route_29

[autocratic]

Mundane, you are being foolish. While I sorely miss my dear Praetor, I am certainly not feeling "lonely," as you are wont to think of my emotional state within this realm. Do not further insult me by doing so. I am quite happy with the companionship I have forged thus far, in fact!

... well. It would please me greatly to see any sort of familiar face from my realm, but there is only a few I would tolerate.

Perhaps one day. I am patient and can busy myself with other productive activities for the time being. This matter is settled.

Comments

[autocratic]

Since my arrival, I have received quite a bit of support from a young man by the name of "Ventus." Kind, generous, and frustratingly selfless! He reminds me much of my Master.

There is also a... "you" in there, but she and I have only spoken a few times.

[promisedvictory]

[kind, generous, selfless... the ideal Master. one that Saber would (and in fact, does) fight alongside as their sword, by the knight's oath] Then your wait won't be as perilous.

[Saber is still getting used to the whole...Emperor Nero looking exactly like her thing. but she looks surprised for only a moment or so when she mentions how she's also within that game]

Yes. Your Mundane and mine discussed much about that. Although this concept of there being multiple..."me"s isn't quite as jarring as I thought it'd be.

[must have gotten used to it after being in a mun's "headspace" for so long. those terms were still peculiar to her, even if she gained basic knowledge of the world upon being summoned in it]

[autocratic]

Oho? Should I be honored that the famed King of Knights showed some concern for my plight? [ Teasing, teasing. Also, call Nero narcissistic or whatever, but damn, Arturia. You cut quite a nice figure. ]

As it shouldn't. You are quite the popular character in this realm, King.

[promisedvictory]

There is no need. It is my oath as a knight to help those in need. [aaand serious as always. but she takes pride in what she does and who she is at least?] Even if it is with simple words.

Yes. Truth be told, my Mundane is almost intimidated by it. So long as he carries forth with confidence, he should do fine.

[autocratic]

[ You're just getting this face for a brief moment before she lets out a dramatic, long, suffering sigh. She even shakes her head, too. ] Simple, yet concise. There is beauty to that, yes.

Him? "Intimidated"? Considering the talks he has with my mundane, I find this idea rather hard to swallow.

[promisedvictory]

[Saber tilts her head at that; she knew that this woman was a dramatic (or preferably, artistic) one. but still] Is something the matter, Saber?

Though he may talk extensively about these subjects and characterization, this is his first time playing the role of someone like me. Though...I suspect he's nervous for having never publically playing the part of a woman before.

It might help if he thinks of me as a King more and a Servant.

[autocratic]

A minor thing. It will fade with time. [ She'll at least hope, anyway. ]

Do you truly think that would make things easier? You are a woman; you, he, myself, and my mundane - and quite possibly the many others who are fans of this series are very much aware of your gender - all actively see you as a female. [ Casual glance to Arturia's chest, however... ]

Besides, it's common practice for people to act out roles of the opposite sex. It's quite enjoyable!

[promisedvictory]

[blink. blink. still lost. but she won't pursue it for now]

Ah... [her cheeks light up slightly at that, complimented by a little frown that fades away. at least she disguised her gender well in the time that mattered...]

R-Right. You and I both have been passed down through common history as men, after all.

[autocratic]

[ Well, you can't really put much stock to the standards and discerning eye of the people of that time. At least it did work. ]

Even though my people were quite aware that they ruled under an Empress. Still, the clothes were lovely to wear!

[promisedvictory]

Oh? So which title do you prefer? Emperor or Empress?

[autocratic]

It honestly doesn't matter. Whichever I am referred to depends on whether or not the one that addresses me does so properly. Yet, if it will make things easier, I am leaning more towards "Empress."

Either way, I was a ruler. That fact is thoroughly cemented in the annals of history.

[promisedvictory]

[she offers a little smile at that] Then if it doesn't matter, I will address you as you lean.

[autocratic]

And you? We are both of the Saber class, but you and I already know of our individual histories.

[promisedvictory]

You may call me as you wish. King Arthur, King of Knights, Saber...

[avoiding that 'Queen' and 'Arturia' status like a boss]

[autocratic]

Arthur is a good, strong name... but why not Arturia?

[ Yes. She knows. ]

[promisedvictory]

[serious face time]

No. I am a King first and foremost, a Heroic Spirit. That name... [holds no meaning, she wants to say. upon pulling the sword from the stone, she was no longer Arturia the girl. but the King of Knights]

Mm. Arthur is a good, strong name. And so I will keep it, Emperor Nero.

[autocratic]

Oh? Is that so? Funny. The Arturia I am more... familiar with certainly did not seem to mind me addressing her as such. Different points in time, then?

[promisedvictory]

Familiar?

[autocratic]

By holy matrimony.

[ Wait for it. Wait for it... ]

[promisedvictory]

[one...two...aaand there we go. it registers]

M-Matrimony?! You mean to tell me that we were...wed? [is that red in her cheeks? why yes. yes it is]

[autocratic]

Indeed! Although... It might not apply as such with you.

[promisedvictory]

I...I see. And...how did this happen, if you don't mind my asking, Empress?

[autocratic]

That was the curious part, actually! I believe we had a wild night over at a magical hotel, and somewhere along the way... You became my wife!

[ She sounds so elated. ]

[promisedvictory]

A wild night, you say... [Saber had no intention of letting her thoughts trail to what a 'wild night' could entail. perhaps Red Saber meant it as a party among kings with dancing and drinking. though...to become her wife? it was difficult to fathom. mostly on account of how alike they looked. so did this mean they were both wives? or was one of them the husband? perhaps Arturia took that role as King while Nero maintained her status as an Empress]

In any case, I suppose I should...congratulate you two on your...happiness. [all this thinking and all she got from it was a potential mindfuck. ah the world of muses and dressing rooms and games. certainly different from her usual battlegrounds pursuing the Holy Grail]

[autocratic]

Mmm, I would appreciate it! However... [ Wide smile here. ] Perhaps you would like to partake in this joy yourself, Arturia?

[promisedvictory]

[her breath catches in her throat at that. clearly she underestimated just how forward and bold Empress Nero was]

I must decline.

[autocratic]

What? Why? Do you think I would not please you? I am quite experienced in such matters that will put those fears to rest!

[ Honk honk. ]

[promisedvictory]

[her face takes on a deeper shade of red at such...well. was bold even doing Red Saber any justice? arm going across her chest now as she steps back. perhaps it had to do with just how much she looked like her but she was getting past her defenses...well, easily enough. her frown deepens despite her blush. the King of Knights...just got felt up. and it wasn't by Tohsaka or Shirou? tsk tsk]

W-What do you think you're doing, Nero?!

[autocratic]

Why, I am making my interest known, of course. I have come to know that subtle courting sometimes goes beyond your head. I am simply making it easier for you to follow.

[promisedvictory]

I see... And you thought such a crass act would win me over? [tsun tsun. ...must not look at the Empress' chest. must not look at the Empress' chest]

[autocratic]

[ It's pretty hard not look at them, huh, Saber? They're just... there. ]

Hmm! We shall see.

[promisedvictory]

[the outright...nerve of this woman. and yet...she can't find herself to be too disgusted by Saber's actions. ...no, not so much the actions (those she could do without), but it was that despite how straightforward she was...]

You remind me of someone I met previously...

[autocratic]

Oh? And who was that?

[ With them being sort of close, it wasn't that hard for Nero to have heard Arturia's words. ]

[promisedvictory]

Though the differences between you two are apparent enough, your...straightforwardness is similar. An Archer from an earlier Holy Grail War.

[autocratic]

An "Archer"? [ She is going to put a hand on her hips and think on this. ]

He must have been a truly bold one to not skulk about in the shadows as Archers are wont to do.

[promisedvictory]

He was anything but a skulker. When he made his presence known, he made it so that you could never forget.