notthepenguins
Neither Spherical Nor Frictionless
- Pronouns
- He/She/They
I love many historical figures; that doesn't necessarily mean I included them as Servants.
How would you go about finding out the truth?
Fate/Lunar Song (Nasuverse/Symphogear)
- Thread starter notthepenguins
- Start date
How would you go about finding out the truth?
The QM being familiar with an obscure figure is just another point on the list of "reasons why ______ is this Servant's true identity".
We don't yet have any IC way to check, but having a good guess is valuable in and of itself.
FelOnyx
Love and Peace!
- Location
- Gunsmoke
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Looks dead-on. Way better than any of my guesses, at least. One of mine was Frederick the Great because look don't even ask why, the reasoning was embarrassingly flimsy. But still,
it ain't confirmed yet. How so indeed. Now that there's a good guess we can direct our questioning better. The dueling angle looks like a better one to approach in that regard. I'd switch the first question from:
[] "So, you mentioned TV being like Theater. Did you perform in plays? I uh.. I went to a music school in my time, but my grades weren't great.." laugh awkwardly and embarrassingly.
to something like [] "So how about not-moon things. You mentioned dueling, right? That's interesting, were you a big duelist? It wasn't a thing in my time period."
- Location
- Plato's Cave
I was trying to be both concise and hit defining points to support my argument.
But yes, that was another fun thing she did.
- Location
- Oregon
This is why I was asking about the plays. Although now that I am thinking of it, we shouldn't bother beating around the bush. She's better at this then we are. We should just go be direct, but in our unique sort of way.
I'm fine with my other two questions, as they are pretty direct (Protect innocents, what's the scope on other servants). But let's change that first one where I was trying to get an idea of Julia here (And for the record, I've been thinking it was La Maupin for awhile here).
Instead of: "So, you mentioned TV being like Theater. Did you perform in plays? I uh.. I went to a music school in my time, but my grades weren't great.." laugh awkwardly and embarrassingly.
Let's push our friendly charisma + Julia's center of attention and pomp to the limit. Something like: Hibiki looks over Julia after thinking back on the concert, her eyes glimmer in a way only a fans can "I only got to do a few plays in my time, and they were all just small productions... but you've been in a concert on the moon, like.. right after you've been summoned. You must have done so much. Far more then any of my teachers! Hey, hey, what sort of plays have you done? Or songs?"
Yes, that's right, we are going to fan girl her.
Note, we do have at least some theater knowledge AND we have at least some passive knowledge for floating around in a throne of heroes like all the heroes get, even if ours is a little bork. Plus we have the space-internet. So this theater direction is worth exploring. As well, I imagine while it does afford a tactical advantage, Biki is generally curious and it's at least leaning on her charisma to get the info in a Biki sort of way. I think this is our best angle.
She can either decide she wants to answer it and give a hint of who she is or play it off. If she does decide to answer truthfully, let's hope Hibiki's years of music schooling can actually help (It totally won't).
So changing , my vote to:
[x] All three, in order
Approaching the conversation:
[x] Go with the flow.
Questions
[X] Hibiki looks over Julia after thinking back on the concert, her eyes glimmer in a way only a fans can "I only got to do a few plays in my time, and they were all just small productions... but you've been in a concert on the moon, like.. right after you've been summoned. You must have done so much. Far more then any of my teachers! Hey, hey, what sort of plays have you done? Or songs?"
[x] "Us servants fighting is one thing, but do you think we should make sure innocent people don't get swept up into this grail war? "
[x] "What do you think of the other servants so far?"
At worst, she kills us, not so bad.
At best, she takes us under her wing as an apprentice thespian and we go on to take the moon by storm in a venue of concerts and theater productions. It becomes the most romantic tal-
: Stopppppp!Well, either way I think this is a good direction.
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- Pronouns
- She/Her
Flibspeak, you speak enticing words.
Changing vote
[x]Flibspeak
I'm also a fan of Julie D'Aubigny, and had my usual unfounded suspicions.
Changing vote
[x]Flibspeak
I'm also a fan of Julie D'Aubigny, and had my usual unfounded suspicions.
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DeepWaters
No one will be the wiser.
- Location
- Land of Spiders and Shipping Charts
Looks good to me. I'm not too enthusiastic about the exact wording and tone of that first question, but I'm not sure how to improve it, so I'll just cast my vote.
[x]Flibspeak
notthepenguins
Neither Spherical Nor Frictionless
- Pronouns
- He/She/They
Current vote count:
Not closing it yet, on account of Flibspeak still wanting someone to rewrite that long question of his.
##### NetTally 1.1.21
[x] All three, in order
No. of Votes: 7
[x] Choke on your water.
No. of Votes: 1
[x] "Us servants fighting is one thing, but do you think we should make sure innocent people don't get swept up into this grail war? "
No. of Votes: 5
[x] "What do you think of the other servants so far?"
No. of Votes: 5
[X] Hibiki looks over Julia after thinking back on the concert, her eyes glimmer in a way only a fans can "I only got to do a few plays in my time, and they were all just small productions... but you've been in a concert on the moon, like.. right after you've been summoned. You must have done so much. Far more then any of my teachers! Hey, hey, what sort of plays have you done? Or songs?"
No. of Votes: 4
[x] "So, you mentioned TV being like Theater. Did you perform in plays? I uh.. I went to a music school in my time, but my grades weren't great.." laugh awkwardly and embarrassingly.
No. of Votes: 1
[x] Go with the flow.
No. of Votes: 4
Total No. of Voters: 8
[x] All three, in order
No. of Votes: 7
[x] Choke on your water.
No. of Votes: 1
[x] "Us servants fighting is one thing, but do you think we should make sure innocent people don't get swept up into this grail war? "
No. of Votes: 5
[x] "What do you think of the other servants so far?"
No. of Votes: 5
[X] Hibiki looks over Julia after thinking back on the concert, her eyes glimmer in a way only a fans can "I only got to do a few plays in my time, and they were all just small productions... but you've been in a concert on the moon, like.. right after you've been summoned. You must have done so much. Far more then any of my teachers! Hey, hey, what sort of plays have you done? Or songs?"
No. of Votes: 4
[x] "So, you mentioned TV being like Theater. Did you perform in plays? I uh.. I went to a music school in my time, but my grades weren't great.." laugh awkwardly and embarrassingly.
No. of Votes: 1
[x] Go with the flow.
No. of Votes: 4
Total No. of Voters: 8
Not closing it yet, on account of Flibspeak still wanting someone to rewrite that long question of his.
DeepWaters
No one will be the wiser.
- Location
- Land of Spiders and Shipping Charts
Sorry, I really can't think of anything. Usually I'm pretty good at this sort of thing, but... yeah, I got nothin'. The basic premise is fine; it just sounds a little too on the nose to my ears. More like she's trying to be manipulative but is being tripped up by her sincerity, rather than using her sincerity to her advantage like the vote is trying to make it out as. It'd probably help if I had a better handle on Hibiki's character, but I don't.
- Location
- Oregon
Updated. Better?
[x] All three, in order
Approaching the conversation:
[x] Go with the flow.
Questions
[X] Hibiki thinks back to Julia's concert and her eyes glimmer while staring at Julia: "At the concert you were just amazing! You must have had so much practice. Wayyy more then I ever had. Hey, hey, what sort of songs have you sung? Did you sing in musicals ?! Or an opera?!!"
[x] "Us servants fighting is one thing, but do you think we should make sure innocent people don't get swept up into this grail war? "
[x] "What do you think of the other servants so far?"
[x] All three, in order
Approaching the conversation:
[x] Go with the flow.
Questions
[X] Hibiki thinks back to Julia's concert and her eyes glimmer while staring at Julia: "At the concert you were just amazing! You must have had so much practice. Wayyy more then I ever had. Hey, hey, what sort of songs have you sung? Did you sing in musicals ?! Or an opera?!!"
[x] "Us servants fighting is one thing, but do you think we should make sure innocent people don't get swept up into this grail war? "
[x] "What do you think of the other servants so far?"
DeepWaters
No one will be the wiser.
- Location
- Land of Spiders and Shipping Charts
Yeah, that looks better. I think it'd also make more sense in the context, too, since the natural reaction would be to deflect the conversation away from herself using a topic she was previously interested in. It probably won't work, mind you, but it'd be a sincere response, and that's the most important part when it comes to using an honest nature to your advantage.
notthepenguins
Neither Spherical Nor Frictionless
- Pronouns
- He/She/They
Alright, closing the vote. I think we all know what won by a landslide.
High above, faint light catches the debris ring, creating a very alien and remarkable visual display. "Also, that." She points at it, her finger lightly tapping against the glass. "I can't fathom how you managed to break the moon."
Oh god oh god she knows what do I say what do I- "Flibspeak!" you blurt out.
Julia quirks a brow at you and sips from her wine glass. Jordan swivels. "Uh, what was that?"
"Uh... heh..." you laugh sheepishly. "Sorry. Panicked."
Actual update will come later, but this amused me.
High above, faint light catches the debris ring, creating a very alien and remarkable visual display. "Also, that." She points at it, her finger lightly tapping against the glass. "I can't fathom how you managed to break the moon."
Oh god oh god she knows what do I say what do I- "Flibspeak!" you blurt out.
Julia quirks a brow at you and sips from her wine glass. Jordan swivels. "Uh, what was that?"
"Uh... heh..." you laugh sheepishly. "Sorry. Panicked."
Actual update will come later, but this amused me.
So I just realized something about a crossover between these two franchises that MIGHT be a bit important considering that Dead Apostles are running around.
Could there be a connection between Finé and Michael Roa Valdamjong? They have rather similar methods of cheating death.
Could there be a connection between Finé and Michael Roa Valdamjong? They have rather similar methods of cheating death.
A Dinner with Julia, pt. 2
notthepenguins
Neither Spherical Nor Frictionless
- Pronouns
- He/She/They
Had to reword the contentious question a bit to fit in context, lol. Ah well.
High above, faint light catches the debris ring, creating a very alien and remarkable visual display. "Also, that." She points at it, her finger lightly tapping against the glass. "I can't fathom how you managed to break the moon."
Whatever Jordan was going to respond with is cut off by your startled inhalation. Specifically, the panicked breath you took while drinking, and the coughing fit that ensues. When you finally manage to stop coughing, you look up to find both Jordan and Julia staring at you -- Jordan with plainly visible concern; Julia with concern and… curiosity?
You shift uncomfortably in your seat. Julia raises an eyebrow. Water's still in your nose, and you haven't yet escaped your coughing fit. The awkward silence lengthens as you shift the the 'hacking' phase. Finally, you bring it under control. Your face heats, embarrassment building until finally you have to say something to break their stares. "Uhh… yeah," you manage "So uh, weird, isn't it? How someone did that." Julia's eyebrow raises further. Jordan looks at you with dawning realization. "Who wasn't me!" you hasten to assure them.
Julia glances at Jordan. Jordan looks at her. They both look back at you, waiting for you to say something. You busy yourself wiping up the water you spilled. "...how did you break the moon?" Jordan bursts out finally.
"I… I didn't! Really!" you insist. "That was Finè!"
Jordan looks at you skeptically. Your voice drops to a mutter. "Well I mean she probably couldn't have done that if I hadn't reawakened Durandal but it was still her fault!"
"You left out some context," Jordan says finally. "What did you do, then?"
You look up. "...uh." Belatedly, you realize you probably shouldn't be saying this, but… well... I've already given enough for Julia to figure out who I am anyway. "Um. I helped blow up the chunk of the moon before it fell on the Earth and killed everyone."
She reels. "What."
Julia clears her throat politely. "Ah. Maybe you should start from the beginning, rather than jumping around? With why Finè was assaulting the moon, and how Durandal fit in?"
Oh. Right. Julia already figured it out, but Jordan doesn't know what I'm talking about. "Um. So… right. Uh, so Finè needed Durandal as a power source for Kadingir -- uh, a..." you frown, thinking about a better way to phrase it, then give up. "Giant energy cannon. Which she was going to use to destroy the moon." You throw your hands up in the air, miming either surrender or an enormous kaboom.
Jordan sighs, resting her head in her hands. "...why did she want to destroy the moon? And how did she make something that could?"
"To end the Curse of Balal -- uh, the curse that stripped the Unified Language from humans." You frown, taken back to your old thoughts on the topic. "I still don't understand that part. People can understand one another without a Unified Language. Why didn't she get that?"
Jordan turns to Julia. "Do all Heroic Spirits have histories this absurd?"
She shakes her head. "Impressive histories, sure -- that's how we become heroic spirits, after all -- but moon destruction and the Curse of Babel are somewhat beyond the norm." You can make out a steely grin hidden behind her glass, fortified spirit behind fortified wine. "I find more satisfaction in the personal scale, myself."
Clearing your throat -- still a little water in your pipes -- you pick up from where you left off, or thereabouts. "Anyway I don't really know how she made it, she knew all sorts of ancient super-science!" You couldn't quite keep your voice from jumping a couple octaves in excitement, but it was a good effort! "Well, she used Durandal as its reactor but I don't know beyond that."
"But you managed to stop her," Julia says, certainty and a hint of 'been-there' boredom in her voice
"Yep! It was a close thing, but even her crazy apocalypse dragon form--" You have to pause for a moment as they gawk, agape and aback, at 'crazy apocalypse dragon form.' "Yeah yeah, laugh it up. They were weird times for all of us." A little 'harrumph' punctuates."Anyway, that apocalypse dragon form wasn't enough to beat us in X-Drive mode! And then..."
"And then the three of us handled it," you finish lamely, the scene replaying again and again in your mind's eye. Have I been like that all along?
"You just… blew it up?" Jordan asks. You can't tell if she's speaking from awe or anticlimax.
"Well, not 'just,' but yeah." You look out the window, contemplating the debris ring. "That wasn't the end of the problems, but it bought us enough time for things to work out."
Your gaze falls, fixing firmly on the table, and you sigh. You hadn't meant to give away your identity, but now that it was out… In a horrifying instant, something clicks in your head. Wait a minute! She never actually--
"Julia," you ask her suspiciously, "what's my name?"
A moment's pause. "Eliane, of course." She flashes a smile. You suppress the urge to return it.
"No, my actual name."
She pauses again, trying to think of a way to play it off, then laughs. "Ah, I'm afraid you have me there. Not a clue."
Well… fiddlesticks! "You--" for a moment, you stumble over what to say you up for a moment. It wasn't a trap, but-- "you tricked me! You pretended you knew everything just to get me to say more!"
"Now there's some fire! That's a much better look on you." Julia reclines a little in her chair,, a self-satisfied smile on her lips, arms crossed behind her neck like a lazy headrest. This has an… interesting effect on her posture. You keep your eyes fixed on her face. Well, sort of fixed. More or less. "So, how will you get back at me?"
"I-- you--" you've… got nothing, actually.
She waits for a long moment. "Ah well, one step at a time, I suppose." She leans forward. "How about this: I'll answer you three questions, honestly and fairly. Aside from my name or place of origin."
"...Alright.".She's either totally sincere or having a laugh at your expense, but what else is there to do? Julia's silver tongue has you beat this time.
What do we need to know. Who could she be, anyway? There can't be that many possibilities; maybe I can narrow it down. You clear your throat. "Ah, so at your concert you were really good. You obviously practiced a lot -- what sorts of songs have you sung? Have you performed in musicals? Or operas?"
She seems slightly taken aback by the question… but her smile disappears just a touch too fast. Is she still acting? "Oh yes. Many operas, though I've performed solo as well. That night was the first concert in the 'modern' style I've performed… but I'm a quick study." She grins. "It was a pleasant change of pace."
Hmm. Is that enough? I'll have to think on it. "Servants fighting is one thing," you say, changing tacks, "but don't you think we should make sure innocents don't get caught up in the Grail War?"
She twitches; you're fairly certain that this time it's legitimate surprise. "Hmm; that's an interesting question. It would be crude and cruel to harm uninvolved parties, for sure… but at the same time, a duel without witnesses is prone to… misunderstandings."
Another discreet knock on the door heralds the arrival of the waiter again, with your meals. The three of you fall silent as he serves you.
"On that note," you continue after the door clicks shut behind him -- and after you've sampled your absolutely delicious dinner the chef must be a miracle worker. "What do you think of the other Servants so far?"
She doesn't answer immediately, beginning her meal neatly. "I have yet to meet them all, of course. I haven't spoken properly with anyone but you. You say you met Lancer? Can you describe them?"
"Uh, sure." You think back to last night. "He's tall and blonde, and broad-shouldered. Shoulder-length hair, and a short beard. Long cloak with fur edging. Wears green and brown. He's extremely strong and fast, and keeps his spear covered -- it's some sort of Noble Phantasm, I'm sure. He also has some sort of shiny silver magic defense that is probably also a Noble Phantasm." Actually, now that I think about it... "He seemed like he really didn't like monsters when I brought up the vampire attack--" you stop talking as Julia leans forward intently.
"Vampire attack?"
"Oh, uh… someone..." you grimace, failing to suppress rising anger. "Killed a lot of people at a motel. Most of them were drained dry, like vampire victims. Some looked like a Servant might have taken their souls for prana."
She regards you quietly for a long moment, concern and distaste warring on her face. All she says, though, is "Ominous."
"Yeah."
"In any case, I ask because I wanted to ensure that I had not seen him. I did see another Servant in person, a purple-haired young woman, but only for a moment before I lost track of her. I suspect she was Assassin, but it isn't unheard-of for other Classes to be able to conceal their presence."
She thinks about it. "I did visit the aquarium yesterday -- I suspect that there was indeed a Servant battle there, between physically-inclined Servants. Lancer and…. probably Assassin or Berserker? Rider is still in Liwei, judging by the damage reports. Assuming that it was Assassin I saw yesterday, then Rider has been battling either Archer or Caster. Or both."
Jordan clears her throat. "Ah… I need to use the restroom. I'll be right back." She carefully pushes her chair in and leaves the room, door clicking shut behind her.
Julia looks after her. "The two of you haven't consummated your bond yet." It is not a question.
You jolt into focus at the sudden change in topic. "I-- uh… I mean, it didn't..."
She looks back to you, smiling gently. "First times can be hard."
You blush, looking down. "I mean, yeah, and we don't really know each other, and..." Wait, something is maddeningly familiar about this situation...
"The two of you have shared life-and-death experiences," she corrects. "That's a closer bond than most ever get." She pauses. "She's interested in you, you know. She may be nervous, but the desire is there."
Impressions of déjà vu are swept to the wayside by something more important. "...really?" I thought… but didn't she say…
"To anyone with eyes to see, yes." Wait a minute, did she just say I don't? Hmph! You can hear the frown in her next words. "It's you who is hesitant. Why?"
"I..." I left my lovers, and now I'm a hundred years gone and it still feels like I'm cheating and-- "I had... I was in a relationship, uh, relationships?" You're not really sure which is more proper here-- "before I died." You grimace. Of course it was before, when else would it be? "it feels like… I don't know if they..." the word trails off to uncertainty.
"They?" You keep your gaze firmly trained on your meal, but you can feel her intent gaze. "You know, then, that there is room in your heart for more than one person. So why?"
You shift uncomfortably.
"Focus on the present, not the past; focus on what makes her her, and not how she compares to others. Living in the past will bring you only sorrow. You--"
The door opens behind you, just loud enough for you to notice, and you see Jordan return with the corner of your vision.
"--should take a look at that list of songs," Julia finishes smoothly. You return your gaze to your linguini as Jordan walks around the table towards her seat, pausing behind you. Her hand rests on your shoulder for a brief moment, then she grips and slams your head into the table. The plate shatters, the table splinters, and pasta flies everywhere. Pure, undiluted shock steals your response time away, and she follows up with a mighty hammerblow, smashing you through the table with a thunderous crash of broken furniture and clattering cutlery.
It hurts.
[ ] ...what do? (Write in)
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High above, faint light catches the debris ring, creating a very alien and remarkable visual display. "Also, that." She points at it, her finger lightly tapping against the glass. "I can't fathom how you managed to break the moon."
Whatever Jordan was going to respond with is cut off by your startled inhalation. Specifically, the panicked breath you took while drinking, and the coughing fit that ensues. When you finally manage to stop coughing, you look up to find both Jordan and Julia staring at you -- Jordan with plainly visible concern; Julia with concern and… curiosity?
You shift uncomfortably in your seat. Julia raises an eyebrow. Water's still in your nose, and you haven't yet escaped your coughing fit. The awkward silence lengthens as you shift the the 'hacking' phase. Finally, you bring it under control. Your face heats, embarrassment building until finally you have to say something to break their stares. "Uhh… yeah," you manage "So uh, weird, isn't it? How someone did that." Julia's eyebrow raises further. Jordan looks at you with dawning realization. "Who wasn't me!" you hasten to assure them.
Julia glances at Jordan. Jordan looks at her. They both look back at you, waiting for you to say something. You busy yourself wiping up the water you spilled. "...how did you break the moon?" Jordan bursts out finally.
"I… I didn't! Really!" you insist. "That was Finè!"
Jordan looks at you skeptically. Your voice drops to a mutter. "Well I mean she probably couldn't have done that if I hadn't reawakened Durandal but it was still her fault!"
"You left out some context," Jordan says finally. "What did you do, then?"
You look up. "...uh." Belatedly, you realize you probably shouldn't be saying this, but… well... I've already given enough for Julia to figure out who I am anyway. "Um. I helped blow up the chunk of the moon before it fell on the Earth and killed everyone."
She reels. "What."
Julia clears her throat politely. "Ah. Maybe you should start from the beginning, rather than jumping around? With why Finè was assaulting the moon, and how Durandal fit in?"
Oh. Right. Julia already figured it out, but Jordan doesn't know what I'm talking about. "Um. So… right. Uh, so Finè needed Durandal as a power source for Kadingir -- uh, a..." you frown, thinking about a better way to phrase it, then give up. "Giant energy cannon. Which she was going to use to destroy the moon." You throw your hands up in the air, miming either surrender or an enormous kaboom.
Jordan sighs, resting her head in her hands. "...why did she want to destroy the moon? And how did she make something that could?"
"To end the Curse of Balal -- uh, the curse that stripped the Unified Language from humans." You frown, taken back to your old thoughts on the topic. "I still don't understand that part. People can understand one another without a Unified Language. Why didn't she get that?"
Jordan turns to Julia. "Do all Heroic Spirits have histories this absurd?"
She shakes her head. "Impressive histories, sure -- that's how we become heroic spirits, after all -- but moon destruction and the Curse of Babel are somewhat beyond the norm." You can make out a steely grin hidden behind her glass, fortified spirit behind fortified wine. "I find more satisfaction in the personal scale, myself."
Clearing your throat -- still a little water in your pipes -- you pick up from where you left off, or thereabouts. "Anyway I don't really know how she made it, she knew all sorts of ancient super-science!" You couldn't quite keep your voice from jumping a couple octaves in excitement, but it was a good effort! "Well, she used Durandal as its reactor but I don't know beyond that."
"But you managed to stop her," Julia says, certainty and a hint of 'been-there' boredom in her voice
"Yep! It was a close thing, but even her crazy apocalypse dragon form--" You have to pause for a moment as they gawk, agape and aback, at 'crazy apocalypse dragon form.' "Yeah yeah, laugh it up. They were weird times for all of us." A little 'harrumph' punctuates."Anyway, that apocalypse dragon form wasn't enough to beat us in X-Drive mode! And then..."
The three of you stand in silence, staring up at the falling fragment of the moon.
You make your decision, and step forward.
"Hibiki!" Miku interjects from behind you.
You turn back to her. "I'll figure something out," The next words don't come so easily. "I'll be right back," you say finally, forcing a smile. "So don't give up!" It's a miracle the lie didn't stick in your throat.
You can see the blossoming realization in her eyes, the hurt, but only for an instant; an instant that's almost more than you can bear. You tear your eyes away from her and dart forward, wings of light bearing you into the sky.
You make your decision, and step forward.
"Hibiki!" Miku interjects from behind you.
You turn back to her. "I'll figure something out," The next words don't come so easily. "I'll be right back," you say finally, forcing a smile. "So don't give up!" It's a miracle the lie didn't stick in your throat.
You can see the blossoming realization in her eyes, the hurt, but only for an instant; an instant that's almost more than you can bear. You tear your eyes away from her and dart forward, wings of light bearing you into the sky.
"And then the three of us handled it," you finish lamely, the scene replaying again and again in your mind's eye. Have I been like that all along?
"You just… blew it up?" Jordan asks. You can't tell if she's speaking from awe or anticlimax.
"Well, not 'just,' but yeah." You look out the window, contemplating the debris ring. "That wasn't the end of the problems, but it bought us enough time for things to work out."
Your gaze falls, fixing firmly on the table, and you sigh. You hadn't meant to give away your identity, but now that it was out… In a horrifying instant, something clicks in your head. Wait a minute! She never actually--
"Julia," you ask her suspiciously, "what's my name?"
A moment's pause. "Eliane, of course." She flashes a smile. You suppress the urge to return it.
"No, my actual name."
She pauses again, trying to think of a way to play it off, then laughs. "Ah, I'm afraid you have me there. Not a clue."
Well… fiddlesticks! "You--" for a moment, you stumble over what to say you up for a moment. It wasn't a trap, but-- "you tricked me! You pretended you knew everything just to get me to say more!"
"Now there's some fire! That's a much better look on you." Julia reclines a little in her chair,, a self-satisfied smile on her lips, arms crossed behind her neck like a lazy headrest. This has an… interesting effect on her posture. You keep your eyes fixed on her face. Well, sort of fixed. More or less. "So, how will you get back at me?"
"I-- you--" you've… got nothing, actually.
She waits for a long moment. "Ah well, one step at a time, I suppose." She leans forward. "How about this: I'll answer you three questions, honestly and fairly. Aside from my name or place of origin."
"...Alright.".She's either totally sincere or having a laugh at your expense, but what else is there to do? Julia's silver tongue has you beat this time.
What do we need to know. Who could she be, anyway? There can't be that many possibilities; maybe I can narrow it down. You clear your throat. "Ah, so at your concert you were really good. You obviously practiced a lot -- what sorts of songs have you sung? Have you performed in musicals? Or operas?"
She seems slightly taken aback by the question… but her smile disappears just a touch too fast. Is she still acting? "Oh yes. Many operas, though I've performed solo as well. That night was the first concert in the 'modern' style I've performed… but I'm a quick study." She grins. "It was a pleasant change of pace."
Hmm. Is that enough? I'll have to think on it. "Servants fighting is one thing," you say, changing tacks, "but don't you think we should make sure innocents don't get caught up in the Grail War?"
She twitches; you're fairly certain that this time it's legitimate surprise. "Hmm; that's an interesting question. It would be crude and cruel to harm uninvolved parties, for sure… but at the same time, a duel without witnesses is prone to… misunderstandings."
Another discreet knock on the door heralds the arrival of the waiter again, with your meals. The three of you fall silent as he serves you.
"On that note," you continue after the door clicks shut behind him -- and after you've sampled your absolutely delicious dinner the chef must be a miracle worker. "What do you think of the other Servants so far?"
She doesn't answer immediately, beginning her meal neatly. "I have yet to meet them all, of course. I haven't spoken properly with anyone but you. You say you met Lancer? Can you describe them?"
"Uh, sure." You think back to last night. "He's tall and blonde, and broad-shouldered. Shoulder-length hair, and a short beard. Long cloak with fur edging. Wears green and brown. He's extremely strong and fast, and keeps his spear covered -- it's some sort of Noble Phantasm, I'm sure. He also has some sort of shiny silver magic defense that is probably also a Noble Phantasm." Actually, now that I think about it... "He seemed like he really didn't like monsters when I brought up the vampire attack--" you stop talking as Julia leans forward intently.
"Vampire attack?"
"Oh, uh… someone..." you grimace, failing to suppress rising anger. "Killed a lot of people at a motel. Most of them were drained dry, like vampire victims. Some looked like a Servant might have taken their souls for prana."
She regards you quietly for a long moment, concern and distaste warring on her face. All she says, though, is "Ominous."
"Yeah."
"In any case, I ask because I wanted to ensure that I had not seen him. I did see another Servant in person, a purple-haired young woman, but only for a moment before I lost track of her. I suspect she was Assassin, but it isn't unheard-of for other Classes to be able to conceal their presence."
She thinks about it. "I did visit the aquarium yesterday -- I suspect that there was indeed a Servant battle there, between physically-inclined Servants. Lancer and…. probably Assassin or Berserker? Rider is still in Liwei, judging by the damage reports. Assuming that it was Assassin I saw yesterday, then Rider has been battling either Archer or Caster. Or both."
Jordan clears her throat. "Ah… I need to use the restroom. I'll be right back." She carefully pushes her chair in and leaves the room, door clicking shut behind her.
Julia looks after her. "The two of you haven't consummated your bond yet." It is not a question.
You jolt into focus at the sudden change in topic. "I-- uh… I mean, it didn't..."
She looks back to you, smiling gently. "First times can be hard."
You blush, looking down. "I mean, yeah, and we don't really know each other, and..." Wait, something is maddeningly familiar about this situation...
"The two of you have shared life-and-death experiences," she corrects. "That's a closer bond than most ever get." She pauses. "She's interested in you, you know. She may be nervous, but the desire is there."
Impressions of déjà vu are swept to the wayside by something more important. "...really?" I thought… but didn't she say…
"To anyone with eyes to see, yes." Wait a minute, did she just say I don't? Hmph! You can hear the frown in her next words. "It's you who is hesitant. Why?"
"I..." I left my lovers, and now I'm a hundred years gone and it still feels like I'm cheating and-- "I had... I was in a relationship, uh, relationships?" You're not really sure which is more proper here-- "before I died." You grimace. Of course it was before, when else would it be? "it feels like… I don't know if they..." the word trails off to uncertainty.
"They?" You keep your gaze firmly trained on your meal, but you can feel her intent gaze. "You know, then, that there is room in your heart for more than one person. So why?"
You shift uncomfortably.
"Focus on the present, not the past; focus on what makes her her, and not how she compares to others. Living in the past will bring you only sorrow. You--"
The door opens behind you, just loud enough for you to notice, and you see Jordan return with the corner of your vision.
"--should take a look at that list of songs," Julia finishes smoothly. You return your gaze to your linguini as Jordan walks around the table towards her seat, pausing behind you. Her hand rests on your shoulder for a brief moment, then she grips and slams your head into the table. The plate shatters, the table splinters, and pasta flies everywhere. Pure, undiluted shock steals your response time away, and she follows up with a mighty hammerblow, smashing you through the table with a thunderous crash of broken furniture and clattering cutlery.
It hurts.
[ ] ...what do? (Write in)
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Last edited:
notthepenguins
Neither Spherical Nor Frictionless
- Pronouns
- He/She/They
I done derped with 'she.' Fixed.
No, Jordan is the one just transitioned the scene into WWE PASTA SMACKDOWN.
75% Certain
25% horse thief
Shhh, don't tell NTP about this, but I stole his draft for the next update.
Keep it hush-huuush.
Keep it hush-huuush.
Ahh.
In that case, I'm guessing that she's rather pissed that we were a bad Servant by neglecting to accompany our Master to the restroom for the sake of protecting her from potential attacks.
UrsaTempest
Don't Panic!
...well, somewhere around 'What the fuck' followed by subduing our Master (Mistress?) seems like good idea. Or switch those.
Oh, and then exit stage left. In case it's mind attack or something like that.
Oh, and then exit stage left. In case it's mind attack or something like that.