possibly headed somewhere soon? or maybe not idk

[babbylon]

I am neither childish, nor do I babble. Your clever attempts at wordplay fail to amuse, mongrel.

[...Saber's practically a saint for dealing with you, Gil. You're lucky she didn't cleave your head off while she was smiting metaphysical evil.]

Was she, though? The lonely king dying upon the lonely hill... [Grinning like a creeper, yep.] 'tis a shame I couldn't have partaken in such an agonizing view for myself. Alas, only the whims of ants might entertain me now.

[So you wait.]

Indeed. So I wait.

Comments

[knight_king]

[That is a crown she has no interest in wearing, at the same time she does not desire to trouble someone else with his unwanted attention either. It would against her chivalry to be so dishonourable and utilize them as shield.]

Of course, I was merely following the protocol of the Banquet that the King of Conquerors proposed. [And she will not admit that the wine was good.] Though, again you are mistaken. That took place in the beginning of the Fourth Grail War.

[Could this mean...? She regards him suspiciously, lifting an inquisitive eyebrow. He didn't look surprised that she was aware of his identity and his name.]

Archer, tell me - What is the last thing that you recall from Fuyuki?

[Studying the enemy, information is always useful. For Guinevere's sake, she will not continue with that topic. At least she's inwardly relieved that he never tormented Lancelot with his past if he ignored that she had a wife.]

[babbylon]

Bathing in muck.

[Well. There you have it. Straight to the point, as he sees no value in a lie. In her stubbornness, however... well, he can't ever not be amused by how huffy and puffy she gets over her pitiful honor. Just like a knight, he supposes, albeit one trying way too hard to fool way too many people. Including herself.

That insidious smile doesn't budge an inch.]

And watching you weep for the loss of that which you treasured most of all.

[knight_king]

I see. You have been taken from the end of the Fourth Grail War, then.

[She acknowledges that at least he isn't lying. It isn't because he is a virtuous man, but because of his pride; even if he's an unsightly tyrant, he still ruled once.

While the reminder of Kiritsugu's betrayal bother her slightly, she has come to understand why her old Master forced her to destroy the Grail.]

Something like that would have never granted my wish.

[She says so with a clear, remorseless voice.]

[babbylon]

[And surprisingly... Gilgamesh relents.]

It has grown corrupt. I know not when or how the taint occurred, but something unnatural lives and breathes within it now.

[He conveniently leaves out the part where it's trying to swallow him whole. Even for the King of Heroes, it leaves a sour taste in his mouth.]

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[knight_king]

...

[Well, that was surprising. She's a little astonished he isn't declaring how he will release that curse and let it engulf the world.]

[knight_king]

When and how is meaningless, Gilgamesh. It should not exist because it endangers everything.

[babbylon]

[Thank your lucky sword for later canon points, Saber. He's not that bonkers yet.]

A martyr's promise, no doubt. But such a disaster... I get the impression it would prove even beyond your skill to contain.

[knight_king]

It is certainly not beyond my skill, because that taint is weak against the holy light of Excalibur.

[She says cautiously, because it is so absurd she is speaking of this with Gilgamesh, no less.]

Though I need to aim at the proper target. Kiritsugu ordered me to destroy the Grail that contained the mud and he did not realize the existence of black sun above the sky.

[She has seen what overflows the Grail contained in that mass of grotesque flesh.]

[babbylon]

You have neither earned the reputation nor the right to boast of such feats, she who wastes upon the hill.

[Aaaaand that thin line of civility's gone. Hope you enjoyed it while it lasted, since he's back to sneering again.]

That fire will consume you. And I will watch with great eagerness as it does so, as you wither among the flames like a lost little lamb.

[knight_king]

You believe me capable of boasting like an arrogant knave? [she informs him, eyes narrowing, at the slight against her pride.] I have already destroyed that filth that tried to pass as Holy Grail at the conclusion of the Fifth Holy Grail War.

[babbylon]

I can already see you bending, Saber.

[He won't come any closer, but he doesn't have to. He speaks so foul, it might as well be his own nasty breath creeping down her neck.]

Indeed, I know it shall come to pass. So I wait. So I'll make my claim when you're most ripe, and most despaired.

[knight_king]

[Guh. She hasn't forgotten the kind of unpleasant man she's talking to. His casual "statement" makes her irritated.]

I dislike how we have strayed from the topic of conversation into more of that trivial nonsense.

[She dismisses his fantasies and gives him a haughty glare.]

Such a thing will never happen, King of Heroes.

[babbylon]

Have I?

[Raising a long, golden eyebrow at you, little girl.]

Who defeats the King of Knights more readily than the king herself?

[knight_king]

While you and I remained enemies, we never fought again.

[Though she wanted to. She is reluctant to say more, because she is protective of her Masters.]

[babbylon]

[So she is. He can't fault her loyalty, at least, and he doesn't disbelieve her... considering she's also loyal to a dangerous fault.]

"Enemies" implies I ever viewed you as a threat. Or as an equal, worthy of such distinction.

[knight_king]

That is how I viewed you, Archer.

[She couldn't care less about his opinion, he has made it abundantly clear.]

[babbylon]

You have my time and attention. Be grateful.

[And quit frowning. He bats his eyes once, flirtatiously, as if to absolve her of this.]

Your folly, while most amusing, must not mingle with madness. I'd hate for you to spoil before I take a proper bite first.

[knight_king]

I do not think myself blessed when I became the target of the ravings of madmen.

[It perplexes her. Nobody dared to even speak to her when she was king and, of a sudden, those two Casters and Gilgamesh professed ridiculous claims that are more insulting than unnerving. There was one exception and that had been her sister, Morgan, who was her declared enemy.

Morgan was the one who reached further than any of them will ever accomplish.]

Nor do I care about how sour I would taste. You can mock all you want about that bloodstained hill, though it is a place out of your reach.

[babbylon]

Just as the blessing of God is outside yours.

[...ouch.]

[knight_king]

[...]

Does my struggle offer you such a sight that you keep attempting to remind me of my past regret? I do not understand men like you.

[babbylon]

What an adorably flustered face.

[Is he helping? No? Sorry-not-sorry.]

I stand above those pawns you served, Saber. You do me great offense to compare me to their like.

[knight_king]

What did you say?

[Flustered face? She wonders if this is a test to her patience as knight to not attack when she's obviously provoked.]

I would never compare one of my knights to the likes of you, Archer.

[babbylon]

It seems you prefer to run them through, instead. Grisly.

[Alright, alright. He's done. Probably.]

Men like me... men like us... never existed as men at all. Perhaps the sole tenant of rule you seem to understand, though for entirely the wrong reasons.

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[knight_king]

You-

[She gnashes her teeth and silences her curse, but her gaze is full of venom. He had to say this when she noticed Mordred and when she feels that old wound opening again.]

[knight_king]

[But she will never show weakness and specially in front of him. King Arthur was truly heartless, when confronted with the unpleasant human regret of slaying one's only child for the sake of the kingdom, she can only return to that lifestyle.

...

Yes, she does understand. She hates that she can agree with that. She dislikes she has to share this with Gilgamesh when she sees him as nothing but her adversary and opposite.]

My reasons were correct.

[She wasn't wrong. It was a long way she spent learning this, but she could finally proclaim it.]

You can judge them as I know you will, though I was not mistaken.