Finis Chaldea

In those few minutes the Queen of Knights needed, several things were coming together. Pharaoh Ozymandias had returned to the grand hall of this building, and seemed to be having a most casual chat with King Gilgamesh. The two were laughing wildly over this thing, that thing and the other while awaiting Queen Artoria's return. Most of the hundreds of people seemed primarily idle in the grand hall, bar the few who moved about serving wine and snacks to hold over for the coming feast. Strangely, the hall contained two thrones at the very end. Multiple Knights of the Round Table had taken note of this, viewing it with judgment and curiosity alike.

Amidst all the mingling, it seemed one individual was content to occupy the guest of honor's remaining sister for a time. This particular knight boasted the greatest stature of all who visited the venue. He had silver-grey hair, a body encased in radiant silver-woven plate armor. He carried a Phantasmal Greatsword, Balmung, on his back even while attending a celebratory event. His tall stature, slender body and tanned-colored skin were proof of him having been soaked in the blood of a dragon. Naturally, this man who stood apart from even the Knights of the Round Table was the designated peacekeeper of ongoing events. What did this man want with the Queen of Saints? Well, he was essentially the bouncer of this party, and stature aside, Jeanne d'Arc was the one he deferred to. "Jeanne, are you really sure all of these people are trustworthy? Some of them look... more than questionable."

The Queen of Knights was centering herself, quieting her own mind and preparing to have to enter this hall which she did not want to do. While this happened, Nefertari found her way back inside and easily slipped her arms around the Pharaoh Ozymandias while he carried on laughing with the King of Heroes. At the same time, the errant Lake Fairy took up drinking among a few of the Knights of the Round Table.

For her part in this, the Queen of Saints found herself near to the tallest man in the room, and technically the one she was most familiar with. Why? Well, they were speaking about the situation at hand, this strange gathering which had people in it who fell less than stellar on any random person's listing. In this way, the tall man before her, reminded her quite a bit of the Queen of Knights. "Don't worry so much Sieg. Between the Knights of the Round Table, You and I, and every other holder of a Holy Grail here, if any thing bad happened we could take care of it. Besides, my sister would probably relish in blowing this place out of the sky after having it sprung on her~" she said knowing the truth of her elder sister in a strange way. She knew that Hoshimi Eri wouldn't at all appreciate this sort of party, but she also knew she deserved to celebrate. As her darling younger sister, she'd take the heat for any negativity her sister wanted to dish out, knowing full well it would never truly reach that point. "Now, how long is she going to make us wait, that is the question~" Jeanne managed seeming pretty pleased beyond the norm. She had on dress white in color with heels seemingly happy about the ensemble even though she was usually hailed as a commander on the battlefield. Whatever the case a strange bell could be heard ringing and when it did, Artoria Pendragon finally emerged from the bath in her new dress with her Holy Grail in hand. What else, it was this victory she was celebrating after all, and those emerald green eyes of hers were quite content. Why wouldn't they be, she had done exactly what she said after all.

The sudden appearance of Nefertari stole Ozymandias' attention, but did not halt his laughter. His arm hooked around her once contact was initiated, and he gestured for a server to provide her wine. After all, he was already quite a few ahead. "Ha ha! Moon of my Life, listen! The Golden King says he will soon have work for you!" he said, still laughing his head off at all the random merriment thrown into their discussion. To continue, Gilgamesh took over the clause. "Indeed. The Sun-King claims there is no seamstress in creation that rivals the likes of you. From what I have seen, I do not disagree. One percent of my treasury will go to you, if you will simply construct the wardrobe of a lifetime!"

Meanwhile, the man deemed "Sieg" was being told not to worry. Looking around at these individuals, he wasn't sure exactly what one didn't have to worry about. The Knights of the Round Table, Jeanne d'Arc, wielders of the Holy Grail and so on... They were all indeed quite powerful. That, however, was the problem he foresaw. "Everyone is mighty, yes, but is everyone agreeable? It seems a single argument between two people could quickly escalate to a calamity, once a few sides are taken. Would that happen to be why I'm here?" the tall man wondered. Alas, he was soon to have his attention taken away─ a fate that would be suffered by all. The bell tolled, answering Jeanne's question to the world to herald in Artoria Pendragon herself. In this new and stunning dress of hers, how would she behave with all eyes on her? One such as Gilgamesh would wonder as she took her first steps into the great hall. "H'oh? I presume this, too, is a a sign of the Sky-Queen's capacity?"

Upon joining the pair of Kings, Nefertari was informed of her future works. She couldn't help but grin at the idea of being able to dress more the Queen of Knights, knowing the intention of the Golden King. "Oh? Are we flattering me today?~ I don't know how much that is, but... the Queen of Knights is one of my favorite models. I have no problem with such tasks and she is far more agreeable than she tends to let be known~" she said with a smile on her face. "Unless of course you meant for you. I have been known to design men's clothes from time to time~" she said giving a quick glance at her husband as she took a single drink and found herself easily sipping upon it. She had so much information about the state of the Queen of Knights' mind right at the moment. She knew there was about to be a rather stunning realization for the lass.

Jeanne, found Sieg's points both agreeable and worth glossing over. He was worried about the state of these groups of people should they choose violence. "I could see that as a reason to be worried but..." she gave a pause and smiled. "My sister is more of a problem than anyone here. And she is not above using violence to make her point. No one will come to blows if she does not allow it," Jeanne seemed very certain, and she had every reason to be. But there was one thing she did not know and one thing that had rather conveniently slipped the Queen of Knights mind.

She'd forgotten to mention the role of the King of Heroes in her life. She didn't truly know what to call it, but she hadn't mentioned his looking after her, nor her trip to the upper realm a decade ago. The only one who knew of this man's leanings towards her besides those of the upper realm was Sir Tristian who'd left her company because he was saddened by her lack of affection towards the King of Heroes. Yes, Queen Artoria Pendragon had forgotten to tell a collection of knights that she was technically being courted by the King of Heroes and this was going to become a huge problem when he sat beside her in a few moments. She was well aware of this and her eyes narrowed just slightly. 'Fuck, how could I forget something so important.' she thought hiding panic behind her visage. The lady knights of Camelot were looking at their queen with near stars in their eyes. The Lady Kay had known Artoria most of her life, and she was being so much a little lady right now she was colored surprised. The Lady Galahad in her infinite cleverness had taken all of a quick viewing of this room to realize what exactly was in store for them all as far as shock was concerned even without the direct details. Oh yes, this was going to be a problem. Even as the Queen of Knights walked with her hands clasped in front of her holding onto her Holy Grail. In her need for comfort she rather suddenly wanted to be holding a weapon, perhaps this wouldn't go as badly as she thought it could. Maybe she could get through this evening with just a few wayward looks from her Knights and have time to explain it to them later? She could hope right? Maybe pray? Could she pray to the Nexus? Every step was taken with dignity, she did still feel very confident in this dress speaking of, Nefertari had something to say. "Of course, can't have a Queen showing up to her own party without a proper new look~" she said after another sip of wine.

In terms of flattery, all words spoken by both Gilgamesh and Ozymandias were simple truths as they saw it. In terms of how much Gilgamesh offered for the Sky-Queen's work, it seemed she hadn't a clue what 1% of his treasury entailed. With his specifications in place, a mere desire to work with Artoria Pendragon as her canvas would not be sufficient. "Demand is high. What I require is a wardrobe greater than your greatest works. One percent would be enough to exceed the monetary value of your country, if not for the pricelessness of one-of-a-kind structures found there. Regardless, the offered quantity is great enough that you can spread it on the ground all around you, without a single piece touching, and not see either end. Return to me with your answer when it is time to dine."

While the King of Heroes was being unnecessarily frivolous for a woman who rejected him time and time again, "Sieg" heard of how apparently ridiculous the Queen of Knights was. With that being the case, he had to wonder what he'd been called upon for... though there was no summons from Jeanne d'Arc he would not answer. "I suppose this is an easy job then. If necessary, I will at least do my best to prevent any issues before someone else has to step up," he assured with a light bow, which barely brought him down to eye-level with the Queen of Saints.

Nefertari confirmed her work on Artoria's current dress. Gilgamesh heard these words, but his attention was fixed. "Hmph. Magnificent, as expected," he said, though his words were not truly about that dress at all. Nothing was on her face, but panic was in her soul. This, too, was the dichotomy of Artoria Pendragon that Gilgamesh found perfect. Leaving the pharaohs to their devices, he stepped toward the end of the isle. Those knights' concerns would be realized, or perhaps even given reason as King Gilgamesh stood before two thrones, while Artoria walked a path toward them. His arms were crossed, and a massive grin was upon his face. There was an announcement to be made, and what would it reveal? Well... everything Artoria failed to tell her faithful knights back home. "Hear me, you pack of fools! Behold the radiance that is the hope of humanity. Flounder before the queen of all creation. As this is a celebration, I will allow the lot of you to gawk and extol to your hearts' content. You should all take advantage."

Nefertari was provided a strange explanation. He claimed what he would give could have outweighed the monetary value of their country aside from their specialty buildings. Ah, that was quite a bit, but what he wanted was a wardrobe of such a great magnitude it would have been even greater than her own. "What an interesting proposition~" she said. Giving it a decent bit of thought she had until dinner to decide, she'd give it a bit more thought. To undertake an entire wardrobe for the Queen of Knights was extreme especially when she considered the lass likely wouldn't just want it. Still, it would be fun and she had quite the interesting figure.

Ah moving on, Jeanne explained to Sieg how the events of the night could play out with the Queen of Knights and her violent tendencies. Of course, him doing his best was all she asked for, but she didn't exactly bring him along just for that purpose. He bowed bringing him within distance of her face and she pecked his cheek with her lips. "I should be clearer. If anyone is going to attack, it will be my sister attacking the man who... is currently speaking. No need for you to get between them~" she explained knowing the truth of a battle between Gilgamesh and Artoria Pendragon because she'd once witnessed it herself.

Of course, this fact would only be culminated in a moment where Gilgamesh technically revealed everything the Queen of Knights hadn't told her band of people. The lady knights both had their eyes snap to the Queen of Camelot. They had not expected this, even so, this man was brash and as abrasive as she'd claimed. Both of them knew how one ended up with a man like this, but both would have only smiles on their faces. The Lady Kay would be the first to speak, as she flipped a blonde ponytail over her shoulder and sat in a very well put together bit of armor with a flowing blue cape. "I am clear headed right, there was just the implication that our Queen is at least courting a man, correct?" she said aloud to Galahad. That pink haired young woman could only nod her apparent understanding. "That does seem to be the case, but... she forgot to tell us. And she didn't expect him to," she said with a gentle gesture towards the Queen as she approached Gilgamesh. 'Fuck, fuck fuckity fuck fuck!!!' her mind was all swears and no room to deliver. She shouldn't attack him, that would give the wrong impression, but she wanted to give him violence for the crazed way he announced the information he did. Her Knights weren't prepared for this, and that was a problem and a half. "Why? Why are you like this King of Heroes? Do you live to embarrass me?" She asked this question with a reddened face and softness at the edge of her visage. She'd had a plan, and a face in mind for this evening and now she had... nothing, her entire look had shattered in a single moment of speech knowing that she'd forgotten to tell her Knights about the intentions of the King of Heroes before now.

When Jeanne spoke, full sense was made, though it also made no sense at all. Artoria being the one to attack, if anyone did at all, was perfectly reasonable based on what he'd heard thus far. Her attacking the man speaking at present, however, seemed wrong. Before anything regarding that was addressed, the lips of Jeanne were pressed to his cheek. The man's eyes widened as he pulled away, pressing a hand to the location and looking around abashedly. "Is that really an appropriate thing for you to do here?" he wondered aloud. About the Queen of Knights' potential attack, he was even more curious. "Why would she attack him? She seems to be the only one he speaks positively about, and it sounds as if they're engaged to be wed. . ."

Engaged indeed, Gilgamesh would say, even if that was not truly the case at present. Others believed the same, though. Lady Kay and Lady Galahad were not the only visiting knights to discuss the words of King Gilgamesh; Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain were in a very similar position. "Is there something we've misunderstood?" Gawain asked, to which Lancelot grunted and shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine. He's still breathing after saying such things with her standing right there, so... maybe we completely missed something? I don't trust it; we would have heard about this. Something suspicious is going on." It seemed Sir Lancelot would be doing a bit of investigating soon. First though, he had to let the overall shock of the crowd die down a bit. It wouldn't be best to make an even bigger scene, after all.

Besides, Gilgamesh had the ability to make the scene even bigger all by himself! Looking upon Artoria's beet-red visage, he laughed hardily. "Bwahahaha! Of course; what else? It is my divine right to bring heat to both your face and your loins! I find it beyond titillating to see you in such a state. You may call it an exercise in restraint, that I do not throw myself upon you each time you show that face," he announced, being none too quiet about it. Why would he be? As far as he was concerned, there was nothing at all strange about his words. Regardless, he took one step to the side, next to the throne he would soon sit upon. "You come brandishing the Holy Grail, the fruit of your own labor. Have you no words for your subjects, those dogs of Chaldea?"

The words of Jeanne seemed to click in the mind of Sieg as he was being called by her. Moreover after she pressed her lips into the side of his face, he pulled away abashedly making the young blonde woman with eyes like blue sapphires smile up at him with the slightest bit of mischief as their light. Was what she'd just done appropriate to the situation? Yes. "Of course it is an appropriate thing for me to do here. I am a saint not a nun. And I'd need a step ladder or you to be seated otherwise~" she said with a smug little smirk across her face. Ah, yes, Hoshimi Emi was just as bad as her siblings without their abject personality defects. As for why the Queen of Knights would attack the King of Heroes, Jeanne looked at her sister's cracked visage following the announcement of Artoria's status within Chaldea. "If you wish not to fight, I would avoid using that word directly to her to describe that relationship. My sister is... emotionally unavailable. The King of Heroes deserves more credit than that, he also does not have anything bad to say about me, we get along swimmingly." she said as if she couldn't get along with literally anyone. Still the King of Heroes was quite openly abrasive, her sister was similarly openly violent, they were bound to have disagreements from time to time. "He is an interesting person and their conversations are series of battles. I have seen her nearly slay him when he proposed marriage so... take that as you'd like. I am not going to question how they love each other. But I think he's good for her~" she said of the Queen of Knights and the King of Heroes.

At the same time as the conversation between Gawain and Lancelot, Agravain looked at the Queen in her distress. They had always been of the opinion that the Queen of Camelot was an inhuman dragon-slaying beast with the heart of an assassin tucked under the hem of their Chivalry. To see her now, looking as red faced as a school girl created a contradiction in the mind of the young blonde causing their eyes to flicker a brilliant shade of red. "Who are we to know the truth of our Queen's heart? Has she ever been the type to tell us anything we did not need to know?" There was the slightest bit of outrage in Agravain, who'd spent time with their other aunt, the Queen of Saints, just to find out the Queen had at some point decided this man could speak to her in such a strangely direct way. "Still who is this King to speak to our Queen in such a way?" Agravain's loyalty to Artoria was never to be questioned, even so that one's temper was almost as bad as her own. 'Fuck. Agravain is pissed. The world is falling apart and still...'

Gilgamesh kept talking. Every word he spoke inspired Artoria's reactionary nature. "Do you leave me no dignity? Would it kill you to shut your mouth for three seconds and see what you have caused?! I am sovereign of my own nation and have been for a century do you have any idea how you saying such things will affect my image?!" Artoria was whispering but every word was full of ire, and embarrassment. Audacious was the King of Heroes with every word he spoke about her, and yes they were all still flowers but did he need to say such things directly to an entire crowd of people? Still there was a matter of addressing the audience. She did need to do that, she hated doing that and she'd lost her public visage for just a moment. Right, that one she could do, before taking the Knights with her to set them at ease. "I... succeeded in capturing my Holy Grail as I said I would. Albion will rise at my command, and you all have done your fair share in preparing so, until this enjoy the celebration." she said with all the dignity of the sovereign she was. "I know you all have questions so, Knights with me," she'd take all of this at face value that cup still clutched in her hands and walk towards her group most unsettled. She knew they were all curious. Agravain's eyes had not left the King of Heroes, but they turned to follow their aunt the Queen of Knights as they always would.

According to Jeanne herself, her actions were very much appropriate. As for her excuse, however, it was quite... misplaced? Yes, that was it. "I'm not so sure needing a stepladder is enough reason to be so forward with an opportunity in public. Though, it's not that I mind. I worry for your image," he said. She was a saint, not a nun... True. However, the company she chose to keep was not exactly what most would expect of either. His story was not necessarily an honorable one, contrary to the truth of events. Whatever the case, he was presently being advised against speaking on the apparent engagement between king and queen. He couldn't imagine why, though he also couldn't fathom how someone emotionally unavailable could be in a situation like that. Further information about the previous meetings between those two only proved more perplexing. "You have the most interesting family. Are all of you so strange?" he asked.

In the midst of an ongoing discussion, Agravain offered their two cents, so to speak. They were the most loyal to the queen in the strangest, most suspicious of ways. They were at least right; the queen never shared unnecessary information. "Isn't that the problem? Isn't this something we should know? Even if it is a personal matter, something like that not being shared with us by our own queen is suspicious," Lancelot claimed.

Gilgamesh knew precisely what he was causing. It was all for the best; everyone would simply have to adjust to things. Artoria herself was included, of course. Artoria's current image was nothing to be concerned about, as all were required to see the image Gilgamesh saw. "I have every idea that the image you have now is the play of children. Queen of a nation? That pales in comparison to your true self: Queen of Everything. Addressing you as what you are, merely comes with the territory of becoming my bride," he said with utmost confidence. With that, Artoria offered the briefest speech. That was more of a greeting than anything, but there were no qualms to be had. There was, however, an issue to be taken with one of the knights who followed Artoria out of the hall. Gilgamesh felt those eyes upon him, and his own were set upon the smaller blonde in kind. What manner of mongrel was this, to stare at him so brazenly? A glare was returned as those strange pupils drew to narrow slits, then opened slowly. In his mind, Gilgamesh ended the life of that audacious brat in the time it would have taken to blink... but alas, he would not be sullying his queen's celebration before it truly began. "Hmph."

According to Sieg he didn't think her seizing such an opportunity was misplaced. According to him he worried for her image, that was dumb. "My image needs no worrying. I want to be seen with you. There is literally no reason I wouldn't be so forward, I am expressive as an individual, a bit of opportunism is the key to success in life~" she said. She took that attitude into most things, including but not limited to battle. There was also a question of her family and the strangeness surrounding her siblings. "I do not think we are too strange. We just had a very structured life before and all of us took it differently," she said that explanation making all of the sense but also being exceedingly vague. Not that she would not explain such things to him if he wished to know them specifically.

According to Lancelot there was suspicion around the Queen not sharing information. Artoria could practically feel the dissent; why did he have to be so brazen and difficult? The Queen of Knights could have eased her group into this instead they were thrown into the deep end. At the same time Agravain was given the strangest glare they'd ever had the displeasure of meeting, before they turned. Artoria had something to say about that though even as she walked away knowing what that person was like, because she would have been doing the same thing herself. "If you have time to glare Agravain your eyes should be on me. I raised you better," she said which immediately made that one drop their gaze and most of their attitude. "My apologies, I spoke too freely..." was offered and meant with sincerity. Artoria had nothing else to say to Gilgamesh as she was still steaming at his words while she could not contradict them at all given her own conversation with the Nexus.

Once outside with all her personal Knights gathered, including the Lady Kay and the Lady Galahad Artoria fought with herself over how to explain the situation. She'd decided a few moments ago she'd simply start speaking and hope everything made sense by the time she was done. And strangely though she was their sovereign the first thing out of her mouth was. "I owe all of you an apology. I had planned to ease this transition a bit better, but I also came to realize today that I forgot to mention the King of Heroes before now aside from that first mention ages ago," she said still holding the Holy Grail in her hand. "That situation is a bit more complicated than I initially intended..." Artoria took full responsibility for this as she could, admittedly it wasn't a situation she'd imagined herself explaining but given he'd showed up when she won her grail she figured she'd have to explain it. She just simply didn't expect to do it, today and she'd forgotten to mention the development of their ability to converse with each other at the start of the previous decades wait.