Fate: Hammer Time

Chapter 29: The Dark Side of the Clocktower

Four days after Shirou's arrival.

"Welcome, mister Fujimaru. I am Lorelei Barthomeloi, Vice-Director of the Clocktower." Grey said, sitting in Sir's chair, her back as straight as it could get, her hood off, her arms placed on the arm rests, and her head slightly tilted backwards. She tried to act like a queen, putting on an air of arrogance, looking down her nose at mister Fujimaru, who had just entered the room.

"It is an honour to meet you, Vice-Director." Fujimaru responded, bowing slightly in deference.

"Indeed." Grey agreed haughtily, before motioning at a chair across from her, indicating that he could sit down. "Lord El-Melloi the Second has told me about you. He informed me that you apprehended the Sealing Designee Vincent Balefor in Japan, and that you handed him over to lord El-Melloi to be delivered to the Clocktower. Is this true?"

"It is, lady Barthomeloi." Fujimaru confirmed as he sat down, his head still slightly bowed.

"He mentioned you were capable of attacking a group of Sealing Designees in their base, and came out victorious." Grey droned on, trying to sound imperious and neutral, yet at the same time approving of the efforts of a young Magus. "That is most impressive-"

"Okay, okay, cut, stop!" A harried voice interrupted the strange scene, and lord El-Melloi emerged from a dark corner of the room, puffing on his cigar. "That is enough for now."

Fujimaru promptly lifted his head from its deferential position, while Grey allowed herself to slump in her chair, before she pulled her hood back up.

"Fujimaru, you have to sound more deferential. Right now, you sound like you are just going through the motions but don't mean any of it. And you, Grey, you have to make it sound more natural, instead of sounding like you're reading from a script."

"Yessir." Grey acknowledged the critique with a timid nod, while Fujimaru gave a sharp nod of his own.

"I am aware it is difficult." Sir went on, calming down now that he had given the most immediate pointers. "But keep this up. You are making progress. If you keep practising, I am certain you will make this sound believable. Once more, from the top."

"Welcome, Mister Fujimaru..."

About an hour later, Grey and Fujimaru were sitting in the cafeteria, both nursing a cup of tea.

They had tried to act out the audience four more times, using a script that was based on the most likely subjects that were going to be discussed, but though they both knew the words by heart now, they just couldn't get the right tone.

Grey had a lot of trouble acting like an arrogant Magus-noble who had been born into immense power and wealth, while Fujimaru just seemed to instinctively buckle against authorities that required him to act meek and obedient.

They had been working on it for four days now, but their personalities just didn't allow them to act it out in the way Sir wanted.

"I'm sorry for being such a bad actor." Grey apologised, well aware she'd looked ridiculous trying to act like a queen. Her naturally shy demeanour clashed horribly with the immensely confident and regal act she'd been supposed to put up. It was no wonder Fujimaru had not been able to muster the proper respect when his conversation-partner wasn't worthy of it.

"Not at all, miss Grey." Fujimaru shook his head immediately, his signature kind smile on his face. "You were good enough, more than good enough even, to properly show what Lorelei Barthomeloi will probably be like. The fault for the practice going so badly is entirely mine. I am just terrible at acting. It is difficult to show respect to the nobles of the Clocktower when they are most likely terrible people."