AN
Zennishi: In simple words, an SI in an OC container.
For sakes and purposes, even though the OC gender was revealed, I will still refer her as 'they'.
Hints for the OCSI Servant:
-The OC didn't exist yet in FGO but they are present in legit history.
-While they are alive, they are related to one of the Servant when he was under the state of madness.
-They are married to the sister of the Servant mentioned above.
-I purposedly made them genderbend.
Look here... Savior of Humanity... For we are impressed by your dedication in saving this world...
OUR world... and so we adhere our lives before you, the living and the dead...
for we serve with the one volition and that is to obey our Master... Even if our Master was the only one left...
Even if all your servants were to be perished... Even if the world is upside down...
Even if the humanity will be compose of only you... Even if the world abandoned you... Even if the world was against you...
as long as you remember US Contractor... OUR Contract...
we, the servants whose name forged upon the forgotten and lost... we, the servants who only exist in the alternate side of the world...
we, the servants forgotten by the reality ... no matter what, as long as you have the will to live... we will come for you...
Prologue: The Aesthetics
I couldn't help but look around with awe and astonishment. The game did not give justice on how it described or show the interior of the Chaldeas. Even the beautiful background of Chaldea that showed during the dialogues does not even equate to what I have been witnessed. Justified though that this is the real deal.
Yes, the realization was too much to for me that I kept on craning my neck as I gobble all what I must see. This was noticed by the other staff as well as some Servants.
"… and this is our cafeteria, Velvet-san." Mashu kept on introducing as I kept an open ear. Ritsuka was missing because he was really busy at this moment as expected of the last Master of Chaldea.
"…amazing." And here I am, acting like a tourist. I was still in my mystical armor and my boots clinking in rhythm as we walk in a steady pace. If only I have my camera. Even though I am quite solitary in my previous life, I can still appreciate what the society can offer to everyone.
It just sucked a lot when you wanted to introduced yourself fairly to everyone with your true name (as well as the name of servant that I was currently contained to… yes, I knew it so well that I have trouble distinguishing what was mine and what was 'hers'…. But too bad, a command seals of some sort prevented me to give out my identity). I wonder if I could still join Ritsukarayshifting to some singularities.
Speaking of singularities, I wonder where they are currently be. To be honest, I am still clueless on what singularity are they are about to deal sooner or later but. Even thought the Servants here are still few, I wouldn't trust them as a hint to what they were about to face one. Maybe, Ritsuka was FTP player or a mega-whaler…
Does Saintz Quartz here still applicable?
"Oh my." A gentle sweet voice caught my attention and a white haired lady with a sweet nature looked at me with curiosity. Except for her baggy cap, she should be Marie Antoinette, a rider-class Servant. "A new Servant? Nice to meet you."
She offered me a hand, her soft, smooth hand— err, I didn't intend to sound like a creep but that's how I describe the queen in front of me. I was too focused on how to proceed with her Majesty's hand; was I to shake it like a normal person or kneel before her and kissed it like a knight? It was quite legit since I'm in an armor I might be a knight.
A couple of boggling seconds and I finally decided to act like a normal person. I shook her exquisite hand gently.
"Nice to meet you too…" My tone slipped off but thankfully, I avoided naming her directly. It was very hard to be suspicious right now, especially I could see Mozart, Sanson and de Eon trailing behind her. "My name is, err, Saber Velvet."
"What a unique name!" Marie, praise be, just thought my name as strange.
"Antoinette-san, Saber Velvet-san is under special circumstances that prevented her telling her true name." Mashu explained my hopeless situation.
"Ah, that's a sad news." This totally confirmed that the Chaldea haven't reached the Epic of Remnant as they should have mentioned of Servants concealing their true name. It seems that I was still the only special case.
That also means Chaldea haven't reached Solomon yet. *shudders*
"It's not how you think, Marie-san, I really wanted to introduce my true name, you know… so I am just content on being called Saber Velvet."
"That's totally cool, Velvet-san." Marie cheered me, even for a little bit. "Please excuse us, Velvet-san. We are on our way to the studio." She said as she walked briskly, followed by the French trio. My eyes still lingers on them until I let go.
Marie Antoinette was a really sweet individual.
Mashu looked at me with beaming face. "Saber Velvet-san, you are happy, don't you?"
"Yes, of course, Mashu-san."
"It really makes me happy too." Oh, so adorable Mashu. "It seems that this is the end of our tour, by the way." I understood what she meant. "If you have noticed that there are still rooms and entrances that we haven't explored, please do understand that it is a restricted area."
"I understand, Mashu." I must not make her worry as I cupped her shoulder for a while.
"If you have any problems, you can talk to Da Vinci or Dr. Romani if they have the allotted time." Mashu said as she was prepared to leave me. "Thank you, Saber Velvet-san for accompanying me."
"No, thank you, Mashu for touring with me." I exclaimed.
Mashu just gave me a slight wave before she walked away hurriedly. Maybe to find her SenpaiRitsuka. When Mashu finally disappeared, I was left to my own devices.
I caressed my chin as curiosity took advantage of me.
"Now, where should I go?" I voiced my thoughts.
I keep on thinking until I've decided that hanging out in the library might be good. I'm an avid reader though so that's a plus.
When I first enter the library with Mashu while touring, It was unexpected for it to be just 'right'. I mean neither too large nor too small, just right. I sort of expected it to be as large as well. Nevertheless, library are still library. I already disintegrate my chest armor, only revealing a sleeveless, turtle neck black sweater that emphasized my chest unexpectedly. I gave myself a chuckle because this is might how I looked like in a 2nd or 3rd ascension. You know when they shed their clothing the more they ascend—ah, forget it.
Meanwhile, I was aware that there are Servants now occupying it as before, it was empty when I first checked it. Taking a first step, I immediately recognized who it was.
Sitting on a chair and reading a big book was a little kid with a blue hair, Hans Christian Andersen himself. I felt flutter inside, without him there would be no Frozen eh. He might have no knowledge about it, hell, I feel he would hate it once he heard that kid's movie was based on one of his works, only 'bastardized'. Well, ignorance was a bliss.
… and I'm still staring at him subconsciously that he frowned visibly and looked at my face finally. My bad.
"What's the big deal, you big oaf!" He exclaimed and I was a bit hypnotized for a moment when you realized that his voice was a complete inverse of what a small child sound.
His voice was that of a grown, mature man with a deep vocal chords. Despite having a foreknowledge about the way he sound unique, especially when you can hear Dio, even though I never watched Jojo ever in my Memes supplied my knowledge about that cool, time-stopping vampire.
… And I just made Hans more agitated. "Can you even hear me? I'm talking to you!"
"Err, yes, I can hear you." I said in an awkward tone.
"Hmmp. I wonder if your upbringing made you deaf or are you a real deal?"
"Sorry what?"
"Nonsense! My friend!" A hammy voice just interrupted my musing. Definitely Shakespeare. The playwright entered the library coincidentally.
"The 'oaf' you are referring for is our newly arrived guest. Now as a gentleman, why don't you give her warm welcome?"
"New and old Servants? Bah! I don't care."
Shakespeare huffed. "As expected of Andersen, it never gets old." He chuckled which was ignored by Hans.
"I'm so sorry, Mister Hans…" I tried to apologize to the Fairy Tale Writer but to no avail.
"Hnn. Forget it. Apologies are rather expensive, in three pages and four paragraphs respectively… I bet you can't compete with that."
Even though I wrote a lot in my previous life, I think I couldn't compare with Hans here. Suddenly, Shakespeare tapped my shoulder gently.
"Now, now, don't be sad, Hans is not in his mood right now – now, that I mentioned it Hans is always not in a mood." Was he trying to joke? Do I need to laugh now?
"Saber Velvet, was it?" Shakespeare reconfirmed, to which I nodded. I felt like a dumb doll between this two Caster Servants.
"…I heard some rumors that you can't utter your true name due to some strong magic?"
"Yes, that's true."
Then Shakespeare begun his hammy voice-acting. "Such tragedy worthy of being written! My condolences upon you."
Shakespeare was weird. I mean Servant-wise. The Playwright tapped his chins as he thought of something very deep.
"May perhaps I suggest Medea …"
I'm fully aware what Medea capable of, especially her Noble Phantasm, which I feared somehow.
"—No … no, thanks, Medea has already examined my condition… I don't want to be struck by her dagger." I interrupted to which I realized my blunder. Damn my mouth!
Shakespeare's face slowly turned to frown and warped into suspiciousness as he caress his orange beard in a rhythm.
"…hmmmmm…" The Playwright hummed playfully as he maintained a gaze toward my face.
I hastily explained to him. "Please don't misunderstand me! I have—"
*Thou shall not reveal thy abilities…*
I felt my head boggled and my mouth shut tight against my will. This command seals has taken effect again. Although it did not hurt physically, it was soooo annoying.
Too much knowledge about FGO and you can't even whisper about it!
"Did you feel that, Andersen?"
"Don't know, don't care…" Hans resumed his daily reading and did not even bother to look at Shakespeare.
"My Fair Maiden, I only suggested Medea due to her expertise on magecraft…"
"Pardon? I'm just glad that you wanted me to help."
Shakespeare just sighed considerably. "Don't worry… it seemed that I must be pushy… However, Andersen? Any words?"
I looked at Hans as the Playwright mentioned him, which he just sighed and reluctantly gave me a different look, the one where it looked like he was judging me. I felt nervous inside but outside I remained nonchalant.
"We all have skeletons in our closets, no matter how light or dreadful it is, Chaldea does not judge you because of that…"
I felt the need to raise my hand but instead I questioned humbly. "I really want to divulge my 'skeletons' so bad but I can't… for obvious reasons." I told him directly, as if I expected some stupid advise from him.
"The command seals? Then good for you." Hans teased me.
"What do you mean?"
"I couldn't deduct what you are aiming but blame me for not giving you attention… more like I just don't want to… now, scram, stay away from me."
Even though Hans was cranky as he was from the game, I obeyed him and did not bother him anymore by remaining a distance from him, including Shakespeare as well. I'm not planning to leave the library so soon. Even though the library was small, it was still too large for one person, so I content myself scanning for any familiar books that I might laid my eyes on. Meeting Hans and Shakespeare, no matter how beneficial they are in the game and even how I enjoyed reading his dialogues, were a total ass and that ruined my mood for reading.
I still do not hate Hans, its just his nature as it is and I do not blame him either as evident for his Innocent Monster Skill.
Another Servant that I would expect to be a resident in the library was Medusa and there she was, all alone, sitting on a sofa and reading a book by her lap. She wasn't wearing her battle attire as what the previous Servants wore, and instead satisfied with a sweater and jeans. If I am not wrong, then those eyeglasses on her nose were the Mystic Eyes Killers. To be honest, this is how I imagined Medusa would be in her spare time and it scared me how accurate it is.
Of course, Medusa has super sense of sort because as soon as I looked at her for a couple of seconds, she immediately turned her head toward me and thus, awkwardness bloomed in me. I immediately turned away, pretending to look for something else and somehow regretted it. In the end, I sort of acknowledge her presence and gave her a weak, awkward wave.
Medusa did not fail to see my spectacle and gave me a warm smile and a slight wave of hands. She might have already heard about the new Servant.
I think its enough exploring the library, so I decided that my next destination would be cafeteria. Even though the sense of hunger no longer exist (and it was super weird though…), my palate should be able handle taste as well.
So I walked like a wind and exited the library.
How should I put this… uhmm.
For ordinary peo-err, Servants, they should be able to walk this hall leading to the food area easily as a walk in the park as well as ignoring the individual who just happened to be there, walking to my direction. It should be easy right? Especially when the said individual was Saber Alter.
Yeah, I froze for a bit (can't even froze entirely and just became a statue though.) and contemplate searching for another way but my messed up mind just making up stupid excuses. I stood on the same spot later on, not helping that Saber Alter noticed me now while munching on burgers.
Does the burgers came from cafeteria? Saber Alter wore her 3rd Ascension outfit, which is the black dress that contrast perfectly against her pale complexion. Her golden iris directed at me and make me hesitant to looked back. She just stopped walking and just remained in front of me. Oh my god…
Trust me, no matter how ridiculously she look or how you have prior knowledge of her insane gluttony, it did not even faze her dreadful nature. Its just like I just stepped on her territory and I bet she already marked the cafeteria.
My wits finally got me and decided to choose to live another. Wait, what did I do to deserve this threat?
"… wait." Saber Alter said.
Geez, even if charisma was just an attack booster in the game, in this unbelievable realm, it makes whoever listened to her to just listen intently and do what she says (Well, according to my explanation… I'm not good at explaining things…). Even with a hint of reluctance, I just stopped thinking of walking away – what?
Gathering what was left of my bravery, I looked at her face with impassivity and holding on it. I am not ready to face off the King of Tyrants but it might be another thing if its vanilla Artoria.
I just waited for her another reply as she paused eating her hamburger and looked up and down. Oh, I forgot to materialized my upper armor and she just gave my chest a mean look. Is she jealous of mine? Oh, I spied a morsel on some part of her mouth and I did not dare to give her a hint.
"You're a Knight?"
"Yes ma'm." Like a soldier in a drill, I stood upright, chin up, stomach in and chest out.
She then gave me another round of gaze all around my body. Perhaps, she was trying to familiarize my face and body? When would I reach the cafeteria then?
"I don't recognize you…" Saber Alter remarked me. Maybe the news did not reached her yet.
"Saber Velvet." I told her my alias truthfully and that rightfully gave me a suspicious look.
Then she just left me alone and resumed walking away while eating what was left of her hamburgers and I dare say she also left just a little bits of food along the way. She really ate with no reserves. I wonder if the Chaldea also hires janitors?
Also away with Saber Alter was the pressure in the air that just made me breath deeply as much as I can. I must move with a certain alertness or else I might met another wacky Servant this time.
I scratched my cheeks as I felt rather awkward again as I watched him. For the second time, I encountered him, the man of the Kitchen. The menu hanging above were rather challenging to chose as they sound exotic as they can but no doubt they taste delicious. I am standing like a normal person in front of the cooking area but man, the Counter Guardian was less thrilled when he saw me again.
Maybe, he caught wind of how I knew his name in the first place… or not?
Justified maybe, because I'm just speaking through me experience. I just don't want to ruin my first impression to EMIYA, right?
"That cake… can I have that?" Even though I almost reached the rank of gluttony in previous life, I will not absolutely take advantage my bottomless stomach like Saber. I pointed specifically toward that cake icon and that absolutely foreign-ish title. EMIYA doesn't need to look at it to know what I am trying to choose. The question is would he do it or not? Or is there a hidden Chaldean standard that must be observe in order to get what I wanted to eat.
Also, I am aware how EMIYA's delicacies are overtly delicious and how it captivates every Servant whom tasted it in fervor, especially in fanfics. The amount of fanfics on EMIYA or Shirou cooking where so high it terrified me a little bit.
Then that infamous EMIYA smug, I witnessed it for the first time and it was so damn hilarious inside.
"So special menu right away?" Smug-ya said with reassurance. I just nodded. It seemed he expected it right away.
I nodded and within seconds the cake was offered to me. One thing that will impress me though was how efficiently fast Mr. EMIYA cooked without ruining their quality.
The cafeteria was rather empty right now so I chose the nearest table where EMIYA could possibly observe me.
It was also a complete coincidence that I chose to sit while in front of Archer. It seemed that he has no choice but to watch me patiently too. There's nothing else to see around here though. He might be waiting for my first impression about this special cake. Although, Smug-ya seemed to expectant of my reaction.
How rude. However, another thing that terrified me that maybe I'll be a slave to his cooking, just like the other Servants, especially the gluttonous Saber. Ridiculous thinking right?
Using the fork, I took a small part of the cake oozing in a thick choco complement. Hesitant for a mere second, I dunk the piece right into my mouth and chew.
Chew.
Chew.
Gulp.
The taste were above quality and they were just … okay. It was good no doubt, and I sort of overreacting whether I tasted something above heavenly or not. This is indeed good and I will not say this passable because it was already unique in its form and taste.
I am quite content the food in front of me is readily edible so there's that, the flavor is secondary for me. It doesn't help that in previous life, my palate was quite dull to fully realize what flavor I am currently eating.
"It's ok." I said to myself as I took another piece of the cake. I was quite busy eating the cake for a meantime that I gave him a glance and it was a strange experience.
No matter how nonchalant his face right now, it definitely translated as a 'stare of disbelief'. He might have heard my remark just a while. He did not expect this mundane expression on me when I'm eating his cake.
I turned away and focused on finishing the cake that it took a minute. I am not a hypocrite but I do enjoying eating this cake that I was surprised that EMIYA approached before I can finish it off.
I looked upon his confused expression for a moment.
"Yes? Mr….?" With a happy-go-lucky expression, I am fully aware of my blunder earlier so I pretended that I did not Mr. Counter Guardian.
"EMIYA, but Archer will do suffice. "He said with a sigh. "I see that you are enjoy eating it, how is it?"
"It's ok." I repeated and it got Archer tremble for a slight second. I am beginning to be worried about him.
"A-Archer?"
"It's alright." Archer said but I felt that he was hurt. I am just being truthful, dammit! No need for extravagant reactions!
"No. Mr. Archer, it seemed that you have something to say… Please say it, lest it will make me feel uncomfortable."
Archer just shook his head in denial. " There's nothing to worry about, Saber Velvet. In fact, I'm just quite relieved."
This time, it's my turn to be confused. "R-really? I hope I am not being rude about your cake."
"Its far from that actually… I am quite relieved that someone here have the most 'normal' expression here when eating the cake…"
Maybe just maybe, its due because I did not belong here in the first place, thus, I am immune to his charms or its just because its 'me'.
"Is it some sort of complement?"
Archer seemed to be more confused even more. "Yes… if that's how you see it." Then he just took my empty plate and left me on my own accord. Weird.
"Fee free to choose one more." Archer recommended.
"No thanks, I have my taste and I want to explore Chaldea once more." I tried to reach for my pocket but I forget that I was now a Heroic Spirit and that I no longer have my wallet. Damn it. "Oh I forgot, hehehe." I scratched my head in confusion.
Archer seemed hesitant for a moment. "Sure, be on your way then." He bid goodbye to me as I tried to explore the entirety of Chaldea once more… and maybe met more Servants (note, friendlies.). I quickly went away as fast as possible.
…
Meanwhile, Archer remained his stealth gaze toward the peculiar Servant that was now on her way away from the cafeteria. He couldn't but remain steadfast and suspicious about her, especially when her appearance here in Chaldea was unique.
She didn't came from the summoning chambers was one thing and her behavior was somewhat 'human' for a Heroic Spirit that he was beginning to doubt whether she was authentic or fake. Well, its not his place to give her a bad impression. Even though Saber Velvet was a Saber, he couldn't honestly recognize her.
Even though she was totally carefree, Archer deduced that there is something more about her, especially the way her eyes twinkle when they set on him or on the other Servants. He felt a dread the moment he heard her utter his true name, as if she knew him personally, but kept it to himself. She was not a dangerous per se, but another thing that could make her definitely put an eye on her was her sense of recognition.
Even though she didn't utter other words after on. He could sense her knowing almost everyone here in the Chaldea, including the Servants and that it didn't help that she was under some sort of powerful seal equal to command seals his Master has.
Call him paranoid but that's how his nature as a Counter Guardian would act, well when he was a Counter Guardian. For intents and purposes, his Master has the last words and that is to treat as he would treat other allies.
Not everything was bad as Archer would state, one thing that he might think of her fondly was also her 'humane' nature. She only acted like what a normal being would do, not as a Heroic Spirit or a Servant. She also react 'normally' on his cake with no extremity to the point that he needed to check upon her if she's ok or not. He sort of expected her to be jumpy all of the sudden, faint on the spot, shout some delirium, etc. that he was the one who was surprised instead.
Maybe, its her ultimate façade or its just him overthinking.
Archer resumed his duties later on in the cafeteria.
One thing that he was sure to say about her; There's definitely something off with her.
OMAKE: VALENTINES DAY.
It's valentine's day, of course! In the game, every Servants should give something to Ritsuka, I mean it I should. So I'm quite in a dilemma. I might have been nonchalant my previous life but I felt that this is deadly serious when I've became a Servant.
I don't know how to make a chocolate and I don't know what to give to Fujimaru. I tried to approach EMIYA but dumb me realized that he is a tad bit busy making chocolates too during valentines, especially helping other Servants making their own gifts. I am not rude so I left him on his own accord. I was so disappointed to myself that I tried to retreat to my room for self-depreciating.
But my other self insist that I must find other way.
Thus, I have an idea! A simple chocolate and a sketch might suffice. (I'm good in drawing btw.). Luckily, I found a large illustration board from the empty studio and bought a chocolate from a certain Cat on my own.
I stealthily retreated to my own room and with insane focus, draw him to my heart's content.
…
A day has been passed. I happened to meet Fujimaru along the hallway. Too bad Mashu can't be seen anywhere.
"Master-san. Happy valentines!" I greeted him.
"Happy valentines too. Here have some chocolates, Velvet-san." He greeted back and gave me a box of chocolates in a form of a heart.
"Master-san, I have some too. Come with me." I pulled him to my room where my gift was. I opened the room and pushed him.
Behold, a fully-drawn sketch of RitsukaFujimaru in his glory and a couple of chocolate wrapped accordingly. Fujimaru blushed indeed seeing himself drawn.
"Ta-Da. How is it?"
"It's actually great!" He said as he intently observed my drawings, the strokes and figures apparently. Then he looked at me with awed expression. "I never thought you are good in drawing, Velvet-san."
"Yeah, beats me. That's my gift for you, by the way. You wanted me to deliver it to your room?"
Fujimaru seemed to be hesitant for a moment but then gave me a thumbs up. "Well, why not? To be honest, I'm quite busy this moment…"
"…receiving gifts? I know about it." Fujimaru blushed again, as if I have read his mind. "Don't sweat it. I don't want to ruin your schedule (of receiving gifts…)"
"Thank you, Velvet-san." Then he proceeds to get out of the room and left expectedly.
For me, it was a mission accomplish. I manage to give him something on Valentine's day and not disappoint my Servants. At least there's nothing to worry about later on.
-àß-
CE: A wonderful sketch of Master & chocolates
NO EFFECT
Description: It's valentines day! I have no other gifts other than this simple complement… but still, if it makes Master happy… then who I am to judge? I manage to get Master's curves perfectly on this sketch. His eyes were an illumination through my soul.
Yes this is just a simple gift…
-àß-
Eh? I don't sound like that!