//in a world that repeats itself

[croibhristeoir]

Who: Lancer and Saber.
Where: Roof of the hotel.
When: Sunset on Saturday, 10/21.
Summary: Finishing what was started. Also should I warn for F/Z spoilers?
Rating: T for violence, UST, and...flirting?
Log:

["I have spent the whole day searching the city, and everyone simply hides away in their little holes. You alone have accepted my offer."]

[For her, it had been ten years since that night. He didn't know how clearly she could recall it or what kind of an impact he had on her. That was fine. He hadn't been expecting her to remember every detail after so long.]

[But it hadn't been nearly so long for him. And Lancer remembered everything about their encounter, even after months spent in Prospero. That first confrontation between them had been thrilling, an evenly matched fight against a truly great opponent. He remembered the strength of her blade against his lances, the carefully choreographed technique with which they had both moved...it had been exhilarating.]

["That pure energy surrounding you...You are Saber, I presume?"

"Indeed. And you are Lancer."]

[Had he ever met an opponent that could match him so well before that night? Lancer seriously doubted it. Even among the Fianna, combat skill at her level would have been well respected. Possibly even feared.]

[The faintest tremor of anticipation went through his shoulders as he recalled that first night, and his grip tightened on the lances he held to calm himself. He'd waited this long, a few more minutes would be nothing. In silence, the former heroic spirit of the lance watched the sunset from the hotel's roof.]

[Even when his own Master hated and scorned him, he had been able to find a measure of joy in meeting Saber in combat again. Somewhere in the clash of blades and flying sparks laid Diarmuid's true reason for living, the reason he had lost sight of upon his death as Lancer. The reason he still couldn't fully comprehend, and the resolution to the inner turmoil coming with that lack of comprehension.]

["Glory shines from within the sword of the King of Knights. It is truly great that I have been able to meet you."]

[...No. That was his purpose right there. He would never be loyal to Kayneth or Sola again, never raise his lance in service to anything but what he believed was right. Lancer had sworn an oath of loyalty to Saber and she to him in return. And they were equal, which was more than he had ever been to Fionn or to Kayneth. Especially Kayneth. They trusted each other--understood each other. She knew the honor of knights better than any other, and Lancer knew full well he had no reason to fear betrayal a third time. Not from her.]

["Head knight of the Knights of Fianna, Diarmuid ua Duibhne———attacks!"

"That is well. King of Britain, Arturia Pendragon meets battle——!"]

[No more interruptions. No more of Kayneth, Fionn, or anything else that would trouble him. His mind had to be perfectly clear to face this opponent; anything less would disrespect her.]

[There was a path laid out before him now, one that he could only take as himself. Not as as subservient to any other knight or Master. The only person he would answer to now was himself, a concept beautiful in its simplicity.]

[But first...there was a fight they both needed to see through to its end.]

Comments

[ex_cashcow493]

Then what will we do?

[croibhristeoir]

A good question.

Perhaps...the first to lose their grip on their weapon? In my case, either one.

Truly, I see no other condition for measuring which of us would be victorious.

[ex_cashcow493]

Victory can still be achieved even if one loses their weapon, Lancer.

[croibhristeoir]

I know that, but what other guidelines would you have?

[ex_cashcow493]

[ Clinging onto his shoulders still. ]

This is rather difficult. Did you not consider anything before issuing the challenge?

[croibhristeoir]

I apologize. I had not considered alternate conditions for victory.

[ex_cashcow493]

Then what are we to do again?

[croibhristeoir]

I don't really know. It's clear this needs to be finished one way or another, but I'm not sure how.

[ex_cashcow493]

Lancer, might I ask a favor of you?

[croibhristeoir]

Yes, of course.

[ex_cashcow493]

Could you put me down?

[croibhristeoir]

Ah--y-yes, of course.

[Just. Very carefully dislodging Koala Saber and setting her down.]

[ex_cashcow493]

[ Munches gently on eucalyptus leaves..... ]

I thank you. Now then, I have a faint idea of how we can resolve this predicament. Bloodshed is a common thing in combat, but we cannot afford to lose much of it here in these circumstances. I propose the opponent that draws the other's blood to be the victor. Simple things such as scraping one's face against--[ Kicking the gravel up around her boots. ]--this stuff should not count, but by weapon or body part.

Is that not suitable?

[croibhristeoir]

Clever as always, Saber. That's more than acceptable by my standards.

[ex_cashcow493]

[ Listen, she got the idea from another mun in the game. Don't compliment her, Derpmuid. ]

The sun has nearly retired for the eve, Lancer.

[croibhristeoir]

[Sssssssshhhhh, no one has to know.]

I think I'm ready. Forgive me for keeping you waiting, there were simply some troubling thoughts that still lingered. I'd hate to let them ruin this moment.

[ex_cashcow493]

We can discuss them afterward. Will that suit you?

[croibhristeoir]

I think I would like that, if you would be willing to listen. I can think of no other I would trust with such things.

[He shifted his position, bringing one lance up against his shoulder while the other hung at his side.]

But enough of that for the moment. You and I have both waited far too long for a proper match, and I would not have us wait longer.

[ex_cashcow493]

My ears are yours to have no matter the time nor the words you must speak, Lancer.

[ Reaching over her shoulder with the trained expertise she's always shown, fingers covered in black leather tug on the metal that is foreign yet familiar. It was hardly Excalibur nor her beloved Caliburn, but it was a two-handed sword that handled just as well.

Archer really went to the limit to provide it for her. Metal against the scabbard was the only sound she allowed herself to hear as she withdrew it back out in front of her. Her hand moves to greet the other, holding the hilt in between two sets of fingers. ]

This time with no interruptions.

[croibhristeoir]

Of course. I would have it no other way.

[Lancer moved fluidly into a fighting stance--these were poor substitutes for the Golden Rose of Mortality and Crimson Rose of Exorcism, but good enough weapons in their own right. They served their purpose, and for that he was thankful.]

[Substitute wings were wings all the same, and it was exactly that they seemed like; extensions of the knight himself rather than mere weapons he held.]

Shall we begin?

[ex_cashcow493]

Without hesitation!

[ That's as much warning as she'll grant him as she pushes herself straight towards him. The gravel made it easier to propel herself, a minor discovery she will keep in mind throughout the course of this battle.

She has speed on her side. That was always the case, wasn't it? With a tiny frame and Invisible Air came a powerful combination. Being able to issue winds at mach 14 was no laughing matter and being able to propel herself with the same amount of force helped.

So she can move fast without hesitation. That's what she's used to and what she'll stick to. Even if the bulky weapon felt heavier in her arms, she'll still swing it towards him with the full intent of striking him down. Only at an angle towards his shoulder, as she held no intent to kill. ]

[croibhristeoir]

[At her first movement, an eager grin immediately broke out across his face. There was little joy to be found in fighting Shadows; contentment in protecting those that needed it, but none of the elation he thought a knight should feel in a true fight. It was thrilling, matching blades with one that posed a real challenge.]

[Being pushed to the absolute limit of his combat expertise, to the point where he would either be forced to improve or die trying...it was exhilarating. And he couldn't have been happier to finally face the opponent he respected above all others.]

[He raised the shorter of his two lances to block, twirling the other once in his hands before stabbing it in an expertly aimed strike to her shoulder--with no intent to kill, he acted with almost surgical precision in his strikes.]

[ex_cashcow493]

[ No matter the amount of momentum she pushes forth on the sword held tightly within her hands, it still was not enough to counter his strength. Not to mention her attention is divided in two with the lances as she risks getting caught by his other to step in closer.

It was swift.

Almost too close.

Then again, Saber was never really the best at one on one, right? In close proximity of Lancer left her in a dangerous spot and so she tries to accommodate for it by sweeping one of her legs out towards his own, an attempt to knock him to the ground. ]

[croibhristeoir]

[No matter his strength or agility, Lancer knew it would all be for nothing if his legs were knocked out from under him. In a conflict where victory was decided on something as simple as the first to draw blood, he wouldn't take too many risks.]

[Lancer jumped back, narrowly avoiding her strike as he did so. He waited barely a second or two before moving to strike again, lance flashing in the direction of her shoulder once more.]

[This...this was what he'd wanted. It was somehow even better fighting her now than it was in Fuyuki despite the loss of their weapons and abilities. Why that was true, he didn't know--perhaps just the lack of his former Master was liberating in its own way. Was this what it felt like to fight under no orders but his own?]

[ex_cashcow493]

[ This time she was going to have to fall to the ground to dodge it. With enough thought to drive the point of her blade into the gravel of the roof, she lets her lower legs give out to save herself from being pierced.

It stung a bit, the tiny pebbles against her bony knees, but there's not a hint of it on her face. It wouldn't do this knightly girl proper to allow her weaknesses to come through easily. Using the sword to bring herself back up, she leaps at him again in her rabid style of combat, swinging the blade low from the ground up towards him. ]