Erlösung

A little disappointed by the lack of business, food is the next best thing. 

“ Ah, I see. Thank you. Well then, safe travels, young man. “

     Alright, that was true.

     “…”

.     ………………………

     Getting corrected so soon in a conversation led her thoughts astray, poking at the sleeping lion of her pride. Then silence pools in, stagnant and stretching uncomfortably long. She should say something.

     “Oh, so, d—”

Looking at his own, there was only one logical solution. He broke it in two and handed one half to the lady.

“ Here... Have this instead. These were both yours originally after all. 

“ ‘s a pretty jaded definition of ‘evil,’ ain’t it? especially here. not just humans here. lemme’ ask you another question, then. isn’t that evil relevant to your species? or what it was. you’re a ghost, yeah, but you look like you were human at some point. ”

a shrug.

“ when humans raised you as a weapon and a beast of burden, but you evolved to gain their level of intelligence, are you obligated to think on their level? you’re stronger, more intelligent, hypothetically. but why should i think of them as anything more than prey items? sure, yeah, i tried that ‘hunt down evil humans to make myself feel more justified in my actions’ thing. but? if you brought it up? my intention is nothing more to feed. defenseless or not, and trust me, a kill that can put up a fight? all the more worth it. but defenseless or not. they’re still prey items, and i’m still a predator. ”

“ Have you tried going to the grocery store? If you cannot obtain a job, I will give you whatever money you need to feed yours and your child’s mouths. “

A small price to pay to keep peace in another corner of Citta. In an age like this, hunt and gathering is an outdated survival technique. A last resort kind of deal, hunting each other instead of living in union is not how things should work.

{♚} While resting and hooked up just to keep it stable and such would Selvaria walk on over to the man, motioning for him to stand up and take a look at the creature as it rested through the surgery. 

The green shine radiating from Siegfried’s body gave a soft green shade over the cat’s fur at this close range.

“ He’s a brave one... Not one who accepts defeat easily... “

Siegfried should by all means not be impressed by a cat’s perseverance. He himself can endure blows that shatters stone, bullets have close to no effect on him. Yet he thought it was amazing how this cat have made it through its life, facing far less dangerous events in its life compared to his.

The man then turned his head to Selvaria, one he felt greatly indebted to. His dark green eyes look at her with utmost humility.

“ Lady Bles, I... 

     The promise of battle was now only more exciting to him.

“We can figure out the specifics at a later date. … I wouldn’t want to sully this place with the taste of battle, myself. What a shame it would be.”

“I do little more than wander and admire the temples and shrines here, so I’ve got plenty of time myself. Well, that, and an odd job every so often.”

     That was partially a lie– but for the most part, it was the truth.

“ Very well. We will shall speak of this matter next time we cross paths then. “ He nodded to himself, as if agreeing with the idea. 

However, Siegfried was not the kind of man who stuck too long in same spot. Looking towards the horizon, clouded by the massive buildings of this world. One had to reach the outskirts or climb high to see the edge of the world.

“ Thank you for taking your time, Assassin. This have been a very insightful moment for me. But now I must continue my travels... “

He walked up closer to the purple garbed man, reaching out an armored hand to him. Offering a handshake to seal their meeting off properly. A gesture of courtesy, agreement and respect for one another.

     "…Young lady?“ Martha giggles, amused. "You don’t seem much older than I. But I don’t mean to presume…”

     Speaking of presumptions, a certain sensation tingled in her spine as she’d gaze at him. Something familiar, otheworldly. Something like…

     "…Wait a moment, Sir… are you not a Servant?“

“ If I was a Servant it would mean I’d have a Master. But I am not bound to anyone in this world, so I cannot say I am a Servant. But it’s true I am a Heroic Spirit, just like you, young lady. “

“What– I ain’t noone’s charity case, bozo. I don’t need it….I got my pride, you know. You might as well hire me for info if that’s the case.” 

He felt puzzled, first the young man wanted his money and now he does not wish for his money unless Siegfried trades it in for a service. But right now, there wasn’t anything he truly wished to know that could be achieved through a private eye.

But he had to figure something out.  “ Alright then... “ He looked around, trying to figure something out, seeing a hotdog ad in one of the windows of a grocery store.

@sabelvonschwarz

     “Excuse me…”

     He was the first person she saw, not like her eye could travel anywhere else but that long mane of white hair. It was wild and gorgeous, absolutely eye-catching, so it’s no wonder.

     A cupcake was held in her outstretched hand in a dainty thumb and forefinger, making sure she barely touches it at all.

     “They accidentally gave me two at the sweets shop, so I thought I’d give it away… Would you like it?”

“ Yes.... I would like to. “ Albeit he was actually impartial about having it or not, he carefully took hold of it, their fingers touched only for a faint moment before he pulled the cupcake to him, looking at it and its bright colors.

He then looked up, realizing he had forgotten an important part of courtesy. A jolt of embarassment making his green glowing scar pulse once stronger than what it passively did.

     Yes… that’s right. If heroes lived their previous lives all over, there wouldn’t be new. They’d be treading the same steps they once did before. Why not learn from said steps and walk a new direction, now?

     … There were many things Assassin could have learned from, in his past life. But, they were all small things. … The man had a rather content life.

“And there’s no need to thank me either,” the man chuckled.

“Though if you do wish to thank me, you’ll let your blade speak for you. … Combating powerful heroes such as yourself is more than enough for me.”

     It had been a while since he fought another eirei, anyways.

“ A duel? If that’s what you wish for, I will oblige your wish. “ 

A gentle character, yet one who yearned for combat. He was much like a knight, but lacked the attire of one. Perhaps Assassin was something similar to a knight from the place he originated from. Chivalry seems to have existed in more than just Germany, it would seem.

But it was not a bad thing at all.  “ I do little of anything but serve justice in this realm. I will take on your challenge whenever you wish. “

Siegfried looked around, the koi pond with the school of fish, the swaying branches of the trees embracing the gentle wind.

“ You were the one to find and assist it and I’m almost certain it wont attach itself to someone new immediately. If you wish to leave it be my guest, but it would be the more cruel option out of the two. And you don’t seem like that kind of man. “ 

“Wallet? Wallet….” He plays dumb for just a second, and then his eye widens as his gaze mockingly narrows on his occupied hand.

“Oooohhh! Wallet! I see. So that’s what you meant– why, I didn’t even fuckin realize! Silly me. So you can let go now. Its a real nice wallet, wouldn’t wanna lose it.”

As he let go of the snatcher, Siegfried open his wallet and pulled out what bills was stuffed in it and offered it over.

“ If you truly needed money so direly, you should just have asked. “

not like she knew toxic, but her words were certainly venomous. again, it was far too early in the evening to be dealing with these sorts of ghosts, the ones with a defiant sort of justice shining in their eyes. she was tired, but preventing a crusade just seemed to be on her list of chores for the night. 

the shine that caught his attention was nothing more than light reflected away from her retinas, glowing through silver pigmented irises with a clear albedo. that and, of course, light caught on orbiting silhouettes of blades as she drew them back into herself – or the space around herself. in this darkness, the manner of their disappearance was vague, of little importance, just as she’d deemed this task. 

if it came to conflict, she wouldn’t even need a weapon, nina’d decided. her own hands would do just fine. 

“ and you? ”

“ It certainly does not. “ He replied in a dry tone. Answering a question with another question was such an annoying trait in people. But there wasn’t much Siegfried would do about it other than see how the event was gonna unfold. The creature.... Demon.... Carried enough intelligence to speak and hold a conversation, it made things much easier.

He put the silver blade back into its sheath on his back, Siegfried could pull it out and block any attack faster than they could be delivered. He was confident in his swordsmanship renowned to surpass human capabilities. 

“ Depends on your intentions. If you feed on the innocent and defenseless I do not see myself being your friend. “

“ I understand. “ 

He exhaled the words softly, all before he swept back the cape which had billowed upon his shoulder and not at the backs of his legs as he was used. The weather was certainly unusual, and knowing it was monitored and manipulated unsettled the heroic spirit somewhat. Was all in that realm to be a toy or game to some higher beings than they? Were their lives to be forever controlled in such a way so that freedom would become a fantastic ideal once taken for granted by people of the long and distant past? Lancer felt his brows furrow, something uncommon for the man who saw the good in most, who found the light of optimism in the darkest of places.  

“ It would be a lie if I proclaimed I knew what best to do next here… Without a word from my Master, what am I truly to gain from warfare? “

Naturally, he was not a man keen to strike even so, alas he knew that his Master would have most likely seen to it that he retreat and carry forth their initial plans if, out of some hope, it could all truly be worth something. Alas, Lancer did not feel the need. He did not see the use in causing more grief, when to be there at all was to hinder his happiness and to promise him naught but yet another journey of discovery and peace. And so he turned to the Saber of Black with the ghost of an optimistic smile glazing across those terrifyingly beautiful features of his, eyes illuminated with the ultramarine of a distant ocean and the promise of freedom, no matter how far in the future he would need to wait to obtain it.

The expression Lancer gave to him ignited a warmth inside Siegfried’s body. A man of such radiating beauty who could truly give the kindest expressions. Something he knew his own, ragged and ruined form could not create. Was it envy that filled his thoughts? No, maybe admiration. For everything Siegfried had done right, he treasured even more the things others could do better than him.

The suggestion of going to a more comfortable location was one he did not mind to agree one, while he was content enough with the current place, Siegfried was at a fault to go along with most things hes told.

“ Yes... That sounds like a good idea. I do happen to know this small place that keeps open till late... “ The solemn green eyes disconnected their contact with Lancer’s eyes and aimed towards the city. 

{♚} The kitten in the meanwhile was being prepared for surgery. Thankfully painkillers and anesthesia would kick in and the thing wouldn’t feel a lick of pain when both the new leg and sewed eye hole were brought about. 

" What I will... huh? " He repeated those words to himself. Evidently, there was only one thing he wanted to do. That being a bringer of justice.  Being a man of very low levels of egoism, doing what he wanted himself was one of the hardest things to figure out, he was used to do what other needed of him.

He stood still at his spot thinking over it harder than most probably would. Deep in his own thoughts. Then he spoke up again while looking at Selvaria. 

" Lady Bles, you've done more for this cat in a night than I’ve achieved the past months. For that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Aside from that though, she felt surprisingly comfortable standing near him. They’d quite clearly never met before, yet she felt at ease. Years of having to deal with strangers had strengthened her ability to read people, of course. This man, from what she could tell, honestly didn’t seem to have any sort of ill intent.

And he was rather forward, in a gentlemanly sort of way.

“Oh, please, you don’t have to go out of your way,” she replied, caught a little off guard, “It’s not cold enough for hypothermia or even the common cold to pose a threat… More important is that both of us dry off.” 

“ Afaik, I do no longer posses the ability of getting sick due to climate. “ He pointed at his exposed chest, more specifically, the glowing mark stretching out across his body.  “ I’m not as human as I used to be. “

So he freezes, single wide eye peering up at this man. This not!sucker.

Dammit.

“Haaah…you don’t say…was it your masculinity? Dignity as a dude? Don’t worry, you won’t get that back especially if you get married!” 

“ Nothing like that, something more physical. Say, a wallet. “ 

The grip was firm enough to hold down a grown up man, despite the other trying to weasel himself out, Siegfried did not tighten the grip and kept speaking in his gentle tone.

“Hm. Is that so? I suppose most would be envious of the chance but to leave this place. Even if it was only temporary…”

     So strange, how people seemed to drift in and out. As if someone was unsure of whether or not they should truly exist here… who knows?

     At any rate, as the other posed query, Assassin thus turned fully.

“What does one do here, you ask? … I’ve thought a bit about it, and… my short answer is to simply live. Live as you would have once, long ago.”

“ No... This time I will live the life I didn’t realize I wanted in my first life. “

“ Ah... Sorry, I didn’t mean to push my personal agenda at you. “ 

How selfish of him, bringing up his own desires like that. It just slipped out of him without a second thought, perhaps it is the atmosphere making him lax.