towerofanimus | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Characters: Luke (and his cheagle) and open to all!
Setting: Meadow floor, Saturday afternoon
Format: [Action] spam
Summary: Luke left his broken sword in the Meadow because he was more worried about Yu than he was about it. Now he needs to find it and see if it's worth saving, in addition to the feels that come with it.
Warnings: Feels, man. Just FEELS.

[Luke frowned as he shuffled around the meadow, keeping his eyes on the grass as his booted feet brushed back and forth through it. He hadn't gone back to collect his sword right away, more concerned over Yu's safety and what the fog could be doing to everyone than his weapon. Now that the fog was gone and everything seemed to be back to normal, he had the time to spare to look for it. Only problem was trying to find it; he couldn't remember the exact location he had dropped it, if it was even still there. For all he knew someone picked it up to get it out of the way.]

[Amnon, his little pink cheagle, was curled up on his shoulder, ears wiggling as he sniffed the air. He suddenly let out a surprised, "Mieu!" arcing up, before jumping off of Luke's shoulder and darting through the grass. He paused at a spot, before jumping up and down, shouting excitedly. Luke ran over, spotting the glint of metal from a few feet away, and dropping to the ground to pick up his damaged weapon.]

Hey, see if you can find the tip.

[Amnon let out an excited, "Mieuuu!", shooting off into the grass as Luke stayed where he was, leaning back to sit on his feet as he examined the blade. It was pretty well toast; a good portion of the tip had snapped off, and cracks and stresses in the metal were littered all along the break, extending down into the sword. Even if he tried to use it again, it would only be a matter of time before more pieces broke off.]

[He sighed softly, letting his hand run along the flat of the blade. Would it even be worth keeping anyway? Master Van had given this sword to him... and...]

[I didn't lose my childhood. I didn't have a childhood to lose!]

[Luke shuddered at the memory of his shadow's words, feeling tears starting to well up in his eyes. He raised his hand, rubbing at them furiously; dammit, he had cried enough after he recovered from the attack. He wasn't going to do this anymore, no matter how much the thought of Master Van lying to him hur--]

[...dammit, there went the tears again. He let out an aggravated noise, flailing before fighting furiously against his face.]

[Clearly, he needs a distraction.]

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Then, as I said before, it will test your resolve. Repairing a crack in the soul is much like repairing a crack in a sword's blade. It must be heated and placed under pressure - reforged - before cooled and refined with a razor edge.

Uh... okay...

[Ohgodbadfeeling~~Lukerunawayyoudumbass~~]

What should I do...?

First, you will find the root of the betrayal you feel. Until you find exactly where the crack is, you cannot begin to repair it.

And that will be found when you see a new path open up to you. The old path is not an option any longer unless you wish to remain weak.

[...man, it was hard to understand her sometimes. Couldn't she just speak clearly? Luke sighed, running a hand through his hair and mentally berating himself. Okay, he thinks he knows what she's getting at.]

I... found out recently that I'm not really who I thought I was, or what I thought I was. And he... and Master Van had to have known, there's not way he couldn't have.

[No one from Camelot knows how to speak clearly.]

What angers you more - that they kept this information from you or the simple fact that you lived the life or another?

Both kinda piss me off but... I'm more angry at myself for not being able to see what was right in front of my eyes.

Then the question you need to answer is who am I?

Yeah, exactly.

[Saber is silent for a moment as she mulls a few things over.]

Allow me to guide you in this endeavor, Luke. I am an accomplished knight that is no stranger to betrayal. You no longer believe or trust in your sword teacher, so I shall fulfill that role for you.

Until you are ready to reforge your sword, you will still need to keep your skills sharp. I have not had a squire in many years, but I extend that prestigious place to you.

[Wait, what? Luke's eyes widened, and he reached up, scratching at his ear, as if he wasn't sure if his hearing was playing tricks on him or not.]

...r-really?

Indeed. I am the King of Knights, Luke fon Fabre.

Will you serve as my squire until the day you forge your sword again?

[Luke hesitated a moment, not really sure what to say. Why would this woman he just met want to go that far to help him out? And what was with the whole squire thing? What did that even mean?]

[...he knew he should have paid attention to his tutors.]

A...all right?

[So unsure, man; she was kinda creepy...]

[Part of it is that she's bored in the Tower waiting for what she believes is the next holy grail war to begin. Part of it is she sympathizes with his betrayal. She's been betrayed many, many times in her life. She knows how to find a way to continue.]

Then kneel before me, Luke fon Fabre, and take the Oath of Fealty.

Do you agree that this is an oath of personal fealty between yourself and your Knight, which will in no way conflict with, or infringe on, any oaths of fealty or any responsibility you owe to your Kingdom, Principality, Barony or Household, and that this oath shall be binding from this moment hence, or until you and your Knight shall agree that this bond be dissolved?

[...what? Hunh? What even...?! Luke tried to keep up with her, really, even consenting to kneeling and all that (which is a pretty big thing for him), but he just couldn't follow any of that.]

I... I don't understand...

[Saber's eyes close and she draws in a slow breath to remain calm.]

These are the formal words to be spoken when one becomes a squire. It is an oath - you are giving your word of honor that you are to serve me and I to guide you. This oath does not override any previous oaths to your kingdom or household you belong to - that of the family you no longer are a member of.

The correct response is 'I do'. Allow me to repeat them again, slower. There are a few parts to this.

Do you agree that this is an oath of personal fealty between yourself and your Knight, which will in no way conflict with, or infringe on, any oaths of fealty or any responsibility you owe to your Kingdom, Principality, Barony or Household, and that this oath shall be binding from this moment hence, or until you and your Knight shall agree that this bond be dissolved?

[...ouch.]

[Bringing up the mention of his family looks like it physically hurts Luke, and he glances away to hide how badly he flinched at that. All he could think of was his mother... his smiling, loving mother, and how much she loved him, how much she cared for him, even on days she couldn't even get out of bed...]

[Tears escaped from his eyes, and he stood up, wiping them from his face as he did so.]

...no, sorry. I can't do that.

You cannot do what? I said it does not override your previous oaths. They still take precedence. I would not and do not ask for you to throw them aside.

I will train you and guide you to be a knight, so that when you reforge your blade, you do so with a clear conscience and vision as to who you are.

[Luke took a breath, before steeling himself, the resolve showing on his face.]

I know that, but it's what you said... about not having a family any more.

I might have only lived for seven years... but dammit, I have those seven years of being loved by my family with me. I may have questions, a-and I may not like the answers, but I can't just say they're not my family anymore.

[He straightened himself, not out of royal arrogance like he would before, but out of pride for the people that raised him, no matter how much he failed to show his appreciation for their efforts.]

I am Luke fon Fabre, son of the Baticulean Duchy, heir to the throne of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear.

[His expression softened slightly, a bit of a smile working it's way onto his face.]

...I appreciate your offer, I really do. I'm sure I could learn a lot from you... but this is something I need to find my own way through.

[Saber nodded, silently pleased with Luke's response and the feeling behind it.]

I respect your decision.

[A heavy pause as Saber frowns for a brief moment before raising her head up and meeting Luke's gaze.]

As you have given me your name, in accordance to the chivalric code, I must give you my own. My name is Arturia Pendragon, heir to Uther Pendragon, and the king of Britain.

Arturia? That's pretty.

[He tilted his head curiously.]

Why do you hide it?

Because to know my identity places me at a disadvantage in regards to the war I take part that exists in my home world and has carried over to here. My legend on my world is well-known and to know my true identity is to, let us say... tip my hand.

I prefer to go by Saber.

Well... I'm one person that doesn't know your legend. I mean, I don't even know what a 'Brittan' is.

But I'll still call you Saber if that's what you prefer.

From you, as long as it is not over the public network, I will accept Arturia. Just avoid using my surname.

[Luke grinned at that, giving her a nod.]

Sure thing.

Then I shall return to my own training.

[She says this as she summons her sword - again unseen - and the distortion by her hand reappears]

And you shall return to whatever you were doing.

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