towerofanimus | 001. ♔ +1 Hero Type

Entry tags:

001. ♔ +1 Hero Type

Characters: ProtoSaber and you!
Setting: Various floors; dorms, the beach on floor 62, the kitchen on floor 60, and the cafeteria.
Format: Prose to begin with, but I will match you.
Summary: Saber has just arrived in the Tower and he is searching for his Master. (Note: If you've started a thread with Saber in the Test Drive Meme and would like to continue it here, just drop me a note!)
Warnings: Uh. A King Arthur who's a dude.

♔ DORMITORIES
Immediately upon his awakening, the first thing Saber thinks to do is, predictably, look for Ayaka. This is not to say that their sudden, inexplicable change of location and the documents the apparent "hosts" of this strange place provided for him do not concern him, for they do, but what is the point of worrying about any of that if he is not with his Master? For a Servant, being unable to sense the Master's presence is more than simply alarming— it serves as knowledge of how real the likelihood of vanishing is; for Saber, it is proof of his failure to fulfill his purpose, his only goal, because neither he nor Ayaka ever wanted the Grail and all the pursuit of it entails.

He checks every floor of the dormitories and finds evidence of the girl being somewhere in the Tower — her name on a wall — but he has yet to find her. Asking around doesn't seem to get him much either, so he tries to think like Ayaka. Where would she spend her time? What would she do while here alone? Stay somewhere safe... The living quarters seem to be the best place for that so far...

Ah, but Ayaka is a human girl. She does need to eat.

♔ FLOOR 62 ; BEACH
As luck would have it, the cafeteria is near the ground level of the tower and while that didn't seem like it would be trouble at first, realizing that the dormitories are on the highest floors of a tower that seemingly stretches on forever was a shocking moment. Just what was this place? Saber opted for the stairs and as he began his descent, he checked several floors in hopes he'd come across one that seemed like an ideal hiding place for one particular awkward, teenaged girl.

One such floor is obviously supposed to be a beach, but as far as Saber knows, it's not possible to contain an entire beach complete with its own sun and wind, brine and sand, indoors. It's unnatural, therefore the only reasonable explanation he can come up with is magi. Obviously, magic on a scale he's seen only a few times in his life. He doesn't know enough about magecraft to know if this is even possible for an average magus. Some time spent surveying the waves leads him not to trust the safeness of the water's movements and he has to wonder why someone would craft an ocean that seems so eager to swallow someone up.

♔ FLOOR 60 ; KITCHEN
Knowledge of modern technology imparted upon him from the Holy Grail only goes so far when it comes to understanding all the equipment inside the huge kitchen. He understands refrigeration and some of the tools, but he's never seen a freezer as large as the one he finds here, so he walks inside of it, curious.

"Do they prepare meals here? It's still a long ways from the cafeteria."

♔ CAFETERIA
With the amount of people bustling around, a mealtime is underway and everything smells rather... floral. Being a Servant of sorts, Saber doesn't require food or sleep, but as he passes some of the tables, he can't help glancing at the plates of food and wondering what they taste like. It's been a very long time since he's enjoyed such a well prepared meal and a good cup of tea. Perhaps if Ayaka is here...

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[Diarmuid is passing through the floor on one of his usual patrols when he hears a voice and then senses the presence of a servant that is unknown to him. It is not that which gives him pause, though. It is the echoing quality of the man's voice since that means he is lingering in a place he should not unless he wishes to find himself locked into the freezer for an indefinite amount of time.

And as if to prove the point, Diarmuid's dash into the room is just in time to catch the door and keep it from slamming shut. It is just another reminder to him of why it's so important to get the notes about the floors out as soon as possible.]

I apologize for the intrusion, but it's not safe to stand overly long inside of anything on this floor. It may look like the administrators have actually given us something useful here, but it, like so much else in this place, is actually very dangerous.

[Well, perhaps not so dangerous to a servant, but since he knows nothing about this one's abilities, it is better to be safe than sorry.]

[ Saber looks at the other Servant with some curiosity. He's sure the other man recognizes him for what he is, just as he does, but then... helping him? And speaking to him so casually... as though they aren't enemies for the simple fact that they are Servants. ]

Thank you, but, as you know, I was in no danger.

[ Still, he steps out of the freezer and brushes the frost that's collected on his black coat sleeves from where he leaned against the shelving inside. ]

I am quickly learning though that most is not what it may seem at first here.

No, I expect you were not, though I also expect that you would not have been in the best of moods had you been stuck in there for who knows how many hours.

[Diarmuid smiles at him, bowing his head politely.]

My name is Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, First Warrior of the Fianna and before you ask, no I have no issue revealing my identity to another servant so easily. As you may or may not have already been told, there is no Grail here and so it follows no war and no reason for us to be enemies.

[ Saber furrows his brow, both surprised by the other Servant's perspective and by his identity. Suddenly, his body language becomes far less casual than it was moments ago. ]

Diarmuid of the Radiant Face... I never expected to meet you in person, let alone in a place with no war for the Grail to fight in. I am honored... and grateful.

[ He bows his head as well, but then frowns, concerned now by what he deems as recklessness from the other knight. ]

I am King Arthur Pendragon, son of Uther Pendragon and wielder of Excalibur, the ancient holy sword of kings. Though I agree with your assessment that there is no reason for me to fight, I only share my own true name with you now because you have given me yours. You must realize that despite there being no battle for the Grail here, other battles are never entirely unavoidable for ones like ourselves, and thus, sharing such a thing with others is still as dangerous as it would have been in our own world.

You are also the King of Knights?

[Well, that did explain the odd feeling of familiarity Diarmuid had been hit with when the servant had first turned to face him. He had ignored it at first, thinking perhaps it was just because the man somewhat resembled the other Saber who he had met a while back. The one who had called himself Gawain. Apparently, it was much more than that.]

But unlike the others I have met, you are actually male as the legends said not female. Your version of the war...it must be very different from my own...

No matter. You do me great honor with your kind words. Thank you. It is my greatest pleasure to again meet the great King Arthur.

[Diarmuid pauses a moment here, his previously open and friendly expression closing a little.]

While I appreciate your advice, I am afraid I cannot follow it. I have never liked secrecy and my master in the war forced far too much of it on me. I am thankful that the master I have taken here does not require that kind of dishonorable action from me. Indeed, it does not even matter that there are other servants and masters from my own war here. For me, if I returned to my world, I would cease to be. The war is over for me thanks to my master's betrayal. Thankfully, returning to nothingness is not my only option. My new master has seen to that.

[ Not a whole lot that Diarmuid says makes sense to Saber and so he regards him with increasing skepticism the more he continues on. It's only his respect for the man that keeps him from calling him a fool, but his mind reels a little at trying to absorb any of the information he's putting out. He raises a hand to signal that he needs Diarmuid Ua Duibhne to slow down. ]

Please— I would prefer you call me by my class name in the presence of others.

[ He lowers his hand. ]

What are you talking about? Forgive me for being blunt, but the idea that I would actually be female is insane. A woman, particularly one who received the same enchantments I did from Caliburn, could never rule without being discovered. And your claim that there are such versions of me is impossible. I am a Servant, you are a Servant. You speak of the Grail, therefore we cannot be from different dimensions or universes.

[ That, however, feels more like wishful thinking the moment it leaves it lips. Wars for the Holy Grail existing in separate universes? Is there no escape from the bloodshed and madness? ]

My apologies, Saber.

[Diarmuid bows his head, reminding himself that just because he is familiar with one version of the King of Knights does not me he should assume to know this one. Especially since he already seems very different from the Sabers Diarmuid knows in more ways than just his gender.]

First of all, I would ask you to reconsider several of the things you just stated as fact to me. Just because I speak of the Grail and am also a servant does not mean we are from the same universe. In fact, it is quite the opposite. As much as it pains me to say it, apparently the Grail Wars are a centerpiece for a great many different universes. I have heard of wars since I came here where servants were called to moderate the war instead of the Church and I have heard of wars that are 'games' that involves hundreds of sets of masters and servants.

My point is, as shocking as it might be, I think things will be a little easier for you to understand if you let go of any notion that every servant or master you run into in this place is from the same universe. We are not. Not at all. My master and I? We are from two very similar, but different universes for example. And in both those universes and many others, the person who bares your name and your sword is female. Apparently, she lived her whole life hiding that fact.

I see...

[ But the truth is, Arthur does not. The rest he can accept, albeit bitterly, but he still finds the idea of himself being female rather ridiculous and unlikely. However, he refrains from repeating that sentiment, as it's obvious it would fall on mostly deaf ears. Instead, he merely looks away from the dark-haired man and begins to walk through the rest of the floor. Perhaps Lancelot could explain better and he would believe it coming from the other knight more than he does now, hearing it from Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. ]

Do you know a girl here named Ayaka Sajyou?

[Diarmuid's lips press into a frown. He can tell from the other servant's tone of voice that he obviously does not see, but what else can he say? And it is clear from the change of topic Saber really doesn't want to talk about it further.

Perhaps another will have more luck explaining it to him than Diarmuid has. That is his hope anyway.]

Ayaka? Yes, I do know Ayaka. She is...Cu Chulainn's master.

[He almost says "my brother's master" but stops himself as a realization hits him.]

Are you the one she has been waiting for?

[ Saber's jaw tenses at hearing again what Archer told him, but he refrains from raising his voice. Cu Chulainn... So that is Lancer. ]

I am her Servant.

[ He says so in answer to Diarmuid's question rather than out of denial that Ayaka has contracted with Lancer. He doesn't like it, but he can't keep childishly refusing to believe it anymore. From Archer, he can be doubtful, but from Diarmuid, it sounds less likely to be a lie. ]

She will be glad to see you.

[Diarmuid...isn't so sure how he feels. His brother has put so much effort into helping Ayaka that he knows it will hurt him to be abandoned by her. Yet, he also knew his brother would step aside and let Saber have her in a heartbeat since he still doesn't feel like he's good enough for her.]

How do you feel about her having taken another servant?

[The question a little hesitant. He is trying to gauge Saber's feelings on all of this but he also doesn't want to upset the other man. Honestly, the whole thing isn't his business, except his brother stands to be hurt and that makes it his business.]

[ Immediately, the question strikes Arthur as suspicious. His eyes narrow slightly as he looks back at the Lancer and he feels much less likely to be candid with Diarmuid now. He's hiding something. That much is obvious. He's choosing his words carefully and Saber isn't fond of games. ]

Why does my disposition on the matter interest you?

[Diarmuid sighs and runs a hand through his hair. And people wonder why he is usually so honest and open about things? He can tell he has already raised Saber's suspicions and that wasn't his intent.]

It interests me because in this place it is unwise to depend solely one person. Even those masters who have taken a servant also have a network of others they work with and trust. Often, that network consists of other servants. If you are going to have problems with that, I would like to know since I am among those who help keep an eye out for her when I am needed.

[He gives Saber a serious look.]

I will not skirt around this issue any longer since to do so will dishonor the bond he and I share. While I have no fight with you or any other servant in this place, I view Cu Chulainn as my brother. I realize the two of you were enemies in your war. I hope that will not be the case here. For Ayaka's sake if nothing else. The more people she has to look out for her, the less likely she is to be hurt by one of the tower's experiments.

[ Now it all makes sense. ]

You think that because there is no Grail here that there is no reason for he and I to fight one another.

[ Saber can't help but scoff. Diarmuid is far more naive than he expected such a hero to be. Ah, but then, he is a man whose misplaced trust in another was his death, so perhaps Arthur should not be so surprised. ]

Your loyalty is honorable, but you should know better. A hero brings his beliefs and principles into battle with him. Merely because there is not a Grail here for Servants to fight for does not mean they have no reason to clash, especially if they are formerly acquainted. I have little reason to trust Cu Chulainn-- and even less to trust you.

[ Saber gives him a slight nod in farewell, then turns away. He won't ask Diarmuid to help him find Ayaka. It's not that he doesn't believe the other knight would aid him, but rather, that he wants to owe him nothing. With Cu Chulainn in the picture, he sees owing this Lancer anything as putting himself at risk. He strongly doubts Cu Chulainn will be happy to see him. ]

Bring your concerns to him, if you care so much.

Edited 2013-06-21 06:55 (UTC)

When there are more important battles to fight than those caused by a war that does not exist here, then yes I expect those who carry the title of hero to put aside their differences and work together for those who cannot fight as well as we can. Call me foolish or naive if you so wish. I doubt you are the first nor will you be the last.

[Diarmuid shuts his eyes for a moment. He should not feel as disappointed as he does. After all, he knows almost nothing about the war this Saber has come from. Short stories of battles from Archer and his brother do not explain much of importance and tell nothing of motives or the emotions behind them.

So why does he feel this way? Is it just because he has known other versions of this person and he still cannot keep himself from expecting what he should not?]

Trust as you will, Saber. I have no right to tell you differently. I just hope that, in the end, your choices do not end up bringing harm to those whom you wish to protect.

Be well.

[He returns Saber's nod with one of his own and then disappears off to continue his patrol of the tower.]

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001. ♔ +1 Hero Type

Floor 60; Kitchen

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