001. ♔ +1 Hero Type

[holyswordwielder]

Characters: ProtoSaber and you!
Setting: Various floors; dorms, the beach on floor 62, the kitchen on floor 60, and the cafeteria.
Format: Prose to begin with, but I will match you.
Summary: Saber has just arrived in the Tower and he is searching for his Master. (Note: If you've started a thread with Saber in the Test Drive Meme and would like to continue it here, just drop me a note!)
Warnings: Uh. A King Arthur who's a dude.

♔ DORMITORIES
Immediately upon his awakening, the first thing Saber thinks to do is, predictably, look for Ayaka. This is not to say that their sudden, inexplicable change of location and the documents the apparent "hosts" of this strange place provided for him do not concern him, for they do, but what is the point of worrying about any of that if he is not with his Master? For a Servant, being unable to sense the Master's presence is more than simply alarming— it serves as knowledge of how real the likelihood of vanishing is; for Saber, it is proof of his failure to fulfill his purpose, his only goal, because neither he nor Ayaka ever wanted the Grail and all the pursuit of it entails.

He checks every floor of the dormitories and finds evidence of the girl being somewhere in the Tower — her name on a wall — but he has yet to find her. Asking around doesn't seem to get him much either, so he tries to think like Ayaka. Where would she spend her time? What would she do while here alone? Stay somewhere safe... The living quarters seem to be the best place for that so far...

Ah, but Ayaka is a human girl. She does need to eat.

♔ FLOOR 62 ; BEACH
As luck would have it, the cafeteria is near the ground level of the tower and while that didn't seem like it would be trouble at first, realizing that the dormitories are on the highest floors of a tower that seemingly stretches on forever was a shocking moment. Just what was this place? Saber opted for the stairs and as he began his descent, he checked several floors in hopes he'd come across one that seemed like an ideal hiding place for one particular awkward, teenaged girl.

One such floor is obviously supposed to be a beach, but as far as Saber knows, it's not possible to contain an entire beach complete with its own sun and wind, brine and sand, indoors. It's unnatural, therefore the only reasonable explanation he can come up with is magi. Obviously, magic on a scale he's seen only a few times in his life. He doesn't know enough about magecraft to know if this is even possible for an average magus. Some time spent surveying the waves leads him not to trust the safeness of the water's movements and he has to wonder why someone would craft an ocean that seems so eager to swallow someone up.

♔ FLOOR 60 ; KITCHEN
Knowledge of modern technology imparted upon him from the Holy Grail only goes so far when it comes to understanding all the equipment inside the huge kitchen. He understands refrigeration and some of the tools, but he's never seen a freezer as large as the one he finds here, so he walks inside of it, curious.

"Do they prepare meals here? It's still a long ways from the cafeteria."

♔ CAFETERIA
With the amount of people bustling around, a mealtime is underway and everything smells rather... floral. Being a Servant of sorts, Saber doesn't require food or sleep, but as he passes some of the tables, he can't help glancing at the plates of food and wondering what they taste like. It's been a very long time since he's enjoyed such a well prepared meal and a good cup of tea. Perhaps if Ayaka is here...

Comments

dormitories;

[angramaintsu]

[ Standing in one of the hallways of the dormitories is someone who's bound to set of warning sirens in the mind of a Servant if they're keen enough with their abilities. Rin doesn't seem terribly bothered by his presence himself as she lifts her gaze from the book in hand to acknowledge him. ]

Don't you think it's creepy to look at those nameplates? Some of us prefer privacy.

[holyswordwielder]

[ With the aura she's radiating, Saber is surprised he didn't sense her while he was on the last floor still. He stops heading to the next door to read that nameplate as well in favor of regarding her seriously. So far, her demeanor doesn't seem like she'll be a threat to him, but he's still wary of her. ]

Not when they are clearly laid out for public use. Some of us have people we wish to find.

[ And protect, but if she hasn't figured that out already, he's not going to offer up the information freely. ]

[greyerrant]

Saber can see a huge armored knight eating with no apparent gusto in the cafeteria, apparently the fancy flower-based food of this month doesn't appeal to him. He has a sober mien about him, and simply grinds through the food like an industrial machine. His war plate whirs and hums as he eats and moves, though he doesn't initially acknowledge the once and future king. Finally, he looks up, and will meet Saber's eyes with deep set grey eyes, framed by a craggy face and crowned with blond hair so light as to be almost silver.

And at that point he will manage a slow nod, and nothing else.

[holyswordwielder]

Given that the majority of the Tower residents do not seem to be knights, Saber is surprised to see another one in full armor. No, the man does not strike him as someone who would be impressed with the menu this afternoon.

He returns the nod, but doesn't disrupt his meal out of respect.

Cafeteria

[heavenscorpse]

Are you hungry?

[An angel has noticed all his glancing.]

There's more than enough for everyone. You can have some if you want.

[holyswordwielder]

[ Saber blinks in surprise, dragging his eyes away from the tables and looking in the direction of the voice. ]

Ah... in a sense. Is everyone here a refugee from a supposedly dead world?

Cafeteria

[eldork]

[ And there's going to be a redhead who seems to be... eating so fast that it's impolite. So sorry, Proto!Seiba, but this guy just can't help it when it comes to food. So yeah.

ANYWAY, this Els dude is probably near your seat, or even just next to yours. Soon though, he notices the curious gaze of the man in armor. Cue pausing the meal. ]

You're hungry, buddy?

[ OMNOMNOMNOM. ]

[holyswordwielder]

[ When he's addressed, Saber watches the young man eat with just a brow arched slightly in concern with how quickly he goes about shoveling food into his mouth. He's not offended or appalled though; surprisingly, he's seen grown men with worse table manners. He cracks a small smirk. ]

Not nearly as much as you are, I'd wager.

cafeteria

[puppy_lancer]

[Lancer has to do a double take when he sees Saber standing in the cafeteria.]

S-saber?

[He asks cautiously. After all, there's more than one person in this Tower who has that face.]

[holyswordwielder]

[ The sight of Lancer causes Saber to tense and he actually has to focus on not summoning his armor and Excalibur there. They're in public, after all, and disturbing the meal of all these people isn't something even he is willing to do. ]

Lancer...

[Beach]

[bigbridgebattler]

[Further down the beach is a large man clad in red. He seems to be looking out over the ocean, contemplating the landscape same as Arthur is.

He doesn't seem to notice Arthur as he draws his own katana and begins taking practice swings against the salty air.]

[holyswordwielder]

[ It would be hard to miss the other man on the beach, with how his red clothing stands out against the white of the sand. Saber watches him cut for a while before he decides to approach him. It may be worth it to learn what he can from this man, if there is anything to learn. He walks across the beach to him, being sure to stay out of any blind spots. ]

Beach

[vermicompost]

[Kariya is here, camera in hand, taking pictures. He won't venture into the water, but he stands near it, the waves almost lapping at his shoes. It's hard to take a photo of the water to his liking, to capture the light on the waves, but that's exactly what he's trying to do. He's so intent on his task that he doesn't immediately realize that someone else is there. It's not anything Saber does that alerts him to the fact, but the sense of power that suddenly washes over him. He lowers his camera with a start, turning toward Saber.]

Oh. Hello.

[Another Servant? There's something familiar about this man, but he can't say what it is.]

[holyswordwielder]

[ The energy emanating from the other man feels a little familiar, in that Saber knows he's encountered something like it recently. Another Master? Just how many were here? And from how many wars...?

Saber nods to him in greeting. ]

If you mean me no harm, then I mean you none.

[ And by the looks of it, he doesn't. Saber can't help eying the camera in his hands, for although he knows what it is and what it does, he hasn't seen one personally before. The idea of such a small contraption managing to capture and produce still images is fascinating. ]

dormitories

[bowandblade]

[Someone is whistling as he browses over the tower network from one of the hallway alcoves. Archer doesn't usually take the time to hop on the network, but sometimes reading it had benefits; there were some anonymous postings that were helpful, and it had led to him finding out about the Lancer of Fianna's party.

Of course, his browsing does not keep him from sensing the presence of another Servant nearby. It's just that there's so many Servants in the Tower that one being nearby doesn't really mean as much as it did before.

So. Whistling.]

[holyswordwielder]

[ It is really only Saber's sense of possibly misguided honor that stops him from using Excalibur to immediately decapitate Archer the moment he realizes the other Servant is not paying any attention whatsoever to the fact that he is nearby. He knows he senses him, but everything about his demeanor screams that he just does not care.

Still, Saber stops a few feet behind him and watches him for a short while before he finally tries to draw his attention away from the computer: ]

Luck would have it that you were not destroyed with the rest of the world.

Floor 62: the Beach

[chevalier_mal_fet]

[Normally, he'd be more inclined to sit by one of the Tower's Lakes-- but today he finds the rush and wash of the waves more agreeable. Soothing, even. Lancelot stands back from the shore, seemingly content to watch the waves, his shoes in one hand. He's removed his socks and gloves, and his jacket he's folded over one arm.

It's a beautiful day, if a false one, and he is intent on enjoying the air, the feel of the sun on his face. He's left his Master to his own devices, and his time is as much his own as it ever is. Though of course he can feel the thread of his Master's thought pulling at him always. The feeling is not unpleasant.

But no peace was meant to last forever, and there is a Servant up the beach-- not one known to him.
Opening his eyes to examine the Man is no more help. Though he is obviously a Knight-- if Lancelot did not know better, he might say Gawain, but the bearing is all wrong. Still, the strange Servant is so reminiscent of-- someone.

He crosses the sand to stand nearer the Man, his unbound hair whipping around his face as he watches the Servant follow the push and rush of the false Ocean.]

Well met, Servant.

[holyswordwielder]

[ The distinct presence of another Servant in close proximity still alarms Saber enough that he weaves his armor around him on reflex and because there is no one else around on this beach, he calls Excalibur with Invisible Air bound to it to his side as well.

It is when he turns to see the other man approaching him that he almost loses his grip on the sword and his stature certainly grows weaker. His brows knit together, as it is painful to see this fellow knight, and he feels the blood drain from his face as the shock leaves him feeling disoriented.

All he does is stare, but he would recognize him anywhere, no matter how much time had passed: Lancelot. ]

Floor 60; Kitchen

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid is passing through the floor on one of his usual patrols when he hears a voice and then senses the presence of a servant that is unknown to him. It is not that which gives him pause, though. It is the echoing quality of the man's voice since that means he is lingering in a place he should not unless he wishes to find himself locked into the freezer for an indefinite amount of time.

And as if to prove the point, Diarmuid's dash into the room is just in time to catch the door and keep it from slamming shut. It is just another reminder to him of why it's so important to get the notes about the floors out as soon as possible.]

I apologize for the intrusion, but it's not safe to stand overly long inside of anything on this floor. It may look like the administrators have actually given us something useful here, but it, like so much else in this place, is actually very dangerous.

[Well, perhaps not so dangerous to a servant, but since he knows nothing about this one's abilities, it is better to be safe than sorry.]

[holyswordwielder]

[ Saber looks at the other Servant with some curiosity. He's sure the other man recognizes him for what he is, just as he does, but then... helping him? And speaking to him so casually... as though they aren't enemies for the simple fact that they are Servants. ]

Thank you, but, as you know, I was in no danger.

[ Still, he steps out of the freezer and brushes the frost that's collected on his black coat sleeves from where he leaned against the shelving inside. ]

I am quickly learning though that most is not what it may seem at first here.

kitchen;

[chainsawn]

Sometimes.

[ Don't mind that girl appearing out of literally nowhere behind you, Saber. She has an effect that can turn her invisible, that makes it easier to walk around so sometimes she uses it.. but she at least is polite enough to appear when she speaks up.

At least she's holding the door open like this since she's leaning against it with her back. ]

[holyswordwielder]

[ Saber turns at attention to the girl and although he doesn't act against her, the way she simply appeared makes him wary of her. ]

As I said, it seems illogical, considering how far from the cafeteria this floor still is.

[Dormitories]

[doesnotgetit]

Looking for someone?

[Oh hey there's a girl standing close by as he examines the nameplate of one room.]

It might be better to just ask around. There are a lot of people in the tower, so reading every nameplate is going to take a while.

[holyswordwielder]

[ Saber glances to the girl, then shakes his head. ]

I know that the person I am looking for is here. I just don't know where. She wasn't in her room.

Dorm floors

[killadeadman]

Gangrel's relieved to get out of his new room and the abysmal company in it. Two heroes is too many, and the whole mess is compounded by the fact that one of his dear ol' roommates probably wouldn't mind seeing him dead. Knight-folk really don't let things go, do they?

Naturally, the last thing the gaudy man wants to see is another knight-looking man striding determinedly down the hall. The logical action would be standing to the side, quietly passing by, and paying this man no heed.

"Well, isn't that the look of a man on a mission."

So of course Gangrel doesn't keep his damn mouth shut.

[holyswordwielder]

Saber doesn't like the looks of the stranger, but he doesn't even slow his pace as he walks right last him. He offers him a friendly smile though and as he keeps right on walking, he calls back to him over his shoulder:

"My apologies! I haven't the time to spare. 'Man on a mission', as you said!"

BEACH;

[ladygreensleeves]

England liked the peace and quiet of the beach, the way she could almost allude herself that she was back on English shores. It was a good place to unwind, and easy to keep out of danger, as long as one avoided the water.

She was sat on the sand, a few meters from where the Servant stood. She'd been reading a Charles Dickens novel, Great Expectations, but couldn't help but stop and watch the man curiously. England shut her book, frowning over at him. "I hope you aren't planning on taking a dip."

[holyswordwielder]

Saber glances at the young woman and shakes his head with a bit of a scoff.

"I can tell it's not wise," he reassures her, which is the truth. He has no intention of going swimming. "I'm looking for someone and when I saw the beach, I thought that perhaps she might be here, but obviously that isn't so."

cafeteria;

[fionnuisce]

[Waver had been simply sitting at a table and minding his own business, drinking a cup of tea and writing in a small notebook. Upon sensing the presence of an unfamiliar Servant, the ponytailed magus in black and green paused--the possibility always existed that one could be hostile. His right hand curled into a fist before relaxing, mind going to the Command Spells burned in bright scarlet. He could call Diarmuid if necessary, that fact setting him a little more at ease.]

Are you looking for something?

[Adjusting the sunglasses he wore on his head, Waver seemed the picture of casual conversation despite his uncertainty. And...didn't this Servant look familiar somehow?]

[holyswordwielder]

[ It's been a long trip down through the Tower, so by now, Saber is used to detecting magical energy and sensing the presence of other Servants and Masters so often in this place. Still, it makes him uncomfortable to know potential, very powerful enemies are around virtually every corner. The sooner he finds Ayaka, the better...

His eyes fall on the red markings of the man's hand and he accepts that what he feels in the air must be him. Yet another Master...? Saber isn't certain if his question is as innocent as it seems, given that fact. Just because there is no battle for the Grail does not mean the Master and whoever his Servant is cannot be considered threats, so Saber answers guardedly: ]

It wasn't my intention to disturb anyone.

Cafeteria lol

[featherdarting]

[Yeah, about that tea...! She's already helped herself to some of the camomile tea and is currently drinking it while apparently gazing off into nowhere.

What was that funny feeling a few seconds ago...? She'd go investigate but she wants to finish the tea first after the horrible month they had just, well, last month. Also camomile is kind of well-known for making people dozy. That too.]

Omg, Ayaka...

[holyswordwielder]

[ The relief that washes over Saber when he finally spots the girl in the crowded mess hall is probably palpable to those around him. He sighs heavily and all the tension in his body seems to slide right out of him immediately. He strides to the table Ayaka sits at and slides into place beside her, reaching out and plucking the glasses off her face. ]

If you are going to nap, you shouldn't do it in public or with these on still.

cafeteria casually backtagging into eternity

[keepscalm]

There is one poor sod lurking about with a meal that probably won't look quite so appetising to Saber, compared to the more floral foods favoured by the other residents. He's tucked away from most of the crowd with a bowl of plain oatmeal, looking downright surly as he scowls into the collection of British poetry in his hands.

In addition to oatmeal, though, he's also got tea (true to form for England); it's even in an ornamental cup atop a saucer, which isn't the kind of luxury that the Tower usually affords its residents. Next to the cup is a matching teapot, filled with jasmine tea for when he inevitably drains his own cup.

Or, perhaps, when someone sees fit to keep him company, by the empty cup sitting on the opposite side of the pot.

+1 for casually backtagging into eternity

[holyswordwielder]

With Ayaka finally located, Saber feels he can rest easy now, or at least as much as he ever does. He watches from a seat not far from her, watching the stairs and the other people gathered in the cafeteria for signs of hostility or dangerous behavior. They're an odd bunch, for sure, but so far, none of them seem particularly threatening, besides the other Servants and Masters he can easily pick out from the crowd. Even they, however, seem content to simply enjoy their meals.

Saber is about to go risk another cup of tea himself out of sheer want for something to do when his eyes fall on a man who startlingly reminds him of the feeling he gets upon looking into a mirror. So unnerved by this, he can't stop staring, but he's not certain if this is something worth approaching the other, obviously grumpier man for.