END OF THE SPIDER'S THREAD

鬼 “Fuu… I wonder? There was something amusing about spending time with a Master who wished to impose limitations on my behaviour. As much of a free spirit as I am, I can show a little respect to someone so bold as to try to reign in a monster that could eat them whole.”

“Perhaps I’ve grown too nostalgic in my old age.” Rather: she was very bored. “I am an oni of pleasure, yet can it truly be called pleasure to simply exist in a realm I didn’t choose to reside in?”

“Bingo! Of course, I am always right! But don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it too. Those wild card hero-types who can deal with us Evil-aligned Servants are more unpredictable and fun than the usual stuff.“  He cleared his throat. Old age?? The professor’s mustache twiched with his mouth What was he supposed to say then? Wow!

Suffice to say, the delivery was not entirely what she had anticipated in response. Pop and all. For a brief moment, she had wonder if perhaps she may have presented herself insufficiently, or simply it had been poor timing. So not to aggravate the scene than approaching prematurely may, she allowed the distance to same. yet no need to anticipate she might appear imposing, as he spoke on friendly terms, articulating that he be no threat in return. On this field, and far beyond, it transpired they were comrades.

“Alter? Then we should have little issue, though I gather you are already aware that she and my personalities have their differences. As for her whereabouts, would you happen to know if she may be present in this region?” If she were truly caught up in the so-called game, Saber dreaded to imagine what mood it all may put her in. “I believe I may have seen your face in the cafeteria from a distance. Should you need assistance, then it is only right to lend a hand to an ally”.

“I can tell!” He chirped in when she brought up the differences, to which he thought mainly of the one that his head was still attached.”But I don’t know if she’s here. If I may say, your altered self is what they call ‘extra’, so her excessive methods in dealing with nuisances would come to everyone’s attention sooner or later if she’s here.” Like, a purple blast of a laser beam cutting through the sky? An illegal motorbike race? A hamburger place going bankrupt? 

鬼 “We wandering Servants haven’t a place to go in this realm, is that not correct? I wonder if it would be worth it for an oni such as myself to forge a new contract with another.”

@crimedynamics​

✒ The words of pharaoh Nitocris had paved a rather vivid anxiety in Murasaki’s heart, though she would never have admitted such a thing to her. To cause Nitocris, or anyone she deemed a close friend, such grief wouldn’t sit well in her heart. That was why she’d sought out external answers such as this man here.

     Though considering his reputation in the stories of Sherlock Holmes, she could certainly say he had an aura to match that rep. She could only wonder what he’d been searching for in this library, but if the answers he gave could provide some peace of mind then…

     “I see… I can’t say my characters weren’t inspired by real life people.” Genji had been based on the Minister and she’d lent her own existence to the character of Murasaki no Ue whom he married. Admitting that allowed would be too embarrassing to admit, however. Yet to probe further… she had to. “Would you say it might be possible for a character based on someone who is already a Servant to manifest as their own Servant?”

He swirled a bit back and forth, still all too comfortable in the leather swivel chair. Holmes once accosted him about their nature and the reveal whether Sir Doyles’ brainchildren really were his own, or truly people who lived. It’s a mystery he knew the answer to, but not one the Caster before him would find out today. “A Servant’s Servant! It’s a really interesting idea. Legends have variations and figures have expies that some scrupulous monopoly eventually abuses by ripping off our public domain stories! Hah! It’s possible like winning in the lottery is possible.“

✒ “James Moriarty.” The man’s existence was acknowledged with a subtle bow. He was a Servant born of literature, and so there was little chance the Murasaki Shikibu that so greatly cherished books wouldn’t have made a point to learn of him in Chaldea.  

“As the librarian of this place I was simply hoping I could help you before picking your brain a moment. You see, I have some questions about what it’s like to be a fictional character given life as a Servant. Rather… someone recently suggested it was possible a character from one of my own works could meet the same fate, and the thought has stirred some anxiety in my heart.”

“Oh? You’re the librarian here too? Well, then that’s my lucky day!“ Well, he loved getting the gears in his brain to work, but this was torture. The writer had a little halo in his eyes already... or maybe that’s the bright lights above their heads. “Well then, milady! I help you, you help me. It’s a deal. So, you’re interested in my very existence and its ties to fiction...“ How profound.

@drakulya

“Ah! How could you forget me after all this time!? All of the memories! Like this! And that! And you don’t remember that time!?” Was she playing around? Maybe a little.

With sign of senseless slaughter abound, even encouraged by the gamemaster, she would exercise caution in approaching another, uncertain precisely where their mind-set regarding the tactic may fall. Whilst hardly one who might fall, the notion of turning blade unto another was one best evaded altogether.

“Might you be in possession of sufficient points to be relaxing, or perhaps this is merely a breather? I ask not with intent of absconding with them, such measures as unnecessary, so worry not”.

For a split moment he inhaled deeply, fearing it was the other Arthuria. But no pale skin, no threatening gold eyes. Just a heroine-looking type overlooking the chaos in all her dignity! 

“I DID!”

“…WHO ARE YOU AGAIN!?”

“Awawawa, how sweet! I missed you t-“