towerofanimus | I Don't Think That's How...

Entry tags:

I Don't Think That's How...

Characters: Zero Lancer and whoever would like to join!
Setting: Starting in room 4-16, then heading to the cafeteria, and from there floor six.
Format: Whatever you would like!
Summary: Zero Lancer wakes up in a strange place and tries to figure out what's going on.
Warnings: Spoilers for Lancer's end in the series.

Room 4-16

[The moment he is able to move from the strange paralysis that has gripped him upon waking, Lancer's hand sweeps out to grab one of the two letters his eyes spot on the table near his bed. While the time he's been unable to move has been brief, for a trained warrior in a unfamiliar place, that time has still seemed like an eternity.

An eternity trapped in mystery. An eternity not knowing if his master...]

Right, my master...

[The word drips with an anger unusual to him as his empty hand rises to rest over his heart--over the place where there should have been a gaping hole from the spear he had been forced to drive through his own chest.

The wound is no longer there.]

What is going on? How can this be?

[Lancer's eyes focus back on the letter in his hand and he quickly opens it. After only a few moments, the letter floats onto his bed. Dropped in surprise? Shock? He's not really sure what to call the feeling that tears through his heart. Shock he had felt when he had been betrayed by the master he'd given everything to. Surprise he had felt when he realized, in those final moments, how angry it had made him.

The emotion he feels now that he has been told that his world is dead and he is still alive instead of it being the other way around is something he can't put a name to. And while he doesn't know what to call that emotion, he does know he can't just keep sitting on the bed in this strange place wondering what's going on.

Lancer quickly rises to his feet and summons his armor and spear to his side. The summoning is as natural to him as breathing and he never once doubts that they will come when called. He does, however, notice that while the white outfit had woke up in is now gone, the collar is still there. It's an annoyance, but something he can deal with later once he's gotten some answers.

He's about to leave his room when the trunk at the end of his bed catches his eye. He's not quite sure why, but he gets the feeling he should really look into it before leaving. If the letters had held information, then why not the trunk as well?

Anyone who happens by 4-16 and looks or stops in may find him still kneeling in front of the now opened trunk. Asking about what looks to be the tears in the corners of his eyes may or may not be a good idea.]

The Cafeteria

[While servants technically don't have to eat, since Lancer has no idea how things work in this strange place, he is currently eating a bowl of very tasteless oatmeal. Not that it really bothers him considering some of the things he had eaten while in the Fianna and on the run from Fionn. Tasteless actually is an improvement from what some of those things had tasted like.

To be honest, he's not here for the food anyway. Since the cafeteria was mentioned in the letter, it only stands to reason that a good number of people would be there--new and old alike. And that does seem to be the case, so the servant in green sits at one of the cafeteria tables slowly making his way through his own bowl, his head bowed over it almost as if he's shy. While he's not really shy, he is somewhat worried about his curse and how it will affect the people here. So far, though, no one seems to be having troubles with it leading him to hope that it's not active. Those who take the time to look into his eyes will find that, far from looking shy, they are observing the room and its occupants with an intensity that only those who have fought many many a battle can achieve.]

Floor Six

[After learning all he can in the cafeteria, Lancer decides to slowly start making his way back up the tower so that he can find out what secrets each floor holds. Already he's heard tell that many of the floors are dangerous and even deadly to those who make a misstep on them, but this floor seems far too peaceful for that. He takes a few steps away from the stairway, but doesn't go too far, keeping in mind the things he had overheard from others. How some floors look completely safe, only to become deathtraps in the blink of an eye.

Movement to his left draws Lancer's attention, but he smiles when he notices it's just a deer. A...mutated deer, but a deer just the same. In all honesty, it's not the strangest thing he's seen. He grew up in a world of oddities after all.

The deer watches him for a few moments longer before disappearing back into the forest. As it disappears, Lancer closes his eyes and draws in a deep breath. Maybe it is just because of what he found in his trunk, but this forest with all its oddities makes him feel strangely at home.

Unconsciously, his hand raises to touch the torc that sits tightly around his neck slightly above the collar. He could have worn it lower as he had when it had first been given to him, but no. Lancer can't stand the idea of the gift Oscar had spent so much time finding for him being hidden by that thing...that annoyance he still hasn't found a way to be rid of.

And so he stands there, lost in thought. Thoughts of the old days, of his old friends, things supposedly on a world that might or might not have been destroyed. He still isn't sure what he believes. He just knows that at least here he has these small things, these memories.

He didn't have any of that in the war...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Lancer looks up at the girl with a gentle smile on his face. She's not the first to have approached him since he sat down, but she is, perhaps, the most innocent seeming one--one who doesn't even remotely belong in a place like this if the rumors he is beginning to pick up from the conversions going on around him are the least bit true.]

Thank you for the advice, though it's really not that bad. At least not to me. I've had much worse during my life. Tasteless isn't always a bad thing.

[Tohko smiled in return and nodded.]

It may not be, but if there's a way to improve it, you should probably take advantage of it. And if you're new to the Tower, I could tell you what I know about it! That way, you'll know what you're up against.

Honestly, I actually don't need to eat. At least, on my world I didn't. I wasn't sure if that was the case here, though so I came down to check on it and see if there was anyone who might be willing to ease some of my confusion about all of this.

[Lancer bows to her as much as he is able from his seated position.]

I would be very grateful for whatever information you would be willing to share with me, My Lady.

[And Tohko will just give Lancer a puzzled look at that comment.]

Why don't you need to eat? Are you a ghost or something?

[She then chuckled as she thought.]

And you don't have to call me 'My Lady'. I'm Tohko Amano, the book girl.

As for this Tower, it's called Animus. As far as I know, four people run it: Dax, who's the most humane of the bunch, Jason, who loves to experiment and torture the residents, Ruana, who sees her twisted experiments as nothing more than a game, and Riki, who's a rather secretive fellow that manages the records. They will lie to you, so take everything they say with a grain of salt.

If you die here, you'll just wake up in your bed the next morning..but I'm sure that if you die too many times, you'll get punished, so be careful. And monsters roam the Tower at night. If you can't fight, you should probably start learning from someone.

[Tohko nodded to herself as she finished her infodump.]

And that's about it!

[Lancer gives her a good-natured smile.]

In some ways, I guess you could say I'm a ghost, but it's really more complex than that. I'm actually what is called a Heroic Spirit on my world. I'm a copy of a hero's soul that was recorded through magic after their death called back to life by even more magic and who usually lives off magical energy taken from the person who called me back into the world.

[He pauses and laughs.]

Did you get all of that? It's complex and very confusing. I only sort of understand it myself. We didn't have anything like this when I lived the first time.

[Once she finishes talking, he is quiet for a while processing all of the new information he's just received. It's a lot more than he expect from any one person and he's very grateful for it.]

Thank you very much, M....Lady Amano. You have no idea how grateful I am for your assistance. I've talked to a few people now, but none of them shared any information on the administrators themselves.

Please don't worry about my fighting skills. I wouldn't be much of a hero, let alone a knight, if I couldn't take on a few monsters. You call yourself a book girl, though. What does that mean? Is the title a reference to something that lets you fight? Or are you unprotected in this hellish place?

[And Tohko's eyes went wide at that as she burned the information onto her brain. So, that was how Alexander, Saber, and the Lancer she knew were warriors of old.]

No, it's alright! I understand, don't worry. So, you're part of the Holy Grail war..

[Tohko looked him over again and then chuckled.]

Is your 'name' Lancer, by any chance? You look similar to one I know in the Tower.

[She then smiled and nodded.]

Oh, you're welcome! I'm always happy to help out! And if you're involved in a war like that, I'm pretty sure that you're pretty strong. And while you can fight with books, it probably wouldn't be very good for the books. 'The book girl' is my title! After all, in my universe, there's no one else who knows more about books or loves them as much as I do!

However..I can fight. Saber's been giving me daily lessons and practice, so I've been improving, if I'm not the best.

[Tohko tapped her daggers as she said this.]

[Lancer tilts his head toward her politely.]

I am called Lancer, though that is only a title and not a true name. One of my roommates is another who goes by the name Lancer though he would be from a different war than my own. It seems someone thought it would be funny to put us into the same room.

I'm impressed you were able to follow all of that, but then again, if you spend as much time as you do with books, perhaps I shouldn't be. Reading and learning are very good hobbes to have. One of my best friends was a talent bard as well as a talented warrior. I learned much from him and the books he brought back to his tent.

You said you are being trained by a Saber? Then you are lucky indeed. I had the honor of fighting alongside the most honorable person I've ever met during the war and she was a Saber. If your teacher is anything like her, you are in the best hands you can be.

[Tohko nodded at this.]

Ah, alright then. I know it's not your true name..but I don't know who you really are, and even though I'm not in the war, revealing your true name to me might be dangerous..or so I've been told. And I'm sorry that you were put in the same room as him. It must have been another cruel joke of the Administrators.

[Tohko then sighed and smiled.]

Well, my love of books did help me with that, but Waver told me a lot about your world too! Not that he told me everything up front..I just managed to piece things together from what he said, and he eventually just stopped trying to hide things. And books are wonderful! It's good that you managed to learn a lot from your friend..even if you can't be with him nowadays.

[Another example of how immortality was a curse in disguise. Tohko nodded again.]

She is a great fighter..and I'm sure I'm in good hands..but I don't think the Saber I know is the same you do. She's not the type to let others fight alongside or even for her.

I wouldn't be surprised if she wasn't. After all, there is more than one Lancer here, why not more than one Saber? What matters in the end is that she is helping you learn to defend yourself and in a place like this, that is very good indeed.

[He nods his head, suddenly understanding why she seems so at ease about all of this.]

So, that is why you understand so well! You know a good number of the servants and masters here. Well, I don't know how they feel about hiding their identities, but the war is over for me. Even if I went home, all that would be left is the oblivion that returning to the Throne of Heroes would provide. So, let me greet you as a true knight should.

[Lancer stands up and bows to her, properly this time.]

My name is Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, First Warrior of the Fianna. It is an honor to meet you.

Well, it is nice that she's teaching me how to fight and giving me practice..but I wish she would accept the idea of having others fight by her side. I'd like to fight with her, as a friend, but she doesn't seem open to that idea.

[Tohko lightly chuckled and nervously smiled.]

Not that that'll stop me from doing so. And it's hard not to know them when there are so many of them around. But it's good to hear that the war is over for you. I've heard that it's a terrible, dangerous thing, even if it is short.

[And at that introduction, Tohko just pauses for a moment before curtseying, a sad smile on her face.]

No, the pleasure is all mine! It's nice to finally meet you, Diarmuid! I read a lot of stories about you back home, and they were always delicious. It's wonderful to finally meet you in person.

Give her time. I suspect she is merely worried that her student might get hurt and that would be unacceptable. Someday once you have had the chance to practice more and gain more experience, she may change her mind.

[He lets her excitement about the war being over for him pass without comment. While she might know a lot about how the wars work, it's obvious she doesn't know everything and it would probably just upset her to know that for a servant the war being over means nothing good.

He blushes slightly as she starts talking about having read his stories, but he's distracted from his embarrassment by one of her word choices.]

I have heard the stories of my legend called many things, but I don't think I've ever heard 'delicious' before. Is there a specific reason you picked that word?

[Tohko sighed and scratched her head at that.]

I don't think that's the reason..after all, she's been teaching me for three months now. But that may not be enough time, in her mind..so hopefully she'll change it soon.

[Tohko scratched her head and chuckled nervously when he asked about her word choice.]

Erm..that's because writing and cooking are quite similar! After all, if you're new to it, it's best to just stick with the recipe until you know what you're doing, and if you take too long with it or don't use enough time, it won't turn out well!

You must think of it from a warrior's prospective, Lady Amano. We have trained all of our lives. You have trained only a few months. To us that is no time at all even though you may feel it's a long time for you. Just be patient. I'm sure in time she will see your skill and talent.

[Lancer nods. While her nervousness at his question seems odd, he lets the explanation pass without question.]

I suppose that is true. I can't claim to have extensive experience with writing. That was best left to Oisin. I do have some skill in cooking, but never from a recipe. I guess I will just have to take your word for it.

[Tohko sighed.]

That might be true..hopefully she'll change her mind soon. I'd like to be her friend, even if she does think she has to be all alone.

[In her head, Tohko had a sigh of relief, and she gave Lancer a smile.]

Well, if you want, I could teach you about writing and cooking. I'm already teaching someone else in the Tower, so I wouldn't mind teaching you.

Don't ever give up on being her friend even if you give up on everything else. No one should be alone.

[He reaches out and gives her a gentle pat on the shoulder.]

If the situation were different, I would be glad to take you up on your offer. At least on the cooking. There are a few things I know how to make very well, but that is all outdoors cooking. Somehow I doubt I will have the chance to do that anytime soon. Learning to make modern food would probably be a lot of fun, but it since I don't have to eat, I don't know if I could justify spending the time to learn. Not when I should be out helping others or finding a way to get out of this place.

[Tohko chuckled at his words and nodded.]

Don't worry, I'm not going to give up on her! Even if she hates me for it, I'll fight by her side and will keep trying to be her friend. Being alone is pretty painful..while I don't know the full extent of it like some other people here, I do know that it's pretty terrible.

[At the pat on her shoulder, Tohko smiled and..shook her head.]

Diarmuid..I have been in this Tower for three months. I can assure you that you'll have plenty of time to cook a meal or three..and even if you can't eat, there are plenty of other people who have to, and since they sometimes cut off our food supplies, learning how to cook would be helpful to quite a few people. Cooking is one way to help when you can't help with anything else.

They have cut off the food supply? But then what have those who have needed to eat, eaten? Are the mutated animals I've heard inhabit some of the floors actually edible?

In that case, perhaps I will have to impose upon you to teach me some after all. While I am more of a fighter or hunter than cook, something tells me that all of those things together might be what makes me most useful should they ever decide to cut food off to you again.

And I'm sure those who would be eating my cooking would be very glad for the modern techniques. Somehow, I don't think many people here would be able to appreciate the unique taste that most outdoor food from my day had.

[Tohko smiled and nodded.]

Yup! The animals here are edible, even though you do have to hunt, skin, and cook them yourself. And don't worry, it's no trouble for me to teach you how to cook with modern appliances. While there may be a few people here who are used to that, there are probably a lot more who would appreciate an oven rather than a bonfire.

The hunting and skinning part is no problem. I lived for a long time off what the forest could give me. But, you are right about most people not wanting to eat something cooked over a bonfire. It's not been done for a very long time.

I have been assigned to room 4-16. I don't know how often I will be there, but you can always leave a note so I know when you have some free time to teach me. I know a lot of people also use the Network, but I'm afraid I probably won't be anytime soon. I really prefer talking to people face to face.

[Well, that and he really has no idea how it works even after the letter's explanation and what little information the Grail has given him on computers.]

[At that, Tohko nodded.]

It hasn't, and while I imagine that there are a few people here who would be used to that, the majority wouldn't appreciate it.

[Another nod as Tohko burned the information onto her brain and smiled.]

Ah, alright then! I'll do that, and you can always find me in the library if you need me. I spend most of my time there. And since you don't know much about modern cooking, you probably don't know too much about the Network either. I could teach you about that too, if you want.

I appreciate the offer. I'm not sure when I will be ready since my first priority will be to learn all I can about this place and who I can help here. I wouldn't be much of a knight if I let other things come before that. Once I have learned all I can, I will come to the library to find you. It might be easier that way anyway.

[He tilts his head at her with a smirk.]

The Lancer class isn't known as the fastest and most agile class without reason. I'm sure I can cover the floors and stairs much faster than you can.

[Tohko chuckled and scratched her head nervously at that comment.]

That's probably true..while I'm not slow on the steps, you might be faster than me. However, you don't have to worry about when. Just figure out what you need to figure out and come find me whenever you want. I'm always happy to teach and help out! I guess we're similar in that regard.

Indeed it seems like we are. And I suspect you are a wonderful teacher so it will be an honor to be your student.

[He again bows to her from his seated position.]

I was a teacher once too, though I taught something much different from what you are offering to teach me. The Fianna were the most skilled fighters in my homeland and I had the honor of being able to teach some of them as well as fight besides them.

[Tohko chuckled nervously and scratched her head at that comment.]

Well, I don't know if I'm the best, but I can tell you what I know. And learning how to fight is important here too! It's great that you were able to teach a few of them and fight alongside them. I know that there are a few people here who wouldn't mind if you taught them your skills.

Is there a lack of people willing to teach the ways of fighting in this place? If so, I would be glad to help whoever wished to learn. I just don't know how I would go about organizing such a thing. Back in my day, we were all like family. We just came to one and other when we needed something. Here that is not so easy to do.

And what of the administrators? Would they frown on someone organizing such a thing?

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He will destory the kitchen because what is an ovan?

That's what Tohko's here for. But she may not always be the best teacher, seeing as she eats books.

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