Chapter 2: Impressions and an Expedition
"Mother, what's going on?"
Snapped out of her thoughts by the feminine voice, Morgan ceased her pensive pacing about the room and turned towards the source.
Seated around her room were her knights. Baobhan Sith was lounging on Morgan's bed, while Barghest and Melusine had left and returned with chairs to occupy after Morgan had made it clear they would be talking for a while.
"Ah, my apologies, Baobhan Sith. I was...lost in thought for a moment."
"Well, to get to the point then, your majesty...why did you summon us here? What was it you wanted to talk about?" Barghest asked, ever the professional when 'in armour' even when she was officially off duty.
"Yes, the point. To put it simply, I'd like to learn a little more about our Master. I've not had much interaction with him compared to you, so I would like your impressions."
Almost immediately, the atmosphere in the room brightened a little. Morgan's practiced eye was instantly drawn to the soft smile blossoming on Melusine's face, the slight blush on Barghest and even the contemplative hum from Baobhan Sith.
Hmmm, it seems he's already gotten their interest. Melusine and Barghest I can understand...but Baobhan Sith as well?
Colour her curious. Now she really wanted to know more. Perhaps she should take this convenient opportunity her knights were presenting her…
"It seems you have a positive opinion of him already." She observed, startling the three Fairies out of their reveries.
"Eh? Why would you say that Mother?" Baobhan asked.
"Just now, when I mentioned our Master, you relaxed a little. And you two-" Morgan gestured to Barghest and Melusine "-began to smile, as if remembering something pleasant. Am I wrong?"
"I suppose so..." Barghest mumbled, a blush of her own staining her cheeks as the Saber averted her gaze, her usual confidence giving way to uncharacteristic embarrassment. Morgan's right eyebrow rose in interest. This was new of her.
"Well, I was just remembering how Master treats me, that's all." Melusine cut in.
"And how are you treated?" Morgan leaned forward, tenting her fingers and focusing her attention. Hopefully this would be the insight she was looking for.
"I've been treated well indeed. Master was very welcoming to me when I first showed up. Even with...what happened in the Fairy Kingdom, he said that it was in the past, and that I was free to show him my power as the strongest Fairy Knight.
"At first it was a bit tough for me to talk to him. After all, he's a human and I've not had much experience interacting with them before." At this Melusine winced in apparent shame, but quickly brightened up again. "But Master was very patient with me. He said that everyone opens up in their own time, and that until then he'd support me until I was ready.
"He was willing to strengthen me with materials too, he gave me so much that I feel like I'm almost at my peak performance. I was a bit worried about all the materials I needed to strengthen my Saint Graph, but Master said that I shouldn't worry, that he could always get more and that he wanted me to be as strong as I could be!
"When I finally used my Noble Phantasm's proper form, he wasn't scared of it at all! In fact, he said that my dragon form was really cool, and he wished he could turn into a dragon like me! He even let me give him a little flight before we were recalled!
"Whenever I feel lonely, Master is willing to spend some time with me. It's not much most of the time...just being around him is enough to make me happy. Even if he's working, he'll let me stay near him when I ask.
"Even with my nature as a Calamity of Britain...Master has still shown me lots of kindness and appreciation. He's been one of the nicest humans I've ever met, and I'm sure he'll extend that kindness to your majesty as well if you let him."
In all of Morgan's memory of her service to the throne, she'd never seen Melusine smile quite so brightly. The Lancer's previously calm mood had lifted ever higher as her tale progressed, such that by the end she had practically been vibrating in her seat with excitement and happiness as she recalled all of Ritsuka's acts of kindness and generosity towards her.
...she hadn't known that Melusine had received so much attention from Ritsuka before. That she'd been given so many gifts.
Morgan frowned as a strange feeling welled up inside her. She couldn't quite place it yet...but it was certainly unpleasant.
It felt like something was hurting in her chest. Even though a quick scan spell showed that there was nothing physically wrong with her, the hurt still persisted.
"I... I see." The Fairy Queen murmured, making a mental note for later before indicating Barghest. "Barghest, your thoughts?"
"He's surprisingly capable." The Saber admitted. "I must admit, even with what he accomplished in the Fairy kingdom...there was a part of me that still had doubts about his ability. I found myself thinking 'he's just a weak human, why should I serve him?' a few times.
"But I'm glad to say that that part of me was mistaken. I've been on several expeditions with him already, and I have plenty of confidence in his ability as a Master. Every Servant is sent to engage an enemy within their ability, being placed in teams of 3 or more to ensure that no one is caught alone and off guard. There are always supporting Caster Servants on hand to heal injuries, empower the frontline fighters or debilitate our enemies."
"I am aware." Morgan cut in. "There was a similar strategy and composition employed on my recent expedition. Tell me a bit more about our Master himself."
Though she did want more information on Ritsuka's character, Morgan's real reason for hurrying Barghest along was simply to stop her discussing the Rayshifts anymore. After all, the more she heard about them, the harder it would be to stop thinking about...him.
Yes, his ability when it came to illusory misdirection, enhancement charms and restorative spells was admittedly a valuable asset to have on their side...but did he have to be so obnoxiously, arrogantly LOUD about it?
If she had to sit through 'the story of the king', or listen to that cretin fish for compliments and praise one more time…
"Mmmm. Master is...very kind to me."
Barghest was blushing now too?
"In spite of my nature, of my curse...Master continues to support and encourage me. He's even helped strengthen me without complaint. When I warned him that bringing me closer to my prime might risk the Black Dog being unleashed, he said that he wasn't worried. He said that he had faith that I could remain myself even if my antennae weren't intact."
Barghest was openly smiling now, the blush having faded as she grew immersed in her explanation.
"Besides that, he's also given me the opportunity to fight directly alongside my idols, the Knights of The Round Table! They're just as gallant and valorous as I expected, so I've been learning the ways of knighthood from them. Even though we are both officially knights, Sir Gawain even agreed to take me on a squire of sorts so that I could learn more and master his abilities. Truly, he's everything that I expected and more.
"Master even gave me the duty of seeing to his safety personally on the last Rayshift, by choosing me to stay with him while all the others split up to accomplish their objectives. I was...very happy that he put that much faith in me. Out of all the Servants in the expedition, I was the one he trusted to protect him."
Now the blush was back, greater and more face-consuming than before.
"A-And it gave me the opportunity to see him...u-up close."
Why is she stuttering? Is she...licking her lips?
Morgan cocked her head in confusion, before waving her hand.
"Elaborate, please."
Ordinarily, Barghest would have stopped there out of embarrassment. However, the emotional high she was on at the memory spurred the still-flustered Saber to continue.
"W-Well you see, Master took a glancing blow in one of our expeditions together. Naturally, I insisted on...i-inspecting him to see if a healer's aid was necessary. Th-Thankfully, there was no damage that his own Mystic Code's abilities couldn't take care of.
"W-Why couldn't it have stayed off? Even among the humans of the Fairy Kingdom, there were few with physiques like Master's. I could've looked at it for ages…"
"Wait, you've seen Master shirtless!? You were that close to his warmth?!" Melusine cried, leaping from her seat with a look of shock and betrayal on her face.
It was at that point that Barghest realised that she was not, in fact, muttering under her breath like she thought she'd been.
She looked up at Melusine. Then to Morgan. Then back to Melusine again.
Without a word more, the Saber buried her face in her hands, blushing from ear to ear, a low and embarrassed whine coming from her mouth all the while. Even when Melusine poked at her fellow Fae Knight, repeatedly trying to rouse her and talk to her about her contact with Ritsuka, Barghest refused to budge.
"Noted." Disregarding the duo for the moment, Morgan turned towards her last knight and heir. "Baobhan Sith, what are your thoughts?"
"Oh, Master's great!" The Archer proclaimed, a surprisingly happy smile on her face. "At first, I thought he was a bit of a dummy and a dullard, because he's a weakling human after all, but now I think he's really fun!"
"'Fun', hmmm?" Morgan cocked an eyebrow. "... it's quite rare to see you this enthused about someone or something, Baobhan Sith. What is it about him that you find 'fun'?"
"He's fun because he makes a really great toy!"
The previously light-hearted and relaxed atmosphere in the room turned icy in an instant.
Out of the corner of her eye, Morgan noticed that Barghest was no longer burying her head in her hands, whining in embarrassment at her slip up all the while, and Melusine was no longer poking at her to try and get her attention. In fact, both of the Fairy Knights' gazes and attentions had now turned towards their...less than stable colleague.
They'd worked alongside Baobhan Sith and known her for at least 1000 years. They, better than anyone else, knew exactly what it was she liked to do to those she called her 'toys'.
"You know that he's really really resilient when it comes to terror and pain? I've tried scaring him a few times already and he barely reacts! Sure, he jumps a little and makes an idiot face, but that's just the knee-jerk shock of my scare! I can see it in his eyes, he's not really scared of my tricks."
The icy atmosphere began to thaw...though not from any levity.
From the top left corner of the room that served as an impromptu deposit for the occupants' weapons, Morgan spied the until-then inert Excalibur Galatine steadily beginning to spit flames.
"Even when that big crab got a few hits in on that last Rayshift mission, he barely even reacted! No screaming, no cries of pain or begging for help, he just got to work healing himself and left me to kill it!" Baobhan ploughed on, utterly oblivious to the effect her words were having.
"Baobhan Sith…" Morgan's blue eyes narrowed as she sighed, rubbing at her forehead.
She really should have seen this coming. After all, it had taken her so long to hammer her lessons into Baobhan Sith's head...and so much time had passed since then and now.
Of course, my daughter's habits would continue here, even though there are no Fairies left to deserve her fury. Considering the sort of person Master is, he would no doubt disapprove…especially if Baobhan Sith's attention is now on him. Perhaps I shou-
"You...you let Master get hurt...?" Melusine spoke up, interrupting her Queen's thoughts. The Lancer's eyes had shrunk to pinpricks, her hands clenching tight enough for her fingernails to start tearing at her gloves.
"That's not right." Barghest practically growled through clenched teeth, face twisted into a firm scowl as her once faint orange eye began to burn a deep red. From the way her body was tensing and shaking, the Saber looked on the verge of resorting to violence.
"Actually, it's perfect for me!" Baobhan's smile was back again, only this one was of the bloodthirsty variety. "Sure, it'll take a lot of effort to actually get a good reaction out of that idiot Master, but him being so resilient means that he'll take a lot more effort to break than my other toys! I can have lots of more fun with him that way! I can't wait to start playing with him prope-"
"That's enough, Baobhan Sith."
The Archer's mouth zipped shut in an instant, her whole body wracked with a shiver at the steel in the voice. She hadn't heard that tone in centuries...but even now she still responded, knowing that the voice was not to be trifled with.
Slowly shifting her gaze, Baobhan found Morgan gazing at her. Outwardly, her expression seemed as neutral as ever, but the Queen's adoptive daughter was well practiced in observing even the most minor of changes in her expression.
It had been a hobby of hers in the early decades of her wardship under Morgan, before she'd truly taken her adoptive mother's lessons in cruelty to heart. After all, she had not been one to express her feelings openly...or indeed at all. Thus, Baobhan had taken to developing a keen second sight for perceiving the slightest changes in her adoptive mother's expression, out of a mix of boredom and honest curiosity.
And right now, that sight was telling her that Morgan was well and truly...disappointed?
But why? Wasn't this the sort of behaviour she'd previously encouraged in her heir?
"Barghest, Melusine, thank you for your insight regarding our Master, but I must ask that you leave Baobhan Sith and I alone."
"...as you wish, your Majesty." As much as Barghest wanted to punish Baobhan Sith personally for her disgustingly disobedient conduct, she nonetheless stomped over to the top left corner of the room to retrieve Galatine and then out the door.
Melusine followed behind her, but where the Fae Knight of the Sun had averted her gaze and kept focused solely on leaving the room as fast as possible, the Fae Knight of the Lake moved at a much more leisurely pace. Her furious glare remained locked onto Baobhan from the time she stood up to the point the door whirred shut behind her.
Taking a breath, Morgan put a hand to her chin, contemplating how to handle this new issue.
This was not something that could be solved overnight, of that she was certain, especially with how long it had taken for the sweet, selfless and eager-to-please Baobhan Sith to even begin adopting the cruel mannerisms and attitude that now dominated her personality. It would likely take even more time to get her to try and soften herself again, especially with how many centuries she'd had to be subsumed by the persona Morgan had encouraged her to adopt.
Yes, it would be a great effort on her part. But if it meant avoiding the possibility of Baobhan Sith's more...sadistic behaviour souring Ritsuka's opinion of her by proxy, then-
"Mother?"
Blinking, Morgan's attention was drawn back to Baobhan. The Fae Knight was still in her seat, looking up at her with a mixture of confusion and nervousness.
Of course, she'd not actually needed to chastise Baobhan in a long time. At least three centuries, in fact. Her doing so now and so suddenly, at least from the view of her stepdaughter, would naturally garner some confusion.
Alright, best to be direct. But first...
"Yes, Baobhan Sith?"
"What was that all about? I was just talking about what I liked about Master."
Morgan would've found the honest curiosity quite endearing if not for the subject matter. Baobhan Sith had been so inquisitive in her first few decades in Camelot, especially when it came to her adoptive mother's Magecraft. Though her enthusiasm for that particular field hadn't diminished as Morgan's teachings transformed the once kind fairy into a cruel and sadistic Fae Knight, she'd shifted her focus to wanting to learn the darker magics her adoptive mother knew…. especially those involving blood.
Morgan hoped that none of those types of Magecraft had been put to use on their mutual Master just yet. Then again, if Baobhan HAD done anything of that nature, she would surely have been told about it by now. The Archer was closely linked to her as her official heir, after all, so naturally any Servant or staff member concerned about her behaviour would have come to Morgan for help reining her in.
...right?
"...mmm? Oh, yes. Yes, you were."
"Then why'd you ask for some alone time with me...and why did you look so disappointed?"
Alright then. Be direct.
"Because to be frank with you, what you were discussing in your explanation was very much inappropriate for the current circumstances."
"What!?" Baobhan cried, leaping out of her chair with wide eyes. "B-But mother, you've ever had a problem with the way I act before! I thought this was how you wanted me to act in the first place!"
"I did, but-" Morgan began, only for her adoptive daughter to completely cut her off.
"You kept telling me to live my life the way I want! To not let anyone else take advantage of me! That's what I've been doing all this time and you've always been okay with it, until right now!
"Wait...is it that human Master? Did he do something to you?"
"He did nothing of the-"
"Did he snare you in some human trick? Did he get that low class farm girl to bewitch you or something? I bet he did! I bet this is them trying for some extra payback because I tried to teach them to stay in the dirt. To know their place!" Baobhan was off on a tirade now, pacing around the room as she ranted.
Morgan sighed and rubbed at her forehead. She'd been expecting some pushback, this was a quite radical and abrupt reversal of opinion concerning how her daughter should act after all, but she'd not expected Baobhan Sith to be quite so vehement about it, or immediately start pointing fingers the way she was.
"Don't worry mother, I'll put a stop to this! I'll go find that commoner bitch and make her lift whatever spell she's put on you!"
Were it any Artoria other than her successor, Morgan wouldn't have minded letting Baobhan have her way with them. They deserved it, after all, for being the spawn of Merlin and Uther's disgusting ploy...the ploy that had snatched both her father and her birth right away from her.
Well, not exactly HER father or birth right, really, but it had been so easy to imagine herself in her Panhuman self's shoes. So easy to imagine living that life… to dream about that life being hers. That life that had seemed so much better than her own, so lacking in tragedy and pain in comparison, to the extent that her other self was still driven forward by the passions and emotions that Morgan herself had long since buried.
But her successor...Morgan couldn't bring herself to hate her, not for doing the duty that she herself had cast aside. After all, Artoria Caster had found her resolve in the end. Despite all the pain in her own life and having forged even fewer emotional connections than Morgan had managed to make, those few connections had been enough to push her on and do what her predecessor could not...forge the Holy Sword Excalibur and atone for the sins of Fairy kind.
That feat was worthy of respect.
"And if that doesn't work, I'll go find Master and make HIM put you back to normal! And then, I'll punish him to make sure he and that common girl won't ever mess with you again!"
That is most certainly NOT a wise idea, Baobhan Sith.
"You just wait right here, mother! I'll come back when I've-oooww!?" Baobhan's attempted reassurance was cut off as two fingers pinched her ear firmly, before guiding the Archer back to her seat.
Once returned to a sitting position, Baobhan Sith found herself faced with one of her mother's sterner gazes, pinning her in place.
With the threat of her daughter getting violent against their Master quashed for the moment, Morgan decided to try explaining herself again.
"That won't be necessary, Baobhan Sith. I can assure you that I am under no spell and my mind is my own. I understand that my disapproval is a surprise to you, but please allow me to explain."
When Baobhan stayed silent instead of interrupting, Morgan continued.
"It is true that teaching you to behave the way you do, teaching you to hate and act cruelly towards the Fairy population to stop them taking advantage of you, was a means of ensuring your safety and happiness in a place as wretched as the kingdom of Fairy Britain.
"However, we are not in Fairy Britain anymore, are we? We are here in Chaldea, a very different land inhabited by a very different populace. And because of that, I feel that it would be for the best to adapt your behaviour accordingly to suit this new home of ours."
Baobhan still looked unconvinced. Sighing, Morgan knelt down and cupped her daughter's head in her hands. Despite how foreign the expression felt on her face, she tried her best to look as concerned as she felt.
"I know it may be difficult to adjust after so long acting as you have but, like with my original advice and teachings to you regarding cruelty, this new advice is given for your safety. I'm sure you've noticed that Master inspires a... quite impressive degree of loyalty from the majority of the Servants here, yes?"
Baobhan nodded.
"Yeah, a lot of them are willing to do so much for him. He's just some weakling human, but I've seen knights, assassins, mages, kings, emperors and even Gods trip over themselves to do things for him or get praise from him when they do their jobs.
"There's even a gang of Servants who follow him everywhere. Literally, EVERYWHERE. It's like they worship the ground he walks on or something! I mean, I've even seen one of them try and steal his laundry a few times! I don't get what's so special about him at all, why are they fawning over that idiot so much?!"
"The 'why' is not important right now, what matters is that they do it." Morgan insisted, mentally filing that piece of information about 'stalkers' away for later. "Now, taking into account most Servants' level of loyalty to our Master, I doubt that they would take kindly to your intent to make Master your new 'toy', as you put it, would they?"
It took a few moments for everything she'd just said to register in Baobhan Sith's mind, but once it did…
Her face quickly started going white, eyes shrinking in fear as she let out an audible gulp.
"Um...w-well no, b-but I-" Baobhan tried protesting, despite already sounding less confident in her intended plans than before.
"Baobhan Sith." Morgan put a finger to the girl's lips to gently cut her daughter off. "I know very well that you are both powerful and capable, you are my heir and magical apprentice, after all. However, there are dozens of Heroic Spirits residing in this place at the very least, possibly hundreds, do you expect to be able to fight them all?"
That question got Baobhan to stop in her tracks, eyebrows knitting together and her gaze darting around as she lapsed into thought.
"Well?" Morgan asked, softly.
"I just...I..." Baobhan whined, looking conflicted. "I was just doing what made you happy, mother…"
"I know, Baobhan Sith. I know." Morgan assured her, stroking the Archer's head. "And up until now, your behaviour has kept you alive and made me happy. But from now on, it would be for the best to try and... temper yourself. I know it will be difficult to change your ways now, after a thousand years in that wretched place...but if you would be willing to try, that would make me happy."
"Really?" Baobhan's voice was soft, but her eyes were shining with surprise.
"Yes. I have always wanted to ensure the best life for you, Baobhan Sith. Back in the Fairy Kingdom, that meant teaching you the cruelty and ruthlessness you needed to stop any other Fairy from taking advantage of you or hurting you again. But here, in this Chaldea, I fully believe that you will have a much happier life if you were to...try to return to your roots, so to speak.
"Though I may not have too much experience with Chaldea, or the residents, I can assure you that any help and charity you offer will be accepted. After all, I've seen our Master reward his Servants for their work on Rayshift expeditions, and I'm sure you've seen him do likewise in the expeditions you've been part of.
"Yeah...that idiot kept going around and thanking everyone even while we were on the mission." Baobhan admitted, cheeks dusted with red at the memory. "It….it wasn't that bad to get the respect and reward I deserve, I guess."
Ah, still trying to save face, is she? Fufu. That pride of hers can be quite adorable.
"Well, there you are then, now you know that you will not be shunned, nor will you be hurt. You will be given thanks and gratitude for your help. I promise."
"...you really promise, mother?"
"I wouldn't be doing so if I didn't think it was in your best interest."
Abruptly, Baobhan lurched forward to capture the Fairy Queen in a hug, burying her face into her mother's shoulder. A few muffled sniffles could be heard as Morgan gently rubbed her back.
"Dear me, I thought we'd fixed this...there's no need to cry Baobhan Sith, why are you sad?" Morgan asked, quite badly confused. She'd been trying to reassure and comfort her heir, after all, not drive her to tears.
"I-I'm not sad, mother...I-I'm just really happy that...that you're looking out for me."
Oh, these are...tears of happiness.
"...of course, I would look out for you, you are my heir and daughter. And... someone that I cherish greatly."
As Baobhan Sith nuzzled happily into her mother's shoulder, Morgan let out a small smile and patted her on the head once more.
I've learnt quite a lot about my Master today. He seems the kind and generous sort from my knights' descriptions, but I feel like I need the opinion of someone who knows Master well indeed.
Perhaps, there is one person who would certainly know him better than the rest.
But that can wait for tomorrow, or even the day after that. For now, I think it would be best to spend some time helping Baobhan Sith adjust her lifestyle habits.
Alright, she should be around here somewhere…
Striding through the halls of Chaldea, Morgan was deep in thought.
Despite her offerings of help, Baobhan Sith had insisted on trying to 'make her own way' with regards to her new outlook on life, bounding from the room and assuring Morgan that she'd be able to find something productive to do with her free time...other than torturing people for fun, of course.
Perhaps she was in her rebellious phase, at last? She'd always been so willing to accept her mother's help in the past.
...a matter of pride, may haps? An attempt by Baobhan Sith to try and start this 'new life' of hers on her own?
Regardless, she'd wait for Baobhan Sith to try on her own, as she always had done. If her help was required, then she'd made it clear to Baobhan that her daughter could always come to her for what help Morgan could offer (being quite a new arrival to this environment herself). In the meantime…
It was a new day for her, and an opportunity for her to get on with the next phase of her 'get to know Ritsuka' plan.
And she knew just how to get started.
As she was rounding the corner into the corridor to the cafeteria, intending to search there first, Morgan heard the very voice of the person she wanted to see. Carefully stepping back to conceal herself behind the corner, the Fae Queen cast a quick enhancement spell on her ears just to make sure she could hear what was going on.
"Senpai! I've got the layout for the next Rayshift here!" Mash Kyrielight called as she approached Ritsuka, tablet in hand. "The Clairvoyants and SHEBA were a big help in mapping it out for us!"
"Ah, thanks Mash!" Ritsuka smiled, patting his dutiful Kouhai on the head. "Knowing what we'll be up against will make forming a team a lot easier."
"Ahehehe! My pleasure, Senpai." Mash hummed happily at the praise, leaning as much into the petting as she dared without coming off as weird. "Is there anything else that needs doing in preparation for the mission right now? I could go around and see some of the support Casters about coming along if you want."
"Thanks for the offer Mash, but I think we can wait a few hours before getting a team together. This is just a routine material gathering after all, and there aren't that many Servants who need strengthening by now.
"Besides, I don't think we'll have many problems finding takers for a Rayshift opportunity. You know how many Servants I've gotten asking me to take them out on an expedition lately?"
"Mmmm…. you've gotten at least a dozen requests lately, and those are just the ones I was there to hear about."
"Yeah. Plus, all the asks for just hanging out or going on outings." Ritsuka chuckled. "Whether it's some of the guys asking if I want to come along on some simulator outing or other to relax or one of the ladies dragging me to a shop or restaurant, or even just to the cafeteria or their room for a chat, it seems like there's always someone wanting to spend time with me."
"It's because you're so kind, Senpai!" Mash insisted, an adorably serious look on her face. "All the Servants here really care about you for being so good to them! Plenty of the Servants here were our enemies at some point, and you still managed to win them over by being the trusting and considerate Senpai that you are! I-I mean, even Yu Daisenpai has warmed up to you by now and she barely wanted anything to do with us when we first summoned her…"
Over by her position behind the wall, Morgan felt that strange hurt welling up in her chest again at hearing that.
It seems that Master is more popular than even I anticipated.
It was nice to hear that he was so readily accepting, but realising that he had so many Servants that were that fond of him…
She'd inevitably be competing with them all when it came to getting praised and noticed, wouldn't she?
"Yeah. Still, it's crazy to think about, you know. If you told me a couple of years ago that I'd have a load of people basically falling all over themselves to spend time with me, I'd have thought you were having a joke. I…. wasn't all that popular at all in school."
"Well at least here you are, Senpai!"
"Yeah, yeah. It does feel nice having so many friends now. But with so many Servants around...it can get a bit tiring making sure I see all of them at least sometimes." Ritsuka admitted, rubbing at his neck.
"Yeah...it feels like I don't see you as much as I used to anymore." Mash agreed, turning a little sad.
"Sorry about that Mash, but I do have a lot of responsibilities now, you know?"
"I know Senpai…"
Noting her crestfallen look regardless of her affirmation, Ritsuka stretched out an arm and pulled the Shielder in for a hug. Though surprised at first, Mash quickly and happily leant into it, cuddling her Master and friend back with a notable enthusiasm.
"Don't worry. No matter how many Servants show up here, I can promise that I won't forget you." Ritsuka assured her.
"Thank you Senpai."
"You're just too cute and adorable to ever let go, you know? Especially when you're intoxicated." Ritsuka continued, now smirking playfully.
"S-Senpai…!" Mash whimpered, now reddening from the memory of how she'd acted during the Setsubun event expedition, under the influence of that alcoholic mist. "You promised we wouldn't talk about that!"
"And I haven't, I promise!" Ritsuka said, ruffling his Kouhai's head reassuringly. "But if you're really worried about not getting any time with me, then why don't we have lunch together?"
"Really?"
"Yeah! There's nothing either of us need to take care of right now, so we're both free for a meal, right? Well, unless you don't want t-"
"N-No, it's fine!" Mash quickly interrupted, a happy sparkle in her purple eyes. "I'm happy to have lunch with you Senpai! Just let me put away this tablet and I'll join you in the cafeteria!"
"Right then. See you in a few minutes!" Ruffling her hair once more, Ritsuka turned and began making his way towards the cafeteria proper, leaving the Demi-Servant alone in the hallway.
Now would be a good time to talk to her...but how should I approach this?
Her royal intuition and persona told her to be forceful and assert her authority. Even in this Servant container, she was still the Fairy Queen of Britain. To demand information about Ritsuka and that she be allowed on the next Rayshift. If that didn't work, then there were always threats to be made. That was what had worked for her when dealing with the Fae Clan leaders in the past.
Were this almost anyone else, she would heed those instincts. However...
This was Mash. Though it had been thousands of years since their first meeting and official friendship, Morgan had never quite forgotten her first Fae Knight and good friend.
Pleasant memories of off-key songs sung by the campfire, giggle-filled chats about who Morgan had her eye on as a romantic partner (usually initiated by Totorot but enabled by Mash herself) and words of supportive encouragement swam into her mind. Whenever she felt unsure or hesitant, Mash had been the first to bolster her spirit. To reassure her that they'd keep persevering regardless and her faithful companions would still follow the saviour.
Even today, you've still not changed, have you? I can see where you got that attitude from.
She'd been upset about having to seal Mash within that crystalline coffin, even if it was for her own safety, wishing the Shielder could have stayed with her on her journey.
Perhaps, if you had been there...I might not have forgotten how to smile so easily. This journey of mine would surely have been more bearable with you and Totorot at my side.
…. but they'd have never approved of the person she'd become, would they? Assuming she followed the same path. They would have surely left regardless, out of protest.
Morgan's small smile now turned bitter at the thought as she clutched at her spear.
Was I fated to lose you both, no matter what I did? Was that how unfair my lot in life was?
After all, even if they'd stayed with her….no doubt her changes to the Lostbelt, the ritual she'd enacted to turn it into a proper equal of the Pan-History, would have erased at least one of them, if not both of them. Nothing born or created before the Queen's Calendar was permitted to exist in the new world she had created, Morgan had seen proof of that first-hand.
Humans...Fairies...buildings, all of it turned to dust because of sheer incompatibility with the queen's new world. It had taken a good deal of effort to rebuild the lost infrastructure and replenish the Kingdom's stock of humans.
Privately, as selfish as it was, she'd hoped that Totorot had died before then.
After so many of her old friends had died in her name, the last thing she wanted was to be directly responsible for the death of one of her most loyal companions.
The mere thought of that being the case…
"Oh, your majesty! What are you doing here?"
Letting out an embarrassingly high-pitched squeak of surprise at being addressed so suddenly, Morgan blinked a few times to readjust her vision before sighting Mash, who had rounded the corner and was now staring at her.
"Miss Kyr- ah, Mash. I was actually looking for you."
From what she remembered of her time with Mash, the girl preferred being referred to by first name, so it was probably best to forgo formality here, to try and be a little more friendly.
"Oh, was there something you needed?"
"I suppose you could say that...I was going to ask you about our Master. I wanted to know what sort of person he is."
"Eh? You want me to tell you about Senpai!?" Mash noticeably brightened in adorable excitement. "I can do that just f-"
"Ah, thank you, but it's no longer necessary. I... may have overheard your talk with him. You certainly think of him as a good man indeed, and from my own memory you aren't one to misjudge others' character, so-"
Morgan stopped mid-sentence, once she noticed that Mash had grown rather nervous.
"Is something wrong?"
"U-Um...you heard all of my talk with Senpai?" The Shielder asked, a blush forming on her cheeks.
"More or less, yes."
"E-Even that bit about when I was, um...intoxicated by the Oni mist?"
Oh. Mmmm…. that MIGHT be a little embarrassing for others to find out about, wouldn't it?
"Yes, I did. But-" Morgan raised a hand to gently silence Mash's attempted protest, trying her best to offer a reassuring smile. "-you have my word that I won't tell anyone that doesn't already know about it. That...indiscretion is yours alone to share."
"Oh, thank you, your majesty. I appreciate that very much." Mash said. "But if you've gotten what you wanted to hear about Senpai, then I suppose you'll be going now?"
"Actually, there is something else I wanted to ask." Morgan paused for a moment, searching for the right words. "I... also overheard that you might require Servants for an upcoming expedition. I would like to volunteer my help."
"Really?" Mash brightened again. "That's really nice of you, your majesty. I'll tell Senpai about it over lunch, he'd surely be happy to have you along!"
"That's nice to hear...and Mash?"
The Shielder, who had been in the middle of turning around and heading to the cafeteria, moved back to face the Fairy Queen at her call.
"Yes?"
"I feel as if there is...no need for formality between you and me. After all, it might have been a long while ago for both of us...and I have certainly changed a great deal from the girl you knew, but we were friends once upon a time, were we not?"
"Yes, I suppose we were. Actually, I'd...I'd sort of been hoping that we could keep being friends too." A blushing Mash admitted.
"That's good to hear. Well then, I suppose I will see you a little later then Mash, my…friend?" She tested the word in her mouth. It felt a little strange to use it again after so long, especially when describing anyone other than Totorot.
It felt…. nice to say.
"Alright then! See you later your ma-...eh, I mean Morgan! I'll be sure to recommend you to Senpai for the next Rayshift team." With that, Mash turned and began striding off towards the cafeteria, though not before giving a final wave goodbye, leaving the Fairy Queen alone in the hallway.
Hmm. I'd say this was a success.
She'd confirmed her Fae Knights' assessments of Ritsuka's character, managed to ingratiate herself to one of the members of Chaldea (and an old friend of hers, technically) closest to him and gained another chance to show off her skill and power.
And hopefully, hopefully...she'd receive a proper reward in exchange for her services.
"Alright, is everyone here?"
"Just one more person left to show up, Senpai!" Mash called, checking her list.
"Alright then, but just to be sure…" Ritsuka turned towards the assembled Servants. "Alright, roll call time everyone!"
Immediately, the chatter among the group ceased as they turned towards their Master, expectant.
"First off, Saber Alter!"
"Present, Master." The tainted king replied.
"Gareth!"
"Yes! I'm here!" Gareth called out, jumping up and down excitedly a few times to make sure she was seen.
"Percival!"
"Ready and waiting, Master!" The Knight of the Dove called an eager grin on his face.
"Gawain!"
"Here to serve, Master." The Knight of the Sun bowed.
"Lancelot!"
"Yes, Master."
"Tristan!"
…
"Tristan?" Ritsuka called once again, looking confused now.
As one, the assembled Round Table Knights turned towards the far corner...where the Knight of Lamentation was leaning against the wall, peacefully snoozing away.
"Typical." Lancelot sighed.
"He's not changed at all." Gareth shook her head, smiling at the nostalgia.
"One of us should wake him." Gawain pointed out. "But he can be quite...irritable sometimes if his naps are interrupted. Who wants to-?"
"Oi bird brain, wake the hell up! Master's waiting for ya!" Mordred yelled, stomping forward and grabbing Tristan by the ear. "Stop slacking off!"
Tristan flinched at the sheer volume of Mordred's voice, especially so close to his ear, to the point that his eyes flew open for the briefest of moments. Shaking his head, he slunk over to go stand by Gawain.
"...well, I suppose that settles that question." Lancelot commented.
"Alright, guess that means Mordred's present too." Ritsuka chuckled.
"Course I am. You called for me for a mission and all. What was I gonna do, say no?" The Knight of Treachery grumbled. "I'm not a complete lazy ass like that nerdy bat woman."
As the other knights shared a laugh, cold blue eyes stared at them from over by the control room's left wall, hidden under the thick veil of a concealing spell. Only Ritsuka and Mash were aware that she was supposed to be there, and even then, neither of them would know if she was until Morgan revealed herself.
She was quite proud of her ability to conceal her presence so thoroughly. Especially from her hated enemies. Well...not quite HER enemies, really.
So... these are my other self's children. Or most of them, at least. Wasn't there another one on that woman's Round Table?
Morgan's gaze swept over the group, lingering for a moment on her children from another world. They seemed...a little too rowdy and quirky to be proper knights. But then again, they weren't actually on their mission yet. She'd not seen them actually operate in the field before, but now would be a good opportunity at least.
Though she already knew quite a bit about them from her Panhuman self's memories, and they certainly seemed like decent knights, Morgan felt it best to judge them for herself. That way, she could have a more unbiased opinion.
Yes. That sounded like a good idea.
"Alright then, back to it...Artoria Caster!" Ritsuka called out.
"Here I am, Master. I will always be here if you need me." The Caster in question replied, flashing a calm smile.
Thankfully, she'd seen fit to lower herself to the height of everyone else this time, instead of flaunting her power by levitating everywhere.
That said, now that she got another look at her, Morgan couldn't help but feel...an odd sense of pride in her fellow Avalon Le Fae, now that this meeting of theirs was no longer tainted by negativity from the darker parts of the Fae Queen's mind.
The shaky and fragile confidence her younger self had displayed when confronting the Fairy Queen in her throne room was gone, replaced with an air of unshakeable faith in her own abilities. A faith born not from delusion, but from experience. She knew herself and new power levels well indeed.
And of course, from the way she kept stealing glances at Ritsuka, she'd finally found something to fight for. Not unlike Morgan herself fighting for the sake of Britain itself.
You have certainly grown, my successor. I can't be angry at you for that.
"Next up...Merlin!"
….and now her half-decent mood was ruined.
"Hiiii!" Came the obnoxiously, insufferably cheerful voice of the half-incubus mage. "Merlin onii-san's here to help you out, Master-kuuun!"
…...oh, good grief, he ACTUALLY talks like that?
And he was waving too, with what had to be one of the widest and stupidest grins she'd ever seen.
All in all, the image was more fitting for an overeager or mentally deficient child than one of the greatest mages of all time in Panhuman History. Her face curled in disgust just from seeing it.
And judging from the looks the other Round Table Knights were giving him, she was not the only one who thought so.
"Fooouu-kyuu!" Came a wholly new voice, drawing Morgan's attention…
To the blue white fluffball that dropped down from the ceiling to drop-kick Merlin on the head.
"Gyah!" Came the mage's very un-manly cry as he fell to the ground. "Damn you, Cath Palug! What did I do to deserve that, you beast!?"
Cath Palug?
"Fou-san!" Mash called out, running forward to scoop up the new arrival. "I understand that you and Merlin don't get on, but please try to refrain from attacking Merlin until the mission is over, okay?"
"Fou Fou Fooouu…" The now-identified 'Fou' whined out, sounding reluctant but obeying anyway, opting to snuggle against Mash rather than attack Merlin anymore.
"Now now, Cath Palug." Artoria Avalon chided gently, moving over to pet Fou on the head. Surprisingly, he leant into the offered affection quite eagerly.
"As much as Merlin may deserve it, Ritsuka needs him at full readiness for this expedition. You wouldn't want to make this unnecessarily difficult for him, would you?"
"Fou…"
"Well done, there's a good Cath Palug. Besides…"
Artoria Avalon turned her gaze to Merlin, emerald eyes flashing with a distinctly malicious glare as she spied the Mage of Flowers.
"There's always time after the mission is done to give that lazy mage the punishment he so deserves, isn't there? If he is lazy and unreliable enough, he may even be due for a beheading."
"Fouhuhuhu." Both Caster and Cath Palug threw glares that were downright bloodthirsty at Merlin, as if daring him to screw up or not pull his weight, just to give them an excuse to punish him as severely as they both wanted to.
Morgan could not help but give a nod of respect towards her successor and Fou. They certainly knew the appropriate way to treat that incubus pest.
"Come now, both of you." A commanding and stern voice called out. "I understand that you are not fond of Merlin, but this is really no way to treat him."
Striding over from her position over by the wall, unnoticed by most of the others until now, the King of Knights levelled a cool stare at her Caster counterpart and Fou.
Oh joy...not only is SHE here, but she's ruining some perfectly good entertainment. Morgan sneered.
"He is...eccentric, no doubt, but Merlin is reliable when needed. No need for threats or violence against him before he's done anything to offend you, and beheading is not what I would call the appropriate response to potential laziness."
"Fou! FOOOU!" Fou snarled, stabbing one of his front paws in Merlin's direction.
"I understand. You have the right to feel that way, however-" Saber gently plucked Fou from Mash's hands, holding him in her arms and smiling softly at him. "-from what I recall, Merlin only had your best interests at heart when he ejected you from Avalon. He told me that he wanted you to see the beauty of the world and humanity. Is that not what he wanted?"
"F... Fou…"
"And is that not exactly what happened?" Saber asked. "After all, we all have you to thank for being here today, if what I'm told you got up to in Babylonia was any indication...if not for Merlin forcing you out, would you still have done what I'm told you did to help us?"
"Fou, Fou Fou…Fou. Fou, Fou Fou Fou."
"You see? Even you agree that it was for the best for Merlin to do what he did. Surely you can forgive and forget by now, hmmm?" Saber implored him, gently petting Fou all the while.
"Fou…." he whined and though his tone was reluctant, the Cath Palug gently leant into Saber's petting, his previously sharp glare at Merlin softening all the while. "Fou. Fou, Fou Fou."
"Well done. That's very big of you to do that." Saber brought Fou close to her chest and gave him a grateful cuddle. "Thank you for being the bigger creature here, Cath Palug."
"As expected of our king." Percival was smiling stupidly wide.
"What a fine display of compassion indeed." As was Lancelot, arms folded. "To think that you would be this open with your feelings, I'm glad to see your time here has done you good, my liege."
"Aaahh, she's so inspiring in her kindness, even now!" Gareth was much more open with her enthusiasm, practically vibrating in place.
"Truly, our king has a better understanding of the heart than I thought. For that, I am glad indeed." Tristan commented, plucking at Failnaught to play a gentle tune.
"Faaaatheeer…" Surprisingly, it was Mordred who was closest to flat-out crying of all the knights.
Watching all of this, Morgan just huffed to herself, rolling her eyes.
What was so special about that act of stupidity? She puts far too much faith in that half-blood cretin in the first place…he could certainly benefit from being beheaded at least once.
"Ah, thanks for that, Artoria." Ritsuka said, coming forward to appraise her and Fou. "Honestly...I've been trying to get Fou to take it easier on Merlin for a while now, but he wouldn't listen to me."
"It's no trouble at all, Master. I'm just happy to be of help." Saber replied, giving Fou one last pet before placing him back on the floor. "I'm just taking your advice to be a bit more...open and honest with myself and how I feel. It certainly seems to help in mediating disputes as much as it helps in regular conversation."
"Kyuuu…" Fou rubbed against Saber's legs and shot Merlin a glare one last time before bounding over to Mash, who leant down and stretched out her arm to receive him. Fou leapt for the arm and climbed up to Mash's shoulder, where he settled into his usual position.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that. But really, thanks." Ritsuka insisted. On instinct and intending to thank her properly for her unprompted good deed, he started reaching forward to pat her head, but stopped himself.
"Ah, sorry about that...reflex and all."
"I-It's no problem." Saber insisted, suddenly looking quite bashful. "I-I've heard that these sorts of rewards are more common among the Servants nowadays...so if you would like to reward me like this, then I have no objections. It is only fair, after all..."
What?
This was all it took to get praise from Ritsuka? This...this meagre act of conflict resolution was all it took!?
And he's giving it to HER, of all people?!
As Ritsuka reached over to pat Saber's head, Morgan began tightening her grip on her own arms, her expression twisting into a scowl.
As the King of Knights let out a slight, happy smile, Morgan's fingernails began digging into her arms hard enough to cause quite considerable pain. However, she barely felt it, her anger at the scene in front of her being more than enough to drown out any emotions she was feeling.
She only relaxed and remembered to cast a healing spell on the self-inflicted injuries once Ritsuka had removed his hand from Saber's head.
"Ah, alright then...almost done with the roll call." Ritsuka coughed. "Next up is someone most of you might not have met personally yet, because she's one of the newest arrivals. Mash told me that she wanted to come along on this mission to help out and I thought it would be okay. Consider it a test run of sorts to see whether you all can work with her."
"Work with her? Why would you think we'd have problems with this newcomer, Master?" Saber Artoria silted her head quizzically, while the other knights glanced at one another, curious. "As long as they behave themselves and do their best, and be assured that we will do likewise, then I'm sure we won't have any problems fighting side by side."
A chorus of agreements rose from the rest of the group.
Nevertheless, Ritsuka remained wary, rubbing at his neck in his nervousness.
"It's not that I doubt your professionalism...but this person is connected to just about all of you in some way. Even if she isn't from the same history, some of you might not be able to help, ah...reacting badly to her presence, shall we say."
"'She', you say?" Saber Artoria's eyes had started narrowing, while her Caster self offered Ritsuka a sympathetic smile.
Behind her, the other Knights of the Round had begun muttering among themselves, exchanging glances. Gawain, Gareth and Mordred looked especially interested, with the Knight of Treachery practically leaning forward in anticipation, eyes narrowed into slits.
"Master, Mash...if I were to make a guess as to who exactly this person is, would I be correct in assuming that 'she' is, perhaps, a witch?"
Ritsuka couldn't hold her gaze, while Mash looked openly nervous now.
"Perhaps...a witch with the blood of a fairy in her?" Saber inquired, emerald eyes narrowed to slits, one hand gradually moving to the pommel of her holy sword.
"U-Uh...yeah…" Ritsuka mumbled, beads of sweat beginning to form on his forehead.
Well, it was nice to see her presence getting such an... emotional reaction out of her usually uptight and stuffy 'sister' from another world.
Perhaps I should toy with her, just a little bit.
Yes...that'll be some nice entertainment for today.
Putting on her most confident smile, Morgan strode towards Ritsuka while dispelling her concealing spell.
"Oh, I am no common Fairy-blooded half breed, Artoria. I am a fairy born from the land of Avalon itself, born to save the world itself, the undisputed Queen of Fairy Britain, the strongest magic user there ever was, slayer of the King of Mors...and absolute ruler of the Sixth Lostbelt.
"Hello there, Knights of the Round Table. Though I am not the Morgan you know, do rest assured...I know all of you very well indeed." Morgan let her smile turn slightly mocking as she swept her gaze across the assembled heroes. "So nice to meet those who gave my other self such trouble in achieving her ambitions. I must say, for a first impression...I'm not too impressed. So noisy and juvenile, even when you're supposed to be on duty. What a pity."
Okay, she MIGHT have been embellishing both her disdain and her own feats just a little bit...but it was worth it to see Artoria's face twitch even slightly at her bragging, while the other knights glowered under her condemnation.
"Here I am, Master, ready and more than able to serve you." Morgan made a show of draping an arm across Ritsuka's shoulder as she reached him.
"Ah, th-thanks for coming, Morgan. But, um...are you sure you're okay to go on another Rayshift? You put in a lot of work on yesterday's expedition, after all." Ritsuka asked, while struggling not to be too uncomfortable with her sudden close contact.
"Please, don't worry about me Master, I'm perfectly fine to go on another of these expeditions. I assure you; I have plenty of stamina built up from centuries of ruling my lands, personally suppressing many of the rebellions that dared rise to challenge my dominance.
"But it is certainly kind of you to worry about my health like that. You are indeed as caring as my Fae Knights have made you out to be."
"The same knights that carry Origin Graphs taken from the very Round Table Knights you're looking down on?" Artoria Avalon 'innocently' asked, a cheeky smile forming on her face as Morgan's own smile twitched a little.
"Yes, Caster, those same knights indeed." She practically spat out, rather irritated at her successor butting in on her fun like that.
"I KNEW that pint-size brat was using Arondight!" Mordred yelled out. "I'd recognise that sword anywhere!"
"S-So that young fairy has the powers of Sir Lancelot? Well, it's only expected! Of course you would want the strength of the mightiest Round Table Knight on your side!" Gareth said. "It's obvious why she's so tough! Yep, it's all thanks to Sir Lancelot!"
Lancelot himself actually blushed at his ex-squire's praise.
"I knew that blonde woman's armour and weapon closely resembled mine for a reason. Though I thought perhaps she was a fan of mine…" Gawain mused.
"So, you claim to be unimpressed with the calibre of my retainers...yet you see fit to use their powers and equipment to enhance your own knights?" Saber Artoria gave the Fairy Queen a rather piercing stare. "I see...whether you're from Proper History or one of these Lostbelts, you've not changed much. This is you trying to get under my skin by insulting my followers, isn't it?"
"Oh no, not at all, Artoria. I'm simply pointing out your knights don't exactly act befitting of their stations. Why, you might as well call them a gaggle of rowdy children instead."
"As long as they do not lose focus in battle, do not turn on one another, uphold the values of the Round Table and follow our Master's commands diligently, then my knights may act as they see fit." Saber took a step towards Morgan, tilting her head. "I've decided to keep an eye on you on this expedition. If how you're acting right now is any indication, it would certainly benefit everyone if you were properly supervised."
At this, Morgan's teasing smile was replaced with a firm frown, her playful attitude and previous enjoyment evaporating.
It was only their first official conversation, and already the little sister was deciding that she needed supervision, like some sort of unruly brat.
She couldn't recall the last time she'd felt so personally insulted.
"Oh...you think I'm just going to accept being treated like this, that I'll accept being babied in this manner like I'm some unruly little child? Especially by some failure of a king like YOU?" Morgan hissed, taking a step forward and raising her spear, heedless of both Mash and Ritsuka fretting and silently begging them both to cut it out.
"...perhaps the Master was quite right to delay bringing us together like this. After all, you clearly can't even feign the maturity needed to work as a Servant, even in these desperate times."
Morgan's teeth began to grind together, blue eyes twitching with anger as she stomped towards Artoria, ignoring the rest of the Round Table Knights preparing their own weapons as she began charging her spear.
"I refuse to accept those sorts of degradations. If it's a fight you're after, Red Dragon, then it's a fight you're going to-"
WHACK.
"Agh!" Morgan staggered back clutching her head, the glow of her spear dimming and all of her prepared spells dispersing.
"Gah!" Saber Artoria was better off, but still broke the staring contest and brought up her hands to rub at her scalp.
"Enough." A harsh, rage-filled voice barked.
Looking around, both Fairy Queen and King of Knights found themselves face-to-face with the yellow eyes of Artoria Alter. The tyrant king glared back, arms folded and scowl firmly in place.
"What a disappointment, arguing like children when your Master has need for you. What pathetic conduct for a pair of monarchs. If you must act like babies, do so on your own timetables and fight in the simulator."
"Hmph, who do you think you are, ordering me around like this?" Morgan groused.
"Someone who is properly committed to her role as one of Chaldea's warriors, instead of getting side-tracked indulging in petty grudges." Saber Alter shot back.
"Look, I know that you've...got your difficulties getting on, but please at least try for now? For me?" Ritsuka pleaded. "As Alter said, there's always the simulator if you really want to fight."
Morgan sighed, taking a deep breath in and out.
On the one hand, as much as she would like to keep putting her hated sibling in her place...that would not benefit her long-term goal at all. With how Ritsuka had tried to stop them, and the pleading look he'd thrown at them, he clearly disapproved of his Servants fighting among themselves.
Of course, she certainly wouldn't like it if her Fae Knights started squabbling and brawling among themselves.
Perhaps she'd taken her fun a tad too far.
"...you're right, Master. My...my apologies for the trouble." Morgan managed to force the words out, all while keeping her expression relatively neutral. "I should have known better than to pick a needless fight like that."
"I am... sorry as well. I hope that we can get along, or at least refrain from getting on another's nerves, from this point on." Saber said, offering her hand.
Morgan hesitated for a moment, looking at the hand. Then to Saber Alter's glare. Then to Ritsuka and Mash's expectant and mildly pleased looks.
The things I sacrifice for the sake of getting this praise, this had better be worth it…
Slowly extending her own, Morgan tried not to cringe away upon clasping and shaking the hand of the King of Knights. Satisfied, Saber Artoria offered a polite, if slightly uptight, nod before breaking the handshake and walking over to her knights.
"If everything is finished here, perhaps we should get going now, Master?" Saber Alter asked, raising an eyebrow at the teenager.
"Ah, not quite yet. Everyone's not quite here yet." Ritsuka admitted.
"Hmmm? Someone else is to be joining us?"
"Yeah. I figured that we need at least two people capable of properly healing the team. Not that Artoria Caster over there isn't capable of healing spells, but I thought it would be best if we got someone with a proper healing Noble Phantasm."
"Oh? And which Caster might that be?" Artoria Avalon asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's not a Caster, actually. Mash and I talked for a bit about who to take...and we decided that there was someone who had the healing skills we were looking for and would be a good companion for Morgan to have with her on her second Rayshift. She's the newbie here, in a way, so we wanted to make her feel like she's got some friends here already." Chaldea's Master explained.
At that very moment, there was a knocking sound coming from the door to the control room, accompanied by a high-pitched, very familiar voice.
"Nya, hello...hello!? The door won't open for me. Can you let me in, Master!? I hope I'm nyat too late for the Rayshift!"
For perhaps the first time in a good long while, Morgan felt her heart skip a beat in excitement.
"Oh no actually, you're just in time! Hold on a minute, I'll let you in!" Ritsuka called, hurrying over to the door.
Slapping the manual control panel, the doors whirred open to reveal perhaps the smallest woman anyone had ever seen. She was sitting on top of what looked like a miniature red and white zeppelin, with wooden contraptions and a pulley system sticking out of it.
The woman herself was dressed head to toe in a pink dress-like outfit, with the exception of her white leggings, with an equally pink hat nestled atop her head that branched out into two animal ear extensions. Bright red eyes met the gazes of the room's occupants.
For a moment, no one moved. Then…
"Oh right, introductions for those not aware!" Ritsuka clapped his hands, turning to the assembled knights. "This is Habetrot, summoned here a few weeks ago. She's got some great skill at enhancement and healing magic to offer, especially when it comes to women."
"Yep, that's right! I'm the fairy that sides with each and every potential bride there is! Making them happy and helping them become the best bride they can be is my reason for living, yep!" Habetrot confirmed enthusiastically. "Nice to be working with you all, let's get along!"
"Oh my gosh! She's so small and cute!" Gareth gushed. The Lancer looked for all the world like she wanted to just scoop up the new arrival into a tight cuddle but settled for rushing up to Habetrot and offering her hand. "Hi there! I'm Gareth, seventh knight of King Arthur's Round Table! Nice to meet you!"
"Woooaahh!" Instead of simply taking Gareth's hand, Habetrot pulled her close and stared intently into the young woman's eyes, a sudden happy grin blossoming on her face.
"Eh...is something wrong?" Gareth asked, a little confused.
"You! You have a lot of power! Bridal power, that is!" The Rider said.
"E-eh!?"
"Yep, yep! I can absolutely see it! Those cute little blush stickers on your face. Those strands of hair looking like puppy ears! That earnest and kind disposition of yours...not to mention you're cute as a button even in that armour, I can tell! Oh yeah, you'd make a great bride someday, ol' Habetrot is sure of it!"
Gareth, rather unsure how to respond to the sudden praise and appraisal of her (possible) future love life, turned scarlet, ripped away her hand and began to back away nervously, muttering to herself in embarrassment.
The rest of the knights were similarly shocked, not quite expecting this sort of conversation from their expedition team's final member.
"Ah...that was a bit too sudden, wasn't it?" Habetrot had the decency to look apologetic, rubbing at her neck and tracing circles in the floor with her foot.
"You can say that again." Mordred snorted, a light smile on her face as she looked over to her sister. "I don't think I've seen that goody two shoes Lancer so red in the face in a while, not since Gawain and I cleared out her room and he got close to finding all those books she got from Serva-"
"AHAHAHAHA, don't worry about that Miss Habetrot, it's all fiiiine!" A still-embarrassed Gareth butted back in, stuffing a hand over Mordred's mouth in the process. "No harm done at all! We're happy to work with you!"
"Gareth? What 'books' was Mordred talking about?" Gawain asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Never mind that, big brother! I-It was just some light ecch- I-I mean entertainment that I was interested in, is all! Pay it no mind!"
Mash and Ritsuka tried to contain their laughter.
As the other knights (and Merlin) approached and began to introduce themselves to Habetrot, Morgan herself hung back to think for a moment.
I'm thankful to be able to fight alongside you again, dear Totor- ah, dear Habetrot...even if you aren't the companion I travelled with all those millennia ago in my youth, you are still very much the same person as her inside.
She'd had more than enough time to confirm that, what with their numerous afternoon tea parties over the last few weeks. No matter what was going on, both the Rider and Berserker would always set aside some time to wander down to the cafeteria and indulge themselves in a slice of cake, some scones and a pot of tea or coffee, depending on their fancy.
Morgan had actually learnt a fair bit about dress making in those weeks, courtesy of her insistence on helping Habetrot with getting the various dress orders she'd already received out of the way, to free up her schedule for their relaxation time. Though normally she at least tried to help on her own in the 'old fashioned way', if the current order was demanding enough, she wouldn't hesitate to rope in her own Fae Knights or dip into her vast mystic knowledge to streamline the process.
To think, their friendship had been kickstarted by a random meeting in one of the hallways…
Habetrot had bumped into the Fairy Queen while she was getting lost in the labyrinthine corridors of the Wandering Sea, and had generously offered to show her around, all while making small talk and gushing over dresses that she thought would look good on Morgan.
It was perhaps the most pleasant experience she'd had up to that point in her summoning...the nostalgia was most welcome.
And now she was here to help out with her second mission, that would surely make up for being forced to fight alongside Artoria and her knights.
Habetrot's company could make anything bearable.
"-just zoning out again. Majesty! Heey, your majesty, you with us?!"
Hmmm?
Blinking and shaking her head a bit, Morgan refocused to find Habetrot in front of her, waving and clicking her fingers to try and get her attention.
"E-Eh?" What an intelligent choice of reply.
"You were zoning out again!" Habetrot pointed out. "I just wanted to say hi!"
"Ah, y-yes...h-hello again." Try not to stutter so much, you fool. Even if it is your best friend, don't show any sort of weakness in front of-
"Snrk."
"Pffft."
Oh no.
Snapping her gaze around the room, Morgan caught glimpses of Mordred and Gareth trying and failing to conceal their giggles.
"I didn't know it was so easy to catch the mighty Fairy Queen off guard." Gawain commented, scratching at his upper lip to hide the small smile on his face.
"I suppose even she can have a soft side. There really is beauty to be found everywhere, isn't there?" Percival added, not bothering to hide his own smile.
Oh, those cheeky littlebra-
"I didn't know you'd be coming here on this mission!" Habetrot continued, dousing Morgan's growing anger with her infectious enthusiasm.
"Yes, well...I suppose it was a sort of last-minute addition. I volunteered myself only a few hours ago." Morgan explained, managing to recover. "I thought it was only proper to make myself useful."
"Aaaww, that's sweet of you, your majesty!" Habetrot said, patting her on the leg. "And this way, I can finally see you in battle! You're always talking about those spells of yours, and I've wanted to see them for a while. Ol' Habenyan will show off her cool side too, so make sure you're watching!"
"I'm sure we'll all be very impressed." Morgan smiled, leaning down to meet Habetrot's raised hand in a light high five.
Looking up, she noticed most of the onlookers (sans Saber and Saber Alter) were no longer bothering to hide their smiles.
"What?"
"It's just...nice to see you getting along with someone." Ritsuka grinned.
"Well, Habetrot and I are friends, it's only natural that we get along."
"If everyone is quite finished with the introductions, then let us get underway, we are wasting valuable time." Saber Alter snapped, ever the professional on duty.
"Ah, yeah, sorry about that Alter. Alright then everyone, are you all ready to go?"
A chorus of 'ayes and other affirmatives rose from the Round Table Knights.
"My blade is ready, as always." Saber confirmed.
"Normally I wouldn't want to exert myself too much, but I'll put in this special bit of effort just for you, Master." Merlin said, barely stifling a lazy yawn.
"I am always ready to serve and protect you, Master." Artoria Avalon said, already making her way over to the Rayshift coffins.
"Ready, Senpai!" Mash affirmed, equipping her armour and brandishing her shield.
"My Magecraft is at your disposal." Morgan nodded.
"Habetrot's spinning wheel is ready for action, nya!" The Rider insisted.
"Alright then." Chaldea's Master clapped his hands together. "Let's get this show on the road!"