[CLOSED] April Catch-all

[artorian]

WHO: Artoria Pendragon (Blue Saber) and tomodachis and Mordred
WHERE: everywhere... and nowhere
WHEN: all of April I GUESS
WHAT: miscellaneous interactions!
WARNINGS: n/a

[ Feel free to pm me or contact me at chipsnfish if you wanna plot something out! ]

Comments

Tristan!

[artorian]

[ As part of Mission: Understanding People's Hearts, Saber is dropping by Tristan's house on a whim. Being in Awash is a rare opportunity to peacefully reconnect with her knights, and she doesn't plan on squandering it.

Oh. And of course, since Tristan is supposedly more comfortable with her when she's armored, she quickly materializes her usual battle dress and armor over the comfortable, unremarkable clothes she'd been wearing up until this point.

Now she's ready! So she raises her hand to knock politely on the front door, not too loud, not too soft, her gauntlet clanking gently with each knock. And then she waits to see who will answer the door! ]

[noholdsbard]

[ He should’ve been prepared for something like this. The town has thrown enough curveballs at him over the course of a few months—some of them right at his doorstep, even. Not to mention that she already knows where he lives, and he undoubtedly expects to answer her call whenever and whereever.

And yet…in spite of himself, he finds that he’s still caught off-guard at the sight of his king at his front door, covered in her battle gear as if she’s summoning him to war. With his roomies and any passerby conveniently absent from their immediate vicinity, Tristan swiftly drops to his knees in a formal greeting. ]

Your orders, my king?

[artorian]

[ This is... a problem. Saber's waiting smile flips into a frown as she quickly glances around to make sure no one is watching. ]

No, no. I am not here on business. Rise, Tristan. Honestly, we are going to have to start training you out of that habit...

[noholdsbard]

Oh, I—I apologize.

[ Awkwardly rising to his feet because yep she’s not happy about this at all— ]

But I…that is, what do you require of me?

[artorian]

[ Her frown flips back up into a smile! ]

I happened to be passing by, so I thought I would see if you were in. Are you busy? There is one small matter I would like to discuss with you, but it is not urgent.

[noholdsbard]

Not at all.

[ If that came out a little too quickly, it’s because he’s still trying to get used to not treating her like, well, like a king. Evidently his courtly manners aren’t warranted even when they’re alone, huh?

But he takes a step aside to allow Saber entry. ]

The ones I share this house with are not in at the moment, so we can speak freely, if it pleases you.

[artorian]

Of course. Thank you.

[ She clanks on in... ]

I heard something recently: that it is possible in this town to bestow memories on other people. I am curious to try it, so I was wondering if you would be interested in receiving one of mine.

Maya!

[artorian]

[ Knock knock!

Saber is standing at Maya's front door with a 300-pound bluefin tuna in her arms. ]

[scooptimistic]

[ The door opens and Maya peeks out, all smiles. ]

Oh, he-- heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey?!

[ WHAT IS THAT MASSIVE FISH, SABER. ]

[artorian]

[ Saber's proud smile is only barely visible over the top of the tuna. ]

Hello, Maya. I had a fruitful hunt and thought you would like to share the spoils with me.

[ It isn't crab, but it's some kind of seafood!! ]

[scooptimistic]

Absolutely. I think it'll break my table, though, so we'll have to see where we can put it.

[ But she'll open the door wider and beckon Saber in. ]

[artorian]

[ Saber moves to walk in, then thinks better of it and turns to enter sideways so that she can fit the tuna which btw is this big. ]

I thought you might be my closest authority on seafood. Can you tell what kind of fish this is?

[scooptimistic]

[ Saber, what kind of mad diving have you been doing in the harbor and why didn't you bring her with you...

Maya hums, thoughtful, and gives the fish a pensive stare as she gestures to the counter in the kitchen. ]

I've got a guess, or enough of one. But I've never seen a tuna so huge.

Magilou!

[artorian]

[ Saber is strolling through town with a pot of tuna meat. As she considers who she might share it with, speak of the devil -- she spots someone she hasn't seen in what feels like a very long time. ]

Magilou!

[ Saber calls out, making her way over at the same easy pace. It being a peaceful day, she's absent her armor; she's just wearing an unremarkable shirt and loose trousers with a brown pair of boots, no clanking to be heard. ]

[witchual]

[ Speak of the devil indeed! Here she is!! Magilou bounds over to Saber, a skip in her step. Unfortunately, Magilou is still dressed in her horrid outfit. She did manage to get the mud out of it with the hot springs, after all. ]

And lo, we meet again, face-to-face under more fortuitous circumstances! I almost didn't recognize you without that clanking sound. Here to bring an offering to the most magnanimous of witches?

[ There's a lilt to her voice. It's pretty obviously a lighthearted joke this time, especially when her stomach rumbles a second later. Hope there's good food in that pot Saber is lugging! ]

[artorian]

[ Wearing the same clothes all the time seems like a legitimate witch thing, so Saber doesn't think twice about it...

But after all the dragon-flavored destruction around town, Saber is pleased to see that Magilou is still heartily, theatrically herself. There's no point in worrying about a witch, but still -- her own personal wizard has already disappeared on her, so it's nice to have visual confirmation on Magilou. ]

Yes, as a matter of fact. I caught a fish beyond my need, so I have been looking to share the meat.

[ She unlids the pot to show the hunks of meat stuffed inside, big steaks of dark, richly colored tuna. The only thing is that that color is green, but beggars can't be choosers. ]

[witchual]

[ Magilou's eyes widen at the display of tuna, both out of hunger and surprise. She can't deny that she's anxious to eat food that might actually taste like food, rather than some sort of nefarious trick by the town as usual.

...Maybe her mouth is watering a little bit. She sways her hips from side to side, her hands behind her back. ]

Oho, I'll accept your benefactions with a thousand watt smile! [ And so she gives one! It reaches her eyes this time. ] And as a show of my generosity, I'll even help you set up a little picnic. We'll have a right ol' backyard jamboree!

[artorian]

A... picnic?

[ Do people have fish picnics? Saber will never say no to a picnic though, so she nods, if slowly, and re-lids the pot. Magilou's eyeing of the meat isn't lost on Saber, so she makes a note to let Magilou have any possible leftovers. Saber's already had her lion's share (which was far too much by most people's standards), and there's no small amount of tuna still left to give away.

She looks to Magilou, ready to follow along to wherever their picnic site will be. ]

Speaking of jamborees, how are your plans for your Menagerie coming along?

[witchual]

A picnic, of course! How else are we gonna get a tête-à-tête going, a mess hall? It's so impersonal. With a picnic, you get all the same food, but it's about location!

[ And she starts marching toward the direction of the harbor! Well, at least where she believes the harbor to be. She's still new here, give her time. Her gait is slow and carefree, and she motions for Saber to follow. Which is just as well: if Saber is indeed going to be a member of her morbid menagerie, Magilou will be leading her to parts unknown. (In a comedy sense.) ]

We're going at an impressive clip. We'll have to put up a sign somewhere to let people know we're hiring. [ She makes sure to carefully enunciate the "we". ] Dazzling death-defiance only comes with careful practice, so it's still a while before we're showtime-ready, but when you're under my wing, you'll be leaving the audience in stitches in no time.

"and mordred"

[rebeliune]

[ It's strange, waking up without the burning resentment she's felt for most of her short life. Oh, the rage still lingers at the edge of her vision; maybe she hasn't been here long enough, or maybe nothing can ever truly wash away something so tied to her very being. But today it's more like being woken up in a bad mood, as opposed to burning a kingdom to the ground for some short-sighted revenge.

(Not that she'd ever do that again. Probably.)

Even without anger burning a hole in her gut, she's never sure how to act around Artoria when they aren't fighting. She knows what to expect; to be treated like a subordinate at best, ignored at worst. Neither of which are acceptable. Neither of which stop her coming back, time and time again. Having found out where her father lives through stalking detective work definitely stalking, she's staking out the door when Artoria leaves, and jolts in surprise at being (possibly) caught out. ]

Y... yo, father. [ That alone is a change — not King Arthur, heavy with animosity, but as close to a normal greeting as Mordred can get. She swallows, doing her best to look nonchalant while she stuffs her hands in the pockets of her (far too revealing) shorts. ] I was just passing by, so this meeting is pure coincidence! ... Anyway, what are you doing?

[ Asked like a kid trying to follow their parent to work or something. ]

just wanted to make her feel welcome

[artorian]

[ Saber woke up feeling strangely anxious this morning. Or is it strange? She can't quite recall feeling any other way. The more she thinks about it, the more unsettled she gets, so before long she banishes the thought in favor of more important things like breakfast.

Filling her belly with warm, delicious food, she begins to feel more like herself. That is, until she feels a Servant presence creeping up on the house, and again a haze of doubt descends on her. Does someone want something with her? She can't see why. Whatever they want, she probably won't be able to help them with it. She's of no use to anyone...

But the Servant doesn't go away even after she's done with her meal (which is admittedly not much later), and she begins to wonder if there's something wrong. Her presence probably won't make a difference, but she's still a knight and the Servant might be in need... so she should check on them, just in case. Mind slowly made up, she summons her armor before finally putting her hand on the doorknob, slowly opening the door, and meekly sticking her head out.

So she startles when Mordred is suddenly there, already looking at her. ]

Mordred!

[ Saber continues clutching the door, only halfway out the house as Mordred gets out her greeting. Why is Mordred here. Saber might lack confidence, but she isn't dumb; this is the very opposite of "just passing by". On another day, she wouldn't hesitate to call Mordred out on it, but today she feels like maybe she shouldn't. Maybe, somehow, even with all evidence to the contrary, it's possible she's wrong and Mordred really is here by pure coincidence. ]

I... have just had breakfast. I was thinking of going to the forest...

[ Her head turns slightly in puzzlement and a hint of suspicion. ]

Why do you ask?

[rebeliune]

No reason! [ Said a little too quickly, even if it wasn't an obvious lie to start with. Mordred glances in the direction of the forest, as if weighing her options, then finally blurts: ] B-but I was headed there too. Maybe we could go hunting together?

[ She wants to squeeze her eyes shut in anticipation of the rejection she's sure is coming, but forces herself to hold steady. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she thinks that she isn't being confrontational enough... but then, she can't think of why she would be. Her memories of the woman in front of her aren't gone, but the emotions have been drained from them, like there's no reason to be angry about what happened. ]

... Well, it's fine if you say no. I get that you're afraid of losing to me. [ Her boastfulness hasn't gone anywhere yet, at least........... ]

[artorian]

[ Oddly enough, the idea of having someone along with her is appealing. Being alone in the forest sounds... daunting? Yes, daunting -- there's no telling what could be out there, and it'll be safer with company. Even if Mordred can be a little......... problematic, they're officially cooperating, and Mordred is a strong Servant besides. Though again, Mordred is clearly, definitely fibbing and making up an excuse to come along. Though also Saber might be wrong about that, because it isn't like her claim to fame was understanding people...

Her warring thoughts are exhausting, and she gently deflates in place. She's really just no good today. ]

I would welcome your company. But you are correct; I fear I would be a poor match for you. Would you not be better off with a different hunting companion? I am certain Sir Tristan would provide a fine challenge...

[rebeliune]

[ Mordred's jaw drops. ]

As if that birdbrain could ever hope to match me! [ As much as her heart soars to hear that her father would welcome her company, she also knows how wrong the idea is, let alone the rest of it. ] What the hell is this? Even against the strongest of opponents, King Arthur never once backed down!

[ No longer maintaining a respectful distance, she gets up in Saber's business instead, looking her up and down. Everything looks right, but... ]

Are you that Roman chick dressing up like father? ... No, she couldn't act modest if she tried. [ She also has boobs, though Saber's armour hides that part when Takeuchi isn't hacking away at the sides of it. ] Did Merlin do something? Is this just an illusion? Hey, answer me!

[artorian]

[ Is... Is a man wielding a magical bow-harp that can fire invisible vacuum arrows inescapable except by extradimensional exodus an unworthy match for Mordred? Saber can't fathom it. How... impressive of Mordred.

Saber leans back in the face of Mordred's full frontal inspection, her posture shrinking slightly. Mordred isn't wrong that King Arthur never backed down from a challenge, but that was all in the past. Saber doesn't feel particularly Arthurish today...

Though. There's a little wiggle of irritation that puts a notch in her brow. Why is Mordred getting so worked up? ]

I have no answer for you. I am not Red Saber, and I have not seen Merlin in quite some time...

[ She's a little sad he seems to have left without so much as a goodbye, but there's no accounting for his whims. He's probably running carefree somewhere, laughing infuriatingly at mortal danger. Anyway.

She blinks once, glances away, blinks again, before finally managing to meet Mordred's gaze once more. Hesitantly... ]

Are you not, perhaps... overreacting?