[ to think that things would end in such a manner...
end may perhaps be an inaccurate term: every ending is, after all, merely another beginning. the end of the reign of the King of Heroes, the first of all kings, had been followed by the beginning of a new king's rule, and the end of Gilgamesh's mortal existence had preceded his reincarnation as the first of all Servants. when the King had died, had Ereshkigal, the dark queencute though she may be of Kur, at last claimed his soul for her own? if so, the Throne had claimed it more fully, and Gilgamesh had returned again and again, always in his prime: a future his clairvoyance had allowed him to glimpse, even during his life. an end preceded newness, like winter shading into spring.
the Calamity hanging in the sky promises the cessation of existence, but so had Tiamat as she descended upon Uruk, the literal end of the world. humanity had survived, though Gilgamesh's kingdom was burnt to cinders, his citizens rendered corpses. perhaps Avalon shall survive this calamity. or perhaps it shall not. perhaps this is the true End, not unlike that final prophesied heat death of the universe. if it is so... if it is unavoidable, at long last, then at least their feet have taken them on many journeys.
or, rather, Gilgamesh has had many a journey, all of which he holds valuable to himself, each footstep having been one more note in his legend. the future may ceast to exist, but the past can never be undone, and as he learned that day at the ancient spring, one must live only for the present.
so the King of Heroes is upon the island with Ereshkigal -- one whose existence has been far more spatially circumscribed than his own, the woman who lived only with the shades and the shadows for untold years. had came to rescue her from her own foolishness, but now the two of them are simply trying to make their way out together, and it is night, a single candle between them rather than a proper campfire. ]
Hm-- [ he folds one leg over as he sits, as he did on his throne in Uruk. ] -- when facing the end of the universe, I had rather do so on the field of battle. Yet...
[ at the moment, he has little say in the matter. he is here, in this strangely quiet scenario, with a companion he could not have anticipated. he had never thought to have this goddess of all beings for company, at such a time. yet by now, he seems to have accepted her presence, and the words are not spoken in the tone of a complaint, nor is there grim resignation there. what shall be shall be, as goes another timeless saying. ]
end may perhaps be an inaccurate term: every ending is, after all, merely another beginning. the end of the reign of the King of Heroes, the first of all kings, had been followed by the beginning of a new king's rule, and the end of Gilgamesh's mortal existence had preceded his reincarnation as the first of all Servants. when the King had died, had Ereshkigal, the dark queen
the Calamity hanging in the sky promises the cessation of existence, but so had Tiamat as she descended upon Uruk, the literal end of the world. humanity had survived, though Gilgamesh's kingdom was burnt to cinders, his citizens rendered corpses. perhaps Avalon shall survive this calamity. or perhaps it shall not. perhaps this is the true End, not unlike that final prophesied heat death of the universe. if it is so... if it is unavoidable, at long last, then at least their feet have taken them on many journeys.
or, rather, Gilgamesh has had many a journey, all of which he holds valuable to himself, each footstep having been one more note in his legend. the future may ceast to exist, but the past can never be undone, and as he learned that day at the ancient spring, one must live only for the present.
so the King of Heroes is upon the island with Ereshkigal -- one whose existence has been far more spatially circumscribed than his own, the woman who lived only with the shades and the shadows for untold years. had came to rescue her from her own foolishness, but now the two of them are simply trying to make their way out together, and it is night, a single candle between them rather than a proper campfire. ]
Hm-- [ he folds one leg over as he sits, as he did on his throne in Uruk. ] -- when facing the end of the universe, I had rather do so on the field of battle. Yet...
[ at the moment, he has little say in the matter. he is here, in this strangely quiet scenario, with a companion he could not have anticipated. he had never thought to have this goddess of all beings for company, at such a time. yet by now, he seems to have accepted her presence, and the words are not spoken in the tone of a complaint, nor is there grim resignation there. what shall be shall be, as goes another timeless saying. ]
[ Ereshkigal had recovered her powers- More than that, she had absorbed those of the stone giant. They were now a part of her, powers that preceded even the existence of Morganna. Why, with that power boost she might even be more powerful than Ishtar now, regardless of her location! It had been unexpected, but it wasn't the first time she had taken the divine authority of another god for the good of the underworld.
And yet, here she was, in a place and time when none of those powers she held were of any help. Worse, she was stuck with that rude king. Well, he was a bit wiser than his Archer counterpart, but still... ]
Not all battles are won on the battlefield, King of Heroes.
[ Ereshkigal was standing still. Mostly because she wasn't sure how to sit down by a candle like that. She'd done camping with Ritsuka when she'd borrowed Ishtar's body, but... No way she was going to make a fool of herself in front of him. She looked up at the Calamity in the skies. ]
It will be stopped. Have faith. [She paused.] If not by us, by humans who have strength of will to.
And yet, here she was, in a place and time when none of those powers she held were of any help. Worse, she was stuck with that rude king. Well, he was a bit wiser than his Archer counterpart, but still... ]
Not all battles are won on the battlefield, King of Heroes.
[ Ereshkigal was standing still. Mostly because she wasn't sure how to sit down by a candle like that. She'd done camping with Ritsuka when she'd borrowed Ishtar's body, but... No way she was going to make a fool of herself in front of him. She looked up at the Calamity in the skies. ]
It will be stopped. Have faith. [She paused.] If not by us, by humans who have strength of will to.
[ at present, it is a time of great peril for Uruk, and all citizens have been called by the King to enact their roles to the best of their abilities: soldiers, craftsmen, priests and priestesses, scribes -- each attends to his or her duty in a manner that shall benefit the war effort and the kingdom as a whole. even if one is not a soldier or a Servant, not directly involved in the conflict, one must act with respect to the greater good.
just as Gilgamesh had foreseen, the last of humanity's Masters, Ritsuka, and her companion, Mashu, had arrived within his kingdom. he had tested them both, of course -- and had found them wanting, though that, too, he had expected.
yet the King of Heroes was magnanimous enough to grant Ritsuka and Mashu another chance to prove themselves. or, rather, a series of smaller chances: tasks, duties wherein they could show their valor. eventually, once his fondness for them had grown somewhat, he ordered them removed from the peasants' quarters and brought to his own -- for this, too, was a task, a duty: to service him, the King of Uruk, the first of all kings.
would they oppose such a challenge, or would they recognize it as making a stand as part of a larger cause -- the survival of humanity itself?
regardless, now Mashu and Ritsuka are brought before the throne and placed on their knees, kneeling before Gilgamesh. ]
Are you prepared, mongrels?
[ he is deliberately perfunctory: Siduri should have filled the girls in on the details of what to expect, and Gilgamesh has no intention of going easy on either of them. ]
just as Gilgamesh had foreseen, the last of humanity's Masters, Ritsuka, and her companion, Mashu, had arrived within his kingdom. he had tested them both, of course -- and had found them wanting, though that, too, he had expected.
yet the King of Heroes was magnanimous enough to grant Ritsuka and Mashu another chance to prove themselves. or, rather, a series of smaller chances: tasks, duties wherein they could show their valor. eventually, once his fondness for them had grown somewhat, he ordered them removed from the peasants' quarters and brought to his own -- for this, too, was a task, a duty: to service him, the King of Uruk, the first of all kings.
would they oppose such a challenge, or would they recognize it as making a stand as part of a larger cause -- the survival of humanity itself?
regardless, now Mashu and Ritsuka are brought before the throne and placed on their knees, kneeling before Gilgamesh. ]
Are you prepared, mongrels?
[ he is deliberately perfunctory: Siduri should have filled the girls in on the details of what to expect, and Gilgamesh has no intention of going easy on either of them. ]
[ there are times when Gilgamesh does not know whether he should count himself fortunate or deeply the opposite of that in having been summoned (in this incarnation) by a being who is ostensibly one of the Dead Apostles: a vampire, in another word and according to other lore.
the world of humans had problems enough of its own, and the world of divine spirits (of which his own era had many) had its share as well, but the undead were a separate category from either humans or divinity, and not a category with which he had especial dealings... not until now, at least. truly, such beings were more often relegated to the Executors of the Church, or so he had gleaned from his exploration of the modern world. to have a Dead Apostle for a Master meant having a Master with considerable stamina, strength, and some abilities of her own that might be equal to or superior to conventional magecraft. yet there were vulnerabilities as well: said Executors, for example, should one also be a Master, which was entirely probable given the Church's frequent association with and oversight of the Holy Grail War.
the King of Heroes might acknowledge by now that his Master had a certain sort of ... "grit," one might say, yet it was also apparent that there were eyes upon them. they were targets, him for his status and golden presentation, and her for her heritage. thus far, they have dispatched of such threats easily enough, but during their last battle, his Master took a strike from an assailant lurking in the shadows -- perhaps atop one of the houses in the nearby residential district, for their enemy at hand had been a Rider class, but the strike had all the tell-tale marks of an Assassin, one whose Master was likely lurking about in the shadows nearby. the battle had to be prematurely ended (though, had it not been so, Gilgamesh knows the victory would have been theirs), as the King's erstwhile Master had fallen, and he had departed with her body at rest atop a certain aircraft of legend. had it been him, alone, he should have instead departed with a flurry of golden dust, but... such a dissipation was not so easily possible for one who lacked a Servant's ability to turn non-corporeal.
now she lies in the bed at the manor, whilst he stands in the corner, in the shadows, arms folded and brows knit. ]
To think that I, with my majesty, should be playing nursemaid.
[ if she awakens, if she overhears, that is akin to saying, you owe me one, Master. ]
And I used not one, but multiple of my treasures, in seeing to your rescue.
[ a sword to fend off Assassin, a flurry of swords to put distance between them and the other Servants -- both the visible ones and the hidden ones -- to give them the space to escape. and, ah, yes, that too was another indignation: he was hardly one to flee.
a troublesome Master, indeed... quite a mongrel. though is she still in the absolute darkness of unconsciousness? and when shall she awaken? such an irksome situation... ]
the world of humans had problems enough of its own, and the world of divine spirits (of which his own era had many) had its share as well, but the undead were a separate category from either humans or divinity, and not a category with which he had especial dealings... not until now, at least. truly, such beings were more often relegated to the Executors of the Church, or so he had gleaned from his exploration of the modern world. to have a Dead Apostle for a Master meant having a Master with considerable stamina, strength, and some abilities of her own that might be equal to or superior to conventional magecraft. yet there were vulnerabilities as well: said Executors, for example, should one also be a Master, which was entirely probable given the Church's frequent association with and oversight of the Holy Grail War.
the King of Heroes might acknowledge by now that his Master had a certain sort of ... "grit," one might say, yet it was also apparent that there were eyes upon them. they were targets, him for his status and golden presentation, and her for her heritage. thus far, they have dispatched of such threats easily enough, but during their last battle, his Master took a strike from an assailant lurking in the shadows -- perhaps atop one of the houses in the nearby residential district, for their enemy at hand had been a Rider class, but the strike had all the tell-tale marks of an Assassin, one whose Master was likely lurking about in the shadows nearby. the battle had to be prematurely ended (though, had it not been so, Gilgamesh knows the victory would have been theirs), as the King's erstwhile Master had fallen, and he had departed with her body at rest atop a certain aircraft of legend. had it been him, alone, he should have instead departed with a flurry of golden dust, but... such a dissipation was not so easily possible for one who lacked a Servant's ability to turn non-corporeal.
now she lies in the bed at the manor, whilst he stands in the corner, in the shadows, arms folded and brows knit. ]
To think that I, with my majesty, should be playing nursemaid.
[ if she awakens, if she overhears, that is akin to saying, you owe me one, Master. ]
And I used not one, but multiple of my treasures, in seeing to your rescue.
[ a sword to fend off Assassin, a flurry of swords to put distance between them and the other Servants -- both the visible ones and the hidden ones -- to give them the space to escape. and, ah, yes, that too was another indignation: he was hardly one to flee.
a troublesome Master, indeed... quite a mongrel. though is she still in the absolute darkness of unconsciousness? and when shall she awaken? such an irksome situation... ]
[ As Ritsuka knelt besides Mashu before Gilgamesh, she had made up her mind. When she had been told that the two of them had been given a new duty by the King, after all of their hard work to regain her favor, the red-haired girl had been ecstatic that their hard work and determination had paid off. That didn't last long, as they were informed by Siduri just what was to be expected of them, her cheeks flushing red and eyes growing wide in shock.
But Ritsuka knows that they can't refuse - not when he had so graciously offered them a second chance, with the fate of humanity resting on their shoulders. And she can't help but feel responsible, that because she had been lacking as a Master in the first place that they had failed to meet Gilgamesh's expectations. It wasn't fair to Mashu, not when she had put herself on the front lines of danger so many times even though she knew so little of the world outside of Chaldea, to have to go through this when it was her fault.
This time, she'll be the one to protect her. ]
Your highness... [ She raises her gaze towards the shining king on his throne, hoping that he wouldn't be angered by her audacity, before continuing on. ] We are, but... I beg you, let me also take on Mashu's work too! As Shielder's Master, it's my fault that she couldn't utilize her full strength to overcome her trial, and I should take responsibility for that...!
But Ritsuka knows that they can't refuse - not when he had so graciously offered them a second chance, with the fate of humanity resting on their shoulders. And she can't help but feel responsible, that because she had been lacking as a Master in the first place that they had failed to meet Gilgamesh's expectations. It wasn't fair to Mashu, not when she had put herself on the front lines of danger so many times even though she knew so little of the world outside of Chaldea, to have to go through this when it was her fault.
This time, she'll be the one to protect her. ]
Your highness... [ She raises her gaze towards the shining king on his throne, hoping that he wouldn't be angered by her audacity, before continuing on. ] We are, but... I beg you, let me also take on Mashu's work too! As Shielder's Master, it's my fault that she couldn't utilize her full strength to overcome her trial, and I should take responsibility for that...!
[ ah, who knew a goddess might be possessed of some wisdom?
-- that is the King's most instantaneous and most sardonic internal response to Ereshkigal's words.
but truly, in the incarnation of this particular and unique summoning, a Caster-class Servant, Gilgamesh is not so primed for open combat as the form of him that represents the King of Heroes in his prime, his Archer-class incarnation. in that version, he should most assuredly be on the battlefield and he would likely even be the one to deal the final blow -- the ace who appears when all hope is lost, as it were. he takes a certain pride in assuming such a role, all the more so when he can make it appear casual, even easy. that is the grace and stature of a true hero.
yet, in this other iteration, his role has been ... one that is oriented more towards being a mentor: Gilgamesh was originally fashioned to be the linchpin between the gods and humanity, one to guide humans, and that is the form he assumed when it came time to oversee the protection of his kingdom alongside Ritsuka and those from Chaldea. ]
That may be so.
[ -- thus he can agree with the goddess in this respect: humans were those who would supersede the divine beings from the Age of the Gods, ultimately, primarily because of their adaptability. ]
In the end, it may be a matter for humanity, strictly speaking. [ himself being a demi-god... ] Even so, I should at least be a spectator.
Well... perhaps I might have some view here.
[ the Calamity was above them all... but how were the humans going to approach such a crisis?
Gilgamesh is not used to being altogether relegated to the sidelines: if he were not in battle himself, he should be giving some guidance at such a moment.
but Ereshkigal may nonetheless be right. maybe the humans had a plan of some sort. maybe he could simply... rest. it is a foreign thought, and quite strange; his inclination is to reject it, yet with her in such a condition, it will simply take too much time to return to civilization.
as he is contemplating this, somewhat fidgety, the candle flickers and a wisp of pale smoke curls between them -- hazy, almost dream-like. if she is near enough, reality may begin to blur at the edges. ]
-- that is the King's most instantaneous and most sardonic internal response to Ereshkigal's words.
but truly, in the incarnation of this particular and unique summoning, a Caster-class Servant, Gilgamesh is not so primed for open combat as the form of him that represents the King of Heroes in his prime, his Archer-class incarnation. in that version, he should most assuredly be on the battlefield and he would likely even be the one to deal the final blow -- the ace who appears when all hope is lost, as it were. he takes a certain pride in assuming such a role, all the more so when he can make it appear casual, even easy. that is the grace and stature of a true hero.
yet, in this other iteration, his role has been ... one that is oriented more towards being a mentor: Gilgamesh was originally fashioned to be the linchpin between the gods and humanity, one to guide humans, and that is the form he assumed when it came time to oversee the protection of his kingdom alongside Ritsuka and those from Chaldea. ]
That may be so.
[ -- thus he can agree with the goddess in this respect: humans were those who would supersede the divine beings from the Age of the Gods, ultimately, primarily because of their adaptability. ]
In the end, it may be a matter for humanity, strictly speaking. [ himself being a demi-god... ] Even so, I should at least be a spectator.
Well... perhaps I might have some view here.
[ the Calamity was above them all... but how were the humans going to approach such a crisis?
Gilgamesh is not used to being altogether relegated to the sidelines: if he were not in battle himself, he should be giving some guidance at such a moment.
but Ereshkigal may nonetheless be right. maybe the humans had a plan of some sort. maybe he could simply... rest. it is a foreign thought, and quite strange; his inclination is to reject it, yet with her in such a condition, it will simply take too much time to return to civilization.
as he is contemplating this, somewhat fidgety, the candle flickers and a wisp of pale smoke curls between them -- hazy, almost dream-like. if she is near enough, reality may begin to blur at the edges. ]
[ While Gilgamesh was musing about his role in the story's climax, Ereshkigal was already thinking about the aftermath. Because no one ever thought about that. You go to war, you kill each other, all of it culminates in millions' deaths. And who is expected to find a cage for all those souls and make sure they find peace? She's the one!
Humans can be so selfish. ]
I can't imagine all the work awaiting me if they fail...
[ Would the Underworld even survive...? It was questionable. It being on the reverse-side of the world meant it might not be affected by the calamity. But if the planet was obliterated, everything would lose any reason to be.
But then-- Was the scenery around them waving...? ]
What in the...?
[ Was it an aftereffect of the current events? Were the walls between realities crumbling? Everything could happen. She started panicking and immediately went to Gilgamesh. He wasn't dozing off, was he? He hadn't even been working this time, there was no way he had died of exhaustion. ]
H-hey, don't fall asleep!
Humans can be so selfish. ]
I can't imagine all the work awaiting me if they fail...
[ Would the Underworld even survive...? It was questionable. It being on the reverse-side of the world meant it might not be affected by the calamity. But if the planet was obliterated, everything would lose any reason to be.
But then-- Was the scenery around them waving...? ]
What in the...?
[ Was it an aftereffect of the current events? Were the walls between realities crumbling? Everything could happen. She started panicking and immediately went to Gilgamesh. He wasn't dozing off, was he? He hadn't even been working this time, there was no way he had died of exhaustion. ]
H-hey, don't fall asleep!
[ Gilgamesh tilts his head and his gaze -- the latter red and sharp, eyes that forgive no insult.
it would seem that he may be debating whether to engage the intruding mongrel at all, if only to demand his silence.
his eyes flit back to Bishop, expression hard -- ]
Well?
[ it is of course Bishop's choice whether to intercede at such a moment or wait to see what plays out, but the Servant has not addressed the patriarch -- Bishop's instincts in this situation being quite apt and correct -- and for the King of Heroes, his original inquiry remains unaddressed; his temper and attitude being what they are, it might be in his Master's best interest to diffuse the situation if he is to have anything remotely resembling a cooperative Servant.
that look says: do not make me ask of you again, mongrel. ]
it would seem that he may be debating whether to engage the intruding mongrel at all, if only to demand his silence.
his eyes flit back to Bishop, expression hard -- ]
Well?
[ it is of course Bishop's choice whether to intercede at such a moment or wait to see what plays out, but the Servant has not addressed the patriarch -- Bishop's instincts in this situation being quite apt and correct -- and for the King of Heroes, his original inquiry remains unaddressed; his temper and attitude being what they are, it might be in his Master's best interest to diffuse the situation if he is to have anything remotely resembling a cooperative Servant.
that look says: do not make me ask of you again, mongrel. ]
Edited 2022-10-11 00:32 (UTC)
[ The feeling in his chest tightened. Instincts screaming, burning at their hottest and brightest, telling him this is going to end in a bloodbath if he didn't interfere, but this was also his client and he was only paid to fight and win no matter the cost, no matter the method. Getting rid of entitled fools who'll screw up his plans is an appropriate method, and they have already paid him.
He stepped past the old fool and knelt before the Servant. ]
My sincere apologies, your highness.
[ Immediately his hand shot up and grabbed the old man, effortlessly dragging him onto his hands and knees. ]
This man's head was much too high.
[ Then he shot a look back to the other family members and servants behind him to get on their knees as well or deal with him later. They followed but more out of fear of Bishop himself rather than Gilgamesh, a sad mark of just how far their family had fallen. ]
I'm the one who performed the summoning. [ Raising his hand to show the seals emblazoned on the back of his hand. ] I'm called Bishop.
He stepped past the old fool and knelt before the Servant. ]
My sincere apologies, your highness.
[ Immediately his hand shot up and grabbed the old man, effortlessly dragging him onto his hands and knees. ]
This man's head was much too high.
[ Then he shot a look back to the other family members and servants behind him to get on their knees as well or deal with him later. They followed but more out of fear of Bishop himself rather than Gilgamesh, a sad mark of just how far their family had fallen. ]
I'm the one who performed the summoning. [ Raising his hand to show the seals emblazoned on the back of his hand. ] I'm called Bishop.
From a student to a man of the academy, is it? How times have changed.
[ though it is not exactly surprising that Waver would end up in such a profession, tbh. ]
Mundane though it may be, someone must see to the task of preparing the young for the world. [ look, he had educational institutions in Uruk. the first in human history, in point of fact. ] Though with that modern and undisciplined lot of yours, I am surprised you keep your sanity or life in so doing.
[ though it is not exactly surprising that Waver would end up in such a profession, tbh. ]
Mundane though it may be, someone must see to the task of preparing the young for the world. [ look, he had educational institutions in Uruk. the first in human history, in point of fact. ] Though with that modern and undisciplined lot of yours, I am surprised you keep your sanity or life in so doing.
Edited 2022-10-16 14:02 (UTC)
Thanks for the capture escape, and I apologize for the wait! Work kicked my butt.
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ask_whydunit
2022-10-19 12:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Times tend to, at least in some ways.
[ Though Gil actually put it more kindly than Waver would. He’d had to grow up from an insufferable brat one day. But moving on toa prickly professor was truthfully unsurprising in hindsight. ]
We are in agreement on that much, then. [ He will take this topic over the prior and run with it. ] It’s touch and go some days, if I’m being honest… But impulsive and trying on the nerves as they may be, they also show a lot of promise. It’s a worthwhile challenge. [ Even when it stung every time they move ahead of him. ]
[ Though Gil actually put it more kindly than Waver would. He’d had to grow up from an insufferable brat one day. But moving on to
We are in agreement on that much, then. [ He will take this topic over the prior and run with it. ] It’s touch and go some days, if I’m being honest… But impulsive and trying on the nerves as they may be, they also show a lot of promise. It’s a worthwhile challenge. [ Even when it stung every time they move ahead of him. ]
[ wow, what is this shade from the Queen o' Shades? of course he has not died from exhaustion! just how feeble would she suppose him to be? also -- we must never speak of That Incident again.
it does indeed seem that he is beginning to fall asleep, however: perhaps he was more tired than he had realized.
the candle glows and flames rise, and the dreamy atmosphere intensifies -- the scene shifting as it gradually begins to resemble a location they should both be very familiar with: none other than the King of Heroes's own kingdom, Uruk, exactly as it looked millennia ago. ]
-- hngh? Who was it?
[ it seems as if Gilgamesh is between slumber and wakefulness -- or, rather, as if he is dreaming while awake. he is clearly asleep, but as the setting changes, he seems to be altered along with it, so that when he begins to speak and behave as though semi-consciousness, it is in relation to this new setting, as opposed to their prior location and conversation.
his eyes do open and -- ]
Ah, hm. How curious.
[ somehow, intuitively, he knows exactly what this is. ]
A memory... it must be that the candle was possessed of quite some magic.
[ though he seems not at all untroubled to have returned home, such as it were. ]
it does indeed seem that he is beginning to fall asleep, however: perhaps he was more tired than he had realized.
the candle glows and flames rise, and the dreamy atmosphere intensifies -- the scene shifting as it gradually begins to resemble a location they should both be very familiar with: none other than the King of Heroes's own kingdom, Uruk, exactly as it looked millennia ago. ]
-- hngh? Who was it?
[ it seems as if Gilgamesh is between slumber and wakefulness -- or, rather, as if he is dreaming while awake. he is clearly asleep, but as the setting changes, he seems to be altered along with it, so that when he begins to speak and behave as though semi-consciousness, it is in relation to this new setting, as opposed to their prior location and conversation.
his eyes do open and -- ]
Ah, hm. How curious.
[ somehow, intuitively, he knows exactly what this is. ]
A memory... it must be that the candle was possessed of quite some magic.
[ though he seems not at all untroubled to have returned home, such as it were. ]
The association of pleasure with sin is one which is quite absurd to me, and it seems to be a common enough one in certain religions.
I knew of a priest who was prone to such thinking.
[ granted... he was not necessarily a particularly traditional man of God, all told. ]
I knew of a priest who was prone to such thinking.
[ granted... he was not necessarily a particularly traditional man of God, all told. ]
[ how strange to think they actually somewhat agree on that topic. ]
And I suppose you or your proteges have continued to have some association with that ritual of the cursed Grail?
[ the Fuyuki war... though was it limited to Fuyuki? much had changed. as a boy, Waver had been different in many respects from the other mages, but if there was one thing Gilgamesh did remember, it was the one thing he respected -- his loyalty to that other King, the one he is certain that the man still remembers after all these years. ]
And I suppose you or your proteges have continued to have some association with that ritual of the cursed Grail?
[ the Fuyuki war... though was it limited to Fuyuki? much had changed. as a boy, Waver had been different in many respects from the other mages, but if there was one thing Gilgamesh did remember, it was the one thing he respected -- his loyalty to that other King, the one he is certain that the man still remembers after all these years. ]
Ah… I admit that you suppose correctly. Although I myself have had to withdraw from my intent to take part in the next.
[ Of that which had changed about Waver, the one thing that hadn’t changed was that very loyalty to Iskandar… And so, despite losing his chance to see the Grail War through again with his king, he had a duty to fix other things first… ]
[ Of that which had changed about Waver, the one thing that hadn’t changed was that very loyalty to Iskandar… And so, despite losing his chance to see the Grail War through again with his king, he had a duty to fix other things first… ]
[ If there was an advantage to being a goddess, it was that Ereshkigal looked exactly the same today than she had thousands of years into the past. So nothing really changed for her as the scenery around them shifted.
(Nevermind the fact that Rin hadn't always been her vessel, and yet FGO went the easy route of depicting her as the exact same prior to taking on her as a vessel. Isn't it a wonderful canon?)
Needless to say, she was far less calm about this than the King of Heroes was. ]
H-How can you be so nonchalant about this? [Goodness.] Even a memory can be a danger when reality is as weakened as it is now!
[ They could die for real! It wasn't unlike a small singularity, really. You'd think he'd take things seriously for once. Regardless, she took stock of their surroundings and shook her head. ]
I don't remember ever setting foot in your palace... This must be a memory of yours. [She whined.] I don't want to know what you were up to in your free time...!
[ Just the thought made her shiver. Her innocent(?) and impressionable(??) mind really doesn't need to see whatever he did! It wasn't like she could just swallow brain bleach and made herself forget, then she'd have to spend the next couple millenias with Gilgamesh-induced PTSD and she can't have that. ]
(Nevermind the fact that Rin hadn't always been her vessel, and yet FGO went the easy route of depicting her as the exact same prior to taking on her as a vessel. Isn't it a wonderful canon?)
Needless to say, she was far less calm about this than the King of Heroes was. ]
H-How can you be so nonchalant about this? [Goodness.] Even a memory can be a danger when reality is as weakened as it is now!
[ They could die for real! It wasn't unlike a small singularity, really. You'd think he'd take things seriously for once. Regardless, she took stock of their surroundings and shook her head. ]
I don't remember ever setting foot in your palace... This must be a memory of yours. [She whined.] I don't want to know what you were up to in your free time...!
[ Just the thought made her shiver. Her innocent(?) and impressionable(??) mind really doesn't need to see whatever he did! It wasn't like she could just swallow brain bleach and made herself forget, then she'd have to spend the next couple millenias with Gilgamesh-induced PTSD and she can't have that. ]
Oh? Yet one of your successors is doing so, one presumes?
[ though it is not entirely surprising Waver would recuse himself... he had always seemed an unlikely candidate for such an avenue. ]
In truth, I am surprised you continue to work in the capacity of an agent for that Mage Association. Mages are all about guile, are they not? Such a demeanor as yours seems quite out of place.
[ though it is not entirely surprising Waver would recuse himself... he had always seemed an unlikely candidate for such an avenue. ]
In truth, I am surprised you continue to work in the capacity of an agent for that Mage Association. Mages are all about guile, are they not? Such a demeanor as yours seems quite out of place.
[ it must be acknowledged that such a vehement and passionate declaration, even from a mongrel, does somewhat arrest Gilgamesh's attention: whatever else she may be, peasant or no, Ritsuka is after all the last of humanity's Masters, the one on whose shoulders all hopes were pinned, and she was summoned here to secure the protection of Uruk, Gilgamesh's own kingdom. the King of Heroes had hoped to test her mettle, and he had sought a valiant display from her... thus, at the outburst, one eyebrow raises, a look of what would appear to be genuine intrigue spreading across his face. ]
Oh? Hm... [ from his vantage point, he is looking down on her. ] I must confess, that plea of yours, delivered with such savagery, arouses some curiosity.
[ as does her self-sacrificial conduct... though, on that note, if he were to grant some clemency and release Mashu, then what would even the scales? there must be a balance. that is to say -- ]
I might consider granting your request, as I approve of the way you entreat a King. Yet the issue of parity remains.
[ though, given how she had phrased things, Ritsuka seemed to understand this. still, Gilgamesh must have confirmation. ]
Do you hereby swear to take on double the labors that I had planned for you, in compensation for your Servant's freedom?
[ otherwise, he would be getting something of a raw deal, which is unacceptable. ]
Oh? Hm... [ from his vantage point, he is looking down on her. ] I must confess, that plea of yours, delivered with such savagery, arouses some curiosity.
[ as does her self-sacrificial conduct... though, on that note, if he were to grant some clemency and release Mashu, then what would even the scales? there must be a balance. that is to say -- ]
I might consider granting your request, as I approve of the way you entreat a King. Yet the issue of parity remains.
[ though, given how she had phrased things, Ritsuka seemed to understand this. still, Gilgamesh must have confirmation. ]
Do you hereby swear to take on double the labors that I had planned for you, in compensation for your Servant's freedom?
[ otherwise, he would be getting something of a raw deal, which is unacceptable. ]
The association has since picked its representatives… And no, to my knowledge none of mine are… If any of my class are thinking of participating, they’re clearly in need of more assignments to occupy their time. [ As if that would stop them, for all that he would rather them not end up involved… But now he’s got some concerns there, he wouldn’t put it past some people to keep him in the dark. ] … Have you heard something I should know about?
[ The king is not wrong about him, though. He’s an odd duck among the other lords, though that seems to amuse some more than anything. ]
That’s a polite way to describe a bunch of old-minded, conniving pains in the ass… If I had it my way, I’d just focus on teaching, but it’s a complicated situation for now.
[ The king is not wrong about him, though. He’s an odd duck among the other lords, though that seems to amuse some more than anything. ]
That’s a polite way to describe a bunch of old-minded, conniving pains in the ass… If I had it my way, I’d just focus on teaching, but it’s a complicated situation for now.
A dancer, is it? And what manner of dance is it that you perform?
[ there is a pause between texts, and then, seemingly casually, he adds -- ]
As to that other inquiry of yours, suppose the individual in question had been a figure without a face.
[ like, for example, a certain notorious clan of the Assassin class --
he only drops such a hint because she was such a nice sport, after all. ]
It is quite unfortunate, yet for some, the mask itself is what must pass for the visage.
[ there is a pause between texts, and then, seemingly casually, he adds -- ]
As to that other inquiry of yours, suppose the individual in question had been a figure without a face.
[ like, for example, a certain notorious clan of the Assassin class --
he only drops such a hint because she was such a nice sport, after all. ]
It is quite unfortunate, yet for some, the mask itself is what must pass for the visage.
Edited 2022-10-30 02:36 (UTC)
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