Finis Chaldea

[Bloodedge]

Artoria announced her 'walk' in usual fashion, though with a hint of something... more than the usual combat-based expedition. Some understood the purpose of this, some did not care to think of it, and some (Yes, Gawain) believed it was not their place to pry regardless. The youngest member of the Round Table, however, seemed to have the wrong idea in their head. Mordred thought some sort of escort should be required during this trip, but the experienced knights who followed Artoria Pendragon had known better for... well over a millennium. It would be Mordred's own brother/cousin who spoke immediately after the young knight. "I last wondered that sort of thing long before I was a knight. If Unc─" He paused, clearing his throat quickly. "If our queen desired an escort, I am sure she would say so. If there is anything she should be defended from, it would take enough of us that it wouldn't be called a walk." Gawain recalled the few times it had been necessary for others to accompany Camelot's queen. Most recently, the only required assistance came with the presence of a world-ending alien deity. With that thought in mind, Gawain rose from his seat, thinking to take a trip to the kitchen. "Come, Mordred. Has anyone told you about the White Titan yet? I'll tell you all about it while I prepare lunch."

[Apollymi]

Many wouldn't be questioning the Queen of Knights. Gawain was among those who chose not to do so for the sake of simply believing in her. Mordred considered that brother of theirs to be a bit of a 'uncle's boy' always seeming to go along with whatever Artoria said. Even so, this mention of confusion surrounding the actions of this supposed walk were apparently something they could explain. The queen according to him, would ask if she wished for an escort. He made the claim beyond that if there was something she would have required assistance to handle it would have required more than one of them to deal with. What did he mention to entice Mordred into hearing out what sort of things he meant? A tale of battle! Well, Mordred had recently been there to observe the queen fighting, of course... the tale of this particular battle was not one they were familiar with. "Never heard of it. Well, it was mentioned in that broadcast that she was part of the effort but... I don't even know what that is," mentioned Mordred. They would contentedly follow Gawain off to hear stories of the queen's glory all the while being almost obsessive about learning everything they could about the perfect queen.

At the same time, Artoria dispensed with the apparent teasing of her person. Gave a nod of understanding to Kay and headed off on her particular adventure. She walked initially to a quiet lake, mostly as a method of calming herself because she was in fact rather excited by her own nature. But by the time she reached the lake, she dropped in Excalibur as if nothing was amiss. It would return from the depths in the hands of Vivian who managed to look surprised but not truly. "Ah, look at you! Hot date tonight?" she asked seeming to find amusement in the immediate reddening of Artoria's face. "Shut it, Fae Princess..." she snapped quickly which only caused laughter. "Aww, don't be like that... I was only teasing. You do look pretty cute though~" she said giving it a bit of thought. "If you are going to do the thing you do not wish to actually discuss with me though... you should probably hand me Avalon," she said carefully moving around the subject. Artoria looked at her older sister with skepticism but saw no deception in her words. "Why would I do that?" she asked seeming to not understand as she was about to sink her sword back into its sheath. "Because Avalon passively heals you at a greater speed than most damage you can take. I am sure you realize how sex would actually work for a virgin like yourself... unless you are trying to develop a chocolate level of kink, you probably do not want to experience being a virgin repeatedly while being in the company of your King of Heroes~" she teased just a bit. And Artoria looked at her sister a bit stunned. Her brain started moving. Sex involved penetration. She'd seen the size of his 'divine tool'. Did she want to potentially heal something so painful to experience it again?! Artoria's face immediately reddened. "I am never speaking of this again," she said, but she still handed over Avalon without a second thought. "Why chocolate?" that was the follow up. She'd never heard such a reference before and was now experiencing a new level of confusion.

[Bloodedge]

Into the kitchen Gawain went, taking a moment to peruse the available ingredients across various cabinets. As he did so, he considered where he should begin with the tale Mordred knew nothing of. She heard only the broadcast, Mordred herself said. Ah yes... her. As the oldest of knights who shared their bloodline, he had an eye for the secret natures each of his siblings possessed. Mordred was an especially strange case, but... he'd also been the one to know Artoria when she was Prince Arthur. Whatever the case, it was time to begin the story. "It was hundreds of years ago now; probably over a thousand. When Albion rose, I believe only a week passed before all of Chaldea and the world below were endangered by a giant, white creature. That thing was a monster. Every movement shook the continent, and it could have easily killed anyone it hit directly. Our queen was away for a short while when it happened," Gawain explained, pausing as he pulled an old radish from the pantry. He sighed, tossing the thing into a waste bin. These people needed to eat more vegetables. "More gone to waste. Can anyone eat something besides meat? Percival makes too many exceptions," he complained as if saddened.

Rummaging for more choices, Gawain thought for a moment about where he'd left off in the story. Ah, yes. "Anyway, we fought and fought for a very long time. We the knights, the great Pharaohs of Egypt, even the Holy Maiden and her... dragon companion, fought our hardest just to keep the world safe from it. There was nothing else we could do. It was not until our Queen Artoria and King Gilgamesh of Mesopotamia returned that it could be felled. Suddenly, an impossible victory became a walk in the park. Our queen broke her sword initially, but that didn't prove much of a problem in the end." While Gawain spoke, he searched and search. Eventually, a twinkle appeared in his eye as he pulled from the pantry... a very large leek. "Leek soup? What do you think, Mordred?"

[Apollymi]

Mordred sat in the kitchen atop a counter as Gawain explained the nature of this fight against a white titan as he called it. The power of such a creature made it seem truly frightening and though his story was broken up by various mentions of food related issue, the core of it was still the same. The Queen had shown up during a fight where recognized good fighters could not win and achieved victory though impossible. 'So cool!' Ah, but there was another mention in there that she did not understand. That King Gilgamesh from Mesopotamia, who was that and why was he included in this moment of the Queen's glory. "I'll eat leek soup but, could I get like some steak or something on the side?" she asked as if this was a perfectly normal request to make. "I don't know of this King Gilgamesh either. He was mentioned then too... but why? You make it sound like he is in some way comparable to Father or on the same level. I don't like it." There was a certain bratty pout accompanied by such a statement as arms crossed over armored chest. If a face had been visible there would have been a clear pout present complete with poked out bottom lip. Mordred did not like the idea of anyone being truly comparable to the Queen. They'd reached a strange point in their idolization and would not let the imagine they had be tarnished by riff-raff.

Meanwhile, Artoria was about to be schooled in the nature of sex by her older sister. Or at the very least be given the answer to the question of why her older sister referred to such a thing as constant virginity as a 'chocolate kink'. Vivian could only smile as she thought of the first time she'd seen herself having this conversation with her sister. She'd never imagined the day would actually come. It was quite exciting, "Well, little sister since you asked..." Vivian stated preparing to blow the girl's mind. "Sex is like Neapolitan ice cream," she said which made Artoria look at her strangely. "Go on..." she said not getting this food reference. "It has three distinct flavors in separate stripes all in one. And most times, you choose your stripes and you do not tarry too far outside. Vanilla would be like the sort of things they show in PG-13 to R rated movies. Simple, innocent free of anything extra, all romance-filled but sweet." Vivian explained as if she'd put a great deal of thought into it. "Then there is strawberry for those who like a little bit more excitement. Not the sort of thing that could count as odd, just a little spicy, ya' know? Still sweet but less innocent... you know a bit more flavorful, props, dress up, the kinds of things you find in romance novels~" she explained of the second flavor. "Chocolate is for the special few. You do not get chocolate unless you go looking for chocolate. And if you are going looking for it, chances are you are already into it. Cursed tags, things that require safe words and their own language... chocolate kinks aren't for the faint of heart and you have to develop those... you don't usually start with them," she said. "Understand?" That question made Artoria look at her sister in sheer shock. "Actually, yes I am pretty sure I understand, in theory at least. That is a very strange metaphor, but... surprisingly concise. You have my thanks," she said to her sister. A second there after, Vivian took her hand to drop her outside of the Kingdom of Uruk, knowing her sister would prefer to walk up herself.

[Bloodedge]

Leek soup was a go, according to Mordred. Excellent! It was about time this band of knights shoved something healthy into their faces! Sadly, Mordred requested steak... as a side. What sort of question was that? Well, there was a need to balance the meal, but he noticed that despite there being no shortage to speak of, there was les red meat than he believed they should've had available. "I swear, what has Percival been allowing lately? Given the amount missing, I would think twice about serving red meat at all today, much less for lunch. I know you are still young, but wouldn't you prefer fowl?" he asked. As Gawain saw it, this group needed something lean now and then.

Mordred spoke of King Gilgamesh, whom she had no real knowledge of. Frankly, Gawain doubted anyone outside of his own country knew much about that man, bar what appeared on the surface. As for why he was mentioned, there was only a single fact to be given about it. "Ah. You still don't have your own sword; I'm sorry for not explaining. If you are acknowledged as a high-standing member of the Round Table, there is a chance you'll receive one of Excalibur's sisters. They each function somewhat differently, with Excalibur itself channeling power through its tip. When it broke, our queen kept using it. Its attack without a tip though, was something wild and uncontrollable, if not for the use of King Gilgamesh's... I'm honestly not sure how to put it. It was like a red wind that sucked in everything, including the White Titan and Excalibur's light." In the middle of this explanation, Gawain went about collecting leeks, potatoes and garlic. He still wasn't completely sure about the meat that would accompany this dish, but he was keen to start preparation on the soup itself. "Would you like to help, Mordred? I plan to use the tops of these leeks for the stock," he asked, willing to accept the younger one's aid if it suited her. "I don't know how those two compare to one another. Uncle won the Holy Grail War they fought in, though she didn't seem as pleased about it as she normally does after winning a great battle. He is apparently the ruler of the world, though, and... Uncle's future husband, if you were to ask him. Rather, you wouldn't have to ask him. Just put our queen in the same room, and I am sure you would hear something along those lines from him regardless."

[Apollymi]

Gawain was content to complain about what the lad known as Percival allowed while he was cooking. Mordred could only laugh, "Bleh, Percy cooked and he does not like upsetting anyone..." she said seeming to find the explanation suitable. Though Mordred had asked for steak, Gawain counter-offered fowl? Truly, that was such a downgrade from the meatiness of a steak. "I guess it is fine, but I want double. I'm hungry and growing!" she proclaimed. That likely wasn't true but she truly did want a double portion of lighter meat if that was what was going to be on the menu. Following this commentary was an explanation on the workings of Excalibur while it was broken. The claim that it was wholly uncontrollable and destructive and that the man known as Gilgamesh had somehow used his own abilities or weapon to properly channel Excalibur. Ah, so he assisted the Queen, that was acceptable she supposed. "Hmphf, I'll get my own sword one day," she said seeming to accept the other information easily. It made the Queen look more perfect in her eyes after all. So what of helping her brother with the cooking. "I guess I can help. Sitting here hungry would get annoying..." mentioned Mordred. Yes, she spent all of her time in armor, but she could remove pieces at will. Her hands bare of plating emerged from the center. She washed her hands and took up a knife to begin assisting. The words of Gawain still floating around. Gilgamesh was apparently the king of the world, and wanted to marry the Queen, the sound of knife against cutting board stopped for a moment. "He claims this and lives?! And why do you call her Uncle instead of Father. I really do not understand..." Mordred's understanding of their family dynamic was quite off but that was to be expected, Morgan had not bothered explaining in great detail.

Soon enough Artoria was walking through Uruk. She did this normally, mostly to help calm herself down. Why was she so excited? She'd said she was coming here after she killed the Sword Emperor... she was returning Gilgamesh's armor. It was hardly something that should make her anxious. Still, she was rather happy to be going to see him. There was a large smile on her face already even as she stopped by that statue of Enkidu. That small boy with the blue hair was still there and apparently still a child. Was he some kind of immortal or had he died a few times? She supposed she shouldn't really question it directly. He waved just the same seemingly excited to see her once more. She gave this child a careful head pat. "Have anything new to say?" she asked of the child. "Hm, not really... I've been talking with the scribe a lot lately..." the kid shared. 'Scribe? He's taken on some new people?' That seemed a bit curious but good for him, considering the state of his kingdom. "Oh? Well then, shall I share with you the tale of my battle against the Emperor of Swords?" she asked of the lad. His eyes immediately sparkled and he seemed enthused. So... came the time Artoria Pendragon shared the tale of her Return to Camelot and the ensuing battle against a man who could only take one wound at a time. She told the truth, embellishing only clashes with her own excitement. This was of course, because the lad had managed to always be so engaging, he was near infectious she might as well be the same and explain to him directly her own tale. At the end the child seemed stunned. The Queen of Knights fought day and night for 8 days straight against a man who could only show one wound at a time. So skilled an opponent that he could not be taken advantage of and even managed to wound her?! This story was amazing, he'd make sure the rest of the children heard it. It would seem that Artoria managed to transfer her excitement to this child by the time she stood to head up the steps of the Ziggurat.

[Bloodedge]

"For not upsetting anyone, he's going to make someone fat," Gawain snipped. For all his talk of being an adult, Percival still behaved so childishly from time to time. Now, Mordred wanted double fowl for not having red meat? Who thought that was reasonable?! "Mordred, double would be almost the same as having a steak... fine," he sighed. "Since you're helping, just this once." The pair continued discussing while Gawain went about peeling potatoes, as he did more often than perhaps one should. Mordred proclaimed her intention to receive a sword, and as her senior sibling, he could do naught but smile. That was going to be a grand day. "I look forward to the day. There are few things as honorable as receiving one of the swords related to our Queen's." Such satisfaction it was. Gawain himself had occasionally been entrusted with Excalibur itself, deemed worthy to wield it and all, but even that was not as precious as receiving his Galatine. Given Mordred's rowdy attitude, he thought her sword was going to be a doozy.

Ah, now there was something strangely of importance. He thought that if Mordred did not understand the King of Heroes' standing, some problems may arise. Even more importantly, there was a lack of understanding regarding their... familial ties, as it were. "Well, he is a very powerful man, and... I don't think Uncle minds, despite how she behaves. And, I call her Uncle because that is what she is to me. She is... the younger sister to our mother, but father only to you... I believe. I would ask Mother for the greater details, if you are able to speak with her."

Meanwhile, the lidded eyes of Gilgamesh himself peeled open as he sat upon the throne of Uruk. Today was the day. As a moth to the flame, he could sense Artoria within the city. Her existence, her arrival, goosed his flesh and left the hairs of his neck standing erect indefinitely. There was so little time now. Soon, very soon, the long dream would be over. Teeth were bared in the brightest grin, and a single word was spoken. "Siduri," the king said. He was beaming no differently than he did when achieving great glory, if not somehow more brightly. "Make use of those I have assembled, and take note. The king will be indisposed for the foreseeable future. We will have the Harvest Festival only after my return."

[Apollymi]

Apparently, Gawain thought that Percival would end up making someone fat. Even so, Gawain still after a bit of griping agreed to allow Mordred her extra share of meat in exchange for her help in the kitchen! "That's what I'm talking about! You're alright!" she claimed seemingly pleased by the development. He was also a rather encouraging sibling, claiming to look forward to the day Mordred would receive their weapon. He claimed there was no greater honor than receiving a sword related to the Queen's and Mordred could only hope such a thing would happen for her. 'There is no reason it shouldn't!' she thought excitedly. After all, she wasn't small like Gareth or wielding a different kind of weapon. "Good, look forward to it!" Mordred proclaimed, she had to be a bit confident right? It was a good trait to have. As they moved on in conversation more was spoken about this man called Gilgamesh. Apparently the Queen did not mind the actions of such an audacious man regardless of her own behavior. Of course she wouldn't, she was the epitome of dignity and class. She wouldn't bother being publicly upset about anything. What was more, apparently Gawain and the others were not as related to the Queen as Mordred herself was. Another pause in her work and there were practically visible sparkles coming off Mordred's helmet. 'I'm the queen's only child! I'm so special she must have so many plans for me. No wonder I don't have a sword yet! Father is so awesome!~' That happy silence that ensued was then met by more chopping. "I can't always speak to Mother, besides being around her gives me strange feelings. She reeks of bloodshed..." Mordred said meaning it fully. Whatever the case, they could be happy knowing that Artoria was a perfect beacon of a shining parent. A perfect emotionally unavailable Queen and a fair and just ruler, who knew only glorious combat, dignity and honesty.

At the same time, an excited Artoria was making her way up the stairs of the Ziggurat and Siduri had her name spoken as the King opened his eyes and smiled in a manner most unsettling. The King would be indisposed. The Harvest Festival would happen after his return? All fine, she could only guess why this was the case, and hearing footsteps on their way up she could only imagine. "As you wish my King. I will make sure everyone knows." she said giving an incline of her head. Artoria Pendragon entered the throne room of this Ziggurat with a smile on her face and happy light in her eyes. Strange though it was to see her approach in such a way, Siduri herself could be nothing but happy to see her. So her thoughts on the matter had been right, a sly smirk appeared under that veil. A thousand years was a long time to wait, she supposed they had some catching up to do. Artoria's eyes travelled up the steps of the throne coming to rest on Gilgamesh. "I have taken the Emperor of Swords' head as promised and I come returning something that belongs to you, King of Heroes~" she mused as she approached. She was wearing one of the lighter forms of her dress, not the one she'd been wearing on his arrival but one with fewer fluffy layers than her original only a single thin layer beneath the blue dress and said blue overdress had a large opening in the back which gave a window between her shoulders which dipped down to her lower back. One had to compliment the female pharaoh and her understanding of modesty and functionality. Just the same, Artoria currently seemed all too pleased to be here.

[Bloodedge]

There was a pause from Mordred. What did she think about the manner by which she was born? Gawain couldn't tell past the armor. Actually, now that he thought about it, the Sun-Knight wondered what his youngest sister even looked like. It wasn't his place to pry if she sought some amount of privacy in wearing all that armor including a helmet, but the curiosity had officially cemented itself. Regardless, she went on to state that she couldn't always speak to their mother. When she could, it was strange. That... made a great deal of sense to Gawain, yet also none at all. "Hmm. Mother has always been very kind, but I may understand what you're talking about. Sometimes, it seems almost as if she is something... dark," he mused.

Siduri stated her understanding of the king's recent order, and with that, he could move on contentedly. Mere seconds passed before those footsteps became audible. Suddenly, there was a veil of blue with the finest gold sprinkled atop it. His beam was unwavering, as was his gaze. Well, the latter wasn't quite true. Gilgamesh's eyes would not be still as they scanned the Queen of Knights up and down, many times over. She was victorious in her battle. Of course she was. "I expect nothing less," he commented. What she had for Gilgamesh was something that belonged to him─ something she thought to return. Surely she spoke of his armor, but there wasn't an ounce of concern in his soul for that drab old getup. He desired one thing, not draped in gold, but in lapis. So then, what would his rebuttal be? "H'oh? It seems you have, and look─ you even took the time to giftwrap it. I declare that this packaging is more than fit," he said, pointing at Artoria with a slightly-hooked finger as he spoke. "I will enjoy nothing more than unwrapping it. Bring it to me. Make your offering to me as one would to the heavens."

[Apollymi]

Apparently, Gawain understood at least a little what Mordred meant about their mother. It was impossible to properly describe but Mordred was not entirely fond of their mother for a few reasons. Beyond the fact that she always showed up when she wanted and had not the right amount of reverence for speaking of Artoria. "Yeah, it's pretty weird. I'm not trying to think about it too much," said Mordred. There were better things for her to think about anyway. Like the perfection that was her father.

Artoria on the other hand, showed up in the Ziggurat and was greeted by Gilgamesh in the strangest fashion imaginable. He expected nothing less than her victory? Well, he was like that whenever she made such a claim. He'd had something similar to say when she'd won her Holy Grail. What else did he have to say? Well, she'd mentioned having something that belonged to him, and she'd definitely meant his armor, but he'd interpreted such a statement very differently. No. That wasn't the right way to say it. He'd chosen to interpret it in the way that made it a reference to her physical self. Artoria's face reddened instantly, this man couldn't just pay a compliment simply at all. "Why are you always like this, and why was I excited to see you knowing you are always like this?" she questioned both herself, him and the world at large in a moment like this. She could not keep the heat from her face, nor could she deny the outright desire to step forward towards that crooked finger of his. "You know that is not what I meant at all... Though I feel like that was meant to be a compliment. I suppose I should accept it," she said slowing making her way up those steps while slipping that golden necklace off her own person. "I do not make offerings to the heavens. I do not have conventions for such actions," she said cheekily. Still, she strangely did not stop her approach until she was standing directly before him when she'd reach towards him to restore that which she'd taken to the place around his neck. She had no way of interpreting the meaning of his sentences, but in reaching in she realized she was within arms reach and that she should back away though she truly did not want to. She did not deny belonging to him, she simply clarified what she'd actually meant. She'd become this sort of person dancing around such things because while she was sure it was him she wanted, she still wasn't sure why she wanted him, why she accepted him when he did nothing but annoy and embarrass her all the time.