[ Mordred doesn't spend a huge amount of time in their shared space — she's too restless, the type to go out looking for a fight with whatever (or whoever) will give her one. Even so, it's impossible not to fall into a sort of easy comradeship with Maya when she does show up to eat, or sleep, or poke at something on the network. She reminds Mordred of Gareth, all sunshine and positivity... and, like with Gareth, she never really notices how much of a difference that makes until it's gone.
She's not the most sensitive of souls, with or without her usual resentment, but she's not heartless, either. After a while of things seeming off, she finally speaks up the next time they're both home, arms crossed over her chest and an expression that says she's not leaving without an answer. ]
Hey. What's wrong with you? [ Subtle. But there's faint concern in her voice, even if she'd deny it. ] You've barely smiled in days. It's weird.
Sorry. [ Maya says it automatically, if just because-- she is sorry. That's an emotion she knows and understands. What she can't understand is why it's just increasingly difficult to grasp her positivity when she was sure she had a firm grip on it a long time ago. Even seeing familiar faces just makes her feel glum, and it's starting to get to the point where Maya has to admit she can't just-- sleep it off.
But Mordred doesn't deserve that kind of roommate, and Maya frowns apologetically. ]
I don't know how to explain it, but... no matter what I do, everything just keeps getting me down, and it's getting harder to shake off.
[ She frowns when Maya apologizes. There's nothing to apologize for, but she gets the feeling saying that wouldn't help, so she lets it go in favour of everything else. ]
... That's no good. Someone like you shouldn't be feeling that way.
[ It'd be different if it was her, or someone who didn't have so much goodwill to give in the first place, but she can't just stand by and watch this. After a moment, Mordred reaches out to grab Maya by the wrist; gripping firmly enough that she can't just pull away. ]
Come with me. I don't care if you're busy or not. [ She only lost her resentment, not her rudeness. ] We're going to go do something fun, right now.
Huh-- Mordred?? [ Well, surprise sure ain't out of stock in Maya's Warehouse, because she's blinking rapidly and glancing down at Mordred's hand on her wrist. She won't try to protest, at least. ]
[ ... Yeah, she hasn't thought that far ahead. The only time she truly ever had "fun" was with Kairi, for a few short days in the middle of a war. How is she supposed to help someone else?
At least she's stubborn enough to try, even if it means dragging Maya all the way across town. ]
You said you were a reporter, right? So let's find something to report on. Or make something.
I wonder if we'll find anything... or even if we do, there's no guarantee people will find what I have to say interesting.
[ She says this with a note of frustration, though, as though she knows there's something clearly wrong about this whole mess, but she can't quite fling it off. ]
Who cares? [ It's dismissive, but not in a rude way. ] I wanna hear it. And if a king wishes to hear something, then everyone else should, too.
[ Not that she's a king... yet. But she still has her arrogance. Realizing she's still physically dragging Maya after her, she finally releases her wrist with a tiny frown. ]
... Sorry. That was a little forceful of me. I just couldn't stand the idea of you moping around by yourself.
[ Mordred immediately stiffens at the compliment, the tips of her ears turning bright red. Someone like Gawain would probably be used to praise, but she hasn't received much in her life — not that she deserved it. ]
D... don't thank me, you dummy. Any knight would do the same thing. [ She's not much of a knight, but she's trying to be better. ] Anyway, if this doesn't work out, we'll try eating a big meal. Good food means a good mood! That's why they sound so similar!
... You know, I'm pretty sure they did come up with a correlation between good food and an improved mood... I guess it rhyming just makes it easier to remember.
But I think being knightly means you'll have to put up with the gratitude of the people, and I do remember what being grateful feels like. Like... someone still cares, and remembers...
[ Please don't encourage her... but she quickly puffs herself up in a prideful manner. ]
Right, of course. Naturally, as a Knight of the Round Table, I'm used to getting lots of praise from others.
[ A lie, obviously. She just killed those who defied the king. It was the paragons of knighthood like Gawain and Lancelot who the people loved, not the enforcers like her and Agravain. ]
But don't worry. I bet even a birdbrain like Tr— Archer couldn't forget you. [ She shrugs. ] In this world, having a good heart is a weakness. That's why I'll carry you for as long as I have to.
Again with the Sir thing! I keep telling you to warn me first! ... Ah, no, it's fine, it's fine. I like hearing it from you.
[ Somehow, it makes her feel like she could actually be a knight worthy of the title. But it also embarrasses her, so she's quick to change the topic. ]
Anyway, I've been meaning to ask! That thing you did when we met, with the ice. What was that about? You said you weren't a mage, but that was definitely magic.
It's kinda complicated? I guess I'm more magic-oriented than physical, but what I used is called a Persona. It's the manifestation of my soul, pretty much?
No, it definitely is. ... It's kinda like having a Servant, but it's your own soul instead of someone else's. I've never heard of anyone doing that before.
That's-- well, you're not wrong, but I'm not sure if I should be comparing you. You're definitely not a Persona, and I'm not a... ... Master? Is that the term?
But who knows? There are a lot of Servants here, so maybe you'll get lucky. [ "Lucky", like they aren't all walking disasters. ] Besides, I can think of worse people to form a contract with. Just don't fall for someone lame like Archer.
... Don't worry about it. That idiot probably blurted his name out the moment he saw an attractive woman. At least I had a good reason for revealing mine. [ NO YOU DID NOT?? ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ackshun, lmk if this is okay!
She's not the most sensitive of souls, with or without her usual resentment, but she's not heartless, either. After a while of things seeming off, she finally speaks up the next time they're both home, arms crossed over her chest and an expression that says she's not leaving without an answer. ]
Hey. What's wrong with you? [ Subtle. But there's faint concern in her voice, even if she'd deny it. ] You've barely smiled in days. It's weird.
absolutely
But Mordred doesn't deserve that kind of roommate, and Maya frowns apologetically. ]
I don't know how to explain it, but... no matter what I do, everything just keeps getting me down, and it's getting harder to shake off.
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... That's no good. Someone like you shouldn't be feeling that way.
[ It'd be different if it was her, or someone who didn't have so much goodwill to give in the first place, but she can't just stand by and watch this. After a moment, Mordred reaches out to grab Maya by the wrist; gripping firmly enough that she can't just pull away. ]
Come with me. I don't care if you're busy or not. [ She only lost her resentment, not her rudeness. ] We're going to go do something fun, right now.
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What do you mean "fun"? Where are we going??
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[ ... Yeah, she hasn't thought that far ahead. The only time she truly ever had "fun" was with Kairi, for a few short days in the middle of a war. How is she supposed to help someone else?
At least she's stubborn enough to try, even if it means dragging Maya all the way across town. ]
You said you were a reporter, right? So let's find something to report on. Or make something.
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[ She says this with a note of frustration, though, as though she knows there's something clearly wrong about this whole mess, but she can't quite fling it off. ]
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[ Not that she's a king... yet. But she still has her arrogance. Realizing she's still physically dragging Maya after her, she finally releases her wrist with a tiny frown. ]
... Sorry. That was a little forceful of me. I just couldn't stand the idea of you moping around by yourself.
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[ That's... really endearing, and even if for some reason, it makes Maya's heart break a little more, she rests a hand against her back. ]
Thanks. Even if I can't shake this mood... you're really amazing for helping.
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D... don't thank me, you dummy. Any knight would do the same thing. [ She's not much of a knight, but she's trying to be better. ] Anyway, if this doesn't work out, we'll try eating a big meal. Good food means a good mood! That's why they sound so similar!
[ No it isn't.............. ]
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... You know, I'm pretty sure they did come up with a correlation between good food and an improved mood... I guess it rhyming just makes it easier to remember.
But I think being knightly means you'll have to put up with the gratitude of the people, and I do remember what being grateful feels like. Like... someone still cares, and remembers...
[ Maya, come back, don't go down the dark path. ]
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Right, of course. Naturally, as a Knight of the Round Table, I'm used to getting lots of praise from others.
[ A lie, obviously. She just killed those who defied the king. It was the paragons of knighthood like Gawain and Lancelot who the people loved, not the enforcers like her and Agravain. ]
But don't worry. I bet even a birdbrain like Tr— Archer couldn't forget you. [ She shrugs. ] In this world, having a good heart is a weakness. That's why I'll carry you for as long as I have to.
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[ ... But oh look, that faint smile.
Also wow, Mordred, you suck at keeping people's names a secret?? ]
Still. Please keep looking after me for now, Sir Knight.
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[ Somehow, it makes her feel like she could actually be a knight worthy of the title. But it also embarrasses her, so she's quick to change the topic. ]
Anyway, I've been meaning to ask! That thing you did when we met, with the ice. What was that about? You said you weren't a mage, but that was definitely magic.
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It's kinda complicated? I guess I'm more magic-oriented than physical, but what I used is called a Persona. It's the manifestation of my soul, pretty much?
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Uh, isn't that a pretty big deal? Most mages would fall over if you told them that. Actually, the shock might kill them.
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[ Maya may just be weird. ]
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No, it definitely is. ... It's kinda like having a Servant, but it's your own soul instead of someone else's. I've never heard of anyone doing that before.
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But Artemis definitely doesn't talk as much as Servants do... it's kind of a shame. I guess that's what I get for her being a part of me.
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That's fine. The icy you can stay quiet if she wants, because when it comes to talking, you've got me! I'm way cooler than any Perso-whatever!
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But who knows? There are a lot of Servants here, so maybe you'll get lucky. [ "Lucky", like they aren't all walking disasters. ] Besides, I can think of worse people to form a contract with. Just don't fall for someone lame like Archer.
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I'm not in the habit of falling for married men who come from great Arthurian tragedies and have prettier hair than mine.
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I'll... put in a good word for you, if it comes up?
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... Don't worry about it. That idiot probably blurted his name out the moment he saw an attractive woman. At least I had a good reason for revealing mine. [ NO YOU DID NOT?? ]
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