Author's Notes:
Yep, Bradley, I was curious why she didn't go all spirit in the anime, and looked that up...Apparently, the reason was she isn't a spirit. Still, it is undeniably Shirou's fault that Saber's abilities don't stack up to her Zero self. Well…except her Luck stat. Then again, even in Zero, Saber had some pretty epic luck saves.
Yeah, I think I kinda screwed up with that Archer bit, but I'll just say Archer never seemed very good at following Rin's orders. Heh…j/k. I'm not actually sure that showed up in the anime, and I'm following that storyline.
And I don't think Saber's distrust of Sakura appeared in the anime too. At least, she hasn't made any special mention of it so far in the episodes. Actually, up to this point, it seems Sakura has distrusted or been intimidated by Saber more than the other way around.
As for when Chapter 7 is coming out...I'll go with: Right...about...now:
Dinner was pleasant, and in fact, compared favourably to the banquets my queen so enjoyed in Camelot. Of course, I had to look sour, eat a lot, drink too much and be a bit of a boor to play my part as King, so that rather hampered any enjoyment I might have had with those banquets. But, I suppose the biggest advantage cooks these days possessed was the universal availability of a much larger variety of ingredients. Potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and chilis are among the foods people here take for granted, but they were unimaginable in my day. All things considered, it was a fine meal.
But that was earlier. Now, I am caught struggling to comprehend the concept of having different clothes for sleeping in. It seems such a waste of clean water for me, though, having to do so much laundry...Almost done putting on these sleeping clothes. They are quite comfortable…Arrgh, my hand's caught on a thread!
Sakura takes me to the room after teaching me how to put it on, saying I could fix the sleeve when we got there, as Taiga did not like waiting. We enter the room, and I find Shirou arguing with Taiga. I stand at his side and patiently work on the sleeve, as Sakura goes over to the futon to the left. I finish just in time for Taiga to invite me to sleep betwixt them. It was not exactly conducive to guarding Shirou, especially if we are assailed and I have to put my armour on. Both these noncombatants will see me then. I say the first thing that comes to mind to excuse myself. This won't do. If I am to guard Shirou, I need to stay in the same room as he. Same room? Why did I ask for that?
Taiga is clearly not pleased, and Shirou whispers in my ear, "Sorry, but I don't think she'll agree to anything else, once she puts that face on."
But…
"Don't worry. The house is surrounded by a barrier, so we can still meet up inside if we need to." I frown, doubting I could follow that order. Worrying about my Master happens to be one of my jobs as a Servant, after all. The others bid him good night, but just as he exits, I excuse myself and follow him. Going up to him, I look into his eyes, sincerely confused by all these developments, I would like to ask…Why did you feel it necessary to introduce me to everyone?
"What do you mean 'Why?'"
Why does he not understand? I continue my explanation. You realize knowledge of my existence by others leaves us at a disadvantage. It would have been better strategy for me to remain in my room.
His brows furrow, and I bite my lip, as he answers, "Maybe for you. I could not stand it. I felt like you were trapped in that room. Strategy does not always matter." I wanted to respond with a rebuttal or a rebuke, but I could not bring myself too. The last thing I expected as a Servant was to be treated as a human, and now that I am being treated as one…It has been a long while since that happened. Even during my Kingship, my humanity was ever a secondary concern. I am not exactly sure how to respond to what my Master is doing. Keeping my lips sealed, my eyes linger on him until his form has fully vanished in the dark of the hallway. Then, I walk back to the shared room…
Lying down, I find questions are swiftly fielded by both Sakura and Taiga. The evening went by in a blur, and I find answering them creditably more exhausting than a sword fight. But the inevitable question just before I fade off to sleep. "Do you like Shirou?" I am surprised that it comes from Sakura. Then, I realize Taiga is already asleep.
That one made me pause. Do I like him? He is my cousin…He can be a friend. I have only been here two nights, but I am sure I can learn to like him enough for that. And only that…That's as much humanity as I can give him, as a Servant. I reassure myself with that silent thought, as I see Sakura's eyes relax. I am not blind. I saw that same look in my wife's eyes whenever I mentioned Lancelot. I tried to ignore it for as long as I can, but in the end...Others found out, and no more could I feign ignorance.
That was my only experience with that form of liking…of loving. Courtly love, the poets named it, true romance at its purest. I am not sure I am even capable of that sort of love, knowing what that affair led to. My thoughts are troubled as I fade off to my accustomed dreamless sleep.
In much too short a time, it is morning again, and while I am an early riser, I find Sakura had already beaten me in that respect. It puzzles me why she does this, doing chores on Shirou's behalf. Or maybe she just has a passion for cooking. I go to the room I originally had slept in and change into my accustomed set of clothes for the day, the simple white top and the dark teal skirt. As I put away my sleeping garments, the call for breakfast comes from the kitchen. I see Shirou is up and changed as well, though still sleepy…and as for Taiga, she is just stumbling out of our room. Still, I knew she would hurry up and be ready for breakfast pretty quickly.
Entering the kitchen, I ask Sakura if she needs my help, and, without waiting for an answer, start bearing platters in each hand to the table. She gapes me at as I do this, and I realize my mistake. The plates were still too hot for a normal human to handle, and the finesse and strength, needed to handle such bowls and platters with a single hand was, while not superhuman, definitely not the sort of thing one would expect from a slim teenage girl.
Still, she eagerly accepts this unexpected display of balance without much of a complaint, which puzzles me, and bringing one platter over properly, with two hands and mittens, she shows me where I should place the items I bore on the table. With my aid, laying out all the food is a breeze, and we spend a few minutes at the table, just Sakura and I. Awkwardly, we look at each other, neither of us willing to say a word. I have a feeling she was a looking at me because of that question last night…and as for why I was looking at her, well, she reminded me of someone, though I could not quite place it.
I open my mouth to speak, and she does the same at the same time, but just then Shirou comes in, and he greets both of us good morning. I just use my open mouth to return the greeting. He then gets bowled over by Taiga, eager to have a meal. I stay silent as all three take their spots and admire the food, before saying in agreement, "Let's dig in!"
For some reason, everyone makes sure I am doing fine, eating with chopsticks, just like I was doing last night. It has been ten years, but the technique of handling them has swiftly returned to me. I find it odd, however, that they use the dining table for conversation more than they do for dining, even Taiga. Still, the attention they are giving me allows Taiga to catch me from pouring Worcestershire sauce on the tofu, and I am grateful for that. I would probably have wolfed it down still, without complaint, but while extravagance was an enemy, discomfort due to my error and inexperience with this era was not necessary. I take in the aroma of the sauce, then try to take part in the conversation, finding the cheery atmosphere infectious, even to my usually stoic self.
I guess because I am not used to such table talk myself, the first thing that came to mind was a tad offensive. Sakura, do you ever focus on anything but food? It seems I really need to practice my table talk. I regret asking it, and am thankful that everyone's attention is now drawn by the television set…an intriguing device, that. If we had such capabilities in our day, I doubt Mordred would have easily been capable of bringing down the curse of Camlann on my beloved Camelot.
Still, I guess even in these days, the news is the same. Always bad…and in a city playing host to the Grail War, inexplicable bad news unfortunately usually meant a Servant of less than reputable bent operating for their usually less than reputable Master. From what I could tell, it seems this leak is not an isolated accident, and my suspicions are confirmed by Taiga and Sakura's comments. I file the location away in a corner of my mind…
Once breakfast is over, I go to assist Shirou in cleaning up. Not exactly an efficient use of a Servant, but the sooner he was done with the mundane business of being human, the sooner he could start doing the job of being my Master. Taiga tells Shirou to put away the futons, and I turn to look at her in confusion, putting the dish that I was drying down. It seems they are satisfied that I have only Shirou's well-being in mind. I guess the assumption, in the end, was understandable, though, not for the first time, I wish I had been that handsome, well-built and regal man that both history and legend record me to be. I doubt they would have pried a lot more had I been that way. As it was, I had been prepared to spend a few more nights in their company, if need be, to prove myself.
Anyways, that trial has been passed. Shirou sounds pleased about how I have interacted. I guess I am pleased to…For a few moments, I had forgotten I was not human. I summarize my impressions of Taiga. Yes, Taiga is a good person. It is rare to see someone be so free with her thoughts, and yet not easily influenced by others. For me to achieve her character, I have to hold everything inside. If I had that ability, maybe I would have been a more worthy King. She's as carefree as the last Rider or Archer, and as unwilling to bend as either of them, but unlike them, her heart is pure. It is astonishing.
I continue, And knowing she is your guardian, I…I guess I see why your character is like that. He smiles and looks at me, asking, "Is that a compliment or criticism?" I shy away from his eyes, then admit what I meant, I am praising you. He takes off his apron and notes that he once more intends to go to school. I take his apron from him, taking care not to have my fingers brush his. Just like his gaze, I am finding it more and more difficult on myself to hold his touch, yet am not sure why. I stare after him as he heads off, but he seems to feel me looking. I guess our bond is getting stronger on both ends.
He tells me not to worry, not having realized it was a futile gesture. Repeating to him the fact that Archer's Master is a schoolmate, he shrugs and says there won't be any fight. I concur with the assessment, if he was a reference to fighting between servants. Both Archer and I had been badly weakened to about the same level of strength on my first night in this War, though I feared Archer's recovery rate would be faster, having a Master who could supply him mana.
I glumly look into his eyes, trying to impress upon him the seriousness of the situation, when I ask him for a promise, to summon me should he sense danger. I was not fully recovered, yes, but that was what I was there for…My injuries had also weakened my bond with him, and so at such a distance, I am worried I would be unable to notice any danger to him. For a moment, a part of me is angry at my inability to become a spirit, to be with him, wherever he is. Confused, he stares at his command seal, and asks me if I meant that. I confirm, Yes…as a last resort.
As he turns to leave in haphazard agreement, I add, Also, I wanted to tell you this last night, but it is best that you consider your safety as your highest priority from now on. He does not even deign to reply, but I am glad he is at least mulling it over as he leaves. The door shuts, and the house is now empty. For a second day, I am to be alone…useless…
His apron grasped in my arm, I dejectedly head to the front window, watching him leave. If I was an Archer or Assassin, or even a Berserker, I would enjoy this, I suppose. Being left on my own to wreak havoc and slay. Independent operations…
I was used in a similar manner in the 4th War, mostly because Kiritsugu and I were so incompatible in some ways. But I never liked it. To be parted from Shirou, whose lack of a sense of self-preservation was almost as strong as mine…I am Saber, and I was meant to be beside…no, before my Master, his shield, his armour…his sword.
I stand at the window long after he has closed the gate and left. I know I should be getting sleep, resting up and preparing for combat, but I just cannot draw my eyes away from the glass. It hits me then. Right now, I am Shirou's armour, yes…
Just like those cold unblinking empty suits of metal that stood in the halls of Camelot were my armour. Like a worthless statue…
