Valentines: II
The time was coming soon.
He could feel it in his bones.
He could smell it in the air.
Every iota of his being told him that it was coming, and it would come sooner by the second.
All he needed to was wait until the time was upon him, the promised time, but that waiting was proving to be a challenge that even he was weak to. Though patience was never a strong suit of his, for something like this he could bind his time. He could sit back and wait until the days passed him by until it was the moment he had been waiting for.
His popular phase.
"It will be here soon."
Shuffling to his left, a flicker of movement in the corner of his gaze.
He did not turn immediately, instead he stood with his arms folded over his chest, gazing out of the window and down into the tundra below. His expression was akin to stone, firm and stoic. There was no doubt in his mind that he looked every bit the part of a great hero of old. Even with his cool poses and everything.
All he needed was a long cape or something like that.
Perhaps another cool one liner.
"I have long waited for this day, but now that it stands before me…I can no longer hide the rapid beats of my heart, nor ignore the sweat that trickles down my nape. I do not know if my heart could bear what is to come…"
That sounded cool.
His hand was raised, then pressed flat against his left pectoral.
He could feel it hammering away in his chest even now.
"Will you stand by my side and face what is to come, Sammy? I promise you, nay…I swear this oath. No matter what comes of this time, I shall forever hold you close to my memory. We are brothers in this matter, for now and ever more."
A quiet declaration, his words escaped his lips as little more than a whisper but were as mighty as the howling winds beyond this fortress.
The movement grew closer, his eyes danced to the side as the Angel came up by his side and turned their head towards him. Sammy gazed to his face, a flicker of light danced in the depths of the hood, glittering lights akin to the twinkle of the night sky.
His lips pulled up, he nodded his head slow and steady. "Yes, I fear it is as such, Sammy. But I shall never forget my humble origins and I promise you…when I have my Harem, I shall forever remember our fond times-why are you turning your head away from me and acting as though you don't care?!"
Sammy shifted ever so slightly, removing their gaze from him.
"Come on, man. This is me being serious!" He declared, raising his voice. Pointing to his chest as his friend remained silent. "This is an important day for me and I'm going to pull out all the stops. Trust me, this time I am going to end up with a bunch of women falling over themselves to be the ones to give me chocolate. They will ask in these cutesy voices 'will you please be my Valentine?'"
Much to his dismay, Sammy made no move to even respond to his comment.
As though they did not care to dignify it.
"Bah, what do you know about romance?" A huff, he folded his arms and sharply turned his head, scowling under his beard. "A man opens his heart up to you and you act as though-"
"..." The Angel turned ever so slightly, a twitch of the head and then they turned away once more.
Blackbeard knew what they meant though.
His frown deepened and he felt a flush of shame at the 'words' of the Angel. "Hey! This is not me saying all of this again! I swear that this time will be different, trust me. I have the perfect plan."
"..."
"Don't give me that sass." Grunting, he turned back and faced the Caster. Bringing up his left hand and pointing to their chest, so close that his finger could have touched them had he leaned forwards just an inch. "If you're part of my crew, you're supposed to support your captain in all his endeavours. I am offering you the chance to be a literal Wingman here."
The hood turned fully towards him once more, he gazed long into the deepest parts of the starlight face.
"Because this is what this holiday is all about, man. You know, guys like me can go out there and find the hot babes and give them stuff. Not to mention obligatory chocolate as well. Even if they have to give it to me…we're still talking about Blackbeard the pirate getting given chocolate by some of the hottest birds to ever live."
The pointed finger rose itself up, changing it's aim for the ceiling as he stepped forwards.
His voice dropped low and coy.
"Not to mention all the exotic babes as well. Just think about it. Dommy Mommy dragon ladies and femboy snake feet. Master has gotten the first class pick of some of these guys but let me tell you…this is old Blackbeard's domain. Now I know enough about the Throne to have filled myself on hundreds of hours worth of VN-"
"...?"
"Visual novel." He answered, stepping back and raising a brow in disappointment. "It takes me out of the explanation when I have to-what? They're just stories that you can pick and choose to lead you down different paths. You always get some set girl in them…Childhood friends as well but…those guys never win. They always lose man. Always."
A breath escaped him, his head shook from side to side.
"You want my advice on romance? Never meet them before they turn into a teenager, because that's an instant loss. You've stepped on a landmine. Your chances of romance have died faster than stepping into a road with a semi approaching you. Except there is no Isekai-"
He stopped.
Then he blinked.
Then he stared at Sammy, he really - truly - stared at the angel for the first time in his life.
"...You guys are living an Isekai…" He breathed out, his hands flew up to the side of his head as he felt it all click together. "...By the seas…you're all living an Isekai…you died and got sent to another world…This is a reverse Isekai! Hahahahaha! I'm living in a Reverse Isekai during Valentines day! Zeehahahahaha!"
His cackles bounced off the walls.
A weight settled on his left shoulder, the cackles faded as his eyes darted to the cause of the sensation.
A blue hand pressed down on him, his eyes glanced to the owner and watched with bemusement as the Angel brought up one of their other hands and pointed towards the window in front of them.
Blackbeard followed their gaze and found himself staring at the object of fascination.
He looked at his own reflection.
A brow was raised, he glanced between the pointing Angel and the reflection a few times.
Then a thought came upon him rather suddenly.
"You think I need a makeover?" He asked.
Silence once more.
The pressure on his shoulder increased just a pinch.
Apparently that wasn't the right answer.
A frown creased his face, his eyes returned to his reflection and looked with greater focus. Searching for some hidden meanings in the actions of his ever-silent companion. There was doubtless to be something. Yet all he could see in it was his own handsome face that would turn a hundred ships.
In fact, he had turned ships in the past.
…Sure, they had been turning in the other direction to him but that was just because of his status as a pirate. He was sure it had nothing to do with him personally.
…Alright, it probably did have a lot to do with him personally.
But really, he was just like anyone-
A blink.
His eyes widened and his brows climbed his forehead, turning his gaze towards the Angel and making an 'o' shape with his lips.
There was something to be found from this ordeal and he believed he had done so.
"You think I need to find some like-minded people for a crew?"
Slowly, the hand was removed from his shoulder and the arm lowered itself from the reflection.
He pinched his lips, bringing a hand up and cupping his chin.
A long and hard look was aimed at the reflection as he balanced the pro's and cons of the plan. On the one hand, there was doubtless to be someone in Chaldea who had loads of flowery words to use but never had an ounce of luck with women for one reason or another. But on the other hand, the bigger the crew, the more he would have to share.
That meant the obligatory chocolates he got would have to be distributed out.
Sure, he could try and keep them for himself but then he would probably face a mutiny over it or something.
He didn't want to be accused of being a normie either.
Damn, this was really taxing everything in his brain at the moment.
His head dipped low and he stared at his own two feet, placing his hands upon his hips and letting out a long and ponderous hum.
"...We're gonna need some friends, Sammy. Let's go and assemble the Bachelor Brigands!"
"..."
"That's the name we're running with and I'm Captain here so you can't do anything about it. You have no veto power over this."
"..."
Fingers danced along the table, in their wake was left a gentle tapping sound.
Across the length, there was her partner in crime, so to speak.
Neither one of them said anything for a few moments, her hands reached forwards and clasped the handle of her cup and slid it towards herself. Daintly, it was raised for her lips.
The sweet scent filled her nose, the taste of the liquid slipped down her throat with a light gulp as she lowered it back down.
"We both know why we're here."
"Umu."
Marie was certain that if one looked at the two of them, they would have seen that she and the person opposite wore matching expressions to one another.
Nero adjusted herself, leaning forwards and resting her elbows on the table, they tented themselves under her nose. The blonde narrowed her gaze ever so slightly and rolled her lips. A flicker of movement before they spoke again in a low tone of voice.
"We are to be in agreement then, for the upcoming festivity?"
"Indeed." Marie replied with a twitch of the lip. "Combining our forces to provide the best gift is the greatest chance for either of us, after all."
"Umu." The hands lowered down, Nero's lips pulled into a coy smile. "It is something that shall be celebrated. Not since the days of Sporus would one have seen such a loving display. Indeed, those in Chaldea shall weep that they were not the recipients of such a beautiful gift. Even those with spouses shall be left in awe."
As always, the Emperor was as enthusiastic as she was optimistic.
But Marie was much the same, the words of her fellow monarch sounded very appealing.
Indeed, she could just imagine the flustered look on the face of Olga when they presented her with the Valentines day present, the shy look they would doubtless get or the shocked silence as they gaped with a wide mouth.
While Marie was sure she could have done this alone, there was something about the day which encouraged her to join with Nero, rather than compete with her.
After all, they could compete every other day of the year.
"In that case-"
Words were cut short by a sound.
Marie turned and furrowed her brows, tapping on the door to their room.
She and Nero shared a small look, the Emperor was the first to speak. "Did you invite someone to this meeting?"
"I did not even tell d'Eon." She answered, her own surprise bleeding into her words. Just as that, they turned to the door as the knock came back once again.
She debated it for a moment before calling out. "Enter."
The door swung open, the figure stalked into the room and placed their hands on their hips, leaning forwards and wearing a frustrated scowl.
"Seriously!? It's less than a week until Valentines day and I haven't heard anything about any of you starting a new concert? Don't you have any sense of timing for this sort of thing? I get you're a few members short, but surely you can make do!"
Of all the people to enter, this was one of the last people that Marie would have expected.
She wasn't sure how Nero felt about it, stealing a glance to the girl and finding them to be similarly locked into a state of bewilderment,
Her eyes returned to Elizabeth Bathory, having some idea of what the girl was speaking about but still a little puzzled as to what was actually going on.
Elizabeth looked between the two of them, then straightened her posture and folded her arms over her chest, leaning on her right side and wearing an expectant look.
"...Uh…is this about the Swimsuit Swashbucklers-?"
"Of course it is!" A loud huff from the girl echoed across the room, sweeping her hands up before they fell back to her hips, a foot tapping up and down rapidly against the ground with a more irritated look. "Weeks I've been waiting for your next concert so that I can market my own and then show you who is better but there's been nothing from you! Not to mention that Starfall has been avoiding me every chance she gets!"
If there was anger before, it now gave way to agitation.
"This wasn't one of those one hit wonders, I refuse to let a rival die like that! I need to beat you and prove myself the better idol, I can't have you show up and give a smash hit performance before you run away into the night! Absolutely not!"
Hand flying up, she pointed to them, swinging the arm right and left with finger extended.
"So come on then. When's the Valentine's concert? This is the perfect time for it. No self-respecting Idol could miss out on it."
Marie admitted that the words the girl held a lot of wisdom to them. A song during Valentine's day was the height of romance. Rather, she could not imagine a better day in which someone could be serenaded.
She pondered the words further and found herself more than a little ashamed that she had not been the first to consider them. It was perhaps the most obvious thing for a romantic holiday to be marked with a loving song that got across one's heartfelt feelings.
Though she would hardly call her feelings towards Olga to be anything like that of her husband.
But she did enjoy the company of the woman.
And she was a little curious.
She could say nothing for Nero, however, but she suspected it was more or less for the adventure than anything else. A challenge to be conquered so that she could plant her flag in the aftermath and declare that she had claimed another territory for the glory of Rome or something along those lines.
Her fingers snapped, quick and loud.
The eyes of the two others fell on her, the grin on her face grew wider by the second.
"Une idée géniale you have there!" She exclaimed loudly, her hands slammed down onto the table and propelled her to her feet. A fire burned away in her eyes. "That is exactly what shall happen. A concert in which we shall spread love across all of Chaldea! And naturally the theme shall be French-!"
Her words of wisdom were cut short by the sound of Nero slamming her own hands into the table and shooting to her feet, a fire burning in her green eyes.
"And for what reason shall the theme of this romantic adventure be French? You cannot spell Romance without Roman."
"Hang on, are you forgetting about me?" A word from Elizabeth went unanswered, Marie's full attention was upon the Emperor.
"Don't you know that Paris is called the city of love?" Marie shot back with a smile that was almost as sharp at the challenge in her gaze, though she was not usually one for this sort of behaviour, if there was one thing that she would not let herself be outmatched in, it was romance.
Especially as she was the Queen of France.
"Hmph."
Nero met her challenge with a stoic gaze, removing her arms from the table and folding them under her breasts. Pushing them up just enough to flaunt her generous bosom.
"Perhaps, though that is an interchangeable title…as I recall, two of the contenders can be found in Italy, can they not?"
…Damn the Throne and passing along such information.
However, she was not without her own counters.
"And yet it is France that is often assumed as such, especially for our culture and our artistry."
It was a sweet smile she offered, but there was no doubt that Nero saw the hidden blades within her words.
The twitch of the blonde was apparent, but it was not long lived.
The smug look in those eyes returned anew, "Perhaps there is a certain flowery nature to your people…and yet it is so often the age of the Romans that is shown to have the greatest love for such spreading of joy. Our wondrous banquets and parties that would see dozens - hundreds - partake in such affairs and spread cheer throughout all of them."
Hands on her hips, Nero's lip quirked upwards into a smug smirk.
"And they were hardly lacking in romance. Some more intimately than others."
Marie raised a brow at her, unimpressed with the effort. "I'd hardly call such frivolous little one night stands as being romantic."
"Wait, what are you talking about now?" Once more, Elizabeth went ignored.
Nero sputtered. "Frivolous? I'll have you know that those orgies were as far from frivolous as one could get!"
"You're talking about what now!?" Elizabeth screeched, yet not even the rise in volume earned her any attention.
"If you say so." Marie replied, her shoulders rising and falling in a light shrug, stepping around the table, her fingers dancing along the surface. "Though really, when one thinks of the culture more closely related to love and romance, they think of France. So it is only natural that the theme would be french-"
"And yet it is Rome with the greatest theatres for plays and performances."
Nero's words cut her short, the shock had worn itself out from the Emperor and the confidence returned in force.
"Or mayhaps you forget the great venues of our people? A small passion to be certain in France, but it is hardly the bountiful joy to be spread amongst the masses. A single delicate meal cannot feed the masses at a banquet…and during such times, it is the masses that require the feast."
Marie stopped and frowned.
That was not wrong.
And yet it was not right.
"Boundless love can be shown just as easily."
"Is that right?"
"It is."
Nero's eyes danced with challenge as she brought up a hand and drummed away at her chin for a few moments, then they settled on her and the smirk upon her lips grew wider still. Clear signs of conclusion reached across her eyes.
"Then perhaps we shall rescind the truce between us and decide a true champion of romance, umu."
It did not escape the tone with which Nero spoke, as though she had already decided herself to be the winner of this contest.
Marie would not back down on the matter of love.
"I'm certain that a little wager shall confirm who the true master of romance is." She agreed, drawing her hand across the table and towards her hip, leaning at a side and shooting a sweet smile at the Emperor. "Though it can hardly be said that one form of love is right and the other is wrong."
"Oh, naturally." Nero agreed, the challenge fading as her head nodded up and down. "Merely that some are better suited than others."
Marie chuckled.
That was not wrong.
Perhaps this entire thing would turn out to be a pointless little adventure between the two of them.
But the fire of challenge had been lit, and she would not back down against such a thing.
Her hand reached across the table, waiting for her opponent to take the next step.
Not a moment later, the hand of the Emperor clasped her own.
A single shake was given before they pulled their limbs back.
Marie would not deny that they both had passion for this, but ultimately it came down to who could better bring the love of Valentines day to all of Chaldea. Perhaps it would be Nero with her mastery of the people, or perhaps it would be her with her individual intimacy, but one thing was for certain.
There would be passion afoot in the coming days.
And whether she won or lost, Marie was going to have fun with it.
Let it never be said that Blackbeard doubted the wisdom of his angelic friend.
Until now, that was.
Standing in the far corner of the simulator, he watched on with furrowed brows as he gazed across to the first target on their list of potential crewmates.
He was already finding this to be quite a big mistake.
"I think we should move on-"
The flutter of movement behind him, he did not need to turn his head to know that Sammy had stretched out a wing to block his escape. If he were a greater fool, he would have thought the Angel was trying to kill him.
At the moment, he thought they were just trying to have him beaten to a pulp like someone had walked in on him changing.
"He'll definitely say no."
The silent gaze of Sammy felt like a hundred shouts of denial to his words, as though the Angel was screaming that he needed to go over there and act like a Captain. That he would need to use his charming personality and dashing good looks to convince this wayward fellow that joining his crew of Bachelor brigands would be the best thing for him.
In fact, he had a strange feeling about this one the longer he looked.
He had seen them about Chaldea, they were impossible to miss, but never once had he seen them anywhere near the women of Chaldea.
At least, not that he noticed.
But he didn't like to spend his time looking at tall muscular dudes, Blackbeard didn't swing that way.
He never swung that way.
And he didn't really enjoy looking at the success of normies either.
So it would probably be in the best interest of everyone that this guy was both single and had no luck with women.
And when he meant the best interest of everyone, he meant himself.
A weary sigh forced itself from out of his lips, eyes closed, he raised his right hand and rubbed at his brow for a few moments. Feeling the weight of the situation settle on him before his gaze focused once more on the man of the hour.
Drawing his arm back to his side, he took in a deep breath and marched forwards.
"Come on, Sammy."
There was only a brief pause before the Angel followed after him.
It was a good thing that the Angel was with him, it meant that if things got ugly he could throw them at the big man and then make a break for it. Hopefully they were so focused on pulling Sammy apart at the joint that he would be granted time enough to escape without incident.
A tremor ran through the ground as the hulking figure swung down, the simulate dragon was smashed into a fine red mist before the body vanished in a flash of light, leaving no trace behind.
There was only a frustrated grunt as the only response from the man.
Blackbeard shot one final look towards Sammy and inclined his head, shooting a meaningful gaze between both Caster and Berserker.
Sammy, ever silent, gazed back at him with the night sky they had for a face.
A faint twinkling of light from under the hood was the only response he received from the blue skinned Servant.
Sammy wasn't backing down on this, it seemed.
Well…Blackbeard was nothing if not a man who lived for risks.
With wet lips and a sweaty brow, he turned back around and resumed his march towards the tall man in thick stone armour, a club made from calcified bone now mounted on his shoulder and a shield as tall and wide as a grown man, probably quite a bit heavier than them as well.
"Hello-"
Havel turned to them the second he opened his mouth and stared across at him.
Blackbeard felt his steps falter for only a moment, unease doubtless present on his face before he pulled on his depths of confidence and strode forwards once more, smiling brightly amd waving his hand from side to side.
"What's up, my guy?"
"..." Havel's answer to his greeting was an unsettling silence.
This might already be off to a bad start.
Ah well.
"Now I'm sure you're wondering why I've called out to you." He continued, hoping for a response.
More silence.
"As you more or may not be aware, we're coming up to Valentines day. Now this is a day where some people might be fortunate and have all the luck with women. You know, they get the favours from all the right and proper ladies…but some others aren't quite so blessed when it comes to that, you get me?"
"..."
"Of course you do." He smiled. "Now, hear me out-"
"Piss. Off."
A low growl from behind the helm, Havel turned away from him rather slowly and adjusted the club on his shoulder.
Blackbeard probably should have left it there.
But he was here now and he might as well let himself get the words out.
"Come on, have you ever wondered what it would be like to earn the attention of a fair maiden?"
"No."
He blinked, then frowned and dropped his arms to his side.
"Really?" The question came forth, then was followed by a shake of the head. "Come on man. Don't tell me you're one of those whose never really talked to a girl before. Wait…are you actually a…nah…unless…look, my man…no one likes a male tsundere, I'm just gonna come right out and say it."
Havel stopped moving.
The helmet turned back to him, slow enough that he heard the sound of stone grinding against stone.
Suddenly the silence from the Berserker was more oppressive than it had been before.
"Also it would be expected for a knight or something, you know? Not just for the guys, its for the gals as well!"
He was rushing to get the words out, especially as it looked as though the Servant was a mere moment away from clapping his hands together.
With Blackbeard's head in the middle of the palms.
"Friend chocolate! You make up sweets and just give them to someone to celebrate the day!"
Seconds ticked past.
Havel said nothing, but Blackbeard did not ignore the way in which the air around him got lighter.
It was clear he had the interest of the Berserker, which meant it was now time to drive the nail home.
"So…what I was thinking is if we all banded together, the guys that don't have a single partner and instead have a lot of love to give and are willing to be on the receiving end for a lot of love as well. If we teamed up and spread our love around, then obviously we would be helping the sort of guys who don't get the same sort of reaction, right?"
A tilt of the head.
Havel remained silent for a moment.
Then he spoke but a single sentence.
"What. Are. You. Talking. About?"
Blackbeard faltered for a moment, then sighed and dropped his shoulders.
Right, he was speaking to a Berserker.
Those guys didn't do complex thoughts.
"I'm suggesting all of us who never really had luck with girls-"
"Weren't. You. Married?"
He fell silent at that.
Did he really have to bring that up?
"I mean…the vows are till death do us part." He replied slowly, making a pointed show of looking around the room. "I don't see Mary around here, do you? Point is, it would be a waste if all the love in my heart was kept to just one girl. Same with you. You're a big guy, I'm sure you have a lot of love to give…only fair that you receive the same sort of love from other people, right?"
He raised a hand and smirked.
"Strength in numbers. As part of my crew, I guarantee that one beauty will definitely give you friendship chocolate. They do that to be polite. We give them a little something and they give us a little something, you get me?"
Havel remained silent.
The weapon and shield faded, heavy arms came up and folded over one another with a dull crack. The bounded metal chains around the gauntlets rattled and clanged against one another, the dark gaze of the helm felt far more piercing than ever before. Havel leaned forwards ever so slightly, just far enough that his shadow was cast over Blackbeard.
It was strange.
There wasn't too great a difference between them when it came to height.
But damn if the Berserker didn't feel taller right now.
"You. Want. Help?"
"I want you to help me, help you." A slow explanation, pointing between the two of them. "It's a holiday all about love. So we should do our part, you know? Spread the love around and then we will get loved back in return. Easy, right?"
"Easy?"
A grunt from Havel, his head turned and dipped low.
"...Help. With. What?"
Blackbeard felt the smile stretch across his lips as he stepped close, turning his body and moving shoulder to shoulder with the Berserker.
"I'm glad you see it my way." He spoke, a smile on his lips as he moved an arm over the shoulder of the slightly taller man and walked, urging them to walk in step with him. "Now there are a couple of others who we need to get, but we're gonna make the best little display possible and before you know it, we're gonna be the biggest bachelors in Chaldea."
"What. Is. A. Bachelor?"
Ah.
Right.
They probably wouldn't have known.
"...Popular single guy." A beat. "Basically."
Havel let out a slow grunt and nodded his head up and down, accepting the words.
Blackbeard grinned wider and turned to Sammy, the Angel said nothing but he did not need words from them. He never needed words from them. They were a loyal first officer for him and they had yet to steer him wrong.
There was something amiss in Chaldea.
Her Godly senses were tingling.
"They're doing something out there…it's interrupting my sleep…"
Her arms rested by her side, her back on the bedrest and her legs splayed out before her.
Bringing up a sleeve covered arm, she wiped down the front of her jumper and brushed away the crumbs that had been there. It was a sweeping movement that sent them to the floor. She made a mental note to deal with those at some point before Chris got mad about them again.
But Chris was patient with her.
So it would be fine.
Speaking of her roommate…
Chris looked towards her with a title of the head, there wasn't much interest in the gaze but it was clear that she had said something that earned her attention.
Which was enough for Hanleth.
"You're my eyes and ears, Chris." She announced, though it was hardly an official position. "What are they doing out there?"
Chris blinked slow.
"Why would I know?"
Hanleth opened her mouth to respond, then paused as something occurred to her.
Yes, Chris did leave their room but she was left with the sneaking suspicion that Chris didn't have much in the way of friends beyond her. Nor was she left with the belief that the Saber did a lot of speaking with people either.
Even if there was something happening, Chris was just as liable to be as blind as she was when it came to finding out about it.
Hanleth clicked, a touch of irritation aimed towards herself as she slumped back, flopping against the bed without an ounce of tension in her muscles. Going limp and sighing.
"Can you find out, Chris? I think they're planning some sort of holiday without me."
Her companion looked at her with a rather disinterested expression, soon turning their gaze back to the golden sword in their hands and resumed running their fingers across it with far more interest.
Hanleth almost pouted but held that part of herself back.
Though she was not above whining.
"Please." She pleaded with them, the thought of a holiday occurring without her knowledge was rather depressing.
Not least of all because she would get the disappointed looks from her Father and sister, but because it was part of her very reason for being.
Her tongue darted out, wetting her drying lips as she considered something.
"D-do you want something in return for doing me this favour?"
It was a venture, but she saw the slight pause in Chris's movements for a single fraction of a second.
Then she jumped at that chance with everything she had in her.
"One favour for a favour." The words tumbled out of her fast as she could manage, trying not to appear too desperate. "Please go and find out and then I'll do one thing you ask. Blessing of the Bliss Goddess."
Chris turned her eyes on her slowly and meaningfully.
The weight behind them rooted her to the bed for a moment.
But it might have also been the magic within them.
One of the two.
"...Alright."
Chris rose up from the corner and flicked the sword away, soon marching for the door without a moment more of hesitation. Though Hanleth caught the low words from her companion as they stepped into the hallway.
"I'll ask Archie."
And then she was gone.
Hanleth gave but a single blink, then turned her eyes to the foot of her bed and leaned back into it. Closing her eyes and pulling her arms over herself and waiting. It would not be long before Chris returned with news of what was happening and then she could begin her planning for what she was supposed to do.
She was the Goddess of Bliss.
Any holiday was the sort that she would know all about!
There was no way that this could go wrong!
"It's a holiday about lovers and friends."
Chrysaor watched in bemusement as the expression of Hanleth, that had once been confident, immediately folded in on itself. Crumbling faster than old bones and turning to one of shock and horror.
It was odd, she thought, that it was only now that the Goddess looked as though she was truly afraid.
"L-lovers and friends…? Wha-?"
Chrysaor sniffed and nodded her head once more, as if there needed to be more confirmation.
That was what Archie told her.
And she knew Archie was not a very good liar, though she thought the holiday pointless.
The only time one needed to impress upon the opposite sex was for mating purposes, everything else beyond this was pointless. Especially because as Servants, not a single one of them could be capable of breeding.
The humans of the staff perhaps, but not for them.
Maybe Hanleth could make herself busy with that.
"...What sort of mocking holiday is that?"
Chrysaor would never admit anything caught her by surprise.
But she was briefly given pause by the utterly empty voice that Hanleth spoke with next, eyes glazed over and fixed at the foot of the bed, no longer looking towards her for when she spoke.
She had never truly seen the Goddess like that before, not even as she died.
This was new.
"Lovers and friends? They thought to celebrate that now?" A grumble from Hanleth, a hint of something dark in her words, arms were sharply brought up and folded over her chest with a scowl forming upon her lips. "They're really going to celebrate a holiday like that with me here? The one Holiday that I can barely preside over? That is a cruel jest against me…an insult to be sure."
Chrysaor doubted that was the intention of Chaldea.
They did not go out of their way to purposefully insult someone.
It seemed more accidental.
Her shoulders jerked up and down. "That's what Archie said."
The golden eyes of Hanleth fell upon her with a phantom heat to them, an emotion boiling inside of those orbs that Chrysaor knew of.
She was certain that she wore the same look when she saw humans with their own parents.
Envy.
Ah.
Hanleth had no mate.
So that was the problem.
"Tch. No." It became clear Hanleth was no longer speaking with her as the Goddess turned her head and smacked her lips. "I won't admit defeat here. Even if I don't have much in the way of friends or…uhm…the other thing. I am still the Goddess of Bliss and anything that brings joy and happiness is my domain! I won't accept defeat in this field, Caffrey and Father would hound me for it…if they are not planning on it already."
Chrysaor doubted they would be fool enough to attempt to attack Hanleth here, especially with her so close.
She would not allow them to pressure her property into action.
"Alright…I can work with this." Hanleth's voice came as a low mutter, it was clear that the words were aimed towards herself rather than Chrysaor. "I can work with this, no problem. I'm the Goddess of Bliss and love comes hand in hand with that sort of thing. I have done this before, I can definitely do it again."
If she had done it before, then why did she look so bitter and pained as if nursing an old wound?
Chrysaor inclined her head, eyes flickering up and down.
Hanleth would remain true to herself, she thought, the girl would do what she was always supposed to do.
Not that she could understand it or make sense of it.
Despite agreeing to the request, she still had little idea of what she was supposed to ask for in exchange for a favour.
Doubtless, she would think of something.
With a long sigh, Hanleth swung herself into movement, legs sweeping over the length of the bed and onto the floor. A deep breath and the Goddess sharply rose upwards, staggering to her feet with a deep frown upon her face.
Chrysaor blinked forwards, pressing her right hand on the shoulder of the girl and stopping her from dropping flat onto her face.
Oddly enough, Hanleth grabbed her arm and clung onto her wrist as though it was the only thing keeping her on her feet. She made no effort to shake the girl loose, however, and remained still and silent. Watching the Goddess as she rolled her shoulders until they popped, then moved towards the door with purpose in her gait.
A strange thing it was, to see Hanleth so serious.
But not unpleasant, she supposed.
And she had little reason to leave the Goddess be, thus she followed after them.
"We're going to have to get help."
It was an announcement from the Goddess but Chrysaor barely paid it heed, merely humming and nodding her head up and down.
"You're going to need help." She still corrected them, and was rewarded with a flinch and a quick turn of the head. Hanleth looked at her with clear surprise and a touch of betrayal, the Goddess opened her mouth and was doubtless about to give her some sort of demand or plea for assistance.
Chrysaor slew that notion in its infancy.
"I neither know about, nor care about, human holidays. I am not going to be helpful for anything other than killing."
Hanleth paused, it was clear that she had not really considered that.
Then she frowned and cupped her chin between her fingers, eyes squinting in thought and rubbing her hand back and forth as she seemingly considered a new tactic. Chrysaor was content to watch her, she had done her part already. Everything else related to this was down to Hanleth and her alone, that was her nature, after all.
"...Going to Caffrey is out of the question. I won't be seen asking her for help."
Hanleth muttered aloud, a disgruntled gaze aimed towards the wall as the arm came down and placed itself on her hip. "And Nehma isn't here, so I can't ask her either."
Nehma?
Who was Nehma?
And why did they speak this person's name with such trust?
Chrysaor kept her face stoic, even as her thoughts focused on the name of this person who - until this point - had not yet been mentioned.
"...Going and asking a human about this would be humiliating, thus we shall have to go to the next best source…but Mother seems to have taken an interest with that other little human and I'm still mad about what she did with Gawyn so…hmmm…Maybe…maybe he would work?"
"Whose Nehma?"
Hanleth jerked, then brought her head up and blinked. "Huh? Oh, Goddess of Love. This sort of thing was what she always dealt with but she isn't here."
Oh, that's all it was then.
Hanleth lowered her gaze and frowned. "but…Well, I cannot think of anyone else who would probably know about it besides him…and it would be good to actually speak with him for once about this sort of thing…Yes, this works."
She started walking forwards once again, moving as though she knew where she was headed.
Perhaps she did know.
But Chrysaor was a touch bemused as to where this sudden focus had come from.
Still…she was a touch curious as to who Hanleth would go to for aid.
There was something poetic about this being his first ever interaction with his niece.
Coming to him and asking for help despite the two of them never so much as sharing a single word in the past.
But that mattered little when compared to the demon she had managed to wrangle into her service, there was no denying the disdain the thing looked to him with. Spawn of Medusa or not, this creature was certainly not going to hide its nature from him. Either with the sharpness of its gaze nor the way it had not stopped scowling when it saw him.
Gwyndolin elected to ignore it.
Creature born of Medusa's lowest moments and a monument to her shame in that form, he decided.
His eyes returned to his niece as she came to him while speaking openly about some manner of human holiday that had escaped his notice.
Ordinarily he would have been reluctant to help her on the matter, if only because he himself did not have much experience with such things. His skill in regards to holidays and anything of the sort was non-existent. That was never his domain and this one still reached far beyond anything he experienced.
Valentines day.
A celebration between friends and lovers?
He had few of the former and none of the latter.
However, letting the day pass now would have been an insult to the few he had managed to gain.
Gwyndolin looked at Hanleth for a few moments.
…She looked like her mother.
His fingers drummed along the arm of the chair, rapping up and down on wood and producing a small pattern in the tappings. It went on after she had finished explaining everything to him, perhaps he sat there for a little under half a minute with a ponderous frown upon his lips.
Hanleth looked to be growing more agitated by the second, shuffling in her chair and looking as far from comfortable as one could get.
…Whatever his problems with Gwynevere and Flann, throwing them at the feet of Hanleth was…wrong.
He spoke once he had found the words. "I assume that in coming to me, you have found some manner of strategy for this…plan or yours?"
She wore her heart on her sleeve, relief shot across her face for a brief moment before her head bobbed up and down. "I do, yes. I am going to have a small celebration for it. Or rather, a chance for people to offer up anonymous chocolates to be gifted about Chaldea by couriers. Because some individuals aren't so confident to face their friends and allies like that."
He gave her the gesture to continue.
"A-and I was going to have a small little ball for it. Romantic songs and some dancing."
"And I assume my aid would be needed for the creation of the hall in which this grand event would take place?" He raised a lone brow, it was natural that she would have come for him for help if that was her plan.
His illusions would turn even the blandest of rooms into the most extravagant of halls.
She nodded her head up and down. "A song and dance for the guests to just have some fun. Spend time with some they might consider lovers, or find some new lovers or even mingle with some old friends in close proximity…the mood needs to be just right so that they would not feel chased away or embarrassed."
Gwyndolin felt the need to say something. "These are long dead warriors, many of whom had spouses and almost all of them have sired children. They are not young maidens or fresh faced boys who have not seen the opposite sex in the nude."
"Well, I haven't!"
He did not need to know that.
It must have been a thought that showed on his face, given the furious blush that formed on the cheeks of Hanleth as she turned her head then coughed twice into her fist. The heat on her face perished slowly, her eyes returned to his own with renewed focus shining within them.
"Alright, I might appreciate that. But some others are still romantics and such. Nehma would tell me all about such tales…whenever she wanted to brag about her followers. She would speak at length about the different sorts of love there was…and some in Chaldea are not currently with their spouses, I might add. It would be best for them to believe they are not betraying their memory if they partake."
His eyes closed.
A breath escaped his nose before his eyes opened once more, his weight fell back into the chair.
"You need not worry or speak further. I shall render what little aid I can unto you with decoration, but my uses end after such things. I am no skilled romantic…"
He felt no shame in admitting that.
…Still…
A dance…
His eyes turned down towards his legs and stared.
The snakes wreathed and wriggled.
His mind darkened and he barely managed to stop himself from scowling, but for the sake of his niece, he brought his head back up and nodded his head up and down.
"If you are to take command of this holiday, then you may act whenever you wish. I shall be waiting for your words."
Hanleth sagged her shoulders, then loosened a small but genuine smile his way.
"Thank you, uncle."
"Do not thank me for this." He grumbled, closing his eyes and moving his other hand to cover his eyes, "I have told you, the limit of my abilities is the venue and that alone. Should this end in failure, it shall weigh heavily upon your own head. Thus it would be best if it did not end in failure."
"I know that." Hanleth shot back, her voice was enough for him to look at her once more. A flicker of something pulsed through her golden eyes, sharply rising from her seat and making for the door, pausing just before she exited and looking over her shoulder. "This won't fail."
And then she stepped out.
Only Chrysaor remained in the room.
Gwyndolin turned his attention to her and raised a brow. "Do you intend to stare at me all day, or are there some words which have settled on the tip of your tongue?"
The purple haired woman merely clicked her tongue, looking down at him with disgust before she turned and followed Hanleth.
Evidently Flann had lost control of his house, if this was the sort of company that he allowed his daughter to keep.
Then again, with spawn like Alma, the greater question was whether he ever had control of his house in the first place.
