AU for imperial_saga

[killed_shiki]

-1-


[Servant and Servant! You've crossed paths before, but with your Masters - this time it's just the two Servants.]

[Assassin smiles as she draws a small, plain kife. You'd expect someone of her class to be a bit stealthier, but it seems that a straightforward approach is more your style.]

No Masters this time. This is what I wanted from the start. Now we can put aside all worries aside from fighting to the death.

I hope you're ready.


-2-


[Servant and Master! The Grail War is complex, especially during times as tumultuous as these, and planning ahead for the upcoming battles is very important.]

[You've got all kinds of important plans up your sleeve, but Assassin is just leaning against the wall, eyes closed. She doesn't seem to be listening very hard. If you try to get her attention...]

Why should all this matter to me, one way or the other?

If I encounter a Servant, I'll kill the Servant. That's all I need to know. The rest is your problem.


-3-


[Servant and non-Servant! It's dangerous to go out into the woods alone at night, you know. Or at least, that's what they said... and maybe this is why.]

[You just stumbled upon two people. Only one of them has a head.]

[Blood sprays in various directions, making an almost beautiful pattern along the ground. As the freshly-made corpse collapses, the pale woman turns slowly, giving you a bloodstained smile.]

[She doesn't say anything, but you're not here to make small talk, are you?]


-4-


Ooh! What about that one?

[Servant and anyone! Do you know Assassin? Maybe, maybe not - but this appears to be her... but her personality is completely different now.]

[SHIKI bounces through whatever local festival is going on, looking like she doesn't have a care in the world, dragging you along by the hand.]

Hey, have you ever tried this? I hear it's a local specialty, but I've never had any.

You could stand to smile more. Has anyone ever told you that?

Comments

[killed_shiki]

Can I talk you into buying me one?

[bejustorbedead]

Let me check my pouch.

[He fishes out his pouch, pouring out some coins, buying the barbeque eel on a stick for her]

You seem to be enjoying yourself.

[killed_shiki]

[SHIKI gives Ky a very earnest smile.]

What's the point of coming to something like this if you aren't going to enjoy it?

[bejustorbedead]

...You have a point.

[He was feeling a little hungry and bought a Beignet for himself]

I haven't been to one myself in ages.

[As they walked, a bunch of kids ran between them, shoving Ky. He steps aside, half-laughing]

[killed_shiki]

[SHIKI looks at the kids as they pass, then at Ky for a calculating moment.]

I know what you're thinking.

[bejustorbedead]

...what?

[Ky stares at her, confused]

[killed_shiki]

You're wondering how someone named Assassin can be so carefree.

[Yes she just said that in public.]

[bejustorbedead]

What?! No, I haven't thought that at all!

[He had always wondered about her name but honestly it was rude to ask]

[killed_shiki]

Really? It's a reasonable reaction. I would have wondered, if I were in your position.

[bejustorbedead]

For all I know your parents simply had a tin ear for names. An assassin would not flagrantly advertise their profession like that.

[Oh if you only knew Ky]

Anyways, it's going to be while since [Friend who is Shiki's master] will return we... might as... as...

[He frowns, running his hand over his belt]

my pouch's gone.

[killed_shiki]

[But SHIKI has already taken off in a dead sprint towards a fleeing youngster. Pursue?]

[bejustorbedead]

wai-!

[Ky quickly chases after her]

[killed_shiki]

[When Ky catches up, the boy is pinned to the ground, and SHIKI... no, Shiki has her knife blade pressed against his neck.]

Return what you stole if you want to live, boy.

[bejustorbedead]

[Admittedly, he was shocked to see SHIKI on top of the kid, especially with a knife out, but he quickly acts, running up to them, a hand on the shoulder that's being used to pin the kid]

Get off of him - It's not worth killing someone over.

[killed_shiki]

[As if surprised by her own actions, Shiki does relent, letting the kid go unharmed (but terrified). She tosses Ky back his money pouch.]

You believe in people too easily.

[bejustorbedead]

[He catches it, and immediately ties it back on much more securely, not bothering to check how much is left]

We're all children of the same God, why should I not believe in them?

[killed_shiki]

Because there are people in this world who would kill God if they met Him.

I see you've been keeping SHIKI entertained.