Silence defined most of Chaldea's warehouses. The facility's continuous growth had reached them too, but though their ranks grew, they remained less frequented. Only the occasional, gentle hum of electricity or floating robots offered a brief reprieve from the stillness. Yet, between the robots and cameras, there were always eyes watching the many stored items.
Proverbial walls of palettes, modified lockers, shipping containers, and crates would fill most. The newest and largest addition didn't have this sort of decoration. Instead, it was as spacious and accommodating as one of Area 51's many vehicle hangers. Though it remained mostly empty, the Garage had begun to fulfill that role nicely.
It wasn't as bright as the rest of Chaldea. Located on the same level as the Deployment Room, the two were even connected by a new, massive hallway. There was no other access route for the large vehicles, but there were several corridors and elevators leading to it. There was word a new construction project would commence after Chaldea's perimeter security was tightened, one which would create a vehicle elevator to move anything to the Aerodrome.
Irisviel definitely looked forward to what that may promise.
With another solemn sigh that echoed through the vast space, she stood before her beautiful car. Every week, she'd come down to its numbered spot to stare and sit behind the wheel. Once a month, she'd wash it, sometimes with the help of her daughters or her close friends. Today she only stared at the mirror polished hood that shimmered with her miffed reflection.
"I just want to take you for a spin…" she lamented quietly as she crossed her arms over her snow-white blouse. She reached to her purse, pulled out her smartphone, and checked the time. She'd been here for ten minutes already. Seven of those were spent sitting behind the wheel pretending she was in a street race. Yet, with much planned for today, it was about time she got out of this silent room. "One day…"
But it had already been months since she got it, and not once had she driven.
With one last sigh, she began her walk towards the nearest elevator. Her footsteps clacked across the void, but her smile gently returned. As upsetting as it was not to have such a fun interest at her fingertips, she had plenty here to make her happy. It was far more than she'd ever anticipated when Chaldea decided to bring her home. That breath of fresh true life was a reality she never knew she needed.
As she walked down the massive hallway between the many rows of ports, she offered one last glance to her car, then to the huge hanger door at the far end. Its construction tape and colors were a curiosity, but not something she was too interested in. Even being built, it supposedly housed Chaldea's lifeboat project, but the inventors were often so busy it was a miracle anything was getting done in a timely manner. She couldn't imagine juggling their stressful workload; It was hectic enough for her scheduling all the things she wanted to do and people she wanted to spend time with.
Nevertheless, managing all her curiosities, interests, worries, and any rare stress was a natural expertise for an experienced mother.
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Fragment 96: Allure of Normalcy
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Life was peculiar, really. As a homunculus trained for the Holy Grail War, she hadn't put much thought in it before. She was a tool with limited time to be used for the glory of the Einzberns; She had no time to concern herself over mortality or the longer human lifespan. She knew her sole purpose was the war, yet she wound up engulfed in a far bigger one… A far more stressful endeavor.
Even after all the explanations, her life had been turned upside down. Suddenly, she'd ascended as a pseudo-servant, and her limited time on earth was a forgotten fate. Not even a few days after, just as she was processing and accepting all of it, she'd received a Memorial Essence. Without any doubt, it had been the most traumatic twenty-four hours she'd ever experienced with its constant flashbacks and blackouts.
Yet, it had been the single greatest gift that left Irisviels in absolute tears with its acceptance.
One long week to come to terms… A husband. A sweet child whose smile was engraved in her heart. The emotions carried in those memories were profound, and with her final acceptance, she felt like an entirely different person. But that had been her life too, in some way, gifted by the hands of fate to make something new.
And so she did, and its beauty rested in how… normal it all was. Blissfully mundane.
Irisviel hummed quietly in her room's plush seat while refolding clothes. Little had changed with the furniture after they moved to the new wing. The maple chair and table set were a bit fancier. There was a new complimenting sofa and a lovely fireplace. A few lavish rugs, tall Sunscape windows with lovely gold curtains, a canopy for the bed, some brand new shelves for the countless new framed photos… Okay. So maybe her husband had a point. She might have been a bit too enthusiastic with adding more decorations to their spacious abode.
Nonetheless, it felt warm and cozy, so that's what mattered! It was a mother's pride to decorate their home so they felt more at ease, and that included the connected children's room next door… Which wound up just as Einzbern-Noble as their room. Her girls loved it. All of them, even the newly adopted Miyu, who wound up being the only one in their current family with hair that wasn't white. 'For now~... Maybe.'
"Iri?" The way her husband said it made her glance up from her task with an innocent smile. Her glittering eyes only shimmered more when she stared towards their bathroom door. The dark oak door was only partially open, but her husband leaned against the frame with a blank yet accusative stare. All that guarded his nicely tanned body was the towel around his waist, but she wasn't interested in that. Not right now, at least.
"Did you change something with my shampoo?" Kiritsugu's mostly distant eyes held the feint swirls of disbelief and amusement. To her glee, he could barely hide the tiny hints of a smirk on his lips. How could he with such a rhetorical question?
"I don't know what you're talking about, dear~!" she hummed innocently. With eyes locked on his, he quietly walked across the plush crimson carpeting towards her. Once towering over her, he crossed his arms and levelled a much more amused stare at the giddy woman. Her smile only widened, though her gaze flew upwards. She gasped lightly. "Oh my~! Did you change something about your hair?"
"No. But you did." She had. And it worked beautifully! Though she loved her husband either way, she preferred that slick black hair he used to have; She mused it would fit his tanned body better than his white hair. Sure enough, she was right. His hair, still damp from the shower, glistened black and made him far more of a tall, dark, and handsome than before.
"Well, a mother knows best~…" she teased lightly as he finally rolled his eyes and let a tiny chuckle slip. "Gosh… Why didn't I think of trying this sooner?"
"Was it someone else's plan?" he asked as he made his way back to the bathroom. "And more importantly, this is just hair dye, right?"
"Mata Hari brought up the idea of dyeing your hair, but it was all Einzbern Alchemy from there," she hummed as she glanced back at her phone to text her success. "It wasn't hard. Just unique hair dye, but it needs to be reapplied. Material Body repair undoes it naturally."
She could almost hear him smirk his tease through their bathroom wall. "Ah. So I can just undo it right now by changing to my battle cloth-"
"Please don't! Just let it stick until you deploy!" she quickly cried out, causing him to laugh briefly. She pouted. "Hmph. It's your call if you want to keep doing it… but it would make your wife happy, you know?"
"I'll consider it, Iri." She smiled again; That was a yes. "Just tell Shirou before you do it to him too. I know you're going to try it on him too."
"I will~," she hummed back as his phone rang out on one of their nightstands. Judging by the short ring tone, it was from their son. He likely heard it, but she stared at the small stack of papers his phone rested on instead. It was the same stack he'd been going through for the past few days, and it made her smile fade slightly. Only slightly, because she understood.
They were Vigil Documents for her husband's growing curiosity. From what he summarized, Da Vinci and Commander Pritchard were reaching a new agreement after Vanguard's nearly disastrous mission. Skyler lost his final seal and Artesia had become a Chaldean servant to save her from disappearing to the Throne of Heroes. Still, that officially left the Vigil with one less servant, even if Artesia heavily insisted she continue to sortie with them.
But it worked out for a growing interest in Chaldea. Some servants, like her husband, weren't content with merely sitting around leisurely; Some just had to do something when wrongs were being committed. Yet, that was the strengthening UN and Vigil's mission… To react to problems in the world so Chaldea could retain its peace, focus, and secrecy. Nevertheless, a few still wished to help, and it looked like her husband was going to get that request.
"It's only occasional missions, Iri. Voluntary basis." His reassuring hand on her shoulder made her smile grow again. She gazed up at the man who read her like a book. He understood her worries and fears, just like she understood his nature and desires. Irisviel wasn't going to stop him, nor was she even worried because these tasks weren't a constant absence; Vanguard was usually around Chaldea too, no?
"I know. There's a bunch of volunteers. I'm sure Pritchard will be grateful for Chaldean support," she nodded back, then grinned. "But if you deploy with Spartacus, please make sure he doesn't go too wild, okay? Boudica is unnerved about the whole thing."
"I'll do what I can, but I can't promise anything involving him…" Kiritsugu commented, then sat down in the chair beside her. "I don't think their commander would be willing to call on him for anything short of World War Three with slaves."
"Maybe, but he'd be great for that," Irisviel giggled. In the small pause that followed, she caught the smallest hint of bitter resolve as he gazed towards the papers. She planted her gentle hand on his shoulder, and he turned back to find her sympathetic smile. "Kerry… Please don't linger on what Miyu revealed. I know it troubles you, but you have a chance to make amends here, not fighting with the Vigil. You know better now, so I know you'll be second guessing before you make another regret out there."
He stared at her quietly as he released a tense breath. After a few seconds, and a gentle rub from her fingers, he nodded slowly. "…Thanks, Iri. I'm scared I'll be blinded again… but you're right. I'm aware now."
It was a surprise Miyu had been a bit tense around him. When their other daughters revealed it, her husband looked like he'd been shot again. She was just a stranger moments after arrival, yet she was far closer than most of them realized. But hadn't that been the case for all of their family? Had it not been for the Memorial Essences coming to her, Kiritsugu, Shirou… she shuddered to think of the absence of such warmth. No, they'd been strangers, but now they were a family gifted a chance.
And there was no way the determined matriarch was going to let anything pock their road ahead.
Plights of her own wasn't her only concern; Anything that discomforted her family was of interest too. With understanding the luxurious wealth of calm bliss also came the first taste of human stress, its bitter rival. It was something she could do without remembering, but if dealing with any meant brighter days, then she'd gladly choose it over her former ignorance... Not that their days after returning to Earth had been particularly worrisome.
Irisviel would even proudly say: she'd gotten very, very good at detecting and dissipating anxiety in any way she could. She smiled reassuringly, "I told you, dear. Miyu is opening up to you. She knows you're not the same one. That you try to be better. Just give it time, and please don't blame yourself for that too… I know you will, but…"
"…I'll try, Iri." It was the same answer as always, but it carried more hope now than it had in her other life. She only smiled reassuringly, and patted herself mentally on the back for applying more ointment to his open sore. Soon, it would just be another faded scar on their family portrait's frame.
She glanced at their clock, and realized a new problem was quickly raising its head; Her husband was supposed to be good at time checking. These days, she was better. Quickly, her smile dimmed as urgency reigned supreme; A crisis needed to be averted!
"Honey, you're going to be late for the Shooting Range. You can't keep those soldiers waiting!" she quickly and kindly informed, and he blinked in surprise. She merely stood up, ushered him to his feet, and pushed him towards their dresser. "Come now, dear. It was my mistake to try the shampoo this early, but you've got six minutes to change into something proper!"
He glanced back at her. "Iri, I could just wear my battle cloth-"
"You could, but it's not presentable! How about that nice suit I found for you last month? You'd look extra sharp, just like the Magus Slayer used to dress! Sharp and precise! Respectable and clean!"
"Iri-!"
"Besides, if you went with your battle clothes, you'd undo that handsome hair early! You'll make your wife disappointed, you know!"
She'd never been this assertive in her life. Or her other life. But her family had her other motherly friends to thank for it.
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Her walk down the hallway was leisurely. Now wrapped in a flowing white robe, with a change of clothes in her beach bag, Irisviel strolled into Club Cove. Her appointment was approaching, and she was far from late for a relaxing time with friends. That didn't mean she didn't wish to be early to enjoy a few extra minutes of conversation!
As she quietly hummed to Jeanne's recorded song playing over the speakers, she glanced out the windows into the resort. There were only a few clouds today, so it was going to feel extra warm. It will be perfect for sunbathing later!
As she nodded happily to Martha, George, and Amakusa while they chatted in a booth, her eyes landed on a curiosity. Though he was no stressful presence from all the absurdities he's shown, the tattooed man never ceased to intrigue Irisviel. With her memories from that war, she couldn't be perfectly comfortable around that man no matter what he was doing. Yet, he acted so calmly and civilly she could never feel anxious around him. Was he really that Angra Mainyu, or was it another?
Either way, he seemed to pick up on her little hidden discomfort; It was an odd curiosity she couldn't shake. Even now, as he waited at the bar while Lex filled a cooler with some beer, the avenger in black board shorts only made one glance towards her. After that, he seemingly made an effort to look everywhere else besides where she was. To be honest, he did this with her entire family, and would also go so far as to avoid them completely if possible.
But today, early, very relaxed, and just a bit more curious, Irisviel couldn't hold her intrigue any longer. She paused by the bar, and watched as Angra kept his gaze purposefully in the opposite direction. The caster cleared her throat, and he still didn't move. She blinked, then after a moment, asked. "Angra Mainyu?"
To her curiosity, he seemed to stiffen a bit before he turned to look at her. Suddenly, he smiled and waved, though it felt more like going through motions. "Hello! Nice weather! Hope you have a good day!"
And with that, he swiftly turned around as Irisviel stared incredulously. Again, Irisviel blinked, but didn't move. "May I ask you a question?"
His silence didn't deter her. She was finding it a bit annoying he wasn't turning around to face her again though. "You've been going out of your way to avoid my family. Is there a reason?"
"…I'm sure you know it, don't you?" That calm statement nearly sent a shiver down her spine. He turned to face her, and she could feel her first ounce of hesitation since he arrived. Yet, his gaze wasn't unfriendly. It was merely… blank. "I wasn't the best influence, if you catch my drift. I'm obviously making you nervous just talking to ya' too. So I think it's best I just left you all alone. Let you enjoy your new life while I enjoy mine. Not a bad deal with an evil man, right?"
Straight to the point. If it was days after his summoning, Irisviel would have been surprised that those words had come from Angra Mainyu. Now, ironically, she was more surprised he said something so considerately serious when he was often clowning around or painting sarcastic jokes in the air like a kindergartner doodles cartoons. All things considered, at least her curiosity was fed.
"I suppose," Irisviel answered quietly, and he merely nodded and turned back as Lex placed the last can of unmarked beer into the blue cooler. Before she started walking away, though, she did offer some last words. "You shouldn't inconvenience yourself though. I appreciate your consideration, but Chaldea is your home now too."
"Yeaaa… It is really nice here. I won't lie. Lots of fun characters and hot evil chicks," he actually chuckled, and offered a small snicker back. "I'll just keep on keeping on in my own way. I'd rather not provoke your husband or anything by getting near your family. I'd like less shitty stress, ya know?"
She offered a small, understanding smile back and nodded. With a little wave, Irisviel ended her first conversation with Angra Mainyu since he arrived. Any talks would probably remain a rarity, but following her ever-blooming curiosity had been the right choice. The ounce of worry she had left for the avenger vanished again.
Especially when her thoughts shifted back to the upcoming massage!
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"You sure you don't want to join us for once, Marie? You're a mother too."
"Oh, not currently I'm not~! Maybe in the future~…?" Marie's hands never left her task. She still swayed in dream-like bliss, making her crystal blue princess dress swing like a snowy bell. "Ohhh, but giving massages is fun!"
Irisviel only hummed contently in response as she felt the queen's gentle hands knead into her back. Like the caster's other friends, her clothes had been discarded long ago. Only a towel covered her legs, leaving her porcelain skin to glitter in the resort's tropical glow. With head nestled like a baby bird in the nest of her arms, Irisviel nearly drifted to sleep to the sounds of birds and distant waves. Marie merely hummed with the cheery cabana music as a gentle breeze swept through the Massage Building.
On the table next to them, a robot was taking care of Mata Hari, who also hummed gently to the tune. Atalanta was at the furthest table, but her silence and gentle breathing proved she'd succumbed to the seductive allure of sleep. Her tail still waved gently beside her, and the new massage robot looked a bit perplexed if it should be massaging it too; The specialist machine returned to re-oiling her back instead.
Mata Hari hummed in pondering, preventing Irisviel from chasing after Atalanta. The assassin glanced to Marie with a finger to her mouth. "So has Mozart decided what to do with that antique piano yet?"
"I want to see if we can have two in the ballroom, but I don't want it looking cluttered," Marie answered as she gently bobbed her head to the calypso beat. "It's a beautiful piano, but every piano needs a player. Erik can play, but he's not Mozart…"
"We're bound to get another musician at some point. Beethoven or Bach should be famous enough, and maybe they delved in some magecraft?" Irisviel added quietly, and moaned gently as Marie hit just the right spot by her neck. If she actually had any stress, the queen was destroying its hiding spots. "But there's no rush, right?"
"Oh, no. You know me. I just like planning possibilities," Marie giggled while Mata Hari nodded in agreement. "It also helps show visitors how much class we have!"
"I wasn't aware we've become the next Rio de Janeiro, madam," the robot tending to Atalanta beeped. "Will we charge a tourism tax?"
"I meant the snootier kind, Sal~! Like the Mages!" Marie said the last part quietly, but Irisviel knew exactly what she meant. She hadn't had to deal with many outside of the Einzbern, but the vast majority from the Clock Tower shared a similar outlook with upper class billionaires. First appearances, how wealth was spent, and status went a long way to earning their favor. Chaldea just sought their civility.
"Do you think Aoko really will come visit us sometime?" Irisviel wondered. It wasn't a topic brought up much at all, even amongst their cluster of friends. "From my times… She and Touko weren't very friendly. She knows she's with us, right?"
"Mmmm… I did bring it up with Touko," Marie admitted with a shrug. "She didn't seem hostile about it... More like an older sister annoyed at her younger one? Maybe I should ask Shiki."
"Or have one of your spies do it~?" Mata Hari winked, and the three giggled. "I don't mind asking. Aoko sounds like the fun magician!"
"Then you have the Queen's permission, Masie~!" the rider hummed happily. "Oh, and please find out more about Okita and Nobu! They've been strangely silent this whole time so I know, know, know it has to be a ruse!"
Mata Hari saluted, smiled, then fell back onto her slender arms. Her beaming eyes stared towards Irisviel's icy blue. "I heard your girls are going to storytime today."
"And I heard your daughter was the one who helped convince them," Irisviel hummed back. The two mothers giggled. "It sounds fun. I was told she gets some help from Shakespeare?"
"It's very showy. Cartoon visuals and everything. Atalanta's girls love it the most," the assassin answered, then glanced to the archer in question. Her ear twitched pleasantly, but she still smiled in blissful sleep. Mata Hari turned back and put a hand to her mouth with a sly twinkle in her eye. "Look at her nap away. Poor mommy seems extra tired… I wonder if Achilles had anything to do with that fatigue."
"Maybe the Chaste Huntress is still trying to keep up in that sort of race~…" the rider offered back innocently. Finally, Atalanta stirred with a soft moan, or a purr.
She rubbed her eyes, gazed over to the other three, and yawned. "Oh… I dozed off. What were you girls talking about?"
"Oh, you know us. Just kittens and how excited we are that they're getting their own little playroom~," Irisviel quickly covered for her friends. The other two giggled and nodded, since the kitten part wasn't too much of a stretch. Thankfully, Atalanta seemed to buy it as she chuckled. "I'm sure your daughter's pet might like it there too."
"Maybe. Kirby could use some friends to play with," Atalanta mused as her tail waggled happily; The robot continued to caress her lower back in response. "I don't think I'm the best playmate when Jackie is at school, but I'm not sure what I should be doing for him. He's not your traditional… pet. Any ideas?"
"Does he just sit in the room and play with your daughters' toys?" Marie asked, and Atalanta nodded.
"Sometimes he opens the door to be around me for a bit… Mmm, maybe I'm overthinking things. I just want to take care of him right."
"He's the cute family pet, so of course the mother wants to do the right thing~!" Mata Hari winked, and Atalanta smiled. "Speaking of… Arash and I have been talking. Maybe we could get a puppy for Paula? She's a lumberjack legend, so I think a puppy for a frontiersman would be a nice fit."
Irisviel tilted her head. "A puppy before an engagement ring?"
"I mean, we already act like we're married," the assassin grinned back. "We joke we'll just buy each other some rings one day and switch our titles. It'd be lovely, but I don't need the ceremony. I already have him and our lovely little daughter… that chops down too many trees when we're not looking. Ohhh, but she's so cute doing it~! How could I scold her for that?"
The other girls giggled, but Irisviel's smile remained the most radiant. In those books and movies from another time, she only got to see other mothers talk stress-free about such trivial, normal things. Back then, much of her yearned for that with every passing day: To feel like a regular mother instead of an expendable doll for a family's ambition. Now it wasn't a dream; It was just Tuesday before lunch.
It was only them today, but she'd become close with most other mothers too. Boudica was a lovely cook and so kind to her son. Raikou, while a little aggressive, meant well in her heart. Medb was the only one she didn't really get along with, but it was more because the rider's personality was so ambitious and dominating, while Irisviel's was serene, helpful, and curious.
…And maybe she was a bit determined when it came to ensuring ordinary days.
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While her other maternal friends were getting ready for lunch, Irisviel leaned against the boardwalk rail. Her transparent, purple hibiscus skirt rustled with the faintest touch of a breeze. Her tan sandals shimmered like the sunbaked sand, and her wine bikini with ebony frills glimmered vibrantly to match her eyes. Though the two dolphins played by a boat in the distance, the otherwise bare beach ensured her attention shifted to the tan cook approaching from behind.
"You look extra cheerful, Okaa-san. You drew the straw for Marie?" Emiya smiled as he leaned against the rail beside her.
"I broke my losing streak," Irisviel smiled as she glanced over his clothes quickly. Emiya smiled as she quickly rounded him to stare at his black slacks; No wrinkles or lint. His charcoal gray shirt wasn't something she'd have pulled from the closet to match, but it did emphasize his build nicely. The white apron made him appear too grey-scale though, but the hand-painted caricatures of their big family on the front helped add some color. She hummed as she went back to the railing. "You're making me want to check your closet, Shirou."
Though he chuckled, he scratched his head sheepishly. "It can get dirty for cooking. I'm not wearing this for my late-night date."
"I know you wouldn't," she smiled back at him. "But let your mother be mother… You're getting married. To Royalty."
"Yes, Okaa-san."
"Which means your wardrobe will need to look much cleaner and more refined!" she continued, even as Emiya made his usual response to her reminders: Stay silent and nod. "We can't embarrass the Pendragon royal family. Just look at how much more effort Princess Kate gives for Prince William. We have to make sure you appear like a proper queen."
Irisviel laughed, even as her son groaned with the title he knew was coming. "You can't groan every time it's mentioned~… Oh, I can't wait. I really can't. I want to see your sisters as the flower girls, oh but Mordred would be funny to see… Did you pick a date yet? It'd be shameful if I had some decoration layouts for you two to choose before you pick a date~!"
"We're working on it, Okaa-san." Though Emiya mumbled it out, he still smiled her way. He always did. Memories or not, they'd been strangers, but she'd offered a motherly warmth that had been absent in his heart. Of course, that just meant it came with all the quirks of being a mother, which he took in stride. For her.
That also meant the engaged couple were going to have to deal with her "Mother of the Bride" phase until the actual wedding day. Her son wasn't actually going to be the bride, but she was more than happy to play the role for Arturia to make their day extra precious. She couldn't wait to see her son in a dashing suit with his bride in a lovely dress. Complete with pretty crowns too! She must to get countless pictures when the time came, but there was no worry. George should have plenty.
Those future glints of happy moments couldn't come fast enough! But the little moments were always more than enough comfort.
Irisviel was more than fine just spending a few bland minutes with her son here and there, though conversation was more amusing and pleasant. She pondered what curiosities or topics to shift to, but Emiya seized the gap. His smile remained, yet his voice took on a serious tone as he reached inside his apron. "I showed Jii-san already... But I found him. The me of this time."
Irisviel's smile should have faded; This was a serious search Emiya had started a week ago on his own curious, concerned whim. But his smile held like a ship at sea, and her eyes turned to the newspaper he pulled out. It was one of the new prints now being given freely by Blackbeard and Osakabehime's new storefront, as part of their agreement with Da Vinci. But that wasn't what Emiya was reaching for.
Finally, he pulled out a folded, printed sheet of paper. He slipped the newspaper back into his apron, then quickly unfolded it for her to see. Still, his smile remained, just as hers started to grow. "It's no wonder it was difficult. No Fuyuki fire. Learning in Lyon during this timeline's only grail war. If I hadn't started my search for any Shirou in Fuyuki, he would have slipped past, but…"
"…That's wonderful," Irisviel breathed, then grinned and giggled. "I guess it's your true calling, isn't it, Shirou?"
"No denying it now," he smirked lightly as she stared at the advertisement spread. On it was a clear visage of an orange-haired Shirou Emiya in a classic cook's outfit without the tall cap. Except he wasn't an Emiya. He was Shirou Saito, rising international cooking superstar; The advertisement showed him in the kitchen of his new Japanese hibachi show. Emiya gave it to his mother, and she gleefully held it to sate her curiosity and amusement. "I'm considering contacting him. He has a show where he takes on challengers, and I'd like a rematch of a different kind."
"Oh~? What will you do if you lose?" Irisviel asked with a tiny, almost sly smile.
He met it calmly and winked. "No faith in me, Okaa-san? I don't intend to lose this time."
"How could I not have faith in my son's excellent cooking?" the caster winked back, then gently wrapped an arm around him for a warm, congratulatory hug; This turned out much, much better than her instinctual, motherly worries insisted. "Just save some vacation days for our family vacation. Or your sisters will yell your ear off."
He laughed as he returned her gentle hug. "Kuro would be the first."
Irisviel hummed through her smile. Any little issue among the family could be a break in the dam later. But she understood she couldn't prevent everything, as much as she'd want to. She couldn't have denied her son's curiosity where she was always so full of intrigue and wonder about the unknown.
Thankfully, the answer was perfect; The bud grew no thorns, but only bloomed in her rosy mind. Content and happy, she glanced one more time at the advertisement. A glance which raised her curiosity… Irisviel needed an answer of her own. "Hey, Shirou? Do you mind if you tried a new shampoo tonight? I made it myself~!"
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"It looks like they're turning down the wave machine. Would you like to go wading, Irisviel?"
The caster put a finger to her lips and paused to think. "Mmm… Maybe in a bit, Saber~."
There was no response, but Irisviel didn't need to open her eyes to feel Arturia's smile and nod. With eyes closed, the caster remained content on the propped-back beach lounger. The saber in her white bikini with royal blue accents did the same beside hers. Their extra clothes rested on their beach bags between them, leaving the two in just their swimwear so the sun could kiss their forms.
They laid there for minutes more in pleasant silence. Irisviel always made sure to spend at least a portion of her week, if not day, with Arturia; How could she not? Arturia was still one of her closest friends, and soon to be future daughter-in-law. Their bond could only grow deeper.
Time seemed to sail by that afternoon, with or without occasional small talk, but not a care in the world. A few seagulls landed nearby in search of food. On the distant pier, a trio of servant fisherman were seeing if they could catch anything with the sun so high. The pirates were having a small water gun war at sea with each other. All was quaint under the blue skies, speckled with few white clouds.
A seagull scurried under Irisviel's chair, causing her to finally open her eyes and sit up. She glanced at the blanket between them to see the bird eye her discarded skirt, only to lose interest. Arturia sat up just as it scampered off to its flock, who now eyed the Celtic and Irish women nearby. Like a school of sharks to fresh blood, they suddenly made a beeline towards the relaxing quartet, and the picnic baskets that remained unguarded.
"Guess no one fed them today," Irisviel mused with a giggle. Her friend nodded in agreement. Barely a minute later, she shared a laugh with Arturia when Gabrielle's incredulous cries echoed from the blanket as she chased away the seagulls. "They're getting bolder. Just like the real ones. We should be more careful at our picnics."
"I don't think Shirou would let them get anywhere near the food."
Irisviel giggled. "Nor you. Or Mordred. But Illya and Lily will still try to feed them. Gosh, that little you is just so precious~!"
Arturia squirmed a bit, but still smiled. "She's becoming quite popular. I even heard Liz is getting worried her idol spotlight might be lost to her."
"But she doesn't sing. You don't sing, Arturia... Or is Jeanne secretly tutoring you?" Irisviel mused, but the matured saber quickly shook her head. "Hm… I don't know what she has to be jealous of then… Oh well. Kids will be kids, as they say? Maybe this is that High School social maneuvering I've seen in movies…"
Irisviel was left to ponder the thought, but glanced around the beach to see what changed during their sunbathing. She quickly spotted the uniformed Skyler by the railing, but he only stared out into the ocean. Not at the fighting pirates or even an island… he just seemed lost in thought. Ever since he was released from the Medical Bay, his lost-in-thought moments appeared more… lost? Troubled? They were far more common, that's for sure.
The caster was admittedly curious, and though her motherly instincts wanted to offer a helping hand, she already had. He turned it down, and she left it at that. Still, her nosiness made her wonder what he was thinking about. Unless proven wrong, she chalked up his blues tune to losing his status as a Vigil master.
Scanning around again, Irisviel felt her curiosity perk up at a new sight in Chaldea. By the Tropical Gardens, Vernier's signature suit glinted in the sun, but it was the far more ornate one beside him that had her focus. The plump, blonde man only arrived yesterday, but he was quickly becoming the talk of Chaldea after Vernier's demotion by the Clock Tower. The replacement's golden trim, buckles and cords certainly showcased his status above the other investigating mages.
Quickly, Arturia caught Irisviel's contemplative gaze, and her eyes moved to study the distant man. They softened upon returning to her. "Irisviel. If that mage causes you any trouble, do not hesitate to tell any of us."
"Thank you." She swallowed a tiny lump in her throat and smiled. "I know I have nothing to worry about… I just don't know how to feel about more Mage's Association representatives. I thought we had enough."
"For their own sake, I hope they're civil," Arturia finalized. Irisviel had to agree. The last thing a mother needed was more worries that could prod at her lovingly knit family. She just wanted the mundane to remain, and she no doubt wasn't the only one; It meant any new concerns, like this lone one, stuck out like a scarecrow in a tilled field. "If they make you uncomfortable, I can accompany you more often. I vowed to protect you. Now more than ever, it stands."
"Of course, my knight. Your soon-to-be mother-in-law appreciates it," Irisviel winked, and Arturia smiled back with a nod. "Let's not harp on that… It's a good day, and that ocean looks very refreshing! Let's go for that dip!"
Before Arturia could answer, Irisviel swiftly pushed her concerns from her mind so her childish spirit could run free again. Her only previous memory of the ocean had been dancing in it during the other timeline. It remained close at heart, but now it waltzed among others on a sun-kissed tropical paradise. Today would just add another photo to her memory.
"Ah! Irisviel! I was coming!" Arturia nearly gawked, but smiled as the caster quickly grabbed the saber's arm and tugged her towards the ocean. With the caster's mind already relishing the cool waters of the resort, Irisviel could only laugh with child-like anticipation.
She sometimes worried over little things that could grow, so it was only fair she enjoyed herself freely thrice as much.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ VII ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
Dinner quickly came, and with it, the new bi-weekly Royal picnic. It was usually on weekends, but having it on a weekday meant they had the resort to themselves. It was still a lively affair, which only seemed to grow in numbers with every passing month. Between extended family and close friends, it was already a small party.
The party had yet to truly start. Most early-arrivals helped Emiya at the grills, and some kept Gawain away from helping. Irisviel was happily preparing the beach blankets with her girls. Heracles also assisted with beach umbrellas, though they looked like measuring sticks for the berserker. He carefully placed a red one in the sand while cradling the rest against his white board shorts.
Sapphire and Ruby milled about above the growing, marked territory while Irisviel placed a finger to her lips in mental check. Though it was traditional a mother had the entire meal planned out, her son was always in charge of food. That didn't mean she couldn't plan where everyone could sit in the best way. It was almost like a puzzle, even if her girls were just throwing blankets down without any sort of planning.
With nothing more to do, her girls plopped down onto one of the beach blankets with Lily. The little saber looked adorable in a frilly blue beach dress Medea designed for her, especially with the skirt fanned out around her. Beside her, Illyasviel opted for something far more casual with jean shorts and a plain white tank top; Her twin did the same, though her top was pink. Miyu had a thistle blouse over her white sundress instead, and helped Illyasviel fish out books from a backpack.
A bright flash stunned them for a moment. The four quickly turned to Irisviel, but she only smiled sweetly and cooed with a camera in her hands. "Oh, don't mind me~…"
"Mama… Have you even downloaded any of those pictures yet? We've never seen them…" Kuro complained, but Irisviel only smiled innocently.
"Your papa does it for me! It'll look really nice in the growing scrapbook," she hummed, then went back to rearranging the position of a few blankets. Still, she couldn't help but glance back every five second as the four kids began looking through a bunch of packets. It was likely their homework.
Lily tilted her head. "Wow… That's a lot more kitty-related questions than I thought."
"We told you Fujimura-sensei could get worse…" Illyasviel laughed, then sheepishly glanced over her shoulders to check if said lancer was within earshot; She wasn't. She was over by the grills, practically drooling over a giant hunted boar Tristan brought back for the picnic. She sighed as she glanced through her packet. "She gave us some tough questions tonight…"
"Done," Miyu offered calmly as she held out her packet to the other three. Barely two minutes passed. Lily gazed in amazement, but Kuro was quick to cheer, snag the packet, and quickly began copying.
"Too fast!" Illyasviel gawked, then turned her gaze to Kuro. "Don't just copy, Kuro! At least make it look like it's yours and not Miyu's!"
"Yea, yea, you're saying it like this is my first time doing this, Illya~!" Kuro winked with her tongue out. Miyu only smiled as she scooched over to help Lily with how to answer. Illyasviel only sighed and genuinely tried to do the homework herself, all while the proud mother gazed between her three girls.
Three. The greatest but most wonderful surprise she could hope for. Sometimes Kuro was a bit too risqué, and Miyu was fairly quiet, but they made a wonderful trio of girls she got to look after. She was especially glad Miyu began fitting in fine, and that regretful wound between her and Kiritsugu was slowly mending. So, like her girls, Irisviel only aimed to ease that process by being the best mother possible, and the new caster was certainly showing the fruits of her efforts.
With her task done, Irisviel walked over to join the girls at their blanket. She quietly watched Miyu showing Lily order of operations while Illyasviel plowed on to her next question. Kuro looked proud as she neatly stacked her packet atop her new sister's, even if she completely cheated. Irisviel only sat down beside the archer, smiled innocently, and pinched her cheek. She squirmed, "Ah! Mama!"
"You'll make your Mama really upset if you keep doing naughty things like this, Chloe~…" the mother warned with a sickly-sweet tone. That potent spear shot through Kuro, and her only attempt at a bandage was to giggle sheepishly in her mother's hold. Nevertheless, Irisviel sighed and released her. At least Kuro was resourceful, if not honest. "You're not still cheating in school too, are you? I don't want to have another parent-teacher conference with Miss Fujimura."
"She's not cheating anymore, Mama," Illyasviel quickly supplied, and Kuro glanced to her with gratitude. "She does her work."
"Then starting tomorrow, do your own homework too," Irisviel chastised lightly, and Kuro nodded quickly. Irisviel finally released her cheek, and the archer began rubbing it vigorously. The motherly caster smiled. "Aside from that! How was school today, girls? Any fun arts and crafts? Any crushes on cute boys yet?"
The four stared at her either sheepishly or with profound exasperation for the absolutely rhetorical question. To be fair, Irisviel might as well have asked if they recreated a scale model of the Sahara Desert on the beach, but she always wanted to do this! With all the movies, books, and magazines her other self perused, she wanted to feel completely like an average mother. That included the staple things, like checking up on their day and asking about the boys in their life!
The boys that didn't exist in Chaldea… save for Omar. But by Marie's guess, he was practically taken anyway; Nor did he actually need schooling.
Illyasviel only chuckled sheepishly, "No crushes yet, Mama… We're not old enough for that stuff."
"I suppose… But if it blooms young, I'll be there to help you through~," Irisviel reassured as she glanced over at the growing aromas. She missed Illyasviel and Miyu quickly shooting Kuro a warning glance about saying anything. Kuro only rolled her eyes and mouthed she wouldn't, even as Lily looked on in total confusion. Irisviel hummed and gazed back. "Mmm~… Smells like your brother will have dinner ready early!"
"Woo! Barbeque!" Ruby chimed above as the ground rumbled gently at a giant's approach. Heracles came back with a stack of coolers balanced in one arm. Kuro and Illyasviel were quick to assist, and the big giant smiled down at them as it carefully offered one cooler at a time. The mother could only smile at the Emiya Family's warm 'butler'.
Many still couldn't understand why he was so nice to them. Some say it was his legend, and her son did say he was extremely loyal to the Illyasviel of his wars. Whatever the case, it seemingly stuck to his saint graph like glue, and even made enough of a profound impact to make the rampaging, altered giant stop his assault when her daughter got wounded… Gudao, Illyasviel, and Kuro got a very long earful from the screaming mother on their return. They could have at least asked her first!
With a gap opened, Irisviel scooched over to Miyu and gently wrapped a warm arm around her. The little caster smiled briefly to the mother, then continued helping Lily. Whether adopted or not, Irisviel loved her daughters. The idea of any of them getting hurt, or even dying, was a stressfully horrifying prospect; No parent wished to outlive their child. They'd come close in the final singularity, so never… never again did she want to experience that heavy fear.
Without a doubt, she'd do anything to provide safe harbor for them.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ VIII ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
'The orange hair looked terrible with his complexion... Pity. But at least he keeps his mother's hair.'
That following morning, Irisiviel's musing thoughts drifted from one to the next. Marie was late for their little tea meeting, but that was fine. Waiting in comfort was pleasant. At the small window-side table, the tea gently wafted with steam before her in its crystal cup; Heat also snaked out of the kettle like a genie. Yet the mother, wrapped in her gorgeous white and gold Einzbern gown, left them alone in favor of the falling flakes.
Irisviel gazed quietly out the large salon windows. Plush luxury and gently falling snow ushered a sense of nostalgia through her mind's doors every time, though the view here was much grander than the pine groves of the Einzbern estate. Despite all the bad memories, she still loved the luxurious life and the comforts it offered. Marie's salon just ensured it came with no strings attached.
It was just a bit before ten, but the salon was fairly busy. Robots buzzed back and forth to clean the place, and if she weren't a servant, she wouldn't have noticed D'Eon's careful approach. She turned to the uniformed saber and smiled as he bowed before the table. "Sorry, Irisviel. Marie's still tied up with the new menu design."
"If she takes any longer, I might have to waltz in and enjoy tea with her and the others," she responded cheerfully as she gazed to the kitchen doors behind the bar. It was fairly quiet despite so many servants present. "I never heard of a menu taking so long to manage."
"We're finally adding Arabian cuisine to the selection. Mongolian too… More Mediterranean. Some Norwegian and Icelandic."
Irisviel turned back to D'Eon with an amused glint. "So she's trying to add everything again, hm?"
"Queen Antoinette sure love to indulge~! You patrons are forever spoiled!" a newer robot called out as it passed by vacuuming the plush rug. The saber chuckled and waved to the giggling Irisviel before taking his leave. Once more left in comfort, she glanced back out the window. Every snowflake once more mesmerized and twinkled in her eyes like stars. In the minutes that passed quaintly, her only true thought was asking D'Eon, Gilles, or Erik if the biscuits could be brought out early.
Finally, her hopeful stomach's pleas needed to be silenced. She glanced into the Dining Area to see who she could call out for, but unintentionally met the glance of the Clock Tower's newest representative. There wasn't time for her curiosity to ponder if, like Vernier beside him, his wardrobe consisted only of that white and teal uniform of his; He had already began walking towards her table with the taller bearded man in tow.
Though her breath was steady, Irisviel finally felt the unwanted tugs reappear after so long: The first roots of unwanted stress and anxiety.
In the two days he'd been here, the new representative seemed to be one of the better higher-class mages. Nevertheless, she'd heard the gist from Mordred when she asked why Siegfried seemed to talk a lot with this man. The Musik family also specialized in homonculi, and given how the Einzberns treated theirs, she braced for impact from a lesser known family.
With a pleasant smile, her front was raised. She didn't know what to feel, but she would remain civil as taught over and over by the true family. There was no rational way he would do something, and if he did, her son was within dashing distance. Arturia was just across the hall rearranging stuff in the Camelot Room. Her safety was guaranteed, but her true concern rested with a potential, unwanted bud of animosity that could bloom and sully her days.
"Good morning. I won't be taking much of your time. I just thought I'd make your acquaintance after hearing some interesting things about you, Miss Irisviel von Einzbern." So the mustached man knew who she was, yet his tone wasn't as hard and dismissive as she braced for. It made her relax just a bit, though the undertones in his words kept the worry high. "Is this seat taken? Oh, and Vernier, I won't need you for this. We'll talk about what needs to be transcribed later."
"…As you wish, Sir Gordolf," Vernier offered with a heavily chiseled tone; He clearly wasn't happy, but the representative only waved it off. As the other magus walked off, the tension seemed to dissipate further as he waited patiently for an answer she still hadn't given.
She nodded pleasantly. "You're welcome to, Mister Musik. Do you wish to be called something else?"
"That's more than formal enough, yes," he answered as he took a seat across from her. Immediately, she could see a curious mix in his posture and eyes. He held himself like refined nobility that was just shy of the well-known heads' grace. Yet the magus' immaturity still shined in his genuinely youthful appearance. Even his tone was surprisingly gentlemanly. "You'll have to pardon Vernier. He hasn't come to terms to the idea I've rightfully taken his position as lead representative. I paid an awful lot for that position, so he best get used to being my temporary secretary sooner rather than later. He's not getting promoted anytime soon."
Irisviel was more than used to pompous magus attitudes to wave it away easily. She had real curiosities to answer. Though she wanted to ask if the original was a homunculus, she held back. "Temporary? Did something happen to your real one?"
"If by happen you mean getting cold feet, then that's all that afflicts Miss Koyanskaya. She seemed very insistent on not coming with me, but she still manages a lot of my work back home, so she's hardly slacking," he stated matter of fact. "I do wish I could have brought some more help, but I was forbidden from bringing more than the bare minimum. Not even some homunculi to help with the chores, though I'm very surprised how incredibly efficient these science familiars are."
"Does the Musik clan have many homunculi?" Irisviel asked, but there was only so little she could do to mask the elephant in the room. She was an Einzbern homonculus. He was an established Clock Tower Magus. There was only one real direction the conversation was going to flow with time.
"Not as many as the Einzbern would have, and not as capable. Though we have a respectable number. We even created more once I inherited the crest from father," Gordolf spoke plainly, and nearly froze her when their eyes met. "A shame none could come. I think they'd find it interesting here. Clarissa especially. I imagine they could use a bit of a vacation having to deal with my father alone."
That's… definitely not how mages usually talk about their familiars or tools. They were often focused, and she could tell Gordolf was. Yet a curiosity bloomed if he wasn't as indifferent… If he actually treated his homunculi like people, or if this was all possibly just a respectable front like his true secretary insisted. She found herself intrigued, a bit uncertain, yet even more at ease.
"But that's enough of that, Miss Irisviel. We might brush against something you're not comfortable with, and I agree with my secretary that it's not the wisest decision to upset heroic spirits." Before she could prod at the differences, Gordolf surprisingly changed topics instead of doing what she thought he'd do: Try to pry out the Einzbern secrets.
Instead, he folded his hands together business style and stared, complete with a twinkle of eagerness in his eyes. "Naturally, you drew my curiosity when I learned you were an Einzbern homonculus and a Pseudo-servant. But it wasn't until I was given the little tour of the garage that I truly took interest."
Irisviel blinked, then felt a pang of worry over the unknown. "…The garage?"
"To be precise, that rare sports car you own. Quite the luxury symbol, but also a former icon of speed. You've got great taste in cars," he smiled at her. "You see, I'm a bit of a car enthusiast myself. I found racing to be a fun hobby, though father hates it when I, ahem, 'squander' money on such useless endeavors when I could be making progress to the root. He never quite understood the thrill of speed… But I've heard that a few in Chaldea do. Like you. Am I mistaken, Miss Irisviel?"
The conversation had brightened to shadow every snowflake outside the window. Suddenly, her eyes twinkled with growing curiosity as the bud of potential stress was run over by a new thought. "I love going for a drive! Racing down winding roads and letting the engine roar…! It's so exciting! But there's nowhere to do it in Chaldea!"
"So I noticed. Tis a shame, else I would have tried to bring one of my cars," Gordolf replied. "A car like yours doesn't deserve to be sitting around collecting dust. It and its driver need to be free every now and then. Cruise the countryside. Fly down a racetrack."
Irisviel nodded completely in agreement. "Do you race often, Mister Musik?"
"When I can!" he grinned. "A few of the new homunculi make great pit crew. I also sometimes rent a racetrack for myself if I get bored of the autobahn. Oh, and please, call me Gordolf."
"Then call me Irisviel, or Iri if you prefer," the twinkling caster quickly added as the surprise friendship began to bloom. With what he's said already, the gears in her mind had begun turning in a new direction. "So are the racetracks close, or do you fly your cars out to them?"
As their conversation grew surprisingly vivid, Irisviel remained unaware of the two battle-clad servants monitoring them from the Dining Area's tall doors. The tension around them had mostly vanished. Mostly. Nonetheless, Kiritsugu and Arturia's stares quickly shifted towards each other with growing apprehension.
Just behind them, Emiya stood with arms crossed over his chef uniform as he peered at his happily talking mother. "…Then Okaa-san is alright then? Or is this the start of a manipulation attempt?"
"No, Shirou. It's far worse," Kiritsugu voiced as he and Arturia shared another concerned glance. "She's found another racing enthusiast. Why is Gordolf a racing enthusiast!? Now she has an enabler…"
Emiya stared deadpan, but blinked. "…Is her driving really that ba-?"
"For the last time, Shirou! Yes it is!" Arturia and Kiritsugu's tandem answer made the archer step back in surprise.
He rubbed his forehead, then sighed. "Then maybe it's time we gave her some driving lessons…?"
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ IX ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
Though time would tell his true colors, Irisviel was very confident Gordolf wasn't going to be one of the worse mages they'd have to deal with. He actually made her that much more enthusiastic during Marie's tea party with a simple possibility: He had the connections and recommendations for good racetracks Chaldea could rent. She could finally drive her car freely, and even race against him and others! Irisviel could hardly wait to tell Medusa the news!
As she hummed pleasantly on her way back to her room, she looked forward to diving right into her stockpiled car magazines with new flame in her eyes. A dream of hers was another step closer in coming to fruition! Her eagerness urged her to tell someone else, and so her hand reached into her white purse to seize her phone. Atalanta and Boudica came to mind first, but then she considered waiting to tell them at lunch.
But no text would be sent just yet. As she nonchalantly moved out of the way as Astolfo and Flat ran past, her eyes remained glued on her screen notification. It was a rare use of the important message feature, so whatever Da Vinci had to say was definitely worth noting. As she thumbed to the message sent nearly an hour ago, it appeared after a small, cartoonish Da Vinci winked from the screen.
CRITICAL WARNING
Penthesilea is in Chaldea and her Mad Enhancement is potent. Temporarily, for all intents and purposes, every servant and employee are to lie about Achilles' presence. Achilles is NOT in Chaldea.
Also, DO NOT use the word beautiful to describe her unless you wish for violent consequences.
~Your Genius Director Da Vinci
That's not quite what she was expecting. Everyone was to lie to another servant? Then again, she'd seen what that berserker was capable of, and how she felt about Achilles. Perhaps it was for the best to lie, even if it seemed like such a short-term, poorly-built plan. She'd find out eventually… but then what?
As Irisviel pocketed her phone and turned a corner, she glanced up and spotted the muscular woman in question. Gudao, with his uniform extra clean, was giving the white-haired, short woman a tour. Her armored leggings and metal greaves clinked against the ground, and her body was still barely covered at all. She wasn't about to question the golden-eyed Amazonian Queen, but she would at least offer a kind, warm welcome to her.
Potentially crazed or not, if the masters welcomed everyone, it was only right the servants did too and gave them a chance.
As expected, it appeared Penthesilea had found her first companion too. Though still too early for her lunch break, Delaqua was already talking with the queen as they walked. The berserker seemed fairly austere, but with how much they seemed to be talking, Irisviel guessed the supervisor might be a step higher on the interesting scale. Being Chaldea's fittest regular human likely had something to do with it.
As they drew closer, Irisviel offered a pleasant smile and wave. "Hello! You must be the new servant. I'm Irisviel von Einzbern, a caster class pseudo-servant."
"Queen of the Amazons, Penthesilea," she nodded in return as they paused in the hallway. The berserker seemed to eye her through her clothes, and though she didn't show it, Irisviel could feel the disapproval; She was too 'frail', wasn't she? The caster wasn't sure if she could get on her good side, but she definitely wasn't going to be caught on her bad one. The queen barely nodded. "I heard you're one of the Chaldean mothers?"
"Proud matriarch with three girls," she responded cheerfully. "Have you met Atalanta yet? She's another one."
"So Gudao and Val have told me," Penthesilea nodded. "I'd like to get to know her, for certain. I'm sure we can relate on more than just our era."
Irisviel could feel the hidden undertone of that statement. Gudao, as steadfast as he usually was, almost seemed to squirm uncomfortably beside her. Delaqua held her ground better though, and even received a tiny smile from the berserker. "I'll have to teach you about Amazon culture sometime soon. Consider it your first step on truly earning that title."
"I'm honored!" Delaqua's eyes were practically glittering, and Irisviel couldn't hold back a giggle. She was Chaldea's worthy Gladiator, honorary Spartan, and blessed Eagle Warrior. Now it looked like Amazon Warrior was the next hurdle she was going to leap over; Not bad for a modern-day human. "I'll fit any lessons you give me in between my work hours."
"As long as it doesn't inconvenience you. One's job to their society is important," Penthesilea declared calmly, giving Irisviel her first glimpse at the ruling mind of the small berserker. Once more, she nodded to Irisviel. "It was nice to meet a new ally. I look forward to your support on the glorious battlefields."
The caster felt like the woman may have sounded genuinely eager if Irisviel were a hardened frontliner, but that was hardly her. Despite that, she was content with the otherwise flat tone. After a small curtsy, she offered a parting wave. "Welcome to Chaldea! I hope you have a pleasant stay."
As Irisviel walked away, she put a finger to her lips, and glanced back at the touring trio. That woman had shown her mad enhancement had some unique properties, just like others in Chaldea; Maybe it was Ex ranked. Either way, she seemed much calmer and nicer in this summoning, so if they followed some protocols like they did with Spartacus, maybe she could even get along with Achilles? 'Raikou and Shuten are getting along… um, sorta? Kinda?'
Irisviel was about to look where she was going, but she noticed the colored suits of two Clock Tower members appear at an intersection. They took a curious glance at the new berserker, then at each other. The man in a burgundy suit spoke up. "Oh? That berserker from the singularity answered?"
"Around an hour ago," Gudao nodded. "Just giving her the tour and meeting all the faces. Would you like to introduce yourselves?"
The two mages turned to each other, then looked back at the berserker. Again, the man with the burgundy suit crossed his arms and hummed curiously. "We could… but I'm a bit curious how she'll act when she meets Achilles. He's the one you hate, rig-"
"ACHILLES IS HERE!?" Irisviel felt her blood run colder than winter German nights. There was no mistaking the outright animosity that cascaded down the hallway and slammed into her like a wall; It was potent. It even rivalled Dantes and Joan when they were going all out. Penthesilea's malice was a monsoon, and she felt like a balsa wood shack on the shore. There was no hiding the instinctual shiver of fear.
The mages staggered backward in shock and glanced to each other. Right. They refused to use Chaldea technology; No one told them? Now they, like the others, could only stare at the black-eyed berserker, whose golden eyes now flared with fury like an incited mother bear. To their credit, Delaqua and Gudao held their ground decently. The master's fortitude even pushed him to action. "Queen Penthesilea! Please, you mus-"
Irisviel screamed before she even recognized her own voice. From dormant slumber, her stress finally roared within her terrorized heart like a ravenous dragon.
In one swift motion, Penthesilea had whipped around to face Gudao and seized his arm; The sound of bone snapping was nauseating. Barely a second later, his agonized yell intertwined with hers as the berserker slammed him against the Chaldean hallway. With his arm dangling at an awkward angle beneath the queen's grip, his breathing grew harsh as the berserker's hateful glare bore a hole through him. "YOU SAID ACHILLES WASN'T HERE! YOU LIED TO ME, GUDAO! YOU LIED TO ME! WHY ARE YOU PROTECTING HIM!?"
"Anyone! Please! Gudao is being attacked!" Irisviel hastily called out telepathically as she glowed in a brilliant, icy blue. When the caressing snowstorm faded, she was dashing back towards the trouble as dozens of confirmations echoed through her mind.
Yet, even gripped by impending doom as his sleeve turned crimson, the master's mind still worked completely. His hand flashed with a crimson red. "PENTHISILEA! LET GO!"
She did. Compelled by the command seal, the berserker released her hold; It probably wasn't the best idea. Gudao crumpled to the ground against the hallway as he gasped for breath. But his command was simply to release, not to back away or stop. The berserker still towered over him, fury incarnate. Her glare could have murdered the man, and her mind was blinded to the pleas of Delaqua and ignorant of Irisviel's approach.
To the caster's horror, a chain was beginning to form in the berserker's hands: Her weapon! But Irisviel couldn't form a spell in ti-
"Get away from him, Mongrel." Those words had been so profoundly calm, they echoed through the corridor like a calving glacier. Penthesilea was quick enough to leap back on instinct, barely dodging nearly a dozen golden portals that appeared from the floor and ceiling. A maze of chains formed a makeshift barricade for Gudao, and Gilgamesh, in all his golden armor, was quick to appear; The battle-clad Enkidu was not a moment later.
The sheer disdain and dismissive disgust in Gilgamesh's eyes evoked concerning memories. Regardless of what war, the King of Heroes was a force of nature. To earn his interest or offend him was a damning offense, and she used to wonder what happened if he were truly angered. Now calmer and more civil, she'd gotten to glimpse the unusually profound side of him… and that true anger over the greatest offense: Threatening someone he truly cared about.
"Irisviel! I need your assistance!" Nightingale's voice tore her from her mesmerized stare. As she glanced around quickly, her heart was warmed by the number of appearing, battle-ready servants who answered the call. As she followed the blur of Nightingale's red coat, the caster's relief grew upon seeing Penthesilea analyzing the situation rather than openly attacking.
Perhaps her madness wasn't too blinding since it allowed her to strategize so effectively; It reminded Irisviel of Heracles.
"Lied! He lied about Achilles not being in Chaldea! He lied to me to protect that unforgiveable foe!" the berserk queen cried out, though her chains weapon remained limp in her arms. The odds she faced looked crushing. Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and Ereshkigal before her. Karna, Hijikata, Okita, and Ishtar at her back. Fionn and Diarmuid had just arrived with Siegfried. Half of the Round Table was forming a wall behind the Urukians. There were many other arriving Peacekeepers too, and the intersection grew crowded fast.
It wasn't packed enough to prevent Irisviel and Nightingale from tending to Gudao. He winced as Nightingale carefully examined the wound, then began manifesting countless medical supplies. "Gudao, lie down. We have to halt the bleeding."
As the other servants tried to talk down Penthisilea… or insult, in Gilgamesh's case… Gudao was carefully laid down onto a newly formed stretcher. He stared at his bloodied arm as he wiped a trickle of blood from his lips. Irisviel smiled sadly at him. "…I'm starting to wonder if getting injured runs in your family."
"Sorta…" he coughed out, and was quickly silenced by Nightingale's silent stare. "Sorry, nurse…"
"Stand down, Penthisilea!" "Attacking a master!? What is wrong with you!?" "Easy, it might be her madness! Lancelot did it too!" "Drop your weapon!"
"I have no grudge with any of you! Just tell me where Achilles is! Stop protecting him!" Penthesilea roared again, and the shimmer of several golden portals heralded an incoming fate.
One that wouldn't come. "Gilgamesh! Argh- Please don't! Don't do it! Give her a chance!"
"…Your leniency is truly ridiculous at times, Gudao…" the king answered with a flat stare aimed Gudao's way. After a small pause, the portals vanished. "She doesn't deserve another chance from I, the King, for such a grave offense, but I suppose she's not worth sullying my treasures either."
"Answer me! Where is Achilles!?" Penthesilea roared as she stared accusingly at them all. For a second, Irisviel was actually scared she was going to attack anyway, losing odds or not.
"It's as Gudao and I said. He's not here. Not at the moment, at least." Da Vinci's calm but irritated voice made Okita step aside. The director slowly walked forward with staff in hand and a frown, meeting Penthesilea glare easily. "It wasn't a lie, Penthesilea. He's away. So he's not here currently."
"She's telling the truth. Achilles isn't here," Karna quickly agreed. It wasn't a lie, at least by the wording. Gabrielle and Anishka were off on a longer supply sortie that left this morning. Achilles and Chiron were on it, so she supposed it worked out… but what about when they returned?
"Away… but he will return?" Penthesilea's voice was more even, but still a blazing inferno. At least words seemed to get through to her in this summoning, but it was clear that her mad enhancement's trigger was undeniably potent; There was no way she wasn't going to attack Achilles on sight. Which left the stress in Irisviel's mind to bloom uncontrollably, even as she helped ease Gudao's pain.
How were they going to handle this? Even a maddened Lancelot wasn't this crazed…
Her worries only grew as the berserker's anger flared again. Quickly, the present servants took up their guard, but the new arrival's yell quickly bellowed above even the anger. "Woah, woah! Easy! I'm not Achilles! It's me! Hector! Hector of Troy! From the singularity, remember!? Don't tell me you've forgotten!"
"…Hector?" It was strange to feel the swirl of her madness mixed into the calmness of her voice. The wrath didn't subside, but Irisviel didn't hear the clash of weapons either. As Nightingale set Gudao's arm back into proper place, Irisviel held her breath and braced for the worst. If she really did hate male Greek heroes like she did in the singularity, then supposed ally or not, Hector would again be… "…Hector… Of Troy. I see… You feel like him, yet…"
More than anything, Irisviel wanted to watch and see. She wanted to know why this mad enhancement seemed so erratic and unpredictable. To raise her hopes and ease rampant concern, the caster wanted to know why Hector's similar Aura was sending her off the rails now like it did in the singularity. There had to be rhyme and reason, yet she couldn't spend the time to think of it when poor Gudao was injured before her.
No. In truth, she didn't need to understand. She already knew the obvious: Something must be done about Penthesilea, because the situation can't be left as is.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ X ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
Chaldea's air felt stiff. It'd only been hours after the incident, but Irisviel already hated the new air. Tense. Volatile. Uncertain… Like walking on egg shells in high heels.
This isn't how Chaldea should feel. They shouldn't be tiptoeing around so stressfully, or lying outright to another servant just to keep a temporary peace! One shouldn't feel suffocated, like they were held beneath the surface of ebony waters. Yet she felt like her mind was getting beat by stress harder than her heart slowly, steadily pounded.
It was wrong. Chaldea should feel warm and comfortable, especially for her children. Her family… No one's family should have to feel so concerned in their own home! No mother could stand by and watch as her home hissed with a burning fuse, so she was convinced.
Even if what she wanted to ask for was morally wrong, she'd convinced herself it was for the greater good. Yet, upon arriving in the Alchemical Room, her hopes were quickly dashed. With arms crossed nervously over her Einzbern dress, she thought about begging Paracelsus again. She even gave her best pleading eyes, but he wouldn't budge. "I'm sorry, Irisviel… but you remember what it caused with Kiyohime. I can't agree to it. I won't force that potion on Penthesilea without her consent. I won't go behind others again."
"But it's the only obvious choice! Her mad enhancement is…!" In her desperation, she was starting to lose her words. "She nearly attacked Heracles again! If it wasn't for Artemis' persuasion or the Peacekeepers, she would have struck again! We can't let someone else get hurt like Gudao did!"
"I'm afraid it's only a matter of time, Irisviel… Though I wonder if not lying to her would have spared Gudao that pain," Paracelsus lamented sadly. "Okita and others have asked multiple times. You heard Penthesilea's response. Her madness… Her grudge against Achilles is her heartfelt desire. The only way she will willingly let go is by settling the score."
"Which means she's going to fight Achilles to the death!" Just thinking about poor Atalanta and her children dealing with this was stressing out the caster. "We can't let that happen! We need to do something!"
"But we don't have many options. Our hands are tied," he sighed with frustration. "Da Vinci and the masters want us to give her a chance. She doesn't want to lose her mad enhancement. She wants to kill Achilles… It seems we're only coming closer to the first time a servant will be evicted from Chaldea. I just hope Gudao and Annie understand as fast as Gabby seems to be. That not every servant can play nice. The desires of some are blinding and absolute."
"We can't just…!" In truth, Irisviel was at a loss for words. That's been the current discussion among some servants she'd overheard. There's a growing number that aren't too accepting of Penthesilea after her opening act. Others want to give her a chance like the others. She doubted anyone disagreed something must be done… but Paracelsus was right. What could be done while the timer ticked down? Achilles couldn't, and wouldn't, hide forever.
At least Lobo was easy enough to avoid, but they needed to make headway with the Amazon Queen faster than Geronimo and Kintoki were with the frustrated beast.
As she hugged herself in frustrated contemplation, Irisviel grit her teeth. The scales were off balance. The days ahead didn't look easy; Doomed at best. In her mind, where once calm and blissful thoughts sallied forth into sunny field, stress clouded the skies and chained her in its downpour. She could only imagine what it felt like for some other Chaldeans.
This isn't how things should be. Even if it was ridiculous to think everything could stay peaceful forever, she still wished for it. She wanted these winds to die down and the storm to pass safely. Yet, she had the terrible feeling this was just the beginning of direr waves. But the rough seas ahead weren't what tore at her the most.
There was nothing worse for a mother than being helpless to do anything but watch and pray for lost normality.