this time isn't Hell [open]

[macedonian]

Characters: Rider and you!
Setting: Floors 1, 3 and 6.
Time: November 9
Format: Action, will match!
Summary: A strange tower isn't immune to conquest, as far as the King of Conquerors is concerned. But of course, he has to know what he's conquering first.
Warnings: Slight violence in the third scenario, but hey, when a deer tries to attack you, you'd kill it too, right? Otherwise probably none, really...


[After a touching reunion, Rider sets out to explore the tower, since his newfound autonomy is actually well appreciated. From where he starts in the dormitories, he explores the layout in full, but from there, he figures he might as well start from the bottom and work his way up.]

Floor One
[Of course, when he's half expecting some kind of confrontation based on the attitudes that he's seen thus far, it's a rather pleasant surprise to instead encounter a large dining hall. And for anyone that might see Rider emerge from the elevator, it's a comical scene, since he really only barely managed to get in it, since elevators are generally not made for people eight feet tall and built like an ox. In fact, getting out proves to be more difficult than getting in, and the elevator starts to sound its shrieking alarm as the door is open too long, until he finally manages.]

[...Of course, he seems hardly embarrassed or affected, and immediately brushes off his shoulder with a laugh]

Ha, it is always so inconvenient for this world to be shaped around the people who have shrunk so much... If I have trouble, then Darius would surely be unable to navigate it at all.

[Whether he's announcing that or just talking to himself isn't really clear, but he does take a seat at one of the tables with crossed arms] But this is as good a start as any! A feast to begin, and a feast to mark my victory when this too becomes a part of my territory. So come, bring the mead! Is this not a cause for celebration?

[Yes, he's totally expecting people to serve him. Life is hard when you're a king.]


Floor Three
[Well, his meal probably ended up more modest than a feast, but he's still at least satisfied with some manner of food and drink. Continuing up, the next floor that catches his interest is the great library, and in contrast to the cafeteria, he at least knows enough by now to be quiet here. Still, he towers over nearly every bookshelf, and walks back and forth through the library, gathering a large variety of books. There's books on war tactics and technology, atlases, Greek poetry (the works of Homer especially) and other subjects that speak towards a well-educated and military-minded man. He is disappointed to find no history books, since that was his clear source of figuring out what manner of place this was, but ah, well.]

[Though, once he's satisfied with his pile of books, he doesn't take a table to read, but rather, unceremoniously sits on the ground with legs crossed in an area large enough to accommodate him and the books that are scattered around him.]

[And despite his serious expression as he pours through the books, he will be more than happy to speak with anyone curious enough to inquire why he's so weird.]


Floor Six
[And continuing up, Rider is no less than amazed to find a "floor" (if he could call it that) containing a forest. It's a wonder, and it only furthers his ambition to claim this place for his own. Something as fantastic as this was only worthy to be ruled by the King of Conquerors.]

[He ventures into the forest to observe seemingly every plant that's unfamiliar to him, because that is just as great a pleasure as venturing over the hot sands of Persia. He doesn't run across any of the strange animals, since Rider is comfortable enough to disregard any of them, not feeling any real sense of danger. It's when he's inspecting a stream and the clarity of its water that he encounters a deer which stands on the other side. At first, he greets it with a smile, but seeing that strange shifting and the animal's stance, he understands that this forest is not to be underestimated after all.]

[He stands with a chuckle, pulling the sword at his side from his sheath almost simultaneously as the deer lunges forward to attack. But Rider has no need of his abilities as a Servant to make quick work of the deer, beheading it in a single stroke. But rather than be disturbed by the fact that such a normally docile creature would attack or seeing its unnatural fangs, Rider can only grin, eventually laughing.]

Ha, so this place does present a challenge after all! Good, good, I would hate to claim it so easily. There is no satisfaction in an easy victory.

[He wipes his blade on the grass to clean it before re-sheathing it, but then stands, scratching at his beard thoughtfully] ...Though, hm. I wonder which way that staircase was?

Comments

Floor Three

[tohko_amano]

Tohko, who was feeling a tad hungry, wandered into the library, looking for something good to eat and read. She managed to find First Love, which was a wonderful meal, but couldn't quite decide on what to read. Brave Story? Notre Dame? Or should she take a look at The Divine Comedy? While she walked out of the isle, trying to decide, she came across a huge and well built-guy with a massive book pile around him.

A little shocked and surprised, Tohko was a little happy to have found another book lover, so she spoke up. "Good morning! How are you?"

[macedonian]

Rider looked up from his book (currently, a book about fighter jets) with an expression that seemed annoyed at first, and gave the impression that the interruption was unwelcome. But it was short-lived, as his expression immediately became a wide, friendly grin.

"Good morning, girl," he said jovially and likely not at an appropriate volume for a library, but Rider may not even know how to speak quietly, "I am well enough, despite the unusual nature of this place... Though perhaps that instead merits being quite well."

He laughed, but continued without missing a beat, "I am not in your way, I trust?"

Floor 1

[heavenscorpse]

[V/V pokes her head out from the kitchen enough to answer the loud man.]

We have plum juice and cranberry juice and milk. Which of those is most like mead?

[macedonian]

Hm...

[He considers the question seriously, complete with rubbing his beard before he grins and laughs] None of them, truly! For mead is a honey wine, so without alcohol, there is no comparison! But if those are my choices, ahhh, I suppose the plum juice will do.

Floor 1

[crouching_sin]

Darius' ego would have trouble fitting in the room... and I can see yours is about similar. This is no territory for you to conquer, and no one is going to serve you. Get your food yourself.

[A red-eyed man peers at Rider from the next table over, eating some rice. He looks bored but slightly amused at the loud man, even going so far as to prop his head up on one fist.]

[macedonian]

[The surly attitude doesn't bother Rider at all, and he turns his attention to the other man with a smile]

Ahh, there are no servants? A shame! It is a small tragedy for a king to serve himself. [But he rises, clearly intending to do so] Is the food at least good to make up for this?

Floor 1

[doesnotgetit]

Unless you like a feast made of oatmeal, I think you'll be a little disappointed.

[Says a voice coming from the table next to Rider's. It's a girl, her plate filled with rather normal non-oatmeal-y food, looking a bit unsurprised at a guy of his size.]

That's the first thing you're supposed to eat.

[macedonian]

[He turns to look at her, scratching his beard with a rather perplexed expression]

Oatmeal, you say? Why is that, girl?

floor six

[ex_depaysement502]

[And his laughter is echoed by Juliet when she hears his proclamation, having been spyingobserving him since he caught her notice.]

I don't think everyone would be quite happy to be "claimed" without warning.

[macedonian]

[Rider's hand still rests on his spatha, and at the voice, his grip momentarily tightens. But it does relax once he turns to face her, though his hand of course remains there. He isn't without caution, though his friendly smile and general cheerful countenance may suggest otherwise.]

Then perhaps I shall issue one soon! I had set out to see if this strange place was worth being added to my territories, and I am pleased to see that it certainly is. A proclamation is surely in order, but there is still much for me to scout before I should do so.

floor one

[colonial]

[It would be pretty hard not to notice the large, loud man coming off of the elevator while its alarms blare, so America's standing up at his seat to get a better look. He's wary, as any colony would be, of strangers, but he's curious enough to risk it anyway, and so he hops down off the chair and approaches.]

What's mead?

[macedonian]

[Ah, a child? It's somewhat surprising to see someone so young here, but he takes this surprise without missing a beat.]

It is the drink of men, a wine of honey. [He chuckles] You have a bit of a ways to grow before you should taste it yourself, I should note!

[floor six]

[whiteblackknight]

[As light as it was, a plague of bats are not far away.]

[A very unnatural looking swarm of bats around a humanoid.]

[macedonian]

[Rider glances over towards the swarm of bats with a curious expression, but notices the figure amongst them. It doesn't seem to be threatened by the bats or threatening in his posture, but still. Rider prefers to take the cautious route here. He raises his hand in a hail, though the other stays on the hilt of his sword.]

Hello there! Are you well, friend?

Floor 6

[scorchedchivalry]

If that is what you consider a challenge these days, King of Conquerors, I may be forced to wonder what the Throne of Heroes has done to you over these last ten years.

[The short knight clad in a long black dress stepped about a tree to approach Rider. Her bleached out hair and pale eyes were different than the giant Servant would remember, but still, Saber was recognizable.]

[macedonian]

No, no, not truly a challenge. But I had worried that there would be no fight at all. I am merely glad to see that there is at least some.

[It's only then he turns to face her fully, though he had given a glance at the familiar voice. Normally he would laugh and jovially greet her, but the appearance throws him off. Rider leans forward a bit, still smiling, but it's not one that's to be taken as necessarily friendly.]

I thank you for the concern, though I admit freely that I am at a disadvantage here. If you speak of a decade past, then it seems you have changed much in them, Saber.

floor three

[sixthsense]

[Mio was passing through the library without much interest. She's been in a daze since the end of October, but staying still leads to worse things, so she's trying to keep herself moving. Still, as she passes through the library, her eyes remain on the floor. What she means to simply be nudging a book out of her direction is met with a bit more force than intended, so Rider might find one of his books sliding towards him, if not outright into him. Because what better way to make a first impression.]

[macedonian]

[It doesn't run into him, because Rider is more aware than that. Before it can manage, he catches it easily with his hand, not even glancing away from his (Greek) copy of The Iliad. After finishing a line, he glances up, chuckling as he looks toward the girl.]

I apologize, girl! Though I would gladly move elsewhere with a word, so that was rather unnecessary.

floor three

[liquidouroboros]

[...do you mind sir]

[The ponytailed blond in the dark green Navy SEAL uniform wasn't really accustomed to seeing people quite so...well, Rider-ish. So every so often he glanced up from his copy of one Sherlock Holmes tale or another to look over and wonder just what the hell.]

[Another soldier? No, this one seemed too strange even for FOXHOUND. Liquid could have just asked, but...well, how would that be quite as amusing, really?]

[So he just kept to himself for the moment, glancing at Rider every few pages and wondering just what his deal was, so to speak.]

[macedonian]

[It's as he's shifting from The Odyssey to The World Encyclopedia of Tanks & Armoured Fighting Vehicles that he glances up and makes eye contact with the other man. He could see the confusion in his expression, so Rider simply chuckles, raising a hand in greeting.]

Am I disturbing you? I had thought this was a good enough location, but if it troubles you, I will gladly move!

floor 3

[chainsawn]

[ Don't worry, Urotsuki doesn't think he's weird at all. In fact, this is pretty much more or less a normal sight for her, so she's just quietly staring at Rider as he's sitting there surrounded by all those books.. she even quietly picks up one, idly browsing through it as she tries to understand what it's saying. Apparently she's picked up the Iliad, and she's slowly starting to read out loud from it (as if the guy wouldn't even mind her suddenly speaking up) while she frowns as if she's trying to understand it. ]

'As a fire raging in some mountain glen after long drought-- and the dense forest is in a blaze, while the wind carries great tongues of fire in every direction-- even so furiously did Achilles rage, wielding his spear as though he were a god, and giving chase to those whom he would slay, till the dark earth ran with blood.' [ Just a mid-teens girl casually reading it in a blank voice, no big deal. ]

[macedonian]

[He had watched her pick up the book out of the corner of his eye, not stopping or commenting on it at all, but as she begins to read, he sets down his book to listen with eyes bright. Even if the delivery was not quite as exciting as he would warrant to the scene, he picks up the next line from memory, reading it with the tones of someone who had read it many times and carried the emotion of the scene in his words.]

"Or as one who yokes broad-browed oxen that they may tread barley in a threshing-floor- and it is soon bruised small under the feet of the lowing cattle- even so did the horses of Achilles trample on the shields and bodies of the slain."

[A pause, as he gestures widely with his hands] "The axle underneath and the railing that ran round the car were bespattered with clots of blood thrown up by the horses' hoofs, and from the tyres of the wheels; but the son of Peleus pressed on to win still further glory, and his hands were bedrabbled with gore."

[And then he grins at her, laughing] Quite a scene to imagine, eh?

Floor 1

[puppy_lancer]

Guess the Grail missed injecting you with the updates.

[Lancer had never seen this Servant around before, but even if he seemed a bit behind with his information, Lancer had to admire his spirit.]

[macedonian]

[He glances over, then immediately laughs. Clearly this man was another Servant with his words, and it was always exciting for Rider to meet another that the Throne of Heroes had chosen. After all, they were the best candidates to serve in his army.]

Ha, no such luck indeed! Though in fairness, it did not give me much initially... I would certainly think that the world leaders would be important, but it seemed to disagree! [He laughs again, more heartily] But ah, well. That is of little consequence now, eh? But you must be another Servant to speak so boldly of the Grail!

floor six and forgive this placeholder.....

[nohurryforglory]

Hoh? Lost already are you? To have your guard let down so easily already will surely only lead to trouble in the future! [But Saber says it all rather easily; it's nice to see someone with such a cheerful mood for once.]

it's ok i will wait 5eva for these two...

[macedonian]

[The voice isn't really that familiar, but when he turns to face the observer, Rider is caught by surprise, and visibly. This woman certainly bore quite the resemblance to Saber, but that manner of speaking was... Well. It was more his own than Saber's. Oh and if she's wearing her buttcleavage costume there's that...]

So it will! I had not expected a deer to provide much in the way of a threat, though I see that I was wrong in this assumption. [He chuckles] But at least I have learned this much from something simple! A deer is much more easily dispatched than other things, is it not?

[Which... addresses what she said, but this is a strange moment. He rubs the back of his head, looking down in thought, but then just ends up laughing once more] Though forgive me, but you bear quire a resemblance to someone I know! You... would not happen to be Saber, would you?

floor one

[swordedpast]

[Not far away, another man sets down a small parcel of cooking supplies and fixes Rider with a firmly unimpressed stare.]

You'll get a feast of oatmeal. Don't feel too bad. It's a good omen to say that this territory isn't worth conquering.

[macedonian]

[He laughs] Nonsense! There are few territories that are not worth the effort, and this one has already greatly caught my interest.

[But, conquering aside for the moment...] Though oatmeal, you say? Why should I feast upon that?

floor six

[mustlovedogs]

[Did this guy seriously just...lop off that deer's head? Good on him, with these demon animals or whatever they are, but - really, just like that? Mondo stands a few feet away from him, staring. That was kind of awesome.]

[macedonian]

[Rider is just kind of looking around and observing, trying to figure out which way he had come when he notices Mondo watching. His eyebrows raise slightly in surprise, but he's quick to raise a hand in greeting and smile.]

Hou, it seems I had an audience after all! I only spoke for the sake of speaking, but it seems my words were perhaps not for waste.

Floor 1

[fingerbangingood]

[Yusuke stood before Rider, on his plate, giant turkey legs with mashed potatoes. As it stood, he didn't like the high and mighty attitude. Well, not if he couldn't back it up anyway.]

First off pal, this kitchen ain't yours and yours alone. Second, gotta eat the oatmeal, or you're gonna heave everything and I ain't cleaning your goddamn mess. And third, our cooks don't seem to be here, so serve yourself.

[macedonian]

[Rider greets the attitude with a laugh, setting his hands on his waist]

Hou, so indeed? A shame! [Not that he seems very bothered by it...] But oatmeal, you say? I will take your advice, but I must ask why it should beget such a reaction.

Floor 3

[vermicompost]

[While shuffling through the library, Kariya is surprised to come across the giant man sitting on the floor in his path, reading. It would be hard to miss the sense of power emanating from him.

He stumbles, his left arm going slack, and he drops one of the books he's carrying, a volume on home remedies for various ailments. He's been researching healing, for reasons that may be obvious, as he's continued to waste away since arriving in the Tower.

At this point, he can't avoid the man, so he greets him as he leans down slowly to pick up his fallen book, forgetting to consider obscuring his Command Spells in any way.]

Oh--hello.

[Having had a mixed reception from Servants so far, he's wary, but also feeling somewhat fatalistic at the moment.]

[macedonian]

[Rider doesn't so much as glance up when the book is dropped, but when he's spoken to, he looks up with a friendly smile]

Ah, hello! I am not in your— [But he stops, noticing those Command Seals. His smile doesn't falter at all, but he looks up to see the person more clearly. And at first, he feels a sense of pity, for he can see immediately that this is a man who is burdened with a great sickness, though he doesn't even know the half of it... He doesn't close the book, but his voice does sound just lightly less friendly.]

Hou, how interesting. Yet another Master reveals themselves.

((ooc; I'm not 100% sure, so if Kariya and Rider did meet and it's just slipping my mind, pop me a PM and I'll fix this, haha!))

Floor 1

[sawthelockdown]

[Seriously, what's up with this guy? The weird behavior and the fact that he's a friggin' giant (grumble grumble not her fault she's a runt) causes her to end up addressing him as she passes by with a snack.]

Pretty sure this place is self-serve.

[macedonian]

[He glances down at her with an expression of light surprise]

...Ah, is that so? What a failure of a dining hall! No servants reduces it to something quite... Hm. [A pause, as he searches for the word, but just settles on the first one that comes to mind.] It is quite common, I suppose it would be.