RISING FLAMES!

▊狐 It was only natural that animals feared humans. They were brutish folk that razed forests and polluted water supplies all for the sake of their own, giving very little thought to the ecosystems they ravaged. It was all very deep and meaningful, but the kits hadn’t the foggiest about all that. They were merely afraid of the unfamiliar, like children being afraid of a lion at the zoo. The time when he was gone (begrudgingly) was when the children were at their most peaceful. They slept upon the Servant’s lap, only to wake noisily when the knight returned with a box.

Shooing the foxes off her, she rose to her feet and jumped over to his side, peering into the basket with interest before snatching it away and putting it down before the foxes. “Okay now, all aboard. We’re going to take you back to my inn where I can feed and take care of you, okay?” Obedient at they were to Tamamo, they all climbed in. Despite her delicate looking frame she managed to pick the basket up with relative ease thanks to her increased strength as a Servant.

“The foxes say ‘thank you’, Crimson-san. But might I ask you to accompany us the short distance to my inn? They say their mother was killed out of malice, and having someone as intimidating as yourself walking with us would certainly stave off the chance of being attacked.”

                 SILENTLY, his hand remained, extended out towards the young woman, even despite it being empty now. At the time, he was going to offer carrying the basket with the kits inside now for her, but upon seeing that she handled that task easily, his hand quickly retracts back to his side. The knight doesn’t respond to the ‘thank you’ given by the foxes ( according to her ), but even so he can’t feeling pleased with himself, a sliver of a smile soon upturning his lips. “Changed their tune already, have they?” To him, that was expected of course; he did think highly of himself after all.

“Being alive for a little while is better than being dead forever, isn’t it? And there’s a chance that you can stay around, although I don’t know if anyone’s ever done it…”

He paused in order to readjust his hat, even though it was already on straight.

“Although… I guess I’m alive here. But it would be nice to be a servant like my sister is. It would make us closer than ever!

                 “No, I’d rather stay dead.” Once he achieves his dreams in any case, after that, should he perish, he’d rather remain alive through historical texts rather than rising from the dead; he’d seen his share of the living dead enough as is, and he doesn’t envy them.

“P-Percival?!” He’s not sure what to say exactly, other than the obvious fact that he’s surprised to see him here, that he can’t imagine why they’d be able to grab him ( definitely not easily, given how Percival is, right? ) He rubs the back of his neck with anxious energy, glancing to the side before looking back up at him, holding out his arms for a bag, “Let me help!”

Maybe he’s a little too eager to, and… maybe he’s wrong, but he can’t help but feel like Percival seems to be too calm about all of this. Regardless, whatever confidence he has does make him feel a little better about their situation.

@percivale

                 HIS grip on the plastic bag grows slightly tighter upon hearing a familiar, yet now shaky voice call out to him; he halts in place, not bothering to physically turn to face him, and instead waits for the co-captain to approach him. It’s when Gran draws closer that he head shifts slightly, following the boy’s movements until he readily stops in front of the knight. Having seen his sister already, he had always wondered when he’d show up, though he never imagined that he’d appear right before him conveniently. “No, I’m perfectly capable of carrying my own bags. Instead, you should focus on dealing with reality.” If his disoriented state told Percival anything, it was that he was anxious, confused as to what was going on.

“You know! When a heroic spirit is summoned as a servant, they get summoned into a class. Usually archer, saber, lancer, rider, assassin, or caster, or berserker, but sometimes classes like avenger or ruler! And then you get stats and probably die again!”

He was new at exposition, but he tried.

“Nobukatsu isn’t famous enough to be one, but sometimes… I like to pretend…”

“Could you imagine if Nobukatsu was a real servant…? Do you think I’d be something cool like a Saber?”

@percivale ✦

         ❝ Percival, it really is you! ❞ her eyes widen with awe at the sight of the dragon knight. it is difficult for her to not act like such an excited child when meeting her friends once again, but then again, that is what she is in reality. such starry-eyed vigor is admirable for a captain. 

         ❝ I’m super positive you had an easier time than me adapting to the city. —Ooh! Have you ever visited the bakery right around the corner? It’s amazing! ❞

                 EVEN in spite of the smile prominent across his lips, the tone of his voice blunt, and slightly rough around the edges. “Hmph... it’s difficult to adapt to a place I care little for. That being said, I suppose this city does have its merits.” Surely not the greeting anyone would expect as a response, however to Djeeta, it should be all too normal. It’s faint, but his smile grows brighter for a moment ( the only indication of his happiness in over seeing her again ) before vanishing entirely. 

     “Ah, it’s you.” Behind a pile of three kittens the small woman grins, walking towards the other with a worryingly happy grin. 

     “So this is where we put them when we’re done? Here you go~” She says with a twinge of frazzled tone, lifting up her puss n’ boots bundle in attempt to shove them in the man’s arms.

                 “Wait, hold on—”

     ❝ Aha. You say that yet even so, I still carry concern for the safety of others, ❞ and while she informs the stranger with a kind smile, the blonde makes motions to grab the bow strapped onto her back.

     ❝ And while ‘using force’ is definitely an option… I would prefer to use it as a last resort, if possible. I wonder; if we were to move quietly and calmly, would the plants or whatever they may be leave us alone? ❞

                 “... Do I appear the sort to use force?” A chuckle passes his lips consequent to his words. Although it wasn’t his initial thought, it was nonetheless a thought that crossed his mind. The idea that followed was less severe, and similar to hers—refrain from using such force until it’s required.

▊狐 The kits being wary of the knight was certainly a complication. He couldn’t understand what they were saying… and it was probably for the best as they hurled one childish insult after another his way as they backed off. They seemed to cut it out when they noticed the fox woman glaring down at them with killing intent, though it didn’t really solve the issue.

“Hmm… I know this human is fairly scary looking, like he might crush you all CRUNCH CRUNCH CRUNCH, but…!” Easing the worries of children was clearly not among her fortes. “Perhaps we can find something for you to ride in? Ah, yes! We can make it fun!” Clapping her hands together enthusiastically her gaze turned back to Percival.

“Knight-san! Find something fun to transport them in, please!”

                 IF they weren’t absolutely terrified of him before, they certainly were now. The fox pups begin to mewl once again, though this time the sounds they make come out far more distressed, as are their actions, backing away and crouching to the ground in obvious fear. A groan escapes him as he shifts his attention to the young lady at his side, his fingers pressing his forehead in frustration. “Understanding them and alleviating their uneasiness are clearly two separate things.” It’s a softly spoken remark—a jab at her ‘talents’, though it’s drowned out by her following request towards him. Generally speaking, he didn’t take kindly to being ordered around, and although he thinks to refuse her at first, the sudden change in the fox kits’ cries ( from upset to enthusiastic ) causes him to hold back. “Fine. Stay here, understood?” His feet proceed to move in the direction in which he came from, not even waiting a response from her.

@percivale

     ❝ Be sure to watch your step! ❞ the blonde advises the stranger walking onto the scene, a thin hand raised slightly to halt him within his steps.

     ❝ I am certain I saw the ground move in a strange manner… So there might be something slithering about underneath the surface. ❞

                 “You’re perceptive.” A compliment is all he offers as a response, one accompanied with a smile. Though he addresses her, his gaze still remains focused on the unusual path before him. “I, however, am aware of what lurks about, so you needn’t concern yourself with me.” The grip he has on the shaft of his sword’s sheath tightens, and shortly afterwards his lips part once more to voice his thoughts aloud.

CHARACTER FLAWS &&. STRENGTHS | 001 ↳ Bold what applies to your muse!

⚔ FLAWS

moody | short-tempered | emotionally unstable | whiny controlling | conceited | possessive | paranoid | lies impatient | cowardly | bitter | selfish | power-hungry greedy | lazy | judgmental | forgetful | impulsive vengeful | stubborn | sadistic | petty | unlucky

♛ STRENGTHS

@percivale

▊狐 “Hey, you! Muscles McGee over there!” Her voice called out suspiciously from a dark alleyway in the middle of the night. “Come here for a sec?” It was a situation that look exceedingly shady, but if he were to follow her voice he’d find it was nothing of the sort. She was merely sitting before a litter of ten fox kits that were all squeaking at her as they crawled all over.

“These little ones are telling me their mother was killed nearby. They have nowhere to go. But I can’t transport them all to my inn by myself.”

                 WHAT fully draws his attention is the soft mewling sounds of those fox pups calling out from the rather dark alleyway. Of course, her own beckons towards him also adds to his sudden interest. That intended insult of hers is easily overlooked, gaze falling to look upon the fox kits at her feet for a moment or so before rising to scrutinize the young lady that had addressed him. Her appearance was notable, especially to him. Percival, however, puts such thoughts aside, instead intrigued by her following words. “... Understand them, do you?” Although it appears to be a question, it’s more or less an observation that was vocalized on his part. Shortly afterwards, a faint smile upturns his lips, though it no sooner disappears, replaced by an expression more serious. “Step aside then.” Regardless of that request, he doesn’t wait for her to move at all; he steps forward and begins to kneel down to close the distance he has with the foxes.

Reminiscing about the past is something he does often because he’s proud of what he accomplished, that out of the many who had come before him that he was considered most important. His face noticeably brightens at Percival’s question, he’s happy to answer. “Of course. I was not only a king; I was a god. I sat upon the throne of the greatest civilization in modern history. My name was recorded in books, taught by scholars, even now generations later I am hailed as the greatest to have ever lived. It was I who brought my country to peak prosperity.” It was impressive, anyone would be astonished.

It was true though, that in the end maybe none of what he said truly mattered seeing as they had both come from separate worlds, but even then Ozymandias is sure that he had been alive long before Percival had been born, whenever that had been. “Regardless, you are human and your star will fade eventually.” Into history just as Ozymandias had gone, only to be called back to life by something as supernatural as the Holy Grail itself. “A heroic spirit does not truly die, we merely lie dormant until summoned by the grail to participate in another war.”

“But, this city? There is no such thing that awaits me. I’m merely…existing to fulfill my purpose.”

                 IT’S rather nice, hearing him speak so proudly of his past life. The subtle actions he displays, along with his slightly beaming smile noting on his pride—both are a contrast to his prior blank expression and doubt. The knight listens to him intently; even with his particular choice of words, how he had spoken only of his own achievements as a god king, Percival wasn’t bothered, he was used to this from him, after all. As per their agreement however, he wished to know more about his kingdom as well; he’s about to inquire about just that until he hears his next following statement regarding the knight himself. “... Hmph...” It’s a soft scoff, one that’s neither intended nor regretted. “A life filled with immortality, is that it? I would care little for it, even if the choice was graciously presented before me at my feet.” Then, seconds after, an arrogant smirk parts his lips before he continues on. “It’s an undeniable fact that both myself and my actions will remain throughout history long after my passing—that's enough.” His tone is indifferent to the matter—nearly uninterested, despite his egotistical words and that matching smile. Though he makes it very difficult for himself, he wishes to appear slightly modest to others, not that he tries all that much.

“Is it so bad that I do?” The words come out in a whisper. On quiet nights like these where everything but them seemed still, watching the rise and fall of Percival’s chest were calming. It reminded Ozymandias that though he looked human; he wasn’t and while Percival certainly wasn’t fragile by any means, his life was seen as a precious thing. “So often I remember that I have long since stopped being human if I ever were in the first place.” He shifts onto his back, facing the ceiling.

“Such is the will of the Gods that I exist again, long after my reign has ended.” Eyes fall shut in silent acceptance and yet another moment passes before shifting back onto his side to look towards his companion. “My kingdom was a sight to behold, I still remember everything, events from long before you ever existed and the world remained pure.”

                 IT was a strange occurrence, hearing him speak rather forlornly about his past coupled with questioning what he is or perhaps better put, was. Percival can only stare at him silence, observing any subtle movements he took while addressing him. After a minute or so, he finally let’s a soft laugh slip passed his lips, and shortly afterward, his elbow props up onto his pillow in order to close their distance a bit more. “What an odd thing for you to say... regarding yourself as human...” Despite knowing little to nothing about him, the knight had spent enough time with him to know how uncharacteristically he was being as of this moment, yet this shift in his demeanor was strangely alluring to Percival. “A Heroic Spirit... was it? So even before you were... resurrected, so to speak... you had had unearthly powers...?” It wouldn’t be bizarre if he had, considering he had powers himself; no, he asks simply due to his own curiosity, and because he knows Ozymandias will indulge him.