Scene #1194: A Chance Meeting

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Archer of Brown	Generals, kings, leaders of the world--all of them must eventually sleep. So it is here, in Washington, D.C. Only a few souls are out and about at this hour. Most of them are guards, posted at key locations to prevent hostile actions taken at key points by the other sorts who would be up at this hour. Indeed, there are some unsavory people out and about, but there are a few types that society can't account for or label so easily. The Heroic Spirit, Archer, is one of those types. Archers typically make excellent scouts, and this one is no exception, dematerialized and searching through the city for mages, other Spirits, or Masters. He knows that his presence here marks the beginning of the False Grail War, and he knows the mystical world knows of its commencement. The organization running the damned thing could barely contain its excitement or glee at getting to 'advertise' another Grail to the Association, or so Senator Mason said. Smart of Mason to extend an olive branch to that Shirou boy. If his daddy shows up thing could get... complicated.
Emiya Kiritsugu	Kiritsugu Emiya has learned plenty about the possible consequences of pursuing the Holy Grail in the Fourth Holy Grail War. How it would not grant his wish even if he obtained it, most likely. How it may be corrupted and twist anything he tried to wish for. How destroying it would cost thousands of lives in order to save billions. He still intends to fight, at least to ensure no one else gets said Grail, but he is looking at other options. Other wish-granting devices. Other Grails. Even those Dragon Balls are on his list for things to investigate. When he learned of a Grail War going on in the U.S. of a certain world, he did some research, attempting to identify who is involved, the circumstances, the local year, and so on. He looked up maps, had Maiya make contact with locals who could get him information discretely or prepare safehouses ahead of time. Equipment was readied, preparations were made, and every difference between this D.C. and the D.C. of his time, and of the time period of Illya and Chloe, and every other related world that has Grail Wars were compared against. Obsessive over-scouting is something Kiritsugu does as a matter of course. So by the time he actually arrives, he has a fairly good understanding of what he's dealing with - even if not all of the Masters and Servants involved were handed to him on a list like the Masters of the Fourth Grail War were. Even now he is making his way towards a hotel room that Maiya has prepared ahead of him, in a rented limousine. Not a flashy limousine, nor a flashy hotel room. But also not in a neighborhood that would cause people to comment upon his arrival or that of his partner. He just sits in the back seat, and goes over the data in his laptop.
Archer of Brown	Limousine. Some fancy french word for a fancy car. It's not all shiny and official and guarded like the ones the politicians and foreigners ride around in, but it's enough to make Archer ask himself a question. Who's driving around in a limo at one in the morning? Nobody important, surely. This isn't one of the cushier neighborhoods, although it's by far not the worst that DC has to offer. On Kerry's end, things are going to be a bit different than the fourth war, judging by the information his sources give him. First and foremost, this D.C.'s got heightened security compared to the D.C. of the 1990s. It's probably not going to be a big deal, especially not in this neighborhood, but there are some things that are frowned upon in public buildings--backpacks, food and drink, cameras in some circumstances. The crime rate hasn't changed much. Outside of the touristy bits, it's one of the most statistically unsafe cities in the country, and the police seem to be stretched very thin. As for the supernatural aspects of the city, the False Grail War was openly advertised to the Mages' Association and the Church out of spite by an unknown organization. This organization is exactly the sort of group that the Clocktower would hate--the 'advertisement' is dripping with pride. 'Come to America and see the new and improved Holy Grail,' reads an unsigned document sent to the Church of one world. As for Masters, there's only one lead. Apparently, he's an independent senator serving his second term, by the name of Albert Mason. A grainy black and white photograph shows him speaking to a teenager and a woman in formal dress--Emiya Shirou and Kotone Yamakawa. Outside the limo, Archer waits, dematerialized. Could this be a Master?
Emiya Kiritsugu	Kiritsugu does have three Command Spells on the back of his right hand, in the shape of a cross, or a sword. So that is something of a give-away. He does not have his magic circuits activated, so he may not 'register' as a Master, but he is a magus at least - even if not a very powerful one (unless he is somehow hiding his true ability). When the limousine arrives, and comes to a stop, he stays in the car for several moments, looking at the photo on his laptop. Indeed, that's Shirou. It doesn't necessarily mean anything, but Kiritsugu doesn't believe in coincidences. By the time he finally has closed up his laptop and gotten ready to get out, he may have kept Archer waiting long enough to suspect something is wrong. After several seconds, the tinted window rolls down, and Kiritsugu is staring at the general area where Archer is dematerialized, with his deadened gaze. He just stares for a while, before narrowing his eyes, and letting out a small, quiet, displeased noise. Then the window rolls back up and after a few more seconds, the car starts up and starts driving away! That was too unusual, right? Inside the car, Kiritsugu has flipped open one of the cellphones that Saber gave him for Christmas, and is calling up Maiya. Once she picks up on her end, Kiritsugu on his end says simply, "We may have a problem." Maiya replies, "What do you need?" Kiritsugu thinks on that as he glances around while the limousine makes another circuit of the block around the hotel. "I'm not sure." After a moment, he adds on, "Change locations to one of the safehouses. Don't say which one until you've arrived and ensured it's secure. I'll meet you there afterwards."
Archer of Brown	There's a kind of feeling one gets when one is being observed. Some people think that if they stand still for long enough, their observers will dismiss them as not being there. It's hope, and foolish hope, but many people in hiding hold onto this hope. Sometimes this hope is mixed with fear. In Archer's sense, it's curiosity. <Can he see me?> Then the Spirit notes the Command Seals. <Well, guess he can.> Now, at this point, he knows he's supposed to give chase. He could dematerialize, lift someone's bike, and do it that way. Hell, it'd probably be pretty fun. But there's something in that man's eyes that says he doesn't play games. Archer respects that. He gives chase--dematerialized, and floating above the limo. There's no hostile intent radiating from his presence, at least not yet. Now where's this guy going to run off to--and doesn't he look a bit familiar?
Emiya Kiritsugu	After getting confirmation, Kiritsugu hangs up. He's currently unarmed, or at least what few weapons he has with him are so insignificant that they were able to pass through customs unnoticed because they are not inherently weapons. Nothing that could deal with a Servant. The limo seems to just be going around the block, as Archer follows them. It comes to a stop in an alleyway half-way around, and remains there for several minutes, parked. Then the car starts up again and finishes its circuit. When it comes to a stop again next, it's right in front of the hotel again. This time, the passenger in the back seat gets out, and makes his way towards the front doors whether the Servant is still there or not. The limo leaves, the driver seemingly done with his eccentric foreign customer. After arriving and heading for the check-in desk, the man wearing the black trenchcoat and wearing a hat excuses himself to make a phone call instead of heading right for his room. He chooses to use one of the payphones off to the side, where he can put his back to the rest of the room.
Archer of Brown	<So he's trying to shake me.> If he weren't utterly invisible and immaterial at this point, the Servant would be glowing. Memories of his life as a scout gently creep up on him--it's one kind of memory he doesn't want to drown out with excessive amounts of booze. When the limo finally comes to a stop, he hovers at the hotel entrance. Looks like the guy--wait. There, on the shirt collar. Dust? No. Same tone as his skin... it's /not/ the guy. Alright. So he's clever, too. That's fine, so is Archer. The spirit knows now that this guy can detect his presence, so why keep leading him on in circles? He's not here to run the guy ragged. Mason's orders were explicit. Stupid, but explicit. "Archer, this may be a war, but there's such a thing as a bloodless coup. I don't want you committing wanton acts of violence without at least trying to make peace, first. These engagements are political as well as military." So, let's try and bury the hatchet before it even gets taken out of the tool shed. The spirit dematerializes on the sidewalk, a couple dozen feet in front of the limo, so that the 'driver' can clearly see him. First impressions-- it must be a Spirit from a more recent era, as the clothes are distinctly Western. Long brown hair, flat-brimmed hat, clean, nice clothes evocative of the dandy. Archer sticks his thumb out. Does Kerry pick up hitchhikers?
Emiya Kiritsugu	Kiritsugu sighs when, on his way off across the city, waiting to hear from Maiya, he spots what appears to be the same Servant he has been trying to lose waiting for him on the sidewalk. Not much point in trying to evade him now. He hasn't the means to shake that kind of pursuit, and if the Servant wanted to, he could probably destroy the car and Kiritsugu with it. He comes to a stop once he finds a place to park, which, in D.C. might not be immediately available. But he doesn't seem to be trying to get away anymore at least. When he does stop, he turns off the car, and gets out. Just because the Servant is visible doesn't mean the Master is going to be. For all he knows, the Master of this Servant could be in the area, watching. Once he is out of the vehicle, Kiritsugu stays right where he is, and watches the Heroic Spirit in the western garb. Empty eyes evaluate without betraying emotion. He doesn't speak first, instead letting the ghost before him make clear what he's after. Though it's not hard to guess.
Archer of Brown	Archer tips his hat and approaches Kiritsugu. "Evening," he says. The closer the ghost gets, the more it seems he's less a Heroic Spirit and more a Kindred Spirit. Oh, he's powerful, for sure, and there's a certain romance about him that never seems to escape even marginally good Spirits. But there's also something ugly, something real lurking in his eyes, something which, for a Spirit seems... ignoble. They shift left and right, and the Spirit keeps his face turned towards Kiritsugu as he approaches. He makes a point of staying out of well-lit areas, which gives his path a winding, meandering sort of appearance. The Wild West is in this man, for better or for worse. He's a delight to look upon, but it's evident that he's taken lives before. Not on some glorious battlefield, but in a hot, dry, dusty place far from civilization and further from God. Those lives weigh on him, and for a moment, they meet Kiritsugu's in a moment of recognition. "I reckon by now you figured I ain't here to kill you." Two sixguns of gleaming silver rest at his side, held there by a red sash. The handles face forward to facilitate a twist draw--there's only one gunfighter in history who wore his guns in such a way, held there with such a seemingly delicate piece of fabric. One might recognize him. One might be fooled by his immaculate dress. But no one can misunderstand the promise of those two Colt Navy revolvers. "Good thing, too. You're a hard man to follow." His smile is painted on, a formality. This man, whoever he is, recognizes the killer in Kiritsugu's eyes. The recognition is not unlike that of a wild animal in another's presence; cautious but unyielding, looking for no trouble but brooking no threats, either. He holds his right hand high, palm forward, to show he means no harm. His coat is gently pulled aside, and his left hand reaches in to produce a photo. He examines it, looking from it to Kiritsugu and back. The photo is a bit yellowed from age. "Emiya Kir... Kirrit... Keer-eet-soogoo. Hmph. You ain't aged a day. I'm the Archer of this here Grail War, and you and me have got some things to discuss."
Emiya Kiritsugu	Kiritsugu doesn't speak throughout all of this Servant's words. He watches body language, analyzes words, tucks things away for later that might reveal this Servant's identity, but his main focus is on the here and now. When he finally finishes stone walling Archer it's to say, "I have no reason to assume you are not here to kill me. Instead, you might be trying to flush out my own Servant. Eliminating both Master and Servant at the same time is a sound strategy, after all. Otherwise, the Servant might find a new Master." He is operating under the assumption that this Archer knows him to be a Master. He isn't wearing gloves to hide his hands after all. Something he might need to fix, but they interfere with operating a firearm when not strictly necessary. Tactile sensation is reduced, inhibiting accuracy due to the artificial 'numbness' of indirect contact. Kiritsugu tilts his head to the side, with a false smile on his lips and a slight downturn to his eyebrows, as he replies, "I'm not from this time, or this war. If your Master has gone through the trouble of having me investigated, he should know that." The smile slips away as Kiritsugu asks, "But yes, let's talk." He reaches into his suit pocket, seemingly unconcerned with whether Archer might take that as hostile action. After all, it's not like the gunslinger can't draw faster than Kiritsugu and shoot him if he wishes. His eyes don't leave the stranger, however. Even as he draws a pack of cigarettes out, sticks one in his mouth, and lights the tip with a flick of his lighter, in a deliberately slow and measured series of actions. Then he pops out another one, and offers it to the Servant. "You want to ensure your Master isn't in danger from me." he says. It's not a question. "Possibly he wants to make use of me against his enemies, but I somehow doubt that. He already has a Servant to do his dirty work, if that's what he wished."
Archer of Brown	"Actually, he did it as a favor to your boy. But, I reckon this multiverse thing means that boy ain't necessarily /your/ boy." The Servant gladly accepts the cigarette, retrieving from his breast pocket a match. Striking it against a metal button on his vest, he lights the cigarette. The Spirit nods his thanks to Kiritsugu. "He ain't the type to have a man kilt without giving him a fighting chance, and neither am I. That don't mean I won't knock you flatter than hammered shit if you draw on me... but I /will/ wait for you to draw. Now..." He takes a drag of his cigarette. "I'm here on behalf of my boss. He doesn't much like the M word, which suits me fine. He's the sort to try and make friends, and that works for him, I s'pose." He watches Kiritsugu. "Now, he woulda met you his own self, but he's a God-fearing man and can't be up at all hours of the night like us hooligans. So, I'm your welcome wagon and your olive branch, rolled up into one. You take my meaning, Mr. Emiya?" He takes another drag of the cigarette, then flicks his eyes left and right. There aren't any magical presences nearby, and there don't appear to be any eyes on the rooftops. His eyes focus once more on the Mage Killer. "You're more than welcome to fight for our little Grail. Fair's fair. Me and my boss'd just like it an awful lot if we was partners."
Emiya Kiritsugu	Kiritsugu does not give much away, in terms of reactions. So Shirou did meet with this Servant's Master - or 'boss' as he preferred to be called - after all. He was prepared to light the cigarette for Archer as well, but it seems the western warrior has that covered. He puts he carton and lighter away, and the only drawing he does is on his tobacco cylinder. He smokes in silence and considers. A very naive Master... Or an opportunistic one... Or a liar. All three can be dangerous in their own way. Tying himself to a foolish Master would be a poor move, and he knows it. But rejecting the offer out of hand without knowing all that is going on would also be a poor move. "Your boss, then." he acknowledges. "And he has no quarrel with my wish possibly not matching his? Of, at the end, our goals conflicting when all other opponents have fallen? Or does he believe that at that point he'd be able to dispose of me, once I've served my purpose?" Perhaps asking outright like that isn't the best idea, but if honesty is what's being offered here, then best to test the limits of that supposed honesty.
Archer of Brown	"He's not the disposing sort." A shake of the head from Archer. The gesture is halfway between approval and disappointment. "Don't know much about him yet, but I know that for sure. Might try to talk you down, but if he couldn't he wouldn't take it personal. He'd fight for it, sure, if it came to that, but he'd fight fair. No bushwhacking or gutshots or back-stabbing." The Servant laughs bitterly. "Grail couldn't have picked a worse contestant, and I mean that in the best possible way." He contemplates the night sky for a moment, then gives Kiritsugu a meaningful look. "I ain't sure if he wants his wish bad enough to die for it, or if he could live with giving it up. He's told me what he wants, and I reckon it's an alright thing to wish for. There's certainly worse things a fellow could want." He's watching Kerry now. The Spirit takes a final drag of his cigarette, then takes the opportunity to ask the Mage Killer a question. "Now, a man with the look you've got in your eyes knows the same as me there ain't no such thing as Good and Bad, there's the people smart enough to be bastards and everyone else. Which one are you?"
Emiya Kiritsugu	The Magus-Slayer is thinking. Senator Mason is, indeed, a terrible choice for a Grail War. His Servant seems to have a better grasp of what's going on than he does. Kiritsugu has not necessarily said that he even has a Servant right now, though he has implied that the possibility of him calling such up exists, which might lead to an assumption. Even if there's no Servant here right now, that doesn't mean they couldn't be called with a Command Spell in an instant - though perhaps not quickly enough to avoid being attacked by Archer. But that isn't necessarily known for certain by this gunslinger. And Kiritsugu hasn't addressed the matter since his original off-hand comment. It could well be assumed that he is presently more useful than he really is - unless Shirou already blurted out the details. The tan-skinned Japanese man finally replies, "The result is the most important thing. If he is the man you portray him to be, I imagine he would find my wish similar to his. I already have a Grail War to fight, however, and I have no guarantee that I am eligible to make a wish with this one's at all. In essence, if I offer my aid, I could wind up helping a stranger to achieve his ends on the mere promise of his good will, and wind up not gaining what I'm after at all." Kiritsugu finally allows his gaze to leave Archer, as his phone rings in his pocket. He looks back up at Archer and says, "I'm expecting a call." He's waiting this time before taking anything out of his pockets.
Archer of Brown	It's the answer he expected. A man can't have that kind of a look in his eyes for no reason, after all. The Servant politely nods. "Go on ahead, Mr. Emiya. You can expect my boss to ask for you on the radio." He begins to dematerialize, continuing to speak as he does so. What is it with Archers and doing that? "And I reckon he'll want to help you with your war, too, when the time comes. Whatever else he is, he's honorable." The Servant vanishes, the last of his form carried away in a sparkling blue display of prana.