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]

[Now that gets him to flush a nice shade of red that can't be blamed on the steam from the shower.]

I wasn't exhausted last night. You may have to wait if you want a repeat performance of that.

[If they do anything sexual, Dazai will need to be the one on top tonight. Not that Bedivere would mind, being pinned under Dazai is quite enjoyable.

But touching that palm to his chest will reveal Bedivere's heartbeat, steady as ever. It's proof that he's alive, that he's more than just a magic ritual for fighting a war.]

[neverwashere]

[Sorry, he can't help but chuckle and leave a light tap on Bedivere's chin.]

Then a something a little different, perhaps?

[Topping is, indeed, on the table, and he makes it a point to kiss the other man's chest, atop his pulse, once he clears the suds away. It was hard to miss how Bedivere was affected by Caster's appearance, and this was after using his Noble Phantasm.

This isn't just about giving mana at this point. Affection lingers with is fingers as he moves on to wash and scrub Bedivere's back and legs - of course, he'll be suitably apologetic if that interrupts the shampooing.]

[1stknight]

If we can ever finish our shower.

[That is Bedivere's way of gently chiding Dazai for the way he was possibly unintentionally dodging around Bedivere's hand. How can he wash Dazai's hair if Dazai keeps moving around? But Bedivere isn't actually annoyed or anything, especially since Dazai is doing all of that to help get Bedivere clean.

By the time Dazai gets to Bedivere's legs, Bedivere is going to grab for the spray nozzle and just spray Dazai's hair to wash the shampoo out. If Dazai's face gets soaked in the process, well, so be it.]

[neverwashere]

[His face is very soaked, thank you.

He'll also make it a point and look up with eyes closed, letting the spray carry away any suds on his face.]

[1stknight]

[Something something facial joke.

Luckily Bedivere is too Innocent to get facial jokes. He's just chuckling at how silly Dazai looks.]

Having fun?

[That is asked after he pulls the nozzle away, so Dazai can actually speak without getting a mouthful of water.]

[neverwashere]

[Does Bedivere even know what a facial is?]

Mm-hmm.

[A kiss to the dear knight's knee before he stands up, letting Bedivere reciprocate with soaping if he so desires. After that, they're off to to dry, and Dazai drapes over him on the futon with a kiss.]

How are you feeling?

[1stknight]

[He does not, and he will probably die when he does find out what one is.

Washing, drying, and slipping on the sleeping yukata. It's all things Bedivere has done before, and he's used to it now. Still, Bedivere smiles as Dazai drapes over him, and he reaches his one arm up to loop around Dazai's shoulder loosely. He can toy with the hairs at the base of Dazai's neck while he speaks.]

Better. I do like showers much more than the baths I used to take.

[Not the nice baths, where one soaks in a hot spring for an hour. He means the old baths in wooden tubs with water that got cold way too fast. Those were needed, but miserable.]

And it's better to take it with someone else too.

[neverwashere]

[Oh my.]

Gets the job faster. Or slower, depending.

[The fingers on his nape are nice, and he presses his cheek on Bedivere's chest, soaking in warmth. That reminds him -]

How are you able to fight with long hair, anyway? [He twirls his fingers around the long strands.] I'm not saying it doesn't suit you and you do look nice, but hasn't anyone tried to pull in the middle of a scuffle?

[1stknight]

It certainly took longer to wash your hair.

[Still gently teasing here. But speaking of hair-]

The short braids and bindings keep it behind me, and most people are facing me from the front. They don't have a chance to grab it, usually.

Though admittedly the King has the right idea of putting her hair up in a braided crown, that keeps anyone from grabbing hers. But I had to do my hair one-handed for the longest time, and complex braids like that are impossible one-handed.

[neverwashere]

The King, hmm..?

[Is this even the right time to bring up that reunion? Dazai props his chin up on Bedivere's chest and traces idle circles on his bare shoulder.]

Indeed, you'd know your own fighting style the best. [He pauses, tasting the words in his mouth, before speaking neutrally.] She looks different from what I expected.

[1stknight]

[There's no time like the present, and they can dance around the darker conversations here. Bedivere can tell Dazai is trying, so his smile stays in place. Even if it becomes less of a happy smile and more of a nostalgic one.]

She's much shorter, isn't she? You know, they once floated the idea of me acting like a body double for her, for times when her true gender would have been at risk of being revealed. The trouble with that was that I'm at least two heads taller than her, if not more.

[neverwashere]

[Ah.

He muffles his snickers on Bedivere's chest. Yeah, he can see how that'd be a problem.]

You don't say! Now that you mention it though, you two look similar.

Were you aware she had the potential to use magic?

[1stknight]

I suspected it, but the King Arturia I know didn't train her magic to such lengths as to be a Caster. Magic was...well, not strictly forbidden, but King Arturia had a sour taste for it. Especially after everything with Morgan le Fay.

This Arturia seems to be slightly different. Perhaps in her timeline she focused on magic instead of sword skills.

[It's hard to look down at Dazai like this, so Bedivere sighs and lets his head rest on the pillow while he looks up at the ceiling. This really is a mess.]

[neverwashere]

[Unfortunately, the whole thing with Mordred's one of the more famous parts of King Arthur's legend. He can't bring himself to ask how they made it biologically possible, and he kisses Bedivere's jaw.]

Well, if she knows magic, perhaps she can find a way to prevent that incident? [He's assuming Morgan le Fay cast something... but that's not what has Bedivere down, is it.] Bedivere. I won't force you to fight her. Having to confront and possibly lose a cherished person is quite the ordeal. That said: if such a thing is inevitable, it's better if you take the time to think about what it actually means.

[His fingers settle on Bedivere's cheek, gentle and searching.]

Whatever you decide on - I hope it's something you won't sorely regret.

[Bedivere's had plenty enough of those.]

[1stknight]

[Magic. It's always magic.

Sort of like how Dazai's touches are almost magic, bringing Bedivere out of any thoughts that might stray too far to depressing. He closes his eyes and presses his cheek against Dazai's fingers, relishing the touch.]

I don't know what to do there. Technically my oath only extended to death, so my life isn't bound to hers anymore. But at the same time, I feel a duty towards her. If I protect her, then it will eventually be the two of us left. If I let her be, she may fall to another foe and I wouldn't have to fight her, but then I would feel guilt over letting her die.

[He's fingers tightened a bit in Dazai's hair.]

I don't know what to do, Dazai. I'm bound to you, but I can't forget my ties to her either.

[neverwashere]

[It's a slight burn on his scalp that he doesn't mind, and Dazai shifts his thumb up to massage slow circles on the corner of Bedivere's cheekbone.]

All I can say is that letting her fall so soon will make defending the city more difficult. [Sorry, but it's the practical side of the situation.] Why not ask her what she thinks about this when we see them again? It looks like she appreciated seeing you, whether or not you're her knight, so she might have similar considerations.

[It's a shot in the dark. Dazai doesn't even know her that well, but he can't miss how warmly she greeted Bedivere and outright angled for cooperation.]

[1stknight]

Mmm, that's a way to do it.

[It's a slightly morbid talk, but it's needed. They need to know where they stand on this Grail War, even if Bedivere wishes he could just forget it all.]

That man who was with her. What kind of person is he?

[He's worried about Arturia having a good master, and if Ango were to mistreat her then Bedivere would absolutely make him pay for it.]

[neverwashere]

Sakaguchi Ango. Or Ango Sakaguchi, to use the Western convention.

[Needless to say, his expression turns a touch... complex. As if he can't help an old fondness beneath a painful memory.]

He works well enough under pressure, and he's sentimental enough to not let cynicism numb him. [It's a begrudging backhanded compliment for sure.] Anyway - you've seen how he stepped in front of Caster. I think it's safe to say she's grown on him.

...really, a righteous person couldn't have asked for a better Master. In fact, I think he'll appreciate having someone who can sympathize with the problems of governance, given how Caster's probably learning the ins and outs of ruling a kingdom.

[1stknight]

Oh? Is he a ruler as well? I had thought he was some kind of clerk.

[Ango definitely had that 'overworked secretary' look. Bedivere could picture Ango following after a king, going on about daily appointments and meetings and making sure that the king stayed on top of things.]

[neverwashere]

He's not a ruler, per say. However, he's high enough to mitigate certain things and pull strings. Ango's officially Assistant Counselor for his department, but he's the one making sure it runs well. Most of the formal and important decisions go to his boss.

[Yes, there's a difference. Also, a beat.]

Describing him as a clerk's not unusual - he used to be one.

[1stknight]

Ah. So he's a right-hand-man.

[That definitely fits Ango's appearance.]

He and King Arturia may be a good match, then. Her warm heart is good at motivating those around her, and she definitely needs help staying on track. Especially at that age.

[neverwashere]

Yep.

[He's not sure whether to be relieved that he wasn't asked the obvious question of how he knows Ango well, down to his history.

And "at that age..?" Dazai has to grin.]

Is she really so distractible, Sir Bedivere?

[1stknight]

[That question will come later, when Bedivere sees how strained their friendship is. For now, the explanation of "work acquaintance" is enough. Plus, talking about Arturia is plenty distracting.]

She can be. She is quite young here. No doubt she is just a student right now.

[neverwashere]

Ah, yes. Even legendary Kings have to start somewhere.

[He's teasing a bit - honestly, it's rejuvenating to see a tale where a leader is trusted this much by their subordinates, and vice versa, to set aside that mess with Mordred.]

Were beaches trips and zoos not a thing in your time? I recall a few monarchs keeping exotic pets of all sorts.

[1stknight]

[While Bedivere would like to believe everyone trusted Arturia as much as he does, he also knows it's because of his staunch adherence to the code of chivalry. And because Arturia impressed him enough to earn his loyalty.]

No, she wasn't one for the exotic animals of the zoo. Horses, dogs, and cats were common, sure. Hawks as well, though by trained masters only. But not chameleons or alligators or monkeys.