crowspace | call me out v. 15.0

[The day passes without further event, and tomorrow rolls around without dreams for either of them. Small mercies.

Merlin hangs around invisibly during class, resisting the urge to make commentary. It'd be bad if Mercy started giggling for no reason... although, knowing Mercy, it probably wouldn't be the weirdest thing she's done in school.

After classes let out and the students file out of the building, that leaves them still there.]

Ready?

[By now, Mercy's classmates are pretty much unanimously of the opinion that whenever she starts laughing about something, they're happier not knowing why.]

[Overall, Estrella Academy seems fairly normal- a nice, well-funded school, perhaps, but still nothing out of the ordinary as modern schools go. Despite all their funding, the cafeteria food is still deeply terrible.]

[Through the mental link:] Ready! [She sounds just as cheery through telepathy as she does in person.]

Her office is right over here... [Mercy knocks politely on the door, lets herself into the waiting room, and politely explains to the secretary that she's here to see the principal.]

[She does not offer a specific explanation as to why, and the secretary pointedly doesn't ask. It's after hours, she just wants to go home, she doesn't want to know what this horrible gremlin child has done in the biology lab today. Please don't tell her. Just talk to the principal and fucking leave, they're not paying her enough to know about this.]

[Mercy agreeably takes a seat on one of the plastic waiting room chairs while the secretary checks with Mrs. Eskender to see if she's in. But by now, Merlin can probably already guess that she is.]

[Because there's absolutely a Servant on the other side of that office door.]

[It's a nice, normal school. Would be a shame if it became a battleground.]

There's another Servant here. They probably won't pick a fight while there are still people around but... best to be careful, Mercy.

[The secretary absolutely does not get paid enough to be collateral damage.]

Well, I guess we probably won't need to tell her the Grail War's happening in Verdette this time!

[As the Second Owner, it was pretty unlikely that she didn't already know- but politeness would still dictate that she mention it.]

[As it is, after a couple moments the secretary directs them into the principal's office and pointedly returns to her game of solitare.]

[The door shuts behind them with an audible click, and a detectable engaging of wards- soundproofing and concealment, mostly. It seems someone doesn't want this talk being overheard by anyone outside this room. ...Or perceived, at all.]

"I don't believe you had an appointment, Miss Moritz."

[Welp. If there was any possible doubt about this woman being a Master, it's gone now. That sense of a Servant in here is definitely linked to her.]

"Oh, was I supposed to call? Sorry! I just thought you'd want to know." [Her single coolly-raised eyebrow and artfully dry tone, calculated for just the right level of refined authority and mild threat, are tragically wasted on Mercy, who registers absolutely none of the intended menace whatsoever.] "You know, about the War!"

[What? It's not like either of them needs to bother pretending at this point.]

[It is a prime example of subtly threatening aura, definitely not achieved on accident. If Mercy not picking up on it is annoying to her opponents, all the better.

Merlin hangs close to Mercy's side. Just in case.]

Really, she should be thanking you for being considerate.

[Principal Eskender's demeanor makes it very clear that she considers herself to be in control here: this is her territory, her wards around them sealing off the outside world.]

[The curtains are drawn back from the window, and outside the sun is beginning to set- but even as they look out, no one can see in. Nothing will enter this room without its owner's permission.]

[And she might not be inclined to let them leave without it, either.]

I guess she probably has a pretty busy schedule! It makes sense she'd want to plan things in advance.

[Generally, if someone is getting the social situation wrong, Mercy's going to assume it's probably her.]

"I do, in fact, know about the War, young lady." [It's slightly too dignified to be sarcasm, but there's still an edge to it.] "And your Servant would be...?"

[Even Mercy can tell she's probably asking for a Class, here. But she's not going to call Merlin by a name he's uncomfortable with. ...She's also not very comfortable with lying to people, though.]

[Faced with the minor dilemma, she opts to sidestep the issue entirely.]

"Da-ge, would you mind coming out now? I think she wants to meet you..."

[Well, if she insists. Merlin manifests in a flourish of flowers.]

A pleasure to meet you, madam. [It is sincere, even if her aura of menace is nearly palpable.] Of course, I can't go around revealing my true name without permission-

"Merlin." [The other Servant in the room chooses to manifest himself now - a man in white armor, the very image of a knight.

The recognition is mutual, although Merlin seems far more delighted to see the other.] Oh, Lancelot! Wonderful to see you again!

"...You have some nerve saying that, after leaving the way you did."

[Flatly:] "Ah. This is our Caster, then."

[It... isn't an unreasonable assumption. After all, who would think of the Mage of Flowers and expect him to be summoned as anything other than the Servant of the Spell?]

[Mercy decides to just change the subject.]

"Oh, you two know each other! That's fun, you get a reunion."

[Sure, it's under awkward circumstances, but at least he gets to see a friend again... right?]

[She gives the knight a cheery little wave.] "Nice to meet you, Sir Lancelot!"

[Discreetly, the principal texts her secretary, letting her know she should leave early today. All but the night staff will be going home soon, anyway, and she'll be working late tonight again.]

Edited 2022-01-26 01:18 (UTC)

[Lancelot inclines his head a little to Mercy.] "Hello, Miss Moritz. I'm sorry to hear you've summoned such an unreliable Servant."

Ah, Lancelot is so mean. You and I remember things a little differently, I think.

"Really? He's been a big help so far!"

[At his complaining, Mercy reaches over and companionably pats Merlin's arm. It's okay, buddy. She appreciates you.]

"So! Since both our Servants are from Camelot... we should probably make an alliance, right?" [...Welp. She may not have a career as a diplomat ahead of her, but at least you can't fault her for honesty.]

[Unfortunately, it seems that Principal Eskender can.]

"Hm... I'm afraid not, Miss Moritz." [She closes her hand and the wards grow brighter. As long as she's focusing her power on them, no one is leaving this room.] "I've always the original designers of the Heaven's Feel erred, when they included the Caster class. In a battle where mages are meant to be the ultimate authority, bringing in a mage who is by definition more powerful than any of the Masters... was simply a foolish risk from the start."

[She's as polite and dignified as though they're discussing the weather. She's still a teacher, and this is merely a regrettably final lesson she intends to impart.]

"Perhaps if you had made this offer having summoned any other class... but then again, perhaps not. After all... meeting another Master alone in her own domain was a foolish risk, too."

[Her gaze hardens.]

"Saber? Don't waste this opportunity."

[So, that sure could have gone better.]

[In the split second of silent stillness before all hell breaks loose:] "Okay, if Miss Zuri gets mad at me for this, you have to tell her I tried."

"Yes, Master." [Lancelot's gaze is as hard and cold as his Master's as he draws his sword. There might have been a time he would have hesitated to bring his blade to bear on Merlin, but not now.]

It's a shame. I think we could have gotten to be good friends. [Merlin doesn't seem particularly fussed. There's no reason to worry, after all.

If he were a different Merlin, this might be a fight worth watching. Lancelot with Arondight, Merlin weaving spell after spell against him. It would be a long and difficult battle.

As things are, it's over as soon as it starts.

Lancelot swings his sword, and Merlin makes no attempt to dodge - Mercy can easily heal any flesh wound he takes. That puts him close enough for Merlin to press a finger against Lancelot's forehead.]

Go to sleep.

[...The sword slips from Lancelot's slack hands, followed by his knees hitting the floor.]

"How... so easily...?"

[And he's out like a light. Merlin smiles and steps over his fallen form.]

Now then. What should we do with you, I wonder?

[True to her word, Mercy is healing Merlin's injury almost the instant he takes it. Within a heartbeat, it's like he was never struck at all. Other sorts of spells, she's okay with- but healing is her specialty, and it shows.]

[Much like spells of sleep are his.]

"How-?!" [For the first time, there's a crack in Kelile Eskender's smooth facade, her expression shocked and coldly furious. Yes, she had expected a dangerous opponent- the dangers of a Caster were the entire reason she'd chosen to have this fight now, instead of giving him time to prepare.]

[If she'd actually been facing a Caster, maybe that would have been enough.]

"If you dare think I'll fall so easily..."

[A Master fighting an enemy Master and their Servant two-on-one is a terrible position, but surrendering without a fight is simply unacceptable. She raises a shield of light in front of her with one hand, using the other to cast a sudden sharp bolt of something that Mercy hastily ducks. There's a nasty crunching noise as it hits the wall behind her.]

"I think it's time to test a theory!" [Mercy grins wildly, still dodging for her life as the principal throws another spell her way.] "Anesthesia, please!"

[Merlin, that may be your cue. Congratulations, you've been promoted from court mage to surgical assistant.]

[He's honored!

Breaking the shield is first priority - he doesn't have the 100% Mythological Certainty advantage on her. Thorny vines spring up from the floor, trying to pierce through her shield, while a shimmering aura that should slow projectiles surrounds Mercy.]

Just a moment, please~

[Fortunately for them, like many modern mages, the principal is more of an academic than a combatant. She's throwing out some rather nasty spells, but she's a glass cannon at best.]

[(As anyone familiar with the school's fencing team could attest, the real challenge in a fight would have been her daughter.)]

[Still, it's for Zuri's sake that she calls for Merlin to put her to sleep, rather than go for a killing blow. She already wanted to avoid unnecessary deaths, and even if she does end up having to resort to more lethal methods eventually, she certainly doesn't want to start with her friend's mother.]

[...Even if the woman in question did just try to curse her to literally explode. Principal Eskender's not here to fuck around.]

[She's still dodging, it's fine.]

[In the end, while the principal doesn't fall easily, she can't stand up to Merlin's own spells for long.]

[The shield gives out, and Merlin manages a quick chant - something a little more involved than what he'd needed for Lancelot, but the result is the same.

As soon as the principal is out, Merlin breathes a sigh of relief.]

She should stay under long enough to take her Command Spells off.

Perfect!

[Mercy works with alarmingly well-practiced efficiency, laying the woman out carefully on the floor and reaching into her schoolbag to pull out a small black case. It's full of surgical tools.]

[She just. Carries scalpels around with her, apparently. Never know when you might need to operate on someone.]

What do you want to do with Sir Lancelot? Since he's your friend, you should get to decide.

Can we keep him, please? I can handle the mana if it's a problem!

[Like asking to keep a stray dog that followed him home, only this one is even more likely to bark and growl at you.]

[She smiles, pulling off her sweater and spread it out under the principal's arm to shield the woman's own clothes from what's about to happen.]

Sure! [As long as you promise to feed him and take him for walks. Remember, a knight is a big responsibility.] Maybe we should try keeping him on a minimal amount of mana to start with? Just enough to make sure he doesn't dissipate! That way he probably won't have the energy to stab anyone...

[Mercy pulls on a sterile pair of gloves and sets to her swift, careful work.]

[Surgery is rarely clean and pretty, but in this field Mercy is an artist. There is not even one single unnecessary cut made, no drop of blood wasted where it need not be spent. The incision is made, the hand bearing the command seals is removed neatly at the wrist and stored in a glass jar full of unidentified fluid, the wound is sealed over.]

[For all the power and authority she yet holds, Kelile Eskender is no longer Saber's Master.]

[Due to the relative speed of the procedure, the sweater seems to have been sufficient to soak up most of the blood, and she bundles the used tools in it for later cleaning, along with the thoroughly bloodied gloves. Best not to leave even more evidence behind.]

[Even with her skills, Mercy would never have attempted surgery in such an unsterile environment without magic as a stopgap. The work itself done, she presses a hand to the principal's elbow, prepared to send healing into her, burning out any infection that might take root... and stops.]

[She's considering something, a chance to try something new. She thinks it will work, but it will be costly... still. It's something she can do for her patient, so she has to try.]

Speaking of mana... You might need to get us home, if this takes more out of me than I think.

[And without further delay, she sends her power down into the principal's arm and pushes it to regrow the missing hand.]

[Tendon, bone- she knows every part of human flesh. So did you, didn't you, this body? She speaks to you, living marrow, living blood. She knows your ways, she knows your memory. Surely you grew this once, built this once. Can't you do it again, if she gives you the power, shows you the way?]

[Like a flower unfurling in time lapse photography, a new hand sprouts to replace the old.]

[The back of the new hand is bare. The command seals remain on the severed original, still sealed in the jar.]

[Mercy grins triumphantly.]

I think we just proved our theory- oop! [Okay, tried to stand up a little too fast after doing big magic, there. She's just. Gonna sit down until the dizziness passes, it's fine.]

[It's beautiful, in a way. Mercy cuts the hand off neatly, precisely, and then grows a new hand to replace the old. If he hadn't watched it happen, he wouldn't say that hand was anything but natural.

Lancelot will appreciate that, he thinks. Cutting off someone's hand is a bad start to any relationship.

Merlin sits down beside Mercy, one hand on her shoulder.]

A teleportation spell home, I think. No one will notice if you don't leave the school the usual way, and it's easier than carrying Lancelot with us.

[As funny as he personally would find it to bridal carry a sleeping Lancelot, that would probably tire him out.

He weaves the spell carefully, includes a few safety measures to make sure they don't get stuck in a wall somehow - and then they're back in Mercy's home. Mercy, Merlin, and one snoozing knight.]

Let me take care of dinner tonight. You worked hard.

[It probably wouldn't have helped her relationship with the principal much, either. ...Admittedly it probably still won't really be great after this, but.]

[It was just bad luck, is the thing. She did everything right, practical and by the book. Mercy can't fault her, can't point to any bad strategic choices their enemy made, she just got really unlucky without knowing why. Somehow, being unkind to her in victory just wouldn't feel fair.]

[She's still young enough that being fair feels very important somehow, even though she's already old enough to know that the world usually isn't.]

Oof- [She gives a deep sigh as she flops down on the couch, dropping her bag and its alarmingly bloody contents to the floor. The bell jar she keeps ahold of, out of a long-instilled instinct not to be careless with any glass specimen containers- you only need to crack a terrarium and unleash a bunch of crickets in your own lab once for that lesson to stick.] ...thank you.

[She smiles warmly at Merlin. Part of her thinks she should argue as a good host, but between the mana drain and the adrenaline crash she's already kind of tired, and letting someone else handle cooking sounds really nice right now.]

I think he's wrong, you know. You help a lot.

[Leaning back into the warm, comfy cushions of her beat-up old couch, instinctively hugging the bell jar to herself like a teddy bear, Mercy Moritz falls asleep and begins to dream.]

[She'll deal with the fully-grown man they just kidnapped in the morning.]

Edited 2022-01-27 01:07 (UTC)

[Merlin isn't much of a cook himself, but he throws a few sandwiches together - something that will keep nicely in the fridge until Mercy wakes up - then settles down for a nap himself.

His king is always stressed. She never shows it to anyone else, because she can't, but you can see it in the shadows under her eyes.

"You haven't been sleeping well." A statement, not a question. When you ask questions it's mostly to point out that the answers should be obvious already.

Artoria sighs. "Not for some time."

"It isn't much, but I know a charm to let you rest easy. May I?"

Without a moment of hesitation, she nods. You press your hand over her forehead and murmur the spell, too low for her to make out any of the actual words.

It won't take until that night, and by then, you won't be anywhere close to her to be blamed.

In the morning, the castle is in a tizzy: the king will not wake. You take a look at her and make the appropriate comments about curses, while noting to yourself that she's never looked this peaceful in her waking hours.]

[In the early morning, Mercy wakes up to find that she's not only still clutching the jar to herself like a plush toy, she's also somehow managed to sleep-cocoon herself in the blanket draped on the back of the couch, curled up in a small ball, and acquired a cat sleeping on her head.]

[A quiet mumble to herself, still half-asleep:] Did it... really happen that way...?

[Extracting herself from the tangled mess of cushions, fuzzy blankets, and Pathos takes a bit of delicate work, but in the end she manages to emerge without significant disruption.]

[With the pre-dawn quiet still lingering in the air, she slips off to go take a shower and change into something she didn't almost get murdered in. Feeling slightly more awake with that done, she scoops up the jar again and wanders into the kitchen, smiling happily as she discovers the sandwiches in the fridge.]

[Merlin wakes before Lancelot (who was sleeping on the floor), although only by about a minute or so. It means that when Lancelot starts to stir, and takes in that he is not with his Master and that Merlin is smiling at him, Merlin can immediately cut off his protests.]

"What-"

Your former Master is alive and well, and Mercy healed her after taking her Command Spells, so really you have nothing to complain about. Also, don't yell in here, you'll scare the cats.

[...Lancelot still doesn't look particularly happy about this setup. Can't imagine what he's mad about, really.]

[Logos appears to have taken Lancelot sleeping on the floor as permission to curl up on his chest, forming a tidy and faintly judgemental-looking little three-headed kittyloaf.]

[He is very suspicious of this new thing, who is even larger than Merlin and does not smell right at all.]

[His efforts at being a guard cat probably aren't going to keep Lancelot pinned if he actually wants to move, but at least he's making an effort.]

Good morning~!

[Also, the noise has attracted Mercy.] I found the leftovers in the fridge, does anyone want breakfast?

[...Yeah, she's still holding that specimen jar. She also appears to have attached a series of thin silver wires to the hand inside.]

[There is a cat on his chest. Even Lancelot knows not to take his confusion and frustration out on an innocent(? it has three heads?) animal, so he carefully picks it up and puts it on the floor before standing.]

"If you want me to obey you, you'll need to use one of those Command Spells."

Lancelot's difficult to manage at first, but he warms up to people over time.

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cw: vague narration of surgery

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