"(It would be an honor to serve you once more.)" Their French graced the air, warm and resolute.
"(Oh dear~! That'd be lovely, but we serve the same master now~!"
"(My vow remains, Queen Antoinette. Master or not.)" Mister Fujimaru was the one who summoned them, and so that contract will be held. Yet the one before them was the queen who they'd sworn to serve centuries ago. That too was an oath that must be upheld regardless of time and circumstance. Both of them were allies here in this foreign building ready to fight a dire war. Hopefully here they'd help broker yet another peace whether by words or flourished blade.
Yet an acknowledgement of that conflict did not echo in the quiet hallway. Instead, the young rider only giggled at them. "(Well~… If you insist, my friend, but I ask a favor in turn! Please just call me Marie~!)"
"(…It will be uncomfortable at first, but if that is your desire, it shall be.)"
"(Oh, and don't be so formal with me too~! How about that~?)" Marie winked, and once more the newly arrived saber was at a loss. The waves of guilt and frustration he'd expected from the wronged queen were absent. In its place was only a smiling, almost carefree youth. Regality and poise still flooded from her in waves, but her form was not as they expected. The saber was at a loss… but in a good way.
"(Um…)" A stutter: Rare for the eloquent and highly experienced spy. "(Of course, Qu- Marie. Forgive me… May I still address you as my queen?)"
"Mmmm… If it slips out, it can't be helped," Marie hummed, but her companion quickly blinked at the shift. The rider giggled yet again in turn, a chiming of beautiful bells they were sure to hear far more often. "We'll keep the French to a minimum too. I love our language, but it feels like we're hiding something."
"Of course," he agreed. The last thing they wanted to do was give her another scandal in a new life.
"Hm, hmmmm… But what about you, my dear~?" Marie pondered playfully. "You're a lot more beautiful then our past. How shall I address you? Mister… Miss…"
Marie was quick on the uptake; A lot faster than Gudao was, for sure. Their ambiguity was no mere façade, but a state of being. Whatever gender they wished, they would be; A manifestation of their life as both regardless of true origin. And so… "Whatever you wish for me to be, my Queen."
"Oh?" Marie blinked. "Hm… I think you're like a beautiful young maiden, but isn't this something for you to decide for yourself, Charles? A queen shouldn't have reign over all matters of one's life."
And there it was: The kind, considerate queen they'd known that fell upon deaf ears of a grim revolution. It was the same answer Gudao had given. A choice left in their hands, but one they had no definitive answer. Would they? And how much time would that take? Surely their stay wouldn't last much longer after weeks of hard fighting.
Yet in their heart, conviction remained resolute: Now or in the past, they wished to serve diligently.
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Fragment 114: I Spy
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To think a second New Years had passed since Chevalier d'Eon's summoning.
The saber was naïve to think it'd last only so much longer with so many heroes fighting together. Chaldea's adversaries were various and strong, but they proved capable. Between the pivotal conflicts, there had even been time to relax and ease fraying nerves. An unusual pace, but one that proved fruitful.
Now here they were, months after the climactic battle. Chaldea's mission was complete, yet not a single servant had decided to take the offer and leave. Anomalies of greater importance still appeared. Their mission to protect humanity continued, but it felt less like a purpose and more like a job. An insistence that there was a reason for all of them to stay and indulge in the lap of luxury offered by their diverse home.
A home D'Eon had watched bloom alongside his queen since nearly the very beginning. "How shall I address you?"
As a man, or so he lazily decided would be the chosen method. An important answer decided by… a coin flip, of all things. It had been a passing offhanded suggestion from Nobunaga, but ultimately proved to be a fair way to decide. Chevalier d'Eon did not mind how he was addressed. What mattered was that he was a heroic spirit serving to protect humanity. And so being addressed as a male became standard, though some choose to use the female pronouns.
Again, he didn't mind so long as it wasn't demeaning. What he had minded at first was when Gabrielle confused his title for a name. He soon got used to nearly everyone referring to him as 'Dion', and even his queen found it cute. And so it stuck, as did his new secondary job as a servant among Queen Antoinette's court. At least, that was the fancy way to describe being a headwaiter in Salon de Marie.
"Yummy yums~!" D'Eon still felt his smile twitch a bit wider whenever Tamacat energetically plopped the ordered tray onto the countertop with a wide grin. She'd swing back around and her tail would wag low, careful not to go anywhere near the food before skipping back into the kitchen. Tamamo was taking a day off so their customary bickering was absent.
D'eon picked up the tray and began his stroll towards the far windows. Mozart's fingers calmly sailed across the piano as the saber passed. Vlad, Raikou, and Elsa were just getting settled at their favorite ottomans as he nodded a quiet greeting to them. Medea and Naomi looked especially happy today as they strolled through the ballroom's doors.
"Look! Look! They're so pretty!"
Janna, who was supposed to be doing her homework, had left her bookbag abandoned beside her older sister so the little lancer could get a 'closer look' at the sunbeams piercing the calm clouds outside. On a window couch a few paces away, Dantes and Franz were having a rather respectful talk about current politics over some tea the saber delivered earlier. He did not bother them as he passed, just like the many sights he'd born witness to.
No matter how many times they occurred, D'Eon would never take any of these glimpses of normalcy for granted. Coupled with the relaxed air, they were the signs of satisfaction. An Elysium his mind always sought to maintain as a spy, for that's how everything should appear while undercover. Even the slightest hint of trouble was enough to put him on edge since it could mean the first hints of suspicion. Espionage demanded everything appeared as it should be to remain at its most efficient.
With that in mind, it was no doubt why Marie strategically wished for him to be her headwaiter. Save for his sensitivity to any possible ripples in the pond, there was no one in her court better at gathering information than the career spy. His ears were tuned information magnets and code breakers. His ability to spot the impossible or quickly connect the dots was unsurpassed until Holmes' arrival. Whatever tidbits Marie would find interesting, D'Eon would have noted, deciphered, and theorized for her tea-time listening.
…Of course, Marie preferred all the juicy gossip to let her young mind fantasize, but it was for the best her current affairs remained focused on lighthearted facts.
With that in mind, D'Eon approached one of his current royal assignments. No one was safe from his secret spying: Not even fellow members of the court. The pair at the booth remained silent in their own tasks as D'Eon placed the tray down gently. His voice was almost a whisper, "The coziest pigs in a blanket Chaldea has to offer."
The nod of gratitude from his fellow salon staff was matched by his companion. After carefully removing a glove and ensuring a sleeve on his salon uniform wouldn't get in the way, Phantom of the Opera picked up the dish and offered it to his companion first. Fujino offered a tiny smile, placed her book down, and took two for her plate. Her eyes flashed gratitude to both of them as D'Eon refilled her glass of water. He filled up Phantom's next, but he was already back to listening to new opera music while browsing play reviews on his tablet.
"Enjoy." After a quick bow, Chevalier picked up his serving tray and lingered no further. As he began his approach back towards the knitting group, his mind was already consolidating the extra information. Most would've spotted only the easiest superficial actions, but he'd seen and interpreted far more. There was a lack of hesitation from both. Phantom's absence of usual second-guessing jitters meant he was comfortable. Fujino's full attention on her book proved she was too. The way she sat. Phantom's posture. Their seating position in relation to the space in the booth…
Oh yes. There was far more information to gather than most realized, and misinterpreting anything could be tragic. With all the insight he'd gleamed watching them since New Year's Day, Marie would be disappointed: Her matchmaking hunch held no water here. The two merely enjoyed each other's silent company, and occasionally Franz would join them to quietly read newspapers. Friends at most. As it was currently, there was zero attraction beyond that, but that was okay. Not everyone needed to be in a relationship to be completely satisfied, contrary to what Mata Hari and Marie often dreamed.
He'd still keep an eye on them, but he was certain it'd just be another good friends situation like Martha and Sasaki, or Nightingale and Beowulf.
With his mental notebook away, he approached his next task with a smile. Every day bled together, but every week promised many views most wouldn't see. In that regard, he had a blessed job: D'Eon got to witness Chaldea's full spectrum of life.
And what an art piece everyone painted.
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Unfortunately, the salon's perfect air wasn't always filled with pleasantries. It's seen its fair share of conflict and episodes, but the days since one occurred had started to grow. Then again, that was only because D'Eon hardly counted the Tamamos daily squabbling as a Peacekeeper emergency anymore. At some points, it felt like they bickered about anything just for the sake of bickering.
The same likely applied to his currently waiting clients. No matter the era, nearly all mages remained secretive, snooty, and sour. Their three S's to success, or so Mozart often derided. Today was no different as a quartet of the Clock Tower team drank regally at one of the Ballroom tables. D'eon had long since stopped trying to make conversation with them beyond the baseline pleasantries since they seemed uninterested in anything more.
If anything at all, they were as invested in their mutual grumblings as they were subtly one-upping each other. The darting eyes among them when all others looked away. The way they held their glasses or attempted to sit more refined. No little mistake was allowed for these mages, and any spotted was likely marked for later weaponization. 'They could accomplish so much more of they weren't so obsessed with trivial nitpicks.'
"The nerve of the UN…" one commented as he lowered the newspaper and slid it to the table's center. D'eon briefly eyed the front page as he poured a new wine glass for the woman at the edge. The reader scoffed. "You'd think those upstarts would recognize their place by now."
"I'll give them credit for exploiting an opportunity," another chimed in, but he hardly sounded impressed. "Not that having a supporter in the white house will do them favors."
"That knights templar arriving this weekend is a different story… I heard he's pro Vigil," a third one stated stoically. "Clearly they're stacking cards in their favor."
'As if the Clock Tower hasn't for ages,' D'eon silently argued. And it's not like the Church's representatives would all be Vigil supporters, treaties or not.
"We'll keep an eye on them too. That's our job. Observation." The fourth was a rather stern one, but far more respectful compared to his colleagues. Nowhere near as respectful and approachable as Gordolf or Vernier. "How's your report coming along?"
"Does it matter? My objections will be ignored again," the woman narrowed her eyes. "Makes me wonder if we're only here for show."
And there the conversation goes again. If it's not the Vigil they're grumbling about, it's Chaldea. If not them, something else. D'eon had known mages to be nigh impossible to satisfy, but he swore these ones were more than most. Likely a purposeful choice from the Mage's Association since they distrusted their former property… but then again, they did allow Vernier and Flat to come.
"So long as it's filed, that's all that matters. Someone is bound to act on the growing pile."
"It'd be even larger if you contributed properly." D'eon nearly raised an eyebrow there. Usually these mages were being subtle in their methods to disparage their peers. That had been very direct, a rarity for sure. Hopefully one he wouldn't need to act on.
It wasn't. The man gave a mildly dry, bored stare but said nothing. He only sipped his wine as the others silently postured and gauged. With one final glass filled, D'eon was content to leave them to their machinations. Marie's worries about possible scheming could be put off for another day.
"Before you go, tell me…" the stern man said just as D'eon nodded to take his leave. The saber brushed off his stiff address as his usual. "Two familiars arrived during the afternoon summoning, yes?"
He held a respectful, stoic façade even after that comment. "Yes. A saber and caster, but Gabrielle didn't say their names."
"Playing that childish guess the name game? Expected… That'll be all, thank you," the stern mage dismissed. Nothing followed; That was his goodbye, which was admittedly better than most mages. Squashing a spike of disgust and frustration, D'eon nodded again and left as their quiet conversation continued.
D'eon hadn't lied. The new servants were to be introduced face to face. Gabrielle said it was because of certain circumstances surrounding one of them, and not because of a guessing game she sometimes played when leading a tour. Not that the mages would care for the excuse.
As he reached the bar, Sanson quickly slid the head waiter a ciroc. He smiled back in gratitude.
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It wasn't long before the little tour group arrived at the salon. Or at least, one servant preceding them did. A curiosity indeed, and one that usually didn't bode well if not for Boudica's rather calm demeanor upon returning to the kitchen. If it was truly urgent, a telepathic message would've been easier. 'Luxury of courtesy. But I'll remain ready.'
Any apprehension was shallow compared to the saber's suppressed… excitement. Guessing servants identities had become a little game for him. Could he guess before their introduction? Jeanne often pointed out his observation skills were surprisingly accurate. There were always the oddities of a servant's manifestation that could throw off the guess, but usually he hit the nail on the head.
The first one didn't seem like too much of a challenge, but her likeness to Jeanne was remarkably striking. They may have been twins if not for her silky white hair, magenta eyes, and tanned complexion. Her skin tone combined with the vibrant red ethical garb sung of blessed India. Yet it was the finer details of her battle attire that drew his critical eye.
Golden epaulets attached to the shawl spoke of military bearing, yet she radiated with a combined royal and divine presence. The sword at her hip was ornate and handcrafted, yet the high-quality strappings and fittings of its harness were still undoubtedly mass produced. There wasn't as much to gleam from her tight white uniform or leggings, but her quick gaze towards him could offer more.
Calm. Collected. The tinge of uncertainty was almost veiled from view, but D'Eon put that aside; Nearly all were upon arrival. At least she seemed comforted by the Indian master walking at her side. "And this is Marie's Palace-like salon. This is the Ballroom side where the best parties are held. Dinners are split between here and the resort depending on the day of the week. It helps keep things refreshing."
"Is this what the Louvre would be like?" she was quick to observe as they stopped halfway to Mozart's vacant piano. Her eyes had turned appreciative. D'Eon began his calm stroll towards them; Clearly the saber wasn't the potential problem of the two. Her eyes returned to him, but he quickly noted her guard didn't raise. Already this servant was growing accustomed to Chaldea's numbers, but his welcoming smile likely didn't hurt. "Greetings."
"Welcome in, madam. Anishka," D'Eon courteously voiced, then bowed gently for both with serving tray in hand. "I hope you're not tired after your trip from the throne. I'm afraid our Queen, the salon matron, isn't here at the moment, but our hospitality remains absolute. I'm Chevalier Charles d'Éon de Beaumont, but everyone calls me D'Eon. It is my honor to welcome a foreign queen into our little Chaldean palace."
The saber seemed taken back with a fleeting glint, yet her royal composure held firm. Resolute. Clearly the eyes of a woman tempered in battle, which narrowed down the possibilities even further. She smiled. "I appreciate your kindness. I am-"
"Rani of Jhansi. Lakshmibai?" Now she was completely taken back as she glanced towards Anishka. She suppressed a light giggle and met Lakshmibai's confused stare with reassuring warmth. It was already clear to the spy the new saber saw Anishka as an anchor of stability, and for obvious reasons. No doubt the calm queen would relate more to a fellow countryman rather than the fiery excitable master, whose chatter echoed louder and louder from the open salon doors.
"D'Eon is a great guesser," Anishka explained quickly. "He was a spy in real life, as you may know. Little gets past him."
"You have nothing to fear. I don't collect any information out of malice. We're all allies here," the French saber smiled peacefully. "I mean no offense, but part of my guess was based on your appearance. The Jeanne d'Arc of India, or so some have called you. You look almost like her."
"I was told," she agreed as her small smile returned. "We have yet to meet."
"She's enjoying a nice massage from our queen. You may run into them once you reach the resort," D'Eon supplied. "I believe the youngest sister is at the beach with her friends. I'm not sure where Joan is though. I suspect she's with Artesia somewhere."
"So there are three of them…" the Indian queen quietly reaffirmed. "How strange they're like family…"
"It's rather complicated and definitely not straightforward when one considers how Joan usually acts," D'Eon chuckles, but then eyed the door as the uniformed Gabrielle skipped into view, waved and then motioned for another to come close. Obviously the caster who didn't seem like they were in a rush. "Ah. And so the second guest arrives. Queen Lakshmibai, would you like a drink while you're here? You may certainly take the glass with you to return at your leisure."
As the queen eyed the sprawling selection, she fell lost in obvious consideration. D'Eon smiled, "Feel free to ask whenever. I'm the head waiter, but Sanson or Mata Hari usually attend the bar. Sanson's in the kitchen at the moment having a quick cooking lesson from Tamacat, but I can serve the drink just as well."
"Ohh, drinks already?" the uniformed Gabrielle grinned as she skipped over to join them. D'Eon watched as Medb quickly followed up, clad in incredibly small jean shorts and a very tight-fitting pink crop top. Lakshmibai eyed the fellow queen with expertly veiled distaste, but Medb held no shame. She never did, especially when with her excitable best friend. "It's five o'clock somewhere!"
"It's only eleven, but when has that ever stopped you?" D'Eon joked as Gabrielle and Medb shared a fleeting snicker. "I'll fetch your favorites as soon as I introduce myself to the new caster. Welcome in, sir. We're honored to serve another heroic spirit, and we hope you find our hospitality comfortable. I'm Chevalier Charles d'Éon de Beaumont, but everyone calls me D'Eon."
Instantly, the saber's curiosity spiked. It was rare for a servant to show little marvel or surprise for the luxurious space, but no interest at all? The man's eyes didn't even bother past a quick gaze to gauge the room before focusing on those before him. At the very least, the caster nodded towards them with a very collected demeanor that hid nothing. He seemed truly disinterested, with eyes seemingly staring past them to calculate his mind's hidden quarries.
Yet, had his initial reaction not taken precedence, D'Eon would've found his eyes magnetized to his appearance instantly. They'd never met, but he recalled the description from some; The saber's memory was undeniably photographic. A brown bush for hair, matching a mostly muted palette that painted the rest of his robe-like garb. Save for silver shoulder designs, a splash of golden yellow flew from the inner lining of his sash-like skirt and accompanying belts. The clothing would throw off most, yet its design was as peculiar as other Greek heroic spirits.
Had D'Eon not overheard grievances about this caster in question, he would've had a bit of a harder time landing a guess. But he knew, and suddenly the forewarning of his arrival made sense. Still, the saber would let him introduce himself to gauge the possibility of any hidden interests. And so he did. "Caster-class servant. Archimedes."
A rather stiff introduction, but that was it. It didn't feel like he was concealing any darker motives, especially since he answered a call to help protect humanity despite what some had revealed from the Moon Cell War. D'Eon would have to keep an eye on him to see if there was anything past that logical and matter-of-fact façade. But he wasn't about to hold him as absolutely guilty either, not with so many other complicated cases walking about the halls.
"If you have any questions, I'd be more than willing to help however I can." No real response besides a small acknowledging nod. "Would you care for drink while you're here?"
"I don't see a need, but thanks for the offer." The thanks felt more tacked on as a necessary addition rather than wholeheartedly meant, but D'Eon took no offense. Medb rolled her eyes silently while Gabrielle offered a tiny smile to fill the growing stiff air. He certainly felt rather unsociable, and D'Eon doubted that'd change. He'd likely be more at home with Chaldea's engineers and scientists rather than the relaxing bunch. The spy wagered he wouldn't be seeing much of him in the luxurious parts.
"As you wish. If you'll excuse me, I'll be back with the orders while you continue your tour," D'Eon nodded, and quickly headed to the bar. The girls' drinks were very easy, so it wouldn't take him long to fulfil. Moments later he was pouring a few tropical drinks while quietly listening in on the tour. From the distance, D'Eon could definitely confirm Archimedes was completely uninterested and borderline dismissive of the room while Lakshmibai grew more and more invested in the offerings Anishka explained.
As he gleamed insight to tell Marie later, he found the biggest tidbit didn't come from the two new arrivals at all. Rather, it came from the distant professor who'd been reading a book by the window. D'Eon was very, very quick to note Moriarty's ever so subtle glances towards one of the new arrivals with equal parts concern and curiosity. At the very least, Archimedes didn't seem to return that interest at all.
The caster didn't seem very invested in their whole setup, really.
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The afternoon was beginning when the first rusty notes clashed against regal walls. D'Eon, with nothing currently to do, had gotten around to a recommended mystery novel in hopes it would keep his interest. His spy experience often ruined this genre, but he was determined to find one that wouldn't bore him… even if his attention was naturally divided. It had to be a very interesting tale to truly hold his attention as he listened in on the nearby piano lessons of a casually dressed master.
"…It's been a while."
"So it shows, but there's more to it than that. Your posture for example," Mozart pointed out. Newly alerted, Gudao's back straightened unnaturally, making the caster chuckle. "I didn't mean like that, Gudao. The position of your hands and fingers says all. You were forced into piano lessons?"
Gudao was quick and truthful with his nod. Mozart nodded to the admission and inquired, "So there's a reason you're trying to recover it. Found some inspiration? A need to impress?"
"Both and more," the master claimed as he folded his hands atop his jeans. "I was in the Shrine the other day, and Tota and Martha suggested I should give it another try. My cousin is also hassling me to pick it back up so we can play together."
"Guitar and piano play beautifully together."
"Yea, I just don't know how it'd go with country…"
"We could always see about that later, but what matters most is you enjoy the act yourself. You have that habit of putting others' satisfaction first. It's great, but this is your interest. Music is a window to the soul, and so it will show." As if to punctuate the point, Mozart blindly placed a hand atop the keys and produced a string of pure harmony. "What did you grasp from that?"
"Um… That you don't need to see the keys to write a new masterpiece?" His response earned a mock disappointed look from the caster. Gudao might not have been as quick to gauge, but a swift gleam was all D'eon ever needed; It helped he heard his style every day.
Refined elegance. A heavy undertone of emotional dismay, but with a hint of newfound optimism. Mozart's natural musical tone was the perfect blend of technical mastery and expressive mystery. Not that the saber was about to chime in with that: Gudao was the one who needed to tune his ear.
"I'll have you feeling for music soon enough. It'll do you wonders to have another decent hobby aside from those wasteful video games…" Not that they were Gudao's only hobby, but D'Eon doubted Mozart would be against his bike rides through the resort and cave system.
The saber mentally sighed. His eyes had never left the book, yet his attention sailed for more interesting lands. A shame. Marie no doubt loved this book, but the plot wasn't potent enough to hold his attention. Quietly, he slid his rapier-styled bookmark into the pages, placed the book on the counter, and pulled out his phone. If the book couldn't keep him occupied, then it was time to learn about something else today.
His fingers worked the device quickly and easily as he placed an earbud into place. As Gudao's rusty playing took to the air again, they were countered by the first words of a Youtube tutorial on modern metalworking. Not that the saber was planning on joining Val's department or anything. He just liked learning about anything and everything. It certainly didn't hurt to have more skills or knowledge to use when undercover either.
Finally immersed, he left the master to his first piano lesson, but mentally organized the revelation for his tea time presentation.
If Mozart didn't bring it up first.
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Weekend dinners had become times when D'Eon and the rest of Marie's entourage could comfortably let their hair down. Not that assisting in the salon was difficult or off-putting by any stretch, but work's end always felt liberating. Even so, it wasn't a light switch for his instincts. No matter how relaxed he'd be, the spy couldn't just turn off his natural intelligence gathering ears. Especially not when around others.
The cacophony of overlapping conversations at the outdoor cafeteria took a lot to get used to. Often it was hard hearing one's own chat if they lacked the fine-tuned hearing of a servant. D'Eon's keen hearing meant he could latch onto any conversation flawlessly, no matter the distance or distractions. Not even the loud clink of ice in his glass of water registered over his current curiosity that Sunday evening.
"You're not as pragmatic as I believed you'd be."
"Oh, don't be coy. As rational as I may be, there's little wrong in entertaining some curiosities."
"I suppose others would, but I'm not interested in the least."
"Shall we enjoy a more intellectual conversation elsewhere then? Somewhere without this unnecessary noise."
It didn't take long for the two servants observing on the boardwalk to walk away. D'Eon felt his suspicions rise as the spy's eyes briefly darted to their retreating backs. Even though every new servant was under surveillance and secret guard, that clearly hadn't stopped Moriarty from making an immediate move to network. It only made D'Eon more suspicious of what that archer might-
"It's rude to eavesdrop, you know."
"Would that ever stop you?" D'Eon asked, still polite but no less direct.
"I never denied it. I'm just icebreaking a conversation."
He turned to look at the stool beside him, where another patron leaned against the counter awaiting a drink. The saber was certain he wasn't the only one to find Mephistopheles appeared far, far more devious and cunning when out of his clownish battle attire. Something about that pale skin, unnaturally sharp gaze, and a pristine goldenrod suit that made him feel far more dangerous.
That tiny little smirk of his was like a devil's dagger. "Okita has her army on higher alert, does she?"
"We're not on red alert if that's what you're asking." There was that tense meeting when Tamamo, Nero, and Altera confronted him, but Archimedes had seemed near totally disinterested. Even a quick check with Karna proved he wasn't concealing any ulterior motives. Not at the moment, at least. If anything, he was dismissive of their entire setup.
"Yes, well, we can't always have as much fun as we did with Penny now can we?" D'Eon stared blankly at the caster, but he only smirked back. Without taking his eyes off the saber, his hand opened and caught the drink a bartending robot slid their way. He lifted it for a sip. "Oh come now. No one died. It wasn't that good of a show."
"You're one of the few who was disappointed." Mephistopheles was also one of the adamant supporters of keeping Penthesilea around; Probably to see if there'd be more violent incidents. He may be civil around them, but D'Eon knew better than to fully trust this kind of individual. He was cooperating for his own machinations, much like BB, Ibaraki, and possibly some others. Who knew when siding against them would finally be less fulfilling than whatever kept this manipulator 'sated'.
The caster downed his drink quickly. "No need to be so confrontational. Can't we have a talk? One server to another?"
"We can, so long as the cryptic twists are kept out of it. Hard to keep me invested otherwise."
"Ah, my apologies. We'll say I'm a little excited for the late-night gambling today," he chuckled. "Nothing like seeing the disappointed looks on… Yes, yes. I know."
D'Eon had to wonder if Medb hired him as one of her casino dealers specifically because he rigged his hand; Safe bet he did. But D'Eon gambled enough with his life to shy away from gambling, so he'd never find out. It was difficult enough holding a conversation with Mephistopheles since they were hardly acquaintances. This caster just struck up conversations with whoever he wished to toy with… unless it was Nobunaga, Angra, or a select other few.
Thankfully, two of the few who repulsed the caster arrived. "Dee-dee! Sorry we're late!"
"I see your company has arrived," Mephistopheles nearly droned out as he stood up. "Well, it's been fun. Enjoy your evening."
To the caster's credit, those last words were honestly genuine. As was his hasty retreat before another French-British legend hopped into the seat behind him. "Oh? You were talking with Meph?"
"If you could consider it a conversation," D'Eon noted, but it only made Astolfo laugh. The rider was rather dressed down today. He put very little thought into what he wore, but today's jean hot pants and a plain pink t-shirt proved he made even less for the day. His cheery attitude was always a worn accessory, but… "You seem happier today. You and Flat didn't do anything questionable, did you?"
"I showed him what's in the Munitions Bunker!" Flat exclaimed as he plopped into the chair at his other side. D'Eon didn't even glance his way before a sigh slipped from his lips.
"…Right. I heard that call over the radio. Skyler wasn't very happy about that."
"Not many were, but I don't see what's the problem! We didn't touch anything! And he was curious where that tarp covered floaty palettes went," Flat countered as Paracelsus strolled over for drink orders. The blonde rolled up the sleeves of his white collared shirt in eager anticipation. "My favorite, please!"
"Mine too!" Astolfo cheered as he patted D'Eon on the back. "Oh, come on! We weren't jailed! No problem!"
"Your lack of rational never ceases to amaze me…" Yet they remained friends, of sorts. A sense of comradery for serving the 'the same' nation formed the foundation, so to speak. Then they connected further when Astolfo asked about dresses. They'd become friends quickly, but Astolfo's impulsive tendencies did often try the spy-knight's patience. Nevertheless, his now know admiration of Astolfo endured that tiny nitpick.
"Oh, oh! But that's not why I'm excited! Tomorrow's mission just turned a lot more interesting!"
D'Eon connected the dots from various tidbits he'd overheard since dinner began. "The one changed thanks to a coded message? Gabby's dream?"
"Yea, that one! It's a two-team deployment just in case, but I'm really excited!" The rider was bouncing on his stool so hard he might eventually hammer it into the ground like a tent spike. His excited cries and bouncing made an employee glance over, blush, and turn his head away swiftly to the laughter of his tablemates. "The council just narrowed it down to the coordinates! It's Romania, after the Great Holy Grail War!"
He'd said it quite loud, attracting the attention of quite a few servants. D'Eon glanced around quickly but noted many of that conflict's participants were finally arriving for dinner; So that's where they were. Which begged the question… "Were the teams switched around to let-?"
Astolfo was quick to deny. "No. Some don't want to revisit past memories, or they have more important things to do. Like little Jackie has a test on algebra tomorrow."
"Wha…" D'Eon let out a chuckle while Flat laughed. "Wow. Jackie would rather go to school… Though Grail Wars are far from fond memories."
"For most! But I have to go! I have to see if my master's there! I want to see him again!" Astolfo grinned widely. "Siegfried and Jeanne swapped in too!"
"Anyone else of note on the teams?"
"Arjuna and Penthesilea." …Oh. Wow. Astolfo looked completely unperturbed by what he just said, but the rider was keen to catch the spy's discomfort. "Yea… That's what some of us are worried about too. But hey, if it means the chance to vent some checked frustration, what's the worst that can happen?"
Once more, D'Eon slapped his hand against his face at those famous last words. Astolfo and Flat only laughed as Paracelsus returned with their drinks.
This week was sure moving away from normalcy.
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The rest of the night passed with little else note. Disregarding the news, it was probably one of the most mundane nights in recent months, leading in to another average breakfast. Yet the day's deployment would prove today could be nothing less than unusual, especially since it would happen right after an early morning summoning attempt.
Even in the salon, events deviated from the routine. "That's what Arthur said. Seems like it's a good week for the masters."
"Fortune always smiles here." D'Eon couldn't see it, but he could hear the smile. His likely followed. A snore definitely followed, accompanied soon after by light laughter.
D'eon gently pulled the blanket over Hector, who'd managed to fall asleep at a window couch as per usual. He then quickly double-checked for wrinkles on his salon uniform, grasped his tray, and hurried back to the table. Date nights in the salon were very common. Date mornings? Exceptionally rare, but very relaxing and quiet for any who reserved one. Tray under one arm, he stopped by the chosen booth, smiled, and pulled out a notepad from his jacket pocket with an elegant flourish. "Have you two decided?"
"We'll try the Sweetheart Pancake platter you recommended," Sigurd responded with a calm smile. "And two cherry-rasperry smoothies as Bryn wished."
"A fine choice we'll make even finer. Will that be all?"
The blue tuxedo-wearing saber turned his eyes across the table, over the vase of roses, and into the eyes of his wife. Brynhildr stared back no less affectionately, and just as sharply dressed in her strapless ice-blue dress. She nodded, though their gaze never broke. Sigurd turned back for a moment to nod in acknowledgement, sending the saber on his way. D'Eon walked away with a calm smile as he jotted down the order. The two laughed lightly behind him.
But the kitchen wasn't his next destination. Instead, he went up to a table further away and just out of view. He stopped, bowed to the trio, and held up a notepad. "And what shall you watchful guardians have?"
Ortlinde blushed lightly and tried to disappear beneath her white sweater hood. Thrud squirmed ever so slightly in her white sundress, clearly a bit ashamed about keeping an eye on the pair while trying to keep her elegant composure. Hildr was the absolute opposite, smiling eagerly towards the saber while relaxing in the booth seat. Marie's kitten was currently in her dress lap as she petted it gently. "We had big breakfast, but could you surprise us with some smoothies?"
"A surprise it is," D'Eon noted as he quickly jotted notes. Sanson may have a field day with this, just like Mozart was as he serenaded on the piano. With one final glance to the Valkyries, D'Eon smiled reassuringly to the other two. "Please don't feel embarrassed. You're too far to ruin their privacy, and they certainly don't seem to mind. Plus, it shows how much you care. That means a lot."
Ortlinde only blushed further, but it helped ease some of Thrud's nerves. Again, Hildr only grinned and giggled, "See? Stop worrying! We're here to make sure big sis is happy, and it sure sounds it!"
As the trio began bickering among themselves, D'Eon laughed and walked to the bar. After a quick call out to Boudica and Parvati waiting excitedly in the kitchen, he gave the drink orders to Sanson and waited.
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A short time later, D'Eon was placed the steaming plate of pancakes onto the table between them. Each tiny, golden morsel was shaped like a heart and lightly covered with a sheen of syrup. Sugar dusted their tops like soft snow, and glistening strawberries sat amongst the pile waiting to be plucked. The garnish was expertly arranged into runes the two could read, an addition secretly gathered from the Valkyries to help make the date more special.
Yet, as enticing as the dish was, it only caught a third of the couple's attention.
"Bon appétit," D'eon bowed, then quietly left them alone. He'd still remain nearby in case they needed him, but far enough so they felt private. The Ballroom side's size and designed acoustics meant small conversations were swallowed by its immensity. Of course, it was never quiet enough for D'Eon not to hear as he sat down at a distant set of ottomans to continue watching a World War I documentary.
"The resort's nice, but the Seychelles could be a fun cruise. Maldives, Tonga…"
"You don't wish to see home, my beloved?"
"Home is by your side." D'Eon had no idea the stoic Sigurd could be so romantically eloquent but he was hardly surprised with all he'd witnessed during his long tenure. Brynhildr blushed dreamily and stuttered while he chuckled. "I thought we'd save the best for last since we have extra days days."
"I wish we had even more."
"We have here and now. That alone is more than I could've imagined."
They were sounding like newly weds in their honeymoon period, but considering their tragic past, should that surprise anyone? D'Eon rather enjoyed them being corny. Something about two powerful individuals showing a more vulnerable side never ceased to ignite the wonder and hope in his soul yet again. It was a welcome companion compared to the terrible brutality the documentary playing on his iPad portrayed. 'The tragic duality of human passion…'
As the documentary played on, D'Eon sensed the magical spike from further away; The Leyshift teams were off. None in the salon even blinked. It was another Monday morning heartbeat, just with a different rhythm. And so the salon danced to its own, until a few minutes later when the uniformed Gudao and Skyler appeared in the salon's doors.
D'Eon quickly shut his tablet off, placed it down, and made his way to the door. Arthur's appeared soon after, a gleaming handsome knight even in a simple blue button up and white chinos. As Gudao watched the master candidate go through the motions of leading a tour, it was immediately clear a new servant had arrived. Though D'Eon could sense their presence, he couldn't quite see where… Oh. That's why.
"I reckon you'll get a better welcome from one of the queen's knights," Skyler sounded relieved he didn't have to describe further, making D'Eon chuckle. Maybe with time the master candidate will learn to appreciate this act, but that'll be with time. His promotion was likely this month, so he'd have a lot of tour guiding in his future. "Morning, D'Eon."
"To you as well, Skyler. Gudao. King Arthur," D'Eon greeted as he finally came up and bowed at the door. D'Eon then lowered himself to meet the new servant at eye level. The saber attracted the small blonde's attention as he promised to be one of the hardest guessing games. "And, of course, a warmest welcome to Chaldea's newest friend. I'm Chevalier Charles d'Éon de Beaumont, but you may call me by D'Eon or however you wish."
The boy's eyes were the most celestial blue D'Eon had ever had the pleasure to see. To stare into them was like seeing he stars themselves, yet they also seemed to twinkle on the frills of his silky white coat. And what an elegant, unearthly coat he wore, complete with golden trim speckled with astrological symbolism. The strange suit shorts combo presented a formal appearance, yet the golden scarf that hung around his neck seemed unmatching. It felt far more important as a mere accessory, even if distracting.
And speaking of distractions, the boy's eyes seemed to dart all over the place even as he tried to maintain eye contact with the saber. D'Eon had never witnessed a servant so intrigued as to keep shifting his gaze all around the room. It could've been ADHD of sorts, or a natural sense of exploration. He was very difficult to guess, D'Eon honestly regretted not peeking at Thronebook for the arrival announcement he clearly missed. Any extra hint would help.
The boy's remained quiet, so D'Eon's guessing game came to a defeated end with formalities taking priority. "And what might your name be, if I may ask?"
"Voyager," the boy's voice was quiet, but his smile was cute and infectious. His word flew past D'Eon as confusion reigned. He asked for a name, not a… then it clicked. "It's nice to meet you. There's a lot of people here, but there's so much to see."
"Voyager? As in, the space probe voyager?" D'Eon questioned as he stared towards Gudao in surprise. "What did BB do to the system?"
"A miracle, I guess," Gudao grinned as he gently patted the boy's back. "But it can't be too bad if it allowed him to come."
"It's BB so, I wouldn't really…" Skyler mumbled, but to D'Eon surprise, Voyager cut him off.
"You shouldn't be so cynical about the unknown. There's wonders waiting to be discovered," he countered, and Skyler's voice was lost in his throat. D'Eon smiled humorously as he recognized the brief glint of defeat in the candidate's eyes.
"…Aw geeez… Look, I'll trust you, kid. You know a helluva lot more than me."
"Not enough," Voyager smiled as he looked around. "Oh… Who's that…?"
The small blonde was already shuffling off towards the bar where Sanson stared in bewilderment. D'Eon was about to follow, but he turned his query towards Arthur first. "Accompanying him directly, Arthur? So you're one of his observers?"
"I decided to be the third due to unique circumstances," he offered with a hint of worry in his smile. Part of Arthur's punishment was to be the security manager for newly arrived servants. He'd be the one delegating who watched over who and ultimately responsible for new arrivals' proper acclimatization and conduct. For him to be a third must mea- "He's our first Foreigner-Class servant. So we're not sure what that entails on class instability or circumstances."
"Foreigner class?" In a rare moment, D'Eon felt naked. The throne provided absolutely zero information regarding that designation, just like Moon Cancer. D'Eon turned back to the little boy in curiosity, right as Sanson and the newly approached Mozart finished their introduction. He was already scurrying off to the Valkyries, making Arthur nod in apology as he hastily walked after him. Skyler followed too, leaving Gudao to explain further.
"We're not sure either, but the symbol and designation are clear. Amakusa confirmed it for us. If Gabby's nighttime message hadn't sounded so urgent, we would've postponed the deployment for later just to be sure this isn't a dangerous situation. But, well…"
"It's hard to be so wary about a little boy. Er, robot boy?" D'Eon complete, earning Gudao's nod. D'Eon turned to the Valkyries table, where the three were suddenly a bit livelier with the presence of Arthur and a little boy. A little boy that almost looked like a tinier version of the noble knight king. The Valkyries absolutely picked up on it if their smiles were any indication. D'Eon chuckled. "I think the foreigner is going to be incredibly popular."
"He's winning over everyone left and right, that's for sure," Gudao agreed with a grin. "I'm expecting a tremendous squeal once he enters the kitchen. Boudica and Parvati are working, right?"
"For now." They laughed at the joke, then watched as Voyager made a sudden beeline for the kitchen. Arthur was quick to follow, but Voyager was a rapid dart. By the time Arthur was pushing through the doors, a chorus of excitement exploded from within, making the two laugh again.
"OH GOODNESS! Who's this sweet bean!? Arthur! Is he a relative of yours!?" D'Eon placed a safe bet Boudica was going to spoil him with snacks left and right.
"I guess it's no longer a girls' only school," the saber noted as he walked towards the kitchen with Gudao. "Or will he? He's Voyager, which would mean he may have even more knowledge then the throne provided us."
"Who knows? Maybe he'd be the teacher," Gudao joked. "Imagine the look on Jaguarman's face upon being outsmarted?"
"Marie would love to see that." Instead of going in, they decided to wait by the swinging bar doors with Skyler. "So how're you this morning, Sergeant? I heard PT was long today."
"Oh yea…" he forced out with mock enthusiasm. "Joan burned one of Artesia's burgers so we were the ones who got the brunt of her anger venting. Yes sireee. Like a trip to six flags. If we only went on the log flume. And the log flume was borderline water boarding instead."
His humor was strange, but D'Eon found himself chuckling anyway. "That bad?"
"Well, she can't swim to save her life. It's a Monday and… yea. You can guess what we did." Human boat. As much fun as it sounds."
A few more minutes later, Arthur was gently pulling Voyager out of the kitchen, likely so they can finish the tour in a timely manner. The fact he was gently pulling him, hand in hand, only put the Valkyries further towards the precipice of outright swooning. The little foreigner seemed okay with it, but then dictated the course by moving towards the distant date table. Arthur let go of his hand, but followed the darting servant. Skyler moseyed after them slowly the entire time.
D'Eon and Gudao followed too, hopefully not interrupting the date too badly. Although this would hardly count as an unwelcome intrusion.
It was absolutely a sight worth witnessing closer.
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By midafternoon, most servants had either peeked into the auditorium or stayed to watch. Marie's entourage was no exception, though they'd only just arrived as a deviation from routine tea time. A bunch of servants were loitering around, talking freely while the observed singularity played out on screen. At the moment, it looked like a Hollywood Blockbuster; Possibly rivalling one of the smaller primary singularities.
A walled town nestled in the quaint European hillside was silent. No signs of life echoed from its streets as explosions and fiery trails danced in the vast plains beyond. Like its sole protector, an ornate castle, partially ruined by the raging war, remained standing between the town and the madness beyond. The night sky may as well have been daylight with the endless fireworks.
The view shifted back to the masters' safe area atop the giant castle. There was a familiar allied face among the Chaldeans, but a second was… "Hm. So that's Sieg. He seems a lot more expressive than Astolfo described."
"You should've seen him bungling his introduction speech as a dragon! It was really cute~!" Marie giggled in the aisle seat beside where D'Eon stood. Her slightly damp hair glistening in the dim lighting as she clasped her hands together in mock fear. "Truly commendable, Chaldean Master. For thou to bring many a hero- W-W-Wait! No! No! Please! Don't attack! I'm the one who asked for help! I'm not the bad one!"
Mata Hari giggled at her friend's reenactment. "It didn't help Jeanne and Astolfo were there. He was tripping over his words when he ran up and hugged his leg~!"
"There's always the replays," Sanson chimed in, earning a few nods from their collective French group sitting at the back. D'Eon quickly noted Gilles was the only one who remained dead silent as his judging eyes drilled holes into the homunculus in question. The view currently shown showed the young man with his back to the camera, his sleeves and hair flaring out with every shockwave and explosion. Yet he didn't turn his attention from the battlefield while Gabrielle and Jeanne stayed by his side.
Slowly their provided view swung to the front again, bringing forth another round of chuckles from the many watching. The silver-maned man stood not with conviction but outright shock. His red eyes were saucers, mouth agape, and one eye even twitched as another string of explosions erupted in the distance. Clearly at a loss of words, the sight brought Gabrielle into another round of laughter while Jeanne simply smiled at him while grasping her flag. 'So much for that imposing, heroic stance.'
"This… is only a fraction of your combat strength…?"
"Maybe a tenth?" Jeanne recollected as she put a finger to her mouth in thought. "We welcomed two more yesterday, so likely lower. Lashmibai was one of them."
"Silly Jeanne! We've got over a hundred-thirty so it's lower! Even I know that! But that's okay, we know math isn't your strong suit~!"
Astolfo's callout from offscreen made Jeanne flush lightly in embarrassment. "I-It was a quick estimate! You didn't need to correct me like that!"
"Oh! Sieg! Looky what I found in the castle!" Astolfo bounded into view, completely ignoring Jeanne's comment. Sieg stared in milder bewilderment, as did likely everyone else watching. In fact, everyone probably had the exact same question as the Chaldean rider held up a box of… "Look! They look just like my Hippogriff!"
"If it was smaller and rounder," Gabrielle pointed out between her giggle fits. "Thanks for calling us! I haven't laughed like this in a few weeks!"
D'Eon had very, very little doubt those stuffed Hippogriff toys were going to find their way back to Chaldea. With absolute certainty, one would be given to Jack. Probably one for each of the kids. Flat too. Why they existed was another story entirely.
"Astolfo looks so happy~," Marie cooed as the rider flustered happily over his former master. Beyond the wide range of chaotic emotions D'Eon could gleam from the homunculus' eyes, that feeling was completely mutual. As if he was reunited with a long-lost friend after an eternity…
And then a chorus of far deadlier explosions echoed from the distance, sending a hail of violent shockwaves towards the castle. They cascaded over its face, yet only Sieg flinched upon impact. Everyone else, veterans of many, many deployments, simply ignored it like a mild gust. Anishka made a somewhat dramatic sigh in the background and pulled a brush out of her master bag to redo her hair, but that was the most severe reaction to see. A giggling Sita pulled out her own brush to help her while Lakshmibai stood guard.
Sieg turned to the Indian master as she peered her gaze gently to the distance. "Arjuna's really having fun out there…"
"THIS IS FOR SPREADING THAT STUPID NICKNAME THROUGH CHALDEA! AND ALL THOSE STUPID DRESS UP GAMES YOU DRAG ME INTO! AND FOR BEING STUPID! YOU STUPID BASTARD!"
"Momo too…" Astolfo chuckled sheepishly. "I feel bad for other me, but thank the lord it's not me-me out there getting murdered… How's Penny and Achilles' spar going?"
The allied Chiron, looking off the stone balcony in another direction, sighed with a sharp gaze. "Achilles is winning."
"…Like, Penny's so gonna be in a bad mood. Real bad…" Suzuka probably rolled her eyes somewhere out of view. D'Eon could hear a bubblegum bubble inflate then pop. "Whatever. Totally her fault if she gets her panties in a bunch."
"They'll probably be back after dinner. Latest." D'Eon observed. After only a few minutes here, the singularity was proving to be a spectacle but not as difficult as they expected. Then again, Chaldea deployed for war and not supply accruement.
The view shifted towards the battlefield, directed like an action film. Whoever controlled the views did a fairly good job catching Arjuna's rapid-paced battle with Karna. The stoic archer sent bolt after bolt without hesitation, tearing apart the battlefield and any poor dragon tooth warrior unfortunate enough to be anywhere near him. The enemy Karna was just as stoic as he closed distance again, their impact detonating in yet another mushroom cloud of sheer energy.
As he contemplated leaving for the salon, D'Eon felt the divine presence enter the auditorium doors. He turned around to see their Karna, completely relaxed in a new blue sherwani. He gazed at the screen and took in Arjuna's stoic eyes, likely glimpsing the overflowing anger that remained walled behind the stone-like façade; D'Eon only ever fathomed that contained hatred. Truthfully, them growing more civil in Chaldea was no less of a miracle.
Still. The knowledge or Arjuna's frustrations had always been unnerving for the saber. "Does it never concern you, Karna?"
Karna glanced to the saber and only offered a small smile. "He's being honest with himself. I couldn't be happier. If I were to be want anything, it's that there had also been a clone of Arjuna. Then I may have my own chance to fight him unhindered once more."
Absolutely not the answer D'Eon was hoping for, but Chaldean relations were never simple connect the dot drawings. If this form of venting worked for them then… who was he to argue? He was a negotiator too. So long as the status quo remain stable and civil, much could be overlooked. He only wondered how much the boat would rock with all the new arrivals in such a short time.
'Sieg will be among that number shortly, if Astolfo and Jeanne have anything to say about it.'
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"I think you were a little hard on him, Gilles."
"I beg your pardon? I was just reminding him that Jeanne is a holy maiden and must be treated with absolute respect!" The fellow salon member admitted that while rubbing his eyes; Jeanne's rather eccentric reminder in turn. "Am I not allowed to watch out for her?"
D'Eon chuckled but smiled. "I'm just saying between you and Joan getting in his face, he probably felt like he was being eaten alive."
And still was. Sorta. "Don't think because you know that damn saint you can be buddy buddy with me, dragon! I'm the Dragon Witch! I hold your reigns! And you'd do well to remember that, pipsqueak!"
"…Pipsqueak…? But you're shorter than-"
"I'll burn you!"
"Joan! Will you just leave him alone? He got your message!" An annoyed growl echoed over the mostly quiet outdoor cafeteria as Dantes led Joan away from the newest arrival. The well-dressed man, a co-called terminal of the distant Fafnir, carefully smoothed out the front of his suit vest as Astolfo pouted beside him. "Sheesh! What's with her today?"
"She's just being herself…" Jeanne sighed at his other side, then gestured back to their table. "Sorry, Sieg. This wasn't the kind of first day I hoped you'd have."
"No, no. It's okay. This place is wilder than I could've imagined!" Astolfo laughed at his friend's barely contained astonishment as they sat down. The ensemble of conversation and chatter continued once more, yet there had been no tension in the air to dissipate. That'd been one of the more entertaining 'tense' conversations so to speak.
"My, my~… Little sister being overprotective of the bigger one, hmmm~…?" Marie hummed in the bar stool beside a standing D'Eon. She had donned a very sparkly cerulean dress to make a good first impression. "She won't admit it, but I can see it~…"
"You see a lot of things, Marie. Not all of them true," Mozart reminded gently, but still earned a cute pout from the queen. He laughed. "It's not like they're dating."
"Not yet they're not~…" Marie hummed deviously as she kept making terribly unsubtle glances towards the trio's table. "Ohh, and here I thought cute little Voyager's arrival made this day complete."
At his mention, D'Eon easily picked up on the coos coming from New Camelot's distant table. Definitely Boudica spoiling the little foreigner already. He glanced back to Marie, who still had her eyes glued on their table. "My Queen. We should let them have their privacy."
"Ohhhh~! (But I wanna see! I wanna see how my beloved friend chooses to handle her confused crush~! Will they be friends? Will she be greedy for more~?)" Thankfully her excited retreat to their eloquent language was only seemingly heard by those around their bar, but his queen couldn't help it. She loved drama. She loved gossip. She loved watching things play out… especially if it involved someone she cared about.
The rest of the entourage, except Gilles, likely just took it a Marie's usual flustering over any juicy details. Yet the rare jab Astolfo made on Jeanne held more water than most thought; At least from what he overheard by accident. He'd only accidentally stumbled upon a few words of the private conversation, all because he was delivering some wine to her room… but he connected the dots quick about a French saint's confusion over her feelings.
Yet, as D'Eon glanced over, it looked like things were a lot more complicated than anyone could've guessed. Astolfo's sheer excitement had him latched to Sieg's arm in happiness, even while he was trying to enjoy his drink. The two were close, as Astolfo always said. But it seemed the rider's words weren't as forthcoming. His affection to his former master was clear, yet very ambiguous from what D'Eon could see.
Jeanne seemed to pick up on it too. If there were any hints of jealousy or envy, she veiled it well behind calm reminders to give him some breathing room. Exasperation, happiness, concern… There was quite a lot of emotional colors surfacing in every little fidget, spoken word, and more. No doubt, both were happy to be reunited, but the potential bloom and tragedy that rested between the three of them was…
"Dear Charles." Marie's telepathic voice nearly made him flinch, but he mentally saluted. He already knew. "Your queen has a new observation mission for you. Potentially long term."
"I'm already on it, my Queen." D'Eon glanced over, but fell a bit exasperated when he spotted her devious, curious over-the-shoulder stare aimed towards the trio. Not even a beloved saint was safe from the queen's fantasizing mind. All he, and likely the queen, could hope for were no broken hearts upon its conclusion.
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Save for a somewhat tense stare down between Sieg, Semiramis, and Amakusa, the morning was proving ordinary. The salon had been empty the entire time, giving D'Eon plenty of room to make an occasional scouting run as he attended to other missions. The needs of the crown were often diverse and plenty, but he resolved them as quickly as they came. On the final leg of his current mission-string, he found himself stepping into the warm sun of the resort.
His mission was not of relaxation, but his target was here. Thankfully, some of his other tasks were also present. He spotted Astolfo, Chiron, Siegfried, Jeanne, and Sieg further out on the pier doing something involving the resident dolphins. He'd have to use his top surveillance tactics to gleam anything from that distance, but another of his hidden agendas proved closer. Lobo, Red Hare, and many other Chaldean animals were resting under the shade of an even closer palm.
It seemed every other week, the giant wolf was a shaded tree closer to the club.
After making a quick mental note on shifting invisible boundaries, he walked off the boardwalk and onto the warm sand. A flock of seagulls scurried out of his way as he approached a pair of beach recliners. Thankfully, this would be two birds with one stone so to speak. "Queen Arturia. Queen Boudica. A moment of your time, if I may?"
Beneath the shaded umbrella, the two women turned to greet the saber as he gently bowed for them. "My apologies. I don't mean to interrupt your rest, but my Queen wished for a prompt, formal delivery."
"Marie could've just sent it telepathically," Boudica giggled as she sat up. Her scarlet dress blew gently in the breeze.
Beside her, Arturia looked up past her wide brimmed hat; A Christmas gift from her fiance's mother, or so D'Eon recalled. She readjusted her white beach shawl and also sat up to listen. "Is it about the banquet?"
"Yes. A date has been scheduled, and King Iskandar trusted her to deliver proper invitations. Something about her knowing calligraphy," D'Eon smiled as he presented two wax-sealed letter from his small messenger bag. "Instructions on acceptance can be found within. The correspondence deadline is very lenient, I assure you. There's plenty of time."
Arturia paused upon undoing the seal. "It's safe to presume Uruk will be in attendance."
"King Gilgamesh confirmed his presence upon delivery."
"I'll need that time to consider then," Arturia noted, though exasperation certainly leaked past her collected air. Boudica smiled comfortingly to her.
"If it's any consolation. We'll be assigning seats based on relations to other world leaders. We want this banquet to help strengthen ties between allies and potentially ease any misgivings between others." D'Eon's had plenty of experience negotiating for his country, so being a messenger and diplomat was only natural for him. However, there's only so much he could hope to alleviate when trouble between two parties was very personal. All he could do was give reassurances and offer what considerations they'd planned.
"I understand. I'll admit, I'm hesitant from past experiences, but I'm far from alone this time."
"Arthur and I will tell Gilgamesh to put a sock in it if he gets rowdy," Boudica winked, making Arturia smile gratefully at her fellow countryman. "Besides. Did you read the letter? The Queen of New Camelot is going to showcase some new secret skills~."
D'Eon almost leapt back at how bright Arturia's eyes suddenly shined. 'Guess I'll have an answer sooner than I anticipated…'
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Chaldea's Laundromats were hardly visited. Only the armada of housekeeping robots had any real need to be there, but D'Eon often checked in when lots of the salon's table cloths or curtains were being cleaned. It was mostly habit out of a prank dye-job ruined nearly half of the linens last June. It was simply another quick check strung with other tasks that gave D'Eon reason to take a break from the Salon.
After the quick spy into the room, where dozens of industrial machines worked their tireless tasks, D'Eon strolled back into the hallway. The supply sortie should be ending soon, and since he was at Chaldea's bottom floor he could swing by and check. It'd be an unlisted spot on his mental checklist, but much could be gleamed by whatever the teams salvaged on this run. Changing course, he decided to act on impulse.
Already, he was glad he did as he passed a hallway. "More of those covered palettes today. What're those geniuses making in there?"
"Don't know. Don't care. Not looking. I got a cushy job with legends I'm not about to lose, mate."
"Fair. I'm trying to work hard enough for a bonus."
It was fleeting, distant commentary, but the employees' brief exchange added even more intel for a personally assigned task. Marie never gave him orders to do so, but he'd been keeping track of the unusual supplies that've been coming in as of late. The trickle began back in December, but the quantity certainly increased by what he'd gathered. Whatever they were being used to create also rested on the other side of that hanger door in the Chaldean Garage.
…Except there was supposedly nothing in there, or so the disappointed Nobunaga revealed after being caught there. But D'Eon knew better than that. The geniuses have their task hidden away by whatever means necessary, which meant it was extremely valuable. D'Eon had a feeling he'd only find out later unless he took his espionage to the top level. It'd been a while since he got the thrill of doing that.
But no. He wouldn't. His top level infiltration was reserved for enemies of Chaldea. These were Chaldeans. Allies and friends of him and his queen. He wouldn't betray their trust over impatience; It would be akin to backstabbing his own country. And so he'd serve honorably and gather what he could naturally.
Still, the mind couldn't help but wonder what sort of assumed vehicle they were forging in secret.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ XIII ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
Today's benign singularity had a giant holiday carnival in town, and after Janna caught wind… Yea, the children quickly begged for most of the slots. It made for a perfect outing for Voyager to show what he could do too. D'Eon wagered Anishka was having a ball escorting them with Atalanta and Kintoki.
But they couldn't stay there forever. Hours after the deployment started, final import calls were being made; Whatever poor enemy awaited wouldn't last very long. He would've liked to fight whoever and stretch his own legs in a lovely countryside, but how was anyone supposed to say no to Jack's begging puppy eyes? The Throne of Heroes may as well make it into a noble phantasm.
"Afternoon, Asterios. Did you have a fun day?" D'Eon inquired as he strolled towards the large berserker. Standing midway along the Deployment Room's central path, the minotaur was an amusing sight. His arm was covered in colored bracelets and carnival entrance markers. His muscle top was covered in stickers, and a temporary star tattoo kissed his cheek. His swim trunks were still a bit damp, but at least they didn't drip onto the walkway.
His smile was sunshine. "They thought I was best Halloween costume!"
"That worked well in your favor. I heard you managed to squeeze on the Ferris wheel too." His enthusiastic nod was infectious.
"I wanna go back but others need help with all the supplies."
D'Eon noted the now empty, giant supply cart Asterios often shuttled with. Even with the addition of hover palettes, the berserker still wanted to help where he could. "Then I just missed the last of the fir trees?"
"Mm! Val be really happy with those," Asterios grinned. "Now carnival gifts and other goodies!"
'And contraband,' D'Eon thought glumly. As much as Chaldea had grown to trust Blackbeard with not doing sketchy things with the children, he was still a pirate. Out of their sight, he absolutely obtained whatever he wanted like his fellow buccaneers.
"Leyshift target acquired. Preparing to receive supplies."
D'eon guessed Da Vinci was letting Anton do more and more of the basic announcements, but he had little time to think about that. The room flashed brightly as the system discharged. Where the pads beneath Sheba were empty before, now they were filled with obtained crates, colorful prizes, and other memorabilia. The saber could already guess a bin overfilled with plushies was for Jack, all thanks to a mother who couldn't say no.
"Hi, hi~! We're baaack~! …Er, a few of us~!" Astolfo cried from one of the pads. His battle cape fluttered as he quickly skipped to one of the crates. "We got lots of stuff!"
"We checked Blackbeard's crate for contraband. If he has anything, it's on his person," Martha pointed out as Asterios pulled the supply cart towards them. Behind them, a train of hover palettes entered the Deployment Room with a robot guiding each. "We need to be careful with these crates. Lots of glass."
"Okay~!" the big berserker hummed as Tota brought the first crate over to his cart. "Thank you!"
"D'Eon! Is Mister Sprinkles with you?" The rider called out from somewhere among the masses of crates.
"He's probably bothering Mister Velvet in the Control Room," D'Eon answered, earning a bright laugh from the rider. "I can go get him if you'd like? …You lost something? Or you're trying to find…?"
"Nah, nah! I got it! But thanks Dee-dee!" Astolfo's voice was bright and cheery as usual. Others would perceive it as a little happier today, but D'Eon caught the suspicious wind first. The rider's sense of urgency and concern over simple supplies raised an eyebrow, and drew the saber closer. "Aw geez. Why'd they have to stack it at the bottom…"
"You need help, Astolfo?" The rider flinched as D'Eon rounded a three-high stack to find him. Suspicion grew. "Normally you're skipping off for a shower and to find Flat. Even more eager now that Sieg's here. Found something exciting?"
"Y-Yea! It's exciting!" It was an innocent question and something that shouldn't have gotten Charlemagne's paladin stuttering… unless it was contraband. "It's a surprise for some people!"
At least he hadn't told a lie yet, so it couldn't have been contra- D'Eon glimpsed movement. Between the thin cracks between wooden boards, something reflected light. The human eye wouldn't have seen it; It was a lighthouse that drew him to shore. Astolfo was growing increasingly nervous as D'Eon stepped up to the crate pinned beneath two others… and listened. "Astolfo? What exactly did you find that's so exciting?"
"Um… uh…" D'Eon didn't even listen to his explanation as his ears homed in on that very distinct unmistakable sound. A muffled mewl. Dozens of them. The sound of distressed pattering from lots of small paws. D'Eon's eyes widened in realization as he shot his gaze to Astolfo.
"You cleared this with the Director, right?" D'Eon prompted, but the rider's nervous laughter nearly made him facepalm: He didn't. They were technically contraband, but more importantly- "What were you thinking? Sneaking them in a crate!? How long were they in there? They're scared!"
That final comment made Astolfo's eyes explode with fear as Tota peered past a few crates to check out the commotion. The rider ignored everything else but his top priority. "NO! OH NO! WE NEED TO GET THEM OUT!"
Before D'Eon could even protest composure, Astolfo had bolted to his side and frantically gripped the side of the massive crate. Surprise shrieks flew from dozens of kittens as Astolfo tore the door wide and a magical seal broke revealing… The famed spy gawked at the blanket of color on the far side of the crate, and the countless eyes that stared back among comfortable blankets, water dishes, and food bags.
Then… anarchy. Pure anarchy.
Like an avalanche, a rainbow of kittens bolted out of the crate and into freedom, making D'Eon yelp in shock. "Astolfo! How many did you take!?"
"I never counted!" Multiple shelter's worth of kittens and young cats, easily over a hundred strong, were now fleeing in all direction around the Deployment Room. Martha shrieked in surprise. Tota was stuttering to find words.
"The kitty cats!" At least Asterios was really, really happy. "Cute kitties!"
For a solid minute, D'Eon could only stare in disbelief at the sheepishly grinning rider. He knew his idolized friend had made plenty of questionable decisions during his long stay, but this was easily one of the wildest he'd ever done. Smuggling contraband on this scale into Chaldea was something only the pirates did, yet… he really shouldn't have put it past Astolfo to do something like this. Nah. That perfect picture of a shining paladin had long since been grounded by the reality that was this bubbly rider.
But something wasn't adding up. How'd they get past the security checks and the Control Room's observing eyes? Well, that could be unraveled later with more pressing concerns present. The spy groaned as he walked past to survey the chaos outside of the crate castle. "I suppose it was only a matter of time…"
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean!?" His friend quickly followed… after quickly picking up a scared kitten on a nearby crate to comfort. D'Eon observed the fluffy hellscape that had become the Deployment Room. Robots were flying about trying to herd cats, but the famed saying was proving its timelessness. Tota was having a bit better luck, but every time he'd pick up one, another would wiggle from his grip: Cats were liquids. Another phrase proven true.
"Astolfo!" Martha scolded immediately as they came into view. "Have you lost your mind!? This is unacceptable behavior! Sneaking in these little dearies without notifying anyone!"
It was rather hard taking Martha's scolding seriously while she currently held two kittens carefully to her chest. One pawed gently on her arm while another looked around in confusion. It didn't take a keen observer to see her glare threatened to break down any second as she held the fluff balls. Her frown cracked for a brief smile when one of the kittens mewled for her attention.
Astolfo blinked. "… So you want one too?"
"That's not what I…!" Martha inhaled deeply to calm herself. "Ooooh…"
"We will be having a long discussion after this." Astolfo turned slowly towards the newly arrived voice. Trust Lord El-Melloi II to be in a giant chamber echoing with mewling kittens and still keep an absolute scowl on his face. With hands in his suit pocket, he glanced around, and glowered further. "The Clock Tower team is having a fit. Our UN advisers have raised concerns about the ethical transportation of these animals."
"B-But we- I-I did everything to make sure they'd be fine! Food! Water! Lots of blankets! I even put a note saying not to put the crate on the bottom but someoneignoreditandthenI-"
"Astolfo. Slow down…" the caster commanded, then slowly let out a sigh. "…It's done. They're here. We can't risk sending them back. We'll confirm none died in transportation and then figure out how we're going to fix this zoo you've doomed us with."
The caster swept his arm out to the side to prove his point. But it fell flat.
D'Eon had been silently watching the events unfold behind his back, and upon spotting the spy's astonished stare, finally turned to look. Astolfo beamed as the captured kitten tried to wiggle free from his grasp. "Oooh! Mister Sprinkles to the rescue!"
The chases had fallen to an orderly silence as young cats and kittens raced towards the center of the main walkway. Sitting proudly, Astolfo's Sphinx kitten stared over its growing formation of animals. Though the youngest ones were very fidgety and looked around, they still came up to sit before the phantasmal. After a brief minute of looking them over, Mister Sprinkles mewled approvingly. It seemed to go on an incomprehensible speech as it paced back and forth in front of them.
'I'll have to ask Kintoki or Enkidu for animal language lessons,' D'Eon asserted silently.
Lord El-Melloi II's scowl lightened. "…Right then. I guess your cat is helping you save face."
"My kitten is the best kitten~!" Astolfo cheered and struck his signature pose. The caster stared dryly at him, making the rider flinch.
"We'll still be having that talk. Da Vinci was amused, but we still have regulations for a reason. You-"
The doors opening on the far side proved the worst was not over yet. In fact, it just got a whole lot worse. D'Eon could feel the newfound dread emanating from the caster and others around him. The air had grown still. And to think, it wasn't from the black-dressed alter who stared incredulously at the army of kittens halfway between them… but rather the fluff ball at Joan's side.
A tiny, excited puppy that now wagged his tail and stuck his tongue out eagerly. D'Eon blinked. '…Right. Skyler's deployed. Means Artesia deployed. Cavall likes welcoming her back… Oh boy…'
It barked happily and charged.
And the room was chaos once again.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ XIV ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
"So in summary, it was Janna's wish after seeing all the abandoned kittens mewling at her for attention.. The elaborate plan was then spearheaded by Gabrielle with Atalanta, Kintoki, Asterios, and the other children in on it. A conspiracy at the highest levels of command, but with absolutely well-meaning intent. Quite noble of Astolfo to try and shoulder all the blame though…"
"I wouldn't have put it past him to get the idea himself, but my my~... What a story~!"
Marie giggled at D'Eon's analysis, clearly pleased with the outcome. Daintily raising her cup of tea to her lips, she sipped quietly. Her hair glimmered from a recent shower, matching the bright sheen of her silk off-shoulder dress. Her eyes opened after savoring the taste, gleaming with mirth and amusement that mirrored on the gently falling snow behind her.
Beneath the table, her Sphinx kitten mewled as it played with a yarn ball. Marie glanced down and smiled. "Awww~… Are you happy you'll have a lot of friends, my love~? We all are~! Yes we are~!"
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised Mister Sprinkles took complete charge of the situation," Sanson admitted as he continued to hand out scones. Gilles nodded to Mata Hari in thanks as she poured their tea. Mozart and Phantom sat quietly as Sanson began distributing the biscuits. "Hm… But will they behave when he's absent?"
"Further report and analysis, mon ami?" Marie smiled towards the saber. He nodded dutifully in turn. Truthfully, he loved sharing any news as much as Marie loved hearing it. It let him witness first hand the satisfaction from others' at his works' successes.
"While Fou remains the Chaldean Alpha, Mister Sprinkles seems to have cemented himself as a lieutenant of sorts. If I'm to be optimistic, he might even use his authority to teach these kittens and cats proper mannerisms. As expected of loyal subjects to a Sphinx, if we're to assume they're prideful like the Pharaohs. It's also safe to presume the other Sphinx kittens can assert the same authority, but time will be the determining factor if they will leave full command to Mister Sprinkles."
The group listened silently as he provided his daily findings. "What the council will do as consequence for the mass conspiracy is undecided, but it's safe to say they'll get off lightly, if even punished at all for an innocent and well-meaning breach of conduct. It's also safe to presume the newest arrivals will not be going anywhere to avoid inflicting further trauma. What I did learn for certain is that in response to this new event, Supervisor Delaqua has temporarily halted all orders in favor of mass-producing essentials for our new residents including cat trees, litter boxes… My queen, are you listening?"
"Oh, pardon pardon~… I was just imagining all those kittens and~…!"
"Of course she's half-listening. That's par for the course, D'Eon," Mozart quipped as Marie pouted in his direction. Phantom did his best to withhold a chuckle. "Oh my… She has that sparkle in her eyes. What are you thinking about now, Marie?"
"Oh, just the cat café idea Tamacat and I have been bouncing around~…" Marie hummed innocently. "Mmm… but we already have the salon, the club, cafeteria… Integrate it with my salon?"
"Marie, as much as I would love that too…" Mata Hari waggled her finger. "We have a very formal air here. Cat cafes are relaxed and casual. What about that empty office space in front of the library? It's not too far off so you could always go visit. Could serve as another reading spot too…"
"Or integrate the café with the library…?" Marie hummed, and D'Eon quickly suppressed a laugh. "What? What's wrong with that?"
"I just pictured Hans' outraged face at sullying his haven. Fluffy demons pushing books off shelves." The girls giggled, and it even drew a laugh out of Gilles.
"Some cats might do him some good. He's always been rather uptight," Sanson stated bluntly. "Would do well for Scheherazade's nervousness too. I think Medusa and Helena would enjoy the idea. Imagine Shakespeare pitching ideas to an audience of cats?"
"The council would need to approve any of this," Mozart countered. D'Eon wondered if the librarians would take it to a vote too. He could already picture Hans frothing at the mouth as he's outvoted.
"Oh, don't ruin our fun, Mozart~," Marie hummed as she beamed with extra rays. "These past few days have been surprisingly fun~!"
It was rather hard for the saber to gauge anymore. Despite everything that occurred, most days wound up about… average. A Chaldean average, but rather calm all things considered. Between his tasks and routine, D'Eon had the privilege to witness nearly everything that transpired. Doing it for his Queen too? That just completed everything.
"So D'Eon," Marie began again with a gossipy, eager smile that grew contagiously to Mata Hari. "How about a bit of gossip~? What have you gathered from Miss Lakshmibai?"
D'Eon smiled. "She's become very close with Anishka because of their similar fangirling, or so you've described it. I have little doubt she may fill a role similar to Medb and Suzuka for Gabrielle. And as you've had me observe, her luck is indeed very… How do I put it. It's… remarkable. It's the worst I've ever witnessed."
"Oh, the poor dear… Do you have an example?" Mata Hari raised.
"After yesterday's singularity, she played cards with the other Hindu legends to build up bonds. Besides failing to be a blubbering excited mess around her revered deities-"
"Much like Annie was~…" Marie interrupted briefly with a giggle. "Sorry. Continue?"
"She lost every round. She never even got a set of anything the entire night."
"So that's why she looked a bit disheartened," Sanson recalled.
"She was. At least until Arjuna quickly approached out of concern."
Though she'd been mid-sip, Marie's eyes opened slowly. Impatiently. She lowered her cup slowly as her smile grew very hungry. "Mon Ami~… You had my curiosity. Now you have my attention, and maybe a new mission…?"
As Sanson and Mozart sighed in unison, Mata Hari laughed brilliantly. The title gossip queen was well earned in Chaldea, especially involving potential romance. Nevertheless, D'Eon was happy it was her only scandal here. Here where she could be free and enjoy younger days as a free spirit. He was beyond satisfied in that case, but would've served again regardless.
And as much as D'Eon found eavesdropping to be a pastime, to partake in conversation among friends was one of his greatest delights. Here he could take it easy and not feel like he should dismantle and analyze every movement or sentence for hidden meanings. There was no spying here, just sharing and enjoying each other's company. A simple act and break from his normal routine that made him ultimately satisfied with life.
Yet, there was no doubt tomorrow's normalcy would offer another pinch of spice for him to see.
¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨(¯ˆ·.¸ XV ¸.·ˆ¯)¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨
Salon de Marie regularly 'closed' around ten every night. Of course the room was never locked, but that was merely a reminder the room was unstaffed and the bar was shuttered. Anyone was free to come and go as they pleased, but it always remained mostly vacant. If there was any night life at all, it would absolutely be found at Medb's casino. It sure gave a bunch of servants something to do rather than sleep aimlessly.
D'Eon was one of those who took full advantage of his heavenly body. He'd stay up reading, watching tutorials, and learning about whatever he could on his tablet. Some nights he'd do something different, like stay at the salon. On this night, soft waltz music played from his discarded device but remained quiet amid the cavernous room. Meters away on the Ballroom floor, he was a blur of elegant flourishes and precision grace.
More precisely: She was. An impulsive choice for tonight's solo practice.
Dancing had accompanied her into this new life as a favored activity. With the countless variations the modern world offered, her heart fluttered with excitement. Even just watching dancing shows and competitions got her itching to perform, yet chances were few and far between. At the very least, Astolfo, Mata Hari, or Marie would gladly be her partner when the urge grew too powerful.
But alone was fine for the night. Clad in an elegant blue tutu ensemble, but exchanging the specialized shoes for simple heels, D'Eon practiced one of her favorite dances to an empty room. One day she may get the chance to perform for others, but if not, that was fine too. So long as the hunger was sated, any chance was fine enough. As she elegantly tip-toed and twirled across the floor, the chandelier seemed to shimmer like crystal to match her smaller form below.
On the stairway balcony, clearly in view, D'Eon even missed a solid chance to glimpse the long-haired whisper watching her display.
With a smile, the ghostly beauty vanished, leaving D'Eon alone. An obvious sighting the skilled spy should not have missed at all; Except for the occasion. If there was any chance to catch her off guard, it was in these moments indulging in her love of wearing different clothes and dancing to her heart's content. And so she twirled on, uncaring of her tasks, oaths, and duties for a few moments more. Freed from her mind's constant vigilance as it too breathed gently to the classic music.
And so with one final leap and twirl, she finished her act as the clock struck two in the morning. Her mind was refreshed, and so tomorrow could bring whatever it wished. She'd be waiting to take it all in again as the days blended together in satisfaction.
Author's Note
Took a while, and to be honest this fragment felt a little off even after several checks and some revisions.
And, as stated on the main website and tumblr well ahead of time, one of the rules has been adjusted. Obviously it has because of what occurred in this fragment, but the possible servants who may appear has increased by a minimal amount. That said, it's a safe bet not to expect very many of these rule breakers considering there's only been two in the span of 2mil words.
As always, thank you very much to all those who took the time to review, favorite, and/or follow!
Special thanks to SKYS for his usual assistance and Feldres for some translation advice.
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Reminder: I do not take suggestions or requests involving the story, servants, developments, interactions, and more into any consideration. The Fragments Series has a path and outline that it is following so I have scenes and depictions preplanned. Be patient, as there are others like you who are also waiting for certain servants to appear or be spotlighted.
For Fragment insights, information, and official illustrations, head to www dot fragmentsofchaldea dot com. There are links to a Discord and a question/answer tumblr in the menu bar if you wish to ask inquiries or talk with fellow fans.
Please let me know if the discord link broke too. It has a tendency to do that from time to time.
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No idea when the next fragment will be out again. Still doing final touch us on a big project and juggling quite a few others. I'm trying to aim for late October hopefully.
Teaser: His cousin always joked he never knew what to call his luck. Terrible was a start. Maybe not as terrible as he'd always claimed, but no matter what he did, he was always dragged into something else. But what could he say? Even if someone far more capable should've been chosen to be the fourth, he'd put forth his double best despite what little he felt he offered.