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

[neverwashere]

Alright.

[Even the stuffed animal Dazai got from the souvenir shop was a chameleon: something he gave along with the book.

Something, perhaps, to remember Bedivere by, once everything was said and done.]

I can imagine.

Although there is a trade-off: some of the illustration techniques from those times are difficult to recreate. Restorers have it tough.

[1stknight]

[That chameleon was absolutely getting tucked under Bedivere's arm, though he would struggle with where to put both it and the book once they got back to Dazai's apartment. He didn't really have his own space there, and wouldn't be sure where to put them so they were out of the way.]

Oh? They're trying to restore that art? But why not appreciate it for what it is and make something new?

[neverwashere]

[Bedivere was welcome to put the stuffed chameleon wherever he wished in the apartment, although Dazai certainly wouldn't mind if it got carried around.]

They're to be treasured. To modern eyes, the past may as well be a different country.

It's not so different from having legends survive up to this day, you know? Old paintings, embroidery, pottery, metal craftsmanship - all of those represent what humans are capable of doing as they chase the pinnacle of their potential. They're there to remind us of where we've been and imagine where we could've been, even if we've forgotten the very language we spoke a thousand years ago.

[1stknight]

Ahh, but the legends of old aren't told the same word-for-word. The general structure is the same, but each storyteller's quirks and biases change them just a little bit. Even if two men are reading aloud from a piece of paper, the way they read it will be different.

Art is the same as well. Two artists can paint the same subjects and have different results. It isn't to say that any one result is better, just that humans see things differently.

[neverwashere]

[Dazai nodded in agreement.

Paused.

Snapped his fingers.]

You're not wrong, and even the context with which we enjoy these tales now is different from when they were first made.

That said, what kind of stories did you enjoy growing up? [He pulled out his phone and opened a browser tab.] Provided it survived in some form, someone's probably drawn inspiration from it, and we can check if it's available to watch or read.

Finally, my English degree (somewhat) pays off!

[1stknight]

[Oh, that was sweet. And it brought a smile to Bedivere's face.]

Beowulf is one I remember, it was a popular one told by storytellers when I was young. And we always listened to stories of humans who ran afoul the Fair Folk, though I suspect those were ones more meant to get us to behave than for our entertainment. I never would have suspected that they had any basis in reality, and I'm sure you can imagine how surprised I was when I found out that there was some truth to both of them.

\o/

[neverwashere]

[Already, he was looking up lists of adaptations. Not his usual myth hangout, but he was looking forward to it.

Unsurprisingly, the lists were very long. There were even rock musicals and a board game.]

So which parts are real? the Fair Folk? Beowulf himself?

[The dragon was already covered earlier.

And, come to think of it, maybe even the Fair Folk. There were a couple of them tied into King Arthur's myth.]

[1stknight]

Beowulf is real. He is also a hero that can be summoned as part of a Grail War. Also, the Fair Folk are real as well, though they are trickier to see and define. Using their real names draws their attention, which isn't a good thing.

[Dragons were definitely real too.]

Demons as well are real. Merlin is the son of a human woman and an incubus.

[neverwashere]

[Dazai whistled.]

I don't suppose that applies to our ayakashi? They're well-known, and their presence in pop culture's too widespread.

[Also - here, a movie trailer. Plus a couple of additional clips if Bedivere was interested in seeing more.]

[1stknight]

[For someone who was not familiar with motion caption animation, that movie seemed off a bit. And he frowned as he pressed his face closer to the phone, as if it would make it easier to see.]

Why does everyone look so strange? It's like...they're painted, but they look real too? It's a little unsettling to see.

And I don't know what an ayakashi is, but I would presume that there is some truth to the stories.

[neverwashere]

[Biting the inside of his cheek was now necessary, because that was cute.]

They're computer generated images - hmm. It's like having a picture that gives the characters volume by wrapping their images around a wire frame, except it's all digital. Here - [he held out his hand] I'll look for a different film.

Ayakashi are ghosts, demons, spirits, that sort of thing.

Knowing that they're real to some degree lessens the appeal of watching horror movies.

[1stknight]

Alright.

[He didn't know why Dazai was offering out his hand, but he just went with it and held Dazai's hand. Even if it meant losing control of his metal arm temporarily, he did like holding hands with Dazai. That warm feeling in his chest was coming back.]

Why? Does it seem less scary if you know they're real?

[neverwashere]

[So like an idiot who was used to borrowing another person's gadgets - anything from a smartphone to a gun - he'd run his mouth and automatically extended his palm, completely forgetting the phone in his other hand.

Welp too late to take that back now, and the surprised flush on his face was obvious before he ducked his head to type one-handed on his phone. Tellingly, Dazai had yet to let go of Bedivere's hand.]

It's not discomfort based on the fact that they exist, but on their possible intrusion into my space. [This was such a directly honest answer that Dazai surprised himself.] I have a rather active imagination, you know? Unless it's absolutely necessary, I'd rather not have to factor in ghostly activity when I plan my day-to-day.

[1stknight]

[Dazai, trapping himself in his own embarrassment. It would be funny if it weren't so damn cute.

Okay, no, it was cute and funny at the same time. And while Bedivere did try to keep a straight face for Dazai's sake, he couldn't stop that small, warm chuckle that escaped him.

If he were bolder, maybe he would try to steal a kiss. But Bedivere was not a bold man, not when it came to romance. So hand-holding would have to do for now.]

Would it help you to know that, if you leave them alone, they will usually leave you alone? They more care about entertainment, and as long as you are not entertaining to them then they have no reason to seek you out.

[neverwashere]

[Dazai puffed his cheek - he heard that!

He deflated immediately after, too. Remaining irritated with Bedivere over something like this was hard, doubly so when he noticed how Bedivere's happiness seemed to glow.]

I'll keep your advice in mind, although it doesn't contradict not watching horror films. They could find humans watching movies as entertainment and stick around. Actually, does daydreaming also count? Because that's incredibly unfair.

[1stknight]

Truth be told, they might be more interested in movies in general, not just in watching people watch them. The Fair Folk always did like a good story, so seeing one in addition to hearing it would be a treat even for them.

And no, daydreaming doesn't count. That would be difficult to explain to anyone, much less a being like that. Thoughts are better kept private.

[He was not at all saying that because he had started having interesting daydreams. Dazai had given him plenty of things to fantasize about.]

[neverwashere]

Well, good to know.

[Dazai's head was a mess anyway, though his heart and dick were locked in a contest to determine who'd take second place.]

So as long as I keep any televisions out of the bedroom, I shouldn't have any unexpected nighttime visitors of tge ghostly sort. Right?

[1stknight]

Probably not, yes. Though your ability may convince them to stay away too. Even they fear losing their powers.

[Bedivere still hadn't let go of Dazai's hand.]

Besides, I will keep you safe at night for now, Dazai. You have nothing to fear as long ass I am here.

[neverwashere]

[It was sweet of Bedivere to offer and a flush, unbidden, tinged Dazai's cheeks ]

My very own knight, huh? I'm sure you'll do great.

[Sounded cheesy. Sappy. Dazai cleared his throat and pointed at a random part of the page in the chameleon book.]

Find anything interesting about your tiny dragons, Sir Knight?

[1stknight]

[Fortunately for Dazai, Bedivere was easily distracted when he was relaxed like this. Unfortunately for Dazai, he had just opened up the floodgates for chameleon facts.

Hopefully Dazai didn't have any plans for the next hour, because unless Dazai interrupted him Bedivere would keep going with what he had learned on chameleons from that book. Bedivere wasn't one to do anything in half-measures, and if he was going to be interested in something then he was going to learn as much as he could about it.]

[neverwashere]

[Nope, no other plans for today since it was declared a day off, and Dazai eventually ended up resting his head on Bedivere's shoulder as he listened.]

Quick study, aren't you. [Teasingly,] After all this, would you go so far as to find the nearest chameleon island and make that your permanent residence?

[1stknight]

[Oh. This was close. This was close and it made him feel warm.]

It's tempting, but I don't think I could help many humans by doing that. So I will have to refrain.

[neverwashere]

Then: an inland chameleon sanctuary? Travel might be easier.

[Look, all he wanted was for Bedivere to be happy under a pile of chameleons. Humans were inevitably going to be Too Much and best kept at arm's length to recharge.]

[1stknight]

Maybe I could work at a zoo part-time and work in their reptile house.

[Part-time, because he still has to be a valiant knight and save people the rest of the time.]

[neverwashere]

So part-time zookeeper, part-time good samaritan?

[He poked Bedivere's side. The saving people thing, it seemed, would always be the top priority.]

Awfully busy man you'd be.