You're asking for my opinion when I'm not even a third of the way through the book.
[It's too early to say. He's only seen a small portion of this world. One city does not define a civilization. But if it's a matter of their situation... Andersen idly swirls his beer about.]
It's a stroke of poor luck that we were brought here, though it's perhaps this planet's intent. Certain Servants act as a Counter Force for the World. It could be this place attempted the same - only its magic was capable of reaching beyond dimensions.
[He gives a long, long sigh.]
I see the Coven as running around like headless chickens. We aren't much better.
[he gives a thoughtful hum, but doesn't speak immediately. being a Counter Force was somewhat better than being forcibly summoned - and indeed, he doesn't feel the same pull on the magic to strike a contract or find a Master. no, but there was that Bond business to deal with.
Dantes takes a drink and exhales sharply.]
With mages, I tend to assume they know more than they want to let on. Acting blind and stupid could be a diversion.
If that were the case, I'd think more of the Servants would be openly rebelling. Not many of them are the type to accept the yoke of a questionable Master.
[...]
From what I heard, at least one of them is happy with their life here.
At least six. Perhaps seven or eight, not including us. A woman I met said she was a former Master and referred to an Archer and a Lancer running about. I haven't met them in person, however.
[he frowns at that, falling into a bit of thought.]
...Then perhaps it would be wisest for me to conceal my own identity as such. With that many about, surely at least some information about what exactly Servants are is let loose. It is an unnecessary vulnerability to have immediately after arrival.
I get it. I'll keep my mouth shut, since you went out of your way to service Shakespeare and I.
[The coffees were a small gesture, but they did not go unnoticed.]
In any case, what will you do about this Bond business? If you're going to be concealing your identity, it'll make finding a partner all the more difficult.
I suppose I shall have to manage myself until I find one soul in this city who proves themselves adequate for me to propose a Bond. I certainly cannot trust a stranger immediately to enter into such vows. It would be a preposterous leap of faith. I must know their character, must know their trustworthiness, and to know that they would be willing to feel the heat of the flames of hell from what I do, without a sign of shirking.
[when he feels like he can entrust his name to them, then he'll know.]
[the disbelief is clear in his tone and the sharpness of his gaze. surely, Andersen had heard what the Coven said about Bonds, and the closeness therein.]
You don't even know the half of what you'd be getting into.
You don't know me as well as I know you, Edmond Dantes. If you did, those words wouldn't leave your mouth so easily.
[Andersen's read his story. Despite the hell Avenger crafted for his foes - despite the vengeance he exacted without mercy - his kindness cannot be erased. Maximilian. Louise. Mercedes. Haydee. At the end of it all, he was only a man. No demon.
(andersen has served a true demon before and he knows that, were it not for ritsuka, he'd be willing to do so again. he's grateful he isn't in that position.)]
[the words drip with venom, the name unspoken between them.]
What makes you think you know me well enough to form such a contract? If we do, I shall not let you change your mind so easily. If I need to plunge into the darkness in this city, I will, and you shall have to keep up, and learn to see without light. Hell has no mercy on those who dawdle behind.
Where do you think the material for my fairy tales come from? The Fir Tree, the Little Match Girl? I am not a man who sifts through heaven to find his inspiration. I have lived through and seen hell. I've waded through the filthiest pits of human depravity.
[He meets his eyes.]
My powers lie with my writing, and even those have been stripped from me. As a Witch, my sole saving grace is to be a living battery. You've treated me well at Chaldea. I did not forget that. My mana should go to someone who'll make good use of it.
[That laugh earns a sharp smile from Andersen. He chuckles.]
Did you expect anything different from me? I am as persistent and constant as a cockroach - you of all people should know that!
[This is more than an ideal arrangement for him. He didn't fancy combing the city for a monster and he knows Avenger, to an extent. He knocks back the rest of his drink before declaring:]
Watch your tongue, the genre of our agreement falls strictly within the realm of fantasy. The way you're prattling on makes it sound like a romantic comedy...
[Even as he complains, he's getting up. Where Dantes goes, he'll follow.]
[his eyebrow raises before he laughs again. what a ridiculous man he was going to Bond to.
but, given their personalities, they have something or other to bicker about the entire way to the Coven's main building, all the way inside until they find where they can get a Witch to set up a circle for their ceremony. they look a little askance at the pair, who have to pause their discussion long enough to confirm this, but if they're sure...]
[They must be quite a sight to see: an intimidating figure cloaked in black walking side-by-side with what looks to be a blue dwarf, trading barbs rapidly. The rhythm of the conversation comes naturally. Andersen has always been partial the argumentative, long-winded types - why else would he get along so well with someone as unpopular as Shakespeare? - and Dantes fits that criteria.
When the Witch checks in with them, Andersen puts his hands on his hips.]
Of course I'm certain! I have a lot of work to do, I'm not going to waste time personally interviewing every Monster I come across. Avenger - [he holds out his hand] - take it.
[stepping into the circle, Dantes extends his hand to grasp Andersen's, inhaling and straightening up to show that he was as serious about this as one could be. a Bond. the Witch presiding nods, and indicates that they should make their vows. as the circle illuminates beneath their feet, he feels a slight warmth in his chest, where he thinks his spiritual core would be in his usual body.]
I tether myself to you as my partner to fight alongside, to stand against the mysteries of this world, to aid and abet each other in due course, through the flames of the abyss, the depths of the sea, and the blackest of nights. This I swear as Edmond Dantes.
[names give things power, and he places his in this to make it as true as he can. even with his reluctance earlier, this would run deeper than disguising it from the world.]
[Dantes's hand easily engulfs Andersen's, cold white swallowing fragile skin and bones. Yet Andersen notices that, in spite of his tremendous strength, Dantes is careful. There was no need to give a pretty vow when they were forging this Bond for the sake of convenience. But a speech like that indicates how seriously the other Servant is taking this.
What a troublesome man, saying one thing while doing the exact opposite.
Andersen will show his dedication to this decision as well, then.]
And I, Hans Christian Andersen, tether myself to you as your partner. Your tale is now mine, and I vow to see it through to the end. Though our collaboration may lead us into the heart of Hell itself, I swear on my honor as an author that no matter what terrors or pain awaits me, you will find me at your side.
[the light grows brighter, the warmth stronger, until the Witch claps their hands and it feels as though air rushes back into the room. now, they say, they are Bonded. their signatures tied together, all settled, as easy as anything else. they smile, and say that they did well, choosing this. and then the pair are set free back to go into the night, to do as they would.
Dantes pauses before they walk too far, frowning and touching where he felt the warmth in his chest earlier.]
[The night air is cool but it's slow to erase the bud of warmth still lingering in Andersen's chest. It's far from an unpleasant feeling - if anything, it feels like he first time he contracted with Chaldea. Something wound tight in him is at last relaxing, likely the magic that'd been pent up since his arrival.
Andersen glances over at Dantes. He seems fine.]
This certainly is a funny story. A Servant contracting with a Servant. [It isn't exactly the same, but the parallel is there.] Did you expect it to hurt?
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[It's too early to say. He's only seen a small portion of this world. One city does not define a civilization. But if it's a matter of their situation... Andersen idly swirls his beer about.]
It's a stroke of poor luck that we were brought here, though it's perhaps this planet's intent. Certain Servants act as a Counter Force for the World. It could be this place attempted the same - only its magic was capable of reaching beyond dimensions.
[He gives a long, long sigh.]
I see the Coven as running around like headless chickens. We aren't much better.
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Dantes takes a drink and exhales sharply.]
With mages, I tend to assume they know more than they want to let on. Acting blind and stupid could be a diversion.
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[...]
From what I heard, at least one of them is happy with their life here.
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[what is this, Chaldea?]
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At least six. Perhaps seven or eight, not including us. A woman I met said she was a former Master and referred to an Archer and a Lancer running about. I haven't met them in person, however.
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...Then perhaps it would be wisest for me to conceal my own identity as such. With that many about, surely at least some information about what exactly Servants are is let loose. It is an unnecessary vulnerability to have immediately after arrival.
[his eyes snap up to Andersen.]
As is a True Name.
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I get it. I'll keep my mouth shut, since you went out of your way to service Shakespeare and I.
[The coffees were a small gesture, but they did not go unnoticed.]
In any case, what will you do about this Bond business? If you're going to be concealing your identity, it'll make finding a partner all the more difficult.
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[when he feels like he can entrust his name to them, then he'll know.]
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Don't you play hide-and-seek with Nursery Rhyme and Bunyan, O terrifying demon?
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[the disbelief is clear in his tone and the sharpness of his gaze. surely, Andersen had heard what the Coven said about Bonds, and the closeness therein.]
You don't even know the half of what you'd be getting into.
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[Andersen's read his story. Despite the hell Avenger crafted for his foes - despite the vengeance he exacted without mercy - his kindness cannot be erased. Maximilian. Louise. Mercedes. Haydee. At the end of it all, he was only a man. No demon.
(andersen has served a true demon before and he knows that, were it not for ritsuka, he'd be willing to do so again. he's grateful he isn't in that position.)]
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[the words drip with venom, the name unspoken between them.]
What makes you think you know me well enough to form such a contract? If we do, I shall not let you change your mind so easily. If I need to plunge into the darkness in this city, I will, and you shall have to keep up, and learn to see without light. Hell has no mercy on those who dawdle behind.
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[He meets his eyes.]
My powers lie with my writing, and even those have been stripped from me. As a Witch, my sole saving grace is to be a living battery. You've treated me well at Chaldea. I did not forget that. My mana should go to someone who'll make good use of it.
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It seems your stubbornness is undiminished, Caster! Some things shall remain constant in this world as well. It delights me to know of it.
[setting down the alcohol, his expression is more weighing and considering, before he comes to a firm decision.]
Very well. As soon as you would, we'll to the Coven and take the ceremony to seal our fate.
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Did you expect anything different from me? I am as persistent and constant as a cockroach - you of all people should know that!
[This is more than an ideal arrangement for him. He didn't fancy combing the city for a monster and he knows Avenger, to an extent. He knocks back the rest of his drink before declaring:]
Why not go now? There's no point in dallying.
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[he'll save the rest of his drink for later, and sets it aside on one of the old tables.]
Come then! The night is young enough that we might say our vows before the strike of midnight!
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[Even as he complains, he's getting up. Where Dantes goes, he'll follow.]
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but, given their personalities, they have something or other to bicker about the entire way to the Coven's main building, all the way inside until they find where they can get a Witch to set up a circle for their ceremony. they look a little askance at the pair, who have to pause their discussion long enough to confirm this, but if they're sure...]
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When the Witch checks in with them, Andersen puts his hands on his hips.]
Of course I'm certain! I have a lot of work to do, I'm not going to waste time personally interviewing every Monster I come across. Avenger - [he holds out his hand] - take it.
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I tether myself to you as my partner to fight alongside, to stand against the mysteries of this world, to aid and abet each other in due course, through the flames of the abyss, the depths of the sea, and the blackest of nights. This I swear as Edmond Dantes.
[names give things power, and he places his in this to make it as true as he can. even with his reluctance earlier, this would run deeper than disguising it from the world.]
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What a troublesome man, saying one thing while doing the exact opposite.
Andersen will show his dedication to this decision as well, then.]
And I, Hans Christian Andersen, tether myself to you as your partner. Your tale is now mine, and I vow to see it through to the end. Though our collaboration may lead us into the heart of Hell itself, I swear on my honor as an author that no matter what terrors or pain awaits me, you will find me at your side.
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Dantes pauses before they walk too far, frowning and touching where he felt the warmth in his chest earlier.]
That was surprisingly painless.
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Andersen glances over at Dantes. He seems fine.]
This certainly is a funny story. A Servant contracting with a Servant. [It isn't exactly the same, but the parallel is there.] Did you expect it to hurt?
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