animus_network | A question

[Saber pulls out of the trunk a bundle of cloth. She walks over to Zelda and unfurls ~~her pimpcloak~~ a grand cloak of the richest blue trimmed in snowy white fur. Draped over one shoulder and the rest across the princess' bed where Zelda could touch it if she wished, Saber met the woman's eyes, head held high.]

You asked if I would be upset by an English person. My answer to you is in a proper introduction. Forgive me for not doing do before, but I suspect you may understand why I do not openly speak of my identity.

I am Arturia Pendragon, true and rightful heir to Uther Pendragon, known as the King of Knights and to history as Arthur, King of the Britons.

[The Once and Future King.]

[...

...

The Princess of Hyrule just kind of... stares in surprise and awe, mouth slightly agape. Nearly a year ago, such a name and title would have meant nothing to her, but now... now things are quite different, and it takes her a moment to find her words.]

A... Arthur? The 'Once and Future King' Arthur?

[Forgive her for being less than eloquent, but it is not every day you learn you're rooming with your adoptive father's king.]

[Well... Saber hadn't expected THIS reaction out of someone not from Earth who should by all rights not know her legend. And yet, Zelda clearly does.]

Indeed, I am.

[pause]

I apologize if my gender is misleading and disappoints you. It was necessary to act as though I was male, for a woman could not be king, but as long as the king acted like a king, the king's gender would never be questioned.

[Quickly, shaking her head:]

Not at all! Believe me when I say you are not the only one who has felt the need to hide who you are--

[--Erk. That was a bit more than she intended to say. There's a bit of an awkward pause as she tries to regain her composure before continuing.]

I have... heard stories during my time here. Of Excalibur and the Round Table and I found them fascinating. And I am entirely of the belief that a woman is just as capable of being a hero or ruler as any man.

[Her best friend thinks the same way as Saber does, actually, despite her attempts to convince her otherwise.]

... So, if you truly are who you say you are, then I admire you, actually.

[Saber raises an eyebrow at that little slip, but doesn't draw attention to it. She shifts the cloak so she can sit next to Zelda on the bed. Now who has been telling her tales...?]

A knight does not lie, Your Highness; I am Arthur. Though I will admit that the recent circumstances surrounding the manner of existence that names me as Saber has... altered my being. Some would say I have fallen from grace.

[She holds her hand before her and summons Excalibur, though the blade was dark and unholy now, blade blacker than the night with a slightly glowing red. Still, if Zelda had ever been shown a picture of the famous sword, she would recognize it.]

Do not be frightened by the power emanating from my sword, but if you wish to gaze upon Excalibur, you may. I implore you not to touch it as I am certain the prana would harm you.

['Fallen from grace?' She supposes that would explain the dark energy that surrounds the knight like a cloak - something Arthur never spoke of in his stories.]

Some...?

[But it's that part that she repeats quietly, questioningly, because it could be said that she has fallen as well, and has been clawing her way back ever since.

But of course, the blade is a distraction, one she looks upon with interest. Again, it's not the same as the way she envisioned it, but... Saber says she has no reason to be afraid.]

It would seem to be a trend across worlds for legendary blades to be picky in one way or another. There is a sword in my world that only the destined Hero of a given era can wield.

Before I became what I am, Excalibur was a brilliant silver with inlaid gold and blue gilding. The sword was given to me by Vivian - you may know her as the Lady of the Lake. She and the sword are of the fae. The fae share two aspects - one light, one dark - like two sides of the same coin.

[She then chuckles a little, resting the sword on her lap.] Legendary weapons tend to have minds of their own, yes. They mark certain souls.

[And as the King of Knights talks, and as the shock gradually subsides, Zelda finds herself listening with rapt and undivided attention.

Arturia, you've gained +1 fangirl.]

It sounds beautiful. [A blink.] I was not told much about the fae or the Lady, admittedly. We focused more on politics and the like.

[That was back when she was even more clueless about leadership than she is today. Any information she could get her hands on she absorbed like a sponge.

She can't help a small grin.]

Some weapons more literally than others. The very spirit of the Master Sword - the sword of legend in my world - once resided in this room. And I must say, she was very informative.

[Apparently the Saber Swag doesn't go away even with her Charisma rank being reduced to D.]

I am sad I did not get a chance to speak with her. Excalibur is not sentient, so there is no soul residing directly within it.

I am curious, thought, who had been telling you my tales. I am a very famous Heroic Spirit, which is why I generally conceal Excalibur with the Invisible Wind [among other reasons], so I do prefer to be addressed as Saber.

[More like King Swag. It's like the medieval statis-land equivalent of meeting a rockstar!]

His name is Arthur Kirkland, though I have also heard him simply referred to as 'England'. [For reasons she doesn't really know. A nickname?] He is very well versed in the royalty the United Kingdom has had throughout its history; it was not just you he spoke of, but also Elizabeth, Victoria, and many others.

And... I will keep your identity a secret, if you wish.

[Again, she knows quite well what it is like to do so.]

Many a Briton has been named after me over the centuries since my reign. It is unsurprising to find one from modern Britain with such a name. [She also thinks it's a nickname.] 'England' is the modern name for my land. Perhaps I will have you introduce him to me in the future.

[She bows her head a little.]

I appreciate your willingness to not speak of my identity. With enough Servants for a proper war gathered here, I must take measures to conceal it if I am to be victorious.

I would be happy to. I am certain he would be interested in meeting you as well.

[Not every day you meet an ancient king of your country, right? She nods, but then the bright eagerness in her eyes begins to wane as Saber goes on.]

... A war? What would you have to fight over here?

[Saber dismissed Excalibur.]

...what has Ruler told you about our existence?

[A moment's thought, then:]

... Nothing.

If she has no deemed it time to tell you, I will follow suit. I apologize, Princess, but it is for your own safety to not know.

... It is for my own safety to not know if a war might break out in the place I am forced to live? A war that might include my friends and allies?

[Disbelief is just dripping off her words.]

To know details is to place yourself in danger. Those not involved are not to know.

I will say that we are working to create a truce in this place and abstain from continuing to antagonize each other.

[She wants to say she is involved, that Ruler is her friend and she likes Saber too! If they had to fight...

She frowns, displeased.]

Then I will hope it will go better than other attempts at civility in this place.

Ruler and I are taking steps to ensure it will.

I see... I shall wish you both the best of luck, then. The last thing we need here is further conflict amongst us.

[Ganondorf is enough of a thorn in her side as is.]

Given your status as a leader of one of the organizations here, I can understand that.

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