All this bad blood here: Open job post!

[showsnopiety]

Who: Caren and you!
When: After the War, 4/20-4/30
Where: Graupera, Gresser, Palamede
What: Job stuff, including getting yelled at, meeting Servants, all that jazz.
Rating: Pretty sure we got into Rated R for fetish talk and violent thoughts in the Gilgamesh thread there

I: Vessel of hope

[It was an unusual request, but she didn't think it would be one that she could by pass. While there were some parts of the order and the church that she held in contempt, she was a priestess, through and through. Her offering was a simple one, a plain boat with a puffin candle, white and sheltered by slender glass.

A touch of mana lights it with a murmured word. And when the sun goes down, she's there with the rest of the crowd. Her boat is set down, and she starts to sing.

It's a surprisingly lovely, sweet voice-and her singing is in Latin. They are hymns, songs of mourning and blessing, things that one might hear at a funeral.

Her eyes flick to anyone who approaches. She may cease, continue until she is finished, or start singing instead 'Amazing Grace' as an invitation for anyone to join her, if they so wish.]

II: A six pack is worth a thousand pictures

A

Ah. That would be perfect.

[She nods to herself, as she focuses with her camera. This is an odd thing to take a photo off...perhaps it is of a hay bale, a plate of food, or a child crying after falling on their knees and skinning it. Really weird pictures like that. But it's not the only things she's taking a picture of. See that fountain? She's pointing you, hero, to stand underneath it.]

If you don't mind? I'd like a picture of you under the spray. I think it would be very appealing.

B

[She's hungry, but she as to pay for her meal before she has to actually gets anything. She's frowning at the riddle she was offered. It's rather...well, it's not a bad one, but she doesn't want to give up either. It's down on a piece of paper, and she's staring at it, as if it will give it answers.]

I know the answer. Just...need a moment.

[She scowls down at the paper. The locals, at least, seem amused by her. She's intelligent enough, but mostly she's stuck. She needs some orange juice or something to get her brain working but noooo, stupid town rule won't let her have it.]

III: Rebuild Palamede!

A

[She had been moping, as the usual. She was not a strong woman as things went, but she could clean. She was used to it, as things went, but the fact that the local that was showing her around didn't want to come in here...she respected that, and didn't press, for once. Caren could be surprisingly compassionate to those in need.

Which did not mean she would be so nice to those passing by. If anyone tried to walk through her recently washed floor for example...all it would take was a twist of her wrist, and she'd fling mop water at their head. With the mop.

This is slightly better than having her try and recruit someone to help her clean.]

B

[Caren hadn't asked for this. Her face was impassive as the man in front of her-heavier by over a hundred pounds, taller than a foot, maybe more. His mouth was hitched in a permanent smirk on one side, due to scarring. And, he seemed, he didn't have anything to laugh about. People had been hurt. And these heroes, these people God selected were supposed to keep them safe! They were supposed to do better then this!

There was a crowd forming because of this. And while Caren had been singing hymns and other things earlier, she had been heading in for a break. But now...

She watched him, and slowly brought a hand up to wipe at the spittle on her face. She was smiling, a little. Maybe someone wants to watch or...try to step in before something terrible happens.]

Comments

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh lets go of her hand and hums, as if considering. He's not, but he makes a decent show of it.]

Some battles are worth facing, known or otherwise.

[Without another word on the matter, Gilgamesh bends down and reaches for the squeegee to start cleaning. He's a bit of a better hand at this than mopping; Archers were known for their talented fingers, and Gilgamesh's prove smooth in the execution of this particular chore. Talk about putting the serve in Servant.

However, a certain smile clings to his lips that hints at ulterior motives. Perhaps it was destiny that Gilgamesh would always clash with a Kotomine.]

[showsnopiety]

[She rolls her eyes. Someone is a smug little...

With a sigh and a head shake, she grabs a squeegee, flicking water in Gilgamesh's direction before she starts cleaning one of the windows. Well...the part of the window she can reach, anyway.

If he's trying to distract her or just clash with her, he's got it. This is one disgruntled small Kotomine.

Which might result in him getting ignored. Just a little as she works on ridding the glass in front of her free of grime and muck.]

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh behaves himself... for all of a few minutes. Not speaking to her, not so much as looking at her, just staring into the window and his flawless reflection as he wipes the dirt from it. He has to wonder how much help they're really providing, just two people washing windows, but it occupies time and Gilgamesh has nothing if not an abundance of it these days running around as a Hero.

He also wonders how Caren sees it. She hadn't been here earlier, when he'd asked over the network what it took to be a Hero. She seemed almost gloomy, like she carried a constant aura of fright around her. Not that he was put off by it, but it does send chills down his spine nonetheless. Maybe they had known each other, for him to have such a visceral reaction.

Gilgamesh behaves himself, but he can never manage it for very long. He extends his arm, then tsks.]

Oh, no. I cannot quite reach.

[He refers to a window just above their heads. Raises brows. Here it comes.]

Perhaps if I had someone in my arms, to bridge such a distance...

[showsnopiety]

[....he's doing it. He's actually doing it of all things. No wonder she hadn't tried seeking him out; she hadn't been on the network either, for all she doesn't mind the way it twines around her body.

No demands on claiming what was hers. Merely acting as if she were an opportunist, or a thief, as if she has no claim to other people.

Still...whatever her reasoning for not seeking him out prior to this, she does the normal Kotomine tactic:

She ignores him. Doesn't even look his way as she continues to wipe at her window. Swipe, swipe. Dip. Squeaaaaaaak.]

[babbylon]

[Inches closer.

Closer.

Closer still.

Whispers in her ear:]

Perhaps if I had someone... with a delicate sense of balance, and a beautiful hand, to guide the way...

[You're not getting out of this, Caren. Kotomine tactics are met with Gilgamesh tactics: wear the target down until they submit.]

[showsnopiety]

[Ugh.

He's doing that thing

He's doing that thing

She's not claiming to be Kirei's child for nothing. Her free hand? Is now going to cover his face to gently(?) push him away. Gil vrs Kirei 2.0. He'll get his way.

Eventually.

Sort of.

If only because it's funny.

And all this time she's still cleaning the window, leaning up where she couldn't reach before. Swipe, swipe. Squeak.]

[babbylon]

[That's nice that you've got agency and all, Caren, and he respects that, he really does, he just doesn't care so he's going to dig his heels in the ground and go precisely nowhere and talk over her hand because when you're that loud you can pretty much talk over anything, including body parts. And people.]

Were you not dying to put your hands on my person but moments ago? Think of this as an opportunity.

[And, well, technically... he's not wrong. If she wanted to sit on him, getting into his arms first may have been a natural step in the right direction. Literally.]

[showsnopiety]

[He respects that? Really? See, this is why she misses the shroud. If she had it here, she could wrap him up right now and drag him away. Or step on him. Yes, she likes stepping on him.

Caren still doesn't look at Gilgamesh as she continues to clean her share of the windows.]

I was speaking in theory.

[And, just to be annoying:]

You've forgotten your manners again. If you wanted your hands on me, all you'd have to do was ask. Politely.

[She's shoving a little harder now. His face is now her means of getting leverage for those tougher spots to get on the window. Thanks Gilgamesh.]

[babbylon]

[You're welcome. Gilgamesh grunts, testy.]

It was merely for the sake of progress. Am I to be scolded for my pragmatism?

[Yes, pragmatism. That's exactly what it is. Not an excuse to cop a feel.]

[showsnopiety]

Pragmatism? If it were that, you wouldn't have tried to lure me in.

[She smirks at him. Were you going to open your shirt next and make mating calls?

Her hand shifts away from covering his face, her palm resting solely his cheek.]

I've missed that look on your face. It's sweet.

[She paps his cheek, almost a slap, before she lets her hand drop.]

[babbylon]

It wasn't a lure...!

[It was totally a lure. Busted. He huffs and puffs and folds his arms, turning red where she touches. But not because he's embarrassed! Just a stray bit of heat leaping to his face. Totally accidental. And so the invisible leash winds ever tight around his neck.]

Honestly. Since you are so enthusiastic about manners, I thought you'd appreciate my asking.

[...had she missed it, though? It leads a man's mind to wander.]

[showsnopiety]

That was quite the way to ask someone.

[She's still smiling, amused with him. The flush on his cheeks is absolutely lovely. But...it's not enough. Not by half.]

Will you ask me again? I would appreciate it if you asked on your knees. That way I can offer a swift response to your...charm.

[Since if she did go into his arms? Bad idea. The washing would be completely forgotten. Or mostly so.]

[babbylon]

[Point blank:]

Absolutely not.

[Nice try, though. It's something like progress, sort of.]

[showsnopiety]

[Another point blank:]

Well I can't kiss you like this.

[It's progress. Sort of.]

[babbylon]

[Well

then

he'll

just

pull on her hair. Ever so maturely. Surely that's the way to secure her consent.]

[showsnopiety]

[No
No

Not at all

You see her two fingers? See them?

They're going

Right up

His nose.]

What are you doing?

[babbylon]

WAH!

[Ow! Ow! Ow! ...but it gets him to immediately stop, so maybe this really is progress as far as taming her Servant is concerned.]

What a wicked woman you are! I shouldn't need to beg for you to give into my charms; just give in!

[showsnopiety]

[She slowly raises her eyebrows. Do you want her to curl her fingers and yank? Because she can do that.]

That's your argument? Your charm lacks luster, your manners crude...

But I suppose it does not change the fact that you belong to me. What a burden.

[babbylon]

I do not belong to anyone!

[And he's so, so tempted to clock her with that squeegee, cave her skull in before anyone else can notice, but something compels him to just let the matter go. He draws back, so returning her personal space and reclaiming his poor nostrils. Rubbing at his nose, he mutters under his breath:]

Only the filthy spawn of that man could prove this obstinate, certainly...

[It seems she has succeeded in teaching Gilgamesh a lesson. He's persistent, but he's unlikely to attempt such an obvious stunt again. Victory?]

[showsnopiety]

[She starts laughing. Quietly. As if he told some great joke. If he attempted to cave her skull in, fine; she doesn't care. At least she had some fun before she died.

But really, it is a victory and that leash is slowly closing in around his throat. It's not easy, but in the end? He's worth all the effort in the world.]

I've forgotten how refreshing it is to go against a true king.

[She gestures up to the window with her squeegee.]

Now, did you need my assistance, or were you just being a pervert?

[babbylon]

[This time, Gilgamesh concedes defeat. Heaving a sigh, he casts the same spell from before, but now tells her:]

Observe.

[The squeegee floats high into the air, directed by waves of mana. And, with that unseen hand, it begins to wipe at the spot he intended for Caren to reach. It's a means of surrender, yes, but it's also his way of showing off a little—look what I can do. Still not her Servant, never her Servant.

Yet a part of him feels the need to assert that he's indeed the true king she remembers.]

I can do the same to you, so be more mindful.

[Will he, though? Perhaps even a true king would not be so aggressive.]

possible CW: death, gore

[showsnopiety]

[So he could do more with his spell work then just float mops around. She makes a small sound, seeming impressed. She doesn't know all of what can be done with mana around here, but it will be most certainly useful. Especially with cleaning things up.]

Impressive.

[She's not being snide for once; she's sincere. He's earned this bit of praise after toying with him. Though...his warning has her flash him a smile again.]

If you have a sword, I would prefer that. It's more personal.

[Especially if they were face to face as he did it. A blade thrust in and...she'd fall. Maybe dead before she hit the floor. Or maybe she'd bleed to death. It would be better, she thinks, if she were to die at anothers hands, if it was due to her beloved Servant.

Even if he still resents the idea.]

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh appears to understand almost immediately what she's getting at. He's not surprised, not exactly, but it does confirm that the gloominess he sensed earlier stemmed from a very real place. This girl was trouble, exuded it down to her core, and only a fool would underestimate her. Gilgamesh has done some foolish things his time and would in a future he'd never get to see, yet he recognizes a potential mistake here and avoids it handily.]

Do you intend to act against me and merit such a death?

[...however, he still has no qualms calling her out directly. Gilgamesh was an upfront person, even as a child. He saw no reason to beat around the bush. If she defied him, then she would die, but no matter how bad his mood got he'd never kill her just because. There was reasoning to everything Gilgamesh did, executions included.

And, as she recognizes value in him, maybe he's recognizing value in her as well. In nothing else, perhaps, but a pretty face to tease and refuse him, just as he prefers.]

[showsnopiety]

No. I have no plans to act against you.

[She's smiling again. That calm, accepting smile, knowing how easy it would be to ruin everything he was doing. A few rumors here, a question or two there, and she could easily isolate him. But there's no need. And truly, she doesn't want to make him an island, all by himself.

He's already that, without her help.]

I don't plan to meddle with your life either. There's no need. But...if one day I had to die, would you do it, by your sword? I don't want anyone else to kill me.

Just you.

[babbylon]

[He's no longer by himself. He'd insist that was the case, that he walks and would continue to walk his path alone, but others around him would insist to the contrary. This world had it made it difficult to keep saying things like I don't need anyone at all and so Caren would be in quite for the surprise when she learned that her Servant could now call those close to him comrades without so much as a flinch.

He doesn't flinch at her request, either. Someone else, someone lesser might be bothered, but not Gilgamesh. Whoever she was, whatever they were to each other back home, she clearly views him in a special light. And he doesn't mind the attention, necessarily, but accepting this just felt like another form of submission. He sees through it and singles that out, too.]

I will not play a part in your martyrdom.

[Back to the window he goes. Up, down, up, down, side to side.]

Take your own life, if you place so little value in it. The kind of Servant I am... I'd never pledge my sword to cause so unworthy.