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

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?

Oh, there's no lack of people willing to teach, but there's no shortage of students either. And there's a small fighting school set up here that you can be a part of. It's run by a man named Reno, who has red hair and can usually be found in the Gym. He probably wouldn't mind if you joined. And..that does sound like a wonderful way to live. It's a shame that things aren't the same way here.

[Tohko sighed, thinking, before moving on.]

I wouldn't worry about the Administrators. They don't really care what we do, as long as we don't destroy their Tower or try to mess up their games. The fighting school has been in operation for quite some time, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Reno? And in the gym. I will remember that. Thank you. My fighting style is kind of unique, but that doesn't mean I can't still teach the basics.

[Lancer smiles at her happily. He's actually a little excited about the prospect of not only teaching again, but also finding other strong fighters he might be able to spar against.]

And it would be a shame if I let myself get rusty. Fighting monsters is one thing, but fighting other people is something completely different.

Yup, Reno in the gym. And you're welcome! And people probably won't mind your fighting style as long as you can teach them how to fend for themselves.

[Tohko then gave a small smile in return.]

That's true. You shouldn't run dry of people to spar with here either. There are a lot of people here who like a good spar. You probably won't get rusty while you're here.

[Lancer laughs.]

Well, I'm not sure how many people would like to learn to duel wield spears, but I suppose that won't be too much of a problem since I can just as easily only use one.

[He pauses, his face saddening suddenly.]

Actually, I only do have one now so I guess that won't be a problem after all.

[And Tohko will look puzzled.]

..I'm sure plenty of people might like to know that..but what's wrong with only having one spear? Was the other one important to you?

You know so much about masters and servants, but you don't know about noble phantasms?

[Lancer looks kind of surprised, but shrugs it off.]

A servant's noble phantasms are weapons or other magical items that are literally a part of them--something that is as well known to them as their legend is to others. In my case, my noble phantasms are my spears both of which were gifts to me during my first life. I can summon them at will and they answer to no one but me.

During the war I was in before coming here, I had to make a painful choice. We were fighting a monster that could only be defeated if I sacrificed my weapon to allow a fellow servant access to her full abilities again. Hundreds of innocent lives vs one spear. There was no choice really. A knight could never allow so many innocent people to be hurt. So, I destroyed my spear and I will miss her presence by my side forever, but I will never regret it.

[Tohko sighed at that.]

I'm sorry..I know what Noble Phantasms are, but I wasn't aware that your spears were yours. I'm sorry to hear that you had to destroy something so precious to you. I know it saved a lot of lives, which is good..but it always hurts to lose something like that.

Okay, that makes a little more sense. I was wondering how you could know so many servants and not had one of them show off their 'toys' to you.

[Lancer smiles kindly at her.]

It does hurt, I won't deny that, but had I been so selfish as to allow those people to die just so I could keep my spear...that would have been a wound that would never have healed. I would never have been able to call myself a knight again.

Well, I haven't seen any of them..but I have heard of them.

[Tohko smiled back..but it was a little smaller than his.]

Oh, I understand..I would have done the same thing, if I were you. You were up against a rock and a hard place and did what you could. It's good that you were able to save all those people..but it's also a tad sad that you had to lose something like that. That's all.

Yes, but lets not dwell on that sadness any longer. I think I'm ready to start exploring this place a little further now.

[Lancer rises to his feet and holds out a hand to her.]

Is there someplace I could see you to, My Lady, before I go? Consider it a thank you for all of your help.

[Tohko chuckled and, while she took his hand, she shook her head.]

Oh, you don't have to thank me! I'm just happy that I can help. However, if there's someplace you would like to go, I can show you where it is.

My plans were just to start at the second floor and work my way up until it got close to nightfall. Then I was going to move closer to my dorm floor and see how the monster levels change. I've heard things are much more dangerous at night around here and I don't want to be caught on an unfamiliar floor and having to deal with an upswing in monsters at the same time.

Do you have any suggestions or warnings for me?

[Tohko nodded at that plan. It sounded pretty sensible to her..except for the monsters. Those were probably to be avoided.]

I can already tell you that monsters don't come on the dorm floors. But that sounds like a pretty good plan! However..this Tower is a little unstable sometimes, depending on the floor. Just be cautious and you should be fine..at least, that's what I think.

I had heard that, yes, but it's good to get confirmation that the dorms are a safe place should I get into more trouble than I can handle. Hopefully, though, it won't come to that. I am thinking of scouting out the two or three floors beneath the dorms and finding which seems the safest to observe from. If any of them can be considered safe that is. In a place like this, it is hard to say if anything really is safe or not.

Please don't worry about me, though. I have no intentions of getting myself killed because of recklessness. If I cannot find a floor I feel comfortable observing from I will abandon my plans until I can get someone to help me.

Well, there are a few places that are safe..but your plan does sound good. Hopefully it'll work out for you.

[Tohko then chuckled a little.]

While I can't promise that I won't worry, I'll try not to worry too much. However, if you need my help, feel free to ask. I'm a simple book girl, but I might be able to help in a fight.

[He bows to her again.]

Thanks you. I will keep that in mind, Lady Amano. Now, are you sure I can't see you somewhere? To the library you so love, perhaps? Otherwise, I shall take my leave. I want to cover as much ground as I can today.

[Tohko sighed and smiled.]

If you want to accompany me to the library, I won't stop you..but really, if you have to go and explore, you don't have to worry about me. I can make it on my own.

It is no bother at all. If you give me the directions, I can have us there in merely a heartbeat.

[Lancer smirks, and then, before she can object farther, carefully and quickly gathers her into his arms.]

Lead the way, My Lady!

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