"Anishka's team is juuust about to destroy the corrupted grail… How about we try pulling you three out first? Beat the traffic, as you say~?" As Da Vinci's voice echoed down the musty, and shaking, walls, the battle-clad archer calmly nodded in the large, shadowy corridor.
Another boom groaned through the walls. The torches flickered with every thump of a dying, but fierce, struggle, causing dust from the mossy stone bricks to fall in streams. The ancient fortress groaned, and though the archer remained wary, his mind was calm; They'd dispatched the last reanimated skeletons several minutes ago. Now, the final struggle took place behind several worn, wooden doors further away, but Gabrielle's team remained calm. They likely wouldn't need to assist, nor hold their overwatch must longer.
Instead, their eyes rested on Tristan and their lone ally in this singularity. Quietly, he gazed to her as her eyes snapped warily back towards the distant doors when another draconic roar was loosed. Her vibrant eyes shimmered with concern, and one frail hand rested before her. He couldn't help but study the smaller girl, yet again, who stood nervously in a unique white dress and pristine silver knight armor. Her familiar hair, tied with a bow in a ponytail, swished again as she gazed to him.
"Your majesty. Are you ready?"
"Um… I…" She looked nervous. Even quite uncertain. It was night and day compared to the confident King of Knights he'd grown to understand better over the many months. Seeing such lively eyes, which flared with more innocence and emotion than even her newly resolved counterpart was inspiring… and agonizing.
Though his placid face was a bastion of calm confidence, inside he was in turmoil. This… This younger girl was also the King of Knights. She, who let her emotions run free as they fought side by side and besieged this castle. She, who openly showed her hesitations and voiced her almost naïve opinions… She was such a stark contrast from Arturia in Chaldea, and even more so from her stone-like bearing from a past life…
Once more in a castle corridor, though not the gleaming halls of Camelot, his mind couldn't help but draw the similarities. This was also his King, who he murmured those godforsaken words to and hurt her more than he could understand. And then having Arturia inform him of that in Chaldea was…
"…Yes. I'm ready!" The renewed vigor in her voice shook him out of his spiral, and he gazed once more into firm eyes. She was still a bit visibly nervous, but her eyes were resolved bravery. "I… I don't think I'll be useful or much help. I'm still in training but… if all of you will have me, I'll do my best! For everyone!"
With a bright smile, he gazed to his nearby master, whose battlesuit contrasted against the dim corridor; The ever-ready Scathach stood at her side in waiting as she pumped a fist. "Awesome! Scathach is in command of the team now! It won't be long, so see you all back home!"
As she walked over while the others gave their overlapping partings, the tiny king smiled at her, even as she remained nervous. He calmly, and daringly, placed his gauntlet gently on her arm as the room shook again. "There's nothing to be scared of, your majesty. In a blink, you'll be safe in Chaldea."
As Gabrielle placed the silver device, shaped like Mashu's shield, onto the ground between them, the saber nodded. "Okay…! I… I can't wait to see the others! I want to see how brave and compassionate the older me is! And the male King Arthur! And a kind Mordred! And, and-!"
"Why not just save your breath and say everything?" Tota chuckled from further down the hall. Xuanzang, who stood relaxed beside him, giggled loudly.
"Um… Yea! Everything! I can't wait to see Chaldea!" the small Arturia declared, and Tristan felt himself smile a little bit. She was trying to reassure herself, and to aid that, he nodded. He wasn't too sure how his King would react to a smaller one… Maybe a little sister? She already had Arthur as a foster brother like Kay, but… Well. There was only one way to find out now. As the device beeped on at their feet, she smiled one last cheerful grin to him. "Will you help show me around when we get there?"
Her smile was lightning through this whole ordeal. She'd stuck to him like glue through this two-day long deployment, even though she remembered the words he said back then. She still believed in him, just as the Chaldean Arturia believed. It lashed him more, yet it burned his heart with determination. Those terrible mutterings he could never take back, but like Lancelot, Gawain, Bedivere, and Mordred… he could still do everything in his power to continually prove himself day after day, all for the sake of his King.
He only smiled back reassuringly as the leyshift's bright flash consumed them.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
Fragment 84: Of Penance and Prosperity
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
"Welcome to… What…?" "…Your majesty…!?" "Oh no… No! No! No…!"
Like Gabrielle, Tristan stared beside him, dumbstruck and at a loss. His heart filled with sorrow as he glanced around the Deployment Chamber, but there was no one to be found. It was just him and the wild master, alone among the many pads and humming walls. Chaldeas spun gentle over them, in contrast to the waves that rocked him within. Conflicted, he let out a slow breath as the main doors opened further away, then reached out telepathically. "Da Vinci? Is she still…?"
"…I'm afraid she's not in the singularity anymore." He would've been a bit startled Chaldea's battle-clad Director appeared from spirit form beside him were his heart not so heavy with disappointment. After all the words and reassurance he gave her throughout the singularity… From the smiling offer from Gabrielle, to ensuring every step was covered, to her growing hope of being here… Yet it was fruitless. The young king had failed to transfer. "Our attempt failed… I'm sorry."
"But we…! It should have worked…!" Gabrielle muttered as her emotions began to seize control. His knightly instincts wanted to soothe the poor maiden, but Da Vinci had already walked over to do just that. She rubbed her shoulder apologetically while Tristan prevented his mind's harsh reprisal.
For all his disappointment, he couldn't blame anything, and that's what was most frustrating. Bringing a servant back had always been met with mixed results; Far, far more were the failures than successes. Yet, he was certain, because it always seemed to work with children. This younger, brighter Arturia should have been able to come home safely, yet it failed. He finally turned to Da Vinci for an answer as Bedivere, clad in a simple white polo tucked into tan slacks, ran towards them from the doors.
"Everything was exactly the same. Same circumstances as Paula and Janna…" she murmured in genuine confusion. With one hand on her hip, she kept a finger to her lips and scrunched her eyebrows while Gabrielle stifled her sniffling. "Child servant. Intact saint graph. Formed a contract with a Chaldean master before leaving and came back with that exact one… We even brought her back before the singularity started to break apart or she started vanishing. Those were all the circumstances that worked before."
"Then it's still not as clear what the true prerequisites are…" Tristan finalized as Bedivere came to a halt by them.
As Da Vinci nodded slowly, Gabrielle sighed with one last sniffle. "I thought for sure we were on the right track this time… What was different? Why didn't this Arturia come like the other children…?"
The inventor quietly hummed in thought, and Tristan tried to come up with an answer too. It didn't fair too well with the welling disappointment at this failure. After a small silence, when his closed-eyed gaze turned to Bedivere, the saber spoke. "Our King's demeanor maybe…?"
They turned to him as Da Vinci's eyes furrowed more. That's when Tristan recalled her nervousness as Bedivere continued. "She was eager to come, but she was nervous."
"Very nervous… It was really cute," Gabrielle added.
"Uncertain about coming… I don't think I'll be useful or much help," the caster quietly recited. Like fire, her eyes slowly lit up with conclusion; It was unnerving how fast it was, but she did constantly call herself a genius. No one really doubted it anyway. "Mental disposition… That might have a part to play."
"So if a servant is unwilling or uncertain it might not work…?" Bedivere pondered skeptically. "I don't understand how it'd interfere with the process."
"I'm not sure either, but it's consistent. That variable was present when some others failed to return, even if they weren't children," she quickly surmised. "The three were very eager. They thought they were going to be left behind and alone. Both Janna and Paula were even crying and frantic to be taken back with us… Chacha was absolutely furious at the thought of leaving Nobunaga's side. Maybe it doesn't have to be desperation, but if a servant isn't completely convinced about coming to Chaldea, it could theoretically cause a disruption."
If that was the case, mental pollution or mad enhancement would likely disrupt it; That would explain why Lu Bu failed when Gudao tried a long time ago. But what was defined as full agreement and acceptance? A total lack of hesitation or doubt? Yet, were there still more variables to this mess?
He voiced only a slice of his confusion. "But then there's the living pseudo-servants like Illya and Kuro. So they work differently?"
"They're another mystery altogether, but they shared the same strong feelings about coming to Chaldea... or at least I think Shiki did too. She's a hard one for even a genius like me to read but… Good grief. I wish there was a manual for whoever really built these systems. Or at least a few hints…" Da Vinci complained lightly, but then shook her head. "…Sorry. This should have been a happier result, but it's clear we've got more experimenting to do. Thank you for the hypothesis, Bedivere. Maybe it is the last key."
He smiled faintly and nodded, but Da Vinci sighed. "We'll just have to hope the next one is more conclusive… I should get back to the Control Room. I trust the boys, but they need a genius like me~."
As she quickly dispersed into spirit form, Gabrielle sighed loudly, then gazed apologetically to the two knights. Bedivere merely held a hand up and stopped her. "No need for words, Gabby. It's alright. This is well out of our control."
"I can still feel sorry about it…" she pouted dejectedly, before she sighed again, waved, and shuffled her way towards the doors. "I'll be in the Control Room."
As they watched her slowly depart, silence filled the air. Bedivere then turned to him. "That goes for you too, Tristan. Don't let this eat you up."
"…You know me too well." How could he not? Bedivere had always been the closest knight to him, through thick and thin. They matched each other well, and like many, he was comforted by Bedivere's sunny, optimistic, and diligent attitude. He'd remained his great friend to this day, and knew exactly how to read him and what to say. "I was supposed to show her around, you know? …How sad."
"I know. They started showing it in the theater after it escalated. Her Majesty was curious if she was going to have to deal with yet another version of herself," Bedivere offered with a comforting smile. "…It seems not. A pity… I think she would have become like a little sister if Arthur is the older brother."
"A family of kings…" Tristan murmured, and they both chuckled as they began their walk down the hallway. "Maybe one day, or not… Thanks for catching me."
"It's what friends are for, no?" the saber chuckled. "Ah, but let's put that aside, shall we? Boudica left to make us fresh biscuits an hour ago! They should still be warm by the time we return."
"…If the King and Crown Prince haven't plowed through them like a Pict battle line," Tristan joked, and Bedivere's laughter was an afternoon park. "Is the Icena Queen holding the line?"
"She is not to be underestimated, but our royal family are formidable opponents." The saber smiled. "But fear not, for Emiya has joined her side and provided a diversion."
"Ah… the mighty Emiya. He whose hands sate the hunger of dragons," Tristan finally smiled lightly. "Then I have enough time to shower and change."
Walking forward, he felt lighter again. Disappointment lingered like barnacles beneath a ship, but his seas were calmer. He'd just make it up to the smaller king should she ever managed to come, especially if she remembered. Yet, she already did, in the form of the memories Arturia held, and the noble phantasm that remained presented in their gifted room. With one final sigh, he convinced himself to start moving on.
There was much to do in Chaldea, more so with his King's biggest day tomorrow.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ III ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
Ever since he returned, it was one re-scheduled event after another since the singularity dragged on. A small pre-procedure party with their King, a once-over of his new instruments, string practice, and finally a real meal. Dinner had long passed, and the final appointed meeting approached; He was always punctual. Dressed in black slacks and a partially unbuttoned, silver dress shirt, Tristan strolled into Club Cove.
Immediately, the three girls at a booth caught his attention as he kept walking. "That guy did what!? What a Neanderthal!"
"Online dating websites are stupid lies…" He'd barely heard that in Kiyohime's dejected voice. "Why did I believe any of this could work out…"
"I'm going to burn that idiot if we ever see him!" He definitely heard Tamamo's angered words. Again. "How dare he call you the liar!"
"But I did… I didn't say I was in Antarctica this time… I thought-"
"Forget those assholes, Kiyohime! It's only been a month of trying! You can't give up now!" Gabrielle's reassuring but determined voice just made it that much harder not to accidentally listen in. Truthfully, it was almost impossible for him not to. Compared to nearly all other servants, his hearing was impossibly fine-tuned. Some joked he moved around with echo-location since his eyes were always 'shut', but his hearing and sense of proximity were very well-honed from a lifetime of this experience.
Regardless, he could still see through his 'closed' eyes. Though they looked shut to many, it was a tight squint at most that he'd mastered. The only caveat was the world appeared dimmer in his sight, yet it only mirrored how he always felt. There was much sorrow in the world, and witnessing it fully seared the image into his mind. Yet, as Bedivere often countered, it meant he couldn't see the world for all its vibrant colors either.
That didn't mean he was going to intrude on something very personal that didn't involve him. 'Still no luck? How sad…'
They quieted down and gazed towards him, but he was already silently moving out of the club and into the night air. The boardwalk was peaceful at night, even as their heated conversation reignited in quieter frustration. Step by step, the wood creaked beneath his feet as he picked up the sound of distant giggling from the flower garden. The birds had fallen asleep, and the tiny troupe of automata monkeys had likely settled for the night in the distant forests.
Yet, it was the gentle caress of lapping waves sailed into his ears loudest. Though he could hear the faint disruption of water, of new aquatic life breaching the surface for but a moment to breathe, the waves were hypnotic. The soft wind blew gently against his face and flared his hair beautifully like a model, but they too tried to entrance him. Though he enjoyed the new relaxing feelings they brought, such beautiful sensations still carried traces of lingering anguish.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ IV ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
"Today… Maybe today…?" he asked to no one, even though his bride stood steps behind. In a simple white tunic with labored breath, he stood atop the grassy hill. The bandages beneath were tight and taut like the wound, but it wouldn't impede him. There was sharper pain to endure.
His heart was as heavy as the clouds. His limbs even more so this day. Every passing night, he felt like another leash was tying him to the bed, and more stones were added to an unseen cart he dragged. Yet, day by day, he walked from the relief of strong walls to the distant cliffs. The Penmarks' shoreline greeted him gloomier with every day, yet he paid the rocky bluffs no heed. His heart yearned through the pain that consumed him, and his eyes gazed ever forward.
Despair and desperation had been taking a foothold on his soul. The agony of his plight was growing, all while the poison was numbing his mind and body. Nevertheless, he fought on against his fate, hour after hour, if only for a slither of a chance. His mind had already accepted his coming demise as a consequence for all his actions prior, yet still he came to these cliffs. Still, he waited, all while the cool breeze of the ocean lashed at his face and the soft lapping of waves laughed in his ears like a jeering crowd.
The hours would likely slip by, as they always have. Even as the woman behind him came and went to run her errands… Though he grew hungry, he remained. "…Will you come today…?"
So many regrets… So much suffering in a life of despair, yet he remained defiant for but one lone chance. He'd accomplished much, yet the one desire out of his grasp was all his mind wished to hold. Be that as it may, part of him also wondered if he deserved this chance at all. No matter where he went, he always seemed to plant a seed of despair. His wife of the same name, ever faithful and wed in a land with an impossibly stalwart former liege, was yet more proof of these mounted shames.
But still he waited, ever hopeful to catch a glimpse among migrating waves… of white sails that heralded a lifelong desire and sin. "…Isolde…"
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ V ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
It was sad, really. He enjoyed the beautiful sea, yet it carried such terrible memories. Everything seemed to, yet with his stay in Chaldea, he'd been collecting and appreciating the new moments in life. With the help of his fellow knights, especially Bedivere, he'd taken steps to make something new for himself. More than most, though, he owed his King, who now shined impossibly bright, for taking him in once more.
He'd finally glimpsed the real Arturia for who she was, and the not King Arthur she struggled endlessly to maintain. She was free, and by extension, so were they. If they tried to rebuild all of Camelot again, he didn't know how it'd turn out, but he believed, without any doubt, it would have been far closer to a true utopia than even its former golden age. Clinging to that light like one of the few rafts in his sea of disappointment and frustration, he found he could brave his way forward again, if mainly in penance to her and his past shames.
"Oh, there you are!" Quietly, he pushed himself off the railing and glanced to the approaching pair. "Came out for the fresh air?"
Shamefully, he glanced at Boudica's red strapless evening dress she'd changed into after their little get together. She was a beautiful queen, with a vibrant soul, so even if the glance was instinctual, he felt shame as a knight. It was a reminder of Isolde, and an insolent act considering the terrible atrocities Boudica had lived through after being widowed. Even so, she dealt with so much pain, humiliation, and bloodshed, but still managed to come out as a gleaming pillar of happiness in Chaldea.
She was an inspiration, and another quiet admonishment of how far he still had to go. He smiled, "Queen Boudica. Arthur."
Beside her, the other King of Knights stood calmly with that overwhelmingly-engaging little smile of his. Even in only a light blue sweater and matching sweatpants, he gave off an air of royal brilliance and chivalry that was matched only by Arturia. His charisma and engaging personality was an inspiration even for her, however. He glanced back towards the cove, then turned back with a tiny sympathetic smile. "Have they been there a while?"
Tristan nodded. "I didn't wish to intrude. It's far from my place."
"Poor Kiyohime… I hope she finds someone soon," Boudica mumbled as she glanced back. At least, from what he was told, she was handling it far better than if her mad enhancement was more potent. She glanced back, then smiled. "Sorry. We're taking up your time."
"No trouble at all. This is all for King Arturia, and I wish to do my part too."
"Just remember, Boudica and I will be taking the blame if she gets all flustered and annoyed we're actually throwing her the big party. She can be disappointed with her knights, but we're a different story," Arthur reminded with a firm tone and gallant smile. "Now then, shall we stroll to the point? We'll be getting everything setup tomorrow as she's undergoing the procedure, but we can go over the details there. Only the monkeys may hear us."
"And those cute things are only interested in bananas," Boudica practically cooed as they began their walk. "I'm sorry you missed yesterday's release, but I got some videos of it on my phone. They were so adorable~! Rama started tearing up and grinning when one of them went straight to him! I got video of that too! Want to see?"
Now that she was actually fawning over them, Tristan couldn't help but chuckle lightly. "It's better than imagining if it doesn't trouble you."
"It doesn't. She's been showing everyone," Arthur chuckled, all while Boudica began to fish her phone out.
Tristan smiled. It was hard not to find joy in even the most mundane of moments in Chaldea, so he took comfort in them when they came.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ VI ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
Above the orchestra of gently lapping waves, the unusual mammatus clouds that floated over the resort looked like a bumpy sea of gold. The formation, just one of many newly simulated weather patterns, dotted the brightening sky as the sun began to wake. A few macaws were already beginning to squawk high atop some palm trees while the first wings of butterflies began to unfold for the day ahead. The gentle march of Delaqua's usual jogging group passed on a trail nearby, yet Tristan remained immersed.
As routine, he sat by the rocky shore with his two musical companions to warm up for the day. His friends' Salon uniforms looked extra sharp today, even in his dimmed vision. By contrast, he played in a simple white sweatshirt and black track pants. He usually favored looking sharp and at least semi-formal, but every now and then, he allowed himself to feel at ease. For today, it was just to calm his small concerns that something unexpected may change with his king.
Even so, with a hand on his violin's bow, his notes formed flawlessly. It was a knight's duty to stand confident and chivalrous, yet there were few things Tristan was proud of; His musical gift was one. Though it too, sadly, carried some weight of remorse, it was an escape. It was his small indulgence that, with Mozart's gracious help, brought many smiles to his listeners. In battle, it could soothe allies and rupture the confidence of enemies, but here, it was his lone, accepted hobby.
"Faster, Val! You'll beat the record today! Definitely!" Though his ears picked up the disturbance, he didn't miss a beat. None of them did.
"Didn't she beat it three days ago…?" Phantom asked quietly, but the bow on his cello still glided with perfection.
Mozart shrugged with his viola, but didn't make a single hitch. "I've lost track. Maybe she will become the resident Amazon at this rate."
"She would need weapon training first, no?" Tristan offered, and Mozart shot him a sly glance.
"Don't give 'Crazy Quetz' any ideas, now. Or Spartacus for that matter." Between her three fitness trainers, it just seemed like the next logical step. Although, Quetzalcoatl would likely teach wrestling instead. "Leonidas…? Maybe."
"So she might be a… hmm… Spartan-Gladiator-Eagle-Amazon Warrior…?" Phantom tried to piece together, but it only made the three of them laugh.
"I think we need an Amazon to declare her as one. It's best not to insult the pride of the women warriors," Tristan remarked. "I'm surprised one hasn't arrived yet…"
"It did take us this long to get the legendary Achilles," the caster pointed out as their impromptu song reached its crescendo.
Despite their talking, which was a muffle compared to their singing instruments, their unpracticed music mixed beautifully. It was a wonder to many, but not to them; They just knew each other and melodious sounds so well that harmony was a given. The sheet music had long since been discarded onto their nearby instrument cases. Their ever-shifting small talk was just a sign of how masterful they were.
However, Tristan still humbled himself in the presence of masters. Even if he was praised as exceptionally talented, and often prided himself in all his skills and looks, he wouldn't dare put himself on their level. Though they insisted he was an equal, he'd always hold them higher. Mozart was a musical phenomenon, while Phantom was a tragic, but powerful, singer and master of arts. In their presence, he humbled himself as but a student and practitioner, ever-honored to play and converse in their company.
As their music finally came to a halt, they smiled to each other. Mozart chuckled, "I think we'll have this piece ready by the weekend."
They then got up and made a small bow towards the distant sounds of clapping from Brynhildr's training class on the far end; They'd finished a bit earlier that morning. Tristan glanced out over the lapping waves and smiled lightly. Though the sea held such tragic memories for him, he was glad new ones like this were helping to balance with appreciation. Every new memory without regret or disappointment was more than welcome.
Then, over the sound of lapping waves, he heard it first. His ears perked up as some leaves rustled against the trade winds' pattern. He'd been hearing it from time to time, but it hadn't been this close before. He turned to look at the offending palm tree, and unintentionally made his hair shimmer and fly like a radiant red cape. Phantom smiled as he packed his cello. "How are you still not one of their models yet…?"
He smiled again. He considered priding himself on his looks as he always had, but he toyed with humbling himself here and there. "I think there are some more suited than me."
"...Your attempted humility fell flat, but I wish more of humanity's scum pursued it," Mozart pointed out with a chuckle, but then noticed his continued stare. He blinked as he closed his viola's case, then stared up to the treetops. "…Birds came to fill an audience?"
"No rustling of feathers… nor quiet chirps," he replied, but couldn't see the tree top. Quietly, he moved his sheet music folder away so he could place his violin in its case. His ears remained perked. A few seconds after Mozart and Phantom finished packing, and Tristan shut his case, he heard it again.
He turned to look again and Phantom blinked. "Your hearing never ceases to amaze me."
"I thank you… but there's definitely something there." Yet they couldn't sense it. Helena's automatas were master-crafted and practically familiars in their own right, but they weren't as complex as her Colonel Olcotts. Even the Chibi Nobus were pretty plain among the soulless entities, and they were her most advanced 'gifts' made from her vast knowledge and expertise. In the end, though, they were just unique, weak familiars that replicated wildlife.
"It must be one of the monkeys. They're pretty shy for juveniles... Except for Hanuman Junior," Mozart surmised with a small chuckle. On cue, the beige little rhesus monkey finally peered from between the leaves. Tristan couldn't help but smile after catching a glimpse of a little red and gold bowtie it wore. He recalled Boudica's videos from last night, and easily pegged this one as the favorite of the five. "So this is Hanuman Junior."
"Oh? It has the bow tie?" Phantom asked as he strolled over to catch a glance. He didn't need to. Quietly, the monkey began clambering down the sides of the tree before gracefully leaping to the ground. Barely the size of a football, it stood barely a meter away and stared with its puppy-like eyes, trying to gauge them. "Looking for an early snack?"
"Sorry. No bananas here, Junior," Mozart offered as he walked over, gently knelt without letting his knees touch the ground, and held his hand out. "I'll bring one next time."
Junior sniffed, then gently grasped one of Mozart's fingers so it could inspect his hand. It made a tiny sound of disappointment, but Phantom chuckled as the caster gently scratched its head. Though often critical of human behavior, it was interesting seeing Mozart so caring around a primate. Maybe it was because he had to handle Marie's sphinx kitten. Either way, the monkey clearly appreciated his gentleness.
It made another sound, then stared as the joggers ran by again. Its head moved around erratically, then landed on Tristan. It crawled over, peered into his case for food, then stared up at him. His experience with animals was limited to Fou and his foster father's court dog; He rarely saw Arturia's canine companion, let alone interacted with it. So, inevitably, he was clueless on how to handle a little monkey. They were supposedly extremely intelligent.
"Boudica said they understand English?" Tristan asked as he picked the safe route, and mimicked Mozart's gesture. Junior grasped the hand, looked it over, and made another cutely disappointed sound at the lack of food.
"Quite well. They're as smart as the dolphins, and just as friendly," Mozart offered, and earned a quick glance from the monkey; Was it pouting? Mozart chuckled and held his hands up. "I beg your pardon. I meant the monkeys are obviously smarter… but don't tell our pair of dolphins please!"
Tristan nodded slowly, then slowly pet the monkey by stroking its furry back. When Phantom knelt down to mirror the act, Junior sat down on the violin case, and he smiled; The knight wasn't going anywhere for now, or so it seemed. He wasn't much of a wildlife watcher like Robin, but he now understood the appeal a bit more. Barely a few minutes here, and Junior was already imprinting a new bright moment of the shores to counter his memories. Maybe he'd even attend more of their concerts?
'Guess I'm bringing a banana from now on.'
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ VII ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
Most of the set up had been quick, but that left them with far more waiting time than expected.
"Three of a kind." "Royal Flush~!"
Cards were dropped, shuffled, and redistributed before the room's voices fell into near-silence again, but it never lasted long.
The Camelot room was fairly tense, but not suffocating. The knights, Arthur, and Merlin had unanimously agreed to greeting Arturia in armor, so their knightly appearances prevented concern from diminishing. It was fine… Though the thoughts of a worst-case scenario bothered them, no matter how slim, it was also satisfying. All within honestly cared and concerned themselves over any impossibility, showing their absolute dedication to Arturia.
Any tension was silly, as a smiling Merlin pointed out. He made a point not to supervise, saying Scathach, Helena, Nightingale, and an assisting Chiron was far above what was needed. In truth, only Scathach and Helena needed to be in the Summoning Chamber, but Nightingale was ever concerned about safety. Chiron was likely going to help from then on to possibly speed the process along. By their combined expertise, and no previous failures, fretting over Arturia was a waste of energy.
Yet they cared… More than enough to wait together in the Camelot Room while the half-day procedure concluded.
"Booooooooored…" He smirked; That didn't mean some waited patiently. "Is Father ready yet?"
"For the seventh time this hour, no, Mordred," Arthur commented as he looked at his cards. With a failed poker face as Gawain stared expectantly at him, he dropped his hand. "Nothing."
"Straight!" the other blonde knight called out happily, making Bedivere, and Lancelot drop their hands in defeat.
Merlin just dropped his hand with a grin. "Royal flush!"
"You cheater! There's no way three in a row!" Lancelot called out, but the caster only smirked happily and waved his finger.
"I didn't do anything~! You know you would've felt it!"
"But you have plenty of spells no one can sense…" Bedivere also groaned out, and Merlin smiled sheepishly. "Good we're not betting coin…"
They reshuffled with only little further debate. They'd been playing cards for the past hour, but that had bored Mordred pretty quickly. Instead, she was busying herself with her phone while lounging across several chairs. She and Tristan were the only ones unarmored as they passed on the games.
Shining like a crystal gem, Tristan's new ivory-colored harp rang out like serene bells as he plucked each string. It wasn't as beautiful as his newly delivered, giant harp that resided in the Salon's Ballroom, but with every movement, its song helped lighten the atmosphere. They made nice presents to cheer him up on his return. Though he was shamefully rusty and hid his embarrassment, the others said it sounded perfect.
Tristan glanced over to Mordred, who was watching some sort of wrestling match on her phone. Barely ten minutes ago, it was a video about muscle cars and motorcycles. Before even that, it was a monotone documentary about lions; He was secretly surprised she sat through that one. She hadn't turned the volume too low either, so the current commentating mixed with his harp's soundtrack. No one complained.
"Nate Diaz weathered the storm and now Connor McGregor's in trouble! …Woooooow! Things just got reeeeeeeal interesting!"
The Knight of Rebellion, now also Crown Prince, never ceased to amuse and baffle him. They'd all assumed so much when they only saw so little, yet with all they understood now, the most any held against her was disappointment. Camelot's fall, inadvertently warned by his words or not, had been a giant cauldron of miscommunication, assumptions, and huge mistakes. Though he had been incensed Mordred's entire rebellion was essentially an outrageous child's tantrum, he had little right to remain angry due to his own failures to understand and help Arturia.
Like many things, he only felt it was another terrible tragedy which he, and all of them, would ensure was never be repeated.
As he plucked, he gazed over to a wall-mounted chestnut coo-coo clock, gifted by Shakespeare. Its little brass pendulum swung just above a shelf of small jack-o-lanterns they made. Only twenty minutes to six, which was the earliest the operation would be completed. 'Not much longer…'
"Hooo! What a hit!" Mordred called out excitedly. Before Tristan could look over, he heard the gentle clinks of familiar armor. By the rhythm and sway, it was no doubt Mashu returning, but she seemed to be in a hurry. His concern grew, but so did his hope. It was only when she reached the door did the others finally notice. "Oh! Mashmellow! What's the news?"
Her battle armor was called forth like the others, yet no one could deny her lack of presence. Even Merlin was baffled her lent power was seemingly dormant; It remained a Chaldean mystery. They all knew how much it bothered her, especially since she couldn't deploy with Gudao anymore. That didn't mean she was no longer the newest member of the round… Far from it, but she wasn't going to see battle anytime soon.
She still wore it in honor of her King, and coupled it with a happy smile. Fou was quietly perched on her shoulder. "Chiron told me to gather the knights. Arturia is-"
"WOOOOOO! FATHER'S READY!" Before Tristan could even blink, Mordred had shot to her feet, donned her armor, and bolted past Mashu. A second passed before the happy blonde cheered loudly again, making the remaining Camelot heroes laugh.
"I'll go make sure the heir doesn't just barge in," Arthur offered as he swiftly dropped his cards, which revealed nothing notable. He vanished into spirit form a moment later in his attempt to cut her off. Lancelot nodded to his daughter, got up, and then glanced to Merlin. Tristan stood to leave with the rest, but then watched Lancelot's face contort into incredulous disbelief.
Merlin only grinned and dropped his hand. "Royal Flush!"
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Save for the giddy Mordred and her adoptive uncle holding her by the shoulder, the battle-clad Chiron was the first to meet them at the closed doors. He stood before them calmly, but the smile on his face squashed the last vestiges of concern. "All went well. Operations should be fast from now on."
"We couldn't hope for better news," Bedivere spoke for all of them as the clanking of their armor halted with them. "When may we enter?"
Chiron held up a finger in pause as he telepathically communicated. The pause allowed Tristan to hear within, and he could hear the muffled tone of Emiya's voice and hers. He smiled. Trust the King's lover to be so diligent, but he was most satisfied with her familiar tone. He couldn't make out the words though. Chiron finally nodded and smiled. "Give them a minute. She's just getting used to her new body."
"I can't wait to see Father!" Mordred chimed yet again, and Tristan couldn't help smile. Of the knights, she was by far the most eager. Even after knowing how she'd appear from fighting the Lion King, that did little to squash Mordred's enthusiasm. It was a traumatic and trying experience, yet their separation between Lion King and their King was obvious. There was just one lingering hesitation that gripped him with fear: Had her perspective changed too despite what Scathach promised?
The wait was painful, yet finally, Chiron nodded as the doors slowly opened. "I have a lecture with Achilles to get to, so I must bid you all ado, for now. I hope she's-"
Before he finished, Mordred was off like a horse at the races, followed instantly by a yell of delight. "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! FATHER IS STILL FATHER BUT BETTER!"
Arthur placed his gauntlet to his head. "Mordred… what happened to walking in like knights… rank and file?"
"You really thought the Prince was going to listen?" Mashu asked, and Fou made a sighing sound on her shoulder. The others chuckled as Arthur motioned inward. Rank and file, as discussed, they walked in perfectly. It harkened back to the days they marched as a table in a show of force and prestige. The sight often sparked admiration and raised spirits among the people, especially with Arturia at the fore. Today, they did it without any hidden but growing reservations, and to send a continued message to their liege.
Arthur's motivation was obviously not quite the same, but just as honorable.
Among the other battle-ready servants within, Emiya was the only one dressed formally. His new tailor-fit cerulean suit with silver trim looked sharp, even if red was more his color. He, and more pressingly Irisviel, wanted him to have a suit in Camelot's colors though. While Scathach and the other stood to the side, he stood right beside Arturia with a satisfied smile as the rowdy knight finally released her father from their warm embrace. She took her place at the King's side just as they lined up in perfect order.
"Your majesty…!" Bedivere began to declare, but the wonder seeped into his voice. The changes weren't massive, though she was now a fair bit taller when compared to the grinning Mordred beside her. Her silver armor and blue garments were far more elegant than previously. They even appeared more feminine in design, and were joined by a regal red cape and a gorgeous, thin crown that shimmered like Excalibur. Her eyes, hair, and face looked just a touch more mature, but it was no doubt her.
It was a sight he knew from that terrible singularity, yet there was one difference that alleviated his worry. She appeared almost like that divine, but the smile and appreciation in her eyes shined like the king he'd come to know in these halls. Her body and armor may be different, but within, the class and mind appeared the same. This, he could not doubt, and neither did the other knights as they basked in her familiar, inspirational, and chivalrous presence.
Thus, the transformation appeared flawless. With no issue of hiding her gender, she moved on to the womanly body where she was still admired as the king of another time. It was her way of moving on into the future, so she insisted: To be as she chooses. And they would gladly follow.
Bedivere finally found his words after smiling like the rest of them. With a hand over his heart, he bowed, and they did the same. "Allow us to renew our vows to you! Our loyalty forever stands with the King of Camelot! We are forever your honored swords, King Arturia… The Once and Future King!"
"You didn't have to go so far…" she began, with certainly the same, emotional voice she'd come to gain in these halls. Her smile grew impossibly more radiant. "…Thank you. Bedivere, Lancelot, Gawain, Tristan, Mashu… Yes, even you Merlin."
"I've been counted!" Merlin proclaimed with arms raised above his head as he stood off a bit to the side. Arthur shook his head with a chuckle while Helena giggled by Scathach and Nightingale. Fou barked at him from Mashu's shoulder, but she reached over to pet the little beast into silence.
"I hope you weren't too concerned," she continued as she glanced again at her gauntlet. "On my honor, I promise I'm still the King you've oathed yourselves to. I would dare not to challenge that."
"But Father is even cooler now…!" Mordred mumbled giddily from next to her, barely containing her enthusiasm. In response, Arturia glanced over, smiled gently, and patted her child on the head. This time, Mordred failed utterly to keep in her little childish squeal, and the room filled with laughter.
"We're happy to see all is well, Arty, but there is an important matter that must be announced," Arthur began, catching the other king's now partially concerned glance. Arthur's smile remained, and her own fell to the weight of growing exasperation. "…Indeed. Boudica and I have taken the liberty of setting up that celebration you didn't want to have!"
"Arthur…" Arturia complained in warning, but her male counterpart cut her off.
"Oh? Is the ravenous King Arturia, who has gone without food for half a day, going to reject the offerings of Boudica, Arthur, and the one who holds her heart?" Merlin questioned easily, making Arturia's eyes narrow with growing difficulty. Tristan was barely keeping his snicker in, as were the other knights. Bedivere's chuckling was the first to erupt into laughter when their king's stomach growled a bit loudly.
Blushing at her stomach's betrayal, she put a hand above it, and tried to intensify her glare on Arthur. "…So you've made a feast?"
"One fit to comfort you after a long day," Arthur declared without a doubt.
The emphasis was enough to make her sigh in defeat. Her attempted glare collapsed. "…A delicious meal would be nice. Hunger is the enemy."
"So we've cooked all your favorites to combat it," Emiya added, as her now twinkling eyes gazed to him. Mordred was doing the same; Like father, like son. Emiya only winked, smirked, and teased further, "It may or may not include my carefully seasoned Teriyaki-"
"Shirou… say no more…" Arturia quietly mouthed, and even Tristan could see her mouth watering. Emiya only smirked with pride and affection, then shrugged. Though her eyes kept their twinkle, she tried her best to dignify herself again. Scathach merely smirked with amusement at the rather failed attempt, though he and the other knights smiled in return. "…I didn't wish for this to become a big thing… but so it shall be! Knights and dear friends, let us be merry! An early dinner awaits at…!"
"We'll take you there, Saber. Just relax for the rest of the day," Emiya offered again at her pause, and smiled with slight embarrassment and thanks. He then pointed at her armor. "Which includes the armor. It looks comfortable, but it may be better to wear your gown. It does have a gown, right?"
As Mordred chuckled and dematerialized her armor first, Arturia nodded. "This is quite flexible… but you're right, Shirou. I should."
"Ah? But it's not like you were the one who was working!" The servants turned to the door as the three masters strolled in, uniforms clean and pressed. Gabby waved and spoke again after her jest. "Just kidding~! Everything's set at the cape and- Wow! Wooow, Arturia! Looking good!"
"Kinda like the Lion King but…" Gudao murmured quietly. He heard it clearly, but Tristan didn't worry if it was loud enough for Arturia. Thanks to their makeshift alliance fighting Goetia, Arturia had a more positive outlook on the Lion King. The distant attitude was all that irked her anymore.
"But not quite," Arturia offered as she finally dematerialized her armor. In a shower of gold, the silver had been replaced with… Now that he thought about it, he never did see the Lion King not wearing her-
"…Wow. How did that armor hide those?" Helena and Scathach gazed towards Anishka with tiny smiles, making her blush. Gabrielle snickered at her, who was now a tomato as she planted her hands over her face in total embarrassment. Even Gudao couldn't help but smile sheepishly at her… but she was right.
Tristan and the others would have turned to Anishka's slip had they not been staring too. What the King now wore resembled an elegant, royal dress with a dangerously short hem at the front; The rear capelet still reached low. Her matching blue thigh-highs' gold trim ended just low enough to offer a teasing glance at her exposed skin. Most prominently, a silver piece of armor tucked the dress closer to her form, emphasizing her palpable and fairly exposed chest-
"MY LIEGE! FORGIVE ME!" Lancelot was the first to cry out as he threw himself to a knee and shot his anguished glare to the ground. Mashu blinked, but then quickly fumed at him at his side while Fou made a chuckling sound. "I've… I've still so far to…!"
"I confess! I too have fallen to a disgraceful act!" Gawain yelled as he dropped too. His eyes were shut tightly in outright shame as Bedivere glanced between them and Arturia.
It was shameful and sad, but Tristan too took a knee. "I beg your forgiveness, your majesty! Even I…"
Thus, they proved they held their word. Any little possibility that could disrupt their newfound unity, they would quickly voice to prevent miscommunication. Yet, none dared to believe they'd actually have insincere thoughts about their King. Lancelot had an affair with Gwenivere, while he had a similar shameful love with Isolde of his dear foster father, but never for the King herself. This… This crossed a line that humiliated him far more than any act.
She was a taken woman! She was their just and righteous ruler, who forgave and accepted them… and they dared to even peek at such a lush and fertile bosom-
What thought did he just allow to cross his mind!? It wasn't right! It wasn't just! This was another sad tragedy waiting to grow, but they would stop it here! They would crush this unchivalrous notion where it stood!
"W-What!?" a blushing Arturia stuttered as she placed a hand over her chest. Her girlish cry of surprise was another spear through his troubled heart. He knew it was the same for his fellow knights, though he was glad Bedivere seemed to be calm and chaste; He always was. He even raced over to try and calm their flustered king with Emiya.
Yes… Without any doubt, the King now understood the hearts of those who followed… but that just made his growing shame so much worse.
"What is wrong with all you!?" Mordred called out in disbelief, making their pain grow. They deserved this scolding from the Crown Prince.
How dare he… How dare he put the King in such a position! But how would they go from here? Would they continue to ogle their- No! He wouldn't allow it!
"Knights of the Round!" he called out quickly. "Those of us who soiled our names… we must find a way to atone for this! Tragedy mustn't take root!"
"We already did all the minor adjustments it allowed…" Helena mumbled to Scathach as the lancer only chuckled in amusement. He heard it, and he dared to try and think about it. His shame… it grew… "They still wound up pretty big…"
"Compared to what it could have been?" Scathach answered back. "It would've been like Raikou… Now it's as big as mine."
Tristan heard, and even dared to try and think of Scathach's tempting body to erase any terrible thought of his King's. Nightingale stared in total bewilderment at the growing chaos as Scathach and Helena continued to discuss quietly. Arthur stared in surprise, but was otherwise calmly trying to get the shamed knights to stand. The masters were trying to help now too as Gudao gently took his arm.
That's when Merlin finally let out his own cry. Mashu, who was berating her father, turned to glance at the caster while Fou glared. He yelled incredulously, "What is wrong with me!? Had I known you turned out so lovely, maybe you should have pulled Caliburn out later! …Wait, but then Camelot would have been kingless for… How did I figure this one ou- AHHH!"
The hilt of Clarent slammed into Merlin's gut. As he and the mighty sword clattered to the ground, the blonde roared out. "Shut up you stupid pervy trash! Don't you go eyeing father either or I swear I'll find the Lady of the Lake!"
"Please… Not Vivian…!" Merlin groaned out, all while slowly moving his hands to his groin and curling into a ball of traumatic memories.
As Gudao finally got Tristan to stand, his self-admonishment came to a halt when Mordred suddenly let out a cry of delight. He dared to try and gaze over, risking another bad image of his beautiful king… only to spot Mordred covering her front and staring at her chest. Arturia, red as a rose, could only gawk at her child as Emiya and Bedivere stared in disbelief. Finally, Mordred, who was gently touching her chest, let out a quiet, but one of the most wonder-filled expressions he'd ever heard from her.
"Ohhhhh! Father really, really is always the best!" …Of course Mordred only just noticed.
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For the evening, the farthest end of the Tropicana forest was unrecognizable, and its own Halloween decor temporarily removed.
Merlin's ethereal magenta flowers speckled the leafy trees above and rained glittering mana to the ground like fairy dust. They were scattered across the grass too, but left the pathways and gathering area clear. Among them, a host of white linen tables, candelabras, and plenty of steaming food lay ready for the currently mingling guests. Arturia was flabbergasted by the spectacle's length, but she, and many of the guests, remained unaware how memorable they wanted to make this day.
Tristan sat on a chair near the oceanside with his violin playing in hand. His armor was gone, but the elegant tunic and pants remained as he gently guided the bow. Its voice echoed loudly in order to compete against the many vibrant voices among the sunset-basked celebration, but it never felt forced. By his hand, every note felt as natural and perfect as the sounds of chirping birds above.
"Oh, don't mind her. She's just flustered she lost her favorite cute model."
"I…!" Medea huffed and earned some giggles. "…It's a pity. You're even more beautiful, but that old body of yours was so adorable!"
With ears piqued and eyes glancing subtly, he stared towards his King. Before her, Naomi and Medea had come to visit before heading off to dinner. The supervisor was still dressed in her uniform with a new pink tie, but Medea's off-shoulder purple evening dress glowed even more brilliantly in the amber light. The caster sighed, "There's no going back now. We're just glad to see all went well."
"We'll be waiting for you in the shop tomorrow! You can choose what dresses you want remade then. No need to busy yourself now."
In the distance, he could see a few more unannounced guests coming to say hi. There was never an actual guest list, to be honest. Arturia was already going to be miffed they did this, so they tried to just keep it small. That wasn't going to stop others from coming by to wish her well and see the results… or Boudica and Irisviel from continually embellishing the dinner. Thankfully, being surrounded by her knights, closest friends, family, and plenty of good food had subdued an exasperation.
After tossing a glance towards the semi-formally dressed Irisviel and Kiritsugu, who were listening to Gawain regale them with another untold story, he saw Kuro and Illya, still in their school uniforms, talking with Parvati at a closer table, who wore her new sleeveless ivory kameez. The pair sat in Heracles' lap as Fou rested on his shoulder. Ruby and Ishtar floated over to them as her red blouse fluttered with her movement, but her black pencil skirt didn't.
Bedivere was trying to stop a white shirt dress wearing Boudica from insistently fussing with the food decorations as Arthur walked over to join his sister. A smiling Merlin a bit off to the side, admiring the entire scene. Mashu was chastising Lancelot about something at another table while Mordred was laughing with the battle-clad Jekyll nearby. That didn't include the coming and going guests.
Everywhere he looked, he saw plenty who cared, and it warmed his heart to see them all present for her.
Of course, there was one in particular he didn't need to spot to acknowledge. Still, he glanced towards the trio who were sitting at the table beside him. On the far side, Diarmuid sat and talked beside Emiya in a jade polo and black slacks. Jeanne sat closer to him in a cerulean slip dress with a translucent, white throwover. Though they smiled, they held that little bit of extra excitement as Emiya tossed Arturia a quiet gaze, then glanced to him.
Tristan glanced over too, but shot a telepathic message with a small smile. "Not getting cold feet now, are you?"
He gave a tiny smirk back that Diarmuid and Jeanne caught. They presented a knowing smile like he did.
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If the Tropicana forest had crickets, they would've been chirping a storm that evening. Instead, there was only the gentle ruffling of leaves above their heads as they stopped walking. Far off the trails and concealed by bushes, they stood among one of the grassy areas among the trees. With dinner still going on, only the sleeping birds above might hear them.
With his gifted white cooking apron folded in hand, Emiya finally turned around. His black dress shirt, belt, and formal pants nearly made him disappear in the dim light if not for his loose white hair. Despite that, his eyes stared seriously towards Tristan, as his own eyes remained locked on him. He looked a bit tense and uncertain, but it paled compared to those exact feelings that welled beneath the other archer's white formal suit.
"Whatever you want to say, I'm all ears," Emiya offered among the silence; He definitely felt the knight's stern unease. Good. "I pray I didn't do anything to offend you."
"Not yet, but I pray you don't either." His cryptic response barely flinched Emiya, and Tristan didn't know if that sat well with him or not. He was going to push on either way, because there were answers he wanted. "Yesterday, I talked with Lady Ishtar, and she told me some curious things about your past with her host Rin and Lady Parvati's Sakura."
He paused. "…How did she voice it?"
"A blend of serious and teasing. I know that goddess likes to joke, but I'm not going to just let this slide as her usual playful suggestions. It doesn't sit well with me."
Emiya breathed out slowly, breaking his rhythm of calmness; Tristan caught it. Ishtar clearly wasn't lying or being scandalous then, so he had to dig deeper. What she unveiled could hold grave consequences in the future that he did not want to see… Not as Arturia's once-more loyal knight. The knight's eyebrows scrunched ever so slightly more. "It's true then… In different timelines, you were in love with Rin and Sakura too."
"In other timelines… yes, it seemed so. I won't lie, but I don't like talking about that," Emiya responded calmly, though his concern started to seep into his usually smooth voice. "I don't recall the one with Sakura, but I had received a memorial essence involving Rin months ago. It wasn't the most straightforward Grail War… but then, was one ever?"
Tristan remained stern and silent. Emiya sighed and shot accurately. "You're concerned I'll follow those feelings."
"It needs not be said. I do not want to see my Liege fall from the heights she's climbed." The declaration was absolute, and shared among all the knights. After the trials of the Jerusalem Singularity, and his own summoning, he's witnessed unfathomable bliss for a once stone-faced king. To think she could show emotion and feel this readily when allowed… It pained him greatly that he didn't understand her, just as she didn't understand them. He wanted to do everything to protect that with his second chance.
Thus, he didn't hesitate. He and his fellow knights, especially Lancelot, knew exactly what destruction love and affairs could bring. That beautiful emotion was the most eternal rose, yet the thick thorns it grew never ceased to rip apart hands when yanked from their grasp. He was beyond worried it would happen again, and that his King would lose her real lover this time to some unchecked affair… But if fate damned it to happen, he would cut at it as soon as possible before-
"That boy loved Rin, but I didn't choose to be that boy. I chose to be another… One I related to on a different level." His quiet but firm statement halted the welling frustration, concern, and even fear. He stared into Emiya's eyes, looking for any indication of a lie. He felt for the slightest quiver of his voice, yet there was nothing grating. There wasn't even the slightest hitch of his breathing nor wavering of his presence. Fear, concern, and frustration was only felt within.
From Emiya, there was only a reassuring resolve. "Memorial essences carry the feelings of those memories… You know this as I do. They're not easy to handle or accept… Good grief, my last one was… something I should've tossed away entirely…"
Tristan only remained silent as Emiya shook his head. "I know what that other me felt in that time, but I chose not to pursue her again. I chose to dedicate myself to Sa- …to Arturia. To be there for her when she needs me. I'm not going to throw away everything I've made all to chase a different set of memories yet another reckless idiot experienced."
"In the end, we choose our own paths," Tristan agreed silently.
"Had Ishtar come first, things might have been different. Parvati too," he dared to admit, yet there was still not the slightest sign of hesitation. "But they didn't. Arturia did, and I made my decision a long time ago. I'll live with that decision proudly no matter what anyone says. I'll be there for her whenever she needs me, both as her sheath and someone who can finally stand at her side in battle. You can shoot all the doubt you want, but that won't stop me from loving Arturia."
In that moment, Tristan saw the true glimmer in his eyes that Arturia had talked about… of the ridiculously stubborn and idealistic young man she fell in love with. He saw a deeper glimpse past the often sarcastic archer, proud cook, and caring sibling. His reason to doubt had almost completely evaporated as he finally confirmed that truth behind the unusual man before him. Tristan hummed. "…Very well. I'll place trust in your word as my King has… But should you truly do anything to bring her to despair, know I will not stay my blade, nor my fellow knights."
"I'd gladly let you dispose of trash for doing so." Relief filled him, yet, it was apparent that wasn't all he had to say. The very last drops of skepticism would be smited by hopeful belief as Emiya glanced around for any possible spying eyes. He then took a step forward, which Tristan allowed. His voice fell a bit more hushed, but the determination remained. "…Hmm. If it eases you any further, there's a request I've been meaning to ask you. I would like your help with something very personal I've been planning. It was… admittedly Boudica's idea that it might be a cute time for me to…"
The tinge of hope in his voice was enough to set the gears turning optimistically in his mind, even before he revealed it. 'Ah… Then you indeed wish to be the Queen.'
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"Merlin, if you mess up the photo…"
"Oh come on! I'm not that bad! …Maybe a thumb in the bottom left or- Hey! I'm kidding, foul beast!" Those watching laughed as Fou barked angrily at the magus' feet.
Like clockwork, Diarmuid and Jeanne had managed to coax Arturia over to the rocky shores. She glimmered gorgeously as the sun finally kissed the distant horizon. Arm in arm, the four stood side by side as Merlin snapped the photo. Mashu came up with her own new full-sized DSLR to take a picture too. After Merlin's phone clicked again, he glanced at the four close friends. And thus, it began. "Should I post it, or do you want it on your phones too?"
"…I'll get my phone anyway!" Jeanne soon chimed as she hurried off to her discarded purse. Diarmuid followed her as she shuffled through her purse as she glanced back towards the caster. She then eyed the couple as they now stood alone. "Awww... Mashu! Snap a picture of that, then you should join Arty and I for a trio pic!"
"Okay!" she answered back happily as she adjusted her lens. She paused as Fou scampered up her back to perch on her shoulder. It glanced back towards the other present guests, who were only paying mild attention to the photo shoot. That's when Emiya quickly glanced to Merlin, and the magus nodded his head.
"…Then let me tell you the story of a king!" The air shimmered in his hand as he summoned his staff, making Arturia blink in surprise. The masters stared in confusion, and the rest of the guests quickly stared. "The inner sea of the planet… The platform of the watchtower… From the edge of paradise, we shall hear of greatness! Your story shall always be full of blessings!"
"Hey Merlin! What the he-!" As planned, Jekyll kept Mordred in check by quickly grasping her arm and pulling her back into her seat. "Henry!? What are you-!?"
With a sudden wave of his hand, and the quick words of very carefully pronounced incantation, a light flared from the ocean he pointed. "Garden of Avalon!"
Thus, their secret operation unfolded. The glimmering tower appeared over the waters, rivalling the sun in its glory. It had barely fit within the resort's illusionary domed ceiling, but it spread its glory like a wildfire. Flowers bloomed and raced across the ocean's surface, making one of Chaldea's dolphins jump out of the water in surprise; It disappeared beneath the sea of ethereal blooms. Everywhere one looked, the garden reached in the resort.
'Most will miss this… how sad.' It was a beautiful image those gathering for dinner at the salon wouldn't see, but it was all for one purpose. Flabbergasted, Arturia glanced around at the endless flowers in confusion… then the tower… then Emiya's calm, but amused, expression. Her lover only glanced towards him, and he responded in turn. His violin's melody fell silent, only to shift to a new song he'd practiced in secret every night since Emiya spoke to him.
It sang into the air, joining the gentle hum of the fantastical flower garden everyone stood within. Merlin quietly ushered Mashu from her stunned state to take more pictures, just as Arturia finally turned back to Emiya. With a fond smile, he gently took her hand, and Tristan couldn't help but watch her face quickly lighting up with realization.
"Oh heavens…! Oh my god, Kerry, our son is…!" Irisviel was barely containing herself in hushed wonder.
"It seemed like only yesterday when a naïve boy resolved himself to wait for the beautiful knight who answered his summons… Do you remember that last sunrise, Saber?" Emiya asked quietly, yet it seemed to boom in Tristan's ears like everyone else present. He couldn't help but join the growing smiles as he made his instrument sing flawlessly. As Diarmuid took video of the moment on his phone, Jeanne stood next to him with her real retrieved item: a microphone.
Arturia giggled blissfully, and it was like a heavenly choir. "…Yes."
"I had doubts I may never see you again, but still I believed… just like I did in my ideal," he declared as he rubbed her hands gently with his thumbs. "Now here we are, reunited by the will to save humanity. Yet we found more than that, didn't we?"
"…Yes…" she was already breathless, and her hopeful smile was still growing.
"I sometimes wondered if the next time I saw you would be in Avalon. I'm happy our patience was rewarded… but even happier we could be together again." The sun began to set behind them. He planned that symbolism well: Long after the dawn of their wait, it was finally over. In a slow but swift movement, he reached into his pocket, pulled out the expected little velvet box, and took a knee as Arturia's hands fell over her mouth. "It may not be how we imagined, but we've made something wonderful bloom together. I'd love nothing more than to see it grow more."
Jeanne turned on her microphone, but wiped a small happy tear from her eye as Emiya opened the box to reveal the glistening silver ring with sapphires dotting its band. The diamond shined more than Arturia's tearing eyes as she sniffled. "Arturia Pendragon, you have my heart… So may I have this honor?"
"…Yes…" she murmured before she dropped her hands to reveal the most beautiful smile she'd ever worn. "…Yes, Shirou! Yes, yes, YES!"
Cheers erupted all around as Arturia threw herself at her new fiancé. As they kissed, he skillfully picked the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger. Her hand then moved to join the other around his neck as they stood to continue their affection amidst the fading light. The knights clapped and hollered, Mordred was jumping for joy, Irisviel was still squealing hysterically like Boudica…
…but it all slowly calmed down as he finished the familiar cover, just to restart it as planned. 'Bravo, Queen Emiya… You timed this all well.'
~~Wise men say~~
~~Only fools rush in~~
~~But I can't help falling in love with you~~
As Jeanne continued to sing, Tristan's heart fell to the bliss around him. He was so used to living sad moments, that such an overwhelmingly powerful moment could have moved him to tears; It did for some others around him. Satisfaction and happiness filled him as he continued to do his part, helping to paint it even more beautiful shades than it had already become. To even have had this chance after what he did so long ago... There was no sadness to be found here. Only blessings.
Their lips parted, and she smiled playfully at him. "You sure took your time. Were you waiting for my more womanly body?"
He was quickly taken back as he fell to stutters. "S-Saber, no! I've been meaning to for a while, but… Boudica thought-"
She shushed him with a small peck on his lips and a tiny giggle. "I jest… I just like seeing my squeamish Shirou every once and a while… I love you."
"I love you too."
Tristan stared to the newly engaged couple, who had yet to release their loving embrace. Now taller, it was far easier for Emiya to rest his forehead against hers as they smiled happily into each other's eyes. The world around was lost to them, for now, but he wondered if it felt like they were holding it dearly in their arm. He stared into the beautiful smile of his king, and couldn't stop the radiant joy from spreading further across his own features.
He smiled beautifully, not sadly, for his King and her lover. Two intertwined souls, now older in both mind and body. They'd chosen their paths and grown from it. They relished and enjoyed what they had now, never taking a moment for granted. Two once-troubled spirits, now free at last.
For his Once and Future King, he could not be happier… at least until the wedding day.