[ Mordred sits up so suddenly that Norangie scatters in fright, her jovial expression replaced by a scowl. ]
You heard it too, right? Where are you hiding, you bastard? [ She sticks a hand under the couch and starts furiously sweeping it from side to side, as if a whole-ass knight could possibly fit in the tiny space. ]
[ Gray sighs quietly. She knew they'd have to meet properly sooner or later, but there's no way this won't be a handful of an encounter. ]
I have him here.
[ She unhooks Add's cage, withdraws it from the depths of her cloak, and sets it carefully on the coffee table in front of them. It's her way of telling him, "You're on your own."
Add hops around to face Gray, a splash of alarm on his fragmented face. ]
Oi, Gray! You're just gonna abandon me like this?!
[ She looks at Gray in confusion, and at the cage she draws out with even more skepticism. Only when Add finally, foolishly speaks up does Mordred narrow her eyes and turn her attention fully onto him. ]
I knew it! Kay, you lout! I'd recognize that obnoxious voice anywhere! [ It's the sort of thing one might say about an old friend... but there isn't any trace of fondness in her voice. Instead: ] Hey, is it okay if I kill him? It is? Cool.
[ REACHING FOR THE CAGE, though she's only going to furiously rattle him around if she gets ahold of it. At this point, Gray can probably tell the difference between her "killing intent", and her Killing Intent, even if one can swiftly turn into the other. ]
[ Gray abandons Add to this fate. He's nigh indestructible anyway, and it really is his own fault for speaking up. Thus she watches as Add gets rung like a cowbell, his wailing voice punctuated by the violent rattling of his cage. Maybe it's best to let Mordred get this out of her system. ]
His name is Add. His personality is based on Sir Kay, but it isn't actually him. Mostly.
[ There's the small matter of Add being able to project Kay's spirit, but hopefully it'll never come to that again. ]
Add isn't as... eloquent as Sir Kay, but he does say a bit too much sometimes. Sorry about that.
Well... he and I have been together for twelve years, so I'd be cheating on him with you.
[ Not that any kind of cheating is going on here, but maybe putting it that way will placate Mordred.
Add's little eyes swirl around dizzily, and despite being a metal cube, he somehow manages to emulate a sick slump. He groans, but otherwise doesn't try to speak up. Say one thing for Add, he learns when to shut up. Even though he should absolutely be ripping into Mordred for the "subtract" bit. ]
"Add" comes from Rhongomyniad. He's the weapon I've been using this whole time.
[ It figures that Mordred would understand right away. ]
But I don't really think of him as the lance. I think of him as a childhood friend.
[ Add side-eyes Mordred, his already pointy features taking on a tinge of prickly irritation. If Mordred doesn't withdraw her finger immediately, he'll suddenly turn and give it a metallic chomp. ]
[ Just as Add deserved his rattling, Mordred deserved that chomp. Add and Mordred deserve each other, actually. ]
I mean childhood friend.
[ Even though she. keeps him in a birdcage. Which she finally picks up, settling it (and Add) on her lap before Mordred can really feel that temptation to hammer it. Add hops around to give Mordred a disgruntled look, but blessedly he knows not to push his luck. ]
I won't ask you both to get along [because that's hopeless] but it would be easier on me if you could at least try not to fight. I'm sure there were times you and Sir Kay managed to work together.
[ Mordred continues to glare at Add after he's removed from the danger zone, making it very clear how she feels about the situation. (She's also sitting cross-legged and cross-armed on the floor while she does, which really adds to the 'scolded child' look.) ]
Guess that's the real reason you asked me about him. If you were going to pick a Round Table knight to be a fan of, there are way cooler ones. [ Her. She's talking about herself. ]
[ Don't tell her Mordred is jealous... Gray looks at her in all her pouty glory. She isn't really clear on this, but as a Master, should it be her job to appease her Servant's insecurities no matter what? ]
I was also grateful to him because he responded when I needed to release the Restraints of the Round Table on the lance...
[ Narrator voice: Mordred did not respond when Gray needed to release the Restraints of the Round Table. Oblingingly, she continues. ]
I think you're cool too.
[ Granted, she thinks all of the knights are cool until proven otherwise. ]
[ No matter how much Gray appreciates Mordred, she isn't excitable enough to jump up and start showering her with fanatic praise out of nowhere. Nor is Gray willing to forsake Kay or Add, whom she owes so much to. So Mordred will just have to get the pout out of her system. One of the cats pads around to peek at Mordred, perhaps curious about the sudden about-face.
But Gray is curious about something, now that Mordred mentions it. ]
What's your requirement? Only five knights answered, so I don't know the rest.
[ Having invoked the Seals Thirteen only once, she doesn't even know if five knights answering is a lot or a little. Maybe a little, since it wasn't even half. ]
[ Then she'll continue being unreasonably sore about it. The cat at least helps, if only to give her an excuse to not turn around. ]
It was somethin' like... "the battle must be one against evil". [ More "exactly like", but maybe this way Gray won't question why the worst knight apparently has standards. ] Obviously, whatever fight you went and picked didn't quality.
[ It's a surprisingly idealistic condition next to Kay's, which was that "the battle must be one for survival." Did Mordred place so much weight on morality? Maybe it was something that used to matter to her, before she trod the path of treachery. Gray thinks about asking her, but she also thinks that the answer might unfold naturally as she continues to see more of Mordred's memories.
More importantly, Gray thinks that maybe she should try to address Mordred's unhappiness after all. There's a brief silence as she considers what the root of the issue might be. ]
I would still choose you as a Servant over Sir Kay.
[ Mordred glances over her shoulder, face scrunched, trying to tell whether or not Gray is bullshitting her. Normally she'd be more doubtful, but if Gray's willing to say it in front of not!Kay... ]
You'd be an idiot not to. A sharp tongue always gets cut off by a sharper sword. [ She returns her attention to the cat, faking nonchalance. ] As long as you understand that much, then I guess I can keep being your Servant.
[ "I guess." As if she'd have any choice in the matter if Gray really wanted to be an asshole. ]
[ Mordred will find Gray looking at her with her usual mild expression. The act of actively spreading bullshit is foreign to her. That said, she can see that Mordred is wary about it. Maybe it's like how someone who often lies will also assume that everyone else lies too.
Gray rests her hands on top of Add's cage and looks out the window at where the chickens (Tristans) are milling about. Somehow, despite being two worlds away from home, her life has only become more saturated by the Round Table. ]
Either way, you would still be better for me.
[ She does believe that, despite all of the Mordred-shaped problems that Mordred happens to bring. And though it may seem like a non sequitur, she continues. ]
Yeah? Then make sure Subtract over there knows it.
[ Deep down, underneath all the bluster, Mordred has a hard time imagining herself as the better choice for anyone... but good luck getting that out of her. ]
I'll help train you if you want. If I don't have the strongest Master, then people won't know I'm the strongest Servant. [ The arrogance of this, when there's a literal god running around... ] But remember that strength isn't just physical. Keep looking forward, but give yourself credit for the growin' you've already done, too.
[ Thankfully, Add isn't prone to jealousy... as far as Gray knows. Even if he can be a pain in the neck with his remarks, he's always been understanding of her choices and needs. He's unconditionally supportive of her, in his own abrasive way.
At Mordred's advice, Gray looks back to her, a bit flat-footed. It can be easy to forget that Mordred is in a position to give life advice after she's emulated a cat and pouted mightily in your living room. Nevertheless, to Gray it has meaning. ]
... I know. Even if I still have a long way to go, the me of two years ago would have been surprised to see me now.
[ Especially if the younger Gray could see the current Gray lounging around with Mordred with nary a death threat to be heard. ]
Training together... I'd like that. I can't be a proper Master like a mage would, so physical strength is all I can work on.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Ihihihi! Master, huh?! I've been with this idiot a lot longer, so you'd better have a good name lined up for me too!
no subject
[ Mordred sits up so suddenly that Norangie scatters in fright, her jovial expression replaced by a scowl. ]
You heard it too, right? Where are you hiding, you bastard? [ She sticks a hand under the couch and starts furiously sweeping it from side to side, as if a whole-ass knight could possibly fit in the tiny space. ]
no subject
I have him here.
[ She unhooks Add's cage, withdraws it from the depths of her cloak, and sets it carefully on the coffee table in front of them. It's her way of telling him, "You're on your own."
Add hops around to face Gray, a splash of alarm on his fragmented face. ]
Oi, Gray! You're just gonna abandon me like this?!
no subject
I knew it! Kay, you lout! I'd recognize that obnoxious voice anywhere! [ It's the sort of thing one might say about an old friend... but there isn't any trace of fondness in her voice. Instead: ] Hey, is it okay if I kill him? It is? Cool.
[ REACHING FOR THE CAGE, though she's only going to furiously rattle him around if she gets ahold of it. At this point, Gray can probably tell the difference between her "killing intent", and her Killing Intent, even if one can swiftly turn into the other. ]
no subject
His name is Add. His personality is based on Sir Kay, but it isn't actually him. Mostly.
[ There's the small matter of Add being able to project Kay's spirit, but hopefully it'll never come to that again. ]
Add isn't as... eloquent as Sir Kay, but he does say a bit too much sometimes. Sorry about that.
no subject
[ Said while still ringing that
bellbox, though she eventually stops in favour of holding him up to her face to better glare at. ]So, what? You've been cheatin' on me with another Round Table idiot this whole time? Exactly which one of us is the traitor here?
no subject
[ Not that any kind of cheating is going on here, but maybe putting it that way will placate Mordred.
Add's little eyes swirl around dizzily, and despite being a metal cube, he somehow manages to emulate a sick slump. He groans, but otherwise doesn't try to speak up. Say one thing for Add, he learns when to shut up. Even though he should absolutely be ripping into Mordred for the "subtract" bit. ]
"Add" comes from Rhongomyniad. He's the weapon I've been using this whole time.
no subject
[ When Gray says the Rhongo-word, she scowls again, and pokes at Add like it's his fault. ]
... You really are shameless, bringin' that lance out in front of me again. Lemme guess — he's some sort of seal?
no subject
[ It figures that Mordred would understand right away. ]
But I don't really think of him as the lance. I think of him as a childhood friend.
[ Add side-eyes Mordred, his already pointy features taking on a tinge of prickly irritation. If Mordred doesn't withdraw her finger immediately, he'll suddenly turn and give it a metallic chomp. ]
no subject
[ Karma is real, because midway through the word "pet" is when Add chomps down on her finger, and Mordred pulls her hand back with a yelp. ]
All right, I really am going to kill him this time. Is there a hammer around here?
no subject
I mean childhood friend.
[ Even though she. keeps him in a birdcage. Which she finally picks up, settling it (and Add) on her lap before Mordred can really feel that temptation to hammer it. Add hops around to give Mordred a disgruntled look, but blessedly he knows not to push his luck. ]
I won't ask you both to get along [because that's hopeless] but it would be easier on me if you could at least try not to fight. I'm sure there were times you and Sir Kay managed to work together.
[ Even though this isn't Sir Kay. ]
no subject
[ Mordred continues to glare at Add after he's removed from the danger zone, making it very clear how she feels about the situation. (She's also sitting cross-legged and cross-armed on the floor while she does, which really adds to the 'scolded child' look.) ]
Guess that's the real reason you asked me about him. If you were going to pick a Round Table knight to be a fan of, there are way cooler ones. [ Her. She's talking about herself. ]
no subject
I was also grateful to him because he responded when I needed to release the Restraints of the Round Table on the lance...
[ Narrator voice: Mordred did not respond when Gray needed to release the Restraints of the Round Table. Oblingingly, she continues. ]
I think you're cool too.
[ Granted, she thinks all of the knights are cool until proven otherwise. ]
no subject
[ Still!! Grumpy!! She literally turns away from Gray to hide her pout, which does approximately nothing to help her.
Muttered: ] Stupid freakin' lance... stupid freakin' seals... why the hell's he getting all the credit? Mine's totally reasonable!
no subject
But Gray is curious about something, now that Mordred mentions it. ]
What's your requirement? Only five knights answered, so I don't know the rest.
[ Having invoked the Seals Thirteen only once, she doesn't even know if five knights answering is a lot or a little. Maybe a little, since it wasn't even half. ]
no subject
It was somethin' like... "the battle must be one against evil". [ More "exactly like", but maybe this way Gray won't question why the worst knight apparently has standards. ] Obviously, whatever fight you went and picked didn't quality.
no subject
[ It's a surprisingly idealistic condition next to Kay's, which was that "the battle must be one for survival." Did Mordred place so much weight on morality? Maybe it was something that used to matter to her, before she trod the path of treachery. Gray thinks about asking her, but she also thinks that the answer might unfold naturally as she continues to see more of Mordred's memories.
More importantly, Gray thinks that maybe she should try to address Mordred's unhappiness after all. There's a brief silence as she considers what the root of the issue might be. ]
I would still choose you as a Servant over Sir Kay.
no subject
You'd be an idiot not to. A sharp tongue always gets cut off by a sharper sword. [ She returns her attention to the cat, faking nonchalance. ] As long as you understand that much, then I guess I can keep being your Servant.
[ "I guess." As if she'd have any choice in the matter if Gray really wanted to be an asshole. ]
no subject
Gray rests her hands on top of Add's cage and looks out the window at where the chickens (Tristans) are milling about. Somehow, despite being two worlds away from home, her life has only become more saturated by the Round Table. ]
Either way, you would still be better for me.
[ She does believe that, despite all of the Mordred-shaped problems that Mordred happens to bring. And though it may seem like a non sequitur, she continues. ]
I've been thinking that I want to get stronger.
no subject
[ Deep down, underneath all the bluster, Mordred has a hard time imagining herself as the better choice for anyone... but good luck getting that out of her. ]
I'll help train you if you want. If I don't have the strongest Master, then people won't know I'm the strongest Servant. [ The arrogance of this, when there's a literal god running around... ] But remember that strength isn't just physical. Keep looking forward, but give yourself credit for the growin' you've already done, too.
no subject
At Mordred's advice, Gray looks back to her, a bit flat-footed. It can be easy to forget that Mordred is in a position to give life advice after she's emulated a cat and pouted mightily in your living room. Nevertheless, to Gray it has meaning. ]
... I know. Even if I still have a long way to go, the me of two years ago would have been surprised to see me now.
[ Especially if the younger Gray could see the current Gray lounging around with Mordred with nary a death threat to be heard. ]
Training together... I'd like that. I can't be a proper Master like a mage would, so physical strength is all I can work on.