[ 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?? ]
[ She wants to argue, but that won't further her goal of helping Maya, so she bites it down. ]
... One last thing. Do you know the True Name of any other Servant here? [ She's not prying for information — she already knows who they all are — but if Maya knows Artoria, it should be obvious which one in particular she's asking about. ]
Sorry. Looks like you got caught up in our Round Table business. ... Don't worry. No matter what happens between me and them, I won't let you get dragged into it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
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.............. ]
no subject
... 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. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
[ ... 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.
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
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 subject
Uh, isn't that a pretty big deal? Most mages would fall over if you told them that. Actually, the shock might kill them.
no subject
[ Maya may just be weird. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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!
no subject
no subject
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.
no subject
I'm not in the habit of falling for married men who come from great Arthurian tragedies and have prettier hair than mine.
no subject
no subject
I'll... put in a good word for you, if it comes up?
no subject
... 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?? ]
no subject
Ah, well-- in his defense, he held out a really long time, so maybe I need to work on my attractiveness.
[ Maya, no. ]
no subject
I see. I'll have to beat his face in, then. [ She shrugs. ] Well, he has a thing for married women, so maybe that's the problem.
no subject
[ ... Again. ]
no subject
... One last thing. Do you know the True Name of any other Servant here? [ She's not prying for information — she already knows who they all are — but if Maya knows Artoria, it should be obvious which one in particular she's asking about. ]
no subject
no subject
Sorry. Looks like you got caught up in our Round Table business. ... Don't worry. No matter what happens between me and them, I won't let you get dragged into it.
no subject
If it's something you can resolve or even if you just need someone to hear you out... let me help, okay?
(no subject)
(no subject)
1/2
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)