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[Some nights, the Dark Hour is noisier than others.]

[While the shadows normally remain silent unless actively attacking those able to wander the dark hour, on this night the port area all but resounds with the shrieks of an all-too familiar shadow. A Visceral Maya, bane of those who find themselves new to Prospero.]

[What's peculiar is that the vocalizations almost sound frustrated or scared, as much as a Shadow can emote such things.]

[And unfortunately for anyone with their phone on-hand, the source of the noise just started getting broadcast over the network. The camera, activated via falling-to-the-ground judging from the angle, shows a man pinning a very displeased Visceral Maya to a building with a stopsign while muttering to himself.]

-n't even die right when I kill 'em, huh? Bah, not like it's the weirdest thi- eh? What's this?

[He keeps the shadow pinned against the building, reaching down to pick up and subsequently peer into the phone as a lazy smile crosses his features.]

Yo. Anyone there?

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For a fellow countryman, a fellow knight? I can do that much, at least.

[This time Lancer's shrug wasn't half-assed in the least. Expression reverting to something that could be expressed in the current era's vernacular as, "fuckin' sorceries, how do they work?"]

I've already given up on trying to understand it; or at least, I don't think knowing will matter. The fact is that I remember what I remember, and they remember what they do. It might make some things a bit awkward, but that's life - and they're still pretty much the same as I remember them anyway.

At least they've not drastically changed, at least. Saber was more or less how I remembered her, I can't even imagine what I'd think if she was a different person altogether.

Saber? I get the feeling that girl would be the same no matter what happens to her.

['cept for angry mop-yu attacks but whatever.]

Anyway, speaking of "what happened"... Well, guess I'll start with my Master, too. The Master I should've had, anyway. Bazett Fraga McRemitz. A magus from our homeland, and a hell of a woman. I don't doubt that she would've been more than willing to fight alongside me during the war itself, and none of that "rear guard" crap most magi seem so fond of, either.

Problem was, she didn't get that chance. Not too long after she summoned me, the bastard overseeing the war - she knew him before the war, hell, I think he was the one who invited her to it - anyway he surprised her, murdered her, and took her command seals.

[Lancer's smile was nothing if not bitter.]

I doubt that I've gotta say exactly why it took me so long to avenge her.

Anyway, my new Master decided that, rather than Lancer, I was to act more like Assassin. Scout out the other servants, engage each and every one, but kill none. Retreat if my identity was revealed. Gather information. In other words, he was a dull partner as well as an underhanded one.

This and that happened, and I wound up lending Emiya and Tohsaka -- Archer's master -- a hand. They were a great deal more interesting than that shitty priest, so I can't say I really minded the change.

'Course, a sudden change in religion like that was bound not to last. Becoming boring again, he eventually tried to order me to kill Tohsaka. While she was helpless. Damned if I'd kill a woman like that, especially if she couldn't fight back. He changed his orders around a bit when I refused.

[And, as Diarmuid had before him, Cu Chulainn pulled down the neck of his shirt slightly, a tell-tale scar over his own heart. Another trait of the Lancer class, apparently.]

...Still, even Gae Bolg can't finish me that quickly. I had enough time to let Tohsaka loose and see my fake Master off permanantly. Gave the two of us a proper cremation, too.

[He shrugs again, nonchalantly. Heroes die because other people are unreasonable; he'd accepted this as fact when he was alive the first time.]

I suppose I shouldn't complain, all I really wanted was to fight to my heart's content, nothing like a "second chance." Still, I've got to admit I'm disappointed I didn't even really get allowed that much.

...it's really not fair, is it?

[He'd listened attentively, a forlorn but sympathetic smile on his face once the other Lancer was finished.]

We both deserved better--you more than I, but then again, I suppose we're not the only Servants to meet unpleasant ends. Even if there's nothing that can be done about it now, it's just...sickening, somehow.

Ah, perhaps I'm still bitter. I really don't know anymore. [Lancer sighed, leaning his head on his hand.]

Really, I wonder if the war itself just hates Lancers.

[Lancer makes a low, sharp chuckle. A grim laugh.]

It's the only way to make the war fair for the poor magi who didn't summon a Lancer, isn't it? It makes me wonder how our predecessors fared, what unreasonable ends they met due to their masters.

The past is the past, anyway. Best to focus on what's happening now -- we've got new allies, we've got enemies to fight, and we've got this whole "persona" and "shadow" mystery as well.

[He pauses, raising his glass to the other Lancer in a salute.]

Me? I don't think I could ask for much more right about now.

Yes, you're right. If dealing with Kayneth and Sola is the price of exchanging stories with the Hound of Ulster, then I'll accept that much with no further complaint.

[He did the same, smirking faintly.]

All things considered, I doubt I could be happier.

Heh, I'll drink to that. Here's to everything and everyone, the good and the bad. Even those terrible masters; despite their best efforts, or maybe because of 'em, we've wound up pretty well-off in the end.

Sounds as good a reason to me as any.

[Lancer would finish his drink in relative silence, yet it was not an awkward silence. It was as he'd said, he found the company to be pleasant enough, the current situation interesting enough, and his overall outlook on the future?]

[Well, if one was to think of life as a series of adventures, Cu Chulainn - never one to back down - was looking forward to seeing this one through.]

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