24-hour Hotel in Fuyuki

"Even if Atalanta can be trusted, that won't stop Kirei if he wants to use a Command Spell," Yui reminded them.

"I wouldn't do such a thing," Kirei answered. "But if you cannot take me at my word, I can agree to the terms offered by Caster."

"All right!" Lazarus exclaimed, clapping his hands. "Let's draw up the geas then. Then we can work on everything else as it comes. I am also very excited to watch you both contract a servant!"

Caster gave Kirei an almost apologetic look before taking out a sheaf of vellum, a brush, and a bottle of ink.

"Using this method, the curse can be rescinded in degrees. In an emergency, I can remove it myself, but there may be adverse effects. If everything goes as planned, though, it can be removed fully in a longer rite. It must be done this way to make sure every condition is met, considering it will be a very customized enchantment." He smirked slightly. "A bespoke bewitchment, if you will!"

Kirei gave a stoic nod, unamused by Caster's verbosity.

Yui looked somewhat relieved, even though she privately wished they could just kill him and be done with it. The priest disturbed her with every second she had to look at him.

Atalanta half smiled at his illiteration. Lazarus let out a chuckle before taking a seat in a chair near the provided desk. He was starting to tire greatly. He had used a ridiculous amount of energy preparing for this battle. He had planned to have time to rest, sleep for a few days. He had kept himself going mostly using the energy wells he had made. He just needed to stick it out for a little bit longer.

He folded back his sleeve and put brush to paper, drawing lines, arcane sigils, and ancient half-words. "Let's start out with the basics. The purpose of this curse is to ensure our own survival and full cooperation. Using leypoints that sense motive and emotion, it's possible to remove Mr. Kirei's ability to speak should the right triggers occur." He looked up at Kirei.

"You would still be able to use Commands, just not at us, or for any end consciously involving our harm. I couldn't in good conscience remove the ability to defend yourself entirely. The same goes for your weapons - you will be able to use them, but you will feel weak and incapable should you turn them against us. I trust that Rider and Archer, in their independent agency, will make their own decisions regardless of what you might ask them to do."

"Since you've already said that you feel no bonds to the Church, I trust in your ability to play by the actual rules as a true neutral party, uncorrup-" he paused, Rider giving him a hard look - "Unbiased, then, by the Church's influence. Your role after this mess is taken care of is entirely up to you." He drew bordering flourishes around the paper.

"Now, Mr. Kirei, would you remove your vestment and shirt? The enchantment, if you acquiesce, needs to be applied to the skin in order to be removable. Think of it as an interesting tattoo!"

"Very well." Kirei undid his priests shirt and laid them on the bed, revealing his well-toned body. He turned around and allowed Caster to apply the enchantment.

caster thoughts:

The vellum was oddly warm against Kirei's skin and only grew hotter, almost burning before suddenly stopping, the room almost chilled in comparison. When the paper was peeled away it was blank, all of the ink having transferred to Kirei's back.

"It is done. Thank you for your cooperation." He bowed respectfully to Kirei before rolling the parchment up again and tucking it into his robe.

He walked over to Lazarus and rested a hand on his Master's forehead. "You look exhausted, you should get some rest soon. No making golems out of the bathroom porcelain instead," he added playfully with a gentle smile.

Atalanta Thoughts:

After the ritual was over and Caster advised him to rest, Lazarus waved his hand away. "Thank you, but if you are going to contract the servants at this time, I'd like to observe that. And I can't make any promises on the golems." he teased with a chuckle.

Kirei stoically buttoned his shirt back up, and Yui heaved a sigh.

"I think I'll head to bed afterwards as well. I think tomorrow I'll be taking a nice soak in the pool or the hot tub."

Rider pumped his fists in the air with excitement. "Pool!!"

Caster grinned. "So, what do you say, Astolfo? Do you want to partner up?" Rider smiled cheerfully, swaying on his feet with his hands behind his back.

"Nooo - AAHH! Okay, okay!!" He laughed as Caster started tickling his sides, shrieking when the magus hit just under his ribs. He waited, rocking on his feet and humming until Caster reached out a hand, his Command spells glowing and the incantation finished. Rider pressed their fingertips together, then slapped their hands together. Their hands slid apart, then each of them turned sideways and bumped their hips. Afterwards, they faced each other again and there was a loud crack when they both reached up for a double high-five.

Lazarus clapped and chuckled at the display. "Perfect! Perfect!"

Even Yui, as stressed as she was, couldn't help but giggle at the unique ritual.

Kirei, like usual, seemed not to even notice. He turned to Archer and repeated the incantation, reaching his fingertips toward her. With the incantation finished, he smiled wryly. "To think we would end up doing this twice."

Atalanta touched her fingertip to his. Mana washed over her in a flash,making her skin tingle and bathing her in light. She felt somehow that she was in her proper place. How odd that the simple touching of fingertips could release such magic. She returned her master's smile, but said nothing.

Lazarus watched for anything strange, notebook at the ready of course, though keeping his eyes open at the moment was a chore. What an odd odd grail war.

The contract was a success, though nothing especially different happened now than last time.

Yui yawned. "Well, if we've got everything settled, I think it's time for bed."

She sat down on her own bed, thinking to herself. She needed to send a letter to her father before going to sleep. After everything that had happened, he ought to know what their plan was for the Grail. He likely wouldn't approve, but hopefully would understand.

"I must also get some rest. Goodnight everyone!" Lazarus followed Yui into the other room, stopping to give her a hug, "I'm very happy you made it out alive." he said softly before heading to his own bed.

She hugged him back warmly. "Same here. I hope for both are sakes this isn't all too good to be true."

"Expect the worst but hope for the best!" he advised before flopping back onto the bed and falling asleep almost immediately.

The following morning, Yui rose feeling rested, but still a little worn out from the night before. She yawned and stretched, looking around the room. Lazarus and Caster were still asleep, but Berserker stirred in the bed next to her when she sat up.

"Mmnh..?" she mumbled sleepily.

"Good morning," Yui whispered. "Want to go get some breakfast together?"

Berserker blinked and nodded happily.

The two of them returned to the bottom floor of the hotel, where there was a fairly up-end cafe serving breakfast and tea. Yui ordered some for herself and Berserker. It was much busier here than at her mansion, but it was strangely relaxing watching everyone hustling and bustling about.

"This is the first time we've gone out together, just you and me, huh?" Yui said. "I guess it's a little date."

Berserker smiled and put her hands on her cheeks bashfully.

"Did you try to write anything down last night? For Lazarus' records?"

"Nnnn..." Berserker looked down at her breakfast dejectedly.

Yui was afraid of that; it wasn't just her speech impacted by Mad Enhancement, but likely her writing ability as well. It didn't appear to hamper her intelligence or thought process, but frustrated her attempts to communicate them to others. It made her sad that she might not be able to pass on any knowledge.

"It's okay." Yui patted her hands. "I'm sure we'll figure something out."

Berserker nodded sadly.

After breakfast, the two returned to the hotel room to see if the other two had awakened yet.

Lazarus was still deep in sleep. He had barely slept for the past few days, and when he did it hadn't been well. And now without the leyline for an energy source, he simply kept sleeping.

Atalanta had been awake the entire night, using the voice recorder and a provided notebook to write down her experiences. She was basically fnished. There wasn't too horribly much to tell. She walked into the other room and organized her materials neatly on the desk, with a note reading "Atalanta's Experience Records". She waved silently to Yui and Berserker as they entered.

Caster was pulling at Astolfo's leg, which was poking out from his blankets. "Astolfo, it's morning, and we have things to do." Rider whined and flailed his arms weakly in protest.

"But this bed is so comfortable! Don't make me leeeeeave!" He looked at Caster with wide, sad eyes. Caster pinched the bridge of his nose and rubbed his eyes hard.

"I can't believe it, but I must've took Lazarus's energy for granted... Come on! I'll buy you breakfast, anything you want!" Well, Lazarus would buy him breakfast. Hopefully Rider's appetite wasn't as legendary as the rest of him. Rose-violet eyes peeped out at Caster slyly.

"Even crepes with ice cream? Waffles with caramel?"

"Yes, yes, even those. Wake up already!" Caster jumped slightly as Rider seemed to almost explode from the sheets and wiggle on his new shoes. He sighed softly and gave Atalanta an almost imploring look with a faint what-can-you-do smile.

She gave him a small smile of understanding. "May I join you for breakfast?"

"Yes!!" Rider turned to look at Caster. "Yes?"

Caster chuckled and nodded. "It'd be our pleasure."

Throughout Rider's tantrum, Kirei remained fast asleep. The previous night seemed to have taken a heavy toll on him; but then again, being killed will do that to a man.

While the three Servants headed down for breakfast, Yui sat down at a desk with Berserker to help her record some of her thoughts. It would give her something to do until everyone got back and Lazarus woke up.

Atalanta enjoyed her breakfast with the other two, taking advantage of the many things Astolpho ordered. She took small bites of most of what he got, which ended up basically being a meal in itself. She was definitely savoring her last bits of time with Astolpho. As breakfast was coming to a close, she magde a suggestion,"I don't think that Kirei or Lazarus will be awake for quite some time. Would you like to go out? We could shop or see something interesting."