![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
LOCKED TO ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
perfectioncomplex
[Everything was set up. The barriers were in place, the circle was perfectly constructed, now all that was left was to summon the Heroic Spirit. This really should be the most difficult part, especially for someone who only discovered their Magic Circuits a few years ago.
It would be a bald-faced lie to say Isaac isn't worried. Everything is riding on this; he needs to summon a Servant to have a chance at winning the Holy Grail. With that, he can fix this world, he can save it from the downward path it has been following for years. He can end the Holy Grail Wars and save countless people. The last war proved that even with the rules in place, civilians and non-magical people can be hurt. He won't ever allow mistakes like that to be made again.
Perhaps his methods are a bit extreme, but Isaac's always been like this. He's always gone above and beyond the call of duty to accomplish what he believes is in everyone's best interests and this is certainly no exception.
With a shaky breath, he lets his prana flow into the circle on the ground, Magic Circuits flaring to life. Let the summoning begin.]
It would be a bald-faced lie to say Isaac isn't worried. Everything is riding on this; he needs to summon a Servant to have a chance at winning the Holy Grail. With that, he can fix this world, he can save it from the downward path it has been following for years. He can end the Holy Grail Wars and save countless people. The last war proved that even with the rules in place, civilians and non-magical people can be hurt. He won't ever allow mistakes like that to be made again.
Perhaps his methods are a bit extreme, but Isaac's always been like this. He's always gone above and beyond the call of duty to accomplish what he believes is in everyone's best interests and this is certainly no exception.
With a shaky breath, he lets his prana flow into the circle on the ground, Magic Circuits flaring to life. Let the summoning begin.]
no subject
It's a pleasure, Isaac; you may call me Lancer.
[...]
Just Lancer, if you would be so kind. I would usually reserve the formalities for the one in control, but...
[Admittedly, she does seem a little concerned; she knows her limits well enough, and being without her Pegasus is a little jarring...she knows she must do her best though. She smiles.]
I shall heed your request. ...Do forgive me if I slip up every now and again, however.
no subject
[And cue the usual awkwardness! He wasn't exactly expecting to summon a young woman as a Servant, though in retrospect, that was pretty stupid of him.]
Lancer, then. It's nice to meet you.
[He dips his head slightly in a nod before turning away from her, gesturing to the room they're in. It's a sparsely furnished room that appears to be a study, with the desk shoved out of the way leaving the room open.]
This place should be safe for the time being, but let me know if you sense anything, alright? The last thing we need is to be caught off-guard.
no subject
Still, Cordelia gave a look around the room, mostly scanning for things that could use a little organizing...]
Of course. You have my assurances that no one will be able to get the upper hand against us.
[...Hmm. She pauses for a moment...]
I see...you certainly wasted no time, did you? I don't sense all of their presences yet, and none of them seem to be nearby.
[She smiles. It's solid proof in her mind that he's motivated for this war. This should go excellently...]
no subject
[Isaac absently pulls on his ponytail before flicking it back over his shoulder.]
It's good to hear that none of them are nearby. I'm... still learning the ropes for defenses, but these should hold...
[Well now he just sounds unsure of himself, but it's obvious he's trying.]
no subject
Might I have a look around? I'd like to get familiar with the area myself, and I could see if there's anything that may need attending to.
[...If she doesn't just attend to it herself. Oops. But she'd rather he be at ease than nervous, so...]
no subject
[Isaac motions for her to follow him and begins his brief tour of the house. It isn't a very big place and seems to be in decent condition. In fact, it doesn't look like it's been lived in and Isaac seems a bit awkward (well, more than usual) around the place.]
I guess you don't need to stay manifested the whole time, but if you need your own room, the guest room's here.
[He pushes the door open and shrugs. The guest room is even less lived-in than the rest of the house.]
There's not much to really familiarize yourself with. I figured a place like this would be easier to defend than something larger. Though uh, like I said, I'm still kinda new to this whole thing so...
no subject
It doesn't seem to have noticeable flaws, but only time might tell of that. She looks at him briefly when he speaks again, but goes back to looking before she starts herself.]
It's better to be safe than sorry. If the enemy were to get to know this place better than either of us, we'd be at a distinct disadvantage. I'd rather not give them that chance; the first step in preventing that is learning how to utilize our turf.
[It may be unlikely that they'd come knocking on their door...but it's best to be prepared for even impossible situations, if only by seconds.
She does stop her looking around after she's done speaking and smiles very slightly.]
Thank you for humoring my request. Please, feel free to call upon me if you need any sort of assistance. [She almost bows again, but she catches herself mid-way and settles herself.] I'm certain that you'll get the ropes quickly enough...but I'm more than willing to help you win this.
no subject
[Isaac rubs the back of his head, glancing downward. Perhaps a place he's more familiar with would have been better, but it's too late to try to move out now. It took him days to set up these barriers and he really doesn't want to be at a disadvantage when the others summon their Servants.]
Ah, thanks.
[Isaac isn't sure what to do with that. Something seems to occur to him then and he blurts out without even thinking about it,] So uh, why are you so determined to help me win this? Is it something all Servants are supposed to do or...?
[It's possible she has some other motive for obtaining the Grail, but that thought doesn't even occur to Isaac.]
no subject
[She says that quickly, hoping not to offend. His question, however...
Cordelia ponders it.] The only reason people enter this war is because they know what they're getting into. It's rather rare that someone would make a summoning circle just to see what happens, don't you think?
[She looks him right in the eyes after a few moments.] You summoned me because you have a desire to be granted. Those who are summoned...we too, have own wishes we'd like to come true. It's in our best interest to work together, so that we can may both get what we wish. To be disjointed in any fashion...it'd go against the purpose of this war, and it would cost us dearly. It's not something all Servants feel, mind you, but it's the way most of us do.
You are my comrade in this war. Perhaps more accurately, you're my leader; you do have the ability to control me with your command seals, if needed.
[...She stops herself though, shaking her head before she goes on any longer.] In simple terms...it depends on both Master and Servant. But in general, yes; it's what we're supposed to do.
...I suppose if you want a personal answer, I consider it my sworn duty to see my Master prosper. Call it something I retained from the war of my own time.
no subject
...Thanks. I think I understand you a bit better now.
[Isaac smiles, though the expression is a bit awkward.]
I guess it's only fair that I share why I've joined this fight. I'm sure you know all about the Holy Grail War and its history. The last Holy Grail War got civilians involved and killed - I aim to put a stop to these pointless wars. Yes, having a wish granted is nice, but not if it comes at the cost of countless lives. The people who enter as Masters know what they're getting into, but the civilians in Fuyuki have no idea, for the most part. I don't want another war like the last one to happen, so I'm going to do everything in my power to ensure that nothing like that ever happens again. The best way to do it is to win this war and wish for the Holy Grail Wars to cease.
no subject
Her face is quick to change into a disgusted expression, however; she certainly didn't know about that little mishap on the organizers part.]
For innocents to be caught up in this war at all is absolutely inexcusable. If such things were to continue...well, I'm afraid I do not know how many people lost their lives that day, but I have no doubt that there would be more with each war until they're out of things to destroy. It's a complete disgrace on their part that this has continued.
[She goes calm, gripping her lance just a little tighter. How could they have gotten so irresponsible? Did they stop caring about keeping such things confined where no one else would be harmed? It reminded her distinctly of a mad man's mindset, really. They didn't care as long as they got their war...]
...I support you wholly in this decision. Not simply out of my duty as a servant, but as a defender of the people who they've stopped caring about. Not even this is worth another 'accident'.