Scene #5084: Something Golden In The State Of Denmark

Owner	Pose
Gilgamesh	Denmark has never really been a /palace/ kind of place. Really, it hasn't. Through most of its history, it's been a firmly /non/-palace-y sort of place, at least in this sense. Oh, CASTLES, sure, but castles are the poor man's palace. Castles are fortresses with houses in them, built purely for practicality, to hold territory. That's not at all like what Denmark - modern-day Denmark - finds within itself now. In just three days, the skyline of Denmark has been taken over by a palace. Buildings have been torn down and displaced for the great, sprawling artifice that rises into the sky. It is crouched amidst skyscrapers, an ill-fitting yet magnificent stonework that rises beyond modernity's heights into impossibility. Workers are still working on the scaffolding, settling huge stone blocks into place with cranes. The people on the streets are clamouring eagerly as people arrive. There's a throng outside the palace's massive doors. Beautiful men and women alike in kevlar and with guns bar entry for anyone without one of the precious tickets. Several people attempt to buy each attendee's on the way through. There are too many people here, with their eyes lustful for something beyond those vast and gold-laid stone doors, for something inside that intricate stone structure. A fight breaks out on the grounds as attendees pass. They aren't sure why. Eventually, however, the people with invitations are given leave to go in. The guards part, and the attendees enter paradise. Paradise it must be. All around is luxury. Gold lines every wall, gold reliefs, gold frames, gold carvings, gold floors. Carpets of the finest silks are full of guests. Portraits and paintings from all across the world - notably including /the actual Mona Lisa/ and several extraordinarily famous Van Gogh paintings - hang in the hallway. Everywhere the attendees look, there's people talking, drinking from gold goblets the likes of which haven't been in vogue for millennia...and it all feels so /out of place/. So wrong. Something is not right. Finally, the attendees get to the end of the hallway and enter what can only be called the throne room. Here, grandeur is at its height. The floor is not just gold but laid with bronze and silver. A chandelier dangles from the vaulting stone ceiling. A dais sits at the far end, while people wearing United Nations identifications talk amongst themselves, waiting in a long line. Some of them are carrying things. Others are not. On the throne is a young man. He can't be more than eighteen, probably not even that. He's dressed in a robe and a golden-fang necklace. Red, piercing eyes stare from under golden hair, from a face so beautiful, so lacking in flaws, that it cannot possibly belong to a human being. There is an aura of majesty about him as he relaxes on the throne, a palpable, physical /royalty/, a divine right that is in no way an imagination but something present, something that can be felt. Around him are more beautiful men and women, barely-clothed. In his hand is a goblet. "Your tribute is accepted, America," the young man says with a lazy wave of his hand. The older man kneeling stands and beams up at him with wide, adoring eyes. The youngster waves his hand, and the man bows, scrabbling away to a corner of the room where rows upon rows of buffet tables are filled with tantalizing smells and divine-looking drinks. "Who next?" The young man demands, "Who next wishes to pay homage to your King?"
Xiaomu	As long as nobody tries bribing Xiaomu for her ticket with some old, fairly obscure video game or a (complete) set of some manga she no longer has all of, the sage fox is keeping her ticket, thank you very much. At least until she turns it over to one of the gatekeepers on her way in ... if they're actually being collected. She's not exactly dressed for a big fancy party. She could be - all it would take is a decent image of how she ought to be dressed, and she could shapeshift into an appropriately stunning ballgown or the like - but for the time being, she's in her usual qipao and vest, complete with monk staff, the rings on its headpiece chiming with each strike of the staff's butt against the ground. She's generally ... well, casual. She HAS her ticket, she has every right to be here that she could have. And she has a companion, even if it's not exactly a 'date'. "Kinda gaudy in here, don't you think?" she asides quietly to Kotone. "I mean, those guards must be out there to protect the treasure as much as the people ... you could get more mileage with less precious metal. This stuff isn't even -" She pauses in speaking, although she never breaks stride; she scrutinizes a couple of paintings, or more accurately their frames, almost leaning closer but refraining from doing anything that obvious. ".... I wouldn't think it's magical, anyway; gold may conduct mystical energy all right, but you don't use bullion for a battery. It'd just spread out and defocus. You'd want an insulator, like on computer chips or circuit boards." She falls silent upon entering the main hall ... and for the time being, dedicates a fat chunk of her attention to studying out the other people in line. Now's the time to figure out the dress code, before she tries approaching the throne. (Some of her attention, of course, is held in reserve to hear Kotone's answer.)
Kotone Yamakawa	Denmark? Why Denmark of all places?She has no idea about just what's going on here. She does have an invitation and is about ready to go. She's not sure of all the details but given everything that's been going on it has her attention and the Cyborg moved onward to get into the party? She was very curious and knew to be on her best behavior today she was not in her normal smart clothing she's wearing a dark green china dress and is fairly dolled up for the evening. she had to put on her best after all right? So here she was she pauses for several paintings she stares what the heck is going on here with art like this? In a display like here. Something feels off to her even in the multiverse. She's going to be polite and she looks around a bit more. She isn't the only Paladin to get an invite but she's not going to go at this alone. Oh she's so not going at this alone, her bodies abilities and skills might be help. "It is slightly Xiaomu but I'm not about to start throwing insults but how did one get this much of those metals? We'll find out once we pay our respects to the King right?" She then enters along side the Shinra Agent as they move for the throne as well.
Moonlit Saber	When she received an invitation to a place she's never heard of before, Saber was wary. And also confused, since she had no idea who it was even from. Where was this Denmark place anyway? It didn't take much digging to find out, at least, but she was still wary. After all, it could be a trap! She still has no idea who several of the Servants in her own Holy Grail War are, after all. The way people are acting does seem very odd, but what's even odder to her is the extravagance of the palace. Her idea of a palace was much less.... shiny. Could one even sleep at night with walls like this around? Regardless, she ignores the strange fights breaking out and waks to the entrance, presenting her invitation. Saber remains dressed in her usual kimono, though that is suitable attire for formal occasions. Although the culture is quite different here, there is one thing that stands out to her. This is definitely a place of royalty, even if it is more... opulent than she'd ever allow for herself. When she finally catches sight of the young man on the throne, Saber tilts her head curiously. There is something odd about him, but she can't exactly place why. Perhaps it's the shiny glare from all the gold.
Gawain	Gawain is late. This is because he had to find a very nice suit, and he eventually does! It's white with a floral pattern, gold tie. It's pretty nice, and probably cost quite a bit of Gawain's savings to buy off the cuff, as he presents his ticket at the front gate, moves into the line, and goes to catch up with Kotone and Xiaomu. As he's moving up the line, though, he finds himself behind Moonlit Saber. Gawain recognizes her after a moment, smiling brightly. "Ah, Princess Kaguya-hime! You're here as well! It's been a while since we've last spoke. How are you doing?" The knight's Paladin badge is firmly planted on his suit, revealing him as a Paladin Warden, as he speaks to Saber. He glances around the place, especially at the art, and at the atmosphere. "Something feels off here, don't you agree? It's not a Noble Phantasm or even a magical building...I wonder who this king will be?"
Gilgamesh	Dress code really isn't an applicable word in this elegant, beautiful madhouse. Most of the people in the line appear to be government officials from various nations of the world - African nations, Middle Eastern nations, the Americas, Canada, Britain; if it's a nation you can think of, someone is here from it, with the same hungry look in their eyes. These people are dressed as government officials ought to be dressed, as are their secret service/personal guards - in nice suits and ties, with clips and flags to show which country is theirs. The palace guards are dressed in modern kevlar, from a host of countries and ethnicities. The people lounging around the King himself are dressed in, well, very little. The young King...it doesn't seem to matter what he'd be dressed in. His presence makes even the white dress/robe/piece of cloth with a neck-hole cut out of it feel like the most beautiful, elegant, and refined garment imaginable. But for every tuxedo and fancy dress there's a servant in jeans and no shirt, or jeans and a robe, or some other combination of modern clothing and primitive ideology. Several of the servants have things painted on their faces in red and gold ink, as if marking them as property. They're carrying trays of alcohol and food to the guests. They make a stop at Kotone and Xiaomu. The alcohol is beer. It's not wine. It's /beer/. It's unbelievably good, rich and strong like the nectar of the gods. Most of the food is bread. It's fine bread, delicious bread, some of the best bread imaginable, but it's bread. Bread and beer - agriculture incarnate. The essence of civilization. The foundational technologies. Mastery of the land. Mastery of nature. They're served in golden goblets, on silver trays. Xiaomu and Kotone are offered them by a handsome young male servant. Saber receives some food and drink from a pretty young woman. People who've already delivered their offerings (which seem to range from everything between iPhones and televisions and fancy jewelry to...well, several of the less reputable nations have brought humans, and it's easy to conjecture that the Louvre paintings were offerings, too) are milling around and talking. They're talking like it's their normal day and it's a normal party, discussing things like international affairs, economics, personal lives. The strange hunger in their eyes is still there, though. They still cast their eyes towards the stone throne. Towards /him/. Every so often, a name floats through. Gilgamesh. Someone mentions that 'Gilgamesh' will do wonders for international relations. Another says that 'Gilgamesh' agreed to pay off the country's outstanding debts in exchange for tribute. A third is excited by all the new gold flowing in from 'Gilgamesh's coffers; it's more gold than the human race has had access to in a long time. Another tribute is offered. The boy looks fascinated, lifting one of the iPhones into his hand. One of the harem takes the phone from him and demonstrates for his benefit, and he appears delighted. A laugh rings out through the huge throne room, and people laugh with him. All the conversation stops, like addicts waiting for a drug to drop. Then it resumes as the King sits back down and beckons for the next person. Kotone and Xiaomu make their way forward. The handsome young man on the throne looks them both over, then nods. "Yes," the King says, pointing at Xiaomu and Kotone, "You are excellent tribute. I commend whoever brought you to me. Come here. I wish to see you better." There are looks of jealousy from men and women throughout the room. Not just young ones, but old ones, people who have no business looking so fascinated. It's like he's a /drug/. Like the idea of such a King is an addiction, not a ruler - a /fix/. Like they've had a taste of Divinity and want to be closer.
Xiaomu	Tribute? Her? Xiaomu is slightly distracted by a combination of Paladins radio and the refreshments being offered. Bread and beer, both impressively delicious in their own right, humble yet exquisite. The sage fox can respect these in the spirit offered, even if she's from China by way of Japan rather than hailing from Europe or Persia. What she can't respect is when the big damn host mistakes her for being 'tribute' instead of a visitor. Thoughts of changing up her outfit to blend in better are set aside, and Xiaomu steps forward, scowling. "You want to commend someone, Your Excellency, commend whoever sent a ticket to me. I'm here as a guest and a visitor, not an offering." She pushes the scowl off her face, shifts her staff to her left hand, and offers her right hand, open and empty, in what denizens of the 'modern world' as she knows it would recognize as an offered handshake. "My name's Xiaomu, and I already have a 'master' of sorts. It's still a pleasure - and an honor," she adds, "to make your acquaintaince, King Gilgamesh." If the handshake is accepted, she'll try REALLY hard to sense whatever magic is at work around Gilgamesh. Her odds of recognizing it are pretty damn small, but if magic is at work she can at least try to get a sense of if it's there or not.
Kotone Yamakawa	This is quite the mad house that Kotone would see and she now reaches the king along side xiaomu. She accepts what is offered and she smiles. "Thank you." She'll drink a little bit as she moves forth but once they get closer to the King she'll pass it off to someone before she'll get moving. The looks in people's eyes? Kotone catches the looks in people's eyes this makes her wonder a bit and it's quite worrisome to her. Something isn't right or so she thinks. Then she's addressed as Tribute? Wait what? She is a bit distracted by the conversion. She doesn't like being seen as something to be sold off or given away. "I am afraid I am not tribute I was one of those invited to this event. My name is Kotone Yamakawa but I am flattered you think so well of me King Gilgamesh." Stay polite, keep respectful given who this man might be. She will also too offer a handshake once Xiaomu is done.
Moonlit Saber	A familiar voice! Though Saber doesn't recognize him at first, she definitely remembers the only person to call her that even when told it was incorrect. She doesn't terribly mind, though, and gives him a smile of greeting. "Sir Gawain. It is good to see a familiar face in such a strange place as this." She tilts her head curiously. "It did seem strange, but I was not sure if that was my own inexperience weighing my perceptions. Still, it does not seem dangerous." When food and drink are brought, she takes them with a smile and a nod of gratitude. Saber pauses only a moment to look at the food before giving it a try. Her magic resistance on top of resistance to curses should protect her if there are any shenanigans, so she doesn't think much of any possible risks. "...hmm. This is quite good." After taking a drink, she glances at some of the visitors in the room. "They have familiar expressions on their faces. I believe they may be charmed, Sir Gawain." She pauses for a moment, considering the situation. "I am unsure if this state was intentional, however. Let us go meet the king. Perhaps we can tell at a closer distance." And strider closer she does, after taking a slight detour to hand off an empty cup to a server who seems to be collecting them. Unlike those in front of her, she makes no attempt to offer her hand, merely giving a very slight incline of her head. She is, after all, royalty herself. It would not do to show submission so easily. "I take it you are the king of this place. My greetings to you. My name is Kaguya." Though she doesn't introduce herself by any title, it probably is not hard to tell that she is some form of royalty, between her bearing and, well... her blessing. Though it may also be easy for those with enough discernment to tell she isn't human either.
Gawain	Gawain likely doesn't mean ill will when he calls Saber that, he is just...odd. And has always heard of her as Kaguya-hime, but you also have to call her a Princess, because she's a Princess and that's how they do that in the west. "Likewise! But if this is in fact the work of a Servant, the two of us as well as some of the Paladin agents that are here should be able to hold the situation and evacuate people." Bread! Gawain likes bread. Technically, he likes all food, but this is GOOD bread. He grabs a piece and scarfs it down, attempting to be as polite as possible, and also partakes in the alcohol. "I agree," Gawain replies to Kaguya inbetween a drink. "And his name is 'Gilgamesh'. I'm sure you know the weight of that name. Whoever this man is will be dangerous, so we must be most cautious!" Gawain hands off the cup as Kaguya does so, following behind her. He allows her to introduce herself first, before he approaches Gilgamesh, bowing. "Wise King Gilgamesh, it is truly an honor to be in your presence! I am Sir Gawain, Knight of Dun Realtai, Paladin Warden." There's a beat, as Gawain thinks of ways to get information. "Is this your first connection to the Multiverse, King Gilgamesh?" Gawain is also trying to determine whether or not Gilgamesh is a Servant, glancing at him carefully.
Priscilla	If invites are going to out to 'various organizations', and one of them includes the Paladins, someone would probably take it very personally if her organization did not receive one as well. Nobody gets away with cozying up to the self-proclaimed world police without acknowledging their superior rival. No bias. None at all. So, when Priscilla arrives 'at the scene', she might wonder why anyone else was even invited at all. Though she has never particularly cared overmuch for modern construction (especially in places that look like Denmark), the palace that serves as a gargantuan monument to someone's wallet, ego, force of personality, or some combination thereof, almost makes her feel sorry for the steel, glass and concrete it's slowly crowding out. Inside, the impression is even stronger. Whoever had all of this built is so far out of this place, time, and world, that it has gone from charming, to gaudy, to laughable, and then all the way right back around to genuinely impressive. Vaulted ceilings, fine silks, ubiquitous goldwork and polished stone are things that she has come to know well, but the fact that it exists like this, here, bespeaks to her a total disregard for the word outside, if one is willing to enforce their extravagant preference so thoroughly. Mostly what impresses her is that, whoever they are, they somehow pulled it off. Priscilla, on her way through, taking her sweet time to size things up without a group of partners, politely turns down the beer as soon as she figures out what it is; and only politely to the servants. Fellow attendees are powerless to elicit a serious response one way or the other, save the distinct air that she considers this world's local national leaders beneath her. She is dressed for the occasion more or less as a matter of course, as at social functions, she generally dresses as is appropriate of the image of Anor Londo's royal family. This translates to a variety of white silk, intricate bordering, gold bands and fine chains, in some weird style like someone transplanted the Norse people into Mesopotamia and taught them how to do semitransparent lace and that shoes are for peasants. Her personal take on the fashion is 'distinctly more modest than usual', as well as the extremely minimalist form of crown; little more than a twisted silver band supporting a worthless-looking black stone. For totally IC reasons, this all equates to Priscilla strolling into the throne room fashionably late. She calls out from behind Gawain, albeit with a heavy lack of inflection. "So much the pity. I wouldst hath been greatly amused if thou had deemed it necessary." The barest, near-imaginary hint of a facetious grin goes Xiaomu's way. "Pray then, what significance shouldst that name possesseth?"
Gilgamesh	Gilgamesh seems.../distracted/ by this news. He frowns. "But I want you," he says, sounding annoyed, "All belongs to me, especially all things of great beauty. You are both beautiful." Then she offers her hand. Gilgamesh stares at it with naked curiousity, like he's never seen such a thing, /ever/. One of the harem boys leans over and murmurs something to him. Gilgamesh considers this for a moment, then takes Xiaomu's hand, two fingers in her palm, and shakes it. Three things are immediately obvious to Xiaomu: that he is not performing any kind of active magic, that he has cast no spells at all and has no spells cast upon him, and that he is ludicrously, ridiculously Divine. She doesn't even have to try to sense it; it's like a great screaming BEACON. It's like being next to a lighthouse. He could probably power a dozen magic items with his hand. He is Divine in a way that the World itself does not like, Divine in a way that does not belong in this era but in an era long ago gone by, not so much allowed to exist as /forcing/ his existence by his mere metaphysical nature and weight. Xiaomu can tell; the people are not under his spell, for there is no spell to be under. His presence distorts them. He is a fragment of glory long gone by, brought forth in force into a world where glory is in short supply. He does not control them. They clamour for a taste of his presence. Their jealous is inflamed at him touching her hand. He is their fix. Gilgamesh releases her from his hand and gestures for her to go back down from the throne. Kotone receives a similarly, wildly inaccurate, handshake. His hand is gentle. Then he gestures for her, too, to sink back off the dais. "If you are not tribute, then what have you brought?" He asks eagerly, leaning forward, "Something more beautiful or interesting than you?" His eyes are filled with the delight of youth. Kaguya receives similar looks from the bystanders as she and Gawain make her way forward. Suddenly, Gilgamesh slumps back in his throne and waves his hand at them both. "I assume that neither of you is tribute, either." He sounds petulant, annoyed, irritated despite his eagerness to see what Xiaomu and Kotone have brought. His young, handsome face is bent in frustration. "Are you together, then? Did you all bring me but one gift? Your King's curiousity rises. Three beautiful women and a beautiful man who are not my tribute must surely have brought something spectacular to present me." Gilgamesh's face twists into a frown. "Don Rayell-tee?" The foreign word is mangled in his mouth, but it's mangled /beautifully/. "Paladeen? Multivars? I do not know what these are, but at least you two show me proper reverence. Is she your wife?" Gilgamesh points at Kaguya. "I want her. The four of you are the most spectacular people I have seen yet in this horrible glass fortress." Priscilla, also, draws Gilgamesh's attention and fascination. One of the harem picks up the iPhone and takes a picture, then holds it for him to stare at for a moment. Like an animal distracted by a laser, Gilgamesh's eyes focus on the image of Priscilla before he pushes it aside. "Do not presume to put such an image of beauty between the King and true beauty!" He shouts. The young man quails. "You five. You are not from here." Gilgamesh leans against the armrest of his stone throne, eyes looking down on them with imperiousness. "You are greater than these worn-out husks, who grovel at my feet for a taste of my majesty. Beautiful. True beauty, too, not the fading echoes like this." He runs a finger under the chin of a woman whose appearance is easily supermodelesque. "Are you all from the same place? Whence do you come? Your words are strange and your motions odd." He kicks his feet up and sits forward, the very image of a teenager, except for that overwhelming Divine presence radiating off him like water. "Your King desires much to know."
Xiaomu	.... well. That escalated quickly. Xiaomu steps back off the dais after clasping hands with Gilgamesh; it was rather NOT what she expected would happen. And he took her borderline impudence a lot better than she thought he might - although she was entirely ready for him to take it really, really badly, too. He doesn't belong here. If they were back in Xiaomu's home Tokyo, Shinra would probably be scrambling around for what to do about him. That's the one thing Xiaomu is absolutely certain of at the moment - that this Gilgamesh, this 'god-king' (she's at a loss for more accurate descriptions right now), does not belong in this world. Anyway. Gift. Royal-going-on-celestial ego notwithstanding, a gift IS proper etiquette, even if she didn't suss that out from the ticket. She can handle this, though. She's got something that Gilgamesh certainly wouldn't have expected - okay, two things, one of which SHE wouldn't have expected. Ugh, if she'd known she'd have to offer tribute she would've actually gone shopping for something suitable, or at least she'd have backed up her save data and profile so she could ... "Two things I can offer, as a taste of the Multiverse's unfathomable glories," Xiaomu states. "The first, a humble yet glorious contribution towards the hospitality you've shown us ..." She takes out a packet of fried tofu, offering it to Gilgamesh himself, or to one of the harem if Gil can't be bothered to reach out and take it himself. "And the other ..." Xiaomu grumbles under her breath, "I'll need time to prepare it for you specifically, but - a window by which you may not only see worlds far more fantastical and bizarre than the Multiverse, but influence the outcome of those worlds' stories." She turns on her PlayStation Vita. "I don't think you want one that I've already been using for so long; your divine majesty surely deserves a Vita that you can call yours alone."
Kotone Yamakawa	Tribute, this is something she'd neve thought of, and the fact he wants her is honestly flattering yes, but she isn't sure what else to thnk from that. Kotone wasn't expecting such an event when she got the invite here. Kotone's hand feels normal but there's a bit of a weight she however thinks for a moment. She gets this is a cultral thing, she should have tought it through more carefully. Still she has an idea she's going to be out of smart phone she can bill it to the Paladins as an expense or so she hopes to do. She'l wipe her personal information but will leave the movies and music upon it. Thank goodness for remote access to hardware like this. "Forgive me while you likely have been giving such a gift it is the means to view a form of art, and from what I saw on the way in you seem to have a love for the arts." She'll hand her Smart Phone to the king she een set it up with him as the owner before she handed it over. "You can uses this to view recording of plays more or less as you desire, and it has a trove of music within, it might help give you some insight into my home world and the culture there in notably related to music and enterainment." the Selection of movies would thankfully be wide with a few classics in there, same for the music as well. She'll even brifely tell him how to use it as well. Then comes Priscilla. Koone is not hostile. "My tribute is note the device but the art it carries. No I am from another earth. One that has made great strides in medical advanced and in technology. Sadly we have always lasked magic in any form so far as I am aware. You also are very observant as well I am duely impressed."
Priscilla	Shortly enough, Priscilla enters the area surrounding the throne proper, catching up to the troupe of Paladins and their introduction. For some reason or another, Gilgamesh's behaviour is something she finds deeply, almost reassuringly, amusing. Even aside the overpowering aura of immaculate divinity that the room practically drowns in, reminding modern man of irrecoverable heights of ages long, long passed from memory, his age is not lost on her. He reminds her of a particularly rogueish godling; something like what she had occasionally dreamt her eldest uncle must have been like, long ago, in her rosiest imagination. It could be said that, by sheer coincidence, Priscilla hails from similar circumstances. She herself is a relic of the first age of her world, that revelled in the miracles of gods that walked amongst men, and heroes that are all but mere myth. Unlike Gilgamesh, however, she does not /exude/ it from every pore. THer origin is more or less unmistakable. It's basically impossible to come off as plain and mortal when one is the daughter of 'the most adored goddess in the world, aspected to the sun, beauty, fertility, and healing'. At the same time, her decidedly inhuman features dramatically distort the aesthetic, in a way that is decidedly more 'strange' than 'cutesy monster girl', and whatever aura she gives off is twisted to match. Cold and otherworldly. Gentle and resolute, but dangerous. Priscilla, as enshrined as a goddess, is one who attracts the adoration of those who have lost everything, those that fear the world, and those that deliberately seek adversity. She essentially appeals to the exact opposite of crowd the king here has gathered. She makes zero effort to try and suppress it, but the effect more or less makes her stand out as a small island of total dissonance in Gilgamesh's presence of overwhelming glory. She still kind of likes it when he decides she is 'true beauty' though. All of the above has classically made her kind of unpopular back home, circa a thousand years ago. Priscilla does him the courtesy of allowing her appreciation to show, where a faint, but not insincere smile turns her lips, but she doesn't bow; not for disrespect, but that it would place her on the level of politicians. Thou art most certainly correct, to presumeth that we art of different lands than these. I doubt truly that thou shalt find anything such as mineself anywhere upon this globe. However, I hail not from the same land as these. The gesture at the Paladins is implicit. I hath received a manner of invitation to this impressive gathering of thine, by manner of subordinate, and saw fit to see it for mineself. I am Priscilla, First of the Concord, and Arch Lord of Anor Londo. She pauses for an instant, to consider whether Gilgamesh is the type that likes lists of evocative titles. "Queen of the Ashen Sun. White Lady of Disaster." "I profess, I cometh bearing no tribute, for it is mine place to receiveth, rather than giveth away. What I own is hard earned; conquests of struggle, perseverance, blood, death, and souls. I do not flit away upon niceties. I cometh to bear witness to . . . I supposeth what wouldst be best termed a 'coronation'. To see for mine own eyes, a world so utterly prostrate itself to one man, in observence of his apparent providence. Pray tell, what may I know of thee?"
Moonlit Saber	Point. Saber's gaze focuses on Gilgamesh's hand for a moment before frowning slightly. "I am not his wife, and you may not have me. Many emperors and kings have attempted to win my hand, and you may not bypass the trials to do so." She lets the frown fade into a faint smile. "You are also not the first to call me beautiful, though I do acknowledge your taste. Though it seems that you are able to look past just the appearance of things as well." Still, this man is somewhat amusing... and seems to have a fairly short attention span. "However, I did not know the invitation would be to enter the presence of a king, else I would have at least brought something." Saber closes her eyes briefly. "Perhaps there is one token I can offer." One hand comes up to the ornaments around the collar of her kimono, plucking off a single feather from beneath the fabric. Stepping forward, she holds the feather toward Gilgamesh. "You will not find anything like it on earth." As she approaches, the fawning servants are given an odd look. "I can see the effect you have on them. You are not doing anything to them, are you? This is how ordinary people react to your presence." Saber lets out a soft sigh, shaking her head. "I believe I can understand your disappointment with the people here. Their devotion to you is shallow and without substance." She had to experience that herself on many occasions, so there's a look of genuine sympathy in her eyes.
Gawain	Gawain nods in response with Saber, furiously almost. "Indeed! We are just friends." He realizes, as Gilgamesh repeats his words, that he may not in fact be a Servant: he has no knowledge of the word Paladin. It's at this point that Gawain realizes what he should be doing here: Gilgamesh is unaware of both the Multiverse and its customs, and appears to be accidentally charming people. "I am a Warden of the Paladins, a law-enforcement agency that works in the Multiverse. The Multiverse is a massive stretch of worlds of all types, billions upon billions, with all sorts of experiences to behold! Our jobs as Paladins are to enforce the laws of the Multiverse, and make sure that civilian lives are kept safe." As Priscilla approaches, Gawain smiles at her, a polite bow towards the First of the Concord. "All five of us hail from this Multiverse, King Gilgamesh. The Paladins would be happy to show it to you. However, before we do so, I must offer my actual tribute, which is only fair to a king of your stature. I present you...modern art! Please, people, give me some room!" Gawain has a plan. He has watched plenty of reality television, so he can do this, as he removes his suit coat, and with one hand, moves to hand it to someone. If no one takes, it, he instead folds it nicely and puts it out of the way. And then, he dances. Gawain is not a good dancer. He has formal dance training, but he's not attempting to formally dance. Which is why his dancing is a strange, unprofessional mixture of breakdancing, salsa dancing, and ballroom. He is only paying tangential attention to his surroundings as to not bump into people, but he loses himself in the dance. After a while, or if stopped by Gilgamesh, Gawain finishes with a pose, sliding onto his knees and both arms in the air, before promptly rising to his feet, grabbing his jacket, and putting it back on. "I do hope this experience of modern art was suitable for your tastes, your majesty!"
Gilgamesh	"Your art is most amusing, and intriguing. Very well. I accept your tributes. I am tired of these shallow creatures waddling around me and dumping yet more of these toys at my feet. At least you have brought me things of interest." Gilgamesh stands and descends the dais, his robe flowing about him like honeyed wine. He levels his finger at a random shirtless servant. "You! Bard. Play suitable music for us as we talk. The rest of you, just...collect their tribute and put it somewhere separate from the other pile." Gilgamesh walks into the group of them as the 'bard' takes out his own iPhone and starts playing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FKoplr-c1k after a brief youtube advertisement for a truck. "Truly your presence refreshes and pleases your King. Tell me; there is more beyond this empty place? I would hear more of that, too. What are these Pala-deens? What is the Ashen Sun? This little glass box my palace resides in is incomparably pathetic compared to the glories I see within your eyes, and I would have all those glories, as surely as I would have all of you. Tell me of them, that I might determine how to go about it."
Gilgamesh	The young King examines Xiaomu again. This time there isn't any naked desire in his eyes, just...interest. He takes the tofu and bites into it. There's a moment of his eyes widening, then a frown, then a chewing motion. He hands it off to one of the harem, who deposits it with a waiter. "Is that animal? No. This is not animal. This is...a bean? A bean to taste like animal?" Gilgamesh points at the tofu. "You," he tells the waiter, "Take that. Learn how to make more. It shall be served henceforth as a symbol of civilization." "Yes, my king," the waiter says, eager to simply be /noticed/, bowing and skittering away with the tofu like an animal. Gilgamesh turns his eyes on the Vita. He takes it from her hands and plays with it for a moment. Which is to say that he presses a few buttons and tries to figure out how it works, and then just hands it back to Xiaomu. "I already have these 'cellular phone's. Keep it; it holds no interest. The strange magic you have is-" Kotone shoves a phone under his eyes playing a movie. Gilgamesh takes it immediately. His eyes stare at it, rapt in wonder. "You did not tell me they can do /this/," he shouts at one of the harem, "A window into another world! Truly amazing...to think that humans have managed to achieve something like this in such a small device." He stares at it until Priscilla talks again. Then it's discarded. The phone falls into one of the harem's hands, and they toss it into the pile. Some of the people around Priscilla instead look at her, or seem like they're shocked at their own actions, but once they step outside her radius it's /gone/, smothered in a grossly incandescent ball of divine radiance. He leans forward. "So you are unique," Gilgamesh says delightedly. Then he frowns and leans back in his chair. "You would know of me?" "Very well, then. In recognition of true beauty I shall do that much. Pay close attention." Gilgamesh stands, rising to his height. He's taller than he looks seated, tall for a young man. He points in one direction. "From there," he says, before pointing to the other direction, "To there." Savvy people, or people paying attention, will notice that he is pointing from West to East. He confirms this. "From where the sun rises to where the sun sets, I am King. I am the ruler of all that is and all that was and all that shall ever be. I am the King of Uruk and of Babylon, who dominated Tigris and Euphrates in his youth. I am Gilgamesh, King of Heroes. Where I walk, a thousand thousand others will one day trod as my reflections, shining with reflected glory as jewels in the presence of the beauty Ishtar. I am Gilgamesh, and my deeds are, and shall be ever-more, mighty and unmatched in all things. Queen of the Ashen Sun, I greet you, and proclaim to you that you are beautiful in my eye beyond all measure." Then he sits and crosses his legs, and resumes that lax pose. Saber's gift, however, makes him pause. He looks at the feather quietly. Then, with immense reverence, he places it behind his ear. "I will keep this token with me until perhaps I decide to challenge those trials," he says. His eyes turn on the harem. "They desire. They are greedy, shallow creatures who want a taste of true glory. This land is strange, its inhabitants empty. They are not like the people of Uruk. And yet they sought a King, and so I am here to be their King." For a moment, his face softens at Kaguya - at Saber's - words. Then, like all teenage boys confronted with a moment of weakness, he scoffs. "What does it matter to me what these little clay beasts do to debase themselves before me? I do not care. They serve me. That is their purpose. They have found purpose in me. That is fine." Gawain dances. Gilgamesh watches this until Gawain is done. He laughs, and the room laughs with him, and they probably aren't laughing /with/ Gawain.
Xiaomu	Fortunately for the future of the Commonwealth's diplomatic ties with Gilgamesh, the ancient king appreciates fried tofu. That's a very good thing, particularly given that he goes on to dismiss the Vita as a 'cell phone' like he already has at least one of. Xiaomu isn't going to forgive the dis quite that easily, but she's mollified enough by making another fan of fried tofu not to start berating him for it. Besides, hey - he doesn't want the Vita, she doesn't have to go out and buy one for him, she doesn't have to salvage her account data off of it or anything. She also pays attention to where he's pointing and what he says. Yeah, this pretty much tallies with what she's picked up so far about who and what Gilgamesh is. It matches up with the mythological/historical info that Gawain relayed, and it seems to more or less explain the unbelievable amount of power she felt when touching his hand. .... and speaking of power .... She steps back and to the side, leaning over to try and borrow attention from a member of Gil's harem. "How many of the electronic devices in that pile need chargers?" she asks, not quite stage-whispering. "Or is somebody already getting chargers for the things that need it?" Knowledge may be power, but she has yet to find a cell phone that can be recharged by reciting history or equations at it.
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa does her best she hopes she can help with it and she's glad to see things are. she grins a little bit as Gilgamesh enjoys the gift, it was on the spot and it's all right she has to rebuy a number of things it could have been worse right? She seems to be in a very good mood now. She is honesly enjuoying herself at this point s the King speaks she listens for a moment and she nods a little bit. She understands the title and she will give him respect for a moment. "A curious way to think about it, Your highness." Then Gawain does his hing she watches and can not help but laugh a bit goodnaturedly at it. "There are many worlds without count, life beyond anything you my have dreamed of."
Priscilla	To stay honest, Gilgamesh exhibits a little more misanthropy than Priscilla is entirely okay with. She has her own various reasons to be unfond of humans, as well as her own reasons to appreciate them. Where being greedy is concerned, she is hard pressed to disagree, but for mankind's intrinsic weakness, and its need to gather around true power, she has only ever felt sympathy. That is to say, she doesn't seem to have a lot of it for the fawning cronies in the immediate vicinity, but she certainly believes there are worthwhile humans somewhere in this world, as there are in many worlds. Still, the others seem to be convinced that he isn't using any kind of mind-affecting magic, so she can perhaps understand why a selfish teenaged boy might think so, given his reception here. Furthermore, if he isn't just making all those titles and claims up off the top of his head, the people here should most definitely seem soft, listless and unmotivated by comparison. Even Priscilla has been given to thoughts like that at times. She lets it slide, instead sifting out as much context as she can. Babylon is something she knows of, as is Ishtar, oddly, via a lot of Multiversal osmosis. Those cues inform her as to the very literal gulf of place and time at work here, but if Gilgamesh has no idea that other worlds exist yet, it seems unlikely he wandered in here from elsewhere. That kind of bugs her. For all intents and purposes, this iteration of Denmark seems pretty boring (even for Denmark), so what exactly happened? "Thou hast, most certainly, an eye for what is of import." Priscilla replies, without self-flattery. He hasn't left the city, but can pick up on the gravitas of the visit of several well-travelled Elites at first meeting. First, she answers his direct question, as is only decent. "It is poetic device, of complex lineage and achievement. Precisely, I am Priscilla, daughter of Gwynevere, of the line of the Great Lord Gwyn, Lord of Sunlight. I am also Priscilla, of the lineage of the Everlasting Dragons, beings of the Ashen Mist, and of the Age of Deep Fog. Further, as the Great Lord Gwyn was slain at mine command, I hath taken his throne, and with it, the Fire of the World hast passed on to mineself. Thus, the world restored by mine hand, the sun which rises once again is one of mine own design, born from the ashes of the old age, and guarded by a daughter of the Ashen Mist. It perhaps esoteric, but one I hath grown fond of, the more men repeat it."r "If thou wish to see the glory of these words, and of the world resurrected from Dark by mine choosing, thou must do little before I show thee the way, and perhaps the way to many others beyond that. Thou art wise to seek lands beyond these barren and grey horizons. I wouldst ask first, however, how it was that one such as thee came to be here in the first place."
Gawain	As the crowd laughs, Gawain bows again, misintepreting why they are laughing. "I am glad you appreciate it, your majesty!" But as Gilgamesh introduces himself, Gawain looks thoughtful. He's putting something together in his head based off the way Gilgamesh speaks, because Gawain is more intelligent than he may seem. "King of Heroes, I know you well. Your stories have inspired many generations, including my own! I serve the King of Knights, Arthur Pendragon." Gawain checks Gilgamesh's expression. His reaction, his tone of voice. Anything that has familiarity of this name. This, to him, is what will confirm everything. And then, as they form into a group, Gilgamesh requests more information. Gawain notices that Priscilla seems to be attempting to recruit him, but he worries about this. He would be dangerous with the Concord, especially with that aura of his, which needs to be controlled. "The Paladins are Multiversal law enforcement. We protect the laws of the various worlds in the cosmos, more than thousands of people could count on their fingers! Many of these worlds are unique, full of wonders such as video games, Disney, and pizza! Have you been introduced to pizza yet, King Gilgamesh?" Gawain smiles, firmly but genuinely, as he faces the king. He is not /afraid/ of Gilgamesh, but he respects him. "As an officer of the Paladins, and therefore one of these law enforcers, I am willing to offer to introduce you to this wide Multiverse, as well as further information on the Paladins. Additionally, should you be interested, we would be happy to have your membership! I must ask, however. Your ability to charm people is worrying. Are you not capable of suppressing it?"
Moonlit Saber	That change of expression is definitely something Saber recognizes, though... "Mmm. I see." There is some similarity in their feelings, but she also recognizes that he may not want to delve into it right now. It's better to not poke at that right now. That dance sure was... a thing. Saber watches in a mix of interest and confusion, though when the dance ends, she still isn't sure just what she watched. Still, she does clap a few times politely. "Ah! You have not experienced the Multiverse yet! It is something you may enjoy." While she knows what a danger that strange aura he has would be, she also recognizes that it's not exactly something easy to control. It wasn't for her, though her effect wasn't quite as strong. "But I believe the others may be better at explaining than I. Sir Gawain is well-knowledged in the Paladins, and Priscilla knows other things." She pauses for a moment. "Sir Gawain, are you attempting to ply a king with pizza?" Pizza is good and all, but really now.
Gilgamesh	"I don't know," one of the harem says quietly, "But I'm sure that His Majesty would appreciate any gifts you're willing to give." That glassy smile is kind of creepy up close, Xiaomu. Really creepy. It really is exactly like seeing someone riding the dragon, so to speak. Someone high on opium, more relevant to her. Someone dancing with the spectral dragon. "My imagination is wide. Do not presume to lecture me about things being beyond it." Gilgamesh taps Kotone on the nose in a manner that would probably be comical were it not...well, kind of intimidating. "I know that one day Man will leave this cradle. I know that one day they will reach the stars. I can imagine many things. I will be the one to judge what is or is not beyond my imagination in this new, vast realm I will rule." "I see," Gilgamesh says to Priscilla as they walk, his thumb and forefinger squarely under his chin, "You are something like that. I would see the glory of this world for myself, yes. I would see a place that could produce something like you with my own eyes." He stops. "I do not know how I came to be here," Gilgamesh says honestly, spreading his arms. "I was walking through the streets of Uruk. I was seeking a new woman, or a new man, or some new entertainment or another. I considered leaving on an adventure. Then, I felt a great voice call to me. I felt something reach forth and drag me from my land, and as my foot fell, it fell upon the grey and barren ground outside the black river outside. There were...I cannot rightly call these humans, but these," he gestures at the crowd thronging, walking behind them in step, "around me. One of them looked up and kissed the hem of my robe and said that I was more glorious than he could possibly have dreamed. He said this world was rotten, corrupt, and that only I could do something for it. That I was his great wish." The look of contempt on Gilgamesh's face passes. "So here I am. I demanded a palace, so they made one. I demanded a party, so they made invitations. They sent them far and wide, and here you are, you wonders from beyond this land to delight, amuse, and please me." "There are no other Kings. There can only be one King. That is the nature of a King. I am the King. I do not know who this Arthur Pendragon is, but I suppose that if he wishes to call himself a king and imitate me, it is only right that he do so. I will correct him on my own time." Gilgamesh waves his hand. "The law." "My word is the law. That is the law. I do not know the words you speak, but I know that I am the law. It is only right, too, that an organization that seeks to enforce the law have the King on its side. That will give you legitimacy." Gilgamesh sniffs haughtily. "Very well. I will join you. Teach me of your Multivars." Saber continues to have some of his attention - a substantial chunk. Her own nature, and Priscilla's, and Xiaomu's, is probably more interesting to him than gender or attractiveness, if one was a betting man. Gawain and Kotone are interesting because of their words; the others are interesting because of their nature and their words. "What is pizza?" Gilgamesh demands of Kaguya, "Why should I not desire it? I own all things under Heaven. I will own this pizza as well. Does he seek to poison the King? Is this some foulness I should partake of, that I never taste it again?" Gilgamesh hesitates at the Big Question. He won't admit he doesn't know how. He CLEARLY won't admit that he doesn't know how. Instead, his nose turns up in the air, and he looks offended and infuriated in Gawain's direction. "Of course I know how to turn it off, mongrel! How dare you imply that I am less than perfect?! How dare you imply that the King cannot control his radiance? I am the King! My radiance is a blessing for these wretched things! I...I can shut it off whenever I want! I just do not wish to! That is all!"
Xiaomu	It's been a long time since Xiaomu saw somebody who was quite this obviously high as a kite on something, and she would have dearly loved to go a few more centuries without seeing the gleam of addiction in somebody's eyes like that. And she knows exactly who is responsible; she wishes it were otherwise. The sight of that thoroughly stoned harem member makes Xiaomu's skin crawl, but she still hears what Gilgamesh is saying. Whisked through time and space - she can't even guess what might have done that. And then Gilgamesh starts flipping out at Gawain. Seems like a good moment for her to edge away ... just a bit, and without drawing attention to herself if she can help it.
Priscilla	Even Priscilla is starting to find the glazed and putty-like expressions all of the regular folk are giving off a little creepy. Though it raises more concern than contempt from her, it isn't difficult to imagine why someone would come to think of them as 'little clay creatures'. She finds herself keeping well out of reach out of any of the dazed harem members, almost subconsciously, and feeling double glad she hadn't brought something to 'pay tribute' with. Let the rent-a-cops do that, and have to deal with the sticky little hangers-on. She isn't lying about showing Gilgamesh around. Priscilla doesn't consider herself biased for viewing Anor Londo as unfathomably out of Denmark's league. Grand Dorado is certainly metropolis enough, but as exotic as its people often are, it strikes her that Gilgamesh would appreciate the former's much more 'specific' inhabitants for what they are, rather than more average people, Multiversal as they may be. She doesn't know what he means by 'something like that', but decides to take it as something harmless, and continue without making a fuss about it, so she can hear the rest. He doesn't seem like the type to pretend he isn't being rude. He doesn't seem the type to lie either. Priscilla frowns, subtly as it might be, as Gilgamesh professes to have no idea. She had at least been expecting something approximating a description of a warpgate, but at best, she can determine this some kind of . . . summoning? It's hard to say, if he hadn't consented to it. The kind of guff he gives Gawain is something that Priscilla would gently disabuse him of if he were to aim it at her, but as the Knight of the Round Table's particular king seems to be content with doing nothing (i.e. not joining the Concord) it feels well earned enough. She almost completes a thought as to why he had acknowledged Queen, but it passes too quickly. Instead, she wonders whether it is Gilgamesh's naivete, or the Paladins', which will sooner end this relationship in tears. Well, she can wait. He'll figure it out quickly; the crushing mundanity of the Commonwealth. "One can only pray that they shalt see some sense in such attitude." Priscilla says more or less sincerely to Gilgamesh. "As I am not one amongst their number, for a great many reasons, thou shalt be joining mineself not. Regardless, I shalt not speaketh ill of them here unless provoked, as this is an occasion of some honour, and mine offer remains open to thee regardless. So much the better, that they suffer the tedious work of explanation, so that I may save time in simply showing thee wonders."
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa Says "Forgive my presumtions." She really is trying to be respectful and well she's seems earnst about it however. His comments about that? That wins her points, a man from that long ago thinking of the stars. It's something that burns in mankind's souls across so many worlds tht does resonate with her. "I understand." Kotones nature is hidden pretyt well for the moment but with how observant Gil is? He'll catch on sooner or later and she pauses. "It's a type of baked dish with, tomato, cheese, vegable and various meats on top. It's quite popular across many worlds."
Gawain	This is indeed creepy, but Gawain isn't paying much attention to it, because it seems the direct cause is Gilgamesh, and therefore where he should focus. Gilgamesh's contempt for the people, even though Gawain disapproves, makes sense, and Gawain has no valid arguments to make. Gilgamesh's story of how he came to be confirms a lot for Gawain, mainly one core thing: this is Gilgamesh from the Age of Gods. Or atleast, one who thinks he is that Gilgamesh. The knight does visibly frown when Gilgamesh says he is the only King, but that is something they'll have to teach him about, perhaps! But, they've succeeded. Gilgamesh is interested in the Multiverse. And then Gilgamesh asks the most important question. Kotone answers it, but Gawain has to chime in. "That is a simple explanation, but it's missing the most relevant parts: the soul inside the food! Pizza is not just tomato, cheese, vegetable, meat, and /bread/, it is far much more! It is a portable meal you can eat with one hand! You can have it delivered to you at any time, and it can be shared with an entire party of people! One box of it serves several! You can customize pizza with any manner of toppings, ranging from meats to vegetables to whatever you'd like! My first experience in the Multiverse, to this culture, was pizza. It is now one of my favorite foods, and I believe you too will enjoy it, King Gilgamesh!" Gawain just smiles politely at Priscilla, before turning to Gilgamesh. "Of course not! I seek not to insult people blindly, it is simply that I wanted to know how your aura worked!" This is actually true in all accounts, because Gawain doesn't remember saying any of those things. "Whenever you wish, though, I can take you to a place where you can learn more about the Paladins, as well as give you access to a contact network! Let's see here...", he moves to pull out a notepad and write down several numbers. "I assume you've been told, but you can input these in a cellphone and talk to people from any distance with them! As long as you have cell coverage, that is! Here's mine, as well as one to the Paladin Help Center, and one to a good pizza place that delivers Multiversally."
Gilgamesh	"I will look forward to it," Gilgamesh tells Priscilla sincerely, "Though I am saddened to hear you are not of their number. I will learn more, I am sure. I am pleased that whatever the lines of conflict your tribes have drawn, you will keep your door open to me. That has great value in my eye. I look forward to seeing and claiming wonders in your company." "I do not know any of those but cheese. What is tomato? What vegetables? What meats?" Gilgamesh touches his chin again. "I will try this pizza nonetheless. If it is not worthy of me, I will destroy it." This seems simple to him, and he seems pleased with his own reasoning, not unlike a peacock. His hand settles on his hip as Gawain speaks. "Bread, cheese, and meat are proof of man's might. So too, beer." Gilgamesh takes the numbers. He stops walking with the group, walks over to the pile of electronics and gifts and stuff, and digs around. Eventually, he pulls out the fanciest, most ridiculously cutting-edge cell phone he can find, and then holds it in front of Gawain. He presses the buttons as instructed. "Like this?" "This machine is fascinating. That it can speak beyond the world and see into other realms is a wonder unto itself. I look forward to what else you and the Ladies can show me with great eagerness. Let us see if I have done this correctly."