Cu sighed and placed his hands under his head. He rested flat on the pier in the resort's warm, golden light with a fishing rod propped up beside him. The lancer had chosen to wear a palm-tree covered, green Hawaiian shirt and black board shorts since weekends were now vacations for almost everyone. Only a select few who handled important matters continued working; Cu was not among that number.
With nothing else to do, he was content to simply enjoy another relaxing day off. His Celtic companions had another picnic later that day, and he looked forward to helping them lighten their usual gathered stockpile of alcohol. Other than that, there was nothing else on the schedule. Whatever he wanted to do in that time, he could, but he'd just go through his usual routine anyway.
Ever since fishing became available, that became his usual way to start the day. It made the resort that much better in his eyes now that he could enjoy an old hobby he had back in Ireland. Even if the pier with moored boats was a far cry from his homeland, it more than made up for it as a tropical paradise; What it lacked in nostalgia, it always made up for in paradise value. The best part is the only real 'work' he had to do to maintain this carefree lifestyle was the combat he relished.
His contemplating, scarlet eyes gazed into the drifting clouds above, lit in golden hues thanks to the newly risen sun. He stared at nothing in particular and merely listened to the early morning's gentle ambience. Seagulls caw overhead as their flock flew across his vision and mixed with the inspiring string music being practiced in the distant forest. His battle-tuned ears picked up the subtle clangs of practice lances from Brynhildr's class. Occasionally a yelp echoed with the strikes, but they were mostly from her newest child student.
After closing his eyes, Cu smiled. The morning was proving rather uneventful, but knowing Chaldea, there was always at least one strange occurrence every day. Even with that promised event, it was looking to be another ordinary morning on a regular Saturday. He would have been satisfied with that…
…yet all wasn't quite as perfectly normal as he hoped.
His line tugged roughly, and Cu's hand quickly slammed onto the rod's handle before it ran away; He appreciated the distraction from his bothered train of thought. As he felt the strength of his sudden adversary's tugs, he grinned. "Oh? This feels like a big one!"
It felt livelier than the biggest fish he'd caught to date. Holding the rod, he worked it from side to side while carefully reeling in the fish. The lines and rod were a bit reinforced, so he didn't have to worry too much about snapping it. Failure was now only a slight possibility, but that didn't stop him from taking this seriously. Whatever he caught, it was sure putting up a glorious fight! Maybe this would be like some of those three-hour battles Gudao's father often enjoyed on boat trips!
The lancer grinned wider as a spectacular splash heralded his prey. It breached the surface a hundred meters away. "Yeah! New record, here I co-!"
Cu immediately stopped reeling the line in. His grin faded and he blinked. At the other end of the line, he could see Asterios' head poking out of the water and looking back. The big berserker blinked behind his snorkel goggles. Cu could see the special lure was tangled in his soaked hair.
"…Sorry, big guy! I didn't know you were free diving!" Cu chuckled sheepishly, but Asterios merely grinned.
"It alright. I got too close," he responded as he began untangling the line.
Cu briefly pondered if Asterios would count as a 'catch' so he could finally beat Diarmuid's record. Even if it didn't, though, there was still plenty of time to catch something good. If not today, then tomorrow, or even the next day. The Chaldean life sure was promising, even if it was usually mundane.
That's why any little bump in the road was much more noticeable.
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Fragment 69: What Are Friends For?
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Two hours, and Cu still waited for another fish in Chaldea's paradise.
It was difficult to believe he'd been in the same grail war for over a year now, but this one had special circumstances. Without a doubt, this war had quickly become his favorite out of all the memories he held. Fighting powerful opponents in various backdrops would have been more than enough, but Chaldea offered more opportunities and activities over time. He came to love it here, just as many others had.
As time passed, he'd found a routine and a sense of normality in the facility. It formed a new constant in his life, like a steady heartbeat. Every now and then it would hitch, and he'd take notice. Sometimes he'd act, sometimes he wouldn't and it'd fix itself; Whenever Emiya tossed an offhanded comment, he definitely would out of personal principle and habit. Otherwise, he was only roused to act when something continually rattled that steady beat.
This time, it was Gabrielle's turn, but he couldn't blame her… none of their group could. "How're the fish this morning?"
Everyone has bad days, but she had a rough month. The latest week was even worse. Between failed summonings, nature's monthly call, and several bad orders during singularities, she'd been very hard on herself recently. Usually she'd keep all the stress to herself, but when her smile lost some of its shine, that's when their Celtic group knew something was wrong. They understood it was even more serious when Gudao, Scathach, and Medb barely made a dent in her mood.
Since the outgoing master was so close to all of them, the situation definitely bothered him. "…Cu?"
Cu felt bad for her, and wanted to do something… but what could he do? This wasn't a battle where he could valiantly show his loyalty by defeating the opposing foe with unmatched skill. There was no trophy or achievement to obtain that would magically renew her spirit. By nearly all means, Scathach, Gudao, and Medb would be far better at cheering her up than anything he or the others could do… yet it wasn't working. The situation bothered him because his genuinely caring master was hurting, and besides an offered drink and fun company, he couldn't do anything to-
Diarmuid's face blocked part of the tropical skies from Cu's view. Had he been that distracted that he didn't notice his arrival? The black-haired lancer was kneeling beside him without a shirt, and only jade board shorts to go with his sandals. Cu blinked as his fellow lancer raised an eyebrow. "…You alright?"
After a small sigh, Cu nodded and moved to sit up. "Yeah… Don't mind me. Just thinking too much for my own good."
"I'm guessing it's about Gabby," the other lancer asked rhetorically. He removed his sandals and took a seat beside Cu. After sticking his feet in the water, he reached behind him to grab his own tackle box and rod. He sighed, "She tried to look a little livelier at breakfast, but we could tell."
Ah… right. He skipped breakfast, but that wasn't too uncommon for him recently. Sometimes he just lost himself in fishing, and it just happened to be his thoughts this time. He'd make up for it at the buffet lunch. Cu groaned a bit and sat up, "The others coming to the beach soon?"
"Medb and Scathach are taking Gabby for a massage and a dip in the springs. Hopefully that makes her feel better," his friend explained as he checked the lure of his rod. Cu merely nodded silently as he gazed at the special lure.
The translucent, bell-shaped 'hook' had a wiggling, fake worm inside, and was standard for all Chaldean rods. It acted like a magnet that guaranteed a fish could be reeled in once snagged, though the fish here put up as much of a fight as a real one. The Knight of Fianna angled the tan rod accordingly, then let the reel loose as he swung forward. The lure flew through the air before it plunked into the ocean several dozen meters away.
"Hope those two can finally break her stress." Diarmuid glanced at Cu's rod, then back at him with a hopeful smile. "…So. How're the fish this morning?"
"I caught a wild Asterios by the hair," Cu responded with a small smirk, and Diarmuid quickly laughed. "Does he count for something?"
"He's a servant, so I'd say my record is safe," the lancer joked back as Cu playfully snapped his fingers.
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"Ah. I see, I see… So you broke the tie by thrusting your lance into Li's hole?"
Diarmuid laughed as Cu groaned against his hand that covered his face. "Oi… Do you really have to say it like that?"
"Yes." Angra retorted as he kicked his bare feet lightly in the water. He wore an open front, black tropical shirt and matching swim trunks. His hands rested in his lap and held his own fishing rod. He glanced over to Cu as he stared incredulously. "Hey! You're the one who described it that way!"
Of course Chaldea's strangest avenger took yesterday's spar out of context… Over their signature battle attire, the two sparring partners had worn belts around their waists. On the sides were two golden rings they could fit their arms through. The opponent needed to spear one of the rings in order to win, but it was as difficult of a proposition as they suspected. It flailed around, and their adversary did everything to ensure they would not be taken. This precision twist made their sparring more interesting.
It was definitely not sexual, but Angra just had to comment about it. "I'll never look at that the same way again…"
After an hour, they were joined by their other usual fishing partner. Cu had been one of the few servants only mildly wary of Angra Mainyu, and that vanished completely after he made a fool of himself in the cafeteria. From then on, he quickly became Chaldea's most absurd servant to date, and that said a lot. All in all, he was a surprisingly friendly guy with a very tragic past life. He was definitely easy-going enough for him to get along with, but then again, Cu got along with nearly everyone.
Humming a tune on his lips, Angra Mainyu reeled in his line for the dozenth time in the past ten minutes. It was his usual way of fishing, coupled with the strange shifts in chats. "Hey… is it just me, or have either of you noticed something's up with one of our masters?"
The two turned to him with slight concern, but Angra merely cast his line again with a small smirk. "I swear… It's almost like Anishka actually likes being smothered in Raikou's giant water balloons. She's always blushing and everything! She's gotta fancy girls at least a bit."
Their concern vanished. Diarmuid shook his head as Cu chuckled. "I doubt that. She's just very embarrassed by the looks of it."
"Mmm… I don't know. I think I'll keep my conspiracy theory." Regardless of how erratic the conversations with Angra got, he welcomed it even more today. They were amusing, but today they helped distract him. He couldn't help but want to do something for his master, but it was out of his hands.
Perhaps it stemmed deeper than that. He had a surprisingly serious conversation with Angra when it was just them fishing one day. To his surprise, they both talked fondly of his former master Bazett, though Angra was vague as to the circumstances of this so-called 'sixth' grail war; It was trivial to Cu. What mattered to him was that she seemingly found some happiness and relief in a war, whereas in his she met with such a terrible demise.
Bazett's dying form had been seared into his mind. The outright betrayal from Kotomine still infuriated him, but not as much as the lingering disappointment he felt for himself. Even if the threat of command seals loomed over him, felt he should have done something more. The Hound of Ulster should have been loyal to that well-dressed woman who believed so strongly in him. Yet, he refrained, and maybe it was a regret he couldn't admit to having.
Maybe that's why he felt more compelled to want to do something here. He had failed a master before, and he remembered it. It could it be his compassionate conscience trying to make amends, or merely just his own nobility urging him to help a dear friend in need. It could very well be both too, but it didn't change the fact he couldn't do anything. He couldn't even think of anything he could do that her closest friends haven't likely tried already.
'Something needs to be done…' Cu sighed. He wiggled his line lightly to distract himself from his bothered state; Why did the conversation have to fall so quiet? He kind of hoped Angra would stop humming and start up another one of his strange chats again.
Instead, Diarmuid did as he glanced at Cu's partially miffed expression and smiled. "Finally losing your patience? It's strange nothing's biting today."
"Maybe Helena upgraded their survival instincts and didn't tell us…" Cu mused quickly, though that likely wasn't the case. It just seemed like a dull morning.
"Something should come sooner or later," Angra reassured as he reeled in his line yet again. "Hopefully not a boot, though. Means someone either littered or drowned."
Cu tossed an amused yet incredulous look at- His line actually twitched! Diarmuid smiled as Cu grinned and worked the handle. With every turn, the satisfying clicks chimed from the reel. The erratic pulls weren't heavy, but this was not a lightweight fish by any means. Regardless, he restrained his inhuman strength to make it a good fight. Finally, his prey splashed at the surface, and the Cu caught a glimpse of rosy scales. He grinned eagerly, "Oh! Didn't catch a red one yet!"
The tranquil wait was just the calm before the relished clash. This part of fishing was the battle, and one had to savor this moment to make the prize fulfilling. It was already great it was a red one, but there was no fun in a one sided 'challenge.' Maybe it was toying with a weaker opponent, but it made things more interesting and fun. Angra and Diarmuid's cheers definitely helped as they reeled their own lines out of the way.
Too bad the fish seemed to surrender. It swam towards him most of the time, letting the Irish lancer reel it in far faster than he hoped. Barely five minutes since the first tug, the fish was only a few meters away. With a firm yank, Cu pulled the erratically darting blur out of its home and into the air. The water sparkled and glittered while Cu laughed at the now flying fish. He quickly dropped the rod beside him, stood up, and caught his prey perfectly.
Diarmuid chuckled and eyed the catch. He reached over and pressed the release lever on Cu's fishing rod. "You beat me to a red snapper!"
"Oh? So that's what this little guy is called?" It was hardly little by any means as he cradled the fish. The tail flapped against his partially soaked arm as Angra rapidly fished out a tape measure. Cu turned so the avenger could quickly measure the fish, but it wasn't keen on cooperating.
Its tail repeatedly slapped Angra's hand. He scoffed and pinched the tail to hold it firm, then stretched the tape. "…Seventy-five centimeters."
"Isn't that your biggest yet?" Diarmuid asked, but was quickly answered by Cu's excited chuckle. The Knight of Fianna laughed and stood back up with a tiny, silver point-and-shoot camera. Angra wound the tape back up, but stood beside Cu and made a peace sign as Diarmuid snapped a picture. He glanced at the backscreen and smirked. "The fish looks a bit humiliated. I think you should return it to its home."
Cu walked back to the side of the dock and knelt down. The happily flapping fish sprang out of his arms and back into the water. Cu waved to it with a small smirk; He needed that. It lifted his spirits just a little bit. He had lost hope anything would actually bite today, yet that fish surprised him.
Maybe if he didn't expend all his luck, he'd also come across a way he could help cheer up Gabrielle.
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Cu leisurely walked down the residential hallway with both hands in his pockets. He took a shortcut through the new wing in order to get to his room faster. Lunch was starting, but he forgot the motorcycle magazine he borrowed from Fergus; He was going to return that today. Usually he'd be humming on his way back, but he saw the look in Gabrielle's eyes and knew her mood persisted. He hadn't thought of his own way to help cheer her up either.
Robots devotedly cleaned the hallways. He gave a passing wave to any robot that eyed him, though he mostly left the janitor service alone. Efficient and dutiful, it made Chaldea feel more like a resort hotel than a base of operations. He had to wonder how much more difficult things would have been without the robots…. like doing mundane chores.
He turned down another hallway, smiled, and tossed a wave. "Hey, Champ."
"Golden morning to you too!" Kintoki grinned as he walked his way. Though his black slacks were fairly loose, his white polo was on the verge of an explosive reaction; The berserker always did love his tight shirts. Of course, it came coupled with the ever-necessary 'GOLD' belt buckle.
After the berserker stopped by a door, Cu made a quick glance at the previously unoccupied room. This must be the new servant that arrived yesterday. Kintoki knocked on the door and chuckled. "Hey, Kotarou! You ready for lunch? You're gonna love the buffet!"
Seconds later the door opened, and Kintoki took a few steps back so Chaldea's newest assassin could exit. The red-haired boy passed a surprised glance at Cu, who briefly eyed his oriental gray and red battle attire. The pants were far baggier than he expected for the fabled, stealthy ninjas, but Cu knew better than to judge opponents by clothes. The pale skinned young man would be a great ally if his legend held true. Maybe he'd be up for a spar too? Fighting a ninja should be fun.
"Hey there. We've yet to properly meet, Kotarou," Cu waved easily and offered his hand. "Cu Chulainn, but almost everyone calls me Cu."
Both Cu and Kintoki chuckled at how surprised Fuuma seemed to be, but he shook the hand. "…Sorry. I'm still getting used to everyone just using their names."
"I hear ya. I forgot how long it took me, but you should be over it in a week," the lancer smirked, and Fuuma's mostly hair-hidden eyes fell curious.
"Cu's the sixth servant to arrive. He arrived on the second day with Robin and Paracelsus," Kintoki explained. "You can say he's seen it all."
That was barely the edge of it. He'd seen Chaldea in all its glory and despair, and the entire rollercoaster from back then until now. To compare the community they had now to the turbulent, uncertain, and skeptical early days was like relating a dilapidated condo to a luxury skyscraper. He'd watched groups and bonds form from impossible angles, and witnessed the rise of something improbable from forlorn ashes. The whole ride had been incredible, and sometimes absurd.
Yet, even after all that, he'd personally changed so very little. Without a doubt, it was just a testament to who he was and how well he fit into this place. He was rather easy-going and cordial to begin with, and the facility offered plenty of opportunities to sate the Celtic lust for battle and glory. It helped his masters were some of the most genuinely honest and supportive individuals he could ever hope for, and the collection of summoned servants made for quite the zoo.
Hell, as long as they were civil, Chaldea had yet to forcefully boot anyone. By the looks of it, that wouldn't be a problem with this assassin. Cu nodded, "This place will feel crazy, and it is… but you'll grow used to it. It's got something for everyone."
"I was going to give him a real golden introduction to the arcade after! Want to come?" Kintoki grinned enthusiastically, which made him and Kotarou chuckle. "We'll be playing Smash Bros with Tyler and Serenity."
Cu shook his head with a small smile. "I have to pass. Irish picnic and all."
"Didn't hurt to ask! We might still be around later if you pass by!" Kintoki waved casually and grinned as he and Fuuma walked away. "Have a golden lunch!"
"Enjoy yours too," Cu replied as he also strolled away. It was good to see new servants adjusting to Chaldea peacefully; It was that much less of a headache for everyone else. Heaven knows Gabrielle already had a big one as it is. She didn't need anything else on her plate at the moment.
Cu turned down another hallway and noticed Tamamo and Kiyohime waiting in front of another door with beach bags. The sandal-wearing pair wore matching, over-sized white shirts that covered the tops of their translucent beach skirts; Tamamo's was orange, and Kiyohime's was yellow. They glanced over to him, and he spotted the slight exasperation in their eyes before they hid it and waved.
He waved back quietly with a tiny smile and watched as Tamamo knocked on the door rather loudly. "Hello? Are you going to keep us waiting?"
As she knocked again, rather impatiently, Cu turned down one final hallway where his room resided. He'd just need to grab the maga- "Oh for-! Tama! Card key!"
Seconds passed in eerie silence. Suddenly, a cacophony of loud yelling ignited Cu's curiosity. There were countless situations where an individual's combat instincts screamed a command. For Cu, it was not to look, yet his feet had quickly disagreed as he backpedaled back to the intersection.
As he stopped at the corner again, the hurricane of the supposed catfight drew the attention of anyone else in the area. Cu shared a curious glance with George. He had shifted into his battle attire at the opposite end of the hallway. That saint sure had guts to have even considered intervening in a girl fight.
They stared at the open door as Tamamo's flailing tail finally appeared when she dragged another servant out. "No! You're going to the beach, Osa! You agreed to come with us!"
"I don't know why I even did! You tricked me! You must have!" Despite her efforts, the servant managed to latch one hand onto doorway as Cu stared in disbelief. The legend of Osakabehime was famous as a reclusive spirit, but this revelation was something else entirely; Apparently the black-haired, pale woman really did enjoy being locked in seclusion. Her white sweatpants-covered legs attempted to anchor into the floor as she kept her eyes squinted shut behind her eyeglasses.
Unfortunately, Tamamo had a solid grip on her green sweatshirt. She growled in irritation, "You've done nothing but sit in your room since you arrived! Do you even know the gossip that's been going on about you!?"
"I'm a hikikomori! What else is there to understand!?" she complained as Kiyohime appeared in the doorway with her beach bag.
"It's a problem and we're fixing it! That's all there is to understand!" Tamamo huffed back as she continued her tug of war. "We're not bringing you food today! Come out and eat with us like a civilized woman!"
"What!? That's too cruel, Tamamocchi!" With a small, exasperated smile, the berserker hummed and playfully plucked the assassin's fingers from the door one by one. "Noooo! Kiyohi! Not you too! I thought you were my friends!? Just let me go back to my room! I have work to do on my tablet!"
"I'm bringing your tablet …and the swimsuit we picked out for you," Kiyohime explained with a sweet smile as she patted her beach bag. She took a step forward to let the assassin's room door close, then went to lock it with the key card. Cu wasn't sure where they got a master key. "You could use some warm sun."
The assassin hissed at the last word, and Tamamo deadpanned. "You'll enjoy it! We promise! We finally get to meet you, so we're going to spend time together properly!"
"…Can't we do that in my room again?" she whined, but Tamamo was already dragging her down the hallway towards the resort. As a humming Kiyohime secured her other hand, Osakabehime's head sulked with defeat. Osakabehime glanced to Cu with pleading eyes yet hesitant eyes, but he merely smiled back apologetically. Tamamo and Kiyohime offered a friendly smile and wave again as their friend sulked.
Cu soon walked back towards his room and shook his head. Though the girls had been rather forceful in their actions, they had their friend's best interests in mind. Everyone in Chaldea did, and he was no exception. It only became a problem when he didn't have a way to help or a quick solution; At least the answer to the girls' dilemma was rather easy and straightforward.
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Lunch was just ending, but the Irish picnic had yet to begin. The lingering crowds were loud and mingled with the caws of seagulls overhead. The intoxicating smell of cooked barbeque still drifted through the club. Despite the allure of leftover food, Cu remained relaxed at the bar beside Fergus. His uncle sat on the stool beside him wearing only a pair of cerulean board shorts to show off his muscles. They patiently waited for the supply robots to bring up their group's personally-filled coolers from storage.
As they waited, most of their group were setting up their particular spot by a cluster of palm trees. Gudao had taken Gabrielle to make sand castles with the children to give Medb and Scathach a break to think; If those bundles of energy didn't help, Cu wasn't sure what would.
Cu and Fergus, with mugs of fine Guinness in their hands, had paused their current conversation so they could sip on their drinks. Their bond was unbreakable ever since he went to live with him as a boy. He was the last person he ever wanted to fight, and he was glad the circumstances didn't let it happen; He had enough heartbreak with Connla and Ferdiad to add Fergus to the list. Instead, only fond memories rested between them, which only grew in Chaldea.
Even if it was just simple moments drinking alcohol with him when he wasn't with his usual drinking buddies, it was more than enough for Cu. The saber patted him roughly on the back. "Now we just need to catch you a woman! There will be a whole sea of them once humanity is saved! I'll be sure to find a good one!"
Cu laughed incredulously. "Really? With my luck with good women?"
"Except this time I'll be with you, so that's half the battle already won!" Fergus chuckled confidently.
"If you don't bed them yourself first," Cu snickered back, and made Fergus laugh harder. "I'm glad you I have a wingman to count on."
"I always have your back." Fergus quickly downed the rest of his mug as Lex hovered over with a new glass. He picked it up with a grin, and quickly clinked it against Cu's own. "If you run out on your allowance, I've got a five or six more on my tab for the week."
"I'm surprised it lasted until today," Cu grinned, but appreciated the always-open offer. Usually it was the other way around though.
His smile turned a touch wistful. "Haven't met up with Robin and Drake for a few days. I've been reassuring Medb and relieving her worries."
Fergus was bar-none the most supportive person in the Celtic group. Despite his usual lusting and jolly behavior, he always offered a shoulder to lean on in various ways. It's what made him so popular with many women of Chaldea since he wasn't just good in bed. Fergus was an all-around dependable man, and Cu was glad he was his uncle and foster-father.
As Cu finished his drink, Lex floated over with a new one. It placed the glass down, but its multiple eyes swiveled to the newcomer. Cu looked to his other side as Tesla walked over in his battle attire. The genius turned to him with an exhausted face as Fergus instantly tapped on the robot's closest arm. "Hey, Lex! A bottle of whiskey for the inventor! You can put it under my allowance!"
"…Really? You have my thanks…" Tesla offered a tiny, grateful smirk, but it was hampered by his visible exhaustion.
"Oi… Maybe you should reconsider your stance on coffee with how much you've been working," Cu observed as he pointed at the bags under the archer's eyes. "You and the others must be going through hell trying to find Solomon."
Tesla frowned and shook his head. "That's barely a scrape of the truth… To think my dedicated efforts would amount to nothing thus far."
"I wouldn't worry so much. You'll find him… and when you do, he's going to regret everything," Fergus offered as Lex floated over with a bottle of whiskey.
It never ceased to amuse Cu that the cleanliness-freak and regimented genius that was Tesla loved alcohol so much; Whiskey just happened to be a favorite. It likely helped him take the edge off with that grueling workload. First he helped fortify Chaldea with the casters, and now he was continually tweaking the scanners and sweeping for Solomon's whereabouts. He held Cu's silent respect for managing a rough schedule when there was so much tempting relaxation around.
"You should take a day off. Maybe you're overthinking and it'll become crystal clear after a nice vacation," Cu offered, but Tesla quickly shook his head.
He opened his mouth to talk, but someone familiar cut him off. "I can agree with the dog on that point. It's not good to hammer away with a clouded mind."
Cu's expression fell to a small frown as he glanced towards Emiya. He wore a white apron over his black polo and board shorts. They stared at each other with irritation in their eyes as he approached. Fergus shook his head, sighed, and quietly whispered to Cu, "Relax… I'll handle it."
He should relax, but it was nearly impossible when it came to him. Even after watching hopefully as the jaded, cynical man once more showed the glimpses of the interesting boy he had been, Cu still couldn't come to like him. At least it wasn't outright hatred anymore, though their traded insults still held some bite. It was just another reminder that despite how everything grew better with time, some things simply remained the same.
That's why Cu was glad Fergus always had his well-being in mind, regardless of the circumstances. Cu bit his tongue and turned back around as Fergus asked, "You still cooking, Emiya?"
He nodded briefly. "Mata Hari wanted to see a new recipe on hamburg steak shish kebobs."
"Bartender! A bottle of vodka for cooking! My tab!" Fergus requested without any hesitation. Surprised, Emiya nodded to him slowly with a small smile of thanks. Fergus nodded back pleasantly, but an awkward silence still fell, but it was only expected: Cu and Emiya were likely to fight if anything was said to the other, and Tesla was exhausted.
Thankfully, Lex quickly reappeared with the vodka bottle for Fergus while Tesla quietly wandered off after a quiet goodbye. With a friendly smile, he gave it to Emiya, who nodded. "Thank you, Fergus. I'll pay it back as soon as possible."
"Ah, don't mention it," the saber chuckled, which made the archer smile lightly. As he walked away, Cu glanced back to see him go…
…and watched Emiya freeze in place as he locked eyes with Gilgamesh. Cu kept his expression from falling into annoyance or exasperation; The King of Heroes was one of the others in Chaldea he didn't get along with, and his attire was just ridiculous. He stood beside Ozymandias in matching, golden jammers and nothing else. They had two of Gilgamesh's golden goblets in hand, likely filled with a high-class wine he'd never get to taste.
The club was growing quiet like the staring pair, while Ozymandias looked between the two carefully. Cu also stared, but more out of growing irritation. Fergus stood up to act, but to his surprise, Cu was the one to break the silence. "Oi… Do you mind? It's been a decent weekend so far. Let's keep it that way, yea?"
Gilgamesh turned a light glare towards Cu, but scoffed. "I, the King, was not going to ruin I and Ozymandias' good mood for a faker."
"Then I must have been mistaken when you stopped to stare at me," Emiya responded evenly, and earned back Gilgamesh's glare. "I didn't think I was worth the King's words."
"You're not. You'd do well to remember that," Gilgamesh offhandedly stated as he and Ozymandias continued walking. They strolled past the chef as he merely looked on, but the atmosphere in the room returned to normal.
Some withheld breaths were released, but Cu merely looked at Emiya as he turned back to him. "…Thanks, Cu."
"Don't mention it… Seriously. I have a headache and I'll be pissed if it gets worse." Cu waved off dismissively, but the archer offered a small nod and walked off.
Fergus sighed in relief and turned back to Cu. The lancer only remained silent. He didn't like Emiya or Gilgamesh, but he wasn't going to pick a fight today if he could help it. His conscience was still bothering him for an answer that he couldn't seem to think of. That alone was enough of a headache.
"I guess it's all getting to you too, huh?" Fergus asked quietly as he sat back down.
There was no need to answer that, but he offered a small grunt anyway. Fergus shook his head. "I told Medb last night she just needs one good romp to wash that stress away. Nothing quite like getting laid to help put a smile on someone's face!"
Though it was obvious Fergus would say something like that to solve any regular problem… it admittedly got Cu thinking.
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One seagull flew over the lively beach in the afternoon sun. It skimmed just over some servants and employees scattered in groups across the beach. Laughter and mirth echoed from surfers, beachball players, and others to attract its attention briefly. It flew close to the Irish group, and caught Cu's attention.
It came in for a landing on their expanded playing field drawn in the sand. The seagull gazed curiously at the array of rectangular blocks within its boundaries. Attracted by the central one, which had a carved crown on top, it walked towards it. A stick flew across the field and smacked into a wooden post, scaring the bird away. Medb smirked and folded her arms over her frilly white, side-tied bikini. "Two hits, two sips."
Across the drawn playing field from Cu and Medb, Diarmuid quickly tossed Fionn a full bottle of beer. The blonde lancer caught it with one hand while he dusted the other off on his cerulean board shorts. A light breeze rustled Fionn's white tropical shirt and blew his flowing hair like a flag. The blonde lancer took his sunglasses off momentarily to shake his hair into some semblance of order. Cu smirked, "Having fun there, mister movie star? You look like a shampoo commercial."
"Nero did say I could be the Irish Fabio," he smirked back and struck a pose that made Diarmuid laugh. "Maybe I should take up Naomi's request to be a male model?"
Medb giggled, and Cu chuckled. "She asked you that? I guess those two are actually seriously about the clothing brand."
Fionn shrugged. "And you're surprised? We have a resort. A clothing brand should hardly be surprising."
Thankfully, the picnic seemed to be the usual affair. At the very least, the others seemed to be enjoying themselves… with two exceptions. In his peripherals, Cu caught his current kubbs partner glancing towards their nearby spot again. After she turned back to the field, he too gave a glance.
Palm trees shaded a group of loungers only a dozen meters away. Fergus napped on one while a small radio played an assortment of pop songs; Some of Elizabeth's covers were included. Hector, who had stopped by for a quick chat with Fergus, wound up passing out on the lounger beside him as well. Beside the sleeping lancer in white swim trunks was a pile of coolers. Two were already empty, but there was still plenty for the rest of their picnic.
Basking in the warm sun before them on one of the green beach towels was Gabrielle. A blanket beside hers had Scathach's book, but she had wandered off to get another tropical drink. The master rested on her stomach with her head in her arms as she quietly snoozed. The top of her yellow bikini was undone so she could sunbathe, but Cu was glad to see she was at least catching up on lost sleep. If only she had the pleasant smile she usually wore whenever she dozed off in the sun.
Playing with the children thankfully helped, but she was still clearly stressed; As one of the anchors of their group, her mood was slowly knocking others off balance. Medb and Scathach showed it best, and he was feeling it. He wondered how much Fionn, Diarmuid, and Fergus were secretly affected too.
"I hate seeing her like this." Medb had whispered it so quietly that he could have accidentally passed it off as a loud thought. He turned to her and saw the disappointment in her eyes. It would have been strange for many to see Medb like this, but Cu always figured she had at least a one or two soft spots under that prideful, domineering personality. "Nothing we do is working."
"I'd say it is working, just not as fast as we'd hope," Cu corrected as she looked at him. He kept their conversation low.
"This has been going on for weeks," she huffed quietly, but clearly couldn't bring herself to glare at the master. "I'm getting worried. What if it gets worse?"
Cu paused as Diarmuid's first throw missed one of their kubbs. "… Then I'll just have to see if I can't change that."
Medb turned to him curiously, but he looked at her seriously. Cu asked, "That offer you kept pestering me about. Did you mean it?"
"…You actually considered it!?" Medb could barely keep her voice down, but their two lancer opponents laughed too hard to hear; A few more seagulls landed on the field.
"Well? You meant it right? I can see you weren't kidding about the stress. I thought you were just pulling my leg."
Medb grew a hopeful smile, but it glinted even brighter in her eyes. There was no doubt why when one considered the request she made several times since Anishka's Master party. He didn't actually see it as an option until Fergus' joking comment. Truthfully, he hoped it wouldn't come down to it, because if it failed, it might actually make things a lot worse… and knowing his track record with women…
Nevertheless, Medb's hopeful smile, yet serious glint in her eyes, did a surprising amount to reassure him. She certainly was different from back then now that the queen relished the different forms of companionship. She still had her strong front, but it was nice seeing how compassionate she could be for someone else. Besides, if Medb was confident this might do the trick after he raised it, there was no better reassurance than one of Gabrielle's best friends.
"…You're seriously considering it? I don't want to see her like this much longer."
Diarmuid and Fionn cheered as the blonde's stick managed to bounce off one kubb and knock down another. "I'm serious, Medb. I'll even make a promise."
That raised her eyebrows very quickly since Cu never broke his promises.
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"Thank you, thank you... She really needs it," Medb offered genuinely, yet again, as they walked down the empty residential hallway. She had changed into white yoga shorts and a tight, matching crop top sometime after dinner.
"Oh? Not going to say how it benefits you too? That's unusual, Medb."
"Do I need to state the obvious?" she merely smirked back at him, but it returned to a warm smile. "I mean it, though. Thank you… I really hope this works."
"Right, right…" Cu answered back plainly as they finally reached her room. He glanced up and down the hallway tentatively, but there wouldn't be anyone. It was approaching midnight so most of Chaldea was sound asleep. Thanks to the reinforced walls, detecting others' presence became difficult, which limited disturbances. It also made sneaking around for their plan that much easier.
"Wait here a moment," Medb commanded lightly with a smile as her door opened. She skipped inside. "Sorry for the wait, Gabby! I thought they were in your room, but I guess those panties got lost in the laundry."
The door closed behind her, and Cu waited patiently for his cue. There was definitely no going back after he actually promised her to do this. Truthfully, he had some reservations about this, but they were more for the consequences. The uncertainty of what happened after did not sit too well with him.
'Alright, Cu.' Knocking any lingering concerns aside, he took a step to the door so it would slide open.
"Hey, Gabby," he waved casually with a smile as he entered. The door slid closed behind him and he took a moment to look around Medb's rather ordinary room. There was a Sunscape window on her ceiling. She also had two white dressers, a full-body mirror, and assorted pictures on the walls, but one furniture stood out.
The real centerpiece was the giant, royal bed that would make a queen-sized bed look small. It was covered with soft, silk covers in passionate reds and pinks. There were several basic pillows, but one pink heart-shaped one with a winking face on it; Gabrielle got her that one recently as a gift.
"…Cu?" Gabrielle asked curiously as she sat on Medb's bed. She clutched a pillow to her chest, but he could still glimpse her pink panties and over-sized white shirt behind it; He was amused how unembarrassed she was. There was a light flush on her face, and some beer bottles on a dresser indicated the real reason, but she looked only tipsy at best. She turned to Medb in surprise and uncertainty. "Isn't this just our slumber party?"
"I asked him to come here. We're both worried about how much stress remains!" Medb noted as she waggled her finger in disapproval. "So… We're going to help you get rid of some of that! Consider it… a special desert~!"
Gabrielle's face faltered into total concern, but Cu wasn't surprised. He'd learned from Medb about the circumstances, but the master had a pretty terrible track record when it came to guys; She was like his opposite in that regard. Whenever a friend wound up dating her, and she thought they were getting serious, things would go south and he'd never speak to her again. She was never able to keep a friendship after dating someone.
She grew a fear of losing friends through any intimacy, yet ironically, her flattering and flirty behavior sent different messages; Her impulsive origin was her boon and bust. However, that's where Medb's request came into play. Since their master never had sex since coming to Chaldea, it would likely do wonders for the pent-up girl. Medb would owe him a huge favor afterwards for letting her join, but he couldn't deny how insistent she was on ensuring her best friend didn't have any hesitation or misleading ideas throughout the fun.
Still, the master shook her head quickly with rising anxiety. "W-Wait! I know I think you're… I mean-! We can't! I-I don-"
Medb placed a finger over Gabrielle's mouth to silence her, but smiled sincerely. "It's a one-night thing, Gabby. No strings attached… Promise."
She was still uncertain. Gabrielle looked to him as he leaned against the doorway. He merely offered his signature smile and winked. "No morning after regrets. We promise."
The reiterated word seemed to sink in, though she still glanced between the two smiling servants. Medb gently reached out and put her hand on top of hers. "We just want to make you feel better. We hate seeing you like this, and I know you've been secretly fantasizing about a night with Cu as much as I have, so…"
"… Then you'd be… joining too?" she asked hesitantly.
"As if I'd miss out on a chance with Cu," she responded quickly with a small smile. It worked, and a smile appeared on Gabrielle's lips as she rested her chin on the pillow. "I need to make sure you don't get too serious though. You told me how you are, so see me as the insurance policy. I'm here to make sure you don't get too attached and just enjoy the ride. I sleep with Cu. You sleep with Cu. You break free from that little mood of yours… Everyone's happy!"
"…You didn't list any bonuses for me," Cu pointed out jokingly, and it made them giggle. He did agree, and while the favor was nice, it had truthfully been a few months for him too. If it also got Medb from latching onto him every day, then that'd be the real bonus; She was a touch too obsessed with him, and hopefully this would cure that too. The only thing left was Gabrielle's permission.
Gabrielle fiddled with her fingers for about a minute and glanced between the two of them. She glanced to Cu, who merely smirked back and mouthed his promise; She knew he would never break one. Finally, with a deepened blush, she nodded briefly. "…If you promise… then okay. If it makes you happy too."
"Of course it will, but this is mainly for you! Now then~…" Cu's eyebrows shot up as Medb quickly yanked the pillow away from Gabrielle. She then gently pushed Gabrielle back onto the bed. Though she was uncertain at first, she allowed Medb to do so before she quickly pinned one of her arms above her head. She pressed herself into the master's side with a sultry smirk. "Enjoy yourself, Gabby~! I'm going to make sure you never forget this."
Without hesitation, she locked her lips with her master, and Gabrielle gasped in surprise. Medb pulled away for a brief second and pouted playfully. "Oh come now! I thought you said you experimented?"
"I did! I'm just surp- Mmmmf!" She was silenced once more as Medb crashed her lips into hers again.
She deepened the kiss, and Gabrielle responded in turn as she moaned into her mouth. Her free hand sauntered up Medb's side hesitantly at first. She grew bolder and slipped it under the queen's crop top, welcoming her servant further. The rider softly giggled into their kiss as she trailed her free hand along the master's waist. Painfully slow, her fingers ghosted over the thin fabric that separated her hand from the master's stomach before they slipped under her shirt.
Gabrielle whimpered as Medb's fingers rubbed soft circles on her stomach before they glided to the hem of her panties. Her tips slipped underneath, but tormented the pent-up master further as she pulled them out. Again and again, she probed around her tight clothing, making Gabrielle's whimpers intensify. With a satisfied giggle, Medb slowly slipped her fingers further. She parted their lips momentarily to whisper, "We'll get that stress out of you in no time~…"
Gabrielle arched her back under the controlling rider's clutches, yet Cu could see Medb still hadn't done anything serious. Her lips moved to Gabrielle's neck and tasted her. The master gasped her name in surprised delight while Cu remained mesmerized by the door; She was lost in bliss, and any last hesitation was clearly extinguished to let another fire rage out of control. Between Medb's sensual aggression and the master's eager submission to her servant, Cu would have been fine with just spectating.
Medb lips paused their assault on Gabrielle's neck to let out a hot breath. Gabrielle moaned and squirmed as she kept her eyes shut; She was melted putty in the rider's experienced hands. Pinned in the queen's grasp, her dazed eyes opened momentarily as her panting grew desperate. The lust and ecstasy in her eyes overflowed as she gazed towards him in her haze, and Cu wasn't sure if she was going to survive until he joined in.
The rider hadn't even gotten to actual foreplay yet.
With a giggle, the pink-haired beauty glanced back to Cu. Her gaze was the epitome of sultry allure, and tonight would be the night he finally conceded to it. She knew it by the way she licked her lips as the breathless Gabrielle writhed beneath her; Medb's hand finally slipped further into her best friend's panties towards her real sweet spot; It was time for the real fun to begin. "I don't think you promised only to watch, Stud~…"
He merely smirked back and undid the top button of his shirt.
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Shade was temporarily cast over the Marina sector as a large, fluffy cloud floated by. The air remained warm with a calm, gentle breeze. Seagulls cawed above the docks as Cu's lure plopped into the water before him. He rested his forearms on his black pants, which were paired with his favorite Hawaiian shirt. He paid the usual beach activity or surfers no heed, and his expression remained contemplative.
Cu's red eyes stared down into the crystal-clear waters where colorful, blurred coral bended with the waves. The special hook with bait wiggled in the water in an attempt to attract one of the many automata just beneath the docks, but none took interest. He hadn't even gotten a nibble out of any of the tinier ones either. There had been a curious marlin earlier that swam by and eyed it a few times, but he hadn't seen it again since that morning.
By now it was nearly lunch, and he hadn't even seen Gabrielle yet. It made him worried. "Mind if I take a seat, Setanta?"
The master had been quite pent up, but sheer look of ecstasy on her face made him confident he wouldn't regret his way of helping her. He started having doubts about it as the hours swam by like the schools of fish beneath him. It was concerning. She might have gotten regrets even after their promise.
He just wanted to enjoy fishing like he always had, but he had gotten himself involved. He hoped they hadn't made a mistake last night, but he had yet to talk with Medb again to confirm anything. He just wanted to help, not make things worse… Then again, maybe he was cursed to always make things worse. "Setanta?"
Cu idly wiggled his line as he gazed under the waves, but at nothing in particular. He pondered if he should finally go and check up on the master since she didn't show up for breakfast. Then again, maybe she wanted her privacy. If she was now even more depressed, it made sense she would be- A hand waved in front of his face. He blinked in surprise and turned to his left. He was met with Scathach's small smirk. "Is fishing that mesmerizing?"
His teacher sat in her exquisite hot pink and lavender bikini that never failed to catch the eyes of many. Her bare feet dangled in the water, and her translucent beach skirt was balled up beside his tackle box. Slowly, he grew curious upon seeing her in a better mood than recent days. It gave him hope.
She adjusted the flower in her hair and stared down at his lure, where not even a single fish looked interested. "…Have you even caught anything yet?"
Thanks to the new skepticism in her voice, he found himself chuckling. "I guess I spent my luck on yesterday's catch."
There was a pause as a few seagulls landed nearby. Cu glanced at them, then back at Scathach. "How's Gabby this morning?"
"Better. A lot better, honestly." Relief swelled within him as she smiled. "She slept in, and complained I didn't actually rudely wake her up for once. In my defense, she slept over with Medb… but her smile seemed extra bright this morning."
Cu couldn't keep the grin off his face as the sun finally cleared the large cloud, and Scathach merely smiled back as he chuckled. "That's what I like to hear!"
"I thought I was going to have to take more serious measures," Scathach idly mused, and Cu felt his own hair stand on end. Whenever she mentioned something like that, it usually meant- Scathach's laughed lightly and smirked at him. "I'm kidding, Setanta. That would have made her worse."
"Yea… she barely survived your training the first time," he chuckled hesitantly. At least her master training regime last year was nowhere near as intensive as his. Then again, Scathach was shaping her into being an upstanding master, not a mighty warrior. "So where's she now?"
"Playing dancing games with Medb. She said she needs to burn off some of the extra energy she has… I hope she's not as bouncy during our massage lunch."
Then he probably wasn't going to see the results for a bit longer if they were enjoying a small lunch at the spa. That was fine, and he was just glad he helped solve the problem. By the looks of it, Scathach was completely unaware, but he wasn't too sure how she'd react well to the whole thing. Hell, he still had some uncertainties until he saw how she acted around him.
He pondered whether he should just tell her outright... but if he was going to get scolded anyway, he'd rather not have it right now. It could be done later today. He wanted to enjoy fishing at the moment, and the good news Scathach brought would make that easier. So he decided to wait and shift the subject; It probably wouldn't be the worst decision anyway. Cu grinned, "I guess all that remains now is for me to catch another fish! I've been here for hours."
Scathach blinked. "…That feels like a waste of time."
"Do you consider all those read novels a waste of time?"
Quietly, she glanced at him as he stared back with a small smirk. She shook her head, and conceded a tiny smile. "…A fair point. Reading is boring to some."
Contrary to popular belief, the Celtic legends were interested in more than just fame, battle, and good company while drinking. Every one of them had their own little, different interests that slowed them down. Medb's had to do with royal pampering. Scathach's reading was more solitary and silent, which was ironic whenever he thought about it; All that time spent alone, and she finds a hobby best done in isolation.
For Cu, it was definitely fishing. Though it didn't seem like it to many, it was a mix of adventure and relaxation. To others it may look like he was just watching water move. Admittedly, they were right, and it was sometimes boring… yet it was the thrill of the unknown that tugged at him. Just the idea that something unknown could take his bait at any second had its own sort of excitement. It could be something miniscule or possibly even a worthy trophy.
However, today's catch looked different. There was still nothing at his lure, but someone had definitely been eyeing it throughout their conversation. It was a big stretch, but since none of his other fishing pals came out, maybe he could make a new one? He smiled at his teacher, "Want to try?"
It was hardly something he expected Scathach to like, but he was more surprised she actually considered it. "… I don't know how to fish."
"Want me to teach you? There's not much to it."
Quietly, she pondered for a few moments. A few dozen seconds later, she nodded briefly and looked at the rod. "Alright. It doesn't seem difficult."
Honestly, it wasn't. There was just a bunch of courtesies and simple techniques, but he was both surprised and a little thrilled by the opportunity. For once, he'd be the one teaching Scathach something, even if it was rather simple. Today was already looking much better, and he felt the last ounces of lingering uncertainty being buried under promising developments.
He chuckled as she gripped the pole fiercely like a weapon, which made him quickly shake his head with a smile. "It's not a sword. Just hold it firmly. You can even cast the line with one hand… Ah, better yet. How about we start at the basics?"
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Cu felt accomplished. Even if it was easy to learn and pick up, he felt he taught Scathach well on the fundamentals of fishing. Only half an hour later and she was reeling in the line and casting it into new spots like a pro. Since he was now down a rod, he had decided to go for a stroll to grab a new one. With his newfound mood, he hummed quietly as he walked towards the boardwalk where a new small shack stored the fishing gear.
"Hi Cu!" "Excuse us please!" "Babe, don't tag behind!" There were a few squeaks mixed in with all the greetings.
He chuckled to himself as a stampede of children quickly ran past him. With all the animal-like floaties, beachballs, towels, water toys, and other items they carried, the clustered, giggling children looked like a parade float rather than servants going for a boat ride. He glanced back at them, before quickly looking forward and waved to Artemis as she zipped past with Orion holding on for dear life; Her lavender, strapless one piece looked ready to burst like her usual wardrobe.
Facing forward once more, he held his calm composure as Anishka and Gabrielle skipped onto the dock. He admittedly eyed the new master's favorite sapphire, tasseled bikini which always begged for attention. Nevertheless, he felt the last remnants of uncertainty rise as he looked to Gabrielle, who sported a side-tied, white bikini today. Her gaze met his, and he didn't like the small, sudden glint of hesitation in her own eyes.
Nevertheless, he remained calm, smiled, and waved. "Off to the high seas?"
"With a mild chance of pirates," Anishka joked back, making him and Gabrielle chuckle as the pair walked towards him. "Are you getting a drink?"
"More like another rod. I gave my teacher mine." He thumbed behind him, and both Anishka and Gabrielle looked curiously at the fishing lancer. She sat with the rod beside her, quietly reading a book as she waited. "Who knows? Maybe she'll actually start fishing."
After the two girls giggled, Gabrielle smiled to Anishka. "You go on ahead, Annie. I just need to talk with Cu."
"Okay! Don't keep the girls waiting too long," the Indian woman giggled as she quickly ran towards the end of the docks. Cu glanced back to see the children prepping a boat.
He turned back to Gabrielle, whose smile fell a touch uncertain. It could go any direction from here, but Cu wasn't one to sit back and wait. Trusting all the previous signs, he acted casual and smiled. Before anything could get awkward, he chuckled. "I heard you slept in. I didn't tire you out too bad, I hope."
To his relief, she blushed, shook her head, and grinned brightly. His simply inquiry had shattered her uncertainty, and his with it. Her eyes shined with a little extra sparkles, and swelled with clear relief and gratitude; Her mood was clearly restored, and everything should become balanced and ordinary again. She giggled, "Not at all! …You were a bit rough though. I had to try really hard to walk normally."
Cu smirked at her, but he had been a little rougher on purpose; He just had to make sure it felt more like a one-night stand than risk any possible, unintentional intimacy. If he were a bit more honest, he got a little lost in the passion himself. He scratched the back of his head, "…I guess I got carried away."
"It's okay, but oh my god! You were better than I ever imagined!" she giggled again as her blush faded a bit. She smiled warmly at him, and surprised him by going in for a quick hug. He chuckled, but patted her on the back before she broke away. "…Thanks, Cu. I guess I really needed that."
He flashed her a thumbs up and grinned. "Guess you did. Try not to bottle up that stress too much, yea?"
She nodded in appreciation, and they both chuckled. The mirth was shattered with surprise as Gabrielle stared past him. He looked back to see Scathach had snagged something. Following his previous instruction, she began pulling the fish in, then quickly reeled in some line using the newly gained slack. Cu grinned at how quickly she caught on. The two looked at each other before quickly running towards their teacher.
However, as they drew closer, he grew a bit… nervous… at her expression.
There were few things that scared the great Hound of Ulster, but seeing his teacher's uncomfortably determined face probably topped that list. Even Gabrielle looked a bit hesitant as they finally came up to her. One could see the fire in her eyes from a distance, and felt the almost suffocating presence of excitement and battle-lust that emanated from her. Combined with her unbelievable skill, she was a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield…
But this wasn't a battlefield! She was just fishing! "Hey, teacher… You don't have to be so rough with the line. It's strong, and all, but-"
Her eyes flashed to him, but she kept her pulling the fish aggressively. "You said one had to savor the reeling battle, didn't you, Setanta? I'm doing it my way."
"Uhhh… Right…" He surrendered and merely watched as Scathach reeled in the victim. Cu glanced towards Gabrielle, who giggled nervously.
In one swift motion, Scathach leapt to her feet, yanked on the rod, and sent the fish flying high into the air. She pressed the release lever for the lure and dropped the rod at her feet. Cu and Gabrielle gawked as she jumped high to meet it, caught the fish, and tumbled back to the docks. She landed perfectly graceful on the dock with another red snapper, a bit smaller than the one Cu caught earlier. The men could only stare at her as she looked to her student and blinked.
"Setanta. Can you get the measuring tape? My hands are full."
Cu and Gabrielle quickly laughed, which made her smile in turn. Trust his teacher to turn fishing into a spectator sport.
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Cu walked back from the club with two new Mai Tais in hand while the rest of Chaldea enjoyed cooking smores at several bonfires across the beach. The night was young, and the brightest stars barely peaked through the twilight hues. After his first talk with Gabrielle, the rest of the day had been a relaxed blur, but that was perfect. The day had turned out plain and ordinary, just like he always enjoyed. Everything felt right again, but he had the nagging suspicion he forgot to do somethi-
He blinked as he saw that Scathach climbed the nearest set of beach stairs and waited at the railing for him. He could see the small, knowing glint in her eyes, and already knew what was coming; Yup... He did forget something. Curiously, her expression remained blank. When he walked up to her, she sighed as she took her drink.
"You slept with Gabby and Medb, didn't you?" It was surprisingly rhetorical and plain, with no edge to the tone. "You could have told me sooner."
"...Sorry, Scathach." Knowing there was no escape, he sighed and offered an apologetic smile. "…Gabby was stressed."
"Medb too I suppose," she added with a curious, small smile as she sipped on her drink. She gently leaned on the rail and look at the bonfire before them, where their party joined a few others in joyful conversation. He glanced between the happy group and the curiously relaxed teacher. She sighed at his silence, and offered a surprising yet amused smile. "…I'm guessing it was all mutual then."
"Mhmm," he responded plainly with a slightly confused nod. He made a decision, and he was going to live with any consequences. That's how he always was, though he was still baffled at how calm his teacher was taking it.
He expected one of the consequences to be a scolding, but that wasn't even happening. She merely smiled, shook her head, and brushed it off. "…What's done is done then. I'm not going to barge into your personal life unless it becomes an issue... but thanks for cheering her up, Setanta."
"The idea was originally Medb's plan, if you'd believe it."
She paused for a moment. "…I actually do. As selfish as she is, she has Gabby's best interests in mind too."
Scathach and Cu stared towards the campfire as Medb glanced towards them. After a pause, she offered a warm yet apologetic smile at Cu which bewildered Scathach. The rider returned to happily chatting with Fergus, but his teacher turned to look at him. He knew at this proximity there was no way he was going to hide his only remaining disappointment. "…I thought Medb would have been unbearably thrilled about this."
"…Yeah… Me too." Cu's eyes slowly swiveled to Scathach and noticed she had a small smirk teasing her lips. Mirth grew in her eyes, but only dismay welled in Cu's own. She bore a hole into him for a minute before he groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. She couldn't withhold her laughter.
Maybe it was because she was so hyped about sleeping with him. Maybe it was because it had been a while for him too… but that had not gone as expected. There was no doubt Medb was incredible in bed, and for obvious reasons. He was great too, as she happily complimented after their multiple sessions, but it was nowhere near the excited ecstasy he had mentally pictured. Instead, he got a few apologetic smiles and the a few reassurances that he was amazing.
That… was a consequence he hadn't expected at all, but in hindsight, maybe he should have.
His pride was stabbed. He had been so focused on the possibility Medb might pursue him for more love that he didn't think of the opposite… That maybe he wouldn't be her best ride. There was no doubt she was honest that he was incredible, and it always felt good to hear that. Nevertheless, after all that chasing and hype over him, it felt a little lackluster, and he could see the reason in her apologetic eyes: He was good, but not Fergus good.
Sensing his defeat at the hands of his uncle, Scathach patted his shoulder soothingly. "It's alright, Setanta. You can't win every battle."
Though his pride stung from the unspoken comparison, he stared at the bonfire with Scathach again. They looked to their happily smiling friend and master. Her expression glowed even brighter than the fire could even hope to portray. Her eyes sparkled like stars, eclipsing Medb's mirth as they laughed together. Gabrielle glanced over to the two on the railing and offered a cheesy grin that made Cu smirk. To his satisfaction, it even made Scathach smile. "At least you won where it mattered."
The steady heartbeat of normality was restored, and likely even a little better. The days ahead would be perfectly boring once more.