just this once, everybody lives!

[sageprincess]

Characters: Everyone.
Setting: Anywhere.
Format: Party style.
Summary: Post-Ex Machina catch-all mingle.
Warnings: See individual threads.

[After a long, drawn out battle, the infiltration team returns to the residential portion of the Tower, weary, battered... but victorious. Some catching up is in order.]

Comments

[bowandblade]

[Unlike Grainne's, Gilgamesh's smile doesn't fade; in fact, it grows stronger.]

Your disappointment is based on your own human rationalizing. But that in itself is not surprising -- you see only what's in your own world and time.

If I did not believe there was a hope that my boredom would be alleviated, I would not observe. The game master only relies on himself for entertainment; the observer relies on the world.

[athousandcurses]

I think you misunderstand my disappointment...

[The smile is back, but just a tiny bit.]

There's so much potential in you that you can use, but you do not use it... You're rather boring.

[bowandblade]

[He laughs -- just a little. But his eyes are focused, considering, as he stretches.]

You are fortunate I do not have the temper I have heard of other versions of myself. It would not take much to do something about an insult.

[The herb he still holds is twisted around his finger.]

But as you are smiling, I do not think you believe it.

[athousandcurses]

Not an insult, but an observation. I haven't made up my mind completely... there is much I don't know about you that could surprise me.

[She takes on a more serious look, shifting her bag to the other arm, giving him an overall thoroughly searching gaze.]

I think if you were insulted you would have done something already with or without a temper. Instead, you are thinking about it. Worried, maybe? And eve-... well, maybe there is something to what I said.

[Growing a little more distant, her attention wanders away from him and to the darkness outside.]

For the first time since coming here, I regret there is so little time left. I might have been interested to see if you can surprise me...

[bowandblade]

[If he thinks anything about what Grainne thinks, he gives no tells; his smile remains as he takes those slight steps forward.]

Then you can safely die again without regrets, because I already have surprised you.

[The little herb around his finger loosens and falls to the floor as he reaches up to pinch her nose as he had done before.]

[athousandcurses]

[This time Grainne bats at his hand, frowning.]

Anger is not surprise. I am never surprised when it comes to men touching me without my permission. That is just what they do. Usually, they regret it later.

[A pause.]

You do not know my legend very well, do you?

[bowandblade]

[Even if she bats at his hand, it does little to actually make him stop advancing to tweak her nose. And keep his fingers there.]

Why? Do you wish to hear what trickles down from the Throne? How your legend sounds on the lips of others?

[He peers at her face, his own catlike eyes narrow.]

[athousandcurses]

I am just wondering how much you know about me.

[She peers back, stone-faced as much as she can be with his fingers on her nose; a carefully practiced look, used for years on misbehaving children.

At least she isn't gearing up to slap him this time.]

You still do not have my permission...

[bowandblade]

[He does nothing more than hold on to Grainne's nose, speaking nonchalantly as if he is not in fact making their entire conversation ridiculous simply with the placement of his hand.]

I know your name.

[Really, what else did he need to know?]

[athousandcurses]

[Grainne crosses her eyes to look at his hand on her nose better, then lifts her chin to adjust the angle... Opening her mouth this time is definitely not for more talk; her tongue pops out and...

Liiiiick!

She is secretly five.]

[bowandblade]

[......

If he wasn't a hero with a history of carnal interests, the lick might have been considered shocking or disgusting.

But now? From her? To him?

He laughs, releasing Grainne's nose so he can drop his hands to his hips and toss his head back.]

What a ridiculous girl you are.

[athousandcurses]

[Well, not exactly what she was going for. Grainne looks at him with a seriously unamused expression, but something in her eyes puts the lie to it. Like she might be enjoying herself. Might.]

I was wrong before. You are no man; you are an equally ridiculous boy.

[Strange how she is not denying being ridiculous. Pot, kettle.

The gold cup that materialized behind her just hovers for a moment, as if she's unsure what exactly she wants to do with it now.]

Now I'm not sure if you're interested or just teasing me.

[bowandblade]

[Unaware of the gold cup materialized behind Grainne, Gilgamesh continues to lean over the other Servant, the laughter beginning to fade from his lips.]

How many different things have you called me now? Ridiculous boy, perverted brat. And yet you are not running away.

[He gives no hint of an answer to Grainne's latter comment, simply crowding over her as if he could smother her with his presence in the middle of a lounge room.]

[athousandcurses]

[Grainne just stares back at him, still wearing that unamused look.]

Why would I? I have lived my most of my life around crass, dangerous men... I fear I might be a little desensitized. And I am a Caster. I can handle whatever you throw at me.

[bowandblade]

[He has to laugh at that, though it's at least a fairly short laugh.]

You want to say something like that to someone who was designated Servant Archer?

[athousandcurses]

[Grainne stands her ground, but smiles slightly.]

It is a pity you weren't summoned as Saber. That would have been a little more difficult for me to handle.