Chapter 20 - Bumpy Ride

The plane touched down in Gatwick as Bazett promptly removed her seatbelt, her face emotionless as she made her way to the luggage compartment. Completely silent as her bothersome servant clambered at his own. She had never been so embarrassed on a flight before in her life. Not only had he attempted to flirt with the members of the cabin crew as they passed the pair, he had also insisted on getting a large amount of beer and peanuts. To top it off he had no money of his own. What an irritating little man she thought to herself. The hero of Ireland? There was no way it could be him. The man stuffing duty free cigarettes into his pockets? She let out a sigh as he nearly fell out of his seat.

'Look those belts are way too complex to get out of. You need to be a wizard to get out of them.' His grin was unapologetic as she rolled her eyes at him, eliciting a small chuckle before the pair disembarked the plane.

'You know I've never been to London master, what's it like?' The question caught Bazett off-guard as she turned to face Cu.

'Do you not feel that it is a little late to ask Cu? We literally just touched down.'

'Yeah, so what is it like here?'

'Busy. Very busy. There's lots of people going everywhere, so don't go wandering off okay?'

'You know just because I'm a guard dog by name, doesn't mean you gotta treat me like one.' Bazett rolled her eyes once more at his comment.

'Is there anywhere I can go fishing?'

'I…...um….huh….I don't know.' The question once again surprised her, they had just arrived in one the most metropolitan areas in the world and his main concern was fishing? 'I'm sure once we get settled down we can have a look, but remember why we are here Cu. This is serious.'

'Yeah yeah I got it don't worry.' Cu smiled back at Bazett, his grin was infectious. 'I've been in fights before Master, don't worry about me. I'll get you that magic cup.'

Shortly the pair left the cramped shuttle bus, promptly arriving at the luggage collection where Bazett sighed once more. Had the entirety of Ireland decided they were going to emigrate today? It was just her luck really. In a matter of days she had lost a date, been lumped with this strange man in blue spandex and was now having to bunk with him in London. Lazily she sat there, looking at the passing luggage for what seemed to be hours before suddenly snapping up two suitcases and running. Once the pair made it outside Bazett hailed a taxi and the pair were off, she had managed to find a penthouse in central London. The only difficulty would be getting there in all the London traffic. It wasn't known for being a quiet place but central London gave the easiest access to major locations, so it just made sense.

'You know you must have a pretty penny to get a flat here out of all places master.'

'What of it?' Bazett questioned absentmindedly.

'Well….you don't act like someone who's rich. You get me?' The bluntness of Cu's statement puzzled her.

'What do you mean by act rich?'

'Well you don't act snobby or go out wearing extravagant clothes.'

'What's wrong with my current outfit?'

'Nothing. If anything it's pretty cute on you. But chill out a bit okay? I meant it as a compliment.' Bazett sat there in a huff, a blush growing across her face. This man. This servant. He was most certainly an enigma. He was both infuriating and somewhat charming, she didn't like it.

Bazett sighed as she sipped at her coffee, defeatedly she sat there on the park bench as her servant smiled happily, gulping down his fifth cup. What an uneventful day. It has been cold, wet and nothing happened. After having settled in their apartment the pair had set about roaming London, in truth Bazett wasn't entirely sure what she had expected. It wasn't like masters were just going to jump out and expose themselves, but at least she thought she'd find something. Anything. Yet here she was, sipping coffee with a hyperactive guard dog. It made sense though she thought, it was only logical the masters would appear at night, when it would be much easier to cover their activity. Though London was a sleepless city, the night provided a shadow with which they could hide themselves from the public. She groaned as she rose to her feet, tonight would hopefully be more interesting.

The hours just seemed to stretch forever as Bazett stared at the clock. Watching it tick away. Somehow Cu had already acquired a fishing permit, the madman had been sat there for over an hour now in nothing but a hideous shirt and some shorts he had bought from the nearby market. She didn't even bother to ask him if he was cold. Mindlessly flicking the channels her attention suddenly piqued when a news flash splashed across the screen. What was seemingly camera footage was being played as two shadows dashed across the screen, beams of dazzling light blazing their way across. Bazett was incredulous, her jaw agape as she saw the fighting unfold before her eyes. There they were. Two servants duking it out in the middle of Canon's Park no less. Her eyes glued as a hulking figure slammed the other into the ground by the scruff of his neck, the impact was immense. She gulped in disbelief as she stared intently at the pair. One was clad in what was seemingly a suit of armour, it made them look enormous. The other was much smaller by comparison, though seemingly far more agile. They darted around the place as they waved their swords in the air, effortlessly deflecting debris.

'So Saber is already on the loose then….'

'Huh, is that the competition?' Cu leant over her, the scent of tobacco and river air wafting into the room with his sudden entrance.

'Gwargh!' Bazet jumped to her feet, clutching her chest as she turned to face the servant. 'Don't ever do that again!' Cu laughed as she glared at the man furious.

'Sorry, sorry I won't scare you like that again I promise, just….just I sensed danger and came back immediately.'

'Danger?' Cu nodded.

'I could sense servants nearby and had to make sure you were safe.' He pointed at the screen as he explained himself. 'It would appear these are the two I noticed. That….that one in armour….' Cu paused. 'I feel like I've seen them before and I don't know why.' He looked puzzled. Concerned almost.

The pair sat there in silence watching the television. Unsure of what their next move should be, an uneasy tension hanging in the air as they considered their options.

'We have to go investigate.' Bazett came out bluntly, raising an eyebrow from Cu.

'Like right now?'

'No...now wouldn't be good, there'll be all kinds of police, military possibly. Showing up now would only make us suspicious, especially as we'd have to slip past all the officers and reporters.' Bazett explained as Cu walked past her slouching into the soft warmth of the sofa. 'Our best option will be to visit tomorrow morning. We can pretend to be reporters if need be, plus there's an added benefit to going tomorrow.' She smiled as she turned to Cu, the man looking clueless. 'We have the cover of daylight. No servant is going to attack us in public for fear of breaking the rules.'

'Huh. Do you think so? That ruler guy didn't seem that strong.'

'Well lets just say if they did, there'd be big trouble. No doubt about that. Besides we could even scout other masters whilst we're at it. This is gonna have them swarming like flies.'

It was a cold morning that day in London. The snow has lightly dusted the ground as Bazett inhaled the city air. It was thick, disgusting, nothing like what she had on her estate. The city that never sleeps was once again in full gear. It was 8am and the morning rush had begun, she stood there sipping her coffee, coat zipped tight up.

'Ya know you don't dress rich either do ya?' Her ever so eloquent lancer piped up as he pointed at her jacket. It was a black windbreaker with an elongated collar, reaching up to her chin. Its matte finish contrasted with the glossy red stripes that ran along it's seams.

'No, you just don't have any sense of fashion, Mr I'm going to wear a Hawaiin shirt in British winter.' She looked at the man unimpressed, eliciting a laugh from the servant.

'Yeye whatever ya say.' He chuckled as he leant on the railing next to them overlooking the river.

'Your speech has changed Lancer, what happened?' Bazett's question caught him off guard.

'Whatcha mean?'

'Your speaking is less formal than it was yesterday.'

'Ah yeah I think the Grail finally caught up with slang and stuff. Ya not like it?'

'No…..It's most annoying.'

'Even more reason to use it then.' His smirk caused her to glower. 'So where we off to chief?' His question caused her to snap from her sudden mood as she in turn leant on the railing, overlooking the river.

'Canon's Park would be the first place I guess. It's where the fight took place after all.' Bazett sighed. 'Given traffic though it'll be an hour no matter how we get there.'

Finishing her drink she passed it to Cu, the man politely disposing of it as they passed a trash bin. She smiled feeling the breeze from the Thames against her face, it's gentle coolness felt pleasant as she looked at the river with a somewhat nostalgic smile. It had been a long time since she had last felt it. Life a Clock Tower agent had kept her away for such a long time, she almost felt like a stranger returning.

'Remind me to never take you on a train again Cu. That was beyond embarrassing.'

'What did I do this time?'

'Can you not go more than 5 minutes without trying to seduce some woman you have just met?'

'What can I say? You gotta give me credit for tryin.' Cu laughed as the pair emerged from the bustling station, Bazett shaking her head in embarrassment as the servant beamed. A proud smirk plastering his face.

'Hey master this place we're going to investigate. How many master d'you bet will show up? I mean they haven't all arrived yet right?' Cu asked absentmindedly as the pair began strolling down the street.

'Good question, I'm not sure in truth. I doubt all 6 other masters would show up that just seems unlikely. I think at least a couple will show up though.' Bazett pondered as they crossed the road. The park was heaving. Journalists and police officials had rammed the surrounding pastures as Bazett looked on in frustration. Of course people would flood this place, it had made local news. 'Cu I want you to enter spirit form. That way you can warn me of other servants without being visible.' Bazett commanded as the servant in turn seemingly vanished.

'Aye aye sir.' His lackadaisical tone only exacerbated her growing annoyance.

Quietly she entered the crowd, slipping through the crowd, careful to not draw attention. The further she got in, the more riled the crowd was becoming. Something had happened. She heard frantic argumentative voices shrilling through the air.

'What do you mean this just happened?'

'That's exactly what I mean! I turned around and it was all gone. Totally wiped!' An officer broke out in cries as she neared the forensic tent. Her eyes wide in shock.

'No...way…...someone….someone deleted it?' She muttered to herself as she listened on to what the officers had to say. Some poor young man was talking about an FBI that had seemingly appeared from nowhere and promptly just vanished as soon as he had arrived. It had to be a master, that she was sure of. There was no way it couldn't be, either that or a very astute troublemaker, to put it lightly, she thought to herself. The thoughts scared her. Firstly someone had information on this fight that no one else, that was unfair. Secondly the FBI were involved? Seriously? The FBI? Though she wouldn't like to admit it, someone or some group in this war were far more prepared than the rest of them, that was for sure. They weren't just prepared, but scarily so.

'Master, there is a servant in our presence. I can sense them, they're nearby.' Cu's words cut Bazett from her thoughts as she turned to face the tent, her eyes now holding a piercing glare.

'Can you tell where Cu?' She asked in a serious tone in her voice. 'A vague location at least?'

'They're on the move. They seem to be leaving the park, they're going pretty quick.' His words rang through her head like speakers, she didn't like the sensation.

'We have to move quickly then.' Hastily she began weaving through the crowds. 'Cu what exit are they headed to?'

'Looks like they just reached the north. They're turning east.'

'I see, we can maybe catch a glimpse of them, size this servant out.' She took a moment to process her words, why was she suddenly on the hunt? Instinct? For the thrill? She couldn't quite tell but Cu had quickly changed to match her mood. It confused her almost, only one servant had shown up? She wasn't expecting much, but only one had the courage to show up alongside her and Cu? Now that didn't sit right. Quickly she sped out the gate, her pace increasing as she turned the corner. That's when she saw them, the smaller one of the two had seemingly froze as he turned his head to look her dead in the eyes. His expression was unreadable, a mix of fear and something much more. She couldn't quite place it. It almost looked threatening, slightly maddening. His eyes were wide and piercing, unblinking. He was a somewhat small man, a large coat wrapped snugly around his frame, a dense, fluffy scarf obscuring the lower half of his face. His long brown hair was drifting in the wind, she was almost jealous, it was at least twice the length of her's. The taller man had continued to walk on slightly before stopping. Though slender his frame was much more muscular and threatening, his shoulder length crimson hair moved in the wind as if it was flames being fanned by the breeze.

'Cu…...Cu I….I think I found the servant.'

She began to momentarily hesitate. Her slightly unnerved tone caught her own servant by surprise. She couldn't quite place why, this crimson man. Something about him didn't sit right with her. Was it his appearance, the strange enigmatic air he gave off? Slowly he began to turn his head, his heterochromatic eyes piercing right through her. One a deep, burning scarlet. The other a bright, incandescent emerald. It glimmered gently, threateningly as his gaze fixated on her. Her body began to move, her mind transfixed on the figure before her, there was no doubt now this crimson man was the eye began to glow and sparkle with a brilliant threatening light as the world around him seemingly began to go still. A hazy, wavering flame was beginning to burn from the man's gaze. Quickly she headed to the crowd of people between them, desperate for cover as the servant stared her down. There was no way he would cause a scene here right? Surely. Thankful however the tension was immediately cut short when the smaller man seemingly caught his servant's attention once more. The pair promptly turning on their heels as they filtered further into the swarm of people. She had to know more.

'Cu hold back. I'll call you if there's danger. I need to investigate, I'm going on ahead. If they sense you it may provoke them.' What eventful day it was turning out to be.

Hello, hello I hope everyone is doing well and looking after themselves during these times. It has been a long time since I last posted, however due to the pandemic and real life having to take precedence over my activities recently I hope you understand. I actively wrote a much longer chapter this time as a way to make it up to everyone. I hope you all enjoy the more Bazett focused chapter given how little time the pair had been given so far.