tvk | ⚔ 003; [video]

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lancer (diarmuid ua duibhne)

⚔ 003; [video]

[A; video; late morning of 8/15]
[Lancer adjusted his glasses after turning on the camera, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms--one of which seems to have bandages wrapped around it.]

I suppose I don't need to call our attention to the more dangerous individuals filtering into the city lately. Some of whom I imagine can surely hear this right now, not that I believe it matters. If that is the case: you will not be allowed to carry on as you have been doing.

To the rest of you, I offer self-defense lessons if you've arrived here with little or no combat skill to speak of. I can train anyone willing in hand-to-hand combat or use of a lance, though if you use another weapon I'm confident we can come up with something.

[B; action; afternoon]

[Ryuunosuke was taken care of--Lancer had been sure that was the end of it, but hearing from Garviel that one person had already returned from the dead had been something of a shock. So how long would it be until Caster's Master resurrected, if he did at all? And what would happen then?]

[He needed to discuss this with someone he trusted, and it was for that reason he sought out Saber. Hopefully he'd catch her at the end of her shift.]

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Lancer.

[ Tossing the can into a nearby trash can, she'll look towards him as a greeting. She isn't rude after all. Even if looking at him will give herself away. Guess who hasn't been recovering since he's last seen her? ]

What brings you here?

Among a few other things?

[He sat down across from Saber, watching her intently. How hard was she pushing herself?]

...I came to tell you I killed Caster's Master last night.

[ Not the only one who's killed. No need for her to brag about her kills, even if simply informing him wasn't seen as such. It felt that way to her in the end. ]

He was harmless, Lancer.

[ Harmless in comparison to that clown. ]

...No, he wasn't. My reasoning can wait, I ask you to trust my judgment for the moment.

[Did she still not know? It wasn't too shocking to Lancer that few people were speaking openly about their Personas, but somehow it bothered him that Saber hadn't found out yet.]

I told you that so that I could tell you this: today I was informed that someone else who was murdered came back to life.

Of course. If I did not trust your judgment, I would bring justice upon you swiftly.

[ Just.. reminding him. ]

I saw the message myself. It appears that in this realm, people do not die when they are killed.

Of course.

If you heard, then what do you think we should do about it? With people like Ryuunosuke and that other murderer in this city...there must be some way to stop them.

Detain them. If that fails, kill them until they repent.

I thought you might say as much. Still, I thought it best to make sure the best course of action.

...my next question would be why exactly you seem to be in such miserable condition.

Murderers have little time to acquire money. Trick them into getting arrested by the forces here and they will be unable to pay for their own bail.

[ She's been researching this. ]

My condition is fine.

You'll have to forgive me for saying so, but you're wrong. It looks to me like you've been fighting considerably harder than you should--unsurprising for a knight of your caliber, but perhaps ill-advised.

Nothing ventured...

[ Nothing gained. ]

...Saber, I ask that you listen to me for a moment.

Yes, this place is dangerous...and yes, there are people here in need of our protection. But we won't be able to protect anyone if we run ourselves ragged against Shadows each and every night.

If the dead come back to life, then there is no purpose for me to hold back anymore. If I die while saving a life, then I will just awaken to repeat myself.

You believe it to be so simple?

Is it not?

In my opinion, no.

Life is something not for me, Lancer. I am dead when I leave this place just as you are. I do not return to the Throne of the Heroes. That is why I am able to retain my memories of both wars I have been a part of it. I return to my dying body and just lay there until the world has a purpose for me.

Then it will take me upon my offer. I am certain of it. I gave up Heaven for a chance to fix things for my country. I have no regrets with my life, but I have no reason to value any of this.

A human body that does not suit me. A chance to see familiar faces. His love again. These are things not meant for me.

Edited 2011-08-16 04:47 (UTC)

Arturia Pendragon.

[His voice was sharp as he dared to speak her true name in an admonishing tone--the name she herself had spoken immediately before the fight that had ended in Lancer's death. It felt like so long ago, now...even longer for her.]

You will truly treat this life as if it means so little simply because of such circumstances? I have no regrets with how my lifetime played out either, but I will not cast aside this chance as if it was worthless.

We are knights without a true purpose past protecting those here, yes...but could we not choose our own purpose to live for? Will you so eagerly tempt death by risking yourself with no thought for the opportunity you could choose to have here with those that actually care for you?

I will not allow you to continue pushing yourself so thoughtlessly. I respect you far too much to stand by and let that happen.

[ Pushing herself up to her feet with his last words, she'll groggily look towards him. It always takes a few minutes for the drinks to kick in, so all she has to do is buy time.

Easy enough. ]

Then our battle resumes here, Lancer.

Saber, I am not speaking as your enemy here. And I would not wish for our rematch to be under these circumstances, least of all with you in such a condition.

[But the glasses came off as he stood up, completely serious.]

But if that is what I must do to prove that you're wrong, then I invite you to come at me with all that you have.

You will do no such thing.

[ Sprinting towards him, her movements were sluggish and wobbly in her steps, exhaustion clearly ruling her body more than her mind thought. With a fist aiming for his head, there's no hesitation.

Knights often had disagreements. It was part of growing together. Fighting together. Dying together. This was nothing ill to Saber. ]

[Lancer was admittedly tired from the previous night, with a dull ache in the back of his head from summoning his Persona for so long. But that seemed to be nothing in comparison to the condition Saber was in.]

[He dodged her strike easily, feeling the faintest sense of regret that someone he so highly respected had brought herself to this state.]

For this much, I'll apologize--!

[As he spoke and with barely any hesitation, he threw a punch directly at her wounded side. It was exploiting a weakness, yes; but it was also meant to drive his point home. She couldn't do this to herself, no matter her reasoning. Lancer couldn't allow it.]

[ Sudden nausea and dizziness overwhelm her, causing her to stumble back. That was.. ]

A c-cheap.. tactic, Lancer. [ Even if she's cried out in agony before, this was a quiet, lingering hint of pain with her words. Why was she unable to make him see?

Her logic was too terribly off, was it? Maybe she was wrong if a fellow knight thought otherwise. Wrapping an arm around her side to clutch at the injured spot, her knees hit the pavement shortly after his strike. ]

And a Shadow would have held back on taking such an opening? Were I one of them, you might well be dead now.

[He stepped forward, offering a hand to help her up.]

Please, Saber. Allow me to help you--if you insist on making sure those out at night are protected, then allow me to go in your place until you've recovered. And once you have, I will gladly fight at your side to be sure you aren't left in such a weakened state.

Lancer...

[ Her free hand (trembling) meets his own, her grip strong to remind him just who (what) she was as she makes it back to her feet. ]

Do you forget easily what happened the last time I tried to recover?

[ Everyone thought they were sleeping together!!! ]

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