Finis Chaldea

So, she feared her own treacherous body's reaction to their close proximity, did she? Interesting. Processing that, Gilgamesh would only become more difficult to deal with. After all, who did she think she was talking to? Everything she brought his way was ammunition. "And you think refusing to approach me will make a difference? A funny thing, the mortal body. I already told you, all beings naturally seek pleasure. Do you truly believe you can fight against the natural inclinations of pleasure-seeking when you've already received a sample?" he asked. All the while, the most intense gaze was upon Artoria Pendragon. This new dress of hers accentuated her modest features quite well. Gilgamesh could see every lace being torn away, every fabric being pulled, and the whole of Artoria falling prey to him. At this point, it was not so much a matter of clairvoyant ability, but a matter of strong intentions bleeding through his eyes, just as murderous intent flowed from an enraged killer.

Artoria would not approach him, but her drinking apparatus rose to meet his nonetheless. A break occurred in Gilgamesh's speech as he took a healthy gulp or two, licking the wine from his own lips after lowering the cup. Of course, he only did so in the most provocative manner possible, as per a statement he'd yet to even verbalize. "You've referred to me as something you would rather not put on your plate, no? I should tell you, you've got it backwards. It is you who should be upon my plate, to be consumed as soup for the soul. Voraciously, I might add," he clarified. If she was so certain that he meant all he said, she could be even more certain of what he would do to her... once opportunity presented itself, and Artoria did the same. "Then, perhaps I will punish your body for being so treacherous? No need to worry; it will be only the fairest of punishments."

Did Artoria realize she was giving this man ammunition to use against her? No. Well, that wasn't entirely true, she had some idea that he was using what she said to the end of breaking away at who she was, she still didn't understand why he found such an activity so very fruitful. Ah, but the words of the Queen of Queen's rang true, she did not have to understand why he chose her, she only had to accept it. No. She could do no such thing... it did not make sense when she considered the truth of his desires. He should be aiming all of that at literally anyone else. "Fighting against my natural inclinations is much easier for me than most things, King of Heroes," she said carefully. "It is the one thing I can absolutely do," she mentioned. What in a sentence like that was true? Well, the Queen of Knights formerly the assassin, Hoshimi Eri, could very easily crush anything within herself she did not need nor like. As she gained more understanding of her feelings she could without fail push out any wayward thoughts about the King of Heroes. But it was also in her natural inclination to reject the unnecessary, so acceptance was technically viable. She had to figure out which of these things was her base, and she could not be sure as it stood.

So much confusion lived within the body of the Queen of Knights. She was an avid contradiction. A knightly, calm, fury-filled, murderer... things she never considered given her own lives so far, was sexual interest for longer than a moment or two. Usually all it took to discourage interest in her, was a look of emptiness, murderous eyes, or being beaten to a pulp. Strangely, the King of Heroes had experienced most of these as well as a straight forward rejection and he kept talking. Artoria looked at this man and heard his most recent sentence. She should be added to his plate, to be consumed, voraciously... she'd been mid-sip when she'd heard this sentence. She almost choked trying to hold on to her dignity. She found a hand upon the middle of her chest as alcohol slipped down her windpipe. Why? Because she understood just what he meant, and she couldn't fathom anyone saying a sentence like that aloud in a room full of people, about... her?! "Who speaks like this? Why are you like this?" Artoria's face was a brilliant shade of red. Why? Because she was inexperienced but not stupid, she understood that this statement was of a sexual nature, she could see his intentions wafting off his person. She'd seen him trying to provoke a reaction from her body. And he'd somewhat succeeded considering the coloration of her face and his follow sentences about her body. "Is this the plan then, King of Heroes? Are you to put strange thoughts in my head to illicit reactions from me?" she questioned rhetorically. She couldn't even be outraged because he was being so very forthcoming she could imagine he would follow through on his words. She'd called his bluff earlier and been met by strange determination, surely she could not continue to do such a thing and kept her dignity, sanity nor chastity. "I cannot continue talking to you," she said. Suddenly she felt as if multiple countries worth of space between them might not be enough to save her from her body and mind spiraling out of her control. Did she dislike his words? No, not really. Not honestly. Did she understand them and why they were given to her. Again, no. It made no sense for anyone to have interest in her whatsoever. But those who advised said she did not need to understand that part. Why did she react to the things he said then? Because they challenged her image, dignity and chastity. Because she wasn't necessarily protecting those things, but they were important enough that she wouldn't have them changed on someone else's whims. The King of Heroes seemed content to batter away at her sensibilities, and she was starting to worry she might let him if she spent too much time in his company. But... her sister said this was normal. Truly it couldn't be. Artoria needed to observe, needed to think. She'd seen others right? Right?

"Oh, I'm sure it is. I very much enjoy the way you fight even against your own senses. I do wonder though, how difficult do you find the battle now?" It could be said that Gilgamesh had a plan, but it could just as easily be said that he was playing this completely by ear. Overall, the only thing that truly mattered was the outcome. Artoria's physical self was quite honest... yet so was her mind. It was so very interesting to see her earnestly confused and disagreeing with her body, while her body almost insisted that she push forward. Which would win? Well, Gilgamesh would see neither as the victor. He would see all aspects turn to the same proverbial page, all for the sake of an overall victory. This was the only true way, as he saw it.

Choking on wine because of something he said? Well, that was going to make for an interesting future. The perverse nature of a tyrannical hedonist was undying, even as he mellowed out. As for putting strange things in Artoria's head to produce reactions from her, it couldn't be said that she was wrong. However, one could not say she was on the right track either. No... it wasn't all about getting her reactions; that was just a bonus. His true purpose was to simply share his intentions as brazenly as possible, until the point stuck. "Do not think so simply. Though your reactions to banter are as precious a sight as an oasis in the infinite sands, there are far more tangible things I would put in your head... among other places," he said cheekily, sipping once more. He still wasn't done with an earlier clause presented by Artoria. Presently though, she claimed she could not continue speaking with him. Lies. She could say something like that as much as she wished, but at the end of it all, there she was... still standing right before him. Moreover, it was true that several countries would not be enough space to keep her from him. Multiple realities would hardly keep him at bay for more than a moment. "You cannot continue talking, yet still you remain. What then? Shall we away to a more private setting, that you might fully gain the understanding you sorely lack? It needn't be said that your thirst goes unquenched. I, Gilgamesh, shall always be ready and willing to fill whichever sort of cup you offer." With that said, Gilgamesh sat in wait. Amusement had never left his visage, and still, he wasn't quite done yet. "But you do not yet seem ready to let your thighs act as the king's new crown. I suppose, for now, I will have to allow something slightly less magnificent."

Gilgamesh wondered about the difficulty Artoria had fighting against her nature while speaking to him. Would she answer? She was starting to think she should ignore him? That likely wouldn't work, at least if he was speaking directly to her, she didn't have to worry about being absolutely embarrassing as the topic of conversation. "A battle against my own nature is not so difficult. I have had more than a century of practice... this is more annoying than normal because I do not know what the associated emotion is, so I have not yet figured out how to crush it," Artoria said. She surprisingly found herself answering this man honestly, probably because he was so very honest with her. To be fair, the way of her mind and the way of an assassin was to kill the parts of the self so that you were unaffected by the rest. Strangely this was much easier to do with other aspects of herself. She could technically say she'd had an easier time killing her elder sister than she was having drawing a proper line between herself and the King of Heroes.

Her reactions to his words were precious? Why did he feel the need to say something like that? Every time he spoke sentences to her, she was sure he was trying to convince her of something. "Flowers and then words I am sure should make me attack you. Truly you confuse me," Artoria stated. She couldn't help but wonder why he felt the need to go so far. Truly, until today she hadn't seen him in a decade, and the man had occupied her thoughts for reasons she did not understand. Beyond that, he seemed unable to let go of the idea of her, regardless of her own lack of understanding. They'd kissed and she'd not disliked it, nor had the desire to kill him in the aftermath. He'd gone out of his way to be nice to her, but he said things aloud she absolutely hated the idea of other people hearing, but she herself had no problem hearing. Was this what being a girl was? Was this the natural reaction to a pushy guy one was interested in, truly? Her face was red again. Of course it was, this man continued to say things to her and she did not know how to respond. The nature of her soul said she should challenge, the nature of her body said she should accept, the feelings around her altered heartbeat said she should kill, it was a cacophony of noise she did not need to experience within the confines of her small body. One hand rubbed her face while the other held her cup, like she wished to wash away the heat with her own hand but couldn't manage it. Her mind had jumped to the necessary conclusions, and now there was an image in her head of her legs wrapped around a man's head. Not any man's head, this one. Yes, those eyes of hers closed. "I am walking away now, King of Heroes and you are not to follow. I need so much space and maybe an adult," she said these words with all kinds of emotions playing behind those emerald eyes of hers. Her own visage was far too honest, and his words to her seemed to break at things she did not know her body or mind possessed. It was quite easy to ignore things while the waters of her heart were still like a reflecting pool. Now all of her felt nothing but turbulent anytime the King of Heroes as the topic of conversation. Still, she didn't truly dislike the things he said to her. How was she to deal with that? It was her question to ponder as she put the space of infinite steps between herself and the King of Heroes.

Not so difficult, she said. For something not very difficult at all, she certainly seemed to be struggling quite a bit now. Oh well. Artoria moving through her own internal struggle over him was yet another thing Gilgamesh found appealing. She could do no wrong even in her own self-destruction, after all. "Fuhaha! Queen of Knights, I once compared you to an unreachable star. Did I say? Your existence is tantamount to the life of a star. All your life, your own brilliance will continue to build and build, until eventually... you explode from it. Hear me now, Artoria Pendragon. I will be the one throwing myself head-first into that luxurious supernova as it devolves to consume everything around it, and it will be my entrance which produces the next genesis."

Firm though Gilgamesh's belief was, he had no actual clue how he would go about doing any of the things he said. He did, however, know that he would turn aspiration into reality by whatever means necessary. For the second time, he'd chosen an entity to pursue the remainder of life with, albeit in a different manner than the previous. The second would not be allowed to remain lost. Indeed, Artoria's eventual departure from this world was allowed to be no different than the exodus she intended during this very conversation. She needed space, and she needed an adult. He could easily provide one of those two things, but that did not need saying; there was enough teasing done already. "Hmph. Parting is such sweet sorrow indeed. Very well; I will allow it. The moment desire wells up within until it burns your flesh from beneath, you will have no trouble locating me," he declared. Was this more precognition? He would never say, but every possibility had its place in the world regardless. The king lifted his cup to his lips once more, downing the remaining wine while his eyes remained glued on Artoria. She could go to the ends of the world, but she would never escape his scrutiny. True enough, the only possible escape was acceptance.

Laughter. Of course, she'd yet to hear this man laugh directly today, but hearing it now, could almost be called nice. Given what she knew of this man's personality his actual shows of happiness were comforting for some reason. No. That wasn't right, perhaps it was just her trying out empathy that made her think that laugh was anything other than obnoxious. Whatever the case, he had another declaration for her, this one made her eyes widen as she understood its meaning in more than a single way. There was the first way, which once again made it sound like he planned to undo death itself to see her reborn. There was also the secondary way, which made it sound fully like he simply planned to make a woman out of her in the most literal sense of the phrase. "I heard those words yes, I will keep them in mind. Along with all the other outrageous claims you make about me," wait she'd done this before. She would not be giving this man more ammunition right now. No, she would not be explaining the two ways she took his word choice. To do so, would admit to her wandering mind which she had no intention of doing. Besides, it was exactly this sort of declaration that had Tristan feeling she was being insensitive. Even though Gilgamesh himself seemed to acknowledge and understand what she meant about her death.

A problem for a different day. For now, it seemed that the King of Heroes was content to put an end to his bullying of Artoria Pendragon. Of course, this still came with a parting sentence which was enough to make the lass not turn around at all. A gentle wave over one shoulder and Artoria would be found practically fleeing the King of Heroes presence. Too bad such a thing wasn't truly possible. Eventually, the feast would properly begin and Artoria would have to be found at the head of a large table. Of course, it was double throne having head of table, with the King of Heroes within arms reach of the Queen of Knights. She managed to look both simultaneously relaxed and uncomfortable. Of course, while she ate, she didn't seem to mind, it would only be in the soft times that she would find herself glancing at the man to her side. She sorely wished to move but she had a pretty nice view of everyone from here, and she was free to enjoy herself. And enjoy herself she had been doing. Artoria felt very safe today. How safe? Safe enough to drink, her face was almost permanently tinted red as she'd been consuming quite a bit of wine from her Holy Grail by this point. "Hey, make sure Gawain gets extra cake. He deserves it!~" An order from the Queen of Knights which many would find strange, but she'd already decided to treat her nephew for understanding her plight earlier. Yes, spoiled a man who looked quite a bit older than she did, all while someone walked by dropping in front of her a giant dessert bowl of butterscotch pudding. Her eyes practically sparkled at the thing, and this was something obviously noted by the King of Heroes.

There was no need for Artoria to admit to her wandering mind. Without a word spoken, he knew. Since they kissed, he knew. With how much he found her eyes bouncing about as her body demanded glances at him, and her mind demanded that she look away... he knew. Ah, but he would not continue battering away at her psyche. He would do so enough to keep her mind going, but it was never the king's intention to destroy it entirely. Well... perhaps an overload or two could be tolerated, but those were not beyond repair. Whatever the case, she was free of his abuse for the time being.

Sadly for the Queen of Knights, their paths would always converge. By dinner, they were side-by-side at the edge of an impossibly large table that could only fit in the grandest hall. Several of such tables were placed to accommodate all guests, but the largest by far was at the center of five, and there... two thrones sat. Artoria's torment in her drunken state was noted, but Gilgamesh did not seem keen on returning his abuses. No, he in fact seemed... absolutely content. This moment was one he strived for. Amidst all advances both deferred and deterred, there was a moment like this─ a small sample of a future he demanded. The king sat beside his queen, and they dined. She was inebriated enough to be permanently flushed and yelling out orders to have extra cake sent to one of her knights. Gawain himself was both shocked and appalled by this, thinking to speak out against the matter before an entire cake was placed before him. "I... My Queen, I cannot eat this!" he insisted, but it seemed she was far too gone. Gilgamesh was laughing and drinking all the while, focusing his attention on the Queen of Knights as the large pudding bowl was brought in at last. Cheekily, he would take another sip. No words needed saying; it was just another step, as far as he was concerned.

Artoria heard that Gawain could not eat the cake. Lies. "You can and you will. Share with the Little Wolf!" she offered, much to the youngest girl's obvious happiness. Artoria herself would spoil her nieces and nephews as she saw fit, and in her own mind, even drunk she remembered that Gawain had been the one to not think too much about her wayward interest in the King of Heroes she was currently sitting beside. No, he'd congratulated her on her victory, actually. "Agravain too, she still looks like a startled deer. It is no good for the one who takes no wounds~" she said. Agravain's eyes also lit up. She would die tomorrow, today she would live. "Aunty~" that one was near tears at the revelation. The Lady Kay watched as Artoria happily gave playful orders, spoiled her family and looked almost star-struck by the dessert placed in front of her. "Oh? He knows her favorite dessert too? Our Queen seems to be a lot more pleased and honest after a few drinks," she mused over her own cup.

At the same time, Jeanne seemed to be having fun as well. "Look at her. I've been waiting for this.~ She's so much more fun this way," she said of her elder sister. She'd seen this one, what she was willing to call the real and happy face of Hoshimi Eri. At the same time, the one known as Vivian found herself at Artoria's rear with a long handled spoon. What would be happening? Well she would be attempting to reach in for a spoon full, but her spoon would be stopped by the one spinning in Artoria's hand. Ah, that habit of eating like a savage teen boy was suddenly making a lot of sense. "Rie, you will get your own..." she mentioned as two spoons repeatedly clashed. Ah, this was something which would happen repeatedly as she fought to keep control of her bowl. "Oh come on. You can let me have a bite. You already killed me once let me have some..." Vivian mentioned as if this was reason enough. "Listen here Fae Princess, I will fucking slay you over this pudding bowl!" exclaimed Artoria having absolutely no thoughts of sharing. "Language. Rie-nee you know only Kei-nii allows you to eat off his plate. Get your own. You two still act like children!" the Queen of Saints chided. "Yes mom." both of the older girls answered as Vivian ran off to try and find out what she had to do to get some butterscotch pudding. Of course that came with a cheeky smile, she knew she could get such an outburst out of her sister. All the while, some wondered how talented people had to be with weapons that she fought off a spoon so deftly even while intoxicated. "That's sisters. I haven't had such a spat since I stole Ronnie's shoes~" said the Queen of Queens seeming to enjoy the show and the drinks. She was also wondering how much the Queen of Knights had to drink to relax so much in front of everyone. And at the same time Artoria took a bite of her well defended dessert, seeming to be adeptly amused, while she did so. Yes, this exact moment was perfect as far as she was concerned.

"I..." Gawain didn't understand why in the world he was randomly receiving an entire cake and being expected to eat it. However, he could easily sigh and give up on the matter by sharing the bulk of it with Gareth. "Very well. Here, Gareth," the Sun-Knight spoke while sliding the full cake aside. He hadn't even finished his meal yet, much less the dessert he already had ready. Chances were, he couldn't go through more than a bite or two of an additional cake. The queen was being rather interesting today. When was the last time any of the knights had seen her intoxicated? Gawain couldn't count a single instance in his memory, but... Lancelot recalled one. "Ugh," he sighed. Things were looking more like what he'd originally thought, especially with the King of Heroes sitting next to their queen with such a smug expression. He was living this up, wasn't he? Someone would have to keep an eye out. . .

True enough, Gilgamesh was relishing in the experience of this dinner. A new side of Artoria was akin to a drink of fresh water when dehydrated. More interesting yet, was the little spoon-sparring match that occurred between the Queen of Knights and the Lady of the Lake. "H'oh?" he murmured as the exchange took place. She was quite dexterous even while intoxicated. Good; that information would come in handy some time after their nuptials. "Quite protective over something as simple as dessert, no? I do not fault you. That is how the queen of Gilgamesh should be," he commented in the most nonchalant manner possible. Another swig down, and a mighty and misty sigh of contentment passed the King of Heroes' lips.

Meanwhile, another of the great kings was hardly holding back his laughter. Ozymandias sat with his queen at the head of a neighboring table, choking down a mouthful of steak before anything left his mouth. "I've not seen something like that, ever. Bree does like trying to ring my head to grab at one of her favorites from time to time, though. I would have lost it long ago if she had skills like that."

Gareth for her part in this seemed more than happy to consume the extra cake. Agravain as well, was more than willing to take a bit of extra sugar off the plate of the youngest child. Moreover, Gawain obviously didn't understand why their Queen was spoiling him, but Agravain had a pretty good idea of why. She supposed it was better than knowing that tomorrow morning she was going to be slayed in training. Oh well, cake now, die later. At the same time, the Lady Galahad found herself watching the Queen's behavior. She wondered if Artoria knew her base personality actually existed when she wasn't actively controlling herself, or rather crushing herself into whatever mold she thought she fit in best. "My Queen how many drinks have you had?" Galahad asked mostly to figure out exactly how hidden her personality was beneath the surface of her being. "Hm..." Artoria was eating a bite of pudding seeming to give it hefty consideration. "Six. I have had six of these..." she said pointing to the Holy Grail sitting on the table before her. The Lady Galahad nodded, but seemed unconcerned over how much she'd drank, 'That is buried pretty deeply. Her personality almost exists as part of her subconscious if she has to be six drinks deep to be anything close to normal. Being raised a killer might have done a number on her, in addition to her other issues,' Galahad thought, the intelligence of one of the worlds brightest minds burning behind her eyes. Of course, there was also the stunning matter of her obvious interest in the King of Heroes as she'd had not a cross word to say to him since before the arrival of dessert.

And after getting rid of Vivian, Artoria seemed equally content. "One must draw that line, once Rie starts eating off your plate she will never stop. It is about the principle, besides it is my favorite. Like a grazing deer she just partakes as she pleases, calls it the Big-Sis Tax and acts like that is justification," Artoria said of her elder sister. Still her eyes narrowed at the man sitting beside her. He was so content, she frowned deeply, pointing her currently empty spoon in his direction. "I will not stand for that. And you are nearing a new indulgence with the way you refer to me King of Heroes," she said managing only just barely not to falter. Of course, she went back to eating her dessert with all the childish happiness she occasionally mustered. Luckily enough the King of Heroes would enjoy a brief reprieve from true chiding from the Queen of Knights, in honor of his memory of her favorite dessert after a whole decade of time.

At the same time Nefertari could do nothing but laugh. "That is such a sibling thing to do... and sometimes, food just tastes better when it isn't from your own plate. Shoes fit better when you didn't buy them for yourself. The world will spin regardless, no harm is done," she said with a wide grin. "Still, I probably would have left Ronnie's shoe collection alone if she could wield a spoon so fiercely."