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[fionnuisce]

'You've reached Lord El-Melloi II. Leave a message and I'll get back to you.'

[network username: silverrose]

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before mid month post, text: un; kesitakame

[hoshikiri]

[Hovering around midnight, Waver receives a text.]

I've formed the contract with Caster.

[fionnuisce]

[sleep what's that]

How did it go? Are you feeling alright?

[hoshikiri]

[is it something to eat?]

Without incident. I can feel a difference, but otherwise I am fine.

[fionnuisce]

Glad to hear it. Just keep an eye on your energy levels when it comes to a fight. Casters especially aren't what I would call energy efficient, and I have no idea what his Noble Phantasm would be in that class.

[hoshikiri]

I understand. I'll be cautious. I've been granted Command Seals as well it would seem.

Will you tell me more about what a Noble Phantasm is?

[fionnuisce]

Sure. I'll answer whatever questions you have about the whole thing.

A Noble Phantasm is basically a Servant's ultimate attack, tied to their true identity. Most heroes have weapons that are inextricable parts of their legends, to the point that calling its name to activate it will identify the Servant themselves. For example, Diarmuid had two: a pair of spears called Gae Dearg and Gae Buidhe. While he could use them passively without naming them, to unleash their full power would require revealing their name and thus his own.

[hoshikiri]

I see. There is something similar that I, and others from my realm, are capable of but we cannot do it alone. We'd need at least three others, even up to seven.

Is there a specific reason why they opt to conceal themselves?

[fionnuisce]

It's part of what makes Servants so powerful. Noble Phantasms are weapons and abilities that can slay demigods and creatures possessing the kind of power that just doesn't exist in this era.

That ties into the reason for class names. The Holy Grail War is as much subterfuge as it is a power struggle. To know a hero's true name is to know their weaknesses as well as their strengths. Here, let me use the best example:

There is a very well known legend about a man named Achilles, who was completely invulnerable save only for a singular point on his heel--being struck there was what caused his death. Now, if someone were to summon Achilles as a Saber, for example, they would need to keep his name under lock and key. Keep a Servant's name a mystery, and one's enemies can't adequately plan for what they may be capable of or formulate a strategy of how to defeat him.

[hoshikiri]

[Some delay, Takame was taking the time to write everything said down.]

To maintain advantage through withholding information. It makes sense. A war is still a war in the end on the front or back lines. We'd kept our names hidden until the Fae were sealed again. I know his now but if he wishes to share with others, it will be his decision.

[fionnuisce]

Exactly. That's why I haven't told anyone else--there's no strict reason to keep to class names, but there's no reason to be forthcoming if he doesn't want to be.

text -> video

[hoshikiri]

I agree. I would prefer to respect his privacy. I imagine I'll have more questions for you as I discover them.

[Another delay, longer, spending almost the entire time looking at the seals on his hand.]

...

[He switched the feed to video, showing the Command Seals on the back of his hand.]

... Should it come down to it, I'd like to know how to activate these seals. I'd prefer not to need to, but it is best to be prepared for anything.

[fionnuisce]

[There was a pause before Waver answered--both to collect himself and to look halfway presentable in the middle of the night. Clearly at his desk with some kind of paperwork in front of him, Waver pushed loose black hair back off his shoulder with a sigh.]

It's fairly easy by design. Concentrate on channeling magical energy into them, and give a simple order as straightforward as possible. The more basic the command, the easier it is to follow through with.

[hoshikiri]

[Even if he looked like hell, Takame wouldn't have said anything. He himself looked a little pale, though it was hard to tell if it was from the lighting of his apartment or not.

He nodded and spoke as normal, putting his hand down.]

Mm, understood. Thank you. It is better to know, even I can only pray I won't need the knowledge. [Said with a light sigh, as if he doubts that.]

[fionnuisce]

It's not...as terrible as it could be, in the hands of someone with base common sense. Command Seals are a valuable tool for one's own protection, and they can be used to give one's Servant a crucial edge in a fight. And utilizing all three doesn't necessarily negate the contract entirely, just removes the Master's implied authority.

[hoshikiri]

... You're right. The advantage is what matters.

[Not his personal preference or his lack of commanding presence. As ever he would do what he must.]

[fionnuisce]

...Look, I know it's...not great. That's the kind of thing you and Caster need to work out--when and how to utilize them, and what's acceptable to use them for.

[hoshikiri]

Of course. I understand. There is much I'll need to discuss with him in detail. We have some time, I'll utilize it well.

[fionnuisce]

I'm sure that you will. Try not to worry too much about it--this is a completely different situation to the war. You shouldn't need to rely on Command Seals too heavily.

[hoshikiri]

Mm. I appreciate your assistance, Waver. My apologies for keeping you awake so late.

[fionnuisce]

No--no, it's fine, I was awake anyway. [Uneasily rubbing the back of his right hand.] I would have been worried if you didn't have questions. All I had to go on was some quick research while I was getting the hell out of England, and there was a lot of the situation that ended up blindsiding me as a result.

[hoshikiri]

I see. [A long pause and a tilt of his head, like he's debating asking something.

... Hells with it.]

England is your homeland, is it not? If I may ask, did something happen that you needed to leave so hastily?

[fionnuisce]

...Oh. I didn't-...

[He turned slightly red with an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.]

Well, the...summoning a Servant usually requires a catalyst, some object or relic tied to the specific hero or their legend. Not an easy thing to come by, unless you're a professor engaged to the daughter of the department head who specifically gathers such items.

...Or if you're a nineteen year old student of said professor who accidentally intercepted his mail.

[hoshikiri]

[...]

You stole someone's mail to summon Diarmuid? [Does he mean to judge? No. Does he sound like he is by accident cause he has no sense of major tone shifting? Well.]

[fionnuisce]

I was...not a very good person when I was a student. I'm still not, honestly.

[He at least had the decency to look genuinely embarrassed.]

...You remember my predecessor, from that memory? Berserker's Master. He was my professor before the war, and that day I'd stormed out of class because he'd gone out of his way to humiliate me. Admittedly, the arrogant shit I was spouting was insane in hindsight, but I was still angry. I crossed paths with a courier in the hallway and was asked to hand something off to Kayneth. But...well, being a nosy shithead of a child, I decided to go to the library instead.

[His right hand moved to the pendant under his collar, idly fidgeting with the chain as he spoke.]

There'd been rumors he was going to compete in some ritual, and I did some digging--that's how I learned about the Holy Grail War. It seemed like a contest of strength that had no bearing on one's physical or magical strength, a place where bloodline meant nothing...I thought if I could win, then I would prove Kaynth and everyone else wrong. So I stole the catalyst and was practically gone by sundown.

...It's fine if you want to judge me for that. I know it was wrong to act so carelessly just because I took a hit to my pride. I don't regret it, but I know it was wrong.

[hoshikiri]

... I would have to disagree.

[Waver was a good person. Much better than Takame was. He listened carefully to what was shared. It was the story of a young man who got in over his head and learned the consequences. In that sense, he couldn't help but be reminded of Alphinaud.

Mistakes that ended up costing greatly. Takame knew it both first and second hand.

That being said.]

Your actions when you were young do not make you less of a good person today. But if I may speak freely. [A long pause.]

I did not need to know the real him to assume that Kayneth was an arsehole anyway.