions were reversed, if you were the Enforcer in McRemitz's shoes, [ ] What would your thoughts about all of this be?

And, if and when you do run into McRemitz, [ ] What will you do then?​

 

[Enetious]

[X] You fold it up and stuff it in your pocket as you keep going. Your master might want to know about these weirdos.
[X] What would your thoughts about all of this be?
-[X] To not breach the Bounded Field, but try and identify what it does and any potential weaknesses in it. Then to monitor the suspected Magus from afar via an indiscreet familiar outside of the Bounded Field if possible, but if they're a shut-in to keep a familiar stationed nearby to monitor the household and potentially see something useful through a window or overhear something important. If she's one of the more modernized Enforcers, she'd make use of a more discreet drone in order to try and bypass the Bounded Field, probably ground based to avoid making too much noise, as electric drones are getting more and more cheaper nowadays to the public. It would also be important to monitor any other person that live and/or aids the Magus in question, as Magi typically need to leave or to send someone to replenish their supplies at a point. Most important is to try and identify the scope of the Magus' operation and the kind of Magecraft the Magus practices.
[X] When you run into McRemitz
-[X] Just observe and take note of whatever she's doing and/or examining. If she attempts to breach any of the Mitakihara Masters' households or that of any of their friends, prevent McRemitz from doing so. If she runs into trouble that isn't from any of his or Homura's allies, intervene and aid her if it seems as if she can't handle it herself.

 

[itrytofight]

[X] You fold it up and stuff it in your pocket as you keep going. Your master might want to know about these weirdos.
[X] What would your thoughts about all of this be?
-[X] To not breach the Bounded Field, but try and identify what it does and any potential weaknesses in it. Then to monitor the suspected Magus from afar via an indiscreet familiar outside of the Bounded Field if possible, but if they're a shut-in to keep a familiar stationed nearby to monitor the household and potentially see something useful through a window or overhear something important. If she's one of the more modernized Enforcers, she'd make use of a more discreet drone in order to try and bypass the Bounded Field, probably ground based to avoid making too much noise, as electric drones are getting more and more cheaper nowadays to the public. It would also be important to monitor any other person that live and/or aids the Magus in question, as Magi typically need to leave or to send someone to replenish their supplies at a point. Most important is to try and identify the scope of the Magus' operation and the kind of Magecraft the Magus practices.
[X] When you run into McRemitz
-[X] Just observe and take note of whatever she's doing and/or examining. If she attempts to breach any of the Mitakihara Masters' households or that of any of their friends, prevent McRemitz from doing so. If she runs into trouble that isn't from any of his or Homura's allies, intervene and aid her if it seems as if she can't handle it herself.

I couldn't Google anything on the mentioned church on the fate side of things nor anything on the puella magi side.

It could be nothing but my gut instinct dissagrees.

 

[SVS]

I couldn't Google anything on the mentioned church on the fate side of things nor anything on the puella magi side.

It could be nothing but my gut instinct dissagrees.

Click to shrink...

If giving names to Tan Girl and Clip Girl is any indication, I've been trying to expand Mitakihara beyond what we're given in the show. The Church of the Righteous Sister is an wholly original creation and not part of either existing PMMM or Fate canon. I leave it to the readers to figure out what it could be, how much of an impact it will have, or whether it's even anything more than background world-building.

 

[Enetious]

Eh, perhaps that flyer pertains to a place where people worship Magical Girls, which may or may not be run by one. Makes sense with the whole "Righteous Sister" thing. Also it might be Magical Girl(s) who are pretending to be Sisters that are blessed by God now that I think about it.

 

[veekie]

I would note that unlike other Servants, Archers and Assassins can penetrate Bounded Fields without being completely crippled in the process or taking them down by force.

Not that its any better an idea

 

[SVS]

[x] Enetious
​

---

If your positions were reversed, if you were the Enforcer in McRemitz's shoes, what would your thoughts about all of this be? Probably, you'd hang back a bit and try for simple observation of the Bounded Field. How strong is it, what are its limits, are there any sentries or familiars watching you, and what might happen if you breached it? You might also want to stake the place out for awhile to see if anyone comes in or out. They might be allies, or better yet they might be the mage in question themselves if you're lucky.

After a journey that takes far shorter a span of time than it felt like, you arrive at the Mikuni mansion. Nothing has changed from the last time you were here. The Bounded Field is still firmly in place, the gate and the front door are tightly closed and all the curtains are drawn, and the only sight visible is the rose garden beyond the fence, seen only through the hole you had created when your arrow sent Berserker flying clear across the block. There are few trees to hide in, so your best bet is to go invisible and wait it out on a nearby rooftop.

"Master, I received a tip from the Incubator that McRemitz might come poking around Mikuni's place again. I'm holed up atop a nearby roof, and I'll let you know if she stops by."

"I distinctly recall telling her not to press up against Mikuni Oriko and Kure Kirika any more than she already has. I don't want them doing anything rash that might arouse the suspicions of whoever her higher-ups happen to be."

"With your permission, if something does go down I can intervene and make sure that nothing happens."

"Please do, Archer."

With your master's blessing, you wait; and wait, and wait. You wait, until finally you see it- A disaster in the making.

They approach from opposite corners, neither party having the chance to see the other until it's too late. In the north corner is Mikuni, wearing a white turtleneck and a matching pale pink jacket and skirt combo, carrying a bag of groceries under her arm. Behind her walks Lancer, dressed in a dark-coloured conservative outfit carrying two additional grocery bags. And in the west corner is McRemitz, wearing the same exact dark-coloured suit as yesterday, carrying only her fists and that old metal over-the-shoulder canister. Disaster in three.

Two.

One.

You brace for impact as both parties round the corner at the same time. Mikuni stops a fraction of a second before McRemitz, and the two stare the other down. Lancer stands motionless, flicking her eyes onto your position.

"Mikuni Oriko-" McRemitz is the one to initiate dialogue, and her question causes Lancer to snap her gaze away from you and back onto the magenta-haired foreigner standing before her master. "I was hoping I could ask you a few question."

Mikuni hardens her gaze, frowning as she asks in response "Who are you, and what business do you have stalking around my house?" At that moment, Mikuni's phone buzzes. Her gaze still fixed on McRemitz, she slowly reaches into her pocket, retrieving the device and answering the call. "Dearest? Is something the matter? ... Oh! No, no, everything's fine. I'm right outside the house, actually. ... Yes, I'll be just a moment; there's an annoying woman who's been following me that I need to deal with first. ... Mhm, I'll see you soon."

"That was Kure Kirika, I presume?" asks McRemitz. If looks could kill, the one given to her by Mikuni would have left nothing remaining. "Like I said, I just want to ask you a few questions."

"You come into my city, stalk my place of residence, and have the nerve to speak so casually as you snoop around like some kind of spy, yet you expect me to simply cooperate without knowing a thing about you?"

"Right, right, sorry. I just thought-" An Enforcer may be a powerful foe against the average mage, but you're doubtful that she can hold out for very long against Lancer, should Mikuni not like what she hears. "-that Akemi might have already informed you about my mission here. Forgive me if I've presumed wrong; I'm still not entirely clear on the nature of your relationship with her."

"Akemi-san is... An ally, I suppose you might say, though you have in fact presumed wrong. I have heard nothing from her regarding you or your mission."

"I guess some explanations are in order, then." The tension falls from Mikuni's shoulders as "Bazett Fraga McRemitz, I'm an Enforcer for the Mage's Association," introduces herself, only to be replaced with visible confusion as Mikuni fails to understand what McRemitz is talking about. Throughout all of this, Lancer remains wound like a coil spring, ready to pounce in an instant should her master give the command.

Speaking of commands, it dawns on you that as long as Mikuni remains more or less in the same or a similar position, there is no way for McRemitz to discover her status as a master without Mikuni confirming anything. Her Command Seals are hidden underneath her long sleeve, and the ring containing her Soul Gem is hidden on the underside of her grocery bag.

"I'm sorry, McRemitz-san," Mikuni says, much to the surprise of the Enforcer, "I don't know what Akemi-san has told you about me, but none of what you just said makes any sense to me."

"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. An Enforcer is 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."

"I see..." Suspicion once more takes hold of Mikuni as she asks "And, what do you know of the War in this city?"

"I know that Akemi Homura, Tomoe Mami, and Kure Kirika are masters. I also know that you and Kure Kirika are romantically involved, and that she is likely to be residing in your mansion. With your permission, I'd like to ask her a few questions as well. Any information she can give to me will be helpful to my investigation."

"I see you've been busy, McRemitz-san. I suppose I can let you speak with Kirika for a few minutes, although you-" Mikuni is interrupted as Lancer, having set her grocery bags down on the ground, places a hand on her shoulder.

"Master, we are being watched."

[ ] Wat do?​

 

[xThomas2]

[X] Keep watching.
If we leave now, they'll know we overheard them. So don't. Maybe they'll keep talking.

Maybe Lancer will decide to look for and fight us. Maybe they'll continue their conversation and ignore us.

 

[Baron Ouroboros]

[] Keep watching.

 

[Enetious]

[X] Telepathically inform Homura of the current situation with Lancer and ask her to telepathically inform Oriko to reign in Lancer, and of Archer's mission to tail Bazett and learn more about her intentions.

Staying silent and to continue watching is a surefire way to initiate a deathmatch. Best for Oriko to reign in Lancer and pretend that Archer isn't there. Also Bazett may just assume its the Incubator that's watching.