James Moriarty (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
hatesdeerstalkers) wrote2019-08-22 01:23 am
hatesdeerstalkers) wrote2019-08-22 01:23 am
FLAT AND MORIARTY'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE(F/SF AU)
[Fate itself could be changed by just the tiniest of motions. Just the smallest of differences had a massive effect on what should happen.
And in this massive universe, perhaps - just perhaps, there existed a mere timeline where, instead of the prize for sending in a survey card being a knife signed by Jack the Ripper...it was something relating to another famous British 'hero.'
Yet, things still continued the same. Flat Escardos still went over to america, and fiddled with the 'relic' he had been given, and then -
Suddenly, in front of him - was a man in a pinstripe suit, with a strange, black and blue cape, a pair of glasses on his face and a strange cane in his hand.]
...So, you have -
[And then, he paused.
Because of a few very, very pertinent details.
One: This was during the day.
Two: This was in FULL VIEW of multiple people, most likely ones who had already seen him, hopefully not when he quite literally popped into existence.
Three: WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO HIS SAINT GRAPH AND WHY IS HE A BERSERKER?!
With these details in mind, James Moriarty - The Napoleon of Crime, the vaunted rival of Sherlock Holmes, the only man said to hold a candle to him - quickly did what he had to.
And that was to put on a smiling face, clapping his hand on Flat's shoulder as if they knew each other - no, as if they were related from the level of fondness that he was displaying.]
Ah, there you are! I'd wondered where you'd gotten off to - let's continue on our walk, shall we?
[Though his voice was light, pleasant, and friendly - the way his hand tightened on Flat's shoulder made it very clear that disobeying was not an option.]
And in this massive universe, perhaps - just perhaps, there existed a mere timeline where, instead of the prize for sending in a survey card being a knife signed by Jack the Ripper...it was something relating to another famous British 'hero.'
Yet, things still continued the same. Flat Escardos still went over to america, and fiddled with the 'relic' he had been given, and then -
Suddenly, in front of him - was a man in a pinstripe suit, with a strange, black and blue cape, a pair of glasses on his face and a strange cane in his hand.]
...So, you have -
[And then, he paused.
Because of a few very, very pertinent details.
One: This was during the day.
Two: This was in FULL VIEW of multiple people, most likely ones who had already seen him, hopefully not when he quite literally popped into existence.
Three: WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO HIS SAINT GRAPH AND WHY IS HE A BERSERKER?!
With these details in mind, James Moriarty - The Napoleon of Crime, the vaunted rival of Sherlock Holmes, the only man said to hold a candle to him - quickly did what he had to.
And that was to put on a smiling face, clapping his hand on Flat's shoulder as if they knew each other - no, as if they were related from the level of fondness that he was displaying.]
Ah, there you are! I'd wondered where you'd gotten off to - let's continue on our walk, shall we?
[Though his voice was light, pleasant, and friendly - the way his hand tightened on Flat's shoulder made it very clear that disobeying was not an option.]
no subject
so once they reach the bathroom and flat is able to speak again, he’s going to do just that. ]
S-so you are a servant!? Oh man, I didn’t know that you’d actually come like that, I was just playing around with the energy. To think that you would actually appear!
no subject
[Safely in spirit form, he grinds that out mentally - still communicating his disbelief and annoyance loud and clear through his voice.]
And first off, stop speaking out loud! Like this, we won't be overheard - do you truly intend to break that blasted veil of secrecy surrounding magecraft?!
no subject
[ flat laughs lightheartedly, despite the yelling. however, he will do as moriarty asks, and begin speaking telepathically as he plays with the catalyst--a deerstalker. ]
Actually, I kind of thought this would summon someone else! After all, deerstalkers are kind of Sherlock Holmes' thing, no? But you're not him at all.
no subject
A deerstalker...? Of all fucking things, a goddamned deerstalker?
He hates absolutely everything.
Still, he forces down his anger, calming himself before he speaks again.]
....Indeed, you're correct - I am not Sherlock Holmes. That being said, it seems I am still your Servant...though there is something that's strange about this war...and about myself.
[He pauses.]
Have you noticed it, Master?
no subject
but regardless of that, he grins, leaning against the wall. ]
Maybe? But it's pretty cool this way, right? I didn't know much about the Grail War before coming here, but it's kind of like going to a movie without being spoiled! It's much more exciting this way!
But I guess I should ask who you are. I mean...you don't remind me of Watson either. But you do remind me of my Professor. Hm...
[ moriarty can probably see flat's single brain cell working over time, until-- ]
Oh! You're Sherlock's arch nemesis!
[ yeah he said that out loud. ]
no subject
[Is it possible for Heroic Spirits to get ulcers? Because god, he's feeling like he's going to get an ulcer at this rate. What the hell kind of Master has he been saddled with?]
God in heaven - yes, I am James Moriarty, the Napoleon of Crime! But isn't there something else wrong about me?! I should be a Caster, or an Archer - but I'm a Berserker! That should be impossible!
no subject
[ flat quiets down, but can't help but to look visibly confused when moriarty makes that comment. though he knows little about the grail war, he knows enough to be aware that something isn't right there. ]
Don't Berserkers have that madness whatever skill? Hm...but you don't seem very mad--well, no, you're very mad right now! [ a laugh ] But not insane. Why's that?
no subject
[He grumbles, but continues.]
Madness Enhancement is what you're thinking of - and yes, I have it, but it doesn't seem to be active.
[If Flat takes a look, that skill is literally ranked EX.
It also seems very ominous.]
Unless you make the choice to use it, it seems I will retain my sanity. ...And I ask that you not use it unless absolutely necessary, Master. I do prefer being sane over being mad, after all.
no subject
[ despite the fact that this was not the servant that flat had planned to summon, things were shaping up great! after all, what could be cooler than having the only person that could go against London's greatest detective!?
nevertheless, with the level of that skill and what flat has noticed, he has to agree with the Professor. ]
And don't worry, professor! Using it would probably cause a lot of death and that'd be terrible. So you don't have to worry about that.
[ because moriarty clearly has enough on his plate with just flat. ]
no subject
[Good - as idiotic as this boy may seem, it appears he also has a decent head on his shoulders. Moriarty sighs, before deciding to appear in front of him again.]
Very well - since we were already seen coming in here together, we should exit together as well. For now, it would be best if we acted like a father and son - I'll accompany you to wherever you're staying.
[With a fake, yet genuine seeming smile - Moriarty strides forward towards the bathroom exit, looking as confident and at ease as if they truly were just a pair of tourists on vacation.]
Ah - it seems I am still a little tired. Shall we go back to our room...?
no subject
Are you really? I mean, the weather's so nice, why not just relax for a while in the grass and look at the clouds?
[ unlike moriarty's fake smile, flat's words and expressions are one hundred percent honest.
in fact, he'll even be running out of the bathroom just to lay down on a patch of grass some meters away. ]
no subject
[And just like that, he sees his new Master run towards a grass patch - like he hasn't just become a master in a strange Holy Grail War. Like he's just -
"Professor, can't we have class outside? It's sunny for once!"
...
How odd.
Though his master is undoubtedly an incredible Mage....he doesn't have that same cold, unflinching outlook.
Instead, it's...different. He's different - and in this moment, it's enough to actually make that fake smile of his a little genuine.
With a shrug, he takes off the top coat of his outfit - and heads on over, laying his cape onto the grass nearby before laying down himself.]
...Ah, well. I suppose you're right! A little rest outside shouldn't do any harm.
[However, he does give one last mental question.]
I realize I never asked your name, Master. May I have it now?
no subject
lay down on his back, arms behind his head.
his name, huh? well that would be a complicated issue. he wonders for a second if he should be one hundred percent honest with his servant, but...no, not now. his given name hasn't been part of his identity in years, and it won't start now. ]
I'm Flat Escardos, sir! From the El-Melloi School of Modern Magecraft!
no subject
[The reply is questioning - for multiple different reasons.
The Escardos had been a small family - nothing special, as far as mages went, in his time. Yet, it had produced someone like Flat...?
And the other reason - he didn't introduce himself as someone of the House of Escardos, instead naming himself as a pupil of some kind of school. Did that mean he was disinherited...? ...Well, no, that only made perfect sense. Flat was so far from the 'proper' Mage mindset that any family would disown him, incredible talent or no.
Still, he nods.]
Hm...It's been a while since I've stared at the clouds.
[And that, well...That's that, for a little bit - at least until Flat decides it's finally time to return to the motel - with Moriarty visible, acting cheerful and friendly as he always does, ever the picture of a doting father or uncle come to tour the city with his younger relative.
Of course, once they were inside, Moriarty became a little more serious - and also let some of his butterflies generate, their blue forms bright against the motel room.]
...Well, I suppose it'll do. Do you have this place fortified?
no subject
moriarty's butterflies, to be exact.
he's studying them the same way a child might stare at ants, and sometimes even letting them go when his servant isn't looking.
what is for certain, though, is that flat is only barely paying attention to moriarty, even when he asks such a serious question. ]
Mm, not really. Putting guards in this place would probably make other Magi suspicious. It's better to stay a--
[ his attention is cut in the middle of his sentence, and he snaps his head towards the window with a curious tilt. ]
....Something's happening, I think. In the desert.
[ the desert that is miles and miles away from where they are. ]
no subject
At the response about the guards, he frowns, opening his mouth to say something - only to be stopped short by that declaration.]
Hm? What do you -
[THOOM.
That rush of Magical energy - loud and visible enough to be seen even from where they are - instantly has him on alert, blue eyes flashing towards the sound as if he could see it himself.]
...Has it begun? Already?
no subject
[ flat seems rather cheery despite the meaning behind this. the beginning of a war between magi, where there would no doubt be bloodshed and atrocities to spare.
he jumps from the bed rather calmly, muttering to himself as he goes to the bathroom. ]
I feel a little bad, though. I sent your butterflies to create a network around the city, but I believed that they wouldn't have lasted in the desert. Ah, well. [ with a shrug and a smile, flat turns on the faucet, using the water as a medium to draw a magic circle on the mirror.
with an incantation, the image on the mirror twists and turns, and then shows an aerial view of the desert and, from far away, what seems to be a fight. ]
no subject
[Quickly feeling outward, he does indeed feel that his butterflies still remain - which opens up a massive avenue of spying potential, but...
Then, Flat does his trick with the mirror - and Moriarty is taken aback yet again.]
...I don't understand. How could you have created a familiar that quickly?
no subject
[ flat laughs, unaware of moriarty’s surprise and much less what could be the cause of it. ]
I’m just borrowing some of the other magi’s familiars to see what’s happening.
4 fucking days later I return
[His shock fades, as a bright smile suddenly crosses his face.]
Wonderful! Hm, though...it does truly seem as if a Servant fight is already in progress. Hopefully the dust settles a bit so we can see more easily.
welcome back old man
[ flat grins, clearly proud of his work. turning back to the mirror, he tries to focus on the image. ]
Unfortunately we can't get any closer than this without actually taking full control of the familiar which would probably give us away. But... [ he falls silent, observing the mirror closely. even though the dust doesn't seem to be settling, considering the fight, between the visuals and the amount of Mana he's sensing, it's not difficult to make an opinion. ]
Man, these two are fighting hard! I hope they're having fun!
and then nerofest happened
[...Which reminds him.]
This may be the oddest time to bring this up, but - are my butterflies sight-based only?
big mood
[ flat turns on the faucet again, adding more water to the mirror. ]
So you take the image... twist it...bring it down...change the output...
[ and the mirror is divided in two, with a second image reflected on the lower half of it; an aerial view of central snowfield. though most magi would need their full concentration on one familiar, flat seems to be capable of doing it with ease, and still have enough attention to turn back to moriarty. ]
Something like that! It's sight only, yeah, but if I put together three or four of them, then I can get a really good view of the city.
no subject
[His tone - doesn't harbor any incredulity, nor anger. In fact, it sounds quite a bit like a teacher suggesting design alternatives or improvements to a project, full of that warm approval.]
And I haven't mentioned this before, but you truly are quite the adept...impressive. Few Mages could match you, I imagine.
1/2
[ flat's eyes are wide as he stares up at his servant, having a difficult time understanding the compliment. after all, he's grown used to his professor's more roundabout praises that lay under a pile of insults but...
to receive such openly honest praise-- ]
no subject
flat's shocked expression shifts into a grin, his eyes practically sparkling with excitement. ]
No one's ever said that in such a nice way! And yes, I have, but I was wondering if there was a way to bring all the sounds together, kind of like...if I could connect all of the butterflies and turn them into a giant antenna or radar.
no subject
[After all, that was always how prideful people reacted in the face of something they didn't understand. Fear, and hatred. A shame, really - he seems like an intensely pliable sort, and Moriarty is beginning to have the inklings of fondness for his new, strange master.
He nods, though, clearly pleased that Flat has picked up his meaning so well.]
Yes, that is possible...however, there's a much easier, more elegant solution.
[He produces...
..A thin, almost invisible string, glinting silver in the light, seemingly out of nowhere and practically undetectable to most magic senses. Holding it out, he grins.]
Touch this, and you'll see why.
[It is, after all, his 'End of the Spider's Thread' skill - a magical line that allows him to listen in to whatever it's attached to.
And if it were attached to his modified butterflies...]
1/2
those words weigh him down, and he can feel as if the water is filling his lungs.
fear. fear is something that he knows well, both his own and other’s. it’s such an unpleasant feeling— ]
2/2
Huh? A spider thread?
[ pushing the doubt and fear out of his mind, he takes a hold of the thread and attaches it to a nearby butterfly.
and, suddenly, the bottom broadcast comes to live with sound. ]
Ah! It works! You’re amazing, Pr—Berserker!
no subject
...It seemed he hadn't yet accepted his lot in life. Which was fine - he was young, and could still choose his own paths.
Still, the praise is wonderful - and he grins, brightly.]
Of course, of course! I am who I am, after all - The Napoleon of Crime. It would be odd if I didn't have something to hear far away conversations, would it not?
[Still, it's clear that the fight is beginning to ramp up - causing Moriarty to pause in his conversation.]
...Hm. They seem evenly matched - interesting. They're also obviously quite powerful...
no subject
[ flat looks up at moriarty, almost insulted that he would tell him such a thing like “fighting another servant” ]
We should befriend them. Imagine having these two as your frie—eh?
[ he looks back to the mirror, where one of the broadcasts has gone out. the one in the desert, to be precise. ]
Seems like the connection got cut off. It wasn’t blocked or ended by the owner but more like... it stopped working. I wonder...
[ he focuses the view of the butterflies nearest to the desert, and frowns. ]
Maybe it was the amount of power from their Noble Phantasms that took them out. Like a power surge.
[ he doesn’t seem too convinced by it. ]
no subject
[He stares at his Master uncomprehendingly for a bit - just in time for the connection to be cut off, and he's shocked out of his surprise.]
....That, or their Noble Phantasms destroyed them. With the amount of power being shown, I'm not surprised.
[With a sigh, he wanders out, sitting on the bed.]
Still - knowing what we're up against, this war will be...complicated, to say the least. Though I have some power at my disposal, it's not something like what we just saw. So, we'll have to be much more..intelligent about this, much more secretive.
no subject
[ flat's not really paying attention to moriarty at this point, putting him on a second plane as he continues to stare at where the feed was. in his head, he's running calculations, his thoughts racing.
the idea that it was the joint noble phantasms is something that most magi would consider, but it doesn't seem to convince flat.
but maybe it doesn't mean anything. maybe it's something they can ignore for now.
so he turns back, smiling. ]
Right! I should probably start thinking on how to ask them to befriend us. The more convincing we are, the easier it'll be to get them on our side!