How to smile:
The Eccentric Idol and The Terrifying Stalker
As the group walks, the two children stare ahead of the path they are walking towards the town they are supposed to go to for something. They couldn't remember. Honestly, they were still frightened about the events of yesterday. They know they have to do it… but still; it scares them. Uncle told them before everything happened when scary stuff happens you have Right now they are doing whatever they can to not think about that mean vampire.
"Shiri… what do you think Uncle Noah talking to that Faker about." Ren looks at the Faker, the "fake" Arturia as she talks with their uncle. Their uncle keeps a passive expression but makes a small smile occasionally. The whole time the Alter keeps a stern unfeeling expression.
"I don't know maybe fun things? But with that Faker it's unlikely." Shiri responds to her sister's question. Their uncle taught them yesterday that Heroic Spirits are the same person though. Still, they refer to the Alter as a faker because King Arthur is a noble King, not a Tyrant! They… just don't do it in front of said Alter… her eyes are scary.
"Well," Shiri jumps over a small plant on the dirt path. Her short orange hair bobs as she lands hard on her feet. Their clothes have been changed once Chaldea sent supplies and equipment. The white coat and black skirt they both wear are very much the same, down to the Mystic Codes sewed into them. Their uncle took them out the small bag he has on his person. "The only way to find out is to go there… so it's adventure time!"
"Do we have to… that Arturia is scary." Ren pauses in her walk, being a shy child scary people like the black-armored woman talking with her uncle scare her. Before she can protest her energetic sister grabs her wrist and drags her along for the ride. As they get closer, they pass Boudica who gives the two girls a small wave. Cu has departed with Jeanne and Marie to track down another saint who may help cure the silver-haired man named Siegfried. Said man can walk without aid but fighting is impossible as he gives a silent nod to the children as they pass him.
"So with hamburgers, green chili and bacon are the best on top with pepper jack cheese along with the usual stuff. I do not have a shred of national pride or love in me but America makes the best burgers. Far better than the burgers you've eaten." They hear Noah speaking. Why are they talking about hamburgers? Sure they are good, but why? Now curious, Ren joins Shiri in stride, her blue eyes shimmering with curiosity.
"It is not about quality Master, but quantity, as long as it fills my stomach I am happy to fight and kill." The Faker answers back. The conversation stops as they notice the children.
"Ren, Shiri are you two okay?" Their uncle asks. He stares back at the other two servants to see if there were any issues.
"We wanted to see what you were doing uncle!" Shiri jumps.
"Oh, I was talking with Saber here about hamburgers and a nickname." Their uncle chuckles.
"I do not need one Master. Just Saber is fine." The Saber snorts as she stares impassively ahead. Whenever the children get involved, she ignores them unless they address her directly. But this time she seems to be in a good mood though it is hard for both Ren and Shiri to tell.
"You do! Everyone I fight alongside had nicknames!" Noah chuckles as he plays with his non-existent glasses out of habit. Being near-sighted does not stop him thankfully but long-range tactics are hard at the moment as several battles over the past three days have shown.
"Tch, whatever."
"How about…. Ghost? You are rather pale after all."
"No, I am not a ghost."
"Blackie?"
"Did you even think about that one?"
"Okay… my friend had a plant named Bob."
"Then you and your friend have a terrible naming sense as you are both daft in the head. Enough of this foolishness." The Saber seemed to get irritated; the children could not help but notice as the usual scowl appeared.
"… All right then. Lucy used to have better naming sense. How about Grumpy? You're short and everything. Plus, you got the grumpy part down well." Noah chuckles as Saber's eyes narrow in warning. Knowing he is pushing it he places a hand on the black armor. After a pause, He smiles before turning around, apparently looking for someone, "Where's Lancer? She's usually around you two."
"I am here." In a cloud of golden dust, their hero appears. Usually, Arturia would be lively, sure the children never have truly seen the king smile but this time even Shiri is afraid to talk to her. Her face is sterner than usual making it about equal to the Saber near Noah. "Do you need something?"
"No, just making sure you are not dead or something. Even the children are hardly speaking of you since yesterday." Noah looks at the blue king before continuing. "Did something happen after we-?"
"No, nothing happened." Which is true but the children know something did. The reason is that they finally brought something up they saw in the dream they had. At first, Arturia had a shocked expression before her face darkened and before they knew it they ended up with Boudica with the blonde king saying she needed time alone. Did they do something bad or did they hurt Arturia's feelings? They are not sure but Ren wishes Arturia would tell them.
"However," The King looks at the Tyrant momentarily before locking eyes with Noah. "When we get back to Chaldea, we need to have words."
Noah's brow rises with slight confusion, "Words about 'that', eh? As long as you do your part. Well, probably better to wait now considering. I hope I can bring some alcohol to this little chat."
"It would be good. Now Ren, Shiri I will go back to spirit form till you need me." Without waiting for the children's reply she returns to golden dust.
Once the children can feel their hero's presence disappear Ren asks, "Is Arturia mad at us?"
"No, she's not mad at you two. She just needs adult time to consider some things we talked about. I think. Not sure what though it was only a glimpse she saw." Noah states. But it doesn't sound right to Ren or Shiri. Their uncle is usually more joking or detailed with others. Could it be something bad then?
"Humph, it sounds like that me is more of a Queen of Knights than a King of Knights. Letting such small things get her all pouty." Arturia Alter grunts. This causes Noah to chuckle.
"I'm sure she just needs to have some alone time." But their Uncle's brown eyes seemed to be worried about something. Regardless, both Shiri and Ren do not press as they are happy to be reassured that Arturia was not angry with them. Ahead of them is a certain composer who is chatting happily with Mashu about something. Mozart is serving as a guide since both Jeanne and Maire, who are at least familiar with the land, has left.
Shiri is about to leave when the pair stops in shock and it lets the little girl's job of catching up that much easier. The sight she sees makes her pause. The ruined and smoky building of stone and wood, several buildings are completely engulfed in raging reds and oranges. A few wyverns and other beast populate the area however the seemed to be trying to escape. Why?
"Stupid Lizard! Get back here!" Ren hears something around the corner before she could find out what a large fireball comes by nearly hitting her in the face! If not for Mashu pulling she would have become fried Ren!
"Ah…" Ren falls back on her bottom in shock and fear. While she thought bad people might be here, she never thought she would get so close!
"Are you okay Ren?!" Mashu looks back as she looks back at the black-haired child.
"I… am," Ren replies when something lands nearby. It lets out a growl before Mashu quickly hits it away.
"Stay close Ren Shiri!" Mashu yells as Mozart takes his baton and a spell hits a beast.
"Kick their butt Moreart!" Shiri yells as a spell hits one werewolf as Mashu slams another beast into a building with her shield.
"It is not Moreart, but Mozart child! How many times do I need to tell you?!" Mozart cries out as the howl of several of the beasts resound. Strangely they moved sluggishly and their strikes seemed weaker but that still did not make their numbers any less of a threat.
Siegfried himself can only stare from the back cursing his uselessness as the two other servants fight. However, he does not let it be known as he watches the Caster and the Shielder fight the waves. As he does, he cannot help notice that the horde of monsters seems desperate to get past them, even stepping on their still alive allies to do so.
Hearing something stepping above them, Ren looks upward at the nearby building only to see one of the humanoid beasts lunging down a wooden lance extended downward at her!
"That is as far as you go." A blast of wind launches the beast higher in the air making it fall from a higher height than it expected! The sound of flesh and bone breaking is not heard from the children as a mighty wind blows all the attacking beasts away from them. Before Ren and Shiri and the defending servants stood a knight that the children admire.
"Arturia!" Ren and Shiri are happy to see her. As is Mashu. The king's stern expression from her horse sends out an imposing aura one that makes the monsters run or freeze in fright. Their howls are ones of broken animals as they run over their allies to get away from the enemies in front. Arturia herself hardly reacts to their retreat, allowing them to do so as the children watch in awe.
"Why did they run? They seemed confident just a moment ago." Mashu asks in the back of Ren and Shiri's mind. A question that Arturia answers for them.
"Their movements seem to be slower and their teamwork is lacking as if they have been fighting something before we came along." Arturia gets off her horse as it turns to golden dust.
"I see, something or someone else, could it be the two servants that flew away from here?" Mozart looks around at the fire and smoke. Based on the roaring flames that nearly overwhelms his hearing he can still pick up noises he deems too terrible to be near. However, he has no choice but to guide his allies to that same location. "I hear… something atrocious in this direction. Please follow me."
"…." Both Siegfried and Mashu both look at each other. Both are doing their best to imagine what kind of atrocious Servants could make even the famous composer pause.
"You are a disease you stalker!"
"Maybe if you could actually sing, you might be to hit me lizard!"
Saber watches as the idiotic horned girl with a microphone like lance blocks another fireball. Honestly, she expected at least a somewhat strong servant that destroyed the town not a childish battle between two idiots. However, orders are orders. She best just treats this as a warm up if it comes to it. No doubt it would cause issues with Boudica who followed them if she hurt them too badly.
"You sure you don't need my help, Saber?" Saber's golden eyes look to the taller man beside her. The man was like the Archer that assisted her in Fuyuki but this one lacked something vital. It was something that annoyed her but regardless she was at least placated by his company. Boudica, the tall woman was at least decent company but she was so damn nosy. It annoyed her.
"No, I hardly think a childish tantrum would be hard to stop." Saber looks to her Master who wears a blank expression. Noah wishes to capture and interrogate them for information. But he wishes to talk them down first. Boudica agreed with this idea while Archer and herself offered nothing, leading to a unanimous decision. Why she does not know, but she is the Servant and he is the Master. What Noah says goes… to a point.
"Are sure hope that child knows what he is doing. While these girls are noisy, they are still Servants." Boudica sighs.
Saber wants to argue that fact but does not do so. She knows her Master's body is weak and weakening more. However, the mind is strong, and his body was trained, so the tyrant highly doubts Noah would die so quickly.
At least till she gets her hands on the grail. An actual grail that can work.
"Ladies, ladies, could I have your attention for a moment?" Noah calls out to two fighting fools. It is not till her Master calls out to them once more they cease fighting.
"What do you want? I'm busy teaching this half-baked idol a lesson." The yukata wearing servant with flowing blue hair narrows her snake-like eyes at Noah's words.
"I am doing the same pig. So make it quick." Noah's brow rises on the pig comment but drops it.
"You two do realize you set fire to a town right?" Noah questions as the two girls look back to the flaming ball of a town as if now realizing their actions. "Were there any people there?"
"There were some, till this putrid woman chased them away!" The pinkette horned girl points out with a finger tipped in a claw at the blue-haired woman who huffs out a bit of flame from her mouth.
"They are the ones who asked me to get rid of you." The girl crosses her arms as she levels a glare at her accuser. "They couldn't take your singing anymore!"
"Yeah right, they loved my singing! You are just a jealous, lonely stalker!"
"Lizard!"
"Worm!"
As the two insult each other back and forth; Noah places a hand over his head as if to stop an impending headache. Saber doesn't blame him in the least. Finally, the two childish servants stop, gasping for air. After a few moments the two….
"BITCH!" The two yell at the same time.
The girls drew closer till their head make a dull sound. Noah opens his mouth, "I-"
"SHUT UP! IF YOU GET IN THE WAY WE'LL CRUSH YOU FIRST!" They yell at the same time. It is unknown why they suddenly sided with each other and attacked but Saber was not here to judge their stupidity. Only here to judge their physical power.
"Saber, if you please. Shut them up." Noah speaks cordially as if inviting the tyrant to dance.
And she is hoping this is not a complete waste of time and od.
"Arturia how did you do that wind thing it was like-" Shiri makes a large whooshing sound as she moves her arms similarly to Arturia, her mouth filling in the sound effect of gushing wind. The group has to drift through the damaged village as burning debris blocks certain pathways. Mashu and Arturia could easily move the large ones one without issue but moving them may alert the few left behind beasts and a cornered beast is even more deadly.
Arturia does not hear as the group makes another turn. It is not till Ren pulls on her hand that she takes notice of her masters.
"What is it, Ren?" Arturia looks down at the twin-tailed girl's unhappy face. Combined with her sister's also displeased expression makes her pause.
"Are you angry at us?" The serious look on Ren's face makes the Lancer pause. Why is the quiet child asking this question?
"What makes you think I am displeased with you two?" Arturia asks with a confused expression. The surrounding Servants listen but mostly focus ahead.
"Well…." Ren trails off suddenly nervous at the sudden attention. Fortunately for the child, Shiri takes her Sister's place.
"You've hardly talked to us. Also, you've been invisible or something!" Shiri jumps up and down to make her point. While the King of Knights thinks the action as adorable she realizes how she has been acting the past several days. Perhaps she thought of the children as one of her knights, but they had been grown men. Not children.
There is also a reason. Arturia herself has things that may disturb the children. She was a king, and she was no saint. But what she saw in the children's dream disturbed her greatly. Not only because her Masters had to bear witness to it. But what it means for humanity. The atrocity she saw of that... creature and the havoc it caused. When she went to the more mature source, which is their uncle. The result was expected.
"We'll… talk about it when we get back to Chaldea… I really don't want to talk about it here." Noah's face takes on a dark expression. His eyes turn to the darkness as if he does not want her to see his eyes. "I really don't want to talk about it, not without a drink or two. Please don't bring it up to the girls either."
"Why? They have already been through one battle one war-" Arturia starts but Noah's hand rises. She cannot see his eyes in the darkness save what the distant fire lights. All she can see is that his mouth hardens for a moment before he speaks.
"They are children, I already hate they've yet to decide what to fight for yet have to fight, or what to think of humanity. They are innocent in all regards. Those are my actions that led to the creation of that monster. I took responsibility for it. When they have grown and learned, they can decide on that fact….and make sense of that witch for themselves."
"Besides, you want to know more about them… when you keep your own secret, Your Majesty. Do you honestly think I will talk about them honestly?" Noah snorts then turns away with a wave. "Well, if you want to know so much about them… try removing that mask first."
"I… apologize." The lancer pauses as she stares down at the children and tries to think of a fitting excuse. Since Mashu is not reacting, it would seem she either does not understand what the children went through or is ignorant. The Caster, Mozart watches in interest. So, she stands alone in this venture. "I had a bad dream. And it was something that scared me."
"What kind of bad dream?" The children ask. Obviously, they will ask.
"A bad one."
"How bad?"
"It was-" Before Arturia can look for help she hears a loud scream. As does everyone else making them pause as they head toward the source. They are not sure who yelled but based on Mozart's reaction it was obvious it was someone with bad vocals.
"Okay stop! I surrendered okay?!"
"I-I don't like agreeing with this lizard but please cease already!"
"I can't believe this is happening. She ruined my exercise." A familiar voice makes everyone more curious as they draw closer. After moving out of the way of the last ruined building, they finally get to see the scene. Before them was an interesting scene. One that made even Arturia look on in disbelief.
"I told we are sorry… the fire, everything just let us-" they hear a sharp yelp from the horned girl that's on her knees as the flat of a sword smacks her bottom. The tall owner looks less than pleased as she smacks the flat of the sword on the bum of the blue-haired girl, who also offers similar apologies. Her other self looked at the scene with slight disbelief. Archer and Noah looked at the event with barely an emotion.
"What's… going on here?" Mashu questions at the scene, the young Masters hide behind their hero's knees as they witness the horrible scene as the pair of girls earn more swats.
"Long story short, Saber kick their butts and afterward… well, Boudica decided to swat them for selfishly destroying the town." Noah explains.
"Are you done? I believe at this rate they might not even be able to talk Boudica." Archer tilts his head in Boudica's direction.
"I'm done…" Boudica says as she eyes the two Servants with a critical eye. "For now…"
"Thank you! Our great savior!" The two girls cheer but a single look from the Rider makes them be quiet.
"Uh um… is this how Auntie Boudica wanted to punish you Arturia?" Ren whispers as she looks up at the King and asks the innocent question. Arturia herself can only try to picture the humiliation.
"No, I highly doubt it," Arturia whispers just low enough for the two children to hear it. Yet somehow….
"No, I never planned to humiliate a King in such a fashion but I was hoping you would help out of the kitchen sometime!" Boudica somehow hears them making Arturia sigh while Ren and Shiri jump in surprise. How did the Queen hear their low whispers?
It took some time and much work but finally the group and their new… tormented allies finally found a place to crash for the night. A certain Saber took it upon himself to make sure everyone is comfortable as he still cannot fight. As of this moment, Siegfried is under the watchful eye of Shiri and Ren as he makes a campfire. Since Siegfried was a warrior and not a mage, he used the way he was taught long ago. With a few more twists of the stick, he made a small flame erupted and quickly let tenderly he put the small twigs and bunches of leaves the girls gathered to use as the small flame covers them.
"So this is how I started my fire back then. Just because I bathed in Fafnir's blood does not mean I can breathe fire." Despite his usual stiffness Siegfried could not help but make a small smile. The children, mainly Shiri, wished to see Siegfried make a fire; apparently, the poor redhead thought he could breathe fire due to their excitement giving way as they gather twigs and leaves. The slightly depressed girl was outlasted by her sister's glowing blue eyes as the small flame grows.
"So this is how you made fire!?" Ren's shining eyes of admiration surprise the Saber honestly. The black-haired child was so quiet that he believed her to be disinterested.
"Y-yes. We did not have matches and other things you two mentioned in my time." Siegfried states as he looks toward to the blonde knight watching over the two with slight amusement. The two children look where the German prince was staring noticing who they are staring at.
"Arturia!" Shiri runs toward the King of Knights with amber eyes of filled with interest. "If Siegfried cannot breathe fire then can you?!"
Arturia for her part keeps herself composed save for a sigh as she expected the question, "I am sorry Shiri. I do posses dragon's blood like the Dragonslayer before you, however, I cannot breathe fire, nor can I grow wings and fly. Unlike the girl here…"
"Eh? What are you talking about?" The horned girl appears as she walks out of the forested area being extra careful to not have a leaf or a speck of dirt fall on her. This girl as the two Masters and the Servants have learned this Servant of the Lancer class was Elizabeth Bathory, the same woman who attacked them some time ago but at a younger age… who aspired to be an idol of all things.
"I just got done patrolling just as you guys wanted… happy?" Elizabeth narrows her eyes at Arturia and Siegfried. As a continuation of her punishment, they required her to do Arturia's grunt work, mainly patrolling and taking out beasts that ventured near. Based on the bit of blood remaining on the tip of her lance/microphone they can at least tell she is taking her forced duties seriously.
"Very well." Arturia nods as she stares at the growing fire. She looks at least a couple yards ahead seeing Noah making another fire, this time with more modern conveniences sent by Chaldea. Her mind wonders. Perhaps it's time to tell the true story of her reign?
"No… not here… it should be more private… and in Chaldea. I'd rather do this gently as possible." The King of Knights thinks. She resolved herself in telling her untold past from the children as she considered Noah's words. She shouldn't ask about their past if they hardly know about hers. It would be wrong and more than dishonorable as their hero.
"Ms. Bathory, could I see your wings again? Can I?!" Shiri skips over while Ren watches from a distance, nervous to approach the lancer. The young countess seems surprised by Shiri forwardness as her eyes widen at the sudden attention as her dragon tail wags just the slightest like a puppy.
"Humph, w-well, if Puppy is going to ask. I always am willing to show a fan!" A slight blush adorns the countess's face as her wings open from her back. They are wide, black-scaled, and easily release a small gust of wind as they unfurl.
"I understand why this child wears such clothing but still why not cover the front more?" Arturia mentally questions as she stares at the Lancer's clothing. "The fact she barely covers herself is… irresponsible. What if Shiri tries to mimic her?!"
"They are so pretty…." Ren mutters as both Siegfried and Arturia watch carefully. They highly doubt Elizabeth would try anything with so many servants around but due to this one being… "special" as Noah kindly put it, the two watched to make sure nothing insane happened. The Berserker, named Kiyohime, was at the other fire seemingly watching Noah's movements with interest.
It would seem Elizabeth heard those words from Ren as she puffs out her chest proudly. Her wings flap slightly making a slight breeze. "Of course! An idol always has to be in their tip-top shape!"
"Forgive me, Elizabeth but can you put them away. My fire is going out." Siegfried moves to protect the fire he made. However, the idol barely hears the man over the young redhead's praises. Though it was just simply for having wings, the girl seems happy compared to the other servant who was still patrolling.
The merriment soon ends however when Arturia feels a shiver go up her spine and it feels like something is missing as if something is incomplete. Obviously, Boudica and Archer feel it as they pause in their actions Archer simply continuing to do his forced task of cooking in a split second as Boudica pauses for a few moments longer before turning to Noah, who wore a confused expression on his face as the doctor's image suddenly appears on the watch he wears. The children pause momentarily confused at the feeling they are having as it is something they never felt before nor have any Servants contracted to Chaldea tried to tell them. The stopped movements and the suddenly sad expressions make both Siegfried and Elizabeth confused and worried. Arturia herself slowly moves forward to the children prepared to comfort them if needed.
The Servants of Chaldea never expected it to happen, not this soon at least….
Caster, Cu Chulainn, has been killed in action.
Next Chapter: Scab Removal, The Imperfect Knight
A/N:
Normally I would tell why I am so late but I won't. This time I am going to take some time to announce a few things. One of them being that I plan to publish How to Smile, along with a few of my other stories, to AO3. I will still publish everything here first, but this is due to the scare we had some time ago, one reason I hesitated on publishing on this site for a time, or writing any reviews. I'm still setting up but hopefully soon How to Smile will be set up on AO3.
Also since there is a good chance of me not publishing anything else this year, Merry Christmas! Also may the Gacha Priest bless your rolls!
Now onto some reviews as usual. Also I want to give thanks to Sliverbug and SaberAoi for editing/ looking over this. Also, RenRider for the help on a certain scene. So give those three a pat on the back or a high five. That or adorable things like cats.
Reviews:
PasiveNox:
Thank you for the encouraging Reviews!
Dead Pann:
I suppose if you don't think too hard about it….actually Emiya Alter is the most unlikely one to give advice about children honestly. But I think its better than nothing since Arturia has a E rank in parenting and child education lol.
Neither the less…things will get interesting very soon.
