middaeg | open catch-all + closed prompts for August

How often have you spoken to him?

[To some extent, Ozymandias' question is idle conversation, but he is also genuinely curious. He doesn't anticipate Arthur really seeking out relationships with others much.]

Once-twice. The first time we parted...it was awkward.

[She sighed. That was rare for her-normally she wouldn't have been out of sorts when it came to meeting a person. It was supposed to be the other way around.]

He didn't want me to remember him-or rather, to dismiss him. That...I didn't take it well due to past experiences.

[Don't laugh Ozy. She'll punch you.]

[Uh?? Punching Pharaoh is pretty heckin' illegal, but it's fine. He won't give her cause to do him a hit.]

Quite frankly, he should be ignored when he says things like that, [Ozymandias says with a small shake of his head.] It's how I often deal with it, anyway. Arguing against his desire to be on his own becomes tedious after a while.

[She dun care she'll still do it.]

I can see how it would be.

[She sighs, and sets her cup down briefly on her lap.]

I do have to confess something. I know his True Name. It's the-hair and the eyes. I met his female counterpart and...

He confirmed it. It might have affected his reaction. I might have to make it up to him somehow, to make him feel less out of sorts.

[Should she get him a kitten Ozy? Ozy. Ozy halp.]

[When comparing two Servants to one another, Ozymandias and Arthur could not be more night and day. Where Ozymandias' pride in himself is integral to who he is, Arthur's shame is likewise too deeply ingrained within him to be so easily separated.]

[Ozymandias sighs, but it's more familiar and somewhat fond because he will likely never truly understand Arthur's perspective.]

You needn't be discouraged, Caren. He attempted to more or less run away from me when our paths first crossed in this city. I simply wouldn't allow him to.

[It's like comparing day and night. Ozymadias shines with purpose, while Arthur...seems too ready to snuff himself out. It's so particular. Caren knows a few things about Saber and she doesn't understand why the two Arthurs seem so different.]

That would be better then trying to make nice.

[She makes a face.]

I'm no good at it. If I still had my mystic code working, I could simply bind him and drag him somewhere to talk.

[It's rather annoying she can't just casually bully him or others like that anymore. She wished she could.]

[At that, Ozymandias erupts into laughter.]

I can't imagine that doing anything other than backfiring! [He shakes his head a little.] Arthur may not carry himself as a king very often, but he still possesses some pride.

Oh, he wouldn't be able to get out. It's part of its magic.

[Her smile is wicked, even smug as she takes a sip of coffee.]

But it would be fun to watch him yell and get all riled up.

[And be assuring to see the show of pride and know he wasn't all broken inside.]

It would be nice to see, [Ozymandias agrees with a small nod. But it doesn't seem particularly likely. Even with all the changes Arthur's experienced as a result of the moons, he continues to suppress so much.] I don't imagine he will change, however. Not easily in any case.

No, he really won't.

[It's not very likely. She'd have to poke and needle him a lot to get such a reaction. And Ozy, she thinks, would have a better chance then her.]

Which is, naturally, a good and a bad thing.

[Ozymandias quietly hums his agreement to that.]

[Were Arthur less steadfast in his ideals, it isn't likely that Ozymandias would have ever considered an alliance of any kind with him. Not even in this place where it is perhaps better for Ozymandias to surround himself with those he deems capable. But those same ideals are what so often hold Arthur back from something more fulfilling, that keep him locked within his air of sadness.]

[He has another sip of coffee and moves on.]

You mentioned earlier that your hearing has become more sensitive. Has that made working more difficult for you?

[She respects it. While it may not seem that way at first, and while there are times where she is exasperated with his martyr-ism...there is something about Arthur. Something...more. And she doesn't know what it is.

But she's not going to obsess with him. That's no good for anyone, especially herself. She has things to do.]

I wear ear plugs always. However, with that and other possible stimuli...I've had to work split shifts. It's easier to work in mending and customization during the early mornings and evenings.

Thankfully I can do some work at home, including working on a small side project of mine.

And you are content with that?

[Or at least relatively content. Ozymandias can't imagine that having to alter one's routines, comings, and goings based upon physical changes that weren't asked for necessarily leads to contentment.]

[Caren shrugged.]

It is what it is. Linden was kind enough to offer and try to make specialized earplugs.

But this helps in a way. I'm still getting used to crowds.

Sometimes I still think something someone does will either bruise me or cause me to bleed.

[Sip.]

[She's correct in that the earplugs are at least something and don't lead her to either endless, potentially painful stimulation or self-enforced isolation. Ozymandias thinks little to nothing of that. But he does pause, about to bring his drink back to his lips for another sip when she continues. He lowers it without having taken a sip.]

That seems a fearful and unfulfilling way to live.

It's the only way I could live for awhile.

[She shrugs, and glances over his way briefly, even as she sets her cup down, cupped in her hands.]

Though it wasn't really fearful. It's more annoying and distracting.

...I suppose I can see how you might interpret it as a more mild inconvenience, [Ozymandias says slowly in subtle disbelief. Granted, she has obviously had her fair share of hardship, but even so.]

[She waved a hand at him, even as she brought the cup up for another sip.]

It is when you don't have bandages on hand.

[She could tell him how her body uniquely reacts to pain but...nah, it's more fun this way.]

[He blinks. Hesitates. Then decides,]

Well, I am glad to hear you are taking all of this in such stride.

Edited 2019-09-16 03:02 (UTC)

Some things are easier to deal with then others.

[She watches him for a few moments. Her amusement grows as she lightly strokes her thumb against her cup.]

Would it be easier to understand if I explained my body processes pain somewhat differently then regular humans?

[He huffs slightly.]

It would be a start...

[Ozymandias dislikes not knowing what he feels to be important information, of which this certainly seems.]

[She smiled up at him. He was usually so self assured that it was fun to catch him like this.]

The short version is, due to my bloodline, my body is repeatedly injured when exposed to certain conditions. So when I experience pain...my body compensates by ensuring it's not without pleasure.

Else I might have died from the pain long before now.

[It's more than a little rude for her to be enjoying herself at his expense, but Ozymandias doesn't catch on as that being the source of her smile.]

That can't possibly still be true for you now.

[He can't smack her down if he doesn't know the source of her smile!

Well he could if he was a petty king, and he's not petty, right.]

The mimicking no. Thank goodness for that, or I would likely be taken away from some sort of study by now, as well as exploitation.

It's not as strong as it was previously but...it's still there. I suppose it's a byproduct of conditioning.

[You're looking for the other golden king if you're here for petty kings.]

[Ozymandias supposes what she says makes some sense as he takes another sip of his coffee. A built-up association would be natural even without her body creating such a response. There is, however, something she says that he can't quite put together on his own.]

Mimicking what exactly?

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