tvklogs | Dark Hour Log

...You make it sound as if they expected us. [Lancer took the envelope, confused as he was, and opened it.]

[He took out the hotel room key and examined it, trying to hide the fact that he was completely clueless. He usually entered a room by going through a wall in spirit form, what the heck was this? Well, first things first.]

Was that the case, or am I imagining it?

No. That's exactly what it is. I thought because of the message on my phone that maybe there'd just be a message here for me.

[He holds up his own envelope, shaking it a bit for emphasis.]

But they're serious about me having a room here. I gave them my name, they gave me this. So I asked about you and you have one too.

... that means it's a lot bigger than both of us. I don't have any idea how we would be connected.

[Lancer put the key back in the envelope, a serious look on his face as he considered this. Who would expect a heroic spirit to arrive here, especially a dead one? This was something of a far larger scale than either of them could imagine, Ainosuke was right about that much. But he had no idea just what Lancer was--that made all of this so much more striking.]

[There was some incredibly powerful something at work, to turn a Servant human as well as collect people from who-only-knew-where. There had to be some answers, possibly having to do with those black creatures that they had encountered.]

...you're right, there's much more at work here than even I can imagine.

[Not that Ainosuke hadn't suspected that this was already much bigger than them before, with the weird world shifting that was going on, but most of it he could have easily blamed on hallucinations or his brother. Up to this point, he could have blamed a great deal on his brother, even down to the fact that an envelope was being left for him. But how was Lancer tied into this? He didn't seem like the type of person his brother would target, but there were always people working for his brother who kept grabbing out and feeding off of others.

... he really needed to think about this more.]

We don't really have a choice but to keep going where they're leading us, either.

[There was always another option, but where would that lead them? Randomly wandering the streets again? Ainosuke turned and looked around the inside of the lobby, spotting an elevator, and waving for the other to follow him to it.]

We'll see if there's anything else up there.

[Lancer sighed, brushing his hair out of his face absentmindedly. he didn't understand this in the slightest--more than that, he couldn't comprehend what could cause this. Even the Holy Grail itself couldn't be responsible for this. This was more than the Grail's Third Magic, far more even than the miracles it was said to be capable of.]

We've nowhere else to go and nothing to do but wait for something to make sense, so we may as well.

[Ainosuke made a quiet noise of agreement, pressing the button for the elevator and stepping inside once it arrived. He pressed the button for his floor after checking the envelope again. Fourth.

... this felt strange. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been in a hotel. And if he was staying here? Well, it would probably be a lot better than the place he was used to. He liked his home and the people there, and...]

... Rin.

[Ainosuke suddenly perked up when he said the name, making a face and rubbing at the side of his head. Maybe the landlord would notice he wasn't home and would feed her. At least Miruku was likely to check in on him and the dog regularly.]

...I'm sorry, what?

[Lancer leaned against the wall, crossing his arms--this was weird. Beyond weird. Kayneth's base of operations had been in a hotel, and it was odd to find himself suddenly back in one now.]

Is something wrong?

My dog, Rin. I... she's by herself. I wouldn't usually worry, but we don't know how far away from home we are right now.

[He brought a hand up to the side of his head, running his fingers through his hair and taking a deep breath. Though he was usually trying to look calm and composed, when he started to crack, it was very obvious.

Still, he forced a smile, but didn't look over.]

There's a woman who lives in the same complex as me, though. I'm sure she'll take care of her while I'm gone. I just... promised a friend of mine I'd keep her.

...don't worry. When we figure out just what's transpired, surely we'll figure out how to leave the same way that we arrived.

[Lancer smiled, confident that what he was saying was true. Insane miracle or not, if something like this had been done then surely it could be undone. Couldn't it?]

[When Lancer spoke, even if he was saying it just to make him feel better, Ainosuke had faith in him. He truly wanted to believe that everything would be okay, that they would get out without anyone getting hurt, and he would get back home. Even though he wasn't looking forward to dealing with his brother again, at least he would have his friends.

For now, he had his new companion and a world he didn't understand.]

If you keep telling me that, I'm going to start believing it.

[Even though it was spoken in a slightly joking tone, it was the truth. Ainosuke hugged his arms to his chest, staring at the door until it would open at their floor.]

[There was an actual laugh at that--funny how in a matter of hours his mood could have shifted so much from incoherent rage against the world. This was gods-only-knew how far from Fuyuki, and strange events or not Lancer was honestly intrigued by it. If this place was the dream of a dying Knight of Fianna, then it wasn't a particularly unpleasant one so far.]

Perhaps that was the whole idea.

It's not a bad one. It's easier to believe if someone like you says it.

[The elevator stopped and the doors opened. Digging for his key, Ainosuke stepped out and into the hallway, checking the signs on the wall before heading off in the direction of his room. It was next to the last at the end of the hallway, a door leading to stairs at the very end. That part was comforting, at least. If something happened, he would have another option for an exit.

Taking the key out, he slid it into the door and then quickly pulled it back out, turning the handle. It opened easily, though he wondered why he would have expected anything else. There was no one inside from what he could tell. Nothing suspicious looking, either.

Ainosuke glanced over his shoulder, then worked to prop the door open for Lancer to take from him. He'd been in too many strange situations to trust letting the door shut behind them.]

Hold this for a minute. I'm going to look around.

[...huh, so that's how that card was supposed to work.]

[Lancer held the door open without complaint--he'd taken far worse orders, after all. Besides, it was only logical to examine the room for anything threatening. Particularly given the insanity they'd just been through. Hell, he might not have been shocked if the walls started bleeding or something.]

[Ainosuke spent the next few minutes shuffling through the room. He checked everything thoroughly -- much more thoroughly than one would expect -- though this was mostly because he was used to the tactics his brother employed.

Being smart is actually a really simple thing. You just have to look at things from different angles than others.

So Ainosuke wasn't just checking the room's phone, or the corners. He was checking drawers, the sides of items, running his hands over things. Once he'd done that, he was on his knees on the floor, looking under furniture and running his hands over those items as well. Nothing felt out of place.

When he stopped, he stood on the other side of the room, staring out at it and trying to figure out what he might have missed.]

... is there any place I missed?

It doesn't look that way, no.

[Anyone else might have thought Ainosuke's apparent paranoia was just that; mere paranoia. Lancer knew better than that. He knew as a knight that when a threat had presented itself and vanished without explanation it was better to be overly cautious just in case.]

Are you going to be alright on your own here?

[Well, it would have certainly made Ainosuke feel better that the other didn't think he was crazy, but even if Lancer had doubted him, he wouldn't have cared. He knew what sort of things people were capable of back home. It was better safe than sorry.

He nodded, even though he looked a little nervous. Despite checking the room, he still couldn't be sure of what to expect or what would happen once the other would leave.]

I think so. I can... call you. If I need anything.

[Ainosuke hesitated slightly, lowering his head, then bowing deeply. It was something else he rarely did.]

... thank you for everything you've done for me so far.

It's no problem, Ainosuke. I should thank you for fighting those things with me.

[A smile crossed his face, and Lancer gave a casual wave of his hand--protecting people was his job, and he thought no more of it than he did breathing.]

Go ahead and let me know if anything should happen. Otherwise, I'll surely see you around here.

[Ainosuke raised his head and smiled back at him, looking a little more relaxed. He really had no idea what shape he would be in if he hadn't found the other. Maybe he would have lost against whatever those things were. Maybe he would have gotten lost, period. But he did his best not to think about it. Things were all right and they were both safe, even if the circumstances were strange.]

I will. [There was a slight moment of hesitation before he added:] Be careful.

Of course.

[It was a bit strange to realize no one here would recognize him as either Servant Lancer or Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. He must have seemed like an ordinary human in unusual clothes at that moment, and the concept was an odd one--who needed to tell a Knight of Fianna to be careful?

Ah, well. It was sound advice whether it was already his instinct to do so or not. This place was completely foreign, which to him was saying something.]

And the same to you. Try not to get in any trouble.

[With the usual confident smile, he turned and closed the door behind him.]

[...Now he was on an adventure of a different sort: attempting to find his hotel room.

Dark Hour Log

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