TEST DRIVE MEME

[behind_the_box]

Starting now, we'll put up a new one of these very month! Feel free to use the current setting of Pandora (Christmas in July) or make up your own! You can also use the following scenarios if you'd prefer:

1. Mushroom Kingdom

Have you ever wanted to be a fairy? Well now you are, even if the answer was no! The City is a big, big place, all of a sudden. Houses are roomy affairs inside giant mushrooms, there are colorful flowers everywhere you look, and the animals are always friendly! Unfortunately, the only food items being sold in the market this month are fruit, fruit, and.... more fruit.

2. School Town

You may be too old to attend the academy, but that doesn't seem to matter; your attendance is mandatory anyway. Or perhaps you're there to teach, because you're the only resident of Pandora that possesses a certain skill. It doesn't matter if it can't be learned; you have to come up with a lesson plan anyway. At least the uniforms aren't some god awful color, right?

3. Zombie Apocalypse.

There's no coming back from death in Pandora, so you'd better do all you can to survive. Three quarters of the city are already infected, and this is the last stand. Are you going to pool your resources and try to make it together, or is it time to stop trusting others and go it alone until the month is over?

Comments

Saber (Diarmuid Ua Duibhne) | Post-Fate/Zero AU (Canon Point: Post 6th Grail War/Corruption's War)

[shatteredservice]

(OOC: I am indecisive. Leave me alone. *hides*)


Prompt: Arriving in the City during the Christmas in July Event!

[Was it not enough that the Throne of Heroes had shattered? Was it not enough that order and common sense had scattered to the four winds the moment that countless heroes had been returned to the world they had once ruled, fought, and died upon? Had not that insanity been enough to deal with?

Is Diarmuid really standing in the middle of a city made out of gingerbread houses and covered in an impossible amount of snow?

Unconsciously, his left hand lifts to rub at his right shoulder, at the place where his right arm would be if it had not been severed by his master so that the magus could cheat the system and sacrifice his servant to the Corruption for a wish instead of bothering to win the war and earn his wish as it should have been.

Diarmuid sighs, looking around the city again before seeming to come to some kind of conclusion and calling out to those passing nearby.]

Pardon me. I would have a moment of your time...

[allthetime]

(ooc: NO NEVER /slams into <3)

[The troll girl stops to look at him and giggle as though he made a joke, wings fluttering just slightly as she grins at him in the friendliest way possible.]

You look lost. Would you like some help?

[shatteredservice]

(OOC: But... But... *flails uselessly*)


[There had once been a time when Diarmuid would have taken her laughter and her grin in the friendly way they are probably intended, but that time had ended when his soul had been ripped apart by the Corruption. While his death at his fellow Saber's hands and the bright hope-filled light of Excalibur's blade had driven most of that taint from him, a small bit still sleeps--still waits--in his soul. While it doesn't do much in its sleeping state, it does darken his emotions. Makes him doubt where he once would not. Makes him suspect when he once would not have.

Like he suspects right now.

And it doesn't help she's....a fairy? What is going on here?]

Yes, I could use some help. What madness has taken a hold of this place? This...is not normal.

[allthetime]

(OOC: SHHH. ONLY FUN NOW.)

Normalcy is relative.

[The girl shrugs, smile never fading. It's difficult to say if she doesn't notice his more reserved body language, or if she just doesn't care.]

But then so is madness I suppose! It's a human festival of some sort I think.

[shatteredservice]

[What a strange answer. He gives her odd appearance a closer look. While Diarmuid had compared her to a fairy before, the comparison had mostly been in jest. Now he is not so sure. The Fairy Folk were well known for speaking in riddles after all.]

It is. If what I am recalling is correct, it is something close to what the Winter Solstice celebration would have been for people of my time. However such celebrations are not usually so...extreme. What magic was used to transform these buildings so?

[allthetime]

[She's not a fairy, but she may as well be; while Aradia is honest and forthright, she also talks very quickly and not in the most understandable manner. She would probably be amused at the comparison!]

I can't comment on the way your human celebrating has evolved honestly since it's all strange to me. The buildings just kinda do that when it's time to do that.

I'm sorry; I don't have anyone else to tag with right now. ;;

[proteusmoon]

No, it's fine.

[ The knight in her black gambeson, boots, and breeches turns to look up at the man to her right. Although the expression on his face is telling enough itself, she's guessing he's new because she saw the management representative speaking to him while she was crossing the street. She gives him a friendly smile and inclines her head to one side. ]

Is... everything all right? I saw them talking to you a moment ago. Are you in trouble or...?

*pats* It's fine! :-D

[shatteredservice]

Trouble? No, no trouble yet that I know of, though I expect the Association will not approve of a servant in a situation like this...

[Diarmuid trails off, left hand lifting to again rub at his shoulder. He might not have been back from the Throne for very long, but already it is becoming a nervous habit.]

What is going on in this place? Are the buildings always so...edible?

[proteusmoon]

[ Cecil doesn't understand what he means by "the Association", but as a "servant" is an occupation, she can only guess that it has something to do with his past— a matter involving the world he came from. ]

Mm, you must be new then. Unfortunately, I cannot say for sure myself, as I've only just arrived a week ago, but I've been told that the... atmosphere of the city changes every so often, while the general layout remains the same.

[ She notices the fidgeting, but refrains from asking about his shoulder for now. It shocks her to see someone missing a limb like he is, despite that she's seen all sorts of people here. Because of her background as a military soldier, Cecil is ever sensitive to the fact that such matters are the sort to be approached gently, so she says nothing about it at the moment. ]

I'm glad to hear there's no trouble, though I'm sorry you're stuck here with us. The laws of the city are ever-changing and most of them are quite odd. Even so, there are punishments for breaking them.

[ Cecil sighs softly, turning her gaze to one of the gingerbread buildings nearby. ]

I would not try to eat anything though...

[shatteredservice]

My apologies.

[He bows his head to her slightly.]

I never stopped to consider that you might be new here as well. Do you happen to know what the current set of laws in the city is then? I have no wish to break them while I am attempting to get settled in. Especially if there are...punishments as a result.

[The hand rubbing his shoulder pauses in its motions before tightening against it. What his master had done had been a punishment right? For not working fast enough to win the war. For not being strong enough. For failing.

Doubt, pain and betrayal all cloud Diarmuid's eyes for a few moments before he manages to push them away. He will deal with that all later. For now, he needs to deal with figuring out this place.]

You say you are new as well, so I will understand if you do not know, but if you do I will greatly appreciate any assistance you can give me.

[proteusmoon]

[ Again, Cecil picks up on the subtle body language and she silently berates herself for moving her eyes to his shoulder in interest. Her attention snaps back to his face when she catches herself and she focuses on his words instead. ]

No, that's all right. You had no way of knowing.

[ But then even his face reflects what he's feeling and it becomes that much harder for her to ignore. ]

I will happily help in any way I can, but-- please forgive me. I don't mean to pry, but-- are you all right? Does it... hurt-- the site of the amputation?

[wealthreliant]

[Fending off the snow in an ivory cap and a snow leopard-printed jacket does not seem to be helping Gilgamesh's mood much. A few days of cold, fine. A few inches of snow, fine. But this was unacceptable, and the only reason he wasn't lashing out more was because of the current state of his treasury.

He hears the voice but doesn't acknowledge it as recognizable, turning his head to look back the way he had just walked.

Though his lips somehow manage to remain flat, there is a very obvious snort of amusement as he looks at the decidedly worse-for-wear Lancer.]

Look what the cat dragged in.

[Someone has probably been watching more TV than really necessary.]

[shatteredservice]

[Lancer no longer, but Saber--a class change Diarmuid will all to gladly show Archer given the chance. In fact, his hand tenses when his eyes fall on the other servant and he confirms that yes, the haughty voice does belong to who he remembers it belonging to. He almost calls Moralltach to hand, but stops himself. He is too new here. He doesn't know all the rules and it would be unwise to start a conflict now even if the darkness in his soul stirs happily at even the thought of cutting down the cocky servant a peg or two.

Instead, Diarmuid forces the emotions seeing Archer have stirred in him away, letting an indifferent mask fall over his face. Yes, he remembers the servant far too well, but at the moment and considering how little said servant probably bothers to remember about him...

The indifferent mask doesn't last long as a smirk curls the corner of Diarmuid's mouth.]

I'm sorry. Have we met, King of...Dead Animal Pelts?

[wealthreliant]

[The mild amusement falls away quickly at the response from the other Servant, and Gilgamesh glowers for a long moment ... before he smirks. There's still a tenseness to his shoulders and face as he replies.]

Apparently not. The mongrel that shares your face would not dare such insolence.

[shatteredservice]

Oh wouldn't he now?

[Diarmuid can't help but let his own smirk grow. It had only been momentary, but the glower on Archer's face had been beautiful to see.]

I find it surprising you would say such a thing since that 'mongrel' was pretty sure you could not be bothered to even notice his presence let alone remember something like that about him.

[wealthreliant]

Foolish, to underestimate the observance of the King. I need no more than a moment to take notice.

[How else was he supposed to be disgusted by what he saw?

He lifts a hand, dusting snow from his nose before aiming a lazy, half-lidded gaze at the one-armed man.]

Retaining my attention is an entirely different matter.

[And it was only the comparison of the missing arm that was leading to that at the moment.]

[holyswordwielder]

( ooc ; Fate/Zero AU! Because why not. )

[ Arthur is standing at the display window of one of the toy shops, peering inside at the dolls and plush animals on the shelves, when he hears a strangely familiar voice. He looks over his shoulder and feels his stomach drop out from under him. He can't help staring, though he knows it's uncivil to do so. If he looks like he just saw a ghost, it's because he has. ]

...Lancer.

[shatteredservice]

[If it had not been obvious that the word was directed at him, Diarmuid would not have answered. After all, it had been a long time since he had been a Lancer. Even now, after the Shatter, when he had been returned to the world, it had been as Saber--the class he'd had during that farce of a 6th War--not Lancer as he had been in the 4th.]

I have not been a Lancer for a very long time.

[Diarmuid gives the speaker a closer look. While something seems very familiar about him, he cannot place it no matter how hard he tries.]

I am Saber now. Forgive me, do we know each other?

[holyswordwielder]

[ Arthur's throat is tight as he listens to the other Servant. There's distress clearly etched into his features as he stares at the man and he can't help but feel guilt stab him sharply in the chest. He raises a shaky hand to his forehead and forces himself to look away. Of course he wouldn't remember... Of course he must have been summoned for another war by now... ]

N-No... 'sorry. Forgive me. I thought you were someone else.

[ It would be kinder, more merciful not to remind him of the 4th War. ]

[shatteredservice]

[It is unfortunate that he already does remember the 4th War. It is just that this Saber is not the one he remembers walking with within it.]

I must remind you a great deal of this person to draw such a strong reaction.

[Diarmuid's expression is curious, but also concerned. The other servant does not look very well and that upsets Diarmuid even if he is not entirely sure why that is.]

Forgive me if I am overstepping my bounds since we have just met, but you look very unwell. Do you need to sit down? Shall I get something for you?

[holyswordwielder]

I'm fine--

[ Arthur nearly calls Diarmuid "Lancer" again, but he stops himself short and corrects himself before the word leaves his tongue. ]

--Saber. As I said, I only thought you were someone you are obviously not.

[ His eyes fall to the other Servant's missing arm though and he can't help wondering why or how it happened, his expression turning to one that reflects his own guilt than he means for it too. Surely, it could not have to do with his sacrifice of Gae Buidhe... could it? ]

yo dropping ProtoLancer here again

[puppy_lancer]

[Lancer turns around, his finger still picking around in his nose. He too was quite lost, but he had settled into this city somewhat. At least, nothing seemed hostile.]

[Nothing except this other Servant. He can feel himself tense up, even though, technically speaking, the Grail War is already over for him.]

Yeah? What?

FYI: This ShatteredDia is from before the normal one. He hasn't met his Cu yet.

[shatteredservice]

[For a moment, Diarmuid is startled enough by the servant's behavior the he doesn't response. His senses confirm, yes he is a servant, but at the same time his actions are more that of a child than a hero of long ago.]

I am...new here.

[He is thrown a bit, not sure if he should even bother asking this one for help.]

If you have a moment, I thought perhaps I could ask a few questions.

Got it

[puppy_lancer]

So am I.

[He pulls his finger out of his nose and flicks the booger away.]

Well, what do you wanna ask? I'll try to answer.

[shatteredservice]

[Diarmuid watches the other servant's actions, obvious distaste on his face. The question that slips from his mouth isn't the question he originally intended to ask, but hey, at least it is a question.]

What kind of Servant are you? I didn't realize being a hero of nose picking could get one recorded on the Throne...