middaeg | open catch-all + closed prompts for August

If you truly have no desire to finish it...

[Ozymandias gestures for Waver to push the glass over to his side of the table, clearly not bothered by the prospect of sharing glasses. He's very nearly done with his own first glass and would be refilling it momentarily anyway.]

I truly don't.

[ Waver slides it over, glancing around for the waitress impatiently. No luck yet. ]

Right. So.

Chaldea...? Let's start with: what is that name even referring to?

[Ozymandias can't help but chuckle warmly at Waver's aversion to the beer as he does actually polish off the rest of his first glass. To Waver's question, however, he raises a slight eyebrow.]

That was not explained to you? [He moves his now empty glass out of the way to move Waver's glass more properly in front of himself. Ozymandias would think something so basic would have already been explained to Waver if he already knew even a little of Chaldea's structure and mission.] It refers to both an organization and its laboratory.

The person explaining it to me is rarely in a sharing or talkative mood. I barely got anything out of him.

I gathered it was a place, but it seemed like something more, so... I see. That makes sense. And this organization is in charge of... protecting humanity, as you say? What sort of threat was it built to withstand?

Oh--

[ The cocktail finally makes an appearance (pretty quickly, actually), and the waitress takes the menu again as Waver pauses to thank her. He gives the drink a stir, peering at the fresh fruit in it with only slightly dubious enthusiasm.

When he takes a small sip this time, he doesn't make as much of a face. A little -- the alcohol flavor is still stronger than he expected -- but not the same affronted nose-wrinkle from before. Under the sharp alcoholic flavor is a freshness, and then the sweetness of the fruit, which makes it actually enjoyable after he can get used to the burn. ]

You were right. This is better.

[ Waver raises his glass in a small 'cheers' motion in thanks. ]

[Ozymandias is able to narrow down fairly quickly which Servant proved so unhelpful in answering Waver's questions. He hums thoughtfully and quietly to himself as Waver busies himself with his drink. Ozymandias imagines that in this regard, this one time, it's less a matter of willingness to talk (as it so often is with Berserker), but that he may truly not have the answers that Waver is asking of Ozymandias. The Mad King sees himself merely as a weapon; it is exactly as the more insolent mages so often speak of Servants. The reason for his Master's commands matter little, only that he has been commanded and he will see it through to the end regardless of if there is any personal sacrifice involved.]

[He doesn't assume that Berserker is content with things being that way -- he doesn't think the man even truly knows what it is to feel content anymore without being told that's what it is, he's such a shadow of his true self -- but rather that Berserker sees no reason not to maintain that simplicity. There's simply no desire for things to be otherwise. He will be as he is meant to be.]

[Nothing more, nothing less.]

[Ozymandias' thoughts leave Berserker as he huffs a small laugh, raising his glass a little in return. Somehow, his smile is even more confident and self-assured than it was before, but what else can he do when he is being told he was right?]

I was not summoned when the organization was at its height, but its intention was to be capable of ensuring the future of humanity. They have a device that monitors the past and future of humanity. Any anomalies would be addressed by teams of Masters and Servants.

[He laughs again, equal parts amused and proud.]

They now have only a skeletal crew and one Master with incredibly limited potential, but they have come quite far. That's evident in that they were capable of successfully summoning me. [As Waver can likely no doubt guess, Ozymandias isn't a Servant easily sustained by a weaker Master.] I believe they may very well have the strength and determination to do as they intended, but only time will trully tell.

It sounds very... technologically advanced.

[ Among other things. Waver stirs his drink idly, ice clinking in his glass as he digests this new information, ears curiously perked and facing Ozymandias at full attention. ]

I'm still having trouble understanding how one Master can sustain a large number of Servants, but maybe there's some sort of technological assistance-- or magecraft based assistance, of course. Or both?

[ He's just thinking out loud. ]

What do you mean 'anomalies' in the past and future? To have the ability to monitor time-- Well, the past is one thing, I suppose. Already, that's a strenuous enough task magically, but monitoring the future seems insanely difficult, considering the infinite nature of possibility.

How would a device like that even be able to pinpoint a supposedly anomalous future when the very nature of what's possible is in its unknowability?

[ This is sounding more and more impossible -- or, rather, improbably and very impressive -- by the moment, even with advances in technology and magecraft together. Of course, one would argue that their current circumstances are equally, if not more, impossible. He's not discounting it, but trying to understand how it works is... a nerd's idea of fun, apparently. His tail is wagging and everything. ]

[Being a witch now has not somehow gifted Ozymandias with a sudden strong interest in magecraft. His interest in it within this world is merely a means to an end of regaining equivalent power that he, as the absolute pharaoh and the embodiment of the Sun, ought to possess. Thus, the longer Waver goes on with his questions, the more Ozymandias starts to... Ignore him.]

[First, Ozymandias' gaze drifts to his beer, swirling the liquid around a little in his glass before he takes another drink. He then shifts to slouch a little further in his seat, turning completely to rest his legs over the seat beside him. Then, he's looking at the ceiling with a quiet sigh.]

[That is until he hears the gentle thump, thump, thump, thump. He sits up, taking a moment to find the source until he finds it to be Waver's tail. He snorts softly before sitting back upright and looking at his rather poor drinking companion. (It is not an unfair description given that Ozymandias is already one glass ahead and bored to death right now.) He gives it one more question pondered aloud before he interrupts.]

Waver. [He waits until he has his full attention before,] You're doing it again.

[ The thumping stops. Waver's gaze refocuses on Ozymandias in the present, pulled out of his spiraling nerdmage conjectures. ]

...ah.

[ At least he has the decency to look a little embarrassed, cheeks coloring as he breaks away from Ozymandias's flat stare to intently stir his drink instead. ]

The questions. Right. I know. It's a bad habit, getting carried away...

But you have to admit it's a lot to take in for me!

I don't fault you for your curiosity or interest. I would expect nothing less from a mage, particularly one of your intelligence.

[He shakes his head a little.]

But such things are of no interest to me. It makes for poor conversation over drinks. Especially since you still have not fully explained how it is you came to be the King of Conqueror's vassal, only how you came to once be his Master. [Ozymandias sighs a little before chuckling.] I suppose I should simply ask Iskandar...

He would be much less prone to distraction and spare no details.

[ Well, Waver doesn't think it makes for poor conversation at all, but he can take a hint... after several hints...

Ears sulkily drooping, Waver buries his face back in his drink, doing a poor job of hiding the flush, and takes several long sips to keep from snapping in response. This cocktail is much easier drinking, and the taste is almost good, apart from the alcoholic sharpness he's still getting used to. ]

...fine.

I'm not trying to hide it. It's simple. I wasn't a good Master. I could never be, I knew that. So... I relinquished my rights as a Master of that War and--

[ Even with Iskandar here with him again, it's not easy to talk about. Everything about those days comes with a tangle of complicated feelings that make his chest go tight, the memories a little too raw. It's better now; it doesn't come with the awful pang of loss, even if he still has to actively reassure himself that Iskandar really is alive. The Bond helps, of course.

Waver exhales, setting his glass back down with a thunk. ]

After that, I rode with him to one last battle, not as a Master, but as... a friend.

He asked me to be his vassal. I accepted.

[Ozymandias is perhaps a bit skeptical about whether or not Waver could ever be a good Master. Sure, he doesn't really seem to have the bravery required to truly take part in a Holy Grail War, which likely means he wouldn't have the stomach to do what's asked of him as a participant, but he does have his intelligence. Ozymandias doesn't doubt that Iskandar's strength was integral to his survival, but it would be a mistake to not also consider Waver's cunning as another important factor. Who knows what he might see or observe that other Masters might neglect?]

[But really what strikes Ozymandias is that Waver still stayed by Iskandar's side, drawing up enough courage and heart to follow him into one more battle. Even when the end was inevitable and he no longer really had a purpose for being there beyond what he developed with Iskandar. He was willing to bear witness to Iskandar's final glory.]

[The corners of Ozymandias' mouth draw up into another smile, pleased but also notably much softer than the ones preceding it.]

Then it is as I said before: Iskandar chose wisely.

[He takes another drink of his beer.]

[ This time, Waver's blush looks decidedly more pleased, the way his ears press down happily like he's just asking to be pet. He hides his embarrassment again in his drink, sipping at it steadily; the more he drinks, the better it seems to taste, and every sip leaves him wanting to taste it again as if to make sure it really is getting more agreeable.

(the reality, of course, is that he's just getting used to it... and also progressively more tipsy...)

Waver peers up at Ozymandias through his bangs, starting to feel more relaxed. ]

I didn't realize you'd know each other... [ Ozymandias explained earlier, but now Waver's thinking about that comment he'd made, concerning going to ask Iskandar himself when Waver had been wishy-washy with his answers.

It reminds him that Iskandar is here-- and that thought, the feeling of their Bond like a warmth in his chest when he thinks about it, just having that makes him feel so... warm. ]

I didn't think... I'd get to see him again.

[ The confession spills out, soft and vulnerable, still awed and impossibly happy. ]

[Although it was never in question, looking at Waver now, it's plain to see how greatly he loves his king. Ozymandias is not so surprised to see it as he doubts that Waver would have the courage to show any even mild form of defiance towards Ozymandias otherwise, but he is pleased by it all the same.]

How fortunate then that the gods have seen fit to provide you with another opportunity. [This time when Ozymandias reaches across the table, he pats Waver on the head in a genuine gesture of praise.] Continue to serve him well, Waver Velvet.

[ The pat is... unexpected. The color in Waver's cheeks deepens, eyes widening a bit in surprise, but he certainly doesn't seem to hate it. For a moment, he freezes up, too flustered to react. ]

I- I will!

[ The promise comes with the involuntary resumption of his tail wagging. This time, though, he catches himself and, mortified, leans back to pull away from the embarrassing petting hoping that Ozymandias didn't actually see. Dammit... he really needs to learn to control that... ]

Er... um...

[ Quick! A distraction! Waver grabs his glass and lifts it, offering to clink cups across the table. ]

Ch- cheers!

[It's a little hard for Waver to hide his tail wagging, even if he manages to catch it early on. His leaning away also really only serves to have the opposite effect and draw more attention. So, while Ozymandias follows through on clinking cups and taking the expected drink from his own cup afterward, he's quick to point out with a laugh:]

You embarrass quite easily, don't you? Unless you're really going to try and claim the red in your cheeks is from the alcohol. [He polishes off his glass, grabbing the pitcher to refill for himself.] There's no shame in enjoying something.

[Ozymandias has noticed that pattern. Anytime Waver appears to be excited by something or otherwise enjoying it, and it's pointed out in some form or fashion, he flushes. There seems to be a greater willingness to defend his enjoyment of some things, but with other things, Waver seems quick to change the subject or shift focus elsewhere. Ozymandias hasn't yet quite determined what drives the decision between the two outcomes just yet though he seems fairly consistent to defend his curiosity.]

[Setting the pitcher back down, he continues,]

You certainly seemed more willing to indulge yourself when we first met.

Th-that wasn't my fault!

[ He blurts way too quickly to be able to backpedal and pretend he doesn't remember or something. And he's definitely still blushing... ]

I think there was something in my drink or- or whatever... It was embarrassing! Forget it happened!

And who are you to tell me what to do?

[Ozymandias' tone is far from serious, snickering as he waves a dismissive hand.]

You have nothing to worry about. I'll keep it between the two of us.

O-okay... good...

[ Waver looks genuinely mortified now, as he remembers in unfortunate detail (why hadn't the drinks muddled his memory too??) how he'd acted like an overconfident idiot. And then gotten lost. He'd made a complete fool of himself.

...he also can't help but remember why he'd done it, or that he'd been excited to chase after Ozymandias both to satisfy his new instincts and because he'd been confusingly attracted to the man too. Not that Ozymandias isn't attractive in general. But Waver's just glad he didn't actually say anything even more embarrassing that night. He's mortified enough just having thought it. ]

[His embarrassment radiates off him in waves so strongly that even if Ozymandias were truly the least observant and most oblivious person, he would notice it. But noticing it isn't the same as knowing what's going through Waver's mind right now. To that, Ozymandias remains oblivious about some of the details albeit possessing some curiosity about what has him so embarrassed. He doesn't ask, however, judging that if he were, it would be a little cruel and be at Waver's expense. It seems hardly fair to treat him that way.]

In any case, even though you're a bit different than how you were that night, I'm glad our paths crossed again. [He smiles.] You're honestly a middling partner to drink with, but overall, I'm not disappointed.

I'll be keeping my eye on you.

[ Waver looks up again, having once more taken shelter in his drink only to find it... somehow empty... when did that happen??

He blinks, surprised at first, flustered embarrassment smoothing into the flattered kind. This time, he smiles back. ]

Oh, good, it would have been terrible to hear after all this you were bored or something.

[ He might be weird and easily flustered, but at least he's not boring! ]

I'm glad too, y'know... Gonna tell Rider about this. I went drinking with a Pharaoh.

[ Rider is more likely to be surprised by the drinking part than the Pharaoh part, frankly. Waver sets his glass back down, leaning an elbow on the edge to lean across the table a bit with a grin. ]

And hey. I've been upgraded from a poor drinking partner to a middling one. That's something!

[ One cocktail in and Waver's already more easily excited and talkative, and actually smiling, which is kind of rare. Maybe he's trying to be a better drinking buddy after all? Is this a challenge?? ]

[Well, well, well... Isn't this interesting? Walking into this place, Ozymandias was under no illusion that Waver really wanted to be here. In fact, he would go so far as to bet that if he didn't have information that Waver was interested in, he most likely would have refused to pay his debt. But it would appear he's warmed to the idea finally, even taking a little pride in measuring up even just a little.]

[Waver said there was something in his drink, but now Ozymandias is beginning to wonder if it was just alcohol that had this effect. There's really only one way to find out.]

[Glancing over his shoulder for just a brief second, he waves a hand slightly to their waitress, pointing a finger at Waver's empty glass before holding up said finger. They nod to one another in wordless understanding to one another about getting Waver another drink. Lowering his hand back to the table, he looks at Waver, sitting there with his smile and pride.]

You make it sound as though it's going to be easy for me to deem you better than middling. Don't get ahead of yourself.

[If it wasn't a challenge before, it probably is now.]

Eh?

[ Wow, he hadn't expected to be shot down so fast... He might even have been hoping for a bit more praise. Waver frowns (pouts, more like), crossing both arms over the edge of the table. He's not sulking, you're sulking. ]

Okay, so tell me what a better drinking partner is supposed to do. We're drinking together and having a conversation. Done and done, right?

[Ozymandias can't help but laugh at how quickly Waver begins to sulk. For someone who was once so reluctant, he's quick to take the bait.]

Do you believe doing the minimum is enough to earn high marks? I wouldn't think you would be so quick to assume that my standards are so low. [He settles back more completely into his previously relaxed way of sitting on his side of the booth as he takes another drink of his beer.] I'm not saying that I'm opposed to being proven wrong, but I'm not going to let you rest on your laurels now when you've only just started putting a real effort in.

W-well, no, but...

[ When he puts it that way, it makes it sound pretty bad, huh?

Waver scowls, resting his cheek in one hand so it smushes the side of his face. With the other hand, he taps a claw absently on the side of the empty glass, quiet in the ambient noise of the tavern as it starts to fill up a bit more. ]

I mean it. The question.

What's the expectation for going out drinking together like this? What else am I supposed to do?

[There's something almost...endearing about how earnestly Waver is trying. It's not familiar territory for him, but he clearly won't be all that satisfied anymore unless he has a better review from Ozymandias on his performance as a drinking partner.]

You're meant to relax and enjoy yourself. [The waitress brings over a fresh cocktail for Waver, replacing his empty glass. Looking to her, Ozymandias asks that she take the other emptied glass. (It seems unlikely to him that Waver will try more beer. At least not tonight.) She obliges and he thanks her before she leaves. His attention settles back onto Waver and he continues,] I understand that it may be difficult to do that in the presence of someone like me and you should be mindful of not being overly-familiar, but a conversation here does not need to be such a stiff exchange of information.

[Any conversation ultimately is an exchange of information, but there's a noticeable difference between when Waver is sharing in a conversation -- even through his questions -- and when he's simply trying to gather as much information as possible. For Ozymandias there is a difference in his experience of it, anyway. One feels far more like an interrogation or, at the very least, feels far more like he is a means to an end than anything else.]

It may come as a surprise to you, I am not particularly interested in talking about myself. [That's not strictly true. He obviously enjoys talking about himself with how quick he is to compliment himself even when speaking of his failures. But he is not like the King of Heroes where speaking of himself and doing so with high regard is approximately his sole interest or the quickest way to please him.] I asked about your experiences with Iskandar not to issue a judgment or to hear a prattling of facts, but to know more about you.

[What he chooses to mention and how he goes about telling his story to one degree or another speaks to who Waver is.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject