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This locket's pretty nifty. [Lancer, poised on the edge of a cliff, leaned his locket against one rock as he fiddled with a cloak and brooch, trying to pin one to the other without ripping it. He kept doing it over and over so he could weather it down and make it more comfortable to wear. When he got into a good little cycle of repetition, he spoke up, again.]

So, hey--I'm curious, has anyone heard about any 'help wanted' situations in Caer Glaem? I'd ask, but I figure this little artifact's got a good reputation is folks're using it so often.

[He continued talking, returning his eyes to the cloak and brooch.]

Let's see--I'm good with a plow, I know my way around horses and spreading seed... [Said nonchalantly, examining his handiwork.]

Pretty good at preparing and serving food. I wouldn't recommend me as the cook, though. I can read and write. [Conveniently, in every language on Earth.]

I'm a really good gardener, too--on top of farming, I mean. If you like flower-arrangement and things like that, you could say I've got a real knack for it.

[Lancer, seemingly content with the work he had done with the cloak and brooch, set both aside and began folding them where they lay. He crossed his arms and grinned back at the locket.]

So, if you folks know anyone who's hiring, put in a good word for me! You can call me [A pause. Lancer definitely stopped at that, thinking through his options.] Lancer. Yeah, I'll stick with that. It's gotten to be a habit, by now.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Wale-Mart, you mean. You had an opportunity and you didn't take it. ]

Hoh and do you think I'm a master of that? Maybe I know a thing or two of being betrayed or doing the betraying myself.

... alternatively, someone could just kill your Master for you.

[Ware ware]

Jeez, you're startin' to really remind me of somebody I used to know.

[He already discussed his teacher with Rin, but he never mentioned her too intimately--just as the demonic lady who taught him how to use a lance. He felt it would go to Rin's head if he told her everything.]

Still, that's not the answer I'm aiming for. Those folks grant rewards to those who follow them, so I've got to grit my teeth.

Those runes were my pride as a student. If my Master dies, then I forfeit the years I spent in that hall of learning.

Well, if your Master dies, it can't be helped. It just means they were the lesser Master in the battle and you as their Servant should have been commanded better. It isn't as if you're a puppet on a string, but you still follow instructions from the row behind you as you battle in the front line.

Besides that, you weren't so broken up when your Master died in the Fifth Holy Grail War.

[ The asshole one, not the Irish fangirl hottie. Who is she, some kind of Extra character?? ]

It's a bit different. I've got to play along awhile so I can get back what I lost. I don't have any idea if I get it back if they die or if it's gone for good at that point.

[Lancer was curious about what Rin meant, but for the most part he decided to ignore it. He was 'Seelie', so he took it to mean that he wasn't allowed to make plans with potential enemies, Rin included. As long as those two courts existed and he was ringed onto a side, he'd have a tough time being liberal.]

So, I've got to obey if only because I want my pride back.

Is that how it is? [ Servants losing their abilities, huh? Rin can't say she's surprised by his choice or by that realization. ]

Suit yourself, Lancer.

Should I expect you to make an attempt at finishing what you started on the first night so many months ago?

Hah. Probably not until you make a big name for yourself.

[He grinned, knowing it was fruitless for Rin to even try winning him over. Funny enough, he still didn't know what he did for her and how that came to transpire in the first place.]

That said, it's not as if Servants have a choice in these things, right?

You're wrong.

[ That one comes out brunt, almost as if she's aware that he alone could defy a single command if given or survive long enough to act in defiance of it. ]

Every person has a choice and that's why they were brought here. Don't tell me you've overlooked the influence other cultures have had on this world, Lancer. You seemed to be more clever than that when we first met.

That's quite the unerring faith. What a pain... [Really, he just found that sort of situation to be irritating. Rin really did cast a weird sort of value on him. He remembered a few times when his Princess chided him like that.]

Shame of the matter is, even if I don't care for the situation, I'm not the sort of man who's gonna back down from this sort of challenge. My pride's a pretty important thing, after all.

--but is your pride worth dying for? [ Rin blurts it out already knowing the answer deep down. ]

...

[ Which means thankfully for Lancer, she's struck herself silent with the thought. ]

Hah.

[Even Lancer had to stop and laugh at that one.

Seriously, Rin. It's like you just started playing that game!]

[ Clearing her throat. ] I won't admit that I understand, but I'll try to keep that in mind.

Try to not scrub too many floors or pick too many flowers, else your pride may diminish in value.

I don't believe any man who thinks he's above a hard day's work is a real man at all. Moochers like that're closer to children who need adults to look after them.

[HE'S TALKING ABOUT YOU, GOLDIE]

You should consider a day job aside from all that dutiful studying you're probably into. Try out some fresh air, missy. You won't regret it.

I have been trying out this fresh air! [ Blurted out with an indignant tone to it. ]

Since I've arrived, I've spent my time in this world traveling. I'm currently en route to Nimh Gleanne as a matter of fact. Also, I'm not sure if you realize just how much work it is for me to ride a carriage this far, but I'll tell you it's been the second most uncomfortable experience of my life.

[ The first being her time with Emiya??? ]

A carriage? What a waste of good country roads. You should ride horseback, missy. It builds character and makes you appreciate even the roughest seats.

[That said, Lancer was now thinking about Rin's butt. As usual.]

[ There's an absurd amount of Servants here who have expressed interest in Rin spreading her thighs... ]

Should I? I wasn't aware I was lacking in character!

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