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]

[While Bedivere wasn't as curvy as some of the other Knights of the Round Table, he at least had enough hips for Dazai's demonstration. The obi sat rather nicely around his waist.]

No, it feels just fine. Though I do worry about it sliding off...ah, but I suppose these are just night clothes anyway, it wouldn't matter if they slid off.

[It was not as snug as European clothes could be, which made Bedivere worry about moving in them. What if the yukata flapped open and exposed him to the world? Or what if it came undone over the course of the evening? Replacing the obi with one hand might be a challenge. At least Dazai was there to help him.

He was oblivious to how much his scent and this whole arrangement was affecting Dazai, too.]

[neverwashere]

They won't slide off, unless that's a naughty fantasy you want to act out.

[So he says after finishing off the obi and taking a step back -






Bedivere looks great in a yukata.

Dazai.exe has stopped working. A smile's frozen on his face, and he missed tge comb he was about to pick up by a wide margin]

[1stknight]

[Bedivere had been about to say something, but then Dazai had that look in his eyes and that fumbling hand. Suddenly Bedivere had another comment in his mind, and he couldn't stop himself from letting it out.]

It looks like that's a fantasy you want to act out.

[neverwashere]

Ah -

[His second attempt to get the comb ended up with him smacking hand on the table, and he yelped, jumping as he cradled his hand to his chest.]

Don't tease, Saber! [Because whining was one way to cover up his injured pride.] Can you really blame me when you look like you've stepped out from some fantasy historical drama? A handsome wandering warrior from a distant land braves the seas to reach the Far East in search of a Magical Mystical MacGuffin, and spends the night at a lowly peasant's house to recuperate.

In fact, he spends more time than necessary in that house for a sudden deadly fear of a wardrobe malfunction, while the peasant constantly reassures him that he need not worry, for everyone in the land is dressed in more or less a similar fashion.

[1stknight]

[Well. That certainly sounded like a description from several of the romance novels Bedivere had consumed in his lifetime. Though Bedivere still disagreed on the 'handsome' part of the 'handsome wandering warrior'.

But he fell silent for a moment as he processed all of that, because that sure was an admission on Dazai's part! His cheeks colored as he realized just how much Dazai had thought of this particular situation. He really had been sweet on Bedivere since day 1, hadn't he?]

...well.

[Finally, Bedivere reached down for the comb, picking it up with a delicate grasp. This he then held out to Dazai, attempting to press it into Dazai's hands.]

M-maybe the best way to reassure that warrior is to help him feel more comfortable in the attire that is very new to him?

[neverwashere]

[If there's anyone who was sweet here, it was Bedivere.

Shoulders relaxing, Dazai curled his fingers around the comb and gestured at the futon: please sit down.]

As you wish.

Does that mean I'll see you in these clothes more often?

[1stknight]

Well, these are night clothes, yes? So I imagine I would need to wear them every night.

[He still had a lot to learn about Japanese customs. But he did do as Dazai requested, and he moved to sit down on the futon.

Or, well. He tried. He managed to get down to kneeling, but sitting seiza-style was too much for him. And he couldn't sit cross-legged, not without hiking the yukata up to his waist. Should he sit with his legs out to the side? But that was how women sat in dresses, wasn't it?

Help him, Dazai, he was stuck.]

[neverwashere]

Not just that. They're designed to be more casual clothing compared to the usual. Perfect for summer.

[And oh, right! It was interesting, the kind of information one can take for granted.]

Here - try this for now.

[Planting the balls of his feet on the floor, he got down to his knees next to Bedivere and sat on his raised heels. Not ideal for sitting very long, but sufficient enough to last untangling hair.]

Let's get a chair next time.

[1stknight]

[Huh! That was an interesting way to sit. And luckily Bedivere had some strong leg muscles, so crouching like that would be possible for at least a little while. It did take some maneuvering, but eventually Bedivere was sitting much in the way Dazai was, and he was disciplined enough too stay still.]

A chair next time would be better, but I didn't see any chairs here.

[neverwashere]

There will be one tomorrow.

[Don't ask how.

Ah, but if Bedivere was seated - Dazai shifted to kneel behind him, carefully gathering the long hair in his hand to make sure the strands were sufficiently dried before let them cascade down Bedivere's back. It's all quite domestic, and he felt oddly tingly as he started combing the ends to gently work out any tangles. Afterwards, he'd start from the scalp.]

Tell me a story.

[1stknight]

You don't have to buy things for my benefit, master. I will only be here a couple weeks at most.

[A casual reminder of their looming deadline. This would all end before the month was out. And unless they fought wisely, Bedivere could be gone sooner.

Bedivere's hair was still a bit damp, but it was dry enough for a comb to work through it easily. Dazai wasn't the only one feeling tingly, either: as soon as Dazai started working from his scalp downwards, Bedivere had to suck in a quiet breath as his eyes slid shut.

It felt absolutely heavenly. No wonder people liked being pampered.]

What kind of a story? One from my travels?

[The question was delayed by a couple moments, mostly because he was trying really hard to not sound anything other than dignified. He would not moan here, he was determined not to embarrass himself over having his hair combed.]

[neverwashere]

[Dazai gave a non-committal hum. It was a good thing he was behind Bedivere - for a moment, his smile grew flat, though he managed to keep the motions of his hands steady.

His curse of losing what he found valuable was back in full swing.]

If you'd like.

[He kept to a murmur, hiding any unsteadiness in his tone.]

[1stknight]

[Something about that tone worried Bedivere, but he didn't question it at that moment. Much like how their positioning kept Dazai's expression a secret, The soft frown on Bedivere's face was out of view. He hummed for a moment, delaying so he could both regain his composure and actually think of a story, before speaking.]

I saw a volcano, once. They're these big mountains, except at the top they aren't actually mountains at all. They open up into pits of liquid fire, hot enough to melt anything. I didn't get close, but even at a distance it was a sight to behold.

[neverwashere]

Oh?

[He imagined Bedivere's hair gaining a reddish tinge. Bedivere's face half-hidden in the shadow of a hood, his cheek stained with soot.

Maybe Bedivere would also look nice with his hair done up differently? Ah, but his mind wandered.]

And what business brought you to the vicinity of an active volcano?

[1stknight]

I was looking for someone. I spent many, many years wandering many, many worlds, all in the name of tracking down that person.

The volcano itself was quite a wonder. So destructive, and yet so beautiful at the same time.

[He sighed fondly at the memory. One of the nice parts about traveling so much was seeing everything he could see. Even if he didn't fully appreciate it at the time, he could look back on it with nostalgia now.]

[neverwashere]

I imagine it's like fire-gazing, except with an exponential amount of sublime terror.

[Because active volcano.]

On the other hand, any farmlands near it might have the tastiest vegetables, for as long as the volcano cooperates.

What do you mean when you say 'worlds,' though? Worlds as in country? Or something like an alternate reality?

[1stknight]

I've never had a volcano-roasted vegetable, unfortunately.

[As for that second part, Bedivere hummed thoughtfully for a moment.]

Both? It was many countries on Earth, but then other Earths as well. There was an Earth were the Roman Empire never fell, an Earth where Merlin was a woman instead of a man, things like that. They were all Earth, and recognizably so, but different too.

[neverwashere]

[He snickered. Sorry, but - what roasted the vegetables now?]

An ashy, sulfur-infused delicacy, for sure.

[The description of these different worlds, though, gave him pause. They kind of reminded him of the Book, if not something straight out of a sci-fi novel.]

And would the people in one world be cognizant of their counterpart? How do you even manage cross-dimensional travel?

[Bedivere's hair was certifiably tangle-free now and Dazai's hands might've slowed, but he was a little reluctant to stop.]

[1stknight]

[It was fine, Bedivere certainly didn't protest the extra attention to his hair. It felt very nice, and Bedivere was tempted to lean back against Dazai because of how relaxed he felt. But that was a bit too improper for him, and instead he stayed sitting politely.]

I don't think they were, no. Merlin's magic is what allowed me to visit several different worlds. I...had to find someone, and he insisted on helping me.

Though my travels are done now, so I suspect I will not be seeing those worlds again anytime soon.

[neverwashere]

I see.

[Then perhaps Bedivere had found who he was looking for, or he'd died. Or both, and not necessarily at the same time.

Dazai gently gathered Bedivere's hair and lifted the strands under the pretext of readying them for another run with the comb, and valiantly resisted kissing Bedivere's nape.]

I'm glad you found help, then. Your journey must've been very long.

[And lonely, he doesn't add, thought it's a very near thing.]

[1stknight]

It was. Fortunately the magic from Excalibur allowed me to live long enough to travel. For as long as it was, it was also necessary.

[And very, very lonely. Even though he had met countless people in his journeys, he never really felt close to any of them. Merlin was the only one he had talked to regularly.

Ritsuka, maybe. That teenager was special, But ultimately their time working together was short, and they had to part ways. Maybe Bedivere would be summoned by them, someday.]

I'm no stranger to wandering, though. It affords me the chance to see many things that most people could only dream of.

[neverwashere]

[And now, his fingers stilled, breath caught in his chest.

Why - there was something he's been wondering about for quite a while, no? Bedivere's personality and circumstances were vastly different from his own - having a goal probably helped - but.]

Given everything you've witnessed and experienced, how do think people find what it means to live?

[He couldn't help how pensive he sounded, or how everything around them seemed so quiet. If Bedivere turned around, he'd get a rare chance to see an openly lost expression on Dazai's face.]

[1stknight]

That's a very personal question, Master.

[Bedivere's response there was quiet, but also gentle. He wasn't reprimanding Dazai or pulling away, but rather trying to open up a discussion in a way that hopefully wouldn't ruffle feathers.]

Of all the people I have met, everyone's answer has always been different. Likewise, my answer will be different from yours. "Why am I alive" isn't an easy answer, it's a personal journey.

But if you're looking for a place to start finding that answer, "because there's something I must do" isn't a bad place to begin.

[neverwashere]

Is it?

[He had phrased it in such a way that'd allow Bedivere to give a general answer. Then again, this was Bedivere, and speculating about another person's business might be seen as rude.

The same went for his next question, a distinction he kept circling back to before he followed Odasaku's advice.]

And what if one doesn't really think there's anything they're supposed to do?

[Perhaps part of his difficulty lay in finding whatever constituted as definite proof. Nothing of that sort objectively existed in concrete reality, and Odasaku was also right in that regard: Dazai might not find the kind of answer he was looking for.]

[1stknight]

Then I suppose the first step is finding that thing they're supposed to do. We're all born for a purpose. Sometimes people figure out their purpose right away, and sometimes people spend decades trying to find that purpose.

[There was a short pause, and then Bedivere's gaze dropped down a bit. Even if his back was to Dazai, his body language was easy to read. He was talking about difficult memories.]

Even something like "I made a mistake, and I need to rectify it" can be your purpose for living.