Fate/Harmonic Dissonance (Nasuverse AU Quest)
- Thread starter Yana
- Start date
ChildishChimera
A umbran summon
- Location
- New York
[X] to summon with a catalyst, and you'll use-
-[X]the Tattered Blindfold (Saber)
-[X]the Tattered Blindfold (Saber)
Yana
Super High School Level Paranormal Investigator
- Location
- Somewhere in Asia
I'm locking the votes now.
My schedule for this week is finicky, so I don't know when I have free time. I'm doing this so I can work on the update as soon as possible.
My hands are actually itching to write right now, and I can't write any Omake yet.
As a sidenote, I'm sad that Saber Catalyst didn't win. She was what inspired me to write this.
I'll show you guys the Heroic Spirits that can be summoned without a Catalyst.
Non-Catalyst Summons:
Saber: Ryogi Shiki (Yes, I know she's OP)
Archer: Arthuria Pendragon
Lancer: Jeanne Lily
Caster: Shuuten
Rider: Sakata Kintoki
Assassin: ??? (I'll be using this as a rival's Servant.)
Berserker: MHX Alter
Also, because nobody guessed the Avenger, I'll tell you guys.
It's Luca Blight from Suikoden II
My schedule for this week is finicky, so I don't know when I have free time. I'm doing this so I can work on the update as soon as possible.
My hands are actually itching to write right now, and I can't write any Omake yet.
As a sidenote, I'm sad that Saber Catalyst didn't win. She was what inspired me to write this.
I'll show you guys the Heroic Spirits that can be summoned without a Catalyst.
Non-Catalyst Summons:
Saber: Ryogi Shiki (Yes, I know she's OP)
Archer: Arthuria Pendragon
Lancer: Jeanne Lily
Caster: Shuuten
Rider: Sakata Kintoki
Assassin: ??? (I'll be using this as a rival's Servant.)
Berserker: MHX Alter
Also, because nobody guessed the Avenger, I'll tell you guys.
It's Luca Blight from Suikoden II
Last edited:
Look to the Left
Back from the Void
- Location
- OH CANADA!!!
...And now I feel sad
Hey, there was no way we could've known.
Don't feel so bad.
Yana
Super High School Level Paranormal Investigator
- Location
- Somewhere in Asia
Here's the Official Tally.
Caster (Jewel) wins by 1 vote, followed by Assassin (Card), and then Saber (Blindfold)
Caster (Jewel) wins by 1 vote, followed by Assassin (Card), and then Saber (Blindfold)
Vote Tally : Fate/Harmonic Dissonance (Nasuverse AU Quest) | Page 2 | Sufficient Velocity [Posts: 32-52]
##### NetTally 1.9.9
[X] to summon with a catalyst, and you'll use-
-[X]the Bloody jewel (Caster)
No. of Votes: 7
veekie
FatedBread
Gyger
Khona Moshr
Nicklance
ShadowAngelBeta
wingstrike96
[X] to summon with a catalyst, and you'll use
-[X]the Calling Card (Assassin)
No. of Votes: 2
Astra Myst
Nawaf
[X] to summon with a catalyst, and you'll use-
-[X]the Tattered Blindfold (Saber)
No. of Votes: 3
Mr.Dragon Fish
ChildishChimera
FakePriest
[X] to summon with a catalyst, and you'll use-
-[X] the Blue Tunic (Rider)
No. of Votes: 1
Random Member
[X] to summon without a catalyst, and it would be
No. of Votes: 1
Warmach1ne32
[X] to summon without a catalyst, and it would be a Saber
No. of Votes: 1
SETIFAN
[x] to summon without a catalyst, and it would be
-[x] a Lancer
No. of Votes: 1
Nevill
[x] to summon without a catalyst, and it would be
-[x] An Assassin
No. of Votes: 1
Look to the Left
Total No. of Voters: 17
##### NetTally 1.9.9
[X] to summon with a catalyst, and you'll use-
-[X]the Bloody jewel (Caster)
No. of Votes: 7
veekie
FatedBread
Gyger
Khona Moshr
Nicklance
ShadowAngelBeta
wingstrike96
[X] to summon with a catalyst, and you'll use
-[X]the Calling Card (Assassin)
No. of Votes: 2
Astra Myst
Nawaf
[X] to summon with a catalyst, and you'll use-
-[X]the Tattered Blindfold (Saber)
No. of Votes: 3
Mr.Dragon Fish
ChildishChimera
FakePriest
[X] to summon with a catalyst, and you'll use-
-[X] the Blue Tunic (Rider)
No. of Votes: 1
Random Member
[X] to summon without a catalyst, and it would be
No. of Votes: 1
Warmach1ne32
[X] to summon without a catalyst, and it would be a Saber
No. of Votes: 1
SETIFAN
[x] to summon without a catalyst, and it would be
-[x] a Lancer
No. of Votes: 1
Nevill
[x] to summon without a catalyst, and it would be
-[x] An Assassin
No. of Votes: 1
Look to the Left
Total No. of Voters: 17
Vote Tally : Fate/Harmonic Dissonance (Nasuverse AU) - Q | SpaceBattles Forums [Posts: 19-30]
##### NetTally 1.9.9
[X] to summon with a catalyst, and you'll use the Calling Card (Assassin)
No. of Votes: 5
Vance D. Bleu
1eragon33
Keyoin
The Richmaster
TheDeathNaught1
[X] to summon with a catalyst, and you'll use the Bloody jewel (Caster)
No. of Votes: 2
Palafex
korat56
[x] to summon with a catalyst, and you'll use The Tattered Blindfold (Saber)
No. of Votes: 1
Admiral M.O.B
Total No. of Voters: 8
##### NetTally 1.9.9
[X] to summon with a catalyst, and you'll use the Calling Card (Assassin)
No. of Votes: 5
Vance D. Bleu
1eragon33
Keyoin
The Richmaster
TheDeathNaught1
[X] to summon with a catalyst, and you'll use the Bloody jewel (Caster)
No. of Votes: 2
Palafex
korat56
[x] to summon with a catalyst, and you'll use The Tattered Blindfold (Saber)
No. of Votes: 1
Admiral M.O.B
Total No. of Voters: 8
- Location
- At the end of the world
Don't be so sad, your description of Nanoha Alter was just too attractive for Nasuverse fans.
Yana
Super High School Level Paranormal Investigator
- Location
- Somewhere in Asia
Behold everyone, one of my Beta writers. And one of the luckiest FGO F2P player in our Discord Server.
Please don't ask him anything about the story, he only helps me with the casting. You may, however, lynch him for drawing the 5* of every banner. (We had to stop him from Burning Da Vinci because he has too many 5* Casters)
On more important matters...
Update news:
Sorry for not updating for a while. My beta writers and I are recasting a majority of the Masters and Servants, which is slowed down by the back and forth rebalancing the Servants my beta(s?) and I did, my internet dying, and irl stuff.
Bad news, the cast isn't complete yet.
Good news, the new replacements we do have are really great.
More good news, I should have the update ready by the first week of February. The update shouldn't be hampered by the missing cast. In fact, you'll get to see one or two of the final cast.
Frozen Flame
Fragment of the Devourer
- Location
- The Darkness Beyond Time
Don't take this the wrong way, but I think I might hate you.
At least you've got a good look at what servants can do.
- Location
- Somewhere in Asia
Don't worry, everyone will eventually will XD And the Servants are being developed pretty well so far...I had to do a lot of research and translate that properly to Nasuverse rules though
Chapter 1: Preparation for War
Yana
Super High School Level Paranormal Investigator
- Location
- Somewhere in Asia
Sorry, I was rewatching anime to get a feel for the characters.
Can't really do that with Caster though…
~ ~ ~
Chapter 1: Preparations for War
~ ~ ~
"I'll summon Caster." You say, looking over to the bloody, cracked gem sitting on the velvet pillow. Ruby contorted in your hand, twisting her handle to appear as if she was nodding.
"Well then, Emilya-chan~" Ruby's voice dripped with sugar. "Grab the Catalyst and place it in the middle of the circle. Be sure not to smudge anything, or you'll mess up the Formalcraft."
You followed the sentient Mystic Code's instructions, gingerly picking up the gem with your left hand, and hopping to the center of the magic circle, your feet stepping in the spaces between the lines. The gem was placed in the middle of the Formalcraft, and you backed off to begin the summoning.
"Let's start!" Ruby cheered.
Shing
You nearly drop Ruby when a small blade extended from the top of her 'head', the neon lights reflecting off the sharp edges made it appear to be made off the colours of the rainbow. From the corner of your eye, you saw Ange tense on the side, but relaxed when Ruby didn't attack you.
"To summon the Servant, you need to drop a sample of your blood on the Circle." Ruby announced. Ange raised a brow, watching you palm the blade and cut a small gash on it. Squeezing your hand shut, blood dripped steadily on the sigil. "Good, now hold on to me tight and recite the words I say."
You nod, grabbing Ruby's handle with your bloody left hand and holding her parallel to you, with your right hand on her 'face' to help you focus your magic.
"Silver and iron origin. Fiber and the archduke of contracts are the cornerstone. Let Orange be the colour I pay tribute to." Ruby said. You recited the words, feeling your body heating up from the magic flowing to your hands.
" The alighted wind becomes a wall. The gates in the four directions close, coming from the crown, the three-forked road that leads to the kingdom circulate." A ball of light materialized floating in front of Ruby, your hand nearly touching her star.
" Shut." You say, the words appearing in your mind.
"Fill." Ruby echoed.
"Shut." You responded.
"Fill." Ruby chanted.
"Shut (Fill)" Your voices harmonized, the ball of magic expanding and shrinking in tandem to each word you and ruby utter. "Shut (Fill), Shut (Fill.)"
" Repeat every five times." Was Ruby sending the incantation to you mentally? She was no longer leading you, with the aria easily slipping from your mouth. "Shatter once filled."
" ――――I announce."
You nearly stumbled. A pressure settled over your body, pressing against your chest and making it hard to breath.
"Resign yourself under me, my fate is in your sword." The ball of light vanished, bathing the room back into darkness until the Magic Circle in the center of the room glowed a pink light.
" In accordance with the approach of the Holy Grail, if you abide by this emotion, this reason, then answer." The gem in the middle of the Magic Circle glowed crimson, unrecognizable symbols flashing over its surface as magic flowed into it. The blood coating it cracked and flaked off, as if it was being burned away.
" Here is my oath. I am the one who becomes all the good of the world of the dead, I am the one who lays out all the evil of the world of the dead." The gem rose up into the air, the light inside it building up. In tandem, the lines of the Magic Circle grew in response, making it harder to see what was happening.
You close your eyes and focused on the spell, the world vanishing around you as you put your heart and mind into the spell.
"From the pool of infinite timelines, attended to by three great words of power, come forth from the ring of restraint, protector of the holy balance!" Your voice reverberated around you as you finished the incantation. "For I am Emilya Fujimura, your Master!"
Distantly, you heard Ruby mutter a quiet "Success!"
The room imploded.
The ground underneath your feet shook, the shockwave from the implosion buffeting you backwards, before it hit the walls and rebounded back to push you forwards. Knocked unbalanced, you tripped into the Magic Circle and prepared to hit the floor hard.
Only to bump into someone who caught you.
"Fate-chan?" Your captor asked, staring at you with their grey-blue eyes. They blinked, shaking their head. "No…"
You stayed like that in the arms of the stranger, dumbfounded. Things happened so fast, and maybe you're just a bit too drained right now to be standing. Who was this person?
"I'm Caster, answering the Summons." The stranger said, shifting you in her grip. "Are you my Master?"
Oh, right. She's your Servant.
That means the Summoning Ritual was a success! You felt giddiness bubble up from your chest, relief washing over you. And even as laughter erupted from your slightly hoarse throat, the pressure from the ritual remained, constricting your lungs.
"Yes! Yes, Caster. I'm your Master." You say. Then, you realized your position and you stood up, dusting your suddenly poof-ier skirt and introduced yourself to the Servant. "Emilya Fujimura. I shall be your Master for this Grail War."
You took the lull in the conversation to examine your Servant.
Caster had brown hair tied up in twin tails, her left tail tied with a white ribbon while her left tail was fixed with a tattered black one. She wore a white jacket that could pass for a school uniform, with blue accents and trims. On her arms were thick blue bracers, decorated by a red gem on the gold insignia. She wore thick boots to protect her feet, in the same white, blue, red and yellow colours as the rest of her outfit. In complete contrast with the rest of her clothes, a black cape was draped over her shoulder, covering most of her right side. The cape was pitch black, except for the blue line on its surface that glowed even in the dim room.
"It's nice to meet you, Emilya. You can call me Caster." A faint smile appeared at Caster's face, and she held out her left hand. Looked at it blankly, then registered that she wants a handshake. You grabbed it and shook her hand. "Still, it's pretty funny that my Master is a Magical Girl like me. What are the odds?"
…
What? A Magical Girl like-
You glanced down and realized what she meant.
Gone is the Homurahara uniform. In its place, you now wore a sleek leotard that hugged your figure. A layered, poofy skirt that went down to just above your knees protected your modesty. Long, smooth socks ran from your thighs down to the winged shoes decorating your feet. To finish off the ensemble, silk gloves covered most of your hands and arms, with Ruby sitting innocently clasped between your and Nanoha's hands.
"Ruby!" You shrieked. "What is this?!"
"What is what?" Ruby asked, and you answered by waving your arms all around yourself. "Oh, that! Well, that's your Magical Girl Outfitα™!"
"Magical Girl Outfit Alpha? You mean there's more of this?" You dread the answer to your question.
"Of course! This is just an α design, and I'm planning on adding more things to it." Ruby explained. "It's a lot of work you know, you didn't have a single image of what a Magical Girl looked like, so I had to make one from scratch. Then I had to decide on a colour, and I wanted to dress you up in pink, but I wanted to make your hair stand out. So maybe something like Purple or Blue? But that's more in Sapphire's area, so I thought why not Orange to match your Command Seals? I couldn't decide, so I just place you in white, and I'll work on it as you learn your powers."
"Wait, wait, wait! Slow down!" You try to gather your thoughts. "Magical Girl? Powers? What is the meaning of this?"
"I thought it's pretty self-explanatory." Ruby told you. "You're now a Magical Girl after forming a contract with me!"
"When did I make a contract with you?" You argued.
"Right after we finished Summoning Caster, and before she caught you." Was Ruby's matter-of-fact answer. "I have your Blood, you were holding me, and I have your name. Thus, our contract was established."
…
"Wow, you work fast." Ange said from the side, bringing everyone's attention to her. "So that's why you asked Emilya to draw blood for the ritual."
You sigh. "Ange, you're not helping."
Then what she said caught up with you.
"Does that mean that I didn't need blood to Summon a Servant?" The lingering pain on your hand holding Ruby's shaft seemed to magnify with that statement.
"Depends on the Magus. But there's blood on the Catalyst, so I didn't want to take any chances." Ruby explained. "That way, Caster is bound to you only, and not on whomever's blood was on the Gem."
Well, at least her heart was in the right place, you reason. That said, you're not too keen on being a Magical Girl, forced circumstances or not.
"What a peculiar Device." Caster remarked, her face inches from Ruby's main body. She tilted her head left and right, examining the Mystic Code "Ruby, right?"
"It's actually Magical Ruby, but you can call me Ruby." Ruby squirmed in your grip, turning to address your Servant. She twinkled (that's your only explanation for how stars appear around her) as she seemed to talk to Caster. "I'm a really big fan of your work, you're an inspiration to young girls everywhere!"
"Haha, thank you Ruby." Caster giggled. "And I'm sure you'll be a good partner for your handler, just like mine was for me."
Ruby seemed to fold in on herself as she lit up a bright red, seeming to melt as you held her.
"If we're done here, might I suggest we talk about our plans for the War?" Rider, who was silent up to now, spoke up. "We can get to know each other once we're safe."
Ruby seemed to take offense to that, as she straightened up and glared at Rider.
"How rude! My Creator's Workshop is perfectly safe."
Rider didn't even look at her and turned to her Master.
"Rider's right." Ange agreed. "As generous as he was to let Emilya Summon her Servant here, this is still a Magus's Workshop. We shouldn't overstay our welcome."
"Oh, right! Speaking of which!" Ruby leapt out of your hand and flew up, hovering between the four of you. "My Creator wanted to tell you that he's extending his hospitality to your team for the duration of the War. You may use the facilities of this building for training and maintaining your equipment."
"No thanks." Rider stepped up. "I was against Master's Ally from Summoning here in the first place. For all we know, you're just gathering information about us for the other Pairs."
"Rider." Ange's simple command had Rider clam up. Her face morphed as she tried to contain her scowl, in direct contrast to Ange's emotionless expression.
"… Fine." The Servant relented.
"While there is a point to Rider's objection, this isn't the place to discuss it. We can talk about Ruby's Master's offer once we get settled in." Her eyes darted around the room. "Besides, I'm sure that Ruby will accompany us from now on, won't she?"
"Yup! And don't worry, Emilya-chan! I won't sell you out! I'm contracted to you now." And isn't that a scary thought?
"I could do with a less talkative… Wait, are you a transformation pen? Or the token Mascot Character?" You guess Ruby counts as both?
"Let's talk about it over lunch!" Caster declared. "Any objections to a café?"
Nobody objected.
And so, that's how you found yourself eating lunch at a posh café while talking over food about how to best proceed.
~ ~ ~
You stared. You can't help it, there was just something fascinating about a young girl (or what appears to be a young girl, you can never tell with Servants) drinking black coffee like it was milk. Coffee is bitter, you don't like bitter stuff.
"Is there something on my face?" Rider asked, causing you to look away bashfully.
"Sorry." You say over the rim of your cup of green tea.
The four of you sat at an outdoor table of a café, the awning protecting you from the noon's rays. Caster had a glass of iced tea, while Ange was nursing a cup of black tea. The food on the table is rather diverse too, having a mix of western and Japanese dishes.
Strangely though, Caster seems to have more Japanese dishes on her side of the table than you do, with you sharing a few German sausages between you and Rider. Also, she's glaring hard at your tea cup.
"You're not planning on adding cream and sugar on that, are you?" Caster asked you.
"What? No, ew." Just imagining the conflict of flavours of cream, sugar, in green tea makes your stomach churn.
"Okay, just asking." Caster went back to her meal.
Trying to avoid the awkwardness of that conversation, you turn your attention to the street and the city.
After the four of you exited the Magus's workshop (together with Ruby, who was now hiding in your hair) you came out of an eleven-story building to the busy streets of Misakihara. Unlike Fuyuki, Misakihara is a truly modern city, with cleaning robots roaming the sidewalk, electronic billboards advertising the latest TV show, and monorails snaking through high-rise buildings.
The people's fashion is also different from what you were used to. It wasn't so radical that you can see a guy wear a frilly skirt, or a woman wear something too revealing, but Victorian-era dresses and suits that glowed in colours are a common sight.
If you were to say, it's like the fashion in the city were compiled from different eras, from the early millennia up to something you'd see in a sci-fi film.
Still, a Magical Girl outfit would have stood out even in this city, so you're thankful that Ruby was able to reverse the transformation with your uniform intact.
The strange fashion of this city is the reason why Ange wasn't attracting any stares, having hid her top hat and mask. That doesn't mean that it doesn't attract your attention though, as you often find your eyes wandering to clothes other people wear that you aren't used to seeing.
Like that one girl walking down the sidewalk right now, wearing a blue Prussian jacket, a long flowing silk skirt, and heeled leather boots. A large emerald brooch sat on the middle of her cravat, complementing her large blue eyes and doll-like face. Her hair shone in the sun like golden threads, tied up in two neat buns behind her head. She also carried a large brown suitcase, with a blue umbrella tied to it.
You must have been staring at the girl for a long time, as now Rider, Caster, and Ange was looking at the girl.
"Good eye." Ange comments, "Her arms are moving strangely."
Wait, what?
"Not only that, but she's leaking magic." Caster said. At that, Rider stood up, making her way towards the girl.
"So stubborn." Ange closed her eyes and returned to eating her pie.
"Aren't you going to follow her?" You ask Ange, to which she shook her head. Concerned, you put down your tea and made to move, when Caster stopped you.
"I'll do it. Stay here."
With Caster there, you don't think Rider would do anything rash. But even having met them for a short amount of time, you can't help but worry about them.
"Masters can communicate telepathically with their Servants, Emilya." Ange finished off her pie, crossing her knife and fork over her plate. "And while we're on that, Paired Masters can communicate telepathically to their Paired teammate. We can't communicate with the other Master's Servant though."
"That's convenient." You nod.
"If you want, you can listen in to the conversation. Rider may be a bit proud, but I think Caster will let you, if to ease your burden." Ange stirred her tea, picking up a biscuit and starting on it.
"What about you?" A mental push, and you felt Caster respond in your mind.
"I'm from the Black Lizard Planet." Ange said with a straight face, and you can't tell if she's joking or not. "I can eavesdrop from here."
Any further conversation was cut when you heard Rider's voice, heard from the shared senses Caster established for you.
"You." Even as young as Rider appeared, her voice carried a lot of authority. You watched their interaction from the corner of your eye.
"Yes?" The stranger's voice asked, stopping in front of Rider.
"Take off your gloves." Rider ordered. The girl didn't react, but Caster most certainly did.
"Hey, that's going too far." Caster's normally friendly tone carried a bit of steel behind those words, conveying exactly how she felt where the conversation is going.
"Her arms are moving strangely, and this is the quickest way to know why." Rider crossed her arms, and you're pretty sure she's glaring at the stranger.
"Even so, that's too much." Caster tried to reason with her. "That's a very personal thing, and to show a stranger-"
"It's fine." The stranger said. She laid down her briefcase, before straightening out and grabbing hold of her brown gloves. With a tug, the fabric easily slipped off, revealing a silver mechanical arm where her hands should be. She removed her other glove, making it clear that both of her hands are prosthetics. "Are you satisfied?"
"…" Rider didn't say anything, seemingly contemplating something. Finally, she said something. "Push up your sleeves."
"Stop."
You felt your spine shiver. If Caster's earlier protests had steel on it, this one was frigid cold. But the stranger simply followed through, pushing up both sleeves to show Rider that her prosthetics replaced the entirety of her arms.
"What about-" Rider was about to continue, but you saw Caster lay her left hand on Rider's shoulder, squeezing it hard.
"I'm serious."
"…"
Caster and Rider stared at each other, a tense atmosphere falling over them. For a moment, you felt as if the two of them would fight each other then-and-there, but thankfully the voice of reason helped diffuse the situation, which strangely enough came from the person they were arguing over.
"It's alright." The stranger said. "A lot of my clients are curious about my arms too. It doesn't bother me at all."
Caster backed off, releasing her grip on Rider's shoulder and bowing at the girl.
"I'm really sorry about my friend here. She can't stop her curiosity." Rider seemed to take offense to that, riling herself up to tell Caster off when she stiffened and turned towards your table. Ange kept her back turned to them, sipping her tea.
"I'm sorry." Rider bowed her head slightly. Then she marched herself out of the conversation. Caster said a few more words to the stranger, before saying her goodbyes.
"That was unbelievably rash of you, Rider." Ange said instead of greeting them back.
"The sooner we can remove a side from this war, the better." Rider explained, sitting back down. "Caster said she had an odd output of magic, which even I couldn't detect. It's highly likely that she's a Master in this war."
"As much as I appreciate your vote of confidence in my abilities," Caster resumed her spot beside you. "If we get into a fight, I won't be able to fight my best yet."
"What do you mean by that?" That's actually concerning. Did you mess up the Summoning Ritual, and summoned Caster with reduced Parameters?
To explain, Caster placed something on the table. It was the Catalyst you used earlier, the red gem glowing softly with an inner light. "This is one of my Noble Phantasms. Right now, she's broken. I need to repair her, and that will take some time."
"And I'll help too!" Ruby poked out of your hair to say that, before popping back in.
"And that brings us to our next discussion." Ange said, finally finishing her tea. "Our base of operations."
"We need a place we can stay for the duration of the war, where we can stay hidden from the other enemy Masters, and where we can meet to discuss what's happening in the war." Rider, ever professional, began listing the things you needed.
"I suggest that we stay together." Ange told you. "That way, it'll be easier to create a cover for each of us."
"Speaking of covers." Caster jumped into the conversation. "We need a name for Rider and myself."
"A name?" You ask.
"Of course, you don't expect to call us by Rider and Caster right? That's a big giveaway to other Masters that we're Servants." Caster waved her left hand at Rider. "I had a hard time talking to Rider without giving away that she's a Servant."
"…" Instead of retorting, Rider picked up her coffee and drank it, refusing to say anything.
"I suggest we call Rider Mercedes!" Caster suggested happily.
"Pfft-!" Rider spat her coffee, choking as some of the drink got caught in her throat. Caster stood up to help, rubbing circles on Rider's back. "We are not calling me Mercedes!"
"Why not?" You ask. "It's a girl's name, and a German one too. It's perfect for you."
Rider's ears matched the red in her cheeks as she struggled to come up with anything to counter that.
"I will not be called by something that you'll see in a Red Ligh-" Rider paused, looking around the table, before catching herself. "I mean, can't you think of something more… wholesome?"
"Hmm…" Caster placed a finger to her chin as she thought about it. "Hildagild?"
"Too much of a mouthful." Rider rejected that.
"You're too picky." Caster sat back on her chair.
"And you have no taste in names." Rider pointed at her.
"How about something simple?" Ange, the voice of reason, suggested. "How about Bismark von Babenburg from the Black Lizard Planet?"
"That is not simple at all!" All three of you cut her down. Then with you adding a "And what's with the Black Lizard Planet again?"
"We also need a cover story for how we're living together." Ange continued as if she didn't just say something outrageous. "But you're right, first we need to think up names for Caster and Rider."
"Can't we go with something easy to say? Like Erika or Asuka?" You suggested for them.
"Heh." Rider scoffed. "Yeah, sure, I'll be Asuka Langly Sohryu."
"Then let's move on to my name!" Caster cheerfully said.
"Wait, you're not serious, are you?" Rider backtracked. "It was a joke!"
"We don't have anything better. If you have any suggestions, you're free to say it." Caster told her. Rider pouted, crossing her arms and thinking up an alias for herself.
"How about Lancer for myself?" Caster is the first to suggest a name.
"No." Rider- or should you say Asuka?- flat out told her. "That defeats the purpose of us having an alias, if any Master or Servant hear that they'll know you're a Servant."
She paused.
"And what's with your fascination for Automobile names?!"
"Calm down, Asuka." You tried to pacify Rider, only to get glared at. "Er, I mean Rider."
You thought back on what Ruby told you about Caster. She was an amazing mage, but she was also known as an Ace among Aces.
"How about we call Caster, Ace?" You thought out loud.
"Ace huh?" Caster tested it out, nodding beside you. "I'm okay with it."
"At least you have a better name than I." Rider said. "Can we please go back to deciding mine then?"
"You can be Francheska. Short for Cheska or Fran." Ange said, surprising Rider. Did she have that ready from the start? "Moving on, we need to talk about our living arrangements."
"Living arrangements?" You ask.
Ange nodded, laying down a map she pulled from her coat. Was it a map of the city?
"Misakihara is roughly divided into 4 districts. I say roughly, because while it isn't officially declared districts by the city, the citizens unofficially refer to them as such." Ange flipped a sign pen into her hand, drawing on the map and dividing it into sections. "You can tell which district is which by its architecture."
She tapped on the part closest to you, south on the map.
"The south District is the old District." A picture was laid on the table, showing cobblestone streets with old European mansions lining the street. "This is a little known fact to the populace, but it's also where most of the old Magi family live. We can freely wage war here, but we also run the risk of being attacked even through our cover."
"I recommend we avoid setting up here." Rider told the three of you. "If we do, we'll run the risk of fighting a battle of attrition against several pair of Masters. I suspect that the frontline of the War would be here, and with us being newcomers, we'll stick out to the Magi living in the area."
"On the upside though," Caster- Ace?- said "if we can contact one or two Pairs of Masters, we can form a coalition against the others. We would have less risk of being discovered magically, since anything magical we do would be attributed to the Magi in the area."
Ange then traced on the right portion of the map, or the east according to the compass.
"The East Area is a Residential District, with small businesses intermingled with private homes and lands." Procuring another picture from her coat, Ange showed you the general layout of the East Area. Modern building lined the narrow streets, only wide enough for two cars to fit. Each house was in various state of opulence, with some only being small enough for one family, while some have a lot large enough to house a dojo an a pond. There are scattered businesses in the street, like a café named after an English castle, and a Ramen shop and a Chinese restaurant surrounding it.
"Anything special here?" You ask Ange.
"Not really, aside from the fact that the boundary between the South District and the East Area is obscure." Ange seemed to think about something. "I can arrange for the four of us to have a small house here, but we need to finish setting up identities for Rider and Caster first."
Moving on, she flicked the pen to the opposite side of the map, on the West side of the city.
"The West Entrance is the main thoroughfare in and out of the city by land. This is also where we are right now." She tapped the pen as she gathered her thoughts. "We're a bit closer to the Northern district right now, but the West Entrance is filled with Industrial complexes and other large businesses. The Magus Tower we were in had a font for a pharmaceutical company, and there are other landmarks here that make foot traffic heavy."
Finally, she moved to the last area of the city.
"The Northern Harbor is deceptive in its name. While, yes, the main harbour of Misakihara city is indeed here, it is home to several high rise buildings, including apartments, hotels, and office buildings. This is the largest part of the city, encroaching even on the Western Entrance and the Eastern Area. It wouldn't be strange to see new faces here, so we'll be less likely to be discovered here."
Ange gathered up the pictures and placed them back into her coat, leaving the map on the table.
"There are other smaller districts in Misakihara like the central area and the ports between Northern Harbor and West Entrance, but these four are regarded the most by the populace."
"Anything else we should know?" You ask Ange.
"Indeed." She looked at the three of you. "Regardless of where we set up, I can call my contacts to fix it up for us, so we don't have to worry about a place to live. However…"
And there's the 'but'
"However, what?" You lean forward in your seat, paying attention to what Ange is about to say.
"For our cover, we need to enroll everyone of us at school, and where we choose to live dependent on where we got to school."
"Wait, are you including us?" Rider asked, pointing at Caster and herself.
"Our cover story won't hold any ground if all four of us don't attend school." Ange reasoned. "Aside from a truant officer, the city records, and any Magi spying for the war, it would look less suspicious and harder to find us if we attend school like normal children our age."
You guess that makes sense.
"So does that mean that we'll all attend the same school?" You ask her instead of trying to get out of school.
"That's impossible." Ange then gestured at the three of you. "You three look like Middle School students, hence why I mentioned the truant officer. I myself will be attending High School, so while the three of you are at a Middle School, I'll be scouting the High School."
You grimace. That doesn't sound good, but at the very least you cover more ground that way when searching for Masters at the schools. Besides, you thought, looking at Ange and the way she held herself, you're pretty sure she can handle anything that threatens her.
"It wouldn't be too much to ask what kind of school is in each District?" The answer to your question was a shake of Ange's head.
"I didn't expect my ally, or the Servants we summon, would be this young." She told you. "I only know about the high school of each area."
"Then how are we going to attend a school if we don't know the Middle Schools?" You ask.
"My contacts will fix the papers for all four of us, like I told you." She picked up her pen and drew on the map. "If it helps, I'll tell you about the Schools I know of in each area."
"The Southern District is home to Cross Academy. People who don't know about the Magi go during the day, but when night rolls around, the Night Class, composed of Magi and several unclassified individuals attend the academy."
"Unidentified Individuals?" That sounds ominous.
"It's likely they're Magi too, since they all live in the Southern District, but there is no confirmation of them being Magi. Either there's more to them, or they're excellent at keeping tabs on their Magic."
She moved on to the next districts, the Western and Eastern Areas.
"The Western Entrance and Eastern Area has too many schools to list, but Homurahara academy in the Eastern Area is among them." You felt your heart beat at that, but stared at the narrowed eyes of Ange. "Don't even think about it. I need you to be with Rider and Caster in-case something happens. I've heard from the Magus in the tower I woke you up in, you're not from around here."
Wow, she doesn't hold back on her opinion, does she?
"Anyway, like I said, too many schools in the Western Entrance to list."
Finally, she went to the Northern Harbor.
"Northern Harbor houses the First High School, a school that studies the application of Magic to regular life-" Ange tried to explain, but you couldn't help but ask about something she just said.
"Wait, Magus world is known here?" You interrupted her.
Ange didn't looked amused at your outburst.
"I said Magic, not Magus." Ange explained, as if that made a difference to you. "While Magic is known to the world, Magus aren't. We apply Magic differently to the Magicians. They have Magicians and produce Magical Technicians, you could say they're like Engineers in the creation of Magic Items for the common people."
"They're as different from Magus are as an Architect is to a Mad Scientist."
That's… an apt metaphor. Now that you think about it, Magi are like Mad Scientists. You wonder what they are like, compared to Magi.
"I'll leave the decision up to you." Ange said, referring to the base of operations.
"Oh sure!" You told her.
Vote:
[] We'll stay at-
-[] The South District, using an old Magus's Mansion.
-[] The East Area, purchasing a small modern home.
-[] The Western Entrance, rending a 2LDK apartment.
-[] The Northern Harbor, renting a room at a High Rise Apartment.
Change Caster's Alias?
[] Yes.
-[] Write-in.
[] No, Ace is fine.
Can't really do that with Caster though…
~ ~ ~
Chapter 1: Preparations for War
~ ~ ~
"I'll summon Caster." You say, looking over to the bloody, cracked gem sitting on the velvet pillow. Ruby contorted in your hand, twisting her handle to appear as if she was nodding.
"Well then, Emilya-chan~" Ruby's voice dripped with sugar. "Grab the Catalyst and place it in the middle of the circle. Be sure not to smudge anything, or you'll mess up the Formalcraft."
You followed the sentient Mystic Code's instructions, gingerly picking up the gem with your left hand, and hopping to the center of the magic circle, your feet stepping in the spaces between the lines. The gem was placed in the middle of the Formalcraft, and you backed off to begin the summoning.
"Let's start!" Ruby cheered.
Shing
You nearly drop Ruby when a small blade extended from the top of her 'head', the neon lights reflecting off the sharp edges made it appear to be made off the colours of the rainbow. From the corner of your eye, you saw Ange tense on the side, but relaxed when Ruby didn't attack you.
"To summon the Servant, you need to drop a sample of your blood on the Circle." Ruby announced. Ange raised a brow, watching you palm the blade and cut a small gash on it. Squeezing your hand shut, blood dripped steadily on the sigil. "Good, now hold on to me tight and recite the words I say."
You nod, grabbing Ruby's handle with your bloody left hand and holding her parallel to you, with your right hand on her 'face' to help you focus your magic.
"Silver and iron origin. Fiber and the archduke of contracts are the cornerstone. Let Orange be the colour I pay tribute to." Ruby said. You recited the words, feeling your body heating up from the magic flowing to your hands.
" The alighted wind becomes a wall. The gates in the four directions close, coming from the crown, the three-forked road that leads to the kingdom circulate." A ball of light materialized floating in front of Ruby, your hand nearly touching her star.
" Shut." You say, the words appearing in your mind.
"Fill." Ruby echoed.
"Shut." You responded.
"Fill." Ruby chanted.
"Shut (Fill)" Your voices harmonized, the ball of magic expanding and shrinking in tandem to each word you and ruby utter. "Shut (Fill), Shut (Fill.)"
" Repeat every five times." Was Ruby sending the incantation to you mentally? She was no longer leading you, with the aria easily slipping from your mouth. "Shatter once filled."
" ――――I announce."
You nearly stumbled. A pressure settled over your body, pressing against your chest and making it hard to breath.
"Resign yourself under me, my fate is in your sword." The ball of light vanished, bathing the room back into darkness until the Magic Circle in the center of the room glowed a pink light.
" In accordance with the approach of the Holy Grail, if you abide by this emotion, this reason, then answer." The gem in the middle of the Magic Circle glowed crimson, unrecognizable symbols flashing over its surface as magic flowed into it. The blood coating it cracked and flaked off, as if it was being burned away.
" Here is my oath. I am the one who becomes all the good of the world of the dead, I am the one who lays out all the evil of the world of the dead." The gem rose up into the air, the light inside it building up. In tandem, the lines of the Magic Circle grew in response, making it harder to see what was happening.
You close your eyes and focused on the spell, the world vanishing around you as you put your heart and mind into the spell.
"From the pool of infinite timelines, attended to by three great words of power, come forth from the ring of restraint, protector of the holy balance!" Your voice reverberated around you as you finished the incantation. "For I am Emilya Fujimura, your Master!"
Distantly, you heard Ruby mutter a quiet "Success!"
The room imploded.
The ground underneath your feet shook, the shockwave from the implosion buffeting you backwards, before it hit the walls and rebounded back to push you forwards. Knocked unbalanced, you tripped into the Magic Circle and prepared to hit the floor hard.
Only to bump into someone who caught you.
"Fate-chan?" Your captor asked, staring at you with their grey-blue eyes. They blinked, shaking their head. "No…"
You stayed like that in the arms of the stranger, dumbfounded. Things happened so fast, and maybe you're just a bit too drained right now to be standing. Who was this person?
"I'm Caster, answering the Summons." The stranger said, shifting you in her grip. "Are you my Master?"
Oh, right. She's your Servant.
That means the Summoning Ritual was a success! You felt giddiness bubble up from your chest, relief washing over you. And even as laughter erupted from your slightly hoarse throat, the pressure from the ritual remained, constricting your lungs.
"Yes! Yes, Caster. I'm your Master." You say. Then, you realized your position and you stood up, dusting your suddenly poof-ier skirt and introduced yourself to the Servant. "Emilya Fujimura. I shall be your Master for this Grail War."
You took the lull in the conversation to examine your Servant.
Caster had brown hair tied up in twin tails, her left tail tied with a white ribbon while her left tail was fixed with a tattered black one. She wore a white jacket that could pass for a school uniform, with blue accents and trims. On her arms were thick blue bracers, decorated by a red gem on the gold insignia. She wore thick boots to protect her feet, in the same white, blue, red and yellow colours as the rest of her outfit. In complete contrast with the rest of her clothes, a black cape was draped over her shoulder, covering most of her right side. The cape was pitch black, except for the blue line on its surface that glowed even in the dim room.
"It's nice to meet you, Emilya. You can call me Caster." A faint smile appeared at Caster's face, and she held out her left hand. Looked at it blankly, then registered that she wants a handshake. You grabbed it and shook her hand. "Still, it's pretty funny that my Master is a Magical Girl like me. What are the odds?"
…
What? A Magical Girl like-
You glanced down and realized what she meant.
Gone is the Homurahara uniform. In its place, you now wore a sleek leotard that hugged your figure. A layered, poofy skirt that went down to just above your knees protected your modesty. Long, smooth socks ran from your thighs down to the winged shoes decorating your feet. To finish off the ensemble, silk gloves covered most of your hands and arms, with Ruby sitting innocently clasped between your and Nanoha's hands.
"Ruby!" You shrieked. "What is this?!"
"What is what?" Ruby asked, and you answered by waving your arms all around yourself. "Oh, that! Well, that's your Magical Girl Outfitα™!"
"Magical Girl Outfit Alpha? You mean there's more of this?" You dread the answer to your question.
"Of course! This is just an α design, and I'm planning on adding more things to it." Ruby explained. "It's a lot of work you know, you didn't have a single image of what a Magical Girl looked like, so I had to make one from scratch. Then I had to decide on a colour, and I wanted to dress you up in pink, but I wanted to make your hair stand out. So maybe something like Purple or Blue? But that's more in Sapphire's area, so I thought why not Orange to match your Command Seals? I couldn't decide, so I just place you in white, and I'll work on it as you learn your powers."
"Wait, wait, wait! Slow down!" You try to gather your thoughts. "Magical Girl? Powers? What is the meaning of this?"
"I thought it's pretty self-explanatory." Ruby told you. "You're now a Magical Girl after forming a contract with me!"
"When did I make a contract with you?" You argued.
"Right after we finished Summoning Caster, and before she caught you." Was Ruby's matter-of-fact answer. "I have your Blood, you were holding me, and I have your name. Thus, our contract was established."
…
"Wow, you work fast." Ange said from the side, bringing everyone's attention to her. "So that's why you asked Emilya to draw blood for the ritual."
You sigh. "Ange, you're not helping."
Then what she said caught up with you.
"Does that mean that I didn't need blood to Summon a Servant?" The lingering pain on your hand holding Ruby's shaft seemed to magnify with that statement.
"Depends on the Magus. But there's blood on the Catalyst, so I didn't want to take any chances." Ruby explained. "That way, Caster is bound to you only, and not on whomever's blood was on the Gem."
Well, at least her heart was in the right place, you reason. That said, you're not too keen on being a Magical Girl, forced circumstances or not.
"What a peculiar Device." Caster remarked, her face inches from Ruby's main body. She tilted her head left and right, examining the Mystic Code "Ruby, right?"
"It's actually Magical Ruby, but you can call me Ruby." Ruby squirmed in your grip, turning to address your Servant. She twinkled (that's your only explanation for how stars appear around her) as she seemed to talk to Caster. "I'm a really big fan of your work, you're an inspiration to young girls everywhere!"
"Haha, thank you Ruby." Caster giggled. "And I'm sure you'll be a good partner for your handler, just like mine was for me."
Ruby seemed to fold in on herself as she lit up a bright red, seeming to melt as you held her.
"If we're done here, might I suggest we talk about our plans for the War?" Rider, who was silent up to now, spoke up. "We can get to know each other once we're safe."
Ruby seemed to take offense to that, as she straightened up and glared at Rider.
"How rude! My Creator's Workshop is perfectly safe."
Rider didn't even look at her and turned to her Master.
"Rider's right." Ange agreed. "As generous as he was to let Emilya Summon her Servant here, this is still a Magus's Workshop. We shouldn't overstay our welcome."
"Oh, right! Speaking of which!" Ruby leapt out of your hand and flew up, hovering between the four of you. "My Creator wanted to tell you that he's extending his hospitality to your team for the duration of the War. You may use the facilities of this building for training and maintaining your equipment."
"No thanks." Rider stepped up. "I was against Master's Ally from Summoning here in the first place. For all we know, you're just gathering information about us for the other Pairs."
"Rider." Ange's simple command had Rider clam up. Her face morphed as she tried to contain her scowl, in direct contrast to Ange's emotionless expression.
"… Fine." The Servant relented.
"While there is a point to Rider's objection, this isn't the place to discuss it. We can talk about Ruby's Master's offer once we get settled in." Her eyes darted around the room. "Besides, I'm sure that Ruby will accompany us from now on, won't she?"
"Yup! And don't worry, Emilya-chan! I won't sell you out! I'm contracted to you now." And isn't that a scary thought?
"I could do with a less talkative… Wait, are you a transformation pen? Or the token Mascot Character?" You guess Ruby counts as both?
"Let's talk about it over lunch!" Caster declared. "Any objections to a café?"
Nobody objected.
And so, that's how you found yourself eating lunch at a posh café while talking over food about how to best proceed.
~ ~ ~
You stared. You can't help it, there was just something fascinating about a young girl (or what appears to be a young girl, you can never tell with Servants) drinking black coffee like it was milk. Coffee is bitter, you don't like bitter stuff.
"Is there something on my face?" Rider asked, causing you to look away bashfully.
"Sorry." You say over the rim of your cup of green tea.
The four of you sat at an outdoor table of a café, the awning protecting you from the noon's rays. Caster had a glass of iced tea, while Ange was nursing a cup of black tea. The food on the table is rather diverse too, having a mix of western and Japanese dishes.
Strangely though, Caster seems to have more Japanese dishes on her side of the table than you do, with you sharing a few German sausages between you and Rider. Also, she's glaring hard at your tea cup.
"You're not planning on adding cream and sugar on that, are you?" Caster asked you.
"What? No, ew." Just imagining the conflict of flavours of cream, sugar, in green tea makes your stomach churn.
"Okay, just asking." Caster went back to her meal.
Trying to avoid the awkwardness of that conversation, you turn your attention to the street and the city.
After the four of you exited the Magus's workshop (together with Ruby, who was now hiding in your hair) you came out of an eleven-story building to the busy streets of Misakihara. Unlike Fuyuki, Misakihara is a truly modern city, with cleaning robots roaming the sidewalk, electronic billboards advertising the latest TV show, and monorails snaking through high-rise buildings.
The people's fashion is also different from what you were used to. It wasn't so radical that you can see a guy wear a frilly skirt, or a woman wear something too revealing, but Victorian-era dresses and suits that glowed in colours are a common sight.
If you were to say, it's like the fashion in the city were compiled from different eras, from the early millennia up to something you'd see in a sci-fi film.
Still, a Magical Girl outfit would have stood out even in this city, so you're thankful that Ruby was able to reverse the transformation with your uniform intact.
The strange fashion of this city is the reason why Ange wasn't attracting any stares, having hid her top hat and mask. That doesn't mean that it doesn't attract your attention though, as you often find your eyes wandering to clothes other people wear that you aren't used to seeing.
Like that one girl walking down the sidewalk right now, wearing a blue Prussian jacket, a long flowing silk skirt, and heeled leather boots. A large emerald brooch sat on the middle of her cravat, complementing her large blue eyes and doll-like face. Her hair shone in the sun like golden threads, tied up in two neat buns behind her head. She also carried a large brown suitcase, with a blue umbrella tied to it.
You must have been staring at the girl for a long time, as now Rider, Caster, and Ange was looking at the girl.
"Good eye." Ange comments, "Her arms are moving strangely."
Wait, what?
"Not only that, but she's leaking magic." Caster said. At that, Rider stood up, making her way towards the girl.
"So stubborn." Ange closed her eyes and returned to eating her pie.
"Aren't you going to follow her?" You ask Ange, to which she shook her head. Concerned, you put down your tea and made to move, when Caster stopped you.
"I'll do it. Stay here."
With Caster there, you don't think Rider would do anything rash. But even having met them for a short amount of time, you can't help but worry about them.
"Masters can communicate telepathically with their Servants, Emilya." Ange finished off her pie, crossing her knife and fork over her plate. "And while we're on that, Paired Masters can communicate telepathically to their Paired teammate. We can't communicate with the other Master's Servant though."
"That's convenient." You nod.
"If you want, you can listen in to the conversation. Rider may be a bit proud, but I think Caster will let you, if to ease your burden." Ange stirred her tea, picking up a biscuit and starting on it.
"What about you?" A mental push, and you felt Caster respond in your mind.
"I'm from the Black Lizard Planet." Ange said with a straight face, and you can't tell if she's joking or not. "I can eavesdrop from here."
Any further conversation was cut when you heard Rider's voice, heard from the shared senses Caster established for you.
"You." Even as young as Rider appeared, her voice carried a lot of authority. You watched their interaction from the corner of your eye.
"Yes?" The stranger's voice asked, stopping in front of Rider.
"Take off your gloves." Rider ordered. The girl didn't react, but Caster most certainly did.
"Hey, that's going too far." Caster's normally friendly tone carried a bit of steel behind those words, conveying exactly how she felt where the conversation is going.
"Her arms are moving strangely, and this is the quickest way to know why." Rider crossed her arms, and you're pretty sure she's glaring at the stranger.
"Even so, that's too much." Caster tried to reason with her. "That's a very personal thing, and to show a stranger-"
"It's fine." The stranger said. She laid down her briefcase, before straightening out and grabbing hold of her brown gloves. With a tug, the fabric easily slipped off, revealing a silver mechanical arm where her hands should be. She removed her other glove, making it clear that both of her hands are prosthetics. "Are you satisfied?"
"…" Rider didn't say anything, seemingly contemplating something. Finally, she said something. "Push up your sleeves."
"Stop."
You felt your spine shiver. If Caster's earlier protests had steel on it, this one was frigid cold. But the stranger simply followed through, pushing up both sleeves to show Rider that her prosthetics replaced the entirety of her arms.
"What about-" Rider was about to continue, but you saw Caster lay her left hand on Rider's shoulder, squeezing it hard.
"I'm serious."
"…"
Caster and Rider stared at each other, a tense atmosphere falling over them. For a moment, you felt as if the two of them would fight each other then-and-there, but thankfully the voice of reason helped diffuse the situation, which strangely enough came from the person they were arguing over.
"It's alright." The stranger said. "A lot of my clients are curious about my arms too. It doesn't bother me at all."
Caster backed off, releasing her grip on Rider's shoulder and bowing at the girl.
"I'm really sorry about my friend here. She can't stop her curiosity." Rider seemed to take offense to that, riling herself up to tell Caster off when she stiffened and turned towards your table. Ange kept her back turned to them, sipping her tea.
"I'm sorry." Rider bowed her head slightly. Then she marched herself out of the conversation. Caster said a few more words to the stranger, before saying her goodbyes.
"That was unbelievably rash of you, Rider." Ange said instead of greeting them back.
"The sooner we can remove a side from this war, the better." Rider explained, sitting back down. "Caster said she had an odd output of magic, which even I couldn't detect. It's highly likely that she's a Master in this war."
"As much as I appreciate your vote of confidence in my abilities," Caster resumed her spot beside you. "If we get into a fight, I won't be able to fight my best yet."
"What do you mean by that?" That's actually concerning. Did you mess up the Summoning Ritual, and summoned Caster with reduced Parameters?
To explain, Caster placed something on the table. It was the Catalyst you used earlier, the red gem glowing softly with an inner light. "This is one of my Noble Phantasms. Right now, she's broken. I need to repair her, and that will take some time."
"And I'll help too!" Ruby poked out of your hair to say that, before popping back in.
"And that brings us to our next discussion." Ange said, finally finishing her tea. "Our base of operations."
"We need a place we can stay for the duration of the war, where we can stay hidden from the other enemy Masters, and where we can meet to discuss what's happening in the war." Rider, ever professional, began listing the things you needed.
"I suggest that we stay together." Ange told you. "That way, it'll be easier to create a cover for each of us."
"Speaking of covers." Caster jumped into the conversation. "We need a name for Rider and myself."
"A name?" You ask.
"Of course, you don't expect to call us by Rider and Caster right? That's a big giveaway to other Masters that we're Servants." Caster waved her left hand at Rider. "I had a hard time talking to Rider without giving away that she's a Servant."
"…" Instead of retorting, Rider picked up her coffee and drank it, refusing to say anything.
"I suggest we call Rider Mercedes!" Caster suggested happily.
"Pfft-!" Rider spat her coffee, choking as some of the drink got caught in her throat. Caster stood up to help, rubbing circles on Rider's back. "We are not calling me Mercedes!"
"Why not?" You ask. "It's a girl's name, and a German one too. It's perfect for you."
Rider's ears matched the red in her cheeks as she struggled to come up with anything to counter that.
"I will not be called by something that you'll see in a Red Ligh-" Rider paused, looking around the table, before catching herself. "I mean, can't you think of something more… wholesome?"
"Hmm…" Caster placed a finger to her chin as she thought about it. "Hildagild?"
"Too much of a mouthful." Rider rejected that.
"You're too picky." Caster sat back on her chair.
"And you have no taste in names." Rider pointed at her.
"How about something simple?" Ange, the voice of reason, suggested. "How about Bismark von Babenburg from the Black Lizard Planet?"
"That is not simple at all!" All three of you cut her down. Then with you adding a "And what's with the Black Lizard Planet again?"
"We also need a cover story for how we're living together." Ange continued as if she didn't just say something outrageous. "But you're right, first we need to think up names for Caster and Rider."
"Can't we go with something easy to say? Like Erika or Asuka?" You suggested for them.
"Heh." Rider scoffed. "Yeah, sure, I'll be Asuka Langly Sohryu."
"Then let's move on to my name!" Caster cheerfully said.
"Wait, you're not serious, are you?" Rider backtracked. "It was a joke!"
"We don't have anything better. If you have any suggestions, you're free to say it." Caster told her. Rider pouted, crossing her arms and thinking up an alias for herself.
"How about Lancer for myself?" Caster is the first to suggest a name.
"No." Rider- or should you say Asuka?- flat out told her. "That defeats the purpose of us having an alias, if any Master or Servant hear that they'll know you're a Servant."
She paused.
"And what's with your fascination for Automobile names?!"
"Calm down, Asuka." You tried to pacify Rider, only to get glared at. "Er, I mean Rider."
You thought back on what Ruby told you about Caster. She was an amazing mage, but she was also known as an Ace among Aces.
"How about we call Caster, Ace?" You thought out loud.
"Ace huh?" Caster tested it out, nodding beside you. "I'm okay with it."
"At least you have a better name than I." Rider said. "Can we please go back to deciding mine then?"
"You can be Francheska. Short for Cheska or Fran." Ange said, surprising Rider. Did she have that ready from the start? "Moving on, we need to talk about our living arrangements."
"Living arrangements?" You ask.
Ange nodded, laying down a map she pulled from her coat. Was it a map of the city?
"Misakihara is roughly divided into 4 districts. I say roughly, because while it isn't officially declared districts by the city, the citizens unofficially refer to them as such." Ange flipped a sign pen into her hand, drawing on the map and dividing it into sections. "You can tell which district is which by its architecture."
She tapped on the part closest to you, south on the map.
"The south District is the old District." A picture was laid on the table, showing cobblestone streets with old European mansions lining the street. "This is a little known fact to the populace, but it's also where most of the old Magi family live. We can freely wage war here, but we also run the risk of being attacked even through our cover."
"I recommend we avoid setting up here." Rider told the three of you. "If we do, we'll run the risk of fighting a battle of attrition against several pair of Masters. I suspect that the frontline of the War would be here, and with us being newcomers, we'll stick out to the Magi living in the area."
"On the upside though," Caster- Ace?- said "if we can contact one or two Pairs of Masters, we can form a coalition against the others. We would have less risk of being discovered magically, since anything magical we do would be attributed to the Magi in the area."
Ange then traced on the right portion of the map, or the east according to the compass.
"The East Area is a Residential District, with small businesses intermingled with private homes and lands." Procuring another picture from her coat, Ange showed you the general layout of the East Area. Modern building lined the narrow streets, only wide enough for two cars to fit. Each house was in various state of opulence, with some only being small enough for one family, while some have a lot large enough to house a dojo an a pond. There are scattered businesses in the street, like a café named after an English castle, and a Ramen shop and a Chinese restaurant surrounding it.
"Anything special here?" You ask Ange.
"Not really, aside from the fact that the boundary between the South District and the East Area is obscure." Ange seemed to think about something. "I can arrange for the four of us to have a small house here, but we need to finish setting up identities for Rider and Caster first."
Moving on, she flicked the pen to the opposite side of the map, on the West side of the city.
"The West Entrance is the main thoroughfare in and out of the city by land. This is also where we are right now." She tapped the pen as she gathered her thoughts. "We're a bit closer to the Northern district right now, but the West Entrance is filled with Industrial complexes and other large businesses. The Magus Tower we were in had a font for a pharmaceutical company, and there are other landmarks here that make foot traffic heavy."
Finally, she moved to the last area of the city.
"The Northern Harbor is deceptive in its name. While, yes, the main harbour of Misakihara city is indeed here, it is home to several high rise buildings, including apartments, hotels, and office buildings. This is the largest part of the city, encroaching even on the Western Entrance and the Eastern Area. It wouldn't be strange to see new faces here, so we'll be less likely to be discovered here."
Ange gathered up the pictures and placed them back into her coat, leaving the map on the table.
"There are other smaller districts in Misakihara like the central area and the ports between Northern Harbor and West Entrance, but these four are regarded the most by the populace."
"Anything else we should know?" You ask Ange.
"Indeed." She looked at the three of you. "Regardless of where we set up, I can call my contacts to fix it up for us, so we don't have to worry about a place to live. However…"
And there's the 'but'
"However, what?" You lean forward in your seat, paying attention to what Ange is about to say.
"For our cover, we need to enroll everyone of us at school, and where we choose to live dependent on where we got to school."
"Wait, are you including us?" Rider asked, pointing at Caster and herself.
"Our cover story won't hold any ground if all four of us don't attend school." Ange reasoned. "Aside from a truant officer, the city records, and any Magi spying for the war, it would look less suspicious and harder to find us if we attend school like normal children our age."
You guess that makes sense.
"So does that mean that we'll all attend the same school?" You ask her instead of trying to get out of school.
"That's impossible." Ange then gestured at the three of you. "You three look like Middle School students, hence why I mentioned the truant officer. I myself will be attending High School, so while the three of you are at a Middle School, I'll be scouting the High School."
You grimace. That doesn't sound good, but at the very least you cover more ground that way when searching for Masters at the schools. Besides, you thought, looking at Ange and the way she held herself, you're pretty sure she can handle anything that threatens her.
"It wouldn't be too much to ask what kind of school is in each District?" The answer to your question was a shake of Ange's head.
"I didn't expect my ally, or the Servants we summon, would be this young." She told you. "I only know about the high school of each area."
"Then how are we going to attend a school if we don't know the Middle Schools?" You ask.
"My contacts will fix the papers for all four of us, like I told you." She picked up her pen and drew on the map. "If it helps, I'll tell you about the Schools I know of in each area."
"The Southern District is home to Cross Academy. People who don't know about the Magi go during the day, but when night rolls around, the Night Class, composed of Magi and several unclassified individuals attend the academy."
"Unidentified Individuals?" That sounds ominous.
"It's likely they're Magi too, since they all live in the Southern District, but there is no confirmation of them being Magi. Either there's more to them, or they're excellent at keeping tabs on their Magic."
She moved on to the next districts, the Western and Eastern Areas.
"The Western Entrance and Eastern Area has too many schools to list, but Homurahara academy in the Eastern Area is among them." You felt your heart beat at that, but stared at the narrowed eyes of Ange. "Don't even think about it. I need you to be with Rider and Caster in-case something happens. I've heard from the Magus in the tower I woke you up in, you're not from around here."
Wow, she doesn't hold back on her opinion, does she?
"Anyway, like I said, too many schools in the Western Entrance to list."
Finally, she went to the Northern Harbor.
"Northern Harbor houses the First High School, a school that studies the application of Magic to regular life-" Ange tried to explain, but you couldn't help but ask about something she just said.
"Wait, Magus world is known here?" You interrupted her.
Ange didn't looked amused at your outburst.
"I said Magic, not Magus." Ange explained, as if that made a difference to you. "While Magic is known to the world, Magus aren't. We apply Magic differently to the Magicians. They have Magicians and produce Magical Technicians, you could say they're like Engineers in the creation of Magic Items for the common people."
"They're as different from Magus are as an Architect is to a Mad Scientist."
That's… an apt metaphor. Now that you think about it, Magi are like Mad Scientists. You wonder what they are like, compared to Magi.
"I'll leave the decision up to you." Ange said, referring to the base of operations.
"Oh sure!" You told her.
Vote:
[] We'll stay at-
-[] The South District, using an old Magus's Mansion.
-[] The East Area, purchasing a small modern home.
-[] The Western Entrance, rending a 2LDK apartment.
-[] The Northern Harbor, renting a room at a High Rise Apartment.
Change Caster's Alias?
[] Yes.
-[] Write-in.
[] No, Ace is fine.
- Location
- Germany
[X] We'll stay at-
-[X] The Northern Harbor, renting a room at a High Rise Apartment.
[X] No, Ace is fine.
Anyway, nice to see this is in action again.
-[X] The Northern Harbor, renting a room at a High Rise Apartment.
[X] No, Ace is fine.
Huh, took me this long to catch on that we might(?) be talking with Violet Evergarden.
Anyway, nice to see this is in action again.
[X] We'll stay at-
-[X] The Western Entrance, rending a 2LDK apartment.
[X] No, Ace is fine.
-[X] The Western Entrance, rending a 2LDK apartment.
[X] No, Ace is fine.
Still traumatized from what Lindy did to the poor tea(she's half fairy or something, so she probably likes sweet and creamy)
Its a setting thing!
Yana
Super High School Level Paranormal Investigator
- Location
- Somewhere in Asia
Added Caster's Servant Page to the Servant Profile. You can check out her stats there.
More things would be changed/added as you learn more about your Servant.
Rex has volunteered (heh) himself to keep tabs on what you guys know about each Servant, so he'll be editing the Servant Sheets and I'll be adding them to the Thumbnails to what Emilya sees/know.
I'd thumbnail him too, but he isn't in Spacebattles, so I have to Copy and Paste it myself.
As a sidenote, I'm glad you guys caught on a few details, it gives me gratification that my work was noticed.
More things would be changed/added as you learn more about your Servant.
Rex has volunteered (heh) himself to keep tabs on what you guys know about each Servant, so he'll be editing the Servant Sheets and I'll be adding them to the Thumbnails to what Emilya sees/know.
I'd thumbnail him too, but he isn't in Spacebattles, so I have to Copy and Paste it myself.
As a sidenote, I'm glad you guys caught on a few details, it gives me gratification that my work was noticed.
[X] We'll stay at-
-[X] The Western Entrance, rending a 2LDK apartment.
[X] No, Ace is fine.
-[X] The Western Entrance, rending a 2LDK apartment.
[X] No, Ace is fine.
Is the sealed Noble Phantasm Befriending?
ChildishChimera
A umbran summon
- Location
- New York
[X] We'll stay at-
-[X] The Northern Harbor, renting a room at a High Rise Apartment.
[X] No, Ace is fine.
-[X] The Northern Harbor, renting a room at a High Rise Apartment.
[X] No, Ace is fine.
Yana
Super High School Level Paranormal Investigator
- Location
- Somewhere in Asia
I swear to Madokami, if you vote for Bananya, I will veto you no questions asked.
Speaking of Rex's vote, should I veto his? If you Readers are fine with it, then I'll count his vote. Thankfully, I haven't told him what happens in each vote, where each Master/Servant is located, and the story-line of each vote. But he can make educated guesses, and he's not ashamed to vote with bias.
- Location
- Germany
I, for one, don't mind him getting a vote.