1st video

[grails_vessel]

[Suddenly.]

[Video.]

[It looked like someone had dropped the phone, and slim white fingers fumble over it] Oh, oh! How do you use one of these…? [The fingers fumble a bit more, then manage to pick up it, fingers shaking] A light's on… does that mean it's already working? Um, how do they do this… [A woman was looking curiously at the screen, pale face and red eyes framed by long white hair. She carefully brought the phone to her ear] Kiritsugu? Maiya? Are you there? Saber? [She pulled the phone away from her head to look at it, dropping it again in the process] Oh no! [The video turned off as she fumbled with the phone again, making lightly distressed noises as her fingers lack the strength to hold onto the device]

Comments

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

Oh--

[Diarmuid recognized this person; her name escaped him, though he knew her face and voice. And even if he hadn't remembered, the names she called would have gotten his attention easily. Exhausted as he was lately, the glasses-wearing former Servant was sure to reply quickly.]

Are you alright? [A standard question he'd ask any new arrival; in fact, Diarmuid had completely discarded the idea of treating most from the fourth war as an enemy. (Ryuunosuke and Caster being special exceptions, of course.) So his tone was light and casual, with no edge of caution.]

[video]

[grails_vessel]

Ah! [Her fingers scrambled over the phone again, unable to do more than cup it] You startled me. So it- it does work like this?

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

That's right. I know it can be a little difficult to become accustomed to, but it's really quite simple to learn with time.

[video]

[grails_vessel]

Your voice. I know it. You're... [She went silent as she realized who was on the other end, her hands pulling away from the phone]

Lancer.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

It's alright--please do not be alarmed.

[He took off his glasses, offering Irisviel a smile.]

You can just call me Diarmuid now. Might I ask yours, as I don't recall ever hearing it?

[video]

[grails_vessel]

You are still the Servant of a man one of our enemies. Why... did it contact you?

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

...

[The smile faded to something much more sorrowful before Diarmuid turned calmly serious a second later.]

I would correct you by saying that I am that man's Servant no longer. You may find very soon that this place is not Fuyuki, and circumstances are very different to that of the Holy Grail War.

[video]

[grails_vessel]

...

[Her fingers came back, trying to pick up the phone again] Then where am I? What is this place? Oh- [Yeah she's dropping the phone again, this time it falling screen down] I'm sorry.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

You don't need to apologize, it's fine. This place is an island city called Prospero, though by all accounts this is not exactly the world from which any of us originate. I can not tell you how we have come here or why, because it seems few if any know that themselves.

[video]

[grails_vessel]

Is... [She didn't know if there was someone even he didn't know pulling his strings. She had to be careful. If he was here, she had to let him stay in the shadows until Kiritsugu could strike] Is Saber here?

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

Yes--I live with her, actually. [He smiled again at that, brightly.]

[video]

[grails_vessel]

[Which she didn't see because the phone is currently facing the pavement. OOPS]

[But at least it hid her own very startled expression] You're... living with Saber? [Well, she knew as knights they had respected each other greatly but to live together when the last thing they knew was they were enemies?]

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

[wtg iri]

I...recognize it must seem strange, but we have been here for quite some time. Personally, I have been in this city for just over a year.

[video]

[grails_vessel]

[Finally, she gets the phone turned back over so she can look down into it]

So long... and yet the Holy Grail War is not here?

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

That's correct--more than that, it seems Servants like myself are turned human upon arrival.

[video]

[grails_vessel]

[Blink. Blink blink. Wait, that would mean... even her?]

All Servants? Are they the only ones affected by this?

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

No--perhaps I should have been a little less specific. For as long as I have been here, it seems anyone more than human is brought to such a state when they awaken here.

[video]

[grails_vessel]

[Irisviel held up a hand, looking at it. It looked like normal, but-]

[No, she could feel it inside her. She felt different. Even if her fingers didn't have her usual strength, it was still slightly more than she had while getting dressed.]

I see.

[She could... live a normal life here with Kiritsugu and Ilyasviel? The idea, living a normal life with her husband and daughter, made her breath catch]

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

...Are you certain you're alright?

[video]

[grails_vessel]

[Oh. She smiled at the phone, trying to hide the rush of emotion at the idea of watching her little girl grow up and living a life with her and her husband]

It's different than home.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

...

[Another smile.]

Yes, I suppose that it is. Forgive me, as I understand if you would be hesitant to trust me, but I could give you the address we're living at if you would like. I could not stand for a friend of Arturia's to be left alone in a foreign land.

[video]

[grails_vessel]

[Wow. He had a nice smile. Very kind]

I wouldn't wish to put you and Saber out.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

As it happens, due to a small miscommunication, we have an extra room. You're welcome to it, as I suspect Arturia might want you by her side anyway.

[video]

[grails_vessel]

[And she wanted to be by Saber's]

If Saber is fine with it, then it sounds like a good idea.

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

Of course.

[He texted her the specific address.]

Will you be alright on your own? I'm sure one of us can come to escort you if you wish.