dramadramaduck | [video] //hoshi ni natta hanabi

Lancer. Please show yourself.

[The video begins with a woman calling out to the silence of a run-down and abandoned warehouse in the middle of the night. In response, the knight in black and green stepped out of the darkness with a steady and calm expression.]

Sola-sama. [Quietly spoken, concern evident in his voice.] How is Kayneth-dono's condition?

Not very good. I've performed all the routine treatments, but...

[That earns a dejected look from Lancer. It was his fault, of course it was--if he'd just been a little faster, if he was only a little stronger, then--]

This isn't your fault. Kayneth brought it upon himself. [She was adamant about that much.] This just means the Grail War was too much for him.

No, but...

[Sola didn't seem incredibly concerned about her fiance's condition, marching over to close the distance between them and standing directly in front of Lancer.]

He isn't worthy of being your Master, Diarmuid.

[Oh...oh, this was not good. This could not have been less good. Because the look on her face...he knew that look. Knew it all too well.]

[Sola seemed to realize she was staring, because in a moment she was all business once more. She raised her right hand, Kayneth's remaining two Command Spells imprinted upon it in crimson.]

Kayneth has given up the war, entrusting me with his rights as your Master.

[Lancer regarded her with a look that could only be described as 'this has got to be a joke' before again turning serious himself. He sighed and turned his back on her, putting a few feet of distance between them.]

I pledged my loyalty as a knight to Kayneth-dono. Sola-sama, I can not give you my consent to this.

What?! Firstly, aren't you a Servant who manifests using my mana?! Now I have the Command Spells as well!

[In stark contrast to Sola's sudden frustration and disbelief, Lancer remained calm and collected--though he seemingly refused to look directly at her.]

Before I am a Servant, I am a knight. I will only serve but one lord.

Am I not worthy of being your Master?

That's not the issue here--

Look at me when you speak! [Her sudden outburst was half-sobbed, a pleading look in Sola's eyes as she stared at him. Silently, Lancer turned to her with a difficult to read expression one might call resignation.]

Lancer...fight with me. Protect me. Support me. Win the Holy Grail with me!

I can't. [Still calm and unchanging in the face of her pleading, Lancer turned and started to walk away. This was his only chance, he was sure of it. He could stop now; he could get the hell out of here, plead with Kefka to do something about his contract...maybe form it with someone else if he could, anything but let Sola have those Command Spells.]

[Even if it meant breaking his word to Saber...he had to get the hell out of here before she got any worse.]

If Kayneth-dono has abandoned this battle, then I will seek the Grail no longer.

[Sola fumbled for words, seeming almost desperate to stop him, and then:] We need a miracle to heal him!

[Lancer stopped in his tracks. Unseen to Sola and only barely seen to the community, he actually scowled faintly in frustration. Two steps from the door, and his chance to leave had just sprouted wings and flown out the window.]

Only the Grail can make that happen. If you feel responsible for his current condition...if you wish to restore Lord El-Melloi's glory to what it used to be...you know you must offer the Grail to your lord!

[Lancer turned, a deadly serious look on his face now.] Sola-sama. You speak as Kayneth-dono's partner and seek the Grail only on his behalf, do you not?

Y-yes...of course!

Will you swear that you have no other desire? [That one sentence to Lancer was more significant than Sola could ever have understood, and the almost regretful tone he spoke it in made that clear.]

I swear. As wife to Kayneth El-Melloi, I shall bring him the Grail.

[A distinctly unhappy look broke through Lancer's calm composure, and he simply gave her a slight nod in response.]

[A little later, there would be a second video; this time, just Lancer speaking with a strangely blank look on his face. Like he couldn't fully process the implications of what had just happened.]

The look in her eyes...it was the same as Grainne's. I hold no hatred for anyone in my past, but my fate in this summoning...what I thought to be good fortune has simply become a cruel joke at my expense.

All I seek from this life is the loyalty denied to me in my previous one. I don't want that ending to repeat itself, yet...

Please. Someone tell me...do I even have a choice anymore? What was the point in returning at all if I am only to suffer through a repeat of my former life?

What am I supposed to do now?

[ooc: Wanted to get this post out there and over with because Sola skeeves me out hardcore. @_@ Sorry if it's a lot in a short time.]