Staying focused

[bowandblade]

So we have passed the halfway point of the month, mundane. Just another two weeks left before you have to make up your mind. Will you have enough time to dedicate to me?

Of course, as the King of Heroes, I expect a great deal of dedication should you thrust me into another world, let along a "jam jar." What a ridiculous term. You cannot forget who you are dealing with here, after all. If I am to be challenged in such a way, you should be challenged as well.

Comments

[puppy_lancer]

Barely too weeks and already claiming the majority of her attention? Man, you're demanding. Careful she doesn't find some way to kick your ass for that.

[But if he does go into the Jamjar...does that mean Lancer gets to be sempai?]

[bowandblade]

You expected any less? You have forgotten things in your time away, Lancer.

A pity that I could not spend Valentine's with Ayaka. I will have to make up for it on White Day.

[puppy_lancer]

...Don't overwhelm her.

[bowandblade]

I would not dream of it. So protective, like a good dog.

[puppy_lancer]

I'm not a dog.

[He grumbles.]

Someone has to look after until Saber comes over.

[bowandblade]

Yes, yes, so he can protect her and dote on her and make tea for her, as he is wont to do.

[puppy_lancer]

As she wants him to do.

[There's just a tiny bit of bitterness there.]

[bowandblade]

[Hnnnn... The king does not show bitterness. The king does not show bitterness. Best he change the topic, at least.]

She is in good health otherwise?

[puppy_lancer]

Yeah, she can take care of herself and I can protect her when she gets in over her head. She hasn't died yet.

[bowandblade]

Do not say yet, hound. You make it sound inevitable.

[puppy_lancer]

Death is an extremely common occurrence over there. Especially since it's not permanent. But, as long as I'm around, I'll keep Ayaka's death count at zero.

[bowandblade]

Death is in extremely common occurrence in any place, any age. Just because that is so does not mean I will condone you condemning Ayaka with your words, whether you are alive or not. [There is no heat to his words, but the frown on his face makes it clear that he does not like the idea of Ayaka dying.]

[puppy_lancer]

Alright already, maybe that wasn't the best choice of words.

[Somewhere deep down, there was a part of him that prepared for the possibility of failing again. That part of him made him expect and dread the very worst case scenarios.]

[bowandblade]

[The king, on the other hand, would much rather not humor the idea of his beloved meeting an early end in much the same way as his only friend.]

Indeed! Penance is in order for your ill-chosen words. You shall have to entertain me, hound.

[puppy_lancer]

Entertain? How so? Guess I could buy you a drink if I can find which pair of pants I left my wallet in.

[bowandblade]

[And here comes the smirk.]

Have you heard of the Riverdance?

[puppy_lancer]

You mean that one dance show which has stepdancing? Tickets are goddamn expensive. Like hell anyone except you can afford to spend that cash.

[If only you cut back on beer and cigarettes, Lancer.]

[bowandblade]

I had a feeling such was the case. So you will do the poor man's Riverdance for me instead.

I do hope you know how to stepdance.

[puppy_lancer]

[His mouth drops open.]

W-what the fuck? You're telling me to dance for you?

[bowandblade]

Indeed! I did not stutter, hound! You will show me the finest Irish stepdancing that you cannot afford!

[puppy_lancer]

NO FUCKING WAY!

[He's not a monkey on a leash here!]

[bowandblade]

It is a dance of penance! Shall I tell Ayaka that you condemned her to death in your absence?

[puppy_lancer]

[He glares at Gilgamesh for a few more seconds.]

Fine.

[As long as no one else sees.]

[bowandblade]

[You are so easy, mutt. Archer laughs haughtily, gesturing.]

Then, unless you are in need of music, you may begin.

[puppy_lancer]

[He starts tapping out an improvised dance routine. It might be slower than what Gilgamesh wants to see, though.]

[bowandblade]

[Just a little slow than what he would have liked to see.]

I said Riverdance, hound, not Puddledance. You can move faster than that.

[puppy_lancer]

[He scowls and quickens his pace.]

There, you happy?

[bowandblade]

[Oh, quite happy. You have the king laughing and applauding, mutt. You should feel honored.]

Much better! You dance quite well for a dog.

[puppy_lancer]

[He stops in his steps, face completely red.]

I'm not a dog! And even if I was, I'd still dance better than you or Saber.

[bowandblade]

It is the entertainer's role to dance, not the king's. [He can't help but smirk at how red Lancer's face is.] I should have you dance more often.

[puppy_lancer]

I'm not your pet that you can order around! You're not my Master!

[He turns away and pouts.]

This was for Ayaka and not you!

[bowandblade]

[Oh, and now pouting. He knows where to hit where it hurts.]

Then I will simply have to suggest to Ayaka that you are a very good dancer and you are very willing to entertain her.

[puppy_lancer]

You sure? I'd be the one getting to waltz with Ayaka instead of you.

[He grins mischievously, having gotten the upper hand for once.]

But if my sempai is gonna be so generous as to give away the woman he loves...who am I to say no?

[bowandblade]

[...Ouch. His annoyance is very visible for a second, and he has to take a moment to recover.

But when he does, he rolls his eyes.] You say that as if you have any chance with her, hound. And, as much as it pains me to admit, she is not yet mine to give away -- not that I would.

[puppy_lancer]

Wouldn't be fair if either of us made a move on her before Saber can get here, right?

[Though he's still joking, his voice doesn't carry the same energy as it did before. He can still recall Ayaka's grief during January's experiment.]

[bowandblade]

It is not a matter of being fair; if Ayaka gently and naturally changes her preference, then that is her will and Saber has no right to change it for her.

[He is obviously the best choice. He just has to defeat Saber so he can focus his efforts on seeing to Ayaka.]

[puppy_lancer]

Naturally and gently, huh? Hope you don't mind waiting.

[bowandblade]

[He huffs at the smirk on Lancer's face, but manages a comeback.]

And you will be waiting doubly as long.

[puppy_lancer]

I've been with her for longer than you have.

[His social link is better developed.]

[bowandblade]

You are simply proving my point, hound. You have been there for so long with her and yet nothing has happened between you two.

[puppy_lancer]

I've kissed her.

[More than once, even though it was all just teasing.]

[bowandblade]

[.......................................

And then the King of Heroes didn't know how to react.]

You what?!

[puppy_lancer]

Kissed her. And hugged her.

[bowandblade]

[Besmirching his princess' purity, is more like it. He can't imagine Ayaka enjoying such things from Lancer. And it wouldn't befit the greatest Heroic Spirit and the King of Heroes to sulk.]

I see. It looks like I have much to do when I finally make my appearance.

[puppy_lancer]

Just don't pick a fight with everyone.

[A little hypocritical here, but Lancer doesn't have the ability to wipe out an entire floor.]