BOY KING.

There had been connections during his life, of course. Connections to the Garden of Avalon, connections to faeries who lived thousand of years and thousands more and could tell tales of her life, of her knight’s lives, of even her father and grandfather and whoever else came before her. There had been connections then, and to think Richard would ever find someone with connections to her now is… It leaves him speechless. It’s a feeling that wraps around his chest and suffocates his lungs, takes his breath away, but all for a reason much greater than he would ever have thought.

Does he truly deserve such thing? All of this information? Someone who has not only met the King of Knights herself, but so many versions of her! The Throne of Heroes is truly a wonderful thing - for it to make so many versions of the one person he worships the most and allow him to ever have the chance of meeting at least a couple of them, at different parts of her life…!

Ah, he could cry right now. Is he? Possibly. Perhaps a threatening tear, just seconds from leaving his eye.

“To hear such a thing…! I can hardly believe it myself. I may have possibly met one of these many versions of the King of Knights before, but to think there are more! Of course they are all the King I adore and worship, but I have yet to meet the one and only. Ah, but of course I would want to know all of them! Are they all from different parts of her life? I have met King Arthur when she was on her quest to become king, ‘Lily’ she said she was called. Maybe there are younger versions? Older? Such a blessed day, to think I could meet even more versions of her!” His eyes glisten, shine, beam - reds that many times are compared to a beast’s eyes, nearly merciless, are now soft and captivated by such simple words. How lucky this little Servant is, to have met all of them, to be able to speak about Arthur Pendragon in such ways!

And once more, Richard sighs out his excitement. He could hop in place, jump up and down like a child, maybe even spin, throw his arms up and rolls on the floor. That’s about as much excitement as filled his chest. “It’s quite understandable. The life of the King of Knights was hardly a peaceful one - but as ashamed as I am to say, doesn’t that only make everything more interesting?! The Knights of the Round Table may be known as wicked and twisted, but they’re so captivating…! The way their King has lived her life and withstood all her hardships has always been an inspiration. I have much to thank her for that.” His own life, after all, had hardly been the easiest one to live. A crown he has never thought would belong on his head, people he never thought he would come to reign over ( and then disappoint ), scars that eventually made their way to his body in more ways than one. Certainly, the many tales of the King Arthur Pendragon have always allowed Richard I to live through his own life.

“Ah - I apologize. I seem to be getting caught up in the mood. It’s just so hard to believe all of this… I do hope the Mage of Flowers isn’t too offended, however. I am very happy to say I have met him before, and though he indeed does not have a beard, it’s a habit from my time. Tales, of course, and rumors, many times from angered women, but… No, that doesn’t matter. I would like to ask for your name… or a Class, of course. We are both still Servants, after all. You have provided several valuable information, and yet I hardly know what to call you!”

“It’s fine. Like I said before, you’re passionate. That’s certainly an admirable trait to hold.” 

If a little disorientating having heard him go on and on about the King of Knights. She had come after his life time, so he never really held much of an interest in her - and his older self, well, that was another story. If anything, the only thing Gilgamesh really held any interest in was her blade and that was purely because he could never have it appear within his treasury. Arturia was a pleasant woman to speak to, he wouldn’t deny that, but to be worshiped by this unknown Servant - was she really deserving of such? ( Well, to each their own. )

Oh, but the topic of all her alternate selves - that would certainly take a while. Just the abridged version then. “Yes, Lily is an example of her youthful self. There is also her ‘adult’ self, another Saber, though due to the Holy Blade she hasn’t really aged much from the younger version of herself,” he decided it better to omit Alter. This man could experience her if he ever happened upon the woman. Gilgamesh wasn’t going to shatter any idealized fantasies he holds for Arturia. That one time she dressed up as Santa - that could be ignored too. “Then there would be the version of Arturia who never pulled out the Holy Blade and actually aged, a sort of singularity Servant. She was summoned under the Lancer class. Oh, and another alternate version of the King of Knights would be one who came from a world where Arthur was born male. Another Saber of course, with the difference being sex. He is quite interesting, though I haven’t spoken much to him. Apparently the Merlin from the world he hails from was a woman too, just a curious fact.” 

Never in his life as a Servant had he expected to speak so much about the King of Knights, yet here he was. This was exhausting, truly. 

He was… small.

Much smaller than she knew the King of Heroes to be.

After all they had experienced, and the behaviour, even pursuit, that he had demonstrated towards her within wars, it had never once crossed her mind just what sort of child he may have been. What he had been before donning the crown of arrogant king-hood. Only as adult had she crossed his way, as Archer before the city, and Caster upon arrival.

Astonishment paralyzed her so intensely that she had been staring without awareness; to his discomfort. Only his questions stirred her from fixated trance, and spurn her to shake away the bemusement.

“My apologies. I am fine, there is no need for concern. Do forgive my gawking; never had I anticipated that another side to Archer may be summoned”. A pause, throughout she resisted the temptation to grimace; even his childhood mirror could see what about his future irked her and others. How embarrassing it must be. for the child.

“Yet have I to see him here as I know him, therefore we may leave him to one side. It cannot be an easy situation for yourself, to recognize the problems in his attitude, yet share such relationship with him”. She smiled. “It’s pleasing to learn that you did not surrender yourself to an attitude of his”.

Her expression was quite funny, though he had expected as much. 

The adult version of himself really was a handful, and that was putting it lightly. Still, his expression remained straight as he looked up at her, letting her say her part once she finally recovered from the lapse in thought. “Hm, well it is quite common for different aspects of a Heroic Spirit to be summoned. For example - I’ve seen plenty incarnations of you as well, King of Knights, back from where I came from. But don’t worry, it surprises everyone to discover we are one in the same, technically speaking.” 

Too many, if he was being honest, but he could leave that much out of the conversation. It wasn’t a time to stir up any negative topics, they were being pleasant and polite. 

♦♦♦ – “‘Indecent’ is an understatement! He thinks just because he’s handsome he can go around flashing girls like me! Grr… I never want to see one of those again!” The Sakura Labyrinth was so long ago and yet some wounds could never quite be fully healed. She already had a bad opinion of men, he certainly hadn’t helped.

“Gh… I guess I can understand that mentality a little. I don’t want to be associated with Carmilla either! I’m never going to turn into a vampire like her!”

"- he flashed you.” 

✒ She snickered. “Is there anything wrong with being a workaholic? You’re speaking to one of the most renowned workaholics in history you know.” Even in Chaldea she was always working. She did find leisure time here and there, but even that time was better spent helping others with their own tasks. There were times where she longed for rest of course and she would act on them, but by modern social norms she would certainly be seen as someone that worked too much. 

“It’s a shame, I’m sure there are plenty of Servants that would avoid all of you thanks to the actions of Archer, hm?” She could think of a few that spoke of Gilgamesh with venomous tongue off the top of her head. The conversation had gotten more casual over its course, but the moment the child inquired into her intentions her smile faded and her expression turned more serious.

“Insurance.” It was the only reason anyone needed a back-up of anything. “Goetia and the Demon Pillars have been subdued, but between the events of Shinjuku and Salem it’s become increasingly clear to me that there are threats to humanity that are still active. If anything were to happen to Chaldea or myself… I wouldn’t be able to look the previous acting directors in the eyes if I didn’t have something prepared. I would have liked to make a backup that resembled this form more, but on such short notice I couldn’t quite acquire the materials particularly with the Association intervening.” She shrugged and shook her head.

“The me I plan on leaving behind… She’ll still be me, ultimately. But I hope you all can help guide her when she first awakens. Well… preferably it will never come to that.”

"There’s nothing wrong with it in the slightest, if you manage it correctly. I’d just rather not see my older self collapsing as a result of overwork just yet, despite everything.” Musing on the idea of seeing the Caster just drop like a pin one day, and finding himself not surprised at the image at all, Gil sighed and chuckled at her other remark. “And yes, a lot of them tend to have precognition's about my character once they see me and realize I am indeed the King of Heroes. Chaldea is - was - quite welcoming though, and since it held plenty of other child Servants including myself, I was never bored when I was there.” 

Oh, but there it was again. That tone that reminded him that whatever visions he had once held for the future, before arriving in this city, were likely going to come to pass once this singularity was done away with, that once they returned to Chaldea - if they could return to Chaldea - the peace they had hoped for was not absolutely guaranteed despite King Solomon’s actions. Da Vinci was wiser than most despite not holding the omnipotence other Servants like himself did, and she understood that demons were not the only threat to their organisation - humans were their own vices after all, and it was likely that once they landed in Chaldea, things would ‘hit the fan’ once again. Forgetting about Shinjuku and the other oddities - the turnover of power within Chaldea was not going to go smoothly, that much he had predicted a long time ago, back when he could see. 

It was an accident–

Jon still wasn’t used to this. He moved instinctively and more recently his reflexes were betraying him. Where he was used to taking long leaps and bounds without any drawbacks.. Here his powers were very limited. One thing lead to another and…

❝Ow!❞

Like most children, he should be used to this. Actually? He should be used to a lot more! But with his current situation, this was pretty painful! Hands and knees scratched up… As much as it stung, he kept a good face when he looked up at the other boy. ❝O-Oh… Hi.❞ Now Jon was a little embarrassed.. He was sure that he’d been seen but being approached like this was something else entirely, wasn’t it?

❝I’m fine–! Really…❞

Maybe he was being a little stubborn there.. He did take the boy’s hand though– With the less scratched up hand. Once he was back on his feet, Jon took a moment to gather himself before nodding with a sheepish smile. ❝Thank you.. Don’t worry. That won’t happen anywhere dangerous.. I’ll definitely be more careful.❞ He couldn’t keep being reckless! Not while he was mostly on his own right now.. So he should accept the help he was offered, right?

❝Um! And I’d really appreciate it if we could go to the clinic… I’m Jon, by the way!❞

"Right, right. As long as you know now.” 

He had met enough people who had been too worried about worrying others to let them know they were hurt - but he was a kid, and seeing through children was easy. This one was easy enough to work with however, and seemed amiable at the idea of being patched up - which, in Gil’s mind, was wise. This place was bad enough as it was. He didn’t want mere children, one’s who were not Servants, to get caught up in anything. “It’s this way then!” 

Now, Gil hadn’t actually spoken to Dr. Roman since arriving here, but he had learned that the man had opened a clinic. Not a surprise really, but it was nice to know. Yet, the fact that his older self actually worked in the establishment made Gil was happy to walk right on into the clinic despite the fact that there was a very obvious ‘closed’ sign hanging outside the door. Really, Roman  needed to learn how to lock up better - he had probably forgotten to. Regardless, once the pair were in the examination room, he gestured to a little chair while Gil himself scurried around to gather what he felt was necessary - disinfectant, a wipe, bandages - that would do it. And with a brief warning on the sting, he went to work, wiping away at the small wounds that had emerged on this boy - Jon’s - knees. 

                                                     〘 💩 〙

        “Look, it came already prepared. What a nice gift from the steeds.” 

don’t say a n y o n e now

“Certainly so. I imagine a good few are dissatisfied with things; if not the restrictions we’ve been placed under, then the city itself and those who rule it.” There were a good number of things to be dissatisfied over, after all. Shirou himself was one, though he did well enough to temper such dislike through vigorous distraction and planning. “But if they prove to be a problem, well… That’s why there are Servants like you and I. At least our Master’s won’t have to worry that way.”

He finished his tea, hummed pleasantly, then poured another cup with a smile. “Ha, yes, that’s true. The oldest hero, and the longest incarnated Servant, chatting over tea. Many would be surprised, I believe.” If was a fact Shirou shared with few and far between, but the current version of Gilgamesh was a well-trusted acquaintance. He wouldn’t call what they shared friendship - their goals diverged in two opposing directions, naturally - but they never went for the other’s throat. That, as far as Shirou was concerned, proved something.

“Ah, that is curious. Quite interesting, too.” Not to mention suspicious. Shirou contemplated quietly, watching his tea stir with gentle ripples. Time was always a mysterious factor with Servants. To think it would be a concerning matter here, too. Yet he had always suspected as such. Yet, more interesting was Gilgamesh’s admittance to being here before. Never during his days at Chaldea did he notice the small King missing.

Shirou sipped the tea slow, his smile inching upward. “In that case, would you care to serve alongside me at the Church? Not under any official capacity, of course. But if you’re bored, I could find you a number of things to do. There are a good few Servants serving there also, as a merry band. That way, at least, you’ll be preoccupied for a while.”

"It seems like it hasn’t happened to just me either. I’ve met a few others who have experienced returning to their homes, only to find that they’re brought back here.” 

Not many in terms of Servants, unfortunately, but still - people who shared the same problem meant he wasn’t alone in experiencing it. “I doubt I was missing when you were still back home, right? I mean, I’m not the strongest Servant out of all that have been summoned, but I’m pretty easy to spot wandering around since I’ve been working with our Master’s for such a length of time. If I was suddenly missing, it would be obvious to one who pays attention. Regardless, it is a little irritating to know they can pull us in and push us out whenever they feel like doing so. I know we are only experiments to them - but it still pulls a nerve.”

The Church? 

Well - given that the person he was speaking to was extremely inclined in favor of faith and was known as a Saint in Japan, it wasn’t a surprising offer. Actually, he should have really expected it. But in terms of his own faith, while Gilgamesh was a child of the Gods, more divine than human - he wasn’t devout in any sense. He respected the Gods as was expected of him, bestowed upon them offerings whenever the date demanded it and prayed to them during festivals and gatherings of his people, but he never truly gave them much more than that. In a sense, that was what began their antagonism towards him in the first place - the fact that he never revered them the way they felt he ought to. Still, having a place in this city to occupy his boredom would be appreciated - as would interacting with others. A Church was a gathering place of believers and non-believers, a place where people went to feel safe or have someone to talk to. 

eyes emoji

FILL IN —

I like to be called: wynn. My favorite color is: uhhhhhhhhhhh purple Gender: nb! i use he/his!  One thing you should know about me: i’m literally always at the hospital. all the doctor’s know me and at this point they are never surprised to see me they’re just like ‘oh wynn’s back’ and i demand a nice room One thing you should know about my muse: he’s a little shit. he acts cute but he can be awful First language: english Second language?: irish. kinda. sorta. its complicated. i’m in a complicated relationship with my national language I live in: ireland. usually the west but i go to college in the east. 

HIGHLIGHT —

Age range:  under 13  |  14–17 |  18–22 |  23–25  | 26–29  |  30+ |  70+ Am I okay with NSFW?:  yes |  no | sometimes My favorite/most common thing to RP is:  angst |  fluff | smut |  crack  |  other OC friendly?:  yes  |  no  |  depends RP blog  does |  doesn’t:  contain OOC posts.

TAGGING —

       It may not be something new to Richard, but meeting new Servants has always been an exciting part of his Servant life - be it during a Grail War, or while trapped in this rather indulgent place, the Saber has always been enthusiastic about new meetings, new challenges, new friends or foes. While most of their kind would have likely grown wary at the presence of another, perhaps materialized their weapon or held it tighter in their hands, Richard does not.

       No, instead, he smiles. Genuinely, like a child would upon finding someone who had the same interests as them. That is all it shows in the taller blonde’s expression - a childish gleam upon the actual child’s words, a word he has never thought he would hear a stranger say. A stranger, but surely a future friend!

       “You know of Excalibur? How excellent! I never thought I would find someone else who can recognize it so soon!” Richard beams and gleams and shines and those red eyes, so reminiscent of a beasts, look like nothing but a kid who has just been given a gift they have wanted for months, years even!

       The gift of meeting another who knows of the Arthurian Legends. There is nothing else Richard would wish in the world. His expression turns into a concerned one, then, but definitely bearing the same curiosity of seconds before. “You think so? No - more importantly! Have you met the King of Knights in person? Oh, you must tell me all about it! Do you really think she would be upset by it? Mad? By Merlin’s beard, I do hope she doesn’t take it as an offense. I would never, in my previous lives and the current one I bear, and all the ones I may live through to each summoning, wish to offend King Arthur herself. The mere idea of it pains my heart more than I can express. All I hope is that my actions will bring her honor, and by her name and the name of the Knights of the Round Table, the much revered ancestors of my land, I wish to make her proud.”

       Richard pauses - finally -, a mix of feelings running across his features. Excitement, worry, happiness, sadness, curiosity. Who would ever have thought such a small Servant would bring forth such intense feelings again! “I apologize for my rushed words. Was it too much for you? I have been told I come onto people far too strongly - I do not wish to scare you away.”

Gil slowly asked the Gods from within his mind what he had started and why he deserved a punishment in the form of what seemed like never ending praise of the King of Knights flowing from this man. His lips began pursing as he slowly hid his hands in the pockets of his pants to hide them clenching, and slowly he zoned out, waiting for the man to stop talking for a moment and allow the King of Heroes a word inwards. 

This unknown Servant was - well - very passionate about King Arthur, and yes, Gilgamesh quite liked her too. He could understand why someone would like her. She was interesting to say the least, though her wish for the Grail was a little problematic. But she had her problems much like every person did, and he wasn’t planning on calling her out on them. There was no reason to. A part of the beauty of humanity was how they suffered, it was natural. Yet this man - he definitely did not know Artoria, at least not personally, and despite this he was unceasing in his praise for the woman. Gilgamesh doubted that this man even hailed from her time - the ancestors of his land? So he was a King of Great Britian? 

But it seemed like he had finally stopped. Finally. 

“It’s, uh, fine. I can’t deny your passion, and well, you’re very - passionate. Absolutely.” Being at a loss for words was rare for the king, and he had to take a moment to dwell on how he was going to go about this. After his experience with just a mention of the knight, he didn’t suddenly want to set this avid fan at her without a moment’s notice. Perhaps he’d bring him up slowly, mention him briefly the next time he saw her - and probably tell her to avoid him with her life. “I’ve seen her wield it enough to recognize it, and since its one of the few treasures I cannot own, I’ve allowed myself to grow familiar with it out of respect.” 

Encountering a Servant he had never spoken to, let alone seen, was new to Gil - who had spoken to many as a result of being summoned to Chaldea for such a long period of time. He was one of the first, though one of the weaker few, but his time there had produced many interesting encounters. This particular encounter was rather interesting though - and that was purely from the blade that this unknown Servant held. No matter what angle Gil looked at it, the answer stayed the same.

It was identical bar one particular feature - “A crimson Excalibur?” 

But upon approaching it for a closer inspection, even the weakened King of Heroes could tell that something didn’t add up. “... No, that isn’t the genuine article. I thought so.” He was, after all, the owner of all the world’s treasures. A crimson Excalibur, if it existed, he would undoubtedly know about it. Yet, the blade that this man held lacked any significant power at all. It was simply a replica - an ornament. Odd for a Servant to have, even in this city.