"How are you feeling, Jeanne?" I asked, eyeing the sitting Ruler carefully. She looked a bit exhausted, but perhaps that was to be expected considering her ordeal. The bruises and contusions and other superficial injuries had all disappeared, which was a positive. She smiled happily at me.
"Much better than a few days ago. I think last night also helped. You have no idea how long I've waited for Mordred to finally admit that she sees me as a friend!" I couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the exasperation in the Ruler's voice.
"I was getting ready to start a bet about who would confess sooner: Mash's affections for Ritsuka, or Mordred on being friends with you." Jeanne blinked owlishly at that, before throwing her head back and laughing softly at that.
"Hopefully, Mash will make her own move soon," she finally managed, and I shrugged my shoulders. It was certainly starting to get painful watching the endearing Demi-Servant dancing around her feelings for Ritsuka, who seemed to be as oblivious to them as ever.
However, we both knew that I was here for more than just small chat, enjoyable though it had been.
"Mordred said you wanted to talk to me," Jeanne said, tilting her head to the side in curiosity with a small smile still present on her lips. I nodded, breathing in slowly before exhaling.
"That is correct. It's about the mastermind of Pseudo-Singularity C." Jeanne's smile slipped away, swiftly replaced with a slight frown.
"Was it another Demon Pillar?" I shook my head quickly.
"No, not at all thankfully. Rather, it was an old foe of ours. Someone we never thought we'd see again since Orléans." Jeanne's eyes widened slightly.
"You mean…?"
"Jeanne Alter," I said calmly. My self-proclaimed older sister sat up even straighter, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. "I actually have an answer to at least one of your questions, Jeanne. How was that possible, you may be wanting to ask?" I paused, and only continued speaking once Jeanne had recovered enough from her shock to nod her head slowly. "I'll confess, I don't fully understand it myself, but your alternate version was kind enough to give us a bit of an explanation. In a way, you can think of it as her willing herself into becoming a recognized Servant. Da Vinci or Emiya would be the better ones to give you the fully detailed explanation, of course. She also was summoned as a different class of Servant. An Avenger."
"I see," Jeanne said slowly, after a few seconds of silence. "Was she different in any other way to her Orléans version?"
"Yes and no. She was still full of anger, but she didn't seem quite as destructive. Granted, Pseudo-Singularity C didn't have people like in the First Singularity, but she seemed more focused on surpassing others. Especially you."
"To be her own person?"
"That's what I interpreted that as." I took another brief pause. "I offered her a spot in Chaldea." I wasn't sure what kind of response I would get from the Maid of Orléans. While I highly doubted it would be as aggressive as Mordred's had been, there was still the possibility.
Jeanne was a fair, if at times stern, woman. Willing to be forgiving and giving others a chance. At least, that was how she was normally. However, everyone had a breaking point. It seemed unlikely that Jeanne would be cruel or proclaim any sort of hatred towards the Dragon Witch, the newly-minted Avenger had tried to destroy the Ruler. Surely there were some feelings of hurt or bitterness towards Gilles's fantasy of the saint. To my mild surprise, Jeanne merely raised an eyebrow at me.
"Tried taking a page from Ritsuka's book?" Jeanne asked wryly. The fact that I hadn't mentioned Alter's reaction hadn't escaped her. "I take it she declined the offer?"
I shrugged sheepishly. "Yes and no. The one in Pseudo-Singularity C basically declared that she would share in the fate of her minion/friends. After she agreed to the idea." I felt my cheeks flush with color at Jeanne's raised eyebrow and unimpressed expression. "Yes, I'm beating myself up over that, thinking that I could resolve the last battle of a singularity or pseudo-singularity just by talking and negotiating. Point is, she gave me a catalyst to summon her. Just like you, in fact. Right down to it being a part of her banner," I said, pulling out the scrap of fabric.
Even after a few days, the torn section of Jeanne Alter's banner still smelt of ash and fire. I had kept it close to my person, not wanting to risk accidently losing it, and therefore being a problem. Jeanne stared at it with another few minutes of silence. Then she spoke up again.
"I see. So, you do plan on summoning her, I presume. Then what is your question, then, Master?" Jeanne asked in a kindly tone.
"What would you feel about that? I made a sworn vow that I would let her join Chaldea. However, you, more than anyone else other than Alter, deserve to have a say in the matter." Jeanne flashed me a beautiful smile.
"I appreciate the sentiment, Master." The smile faltered slightly then, though, as her brow furrowed. "Truth be told, Jacob, I'm not sure. I agree with you that everyone deserves a chance at redemption, and I have forgiven her. The question, though, is this: does she really want to help?"
"I believe so," I answered slowly. "Maybe I'm a bit compromised on the matter, though," I added with a soft sigh, sitting down on the chair beside her bed.
"Why's that?"
"Because right now, every time I think about Jeanne Alter, I can't help but think about how similar the two are. How both were turned into objects of revenge, essentially. Lied to and manipulated. I gave Mordred a chance, just like you. I say it's far more than just safe to say that we made the right call. I want to give your alternate self the same chance of finding her own happiness."
"You have a good heart, Jacob."
"So people say. The problem is, what if I'm making the wrong call? I love all of you. Not in the same way as I love Mordred, but as members of a big, chaotic family. In these past few months, Chaldea has become every bit as much a home as the one I grew up in back in America. I'm scared of failing, and somehow bringing ruin to not only Chaldea, but also our last chance at saving the world." My confession finished, I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes as I did so, my body going limp. I heard the sound of Jeanne's bed moving slightly and felt a moment later a hand resting comfortingly on my right shoulder.
Opening my eyes, I saw that Jeanne's turquoise orbs were hovering a foot away from mine. She had adopted a stern but reassuring expression.
"You once told me to give Gilles a chance, after I tried ignoring him in Orléans. I wish to give my alternate self a chance." I relaxed swiftly at her words. Before I could open my mouth to thank her, though, Jeanne continued speaking. "Master. I know you will always count on Mordred to be at your side. As your Servant, and your lover. However, don't forget that we, your other Servants, will also stand by your side. I will be by your side, little brother of mine," she said with that typical fiery determination. It was warmer than Jeanne Alter's. Like the fire of a hearth, as opposed to the roaring inferno of a dragon's fire. Something that would only burn my enemies. My enemies, and those who were foolish enough to stick their hand into the hearth. I smiled warmly, feeling my eyes grow wet ever so slightly. "Thank you, Jeanne."
"You're welcome," she said kindly.
"Do you want to try to accompany Mordred and I in greeting Jeanne Alter?" I finally said. Jeanne shook her head, however.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not sure if it is a good idea for me to be one of the first faces she sees. Especially if she may be more like she was in Orléans than in Pseudo-Singularity C, if that warning you got was any indication. I can promise you that a good chunk of the Servants will be on edge at the very least. Especially those who remember Orléans." I sighed, exhaling heavily, before nodding.
"I was afraid of that," I admitted morosely.
"My presence will only add further tension. Once Medea and Doctor Roman officially discharge me from the infirmary, I'll go and talk with Marie. I'm sure that she'll be willing to at least listen to what I have to say about the matter."
"Thank you," I said, feeling immense gratitude to my Ruler once again. Said blonde merely smiled serenely and shrugged it off, her more humble aspect of her personality kicking in.
"As your big sister, friend, and Servant, it's my duty to help you out. Besides," Jeanne paused, her cheeks becoming dusted with a light pink, "I've always wanted a little sister. Now, get going." I blinked at Jeanne's admission, but nodded and stood up. I'd have to wait another time to ask more about what she meant regarding Jeanne Alter as a little sister.
"Very well, Jeanne. I'll see you later." I then started to head towards the exit. As I opened the door and was about to walk out of the medical bay, Jeanne's voice reached my ear.
"Good luck with my little sister, Master."
"I hope you know what you are doing," Mordred said for god knows how many times. Still, as my closest Servant and romantic partner, she was understandably protective of me. That wasn't taking into account any trauma from the Greater Holy Grail War that the spunky blonde still carried.
"Me too," I muttered softly as the catalyst was placed on the platform. I gripped the switch and pulled the handle, turning on the machine, though I stepped as close to the platform as I could safely approach without blinding myself or disrupting the process.
When the lights faded away, I saw a familiar figure on the platform as I walked over to it. The catalyst had pulled through, alright.
The first Avenger of Chaldea looked much like she had when we last parted ways. This time, though, a long, obsidian-black cloak lined with dark fur around the shoulders and neck. As with the edges of the fabric of her outfit, the end of her cloak had a reddish-purple coloring to it and looked as if it had been dangling at the edge of a fire.
She had a deceptively serene expression on her face as she regarded me. I waited patiently under her scrutinizing gaze, my arms clasped behind my back in an effort to prevent myself from fidgeting. I was as nervous as I was excited, after all, and Jeanne Alter was a predator. The slighted hint of hesitation or fear, and she would exploit it for all it was worth.
At least, that was both the impression I was picking up from the Dragon Witch and what Mordred had relentlessly warned me about since breakfast this morning. After a few more minutes, Jeanne Alter finally broke the silence.
"Servant, Avenger. Summoned upon your request," Jeanne Alter said in a calm voice. In a blink of an eye, she had unsheathed her sword, the tip of which tickled my throat. I heard Mordred shout, but I gestured at her to stand down, even as I saw her summon Clarent out of the corner of my eye. I stared calmly at my newest Servant, raising an eyebrow.
"What's with that look?" She asked, tilting her head to the side, before withdrawing her sword and returning it to its scabbard. Looking back at me, she merely smirked. "So, I see you are my new Master, hm, mouse?"
"Indeed," I said with a wry smile. I barely managed to keep the expression under control as the Avenger's face twisted up in confusion. I had a fairly good idea for why that was the case. After all, not many people would brush off a potential threat against their life like the Dragon Witch had done with her sword "Welcome to Chaldea, Jeanne d'Arc Alter."
Alter harrumphed softly, looking rather unimpressed as she looked around. Finally, her eyes fixed on my partner.
"Ah, so the treacherous knight who accompanied you in Orléans is still here, hm?" Alter said in a silky tone, her eyes brimming with wicked mischief. Mordred stiffened, her emerald orbs narrowing dangerously. Still holding Clarent, the Knight of Rebellion rested the tip of her massive sword against the floor.
"Damn right, Dragon Bitch," Mordred shot back. Alter merely laughed.
"Oh, put away your claws," Alter said, clicking her tongue derisively. "The kitten is trying to be a lion like her father, I see." My eyes widened slightly. I tried to speak up but saw that it was too late. Mordred growled angrily and glared at the alternate version of her friend.
"Better a pretender than a faker," Mordred shot back, and I winced. That was low, very low for Mordred. It was also effective, as Jeanne Alter growled angrily, her yellow eyes blazing furiously.
I could have sworn that at this point bolts of electricity were darting between one another as the Knight of Rebellion and the Dragon Witch exchanged death glares at one another. Da Vinci watched the scene with equal parts amusement and anxiety, and I found myself rather relieved that she was the only other occupant in the room at the moment. If any of the other Servants belonging to Rits or I had been present, I felt highly confident that at least one person would have drawn their weapons by now.
As it was presently, there was still a heavy tension in the air, and it was up to me to try and resolve it. Breathing in heavily, I exhaled and clapped my hands together loudly, startling both of my Servants to the point that they both jumped into the air slightly. Their glares quickly swiveled on me, though with somewhat less intensity to them.
Refusing to quail in the face of their combined aggression, I continued speaking. "I don't see much of a reason to continue the introductions, save for one. This is Leonardo Da Vinci, the head of Chaldea's Engineering Department, and a Caster." The normally verbose inventor didn't respond with words, but merely tilted her head in greeting towards a slightly-calmer Jeanne Alter. Seeing my chance, I took it.
"So, who's ready for a tour?"
"So, this is the Den of Mice, huh? It feels a little…underwhelming," Alter remarked. While her words were spoken rather snidely, the underlying tone of her voice was one of curiosity. Next to me, Mordred scowled, but I merely chuckled softly.
"Well, Chaldea does have a lot of hallways," I admitted before looking over my shoulder at the Avenger. "However, there are a number of facilities currently in operation. Doctor Roman and Da Vinci are also working with both the staff and some Servants in opening up some more of the rooms. Apparently, Marie wants to start running some sort of parlor, while Spartacus wants to run a cardio course that would be available for everyone."
"I have a feeling that if I gave it a try, I'd end the day with my ears bleeding," Mordred grumbled. I winced sympathetically, both for her and Ritsuka. The Thracian Servant didn't exactly understand the concept of 'volume control', and it was tricky for Ritsuka to talk about it without Spartacus thinking that his Master was trying to turn into an oppressor. Luckily, Boudica often acted as an intermediary for the Berserker.
Jeanne Alter hummed noncommittally, neither interested nor disinterested with the concept. I felt an invisible line of sweat drip down my forehead. Christ, I knew that the Avenger was going to be prickly at best, but she was making Mordred seem downright approachable for anyone.
…Not that I would lie down and let people try to steal my knight. Or that she would let anyone do that, for that matter!
Said knight was clearly growing short on patience though, and frankly, it was rather understandable why.
The Dragon Witch had shown very little signs of interest in the various aspects of Chaldea. With each seemingly dismissive comment, I realized more and more just how difficult it was going to be to get Alter to accept everything. Was it because of how being an Avenger filled her soul with constant anger and hatred? I felt that it had to be.
Still, I also felt that I couldn't rely on trusting solely what my eyes were telling me. Or at least, for the most part. I did notice brief moments of excitement about things I mentioned in those yellow eyes of the Dragon Witch. So brief that if you blinked, you would have missed it entirely.
Still, I could tell that maybe it would be best to wrap up the tour, at least for now.
"Alright, well, let's show you to your room. Granted, there's not much at the moment, but tomorrow, I can show you how to put in orders for casual clothing and furniture. All Servants are given the ability to make themselves feel more at home, so to speak." Alter merely nodded her head, humming softly.
"I see. Very well. Lead the way. I grow tired of the kitten's constant glares, anyways."
"Watch how you talk to our Master," Mordred growled rather predictably. Alter merely cackled though.
"I see you've trained her well, Master. I just hope she satisfies you." I winced at that, while Mordred began spluttering in rage and indignation at the possible implications behind those words. Seeing her hands ball up, and sensing that she was about to summon Clarent and quite possibly attack Jeanne Alter, I once more intervened between the two.
"Mordred, why don't you go on ahead and grab us a table to eat at?" I said, subtly placing myself once more between the two Servants. Glowering silently, Mordred finally huffed and spun around, stomping away. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jeanne Alter smirking at my lover's retreating form victoriously.
My eyes snapped onto hers, glaring sternly at her. To her credit, the Avenger seemed to realize that she had pushed her needling too far and looked away in what seemed to be the closest display of shame. Whether it was over the silent reprimand or something else, I didn't know. However, I still wanted to make sure my point was made, here and now.
"Alter. There are a few rules here in Chaldea. The biggest ones are to not purposefully harm your fellow Servants, and to contribute to restoring the past. That means that I won't be turning a blind eye to serious troublemaking. Mordred and the others are your allies, and maybe even friends one day, if you give one another the chance."
"…Noted," Alter finally conceded, though I knew that matter hadn't been resolved. Only postponed. Suppressing yet another heavy sigh, I instead led Jeanne Alter down the hallway where the rooms of all the Servants summoned thus far stayed.
When we reached the room that had been assigned to the Dragon Witch, I gestured for her to go ahead as the door slid open for us. Raising an eyebrow, the Avenger did so, and took a look around the rather bland room. I was curious to find out what decorations she would order, if any.
"This will suffice," Jeanne Alter said after a few seconds. She twirled around, her fur-lined cloak dancing around her. "I believe I will call it a night, Master." I bowed my head slightly.
"It was a pleasure," I said. Even if some of it, I could do without. Especially with how the Dragon Witch seemed intent on lobbing potshots at my knight. I had a feeling that Alter was going to be in for a bit of a hard time, and she wouldn't be completely faultless in them. Still, as her Master, it was my duty to look out for all my Servants. "Do you plan on coming to dinner in the cafeteria tonight?"
Alter's brow scrunched up, but she shook her head, the curious-looking ornaments on either side of her blackened headpiece tinkling softly at the movement.
"No. I have no desire to do so." At least, not yet was my impression. She didn't have to eat as she was a Servant, but I highly doubted that the Avenger would spend her entire time in Chaldea without really leaving her room, be it for food, outfits, or just practicing her combat skills. However, as Nero once said, Rome wasn't built in a day. Snapping out of my idle musings, I noticed that the Dragon Witch was making a dismissive wave of her hand at me, as if I were the Servant. "Now, go. I'm tired of your presence, Master. Go bother someone else, hm?"
"Very well," I said, not raising to the bait like Mordred would have were the Knight of Rebellion still with us. I suspected that my best weapon would be patience here, just as the Jeanne d'Arc Alter of Pseudo-Singularity C had implied. "If you need anything, you know who to call. Otherwise, I wish you a good night."
Alter merely sniffed at that, her back turned to me, but I thought for a brief moment I could see her cheeks twitching ever so slightly. Either it was in scorn, or she was hiding a smile. Either way, I knew that it was time to go, and so I stepped out of the room, the door closing behind me.
I waited for a few minutes, walking down the hallway, before finally exhaling in sheer relief. In a selfish way, I was glad that Alter had turned in for the day. The warning she gave me before succumbing to the injuries Mordred inflicted upon her, about how the 'future her' wouldn't have any memories of Pseudo-Singularity C, had proven true. She had acted antagonistically to Mordred and me.
I shrugged it off, but by doing so, it seemed to have caused Mordred to react twice as strongly to the various taunts and needling of the Dragon Witch. For all that the Knight of Rebellion had mellowed out over the past few months, Mordred could still be rather high-strung. Not to mention her pride. A part of me couldn't help but feel that would lead to trouble someday down the line. However, all I could do was hope that never happened, but if it did, to stand by her side to the bitter end.
Not that I wouldn't have done so already. I shook my head and resumed walking after shooting one last look at the room that had been assigned to Jeanne Alter.
That went well enough, all things considered. Now, to check on Mordred…
Mordred was upset. Not at me, but at Jeanne Alter. She hadn't said a word during our entire time in the cafeteria, angrily stabbing and biting at her food. Mash and Ritsuka hadn't joined us, having noticed the foul mood Mordred was in just as they began approaching our usual table, and deciding that it would be for the best if I remained the sole handler of the matter.
My knight didn't say anything until after we had taken care of our dirty dishes and inside our shared room. Closing the door, I turned to face the blonde Saber.
"Mordred—"
"That pale-haired bitch," Mordred seethed, and I didn't fail to notice how her eyes were starting to grow wet. Not tears of sorrow, mind you (not that she would admit it, even in private). They were ones of frustration. And who could blame her? The last few encounters between Mordred and Jeanne Alter hadn't exactly been walks in the park.
At least they hadn't tried to kill one another physically this time. Small mercy, that. I exhaled softly as I tried to speak up.
"You shouldn't really listen to what she says," I began, but Mordred growled angrily.
"She implied that you weren't happy with me!" Ah, yes, that unhealthy mix of pride and insecurity. How I hated that combination, even as I love Mordred. You can love someone, and recognize their faults or weaknesses, though.
"The only way I wouldn't be happy with you is if I no longer had you by my side," I retorted rather fiercely, meaning every word. Ever since the loss of Jing Ke and Eric Bloodaxe, as well as Jeanne's close call, I had recently been having nightmares overt the idea of losing Mordred. I hadn't talked to her about it yet, or to anyone, really. And if I had my way, I never would.
I refused to let that nightmare ever become my reality. Never.
Mordred couldn't help but snort in dry amusement at the admittedly cheesy line, and I smiled. That very same expression grew as a thought popped into my mind. Words were fine and all, but Mordred and I were both people of action.
"Tomorrow, we're going to have another date." The look that crossed over Mordred's face struck me as that of a startled cat. Well, that certainly got rid of the remaining traces of frustration that her beautiful eyes had held. In its place, excitement and uncertainty began to fight one another for dominance of which expression should be shown. "We're a couple. We've had one date so far. For all the shenanigans that happened, we've both agreed that it had a wonderful ending for us. Why not try a second one?"
"I trust you have a plan?" Mordred finally asked, her arms crossed over her tube top, one blonde eyebrow finally arched. I couldn't help but blush slightly at the implications she laid bare.
"Yes. I was going to ask Iroh to whip us up something nice for dinner. Nothing quite as fancy as last time, of course. Especially with no unexpected musical performances," I said, a bit louder than perhaps necessary. However, thanks to the incident with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his enhanced hearing, there were certain topics that I wanted to make sure were conveyed properly.
To those intended and those eavesdropping alike.
Mordred looked at me with a barely suppressed expression of disappointment. "That's it?" She asked. "Just dinner?" I flashed my knight a very Mordred-worthy smirk.
"How about a movie afterwards? Doctor Roman sent me and Ritsuka a message today that several of the recreation rooms had been reopened and fully functional. I was going to arrange for us to have one so we could watch a movie on a proper TV, and not my laptop." Shortly before our last deployment, I had shown Mordred some movies. Nothing fancy, really, or anything touching Arthurian legends. Yet.
To my amusement, Mordred had developed a surprising love for movies. Not to the degree that she was obsessed with them, of course, but they were still enjoyable to the Knight of Rebellion.
Sure enough, her eyes lit up, and a warm smile graced her lips. "Alright, that sounds like a good idea. Hope you've got a good movie for tomorrow night." I smiled, walking over to my dresser to grab my pajamas. Mordred got up to get changed into her own, still smiling in that wonderful way of hers.
"You can count on me," I said. Especially since Emiya had suggested a movie title the other day…
Original Endnotes: And scene! What did you think? Did I do well with Alter's arrival at Chaldea, or needs a little work? Also, poor Mordred, Alter picking on her insecurities :( What's worse, Alter doesn't even know yet that Jacob and Mordred are dating. This can only go well...Good luck, Jeanne! Also, Jacob's expressing some self-doubt was natural to me, so I hope you enjoyed reading yet another moment where one of our main protags has low points. Thank god for Big Sister Jeanne coming to the rescue, though!
As I mentioned awhile back, I had something special planned for Chapter 100. Well, here it is: Jacob and Mordred's second date! Hope y'all are looking forward to finding out how it goes!
Now, for the question(s) of the chapter: First up, what are your thoughts so far on the latest event for FGO? Secondly, how do you imagine the second date goes?
As always, thank you each and every one of you for reading and supporting this story! I can't believe we're almost at Chapter 100! I hope you enjoyed it and please let me know down below what you thought of it. Have a wonderful rest of the week, and see you all in Chapter 100!
Updated Endnotes 01/02/23: Happy New Year everyone! Hope you are all holding on well. Just finished posting Chapter 232 on the main copy, and I wanted to make sure I posted a new chapter here as well :)