April Catch-All (semi-open)

[towards_okeanos]

Who: Iskandar and ...
When: Aereuer
Where: All over Aefenglom
What: Event stuff, full moons, all the (very limited) Aereuer mayhem
Warnings: A possibility for nsfw in full moon. I will update as needed.


All prompts both open and closed below.
For anything else, plotting, shenanigans, etc. Including but not limited to other memories ;) feel free to PM or poke me at bitweaver

Comments

A tea for Kings [Closed to Saber]

[towards_okeanos]

Late in the afternoon, a mysterious envelope arrives addressed for Arturia. Inside there's an ornamentally printed card, an invitation to Diplomatea, the finest tea-shop of Aefenglom and beyond at a day and hour of your choosing. as it states in red and gold letters. Below the invitation's text, there's a handwritten note.

"Honorable King of Knights!
I hope this message finds you in good health. The invitation above is for the place I spoke of during our last conversation. I sincerely hope this is the tea-shop you had in mind. Let me know when you will be available. My return address is at the back.

Iskandar"

my turn to apologize for being late as hell.

[arturiarex]

Well, she had been expecting this for a bit, but the manner in which it arrives is a bit of surprise. It shouldn't be, honestly, considering Iskandar. So she writes out a note in reply.

"King Iskandar,

I would be honored to accept your invitation. That is precisely the tea-shop I had in mind. If it pleases you, I will attend on the afternoon of the 11th at four o'clock.

Sincerely,
Saber"

She still signs as Saber. It's who she is. And good to her word, she's there on the 11th, although when she arrives she has a pair of wings on her back to go with her claws and lion's tail...

'tis fine, it's crazy time all round the world

[towards_okeanos]

There's not much this world can offer in a way of royal splendour for King of Conquerors, and his own resources are not limitless, so he tries to make the most of what he has. To his regret, Iskandar can't send envoys to accompany her so at least he made sure that invitation looked the part.

When the agreed date and time comes he is at the tea-shop a little earlier. It is only proper for him to be there before she arrives. It would be rude to make a guest wait and as the invitation was his initiative, he considers himself a host even at a place that is not his. Though one could argue that being himself, he feels everywhere at home.

Those are minor details though, inconsequential, because when she finally arrives he really tries not to be shocked. He knew. Yet to see this with his own eyes... It's so much different. If he were to be entirely honest with himself, the wings suit her. In a weird but not exactly out of place way.

"Welcome," he says with a slight incline of his head. "Shall we sit?"

[arturiarex]

Saber bows her head. Although they were opponents the last time they met, she has a great deal of respect for him. Otherwise she wouldn't be here. There's the trace of a smile on her face as she responds.

"Of course. Thank you for inviting me."

She settles into her chair, hands folded in front of her.

"How have you fared here? If I may ask."

[towards_okeanos]

"It is my pleasure."

He holds no grudges for silly things like being opponents in this war or that. He would have lost a great many friends if he did that.
While they might have disagreed on the topic of kingship, Iskandar still holds her in high regard. King of Knights remains a formidable fighter. There are no doubts about that.

"There were better and worse moments. This place is nothing like what I'm used to. I'm still learning its strange ways but I cannot complain.
It is good to be alive again."

Six months in and Iskandar still can't say he knows or understands this place.

"How was your experience so far?"

[arturiarex]

"...difficult," Saber admits after a moment of reflection, "My body is undergoing changes that I do not entirely understand and I have found my mind clouded of late. Relearning how to be... human, I suppose. Instead of a Servant."

Which is a bit of an admission, but she supposes that he'll understand. They come from a similar place, after all.

"I understand that you and Waver are... living together? Or you've taken him under your wing?"

[towards_okeanos]

"I can imagine." Iskandar nods slowly his smile fading.

He really does. While not subject to them himself he has witnessed the changes enough times already to be aware of what a burden they put on people. He saw, and healed, more torn muscles on limbs that tried to suddenly conform to shapes they weren't meant for that he'd ever thought he would.

"Shall they ever become a nuisance, do come to me. Healing magic ended being something I had to learn. So learn it I did. On the improbable account, I won't be able to aid you, I'd most likely know a person who will."

Out of necessity, he has learned it. Remembering that he's a mortal human again and not a nigh-invincible Heroic Spirit able to quickly recover from any wound was not easy. That was his greatest challenge in the first few weeks. He earned a few new scars getting used to that. Having someone who worried and cared definitely helped. It would be so much harder without his boy.

"Yes, we do, but I could as easily say that's a bit of both," he replies. The hesitation in her question bringing out a smile. "He is my greatest joy. Without him... this place would have been unbearable."

[arturiarex]

"Thank you for the kind offer - I will take you up on it, should the need ever arise. Although I hope it will not prove to be necessary," Saber offers a tight smile. A little sort-of joke. She's learning how to be human emotionally, honestly. She's held herself apart for so long that interacting with others on terms approaching "normal" is a little strange.

"I'm glad you've found each other again," she continues after a moment, "I... plan to train him in swordsmanship, since he seemed interested. I hope that you won't object."

She doesn't imagine he will, but it's still sort of polite to keep him in the loop, isn't it?

[towards_okeanos]

"Let us hope that my aid in that particular matter would never be needed."

It's for the better she omitted what really her problem was. It would completely ruin the mood, remind Iskandar that one thing he never understood in her. The one that was so antithetical to his own way, he couldn't do anything other than reject it. Even as Heroic Spirit he kept his humanity, treasured it as if it were a sacred relic; he could never understand someone who decided to discard it.

So it's for the better that topic changes to Waver.

"Not at all. Quite the contrary. When it comes to swords, I couldn't have wished for a better teacher for him than you."

Not only because she's one of the best swordmasters of the known history. That's important too. No, mostly because he knows she can be ruthless. That's why he didn't train Waver himself. He fears he'll go too easy on him.

[arturiarex]

Waver does seem a much safer topic, in all honesty. Besides, she enjoys discussing him, especially when she's been tutoring him as of late. She offers him a little smile again, something tight, a little grateful.

"Thank you; your words honor me. It is only for self-defense, but I think he will grasp it... he's intelligent. Although perhaps some physical conditioning wouldn't go awry."

He's not the most robust young man and she is genuinely considering trying to get him onto some strength and endurance training to help him with his stamina, if nothing else. She cocks her head slightly, curious.

"Are you two... happy here?" It feels strange to ask, but they also seem stuck here for the forseeable future.

sumanai for this glacial pace :(

[towards_okeanos]

Iskandar replies with a slight incline of his head.

"It is I who should thank you that you have undertaken this task." He sighs. "Intellect is something he has in abundance, physical prowess though... Well, that's another matter. I should have pushed him harder in that regard. As his king. For his own benefit. And yet ... eh, I just didn't have the heart to do it."

It's not that he's completely defenceless against Waver's many protestations. Quite the contrary. It's not out of neglect either. Rather, it's because his boy was already through a lot recently and he didn't want to add to his burdens. Life here isn't exactly easy for any of them but somehow it always happens that Waver gets a worse deal. Iskandar can't say if it's his luck or some other factors are in play.

So the question catches him completely by surprise. If he has to be completely honest, are they?

"Yes, I believe we are." He smiles. "It's hard and dangerous, and not exactly peaceful or safe." Frankly, sometimes he has an impression he'd feel safer on a battlefield. Any battlefield. At least he'd know who his enemies are. Here? He's not that sure.

"But as long as we're here together it's good. It's enough."

No worries!

[arturiarex]

Saber bows her head, a smile gracing her features. For all that she has tried to shut herself away from the world, she still cannot help but feel a great deal of fondness and sympathy for her former opponents. They aren't bad people. They deserve to find some respite after the Grail War. And especially after their time here. Even if they end up returning to their own world, even if this is temporary, they deserve some time.

"I'm glad, Rider. You and he deserve some of that."

She lifts her tea with a little 'hum' of thought.

"He admires you a great deal."

[towards_okeanos]

There are matters they do not agree on but Iskandar would lie if he were to say he does not like her or respects her. He does. He may find her drive to close herself in the marble tower of her ideals, separate herself from any and all, to grind herself into an image of shining perfection until not a drop of human blood is left in her, immeasurably baffling and wrong but it doesn't change the fact he wishes her well.

Iskandar nods.

"So do you. I hope you will find your peace here too." And happiness. He wishes you could find joy, Saber. Find and let yourself experience it for once. Put your past regrets to rest.

"I know," he replies smiling back at her. "I'd be most happy if my example will teach him something valuable." What else is true love and friendship other than helping each other grow in virtue? "He's braver and stronger than he realises."

Iskandar picks up his cup, his smile turning a bit more mischievous.

"But we are talked about me enough. Tell me, what does honourable King of Knights consider fun?"

[arturiarex]

"Fun?" Saber replies and she sounds as if she's never heard the word before in her life. She covers her expression of slight bafflement for a moment with a sip from her cup of tea.

"I... train. I condition myself. I sew a little. I take walks. I occasionally enjoy the local cuisine."

Well, none of that is really all that thrilling and half of it is basically what she does every day, anyway. She is not someone who indulges herself all that often or easily. It's just a part of her adjustment period.

"I don't think about it that often, honestly."

Silver in the sky [Closed to Waver and Judar]

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar has made his own preparations for the full moons very earlier so he won't need to do anything on the day. That meant stocking in advance with meal options that won't require much effort in preparation as he expects he might be rather busy. No time for venturing out looking for dinner. Besides what kind of king would he be if he let his people go hungry?

There are meat pies that Waver likes, a tray of roasted vegetables to go with them, a basket of fruit tarts plus some more - as his baker friend called them - experimental pastries. Iskandar has no idea what is their filling and the man just smiled and plainly refused to tell him. He knew well enough how to take advantage of Iskandar's curiosity.
Still, as his crowning achievement, a special treat for a special day, Iskandar considers something else. But no little effort he had tracked down a delicacy like no other.

A jar of peach slices in honey.

He has a hunch that both of his Bonded will appreciate that.

Still, it feels weird having a house and all that it entails. Having a real bed is good though. One that is actually big enough for him to fit on with comfort. Comfort is unusual too. Iskandar has been always so used to sleeping out in the open, with maybe a blanket separating him from the ground and fabric of the tent from the night air outside. Sometimes even without that. He's no stranger to luxury but it was always an exception, even in his youth growing a prince in the court of his father. He was to be schooled in hardships not to get used to comfort. So it feels weird. Good but weird.

It might be early morning but he's already in the kitchen preparing breakfast.]

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ This was the first time, after six previous full moons, that Judar had slept in. While the faun was generally a pretty light sleeper, the previous months had left him with an agitation and restlessness that struck so early, it would be a full couple days beforehand and last until well after. So early morning day-of was a far later wake up than previous months. Today, he wouldn't have remembered that today was one with full moons until he went to the bathroom.

The signs wouldn't be absolutely prominent until the evening, but even now he can see a bit of yellow in the skin. It's something that would take a more proper golden look to it, when his hair gets even shaggier and the fur gets even thicker. It'd left him confused for a few seconds before realizing, and also remembering the thing that Iskandar had requested of them; to stay in. Which meant... He wouldn't really need the protective boots, right? They were meant to protect the hooves that were damaged, and by now it's almost grown all the way through. Without going out...

A day to get used to walking without those things, and probably the only time someone has gotten to get a good look at their bronze color; They were filthy in the dungeons, and damaged, and he was running in all sorts of things the few days before, with melting snow or whatever else was going on. While inside, it was sort of a freedom. (As long as he stayed off of tile and linoleum. The boots gave traction. )

Hearing something ahead in the kitchen, after pulling a yawn out of himself, he speaks just loud enough for his voice to reach while he was still by the bathroom. ]

Someone's already awake?

[ He felt sedated compared to previous months. Then again, the bond stabilized the faun's brain that had him feeling tranquil. Maybe a mix of adjusting and there being a recovery period? It wasn't really something Judar thought about before. ]

[towards_okeanos]

[First answer to his call is laughter. By the sheer volume Judar can instantly identify who's making all the noise in the kitchen.]

Ah! Judar! So you're awake! Excellent! Come to the kitchen if you want breakfast.

[Iskandar always wake up right before the dawn. There might not be a need for it any longer. Still, it's not a habit he's willing to quit. So he's on his feet for a few hours already, slipping out of his bed at the break of dawn, careful not to wake up Waver. He's been on his usual run around the neighbourhood.
Now he's in the kitchen, wearing a striped linen apron and hovering over the stove with an expression of intense concentration. There's already a large plate on the table with a steaming stack of freshly fried pancakes.
His plan is to take them back to his bedroom and only then wake up Waver. But he's more willing to share and even more eager for company.]

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ 'Awake' is certainly a nebulous term for Judar, because he wasn't completely sure he was. Then again, until this past month, it was hard to believe that Judar really slept, just sneaking micro-sleeps and naps in wherever he could. Really though, what he called 'feeling sedated' was just stable and in some kind of peace. He certainly wasn't as full of energy as Iskandar was right now, though.

Give him a bit, and as the night grows closer, however... ]

Smells good.

[ He'll definitely go into the kitchen to sniff around at the plate of pancakes, and to lean against Iskandar's arm to look over at his active task. Just a bit of watching, a bit of contact, a little toying with the edges of the apron. ]

How long've you been cooking, anyway?

[ It seemed like a lot of work, just by the size of the stack. He'll probably eat in a bit; Judar was never quick to fill his stomach. ]

[towards_okeanos]

[There's a jar of honey on the table along with a bowl of chopped nuts. Both indicators that Iskandar most likely had some idea what he trying to achieve with his cooking.]

A while.

[He flips the pancake to the other side and only then looks over his shoulder with a wide smile.]

Did the divine smells of my superb cooking lure you in?

[If the grin was not enough of a hint that he's joking there's also the reality of their daily life. There is a reason why Iskandar usually goes to buy them dinner instead of making it himself. He can make something decent but he doesn't like to eat anything that's just decent. He likes to eat well. As a king should. So to find him cooking now is a bit of a novelty.]

I went running in the morning and on my way back I thought that maybe I should try to recreate one of the breakfast dishes from my home. So I did.

[Of course, he did. What force is going to stop him once he decided on something?]

Go on, try it. Tell me what you think.

[kuroi_taiyo]

Something certainly had to.

[ Given that Judar had no cooking skill currently, anything that counted for decent was more than enough for him. It was probably one of the biggest developments from suddenly getting flung to an area of the world where he couldn't easily rely on other people or his magic. After sleeping for as long as he managed, breaking the fast was certainly the right idea right now. ]

You normally ate this in... Macedonia?

[ Iskandar mentioned being Macedonian before, though it didn't exactly guarantee that he called that his home. It was more a guess. Still, it's more than enough of an invitation, sort of a second one, so he'll grab a plate to try some of it together. Just one pancake for now, as he was the type to go for seconds rather than take too much and leave food behind. (Not for food conservation, so much that it made him feel fat or something.) Yet when he goes to the table, Judar doesn't sit just yet. Instead he's leaning, bent over with his elbows on the table, for a closer look at the jar of honey. The pieces of fruit weren't entirely unfamiliar, but enough was obscured that he couldn't recognize what was in there.

But really, he mostly did this in knowing the kind of view it left, even if the markings were obscured by the black silk pants. ]

What's in the honey?

[towards_okeanos]

When I was a child, yes. Later only if I was lucky.

[In war there's no resources nor time to be spent on frivolities. His breakfast was most often no breakfast at all. Far from the extravagance that's even such a simple cake with nuts and honey. Technically, this won't be his breakfast either. He's been up for quite some time now. Yet it is an indulgence he's allowing himself today ... and just one of many he already has plans for.

A clang of the metal pan as it's moved away from the heat could have been an early warning if Iskandar hasn't been making quite a lot of noise with it already. But a pair of strong arms that close around Judar's waist is definitely an indicator that King of Conquerors has halted his pancake making process. His attention has been drawn elsewhere. That's where it leads when you tempt him with that shapely ass of yours when he's trying not to burn your breakfast.]

A local fruit. [ Iskandar's breath is hot on the back of Judar's neck as he replies.] I'd say it's closest to peaches but you'll have to check for yourself.

[So that's how being Bonded to a faun during a full moons feels like?

Iskandar won't say he has any reasons to complain. It feels like a warm undercurrent of want, yearning for touch, not just for sex but simply for physical contact. It flows right there in the back of his mind. Like a lazy river meandering at the very edge of his consciousness. It is a little distracting but otherwise pleasant.

Yet, there is a certain order to things. That means breakfast first. He still intends to bring it to his bedroom and wake Waver with it but now he decided he also wants to take Judar with him. It doesn't change his plans much. A good thing about having a house instead of a tiny apartment is that now he can finally have a proper bed. Something large enough for him not to repeatedly hit the edge with his ankles.

Large enough that all three of them can fit on it quite comfortably.

[kuroi_taiyo]

And now, it can be whenever you want.

[ Yearning for touch was a good way of putting it, as he both craved to be on both ends. It's something that easily goes towards sex, especially as the desire was far more present in Judar, but wasn't necessary. Especially as the bond had brought it down to a level where he wasn't running around and going for whomever he literally ran into, like the last full moons.

Which is why, even if there was the craving for more, Judar was also satisfied with this. Enough for him to lean back into the witch, relaxing in a way that left more of his neck exposed, and fingers went to press against the side of Iskandar's large arms. Just that much more contact.

He wasn't about to go further, however. Not with the way the word 'peaches' got the faun's ears to perk up in interest. ]

You found someone that grew and maintained them, even in this season?

[ Judar didn't really know where to look, and easily resolved to wait until it was closer to the season before trying to put energy into making his own somewhere in the yard. Which made the jar even more appealing than anything else right now. Though Iskandar was able to get some benefit from that, being able to feel the pleased motions the tail tried to go through while between the two bodies. It's nowhere near as dramatic or present as a dog, but something subtle and indecisive ]

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar wouldn't be himself if he was to ignore such an invitation. He bent just a little lower so he can bury his face in the curve of Judar's neck and his naked shoulder. For a moment. Not for long but enough so that his beard could tickle faun's skin, enough that he could leave a trail of kisses right up his jaw. Maybe a promise of something more later. Right now Iskandar is absolutely content with the sole fact that Judar is less jumpy than he was at a similar time last month.]

No, of course, I did not. [He laughs as he replies.] I'm thrilled you have so much faith in me but I am also afraid that would be impossible even for me.

[Iskandar lets go of Judar and goes to rummage through the cupboards - clearly with some goal - but continues his explanation.]

It's a preserve. Those are from the last year's harvest. The woman that sold me it to me said that they keep very well in honey. She will pick them when they're almost ripe, slice and put them in honey.

Aha! There it is!

[Iskandar fishes out a spoon that is finally long enough. He sticks it into the jar and goes back to recover a large tray, set of three plates and accompanying cutlery. He turns off the stove. There's a pot of herbal infusion already waiting on the table.]

You can try it now but I have a better idea. Come, help me to carry all this to my bedroom so we could all eat together. How does that sound, hm?

[kuroi_taiyo]

[ Not being feral certainly helps for that lack of jumpiness and frenetic behavior. There isn't any paranoia or unpredictable reactions to gestures that had the best of intentions. Well, there's still a little wariness, but it's from unfamiliarity instead of a source of suspicion. He can relax, let the beard hair tickle into the shorter fur, and ease further into that warmth as the kisses trail. Well, until it was over, and he accepted that the witch was going to get the other things he'd need for this breakfast setup. ]

Mm... So still a limited supply for a while. Guess I'll just have to continue keeping an eye out for when the growing season starts.

[ Which, as he can be realistic, is probably somewhere in summer. Though he's surprised, as it seems that at some point, the big guy had changed his mind about where Judar was going to try this breakfast.

Well, nothing to complain about. He'll get a few mugs for the herbal infusion to set onto the tray as well, keeping it with the plates. ]

Well, if that's your idea... Anything else that needs to come out and be brought along?

[ Otherwise he'll gather up whats left, probably on another tray, to follow along. It seems that Iskandar already had a good idea of what he'd need for all of this, and for what he was planning on bringing over. ]

A king is never alone [Open - Dream a Little Dream Event memory ]

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar crouches on the concrete bank of the river, submerges a test-tube under the water's surface grumbling obscenities to himself.]

This is a farce! What this is even for?!

[A thin, old man appears at his side. Bald head, dark skin, sinewy limbs. He smiles, shaking his head gently.]

Tsk, tsk. Always so quick to judge, aren't we? Iskandar.

[King of Conquerors huffs not even looking up. He doesn't have to. There is only one person who accents his name this way. His friend, a sage from India. Calanus.]

Easy for you to say. This is not what I should be doing!

[The old man laughs. It's nothing like Iskandar's own thunderous laughter. It sounds more like rustling of dry, crumbled leaves or crackling of an ancient scroll.]

How do you know?

[Iskandar throws his free arm in the air. Still careful not to drop the tube he's filling no matter how irritated he is. How pointless he believes the whole exercise to be.]

Because all others had already made their moves! We should be out there fighting and instead, this boy sends me to collect sewage! Sewage, Calanus! Tell me, this is not nonsense!

[Old man cocks his head to the side. A gesture that makes him resemble an old, curious bird even more.]

Oh, really? And why would he do that?

[Iskandar straightens his back finally looking up, ready to snap out a biting retort but then he furrows his brows. The question still ringing in his ears. Why would he do that? He backtracks all his steps in memory. All the places Waver told him to collect water from. Then he blinks.]

Oh.

[The old man chuckles as he dissolves into a cloud of golden sparkles. Leaving only two words to hang in the air even after he's gone.]

Oh indeed.

[Iskandar stands up, closes the tube, packs it carefully with the others and leaves. Now with regained sense of purpose and maybe - just maybe - finally an ounce of appreciation for his unlucky Master.

He is completely oblivious to the fact that not so far from where he was collecting the water stands a figure strikingly similar to him. So similar it could be his twin. Or just himself. Because it is him. A little different, yes. His hair a little longer. He feels more solid than his Heroic Spirit self.

The other Iskandar watches the scene - his own memory replaying itself before his eyes - in silence. He pays attention not to his other self but to the old brahmin. Long after the priest has disappeared and his other self has left, he still stares at the empty spot; lips pursed, fists clenched, shoulders dropping.]

Calanus...