***Author's Notes: Thank you everyone for sticking with me through all the delays and difficulties. Up until very recently my town was pretty literally on fire, so I have experienced a number of delays related to that. I can't say 100% when we'll be back on a more consistent posting schedule, but I appreciate your patience and understanding moving forward.
What I have today is not quite an important step forward in the story progression, nor is it particularly long. This is a simple gag bit I couldn't get out of my mind and, frankly, just had to write. This whole bit is NON-canon, but I hope you enjoy a brief silly moment between Master and Servant.
EX1: The Candy Bar
"Master! Come quickly!" Rider's excited tone worried Louise and she rushed through the small aisles of the drug store to where her Servant was. She rounded the corner and found him holding a candy bar, its silver wrapper and patriotic logo clearly having an effect on him. "Can you believe they have named a confectionery treat after my old military station?"
It took all of Louise's willpower to not burst out into raucous laughter at Rider. She was able to stifle the outburst, though only just barely. "Oh have they? I'm afraid I had not ever really paid it much mind." Louise's scarcely contained amusement was still visible in her tone and in the big smile on her face.
"Though I have to wonder at the significance of the number three. Perhaps something to do with the ingredients? Though..." A shocked expression crossed his face, "Athos, Porthos, and Aramis! They numbered three!"
The dam broke and Louise exploded into a fit of laughter that would be considered by some as unbecoming of her elevated station.
"Why do you laugh like this? Is it really so hard to believe that my friends could achieve such timeless fame?" Rider was still caught up in the excitement caused by the candy bar, but was also confused by Louise's reaction.
"I apologize, Rider." Louise wiped a tear from her eye as she collected herself. "Its just that your obliviousness is really quite entertaining. I thought the Grail had given you knowledge of the modern era, so I didn't expect this to be such a revelation."
"It hardly bothered giving me information as minor as the names of candied treats. Wait, are you saying that this candy is in fact named for my friends?"
"That is precisely what I am saying, Rider."
"Haha!" Rider held the candy bar in the air triumphantly. "My friends, rejoice. For you live on eternally. Porthos especially would be proud. But wait..." Rider's face suddenly turned speculative. "Wait, I became a Musketeer shortly after meeting with the three of them. And I daresay we shared, all four of us, in our most dangerous and greatest feats. I was there at the Siege of La Rochelle and the holding of the Bastion of Saint-Gervais! I was there at the scaffold when Charles I died! How is it not the Four Musketeers? Or The Four Friends?!" What wickedness has doomed me to obscurity!?"
Louise could not prevent a second fit of laughter at Rider's outburst. "I'm sure I could only guess, but the blame likely lies with the 'wicked' author who popularized your adventures." Louise composed herself once more. "Come along, Rider, enough of this. We have shopping to do."
"Your lack of compunction wounds me, Master." Rider was hurt that Louise had found so much enjoyment in his distress. He placed the candy bar in Louise's basket as she turned to head back into the other parts of the store.