Fate/alter chasm (Mk.II)

"And that would be where you're wrong, french toast is no more french than french fries are. It's toast soaked in beaten eggs and milk, sometimes with some extra flavors like cinnamon or vanilla, then fried on a skillet." Troy appeared pleased that Archer had said something he could poke holes in.

Archer raised an eyebrow, but said nothing of it. Sigyn however, ordered the French toast when the waiter came around.

After that, she shifted nervously in her seat "Um, sorry... but what are we supposed to talk about now?"

<One huh>> He nods slowly. This confirms what the ex-Master said was true that the Tousakas were once more participating in the war. He opens his tome and looks through the book for a specific concept and applies it to the palm of his right hand. <Saber I am going to need you to go away for a bit.> He said as he goes to ring the bell with his left hand.

TAkeshi goes over to the phone and dials the number for the Tohsaka household.

"The War. The weather. Sports. I don't know what sports people play in Japan though. Pinball, maybe?" Troy had ordered a croissant and was spreading butter on it.

***

Saber pouted and, with considerable effort, stuffed the remainder of the cinnamon roll into her mouth before dematerializing.

As Joseph stepped onto the pathway to the door from the sidewalk, he suddenly felt an intense tingling sweep through his body. It felt a bit like he was being X-rayed by something unseen.

As he rang the doorbell, he heard a phone ringing inside, followed by voices. One of the voices was telling the other one something along the lines of "...pick up the stupid thing and just talk into it, it's not difficult!" gradually becoming more clear as whoever it was approached the door.

A moment of locks being fumbled with later and Joseph found himself face-to-face with a girl, maybe five or so years younger than him by estimate. Her expression and posture indicated she was rather frustrated with something and making an effort to compose herself. "Who are you?"

Meanwhile, Saber seemed confused.

***

The phone rang for long enough it seemed it would go to voicemail before it was picked up. There was another short delay before Takeshi heard, faintly, "Uh....yo?" That would be Lancer, evidently speaking from a few feet away from the receiver.

Caster's ears twitched and then flattened, her expression souring. Evidently she'd heard and recognized him.

Joseph was equally as confused as Saber but says nothing as he gave a friendly/nervous smile, "Uh hello little girl. Are your parents home per chance?"

"Oh the war." Sigyn says before fidgeting "I was hoping we... could be allies? Archer's really strong and I'm really good at healing."

Archer glanced from his tea "Amazing business venture master."

Sigyn's enthusiasm went down the drain as she waited for Troy to respond.

"Hello Lancer, I do not have much time to talk, can you tell Miss Tohsaka that Caster and I are going to the airport to watch for berserker, assassin, or their masters. It would be a good idea for you and Miss Tohsaka to individually do the same at the train station, and the other at the harbor, just so we have our basis covered."

Rin gave him a particularly fearsome scowl. "Get lost."

***

Rider had himself a giggle at the expression on Sigyn's face.

"Awfully forward of you." Troy took a bite of the croissant and looked thoughtful. "I accept, conditionally. Question, though. When you say Archer's powerful, what are we using as a reference point?"

***

"I thought we were scouting out the train station," Caster pointed out, confused.

Lancer grumbled over the phone. "Of course you have to hold the thing up to your ear to hear anything, how do I make it louder...Okay, uh, say that again? I didn't hear it the first time." His voice went up and down in volume as he attempted to figure out how the phone worked.

"London." Sigyn says.

"...that is remarkably unclear."

Joseph raised his hands up apologetically "Oh no no no I apologize if what I said may offend you. I am just a foreign who came here to sprend the words of wisdom from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Would it be alright if you can hear me out?"

"There is a stretch of the city of London that is currently burning." Archer explains "My master's late father attempted to hide out among some colieges. I took exception to that, and exactly 800 meters of real estate they were currently occupying."

He then sips his tea, like he just finished explaining that the sky was blue it was so simple.

Rin folded her arms. "Oh really? And I suppose the marks on the back of your hand are holy symbols rather than Command Seals, right? And that Servant standing next to you is actually the Holy Spirit?" Boy was she sarcastic. Saber found this mildly amusing.

***

"Oh. Alright then. Welcome aboard, at least once I can get a Self-Geas Scroll written up to make sure of it." Troy seemed largely unmoved, taking another bite of the croissant.

"Well yes, that can be a way to interpret it if you want, but I guess I can drop the act. Nice to see this little Master is smart enough to see through my deception."

Sigyn brightened immensely, her joy clear.

"Great, that's good."

"Who are you and what do you want?" Rin asked, her tone indicating if she didn't like the answer he'd get the door slammed in his face.

***

Troy smiled back - Sigyn's elation was infectious. "We'll have to show you our base, as well. Caster's allied with us as well, and he has a pretty amazing place set up."

Sigyn's smile went up a bit "Where do we go? Archer can drive."

"I am a Heroic spirit, not a taxi driver." Archer says.

"We are going to scout out the train station, and you and your master can scout out the airport and harbor respectively, covering all of our bases in searching for Rider, Assassin, or their masters. " Takeshi cringes at the changes in volume.

"My name is Joseph Johnston and what I want? Well to be honest, I just want an ally in this war even a friend if possible."

Rider placed a hand on Archer's shoulder as though comforting him. "Few understand our plight as Servants with high ranks in Riding."

Troy ignored both of them. "Back to the building we were at, we parked the helicopter on the roof."

***

"Oh. That sounds reasonable, so I'm sure my Master won't agree to it. She's talking to someone at the door right now, so we'll have to wait to find out."

***

"..."

The girl took a second to process that, folding her arms and leaning against the doorframe.

"So you decided to walk up to my door, insult me and then lie to my face? How could I say no to that?"

"Had I be summoned as Rider, I would know even better." Archer said.

With him in front, he lead the group back to the building. On the way, Sigyn asked "Are... we going to have to fly to get to your base?"

Her voice was measured, but there was concern there.

He shrugs a bit, "Well it's better than encountering me in the night when it is permitted to fight."

"Hm, well I shall leave you two to discuss this and Caster and I will head out now to perform recon, good day." Takeshi hangs up the phone and gears up for their trip to the train station.

"What an idiot, not knowing how to use a phone." Caster commented.

***

"Yeah, we will. Why? Are you scared of heights?"

"Wrong team for that, then..."

"Stuff it, Rider."

***

That got her to raise an eyebrow at him. "Well, we'll just have to see about that, won't we?"