[ Saber nods. Good. If Magilou had said she still wasn't sure all this wasn't an elaborate dream, then... well, Saber isn't sure what she would've done. Short of a solid thump somewhere where it hurts, she isn't sure how one goes about disproving illusion magic. In any case, it's good that Magilou can have at least that much peace of mind.
Straight to the next question: ]
Are you content following the Lord of Calamity?
[ The so-called Lord of Calamity's goals don't concern Saber in the present as much as Magilou's place in that group. Whether she's happy, and whether she feels like she's leading a fulfilling life -- those are more important questions to Saber. ]
[ That question is a lot more difficult to answer than Saber probably expects.
"Content." What meaning does that word have to someone like Magilou? For the last long while, she's coasted through life, trusting no one and living without a care for the world or herself. Happiness hasn't been something she's felt since she was Magillanica, and even then it was a fleeting emotion that drifted away from her before she noticed.
For as long as she's spent believing that she has no emotions to numb every ache, for as long as she's fooled herself, she's forgotten what it was like to feel content and at ease. But she can't deny that these days, there's something unfamiliar in her chest. Whether that's from Velvet's influence or from the peace and (relative) security of Chroma, it's hard to say. Most likely, it's a mixture of the two, as though her adventures back home planted the seeds and the relationships she's made here in Chroma have helped them sense warmth on the soil. ]
Heh, what a question. She's called the Lord of Calamity, but the most calamitous thing she does is irritate me to no end. She has a dark orbit that draws in the most innocent of lambs and leaves them a wolf in sheep's clothing.
[ And yet, despite her words, her tone is warm. Fond, even. That reveals a lot more than her words ever could, and the different tone she adopts when speaking of herself versus others is . ]
But she's also... passionate about everything. She's hellbent on her goal and she makes damn sure she's going to get there, no matter who stands in her way. There's never a dull day hanging around with her, or the rest of our wretched crew. Contentment or happiness and all that aren't really my forte, but I can tell you that they're not boring people.
[ As she listens, Saber's brow unknits and her expression eases. She's learned by now not to listen to Magilou's words as much as her sentiment, and the warmth in her voice is clear. Even if Magilou can't call herself content, she has at least one person to admire and feel camaraderie with. That's enough, at least in the short term. It's enough to know that Magilou hasn't only known misery and a facade of happiness since Melchior abandoned her, and that when she returns to her homeworld, she'll have people somewhere out there to welcome her back.
By the time Magilou finishes speaking, the corners of Saber's mouth have unconsciously lifted into a smile. It's nice to hear Magilou describing someone with sincere praise... even if it was prefaced by a couple customary complaints. ]
I am happy to hear it.
[ And she means it... That's her short but heartfelt assessment.
Oh. Now that the mood's lifted a little, she remembers that she has some fish to eat and something to explain. With habitual care so as not to appear inelegant (#justroyaltythings), Saber lifts the leather notebook she set aside what seems like a lifetime ago and offers it to Magilou. It's the notebook she received to write a wish in months ago, though the actual page containing her wish has long been ripped out. ]
Speaking of wretched crews, I wanted you to have this.
[ If Magilou opens it, she'll find it packed with Saber's neat, flowing handwriting from cover to cover. With a quick skim, it'll become evident that they're all stories describing a great, great number of Sirs, from Sir Kay to Sir Gareth to Sir Lancelot to Sir Galahad. (Also, Merlin.) There are so many names and so many stories that frankly no one could be expected to remember them all upon first read, but there are a few more relevant names as well: Sir Tristan (whose deeds were mighty and love affairs torrid), Sir Mordred (who comes across as frankly quite thuggish), and King Arthur (who seems to only serve as distributor of quests for the other knights).
Upon closer read, the tales are all told with a dry but somehow enthusiastic flourish. The necessary exposition is (perhaps too) detailed, and the knights' misdeeds, which are startlingly common, are spelled out and censured firmly as if Saber were trying to lecture her knights across time and space. But the action is written with an excited polish and no expense is spared in praising the knights' good deeds as they bravely navigate the magical, fantastical land of Britain. In the end, Saber wrote everything out lovingly, hoping to have Magilou understand how extraordinary her knights of Camelot actually were. ]
[ Magilou didn't forget about the notebook, and when Saber finally brings it front and center, the curiosity in her expression is unmistakable. Far from the gloom and depression of mere moments before, Magilou is a lot cheerier now, much more like her normal self. This time, though, it's different - instead of pasting on a smile to avoid feeling anything, her inquisitiveness is real, her smile actually warm.
And that smile only grows larger as she flips through the pages. There's so much attention put into each of the entries, in a neat, lined script that Magilou expects to come from someone like Saber - but that extra bit of enthusiasm is even more fitting, ad a bit endearing. She thumbs through each entry, tracing each line with her finger as she reads. The censures are almost humorous in nature (they really do read like something Eleanor would write about their group), but the pages and pages that she uses to describe their positive qualities is telling.
Sir Kay, Sir Gareth, Sir Lancelot... Merlin, Tristan, Mordred. All of Artoria's life is detailed in here, along with her companions. It's charming to read about a crew not that much different from her own. The stories are varied and fantastical, but they're all lovingly written. ]
Hmhm, a book of names, is it? [ Honestly, she's trying to joke, but the sentiment is sweet enough that she can't bring it in her to take it lightly. She's never really been given a lot of things, or let into someone's life. Velvet is a lot of things, but she's not particularly one for giving gifts. ] Your knights... were pretty incredible, huh? For a group known for their chivalry, they had a lot of misdeeds.
[ Every turn of the page is accompanied by Magilou's gentle humming. She can't keep the surprise out of her voice, a rare bit of emotion that betrays how kind she finds the gesture. So voracious is her reading that when she speaks, she doesn't even look up. (How rude.) ]
You... wanted me to know all of this? I mean, I know we have a contract and all, but this seems so special.
[ As Magilou pages through the notebook, Saber finally starts making her way through the leftover fish delicately but surely. She makes short work of it; by the time Magilou speaks up again, Saber is contently setting her fork across the rim of the empty pot.
Magilou's plain interest in the accounts of her knights also pleases her. Her chin lifts as she puffs up slightly. ]
I thought it appropriate. You sacrificed your book of "witchly escapades and daring-dos," so you should have a similar book to replace it. I also possess an inordinate amount of free time in the evening, so it was a fine project to while away the hours.
[ She completed it only recently, and luckily so. She isn't arrogant enough to think that a simple gift like this one might be able to counteract the pain of Magilou's past, but Saber knows of nothing more satisfying than a full stomach paired with a hearty tale. If Magilou comes out of this meeting happier than when she started, then Saber will count it for a victory. ]
[ A project to whittle away the hours, she says, with more care and attention put into it than any gift Magilou has received before. It's sort of incredible. She's never been one for many earthly attachments, drifting by without a place to call her own. In Chroma, she has a house to go to at the end of the day and possessions that are in her name. She can't say she's gotten used to it, but there's a certain comfort in a new routine.
And, well. Seeing the exploits of someone else's crew is interesting. Memories might not be tangible, but they mean a lot more than anyone can put into words. With every proud stroke of Saber's pen, Magilou can tell exactly how much she cared for them. ]
Every little bit of gossip is a new present to open up, so it's just fine by me! [ Saber didn't really have to get her anything, so even the thought is so much. She flips through the pages again, meandering her way around the lovelorn escapades of Sir Tristan. It might seem as though she's flitting through each one, but her eyes move across each page quickly, expression soft. ] Quite the prime material you've got here. Which story in here was the most fun to pen? I'm fond of these tragic tales of love, myself.
That is a diffficult question... I did enjoy recounting Sir Gareth's rise to glory. Though she possessed noble blood, she went through great pains to succeed only by her own merits. Indeed, she hid her identity when she presented herself before me and took up service in the castle kitchen for a full year without complaint, honing her skills in her free time.
When a lady by the name of Lynette came to the castle seeking a knight to rescue her sister from the infamous Red Knight of the Red Lands, Gareth boldly volunteered to aid her despite the Red Knight's bloody reputation. Lynette scorned Gareth endlessly, thinking her a common kitchenhand, but Gareth endured the ill words with good humility and patience, never revealing her noble stock.
Together, they rode from Camelot. Time and time again, Gareth would find herself caught between a contesting knight in front of her and Lady Lynette's hurled abuse behind her. But one by one, Gareth would best the knights and send their armies to my service, until hundreds were gathered outside of Camelot...
[ Saber blinks, realizing that she's rambling, and sets herself back on course. ]
And I will leave the rest for you to discover. In short, Gareth was a knight for all to aspire to. Others such as Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain were famously strong, but Gareth was especially hale in spirit and generosity. I fear that such qualities are easily overlooked when people think of greatness.
[ She could go on about it, but she won't bore Magilou... Saber straightens a little taller, trying to peek over the top of the journal to see which story Magilou is paging through. ]
Are you a fan of romance? I would not have thought you the type.
[ Or failed romance, as it were... Saber can't say it was fun to write those in particular, but they're unusual and riveting tales that she would say deserve to be told. It figures they would be more enjoyable to someone uninvolved with the lovestruck knights in question. ]
[ As Saber recounts her favorite story, Magilou skims the book until she finds Sir Gareth's tale written in Saber's concise script, handwritten with the attention and care that her voice carries with it. Saber might think that she's being boring, but Magilou loves a good story - who knows, she might be able to use it for an act someday...
But that wouldn't be giving Saber enough credit. All these writings are of her knights, their moments captured and catalogued like a family member would do with her precious memories scrapbook, and something about it is charming. Earnest and heartfelt, even, and Magilou can't help but smile warmly as she flips the pages and listens to Saber's retelling as she follows along, her finger hovering over each line that Saber recounts. Sir Gareth keeping mum about her nobility, and then besting every knight and evil word that stood in her path... ]
What a lovely legend of lore, and it's all right here to explore! Have you ever thought of being a storyteller? I know these are true, but you've got a knack for set design and scriptwriting! That's why the tales of love and loss are so poignant - how can you keep from sobbing at every misstep and cheering with every reunion?! Emotions are a plaything for the author, but the good wordsmith never abused her tools.
[ For a moment, she stops flipping through the book and looks up, her finger caught between two of the pages. There's a bit of a fire in her eyes, as if something that hadn't made sense to her before has finally clicked. ]
You know... If we ever get out of here, the first thing I need to do is give that old man a piece of my mind. But after that, I feel like there's a lot of stories everyone's going to need to hear about what really happened with the Lord of Calamity. [ She glances down at the book in her hands, almost wondrously. Arriving here was random chance, and making connections even moreso. But it all adds up to a sum total that means something, with the book as physical proof. Saber's gift is much more profound than she might have realized. ] Maybe being a storyteller - writer, historian, whatever... Maybe that's what should become of the Mayvin name. Not some faded ancestry with more sunspots than a garden of false flowers. Something honest.
[ Saber would have to deny her own talent as a storyteller. She's only repeating the stories that came through Camelot's halls, told by knights much more riveting than she. Camelot was a great gathering place not only for heroes, but fantastic tales from every corner of Britain. As the person most knights sought to impress with their stories, it's only natural that she picked up the rhythm of a competent story through osmosis.
But before she can voice that thought, Magilou seems to be taken by a thought of her own. Unlike the wild sparks that often lead to outlandish turns of phrase or mischievous agendas, the light that glows in Magilou now seems sincere and radiant. Warmed, Saber's expression softens. ]
I think that would be an admirable path to pursue. And I know you would be wonderful at it. Stories are best spread when they are so compelling that they beg to be retold, and I have never known a more wily wielder of words than you.
[ Of course, Magilou's been spinning yarns and performing verbal acrobatics since day one, but Saber gets the sense that she wants to shift away from using language as a veil to distract and toward using it as a light to illuminate. Wonderful... Really, it's wonderful. Saber can't help her heart swelling with pride for her quietly earnest Master. ]
If I may say so, I think honesty suits you, Magilou.
[ Magilou is accustomed to the frankness with which Saber expresses herself from time to time - calling her open might not have been entirely accurate before, but she definitely doesn't mince her words. So it's a surprise when the warmth in that last comment... actually manages to make her feel the tiniest bit bashful.
Saber knows now that Magilou's cheerfulness - her ego - is an act most days and pure nihilism on the others. It was born from a sutured heart that Magillanica left behind. To hear, in all sincerity, that honesty suits her...
It's not something she ever expected, but it doesn't sound bad, either. Maybe she should try it out more often. Saber already knows the worst; anything else Magilou could share would be rehashing what she's seen. Hm.
She laughs. It's an actual, full laugh, and it spills over before she can stop herself. She doesn't bother trying to hide it. ]
Now that's a new one! I'm almost expecting a punchline here. Witches aren't supposed to be honest, you know.
[ But maybe this one can try. Once in a while. ]
I'll give you a full play-by-play one of these days to dictate the story before it gets sealed in ink. Deal?
[ Magilou's laughter washes over Saber like an afternoon breeze and resounds in her like a drumbeat. A rare sound she resolves to hold close to her heart. ]
Deal. It would be my honor and pleasure to hear it.
[ She folds her hands under the table, thumbs pressing together self-consciously. If Magilou is willing to share more of her history, then it seems like Saber's prying wasn't out of line after all. Thank goodness... ]
In that vein, I hope you will always feel free to be forthright with me. Yes, witches are not typically honest, but I have not found you to be a very good witch.
Oh, boo. I try my hardest to get respect around here, and now I get told I'm not a good witch! I'm going to have to step up my game so that I get taken seriously from now on.
[ It's all in jest, of course, like her posturing usually is. But it's so much more sincere than it was even just yesterday - Saber must know now where her jokes end and her heart begins. Magilou has never worn her heart on her sleeve, and she can't start immediately, but for once... it's easier to be honest than it is to shudder away and keep her true intentions left in the spaces between her words.
She's not good at it yet - the words still come out half-formed, hidden behind dramatics and a mask that could rival a member of a masquerade ball - but she's trying. Saber makes her want to try. ]
Hmph! Next time I'm going to have to come up with a grandiose tale, the kind that only a fantastic witch could craft. You'll be sorry!
My standards might be unusually high, as my own sister was an infamous witch, but I wish you the best of luck.
[ Not at being anything like Morgan le Fay, who may or may not have engineered all of the greatest losses in Artoria's life, but Saber genuinely looks forward to whatever Magilou will cook up... ]
[ But more importantly!! The atmosphere may have lightened up, but Saber feels she should address something before the moment has totally passed... She takes a breath and manages to sit up even more straight than usual, to awkward effect. ]
In any case... I hope I did not overstep any boundaries by delving further into your past. At the very least, I hope speaking about it has helped you in some manner.
[ It's a little hard to tell since Magilou's memories seem to have left a deep mark on her, so maybe Saber ended up dragging them up for her own benefit and Magilou's detriment... ]
[ Almost immediately, Magilou waves a hand in front of her face, as if to dismiss both Saber's worries and her own memories. Breaking through the fog of the past isn't always so literal, but the motion is sharp and quick enough to be like the blade of a knife. ]
Doesn't bother me. You didn't even have to sleep if you didn't want to, but it's no skin off my back.
[ It actually has helped, even in some small way. The lingering emotions from Magillanica that she kept buried would burst someday. If anything, it's better that it was in Chroma, away from Melchior himself. She can sort out how she feels and then return to give him a piece of her mind later. ]
In fact, it's given me some great ideas of what to say to that old man when I see him again. You have to warm up your words if you wanted to have any hope of breaking through a frozen heart like his.
[ Oh. Saber brightens and relaxes, her shoulders lowering visibly. Magilou's reply is easy enough that it seems sincere, more than a polite platitude as might come from other people. ]
Thank goodness.
[ She didn't completely fail at helping someone else navigate the matters of their heart... Is this a first? Very possibly. All the better that it was for Magilou; she doesn't deserve to have her heart mishandled any more than it already has been. ]
Ah, if it is a verbal showdown you are preparing for, I would be happy to coach you on your technique. Of course, you already have a strong foundation, but there is always room for improvement.
[ Let her help!! She never thought a decade of smack talking other kings might one day become a relatable life skill... ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Straight to the next question: ]
Are you content following the Lord of Calamity?
[ The so-called Lord of Calamity's goals don't concern Saber in the present as much as Magilou's place in that group. Whether she's happy, and whether she feels like she's leading a fulfilling life -- those are more important questions to Saber. ]
no subject
"Content." What meaning does that word have to someone like Magilou? For the last long while, she's coasted through life, trusting no one and living without a care for the world or herself. Happiness hasn't been something she's felt since she was Magillanica, and even then it was a fleeting emotion that drifted away from her before she noticed.
For as long as she's spent believing that she has no emotions to numb every ache, for as long as she's fooled herself, she's forgotten what it was like to feel content and at ease. But she can't deny that these days, there's something unfamiliar in her chest. Whether that's from Velvet's influence or from the peace and (relative) security of Chroma, it's hard to say. Most likely, it's a mixture of the two, as though her adventures back home planted the seeds and the relationships she's made here in Chroma have helped them sense warmth on the soil. ]
Heh, what a question. She's called the Lord of Calamity, but the most calamitous thing she does is irritate me to no end. She has a dark orbit that draws in the most innocent of lambs and leaves them a wolf in sheep's clothing.
[ And yet, despite her words, her tone is warm. Fond, even. That reveals a lot more than her words ever could, and the different tone she adopts when speaking of herself versus others is . ]
But she's also... passionate about everything. She's hellbent on her goal and she makes damn sure she's going to get there, no matter who stands in her way. There's never a dull day hanging around with her, or the rest of our wretched crew. Contentment or happiness and all that aren't really my forte, but I can tell you that they're not boring people.
no subject
By the time Magilou finishes speaking, the corners of Saber's mouth have unconsciously lifted into a smile. It's nice to hear Magilou describing someone with sincere praise... even if it was prefaced by a couple customary complaints. ]
I am happy to hear it.
[ And she means it... That's her short but heartfelt assessment.
Oh. Now that the mood's lifted a little, she remembers that she has some fish to eat and something to explain. With habitual care so as not to appear inelegant (#justroyaltythings), Saber lifts the leather notebook she set aside what seems like a lifetime ago and offers it to Magilou. It's the notebook she received to write a wish in months ago, though the actual page containing her wish has long been ripped out. ]
Speaking of wretched crews, I wanted you to have this.
[ If Magilou opens it, she'll find it packed with Saber's neat, flowing handwriting from cover to cover. With a quick skim, it'll become evident that they're all stories describing a great, great number of Sirs, from Sir Kay to Sir Gareth to Sir Lancelot to Sir Galahad. (Also, Merlin.) There are so many names and so many stories that frankly no one could be expected to remember them all upon first read, but there are a few more relevant names as well: Sir Tristan (whose deeds were mighty and love affairs torrid), Sir Mordred (who comes across as frankly quite thuggish), and King Arthur (who seems to only serve as distributor of quests for the other knights).
Upon closer read, the tales are all told with a dry but somehow enthusiastic flourish. The necessary exposition is (perhaps too) detailed, and the knights' misdeeds, which are startlingly common, are spelled out and censured firmly as if Saber were trying to lecture her knights across time and space. But the action is written with an excited polish and no expense is spared in praising the knights' good deeds as they bravely navigate the magical, fantastical land of Britain. In the end, Saber wrote everything out lovingly, hoping to have Magilou understand how extraordinary her knights of Camelot actually were. ]
no subject
And that smile only grows larger as she flips through the pages. There's so much attention put into each of the entries, in a neat, lined script that Magilou expects to come from someone like Saber - but that extra bit of enthusiasm is even more fitting, ad a bit endearing. She thumbs through each entry, tracing each line with her finger as she reads. The censures are almost humorous in nature (they really do read like something Eleanor would write about their group), but the pages and pages that she uses to describe their positive qualities is telling.
Sir Kay, Sir Gareth, Sir Lancelot... Merlin, Tristan, Mordred. All of Artoria's life is detailed in here, along with her companions. It's charming to read about a crew not that much different from her own. The stories are varied and fantastical, but they're all lovingly written. ]
Hmhm, a book of names, is it? [ Honestly, she's trying to joke, but the sentiment is sweet enough that she can't bring it in her to take it lightly. She's never really been given a lot of things, or let into someone's life. Velvet is a lot of things, but she's not particularly one for giving gifts. ] Your knights... were pretty incredible, huh? For a group known for their chivalry, they had a lot of misdeeds.
[ Every turn of the page is accompanied by Magilou's gentle humming. She can't keep the surprise out of her voice, a rare bit of emotion that betrays how kind she finds the gesture. So voracious is her reading that when she speaks, she doesn't even look up. (How rude.) ]
You... wanted me to know all of this? I mean, I know we have a contract and all, but this seems so special.
no subject
Magilou's plain interest in the accounts of her knights also pleases her. Her chin lifts as she puffs up slightly. ]
I thought it appropriate. You sacrificed your book of "witchly escapades and daring-dos," so you should have a similar book to replace it. I also possess an inordinate amount of free time in the evening, so it was a fine project to while away the hours.
[ She completed it only recently, and luckily so. She isn't arrogant enough to think that a simple gift like this one might be able to counteract the pain of Magilou's past, but Saber knows of nothing more satisfying than a full stomach paired with a hearty tale. If Magilou comes out of this meeting happier than when she started, then Saber will count it for a victory. ]
I trust it is to your satisfaction?
no subject
And, well. Seeing the exploits of someone else's crew is interesting. Memories might not be tangible, but they mean a lot more than anyone can put into words. With every proud stroke of Saber's pen, Magilou can tell exactly how much she cared for them. ]
Every little bit of gossip is a new present to open up, so it's just fine by me! [ Saber didn't really have to get her anything, so even the thought is so much. She flips through the pages again, meandering her way around the lovelorn escapades of Sir Tristan. It might seem as though she's flitting through each one, but her eyes move across each page quickly, expression soft. ] Quite the prime material you've got here. Which story in here was the most fun to pen? I'm fond of these tragic tales of love, myself.
no subject
When a lady by the name of Lynette came to the castle seeking a knight to rescue her sister from the infamous Red Knight of the Red Lands, Gareth boldly volunteered to aid her despite the Red Knight's bloody reputation. Lynette scorned Gareth endlessly, thinking her a common kitchenhand, but Gareth endured the ill words with good humility and patience, never revealing her noble stock.
Together, they rode from Camelot. Time and time again, Gareth would find herself caught between a contesting knight in front of her and Lady Lynette's hurled abuse behind her. But one by one, Gareth would best the knights and send their armies to my service, until hundreds were gathered outside of Camelot...
[ Saber blinks, realizing that she's rambling, and sets herself back on course. ]
And I will leave the rest for you to discover. In short, Gareth was a knight for all to aspire to. Others such as Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain were famously strong, but Gareth was especially hale in spirit and generosity. I fear that such qualities are easily overlooked when people think of greatness.
[ She could go on about it, but she won't bore Magilou... Saber straightens a little taller, trying to peek over the top of the journal to see which story Magilou is paging through. ]
Are you a fan of romance? I would not have thought you the type.
[ Or failed romance, as it were... Saber can't say it was fun to write those in particular, but they're unusual and riveting tales that she would say deserve to be told. It figures they would be more enjoyable to someone uninvolved with the lovestruck knights in question. ]
no subject
But that wouldn't be giving Saber enough credit. All these writings are of her knights, their moments captured and catalogued like a family member would do with her precious memories scrapbook, and something about it is charming. Earnest and heartfelt, even, and Magilou can't help but smile warmly as she flips the pages and listens to Saber's retelling as she follows along, her finger hovering over each line that Saber recounts. Sir Gareth keeping mum about her nobility, and then besting every knight and evil word that stood in her path... ]
What a lovely legend of lore, and it's all right here to explore! Have you ever thought of being a storyteller? I know these are true, but you've got a knack for set design and scriptwriting! That's why the tales of love and loss are so poignant - how can you keep from sobbing at every misstep and cheering with every reunion?! Emotions are a plaything for the author, but the good wordsmith never abused her tools.
[ For a moment, she stops flipping through the book and looks up, her finger caught between two of the pages. There's a bit of a fire in her eyes, as if something that hadn't made sense to her before has finally clicked. ]
You know... If we ever get out of here, the first thing I need to do is give that old man a piece of my mind. But after that, I feel like there's a lot of stories everyone's going to need to hear about what really happened with the Lord of Calamity. [ She glances down at the book in her hands, almost wondrously. Arriving here was random chance, and making connections even moreso. But it all adds up to a sum total that means something, with the book as physical proof. Saber's gift is much more profound than she might have realized. ] Maybe being a storyteller - writer, historian, whatever... Maybe that's what should become of the Mayvin name. Not some faded ancestry with more sunspots than a garden of false flowers. Something honest.
no subject
But before she can voice that thought, Magilou seems to be taken by a thought of her own. Unlike the wild sparks that often lead to outlandish turns of phrase or mischievous agendas, the light that glows in Magilou now seems sincere and radiant. Warmed, Saber's expression softens. ]
I think that would be an admirable path to pursue. And I know you would be wonderful at it. Stories are best spread when they are so compelling that they beg to be retold, and I have never known a more wily wielder of words than you.
[ Of course, Magilou's been spinning yarns and performing verbal acrobatics since day one, but Saber gets the sense that she wants to shift away from using language as a veil to distract and toward using it as a light to illuminate. Wonderful... Really, it's wonderful. Saber can't help her heart swelling with pride for her quietly earnest Master. ]
If I may say so, I think honesty suits you, Magilou.
no subject
Saber knows now that Magilou's cheerfulness - her ego - is an act most days and pure nihilism on the others. It was born from a sutured heart that Magillanica left behind. To hear, in all sincerity, that honesty suits her...
It's not something she ever expected, but it doesn't sound bad, either. Maybe she should try it out more often. Saber already knows the worst; anything else Magilou could share would be rehashing what she's seen. Hm.
She laughs. It's an actual, full laugh, and it spills over before she can stop herself. She doesn't bother trying to hide it. ]
Now that's a new one! I'm almost expecting a punchline here. Witches aren't supposed to be honest, you know.
[ But maybe this one can try. Once in a while. ]
I'll give you a full play-by-play one of these days to dictate the story before it gets sealed in ink. Deal?
no subject
Deal. It would be my honor and pleasure to hear it.
[ She folds her hands under the table, thumbs pressing together self-consciously. If Magilou is willing to share more of her history, then it seems like Saber's prying wasn't out of line after all. Thank goodness... ]
In that vein, I hope you will always feel free to be forthright with me. Yes, witches are not typically honest, but I have not found you to be a very good witch.
no subject
[ It's all in jest, of course, like her posturing usually is. But it's so much more sincere than it was even just yesterday - Saber must know now where her jokes end and her heart begins. Magilou has never worn her heart on her sleeve, and she can't start immediately, but for once... it's easier to be honest than it is to shudder away and keep her true intentions left in the spaces between her words.
She's not good at it yet - the words still come out half-formed, hidden behind dramatics and a mask that could rival a member of a masquerade ball - but she's trying. Saber makes her want to try. ]
Hmph! Next time I'm going to have to come up with a grandiose tale, the kind that only a fantastic witch could craft. You'll be sorry!
1/2
[ Not at being anything like Morgan le Fay, who may or may not have engineered all of the greatest losses in Artoria's life, but Saber genuinely looks forward to whatever Magilou will cook up... ]
2/2
In any case... I hope I did not overstep any boundaries by delving further into your past. At the very least, I hope speaking about it has helped you in some manner.
[ It's a little hard to tell since Magilou's memories seem to have left a deep mark on her, so maybe Saber ended up dragging them up for her own benefit and Magilou's detriment... ]
no subject
Doesn't bother me. You didn't even have to sleep if you didn't want to, but it's no skin off my back.
[ It actually has helped, even in some small way. The lingering emotions from Magillanica that she kept buried would burst someday. If anything, it's better that it was in Chroma, away from Melchior himself. She can sort out how she feels and then return to give him a piece of her mind later. ]
In fact, it's given me some great ideas of what to say to that old man when I see him again. You have to warm up your words if you wanted to have any hope of breaking through a frozen heart like his.
no subject
Thank goodness.
[ She didn't completely fail at helping someone else navigate the matters of their heart... Is this a first? Very possibly. All the better that it was for Magilou; she doesn't deserve to have her heart mishandled any more than it already has been. ]
Ah, if it is a verbal showdown you are preparing for, I would be happy to coach you on your technique. Of course, you already have a strong foundation, but there is always room for improvement.
[ Let her help!! She never thought a decade of smack talking other kings might one day become a relatable life skill... ]