Rider
Accepting her master's words, Rider stood aside and allowed her to approach the newcomer, nevertheless remaining alert and ready in case something bad happened.
Ruler? I've never heard of that class..., Rider thought, somewhat surprised at the woman's response.
However, whilst Rider had never heard of the girl's class, her grail-given knowledge and the historical knowledge she had gained over her years of life with Sakura meant that she knew very well who the girl in front of her was. Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans. A young peasant girl who had been driven by visions of God into fighting a war to liberate her homeland, captured by her enemies, betrayed by the very Church and God she fought in the name of and burnt at the stake. As different as their origins were, Rider could absolutely sympathise with the path the girl's life had taken. That, plus her demenour towards Sakura, made Rider reasonably sure she meant her master no harm.
Rider continued to listen to their conversation, the mention of Sakura's adoptive family making Rider momentarily worried that Jeanne would turn on them. Fortunately, though, she reacted kindly, complimenting Sakura as she offered a contract. Rider stood with a smile on her face as the two discussed contracting, happy for Sakura to have found another servant who could protect her. However, as they discussed the contract, the servant asked a rather odd question.
"Are you a follower of the words and teachings of His Lord and Saviour?" she asked.
Rider's face screwed up in annoyance at the question. She had no trust in the gods, regardless of what pantheon they were from, and this "God" that Jeanne believed in had certainly not had power over the gods she knew, and nor had he helped Sakura in any way, shape or form. To Rider's surprise and slight annoyance, Sakura responded in a positive manner, claiming she was a Christian and, even, had become more religious since arriving in the Nexus.
Rider simply could not understand why. The gods had clearly forsaken Sakura once again, why would she turn to them?
Still, it was something Rider knew she had to put behind her. The newcomer seemed nice enough, and having someone else she could trust to help protect Sakura and her family was definitely a good thing. As she watched Sakura begin the ritual to form the contract, a smile came back to Rider's face. Finally, with the contract complete, the smiling Sakura introduced Rider to her new servant, who walked over towards her with a smile on her face.
"Good day Rider", she said, "or should I call you Medusa?"
Rider frowned for a moment, wondering how Jeanne had deduced her identity already, before relaxing and putting on another smile as she realised that it really didn't matter. After all, she already knew Jeanne's identity, and her true identity was information that the girl would need in order for the two of them to fight together effectively.
"Nice to meet you, Jeanne", she responded. "You will not regret this decision, I promise you that. As for my name, I would prefer Rider. It is what I am used to."
