Night 7

'Your sister? She did not have the same last name as you.' Saber sounded slightly more interested, if still very prickly.

'It's complicated.'

'I see.'

Rin knew that wasn't the reason Saber had shown herself. She moved back into the living room and waited for her servant to follow and sit across from her where Sakura had just been.

'You have recovered from last night. That's good.'

'Your mana supply is sufficient.'

Rin nodded. She was somewhat of a prodigy in the world of magi for her age. Saber's subtle praise didn't come as a surprise. Nonetheless, Rin had a feeling she knew what was coming next.

'You underestimate my abilities still.'

'I don't. You performed admirably.' Rin shifted into her Master tone, heightening her linguistic ability to continue picking at a level of respect from her servant she wasn't sure she would ever quite achieve.

'Then why do you insist on holding me back to the point of practically using a command seal?'

'Because I don't have a thirst for battle or blood like you do. I can think with a clear head in the heat of combat while you are only interested in proving to yourself that you are not inept.'

Saber stood up, her chair being pushed back.

'You dare insinuate that I would desire such juvenile antics?'

'I'm not insinuating anything; you have shown me as much twice now.'

'You are but a child.'

'I doubt you're much older than me, technically, anyway.'

'Do not let my appearance continue to deceive you; I have existed much, much longer.'

'But have you lived much, much longer?'

Saber bit at her lip, her eyes shaking in restrained frustration. Had Rin pushed too hard? She hated acting like this, but Saber was being difficult as well.

'Summon me should you need anything, Master.'

'Saber.' Rin commanded almost harshly.

'What?' her servant snapped.

'Thank-you for saving me yesterday. I would have died if not for your impressively quick reaction to danger.'

Saber hesitated, but steeled her expression once again.

'Without you, I would be gambling with my own life.' And then she was gone.

Rin leaned forward immediately thereafter and gripped at her chest, holding the fabric tight against herself and gritting her teeth. Water filled her eyes, and she hastily wiped it away in anger. This wasn't who she wanted to be. Her father wouldn't have batted an eye. What was she even going to do now? Shirou was a master. The grail meant everything. Did that mean she should kill her own classmate? She could always just get rid of Archer. She was fairly certain he was the one who had caused the explosion. Perhaps he had more honour than she had assumed? Berserker likely wasn't done yet, however.

Rin fell back in her chair and mapped out her next course of action. She would have to wait for now. The other masters would make a mistake first, and that's when she could move. It was evening time, but as long as Rin stayed in a fairly populated area, she may be fine venturing out. Dealing with Saber was her primary objective now. She wouldn't be able to win anything with their relationship in the state it currently stood. They had to respect one another. A bond had to be formed.

This was her strategy. Tokiomi Tohsaka would likely look down on paying a servant so much mind, but he also didn't win the last Grail War.

Rin went to her room and changed into something a little more practical. Shorts with black leggings, a loose-fitting tank top and a stylish button-up sweater over top of that. Rin made her way to the washroom afterward and put on a light dose of make-up, giving her hair a quick brush to tame the beast that it had become during her rest. She still felt a little drained, overall, but the long sleep had helped, and she would only get better now that the most taxing part of entering the Grail War had been completed. Once she was ready, Rin checked the antique clock in her room. Just after seven. Perfect. Was this a ridiculous plan? Maybe. But it was worth a shot; especially so early in the battle.

'Saber.' Rin called out.

Saber appeared nearly instantly, stepping into Rin's room, but she didn't say a word. That was fine. Rin opened her enormous closet and indicated the various articles of clothing present.

'Pick out an outfit.'

'…Pardon?' Saber broke her silence.

'You and I are going on a date. Pick an outfit that is from this decade, please. You could get away with cosplaying that dress, and it is really nice, but let's try not to draw too much attention, okay?'

There was a lengthy pause, as though Saber was actually considering Rin's request.

'I refuse.'

Rin smirked, crossing her arms.

'Will you really force me to waste a command seal on something like this?'

'It is your loss, ultimately.'

'It will be yours as well; at least partially. Who knows if another master would take you in?'

'Such a frivolous trip is utterly pointless.'

'It isn't. I think it's worth the effort.'

Saber eyed the clothing before her once again.

'You would truly use a third of your command seals for this?'

'Yes.'

'So be it.' Saber rolled her eyes, grabbing a basic hoodie and black, tight jeans. 'So be it.' She said again stubbornly, retreating to the washroom.

'You could've just changed here.' Rin muttered, smiling despite herself. She expected much more resistance, but it all seemed to be working out well enough. In minutes, Saber emerged, appearing to be much more like a young woman in her prime than a king who had ruled over a vast expanse of land. She was even a little shorter than Rin with her boots off, notably.

'Here.' Rin said, taking hold of her brush and going behind her servant before tugging at her hair and combing it out.

'I-I can do that myself.' Saber grabbed at Rin's hand, her grip very strong.

'Just allow me.'

Saber resisted a little further, but then submitted with obvious reluctance. Within a short amount of time, Saber's hair was in a cute little ponytail, and Rin surveyed her with a critical eye. She was overly attractive in every way even in a rather humble combination of clothes. Rin's only complaint was that Saber appeared as though she were constantly angry. Her eyes were permanently narrowed alongside a scowl that rested easily on her otherwise beautiful features.

'I feel ridiculous.' Saber claimed.

'You don't look ridiculous. The fact you can pull off that outfit is proof that you're just naturally a very pretty girl.'

'Being pretty means nothing to me. It will help me little in combat.'

'I wouldn't be so sure about that. Men are easily distracted, as I'm sure you know. A girl can certainly use her looks to weaken an otherwise unshakeable opponent.'

'No heroic spirit worth his legend would be present in this war if he could fall for such shallow beliefs.'

'You would be surprised.'

'I wouldn't.'

'Fine, fine.' Rin gave in. 'Anyway, if we're going out into public, I can't be calling you "Saber"; that would just be weird. You can call me "Rin-san", so what should I call you? Arthur?'

'No.'

'Then what?'

'I do not care.'

'Hm. Maybe Guinevere?'

'Please, no.'

'Merlin?'

'Stop mocking me.'

'So you do care.' Rin meant to playfully tease, but Saber seemed legitimately upset, and that didn't make Rin feel so good. Her servant downcast her eyes just so, her cheeks colouring barely.

'Arturia. You will call me Arturia, if anything.'

'Arturia? Is that your real name?'

A pause.

'…Yes.'

Rin said the name a few more times in her mind, clearly appearing to be in contemplation.

'Is it that strange?' Saber's previous irritation returned, her momentary showing of meekness so brief Rin wondered if she had been mistaken.

'No. Not at all. I was just thinking that it was very beautiful. It's different from any name I've heard before, although I guess it makes sense, since you're originally from another country.'

'Indeed…' Saber replied a little more quietly.

'Arturia-san, then. Shall we?'

'If we must.'

Rin led Saber out into the early night life of Fuyuki City, deciding on the fly that going to the biggest outdoor shopping area somewhat nearby was the best place to take her servant since she wasn't certain she would ever convince Saber to make such a venture again.

The two girls hailed a taxi, Saber being taken aback by the convenience of transportation.

'Are they simply lying in wait for your beckon?' She asked while in the car.

'Pretty much.' Rin decided to answer.

The trip wasn't long, especially considering the way taxi drivers moved through traffic, causing Saber to grip at her door quite tightly.

'We will surely be injured.'

'Maybe.' Rin couldn't help herself.

Master and servant soon stood at the entrance of a large shopping district that had an attractive structure to better welcome any who wished to visit. The place was alive and bustling, the flashing lights, loud conversations, and random noises/music bringing the entirety of the community to life.

'So, this would be like some form of market square for trading and the like?' Saber observed, not totally off by any means.

'That's right. There's plenty to see and do here, and it's easy to blend with the crowd so that we don't attract any unwanted attention.'

'Hm. That would be wise.' Saber tried to hide it, but Rin could see her pupils darting back and forth, every spectacle fighting for her attention. 'There are a variety of scents that are quite appealing. Best we test some of the food's quality, I suppose.'

'Heheh. That works for me, but you may want to tone down your elegance of speech. Is that possible?'

'The grail provides enough knowledge to all servants so that we are not completely overwhelmed upon landing in this time period, but it will not come easily, I fear.'

'You can practice a bit with me, then.'

'I did perceive that you have relaxed your intellect since Matou-san's presence. Is that what you are referring to?'

She had noticed? That was sort of impressive.

'Exactly.'

'You can turn such a thing on and off?'

'I've had a lot of practice.'

'So, you wear many masks depending on who's looking.' It was a statement, and it was a painfully true one at that.

'I always have and I likely always will.'

'That is something I can understand quite well.'

Rin could only imagine. A king. A king that had to hide her sex from the public eye. Saber wasn't allowed to love, have true friends, or simply be herself. She was an idol for the masses the moment she drew her legendary sword from its stone. Rin thought she had it rough with the expectations left by her father and family's name, but she could only try and guess the weight of an entire country leaning upon one person; a young girl at that. Rin's emotions became overwhelmed with pity. Saber never lived, and that was exceptionally sad.

'Come on. We don't have all night.' Rin took Saber's hand, ignoring the awkward barrier she had contributed to creating, and led her to one of the best food stands she knew of. The smell was nearly unbearable, and Rin pointed to the menu excitedly overtop of the collection of chefs within the indoor/outdoor restaurant.

'Pick out whatever you like; it's on me.'

Saber took a moment, seeming a little taken aback with everything before her suddenly. Not only that, but she still harboured obvious resentment toward Rin which she simply couldn't shake without feeling as though she was compromising her pride as a knight and king. Nonetheless, the smell was tempting, and it wouldn't do to forcibly maintain walls between master and servant.

'I do not know which would be…good.'

Rin smiled.

'I'll order you my favourite, okay? It's a mix of rice, vegetables, breaded pork, and a sauce to die for. It's like a stir fry, but not quite.'

'I will trust your judgement.' Saber relented, rubbing shoulders with the crowded hot spot.

Rin wasn't fazed whatsoever, obviously accustomed to pushing to have her voice heard. The forceful girl placed the order, and then stood off to the side, pulling Saber next to her as they waited.

'We just wait for them to call our number, and then we grab our meal. Neat, huh?' Rin waved about a small white sheet of paper with the number "7" messily printed.

'A way to somewhat tame this…business.'

'You were going to say something like "chaos", weren't you?'

Saber didn't respond, turning her attention to the various collections of crowds and buildings.

'This is peace.'

'In a way, yes.'

'I never saw such tranquility. Happiness. Freedom. Friendship without ill-intent.'

'It's not all great, but I'm sure it's better than what you came from.'

Saber was lost in her own mind again, her thoughts so deep and so mournful that Rin felt them course through her for a split second. It was a connection. They were beginning to understand one another. It was right. This trip was already worth it.

'Number seven!'

Both girls jumped a bit, Rin being the first to giggle at how out of it they had become while waiting for food and being surrounded by endless noise of every variation.

'Here!' Rin handed over the paper, taking two bowls and handing one to Saber. 'Careful; it's hot.'

'Thank-you.' Saber answered simply.

'Want to take a seat?'

'Of course.'

There was an outdoor section and indoor, but Rin was drawn more so to the slight quiet of the inner part of the restaurant. Both girls said "thanks" for their meals, and then began to dig in. Rin waited for Saber to take a few bites before asking for her appraisal, the expression on her servant's face being a bit of a giveaway. She tried to hide it, and Saber did so well enough, but with a stoic tendency came easy cracks to spot.

'It has quite a bit of flavour.'

'Right? It's really pretty simple, but I can't get enough.'

Saber didn't lift her eyes from the meal until she was nearly done. They had managed to eat without much conversation, Rin understanding that her servant was still frustrated with her but having difficulty choosing between submission and stubbornness. By the end of dinner, Rin had had enough of the brooding Saber, fully aware that she shouldn't care, but not being able to help herself.

'I'm sorry, Saber.' Rin finally said, biting her lower lip afterward and shifting her jaw angrily.

Saber finally looked up, her clear green eyes a mixture of shock, confusion, and maybe a hint of respect. This reaction gave Rin the ability to go on.

'You need to know that I do not doubt your skills; far from it. Maybe…maybe I'm just doubting my own. I'm in a war I didn't actually think I'd be participating in. I have too much riding on it, and I'm almost frozen; too scared to make a move lest it be fatal. I don't want to be the first one out. I don't want to fail you. I don't want to fail…'

'Tokiomi Tohsaka…' Saber said distantly.

Rin nodded, gripping at her shorts beneath the table and trying to bite back the urge to tear up.

'I…can also understand such doubt. Doubt has been my enemy since I felt the transcendent hilt of Caliburn and, eventually, Excalibur within my callused hand. I was but a girl; a farmhand at that. To suddenly be thrust upon a throne…'

'Yeah. I know. I can't possibly understand…' Rin shook her head.

'That is not what I am implying.' Saber's voice softened. She leaned forward just a bit. 'You have a vacant throne as well. Indeed, it is not as large as mine was, but that makes it no less difficult to fill in a way. We are…much more similar than perhaps I thought at first.'

Rin sniffed, able to compose herself now.

'Your speech…' She whimpered with a small laugh.

'Ah. Yes. I ap – I am sorry.'

'So, you were somehow in the last war? That's…sort of impossible, isn't it?'

'It should be, but my will can move mountains.'

Rin was thrown by this comment, eventually understanding it to be a joke. Saber's lip twitched, and then her master laughed a little more boisterously.

'That is the truth, isn't it?'

'Hm.'

'Do you remember much from that war?'

'Fragments at best. Faces are impossible to discern, really. My memory has been muddled. It's like a dream that I can only recall the most basic elements of.'

'I didn't think so.'

'I'm sorry.'

'Don't apologize. It makes sense. I don't want that sort of advantage anyway.'

'Summoning me is advantage enough. Best be thankful for that.'

'I am.' Rin nodded.

Saber smiled back, but then went solemn again, sighing to herself.

'I…owe you an apology as well.'

'You really don't.'

'I do, and I apologize here and now. You…are a good master. I am…difficult at times, yet you still respect me as a person. My previous master, though I do not recall his name, was far less caring. In fact, the thought of him causes a storm in my heart I cannot fully understand beyond an uncontrollable rage. There was another, however…' Saber leaned back, reflecting. 'I cannot quite remember, but she was…so very kind…'

'Oh. Did someone have a crush?'

Saber blinked rapidly, apparently somewhat confused by the question. She seemed to try and access some information before replying.

'A crush? You mean, did I fall in love with her?'

Rin smirked, although something deep, deep within her prickled.

'Hm. I had not considered that. I do not think so, but a war is hardly a time to fall in love, I suppose.'

Rin's eyes went wide, curiosity getting the better of her since Saber seemed to be opening up just a little.

'So, did you have a wife when you were king?'

'…It is as you suspect. For public relations, yes, King Arthur had a queen named Guinevere.'

'But it was strictly for show?'

Saber's eyes faltered.

'I do not wish to discuss this, Master.'

Rin backed off immediately.

'Call me Rin-san.'

'Nobody can hear us. It is too noisy.'

'Just practice.'

Saber looked away.

'Fine. Can I ask you another question, then?'

'Yes.'

'You said you couldn't take on your astral form before; why is that?'

Saber breathed out heavily, almost appearing to be somewhat ashamed.

'Unique circumstances and my status within this world's lore seem to suppress that particular luxury.'

'Hm.' Rin pondered, seeing a slight touch of doubt on her servant's face. She wanted to support her in any small way she could outside of the natural duties of a master. 'That's fine. I prefer having you around like an actual person anyway.'

There was relief, however small, in Saber's expression then.

'That is kind of you to say, Master.'

'Rin. Call me Rin.'

'That…'

Rin smiled. This was good enough for dinner. She decided a change of scenery might be a healthy choice, so Rin led Saber to the counter where they dropped off their dishes and were thanked multiple times by the gentlemen still working away in their own sweat shop of culinary delight.

'Are we heading back now?' Saber asked. Rin couldn't tell if she was hopeful or hesitant.

'I just want to stop off at one more place before that.'

Saber nodded, staying slightly behind her master and allowing the smallest of smiles to pick at her mouth.

'This is…overwhelming.' Saber breathed, lights flickering in her eyes and sounds unlike anything she had heard before banging into her ears.

'It's an arcade. Amazing, huh? I usually don't come to these kinds of places, but I thought you might find it interesting.'

'It is that.' Saber was apparently incapable of deciding where to focus. 'There are so many people.'

'I know. It's a popular facility to unwind or even hide.'

'Hide?'

'From life.'

'Hm. You mean…a distraction?'

'Trade reality for fantasy; it's easy to do.'

'So it would seem.'

'But we're just here to have fun, so, what do you want to try first?'

'That is difficult to say without having any knowledge on any of this sort of entertainment.'

Rin hooked her arm into Saber's and led her into the arcade further.

'Then I'll just have to be your guide.'

At first, Saber simply refused to try anything. Rin would demonstrate some of the games, but her servant was much more content just watching and critiquing. Finally, however, when Rin came upon a much older game in the form of Whack-a-Mole, Saber showed a little more interest.

'It's ancient, but still fun. The moles come out of the hole, and you have to try and hit as many as you can with the hammer.'

'This seems unnecessarily cruel. Why should I punish the moles? What have they done to bear such brutality?'

'Arturia-san.' Rin shook her head, and this seemed to make Saber cease her analysis.

'Fine. A game such as this will enable me to gauge my current reaction speed.'

'Okay, okay.' Rin sighed, inserting some coins and listening to the start of the game. 'Here they come!'

Saber's eyes flashed at the emergence of the first mole. Her arm flew, the hammer becoming a blur before the mole was sent back down with a stern hit, points beeping on screen and music adding to the intensity. Another mole popped out in the top right, but he merely stuck his nose into the air before being sent back from whence he came. Saber was impressive. It was almost as though she had a sixth sense, which might not be so far from the truth, Rin decided. Saber's battle instincts had risen to heroic status, and she saw, heard, and felt much more than the average human being.

Soon enough, the stage of the game where too many moles came out to hit in the time allowed for most individuals was upon the girls, but Saber was relentless, her wrath falling onto every creature who dared stick their nose just the slightest above ground. The hammer was a streak, and Rin doubted her servant was aware of the crowd gathering about them. It wasn't an ideal situation, but with so many people, a master would be foolish to try anything without the church being alerted and taking disciplinary action.

After nearly five minutes of pandemonium, the new high score was displayed, dwarfing any who had attempted to make a name for themselves up until this point. A crowd around Saber and Rin cheered and clapped, cameras and phones lifted high into the air to record the moment by any means possible.

'This is not…' Saber shook her head, her cheeks heating.

'It's fine. Just act casual.' Rin waved and laughed as an example. Saber did her best to blend, but she knew she seemed much more awkward than normal. On the battlefield she was a maiden of destruction, but in modern day social settings, Rin could see how uncomfortable she became. Individuals approached the two girls for commentary and a quick photo or two, but soon the crowd dispersed, seeking another brief thrill to help fill various-sized voids.

'That was rather difficult.' Saber sighed, following Rin to a small couch away from the main attractions and closer to a snacking area.

'I can tell. Did you want me to get you a drink?'

'I can get one myself.'

'I am fully aware of that, but I am offering.'

'It is not a master's duty – '

'I'm not anything like that tonight, you crazy person.' Rin poked Saber's nose and then went to the snack stand, quickly ordering something for herself and Saber. Was this working at all? They seemed to be getting a little closer. They were better than before, anyway. Understanding. That's all it took. Maybe her father lacked such a bond with his servant. He had summoned an Archer; Rin knew that much, but what had gone wrong? Her father was a master strategist. He hadn't written beyond…

Rin turned with cold drinks in hand and found three young men standing around Saber, one of them leaning forward, overtop of her with his arm outstretched and resting on the back of the couch. Rin quickened her pace, hastily making her presence known with a clearing of her throat.

'I'm sorry, gentlemen, but we are not interested in boys this evening. Girls night, you understand?'

All three individuals, or perhaps thugs, turned and faced Rin, wide grins stretching over their mouths.

'Damn; another hottie. We were just asking your lovely friend here what she thought about joining us for a drink back at our place.'

They were all fairly revolting, if only because they attempted to look a little more intimidating than most. Long, messy hair, piercings, and postures that invited any sort of hostility with open arms. The biggest of the three did all the talking, his two buddies snickering and grinning as though following a stock character script.

'We're not interested.' Rin replied without missing a beat.

'Come on; we'll make it worth your while.'

'I doubt that's possible.'

The pleasantry was over in that instant.

'You think you're better than us or somethin', Bitch?'

'I hardly think anything, good sir.'

'That so?' The thug leaned in to Rin's face, his breath smelling like fast food mixed with cigarettes. It was terribly nauseating, and Rin sighed inwardly, not completely unfamiliar with being aggressively flirted with. She doubted these three "boys" would do anything too terrible in a public place, but the leader seemed a little more hostile than she gave him credit for. Already, Rin was moving magic into her fist, if necessary.

However, soon the apparent leader of the pack was spun in a complete 180, totally caught off guard and not realizing what his future held until an impact like that of a wall met his nose, causing instant blood to drip through his fingers and onto his clothes. The other two individuals went to their friend's aid, although they were swat away angrily before the young man growled something under his breath and made a dash for the washrooms.

'Thish ishn't over, whoresh!'

'Hm. All bark and no bite, it would seem.' Saber rubbed her knuckle, a deep scratch taking over her hand because of a piercing on the thugs face, no doubt.

'Let's get you to a washroom…A different one a little further down.'

It all happened so quickly, Rin doubt anyone had really seen anything except for a nearly grown male rushing to take care of a bloody nose. Thank goodness for the lights and sounds.

'You okay?'

'Was that guy bothering you?'

'Should I call security?'

'They won't be allowed here again.'

It would seem the scene wasn't as secretive as expected, although Saber didn't appear to be in immediate danger. Rin waved off the offers and inquiries, moving into a quieter part of the arcade near the exit and entering the washrooms for women there.

'It will not take long to heal.' Saber insisted as Rin turned on the hot water.

'I know that, but we don't want the blood getting everywhere either. Those are my clothes you're wearing, remember?'

'Ah. Yes. I'm sorry.'

'It's nothing. Just stay still and let me help.' Rin took hold of Saber's wrist and guided her under the water, rubbing the wound on her knuckle gently until the blood was cleaned off. She felt the warmth of Saber as her body pressed up against her, and smelled something foreign upon the young woman that had become one of the most important kings in history.

How could a spirit emit such things? Servants were essentially ghosts, but their physical presence was much more real than Rin had thought all this time. Rin could feel Saber's skin, her warmth, her breath, and her entire being. Arturia Pendragon was standing right beside her, and it was only just now, in this somewhat intimate moment, that Rin Tohsaka felt a new sort of weight given to her by this fifth Grail War: She was responsible for this other human. They were partners; or perhaps more than that, since they literally relied on each other to stay alive.

' – san? Rin-san?'

Rin blinked, realizing she was still massaging Saber's hand. She immediately released her servant, her face turning a couple shades of red.

'S-sorry!'

'You were lost in thought.'

'A bit.'

Saber seemed to find this amusing, and had the decency not to pry beyond that.

'Still, I am confused as to why those men showed such a keen interest in us. Did I do something to invite them over?'

Rin relaxed now, enjoying the obvious confusion on Saber's face.

'The only thing you did was look pretty, and that's usually enough for guys like that.'

'How shallow.'

'Most of them are.'

'Hm.' Saber thought little more about something so integral to many a young girl's life before her eyes lit up, spotting something behind Rin that made her lose some of the control she was so bent on maintaining.

'Rin-san…' Saber almost gasped, moving past her master and to another game. Mounted in front of a fairly large screen was a fake motorcycle that was life-size and fairly accurately made. On the screen the road wove around tight corners and through mountains, showcasing the thrill this particular attraction at the arcade had to offer.

'That one catch your eye?' Rin smiled, feeding off Saber's excitement.

'Yes. In the past war, I do recall riding something like this. It was…extremely pleasant. This is a simulated version, correct? Would you mind if I tried it?'

'Not at all.' And Rin didn't hesitate to get the game started.

'Thank-you, Rin-san. I appreciate you permitting me to give in to a silly, frivolous desire.' Saber was a little ashamed with herself for allowing some joy into her life, and this bothered Rin as the two of them began walking home, passing on the availability of a taxi in order to enjoy the nighttime of Fuyuki City with all its lights and life.

'It wasn't silly, Saber.' Rin wanted to see how long it would take for her servant to realize she was being so familiar. It's not as though she didn't want to keep calling Saber Arturia, but the name felt so private and personal that Rin just didn't feel right using it haphazardly. 'You're allowed to enjoy your stay here a little bit. I know we're in a war, but how many times does someone get a second chance at living?'

'Yes…' Saber sounded reflective, and Rin knew she was thinking about her past. Maybe Saber would go into it someday, depending on how long the war lasted. 'That is true.'

'Besides, you looked really good on that bike. It was sexy.'

'P-pardon?' Saber's pitch went up, and Rin knew she had her.

'I'm serious; the way you worked those handle bars and straddled that seat, tightening your legs when you were making a sharp turn. Oh, yes. Very sexy.'

'You are teasing me.' Saber realized, allowing Rin to smile openly now.

'I am, but it's still all true.' Rin didn't look to see Saber's reaction. She was too focussed on her chest flopping ever so slightly. She was just messing with Saber. It was her forte. She liked seeing people squirm; especially those that had so much pride. But something felt…off.

'You appear rather desirable to men as well, Rin-san. Am I wrong?'

Rin was caught off guard, not expecting such an attack from her servant.

'I-I suppose so.'

'It is to be expected. Beauty like yours is a rarity, of this I am sure. Beauty and intellect housed upon and within one body? Well, I suspect few wouldn't be drawn to such brilliance.'

Rin's heart thumped and she now understood the charisma that was required for any good leader. Saber had delivered her counter attack perfectly to the point of making Rin nearly swoon.

'So, you really are the most powerful servant.' Rin relented finally, leading to both girls laughing quite openly. Their joy was cut short, however, when a paramedic's siren came within earshot, the disruptive sound causing anyone within the vicinity to stop what they were doing and wait for the vehicle to zoom past. Cars pulled over, and the street went still before the lights came into view, adding to the luminosity of the night.

'That…means there has been an injury, correct?' Saber's face went serious.

'Yes.'

'It might have been the doing of a servant. Best investigate before heading home.'

Rin nodded. The emergency was in the direction of Rin's place anyway. She hailed a taxi, and pursued the accident without making it obvious to the driver what her real objective was.