[OPEN] what can I say?

[sealeted]

Who: Hakuno and you
When: From the day after they leave the forest up until November 19
Where: All over the map
What: In the wake of the infection, Hakuno returns to her true calling: fetchquests.
Rating: G until one of you heathens spoils it


i. partners in crime

[The pair of bandits who at one point operated under the pseudonyms of Augustine and Chacon, according to the locals, are reportedly masters of disguise. Hakuno isn't entirely certain how well they can disguise their matagot, but she's determined to do her best, all the same. Chróma algae isn't exactly something they can afford to just overlook at this point.

As a King, it stings bitterly that she can't help the other Heroes in need.

So what she can do, she will.]

Where to start...


ii. the good egg

[Gisela is beautiful.

Hakuno keenly feels that, every time she comes here. Vietnam's inn is definitely where she'll make a pit stop after fulfilling her task, but right now she has stopped and settled at the edge of a copse of trees, a homemade lunch spread out over her lap. Before she has to deal with literally petrifying bird crap, she's going to enjoy the scenery.

And her food. She might even share, if you feel like asking.]


iii. heart of stone

...

[Hakuno isn't exactly thrilled to be back in the thick of a forest, all things considered. But, all things considered, she's not one to put her own comfort above the necessities of others. Really, she's dealt with worse, so there isn't even a hitch in her stride as she wanders around.

After a while, she has to stop, if only because blindly looking is obviously not the best method.]

...I'm not really in a laughing mood, honestly. I don't suppose you know any jokes?


iv. the number one fan

“There once was a beautiful mermaid princess who had just reached her fifteenth year. She rescued a prince from the stormy sea and fell in love with him at first sight. But he was a person of the land."

[If you thought Hakuno Kishinami would pass up a chance to talk about the tales of Hans Christen Andersen, you're a fool and a charlatan. She recites the story slowly, easily, as if the words are before her as clear as day. There's a melancholy air about her, which may or may not have to do with the story itself.]

"The princess hurriedly made a deal with a sea witch, and received legs in exchange for her beautiful voice. Even still, her beloved prince went on to marry another girl. How pitifully the little mermaid princess cried. Her fate, to transform into sea foam and disappear if her love went unrealized —”

[She had picked this story out first, when she first heard Andersen's name. She wonders now if some part of her knew the same ending would be waiting for her, in the end.

She sighs faintly, inspecting the fruit she earned.]

..."the immortal masterpiece," I called it once, I think. It's a story of unrewarded love. Would you believe its author nearly called it a comedy when I talked to him about it?


wildcard

[If there's another scenario you want, just let me know! I'm always up for basically anything.]

Comments

[sealeted]

Don't joke about that. ...please.

[Of the two of them here now, somebody has killed Robin at least three times. It feels wrong for somebody else to joke about it, if it isn't between her and the not-corpse in question.]

[babbylon]

Sentimental fool.

[But it's softly murmured and so could hardly be considered much of a criticism, especially not when he rounds the corner into his room and immediately pulls her to his side on the bed. Truly, whether that man lived or died made no difference to him—but if it soured her, he won't pick at the wound on purpose. Not this time.]

As to be expected from a woman at the wheel. He is that "rebellious" sort you bleeding hearts tend to like.

[Though it's a good sign he doesn't sound too snide. He's just letting off steam.]

[sealeted]

It isn't a matter of 'type' or anything like that. I just... like him because it's him. Though I guess that's basically the definition of sentimental...

[She leans into him, turning the fruit over in her hands as he head nestles against his shoulder.]

Not just there; I've worked hard to get to know him here, too. He's actually my roommate, up in Pigeonsblood.

[babbylon]

You have feelings for him.

[Just like that. Point blank. As to be expected from Gilgamesh at the wheel.]

[sealeted]

Maybe don't put it that way?

[She shoots him an exasperated look.]

I mean, 'friendship' is definitely a feeling, and I worry about him, and I want him to happy.

[babbylon]

I do not believe in friendship between men and women.

[Sorry, Hakuno. Blame his culture.]

But if it is as you say, you are surely more invested in these relations than I would expect.

[sealeted]

Well, I'm definitely not out to sleep with every man I've gotten to know here, so pick a different, nonromantic and nonsexual relationship and substitute it.

[...there's a soft, almost-alarm beginning to sound in her head.]

It really surprises you that much?

[babbylon]

You are very protective of him.

[He's not poking fun; it's a frank observation.]

Even for your charitable personality, it is unusual.

[sealeted]

Well, you tried to threaten him away from me, so I think I have due cause to be a little protective.

[babbylon]

To what end, I wonder...?

[His lips quirk into a mischievous smile as he now envelopes her with his arms. There's no threat in it, of course, but sometimes his playfulness can toe the line of outright cruelty. He's not a soft man, even in softer moments such as these.]

For you can only rely on my charity to keep him safe. I suspect it was the same from whence you came, girl.

[sealeted]

No, it was the opposite.

[Hakuno shakes her head, her hair mussing with the motion.]

You didn't face him back in the Elimination Round—that was Berserker, and the Saber I can't remember—but on the Far Side, he was forcibly salvaged and used as an underling by our enemy. He betrayed them in the end, and his last request was to be fought and killed before... I guess you could call it a ' poison,' corrupted him. Of course, the one here has no memory of that, or anything past the second week of the Holy Grail War...

[But Hakuno does.]

[babbylon]

You will not tell him?

[This just got interesting.]

[sealeted]

What? No, I told him within the first ten minutes of meeting him again here.

[Maybe not quite as interesting as he might have hoped.]

I mean, back then I was more desperate to learn about my Saber, so you being the Servant I used to strike him down the... third time? Maybe? ...either way, it didn't exactly steal the limelight.

[babbylon]

[That prompts a chuckle from him. At least she wasn't entirely predictable.]

It might qualify as sensitive information. Some Heroes are more delicate than the rest regarding their deaths.

[sealeted]

I get what you're saying, but he's more cavalier about that. He has different delicate points.

[...though, maybe a bit less delicate these days, given that Gilgamesh managed to learn his name.]

But, I'm glad this time worked out better than the first. You're basically everything he's predisposed to hate, so I was worried.

[babbylon]

Rich, royal, and ravishing?

[Sparkling intensifies.]

[sealeted]

Rich, entitled, and more than willing to abuse your power for your own amusement.

[Unfortunately, Hakuno's entirely unaffected.]

[babbylon]

[Is that supposed to be a criticism... he assumes it is but Gilgamesh also appears entirely unaffected by virtue of the fact he has no sense of shamelessness whatsoever about himself, his habits, or any questionable aspects of his personality. And certainly not over any perceived abuses.

He just rolls over lazily and takes her with him and that's the end of that discussion.]

Perhaps I should abuse you more, then. You take it so well.

[sealeted]

...I'd rather you not stab me again, thanks.

[Sadly, that's... the only 'abuse' she can really think that she's taken from him. his tantrums and whims are just par for the course for her, at this point.]

[babbylon]

[That may have been the wrong thing to say. Gilgamesh tenses up, and this close, she will feel it.]

That is less a matter of abuse and more a matter of betrayal.

[sealeted]

I feel like 'betrayal' carries the connotation of you actually wanting to do that, though. So at the very least I don't view it that way.

[She feels him go tense, and after a brief beat of uncertainty, she properly returns his embrace and nestles close.]

...what other ways have you abused me that I'm not remembering?

[babbylon]

I informed Caren that the only way in which I would recognize her as Master was if she accepted death by my hand.

[What a troublesome child, truly.]

She simply smiled at me and told me to get it over with, as if she knew it all along.

[sealeted]

Smart of her. Sometimes the only way to win with you is to take all the fun out of your chosen course of action.

[What a troublesome Servant. Yet again, Hakuno feels respect for Caren swell up within her.]

[babbylon]

Tch. Smarter than I initially assessed, certainly, that much I will admit.

[He doesn't want to admit her observation is right on the money and had effectively sucked all the suspense out of the situation.]

Women obstinate enough to hold my reins... are seriously the worst.

[sealeted]

...somehow it feels like you've gotten a lot worse at lying lately.

[She pats his back, loosening her arms a little.]

If it really bothered you that much, you would have destroyed Sen, butchered Caren, and driven me off by now.