>>24290016
"PAISE THE LAWD!"
Or maybe just "Hey Saber, didn't you say something about your sword's Sheath having healing properties?"

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>>24290016

>>Actions?
Ok ladies, new standing orders: I apparently have near-instantaneous regeneration, so unless one of my limbs is detached just assume I'll be fine. Seriously, this is getting silly.

>>24290016
"I can apparently heal from crippling injuries. This is good. I just received a crippling injury. Which I subsequently healed from. If you don't mind I think I'm going to have a panic attack now."

>>24290016
"Huh. There's blood everywhere. I guess cleaning is going to take a little longer today."

"Well now, that was less permanent than I imagined."

>>24290016
"uhh hey quick question, Did anyone else's spine just break just now or was that just me?"

>>24290223
Seconding this.

>>24290016
"No, I don't know what happened, but I'm fine. So unless one of you has something genuinely enlightening to add, just chalk it up to my own weirdness and let's move on, yes?"

Ebook updated. Links are now in a pastebin I can edit, so even though the mediafire link to the current file change, this link won't.
http://pastebin.com/kbGzcbDb

>>24290016
"Well, I think I found Avalon, or something better."

"Why are you both so worked up over? Its just a flesh wound."

>Well, you guys are all over the place. If you wouldn't mind making something coherent or settling on one thing?

>>24290544
Make something work AC-Guy

>>24290544
We want a snarky indicator that we are okay even though something bad happened. And this time even Shirou knows his reaction is wrong.

>>24290223 works nicely.

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GENTLEMEN, LISTEN!

We're going about this all wrong. We shouldn't be coming up with excuses, or throwing snark around for no reason.

This is a perfect time to figure out why we heal so well, using the power of SCIENCE!

Now Rin, observe closely as I stab myself repeatedly!

>>24290016

I think this is a good time to come clean with Saber about our doubts of being human.

>>24290634
this does make sense

>>24290544
Something like
>>24290221
>"Well now, that was less permanent than I imagined."
Maybe with an addendum "Ok, so now's probably as good a time as any to figure out why this keeps happening."

>>24290016
"Well, my severed spine just fused itself back together. While this is elating, the fact that I just felt the crippling feeling of...being a cripple has pushed me dangerously close to a full-blown panic attack."

>>24290634

>Inb4 random people in the city start sprouting stab wounds.

>>24290634
"The body is a tapestry."

>>24290634
You know what. Let's do it. Only way we'll solve this crap.

>>24290634
>>24290724
Can we at least stab ourselves in a non-vital area? Like a leg or an arm?

>>24290634
>>24290660
>>24290724

Theres still Avenger's 'gift'.

It might not be healing and more transferring wounds.

Out there some poor fuck suddenly finds his back broken for no reason whatsoever.

>>24290016
>cold and hard
Juuuust in case anyone missed it, it's swords. I dunno if that's a given for the participants to know, but just thought I should mention it.

>>24290772
We need to think seriously about this. If Avenger naturally shifts his injuries off onto another person, then who is getting our injuries? It might be someone or something specific. What connected Avenger to the recipient of his injuries, and who is similar to that for Shirou?

>>24290792
For Avenger, it was whoever last attacked him.
Saber was able to run after Rin, so I don't think we severed her spine.
Going by >>24290773, I think we're going through swordification.

>>24290773

Or perhaps, bone?

>>24290860
Bones still inside the body aren't cold. Especially when they're coated in fresh blood.

>>24290792
Verg Avesta: "it causes any damage taken by the user to also be dealt to the attacker by reflecting it directly on their soul ... The weakness in the ability is that it not only requires Avenger to be wounded, but he must also be alive and conscious, as he must consciously activate the ability by chanting its name."

It doesn't magically heal him, and he can't bounce it to anyone but the actual attacker.
If thats what we were using, Saber would have just broken her own back.

Not saying the "we're bouncing wounds off to innocent people" theory isn't possible, but its not Verg Avesta thats doing it.

"Wow." I respond, stretching slightly. "Did anyone else's spine just break, or was that just me?"

"Eh?" Saber begins, snapped out of her daze. "Your- but how are you walking?"

"I got better." I respond calmly. I look at Rin, doing her best not to devolve into a panic attack, and gently place my hands on her shoulders. "Alright, seriously. I know you're wanting to freak out, but if either of you freak out I'M going to start freaking out."

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "Alright. Exactly what happened."

"I did something stupid." She glares at me. Angry is better than scared. "More specifically I did something to upset Saber before we had a sparring match. Then I did a stupid thing, she accidentally hit me harder than she intended because I more or less leaned into it.... and I hit the wall."

Rin turns to the blood splatter and back to me. ".... And you broke your spine?"

"I don't know. I couldn't feel my legs for a minute there, but I'm not sure how bad the wound actually was." We sit down. "It's weirding me out too. I mean, healing quickly is one thing. Healing something like THAT that quickly...."

Rin nods. "There might be some way of determining how you did it."

"... Like what? Observing it in action?" I pause, thinking. "I guess I could stab myself and see what happens?"

Rin looks at me alarmed. "What? No, don't do that. For one thing it could a be a shield against other people hurting you."

"... Shirou...." Saber begins, looking at me. "My sheath could do something like that."

"Well, yeah. But I don't have it."

"Has something like this happened before?" Rin asks. "Maybe there's a trigger other than 'getting hurt' involved."

".... Is something like this normal?" Saber asks, looking between us.

Rin gives me another, worried look, and I can see some form of question in her eyes. "... Not for people, no. Artifact assited and supernatural creatures is a more varied field though."

>Actions?

>>24290883
Trace knife. Hand to Rin. Press finger into sharp pointy bit.

>>24290773
>>24290836
So we're swording harder than any Shirou has sworded since HF Archer's Arm Shirou?

>>24290874
Swords inside the body aren't cold. Especially when they're coated in fresh blood.

>>24290883
>Artifact assited
Hahaha. *cough*

"Could a wish do it?" Lesser Grail Shirou?

>>24290923
This, we're going to use SCIENCE, damn it!

Have Rin poke our finger, observe healing.
Poke our finger ourselves, observe healing.

Supernatural healing should require energy, and that has to come from SOMEWHERE. I mean, come on Rin, we're goddamn Magi. Lets do some controlled tests and science this shit out.

>>24290975
Speaking of which, where did Avalon get its energy from? The Master?

>>24290883
>"... Not for people, no. Artifact assited and supernatural creatures is a more varied field though."
"Well, it's not exactly a field I have any knowledge about, so you're going to have to explain what you're going to need me to do."

"...and last time we did some soul-searching hue hue hue, Ilya seemed to think I WAS human, if a little mixed up on the magic front. And she didn't really find anything artifacty while fishing around... I feel like she should probably be in on this in case something has changed since then."

>>24290883
So Im a Demon right right?

God dammit, AC. I can feel it from the way you're writing. We're so close to figuring this shit out. We're just too dumb to notice, like, one thing. It's frustrating.

>brb, dinner

>>24291013
Saber. I suppose it ultimately got power from her Master, but Avalon is charged by being near Saber. Of course the amount of energy that goes in is disproportionate to the healing that results, but it's not an EX rank NP for nothing.

Real quick, can anyone think of healing swords that might be connected to Arthur? Perhaps Keery didn't summon Saber with Avalon in the first place.

>>24290883
"I have no idea why this keeps happening... I've had a few talks with avenger though and aside from the fact that i'm apparently not missing my soul - that thing you think is a void *is* my soul apparently - I apparently got a 'gift' from him and he wants it back"

>>24291116
The only weapons I know that relate to King Arthur (thanks to Doctor Internet) are Excalibur, Caliburn (usually the same sword), her lance Rhongomynad, Pridwen her shield (also the name of her ship), and her dagger Carnwennan.

It could be the shield, but I don't know any tales about any of these. I'll see if Doctor Internet has any more information on them.

>>24291207
>Pridwen
>"According to Welsh tradition, the shield was called Wynebgwrthucher."

That's a fucking mouthful. I thought Cu Chulainn (sp) was a pain in the ass to say in a modern dialect, but I thought fucking wrong.

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I'm curious, just how hard have we pushed or experimented with our sword slinging abilities, are we actually able to nit ourselves back together with swords like Shirou did?

>>24291207
The only other reference to healing I see in objects of Arthurian legend is the Grail itself.

>Holy Grail or Sangreal had restorative power, such as healing, or endless supply of divine food. Different authors described the grail to various objects, such as dish or platter, cup or chalice, cauldron, crown or circlet, rock from falling star, even a severed head in a platter.

>>24291115
FUUUUCK YOUUUU

>>24290883
>my sheath could do that
quick we need to figure out a way to check to see if we actually do have it.
someone go do a cat scan or an x ray or some shit.

>>24291300
Where the fuck is a good old fashioned Detect Magic spell when you need one? Identify would be better, but DM would work fine.

>>24291300
We already had a magic xray done.
It came back sword.

Let's not joke, or suggest to them that they STAB US.

I mean... You don't stab friends. That's kinda um.. Yeah.

Nobody is going to feel good about it, so let's not go for that.


We could bring up the Grail, or maybe Caliburn -- after all, Caliburn kept Arturia ageless, right? Could it have healed her too?

>>24291321
It was Avalon that kept her ageless, along with the healing effect.

>>24291321
No one is suggesting an actual stab, non-jokingly at least, we're suggesting we cut our finger or palm or something a bit.

>>24291207
Could be other weapons of the Round Table. A catalyst ensures you'll get a spirit associated with the item in question but it won't always be the one most closely tied to the item. For example, Kotomine Shirou using Avalon as a catalyst could possibly get Mordred instead of Arthur, since they're closer in mindset and upbringing.

What if we had a physical sword inside of us?
What if our bones are swords?

>>24291115
>Dammit, boss I wanted to sleep tonight

Saber, Ilya and Avenger both have said I have a soul, but... there might be some evidence that I'm a demon

>>24291348
Well, if we're having to delve that far into the rabbit hole for an answer, I have a feeling we're going in the wrong direction, because that's a crapshoot as far as getting an answer goes. We're probably thinking way too hard about this.

>>24291348
Kiritsugu summoning Arturia with Avalon says you're bullshit. Avalon is too strongly tied to Arturia.

Now, something like a piece of the Round Table itself would probably summon the KotRT with the closest mindset to your own.

>>24291348
We didn't summon Arturia but an extremely delusional Mordred!

>>24291116

Not really connected, but Lancelot's NP Arondight has watered down qualities of Avalon. Arthur wouldn't be summoned with it though.

>>24291384
What if, instead of swords being the bones of us...

>>24291416
You have no idea how giddy that kind of revelation would make me. It would make no sense as far as plot goes, but it would be fun.

>>24291444

We are the bones of our swords! Also steel is our body and fire is our blood.

>>24291116
>Perhaps Kerry didn't summon Saber with Avalon in the first place.

From 22nd Verse, Re: Kiritsugu's notes
>Shirou is now aware of a general timeline of events in Fate/Zero. The parts experienced by Saber and Kiritsugu were the same as in canon.

So no, I think this means Avalon was involved.

In 25th, Rin did a cursory scan and
>>24291384
is almost accurate.
>".... I don't know." She give me a concerned look. "It doesn't really feel like a different thing inside you. It's like it's supposed to be there. Like Kidneys, heart, lung, sword. Just natural."

>"..... That's weird, right?"

>"Kinda. Not as weird as most things you've been doing." She sighs. "Someone storing a conceptual weapon in their own body would have similar marks. But there would also be a clear boundary between 'person' and 'magic item'. But for you it feel like you're both 'person' AND 'magic item'."

This might mean pulling it out, whatever it is, is a Bad Idea (tm).

Fishing around inside to get a better idea of what the fuck is up with our mojo seems like a pretty good idea regardless of what we end up doing with it.

>>24291444
We are, in fact, the literal, sentient manifestation of the idea of a sword in a mortal shell. It's not that we are Shirou, housing the origin of Sword, but that we are the Origin of sword, housed in the body of Shirou.

>Back. What's the plan?

>>24291499
Suggest mild wounding/magical xray

>>24291499
General consensus seem to be coming clean about whatever's inside of us and trying to figure out exactly what the fuck it is. Also, experimenting with small injuries done to ourselves versus taken from another person to see how our healing functions.

>>24291499
Seems to be "Existential crisis."

>>24291499
Either go through every NP in Camelot or pull out our bones to see if they're swords

>>24291466
>This might mean pulling it out, whatever it is, is a Bad Idea (tm).
But it was the same for Avalon. Shirou had a NP implanted in him for 10 years. It pretty much diffused itself inside him until it became a part of Shirou himself.

>>24291499
Whatever we do, CALL ILYA OVER.

>>24291582
Yeah, Ilya should be involved.

>>24291564
Well if we've gone full sword that might make it easier to get Avalon out. I mean, swords and sheaths are SUPPOSED to come apart.

>>24291582
Seconding this. We need someone with better intuition when it comes to magic to spot us when we do our "What the fuck are you doing" Check.

>>24291499
The plan seems to be "get everybody who knows something together and finally figure out what the hell our deal is."

Rin has an inkling, Ilya has an inkling, Avenger seems to know some shit, even Kirei has had some ideas (but fuck that guy, don't invite him.)

Whatever it is, it seems like knowing more might give us some insight into what the fuck is going on on the whole.

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>>24291402
Between Mordred's father complex leading him/her to evil and Arthur's idealism leading him/her to ruin, which do you think Keery is closer to?

>>24291416
Hysterical as it would be, this is Mordred's battle form. Interestingly, Blood Clarent Arthur (her Excalibur clone) was the ACTUAL Sword in the Stone, reforged after it was broken.

>>24291499
Shirou's feeling a bit of fear for the first time in ten years. All it'd take now is spontaneous combustion and he'd have an epiphany!

>>24291628
Were you planning on inviting Avenger then?

>>24291499
step one panic, step two gather all the mages in the house, step three gor guy wtf am I

>>24291628
>Rin, Ilya, Avenger, and Kirei
>Ditch Kirei, not Avenger.

This can only end well.

>>24291658
That would obviously go over swimmingly with everyone in the house.

so no; don't think ANY of us want Avenger digging around our insides, even if it is for SCIENCE

>>24291675
Well it's not like Avenger has tried to kill both Rin and Illya as a means of drawing Shirou out!

Wait.

>>24291699
Well maybe if we just invited him over once and a while, he wouldn't have to keep trying to kill everyone we care about just to get us to come talk to him!

>fullretard.png

>>24291644
>Blood Clarent Arthur
Ah, so that's what happened to Caliburn.

>>24291644
>goat horns
Subtlety really is a dead art, I swear.

"Alright. I think whatever is going on has officially gotten too weird to ignore." I say, looking at my hand while idly considering taking a knife to it. "I think we should grab Ilya and seriously talk about it."

"Why Ilya specifically?" Rin asks.

"Well, she's tried examining me before. Besides which with Caster gone she's the only other magical expert in the house." I shrug. "I mean, who else are we going to call in? Sakura and freak her out? Kirei who I honestly don't like or trust? Avenger?" I continue listing, allowing my voice to become steadily more sarcastic.

"A fair point." Saber says, as she leaves to find my sister.

Rin and I sit alone in the dojo for a long moment. I glance uncomfortably at the blood splatter. "That's going to be a pain to try and clean." I comment, conversationally. I try not to let on how freaked out I am by all of this.

I fail spectacularly. ".... Are you alright Shirou?" Rin asks, scooting closer to me as we wait for Saber's return.

Somehow I think this question means more than I can understand.

>What say?

>>24291466
Remember - Emiya Shirou *IS* swords. What do swords have? Sheathes. Literally his soul, his body, his mind = sword, if you put his swordsoul into a conceptual sheath called avalon, you could achieve the affects we've gotten.

>>24291771
"I'm actually thinking about my own well-being instead of being the reckless martyr I normally am. No, I'm not entirely sure I am."

>>24291715
>http://theswordlibrary.com/myths-and-legends/clarent/
Caliburn is actually another name for Excalibur, the one used by Geoffrey of Monmouth.

Also I absolutely wanted to rename the website link to theshiroulibrary but then it wouldn't link.

>>24291771
"No. In so many ways I am not all right. I made more sense when I thought I was a demon, and that was right stupid of me."

>>24291771
"I'm not sure if anything is alright at the moment."

>>24291771
"At the moment, I'm actually marginally more concerned about myself than everyone else. So no."

>>24291771
"Please hold you questions until after all this or I might have a break down"

>>24291771
"Not really. I spoke with Lancer about that, actually. Saber too.
I've firmly established that there is something very wrong with me, but I'm having trouble figuring out how far it goes. It basically boils down to 'do I want to get better for my sake, or for the sake of everyone else?'."

>>24291810
To add on to this: "Being this aware of myself is sobering and terrifying. You people seriously walk around like this all day?"

>>24291771
"I am having a mild panic attack, there's been a lot of little things tonight - I smelled cooking pork and almost vomited, then I had a chat with lancer who the first time he smelled charred bodies said 'that smells delicious' until he realized what they were... I think I was burned badly as a kid but something restored me"

"Also, i've kind of had a moment with every girl in the house just now... and that was part of my chat with lancer"

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>>24291801

Heh, I see the disconnect. You're looking at history while I was browsing the Type-Moon wiki

Ignore me!

>>24291810
>>24291847
I'm actually in favor of these

"I'm actually not sure. I think I'm actually more concerned for myself than everyone else at the moment. It's a totally new experience."

She hesitates, placing a hand on my lap and squeezing my knee gently. "Alright, so.... how does that make you feel?"

"Having a mild panic attack. It's both sobering and terrifying." I hesitate, looking at her. "You people all seriously walk around like this all day?"

Rin blinks. "Well, to be fair it's not all constant confusion and horror."

"Had kinda a weird day too. Talked to Lancer earlier when I ran into him. He had some.... interesting perspectives and some advice."

"How so?"

"He thinks I might seriously have something wrong with me mentally. I'm beginning to wonder if we underestimated the scale of the problem." I sigh, shaking my head. Rin surprises me with a hug. "What?"

"You're not the only one who wants to comfort loved ones." She says calmly. "Listen. No matter what's happening here, you've got friends."

"What if I'm actually some kind of freaky demon?"

"Then we'll deal with it together." Something about her tone.... it calms me. It helps more than I can really say.

She sits back down and regains something of her usual poise when Saber and Ilya enter. Ilya spares a brief glance for the drying blood before barking a simple command at me with a twirl of her finger. "Lay down, on your stomach. And take off your shirt."

I move to follow her simple commands, and she begins rubbing her hands over my back as soon as I've lain down. Rin asks a few question, which Ilya returns simply, tapping out things along my back. "This is weird. The bone here... when bone breaks, it fuses back together. This looks like it's just continued to heal, not until it's knit but until the wound is gone like it never was." She then rubs higher on my back. "But then up here... it's like all the skin on the left half of his body is new, even the scar on his chest."

"What could have caused that?" Rin asks, confused.

>What say?

>>24292028
THIS BIKE IS AN EYESORE
THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE THIS BIKE

>>24292028
"I...Might have somewhat... set myself on fire working on that bike."

>>24292028
I may have lit myself on fire a few days ago.

>>24292028
>What say?

"Uhhh... that might have been when the Bike lit me on fire a while back. I got over it pretty fast though."

"Well, there was a bit of a disagreement between the Bike and I when I tried to fix it and, long story short, I might have ended up on fire."

>>24292028
I may have, kinda, pulled a Thich Quang Duc while working on the bike a few days ago.

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>>24292047

>>24292028
Rmember how I mentioned the something being seriously wrong with me...Being at ground zero of the fire a few years ago might have something to do with it.

>>24292028

"Saber, remember that time lancer was on top of me?"

>>24292028
So I'm a sword right? And Avalon is a sheathe that heals - well what if I have Avalon now, but I didn't always... I set myself on fire a few days ago with the bike and had a pretty horrible flashback about bring badly burned - I think I was in the fire.

I also read dads journal and he apparently had Avalon and did something that would guarantee I could summon the "best" servant... What if my soul is in sabers sheathe?

>>24291941
In TM where Blood Clarent Arthur came from isn't discussed. Traditionally Mordred received Clarent from Guenivere, so it's that or Morgiana, the way she gave Mordred the sheath.

Also. Guys? Nasuverse Caliburn had the same powers as Avalon.

And then get this: It's related to Gram.

>>24292028
"A bike set me on fire, I crossed the panic attack event horizon, and saw my face melt."

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>>24292095

This cannot go wrong, anyhows.

>>24292028

>>24292068
>[...] I got over it pretty fast though."
We should mention that we initially thought we were injured VERY badly. Like, worse than breaking our spine badly.

Saber was there near the end of it, so we should probably ask her to explain what the experience was like from an outside point of view, because it was just us, her and Arc/NOTLancer, and we only know what it was like from our own point of view.

Which was, understandably, slightly panicked.

>>24292028
"Small mishap while fixing the bike. Fire was involved. Arcrueid probably saved my life. She looked like Lancer at the time, though."

>>24292101
I believe gram was supposed to be the original.

>gram, ectioct

I was working in the shed then got rather hot under the collar and Arc grabbed me and, well. She was very forceful in the end Saber caught us together in the tub.

>>24292133
Not quite the reaction I was hoping to engender: According to the TMwiki Caliburn had Avalon's powers. There is a sword connected with Arthur that has healing powers. There is a sword in Shirou and something with healing powers is healing him.

The fact that we Traced a sword related to it is pure gravy.

>>24292185
The wiki lies. Caliburn never had healing powers.

>>24292185
So you're saying we have Caliburn and not Avalon inside of us.

>>24292185
The sword may or may not be shirou - something out of place would 'feel' out of place. It doesn't with shirou though it feels like its always been there and always was supposed to be though - Kiritsugu's binding and severing couldnt ever be capable of that.

>>24292214
I am not the most informed on the Nasuverse, but I'm pretty sure it's canon that after a decade inside Shirou, even Avalon seemed to be a part of him.

"It was probably that time I set myself on fire working on the bike." I respond. Judging by the way the room seems to freeze I wonder if I should've spoke up.

"... You what?" Rin asks.

"Wait, that's why you were on fire when Lancer ran by carrying you?" Saber asks, surprised.

"He WHAT!?" Rin returns, looking between us.

"Technically, that wasn't Lancer, that was Arcueid disguised as him." I say, and Rin just sort of.... Rotates her entire body in one smooth motion so she can stare at me bewildered. "Yeah.... The reason nobody said anything was because I came out of it unharmed. I saw something that... well frankly looked like I had been ripped apart by the fire. Which would make sense with me being on fire for several minutes. But...."

"It healed so quickly and so cleanly you didn't question it." Ilya comments. "Makes sense."

"How does any of that make sense?" Rin asks confused.

"Well, he's stupidly selfless and wouldn't want to worry people even if he was horribly wounded." Ilya responds, continuing to rub my back. "Something about his magic is changing though. His magic circuits are a lot stronger than they were before, and more distinct. They still run along with and intertwine with his nerves, but....." Her voice seems distracted suddenly. "....how does that connect there? And what is?..... So if that's keyed into his magic.... well, that explains why he's so good at reinforcing his muscles..... Is that a damn sword?"

"Eh? you saw the imprint too then?" Rin asks.

"Not imprint, like there's actually a sword. Or at least a place where a sword would go." I turn slightly and can see her brow furrowed. ".... It's like a door."

"... How so?"

"Like he's connected to something or someone else with a sword or something. Like it's impaling both of them." She looks up at Rin. "But that's.... impossible."

>?

>>24292214
But that was the case with Avalon in canon. He doesn't know about Avalon most of the VN, and it didn't feel out of place with him.

>>24292242
"What if it's a metaphorical sword?"

>>24292242
Archer gave me a magic crest, that explain anything?

(do we know archer is shirou? I can't remember)

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>>24292242
>"Is that a damn sword?"

>>24292267
We do.

>>24292267
Yes. He also told us never to tell anyone about him giving us the magic crest.

>>24292242
Oh god dammit now we can't NOT know what the thing is.

>>24292242
"Can you pull on it a little? Not a lot, just in case it's structurally important. I don't want to collapse into a black hole or something."

>>24292242
I think this is a good time as any to bring up Avenger, how he calls us "brother" and how he said that he gave us a "gift" that he wants back.

As of right now, I'm too tired to make sense of it, and the only crackpot theory I have involves Avenger stabbing himself with Tawrich and Zarich (his ..."swords" for lack of a better word) and using Verg Avesta, which makes no fucking sense.

>>24292242
"So, what? I'm connected to someone with healing powers?

...is someone taking my wounds?"

>>24292276
Yeah, so we should probably not mention the crest. He'll probably kill us outright if we do.

>>24292290
This.

So we can say that we asked Illya to tug on our sword later on.

>>24292242
>?
Is how I would feel if I didn't think I knew where this rabbit hole/sword-door leads.

"Is it Avenger? Because if I don't die when I'm killed, and he doesn't die when I throw exploding swords in his face, and I'm connected to someone through a magical healing sword, I bet it's Avenger."

>>24292267
Stahp. Archer told us to tell no one, so we tell fucking no one.

>>24292276
Too damn bad - "Rin your former servant is me - Emiya shirou, he gave me a magic crest I told him i'd keep it a secret but I trust you all, don't say shit to him."

I'VE SOLVED THE MYSTERY.

Shirou's connected to Avenger somehow. We know this.

I think that Avenger has Shirou's body, and we're the soul/demon thing.

So when Kerry saved 'us' he put the sheath in Avenger, and we're connected to him like Master/Servant.

Basically, we're the same person, magically, just in two places at once.

He heals because we're near Saber and he has Avalon. We heal because we're near Saber and he has Avalon.

We're still connected to Avenger, which might be the gift he was talking about.

Remember, the magic contract-breaking dagger hit Saber, not us.

.... My god, could we use this to spy on him? Kirei had a Master/Servant scrying spell he got from Tokiomi.

>>24292276
>>24292267
>Yes. He also told us never to tell anyone about him giving us the magic crest.

I'm pretty sure this is the time to tell them, we can't keep hiding the truth from our friends. Just make sure to tell them that this is a secret and they shouldn't tell anything to anyone else.

>>24292313
Hmm, it wouldn't hurt telling them our wild speculations, who knows, maybe something could be true.

>>24292312
Rin knows that Red Archer is Shirou, have you forgotten?

>>24292313
...
If AC-guy would let us save (I know he won't, and he shouldn't let us) I'd say we stab ourselves with Rule Breaker just to see what the fuck would happen.
This is probably how Archer threatened Avenger and Avenger had to beg Archer not to kill them. Tracing RB and stabbing Avenger.

>>24292339
>>24292339
And he's forgetting that we're supposed to keep this all secret. So let's not say anything about this shit in front of anyone but Rin.

>>24292312
Archer told us explicitly that we are NOT the same person. He thought we were, but then apparently something disabused him of that notion.

Also in 25th Verse:
>She smiles. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Sorry. And about Archer. I think I know why he wants to kill you, I just-"

>"It's fine. He already told me when we fought."

We should probably double-check what Rin thinks the deal between us is, because it wouldn't be the first time there's been a TERRIBLE misunderstanding.

We also shouldn't assume it's Avenger, even though it's a good bet. We've had enough shit happen with Archer that IC we could easily think it's him we're connected to as well.

We should probably ask something like "Is there any way to figure out where this sword door goes?"

>>24292339
Yes. Now is the perfect time to mention the crest really, were amongst people we can trust not to say shit.

The theory with avenger is kind of okay too.

>>24292353
This.

Rin would be the ONLY person we'd ever tell about the crest.

>>24292365
Mm. You're right, actually. Let's ask that, and propose Archer of "Red" and Avenger as possible end points.

>So what're you saying/doing exactly?

Hmm... How about mentioning Unlimited Blade Works?

We can mention that Archer had it. Rin'll get it immediately. To the others, we can say that Archer said that Shirou's magic was somehow both very similar and at the same time somehow "off."

>>24292445
Telling them this seems ok for now >>24292313

>>24292445
Wakka wakka wakka

>>24292452
mmm

>>24292445
Asking if there's a way of finding out who the sword is connected to and suggesting Archer and Avenger as possibilities. Suggesting a connection to Avenger as well, offering him calling us "brothers" as evidence.

>>24292456
This seems like a completely absurd conclusion to jump to.

>>24292445
The main thing we should focus on is figuring out where this sword "door" connects to.

Should also have Rin take a look inside us. Ilya has been talking about that things have changed since she last poked around, and Rin apparently thought the sword was just an imprint last time. She should take a look at what our magic guts look like at the moment so she has a better grip on what's going on also.

>>24292445
this>>24292468

>>24292520
>This seems like a completely absurd conclusion to jump to.

Yes and? Why should we have any "realistic" conclusions when our spine healed up in 2 seconds?

>>24292520
'Rin, I want you inside me?'


NB. Don't say this.

>>24292242
>"Like he's connected to something or someone else with a sword or something. Like it's impaling both of them."
Now that I think about it, we should ask if she can figure out what this "impaling" looks like to her. Like whether we are on the hilt-end or the point-end. If the former, that means we were the origin point of this phenomenon (the first person "impaled", as it were), which means the connection might be able to be removed if necessary without disconnecting us from whatever the sword actually is.

My eyes go wide and I sit up.

"If I was connected to someone else, magic would flow through that, right?"

"... Yes, of course." Rin says, confused. "Why?"

"Saber, how does the healing magic in your sheath work?"

"...Um..." She looks at me confused. "Shirou? We aren't connected."

"Would it work just by being close?"

".... I suppose." She answers, cautiously. "Do you know what happened to the Sheath? Is it in you?"

"No, I don't think it is." I hesitate. "I think Avenger might have it."

There's a full ten seconds of stunned silence in the room, as all three of them stare at me. "... What?"

"Every time we've spoke, running into him and fighting, he's said something about a connection. If that's where it is, it explains everything. How I heal and how he won't die."

"Shirou, it wouldn't work like that." Saber says. "In order for it to be affecting both of you, you would have to be the same person. It only affects the person holding it, so if he had it and my magic went through you.... it would only be healing him."

Rin nods. "If that'si how it was happening, it would at least explain his ability to bounce back so quickly from apparently fatal wounds. It doesn't really explain how you're doing the same thing though."

".... Well that mark has to connect somewhere. Who or what else could it be? Archer? He certainly has it out for me."

"It couldn't be him." Rin responds. "If you had a direct connection like that with him.... we'd know.i It would have very dramatic side effects."

Ilya looks between us curiously, and then shrugs. "Everything about your magic is weird. Not impossible or anything, but like it was designed weird."

"What do you mean?" Rin asks.

"I mean... some magi have an element that they're tied to and have an easier time manipulating. It's like he's not geared towards something as wide as an element. It's more like he's tied to a concept. Or actually, a specific execution of said concept."

".... That sounds odd." Saber comments.

"It is."

>?

>>24292628
>Shirou's element isn't Sword
WHAT THE FUCK.

>>24292628
"So, what, as far as magic is concerned, my body is made of swords?"

>>24292628
"Would having a magical sheath stuffed inside me when I was a little kid do that?
Oh god that sounds wrong. Really wrong."

>>24292628
SWORD! MY ELEMENT IS SWORD YOU FOOLS!

>>24292660
>"So, what, as far as magic is concerned, my body is made of swords?"

You brilliant man, I support this.

>>24292657
He's tied to THE CONCEPT OF SWORD. We don't specialise in making them we bring them into existance because we occupy the same metaphysical space within Akasha as SWORD.

>>24292628
>"I mean... some magi have an element that they're tied to and have an easier time manipulating. It's like he's not geared towards something as wide as an element. It's more like he's tied to a concept. Or actually, a specific execution of said concept."

This is getting too weird for me guys.

We might have to let Illia and Rin see our magic crest, its the only way we can be sure.

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>>24292695
We could always just ask Avenger.
He doesn't seem to ever want to kill us when we meet. Or maybe that guy we dream about (no homo)?

>>24292717
I would love that fem!Archer tenderly, if not for the fact that she has a mullet.

>>24292724
That looks less like a true mullet (which is short in front) and more like she just combs her hair back.

>>24292628
>"In order for it to be affecting both of you, you would have to be the same person.

Well he keeps calling me brother. So either he's a relative from before I was adopted or there's some connection he's teasing me aboot.

>Also, you damn punk kids I said Avenger had Avalon ten threads ago. grumble grumble my lawn grumble music isn't as good

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>>24292683
That's the Origin, not element.

>>24292717
That isn't Archer-ko. For what it's worth, neither is this.

>>24292628
>It would have very dramatic side effects.
"... how dramatic are we talking here?"

I think him giving us a magic crest is pretty dramatic connection-based consequence, but if what she means by "dramatic side effects from a direct connection" is an UBW-arm-transplant-tier "everything is exploding forever" reaction she's probably right that the connection isn't with him.

>"I mean... some magi have an element that they're tied to and have an easier time manipulating. It's like he's not geared towards something as wide as an element. It's more like he's tied to a concept. Or actually, a specific execution of said concept."
"Can you tell what it is? Knowing would probably explain a lot about whatever weird thaumaturgical shenanigans I've managed to pull off so far."

>>24292717
>Or maybe that guy we dream about (no homo)?
You mean the one we kind of think is Merlin and is always furious at us because apparently we're always fucking up everything he's set up to try and make things easy for us?

>>24292733
Regardless, it ruins it for me.

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>>24292724

Better Archerko?

>>24292741
Also, right, the arm transplant thing was in Heaven's Feel, wasn't it.

>>24292765
>Better Archerko?

Yes.

>>24292769
yerp

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>>24292765
Yep.

>>24292628
Not geared toward an element, but a concept... Heroism? Specific execution: saving people?

>>24292800
Servant Saver?

>>24292800
>>24292765
10/10 Archerko, would tenderly restore prana of

>So.... is there a plan yet?

>>24292822
Is there *Ever* a plan yet?

>>24292800
Heroes? With Avenger being our twin as the Villian?

>>24292822
The only plan so far is having Rin and Illia look on our magic crest.

>>24292822
Suggesting that our element is sword seems to be the consensus.

>>24292832

>That got pretty Zen, bro.

>>24292849

>Rin's already said your element is sword.

>>24292822
I'm fine with explaining that Avenger at least thinks there's some sort of connection between the two of us (having called us Brother, saying he has given us something he's going to want back after his plans are done, etc.) so the fact that we now know we have a magical connection with somebody means we have to at least entertain the idea that it's to him.

I already said a couple other things I think we should ask in
>>24292741

>>24292842
I remember him saying something like this when we ran into him downtown at one point. Gonna try and remember what/when that was.

>>24292842
Remember what Kirei suggested in the game, that the Grail could make Shirou a hero by causing a disaster for him to avert? Avenger would be our villain.

Okay, crazy question: Are we in F/SN or in F/HA? Because Avenger mentioned wanting to get a better ending for himself, which means he's gotten endings, which means he remembers other wars. And the only way for him to remember multiple wars is if this one's been repeating.

>>24292822
I still want to say >>24292667 but if nobody else thinks it's a good idea I won't lose any sleep.

>>24292736
is this a book somewhere

tell me this is a goddamned book

>>24292872
It's from an Asian red board. It's literally impossible for me to tell but I don't think so.

"Rin told me my element was Sword, though. Which makes sense, because, y'know, pretty much all I can really DO is swords. And cardboard boxes, but those are just another kind of sword when you think about it, really.. If my origin is something else, how does that tie in to my abilities?"

>>24292861
Ok, so it was in 29th.

>"Speaking of which... are you actually my brother?" I ask, looking at him. "Because you're a servant and I'm.... a something else."

>"... I suppose it isn't technically accurate." He responds. "I mean, what if someone had a clone? Would that clone be their Child? Sibling? Legal slave?" He shrugs. "We don't really fit any conventional label. Brother's just the closest and most convenient."
And slightly later
>"... I don't follow."

>"Think of it like this. There's a villain in a story. In fact, the villain is necessary for the story to even exist in the first place. The hero needs somebody to fight and be all heroic against." He gestures. "It's a short straw, but what's the alternative? Not existing in the first place?"

Shirou needs a stiff drink. He's had a long day.

>>24292920
Well that's a perfect story to relate to them

>I still have no idea what's going on, vote wise.

>>24293009
I don't think any does.

>>24293009
>>24292920
^ we should tell them this

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>>24292920
Straight from the horse's mouth, if the horse were all four Horsemen of the Apocalypse rolled into one. We've got our connection: Avenger is us.

Hell, we probably are who we are because someone at the end of the last war wished for a hero.

>>24293009
See >>24292920, generate explanation.

>>24293013
anyone that is.

>>24293009
Let's do >>24292741 and >>24292695

>>24293009
Make something up. Use the old DM standby, sudden orc/kobold/skeleton/dragon attack.

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>>24293009
Doesn't matter.
Just pick something and give us something to hit.

Now that I'm thinking about it, maybe we should also bring up our first conversation with him VERY early on (12th verse).

>"Oh, so he put a memory block to try and keep you from being too preoccupied with tragedy. Whole mess of good that did for you." He lets out a sigh.
Since we're currently in the process of trying to get over whatever hidden anxieties we have, remembering IC that Avenger said it was an external memory block rather than just us trying to keep something repressed might be a good step to take.

>"Oh right, that hasn't happened to you yet. Don't mind me, just being all non-linear." he shakes his head. "I feel like I need to thank you for this though. I was hoping we'd have a chance to speak before the end." He leans in as though examining something about me. "So that's it then? You've somehow managed to trigger the link he set within Avalon? Meddling god-damned wizard. Oh well, I suppose I can't complain if he's helping me along this much."

This is literally the first time we heard anyone say anything about Avalon, so we didn't really have any idea what importance it might have at the time. So Avenger has at least some connection to Avalon; whether it's a direct physical one or just knowledge of where it is/was remains to be seen.

>>24292920
Yeah, telll them this.

>>24293009
I think we just want to start giving Rin and Ilya what we know about Avenger to help connect dots.

>>24293086
>Saberlancer

... I'll be in my bunk.

>>24293086
I find it amusing how Arturia fits in all the classic roles beside Caster and Assassin. Rather versatile girl.

>>24293138
>Saberlancer
>Not Saberider or Sabersassin

I'm not saying your taste is shit, but your taste is shit.

>>24293198
>Saberrider or Saberassassin
>not Saberarcher or saberassassin
I'm not saying you're only partially correct, but you're only partially correct

>>24293086
Sabercaster actually looks like a proper Queen.

It's hot.

".... I suppose I should mention I've spoken to Avenger a couple of times."

"What do you mean?" Rin asks.

"I... I don't know how to put it. Remember how before when we spoke to Ilya? Before we all made nice and we were all just kinda waiting for Berserker to pop up and kill us all?"

Rin and Saber nod, but Ilya just smirks slightly.

"It's like that. I'd be out shopping alone, and there's Avenger, wanting to just... hang out, talk about the weather." I shrug. "It's really weird because he both seems distantly concerned about how I'm doing, but then does his level best to kill me when we meet up later."

".... What do you think it means?" Saber asks, confused.

"I have no idea. I do remember that the first time anybody said the word 'Avalon' it was him. I didn't even have any idea who or what he might be before that thing at the Church." I hesitate. "Then that one time when we went to save Ilya and I fought him with Berserker.... he called me his Brother. Which.... I honestly don't even know where to start with that, except I'm pretty sure I was an only child before....." i trail off uncomfortably.

"... How come you never said anything about this?" Rin asks, confused.

"Honestly, nothing useful came out of it, and I didn't know what to make of it. Honestly, I'm half convinced he does it to screw with my head."

There's a long, considerate silence. A few more ideas are bounced between us, but we can all feel that we're grasping at straws somehow.

Everyone else heads to bed, Rin doesn't even pause to say goodnight as she leaves which makes me feel..... I don't know how to describe it.

[ ] Go to bed.
[ ] Other.

>>24293226
[X] Go to Rin's bed.

>>24293226
>[ ] Go to bed

Barricade the damn door. We're getting answers out of creepy dream man if it kills us.

>>24293226
[x] Go to Ilya's bed.
"This is gonna sound really creepy and/or pathetic, but I think I need a hug."

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>>24293198
>>24293215
>not all of them

Get on my level.

>>24293226
[x] Go to bed Shirou. You're drunk.

Ouch, did we lose Rin points for once? Guess Rin finally realized that there's something actually WRONG with Shirou.

First thing in the morning: Taiga.

>>24293226
Go to bed. Make sure nobody is going to fucking wake us up. We need sleep, badly.

>>24293257
>Ouch, did we lose Rin points for once?
I think it's more that she's too incredibly disturbed by the turn of events to say anything to us. I don't really see how we could have hurt or offended her in that post.

>>24293257
Doubt we lost points so much as she's incredibly worried and distracted.

Go to bed. How many threads ago was it we slept?

>>24293273
>I don't really see how we could have hurt or offended her in that post.

Keeping secrets from her?

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>>24293260
Go to sleep.
Dream of men.

>>24293277
Boy, if she's going to get mad at us for keeping secrets, she's a big fat fucking hypocrite.

>>24293284
>she's a big fat fucking hypocrite.

Welcome to every woman ever.

>>24293284
Hey!

Rin is not fat.

>>24293226
>[ ] Other.
Chat up Souichirou!

I'd rather be a lil friendly with mr. pragmatic than him saying "hey Caster, this'll be easier if we kill/dominate everyone else"

>>24293226
Go to Rin, show her our magic crest when we are alone.

>>24293280
o god wat

>>24293293
She has flab on her mind.

I feel like I'm giving up. I walk to my room, and lay down, inwardly praying that I can have a normal nights sleep, and wake up feeling better about myself.

I open my eyes, and find myself sitting at a table with a man who instantly irritates me. "Alright, so there's been a chance to calm down a bit. I know you've been frustrated with me, and it hasn't been just you feeling that between us." He sighs, as he sets up a chessboard. "Plus, I'm beginning to realize what I was messing up, and how. So hopefully, this relationship can work out for the better."

[ ] I don't understand.
[ ] You could be more helpful.
[ ] What's with the Chessboard?
[ ] Fuck this (tableflip).

>>24293322

"Explain further".

>>24293322
>[ ] What's with the Chessboard?

>>24293322
>Oh god
>Tableflip is an option
>I know its wrong
>But its so tempting

Y U DO DIS AC-GUY?

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>>24293293
I'm sorry. You're right. She's not fat like Sakura, that cow.

>>24293322
>[ ] I don't understand.

>>24293322
Dagger through chessboard, >>24293328

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>>24293322
>[ ] Fuck this (tableflip)
"No! Not this, Not NOW! I'm in NO mood for you right now old man" power vent in our dreams

>>24293322
>[ ] I don't understand.

HURRY, ENLIGHTEN ME WITH YOUR WORDS BEFORE SOMEONE WAKES ME UP!

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>>24293322
I've been waiting all day to post this.

>>24293322
>[ ] What's with the Chessboard?
"Seriously, is this supposed to be some sort of visual metaphor or something? I assumed you'd have come to the conclusion that beating around the bush forever isn't exactly the best plan if you need me to figure out what you're trying to explain to me."

>>24293334
Apart from freaky hands, that is a hot Saber.

>>24293322
>[ ] Fuck this (tableflip).

Fuck it.

>>24293322
[x] I don't understand.

>>24293343
God damn, this. I swear to god the road to fucking up Shirou's day is filled with good intentions.

>>24293322
"If that chessboard is a symbol or metaphor, I am going to ram it down your throat.

Use. Words."

>>24293322
The dalek sez... EX-PLAIN

>>24293322
[X ] I don't understand.

>>24293322
>[x] Fuck this (tableflip)
Always pick CRAZY IVAN when it's listed.

>>24293328
I concur.

[X] Explain Further
Using small words, and understanding I'm not a Magus, and have little to no idea about what the holy hell is going on; and do be brief, concise, and to the fucking point, Merlin - Arturia warned me about you.

"... I don't understand." I finally say, looking between him and the board.

"No, you wouldn't. In part, that's my fault." He sighs, motioning to the board. "You've probably been wondering a few things, not really understanding. Now though, I think I know a way to explain it."

"Please tell me that chessboard isn't a convoluted metaphor. I might be forced to kill you after the day I've had."

"No, nothing so asinine." The man answers calmly. "It's more of a direct object explanation. I will extend but a little of my gift to you, that you may understand my predicament. Now tell me, as white, what is my first move?"

I glance at the board, irritated. Then it hits me. I can see the board, but somehow I'm also seeing all the moves that could be made. Somehow.... "You'll move the Queen's Knight in front of the Rook."

"Indeed." He responds. "How would you open?"

"Uh...." I think, carefully. "I'm not good at chess."

"Any move."

I grab a Pawn and scoot it forward.

He steps another piece forward, and somehow I can see what he's doing. He wants to go for the king with a quick checkmate with a queen and a Bishop. I move forward another pawn to block the move. It's like an assassin's dagger, only dangerous if you don't know it's there.

"Did not take you long at all to start cheating. You ready for the downside of clairvoyance?"

"Eh?"

Suddenly all of the endless possibilities for moves and counters explode into my vision all at once. Thousands of moves strategies and counters intertwined hopelessly as we play chess on a level I can't explain at a speed I can't comprehend. Suddenly, it all ends. The strain felt like trying to project enough weapons to field an entire army.

"And that was with the kid gloves, and nothing at all like creating a personal paradox. I can't TELL you anything directly helpful. All I can do is drop hints and hope you're smart enough to follow the breadcrumbs."

"...ow..."

"Sorry."

>Ask whatever questions you want.

>>24293457
"Who the flying fuck ARE YOU?"

>>24293457
"Are you a Wizard?"

>>24293457
Well, that was efficient.

So, how does this factor into our situation? Is this Avenger's problem?

>>24293457
"What is a man?"

>>24293457
Who are you?

What am I?

How can I win this war and save everyone I care about?

>>24293477
No, I'm pretty sure its THIS DUDE's problem, he's explaining why he's being so obtuse.

>>24293457
"You can start by introducing yourself mister "Oh no, I can't speak clearly because the multiverse is gonna explode".

"And don't tell your name is Doctor or Wizard. I might get angry."

>>24293481
A miserable pile of secrets. Now don't waste the Wizard Marshall's time, he's a very busy man.

>>24293457
Who am I?

>>24293457
"Can you recommend a good psychiatrist?"

>>24293457
>He wants to go for the king with a quick checkmate with a queen and a Bishop.
Taking out Gil using Arturia and Kirei? I dunno.

Anywho, Zelretch, this is getting to be a huge mess, you know that? I think simply getting rid of Avenger might solve quite a few problems. I seem to be stuck to him like a leech, from his perspective. Any way I can suck the blood out of him without him noticing?

>>24293516
But Arturia is a King. Ilya is the Queen.

>>24293457
"Which of the girls do I have a shot with, and how can I get the rest?"

>>24293516
>I think simply getting rid of Avenger might solve quite a few problems
We don't want to kill Avenger, that'll just push him down to another point on the Kaleidescope. We need to save him.

Also he said right at the start this wasn't a metaphor.

>>24293527
Ilya is more like a princess, to be honest, but I see your point.

>>24293516
>>24293527
There's literally a fourth turn checkmate with the Queen and the king-side bishop. It's just easy for even a halfway-decent player to see and even easier to avoid. And it's not even the quickest theoretical chess game.

The opening knight move was unnecessary, though.

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>>24293457
>>>24293527
And then we wake up to find the puppy licking our ears

>>24293457
What's Avenger's deal? He's DOING a bunch of stuff, but none of it makes any damn sense.

On a related note, whats my connection to him? Is he my evil twin? Am I the evil twin? Are we both clones of a legendary supersoldier from the cold war? Which of us got the dominant genes?

>>24293567
>Are we both clones of a legendary supersoldier from the cold war? Which of us got the dominant genes?
You motherfucker, my roommate is asleep. Besides, we don't have blonde hair. We have red hair. Since when is red hair EVER dominant genes?

>>24293457
The small list of Big Questions (tm)
Who are you? (This should be a thing he can actually explain to some extent.)

What the hell am I? ("o hey, can you solve my existential crisis real quick, kthx")

What's the deal with Avenger? (We know it's not the same Avenger as the 3rd grail war, but he's told us we met in passing 10 years ago, which means he was involved with the disaster. He also seems dead-set on being the Villain of the story, but also doesn't exactly seem happy with the role he feels like he's stuck with. "I WANT TO SAVE EVERYONE"-Shirou would find this incredibly irritating, I think.)

What's the deal with Archer? (He thought we were him until he took a closer look, and then was suddenly VERY confused. He managed to give us a crest while peeking around inside us, which blew his mind even more, so there's gotta be some serious shit behind the scenes.)

How's Gilgamesh still around after the 4th war? (This might explain more about 10 years ago, and if it involves him having recontracted with a Master (or another power source) in the meantime it should make getting rid of him easier than having to try and fight him manually.)

What happened 10 years ago? (We know sort of what happened, but more detail can't hurt.)

What's wrong with the grail? (This probably ties in to "What's the deal with Avenger?")

Where IS the grail? (Caster said she tried to find it to tamper with it so she could cheat her way to victory, but it wasn't in any of the 4 places it was supposed to be able to appear in Fuyuki.)

There's probably more shit, and there's no way he's going to be able to give straight answers about most of this, but hey; them's the breaks.

>>24293576
this sounds good

>>24293576
OH RIGHT

Mystery Wizard Mentor seemed REALLY confused when we mentioned that there were Vampires involved, which makes me skeptical that he can actually explain anything about that end of the spectrum. But if possible...

What ACTUALLY drew Arcueid to Fuyuki?

>>24293472
>>24293475

"The only real Wizard you've ever met.": He hesitates, and sighs. "Sorry, just me getting bitter about stupid fucking traditions. I can't tell you who I am, because that might have direct consequences. I get the feeling you already know the answer though."

>>24293481

"Better question, how do you know that joke without playing videogames?"

>>24293486

"You're.... a person. More or less. The thing is, you're quite possibly unique in having this.... condition, so nobody really knows how to classify you. It's like finding a bird that gives live birth or something."

"Listen to what I have to say, trust that they have your best interests in heart, and stop involving outsiders."

>>24293506

"You are Shirou. More specifically, you WERE Shirou, and then someone else had to get their insane long term diabolical plan mixed into mine and now everything's a fustercluck."

>>24293511

"Try talking to someone who's experienced similar things. Actually, no, that would require you to find someone who died in a fire." He hesitates. "Try finding someone who's survived bad shit? I recommend not 'Saber' though. She'll spend too much time trying to build you up when you really need to be torn down."

>>24293538

He smiles recklessly. "Now i know you're a man with his priorities straight." His eyes go vague, and unfocused before he turns to me. "The one you call Rider has a hard time understanding happy endings, Saber's afraid of leaving you high and dry- " He pauses to wink "-luckly, I have a plan for that. Rin... well honestly, you're doing that better than I ever could. Don't lie to her and keep doing what you have been. Sakura.... yeah, that's going to be fun. Sakura's had an entire life of getting kicked and genuinely thinks she's not worthy of you." He sighs. "Most of the others look like they're out of your range. Besides, I think four's gonna keep you busy."

>>24293567

"Seriously, you keep dancing around the best question to ask here....

>>24293554
I accidentally managed to do that once. Was hilarious when we both realized that I had them in checkmate.

>>24293596
>"Seriously, you keep dancing around the best question to ask here....
"What are the questions that I should be asking you?"

>>24293596
Ok.

WHAT is Avenger?

>>24293596
"Why can't the servants sense me when I'm in a box? Did you give me an enchantment or something?

>"Seriously, you keep dancing around the best question to ask here....

"Alright here it is: Who is Avenger? Is he your creation? Cause I feel like he is your lackey in this game."

"Is there a good reason you are screwing around with my life?"

Who is Avenger?

>>24293596
"Fine, let's get the most basic ones out of the way right now. Avenger: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. Not what he's doing, and not me doing things to him. Him specifically."

"Oh, I'll make sure and have some real talk with Sakura, too, by the way. I could probably use a little perspective. The fun part is getting her to say anything besides apologies."

>>24293630
>>24293635
I believe the questions should be "WHAT is Avenger".

>>24293596
Who, what, where, when, why, and how is Avenger?

>>24293596
Just WHAT is Avenger? It he my soulless body? A projection?

>>24293636
>>24293639
Six-Basic-Questions-mind.

>>24293596
"How can my injuries disappear so quickly? Are they transferring to someone else? Am I a demon?"

>>24293596

What about ayako?

>>24293653
The Most Important Question.

>>24293576

"Avenger's a Metagaming dick. I don't know how he knows or has done the things he's done, but he has knowledge that's not supposed to be possible." He smiles evilly "What he doesn't realize is that I'm smarter than him, and if I know his assumptions are true, I can out play him." he hesitates, looking at me. "In theory. Actually, my plan relies entirely on you willingly helping, which means I'm kinda screwed if you tell me to fuck off. Then again, so is she."

"Avenger's been feeding him the souls of Orphans. He has something over Kirei, and the priest spends a lot of time praying for something these days."

"Kirei tried to wish on an incomplete grail while 'Saber' smote the fuck out of it. All things considered, we're rather lucky it was only a catastrophically bad fire instead of... well, a lot of potentially worse things."

"The Einzberns. In fact, if something's weird about anything grail related, it's probably their fault. In this particular case, they tried to summon what amounts to 'Satan' and misunderstood what they were doing. So now they broke their magic-wish cup and I wish I could choke that arrogant fuck in Germany with his own beard." He sighs. "I'm working on a way around it, as we speak."

"The main Grail's somewhere immune to scrying, so I can't see it. Apparently the 'lesser' grail is the one that manifests elsewhere. Which I can't find." He sighs. "Blame Avenger."

>>24293620
>>24293635
>>24293638
>>24293639
>>24293640

"That would depend on which 'Avenger' you're talking about."

>>24293630

"They can't sense you because you think you're hidden. Honestly, you don't even need the box for that, you just need to really strongly desire not to be found while not thinking about your own existence. You, more than most, are exactly who you want to be."

>>24293646

"Avalon." He says "I more than an object. If that doesn't make any sense well..... Not really sure what I can do to help you there."

Where is Avalon? I don't seem to have it.

What is the Sword named 'Folly', and why is it inside me?

Who am I connected to?

Why am I able to heal impossible damage? / Who is receiving my wounds and why?

>>24293659
>They can't sense you because you think you're hidden.

what

>Honestly, you don't even need the box for that, you just need to really strongly desire not to be found while not thinking about your own existence. You, more than most, are exactly who you want to be."

WHAT

>>24293659
>"That would depend on which 'Avenger' you're talking about."
"That's one way to dodge a question. What other one would I give a damn about besides the one causing me constant trouble at this very moment?"

>>24293653

"The Tomboyish one?" He looks away "Frankly, she's not going to be down with sharing you, and she ends up truly happy with someone else in about four to five years. I mean, I'm looking at you and her, and she's just as good with that.... I'll admit, I'm biased towards you hooking up with a certain girl, for reasons I'm not going to bother explaining."

>>24293659

>That should say 'Is' not 'I'.

>>24293659
>"Avalon." He says "I more than an object. If that doesn't make any sense well..... Not really sure what I can do to help you there."
SHIROU IS AVALON
I FUCKING CALLED IT

>>24293659
>"That would depend on which 'Avenger' you're talking about."
The one who is running around drawing runes all over the place, kidnapping vampires, throwing Gilgamesh at me, and generally being a pain in my ass.

I get that you have to be obtuse so you don't accidentally mess up the wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff, but it IS safe to assume I'm talking about THAT Avenger.

>>24293659

Why are you even telling me this?

>>24293659
>>24293683
>SHIROU IS AVALON
>I FUCKING CALLED IT

Wait

Is our true element then "Sheath"?

>>24293696
Issei will be pleased.

>>24293678

All my hopes and dreams, shattered.

>>24293688
>assuming the first 3 are the same Avenger
>assuming the 4th isn't true for all Avengers
Remember, Avenger told us he was living backwards.
WAIT SHIT
>>24293678
"What would you say if I told you I knew where Avenger was getting at least some of his knowledge from?

>>24293659
"... How do I know I can trust you? Don't get me wrong, what you're saying actually makes a weird kind of sense and I want this whole Grail War malarkey to end well, but put yourself in my shoes for a second. Would YOU believe an apparently nigh-omniscient dream-wizard without some form of proof?"