Opening the First File

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

For a detective, a case file represents not just information on that particular case...but a detailed record of a Detective's Story. And for one, Shoutarou Faulkner, as one File is stamped with the red inked closed symbol...a new file has just begun to open. Having arrived in the Italian City of Lucca about 5 days ago, he had arrived at the two story home that would serve as his home here. The Faulkner Family had been kind enough to leave for him essentials such as a bookshelf, a Desk with a couch sitting to it's right and two chairs in front of it, a Functional Kitchen behind the Front Room Office, and a Bed and Light up stairs where he would sleep. The stairs that lead up to it were a classic spiral stair case that wrapped around a center pole with a rail on the right for a person to hang on to.

After making himself at home and setting up the space to his comfort, he started taking trips to explore his new home and the place where the grail war would take place. He had explored the University, as well as the Shopping District...and today...he was going to do a broader look..this time around the Lucca Vecchia Area as a whole. He had seen a few sights and was no on his way to the Library that was said to be here.

As he walked a long the streets, he took in the architecture and memorized as many of the sites he could. The reason for this was so that he would know the very place he would be working to help his clients. For him, to know his surroundings was both practical and essential for not only his work, but for everyday life...if you didn't know where you were going you would get lost and that could lead to more trouble than adventure.

However, there was more than one purpose for learning his city inside and out. There was the very reason he was here in the first place. The fact that he was going to be participating in the Holy Grail War. This secret war that was both amazing and extremely dangerous. However, for Shoutarou, he felt that the prize was well worth the effort. One wish...one undeniable desire that would be fulfilled, it was this reason the family wanted him to fight in this war.

But Shoutarou...he had his own reason to be here. There was one case that he currently had that he wanted to solve more than anything. This was the case file he kept the most care of, and it is because it was the file containing the last Case his father was working on before he vanished, the mystery of the destruction of Fuyuki City. It was wiped from the map 23 years ago, and it was when he was younger that his father vanished trying to solve it's mystery.

He hoped being here he would finally find out just what really happened to Fuyuki City...and perhaps use the wish to bring it and it's people back. And to prevent what ever wiped the city from the map to do so again. That would come in due time in Shoutarou's mind...so for now he was ready to just settle in and get to work...on both new cases and the Grail War.

"Well, all of that can wait till the war starts...in the meantime...it's time to continue to see the wonders of Lucca." thought Shoutarou as he walked along the afternoon streets.

Taking out a map he purchased he started to look around for a sign to see where he was and where he would need to turn to head for the Piccolomini Library.

"Hmm...now, let's see...where am I?" said Shoutarou as he continued to look at the map as he stood on the corner of the street he was on as both people and vehicles passed by.

[Amaya Kurenai]

Right behind Shoutarou Falkner as he looked around, attempting to discern his current location, was Amaya Kurenai. As of this moment, she was sitting on the ground, with her knees pulled close to her chest, and her jacket covering most of her body. Her sword was wrapped in a long strip of cloth, that gave the weapon an appearance of a walking stick wrapped in some packaging.

As of this moment, Amaya had her head down, and was in a state of being asleep and awake. Yes, this Enforcer was edging towards the realm of sleep and dreams, where she will be re-living her adventure from last night, where she met a powerful warrior after slaying an evil magus who sought to use this warrior for his own devices. The warrior and Amaya made a contract, and Amaya now had this powerful warrior in her hands for this round of the Heaven’s Feel.

Yes, her own Servant, the Berserker Esfandyar. It really was quite the surprise to have one so significant serving under you, but Amaya dismissed the thought. The best conclusion is that Servants, despite their importance, have a reason to be in this war, and should also understand the conditions of joining the Holy Grail War. That was all there was to it, really.

Nonetheless, the novelty of it excited Amaya, but she was still tired after her job last night, and had spent the last three hours against this wall, taking a light nap. She appeared to be a homeless, despite the fact that Amaya did have a roof over head and a bed…she just wasn’t sleeping in them at the moment.

She had Berserker remain in spirit form for now, as it was broad daylight, but she knew that if a Servant like Assassin attacked, Berserker needed to stay close. Amaya didn’t want to expend a command seal to force Berserker to her location in the form of an attack if Berserker could just hang around to protect her. It’s a lot more conventional that way.

But wait, she was waking up now!

Yawning, Amaya stood up, a little dizzy from waking up from such an uncomfortable position. Stretching, she picked up her weapon, and slung it over her shoulder. Turning to walk down the street, she nearly knocked the covered weapon at Shoutarou’s head…

Nearly.

At the last second, Amaya noticed where the weapon was heading, and managed to lift the sword over Shoutarou’s head while completing the turn. With a hand to her face in apology and a sheepish tone…

“Sorry about that! I wasn’t paying attention, and you could’ve gotten hurt.”

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

This city was massive and while the grail war hasn't started just yet, for a detective there was always danger around the bend. This was something that was to be counted on and remembered at all times by every person who dared this profession. It was at that very moment while he was looking at his map that his instincts kicked in as he felt something come at him.

However, it did seem that it's owner didn't intend an attack. As he crouched slightly to duck his head, the incoming object was moved above it as well. Taking a turn as he stood up he looked to see that it was a woman carrying a clothed object. It seemed to be possibly as a sword the way it was wrapped.

Shoutarou's instincts kicked in as he took in a quick survey of her distinguishing details. Her silver hair seemed to shine nicely in the afternoon sun. He also noticed her grey eyes and her features screamed that she just woke up it seemed. And she definitely did not mean to come at him. Taking a moment to collect himself, he looked at her after her apology and said...

"It's okay, I'm glad you noticed it coming or I would have probably gotten a nice welt on my head." said Shoutarou with a smirk.

People can meet under the oddest circumstances sometimes in life, even a near accident. This girls seemed innocent enough at first however, if one pays attention they can see that she is quite possibly either a trained warrior...or someone who just bought a blade at a hobby shop, the question now was, what is the truth.

[Amaya Kurenai]

“Ahaha…haha…ha…Seriously, I really am sorry about that. It’s almost embarrassing.”

Amaya continued to keep up her sheepish appearance, all the while tossing her sword up into the air and catching it by the center of the sheath. Holding it over both her shoulder, and with both arms draped over the weapon, Amaya made sure to avoid the walking pedestrians as they crossed the street. She took the moment to size up the person in front of her.

So the person who was nearly injured as a result of Amaya’s carelessness was a younger male with red hair and blue eyes. He also seems to retain characteristics of an Asian male, although most of his traits seem to be English. And this feeling…

He was a Master.

One without a Servant, but one with command seals. He wanted something from the Grail, or else he wouldn’t have received the Grail’s boon of having command seals prior to the Heaven’s Feel, like Amaya, who received hers upon making a contract with Berserker.

Oh joy. A Master without a Servant.

But was Amaya Kurenai peeved that she had not hit the boy? Not at all. She was still sorry, and she would never hold a grudge or consider one an enemy until they met on the battlefield, in which Amaya will personally make sure to kill this person in front of her. Simply because he seemed interesting, and the honor of being the one to end such a person’s life seemed like something Amaya would want to do during straight battle.

Of course, she didn’t let her intentions show. She simply lighted up her face, and came up with an idea.

“I know! There’s a café down the street that serves for tourists here. I might be able to help you with any questions you might have…assuming you’re a foreigner and all.”

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

It was at that point the feeling hit him as well. This was no ordinary woman, she was here for the same purpose as he was. He was looking at a master...and it wouldn't surprise him if she had a servant already. Now was this an attempt to attack him? He doubted it...the war hadn't started yet however meeting one of the opponents this soon was either good thing or a bad thing.

Either way it was time to begin profiling this particular woman...

It was not that he did it out of malice...he did it out of habit and out of need as well. To get information about an opponent before the war was a huge advantage, and finding out her tendencies might help in the long run if it should come to the point that he would have to fight this woman. But for now, he would accept her offer, it would be nice to get some more info about the city...and coffee did sound pretty good on this cold winter day.

"Sure, I wouldn't mind at all, coffee does sound excellent right now...not to mention I've wanted to try these Cornetti that I have been hearing about." said Shoutarou with a smile.

He was going to live as a normal person...at least for today, before the grail required him to put his normal life aside for the chance to receive the boon of the grail's wish.

[Amaya Kurenai]

“Cornetti, eh? I’ve yet to try those myself, to be honest. But hey, the coffee here is pretty damn good, better than the kind I find in Japan or England, for that matter.”

Leading the way, Amaya Kurenai walked the short distance to the café nearby the corner where the two of them had met, holding her sword in the same manner over her shoulder as she did so. She was giving small chat as the two of them walked to the small café.

“So, anyways, how is your vacation around this part going? It really is a beautiful city, although it isn’t close to the beach, but a beach isn’t all that necessary for a vacation. I do think the nice structure and architecture that this city is enough to provide enough memories and experiences for a great vacation. Sadly, I originally came here on a business trip, but since my business is all done with, I really don’t want to go home without having all the experiences this city of Lucca could offer me.”

When she reached the actual café, Amaya left her sword at a seat outside of the café, as they did not allow such…dangerous objects inside, and told Shoutarou to wait with her sword, while asking him to tell her what kind of coffee he liked.

Returning with both orders of coffee and cornetti, Amaya gave Shoutarou his portion and began to drink her coffee, her cornetti untouched for now. Save the best for last, they say. And so she waited for him to try and make small talk as well, while profiling him herself. He may be a future opponent.

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

Shoutarou waited for the woman quietly with a smile after she went into the Cafe'. It was clear at this point that he was dealing with a woman whom had a carefree spirit. However the fact that she carried a sword, told him to be weary of this woman. She was both a master and most likely a trained warrior. It didn't seem like she would be the kind to out right kill him in cold blood so he had that at least going for him right now.

While she had assumed he was on vacation here, that in the end was going to be determined by the Elders after this was all said and done. If the Elders felt it nessicary to keep him here he would most likely take the business on permanately. Lucca was a wonderful city indeed however most likely not without its share of problems. The kind the Faulkner Family solved for over 700 years.

When she returned he smiled as he took the Cornetti and his Coffee. This was going to enjoy this. Little things in life like these were what he did his job for. So that the innocent could enjoy moments like this. Looking at the woman he took a drink of his coffee and smiled enjoying the flavor that came from an Italian coffee. Looking back at the woman, he decided to strike up conversation by picking up from where she left off.

"Well, my time here has been pretty nice so far. However, I am not here for a vacation. I'm actually here on business, and may be staying here on a more permanate tenure. I wouldn't mind personally...Lucca is a wonderful city from what I've seen so far."

[Amaya Kurenai]

Amaya simply listened to her new acquaintances response. She was sitting in a relaxed posture on the chair, with her right elbow on the arm of her chair, and the palm of her right hand pressed against her cheek. Her thumb was against her jaw line, and her middle and index finger ran across her face, with her chin placed against her ring and pinky finger, giving the Enforcer an appearance akin to that of somebody who was simply observing something interesting in front of her.

The man in front of her was certainly polite, he knew his manners. His diction was rather eloquent in style, which indicated a profession that requires one to be professional in every aspect. Well, it looks like his nice clothing wasn’t meant for appearance only. The kid certainly knows how to dress the part needed for whatever his profession was. His build was slim, but he may be built underneath those clothing, since he gives off the impression that training was a regular thing for him, and even a requirement for the nature of his job. Perhaps he was a martial artist?

If he was a martial artist, he would be a fencer or a boxer, possibly, given that he has a rather slender build while wearing clothing. The muscles needed for those styles of combat were not so visible unless bared naked, free from clothing that hides them.

Chuckling to herself, Amaya Kurenai leaned forward to continue the conversation (and the profiling):

“So, you were here on business as well? Mind telling me what you do for a living?”

[Shoutarou Faulkner]

To Shoutarou right now she was projecting an image of an observer, but her behavior seemed eerily similar to his own, and to no surprise. They were both trying to size each other up as future opponents without a doubt. And while he was a martial artist, he wondered how he would size up with the rest of his opponents in the grail war. Sure there were magi who were no good at combat and would clearly hide behind their servant, but he had a feeling she was not one of them, not with that sword she wielded. However...he was pretty good with a sword too.

He sat back with his coffee, relaxing around her to lighten the mood a bit between them.

"I'm a Private Eye by trade. My Uncle set up an office here and he wanted me to come check it out and see if I wanted to take over since he's going to be moving from the city soon." said Shoutarou as he looked at her.

If she was looking for a tell of some kind, it would be hard to find if visible at all since he was technically telling the truth about that. If things went well he would take over his Uncle's Office. And he probably would still even if he had to surrender and take refuge in the church until the end of the Grail War itself. The city was a good place and deserved to be protected like many of the great cities in this great world they lived int.

[Amaya Kurenai]

“Oh, a private detective, huh? It’s fairly rare where I usually come from, I actually don’t see that many back in Japan, and I never do seem to find those offices anywhere in London. But I guess that’s my luck? My job is working as an agent for another group, you know, federal departments and stuff like that, so I suppose I do a similar job. Of course, being part of this group requires a lot of traveling on my part. Fairly interesting how two workers for justice end up having to come around here for business, out of all cities. It makes Lucca seem like a city in need of the justice that the law and order we deal around with usually delivers to a typical city.”

Sitting up amused, Amaya used the sword to hold her arm around, like a crook, and lean against it, since the tip of the sheath was caught against the stand of the table, giving her something like a walking cane designed for those who like to lean against something while sitting. It was a position that seemed to be reclined, but Amaya figured that the kid in front of her can probably tell that she was more than ready to cut his head off from this position should he attempt to kill her right here in public.

However, Amaya was sure that the kid wouldn’t do something so reckless in public. Should he wish to fight, however, Esfandyar will be the only weapon Amaya needs against a Servantless Master. That’s the current situation.

“Name’s Amaya Kurenai. You are?”