[ Clothes aren't a huge deal to Saber. Maybe it was because she lived as a man. Under the guardianship of Sir Ector, she wore simply what could be afforded, and as a king, she wore what she was given. As long as her clothes aren't getting in her way, it makes no difference to her whether she wears a skirt or pants. It doesn't bother her... or rather, she doesn't have a discerning enough eye to be bothered, most of the time.
Mordred's clothes, though.........
Well. No one has ever seemed to mind Mordred's outfit, so maybe it's fine. It's for the good of the town, and Saber's clothes swapping options are limited by her height and figure. Mordred's origins being what they are, this quest is literally tailor-made for them.
Saber holds out the outfit Rin gave her -- white blouse, blue skirt, tights, boots, and of course the matching blue ribbon -- clean and neatly folded. It's a plain ensemble, but it's her favorite, so she fixes a serious look on Mordred. ]
I expect this returned to me exactly as I give it to you.
[ Clothes were never a huge deal to Mordred, once upon a time... because for most of her life, her choices could be summed up as 'nonexistent'. The outfit Kairi bought her was the first normal thing she'd worn for years outside of her armour, and after deciding she liked how freeing it felt, her fashion 'sense' only grew from there. (Or maybe devolved is the better word.)
The pile of clothing she holds out to Saber is tossed together rather than folded, but the expression on her face is no less serious than her father's as the exchange takes place. ]
I could say the same thing! My Master bought me these, so if you get them dirty, I'll kill you!
[ She'd thought about lending Saber one of her makeshift outfits from the town instead, but she's not sure if those would count — and besides, it's only right to match what her father is giving her in importance, especially when she's the one who suggested this trade in the first place. Let nobody say the Knight of Treachery isn't capable of playing fair when it suits her.
The moment she has it her hands, Mordred starts unfolding Saber's outfit, holding the skirt up in the air with some amount of trepidation. These are technically the clothes of a king, so it's probably fine, but... ]
Man, you really do dress like some stuffy rich kid. You could have at least given me something red. [ She huffs. ] People are gonna get the wrong idea if I wear this... well, it's fine. If they say anything funny, I'll just correct them with Clarent.
[ "Pile" is a strong word for a jacket and two strips of material. Saber folds these things over her arm, intending to mind them as well as she would her own clothes. Not because of Mordred's threat, which Saber ignores as easily as she ignores the air in front of her, but because she isn't a slob.
... Though of course, she can also understand an attachment to the only physical items left to a Servant by their Master. ]
These too were a gift from my Master. She was the caretaker of the city hosting the Holy Grail War, as well as the head of a distinguished household. It only stands to reason that her clothing would reflect her status.
[ Except Rin didn't even want this outfit, but Saber doesn't need to know that. ]
... Hmph. Of course that sort of person would summon King Arthur.
[ In her head, she's picturing some arrogant snob who cares more about the name of King Arthur than the person bearing it. She wonders, idly, if her father had fun in the War like she did, and secretly hopes she at least managed to obtain some sort of happiness. ]
My Master used a piece of the Round Table to summon me. He could have gotten any of us, so our meeting was pure chance. Even so, he gave into my unnecessary demands to buy something I could wear instead of my armour, and all sorts of other things.
No matter what these clothes look like to you, that was the first time I was ever able to walk around freely as myself. I'll never forget it.
[ ... Saber can't let a derisive hmph against her former Master stand, so: ]
First of all, let me correct the misconceptions you seem to be forming. The Master who gave me these clothes was a privileged individual, but she was in no way idle or unworthy. She was both capable and honorable, which placed her high above many of the other Masters I encountered.
She was also not the Master who summoned me. The one who did was an amateur magus who had never even heard of the Holy Grail War, and entirely by accident.
[ And that's not even the weirdest thing about Shirou Emiya... not by far. With that out of the way, Saber huffs softly, her free hand settling on her hip. ]
... But very well. I understand. I will take care of your clothes as well as I would my own.
[ It's sincerity hour with Mordred, so Saber can acquiesce to her demand just this once. Far be it from Saber to trample on a source of happiness for someone else. ]
If there is nothing else, then I am going to change.
Hold on. You're saying you had two Masters? And one of them was a complete amateur? How the hell does that even happen? A Servant isn't something you summon by accident! Especially not one that powerful!
[ Now she's offended that a noob summoned King Arthur... ]
... Ugh, whatever. You can tell me afterward. The sooner I can change out of your stuff, the better. [ So they might as well get started. Part of her is excited to wear her father's clothes, but she can't just admit that. ]
[ Saber silently agrees with that sentiment. The sooner she's back to wearing her own clothes, the better. With Mordred's outfit in arm, she heads into Mordred's room because I guess that's where they are and proceeds to change. ]
[ And technically it's......... a very quick change. There's very little room to fiddle with anything. It feels like both the top and bottom are in eternal danger of slipping off, probably because entirely too much is exposed in every direction, yet they hold their ground as solidly as the walls of a fortress. How fascinating.
Even after she slips on the boots and loud red jacket to complete the ensemble, she only feels half dressed. But she'd better get used to this feeling, because it's going to be her life for the next week...
Unconsciously, her eyes begin to wander the room and wait what the hell is all this. There's a knife (why does Mordred keep a random kitchen knife in her room), an infant's crude drawings, and Pryd-- ]
After twice as much time as she actually needed to change, Saber finally emerges from Mordred's room with a flat look on her face. Her current attire is, miraculously, now the last thing on her mind. ]
[ Mordred, meanwhile, just shrugs and starts stripping off where she is, not thinking about the potential dangers in her room, or the fact she doesn't live alone. By the time Saber comes out, she's fiddling with the ribbon, pausing only to stare at her father... and then burst into laughter. ]
Haha, see? You look better already! Isn't that way more comfortable? [ Saber's flat expression matters little, since she's more than used to negative reactions from her father. ] After this week is over, why don't I find you something similar to wear?
Yes, go ahead. My household has been in need of new dishrags.
[ Saber can't deny that these clothes are comfortable, but only in the way that being stark naked is comfortable. In other words, she'll have to give this style a hard pass. She wore heavy, concealing clothing all her life, but her rebellious naked phase has yet to strike her as it has Mordred. (And some of her other knights, now that she thinks about it.)
... With that said, despite it fitting her proportions perfectly, Saber's clothes don't suit Mordred at all. ]
Ah. But do not bother doing so if it would cause you to resort to stealing. In a town as bereft this one, stealing another person's property would be an unforgivable offense.
Ahh, I see. So it was your poetry you were reciting during the forest expedition?
[ Saber won't pick a bone about Prydwen, it being a spoil of war as much as Clarent. And Mordred would doubtless just spout something inane like "I'm the only one allowed to steal from King Arthur!" ... And to a degree, Saber can tolerate that localized stupidity.
She can't completely ignore Mordred harassing other people, though. The damage is minimal if it's Tristan, but the truth remains that Mordred is invading someone else's privacy and stealing their things. ]
[ Wow, Saber knows her child so well. But she had no idea Saber even knew about the poetry incident, so she flushes and mumbles under her breath. ]
That damn tattletale...!
[ Because, you know, it's not like she was reading it loud enough for the whole group to hear or anything. Tristan is just a snitch. ]
That was different! I had to make sure that birdbrained idiot wasn't writing anything inappropriate! About you, especially! [ This is the worst excuse in the history of excuses, maybe ever. ] Agravain isn't here, so scolding the others is my job!
Like I'd listen to you! Anyway, I gave it back once I got bored, so it's borrowing, not stealing!
[ That's not how it works... ]
I thought maybe he'd accomplish something for once, so I tagged along. But it was a total waste of my time! Of course I'd be irritated!
... Well, that's not entirely true. That idiot kept saying he wasn't worthy of any praise from you, so I ended up telling him it was fine, 'cause we learned more about this place along the way. Dammit, I should be the one getting praised by King Arthur, not him! I shouldn't have said anything at all!
[ Did Mordred just rebel against her own statement...? The fact that Saber doesn't react to it, or even to that childish comment about listening to her, speaks of how desensitized she is toward Mordred's immaturity. ]
I will praise you when you do something deserving of praise. Is there anything you have done lately that would deserve that description?
O... of course there is. I just told you that I reassured that bastard. And I've probably kept your identity a secret this whole time! Almost definitely! Isn't that enough?
A lack of punishment for your transgression against Tristan's privacy is reward enough for the first claim, and your second claim is an uproarious jest. Is that all you have to offer?
A jest? I've been trying really hard! I-I mean, like I care what you think, anyway!
[ In fairness, she actually has... it's just that her 'trying' is pretty incompetent. She resists the urge to sniffle, and instead angrily points at the door. ]
Dammit, I hate you! Get out of my house already! And make sure you look after those clothes!
[ Saber twitches slightly at Mordred's exclamation of hatred, but otherwise maintains her steadfast expression. It wouldn't be the first time someone expressed that sentiment toward her, but this time it catches her off guard. Really now, it shouldn't bother her...
She turns to leave at her own unhurried pace, as if it's only a coincidence that Mordred is trying to throw her out. ]
Please give Maya my regards.
[ She doesn't expect it to happen, but it's only courteous to put the message out there. And if Mordred doesn't stop her, Saber and this outfit will be released into the wild... ]
[ Whenever the mood to fulfill a quest strikes Saber, she often makes for the forest, and whoever she chances upon becomes her questing companion for the morning. Call that whimsy a product of the eccentric land she grew up in, with a sprinkle of privilege to bolster her. Rarely is she denied her wants, as little as she asks for, and she's quietly confident that fate will provide if only she seeks.
So it is that she finds herself romping through the forest with Lupin a second time. She's getting to know him better now, and though he isn't her usual type of company, he's courteous (if slighly roguish) and capable (if somewhat squishy), so there are far worse people to have along for an adventure. She walks alongside him more comfortably than the last time they went questing, her eyes roaming for anything that might look like a scorpion.
[ and speaking of lewd, that outfit? Utterly scandalous, by Lupin's standards. He balked a little when she approached him looking like a lady of the night - but different worlds, he reminded himself. Different cultures. It's fine. She's lucky he's a gentleman who won't stare at that indecently-exposed midriff!! (And who is desensitized to the short shorts by virtue of Cairngorm wearing them 24/7.) Other than that, he doesn't mind working with her, either. She seems like a good sort, if a little stiff.
The question about scorpions does catch him a little off-guard. ]
You decided to do this without knowing? You've got guts. [ or she's reckless... not mutually exclusive. ] They're bugs - nasty little things with two big claws and a tail with a venomous stinger on the end that they hold over their head. Normally, they're not so big, but knowing this place...
[ This outfit is #notherculture, but it's important to one of her knights, so she manages not to look too embarrassed about it... ]
In other words, it is a venomous lobster.
[ That doesn't sound so bad to her. If it tastes as good as lobster, this might end up a doubly productive venture.
Suddenly, something behind Lupin catches her eye. She watches it curiously for a moment before pointing at it with a gently raised finger. ]
Might that qualify?
[ Fluttering daintily toward Lupin is a butterfly... but at the end of its abdomen is a faintly menacing stinger that curls back and forth at Lupin as it nears as if straining to stab him. Its upper legs end in lobster-like claws that clack tinily as they clamp in rhythm, and if one listens close enough, one might hear a malevolent hissing on the wind. ]
[ venomous lobster... he ponders that answer for a few seconds, then shrugs. ]
... Close enough.
[ although he can't say he'd want to eat one. His line of thought is hilariously close to hers, except completely opposite. In any case, he doesn't have time to voice his opinions on scorpion meat, seeing as there's a possibly-dangerous bug flying at him. He's quick to back up out of the way - he doesn't even want to know what the venom from this thing might do to him. ]
And I'd say that's also close enough. We should have brought a net!
[ he'll improvise! With his hat, which he takes off his head and swings down to try and capture the butterscorp against a tree. ]
[ Oh... So the hat has its uses after all. Saber watches as the scorpifly disappears safely under Lupin's hat, only the faint noises of its hissing and butting against its prison signifying its presence. Hopefully, it won't sting a hole through the hat... ]
Well done.
[ She looks between Lupin and the hat. ]
Did you intend to capture it alive? Or would you like me to incapacitate it?
An immediate weariness begins to weigh on her soul, but so be it. Even she has to admit that he's the best suited for any quest involving monsters. In fact, where monsters are involved, they complement each other perfectly. It's a difficult contrivance of luck. She skips the pleasantries and gets right to business. ]
Wei Wuxian. Will you come with me to collect scorpion tails?
[ More scorpion tail hunting today!... Saber is beginning to wonder why anyone would require so many scorpion tails, witchcraft or no. Still, fewer scorpion stingers in the forest overall can't be a bad thing, so Saber is happy to comply with the quest until monotony overtakes her.
Still in this ridiculous outfit, Saber treks toward the forest, trusting fate to supply her with another questing companion. And so she conveniently catches sight of a familiar figure...
She stops to greet him, looking him over curiously. ]
[ Good move, Caramia... By now, Saber has gotten used to the supreme breeziness of these clothes, and in fact has forgotten that she's even wearing them, so she hardly notices his difficulty in ignoring them. Such is the life of someone with next to no consciousness for fashion. ]
Yes, as a matter of fact. I am in need of a companion heading into the forest. Would you join me?
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More Bread | Quest 66
Mordred's clothes, though.........
Well. No one has ever seemed to mind Mordred's outfit, so maybe it's fine. It's for the good of the town, and Saber's clothes swapping options are limited by her height and figure. Mordred's origins being what they are, this quest is literally tailor-made for them.
Saber holds out the outfit Rin gave her -- white blouse, blue skirt, tights, boots, and of course the matching blue ribbon -- clean and neatly folded. It's a plain ensemble, but it's her favorite, so she fixes a serious look on Mordred. ]
I expect this returned to me exactly as I give it to you.
no subject
The pile of clothing she holds out to Saber is tossed together rather than folded, but the expression on her face is no less serious than her father's as the exchange takes place. ]
I could say the same thing! My Master bought me these, so if you get them dirty, I'll kill you!
[ She'd thought about lending Saber one of her makeshift outfits from the town instead, but she's not sure if those would count — and besides, it's only right to match what her father is giving her in importance, especially when she's the one who suggested this trade in the first place. Let nobody say the Knight of Treachery isn't capable of playing fair when it suits her.
The moment she has it her hands, Mordred starts unfolding Saber's outfit, holding the skirt up in the air with some amount of trepidation. These are technically the clothes of a king, so it's probably fine, but... ]
Man, you really do dress like some stuffy rich kid. You could have at least given me something red. [ She huffs. ] People are gonna get the wrong idea if I wear this... well, it's fine. If they say anything funny, I'll just correct them with Clarent.
no subject
... Though of course, she can also understand an attachment to the only physical items left to a Servant by their Master. ]
These too were a gift from my Master. She was the caretaker of the city hosting the Holy Grail War, as well as the head of a distinguished household. It only stands to reason that her clothing would reflect her status.
[ Except Rin didn't even want this outfit, but Saber doesn't need to know that. ]
no subject
[ In her head, she's picturing some arrogant snob who cares more about the name of King Arthur than the person bearing it. She wonders, idly, if her father had fun in the War like she did, and secretly hopes she at least managed to obtain some sort of happiness. ]
My Master used a piece of the Round Table to summon me. He could have gotten any of us, so our meeting was pure chance. Even so, he gave into my unnecessary demands to buy something I could wear instead of my armour, and all sorts of other things.
No matter what these clothes look like to you, that was the first time I was ever able to walk around freely as myself. I'll never forget it.
no subject
First of all, let me correct the misconceptions you seem to be forming. The Master who gave me these clothes was a privileged individual, but she was in no way idle or unworthy. She was both capable and honorable, which placed her high above many of the other Masters I encountered.
She was also not the Master who summoned me. The one who did was an amateur magus who had never even heard of the Holy Grail War, and entirely by accident.
[ And that's not even the weirdest thing about Shirou Emiya... not by far. With that out of the way, Saber huffs softly, her free hand settling on her hip. ]
... But very well. I understand. I will take care of your clothes as well as I would my own.
[ It's sincerity hour with Mordred, so Saber can acquiesce to her demand just this once. Far be it from Saber to trample on a source of happiness for someone else. ]
If there is nothing else, then I am going to change.
no subject
[ Now she's offended that a noob summoned King Arthur... ]
... Ugh, whatever. You can tell me afterward. The sooner I can change out of your stuff, the better. [ So they might as well get started. Part of her is excited to wear her father's clothes, but she can't just admit that. ]
1/3
2/3
Even after she slips on the boots and loud red jacket to complete the ensemble, she only feels half dressed. But she'd better get used to this feeling, because it's going to be her life for the next week...
Unconsciously, her eyes begin to wander the room and wait what the hell is all this. There's a knife (why does Mordred keep a random kitchen knife in her room), an infant's crude drawings, and Pryd-- ]
3/3
Well.
After twice as much time as she actually needed to change, Saber finally emerges from Mordred's room with a flat look on her face. Her current attire is, miraculously, now the last thing on her mind. ]
no subject
Haha, see? You look better already! Isn't that way more comfortable? [ Saber's flat expression matters little, since she's more than used to negative reactions from her father. ] After this week is over, why don't I find you something similar to wear?
no subject
[ Saber can't deny that these clothes are comfortable, but only in the way that being stark naked is comfortable. In other words, she'll have to give this style a hard pass. She wore heavy, concealing clothing all her life, but her rebellious naked phase has yet to strike her as it has Mordred. (And some of her other knights, now that she thinks about it.)
... With that said, despite it fitting her proportions perfectly, Saber's clothes don't suit Mordred at all. ]
Ah. But do not bother doing so if it would cause you to resort to stealing. In a town as bereft this one, stealing another person's property would be an unforgivable offense.
no subject
[ Being an idiot, she misses the very thinly veiled implication in Saber's words, and lets out a huff. ]
You trying to start something? I've been mostly good since I got here! What kind of knight do you think I am, huh?
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[ Saber won't pick a bone about Prydwen, it being a spoil of war as much as Clarent. And Mordred would doubtless just spout something inane like "I'm the only one allowed to steal from King Arthur!" ... And to a degree, Saber can tolerate that localized stupidity.
She can't completely ignore Mordred harassing other people, though. The damage is minimal if it's Tristan, but the truth remains that Mordred is invading someone else's privacy and stealing their things. ]
no subject
That damn tattletale...!
[ Because, you know, it's not like she was reading it loud enough for the whole group to hear or anything. Tristan is just a snitch. ]
That was different! I had to make sure that birdbrained idiot wasn't writing anything inappropriate! About you, especially! [ This is the worst excuse in the history of excuses, maybe ever. ] Agravain isn't here, so scolding the others is my job!
no subject
[ May Saber never catch wind of Tristan's Nero nudes... ]
Why do you provoke Tristan so? You did not have to join the expedition if his presence irritates you.
no subject
[ That's not how it works... ]
I thought maybe he'd accomplish something for once, so I tagged along. But it was a total waste of my time! Of course I'd be irritated!
... Well, that's not entirely true. That idiot kept saying he wasn't worthy of any praise from you, so I ended up telling him it was fine, 'cause we learned more about this place along the way. Dammit, I should be the one getting praised by King Arthur, not him! I shouldn't have said anything at all!
no subject
I will praise you when you do something deserving of praise. Is there anything you have done lately that would deserve that description?
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[ In fairness, she actually has... it's just that her 'trying' is pretty incompetent. She resists the urge to sniffle, and instead angrily points at the door. ]
Dammit, I hate you! Get out of my house already! And make sure you look after those clothes!
no subject
She turns to leave at her own unhurried pace, as if it's only a coincidence that Mordred is trying to throw her out. ]
Please give Maya my regards.
[ She doesn't expect it to happen, but it's only courteous to put the message out there. And if Mordred doesn't stop her, Saber and this outfit will be released into the wild... ]
Lewd Pin | Quest 64
So it is that she finds herself romping through the forest with Lupin a second time. She's getting to know him better now, and though he isn't her usual type of company, he's courteous (if slighly roguish) and capable (if somewhat squishy), so there are far worse people to have along for an adventure. She walks alongside him more comfortably than the last time they went questing, her eyes roaming for anything that might look like a scorpion.
Though... now that she thinks about it...... ]
Arsène. What do scorpions look like?
[ She's never seen one in her life.
... Also she's wearing this outfit. ]
i spent too long trying to decipher Lewd Pin
The question about scorpions does catch him a little off-guard. ]
You decided to do this without knowing? You've got guts. [ or she's reckless... not mutually exclusive. ] They're bugs - nasty little things with two big claws and a tail with a venomous stinger on the end that they hold over their head. Normally, they're not so big, but knowing this place...
[ glancing around, then sighing. ]
They could be just about any shape and size.
no subject
In other words, it is a venomous lobster.
[ That doesn't sound so bad to her. If it tastes as good as lobster, this might end up a doubly productive venture.
Suddenly, something behind Lupin catches her eye. She watches it curiously for a moment before pointing at it with a gently raised finger. ]
Might that qualify?
[ Fluttering daintily toward Lupin is a butterfly... but at the end of its abdomen is a faintly menacing stinger that curls back and forth at Lupin as it nears as if straining to stab him. Its upper legs end in lobster-like claws that clack tinily as they clamp in rhythm, and if one listens close enough, one might hear a malevolent hissing on the wind. ]
no subject
... Close enough.
[ although he can't say he'd want to eat one. His line of thought is hilariously close to hers, except completely opposite. In any case, he doesn't have time to voice his opinions on scorpion meat, seeing as there's a possibly-dangerous bug flying at him. He's quick to back up out of the way - he doesn't even want to know what the venom from this thing might do to him. ]
And I'd say that's also close enough. We should have brought a net!
[ he'll improvise! With his hat, which he takes off his head and swings down to try and capture the butterscorp against a tree. ]
no subject
Well done.
[ She looks between Lupin and the hat. ]
Did you intend to capture it alive? Or would you like me to incapacitate it?
Way Ocean | Quest 64
An immediate weariness begins to weigh on her soul, but so be it. Even she has to admit that he's the best suited for any quest involving monsters. In fact, where monsters are involved, they complement each other perfectly. It's a difficult contrivance of luck. She skips the pleasantries and gets right to business. ]
Wei Wuxian. Will you come with me to collect scorpion tails?
Car Mamma Mia | Quest 64
Still in this ridiculous outfit, Saber treks toward the forest, trusting fate to supply her with another questing companion. And so she conveniently catches sight of a familiar figure...
She stops to greet him, looking him over curiously. ]
Hello, Caramia. Are you busy this morning?
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[ He'll just... ignore the outfit. Probably. It's not working very well, and he really wants to ask, but also really doesn't want to, either. ]
Did you need something?
[ Please don't... pawn the outfit off on him. He'd hate that A Lot. ]
no subject
Yes, as a matter of fact. I am in need of a companion heading into the forest. Would you join me?