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riothamus:

While welcomed there is no denying the strange sense of ease felt in their exchange. She believed the saying was ‘third times the charm’ but the legitimacy of that had never held true in her life before this moment. “It is my duty to be the strength which you lack, worry not. Already can I feel the connection between us via the Grail’s contract.” It is at her chuckle does Saber catch herself attempting to give off an expression of joy. One which is cut short before lips can properly raise themselves to display. “You do not feel like one who shall hinder more, nor one I will hold quarrels with.” In fact she is perfect in a way that is almost unsettling. She can only hope that when the questions begin later, she is able to give some of her own towards this Master.

The first already accepted with ease, and a bit of entertainment included. She speaks no further than her initial question. Instead she takes this time to watch, wait, and assess what is to come. There is shock registered upon Y'shtola’s face followed by an upset. One can only guess pertains to the realization that there is a gap in her own personal knowledge. Clearly she is not one who likes to remain in the unknown on a situation.

“I believe so as all things are given with purpose.” A head nod, a quick remark, and once again does she idle when palm is left bare anew.

Only when her hand is lowered and registered in her personal grasp does Saber return her warmth. Despite best efforts it seems there is still a ways to go between the two of them with this. “I was taught that one holds to the other…” Carefully does she cradle the hand of her Master within her own two. Steel gauntlets mindful as the exchange of a lady Saber is used to from her time, is converted to the hold of an equal. Her own thumb slotted between opposing thumb and forefinger to finalize the move. “And then we shake.” A firm squeeze of reassurance given prior to the actual motion that she spoke upon. With that does she gain the handshake that she has desired.

In this all she cannot help but smile.

“Shall we be off to your quarters now?” As slick as she was the first time with the exchange of her hands is she once more. Her body moving to position itself not in front, but beside as Y'shtola’s hand is kept within her own. While she can sense the level of power to come through her due to their connection there is no mistaking the lack of… vision between them. Too many times as she remained unaware of the conditions of her partner. This time she will not be so foolish.

indeed. though their connection was not something which y'shtola was unaware of, her mention of it had drawn sudden attention to this bond which they shared. how curious, truly. as remarkable as it was, in it's own right---never before had she felt so closely to another; the bonds felt between friends and her fellow colleagues near paling in comparison. and that, she thought, was what was most terrifying of this entire ordeal. to feel the woman before her to be less the tool they described her to be and more... a part of her. the conjurer's silence had, perhaps, extended for but a moment too long---and perhaps in that moment, if briefly, she had lost herself within her thoughts. it would be rude to disengage in such a way, no?

``It is pleasing to know your thoughts on the matter,`` she responded, followed by the slight flicker of an ear, ``and though I am indeed looking forward to whatever fruits our labor will bear, I am not opposed to a quarrel or two.``

``All in good spirit, of course,`` she added before allowing herself to lean forward, if only some. ``It would keep things interesting, do you not think?``

her gaze became heavy lidded then as she paid heed to the way in which the blonde woman demonstrated this foreign greeting--no doubt a simple thing requiring little effort, however; better she to take great note than to forget, if another were to ever approach her thus. ``I see.`` a bare lilt of a laugh escaped her soon after, ``Those of my realm have many ways in which to great each other--why, my own people included... though none to ever do so thusly.`` even with her initial blunder, the miqo'te would forgive her ignorance if only by the remedy of having learned something new. ``I can but hope you've more to share with me, Saber. ... at a more appropriate hour, of course.`` it may not be entirely ideal to poke for more given their current circumstance. there were things of greater important to discuss first, no doubt.

truth now, y'shtola had expected the servant to have released her hand, and yet it would remain within her hold as she then moved to stand by her side. softly, she pursed her lips, refraining from allowing the hum bubbling in her throat to find release. it would seem this one had taken note of the very thing which many thought hindered her; alas, she could see well enough on her own and was in need of no assistance... a feat that did not come without a price, but such a thing was in need of no disclosure. so as long as she remained mindful of her own limitations, she would not struggle. still, she was not quite so crude as to merely snatch her hand away from her servant's hand due to pride. better to take advantage of this, if only to rest her vision for the time being.

``My quarters?`` she echoed in turn, tilting her head in saber's direction, eyes narrowing in amusement and with that gentle remaining clasp of their hands, drew her just a touch nearer, presenting her cheek, ``I believe them to be ours. I shan't be living alone. T'is yours as it is mine; or does the prospect of sharing quarters with me suit you not, Saber~?``

#░░░ ( TYPE )& para! ＼＼#░░░ ( PARA )& riothamus! ＼＼#░░░ ( TOME I )& riothamus! ＼＼#riothamus #( ZZZZZZZ )

riothamus:

For a moment she believes to have miscalculated on the condition of her Master’s eyes. The intensity at which she was stared upon cause her back to stiffen. Her feet adjusting her stance so that she may present herself more proudly. It was as if she was judged on a test she knew not the answers to. Whether she had passed or not, she couldn’t say when the gaze slackened some with the calling of her name.

“Yes?”

It was as if they were the mirror image of one another as both took to cock their head in thought. Really, it caused a short smile of amusement to cross her lips. This woman did not appear to be one to harbor ill intentions. Instead did she bring forth a side of playfulness to her which Saber was not sure to take as a hidden compliment or not. “I assure you they sing enough of me. I merely wish to assure you that with me, your trust is not misplaced.” At least she would try to play along a bit. The truth still slipping through as this was of importance. She had been cheated the first time she participated in these wars. It wasn’t till the second that she realized how important it was to clearly lay out such a platform between both sides. Running around blind, she’d be mindful never to speak that allowed, was never wise on this battlefield.

While there is a plethora of knowledge contained in her head it appears that Y'shtola was not graced with any backstory to her predicament. Irisviel had imparted much on to her during their banters over tea. Rin had been there to guide Shirou down his path. With no church in site she knew the duty now fell upon her. “Master, do not hesitate to place this questions before me. While I am no mage, I am sure to be able to provide insight where you are lacking.” A select choice of words. Saber had what she seek, but did not expose why that was. Whether doing so was wise she was still uncertain of, either way now was not the place for it.

When she stands corrected now, she merely nods. So far they looked to be making good progress with it all. “Very well Y'shtola I–”

Whatever was to come from her mouth next is halted. With the outreach of Y’shtola’s hand she had expected the return greeting of her palm. Instead was there weight held in her grasp and had her fingers not curled around the object given, she’d have dropped it. “What is… this?” Right after assuring her that she had answers, she gives a question. The strange cube brought closer to her face as eyes narrow in curiosity. This is the likes of which she’s never seen. Even with her connection to the Grail she is given no leads. In other words it is an object of little importance to a Servant.

“Y’shtola.” Again does she call her name, both in address in practice. “I do not understand why you have given this to me. I believe it should be kept on your person, not mine.” She holds out her hand again with the cube still present in it to be taken back. For a moment does her lip purse in thought, a facial expression only she can register.

“Are you unfamiliar with a handshake?” The question is bold and yet she herself knew not of the importance of such a gesture in the past.

perhaps her initial thoughts were not entirely misplaced given the servant's response. it was, perhaps, right to assume she knew much more of their current predicaments than what the conjurer had originally retained during her...orientation. a sense of relief was no doubt found in the prospect, however, natural as it was to her own nature, would spawn further question in need of answer. specifically, those now pertaining to her companion for the remainder of this war. ``Very well, I would prefer to grasp the situation as best as I can,`` a soft hum given, y'shtola would then bring her head to nod in assent; she would accept this offer of hers, and when appropriate, broach the subject of her person. ``Needless to say, I may not be as versed in these happenings as you seem to be... though I hope this partnership will be agreeable to you all the same.`` her laughter strained to soft chortles and her expression softened, from sun to mist. still warm but for a moment only tinged with a gentler emotion. one could only imagine what the future was to hold for them both and whether such an arrangement would bear their fruits.

momentary breath drawn, the master's lips drew apart to speak again... yet, upon the silence to follow, she found it wrapped about her own tongue as well. though not truly seeing, the servant's own pause held naught else but a strong sort of palpability which indicated y'shtola had done something not quite... right. it did not take saber long to prove her suspicions as accurate upon her query. it was not oft in her to show signs of embarrassment as she was known well for her poised mannerisms, yet the way in which her hand withdrew and found its way to her cheek---the way in which her fingers curled inward before knocking softly against her cheek, and the sudden flick of her tail could perhaps prove otherwise in that instant.

``Apologies, I have misunderstood your gesture,`` silence stole over the crowd, her final words murmuring barely above a whisper ( and if one were keen of ear, then mayhaps they would have caught just the smallest amount of dolefulness in her tone ), silver brows furrowing softly in thought as her opposing hand reached forth and took hold of the cube once more, withdrawing it from within her servant's palm and holding it firmly within her own. ``I suppose it would be best to keep this upon my person, less it were to be lost amongst the fray.``

and now to address what the other had expected of her.

y'shtola remained silent for but a moment more, her misunderstanding indicated her lack of understanding well enough, and her lack of response only reinforced it. there were many and more greetings shared amongst the peoples back home yet she herself had never engaged in this 'handshake' which the servant had proposed. by all means was it self-explanatory in its name; there was no need for guidance or demonstration, the hand to have pressed itself against her cheek now placed within the servant's grasp. still, it did not feel entirely correct.

``Now we shake, no?``

though having offered her hand, y'shtola had merely placed it as was within saber's own---as a lady would within an expectant hold.

#░░░ ( TYPE )& para! ＼＼#░░░ ( PARA )& riothamus! ＼＼#riothamus #( take it binCH )

riothamus:

@aetherflowed

While this was not her first summoning into this game of lives, it was certainly the most unique. The words of those deemed Creators still ringing in her head. The bit of unease that reached her ears when she objected to their desire for her to simple wait in a room. If she was here, so too was the Holy Grail. It meant there was a war to begin, and thus, a Master she is to protect. Waiting around in some foreign room in waiting was far from the actions of a knight.

Thus she stands patiently at this particular city door. Her senses telling her the one she is to be bound to awaits on the other end. Whether they will be of a perfect fit to her, or unequal, she cannot say. She can only hope to gain the further as hinges unlatch and she gains the first look at her partner.

There is a tinge of curiosity found in the eyes of an otherwise unreadable face as she cannot help but first look to the white ears on this woman’s head. Next does she gaze down to the eyes that face her with… nothingness. They are as void of sight as they are of coloration.

“ Master… I am your Servant, Saber. ” Instead of questioning the condition of her body does she instead get straight to formalities. “ Know that henceforth, my sword shall be with you, and your fate shall be with me. ” Thus does the knight recite what has come to be her initial pledge to all she has serves. The addition of a new action added on the end. One she learned from her previous experiences as important in growing bonds. Her hand tentative at first before reaching out to the other.

“ May we grasp victory together. ”

Master… I am your Servant, Saber.

for once… she was not listening with avid focus. her undivided attention was invested… elsewhere. the pure energy that enveloped her given companion was extraordinary; brilliant...completey and utterly singular. those to look upon her would find the light to have long fled her eyes, the green to have once filled them having faded and replaced with an empty white. this, however, was not to say the woman was without a sense of sight. the could see, no doubt different than the way in which she used to, but vision was not something she was entirely lacking---she could see her, this Servant of hers, standing before her as clear as day.

y'shtola approached the figure having waited for her beyond the Terminal with a touch of curiosity. a deadlier and far more dangerous thing altogether than any other such feeling giving the circumstances could ever be. there was much information to digest, many questions which demanded answers, blanks in her own memory to be filled...though the greater question, for now, was simply the makeup of this woman of golden head. the scent which clung to her form bit at her nostrils ---sharp, bitter; such known to those clad in steel. the conjurer found it strangely welcoming as the very drawl of her tongue. familiar, even, in a space of great uncertainty.

``Saber.``

her head cocked a bit, inspecting the familiar further, a rather soft expression stealing across her features. my, quite compliant to it all, is she not? another tossed into her current position would have surely voiced some form of objection, no? a question? had she a grasp of their situation or was she, very much like the miqo'te, making an effort to grasp it all calmly? surely their time together would provide some form of insight as to what currently runs through her mind, for now, she put it not to question.

to her promise, y'shtola simply gave a warm chuckle low in volume but potent to a tease. ``Such gallant words, no doubt worthy of song. I may know of one who would find envy in such...effortless poetry.`` my sword shall be with you, your fate shall be mine---were these not words many a young girl would dream of hearing? they have given her a prince, and she was not quite so deserving. ``I trust us both to take care, and though these circumstances are far from ideal, and I've many questions in need of an answer,`` the white-haired woman offered forth a nod, ``I shall entrust myself to you as I hope you will to me... On the condition that you do not address me as 'Master' alone.``

``Y'shtola, if you would--- Hm?``

it was only then that the conjurer took note of the other's outstretched hand. ... had she been tasked to place something within her palm? She had received nothing, only--- ah, yes. of course.

``Indeed.``

with that, she placed the Triplicata she had received upon awakening within the Servant's hand.

#░░░ ( TYPE )& para! ＼＼#░░░ ( PARA )& riothamus! ＼＼#░░░ ( TOME I )& riothamus! ＼＼#riothamus #( is this what u wanted saber she gave it to u )

``Ah? ---These?`` there was a delay in word in action as a hand momentarily raised to rest upon the crown of her head, forcing her ears to further part and flatten. characteristics such as her own were not uncommon in her realm... ah, but she was far from home now, was she not? perhaps the same could not be said of this girl's own home. hand returning to her side, the miqo'te offered forth a nod of her head, thereafter the tilt of her lips in a light smile.

``Quite real, I assure you. From the hesitation in your voice, might I assume you've not seen many Miqo'te before---? If any?``

@panthermask

#░░░ ( TYPE )& short! ＼＼#░░░ ( SHORT )& panthermask! ＼＼#░░░ ( TOME I )& panthermask! ＼＼#panthermask

she had, from a very young age, always been curious.

something to easily make the subject of a jest---curiosity killed the cat, as so many would say. and though so many of her own kin would deny the sharing of blood between their own and those no more than mere pets, they did indeed share in their traits. the flick of their tail upon dinging something of interest, for instance. the way it would twitch and sway when entertained. of course... she spoke of but some. not she, no; she was of greater refinement than some of her fellows, less inclined to fall to such base instincts... most of the time. when confronted by things of a stranger nature, that of foreign origin, was it not natural for those of scholarly mind to know more of it? perhaps one may never find (or witness, for that matter) her tail asway nor her ears in middle of an excitable flutter, but instead, the scrutinization of vacant eyes as they 'looked' down at the cube in hand, the pawing of her hands as her fingers pressed against this corner and that. immersed in the multitude of thoughts to run through her mind...

not entirely so, however, to not notice the soft patter of footsteps upon pavement.