PSL

[allmenare]

[On the shoreline stands two figures. One standing on the shore, and one out over the water's surface. The one on land respects the one on water, and listens while they speak.

Words are exchanged back and forth. Some agreeable, some not. Then the being over the water holds out their hand to the other, and...

And...

This is where the dream always ends. It doesn't come to him every night; sometimes he'll go weeks without seeing it, only for it to jolt him awake in the early hours of the morning. But when he does dream of the still waters and the two persons there, it's always the same. Eerily calm waters, a conversation, and an extended hand.

It feels significant, but Fukuzawa has never been the best at interpreting dreams. Nor does he have the drive to consult an expert about what the dream might mean. It's an annoyance, but nothing more. Some random bits of memory mixed together to make something both familiar and unrecognizable at the same time.

Even though it's only half past four in the morning, Fukuzawa decides to get up. Falling back asleep after that particular dream is always a chore, and he decides to skip it this morning. Instead, he spends the extra time before his alarm goes off playing with his pet cat with several of the toys he had bought for her. A feather on a string, a laser pointer, a crinkled up foil ball, all of it is fascinating to the small grey tabby cat. Said cat is well tired out by the time Fukuzawa thinks to get dressed and get ready for work.

The dream is far from Fukuzawa's mind by the time he arrives at the office. He has no reason to ponder such strange nighttime thoughts, not with all of the work to do. There's clients to meet, deals to arrange, and new subordinates to properly train into great detectives. Fukuzawa may be a kind leader, but he is also a strict one. A certain level of capability and professionalism is to be expected from anyone he counts as 'his'.

All in all, it's a normal Tuesday for Fukuzawa. Up until 11 am rolls around, at least. He has a meeting scheduled, but it's one that nobody remembers putting into the calendar, nor were any details about the potential client taken down. No, this is going to be a surprise meeting, one that will change Fukuzawa's life forever. He just doesn't know that yet.]

Comments

[myrdd]

[To think he'd return to surveying another part of this country years after the two Grail Wars his king had partaken in.

Perhaps it's the excitement of the spectacle that catches his fancy and the thrill of anticipation that, once again, has him at the edge of his seat. Perhaps it's the competition for an object that seems like a Grail knock-off with its multitude of limitations and rules. Perhaps it's witnessing power akin to magecraft being used so freely, a secret with the kind of openness that doesn't diminish its potency.

Perhaps it's the humans involved: a ragtag group on all sides, several led by tyrants and a few who, in another time, may be worthy of recognition as kings.

As a premier king maker, of course he'd know. It's practically his expertise. Can one blame him for appreciating the efforts of this one individual?

So here he is, wearing a light gray suit over a pink shirt, pretending to be a foreign client just because it seemed like a good idea at the time he snuck one Emrys Collins, reclusive enthusiast of esoterica, into the secretary's calendar.

--- not that even the most normal-sounding alias he could pick out is a match for the resident genius who mows into his bag of chips as "Emrys" is shown in. Or is it the clothes? Anyway, Merlin pretends he doesn't notice the attention, sending the young lady who shows him to the meeting room a dazzling smile before greeting the severe-looking man.]

Good morning~!

Thanks for accommodating me in what must be a busy schedule.