-- [X] Tell her that you won't ask her name to sign her portrait, until the grail war is over.
In hindsight, this would mean Flandre implies that Caster would be around when the grail war is over. Or she gets Caster's name off someone, like Kuzuki. Or Flandre asks Caster's corpse, if Medea thinks that Flandre don't understand that she's a heroic spirit that dissipates into motes of prana upon death. Whether that's flattering, shows naivete, or something else, might be picked up on by Caster. She might assume that Flandre means her no harm at the moment, or might be messing with her, or whatever. She might be paranoid enough to think we intend to sign her portrait with her lifeblood. But then again, Flandre might be honestly cute and sweet.
 
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[X] Head back to Ryuudou Temple.
- [X] Make Caster breakfast as a surprise present.
- - [X] Explain that it is a little apology for earlier, and a thank you present for letting us stay here.
- [X] Ask Caster if you can paint her portrait.
-- [X] Tell her that you won't ask her name to sign her portrait, until the grail war is over.
 
Votes are not locked.
[X] Head back to Ryuudou Temple.
- [X] Ask Caster if you can paint her portrait.
--[X] Ask her name, so you can sign it with her name.
1

[X] Head back to Ryuudou Temple.
- [X] Make Caster breakfast as a surprise present.
- - [X] Explain that it is a little apology for earlier, and a thank you present for letting us stay here.
- [X] Ask Caster if you can paint her portrait.
- -[X] Ask her name, so you can sign it with her name.
1

[X] Head back to Ryuudou Temple.
- [X] Make Caster breakfast as a surprise present.
- - [X] Explain that it is a little apology for earlier, and a thank you present for letting us stay here.
- [X] Ask Caster if you can paint her portrait.
- - [X] Tell her that you won't ask her name to sign her portrait, until the grail war is over.
5


EDIT: Votes are locked.
 
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Breakfast and a Portrait
[X] Head back to Ryuudou Temple.
- [X] Make Caster breakfast as a surprise present.
- - [X] Explain that it is a little apology for earlier, and a thank you present for letting us stay here.
- [X] Ask Caster if you can paint her portrait.
- - [X] Tell her that you won't ask her name to sign her portrait, until the grail war is over.


You make a mental note to go looking for the local vampire – it wouldn't do to infringe on his territory for too long without introducing yourself, after all – but for now, you should probably get back to the temple. The city isn't big, and you could probably walk from one side to the other in a few hours, but searching would probably take up more time than you have left, and you would probably be better off going visibly, which could lead to altercations with a Servant … which wouldn't necessarily be a problem, of course. But you have things to do. You consider tossing the boy into the water – leaving him out like this is messy, even if he survives – but it's not your problem, and you leave him as you head back to the temple. You glance at Sasaki as you drift over the steps, and return to visibility as you near the top. He acknowledges you with a slight nod before fading away himself. You aren't sure whether to be offended or not; he is the gate guard, but he hardly paid any attention to you! As you slip through the gate and examine the courtyard for potential spotters you resolve to not let it bother you. His service to his Master is more important than his attitude toward you, so long as he is respectful.

You make your way to Caster's building and sneak in; she probably knows you're here already, since you let Sasaki see you, but that doesn't mean you have to be loud. Besides, you have to season the frying pan before you start making the omelettes, and that might take a while. Fortunately, they do have a kitchen here – if you had to try and make omelettes with humans underfoot, it might end rather badly for everyone involved. But the seasoning goes well, and you start preparing the fillings, humming cheerfully to yourself.

"What are you doing?" You jump into the air and spin, pathetic knife in your right hand as your left curls into a claw, and you freeze as you recognize Souichirou. He just stands there, watching you.

"How did you do that?" You weren't that engrossed in the food, were you? He shouldn't have snuck up on you so easily – the door was closed! He doesn't respond to your outburst, however, and after a few seconds your face reddens with embarrassment and you relax your hand and put the knife back on the counter. "… I'm sorry. Um, I upset Caster last night, and I want to make an apology, so I was going to surprise her with breakfast. Omelettes. … Um, do you want some?" He watches you for a few more seconds before shaking his head and walking in. He moves a lot like Meiling does, too … but he still shouldn't have been able to sneak up on you the way he did. You clap your hands together, attracting his attention, and curtsy. "My name is Flandre Scarlet. Um, are you Caster's Master?"

"Yes. I am Kuzuki Souichirou. Is it important?" He reminds you of Patchouli when he looks at you like that. Shrugging the sensation off, you curtsy again.

"I have to thank you for allowing Deis and myself to stay here." He nods his head and goes back to preparing his meal. As you turn to your own food, you wonder whether the Servant/Master relationship is the way you assumed it was; Souichirou has Caster, Caster has Sasaki, Tohsaka has Archer, Shirou has Saber, and Berserker's Master is probably the little girl … and they're all paired male and female. You wonder if it's a coincidence or if it's something intentional in the summoning process. Souichirou finishes before you and leaves silently, and you keep working in peace.

When you sneak out of the kitchen to see where Caster is, she's already waiting in the dining area you talked in last night, back in her robes but with the hood still down. She doesn't seem to have noticed you, but you nearly smack yourself anyway as you return for the omelettes. You told her Master, and she's a magician herself – you couldn't have gotten away with actually surprising her in her own home! Not without being a lot more subtle. You set the platter down on the table and sit across from her; she seems almost as nervous as you are.

"Um, I didn't mean to upset you last night. I don't always think things through before I start doing them, and –" You break off as she raises a hand.

"It's not your fault. I was simply caught off-guard." She starts to say something else, then looks down at the table.

"… Anyway, um, to apologize and to thank you for letting us stay here, I made these." She seems surprised at your swift recovery, and you push the platter a little closer to her. She takes several, but she only picks at them, and you start to fret. If you did make a mistake …. "Is something wrong?" She shakes her head.

"I am a spiritual entity; I don't need food. And … I'm used to small breakfasts." You wring your hands under the table.

"So you like them?" She pauses and tilts her head as she looks at you.

"You would know if I disliked them," she says coldly, and you start to tense up. "… They do taste good." She starts to eat a little more quickly after muttering that, and you relax, letting out a long, quiet breath. She still doesn't finish any of them, though. Maybe you made a few too many? In any case, phase one is done … now for phase two. You take a deep breath.

"Um, Caster? Could I paint you? Your portrait, I mean." She stares at you, giving only a few short blinks, and you wait for her to recover a little before continuing. "Partly because I still want to apologize and thank you, and partly … well, you're beautiful, and your room is empty. At the least, you should have at least one good portrait of yourself." She touches her cheek with one gloved hand.

"My … portrait?" You nod hopefully.

"Mm. It wouldn't need to be signed, at least not if you don't want to, but I'll understand if don't want to …." You fall silent and wait for her to respond.

"… As part of – Souichirou-sama and I … we …." She blushes and looks down, regaining control of herself before looking up. "… With my hood on." You frown. "And if … if I like it, then … then, if I can get him to agree, could you do one of Souichirou-sama and me?" You blink.

"… With your hood down?" She nods slowly and a grin splits your face. "Sure! Let's start now, okay? Ah, let me clean up first. I'll be right there!" She seems a little surprised as you burst into action. Not wanting her face to be shown is fine – images and similarity principles can be just as dangerous as a name, after all. And it'll be easier and faster, you suppose. You clean the table and hurry into Caster's room. Deis is leaning over Ershin, watching a slightly nervous Caster try to find a good way to stand. You cluck your tongue. "No, no, not like that. You don't menacing. You want to stand neutrally, like you're just waiting for someone. Or lean! Leaning is fine, too." Eventually she leans back against one of the posts in a thinking or resting stance, and you go to work. Paints are good, the colors don't need to be changed any. You start off with a very light sketch of Caster from the waist up and the room behind her … then wave her away. She stares at you. "Oh, don't go away; but you don't need to stand there anymore if you don't want to. Just don't peek." She hesitates, then sits next to Deis, hood down. You can hear them whispering but you don't pay attention to your ears. One brush for her skin, another for her robe, another for her cloak … the only thing slowing you down is how long it takes the paint to dry. There are ways around that, too, but for now, this is enough.

… Then you lean back and stretch, and Caster pops to her feet. "Are you finished?" You nod and she hurries over.

"It's done so soon because we got to cheat," you say, and she frowns at your grin. "I sketched it first – I probably could have done it from memory – which helped a lot, and faces and hair always take more detailing, but with your hood up they aren't visible. Which makes the painting easier, but the painting itself isn't as nice. I'd need more time, and probably the subject staying in front of me, to do a face properly." You glance at Deis, but she shakes her head vigorously. That's no fun …. As Caster stares at the painting, you slip to the side. "Think about it, okay? Or I can do another painting of something if you want something to help make your mind up." She nods, still looking at the painting, and you frown. Is she looking for something?


What do you do?

[ ] Take a nap.

[ ] Curl up with one of the books.

[ ] Talk with Deis.

[ ] Other?


DM Note: Actual artists who are offended at my butchery of your craft, feel free to stab me through the internet.
 
[X] Curl up with one of the books.

This trip through the Nasuverse is unusually fuzzy and cuddly.

I'm getting paranoid.
 
[X] Curl up with one of the books.

This trip through the Nasuverse is unusually fuzzy and cuddly.

I'm getting paranoid.

Personally I'm not sure curling up with one of the books, especially the Greek book, is a good idea. I mean it's pretty much trawling for Caster's identity right in front of her.

She took the portrait idea better than I had hoped though.
 
Votes are not locked.
[X] Curl up with one of the books.
3

[X] Other?
-[X] Find Souichirou. Convince him to be close to Caster for a painting, because it would make her happy. Use puppy eyes if it comes down to it. He could wear a disguise if it makes him feel better about protecting Caster. They might feel more comfortable without disguises after the war ends.
1

[X] Talk with Deis.
6
 
Talking to Deis
[X] Talk with Deis.


You shrug and quietly clean up and pack the painting supplies away, staying out of Caster's line of sight, then float over to Deis; you don't know what it is about the painting that has Caster so fascinated, but she's allowed to stare at it if she wants to. It is hers, after all. Deis shakes her head as you land and lean against Ershin. "My, my. Where did you learn to do that?" You smile.

"My sister made sure I knew how, and it's something I'm actually really good at. It just doesn't come up much. And why were you shaking your head like that earlier?" Deis shrugs at your question.

"I just … I don't know. It would feel weird, having you make my portrait, and it's not like I have anywhere to put it." You nod in understanding. You might be able to hold onto it for her, but then it feels like it's not hers, and staying here you're guests, so putting up your own things wouldn't be right. "Anyway, why don't you tell me about that gorgeous man we met last night?" She grins at you, eyes twinkling, and you give her a mock-serious look before looking up at the ceiling.

"Heracles, you mean? Fine, but then you tell me what you talked about while I was gone, okay?" Deis nods quickly and you glance at Caster before continuing. "Heracles was one of the greatest Greek heroes, if not the greatest, and is accorded a similar status in a more general view of European legends. Of course, being the son of the greatest deity of his pantheon, he has a few advantages most heroes don't, and he was renowned for his unassailable strength. One of the more famous stories is the Twelve Labors, a punishment for murdering his wife and sons in a fit of divinely-inspired madness." Deis raises an eyebrow as your voice drones tonelessly through the last part of the sentence. "Among other things, he had to kill a lion that was impervious to blades and had teeth like daggers; he broke his club over its head and resorted to strangling it, then skinned it with its own claws and used its impenetrable hide as armor. He had to kill a group of carnivorous birds with beaks and claws like iron; depending on the story, he either shot them out of the air, or he let them try to impale themselves on his chest and strangled them when their beaks bent. There were originally only ten labors, but two of them were discounted - one because he had help from someone else, another because he diverted a river in order to clean out an extraordinarily filthy stable instead of flinging the muck himself. He fought gods on even terms, even besting the god of war in single combat." Deis nods and taps her lips. "Of course, his death was something of an anticlimax. His second wife, thinking he was being unfaithful - probably not without reason - and poisoned a shirt or robe with what she thought was a love potion. He died in excruciating agony, but was raised to full godhood." Deis is quiet for a long moment.

"Well, he sounds like he might be a handful. And you're looking forward to fighting him?" You grin at her.

"Of course! A fight against one of the greatest legends, someone who won't, can't be forgotten? Why would I pass that up?"

"The way you're selling him, it sounds like you'd lose. Oh, I saw the fight, and it looked like you could hold your own, but … you aren't worried about him killing you?" Ah; she's worried about you leaving her stuck here where she doesn't necessarily want to be. You stretch and watch Caster for a moment before responding.

"Not really. Oh, I'm not invincible, and depending on how things go I could very well die fighting him. I don't want to die, and I don't intend to, don't get me wrong - but fear of death is a very human thing. Everything dies eventually, though, so the most you can do is prepare against it. But if you're going to let fear keep you from doing something fun, why bother living?" Maybe a poor choice of words, considering Deis's current condition, but it's still appropriate. Caster finally rouses herself - either she has excellent timing or she was listening to you.

"Excuse me." She bows to you and Deis before withdrawing - almost fleeing - from the room. You hope you didn't offend her somehow, but Deis merely shrugs.

"Not afraid of death … what would you have done if Ershin hadn't sheltered you, once upon a time?" Your mouth twists unhappily.

"Probably something stupid, but like I said, I'm not looking to die. I've got a much better chance at defeating Heracles, never mind simply surviving, than a fool who would threaten a god on the off-chance that doing so would mean a victory." Deis frowns at the memory.

"Are the situations so similar?" You look at the ceiling at the quiet question. They really aren't; Deis threatened Fou-Lu because she needed an escape, while you want to fight Berserker because it would be fun. In both cases, the risk of death is there, and it's accepted, but …. "Just different outlooks, I suppose. You'll be careful, though?" You nod and she relaxes. "Well, that's that, then. Hmm … we spent a lot of last night talking shop, figuring out where we stood with regards to each other in terms of ability. It was … rather difficult, because some of the rules she follows don't make sense to me, and likewise with regards to some of my practices. She's definitely got an edge in terms of breadth of abilities, and with the energy she's taking from the city and the land, she's a lot more dangerous than I thought at first, especially if she decides to go all-out. I could, maybe, beat her in a straight fight by ignoring my defense and hitting her as hard as I can, but if she's able to draw the fight out she can probably outlast me." She spreads her arms and shrugs.

"But you'll be able to help if you need to. Can she help you?" You fall back and stretch out on the floor. "And how are you doing, Ershin?" Deis rolls her eyes and pats the armor with a ghostly hand.

"I am well, Flandre. I am still of use to Deis!" You tilt your head to the side; granted, Ershin is just a suit of bulky armor given some form of life by its proximity to Deis, but doesn't it have more to say? Deis chuckles.

"Never you worry, my mischievous friend, this is a good place to get help. But I want to see something …." Ershin rises to its feet and walks to the painting. "Hmm … I am impressed. You definitely painted Caster."

"What else would I have painted?" Deis grins at your irritation.

"Oh, I don't know. A powerful and malevolent sorceress - by the way, that word Assassin used to describe Caster? Don't use it." You blink, then shrug when you remember what she's referring to. "Hm, a mysterious illusionist. An arrogant mage. A woman playing dress-up. Any number of things … but all you painted was Caster. Maybe that's why it took her so long to think about it, and why she ran away instead of deciding whether she wanted you to do the two of them immediately. You confuse her."

"Oh, that," you say dismissively, and grin as Deis frowns at you. "She was right there, it's not like I could paint something she wasn't. Is that why you don't want me to do your portrait? You're afraid of seeing Deis?" She doesn't respond, only frowns at the floor, and you shake your head. "Anyway, did you talk about anything else last night, or get anything done?" She's a little slow to come out of her reverie, but smiles at you and shrugs gently.

"We talked about a little something right after you left, yes, but you don't need to know what that was." She grins and moves as if to poke your nose when you pout. "And we talked a bit about the threats in the city. We've already met three, but she said that Rider was a weakling handled by an incompetent and not to worry about her. Lancer might be a danger if unleashed, but his Master is a coward and he isn't allowed to fight." You scowl; Berserker should be a good fight, and maybe Saber - she's certainly skilled - but you doubt Archer is going to be anything special once you close the gap, and if Rider and Lancer aren't going to be good fights then … well, that'll be for the future. You sigh and look at Deis. "Anyway, I've got a few things to get ready and some surprises to set, so if you don't mind, I'll see you later." She wavers and fades away, and Ershin walks back to the wall and sits down. You frown, unsure of why Deis switched languages, then shrug. You hop up and look out one of the windows, sneering at the sunlight.


What do you do?

[ ] Take a nap until evening.
- [ ] Explore the city.
- - [ ] Northeast.
- - [ ] Southeast.
- - [ ] Northwest.
- - [ ] Southwest.
- [ ] Go after Berserker.
- [ ] Other?

[ ] Curl up with one of the books.

[ ] Talk to Caster.
- [ ] About the other Servants.
- [ ] About the vampire.
- [ ] Other?

[ ] Keep talking to Deis.
- About?

[ ] Other?
 
[X] Talk to Caster.
- [X] About the vampire.
- [X] About the other Servants.


Vampire first. Other Servants....may be redundant, if Caster has nothing more to say than Deis, but clearing up or investigating the vampire issue seems important.
 
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