[ STUFF HAPPENED THAT WAS PROBABLY VERY EXCITING. You know how it is, your super advanced practically-magical technology discovers an anomaly in a part of the timeline that's generally unremarked upon by the modern day, where some bizarre magical cult wants to "grant the power of the gods to the humans who created them" or something like that. Blah blah blah, there was a lot of very exciting moments that probably included some near-death experiences and some actual tears.
And after this, when she's home in (mostly) one piece, Ritsuka decides to roll in the gacha give the summoning room a shot. Technically this probably shouldn't work; everything about this past event has been an unusual outlier in so many ways... but hey, why not? What will it hurt?
Time to spin the wheel and see what, or who, comes out. ]
[as the smoke and the lights fade, the first sound that ritsuka hears is a krikkkk--the sound of someone's neck being cracked. standing there, arms crossed, shoulders tight, is a tall man with bronze skin and long, silky-looking hair that cascades down to his waist. he's wearing loose-fitting clothing that bares his midriff, arms, and ankles, and he has an eyepatch covering his left eye. although his clothes are clearly made for quick movement and concealment, there is an elegantly jeweled belt hanging around his waist.
the man cranes his neck to one side, eliciting another krikkk! noise. he opens his remaining eye, a bright imperial topaz color, and pins ritsuka with his gaze. his expression is sharp, to say the least]
You better have a damn good reason for summoning me, the Great Commander of Magna Endetoria.
...Is not what she says aloud, but she can't help but smile a little anyway. It always both is and isn't a surprise when someone from a recent Singularity shows up in Chaldea; it always seems to happen, but she never really expects it. And just because he won't remember doesn't mean she's not glad to see him!
Even with the stupid KONO ORESAMA thing. ]
We're actually on a bit of downtime right now... uh, that is, welcome to Chaldea.
[ There she is, this plain little noodle of a girl, apparently unconcerned by the standoffish greeting. ]
Welcome to Chaldea, theoretical last bastion of human hope, top secret base, so on, and so on...
[ She gestures at the room at large. It's one of those things that looks simultaneously like an proper wizard workshop and also scifi bullshit at the same time. She does move aside so he can step out of the circle, at least. ]
There's no immediate crisis right now, just a kind of... uh, let's just say an ongoing state of "things might be in trouble," so we're on standby.
Listen, she's not above using a reaction like that to her advantage. It's important to get along with everyone who comes to Chaldea! They were friends before, they can be friends again! ]
So does everyone. But if you answered the call, that means you want the chance for a do-over, right?
[ SHE CAN REFER TO HIM BY HIS CLASS NAME FOR NOW. At least until she gets careless and uses his name, because she does know it. Technically. Maybe he changed it later in life. She doesn't know yet!
But she gestures cheerfully towards the door for now. ]
If you've got any requests, just let me know. I can't make promises, but they're pretty good about getting things people want. --Within reason! Food and stuff.
[in the following days, it becomes clear that titusassin is getting antsy and he's ready for some fresh air and a chance to stretch his wings, so to speak. as he waits for ritsuka, he twirls a dagger in one hand and tosses it into the air, catching it and repeating the motions]
So, dragon claws, huh? Too bad I didn't bring a nail clipper with me.
[there's a hint of sarcasm in his words; it's easy to tell he's excited underneath the cool facade]
Often enough. You'd be surprised how many fangs we go through without even trying--
[ Aha. There's a shrill screech from somewhere up ahead, and Ritsuka's head immediately swings in that direction. Without conscious thought, she backs up, so that Titus is between her and the source. ]
[cracks his knuckles as he sees them, and for a moment he glances over his shoulder at her and gives her a grin]
Watch this.
[once the dragons are in melee range, titus closes the distance and leaps into the air, fist held aloft, and comes down on the first dragon with a punch to its jaw, the impact of which reverberates so hard it knocks the dragon flat on the ground, with the one next to it reeling as well.
and then, because he missed the third one, he tackles it from behind]
[ BOY, PLEASE DO NOT GET YOURSELF KILLED ON THE FIRST OUTING, THAT'S A BAD LOOK FOR BOTH OF US!
She makes an abortive step forward and stops herself, because honestly, she's not actually going to be much help in a battle, unless he needs a boost. That, at least, she has learned pretty well over the course of time: it isn't helpful to be some small squishy thing dashing out into the battlefield! Let's not make this worse. ]
[the good news is that his attacks really seem to be doing a lot of damage to these guys. the bad(?) news is that his entire battle strategy does seem to be... punch dragon in face]
Stay back, I got this!
[one of the dragons looks like its about to whip him in the back of the head while he wails on the other one]
but you know, it's close because THOSE ARE HUGE TEETH TITUS PLEASE LOSING YOUR ARM IS JUST AS BAD. Who do you think you are, one of Boxy's characters?! ]
[just as he whips his head back he gets not-quite-a-face full of teeth. he's fast enough to bring his arm up at the last second to block, but still getting a nasty scrape in the process]
[the rock flies straight and true, and when it bonks the wyvern's head and bounces off, titus yells--]
Nice shot!
[but by now he has realized that he's gotta work quickly. as the dragon lets out a screech and shakes its head, titus uses his position grappling the other one to pivot himself into the air and do a backflip, shoving the creature to the ground in the process. as soon as he's back on his feet, he deftly unsheathes a dagger and flings it at the reeling wyvern, right in its jugular. he's dexterous, if nothing else]
[ She mutters that mostly under her breath, but she hesitates until the wyvern goes down before she approaches him again, keeping a careful eye on the bodies. They don't USUALLY play possum, but also, she's not going to trust that they won't start. ]
[ But she's gonna try and take his injured arm's hand, so she can hold it up and get a look at him. Servants might be more durable than humans, but maybe, be careful,,, ]
At least Ritsuka is, as promised, experienced to some degree in field medicine. Thank goodness for the alcohol pads that someone (probably Nightingale, let's be honest) stuffed into her Mystic Code before the trip. ]
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And after this, when she's home in (mostly) one piece, Ritsuka decides to
roll in the gachagive the summoning room a shot. Technically this probably shouldn't work; everything about this past event has been an unusual outlier in so many ways... but hey, why not? What will it hurt?Time to spin the wheel and see what, or who, comes out. ]
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the man cranes his neck to one side, eliciting another krikkk! noise. he opens his remaining eye, a bright imperial topaz color, and pins ritsuka with his gaze. his expression is sharp, to say the least]
You better have a damn good reason for summoning me, the Great Commander of Magna Endetoria.
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...Is not what she says aloud, but she can't help but smile a little anyway. It always both is and isn't a surprise when someone from a recent Singularity shows up in Chaldea; it always seems to happen, but she never really expects it. And just because he won't remember doesn't mean she's not glad to see him!
Even with the stupid KONO ORESAMA thing. ]
We're actually on a bit of downtime right now... uh, that is, welcome to Chaldea.
[ There she is, this plain little noodle of a girl, apparently unconcerned by the standoffish greeting. ]
I'm Ritsuka. ...Nice to meet you. [ Again. ]
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Ritsuka, is it? Hmmm... well, I'm here. So start filling me in.
[apparently he's not going to uh, introduce himself. or. re-introduce himself, as it were]
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[ She gestures at the room at large. It's one of those things that looks simultaneously like an proper wizard workshop and also scifi bullshit at the same time. She does move aside so he can step out of the circle, at least. ]
There's no immediate crisis right now, just a kind of... uh, let's just say an ongoing state of "things might be in trouble," so we're on standby.
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And just what do you expect me to do about it?
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[ She says it mostly deadpan, but with wide doe eyes, the ""innocent maiden"" approach while also, you know
being a snarky piece of shit. ]
Assassins are pretty hard to come by.
/2
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he jerks his gaze away (not blushing, not blushing, shut up) and lets out a "tch"]
Listen, I don't know how much help I'm going to be in this situation. If you knew how to summon me, you should know I messed up pretty badly.
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Listen, she's not above using a reaction like that to her advantage. It's important to get along with everyone who comes to Chaldea! They were friends before, they can be friends again! ]
So does everyone. But if you answered the call, that means you want the chance for a do-over, right?
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Of course I do...!
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[ She steps back, opening her arms wide. ]
Welcome to Chaldea!
/2
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Fine. If this is my opportunity for revenge, I'd be a fool not to take it.
[he steps forward]
You summoned a legendary thief and army commander, just so you know.
[one wonders why he's an assassin class, if that's the case...]
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[ IT'S CUTE... WHEN THEY BRAG LIKE THAT... ]
I'll be in your care.
[ You could actually properly introduce yourself, okay. ]
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Yeah, yeah. So what now?
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Well, I can give you the tour, if you want. Show you your room, introduce you to people. How's that sound?
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[he seems to have loosened up a bit, at least. STILL NOT GONNA INTRODUCE HIMSELF PROPERLY, THOUGH]
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But she gestures cheerfully towards the door for now. ]
If you've got any requests, just let me know. I can't make promises, but they're pretty good about getting things people want. --Within reason! Food and stuff.
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[ But she kind of gets the feeling that's not the part he means. ]
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You might want to ask Da Vinci, later.
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[rubs the back of his neck]
... Assassin's fine, but if there's more than one of those around, then... you can call me Titus, too.
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Nice to meet you, Titus.
C'mon, let's get this tour started.
[ The sooner he knows his way around, the sooner they can
get into troublestart missions. ]no subject
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So, dragon claws, huh? Too bad I didn't bring a nail clipper with me.
[there's a hint of sarcasm in his words; it's easy to tell he's excited underneath the cool facade]
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Unless we're talking soft squishy parts. They can cut into that without trying.
[ They're in some mountainous area, the vegetation scrubby and sparse. Ritsuka walks carefully, one hand shielding her eyes as she looks around. ]
Be careful, okay? They're pretty tough.
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[sheathes the dagger and strides forward]
You do this often?
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[ Aha. There's a shrill screech from somewhere up ahead, and Ritsuka's head immediately swings in that direction. Without conscious thought, she backs up, so that Titus is between her and the source. ]
Better get ready.
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How big are we talking?
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Human-sized, a little bigger. If we were going for a bigger dragon, I'd be bringing a whole team.
[ There's a flock of them, a set of three, making a beeline for them across the rocky terrain. ]
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Watch this.
[once the dragons are in melee range, titus closes the distance and leaps into the air, fist held aloft, and comes down on the first dragon with a punch to its jaw, the impact of which reverberates so hard it knocks the dragon flat on the ground, with the one next to it reeling as well.
and then, because he missed the third one, he tackles it from behind]
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[ BOY, PLEASE DO NOT GET YOURSELF KILLED ON THE FIRST OUTING, THAT'S A BAD LOOK FOR BOTH OF US!
She makes an abortive step forward and stops herself, because honestly, she's not actually going to be much help in a battle, unless he needs a boost. That, at least, she has learned pretty well over the course of time: it isn't helpful to be some small squishy thing dashing out into the battlefield! Let's not make this worse. ]
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Stay back, I got this!
[one of the dragons looks like its about to whip him in the back of the head while he wails on the other one]
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[ She doesn't quite shriek it
not quite
but you know, it's close because THOSE ARE HUGE TEETH TITUS PLEASE LOSING YOUR ARM IS JUST AS BAD.
Who do you think you are, one of Boxy's characters?!]Behind you! Behind you!!
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[just as he whips his head back he gets not-quite-a-face full of teeth. he's fast enough to bring his arm up at the last second to block, but still getting a nasty scrape in the process]
Shit!
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[ WELL. UNFORTUNATELY, SHE IS STILL A SQUISHY LITTLE HUMAN WHO IS LIMITED IN WHAT SHE CAN DO.
but I guess there is the option of pick up rock > throw it at wyvern so
let's do that. ]
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Nice shot!
[but by now he has realized that he's gotta work quickly. as the dragon lets out a screech and shakes its head, titus uses his position grappling the other one to pivot himself into the air and do a backflip, shoving the creature to the ground in the process. as soon as he's back on his feet, he deftly unsheathes a dagger and flings it at the reeling wyvern, right in its jugular. he's dexterous, if nothing else]
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[ She mutters that mostly under her breath, but she hesitates until the wyvern goes down before she approaches him again, keeping a careful eye on the bodies. They don't USUALLY play possum, but also, she's not going to trust that they won't start. ]
Are you okay? Let me see your arm.
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Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. I've had way worse than this.
[but he is still bleeding; there are a few trickles of blood flowing down his arm, dripping onto the ground]
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[ She holds out a hand to him, her mouth set in the beginning of a scowl. ]
Don't worry, I'm not going to pull a Nightingale on you. No unnecessary amputations.
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[sweats a little]
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[ But she's gonna try and take his injured arm's hand, so she can hold it up and get a look at him. Servants might be more durable than humans, but maybe, be careful,,, ]
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At least Ritsuka is, as promised, experienced to some degree in field medicine. Thank goodness for the alcohol pads that someone (probably Nightingale, let's be honest) stuffed into her Mystic Code before the trip. ]
Careful, this is gonna sting.