Fate: Apocrypha

Ch. 6

I sat myself on a bench with the flowers and butterflies glowing around me. I wish I could take in its beauty, but I had to focus on my servant. Which was named Lancer of Red, that'll be a mouth full. Yet, I heard servants were historical figures, so he's gotta have a name.

I took a deep breath. I had to call him, but I didn't know how. So all I said was, "You can come." And just like that there he was. "You called?" He asked, his face not wanting to say it. I looked up at him, his gaze still frightening me. "I-I want you to sit down, please..." The Lancer of Red sat down next to me. I felt his unpleasantness nature. I took another breath in, then let it out. I straightened my back and looked at him, "I know this is going to be hard." I started out, the Lancer of Red staring at me. Not at all distracted.

I continued, "But we'll have to work together for this. Your master... He would have wanted this. I know-"

"How would you know him, if I may ask?" The Lancer of Red asked. I was cut off guard and shook my head, "He just... He just ran into me one day. When I was still at school. You see I'm a college student, I'm learned Mage craft. And your master just spoke to me. Telling me I'll probably be like him.... but I don't remember his name... I'm sorry." I said. The Lancer of Red leaned back, the red cloud behind him stretching a bit, "Sounds like something he would say..." Good... Because I don't know who the hell his master is... I'm glad I made it seem believable...

The Lancer of Red then spoke again, "He must have trusted you well to be my sub master in this war then..."

"Y-Yea... I was surprised myself. I mean- He even mailed me, asking for help with it. Since he's you know..." I went quiet. I didn't want to say he was dead, because Shirou sure didn't. So I left it off, hoping the Lancer of Red would understand. "Alright then... I'll trust you to be my master, this once at least." I smiled up at him, "Good." I said and then placed my hands on my lap, "I don't know what to do next..." I muttered. The Lancer of Red looked down at me, "Your a master and yet you struggle what to do afterwards?"

"Actually... I'm a new master... Mr Shirou helped me... But nothing ever came. Then he brought up your master-" I stopped from continuing and coughed instead, acting like I had a coughing fit. The Lancer of Red raising his eyebrow, "You alright, master?" My eyes widened H-He called me master!!! I whipped around and had a red face. He cocked his head to the side, obviously he was worried about my health... Heck he finally trusted me. I stopped and held my chest, "Sorry... I had something in my throat." I cleared it one last time, my face slowly getting back to normal. "Well... I feel like we should... Try and say something different."

"Whatever do you mean, Master?" The Lancer of Red asked. I blushed again stuttering as I spoke, "I-I mean our names..." I said and held out my right hand towards him, "You can call me Victoria, or Tori. That's what my friends usually call me." The Lancer of Red was silent, but slowly placed his left hand on mine, "Karna." My eyes widened. Slowly we're bonding... Slowly though. I nodded and let go, "So Karna... What do you usually do?"

"I follow my master's orders." Karna said bluntly. I nodded, "I see..." I looked towards the flowers. Trying to get a topic up, "What's your favorite flower?" I asked. Karna looked over to the flowers, "I guess Lotus." He said and I followed his eyes at the small pond that held small flowers. "That's nice.... I like tulips." Karna then looked at me again, "Master-"

"Uh! What did I say?" I asked raising my voice a bit, and blushing like usual. Karna blinked, "I don't know." I comedically rolled my eyes, "It's Tori. Not master."

"Why? Shouldn't I always call you master?" Karna asked. I blushed and looked aside, "That's respectful. But I don't want to feel like I have more authority over you, you know?" I asked and he nodded. "So that's why."

"Huh. My master never would want anything like that." Karna said and switched his gaze from me to the palms of his hands. "I was always told to call him master." I sighed, "You can call him whatever, but for me, please use my name instead." I pleaded. And for a good reason, I don't want to blush each time I hear him say master. "Alright, Tori." I smiled up at Karna. Then sat back, "Ok. That's out the way. Now we have to ask Mr Shirou what task we have." Karna nodded and then disappeared. I smiled to myself, We're bonding a bit... I feel like we'll be a great team. I thought.