( action )

[knight_king]

| characters | Saber and OPEN

| date/time | June 01-07; feel free to state when in your prompt.

| location | Several places.

| rating | G? May go higher depends if there's any violence or sparring. PG-13 because of bathing and some casual (but innocuous) nudity in a tag.

| summary | Weekly catch-all involving gathering food from the altar, staring at the flickering Life Stream and standing guard near the mist because of certain cat noise.


( a ): { Feast

Impressive…

[Saber can't help but stand in awe after noticing the abundance of food spread on the altar. It has always been stingy in giving food, but now there is not just a large amount to choose from, but there also seems to be more options she has not noticed before. Because of this sight, her thoughts have begun to drift to a strange direction and the mental picture of a happy Shirou thanking her after she brought her those ingredients to make dinner pops up in her mind only to fade a second later.

Guh—

She has to focus. Narrowing her eyes, the king of knights walks closer to the altar, opening her leaf bag to start gathering what she needs. But this amount... Perhaps it will be good to ask if they should store what is left before the day ends.]


( b ): { Different Light

[Saber is currently on the first floor with her wings folded and her brows furrowed, staring at the great ray of light that bathes the middle of the tree in all its extension. Despite the fuzzy, warm feelings of contentment she experiences when she is near it, her focused expression seems serious and concerned. Did I imagine it? she wonders while extends her hand at its direction...

A moment ago, when she descended from the sixth floor, she could have sworn that the golden light had flickered to a shade of blue.]


( c ): { Guard

[There is something—

Saber thinks while she glances at the mist barrier warily, walking toward the fog to listen closely. She can hear the sound of bells jiggling and with it there is another noise that accompanies it. The meowing sounds more menacing than it truly is from this diminutive size of hers.

She stops by the barrier and tries to discern the distance, and if there is any peril with its approach. Even small cubs can be dangerous to the small people who dwell in the tree, she has to remain alert.]


( d ): { Wild card

[In case you need your character to meet her and none of those scenarios fit.]

Comments

[knight_king]

Yes and the latter scenario is my concern.

[Some who will grow excited as she did and take the abundance as granted.]

Perhaps we should start to store the food that is left on the altar after the night falls.

[princeandscholar]

[Satisfied that the gemstones are safe, Orcelito walks to the runestone next. He’s still unsure of its significance, but he doesn’t want to overlook anything.]

That would be a good course of action. I’d rather we plan for the worst than be caught off guard. [He’s already stored food in his house for himself, Kit, and Riona. Having a stash available when the violinist was outside came in handy, so it’s a habit now.] The fruit will need to be eaten first or stored in the cold room though.

[knight_king]

[She cannot take her eyes from the life stream, because if she does, she might miss when it flickers. It is a dull task, but Saber wishes to ascertain if it is arbitrary or follows a pattern.]

Before we do this, we should at least warn the rest of the dwellers. [So they can take what they can to stock their pantries and the rest can be placed in the community storage room of the second floor.]

[princeandscholar]

Agreed. We can make an announcement over the amber. I can write a bulletin as well and post it beside the food altar.

[He’s out of sight now behind the runestone, kneeling on the floor so he can check the integrity of the stone.]

As far as I can tell, the gemstones and pedestal are sound. There’s no additional damage to them.

[knight_king]

Yes, or we can pass the word. It is a small tree and it should not take us long.

[She answers without looking at him or his actions, she cannot at the moment when her view is occupied with scrutinizing the golden light.]

I see. Perhaps when the tree shook, the disturbance affected something unseen.

[princeandscholar]

It’s certainly possible. Though unsettling. Since we can’t access the rest of the Tree, we can’t explore the matter further.

[A light sigh. He emerges from behind the stone and walks to the Lifestream, where he’ll be in Saber’s field of vision. He extends a hand towards the light to trail his fingers through it. This causes a smile, but the gesture is a little sad.]

Saber… if I may ask, what is your view of the situation? I know you are concerned with defending the residents from danger, and you are cautious about the riddles. But I haven’t heard your thoughts on why we may be here or how we should proceed. I’d like to know your intentions, if you are willing to share them.

[knight_king]

[She assents wordlessly, sharing his frustration about what can and cannot be done with their current circumstances and limitations. Then she begins to explain her old ideas as she is asked.]

Initially, I had wanted to antagonize the unseen force who sent us those riddles with our refusal to answer them. [She says, it is in the scenario they have been brought by a bored Elemental or Divine Spirit with nothing to do.] If they were toying with us, it is likely that was a very prideful and easily enraged creature who would try to force our hand by manifesting themselves.

[Into their territory where they have a minimal advantage rather than venturing out to theirs. She makes a pause, considering everything that has taken place, trying to detach her personal distaste because children and those she has sworn to protect have been abducted without permission.]

After the tree shook, I have started to believe our presence here is something more important than mere means of entertainment.

[Their actions have hurt the shop spirit, they nearly damaged the stones and perhaps had a lasting negative effect on the tree workings. Even if the force that has brought them here has been ambiguous with their intentions... she is less hostile toward it.]

Perhaps this sounds as unnecessary self-importance, nonetheless there is a possibility we have been summoned here to aid the tree inhabitants to break a curse.

[Hasn't Chime be released after the party that was present before them solve a riddle? It is only speculation, so far, but her attitude will be different if it is proven right.]

If this is the case, as a knight, I cannot turn my back on people who are in need of assistance.

[princeandscholar]

[Orcelito is interested that her viewpoint has changed significantly since she arrived. But he understands the thought process. He used to worry that they might be here for irrelevant purposes, but if that were the case, they would’ve been punished for not completing the riddles in time (and nearly destroying the gems). Since there have been no apparent consequences save the flickering light and overflowing banquet, he continues to adjust his opinions and expectations.]

I spoke to Lady Fuu and Sir Owain some weeks ago. They also suggested that we might be here to perform a task of some sort. I… don’t think it is self-important to assume that someone needs us, or they wouldn’t be providing us with food and shelter.

[He is unsurprised to learn she is a knight; she has that manner about her. More than that, her countenance is beyond what he’d expect from someone of her apparent age. But, knowing nothing of her world and customs, he tries not to jump to conclusions.]

Thank you. I appreciate hearing your thoughts. And I’m glad you are here to protect us. [Orcelito brings a hand over his heart in a gesture of thanks.]

[knight_king]

[Saber is stubborn, but she admits she could have been mistaken if her judgment has not been premature. She has not known the weight of the riddles or that it could affect the Spirit of the Tree if they failed.]

They could have been less evasive and ambiguous about needing our assistance.

[That is what made her assume they have been captured to entertain someone, a divine or elemental spirit who has somehow learned Second Magic. With the same solemnity she exposes her opinion.]

Though, it is possible they cannot be forthcoming as part of a curse that has befallen on them.

[She knows witches cruel enough to make silence part of their spells. His gratitude is surprising, although she suppresses any outward reaction. The tree dwellers and those she has met in Fuyuki treat her so differently, has she made herself more approachable as Saber than she used to be as Arthur?]

It gratifies me to have your gratitude. [She mimics the gesture, bringing her hand over her heart and bowing her head with a calm and pleasant expression.] But it is my honor and duty to protect those who need my assistance.