FINAL WARNING: Fragments beyond this point take place after supplemental stories Who We Are and Equilibrium.
As a soft wind blew on the cloudless September night, it carried the briny smell of the Atlantic with it on its journey. It tickled the grass below as a few homeward-bound seagulls glided along its pleasant currents. Far above, the celestial ocean shimmered over Patrick Air Force Base as the waxing crescent peeked over the distant horizon. The calm, summer air was sprinkled with the occasional caws of hungry birds and the gentle hum of an unearthly engine.
On the flight line, one of the Vigil's Angels rested with its rear door open. The giant purred with activity as the light warded off the surrounding, silent night. Several unmarked cars rested just outside of its glow, while their passengers bade their farewells on the concrete. Vigil soldiers with blue berets waited calmly by the ramp and vehicles as two robots did final ground checks around the massive transporter; There was far from a rush.
Black formal-wear covered the present parties; It was a necessary dress code to help the Vigil conceal Chaldean activities under professional guises. The only one who seemed to mind was Gabrielle, but the master always preferred dresses if she had to look fancy. Even if she opted for a black skirt for her suit top, just like her two servants, she could be seen playing with the collar in discomfort.
On the other hand, Gudao looked completely relaxed in his three-piece suit. Mashu appeared like a prim secretary in her ensemble beside him, and Lancelot loomed like a strong bodyguard behind them. Fou remained cradled in Mashu's warm arms, with no worry in the world about having to wear something formal. Though the formal wear fitted most well, some, like Gabrielle's, could have been fitted better… but there was always next time for rentals.
"You watch over them too, okay, little fella?" Fou's eyes squinted with pleasure as a new, familiar hand reached out to ruffle its fluffy ears. Its eyes opened to peek at the older spitting image of Gudao… if he had a beard. His father was well built and only average height, yet he still looked intimidating on sight. Despite his deep voice and firm gaze, he had been one of the friendliest men the group could have ever met.
It was a hilarious contrast to his mother, who was quite short, but packed all the fire of a nuclear warhead into her little form. The black-haired woman had yet to release her precious son from her embrace, even as Gudao glanced over to his father for help past her locks; The older man merely smirked and shook his head. Mashu giggled like Gabrielle, but the other master had quickly gasped when Gudao's mother swiftly pulled her son over so she could wrap her in the vice grip too.
"Miss Fuji! We already hugged!" Gabrielle complained, but a tall, orange-haired man merely laughed with Gudao's father.
"How many years and you still think you can escape that?" her father chastised lightly. From his straight posture to his practiced form, he stood like a beacon of class. His eyes were firm, yet soft as he gazed down at his daughter who fell limp in the Fujimaru's embrace. His warm laugh echoed out again as his wife joined in on the hug from the other side; Gudao and Gabrielle were caught in a bear trap.
"Mimi… Should we really let our kids go again?" Gabrielle's mother asked as she giggled over her daughter's shoulder. The short woman's shoulder-length blonde hair waved gently in the breeze to entwine her daughter's; They mimicked a flame or flag. Her blue eyes and soft features shined warmly, which was a stark contrast to the other middle-aged woman.
"They'll just find a way to escape anyway…" the short Asian magus relented as she finally released her hug. Gudao stared down apologetically at his mother, whose beautiful, short hair and magazine-worthy face hid the greatest surprise within. Her onyx eyes sparkled with an inferno of warning as they moved between her son and his fiery best friend.
While the wilder master giggled sheepishly, Gabrielle's mom merely clung on to her daughter and smiled at her servants. "Please make sure they don't get into too much trouble…? Especially this one. She's always a handful."
"We know," Scathach and Medb answered with tiny smirks at the same time, then glanced at each other with mild surprise… and even irritation.
The others laughed as Scathach offered a calm smile. "We'll keep your daughter safe, Fiona."
"But she'll make it difficult, as usual," Medb winked, and Gabrielle stuck her tongue out at her playfully. She mirrored the act, and they giggled.
As Gudao's father looked to Lancelot, he resolutely stiffened and placed a hand over his heart. "On my honor, Mister Eugen, and Lady Minami… I redeclare. Camelot shall stand guard over Gudao's wellbeing."
"I'm sure they'll be fine," Minami noted calmly, before reaching out gently… and pinching Gudao's cheek with the might of a titan. The master shook under her grasp but met his mother's gaze strongly. "Be courteous and keep doing your work properly! You've got quite the job and title, young man!"
"Yes, mother," Gudao responded quickly as she released her hold.
With the sweetest expression imaginable, she turned to Mashu as Gudao stared with jealousy. She gently pulled the young girl, with accompanying Fou, into a soft embrace. "I'm so happy we could meet you, Mashu~… Take care of my little boy who loves you oh so preciously."
Fou squirmed lightly in the trapped embrace as Mashu hugged back. Her smile was gentle like a silk pillow. "…I promise, Miss Fujimaru... He means the world to me."
As they broke apart, Mashu caught Fiona's playfully disappointed gaze aimed her way. She flushed, and quickly bowed as Fou squeaked in surprise. "Miss Rutherford! I'm sorr-"
"Oh foo. This again!?" Gabrielle's mother cried out as the parents laughed. She quickly walked up to Mashu and gently hugged her in turn. "I told you, Mashu. It's fine! I'm just glad you took all our little jokes about Gabby and Gudao getting married as jokes."
"We can always matchmake your children," Minami offered back with a small wink, and the masters quickly turned to each other with sheepish glances. When Fiona glanced back and nodded eagerly, the accompanying servants laughed. Even Fou let out an amused chirp from Mashu's giggling grasp.
"You've got plenty of time to plan that wedding, dear," Gabrielle's father noted with a chuckle as he glanced to the Vigil aircraft. "But if we keep this farewell going any longer, they might charge us for gas."
"Oh hush, Quinn! Get over hear and hug our children again!" Fiona quickly countered as a new wave of chuckles raced through the groups. Despite the formality… the smiles, sniffles, teary eyes, and emotional tones dictated the true mood of this gathering. This was hardly a funeral, but a fond farewell after a few days of break.
It was a whirlwind of activity that showcased just why Gabrielle and Gudao wound up being so close; Their demeanor and mentalities were certainly unbecoming of mages, yet it was mirrored in their families. It was eye opening, just like seeing all the happier moments that popped up around them. For every bad scrap of news, there was always a silver lining or joyful sight elsewhere if one looked hard enough.
As the Chaldeans bid their final goodbyes to the masters' parents, Mashu squeezed Fou tighter in her warm grasp. The Vigil Angel's engines warmed up as the parents hugged, yet again, before giving one final wave of goodbye. The farewell dragged on, but there was no complaint from any. It was just another scene that was allowed to play out unconditionally… another beautiful moment that reflected in the curious eyes of the fluffy critter.
…But a new moment Fou was allowed to cherish.
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Fragment 76: Memoirs of a Beast
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It had been a shot in the dark… an impossibility. To find a single shimmering needle among the shedding pines of a snow-covered range was madness, yet it succeeded.
Fou had found Mashu.
There was no doubt this soul belonged to the one it had followed so curiously and dearly. Even though its shape was ethereal, and waxed and waned like a supernova, there was no mistaking its warmth… its innocence. It was a radiance that Fou had come to recognize over the scant blink of its existence spent within Chaldea's walls. It was her radiance that Fou searched frantically to reach for a lone possibility.
Its voice echoed over the void. "I mean no harm, but there's not much time, Mashu, so I'll be frank… I'm bringing you back to life."
This was something it'd never consider. The very purpose of its existence was anathema to the thought of human salvation. It existed off the principle of comparison… A beast that would grow from human conflict, fed off jealousy and regrets, and possessed the trait of becoming stronger than its opponent.
"…Who… are you…?" She spoke again, and it was never so glad to hear her sweet voice.
"I am the Beast of Calamity, Cath Palug. In another world, I would have been called Primate Murder… but such was not the case. I became a harmless animal since I wasn't raised among human society. I was imprisoned on an uninhabited island… and were it not for that terrible mage who took care of me, I would have remained there. He chased me out and set me loose… but it was because of that I was able to find Chaldea."
Fou's instincts hummed with disapproval. Thinking of resurrecting a human was against its nature. Sentiment for people was against its very being… yet it persisted. It existed with the deplorable ideas to its concept. Even so, Fou dared to relish in its warmth... How strange for a Beast to be moved so greatly.
"…Chaldea…" her voice echoed painfully. It could hear the growing tears in her fading mind; Fou couldn't delay. His weightless body thrummed with centuries worth of collected energy. It was a miniscule amount compared to what it could have had, but it was hopefully enough for his daunting task. As it channeled its power, Mashu's voice winced, and it felt the energy beginning to fry within like unleashed magma. "…What… are…!?"
"I told you, Mashu. I'm performing a miracle unreachable by any magic… The complete resurrection of the dead." Yet it was only plausible because of the intricacies of the Time Temple and the Sea of Imaginary numbers, where death was a concept foreign and malleable. Here, it was more like the power to transfer fate, but the result was all the same. "I've yet to mature, but I'm giving you all I have. I will paint over your remaining months to grant you the full life of promise you deserve."
It burned terribly. Its body felt like it was being ripped apart by the sheer act, yet it persevered. It had to do this. Though much of its instincts screamed a human didn't deserve anything, more of its being cried back: She did. Mashu deserved this more than any. She deserved to bask in Chaldea again.
"…Fou…! What… about…!?" Ah… to think she'd still care so much. That's just like her.
"…This is the end for me. With this act, I will lose my intelligence and my traits… I will be just a mere beast barking in your company, but hardly anyone will notice... It's better this way, lest I turn into something that would ruin a sight so beautiful."
"…Fou…!" Her pained voice echoed over the agony its body was succumbing to. Already, it could feel its mind slipping away.
"…Should I even have a slither of sentience, it'll be lonely… That's why I wanted to say goodbye. You, Gudao… So many in Chaldea have given me a refreshing journey… So much so that I, who could have been something hideous, stayed like this to the very end to bless an impossible gift."
"Wait…! Fou…!" Even if she were to cry out now, it wouldn't matter. The pain of hearing her desperate voice would vanish. She wouldn't remember any of this. She wouldn't remember the circumstance of her revival; No one would. This was a final act that would stay buried in the sands of time.
Yet, Fou still pursued it. Fou still wanted to say goodbye, even if it was meaningless in the end… How ironic. For a Beast that was to hate and destroy humanity, it had done a wonderful job picking up its sentimental traits. Fou did it merely because that's what its come to believe was right by its heart.
It struggled against its growing torment, yet Fou remained steady. The endless stream of energy flowed from its form and danced around the intangible soul before it. Like the birth of a star, her presence grew, while the Beast's diminished. Nevertheless, amongst its torment, Fou felt itself smile with twinkling eyes as it performed the miracle. It couldn't help but breathe and reminisce through the mounting pain.
Everything it'd seen in Chaldea would be but a memory if it could even recall. Would it be trapped to gaze forever behind the cage of its eyes? Would it be truly just a mindless animal? Whatever the coming future, Fou remained resolute. This was what it decided was right, yet it held on dearly to the sights as its consciousness faded away. Even so, the Beast of Calamity smiled and recalled one final memory.
"…When that mage sent Cath Palug off, he once said… Go and see beautiful things… and I really did see something impossibly beautiful… Congratulations, good people of Chaldea… The fourth Beast has been defeated by you…!"
"…Fou…! Don't go…!"
"…Farewell, Mashu…!"
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Gudao's room was starting to feel more like a comfortable home, yet it still lacked the true warmth of perfected home décor; That wasn't to say it hadn't come far thanks to Mashu. The desk had been replaced with a wooden counterpart worthy of a classy study. There was a polished maple bookshelf loaded with memorabilia, warm pictures, and keepsakes. A panoramic Sunscape window on the wall shimmered with the brightness of a rising sun on a warm mountain lake. That was just the tip of the iceberg.
Fou sat comfortably on the cozy, phantasmal-fur pet bed that matched its pristine coat. With twitching ears, it stared curiously towards the lone empty space on the wall where a sticky note read 'Future Fireplace.' The little pink note even had a small heart on it. It could already feel the future warmth of its flickering, faux flame as it warmed the room… which was something Fou didn't think it'd get to experience again.
Truthfully, Fou was surprised it got to experience… everything.
It had spoken such embarrassing and humiliating words to Mashu in that painful moment… yet here it was, comfortably sitting on its own bed with full recollection and control. Every move of its eyes was its own doing. Every bark or quiet chirp was of its own choosing. The beast had retained its sentience… but, understandably, not very much else.
In its new morning routine, the fluffy beast stood from the carpet and stretched its muscles. They groaned with lethargy and stiffness it never knew before. A joint or two cracked as it twisted its form to pull away any tightness. It almost squeaked as it accidentally dug its tiny claw into its side when it tried to scratch an itch. 'That's still going to take getting used to…'
For whatever reason, Fou retained its sentience, but it was definitely just a near-harmless creature with no more potential for growth; It couldn't even gather any energy anymore. It felt pain and other things on a level it never before understood. The act of trying to mold prana was met with nothing but a headache. It even felt weaker… but if it were honest, outright pitiful would be a better description compared to its former peak. It was still getting used to the concept that it was, at best, just a basic mythical animal, if anything.
Though, Fou was a bit curious if it retained its ageless immortality.
With a grumble, it shook the last grogginess from its form. Even though its bed was lovely, it preferred sleeping on the bigger one… but considering Mashu and Gudao decided to get passionate last night, it quickly decided otherwise. With gentle pitter-patters of its feet, it marched over to the bedside. It gazed up at the quilted blanket, then carefully eyed the creases. Before it could just leap right up, but its new weakness made everything a challenge to get used to.
Fou leapt onto an ideal crease, then quickly bounded to the bed's edge. It balanced itself precariously and did its best not to dig its claws into the precious signed fabric; It succeeded with much effort. Quietly, it tip toed to the bed's head to glance at its two 'owners', as some in Chaldea called them. Weak or not, the beast still liked to believe it was owned by no one, but it didn't mind the comfy carrying if that's what their title meant.
It gently sat down on the pillow and gazed towards the sleeping couple. Mashu was wrapped tightly in Gudao's arms, and their small smiles proved the night remained free of nightmares. Fou's undisturbed sleep confirmed it too; That long talk with the man's father was a great step for the traumatized masters. With her head buried in the crook of Gudao's bare neck, Mashu mumbled something pleasant, but the beast couldn't make it out with its regular hearing.
Quiet, gentle breaths that escaped their lips thundered through its mind to eradicate any second thoughts. Mashu was alive and happy. Fou had preserved a beautiful blink of the timeline for many years more. Maybe Goetia would have argued it only prolonged the inevitable, but it was how that time was spent that mattered. It was thanks to Chaldea Fou understood that better than any other beast.
Satisfied with its first sip of morning coffee, Fou happily sat down and stared towards the Sunscape window as the faux star grew with warmth. Usually the two would be up by now, but they only arrived from their brief family vacation last night. It was sure going to miss all the love and attention it got from the masters' parents; That damn poodle was living the life of an animal king.
Whether at Gudao's parents' house or here, Fou was just content to see the newfound comfort hadn't left. They were sleeping in more often with the Grand Order and international incidents out of the way. With no lingering rush or concern, a new tranquility ruled, even if there may be pillars out there. Fou found satisfaction in just sitting around and watching these little, quiet moments it enjoyed. It could wait here forever in bliss…
…or at least until breakfast. Fou was already feeling its belly starting to rumble.
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As much as it loved spending time with the pink-haired treasure and her cherished lover, there was plenty to do and see in Chaldea… especially these days. With its belly full of some delicious fruit, Fou quietly wandered back through Club Cove and into the resort's lobby. Upon exiting its sliding double doors, it stared towards a new corridor. The hallway was just taking shape, but they certainly didn't waste time on construction.
'Trust the humans to keep expanding on such a mythical place,' Fou pondered, but it remained content. Mount Meru was a holy site even for phantasmal beasts. To mar the Axis Mundi was a sin against mysticism itself, but it was a powerful place. It was a texture strong enough to stay anchored within the modern world of humans where mystery had all but vanished to the reverse side; They would need to do serious damage to truly destroy the mystery of this realm. Its mythical companions would be abhorred, but Fou was only amused.
Everything Chaldea planned was pursued with honest, careful intent. The Axis Mundi would remain a mystical haven, no matter what they built.
When a robot opened the doors, the small Beast quickly scampered inside. The smell of freshly cut maple tickled its mind with every little sniff, and it felt the tiny grains of sawdust under its paws as it walked. With tail kept high to keep free from the residue, it exited the hallway into the vast, cylindrical room carved out of the rock. Though it was mostly dim, the few illumination spells that floated in the air offered the first glimpses of what was to come.
In the very center, Babbage huffed pridefully with steam as it carefully crafted a unique fountain. Its design sang tribute to an era that could have been with its brass tubes and steel gears. The stacks that protruded elegantly would vent steam towards the lofty ceiling far above where currently visible vents would collect them. It was hardly a steam-powered computer, but the mechanical inventor sure took pride in the centerpiece.
Fou glanced towards other double doors that took form around the space. Some were flanked by empty window panels and chalk-drawn outlines to symbolize future storefronts. Others led to new access stairways or elevators for the two balcony floors above or the deeper levels of Chaldea. A rare few were complete, but they acted as paths to the pre-existing Arcade and Memorial Hall. Even so, this hectare-sized space was certainly taking shape rather quickly.
At the rapid pace they progressed, Chaldea's Mall, named the Agora, in honor of the Greek servants, would likely be fully operational in two weeks.
Some parts, Fou argued, would be ready far sooner. The little beast playfully weaved through saw horses, hopped on building material, and dodged working robots or servants to arrive at one shop. Unlike the rest, the interior was already carved out. Chalk markings laid out the entire room plan, and the battle-clad caster within still wasn't slowing down. By the look on her face, it was easy to tell Medea wasn't going to stop until this store was the first one completed.
Fou's ears twitched gently as it gazed up at the store's temporary sign: The Stitch Witches. It still remembered the old days when Naomi would glare at any employee who dared to say that teasing name within earshot. That had almost been been the guaranteed greeting that woke her up every day alongside two cups of coffee. Now it was a badge of honor and a title she happily shared with the caster within.
Curious about the future interior, Fou quietly walked in while Medea was out of sight in the backroom. It waltzed right in, but instinctively felt its hairs tingle; Fou froze. Though it was as weak as any normal animal now, its body was still born for an ascended phantasmal purpose. As a former, almighty entity, little hints of magecraft, like crossing a bounded field, could still be felt.
Almost immediately, it glanced with worry as a stern Medea peered out from the backroom. Upon seeing Fou, though, she sighed and her gaze softened. She quickly marched over while Fou watched her carefully. The seriousness and relief in her eyes was matched only by the clouds of ever present torment. "…Wandering around, Fou? You'll get dust all over your coat."
"Kyuuu…" the Beast chirped apologetically as Medea knelt down before it. It sensed no frustration as the caster gently rubbed its head. It practically purred with bliss at the therapeutic act it loved to receive, but Fou could feel it was more for her sake. If it made her feel better too, there was no harm in comfy head rubs.
It opened one eye to stare at Medea, who only continued to rub it without any hint of a smile. If her eyebrows had been a bit more furrowed, she would have looked as unapproachable as she had in her first month. Now, she exuded a sorrowful presence that was ill-fitting for such a beautiful, tragic, and feared mythical Greek. Had it lived anywhere else, it would not have cared for her plight, but Fou held a heart for humanity thanks to Chaldea.
All it could do with its powerlessness was offer its presence and hope things would turn out alright. "Fou, fou…"
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Fou trotted contently out the former cafeteria doors, which now resembled the salon's original elegant entrance further down. The new Salon de Marie should be ready by the end of the week, and by the looks of it, the French Queen had outdone herself; Likely even her allotted budget too. It would certainly remain one of the crown jewels of Chaldea, and the beast certainly looked forward to naps within the pseudo-palace's regal walls once more.
"Kyuuu, kyuuu!" Fou happily greeted as a passing employee bent over to rub its head. After the simple greeting, the employee continued his silent walk down the windowed hallway as Fou strolled on its little tour.
As much as that man had been through, which included losing his girlfriend, he had decided to stay. Chaldea's employees were a cut above most other humans, though there was only so much they could take. Humans were always such fragile blinks on the grand scheme of things. Yet, to the Beast's surprise, no matter how traumatized or devastated they were, nearly all of the staff had chosen to stay.
It had little doubt the real reason was the strange, impossible community they've managed to build… One that those few who chose to retire were bound never to speak of. The huge salaries likely helped, but that was barely compensation for the turmoil and horror they experienced. Still, Fou had to wonder if they'd walk back through that open door Da Vinci left unlocked for them. For those that chose to remain, though, the days were certainly brighter.
"Hey, Fou!" That applied tenfold to Chaldea's little celebrity staff.
"Kyuuuu!" the beast happily greeted as it raced down the hallway. It quickly came to a skidding halt before the pair of best friends. Tyler knelt down and gently picked Fou up. It quietly eyed the employee's plain, white t-shirt, then down to his black gym shorts. As he pet him gently, it gazed towards his new leg, which was nearly indiscernible from a real one from what Fou could tell; Da Vinci did a pretty smooth job by all indications.
More so than anything else, Fou glanced to the dark-skinned man, whose laidback attitude had been graced with a newfound cheerfulness; A brush with death sometimes did that to humans, it supposed. It looked on with approval as Tyler rubbed behind the Beast's ears. Though often the butt of jokes, there was much to be said about a man who sailed through a traumatic event and came out roughly the same… There wasn't a glint of misery in his eyes.
Only a newfound appreciation for life and a satisfied grin. "Glad to see you made it out too! We're survivors!"
"Kyuuu, kyuuu!" Fou chirped, then glanced towards the silent man beside him with begging eyes. Anton chuckled, finally knelt down, and gave it the head pats it so thoroughly enjoyed. With one eye peeked open, it stared at his new uniform. Fou had to say, the green accents on his leyshift personnel uniform actually looked good on him; It thought the color combo may look disgusting on Chaldea's newest supervisor.
Anton caught it staring, and Tyler looked to him with a chuckle. "It's gonna take some getting used to."
"More for me than you," Anton replied back easily. "I'm going to be unfathomably nervous."
"I heard you did fine the last time. Plus, you'll have Fran sitting next to you, Mister Leyshift Supervisor!"
"Fou, fou!" the Beast reassured too. Anton chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his head.
"Well… you know me…" Yup. As far as he'd come, the employee still gets flustered easily. Being present for so many future situations should do him wonders. He'd made it through that traumatic event fairly unscathed, so his self-confidence should continue to bloom. It was another growth Fou enjoyed seeing.
"You'll be fine…" Tyler placed Fou on the ground and patted Anton on the back. They stood up, but Fou decided to tag along a little longer just to see how he walked. Upon his first steps, the little beast was impressed that there was only a minor limp; Da Vinci made that new puppet leg really well. "Speaking of supervisor status… Did Da Vinci tell you know how many are coming this weekend?"
Anton smiled and shrugged as Fou looked on. "She was rather vague... About two dozen in various jobs. All I know is she wants the new division filled out."
Fou overheard that a few times; It got to overhear news even faster than Marie since most never suspected a thing! The Logistics Division was practically a skeleton crew since the Vigil's personnel now handled the deliveries. On the other hand, the new Quality of Life Division, as Da Vinci dubbed them, was going to help Chaldea feel more like a home town. The Furniture and Clothing Departments were relocated under its vast net, but there were still plenty of new roles to fill under budding departments.
"As long as the new arrivals are friendly, I'm cool with it," Tyler chuckled. "Hope they'll get used to our shenanigans fast."
"Faster than the Clock tower team?" Anton inquired as Fou was about to wander off. Instead, Fou ground to a halt with them as its ears picked up. A few presences approached, but it was the regal nobility of a familiar phantasmal beast that registered in its mind. There was little time to wait as it finally appeared from an adjacent corridor with blinding speed.
Fou could only watch with dumbfounded astonishment as the proud and majestic Hippogriff practically slammed sideways into the reinforced glass of the hallway. To their credit, Anton and Tyler barely flinched as the pane reverberated like a gong. On its powerful back, a battle-clad Astolfo happily giggled as his passenger, in a green sweater vest and tan slacks, chuckled just as mirthfully. "Sorry, sorry! We took that turn a little too fast! Are you okay, Hippogriff!?"
"This is so much fun!" Flat cried out from the Hippogriff's back as Astolfo urged it forward. For a split second, the mighty, majestic beast, whose flocks used to cover the skies like angels, met the gaze of the tiny Beast of Calamity. Fou could see the pleading glint in its eyes… the tiny beg of a noble beast crying for help from Chaldea's newfound 'deadliest duo.' And here poor Okita thought the pranksters were enough of a handful…
"(…I am sorry…)" Fou consoled with a small chirp, and the phantasmal beast merely nodded in acceptance of its plight. Deep down, it was proud of its enthusiastic owner, but there were some instances where exasperation was more than justified; This was easily one of them.
The Hippogriff turned back forward as the towed Vigil's hovering palette appeared from the hallway. In an instant, the Hippogriff charged down the hallway again with its stack of supplied in tow… all while the two yelled happily from its back. Fou could only stare with Anton and Tyler as they vanished down another hallway… but not before Jeanne came bursting from one of the new salon's doors while scolding Astolfo's antics. A giggling Janna followed swiftly behind her as Marie's laughter echoed from the salon.
Tyler blinked. "…Was that one of the mages? I didn't recognize him."
Anton cleared his throat. "Um, yes… that was Flat. He's… a special mage? I'm not quite certain how to aptly describe him…"
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As the faux sun rained down light on the resort, Elizabeth held an impromptu concert by the shaded cabana. Jing Ke's drunken laughter could be heard echoing out of club cove as Ibaraki rushed through its door with a handful of candy. The grills plumed with enticing smoke as the kitchen team endlessly churned out delights. Everywhere within sight, the outdoor cafeteria and surrounding boardwalk flourished with lunchtime activity, yet Fou barely paid any attention.
How could it when was such a delicious offering at the bar for it? While the nearest servants and staff mingled quietly, the fluffy beast kept its head happily buried in Paracelsus' gifted concoction of shaved ice… it's absolute favorite treat. A true gift from humanity in tribute to the Beast. "Kyuuuuuuuuu~…"
The crystal bowl had barely contained the formerly towering feat as the diminished offering stood proudly atop the cabana bar. A light mist wafted off its remaining chilly flakes while a blueberry syrup dripped in lava rivers from the untouched mountainside. Sweetness tickled its tongue as it happily savored the fruity flavor, then took a second to slowly chew on one of the tiny blueberries that decorated the outskirts. Lunch was just beginning, so it made sure to reign in its impulses to appreciate this longer.
It sighed with bliss as a cool sea breeze tickled its fur. Even when Salon de Marie reopened, lunch and breakfast would remain at the cove throughout the week. That meant a free shaved ice treat every day from the amused bartender: What was there not to love for the Beast? It could even get a few snacks and other treats if it walked around and put on the cutest set of begging eyes it could. The Beast would have easily missed all this royal treatment.
"Quite hungry today, aren't you, Fou?" Paracelsus chuckled. The beast merely pulled its muzzle from the delicious treat and licked the blueberry syrup that dripped onto its nose. It gazed to the working bartender, who stood relaxed in his blue tropical shirt and cleaned a drinking glass. The caster chuckled again as Fou quickly chirped in response, then rammed its head back into the food. "I might have to give you another one soon."
"Mind if I have a glass of your special Sangria, Paracelsus?" the tired voice made Fou pull its head back again. It stared back into the smoky shade of the cabana cafeteria as Vernier came up to the bar two seats over. Like a proper noble, he kept his beard, hair, and white formal suit in absolutely pristine order, yet his face penned a different tale. The fatigue in the man's eyes dripped like fresh rainfall, even as he tried to keep himself straight and upright.
"I'll get right on it," the caster replied with a sympathetic smile, and the Pride-magus nodded with appreciation. He had wound up one of the better mages the Clock Tower could have sent. With his recent experiences, Fou felt his lingering fear when he first arrived. He'd helped keep the other, older mages in line so there wouldn't be any trouble; He never sucked up, but his respect born from witnessing what servants were capable of kept him in line through concern and intimidation.
Because of his cordial yet noble demeanor, the beast could almost feel bad for the magus. The paperwork split among the Clock Tower team was no joke; That room was a jungle Fou couldn't cut through with a reinforced machete. They were still only about half way through, yet Vernier looked just about ready to throw in the towel and say Chaldea did absolutely nothing wrong… Not like they did. Just a few crazy daily antics that Vernier was still getting used to.
Faster than lightning, Paracelsus had delivered the cocktail for Vernier. The caster smiled sympathetically again, "Don't work yourself into the ground."
"Convince Belfaban he can wait a day or two and I won't have to," he chuckled dryly as he took his first sip of the drink… and kept going. Fou and Paracelsus stared in disbelief as the man downed the entire glass on the first go. He sighed contently. "…Guess I really needed that."
"Guess you did," Paracelsus mumbled through his surprise as he took the glass. "I'll get you another if you'd like?"
"I shouldn't consider it… but I am," he admitted, and they both chuckled. Fou's ears perked up as another set of footsteps approached. It stopped munching on its treat again as a soft, heavenly hand scratched all the good spots. It sighed with bliss as it glanced at Sita as she took a seat at the bar. As she smoothed the lap of her yellow tropical dress, she smiled at Fou… yet it didn't seem as bright and divine as it usually was.
"You've got some syrup on your nose," Sita pointed out with a small giggle, and though it quickly licked it off, it noticed her tone also felt a little softer. Fou tilted its head curiously as Rama took the seat beside her. His red board shorts matched his unbuttoned tropical shirt, yet it was the expression he wore that defined his wardrobe. Inquisitive whispers echoed through every thought in the beast's mind as it saw a rare sight: A clearly irritated Rama.
Sita reached over and gently rubbed her hand atop her husband's, yet his gaze to her barely softened. His wife smiled sympathetically, but he sighed and whispered, "I can't just stop worrying, Sita. This is not going to end well."
"I know… but you know she always had a problem saying no," she whispered back. She hid any hint of her sorrow as Paracelsus quickly came over. She smiled and giggled, "Rama's feeling under the weather. Maybe the usual can cheer him up?"
"Banana split for two, coming right up," Paracelsus chuckled as Rama offered a strained smile in appreciation. It faded as soon as he turned away.
"I've been trying to tell…" Rama started, but quickly trailed off as he shook his head. "Annie should have just told Arjuna the truth. Not… I'm worried about her, Sita."
"Me too… We'll keep an eye on them and hope it can end well," Sita reassured quietly as she squeezed his hand again.
Fou licked at its treat, yet the sweetness had faded a bit. For every beautiful moment, an opposite could also appear; This one was beautiful in its own way though. The care and compassion that linked human souls were blooming flowers among a field. Sometimes they hid withering leaves beneath. With everything it was allowed to subtly glimpse, the beast had a feeling this heartwarming worry over the Indian master was well-founded for troubling reasons.
She hid it well, but Fou know Anishka wasn't swayed by men. It could tell by the occasional lingering gazes on bikini-clad servants compared to an almost non-existent reaction to the stallions of Chaldea. Yet, the master still had yet to grow the confidence to reveal it. If this conversation, and Karna's own curiously sterner mood, was any indication… Yea. Fou could see what possible development Anishka could have trapped herself in.
Drama was almost certain to arise, which was a shame. If humans loved to be compassionate and stubborn, that was more than fertile breeding grounds for that too. Nothing was ever as simple as it looked; It was both endearing and ridiculous to the beast. All it could silently hope for is that this didn't explode with conflict like what happened between Kiyohime and Gabrielle… Poor Anishka wouldn't be able to handle that. At all.
As Rama and Sita fell into another topic to distract themselves, Fou quickly finished its bowl. It licked the plate clean and drew a small giggle from Sita. "Would you like another, Fou?"
It may as well help distract them too; It appreciated brighter moments than brooding and drama. It turned to the pair with begging, gleaming eyes, and was swiftly rewarded. Tiny, genuine smiles broke out on the couple as it pleaded with tiny chirps, "…Fou, fou, fou!?"
They laughed, and Fou conceded to bury them with temporary relief so long as it was here.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ VII ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
With its stomach full, Fou kept its eyes pleasantly closed as the rowboat gently rocked. It felt the warmth of the resort's fuax sun warming its fur as a sea breeze kept it cozy. Curled into a ball at the bow, it lazily let the gentle waves cradle it on the fine line between sleep and silent satisfaction. Its ear twitched gently as distant laughter echoed out over the calm seas.
"Looks like another battle broke out."
Upon hearing its companions giggling, Fou cracked open its eyes. It glanced over the bow, then quickly spotted the distant two boats. A third boat with Martha and Sasaki was paddling away to avoid conflict. Chaldea's pirates were attempting a water gun raid of a Japanese patrol boat, though Ushiwakamaru and Okita were fighting back hard. The dazzling water show looked like a snow globe in the distance as sprayed water sprinkled in the light.
Fou glanced back to its three companions as they watched the fun. The smiling Enkidu's white tropical shirt flitted in the gentle sea breeze as he turned their boat away from the action. On the lap of his matching board shorts rested the newest sphinx kitten that had been gifted to Ereshkigal. The blonde lancer sat before him in a frilly black bikini she got in Florence, and Mashu sat next to her in her favorite white swim dress with magenta accents.
While Enkidu paddled them away, the sphinx kitten mewled and leapt into its owners lap. She rolled onto her back as Ereshkigal and Mashu giggled, and gently rubbed her belly. While her tail waggled happily, the goddess adjusted the kitten's tiny golden necklace with a white heart so it sat more comfortably on the celestial beast. The kitten mewled happily in response and pawed at her hand for more pets, making the goddess giggle more, "Okay, okay… Happy?"
Soft purrs answered the goddess as Mashu pulled out her new smartphone, complete with an orchid-pattern case and a tiny Hello Kitty charm. After some fumbling, she quickly snapped a picture as Ereshkigal pulled the kitten to her chest, then another as the goddess smiled. A third soon followed as Enkidu quickly scooted over for a shot as the three laughed. Fou rushed to place its head down to fake slee- "Come here, Fou!"
It should have done it earlier. Fou sighed lightly as Mashu gently picked him up off the bow, and then hugged the beast to her chest. It opened its eyes to accept its fate, and found the former shielder holding her phone up for a selfie with all of them. It flashed, the trio giggled, and the kitten purred happily. Fou glanced over, and the little sphinx quickly met its gaze.
Fou barked quietly, "(You're quite the fun loving one, huh?)"
Enkidu blinked and glanced between the two as the kitten purred. "(Yup, Mister Fou~!)"
Fou nodded. "(How fitting. Be sure to treat her well, young one.)"
"(Of course I will~! She's so precious~!)" the kitten happily mewled as Enkidu cracked a smile.
"Awww, are they talking to each other?" Mashu asked curiously as she turned to the green-haired lancer.
"They're talking about you, Eresh," the androgynous servant nodded happily, and the goddess' eyes perked up. "Your kitten thinks you're precious!"
Ereshkigal's eyes lit up as she snuggled the kitten to her chest. It mewled happily, "(I'm so glad she's my caretaker~!)"
With a happy chirp, Fou glanced up at Mashu as she cradled him in her bosom. It enjoyed the softness of the embrace, but glanced to Enkidu as he reached over to pet the Egyptian beast. There were a few in Chaldea the intelligent beasts had to be wary of, but not for malicious reasons. Fou just wanted to make sure too many didn't know who it really was, but those who could understand the tongue of beasts had been surprisingly accommodating. Those who knew, like Ereshkigal and Ishtar, also seemed to just keep it under wraps.
It made going about a blissfully carefree life as the animal leader easy. He'd secured his spot as the alpha without any doubts; He was the fourth of the numbered Beasts, and was privileged with righteous Authority over the rest. Just its word bought obedience from those beneath it, yet it didn't control with strict rule. If it learned anything from the humans, it was that kindness wasn't necessarily presented as weakness.
It glanced up at Mashu as she gently scratched beneath his chin. 'Ah… the best spot…'
"I'm glad she can come with us to New Zealand," Enkidu noted as he scratched the kitten's back.
"This goddess wouldn't have left her here for the week anyway!" Ereshkigal quickly asserted as she cradled her pet like a baby. It made perfect sense the once lonesome goddess wouldn't dare give the same fate to another, even for a few days. The kitten snuggled its head against her cheek in appreciation.
"(Just be sure you don't reveal yourself,)" Fou quickly barked, and Mashu glanced at it in curiosity. "(The humans can't learn you exist.)"
"(…But Mister Fou… How come you can?)" the kitten mewled back with disappointment.
The Beast sighed. "(…Because I look like a weird dog.)"
Enkidu chuckled, but Mashu and Ereshkigal looked to him for a translation. He shook his head. "Fou's lecturing Rose."
Mashu smiled and scratched Fou's head. "I guess you really are the caring alpha, aren't you?"
Ereshkigal glanced to her with a composed, yet partially nervous smile while Enkidu chuckled. Fou merely chirped happily. "(More than you know, Mashu.)"
"Even if you had to leave Rose behind, there's a lot who will care for her," Enkidu reassured as the kitten mewled. "But she gets to be the first kitten to walk outside Chaldea instead!"
"Mashu, what kind of blessing should I get you?" Ereshkigal quickly inquired, but Fou's pink-haired caretaker shook her head and giggled.
"You don't need to bring me a souvenir. Just tell me how New Zealand is! I've done a lot of reading on it and I want to visit sometime!" she reassured, and the two friends giggled together. "Oh! And show me pictures!"
Mashu finally released her gentle hold as they busied themselves with talks of the wild landscape the Babylonians were going to visit. Fou scampered back onto the bow of the ship and plopped back down on the soft checkered blanket. The trio laughed behind it, and the kitten mewled happily, but Fou merely stretched to prepare for an afternoon nap. Before it drifted to dreamland, it pulled itself towards the edge of the boat to glance at the surroundings.
The crystal-clear waters made the colorful fish and coral below the surface distort like a funhouse. The pirates were succumbing to the Japanese counterattack in the distance. Closer to shore, Mordred, Arturia, and Medusa were trying out their purchases from Chaldea's first delivered shipments: Stand up paddleboards. It could even see Paul's family making a sand castle at the beach as seagulls swooped low for a landing.
With a content sigh at Chaldea's utopia, Fou was about to place its head down… until it spotted the Egyptian's new felucca sailing by. The traditional Egyptian sailboat, painted like the most regal sandstone on the Nile, cut gently through the waters with its lone elegant sail. Ozymandias lounged at the back and sunbathed in his golden speedo, while Cleopatra and Nitocris did the same at the bow in their white bikinis.
All across the ship, a small armada of Medjeds operated the vessel… somehow. Fou still wasn't sure how they managed to work the bits of rigging and steer the ship with no hands, but it stopped trying to understand Nitocris' familiars a lone time ago; They just did. However, it was the kittens on the vessel that really caught his attention as most snoozed beside the sleeping beauties. One with a silver bell around its neck gazed towards Fou, and it calmly glanced back.
"Our King will be waiting. Please be on time," was the only response that filtered through the beast's mind, yet it merely nodded in regal understanding. The kitten returned the gesture, and then retreated back to the sleeping Nitocris' side. Fou merely let out a slow breath as his three companions laughed.
The Beast just had to ensure a few special arrangements were present before the meeting.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ VIII ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
With everything in place, Fou was free to enjoy the rest of the afternoon at its own pace… or at least it would have had Nursery Rhyme not cheerfully abducted it.
…Not that it'd ever complain when it came to the girls. If humans could have a beautiful side, it was nearly triply so for the children; That applied to most phantasmal species too. Innocence and curiosity were bliss, even if Chaldea's children weren't exactly your typical naïve child. Most just loved their newfound home, and who would dare complain about that? Even the often sketchy and perverted Blackbeard held a soft spot for these little munchkins.
So, without doubt, Fou was content with the spontaneous shift in its schedule as it happily rested in Nursery Rhyme's soft embrace. Clutched to her frilly white princess dress, Fou glanced around as its current companions giggled and laughed. Atalanta's children's room was dark, yet the warm glow of the television basked the six servants with its flickering light that drew the eyes like moths to flame. It was amazing, and almost unnerving, how this modern invention could lure humans into lazing around for hours.
As they giggled again, Fou gently squeezed out of her soft embrace so it could sit on her blanket-covered lap. It glanced to her sister to her left, who'd covered herself completely like her new best friend Yedda. Their gleeful faces poked out of the covers, and Fou could barely make out the top of Jack's favorite pale blue teddy bear as she clutched it to her chest. At the far end, Janna sat primly atop the quilt in her own white sundress, but stared with barely contained enthusiasm like her friends.
"Fluffy Fou!" The Beast soon cooed gently as it felt Paul reached over from the right to rub its head.
It turned happily, and amusingly, towards the berserker in green sweats and jeans, who'd forgone the quilt fortress altogether. Instead, she was happily clutched into the arms and lap of the giddiest servant in the room. Quetzalcoatl, with a smile that could blot out the sun, gently rocked the berserker in her grasp beside Nursery Rhyme. As she sat in her comfy jade shirt and white yoga pants and giggled like a kid, Fou had to wonder if she was really doing the 'babysitting,' or if the Beast was.
"That's a disgrace! A true masked wrestler would never take that! His hiney has blatantly disgraced your family! And your family's family! And your family's family's family!"
"No bully…" Yedda mumbled under the covers as she stared at the screen. A pouting Jack quickly nodded in agreement as she clutched her teddy bear closer.
"He'll get his desserts!" Janna insisted as she crossed her arms, closed her eyes briefly, and nodded like the know-it-all she loved to be. Fou turned its attention back to the screen, where a smorgasbord of color painted Quetzalcoatl's newly bought cartoon. Since they watched episodes without it, Fou still only had the vaguest idea what this wrestling cartoon was about, except that Quetzalcoatl loved it for obvious reasons. Honestly, it looked like the show was made with the crazy goddess in mind.
Paul giggled as Quetzalcoatl practically shook with excitement and… determination? "He's right, Ricochet! Show the bully who's boss!"
On screen, the red-clad masked wrestler narrowed his eyes fiercely, and Quetzalcoatl's eyes sparkled like a morning sea. Jack giggled. "Here it comes…!"
Fou barely had time to brace its ears as the rider yelled in tandem with the cartoon. "LUCHARAAAAAN!"
The girls giggled at their babysitter as Fou stared between them in shaken disbelief; It thought a noble phantasm was being unleashed. Yedda smiled, "You should be on Mucha Lucha, Auntie Quetz!"
"I should be! And you could join me as my cute sidekick!" Quetzalcoatl cheered as she quickly reached over Atalanta's girls. She bumped and squished them together as they fell into a mess of giggles, all so that the goddess could gently grab Yedda's Hassan mask. She pulled it softly down over the giggling assassin's face and cheered."Hassan of Lucha! Greatest wrestler of the order!"
"Assassins don't wrestle!" Janna countered then glanced in uncertainty as their babysitter chuckled deviously.
"Oh? Is that so!? Pin her for me, sidekick!" Quetzalcoatl demanded. To Janna's surprise, Yedda quickly pounced onto the little lancer, grabber her under her arms, and spun them around as Quetzalcoatl crawled over. Janna soon found herself begging for mercy between her laughs as the rider launched an unforgiving invasion of tickling fingers.
"Ah! Stop, stop!" Janna cried out through her giggles, and Jack answered her call as she leapt from the quilt to tackle the assaulting babysitter. To Fou's amusement, Jack clutched her pale blue teddy bear to her black shirt as she tickled Quetzalcoatl back. Janna and Paul quickly crawled over the blanket to join the alliance, followed swiftly by Yedda.
"Unfair…! Yedda, you were… supposed to be… my sidekick!" Fou wasn't too sure how Quetzalcoatl was managing to breath and speak between the tickling fingers, but it would have liked some popcorn for this. The messy pile of tangled limbs and happily laughing servants before it was music to its ears, and something the Beast thought it'd never see again. Fou chirped happily as Nursery Rhyme sat primly like a princess; It was clear she didn't want to get involved as she reached over somewhere, grabbed a white blur in the dim lighting, and… Oh no.
Fou glanced to the side as Nursery Rhyme happily placed one of the prototype plushies on her lap beside the beast. She giggled as Fou stared into the soulless eyes of its fluffy caricature. Its short coat, large fluffy head, and tiny body was supposed to be cute, but Fou felt a bit unnerved by the effigies ever since it was accidentally unveiled during Shakespeare's play. Did it love being so adored and beholden by the residence? Oh, absolutely… but these soft cartoons were a little too creepy up close.
…But the kids and some adults loved it, so maybe it was just its own reservations. Nursery Rhyme kept her hand on Yedda's personal toy, gently rubbed it against Fou, and forced a tiny squirm from the Beast. She giggled, "It's like your twin~!"
'This is definitely not my twin,' Fou fidgeted as the beady, ever-staring eye held a hair's breadth from its own.
"Alice! Come join us!" Paul beckoned as she clung to Quetzalcoatl's legs like a vice grip. Combined with Janna and Yedda holding her arms, the goddess seemed helpless as Jackie tortured her now exposed stomach with her tiny hand.
Nursery Rhyme shook her head and smiled. "A princess doesn't play rough! Especially when there's a show to watch!"
Jack stopped tickling for a moment, and it was more than enough time for Quetzalcoatl to break free from the hold, wrap one arm around the offending assassin, and charge the scant distance towards them. Fou braced itself as Quetzalcoatl collided with Nursery Rhyme as she squeaked in surprise. Pinned between the goddess' bosom and the now giggling caster, Fou could do nothing but groan until a gap opened. When it did, it swiftly darted out of the growing chaos as the other giggling children leapt in again.
Fou stood off to the side and used one paw to straighten its messy fur… Still, it gazed with satisfaction as the six servants laughed and played, all while the wrestling cartoon fell neglected. With a knock on the doors, it ears perked up, and the laughter came to an abrupt halt. The mirth and anticipation only grew as Illya's voice called out. "We're here! I brought my new copy of Sailor Moon too!"
As Fou watched, the girls inside looked to each other with shushing fingers while Quetzalcoatl and Paul crawled silently towards the door.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ IX ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
…The fated time had arrived.
Fou strolled out of the loud Club Cove as dinner swiftly approached. It let random passersby like Benkei, Kiyohime, and George give it some friendly pats as it walked quietly to its destination. It moved down the hallway past the studio, where Robin was still likely helping Elizabeth record her cover of some Disney songs in her quest to rival Jeanne. As it drew closer to the currently abandoned room, Fou breathed calmly, even as its heartbeat slammed against its chest.
The Fourth Beast of Calamity… nervous… what a ridiculous notion, yet that was the apt word to use as it stopped before the door.
As a robot passed by, Fou glanced up at the passing machine as its eyes focused on it. It waited until its eyes shifted away, and ensured no one else was looking, before it stared at the door's access panel. If it were still as mighty as it used to be, this would have been a cinch. Now though, as it prepared to pounce, the act was its new, lifelong challenge. It tensed its legs further, stared at the panel, and jumped. As it flew, it used its front paws to grasp the wall and kick it further up to reach the panel.
Fou waved its head in the panel so the sensor could pick up the movement. With a click, the door slid open to grant it access. As soon as the Beast landed, it vaulted through the door into the dark room, and slid across the floor as the door closed. Plunged into darkness, the Beast merely turned around, sat upright, and waited silently. Its steady heartbeat was all it heard over Chaldea's bare, gentle hum.
"(Thank you for being on time,)" a voice called out.
…And then the lights flared on above to light the abandoned storage closet. Fou sat regally as it stared firmly around the room to check everything was as it should be. Cardboard boxes were piled along the white walls, and some rested disorderly within the room itself. A few folding tables and chairs lay stacked against or on top of them, and there was even a white plastic trashcan by the doorway that rarely saw use. In particular, it made a subtle but quick glance towards a new box that sat atop a taller stack, and hoped it wouldn't need it later.
Content with what it found, Fou finally gazed forward towards its phantasmal companions. Five of the sphinx kittens sat upright in a line before it as prime examples of disciplined prestige. They gazed quietly and calmly towards Fou as it felt their proud aura project from their celestial forms. Even so, above that, the Beast could sense the traces of apologetic discomfort for being here. It gazed to each one specifically and calmly.
First to Rose, who shook uncertainly in her posture as indicated by the subtle wave of her precious, gifted necklace. Next was Whiskers, who wore the pink sweater Marie occasionally gave to her little pet. Then it stared to Kamilah at the center, who stood the most composed with its new white sweater Nitocris made. The pharaoh's second kitten, Hope, sat perfectly beside his sister as the bell on its tail remained still before it. At the far end was Princess, who glittered with her elegant body necklace Cleopatra requested for her adorable kitten.
"(…Rose. You have much to learn,)" the voice called out again to make the named kitten squeak softly. "(Hold yourself with greater pride, for we, the glorious children of Wehem-Mesut, stand tall above the rest of our kind. Never forget that.)"
Fou felt bad for the kitten as it mewled sorrowfully. "(…Sorry for upsetting you, Nile King… I'll be better.)"
"(As it should be…)" Fou finally glanced up to meet the gaze of the last sphinx kitten, who sat atop one of the boxes behind the rest of his litter. There he stood proudly and powerfully as its headpiece shined with the glory of the sun itself. Its tail gently flicked at its side to occasionally reveal the pink bow tied gently onto its tail. With the weight of the gods, it gazed down upon Fou with hopeful and eager anticipation. It purred regally, "(Lord Cath Palug… Thank you for joining us today.)"
Yet Fou would not be intimidated. "(As if I had a choice.)"
"(Do not make this meeting sound like coercion…)" the proud kitten warned as his celestial, unseen gaze seemed to harden. "(Rather, it should always be a privilege for any to stand before Khalid… First of Awlad, Most blessed of the Chaldean beasts… Promised Sphinx King of the Nile!)"
Fou rolled its eyes. "(Whatever you say, Mister Sprinkles.)"
"(How dare you continue to speak that sacred title with such a tone!)" the leading sphinx quickly hissed as it stood on all fours. It felt a lot more like a pout since it was just a kitten. "(Your insistence on tarnishing the cute caretaker's gift is unacceptable! Have I not requested you cease such churlish behavior!?)"
"(It sounded more like begging, but sure, I'll stop.)" Fou merely returned as Rose let out a giggle.
The other kittens quickly turned to her, and she quickly looked down in shame and mewled. "(…I'm sorry…)"
"(How about we get right to the point. I'm sure you have more important matters to attend to, like being pampered by Astolfo,)" Fou insisted calmly.
"(Yes… I can understand you're just as eager for this, Lord Cath Palug…)" Mister Sprinkles practically purred with growing excitement. "(Due to your actions in recent days, the time has finally come for my righteous ascension! I shall gladly be taking your place as ruler of the local phantasmals! I will add Chaldean Alpha to my list of titles!)"
Unaware to the Chaldeans, the lead sphinx kitten had taken after Ozymandias quite a bit, which included his eagerness for control. The proud and juvenile sphinx was often fun to deal with past his tone, but on occasion, like now, he showed his desires; His jealous lust for a position once visibly unobtainable. With its drop in ability, it finally saw a chance at that window, and Fou truthfully was worried its position as alpha could be taken.
Despite its hopeful leap, the others only recognized Mister Sprinkles as the eldest, or king, of their litter. To them, Cath Palug, a numbered Beast of Calamity, would always be superior. They even came to check up on its condition after it had made such a terrible sacrifice to save but a single life. While they were fret with worry, the first had grown impatient with the newly opened window. Thus, a showdown was inevitable, and Fou would have to assert its dominance… even with its weakened form.
Fou barked firmly. "(I will remind you nothing changes until you defeat me in combat. My title holds, Khalid.)"
"(A fine declaration. I can permit that,)" the proud kitten mewled, but then chuckled. "(I expected nothing more from one of the noble greats. I will cement my name among the greatest by toppling you with this duel!)"
"(Then delay no further so I can teach you a lesson,)" Fou barked calmly as it stood on all fours. The opposing sphinx kitten followed swiftly in turn as it mewled an order. The other five quickly scampered to the side as he leapt down onto the ground like a lion… or more like a kitten that tried to be one. Divine phantasmal species or not, Mister Sprinkles was still a juvenile, so it lacked practically all the might of its millennia old family.
Yet, this wasn't going to be an easy fight for the depleted Beast. Its capabilities were far too diminished, and only its proud Authority remained in its voice; Yet, it would not use that commanding speech to win this. For its honor and pride, it had to rely on was its physical characteristics, which were, thankfully, forever sharpened as a beast above the rest; That would never change. At the very least, it could take whatever this kitten had in store-
Fou nearly gasped as the kitten leapt forward with surprising speed and tackled the fluffy critter. Its body ached as Mister Sprinkles slammed it against the wall and clawed at its fur… but its talons were so beautifully manicured by Astolfo, so the rough grazing was a punch at best. It was a punch that still ached and bruised the Beast of Calamity as it struggled and flailed under its surprising assault.
"His majesty is winning!" "Is Lord Fou alright!?" "I don't like this! I don't like this at all! Lord Fou is always so nice to me!"
Off to the side, the other kittens mewled amongst each other loudly as Fou broke free from the kitten's assault. It barely lasted a second before the offending kitten was trying to slam it against another obstacle. Yet, Fou, with its retained conscious and ages of experience, swiftly understood the opponent with every swung attack. This sphinx had surprised him with its limited prowess, and its aching and sore body proved that as it winced. However…
Mister Sprinkles threw a vicious punch to Fou's head, but it swiftly ducked under. It knocked the other beast back with a fierce jab of its front paw, then skidded to the side as the kitten charged forward recklessly. It was dodging effectively now, if only due to its wisdom and control. Mister Sprinkles was letting overconfidence and eagerness cloud his mind, which was the hallmark of a juvenile in any phantasmal species. Even the proud and mightiest of the beasts knew not to let emotions flood them recklessly.
Though, Fou had to wonder if that's what it would have turned out like with its true nature. It merely huffed, "(I'm growing tired of this, Khalid.)"
"(Yet you limp!)" Mister Sprinkles had a point. Every hit it managed to land since the initial beating ached and screamed across Fou's muscles. Even as the highest tier of phantasmal existences, against another, the defenses would only mean so much; The force was going to get through in the Beast's weakened and depleted state. Yet, its own counter attacks were wearing it down faster.
Fou could still win this. It ducked beneath the kitten's leap, and rammed its head into his stomach. Mister Sprinkles went flying into its cardboard throne and crashed into it. The box was sent skidding across the floor as he hissed back. "(That all you have left, Cath Palug!? Then victory will be mine!)"
"(Yet you have yet to win,)" Fou calmly taunted back with a quick bark. It proved too effective as Mister Sprinkles rammed fiercely into the beast and into a row of boxes. The towering stack slowly began to tip over as the two clawed at each other in a ball at its base. The spectating kittens mewled and squeaked in warning, but the two were too locked to disengage. At the last moment, Fou punched Mister Sprinkles in the face with its back legs hard and used the momentum to leap free of the danger.
Mister Sprinkles hissed as the heavy boxes crashed on top of him. It howled in pain as the topmost box crashed open and spilled its folded blankets onto the floor. The room fell silent as Fou skidded clear of the debris. Quietly, the Beast shook its head.
It's breaths were heavy. It felt so terribly out of shape, and it silently cursed at just how far it had fallen. Something like this would have been as easy as eating delicious donuts, but now it was a sprint. As it stared at the boxes, it merely hoped the humiliating strike was enough to make him surre-
"(Such treacherous moves! You fight unfairly!)" Mister Sprinkles leapt free from the debris, but landed with a tiny limp; He was hurting, just like the Beast of Calamity, but he felt shamed. He was letting anger and irritation for the continued fight get to his head… That sphinx did not understand balance and self-control yet.
The Beast of Calamity calmly spoke back "(You're the one that slammed us into the boxes, Khalid. I only won that bout.)"
Fou braced itself as Mister Sprinkles leapt furiously at it, but it couldn't dodge in time. The kitten slashed at the furry beast's back leg and forced it into the debris field. The assorted, soft fabric cushioned its landing, but the attacking sphinx was determined. It leapt swiftly onto Fou, pinned him, and hissed to his kin. "(Do not just stand there! Assist your King! We are not the lonesome dragonkin! We noble sphinx fight together with the blessings of the sun!)"
As the spectators turned to each other anxiously, Fou feared it would come to this. Unlike many other phantasmal species, the sphinx's dignity was matched only by their devotion. Though proud and held within a hierarchy, they would come to each other's aid at a divine call. As the pinning sphinx on top of them purred and radiated with a sunny aura, Fou sighed in exasperation that it came to this. 'You've got a lot to learn, Khalid…'
With only lingering hesitation, three of the other kittens leapt into action. As Fou broke free, they quickly engaged him with paw, tail, and headbutt. Though far weaker than their leader, the sheer number put Fou in jeopardy; He was being endlessly corralled and hampered so he remained within Mister Sprinkles' reach. Fou could only attempt to strike back as its groaning body grew weary with the constant assault. Kamilah and Rose merely watched on with growing concern and anxiety from the sidelines.
Yet, it remained focused. Centuries alive didn't make for a timid and senseless Beast of Calamity. As it peeked its eyes opened to the new box, it was glad it planned ahead of time. In order to take advantage of Kintoki's assisted gift, the fluffy beast just had to reach it to reset this duel to fair grounds!
Fou swiped at Whiskers' leg to force her away with a whimper. Hope followed soon after as Fou's tail whipped into his head. Princess landed a punch onto Fou's front shoulder, but it kicked her back to buy some room. It made a break for the boxes, but that's when Mister Sprinkles tackled it. They found themselves rolling around in a ball of swiping limbs and close-in jabs.
The door suddenly slid open, and the kittens all gazed over. Fou peeked over while Mister Sprinkles kept it pinned under his front paws. He purred in confusion and Fou chirped with disbelief, all while Xuanzang peeked within the room with puppy eyes. She squealed, clapped her hands, and practically squirmed in her white sheath dress. "Awwwww~! They have a little hiding spot to play~!"
Beside her, Geronimo kept his arms folded over his black polo and knelt down so his white slacks touched the floor. He glanced down as Gugalanna and Babe squeaked and popped into view around his legs. The brown and blue bulls turned to the American caster and squeaked happily, which made him chuckle and pat their heads. "See? Their mixed trails weren't a coincidence."
They squeaked again and quickly scampered inside as Xuanzang squealed in delight. Geronimo merely nodded to her and motioned down the hall with his hand. "I'll go tell Ereshkigal and the others we found them if you'd like to stay and watch?"
Xuanzang placed a finger to her mouth and hummed while Fou's mind scrambled for a way out with the convenient pause. If she stayed, their fight would be over; A reset would be ideal. But if she decided to leave, the fight would likely resume, and the Beast was just about out of any sort of fuel; Dinner looked very appealing right now. To its dismay, Xuanzang turned to them, smiled, and waved. "I'd love to watch you play, but I'd be keeping Tota and Arash waiting too long! Buddha wouldn't be happy about that inconsideration! Have fun~!"
Geronimo nodded to them, and the two fell into conversation as they walked down the hallway to the resort. The doors closed, and as his mind raced, the two newly arrived bulls, who were practically babies, stared curiously at Fou's predicament. As it felt the continued pressure of Mister Sprinkles pinning him down, Fou instantly knew what to do to break this unfair stalemate; It'd apologize later.
Babe sniffed the air while Gugalanna squeaked eagerly. "(What are you guys doing?)"
Fou spoke the magic words. "(…They're bullying me.)"
"(NO BULLY!)" "(MEANIE!)" "(MEANIE MEAN!)"
There was no stopping them now as Gugalanna slammed into Mister Sprinkles and squeaked with distress. Even as a little childishly minded fledgling, the Bull of Heaven was an absolute powerhouse. There was nothing Mister Sprinkles could do as the desperately squeaking beast rammed itself into him and its surrounding cohorts with growing distress. Babe quickly followed suit, and though he wasn't nearly as strong, he was still a blue bullet. The four sphinx kittens squirmed, writhed, and scrambled to move free of the assault, but escape was difficult.
"(NO BULLYING MISTER FOU!)" "(NO BULLY!)" "(BULLYING'S NOT NICE!)" "(NO BULLY!)"
Fou slowly got up and felt the growing aches and bruises across its body. It was humiliating, yet the now tarnished duel was almost certainly won as Mister Sprinkles was battered by the two bulls. Princess, Whiskers, and Hope were quickly spared as they cowered behind Rose and Kamilah. Mister Sprinkles' only mistake was trying to stand up over and over to the squeaking, childish, and overly worried bulls. It was only when Fou barked that they stopped their rampant squeaks to listen. "(Gugalanna. Babe. I think you're hurting him.)"
"(OH NO!)" "(NOW WE'RE THE BULLIES!)" "(ARE YOU OKAY MISTER SPRINKLES!?)" "(ARE YOU OKAY!?)" "(WE'RE SORRY!)" "(WE'RE SORRY!)"
Now the downed beast was getting assaulted in a different way. The kitten mewled with both soreness and exasperation as it slowly tried to stand… It was difficult to do so when he had two sniffling bulls rubbing against him with newfound worry. Their loud, desperate squeaks only made Fou smirk with amusement as it gazed over to the other kittens. They seemed ashamed by their actions, and Fou knew they were going to apologize, but there was no need.
Those that came after him merely did what was expected of them by their eldest. Those who didn't merely honored the… not quite straightforward duel. Yet the duel had ended, and Fou walked tall towards the groaning sphinx kitten. It stopped before it, and the beast stared back with growing shame and disappointment. Fou merely chirped quietly, "(This duel is over, Khalid. Except your defeat with dignity, as expected of the noble sphinx.)"
"(I thought I had a chance…)" Mister Sprinkles grumbled to himself, so Fou chose to remind him.
"}You did the best you could against the Fourth Beast, but there is a reason I am alpha.{" The command was voiced quietly, yet it boomed through the phantasmals around Fou. They all shivered for a moment, and Fou fell content that its Authority continued to ring true; Its powers may never return, but its Authority and prestige resonated from its body at its behest. It was the only real 'power' it had left of its unique traits… the regal bearing to lead the phantasmal species when of sound mind, if nothing else.
Though Mister Sprinkles whimpered apologetically in its defeat, and the bulls looked around with worry, an idea popped into Fou's mind. It didn't need to use the failsafe, but it could perhaps use it to smooth any concerns and worries that were running rampant among their little group… A leader should be kind and accommodating too, as he learned from Gudao. Mister Sprinkles' attempt on the throne was thwarted, but there was no sense letting things remain tense; This was not the reverse side of the world.
This was Chaldea, and it should always remain nice and comfortable. With that in mind, Fou urged its sore body towards the stack of staggered boxes. It grunted as it quickly hopped among the tiny cardboard tops to climb towards the box as Rose mewled with admiration. Upon reaching the top, Fou gazed down at them like a king from its castle balcony. "(How about we all move forward together as proud beasts and put this behind us?)"
It turned and walked towards the back. Mustering whatever strength it could, it kicked the box off of the stack and sent it soaring to the ground below. The surprised squeaks of the bulls echoed through the room alongside the clattering box… but quickly vanished for suddenly happy mewls, purrs, and cheers.
"(YARN BALLS~!)" "(Lord Cath Palug brought gifts!)" "(Mister Fou is so kind!)" "(Yay, yarnballs!)"
Fou merely walked up to the edge, plopped down, and watched the mewling kittens scamper around with all their new distractions. The bulls were happily pushing the soft balls around in some makeshift game. Even Mister Sprinkles was enjoying one of the balls for himself as he mewled with delight; He may have been greedy and overconfident, but he was still a kitten at heart.
With this event out of the way, Fou looked forward to dinner.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ X ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
"I'll be right back, Fou!" Mashu informed as she skipped away. The fluffy beast chirped back, though the new shaved ice muffled its reply. It still kept its face buried in the treat and happily sat on the fluffy travel cushion Mashu bought for it in Florida. Since the bowl of shaved ice was on the picnic blanket, it sat at the perfect height for Fou to enjoy with as little movement as possible… and it really appreciated that right now.
If this is what humans felt after a workout, this was disgusting; Was this that leg day soreness Gudao sometimes complained about? At least it wasn't actual injuries. Though it was ravished because of the little scuffle, a little voice in its head really wanted to just jump into the shaved ice with strawberry toppings and sit in it. Chewing on one of its favorite treats did enough wonders for its aches, but sleeping in ice sounded great about now… or maybe a hot bath later?
For now, it just happily enjoyed the peace while the Round Table collected their dinner. It glanced around at the discarded belongings strewn across beach chairs and the checkered red and white blanket. Beside the lounging Beast, Mashu beach bag formed a small sort of back rest it could use once it was done eating… assuming it wasn't going to try beg some food from the others. If it was going to do any pleading, though, it was definitely not going to move if possible.
It heard the scampering of tiny paws headed its way, and calmly turned to see it was Kamilah and Rose. "(Mister Fou…?)"
"(Before you ask, no, King Khalid didn't send us,)" Kamilah reassured before she bowed her head on the blanket before him. A sulking Rose quickly followed. "(Please forgive him, Lord Cath Palug… He was jealous of your prestige and popularity.)"
"(I figured as much… Though it's not like you kittens aren't stars to the humans,)" the Beast chirped calmly as it took a quick nibble of its treat. "(But it's fine. I already forgave him.)"
Fou glanced down the crowded dinnertime beach. At another set of beach loungers and blankets, the French group were laughing as Astolfo and Marie happily played with their kittens. Both Whiskers and Mister Sprinkles looked to be enjoying themselves if their happy mewls were any indication; The youth were so easily distracted with play. The Beast turned back as Kamilah and Rose purred with giggles. "(And before you ask again, yes… I'm sore, but fine.)"
"(Just making sure~!)" Rose happily mewled, but Fou caught her continued glances towards his bowl. Kamilah seemed more interested in the boardwalk. "(Um…)"
"(If you want one, tell Enkidu to ask Paracelsus for the Fou shaved ice special,)" the beast quickly surmised, and smiled as Rose's tail waggled happily.
"(Thank you, Mister Fou~! You're always kind~!)" Rose purred. Kamilah suddenly made a chuckling sound as Nitocris' first kitten glanced again towards the boardwalk.
"(Not all the time…)" she inferred, and Fou pulled its head back again to stare towards her. The kitten merely held its regal seat and gazed back at Fou as footsteps approached. Though it wanted to look, it could feel the amusement in the kitten's stare; That didn't bode well… He didn't like what that implied.
As he slowly turned around to look, his worries were confirmed… and quickly morphed into overwhelming loathing. If the beast ever had a taste of what it could have become, it was during moments like this… where his anger flared like the surface of the sun, and his instincts screamed to indulge in rabid, feral hostility. As much as Fou was a refined Beast of Calamity thanks to the loving care of so many, there was one grand exception.
Like Gudao said, the lemons in life were there to make the sugar taste that much sweeter… except this was one lemon he'd gladly trade for a pile of manure.
With that god awful, irritating smile that shined like a dumb rainbow, Merlin happily strolled towards Fou. His loose, awful magus robes flailed around him like dirty rags, and his hair shimmered in the light like a highlighted target to rip out first. In truth, Merlin actually walked to him while looking as elegant and mystical as ever with a warm smile… but Fou could never see that. Fou could only see an absolutely reprehensible magus that kicked him out of a comfy tower.
He grinned happily. "Fou! Guess who's finally back!?"
"(The worst thing to ever happen to me?)" Fou deadpanned and barked flatly. "(Why couldn't you have stayed dead?)"
"You too!? After what I did!? I thought I redeemed myself in your eyes! Isn't anyone going to give humanity's saving grace a spectacular welcome full of cheer and groping hugs by beautiful women!?" Merlin cried out dramatically. "All I want to hear is a few thank yous and all the praise I worked hard for! Goetia wasn't a joke to fight!"
"(You're the joke if you thought you'd get that from me, you shitty incubus… Just go die in a fiery hole and let me watch you cook alive,)" Fou barked flatly as its eyebrow twitched.
"Fou! Don't be like that! You're scaring your friends!" Merlin decried playfully. Fou blinked, then slowly turned to the sphinx kittens he forgot were here. Rose was currently hiding behind a chuckling Kamilah, but shivered with concern as she stared at the Beast. After a sympathetic mewl, the older kitten gently motioned to the younger companion, and they began their return to their caretakers. Ah well… so much for keeping Rose's pristine image of him intact… but she'd learn soon enough this bloody twat deserved it.
Suddenly, to its irritation, Fou felt Merlin sit down on the blanket beside it. The beast growled at the caster, but with that renewed and strange warm smile, he reached out and dared to pat its fur. It wasn't sure whether it was the lingering soreness or who the hand belonged to, but it wasn't the greatest pats it'd gotten by a mile. With their new privacy, it merely glared at him, barked to force his hand away, and watched as Merlin shook his head.
"Don't be like that, Cath… Honestly, I just thought I'd come praise you for your actions!" Well that took a turn it didn't expect. Still, it glared as he stopped petting him to lean back on his arms. "I had my doubts, but that was something else! To forgo all your powers for the sake of one person…! That's truly beautiful, you know? …And you even managed to survive yourself! I thought you'd be a goner!"
Though the irritation bubbled like a boiling pot, Fou's glare lightened… by just a hair. Hearing praise from Merlin was unusual, especially given their usual lack of cordial anything. But the beast's action was something that surprised it too: Fou never thought it'd truly go that far either. Yet, with all the beautiful things it had seen and experienced, and only continued to, it only felt natural. It barked, "(Well… Mashu was worth it.)"
Merlin's warm, irritating smile grew. "I'm glad you think that way! You've come so far, Beast IV! And I'm glad you'll only continue to experience more!"
That had been said far too openly for it to appreciate. This was a public beach with servants around. The last thing it wanted getting spread was its real identity; It wanted to just stay unknown so it could milk all the appreciation! Even the sweetness of the strawberry after taste felt bitter as its concern grew with its glare. "(Keep that down, you shitty mage.)"
"No one's going to know," Merlin reassured with a small scoff, then turned behind him slightly with a smile. "…No one who shouldn't, at least!"
Fou turned towards the approaching footsteps to see Mashu and Gudao. The former shielder had yet to change out of her swimsuit, nor the master. Bits of sand stuck to his mostly dry, green Hawaiian swim trunks, and his matching button-up rested on Mashu's shoulders to leave him bare chested. Their eyes glanced between Merlin and Fou as their conversation fell silent with their approach. With four plates between them, they took their seats quietly beside the fluffy beast, yet still said nothing.
Mashu gently placed one plate next to Fou's remaining shaved ice as Gudao gave Merlin another. With a warm smile, she then gingerly picked the Beast up. With growing curiosity and concern, Mashu hugged it gently to her chest. Gudao reached over and pet its fur, and though its soreness acted up, it glanced around uncertainly. However, the look of outright appreciation in their eyes explained the silence as Merlin's last words echoed in its mind.
Its head snapped to glare at Merlin as it barked, "(You vile…! You told them!?)"
"Hey, hey! They're the ones who asked me about Mashu first! If anyone deserved to know, it was them!" Merlin countered as he crossed his arms. "Does it even matter? They would have figured it out sooner or later with how many Chaldeans actually know who you are!"
Fou growled at Merlin, but fell silent as Gudao gently rubbed its head. "I guess you're not happy he spilled the beans?"
"He's not, Senpai," Mashu giggled, and earned Fou's attention again. She looked down with overwhelming happiness as her eyes glistened lightly. Suddenly, Fou's overflowing anger was being subdued. "…I'm... still finding it hard to believe you did, but it doesn't feel like a lie."
"It explains how Fou saved Ana in Babylon," Gudao whispered, and Fou merely glanced between them. Though uncertain when Merlin explained this to them, or when he even arrived for that matter, Fou stayed quiet and just let them appreciate him. "And why it's so smart."
"Fou is really smart… and really cute and fluffy," Mashu noted as she cuddled the beast closer. It relished her warmth, but kept its gaze in her tearing eyes. "…and my savior… Thank you, Fou. If you hadn't… If you hadn't done that I'd have been… I wouldn't be here with you and Senpai."
Gudao gently placed his other arm around Mashu as she nuzzled her cheek against the Beast. She sniffled, "I… I don't know how to thank you, Fou… but thank you…! Thank you…"
"…You're welcome, Mashu," the Beast finally spoke with its pristine tongue to shock the pair. Merlin merely smirked. "If you wish to thank me, then live a happy life… and please keep this a secret. I wish for things to remain as they are."
Mashu and Gudao glanced to each other silently as their surprise faded. Their smiles nearly doubled, and they glanced back to the smiling beast that Mashu held close to her. Content, the beast quickly added. "…and chin scratches. I really like those the most… Ah, I mean…. Fou, fooou! Kyuuuuuuu~!"
The group succumbed to laughter as Fou quickly covered its soft voice again. It practically chirped with satisfaction as Gudao quickly scratched under its chin; It was so happy that spot wasn't sore. It wasn't too happy when Merlin reached over to pet it too… but that was… passable… for the moment.
Any uncertainty and anger they'd learn was washed away as the first tear ran down Mashu's cheek. If things will remain the same, then that's all it could wish for. It's not quite the Beast of Calamity it used to be, or could've been. Maybe it'd be able to gain its powers back again someday, but it doubted it. At least it was alive… It kept its sentience… and it could relish these beautiful moments longer.
Now if only it had just a little bit of its powers so that it could continue to harass the stupid magus… Fou's eyes suddenly widened with realization.
Merlin closed his eyes and smiled as he scratched the beast's ear. "After all these years, I finally get to pet you aga-AHHHHHHHHHHHH! YOU CHEEKY RAT!"
Right. It was still a mythical entity, if harmless compared to its former height... But what made it think it needed its former powers and energy to have at least some of its precious pastime back? Oh, this moment was getting better by the second as it kept its teeth clamped down on Merlin's hand like one of Carmilla's iron maidens. The caster had tumbled backwards onto the large armada of blankets and now flailed his arm to get it to let go. Even with its soreness, it held on just fine, and even threw in a few affectionate gnawing motions for good measure!
"Gnawing!? You're gnawing!? You wretched fluffy cretin! Let me go!" Merlin complained as he flailed pathetically. Nobunaga and Mephistopheles laugh could be heard from across the beach. The returning Arturia and knights, who stood by the access stairs with plates in hand, quickly joined in the beach's mirth. As Mashu wiped her teary eyes, she and Gudao joined in as Merlin floundered helplessly; It was almost as if he was allowing Fou to do it. "This is not the welcome I wanted!"
"(It's the welcome you deserve, you foul wretch~!)" Fou managed to chirp out through its gnawing jaws; It remained firmly clamped even as Merlin's struggling finally slowed. If there was any bad part about having to do this… it was that its tongue tasted Merlin's skin. The screams more than made up for it.
As the panting caster lay in the middle of the blanket pile, the swimsuit-clad Camelot group descended onto the beach while Fou happily trotted over to its food; Maybe it'd take from Merlin's plate too while he was still recovering. Maybe it could have some of the wine they were going to toast with in celebration for Arturia's decision about her future material body? Whatever the case, it had a bowl of shaved ice and a savory plate of barbequed food to finish amongst warm company as it plopped back down onto its comfy little throne.
Beast IV never felt more content.