Canonized Cut Content #1

Formerly from Doomsday Clock Strikes to Ten Part 1

Artoria walks in the direction of her personal suite. The Olympia personnel who assisted her with the operation she just partook, in followed her while her armor, covered with trickles of dried blood, started to smell as the mortal comrade who was debriefing her while she walked finished his piece. She was listening of course, but most of her actual focus was on the fact that she had more important things to attend to that night.

She belayed the good man and the rest of her men to take the rest of the day off as she thought about her upcoming written report for her master. He was still busy in the North American continent in its current state of affairs to come visit her, but she paid no mind for it. He was a busy man and Artoria respected him as a fellow equal in that regard due to his work ethic, honor, and tact beyond that of traditional 'ethics'. He was more robust compared to her in that regard, for shadow politics and some of the finer details of government management were something that she was adept at but not wholly a master of.

Regardless, as soon as she was left alone in the hallways of the repurposed "Clock Tower" that her master had bought to be their staging ground in Britain, she lamented the fact that she would have to take the day off the next day. Hoping to rest for a bit before their investigation in Finland would proceed. The necessary paperwork had been drafted and the local government itself had accepted her master's request for them to operate there, and thankfully her little diplomatic incident near a Finnish embassy in Germany was waved off in exchange for being one of the few countries to accept the medicinal breakthrough her master and Caster prepared to share first.

Her little blunder almost caused them a setback, much to her embarrassment but her master had been too forgiving on that subject matter.

Dematerializing her armor she stepped into her suite, just under one of the Library Departments of the Clock Tower's Biology Wing. It was a fairly decorated suite, one fit for a royal or a king but at the same time, it was simple enough that it ticked every box Artoria appreciated. She would have preferred it to be much more spartan in nature, or at least functional, but given the command that was given to her, she had to act the part.

Stepping into her personal bathroom after slipping off her clothes, she let the water shower down on her as she began to relax. It was three days ago when she last took a bath, mostly because the Switzerland Operation forced her to extend her visit. One of the last conclaves of the Neo-Nazi subgroup in the region was hunkered down tight, but it proved fruitless against her. Thankfully she was not too unclean to meet with a few important people post-operation, and she could readily dispel most of the filth by dematerializing, but the relaxing ability to take a bath allowed her some form of luxury and rest in her own suite.

Personally speaking, it was one of the few things she enjoyed for herself after being summoned back into the world of the living. Bathing alone while relaxing and contemplating her entire day was a religious experience for her.

Stepping out and drying her hair moments later, she found a nightgown to wear that perfectly aligned with her body's proportions. She had to thank Medea sometime in the future, but the woman was a bit too strange whenever she interacted with her. Still, she would commend her taste for knowing almost exactly what she wanted as the nightgown clung to her form perfectly.

Taking her phone from her dresser she walked to her living room and sat on her very lovely couch. Just in time, she heard her suite door opening for one of Olympia's staff bringing her two carts of exemplary food. Elaborately the young man and woman serving her placed the meals in such a way that fit her taste as she thanked them after politely.

Bowing almost to her presence the two left shortly as Artoria relaxed on her couch and grabbed the remote to her large 'home theater'. Quickly remembering the instructions Edison had taught her, she opened up one of the 'apps' and clicked various buttons to find her favorite pastime.

"There." She whispered, mostly to herself as she brought a hotdog to her lips and she clicked the button on her remote for confirmation. As she chewed on her pleasantly tasty food, the music to the opening of her show played with great volume.

Instantly, a smile appeared on her face as all six faces, characters she grew to love began playing on the screen. The jokes alone transcended any sort of bard she had met back in her court as her eyes were glued permanently with such focus and joy that nobody would dare disturb her.

Emotions, some that Artoria found endearing but unnecessary in the field bloomed as she continued to enjoy her past time, only for her to suddenly frown. All happiness drained from her face as she lifted her remote and clicked 'pause'.

Sighing in frustration, her icy visage returned as she turned her head slowly towards one of the doorways of her suite. A familiar face stood there with an embarrassed, scared expression as she waved awkwardly at her like a shy teenager.

"What is it?" she icily said, her tone filled with some anger as she looked at her son…

"H-hey, Father…"

…Mordred, shuffling her feet with embarrassment as she smiled at her.

"Hm?" she mused, wishing to have her get to the point.

"I, uh… I felt a bit lonely." Mordred admitted. The level of honesty, trust, and dare she say it, 'closeness' with her was much more pronounced now given how many times they helped each other in various operations. In some way, despite some animosity between them, Artoria felt rather tolerant of her presence, much more than even back in Camelot. Her Camelot.

"Are you not friends with Caenis?"

"Yeah… but, she's been very busy by Master's side lately and you already know that she kinda… uh, hates phones," Mordred said sheepishly as she slowly walked towards Artoria. Her phone was held tightly in her hands and much to Artoria's annoyance, her son had been helplessly addicted to it. It displeased her, especially in some instances where it proved to be a distraction.

"Maybe you should listen to her, it might prove more important," Artoria said as she felt her son sit right next to her, in close proximity.

The idiot was getting bolder.

"I thought you'd be on my side, Father… you're practically attached to your phone too!" Mordred teased by elbowing her, only for her to receive a dull look that had her deflate.

"R-Right… but, really, you don't have to worry about me not being able to focus. It's a recreational thing after all. We didn't have things like this back in Camelot."

"Hm." Artoria hummed in reply as she picked up another treat from the collection of food before them. This time, a delicately cooked leg part of steamed chicken as she placed it into her already full plate.

"Can I have some?" Mordred asked as she pointed at the pile of hotdogs.

Artoria looked at her son and the dish, and back to her son again.

"Hm."

Mordred, taking it as a sign of agreement, gingerly took one for herself with a small grin as she settled back into the couch beside her.

"My son… why are you really here?"

"Um… I was bored actually, father. It's… better when I have somebody to talk to, to pass the time." Mordred explained as Artoria stared.

"I see," Artoria said as she un-paused her show.

"What episode is this?" Mordred asked.

"' The One Where Ross Got High', it says. Episode one hundred thirty, ninth season." She quickly said as a small smile appeared on her lips as she refocused back on the screen.

"Oh, that's good! I needed something to laugh at… been tired with all the shit I've been trying to watch." Mordred replied, making Artoria recall this 'animated' show where warriors using cables fought back against giants.

"Hm."

As they resumed watching with some focus and entertainment, Artoria felt her son poking her by the side. She turned her gaze at her.

"Do you mind if I save this moment, Father?"

"Hm." Artoria hummed with affirmation as her son's expression turned joyful.

She then raised her phone and took a picture of them together. She did not smile in the picture but Artoria did not mind.

"Thank you, Father," Mordred said as she returned to her hotdog.

"Hm."

This wasn't so bad…

AN: This was too good not to save.