Arwyn Cadfael Penrith
15th of December, 2004
Morning (Phase 1-1)
Westminster Cathedral
"Thank you for everything, Father……?"
“Kotomine. Kirei Kotomine. My parish is in Japan, but due to the circumstances involved, I have been transferred to London by the Vatican.”
The mysterious priest closed his eyes in thought for a second, clearly losing himself in his recollections. His voice was calm and collected as usual, but there was a certain emotion in it that you found difficult to place. Nostalgia?
“My family has somewhat of a history with this particular ritual, you see. My father was the supervisor for the last Grail War in Japan and the Vatican has granted the right, and obligation, of oversight of this particular manifestation of the Holy Grail to our bloodline.”
The priest let out a brief and humorless chuckle.
“Honestly, it should have ended with the last time. But, apparently, it did not. And that means that I still have a duty to carry out, no matter how maligned.”
Kirei Kotomine’s eyes flickered back open.
“Is that a sufficient answer to your question, my son?”
Alexandra Chimeragenos, Michael Blackmore, Kanzaki Erika
15th of December, 2004
Clock Tower (Main Campus) - Saggitarius Hall
Morning (Phase 1-1)
"There is no reason to be reserved with our forces. Though we are the seven chosen to participate in the ritual, this is a matter that still concerns the entire Clock Tower."
“As the Lady says, if this is a matter that concerns the entire Clock Tower, I’d expect more of an aggressive counterattack, or at least doubling down on current defenses.”
A grin of dry amusement flickered on Marisbury’s face.
“Hah. You try to mobilize the Departments now and they will tear each other's throats out far before ever touching our “opponents”, you know?”
“No one will take you seriously. These “Command Seals” are the only reason we are even here and aware of this entire ritual. Most of it…” Marisbury gave Waver another pat on the back. “Is simply Wavers conjecture, nothing more. No one will move based on the random theory of a first-generation administrator who doesn’t even hold a tenured position.”
The lord's eyes flickered over to the head of the Fifth Faculty.
“Nevermind that there are certain faculties who would not mind seeing one bit the Zoology department cut down to size. Heck, you give old man Yumina an excuse and that arrogant ponce will declare war on you himself. “
A self-deprecating smile blossomed on the man's face.
“And, in my case, they would see a desperate man trying to claw back the influence that the Eight has lost over the last couple of decades. You go there with no indication of a significant threat and no actual justifiable enemy and all they will see is a blatant power grab. Speaking of which….”
“...Against who would you actually mobilize?”
“Despite our suspicions, it's not like we have a concrete enemy to move against. They weren’t kind enough to send us a letter with all their names, after all. It's even worse if the Vice-Director and Chelon Canticle Brigade mobilize. Hypothetically, let's say they find and destroy the… Tohsaka family.”
“A mobilization of that scale against a threat that no-one in the Clock Tower takes seriously would only look like the Barthomeloi unilaterally eradicating a member of Meluastea faction.” The dark-haired man gave a brief shake of his head. “Never mind bickering amongst the departments, something like that might trigger a bona fide civil war within the Clock Tower itself. Neither the Meluastea nor the Trambelio would accept something like that. The Barthomeloi faction already holds the most influence amongst the three, the other two would be forced to move or they might as well disband altogether.”
It was then that Waver spoke up, catching the tail end of the older Lord’s speech.
“The Vice-Director has been briefed, yes. But currently, my theory is simply that, a theory. Should the Vice-Director receive confirmation of that theory…. Well, she might move regardless of the potential political ramifications. She would probably see it as an active challenge to both herself and the Clock Tower. Not moving would give the indication as if the entire Clock Tower, and the Barthomeloi family, backed down in front of seven magi.”
“She would simply crush any residual rebellious factions at a later point, but the prestige of the Clock Tower would take precedence over everything."
“Well then, we better find some way to make this threat hit home, or otherwise the majority of folks we will be fighting will be Clock Tower magi, not the masters of the other faction.”
Aila Einzbern
15th of December, 2004
Morning (Phase 1-1)
Oxford Street
"I was wondering...I-If... I could call you mama? ... Saying Lady Irisviel all the time is kind of difficult, after all..."
“...Gefun!”
Letting out an almost uncharacteristic grunt, the dusky-skinned homunculus that Iri had been kicking mere moments ago was unceremoniously pushed aside, as the crimson-eyed woman made her way back towards the younger girl in the distance. Completely ignoring the older man who had been pushed aside, the homunculi in white enveloped Aila and gave the younger girl an emboldening pat on the head.
“You remind me of myself before I met Kiritsugu…” Iri looked Aila in the eye and gave the younger homunculi a smile filled with motherly kindness. “Of course you can. Call me whatever you want, Aila-chan~!”
It was at this moment that the two of you heard a cough coming from behind you.
Lapis was standing behind the pair, with a slightly embarrassed smile on her face. Based on her expression, it was clear that the suited homunculi didn’t want to interrupt the tender moment between the two women. Yet she did so nevertheless, prompted on by her sense of obligation and duty as a butler.
The butler gave a brief tap on the wristwatch on her slim wrist.
“Milady Irisviel. Milady Aila. We must wrap this up if we are to still adhere to today’s schedule.”
Iri let out a sigh as she slowly pulled away from the green-haired girl.
Still holding Aila’s hand, the homunculi with the white hat boldly pointed into the distance with exhuberant joy.
“Lets goooo~!”
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