open catch-all + closed prompts for August

[fulgency]

Who: Ozymandias + You (plus some closed prompts)
When: August (will be adding more prompts as time goes on!)
Where: Around!
What: Leaving the Coven after a month-long illness, Lunasa, & likely more; hmu if you would like a closed starter or a different prompt
Warnings: None so far, but will update as needed!

Comments

[fulgency]

[His skin doesn't exactly crawl at the question, but there's an obvious twinge in his expression to demonstrate his displeasure. It's not directed at Arthur. The fact he has the consideration to ask nor his awareness that Ozymandias is liable to keep what is private exactly that are not things that Ozymandias finds fault in. That the question need be asked at all is the source of his discomfort instead.]

[He's quiet for a moment, not immediately answering. Part of him, of course, is incredibly reluctant to say anything remotely close to what Arthur has labeled as the "truth." Such matters are Ozymandias' business and his business alone. Never mind that as the absolute pharaoh, he should be infallible and barring that at least seem infallible. But another part of him feels it would be disrespectful if not outright insulting to speak to Arthur as though he were not a fellow king or one who had once felled Ozymandias.]

Hmph. [What a frustrating conundrum.] I am well. I haven't had a fever in several days, but I still find myself fatigued easily.

[He cants his head to one side.]

Physically, in any case. Magically is another matter.

[holyswordwielder]

[ It says a lot about his feelings towards Arthur that Ozymandias actually does concede sooner rather than later and the King of Knights finds himself, again, humbled by the gesture. He was expecting more of a heated back-and-forth to be necessary and that Ozymandias seems to struggle with himself more than with Arthur is a pleasant surprise. It quells the upset in the fledgling dragon's belly and before he consciously realizes what he's doing, he's impulsively reached out to lay a hand over one of the pharaoh's wrists and is giving it a gentle, comforting squeeze. ]

It's this place— not you. If we were ourselves, this never would have happened.

[ "Magically is another matter"... It takes Arthur a brief moment to understand what Ozymandias means by that, but once he does, the squeezing on the other man's wrist gets a little more intense before the Saber catches himself finally and he quickly lets go, withdrawing his hand. That was... strange... Why did he do that? He shakes his head a little, mildly flustered by his own actions. It's this place, he reminds himself now inwardly too. It's got to the beast's impulses acting out. ]

You haven't Bonded with anyone yet? You've had many visitors over the last month.

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias merely glances at the hand on his wrist when it is placed there, but otherwise appears to ignore it. There was no sought permission for the contact prior to it existing, but it's such a minor thing that he doesn't feel the need to reprimand Arthur for it.]

[The reassurance, however, falls a little flat. He knows that Arthur's words are meant well -- hence his recognition of them as being words of reassurance -- but regardless of the source of change, if it was not his will to change his form, it is a problem. A weakness. A limitation. Ozymandias' jaw clenches slightly, but before he has a chance to respond, Arthur has asked his follow-up question.]

I haven't.

[He finds Arthur's assumption to be a fair one. Of those who visited, most were ones that Ozymandias is protective towards, having placed himself as a mentor of sorts. And there is at least one that he is exceedingly physically affectionate towards with no hesitation now. But even so, much in the same way that Ozymandias will not accept just any mage as his Master, he will not accept simply anyone as his Bonded. The fact it is far more intimate connection than even that of the usual contract formed between Master and Servant causes Ozymandias to be even more strict on who he would even consider. The inner workings of a king -- certainly not the King of Kings -- are not privy to just anyone.]

Those that visited me I am fond of and have deemed them worthy of my presence, but nothing further than that.

[holyswordwielder]

[ It comes as a relief when Ozymandias says nothing about the touch. The less Arthur has to explain about this new, impulsive side to his nature, the better. He’s still surprised though when the pharaoh confirms that he has, in fact, not taken a Bond.

When he turns over in his mind the words Ozymandias says, the more Arthur thinks he should have expected this of the man. His pridefulness might be more tempered by a genuine benevolence than that of other kings with similar temperament — such as, say, Gilgamesh — but he is still the God King, the King of Kings. He wouldn’t open himself to just anyone. His reasons for not having taken a Bond yet are in the same vein as Arthur’s, only laced with his characteristic self-esteem. ]

Huh.

[ He smiles wryly, closing his eyes contemplatively as he leans back in the chair and crosses an ankle over his knee. ]

It appears we are capable of easily agreeing on something together, then.

[fulgency]

[That Arthur is still without a Bonded is no particular surprise to Ozymandias. The other Servant is generally resistant to establishing a connection with anyone beyond pragmatic alliances. And though a Bond in this case certainly serves a function necessary for long-term survival, it entails something more than Arthur is likely willing to risk.]

To be a king is to stand alone, Arthur. Regardless of how we may differ in our understanding of how that is so, that will always be true. It should come as no surprise to you that we arrive at the same conclusion on this matter.

[holyswordwielder]

No, you are right.

[ Arthur again hesitates briefly before elaborating, not entirely sure he wants to reveal even this much about his current mental state, particularly as it reveals how he currently regards Ozymandias in relation to himself. It's difficult to be this honest, but... Ozymandias deserves that honesty. ]

I let... other feelings color the conclusions drawn from seeing all your visitors stop by. I apologize.

[ Those "other feelings"? Jealousy, perhaps? Arthur isn't even sure, but it seems clear that he certainly thinks about Ozymandias more than he would like to admit. It's become more and more unavoidable, honestly.

At first, Ozymandias was someone who reminded him of a dark past, but the threat of losing him over the last month changed something in Arthur. He's had time to think about how the Rider is the only person here who actually knows him, who's actually fought beside him even before Chaldea. He's the only link Arthur has now to his world and he hasn't had something like that in such a long time... ]

It's becoming dangerous to exist alone though now. You've fallen ill once and I...

[ More hesitation. He frowns deeply and drops his gaze from Ozymandias' face. ]

...I was more beastly during the last full moon.

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias isn't entirely sure what "other feelings" Arthur is alluding to. His discomfort at being in Ozymandias' presence has waned significantly since they first crossed paths in this place. What's taken the place of those feelings, Ozymandias couldn't name. He's not even sure if Arthur could name them by how vaguely he mentions them.]

To what extent?

[While his tone isn't soft, Ozymandias could have spoken with more harshness, turning the question into a demand for information. Arthur dropping his gaze, however, gives Ozymandias cause for concern and ultimately tempers the question. Though he does not exactly feel guilty for having not been there for the full moon given his reason for not being there, he still feels a measure of responsibility for looking after Arthur. Ideally, he would have been there.]

[holyswordwielder]

[ Arthur continues not to make eye contact with Ozymandias, hesitating again in his explanations. This is the most difficult part of being bred to be a leader— knowing when to admit weakness. The only reason Arthur forces himself to find a way to do it is because Ozymandias just managed to do it for him. ]

Last full moon... I lost control of myself— more than I did the month before. My mind was... gone for a while. Some of the house was damaged, but no one was hurt. I wasn’t alone at the time, thankfully.

[fulgency]

Berserker...

[It's equal parts a question to confirm that who was with him and an answer to that question because Ozymandias doesn't know of anyone else that Arthur would necessarily allow to be there in that moment. Ozymandias studies Arthur for a moment, not saying anything immediately.]

[These changes are taking their toll on the King of Knights. While some things remain immutable, there are other things that are beginning to shift and change. Looking at his horns, his tail, and even those brilliant scales... Ozymandias doesn't know the amount of pain and discomfort they have caused Arthur, but he thinks they're ultimately nothing compared to the loss of his mind. How could there be anything worse than a loss of control?]

If you haven't begun already, I expect that you will make repairs to the damage you've caused. I understand that these are things beyond your control, but I will not allow you to concede and act against your nature.

[He reaches a swift decision not to pity Arthur. The moment he does that, the very second he gives permission for Arthur to wallow in any of this is the one in which Arthur will lose to these baser instincts.]

Berserker will aid you as well for his own part. Though I know he is often wont to behave like a beast, I will not tolerate him acting like one so long as I permit him shelter.

[He doesn't ask if he's made himself clear because Ozymandias doesn't leave any room for misunderstanding.]

[Ozymandias rises to his feet, coming to stand beside Arthur in the chair and resting a hand for a moment on his shoulder.]

Come. Let us return home. My belongings are already packed.

[Sure enough, on the bedside table is a bag ready to go with both some of Ozymandias' personal belongings and a few gifts left behind by his visitors. Ozymandias moves to the entrance of the room to wait for Arthur there.]

[holyswordwielder]

[ At first, Arthur's lowered tolerance for words and actions that irritate him has the younger king furrowing his brow at the chastisement he's getting from Rider. He's not a child, after all, and Ozymandias laying out his expectations on the matter of the house being in disarray makes him feel very much like one. He has to actively work to wrestle his temper back into submission because Ozymandias makes it clear, rather quickly, that his intention is to help rather than to belittle or patronize.

Well... and also probably get the beautiful home he generously opened to both Arthur and Berserker back to being aesthetically pleasing to the eye, of course. ]

Obviously, we had no plans to simply leave the place in shambles. We may look like monsters, but we have our humanity still. I don't particularly enjoy living in filth, even if I don't need to live in a gilded and bejeweled throne room, Pharaoh.

[ Arthur can't help but remark with a bit of cheek. He might be able to accept that Ozymandias will always be himself, even when he means well, but that doesn't mean he has to simply accept it without being himself. He's exchanged barbs with Ireland's Child of Light, Cú Chulainn, and the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh. Ozymandias is indeed more refined than Gilgamesh and less of an unlucky fool than Cú Chulainn is, but not even Arthur's respect for him as a Heroic Spirit will save him from the younger king's backtalk.

Likewise, it's not going to save him from Arthur's chivalry. He gets up from his seat and also heads to the door, reaching out to take the bag of Ozymandias's belongings. His expression softens once they make ready to depart and he eyes the other Servant with some concern. ]

Are you certain you can make the trip back? It's a long way still by foot.

[fulgency]

[It's not often than most feel comfortable with speaking to Ozymandias in that way. While he most often has a fairly friendly and warm demeanor, he is clearly not one to chance crossing. So, for a brief moment, Ozymandias is taken aback by Arthur's lip, brow first lifting in slight surprise before furrowing in mild irritation. He decides to ultimately let it go, giving Arthur the benefit of the doubt that no offense was truly meant and it was rather a slip of perhaps over-familiarity.]

[At the look and the question, Ozymandias shifts his eyes forward. He doesn't exactly bristle -- because some part of him recognizes that it's a fair question to ask given that he is still certainly feeling the toll this illness has taken on him with a few vague aches and an occasional shakiness -- but he clearly does not like it being asked at all. It's difficult for even him to say if he's annoyed with Arthur or himself over being asked.]

It is nothing. [He doesn't specify if he's referring to the aftermath of his illness or the walk itself. He proceeds to step out of the room.] Even if it takes longer than usual, I will walk.

[Some might call his pride foolish, but there is simply no changing that his every action is guided by what he deems to be the correct course of action for someone like him. His titles may bear no weight in this world, but it always rests quite squarely on his shoulders. Not as a burden, but a simple fact of who he is.]

[And just like the sun breaking through on a cloudy day, Ozymandias huffs a laugh.]

I must say, Arthur, I do not remember the last time I had someone fuss over me like this. Even in the final years of my life, I don't recall there was such concern. Did I truly seem that close to being once more on my deathbed?