Scene #1176: The Imperfect Ideal

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Archer of Brown	Night time, Washington, District of Columbia. Three weeks ago, the first Servant of the Second False Grail War was summoned. The world Unified perhaps a week after that, and after much grandstanding amidst the powers of the world, it was decided that this Earth would embrace the Multiverse and all it had to offer. Of course, one would be naive to think that the nations of the world aren't already researching ways to build their own home-grown Warpgates. The recent development has done little for America's image as the self-styled authority of the world, and some more vocal members of sub-radar conspiracy boards would argue there was nothing spontaneous about the sudden appearance of a Warpgate in the National Mall. For the Secret Service, the police, and the National Guard, the location couldn't be worse. All manner of extradimensional nasties could be coming through that ominous space donut, and the more genre-savvy residents of DC know that no monstah worth its salt is going to be stopped by scores of admittedly well-trained guys with guns. Still, the nation's first three days of Multiversal membership haven't been all bad. It's been three days since the 'grand opening' of this world, a huge celebration which boasted diplomats and cultural icons the world over, all in the name of good will. Santa Claus is watching, after all, and even Uncle Sam has to behave every once in a while. Tonight marks the end of the afterparty. The nations of this Earth have all dragged their respective diplomats back to work and squirreled away all their treasures. There'll be time for interuniversal hobnobbing later. Right now, it's time to start the streetsweepers and get all the ticker-tape and confetti out of the streets. Maybe it's about 10 PM right now. The nightlife of a big city like this one is decent, if horrendously expensive. The bars and restaurants around this part of town know who pays their bills, and the recent Unification has them looking for a little bit more than their already considerable take. The landmarks are pretty as ever, for the multiversal tourist who has somehow managed to avoid seeing them despite the abundance of Washingtons. All in all, it's a pretty decent evening. There's just... one thing. Where are the Elites? This world is very normal, isn't it? Sure, there are problems, but they're very... mundane ones. Grumblings about the economy, problems with foreign relations, concerns about dwindling resources and irresponsible policies. Where are the supermen? Where are the giant robots? Perhaps there are none to be found, but this is the Multiverse. One or the other, some /thing/, is bound to show up here soon, isn't it? If not, this world... well, it might at least be a nice vacation destination. Senator Albert Mason is currently enjoying the scenery of a city on the mend from wild partying. The elderly politician would look like nothing more than a sharp dresser, if it weren't for his subconscious way of holding himself, or the iconic little pin on his lapel. It's an American flag, of course, just like the ones all the senators of all the Americas seem to favor so much. He wears gloves, although tonight isn't a particularly cold night. One hand is wrapped around a cracked open bottle of Coke, the other rests on the diamond handle of an elegant walking cane. He inspects the faces of passersby both local, out-of-town, and out-of-world with equal interest, nodding politely to those who acknowledge him.
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone was always curious about other worlds that seemed to be like her's but behind her own. There were often old things she could get which were say out of print and hte like. Sure it was from other worlds but hey it was fun, and she made a little money off reselling back home. SO here she was and she'd been caught up in part of the public party she might trip something there was something odd about her, not horribly but no seeming flaws in her face, all the little things that a person might note but disregard normally are there and there's something about her eyes. It had been a fun party at least and maybe she'd made a few social connections for XCOM and maybe even the Kingsmouth's crew.
Emiya Shirou	Emiya Shirou is in much the same boat as Kotone. Any new world he comes across might be ihis own. He's been sadly disappointed today. Washington DC is the wrong nation, let alone world, and he's yet to get a hold of any other leads to check the Japan of this world. So for the moment, it's a dead end. Probably not his home. "Another day without progress..." He mumbles to himself, hands in his jacket pockets.Maybe he should head back to the warp gate...
Archer of Brown	"Evening," says the senator to both Kotone and Shirou. Doesn't seem like either one of them is a local. The girl... something's just a little bit off with her. It's almost like his vision's telling him that there's something missing, but what? She looks normal enough. Hmph. Normal. There's a poisonous word. Mason chastises himself and scrutinizes the young man next. He looks a little bit lost, this one. Maybe still even in high school. Plain clothes here, though he's not walking around in rags. Those two things put together means he's probably not got the cash to eat at most of the places downtown and still have enough money to catch the bus back to the Warpgate. Hmn. He could probably speak to a few of the Democrats, see if they'd be willing to impose a soft limit on the amount restaurants can charge. The prices are getting a bit ridiculous. Then again, any bill he could dream up would just be laden with pork, and that's assuming the Republicans don't run roughshod over it screaming about the free market. Mason sighs. "Can I help you two find something?"
Kotone Yamakawa	Her smile's not fake that much is clear a she says "GOod to meet you and I was just exploring with the gate's activation, I missed it on my worldf when it unifed a number of years ago, and I regretted such I enjoyu exploring other worlds to be honest." She's in a good mood from the look of it and is being honestly friendly she's clealry not a professional poltical sort more of a traveler in all likelyhood. "If you might know of any notable things of your world that might be of intrest I admit I'm curiours it looks so much like mine about 50 years ago..."
Emiya Shirou	Emiya SHirou isn't very assuming, no. Especially without using magic... one couldn't tell he's any different from any other human his age, right?But he definitely looks like a foreigner... and he was NOT expecting to be addressed by anyone roughly important-looking while on the street. Or to hear Kotone's voice nearby! He glances first her way, then at the man speaking to him. After he casts away the initial uncertainty of whether HE's being spoken to... "Huh?" Can... someone he's never met get him someone? Shirou's not parsing the question. Nor is he speaking in English - SHirou's spoeaking Japanese. hat Lovely translation effect is just good enough to make it a vaguely weird experience until you're used to it. Blink blink. "...I'm just visiting to see what was heading on here. Thouggh tthe warp gate might lead to my home. Sorry, is something going on?"
Archer of Brown	Dematerialized and watching from nearby, Mason's Heroic Spirit is amused by the girl's question. There's plenty of interesting stuff going on here, under the surface. He reckons anyone with the eyes to see it, can. He's still not used to the way Mason operates, so it's always good to watch and learn about his... employer. Mason doesn't like the M word. Good man. Fifty years is quite a while in the future. But, that does let him know where she's from! "Oh, a visitor from the Multiverse? Welcome to Washington." The senator smiles a grandfatherly smile up at Kotone. "I've lived here for about eight years, so I think I have a pretty good eye for the sights. Now, you can do one of the trolley tours, but I've always been an advocate of seeing and doing things for yourself. Right now we're on Constitution Avenue. If you head straight that way," says Mason, pointing left, "You'll see the White House, where the President and his family live." He smirks. "Please don't jump the fence. Now if you keep going and take a left on 17th Street, you'll see the Washington Monument. Looks nothing like him!" Shirou receives a beckoning gesture. "Something's always going on here, young man," replies Mason in English. "I'd be happy to tell you about this place, too, but if you're looking for home, well. The best thing I can do is pay your bus fare back to the Warpgate." He shrugs, then takes a sip of his soda. "If that's the case, I'd ask if you've eaten yet. Can't send a fellow away on an empty stomach! And that goes for you too, Miss."
Emiya Shirou	"I'd bet. This is... the American capital?!" He's a bit stunned to be here, really. Not where he expected to turn up at all. Unfortunately, he's utterly unable to sense any Servants nearby. Shirou's magical senses are as dull as they get. Now, if the Servant were materialized, maybe... Either way, he shakes his head while giving a friendly smile. "Nah, but thanks. I can walk!" Speaking of walking, he blinks once... and approaches while peering curiously at the man. What's up? A glance towards Kotone later... "Came to see what was on the other side too, huh?"
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa nods for a moment "I may be misstaken on the exact amount of time but yes it looks a lot like my world was once and thank you. It's nice to this city." As it was before the collapse of America after the third world war, she doen't think it's a good idea to bring it up. She does look the man over and listens with honest intrest. "Humm so hit the street? That would be likely best way to see a sity I have to agree." She seems amused the Senator at least is very good at being a converstationalist and she's not thinking poltical stuff really.
Archer of Brown	"Right on the money, young man." The old poltician indulges in a chuckle. "There's a lot for a boy your age to take in here, if you're interested. I'd suggest the museums, but you probably don't have long before they start to close up shop." He gives an easy shrug, finishes off his soda, then stands up, leaning on his cane to support himself. The senator tosses the bottle into the nearest trash can, then wipes his hand on the knee of his trousers. He offers it to Kotone, then to Shirou. "Senator Albert Mason, at your service. Do you two know each other?" In the distance, Archer notes the two Elites, or rather, the way Mason deals with them. He's as confortable as ever in the presence of complete strangers. The Spirit wonders if that's admirable or stupid. Well, at least the senator's sidestepping of the question is admirable. Managed to tell them what was 'going on' in the city without mentioning any voodoo. Question is, how long's it going to stay that way? Al's going to call him paranoid, but Archer just... doesn't feel right about this.
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa Says "I'm Kotone Yamakawa and yes we do." She's a weak elite sure and doesn't really see her self as one. Still she's mostly here just to meet peoplr relaly and explore. "That could be something to do over the weekend, see the museums, I admit." She has no idea Archer's there for the moment nope it's not like she can sense it and she keeps knowingl or unknowingly poking things involved with such. "We have worked together dealing with a problem on another world."
Emiya Shirou	"Emiya Shirou!" The redhead announces, smiling and shaking the man's hand. "I'm a student from Fuyuki City in Japan. A Japan. ...Probably not this world's Japan..." What a headscratchy concept. Although there might be a Fuyuki, and that might be important! Who knows. "IT's alright! I'm probably heading back for now anyways. ... Wait, Senator?!" He's not big on American culture, but he does know what a senator is. His eyes go a bit wide!
Archer of Brown	Emiya? Wasn't that the last name of the Mage Killer back in the 90s? Mason's not aware of any kids of his. He wouldn't be trying to sabotage this War, would he? Well... maybe it's like Smith in Japan. It's got to be a coincidence. This kid doesn't look like the son of a trained killer. His gloved handshake is firm, and the politician conceals his surprise well when the word 'Fuyuki' is mentioned. "Yes, sir! Independent and serving my second term. Say... I know of an Emiya from around those parts," he says. "Be careful," Archer telepathically chides the senator. "Never met him myself," continues Mason conversationally. "But he's quite famous in certain circles, or was. Seems like he just dropped off the radar one day." There's a... moment. No other word is suitable to describe it, because it's not so much tense as it is just silence. And then Mason just merrily brings up Kotone's comment. "So what kind of work do you two do?"
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa does not know about Shirou's father he's never brought him up and she's not in the union after all she makes note of it as the Senator brings it up it might be osmething worthwhile and she get the idea to not push it. "Offically I'm a mechanic and vechile designer I just finished up a scholartship at one of the top end tech schools on my world, i also do restorations on old cars amd motorcycles. I susepect I could find certain parts that I normally would have to go crawling thorugh ruins for or paying out the nose."
Emiya Shirou	Shirou blinks again, curiosity flickering in his amber eyes. "Really?! Do you have a lot of dealings overseas?" Yeah, at first he seemed... almost, maybe slightly worried, but Shirou quickly recovers. He's not worried at all really. If things that happened recently hadn't... well... can the name be that famous? Nah, this is a different world. Then he nods Kotone's way. "The two of us have gotten in a fair share of strange things happening in the Multiverse. I'm surprised... what brings you all the way out here? Didn't this warp gate only appear a few days ago?" He turns back to lok to the Senator and puts both hands in his jacket pockets. "The only other 'Emiya' I know was my adoptive dad, Kiritsugu. He passed away about five years ago... and I'm not from this world, anyways... "
Archer of Brown	"Absolutely. I pride myself on it, in fact. I think too many of us are... myopic. Tunnel vision, in other words. We can only see what's right in front of us. America's just one part of a larger world, and now we've really gotten the opportunity to see how insignificant we are." He pauses, takes a breath of the crisp night air. "That warp gate is a good thing for us, or will be in the long run." He taps the youth lightly with the handle of his cane, smiling softly. "On the subject of your late father..." His expression hardens slightly as he casts his eyes to the rooftops. "I'm very sorry for your loss, Shirou. I could tell you what I've picked up, just from scuttlebutt over the years. Not out here, though. Too many pairs of ears on the streets here, and not all of them protecting and serving. DC's a good city, but she's a cautious city. Suffice it to say, if you're here pursuing his work, I'd like for you to do it discreetly. And if you're here for... shall we say, /religious/ reasons, I appreciate your candor." The senator turns his back to the nearby rooftops and pretends to reach into his pocket. He opens his wallet and makes a show of giving Shirou twenty dollars--"For lunch at a date yet to be determined," he says. The old man just so happens to slip his right glove far enough to reveal the faintest hint of a Command Seal. He conceals it after closing his wallet and putting it back into his pocket. "So, Kotone," he says. "If you're looking for advice on car parts, I'm afraid I can't be of much use. I'm a Yale man, myself. Majored in political science, with fencing as an elective. Blue-blooded as they get, and as useless with a wrench as a fridge in Alaska." He chuckles. "But what I can tell you is, if you're buying anywhere within a five mile radius of the Capitol Building, it's probably going to be overpriced as all get-out. The... prices around here tend to reflect the salaries."
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa is getting an interesting feel for this man. She has to wonder if Mason had existed in her world maybe America wouldn't have fragmented but that's just a feeling she gets she could be off base. "So long as you keep open to trade and such it should be just make sure you have the gates well protected or at least a sealing system incase of disaster. You should be fine however you seem to be getting a handle on things quickly." She gets that and nods for a moment in agreement she seems to have some ideas on some things. She does seem to catch on it. "Fair enough but fencing might actually get use here in some worlds where swords are still a notable thing you know as for my self I forgot to mention I become something of an Adventurer by accident. I'll make sure to head to another part region then and understantable can't fault someone for making money like that right?"
Emiya Shirou	Detecting the shift in demeanor on the Senator's part, Shirou's breath slows rather tighly. No way. Absolutely no bloody way. Has he stumbled over Kiritsugu's world? But that can't be... his expression only gets screwier and more disbelieving - in a way that can't possibly have any connection to Kiritsugu's profession or work - as the meanderous explanation continues. Shirou's left staring stupidly bewildered at the man, as if he just heard something that was like a knockout punch.... "O-oi, I already said why I'm here." And he meant it. But now he's turned a bit quiet... for his eyes slip to the tiny reveal and... he sucks in a breath. Yeah, SHirou knows what those are. And also what revealing them means. Mason is... hopefully an ally. Hopefully. "Right. It's nothing to get too worked up over." Although with this talk of dinner... he decides to discretely offer a business card. He's way too young to really have a business, but this happens to have his Multiverse radio frequency and Union Elite Forces mailing address on it...
Archer of Brown	Mason takes the business card with a nod. "We'll be in touch." He's certainly not averse to making allegiances. The False Grail likely won't be able to support a Saber, which means there's one less threat to the Caster when it arrives. There's no word on any other Servants or Masters yet... he shudders a bit. "Have a nice night, Shirou." Archer makes another telepathic comment. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you was canvassing for votes with that boy." The senator leans, both hands on his cane as he observes the moon. "In a way," comes his mental response. "We'll need to do a lot of that. We should expect no less from the other mages." To Kotone and Shirou, it probably just looks like he's silently contemplating the night sky. Thus, when he speaks up again, it's probably a little sudden. "I imagine I'm not much compared to people who use their swords every day," admits the senator. In truth, he uses his every day, in practice. But it never hurts to undersell yourself, in his opinion. "As for my pay rate, well, one can't speak too poorly of that without making a few enemies in this town." He chuckles. "You have a wonderful night, Kotone." Having bid farewell to both elites, the old man walks down the street and disappears around a corner, his cane clicking against the sidewalk in time with his gait.