Warning: Domestic Fluff, OOC

Chapter 3: Cat Girl Meet Cat Lover

(Set between Chapter 6 and Chapter 7 of Red Dragon of Apocrypha)

"Rider! We are not going to trouble Saber and her Master!" Snapped Atalanta.

Honestly, why did Achilles insist them to meet up at some random spot where Saber and her Master would likely used to have lunch? Them all except Assassin, Caster, and Assassin's Master. It's kinda weird that only Karna and her who are "invited" to it. Karna refused since he was tasked to guard location where Assassin build her fortress and do double checks.

Though she agree inviting Caster along would made things end up in tears, anguish, and at least one Servant taken out before the war starts.

"We are not troubling them." Replied Achilles. "They stated we had open invitation to join. Come on sis, at least you have to see how they looks like. Who knows you will meet them again at random time?"

"So pray to Olympus why we are interfering their lunch?"

"Because the little miss of Master are usually locked herself in her makeshift workshop to create something. And Saber would gone to forest to practice some swordsmanship. Ambitious pair, those two."

He had seen Mordred practice katas diligently. From ones she knew to ones she learnt from Naomi's memories. And when he said katas, he means not only swordsmanship but also martial arts movement. Though he doubt she could master those in time. That sort of thing requires muscle memory which means lots and lots of training in long time.

"Geez."

Sighed, they entered the hotel where Naomi is staying, which "conveniently" the staff are out for lunch dates or stuff. The Servants of Red find Naomi was busy preparing some ingredients while Mordred was nowhere on sight.

"Master of Saber?" Atalanta had to do double take. Why? Because in her eyes the Master is just a child—well, a teenager actually. With really long hair it past her knees and that was being tied in high ponytail. But still a youngster for her sense.

Atalanta wished she would never crossed path with her. She can't kill a child. Nu-uh. She can't and won't kill a child even if her life depends on it.

Naomi looked at her in annoyance. "...I don't know why but I have the strangest feeling you had just insult me without meaning to do so." She said in an annoyed tone.

Whoops. It seems no mater what time period it is, no kids like to be reminded that they are just a kid.

"Hey Naomi," Atalanta stared at Achilles incredulously. First-name basis already?! Seriously? Please don't tell her he's planning to hit on her. This Master is just a child compares to Achilles' age! "Where's Saber? I don't see her anywhere?"

"Going fishing. She want fresh fish today."

"Seriously. Man, you should've told me. It has been too long since last time I've been fishing."

"...I'll take you to hunt some deer tomorrow. Having some variance in meat selection is good. And it's not like the locals will realize it if we just hunt one or two deer."

"Good."

Archer... seriously felt like an outsider, the third wheel, because she feels left out from the conversation. Not only she has almost no idea what they are talking about, but also because she's struck at odds with Naomi. Achilles easily struck camaraderie with her while Atalanta tried to treat her as child... and got caught up.

Radar much, huh?

"Hey, Maste~r" Mordred coming in by kicking the door open. "Look at what I brought back!" In her hand is several fish tied with a makeshift rope out of fishing rod's string.

"Nice." Naomi nodded. "Think you can clean them up?"

"K!"

Achilles was about to moved to the chair and sit there, when Atalanta pinched his ear. "Owwww what's that for?!" He hissed at her.

Have night invulnerability doesn't means he's immune to pain.

"You don't just sat there and waiting like a goddamn lazy bum. Help them!" Atalanta hissed back. Achilles sulkily went to Mordred and helping her clean the fish, having been taught how to do it properly. The Archer rolled her eyes and went to Naomi. "Can I help?"

"Hm? Sure." Looking at ingredients, Naomi then called out to the other two Servants. "If you can fillet these fish please do so. I'm thinking about baked Greek fish dish."

"Coming right up!" Cheered Achilles.

Well, Atalanta can't blame him. It's not like his time period had baking fish recipe. Of course he want to know how good it taste. To be honest she, too, want to know how a baked fish would taste like.

"Well then, what should we do?"

Twitch

"Onion, Olive Oil, Paprika, Pepper, Oregano... are you familiar with these herbs?"

"I never knew the name but I recognize the shape and smell. Especially pepper."

Swing

"Got into sneezing fit?"

"You bet I am. I think someone cursed me."

Laugh.

Twitch twitch

"Are you old enough to drink wine?"

"It's actually ingredients, not beverage."

Twitch, swing

"Oi Saber." Achilles called, annoyed, "Watch where your knife goes to... hey! Do you hear me?" He almost shouted at the blonde who, instead focused on cleaning the fish from scales and fillet it, was too busy stare at something... or rather, someone. Her knife nearly peel Achilles' skin, thankfully the [Blessing] had prevented that, but it's still annoyed Achilles greatly. "Hey! Why are you looking at Sis like that?"

No answer.

"Err... Hello? Anyone home? Gaia to Saber, do you hear me?" He waved a hand in front of Mordred's face. It seems to worked.

"What do you want?" She snapped.

Achilles deadpanned. "Look at what you tried to skin." He pointed at Mordred's knife, which was almost touching Achilles' hand.

"Oh." The Saber blushed and resume her work, but once in few minutes, she sneaked a glance at Atalanta, who was paying attention to impromptu cooking lesson. Unaware of the stare. It drives Achilles crazy that he throw up his hands and do all the work by himself. Otherwise, instead lunch, it'll be dinner!

Fillet fish done, no thanks to Mordred, now's time to cook.

But, first thing first...

"What's wrong with your Servant?" Hissed Achilles at Naomi, pointing his finger at Mordred who is intent watching Atalanta cooking the sauce ingredients while waiting for the oven to be hot enough.

Naomi looked between two girls back and forth like one would do in watching tennis match, beore a grin coming to her face.

"Long story short, Saber have an... affection, you could say, to felines. Mainly cat." She explained. "And Archer is part-cat for some reasons so..."

Oh, Achilles now also have cat-like smile on his face.

"Got any snack?"

"Got the drink too."

"Sweet."

Internally cackling, both continue what they should do. Achilles helped (read: forced) Mordred setting the table and get the drink, while Naomi helped Atalanta put the fish into the oven.

"Now, we just have to wait for 30 minutes."

"I see," Atalanta nodded, "it's very simple nowadays, no?"

"It is." Naomi smiled and ushered her to sit while waiting for the fish to cook. Her "smile" resembling Zelrech when he was in pranking mood. Now...

/GLOMP/

"FUNYAAAAAA!"

...they don't have to wait for long.

Mordred finally can't hold herself back. Her patience and self-control never been the best to begin with. Coupled with Atalanta seated next to her while Naomi sat next to Achilles (and wasn't that a set up?), and some alcohol, her self-control finally snap and she glomped Atalanta while petting those cat ears.

"Kitty!"

"GET AWAY FROM ME YOU CRAZY BITCH!"

Achilles and Naomi raise their glass and watching the fireworks. The later also snap a picture of this.

"Sensei is sooo going to get kicks out of this."

TBC

Re-watch Fate Apocrypha and saw Mordred chasing a cat on the background. Get inspired to write this chapter.