"Well," EMIYA says with a gentle smile, "Isn't this familiar?"
Ritsuka looks at him with a raised eyebrow. "I'm not sure I understand, father." He points at the leyshift chamber around them, three Klein Coffins open and waiting for himself, Kana, and Mashu. "How is
this familiar?"
To that, the Counter Guardian only shrugs. "I've seen a lot in life – and a lot more in death."
"You've
leyshifted in your life?"
EMIYA gives him a strained look. "I've seen a lot of coffins in my life."
He looks flatly at the hero his father might have become. Since when did Shirou Emiya become such a master of awkward black comedy? "That's not funny, father. People actually died here."
"Arguably that makes it funnier," Kana states from behind the Red Archer.
"Arguably you are a psychopath," Ritsuka retorts.
"Well arguably you should be wearing the same uniform as me," Kana says, sticking her tongue out.
"Oh my god would you
stop with that."
Mashu, standing off to the side, blushes suddenly. She turns to the side and raises her shield to cover her face. No one notices but Herakles, who gives a small sympathetic nod.
Arturia clears her throat loudly as she steps between them, and slams the wind-sheathed Excalibur loudly against the ground. "I really wish you two would stop bickering," she sighs and shakes her head. "Honestly... You're siblings.
Twin siblings. I always got along well with my brother, so why can't the two of you?"
"Oh, we do," Ritsuka says.
"We just shit on each other a lot," Kana grins. She leans in towards her aunt, her smile turning coy. "Haven't you ever verbally sparred with Sir Kay, Aunt Arturia?"
The King of Knights shakes her head. "Not since I became Ki... okay, maybe in my youth. But not once since!"
"Didn't you abandon all human emotion when you became a King?" Ritsuka asks. Arturia shudders instinctively. The two siblings close ranks on their godmother, smelling blood in the water. "Isn't that exactly what you lamented, that the King does not understand people? Maybe..." Ritsuka rubs his chin furtively, sharing a look with Kana, who mirrors his chin rub. "...Maybe Sir Kay
wanted you to bully him more?"
"...That is absurd. And foolish. The two of you are being foolish. Kindly stop." Arturia shoots a sharp look at EMIYA. "You are their father. Do something about their foolishness, Red Archer."
The Counter Guardian just nods and puts on the smug. "Then allow me to ask another legitimate question, Saber: Don't
you wish to bully Sir Kay?"
"...N-No," Arturia lies. "I-I am not Rin. I do not de-delight in the suffering of others!"
Ritsuka and Kana sigh theatrically. "I suppose the King really doesn't understand people," Ritsuka sighs.
"And we thought she was making progress," Kana says ruefully.
Herakles grunts, as if in agreement.
Arturia bristles. She does not pout or puff her cheeks, but everyone present knows that she
really wants to. Attila walks over to her and pats her on the head, even playing with the stubbon tuft of blonde hair sticking out of her bangs. "Cute," she says simply.
"Why this," the King of Knights says.
--
In the year 2026, man was incinerated whole
Only Chaldea endured, adrift in the sea of time
Now it seeks to undo extinction, saving the future by protecting the past
Supported by an army of legends, they are well equipped to face the challenge
Provided they don't collapse in on themselves
Bullies never prosper, but bullying is extremely fun
This is the sad truth, in...
FATE/SUNNY ORDER
--
The Common Lounge in Chaldea is usually sparsely occupied. Oh, sure, there is always at least a
few people there, off-duty staff trying to unwind or drown out the impending depressive spiral of knowing they are all that remains of humanity, but the real crowd doesn't appear except on the tail ends of the shifts, when people are signing off and having a bit of fun before bed or squeezing out a few hours before they get to work.
But usually, you don't get to see actual Heroic Spirits hanging out in the Common Lounge. They try, they really do, but despite every effort the Servants of Chaldea are still rare sights throughout the facility. Most of them are fairly reclusive, one of them is a musclehead, another is
actually Herakles, and the rest tend to prefer quieter settings like libraries or the various gardens about the installation. Few actually come to the Common Lounge.
Long and belaboured story short, people give Marie and Medea a wide berth as the Caster rests face-down on a patio, while the cheerful Queen of France strokes her head gently. It might have been a strange friendship, but the recllusive Caster's talent for knitting was well-known, and there wasn't a person in Chaldea who didn't know Queens liked fancy dresses. Combined with the rapport they struck up in France, and... well, now they are close enough that the prickly Princess allows Marie to pat her head. Most could only
wish they had such an opportunity.
"There there, Medea, there there... I'm sure he's not
too mad!"
"The boy literally tossed a shoebox at me," the Princess of Colchis sighs. "He is
quite angry."
"...Ah." Marie Antoinette pulls her hand back and runs it through one of her twintails, straining for an answer. A lightbulb practically flashes over her head just moments later. "Oh! Medea, Medea!"
"Yes, I am Medea."
"Master's off to the next Singularity, yes?" Medes turns her head around and looks oddly at Marie from the patio and the Queen pouts. "Hey! What are you implying?"
"Is it cake?"
"Yes!" Marie's enthusiasm dampens slightly. "How did you know?"
Marie's legendary statement is well remembered by history... Even if she may not have said it herself. The corruptive nature of human memory stains all, but in her case it was actually fairly minor, only good for the occasional teasing session. Still, she
is a powerful witch. She can make it work. "I guessed," she says with a smirk. Medea sits up and tidies up her hair before sitting properly, hands on her lap. "Still, it isn't a bad idea. Thank you, Marie."
"I do my best, heehee," the Queen says brightly. "Oh! I hear Master likes strawberries! You could try adding them in!"
"I... will try." Medea looks down and is quiet for a moment. "...Marie, I have a confession."
"Yeeeees?"
"I don't know how to cook." She looks up, eye to eye with the Rider. "Do you?"
Marie frowns and folds her arms. "I'm a Queen, Medea. Since when did Queens cook?"
"Since when did Princesses?" Medea responds.
"Well, I figured that since you have Item Creation A, you could just... magic up a cake!"
"Item Creation A allows me to create potions and mystic codes of high ability,
not cakes."
"Are you
suuuuuure?"
There is a vacant moment that passes as both Queen and Princess look at each other, a mental duel being fought. Medea looks away, her eyes and mind far away.
"...It's worth a try," the Caster decides. "Marie, will you help me?"
"Noooot sure what I can do but of—OH!" Marie stands up excitedly and claps her hands lightly together. There is a gust of wind, and Le Chevalier d'Eon appears before them, hand over their breast.
"What is it, milady?" The Dragoon asks. "Refreshment? Massage? Bath?"
She shakes her head. "Can you cook?" Marie asks brightly.
d'Eon looks at her, sharp and attentive. Their face relaxes slightly. "...Huh?"
"Medea here wants to bake a cake!" d'Eon looks over to the Princess of Colchis, who nods back at them. "Could you help?"
"...I could try, Queen Antoinette."
"Oh, boo! Call me Marie!" She claps her hands again. "And splendid!
Merci, Le Chevalier! To the kitchen, everyone!"
