Summary: Just because the Lion King's Camelot has disappeared, doesn't mean all the wounds incurred in her wake have been resolved. A Chaldean Master pulls her kouhai and an estranged knight aside to try to rectify things.

Note: The entirety of this chapter is taken from a conversation I had with my partner, my real life Robin, in regards to Mash's relationship with Lancelot. And we both agreed that, as much as Galahad had every right to be angry at Lancelot in regards to his actions as a parent, it doesn't mean Mash has to inherit every single bit of those feelings when she is her own person. Not to mention Saber Lancelot has been making an effort since finding out her identity as Galahad's "successor" to be a better person.

And when coming from a family where my own father has made it clear he's not perfect but tries his best for everyone anyway, I wanted to address all of those things.

The theme for this chapter is split between three songs: (1) the track titled One Summer's Day by Joe Hisaishi, taken from Spirited Away; (2) the track titled Ai II (w/o Rhythm) from Oshi no Ko; and (3) the track titled Kodoku na junrei by Kenji Kawai, from the Studio Deen adaptation of Fate/stay night.

Content warning for mentioned triggers, rape, and emotional hurt, by the way. Just saying.

Otherwise, here we go.

Day 73: Meaning of Family

Vy Duong wasn't unfamiliar with conflict. If anything, she was painfully aware of it and, to a fault, could never find it in herself to ignore it.

Now that was a simple undeniable fact.

Despite how much the others shielded her, how much some of the Servants wanted to cover her eyes from the bloodshed, even Lancelot de Luc could see the purity of selflessness shining in those brown irises of hers (just like his King, Grailed and proud at her side) whenever she entered the room of a disagreement. Why wouldn't she get between Charles-Henri Sanson and Robin Hood the morning before the ill-fated Salem mission, pouting at them both for ruining the atmosphere with their arguing over breakfast? It was almost unheard of to not find Vy trying to help Chaldea in some way.

How fitting that her records said she had applied to the original Antarctic base as a "volunteer" to the medical staff, conscripted to merely organize inventory and be at Dr. Roman's every beck and call. Becoming a Master was almost like a "career promotion," as modern media would have phrased it. Even if said "promotion" was a sickening one in hindsight, with all the battles Vy had fought as a Master since the discovery of Singularity F underneath Olga-Marie's short-lived leadership. The more Lancelot heard about the first Director of Chaldea, Marisbury Animusphere, and his agenda (his apparent intent of leaving Olga-Marie out of it included), the more disgusted he grew.

No wonder Galahad refused to manifest for so long. Demi-Servant experimentation, Master exploitation through the records of Seraphix…

He could only find it a spin of sheer good luck that Vy was his Master. Because even Lancelot could only guess whether he would turn his sword on the elder Marisbury mage if they ever met, despite his Saber Class Spirit Origin. His Berserker self would, without a single ounce of hesitation, but him… Nevertheless, such an action would be what a knight would've done. What Galahad apparently tried to do, when he first manifested in Mash's body years ago per the records.

How could someone like Marisbury claim to want to save Humanity with such cruel and inhumane methods?

It was why he was not surprised to find Vy — his King's Princess, his own small human miracle — tugging at a pauldron on his arm, discreetly shooting him glances that had his hackles rise in spite of the gentle look in her eyes. Because of course she would be worried. The stars that shone in those brown irises said it all, promising, it's okay, I don't want to bother you, it's okay, I want to help, with their sparkle. "Lancelot, could I borrow you for a moment?"

Of course she would request my presence this way.

Shooting a glance at the nearby Tristan and Gawain from their shared table of poker, the two knights give him matching thumbs-up gestures with their free hands. It was plenty enough permission, and despite the growing apprehensive tension in his shoulders, Lancelot turned back to his King's Princess and smiled. "Of course, Master."

Because what sort of knight would he be if he refused his new Master in this life? The card game behind him could be attended to later.

Despite his previous resolve, though, the air felt thin. "How I—?" It didn't help that the saliva was quickly drying out of his throat as he took in what was just said. Out of anything Vy could've started with, asking about Mash was the last thing he expected. And Mash was—

Galahad, but not—

Before Vy could comment, Lancelot covered up his sharp inhale of breath with a cough. "Are you asking how I feel about Mash, Master?"

But, he concluded wryly, it is not a complete shock either, to hear Vy ask. Because even Vy would notice the underlying tension eventually.

Even as a Servant serving the Human Order, history was both his benefactor and his torturer.

"Aye." Her soft, high-pitched voice of the word just added to the truthfulness of his conclusion. "It's just something I noticed since we resolved the Lion King's Singularity, Lancelot." Despite pouring him what looked like an overtly generous cup of tea, Vy's gaze wavers between him and the teapot in her hands, worry obvious in her figure as she shakes her head. "At the time, I wanted to chalk it up as Mash having lingering anger over what happened in that other Camelot, but…" To Lancelot's growing surprise, Vy sighed, putting the teapot down to the table before walking over and wrapping her arms around his neck to initiate a loose hug. "Seeing Mash refuse to talk to you in the earlier simulator battle today got me worried. Especially when you kept glancing her way."

After a moment, Lancelot felt himself sigh too. The embrace was warm, yes, but did he truly deserve it? After everything with Guinevere? "…It's nothing that you should worry about, Lady Vy."

Especially when Mash — when Galahad — have made their feelings clear.

"Excuse me for saying this, Sir Lancelot, but I call bullshit on that," is the uncharacteristically blunt answer that echoed above his head, a tiny hand reaching up to stroke his hair. Seemingly not paying heed to his growing shock, Vy sighs again, resting her chin on his scalp. "…I'm sorry. Worry just runs in my blood, Lancelot. And you were one of the first Servants to answer my summons after everything in Fuyuki. Worry's gonna happen when I care about you. So please, just deal with it."

This princess… it is no wonder my King loves you. That stubborn desire to be with and help those you care about — no one else has you to those rights. Only you hold them.

If you were in Camelot, then—

Could the crisis have been averted if you were alive back then, Vy?

Lancelot eventually found himself sighing again, a longer, sadder sigh this time to unconsciously mirror his Master's own from earlier, carefully leaning back into the young woman's touch after some hesitation. "…That sort of trait may hurt you in the future, Master."

It is how my King became inhuman to even us.

"Who says that it hasn't?" Vy's fingers still brush tangles out of the spikes of his hair, the tiniest twitch of her hands conveying something far darker than the lightness of her voice as she leans into him. "And just because it can, doesn't mean it always has to. And I chose to shoulder it, Lancelot. Just like how I chose to hug you right now." Her chin bumps his head as if to add extra emphasis. "So it's up to you if you want to talk. I have the energy to listen. And I'll let you know if or when I get overwhelmed." With a little exhale, Vy tightened the hug, some strands of hair falling out of her ponytail to tickle his cheeks. "…Whenever you're ready. It's okay if you're not. I won't push."

Lancelot felt himself pause, his thoughts bringing forth one sentence.

I… I have lost yet again.

"…Then it is a long story that you will need more than one pot of tea to sit through, milady." Lancelot closed his eyes. When it is retreading all of my regrets, was left unsaid. "I will be counting on you to let me know if you are tired in any capacity."

To his surprise, joy spreads out through their mental bond as a result. "…And that's fine. More than fair, honestly. So thankie, for trusting me." The soft warmth of Vy's chest against the back of his head, accompanied by the quiet rhythm of her heartbeat, seemed to be more permission than he could ever afford to ask for as a failed knight as she hummed. "Go ahead, Lancelot. With the story you have, I mean. Once you're done recounting as much as you want, we can decide how and where to go from there."

"…Of course, Princess."

Guinevere and Galahad deserved more to their memory, after all. Even if he dreaded the possibility of Vy despising him like everyone else should have at hearing his escapades. He still closed his eyes and prepared himself — even if the rest of his Spirit Origin vibrated with hope that such a thing would never happen.

"…It all began when I first laid eyes on Lady Guinevere…"

"Kouhai?"

Vy's voice was always a soft, tinkly sort of sound to Mash's ears, never fully angry or bitter at anyone truly allied with Chaldea. The few exceptions to that statement — well. When they made their unpleasant presence known, Vy made her feelings clear for them. But otherwise, Vy was nothing but kind when asking for Mash's presence in particular, and turning her head merely showed Vy walking up to her with a raised hand in greeting.

Almost like the Doc—

Mash internally shook her head while putting on a smile, the instinctive "Hi, Senpai," being the only thing letting her save face. After all, she knew by heart there couldn't be anything wrong with Vy calling her, especially with some of her recent mannerisms taking on a cadence akin to the late Romani Archaman. Only Vy had seen the Doctor disappear after casting Ars Nova — and it almost made Mash want to regret her last casting of Lord Camelot in the Temple of Time. It may have given her Senpai more time to win the battle, but the reports written by Chiron painted a bleaker picture of Vy's mental state after the fact, and the Lostbelts didn't help matters.

"Is… is everything alright, Senpai?" felt a bit excessive to ask, but she still tried. It was the least she could do when not many in Chaldea could say the same, outside of the Grailed, Vy's closest Servants, Da Vinci, and Doctor—

"Aye." It was why Mash couldn't be surprised at Vy's eagerness for human contact because she's gingerly taking Mash's hand in her own to squeeze once the distance is nonexistent between them, tugging at it with a smaller smile. "Just worried about something, so um." Vy's smile turns sheepish, a tilt of her head conveying all the hesitation her words didn't as she went on with, "Think I could borrow you for a moment, kouhai? I wanted to talk to you about something."

Well. Anything would be better than facing Sion and Director Goredolf for talks on plans regarding the remaining Lostbelts, so Mash found herself doing nothing but smiling back.

"Of course, Senpai."

It should've been another conversation with her Senpai. Nothing more, nothing less. It wasn't supposed to feel cold.

And yet even with all they had seen together, Mash couldn't help but freeze up when Vy asked, "How do you truly feel about the Saber version of Lancelot, Mash?" It was such a simple question — something asked over a pot of tea at the kotatsu — but it still made Mash feel like she was in a prison cell and not in her Master's room.

No. It wasn't just her Master's room. It was Vy's room, sparsely decorated with memorabilia in case of an emergency evacuation but still warm. A room adorned with a colored pencil drawing of a poppy flower outside the door, made by Mash herself because Vy let her. Because Vy wanted her to have a part in making the room a new home away from home.

Vy. Her Master. Her Senpai.

So why was it so hard to suddenly unfreeze in front of her?

"—ash? Mash!"

Warmth spreads through the skin of her hands. Someone was holding them. Vy was holding them.

Mash blinks, the steam from the tea — or perhaps it was something else? — slowly fading from the lenses of her glasses as her eyes could suddenly take in the worry lines crossing Vy's forehead. The other woman appears nervous, actively panicked from the look in her brown irises as her hands gripped Mash's own. "Are you okay, kouhai? You spaced out for a while," she said hastily, voice cracking from concern as her thumbs rubbed the back of Mash's knuckles. "I-It felt like you went somewhere far away and I couldn't get you back." Sucking in a breath, what flows out of Vy's mouth afterwards consists of nothing but a stuttering mess of, "Ifit'saboutLancelot, I'msorry, Ishould'vewordedthatbetter, Ididn'tmeantotriggeryou!"

"S-Senpai—" Mash forced herself to breathe. In, out. In, out. "N-No, no, it's not a t-trigger—" Something ugly and hot was spreading out inside her gut, even breaking through the warmth Vy was transmitting to her through their intertwined hands, and she forced herself to keep breathing. Her senpai — Vy — already suffered enough with all the loss they had seen. Even if it felt like a white lie, Mash had to say it. Especially if it meant Vy wouldn't push herself.

For Senpai, I have to be capable, useful, okay—

It took a single cough for some of the ugly heat to go away. Still, Mash ducked her head to not look Vy in the eye. What curled up in her gut felt wrong as she said, "I… I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Vy whispered after a cough of a breath, and the warmth of her hands quickly faded just as fast as they had arrived. The subsequent sound of shuffling reveals Vy having gotten up from her seat across from Mash at the kotatsu. "…Is it alright if I sit next to you?"

The Japanese word "H-Hai," escaped her before Mash could consider any other answer, and the blanket of the kotatsu rustled as Vy places a cushion a foot or so away from Mash's side to sit down. "Senpai, I… about Lancelot-san…"

"Yeah?" Vy's voice turned soft, her hand raised towards Mash's own from what she could see past the fading fog of her glasses, but paused in the air. "…You don't have to push if you don't feel okay talking about it, Mash."

"I-It's not that!" Mash feels strength coming back to her voice as she raises her head, but still flinches once she notices Vy wince in response. "I… I'm just not sure. A-Aren't you tired, Senpai? Shouldn't you have your daily nap in an hour?"

"That's a fair point, but my nap's still an hour away, kouhai," Vy said in the same soft tone, shaking her head. "So it's an hour I can use to listen to you if you want to talk. I'm just sorry for flinching and asking something personal to you — I should've known it was a touchy subject." A sheepish laugh leaves Vy's lips as she takes her hand back and scratches at her cheek. "Even when I was a mediator back home with the family, I never was good at starting the conversation. So, what I'm trying to say is, um, it's really up to you. We can either drop this topic entirely to talk about something else, or go on with what you feel comfortable in sharing. Whatever you're okay with."

A lump surfaced in Mash's throat. This was just how Vy — how Senpai was. Kind enough to hold a girl's hand in what she thought were their last moments together, and selfless enough to give Holy Grails to multiple Servants in the name of love. To even cheer when finding out that two Holy Grails had been imbued into Mash's armor after the resolution of Britain's Lostbelt to make up for the loss of her Tam Lin title, hugging her tight and teasingly calling her "Super Mash" to lighten the tension.

This kind of consideration was—

It's safe, I'm with Senpai. It's safe, I'm with Senpai, it's safe.

Mash forced the thought to the forefront of her brain while putting on a weak smile. "Then… if it's alright, Senpai… I think I'm going to take a page out of your book to ramble a little. Just, please, stop me if it gets to be too much?"

She couldn't help but feel relief once she sensed more than saw Vy's smile through their lack of distance and the pre-established mental bond, the previous ugliness from before almost a blip in the back of Mash's mind as warmth vibrated out of Vy's figure. Emphasis on "almost" — the darkness was still a nugget that weighed down Mash's chest in spite of Vy saying reassuringly, "Aye. I promise."

Then… Mash took a small breath. Vy had already taken the first step in addressing things mentally through therapy with Chiron. So, for Mash… "My true feelings about Lancelot-san are… are complicated."

"Mm," Vy nodded her head.

Mash folded her hands into her lap, doing her best to ignore the subsequent urge to curl her fingers and grab fistfuls of her skirt. "…Lancelot-san is a good Servant." And it was the truth. He was one of Vy's first gold Sabers after d'Eon, after all. One of the first Servants Vy, and even the Doctor, had trusted. "And, and I know he's the best of King Arthur's knights — Arturia-san's 'right hand', if I could say that much."

"Aye." Vy nodded again.

"But…" Mash wanted to vomit from how disgusting the words felt in the back of her throat, but she still forced them out of her mouth. With Vy sitting right there next to her, she had to. "But Galahad-san — the Heroic Spirit who gave me the powers to help you, to save you, Senpai — he hates Lancelot-san. And I don't know how I myself feel about him because of it."

After all, Galahad had every right to be angry at Lancelot. In their shared legends, Lancelot had left Galahad without a father due to his mother — Princess Elaine of Corbenic — impersonating Guinevere on more than one occasion to fulfill a prophecy of some kind. Even if it was the fault of Elaine for essentially raping Lancelot in the name of supposed glory, it didn't change the fact that Galahad, her son, went without a father figure for years until he was knighted by Lancelot himself, and by then, the damage had been done. And that wasn't even factoring in what that other Lancelot tried to do in the Lion King's Camelot.

And… Galahad-san is…

The brief touch of Vy's fingertips against Mash's knuckles barely do anything to ease the growing unease and ugliness bubbling up in her gut. "...But Mash," Vy whispers softly, "you're not Galahad."

"That doesn't mean—" Mash has to take another breath, just to keep the emotions from bubbling over. Her subsequent gulps of air feel painfully thin in her throat despite her best attempts. "That doesn't mean he wasn't here with us before, Senpai, when we were fighting Goetia. He — he helped us."

"But Mash," Vy carefully curls her fingers so that they're gripping Mash's own, blocking out Mash's view of how white her knuckles were turning. "He's not here now. And, no offense intended, if it's alright to say, but whether he's a 'perfect' knight or not, he hasn't been helping us since."

And that was also the truth, wasn't it? Back in the fall of the original Chaldea, Galahad's shield was more of a weight than a weapon. Against that other Anastasia, all the shield could do was buy time, nothing more. And up until entering the sixth Lostbelt — Faerie Britain — the Ortinax had to include so many boosters, so many rocket thrusters and propulsion technology, just to come up to a fraction of what Galahad originally bestowed her back in the Incineration. Once the Bleaching of Humanity started, Galahad's powers had disappeared almost completely.

"…Just like…" Mash swallowed thickly. "Just like Dr. Roman. And I don't... I don't know how I feel, Senpai, about Galahad-san and about Lancelot-san trying to be a parent to me either, when Dr. Roman was… when he was—"

Dr. Roman was the one who took care of me after Galahad-san first manifested. Dr. Roman was the one who introduced Sherlock Holmes to me. Dr. Roman was the one who taught me the concept of senpai and kouhai.

Dr. Roman was the one who shared stories of the outside world to me. Not Lancelot-san. And yet—

"I-I know I'm not Galahad-san, Senpai." It takes Mash a moment too long to realize her vision is blurring, but it's too late to do anything about it now. She didn't deserve to cry. Not when it doesn't change the undeniable fact that during Goetia's last battle, Dr. Roman had sacrificed himself for the greater good and Mash couldn't say goodbye. All that ran through her mind was protecting Senpai to the very end, and yet— "But when he's not here anymore, just like Dr. Roman, I'm…" Her voice traitorously wobbles. "I-I'm not sure how I should feel. About Lancelot-san, about being Senpai's Servant, about being here when the powers that gave me a purpose a-aren't around anymore."

When I couldn't even keep Dr. Roman's old room safe once Chaldea fell.

Suddenly, the grip on her hands tightened, strong enough for there to be a small yet audible crack of knuckle bone, making Mash startle out of the darkness that threatened to swallow her whole. Was that crack... from Vy? From Senpai? "…Every single time we fought together, I never wanted you to think I only wanted you around for your powers, Mash. Never ever." Vy's voice is heavy this time, and… and sad? "And I'm… I'm the one who has to say 'sorry' if it ever came off to you that I did. I'm sorry you felt this way for so long. Galahad's powers may have helped you save me back in Fuyuki and everything else after that, but if…" Vy coughs, making her trail off hesitantly. "If it's alright with you, can I say something?"

The lump that threatens to give away her tears renders Mash with nothing else but a nod for an answer.

"Thankie," Vy said in a gentler, sadder voice, and she carefully flexes the grip she has on Mash's hand before extending her other one to sandwich Mash's fingers in both of hers. With a careful squeeze, Vy shook her head. "Mash, you're not Galahad. You never were, never have. I don't expect you to be, back then in Fuyuki, and even now. And because of that, you shouldn't have to feel obligated to be defined by Galahad's powers, or even feel the same way about Lancelot like Galahad did. Because you're not Galahad, even if Marisbury Animusphere wanted you to be that way. Even if he was the so-called 'perfect knight,' because I don't want you to try to be perfect to your own detriment."

But that's… Mash couldn't move her lips once Vy squeezed her hands again.

With a small sigh, Vy gently leaned down to bump their foreheads together. "Kouhai… no matter what, you're still Mash Kyrielight, a denizen of Chaldea, Dr. Roman's pride, my beloved kouhai and honorary little sister, and someone who is more than Galahad's powers given Demi-Servant form. You are Mash Kyrielight, and you shouldn't be a replacement for anyone when no one can replace you. You deserve to live your own life — not for me, not for Galahad, not for Dr. Roman — but for you."

It takes another moment for Mash to acknowledge her cheeks growing wet. "S-Senpai…" She can't look up. She doesn't know if she wants to look up.

It's why she can feel more than sense the sad smile on Vy's face through their mental bond as the woman's thumbs gently brush the back of Mash's hands. "…I should've said all that sooner," she whispers, and a tissue is slowly coming up to the corners of Mash's vision to start wiping at her eyes. "Back in the original Chaldea, before all the Lostbelts." Despite dabbing at the growing waterfalls, Mash can tell Senpai is being careful not to hit the frame of her glasses along the way. "I'm sorry, kouhai. I'm sorry."

"Senpai, it's not…" Mash's voice is cracking and she hates how it sounds. "It's not your fault, I—!"

I didn't want you to worry about me—!

While continuing to dab at Mash's cheeks, Vy hums again, a familiar sound of a song slowly easing the ugliness out. "…I know. And it's okay. It's okay if it's a lot to take in right now, Mash. It's okay to cry too. But if it's alright with you, could I keep going and share my take on things?"

"Take on… take on what?" Mash had no choice but to look up. Despite continuing her work of wiping at Mash's cheeks, Vy had ducked her head, her long hair concealing some of her face from view as a soft sigh echoed between them.

"…Family, I suppose? Self-worth? How to phrase it without it being overwhelming…?" With a tiny shake of her head, Vy turned her eyes back to look at Mash, her answering smile wry and weak. Mash barely can see Senpai tossing the wad of used tissues in her hand over her shoulder to deal with later. A new tissue box is then torn open as Vy says, "I guess what I'm trying to say is, this isn't the first time I've seen a lack of self-confidence play out in someone I care about, and I want to help by sharing some of my experiences on the subject if you're okay with that. If it's too much still, then I can hug you until the tears run dry, then watch any kind of show or movie you feel up to watching for relaxation." The subsequent smile on her face weakens at the edges, looking almost crooked over what Mash can see of the newly offered tissue box over the kotatsu as a result. "It's up to you."

Mash sniffles, hastily taking a tissue from the opened box and blowing her nose. "I…" her voice came out childlike for the first time in what felt like an eternity, even to her own ears. "I-I want to listen to what you have to say," she eventually snivels past the growing urge to sob, ducking her head and raising a shaky hand. "As long as you could… if you could hold my hand again, Senpai?"

"It's not exactly a 'have to say' thing when I want to say it, kouhai." Vy laughs softly, but still scoots closer to tighten the grip she had on Mash's hands, wrapping her free arm around Mash's shoulders to initiate a loose hug. "But hand-holding is totally fine. Just let me know if you're overwhelmed at any point, okay? Then we can just hug after that."

Mash swallowed the first incoming sob that threatened her wavering self-control as best as she could while leaning into Vy's chest. Her Senpai's chest, where her heart was still steadily beating. "H-Hai… senpai…"

"Thankie, kouhai." Vy hummed again, raising the hand she had on Mash's shoulders to gently touch her hair and start petting it. "Where to begin, then…?"

Mash did her best to breathe. The gentle lub-dub, lub-dubs echoing in her ears from Vy's heartbeat helped slightly, because out of anything she was willing to hear, she didn't expect what would come next.

"…My dad used to yell at my brother a lot when I was a kid."

It was said so nonchalantly, so matter-of-factly, the sentence could've been a simple splash of water against Mash's mind if not for how cold her fingers were growing in contrast to Vy's warm ones. "I can't fully remember what those conversations were about now. But the Vy back then just didn't want anything bad to happen to the family again, so she did everything she could to help. Hug daddy, clean big brother's room, mediate between them when it was cold at the dinner table, all those kinds of things."

Mash didn't have time to consider what Vy meant by "again" because she was still talking.

"But the one thing she couldn't ever do was get between them when daddy started yelling." A chuckle leaves Vy's lips then, echoing enough in Mash's ear to make the lingering regret clear. "Even when it was the one thing she always wanted to do for them…"

Why hadn't she noticed? Hell, why didn't Mash notice? It was Senpai. And Senpai had—

Still, despite the whirlwind of Mash's thoughts, Vy gave her a small smile. "At one point, the me back then wasn't sure of who she was when hiding in her room to drown out the screaming — the daughter of Hiep Duong, or a scared little girl who couldn't even help her dad and big brother because the voices were too much." With another laugh, her voice came out far too nonchalant and self-deprecating as she said, "So that was a thing."

"S-Senpai, that's…" It felt like the ugliness from before was coming back as a cold snowstorm inside of Mash's chest, filling her with regret and horror. "Does that mean…"

The hand on Mash's hair started focusing on brushing out some strands from her forehead, the touch of Vy's fingertips wispy and warm against the growing clamminess of her skin. "…That I've been caught up in my own feelings before? Is that what you're trying to get at, kouhai?"

Without warning, Mash felt the saliva dry out on the tip of her tongue.

"…If so, then it's an 'Aye' to that one," Vy answered for them both, the growing wry smile obvious through her voice alone — long before their mental bond started filling in the blank that Mash left in the air. "And there's nothing wrong with that. Even if I had to learn it the hard way. Because even the most loving of families have their struggles, and sure, my family's probably a blip in some Vietnamese history book with everything after the Vietnam War compared to everything we've seen together. But that doesn't change one thing I know."

"What… what's that?"

Vy's palm is almost scalding in its warmth against Mash's forehead as she pats it softly. "Just because it hurts to bear witness to everything, doesn't mean I love my family any less. Because I still love them, all thanks to hearing one thing my mom told me before going to Chaldea."

Mash opened her mouth out of instinct before catching herself and closing it. "That was…" came out more like a statement than a true question.

With a small cough to clear her throat, Vy sat up a little straighter, using a softer, lower pitch of a voice to mimic a slightly older, wiser woman. "'Even when your dad yells, Be Vy, it doesn't mean he doesn't love you and your brother. He actually really loves you both more than anything, and that's why he yells, even when it can come off as scary. He doesn't know what else to do with his worry because there's no one else to set an example. From what I can see, he's still trying to be good for you in the only way he knows how.'"

Mash felt her heart skip a beat.

"See? Just because my parents weren't perfect, it didn't change how they felt. And sure, those memories still hurt, but I know they were doing their best because they never truly hated my brother and I. If they did, I wouldn't be here, having a better life than they ever had at our age." Vy laughed softly, shaking her head enough for some of her long hair to tickle Mash's nose. The air was starting to get warm again.

Strangely — no, maybe it was because of the closeness — that Mash feels herself getting warmer again.

"And sure, my brother and I weren't the most ideal children either, but we lived together for so long because we made the effort to keep trying together. Yelling, talking, apologies, and all. And because we all can only see through our own eyes — telepathy excluded because that's different — it takes a while to realize even the tallest of people can have their own worries too. We can just never tell what's going on in someone else's head without talking, anyway!" With one more laugh, Vy's cheek gently rubbed the top of Mash's hair. "My dad didn't even know I was scared of his yelling until I told him, actually. So that's one thing to get off my chest. Worry is just another part of it."

Mash blinked. Would… would "worry" really be the word to describe Lancelot's actions towards her? Was that really it?

"Anyway…" Vy's sudden sigh cuts off the growing spiral of self-doubt and curiosity in Mash's heart. "My very long spiel aside, what I'm trying to get at is that you can't peek into someone's mind unless you talk to them, Mash." A soft peck of a kiss lands against Mash's head then, sounding like an affectionate Mwah over her hair, making her heart skip once more. "And I'm not saying you have to accept Lancelot for what he's done. Heck, you have every right to say 'no' to his being a father to you with everything Dr. Roman's done. I just think it takes some courage to look past your mistakes and try to make amends for them in one of the few ways left in the situation we're in. It takes a hella lot more just to speak your mind to the people around you too."

Mash felt herself frown despite leaning closer into Vy's chest. Her Senpai's chest. "Senpai…"

Another soft Mwah echoes over her head. "Yeah?"

"Is it… is it okay to still be unsure?"

A single second's pause was all the consideration Senpai had on the matter before she brushed back Mash's bangs and leaned in to press another, softer kiss to her exposed forehead with a quieter Mwah. "Of course it is. That's what it means to be human, kouhai. And whatever you decide when it comes to Lancelot, I'll be right there with you. Always."

Lub-dub, lub-dub. Mash swallowed past the lump in her throat and wiped at her eyes. "Then… Senpai, after a movie… could you help me in finding Lancelot-san?"

It was one of Dr. Roman's many lessons — to keep trying, after all.

Mash wants to think he'd be proud once Vy whispers a happy, "Aye."

The eventual meeting was one in the hallways of Novum Chaldea. Neither party truly realized when Vy slipped away to stand to the side of the area once they made eye contact.

"…Lancelot-san." Mash said softly.

Lancelot took a deep breath. "…Mash."

The air was tense enough for a pin to drop and echo forebodingly. Even with Vy's quiet hand gestures to them both with a worried smile. (She easily could've been mouthing, "You're good to go!", and no one would have noticed.)

"…I've been meaning to tell you something for a long time. Since… since our time in the original Chaldea, honestly." Mash inhaled a deep breath, the hand on her chest clutching at her tie. Seeing it was enough to make Lancelot's chest tighten. "Could you hear me out?"

The least he could do was nod, but he forced his mouth to move. "Of course."

"Thank you." Mash smiled at him then, but it looked more sad than relieved as she closed her eyes behind her glasses with her next inhale of air. "…I'm sorry to say this, but I don't know if I could ever see you as a father. I'm not Galahad, Lancelot-san, and my father figure has always been Doctor Romani Archaman, first and foremost. So if you're possibly expecting me to be a replacement to Galahad to make up for your past mistakes, I'm sorry. I can't be him."

All Lancelot could do was bow his head. In a way, in spite of all the previous warmth Lady Vy had given him, this response was almost expected. Deserved too, if he could claim so much. How could he stand up to the person who helped them all save humanity — the entirety of Proper Human History — the first time? "...I understand." It was all he could say, really.

"However…"

But that word alone was why Lancelot could find nothing but shock betraying his carefully crafted self-control once he looked up and found Mash fidgeting in place. Because why was Mash continuing? Hadn't she made her rejection of his initial resolve clear? "...That doesn't mean I'm… I'm not open to getting to know you better, Sir Lancelot. As a knight, and a fellow Servant, because I know I still have a lot to learn."

Lancelot blinked. "…I see…?"

The Shielder Demi-Servant of Chaldea proceeded to bow her head, ears flushing pink as she said, "A-And uh, Mo-san — I-I mean, Mordred! — mentioned once that I had a sword with Galahad's armor and yet never used it, a-and the legends kept saying you were the best swordsman of the Round Table, so…!"

The breath could've been taken out of his lungs. Maybe even punched out. He couldn't even register Vy slowly slipping out of the hallway with one last warm smile to them both.

Because by the Heavens, Lancelot could've sworn the young woman standing in front of him could've been a fair maiden asking for his help instead of a confused teenager when she raised her head to look at him with flushed cheeks. "C-Could you help me with sword training? We still have to fight for Senpai as, as her Servants, so could you teach me your sword style? I-I want to be better. Not just for Senpai, not just for retaking the original Chaldea, but for me."

You are not Galahad, and yet…

Lancelot smiled, barely registering the first hints of a blue mantle fluttering in the corners of his vision as he breathed in air. "…Of course, Mash. If it is alright for me to call you that?" His armor barely creaked once he crossed his arms over his chest. "I can be a strict teacher and it's been a while since I've had a squire."

Mash's answering smile could've been from the sun and stars themselves once she giggled weakly into her hand. "O-Of course. The Lostbelts and Singularities have seen me with plenty of teachers, Sir Lancelot. I'm ready."

Lancelot exhales relief for what feels like the first time in years. "Then let me get Gareth and the King of Knights. I'm sure both they and I can start you off on some spars in the simulator."

Mash's answering yet petite "Hai" is enough to sound like music to his ears and dulled heart.

Once the simulator starts up to allow Arturia, Gareth, Lancelot, and Mash inside, Bedivere glances at Vy. Almost as if on cue, the young Master slumps against the nearest hallway wall once the happy quartet disappear in a shower of blue sparks, the fatigue she had been previously concealing now in full view on her face as she sighed. Despite the edges of stress lining her forehead and brow, the relieved smile on her face was genuine as she whispered, "Thankie for not saying anything, Bedi-san."

"…Of course, Lady Vy." Because he was still her knight, one of many Servants who pledged their loyalty to her cause. To her. But… "If I may, could I ask you something?"

"Mm…?"

"Why did you choose to go so far? I understand being worried about Lady Mash and Sir Lancelot, but hearing them both out to the point of exhausting yourself…" Bedivere was half tempted to run into the simulator and grab his King, if only to get her help in escorting Vy to bed. The lack of mana vibrating through their bond was worrying enough as is, and then the eyebags on her face— "You didn't have to."

Vy merely crosses her arms over her middle, leaning against the wall with a softer smile as she shakes her head. "I… I wanted to." Her voice comes out weak in spite of her earnestness, a shaky exhale accentuating the exhaustion starting to seep into her posture. "No one… did so… for my family. Just… just me."

Bedivere felt the urge to reply die on his lips.

"It's… not easy… being a mediator…" Vy lets out a soft Phew noise after a significant pause of inhaling and exhaling, eyelids drooping while she shook her head once more. "But… it's better than letting things go… go unsaid… before the end…"

Bedivere felt himself frown. She said this before, back with his King and Mordred. Did it mean—? "…You sound like you speak from experience, milady."

With one slow blink, Vy slowly turns her head to meet his gaze, the stars in her brown irises barely alight past her glasses as she murmurs, "…Plenty. From family… and friends."

Cold washes over Bedivere without warning, and he opens his mouth before he realizes he's doing it, extending his Airgetlám arm. "Master—!"

And yet again, Vy shakes her head, seemingly refusing his aid. Despite wearing her new white dress of a Mystic Code from Sion (the "Decisive Battle uniform," she called it?), Vy appears small in her clothes as she continues to slump against the wall, looking almost… almost content to stay there with a relieved smile on her face. "…It's fine, Bedi-san… it's not my first time… helping someone with the… the energy I have. I… I wanted to help. Despite being… the baby of the family… listening is… something I want to work on. Something… I can give. It's… it's the least I… I could do… after Daddy and Big Bro…"

After they never truly reconciled with each other. After Big Bro moved out before the Bleaching. After I failed.

"Lady Vy…" Bedivere swallowed past the lump in his throat to step forward, ignoring all his instincts screaming at him for possible oversteps in favor of extending both arms. Vy barely twitches once he gets them around her, only making a soft Muu noise as he pulls her close. "…You shouldn't have to push yourself in the name of a 'redemption' I believe you never needed. In my humble eyes, you have done more than enough."

Vy blinks again once he carefully cradles her to his chest, eyelids looking heavier with each subsequent blink before she exhales one last sigh. "…Hope so. I just… I just don't want Mash… to be like me… with a lot of regrets…" Raising a hand to gently pat Bedivere's silver one, she smiles. "So just… thankie… Bedi-san… for listening… I think… I gotta tune out now…"

It's almost a relief once Vy finally gives up the fight and falls asleep in his arms, her head leaning against the column of his neck once she slumps forward. The mere sensation of her hair tickling his skin is enough to make Bedivere swallow thickly. "…Of course. I should be the one to thank you, milady. Thank you for caring about us, and for allowing my liege to smile again. So please rest for now. I'll take you to your beloved."

Because if Vy could mediate between Sir Lancelot and Lady Mash over the claim of it "being the least she could do," the least Bedivere could do was carry her to the Grail Lounge, where her May King of a lover and the other Grailed waited for her daily nap. It was a favor to his King of Knights, considering her training with the newly Grailed Shielder.

And yes. The original Chaldea may have been destroyed by the Foreign God, but if Novum Chaldea was any indication, its only shared Master would be hard at work for all those she loved as soon as she awoke again.

As she would've said, it was the least anyone could do.