Interlude
-let us turn the clock back slightly.
The day before.
The second day Gray and her companions spent on the Rail Zeppelin.
In the lobby of Norwich's main building on Slur Street, a furious voice rang out.
"Whatever, just get out of my way! The only one I need to speak to is Reines El-Melloi Archisorte-"
(Whew, that's a lot of blood) Reines thought with a scowl as the guest began to vomit.
That was someone who would vomit blood from only a little exertion. Stand? Vomit. Walk? Vomit. Run? They'd look like a bloodstained zombie. While it looked fine enough from the outside, without hematopoietics, he'd be dead within a day.
To be honest, at this point she just wanted to pretend she wasn't around, but it seemed that wouldn't work.
After a while, the young man burst through her door, violin case in hand.
"Miss! What is going on here-" he tried to say, before being interrupted by more vomiting.
"First of all, sir, please clean that up."
Offering only a cold reception, Reines tidied up the documents she had been looking over.
About a third of the work of the Lord came to her like this. When her brother wasn't around, that number jumped to basically one hundred percent, so it typically left her in a desperate situation. And even though she technically had the time for this, this was someone she didn't want to give even a second to.
"I'm afraid my brother is absent. If you would like to leave a message, I would be happy to take it for you."
"No, not that! Why did my good friend Waver not tell me he was going to the Rail Zeppelin?!"
"Because it's none of your business, probably."
"No! As the person responsible for your Source Crest, and since you're using his body as collateral - no, just because I'm his friend, you have an obligation to tell me that much! That's why I told you that Waver was acting strange!"
Puffing himself up, he struck his chest with a fist...apparently too hard, as it sent him into a coughing fit.
So you're the one who gave him the money to make it to Japan for the Fourth Holy Grail War, she thought, though she didn't say anything. For someone as inexperienced and friendless as her brother had been at that time, it was impressive how much that decision had changed the course of the entire Clock Tower's history. To think that the history of magecraft was completely changed over the decision of whether to buy a ticket or not was enough to make one laugh, but the rest of history was like that too, wasn't it?
That's right.
At this point, this was the only person who called him Waver. The reason he hadn't been completely crushed when he took over the El-Melloi Classroom back then was this man alone.
His name was Melvin Weins. He was the same age as her brother at around thirty. His colourless white hair and eyelashes gave the impression of an albino. With his pale blue eyes and frustratingly well put together features, he likely would have stood out even as a movie star. And on top of all of that, he belonged to a branch family of one of the Three Great Aristocratic families. If it hadn't been for his naturally weak body, who knows how far above his current position of a Fes ranked Tuner he would have reached?
With a sigh, Reines shook her head.
"Unfortunately, even I was only informed he was attending the Rail Zeppelin a few days ago. At any rate, a single invitation to that train only permits two attendants. Apparently he selected two of his students this time, so as you can see I've been quite busy with paperwork."
"In that case, it can't be helped. I'll just have to go alone," the man said.
In response, Reines tilted her head.
"You? Alone? ...oh, you are-"
"Yes! While I couldn't go for the Holy Grail War or those other recent incidents due to my condition, I've been feeling better recently. I should have no problem going out for a few days!"
He flashed his brilliant white teeth.
At the same time, he showed off a white envelope proudly.
"Of course, my family went to all extremes to acquire an invitation to the Rail Zeppelin! Even by myself, I must go see Waver's sobbing face for myself!"
That's right.
This man was certainly Waver's "friend." But that didn't necessarily mean he was Waver's "ally." If that were the case, he never would have sent her brother off to participate in something as dangerous as the Holy Grail War. In a way, he was a greater intellectual criminal than even Reines, and a greater prankster than even Flat.
"So, let's hurry! The sooner the better! The starting bell has already rung!
With a bright voice, the young man - Melvin made his grand declaration.
Outside the window, a helicopter he must have called, whipping up a powerful wind, floated into view.
Originally Posted by Twisted Rabbid
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