III.
While the Grail War was a battle between mages, and magical capability and supplies were paramount to success, Louise's last fight had made her realize that sometimes more pedestrian items could be just as necessary. She had to assume there was a possibility she would be gravely injured again, and that Ali would not always show up at a convenient time to save her. If she was too incapacitated and unable to use her own healing magic, it would fall on Rider to administer first aid, and she wanted to prepare for this eventuality. Louise was sure to confirm with Rider that he understood not only the basics of medical applications, but that he understood the basics of modern medical applications.
"Relax, Master. I promise I won't attempt to bleed you or apply smelling salts. The Grail has properly equipped me for this era, and as such I know now what medical practices from my time were less than exemplary."
"Sometimes I just like to check." Louise led the way into the cramped drug store as she quipped with Rider. The store was not terribly busy which was fortunate given the narrow aisles that made up the majority of the overstuffed retail space. Louise took a basket from a stack by the door as she headed down the nearest aisle.
There were a few everyday provisions that caught her eye as she proceeded towards the back of the store where she assumed the medical supplies were kept. Rider pointing out something he found mildly amusing distracted Louise just long enough for her to not see the other individual coming around the corner. Not that the narrow space would have allowed for easy maneuvering, but turned around as her focus was Louise was incapable of avoiding the impact which sent the contents of the other person's basket, along with the shades they were wearing, scattering across the floor.
"Oh, pardon me. I didn't see you there. Let me help you with your things." Louise reached down to start collecting the fallen items when her eyes met those of their owner. It was impossible for Louise to forget those icy blue eyes and the madness that seemed to be barely contained behind their glistening veneer. Berserker had done everything they could to disguise their unconventional appearance. The hood of a red and black track jacket was pulled up over the top of their head, and a paper medical mask covered their mouth and chin. These items, when paired with the shades they had been wearing, made noticing the metal mask extremely difficult. The track jacket was accompanied by a pair of faded gray jeans and some simple red running shoes, the whole ensemble being more in keeping with modern sensibilities than Berserker's usual mode of dress. If it weren't for the loss of the glasses Louise would not have been likely to recognize them.
"You-!" Louise tried to speak to get Rider's attention, but was cut short by Berserker placing their hand over her mouth. A finger up to the mask signaled their desire for silence.
"I mean no harm madame, and I hardly think this is the ideal location or time for myself and your Servant to engage in combat. May I propose that for now we allow this encounter to end peacefully?" Berserker spoke in the same calm and polite tone that they used for every situation. "I would be loathe to inconvenience the kindly shop owner in such a manner."
Louise nodded her ascent, the signal for Berserker to remove their hand. Louise paused a moment further before she spoke. "Your glasses." She handed the shades to the masked Servant.
"My thanks, Madame." Berserker replaced the eye covering, the missing item completing the disguise of their usual unconventional face covering.
Louise, true to what she said earlier started to pick up the spilled groceries. As she collected the fallen items she noticed most of what was present seemed to be medical supplies, much like the first aid items she had come to purchase. "Preparing for injuries?"
"Treating existing ones actually." Though Berserker's face was completely obscured, their voice conveyed enough of the concern they felt. "My Master was run through at our last encounter after all."
Louise could feel the Servant studying her features as they spoke.
"Oh, does it surprise you to hear that she can be injured?"
"I think what surprises us, my fellow familiar," Rider was standing behind Berserker, keeping them blocked into the narrow aisle, "Is that magic like hers did not simply heal that injury. It seemed a power most inhuman."
"Is that what she seems to you? Inhuman?" Berserker said. They stood as Louise handed them the last scattered roll of gauze. "Is it so astounding that she bleeds?"
"Monsters still bleed. Demons still bleed." Rider accompanied his words with a hardened sneer.
"Enough, Rider." Louise cut in. "Excuse my Servant please."
Berserker offered a slow nod, a sad smile concealed behind their disguise.
"Is she alright? Do you know enough about medical care to treat her?" Maybe it was the experience of the dreams talking, but Louise felt some form of concern for Rosa's well being.
"She is your enemy, yet you show concern for her condition? How peculiar."
"She is still human." Louise replied.
"She tried to kill you." Berserker said matter-of-factly.
"And very nearly succeeded. Yet I am here." Louise could feel the confused looks from both Servants. "In the Grail War it is to be accepted that the participating mages may try to kill one another. However the only requirement for victory is to destroy the other Servants. So there is no reason for me to kill your Master. That being the case, it is not so strange for me to worry after the condition of a fellow human being, no matter what evils she has committed."
Berserker paused for a few seconds, just looking at Louise. "You say she has committed evils, that she is a perpetrator of wrong-doings. What if I were to say that I suspect she has little say in those actions? Would you still recognize her as a human with whom you can sympathize? Or would she once again become a monster in your eyes?"
"We all have some say in what we do," Rider replied to the question meant for Louise. "That is what makes us human. If she is murdering humans as an impulse, with no decision being made, then yes, she is a monster."
"I did not say it was impulse, Monsieur." Berserker tilted their head back towards Rider. "She is a victim. Her sins, the result of the crime committed against her." The lanky Servant looked back towards Louise. "You were concerned after her safety."
"Yes. She is human, and if, as you say, a victim, she is worthy of sympathy." Louise replied, not sure of Berserker's aim.
"You would worry for the poor woman, worry for what she has suffered, but would you help her?" Berserker's question immediately brought to Louise's mind what Rosa had always said at the end of the dream.
Help.
"I don't understand." Louise answered.
"Help her. I cannot help my Master. But perhaps someone else, perhaps you, can yet save her from herself."
Before Louise could ask them to explain, the Servant was gone, having disappeared from sight in the same way they always did during combat, seeming to have just simply stopped existing in the space they had only a moment before occupied.
"The Master seems rather mindless, but the Servant is cunning. Notably so considering apparently being of the Berserker class." Rider twisted his mustache as he thought out loud.
"You heard them. She is not mindless. There is a person in there. And she needs help." Louise's face was sullen as she corrected her Servant.
"You believe everything they just fed us? Does it not feel too convenient for our enemy to have told us all that?"
"I told you, Rider. At the end of the dream, every time. She calls out for help. She always sounds so sad, so scared." Even now Louise could feel the linked emotions welling up inside her, Rosa's despair mixing with her own feelings. "I think what they told us was the truth."
"And if you're wrong? If she is the monster I say she is?"
"I'm not." Louise dismissed Rider with her words. She picked out medical supplies of her own, paid at the register, and left, refusing to talk with Rider further on the subject of Rosa.