Chapter 9.

The Masters, Converging

I.

The next morning Louise stayed true to her resolution. Most of her belongings were still, in theory, back at Grimaud's, so she changed back into the clothing she had been wearing during the fight with Rosa. The white shirt and simple black skirt had made it through the altercation mostly unscathed, but her leather jacket, the beloved garment, had been heavily stained by blood from her eye wound. Its sleeve had also been badly scorched by the fiery contact the young mage had shared with Rosa. Still, it seemed there were few things that could not be solved with money, as Ali's tailor, cleaning service, or perhaps magical connections, had done an impeccable job of repairing all the damage. Any wear from the years Louise had owned it had also received attention, and the jacket felt almost new, though still comfortable and worn in. Rider, being a Servant, was able to easily don his more casual and contemporary clothing through his usual magical means.

Though she had made no announcement, and this was the first time Louise or Rider had ventured into the main sitting area, or beyond the hallway at all really, Ali did not look at all surprised to see them. Ali himself was not dressed for going out like Louise, and was not nearly as gussied up as she was used to seeing him. Other than some silken blue lounging pants that were clearly of a higher quality than necessary for such a casual garment, the only thing he wore was a pearlescent white dress shirt that looked notably similar to the kind Lord Wilmore usually wore under his vest or jacket. Louise found the opulent fellow reclining alone in a plush easy chair on the indoor overlook, a simple meal of toast topped with a fried egg on an emblazoned plate and a cup of coffee beside him. Louise found it funny that the man she usually saw partaking of the richest things would eat so plainly, but then recalled the very simple pastries he had ordered the first time they had met.

Ali noticed Louise's look and glanced over at the food as he stood up. "Lord Wilmore usually insists that I eat a bit more extravagantly, but as he is out, I decided to eat what I am comfortable with. If I'm being honest, I have trouble noticing all the minute flavors, textures, and tastes he insists those things have anyway."

"I didn't mean to catch you before you'd had a chance to prepare yourself for the day." Louise replied, implying the very dressed down manner of Ali's person.

"Oh, don't worry about it. After all, as we'll be working together for some time, it only makes sense to me that we should get used to each other in a more casual, maybe even familiar way." Ali realized too late that his words had slipped slightly from the practiced methods Wilmore insisted on, and the curious look on Louise's face showed she had noticed, even if she didn't point it out.

"Ali, though I am wholly indebted to you for the service you have done in-"

"Saving your life?" Ali interrupted.

"Yes." Louise paused for a moment and gave Rider an uneasy look before continuing. "I don't know how easily I can join with you in an alliance of any sort. No matter what we may accomplish, at some point we will have to meet again as enemies, and it would feel wrong for me to take any more advantage of a man whom I must eventually do battle with."

"I must first clarify my dear," Ali was trying his best to return to the usual manners of eloquence Wilmore insisted on. "That you have done nothing that I would qualify as taking advantage of me. I gave my assistance quite unasked for and without duress. Also, I know that through a relationship of cooperation you will come to find eventually that there will be no need for any aggression on our collective parts once we have reached that point. Whatever it may be you seek at the end of this contest I can guarantee I will be able to provide. Speak, and it will be yours."

The audacity and pretension of the statement was not lost on Louise, but her position, both physically in Ali's domain, and figuratively in his obligation, made her uneasy about saying anything that may offend the young man.

"Really, Ali, I think you would simply be disappointed with me as an ally of any sort. After all, it was only with your generous intervention that I was able to survive the encounter with Rosa. And I-"

"Ah, so the creature has a name, has it?" Ali interrupted.

Louise was taken aback by both Ali's brazen interruption and his disregard for Rosa as a person. "We should do our best to refrain from reducing the humanity of others, lest we become the sort of oppressors we ought to resent."

"I beg your pardon Louise, but that almost sounded like a defense of the... woman, who nearly killed you. I meant no disrespect to our fellow persons, but you must admit that there is something inhuman about her bearing." Ali could feel the conversation slipping away from him. He needed to regain his balance and maintain the advantage.

"I would seek to understand an individual before deigning to draw that sort of conclusion." Louise responded with audible antipathy.

"Understanding! Yes that is the thing exactly." Ali wanted to steer the conversation back to his original aim, even if it felt somewhat forced. "I wish for nothing more than for us to reach an understanding. I think you are far more capable than you give yourself credit for. And any difficulty you may experience, I could easily help to compensate for. I want to offer a full partnership, equal standing on both sides. Trust me, I think you would make a far better ally than an enemy."

Rider was actually the one who chose to respond to Ali's conceit. "Though it may be untoward of me to speak on my Master's behalf, I believe she is merely uneasy about agreeing to such bold terms so instantaneously. It would be presumptuous of us to accept even more hospitality on your part after having partaken of your graces so completely. Might I, with my Master's permission, propose something a little different."

Louise, a touch insulted by Ali's words and frustrated with his impudence, was more than happy to leave the negotiations to her Servant. She offered Rider a nod accompanied by a small smile, Louise knew that, whatever he had in mind, she could trust Rider in this matter.

"Speak then, I am most interested." Ali was disappointed at not receiving an immediate agreement, but was also curious about what terms the Servant may propose.

"Rather than a full blown alliance, perhaps a ceasefire of sorts. Neither side shall act with aggression toward the other until all other enemies are defeated. If, perhaps, by that time we have seen that what you offer is true, I'm sure it will be a simple matter to accept your original terms." Rider offered Louise a confident smile. She returned one which communicated that she was satisfied with his idea.

Ali, on his end, did not seem quite as sated by the proposal, but also knew he was perceived by the others as overly ambitious and a bit intrusive. He shook his head in mild defeat. "I suppose that is the best I can hope for at this juncture. It's well enough. Alright, I will accept your terms for now. I don't suppose I can talk you into at least accepting breakfast before you leave?"

"The offer is kind, but I really must be off. There are a number of things I need to accomplish before tonight." Louise gave an apologetic bow as she spoke.

"Very well. Right back at it I see. Your belongings are all in a bag by the door. I also had your vehicle brought to the hotel garage. Ever since your sister's insistence at our first meeting I still don't know your last name, but if you let them know at the front desk you are Louise and came from my company, a chauffeur will bring it around to the front for you." Ali waved his hand in a dismissive manner as he turned away from Louise to sit back down.

"I apologize for the incomplete introduction all this time Monsieur Bertuccio. If I may, though it is perhaps too late for a proper presentation at this time, allow me to offer you one anyway. I am Louise Bernyce Saint-Hermine. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Ali whipped back around as Louise finished. He had been incapable of stopping the name from producing a visible effect upon his features. What exactly the look on his face meant, whether surprise, anger, or something else, Louise was unsure, but her and Rider could both tell it meant something to him. The moment passed however, and Ali collected himself too quickly to allow either of them to dwell on it. "A pleasure, madame." Ali sat back down to his breakfast. He admitted to himself that when Leo had said the name during his visit, Ali had tried to convince himself he had misheard. Deep down though he had known he hadn't, and it was impossible to ignore now. "Au revoir. Despite your declining an official partnership, please know I am at your disposal if you should find there is ever anything you need of me."

As Louise and Rider reached the door to leave the apartments, the young mage found the luggage Ali had mentioned. A white designer bag that Louise had never owned with a long leather strap had all her belongings arranged neatly inside. She took up the purse with an awkward embarrassed smile as she walked out the door. As the duo walked down the hallway to the elevator Louise located her phone inside the new bag and pulled it out. She sensed no magic on it, if Ali planned on eavesdropping, he was planning to do so through conventional technological means. The other thing she noticed as she fiddled with it was that, along with several missed calls from Grimaud, she also had one from Maria Badeaux, accompanied by a voicemail. Louise chuckled lightly to Rider as she pointed it out. "I suppose it is too much to hope for a Juge d'Instruccion to be more lenient about checking in on me."

Rider laughed back. "In my experience members of the state are more persistent than they need to be."

"Weren't you a member of the state."

"That doesn't change my answer."

Much like her clothing, Louise's scooter had received exquisite care. Not only had it been freshly washed and serviced, but Louise found she had a full tank of fuel waiting for her. All touches that were rather unnecessary given how new the vehicle was, but Ali had proved that he was no slouch when it came to his self imposed position of providing for Louise. She was happy to have the vehicle though as Ali's hotel was several miles from the Luxembourg neighborhood where she was staying with Grimaud. As she pulled into the narrow alleyway that Grimaud's home sat on, a wave of anxiety swept over her. It only now occurred to Louise the state she would be appearing before him in. Her left hand, the few remaining burn scars still visible, instinctively touched the thick leather band covering her missing eye. Rider, who had been following in spirit form, materialized and saw the conflict raging inside his Master.

"If he truly cares for you, which I do believe he does, he will be understanding. You told him this was dangerous business. And frankly," Rider gave Louise a hard slap on the back. "What right has he to be angry with you conducting your own business? And if he throws us out, well, we simply find a new home base. I'll admit I feel a certain fondness for this location, but we are nothing if not flexible."

Louise sighed lightly. "You are right Rider. Thank you. The only thing to do is to keep moving forward."

"Of course I'm right. I usually am."

Louise couldn't help laughing lightly at Rider's confidence. Though she couldn't suppress her apprehension about having disappointed Grimaud, she also knew that now, more than before, she needed to keep moving forward. Relatively little time had passed since the Grail War had begun, but the nature of everything that had already happened made Louise feel as if she had been fighting for a year or more. There was never a point where she had felt she could turn back, but especially after what she had already lost, her only conviction was set on seeing things through, victorious or otherwise. Louise wanted to see what lay on the other side.

"Alright, Rider." Louise hung her helmet as she dismounted the scooter and approached Grimaud's door, splotches of plaster covered the holes that had been the result of Louise's fight with the mysterious soldiers a few days ago. She couldn't help but stare at the barely concealed damage for a few seconds before finally knocking lightly.

Mere moments after Louise had finished knocking there was a hurried shuffling sound from within, and the door was flung open. Grimaud stood in the open doorway, having clearly been waiting impatiently for Louise's return or, worse, news of her from someone else. Though Grimaud usually dressed for comfort, his current appearance was clearly born more of changed priorities. He didn't wear any of his usual layered clothes and fitted pants, just a blue pullover sweater and some old jeans. Louise had usually seen him wearing one of his many driving caps, so his visibly thinning hair on top of his bare head only further emphasized how out of sorts he was feeling. When the old photographer beheld the young mage herself standing out in his street, a visible wave of relief washed over him. He immediately and wordlessly threw his arms around Louise, pinning hers to her side. Grimaud let out an enormous sigh of relief. Louise stood there for several seconds, locked somewhat awkwardly in her friend's embrace. Just as she opened her mouth to speak she heard a muffled sound come from Grimaud, a sound that grew into audible sobbing.

"Do you understand how rude it is to make an old soul worry so?" Grimaud choked between his tears.

Louise only smiled softly, and brought her arms up as much as she could to return the embrace. "I'm sorry."