Eins

[erbe]

For the elements, silver and iron. For the foundation, stone and the Archduke of Pacts. And for the ancestor, my great master, Schweinorg. Close the gates of the four directions. Come forth from the Crown and follow the forked road leading to the Kingdom. Fill, fill, fill, fill, fill. Repeat five times. When each is filled, destroy it. Set.

Heed my words. My will creates your body, and your sword creates my destiny. If you heed the Grail's call and obey my will and reason, then answer me! I hereby swear that I shall be all the good in the world. That I shall defeat all evil in the world. Thou Seventh Heaven, clad in the three great words of power, come forth from the circle of binding, Guardian of the Scales!

[This is a master (haha) post for Fate/PSLs! If you need anything specific tailored to your character (like a starter that doesn't start with the summoning like the above) let me know! We'll work something out over PM or Plurk.]

Comments

[erbe]

[Rin is surprised by the intensity of the charm and how effortlessly he uses it that she sits back in her chair to get a little extra space between them. Is this what he meant by taking care of his meal? Certainly she has no place to talk. Rin has, a few times before, played the pleasant girl to get a couple things "on the house" or discounted.

At least she knows for certain he hasn't been charming her, or if he has it hasn't been to this degree. Though perhaps the fact he told her he knows charm magic at all means she — as his Master — has little to fear whether it be magic or simple flirting (because either way she would most certainly become quickly suspicious). If Nikolai looks Rin's way she'll be fidgeting with the cloth napkin she delicately places on her lap before shedding her jacket.]

[vetal]

My apologies, miss. Please rest assured that I won't, ah... take more extreme measures for such things unless it's related to our goals.

[Which is his way of trying to reassure her that he won't cast charm magic to get freebies. It would be an embarrassment to use magic for such a thing, not only because it's beneath a proper mage to do so but because it would mean he's not hot enough all on his own.]

[erbe]

Of course. If you had any integrity as a mage you wouldn't stoop so low.

[Why does he feel the need to apologize? Did she have a look on her face? Did her body language give it away? Rin straightens her posture, and fixes her hair. Removing her jacket made it a little out of sorts.

Though his title usage pleases her some. She tries to relax.]

[vetal]

[He's very, very talented at reading women. Rin really doesn't stand a chance trying to conceal her feelings from a sleazeball like Nikolai. He can tell that she appreciates being shown the "proper" amount of respect, so he continues to be polite with:]

Then, please excuse me...

[Because the manager is coming their way, ready to ask if it's their first time in the restaurant, if they're comfortable, and so on. Her age and the fact that she's single makes her easy prey for someone like Nikolai, who is quick to call Rin his niece to head off any questions about their relationship. Really, she'd only come over to get a closer peek, but Nikolai is engaging enough that she ends up staying a few minutes. By the end of the exchange, she'll be having appetizers sent over to them at no charge, and she'll probably come back around to offer dessert later.]

[erbe]

[Rin is half impressed half unsettled. She really doesn't mind being 'the niece,' but from the outside looking in, seeing that is just—

She doesn't have enough time to think over it. The appetizers arrive quickly, and her modest breakfast means she's quickly, but politely, going for a bite. Daintily she keeps her hand under her food just in case, even if she doesn't need to.]

So remind me, Caster. What did you specialize in? What area are you most proficient?

[vetal]

[Nikolai only nibbles at the appetizers. His manners are also impeccable; he's clearly a man of good breeding.

...didn't he already tell her his specialties? Women, honestly.]

Most proficient? Transformative magics I'd say, particularly having to do with the body. That ties in to my skill with healing, naturally. Whether you want me to become a monster and behave like a Berserker or to enhance my defenses to act more like a Saber, I will be perfectly capable so long as I'm supplied with sufficient mana.

[erbe]

[His list of abilities were far too long and varied for her to have an idea where to focus her Plan A. Rin chews silently as she mulls over her options. When finished she delicately sets down her utensil.]

Then for strategy we can focus on that, and any of your other skills will be considered secondary. With abilities like that we can probably face enemies head on as long as we prepare before hand. Would you be able to tell more about the surveillance spells you spoke of before?

[vetal]

Of course. Learning them yourself would be far more effective for you to develop an understanding of them, though... why don't I just teach you once we return home and wait for it to get dark?

[They're mostly small spells. It takes a clever mage to place and use them correctly, but he has confidence in his ability to teach her something this simple.

Honestly, he's surprised she doesn't already know how.]

[erbe]

[Her eyes light up immediately at the thought. Magic is something Rin absolutely loves, and loves being good at. Learning is always thrilling, and casting a perfected spell is one of the best feelings in the world. She smiles as she sips her tea.]

Yes! I believe that would be a great idea. Better than becoming idle.

[She could tell him her father died before being able to pass on basic spells such as that, but why should she unless he asks? That, and by the way her whole house is empty it should be apparent.]

[vetal]

Excellent. If we're lucky, we'll have a few days yet to refine any new spells. I'd like a look at your workshop too.

[What if new spells have been developed since he died that are actually useful? Heaven forbid he doesn't learn them. He collects spells (and crests) like he's trying to be the very best like no one ever was.]

[erbe]

[The hand with her command seals on it thumbs the rim of her teacup as she consider their options.]

Of course. So... since you specialize in transforming... Is this your real face?

[vetal]

[It's a miracle he manages to conceal his smugness when she asks that. Naturally, she's asking because he's unbelievably good-looking and she can't believe it's his real face. Nikolai looks mildly curious as he lifts a hand to his face.]

Of course. I don't feel like myself if I change my face. Why?

[erbe]

Just wondering who you might have been in your previous life. If you weren't someone ugly who disguised themselves that rules out a couple names...

[Rin brings the cup to her lips while she thinks. Meanwhile their meals arrive.]

[vetal]

[Don't mind him taking a brief time out to flirt. The waitress asks if his steak has been cooked to his satisfaction, so of course, he takes the opportunity to put on a show. He cuts into his stake — a perfect rare, just like he likes it. Nikolai takes a small bite and moans agreeably, causing their poor waitress to turn red up to her ears. He won't speak to Rin again until the waitress is out of earshot.]

Are you still playing that game, miss? I think it's better to not have too many preconceived notions about each other. Mages are secretive by nature, and I purposefully spread rumors about myself to conceal my actual abilities. Naturally, I'm willing to share them with you since we're in a partnership.

[erbe]

[Ugh. He's so... excessive. Sure, mages by nature are undeniably showy, but this? It's a bit much. She stares at him with partial displeasure before turning her attention to her own food.]

You're a bit of a show off, aren't you?

[vetal]

It's just a little harmless fun. She'll probably bring us dessert hoping that I'll do it again... you'll be supplying me with mana now, so you should be well fed.

[But yes, he is a show-off. Based on Rin's reaction, he's guessing she prefers the restrained elegant type, so he'll pretend that he did that only for the waitress and eat like a perfect gentleman when it's just the two of them.]

[erbe]

I keep healthy even without indulging in favors, thank you.

[LBR She totally indulges in favors though. Rin cuts into her chicken and begins to eat it in small, manageable bites.]

[vetal]

[He just hums quietly, a clear "if you say so". Nikolai is content to eat in silence if Rin is, and if she doesn't say anything else, he'll be quiet right up to the manager coming to bring them dessert since he's visiting from sooo far away and it's his first time in the restaurant.]

[erbe]

[Rin very politely declines mentioning having to watch her girlish figure or something. The truth is that she doesn't want any ill gotten gains from her Servant's flirting. It only feels right if she's doing it for herself.]

[vetal]

[He'll eat it himself, but only a small portion as he's never had a big sweet tooth. When the check does, as expected, it's all discounted so the meal won't break the bank.]

There's really no need to hold back, miss. They were doing it of their own free will. As I said, I wouldn't use magic for such a trivial reason.

[erbe]

Oh no, it's not that! I really shouldn't be eating too much.

[Doing so might make her lethargic. She can't make more work for herself during a War. She needs to be healthy and stay sharp.]

[vetal]

If you say so. But... I do hope you'll let me spoil you a little after you've expended a lot of mana, miss.

[As soon as the bill is taken care of, Nikolai stands to pull Rin's chair out for her. She's a proper lady and he'll treat her as such for now, if only because it makes things easier. He was trained to mind his manners with women of Rin's caliber, anyway.]

[erbe]

[She stands while folding her napkin. Once it's in a perfect little square she sets it upon the table and smooths her skirt. She makes sure everything is perfect before stepping away from the chair.]

Thank you, but I'll wait to concede on that. When we get there we'll talk about it.

[vetal]

Of course.

[She's so restrained... how sweet would it be to see her let loose, acting like a little whore? He imagines it in vivid detail as he smiles at her placidly, escorting her out of the restaurant. He can hardly dematerialize when there are so many eyes on them, and the manager is watching him specifically — ducking back to a hall wouldn't work this time.]

[erbe]

[She waits until they're out on the street. She doesn't look up or at him at all when she begins to speak. He should know she's addressing him.]

See? Like I said before: you draw a lot of attention.

[Little does she know that's his intention. That he loves it.]