Event Twenty-Five.

[awashmods]

I'd like to creep into the wood And see the bonnets blue, And hear the bluebells ringing loud, I wish I could -- don't you?

t's another day, another month, and another time for people to show up in the well. You'd better go rescue them! Never mind the fact that you woke up with a flower in your hands. It's probably fine. Don't mind it at all. It's not like it's hard to ignore a little flower. (At least, not until the effects start to kick in. Better go rescue the people in the well before they do.) Oh, right. Even the people in the well have flowers, so... things are going to be a little ridiculous very quickly, when all of those side effects kick in. Have fun! Welcome to Awash's Twenty-fifth event log, everyone! Further information on this event can be found here at the OOC post. You are welcome to make your own logs and posts for this event! If there are any questions, please ask them here. Thank you!

Comments

[shizun]

Did you know? I colored these!

[ He happily takes one of the apples from her as he points at it with his free hand. See? See? ]

I did this all for a horse!

[ In his heart, Shen Qingqiu has his arms over his head and is screaming. ]

[artorian]

[ hOLD YOUR SHIT THO ]

A horse? You have a horse?

[shizun]

No.

[ NO SHIT TO HOLD. Wait... ]

I'm talking about Prince Berkut's horse.

[artorian]

Oh! The handsome black one?

[ She only knows of Berkut in passing, but she can't not notice that horse... ]

I didn't know Berkut was a prince, but I suppose it makes sense with that horse. Do you think he would let me ride her?

[shizun]

The most handsome! The two of us are best friends!!

[ THEY ARE NOT! He just has been saying there is a bond between them since both horse and cultivator want to keep Berkut happy and safe. ]

He is! So please treat him properly, okaay? And... I don't think so! Please don't ask! If you ask, I think that he may have a lot of nasty things to say to you.

[artorian]

Nasty things? Is he that sort of person?

[ The people of Chroma are generally kind at heart, so it's surprising to hear... Maybe he just puts on airs like Mordred does? ]

He's friends with Archer, so I can't imagine he's all bad. And isn't he friends with you too?

[ She assumes if one is best friends with a horse (she doesn't question this claim), one must also be friendly with the horse's master... ]

[shizun]

He's very proud.

[ So, it's more like that? ]

Is he friends with Archer? [ His eyes immediately sparkle! How nice!! ] I can't say that he's a friend of mine. That is, I'm very fond of him, but I don't think that he likes me all that much.

[ He laughs a little. ] But I could say that about anyone. [ HA-HA. ] Anyway, he's a really wonderful person so please be friends with him, too!

[artorian]

[ She assumes Berkut and Archer are friends if they set up the forest expedition together, anyway!! ]

I've never heard an ill word spoken against you, Shen Qingqiu. Where does all that self-deprecation come from?

[ To an extent, she understands where Tristan's persistent woe comes from. But Shen Qingqiu isn't really sad, just overly modest... ]

But come, eat! [ She sits under the apple tree and pats the spot next to her. ] No detracting statements allowed until your apple is finished. Otherwise, you'll waste the experience.

[shizun]

Well, even if I forgive myself, I did do a lot of villainous things. Everyone is just kind.

[ He takes his seat down next to her. Smiling warmly, he is grateful for the invite. ]

Eating anything next to a beautiful maiden. You're right... the experience would be wasted with words. [ Nom! A bite of the apple. ]

[artorian]

[ She can ask him about those villainous things... after snack time is over. Saber crunches into her apple, beaming into the universe as she peacefully savors its crisp, refreshing sweetness. Before the next bite, she answers lightly: ]

Actually, I'm not a maiden.

[ She fails to compute the "beautiful" part entirely... ]

[shizun]

[ Eh?

He pauses mid-bite. ]

Eh?

[ Pausing to look at her, he stares at her chest longer than would be considered proper as he bites into the apple.

Muffled: ]

Eh?

[artorian]

[ Where are you looking, Shizun? Where? ... Why?

Completely failing to notice where Shen Qingqiu's mind has gone (as well as his eyes), Saber continues cheerfully. ]

Yes, I may look like this, but I'm actually married! I suppose one might call the marriage annulled by now, but I think I'm officially past being a maiden.

[ They were the worst husband and wife ever, but technically that marriage happened. Even if very little else did. ]

1/2

[shizun]

Ah, I see! That is what you mean!

[ He tilts his head slightly as he takes yet another bite of the apple. One side is now officially demolished!!

Munch, munch -- ]

[shizun]

[ He turns his head to spit out his bite. ]

3/3

[shizun]

[ And reaches out to take one of Blue Saber's hands!! ]

Annulled! That's so sad!

[artorian]

[ Saber's hand is taken! She starts slightly, bringing her apple to her chest with her free hand. ]

Ah, it's okay! I think it was for the best.

[ ... Well, maybe not, considering how everything turned out. But it would've been a bad marriage even if it had held together... ]

Are you married, Shen Qingqiu?

[shizun]

Because you can pursue your true love?

[ I'm gonna nuke myself from space when I get my mind back. ]

Ah, no, no. I'm not married. I don't even really think about that, at all.

[artorian]

True love... That's a nice thought.

[ Impossible, but a nice thought... ]

Have you never even considered marriage? That's too bad. I imagine you would make an ideal husband.

[shizun]

Do you have someone in mind?

[ He nudges her with his shoulder. ]

Me? No. I'm afraid I don't think so! But you would make a wonderful bride to your second husband.

[artorian]

Not at all. I don't think I'm a very romantic person... That is, I don't think I have a head for romance. I've watched many other people fall in love, but I think it's a little beyond me.

[ Passionate love and kingship are incompatible, she thinks. She's fine standing alone on her kingly island.

And normally, she probably wouldn't bother correcting Shen Qingqiu's assumption (or even having this conversation), but today she answers automatically: ]

Ah, I was the husband of my marriage. If my life had proceeded normally, I would've needed to choose a second wife.

[ So death will probably be a blessing! Heaven forbid she condemn another poor woman to a loveless marriage. ]

[shizun]

I feel the exact same way.

[ His eyes actually seem to sparkle a little that he's run into someone else who is also not too romantic or understand it!

In his heart, Shen Qingqiu lets out a small sigh. He really finds this conversation just so pink-pink. What is this? We're now gossiping about love and romance without any love and romance being in it?! Come on!!!

But his eyes widen just a little at hearing that Blue Saber is the one that is the 'husband.' His smile softens a little as he nods. Taking another bite of apple, he gives her hand another squeeze! ]

I see. Then, you seem like you would make a wonderful husband. Even if the relationship didn't work out, even if you don't understand romance... you seem like you'd be wonderful. A husband is supposed to be a little cold and warmed up by their wives, right? That's the appeal, right?

[ .............I'm so sorry, Blue Saber. I'm so sorry!! ]

[artorian]

[ Saber is much too obtuse to hear that in any way other than literally... and it makes her feel quite sad! Her apple-laden hand lowers slowly into her lap. ]

I'm sorry... I don't think that sounds appealing at all. A wife deserves to have a warm husband. My coldness was what made my wife unhappy in the end....

[ Artoria understands better than anyone why Guinevere evetually turned unfaithful. Thrust into a difficult position, burdened with a heavy secret, and chained to a "husband" who couldn't fulfill her dreams of marriage... It was a lot to ask of anyone, and Guinevere persevered for as long as she could. ]

If you ever should marry, Shen Qingqiu, I hope you'll treat your love with warmth and care. In a relationship, it's important for both parties to act honestly and considerately toward each other.

[shizun]

[ Way to go, dipshit. "We're having a nice time." You ruined a perfectly good time eating an apple with someone is what you did. Fuck you.

But like all his director commentary, his words go unheard. He instead merely smiles a little brighter at her despite the sad words. Those words need some comfort! Come on! Any girl would feel bad about ruining their own marriage by being a little cold! So!! Do something! ]

But at the beginning... she was quite happy, right? At the beginning, she loved you completely and you loved her. Those memories shouldn't be forgotten, either. [ Fluff and sparkles seem like they may shoot out his head. ] Mm! I'll keep that in mind if I ever should marry. But you, too.... you, too... keep in mind that you must have had some nice memories, too.

Don't forget them!

[artorian]

[ Saber's shoulders begin to droop, weighed down by the burden of the past. Thinking of how happy Guinevere was in the beginning only makes the end of it all sadder. ]

Well... The wedding ceremony was certainly wonderful, but after that...

[ Sigh. ]

It it's alright, I'd like to talk about something else.

[shizun]

Yes, of course!

[ Holy shit. I'm so sorry, Blue Saber, but at least he gets it and isn't going to keep digging a knife in! ]

Apples are really delicious, aren't they? [ He takes his half-eaten apple to reach out to lightly tap it against hers. Clink-clink. Why. ] What is your favorite fruit!

[ Well. This is better??? ]