Day 6 - Into Mystery (aka: wow we're gay)

[lesgeois]

[A lot can happen in two days.

Diana's spent those days - well, her and Mordred have still gone out. Cautiously, not straying far from the mansion. Despite Mordred's protests, she still doesn't think they're in peak condition.

But they've still gone out. And true to her word, Diana's kept her ear to the ground. When they run across one of those cats this time, instead of killing it, they catch it. Tie a note to its ankle. When it scurries off - Diana can't believe that worked - they're met with a frog a few hours later. A frog? A frog.

Diana's beginning to think she might be losing her mind, especially when the frog croaks to them its terms.

1) Come to the De Leon mansion (Diana makes an aside to Mordred about the De Leons being a flamboyant, 'new blood' kind of family.) after sundown.

2) The servant has to be visible.

3) Show your command spell to the doorman.

Cautiously, Diana agreed. The frog then... hopped off.

They've spent the day before the allotted time preparing. Better safe than sorry, Diana had rechecked her traps and alarms on the mansion, in case this was some sort of plan to get them out of the house.

But the entire thing goes... smoothly? As smoothly as can be expected, anyway. The De Leon mansion is alive with guests of all sorts, and Diana realizes vaguely that unlike most Magi, the De Leon heir is active in normal society. A businessman. The funds supply his research, since his family's too young to secure Clock Tower funding. This must be an actual event, then. For normal people. Odd to invite a servant, and she can see her cloak and Mordred's...very Mordred fashion sense drawing the eyes of the well-dressed crowd. The whispering dies down when she shows the doorman the back of her hand and he nods at her, though.

At least they're willing to accept she and Mordred belong here. De Leon - a foppish man in his early 30s - appears almost immediately, and after a few seconds of chatter ('Cavendish, baby, you should have said it was you!' 'I doubted you'd have invited me if I had,') drags Diana off, mentioning something about Cruz. That must be the other Master in this odd little puzzle.

Over her shoulder, Diana jerks her head upstairs as she's pulled away through the mingling crowd, the hustle and bustle of a well-stocked party. Even she can feel the presence of two servants besides Mordred, vaguely, and so for Mordred the sensation must be incredibly strong. Best to check that out while they have amiable terms for it.

But then Diana disappears, and Mordred's left with dozens of mingling guests and an incredibly well-stocked refreshment table.]

Comments

[lesgeois]

You might have been right the first time. [Huff. Diana's - embarrassed, obviously. She's used to dressing nice, but between the dress and Mordred (and why does Mordred make this so different?) it just feels odd.

She checks a door, pokes her head in, then leads Mordred inside. There's a mirror, a few closets and wardrobes - this might be that room Caster mentioned. She shuts and locks the door behind them, hands the suit over to Mordred.]

Sometimes a deal requires you to do things you don't want to. De Leon insisted. We'll go out, stick to the corners - yes, you can have more of the food - and then we'll leave.

Besides, it's a chance to get some more information. I don't know what De Leon is playing at, but there's clearly some reason he invited these people over in the middle of a War.

[bloodings]

[ Food... food is a good bargaining chip. Considering she had to leave so much untasted to investigate the Servants upstairs, there's a lot she wants to get back to. ]

Or he's just an idiot. [ But no, chances are good there is a reason. ] Some mages might see it as a chance to gather a lot of souls in one place. With that much energy, even a weak Servant would be a real threat.

[ Mordred sighs. ]

Well, that's probably not it. I don't think you'd even talk to someone like that. [ She thinks. She hopes. ] ... Alright, fine. I'll play along — but leave the room first, Master. Something like nudity is meaningless to a Servant, but...

[ Don't make her admit that she's a lot little shy. ]

[lesgeois]

If he was going to do that, he wouldn't have invited us here. To capture that many people, the spell'd have to be relatively low power. Even I'd be able to resist it, much less you. And he'd know we wouldn't allow it.

[She taps her finger to her chin.]

Maybe that Caster has some specific use for a captive audience. Something that isn't necessarily harmful to them, but would still be beneficial to her. That way, we wouldn't prevent it.

[She's so busy Strategizing that she has to double-take when Mordred starts mumbling about leaving the room.]

... Ah. Yes. Uhm. Be sure to put the dress shoes on as well, Saber.

[Diana stands there, blank-faced. Mordred's gonna. ???

But then she finally realizes that, yes, she has legs, that should probably move, and so she slips out of the room.]

[bloodings]

[ Still distracted, Mordred murmurs some wordless agreement. Diana's ideas make sense, and she could probably even guess at a few things Caster might want — it's impossible to serve on the Round Table and be a complete dunce, even if Mordred takes a good crack at it — but strategizing is at the back of her mind for now. She has a much more complicated task in front of her.

Naturally, she's never worn a suit before. Hell, she doesn't even have experience with ceremonial outfits like some of the other knights. Over the course of her getting changed, several noises leak through the door: swearing, grumbling, complaining, but no tearing or anything too ominous. It's just layers, so eventually she figures things out.

When she's at the point of pulling on her gloves, with everything else finished, she calls out. ]

Okay, I'm done. [ Her tie is a little loose, and her vest isn't buttoned, but the rest looks surprisingly decent. And, she even remembered the shoes. ] This better be good enough for that De Whatever guy. [ Like she gives a shit about his opinion. ]

[lesgeois]

[Diana winces outside the door whenever she hears the swearing - and once she hears a thump before she realizes that's probably Mordred testing the shoes out - but when Mordred says she's done, Diana steps back in.

... And kind of gapes, for a second. Mordred looks. Beautiful? Handsome? Handsome. She cleans up very well, really. In so far as she cleans up at all.

She stares for a moment longer, just taking in the sight of Mordred, then slowly, steps forward, reaching for Mordred's tie. She adjusts it, tugs on it to make sure it's proper, then reaches for Mordred's vest.]

You look. [She pauses.]

Good. Have you worn formal attire before? No, I suppose you would have stayed away from any kind of party. And when you had to be there, you would have been in your armor... [The helmet, of course.

She does the buttons of Mordred's vest, worries at her lip.]

If we're going to be here anyway, we might as well enjoy ourselves. And I'll admit that I want to steal some of his food purely out of spite. [Granted, it's not stealing if they've been invited to it, but Mordred's appetite is legendary. With any luck, they'll eat him out of house and home.]

... No, I mean it. You look nice, Saber. However good you think I look, you look it just as much.

[bloodings]

[ Well, now she's just dead, thanks Diana. ]

Y-you know that's impossible, right? [ Even if she does look good — and it's hard to imagine that, with her twisted body the way it is — there's no way she looks that good. ] Ah, well, I don't really care how I look. I'm only doing this for you. [ ... ] ... For all the reasons you gave before, I mean.

[ Nailed it. The whole time Diana works on fixing her outfit, she stares straight ahead at the wall, some stray speck of paint. Anything to hold her gaze. She's out of her depth, and it's only when Diana pulls away that she manages to regain some focus. ]

It should be fine. You're right; I tried to avoid any kind of party. But I still had to train as a knight. [ For the most part, she's done her best to erase those days from her mind. And yet it's easier enough to call on the memories — she takes a step back, bows slightly, lifts Diana's hand to her mouth. Her lips are soft through the glove, just enough pressure to be felt. ] I think I can manage.

[lesgeois]

['For you.' Diana's still blushing, ducks her eyes away. She's never had that said to her, before - not since her mother died. She's always been made aware of what she can do for other people - carry on the family legacy, be a powerful magus, advance some research or another.

She's never once been told 'I'm only doing this for you.'

And then Mordred kisses the back of her hand, and for a moment the worst thought ever crosses her mind, as Mordred leans back up.

If she leaned in, she could kiss Mordred on the lips. The heels give her enough lift, she wouldn't even have to do any awkward tiptoeing. And Mordred's so close.

She stares at Mordred, for - about three seconds, but she can feel the way her heart beats in those three seconds, and then, hastily, turns on her heel, brushes herself off. Even ignoring everything else - that it's Mordred, that she's threatened to kill her twice, that she's known her for less than a week, that there's no way Mordred'd be pleased with a businesslike, formal girl like her - she knows that Mordred's existence here is temporary. Like the names of their weapons, they're phantasms.

... She does, however, reach for Mordred's hand, squeeze it very tightly.]

I'll lead you along. I've been to plenty of these.

... And give me warning next time you're going to kiss me. That kind of behavior would get you arrested for harassment, these days.

[bloodings]

[ Her jaw almost drops. ]

Harassment? Seriously? You'd have to arrest every knight in the kingdom. [ And then some — Merlin. But she sighs, noting it for next time. (Next time?) ] I'll follow your lead, then.

[ Naturally, she's oblivious to Diana's problems. She adjusts her tie a bit with her free hand, feeling... not uncomfortable, but a little unsettled. They're still in foreign territory, after all, and she's been so easily distracted already. Unfortunately, the cause of said distraction is something she just has to deal with. She can't let her Master out of her sight now, and she can't avoid looking at her, either.

After a few moments, she takes her hand back... then offers Diana her arm instead. It's easier, more formal. ]

That guy. De... Something. [ Not even De Whatever this time. ] Do you know what he wants yet? Caster only wanted me to respect her desires — whatever those are. Heh, some people just can't take criticism.

[ ... Says the girl that threatens to kill anyone who disputes her claim to the throne. Okay. ]

[lesgeois]

Yes, well, women these days assert themselves a bit more. At least, more openly. Magic might have fallen behind, but certain things have managed to progress. Two women could even get married to each other, if they wanted. [Do not, ever, ask why she elected to toss that factoid in.]

De Leon. [Diana sighs as she takes Mordred's arm, knowing full well that she's going to have to put up with 'De ___' for the remainder of the war.

And Mordred's arm is warm, around her, and strong, and she makes a point of focusing on Mordred's words so she doesn't have to think about any of that.]

He wants Archer and Lancer taken out as much as we do, I can tell you that much. The rest... he talks in circles. I couldn't tell you what that man is thinking.

Did his Caster seem trustworthy? Or at least like she shouldn't betray us? The only class I'd trust less than her is an Assassin.

[bloodings]

What's that got to do with anything... [ she grumbles; then, louder: ] Oi, the Grail doesn't exactly give me information about marriage.

[ Or... any of that. Still, it's not a bad thing — power shouldn't be tied to gender. Mordred mulls it over a little, then shrugs. ]

Of course she's not trustworthy. She's a mage. [ After a moment: ] A typical mage. Seriously, the worst of the worst.

[ Not really, and her tone says as much. She just feels like insulting Caster after all that bullshit. ]

But we're useful to her. As long as that's the case, she can't afford to betray us. In a war, something like that is probably the best you can hope for. [ She says it neutrally. Given her legend, she doesn't put a lot of stock in loyalty or promises. ] Ah, and I got some information about her and Berserker, but I don't know how useful it'll be. We can go over it later.

[lesgeois]

[Diana nods at that assessment.]

I got the same impression from De Leon. Our strategy going forward should be to make use of them, but keep them at arm's length. Honestly, the main things worrying me right now are Rider and Assassin... De Leon and Cruz haven't seen them, either. Rider might have been defeated by Archer and Lancer, but Assassin's probably biding their time.

[It's a smart strategy, for that class - it's what she'd be doing, if she had summoned one.

Diana's in full War mode - her voice is professional, though not harsh. She's logical and explaining her view of things, but she's learned better than to command Mordred.]

Once we're home, you can tell me what information they might have let slipped. That Berserker seemed... odd. [Not very berserk, for starters.

Diana - well, Mordred's got her arm in hers, but Diana's still leading - it's an odd arrangement - finally leads them down the steps, brushing her hair over her shoulder. De Leon and Cruz - Cruz is a stocky, older man who keeps dapping at his forehead with a handkerchief - are over in some corner.

Somehow, Caster's already down here, sitting in a corner. She gives Diana and Mordred a little wave, then goes back to her... 'water.' She's clearly turning it into wine in her mouth. The curses of looking like a child.

Diana glances at her, nods, then looks over at Mordred.]

Let's see. Did they have any... ah. [Happily, Diana picks up a toothpick with some random fruits on it, off the tray of a passing butler - nodding at the man, she bites the entire arrangement off the toothpick in one go, chewing happily.

Then glances over at Mordred. Swallowing quickly, she shrugs.]

I haven't eaten all day. And I could smell the food in the room I was talking to the other Masters in.

[bloodings]

[ Mordred... sticks her tongue out at Caster when Diana isn't looking. Look, the suit doesn't give a bonus to her E-rank maturity.

She looks back just in time to see her esteemed Master eat the whole toothpick's worth of fruit at once, and barely manages to avoid bursting out into laughter. ]

You— [ snerk ] Nevermind. [ Diana can probably feel Mordred's body shake a few times in a bid to suppress the giggles. The more impressive part is that she is trying to behave, if only a little.

Keyword: a little. Without missing a beat, she grabs two of the same — dragging Diana behind her briefly to catch up to the butler — and inhales both at once. ]

Just be careful, Master. People might get the wrong idea about you. [ Or... the right one? ]

[lesgeois]

[If it's any consolation to Mordred, Caster looks rather peeved. She's downstairs, so she can't have her pipe, and she can only drink her 'water' in small amounts, since she has to change it in an instant.

So when Mordred sticks her tongue out at her, Caster can really only pout in response. Joining the party is not very fun, for her.]

Do not laugh - [Too late. Mordred already is. Diana huffs as she follows after Mordred, and when they catch the butler she thinks maybe Mordred's going to give one to her before she just. Swallows them both whole.

Diana just huffs again.]

Saber, you don't even like fruit that much, do you? There's crab and lobster and all kinds of red meat. Focus your attention on that. [... Though when she says 'lobster,' her stomach grumbles. Just a little.

Diana grumbles, too.]

Your appetite might be spreading to me. That's the only logical explanation.

[bloodings]

[ Guess who's having way more fun?? Eat shit Caster.

The grin she flashes is purely for Diana, though. ]

I couldn't just let you win. [ It was literally not a contest. ] But this is good, Master. You'll start gaining muscle in no time!

[ Heh. She's joking, of course, but lighthearted teasing is the closest Mordred usually gets to kind words.

More slowly this time, but still dragging Diana, she makes her way over to the main table, where the heavier food awaits. Out of necessity (read: she can eat more with two hands), she takes her arm back, but stands close enough to Diana that their shoulders brush up against each other. Thank god hers are covered. ]

We still need to figure out what De Loser is up to. [ Now she's just doing it on purpose. Casually stuffing some crab in her mouth, she tilts her head towards the pair in the corner, only half swallowing before talking again. ] Do you think they'll come to us? Maybe if we eat all their food, and the other guests start to complain...

[lesgeois]

You aren't even trying. [De Loser, seriously? Are they five, Mordred. Is this a playground.

Answer: Kind of.]

... Caster's down here, so keep an eye on her, if you can. - And save a crab leg for me, at least. [She huffs as she reaches for the crab, catches herself, and gets a plate to actually put it on instead of just eating off the table.

Thoughtfully, she chews on her food, glancing between the Servant in one corner and the Masters in the other.]

Try not to be too obvious about it, though. Whatever it is they're doing, they might be gunshy if we're staring at them the whole night.

... And plate your food, already. I guarantee De Leon will just cart out more if we eat this all. The man's too rich for his own good. [She glances over to the door - more people are still filtering in.]

And it seems like he's invited everyone who makes above minimum wage. Or at least not far from it. Honestly, he might just like throwing his wealth around. [She giggles, lightly, as a thought comes to her.]

Maybe he'll have Berserker and Caster do circus tricks. A magician and a lion, see? [She sounds so proud of herself for coming up with that one.]

[bloodings]

It'd be a boring show. That Berserker is too lazy to do anything of the sort. [ At least try and play along, Mordred. ] I guess if you like to watch a lion sleep, it might be entertaining.

[ But then Diana could just watch Mordred sleep, heyo. She completely ignores the suggestion to get a plate, twisting the tail off one of the lobsters — and leaving the rest behind on the table — before starting to work the meat out of it. ]

If Caster tries anything, I'll know. Don't worry. [ For all her disinterested attitude, she's making sure to keep an eye on things. Berserker not being present yet makes sense, given his appearance, but she's still wary of that fact. ] But you're the one with experience. Until someone makes a move... I guess I'm following your lead, Master. [ She swallows what's in her mouth, shoots Diana a grin. ] Or are you a lady for tonight?

[lesgeois]

I'm a lady, but I'm also your date, aren't I? 'Diana' is fine. Like before. Besides, if someone overhears you calling me Master, they might start asking awkward questions. [Such as 'you two ladies must have a very complicated relationship,' heyo.]

... And at least take the whole lobster. [Says Diana, though she's basically picking what's left of the lobster apart on the table and moving the meat onto her plate. Technically counts.]

I doubt Berserker'd make a move. I haven't seen hide nor hair of those cats. Those things were his, aren't they? An always-active Noble Phantasm that summons those cats, probably. Considering his appearance, maybe it's something like a reality marble that affects himself, then brings the other cats out of it.

[She chews, thoughtfully, on what little meat she's able to work out of the claws.]

That's a powerful ability, but it means that his biggest trick doesn't directly aid him in a fight. The best he can do is overwhelm the opponent with numbers, and I doubt that would work on many servants. It's no surprise that he and Caster are relying on each other.

[Yes, that's all very smart, but when she spots another lobster that Mordred hasn't gotten to yet she drops the entire smart strategist thing to hurry over and cut the tail off, chew happily on it. She's grinning from ear to ear, at this point.]

[bloodings]

[ The 'awkward questions' thing goes completely over her head. Which is probably for the best, because she'd freak out. ]

Yeah, they're his. Caster said his madness enhancement ended up transferring into them — which means they're probably stronger than they look, but...

[ Uncontrollable, uncommandable. Must suck for an emperor. She's halfway into the strategy talk when she realizes what Diana's just done, and her expression immediately drops into a scowl. ]

I was about to eat that! [ Duh. She tries to nudge Diana out of the way; shoulder to shoulder, pushing her further along the table. It's too late to beat her to the lobster, but Mordred's just being petty. ] Dammit... that was the last one, too. What kind of lady takes food from her knight?

[ Her knight. (Also, the knight is supposed to be the generous, self-sacrificing one, idiot.) ]

[lesgeois]

Madness enhancement across all of them? It must be a fairly low rank - [Oh, but then Mordred's trying to steal the lobster away. Sighing, Diana spears the fattest part of the tail on her fork and holds it out for Mordred.]

We'll split. Say 'ahh,' Saber. [This is a normal thing to do.]

[bloodings]

Wh— I'm not a kid! [ No, you're worse. ] F... fine, make it quick.

[ With food on the line, she swallows her pride, closes her eyes, and opens her mouth. She's blushing, bad. Maybe this wasn't such a great idea — but it's too late now. ]

Aah...

[lesgeois]

[Secretly, Diana's a little glad that Mordred's at least blushing as much as her.

Remember when a potential enemy was watching them? That's still going on, but instead of being conscious of it, Diana's just pushing the fork into Mordred's mouth, that big piece of lobster attached to it. When Mordred bites down, she slowly pulls the fork back out - grats on your lobster, Mordred.]

Satisfied?

[bloodings]

Y-yeah.

[ Said with a mouth full of food, but it's legible. She swallows, sweeps her tongue over a piece that got caught on her fang, and... smiles, briefly. Aww.

Using her fingers, not a fork, she separates what's left of the meat, holds it out. ]

You do it, too. Ma— Diana.

[lesgeois]

[... Off Mordred's fingers?

God, she's pretty sure some old woman is looking at them. Not in a judgy way but in a 'what a sweet young couple' way. That might actually be worse, somehow. Either way, she nods after a moment and leans in, bites the piece of lobster off Mordred's fingers - she's very careful not to get Mordred's actual fingers in her mouth. That wouldn't be a fun time. At all.

The end result is that Mordred has about half of what she held out still in her hands, but Diana's chewing happily either way.]

[bloodings]

Ah, hey, that's cheating! I told you, you need to gain some muscle!

[ Unfortunately for Diana, it's going to get worse before it gets better. The next time she opens her mouth, Mordred shoves the rest of the meat in — extending one finger to make sure it all gets (and stays) inside there. She'd be incredibly flustered if she thought about this for a moment, but not thinking is one of Mordred's strengths. As is being a huge unintentional gay. ]

[lesgeois]

[Mordred would you like to diagram a scenario in which this isn't incredibly gay -

Not that Diana, Ms. 'I have no interest in marrying a man,' 'Two women can get married, these days,' minds, but - well. She does kind of mind. Mordred's finger is literally in her mouth. What the hell.

She bites, lightly, on Mordred's finger, just to get it out of her mouth, then quickly chews and swallows the lobster. It's good. But also: what the hell.]

Why did you think that was appropriate? [She says, now that there isnt lobster or dumb Saber fingers in her mouth.]