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.]

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[lastparadise]

[Some of the tales are true — in this case, he's brought a flower that will help restore her mana. It's the least he can do since he shouldn't technically be here. Merlin reaches into his robes once they get to the kitchen, producing a pouch that he pulls out a single blossom from. It resembles a camellia, but its white petals have the same iridescence in the light that Merlin's hair and eyes do. He holds it out to her to examine before he dries and brews it.]

Here.

[erbe]

[There's a small gasp from her. She cups his hand from the bottom and encourages it to lift while she leans forward to inhale its scent.]

It's beautiful.

[lastparadise]

[He lifts the flower to her nose, giving her time to appreciate its sweet scent before lowering his hand to dry the flower out for brewing.]

If nothing else, Avalon is beautiful. I hear that Masters and Servants share dreams — perhaps you'll see it in one of mine.

[But she won't be able to see it in person, for only those free of sin may pass. Merlin himself can't physically pass beyond the gates now. He turns to start making the tea, wondering what it might taste like. Camellia blossoms are used in tea, so it shouldn't be terrible, at least.]

[erbe]

[While she would like that, and there's a touch of romance in her heart that thinks it would be a nice place to live — surrounded by miracles and magic — the pragmatic part of her knows it's never meant to be. Because as a mage there is not a life without sin. Try as she might to keep bystanders out of her affairs, rules are rules...

Now's not the time to think about guidelines she disagrees with. Rin walks to her cabinet to look at her own selection of tea.]

Would you like some tea as well, Caster?

[lastparadise]

Are you going to make a second pot for me? I would be honored.

[It would be a waste for him to drink what he's serving Rin. Whatever she doesn't drink now they should keep for her to have later. It's unfortunate that he's such a drain on her...

He steps aside to wait for the tea to brew, studying Rin quietly. Other than her fatigue, she seems to be in relatively good shape. He'll bring up going around town to lay a web once she's had her tea.]

[erbe]

[The water is to boil and the teapot will brew his flower to boost her mana, but she has an individual strainer for single steeps. Delicately she plucks a white tea sealed in a decorative tin out of the cabinet. Slow and graceful she sets up a mug with the metal strainer that has arms that rest on the rim. Carefully Tohsaka scoops the dried loose leaves into the strainer, and then when the proper amount has been added she returns everything back where it is meant to be with measured movements. Each mug gets a coaster, and the teapot receives a trivet to protect the finish of the table from anything that would harm it.

Finally Rin takes a seat, and folds her hands in her lap.]

When I feel better we can take a tour of the city to familiarize you with your new battlefield.

[lastparadise]

[His eyes follow her as she moves about. Though he was able to learn to scry after awhile in his prison, it's been a very, very long time since he's actually been in someone's presence.

He may be just a little too interested. At least he's good at hiding it.]

My thoughts exactly. We have three days until the last servant is summoned. That should be plenty of time to lay a surveillance web on the city. We'll redirect the flow of the ley lines to send more mana here as well.

[He joins her at the table, reaching out to take the pot and pour her a cup before settling down properly. She'll find the tea to be sweet and rich, almost overwhelming — as if it's the actual essence of the flower. She'll feel better shortly after drinking it.]

[erbe]

[He's lucky she doesn't seem to notice his wandering eyes. She's probably too drained to. What she does notice, and thank him for, is his willingness to cater to her. Politely she thanks him before taking the kettle and pouring the water into his mug to start steeping his tea. He'll smell the white peony mixed with candied guava pieces. A light and tropical tasting tea with enough of its own sweetness to avoid needing anything else.

Gently she blows on the steam rising from her mug.]

That's possible?

[That... might make the mansion a target, though.]

[lastparadise]

Of course. Well, I suppose a modern mage may not be able to do it... but yes, it is quite possible. We'll only redirect enough to strengthen the wards on the manor, though. Any more than that would likely draw more attention than it's worth.

[He takes the mug from Rin after she's poured the water to inhale the steam. It'll be a couple minutes yet before he can drink it, but it smells good.]

[erbe]

[Amazing... If she gets to see him pull off that there will be absolutely no doubt this is the Merlin of legend. Everything hints toward that conclusion, but it's still difficult to believe. Merely because she's astonished she of all people has summoned one of the top mages in all of history.]

I suppose it shouldn't be too much for one such as yourself since as you must have notice this house itself is on a ley line.

[lastparadise]

Yes, your ancestors chose well.

[Merlin pauses to take a sip of that tea, closing his eyes briefly. He smiles at her to show his gratitude, forgetting for just a moment to reel in the charm that comes with his heritage. Clearing his throat, he quickly corrects that — he can't go dazzling his Master, that could get messy!]

Please be sure to take me to the temple. My being here means there won't be a Master stationed there, so I'll do my work there.

[erbe]

If you insist. There are people who live there, so I urge you to be careful. I don't want to make any extra work for us by having to deal with people who end up seeing things they shouldn't.

[The more likely option is she's too soft, and doesn't want to have to bloody her hands if she doesn't have to.]

[lastparadise]

You needn't worry. None of the process is visible to those who aren't magically inclined, and I will know if any other mages are nearby.

[His eyes twinkle at her over his cup as that smile twists into a little smirk.]

We won't need to hurt anyone.

[erbe]

[D—don't look at her like that! That look does way more to charm her than anything else. Probably because he revealed her true feelings without mocking them. Tohsaka huffs and turns her head away to avoid his gaze. She blows on her tea once more before daintily sipping.

Stupid Merlin with his stupid face.]

Good. Having to do otherwise would be troublesome.

[lastparadise]

[That reaction is so endearing that he can't help but flirt a little. He reaches out to lightly place a hand on her arm, highly amused. At least he manages to keep that amusement off his face.]

I'll do my best to keep your hands clean. There's no need to involve anyone other than the Masters and their Servants. I can't promise the safety of our opponents, of course, but that's simply how the game is played.

[Ideally, they won't be killing anyone who isn't already dead. That includes Kirei, naturally.]

[erbe]

Yes, I'm aware.

[Oh my god he keeps going! She doesn't need to hear this! His words make her ears burn. Tohsaka thought she'd get a Servant who ridiculed her desires, but instead she gets this guy who just agrees with her like he reads her mind.

Rin sips loudly as if the noise will cancel out him. Eventually she has to look at him again, though.]

This tea is quite good. I'll have one more cup, and we can head out for the day.

[Yes please let her change the subject.]

[lastparadise]

[He takes his hand away after a moment or two, focusing on his own mug since clearly Rin is done talking about it. Ah, it's going to be difficult to resist teasing her... but he really should restrain himself. After all, he's massively inconveniencing her in various ways by manifesting as a Servant and forcing her to sustain him — the least he can do is try to not be too much of a bother.]

Very well. Are you feeling better? We should keep whatever you don't drink regardless — I'm afraid I'm not exactly cheap to sustain.

[erbe]

It will still keep its restorative properties after it's been chilled or steeped for a second time?

[Most quality leaves can be steeped as many as three to four times, but the first steep is usually the strongest.]

[lastparadise]

It won't be quite as effective, but we can't be picky during a war, can we?

[After another delicate sip of his own tea, he dematerializes and settles with Rin again.]

I'm ready when you are.

[erbe]

[Rin rests a hand on her chest right over her heart when Merlin dematerializes and rests within her. It's a different, indescribable feeling. But it's small, and easy to put to the back of her mind if he stays quiet and she focuses on other things. Rin will clean everything up. The current pot will get put into a pitcher to be served over ice later, the steeped petals will be kept fresh in a plastic back in the fridge, and the dishes will be rinsed and then washed. Once the dining area is tidied Rin nods, and communicates to him wordlessly:]

I'm ready. Let's go.

[And then they head out so she can give him a tour of Fuyuki.]

[lastparadise]

[At first, Merlin has very little to say save for indicating a couple spots where he wants her to leave just a pinch of her mana for a larger spell they'll cast later. But once they're downtown, that all changes. She'll be able to feel his excitement at the number of people bustling around.]

Actually being here is certainly different from just seeing it! Humanity really shapes the world now, doesn't it?

[Perhaps he should see that as a bad thing, but he doesn't... especially not since modern food production has resulted in some particularly busty beauties. It's truly a blessing Rin can't tell what he's observing.]

[erbe]

[It is, because she'd scold her servant severely for getting off track. Rin does as she's told — more than a little excited to learn more things about magic from one of the best magi in history.]

It does. If you'd like we can set aside one day for you to experience the world as it is. One day shouldn't hurt, as hopefully this war will be short.

[That's right. If they can keep the length of the war to a minimum then there's bound to be less casualties and less of a chance Merlin drains the whole city of its mana supply just to keep sustained.]

[lastparadise]

[He's so tempted to tease her about asking him on a date, but for once he shows restraint and keeps that to himself.]

It's a shame I can't manifest physically in public. My appearance is... distracting. I suppose I have my father to thank for that.

[erbe]

Your father?

[That sparks her interest. In the stories of Merlin there was never much talk about his family or lineage. Most of what the world knows about him is in relation to King Arthur.]

[lastparadise]

He was an incubus.

[There's a faint hint of amusement in his tone as he waits for her reaction. Will she be relieved that there's an explanation for his looks, or worried that he'll try something? Or maybe one of the other possibilities...]