[ So that's where Mordred was hiding today. To the casual observer, Saber's reaction to someone ambushing her the moment she stepped out of her house might be unusual in that she has no reaction at all, but in the tiny microcosm that is this not-family, such interactions are as common as their blonde hair.
Anyway, Saber pauses to close the door behind her (why inflict any of this on her housemate) before looking at Mordred. She's just had breakfast, so her belly is full and warm; she's in as good a mood as she'll ever be. She regards Mordred openly, not yet expecting their interaction this morning to be completely stupid. ]
First of all, it was stupid and boring! Never make me read that crap again! I mean, rocks as medicine? Who really thought that putting a dumb stone on your face would cure anything? I'm glad I never had to use a healer!
And who even cares about the history of rocks? If you throw one at someone, it hurts! If you bash something against one, it breaks! That's all that matters!
[ She rants for a while longer here, but I'm too lazy even though I made you give me a subject for her to read about. It's clear that she read the book, though, and thoroughly at that. After she finishes up with an angry exclamation: ]
But in the end, I still managed to defy you, father! I didn't read just your book, but another whole bunch of them as well! As usual, I acted completely against your expectations! How's that for being resourceful?
[ Oh, right. She did give Mordred a book to read, didn't she. Saber puts on her impassive King Arthur face and filters most of the report out, having no actual interest in rocks or their history. What matters is that Mordred read it in its entirety, which must be undeniably true because this rant feels like it's longer than the text itself. It was the vocabulary that was important, the vocabulary.
She tunes back in for the end, though... and wonders how Mordred doing extra credit is supposed to defy orders. ]
And what were the other books about?
[ She's mildly interested in knowing what Mordred would pick out for herself... ]
[ She just grabbed them at random... she was too stupid to actually look at them first, or to stop when she got bored. ]
I didn't read them because I cared! I was sure you expected me to ignore your orders, so I surprised you by doing even more work! What do you think about that?
But the fact that she read even more books that she hated, essentially punishing herself above and beyond what Saber intended for her, is in a way... admirable? No, that's much too strong a word. It was a mark of tenacity, if nothing else. ]
Mordred takes a full ten seconds to respond, (unsuccessfully) fighting down the blush she feels rising on her face. Praise from King Arthur is rare. Praise from King Arthur for her is even rarer. ]
H... hmph! Like I care if you approve or not! If anything, I was hoping you'd be angry! [ In her King Arthur voice: ] "I see your rebellious nature is intact. As ever, you remain a thorn in my side. Curse your wisdom and intellect, Sir Mordred!" That sounds like something you'd say!
[ Saber's brow knits. That doesn't sound like her at all...??? Mordred's imagination is much too wild. Between Tristan attacking the ground with his knees every time Saber exists in proximity to him and Mordred casting her as a villain from a child's play, Saber is beginning to question how the Knights of the Round Table ever functioned.
Any why was Mordred hoping she'd be angry? Such pointless antagonism... If Mordred wants praise (as she's plainly said in the past), she should attempt to do good things. But Saber knows better than to try to intellectualize anything Mordred says, so she just... doesn't question any of it aloud. Let the child live in her fantasy world. ]
... Yes... Carry on.
[ After a beat, she adds: ]
And if you decide to read any more books, I would not mind hearing reports on them as well.
[ What can she say? Her curiosity's been piqued. Will Mordred refuse to read more books now that Saber's praised her for it, or if will her hunger for more praise win out? Only time will tell... ]
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no subject
Anyway, Saber pauses to close the door behind her (why inflict any of this on her housemate) before looking at Mordred. She's just had breakfast, so her belly is full and warm; she's in as good a mood as she'll ever be. She regards Mordred openly, not yet expecting their interaction this morning to be completely stupid. ]
Good morning, Sir Mordred. Let me hear it.
no subject
And who even cares about the history of rocks? If you throw one at someone, it hurts! If you bash something against one, it breaks! That's all that matters!
[ She rants for a while longer here, but I'm too lazy even though I made you give me a subject for her to read about. It's clear that she read the book, though, and thoroughly at that. After she finishes up with an angry exclamation: ]
But in the end, I still managed to defy you, father! I didn't read just your book, but another whole bunch of them as well! As usual, I acted completely against your expectations! How's that for being resourceful?
no subject
She tunes back in for the end, though... and wonders how Mordred doing extra credit is supposed to defy orders. ]
And what were the other books about?
[ She's mildly interested in knowing what Mordred would pick out for herself... ]
no subject
[ She just grabbed them at random... she was too stupid to actually look at them first, or to stop when she got bored. ]
I didn't read them because I cared! I was sure you expected me to ignore your orders, so I surprised you by doing even more work! What do you think about that?
no subject
But the fact that she read even more books that she hated, essentially punishing herself above and beyond what Saber intended for her, is in a way... admirable? No, that's much too strong a word. It was a mark of tenacity, if nothing else. ]
I see. Good work.
no subject
Mordred takes a full ten seconds to respond, (unsuccessfully) fighting down the blush she feels rising on her face. Praise from King Arthur is rare. Praise from King Arthur for her is even rarer. ]
H... hmph! Like I care if you approve or not! If anything, I was hoping you'd be angry! [ In her King Arthur voice: ] "I see your rebellious nature is intact. As ever, you remain a thorn in my side. Curse your wisdom and intellect, Sir Mordred!" That sounds like something you'd say!
A-anyway, that's all of my report! I'm going now!
no subject
Any why was Mordred hoping she'd be angry? Such pointless antagonism... If Mordred wants praise (as she's plainly said in the past), she should attempt to do good things. But Saber knows better than to try to intellectualize anything Mordred says, so she just... doesn't question any of it aloud. Let the child live in her fantasy world. ]
... Yes... Carry on.
[ After a beat, she adds: ]
And if you decide to read any more books, I would not mind hearing reports on them as well.
[ What can she say? Her curiosity's been piqued. Will Mordred refuse to read more books now that Saber's praised her for it, or if will her hunger for more praise win out? Only time will tell... ]