Early chapter because life and daylight savings!

"Senpai, don't run too fast!"

Rin threw a smile over her shoulder as Mash shouted after her. Rin breathed in the cold air as she looked over the snowy landscape. Even though, she had been told the the building was located in Antarctica she didn't believe it. I mean, ANTARCTICA! Luckily, it seemed Chaldea has it own magnetic field which only interested Rin more. Plus all the ambient magic in the air made her skin tingle pleasantly.

Rin didn't know how they found a coat her size not that it really mattered since Atalanta had gotten Da Vinci to cast a heating spell on her for a short time. Rin was honestly surprised that she was in Chaldea but she supposed weirder things happened(more so that he was actually a GIRL). Atlanta had requested a timer on the spell just long enough to play outside and be back in time for snack time. But even more surprising was that when she got outside, there huge snow castles. And thus a snowball fight/capture the flag game had begun.

Grinning, Rin ducked a snowball that Jack threw her way before darting behind Arthur's leg. He graced her with a handsome smile that made Rin blush before she sprinted away as Lancelot's sneak attack rained down on them. Bedivere had a look of concern as she ran off. She waved at Nursery Rhyme who was building a snowman with a small blonde boy with red eyes. Who felt vaguely familiar in a way Rin couldn't quite put her finger on. Rin paused to take a closer look but had to mad dash for cover as a snowball narrowly missed her head. Rin could hear Atalanta yelling at someone in the distance. All in all Rin couldn't remember the last time she had this much fun. Snow wasn't uncommon in Japan but it was never like this.

Something moved. Well everyone was moving around her in a frenzy of a laughter and taunts but it was more than that.

Something stirred.

Rin turned.

She could hear the sounds of the snowball fight fading in her ears. Her eyes focused on the snowy expanse before her. There was something. Something that spoke in the dark. Brushing up against her skin. Her feet guided her further and further away until all she heard was silence. Even with the heating spell, she felt a chill crawl up her spine as she watched the fog creep across her feet.

Something moved; brushing against her skin.

A Shadow loomed over her.

Slowly, her eyes trailed up, over dark clawed feet, over a huge sword streaked with dull red marks, over dark armor and cloak, until finally- they met a bright blue stare in the face of a framed skull. For a moment time stilled, Blue eyes on blue eyes.

"Hello."

Rin should have felt fear but she didn't for her mind was racing.

Could it be?

The one she had been searching for?

"You stray far from thy keepers, young contractor." His voice was deep and earthy. In a way that reminded her of her deceased father. Rin felt another chill run down her spine. It wasn't something she could explain. Just a feeling deep in her bones. Like from something she had always known but never yet seen. At least for now.

"I know what you are. Strong. The first. For you- the bells toll." she said softly.

Rin craned her neck up as high as possible- staring back into those bright blue eyes. Rin though perhaps she should say something more. But she couldn't form the words. She just stood there looking. She didn't notice the mana rising from her left arm or fact that the snow nearby seemed to be trying to catch on fire only to extinguish itself. Mixture of fog, mana and smoke swirled around them.

"...Hasn't thou heard it?"

Rin suddenly looked down at her hands- a burning sensation ran through her hands; her mana was spilling out; again. Her mana seemed to be out of whack as of late. It seemed to be happening more and more lately. More so than when even she was being taught the basics. Making a fist, she consciously forced the mana back down- ignoring the pain the seared through her. Taking a moment to catch her breath, she spoke.

"No. Not for me." She raised her eyes to look back into his. "Not yet."

Silence again. An eternity seemed to pass as she stood there surrounded by snow and fog. Shadows danced around them. Slowly and almost hesitant, a clawed armored glove gestured towards her, blinking Rin wrapped a gloved hand around a finger.

"Cometh along, contractor, your keepers await."

Some notes!

The mana and snow trying to catch on fire was EMIYA/Saber not liking how things looked for small Rin from their POV.

Gramps + Rin = adorbs

and yes- I want to write a KidGil, Arthur + Bedivere centric chapter somewhat planned(don't hold me to it)