Magical Atoner Lyrical Alicia
Twenty Three (Vacation End)
"Congratulations," Artura said cheerfully, the slim blond now wearing a small, golden crown but otherwise dressed casually.
The knights all bowed, while Alicia kind of awkwardly followed. "Thank you, your majesty," she said.
"Has anyone told you the reward yet?" Artura asked curiously.
"Reward?" Alicia blinked.
"Ooops," Elaine made a face. "I thought someone said..."
Artura laughed, "There is a generous prize in local currency. I'm sure the cruise line you travelled with can help convert it to Crystal Tokyo credits."
Alicia had no idea what she'd DO with a large prize... maybe give it to charity?
"The other prize is, you get to be Knighted," Artura added.
"WHAT," Subaru and her parents yelped.
"Isn't that going to be a diplomatic issue?" Alicia had to ask.
Gwen cleared her throat, "When you entered, we checked with the diplomatic representative from Crystal Tokyo. They didn't see a problem."
"I think we can do it here, as I understand you're leaving soon?" Artura noted.
Within minutes a throne was delivered, the ring was set up as an improvised ceremonial area, and several existing knights stood witness. "Well done, young lady," one of the knights murmured as Artura drew a fancy sword.
"I really don't know about this," Alicia muttered softly.
"It'll be FINE," Artura said cheerily. "Now kneel."
"Right," Alicia knelt in front of the cheerful young woman.
"I dub thee Sir Alicia Testarossa, the Golden Knight," Artura tapped Alicia gently on each shoulder, "and as you are Champion of the Tourney, I grant you the freedom of our realm and our protection."
Later, there was a rowdy celebration, and much beer and wine flowed. Marian got drunk fast and propositioned Alicia, who gently turned her down. As soon as she could Alicia escaped, and the group boarded the ship back to Crystal Tokyo.
"Welcome, Sir Knight," one of the Flight Attendants smiled.
"Oy," Alicia sighed.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"They did WHAT?" Veronica Aston-Martin yelped.
"Alicia was knighted by the High King of New Londonium, King Artura," Nene Scaglietti answered, the blonde looking faintly pained.
Veronica blinked as she digested that. "What rights and obligations are involved?" she asked, wondering if this would bite them on the ass.
"Alicia gets the 'Freedom of the Realm' which basically means no customs duties and a fast track if she visits again," Nene checked a screen projected from her Device, "her obligations are to show up to defend the realm if anything apocolyptic should happen."
"Ugh," Veronica sighed.
"It's not like we should expect that," Nene noted mildly.
Veronica groaned. "Don't SAY that," she said, "the way my luck is going, it'll happen." She continued, "When are they expected back?"
"Later today," Nene said without checking her notes, she had reviewed the data repeatedly. "They'll be back in school later this week," she added.
"Good, hopefully that'll keep her out of trouble," Veronica sighed.
Frankly, Nene doubted that. Thankfully, keeping the kids out of trouble wasn't her job. "My sister can try to keep an eye on them in school," she noted, "however, we can't easily monitor them outside of that."
Veronica grunted in annoyance as she considered the situation. Alicia and Subaru had two items of great cultural and historic importance, the Devices Bardiche and Raising Heart. Because the Devices were legally sentient, and had chosen their new users, there was nothing to be done other than keep an eye on them.
"With how much they work with the City Guard and the Hardsuit Corps, we need a contact with them," Veronica mused.
Nene hesitantly suggested, "Why not just ask them to inform us if Alicia is called out? She IS one of our people, even if she is living in Crystal Tokyo."
Veronica blinked, "Just ask them?" She digested that, "Actually, that might work. As long as they're not using Alicia in Venus-sama's secret team."
"I wouldn't think they'd ask Alicia. She's too public," Nene noted.
"They appear to use Devil Lady who is also public," Veronica observed. She shook her head, "Anyway, find a guard we can laison with."
"Will do," Nene agreed. She checked her lists, "We have a meeting with the League, later this morning. As well as Crystal Tokyo's representative."
"Got it. Let's get things ready," Veronica agreed.
"Aye aye, ma'am," Nene agreed and trotted off.
Once again, Veronica called up video they had been sent of Alicia's various duels. She hadn't realized Alicia was that good with a sword!
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Welcome home, Sir Knight!" Erica cheered as the group exited the shuttle tjey had taken from the orbiting vessel.
"Please tell me that hasn't gone around," Alicia sighed at the small welcoming party at the transport hub.
"Yup, it made it on the mid-day news," Catrine told her cheerfully. She shrugged as she added, "Slow news day."
"Ha!" Subaru chuckled.
"Oh just lovely...," Alicia sighed.
"They included some clips of your fights, too," Erica added. "You are REALLY good with a sword, my friend."
Subaeu's parents looked amused by the situation. Rachel smiled impishly, "Well, why don;t you catch up with your friends?" She continued, "We'll meet you at home. If you want to join us for dinner, you'd be welcome Alicia."
"Thank you," Alicia bowed as both adults hurried off.
"Should knights bow to commoners?" Erica teased.
"Oh shut up," Alicia sighed.
Catrine laughed.
"How Dimension Lagged are you?" Erica wondered.
"It was the same day when we left, thankfully," Subaru noted. She added wryly, "My poor Dad was sick, again."
"He really should not do dimension travel," Erica shook her head. "Alicia, you okay?" she asked her warmly.
"Still a bit sore from the fighting," Alicia admitted.
"They were doing a LOT of body checking," Catrine noted disapprovingly.
"Maybe we should all drop in at the Hinata Inn?" Erica suggested. "We could soak in the hot springs."
As they left the shielded building, Alicia's device chirped. "You have," Bardiche paused, "200 new messages."
"WHAT," Alicia blinked.
"No priority messages," Bardiche added.
"You need to make your contacts private," Catrine mused.
"They ARE," Alicia blinked.
"Just imagine how many calls she's have if it was public," Subaru observed.
"MISS TESTAROSSA!" a woman called.
"Who?" Alicia blinked.
"That's that reporter.. Yuuki Konno," Erica blinked.
The purple haired, attractive woman trotted up, "Sir Testarossa, could I get a few words...?"
"Oh hell no," Alicia said dryly, "no comment."
Thankfully there was only her and some camera drones, and they were able to escape...
To be continued...
Notes: I have an alternate Fate Stay Night Modred running around in the Crystal Tokyo story. Might bring her in...