1129/A Gentle Place

A Gentle Place
Date of Scene:	12 December 2014
Location:	Dun Realtai
Synopsis:	When one is the King of Knights, one has a certain amount of dignity to maintain. Absolutely, hair-brushing is NOT dignified. Fortunately, a certain Enforcer understands...but mothering shall not be denied.
Cast of Characters:	306, 346

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Saber (346) has posed:
     'Tis the season of dreary in Dun Realtai, when the cold rain, sleet, snow, or a mix of all descend upon the small hold. That is, according to the villagers slowly rebuilding from the rampage of corrupted ice hounds, courtesy of Harkaiz. Fortunately for all involved, that particular sorcerer had been apprehended and brought to justice in the form of the winter-witch guardian of the land, Alaia. In gratitude for that, his abilities in rebuilding the ruined village, and his commitment to its people, Sir Bedivere had been granted governorship of the lands indefinitely. Which, truthfully, was just as well.

     But for now, the lord of the land was resting following yet another brush with death at the hands of the Primal Elder, Odin. But as unforeseeable as that magical attack had been, his king did not lecture him over it. No, Arturia Pendragon -- the Once and Future King of Britain -- would not scold him even when he was capable of enduring a lecture. Of course, he might find that preferable than dealing with the Fair Folk, but such as it was. He needed better armour.

     And for the moment, the former king -- now the lady of the land due to circumstances everyone else no doubt would find amusing -- had made her way downstairs into the great hall of the keep, single-mindedly focused on fetching tea for the both of them. Bedivere slept, but upon awaking he would require yet another dose of painkillers and a good spot of tea. The Servant could use some herself, actually.

Fate T. Harlaown (306) has posed:
Cold, rainy, dreary days are absolutely the best says for visiting friends. It does help that Fate is acquainted with the castle and knows exactly where to find it... and it also helps that any servants here likely know her face by now. She hasn't necessarily called ahead to let the lord and lady of the land know she was coming, though. Where would the fun be in that?

So it may come as a surprise when the Enforcer's soft voice calls from the hallway near the kitchens. "I knew I'd find you here, Saber." The blonde gives the Servant a soft smile, adjusting the bag on her shoulder and advancing toward the king. She's in civilian clothes today, fairly casual, though bundled for warmth.

Saber (346) has posed:
     In contrast to her stark appearance in a three-piece black-and-grey suit, Saber was typically found about Dun Realtai in a simple homespun leine and heavy skirt, with some modest embellishment but otherwise the clothing of a typical peasant of the village, her hair in a simple, messy braid over her shoulder and bound with a plain ribbon. Both lord and lady tended to favour such modest garments, much to the bewilderment of the villagers who were far more used to nobility showing off their rank in their finery. Even aside from their natural modesty, both were far more comfortable in such clothing.

     The shorter blonde was certainly surprised. "Fate," she said, her eyebrows lifting with her surprise. "Truly, I did not expect you, today."

     And then, likely to the Enforcer's amusement, devolved into fussing. "Had I known, I would have properly prepared...will simple shortbread be acceptable? I had no time to prepare more gingerbread..."

     There was even some minor flailing involved. Indeed, a stark contrast to the once cold, aloof Servant.

Fate T. Harlaown (306) has posed:
That reaction is another plus to surprise visits. Fate gets to see Saber as she is, without any preparation. "I just returned from a mission, so not even I expected to come today. But I had some time, and it's been so long since we've had the chance to catch up..." No, of course the purpose isn't sinister.

Fate gives the Servant a soft smile and reaches out to place a hand on Saber's shoulder. "Shortbread would be lovely." Nevermind that Fate lives with someone who grew up in a bakery. She's never compared what she gets at home with what she gets anywhere else. It would be unfair! "You do have some time to talk, don't you?" Fate didn't think she looked like she was in any sort of hurry, but she didn't want to assume.

Saber (346) has posed:
     Well, Fate certainly got her without any preparation. The people of the village had never seen her in her full regalia and distant demeanour as the king, but they had certainly seen her more recent facade of proper lady. Even if Arturia had no idea how a proper lady was supposed to look and behave. Instead, she had ended up cobbling together what she had learned during her reign in how to act dignified with her more recent ability to be open and warm. That seemed to go over fantastically, much to her bewilderment. Still, why question what worked?

     But at the moment, Saber had been reduced to a persona which had been cast aside long ago and only recently surfaced completely; the girl she had been long before her ascension. "A-ah..." she managed. "Yes, that is true. It has been quite a while. I hope that your duties have not been too strenuous...."

     Sea-green eyes blinked in surprise. "I...well, I am not busy, I was merely preparing some tea..."

     Definitely flustered.

Fate T. Harlaown (306) has posed:
The smile Fate gives to the shorter blonde is definitely tired, but quite optimistic. "Things are never slow in my line of work, unfortunately. It's nice to have a respite for a few days before having to deal with another emergency, though." The Enforcer tilts her head slightly. "Tea would be wonderful too." At least she probably doesn't have to worry about her preferred style of drinking tea causing any issues here.

Of course, a flustered Saber is an adorable Saber, and Fate makes a move to do something she'd never do in public to such a noble king. She leans over and embraces Saber, holding the girl tightly. "Just let me recharge my batteries a bit before tea, though." A mother's hug batteries can run dangerously low at times.

Saber (346) has posed:
     Fortunately, (or perhaps unfortunately, depending on whose perspective it was) the diminutive swordswoman's flailing had tapered off, giving way to her more proper demeanour. Yet, that traditional cold aloofness remained distant as she smiled softly. "Ah. I have found that, for all of the work to be done, and the difficulties the people have faced, Dun Realtai is a most excellent place to recuperate, or to merely stop and catch one's breath." It certainly had been that for the lord and the lady, who had been running on proverbial empty for years, sustained on little more than their ideals, before they had finally found a home in which to have a true rest.

     Saber suspected that even the vision Avalon had promised could hardly compare.

     If it had been anyone other than Fate and outside the Round Table -- the the excpetion of two others-- the King of Knights would have protested, possibly attempting to back away. She was still, after all, squeamish about her personal space. But Fate was in her inner circle, a friend over the five years she had been in the multiverse. "Of course," she replied with a gentle smile. And she even hugged her back, until she left to bring the tea and shortbread she had promised.

Fate T. Harlaown (306) has posed:
Her status as one of the privileged few who gets to do this is not unknown to Fate. She makes sure not to abuse said privilege by trying not to embarrass the small Servant in public. In private, though, where no one else can see? There will be hugs. There is even an imaginary meter that rises when Saber returns the hug, though it isn't full yet.

Fate does, however, release the shorter blonde to gather tea. "I was counting on it being quiet and peaceful here." She sets her purse down on a nearby table as she awaits Saber's return. "There were some things I had wanted to ask you about as well... A matter that's left me a bit stumped, but I'm sure you could help me with."

Saber (346) has posed:
     It wasn't long before the short blonde returned with a tray laden with shortbread and a tea service with two cups, cream and sugar. The pot contained green tea, but as for Fate's preference of drinking it...well, Saber wouldn't tell.

     "We recently retrieved the former lord and sorcerer responsible for the sorry of the land," the Servant explained as she poured them both tea. "Yet, even then, it has been most peaceful. There have been some problems, but those have been of a more domestic nature, preventing erosion and ensuring the village homes have been sufficiently insulated, as well as food secured for the winter."

     Pale eyebrows raised again, though in mild curiosity this time. "Oh? What do you wish to ask of me?"

Fate T. Harlaown (306) has posed:
Green tea is not what Fate would have expected in a place like this, but she certainly isn't going to complain. Especially when there's also cream and sugar. She gives a grateful smile to the Servant and wastes no time adding a bit of each to her cup. (And, somewhere in another world, a certain Mage probably gets a shiver up her spine.)

"I'm sure that incorporating a few more modern ideas help as well." Did they have crop rotation in this time before? The teacup is lifted, a sip is taken, and Fate lets out a happy sigh. "Ah, well... a few things. First of all..." She lifts a finger and inclines it toward Saber. "I really should help you neaten up that braid of yours. I know you're not planning to leave the house today, but it seems a bit hastily done." The criticism is soft and gentle, though, with no harshness to her words. "And... I was hoping you'd tell me a bit about your nephew. Don't tell him, but I've drawn his name to give a gift to and don't quite know him well enough to know what sorts of things he likes."

Saber (346) has posed:
     Though not especially unusual when it came to a Servant accustomed to the modern era, the Left Hand of the King had likewise developed a fondness for something which had been primarily a medical treatment in their era. As such, there always seemed to be an ample supply, even of the more exotic forms. It was perhaps one of the few indulgences the knights allowed themselves.

     "Yes, quite so," Saber agreed. "Insulation from the current era has been most beneficial, much more than, I can truly express." Plans of crop rotation were set aside for the spring, once the frost had passed.

     The Servant's smiles wavered, however, at the critique. "W-well, yes I had merely braided it to keep it out of the way...but I have been too preoccupied to properly braid it.." Why did she suddenly have a sense of dread?

     Thinking of Gawain was nearly a relief. "Ah, well...in truth, I am still learning, myself," she admitted with a hint of lingering sadness. "But he seems to very much enjoy the era he was summoned to. Perhaps something from that time?

Fate T. Harlaown (306) has posed:
"I'm sure the citizens here enjoy the possibility of warmer homes in the winter, as well." Fate definitely enjoys that tea, slowly sipping at it to savor the mix of flavors. "Ah, he's been enjoying his time then. That's good to hear. I know that Servants are able to adapt to different timelines, but... still, it's good to know he is enjoying it and not just coping." For Saber, Fate has no worries. Especailly with a place like this, she's quite certain that the young king is enjoying her time in a different time.

"Mmm." That soft sound conveys quite a deep meaning, though Saber may not recognize it right away. As the Enforcer sets down her cup, she walks around behind the Servant and begins deftly undoing the loose braid. "I'll take care of it, just this once."

Saber (346) has posed:
     Saber's expression turned slightly determined, a subtle change from the traditional stoicism, containing a hard edge with her commitment. "Enjoy, yes...but more importantly, we shall not lose a soul to the winter. The heated water brought through internal plumbing will help, as well."

     Lightly sipping her own tea, the Servant suppressed a wry smile. "He has more than simply adapted. Sir Gawain has evidently embraced the modern era." As had she and Bedivere, in their own ways...though perhaps more the former than the latter. Even her motorbike seemed to set the marshal on edge, even if he equally shared her wonder over things such as modern medicine. Or, more importantly, how many lives it saved.

     Yet, they both felt the most comfortable where they had now found themselves. It was not simply nostalgic; it was, in many ways, a second chance. An opportunity to truly make a difference this time.

     Indeed, that was a sound which filled the knight-king with a growing sense of trepidation. Which was soon justified. "...Ah?"

     Soon, she was sputtering not unlike the way a certain other had been when the tables had been turned. "Th-that is not...you need not trouble yourself..." she protested futility.

Fate T. Harlaown (306) has posed:
"Heated plumbing is a -wonderful- invention. I'm sure that everyone here will appreciate being able to take a warm bath even in the middle of winter." Although she never lived in times of lesser technology, she knows of them from her history classes in school. They didn't seem pleasant at all. She's also visited a number of worlds with similar problems... but it's nice to hear that this place will be free of some of them.

"I'll keep that in mind, then. Perhaps a trip to a world along the same timeline as his is in order..." Gears are already turning in Fate's head as she sifts through some ideas.

A sputtering Saber is an adorable Saber, but Fate doesn't point that out. She merely smiles and runs her fingers gently through the hair as it's pulled out of its braid. "Now, now. It's no trouble at all." The taller blonde gives a few more strokes through Saber's hair with her fingers before reaching over to her purse and drawing out a brush.

She's a mother with a preteen daughter who has very long hair and another teenage daughter whose hair has been growing out. Of course she carries a hairbrush with her.

Saber (346) has posed:
     The flaxen-haired Servant nodded slightly. "We had insisted that the village be rebuilt first, with modern plumbing and insulation to keep out cold and moisture. The granary, as well...what provisions the Union has sent needed to be preserved from rot and pests."

     A mere five months ago, Saber would have referred to herself in the singular, though some had expected her to refer to herself in what was apparently known now as the "royal 'we'". A peculiar change for the knight-king, though perhaps expected. It seemed that whatever altruistic work she had done either in Dun Realtai or abroad, she now spoke constantly in the plural.

     She almost seemed chagrined as she continued. "Ah...though the villagers, in gratitude, restored the fifth floor of the keep at the same time, regardless."

     And, of course, had mistaken the /precise/ relationship of the king and her marshal. It had worked out for the best, but not without considerable embarrassment on both their parts.

     The Enforcer was awarded another nod. "I have visited his world, as it were," Saber explained. "It is not very different from the era I was summoned to, as our Wars appear to have been nearly ten years apart." She paused, tilting her head slightly. "He appears to enjoy video games, I have noticed."

     It might have been an amusing sight to some: it appeared that there were currently only two people who could send her into such stammering fits. Though only one seemed to be able to cow the Servant in turn. At the moment, that Servant sat quietly with a strange sort of obedience when Fate went into Mom Mode. She did have to admit, the brushing was quite pleasant. If she had done even half as well brushing and braiding Bedivere's hair, than Arturia could be rather pleased with herself. Even if she didn't say it.

Fate T. Harlaown (306) has posed:
Given that she knows the hand Bedivere has had in restoring this place, Fate isn't fooled into assuming that Saber has changed pronouns. "If this is their first winter with these things for the village, I'm sure they'll be even more grateful the colder the weather gets." Crimson eyes glance upward toward the ceiling. "Fifth floor? Is that the top of this place?" She didn't count stories on her way in.

"Ten years of technological growth can do quite a lot... but I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Saber." There are definitely some ideas forming.

The brushing is gentle, even when tangles are encountered. This isn't being done by someone in a rush to get a girl ready for school in the morning. There's no time limit, so Fate carefully brushes out the Servant's hair. "I usually see you wearing this up in a bun... I didn't know how long it was, Saber." Mom Mode is a terrifying thing, and very difficult to stand against. Fate seems quite pleased, though, as she smoothes and straightens out Saber's hair.

Saber (346) has posed:
     If anything, the King of Knights almost speaks as if she is a part of a married couple. Curious, that. "The late autumn season is bitterly cold and often rainy, I have been informed," she noted. "They have not misled us, that is indeed what it has been. Even now, they have been most grateful for these changes." To say nothing of a lord and lady who place the needs of the people above their own, but the typical answer of both knights had always been to reply that it was simply their duty.

     "Yes, it is," Saber explained after another sip of tea. "Those have been the quarters of the previous lord, and were restored in short order for the new lord to have a proper place to live." In spite of all his protestations to the contrary. Even his quarters as a knight of Camelot had been extravagant by his standards, as Spartan as they had been. But then, their shared chambers were larger than even hers had been as the King of Britain. Bedivere was hardly the only one whose sense of modesty protested at the perceived extravagance. The fact that the quarters also served as a necessary office still seemed a bit decadent.

     "You are most welcome," the jade-eyed knight replied with a smile.

     Only now, she had an almost defeated expression, unable to resist. She was still not certain what it was about her that brought out Fate's maternal instincts, but she was never one to appreciate her appearance beyond properly projecting the image of the flawless king.

     "A-ah..." she stammered slightly. "I...it was necessary to be able to bind it so, for it to be as long as it is."

     And it did help considerably that she was not the only one to wear her hair so long, or even braided...

Fate T. Harlaown (306) has posed:
Cold and rainy. While Fate spent most of her time growing up on Earth in Japan, she did learn some about other parts of that world. "Then is the weather here much like the climate you grew up in, Saber?" England is cold and wet, from what she remembers. "It must be a little nostalgic, with the environs and the castle..."

Crimson eyes glance upward at the ceiling briefly, as if doing so would allow her to see the fifth floor. She's mostly thinking, though. "It is quite nice to know that they've accepted you, though. It means they trust you and they want you here." A faint smile crosses her lips. "And it sounds like they're supporting some of your choices as well." Fate is being vague for now, but there's no need to address it directly and embarrass the Servant.

"Mmm?" With soft but firm strokes, the blonde brshes out Saber's hair more thoroughly. "I've gotten used to fighting with my hair loose, though it certainly is a lot easier to tie it somehow... though I've outgrown the twintails I used to wear." She pauses a moment, working the brush through a bit of a tangle in the king's hair. "Have you considered trying other styles? A ponytail is easy to put on yourself if you're in a rush."

Saber (346) has posed:
     Saber tilted her head slightly, her gaze turning inward with the effort to recall what were now somewhat distant memories. Perhaps not terribly long ago, but she had been living predominantly in a temperate part of Japan for the better part of the last five years. Additionally, the Servant had been on frequent missions to all manner of different worlds with vastly different climates, much more disparate than even between Britain and Rome. It had been a great many experiences to take in.

     But there were some things she remembered with clarity even now. "I lived for the first fifteen years of my life on an estate in...I believe it is called 'Wales' now? A small farm, in truth, but it had been given to a knight loyal to my father. Sir Ector was his name. I believe he had been grated a leave...he had seen many battles, and they had taken their toll on his state of mind." Post-traumatic stress disorder, most likely; the same as what Bedivere struggled against now. "It was reasonably warm in the summers, though never oppressively hot. But the winters could be dismal, cold and wet."

     The petite knight shook her head slightly. "But even those winters seem mild compared to Dun Realtai. It is far colder, in this place, than any winter I can remember in Britain."

     She nodded slightly in agreement, sipping her tea after. "Indeed. Perhaps it is because we have committed ourselves to healing this place, to help rebuild it...yet, we have been careful not to interfere too much, or simply solve all of their problems for them. The people here are quite independent, perhaps even a little proud." In other words, the people were not so very different from Saber herself. But she failed to catch Fate's other meaning. "Choices?" she asked, blinking owlishly in bemusement. The knight-king did have to admit that the brushing was rather pleasant, and the working through tangles were not especially painful. She had dealt regularly with far worse. "Ah...on occasion, when I do not anticipate battle, I simply pull it back, or braid it only loosely." Such as the low ponytail when she wore her suit, the high one when she busied herself with work around the keep, or the braid she had loosely woven for the previous ceilidh.

     "A few times, I do not so much as bind it at all." Primarily because A Certain Knight had said that is looked nice like that. She wasn't trying to be /too/ obvious there, but then, most already had an inkling as to why.

Fate T. Harlaown (306) has posed:
"I think I remember Wales. Part of Great Britain." Fate wrinkles her nose slightly. "When I was in elementary and middle school, everyone assumed I was from Europe. And since Midchildan sounds similar to Earth's English, it helped to know a few names of places." She is, in fact, speaking Midchildan right now! It sounds just like English with an odd accent.

Brief as it is, Fate listens carefully to the story of Saber's childhood. "Did you enjoy growing up there? Ah... sorry for prying, but you never really spoke to me about your past before." Fate definitely likes it, as it shows there's a higher level of trust from the Servant. She's aware of how details of history can affect them. "I'm not sure why, but somehow I can see you as a little farmgirl as a child..."

A soft smile comes to the taller blonde's face. "If they're independent and proud, then it speaks quite a lot that they trust you and Sir Bedivere as much as they do. It seems you're both very good for this place." When asked about choices, Fate simply makes a lilting hum and smiles mysteriously, but doesn't explain herself further.

"You do look very cute with it down. I know you're a king and should be regal and majestic, but you're also a girl, and there's nothing wrong with being cute from time to time." After a few more strokes of the brush, Fate runs her fingers through Saber's hair. "There. Now, what sort of style would you like?"

Saber (346) has posed:
     Because of the magical link between Servants and their Masters and the necessity of being able to communicate for the purpose of co-ordinating battles, Saber tended to speak the language of her Master. With Emiya Kiritsugu and Tohsaka Sakura, that language ended up being Japanese, though she occasionally lapsed into her more familiar native tongue of an archaic form of Welsh. Only now, her Master spoke not only her lingua franca, but his own native tongue, an old form of Gaelic. More often than not, when the multiverse translated her speech, it translated either of these two languages into something the listener could understand. Few were capable of speaking such obscure languages natively.

     "English?" Arturia's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Ah. Yes...a more modern tongue, somewhat after my time. It is a rather strange one, to me." Welsh was, after all, the oldest language still spoken in those island countries, even if it was not quite in the same form that existed in her own time.

     Shaking her head slightly, Saber smiled softly. "I do not mind. My childhood there was pleasant, as if the wars and chaos of Britain were distant things. My father...that is, the man who raised me, Sir Ector...raised me alongside his own son, Kay." The way she had spoken of her biological father -- Uther Pendragon -- had been distant, as if reciting some long-dead ancestral lineage. By contrast, when she spoke of Sir Ector, her tone became much more familiar, hinting that she regarded the old knight as her actual father. It was rare that she so much as spoke of her past, but Fate had long ago earned the Servant's trust.

     "We were both trained as squires, and our father taught us the basics of a knight-aspirant's training as well as a more formal education, and some skills which lay beyond a squire's usual purview. We learned to read and write, speak Latin and Greek...but we likewise learned how to survive in the forests and wildernesses. We knew how to hunt game with a bow and arrow and how to fish, how to gut and clean game, as well as how to mend our clothes, which wild plants were safe to eat and which ones were poisonous. His explanation was that, should we be separated from our units, we would be able to survive on our own." One might get the impression that Sir Ector had been far more than a simple soldier, perhaps even the equivalent of a modern-day Special Forces member. "But we built up our strength through exercises and learned everything that was taught other squires. By the time of my ascension, I was competent enough to have become a knight-aspirant."

     At fate's envisioning her as a farmgirl, Arturia blushed slightly, ducking her head, though a slight, bashful smile broke through. "A-ah...I was never especially suited to the skills of a farmer," she admitted. "My brother and I learned enough to perform the necessary chores, but we never learned enough to maintain a farm on our own. That task fell to what few servants our father employed from the village."

     "I am grateful for their faith and trust," the jade-eyed knight replied on the subject of Dun Realtai's villagers. "We are truly blessed, to be able to help such people." Though they had never expected gratitude -- it was their duty to merely serve, after all -- to have had their efforts answered with that gratitude was a refreshing change. Who wouldn't want to be appreciated, really?

     The question of hairstyle flustered the petite blonde somewhat. "I-I...perhaps...perhaps a simple braid. I do not anticipate a great deal of work, today..." That is, her day was more than likely going to involve watching over Bedivere and making certain he was resting.

Fate T. Harlaown (306) has posed:
"Ah? I wasn't aware of that... I thought English was always spoken there." Fate looks thoughtful for a moment. "I suppose languages can change over time. I always had a hard time with Earth culture, though..." The blonde looks somewhat embarrassed, "Language and history were always my worst subjects in school here. I only knew Midchildan and Belkan history."

As Saber continues her tale, Fate begins to arrange her hair. "Sounds like this Sir Ector did a good job of preparing you for just about any circumstance. Did he expect you to become king, I wonder?"

Fingers comb through Saber's hair a final time before she pulls it into a few bunches and begins to braid it. "I'm afraid I can't quite relate to being brought up that way, but it does sound like you enjoyed your childhood... even if it was hard work. Kay, then... would he be your step-brother, of a sorts? Did he become one of your knights?" Fate knows a few of the Knights of the Round Table, but not all of them. As she said, she's not the best at history and lore of things she hasn't specifically studied.

"Mm... I wonder if any young men or women here have aspirations to becoming knights. You'd be able to help train them, along with Sir Bedivere and Gawain." Surely nothing could go wrong.

By the time she's finished with Saber's hair, it's been woven into a simple but elegant braid, one just intricate enough that it would be difficult for Saber to do herself. There's also a blue ribbon tied on it. Now where did Fate get that? Perhaps it's one of the unsolved mysteries of being a Mother.

Saber (346) has posed:
     "The history of my kingdom is a complicated one," Arturia explained, with no indication of having been offended. And these days, if she didn't appear to be particularly bothered by something, it was a good indication she wasn't. Though not the sort to wear her emotions on her proverbial sleeve by any means, she was nevertheless capable of snapping at anyone who insulted her pride as a knight. Fortunately, those instances were rare. "At the height of the power of Rome, there were many different tribes of people throughout Albion, many of whom spoke their own tongues. When Rome's power waned, many formed kingdoms; ours was Britain, what is now 'Wales' and much of 'England'."

     Curiously, the exact word she used for her kingdom was its medieval Welsh form: Prydein.

     Saber made a soft 'hm' sound, as though both in agreement and thought. "I believe that was his intention. In truth, Uther had abandoned me when I was born, entrusting me to Merlin, who then brought me to Sir Ector. I believe the wizard informed my father that I was the crown princess, and trained me to be prepared for my eventual ascension. Frequently, Merlin returned to tutor me in various things which I found strange, at the time. He was, however, preparing me for my eventual rule. as was my father, I believe."

     Her face was somewhat neutral when referring to Merlin, as if she was still, even after all the years, not completely certain what to make of the wizard. She did, however, smile faintly when speaking of Kay....perhaps even smirking slightly. "Yes, I never knew of Kay as anything other than my brother....even when I learned the truth of my birth, I could never see him as anything other than that. He became one of my knights...in fact, he was my castellan, managing Camelot's castle with great efficiency. Though, he was oft-times prone to complaining over certain things."

     She smirked slightly as a particularly amusing memory surfaced. "He had been tasked with managing the knight-aspirant applications,but there were so many following my ascent to the throne that it overwhelmed him. Sir Bedivere was tasked with helping him, and narrowed two hundred applications down to forty. Kay was astonished and asked how he had managed such a feat. Bedivere told him that he had used a technique Merlin had taught him -- natural selection -- in which he would toss the applications into the air and select the application which the wind had carried the farthest."

     Saber paused to chuckle softly before continuing. "Kay was horrified, and asked if he truly believed it, to which Bedivere replied that of course he did not, he merely had much more exacting standards than Kay. but he had made his joke with such a serious expression that he had fooled my brother completely."

     In other words, the good marshal was a master at joking with a straight face. One more aspect of the legends which had never seemed to have made it into the books.

     The Servant paused, clasping her chin between her thumb and her index finger. "It is, in truth, my hope that some would become inspired. We shall have need of more men to train them, of course...but I hope to establish an order strong enough to help those in need, and act as an inspiration by acting on the Eight Sacred Virtues." Already, Bedivere had started with Shirou...and the Enforcer might be able to glimpse at Arturia's new dream, her hopes for the people of Dun Realtai.

     Once Fate was finished with the braid, Saber's stubborn blush returned. "Ah...thank you, Fate. It is...very nice." She didn't ask about the ribbon, though she did wonder.

Fate T. Harlaown (306) has posed:
"You were held in high regards even as a child, then. Somehow, I'm not surprised..." Fate smiles and, now that she's done fixing Saber's hair, the brush goes back into her purse. Best not to ask about the ribbon. It's not as if Fate expected to be able to play with Saber's hair, right?

"Merlin is one I've heard stories of, of course. Though considering I didn't know you were a girl until I met you, I'm not sure how accurate any of those stories are... especially the versions that eventually made it to my ears." She quirks her brow slightly at the tale of Bedivere's joke... then covers her hand and laughs softly. "I never knew he was the type to do that. It suits him, I suppose, thinking about it." Bedivere the deadpan joker. If only the tales added that to his accomplishments.

"It would be nice... and I'm sure it would do them proud to have some of their own be honored as knights. What are the Eight Sacred Virtues?"

The blonde gives her shorter friend a soft smile. "Of course! It looks quite good on you. Just make sure Sir Bedivere gets to see it before you take it out."

Saber (346) has posed:
     If Saber had suspected that Fate had just been waiting for the chance to play with her hair, in all likelihood the otherwise dignified knight-king would have dissolved into a puddle of blushing and helpless stammering. Fortunately for what little dignity she had left, Fate's secret was safe.

     "I would not necessarily say that I was held in high regard," Arturia replied, and not entirely out of her famous sense of humility. "Uther had expected a son. When his disgraceful conduct produced a daughter instead, he merely passed me to Merlin to do with whatever he pleased." As detached as she was speaking about her biological father, she was nevertheless clearly displeased with the manner of her conception. It went against everything she had believed as a knight and king.

     She frowned slightly with an expression of reluctance. "To his credit, it did not matter to Merlin what my sex was. He would raise a great king, in his mind...someone who would rule Britain with just laws and fair rule, be that king a man or a woman. He did, for all his faults -- and he has many -- believe in me."

     That was as much as she spoke on her tutor and advisor; in all likelihood, the Enforcer would doubtless run into him sometime, milling about the village and causing at least a little bit of mischief. He couldn't help himself, really. Instead, she smiled faintly, almost mysteriously, at a much more pleasant subject. "There was little opportunity then for him to reveal his sense of humour," she admitted. "Now that he has been much more at ease, it has emerged with more frequency."

     She became subtly more animated as she spoke of the ideals which had become synonymous with her legend. "The Eight Virtues of Chivalry. They are: Militia, the military spirit of knighthood; Exercitium, lifelong training of one's skills; Fortitudo, perserverence in the face of adversity; Fides, honesty and loyalty in one's personal conduct; Generositas, charity; Pietas, piety and sense of duty; Humanitas, kindness and courtesy; and Ingenuitas, nobility of character, modesty, and humility. Each is a vital cornerstone of knighthood, what separates a knight from a mere warrior. It is a life of continuous service, and for as long as a knight remains in the service of the king, he must uphold the chivalric virtues at all times, dedicating himself to the people and to the king who serves them."

     Certainly a backwards concept for most, but Arturia regarded knighthood as a duty rather than a privilege.

     Once more, her face heated up to a seemingly impossible shade of red. "O-oh...o-of course..." she stammered, fidgeting away.

Fate T. Harlaown (306) has posed:
"I see..." Fate doesn't really have to ask to pick up what Saber thinks of her biological father. "That seems rather silly to me. King is just a title, after all, and gender shouldn't matter. The last great Saint King of Belka was a girl as well, you know." The blonde pauses as she walks around Saber, glancing down at the Servant. "Come to think of it, she resembled you in a few ways..." A soft smile comes to her lips. "My daughter, Vivio, is her reincarnation. Perhaps in a few years, she'll become more like you." That may mean that Fate is going to bring Vivio to train with Saber sometime... even if their fighting styles are vastly different.

"All eight of those seem like good and proper traits to have as a knight... or as any sort of protector, in fact. I'll have to tell Signum about them. I'm sure she'll be pleased." Her good friend, after all, was a Belkan Knight. "I think she qualifies for all eight, though she might not admit it."

The Servant turning red draws a faint smile from Fate, but she decides not to point it out. "So, now that I've finished with your hair and interrupting you from all your duties... what were you about to do today, Saber?"

Saber (346) has posed:
     "I think, perhaps, it was the belief that women are not as strong as men, and only a man would be strong enough to lead the kingdom, strong enough for the people to place their confidence in." There had been times when she wondered such a thing, herself. Had she been born a man, would she have been strong enough to bear the weight of the kingdom upon her shoulders? But no, she had concluded; it had been her own personal failings and weaknesses, not those of her gender. Now, however, she dwelt on it less by the day, with her Master's patient and gentle encouragement.

     Her eyebrows lifted slightly in curiosity. "Oh? I should like to hear more of this Saint King, sometime." Another day, perhaps. When Fate brought Vivio to train, maybe?

     Yet more curiosity for things which would come some other time. Saber enjoyed meeting other knights -- and even the samurai who practised a code not entirely unlike chivalry -- finding that most lived by a similar code. They were more similar than dissimilar...and the very first person Saber had encountered after Unification had been a holy knight from another world. In fact, it could be said that the King of Knights had been rescued by this very knight, who was out in the multiverse somewhere, serving her queen faithfully. "It has been my wish that chivalry would not be forgotten...I am gladdened to learn that not only has it been remembered, but others seek to follow it, still."

     The petite knight stood then, gathering up the empty cups before a passing servant dissuaded her from taking the service to the kitchen; she did have a guest to entertain, and it /was/ the servant's job, after all. These people nearly had Saber's own stubborn streak. No wonder the Knights of the Round Table seemed to fit in so well here. "Ah...I had no other plans. Perhaps, we might pass the time with a tour? There have been a great many improvements to the village and the keep..."

     It was a pleasant enough way to pass the time, and show fate a little bit more of the new dream of the Once and Future King.