Lancer of White
15th of December, 2004
Afternoon (Phase 1-2)
She did move. That in itself seemed to be a promising sign at the very least. The girl, her clothing dirtied with still warm blood and the light layer of dust and rubble that stuck to it in the process, seemed to take her sweet time getting up but she was, indeed, moving.
At first she considered it exhaustion. Naturally, any person having been through this ordeal would be, so she did not think much of it. As much as she would have loved raw material that would withstand her handiwork, humanity seemed to have degraded ever so slightly since her times. For a mere human of this time, to have their nature altered in such a way was certainly not the careful handling these fragile creatures would require.
It was not disappointment that she felt, rather as of now all went as expected. Maybe it was even time for a hint of optimism, after all the girl so far seemed to at least have control over her motor functions a short time after the gauntlet Lancer had put her through. At the very least she would have expected a different kind of expression...maybe one matching the pain she had just experienced, physical or mental. But she just looked slightly disoriented.
Until she noticed it.
The girl was smiling.
Even talking.“Oh?”
She had not lost her mind. No stammering, no questions so far, no whimpers of pain, no shocked reaction. There was nothing to the girl that would have betrayed any kind of discomfort exceeding that of a simple clumsy misstep. A person watching this scene would, at least ignoring the blood and her torn clothing, think she merely slipped and bumped her head.
Lancer raised an eyebrow. This girl was messing with her.
A strange wave of excitement over Lancer. Was this frustration? Anger? To be called a tool by this girl, a girl that just seconds ago she would not have considered above a mere animal? There was more to it than that. Surely, her words were insulting but they were uttered in an extraordinary circumstance.“Ohohohoho~ do not waste your time? How awfully pretentious of a familiar.”
A temporary imbalance to her mind, perhaps? Maybe she had been just a bit too confident in her. Maybe she really did go insane from the ordeal.
She tried her best to force a smile, however it did not come out as she expected it. Not only did she dare to face her clear superior with such contempt, now she also started mocking her. The resulting expression on her face resembled someone trying their best to appreciate a deprecating joke about oneself by a person they hated. A toothy grin, suspended halfway before reaching the other side of her face. It was her narrowed eyes that betrayed her clear anger.“That is rather humorous, Servant. I did not know that the Throne of Heroes had such comedians. Perhaps your class is Jester?”
But even in all that she had to acknowledge it.
She was magnificent.
"You are adequate."
Lancer sighed. "If you seek a Servant to improve your own comedic prowess I am afraid I am the wrong kind of Lancer for you however. Nevertheless, praise needs to be given where praise is due. You seem...different."
The nature of their contract leveled the playing field of power. As much as she hated to acknowledge it, in this war she was indeed a tool for that magus. Something she could forgive, after all her involvement with that girl was also rather purpose oriented. And yet, the phrasing and clear intent to mock her did not simply wash over her.
It was time for some countenance, as hard as it was to force.
"You have been given a gift, little girl. If I were you I'd be just the slightest bit more thankful of it. Think, if my intent was truly to harm you, would I not have taken the opportunity of you lying defenseless on the floor here? The leash you might be able to pull is quite dangerous to me, I acknowledge that. However, it can not be used by an unconscious magus...for a given definition of lost consciousness at the least."
It wasn't apparent if she was merely continuing to mess with her, but at least she showed proper respect to her now, as well-intentioned as it might have been.“Since you asked so kindly, let me introduce myself, hero."
“I am Mori Shiori.”
“Your Master.”
"I am not quite happy about this terminology, but when in Rome..."
It would be her unbecoming to ignore the fact that she had shown her courtesy. Many had in her life used the mantle of courtesy to hide barbs to her person. This, in the end, while an extraordinary circumstance at least let her proceed in a manner that was familiar to her.
"I am Lancer. A heroic spirit that has answered your calling. And while I must say I find your attitude wanting...your aptitude is worthy."
There was still work to do before she could fully acknowledge this girl.
But she did show promise.
"You feel it...don't you?"
Wiseup!