middaeg | July Quests and Catch-All [OPEN]

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July Quests and Catch-All [OPEN]

Who: Berserker (Cú Chulainn Alter) and you!
When: Throughout July
Where: Through the city
What: Quests and other things!
Warnings: Some threads are NSFW!

[ 1. Sew and Tell ]

[ While Berserker can't help with the magical parts of upgrading the shop, he is strong. He's doing any grunt labor asked of him, lifting things, moving heavy objects, and holding people up to reach things. You need something carried? He's your ~~dragon~~ man.

He finishes a task to take a small break to stretch. He looks over to a coworker (or customer, he doesn't care to know the difference) and tilts his head slightly. ]

Is there something you need me for?

[ 2. Out of the City ]

[ There's a lull in the activity of the day and Berserker takes a moment to rest. He slumps down against a tree, his spear Gae Bolg resting against his shoulder. He's only doing this because he knows he's good at it -- fighting and killing is boring and routine. A sound catches his attention and he grabs his spear without getting up. ]

Do I need to stand up or did you just trip?

[ He's a jerk, sorry. ]

[ 3. Wildcard ]

[ Got an idea? Did we plot something already? Drop me a starter or PM me here or on discord at glitzkrieg#0673! ]

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"H-huh?"

Even though Berserker had called it 'unreasonable' Waver finds himself completely unprepared for the question itself. He stares a moment, as if trying to decipher what it could possibly mean, and whether he'd heard right. Maybe unreasonable isn't exactly the correct word, but it certainly is unexpected.

"You mean... like... body heat?"

He's blushing faintly again, but at least he's not outright saying no. Berserker looks so pathetic sitting on the floor in only a towel, and Waver's seen how listless and miserable the reptilian Monsters have been in this stupid out-of-season cold. If he doesn't like it, and he's warm-blooded, it must be really awful for a dragon.

...and after all that fuss he'd made over Berserker having to take care of himself and not put strain on their Bonded, it seems laughably hypocritical to reject him now.

Waver sighs, setting down his cup.

"All right. But you'll also use a blanket." It's too much if Berserker is basically completely naked. Even a blanket isn't... a lot, but it'll have to do. Waver's clothing certainly won't fit, and he's not comfortable digging through Diarmuid's, which may or may not fit at all anyway. They'll have to compromise.

"Deal?"

That's better than he expected. He'd been expecting an incredulous response and an outright rejection. The stipulation is reasonable, too. Berserker nods.

"Deal."

He takes another drink from his tea.

"...And thank you."

Waver owed him nothing, after all. Their alliance is one mostly out of convenience complicated by a Bond and newfound instincts. He didn't have to do anything for Berserker, especially not agree to something that's frankly ridiculous. It's not like being a little uncomfortably cold will kill him.

"Don't mention it," Waver replies stiffly, finishing his own tea and moving to get up again. Then, after a beat: "No, really. Don't mention it. It's weird."

It's only for a little bit until Berserker warms up, though. No one else needs to know.

Waver clears his throat awkwardly, mumbling something about washing the cup and getting the blanket or somesuch, and scurries away.

To his credit, he doesn't actually run away from the awkward agreement, though. After the cup is set back in the kitchen, Waver returns a few minutes later with a veritable armful of blankets, the tops of his fuzzy ears just barely peeking over the mountain of them. They're all dumped on the ground in front of the hearth, some possibly on Berserker's lap.

"There. Get comfortable."

They won't both fit in the chair, and the sofa is too far from the fire. Floor cuddles it is.

It was weird and there was no way he was going to mention this to anyone ever again. It's something to act on, then pretend it never happened. What had gotten into him to even ask for this...?

Before he can think on it too much, there's an avalanche of blankets dumped around him. Berserker expected Waver to disappear and never come back, too embarrassed to make good on what they'd agreed to. He passes off his own empty teacup with a questioning glance, then sets about making a decent nest out of the offered blankets.

The towel wrapped around his waist is abandoned before he burrows his way into the the cozy nest. There won't be much barrier between them, but he's still holding good on their agreement. He waits (relatively) patiently for Waver to join him.

Waver briefly looks away when he realizes Berserker is ditching the towel, but thankfully the blankets mean he's actually better covered, and in fairness the towel was damp. While he gets situated, Waver grabs it quickly from the pile and hangs it over the chair to dry, setting aside the mug as well. And then--

"Er... Okay, where should I...?"

Yeah, this is awkward. He shouldn't have agreed. Now what??

Waver grabs his book, clutching it like a lifeline, and gingerly steps into the blanket nest like he expects it to be quicksand he's voluntarily wading into.

"I'll just... sit here." Wherever he can make some room to be comfortable. His ears are already red.

The moment Waver settles down, Berserker wraps his arms around his waist and draws himself closer. He rests his head in the smaller man's lap, content to leech off his warmth like this. You're trapped now, buddy.

There's an odd sound coming from the dragon, a low rumble not quite unlike a cat's purr. Waver is safe to be vulnerable around -- if Diarmuid trusts him enough to bond with, then it's okay he sees this side of him. Rarely does he feel safe enough to let his guard down, much less let someone else near him at the same time. Safe and comfortable...

He snuggles up a little bit closer, nuzzling against Waver's leg. Sorry about the horns -- at least he's trying to be mindful of them and not jab him.

"Eh--? Wah...!"

Waver very nearly flops over on top of him with that tug, strong arms suddenly around his waist dragging him closer. He's gotten unused to being manhandled so easily, but weirdly, it doesn't bother him that much aside from being a bit startling.

But he's stuck now, isn't he? Berserker is practically burrowing against his lap, nuzzling like some ridiculous giant puppy. Or cat, judging by that rumbling purr of a noise.

"A little warning would have been nice," he sighs, without any genuine animosity. He is going to reach down and try to nudge Berserker's head away from his thigh enough that his horn will stop digging in, though. "Watch the horns, spiky."

At least Waver is wearing pants even if Berserker isn't. This would have been exceptionally awkward otherwise.

Edited 2019-07-17 22:47 (UTC)

A giant needy puppy who's suddenly remembered how much he actually enjoys physical affection after denying himself for so long. He'll tell himself that this is practical and nothing more, but it also just feels good to let himself indulge like this. Waver's warm and comfortable, a nice reprieve from the unseasonable cold.

"You should have expected it," he says with any real feeling. He lets Waver move his head enough to stop the poking before settling in further. He's being mindful of boundaries, too, and not trying to find ways to touch his bare skin.

It's definitely good one of them is wearing pants. Having someone suddenly shove their head in your lap is awkward, but it's worse when there's less clothing involved. The less thought put into that the better.

A thought occurs to him and he looks up at Waver.

"Don't answer this if you don't want to, but I'm curious...What's your connection to Diarmuid? You weren't his Master, I can tell that."

Fair enough. He should have expected it.

Waver grunts in vague acknowledgement, or maybe defeat, and when Berserker moves his head, he awkwardly tries to find a place to settle his hand that's not on him. There aren't many options. Eventually, he has to settle for putting his free hand behind Berserker's shoulder, the other still resting on his book. He doesn't pick it up, though.

They're so close, he can feel the other man's breathing, the warmth of it on his thigh. It's awkward, but... it isn't bad. Waver tolerates it.

The distraction of conversation is welcome in some ways, though the topic is a fraught one. Waver hesitates, glancing down at him briefly and then away, off into the hearth without really watching the flames.

"I don't mind answering," he allows. "We fought in the same Grail War. And no, I was not his Master. Technically, I suppose he was my enemy. Opponent, rather."

Berserker flinches at the touch -- it's not painful things that make him react like that, but soft ones. Any hand laid upon him should be causing pain, nothing else. A gentle touch is so alien to him that he shies away from it. It's a deeply ingrained reaction that he sees no need to fight against.

He's a little surprised Waver humored his question. The answer gives him pause. He can't understand why he agreed to bond with someone who used to be on the other side. It's so opposed to him own line of thinking: allies and allies and enemies are enemies, no in between and little can change that. Was there something deeper there...?

"Why ally yourself with someone who used to be an enemy?" He sounds truly confused by this admission.

Considering their proximity, Waver notices the way he reacts, and immediately looks down to make sure he hasn't accidentally brushed one of Berserker's injuries. He assumes it has to do with something along those lines and makes sure to be careful, but he doesn't ask. Berserker probably would ignore it anyway, since he'd been so cagey about even taking medicine.

Instead, he hums softly in consideration of the question, looking off at the dancing flames in the hearth.

"Enemy isn't really the right word. He was an opponent in a War that is over and completely irrelevant here. He was only summoned to serve his Master and win the Grail, just like every other Servant on the battlefield. I have no grudges against Lancer-- Diarmuid, that is. But as for why I chose to ally myself with him specifically..."

Waver exhales slowly, closing his eyes for a moment longer than a blink. His fingers tighten around the book he still hasn't opened.

"I know he's strong. Even if he doesn't have the whole of his power as a Heroic Spirit in this realm, I know that he's a capable and honorable fighter. I knew that if we forged an alliance, I could rely on him to keep it. And most importantly, I--"

Berserker had gotten angry, scoffed at him for perceived weakness, and maybe Waver's just inviting him to do it again. But there's no point in pretending or lying. He's decided to answer Berserker's question honestly in this case. Nobody knows how weak he is better than Waver himself.

"I'm not strong enough to do this alone. I made a promise to survive. I have every intention of doing so, and if that means admitting my own weakness-- Fine. It's no secret. Laugh at me if you want to. I know my limitations."

This time, he doesn't respond cruelly. It's an honest answer with an honest assessment of his own abilities. He still can't get over the fact he allied with someone who was an enemy, even if circumstances have changed. His Madness Enhancement makes relating to certain concepts impossible.

"Why would I laugh at you? That's smart."

He shifts a little so he can look up at Waver. If anyone understands doing what you can in the name of survival, it's Berserker. He gave up so much in the name of strength just to survive.

"Doing what you must to survive...That I understand. Even if it's because you're weak, it makes sense."

There's a moment of hesitation. How much does he want to reveal to the turnskin? The answer is not much -- he's already so vulnerable, but he owes him some honesty at least.

"I took on a Bond with him for my own survival. Not because of weakness, but to keep control of my mind."

And, just to take some attention from this situation, he adds one last thought.

"Are you actually going to read that book or just hold onto it like a security blanket?"

Because he can't just let things be, he has to be a pain in the ass.

That wasn't the answer he'd expected. Waver had been trying to brace himself for the inevitable scoffing, or even agreement on Berserker's part that he's just a powerless freeloader trying to get by using Lancer's strength-- but instead he gets a surprising amount of apparently sincere understanding.

Waver blinks, looking down at the dragon in his lap in poorly-hidden astonishment. His cheeks, already starting to color, flush brighter at the tease.

"I was going to!" he huffs, tugging the book closer stubbornly. "You're the one who insisted on having a conversation instead. I can stop talking to you right now, you know!" But he doesn't exactly say he wants to.

While he doesn't get joy out of needling Waver, there is some kind of satisfaction in it. He's so easy to get a rise out of that Berserker barely has to try. What a petty game to play.

"Do you want to stop talking to me, though?"

Hm...Perhaps a concession.

"You can ask me anything you want. I might not answer it, but you can ask."

It's generous and he's in a good enough mood he's likely to answer anything. He feels like he owes Waver something for letting him lay on him like this.

Waver just sort of huffs in response, nudging one knee up to jostle Berserker's head. It's petty, but at least it's not hard or anything. Mostly just petty.

The answer is apparently, and obviously, no though. When Berserker offers to answer questions in return, as Waver had sort of hoped he would, he already has one ready.

"All right, then. How do you know Diarmuid?"

Turnabout is fair play, right? Waver had been wanting to ask about Berserker himself, where he came from and what his story is since he's not familiar, but since Berserker had asked him about his relationship with their Bonded and Waver has a sneaking suspicion they actually have more personal history than meeting here, he decides to ask it this way instead. It's possible he's completely off base, but either way it is a question he's interested in hearing the answer to.

Berserker has to stop himself from biting Waver's leg in response to being jostled like that -- he has a feeling that wouldn't go over well. The question, though...It is only fair, isn't it? How much did he want to reveal? His existence is confusing and strange, as it is.

"He served as one of my knights in a war that never should have happened...The first time I was summoned was in that war."

Medb's war in America in the 1800s. He didn't remember it, but the records existed in Chaldea. Of course he read them once he was summoned there again.

"He disappointed me, made three mistakes, and died. A shame...I don't remember that war. Aside from that, he was also in Chaldea with me. While I know this Heroic Spirit, I don't know him from when he's summoned from in this place."

He knows this short explanation creates almost as many questions as it answers.

Edited 2019-07-30 01:51 (UTC)

That cryptic sort of answer is really no answer at all... or, rather, it just opens up more questions. Waver just stares down at him, eyebrows inching slowly higher.

"You don't remember the war you were summoned to now? But Diarmuid remembers the Fourth--"

Though that's not the only thing Berserker's said that doesn't make sense to Waver.

"What's Chaldea?"

"It wasn't a Grail War," he says, all the clarification he's going to offer right now.

As for Chaldea, that's a bit easier of a question to answer. Sort of. He knows it will open up many more questions that he doesn't have answers to, but so be it.

"Chaldea is an organization tasked with preventing the extinction of humanity. They correct Singularities, no matter the size. There's only one Master and they command many Servants...I was involved in one of the Singularities. That should've been the end of my existence, but the Master summoned me to Chaldea after everything was resolved."

There's almost a sort of bitterness in his words about his continued existence. Odd.

Now this is something Waver's never heard of. Of course, considering where they are right now and taking into account various dimensionality theories, he can assess well enough that Berserker must mean he's not only from a different war (and not a Holy Grail War, at that?) but from a different place entirely. Or time. Or any combination thereof.

Logically being able to parse this information and start to fill in the blanks doesn't actually mean any of it is any less mind-boggling to Waver.

"Is humanity going extinct? What do you mean by Singularity?"

A beat. The rest of it hits him.

"Huh? What's the point of only one Master with... wait. How many Servants?"

There they are. All the questions he knew were coming. Well, let's start answering these -- be glad he's feeling generous, Waver.

"Humanity was incinerated. The Master in Chaldea was sent to Singularities to correct this. Singularities are...errors in human history. Something's been changed or went wrong to the point the foundation of humanity is in danger. Like a Celtic war in America in the 1800s."

That's probably the easiest way he can answer it and the most he knows -- that kind of stuff is the Master's problem, not his. He just does as he's ordered.

"Many. Over a hundred easily."

Chaldea is an irregularity, to say the least.

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July Quests and Catch-All [OPEN]

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