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]

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?