pawnstorm | intro ♚ april

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intro ♚ april

WELCOME TO GRAUPERA

We’ve all had those dreams: you wake up on a table, to blurry, ominous images and the certainty that you are absolutely buck-naked in a room full of strangers. This is not quite it.

Instead, you come awake to the sun on your face. The soft burble of water nearby. The hustle and bustle of a busy street and the faint, fortifying smell of bread. You open your eyes and there’s no one there at your bedside, but there is what appears to be the end of the world happening just beyond your window.

There’s a crack in the world across the sky, the “sun” is the totally unnatural light spilling from that crack straight into your eyes, and someone’s left a neatly pressed and folded uniform at the foot of the bed that isn’t yours. Somewhere in the room, there’s a strange clatter like beads, the click of claws on the floor.

Something’s in here with you.

Also, you are naked.

ONE ♟ CAPABLANCA & AIRY

As much as Blanc’s capital welcomes its Heroes, new arrivals such as yourself won’t have much time to settle. Get dressed and pick up your weapon and Carrier, because sometime in the afternoon, all floor nannies and Carriers will broadcast an announcement by Commander Lisbrand. She delivers a brief greeting to their new members, but gets straight to the point: they will be headed for Capablanca and the open sea beyond, in order to restore the fortress of Graupera for battle with Noir looming on the horizon. All new Heroes are expected to report to the Airy at the Caissa aeroport on the 8th along with their seniors.

On the morning of the 11th, Airy alights on Graupera, an island about two hours away from Capablanca by ferry. From here, you can either help the navy with Graupera repairs or assist in Verdoni’s investigations and head for Capablanca proper. Heroes will be staying in the (in)famous Hotel Caruana: they say you can check in anytime you like, but you can never truly leave. Nobody will quite meet your eyes or tell you what it means.

Wherever you are, the Airy will remain parked at Graupera.

TWO ♟ GRAUPERA, CAPABLANCA SEA FORT

What was once a heavily fortified island rests a ways off the coast of Capablanca; it looks a little too much like one of the thunderclouds slowly swarming on the horizon. Graupera has seen many battles and withstood the ebb and flow of wars. Formerly the city’s first line of defense until it was abandoned after the Reclamation, its dilapidated condition is the current bane of the Blanc navy. Blanc needs to bring it back to its former glory before it can face a single warship, much less Noir’s fleet of magical cannons. Blanc’s government has no doubt Heroes will do a fine job at returning the fortress to its former glory!

A ♙ The great stone and iron wall facing the wide open ocean has seen better days and is full of holes overgrown with stubborn clinging vines; cannonballs used a lifetime ago litter the grounds. The vines are extremely thick and may tangle the careless beyond hope of escape, not to mention filled with a pungent sap that will seep into your clothes and hair for days. It makes a great adhesive, though? Conveniently, parts of the wall are strewn across the floor, so at least some of the cannon holes can be repaired with enough improvisation, desperation and a bit of spit. The rest need new material provided by our helpful Heroes in Option C. Furthermore, the lingering damage from a previous attack and old age have turned the floorboards weak and unstable. The wood creaks ominously beneath the mass of even a single average-sized person, so watch your step.

B ♟ You might want to get your weapon before you descend into the dank depths beneath the castle. Once you make it down the steep, slippery stairs, you’ll be meeting the gigantic, hostile rats that infest the castle cellar from top to bottom. It looks like magical residue from long-ago battles has seeped into both the foundation and its inhabitants. The cellars have become a huge warren filled with strange mana currents, and sometimes flooded with water. If you're going to start an extermination campaign, you may want to recall the magical residue: chopping off a rat’s head and limbs will barely slow it down. It will keep going for hours unless you either lop off all its limbs or pierce its heart.

If you manage to make it all the way up into the castle’s two intact towers (the other two are half-collapsed), the uppermost levels are utterly covered in bird crap. You’ll be encountering the kings of this castle: the unusually large, grey-feathered sea birds that have taken up residence here. Albatrosses, gulls, pelicans, even sand pipers: they all share nesting and pooping space here. The feathers of each bird seem to have taken on stone-like properties not unlike the castle’s walls. They’re extremely ferocious and protective of their nests, which are filled with all kinds of things: twigs, shiny things, coin money, Option C’s supplies, feathers of all kinds, and some completely ordinary tools that seem too small for human hands, and much older than anything else in the place save for the walls. If you look closely, you might be able to see a few baby rats scattered in amongst the eggs and the peeping chicks. They’re being fed, too.

You’re meant to be moving the birds out of the place, but you might have enough trouble just moving their offal.

C ♙ Don’t feel like dealing with pest control? No problem! Blanc will need materials for rebuilding and other supplies for the coming battle! Everyone knows how important it is for the fortress to remain standing, so Heroes will be provided with gadgets and weaponry that should make it difficult for enemies to penetrate the walls yet again. Word has spread that the Heroes are transporting valuable goods, though, so you might have to fend off the occasional hopeful man or annoying mouse (rat) who wishes to borrow much-needed material.

Of course, all this rebuilding will be for naught if you are not prepared to defend the stronghold! Ammunition such as cannonballs, bullets and arrows needs to be transported to Graupera en masse, pronto. Equally important essentials include first aid supplies and enough non-perishable food and water to last a small army (you) a month or two. You wouldn’t want to have to scavenge for rat meat.

No one knows just how long this battle is going to last.

THREE ♟ Training

It’s time for you landlubbers to learn how to swim! Commander Lisbrand won’t be tolerating any sinking stones on her task force. The upcoming battle will be fought on the sea so your instructor, one of Blanc’s many fine captains (when she isn’t intoxicated), will make every single individual who hesitates at the sight of the open ocean walk the plank. She’ll even give you a helpful kick if necessary! Once that’s over, she will show you how to steer a ship. However, wandering eyes that land anywhere on the inebriated captain’s assets will be swiftly and spectacularly dealt a large bottle of the harbor’s best swill right where it hurts.

Blanc has also provided training dummies dressed suspiciously like prominent figures of the Othellian underworld. Now might be a good time to branch out and learn about your affinities. Heroes who have recently been promoted in Rank might want to set some time aside for getting used to their new abilities, too. Power and responsibility come hand in hand, after all!

INFO ♟ Welcome!

Welcome to Crosscheck's April intro log! For any further questions, please see the FAQ or reach us at the Contact Us page. Have fun!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[This was a little bizarre.

This was a little bizarre for multiple reasons. First of all, he's covered in rats. Not the usual for Gilgamesh, even if Saber might quip to the contrary. Second of all, he's working with Saber. And not even in the grudging sort of way. When he calls for aid, she actually... tries to help. He chafes at being ordered around, but at least it means she hasn't abandoned him to his fate, or worse, made fun of him.

Maybe that would come later. For now, he obeys without much thought, managing to shake off the vermin for long enough to jump back beside her. He wields his sword high, and a bright glow emits from it, long enough to keep their enemies at bay. He starts to chant...]

Oh, light, rain down upon my foe, may the weak be judged, may the wicked be purged...

[...but ultimately it will be up to Saber to give him the extra few seconds he needs to complete the spell.]

[ Since there's very little she can do, she resorts to kicking the rats that are close by away from the golden king. It's thuggish, but she's just gotta deal and redeem herself when she gets herself a sword. When she hears the spell, she sneaks up close behind Gilgamesh before throwing up the water in the nick of time. It veils over them, protecting them from their vile enemies.

She has to be close cause her barrier is tiny... She literally can't see past him. However, she can hear the sound of rats tackling the barrier with full force. She says nothing because it should be obvious that this is the time. Her barrier is slowly deteriorating as seconds pass aka make haste.

UNLEASH THE HEAVENS!! ]

[And unleash them he does, without hesitation.]

Heed me now! Perish, in this heavenly fury!

[Gilgamesh does not boast idly, or to hear himself talk—quite the novelty for one so brash. Blades of light form around him and fire like weapons from his sacred Gate of Babylon; they pierce the rats, wherever they may hide, and a chorus of deathly squeaks fills the air as they fall, impaled by the magic. The light also serves to illuminate the darkened chamber so they might see. And it's not exactly a pleasant sight, looking at all those smelly corpses, but it does confirm they accomplished what they set out to do.

Gilgamesh sighs his relief and returns his attention to bold Arturia and her barriers. And her cup, specifically.]

I believe we are both in agreement that you've been bequeathed a weapon most ironic.

[...was that him attempting to ease the mood? Maybe. Or maybe he's really just that curious.]

[ While the chorus of squeaks is not pleasant, there is a small smile because they have done this job despite how it started. She steps out to the side to see their results because goldie is a fatty. It's gross, but a battlefield is a battlefield. Her barrier now dissipates into nothing as her cup refills back to the brim, thinking about her next task and ignoring Gilgamesh for those thoughts.

It's only when he tries to start a conversation with her does she remember he exists. Looking up at him with such an resentful look. It actually looks no different from her usual expression, but it's obvious. ]

Ah... I see that you, too, would like to mock me, Archer. [ She tries to cool down since she knows she shouldn't make it a big deal. There comes an exasperated sigh as she looks down at the object she sought for so long now in her hands. ] This is quite a satire, really.

I wonder if this is fate's doing. [ title drop might as well. ]

[Gilgamesh does not appear bothered. Largely, he hadn't attacked upon sight because he's had months to cool down from his usual volatile self. Still a tyrant, still very much prone to questionable behavior, but now very much aware that challenging Saber to settle their score was pointless when they had so much else to do. For now, the matter would be sidelined and the tension would be eased... even if her dislike for him has not lessened at all.]

Perhaps so. It has been some time since you've been made to squire, I imagine.

[Even he must admit that the thought of forcing the King of Knights down to the level of Pawn was somewhat embarrassing. She was a foolish King with foolish ideals, but a King all the same, so to strip her of a crown seemed barbaric even to Gilgamesh. But he wouldn't speak of that, just peering ahead into the winding chasms ahead.]

I will yield to you, if only for this. Shall we head deeper? Or double back to the towers?

[Where bird poop awaits. Joy of joys.]

[ Was Gilgamesh always this keen?! For now, his considerate gestures go unnoticed and instead raises suspicion in her. Even though she's acknowledged possible development in this new world, it's hard to take in. Despite that, there's some appreciation for not adding fuel to Saber's fire. There is no "thank you" or kind gesture, but she's complacent. Even the air seems less hostile. Good job.

She takes the squire comment with little trouble and instead goes back to their course of action. A hand on her hip, she looks down the corridor... then looks back over to where the steps are.

Then to Goldie. ]

It would be best if we take care of the towers. [ She thinks back on the vivid memory of a couple of minutes ago... Gilgamesh screaming and flailing like a sissy. She closes her eyes, nodding several times. Giant birds must be less scary than giant rats? ]

Very well.

[And so it's back up the steps they both go. Plucky little people, when properly motivated.

Walking alongside Saber without the fear of Excalibur... maybe that's what strikes him as the strangest. It seemed such an integral part of her, that one could not exist without the other. Now she has her beloved prize in her hands, and it's amounted to less than nothing. Water and a few paltry barriers, big deal. That must sting her pride, he thinks. It must sting to know that what she wanted all along could now be found on some shelf as a Hero's token.

Maybe he could ask about it, but it's probably better that he didn't. Not only does he prove unusually keen, he's also unusually quiet as they begin ascending the tower. Naturally, he leads the way. He'll be better prepared for any surprises this time, so he believes, with his sword at the ready.]

[ She wholly embraces this silence. To be honest, she finds Gilgamesh's presence to be... Still intimidating, but not as pesky as before. Usually, he would just go on and on with his rude mouth, so this tranquility is rather unsettling in some aspects. It makes her wonder what has he been through--what does he remember? She thinks not much of Gilgamesh looking his Gate because it might do him good. Still wouldn't actively seek him though.

BUT SHE IS HERE, following after him quite closely like a real ally (has to stomach this). Clutching onto her Grail, she hopes the silence lasts. She doesn't want this task to be unnecessarily taxing because someone keeps talking about how their compatibility means they should get married.

They come face to face with bird poop everywhere in due time. While mildly disgusted, she keeps quiet and pulls the Grail closer to her to keep both hands occupied and far away from the stained walls. They finally reach the top of the tower only after treading many steps of dried droppings. They find a nest carefully constructed in the middle. Saber perks up, moving from behind Gilgamesh to his side so she can get a better look. ]

... Are those not some of our supplies? [ Yes, it is!! She also notices that the nest is large, so there's a curious look on her face.

Her focus on the nest doesn't help her notice the giant bird nearby, but its heavy landing makes its arrival hard to ignore. It takes slow steps over to its nest, wings out but pointed towards them as a form of intimidation with its stone feathers. There's a loud, shrill caw as a warning. It's a short warning because, almost instantly, it launches at them. Since Saber is not used to using her Grail, she instinctively dodges with a quick jump to the left. She doesn't even think about the man. But when she comes to a realization, she reassures herself that he'll be fine.

However, her concern grows as the giant bird basically blocks her vision completely. ] Archer! Are you injured?

[The day was yet young. Perhaps Gilgamesh would, inevitably, embarrass himself by saying or doing the wrong thing, or gods forbid attempting another marriage proposal. But truth be told, his mind couldn't be further from it at the moment—distance from Saber, as well as the Grail War itself, had done him a great deal of good in this place. And while there's no undoing all of his wickedness, it wouldn't be wrong to see him as subdued, because that's what he's essentially become. He just hasn't had the time nor the means to scheme, and that's for the best.

So is being a thousand miles away from Kirei, let's be honest.

Bird poop, though... bird poop was, authoritatively, the worst, they're both agreed on that. Like, worse than getting impaled through the leg as a form of intimate proposal worst. Gilgamesh cringes as he edges around it as best he can, because he's not about to humiliate himself in front of her again on account of some pesky animal and their pesky excrement. They make it to the top without incident, but of course, that's where the real trouble starts.

Gilgamesh doesn't even have time to begin a spell. The bird just dives at them, and though he almost manages to evade, it's... well, it's almost funny, really, because her unusual concern for him is mirrored in his unusual concern for her. Between the two of them, Saber was far more vulnerable, and even if he wanted to break her down in the worst possible way, he's not quite cruel enough to let her die by way of beak, feather, and talon.

Her defeat is a right reserved to him, after all.]

Let us circle about and dizzy it! Run left, and I shall run right!

[Whether she agrees to it or not, he's off like a rocket.]

[ damn those are some deep words goldie. it's gotta be true when being away from a priest makes you cleaner.

She worries for her comrades even if they're big manchildren. There's relief and dismay when she hears his voice. Why is she even worrying about the man? Right, she has a fucking defensive cup. Either way, for this moment, they need each other as much as she doesn't like it. The bird picks itself up in an uncoordinated fashion, scrapping off dried droppings and letting it fly in the air. ]

I--[ That is the dumbest thing she has heard today, but there is no time for her reply. The bird notices her first since she's closest. Gilgamesh bolted off a couple seconds ago. There's little delay in the second attack. There's another quick dive, but it's meant to snatch. It doesn't go into flirt, but there are many flecks that go into the air from its attack.

Luckily, she barely evades and starts running left. Not because she thinks Gilgamesh's plan will work, but because there's nothing else she can do. The bird gets back onto its feet, talons piercing through the layers of feces. The layers crumble a bit under its grip and it starts to collect large amounts. ]

Careful! [ Yes, this is where it's going to start gliding over to Gilgamesh to drop its board of dried poop. It may be poop but it is heavy, okay. Probably not enough to kill someone, but leave a bruise. Badly. It's preparing to nest on the King of Heroes after it circles around his area to drop its hail of dried feces. Saber is making her way as fast as she can.

I'm not even sure why we're here. ]

[We're here because plot. Always because plot, Saber. Never forget this.

Alright, so his plan was proving... less than brilliant. And even appeared to be worsening things, but not to worry! He's got an even bigger and better plan! No, really. He actually had stopped running while it had pursued Saber, giving him time to cast another spell, this one which intended to bind:]

I call upon you most divine, Chains of Heaven! Intertwine!

[Wasn't that just the most pleasant incantation to roll off the tongue? Though he does not have Enkidu here, Gilgamesh conjures something quite like it out of thin air, golden chains that burst forth and mean to entrap the bird. At first, the targeting proves a bit off, and only manages to trip it up. But after a moment or so, he tangles the wings. It won't hold for very long, but perhaps it will be just long enough to send it packing.

Gilgamesh, meanwhile—suave little devil that he is—catches Saber by the wrist and plants their feet together in place. Here is where they make their stand.]

Focus all of your mana and form the barrier!

[They're going to need it. The bird fights its bindings fiercely, and Gilgamesh was still only a novice with this magic.]

[ The golden chains are beautiful, even entrancing. However, she doesn't get to admire them for long. Actually, she shouldn't. There is still a battle--did he just grab her wrist?! She does not like his forceful grip on her. It actually makes her wince, but she can feel mana that she's missing replenish from the mere touch. It's what she needed.

She checks her chalice to see if it's full--and it is

not. ]

I need a couple of more seconds. [ While her voice is calm, she knows the chances of the bird breaking out is high. Even if her grail is filled within the next five seconds, that's enough to perish. Its erratic retaliation is also not helping her grail refill faster.

This is life. When he grail is filled, she throws the water into the air and channels her mana so that it forms a small barrier around them. Rather than it deteriorating quickly like their time in the cellars earlier, it stands strong. Unfortunately, Saber is finding it taxing to keep it up. Any blows landed on this barrier will be negated, but mana depletion is just as strong. ]

I am not sure how long it will hold. [ More like how long she will hold. ]

You are the resplendent King of Knights, are you not? She who drew the sword from the stone, who rescued Britain from despair?

[There it is, on full display. A+ Charisma at its finest. He speaks, therefore it is truth, therefore...]

It will hold long enough.

[The chains chafe. Gilgamesh lets go of Saber to draw his bow, and not an arrow, but his longsword. He intends to use it in place of standard ammunition, nocking it a bit awkwardly. It's the first time he's tried this, and if it were his aim to look Cool in front of his would be wife he's not at all pulling it off, but for once he's not here for style points. He's here to win, and as he pulls the sword back, power begin to build in the bow.

The chains chafe, and then they break. The bird begins to peck, and claw, and tear at the barrier, breaking a little away each time. But Gilgamesh holds firm, standing beside his once and future enemy. He waits for his chance. He lets the weapons sync together, pulls his focus to a very fine point.

He's lost both Ea and the Gate itself here. This is no Noble Phantasm, no Enuma Elish, yet he channels all his energy into it. And at this range... a point blank shot... it could clinch the match. If he hits the heart, it's game over. But will the barrier last? Will Saber last?]

You will hold—

[Does he say it to Saber, to the bird, or to himself? It's impossible to tell.

Gilgamesh releases the shot, and the sword flies. It's up to fate now what unfolds next.]

[ mentally barfs... Extraneous titles and gloryhounding. Saber isn't comfortable with Gilgamesh talking about her, but there is a sense of pride. This is something she has to do!! She doesn't watch him, but instead focuses on the giant bird and keeping her barrier steady. It's chipping away, piece by piece, but they're still in its protection. It is only when Gilgamesh pulls his longsword against the bowstring where the foul starts trying to take flight, sensing danger.

She feels the distress--the anticipation. The barrier can only last a couple of seconds and it drops when the shot is fired. The bird, in its last possibly breath, tries to swoop in and kill them on the spot before the longsword lands. If anything, it fastens its death. She hears the sound of punctured flesh, looking up to see the bird flying with an unsteady pace. There's a large cry as blood basically falls onto their general area--and then it releases itself one last time... Specifically on our heroes. Saber quickly jumps back because she doesn't have enough mana left to cast another barrier. Also, she is not keen on walking back with slathers of that on her person.

EITHER WAY... it drops onto the floor bleeding out, squawking and violently writhing before it falls still. ]

It is done. [ She is pleased with results!! Without a doubt, she assumes Gilgamesh has also evaded the goop, so instead quickly makes way to the nest to fetch their supplies. She looks curiously at the money, unsure if they should leave it or take it. The little babies are crying at her and she feels bad about killing their mother(?) for second. However, there is no other way. ] Let us carry these supplies back.

[ She'll turn to finally check on bird slayer. Goldie. How is he holding? ]

[It fell.

The stupid bird fell. The rear end of it did, atop him, and pretty much choked him over the course of several seconds until he stilled along with the bloody body. Surely he's alright, surely it took more than that to end the great King of Heroes... but... he's not moving and maybe it would reflect poorly on her as a budding young Pawn to let her senior expire on her watch. Maybe. Maybe she could just cover it up to look like an especially unfortunate accident.

Or maybe common sense will prevail and she'll leave him in the dust. And poop. Either way, the decision will be hers. He makes not a peep and his sword has since flown off to locales unknown. That's going to be such a pain in the ass to retrieve, along with scrubbing all that crap out of his clothes.]

Archer? [ Oh..............? She's a bit concerned. Not only did he get bird crap all over him, he's quiet! Which is strange. Usually this would be nothing for a servant, but she is well aware of their current predicament. She quietly approaches him, looking for any signs of life. As a king and a knight, she can't just leave her comrades, even one such as the King of Heroes, to rot with bird poop and corpse near him.

Once she makes it there, she's careful not to step on the wet puddle. Her hands quickly search her pockets and she pulls out a plain white handkerchief. ]

It is not much. [ She still offers it to him. It's better than nothing, she thinks. ]

Mmph...

[Ah, he's alive. Unfortunately. However, upon closer examination, it's not the bird that appears to be the problem here. He wriggles out well enough, but he looks utterly exhausted for the effort. His eyes are dull and he appears even paler than usual, taxed beyond his limits. Something has happened to tire him out a great deal, something that may not have been explained to Saber yet but she would find out soon.

His gaze sluggishly trails to the handkerchief, which he does not take. Instead, he reaches up to curl fingers around her hand—without asking!—and to initiate a bit of what she felt earlier. Mana transfer, the truest means in which Heroes restored themselves. At first, even the thought of holding hands with Gilgamesh might prove revolting.

But after a few seconds, she will find she feels better, too. Much, much better, heartened and full of spirit and ready to face whatever comes next.]

[ That almost scared her what the fuck. She almost screamed "UNHAND ME", but holds those words back. It's... Gross. It feels gross for obvious reasons, but she lets it pass. Taking the handkerchief with her other hand, she tries to wipe the slime off of his hand as he holds onto hers. In a way, she feels she did so little, so this is the least she can do.

Once the transfer finishes, she does feel a lot better. Earlier during her bounce to the nest, she felt her joints were rather heavy... And her body just more tired than usual. She only casted a small barrier, but it tired her out so fast. It reminds her of the position she holds now and it isn't grand. Still, she feels that she's radiating despite how she just touched bird poop. Can mark that off bucket list now. She retracts her hand once they're done. With a fierce shake of her hand, excess goo falls off. ]

Are you feeling better? [ She doesn't... really care... But there's some pity. This is probably one of the lowest points for the King of Heroes, she imagines. A little lost. ]

Do you need assistance? [ If he's okay, she can focus on retrieving their supplies, etc. Also known as, More Important Things. ]

[...oh, that's right. He was dirty. He doesn't really piece it together in the moment that it wasn't the most polite thing to do—typical Gilgamesh—but it was also necessary for the both of them. They still had to haul all those supplies back down, and that would require a degree of strength that at least one of them was lacking prior to the transfer.

Gilgamesh gets up of his volition now and picks at his poor ruined outfit. At least he had a seamstress on hand to sew it all back together, but for now he's just going to look like one big mess. Was he feeling better, then?]

As well as I could ever be.

[He doesn't really care about you either beyond a quick wed and bed, Saber, fancy that. But there's some gratitude as he eyes her more steadily.]

I do not suppose it was explained to you quite yet, the nature of our existence here. How quickly we tire, and how to remedy it.

[If she won't hear it, he won't bother. But in exchange for her assistance, he's willing to let certain secrets go.]

[ try to wed the dead, scrub. i thought so. She's... a bit dumbstruck by how he reacts. Is this the same man she knew? It's all so surreal to see him well-behaved. In filth. Things sure are strange here. ]

No, I haven't, but... [ Would it be embarrassing for her to admit that she's not used to having so little mana? She thinks of how to say this in the most perfect way. You know what? He doesn't need to know. She knows how she presents herself and it's easy to see that she is a driven woman. No fatigue will stop her--looking down to the ground then to her hand, she speaks. ] From what it looks like, we restore mana through physical contact.

[ She noticed it before in the cellars and once again here, the towers. It's really the only reason she has allowed the man to lay even a finger. Also, he's forceful and they were trying to kill stuff, so little need to throw a tantrum. There's a nod and looks at him. ]

Is that correct? [ It wasn't explained that well, if at all, when she wandered the town for her short time nor has she asked. ]

But you are not accustomed to being so weak.

[He fills in everything she doesn't say with one swift, cutting statement. For once, it's not purposely intended to insult her or chop her down to size. It's just the truth. His brows furrow, and again he thinks it's pitiful that she who pulled the sword from the stone and led Britain to prosperity—shortly before she drowned it in despair—has been rendered no more than a cupbearer. A squire, scurrying about in hopes of avoiding notice or attack.

Gilgamesh makes himself useful as he talks and starts gathering up the supplies.]

We have been stripped of all our powers and abilities as Servants. We have been given human forms, which function as you might expect. We will feel heat and cold, we will weaken and require nourishment and sleep. Essentially, we have been rendered more as we were in life than we are in infamy.

[Less than that, even. Spirited and energetic thanks to that boost of mana, Gilgamesh casts a brief spell to levitate the packs rather than carry them by hand.]

We possess a very limited pool of mana here, indeed, restored by physicality. I will confess it to you, Saber, you must resign yourself to touch...

[A mischievous curl forms on his lips, unseen with his back turned.]

...or else die. You will not survive without the closeness of physical contact, frequent and sustained.

[ What he says deserves a grimace of sorts. It hurts her pride just a little more especially because it's true. There's nothing she can say about it other than accept it.

She's well aware of the stripped powers, but this is actually no different from the last Grail War, she thinks. Well, she had a lot more than now, but sleep and food were things she needed with an inadequate master. She'll take everything Gilgamesh says in silence, as if considering each part with utmost importance.

It's obvious to her that the words come with a smirk. It's the dumb tone and it makes an eyebrow twitch in irritation. ] Do not get too comfortable, Archer.

[ There's only so much touching she will allow. She folds her dirty handkerchief and stows it away. Picking up her grail that she left by the nest, she watches the supplies float in the air. Is this why Gilgamesh can be summoned as a Caster?? In a way, she's a bit envious that he has such affinity in magic.

Or whatever this is. It's convenient, but she doesn't comment on it. Instead, she picks a different topic. ]

Have you retrieved your sword? [ They shouldn't leave without it, she thinks... As if an afterthought, she looks over to the carcass over there. ]

[Lightly teasing:]

Just Gilgamesh will do. Truth be told, I am not much of an Archer any longer.

[Despite the bow on his back they'd given him, which he was just learning how to use again. The class name carried a certain weight with it he could no longer carry, not with the seemingly permanent loss of his Gate. If anything, it reminded him of what he would never be again, and that stung more than she intended.

At her suggestion, he goes to fish his sword out of the now stilled corpse. As if reading her mind, he explains further.]

I am, as of now, at a higher "rank" than you. This affords me greater strength and more powerful spells.

[With a disgusting shlick, Gilgamesh draws the blade out of the bird's heart, then sheaths it back at his side.]

Befriend those ranked individuals, if you can. Not even the King of Knights can do all that much with just a goblet in her hands.

[ Is he lecturing her? She doesn't like how this is going, but she listens. Gilgamesh does have experience in this world, being that of a higher rank and also wielding two weapons along with an arsenal of spells. While she doesn't mind power gaps of any kind, the reminder is starting to annoy her. She doesn't say anything... Cause he's right. About everything. Her eyes follow him as she pulls his sword out of the fat bird.

It's a little hard for her to say his true name, he has always been Archer to her, but she respects his wishes. Though he asks of her such a thing, she doesn't consider being called anything aside from Saber. It kind of grew on her. She moves her chalice in her hand, making the water swerve inside it.

All she has is this goblet. ] I will heed your advice.

Let us head back... Gilgamesh. There is much to do. [ She did it!! She'll start their descent down the tower, leading first. In the front is where she always belongs. ]

[Indeed it is. Since he's carrying the bulk of the cargo, it makes sense of him to tag along in back anyway. Maybe he would've raised more of a fuss earlier in his stay here and maybe at that point they'd be halfway to killing each other by over their differences and their disagreements, but he's since found companions and, absent of any means to do any real wrongdoing, has thus found a sense of peace. Gilgamesh could act questionably, but never blindly, without due cause.

However, it is in fact so jarring a contrast between what he expected might happen and what's actually happening right now that he feels the need to comment. Because if nothing else, that enormously obnoxious mouth of his hasn't changed one bit.]

You are more amenable than anticipated.

[Translation: you haven't spat on me, glared at me, or so much as tried to kill me, what gives?]]

intro ♚ april

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