Because This Will Surely End Well... [Video]

[oathshackledbird]

[Lancer is slowly getting better at this network thing, though he still doesn't know how to do anything fancy with it and doesn't really like it.  He would much rather be talking to people face to face, but he knows in this case, that is just not a feasible option.  Not if he wants to find what he's looking for in an acceptable amount of time.

The face that greats the network this afternoon is somewhat pale and uncertain, though very focused on his task.]

Forgive my intrusion, but I was wondering if I could ask for some assistance from the residents here.  After last week's experiment, I would like to try and find a few things to gift to others.  I arrived shortly before the experiment started and so, I'm afraid I don't really know where to start looking for these things.

Specifically what I'm looking for are things related to tea and serving it, but I'm open to other suggestions if you have them.  I don't have a whole lot since I'm new, but I am a skilled fighter among other things and very willing to offer my services in trade for any assistance I receive.

I thank you all in advance for your help.  It is greatly appreciated.


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(OOC:  This post is open to anyone who would actually like to help Lancer with his task, but also to people whose characters would like to troll, hurt, or otherwise take advantage of this poor sap who apparently still hasn't learned his lesson about being so trusting.)

Comments

Re: video

[oathshackledbird]

[Lancer actually blushes a little at that.]

A lot of people who meet me want to control me and I suppose my nature doesn't help with that. She is really no different than anyone else in that light. She was very frustrated when I wouldn't let her have more than that taste, though. Unfortunately, it's not so easy for me and after what I have been through, it's a line I won't budge on.

[He laughs, nervously.]

I think she expected me to hate her for what she did and her insistence, but I don't judge and she was really no danger to me. Please, keep an eye on her. She is troubled and I know she trusts you even if she won't admit it to herself.

oh yes, this'll turn out well

[puppy_lancer]

[He gives an eager nod.]

Of course. She's a good woman even if we've got some differences. Besides, it's not as if you or I are the only Servants here. Last I heard, she and Saber were getting along as well.

Danger, Lancer Robinson, Danger....

[oathshackledbird]

Yes, her Saber. I kind of figured that out the hard way. Now if only she would figure it out for herself.

[He rubs at his neck and winces at the memory.]

What is it with you and her going for my neck anyway? Are you two trying to mark me or something?

Re: Danger, Lancer Robinson, Danger....

[puppy_lancer]

[Now it's Lancer's turn to look embarrassed.]

...Hell if I know. She went for my neck once too. Guess it's just her instincts or something.

[They both went for the neck, but for different reasons. Catarina to maximize the damage, and Lancer to limit it.]

[oathshackledbird]

The thing she inherited from her father...

[He says it very quickly and quietly under his breath.]

She hates it, but mention Saber and it will be there. At least, if I mention Saber. I don't know if it's the same with you. I think she thinks I'm a threat to her or something.

[He sighs and shakes his head.]

I don't know. I mean, I have an idea, but it's not something I'm going to talk about here. She will probably finish what she started that day if I do.

[puppy_lancer]

...What, she talked about him with you?

[She hadn't mentioned her father even to Lancer. Though, hearing Diarmuid say she hated it might explain matters.]

No, she never did that to me when we were speaking about Saber.

[Not when she was sane, anyways.]

Sounds like a good decision.

[oathshackledbird]

[Lancer nods.]

Not a lot, but I suspect I angered her even more than you did though I didn't mean to. We seem to have a talent for finding just the wrong things to say to each other.

Anyway, I also hate my birth father. Perhaps something in her could tell I would understand and wouldn't pry for anymore information than she wanted to give.

[He fixes his roommate with a stern look.]

Do not mention that to anyone else, please. She probably doesn't want that information spread around. I shouldn't have said it out in the open like this to begin with. I hope she won't be too angry with me.

[puppy_lancer]

Don't worry. Both of your secrets are safe with me. Now, can you promise me something in return?

[oathshackledbird]

Thank you, though I'm not so worried about my secret--if it can be called that--as hers.

[Lancer tilts his head, curious.]

What?

[puppy_lancer]

...You mind keeping all that stuff I said to you during the experiment a secret?

[He shouldn't have to ask this, but he just wants to be extra careful. The things he had said were subjects that he wasn't comfortable talking about yet.]

[oathshackledbird]

Of course, you need not even ask.

[If for no other reason than he can't imagine himself talking about most of that stuff with anyone but his roommate.]

But speaking of all that, I still owe you a week. Let me know when you need me to so something for you and I'll do it.

[puppy_lancer]

Thanks.

[Diarmuid's next words confuse him.]

Huh?

[It takes a moment for him to realize what the other Lancer is talking about--the bet they had made during the experiment.]

Nah, I think we can call that one off. Unless it's a matter of honor for you or something.

[oathshackledbird]

[Lancer closes his eyes for a moment, mouth tensing. It hurts that his roommate wants to dismiss his service so easily. Then again, he had forced the man into it, hadn't he? Tricked him into the challenge. He really has no right to the honor of serving him.]

Pride. Honor. I suppose it really doesn't matter after all.

[He tries to hide the pain in his voice, but it still seeps through.]

I will leave it up to you. If you really don't want to deal with it..

[..with me...]

...just release me from your service. If it is your wish, I will obey.

[puppy_lancer]

[This is one of those moments when Lancer wishes he had better control over his mouth. His first impulse had been to dismiss the arrangement to make things easier for the both of them. But he knows that if their positions were to be inverted, he would definitely wish to fulfill his word, even if he had given it while he wasn't exactly in the right mind.]

...Then again, having my own Servant would be kinda fun! Just, make sure to tell me if I order you to do something too stupid, okay?

[He would respect Diarmuid's honor as a fellow knight.]

[oathshackledbird]

Only if you are sure. I don't want to force you into something you don't want again.

[He bows his head slightly, but doesn't mention the fact that any order given by his master he will gladly fulfill, stupid or not. That's how it works.]

Do you happen to have anything in mind you would like me to work on when we are done here?

[puppy_lancer]

I'm sure. As for stuff to do...

[He scratches his head.]

How about checking up on this guy I know?

[oathshackledbird]

That will be no problem.

[Lancer can't help but smirk a bit at his roommate.]

However, I sincerely hope you can give me more information to go on that 'this guy I know.' A name or perhaps a description? I know. It's a lot to ask.

[puppy_lancer]

Kariya Matou. He's pretty recognizable. White hair, heavily scarred left side of his face, and he's pretty frail.

[oathshackledbird]

M-master Kariya?

[Lancer almost flinches when the words slip out in shock. His eyes widen and gain what is definitely the start of a panicked look.]

Y-yes, I know him. We talked before the experiment started. I-Is he not well after everything? If so...

[...it's my fault...]

[puppy_lancer]

You know him? That's great!

[Lancer's grin gets wider. From the way that the other Lancer is referring to Kariya, it seems the two of them go along well.]

The experiment is over, so he should be back to normal. But...look, don't tell him I said this, but physically, he's not the strongest guy here. So just check on him and see if he's alright.

[oathshackledbird]

He's strong where it counts!

[The words come out with more anger than he intends and Lancer quickly works to cover for it.]

I-I mean, I can do that. I have been meaning to check in on him anyway.

[He's just been too much of a coward to do it yet.]

Is there anything you want me to pass onto him? Any questions you want me to ask?

[Anything that might help distract from the over a thousand years of lies Lancer had told him?]

[puppy_lancer]

I know that. He's a good person.

[He takes a moment to think.]

Not really. I can say whatever I want to him by myself. Just tell him everything you want to say to him.

[oathshackledbird]

Wait a minute! What's the point of me going to check on him for you if you...

[Lancer's voice trails off and he takes a deep breath forcing himself to calm down. When he finally speaks again, there is something distant and almost dead sounding in his voice.]

I have no right to talk to him after what happened. Or, if I do, it's only to discuss how he wants to punish me for what I did to him.

[puppy_lancer]

...Did what?

[He frowns, wondering if Diarmuid had taunted even Kariya during his fallen state.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Lancer looks away from his roommate unable to keep meeting his eyes, but before he turns away, it's easy to see the dead look in them.]

I lied to him. I told him everything he wanted--he needed--to hear. I made so many promises I knew I could never keep.

I-i just wanted him to be happy and so I did all I had to no matter how wrong it was to guarantee that. He should hate me. Detest me. Maybe even want to kill me for such treachery.