ITP: Maneating plants

[no_longer_a_king]

Characters: Arturia and you!
Setting: Media Room (Floor 14), Eldritch Aquarium (Floor 10), and the Maneating Hedgemaze (Floor 29)
Format: Prose.
Summary: In which the new resident Counter Guardian tries her hand at video games, gets lost in thought in the aquarium, and is almost eaten in the hedgemaze.
Warnings: Potentially lethal plants in the hedgemaze.

• • •
[A: Floor Fourteen; Media room]
Arturia had looked around the media floor with idle curiosity. Despite everything that had gone on, despite the monsters roaming the Tower and how many people were hear, she found she had an abundance of something she had not had since she was a child:

Free time.

Ruling and waging war as a King had left her with no time to herself. People were constantly surrounding her, listening to her every word or following her every action. It was lucky if she ever got a chance for a proper bath, much less to simply enjoy herself and be. In the Grail War, her free time was mixed but her focus had solely been on the Grail itself. As a Beast of Alaya, the only time she even had awareness was during battle, she literally did not exist whenever she wasn't doing her duties so when would she even have a moment to breathe, much less have free time?

However in this Tower she had almost nothing but free time. There was only so much she could eat in the cafeteria and so many monsters she could fight on the various floors.

When she'd asked around about a good place to pass the time, many had said the fourteenth floor would be the best place and so here she was, surrounded by distractions of all sorts and unsure of where to start. She didn't know anything about the movies available, nor was she familiar with most of the music. Arturia had retained her knowledge of late twentieth to early twenty-first century culture from her time in the Grail War, but it didn't give her any specifics.

What she found herself ultimately drawn to was the game system. Taiga used to talk about the video games she liked to play whenever their group sat down for a meal. They'd seemed frivolous to Arturia at the time, but when she had literally nothing else to do what could it hurt?

She picked a game at random and put it in. It took a few minutes to figure out how to switch the television the system was hooked up to from the movie channel to the video game channel, but soon a catchy theme song was blaring through the media room. Arturia jumped at the sudden loud noise and turned the TV down, then picked up the controller and settled on the couch. The game was a simple fighter and after practicing the controls for her chosen character in 'training mode' for a bit she began to play through the story mode.

And died in the first round.

And died again.

And died yet again.

What was this?! She was supposed to be the King of Knights. How could she be using to a simple game like this? Arturia gritted her teeth and continued to mash buttons, barely restraining herself from simply yelling at the television. How could she be this bad at it?

"I swear on my honor as a knight, I will defeat you!" she found herself snapping at the screen after her tenth consecutive defeat. Obviously she'd completely forgotten just how public the media room was.

[B: Floor Ten; Euclidean Aquarium]
Arturia had been among the relatively unscathed despite everyone's minds being tampered with. Unlike most others, her now-distant new memories had involved centuries of restlessness until finally settling into some kind of a routine. Somehow, she still knew the rules to poker even though she'd never once played a game like it before their minds had been tampered with.

Even if it'd been a relatively calm week for her, it did leave her disturbed. First Lancer's curse affecting her and now this? She'd heard from others just how far the Tower could affect people but she didn't think people's minds could be twisted so subtly, so easily that no one would notice. If even their own minds weren't safe then whose were?

Her fingers led a small school of brightly-colored fish along the surface of the water curving around her. This floor always amazed her whenever she went through it. She'd seen many works of magic in her day thanks to Merlin and his compatriots, but nothing quite like this. It was almost like being at the bottom of the ocean and, for once, Arturia could understand why some were so fascinated with the ocean itself.

[C: Floor Twenty-Nine; Hedgemaze]
She was really beginning to hate hedgemazes.

How many times with how often she patrolled the floors of the tower, had she been dropped into this maze? As far as Arturia knew, it was a perfectly harmless garden if the way out kept changing. Guinevere had mentioned a trick once that if you kept your hand on the wall of a maze you could eventually find your way out so it wasn't like she was lost. It just took a long time most days to get out--especially since the fragrant plants regrew before her eyes every time she tried to slash through the thick foliage. Not fun at all.

Arturia barely managed to keep herself from running into someone as she turned a corner, her hand going instinctively to Caliburn resting in a sheathe at her side for a moment in case it was a monster. But no, this was another person who had been "saved" judging by the collar around their throat.

"I beg your pardon. Are you having trouble finding your way out as well?"

As the sun began to set just outside the tower, the colorful flowers around her and her companion began to turn towards them, the stamen taking on a sharpness that had not been there before and their branches slowly beginning to slither. Soon, the hunt for fresh meat would be on.

[For oathshackledbird]
Diarmuid would find a note in familiar script on his bed. All it would have on it is two words:

It's broken.

[For castersplaything]
Shotaro would find a note on his bed:

I seem to recall training you in the art of the sword during the previous week. I have an abundance of free time in this Tower and would not mind training you if you're still interested. I warn you: I am not a good teacher and I will not go easy on you if you choose to take lessons from me.

I will be on thirty-ninth floor tomorrow morning if you wish to train. If you do not come, I will assume you have lost interest.

--Saber

Comments

Media Room

[littlelifeforms]

Data had been observing from afar the numerous attempts of Arturia at defeating the opponent on the first round of the story mode. He found the various reactions to success or defeat in games fascinating, especially how people kept insisting in spite of awful defeats. However, judging by how she mashed the buttons and snapped at the screen, her technique may as well be deteriorating, which was pretty illogical and counter-productive.

And lo, after the tenth round was lost, Data would approach her and look at the tv screen- Before turning staring at her with a most suspicious face.

"Your approach toward this game does not appear to be very effective."

Because there is nothing better than an android to state the obvious.

[no_longer_a_king]

Arturia went stiff upon hearing Data's voice, face flushing with embarrassment even if her expression was carefully blank as she turned to face him. Had she been so caught up in the game she hadn't noticed him standing there?

"I've never played a game like this before," she admitted and looked down at the controller as the screen declared yet another loss on her part, "It doesn't follow the normal rules of combat at all."

[littlelifeforms]

"It is not meant to follow the normal rules of combat." Data said in his usual, casual tone. "It is meant to be entertaining and challenging."

Data looked at the screen as it declared another loss for her before looking back at her. Well, she really had no luck. Or she was just that bad.

"I believe it would be wise to spend more time in the tutorial or training modes."

A

[isthatashortjoke]

Veigar didn't venture into the Media Room often. When he did, it was usually for research purposes, or to mess with the odd curiosities that the room held. He had been looking to watch some videos today on certain experimental thesis except that the woman's words caught his attention.

He turned and stood nearby, looking at the next attempt. "Hm, yes, it would be rather dishonorable to lose at a simulation. How would you plan to survive here if you cannot defeat some virtual opponent."

[no_longer_a_king]

Arturia jumped when she heard his voice. Was it really so easy for her to get sucked into these games? No wonder she had often heard people complain about them taking over children's minds on the news!

"I am perfectly capable of defending myself, sir."

[isthatashortjoke]

"If the simulation is any indication... I'd beg to differ. Even simple things like these require strategy. Strategy that will be of great use out in this tower... But don't mind me, I'd keep my focus on your current goal." he added as he pointed towards the screen.

B

[scorchedchivalry]

[With Arturia's attention focused on the school of fish, she might not have noticed the dark-clad presence in the back... sulking. Saber was wearing the suit from her time in the Fourth War and her arms were crossed as she stared at the fish. Only a few would be able to tell she was sulking - of course another version of herself would be able to tell - and when Arturia happened to draw close enough to draw the black knight's attention, Saber looked over with an irritated sigh.]

Is there no place in this damned Tower I can go and not encounter someone from the Wars?

[no_longer_a_king]

Of course Arturia would be able to tell her other self was sulking. It was why she'd initially not said anything. If they were at all alike, then Saber would have preferred to be left alone to sulk.

But then Saber spoke up and Arturia's fingers briefly dipped into the wall of water at the sight of the suit. In that suit, Saber looked much closer to being Arturia than to either of their sisters and yet again Arturia felt just slightly ill at the thought of having called her that name.

"If you wish me to leave, I can go elsewhere to think. I am not so rude as to disturb someone who wishes to be alone."

Because Arturia found the whole "privacy whenever she liked" thing to be a grand thing.

[scorchedchivalry]

"No, someone else will just come bother me. At least it is not so bad with you. You did not disappoint me during this recent amusement of the Administrators," Saber replied.

The knight had kept to herself, watched more than interacted, as she'd endured the supposed years upon her. So many she'd thought stronger had proven to be weak. And then she'd had her argument with Lancer the other day.

C: And in response to her note.

[oathshackledbird]

"I beg your pardon. Are you having trouble finding your way out as well?"

"No, actually I was looking for you," Diarmuid holds up the note he had found on his bed earlier in the day. "It's broken? Do you mean what I hope you do?"

Before she can answer, though, the plants' movements catch his eye. A red flash takes care of the closest ones to them, but it's obvious that things aren't going to stay that way long.

"Actually, we should probably discuss this in a safer place. As you might recall, the plants here get a taste for blood once the sun sets. I believe we aren't too far from the exit, though. Come," He reaches back for her hand with the one of his that isn't holding his spear. "Let's leave this place."

[no_longer_a_king]

Of course the plants would try to eat them. With how many floors here tried to kill people, it would figure that even the flowers would try to eat them. Before she could even say anything, Diarmuid had a hold of one of her hands and was pulling her along.

"Do you even know the trick to finding your way through a maze?" she said, though his spear did negate magic, as the wound she once had worn with pride could attest to.

[oathshackledbird]

He laughs and looks back at her with a silly grin, "Normally? Go into spirit form and walk through the walls until you are out, but of course that's not allowed here. More traditionally, I believe you are suppose to put your hand on one wall and follow it until you find the exit."

Diarmuid gives the plants making up the maze a hard look, "I wouldn't recommend that right now. You will probably lose your hand."

floor 39

[castersplaything]

When Shotaro had found the note, he was more than a little nervous. Memories were fuzzy when trying to recall events from that supposed past, and considering his fight with Diarmuid, those skills were necessary, as well as to keep up with Labrys, even if he had a poor losing streak. Still, his mind kept debating on whether or not he should take it. Future was always uncertain, and even then, could he really be able to do it?

Thankfully, the mental struggle last a few minutes at best. Considering his lack of skill in his tower, and comparing himself to the future self the tower created for him, it was obvious which direction he should take. He had nothing left. Was he just going to spend the rest of his life trying to earn that strength alone and die over and over, or finally risk the so-called comfort zone for the power he needed? He couldn't even confront the Caster of this tower, so the choice was obvious.

And surprisingly, he made it to the 39th floor, rusted sword slung over his shoulder; being at the workshop allowed him to make a proper sheathe, if still a bit faulty around some edges, and some patches already breaking apart. He looked around the gym for Saber. Thanks to the tower, he should have been able to find her without too much difficulty. True, three identical Sabers, but the colors helped separate them, not that he would dare refer to them by color in conversation.

[no_longer_a_king]

Arturia was doing drills with Caliburn in the middle of the clear area of the gym. Part of her wondered if this would be like teaching Shirou, but no. Surely there wouldn't be two young men insulting enough to repeatedly ask for "special super moves" every time they tried to train together. To this day Arturia couldn't tell if he'd been serious or merely trying to joke around.

When Shotaro made his way into the gym, Arturia turned toward him, Caliburn disappearing from her hands in a flash of light as she turned to face him.

"I see you decided to come," she said, already scrutinizing him for possible weakpoints or where they could begin. He was definitely not a warrior with how wary he looked and the way he slung his sword over his shoulder. He could accidentally take off his own head if an enemy attacked him and he had to defend himself.

[castersplaything]

Thankfully, he would not be asking for those. The war taught him that super moves were the equivalent to Noble Phantasms. If an enemy knew them, they could just be easily countered and planned against. And considering how amateurish he was, he needed to learn how to at least wield a sword. As it stood, he couldn't give a hard enough swing to hurt the more dangerous beasts.

He nodded at her words. No warrior, but he knew what not to do, sometimes. Still, he seemed a bit nervous about all of this. "T-thanks for deciding to train me at all. I um...not sure what I did to deserve this chance though..."

A

[nohurryforglory]

Saber wasn't one to pass by this room often, nor did she even know what was in it, but upon hearing a cry like that her curiosity was piqued. Was there a battle going on? Frankly, she had just been wandering about rather aimlessly, so observing a good fight would be one way to pass the time at least. Of course, the type of fight she would see once she stepped into the room was not the kind she was expecting...

Nor was she expecting to see her own face (yet again), though at least the hair was somewhat different. Still, she liked this girl's gusto, even if Saber herself had never tried her hand at things like video games.

"With passion such as that, your victory must be assured!"

[no_longer_a_king]

Was this tower bound and determined to kill her via a heart attack or was it just her currently-awful luck as of late? Arturia had allowed herself to become so engrossed in the game she did not hear Saber (ver. Red!) come in.

This time she remembered to pause the game as she turned to see who had interrupted her, but anything she might have said, any protest to protect her pride died on her throat the moment she saw the woman's face. It was indeed very much like hers, the same hair, the same shade of eyes, but this one was shorter than Arturia and much more obviously a grown woman in appearance than she.

If this was indeed a third 'Saber' she had a guess as to who this could be:

"You must be Hakuno's Saber."

[nohurryforglory]

Is that how she was being identified? Not that she had a complaint about it of course; in fact, she was actually rather happy about it, along with the fact that they could skip the old song and dance of "This person looks just like me?!". As unique an experience as it was, Saber was rather glad to not have to go through that all over again.

"Indeed I am." There was almost a touch of pride in her voice right then. "As expected, my reputation precedes me, but that leaves a problem unfortunately; which Saber would you be, if you are a Saber at all?"

Floor 10 - Aquarium

[twentycoolpoints]

Picky was just passing through on his way to the media room, in a hurry to get past here and to somewhere safer. Because just about everything here was dangerous, seriously. But then he spots someone staring in at the fish in the water. And toying with them. Uh oh. Are they new? He'd better say something.

"H-hey! Careful, some of the fish bite!"

[no_longer_a_king]

"I beg your pardon?" Arturia asked, turning toward the boy who had spoken to her.

Fish? Biting? Well, she wouldn't put it passed the tower, but that was why she had kept her fingers several inches from the surface of the water instead of actually dipping them in.

C;

[angramaintsu]

"Whatever gave you that impression?"

Rin's gleeful tone at being discovered by a Saber in a place she can't easily escape from came with more pleasure than she thought. The last time she was here only pushed the snowball that was the tension between Saber Alter and herself, so what would it do for her and...

"Saber."

You have my full permission to screw with her however you see fit. 83

[no_longer_a_king]

There was something strange in the gleeful tone Rin had, an edge to it that was similar to the teasing Arturia had heard before but somehow darker, like she knew something Arturia didn't and would only tell her if given the right price.

Now that she was over the initial shock of being here, it was easier to pick out there was something wrong. Or maybe it was the foreboding feeling this floor gave her, a feeling rising up from the pit of her stomach the longer she was down here.

"The fact I ran into you," she said bluntly to Rin's query, forcing herself to stay relaxed. If there really was danger here, she needed to remain calm and focused on her objective.

C.

[nightfowl]

[oh and look who you came upon in the maze, saber. It's a familiar cowboy. He offers a casual wave]

Nah, not lost. If you've got no real destination, you're not really lost, pardner. I prefer to call it exploring.

[no_longer_a_king]

Very familiar. If she remembers right--and her memories of the last week were disturbingly fuzzy--she 'finally' got him to stop calling her Lady Luck by winning one hand of poker against him.

"I meant in the maze. Lost in the maze, though I suppose you could call it exploring."

Floor 14; finally getting in on this oops

[nonacquiescent]

Waver had secretly been watching Saber with her game for a while. Partially amused to find the King of Knights struggling so much with a fighter, partially offended anyone could be so awful at such a simple game. Once he hears her shouting, though, it's probably time to step in. So he moves a bit closer.

"You can't just wildly hit any button, you know...and starting off on an easier mode is probably for the better."