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Post by Riki Ikari on Apr 5, 2016 13:55:34 GMT
D-Darn it, it was just too cold! His home was never any sort of tropical paradise, but there was just no possible comparison with that freezing mountain range. The day before, he had overheard one of the pilots mention that the weather was finally 'warming up'. Was this really what they meant? What were the expectations here? Carrying the most layers of clothing Riki had ever donned, he awkwardly made his away across the snow-filled hills of the nearby territory, looking like he had spent the last few hours putting on every coat of someone's closet.
This was, technically, his first mission. Actually, it was LITERALLY his first mission as an agent. You see, he had only gotten to the complex three months before, and other than being put through a bunch of medical exams, and receiving a crash course in the science fiction that ran the place, he hadn't really been told what to expect. He knew the 'Servants' as they referred to them, were powerful human-shaped tools, with some of them being especially capricious or fickle. His task was essentially to use their potential in the most effective way possible- like a manager, or whatever you call the guy that controls the cranes in construction sites. That didn't seem that complicated, if he were to dedicate himself properly.
The groyp had already walked quite a bit since going outdoors, and the twenty-nine-year-old couldn't stop staring at the mentioned 'tools' he had been given. They...didn't look like expected at all! They appeared barely older than the kids he taught at school, and though he had seen some of peculiar figures roaming the halls he had never considered them to be the so called "Servants". Looking like they did, they definitely looked far more relatable than the Chaldea personnel had made them seem. In fact, all things considered, despite both of them looking quirky they weren't even necessarily inhuman-looking or anything...
Looking at the small tool he held in his hands, he read the beeping numbers and signals that showed up on the device's screen."Our goal is somewheeeeere... in that direction." His gloved hand pointed towards a large extension of white in front of them. Being thrown into the russian frozen desert with nothing but two pipsqueaks and a GPS was a scary event, almost completely terrifying. He kept looking back trying to make sure he knew how to get back to the building, but the rocky place around them provided few points of reference.
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Post by signy on Apr 5, 2016 15:17:02 GMT
In one smooth, silent movement, a hand waved behind the Master’s back without his permission. The fingers were graceful and the bright lines they made even more so, flickering slightly in thin air before dissipating like a mist. In a short while the air around the Master had heated up several degrees. Not enough to made him forego his layered coats, but at least enough to stop his teeth from chattering in the cold. “Do you feel better, Master?” voiced a concerned Signy from behind. “Please, wait a while while I bind this inscription to you.”Her head barely reached the male’s shoulders, but there was no mistaking her eyes for innocence. The pair of calm, intelligent jewels there clearly showed knowledge and experience far surpassing Riki’s own. Were the child decided she was done with him, there was no mistaking the outcome. But the face and demeanor she showed now cast away any doubts. There was no malice intention at all. She was a true ally. A loyal Servant to her Master. Everything about her showed so. Another smooth movements followed, and this time the effect would be felt directly on Riki’s skin, only to be soon paused. Signy frowned for a while at sensing the Master’s latent Magic Circuits. It would be easy to override this weak a Resistance with a simple combination. However, out of courtesy she decided to inscribe the characters on his inner coat instead. A clever combination of bandrún centered around Kenaz linked with Ansuz and Raidhu and the less-used Önd would ensure that the air around Riki would always be heated to comfortable levels. As long as he did not shed his innermost coat and keep at least part of his skin contact with the layer, the effect would not wear off. It was more than what Signy’s restrictive 18 original runes allowed. But the Witch of Spiders once learned Runes from the creator himself, and had centuries to perfect it. Such knowledge did not went away easily. “There. It should keep you warm, Master~” She smiled, ending the short incantation with a gentle tap on his back. "If you'd like, you can take off some of the coat to lighten you and it will still feel the same. I am so sorry I did not think of this sooner."
Without expecting any thanks, she dutifully resumed her walk on the left side of the Master, trudging through the snow in her cloaked garb. The position of honor, the Right, was deferentially reserved for the Emperor. They had exchanged introductions on the plane, with Signy introducing herself as “Signy of Assassin Class.” It was likely that the other Servant did not let any mistake over her identity. But even if she didn’t introduce herself, she had such regal aura that Signy instinctively knew her rank. She had dealt with countless Kings and Jarls before. This one was on more grandeur scale. “I wonder, Emperor, are you feeling cold, too?” she politely asked, turning her head towards the other Servant. She herself had to put extra brown mantle on top of her usual robes, and her breath were turning to crystals in front of her. “I can put some protection around you just like Master, if you’d like...”
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Post by Nero on Apr 5, 2016 22:27:59 GMT
It was finally time for Nero's first mission! Though technically it was her second time outside... Nevertheless, in spite of what should have been bone-chilling weather, the Roman Emperor was completely unaffected, standing there in her usual garb, with the addition of a red woolen scarf wrapped around her neck and chin. Her inner fire burned bright enough to keep her warm! Well that or her sword did, anyway. Aestus Estus stood planted in the ground before her, burning away all the snow in a small radius, while she stood proudly behind it, both her hands rested atop its hilt.
"Umu! A soft chill such as this is no problem for I!" She replied to Signy. "Worry not, fellow Servant!"
Her companions for today were less... impressive looking than most of those she had previously met. A rather plain looking man and a small blue-haired girl were a bit of a stark contrast to King Atlas, for example. But the Emperor would not be swayed by mere appearances alone. Sure looks were important, but it was action that mattered! And speaking of action...
"Lead the way, Praetor! Let us put down this rebellion and restore order to these lands of Chaldea!" Plucking out her flaming broadsword from the ground, with a flourish Nero pointed it out directly before her, almost as if she were ordering a charge. It was to be her first combat since summoning. Granted it wasn't some dragon, monstrosity, or even another enemy Servant, but a pack of normal humans with guns. Still, a battle was a battle, and there was surely glory to be had! "I hope they prove to be worthy foes!"
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Post by Riki Ikari on Apr 6, 2016 23:22:12 GMT
A chill went straight down Riki's spine when he noticed he had been the target of someone else's spell. A pleasant sensation was filing up the air around him, but the man stiffened up for a second, out of surprise. It's only natural for people to be insecure about things they've never dealt with before and to adults, who have already conformed to the normal world they live in, it's simply an unavoidable clash. The warmth he felt was subtle and comfortable, much like being out on a sunny day. It wasn't the type of luxury ordinary people could just replicate with water-bags or electric heating, at least never on such a convenient form. So, was it really okay to use the miracles of magecraft for such mundane things?
He stopped shaking for now so he was favouring saying 'Yes'.
"O-Oh. Yeah, thank you Assassin" - he reacted somewhat nervously to the short person assisting him. Hard as it was to believe, her and the blonde girl were likely to be legends themselves far, far above from getting amazed at a task like the one at hand. To him the situation felt unreal alright,but his scepticism had long died - the time of death would have to be found somewhere between the first time he saw someone casting a spell and just now, when his jacket was magically heated by finger motions. Assassin was clearly older than she looked, and if he hadn't known about what she was, he would have definitely called her out as an old soul. In fact, considering Signy's true nature that term was even more ironically accurate.
The other one, Saber, was the exact opposite. If souls had ages, then hers would look even younger than her body did, though not even necessarily in a bad way.The sort of energy and drive she had was the type that could often be found on top-tier athletes. In her hands, the weapon she held was something straight out of a fantasy novel too, so it clearly made the blond woman as imposing as her standing asked for. Interestingly, she had called him praetor....Whatever that word meant it sounded Latin and it didn't really seem to be a bad thing from the way she said it.
It was exactly when Saber began mentioning her expectations for their encounter that Riki made contact with a small encampment in front of them. The terrain below was snowy and craggy enough to hide, and the possibility was... tempting. They hadn't been spotted yet, so the time for pre-game pep speeches was now. "Okay people! Let's try to keep it cordial guys. They speak English right? "- on a closer inspection, he noticed that the ones gathered in front of them were armed with rather intimidating rifles. "Just in case...you guys can speak russian right? "
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Post by signy on Apr 7, 2016 1:49:32 GMT
The overconfident remarks from the Emperor was just as expected. Signy smiled and nodded politely, not wanting to seem too forceful or too worried. “I am glad to know it.”
She could not help to wonder though how she could stay warm in such an unprotective garment. Maybe she had rhino skin or something? Signy was, and still is, in reality a frail individual. Ljosalfar were light, evasive creatures somewhat different from the current depiction of dagger-wielding elves. Although she had some human endurance, she was still more susceptible to the elements and physical stress than most. She was delicate and careful, which made her extremely endearing to the powerful Rulers she had made her spouses. In a society where independence was the norm, they secretly wanted to have someone they thought they could have control over. Such selfish, egocentric views of men never really changed through centuries. It helped also that she could match her appearance to their innermost desire. Mostly: their secretly-dead would-be-bride. This ability she thought would be useful in just this kind of missions. She noticed the encampment at almost the same time Riki noticed it. They picked a somewhat poor location if it could be noticed without them noticing the intruders first. But in this Siberian Wastes, perhaps hiding is the most difficult thing to accomplish. “I can Master, if they do not put too many metaphors in their speeches.” She said honestly, before turning to address the Emperor politely once again. “I would also suggest that you hide your blade, Emperor. If you don’t mind. I have little doubt that most people, when approached with someone carrying a big sword, would think of fighting first and talking last.
Except if that’s what we are aiming for…”
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Post by Nero on Apr 7, 2016 2:54:28 GMT
"Oho! Are those our foes? Let us prepare for battle!" Nero proclaimed excitedly, making another flourishing gesture with her sword. The insurgents in view were pretty clearly armed with some fancy-looking guns, though it seemed their group had not been detected yet (despite her shouting). It seemed to be only a small group however, just a handful of heavy tents pitched around in a circle. About 4 or 5 of the men, dressed in heavy snow gear, seemed to be on watch, patrolling around the outer edges. It seemed highly unlikely this was the enemies main force. Chaldea would surely not have been called to deal with so few! Just a scouting party perhaps? She would have to be careful not to strike down all of them. "Russian? I know some, though not a lot. If we are going to force them to divulge the location of their rest of their allies, I would think our small Assassin friend will be more useful."
Nero listened intently to Signy, touching her chin then nodding. "Umu... I see... You want them to lower their guard, correct? How very assassin-like!" The Emperor was pretty much set on a fight, but she was still an agreeable enough woman to listen to her ally. Plus, she was very curious to see what kind of techniques her fellow servant had. Dematerializing her blade for now, she turned back over to Riki, "What is our plan, Praetor?"
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Post by Riki Ikari on Apr 7, 2016 16:50:45 GMT
Saber's enthusiasm was laudable, but very scary considering how focused she was on trading blows. The armed militia in front of them had finally noticed they had visitors, which meant they'd waste no time rushing to 'greet' them. Surely enough, even he heard the approaching sound of five well armed man, each one with features that could only really be described as extremely manly, he began feeling doubt over how well prepared he really was for the situation. They were quickly surrounded by them, so Riki felt the need to finish his sentence in a sideways whisper - "The plan...is not to get shot"
"...Hello there friends. We come in peace!" His hands were raised up high, as unthreateningly as humanly possible. He'd lived in some rough areas before so this wasn't his first time under gun-point, though he never had these many pointed at him. In awkwardness he pumped out a smile, trying very hard to break that metaphorical ice between them. In his experience even the most tense situations could be solved easily by open and clear communication, at least they should avoid escalation.
The biggest of the men stepped forward and began shouting some words loudly "Вы?! Кто ты? Кто ты?!" The language was not one Riki was familiar with, and it seemed his hopes that English would serve as a bridge were crushed- he had spent so much time practicing, to try and get fluent too.. The Japanese man turned to Signy, and as a master delivered he a desperate a plea.
"Assassin... "
"Help?" |
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Post by signy on Apr 8, 2016 3:29:47 GMT
Signy raised an eyebrow at The Emperor’s willingness to listen. Not entirely surprised. Just…grateful. She had thought that The Emperor would be one of those vain people like The Golden King before, who thought that the sun was too lucky to shine upon him. Or the Crusader Knight, who thought whatever other suggested to her was wrong. She was glad to know that there was still reasonable people left in this chaotic Chaldea.
Nero Claudius Caesar… Carefree, trusting, and powerful also… A tempting subordinate…
The Witch of Spiders lowered her head. “Master, I think we should move to a more covered-“
At that moment, her ears caught the sound of footsteps in the snow and she inwardly sighed. She had a slight feeling this would happen sooner or later. If only she had gotten the info before Chaldea… She would have infiltrated the base herself and maybe planted some more of her “allies” there. But there were rumors of some hidden another organization on the move and so a Master had to accompany them. It seemed Chaldea could not risk its assets ran free without an anchor to be stolen at will.
She naturally hid a little behind the Master as the militias surrounded them. Her ever-wary eyes took the chance to scan the entire opposition in one discreet sweep. ‘Five armed people. The biggest was had a different color in his insignia. The Leader? Usual. Their funny clothes they called Snow Gears were of uniform appearance. Good organization. Perhaps international back-up. And glasses on their head? Oh, that was… snow googles? Funny one ever need those. Little frost so they had not been stationed here long, except the two on behind. One on the left is evidently youngest… Shaking fingers? Oh the gear’s not warm enough. Wonderful. They’d fancy a drink or two~…’
Signy honestly believed that the Saber could defeat them all even before she finished saying Umu!. Back on her days, this would be the best course. But now there was this little annoying thing called radio that enabled someone far away to instantly knew what happened to their comrades. If they started panicking and engaged military and civilians of the surrounding hamlets caught in the crossfire… The publicity won’t help Chaldea at all.
So… how to do it?
She watched the Master’s feeble yet noble attempt at opening talks with a little amused look. Oh, she had grown to like the Master’s a little. A man who preferred to use his head first before his fist was always admirable. But that smile was too forced. And everyone knew never to slightly bend one’s arms like that if one wanted to act peaceful. One had to be more confident. They needed to have purpose.
It did not take long for him to turn towards her.
"Assassin... Help?"
A little help was needed. With a soft, reassuring smile, and a look that clearly appreciated what the Master had done she stepped forward and took position beside her Master. Not too blatant as to eclipse his presence, but visible enough to the militias that this was the one to be listened to. With a smile and a polite look, the little youth carried an aura of such confidence and importance that she seemed to suddenly grow in stature.
"A, Простите~ Вы говорите по-английски?"
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Post by signy on Apr 8, 2016 3:33:51 GMT
The conversation went back and forth in fast Russian, too quick to follow. One moment the leader shook his head. Next time he nodded. Signy smiled and pointed at the other gunmen. The leader replied. Then Signy spoke a long sentence with several hand gestures which could be interpreted as… Fellows? We are? Money? It was too hard. Then the leader asked, which Signy replied with a little laugh, and that made the leader far more relaxed. “Novgorod?”, he asked. And “Novgorod” was Signy’s answer. The other lowered their weapons but just a little bit, still wary of the Trio. More exchange of words followed. At one time Signy pointed at the other two. The leader looked at Riki and Signy replied with a respectful tone. He then looked at Nero at Signy shook her head and slightly raised her shoulders with a wink. The leader replied more words, and one of the militias laughed. Wonderful was the effect of Information Gathering. A rare Skill that made one always seem to be an ally even to enemies. It did not have much use in the glorious deeds and epic battles of most Heroes that ended up becoming a Servant. But in what Signy did, it was invaluable. The next thing they knew the militias had surrounded them and bid them to move towards the camp. The leader was in front with Signy. Two gunmen pointed their guns at Riki’s back and urged him to move forward. Another two circled around Nero and signed her to do the same. Signy turned her head towards her Master with a smile and spoke to him. In Japanese. “We are now envoys of Chaldea offering financial aid to the Rebel cause~” She said cheerfully. “Come along and we might ‘persuade’ the Colonel to not only leave us alone but also become a leverage for us in our dealings with the Russian Government. Wonderful, right?”The leader asked something and Signy quickly turned away from her Master. She replied with a gesture of dizzy head and the leader laughed. Midway to the camp, however, trouble seemed to brew on the horizon. Signy and Riki were plain. That was obvious. Signy might a little short but was passable as a short youngster. Her brown mantle covered her robes and made her seem inconspicuous. Riki, with his layered coats, seemed even more so. But the same could not be said to Nero. Signy had noticed some of the gunmen exchanged lecherous gazes even before they started moving. One even blatantly stared at Nero’s bust for a significant while. Signy understood this all too well, and she could not really blame them for this, though it still disgusted her. The Emperor was the weak factor in her scenario… She just hoped that she displayed the same tact and willingness to listen as she had did until now. But an older gunmen, seemingly the most experienced, got too close to Nero’s back. From the corner of her eyes Signy watched as he said something to his friend and they both grinned. And the next moment his hand moved downwards. Fleeting. Almost as unintentional. But he clearly touched Nero’s butt. Signy tensed up. Hundreds of scenarios and possible solutions zipped through her head, each weaker than the last. Could she… hope… that The Emperor thought it as an honor to be groped? *** Riki Ikari Nero David, Nero, if I controlled the NPCs too quickly please tell me so and I'd gladly edit my post! I just thought what was best to have an interesting scenario. |
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Post by Nero on Apr 9, 2016 0:04:12 GMT
As the soldiers surrounded them Nero quickly readied herself, though refrained from pulling out her sword just yet. Glaring at the gun-toting men all around, she made a face as if to challenge them. "Fools! Do you really desire to face my wrath!?"
However, as soon as Signy stepped forwards and addressed the supposed leader, the tension dropped quite significantly. She couldn't understand much of the conversation, but it was clear that Assassin had them dancing in the palm of her hand. The art of assassination was said to be beautiful, even if the concept was utterly distasteful to her, and the way the girl manipulated her words like weapons was very much a sight to behold. In almost no time, she had the soldiers lowering their weapons. "Oho! Such impressive negotiation skills!"
To be perfectly honest, Nero was disappointed that the negotiations succeeded. Then again, these men hardly seemed to be worthy opponents. Not worth troubling the Praetor and going against his wishes. Maybe they may yet be pointed towards some mightier foes. With a slightly pouty face, she followed alongside Riki and Signy. Rebels who go against the benevolence of their ruler were fools that needed to be punished, but Nero herself was painfully aware of how easy the minds of the masses could be deceived.
But what if these Russians were as corrupted as her Senate? Could this rebellion be justified? The Emperor contemplated such thoughts for a moment, although a sudden migraine quickly cut that off. Grunting softly, she absentmindedly placed her hand upon her temple. In spite of that, as they entered the encampment, even Nero was not oblivious to the stares of the soldiers. The attention, of course, pleased her. "Umu! These men surely understand beauty. Perhaps they are not as evil as we have thought!"
The rules of an art show were only to look, however, and not to touch.
Feel a cold, gloved hand come in contact with her half-exposed rear end, Nero's temper quickly set off. Spinning around, she grabbed the offender by the collar and raised him into the air with a single arm. "Wretch! You dare touch the Emperor without permission!?"
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