The restaurant was very elegant and they requested a large table for five. The receptionist signed them down and ordered an attendant to their table. As they sat down, Rin spoke wryly.
"I couldn't afford eating here even on the best of days."
Gloria paid no attention and spoke to the attendant.
"These ladies can order anything, as many times as they want. I'll pay."
The man nodded and gave them the menus. While Rin and Sakura perused the menu with care and Gloria skipped all the way to the wine selection, Artoria went straight for the steaks and Joan followed. The fact that each portion cost close to two hundred dollars didn't curb their enthusiasm.
"Ten portions for me waiter." Artoria ordered with her deadly serious tone.
Joan spoke much more casually. "Same for me. And ten orders of extra large salad."
The man gaped at them for a moment before his professional composure was back. "Very well." he said in a slightly strained tone as he noted down their order.
Rin was embarrassed while Sakura looked on in wonder. Then the younger sister began laughing.
"That's so silly!"
Rin got a good look at her sister. "Sakura, take a look at me for a moment."
"Hm?"
"Your eyes!"
They had indeed almost turned back to their normal green color.
"Waiter, bring us the caramel chocolate special!" Sakura said, completely ignoring her sister.
Gloria laughed mentally at the display and then looked at the pool of water next to the table. Desdi appeared in it and waved happily before handing over a big pile of peaches, prunes and cherries. Rin noticed what she was doing and looked on in amazement. But as Gloria began eating in an equally elegant and sensual way, Rin just shrugged her shoulders.
"You know what, I'm not even going to ask."
Gloria giggled demurely. She liked teasing Rin. On the other hand, Artoria and Joan were adorable. The steaks had arrived first and the two had heartily began to dig in. Artoria was poised and methodical, never relenting even for a moment in her task to empty her plates, while Joan simply ate with the most unrefined and natural joy one could have by eating a meal. Both made for an incredible contrast with their otherwise perfect figures. Of course, their appetite reflected the vast magical energies they produced and used, but any normal human would have no idea about that.
"Ah miss Gloria, won't you have some cake with us?"
Sakura' request took Gloria by surprise, but she quickly took advantage.
"Only if you will also eat some fruit."
Gloria quickly shuffled fruit into the girls hands. Sakura began eating them, slowly at first but then with greater enthusiasm, eventually wolfing them down with the same speed the two heroes were eating. The fruit were brimming with magical energy of the strongest and purest kind. Sakura was now properly full.
Gloria did try the cake taking two big spoonfuls. It was worth it for a human meal. She couldn't blame either Sakura or Rin for enjoying so much after breakfast.
Artoria and Joan went about eating their ten portions with exemplary efficiency, and almost no waste. In fact, the two were so efficient, Gloria was sure they could survive on almost nothing. With food like that, they were good to go for anything. She laughed inwardly at the unbroken sternness of Artoria's expression, even after eating ten steaks and ten salads. And downing an entire bottle of water.
The waiter, who had witnessed the entire thing from afar with wide eyes, presented the check and Rin flinched.
"Yikes."
Gloria laughed softly."Don't worry, it's covered."
The bill was almost 16 thousand dollars. Nothing she couldn't cover. Still, Rin' earnest reaction was adorable. Once they were out, Rin bowed to her.
"My apologies."
Then she moved a bit closer."Do we have to go to the bathroom anymore?"
"Not for the smelly things." Gloria answered with a gleeful chuckle.
Artoria on the other hand was completely thankful."My gratitude Gloria. The feast was quite exquisite."
"Thanks for the meal grandmother. You're very generous." Joan was just as thankful.
Sakura on the other hand threw her a look of pure gratitude.
"Thank you Gloria. You're a very kind person."
If this kept up it would go to her head, Gloria thought in jest. To her utmost surprise, she saw Rin looking at her the same way her sister was.
"I agree with Sakura. Thank you, Gloria." Then she hid away the expression by turning her head sideways.
Not that it helped, all of them knew Rin was truly grateful to her. Not just for the meal, but for what she had done for Sakura as well
"Alright, ladies. Now we've had our fill, it's time to move on." Gloria announced once they were back at the Emiya home.
Now was the important moment. If they came with her or not. All four were, to her pleasant surprise, ready.
"Very well, lead the way." Rin spoke calmly.
"No regrets?"
"Oh, a ton. But it's not like this world's going to fix them. So, as I said, lead the way."
"I see. Then follow me."
Gloria led the four to the banks of the river that split the city in two.
"You're going to have a few shocks. Please be ready."
"I suspect we are as ready as we will ever be." Artoria replied martially.
"Very well. Sakura take my hand and Rin's. Artoria, take Rin's and Joan's."
Sakura took her hand with confidence and held on tight. She did the same with her sister, who imitated her. Artoria and Joan were on board even before.
"Lead the way Gloria." The plum haired girl said determinedly.
Smiling, Gloria, began walking into the water. The four followed with some some apprehension, but also a great deal of curiosity as always. To an outsider, it would've looked like they were descending steps into the depths of the water, even if the surface showed no signs of being disturbed.
Thus, Gloria took the four away from this world and the universe they were born in.
On Midchilda, in the wooded hills of a rich Cranagan suburb, five women stepped out from the fountain of a small garden. Gloria was as dry as she'd been when going in, as were Joan and Artoria. The sisters, however, were soaked through.
"Ah darn it, that wasn't so nice." Rin grimaced as she twisted her hair to get the water out.
For someone who'd never gone through that path, it wasn't surprising. That Artoria and Joan had gone through it perfectly was a testament to their quality.
"Alright everyone, we're at our base of operation!" Gloria announced as she gestured forward, making the other look.
The house they were facing wasn't modest, but it wasn't luxurious either. All in all, it resembled a vacation house more than anything else.
"I bought this place as soon as the incident began. It's a lovely house and we'll all feel at home for the time we'll be around here."
Artoria frowned. "Should we not inform the one we are to guard?" she spoke seriously.
Gloria sighed."The one who is being targeted would be put in even greater danger. If she knew, our foe, finding it impossible to corrupt her, would simply kill her."
"They'd be a much bigger problem if they were allowed to develop. So best to nip it in the bud." Sakura's tone was grim as she said that.
"Still, we could defend her." Artoria continued.
"Her yes. Her friends? Family? Loved ones?" Gloria shook her head. "She would not risk their safety and would choose sacrificing herself."
Artoria grimaced.
"Indeed, a noble one. I suspect you'd not try so hard were it not the case."
Everyone was silent for a moment. Then, Joan spoke up with a serious, but optimistic tone.
"Grandmother likes kindhearted people. What can we do to help them?"
"This house is a perfect place to observe our friends as they carry on. Eventually, our foe will seek to draw her in. It is then, that we'll make our move."
"Alright, so in the meantime we do nothing?" Rin spoke this time, still annoyed with being soaked.
"No, we shall try and get close. And you and your sister shall also rest for a bit. Starting with taking a warm bath."
Rin realized Gloria was teasing and rolled her eyes. "Fine, boob lady. Come on, Sakura."
Gloria started to giggle. They hadn't even begun to learn of the many new things on that world.
"Grandmother, I think you'd best go with them." Joan said, a hint of worry in her tone as saw Rin stomping toward the door.
Though she'd already noticed things were different, Rin really became overwhelmed once she got into the house.
"Oh Root. There's so much technology here. I'm gonna die." she despaired
Sakura started to laugh.
"You're not very good at this, are you nee-san?"
"Shut it, neither are you."
Artoria and Joan moved into the house after them.
"Gloria, perhaps you should explain all that we need to know." Artoria said. Without the Grail giving her information about the world or its technology, she too was feeling a bit lost.
"Very well. Take a shower you two, and then we'll sit down so I can explain."
The house had an almost spa like shower, with a large pool like bath and a few showers for individual use. Tohsaka Rin looked at it as she and her sister Sakura disrobed and mentally envied Gloria once again. It was in jest, though. In fact, Rin was still very much overwhelmed by everything, especially by what Gloria had demonstrated. Remembering the black thing that had been her crest, along with the sheer level of suffering that Sakura had endured, made Rin shudder in disgust.
If she'd known, Rin would've gladly thrown away all that useless pride she once held as a magus. The thing that kept Rin going the most was seeing Sakura already starting to recover. Perhaps she could make up for it, in time. Every time Rin saw Sakura's now once again green eyes, that hope flickered in her heart.
"Nee-san. Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, Sakura. Anything."
"When we were connected with Gloria... I saw your memories." The plum haired girl paused. "I saw that you've always put up a front, and that you don't remember our father or mother very well. But all the time you kept up the good mage front, you've really been a good person. I always thought that you didn't care, but... you had no real idea and you were still upset. Can I ask that you show your true self from now on?"
Rin embraced Sakura.
"With you and our friends, I give you my word I will. But only if you don't force yourself."
Sakura smiled, a pure smile. Not one touched by grief, but only joy. "Of course, nee-san." Then the smile was touched by sorrow.
"I also have a confession to make. I saw how much you loved senpai." she revealed. "How you tried desperately to keep him safe. How terrified you were of him leaving every time you made love. And how little he ever really opened up to you. Even though you tried so hard, we both wound up loving him from afar. I was so jealous of you till I saw. I still am. But you know, he was a big dumb ass."
Rin was crying again."He was. A giant moron!" she sobbed. "But I loved him with all my heart like I couldn't believe. He was a fool. But he was my fool, dammit!"
Sakura now comforted Rin, crying as well. "He was our most beloved fool! I love you, nee-san."
Puffing from tears, Rin answered. "I love you too Sakura. Please, promise me that you won't leave."
"I swear it, nee-san." Sakura promised. After a moment of silence, she spoke again. "Look at us, now we have to wash our faces again."
They laughed between sobs.
Once the sisters were done, Gloria explained to the four about the TSAB and what it did, the history of the planet and how they combined technology with magic. Their reaction were varied.
"Noble as they are, I suspect they're not very effective." Artoria said pensively. "Especially with the constant manpower problems. They're trying to do too much. Not to mention, the way they use magic seems... rather awkward."
"Their tech and abilities are natural, if a bit forced. The linker core system takes advantage of each person' natural magic inclination." Gloria clarified. "And while their mages have the ability to fly, for example, most of the population has very meager magic resources. The great tech magic civilization that once existed in this universe has long fallen to our foe and, since then, he's more or less lost interest."
Artoria nodded.
"Well, that is a problem. They're just patching things up rather than fixing them, and they sometimes do that badly as well." Rin grumbled.
"They keep the most dangerous events under control. Our future friend, Nanoha, is at least half responsible for saving this entire planet at least once."
"Then that explains why he'd get interested." Joan remarked.
Gloria sighed."That would make sense. But it's more or less bad luck. He saw a picture of her and her hair reminded him of his creator."
Rin snorted. "That's something else."
Joan spoke again. "Not really. I've heard of similar reasons."
"To my shame, I have as well." Artoria chimed in. "In the meanwhile, has he taken any action until now?"
"Yes."
Gloria detailed the events leading to the fall of Khaldi. Rin once again spoke with horror.
"That thing sacrificed an entire planet' worth of recruits for her?"
"He was testing his servant as well. Obviously, the test was too much for Khaldi. Since then, he's abandoned the infiltration. That was a week ago here."
Sakura spoke up deliberately. "If she managed to properly defeat the creature, then she must've used true magic then. Even subconsciously."
"Yes, she did. She is very strong, as are her friends. But even for her, using something like that left her exhausted, so she should be resting right now."
"I see." The plum haired sister nodded. "Wouldn't that be an opportunity for him? I mean, miss Nanoha using magic."
"That's why I've brought you here. He has withdrawn, I suspect against his own deep wishes. His master won't just let him run wild with no purpose. However he's banking on the nature of his intended prey."
"She would not bear the idea of leaving something so terrible to operate at will." Artoria stated, guessing correctly. "As soon as they can, that person will try and go after others such as Khaldi."
"Exactly. He's banking on that. And he's right. This is someone who's driven herself to the brink of death while doing what she saw as her duty."
The king of knights bore a bitter expression. "Then we must wait, like this?"
"No." Rin answered her. "we'll make friends in the time she's supposed to be resting. Somehow. Then when she gets into trouble, the knight in shining armor can swoop in for the rescue."
"I hope that's the case. It feels insulting to the ones calling themselves knights around her, but it shall have to do." Artoria accepted, somewhat dissatisfied.
"The last part was a joke."
"I think making friends is a good idea." Sakura chimed in. "If what you say is true, at least miss Nanoha is going to join us."
Gloria clapped happily.
"Then, that is decided. But first we have to deal with another friend. You can come out now. I know you've been following us."
"I had that feeling when I passed through the water." Sakura heard a familiar voice say as a figure materialized from the shadows.
"Rider!"
Revealing herself, Medusa climbed down to the living room. She still wore the garments of a servant, magical blindfold included. Sakura didn't hesitate and tearfully embraced Medusa. Awkwardly at first, then wholly joyful, Medusa returned the gesture, holding Sakura in her arms and smiling kindly.
"Medusa, I see you have joined us after all." Gloria spoke with both joy and consternation. Medusa had been a surprise, but not an unwelcome one.
The demigod nodded. "Yes. I have been watching since you helped Sakura. For that, old one, I am incredibly grateful. Thus I offer you my service."
"And I shall gladly accept it, if you explain how and when you freed yourself. And please, you call me Gloria."
For a moment Medusa looked a bit conflicted then spoke with a serious tone. "When you helped Sakura, back at the Emiya residence. During the last war, I became very fond of Sakura and forged a bond with her. So, when I felt you freeing Artoria and Joan, I was also drawn close to the world again. The kicker was you freeing Sakura from that thing's control. I never imagined you'd be that methodical."
Gloria grimaced. "The less said the better."
"Agreed. But I must thank you again."
"Please continue."
Medusa wasn't that comfortable but carried on as Sakura held her hand. "In any case, our bond meant Sakura called me into the world by reflex and I was more than happy to answer. She consumed quite a bit of energy doing it too."
"I noticed. In any case, you are most welcome."
Gloria was indeed very thankful to have a demigod, even a daemon one helping them. She knew very well who had influenced so many wrongs against them in the so called time of Gods. Even though they were trapped in that horrid system, they could never actually be turned to his will.
"Gloria, you may not know it, but Rider is a shy person. She is a very, very nice once you get to know her." Sakura spoke with surprising warmth.
Gloria nodded. Of course, she suspected it. Daemons in general kept to themselves and harmed no one who didn't try harming them.
"Very well then. I presume you've heard everything we've talked about?"
"I have been following you for a while. And Sakura contacted me mentally when she summoned me. What's really amazing is that I am truly here, not as a servant, but as myself."
"Which only proves the depths of your bond. Welcome, Medusa."
Sighing as Medusa sat down next to Sakura and Rin, Gloria spoke once more.
"Right, now that we have a demigod among us, let's continue."
"How do we make friends?" Rin asked calmly. "I mean, we can't just walk up to them and say hi, we want to be friends."
Gloria sighed."No, not really. She's a workaholic and very dedicated to her family in what free time she does have."
"She sounds like a very admirable person." Artoria nodded in approval. "Perhaps the only way to get to know them is through work?"
"Not a bad idea at all. But, none of us are in the best position to try that."
"She's supposed to be resting right now, correct?" Joan asked merrily.
"Yes." Gloria answered, raising an inquisitive eyebrow at the Saint.
"Maybe when she's doing something outside her home and we can meet her then. One or two of us at least."
"Very well, then. I volunteer." Gloria said.
"Rejected!" Everyone in the room answered and she laughed with surprise.
"Excellent, chose among yourselves."
Rin spoke up this time. "I'll go. And I'll take Saber -sorry- Artoria, with me. I trust Medusa will keep Sakura safe while Joan and Gloria can provide support, just in case."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"So, Grandmother, where do we start?" Joan asked.
Gloria turned to one of the water mirrors within the house.
"We start by seeing what Nanoha is up to."
My deepest apologies for the lateness of this chapter, life got in the way big time and it still does. I do hope people continue to enjoy my work and I deeply thank my proofreader for his help! Thank you all for reading.
