middaeg | October catch-all [closed]

[ Would Ritsuka see it that way? Probably not with how Berserker would handle it: in the most callous way possible. They're used to his cruelty, though, so maybe they would. He doesn't want to think about it at all. His posture stiffens slightly the more he thinks about it.

He realizes he's been silent for some time and Flat's been looking at him. His gaze lowers to the other man finally. ]

... You barely know me. [ It's not harsh. It's the only reason he can think of why Flat would want something like that for him. ] I don't think I'll ever understand the way you think.

You helped me kill someone. Maybe you don't remember it, but I do. Clear as day.

[ flat says it lightly, with a laugh, even, as a reply to berserker's comment. it's not something that he would like to do again, both out of respect for his professor's beliefs and because it's something that doesn't bring him any sort of satisfaction.

beyond the life that they took, what really stood out for flat on that day was one single thing. ]

As we took the man, you called me a 'friend'. It probably doesn't matter to you that much since it's all a blur to you, but it meant a lot you know? I don't think anyone's ever outright called me their friend before. It probably has to do with what you just said-- no one really understands how I think. Usually people are scared of me because of that, my parents and former teachers included. But you aren't. And you don't know much about me either, do you?

[ and that, is what means the world to flat. to find those people that treat him like a person and not like some creature that needs to be observed under a microscope or poked with a 10 meter pole.

those people, like the two berserkers in his life, the professor, svin, reines, and gray-- they were the people he loved the most. ]

So that's why I want the best for you. Because you're an important friend, no matter what.

Edited 2019-10-27 02:22 (UTC)

[ He remembered pulling someone's spine out. He remembered going to Ozymandias' mansion covered in blood. He remembered Flat having some connect to all of this. The way he speaks it so plainly brings it all back to him. It doesn't bother him that he helped Flat murder someone, it bothers him that he doesn't remember doing it. Berserker goes silent at this revelation once again. ]

I know little about you, I just know that you're interesting and an idiot...If I called you a friend then, I suppose you are a friend now.

[ He closes his eyes for a moment. It's weird to be important to anyone, much less someone he's only recently met. It feels so alien when he's so used to pushing people away and keeping them there. He opens his eyes again with a quiet sigh. ]

...I'm dangerous to be around. Just keep that in mind.

Dangerous is fine. [ he waves a hand dismissively, as if berserker had just said something boring and mundane. ] Most of my friends are pretty dangerous too—Berserker included. They’re none other than Jack The Ripper, after all!

[ saying his servant’s true name out loud is just another proof of how much he trusts the berserker next to him. hearing him call him validate their friendship while calling him “interesting” and “an idiot”... flat couldn’t have asked for anything more.

and besides, he has a slight feeling that he might be dangerous himself, if that mist was any proof of it. ]

But I trust you the same way I trust them. And if you do hurt me, then we’ll figure that out when
if it happens. Or maybe we can get into danger together, huh?

I will never hurt an ally, so you have nothing to fear from me there. As for getting into danger together...If you drag me into it, I'll have no choice but to follow.

[ Jack the Ripper...A Berserker? The Jack he knew of was an Assassin and a little girl, at that. Heroic Spirits can take many forms, so it doesn't surprise him terribly. The fact that Flat said that at all is such a massive sign of trust, he can only return it. ]

... My True Name is Cú Chulainn, but I'm an Alter Servant. I'm an impossibility. I was given a different name by Caster before the mist descended on the city: Ciarán Cú. You may call me Cú, if you wish.

I don't think I'd be afraid of you either way.

[ flat chuckles. the idea of being afraid of berserker--no, cu-- is something that would be simple for anyone. common sense, even. a tall, cold brooding dragon-man with a penchant for hoarding bones is enough to make anyone in their right mind tremble in their boots.

flat could not think of a better friend to make in this world. finding an existence as impossible as his own, with an identity that only served to cause him grief and confusion in a world that sees things differently than he does.

he has no doubt that cu's viewpoint will also be much different than his own, but that's fine. just this is enough for him. ]

My real name isn't Flat. It's just a name that I gave myself when I left my parents' house to protect myself--but I've grown to like it a lot since then. So I guess we're in a similar boat, huh?

[ It's such an honest admission, though Berserker can't help but comment on it. ]

I almost hoped it was a fake name. I can't imagine who would name their child "Flat". [ A cruel smirk follows that before his expression settles to something neutral again. ] That knowledge is safe with me, though. You have my word.

Ahaha! Nothing wrong with a little bit of uniqueness, right? And it's too late to change it now, ten years later.

[ unsurprisingly enough, flat seems to enjoy the jab at his stupid name, laughing happily in return. it could be said that his parents did name him that, though, as it had been one of the many scathing comments that he had heard from them as a child.

a flat expanse with scribbles on it. that's what they had called him.

he's thankful that cu will keep it a secret, though. he'd rather not have to have this discussion with anyone else. though he can't say that it doesn't feel a little freeing, at least, being able to admit this to someone. ]

Besides, my Professor's name is Waver and that's his real name. Maybe you should think about that one instead, hm?

[ Truth be told, he'd never thought about Waver's name being strange. Considering he knew a demi-Servant named Mash, perhaps he isn't the best judge of what is and isn't a strange name. Still, Flat's right. From what he knew, mages typically had ... interesting names. ]

Hm...Fair enough. [ Berserker shrugs. ] My former name means "Culann's hound". Maybe I don't have any room to talk.

Seriously?

[ wow.

between the younger version of his professor having canine characteristics and this, flat’s wondering if he just has some sort of magnet for dog people. ]

Caster should’ve picked a name with dragon in it. But then again, you were kinda furry back during the mist, so dragon-dog isn’t too hard to imagine.

I served as a replacement for a guard dog I killed as a boy and raised his pups, so it's a fitting name.

[ Slight agitation rises in Berserker, though it fades quickly. ]

Don't call me a dog, though.

[ oh.

flat smiles, like a pleased cat that has just caught its prey. ]

It’s a form of endearment, though.

[ he is doing this on 100% purpose. ]

I will kill you if you keep it up.

[ Calm and apathetic as ever. ]

That’d be pretty bad, huh? [ flat laughs softly at that, almost as if cu had said a joke. although it’s not that he misunderstood the warning. it was clear as day for him—he just found it funny regardless. ]

Alright, alright, I won’t. I think I’ve had one too many close calls this month.

[ Flat is so weird, Berserker can't understand him. He's chaotic, more so than he himself is. Normal logic can't be applied to him. There is a sense of self-preservation, but it's very low.

What is he?? ]

Good...

[ With that settled, he changes the subject. ]

I'm still interested in bonding with you if necessary. You and Lancer should meet soon.

Bonding...

[ the way that flat’s expression changes is proof enough that the topic is not one he’s all that interested in. it’s not cu’s fault in the least either—it’s just his general opinion to the subject at hand.

hesitation disguised as indifference. ]

I guess if it were anyone else I’d feel bad about putting them through this, but you’re kinda similar, I think. So if you want to, then sure! I’ll grovel to Diarmuid for his blessing! What should I bring? Flowers? A box of chocolates?

Edited 2019-10-29 11:47 (UTC)

[ The look Berserker gives him says a lot about part of that offer. He should've expected something borderline ridiculous. ]

... Nothing like that is necessary. Just bring yourself, that will be more than enough. [ A beat. ] And make sure you don't call him by his True Name.

Got it!

[ although he can’t help but feel mildly curious over the warning to not call him by his true name. ]

Does he hate his name too? The Pr—Waver—was the one that said it first so...oh! [ he snaps his fingers, as if coming to some sort of realization. ] It’s probably something only his closest people can call him, huh?

Something like that. A True Name is something for a Heroic Spirit to choose to reveal, not to have it revealed for them, that's all. [ Berserker shrugs. ] If you're close to both Waver and me, I'm sure he won't mind you knowing it.

Ah, that’s understandable.

[ he understood that part easily, though he is a but surprised that this would still apply in a place where they are not only human but also not in a holy grail war.

but if berserker says so, then he’ll do just that. ]

Well, I’ll do my best! Just let me know when you want me to meet him~! I’ll make sure to not disappoint!

[ It's difficult to let go of such ingrained safety mechanisms. Letting go of that meant finally letting go of what made them what they are. In the end, it's up to each Servant to decide what they're comfortable with. ]

I will. [ Berserker turns back to his fishing. Ah, he should at least say something else. ]I'm going to stay out here. If you want to stay out here, you may...but only if you're quiet. Otherwise, you're free to go.

[ He's said all he needs to say and heard all he needs to hear. ]

Edited 2019-10-30 03:52 (UTC)

October catch-all [closed]

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