Fate Dresden Files: Heretic Apprentice
By: Bubbajack
Editors/Co-Authors: Icysnowsage, First Hassan
Special Consultant: Heliosion
Ch.3: Stars and Steel.
Shirou had just finished a nice lunch with Bazett and Harry, consisting of Cornish game hen, garlic mashed potatoes, and a helping of ice cream that Shirou actually got to finish this time. Shirou enjoyed the food immensely. He couldn't help but think. 'The food was good but it could've used a bit more seasoning. I'm not saying I could've done better or the food was bad but…' He gave his head a shake.
"Everything okay kiddo?" Harry asked. "You seem to be thinking about something."
The boy gave his minder a reassuring smile, "I'm fine, the food was good."
Bazett needled him good-naturedly, "But?"
"I felt I could cook it better?" He sighed after a moment. "But I don't want to be rude to the chef."
"So you like cooking?" Bazett asked, intrigued.
Shirou nodded, "The Old Man could burn water so I learned to cook. I like doing it."
The Enforcer nodded, "It's nice to have a hobby that could also lend itself to magecraft. Like certain weak types of Alchemy, like potion making."
Dresden winced at the unintended insult he just received. 'I mean she's not wrong, but ouch my pride,' he thought to himself as he turned to his ward and asked, "Anything else you think needs doing around here before we make our way across the pond to Chicago?"
Shirou rubbed his chin as he looked at the ceiling lights, "Well, I'll need to rent a classroom to act as our embassy here and have someone run the place while I'm not here."
Harry patted his belly satisfactorily as he said, "So we need a workspace and a secretary."
"That can be handled after the Grand Roll probably," Bazett mused aloud.
"The what?" Shirou and his Wizard chaperone asked at the same time.
The Enforcer explained, "A Grand Role is a meeting of all the Lords of the Clocktower. A new department being made isn't something that happens everyday and would require a big announcement. At least four Lords are required to attend, the rest will probably send proxies."
"Oh… well this sounds like a formal occasion," Shirou looked at Harry, "Do you think I should get a suit? That's proper for things like this right?"
"You… might have a good point there Shirou, but where would we find a suit for you on short notice."
Clearing her throat, Bazett said, "Actually, I know someone who might be able to help."
"Who?!" Both males asked at the same time.
Standing up, Fraga said, "A Hyena pup who owes me a favor or two. C'mon I'll introduce you to her.."
(...)
The duo followed the enforcer down the halls of the Clocktower listening as she talked, "This girl is one of the heiresses' to the Edelfelt family, they're mercenaries and she's the elder of the two. She thought just because she knew a few spells she was fit to do contract work and went out into the field. I ended up bailing her out of trouble more than once. So she owes me. She's here with her father this week buying gems from the Department of Mineralogy as the Edelfelts specialize in Jewelcraft."
She turned to the two as she stopped in front of a door and said, "Now remember to be on your best behavior."
The redhead nodded, "Yes Bazett-nee,"
Bazett smiled before glaring back at Harry, "I was talking to the Wizard, I know you're a little gentleman Shirou,"
"Hey, I can be civil," Harry said, affronted, "Especially if it might get me customers in the future," He finished under his breath as Bazett knocked on the door.
"Enter," A voice full of youthful vigor and authority called.
Opening the door Bazett led the way into a room that was part lecture room, part cavern. There were tiered seats set in front of a plinth, but behind that was a massive cave mouth taking up the entire back wall. Like the yawing mouth of some giant demon, out of which were coming iron carts loaded with all manner of ore and gemstone imaginable.
Sitting behind a desk was a young looking man who seemed to be in his early twenties. He had light brown hair that fanned out over his gray eyes and a regal pale face with narrow features, and he wore a nice charcoal suit.
There was an older broad shouldered man with short clipped hair that was slicked back wearing a nice blue suit and a blonde hair girl wearing a frilly blue dress with bows in her curly tresses.
Upon seeing them, the man behind the desk said, "I'll be with you in just a moment," turning back to the people in front of him he said kindly, "I do believe that concludes our business Aterno, see you again next year."
The man nodded, "Indeed, pleasure as always Lord Meluastrea," The man turned and paused. Now that Harry could get a good look at him, he could tell he was a bear of a man, his suit was straining at the seams with him just wearing it, and he had a full beard complimenting his hair. Nodding at Bazett with respect he said, "Fraga,"
"Anterno," Bazett said nodding in reply, "Shirou, Harry this is Anterno Kullervo Edelfelt head of the Edelfelt family."
"Sir," Shirou said, bowing slightly. "Nice to meet you."
"Harry Dresden," Harry replied with a respectful nod in the man's direction not looking him in the eyes. He didn't want to initiate a soul gaze.
"Young man… and a Wizard unless I miss my guess? Here? Odd," His voice came out in a rumbling timbre like an annoyed bear or a clap of thunder before a storm. He seemed like the type who didn't say much but his words held weight. He turned back to the Enforcer. "Have business with me Fraga?"
Bazett shook her head, causing her short locks to sway a bit, "Not with you specifically but Luviagelita, Anterno."
The young blonde pointed at herself. "Me? What business do you have with me, Enforcer?"
"I saved you… three times. You owe me three favors, Luviagelita," Bazett said as she held up three gloved fingers for emphasis.
The heiress flushed, "I-I do not!" She flushed.
"Luviagelita?" Her father asked, looking down at her. "Explain."
"I stumbled onto your little girl during a couple of Apostle hunts. I pulled her fat outta the fire." With every word Bazett spoke Anterno's visage darkened as he glared at his daughter.
"Is this true… Luviagelita? Answer me!" He said, raising his voice to a growl.
Head lowered in shame, the girl nodded. "Yes… I thought I could handle myself. I just wanted to make you and mama proud papa."
"Foolish child!" He growled, his frame rigid in anger, "Could've died!" He turned to Bazett, Taking several breaths to calm himself he finally huffed, "You have my thanks for saving my foolish heir. What do you want from her in return?"
"A Grand Roll will likely be called today," She placed a hand on Shirou's shoulder, " To officially recognize a new Lord," She looked at the Lord Meluastrea whose eyes widened as he heard this. "This young man needs a suit. I can think of no one who knows London better than Luvia."
"Didn't know any Lords had died recently…" He said his gaze keenly fixed on Shirou.
"They didn't, a new department will be opening soon," Bazett replied with her own gaze fixed on Lord Meluastrea as she spoke.
"I see. Luviagelita you shall escort Lord?"
"Shirou… Emiya Shirou," The boy said, introducing himself fully.
"Any relation to Kiritsugu Emiya?" The bear of a man asked.
Shirou smiled sadly, "He was my Old Man, he passed away almost three weeks ago now."
"I see… I knew of him… professionally," The bear grumbled. "My condolences."
Shirou nodded. "Thank you sir."
Looking back at Bazett, Anterno said, "Do you require anything else?"
To which the Irishwoman shook her head smiling a little, "Not right now, I'll hold those other two favors in my back pocket for a rainy day if it's all the same to you."
Sighing, the man nodded as if knowing that would be the case. "Very well," Turning to his daughter he said, "Luviagelita, you have your mission parameters. Escort the young lord, attain proper clothing, and return. Now go. We shall discuss the proper punishment for your actions when we get home… I'm sure your mother will be thrilled."
"Yes Father," She said, nodding, with her face grimacing. Turning to Shirou she offered him her arm and said, "Shall we depart Lord Emiya?"
Getting a nudge from Harry, Shirou moved forwards and looped his arm in hers and said, "Yes Miss Edelfelt, um lets."
(...)
The air smelled fresher on the surface to Shirou and the sunlight didn't feel artificial like it did beneath the Natural History Museum. He walked down the cobblestone street being led by a pretty blonde girl. Still he felt bad that she was outed like that so he spoke up. "Um… Edelfelt-san?"
The girl glanced back, her green eyes showing curiosity, "Yes Lord Emiya? You don't mind walking, do you? The place I plan to take you isn't even a kilometer up the road."
Shaking his head, Shirou replied, "No, that's fine, I just wanted to apologize for that uncomfortable scene back there."
Yet to his surprise she shook her head. "No, I should've known my pride would come back to haunt me eventually."
"Well okay then, where are we going?" Shirou asked as he looked around at all the red brick buildings with white trim surrounding them. A little bit further down was a tall building covered in dark glass.
The Finnish girl pointed to the glass spire. "The biggest department store in all of London, Harrods."
It was even more amazing on the inside than out. Stores, restaurants, and eateries were packed on every floor, there were candy shops, delis, bakeries, seafood markets, and every other place imaginable. "This place really does have everything. I've heard about it even in Japan but to actually be here."
"Would you like to know a secret Lord Emiya?" The blonde said in low conspiratorial tones, "This store is actually owned by a magus, and I heard he uses Jewelcraft to compel people to buy goods."
Raising an eyebrow, he replied, "That seems a bit… unnecessary considering how famous this store is, Edelfelt-san. Also, Shirou is fine."
She smiled at him. "Then please, call me Luvia. I insist," She took him by the hand and led him expertly through the crowds, "Now, come on Shero, we have to find you a decent tailor."
The two eventually found their way into Ede & Ravenscroft, the oldest tailors in all of London. Established at the tail end of the seventeenth century in 1689, Ede & Ravenscroft have been providing formalwear for all occasions. The duo went inside and Luvia marched up to the counter past all the cufflinks and watches on display and said "Excuse me, but this young man needs to be fitted for a suit right away."
An older man wearing a pair of pince nez glasses on the end of his nose with the remains of wispy white hair clinging to the back of his head replied, "Does the young gentleman have an appointment?"
"No, he does not. But this is an emergency!"
The old man sighed, "Then I'm afraid he'll have to make one as I'm quite busy my dear."
Stepping up to the counter himself Shirou said, "That's fine sir, can I make an appointment under Emiya?"
The man's eyes twinkled. "Did you just say Emiya young man?" Seeing the boy nod he continued, "Any relation to a Kiritsugu Emiya?"
"My Old Man, he passed away not long ago," Shirou confirmed. "Did you know him?"
"He's a long time customer of mine. He had an open account here… Do you need a suit or a suit?"
"Yes?" Shirou asked confusedly.
The old man chuckled, "I see come on to the back young man and I'll get you fixed up," He glanced at Luvia and asked, "Does the young lady require similar apparel? Your father also had a female partner and did occasionally supply her with garments for… work."
"Umm… sure," Shirou said after a moment.
"Shero," Luvia began waving her hands, "You don't need to do this,"
He shrugged, "I don't mind doing it. Consider it a thank you and apology for bringing me here and for what Bazett-nee did earlier,"
Luvia blinked, then placed her hands on her hips and half heartedly glared, "So you're related to that Enforcer?"
"She's my cousin… I think? It's all a bit confusing for me right now."
"So son of Kiritsugu Emiya, cousin of a Fraga… did he have an unknown mistress or something?"
"I was adopted," Shirou replied as they followed the old man at his prompting to the back of his store. "There was a terrible fire at the end of…" He glanced at the old man and said in a whisper, "The Fourth Holy Grail War." Honestly he was still coming to terms with the fact that a magical battle royale that Kiritsugu fought in caused so much death, "I was the only survivor."
The Edelfelt heiress covered her mouth with one hand hearing how destructive that war had become through her father, "Oh my, how awful,"
Shirou clenched his fists at his sides. "Yeah, it still bothers me, not being able to help any of them,"
"Shero," She almost reached out and put her hand on his shoulder but they had arrived.
At the back of the shop was a loom that was weaving together various pieces of cloth while others were mechanically stitching them together into suits and dresses. The old man turned to face the as he pulled a tape measure from his jacket pocket. "Now first things first, we need to take… measurements."
"Luvia, turn around please," Shirou asked before he let out several uncomfortable grunts as the tape measure measured all manner of things. Once he was finished, the elderly man said, "There now that wasn't so bad was it?"
"I suppose not… Luvia you can look now."
The girl turned a hand over her eyes with a slight smirk on her face. Peeking from between her fingers she laughed asking, "Hohoho, are you alright Shero?"
"I'll live," he confirmed before he said, "I'm going to wait out front since your next," He said as he left the room."
"W-what? Wait a minute now," She said, turning to the elderly man.
"Not to worry my dear, this won't hurt a bit," He said as he closed in with the tape measure.
(...)
Luvia came back out front five minutes later looking flushed. "Your horrible Shero, leaving me back there like that!"
Bowing his head slightly he replied, "Sorry, it just didn't seem proper,"
Huffing the Finnish girl replied, "Well you're a gentleman at least."
The proprietor came from the back room and said, "Now young man, am I correct in assuming you'd like the same type of suit as your father?"
Shirou didn't see why not. If it was good enough for him it would be more than fine for Shirou. "Sure," he said with a nod.
"Same for the lady?" he asked.
Shirou looked at Luvia who just nodded in affirment. "Yes please."
"Alright then, I'll just charge it to his account. Your suit should be ready in a couple of hours. Kerry was a regular so I just need to resize it to fit you. As was his partner Miss Hisui. As his son would you prefer something a little different, a colored undershirt perhaps?"
"Umm, do they come in red?" Shirou asked as he pointed at his hair, "Similar to this?"
"Oh yes, I do believe we can work with that," the man said nodding, "Perhaps a nice coat?"
"Ah… maybe a brown leather duster?" Shirou asked. "My new guardian has one and… I think it looks kinda cool," he admitted sheepishly.
The man laughed. "I think we can accommodate you," He then snapped his fingers. "I never properly introduced myself, did I? Gemini "Jim" Fitzgerald. I often joke that I do the work of two people."
"Nice to meet you," Shirou said again.
"Shero, since we need to return in a couple hours, how about we take a look around the rest of the shops here in Harrods?" She said as she forcefully took him by the hand and dragged him out of the shop. "If you play your cards right, I might even let you buy me lunch."
'How is that good for me?' The boy wondered as he followed the blonde back into the crowded storefront. He suddenly had a feeling that shopping with a woman was a terrible idea.
(...)
Wanting to kill some time, the two entered the nearest store. It just so happened to be a Lindt Chocolate shop. Small colorful bags and parcels full of small wrapped candies stood individually labeled all over the shop. Going over to one and picking it up, Shirou became bug-eyed as he noticed the price, "My god this stuff is expensive!"
"Lindt Lindor is some of the best Swiss chocolate," Luvia said as if speaking from experience. "Their truffles are to die for Shero!"
Gingerly putting the small parcel back where he found it as if it were made of glass he replied, "I will take your word for it Luvia."
"Excuse me but could you hand me that?" A timid voice asked.
Looking over his shoulder, Shirou saw a girl with long light-brown hair, a strip of black cloth covering her right eye, her left was blue-gray in color. She was dressed like a student wearing a school uniform consisting of a black overcoat, leggings and black leather thigh high boots. Shirou noticed she was fidgeting with his attention on her. He saw her eye looking at the chocolate he'd just put back.
Handing it to her, she looked at the price and then pouted a bit. Seeing her frowning Shirou asked, "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, I'm just a few pence short, that's all. I'd better put this back," The girl said with a sigh.
"Well… I can buy it for you?" Shirou offered.
Cheeks coloring a soft pink the girl said, "Y-You don't need to do that,"
Smiling, Shirou replied, "It's fine, don't worry," reaching into his pocket he pulled out a small wallet and pulled from within a black card. Harry had set this up for him before they'd left Fuyuki. A credit card with a two thousand dollar credit limit, though anything over five hundred would have to be approved by Harry. This was nothing though. Picking out something for the Wizard in question, and turning to his companion for the afternoon he asked, "See anything you want Luvia?"
She immediately picked up a small bag of milk chocolate truffles. "Since you asked," She said while smiling slightly at the kind action. She then pointed at the milk chocolate bar in his hand.
Shirou shook his head at the unasked question, "No this is for Harry, the man from earlier? He's my legal guardian."
Putting her hands on her hips, Luvia frowned and said, "That won't do Shero! If you don't get something, miss… um apologizes, I never got your name. Luviagelita Edelfelt you are?"
"Ophelia Pharmsalone," The girl said quietly, smiling a little bit. "Nice to meet you Luviagelita and Shero, was it?"
"It's Shirou," He corrected, "Shirou Emiya. Nice to meet you Pharmsalone-san."
"You too," She said, a warm smile on her face.
"Yes, warm welcomes all around, but as I was saying, if you don't get something Shero, Ophelia and I will feel bad right Ophelia?"
"Oh um, yes," Ophelia said, nodding along with the blonde.
"I prefer cooking myself so maybe just some, baking chocolate."
Flinching as if bracing herself for rejection, Ophelia dared to ask, "I um Shirou-san, if you want, would you like to make chocolate with me later?"
"Sure, I'd like that," Shirou said without a moment's pause.
"R-Really?" Ophelia said, genuinely surprised. "You mean it?" She said smiling.
"Sure I'm not going to be in town long but I do enjoy cooking and baking so I'd be more than happy to do this with you Pharmsalone-san."
"P-Please call me Ophelia!" She said happily raising her voice a little bit as she excitedly hopped from foot to foot. "I-I mean if you don't mind?"
Shirou nodded, happy she was happy. "That right Harry told me people use their first names. Right then Ophelia-san."
"Ahem, may I show up too? Though not exactly sweets per say, I need to brush up on my cooking," Luvia thought of all the survival training she'd been through. Even a simple cooking class would've helped immensely. She knew her safe from poisonous herbs, could kill animals but cooking? It was beyond her. The art of the kitchen was not one the blueblood Luviagelita Edelfelt excelled in.
"Alright, though Japanese food is my specialty… wow, this'll be the first time I've had to look in a cookbook in a while," Shirou said, actually sounding excited at the prospect.
"There's a bookstore nearby that should sell all kinds of cookbooks," Ophelia said, pointing in a north-western direction.
Getting well and truly excited for the first time since he got here, Shirou grabbed a bag of baking chocolate and headed towards the till saying, "Well then let's get this paid for and go have a look shall we?"
The two girls looked at each other then giggled. "Shirou gets excited over the strangest things." Ophelia noted.
"So it seems," Luvia commented.
"Have you… known him long?" The eye patch wearing girl asked.
"I just made his acquaintance today. Though he seems nice enough," Giving the girl a sideways glance of her own Luvia replied, "Your apart of the Pharmsolone Family yes? I had heard that one of their number had recently applied to the Clocktower."
"And your reputation precedes you Edelfelt," She said her tone was cool but neither standoffish nor cold. Looking at Shirou she asked, "Am I to take it that he is also?"
Luvia nodded, "A magus yes, it's my job to keep an eye on him as he does some shopping."
"He lacks… the mindset of a magus," Ophelia noted with slight remorse in her tone. "He's too kind."
Again, Luvia nodded, "But that's what makes him special."
"Are you ladies ready? Shirou called.
"Coming!" The two replied simultaneously, silently acknowledging they couldn't fully trust the other, for backstabbing, subterfuge, and stepping over the corpses of friend and foe alike was the way of Magi. But for now, they would set that aside, because they had a mutual acquaintance who likely wouldn't approve of them killing each other.
(...)
The bookstore smelled like old paper, ink and a faint hint of leather. Heading over to where the cookbooks were kept, Shirou started pursuing. He found several cookbooks on English, American, and Japanese cuisine, and then thinking of the Yamaha V Max waiting in America to be put back together, went to find a book on motorcycles. 'While I'm here maybe getting a book on human anatomy would help with reinforcement?' He thought as he proceeded down the row all about engineering and cars.
Halfway down the aisle he found a boy around his age with slicked back blonde hair who was slightly portly and wore a pristine white suit. 'How on earth does he keep it clean?' Shirou thought to himself as he started looking at titles.
Seeing one that might have what he wanted, he pulled it out and stood up, only to lightly bump his head on something and for a book to fall to the floor. He looked up to see the blonde boy looking embarrassed.
"Oh, uh, are you alright?" He asked,
"Fine, sorry about that," Shirou replied, handing the dropped book back to him. The title was "Historie of Speedway Racing"
"So do you like motorcycles too?" The blonde asked.
Shirou nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, actually I'm trying to restore a Yamaha V Max."
"A Yamaha V Max really? How much horsepower does it have? Torque? Any other special features?"
Laughing a little the redhead replied, "It has a four cylinder 1600cc engine, 250 horsepower, and it has nitrous."
Hearing this the boy's jaw dropped, "A-Are you sure? Can such a thing even be considered a motorcycle anymore? Would it even drive without bucking the driver every time they hit the brakes?"
"I'm not sure, honestly. I'm just trying to fix it. My Old Man told me the specs though I've never seen it run. By the time I found it, it was pretty beaten up."
The boy frowned a bit, "Oh, such a shame. Ah," He said surprised, and then introduced himself, "I'm Goredolf Musik and you are?"
"Shirou Emiya, nice to meet you Goredolf-san," He said, offering a polite nod.
Goredolf froze for a moment, 'He's the Magus Killers son… he seems nice enough though… and anyone who likes motorcycles can't be all bad right?' He decided to take a chance. "You too Shirou," Seeing the other books he had in his arms he asked, "You like cooking too?"
"Yes, though my specialty is Japanese I thought I'd try my hand at western dishes."
"Well I don't want to brag, but in this regard, I'm quite confident in any pasta dish I make," He said as he proceeded to do just that.
"Would you like to cook something for a little informal get together I'm having with some friends? One of them and myself is handling dessert, another I think it would be safe to put her on the appetizer which just leaves the main course."
"I'd be delighted. When is it?" Gordolf asked.
"Tomorrow or the day after?" Shirou replied, unsure. "I'm not going to be in town long, but it would be nice to cook something even so."
"I'll be there. In the Clocktower's kitchens I'm assuming?" Goredulf asked.
"Oh you're a magus too huh?" Shirou inquired.
'He didn't know?! But I told him my name and everything?!' Goredolf thought his ego was taking a hit. "Ahem yes. You've never heard of the Musik Family?" He inquired, pain evident in his voice.
"No, but to be fair, my Old Man never told me much of anything about the world of magi," Shirou replied.
It was then that Goredolf understood. "Ah, to keep you safe from his many enemies no doubt."
"Yeah sure," Shirou said not really understanding, "So you'll come then?"
"Naturally," Goredolf replied.
The redhead pointed out of the aisle, "Right so shall we meet up with the others?"
Clearing his throat nervously while he fidgeted with his tie, Goredolf said, "Lead the way."
"Shero/Shiro!" Both girls called when they saw him only to frown they saw the blonde boy following him.
"Shero this person is," Luvia began.
"A magi just like the rest of us I know."
"Eh, you…" Ophelia began.
"Have very good hearing," Shirou confirmed, nodding while rubbing his cheek in embarrassment. Shirou thought it was bad form to listen in on others' conversations.
"Not that, his family is… well best described as leeches… second rate hacks… that sort of thing?" Luvia said.
Goredolf, who looked like he had been stabbed multiple times, fired back with gusto, "That's funny coming from someone whose family is described as Hyena's of the Battlefield, aren't your family closer to scavengers than mine Edelfelt?"
The girl's face flushed in anger, and she narrowed her eyes as she seethed, "At least I didn't gain my specialty from begging for scraps and suckling at the teat of the Einzbern!"
"We did no such thing!" Gordolf denied. "We took the basics of Western Alchemy and refined it for our own usage."
Before it could devolve into a shouting match, Shirou clapped his hands and said, "Alright that's enough you two!" He looked between them and said, "We're all friends here and we can get along without all this stupid petty stuff like who knows what and who learned it from who mattering right?" He looked between them and said again, "Right Goredolf, right Luvia?"
Sighing, the blonde said, "I suppose you are correct Shero," She glanced at the other magi, "I apologize for my rudeness Musik."
"It's fine Edelfelt, I too was out of line," the more rotund magus said after a moment.
Shirou smiled, "See now was that so hard? And nobody got hurt, which was the important thing."
'Just our pride,' The two magi thought at the same time.
A faint clapping was heard and the group looked over to see a chestnut brown haired girl in a wheelchair clapping as she smiled warmly at Shirou, "You defused that quarrel expertly. I do hate unnecessary fighting," She offered him a hand, "I'm Fiore Fvoredge and you are?"
"Sister," A tall boy in thick square glasses grumbled. "You're being far too forward again."
"Nonsense Caules," She replied easily. "After all, we're all magi here and they should be thanking us for putting that teller to sleep," She smiled sweetly as she motioned to the person at the cash register who was slumped over and drooling slightly.
'Oh crap,' Both Luvia and Goredolf thought at the same time. In their ire towards each other, they had forgotten they were in public, where anyone who wasn't in the know could hear about magecraft.
"Thank you Forvedge-san," Shirou said with a polite bow.
"It's no trouble,'' she said, hissing through her teeth in pain and gripping her legs.
The redhead was immediately concerned, "Are you okay?" He moved to render whatever aid he could only for her brother Caules to pull her wheelchair out of reach.
"She's fine," he almost snarled, "There's nothing anyone can do."
"Caules!" Fiore chastised, "I know you're protective of me, but that's no reason to be rude," Turning back to Shirou she explained, "One of my magic circuits has integrated with the nerves of my legs, leaving me paralyzed. I could remove it, but that would damage all my magic circuits irreparably. Despite the pain I'm in, I still continue to walk down the path of a magi."
"Don't you mean roll down?" Goredolf said to himself only to get elbowed in the gut by Luvia.
'To be a magi is to walk with death,' Shirou thought as he tapped his chin, Shirou said, "If that's the case, I might be able to help somewhat."
"He's lying," Caules said, "There's no way he could-"
"Caules," Fiore said, cutting him off, and not taking her eyes off Shirou, "Stop," She then prompted him to continue with a hand gesture. "Go on,"
"Well you see, before I was told I was doing it wrong, I was converting my nerves into magic circuits to power my magecraft."
Everyone looked utterly horrified that he just admitted that with a straight face. Luvia, who looked a little green in the face, covered her mouth with one hand and asked, "You were doing what?"
"Are you mad?!" Ophelia asked.
Goredolf simply inquired, "How are you not dead?!"
Shirou waved them all off, "That's not important right now. What is important is that if I can turn my nerves into circuits I should be able to help Forvedge-san," He paused and added, "Right after I get something to eat, as it wouldn't do to be distracted by being hungry," He looked at the Forvedge siblings. "Would you like to join us for lunch? I'll treat you?"
Smiling warmly with something akin to hope and something warmer kindling like a fire in her breast, Fiore replied, "We'd be delighted, wouldn't we, Claus?"
Claus knew that tone when he heard it, and he knew better than to fight her in this instance. "Yes sister."
And so a small group of magi paid for their purchases and headed for London's biggest food court.
(...)
Seal Designation Enforcer Office, Clock Tower:
Harry honestly could say the Clocktower made him uncomfortable. If it wasn't for a redhead barely into her twenties by the look of her, that being Bazett, Harry half expected some of the magi here to strap him to a table just to see how he cast magic. He heard horror stories of magi and their experiments going horribly wrong and had to be cleaned up by the Church, the White Council, and Enforcers. He supposed Bazett must be pretty damn good if she was an Enforcer at such a young age.
"So Dresden, I saw your staff and noticed the runes on it. Are you any good? Or do you need some tips from a pro?"
Harry was knocked out of his thoughts and looked at the young lady talking to him. He said a bit defensively, "I do alright I think. I mean, Wizards staves aren't exactly easy to make. This one took me two weeks and a lot of carving from an old oak tree on my mentor's property for example. So can I honestly say that I'm great with runes? I don't know, as I can't say I have much to compare it to."
Bazett's laughter made Harry blush, "Dresden that is kinda pathetic no offense,"
"Some taken," The Wizard sulked.
Holding up her gloved hands in a universal sign for peace, the Enforcer continued, "I'm sorry, but no kin of mine will be raised by someone who has such abysmal knowledge of runecraft," Shaking her head at her desk she said, "There's no help for it, I might have to come with you for a few weeks just to make sure you can understand elder futhark. I needed a vacation anyways."
"You do not have to take time off just to teach me runes Bazett," Harry tried to argue but then the foul stench of tobacco entered his nostrils.
Harry knew this scent after living in Chicago but it was never quite this bad.
"Who smokes inside a building?" asked a confused Harry.
The sigh from Bazett made Harry turn and look to see what or who she was looking at.
"Aozaki, why are you smoking in the enforcer office again? Your sealing designation was lifted. You don't have to come back here to rub it in our faces that you aren't a target anymore," was the exasperated response Bazett gave as Harry started to look over at the new woman who entered the lounge area.
The woman Bazett was complaining about had legs that Harry couldn't help but wonder went all the way up. Said legs were covered in nothing but fishnet stockings and some nice stiletto heels. The rest of her was covered in a green fur trimmed coat. She was a brunette with a reddish hue, her hair trimmed into a short bob cut, her eyes were dark but warm with slight dimples on her cheeks as she smiled at him from behind her wireframe glasses coyly.
"Like what you see?"
"Ask questions like that to every guy you meet?" Harry retorted.
"Only the ones I catch staring," the woman replied with a smirk curving her lips. "So, you're the wizard we have gracing our halls…" she peered down glancing at his staff over the rim of her glasses, "And that must be your staff…" She paused for a moment before adding, "Not bad but if you added a couple of Tumaz runes here, and here," She pointed at certain sections of his staff with the cherry of her lit cigarette, "You could increase the potency of your spells by roughly oh, fifty percent at no additional cost?"
Looking at the places she specified Harry blinked, "Hells Bells, your right, thanks," He then narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Why'd you tell me for free? You magi types don't do 'for free'."
The woman laughed. "Touko Aozaki," she said, offering him her hand, palm down, Harry took it and gave it a shake.
Deciding discretion was the better part of valor, he said succinctly, "Harry,"
She smirked again, "You were supposed to kiss it you know?" She then curled an eyebrow and added, "Just Harry, must make you hard to find in a phone book going only by your first name?"
Believe in chivalry he may, but he wasn't foolish enough to kiss the hand of an unknown magi. Too risky. "No offense but I don't know you well enough to do that, and I'm pretty easy to find, I'm the only person going by 'Wizard' in the Yellow Pages."
"Fair," Touko replied, "But as to why I helped you… well, seeing runecraft, my speciality being shoddily done irks me for one," She paused for a moment before adding, "Additionally, I recently opened up my own detective agency back home in japan, called Go Ren no Dou, and I heard you were something of a gumshoe. So, I figured if you were ever in the area, you could give me a call for some freelance work."
She pulled her gloved hand out of her coat pocket and offered him her card. Harry reached out with his senses to check and make sure it wasn't boobytrapped before accepting it. He wasn't so proud he wouldn't accept work when or where he could find it. "Thanks, just so you know my going rate is twelve fifty up front and eighty-five an hour plus expenses," Harry raised his rates on the spot. Not out of spite, but simply factoring in that he had a child to care for now.
"Agreeable," Toukou said, nodding. "I'll give you a call if I need you Mr. Dresden," She winked at him flirtatiously. "Seeya I've got to make a withdrawal for materials for my place. Bounded Fields are so costly to set up even knowing Runes."
"Don't you mean you're taking out a line of credit in your sister's name again Aozaki?"
Putting a gloved finger to her lips, Touko said, "Shh…don't tell Aoko, she might destroy another mountain," She said before she took a puff off her cigarette as she left the office.
Seeing him watching her go Bazett drawled, "Please tell me you haven't been taken in by that… that doll Dresden."
"Doll? What's with the fifties talk all of a sudden?" Harry asked, wondering about the sudden slang usage.
"Not slang. That was but wasn't Touko Aozaki, she was Given a Sealing Designation, a bounty essentially, because she can make a perfect prosthesis. They can bleed, age, get sick, even die. She may use runes, but her true skill lies in puppet crafting. That was just another puppet of hers, and when one dies her soul just inhabits another."
Harry felt an involuntary shiver go down his spine, "Is she a necromancer or something?"
"Not exactly. She has to an extent managed to replicate a portion of the Third Magic I suppose which could be another reason for her designation…" Bazett shook her head, "Sorry here I am yammering about something you likely don't understand."
Plopping down in the chair across from her, wishing he had a diet coke, or at least one of Mac's micro beers, Harry said, "I know bits and pieces. You Magi like to mess with stuff that shouldn't be messed with, the dead, time, other people's minds, their free will. And you have the audacity to call it True Magic when you do so."
Bazett opened her mouth as if to argue, only to close it, "I'm not the type of person you should be having this discussion with. If you want to talk about something like this, go find someone like Lord El Melloi II. I'm just a grunt whose job it is to hunt down Sealing Designates and Vampires," She shook her head, causing her ruddy locks to sway, "No, thinking about the right or wrong use of magecraft is for the intellectual types like the Lords."
To which Harry rebutted, "Shirou is a Lord, or he's going to be. Do you want him to be the one to decide that all on his own?"
Bazett's eyes widened. "No, that's not what I meant! You're… twisting my words."
"No, I'm pointing out the facts Bazett, you may not like them but here's how it stands right now." Harry held up a finger, "Shirou is going to be a Lord, he has next to no clue that this place is a viper pit." Another finger joined the first, "Secondly, I a wizard who isn't exactly well liked by his own council is raising said Lord," A third finger joined the first two, "Lastly, he's been given a job by that Barthomeloi Lady that i don't think he's really ready for. So to recap he has no allies, responsibilities out the wazoo, no political experience, and is the head of a new department he doesn't know how to run. To put it simply he is in shark infested waters and doesn't even realize there's chum in the water. What he needs is allies here and fast."
Bazett's mouth was slightly ajar by the time Harry finished, "You figured all that out… and you've only been here a couple hours?"
Harry shrugged, "It doesn't take a genius to figure out. So, since you're native to this cesspool, is there anyone Shirou should or could talk to first?"
"Maybe the neutral or Democratic Factions? But then again, Lord Barthomeloi seems to actually like him as incredulous as that seems. Also Shirou has already declared himself free of internal politics. So this conversation might be pointless."
"True, when the kid comes back we can ask him about this," Harry said as he looked up at the ceiling of the office.
Just then a shock of red hair poked its head inside the office. "Hey Bazett-nee, hey Harry."
"Speak of the devil and he appears," Harry said sitting up "We were just talking about you kiddo. We need your opinion on something."
"Great but can you two come with me for a bit?" Shirou asked while also adding a pleading lilt to his tone.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"What did you do Shirou?" Bazett said half suspiciously as she narrowed her eyes at her baby cousin.
Waving his hands in front of himself he said, "Nothing bad… I think? I just offered to fix a girl's legs because her magic circuit was giving her a hard time… now everyone is kinda freaking out?"
Sighing and hefting his staff Harry said, "C'mon let's go put out a fire."
(...)
"I honestly didn't think being a diplomat would be this hard," Shirou muttered as the trio made their way back into the entrance hall where Magi had packed it like sardines in a can, all of them shouting and surrounding a small group of kids, one of which Harry recognized as the blonde girl who went out with him earlier.
"Shirou?" Harry asked.
"Friends I made while out and about."
"Right then," Harry raised his staff and runes glowing with his gathered Will said, "Fuego!" A torrent of fire arced over the crowd getting everyone's attention. Harry spoke once all eyes were on him, "Make a hole towards the children or I'll torch the lot of you. I won't ask twice."
When nobody moved, a new harsher voice rang out. A familiar, feminine one, edged with steel. "Did none of you fools hear the Wizard? Remove yourselves immediately, you utter disgraces to your families."
The crowd quickly dispersed not wanting to gain the ire of the Queen of the Clocktower anymore than they already had. Shirou smiled gratefully. "Thanks Lorelei, that was getting messy."
"Do not thank me for doing my job Emiya," The Vice Director said stiffly, "So unseemly, so you have talent as a Tuner, there is no reason to act like an uncouth rabble," She looked him up and down, "I do hope you are dressing a bit more smartly for the Grand Roll?"
"Yes ma'am!" Shirou said, nodding, "I went out, bought a suit and everything. I hope it didn't get damaged… it didn't get damaged, did it Luvia?"
"N-No Shero not at all!" The Finnish girl quickly replied, not wanting to seem incompetent in front of the Queen she held up his suit in a cloth bag on a hanger, "I've got it right here, see?"
"Good job Luvia. Thanks!" He called. "It shouldn't take me too long to get changed, when is this Grand Roll?"
"An hour from now, I'm sure Enforcer McRemitz will see to it that you arrive at the usual place on time?" her gaze flicked over to Bazett briefly.
"Yes Lord Barthomeloi! Consider it done."
"Naturally I consider it done, or I wouldn't have mentioned it," the Queen said patiently.
Cocking his head to the side, the soon to be Lord questioned, "Shouldn't you be called Lady Barthomeloi?" Shirou asked politely, making sure there was no sarcasm or insult in his tone.
"Technically yes, but most of these fools are too afraid of me to use my proper title."
"I like Lady Lorelei, it sounds better, and it compliments your beauty," Shirou said with the honesty of a boy who was just starting to recognize women as something not 'icky'.
Several gasps could be heard from those still around.
"The stones on him!" Goredolf said only to get an elbow in the gut from Caules.
Everyone, even Harry held his breath as Lorelei reached out with her non gloved hand…
and placed it on Shirou's head, giving him an affectionate pat. "You are quite the charmer with a gible tongue, Lord Emiya, but I'm a bit too old for you."
He just nodded, "Ok."
Her stern eyes locking on the Wizard present, she said, "While your power is impressive, power without control is pointless."
Harry scoffed, power he had in spades but fine control was never his forte, "Well I'm so sorry I don't measure up to your standards your highness."
"I don't want meaningless platitudes. I want you, as your Council's representative, to be better. It is not just you that you put in danger but him for your rudeness, actions, and mindset." Her gaze flickered ever so briefly over Shirou as she spoke.
Harry's anger flared like a grease fire. "Are you threatening the boy?"
"Me? No. I don't know if you've realized but I'm rather fond of his straightforwardness," The Vice Director replied.
"I like you too Lady Lorelei, I'm glad we're friends," Shirou replied honestly.
"Indeed, now go and get yourself ready Lord Emiya it wouldn't do to be late or looking shabby for your own introductory Grand Roll."
"Yes ma'am," After she walked away he stage-whispered, "Harry can you help me? I've never put on a suit before."
Chuckling the Wizard said, "Sure kid c'mon let's grab a free classroom…" Looking around he smirked and said, "No peeking ladies."
"We would never!" Luvia said, flushing seemingly affronted.
"Speak for yourself, Edelfelt." Fiore said as she watched the boy disappear behind a door.
"Sister!" Caules said, stammering.
(...)
It took thirty minutes even with Harry's help but Shirou was ready for the Grand Roll. He was wearing a black suit over a red shirt with a black tie. Over that he was wearing a burgundy leather duster. "How do I look?" He asked his minder.
Giving him a once over, Harry nodded, "Good. Red is definitely your color, and black goes with anything. Plus, I gotta say, I'm flattered that you're trying to copy my look."
Shirou scratched his cheek, "Well it does look cool."
"Try telling that to Murphy," He said with a laugh.
"Who's Murphy?" Shirou questioned.
Giving a wan smile, he replied, "A friend of mine who's going to flip when she finds out I;m raising a kid. I'll be sure to introduce you." Giving him a once over before straightening his jacket he said, "You ready for this Grand Roll thing?"
"I guess so?"
"Good… what type of roll do you think it'll be? A cinnamon roll. Or maybe a California Roll. Those are pretty good, though sushi isn't my thing."
The boy snorted out a laugh. "I think it'll be a meeting between some very dangerous magi… but thanks for trying to lighten the mood Harry."
Giving his ward a look he asked, "Nervous?"
"Should I be?" Shirou replied honestly, "It's just a meet and greet, as long as we both behave nothing bad should happen right?"
"Right so lets not do anything stupid," Harry advised. 'Take your own advice for once Dresden.' A little voice in the back of his head told him.
"Almost done in there?" Bazett's voice called from the other side of the door, with a tense nervous edge, "It would look bad for you to be late."
"We'll be right out Bazett-nee!" Shirou replied before he looked at Harry and said, "Ready for this?"
"Less so than you but yeah kid, lets go hobnob with royalty," Harry said as he hefted his staff and opened the door for his ward.
Upon seeing what her little cousin was wearing, Bazett covered her face with one hand and said, "Well, you'll certainly be making an impression."
"Good?" Shirou asked.
"I'm… not sure," She replied after a moment before she tightened his tie that hung a bit too loose around his neck. "But it's too late to worry now. C'mon we can't be late."
(...)
She lead the duo out into a courtyard that, even though it was underground had grass and what looked to be actual sunlight as what looked to be the sun had just begun its descent below the very tips of the uppermost spires of the Magus Association Building in the west, casting long shadows across the lawn, like long spindly fingers of some unknown demon.
Shirou briefly wondered how they had a fake sun down here but decided it didn't really matter, it wasn't important to what was happening right now after all. What was important was the small stage with white streamers arrayed around it, on top of which Lorelei Barthomeloi stood, her arms crossed, her riding crop in one hand, as numerous people he hadn't met milled about near the stage.
As he approached, he said sincerely, "I do hope I didn't keep you waiting long Lady Barthomeloi?"
Glancing over at him hawkishly she nodded, "Five minutes early, even better than being punctual, Lord Emiya."
The boy just smiled, "I try ma'am."
To which the leader of the Aristocratic Faction drolled, "Lord Emiya, if you keep trying like this we'll have to raise the bar for what is considered average around here."
"Where do you need me, Lady Barthomeloi?" Shirou kindly inquired.
Motioning behind her she replied, "Here on the stage three steps behind me to my right."
Taking his position, he listened as Lorelei began to speak, "Lords and Ladies or proxies of such, today is a momentous occasion. Today, a new Department is being founded," A round of murmuring occurred and she allowed it to go on for a moment before she sighed and said, "I… was not finished speaking," The yard immediately went silent as a grave, "As I was saying, we have a new Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and its current and first head, holding a crest with a five-hundred year history, with the abilities of a Tuner, is one Shirou Emiya."
She stepped aside and Shirou took that as his cue to step forward. He looked out across the group of people who were staring back at him and he said what came to mind, "Hello everyone, I am a new head to a new department so I have so catching up to do I admit but I intend to be up and running before i leave within a couple of days from now. The purpose of my department is not to settle internal disputes like the Policies Department but to extend an olive branch as it were to other magical organizations and I have already made some headway in that direction. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask," He stayed silent for a moment and then someone, someone he recognized as Ophelia Phamrsalone raised a hand, "Yes?"
"A-re you hiring?" She asked.
"Yes, mainly for secretarial work as soon as I find a place to rent as an embassy. Anyone else?"
A man with a mane of blonde hair in an immaculate white suit carrying an ornate cane stepped forwards and asked, "Has any thought been given as to how such alliances could negatively affect Mystery?"
"Kishteria Wodime, are you questioning my decision to create this department in the first place?" the Vice Director said in a dangerously deliberate tone.
The now named Wodime shook his head, "No Vice Director, but I still felt the need to bring it up, by bringing other organizations into our fold or us into theirs, magecraft could weaken further. So I ask again, was such a thought considered before this Department was founded?"
"Naturally," Lorelei replied, her voice cool and even, "Such a thing was considered, and the benefits outweigh the risks." She looked around and raised her voice a little, "The point of being a magi is to reach the Root, that is the goal of all of us, but the journey to get there is just as if not more important than the destination. Who knows what knowledge these alliances might bring us, what breakthroughs our researches could have, and how much closer any one of us could be to the Root. In fact, those White Council Wizards don't just spur technology but their magic shorts it out simply by being near it. One could argue that they are using more primitive magecraft than we."
This set the crowd muttering again, only for them to fall silent when the Vice Director released an 'ahem'. "But don't take my word for it, we have amongst us a Wizard who can speak for his ilk. One Harry Dresden."
'Oh Hell's Bells, Stars and Stones and Hell's Bells again!' Harry swore in his mind as his feet took him up on the stage and he plastered his fakest smile on his face. "Thank you so much for having me, Vice Director… What the hell?" He said out of the corner of his mouth to her.
"They need to see Lord Emiya as effective. Since the Sidhe isn't here, you'll do," She replied back quietly enough no one else could hear her.
"Here goes nothing," He said to himself as he said, "Hi folks Harry Desden, Wizard of the White Council in good standing. Does anyone have any questions for me? I'll answer what I can."
The girl in the wheelchair who came back with Shirou earlier raised her hand, "Yes umm could you explain why some of your people, the men with the swords seem to attack and kill magi on sight?"
A heated rumbling came from the crowd, and Harry moved to defuse the situation, "Well the people your talking about are called Wardens miss, and the reason they kill Magi is… well because they usually see magi breaking one of the Seven Laws of Magic which are seven rules that Wizards aren't allowed to break. To do so is basically a death sentence."
Another muttering came from the crowd, this one more curious. It made Harry wonder, 'They… they couldn't not know right?' He decided to ask, "Does anyone have a clue what I'm talking about?"
"Mister Dresden, we just assumed your White Council was trying to eliminate a rival organization we didn't until now have the faintest clue as to what their motives might be," Lord El Melloi spoke as he puffed on a cigar. "Please continue what Laws of Magic have we broken?"
Running a hand down his face Harry thought, 'Why me? Why do I have to be the one to explain the Seven Laws to an entire Tower full of people?' Taking a breath he said, "The Seven Laws of Magic are pretty simple. No killing another human with magic, No transforming others, No invading the minds of others, No Enthralling others, No Necromancy, No messing with time, No messing with the Outer Gates. Magi do basically everything but the last one on a regular basis which is why the wardens kill you once they realize your magi."
There was a deathly silence in the courtyard for a moment and then, a man in a leather jacket, black pants, combat boots, and wearing sunglasses decided to speak up, "I might as well ask first. Kairi Sisigou, department of Spiritual Evocation and a necromancer. I work freelance and had some scuffles with your wardens. I suppose you are educated enough to know that we magi walk the paths of death everyday with our magic, mystery, and research. Are you trying to tell me that the white council, while banning those seven things you mentioned, are still magically powerful and not face any problems with their spells or mystery weakening? Better yet, what is that last thing you mentioned? I have seen some shit like dead apostles, mad fey, and even sealing designations but what the hell is this outer gate?"
"I can't say," Harry said after a moment's pause, before hastily adding, "Not because I don't trust you, 'Though I don't trust a single one of you,' He thought to himself before his eyes settled briefly on Bazett, 'Well maybe just one' he amended in his thoughts. "But rather because it's something the higher-ups in my own organization are rather secretive about."
Sisigou grunted, "I see, but suffice to say it's dangerous?"
"It's used to let things…" He paused as thoughts of He Who Walked Behind appeared in his head surrounded by fire and half occluded by smoke, he shunted them away and continued, "Things that don't make logical human sense into our reality. So yeah, I'd say it's dangerous."
That got everyone's attention. The point of magi was to find a way to the Root, to find a way outside of their own reality to it. By his own admission, Harry Dresden had just told a courtyard full of magi that not only did the White Council not only not kill with magic, but that they also knew the location of such a potential path to the Root.
Shirou, who wasn't exactly the brightest bulb in the bunch when it came to human interaction, could practically feel the palpable hunger coming off the crowd, all of it being directed at his new minder. So he decided to intervene for his sake, Clapping his hands loudly to get everyone's attention he said, "Thank you Harry for that rundown on the rules for the White Council. I'm sure everyone here will keep them in mind in the future lest they run afoul of the Wardens," He looked to the Vice Director, "Lady Barthomeloi is there anything else that needs to be covered here today?"
Stepping to the forefront of the stage, Lorelei spoke, "Just this, with the possession of a magic crest of a five-hundred year history, several potent sorcery traits, and the abilities of a Tuner, it has been decided Lord Emiya shall be granted the rank of Fes with the Color of Yellow."
Shirou bowed at the waist, "Thank you for the honor Lady Barthomeloi, I won't let you, or anyone else who decided to honor me in this way, down."
"I'm sure you won't, Lord Emiya, we all expect great things from you," She said as she turned towards him, a ghost of a smile on her usually stern face as she gave him a single nod before she walked off stage.
And it was that, a sign of acknowledgment by Lorelei Barthomeloi the Queen of the Clocktower herself, that drove everyone into shocked silence. 'She's so nice,' Shirou thought to himself as he descended the stage to greet and thank everyone for taking the time out of their day to come to this event. He reached the blonde haired man Kirshcharia Wodime first, bowing politely he said, "Thank you so much for coming to this event. For someone new like me to meet someone who is likely busy like yourself it means a lot."
'Is this that Eastern humility I've heard so much about?' Wodime wondered. "It's nothing really. I feel I learned a lot today, Lord Emiya, about yourself and the White Council as well. Kirchcharia Wodime I am representing the Animusphere Department today," He said as he swept into a bow himself.
"Animusphere?" Shirou kindly inquired.
"The Department of Astrology, each is named after the family or person who originally founded it. For Astrology it is the Animusphere family."
The boy nodded in understanding, "Ah, I see, thank you for explaining Wodime-san."
"Think nothing of it, should you need any assistance don't hesitate to ask," the elder magus replied kindly falling into step with the boy as he made his rounds.
The next person he made his way to was Asian like himself, with her long dark hair done up in a pair of twintails. She had a pale pallor, and square glasses perched on her nose, which was buried in a book as her dark brown eyes quickly scanned from page to page. She glanced up when she saw the young boy approach.
"Lord Emiya, this is Hinako Akuto, she's representing Yumia, the Department of Botany."
Bowing in greeting, the newly minted Lord said, "Hello Akuto-oneechan, what are you reading?" Shirou asked curiously as the muttering kicked up around him, most of them consisting of 'ice queen' and 'dead man'.
One of her eyebrows slowly rose as did a smirk. "Oneechan am I?"
"Aren't you?" Shirou asked innocently.
Hina reached out and patted Shirou on his head, "You're lucky your cute boy," She said as she ran her fingers through his hair, "You're also lucky I don't take things at face value or I might be offended, you calling me onee chan."
Shirou cocked his head to the side, "But you're older than me?"
In any normal man, red klaxon warning bells would be going off right about now, that he was about to step on a proverbial landmine… Shirou however lacked any sense of self-preservation. So those 'klaxons' were silent.
Giving him a stare from behind her glasses, Hina said, "Did your mother never tell you it's not nice to call a woman old Lord Emiya?"
"I never had one?" Shirou replied in brutal honesty only a child could give.
Hinako grimaced, just a little, before she said, "Oh, well it is, so don't do it again okay?"
"Yes onee chan," Shirou nodded.
"Yes well, we had best be going Lord Emiya, more people to greet," Wodime told him.
Again Shirou nodded, "Right seeya Akuto-oneechan!"
"Lord Emiya?" Hina called, getting him to turn for a moment, "The book I'm reading is called "Table of Peerless Heroes" by Jin Guliang. It has the autobiographies of several heroes of ancient China."
"I'll give it a read sometime if I can find it in a library," Shirou promised her as he walked off.
Hinako giggled. "Find a woodcut print book in a library? Funny boy." She thought to herself as she returned to the second chapter and her favorite, that of Xiang Yu.
The next person the two chanced upon was a man with a slightly tanned complexion, his blonde hair was swept back and feather like, and his hawkish gaze seemed to pierced right through Shirou as he stared at him. He wore a brown leather jacket over a pink striped polo shirt, black pants, and thick durable looking boots.
"Daybit," Kishcharia greeted.
"Wodime." The man replied with a simple nod of his head before returning his gaze to Shirou and saying, "You're interesting."
"Thank you for the compliment, nice to meet you." Shirou said bowing.
"Lord Emiya, this is Daybit Sem Void, here representing Brishisan or the Department of Lore, the department that reports solely to the Director of the Clocktower." Wodime informed him.
Straightening, Shirou asked, "Do you come from somewhere not from Europe Daybit-san?"
"America, I live in Nevada."
"Oh, I'm moving there, have you ever been to Chicago? Can you tell me anything about America? I've never been before and I'm a bit nervous," Shirou admitted.
Daybit nodded. "I've traveled extensively. You first need to realize that America is its own continent, not just a country, a continent. Americans tend to like their things in excess food, entertainment, and other indulgence. The stereotype of Americans being fat is a stereotype for a reason unfortunately. Now if you mean Chicago specifically, I personally enjoyed a small hole in the wall pub called McAnnally's, and an establishment called The Walnut Room is the oldest restaurant in Chicago."
"Hey kiddo," Harry said interrupting, a champagne flute in hand, "Behaving yourself?"
"Yes Harry I was just talking to Void-san here about a place called the Walnut Room in Chicago? Apparently it's nice."
"Oh yeah," Harry replied, gazing at the person in question for a moment, "Especially during the holidays they have this huge Christmas tree called the Great Tree every year, it's quite a sight."
"Dresden," Daybit nodded, "You are just as… intriguing as your charge."
"Thanks, I think?" Harry said, raising his flute in salute, before turning to the blonde man, "Wodime right?"
"Wizard Dresden," Kisharia replied.
Harry scoffed, "Don't be so uptight kid, I'm not gonna rip your arm off, Hells Bells I'm Theologically Switzerland. Anyway, is the kid behaving?"
"I said I was," Shirou protested.
"Yeah, and when I was your age, I swore up and down I wasn't sneaking beer, but it was a damn good convincing lie," Harry replied, teasing in his tone.
"I don't drink… not after that one time Raiga took me hunting and I shot a deer, he said I earned it, as a man… it tasted okay but…" He made a sour face. "I didn't really like it?"
Harry blinked, "When did this happen?"
"How many points were on the deer's antlers?" Daybit asked
"About how far away were you when you took the shot?" Was Kishtaria's question.
"A year ago, twelve points, and about eleven hundred yards, why?"
'I'm gonna have to have a chat with Raiga next time I see him, no eleven year old needs sake,' Harry thought.
"Twelve pointer, not bad," Daybit commented. "I assume he used the horns for medicine?"
Shirou nodded, "Horns, hooves, made a stew out of the meat, bowstrings out of the sinews, he had the pelt tanned for me."
Daybit nodded seemingly satisfied. "Good."
"You might have a knack for archery Lord Emiya," He glanced at Harry before saying, "Your guardian might want to consider signing you up for classes lest this skill go to waste."
"From what your cousin told me the new place has a big backyard, we should be able to fit a target range in it."
"Cool," Shirou smelled cigar smoke on the wind and turned to see Lord El Melloi approaching with a girl wearing a cowl in tow. "Lord Norwhich."
"Lord Emiya, congratulations on your ranking. Not many are given a primary color." The man said as he puffed on his cancer stick, he then nudged the girl beside him, "Well, introduce yourself."
"Y-Yes Master!" She said her tone was nervous and light, She bowed, "H-Hello, I'm Gray, nice to meet you Lord E-Emiya."
Just then, something inside Shirou's chest thumped. It happened again and again, thrumming almost like the beat of a heart, and the more it continued the more a strange warmth spread from the center of his chest. 'What is this?' He wondered.
"Nice to meet you Gray," Shirou said half in a daze, wondering what this feeling was.
"Are you alright kiddo?" Harry asked, concerned at how strange his ward was suddenly acting.
"I…I'm fine Harry," Shirou said though he felt warm, unusually so, like his magic circuits were active thumping in time with this unknown heartbeat.
"Right, let's take a walk kid," Harry said unconvinced as he pulled his ward away by the shoulder. He didn't sense any magic being used but that doesn't mean there wasn't any being employed.
Taking him over to a small table laden with hor devours Harry gave the boy a once over he was red faced and his eyes were out of focus, he looked like he might be running a fever. Harry hadn't seen him like this since he first turned on his magic circuits for the first time. "Shirou, hey Shirou, you okay?"
"I'm fine," the boy replied stubbornly, Harry almost laughed.
'Somethings never change,' He thought. "You sure? Did that girl or the hippie pull a fast one? Or were you just taken with her pretty face? I saw you putting the moves on that older girl, you're real smooth kid."
Shirou shook his head, "No, but something about that girl caused something in me to… react? I can't explain it better than that."
'Something in him? Hells bells could it be?' Harry wondered as he picked up a cup of what he assumed was ice water and handed it to his charge along with a plate full of crabcakes and said, "Here munch on this I'll be right back."
He was back in front of Lord El Melloi II in six strides of his long legs. Before he could even open his mouth the girl asked, "Is Lord Emiya okay? Was it something I s-said?"
"Fool Gray who can blame the boy for running you have no self confiden-Aaaah!" A voice said before she shook an honest to goodness birdcage she had at her hip under her cloak.
"Quiet Add," She groused as she glared at a gray rubik's cube with a face.
"What," Harry asked pointing at said cube, "Is that?"
"Add is a sentient magical item, nothing to be concerned with," Lord El Melloi replied easily.
"Bullshit," Harry fired back, "Sentient magical items are as common as diamonds in pig troughs." He knew he had a human skull with a spirit of intellect in it. "So you wanna pull the other one?"
Waver Velvet's teeth ground against his cigar, "It's complicated."
"My ward might be affected so uncomplicate it for me, fast," Harry replied as he gathered Will into his staff.
"My family is distantly related to King Arthur," Gray began, "Five years ago, my face was no longer my own," She lowered her hood revealing the false visage that lay beneath. Green eyes and a narrow regal face along with grey hair that seemed out of place stared back at him, after a moment she put her hood back up.
'Five years ago King Arthur… oh shit,' it all clicked into place for Harry, the sheath of King Arthur that the old Gandalf found in Shirou, his adoptive father having fought in the Fourth Holy Grail War, who he summoned. He realized what was going on here, someone in Gray's family had broken the Fourth Law of Magic; they were trying to change Gray into King Arthur… bring her back through Gray herself. 'Hells bells' Harry thought, 'They're trying to overwrite that girl's very existence with her ancestors. She's the Future King,' He realized with horror. The other half, the prophecy that King Arthur would return from Avalon when Britain needed him most.
"I see you understand what's going on with Gray, Dresden," Lord El Melloi II said after a moment. "But what does your ward have to do with her circumstances?"
It took Harry only a moment to realize that what he deduced was not common knowledge. "I'll keep your secrets if you keep mine?" He offered. Shirou wasn't the only one who could be diplomatic.
Master and apprentice looked at one another and nodded, "Agreed,"
"Good, Shirou… well he was the lone survivor from the Fourth Holy Grail War, as I'm sure you surmised he was adopted by Kiritsugu Emiya… but no one ever asked how or why he saved that boy from the fire."
Understanding dawned in Lord El Melloi's eyes, "His catalyst, it's the missing sheath of King Arthur…" He glanced at Shirou, "The boy still has it?!"
Harry nodded, "He does and it… reacted when it got close to the little lady here," Harry waved a hand towards her but the space she had previously occupied was now empty.
Gray was slowly carefully approaching Lord Emiya, 'I did something to him, I need to take responsibility,' She reasoned, 'We're both cursed, cursed by the legacy of King Arthur. I ended up with her,' He paused and a hand briefly touched her face before sliding down to her side, 'Face. So… What did you get Shirou Emiya?' She wondered as she stopped a good ten feet from him staring. 'What curse of hers are you carrying?'
For the first time in Shirou and Gray's history they felt another person could understand them.
A soft glow came from each artifact of Artoria Pendragon, the wielders of both artifacts meeting another.
Who knows what affects this would have on the other wielder.
To Be continued in Part 2 "Stars and Steel"
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Word Count: 12,210 Number of Pages: 29 Date Completed: 11/13/2022
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Author's Note:
Listen fellow readers it's Snowy here. It has come to my attention that there are a lot of lovers of bubba's stories. Bubba is in desperate need of making some cash to help with his living expenses so he can continue writing.
Please go to bubbjack and give even one dollar a month to help fund bubba's living expenses. I normally would never ask but right now we need to all come together and help with Bubba so he can continue writing otherwise he will have to give up writing to find work elsewhere. This is a serious mask off moment here guys and gals. Bubba's now has three tiers. Tier 1 is just for support, Tier 2 gets preview of stories before they are betaed, and TIer 3 gets tier 2 rewards while also getting to see the chapter a whole week before we post.
First Hassan: Like what Snowy said Bubba is dealing with some issues ands like what he said we would love you readers to give Bubba some support by donating money to his account. Please help our big lovable author so he can continue his passion. That's all I have to say for now. (Turning around while blue flames surrounds Hassan before disappearing)
Bubba Comes back from the restroom: Hey guys get the author's note… looks up… What kinda fresh hell is this?! Okay loyal readers my editors have gone rogue it seems. I mean, I'm not gonna beg for money, it's just so… lowbrow… but give if you want to if you can, I appreciate every penny. And this is part one of a two parter the second part will be out… whenever the heck I get around to writing it, (ei when my body stops rebelling against me, treacherous bastard he is) Anyway thank you I love you all, and this has been an icysnowsage, First Hassan, and Bubbajack production, Peace!
