Finis Chaldea

On that seventh day, Gilgamesh continued traversing the Underworld. He didn't seem to be making very much headway, if any at all. Numerous cages of souls were opened and manifested. He spoke with many of them, seeking Enkidu and seeking knowledge of the Queen of Knights' downfall. Sadly, he received neither answer across multiple days. Even worse was the fact that thousands of souls and acres were ahead of him. Gilgamesh searched the dredges high and low, hearing more annoying plights of those who thought themselves unworthy of afterlife imprisonment, when they were in fact fated to this place for ages to come. "Damn that Kur. She should have known what I sought, yet she left me here with no knowledge of where to go," he griped as souls, one by one, were shoved back in their places of imprisonment. Surely Albion had ascended by now. If he took too long, the moment of Artoria's passing would be over before Gilgamesh found his way out of this hole. Perhaps it was time for the king to make a choice, between continuing his search for Enkidu and finding answers for the future. . .

Finding answers for the future... Artoria had announced her walk and taken off. With Excalibur in her hands, none would question her whereabouts and she wasn't going anywhere unsafe to herself. She had reached the lake, summoned her sister and been given an earful. "I'm not a fucking taxi! You cannot simply use me to come and go as you please!" yes, those were the sweet words that Artoria remembered after greeting her sister. The answer that she was exactly that didn't seem to sit well with the Fae but then rather suddenly, Artoria received an apology from her sister. According to Vivian she was just tired and cranky. How strange. Artoria knew her sisters and brother like she knew no other people in either world. And rare was it indeed for Hoshimi Rie to present herself as anything other than what she wanted to be seen as. What could have been wrong with her sister was the thought which plagued Artoria's mind as she approached the Pharaohs Pyramid if only because it would help distract her from things much more frightening to her. Upon her approach to their shared throne she was alerted to the fact that they were in fact inhabiting a workshop. She was pointed in the direction of this and stopped shy of the open door, not sure she wanted to enter. "Pharoahs, the Queen of Knights wishes to grace you... could you spare a few moments?" she asked ever so politely.

In a moment like this, Nefertari was hard at work. The clothing she pieced together here and now was not for the Queen of Knights and thus she didn't bother hiding it. No, she'd had a bit of inspiration and was working on a male ensemble with a small jacket and strangely open pants on a mannequin. "Queen of Knights, you may enter. We are decent, there is nothing to worry about..." Nefertari answered back. Such put Artoria at ease as she stepped into the doorway. "Good Afternoon to you both, I came to let you know... Albion has risen we are your newest neighbors and a few of my Knights would like to train against your Medjay," she offered normal news initially though obviously there was something else on her mind.

While the King of Heroes trifled in matters even he did not understand, the Queen of Knights took a journey of a different nature. Her path led her to Egypt, where two pharaohs were each in a state of great interest. Nefertari sauntered about as always, piecing together fabrics left and right. In the meantime, Ozymandias would be found in the only place he could imagine himself being: within the very same room. Indeed, Artoria's approach was made while Ozymandias sat at a nearby table. His elbows were propped against said table, his chin resting atop laced fingers. "Welcome again, ye Mighty," he said to the Queen of Knights, though his eyes could never be peeled away from Nefertari at work. He was essentially always smiling throughout life, and those who understood would never have to wonder why. Whether they did or not though, he would be sure they were informed regardless. "You've picked a wonderful time to rise. Gaze upon the phases of the moon, and despair! You are fortunate enough to see greatness this day," he announced.

It seemed the Knights of the Round table desired a thrashing. That would certainly be an interesting thing to watch... Or at least Ozymandias would call it interesting, if not for his present form of entertainment. "Ho. If it is the Medjay they want to give them a thwarting, I believe Renen, Amset and Serenity are in the vicinity right now. Neither of them is the friendliest to face in combat, but it would be entertaining to watch them and your knights learn from each other."

Gaze upon the phases of the moon and despair. These were the words of the Sun King as he watched his wife in a rather childish manner. Artoria couldn't help but have to suppress a chuckle at the outlandishness of such a sight, but still she could respect it. Especially given the amount of focus in one like Nefertari as she worked diligently on a piece unlike any she'd seen before. "You are quite right, I have never truly seen work made to look so entertaining," she said with that knowing little smirk. Truly, she'd not seen anyone who seemed to enjoy craftsmanship as much as the two pharaohs did while they were in action. As such she was more than content to watch the pieces be put together. "Well come on give us a hand. Place yours here..." she said waving Artoria over. Strange she was being looped into such a thing, but she supposed she was interrupting it was only right to help. Her hands found themselves against a piece of fabric that could hardly be called a shirt while, Nefertari made sure there was enough space for those hands to fit. "Yes, to die, for~" she claimed.

Meanwhile, Artoria seemed to be blissfully ignorant of whom such a work was for. And instead chose to simply do what the woman said while leaving Excalibur's new great sword form against the table. "Ah, I recognize that one, Renen, I faced a while back. She reminded me a bit of Lancelot. That would be good for him..." she said giving it a bit of thought. "I will pass along those names to the ones interested you have my thanks..." she said having never forgotten the name of a single person she'd faced in direct combat. Ah yes but there was another question. "All done, what do you think?" she asked as Artoria drew her hands back and looked at the ensemble. "It looks mage-like but strangely I find it rather tasteful, even with the amount of skin such a thing would show," Artoria mentioned with a few nods of her head. "Good good," said Nefertari while shooting a wink in the direction of the Sun King. "Now congratulations on your ascension. All is well in Albion, yes?" she asked of the lass which made Artoria nod. "Yes, all is well... I actually came by for guidance of a more specific variety, Pharaoh, could I borrow your wife for a more delicate conversation?" Yes, Artoria was beating around the bush and looked like a child caught doing something naughty instead of like an adult Queen of an entire nation. "Hoh? That sounds like man problems. I'll get wine!~" these were the words of an unknown which made Artoria's eyes shift in the direction of the doorway as a woman with shorthair and tanned skin slipped off only seconds after eye contact was made. "Sorry about that, that was Serenity. She's my big sis, and honestly, one of the best people to have such a conversation with. A bit crude sometimes, but very discrete." Nefertari's words sank into Artoria's ears and with her eyes on the woman, she was quite certain she was being honest about her faith in her big sister. "That is fine, to be honest, I cannot currently speak to my own sister and I would find a bit of advice on the matter comforting," she said the huge grin on her Nefertari's face happened as she left and she kissed the Sun King on her way out just briefly. With the Queen of Knights grabbing hold of her great sword before exiting behind the female pharaoh who went to join the one known as Serenity in a comfortable sitting room. Lounging pillows, dim lighting and three small golden goblets currently being filled by the woman with the short purple hair having apparently decided that she was sitting in on this conversation.

Artoria Pendragon knew of the Medjay called Renen, as stated by the young queen herself. Ozymandias refrained from laughing, hilarious though it was to watch her nonchalantly uphold a conversation while unknowingly helping the stitch of her husband's new wardrobe. "Renan is brilliant. I wouldn't exactly compare her to your Lancelot, but I understand how the conclusion was made. I'll tell her to be alert," he said, mostly talking just to distract himself from the threat of laughter within. Much to Ozymandias' dismay, Artoria's purpose in this visit was to have a discussion... specifically with Nefertari. Aghast, Ozymandias let his mouth hang open in an exaggerated gesture. "You want to what?" the pharaoh asked during this overblown expression of shock. "Every time someone steps into my temple lately, it's always to sweep my wife away! Hmph. The audacity of mankind triumphs over the gods again, it seems." A huff passed his lips, along with mock dejection shown with a turn of his head after Nefertari's approach and kiss. Serenity sneaked her way in as always, even ushering the other women along to another room. The absolute nerve of them! "Fine! I will show magnanimity and allow you a few moments alone with greatness. Do not leave me waiting."

Ozymandias could see how Artoria drew likeness between Renan and Lancelot, though he wouldn't himself call them similar. Of course the Queen of Knights realized herself that they were two people standing on opposite sides of the same coin, she would still call them more alike than different. Of course, that was simply her way, as a matter of simplification. They are two people blessed by waters who use them to fight. Too bad, it seemed as if she'd caused mock anger in the Pharaoh as she wanted to whisk away his wife for a discussion. His words about her audacity and his mock indignation made the Queen of Knights face redden gently. "Sincerely, I do not mean such a thing... I just need... what does Galahad call it," she gave it some thought. "A girl's opinion," she clarified. She really didn't mean to leave him out, she just wasn't ready to say the things she wanted to in front of a man. Surely, it wouldn't be so bad. "I will not keep her long..." mentioned the Knight Queen.

Within that space though, she leaned Excalibur against the cushion and flopped down next to it. She managed to look graceful but still completely overwhelmed. "I have never seen man problems so clearly on a girl's face before... even this one was better at hiding it~" Serenity broke the silence and handed the Queen of Knights one of those goblets. Nefertari took one for herself and chided her elder sister. "Leave her alone, Ronnie... our Queen here is pretty exceptional but a bit new to the whole thing," she said giving a bit of reassurance to the Queen of Knights. "So, I should start by saying that I have some understanding, but I have questions... about dating and sex," Yes that was how the Queen of Knights started this conversation and now Nefertari and Serenity were staring at each other with wicked almost animal like glares going between them. "I cannot ask my own sister, because I think she is far beyond my understanding as a person..." she clarified taking another sip of wine. She'd almost been spoiled on wine that came from Gilgamesh but it would be Serenity who spoke up. "Don't worry, I broke out the good stuff. Anyway... what exactly is your question, you almost sound like a virgin trying to understand how it will fit..." Serenity said which made Nefertari nudge her a bit. Artoria managed to look wide eyed for a second but then recovered. "Actually, that is a large part of the question, yes. Most of it actually..." she said. "I am not used to any of this... I lived my original life as one without feelings at all so I am often uncertain. I like the King of Heroes, do not tell him I said that. And previously found myself in a rather compromising position. I am willing to face it now but... it defies my own logic." Artoria's words made both Nefertari and Serenity give her approving nods. "That isn't really so much a problem. Monsters like those can be pretty scary the first time you come across them but you can tame any one you wish as long as you are ready for them," said Nefertari. These words were too flowery for what Serenity would have advised so she said more. "Or to be more clear, just make sure he's done his part to get you to the big finish a few times first. If it's slick just about anything will be able to slide in." Artoria literally choked on wine. She now fully understood, both why Nefertari said this woman would be good for the conversation and why she'd warned her of crudeness.

And so, Ozymandias was left alone in a room with another man's clothes. What sort of situation was this for a pharaoh to be in? It took only a few moments for a sigh of absolute boredom to be heaved. That damn Serenity could have been good for conversation in the interim of this "girl talk" Artoria spoke of, but it seemed she would never be one to leave herself out of that. Actually... now that he was alone, Ozymandias could reminisce a bit. He recalled Serenity, or rather Veronica Corbyn, being overheard during a particular phone call less than 24 hours after he met the woman he wound up marrying in another world. With that memory in place, he laughed all by his lonesome. Someone like Artoria Pendragon would not be capable of dealing with Serenity and her wiles, he believed. Well... maybe he would eventually hear some interesting and hilarious tidbits about the exchange. Even if Nefertari didn't tell him herself, he was quite sure Serenity would be forthright about it.

Meanwhile, the empire of AS-IKU was greeted by its sovereign, the God of Water, Enki. It was high time he checked on the mortals and their progress on the first grand temple of Ishtar. Things seemed to be coming along quite nicely, and there were even several busts being worked on just outside the temple. Satisfied by the meeting of his speed-based demand, Enki thought it was about time he paid a visit to Celestia once more. Ah, but first, a few more moments to bask in his own glory. . .

Artoria was still choking with wine definitely in her lungs right now. She now had one hand over her chest and the other holding her goblet. She was trying to take a breath and only succeeding a couple of times through her nose. "Yes, definitely through the nose. It'll get easier..." Serenity said seeming to be only a little amused by the whole of this situation. Nefertari nudged her again, and she pushed back. "What, that was too flowery... she needed to know the truth," she said as if this was perfectly reasonable. "I did need to know the truth. I just did not expect it to attack me like a rampaging bull. I was unguarded," said the Queen of Knights with a face the color of a beet. "Yeah, I did warn you. Anyway, the physical aspect isn't a problem as long as you are ready," Nefertari mentioned going back to her own drink. "So, should I brace?" that was the question of a warrior virgin and both of the women across from her shook their heads in unison, holding up a hand each to emphasize. "Never brace. Not ever, sex does not have to be a battle... and for one who has never before partaken, you should relax..." said Nefertari. Serenity surprisingly enough agreed. "Surrender, might even be a better word. You don't wanna hurt yourself... unless you're into that," said the woman with the shorter hair. Artoria seemed to be processing this information rather carefully.

No bracing, relaxing, surrendering... "To what end? Why should I do these things? What actually happens?" Now both Serenity and Nefertari were choking. The Queen was a virgin in the most absolute sense of the word. She did not understand what it was to have or enjoy an orgasm, no wonder sex did not make sense to her. "I do not understand why you both are choking now..." Artoria said wondering what she'd just said to elicit such a reaction. It would be Nefertari who managed to share the combined disbelief of the former family Corbyn. "We expected that you might not fully grasp sex. We did not expect you to not know why people have sex... aside from making babies it feels great..." Nefertari said honestly. To be as clear as possible there was Serenity who thought maybe the lass was just mistaken in not knowing. "Like a tingling sensation building up with pressure between your legs until it kind of just... releases. Seriously? It's like the best thing ever. It will relax your whole body, set your whole day or night right, make you forgive stupidity, or be stupid... you know anything," Serenity was certain this did not need more explanation than that. Artoria gave it some thought. Seven days prior to this one while they were in the Nexus she'd felt the start of those feelings that Serenity mentioned but not this release. Ah, but the King of Heroes had used that term too... is that what he was referencing. Big finish, climax, orgasm... were these all names for whatever the completion of that feeling was? That all sounded fine in theory but she'd never taken such a thing in practice. "I understand the start... but not the end, we were interrupted by the White Titan..." said Artoria, that clicked within the mind of Nefertari, that did indeed explain both the look on the girl's face and Gilgamesh's discontent upon their arrival. "Damn, that sucks. Nothing worse than missing a good one. You probably wouldn't be asking anything if you'd actually gotten there," said Serenity. She was quite certain nature took care of these questions on its own most of the time. But until it did, she was here to promote positive sexual outlooks in everyone. "You were annoyed, then right? Just a bit with no understanding of why? It was the interruption that did it, whether you realized it or not." Nefertari spoke factual information only. And in hearing all these words she could put into perspective a potential plan of action. She now understood it mechanically. She had a goal in mind to reach, and she knew her partner of choice... now all that was left was... "How do I approach him?"

Enki could not know greater satisfaction if he tried. No, that wasn't true... there was greater satisfaction on its way! All he had to do was seize it, and he would do exactly that. Following a quick inspection of Ishtar's newest temple, he vanished from the offshoot of Finis Chaldea, reappearing in Celestia. Climbing a long stairwell was all it took to reach the chamber of Ishtar herself. In only a week or so, he would enter with a visage full of elation for the second time. "Oh Ishtar~♪ I come bearing the most wonderful news!" he announced within seconds of marching into the goddess' room. She wouldn't be required to remain here for very long; he'd see to that personally.

In the meantime, Gilgamesh walked through the Underworld and sneezed up a veritable storm. In dying, had he become susceptible to illness? That didn't make sense. That whore Ishtar must have been talking about him! Or, perhaps there was a positive reason, like an organized mourning of his demise... or even just the lack of his presence, provided his message was delivered in a timely manner. Nevertheless, he wasn't having any luck at all. He'd decided the search for Enkidu would be a very long one; it would take much more time than he had before sacrificing the future. So, he made the impossibly difficult decision of putting off the past attachment to gamble on the future. How far had he fallen? He couldn't truly believe the ideal future was guaranteed; he simply demanded that it be so. Things hadn't exactly gone according to his perfect plans in recent decades, though, so what if this ended the same? The King of Heroes continued wandering, wondering if his friend would be furious for being abandoned over a gamble... but win or lose, he would return for his brother again.

Ishtar was lounging in her temple as she always did. Of course, right at the moment she was eating grapes and watching... Gilgamesh in her crystal ball. What a shame this man had died of overwork. Perhaps if she ever got out of here, she'd make her way down into Kur's domain and free him. He'd have no choice but to appreciate her for coming to get him. Then he would not know what to do with himself. He'd throw himself at her feet! Yes, he'd give her everything and when they showed up back in Uruk he'd have her temples placed back and lock up that boy-king! Hell, maybe he'd kill her, she was an annoyance that Ishtar didn't like, too many men followed her around, what the hell kind of title for a woman was Queen of Knights?! Ugh... as she thought over that little annoyance, a sound was accosting her ears. Of course, she rolled her eyes and shifted the view on her screen, why? Because she knew for a fact that Enki would have issue with her staring at Gilgamesh all the time. It was best if she kept that hobby to herself for a while yet. At least until she was sure of the placement of her temples. "Oh? You have wonderful news? Do tell..." she feigned interest, anything less than she could descend meant nothing but annoyance for her.

At the same time, Artoria's question was being addressed by Serenity and Nefertari. "A date would be easiest. For the type you are, dinner... a walk... something like that," Nefertari offered tangible ideas for an actual date. Of course, Serenity had an entirely different perspective to give, "Look there are like hundreds of ways to get yourself laid, and only about three of them will end badly for you. Just spend some time with him, preferably alone without any potentially world ending threats and let nature take its course," she said taking a sip of wine before finishing the thought completely. "And, if that doesn't work have some drinks. Liquid courage will have you saying fuck the consequences and trying anything your body seems to like~" That was the sort of classic advice given by Veronica Corbyn. Nefertari laughed just a bit. She couldn't help it. "Damnit Ronnie, you can't give someone that kind of advice all the time," she said only to look at the stunned Queen of Knights. "That drinking thing explains so much about my life right now..." she said. Oh right, Nefertari was at dinner when the Queen of Knights had already had six drinks and couldn't keep her eyes off the King of Heroes. "I suppose you did have quite a few at your party, since you are certain before you started drinking this time. The drinks thing isn't terrible advice. And if nothing else it'd help you relax and keep you from tensing up too much..." this was the combined advice of the women. In all of this Artoria could completely understand. Her drink finished she sat her cup down and nodded. "I find all of this helpful. Thank you both... " she said to Serenity and Nefertari. "I am not much for advice, but if you ever need a sword... I will help," Artoria said these words and Serenity smiled. "See, the Queen of Knights gets it. Sometimes you just need someone to ride with you while you do violent stuff!" said Serenity. At the same time Artoria reached out for the hand of Nefertari content to take her back to her waiting husband. "Our Knight-Queen offers the strangest thing. I'd have told you all that for free you know. I'm always willing to help out a fellow Queen~" And with that she returned with Artoria to Ozymandias and her workshop, after less than an hour's time.