"Hildr… where are we?" Shirou asked, looking around. The Valkyrie smiled, giving a single spin to try and flutter her crimson hoodie.

"I'm… not sure. It kinda called to me, so strongly I couldn't resist, and I guess I dragged you with me," she admitted.

They were in a Singularity, she was sure. But it didn't look dangerous. She could feel normal people and servants around in the bustling city of flashing lights and skyscrapers.

Something popped up in her database. Las Vegas.

Now it made sense, as to why she was so hot.

Still. The plan needed to go on.

"Anyway," she said, grabbing his hand with force. The contact embarrassed her, but humans did that. "This was supposed to be my gift. Guess any place like this will do though."

"W-what do you mean? I don't think we should play around in a singularity," Shirou said, resisting her pull.

Hildr sighed. He was right. Every part of her spirit core was telling her to accomplish her mission and protect the human order. She was a Valkyrie after all.

At least in name.

That dark thought always creeped upon her whenever her sisters called her behavior strange. She had tried to fix it of course, but she always ended up as herself.

So she pushed it back. It wasn't about her, but about her companion.

So she looked back and smiled. "Just relax Master. This is my gift, to enjoy a day as a normal human. Becoming a hero and all, you probably don't get to enjoy much of that. Is my assessment correct?"

Shirou looked down to the ground, mouth moving as if chewing something, or pouting. "It… kind of is."

She smiled at his admission. With a stronger pull, she got him to move.

"Then come on! Humans love exploring, right!?"

It didn't take long to find an establishment to spend their time on. A casino it was called, and there were dozens of them, almost in every corner.

That was when her first roadblock hit, as they had no money to spend. Casinos used QP as currency, and all QP was exclusive to Chaldea's reserves.

They were told this by two burly guards, and Shirou had to plead to her not to engage in battle, leaving the Valkyrie pouting.

"It's alright. There's probably other places," he said in that sweet, if a little detached tone he used.

Where did that thought come from?

Valkyries were not supposed to be invaded by such thoughts.

But then again, she wasn't a normal Valkyrie.

"Hildr?" His head popped in front of her, causing her to recoil.

"Y-yes! I know. I just wish-"

Her line was interrupted by a petal explosion that made them both jump back.

In the midst of it, an attractive man in black clothing smiled upon them.

She recognized him from the database, even if he was no warrior and had an awful reputation amongst the Servants.

"Well now. I certainly didn't expect you two to be here so soon," he said, eyeing Shirou shortly after. "Having fun?"

"I don't think gambling can be fun. Not when it preys upon people with weaknesses," Shirou said, crossing his arms. Hildr narrowed his eyes.

"Master. Remember the directive?" She asked, her tone cutting still.

At this, Shirou looked away with a red tint on his cheeks. "R-right."

The mage of flowers laughed at the exchange, his entire body a shade of color lighter. "How amusing. Guess you came here with no QP. A shame. BUT!" He raised a finger, catching the attention of Servant and Master. "Were you to get money, would you enjoy the evening?"

Hildr and Shirou looked at each other from the corner of their eyes, then turned to the mage.

"Yes!"

"Sure."

At this, Merlin shook his head. "Well, I given your particular plight, I might be able to help you on one condition: Have fun!"

Merlin exploded in a tornado of roses after that, leaving behind nothing but a small, blue card in the ground.

"This is…" she bent down to pick it up, Shirou looking over her shoulder. As she read it over, Hildr couldn't hold her excitement back. "... A QP card!"

She jumped, the energy forcing her to release it somehow. When she came down from the high, she turned to Shirou.

Her Master was smiling at her.

"W-why are you smiling like that!?" She asked, looking away. Yet, when her eyes turned back to him, his smile was gone and replaced by a scratching of the back of his head.

"I… sorry. I just… it makes me happy, to see you happy, you know?" Those words made her face heat up even more.

However, it was unlike a feeling of dread bubbling up in her chest. Shirou was much like them, or so she managed to analyze in the little time they spent together since Ritsuka summoned them.

Yet, he was able to feel, able to ignore his main functions if he so wished to. That was how humans worked.

Despite walking the path of the hero, the path of a warrior, he constantly allowed himself to take detours.

She wanted to spend time with him and see if she could understand how to do that, even if it scared her.

Shirou being afraid of his humanity made her chest tighten.

Thus she grabbed his hand, holding it tight.

"Come on! Let's spend some QP and get the spoils of this town!"

Until night, they went from casino to casino, using the impressive sum Merlin had left them.

Hildr had known that humans liked to engage in games of chance, but this was on another level.

She analyzed each game, as best as her hardware allowed, and each time she was more impressed by the calculations and chances she discovered, how insidious and yet addictive they were.

She did enjoy it, even knowing how bad her chances were. Like engaging in singular battle, no matter how good you knew your opponent, the outcome could always end up decided by fate and the gods.

She knew, she had decided the fate of many battles by destroying clothes she weaved, much to the chagrin of the Norns.

And now, fate decided she lost.

"Aw," she complained, lowering her head-wings. Still, she had barely lost on the slot machine.

Hildr looked at her side, spotting Shirou pull the lever with a grim face. When her eyes met his, he smiled.

She smiled in return. "Having fun, master?" She asked.

"It is… something," he said. Now Hildr frowned. He had lied, a bit.

"If you're not having fun, we could go somewhere else Master. After all, this is for you," she said. "My brain is getting a little too much work, calculating the odds."

"But you're having fun," he replied, face pleasant.

"Come on Master!" She said, grabbing his arm and shaking it a little. "I want you to have fun! How am I supposed to learn to be human when my teacher can't even prioritize himself over the others?"

Now, Shirou's mouth was a thin line, his eyes like steel. "My priority is helping others. Besides, you don't prioritize things either, outside bringing heroes to Valhalla, and protecting your sisters."

She dropped his arm, looking away from him. "Turning this battle around to me, how shrewd. Still…" she crossed her arms, closing her eyes for a moment. "...I want to learn. If I can't be a good Valkyrie, then I'll settle for being the best… um… myself? Is that correct?"

Shirou's eyes widened, looking at her as if looking at a hurt companion. "I- I guess you're right. Well…"

Hildr then turned to him, the sounds of the casino drowned out.

"I do enjoy helping others, really. It makes me happy, happier than anything else, except maybe being with you," Shirou muttered the last word, but the Servant heard it, nearly making her heart stop. "But I guess… I do enjoy watching the Servants fight, clashing their magnificent weapons and techniques-"

He stopped, and seemed to get flustered. "Sorry. Got-"

"That's it!" She said, floating up from her seat.

"What!?"

"They say there are duels of swimsuit swordmasters taking place. Maybe we can catch one of them!" She grabbed him, bridal style, weighting nothing compared to her B-ranked strength. "Let's hurry! Let's go!"

As she dashed urgently, Shirou shouted. "Hold oooon! Hildr! Put me doooown!"

The Casino they went to, named Himeji, was hosting a Battle Royale-type gambling, where people bet on winners and losers.

Hildr and Shirou were granted easy access, or more like Hildr was granted access while she carried Shirou from his arms. While he complained, he didn't struggle.

She honestly didn't get that.

Hildr's analysis of Shirou discovered that he did have the heart of a warrior, deep within. Thrùd

That night the Casino hosted something else inside it's traditional battle royale, a decisive duel between two "swordmasters": Katsukiha Hokusai against Osakabehime, who was wearing a very revealing bikini.

"Ready? Fight!" A sweet voice that she was able to identify as Merlin announced the fight's beginning. She quickly floated above the crowds and spotted two empty seats she was able to snag in time.

She sat in one, while plopping Shirou down in the other. They were in a perfect spot to watch the confrontation between Osakabehime and Hokusai.

The Archer remained far away, using her origami soldiers to keep Hokusai at bay, while the fledgling swordswoman attempted to parry her bullets in an impractical show of defense.

"See? We made it fine!" Hildr said, looking at Shirou who was rubbing his arm.

"I could have made my way here on my own," he replied, moving his right arm around.

"Really? Should I get you to the entrance then?" She asked. Making his way through all those people could be a decent challenge, if he so desired it.

At this, Shirou looked away, somewhat embarrassed. "Very funny. I- thanks. I guess."

Hildr raised an eye. "I wasn't attempting to be. My mission was to bring us here," she said, before tapping her chin. "So that is being funny?"

Now Shirou blushed. "I- I guess. I don't know," he replied.

In return, Hildr smiled. "I'll try it on Ortlinde next time then!" She said, and this seemed to earn a smile from Shirou.

A clang interrupted them. Hokusai had managed to close the gap, assaulting Osakabe with her swords while the Archer tried to block and dodge.

Both Servants moved at high speeds, however, while Archer moved with some trouble and panic, Saber moved like a sea creature, her unwieldy four swords being swung with motion and purpose, a flow that while impractical was incredibly entrancing.

"Amazing," she heard from her side. Hildr turned her head to see Shirou in as deep a trance as her, his amber eyes completely focused on the battle at hand. They almost seemed to sparkle.

"Yes. While she could use some refinement on the technical side, there is something about her battle form that just draws me in. Maybe it's a form of distraction?" Hildr mused.

"I doubt it. It's just… beautiful. As if she were trying to paint. You can see it, on her broad swing interlaced with quick cuts and small jabs. Her legs move in unison as if swords themselves. But clearly less sharp," Shirou explained, his tone of voice taking on an excited tone, while he arched his body forwards as if trying to get closer to the battle taking place.

Hildr turned back to being entranced by Hokusai's display of swordsmanship.

Shirou was right. Despite her experience and battle data suggesting those techniques were inefficient and impractical, Hildr desired to see it refined. To see what would happen.

And just then, the battle took an unexpected turn as Archer was blindsided by a small black and purple creature, wielding two of Hokusai's four swords while the Saber attacked with the other two.

"Woah!" Shirou shouted, almost startling Hildr. Then he turned to her, making a face that was between bewilderment and happiness. "Did you see that?!"

"Yeah!" Hildr responded, her love of battle taking over her. "Perfect teamwork! I didn't know such tiny creatures were allowed! We should get one!"

"Totally!" Shirou responded. "Maybe… if we could get a partner, we could coordinate in perfect synchrony. A shared fighting style that works like a well-oiled machine."

"Make them carry giant swords!" Hildr answered, the possibilities running through her processors.

"And have them launch them at the enemy!" Shirou continued.

"Or maybe make them use a spear!" Hildr said.

"Or a bow!" Shirou responded. He was smiling now, he was genuinely excited for it, and so was Hildr.

To shout, to talk, to cheer, and to keep seeing Shirou's happy expressions, even if they were extraneous to the man she knew. She wanted to see more of that, to experience more of that.

After all, she was the weird Valkyrie. Why wouldn't she be able to see Shirou's weird side?

And so the match continued, and both spectators continued cheering Saber on, discussing every little development while having their eyes glued to the fight. While Hildr cheered, Shirou analysed in a quiet but intense manner.

Yes. It was something Hildr didn't want to end. And it was something she didn't want to share in her network, since it was just her and Shirou now, having fun.

Not once did he seem to notice how he behaved, how different he was acting.

And not once did Hildr point that out.

As expected, the match ended in a win for Saber, who finished her opponent using her artful and sublime noble phantasm.

Soon after, the winner was declared, and people began to leave.

Hildr caught a glimpse of Ritsuka going to Hokusai's side, hugging and jumping alongside her in obvious excitement.

She looked back at Shirou, who continued to stare towards the stadium, paying her no mind.

Would they be able to do this again, she wondered?

Could they share this fun they had with Ortlinde and Thrúd, get them to loosen up?

She wished that dearly.

When Shirou turned to look at her, she turned away with a blush. Her chest felt like it was going to go up in flames.

Not long after that, they left as well.

Their exit left them into light-shrouded street.

The air had grown a bit colder due to the dryness of the desert, but the city kept the temperature over what Hildr found comfortable for operations. So much so she removed her hoodie as soon as she could, leaving her clad in a wide, white shirt.

They were on the main street now, able to take any course they wanted. Before that, Hildr still had one thing left to do.

"Shirou?" She asked her Master as they walked south.

"Yes?" He asked. He had removed the capelet he usually wore, it now dangling in one of his arms.

"Did you enjoy the fight?" She asked with a smile.

She was immediately met with his usual serene expression. "Did you?"

She frowned, but answered nonetheless. "I shouldn't place a fun value on it, but…" her chest emptied for a second. Revealing this could not be good for her, as a Valkyrie. But with Shirou she was safe, able to express herself if only because he didn't judge her. "...yes, I had fun."

"Good. That's very good," he replied with a smile. However, Hildr detected something dishonest in it.

"You did not answer my question," she said, stopping him and grabbing his cheeks. "Did. You. Have. Fun?"

He recoiled from that. "It doesn't matter."

Hildr froze, mouth hanging agape. "O-of course it matters! I did this for you! With you! I can only reason you didn't like it!"

Another tinge of emptiness, of fear. She had let her selfishness and excitement lead her astray from her objective. Just like what her sisters told her would happen.

She took a step back, and immediately Shirou answered.

"H-hey! I didn't mean it like that!" He said.

"Then what… what did you mean? Be clear please," she asked, locking eyes with him.

Shirou reared his head back a little, grimacing. "I…" he looked away, as if getting the words out were painful. "I… I did have fun. I had fun!" He raised his voice, closing his eyes for a second.

"Thag's good, right?" She askdd tentatively after a moment of silence.

"I… I guess. It's just that-" Shirou closed his mouth for a moment, looking at the ground.

Hildr took a step forward, determined to see whatever this was through. "Master… it's just the both of us."

He looked back, surprised. Hildr felt something that could be described as exhilarating. Maybe it was curiosity.

"I did have fun," Shirou said. "Truly. Watching them fight, talking it out with you, examining her swords and her dance and- sorry, getting off track-"

A giggle from her interrupted him, much to his chagrin.

Hildr cleared her throat at that. "Forgive me. Go on."

Shirou sighed and continued. "I had fun. And it was amazing. It's just that admitting that to myself… it's a work in progress."

He stopped at that, and Hildr nodded.

"Well, my emotions are still a work in progress as well. Maybe we could… keep doing it?" She asked, not able to look at him directly. Her cheeks burned, and she felt as if analyzing a losing battle she hadn't yet engaged in.

However, Shirou simply nodded, erasing her calculations. "Yeah. That sounds like fun."

Hildr and Shirou looked at each other, the man taller than the Valkyrie by a smidgen.

Hildr felt something, a tug and a memory of how one of their romance sims went. This was the moment when one of the two humans would take the leap and claim the other's mouth.

And that idea didn't seem too bad now.

Her chest burned, but it was a pleasant sensation, like a hug from her Elder Sister.

Hildr licked her lips. No guts, no glory, as the almighty Thor would (probably say).

A loud, acute sound made both of them turn, just in time to see a red car drift towards them, facing sideways.

"Hidlr!" Shirou jumped towards her, intent to push them both out of the way.

The Valkyrie acted faster, and as he ducked to assist her she jumped away from the car while having him grab onto her.

To their surprise, the car stopped inches from their precious position, leaving both the man and Valkyrie looking at the car with alarm.

"My, my. Didn't know my price was two scaredy cats," said a sultry, cultured voice. A woman in the car, draped in a crimson dress and hat, lowered her shaded, letting her inhuman eyes out in the open.

"Who the-?!" Shirou began, letting Hildr go.

But before he could finish, a hand moved the woman away.

"Not now Carnilla!" Hildr registered the name. She was the blood countess, assassin-class. The hand, however, belonged to someone else. Ophelia's head appeared from beside the woman. "Shirou. Hildr. Get in! We have a singularity to fix!"

Shirou and Hildr looked at each other. The usually calm lady Ophelia was now speaking fast, and her expression flushed.

With a shrug, both of them nodded. "Guess vacations over," Shirou said.

"Don't misunderstand, boy. The night is still young and Summer barely starting," Carmilla said, allowing both Hildr and Shirou into the backseat.

As the Valkyrie sat, she observed Ophelia's outfit now consisted of a navy-blue light jacket, with the zipper down exposing a modest bikini.

"So what's this about?" Shirou asked.

"I'll tell you on the- woah!" Ophelia's head was thrown back as the car reared to life and sped down the avenue.

"Woohooo!" Hildr said, feeling the wind on her hair and head wings, reminiscent of her highest speed chases back in Scandinavia.

While Shirou did not share in her excitement, she caught a glimpse of him smiling, reclining back on the seat while conversing with Ophelia.

A/N: Didn't plan on posting today, but… tomorrow there's a Valkyrie banner and I need a catalyst.

Back to the chapter… this was a ton of fun to write. Hildr, the odd Valkyrie who has fun naturally and Shirou who cannot have fun without guilt. Let me know what you thought of their dynamic here.

Also, Summer 4 really filled my QP reserves, and so it gets to cameo here.

That is all. Now, with all 3 Valentines accounted for, back to Lostbelt 3.