Vanilla Tart

Armed with a shopping list and three co-conspirators, one former Knight of Treachery and the Grail-Trio sett off for the next quest known as 'grocery shopping'. They had been asked to fulfill this most sacred task, as the storage was running low and there was a sales weekend marathon at their local store.

"So...uh, we are only going shopping. Why are you all riled up about it?"

Well, there was another person in their group, since one had to actually drive them there first, and the usual driver was out cold with the flu.

And Gareth hadn't had the time, either.

Purple hair cascaded around as Galahad turned, eyes locking on icy blue ones. "Well, it's nice of them that they'd trust us not to do something stupid."

"I agree – though, given the two in front, that's a logical worry." Bors answered as well, and one Rin Tohsaka nodded after a short glance at the two classmates fighting over the bio-bananas or the normal, cheaper ones.

She sighed lowly.

"Don't be like that," Galahad admonished – and Rin had to grin at how stupidly cute it looked, "Mordred's really happy that Kay sent her off without any of the 'older' Knights supervising. You should have seen the first time Mordred was assigned shopping duty – neither Kay, nor Lancelot or Gawain let her out of their general view."

The former head of the Tohsaka line raised her eyebrow. Looking over at the (still) arguing duo, she often forgot that the blonde was, after all, the alleged knight of treachery. Who had a similar fate to another former homunculus, not that Rin knew if Ilya was around as well or not.

Her gaze softened, muttering, "That's a big step in trust, huh?"

Bors nodded, while checking the list.

The rest of the shopping went by without much distractions, Rin slipping into her sarcastic persona more than once at the incredibly idiotic antics Percival and Mordred were up to. Really, were all people with red hair this thickheaded, or only the particular lot that she knew?

At one point, Mordred ran into a small girl, knocking both of them over. She was about to cry, eyes having already glossed over, as Percival jumped between them, somehow managing to make her laugh until her mother noticed and apologized.

And the puns – oh god, the puns. Rin still had to groan at the thought.

("Would you look at the thyme!", "I relish the fact that you mustard to ketchup to me.", "We make a great pear.")

Terrible.

Utterly terrible.

Shaking her head on the way out, Rin muttered, "I see, Mr. I-let-you-take-over-I'm-cataloging. You did this absolutely on purpose."

"Whatever are you talking about, Rin?" Percival grinned at her, and she felt her eye twitch.

"If there is any sort of problem, lettuce help you."

"Berserker kill me now-"

The others laughed.

Eton Mess

She had decided to enter the cafe on a whim, seeing as how it was recommended to her by her co-worker at the hospital.

(It obviously hadn't had to do anything with the fact that Travis, said co-worker's brother, worked there as well. Or that said nurse thought it would be a good idea, since she'd been so engrossed in medieval literature lately)

Still, here she was, and it would be a shame not to enter, so Beatrice – because as long as she wasn't home, thinking of herself as anything other than that resulted in her not answering to the name, and that could prove to be a fatal mistake in her field of work – firmly opened the door.

With a chime, she entered the nostalgia-evoking cafe and looked around, taking everything in. It belonged to a friend of the famous archaeologists that found Avalon, and it could clearly be felt. Sighing and sitting down at an empty seat, Beatrice let her mind wander. It really was beginning to stress her out, not being able to talk about what happened to her – of not knowing if she was the only one, or if others were in the same situation as her, suddenly regaining past memories.

It left her disoriented and scared the first time it happened, and Beatrice didn't know what to do, but she managed, somehow.

But it was getting progressively harder to hide behind a facade of everyday life, and even her smile was beginning to show cracks. Neither her children nor her husband were truly hers, were not reincarnated – had she inadvertently destroyed the life of Beatrice Haran?

She loved her work, but it left her empty and yearning for something that couldn't be put into words.

A waiter came up – his name tag read 'Lancelot' – and she ordered a simple coffee and a walnut cake.

There was a short scuffle in the direction of the kitchen, and instead of 'Lancelot', Travis emerged with the order. He smiled at her and set the items down, and she winked at him, playfully.

"It's good to see you Bea; how come you decided to visit?"

He sat down next to her, in a conversational mood, and she glanced at him, silently wondering what his boss would say. "... after much persuasion from Isabel, I decided I'd try it out."

Travis chuckled. "My sister can be quite a handful, I take? Nonetheless it's good to see you again."

Beatrice smiled, and they sat in companionable silence for a short while. Then, another redhead burst from the door, smiling as he approached.

Well, tried to approach, as Percy was whisked away by 'Lancelot' from earlier, a stern look on his face.

She sighed, being used to his antics whenever she visited. There was something exceptionally sentimental about the little cafe, because she found herself suddenly much calmer, as if both of her lives were finally in alignment.

She glanced at Travis as he fingered his archery equipment. It seemed that he either finished his shift or was about to start, but from his calm behavior, it was probably the former. How she longed for the bow herself, to simply leave worry and tension behind and take part in the thrill of the game -

but she was a nurse now, Beatrice mused, so there really was no need for swordsmanship, or horseback riding. That would only confuse the thin line she had set herself.

Still, with her past memories she could see the care the archer put into his equipment, as well as his stance, which was something she never paid any notice, before.

Concentrating, she tried to determine why it was so familiar.

The door chimed, and Beatrice looked at the newcomer.

She was a beautiful woman with an aura that radiated confidence and warmth.

Travis seemed to notice where she was looking, because he answered her unasked question. "That's the Lady Guinevere – her family owns the cafe."

Beatrice glanced back at him, noting for the first time that all of the workers radiated the same kind of alertness the archer before her -or the owner- had. "You call her by her work name rather than her real name? That's... surprisingly informal coming from you. Though, you did ad 'Lady'."

Travis grunted once, most of his focus on the string. "It's a force of habit, I guess. Really, if you'd know how often I introduce myself as Tristan, you wouldn't believe."

She did. With a sudden tightness to her voice, and the yearning back tenfold, she murmured, "I do. I know the feeling."

And never had she wished to talk about what she was, who she was, more than in that moment, even if it was only work for Travis. She grinned weakly and lifted her cup to her lips.

"The name suits you, though – with your penchant and talent for archery. Without a doubt you would have done great in m-an army." The last part was mostly muttered, but Travis heard her anyhow.

Putting the bow back into it's case, he took a long glance at her. He studied her, before his eyes narrowed. "I never noticed before, but your bearing has changed – it is much more attentive than before. Almost –"

His eyes widened, and he stood up abruptly.

"Milady," it was a whisper, but Beatrice tensed up nonetheless, because his whole stance turned much more alert and rigid, like a knight-escort for his ladyship –

"please follow me into the kitchen."

She did as she was told, a small part of her mind hoping, but she snuffed it out. The last time she did as such, it ended in embarrassment and a friend less (who probably thought she was a lunatic. Which was why she never spoke of it again).

They entered the sacred area of every kitchen-field work, and she allowed herself to take a short glance around, noting with satisfaction that it was clean.

"To think I never noticed," Travis seemed ashamed, but turned his attention back to her, some of the co-worker's glancing at each other, confused, "even though you look like a nocked arrow without a target. All pent up."

His gaze turned solemn, Beatrice felt that this would become a turning point for her – she could either leave, or finally put words to that yearning. Still, she did little to show her internal thoughts, keeping a calm face.

"You have regained the memories of your past self, have you not?"

Her eyes widened, and she felt a sudden rush of euphoria as Travis continued.

"You hold yourself with a weight a person in this day and age would rarely have. You are more similar to the Queen or the King in that regard."

"Then... you are Sir Tristan," he nodded, and blue eyes glanced at the others, "and they are the legendary Knights of the Round? And the owner is High-Queen Guinevere?"

Travis (or rather, Tristan) nodded, and all work ceased as the knights gathered round, a respectable distance between them – only the Queen, who had a soft smile, and a blonde stepped forwards.

(And Beatrice noted how creepily in sync all of them were, to pull it off).

The blond gave a curt nod, and introduced herself whilst Tristan stepped back. "My name is Artoria Whittington, though I was known as King Arthur in life."

Beatrice's eyes widened – this was King Arthur? Still, she noticed the very apparent hierarchy the knights had around both her and the Lady Guinevere, and fell back into her own role with an ease she never knew she missed.

"It is a pleasure meeting you, Milord. Milady. My name is -" the Queen of Victory, she was about to say, but the King had not introduced herself as 'King of Knights' or any other grand title the people had given her. Truly, what a pleasure meeting someone who strove for their countries' Victory as much as herself. "- Boudicca."

Strawberry Mousse

"My name is Boudicca."

Artoria's eyes widened (and was sure her knights did the same). That woman before her was...

A smile split her face. "It is a great pleasure meeting you, Queen Boudica."

Giving the woman in front of her a courteous kiss onto her hand, the blonde saw her tense up, then relax. Noting her movement, she had to admit that Tristan was true in his assessment. She was tense, and her whole body seemed to fight the ingrained behavior that spoke of proper etiquette.

Artoria raised an eyebrow at this – she had long since accepted that her and her Knights were not the only heroes of old walking around, as a certain Lancer (and a certain former Master) proved, but from the relief on Queen Boudicca's face, the poor woman was not aware of such.

Dropping the kingly mask, she turned to the still-gathered knights.

Who seemed torn between staying and working.

Sighing once, she shot them a glare. "I am not paying you to stand around if there are still customers. Off you go!"

"Right!" Gawain blinked out of his stupor, shot the Lady a smile and dragged his sibling and Kay outside, with Lancelot following. Bors went back to the baking pastries, and Galahad scurried outside with Percival.

Artoria was left in a little bubble of security with both queens, and leaned against the table. Gwen watched her, still standing, but her posture relaxed as well, and both turned to Boudica.

"I suppose you were not aware of any other who has awakened?"

She looked stunned for a moment, but answered nonetheless, with a shake of her head.

Gwen smiled sympathetically. "You can ask us any sort of question you'd like – it might help."

There was a short second of silence, then,

"Why do you use your real names as aliases in the cafe? That – aren't you afraid that it... will complicate things? For both the you of now and the you of past?"

"I..." now, how could she answer that question? She had always been Artoria, since birth, so there was no other 'her'. Guinevere seemed better suited to answer.

"When I regained my memories," she begun, "I was scared and surprised. How could I not? I was fifteen and naive, and suddenly there were memories belonging to a me that was not quite me, and it was frightening. The first time I've met Artoria-" she glanced over, "I was crying my eyes out because I didn't know what to make of everything."

Boudicca nodded, listening.

"Now, I won't say that I know full well what you've gone through, but I can take a wild guess – you are afraid of having replaced this 'you' that existed now?"

"Yes." The worry was clear as day, and Gwen's smile turned softer.

"You have always been you – both the Queen of Victory and Miss Beatrice – there never was another you. This is your life; your second life, so enjoy it to it's fullest, no matter what path you take."

Artoria quipped in as well, "There is no line between then and now, so you do not have to worry – though," she thought back to Tristan's words, "I think it might do you well to work of that stress at some kind of facility – the archery range works wonders for us, as does the dojo at my parents' home; if you wish, you can accompany us next time."

Boudicca blinked. There was a sudden dawning of relief. "I see, thank you. I believe that I might take up on those words – this helped, verily. Being able to talk to someone, I mean."

Sorry for the longer wait, but I got sick last week, and it's nasty. Between that and class Tests (well, Klausur, but ya) I simply didn't have the time or energy to write. This chapter here wouldn't be around if I didn't already have it pre-written, since my time's kinda...gone. Well.

Not the Sleepover, since I didn't have time (but it's on it's way, I promise) but I wanted to update at least something this week. Next is also going to be later than normal, cause I turned 18 on Monday and I'm having a Party :D !

Hm... what else? Have a poor Rin. these People simply aren't on her intelectual Level, huh xD And Boudica, one of my favourite customers! (Next to a certain Irish Dog- I mean, Lancer)

Review Time !

XarksTheHunter: ...never saw anything touho-related xD I kow the Feeling, a week without a fic feels more like a month!

CG-3m1y4: Haha xD It's fun, because I updated the last one around three in the afternoon, if I remember right C: And I agree to that, Shirou teasing is fun! (meanwhile, she hides in the Corner, voice growing meek:) sorry 'bout the Sleepover, life happened.

Delca: That's cause Shirou is able to peel them off rather easily xD Also, don't worry, the plush will be back! I have something planned for it :3 And sick time... hehehe *cackles maniacally *

98kazer: Don't we all? ^^

Hirushoten: That's what I love about them; Shirou sees right through her 'act' and does everything in his might to make her drop it :)

Fireminer: Well, I'm happy that you read it nonetheless ;3 As for the characters: it's easier for me to write about 2-6 characters interacting than 12 or so in such short Desserts. And there are a lot of mains, considering the Roundtable and Gwen and Merlin make up quite a lot already. I'm sadly not able to give all of the charas as much Attention as I'd like (like Bors for example, or Merlin, but that might Change), so I try to Limit the Count to at least do good in their interactions. Any more and I wouldn't be able to Balance them, I guess.

Domimangasfan: Thanks a lot :D And he really might do that xD

Vhosek: Hehehe *blushes * well, I thank you xD I love writing Hershel, he's such a bumbly dad, but you know he loves his daughter very much xD And archaeology. That too.

Skylar Yuki: Hehe, then my Mission is accomplished! ;3 I'm happy that you like Gemstones as well, it makes me all warm and fuzzy :)

- Also, I found this wonderful Musical Artist the other day, check her out! Heather Dale is amazing, and I especially love Trials of Lancelot, As I Am and Mordred's Lullaby (hah!). And Kingsword. And culhwch and olwen. ... pretty much anything from her, really. My favorite has to be As I Am, though. Anyone else imagining Saber and Gwen?

Ahem, that was me fangirling xD

Well,

Happy Baking Everyone!