Mending Bridges

"You know, we haven't gotten a chance to really chat like this, Waves." Ayako said conversationally, as she looked over the movements that were happening on the screen.

"No we have not." He replied, sending commands to the units he was in control over. "Did you know that they're considering raising your rank in the Clock Tower?"

"Do they now?" she said with light amusement. "It sounds like they want me to stay, even though most of those fools don't want me there."

"They've only really started giving your research the time it deserved." He said, taking a sip of the coffee beside him. "And they were, intrigued, so to say."

"Yeah I bet they were." She sighed as she shook her head, sitting herself down beside him. "If they wanted to learn more, they should've attended the classes I helped out at yours."

He sighed as well, though with a different reason in mind. "I still wished you were in my class. Your way of thinking would've helped me and my students out tremendously."

She shrugged her shoulders, smiling at him. "What can I say? I like making things, so the Department of Creation made the most sense. And Lord Valualeta was baller, especially for an old magus."

"Well, I can't disagree with you on that." He said with a nod, his eyes never once leaving the computer monitor.

"Why haven't you settled down yet?" she asked suddenly, causing the older man to sputter, almost choking on his spit. "You're, what, in your forties? And you're still single?"

"I'm 42. And you know my life is in Reines' hands." He answered with a light tint to his cheeks. "She has yet to find a suitable bride for me."

"In other words, office politics." She sighed disappointedly at the system. "As per usual."

"She did say that, if you and your mother were more of a traditional magus, that you would have been the perfect candidate." He said to her, finally glancing her way.

Ayako laughed amusedly, once again shaking her head. "Yeah, I can see why. But, no offense Waves, but you're too old for me."

"I agree." He shuddered at the thought. "The age gap, though not really much of a bother for most magi, is something that I too find uncomfortable."

"Speaking of Reirei, why do you still have the title?" she asked, her eyes narrowing in curiosity. "When I first arrived at the Clock Tower, you know how confused I was, that there were two El-Mellois?"

"There's only one El-Melloii. I'm El-Melloi II." He reminded, repeating a practiced phrase by this point. "Officially, she has taken over fully as the head of her family, and as a Lord. Even before when you arrived, Ayako. But, she said it was convenient to have someone like me still bearing the title. As a spokesperson, and an extension of her will."

"Again, with the politics."

"She also said that it was amusing to her."

"Now that's more like it." Ayako chuckled, patting his back sympathetically. She then glanced towards the screen again, seeing the hectic mess that was happening. "You should've moved those guys sooner."

"Yes, I noticed." He said with light irritation. "The RNG was not kind to me, I was hoping these units would have lasted out longer. Ah!"

The screen changed, as a menu popped up, showing and detailing his defeat. He sighed tiredly, leaning into the back of the chair, rubbing his eyes beneath his glasses. "That's half an hour gone."

"Well, now you know what to do." She said to him, pointing back to the monitor. "Don't rely on RNG."

"I'll bear that in mind." He sat straighter again, hitting the retry button on the screen. "Do you have any plans after Chaldea?"

"Assuming I don't plan on staying?" he nodded back, giving her time to think. "Probably move to Iceland, and buy a house there."

"Is that it?"

"Of course not." She scoffed lightheartedly, leaning back into the chair she was sitting on, placing her feet on the other desk. "I've thought about opening a school, to teach the locals of the heritage they have forgotten."

"A school… to teach your runes?" he asked slowly.

"They're not my runes. They're their runes." She said with a smile. "I'm just the only one who knows of it. I've learnt a lot throughout my years, and there's still more for me to learn. But I feel like I can give back all that knowledge to them."

He stared at her, for a good few seconds, in relative silence, with the only noise coming from the computer. He nodded, adjusting the glasses on his face. "Then you'll make a great teacher."

"Yeah, I've had a bit of practice." She said, with the both of them laughing at the inside joke.

"So what's the status with Medea?" Da Vinci asked with her bespectacled eyes reading over the stacks of paper on her table.

"She has yet to leave her workshop." Mash answered with a frown, her shoulders slumped in sadness. "I don't know what to do."

"We asked Atalante-san if she's made any progress, but she said she's been having trouble approaching Medea-san." Ritsuka further clarified, his eyes briefly looking up from the book he was reading. A beginner's textbook that Da Vinci herself had written for him.

"Who knew the chaste lioness was such an awkward individual?" Ayako said with a smile that didn't reach her face. She was sitting beside the Genius, eyeing the Servant's work.

"She probably feels guilty in regards to what happened to Medea." Kagiso said observationally, standing next to the mechanical bird that served as Da Vinci's familiar, admiring its lifelike movements. "Regardless of whether she was directly involved or not."

"It doesn't matter if you're directly involved or not." Koleen said to the room, watching over her kitten as it played with Fou. "To the victim, you are at least complicit in the events."

"And that's how it gets complicated." Ayako sighed, leaning onto Da Vinci's shoulder, feeling the delicate fabric that made up the Servant's clothes. "Imagine if Jason himself ever gets summoned."

A collective groan filled the room. Ritsuka finally closed the book he was reading. "Would we ever be able to make Jason and her work together, if it comes to it?"

"Probably." Kagiso turned to face his fellow Master. "Keep in mind, as sympathetic as we all are for Medea, we have only ever heard of her accounts to the story. It is, for all intents and purposes, a biased account."

"We can try asking Atalante. Another separate set of eyes that were around the Argo." Koleen suggested to them.

"We can do that, and try to mediate the two of them." Ayako said, adjusting herself on Da Vinci's shoulder.

"Do we need to mediate them?" Mash asked her with worry on her face.

"Rather than letting them pussyfoot about like this, when we don't know when the Doctor will locate the next Singularity." Koleen said with an irritated sigh, leaning her head onto her hand. "But, we can't all be there. That'll just make it look like we're pushing our boundaries."

"Yes, it should be one of us." Kagiso agreed, as he approached them.

"Then I will do it." Ritsuka declared, standing up from his seat.

"Senpai?" Mash's surprise was audible in her voice, as the rest of them looked at him curiously.

"Ayako-san. You said that, the Servants trust me, on a surface and minimum level, at least." He said to her, meeting her eyes.

Ayako couldn't help the smile forming on her face, as Da Vinci turned to her with a raised brow and an intrigued look. "Yes, I did, Ritsu-chan."

"Then, I will help them both. Bury the hatchet before it festers. And hopefully, and maybe this is a pipedream, they could be friends again." He said to them, his hand gripping the book tightly. "I, might not fully understand what you meant, Ayako-san. But, I can try, and I can get better. To better understand why that is. And then, I can be, the mediator between them. Between us and them as well."

Kagiso's metal arm landed on his shoulder, almost startling him. "Now that's a Master. You really would have been perfect for B Team."

"It's a shame you weren't in the earlier waves, but better late than never I guess." Koleen smiled at him, a soft smile that she rarely showed anymore. "Then there's nothing else to say, but good luck."

"Thanks, guys." His shoulder relaxed as he smiled back at them.

"I have to ask you guys." Da Vinci spoke up after a long silence. "Why are you guys having this conversation in my workshop?"

All of them turned to the Genius as she asked them the question. It was true, they had all, as a group, waltz right into her workshop, and just minded their own business.

"Why not?" Ayako finally answered with a cheeky grin. "Is there anything wrong with making sure a recluse has friends?"

"It was Ayako's idea." Koleen said, throwing her under the bus.

"Kalls!"

"What? It's true." She said with a smirk. "And most of us haven't really seen your workshop before, so we all agreed."

"Hm…" the Genius looked thoughtfully at the screen, before pushing Ayako off of her shoulder. "Maybe I should update my Bounded Field."

"Maybe, but you wouldn't do that." Ayako said, standing herself up from the chair, sounding confident in her words.

Da Vinci sighed, accepting that reality as readily as she can. "I'll be waiting on your progress with Medea." She said to them, though primarily directing her words to Ritsuka. "And don't forget, Ritsuka-kun! If you have any problems with the crossbow, just come to me!"

"I will, Da Vinci-san, thank you."

"I think it's time we leave, Senpai, everyone." Mash herself finally stood up, standing a little bit straighter. "Any longer we're here, and I think Da Vinci will explode."

"What?! I wouldn't explode!" she exclaimed, scandalized by Mash's choice of words as they all laughed heartily at her joke.

With Ritsuka leaving to try and help Atalante and Medea with their relationship, along with Mash following him for good measure, the rest of them chose to simply walk down the corridor amongst themselves. The last waking members of B Team. The commonality that serves as a reminder of where they started together. Chatting about their own plans and ideas, as well as their own personal problems that they found themselves in.

Their little walk found them crossing their rooms, and to a sight that brought curious eyes from Kagiso and Koleen.

"Kiyo, how long have you been standing there?" Koleen asked, finally noticing the Berserker that had scarcely moved from between Ayako's room and workshop.

"Not long enough." The Berserker replied pensively, her eyes closed and her head facing the ground.

"Kiyo-chan."

The Berserker looked up, eyes opening and flinching at the sight of Ayako, before she looked away. "I... have not left this spot since..."

Ayako sighed, not needing Kiyohime to finish her sentence to know when it exactly was. Unfortunately, her friends didn't. She turned to them, seeing the both of them looking at one another. A conversation was being played out between them, silently. She didn't like where this was going.

"You know, with Ritsuka and Mash helping out the Argonauts, I think the both of us should make sure that Arturia and Sir Lancelot are also faring well." The Shaman suggested to the Witch with a knowing nod.

"I agree." Koleen said with a smile. "I think Sir Lancelot made his way to the prayer rooms. I'll go and find Arturia and meet you there."

"That sounds like a plan." Kagiso smiled in accomplishment, as he glanced towards her. "Good luck, Ayako." He said, as the both of them left her, alone with Kiyohime.

Only when the two of them were far enough did Ayako finally responded. "Those cheeky buggers." She then turned to face Kiyohime, who flinched again, under her gaze. This wouldn't do. Not at all. "Kiyo-chan, let's have a little chat."

The Berserker seemed hesitant in her body language, but she eventually assented. "H-hai… Master…"

The door to her room opened, as she led the both of them inside. The lights in the room turned on at her appearance, though she dimmed it slightly before she made her way towards her bed. The Berserker followed silently, her hands clasped together in front of her.

"Aa-chan, can you get us something to drink?" Ayako asked to the room, where a puppet that had laid dormant on its bed rose. It responded in its usual gibberish before it got up with its golden threads, swinging towards the mini fridge that she had gotten. "Come, Kiyo-chan. Sit." She patted the bed as she herself sat down.

Kiyohime sat down in silence, her eyes looking at anywhere but Ayako. Her familiar returned, carrying with its golden threads two glasses filled with cold chocolate milk. Ayako took the glasses, giving one to Kiyohime. "Sorry, I only have milk, and water."

"It's fine… Master…" the Berserker brought the glass to her mouth, sipping it softly.

"Kiyo-chan, look at me." she saw another flinch, as Kiyohime became unmoving. "Kiyo-chan."

Slowly, she did, turning her head, where golden eyes met golden eyes. "Tell me, Kiyo-chan. What do you see?"

"I see…" finally, Kiyohime's eyes began searching her. "my Master."

"You know that's not what I'm asking, Kiyo-chan." Ayako sighed when she heard Kiyohime's breath hitch. "What do you see?"

The Berserker's hands tightened its grip on the glass, causing it to crack and almost spilling its contents. "I see… a face… that should not be there."

"That you do." Ayako nodded knowingly. "Whose face doesn't belong?"

The glass shattered, letting the chocolate milk spill all over them, and her bed. Despite the apparent distress Kiyohime was conveying, Ayako kept calm with her face bearing a soft smile. "I don't know." She answered, letting the shards drop to the floor, her hands reaching for her face, covering them with the milk. "I don't know. I don't know! I don't know! I DON'T KNOW!"

A light coat of blue flame covered Kiyohime's body, contained to her even though Ayako could feel the heat. She brought her hand to Kiyohime's back, ignoring the flame that was slowly burning her skin. "I don't know who I see! And I don't know who doesn't belong! And I… don't want, to anger you, Master!"

"Anger me?" at this, Ayako allowed herself to be surprised. "You thought I was angry?"

"Were you not?" she turned to her, showing her tear and milk-stained face. "I… have never seen you like that before."

"That wasn't me being angry, Kiyo-chan." She answered with a pained grimace. She was sure that she wasn't angry. "I was… I am frustrated." Ayako began rubbing the Berserker's back. "My name is important to me. And, every time I hear someone else's name, it feels like an insult."

"But I don't want to insult you, Master!" Kiyohime turned her body to face her, grasping her hand with hers. "You have done more for me than anyone else has! And I spat it all back at your face! I don't want that! I don't want to do that!"

"Do you want to change that?"

"Yes!"

"Then we start at the core of the issue first." Ayako made sure their eyes were staring at one another. "What do you hate the most?"

"Liars." She answered easily.

"Then does that mean you hate yourself the most too?" she flinched again, her grip on her hand tightening for a brief second.

"I… I…" Once again, Kiyohime found herself unable to answer her. "I…"

"I'll ask another question." She could see the relief briefly wash over the Berserker. "What's my name?"

This time, her grip didn't let up, as if she was dreading the question. "I, can't... answer that…"

"And you want to be able to answer that?"

"Yes, I do!" she sniffled, bearing an expression that was the farthest from maddened rage.

"Then repeat after me, alright?" the Berserker nodded eagerly, waiting for her words. "I."

"I."

"Am."

"Am."

"A."

"A."

"Yandere."

"Yandere- hey! I'm not a yandere!" her lingering sadness replaced by a brief outrage.

"Are you sure?" and it was immediately doused by Ayako's question, as Kiyohime turned her face away. "You said you hate liars, right?"

Kiyohime sat in contemplative silence, still holding onto Ayako's hands. Slowly, she turned back to the Puppeteer, sighing dejectedly before meeting their eyes again. "I am a Yandere."

"I am a Yandere." Ayako said, waiting patiently.

"I am a Yandere." Kiyohime repeated, with less morose, subconsciously nodding along her words.

This was not going to be easy. This was not going to be solved quickly. It will take time. Lots of time. And, as long as the Berserker wants to change (no matter how much it goes against her make as a Servant), then Ayako will put her frustrations aside, and help.

"He's been there since?"

"Yes, he came here two days ago and has not left."

Kagiso peered through the curtain that served as the room's barrier, seeing the Knight on his knees, his helmet currently worn on his head. Despite the aura he was emitting, it seemed he wasn't too much of a bother for the crew that came to pray. His hand let go of the curtain, turning his body to face the Saint that was leaning on the wooden wall beside him, arms crossed over her chest. Her face showed the sympathy in her heart that she bore for the Berserker.

"Has he said anything?" Kagiso asked the Ruler, who shook her head in response.

"He entered the rooms with his helmet in his hands, and went down on his knees in there." She further clarified, nodding towards her room, indicating for him to follow.

They entered the room, with Kagiso seeing the new additions to the small office. There were a lot more personal things inside. Most of them were likely gifts from the crew to her, for what the Saint had done for them. It brought his mind to the other additions within the prayer rooms. She had furnished two more rooms, one for the Hindus, and the other for the Buddhists. She even had another room cordoned off, one not dedicated to any faith. A room made for those who did not subscribe to any sort of religion, used for them to have some time for themselves, away from it all. And judging by the walled off path, she wasn't done in the slightest. She really was considerate like that.

"Are you planning on anything, Kagiso?" she asked as she sat herself at her desk.

"Koleen and I were just making sure if things were fine, between him and Arturia." He said his reasoning, sitting on the Servant's cot.

"And you want them to talk?" she asked again, as she poured water into five empty cups.

"We need to be certain that there won't be any altercations here." Kagiso further clarified. "The atmosphere within Chaldea has only just settled, we'd rather not want this peace to be shaken again."

"Especially with a Berserker in question." The Saint nodded along, taking a sip of the cup for herself. "Where did you plan on having them have this conversation? There is an empty room available."

"So I've noticed." He looked to the wall, where said room would presumably be. "Has anyone used it yet?"

"A couple have." She answered, smiling at the notion. "It's mostly been used for them as a place of isolation, though there has been some who meditated."

"Have you talked, with either of them?" he stood back up, approaching the desk with Martha offering him a drink. "The Servants, I mean."

She shook her head, taking another sip of water. "Sir Lancelot did not look like he wanted to be disturbed. And I have yet to see Arturia."

"Hmm…" he stood beside the desk in contemplative silence, drinking the glass of water. This whim turned out to have a bit more weight than he, and Koleen, predicted. "What room would you suggest?"

"The general room. My office is too small to house five people, and I would prefer if we do not disturb those who came here to pray."

He nodded at her suggestion, his feet already moving towards the door. "I'll call Sir Lancelot."

"And I will prepare the room." the Saint stood up and began making preparations. He closed the door behind him, making his way back to the miniature chapel.

There were two other people here besides the Berserker; a man and a woman. They did not seem to have come here together, though the man seemed to be nervous, judging by the occasional glances he was sending to Sir Lancelot's way. Kagiso excused himself, walking towards the kneeling Knight, and placed his metallic hand on the dark pauldron. The Berserker turned to glance towards him, his visor only showing the deep bright red.

"Sir Lancelot. Would you mind taking your helmet off? It would be easier to converse with you, without your Madness Enhancement." Usually, the Madness Enhancement of Berserkers had to be activated by the Master. The Knight of the Lake seemed to be a special case, to always be in Madness Enhancement, so long as he wore his helmet.

The Servant kept his stare for a few seconds, before he nodded slowly. His hands unlatched the helmet from his body, freeing his face, his hair, and his sanity. "Sir Kagiso."

"I am no Sir, good Knight." He replied instinctually. "I am a Shaman. A Healer, at the most."

"You are still my Master. One of my Masters." He stood up, towering over the admittedly tall Shaman. "You have need of me for something?"

"Yes, it concerns you and Arturia." The Knight's eyes glazed over at the mention of his King's name, before he covered them with his fingers. Kagiso waited before he would continue. "We wanted to make sure that the both of you are fine, and that everyone is of the same level."

The Knight shook his head to himself, trying to calm himself down, before he nodded. "I understand." He said, his hands dropping back.

"Thank you." Kagiso nodded appreciatively. "Let us move to a different room."

The Master led the Berserker out and towards their destination, where the Ruler was already waiting inside. A table was set aside, with an assortment of snacks that she had been gifted on the table. The Saint herself was sitting on the carpeted floor, a glass of water in her hands as she waited peacefully. Patiently.

"I suppose I am to sit here?" Lancelot asked, earning a nod from the Shaman. "Very well."

Kagiso sat himself beside Martha, sending a message for Koleen as to their whereabouts. Sir Lancelot took the seat that was provided to him in silence. He placed his helmet on the floor close to him, taking the glass of water carefully into his gauntleted hand. And with all of them together set, they waited. For how long, they didn't really know.

The curtains that separated the room with the rest of the section was pulled aside around seven minutes into the wait, as the blonde Master peered in. "So this is where we all are." She noted observationally.

Lancelot stood up, almost instantly, looking at her wearily. "Is she here?"

The pink eyes met the Berserker's squinting as she grimaced in understanding. She nodded, standing aside to let the shorter Servant walk inside. The golden blonde of the King, looking around the room briefly before settling on the Knight. For a moment, there was a glimpse of the King that welcomed the Berserker, holding back the sadness of their reality. And then, it was gone. Or at least, pushed back, as the young and youthful King they have grown to know showed her face to him. With the brightest smile in his dark tunnel.

"Sir Lancelot. I was told that you have locked yourself up in here. That's unhealthy, you know there's more here in Chaldea for you to do." And just like that, she took control of the room, sitting on the chair across from him, pulling him back down. "Guinevere would not have been okay with this."

"I, needed time. My King." He answered carefully, as she took one of the small cookies on the table. She stood up, putting one of them in his mouth.

"We have plenty of time, Sir Lancelot." She said admonishingly with a pout. "How about tomorrow, you help train me?"

He chewed on the cookie, swallowing it before he responded. "Train… you?" he asked her confusedly.

"Yes. I am, the King to be, not yet the leader of Camelot." She said, gesturing to herself, garbed in the white dress that she wore as usual. "And even at my prime, you were still the far better swordsman than I was. It will be perfect! Sir Gareth had often said how much of a great teacher you were to her!"

"I…" although he looked like he was struggling with his words, both Kagiso and Koleen could see the ghost of a smile on his face. The White King's earnestness was helping him, in its own way. "I, will look forward to it."

"Great!" she beamed an enrapturing smile at him. "Oh, you also have to come by the cafeteria soon. Mister Archer will be making something called a lasagna with the rest of the Kitchen Staff, and I'm told that it's amazing! We can have dinner together, with the other Servants."

And just like that, the Masters could breathe a sigh of relief. Compared to the others, it seemed like there wasn't really anything to be worried about, especially with Saber as she was now, capable of handling Berserker with such ease. They both turned to one another, nodding silently at the scene they were witnessing.

"Are you sure this is the best idea?" Atalante asked, standing beside them as they all stood outside Medea's workshop.

"Probably not." Ritsuka answered truthfully, at least in his own opinion. "But, it's worth trying, don't you think so?"

"I think so, Senpai." Mash agreed with a nod, along with Fou's bark. The Archer still seemed hesitant, from the look on her face.

He nodded to the both of them, before facing himself towards the workshop. He knocked it, three times at a steady pace. "Medea-san. It's been a while, I'd like to continue our lessons."

"She's not going to believe that." Atalante commented.

"I know what you're trying to do, Ritsuka." Her voice came through from the door, lacking the usual peppiness that she had whenever she was in the midst of her hobbies, or the strictness whenever she was teaching him.

He chuckled deprecatingly. He knew that it wasn't going to do anything, not to a great Witch like Medea. But, again, it was worth a shot. "Then, can you let us in?"

There was no answer that came this time, making them wait for a good minute before the door finally slid open. Ritsuka sighed with relief, worried that they were going to be left out. He took the lead, taking the first step inside, followed closely by the two behind him. The room didn't look that much different since the last time he was here. Only a little bit messier than usual. And Medea herself was sitting at the farthest desk, working on something unseen by him.

Something floated towards them, startling him by its sight. A featureless white full face mask. It zeroed in on Atalante. "Put that on." Medea said, unmoving from her spot. "I can't see your face right now. You won't have to keep it on when I'm not around."

The Huntress frowned, but took the mask regardless, placing it on her face and covering it entirely. Ritsuka took a step forward. "Medea-san…"

"There won't be any problems, if we're ever fielded together, Ritsuka." She said, still focused on her work. "She's not Jason. I just… I can't look at her face. Not right now."

Atalante's ears drooped, showing her emotion despite the mask she was now wearing. Ritsuka focused on the Caster, taking another step closer. "Are you alright?" he asked her with concern.

"I felt like I was moving forward." Medea said slowly, her hands no longer moving as she paused whatever it was she was working on. "That, I can do some good, and do what I have always wanted. But, seeing her face, it brought it back. It, was just so sudden. But, I'm fine. Don't worry, Ritsuka."

He was unconvinced, his face cringing slightly. "I don't think your history really matters here, Medea-san." He took a figurative leap forward, holding onto the idea that Ayako had given him. "The fact that you answered Chaldea's call showed us where your heart truly lies."

Finally, she turned to him, though her face was still slightly obscured by the hood over her head. She stared at him, mouth agape. He took this as a sign to continue. "You were, what… the fourth Servant, Chaldea ever summoned?" He asked rhetorically. "There was that first one, that's no longer in the database. The Second one is the one Mash is bonded to. The third is Da Vinci-san. And you're the fourth."

"What is your point, Ritsuka?" she asked him carefully.

"We have so many Servants at our call now, and you are still the fourth to join us." He said with a calming smile. "Not just the fourth, but you answered us at our time of need when we needed it the most. And I think, your history is irrelevant, because what's important is right now. And right now, you are one of our most trusted Servants here. One of our most trusted allies. One of our friends."

She stared at him, purple eyes blinking back. She sniffed her nose, turning away and back to her work. She pulled her hood back down, wiping her eyes with her gloved hands. "And that's all that I needed from you." She said through held back sobs. "Thank you." She then turned to where Mash and Atalante were, though her eyes were mostly kept for the Huntress. "Come back tomorrow." The Caster said. "I'll prepare some tea, and light snacks."

"I'll be there." The Archer answered, her words slightly muffled thanks to the mask. "With this still?"

"Of course."

Atalante sighed, her tail drooping to the floor. "Alright."

Mash glanced towards him, her face bearing a proud smile. She didn't say anything, not wanting to intrude any further, but Ritsuka could tell what she wanted to say to him. He nodded back to her with a smile of his own, glad that he was finally able to be of use somehow.

He was also starting to understand what Ayako had meant, starting to see his role within the Team. He nodded again, mostly to himself, now with a clear mind of what he can do.

"And I think this will make a fitting choice for the next couple of days' lunch, Director. The Kitchen Staff are proud for what we have created!" the newly appoint Head of Culinary declared, placing the tiny plate on her desk.

Olga sighed, feeling her stomach filling up already, even though it was still hours from dinner. But she took the plate either way, looking down at the small sample. The Kitchen Staff were apparently going for American this time around, as she took a bite out of the dish. It was delicious, she couldn't deny that. "I feel like you are abusing the order I gave to you, Bjorgson."

"I, pish posh, Director! Not even close!" the admittedly young looking chef said without shame, as he took the plate back and placed another one down. "You said to bring you samples, so you can make sure that we were making food that was both fulfilling, and morale boosting."

A series of knocks on her door held back the words she was about to respond with. "Olga, it's me. You called?"

Right… She had called Romani over not too long ago, for him to see her briefly during his breaks. "Come in."

The door opened with a swish, as the Head of Medical walked in, and with him was his standard issue tablet. "Kristoff! Wasn't expecting to see you here!" he commented the moment his eyes landed on the chef.

"Just doing my job, Doctor!" he answered with a salute. "And this one, a great side to go with any of our selection."

"Although our stock has been generously increased, thanks to the Roman Singularity, we still have a finite supply, Bjorgson." She said the words she initially wanted to say. "We don't have the Hydroponics lab built yet, so until we are self-sustaining, I want you and your people to hold back."

The chef deflated a little, but he still kept a smile on his face. "I understand, Director! And I need to thank you too, that Servant guy, what was he? Archer! Yeah, that's what they're called, right? He's been a tremendously help to us."

At that, she took a double take, turning back to him. "He settled in the kitchen?"

"That he did." Romani replied as he sat himself across from her. "Took me by surprise too."

"You saw him there?" she asked him incredulously.

"Yup, you'd have to see it with your own eyes." Romani said with a nod. "So, what did you want, Olga?"

"They're all acceptable." She quickly said to the chef. "Please, leave us."

"As you wish, Director." The Head of Culinary placed the dishes back on his tray, taking his leave as ordered.

The both of them watched him leave the office, only turning back to one another when the door slid to a close. "So?" Romani repeated.

"I wanted…" she blinked her eyes. What did she want? She called him here, on his free time, to her office. Why did she do that? "I… I don't know what I wanted." she wondered, if she had simply forgotten. But somehow, she felt that it wasn't as clear cut as she thought it was.

And judging by the warm smile that formed on Romani's face, it seemed that he understood why. "It's alright, Olga. I've got plenty of time to spare." He said as he adjusted himself in the chair. "I can keep you company."

"Company?" she asked back, digesting the word in her mind. Company. Was that what she wanted? Feeling the smile creeping up on her face that she quickly pushed back down, it must be. "Yes, thank you."

"It's no problem, Olga." He stretched his arms above his head, the sounds of his joints cracking filled her office. "You know, by this point, it might not be a bad idea for you to just officially declare me as your Vice Director."

"I've thought about that." She said as her eyes went back to the monitor on her table. "But, you are still Head of Medical. Your current replacement does not have the faith of the crew. Himself especially. Even though you have spent far less time in the infirmary, I think it is still better for you to be considered as part of it, rather than as my number two."

"Yeah, I can see that." He nodded in understanding, pulling his tablet up. "I've got some things that Da Vinci sent me. They're from the Ground Team."

"Ground Team?" she asked, as the files arrived on her computer. "Why did they go through her?"

"Because, evidently, she asked for it specifically." He answered as he began rereading them again. "Reports by the Masters, in regards to the Servants we have summoned."

"The Servants we summoned? What do- oh." It clicked in her mind the moment she opened the file, reading through the first report. "This is, good to hear."

"Yeah, we were all kind of worried a bit there. But, they seem to have it under control." Romani commented idly.

Her eyes scanned the contents, reading the words with a haste that was unneeded. "They are Masters." She commented herself, as she opened the next report.

"Hm? That they are. But there's more to being a Master than simply having a Servant bound to you." He said with a shrug.

"I… wouldn't have known what to do."

"Hm? Olga?" Romani finally eyed carefully. "What's wrong?"

Olga sighed dejectedly, as she slumped into her chair. "I am further reminded of how lacking I am."

"Olga…"

"I have zero compatibility as a Master, Romani. Zero. The Servants here listen to me out of courtesy." She planted her face on her desk, covering herself with her arms. "I'm not suited for any of this. Least of all as the Director of Chaldea. I was not taught for it. I was not shown of it. I was not prepared for it! I was thrown into this god damn mess!" she slammed her desk, hard enough to topple the slim vase that was on it.

"Olga…" she heard him stand up, the sounds of his footsteps approaching, as he rounded the desk towards her, placing his hand on her back.

"My father didn't even trust me, Romani. He left me nothing for it. He took his secrets to his grave, and left me to deal with his fucking mess!" she slammed her desk again, harder and harder. "He trusted Wodime more than me, made him his heir, and I was still supposed to be the Director! Thrown into the lion's den, to die! There's far too many things here that I'm still not privy of! Why are there so many files that I have no access to?! Why am I not allowed to know any of them?!"

The table was cracked by this point, though it still held together, as the sound of her ragged breathing filled the room. She pushed herself up, letting out a long drawn out tired sigh, as she swiveled her chair to face the Doctor. The supposed old friend of her father's. "Why does he hate me, Romani?" she asked, even though she knew that he wouldn't know why. She rubbed her hand on her eyes, stalling the tears from falling. "Damn it! You were so focused on Mash's growth and wellbeing, and even then you were still more of a father to me than him! Why?! Why did he hate me?! Why?!"

She felt his arms wrap around her, and a hand pushing her head into his shoulder. "Its fine, Olga. Let it all out. I'm here, alright? I'm always here. I'll always be here. Don't worry."

Like the last straw that broke the camel's back, the dam broke, unleashing a wail of frustration and pain. Held down by years of a façade, one that she had facilitated, her sobs filled the office that once belonged to the previous Director of Chaldea. To her father, that was more of a figure of seniority than any sort of parental figure to her. A fact that she was accustomed to growing up, as a magus from a long family like hers should. They were told that things such as love and care were detrimental to their growth.

But here, in Chaldea, as the last bastion for Humanity, she witnessed the humanity of those who did not live the life that she and others like her lived. And witnessed those who were still able to grow, while keeping their humanity.

Humanity, that she secretly yearned for, but had never received in her life. Her short life, that almost came to an abrupt end, by a person she trusted the most.

Why was she even here in the first place? Even in life, was suffering the only fate that was destined of her?

In that battered tunnel, the only answer that awaited her, was her unending stream of tears.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

just so ya'll know, this is a long road ahead for all of them. it's not gonna be easy, but fortunately time is the one thing they have at the moment.

but wait, what's this? another chapter? this isn't tuesday!

no, you're right, it isn't. but you know what it is, though? why don't ya'll look up and see the date.

boom! first year anniversary! we've been at it for a whole year, baby! almost a perfect run too, if it weren't for that hiatus i had during Orleans, but oh well!

i actually planned (not really planned. planned would imply that i prepared myself for this. instead, i almost forgot and was freaking out about almost missing the date) since back in april, when i was just randomly checking the date of when this story got published, and i thought, man, that's not too far off. and now we're here!

i'll hopefully get next chapter prepared too, don't want to mess up the schedule just because i wanted to have a little bit of fun.

speaking of fun, you know what isn't fun? this chapter! no, i don't mean writing it wasn't fun. it was actually crazy how easy it was compared to the last chapter. but, i swear, i'm not trying to have the chapters end in such a forlorn note. it's been happening a lot, and i never planned for any of them, it's crazy.

but it was fun, i get to write about a few characters that have yet to actually shine, which is weird 'cause they're also the supporting cast too.

in regards to Olga's characterization here, it's based off of the manga where Singularity F Emiya just got fucking angry when Olga introduced herself, and told her how little she knew of everything that her family has done. and its true! Wodime knows more about Marisbilly's plans than her. seriously, that guy's not gonna win Father of the Year awards anytime soon.

well then, with that out of the way, let's get to the reviews!

Quartermass: yeah, her additional appearances, like her interlude, and the events she guested in, and then there's mini Kiyo in Shimosa. there's another fic, The Saga of Shirou's Summons by Pallan Minerva, and one of those chapters had Kiyohime, and i was such a huge fan of the subtle growth he did for her character too.

Prismatella: we'll see when we get there.

Wolfsadler: they've gotten used to Medea's and Elizabeth's antics with her, so they didn't really register it as anything different. and we'll see!

trexboy164: thanks man, that means a lot.

King0fP0wers: yeah, Romani's gonna find that his conversations end up toeing the line quite close to him. Kagiso's CS are somewhere, not yet revealed. his surname, might be revealed sometime in the future. it might not.

and Wodime, as much of a proper magus as he was, also had an experience that changed his worldview, that made him no longer think like a proper magus would. can't wait until we get to his Lostbelt (which is a long ways away.) and for Lancelot, i wanted to show an aspect that's not shown as much yet. most of the fan depictions of him are either a womanizer (despite the fact that he had eyes on one woman only (maybe two)), or him being a punching bag for Mash/Galahad.

Okeanos is definitely going to be where the most change will be, and it will only escalate (the change, not the craziness) from there on out.

IndelibleMarks: i also can't wait for Okeanos! thanks a lot for your words!

Addicted2fanfics: i also can't wait for Salem, because of this. Abby's gonna be fun.

C2M1: if Koleen were to have joined the Clock Tower, without anyone else to bond to, i picture her being in Archaeology, simply because that's where the archetypal type-moon magus villains always end up in (imagine Koleen as a villain, that'd be crazy). but i can definitely see her fitting in in Lore.

omegadramon2: i'd love to get more 3 stars and lower, but most of them are so pivotal to the Singularities, that i'd have to wait for them for a while.

EVA-Saiyajin: thanks man!

darthwolf: well, we know at least one person's going to figure it out soon. we'll see if anyone else can connect the dots.

Lulumo: we'll have to hope that Chaldea gets a Rider soon, otherwise a certain Puppeteer's going to lose her mind. and i'm still working out how i want to approach ascensions and the likes.

Naruto Sakura Uzumaki: thanks man!

once again everyone, thanks for dropping by, especially on this 1 year celebration! i've had a blast making this!

leave a review if you don't mind, and i'll see you all next time!