The Burdens of Command

"As it is, the Einzbern Master's plan still seems viable. We shall keep in contact." He bowed and took his leave.

Kirei waited until they reached the bottom of the steps and stepped in the car with Atalanta. Once they were alone in the car, he spoke up.

"So... what did you feel?"

"It was...odd. I felt pulled to it. Does it have something to do with my summoning, do you think?" further away, she was able to think a bit more clearly.

"Probably..." Kirei mused. "That mud was a physical manifestation of its corruption. It burned Astolfo when he touched it, but I suspect it might give you a measure of protection. It might allow you to safely interact with it."

"Hmm...well if it wouldn't bother you I would be happy to give it a try. I can definitely say that it interests me."

He smiled a little. "I was hoping you'd say that. It is still risky, however; everything so far has been theoretical. I can't guarantee your safety. Not to mention, Caster and her Master clearly suspect us, and I can't imagine they will leave us alone with it."

"All of that said, though, I don't want to give up yet. Any ideas?"

She thought for a few moments, "Hmm...perhaps I could make a show of going to visit old friends. I can stop by and say hello to Medea and possible get down there...but to be honest, I still think you can play the mediator card."

"That might be our best bet. I can just try and order them to leave. If they decline, it might come to a fight. Are you okay with that?"

"Of course. I'm a bit itchy for one to be honest," she smirked and stretched her fingers, readying to use her bow.

Kirei had a steady smile on his face now. Though already driving back to the church, he pulled over and came to a stop. "I agree. That leaves only one question. I'm no mage, so I don't know exactly how the Grail operates. If we can interact with it, what should we do? With no souls, it can't be activated."

"Well...perhaps it will have some answers for us? I think we can't truly decide what to do until we realize what it's capable of and what it's agenda is. We can discuss it after we try making contact. Under the guise of helping to cleanse it, for the others' knowledge...I have another idea as well. Perhaps we could tell them about the summoning with the mud? That will explain why I was so transfixed. I'm sure that worried Medea and her master. We haven't done anything to truly say that we don't wish to help them though, so I imagine they could assume I was ignoring it's will, as long as we're 'truthful'." she smiled, leaning back in the seat of her car and taking in the scenery through the window.

"That's a good point. I'll take that line, and they won't have much reason to resist us." He turned the car around. "No time like the present. Shall we?"

"It might seem as if we're too eager. Perhaps in the morning? Then we can say we talked it over and put a lot of thought into the consequences et cetera..."

"It would seem suspicious... Hopefully they haven't tried to cleanse it by then. Perhaps we should stake out the Tohsaka mansion, so we know if they're going to head to the Grail before morning."

"Sure. Would you like me to go, or do you want to send a familiar?"

"I don't have any familiars. You can go ahead. I will find a place nearby to stay so we don't have to head there all the way from the church."

"If you wish," Atalanta materialized out of the car and leapt to the mansion to keep watch.

Kirei found a dark alleyway near the Academy to park his car, then turned it off and lowered his seat back. He didn't relish the thought of sleeping so far away from the Church. But the image of the Grail burned in the back of his mind. He was so close. Even if they could just touch it, he could get some answers. He had to know.

It took him some time to fall asleep, as he couldn't stop thinking about the Grail. But, finally, he slipped off into a light sleep.

Atalanta appeared in the passengers' seat after a little over an hour, "Kirei," she said, shaking him gently.

Kirei jumped slightly as he awoke. He had been sleeping more deeply than he'd intended. He briefly checked the time on the dashboard. "How did it go?"

"They won't be approaching the greater grail until tomorrow," she smirked a bit at the way he jumped and his sleepy face.

He nodded, pleased. "Good. That gives us plenty of time to act. Would you rather go now, or get some more rest before we go?"

"If anyone needs rest it's you. I'm perfectly fine," she teased.

"True enough," he said. Of course Servants didn't need to sleep. "I suppose I shall sleep for a little while longer. We can go a few hours before dawn."

"Of course. Would you like me to drive us back? I'm sure a bed would be more comfortable."

"Do you know how to drive a car?" he asked, but then shrugged. "I suppose it's easy enough to figure out. If you'd like to drive, you certainly can."