I don't believe this took as long as the last one, but still took longer than I wanted. I've been putting in some long hours at my job so writing unfortunately will be a tad slow. Here we get a new summon into the group! Based on the title, I think you can guess who it is!

Intermission: Dinner Time with the Chaldea Family

"Where is everyone?" Cira huffed as she walked down the hall.

She'd checked the simulator to no avail, checked the library to no avail and even went so far as to go into the command room and still could not find Mash, Romani, DaVinci…even her Servants seemed to be missing.

She finally made her way to the cafeteria and her worries were alleviated, as the place seemed to be packed. Cira caught sight of Mash in their usual spot and made her way over to her friend, hissing slightly as a stitch pulled.

"You're awake!" Mash smiled, turning towards her friend, "I was wondering if you were going to be up anytime soon,"

"Why?" Cira asked.

"Well, it's noon for starters,"

"THAT'S WHY!" Cira exclaimed, leaning back and putting her hands on her head, "Is it really noon!?"

Mash pointed at the watch on Cira's wrist and the young Master turned red instantly.

"You know I never look at that thing…" Cira admitted.

"I know, that's why Doctor Roman yells at you for being late so much," Mash grinned.

Cira closed an eye and stared at her friend.

"You're sounding a lot like me and I'm not sure that's a good thing,"

"Had to learn it from someone,"

"...I'm both honored and insulted," Cira chuckled as Mash shook her head, put down her fork and grabbed what looked like a bowl full of candy.

It was a small bowl, filled to the brim with gold, silver and bronze pieces. Some looked like stars, others copper diamonds and a few looked like dull orange balls.

"What is that?" Cira asked as Mash popped another one of the glittering, gold, candy-like pieces into her mouth.

"Don't know," Mash shrugged, as she swallowed it, "It tastes good though. Doctor Roman and DaVinci said I needed to finish the bowl,"

"Ok, now I'm curious," Cira wondered, picking up one of the pieces, "Huh...it's warm? Did they like, bake these or something? Doesn't smell like anything…"

Mash shrugged and Cira heard the cafeteria doors open behind her. A soft gasp sounded off and Cira turned around just as Lily hopped up beside them.

"Mash! Where did you get those?" Lily demanded, looking at the bowl of golden candy.

"From DaVinci," Mash said, picking up one and handing it to Lily, "Would you like one too?"

Lily's green eyes lit up and she nodded, gratefully taking the candy and popping it into her mouth, smiling happily as she downed it. Cira watched in amusement and then blinked as she watched Lily's magical energy grow by a very large amount.

"Ok, what just happened?!" Cira demanded.

"Oh, Mash got some embers," Lily shrugged, "Servants don't really need to eat, but we still need to replenish our energy somehow. There's ways to do it but I think I remember DaVinci saying that there was no way they were making you do that."

"So Mash is eating them why?" Cira asked, "I mean Servant, yes? But...she's also human…"

"Because Mash needs both to get strong," came Romani's voice as he sat down across from Cira, Mash and Lily, "She needs a lot more energy than say Lily here because she's powering not just her own body as a human, ergo needing regular food, but also needs the embers to keep her Servant side strong...whoever he is anyways,"

"Tastes good though," Mash mumbled as she picked up a smaller, almost orange ball looking one while Lily popped what looked to be a silver one in her mouth and giggled.

"Ok now I'm curious," Cira said, inspecting the ember in her hands as she held it up to the light, "Can I try one, Doc? Or is it poisonous to humans?"

"You should be fine," Romani dismissed, "I don't know how good it'll taste to you. But apparently its...sweet?"

"It changes depending on the type," Lily said, "The gold ones are really yummy, kinda sweet but airy and little substance. Like the memory of chocolate...which I'd kinda rather have. I'm not a fan of the orange ones though…"

She wrinkled her nose.

"They taste like ash to me," she finished, "and they don't give much in terms of energy,"

"So why are you eating those ones then?" Cira asked, looking at Mash.

"W-Well…" Mash sputtered, "I figured since I get energy from normal food too, I'd let the others have the embers...I-I don't need more than these!"

"There's plenty of them to go around," Romani reassured her, "Honestly we're half tempted to get rid of the orange ones because the Servants have been saying they tasted bad and don't help much. Problem is that they need to be created and how we do that is having Cira work since it's the magical energy residue from her training in the simulations. And the gold and silver ones take a lot."

"I've got no problem with that," Cira said, "More training means I get stronger and so do they. And I need to be strong if what happened in Septem was bad enough…"

She gave a soft laugh.

"So yeah, now that I know I'll keep working," she nodded, "And as for this…"

She turned the ember in her fingers a couple more times before popping it into her mouth…

And immediately spitting it back out.

"WHAT THE HELL!?" she gagged, "That tastes awful!"

"I never said they tasted good to humans," Romani chuckled.

Cira glared at him as she took a large gulp of her drink to wash the taste of bitter dust out of her mouth.

"In any case, Cira, I actually came to find you," Romani said, "You're lucky DaVinci didn't get to you first,"

"...I swear the pigs in the simulator room were an accident and Cu, Medea and I cleaned the pork 'pocalypse up!" Cira protested.

"What pigs?"

"Nothing!" Cira squeaked, "Anyways…uh…what does she want me for?"

Romani closed an eye.

"We're going to talk about the unscheduled use of the simulation room later, Missy," he chastised, "Anyways…no she says there's a buildup in the summoning system and that you need to come and fix it,"

"Uh…how?" she asked.

"According to DaVinci it's just a summon," Romani shrugged, "I don't know as much about the system as I should to be honest so you'll have to ask her."

Cira looked at Mash, who shrugged.

"Guess we should head out then," Cira said, getting up, "Before DaVinci gets bored,"

"So these little things are what power the summon system?" Cira asked, picking up a rainbow colored crystal star and turning it in her hand.

"Yes and they are very hard to get ahold of," DaVinci said, plucking it out of her hand, "So please be careful and don't drop it."

She placed it into a bin which flashed brightly and sent sparks into the air.

"I'm surprised that you've not seen these before," she finished.

"Considering the last time I did one of these I kinda was exhausted as hell and passed out?" Cira said.

"Yeah you make her summon again when she's that tired we're going to have words, Leonardo," Romani growled, "I know the system is finicky and delicate…but Cira's health is more important, you know?"

"Yes, yes, I'm aware," DaVinci sighed, "Anyways…you're not tired now, are you?"

"Nope," Cira shook her head, "I guess we should get started then?"

She turned to Mash who reached out her hand and her shield materialized in it with a loud clang as the lower cross beam connected with the floor. The Demi Servant walked toward the platform in the middle of the room and set her shield down upon it, coming back behind Cira immediately after.

"Your cue, Cira," DaVinci called from the panel, "Summoning ritual is starting. Just needs your confirmation,"

Cira raised her hand, the three seals on the back blazing brightly. The shield before her burst into brilliant white fire.

"I hereby swear to attain all the virtues of heaven," Cira chanted, her voice ringing out over the high pitched howl of the wind, "And by that, destroy all the evils in hell. Clad in three words of power, from the seventh heaven…If you hear my call, then answer! Guardian of the scales!"

The light burned brighter and brighter before blinding all present and Cira could feel another bond opening up. She heard a breath before her and she blinked the spots out of her eyes.

"Archer-Class Servant," a male voice started as Cira got her vision back, "I have been summoned and come at your request,"

He was tall and well built. He held himself like a soldier and bore a thin, black leather cuirass and a long red cloak sported a pair of butterfly swords. His silver hair stood in contrast with his tanned skin, and his outfit was decorated with silver lines and knots. His silver eyes scanned over the room and Cira's face went white as she saw him. She knew him. This was someone they had run into before…and Artoria had said he had been a bit of a problem to fight.

"...Archer of Fuyuki…" she breathed.

The Archer raised a brow as he hopped off the platform and strode over to Cira. Mash took a step closer to her friend, seeming to have remembered him as well.

"You'll have to forgive me," he said, "I don't believe we've met,"

"Well…to be fair, I guess it was an alter of you that we met," Cira admitted, extending her hand to the silver haired man before her, "Sorry. Uh, name's Cira, guess I'm your Master,"

"You can call me Archer," he nodded, taking her hand in his tanned one and shaking it.

"Oh are you pulling the same stunt my first Saber did…?" Cira closed an eye, "She did it to keep us safe but we were in the middle of a warzone when I summoned her. You're safe here in Chaldea,"

The Archer raised an eyebrow.

"You'll meet her shortly," Cira said, "She likes to meet the new people when they arri-annnnnnd speaking of here she comes,"

"Master," Artoria's voice started as the door opened and she stepped through, "I sensed a small amount of unease from you, is everything ok?"

"Yeah I'm fine, Artoria," Cira nodded, "We have a new person here…first Archer here."

She turned to face him and she paused. He looked like he had been stuck as he locked eyes with the shorter king. Artoria's emerald eyes locked with his silver ones and she gave a gracious nod of her head.

"I do apologize for my brusque entrance," she started, "I sensed my Master's unease and I do not take kindly to anything that would make her uncomfortable. You…heavily resemble an enemy that we have fought in the past, please forgive me for that oversight."

"Have…you two met before?" Cira asked, looking between Saber and Archer.

"If you do not count the altered copy that Cu Chulainn and I fought against in Fuyuki, I am afraid not, Master," Artoria said.

At the mention of Cu Chulainn's name, Cira noticed the Archer's eyes narrowed.

"I'll have to figure out what in the world is going on there," she thought before clapping her hands, "Well, I guess that means we get to show you around. Sound good, Archer?"

Archer gave a nod, his swords shattering into wisps of blue mana particles as Mash's shield did the same.

"Lead the way, Master,"

"I dunno if I like this," Cu Chulainn huffed, crossing his arms as his scarlet eyes narrowed at the Archer that was currently talking to Boudica, "Didn't he y'know…try to kill us in Fuyuki?"

"I mean, so did the altered Artoria," Cira pointed out, "And I don't think he'll hurt us. He seemed almost…shocked and sad to see Artoria weirdly enough. It's like they've met before but she has no memory of it,"

"Yeah he looks at me like he knows me," Cu Chulainn sighed, scratching the back of his neck, "But I don't have any idea who he is. Like, I've got a weird feeling I do but he's not from my legend and he ain't from Artoria's either. That accent sounds like Kiyohime's."

"Yeah I thought so too," Cira nodded, "I guess he's Japanese, but I haven't the slightest idea about any of that mythology or history. I've been trying to get better at that…cuz I don't think that Kiyohime's going to be the last Servant from that side of the world,"

"He seems to be getting along with Boudica pretty well," Cu Chulainn noted.

"Yeah he noticed she was having some trouble catching up with the lunch rush and offered to help," Cira explained, "She actually let him help. She doesn't even let me help! I've tried! She threatened to bop me on the head with a ladle!"

"To be fair you did make a mess in the kitchen that one time,"

"It was not intentional!" Cira sputtered, "Come on, Cu!"

Cu Chulainn started howling laughing as Cira stood on her tiptoes to berate him for laughing at her. She only stopped when she smelled something delicious come from the kitchen.

"What in the?" she asked as she turned around to see both Boudica and Archer come out of the kitchen with some plates laden with food, "Huh…well…I think Boudica found a friend,"

"...This looks familiar," Cu Chulainn muttered, frowning as he walked forward, "Oi, Boudica…what did you two make?"

"Oh," the Queen smiled as she handed him a plate, "it's salmon with mushrooms…"

"Wrapped in foil and buttered?" Cu Chulainn demanded.

Boudica blinked, almost taken aback.

"Well…yes actually," she stated, "Cu Chulainn I didn't take you for a cook,"

"I'm not," Cu Chulainn actually looked a bit shaken up, "I just remember this…scrawny red head kid. Amazing cook though…but it's really fuzzy. I can't…"

He shook his head.

"Dammit I lost it," he sighed, taking the plate and sitting down.

"Maybe it'll come back with time?" Cira asked as she sat down next to him, "This…smells amazing. And I'm not really a fish person, so nice job you two!"

"You flatter us both, Master," Boudica smiled, "Though he's got to pass one more test,"

Archer raised an eyebrow, looking at Boudica. She gave a grin and turned towards Artoria, who had just entered the room.

"You have to make enough to satisfy her." she chuckled, "And that is a job in itself,"

Archer gave a wry grin.

"I think I can handle that,"

"You say that now," Boudica warned.

"Boudica stop being mean," Cira scolded, "Tell him the other part of it,"

Archer's eyes narrowed slightly.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"There's another part to that," Cira shrugged, taking a bite of the salmon, "Oh God that's amazing! It's so tender and just melts an-"

She shook her head and gave a sheepish smile.

"Sorry, uh…it's not just Artoria you have to satisfy," she warned, nodding towards the door as it opened again and Lily skipped through, beaming like the little ray of sunshine she was.

Archer dropped the tray he was holding.

"Why are there two of them!?"

It had been a few weeks since Archer had been summoned and Cira had finally weaseled his name out of him. Emiya. An agent of the Counterforce…whatever that was.

Cira dug her spoon into her icecream and stirred it around a little bit absentmindedly as she turned her thoughts towards her Servants. Apparently Emiya was from some different timeline? Was it the same thing as what happened with Lord El-Melloi II? What was the Counterforce? Did Artoria have the same memories Cu Chulainn did an-

A hand laid itself on Cira's shoulder, making her nearly throw her ice cream across the room.

"Sorry!" Mash apologized, "I saw a light in the dining room and I was curious…I couldn't sleep. Was it the same with you?"

"Nightmare?" Cira asked, "Well…Memory?"

Mash gave a nod.

"Something about a tall man with white hair and good natured smile and a small girl with energy that makes Lily look somber," Mash admitted, "Riding through the woods with them…and it just…"

She put a hand to her heart and Cira noticed the remnants of tears on her friend's face.

"Still hurts?" Cira asked.

"I feel…lonely," Mash admitted, "Like I got my best friends ripped away from me in a cruel way,"

"Well, that's another thing to add to the list," Cira shrugged, "White haired man and blonde girl…the same one from last time? With the black streaks?"

Mash nodded.

"Well if we see someone like that we'll have to question then," Cira smiled, "Care to join me for some midnight ice cream?"

"Don't they say that sugar gives you nightmares?" Mash asked, "And what happens if Emiya catches you?"

"What Momiya doesn't know won't hurt him," Cira grinned, pointing the spoon at Mash with a small giggle as she grabbed another bowl and spoon and scooped out some more ice cream, handing Mash the other bowl, "Besides…I think he had to chase Lily off from the chocolate stash, so he'll be busy for a bit."

Mash smiled and the two ate their icecream in silence for a few minutes before the young demi-servant broke it again.

"Did you often do this before you came here?" she asked.

"My little sister and I would sneak out and eat ice cream whenever one of us had a bad day," Cira smiled fondly, "It's just one of the little things that…"

Mash noticed her friend's hands were shaking and there were tears that streaked down her face.

"Cira…" Mash started, reaching towards her friend's shoulder as Cira put the spoon down and then put her head in her hands.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, "It just…hit me. She's gone…she's just a bunch of ashes and bones out there…like my Mom…and my Grandma and my Dad…and I just…"

Her shoulders shook harder and Mash gave her a hug.

"I'm…still learning," Mash muttered, "But I remember this was what a lot of people do to comfort each other. I'm sorry if I-ack!"

She yelped as Cira hugged her back before relaxing and patting her friend's back.

"We'll get them back," she reassured her, "We'll get them all back. We promised each other that when we got back from Singularity F, right?"

Cira lifted her head a little and gave a shaky smile.

"Yeah…we did," she nodded.

She sniffed, swiping at her tears as she released Mash from their shared hug.

"Ah…we'd better finish this off," she said, picking up her spoon again, "before it melts or Emiya comes in and scolds us…"

Mash gave a smile and nod as the two went back to eating their ice cream. Little did they know, watching them from down the hall was Emiya…

Who didn't really have the heart to scold them after what he had just heard.

Master: Cira Albion

Servants:

Servant: Shielder- Mash Kyrielight

Servant: Saber-Artoria Pendragon

Servant: Lancer/Caster-Cu Chulainn

Servant: Saber- Saber Lily

Servant: Rider- Boudica

Servant: Archer-Emiya