The West Quarter

There was something about his gaze that shook her to the core.

Shivering as a reflex, it felt as if a cold force grappled onto her mind and engulfed it; the inside of her head was a blizzard, lit by a single candle, close to dying out. Gripping the hem of her dress, Kakusabi became conscious of her breath, slowly trying to regulate it into an even pattern before looking back at Caster and mindfully choosing the words that tumbled out of her mouth next. Was he testing her? There was no one in the vicinity who was able to do something remotely similar as to what she felt, but it seemed... off. She would rather not blame the person her life has to depend on, but if he was the one doing it- Blinking, she forced the feeling down, attempting to suppress whatever was bothering her in order to have a normal conversation- or anything really- with her servant.

To start off, she gave him a once-over and smiled politely, just to be safe. "Yes? Well then, what are your abilities?" She would've been flattering or some sort and complimented Caster's presumed magical prowess, but he didn't seem like the type to be swayed by sugar-coated words.
 
The figure watched the girl as she reacted to his otherwordly gaze. One by one he closed his piercing eyes until only the original two remained, and his hidden visage at least had the appropriate number of eyes for a human. If he felt sympathy for her or an understanding of her plight then he didn't show it, the only "kind" gesture being that he was no longer examining her in excruciating detail, and lifting the feeling of being watched her entire life.

"I am a... shopkeeper, by... trade," he answered, words billowing and rolling down his cloak like water. He returned to his previous pose, staring forward at nothing in particular as he held the still full cup as if he was going to take a sip. "Purveyor of Perverse, Perilous, and Peculiar Oddities."

"In my possession are many, many, many," he paused for a few seconds, lowering his cup, "many wondrous artifacts, from places some of which I could never describe to you, for this tongue... lacks the words to communicate proper understanding."

"This information I give to you freely, and in the interest of furthering this... partnership. Consider this a rare opportunity for you, for nothing is truly free."
 
Humming lightly to herself, she curiously wondered about her partner. A different language, otherworldly looks as well as magic far beyond her comprehension. There is a peculiar air wafting around him, not malevolent, but strange. The way he holds a tea cup, the mantling cloak and not to mention his... eyes. Although she had never stepped too far from her home, she was sure that someone akin to him has never been anywhere near the outskirts of the West Quarter. Or the other areas for that matter. All of it was very obviously foreign and yet- there's something comforting about that. If she didn't know much about him, what are the chances the other masters do?

"I appreciate that you told me that. I look forward to winning with you." With a genuine smile, she directed it at him, not really caring if he would react to it or not. She'd thought of putting her hand out for a handshake earlier but winced at the thought of how awkward it would be if she did and he just stared at her hand without moving his arm or some sort of indication that he had heard her. Which, she assumed, would most likely be the case.
 
"There is far more to this event than... winning," he replied, turning slightly and catching her smile. "Far more in play than a simple contest of power, but such a perspective as that is a good start, I have seen continents razed by a single..." He paused there, almost as if considering his word choice, rather than punctuating his sentence with long drawn out pauses, as he was wont to do. "Man who was more a force of nature in his single mindedness."

He turned his gaze to her fully and looked her over once more, though briefly. "Perhaps you will find such strength, in due time." With one more pass of his piercing gaze, he turned to stand up, and retreated his arm under his cloak- tea cup and all. The sound of rushing wind slowly began to grow louder, and with a crack of thunder an approaching storm announced its arrival.

"Now that we are done with this dalliance, I.... we must begin setting the pieces of this game in motion. Come." Without seeing if she was coming he marched off towards the entrance of the manor. The door creaked and rattled before a gust of wind blew it open just as the tall figure approached. His stride didn't falter for a moment, as if he knew it was coming. With a quick turn to the left he was gone.

As soon as Oshiro stepped through the door way she was no longer at the front of her family's mansion. Or rather she was, but the grounds around it were not the same. Instead it seemed that someone had transported a city block onto her family's property, or perhaps transported the mansion. There was no indication either way, since it was clearly the drive leading up to the mansion that she was walking on as she followed the figure. And where it and a street she'd never heard of intersected stood her "Servant", staring at an old shop on that impossible street corner.
 
"Th- What?" As soon as her foot hit un-carpeted floor, unfamiliarity washed over her. This strange new area in which she had never even read of or could have possibly imagined invaded her eyesight, her mind not able to fully comprehend what was going on or have any idea as to where she was. Her servant stood before her, seemingly nonchalant. Not that she could tell, his appearance rendered as a blurry image in her mind.

The whole setting was a blur to her. Otherworldly magic that modified the appearance of a setting or required transportation or whatnot usually did. Yes, this could have been a transportation, but her entire mansion? This could also have been accessed by a gateway but she hadn't read too much on that. Instead she settled on trying to focus her vision and ask questions later, a hand being brought up to her forehead as her brain pounded against her skull. She could feel the blood rushing upwards and frowned, remembering it wasn't a pleasant experience. Tapping her foot lightly on the ground as if to test whatever she stood upon, she glanced at her servant- who gazed upon what looked to be a shop, possibly filled with wares and various valuable items. Darting her eyes around to inspect the shop, she recalled something he had mentioned earlier during their conversation.

"I am a... shopkeeper, by... trade,"

Sorting out the thoughts that floated around in her mind, she could vaguely recall a brief explanation given by a maid on different servant classes and their main tactic during the holy grail war when it had occurred years ago. Turning around to address Caster, she tried to politely query. "Does this happen to be your territory?"
 
The city block that stood before them seemed old, and of some strange, but familiar architecture- calling back to some shared symbolism in her worlds recent history. Or rather that's what gazing upon this lost city block felt like, as around the corner shop all the buildings seemed to vibrate and any fine details were simply lost in the blur. It was impossible to pin down anything beyond vague building like shapes and dark colors of old brick facades.

The store however was an entirely different story. Before her stood a solid structure, old and decrepit, but in between the blink of an eye, it was far too old and far too young. Its metal tarnished but the bolts not rusted. Wood rotting, but the paint fresh and thick. The only signage on the store front was a single sign hanging from the door, painted with the word "open", but it's "O" replaced with a five-arm spiral that twists one way then another- matching the large pendant hanging center in the pantheon of his chains.

"In simplest meaning of the word, yes," he replied as they stood across the street from the shop, still on the mansion's corner of the impossible intersection. "In as much as your arm can be, or that your thoughts are your own domain." His glowing gaze looked down from his shop towards the pink haired girl. "To halt your train of thought, I would have a... "home field advantage" here, but that would neither be... fair, nor desirable, but." He step forward past her and crossed the street. "Your line of reasoning in appreciated."
 
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He did say that winning wasn't everything.

She couldn't help but agree. Although the possible chance to bring her mother back to life stirred her with great determination, the being beside her seemed to know so much more than she could ever comprehend. Intelligent, for sure. His world, from what little she had seen and heard of, seemed so abstruse and alien in nature. Nodding towards Caster, Kakusabi took a step forward and crossed her eyes together, as if that would help her vision or some sort. Everything seemed so surreal, similar to jumping into the canvas of an artist who had allowed chemicals to alter their brain and had a shaky hand whilst painting. All the colours seemed to blend and mesh together, into a cacophony of visuals instead of noise. Loud, obstreperous. To tell the truth, at this point in time, Kakusabi couldn't even identify the goddamn colours and this frustrated her to no end. Unknown location, unknown buildings, unknown colours... Hell, she didn't even know her partner that well either!

All the information she had learnt in her life seemed to hide away in the dark depths of her mind and what was left of what she could understand was her and her partner's presence alone. That, and the lone shop standing across the street which contrasted from the background in such a way that it almost felt phantasmagorical.

Unconsciously running her thumb across the palm of her hand, she turned towards Caster.

"Does there happen to be something in the shop you must obtain?"
 
"No," Caster replied flatly as he stepped up to the entrance of the shop, "we are here to expedite... our plans." His six fingered, monstrous hand reached out and clutched the old brass knob, the fixture creaking as if it hadn't been turned in some time, and opening the door to a darkened maze of shelves inside. He did not wait to see if Oshiro had followed right behind or not, leaving the door open.

The inside of the shop was a decrepit and eerie as the store front. Old shelves were laid in confusing patterns with no clear, straight aisles. Only odd passages at odd angles, serving to obscure beyond the immediate surroundings. There was an odd sense of symmetry to it all though. As if there was a bigger, all encompassing picture that Oshiro could never see in its entirety, only snapshots of as she entered the store. While most of the store was obscured from her view no matter where she was, there was one constant. Regardless of which direction she was looking she could always see the store counter in front of her, and the exit behind her.

"Do not touch anything," he announced, gravelly voice booming through out the store. The door behind the pink haired girl shut by itself with a loud thud and clang as if to emphasize his point. Littered about the shelves was a veritable treasure trove of trinkets, artifacts, baubles, and other oddities. Some seemed inoccuous enough; simple jewelry or thin covered leather bound books. Others were far more macabre. Like old gold plated skulls with gems and precious metals adoring their crowns- or rather a single one that seemed to follow Oshiro, appearing in different places but always looking directly at her.

"There is much beyond your understanding... beyond all their understandings, but perhaps you shall... learn something during our partnership, stay there by the counter," he commanded, disappearing beyond a thick leather curtain behind the counter.
 
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Glancing at the valuables that decorated the place, Kakusabi was greatly fascinated at everything she had seen so far. Humming, she dismissed Caster as he told her not to touch anything; she already knew that would be bad manners. Although being told not to do so only encouraged her to touch the valuables. Softly sighing, Kakusabi fiddled with strands of hair, narrowing her eyes at the hint of light brown that peeked from underneath. Waiting patiently for her partner to finish up whatever he needed to do, she set to thinking of how the two of them should tackle the situation that they were in.

They have not left the West Quarter and are currently nowhere near the world Kakusabi has known her whole life. No clues on who the other masters and servants were and no idea on what was currently going on. She could always ask for her helpers to be her eyes and ears around the are, but she would need to adjust to being in the other areas. She had rarely left her childhood home, and was well aware that she was behind on all the modern trends and events happening. Being well-informed of other Magus families would help her, but first she'd have to actually see who the grail had chosen as masters.

Whilst Caster was absent and in another room, Kakusabi placed a hand on her chin and made a few thinking poses- not knowing what to do in the present time. Quickly switching between facial expressions in order to look like she was thinking of something important and not just filling time in order to create a (longer post) an image of self importance.
 
Sounds of muffled rummaging came from behind the thick leather draping. Metal kissing metal, and heavy tomes with wood covers thudding against what could be assumed was shelves or tables sounded out in a chorus of activity. It didn't take long however for the 'Shopkeeper' to return from his backroom, with an old wooden box between his two, gnarled hands. He sat the container down on the dusty counter top and began to rummage further through the odds and ends held within.

"Understanding is perspective," he said with a grumbling voice. He picked a golden orb, intricately carved and adorned with engravings so fine it was nearly impossible to tell that it was not smooth in the slightest. "What one calls this, another calls that, and between them stretch boundless other names" With slow turn of his hand the orb shifted shape and opacity. Not in a transformitave manner, but in the way one might find their vision clearing after waking, and banishing the morning fog from their eyes. Inside, trapped by a million tiny jewel like facets, was a maelstrom of light. So bright that it added a contrasting warmth to the rather dark and dreary store.

"Tell me... what is your understanding of your abilities? Of air, and wind? Of what true power is?"
 
When did she- Shrugging it off since he'll only answer vaguely and his abilities and true nature was a puzzle within itself, she decided to just answer his question. "I have a very strong affinity with specifically wind. I... have memorised multiple incantations in order to cast specific spells at any given time or area of my choosing. I am also well adapted in all fields of my elemental affinity such as kinetic forces and free energy." Pausing in her words, she then thoughtfully crossed her arms and closed her eyes in concentration. "On the subject of true power however... I understand that Magic or... Sorcery, is the highest known true power known so far. Even then, it can only be attained by reaching the root."

Looking curiously towards Caster, she tried to comprehend what the object that he held could possibly be. Most likely something that he had obtained in his time but nothing that she could possibly know about from reading historical books available to her in the libraries of her time. The light was almost blinding, but it seemed to not be particularly harmful to her eyes. She didn't wish to gaze directly at it, however.

"True power is far beyond my understanding, I believe. It may be what The Association refer to as 'Magic' but I doubt anyone has even come close to achieving it. Or at least, that's what I believe from the time I've spent with you.
 
The great bestial figure loomed behind the counter as Oshiro spoke, apparently listening but not betraying if her answer pleased him or not. Still and momentous was his form, shrouded was his countenance. He let her expound upon her answer in silence, and only when she was clearly done did he move from behind his alter. He loomed over her once more, casting her shadow long with the orb still in his clutches, looking down at her with his sickly glowing green eyes.

"The potters clay does not imbue the sculptor with the skills to shape art, and nor does magic imbue these... mages, with the power to shape and sculpt the world." The words flowed from under his hood like water over jagged rocks, pooling in still pits at the bottom. "That which is fundament is not true power, for no true power can be subservient to another, and in this reality magic is, as fundamental as... gravity."

"This... Root, the magic you weave... this very, universe, are all tools to serve that true power, to bend and to break." Slowly he rolled his open palm to the side, and the glowing orb rolled with it, tumbling off the side, falling towards the floor in what felt like a timeless second as the no-doubt priceless artifact raced towards it's shattering demise. But that painful sound of jeweled glass breaking did not ring out through the store. Instead the sphere plummeted towards the ceiling, stopped by the six-figured hand waiting for it.

"And even gravity can be made to serve... true power."

With the source of light wrapped entirely by his hand the soft glow that had been cast across the dark and dreary store went away, only coming back when Caster extended his hand and opened his palm, right side up again. It was a silent offer to the young girl, for her to take the wondrous thing.
 
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Jerking her hand back from its previous outstretched form, Kakusabi's eyes widened in awe as the ball defied the laws of physics and was effortlessly placed back into the palm of Caster's hand. She was, of course, aware that all things have the potential to be manipulated, whether it be an inanimate object or the mind of a physical entity. There were many theories that she had read about all these varying subjects, but that was all they were. Theories. To see something such as the controlling of gravity happen before her very eyes was... enlightening. As if hearing Caster speak of it and present it skilfully was all she needed to satiate her curiosity. She could, if she wanted, summon a gust of wind strong enough to lift the ball up, but that still means she's working within the laws of gravity. Controlling gravity itself is a whole different story. Admiring Caster's abilities, she walked towards the larger figure and gazed adoringly at the display of skill.

His outstretched limb can only lead the woman to assume that he wished to gift- no, that would be too generous of a word- offer her the artifact. For what reason, she was not entirely sure, but she decided against testing his patience. Reaching towards the orb, she placed a firm grip around the ball before carefully pulling it towards herself; inspecting it slowly, as to not miss any detail. The sullen silence provided a suitable situation for calm contemplation and a soothing sense of security. They were, no doubt, away from the reaches of any of the other participants of the Holy Grail War and accompanied by a myriad of valuable objects all from different places unknown to her.

Unsure of what to do with the artifact, she opted to look at the orb from different angles. "Is this.. similar to a reality marble?"
 
As she turned it in her hand the structure shifted as it had before, flickering brilliant lights through it's million little windows, and forcing her to occasionally look away when she peered too closely. It was like staring into the sun, leaving a white spot in her vision when she looked away.

"No, the container in your hand is far more complex than any bubble of reality spawned by this universe, and what is within far more... precious," he explained in a matter of fact tone, cold and flat. "What you hold in your hand is the last breath, of the last star, of a dead universe, held in the arms of its mourning lover."

He left the orb in her possession as he shuffled slowly back to the counter to pull various other objects from the box that had housed the golden orb. "Understanding is perspective, there is no difference between the breeze that whips the fluttering leaves in a frenzy, and the wind that strips a planet of its atmosphere- the only difference is your point of view."
 
Although she genuinely had no understanding of how to utilise it properly, she could only hope that in a time of need, it would prove to be fruitful. Why would Caster give her the orb otherwise? His explanation only led her to believe that this item of high value would present images of different perspectives, which could be useful, but it's never mentioned how, when and why those visions are shown. There's only so much she can comprehend from Caster's vague and hazy explanations and presentations. The sentiment, although not driven by friendliness or any sort of human emotion, was still appreciated; whether it was for the team's sake or only his own.

Cradling the orb close to her chest, she held it close with one arm and walked closer to Caster. She wasn't usually the nosy type but time seemed to move at whatever pace it pleased in this realm so she wished to explore more in his 'territory'. However, it was incredibly difficult given her height and his overbearing stature, what with the cloak and all, so she decided to just stand still close to him. If he disliked what she was doing or is aware of her presence becoming closer to him, he didn't show any signs of it. Straightening her posture once more and watching him intently, she breathed life into the conversation once more.

"Do you wish to discuss anything else?"
 
Silence hung in the air in answer to her question, the only disturbance coming from the rustling of his cloak as he plucked various objects of varying size from the old wooden box and sliding them into unseen pockets under his mantle. The procession of antiques did pause a moment later however, and his low, gravely voice spoke in a tone best described a marble- softer than normal but still hard and with edge.

"Do not leave my side unless I tell you to, for there is nowhere safer for you than at my flank." The giant hands resumed their task once his warning had been delivered, and that frozen moment resumed. A few second later the box was empty, and with abrupt about-face marched towards the singular entrance.

"Come, we have work to do," he called out to her, not casting a glance over his shoulder to see if she had taken his words about staying close seriously- only stopping briefly as they neared the end the aisle where the golden skull sat at eye level with the youthful mage.

Child take me with you, I will grant you your hearts desire. The words echoed in her mind in a voice that was not her own, betraying their outside origin.

Before she could deign the disembodied voice's request a monstrous hand reached down and plucked the bejeweled remains from the shelf and stowed it away with the other pieces he'd come to collect. Without a word or explanation, the great figure of the shopkeeper lead her out the entrance of his shop.
 
Listening to Caster, she obediently walked towards him, standing close enough to feel the fabric of his cloak brush against her arm. She wasn't especially fond of disembodied voices, knowing that hearing them was a symptom of going crazy, and was grateful for the movement of the object. She would much rather her wishes be granted by an indescribable figure wearing a cloak with a deep voice than a golden skull with a disembodied one. Gold was tacky.

Quietly strolling behind Caster as she led her out of his shop, the further they got away from it, the more faded it seemed. Similar to if an area in a video game was not obligated to render since the scope of the character's visual ability was limited. Nondescript buildings laid in rows on either side of the two, the effect from before taking place once more; Kakusabi unable to properly focus on any of them. It was silent. The only sounds were made from the contact of Caster's cloak with the ground and the light steps made by the magus's feet.

The absence of noise did not seem to bother either of the two. However, Kakusabi's inability to visualise the setting around her was starting to cause a bit of a headache. If this truly was his territory, which is a Caster's greatest defense, then at least she knew that other Magus would have trouble attacking here. If they ever happened to enter the domain in the first place.
 
Caster was silent as they marched out from the Shop, even when Oshiro took to his flank and was close enough to brush up against his heavy leather cloak. Their trek continued on for a few steps beyond the storefront before the large figure stopped. Still and quiet as ever, he simple stood there- letting his pink haired compatriot wonder.

"There," his gravely voice announced a second later. A rustling from underneath his cloak disturbed the pantheon of fetishes and trinkets, causing them to clink and clang together as his arm parted the cloak wider than before as he pulled something out from under his garment. It was no bauble or artifact this time. Just one human body held aloft by the collar of his shirt and jacket, gripped tight by Caster's gnarled and pockmarked hand.
 
Jolting back to consciousness, Thomas's body reacted before the information his senses brought him fully worked their way through his mind. Bracing for an attack as best as he could whilst suspended without stable ground under his feet, he froze.

It took a few moments before things began making sense. For some reason, the staff he held felt off, unbalanced. The air smelled different. Everything was brighter than it should have been. He incrementally began to loosen some of the tension he held...

Until his mind really saw what held him, of course.

Stiffening anew, the magus opened and closed his mouth a few times as his brain tried to figure out what to utter that wouldn't lead to an immediate removal of his head from his body. Thomas looked remarkably like a fish out of what before finally settling.

"You are...a Servant, aren't you?"
 
It was only a few heartbeats later that a golden flash announced the arrival of a second figure. Ira appeared on the scene with his golden wings fully spread, their brilliant light drawing those that saw them to stare in awe in a way that was beyond natural. Even as his body formed, he was in motion, swooping through the air in a blur of movement, snatching Thomas free of the bizarre behemoth's grip and speeding a few metres away. There, he set the magus down and spun around, hovering in the air between him and the other servant. One of his spears appeared in his grip, poised.

"Man, talk about bad timing," he said, huffing a sigh. "All that build up to end with an anti-climactic left-field kidnap attempt? You've blue-ballsed the hell out of me..." Ira eyed the hulking cloaked figure, considering an appropriate name for it for a few moments "... jangles, so this better be good, or you're gonna get a spear to the face."
 
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