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[ ayaka was intending to use the library as her little hideaway spot in the mansion full of mostly volatile strangers. her desire to be alone is even stronger today, and she figured that maybe she could take a book and hide in the corner of the library but...
ah. ]
Saber? What are you doing here?
ah. ]
Saber? What are you doing here?
[ Richard's sitting with a small pile of books, seemingly mostly scripts for some plays and an illuminated manuscript for good measure, with one of the former currently open in his lap.
He's also, probably unsurprisingly, changed out of his armor and into some of the clothes provided in the villas. Fitting in aesthetic-wise might not be as important here, but it sure beats being in the armor the whole time. ]
Oh, Ayaka! I had come across this library and, well, I couldn't help myself but to see what was here. A lot of it is natural texts and things about ettiquite and the like, but there's some dramatical works, as well.
[ Not quite as targeted of a selection as Sigma's base of operations, but beggars can't be choosers. ]
Were you coming to look for something, too?
He's also, probably unsurprisingly, changed out of his armor and into some of the clothes provided in the villas. Fitting in aesthetic-wise might not be as important here, but it sure beats being in the armor the whole time. ]
Oh, Ayaka! I had come across this library and, well, I couldn't help myself but to see what was here. A lot of it is natural texts and things about ettiquite and the like, but there's some dramatical works, as well.
[ Not quite as targeted of a selection as Sigma's base of operations, but beggars can't be choosers. ]
Were you coming to look for something, too?
I wasn’t looking for anything, no. [ she shakes her head as she takes a seat next to him. ]
[ ayaka’s not surprised to see the small stack of books next to richard, but she does find his interest in music and theater to be a curious thing even after all their time together. it makes sense he would, considering the actions that she has experienced with her own eyes and the bits and pieces of his past that she’s been able to see, but it still has her reaching out for one of the books in the stack, going through the pages without reading any of the text.
after a few seconds of pretending to read, she sets it down on her lap, and speaks up. ]
Hey, Saber. Are you… okay with this?
[ the lack of holy grail war, the mysterious kidnapping situation, her general existence as a killer who is only pretending to be ayaka sajyou— you know. ]
[ ayaka’s not surprised to see the small stack of books next to richard, but she does find his interest in music and theater to be a curious thing even after all their time together. it makes sense he would, considering the actions that she has experienced with her own eyes and the bits and pieces of his past that she’s been able to see, but it still has her reaching out for one of the books in the stack, going through the pages without reading any of the text.
after a few seconds of pretending to read, she sets it down on her lap, and speaks up. ]
Hey, Saber. Are you… okay with this?
[ the lack of holy grail war, the mysterious kidnapping situation, her general existence as a killer who is only pretending to be ayaka sajyou— you know. ]
[ He's more than happy to let her take something from his pile, even if he's pretty sure her intent here isn't necessarily to read. It's been a stressful few days (before and after their awakening here), so maybe some quiet is in order while they can still get it.
Richard's nearly back into the script when Ayaka speaks up again, and looks at her, smiling slightly. ]
I don't mind if you're looking through what I've taken here, but I can help you look for something else if these aren't too your liking.
[ By the look in his eye, he's got a pretty good idea about what she actually means other than his predictable tastes. ]
Richard's nearly back into the script when Ayaka speaks up again, and looks at her, smiling slightly. ]
I don't mind if you're looking through what I've taken here, but I can help you look for something else if these aren't too your liking.
[ By the look in his eye, he's got a pretty good idea about what she actually means other than his predictable tastes. ]
You know that's not what I'm talking about, Saber.
[ of course he would try to dance around the subject. for what reason? is it for her sake? she frowns, upset that he continues to slow himself down in order to take her feelings into consideration. she has been a liar, selfish, and a coward, and here he is, thinking about her.
she rests her elbows on the table, setting her chin on her hands. ]
So much happened before coming here... you don't want to talk about it at all? We're not even in the war anymore. I can't even give you magical energy, nor do you need it. Isn't that important to you?
[ of course he would try to dance around the subject. for what reason? is it for her sake? she frowns, upset that he continues to slow himself down in order to take her feelings into consideration. she has been a liar, selfish, and a coward, and here he is, thinking about her.
she rests her elbows on the table, setting her chin on her hands. ]
So much happened before coming here... you don't want to talk about it at all? We're not even in the war anymore. I can't even give you magical energy, nor do you need it. Isn't that important to you?
[ He shrinks back slightly at the unsuccessful diversion, closing his book after marking where he was with a wayward piece of paper. ]
Do you want to talk about it? [ Not so much of another deflection as it is a genuine question. It doesn't take a telepatic connection to know Ayaka's upset about it, but he's not sure if talking it out right now would be better or worse for her.
He pauses, and clears his throat. ] Of course it's important – now that I know what I want to wish on the Grail, I very much want to see it through to the end.
But given our circumstances of arriving, and the fact that I can't use your magical energy or whatever reserves I have, I'm not sure walking into a situation we know nothing about is the best path forward. So I'm willing to wait for Witch's update, for now.
[ Andwhen if it doesn't pan out, there's always time for stabbing! ]
Do you want to talk about it? [ Not so much of another deflection as it is a genuine question. It doesn't take a telepatic connection to know Ayaka's upset about it, but he's not sure if talking it out right now would be better or worse for her.
He pauses, and clears his throat. ] Of course it's important – now that I know what I want to wish on the Grail, I very much want to see it through to the end.
But given our circumstances of arriving, and the fact that I can't use your magical energy or whatever reserves I have, I'm not sure walking into a situation we know nothing about is the best path forward. So I'm willing to wait for Witch's update, for now.
[ And
I don't know if I want to talk about it. I probably don't, really.
[ it'd be so much easier if she could bury her head in the sand and pretend none of that ever happened. but the reality keeps spinning in her head like a bad dance number, and keeping it in is only helping her feel worse.
she leans back, sliding down on her seat like she would rather melt away and evaporate into the ether. ]
What if we go back to Snowfield and... I don't know, someone else got the Grail?
[ it'd be so much easier if she could bury her head in the sand and pretend none of that ever happened. but the reality keeps spinning in her head like a bad dance number, and keeping it in is only helping her feel worse.
she leans back, sliding down on her seat like she would rather melt away and evaporate into the ether. ]
What if we go back to Snowfield and... I don't know, someone else got the Grail?
[ Once everything is said and done, and Andrew is in good hands and Ayaka's able to get out of the ballroom on her own power, he'll follow suit right behind her, happy to let her lead to where they go next. ]
Do you need me to get you anything? Food or anything?
[ He knows the answer, probably, but he'd still be remiss if he didn't ask. ]
Do you need me to get you anything? Food or anything?
[ He knows the answer, probably, but he'd still be remiss if he didn't ask. ]
[ ayaka's nursing a cup of coffee in her hands, staring at it in hopes that it will somehow help her focus on what to do next. ]
Honestly, I don't think I have an appetite after all of that. [ really, andrew's coughing spell was just the cherry on top of the terrible sundae. ] I'm just tired.
[ her shoulders sag, as she turns around to look at saber. ]
Do you still have the violin you had in the theater?
Honestly, I don't think I have an appetite after all of that. [ really, andrew's coughing spell was just the cherry on top of the terrible sundae. ] I'm just tired.
[ her shoulders sag, as she turns around to look at saber. ]
Do you still have the violin you had in the theater?
[ He nods, sympathetic to how she's feeling. It's understandable, and in all honesty, probably the correct way to react to all this. ]
It's been a long day. You need your rest.
[ He blinks at the mention of the violin, thinking he left it back at the theater for a second, but – ]
I left it in my quarters when I went back to change. [ ... ] Do you want it?
It's been a long day. You need your rest.
[ He blinks at the mention of the violin, thinking he left it back at the theater for a second, but – ]
I left it in my quarters when I went back to change. [ ... ] Do you want it?
Want it? No, I can't play that!
[ what good would it do if she had it? it would just pick up dust in her room. ]
I just thought... well... it's not an electric guitar, sure, but it was nice to hear you play it back in the theater. Before, you know.
[ before it all went to hell???? ]
[ what good would it do if she had it? it would just pick up dust in her room. ]
I just thought... well... it's not an electric guitar, sure, but it was nice to hear you play it back in the theater. Before, you know.
[ before it all went to hell???? ]
Nonsense, I'm sure we could get you to where you could play something.
[ Damn. Ayaka's Freebird solo is cancelled.........
But he just nods like she gave him the affirmative on that, smiling with a twinkle in his eye. He's not going to say no to an opportunity to play, even if ]
I'll go get it, then. Wait here. [ and then he's off byyyyeeeeeeeee ]
[ Damn. Ayaka's Freebird solo is cancelled.........
But he just nods like she gave him the affirmative on that, smiling with a twinkle in his eye. He's not going to say no to an opportunity to play, even if ]
I'll go get it, then. Wait here. [ and then he's off byyyyeeeeeeeee ]
Wha--!? Saber???
[ and there he goes! and there ayaka stays, staring at his quickly disappearing figure. ]
Even without magical energy, he's still just as energetic, huh...
[ well, nothing she can do. he told her to wait, and wait she does as she sips her coffee to stay awake. ]
[ and there he goes! and there ayaka stays, staring at his quickly disappearing figure. ]
Even without magical energy, he's still just as energetic, huh...
[ well, nothing she can do. he told her to wait, and wait she does as she sips her coffee to stay awake. ]
Then it is a failure on my part for not acting soon enough. Not yours.
[ He's not about to let her shoulder any of what she thinks she may or may not have done as a part of this. ]
Perhaps it's best to view it as a brief respite before the battles that are in front of us meet us. Maybe when this illusion goes away, minimal time will have passed.
[ He's not about to let her shoulder any of what she thinks she may or may not have done as a part of this. ]
Perhaps it's best to view it as a brief respite before the battles that are in front of us meet us. Maybe when this illusion goes away, minimal time will have passed.
Minimal time... that'd be nice. Hopefully that's the case.
[ something that's hilarious NOW that they're neck deep in some weird murder mystery, but hey, they don't know that yet! ]
But you know, as your Master I'm not going to let you shoulder my failures on top of your own. [ sure, richard can shoulder the blame of not being proactive enough, but that's because he's been carrying ayaka around like dead weight for so long. even if she had decided half way into the war to become his master, she still feels responsible for the days before that and her actions after. ]
Because...we're, uh, a team, right?
[ something that's hilarious NOW that they're neck deep in some weird murder mystery, but hey, they don't know that yet! ]
But you know, as your Master I'm not going to let you shoulder my failures on top of your own. [ sure, richard can shoulder the blame of not being proactive enough, but that's because he's been carrying ayaka around like dead weight for so long. even if she had decided half way into the war to become his master, she still feels responsible for the days before that and her actions after. ]
Because...we're, uh, a team, right?
[ It doesn't take him that long to return with the violin in hand, with the accompanying bow for good measure. ]
Was there something you wanted to hear in particular? I'd play the song I performed back with those rock and roll-ers, but I'm not sure it's wholly appropriate at the moment.
[ Playing a song about him griping about his imprisonment seems kinda tacky??? ]
Was there something you wanted to hear in particular? I'd play the song I performed back with those rock and roll-ers, but I'm not sure it's wholly appropriate at the moment.
[ Playing a song about him griping about his imprisonment seems kinda tacky??? ]
Oh. Uh...
[ classic music is??? not her forte? she blinks towards the violin a couple times, trying to figure out what she could suggest that saber might know. does the grail offer knowledge of famous composers?
she shrugs. ]
I'm really not sure. Anything that comes to your mind, I guess. I don't really mind if it's not appropriate either. If I did, then I think that the only appropriate thing would be....whatever's played at a funeral.
[ considering the dead and soon to be dead. ]
[ classic music is??? not her forte? she blinks towards the violin a couple times, trying to figure out what she could suggest that saber might know. does the grail offer knowledge of famous composers?
she shrugs. ]
I'm really not sure. Anything that comes to your mind, I guess. I don't really mind if it's not appropriate either. If I did, then I think that the only appropriate thing would be....whatever's played at a funeral.
[ considering the dead and soon to be dead. ]
[ the beach episode is RUINED!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The verbal affirmation of her being his Master makes him pause, if only slightly. When he asked her the second time, she had only replied with a nod, so hearing her say it fills him with a great deal of resolve.
He has the thought to ask her if she's sure that she wants to maintain their relationship here as it is, since for all intents and purposes they're simply two people who know each other. But it seems like a betrayal of that resolve that she had showed to him before they were pulled into that illusion by the Prelatis. And on his honor as a knight and a king, that's the last thing he wants to do.
Richard smiles and nods, his hand closing into a fist like a shounen protag. ]
Right, Master!
The verbal affirmation of her being his Master makes him pause, if only slightly. When he asked her the second time, she had only replied with a nod, so hearing her say it fills him with a great deal of resolve.
He has the thought to ask her if she's sure that she wants to maintain their relationship here as it is, since for all intents and purposes they're simply two people who know each other. But it seems like a betrayal of that resolve that she had showed to him before they were pulled into that illusion by the Prelatis. And on his honor as a knight and a king, that's the last thing he wants to do.
Richard smiles and nods, his hand closing into a fist like a shounen protag. ]
Right, Master!
[ oh.
ayaka blinks, taken by surprise as he calls her 'master' with such fervor. even though she had gone ahead and said that without thinking, she would be lying if she felt like a true master yet. but it reminds her of what's important, and the goal that she must not let go of.
not only for her sake, but for saber's.
with a small huff through her nose, she does her best to hide a smile by covering her mouth with the palm of her hand. ]
You can continue to call me Ayaka, you know? It sounds too formal if you call me 'Master', even if that's what we are.
ayaka blinks, taken by surprise as he calls her 'master' with such fervor. even though she had gone ahead and said that without thinking, she would be lying if she felt like a true master yet. but it reminds her of what's important, and the goal that she must not let go of.
not only for her sake, but for saber's.
with a small huff through her nose, she does her best to hide a smile by covering her mouth with the palm of her hand. ]
You can continue to call me Ayaka, you know? It sounds too formal if you call me 'Master', even if that's what we are.
Hmm, in that case...
[ He looks into the distance for a bit, like he's trying to think of something, before settling for, after a bit of adjusting the tuning pegs, starts figuring out something approximating what he remembers the band playing in the nightclub.
He's quiet as he focuses on getting a gist on the notes, but before long he's worked into some kind of melody, even if it's sort of spun off into something else before long. ]
[ He looks into the distance for a bit, like he's trying to think of something, before settling for, after a bit of adjusting the tuning pegs, starts figuring out something approximating what he remembers the band playing in the nightclub.
He's quiet as he focuses on getting a gist on the notes, but before long he's worked into some kind of melody, even if it's sort of spun off into something else before long. ]
[ ayaka falls silent as she watches saber focus in tuning the violin. she's impressed by the fact that it actually does sound like the music that they had heard back then, only far more refined.
it's incredible, really, how good he is at, well, everything. the melody is enchanting, and if she had been told that saber had played the violin for his entire life, she would have believed it. did they even have violins in his time?
but what impresses ayaka the most is the dedication that saber still puts into his work. he's skilled at everything he does, but that doesn't mean that he lacks passion. if anything, she feels like he's overflowing with it, and it's contagious. this is the sort of melody that he wants to give to his king, right? it's such a pure wish, that ayaka has no idea how to fulfill it for him. maybe she won't ever be able to.
but she wants to try. ]
it's incredible, really, how good he is at, well, everything. the melody is enchanting, and if she had been told that saber had played the violin for his entire life, she would have believed it. did they even have violins in his time?
but what impresses ayaka the most is the dedication that saber still puts into his work. he's skilled at everything he does, but that doesn't mean that he lacks passion. if anything, she feels like he's overflowing with it, and it's contagious. this is the sort of melody that he wants to give to his king, right? it's such a pure wish, that ayaka has no idea how to fulfill it for him. maybe she won't ever be able to.
but she wants to try. ]
[ Hehehe. He nods, his eyes sparkling as he sits back in his chair. ]
Right, right. Sorry, Ayaka. It just felt right in the moment. [ ... ] Speaking of, how have you been referring to me as?
[ More of a curiosity than something that important. Especially since his True Name's out there in front of God and everybody, even if maybe two people would have a chance of knowing who he is. ]
Right, right. Sorry, Ayaka. It just felt right in the moment. [ ... ] Speaking of, how have you been referring to me as?
[ More of a curiosity than something that important. Especially since his True Name's out there in front of God and everybody, even if maybe two people would have a chance of knowing who he is. ]
Oh um...
[ she blinks. ]
A mix of Richard and Saber. I know your name's right there and that it probably doesn't matter, but I can't really decide.
[ richard's his name, but... saber feels right. it's what she's been calling him this whole time. ]
Though I've gotten a few head tilts when I refer to you as Saber, so maybe I should just call you by your True Name.
[ she blinks. ]
A mix of Richard and Saber. I know your name's right there and that it probably doesn't matter, but I can't really decide.
[ richard's his name, but... saber feels right. it's what she's been calling him this whole time. ]
Though I've gotten a few head tilts when I refer to you as Saber, so maybe I should just call you by your True Name.
[ Once he gets Ayaka out of the library, the only place that Richard can think to take them where there's at least a short amount of time that they'll be alone is the Primrose suite. He knows there's not a lot of time before some of them start filtering back to the room, like they did last week, so they have to be quick.
But it's not the highest priority right now, as he sets Ayaka on the floor of the powder room, closing the door behind him. He's practically bristling with energy, like he's been charged with something, but his tone is even as ever as he watches her carefully. ]
Ayaka. Are you okay?
But it's not the highest priority right now, as he sets Ayaka on the floor of the powder room, closing the door behind him. He's practically bristling with energy, like he's been charged with something, but his tone is even as ever as he watches her carefully. ]
Ayaka. Are you okay?
[ the world comes to her in snapshots. one moment she’s wrestling siobhan to get the knife away from her, and in another she’s sinking it into her abdomen. and then… then…? when did saber get there? how much time passed between the murder and being led back? she remembers being led to the fountain and back to the burning library where the urgency of the fire had brought forth that primal instinct to live once more… but all of this she remembers like a spectator watching a scene unfold before them.
the impersonal and passive version of her comes to a logical conclusion that strikes her mind and soul with the force of a sledgehammer.
‘you killed siobhan roy.’ ]
I- I don’t… No one was awake… I couldn’t…
[ she’s curled up with her legs pressed close against her chest. there’s scrapes on her hands, the gravel from them washed off or removed with all the movement. they’re not bleeding badly, but there are patches that are still lightly oozing blood. ]
I-I’m sorry. Saber, I— because of me— I— you— aaaah…
[ the words fail her. the horror of having made saber an accessory to her crimes. if her legs weren’t failing her, she’d try to walk away. but there’s nothing she can do but stare at her partner with shell-shock horror. ]
the impersonal and passive version of her comes to a logical conclusion that strikes her mind and soul with the force of a sledgehammer.
‘you killed siobhan roy.’ ]
I- I don’t… No one was awake… I couldn’t…
[ she’s curled up with her legs pressed close against her chest. there’s scrapes on her hands, the gravel from them washed off or removed with all the movement. they’re not bleeding badly, but there are patches that are still lightly oozing blood. ]
I-I’m sorry. Saber, I— because of me— I— you— aaaah…
[ the words fail her. the horror of having made saber an accessory to her crimes. if her legs weren’t failing her, she’d try to walk away. but there’s nothing she can do but stare at her partner with shell-shock horror. ]
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