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's eyes flash with a sudden anger.]

It's not a laughing matter! As a matter of fact, I did not have a lot of fun with the ladies. It was quite the opposite. I caused a good many people no end of grief. My friends, the Fianna, my Master...

[It takes him a few seconds to understand why the other Lancer is reacting this way, but when he does, his expression falls.]

...Sometimes, being too popular sucks.

[There is a question hanging on the tip of his tongue. That is, would they really go so far as to begrudge a knight they fought alongside one woman? Even if they should have realized his curse? But he cannot say it because he knows of how jealous he would have gotten over his own wife.]

Sorry.

Don't be. It's not like it's your fault.

[He turns away and takes a few steps from the other man before speaking again in a less harsh voice.]

I'm not looking for pity if that's what you are thinking. I just want you to understand since you seem familiar with his legend. I...wanted to be someone he would have been proud to know. Someone who could carry his legend on as in my own. He's so important to my people...my history.

I failed...so badly. I just should stop saying it.

[He can't say how proud he is for getting to know the other Lancer, but he knows that this other Lancer is an okay guy, one who he could probably like as a friend.]

It's...it's not like he didn't fail, you know. Sometimes even heroes set out to do something and fall flat on their faces. Doesn't happen all the time, but every once in a rare while it does.

[Lancer looks back at him over his shoulder. There is gratitude in his eyes, but also a fair bit of sadness.]

Thank you, but you don't understand and I don't wish to bore you with the story of my failures. It might just be best to say that his failures would be the greatest of successes with compared to mine.

[He turns away again and his voice softens.]

Really his failures aren't even in the same league as mine.

[And here is where Lancer can no longer take it and bursts out laughing.]

Oh come on, are they really that terrible? The things you brought about with your own hands, and not just the things that happened to you?

[Lancer's eyes narrow angrily again.]

I never got to bring anything about with my own hands. Instead I was forced to betray my master and run from those who had been my friends. Happy?

[He pauses for a moment after his outburst and then adds so softly it's almost inaudible.]

I suppose there are my children, but if they accomplished any great deeds, I doubt I had much to do with it. I wasn't able to be with them long enough to be much of an influence.

Then how can you call those failures your failures? How can you call them failures to begin with? If you never chose to take the actions that led you down that path, then you didn't fail. It's not like, oh, say, letting your Master die because you were too busy having your own fun to save them!

[Plus, his children outlived him. Just that was something better than the Hound had ever experienced.]

Cu Chulainn failed, but it was his own fault and no one else's.

[The other man's anger does nothing but feed his own, though Lancer is still clear headed enough to wonder why that is.]

You don't understand so stop talking like you....

[He stops suddenly as something clicks over in his head. Somehow realizing what the other man has just implied makes him even angrier and his eyes narrow into slits.]

Did you let your master die because you were to busy screwing around? What kind of servant...no, what kind of hero, are you?

Yeah, that's what makes me a failed Servant.

[A bitter smile.]

I though I could save her, but I was too slow.

[He's getting better with saying this. Part of Lancer is disgusted with himself, even if this is just part of moving on.]

[The admission is like someone placing a calming balm over Lancer's anger and a small smile crosses his face.]

Then we will be failed together. May we both do better this time.

[Cu Chulainn's expression brightens as well.]

Yeah, this time. You gonna find yourself a good Master? Or are you gonna wait for your old one? Or are you just gonna give the Servant thing a rest?

[Lancer's eyes narrow again, but the anger in them isn't directed at his roommate.]

I would have no interest in finding my master even if he were to show up here. I suppose that means I'm on my own unless I find someone who needs one such as I to protect them.

Was he a bad Master?

[That's the only excuse he can think of for this other Lancer's assertions.]

That's a good goal. Saber told me that you get into less trouble when you find someone to protect.

He ordered me to kill myself in the middle of an honorable duel with another servant. What do you think?

[The words are out before Lancer even realizes it and it surprises him at how willing he is to tell the other man what happened.]

I shouldn't have been surprised. He never trusted me--never cared that I was honor bound to obey him. He had no idea what it meant to be a knight and I don't think he cared to be honest. Nothing I could do was good enough for him. But then again, when you are a replacement servant, I guess that is to be expected.

[That sounds extremely bitter, even to Lancer himself, but he's not sorry for saying it. Every word is true.]

[He listens intently to the other Lancer's tale.]

What an asshole. And? What happened to him? Did you take him out before disappearing?

[Death was too good for a Master like that one.]

[Lancer shakes his head.]

I didn't have the chance. When he gave the order, he was in a building well away from where I was fighting Saber. By the time he came down to where we were fighting, I was fading and didn't have the strength to make my way to him. It would have been hard to anyway, with my own spear through my heart.

[Not to mention he had been too busy ranting and raving at the world to do it, but that bit of information Lancer doesn't feel like sharing.]

If I had to guess, I think someone working with Saber offered him the chance to make sure he and his fiancee left the war alive so he took it. I don't think Saber herself knew, though. Nor the white haired woman who I believe was her master. They both looked so shocked when it happened. The only reason I think the man was related to them at all was because they didn't react to him as if he was a stranger. Just someone who had done something unexpected.

So for all I know Kayneth Archibald El-Melloi and Sola-Ui Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri went on to be happily married and have several children...

All right, so I don't believe that. Not at all. But they did probably survive the war. I can't imagine him allowing for a mistake in a deal such as that.

He didn't deserve that.

[He has never heard of the names before, but now, he'll be on the lookout for any Kayneth. If only to rough him up a bit.]

No, you didn't deserve that. Your Grail War seems like shit.

[Lancer had been lucky, getting a Master that he actually liked. Now he feels more guilt than he ever had, knowing he squandered that chance.]

At least it might be better here for you.

No...the Grail War was nothing as I expected it would be. The only shining point was having the chance to meet someone as noble and honorable as the King of Knights. I just wish we had been able to complete our duel.

Well, if nothing else, I am alive here for good or ill.

[He motions back to the trunk at his feet.]

And it has given back to me some very precious items--links to my first life. That is more than I ever had in the war.

The King of Knights, huh?

[Lancer personally thought the man was an overly formal prick, but he won the heart of a girl like Ayaka. And he truly was skilled with his sword.]

Must have been fun to fight him. Maybe he'll get over here too someday.

[Lancer looks at his roommate, confused for a moment, and then he laughs lightly.]

Second magic, is it? Yes, it was a honor to fight her. I take it the King of Knights from your world is more like the legends say and actually male instead of a woman who was forced to play the role her whole life.

[He has to take a second to absorb that.]

Wait, so you're from one of those universes with that female Saber? She's uh...already here.

[He and Ayaka seemed to be the only ones who could recall the male King of Knights. It still seemed a little odd to think of the two Sabers as different versions of the same being. However, a version of himself had come and gone, so he should probably try getting used to the thought of having two copies of the same hero in one Tower.]

Yes. I--

[Lancer stops suddenly as what the other man said hits him. She's here? Saber is here? For a moment, all he can think of is how wonderful it will be to see her again--to a have the chance to finish what they had started in the war.

Then he remembers the war...remembers why they weren't able to finish their duel. For all he knows, she will want to have nothing to do with a knight as dishonorable as he. What right does he have to force his presence on her no matter how much he might want to?]

It's good she's here. The people of the tower are lucky to have such an honorable and noble light fighting for them.

She's a good person. A little strict, but a good person, really.

[Not even knowing she has Angra Mainyu changes that. She was, for all her corruption, a noble knight at the core. Nobler than Lancer himself on some points.]

I think I'm lucky to know a person like her, at least.

You are.

[Lancer quirks an eyebrow at the other man and then smirks.]

And it's good you realize that or else I would have to knock some sense into your head.

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