First Person (entry type): The longer Kiritsugu remains my Master, the less I find myself able to understand him. The actions he took tonight at the warehouse… I doubt I will be able to forgive him for that. It’s been several hours, and I still find myself furious. It would be bad enough had he only robbed both Lancer and I of our honour, but the way he deceived the Master was unthinkable. How can a man that claims he wants to save the world bring himself to act in such a way? He may blame whom he likes the state of humanity, but even wars require rules of engagement. That he would throw them away so carelessly…
Then, there’s Irisviel. Her condition continues to worsen the closer we get to the Grail’s completion. After Kiritsugu left tonight, she collapsed, and I don’t have any doubt she only held on so long so that he wouldn’t have to see it. She is resting now within the magic circle we prepared, so hopefully she’ll soon improve, but even so… I’m growing increasingly concerned. I’ve come to enjoy her company, but I doubt she will have the strength now to accompany me in any future battles. For now, I will simply guard her to the best of my ability.
Third Person: Irisviel didn't say anything, but Saber could still feel the weight of her gaze as they made their way out of the cold night air and into the castle. The other woman was worried, she could tell, but as grateful as Saber felt for her concern in spite of herself, she was still more grateful that Irisviel chose not to voice it. The anger and shock that she had felt at hearing Rider's words not even half an hour earlier had left her, but the shame... the shame still remained.
Because as much as she wished she could deny it, she knew he had been right; at least on the matter of her knights. Despite appearances she had loved each one of them dearly, though she hadn't shown it. No, because as she'd seen it, she couldn't show it; a King had to remain distant and impartial at all times. She'd been preparing herself for that since she was a girl, she'd known she would have to lay her own emotions aside in order to lead her country out of the chaos it had been drowning in. But had she been wrong after all? Should she have been more open? After all, even one of those she'd thought among her closest friends had--
Saber shook her head slightly, as if to clear it. It had been her own failings, both as a friend and as King, that were to blame. Rider's words had hardly affected her position on that. If anything, the reminder of how she had failed her people so badly only reminded her of how important it was to obtain the Grail. The rule of Britain could be given to someone better, then. Someone who would truly save it, not allow their knights and their own pride to lead a circle back to its downfall. Which meant, of course, that she didn't have time for guilt. That would distract her, maybe even long enough to be fatal.
"Saber?"
She didn't start, but she did let out a soft breath at Irisviel's words. She supposed she must have been truly deep in thought. The white-haired woman smiled softly, almost in understanding.
"I was going to have some tea prepared. Would you like some? I thought it might do us both good."
It did not take long to consider. Servants may not have needed to eat or drink strictly speaking, not if they were supplied with sufficient enough power from their Master. But nonetheless, Saber still enjoyed it, and the tea she had taken with Irisviel on their first morning together had been pleasant. After what had just happened, she couldn't help but find herself agreeing with her.
She nodded, a small smile crossing her face in return. "That would be very kind."
She couldn't allow a few well-chosen words from the King of Conquerers to dissuade her. She had made a contract with the world, and Saber was determined that it would be successful. She would win the Grail, and her country would be saved. She swore it on her honour as a knight.
Saber (Arturia Pendragon) | Fate/Zero | reserved | 2/2
The longer Kiritsugu remains my Master, the less I find myself able to understand him. The actions he took tonight at the warehouse… I doubt I will be able to forgive him for that. It’s been several hours, and I still find myself furious. It would be bad enough had he only robbed both Lancer and I of our honour, but the way he deceived the Master was unthinkable. How can a man that claims he wants to save the world bring himself to act in such a way? He may blame whom he likes the state of humanity, but even wars require rules of engagement. That he would throw them away so carelessly…
Then, there’s Irisviel. Her condition continues to worsen the closer we get to the Grail’s completion. After Kiritsugu left tonight, she collapsed, and I don’t have any doubt she only held on so long so that he wouldn’t have to see it. She is resting now within the magic circle we prepared, so hopefully she’ll soon improve, but even so… I’m growing increasingly concerned. I’ve come to enjoy her company, but I doubt she will have the strength now to accompany me in any future battles. For now, I will simply guard her to the best of my ability.
Third Person:
Irisviel didn't say anything, but Saber could still feel the weight of her gaze as they made their way out of the cold night air and into the castle. The other woman was worried, she could tell, but as grateful as Saber felt for her concern in spite of herself, she was still more grateful that Irisviel chose not to voice it. The anger and shock that she had felt at hearing Rider's words not even half an hour earlier had left her, but the shame... the shame still remained.
Because as much as she wished she could deny it, she knew he had been right; at least on the matter of her knights. Despite appearances she had loved each one of them dearly, though she hadn't shown it. No, because as she'd seen it, she couldn't show it; a King had to remain distant and impartial at all times. She'd been preparing herself for that since she was a girl, she'd known she would have to lay her own emotions aside in order to lead her country out of the chaos it had been drowning in. But had she been wrong after all? Should she have been more open? After all, even one of those she'd thought among her closest friends had--
Saber shook her head slightly, as if to clear it. It had been her own failings, both as a friend and as King, that were to blame. Rider's words had hardly affected her position on that. If anything, the reminder of how she had failed her people so badly only reminded her of how important it was to obtain the Grail. The rule of Britain could be given to someone better, then. Someone who would truly save it, not allow their knights and their own pride to lead a circle back to its downfall. Which meant, of course, that she didn't have time for guilt. That would distract her, maybe even long enough to be fatal.
"Saber?"
She didn't start, but she did let out a soft breath at Irisviel's words. She supposed she must have been truly deep in thought. The white-haired woman smiled softly, almost in understanding.
"I was going to have some tea prepared. Would you like some? I thought it might do us both good."
It did not take long to consider. Servants may not have needed to eat or drink strictly speaking, not if they were supplied with sufficient enough power from their Master. But nonetheless, Saber still enjoyed it, and the tea she had taken with Irisviel on their first morning together had been pleasant. After what had just happened, she couldn't help but find herself agreeing with her.
She nodded, a small smile crossing her face in return. "That would be very kind."
She couldn't allow a few well-chosen words from the King of Conquerers to dissuade her. She had made a contract with the world, and Saber was determined that it would be successful. She would win the Grail, and her country would be saved. She swore it on her honour as a knight.