awashlogs | [closed] may catch-all

Aw, come on! No... No mercy for a first-timer? How much farther?

[ Truly, Saber is more devious than Magilou is when it comes to mentoring. Magilou can only barely manage to get her words out between desperate, dramatic gasps for air.

But she still keeps up, so for all of her grumbling, it's not something she's incapable of. Jogging is just something she never feels like doing, so she's rusty. ]

The witchnappers can... have their treat! This is already a torture greater than they could mete out!

[ If Magilou still has enough breath in her to say this much, then there's enough in her to go a little faster. Saber ramps up the pace a little! ]

How wonderful that you can still joke in the throes of torture. I see now that you are a truly peerless comedian.

[ But this is all for Magilou's benefit (in Saber's mind), so Saber doesn't feel a lick of pity for her. Grow strong and swift, Magilou...! ]

Of course, a single jog on a single day will do you little good. We will need to work out a consistent regimen for you if we wish to see results.

[ No!! Now they're going faster! This is why she doesn't do things for people, dammit. All doing things for the good of other people does is hurt you. Literally, considering how her lungs feel like they're on fire.

And yet, she's keeping up. The great witch will not be defeated by something as simple as running! She's venturing with the Lord of Calamity! ]

A consistent regimen? More of this torture? [ It gets easier over time...! ] You're harsher than the most arid desert - dry in the morning, freezing at night!

[ Her complaints have no real bite to them, though. And once they reach town, she's just going to... lean on the ground and collapse, face down. She puts a hand up to signal "one minute". It's fine. Don't worry about her. ]

[ Collapsing as you reach your goal means a perfect workout (by Saber's standards), so she smiles, pleased, as she lowers the lion to the ground and kneels by Magilou's prone body. ]

You did well, Magilou. It was a difficult session, but you did not give up. When you are capable of lifting yourself up again, you should raise your chin with pride.

[ ... Whenever that is... but Saber is in no rush, so she'll be happy to sit here and talk until Magilou finds her breath. ]

Seeing you like this makes me feel nostalgic. I have watched many young knights train themselves to exhaustion, until they were lying facedown much like you are. Perhaps this is strange to say, but the sight is very fulfilling.

[ She's still facedown as Saber speaks, and she huffs (accidentally inhaling a bit of grass - gross). At least she's not being pitied, but being encouraged makes her feel embarrassed!!

Once her lungs are no longer burning, Magilou rests her elbow on the ground to place her chin on her palm. It's an easy way to raise her head without fighting gravity. ]

Unsurprising that a leader of knights herself has such a harsh training regimen... [ And she probably hasn't even truly heard it yet. ] Are you planning to work me this hard every day?

[ There's a pause as Saber considers the question seriously. ]

Not unless you would like me to. If is only for your health, a recreational level of exercise will be good enough. If you were my Master, however, I would insist that you work toward an above-average level of strength and fitness.

A Master, huh?

[ So they have both true names and Masters. It's not that different from the spirits in Magilou's own world - though not many exorcists are brazen enough to call themselves Masters.

She rolls over, facing the sky. Her hat falls off in the process, so she looks a lot smaller than she should. ]

I'm already the your master of ceremonies, you know! What other job is there?

[ She knows it's not the same thing. And, technically, she's not the master of ceremonies of her Menagerie, either. ]

[ Strange that Magilou should look so much smaller when she's still taller than Saber, hat or not. It's really a ridiculously, shamelessly tall hat. Overcompensation at its finest.

Saber smiles faintly at Magilou's blustering. ]

I suppose there are some similarities, but a contract with my one and only Master would require quite a bit more of me than a typical day with the Menagerie.

A Master is a Servant's reason for existence and demands utmost loyalty. A worthy Master is a source of greatest pride for any Servant, and an unworthy one the greatest shame. The death of one is tantamount to the death of the other, as Masters and Servants normally only form contracts as part of a deadly war. It would not be an exaggeration to say that their fates are intertwined.

On a more practical level, a Master would supply me with the magical energy necessary to sustain my form, as well as replenish me when my levels are low. Truthfully, I thought many times during the dragon invasion that I could have used a proper Master. Chroma is a sufficient anchor during times of peace, but a rather poor one in an emergency.

[ Magilou listens with rapt attention to Saber's explanation, barely even blinking. It's a familiar tale to her in the end; perhaps Masters and Servants aren't all that different from malak and exorcist, by any other name. When Saber is finished, Magilou stands up, brushing at her knees. Somehow, her momentary rest on the ground seems to have completely replenished her, minus the grass stains on her clothes. Speaking of replenishing energy... ]

So, a Master gives you energy so you don't fade away? [ She'd feel so sad if Saber faded away, but don't tell anyone......... ] It's not quite the same wording in my world, but as far as the whole "contract between spirit and human augments magical ability" - that one's the same. Though not every spirit is all that happy to be tethered, depending on who their fate is intertwined with.

[ She gives Saber a cheeky wink. ]

Guess I'd have to run a marathon to be worthy enough to supply you with magic, but the magnanimous Magilou is here for backup if you're feeling particularly desperate someday.

[ Saber stands as well, brushing the soil off her skirt as she does. Becoming a Master is a significant responsibility, and if being a Master in Magilou's world is that much like being one in Saber's, then Magilou should know the weight of her offer. Even if the need never comes to pass, Magilou's readiness for it -- sandwiched in jokes as it is -- is a soft touch to Saber's heart. ]

I will keep that in mind. Magilou, I know you would make a fine Master.

[ She hasn't seen the full extent of Magilou's magical ability, but to Saber, the talent of her Master isn't nearly as important as his or her character. Her most efficient Master trampled on her heart; her most incomptent Master nursed it to health. She can obtain victory no matter who she serves, but all the better if it's a Master she can be proud of. ]

I am interested in hearing more about the spirits of your world. Have you contracted with many of them?

Of course I have. In fact, I've won the Malakhim's Choice Award for Most Desirable Vessel three years running!

[ There's no such award. She gives a spin anyway. ]

But mostly, I just make room for one little guy. His name's Bienfu. A Normin malak spirit - they kind of look like little plush toys. Tragically, I'm so popular that he's been shadowing me for years. I just can't seem to be rid of him!

[ It might sound like she's complaining, but her voice is tinged with fondness. For as much as she rants about Bienfu, she owes a lot to him, especially these days... even if she'd never come right out and say it. ]

Others look like yourself, though - more like people than plush toys. The manner of vessel they might prefer is different, but a person pure of heart is supposed to be the best one. If they get a choice in the matter, anyway.

[ She thinks Magilou might be making that award up, but she's also willing to believe that it exists and that Magilou has won it three times in a row. In the end, Saber gives her the benefit of the doubt and nods along gamely. It makes sense that Magilou only has one spirit despite her supposed prowess; Masters typically only have one Servant at a time as well. ]

Then as you have been dubbed "most desirable vessel," your heart is considered one of the purest...

[ Checks out with Saber. She picks the lion back up so they can be on their way. ]

Can vessel-spirit contracts be broken?

The purest of the pure, in fact. Anyone would tell you the same!

[ ...Definitely.

For all her complaining about the impromptu jogging session Saber took her on, Magilou's exhaustion seems to have completely disappeared, with only the way her feet touch for a second too long on the ground to show for it. She sounds as chipper as ever watching Saber heft the lion up again. Maybe she should invest in some weight training practice, too. ]

Contracts can be broken, or just need to be renewed. Whenever Bienfu gets away from me, I have to renew our vows to get him to act as my catalyst-thingy again. He leaves me as deadweight so often, with no sympathy for the poor, forgotten witch.

But in your case... Would that leave you without enough magic to stick around?

[ Saber silently disapproves of Bienfu's random ditchings. Magilou makes it sound like a light matter, but even if she's capable of taking care of herself, a familiar should never abandon their master so easily. ]

A contract with me would not be broken with distance. If you were to become my Master, you would receive three Command Spells somewhere on your body as proof of our contract. Each Spell could be spent to ensure an act or condition of absolute obedience from me. However, upon using the last Command Spell, our contract would become nullified.

[ But to more directly answer her question... ]

At that point, the magical energy of Chroma itself should still be enough to sustain me. To use an analogy, I am like a cup being filled with water. Chroma fills the cup at a slow drip, while having a Master would fill it like a steady stream. I would only disappear if I were to use too much magical energy in too short a time, draining the cup to its bottom.

Ooh, Command Spells, huh? You sure you want to give me that kind of power? I could use it for something nefarious, after all...

[ She's teasing, but there's a layer of curiosity underneath. Absolute obedience from a malak is what the Abbey prides itself on; if they were to get ahold of a spell like that, she doesn't want to imagine what they might do with it. Even with its limited uses, the Abbey's insistence on reason would mean they'd take the most brutal and efficient methods with those spells.

She passes off her shivers from the thought as a dramatics, as though her "nefarious purposes" are too frigid to think about. Even if she had a use for those spells, she doubts she'd use them. For all she bemoans Bienfu's lack of punctuality, they're both free spirits. She's planning on keeping it that way, even if the spirit she's contracted with were to differ. ]

If your magical energy is limited without a Master, don't overwork yourself too soon, you hear me? If you do, you're going to have to deal with my forcing you do the most embarrassing things for our next show to keep you from disappearing. A fitting punishment for overworking yourself, don't you think?

You would not use the Command Spells for evil.

[ Magilou was teasing, but in true Saber fashion, she firmly eliminates all uncertainty. She can't claim to always know what Magilou is thinking, but she can feel in her heart and intuition that Magilou is a good person. Though Saber strives always to rule herself with logic, she understands that she isn't especially intelligent. Her true talent lies in her instinct. It was her instinct that led her from victory to victory over ten years, and she sees no reason to doubt it now. ]

There is a possibility that the town's enchantments could one day tempt you to use a Command Spell recklessly, but that is an acceptable risk. Any time a Servant is bound to a Master, there is a chance that such things could happen. Even moreso during a proper summoning, as normal Masters are often driven by urgent, even desperate goals.

[ Magilou's "threat" is so juvenile that it takes the edge off Saber's solemn thoughts, and her expression eases almost into a smile. ]

I suppose I can see wisdom in that punishment. To avoid your wrath, I will just have to do my utmost to avoid doing my utmost.

[ Every time that Saber speaks, so straightforward and honest, Magilou is knocked off her pedestal. She can deal with people who speak in half-truths, who hide their true intentions behind fancy words and double meanings, but it feels like she's never managed to hide her heart from Saber when her intuition is so clearly defined. Her firm belief belies more honest trust in Magilou than Magilou thinks she deserves - more faith that she can be a good person than Magilou has in herself. It's vexing to be on the other end of confusion, but that's how it always seems to be when Saber speaks from the heart.

She recovers quickly, pasting over her own momentary vulnerability with trademark whimsy. She knows now that Saber has that faith, would believe in her goodness if it came down to something dire, and for it to be stated outright means more than Magilou expected it to. ]

If what you're giving is your own magical essence, I'll have to make my punishments fit the crime for such an onerous offering misused.

[ It would never even cross her mind to use the Command Spells. They're both free spirits! ]

Should the time ever come, I can assure you I'd be one of the kindest Masters you've ever been contracted to. Certainly the most charming, at any rate. Not even the mighty king of the jungle can resist my allure!

[ She nudges at the lion Saber's carrying. It'll make a mighty fine meal later, for who knows how many days.

...Saber did most of the work hunting it, but still. ]

[ How strange that Magilou would make kindness her first selling point as a Master. It isn't something Saber needs -- there was a time when she found excessive care from her Master both insulting and counterproductive -- but it says something for Magilou's ideals beyond her cheerful exterior. It's somewhat unexpected, and actually quite heartwarming that she would offer that glimpse into herself so casually.

Saber decides not to spoil it by pointing it out, though, smiling with warmth enough to reach her eyes instead. ]

Ah, yes. After glimpsing you, he was hardly able to think straight. Or walk straight, for that matter.

[ Apparently, there's a fine line between charm and a very hearty concussion. ]

It is good our hunt ended well, but I regret that I could not see more of your magic. Perhaps next time, you could take the hunt on without my assistance.

Well, the layup made it more fun, but if you're eager to see me in action, we'd best hope for something to flex our muscles again.

[ Like the dragon attack, but like... hopefully less destructive. (Though Magilou doesn't care about that one way or the other.) ]

If the edge of the forest has lions, maybe there's something more enticing to hunt deeper in. If you're ever in the mood for some truly ridiculous ideas, that is.

[ Diving deeper into the forest... Probably isn't that great of an idea, but it seems like it's an option - there's forest stories on the network, after all, and everyone seems to make it out okay. Magilou is more of an observer by trade, of course - and yet, if there's something interesting in there, it would be enticing to write about. ]

[ If being friends with Magilou didn't make it clear, Saber isn't shy when it comes to ridiculous ideas. ]

What a splendid idea. Yes, let us venture further next time.

[ Fanciful tales don't matter to her as much as the promise of travel and new experiences. It won't be like roaming Britain, but anything will be welcome after so many days of puttering about the confines of the town. There may be an element of danger, but Saber is confident that she and Magilou will be able to take care of themselves. ]

Now then, shall we take care of the spoils of our hunt?

[closed] may catch-all

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whispers the end??