crowspace | call me out v. 15.0

[Chaldea's newest Lancer is... well, honestly, they're not that weird, by Chaldea standards.]

[It's just that the bar for that really isn't high.]

[As evidenced by the fact that they're currently standing in the middle of the base's cafeteria, holding a sign in classic The End Is Nigh And Everyone On This Street Corner Needs To Know It fashion. The staff is collectively trying not to make eye contact with them in a desperate attempt to avoid being handed a pamphlet, because some things remain the same no matter how magic you are.]

[The sign simply reads This is the sign you're looking for.]

[Presumably, whoever it's meant for will know it when they see it.]

[The staff are extremely valid. And they look very uncomfortable. Someone should probably talk to this Lancer in order to figure out why they're doing this and if they intend to stop anytime soon.

Unfortunately Ritsuka is busy in the simulator, so Chiyome takes it upon herself to approach instead.]

Err... Lord Preacher, correct?

I am no lord, Lady. [They smile and give a polite little bend of their head- a little too deep to be a nod, a little too shallow to be a bow.] But I am called Preacher, yes.

Would you like some spiritual literature?

I apologize, Lady Preacher. [Chiyome bows in return, habit ingrained in her after a lifetime.] Are you offering pamphlets to everyone in Chaldea?

Nor lady, either- I am mercifully unburdened with gender.

[They don't seem offended, at least. They understand that gendered languages can be a bit of a bitch like that.]

Oh, yes. [They hold out a small selection of pamphlets, clearly homemade. There's a nonzero chance they broke into someone's office to use their printer.] She tells me so many wonderous things, it would be a selfish act to never share the truths I learn.

[Today's options appear to be a rather short and rather poetic philosophical tract on why it is a holy act to visit prisoners and bring them comfort, a cheerful little parable entitled What Our Friend The Sea Cucumber Teaches Us Of Reincarnation, and a wholly incomprehensible hand-drawn diagram that might be a constellation and might be a map of the circulatory system in someone experiencing serious medical distress.]

[Take your pick, they're all free.]

Ah - Esteemed Preacher.

[She can't just not call them a respectful title, it would be rude.

Chiyome flips through the pamphlets, growing more confused with each one. Maybe it's just that she doesn't know modern science, but she can't tell what that diagram is supposed to be...?]

Did these all come to you directly from your god?

Ah, how kind of you- I will attempt to be worthy of your esteem. [They tilt their head slightly.] And by the same measure, you would be... Lady Chiyome, correct?

[Between the various levels of magical translation and cultural difference, it's unclear exactly what phrasing they're using in their original language, but it's clear that they're attempting to treat her with at least equivalent respect.]

They are not Her words copied verbatim- after all, that would be plagiarism. But they are all things that She has told me, yes.

[The diagram almost seems to move around on the paper when you're looking at it. It's... probably just an optical illusion.]

[It's probably fine. Sometimes pamphlets move on their own. It's fine.]

Fascinating. It must be quite difficult, having the responsibility that comes with prophecy.

[She knows that other Servants have had divine revelations, and as far as she knows none of them hand out pamphlets, but they all have at least a little baggage.]

Must it? [They tilt their head, looking faintly thoughtful.] My God found me in hard times, and I chose to serve Her knowing there would be more hardship still... but speaking to Her brings me joy, even when it is difficult.

[They smile warmly.] In any case, this much isn't prophecy- only helpful advice.

Prophecy tends to happen whether you allow it or not. It has a way of making itself heard by any means.

[Well, there's definitely not no baggage here.]

[Well, if it's not prophecy, then it makes handing out pamphlets a little less understandable.]

Have many people appreciated your advice, Esteemed Preacher?

[They consider the question, thinking back.] Ah, I believe that some have found it useful, in the past. Others have not.

[Preacher shrugs, apparently at peace with this.] As long as people who it will help do hear it, I don't mind speaking to others as well- everyone may find their own path, in the end.

[It's like tossing out a spiritual drift net. Sometimes, in order to catch the tuna of Someone Who Really Needed This Pamphlet On Making Peace With Their Childhood, you need to also scoop up the octopus that is Some Dude Who Is Late For Work And Frantically Trying Not To Get Sucked Into A Conversation With You.]

That is very thoughtful of you.

[And also makes this harder to do, because she can't just say 'you're making people uncomfortable' when they're doing their best to help people. What can she say...]

Um. But I believe your presence in the cafeteria may be causing a traffic issue?

[It's technically true, in that people have to walk around them to get their food.]

Oh! [Preacher blinks and looks around, then nods.] Yes, I see that I am blocking the pudding- I apologize.

[It's chocolate today, too. Very important.]

[They step politely to one side, thus unblocking the dessert bar, and ponder the issue.]

Do you think it might be better if I stood out in the hall? I had considered it at first, but I did not want to risk blocking the corridor, in case it should prove a fire hazard.

[Listen, they lived on a spaceship. Fire drills are serious business in space, you don't fuck with that shit in an environment where oxygen production is a big deal.]

[Fire hazards are serious business. Chiyome understands.]

I believe that unless Lord Ivan or Lady Kingprotea come by, there should be enough room in the hallway.

Perhaps if they do, that will be the sign that I am meant to stop for the moment. [God works in mysterious(?) ways.] I will move, then.

[They smile warmly at her.]

You are a very considerate person, Lady Chiyome.

Oh - thank you very much. I do my best...

[Even if she doesn't think asking someone to move slightly is really worth the praise?]

Consideration is taking thought for others, yes? [They gesture lightly at the spot where they were standing.] If you had only wanted food for yourself, I do not believe I would have presented an obstacle to one of your skills.

[Like, she is literally a magic anime snake ninja. They'll admit they don't know a lot about ninjas, but they're pretty sure she wouldn't have trouble getting past one person just standing in place if she wanted.]

So, you must have approached me for the sake of others. [Therefore, she is considerate. The niceness math checks out, they showed their work and everything.]

[As modest as she is, she can't deny that. Any ninja worth their salt could retrieve pudding if necessary.]

-I simply did what I thought Master would have done, if they were not busy.

[Nothing especially worthy of praise.]

[Ninjas get all the pudding they want.]

Ah... Master Ritsuka is a caring person, that is true.

[Preacher, like every Servant in the building and probably also the entire Chaldea workforce, is Not Immune To Ritsuka Fujimaru.]

I admit that I am concerned about this, at times- there is so much to handle among all of us, for only one person. [...Preacher has been starvation-thin ever since they were summoned and has shadows under their eyes so dark they could be mistaken for bruising, and they're worried about Ritsuka's self-care habits.]

[That may be a new low.]

[Chiyome can't really argue that Ritsuka needs to take more time for themself, but probably Preacher could also take some time off to have a spa day or something.]

Indeed there is. That is why I would like to be helpful to them whenever possible.

I would as well.

[A spa? Well, they do enjoy being completely submerged in water... Apparently it "makes far clearer the voice of God".]

[There's a nonzero chance that at least one person in Chaldea has walked into their room to find them in the bathroom, lying fully clothed at the bottom of the filled tub with their eyes wide open, communing with the divine.]

[At this point, it's probably just a relief that they're not risking the Artic weather to go throw themself in the ocean. Even for Servant durability, that's a bit much.]

I have asked Her where this path may end, but... [They look briefly rueful.] Unfortunately, divine sight is difficult for mortal souls to comprehend. Even when I see, I do not always understand.

Still, She is patient with me as I learn how to better speak with Her, as She has always been.

Clairvoyance does seem to be quite complicated for those who do possess it...

[Admittedly she mostly knows of it from Merlin, who is Merlin, but. It's got to be complicated.]

Mm. [They nod.] It's complicated enough only having it secondhand, listening to Her tell me what She sees... to face it directly is surely very trying.

Perhaps that explains Merlin. [A beat of silence.] Or perhaps he is just Like That.

[It's unclear what Servant class feature lets Preacher audibly pronounce capital letters, but they sure use it a lot.]

[It's a useful skill to have.]

Lord Merlin... is trying his best. At least, I believe so.

I am often unsure what he is trying to do, but surely he is trying. [They smile.] One must have faith, after all.

[And what is faith if not, simply, the choice to trust?]

...I asked God once and She just said "don't worry about it" and that it was "mostly fine".

call me out v. 15.0

Did somebody call for a Servant AU? :D

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