[ Artoria wants to say she doesn't know why she's here, somehow a Master to a Servant, but she has been filled in by wandering magi about the situation... Even seeking guidance from the mage association or at least lower levels of the ladder. If any of the Lords knew she's a heroic spirit turned human, she can only imagine the tests they'll run her through.
All she knows is that the Grail should not be obtained, at least with what means they have now. This Grail War is imperfect yet it meets the minimum requirements to spit spirits out. It should summon six Servants instead of the standard seven, only having enough for that many. She isn't sure how they plan to acquire the grail with only five sacrifices, but... She has to end this.
They're days before the war from starting, she can feel it, but she does worry. Her only experience is as a knight, a king, but not a magus. Suddenly, she regrets not listening to Merlin a little more, even if her affinity with actual spells is a big fat zero. With a furrowed brow, she forgets about scouting for a nice spot to start their workshop and create a boundary field. Instead, her eyes are glued to the path, boring into it like she has laser vision. ]
Saber... [ Her eyes instantly dart to her Servant, a girl a little shorter than her who. Looks awfully like her. ] I do not believe that we will find a leyline here.
[ Here. As in one of the biggest shopping malls in London. There are people bustling and her senses are tingling constantly from the passing magi. It's already a risk to let Nero manifest, especially in the capital of magic, but. Such... An overpopulated area.
They should have trekked to the forest as she suggested. The trees would give them cover and they won't need to worry about involving so many people. ]
[ Nero is here to win. There's not too much of an alternative, is there? One only summons a magnificent, glorious, rose and golden Saber to take the Grail. All these concerns of fake wars, incorrect amounts of spirits...bah, those are concerns for academics, aren't they? An emperor comes to conquer and let the rest be sorted out later.
But it's almost as though her Master doesn't understand this rather fundamental and basic fact. No matter. At least she is cute, pretty - and went through the trouble of modeling herself after Nero! Considerate and full of good taste. Nero makes sure to repeat this constantly to Artoria over the first few days.
Once she gets the real name out of her. She's protective of it like she's got a True Name to hide (and has had to remind Nero of that fact too. Hmf.)
But at least, finally, she had gotten her to break out of that stern and stuffy shell a bit. Or worn her down with complaints of boredom, cooped up in their base of operations. So what if she had to fudge the truth a tad - they could simultaneously be looking for a leyline and inspecting the fashion of the day! ]
Hm....but since we are already here. [ There. That's a nice color along with her eyes. Nero nods appreciatively at the scarlet dress she's thrust up against Artoria's figure. And then returns to the racks. Not much in the way of fine silk, but at least there was glitter and baubles enough to spare. ] You dress so stuffy! So boring! Not at all befitting my Master.
[ Volume control is....a bit of a work in progress. ]
If we are to go into battle together, we must both be flying the same colors. So while I abided by your wishes today, once the true fight begins.... [ Ah-ha! A sparkly golden jacket catches Nero's eye from across the room and off she goes.
The lights! The colors! The sounds and the excitement! Truly she has come home, even if this is not the market stalls of Rome and the bright blue sky above her. But the tune from the speakers is far catchier than even the finest lutist of her day had managed. ]
[ She did not model herself after Nero, but she isn't going to correct her if this ever comes up. Even the outfit isn't necessarily what she wishes per se, but what she has around. Artoria ultimately isn't one for fashion, seeing that's she's donning on a plain black suit by choice. As long as they're comfortable and allows them to maneuver easily when they need to, then it's fine.
Slowly, she shuts her eyes as the high-pitched voice rings into her ears. The last person she remembers to have the same level of exuberance as Nero is the King of Conquerors. They almost share the same allure as well. ]
Don't let what I gave you be your limit. [ Just to clarify. ] However, our disposable funds are limited.
[ Good thing Nero doesn't need to eat or else they may have a problem. Being an independent Master is a lot harder than anticipated without assets and sponsorship, but they must make do. When he opens her eyes, she follows her Servant and finds. That gaudy jacket.
She can't help but grimace, reminded of a certain someone of her past. ]
I would advise to choose your luxury item carefully. [ With a couple of steps, she closes the distance and examines the jacket. It's blinding. ] Whatever speaks to you the most.
[ If only one of them can be propped in glam, then she will yield to Nero out of respect. It's also convenient for her, one who doesn't give riches a second glance. ]
[ While her Master may prefer covered necklines and dark colors, Nero won't stand for either. And neither will she abide by any limitation when beautiful appearances are at stake. Surely, she thinks, slipping on gold and bedazzled pleather, once she finds an object so overwhelmingly gorgeous, Artoria will find the funds for it. It isn't as though Nero requires food. Though Artoria does eat as much as a household on her own... ]
What are your thoughts?
[ Nero pirouettes, leaning a hand on her bashful cheek. ]
We shall be resplendent in scarlet and gold! The colors of noble victory! Here, my Master. [ And along with the dress Artoria is already forced to carry, Nero adds another of the golden jackets. ] You dress as if life were a funeral and not a celebration! Come, come - I want to see you in full beauty!
[ Dressing rooms are to the north - which is where Nero intends to bring her, even if it means dragging her by the wrist the full length of the department store. ]
[ Oh, boy. Artoria doesn't speak up about their detour when she's piled on by clothes, completely flummoxed by how they're deposited into her arms. Looking up, she peers Nero as if asking a question with telepathy. Maybe their hovering strands of hair work as antennae. Please sense her distress. ]
They are quite extravagant—blinding, really.
[ She trails (it's more that she's dragged, but that's fine) after Nero as her personal attendant, dread engulfing her with each inch she breaches. They gain look from different directions plus a child or two pointing towards them, finding it a spectacle to see girls who look awfully similar. ]
It's best to be inconspicuous, Saber. You understand.
[ She thinks? She wants to believe Nero understands. Either way, when they find the dressing rooms, an employee comes out with a small gasp, asking if they're twins. Even if they're not, there are a lot of outfits that come in a set, so they can always match. As Nero dictated—scarlet and gold. ]
... Does it have to be scarlet?
[ They've been fetched some bright red blouses, so she holds it over herself, but. It doesn't feel right. ]
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PRE-WAR
All she knows is that the Grail should not be obtained, at least with what means they have now. This Grail War is imperfect yet it meets the minimum requirements to spit spirits out. It should summon six Servants instead of the standard seven, only having enough for that many. She isn't sure how they plan to acquire the grail with only five sacrifices, but... She has to end this.
They're days before the war from starting, she can feel it, but she does worry. Her only experience is as a knight, a king, but not a magus. Suddenly, she regrets not listening to Merlin a little more, even if her affinity with actual spells is a big fat zero. With a furrowed brow, she forgets about scouting for a nice spot to start their workshop and create a boundary field. Instead, her eyes are glued to the path, boring into it like she has laser vision. ]
Saber... [ Her eyes instantly dart to her Servant, a girl a little shorter than her who. Looks awfully like her. ] I do not believe that we will find a leyline here.
[ Here. As in one of the biggest shopping malls in London. There are people bustling and her senses are tingling constantly from the passing magi. It's already a risk to let Nero manifest, especially in the capital of magic, but. Such... An overpopulated area.
They should have trekked to the forest as she suggested. The trees would give them cover and they won't need to worry about involving so many people. ]
no subject
But it's almost as though her Master doesn't understand this rather fundamental and basic fact. No matter. At least she is cute, pretty - and went through the trouble of modeling herself after Nero! Considerate and full of good taste. Nero makes sure to repeat this constantly to Artoria over the first few days.
Once she gets the real name out of her. She's protective of it like she's got a True Name to hide (and has had to remind Nero of that fact too. Hmf.)
But at least, finally, she had gotten her to break out of that stern and stuffy shell a bit. Or worn her down with complaints of boredom, cooped up in their base of operations. So what if she had to fudge the truth a tad - they could simultaneously be looking for a leyline and inspecting the fashion of the day! ]
Hm....but since we are already here. [ There. That's a nice color along with her eyes. Nero nods appreciatively at the scarlet dress she's thrust up against Artoria's figure. And then returns to the racks. Not much in the way of fine silk, but at least there was glitter and baubles enough to spare. ] You dress so stuffy! So boring! Not at all befitting my Master.
[ Volume control is....a bit of a work in progress. ]
If we are to go into battle together, we must both be flying the same colors. So while I abided by your wishes today, once the true fight begins.... [ Ah-ha! A sparkly golden jacket catches Nero's eye from across the room and off she goes.
The lights! The colors! The sounds and the excitement! Truly she has come home, even if this is not the market stalls of Rome and the bright blue sky above her. But the tune from the speakers is far catchier than even the finest lutist of her day had managed. ]
no subject
Slowly, she shuts her eyes as the high-pitched voice rings into her ears. The last person she remembers to have the same level of exuberance as Nero is the King of Conquerors. They almost share the same allure as well. ]
Don't let what I gave you be your limit. [ Just to clarify. ] However, our disposable funds are limited.
[ Good thing Nero doesn't need to eat or else they may have a problem. Being an independent Master is a lot harder than anticipated without assets and sponsorship, but they must make do. When he opens her eyes, she follows her Servant and finds. That gaudy jacket.
She can't help but grimace, reminded of a certain someone of her past. ]
I would advise to choose your luxury item carefully. [ With a couple of steps, she closes the distance and examines the jacket. It's blinding. ] Whatever speaks to you the most.
[ If only one of them can be propped in glam, then she will yield to Nero out of respect. It's also convenient for her, one who doesn't give riches a second glance. ]
no subject
What are your thoughts?
[ Nero pirouettes, leaning a hand on her bashful cheek. ]
We shall be resplendent in scarlet and gold! The colors of noble victory! Here, my Master. [ And along with the dress Artoria is already forced to carry, Nero adds another of the golden jackets. ] You dress as if life were a funeral and not a celebration! Come, come - I want to see you in full beauty!
[ Dressing rooms are to the north - which is where Nero intends to bring her, even if it means dragging her by the wrist the full length of the department store. ]
no subject
They are quite extravagant—blinding, really.
[ She trails (it's more that she's dragged, but that's fine) after Nero as her personal attendant, dread engulfing her with each inch she breaches. They gain look from different directions plus a child or two pointing towards them, finding it a spectacle to see girls who look awfully similar. ]
It's best to be inconspicuous, Saber. You understand.
[ She thinks? She wants to believe Nero understands. Either way, when they find the dressing rooms, an employee comes out with a small gasp, asking if they're twins. Even if they're not, there are a lot of outfits that come in a set, so they can always match. As Nero dictated—scarlet and gold. ]
... Does it have to be scarlet?
[ They've been fetched some bright red blouses, so she holds it over herself, but. It doesn't feel right. ]