✿ THE HOUSE ✿
Adra's house is a cozy stone cottage on the outskirts of Caissa, close enough to the sea that one can hear the breaking waves throughout the day.
This afternoon, there's light, cool rain falling intermittently, tapping in a rhythm at the windows and roof. Fortunately, the kitchen is warm, bright, and welcoming. Its counters and tables are covered with freshly prepared foods of all kinds, and there are plenty of chairs for visitors who might like to sit and relax.
A door from the kitchen leads out into the garden, which is not quite yet fully landscaped, but which boasts a promising array of flowers (orchids, roses, lilies, tulips, etc) and herbs. Adra's also cultivating strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce, and so on; the strawberries and cherries in particular are ripe for picking. Adra has strung enchanted, floating fairy lights all over the garden; they cast a soft, ethereal glow over the paths and carefully tended patches of greenery. At the garden's center, there's a clear pond filled with red and pink lotus blossoms.
Back inside, a visitor might like to rest in the den. There's a roaring fire in the hearth, and sitting near it for a short while offers a boost to the weary spirit. Soft, plush chairs and couches fill this room, making it ideal for lounging. The tables are covered with books borrowed somewhat indiscreetly from the library; they deal largely with the magic and history of Enprise.
Adjacent to the den is Adra's study. In here are half-empty bookshelves and antique rolling desk covered with neat stacks of papers, boxes of quills, and numerous pots of ink, each one in different, brilliant colors. His journal is somewhere here, too ...
Finally, down the hall one will find a half bathroom and, across from that, the door to the second bedroom--belonging to one Gilgamesh. The master bedroom, belonging to Adrasteius, is at the end of the hall. There's a full bath in there, but this room is definitively locked.
✿ THE SPREAD ✿
As usual, Adra's gone over the top in his preparations. For drinks, there's a sweet, refreshing punch; delicately pink and decorated with sprigs of flowers. There are pitchers of sparkling ice water, jugs of wine and spiced mead, and plenty of glasses to share.
Though Adra does not eat meat himself, he prepares it ably; there's a honey-glazed, roasted turkey in the center of the table, right beside a carving board heavy with seasoned, hand-carved slices of fresh beef. Red potatoes, bright with paprika and salt and glistening with pats of melting butter, are arranged in wedges around the turkey. There are woven baskets of steaming rolls, flaky and soft; platters of carrots and broccoli and asparagus; enormous bowls of belly-warming soup filled with thick wheat noodles, sliced egg, and shredded cabbage. At one end of the table, there's a plate of burgers, along with small dishes to fix them--bacon, crispy onions, sauteed mushrooms, and all the necessary condiments. He has plates of savory pies, filled with beef or pork or chicken; steamed and fried dumplings stuffed with meat and spring vegetables, plump and perfectly shaped.
The desserts are similarly extravagant: he has a plate of meticulously crafted flower and fruit cakes; some look like ripe, blushing peaches, others, he shaped into red orchids, lotus blossoms, or golden roses. He's made a chocolate tart so dark that its smooth, sugar-dusted surface shimmers reflectively in the overhead light. Cupcakes of all kinds are scattered here and there, as well as an extravagant, multi-tiered confection dripping with fudge sauce, encrusted with sliced strawberries and vibrantly colorful, fondant flower petals. There are loaves of warm banana bread; fruit tarts glittery with rainbow sugar crystals; and, under glass, an assortment of flavorful macarons baked to look like something plucked right from the starry sky.
But the most important thing about Adra's lavish banquet is this: all of the food is enchanted, laced with magic meant to inspire feelings of comfort and security. Eating it may conjure up familiar, welcome sensations or memories--nothing sorrowful or painful, and only as specific as you'd like. It could be something as simple as the feeling of a fuzzy blanket on a cold day, or as complex as a particular soothing memory. In all cases, the intended effect is meant to inspire calm and ease.
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Once again, Saber might be in for something of a surprise. The room itself proves far from gaudy, though it's certainly luxurious, decorated in rich reds and classy touches of gold. He's kept everything neat and tidy—sheets made, no clutter on the floor—and a pleasant scent, like flowers mixed with sand, wafts throughout. He'd either cleaned before she arrived, or the King of Heroes was in fact something of a neat freak when it came to organizing his personal space.
It doesn't take much time to find what he's looking for: a simple box with no trimmings, light as could be. Gilgamesh hands it over to her.]
I believe you will find this to be rather useful.
[A hopeful sign, perhaps? The box was certainly too long to hold anything like a a ring, so there's that miserable possibility tossed right out the window. Phew.]
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... What is it?
[ She finds it rude to open it immediately--especially in front of the giver. Gifts are meant to be opened at home, but her curiosity is killing her. While she shows no expression on her face, not even shaking the box, she is staring at it so intently that it may burn up in her hands.
IT ISN'T A RING, SO WHAT IS IT?
Is this a form of torture? ]
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I would not ruin the surprise. Go on; it is yours to have.
[It looks as though she'll need to break through her hesitation and get it over with. It can at least be discerned that the gift itself is very, very light, like a feather in her hand. It may not even be jewelry of any kind, given it has so little weight; even chains of gold or silver would be at least slightly noticeable. But if not jewelry, what is so small and so delicate that would fit in such a box, and that would also be useful to her?
As the saying goes, there's really only one way to find out.]
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If you would excuse me.
[ Quickly, she turns around, back facing him and now in the process of opening the box. Usually, if it were the gift from someone else--maybe someone tolerable more than 80% of the time, she would be able to wait, but she needs to know. The faster she sees this present, the faster she can reprimand the man if it proves to be distasteful.
WHAT IS IT? Her eyes bore into the box once she plops open the lid. ]
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The first, a ribbon of red as dark as wine, with golden lions prancing about its length; the second, a ribbon of black like raven's feathers, with dueling silver knights stitched faintly into its edges; and the third, perhaps most striking of all...
Well, it was striking because it wasn't. It was a ribbon of very simple blue, a blue she might recognize. A blue like the color she would wear back home. It would seem Gilgamesh has gone to great trouble to find a replica of what she once had and had now lost. If touched, even the texture feels authentic. But how would Gilgamesh know a thing like that?
Either way, Gilgamesh appears eager for her opinion, but for once remains blissfully quiet. He awaits her earnest judgment, though can't help but look more than a little excited, standing just behind her. He feels strongly that this is a gift she would would sincerely appreciate, that she wouldn't scorn him... though in a way, that had a certain appeal as well.]
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She has never thought much about her own ribbon before, so the last one really brings back memories. It's the color that ignites something in her, but she shows no outward signs at all. She doesn't take them out, treasuring them instead by fastening the lid back on. There's a quick turn on her heel, now facing Gilgamesh again with the box in her firm hold.
The inquiring look is there, peering deeply into his skull as if it'll help her read his mind, but she relents. Instead, she looks back down on the box, grazing her thumb against a corner.
"I do not understand." ]
As usual, you have fine tastes. [ Her way of saying thank you. Maybe one day, she can readily say it without this feeling of doubt. For now, a roundabout way suffices... It also praises his choice, so it works out. ]
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[In this way, Gilgamesh acknowledges the words she hadn't spoken. Though nothing like shy, as if he could ever possess such a reticent emotion, his eyes do flicker away for a moment. Appear almost distant, like that thousands year old ancient he's supposed to be. Pondering something only he could ever know.]
I cannot entirely explain it myself, but existing in this world, compared to our own—it has me feeling calmer. More settled. Perhaps it is the state of humanity, which I am tied to. Or perhaps it is because I am free of my bonds, and I am flesh and blood once more, able to explore earthly pleasures.
[It may also be because of the bonds he's formed here, though he won't admit to that. His wandering eyes return to hers, strikingly sharp.]
Whatever the case, there are no excuses to be made. I admire you as I did before. And I will seek your company, when I can, and that is that.
no subject
She remembers clearly their strange times together and the way he looks at others. A small sigh follows as her shoulders drop. ]
However, you do not need to justify your actions, Gilgamesh. [ You never had to, is what she thinks. However, it makes her wonder if he's genuinely interested in having her understand--with the amount of effort he puts into his words lately when they're alone, it's hard not to read into it.
Back to the ribbons though. ]
I'll accept your gift. I can't say I've ever had embellished hair ornaments yet.
[ The first... ]
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[He's taking a big gamble here. Even bigger than the gift itself, which he had wondered if Saber would refuse outright on principle. At first, it seems like a harmless question, a bit confusing without context, but then...]
To embrace femininity.
[But then he may go too far.]
To be a woman.
[Then he definitely goes too far. Yet her words inspire an intense curiosity in him, and it certainly hadn't changed that Gilgamesh would always indulge it if given the chance. He would always ask, and always press, because that was simply what he did. He pushed past boundaries to sate his own interests. And he was very interested in her concept of self-identity, of the lonely girl that lived inside her heart. The one that was never allowed to live, past her duty to that sword in the stone.
Gilgamesh may not have known her well, but he knew enough to conclude that some part of that girl had not yet died.]
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[ She doesn't seem the least bit offended nor self-conscious. Maybe because the question is coming from Gilgamesh, a fellow king; it helps her step aside from the topic, perhaps even detach herself completely to the notion. It's a little abrupt, but it's not like she hasn't had these question brought to her--even asked these question to herself. She has always wondered what it would be like to grow up as a normal girl, a far-off fantasy that she can never attain. It's actually not hard to embrace feminity, but she doesn't seek it. Actually, she may be the one holding herself back. Those activities are for cute girls and she doesn't consider someone so muscular and rough fitting.
Her eyes are not listless, but rather pensive. There's also a twinge of desire. Somewhere deep inside her, she does wish to have a feminine touch even if it's a morsel. It's not a large issue to her though. ]
Even if I had the opportunity to change my past, I would still pull out the sword. I would still choose to take the throne.
[ The little girl in her heart loves her country. ]
Why the curiosity?
no subject
[For being forthright with him, for sparing him a harsh reaction, he offers her honesty in return. A scrap of his own worry that often plagued him in this world, that he'd grown too soft and so forgotten his own duties as a result. Of course he cannot say for certain what Saber has suffered, only can discern what's been recited in legend. He cannot know her thoughts and he cannot offer her any meaningful advice because of it.
Ironically, he can only listen, as a fellow king who understood what it meant to walk alone.]
Yet... we have a choice now, that was not present before. So if you wished, you could let down your hair. You could laugh, and love, and introduce yourself as Artoria, rather than Saber. You could dance, or pick flowers, or else enjoy things as a young woman should. You could live.
[Why the curiosity? Well...]
I suppose I want to see for myself what you will do. If your crown will weigh you down, once more, or if you might lift it—and show me the girl within.
no subject
That isn't her. She clutches onto the small box in her hands, as if that's the only thing real in this new world. ]
You are a strange man.
[ If anything this is all so cruel. Is she not living now? There's small smile and it's accompanied a wry chuckle. A laugh of some kind. It's all sinking in. ]
I can barely imagine all that you've described--let alone love. Who can come to adore a heartless soldier?
[ She has at least progressed enough to know who she is, what she is, and accept she's a warrior. A soldier. Never a bride nor one worth anyone's adoration. Despite how she feels so vulnerable, she tries her best to come off as strong. ]
I do not want you think your words are falling on deaf ears, but I wish not to be seen as a form of entertainment.
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[Of course, Gilgamesh has no friends—none save for one, so he could only possibly be referring to one individual.
Her answer's to be expected, though. Even back at the banquet, he'd seen a snippet of a woman who could not understand anything but sorrow. Even if she were to encounter happiness, she'd never expect it to last very long, in contrast to himself, who always sought pleasure in all that he did. Even if he'd suffered too, at the very end of his life, he'd never allowed it to consume him, or so he'd say.
Artoria, however... does she even know how to live, beyond that warrior's guise? It's almost sad. And as always, it keeps him fascinated in her.]
Regardless, it remains your choice. Wholly yours. With no kingdom to look after, and no Master to serve, what will you do?
[As ever, he cannot abide her request; Gilgamesh seeks entertainment in all things and all people. He smirks a bit for it.]
Follow wherever your heart may lead, little king. I look forward to witnessing the results.
no subject
[ It's vague, but it's her passive-aggressive way of saying to say nicer words and maybe pretend for the sake of propriety and good relations. She heaves a sigh, suddenly exasperated from one visit to this house, a visit to this room, another talk with this man.
Some things never change.
Yet there's this box she never thought of receiving ever from her once mortal enemy. It's a strange feeling, but she doesn't discard it over this small disagreement and impudence. Whatever this is, actually. ]
If that's all you wanted to address, I will be taking my leave.
[ Negative fond points. ]
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