PSL (closed)

[1stknight]

[Honestly, being summoned was quite the surprise to Bedivere. Being a saber, he knew he was at a disadvantage. After all, there were so many more sabers even just from the Round Table who were much more famous, so surely they would have been summoned over him. In fact, he was sure it had happened countless times before. That one master he had met, the one from Chaldea, they had spoken of singularities and grail wars to span several worlds and timelines. And with so many fine Sabers to choose from, he was sure that he hadn't ever been summoned before. The short time between the 'creation of his legend' and 'now' notwithstanding.

It made him feel a touch inadequate, if he was being truthful. After all, he was a simple knight. The master who had summoned him, he deserved better than someone like him. But if he was the one who was summoned, then he would fulfill his duty to this new master. Nothing would be done in half-steps, never again.

So as his form solidified in the summoning circle, Bedivere offered his new master a warm smile. Once again, his life was sworn to someone else's. Whatever his master wished for, Bedivere would help him achieve it.]

Saber, Bedivere. I am honored to be summoned by you. From now on, I shall be your Servant.

['I am honored to be summoned at all' was the truth, but he didn't speak that.

Then he paused, and he took a survey of the situation. The summoning circle was expertly made, but this man in front of him...well. He didn't look like a mage. He looked like a normal person. Perhaps it was a disguise? Or maybe there was more to this situation than he could see immediately. He would have to wait for his new master to respond in order to find out more.]

Comments

[1stknight]

[New clothes! Bedivere would thank Dazai for that, and changing wouldn't take too long. He didn't shower yet, though. Bedivere was used to spending weeks on the road without a bath, and would probably avoid the shower until he got particularly dirty or bloody. Or someone else forced him to clean up.

Dazai's tiredness did concern him, though. A plate of food was deposited in front of Dazai, and then Bedivere took a seat at the table as well.]

Didn't sleep well?

[neverwashere]

Nothing that coffee can't fix.

[See, this was why he usually didn't step outside his dorm until he was properly awake. He had an image to uphold, and a personal reputation to mock.

Food, however, was a welcome break from the usual, and he clapped his hands together - how long has it been since he had an actual cooked breakfast in his own dorm?]

Itadakimasu!

[Time to check if the flavor matched the tasty smell.]

[1stknight]

[It was serviceable enough. Bedivere wasn't a master chef, but he made food that was edible. Which probably meant it was tastier than the food Dazai was used to.

Once again, Bedivere sat there and watched as Dazai ate his meal.]

Coffee and a good meal, no? Ah, but I think I saw your neighbor sniffing around earlier. Should I make some for him too some time?

[neverwashere]

[Hey, canned crab was still tasty!

Still, a tasty well-cooked meal did wonders. Dazai felt halfway normal after the first cup of sugar-loaded coffee, and he cracked an eye open to look at Bedivere from the rim of his cup.]

Atsushi-kun, you mean? [Dazai hasn't invited anyone else into his room since moving in. Actually, he hadn't considered it until Bedivere's suggestion.] Sure, but I'll have to come up with an excuse as to why I have someone else over.

His senses are sharp. I've no doubt he's heard you by now, or at least suspect something's different. I don't wake up early if I can help it, you know.

[1stknight]

I gathered as much, given how long it takes you to be fully awake.

[He's not poking fun at Dazai, he's stating a truth.]

You work with him, yes? Would it be worth letting him in on what is happening here? Or is it better to keep this a secret from him?

[An ally with sharp senses could be useful, but Bedivere would defer to Dazai. Dazai knew Atsushi best, after all. He would be the one to know if Atsushi could keep a secret.]

[neverwashere]

[That was the question, wasn't it?

Here was the thing: Atsushi wasn't the type to take survivor's guilt well. As if anyone had an easy time with survivor's guilt, but Dazai would rather that no one troubled themselves in such a way on his account. In fact, it was one of the criteria he had for a beautiful death, and why he hadn't explicitly mentioned the death match aspect of the grail war to Kunikida and Fukuzawa.

So yeah. He calmly ate his breakfast as he figured out how to answer Bedivere.]

I won't stop him from following us if that's what he wants, but neither will I give him all the details. As unexpected as my participation in this conflict is, I'd rather not let him get caught up in this in case things go south.

Something like this can't be the end for him.

[1stknight]

[Ah. So Dazai had a soft spot for Atsushi.

Bedivere could understand not wanting to get anyone else caught up in the Grail War, given the high likelihood of death. Atsushi did seem young too. Was it Dazai's desire to protect him that led Dazai to not want him to get involved?]

It's alright, I understand. We won't get him involved.

[neverwashere]

[Dazai nodded. Exhaled.

Part of him was grateful that no one had yet asked him what his wish was. Atsushi knew where Odasaku's grave was, had guessed correctly that he was Dazai's friend - but speaking about the man still was too personal of an affair.

Really. Dazai thought that Atsushi shouldn't get caught up in a a foolish man's bid to dream.]

What was your king like?

[1stknight]

My king?

[The sudden change in topic was an effective distraction from Bedivere's thoughts on how relived Dazai had sounded in that moment there.

How could he even start to describe his king? It would take forever to paint even an adequate picture of him. But perhaps being succinct was alright too. It wasn't like Artoria was there to get offended or anything.]

He was very quiet and reserved. Actions spoke louder than words, he lived by that. He was a very good king, and England lived in a time of prosperity under him. But I think he was burdened by the responsibility of it all. I can only hope that those of us at the Round Table were able to ease that burden.

[neverwashere]

[Dazai nodded. He wasn't that familiar with Arthurian legends and the political context of Arthur's court, but it was a shame that a mythical golden age crumbled because of jealousy, betrayal, and a whole host of other things. And for Bedivere to speak of a king's burden, a hint that he'd seen the person under the crown...

Well.

Equally significant was Bedivere's omission of King Arthur's final days, though Dazai figured it had to do with Bedivere's own regrets.]

Ideals can be difficult to translate into reality, and there are some who don't know how to live without conflict. [Dazai gathered rice to the bottom of his bowl and scooped up a mouthful with his chopsticks. Mulling over his dreams about Bedivere's loyalty was easier to focus on compared to his memories of the Port Mafia.] It's admirable he even tried.

What the King and the Round Table accomplished even for such a short period was hard to pull off. I believe it's one of the main reasons his legend still lives on to this day, at a time when replicating such a feat has its own complications.

[1stknight]

[Bedivere nodded in agreement. His loyalty made him biased, but it was still good to hear someone else recognize the efforts his king went to for the sake of his country. Even if things had ended in tragedy, his intentions had always been good.

Good intentions...Bedivere was suddenly reminded of a time, in another world, with another king. One where good intentions had turned to authoritarianism, and then to mass executions...

Bedivere's stomach was in knots, and he swallowed down those memories.]

Why do you ask? Curious to see if the legends live up to the king?

[neverwashere]

You can say that.

[Dazai propped his chin on the heel of his hand, giving Bedivere a thoughtful look.]

You glow, you know, when you talk about the King. [Aaaand moving on before he could dwell on the nature of loyalty -] I'm sure this won't come as a surprise, but people still kill each other to find their slice of utopia. Yokohama isn't any different.

In a world where gentlemen's agreements are upheld only half the time and the chivalric code doesn't exist, what would King Arthur do to get different factions to work together? Especially if one party considers serial homicide as an acceptable measure to control the spread of power.

[Because that was one way to look at Dostoevsky's plan of action. Dazai didn't get how eliminating ideas would purge the world of sin or some bullshit like that - ugliness was part of man. Abilities merely made it easier to express that fracture of their nature.]

[1stknight]

Do I?

[Bedivere's eyes widened in a momentary surprise. Was he really so enamored with Artoria that he glowed even from the memory of him? How embarrassing.

But then Dazai continued with another thought, and the embarrassment was brought down to a more realistic thought. What would the king do in this situation? How would he unite everyone?

There was only one answer, and Bedivere said it carefully.]

He wouldn't. Getting seven factions at once to work together would be impossible even for him. He would pick one or two allies that have goals aligned with his and make an alliance out of them.

[neverwashere]

[Dazai didn't say 'yes,' but his expression was enough of an answer.

As was his sigh when he heard what King Arthur's possible plan was.]

Of course.

[Well, at least he tried looking for an answer.]

What would he do with the others? Ease them out politically? Give them a distant corner of the kingdom to manage so they don't pester him? [The second one sounded iffy as he said it - granting the opposition a power base could fuel an uprising... well, maybe that was part of why Camelot crumbled. Resentment was hard to deal with when it added fuel to the fire.] Have someone else deal with them?

[1stknight]

If you're looking for honorable solutions in a Grail War, then you may be disappointed. Even the king himself would fight dirty in a situation like this.

[He could see what Dazai was trying to do, and he did appreciate it. It was just that it wouldn't help them here.]

Let's focus on finding a couple allies first? Then the next course of action can be chosen.

[neverwashere]

...of course.

[He wouldn't mention that his concern about the general state of affairs in Yokohama had slipped in. Dazai wondered if this counted as improvement from before.]

To the forest, then! At least someone picked the scenic route this time.

[When they left after breakfast, Dazai brought along his Agency ID just in case there were still regular investigators onsite.

Perhaps unfortunately for Bedivere, the long travel route meant Dazai circled back to teasing him while having that interesting dream from this morning on his mind.]

So, Ellis! Given your tastes, what kind of steamy dreams do you get? Did handholding for an extended period of time provide enough inspiration?

[At least they weren't on a train when he asked?]

[1stknight]

[Bedivere had thought that the trip would be a quiet one, and that Dazai would be thinking his own thoughts. But nope, apparently it was tease Bedivere hour, and he did his best to keep a calm face.]

There was nothing steamy about my dreams. I don't even sleep. I just 'rest'.

[neverwashere]

Oh, that's even better! Five hours of lying down is a long time, and even a room's shadows might give way to fanciful illusions while the mind doth wander. Have you used your imagination at any point during your "rest?"

[Have an exaggerated eyebrow waggle.]

[1stknight]

Not even once.

[Conceal, don't feel, don't let him know. Especially considering that his thoughts had wandered to 'fanciful illusions' just the previous night.

His words might not have been convincing, though, not with the slight tint of pink that appeared on his cheeks. Even a dignified act couldn't survive that betrayal.]

[neverwashere]

Sure?

[Sorry, Bedi, there was no hiding that blush with your skin tone. Dazai poked his cheek.]

You know, there's a reason married couples traditionally place their futons side-by-side. I wouldn't be surprised if you had someone else in mind when you "woke up" this morning.

[1stknight]

[Bedivere tolerated the poking, but it was with all the grace of a cat that had accepted its lot in life as a bedraggled pet. The frown was there, but controlled.]

The only thing on my mind is how to best serve you, Master.

[neverwashere]

And I've known people who focus on duty too much, to the point that it weathers them.

[If his finger lingered on the curve of Bedivere's cheek for a second too long before he withdrew his hand, well. Maybe it wouldn't be noticed.]

Humor me in the quest for the spice of life, Ellis.

[1stknight]

[God help him, Dazai was going to be the end of him.]

Y-your concerns and requests are noted.

[Then he started to walk faster, trying to get some space between him and Dazai. It wasn't because he was mad, though. No, it was quite the opposite. He had to wrestle with his own thoughts on all of this, and when he was a few steps ahead, he reflexively reached up to touch the cheek Dazai had just touched.

He would deny it if asked, but that had stirred some kind of emotion in him. He just didn't know how to put that emotion into words.]

[neverwashere]

[Bedivere sure got away.

Shrugging, Dazai followed at a more sedate pace, slipping his hands into his pockets, and told himself he wasn't disappointed. Anyway, Bedivere was probably in love with his king, wasn't he? A dream wasn't a good basis for any sort of conclusion, but he saw how Bedivere's features softened when he spoke of King Arthur.

Ah, well. He supposed he'd enjoy this partnership while it lasted.

(Shame that his greed might undermine even that later.)

As they neared the forest, Dazai quickened his pace to catch up with Bedivere.]

Sense anything?

[1stknight]

[Bedivere's feelings were far too complicated for even him to understand them. He also thought that the Grail War would be too short to sort them out, and was determined to just not think about how that touch to his cheek made him feel warm.

It wasn't the same blinding loyalty he felt towards Artoria, but it was something. And he didn't know what to think about it.]

Not yet. The residual magic from the summoning is too weak for me to pick up on it. This circle was likely destroyed, just like the others.

[But unlike with the other circles, this servant was still in the area. And Bedivere had missed seeing a trap on the path ahead. They were about three steps away from setting off a tripwire and finding themselves in a precarious position.]