"I doubt it." I respond. "Besides, he said the two of you used to work together on the student council at your old school. Would you really have not noticed a practicing mage you were with every day for years?"

Rin shakes her head. "I don't think I would, but I also didn't think Sakura was being raped and abused." She lets out a sigh. "Let's focus on Zouken for now. We need to either hit his house now when he isn't expecting it, or gather intel and plan an ambush. We either risk going into a trap or alerting him either way."

[ ] Charge in.
[ ] Prepare.

>>21603603
[X] Prepare.

Make a mental note to ask Issei if he's picked up any house guests.

File: 1353044259120.png-(999 KB, 800x800, Puella_Magi_Emiya.png)

>>21603597
>>21603603

[x] Let Seiba EKSKALLIBAH! the whole Matou-Mansion

Also:
>2012
>Even thinking of rntering the house of a powerful, vile old wizard instead of going FULL HIROSHIMA on the whole property

>>21603603

[x] Prepare

Check with Rider if she can tell us anything about the layout and internal magecraft defences of the house.

>>21603650

Noo.. Thats a death flag.

>>21603603
>[ ] Prepare.
Find out if there's any way we can just LEVEL the place from outside.
And make a note to ask Issei if there's anyone new at the temple. Anyone... odd.

File: 1353044362352.png-(10 KB, 493x402, 1291110808840.png)

>>21603603
>Holy shit, FSA twice in three days
>my goddamn face

[X] Charge in.

Giving an evil mage time more time to prepare? Fuck that noise.

>been out walking
>tired as fuck feel like a nap
>check a bunch of twitters, including AC-Guy's
>HA HA TIME FOR FATE/AGAIN
Fuuuuck.
>>21603603
[x] Prepare.
We should at least stabilise Sakura so we can get Rider in on the action as well.

>>21603708
>>21603701
I know this is a bad idea, for reasons, but still...

Shirou VS Issei
THE WHEEL OF FATE IS TURNING
ROUND 1
ACTION!

File: 1353044721973.jpg-(92 KB, 1280x720, 1349376539884.jpg)

No, but seriously, Guys, we have like.. 3 Servants right now of which two have Anti-Army NPs and one with a Noble Phantasm that is even Anti-Fortress.

Why exactly would we even think of entering that place instead of turning it into an awesomeface-shaped crater?

>>21603751

How is that even a remotely fair fight?

Dude capable of projection magic that can whip servants and is in peak physical condition, vs a skinny geek who has a crush on him.

That's not even a curb-stomp. It's WORSE.

>>21603790

I'm in favour of just Excaliburing the Matou house but i'm just not sure if that'll kill off the worm bastard for good.

>>21603790
Because we want whatever is behind Sakura's door number 2.

File: 1353044978587.jpg-(Spoiler Image, 23 KB, 800x600)

>>21603817

Sure, there you go.

GUYS!
What if we called the cops from a payphone and made a bomb threat against the Matou house, then had Archer snipe him when he stepped outside? And if he didn't, then we Excaliblast the house and have Archer snipe him if he climbs out of the rubble.

>>21603817
Her anus?

>>21603790

..... Because blowing up the house of one of the oldest and most distingushed families in town would grab the wrong sort of attention?

Because Sabah's NP will take her out of the fight while revealing her identity?

Because the plan hinges on Archer not fucking us as soon as the opportunity arises?

Because there are mysteries to solve in that house?

Because there's the library of an old, powerful wizard up for grabs?

Because we aren't sure that'll work since the ley-line under the house could easily let Zouken tank a blast or two?

Because the goal is to assassinate Zouken and we aren't sure that'll work?

Because that'll screw Sakura out of her inheritance?

>>21603842
u r a fagt

>>21603868
And I suppose YOU have a plan that's soooo much better and less likely to get us killed?
Because we are NOT walking into that place through the front door. We are NOT magical Max Payne, there is no way in hell we'd survive that.

>>21603979
We could just summon some ridiculously overpowered waifu since thats how everything gets solved in FSN

>>21603979
Actually, I DO have a fantastic plan.
We bait Berserker into it. He'll trip all of the traps, distract Zouken, AND we'll get to laugh about it with Illya later.

>>21604025
That's actually pretty brilliant.
I retract my snark and support this idea.

Looking over the situation... there isn't really a choice.

"We need to prepare more." I respond. "The situation is far from ideal, and we don't know what we'll be going into. We're sleep deprived, and we're too angry to mount an effective attack."

"So what now then? We go home and sleep?" Rin asks.

"Unless you want to stay here. I'm not sure how... hospitable Kirei might be to our continued presence though. He's technically supposed to be a neutral party in the whole affair." I pause and think about the situation, before talking to Rider. I give her my phone number, with instructions to call in case of an emergency.

After that, we begin the trek home, when Rin speaks up. "I just lost two more familiars."

"Where?"

"One was near the temple, but the other...." She hesitates, looking around in the dark. "The other was less than a block from here."

"Someone starting something this close to the church? Or is it a countermeasure of Kirei's?" Archer asks, as he manifests and draws his bow.

Rin shakes her head. "I don't know. We-" She hesitates. "It's back."

"Was it nothing then?"

"It's odd...."

[ ] Investigate.
[ ] Go home.

>>21604071
>Investigate, if one of her familiars is compromised, we want to know.

>>21604071
>[ ] Investigate.

>>21604071

[x] Investigate.

File: 1353046394853.jpg-(581 KB, 876x1241, 1326608305873.jpg)

>>21604007
Haaaah, if we had summoned the right Servant in the first place we could have RULUBREIKAA straight into their hearts.

It can`t be helped.

>>21604071
[x] Investigate.
If it's Gil dicking about near the temple we don't need to worry. He's probably just bored and looking for someone dumb enough to fight him.
The other one might be Caster.

>>21604137
Please tell me that's a real Doujin that I can read somewhere...

>>21604071
>[ ] Investigate.

"Hey guys, lets get some rest, we've been going non-stop all day"
>Something slightly weird happens
"MAGICAL DETECTIVE SHIROU IS ON THE CASE!"

>>21604169

That is literally the second last page, unfortunately.

>>21604156
Might be Caster. Might be Zouken making a move.

>Slight delay, the arm of my chair just fell off.

>>21604169
Non-H doujin named Gilgamesh vs. Rin. A what-if of Rin summoning Archer instead of Archer. That was a teaser at the end of it.

>>21604171
See >>21604093
a compromised Familiar could be VERY bad.

>>21604071
>[x] Investigate.
Put on that coat and light up and cig 'cause it's the Shirou Emiya detective power hour!

>>21604137
I would read the fuck out of this.

>>21604191
THE FATE/AGAIN CURSE STRIKES ONCE MORE

>>21604197
Why do the cool ideas never actually get made?
Like, I would have paid money to see HITLER ON ICE! but it was just a bit gag at the end of History of the World Part I

>>21604205
Eventually it'll start moving on to all of us. Picking us off one by one.

>>21604217
My chair has been broken for several months and I do not own a car.

>>21604255
Do you have a dog?

File: 1353047029175.jpg-(134 KB, 500x375, 234793345.jpg)

>>21604202
>I would read the fuck out of this.

Everyone would. ;_;

I would cut off and sell my fapping arm to see more of the best Master/Servant-Combo of all times, too.

>>21604262
He doesn't like me.

We opt to investigate, and we move to the area where it acted weird.

"What is this? Dried ink?" Rin asks, looking at a spot on the pavement. "Has some sort of magical residue...." She shakes her head. "Can't tell anything more than that."

"Magic circle perhaps?"

"Not one I've ever seen. It looks more like tribal marking more than anything."

Rin calls her familiar back, and to my surprise it looks like a little humming bird. It shines like a jewel and is covered in weird little markings. "I'm amazed you can make something this beautiful." I tell her. "I thought most familiars were a simple creation. Especially if you make as many as you do."

"The more care you put into their creation the better they get. They're more capable and they last longer." She hesitates, and then allows herself a small smile. "Besides, I have a hard time doing just 'good enough'." Her eyes narrow slightly as she takes a closer look at the bird. "What are all these weird markings....?"

[ ] Destroy the bird.
[ ] Examine the markings more closely.
[ ] Release it, keep an eye on it.

>>21604361
Rune magic, obviously. Lancer's onto us.

Destroy the bird.

>>21604361

[x] Examine markings

Somethings fishy... smells like true assassin...

>>21604361
[X] Examine the markings more closely.

If she didn't put those markings there that means it could be compromised. If they resemble the circle we've got someone practicing a style of magic that Rin doesn't recognize, which is weird.

>>21604361
>tribal
Avenger.

File: 1353047565005.png-(247 KB, 320x276, 1338327305011.png)

>>21604361
>[x] Destroy the bird.

>>21604361
[x] Destroy the bird.

so I started following this quest without having read the VN. Now I want to read the VN. would an elegan/tg/entleman help a bro out with a handy download link?

>>21604361
I suspect it's going to explode on us, but I want to examine the bird anyways.

>>21604423
http://erogedownload.com/downloads/fatestay-night/

>>21604423

http://erogedownload.com/downloads/fatestay-night/

Then the translation patch: http://mirrormoon.org/projects/complete/fatestay-night/

You'll need daemon tools.

>>21604361

Kill the birdie.

File: 1353047919761.jpg-(62 KB, 640x480, 1313816339690.jpg)

>>21604438
>>21604441
mah niggas.

AC-Guy, stay awesome.

>>21604441
The realta nua patch is also pretty awesome. Introduces some nifty scenes.

>>21604459

Anon.

Go and torrent a copy of Fate / Realta Nua

It was PSX version that was voiced. The mirror moon patch will add the voices to your PC version. It makes everything, AWESOME.

>>21604471
>>21604478
Just a thought; if this guy was someone who's opinion was made or broken by voice acting, then maybe this is the wrong medium, website, planet, species, for him.

>>21604478
>>21604501
are the voices in moon or in english?

>>21604361
>[ ] Examine the markings more closely.

The runes.... let me translate.
Huh thats wierd, they just say "Exploding Runes" [BOOM]

>>21604524
Moon. Why would there be English voices on something that's never received an official English language release?

>>21604524
Moon.

"Kill it." I tell Rin.

"Wha?"

"The markings are similar to the ones over there. It's been tampered with."

She hesitates and then nods, before unbinding the magic around the bird. She ends with a magic dust with some sort of black goop dripping from it. Without thinking I slap it out of her hands where it hits the street with a mild 'sizzle' noise. "What the hell...?" Archer breaths as he gets closer. "It's writing."

The four of us crowd around it, and read the message.

[My apologies for tampering with your familiar, Tosaka Magus. I'm unfamiliar with the town and figured tapping into your spy network would be the quickest way to learn the layout. It seems you're a good deal sharper than I or your father ever were though. My compliments and apologies for my involvement and how quickly you disarmed it.]

It's signed only with the Roman numeral 'IX'.

"What do you think it means?" Saber asks me.

I-

[ ] Have no idea.
[ ] (insert crackpot theory here)

>>21604529
>not "I prepared Exploding Runes today"

>>21604535

>No fucking clue

>>21604535
Anybody know of a hero associated with Legio IX Hispana who might have been able to do this?

>>21604535
I sure as HELL hope it's not the ninth Dead Apostle Ancestor. Because that's Altrouge.

>No fucking clue

>>21604535
>[ ] (insert crackpot theory here)

Its clearly vampires. Nine of them.

>>21604570
That's the only thing that I could think of as well, but if that's the case we might as well just kill ourselves now.

>[x] Have no idea.

>>21604535
[X] (insert crackpot theory here)

"Well, obviously it's an acquaintance of your father. Given that he referred to you as Tosaka Magus it's probable that they thought of your family line first and could be from an old line of Mages themselves, but we shouldn't disregard other possibilities. Also, they aren't from around town. They were polite so they might have been a friend of your father as well. Did your father have any friends from well established houses?

IX is 9, but that doesn't mean much on its own. It could be the 9th head of a family, if there is a number based organization it could be number 9, they could just like being mysterious.

In short it's either Ancient Aliens, Vampires, or Werewolves."

>>21604570

Game over, man. Game over.

>>21604535
Everyone calm down!

This is just Ford Prefect, going by his childhood nickname.

>>21604535

Uh.... I hope I'm wrong, but-

Archer (Emiya),
Saber,
Assassin,
Lancer,
Berserker,
Caster,
Rider,
Archer (Gil).

That's Eight. This guy could be servant number NINE.

>>21604628
Better than Dead Apostles getting all up in our grill. At least with Servants we have a good handle on what we're dealing with once we know their Class.

>>21604628
Entirely possible. Fucking Grail War, supposed to have 7 servants, now it has 9. Why can't people count?

>>21604628
You forgot Assassin, Avenger, and Saver.

>>21604535
[x] (insert crackpot theory here)
I'm not saying it was aliens, but it was aliens.

>>21604644
When it comes to a Grail War, the rules are more what you call... guidelines.

>>21604602
Seconding this crackpot theory.

>>21604650
None of whom have anything to do with the current grail war.

Unless one of them is the ninth servant who left us the note.

>>21604660
As long as it wasn't Angels.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=KKM-XSYKrFo

>>21604644

It can potentially have 10. Just saying, you know.

>>21604602
Upon further thought, add the bit about the possible 9th servant in here. I didn't think about it at the time.

File: 1353049586707.jpg-(145 KB, 797x591, 1350493862294.jpg)

>>21604660

File: 1353049656557.jpg-(243 KB, 1140x600, I Killed Your Waifu.jpg)

>>21604729

File: 1353049910437.jpg-(23 KB, 480x320, 1352509082646.jpg)

>>21604736

"Honestly? No idea. Best guess is that it's an acquaintance of your father. Given that he referred to you as Tosaka Magus it's probable that they thought of your family line first and could be from an old line of Mages themselves, but we shouldn't disregard other possibilities. Also, they aren't from around town. They were polite so they might have been a friend of your father as well. Did your father have any friends from well established houses?"

Rin shakes her head. "I'm not sure. I know we've traditionally had strong bonds with the Matou house due to the shared residence in this town. There's also the Einzbern family, but they aren't really 'friends' with anyone."

"Well... IX is 9, but that doesn't mean much on its own. It could be the 9th head of a family, if there is a number based organization it could be number 9, they could just like being mysterious. Now I'm just grasping at straws though. I mean, what else could it be? Aliens? Vampires? Another Servant from the last war?"

Rin shudders visibly. "Pray it isn't Vampires. Anyone worthy of getting a number assigned to them are out of our league by miles."

"... I was joking. You think it might be Vampires? Vampires are an actual thing?"

"Is that really surprising?" She asks, turning to me.

"I thought vampires were mathematically impossible, since they turn everybody they feed on into vampires."

>>21604831

"Not everybody. Also you need to factor in the fact that people both from the Church and the Magic association tend to kill every Vampire they come across. Or at least try to."

".... I guess that makes sense. What else, Werewolves?"

"There's no packs in Japan. Closest one to us geographically is in Russia somewhere, and I don't know of anything that would give the number nine any significance." Rin responds.

"Could we have this conversation somewhere other than the sight of the casting of a probably evil magic ritual?" Archer asks, looking over at us.

Realizing our position, we finish heading back to the Emiya household, and see that it's almost four in the morning when we arrive.

"Is there any point to sleeping if we're going to school tomorrow?" Rin asks, letting out a sigh.

[ ] Sleep.
[ ] Stay up.

>>21604837
It's either that or stay up and bang.

>>21604837
>[ ] Stay up.
We can show her our second favorite thing in the universe.

>>21604837
[x] Sleep.
Even a few hours is better than nothing.

>>21604837
>[ ] Sleep.
A catnap is better than no sleep at all. Sure,you feel like hell when you wake up if you only got 2 hours, but in the long term its WAAAAAAAY better than nothing.

>>21604837
[X] Sleep.

"Rin, if we don't sleep, at least a little, you're going to be really grumpy tomorrow and off your game. I don't want you to be grumpy, it ends in you yelling at me."

>>21604837
>[x] Sleep.
Maybe the dream cycle will reveal answers. Or maybe we'll just punch Archer again.

>>21604837

[x] Sleep

Goodnight Rin
Goodnight Saber

So, quick question: I was under the impression that Servants and Dead Apostle Ancestors were roughly on the same level. Or at least in the same power-bracket.
So why would one of them running around be appreciably worse than another hostile Servant to deal with?

>>21604837

I vote we catch a nap, and then tell Taiga we're not going to school tomorrow.

She said she'd help us, so let's tell her Sakura's sick and we couldn't take her to a hospital because easy for assassin's to find, home was out because of domestic abuse.

She'll keep a secret and run interference for us at school.

>>21604887
Two words: Marble. Phantasm.

>>21604887

Eh.... Debatable.

Here's the thing: the power-levels kinda run paralel to each other, so it's hard to tell which vampire would win/lose versus which servants.

Our Saber might be a potent vamp-killer due to her incredibly powerful Holy Sword. She also could get her shit slapped by someone like Nero Chaos since there's no one target for her to hit.

The reason why the Number Nine was scary for the Vampire dudes was because that one's roughly on par-ish with the Crimson Moon when she has her servants helping her. The Crimson Moon, for those curious, was the guy so powerful he had to be killed via BREAKING HOW REALITY WORKED AND THROWING HIM OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSE.

Even then, he managed to Mortally Wound/Vamp the guy he was fighting.

>>21604887
Because if it's fucking ALTROUGE BRUNESTUD, she's not alone. She never goes anywhere without Primate Murder and her two knights.

>>21604852
>We can show her our second favorite thing in the universe.
Duck Dodgers?
Or wait, we aren't Garibaldi, so...
The episodes of the 90s Iron Man catoon that Hawkeye was in?

>>21604947
And for scale Primate Murder can tank seven counter guardians on its own.

>>21604887
They're in around the same bracket. It depends on the individual match-up and other factors like the Servant being supplied with Prana properly. But Saber could take on a good number of them 1 on 1 and win. But there are some who are exceptionally difficult to kill in any way like Nrvnqsr.

Obvious exceptions to this are Primate Murder and ORT who can wipe the floor with pretty much anything. And Altrouge, #9, has Primate Murder with her. So if she's involved we're moving to Antarctica.

"A nap is better than nothing." I respond. "Besides, there isn't a whole lot we can do sleep deprived sitting around for a couple of hours."

"Alright then." She says with a small yawn as she heads to her room. "Let me know when you cook breakfast."

I manage to convince Saber that sleeping in the next room over is perfectly acceptable, and lay down for bed myself. I close my eyes and drift off to-

*brinnng*

Oh hell no. I open one eye instantly irritated.

*brinnng*

I refuse to believe the phone is ringing at four in the morning.

*brinng*

The phone is ringing.

[ ] Answer it.
[ ] Let the machine get it.

>>21605024
>[ ] Answer it.
"Emiya."

>>21605024
>[ ] Answer it.

>>21605024
>[ ] Screen the call first, and then decide to pick it up based on who it is.

>>21605024
>>21605028
>[x] Answer it.
>"Emiya."
Even when sleep deprived, we're still a professional.

>>21605024
[X] Answer it.

They wouldn't call unless it's important. If it isn't we'll tell them to fuck off.

>>21605024
[x] Answer it.

>>21605028
>>21605053
Damn right we are.

>>21605096
And hell, this might be Caster (who we seriously need to get thinking about saying "fuck the grail" and running off with Souichibro to get married and take a honeymoon in Hawaii).

I mentally purge the part of me that wants to ignore it, or worse screen the call and exact bloody vengeance for making this terrible day last even longer.

"Hello?"

"Ah, the Master of Saber himself. It's fortunate that you were home. How's your day been?"

"Caster." I greet. "Frankly terrible. I'm assuming this call means you got my message?"

"I did. I must say, the convenience of a telephone is remarkable. Sorry to hear your day was bad, maybe that bargain you spoke of would help things?"

"Perhaps." I answer cautiously. "I think I need your help with something. your ability to break bonds to help me save a life."

"Oh, are you a Hero then? What did you have in mind for a trade?"

[ ] Offer to tell her about the other Archer.
[ ] Offer to help her kill Berserker.
[ ] Offer her a favor of her choice.

>>21605183
>[ ] Offer to help her kill Berserker.
We're essentially trading her helping us with this, for her helping us with that. We get a benefit both ways.

>>21605183
>[ ] Offer to tell her about the other Archer.
If i recall, doesn't she die to Gil blindsiding her in the Fate route?
She'd probably appreciate the heads up, and its no skin off our back.

>>21605183
>[x] Offer to tell her about the other Archer.
I am reluctant to give her a favor of her choice given the results of all Shirou's bad ends with her in the visual novel. Also she is prone to death by Gil so...

>>21605183
Favor of her choice, hahaha, dear god that's funny.

[X] Offer to tell her about the other Archer.

Don't phrase it just like that. Say that we are aware of an enemy who she is in no way aware of, and that we can inform her of the enemy and give her a chance to prepare.

Also try to work in asking what her, and her master's, goal for this is.

>>21605183
Offer to tell her about the other Archer. Costs us nothing and maybe she'll take him out. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA ahaha aaaah.

>>21605183
[x] Offer to tell her about the other Archer.
>berserker
Let's not ruin my glorious 'bull in a china shop' plan for Zouken.
>of her choice
NOPE. NOPE NOPE NOOOPE.

File: 1353053125032.png-(116 KB, 640x480, s_033.png)

>>21605234
What's the matter? Don't want to be turned into a magical science experiment?

>>21605232
To be fair, she has the best change against him, after us, if she manages to hold up long enough.

>>21605259
...He has magic resistance of A+ Rank with all of his doohikeys. Also one of his items lets him read minds.

>>21605300
Caster gets much stronger the longer the War drags on. But you do raise a good point; her best chance is probably Fake Assassin, unless she manages to bring us to her when and if Archer comes after her.

>>21605183

[x] Ask her what her wish is, maybe Shirou can help her fulfill it

Setting it up for the two of them to run away

>>21605300
Don't pretty much all the Servants have A+ magic resistance?

"I'm willing to trade Intel on the war in exchange for your help."

"Oh really now." She responds. "What is it you know that I don't? I dare say I know a fair bit more than you do. Especially when it comes to those girls you surround yourself with."

"Did you know there's more than Seven Servants?"

There's a dead silence on the phone, before she breaths a single word. "Impossible."

"I have knowledge and proof. I'm willing to divulge more in exchange for your help."

"... Very well. A meeting on Neutral ground to discuss terms tomorrow night? Of course, a mutual pact of non-aggression until at least two hours after the conclusion of the meeting."

"Works for me. The Church? Kirei as supervisor has a responsibility to provide if asked for."

"Agreed. I'll make the arrangements and have him contact you with the details." She responds, before hanging up the phone.

I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding in, and I sit the phone back on the receiver. First Sakura, then this other Archer.... I silently wonder what else I don't know, as I go to make the most of an hour of sleep.

I awake to the sound of Fuji-nee knocking on my door asking why there was no breakfast.

[ ] Tell her about Sakura.
[ ] Tell her I had a rough night.
[ ] Tell her to cook her won.
[ ] Ask her for five more minutes.
[ ] .... Go cook breakfast.

>>21605377

[x] Cook.

It is his life purpose

But tell her of Sakura while cooking. Let her know why shes not here.

>>21605377
[x] Tell her about Sakura.
But, y'know, censored version. And ask Rin if she wants to tell her about the sister thing, don't go spilling that.

>>21605377
>[ ] Tell her about Sakura.
She's the closest thing to family we've got since dad died. If we can't trust her with this, we've got some major trust issues.

>>21605377

Actually, what proof do we have save Saber's admission?

>>21605377
[X] .... Go cook breakfast.

If we don't, she might. We'll talk about Sakura as we're cooking.

>>21605377
Just go cook. Sakura's situation will blow over or she will die, but either way, telling her now will just cause unnecessary conflict and concern.

>>21605377
>[ ] .... Go cook breakfast.
Our true calling, it shall not be denied!

>>21605377
Cook breakfast.
>>21605371 Saber and Berserker are the only other servants with A magic resistance. For an Archer to have magic resistance that high is unheard of.

I am the shaft of my whisk
Cake is my body, and sauce is my blood
I have created over a thousand souffles
Unaware of menus, now known to budgets
Withstood sleep to create breakfast
Waiting on guest's arrival
I have no spices
This is the only kitchen
My whole life has been
Unlimited Food Works

>>21605377
Go cook breakfast. It shall set Shirou's mind at ease.

I get up and go to cook breakfast. I'd rather not tempt Taiga to take matters, and a pan, into her own hands.

"What's wrong Shirou?" She asks as I get eggs out of the fridge. "Tired?"

"That too. I'm just worried about Sakura."

"Sakura?" She says, standing up from her seat at the table and walking over. "Shirou, what happened?"

"Last Night, Sakura had some sort of an attack." I respond. "Some kind of poison triggered it."

"Eh? Where is she then? The hospital?"

"... No, we couldn't risk that. I'm fairly certain she was attacked, so taking her to the hospital meant putting her in a good place for someone to finish the job. Apparently the Priest at the church across the river is a talented healer, and Tosaka knew him well enough that we could take her there. She's stable for now but we couldn't bring her here since the priest was worried about releasing her from his care."

"What, the Matou family can't afford to bring a doctor to their home?"

"After we took her to the priest, he said he found signs of abuse. Given her reserved personality...." I glance at Taiga, but her shocked silence was enough to tell me what she was thinking.

"... Physical abuse?"

[ ] ....Yeah.
[ ] ... That too.

>>21605509
Just close the conversation. This is needless drama.

>>21605509

[x] ...Yeah

That she was abused should be all we can tell Taiga. I don't think Sakura would want us telling her beloved Taiga about the rest of it.

>>21605509
>[ ] ....Yeah.

>>21605509
Taiga explosion incoming.
Prepare your ass Zouken, hope you like swordsmen with EX luck up in your grill.

>[ ] ....Yeah.

>>21605509
[X] ....Yeah.

Let's not have her go off on a mad rush to try to bash Zouken in the head with her shinai, that won't end well.

>>21605509
[x] ....Yeah.

>>21605547
>that won't end well.
I dunno, there IS a demon imprisoned within Tora-shinai, so...

File: 1353055778261.jpg-(106 KB, 800x600, F03-11b-45.jpg)

>>21605547

It might actually work though...

It has yet to taste blood. Why not Zouken's?

>>21605582
Worm blood.

>>21605582
What....what happens when it tastes blood?

>>21605602
You ever seen Akira?

As amazing as Taiga wrecking Zouken would be, she would be more likely killed. We will probably need to reveal the whole truth to her very soon.

>>21605645
Or we could take the sensible route and never do that.

>>21605658
And then she tries to wreck Zouken's shit because "Hey, he's just an old guy!" and gets blasted to ashes.

>>21605662
Which is why the less she knows, the better. Both for her and for us.

Geez, I finally read F/SN last month and now I notice it's everywhere. Hot damn

>>21605666
>Which is why the less she knows, the better.
No, not really. If she doesn't know he's obscenely powerful, she'll try to fight him. Which is exactly what I said. The fact that Sakura was mistreated in ANY way is probably enough to set The Tiger of Fuyuki into a blind rage.

I decide that maybe I shouldn't tell Taiga everything just yet.

"... Yeah." I respond. "I suspected something from Shinji, which is the main reason that we aren't exactly close anymore."

"We need to take this to the police or something." She says, looking away, lost in thought.

'Because they're going to be able to do anything to Wizards' I think to myself. "We don't exactly have much to tell them. Sakura's not exactly in a state to testify, and it might well end with it being my word against his. A bruise doesn't tell you who caused it." I say after a moment's thought.

"... I could speak to my Grandfather...." She says, letting the obvious implications hang in the air.

My mind kicks into gear. Raiga could certainly do many things that wouldn't require much evidence. His opinion of me alone would be proof enough for him to start calling in favors all over the country for the sake of a girl Taiga cares for more than some members of her own family.

Apparently my thoughts are visible on my face as Taiga draws the same conclusions. "He would solve the problem."

"He could potentially solve it so hard that the aftermath would take us years to deal with." I respond.

Taiga sighs. "... I suppose it would be wise to consider alternatives first." She says after a moment, sounding oddly... disappointed?

>>21605684

I ask her to go wake Rin and Saber for me while I finish cooking breakfast.

Soon, we're all gathered around the table and I inform Rin of what I told Taiga. The two of them briefly exchange pleasantries over breakfast, and the tense mood vanishes when Rin lets a single tear fall and Taiga rushes to support her.

In fits and starts we manage to get through most of breakfast, before Taiga offers to excuse us from school until Sakura gets better.

I consider it, and-

[ ] Accept.
[ ] Decline.
[ ] Half-days?

>>21605666
We've already compromised knowledge that bad shit is happening and just said that Sakura is being abused. Taiga will definitely be wanting to bash some heads after that.

>>21605690
>[ ] Decline.

>>21605690
Accept, of course. Shinji is off to handle his business far away, so there is nothing left to do. Besides, the quicker we can talk to Raiga, the better.

>>21605690

Accept or half-days? Hmmm...

>>21605679
>>21605701
Then that is your fault for talking in the first place. Continuing to leak knowledge about the magical state of affairs may force some people to consider us a liability down the road.

>>21605690
[x] Half-days?
Gotta keep an eye on the school, but some time off will help as well.

>>21605690
[X] Half-days?

I still want to say talk to Souichibro and Issei. But more time is useful.

>>21605701
Guess I was wrong. It all went better than expected.

>[X] Decline.

File: 1353057016469.jpg-(615 KB, 1115x1600, OD13_18.jpg)

>>21605690

[x] Half-days

Been too long since Ayako.

And we need to keep an eye on the school in case we see something like the blood fort again.

>>21605684
>He could potentially solve it so hard that the aftermath would take us years to deal with.
Why am I picturing a flight of JASDF F-15Js on a training exercise "suffering a catastrophic weapon systems malfunction" which ends in the Matou house being a smoking crater?

>>21605690
>[ ] Half-days?
Getting more time off will be useful, but we've been FAR too long without talking to Ayako and Souichibro.

>>21605797
Really gotta ask why you guys are so focuse on them anyway. I mean Souchiro was nice and all, I really appreciated his ability to stay professional about the situation, but Ayako was on screen for how many lines? Like twenty?

Half days seems to have won, I'll type it up a minute.

I need to switch computers for now.

>>21605690

I honestly wonder if Taiga has any idea of the relationship between the two girls.

>>21605824
She's just a genuinely good person.

>>21605824
We've been over this, like, twenty times.

We need Ayako around because not only does Shirou need bitches, but Rin will inevitably need her own bitches. The number of necessary bitches increases exponentially based on the number of people requiring bitches, so we can't afford to waste a single one. God help us if Sakura ends up like Rin and also wants bitches.

>>21605824

Too much Ronpaia

...could do with more though. When is the circle releasing the next doujin...

>>21605860
Then they can fight each other for queen bitch and build an incestuous BDSM based lesbian harem for all I care.

>>21605824

I'll be honest, writing dialogue for her is hard as hell since we see just enough of her to have an established character but not quite enough to get a proper feel for it as a writer.

"Half days perhaps? I'm worried about Sakura, but..."

Taiga nods. "I'll arrange something."

Rin speaks up. "Fujimura-Sensei, could you exempt me? I feel... responsible."

"How so?" she asks, and Rin tries to take a moment to compose herself. I choose to very gently kick Taiga under the table and give her a look. She blinks, and then seems to realize she got rather close to crossing a line. "You know, never mind. It's enough that you're concerned and I was planning to ask one of you to keep an eye on her until I could visit."

"Thank you Sensei." Rin says with a bow, clearly relieved.

Taiga shakes her head. "You don't need to be that formal with me here."

"You're sure,Taiga-Sensei?"

"Of course. You're friends with Shirou and you're concerned about Sakura. That's enough for me." She responds lightly. not long after she dismisses herself from the table and heads to school. I-

[ ] Sneak a quick nap before school.
[ ] Do morning exercises to clear my head.
[ ] Go to school to talk with Issei.

>>21606162
[x] Do morning exercises to clear my head.

>>21606162
[X] Go to school to talk with Issei.

We should hang out with our bro some more. Also he lives at Ryuudouji temple, might know more about Caster and her Master. Seems relevant.

Is Saber staying home with Rin and Archer coming with us? Or are we putting Saber in a school uniform, because that'd be adorable, and having her come to school with us.

>>21606162
>[ ] Go to school to talk with Issei.

If Caster is staying at the Temple we may be able to get some hint about her Master from him.
yes, i realize this can lead to a DEAD END in the VN, but we are also a legendary ninja badass compared to normal Shirou at this point, we'll be fine

Also, Raiga should be calling us today! The anticipation of the Kiritsugu Mystery Box is killing me.

>>21606162
>[ ] Go to school to talk with Issei.

>>21606108

Not sure if this'll help

http://seiba.maidlab.jp/entrans/list.php?file_list=yes&file_id=317&page=1

http://seiba.maidlab.jp/entrans/list.php?file_list=yes&file_id=340&page=1

http://seiba.maidlab.jp/entrans/list.php?file_list=yes&file_id=351&page=1

These are the translated scenes with Mitsuzuri in F/HA. Perhaps they'll help with the sample size in writing her dialogue.

>>21605824
She has a slightly bigger role in Hollow Ataraxia, if that helps any.

>>21606259
Up from two lines to five. Impressive.

I decide to head off to school early to see if I can talk to Issei

Since Rin's convinced that he's either Assassin's or Caster's Master, I promise that I'll at least pretend to look into it as well.

I head off to the school, Archer in tow invisibly.

"So then, should I be expecting trouble you think? Rider's not putting the field back up." Archer says by way of conversation. I take a look around to make sure nobody's watching. "I doubt trouble's going to appear just because I mention it."

"No, it's not that I just don't want people to think I'm talking to myself." I respond easily upon making sure the street is clear. "To answer your question I'm not expecting any trouble directly. Caster and I arranged a ceasefire last night, Rider's on our side at the moment, Assassin's guarding a door, Ilya and Berserker are out of town and Lancer wouldn't do anything during the day."

"Alright then." He responds. "Would it be alright with you if I abandoned you to your fate and went patrolling instead? I might be able to gleen some more info like that.

[ ] Keep him close.
[ ] Let him roam.

>>21606311
Best keep him with us for this, at least until Raiga calls us back.

>>21606311

[x] Let him roam

>>21606311
[x] Keep him close.
Hahaha. No.

File: 1353062147118.gif-(147 KB, 320x240, Lupin Laugh.gif)

>>21606311
>[ ] Let him roam.
>I just don't want people to think I'm talking to myself.
Shirou, the truth is...

>>21606241

Alright, now I'm even more impatient for them to finish translating it, just because of the mental image of Lancer working in a flower shop.

>>21606327
Seriously? Learn moon. It will be much faster and open up the entire medium to you, instead of a handful of mediocre translations on games several years old.

File: 1353062286466.jpg-(59 KB, 256x224, 1326922482126.jpg)

>>21606327

It's crawling at .4% per week or so.

last week it was 86.1%

>>21606311
>[ ] Keep him close.

There are still a few wildcards. Other Archer for example, or the guy fucking with Rin's familiars last night. Best stay close.

>>21606311
Let him roam after all how dangerous could school be?

>>21606311
>[X] Let him roam.

Unrelated, but i recall there was the possibility of an everybody lives ending. I wonder if Kirei is among that number or if it only means Masters and Servants. Zouken doesn't count as a person though in my book.

Also, I can't recall who Lancer's master was in canon. Might have been Kirei come to think of it.

>>21606370

Kirei can die in an unmarked grave. if we leave him alive, he'll cause shit down the line.

>Lancer's Master
It was Bazette. It's why you see you much of that pairing.

>>21606370
I HIGHLY doubt Kirei would be in the "everyone lives" scenario. And yes, he is Lancer's master in canon.

File: 1353062781942.png-(99 KB, 182x521, Bazett Fraga McRemitz.png)

>>21606370
>I can't recall who Lancer's master was in canon
Bazett Fraga McRemitz. An Irish hero summoned by an Irish Magus.

>>21606370

They way I have it set up isn't a set 'route' thing like in the VN but an increasingly complex series of triggers connected to most of the major characters.

So getting everyone out alive would be rather difficult, but right now you're on track to have a rather high survival rate at least.

That said, aiming for the 'everyone lives' ending triggers ALL of the terrible possible complications. You've already set in motion about 80% of them.

File: 1353063001700.jpg-(15 KB, 252x270, Challenge Accepted.jpg)

>>21606396
>You've already set in motion about 80% of them.
Well I guess it's our job to trigger the other 20% now.

>>21606396

Bring it. We'll keep our own alive.

>>21606381
>And yes, he is Lancer's master in canon.
Well, after he hacks Bazett's arm off to steal her Command Spell and then leaves her to die, yeah.

>>21606412
Close enough, but that would be an interesting twist if she didn't get KO'd this time around.

Lancer has been acting kinda funky the few times we've seen him...

>>21606424
If she didn't, then we've got to deal with the fact that she's the current holder of Fragarach...
WAIT A MINUTE!
Archer said that if he had to guess he'd say the sword Lancer pulled was Fragarach, but that it made no sense. But if Bazett's still alive, she could have given him Fragarach to use!

"Go ahead. Just be back to the school by lunch since that's when I'll be leaving."

"Reasonable." He responds, and I head into the school as his presence departs.

I open the front door when I notice Ayako out of the corner of my eye walking towards me, seemingly... angry?

[ ] Keep going, pretend I didn't see her.
[ ] Stop and talk.

>>21606380

Not very familiar with Hollow Atraxia. I know who Bazett is more or less, but not what caused the difference in masters between F/SN and F/HA. I wonder which is the case here, if it isn't some third party this time. And what was the deal with Avenger anyway?

As for Kirei, while I doubt he has any chance of being spared, didn't someone say that he and Shirou could have been friends.

>>21606432
Keep moving. I could have sworn we came here for a reason.

>>21606432
>[ ] Stop and talk.

>>21606432
Stop and talk, we're in no rush and we may as well sort out another misunderstanding.

>>21606433
Kirei and Shirou were a lot alike. Kindred spirits, really. Both of them were fundamentally broken people who could only achieve happiness through others or some such. They may not have been friends, but they understand each other better than anybody else can.

>>21606431

... you do realize the Fragglerock Bazett has was created well after the original blade was lost right?

The Fraggies her family made were ALL 'Fragarach', but only ONE was the sword called 'Answerer', which was the ancient sword passed from Lugh to Cu.

It's a small distinction, but it's worth noting.

>>21606432
>[X] Stop and talk.

Speaking of complications...
>>21606431

NOW we're getting somewhere!

File: 1353063612205.jpg-(63 KB, 600x551, 1291390157519.jpg)

>>21606405
I second you, good sir.

>>21606432
[x] Stop and talk.
EMIYA SHIROU, MASTER DIPLOMAT

File: 1353063689509.jpg-(54 KB, 238x231, 103.jpg)

>>21606433

F/HA still doesn't have her being the master of Lancer but the newcomer, Avenger. The deal with Avenger would be spoilers.

I'd point to the typemoon wiki for more info.

>>21606432

Also

[x] Stop and Talk

>>21606433
>didn't someone say that he and Shirou could have been friends
Shirou himself acknowledged that. As >>21606444 explained, they were as two sides of a coin, only able to draw happiness from others. Shirou from their happiness, Kirei from their suffering.

>>21606432
>[ ] Stop and talk.

Why could she possibly be angry? We saved her, then cooked dinner for her!

Oh SHIT... she ate our food. Its been a few days, she is probably in some sort of Shirou's-cooking induced sex frenzy by now, and is pissed we haven't called her.

>>21606405

Do Avenger, Dark Sakura/Servants, and Zouken heartworms in Sakura count as complications?

Shit.

>>21606433
At the end of the HF route while Kirei and Shirou are dying Shirou realises that the reason Kirei pissed him off so much is because they were so similar. Kind of like with Archer only Kirei would've been an awesome friend had they not had opposing goals. So if we can convince Kirei to side with us we get Holy Kungfu on our side.

>>21606462
>Shirou's-cooking induced sex frenzy
Are you implying that Shirou's cooking is his counterpart to the Tohno/Nanaya Gland?
Actually, that makes sense. All three "main" girls eat a LOT of his cooking.

>>21606468
>if we can convince Kirei to side with us
How? He can only draw happiness from the suffering of others. How are we gonna get HIM on our side? I mean really, I pity the guy for being stuck like that, it fuckin' sucks, especially since, as a man of faith, he had his whole world turned on it's head by that shit (HAHA! GOD MADE YOU A SICK TWISTED BASTARD!), but I just don't see a way to fix that.

> Fragglerock

Is this common name for it? Because as soon as I saw it in F/HA, I started calling it that

>>21606482
>it fuckin' sucks
Not really. His life is pretty good, actually.

>>21606468
>So if we can convince Kirei to side with us

From what i understand of Kirei, that would simply involve convincing him that hanging out with us would be more amusing than his normal plan of "summon Angry Manjew just to see what happens".
Of course, thats a problem unto itself since his idea of "fun" is pretty damn warped compared to ours.

>>21606489
It's a common nickname for it, yeah. Because Irish is hard as hell to pronounce if you don't actually speak it.

>>21606482
Applied suffering for a good cause. Finding him some acceptable targets. Y'know like it's a-okay to kill a soldier but a hospital worker isn't acceptable? Like that only with supernatural threats, he used to be an executer for the church right? Basically I just want to see a Kotomine and Shirou buddy cop bit.

>>21606508
Actually, I'm surprised the Burial Agency HASN'T snapped him up. A Magus could be damn useful to them.

>>21606508
I honestly have to wonder how long someone could go on with that whole concept. All it really takes is one opportunity for someone to talk to him for it to unravel. It already happened actually. With Gilgamesh.

>>21606525
Gilgamesh has A+ Charisma and can read minds. Not applicable in most cases, besides the guys wife had died only like a year or two before that via suicide in front of him so y'know.

>>21606558
>only
>a year or two
What.

>>21606570
During which they thought talk about it? Comfort him? Naw lets get ya trained up for that there holy grail war! YeahI see your point though.

>>21606525
Well if we rip Gilgamesh in half without immediately prompting a showdown with Kirei, we can always try to get though to him.

After all, by now hasn't human suffering gotten predictable for him? Now VAMPIRE suffering, thats a whole new dimension of fun he hasn't even touched upon.

>>21606583
How much is there to even talk about? "My wife is dead. I wanted to kill her. Shit sucks, dude." Alright, wrapped that up in under a minute.

>>21606595
That's really not how mental trauma works bro.

>>21606603
Then maybe these people already had a lot of issues they needed to sort through if this shit is going to cling to them years after the fact.

>>21606608
>Man who cannot find satisfaction uless horribly torturing something.
>Messed up

I stop and turn to greet her. "Ayako? Can I help you?"

"Emiya." She says, still visibly flustered. "I was hoping I could get a chance to talk to you once I came back to school."

"Got back? You were out too then?"

"Yeah, I was out caring for my mother since she was sick." She responds. "I was going to thank you for- Wait, 'Out too'?" She gives me a critical look. "Why were YOU not in school that day?"

"Medical leave. I apparently suffered some kind of a seizure." I respond easily.

"Oh." She says, several emotions running over her face. "I- I guess I wanted to thank you for helping me. I mean, who knows what would've happened if you weren't there?"

'I do' I think to myself, my mind flashing back to Sakura's weak grasp in the back of the church. 'I know EXACTLY what would've become of you.' "Yeah, lucky I happened to be low on Rice."

"Yeah." She gives me another look. "Wait, you cooked dinner, went shopping, and then went and cooked your own dinner after all that? Right after you had a seizure?"

"... Yes. And before you say anything about me overworking myself, I have already heard it. From two teachers, and most of my friends." I respond.

"And where were all of these 'friends' when you had to cook yourself dinner?"

"... I didn't want to be a burden...." I respond weakly.

Ayako goes through a series of faces as though trying to decide on the most appropriate emotion -I get a flash-back to Rin's clothing parade at the mall- before she throws her hands up, exasperated.

>>21606624
Well it sounds to me like he needed a little self-acceptance.

>>21606628

"I give up on trying to understand you. I'm not sure if you're suicidally selfless or just crazy, but that's it. I don't care anymore." She then gives me a look. "So you're back in school?"

"... Kinda. Only half-days right now."

"Because you're still sick, or because you've decided to dedicate your life to helping another poor unfortunate?"

"... Bit of both."

She shakes her head in disappointment. "Alright then. Need anything from me?"

"... Aren't you in Tosaka's class? She would probably want you to collect homework for her."

"Taiga already asked me to-" She hesitates. "Oh god, is Rin sick?"

"Huh, no, it's Sakura." I hesitate. "Wait, let me explain-" I begin as Ayako gives me a horrified look.

>What say?

>>21606630

... He got exactly that.

That's basically the exact problem with.... everything.

>>21606632

"Oh god, look! a distraction!" And then we run as fast as our legs can carry us away from the awkward mess we just made.

>>21606632
"So it turns out Shinji raped and abused Sakura, and apparently poisoned her too and now I'm trying to cut a deal with a hero of legend in order to save her life.
I said that out loud, didn't I?"

>>21606654
But why is that a problem?

>>21606663
And for that matter, why are you trying to tell everyone everything?

>>21606632
Sakura is ill and Rin put me in touch with a specialist to help her. We took her there because we found out there were signs of domestic abuse on her and don't want to let her stay anywhere her family could access. Please don't mention that though because you know how private Sakura is I doubt she'd appreciate anyone else finding out about her circumstances. Because of this though Rin and I are helping out however we can and Taiga-sensei is letting us take time off for it.

>>21606673
It was a joke. i am in NO way saying we should seriously say that.

>>21606632

I cannot into RomCom dialogue.

>>21606676

Perhaps this?

>>21606673

It's a problem, because that's the entire reason he turned into an evil shit.

Seriously, before Gil decided to make him the happiest man in the world Kirei was a reluctant force for good.

As a direct result of him deciding Evil was A-Ok, he engineered a situation to cause as much mental trauma as possible, tortured an entire city's worth of orphans to death, and is currently plotting to end the world Via distilled hate juice.

>>21606694
Does nobody else see the problem with telling everyone her situation and then proceeding to ask them to keep quiet because she is a private person? Not the least bit contradictory to anybody else?

>>21606699
He had fun doing it, which is the entire point of life, really. Other people had fun stopping him, too.

>>21606676
This, except maybe we should leave out the bit about abuse? Sakura might not appreciate us telling anyone who doesn't need to know.

We're her friend so we took it upon ourselves to help her out, and leave it at that.

>>21606676

Leave out the domestic abuse part. But this should be fine.

>>21606632
Yeah I'm gonna settle on "Sakura is ill and Rin put me in touch with a specialist to help her."

>>21606342

Not to mention they're using Google Translate for the majority of the game

>>21606732

.... I might be a terrible person for this, but that feels like a more compelling reason to learn Japanese than my Sister moving to Japan.

File: 1353065935520.png-(29 KB, 405x381, 1345340122578.png)

>>21606508

"Shiro, it is time."
"Indeed."
"REJOICE X 2"

Also, IX might be Bazett.

Bowing out now, because my phone is terrible for anything other than reading Quests.

>>21606725

Just checking, but is that you final answer?

>>21606749
Yes.

>>21606749

I mean collectively of course, though we seem to be leaning that way.

>>21606749

Not that anon but that sounds good enough. Tell her where Sakura is as well.

I do NOT want Ayako ending up at the Matou Residence

>>21606743

Possibly, but you're on 4chan. We're all terrible people.

>>21606749
I think so.

Consensus seems to be that we can't exactly leave her in the dark now that we've dropped Sakura's name, but we're not at liberty to get more specific, and no believable lies have come to mind.

>>21606743

But imagine all the Visual Novels, games and doujins you'll be able to read!

Seem more compelling to me too.

>>21606747
Oh god FUND IT.

Putting up a suggestion for when we find out his plan for the Grail:
"Destroy the world? Sure, that may be entertaining, but its so damn CLICHE! You can do better than that Kirei!"

Okay, so IX is probably not with the Burial Agency. There are only eight of them...

>>21606814
Maybe they recruited someone else.

"Alright," I say, taking a deep breath. "Sakura is ill. She's very sick and Rin happened to know a specialist who can help her. It's not a good situation but it's under control and everything's going to be fine."

"... You're sure?" She asks, giving me a look that's... scared?

"Yeah." I respond, feeling myself get more confident as I say so. "Of course."

"What if it gets worse?"

"It won't." I respond strongly. "I won't let it. Give me a little while and she'll be better than she ever was."

She hesitates, and then sighs. "You say it like that, I almost believe it." She gives me a curious look. "Wait, you're clearly not at the top of your game as worn out as you are. Coming off a seizure, clearly not sleeping at all, and now trying to shoulder the burden of the damn world."

"... So?"

"I guess I'm just wondering. If Emiya's so determined to take care of everybody else, who's taking care of him?"

"I'll manage. I always do."

"Mmmmm...." She responds, looking me up and down. "So what are you doing now?"

"I needed to go talk to Issei. I had a favor to grant him and also homework to copy."

She nods. "I should get back to the Range before Taiga notices I'm gone." She then leaves without so much as a proper goodbye.

I find Issei in the student council room. "Shirou? you're back to school then?"

"Only half-days." I respond. "Hey Issei-"

[ ] Ask about the A/V Room heaters.
[ ] Ask to copy homework.
[ ] Ask how things have been while I was out.

>>21606516
Well, he was probably on the fast track to Burial Agency before the absolute clusterfuck that was the last HGW, but that sort of situation tends to through the best laid plans out the window.