Chapter 1: The Bibliophile and the Badass [FIN]

[Alan Girm Moria]

"Bawwwuh", Alan muttered, locking the door behind him on the way to Piccolomini. It was going to be a hot one later on today, but it was still cold in the pre-dawn morning and Alan already wished he was back in bed. If it wasn't for the huge stack of work waiting for him he would have burned the clock alarm on the spot. Alarm clocks in Alan's eyes were of one mankind's greatest sins.

"I guess this is what I get for reading the new arrivals instead of registering them in the database. Still no use bitching about it. If I hurry I might be able to finish in time to finish that that new light novel I stopped with." Alan finished with a grin. The previously mentioned piles of books of various topics were supposed to be out and on the shelves by opening at 9 A.M. today. Being a slow day he had opted to indulge his sloppy work ethic and thus had this whole thing coming to him.

"More importantly I'm gonna freeze if I just stand here monologuing." It was on this note of practicality that Alan finally reluctantly left his front door and started for work.

The Piccolomini library was in old Lucca, but thanks to a few curvy side roads, Alan was able to get to his job fairly quickly compared to taking the main streets. It was still a pain to use them this early since he was still half-asleep and liable to fall down the steep cliff on the left side of the road. With the unpleasant workload ahead on his mind Alan almost didn't notice the figure until he was almost upon it.

At this time it was still too early for morning joggers and the only traffic that came by this way were delivery trucks making their way to various destinations. The apartments nearby had a strict anti-pet rule so no animals or people should have any reason to be outside at this hour. Which was why Alan was more than just a little confused at the dog on the other side of the street.

Although calling that thing a dog would be too much of a stretch. Hell hound wound be more fitting for the snarling prana beast across from him. As if sensing that Alan had finally decided to notice him the hound started for Alan, swaggering across the road. It's mawed opened to reveal a set of canines that would put a drawer of knives to shame.

Normally in this situation one would be more concerned with the hell hound as it began to crouch in the road for a leap. Still the only thing Alan could say was, "The swagger was completely uncalled for you cocky...". However, Alan's no doubt witty retort and the beast's next move will have to be left to conjecture. No matter how dramatic the moment, the momentum and horn of the delivery truck would not be denied.

No doubt wrapped up in the pursuit of speedy deliveries (although most likely it was the half-empty bottle of vodka) the driver did not notice the hell hound until his bumper greeted it in the most intimate of fashions at 55 mph. Unable to handle such an unexpected (and most likely unwelcome) greeting, the hell hound was pitched over the guardrail and down the cliff side. The unfortunate driver was forced to follow the beast due to his truck's desire to know the beast better. That and the fact that gravity loved playing matchmaker.

....

"I should probably think of some one liner to say but that was just too pathetic to bother." Alan shook his head watching both the hound and truck plunge towards high speed dirt. He felt that even this one sentence was more than the situation was worth.

"Well then...time to get back to bed. I can always use the sick relative routine if I need to." Dealing with his boss would be easier than explaining this mess to the police and association representatives. The flimsy excuse would be more realistic than what just happened.

As if in reminder of what just occurred an unnaturally loud explosion punctuated the otherwise silent morning. Taking that as his cue, Alan channeled prana into the runes on his feet and sprinted for home.
-----------------------

"Alright now this is just getting ridiculous". As if the morning wasn't weird enough now there was a tall box on his doorstep. To top it off, this was probably delivered by the truck that just exploded. trying to suppress his annoyance with this unusual early morning Alan glanced over the note attached to the top of the box.

"West wing, Section A, #135, page 150, paragraph 4". While seemingly nonsensical it was referring to a specific book in the Moria's library. Had to be from Mom and Dad then. While he didn't really want to deal with whatever project they had sent him, the neighborhood was coming alive to check out the commotion. Might as well check it out before heading back to bed.

After making his way below the manor and locating the book Alan laid back on the rug near the entrance. Oddly enough he had been over the entire library and had yet to see this book. It was always being used by his parents and they never bothered returning it to the shelf.

"So let's see here...this is the passage. What's this now, a summoning incantation?

Shut. Shut. Shut. Shut. Shut. Five perfections for each repetition. And now, let the filled sigils be annihilated in my stead!”

Let the descending winds be as a wall. Let the gates in all directions be shut, rising above the crown, and let the three-forked roads to the Kingdom revolve.

Let thy body rest under my dominion, let my fate rest in thy blade.

If thou submitteth to the call of the Holy Grail, and if thou wilt obey this mind, this reason, then thou shalt respond

I make my oath here. I am that person who is to become the virtue of all Heaven. I am that person who is covered with the evil of all Hades

Thou seven heavens, clad in a trinity of words, come past they restraining rings, and be thou the hands that protect the balance – !”

Before he could comment on any of this Alan became aware of the prana coursing through him and everything dissolving into bright light.

[Saito Musashibo Benkei]

"Then I shall answer your calling."

A voice resonated loudly in the room as a being appeared from the flash of light produced by the summoning. The being, wearing a grin that promised many hours of baby-munching, stood proudly as he responded to his summoner's call. However, under this scary appearance was a very confused Benkei: Where in the hell was he? All he could see was a dirty room with shelves filled with books, probably unknown writings. Who was this man? This short odd-looking weirdo that the huge man couldn't even see his eyes? Benkei was sure that this was his summoner. Why was he summoned? His grin vanished as he pondered about these three questions. From what he gathered from first sight, this was obviously an unknown place for Benkei, and secondly that man was the only one in the room along with him. For the third, a small smirk formed itself on his lips, showing teeth as he thought about possible battles.

Taking a second glance at his surroundings, Benkei sighed. This wasn't the kind of place he wanted to be summoned to. What happened to the drama required for a scene like this? "Boring." That was the only word the huge man muttered, albeit a little loud, as he reached for the tip of his hair, touching a bell that emitted a little ringing sound. This room made him remember the various temples he was raised in during his life before he fell under the service of his lord.

He turned his head to stare at his 'summoner' with his lone, uncovered eye and took every single detail about him. His summoner looked boring. Of course, boring had another meaning in Benkei's mind.

After a long moment of quietness from Benkei's part, he finally started to move toward the man who summoned him, staring him down at the same time. The grin widened itself once more to baby-munching levels as he asked: "You, who have summoned me. Are you the one I shall pledge my full loyalty to? Are you the one who I am going to be fighting for until my death? Are you my lord, my master, the source of my power? Answer these questions, my lord."

[Alan Girm Moria]

"Then I shall answer your calling."

An unfamiliar voice declared as Alan's eyes readjusted. It felt like his chest was being burnt as he blinked to clear his sight. Standing before him was a giant creature who looked to be grefhk**!!! Good lord what was wrong with his face!?

Years of training and travel softened the blow but that visage would terrify anyone! If he walked around downtown the death toll of infants and the elderly would skyrocket! Alan didn't mean to judge people by their appearances but this was too much.

If the hound from earlier could be compared to a drawer of knives his...mouth could be likened to a sea of swords. They were unnaturally white and shaped like sharpened tombstones. A glimpse of that would make dentists commit suicide in droves from sheer despair. You felt like he could bite you in half if he had half a mind to do so. This was all from just grinning.

Normally eye patches weren't scary but with the Jaws-esque mouth and a big scar over his other eye the giant made that notion to a break neck 180. Factor in his size and it felt like instead of worrying about the mouth being stomped on was more of a danger. Then there was the bells on his hair...wait bells?

Alan pictured the giant in a jester's outfit and grinned despite himself. The image was strangely fitting. Joking about and describing something you feared always helped to calm him down. It was still unnerving to look him in the face but the silly image really took the edge off.

"Boring."

The giant muttered snapping Alan out of his thoughts. As the giant looked around the room he regretted spacing out. This was not the time to be making jokes.

'What I need to do is get an idea of what's going on instead of rambling', Alan thought while glancing around the room. He had just chanted aloud a summoning ritual so obviously the being surging with prana in front of him was some kind of familiar. the question was, where was the circle...

...

...

...

A week ago Alan had drawn such a circle at his parent's request down here and promptly forgotten it. They didn't explain why, and were big enough to clean up after themselves. Come to think of it the now smoking rug was in the other wing last week. ****ing clowns on a burning bicycle, they got him so easily it was pathetic. Today was definitely not Alan's day.

"You, who have summoned me. Are you the one I shall pledge my full loyalty to? Are you the one who I am going to be fighting for until my death? Are you my lord, my master, the source of my power? Answer these questions, my lord."

Great now the giant wanted to play twenty questions. Come to think of it the book had mentioned something about a war. So now he was supposed to fight with other magi who had equally terrifying monsters like this? If there was any remaining doubt in Alan that his parents hated him, it was now settled.

"If you are going to pledge your loyalty to me or not is up to you. Something like that should be decided by yourself not decided for you." Alan replied feeling that keeping him waiting would end badly. Negotiation was never Alan's field of expertise.

"Whether you decide to give your loyalty or not if you are going to fight with me it had better be to the end. I can't put my back to someone I can't trust to be there. As for the prana connection it seems to be working just fine."

It was much ruder than he would normally ever be to a person but questions like those needed to be direct. On a battlefield there wasn't time to beat around the bush. So if negotiation is a battlefield I need to go on the offensive as well!

"I'm Alan Girm Moria and now it's your turn to answer. Who are you and why are you wearing those bells? It completely ruins the mood!" Alan said with more bravado than he actually felt.

[Saito Musashibo Benkei]

Liking what he was currently hearing, Benkei couldn't help but laugh loudly. This summoner of his had some guts to stand up to him like that, and Benkei was the kind of person that absolutely loved this attitude. Sure, this Alan guy was no Yoshitsune, but at least he had this bravery that lured the giant in. Benkei suddenly stopped his laughter as a smile formed itself on his hardened lips.

"Then allow this warrior to present himself as a warrior and as a servant, my lord. My name is Saito Musashibo Benkei. This servant Lancer shall pledge his complete loyalty to his summoner and new lord, Alan Girm Moria. I shall serve you, defend you, honor you and together we shall fight this war! My lord, this will be the time of your life!"

Benkei's boisterous voice filled the library as he said those words. However, even if he said those words and meant them, he couldn't allow himself to bow, something he did only in front of Yoshitsune. The bells rang as he laughed once he registered his summoner's comment on the ringing objects on the tips of his hair. What a direct and blunt summoner he had! Benkei was glad that he didn't get a weak-minded weakling as a master.

"I think I like you, kid! Such directness and bravery. You remind me of my lord when I was alive!"This was the truth and Benkei had to memories to know about this. "As this warrior loves challenging himself, I decided to put these bells and this eyepatch," Benkei tapped his finger on the cloth that covered his right eye. "every morning before going to battle as an handicap."

This was one of the ways Benkei made himself known during wars if you did not take account of his terrifying visage. However, even with handicaps those sissy weaklings who boasted about being with the strongest lord lost. Ah, memories. Benkei couldn't help but grin with these thoughts in mind.

The giant looked at his lord, the man who inherited the typhoon of his loyalty, Alan Girm Moria. "Now, my lord. What shall we do? This mighty warrior waits for your commands and he shall obey." He paused, noticing a very interesting fact about Alan. "However, I believe you need some rest. As the contract is complete, the summoning might have drained you."

[Alan Girm Moria]

With a TYPHOON OF LOYALTY Benkei has joined your party!

Alan didn't have room for any other emotion aside from surprise at this gian...Benkei's reaction. Instead of getting angry like he had imagined Benkei responded rather positively. 'Maybe I was too hasty earlier', Alan thought until Benkei had to go and smile. Just when you thought the fear factor couldn't jump any higher.

Putting the stare of death aside, Benkei seemed to be loud and direct. Two thing that Alan rarely appreciated living in libraries and a magus family where silence is not only the standard but expected. Despite this Alan couldn't bring himself to hate Benkei. He was honest at least, which was a refreshing first for Alan.

On second thought might want to add overconfident to that list. I mean handicapping yourself just to increase the challenge? that was just plain suicidal no matter how Alan looked at it. Still Alan had read about Benkei's exploits and you don't defeat 999 samurai in duels just with bravado. Nor did you hold an army off with a glare.

"However, I believe you need some rest. As the contract is complete, the summoning might have drained you."
Taking the time to look at himself Alan realized Benkei had a point. Dealing with an unexpected hell hound and summoning all before dawn was not good for the body. Feeling the fatigue now that his life wasn't on the line, Alan caught himself on a nearby bookshelf.

"Forget the rest Benkei, I'm just not cut out for early mornings. Besides there's too much that needs to be done for me to take a nap now. Just let me eat breakfast and I'll get my energy back." Alan shook himself as he finished knocking his foot against the now mostly charcoal delivery box.

"Speaking of which I never did check to see what was in this thing." Leaning down Alan scooped up the summoning book under his arm and checked the box. Inside there was possibly the most beautiful sword sheath he had ever seen. It was of a golden color and the hilt seemed to be wrapped with some white cloth.

"Not like them to send something as nice as this through the mail or sending anything at all for that matter. Hey Benkei get a look at...benkei?" Puzzled Alan stared at the giant figure that had gone back to being as quiet as when he was first summoned.

[Saito Musashibo Benkei]

Benkei stayed silent at his lord's antics. That kid looked almost down to the count, but who was he to question his lord's words? The giant figure silently looked at his lord as he put his hands on a box.

"Speaking of which I never did check to see what was in this thing." Alan said as he started to lift the box's cover, revealing what was inside. Inside the box was a sheath of a golden color, and from the looks of the sheath and the presence of a hilt covered with a familiar white cloth, the weapon inside was probably a katana. Benkei stared at the contents of the box, and he finally found why this katana seemed so familiar to him. Then everything went silent for him, even Alan's voice couldn't reach Benkei's ears.

For a long time since before his last stand at the bridge, the moment his previous lord announced that he was commiting ritual suicide, Benkei lost his composure. His eye widened as he ripped the eyepatch off his right eye, as if he wanted to make sure that this katana was really what it looked like...It is! Benkei immediately took the katana and stared at it. This golden sheath. This hilt. The oh-so-familiar cloth around this very same hilt once belonged to Benkei. Slowly unsheathing the katana from its saya, its sheath, the giant looked carefully and gently as if he was holding the dearest thing to him. A rusty, old ragged edge, and yet as he passed his finger on the blade, the blood flowing out of the single scratch it made and sliding until it dropped on the weapon as if they were tears proved that it was as sharp as ever. The blade was still charming even after the years. Yoshitsune of the Minamoto Clan's katana was in his hands.

"Wh-wh-where? Where did you find it? How did you get it?"

A smile formed itself on Benkei's lips as he held the weapon in his hands. From the rusty and old looks this katana showed probably meant there were centuries between his death and this present time. This also meant this was the last thing his former lord left in this world except his legends. He slowly sheated the katana as he savoured and relished with his fierce eyes for the last time this marvellous sight.

Kneeling in front of his new lord, his master, Benkei bowed his head as he held the katana flat on his open palms, as if to offer this valuable weapon.

"Alan Girm Moria. My lord! Take this very blade. Take the blade that was owned by Yoshitsune of the Minamoto Clan and give me your commands."

[Alan Girm Moria]

What happened next was yet another plunge on the weirdness roller coaster that was Alan's day. As soon as he had pulled the sword out of the stone box Benkei tore off his eye patch and grabbed the sword. Alan could only stare at this new development in disbelief. Benkei had...two eyes. The shock was so great, he only registered the fact of the sword leaving his hands with an absent minded opening and closing motion. For some odd reason he had felt like he had somehow been let down.

'New rule for myself, nothing will surprise me again. This day is only going to get as weird or weirder from here on out.' Alan vowed while observing Benkei's reverence of the blade. He was holding it like a long lost relative, or like the ghost of a giant puppy that was beat to death with the ugly tree itself. When it was drawn, contrary to it's container the sword looked...well dull. It was rusted like it had been left in a river and then used to chop trees. Like one of his co-worker's would say, a hunk of junk.

Benkei went on to disprove this almost immediately by drawing his finger along the blade and dripping blood on the now annihilated rug. Benkei's skin looked as if it was made from titanium but this rusty blade actually managed to nick...wait a minute. Benkei didn't seem to be entirely human but would he still get tetanus from that? 'Need to remember to get disinfectant out later', Alan noted.

"Wh-wh-where? Where did you find it? How did you get it?" Benkei stuttered (chalk another one up for the weird count) as yet again another child-crunching grin appeared. Alan didn't answer since he didn't really know himself. Sheathing the sword Benkei turned and bowed to him presenting the sword.

"Alan Girm Moria. My lord! Take this very blade. Take the blade that was owned by Yoshitsune of the Minamoto Clan and give me your commands."

It was this action that shattered Alan's illusion of a lazy Monday reading books like the right hand of a certain hot-blooded youth. With a feeling of trepidation Alan took the blade and tucked it into his belt. Might as well read up on the war before heading out.

Flipping open the book, Alan began reading at near godspeed as he headed towards the foyer. "Alright then for starters follow me upstairs and let's have some breakfast while I learn what this grail war really is. After that we'll head out on the town and see if we can find you something to wear that won't make everyone suspicious."

Heading into the kitchen Alan made a mental note to bring his knife and chalk with him. Even if Benkei was around he did not want to be caught off-guard again today.

---------

Meanwhile at the bottom of the cliff...

The scene was a complete disaster for both parties. Upon hitting the dog, the driver's cigarette fell out of his mouth and landed on the recently spilled vodka. Once hitting the ground the fire caused by this caused the vehicle's gas tank to explode, wreathing the vehicle in flames. Fortunately, if you could consider any of the driver's luck fortunate he was dead upon collision with the impact breaking his neck on the windshield.

The hell hound however had without a doubt screwed the pooch on this one. It was supposed to judge the master's competency or take him out if he were lacking. Instead he had been violated by the metal beast's bumper, crushed under half a ton of metal, and then to top it off? The hound was on the bottom of the explosion.

With a hate filled swipe, the beast tore out the roof and pulled himself from the burning wreckage. With bits of it's hide melting off, it trudged into the alley ways to recover with a snarl of hatred. Burned into it's retina was an image of Alan's dull surprise.

[Saito Musashibo Benkei]

Benkei stood up as his master took the katana and tucked it into his belt. For the huge man, seeing his summoner take the weapon was something of a sentimental worth for him, as if he was serving Yoshitsune again. The man waited for what words, what orders would come out of his lord's mouth.

"Alright then for starters follow me upstairs and let's have some breakfast while I learn what this grail war really is. After that we'll head out on the town and see if we can find you something to wear that won't make everyone suspicious." These were the words of his lord as he headed toward a foyer while reading a certain book about this war with an insane speed.

Something else to wear? Wasn't he fine with his current black kimono and white haori? It seems that with the years the way someone dresses completely changed to clothes near useless in combat situation. However, as his master said, he had to dress up with proper clothing so both of them wouldn't rise any suspicion. But there was something about servants that his summoner needed to know. In his spirit form, Benkei wouldn't even attract any attention except from other servants...however it was that spirit form that he hated the most, as only cowards would hide.

Benkei cleared his throat as he was about to inform Alan: "My lord. I wish to inform you that servants can switch into a spirit form to hide from the eyes of the outside world. If there is the need to do so, ask me to do so." As he talked, it was very clear in the tone of his voice that this was something he utterly hated, even if he hadn't even tried it yet. But as a servant he had to inform his master about everything on himself.

He then went silent as he follwed Alan into the kitchen.

[Alan Girm Moria]

With a thump, Alan closed the book and began to digest what he had just read. Like he thought, the grail war was a competition held between magi for a wish granting vessel called the holy grail. Servants were the key to winning the war as well as becoming the holy grail. If Benkei learned about this he certainly was not going to be happy. Each servant had a noble phantasm a symbol of their legend as well as an assigned class that reflected their abilities. There was a problem though...all masters had command seals so where the heck were his?

Contemplating the location of his seals, he stepped into the foyer with Benkei close on his heels. Having been built sometime in the late 1550's and being changed scarcely since then the house could be considered a piece of the past brought into the modern world. While it had a lawn and a good deal of breathing room, it surrounded by the modern apartments and condos of Gruppo Palmata.

The foyer consisted of a set of intricately detailed pair of front doors surrounded by a pair Corinthian columns on both sides. The worn tiled floor spilled forward leading to a wide marble stair case that went upward towards the second story bedrooms. Marble handrails seemed to flow out from the staircase, and wrap itself like ivy around the second story. semi-circular arched windows spilled light down before the marble staircase. The walls were made of smooth plaster and were surfaced with white chalk paint.

Back on the first floor, on the left and right of the front door were door less arches that would invite guests to a sitting room or garden depending on their inclination. Digging into the wall on either side of the staircase were arches containing stone doors layered with bounded fields instead of keys. From the left one that led into the mine complex and library is where Alan and Benkei emerged. Blinking his eyes to adjust Alan walked towards the sitting room, heading for the kitchen.

"My lord. I wish to inform you that servants can switch into a spirit form to hide from the eyes of the outside world. If there is the need to do so, ask me to do so." Benkei didn't so much say this as they entered the foyer as he spewed out pure loathing in word form.

'I'll need to keep that in mind for later', Alan noted. The book mentioned about servants being able to take an immaterial form to conserve prana and heal. Best to save it for when it was needed though. "I'll have you stay tangible for now. It would be hard to explain to others how someone appeared in a store without walking through any entrances. It will still be early by the time we get to the shopping district and there should not be too many people around. So as long as you don't glare and send people into fits of terror it won't be a problem."

About to say more Alan was cut off by a rumbling from his stomach. Looking down it seems his shirt had fared no better than the rug and was scorched around the chest area. He wasn't in a state to make breakfast and Benkei looked like he would eat out the pantry anyways. Best to go out and save his own rations (and skip doing the dishes). "Right then new plan. I change clothes and arm myself, then we go out to get clothes and eat. Be right back. Saying this Alan turned on his heel and bounded up the steps to his room. (Suddenly at this a good number of unknown people cheered being saved three more rooms of scenery porn.)


Stuffing a piece of chalk in his pocket, and tucking the sheathed KA-BAR knife under his armpit Alan was halfway finished putting on his new shirt when he discovered his new command seals. They seemed to be shaped in an oddly familiar red S shape on the center of his chest. Ignoring the implications of this he hurriedly finished and decided to try something the book implied. If all masters could see servant parameters Alan should be able to see Benkei's stats. Closing his eyes Alan saw what seemed to be a book's index page appearing as

Servants:
Saber
Archer
Lancer- Benkei pgs 1-7
Rider
Caster
Assassin
Berserker

Mentally flipping to the mentioned pages Alan saw Benkei's history as he had read it before, along with his stats. Worryingly, Alan couldn't see anything under noble phantasms. Was it because Alan didn't know himself or did Benkei not have any? Opening his eyes Alan headed downstairs to ask.

Upon reaching the foyer, Alan stashed the sword of yoshitsune behind the entrance to the library. It was the most protected place in the house and he couldn't take it with him into town. Turning back to a seemingly puzzled (hard to tell with his face like a Halloween mask) Benkei Alan sprung the question.

"I forgot to ask earlier but before we head out, what are your noble phantasms Benkei? I checked upstairs but all I could see was your history and parameters."

[Saito Musashibo Benkei]

"I understand my lord."

These were the only words Benkei gave to Alan. As long as he was not glaring at people? This summoner of his should really know that the only sight of his face made people shit themselves in their trousers from the sheer terror emitted from this curse, as what would many people say. Sure, this scary face was useful for combat situations. However, the word 'curse' very much applies when in social and diplomatic situations. That was pretty much why he had to wear his traditional Sohei white headcowl contrary to how it was supposed to be wore. Yes, Benkei wore a headcowl over his face while in public during the time he served Yoshitsune. There was something else that was very wrong. Shouldn't going out in the open, even in the morning where there was the least people, make Benkei stick out like a sore thumb? Going out in his current attire would mean something like: 'Hey, I'm a servant. Come attack my master.' or would just make people think that Benkei was something like a cosplayer, which the giant didn't really care about.

He stayed silent, not having anything to say as Alan went up to his room to change clothes. Benkei waited. He looked around the foyer, staring at whatever detail would interest him. Sure, being provided with useful information about this present era, whatever structure and function something might have, or something like information about the war by the Holy Grail itself was one thing. Seeing it was something else. Benkei touched pretty much of anything worth mentionning in this very room, still waiting for his lord to come back down.
He waited.
Now Benkei was standing still, looking at the entrance where his summoner disappeared.

There was his master, entering the foyer and putting the weapon away. Benkei merely lifted an eyebrow upon seeing this. He didn't really mind about it though. It was not like his lord was throwing away the katana or anything like that. Of course, it was still a little unsettling that his new lord rid himself of the weapon, but he probably had a motive to do so.

"I forgot to ask earlier but before we head out, what are your Noble Phantasms Benkei? I checked upstairs but all I could see was your history and parameters."

Benkei couldn't help but chuckle at this question. He was waiting for this to happen for a while now, but he didn't think that it would be so soon. He thought about what kind of answer he would give him. Just telling him his full arsenal sounds boring, but he couldn't just refuse to answer because of boredom, can't he? Benkei cleared his throat as he was about to give his answer, a grin slowly forming itself on his face.

"My lord. Don't you think it would be boring for me to just tell you my secrets straight out? You will see them all eventually. Hell, you're seeing one right now. This," Some kind of pose was taken as Lancer removed his white haori started flexing his muscles uncomfortably near Alan. "Is the body of a demon, an ogre. This is the body that treats slashes as if they were scratches, and gutting wounds as if they were slashes. Stare, and admire at its greatness! For this is the result of years of training, my pride, Oniwaka!"

This will do. He only told his lord one of his Noble Phantasms. The others will be kept secret until proper use. Probably.

[Alan Girm Moria]

"My lord. Don't you think it would be boring for me to just tell you my secrets straight out? You will see them all eventually. Hell, you're seeing one right now. This," Some kind of pose was taken as Lancer removed his white haori started flexing his muscles uncomfortably near Alan. "Is the body of a demon, an ogre. This is the body that treats slashes as if they were scratches, and gutting wounds as if they were slashes. Stare, and admire at its greatness! For this is the result of years of training, my pride, Oniwaka!"

From this demonstration Alan was convinced that Benkei had no concept of personal space. Trying desperately to unsee the posing, he closed his eyes checking the stats once more and sure enough Oniwaka was now listed. 'So not all servants have such thick skin since it's a noble phantasm. That's a relief.' Alan wasn't happy being left in the dark on Benkei's noble phantasms. It would be much harder to plan anything on guess work alone. Arguing at this point would only tire him further and would not get him breakfast.

"Good to know you can take a hit then. I guess I'll look forward to seeing what else you can do. For now lets get going before they switch from selling breakfast to lunch." Stepping around Benkei, Alan headed out the door finally managing to get the image out of his head.

By some miracle the two managed to make it downtown without incident aside from an unfortunate paperboy who will no doubt be missed. After scaring haggling with the clerk over the price Benkei managed to change from cosplaying the warring states era to cosplaying as a mobster. While it still drew attention, it was easier to explain away now. Hiding in plain sight and made walking down the street easier now that the early birds were out and about. Stopping off at a nearby restaurant they finally had breakfast.

"There isn't anything we can do about your mystic face but now the people can explain away their fear. Even if you draw attention unless it happens to be another servant they will have to get close. We're hiding in plain sight while scouting out places to fight." Alan went on feeling much better now that he was awake and full. With no particular destination in mind he walked on passing a pet store.

[Saito Musashibo Benkei]

Walking to downtown with his master was not as eventful as he thought. Well, if you exclude that poor dear paperboy who almost had an heart attack upon seeing Benkei's face, there were just these uncomfortable looks on those who were awake to see him. Of course, some who almost had an heart attack were on purpose. Maybe Benkei didn't like them, and glared them down when walking behind Alan. Chuckles and baby-crunching grins were exchanged, and everybody was happy. Especially the Lancer.

Thus, after scaring the shit out of many citizens, the duo finally managed to get to a clothing store, a place Benkei would remember all his summoning life. There were...lots of clothes in that place. He would have pointed this out, but he would have looked dumb. He just stayed silent while his lord chose reasonable clothes for the giant to wear, as most of them were a little too small for him. They settled for the one large suit that would conveniently fit Benkei's large stature, along with sunglasses. Probably to hide his eyes and remove him the fun of glaring random people down when he felt like it. What did his master say about what he was dressing as? Oh yeah. A mobster. They then proceeded to a restaurant to have breakfast. The food was good, however, Benkei felt the need to mention that servants do not need food to regain energy, as the prana provided by the contract was enough after they left the restaurant.


"There isn't anything we can do about your mystic face but now the people can explain away their fear. Even if you draw attention unless it happens to be another servant they will have to get close. We're hiding in plain sight while scouting out places to fight."

"So it was on purpose, I see. How thoughtful my lord!"

Benkei laughed as they passed in front of a pet store. Curious, the servant slowed down and averted his sight, looking from the side what was behind that glass. There was those little beasts that could be held and petted. Animals. However there was one that was appealing to the warrior. This cute little kitten with black stripes on it. It looked like a tiger. He sped up, meeting his lord as he declared in his mind, swearing a silent oath: 'Next time. I'll see you next time. We'll meet again, and we'll be friends. I promise!'

Clearing his throat and scratching his cheek, Benkei started talking: "What now? Are we..going to search for them?"

[Alan Girm Moria]

"What now? Are we..going to search for them?" Alan stopped short at this reasonable response from Benkei. So far he had been going with the flow attempting to keep up with the unexpected. Now that he had a chance to sit and think things through why not use it? After all, Alan wasn't suited for straight up fights against magi who could destroy the area if they felt like it. He was a trap setter and if he was going to live through this now would be the time to prepare.

Turning to Benkei, Alan shook his head. "There wouldn't be much of a point to search for them now. Having to maintain secrecy in fear of the tower, no master would start a battle in the daylight hours." Fortunately for us, Alan didn't add. Running into a tower noble without any preparations would be suicidal.

Alan sighed at the thought as there would definitely be at least one head strong noble in this war. No matter what he just couldn't deal with those types. Already his good mood was beginning to evaporate. Since it was required he would have to check in with the association and the church sometime soon. As if the war wasn't already cutting into his reading time, now he had to deal with the church and association representatives.

"For now...let's walk around the Piazza di Brancoli. We can set up a battlefield advantageous to us while getting you familiar with the area." Alan began walking again while pointing out notable parts of the landscape. Trying to keep the disappointment out of his voice he continued, "Then I guess we'll have to show up at the church and association headquarters for introductions. We'll at least need to say hello, but that's all we need to do for them."

Trying to put a positive spin on this bleak turn of events, maybe he would get a chance to read sometime today. Already Alan's fingers were beginning to twitch from reading withdrawl.