awashlogs | [closed] may catch-all

[ Ah, the Scolding Look. She's received that a lot from her comrades, so it doesn't have much of an effect - sorry Saber. ]

I think we're having culture shock. It's no biggie. [ How to explain this... Magilou throws her arms out and shrugs, apparently unsure of where to start. ] See, we have true names where I'm from too - but sharing them outside of a pact is a huge no-no, barring a few exceptions. There's some heavy implications there!

[ Deep down, though, she feels honored that Saber told her. But just a little bit!! ]

'Course, I won't share it if you don't want me to - even I'm not that wicked. Saber in public, Artoria in private?

[ She nods her assent. Truthfully, it hardly matters if anyone calls her Artoria in public, seeing as how she was officially Arthur in legend. Only one person ever called her Artoria in life. Call her sentimental, but she'd like to reserve that name for the people close to her. ]

Heavy implications? Could you elaborate?

Well...

[ She was planning on teasing Saber - Artoria - about this, but the truth might as well be teasing her anyway. So! ]

It usually means one of two things. Either the malak - that is, the spirit - is saying they'd jump in the line of fire and die for you, or...

[ A pause. Wait for it! ]

It's a confession of love!

[ Have a flourish, too, complete with a grand show of her outstretched arm. ]

And since you were adamant about your lack of devotion in that area, I figured it wasn't that one, so I was a little shocked!

[ artoria are you sure you still want to be friends with her ]

......

[ There a few seconds of silence in which Saber stares thinking at the grandly posed Magilou. ]

[ And then she smiles confidently in understanding. ]

I see. I suppose it is a little early to call my feelings toward you thus, but I could certainly grow to love you in time.

[ She doesn't actually understand. ]

[ She... might be the most sincere person Magilou knows. And simultaneously, somehow the most thickheaded... ]

You're too straightforward for your own good. That's not really something people just come right out and say!

Is it not? I cannot see the harm in being direct. It is best to leave no room for misunderstanding.

[ Saber does from a very different age... She frowns as she considers Magilou's perspective. ]

Does it make you uncomfortable?

No, just flabbergasted!

[ Another huff. Geez, she's going to be 80 from emotional whiplash alone by the time this conversation is over. ]

You don't speak in fifteen thousand riddles to get your point across, you just say what's on your mind. That's a terrifying talent. [ There's an unspoken how do you do it? in there, too. ] You're going to have me saying things like that if you're not careful!

[ Saber laughs quietly. Twice in one conversation -- Magilou is truly a comedian for the ages. ]

I would enjoy that very much. In any case, seeing as how we both want for something to pass the time, shall we spend the day together? It is fine weather to be out and about.

I was occupied being unoccupied, but since you asked so nicely I can shirk my duties and relent.

[ Also, it is a nice day. Maybe she should get a change of clothes instead of walking around in her ostentatious skirt made of books for days like this...

On second thought? Nah. ]

You always seem like such a busybody. How do you have time to just wander around?

[ ... Does she really seem like she's never up to anything important...? How troubling. ]

I was always busy before I became a spirit, so I suppose I have become restless by default. I do not get tired as the day progresses, nor do I require sleep. In many ways, I have more time than I know what to do with.

[ Magilou waves her hand in front of her face, as if to bat away Saber's worries and justifications. ]

Bzzt! Wrong! I meant it the other way around. You're always so focused on doing things for other people and meddling in their affairs that I have no idea how you do anything for yourself. Live a little! Be selfish!

[ After all, she's rescued Magilou from the well, given her food no less than twice, and went onstage with her, among other things. Not that Magilou!! Cares!! About whether Saber is enjoying herself, but!! ]

Seems like you need a lesson in selfishness. So here's my selfish request: we're doing what you want to do today. And there's no takebacks or refusals!

[ ...???

The more Magilou talks, the wrinklier the space between Saber's eyebrows gets. Is there something wrong with involving herself in other people's affairs and helping them? Is selfishness really something to be desired?? Nothing is connecting. It makes no sense to her. ]

I sought you out precisely because there is nothing I want to do. Magilou, are you not just trying to shirk responsibility for choosing our plan of action?

[ It would be an admittedly convoluted ploy, but Magilou is a convoluted person. ]

[ Phew, okay, Magilou sighs and places a hand oh her forehead. She's not great at talking about stuff like this, but she's going to give it her best try. ]

Okay, yeah, you caught me. That's part of it. Lazy is as lazy does.

[ She'd normally applaud the perception, or at the very least feign mock injury. Instead, she straightens up, her demeanor much more serious and her eyebrows lifting curiously. ]

But I mean, you caught me at the well, then you took a bath at the hot springs because I ran in there. You've fed my famished form, and you've done whole comedy shows, way out of what you said your comfort zone was! You're seriously fine with that? Don't you want to do something... I dunno, more your speed? Like, fighting practice, or riding on horseback, or... Whatever you knightly types do, that's not my normal crowd. You don't normally do comedy shows with maniacal witches in your spare time, do you?

[ There is a very important point she's leaving out here: Deep down, Magilou is encouraging her to be selfish because Magilou wants to return the favor. But that's impossible for her to drag out to the light, even to herself. ]

No, of course not...

[ It seems like Magilou has put some thought into this, so Saber has no choice but to take her seriously. And Magilou... isn't wrong. Saber has to admit that she's felt somewhat aimless since arriving here. It isn't natural for her to be living as she is, a Servant with no human Master. There are no goals for her to work toward, no future to think of. Her life is already over. What meaning does she have left but to aid the living?

But it doesn't seem like Magilou will let this go easily, so Saber resigns herself to playing along. ]

If you want to know what I did for leisure, I liked spending time with my steeds and hounds. If I had enough time for it, I also enjoyed touring the country. But as you can imagine, such things translate poorly here.

[ What she actually wants to do is sample delicious food from 21st century markets, but again, what can you do. ]

My apologies, Magilou. I am embarrassed to say that I am rather short on personal hobbies. If we had a bow or fishing rod, perhaps we could hunt or fish, but...

Hunting or fishing... How very like you.

[ She doesn't mean this in a bad way - it's just exactly what she thinks would suit someone as resourceful and proper as Saber. What doesn't suit Saber is the sudden dip in her move that is all too palpable. Saber has been nothing but patient with her the whole time, so she's going to try to spin this for her to make the mood go away. ]

Well, since you've positively pushed me into it - [ Here's a wink! ] - I suppose I could be convinced to come up with some creative hunting solutions. We might not have a bow, but maybe my magic could be a projectile alongside whatever tricks you have up your sleeve, if it fits up to your oh-so-high standards.

[ She's learned a few techniques in her time - and it helps that the (actual, unlike Magilou wants to believe) leader of their band of misfits was a hunter by trade. Not to mention that they've probably been banned from a few too many inns and have had to fend for themselves... ]

[ Are you okay, Berseria cast...

But Magilou's suggestion does earn an intrigued raise of Saber's eyebrows. Magic isn't quite as sportsmanlike as a good old bow and arrow (or even 1% sportsmanlike at all), but she's curious to see what Magilou can do. ]

... Very well. Then let us head to the forest.

[ She nods firmly to herself. This will also mean a hearty, meaty dinner. How wonderful.

~~And then they timeskip to the forest??~~ ]

[ Literally none of them are okay, it's fine.

By the time they reach the forest, it's getting closer to dinnertime than it is lunchtime. It makes for a surprisingly welcome time for hunting, too, with the warm colors from the nearing sunset bouncing off the colorless trees. Wildlife is easier to spot than not, whether colored or colorless. ]

What kind of food are you in the mood for? Deer, fox, rabbit, snail... I'm sure this forest is a smorgasbord of surprise. But my magic isn't picky about its targets, as long as your palate isn't.

[ She's planning on firing a high-pressure strike of water to subjugate anything in their way... with minimal forest-fire chances. It's just like picking off the weaker monsters. That's sportsmanlike, obviously. ]

I will be satisfied with any kind of meat. Ah -- as long as the animal is colored. I believe we can be afford to be picky about that much.

[ Bland meat is sad meat... Saber doesn't need to eat, so there's no point in choking down something that only tastes like ash.

She keeps her eyes to the ground, following the traces of an animal's presence. Some crushed leaves here, some distressed branches there... oh. Saber lifts her gaze, and there it is in the distance.

Just a casual-ass lion, standing around. ]

[ Saber stares at it from afar as if entranced, her eyes widening and lips parting slightly in fascination.

Its mane is so fluffy... ]

[ ...That sure is a lion! Right there, just hanging out in the forest! Of course this place has lions in the forest. Nothing can surprise or even perplex Magilou anymore.

And it seems like Saber is very much enamored with the lion itself. Magilou glances to her, and then to the lion, back and forth until she's almost forgotten which is which. ]

Is this fate in the making? The king of the beasts right here in the open - with all the demeanor that such a title would carry - meeting the two famed huntresses of this town? [ Or maybe it's something a lot simpler than that. It does have a fluffy mane, after all... ] Shall we strike, or has its beautiful pelt captured your heart?

[ Saber shakes her head slightly and puts her game face back on. ]

No, let us engage without hesitation. It is a formidable beast worthy of our effort.

[ Even if it is both handsome and adorable and hugging it would be heaven on her face. ]

I cannot attack from afar, so the first strike will be yours. If it appears the beast is about to close in on us or run away, I will step in.

[ ... That's it, that's the strategy. When you've got two people pumped up with magic, what strategy do you need. ]

[ Magilou has a feeling she saw something she either wasn't supposed to, or something most people don't see - the formidable Saber Artoria, awestruck by a lion. With a smirk, she turns back to the lion, watching its movements to determine the best time to strike.

The beast sniffs at the ground, its back turned to them, so Magilou turns it into the prime opportunity to gather her magic. (She never said she was honorable, after all.) With a spin, her faithful guardian doll weapon appears above her fingertips, floating and spinning in midair, and she starts to cast her spell. It's a weak one, so it doesn't take long for her to charge it -

And suddenly, with a wave of her hand, a bullet of water rushes toward the lion with all the speed of a gust of air, spreading out to each side when it makes contact with the beast's head. Startled, the lion turns their way, and then back to flee; her magic was effective enough to daze it and sap its energy, but it's not defeated yet. It starts to run, its path swaying. ]

Ready to handle the layup? I saved some special just for you!

[ Poor lion... Once so proud, now so drunk.

Saber watches the lion's behavior change, almost as if it's suddenly become tired. It's a peculiar effect, but an intriguing one. And it seems like it would suit Magilou perfectly: fairly innocent in its basic form, but brimming with potential with a bit of creative thinking.

Satisfied with her moment of observation, Saber replies to Magilou with an even but sharp, "Yes." One foot slides back, her stance lowers. Then she's gone in a punch of wind.

Before the breeze in her wake has settled, she skids to a stop in the path of the retreating lion. It cannot stop itself from running into her, so in a fit of forced confrontation, it rumbles a growl and lurches into a fanged pounce at her.

Saber calmly reaches out, takes hold of its upper and lower jaws, and slams the beast into the ground so hard that its head disappears into the earth. It's dead, Jim. ]

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