Summary: Just because she had a bad ending in life, that didn't mean Margaretha had to allow another, more innocent soul fall into the same clutches. Or, in simpler terms, the one Chaldean Master needs to stop worrying her pretty little head with Lunar New Year coming up.

Note: This was inspired by Teddog once again, specifically her stories around Mata Hari, and also encouraged by the various writers on the Fate Fanfic Cafe server, so here we go. It's about time I give Mata Hari some love.

Even if she isn't Bond 7 or above in-game for me as of this chapter's publishing (Apr. 10, 2023), she was still one of my first Assassins (summoned about 6 days into my being into the game, in fact!). The least I can do is honor her and the help she gave me as a new player. Not to mention her real life history too.

Content warning for mentioned racial slurs in the latter half by the way. Just saying.

The theme for this chapter is Mirai by Kalafina, the insert song to the first Puella Magi Madoka Magica movie. I found that the live version sung by Kalafina during their concerts really encompasses how Mata Hari tried to conduct herself. For a softer version, I'll point you to YouTube pianist joshagarrado's rendition of the song. For those of you looking for a different song? Check out the tri version of I Wish from DIGIMON Adventure. :)

Otherwise? Please enjoy!

Day 60: Flowers in Love

Margaretha knew her stance in Chaldea was a special one. Being close to its only Master and her inner circle she formed over the years despite the distinct lack of a Holy Grail was something not many Servants could claim the same of. And it wasn't even for her lack of combat ability, or her innate knack for knowing people.

No — in the end, what it came down to was simply her place as one of Vy's first Servants. Four years, was it now? Starting her tenure as a Chaldean Servant barely a week into Vy's budding career as a Master as well? It certainly felt like it had been longer, what with the Incineration, Pseudo-Singularities, and Lostbelts all taking up Chaldea's time. Add in the various events that the Servants got swept up in, it was no wonder Vy had changed.

The Vy that summoned her four years ago was timid, shyly speaking up only when prompted and a bit jumpy. Now, four years later?

"A-A ring is really nice in concept, but what would be a good design for one? Should I stick with something simple and clean? Or try to fit some utility into it?"

Watching Vy pace back and forth in her room, wearing metaphorical holes into her fuzzy bunny slippers was honestly adorable. And something that thankfully hadn't changed since their first meeting four years ago — the only difference was the context. The lack of a Presence Concealment skill wasn't even a problem for Mata Hari at this point, thanks to Vy distracting herself when racking her head to the point of making tangles in her loose brown hair. Add in the flushed pink cheeks and little Muu noises she was making every few sentences, and well. It was already becoming a much cuter show, watching Vy walk here and there while rambling to herself, hands clenching at the sleeves of her pajamas.

"Flowers? No, they won't last long. What about chocolate? No no, I already make some every year for Valentine's Day. Maybe a cake or some more trail mix…? What about homemade pasta…? Or a pie with ice cream?"

Though, as much as the sight playing out in front of her was adorable, it could only go on for so long before something gave out. Overthinking was still overdoing it.

So Mata Hari decided to gently clear her throat.

Still, not even her experience as one of Vy's first Servants prepared her for the happy surprise of hearing Vy squeal loudly in response. Something along the lines of a high-pitched "Eek" or even a "Fwah!"

She hasn't made that kind of noise since we left the original Chaldea.

It's why Mata Hari finds herself bending over from giggles once the young woman is glaring at her through scared tears in her eyes. "M-Mata Hari! D-Don't laugh! D-Did you hear everything?!"

"I-I'm sorry, dear, it's just—" Mata Hari looks up just to see Vy blushing, her lip quivering from the shock and the sudden likeness to a cherry is enough to send another peal of laughter through her Spirit Origin. "You were just so cute! I-I couldn't help it!"

"Muuuuuu! Why does everyone think I'm cute?" Vy stomped one of her slippers against the floor, pouting as her voice cracked. "I'm not trying to be!"

Mata Hari decided to leave out the thoughts that pointed to the contrary with another laugh.

The pot of tea that they share a few moments later is remarkably sweet to match the previous levity, the steam being the only thing giving Vy some composure as it blurs what Mata Hari can see of the growing blush on her face.

"So," Mata Hari starts with purpose, leveling Vy with a look that makes the girl squirm more than she was already doing, "You're trying to brainstorm a gift for Robin in honor of Lunar New Year, Vy?"

Without replying, Vy instead shrank into her seat with a soft Uuu noise, pressing her hands to her reddening cheeks. It was obvious Mata Hari hit the mark in regards to the situation.

Aww. She let herself think.

With another smile, Mata Hari presses her chin into her palms, giving Vy a loving look while pitching her outward voice to a comforting timber. "There's nothing wrong with wanting to give someone you love a gift, dear, so there's no need to get embarrassed in front of me. What kind of gift were you thinking of?"

It takes a moment for Mata Hari to hear the eventual high pitched reply drifting up past the table. "A-A ring…" A few more moments is all it takes for Vy to return via slowly sitting up in her chair, bright red still dusting her cheeks through the visible cracks of her fingers. Pink glitters past the red lotus Command Seals on her left hand and — oh. "Because, um, during Valentine's Day last year, he gave me one, and… and…" Vy's next attempts at a sentence putters off into unintelligible mumbling as she shuts her eyes and ducks her head.

Ah. No wonder. Mata Hari would've had to have been blind to miss the pink flower-shaped ring sitting against Vy's left middle finger as she continued to fidget in place. Seeing the accessory just made it all the more blatant in how much Robin loved the young woman. Even back in the original Chaldea, it was no secret — the affection they shared was obvious, so it was honestly about time they kindled it together. For someone like Robin to give a promise ring too — a rogue who previously would've preferred his relationships with no strings attached whatsoever — it showed how much his "little sparrow" truly affected him with her love.

And to see said "little sparrow" honestly blush and stammer over her thoughts about giving a return gift to her "Big Robin," it was no wonder someone like him fell in love in return.

Pure, unadulterated sincerity had a way of melting even the most roguish of hearts, after all.

"Let me guess," Mata Hari makes a show of waving a finger in the air to catch Vy's attention, thankfully dragging her out of whatever haze had taken up her head to stare in surprise, "you're unsure of what design to make for it?"

Vy flushed scarlet. Then she picked up her teacup, took a long and shaky slurp of the liquid inside, and murmured a higher-pitched, "A-Aye."

Oh my. Mata Hari felt her own smile turn a bit weak. "Have you considered his ring size yet, dear? Before thinking of the design, I mean?"

The color on Vy's cheeks didn't look like it wanted to recede anytime soon. If anything, the red increased its surface area in response to Mata Hari's questions, her wide brown eyes all but spelling out her answer. "…Oh no," Vy mumbled soon after, her voice cracking more over the rim of her teacup. "Oh no, ohno, howamIsupposedtoask~?! ThisisharderthanLunarNewYearwishes!"

Awww, Mata Hari thought again. Then, her mind added, You are so lucky to have such an earnest girl love you, Robin. Outwardly, she covered it up with another laugh. "There's nothing wrong with that, dear, it's just another avenue to consider. And, if you'd like," Mata Hari leaned over to poke Vy's forehead teasingly, lowering her voice to a matching, "I could help?"

Surprise didn't even rush through her veins once Vy mumbled a squeaky, "Yesplease."

Adorable, was all Mata Hari had to conclude on the subject. Robin is very much blessed.

"Robin?"

The green Archer didn't startle when Mata Hari approached him from behind, merely continuing his work of fine-tuning another bolt for the Yew Bow while grunting at her in greeting from over his shoulder. The sandpaper made soft scraping noises against the newly forming red arrow shaft as he worked on it through his green gloves, matching his careful voice of, "What brings you here, Sis?"

"Oh, just a whim," Mata Hari waves the topic off easily, ignoring the questioning look Robin absently tosses her way in favor of peering over his head at his little workshop. "Wanted to stop by." And it was the truth, even if not the full truth. Compared to the stations that both Da Vinci Caster and her younger Rider self manned through all the Mana Prisms (and the occasional Rare Prism) Novum Chaldea gathered, Robin's personal desk was (curiously) a lot less messy. Peeks of the desk wood were obvious through the modest piles of arrow shafts, arrowheads, and the occasional feather tufts scattered past his arms as he continued to work, and Mata Hari felt an intrigued smile form on her face. "Are you overpreparing again?"

At that quip, Robin put down his sandpaper and half-formed arrow to sigh, bobbing his head back and forth between his shoulders in thought before turning one unamused eye back in her direction. The fact that he didn't tug on the No Face May King that was draped over the back of his chair was enough of a victory in Mata Hari's book. "I won't deny 'overpreparing,' Sis," he continues in the same quiet voice from before, a hint of exasperation leaking into the sound, "but did you need to go that far?"

Mata Hari shrugged her shoulders with a brighter smile. "It's the truth, isn't it?"

"What am I supposed to say to that…" Robin sighed again, shaking his head while tapping the table with a long gloved finger. The gesture was enough to expose the slightest hint of shadows under his eyes, even past the fringe of his hair, and it made Mata Hari pause.

When has he started looking like that? Because of the Lostbelts? Or because of—

"…Is there something on my face?" is the quip that startles Mata Hari out of the spell she found herself in. The light in Robin's green eye looks suspicious, but there's an uncharacteristic glimpse of sympathy too as he meets her gaze. "Or did you get lost in your thoughts, Sis?"

Mata Hari did her best to shrug. "You could say the latter," she murmured with her best smile, but she knew it wasn't meeting her eyes once Robin turned in his chair to give her his full attention. "Enough about that. I had a question for you."

"Alright then…" One of Robin's brows rose against his forehead, but he still relented with, "Shoot."

"May I borrow one of your gloves?"

The question was enough to deepen the suspicion in Robin's eyes as he met her gaze, his eventual reply being a slow and careful, "…Why?"

"Call it a favor to someone we both know." Mata Hari clapped her hands together to smush any distrust lingering in the air while widening her smile. "No scheming here, Robin."

"But that's a long list of people, Sis, not to mention it sounds like you're still planning something…" Yet to Mata Hari's surprise, Robin merely crossed his arms and then jerked his head towards the one dresser he had in his room. "As long as you bring it back, feel free to raid the drawers."

"Stealing it was not in the plan," Mata Hari teases anyway to cover up her shock, but she shoots him a grateful smile while striding over to the dresser in question. "Any preferences as to what I can't take?"

Without hesitation, Robin turned back to his half-made arrow, absently waving a hand in Mata Hari's direction. "Poison and traps, basically. Otherwise, you're fine."

Typical Robin. Overpreparing even in his assigned room, even when there was supposed to be a lull of peace before the barrier to the next Lostbelt could be broken.

The light in the central workshop would've been menacing if not for the following coo: "Alright then, mia bella, try putting the glove on."

"O-Okay…" Vy was still blushing even as Mata Hari carefully slid the glove she found over Vy's tinier hand for the fitting. As expected, the green fabric was loose and a bit stretchy thanks to it being accustomed to a larger hand size, but it seemed to be enough for Da Vinci Caster because she pulled out a roll of measuring tape to unravel and wrap around Vy's middle finger. It didn't stop Vy from squeaking out, "But um, is using me as the model really necessary, Da Vinci?"

Da Vinci tugged at the loose green glove with a grin. "Nope!" Without skipping a beat, she added with one more tug of the measuring tape, "The glove would've been enough!"

"R-Really?!" Vy flushed a darker red thanks to Da Vinci's immediate response, nearly bolting out of her seat if not for Mata Hari holding onto her free hand. "Th-Then why—"

Da Vinci only tossed one look in Mata Hari's direction, and Mata Hari knew. It was why she wasn't surprised at Da Vinci answering in a sing-song voice, "Because you're cute, cara mia!"

With a start, Vy proceeded to make a noise akin to a steaming tea kettle from the back of her throat thanks to Da Vinci's words, ducking her head with an accompanying, "Whyyyy…?" A single second passed before the embarrassed young woman choked out, "I'm not trying to be cute, I swear…"

"Doesn't change how you are, more so thanks to you not intending it," Da Vinci hummed, extending the circle of tape she made around Vy's finger to roughly estimate the diameter of the glove opening where Robin would've been using had he been wearing it. In a suddenly darker voice, Da Vinci then added, "The day someone else denies that and instead claims the contrary is the day they die."

Mata Hari couldn't help but mentally agree when her mind suggested the Crypters as a supporting thought, even when feeling Vy tense through the grip she had on the young woman's hand. "A-Are you being serious, Da Vinci-chan, or not…?"

"Who knows~!" With one bop of her head to break the tension, Da Vinci continued to hum a tune under her breath, enough to make Mata Hari start to hum along too as she started stroking the back of Vy's knuckles. "Just go along with this, cara mia. Besides, this Eternal Genius needs to see more of her favorite flower! This test fitting is giving me the perfect excuse!" Under her breath, Mata Hari could barely make out Da Vinci muttering past her measuring tape, "Wasted on Robin, I'd say…"

Vy closed her mouth with a soft Meep, and Mata Hari let herself laugh for the first time since leaving Vy's room to help with this Lunar New Year plan. That was one factor out and accounted for, at least.

Following Vy soon after had Mata Hari almost feel guilty.

Emphasis on almost.

Because even if Vy had worked out the ring design (a simple silver band with carved vines and a small green leaf jewel in the center — all very considerate of her) and a modest knee-length pink dress (with a bright lacy magenta sash and matching orchid flower accents too, how fitting!) to wear for finding her beloved green Archer, there was a part of Mata Hari that couldn't help but worry.

Because not everyone who dedicated themselves to the people they loved were rewarded. Sometimes, those very same people that one dedicated themselves to would dish out the worst of betrayals as a perverted gift in return. Just because they didn't feel the same, or even go so far as to say they didn't care anymore.

Mata Hari — Margaretha — knew that firsthand from life.

It's why she sends her best mental apology to the young woman through their bond as she follows a few paces behind her, carefully concealing her own steps as Vy tossed her head back and forth, her side ponytail batting her neck from the motion. "Where's Big Robin…?" The lotus ribbon clip holding her ponytail together shined a gentle pink to match her growing concern as she kept walking forward, the soft side-nod she gave to Mata Hari being the only thing easing the weight on Mata Hari's chest as she kept following. "If I'm right, then maybe…"

It didn't take long for Vy to approach one of Novum Chaldea's many simulator rooms (albeit one of the smaller ones thanks to the lack of a control booth), and a glance at the nearby control panel connecting to the door had Mata Hari come to the same conclusion before Vy voiced it.

"Ah," Vy says, and without hesitation, she raised her left hand — pink flower ring, red lotus Command Seals and all — to press against the panel. Doing so had the door give way to a giant and lush forest inside, one that wouldn't be in Novum Chaldea normally, but the simulator was still a simulator. A place to bring back landscapes that didn't exist anymore with Proper Human History currently in jeopardy.

Considering the distinct lack of green foliage out on the surface of the currently Bleached Earth, it made sense as to why Robin chose this simulator scene to hide away in for a break. Still—

Without hesitation, Vy gripped the box that held the gift ring inside close to her chest, took a breath, and stepped into the foliage standing in front of her. Grass stains and bugs apparently were the last things on the young woman's mind.

Well then. With no beats to spare, Mata Hari stepped through too.

"Robin? Big Robin?" Vy's footsteps were petite and barely heard in spite of her not wearing any Mystic Code-related footwear, having relegated herself to short platform sandals instead as grass crinkled underneath. Her voice could've resembled that of an innocent schoolgirl as she went on with a louder, "Where are you?"

Mata Hari was tempted, so so tempted, to call out too, just to help Vy in finding her beloved, but she didn't get the chance to seriously consider the option once her ears caught it.

…Tree rustling?

Vy looked up just after Mata Hari raised her head, both of them catching the sight of a green-gloved hand peeking out past the leaves to wave at them. Even without being at her side, Mata Hari knew Vy was smiling because she picked up her walking pace, jogging as best as she could through her modest platforms to approach the tree in question. "Big Robin!"

"Ah man… No need to call out for me so loudly, little sparrow, I can hear you…" A yawn followed the sentence soon after, confirming to Mata Hari that Robin most definitely started up the simulator for a nap amongst the trees. It was definitely like him to sleep up in the trees, especially with the lull of peace Novum Chaldea found itself in. Once more rustling echoed in her ears, Mata Hari could see Robin's familiar Lincoln green emerge from the branches up above as he then jumped down, eliciting a quiet Eep from Vy once he landed in front of her.

Despite the initial surprised reaction, though, it didn't stop Vy from beaming up at him as he straightened his back to face her. Even her usual happy cry of "Hi, Big Robin!" was enough to lighten the mood, since Robin's visible cheeks became dusted with a faint pink as he met her gaze not even a second later. "I found you!" Vy goes on to say with a small jump, rocking back and forth on her sandals with pride. If Mata Hari didn't know any better, it was as if the Chaldean Master had reverted to a child who had just found the biggest Christmas present.

Awww, Mata Hari thought fondly.

"Y-Yeah, you did," Robin coughs, clearing his throat after a moment, and Mata Hari ducks behind another nearby tree trunk to keep an eye out. The pink didn't seem to want to disappear from Robin's cheeks anytime soon. Mata Hari felt herself smile at the sight because of how rare it was. "Did you need something, little sparrow? With the dress and heels and all?"

"K-Kinda!" Now Vy's the one blushing, and thanks to her hair being tied up, Mata Hari can see the incoming flush color her cheeks, ears, and even some of her neck as Vy goes on with a higher pitched, "I know you just woke up from a nap, but um. C-Could you just close your eyes for me?"

Awww, Mata Hari thought again.

Robin blinked, his visible eye narrowing for a moment from disbelief before relaxing. "You're not… You're not planning something, little sparrow, are you?"

"In response to that," Vy said hastily, still hugging the gift box that started the whole situation tightly to her chest, "I-I can safely say there's no poison or ambushes or any assassinations of any kind! It's a 'no-death-involved' kinda plan!"

If it was anyone aside from me following you, Vy, yes, Mata Hari agreed past the respect and admiration coursing through her veins. Because that was the unfortunate truth, if they all were in a regular Holy Grail War. Still—

"Vy…" Robin said softly.

Vy shut her eyes, hunching her shoulders. "P-Please, Big Robin?" Despite the louder volume, her voice came out plain and tentative, pleading even as she hugged the gift box to her chest to conceal it from Robin's eye. "Just this once? I'll tell you what's going on once I'm done."

Robin tilted his head back to look up at the simulated sky, the pink receding from his face to reveal the slightest hint of weary shadows under his eyes before he slowly faced their shared Master with a wry smile. "…Alright," he allowed, letting his arms fall to his sides once he closed his eyes. "Just don't tackle me or something, little sparrow."

The cheerful "Aye!" that leaves Vy's lips is such a stark contrast to the careful motions that follow, because Mata Hari can do nothing but watch in a mix of pride and awe as Vy carefully loosened her grip on the gift box, opening the thing to reveal the ring inside. Robin visibly twitched once Vy took his right hand (fingerless green glove and all) in both of her own, removing the silver ring from the box to slip onto his middle finger. (She even took the extra time to fold up part of his sleeve so that it wouldn't bunch up from the new intrusion too. Aw.)

The green leaf jewel center of the accessory reflected the artificial sunlight up above them all just as Vy paused, considering something. Then, to Mata Hari's surprise, Vy tugged on Robin's hand while standing up on her tiptoes through her heels to close the distance.

The kiss that follows is very much innocent and chaste, not pressing enough for tongue to be involved, but even from Mata Hari's vantage point, she could see Robin's eye open wide at the touch as Vy leaned into him shyly. The platform heels barely helped her in keeping up with his height, the grip she had on his right hand being the main factor in keeping him close before she eventually let go — apparently long before Robin even considered reciprocating, no thanks to the awestruck look on his face.

Awwww.

Once Vy takes a few steps back, lacing her fingers behind her sash, Mata Hari can see the blatant embarrassment on the young woman's face as she draws a careful line in the grass with one heel.

Robin put his right hand to his mouth, clearly reeling as he said, "V-Vy?"

"I-I'm sorry…" Vy fidgeted in place as her fingers fumbled with the empty gift box behind her back. "M-Maybe I should've asked before kissing you, but I kinda wanted to kiss you after all the times you've kissed me…" The look on Vy's face is a mix of embarrassment and joy as she meets his eye, her smile equally hesitant as she raises her right hand to point at her middle finger. "And just, um, I couldn't help but want to give you something for the Lunar New Year too…"

"L-Little sparrow, we've kissed plenty of times, you don't have to ask now. Besides, isn't Lunar New Year a day for family members to give you someth—" Robin cuts himself off once his eye falls to his own gloved right hand, the silver band finally registering on his person as his shoulders tensed. "…Vy?" Red started to climb up his neck as the green leaf jewel on his knuckle glowed. "This is—"

"I-I felt bad about not getting you anything after you gave me my ring!" Vy blurts out, rubbing at the pink flower jewel on the accessory in question with a shaky hand as she continues to fidget. "A-And I know I'm not the best at receiving gifts, but it really didn't feel right leaving you with just chocolate on that Valentine's Day… S-So I worked with Mata Hari and Caster Da Vinci to give you something in return! W-With some overall debuff resistance, critical damage boosters, and minor healing all shoved in for good measure, j-just in case!" Pointedly averting her gaze from Robin's, Vy pursues her lips, her heel starting to draw a shaky circle in the grass behind her. "Because, because you've always been there for me, Robin. Just as much as my family. A-And I want to be there for you."

Robin lowered his hand, opening his mouth but then closing it without a word. The look in his green eye, at least from Mata Hari's perspective, appeared thoughtful and surprised all at once.

"It's not just when you first answered my summons." The words leave Vy in a rush, matching how she laced her fingers together awkwardly in front of her chest, squishing the empty gift box in-between her palms. "Your stories gave me an important lesson I still try to remember. Something I still try to live by, because you told me when I was little that kindness mattered, even when others tried to call me things like 'blabbermouth' or 'Asian hoe' or even 'fancy disrespectful bitch' when I chose to stay quiet in confrontations."

Mata Hari felt her heart stop, her mind's eye making her see the inside of a courtroom and gun barrels for a split second before she shook her head, blinking rapidly to wipe the images away. 'Asian hoe'? 'Fancy disrespectful bitch'? That can't be right. Did she really say—

Robin opened his mouth again, his brow furrowing against his forehead as both his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides. "Vy…"

"Wh-What I'm trying to say is," Vy fumbled with her hands, ducking her head, "even when the Lostbelts are still chock full of bad times, you stayed through them all. More than the Robin Hood I grew up with, surpassing him and more." It takes a moment, but Vy eventually raises her head to look at Robin and Robin alone through the few stray hairs that fall out of her side ponytail. The flushed expression on her face is filled with nothing but gratitude and adoration as she eventually blurts out, "So, um, if you're okay with a clumsy and shy Master like me, could you wear that ring until we can actually get m-m-married? Because, um, it's made to be for the Big Robin I fell in love with. The Big Robin who continues to protect me and who's standing in front of me right now."

Mata Hari had to physically cover her mouth with both hands to hold in the happy squeal that was threatening to burst out of her throat.

Robin merely blinked at his "little sparrow," a darker red creeping up his cheeks before he ducked his chin into his mantle, tugging at an edge of it with a soft chuckle. "Wow. What a speech," he murmurs quietly, in a hoarse raw voice that Mata Hari's never heard before, and he then reaches over with both arms to take Vy into them for a tight hug. Over the young woman's surprised squeak, Robin chuckled again as the gift box that started it all fell at his feet. "How could I say 'no' to a selfless little sparrow like you?"

Vy shifted in Robin's embrace, a matching red coloring the tips of her ears as she pressed her hands against his chest, doing her best to look up at him. "S-So then it's…?"

Robin nodded, tightening the hug. It's only thanks to Mata Hari's skills of knowing people that she can read Robin's lips murmuring a whole slew of inaudible words like, "You make me so happy, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me, I love you so much," into the crown of Vy's hair. Words that were clearly the truth once he tipped Vy's face up with his right hand for him to lean in for another kiss.

With a tiny relieved sigh, Mata Hari slipped away.

I didn't need to worry after all.

Once Mata Hari's returning to Robin's room the next day, she's not surprised to find a smirk on the green Archer's face as she enters, borrowed glove in tow and all. "So," he starts plainly, drumming his fingers against his desk (for once not cluttered with arrow fragments and instead occupied by a small stack of books), "I heard you had a hand with some recent events, Sis?"

"Some," Mata Hari allows with a giggle, walking past him to reach his dresser, pulling out one drawer to fold up and drop off the borrowed glove. "It was all Vy's idea in the end. Da Vinci just executed the design and I helped with the measurements. Besides," and no, that wasn't playful dryness at all there in her voice, "I couldn't exactly ask you, 'what's your ring size,' without sounding suspicious, could I?"

"Fair…" And Robin stops his drumming once Mata Hari closes the drawer with a thump, propping his chin up on his right hand enough for Mata Hari to see the glint of silver past the green glove there instead. The leaf jewel must've been concealed by his glove per his usual preferences. His visible green eye still sparkles as he adds, "Is there anything else you have planned then, Sis?"

Well. Since he asked…

Mata Hari shot him a more modest smile, taking a steadying breath before opening up some of her heart. "…Perhaps allowing Charles to talk to your little sparrow? Through a checkup, maybe?"

The sparkle in Robin's eye disappeared as quickly as it had arrived, being replaced with visible concern as he straightened his back against his desk chair. "Sanson?" he echoed in disbelief, his voice disclosing raw worry and barely hidden apprehension. "I know Salem was hard on all of us who went there, Sis, but wouldn't letting Vy meet him be risky?" A frown covered his face. "It's been about a year, if not more. Turning that over could be—!"

Mata Hari raised a hand in his direction, interrupting him with a quieter, "I know, Robin. And it's because it's a risk that we may need to let such a meeting happen for Vy's well-being. Especially with the upcoming British Lostbelt."

Past wounds can't stay untouched forever.

And neither Charles nor Vy deserved that in the end.

Robin fell silent at that. The look in his green eye darkened with foreboding as he murmured, "…She could cry again."

Mata Hari nodded, feeling the smile on her face crumble at the thought. Her mind's eye immediately brought up the image of a shorter-haired, red-faced, teary-eyed Vy from one night in Salem as she murmured, "…I know."

"And you still want them to talk it out?" His gaze was clearly spelling out, Even after achieving some happiness?

"I already suggested it to Chiron and Asclepius beforehand, and they both agreed. Letting them talk now is better than letting the wounds fester and possibly spill over later when we need all the help we can get." With a glance at the ring on Robin's finger, Mata Hari held back a sigh. "You would know that best after finding Vy in the simulator that one time with Arturia and Achilles after Olympus, wouldn't you, Robin?"

Robin flinched, lurching back in his seat before he crossed his arms over his chest. Closing his visible eye, he leaned back into his chair, tilting his head up towards the ceiling. "…Sometimes, every now and then, I wish I didn't. Finding her like that still hurts after all the times she's believed in me." With a shake of his head, he pressed a single index finger to his brow, giving Mata Hari a look past his hand. "But you're sure about this?"

The next smile Mata Hari finds on her face feels a bit stronger, more determined to match the warmth of their shared Master as she nodded. "I am, as long as you're alright waiting on her in the aftermath like I'm assuming you will?"

"Damn straight I'm waiting on her," Robin agreed with a quiet snap of his fingers and a determined smirk to match Mata Hari's smile. "Wouldn't be a good Servant if I left my little sparrow alone." A faint flush re-emerged on his cheeks as he went on with a smaller, "Engagement notwithstanding. Still wondering how I should face her parents when that day comes, considering how much they sheltered her before Chaldea came into the picture…" Then, to Mata Hari's surprise, he let out a resigned sigh, ducking his chin into the bundle of No Face May King sitting around his neck. "Speaking of which, you actually just reminded me of a favor I meant to ask of you, Sis."

Mata Hari blinked, dropping her smile to give him her full attention. "What is it?"

"Call it a hunch, but if you see Vy crying at all in the hallways in the next few days, could you help get Saber and Rider for me?" The grin Robin wears at that moment is wry and dead serious at once, catching Mata Hari off guard as she continues to meet his gaze. "Not to throw shade at my fellow Grailed, but our Alter Ego friend — Meltryllis?" Robin pointedly grimaces after saying the name, but he still goes on to finish with a lighter, "She was asking me earlier about joining in on a simulator training session with Lip and, er…" He coughed into his fist. "Since it's Lip, I want to make sure everything's set in case the worst comes to pass."

Ah. That explained his foreboding and his grim determination. It was no secret that Lip — Passionlip — had bad blood with Robin for reasons the green Archer didn't seem to want to divulge anytime soon. If her sister — the ever sadistic Meltryllis — wanted to try mending that in her own odd way to help Vy, Mata Hari could see the logic behind it. It didn't make the concept any less concerning and an ironic echo of her own idea to help get Charles out of his recent funk that's been going on since being summoned back into Novum Chaldea.

"…I'll make sure to keep an eye out," Mata Hari agrees after a moment, nodding her head. "I did hear something about Ushiwakamaru wanting to have a training session with Vy before then, so I can prepare with Arturia and Achilles if you're busy."

Robin sends Mata Hari another smile and it takes her a moment to realize it's the first weakened, raw, and emotionally-vulnerable smile she's ever seen him make. "…Thanks, Sis." With one last shrug of his shoulders through the No Face May King, he gets up from his chair to stretch his arms in the air. "As much as the little sparrow loves me, there's only so much one bowman can do. Better to ask for help now rather than later."

Mata Hari giggles before she can stop herself. "Speaking as the chivalrous knight you've become?"

Robin sighed, lowering his hands and tossing his head up towards the ceiling. "Nah, nothing that fancy. Just speaking as a single man who wants to protect the one girl who's always given more than a damn about him."

The subsequent smile that forms on Mata Hari's cheeks doesn't hurt her face as much as before, just as she strides over to rest a gentle hand on his elbow. "I understand." And she really does. "I'll get Arturia and Achilles in the worst case scenario with Passionlip so long as you help me call Nezha and Marie to keep me company when Vy eventually meets with Charles to air out the old flames, Robin?" Her voice comes out quiet as she voices, "It's lonely waiting by yourself."

Surprisingly, Robin sent her one last remarkably confident smirk. "Funny you think you'd be waiting alone when you have a family here, Sis, but sure." He offered her more of his arm to hold onto as he faced the door leading out to the rest of Novum Chaldea. "Let's just go get our little sparrow? It's about time for her daily nap and I'm coincidentally on shift to fetch her today."

At the honest mention of "family," Mata Hari found herself beaming. "Let's."

Because for all of his brash exterior, Robin was right.

With Vy at the center of Chaldea, Mata Hari truly felt like she was a part of a bigger family of her own choosing.

And this time, in this lifetime, holding onto Robin's arm as he "escorted" her out, Margaretha knew she never wanted to let go.

Author's Note: For those devoted readers who were reading closely, yes — this chapter/"Day" is supposed to take place before Days 55-59, with the timeline basically going in this order:

1) This chapter being Day 60 (during Lunar New Year 2023, which for me was between January 22 and February 6) — it was supposed to go about showing how Robin got his silver ring. While making a reference to the current JP exclusive "Buddy Ring" Command Codes.

2) Day 58 with Kiichi Hougen — the reaction to her proposal was so strong thanks to coming after this.

3) Days 55 and 56 with Passionlip — it helps explain how Arturia and Achilles got to Vy so quickly after Robin despite not showing up in the first half of Day 55. Robin essentially sent the mental signal to Mata Hari and the other Grailed to get things ready before shit really hit the fan.

4) Day 57 with Mash and the kouhai-versary after Valentine's Day.

5) Day 59 with Sanson — past me wasn't able to show how he was able to head Vy's checkup from fatigue, so the current me wanted to rectify that.

Let it be said that writing all this made me realize this is one of the few times the episodic nature of Passing Days was both a pro and a con. Because this chapter was supposed to be a White Day thing if not for where it's supposed to be in the timeline, so oops.

Oh, and the content warning racial slur and other insults Vy mentioned in her long spiel? Those were actual things strangers have called me when I've been using the trolley to go to work. One African-American lady even threw her Monster can at my feet when calling me a "racist, disrespectful bitch who is no way an angel of God" for not responding to her "God blesses you." While puffing cigarette smoke in my face and circling around me like I was a bit of trash under her foot. And I was quietly standing by myself with my mask on, waiting for the next trolley to come by — not really up for conversation. So. That's a thing. Funny how people pull the race card when it's most convenient to them.

Otherwise, I'm tuning out to rest while reading the raw Salem manga volumes I have at home. I'll see you all at the next update.