"I am serious about calling the mage association, you know. He might be able to help too. Besides he may even know about the other servants who came with Saber if they did come from the 4th War. We have to tell him, Rin, " Shirou said, looking over his shoulder. If he thought he couldn't be heard from the other room he was quite wrong.

Saber sighed. Their two weeks were nearly up and surprisingly, she'd seen very little of her former master and Rin. She wondered often where the two had been going and believed they would tell her soon, but the two came back late, if at all, and she would always miss the chance to ask them. There were days when she'd wake up and find them both gone, with only a meal left at the table for both her and Diarmuid.

"Good morning, Artu—Aria."

Speaking of whom…

"A pleasant morning to you as well. How did your little excursion go?"

Diarmuid slid next to her on the table as she served him rice. It was quite unusual…a king serving a knight…but it wasn't entirely unwelcome. Over the past few days, he'd almost gotten used to it. It was just the kind of life they lived in the Emiya home.

"Uneventfully. I visited the bridge you told me about. The one by the river. I believe I have sufficiently studied the town enough to navigate it."

"And the job search?"

Diarmuid let out a long breath. It seemed his search was unsuccessful. "Drake Odina is still without work, as my luck would have it," the knight said as he offered Saber some curry, "And you, Miss Aria Dragon?"

"I have not yet found one that would suit our needs. There are several dojos around, all of which would be glad to add western sword technique to their lessons, but I do not believe they would appreciate a tutor who would disappear without a trace every now and then," Saber replied. Arturia wasn't used to their new names yet. It would take her a few moments to process when she was being addressed by her new name.

At first, she was against the idea of adopting a new moniker, but both Shirou and Rin wouldn't let the matter go. A name like hers and those of her companions were far too conspicuous, and would attract unnecessary attention if not from civilians, then from the Mage Association itself.

The night they arrived…

"And so you need new names … and I guess we could make fake documents for each of you. It isn't just the three of you, right? Did you come with others?"

Saber and Archer abhorred the idea. Proud kings giving up their name for another? The idea was ridiculous, utterly ridiculous.

"Mongrel, I do not see the point of this preposterous proposal. If you for even one second believe this is a sound plan, then you must have gone completely mad."

The redhead, who could never truly get used to Gilgamesh's presence, turned to the orange eyed servant. "What was your name again Dieer…?" Shirou trailed off confused, hoping he would finish.

"Diarmuid O'Dyna." Lancer finished simply sighing. Was his name that much of a tongue twister?

"Yes, well…that name might be quite difficult to pronounce in this country. Perhaps something simpler? We don't have to change all of it, but we can change it into something similar. Foreign names are fine since…well…none of you even look remotely like Japanese people. We don't want the Mage Association restricting your movements so much after all."

Saber didn't see the need to change his name. She could pronounce it just fine. Diarmuid O'Dyna.

"Something that starts with D, then." Shirou stroked his clean shaven chin.

"How about Damian?" Rin suggested. Shirou smiled and scratched his head. He wasn't the best at anything foreign. He could barely even speak English. Rin on the other hand, was much much better at this. Illya too, he supposed.

"Damian: the tamer, from the Greek language, I think," the dark haired girl continued. "How about it, Lancer?"

Lancer just stared at her looking skeptic. It didn't really sound right. The Tamer. Well, considering that his death was caused by a beast, it didn't even sound remotely close to right. He made his own suggestion. "What about Daegan? It means black haired in my language."

Rin, Shirou, Illya, and Saber exchanged glances. "Any other suggestions?" Shirou asked.

"Would you mind a name from my language, Lancer?" Saber suggested. If they absolutely had to go through with this they could at least do it right.

"Not at all, what do you have in mind?" he asked Saber back, smiling, and wishing she would come up with a nice name. She did, in fact, and it was one most suited to him. Saber associated Diarmuid with a mythical being. He had the charm of a prince, the chivalry of knights, and the power of a raging beast. And as she thought of him as a rather magical being, she thought she might give him the name of the most regal of magical creatures.

"Drake: the dragon…Drake Odina. What say you?"

Hm. It had a nice ring to it. This name was English instead of Irish, but it sounded right. A dragon, eh? Unnoticeably, he smiled with his face turned, an odd sense of happiness welling in his chest.

Diarmuid turned to the orange haired man. "Is that fine?"

Shirou just shrugged, agreeing. It was an okay name. Not too hard to pronounce either. "How about you, Gilgamesh?" Shirou asked, trying his best to suppress a shudder. It was still bothering him that they were seated at a table with someone who had almost killed him and Saber ten years ago. He couldn't fathom how calm his former servant was in front of her greatest adversary, yet there she was, tranquil as a lake, with one hand on her chin.

Did Gilgamesh even have a last name? Saber found herself looking at the blonde king. Who was he really? If she should name him, what would it be? Surely it would describe him. Gil was undoubtedly strong…stronger than her…stronger than anyone she'd ever met. He owned more riches than she could ever even imagine.

"What about Gil Edric?"

A blonde eyebrow turned upward as he king waited for Saber to explain herself.

"Edric," she repeated, "An uncommon name from my time. Edric, from the words êad and rîc, meaning 'rich and powerful.' I believe it would be to your liking?" She let the new name slide off her tongue.

It was almost too easy to name her two companions, and she had found names that suited them both well. Gil, for one, subtly raised a corner of his lips as if satisfied. She would have missed it if she wasn't watching his reaction. His new name described him perfectly and said nothing less about his glory. A suitable name for a man such as himself.

Diarmuid, too, seemed satisfied with his English name. Saber contemplated whether she should have gone with what she had initially thought would suit him. Kyle. Kyle, meaning 'handsome'. Even Saber couldn't deny that. That little love spot didn't need to work to make people fall for him. He was doing that part well enough on his own. Arturia didn't think why 'Drake' even crossed her mind, but it just...fit.

And now it was her turn.

She received odd looks from her two Servant companions. It was a little difficult to name such a complicated woman. Diarmuid found it hard to find a name for her. To him she had beauty that shone brighter than the sun and all the stars, but would she agree to a name that meant that? He made a list of all the names he could think of that matched her.

Aine or Anya , an ancient Irish name that meant splendour, radiance, or brilliance... but that was also the name of one of Fionn's wives. He shuddered. Someone like Saber should not carry the name of a pitiful woman Fionn called his wife. The man married for the sake of marrying. Saber did not deserve that.

Aoife or Ava, meaning beautiful, radiant, or joyful. However that was the name of the other Lancer's, Cu Chulainn's, wife, from whom he sired a son. Having just met Cu Chulainn, he couldn't suggest that could he?

Brianna, meaning noble or virtuous.

Deirdre, the most beautiful woman in ancient Ireland, betrothed to the high king Conchobar Mac Nessa. It was a beautiful name, but he could imagine what Saber's ginger master would have said about the spelling.

Niamh, or Niav meaning radiance, lustre or brightness, a daughter of the sea god, who fell in love with one of Diarmuid's comrades and Fionn's son , Oisin. It really didn't sit well with Diarmuid that he would involve the King of Knights with anything that had to do with his past, even if he did respect Oisin.

Saoirse, "Freedom, liberty," or Orlaith, the golden princess. It didn't sound right at all. Maybe, Ryanne, meaning "little" king. Diarmuid almost snickered at that one. Maybe he could tease Saber a bit with it.

Deirdre, so far that was the best choice. Had a nice backstory to it too. But it still just didn't, well, suit her. It just wasn't quite...there.

He glanced to his side, wishing Gil Edric wasn't between him and whom he thought was the most beautiful of women. What suited her exactly? He didn't know. Arturia Pendragon was already a beautiful name, albeit a bit suspicious considering the popularity of her legend. Why was this so hard?

"We could go with a Japanese name and say you're half," Shirou suggested, "…Ryuu Akane?"

"Aria."

Ignoring the attention that came his way, the bored King of Heroes said nonchalantly, "She shortened my name, I do not see why that should not work for her. You mongrels worry about the most trivial of things. Fools."

With that, he took a sip of wine from the glass that mysteriously appeared in his hand.

Raised eyebrows decorated the odd group's faces.

"She can have Dragon as her surname then," Diarmuid suggested, "Well, to keep it close to her real name, and well, this way she wouldn't have to pretend she's half."

After giving the two male Servants a strange look, the ginger-haired man shrugged. "Sure."

Aria Dragon, huh?

Saber smiled a little, eyeing her two companions.

Drake Odina…and Gil Edric.

Present time

"You would think this would be less of a bother. We are heroes. We have a certain set of skills," the woman king uttered as she positioned Lancer's chopsticks in his hand.

"Skills that humanity has apparently abandoned, King of Knights," the man replied, struggling to get used to the wooden Japanese utensils, "As I have observed, the townsfolk these days are never in any danger of being attacked by a warring faction. Back in my day, I could at least be hired a mercenary."

"Yes, well, I have found while mercenaries exist in this era, they would much rather slay at a distance…using guns and the like. That work is more suited to those of the Assassin class, I believe."

The two knights began breakfast, every now and then sneaking a glance at the two young mages in the other room. They seemed to be deeply engrossed in heated discussion.

"So, Saber, the Mage Association…what do you know of it?" asked Lancer. When she followed his eyes, she knew Rin and Shirou were not being as discreet as they thought.

"Apart from it being exactly what its name means, they do send a representative to the Holy Grail War whenever it happens. Perhaps to harness its power. Kiritsugu was always wary of them. I was not sure whether he trusted them or not," Saber eyed her companion, "I am actually quite surprised you ask me. Your master was, in fact, the one they had sent during our time."

"My former master was not really one to talk."

The Servants found themselves looking out to their hosts once more. Rin had a hand on her forehead while Shirou continued to angrily whisper words her way.

"I think we ought to stop relying on their hospitality, Diarmuid, they are still young after all. By the way they are acting, I do not believe they have any formal occupation yet," said the King of Knights. She would hate to be a burden, especially on Shirou. The last time they met he was working multiple jobs to keep food on the table until Tohsaka arrived.

"My thoughts as well. I just wish there were a job that allowed more flexibility. We cannot be blamed if one of those seals suddenly appears and we have to leave. And those missions could take days, if not weeks," the Knight reasoned, letting his eyes drift back to the petite blonde who sat next to him.

The mission. It had been nearly two weeks since Saber's master had plopped them back into the world, and they'd received no contact from the Mage Killer since. Their few days had been peaceful, and yet somewhat lacking. The King of Heroes had taken off barely three days into their stay in the Emiya household, dubbing the place 'much too distasteful and mundane' and set out to find a more suitable home. Gilgamesh had visited Saber every day since then, hoping to charm her into living with him, but to Diarmuid's relief, the King of Knights declined the offer, every single time.

Til now, Diarmuid knew not what to make of Arturia's relationship with Gilgamesh. The King of Heroes knew just how to derail her thoughts so much she could barely hold a conversation with him without her temper winning her over. Something had happened between Lancer's death and the day he met Saber in the Throne of Heroes and he didn't know what. Try as he might, he couldn't find out.

A loud pop resounded from the yard, and Diarmuid's attention was drawn in the direction of the noise, where the two mages continued bickering in the yard. With a final Gandr, Rin decided to storm off, leaving Shirou an apologetic mess. The redhead stole a glance at the slightly ajar dining room door, unaware of the two Servants observing him.

"I think I owe the dojo another visit, what say you?"

Diarmuid just nodded.

~oooOOOooo~

The King of Heroes disinterest grew with every selling point the mongrel was making. He'd gone through all the trouble of finding the best broker in town and he'd ended up with this wretch of a human being. The hotel he was staying at til today grew dull with its painfully white sheets and lackluster furniture. Where was the grandeur, the opulence that was awarded to five-star hotels? Well, if it was a mongrel making the judgement, of course such dreary rooms and standardized wallpapers would impress. But to Gilgamesh, the King of Kings, the hotel penthouse was if anything, a bore.

"Is this the premiere residence in this wretched town?" Gilgamesh stated flatly as the Nichibotsu Kyuden, as the pathetic broker called it, came into view.

The car came around into the driveway and Mr. Fukushima opened the door for his new client. Though he didn't recognize the name Gil Edric, Fukushima could tell he was dealing with the most powerful of men. And so, the poor, simple Fukushima ended up having to wipe his clammy hands on his trousers every five minutes, as he tried to deal with the sheer dominance of this man's aura.

Who was Gil Edric? Even if he searched the web for the name he came up completely blank. By the man's exotic look and exceptional appearance, one would think Mr. Edric a celebrity. Plus, not just anyone waltzed into the Fukushima conglomerate without any money, for they only dealt in the hundred millions. And this guy just walked in like he owned the place, strutting into the President's office unintimidated. This blonde playboy must have been worth billions.

And so Mr. Fukushima found himself doing the job of the common salesman. Great.

"Wh-why, yes sir. It was built by the best modern architects in the last year."

Sir? Since when did he call his clients sir?

"Is that supposed to impress me?" asked a clearly unimpressed Gil Edric.

The foreign billionaire walked into the double doors of the Sunset Mansion. While his back was turned, Fukushima took the opportunity to set his head on straight. It was important he impress this client to so that he would consider buying a lot here in Zeitaku Heights. The Fukushima Conglomerate had acquired this entire mountainside for the purchase of powerful people, but after the unexplainable events ten years prior, all their potential buyers had scurried off. The few people who had secured lots had done it at significant discounts, which left Fukushima at a loss.

It was a shame really. Zeitaku had the best view of Fuyuki. Due to it being on the mountainside, one could hardly hear the hubbub of Shinto, and it overlooked Miyami. The Nichibotsu Kyuden, which sat on the highest lot in Zeitaku Heights, had an even better and more expansive view of the city than those modern skyscrapers all over Shinto.

"Only the sturdiest materials were used to make it sir. Luxury was the theme in mind," Fukushima answered, he himself admiring the handiwork that went into the mansion. The Nichibotsu Kyuden was designed to reflect Fuyuki. The architect who made it married the traditional housing of Miyama with the modernity of Shinto to create this masterpiece. The palace was warm, incorporating dark wooden floorings polished to perfection, yet with floor to ceiling glass windows that were usually only seen on modern zen designs.

The ceilings of this mansion were high, and it relied on indoor heating to get through the winter months, but it was worth the sacrifice for the large, crystal chandelier to hang brilliantly in the center space. From the entrance, the mansion split into three wings. The east, which housed a pool of water and a Sakura garden that bloomed in spring, the north, where the Master bedroom and various other rooms were located, and the South wing, which could hold whatever rich people wish to hold. Of course, the entrance faced the west, where one could see the Sunset, which is what the mansion was really named for.

Fukushima considered all that to be immensely impressive, but it didn't seem like Gil Edric took any interest in his words.

"And this…neighborhood. Am I not going to be surrounded by commoners like you?"

Fukushima nearly choked. Of everything he just described, that was what Mr. Edric worried about?

"Well…there are some surrounding empty lots that are owned, but I don't think that would be a problem, all our properties are quite expansive, they won't be for a miles—"

"I don't live with mongrels," Gil Edric stated with straight face.

"You're the first to reside in this compound, sir. If you do buy a lot. The others haven't yet broken ground. This house was meant to showcase how luxurious the rest of the houses here should be."

Gilgamesh considered what the mongrel had said. There weren't many alternatives that he found satisfactory. He'd been all over Fuyuki looking for a place to reside and his patience was wearing thin. So far, Zeitaku was the one he least disliked. Perhaps it will have to do.

"Have this place furnished with only the finest of materials, no matter the expense," Gilgamesh said, deciding to explore his new residence a bit.

"You-you're going to buy it sir?" Fukushima asked. Wait, the Nichibotsu Kyuden wasn't for sale! At least not yet! At best it was just a demo house.

"Mongrel, did I stutter?" Gilgamesh interrupted, sharply. His voice made Fukushima wish he was never born.

"N-no sir."

"And tell the other owners they are being bought out. From now on I own this entire compound."

Fukushima began to sweat profusely. "Bu-but sir, that would cost a at least a billion—"

Gilgamesh gave him a smile that would have scared a lion out of its skin. Good god, Fukushima was getting way too old for his job. Suddenly early retirement didn't seem like such a faraway thing.

"Now tell me mongrel, where can I acquire a gown for my beloved?"

~oooOOOooo~

"So let me get this straight. You used to be a stable boy? A hired hand?" Diarmuid chuckled, a little bounce in his step, as he walked the streets with his favorite little knight.

"Yes, and to my brother, an errand boy and escort," Saber happily informed him.

The two Servants were headed toward the dojo on the other side of town, hopefully to secure a job, maybe to find another place to stay.

"I can hardly believe it! The king of knights, brandishing the sword of her brother? Seems farfetched. You jest," Diarmuid prodded, trying to imagine a young Arturia up and about at the break of dawn, with buckets of oats on each hand to take to the horses, and then, a younger Arturia carrying a sheath that was exactly her height.

"I assure you, I tell the truth. Kay used to make fun of me as a child, saying the best I could be was his loyal stable boy."

"He was wrong, of course."

Saber smiled at the memory of her brother. Kay was a bully when she was young, but heavens, was he a softie. Kay would always put up a strong front, but Arturia and her father Ector would always know that he didn't really mean all the harsh things he was spouting. It was just the way he showed affection.

"Oh he was. I could beat him in swordsmanship at the age of nine, but he'd call each of my winnings "a darned cheat" for reasons only he could think of."

"And later, you were king," Diarmuid beamed, wondering just how Arturia's brother must have looked when the guy heard the news. He must have been stupefied.

"Yes, I pulled the sword from the stone and was king. For some reason, it didn't sit well with Kay. He was proud of course, but he always seemed distant once I had the throne. I never understood why."

Arturia's jovial tone faded, prompting the Irishman to look her way. Her eyes lacked the luster that was there just moments before. This 'Kay' must have really meant something to her.

"Perhaps he just lacked the ability to communicate it," Diarmuid soothed, offering her and understanding half-smile, "His sister went from stable boy to king in a single day."

His words seemed to calm her, as the smile returned to her face. Diarmuid felt heat surge to his ears.

"Perhaps," Arturia sighed, "I do miss him though. Before he left, he was one of the only knights I could be myself around. His words were none too kind, but everyone needs a sharp kick in the behind every now and then. Even kings." Saber chuckled, a pure sound that could fell any man.

"What about you, Diarmuid? Any siblings?" She looked at him so suddenly, it almost made him jump.

"I…wasn't exactly your average birth. My father—Oof!"

Diarmuid reeled back as he collided with a tall, muscled figure. Arturia steadied him as he teetered, but the man he collided with was thrown back from the impact. A tassel of chestnut hair whipped around from the impact as the stranger rather unceremoniously landed on his behind.

"Bollocks!"

Arturia froze. That voice! It…it can't be. It can't…

The stranger swept his hair back, and she could see the telltale marking right under his eye. The tattoo she told him never to get. She told him it would just make his scar stand out, but he wouldn't listen. He?

Visions of rolling fields and racing horses came back to her. Sparring, laughing, drinking stolen wine under the trees. Fishing by the lake, bathing even in the rain. Dim nights in the stables sharing apples with the horses. Hiding from Sir Ector on the roof of the barn.

Arguments she knew she would never ever win. Witty words, sly remarks, arrogant laughing. Showing off and shame. A snarky voice and a crude laugh. The sharpest of all tongues.

But most of all, a pat on the head when she'd done well.

"Goodness me, I must apologize. I was not watching my step," Diarmuid said, hurriedly offering his hand to help the person up.

"More like you were much too preoccupied with that pretty doll on your…arm…"

Arturia couldn't look, for fear she'd be wrong, and it wasn't him that sat there on the ground, that it was just another stranger with brown hair and a ridiculous facial scar. That there was just another man on this earth at five and ten inches with a voice like his.

"Arty?"

The King of Knights stiffened at the moniker, and felt her throat tighten with…with who knows what. Was it fear? Relief? Anguish?

"Arturia?"

God, there it was again. The familiar inflection of the r's. The nasally pitch of his baritone. Could it be?

Suddenly, she was enveloped in two strong, familiar arms. Arturia barely registered Diarmuid's flustered remarks as the smell of sun and apples overloaded her senses. A scent she associated only with one person in the whole wide world.

Her heart beat furiously in her chest, and she could feel his do the same as the stranger held her closer, locking his hands behind her back.

"It is you, isn't it, Arty? It's you. I mean, I knew it was possible but…"

A warm, salty droplet trickled down her neck and she felt the same sting her eyes. The heat was beginning to show on her face when they sank to the ground, still holding each other close. She tucked her head into his neck and desperately tried to keep her tears from falling.

"Kay."

It took forever, I know T.T. Really sorry about that. I'm doing these chapters in between academic work and I'm not sure how to handle it but bear with me hahahahah. This was a chapter meant to introduce what situation normal is like for the servants. Leave a review, I really appreciate them! I'd like to know where you think I'm going with this story. See you next chap!

akampana