randomosity | [For Saft] On the Eve of Battle

Rider heard his own heart in his eardrums during that kiss. Waves crashing on the shore...Oceanus. Just as before, just as he'd desired. Just as he'd dreamed so long ago.

His dream hadn't changed, it seemed.

He wipes his sword on the grass to clean it of Assassin's blood. Then he returns to Bucephalus and smirks as she just stands there so idly. "If that's all it takes to silence you, perhaps I should do it more often."

He's teasing, there's a laugh in his tone. But in truth, he's just as shaken by the act as she. He can still taste her on his lips, which he can't help but lick. Then he gets up and into the saddle, reaching down to offer her his hand. "Are you coming? Or would you prefer to stay here?"

Saft blinks as Rider speaks to her and offers his hand down for hers. She's still unsure how she react to something like that, She's not the type to swoon and throw herself at someone but at the same time she doesn't think it's appropriate to snap at her servant and scold him even further for his actions even though that's normally the route she would follow.

"N-No, I'm coming."

Saft takes Rider's hand and pulls herself up onto the huge black steed taking a deep sigh once she's sat on her usual spot on Bucephalus' saddle and then brushes one of her bangs behind her ears, a habit she often fell into when she was slightly nervous around someone.

"Hn..."

His annoyance and anger are completely gone now. Rider is far too amused with her reaction and how she stammers when she speaks to him. He can't help his boasting now and the pride that surges through him. As she settles into the saddle, he wraps an arm around her and leans down to whisper a tease to her.

"Congratulations, not all have earned a kiss from the King of Conquerors and remained standing, as you have," he burst out laughing, kicking Bucephalus in the sides for him to ride forward, out of the forest.

He had been teasing her?!

She had gotten herself all flustered over her first kiss all for nothing?! Well now that just makes her blush all that much harder and she takes a little offence over that.

"You J-jerk!" She snaps at him. "You're not supposed to do things like that! I didn't give you any kind of consent to be so... so casual with me! I might have been saving that for someone else for all you know!"

Edited 2016-05-11 16:52 (UTC)

His words had been the tease - but his kiss had been genuine. Rider's never been a good communicator; so when she reacts that way, he furrows his brow and tilts his head.

"You were promised to another? Ah...but no, few are 'promised' to each other anymore...perhaps you have a lover I am not aware of?" He listed possible explanations for her anger. "But it hardly matters, does it? None can compare with the King of Conquerors!!"

Iskandar glanced down and saw the expression on her face. "...you are angry? What for?" He was truly confused. Emotions were clearly not his strong suit.

"It's nothing like that...I just-"

She sighs and looks away again, She can't be falling for her servant, surely? It's embarrassing to be talking about something so personal to someone who barely knows how she feels about matters of the heart.

"You're right. Things are different now than what they must have been like before for you. I guess back in your time women or girls like me didn't get a say in who they wound up with but now it's different. You have to take time to know someone before they exchange anything like a kiss or even something more. They date or at least take time to know something about the other person.

So you kissing me right now...I'm not sure how I feel about that."

Iskandar sat up and nodded slowly. He understood now! ...or at least he thought he did - which was the same thing, at least in his mind.

"Ah, you feel as though I have invaded your privacy," he nodded slowly, bringing a hand up to stroke his beard. "But if I may point out to you - those lines are blurred for us. We are Servant and Master, you and I; just in case you've forgotten. We should not have such concepts of privacy and there should be no secrets between us. It would be poison for our partnership, and it would eventually lead to our undoing.

"Additionally, again in case you've forgotten, I am ISKANDAR! KING OF CONQUERORS! Boundaries mean little to me as a rule. Another word for 'conqueror' is indeed 'invader'. It is in my nature to move forward, never retreat. Regardless of whether I am on the battlefield or in matters of emotions. I will not retreat in either case.

"FURTHERMORE, if I may offer my opinion," ...which he was going to do anyway, regardless of whether or not it was necessarily wanted... "People of your time are too guarded. You shy away from emotions and matters of the heart out of fear. I SAY UNTO ALL OF THIS TIME PERIOD! DO NOT FEAR YOUR EMOTIONS, FOR THEY ARE WHAT FUELS YOU, WHAT MAKES YOU STRONG!! BE NOT A SLAVE TO YOUR FEAR!"

The gospel according to Iskandar, King of Conquerors.

"That kind of thing might be easy for you, but for me? Not so much." She smirks a little to herself, She herself had said earlier that they both needed to be more open with each other and she's actually really glad for once. This is the first time in days Rider's actually lightened up and if she managed to do that all by herself who knows what else she's able to do?

"Listen. I'll tell you what..." She starts. "I'm still not really sure what I want out of any of this. But it seems you do. So I'm prepared to make a deal with you, King of Conquerors. If you're prepared to negotiate on my terms of course."

Edited 2016-05-11 17:37 (UTC)

"It is difficult only because you make it so. If you put your mind to it, especially your stubborn mind, you will accomplish anything."

He tugs the reins and stops Bucephalus at that last remark.

"CONQUERORS DO NOT NEGOTIATE!" That's his proclamation. But he relaxes after a moment and looks down to her. "That being said, I will hear you all the same. Perhaps your terms coincide with my own."

"I'll think about it... about us. If you take the time to get to know me, My interests, hobbies... things I enjoy. You know, like a date I guess."

That is to say she's still not certain on how or what she feels for Rider at the moment. I mean there was that other master they had met at the ball a little while ago. He seemed nice. Dorky as heck and Saft seemed more interested in becoming friends with someone like him though he like Rider had seemed quite taken with her. It's all just a matter of who wins her over first.

"I'll give you my answer when I know for sure what my heart wants."

"You think I have not already observed those things and taken them into observation?" Rider smirked. "But very well, no harm in learning more about my Maser, regardless of the motivation."

If he knew she was thinking about the other Master they had met, he would have been furious and gone off on a murder mission after him. The great King of Conquerors would not be second fiddle to some weak mortal, Master or not. He intended to make his intentions clear, and prove his affections to her.

How could she deem the King of Conquerors unworthy?

"Keep me waiting too long and it may be too late. You must understand, my dear, the need for haste in our situation. I am only here a short time, after all." Unless he gets his wish. Unless he is reincarnated in the mortal world to reclaim his true goal.

Luckily for Rider, Saft has no intention of giving herself to anyone just like that. Besides, That other master? Yeah, Saft only likes him as a friend and nothing more. Though it's quite sweet how he keeps trying. The feelings she has towards Rider are much different though she's not entirely sure on how she should act on them. That's why for now she keeps putting up walls between them on the subject. Just incase it's doomed to failure.

"I know, Rider." She smiles gently. "I'll try not to keep you waiting for too long. As soon as I know what it is I want you'll be the first to know, I guarantee it."

He's not sure how it could work. He's only a Heroic Spirit, after all. No longer is he a man of flesh and blood, he wouldn't know how to protect her beyond the parameters of the Holy Grail War. But if his wish came true, if he was able to be reincarnated as a human man once again...

...perhaps...

It's the one time he remains silent; the one time he doesn't want to have the last word. Rider is content to turn the horse and ride back to her home to rest after such a grueling evening.

Once the two have returned home, Saft leads the way to her room and flops face first on her bed, her servant following from behind.

"Urrrghhh..." She groans a little into her pillow, Tonight's battle has finally taken it's toll on her and she has a few pains and aches here and there all over her body. Saft's just happy to be in the comfort of her own home. If she felt particularly needy she would have run herself a bath or a shower, but with Rider around she didn't feel exactly comfortable exposing her naked self in front of him.

Saft may not have felt comfortable undressing in front of Rider, but he had no such hesitation. Once they were safely inside and his horse was dismissed and returned into his mana, Iskandar unclipped his leather armor and before too long he was naked as the day he was born and not shyly standing before her bed.

Not that he was intending to take advantage, no. That was indeed the farthest thing from his mind. A bath sounded good to him in turn after such a rough evening, and he wasn't about to let shyness get in the way of him getting what he wanted.

"AH! ANOTHER GREAT DAY OF CONQUEST FOR ISKANDAR, KING OF CONQUERORS!" He proclaims loudly, as though his normal speaking volume isn't loud enough. "Such an exerting day calls for a bath with scented oils and wine! Shall you join me, lady?"

'Girl' just doesn't seem to suit her...though far from a frail and delicate lady, she is still a fair and feisty lady all the same.

And it was a common thing in his time for baths to be enjoyed after battle. He sees nothing at all inappropriate with his suggestion, even considering the conversation they'd only just had and the kiss they'd just shared. Still, he may be tightening his muscles and flexing...just a little...maybe.

That other Master's got nothing on him in the muscle department.

Saft had just began to doze off with a flutter of her eye when he had noticed something rather large and well...very naked stand in front of her. With a slight shriek she bolts up in bed quickly grabbing her bedsheets and bringing them up over her eyes.

"RIDER!" She manages to stammer out before turning a bright shade of pink. "What are you-...!? No! I--!

Put some pants on or at least cover up or something! You can't just wander about like that! What if Uncle Glad sees you!?"

Her reaction makes him blink, surely she finds nothing wrong with being naked, does she? He looks down, wondering if something about his appearance has offended her - but let's be serious that simply can't be!

"Have you never seen a naked man before? I apologize for startling you!" Rider grins. "And be not afraid, it's not every man that's as...large as the King of Conquerors."

...yes, he has chosen now to brag about how well-endowed he is. You can't be as tall as Iskandar without everything else being in proportion. "There is nothing wrong with the naked body! In my time it was flaunted! I'll never understand what your time finds shameful about nudity!"

But that's the problem there, Rider. We're not in your time. People of this day and age like to cover up more at least a vast maority do. Sadly for him Saft is one of those many people and having a large naked man in her room is only making her turn all that much pinker.

...But that said-

Rider does make a valid point. What was it she was saying earlier about wanting to understand him better? Rider had made it a point to take in all of this time's wonderful new cultural experiences but not once has Saft actually made an attempt to do the same for him. She had been focusing all her energy and mana in preparing herself for the war for the grail, she had barely relaxed around him at all. Perhaps now would be a good time to do so?

"Just go run your bath already! I- I'll come and join you in a moment...

She utters those last few words under her breath. She's definitley thinking about leaving her comfort zone to spend time with Rider like this...it's just seeing him naked like that. Is she really prepared to let go of her inhibitions and be as bold as the King of conquerors?

"What's that saying again....When in Rome?"

Rider can plainly see and understand that the people of this time have issues dealing with the sight of the naked form. But that doesn't mean that he necessarily agrees with it. To his mind, everyone is naked, clothes are simply a mask, hiding them from the world.

He's never been one to hide.

When she whispers how she agrees, Rider grins. Oh, but she's not about to get off that easily. He puts a hand to his ear and leans in closer. "What was that? How can you expect me to hear you and heed your commands if you mumble, Saft?"

Rider stands straight and crosses his arms before his massive chest. No, he's not about to hide his body or any appendages from her view. This is indeed a bragging point for him.

"When in Rome, indeed. I'll see you shortly then." Off he goes, to the bathroom and he begins to draw a bath - for which she should feel honored, because a King never draws a bath...

Not for just anyone. Not for anyone other than his Queen...

She'd love nothing more than to slap that ridiculous grin from his face, especially for making her feel how she did about seeing his body exposed like that. But now she had to do the same.

Whereas Saft likes to speak a big game at times and comes off as someone who can seem to handle herself the truth is she always doubts herself and the decisions she makes. She'd give anything to have more faith in who she was just like Rider does.

Another sigh escapes her lips as she brings her fingers through her bangs and shakes her head... I can't believe I'm doing this.

And she begins to undress - first of all removing her hooded jacket and her t-shirt and then sliding her pants off. She then goes on to remove her underwear as much as it causes her discomfort knowing that she's about to show who she is underneath her clothing to her servant. She drops both her bra and panties to the floor, draping one hand across herself. The only thng that remains on her body now is the rather thick choker she seems to wear all the time, even in sleep...

With her free hand she traces her fingers across her neck, wincing a little as if there's something causing her pain..But then she unhooks the clip at the back of it and drops it on the floor as well as the other parts of her clothing.

...

Well then, perhaps Rider's "queen" should see about keeping her word and joining said King in the bath room at last.

The hand that was used to unclasp her choker is now being brought down to cover her dainty female parts, Where as Rider is rather well endowed, the opposite can be said towards the young woman, Saft had always been quite petite despite her boyish looks and haircut it's her naked form that actually gives away her more feminine assets.

"H-Hey Rider?" Her voice trembles. "Is the bath ready?"

Once the bath is drawn and he uses the best scented soaps and bubbles he can find, Rider settles into the water and waits. He can be patient, when the goal is worthy enough. And he knows Saft is no physical prize to be won. She's a woman; a noble lady even if she won't admit it.

When she calls out to him he looks up and smiles. There's no true ravenous light in his eyes; the conqueror isn't looking at her now as another prize. It is Iskandar that looks upon her now, with amber eyes sparking in delight and, yes, arousal. He rises just slightly, hidden from the waist down by the water and bubbles. Rider holds a hand out to her to help her into the water.

"It's ready, good lady," he smiles, helping her in and thinking that there's not a single thing boyish about her.

She's fair and feminine, he enjoys looking at her; but he's always enjoyed looking at her. There isn't really anything different in his gaze now. It just lingers longer, and seems the slightest bit more appreciative of her as a whole.

"Now you understand, Rider...this is just a bath." She swallows and takes his hand, finding it hard to meet his gaze whilst she's exposed like this. Though the water covering his assetts is certainly helping. She doesn't doubt for a moment that he's possibly erect upon the sight of her like this...that was men did, wasn't it?

"...Nothing more is to come of this. I mean...we're still fighting a war afterall."

If Rider examines her a little more closely she'll notice one detail she's never shown to him before or pretty much anyone. There's a long scar trailing across her neck line, It's been hidden all this time due to that choker she normally wears.

He's at half mast, seeing her exposed in such a new manner for him. But so out of her element, so obviously uncomfortable - she lacks her usual confidence that would likely have him raging hard beneath the water. But he is certainly not any typical man - turned on only by nudity and not the woman's spirit within the body.

"If you absolutely wish it so - but I'm not convinced that's what you want. Truly. I think you deny yourself far more than you should."

He helps her settle into the water, and that's when he notices the scar. His amber eyes harden as he grips her shoulder gently with one hand and pushes her hair away with the other. "...what happened." It's a true question, but more he wants to know the who. Who did it to her, who hurt her so, who did he have to go after for his vengeance?

"No. I said I would, remember...?" She gives off a reassuring smile to show him that despite how uncomfortable this is making her she'll be fine. She's already had to wear a dress for that imprompto ball one of the other masters had thrown it's not like he has't seen her out of her comfort zone before. "Besides, I don't know about you...but I could really use a bath."

But then Rider grips her a little tighter, her eyes widen some but then she realizes his concern for her The scar is exposed now, there's no hiding it now she's alone with him like this.

"It happened when I was just a kid. My Father...well, when mom died it was just the two of us for a while and I guess for some reason I was able to move on but my father... he never did. He took his magecraft a little too seriously and when he had reached his limits on one field he'd try with another." She leans back and sighs some, staring up at the ceiling.
"I guess at some point...Dad must have truly lost it because he decided that I'd be the perfect vessel to experiment with. It's weird... I don't remember too much of what happened or what he was really even trying to do.

Eventually Uncle Glad turned up and took me away...eventually, I think dad died from grief from losing my mom and then me...but-" She rubs at her neck some. "Some things...just stay with you. I don't think he loved me the same way he loved my mother so me being around reminded him way too much of her. I suppose at some point he'd grow so angry that he'd wind up hurting someone."

Well that came out easier then she thought it would. Maybe because Rider's really easy to speak to and in a sense he has that weird fatherly aura to him. Rider's someone she could trust with matters such as these. Not even any of her friends knew the real reason she actually lived with her uncle, How could they? It meant she had to bring up her secret life as a mage.

"...So now you know. Heh." She gives a cocky little grin to show she's actually fine. Yes the past can hurt, but she's done her best to put it all behind her and move onward and having Rider around has really helped her become more trusting towards others, It's been really nice having a friend she can be open with and do things like this.

"Okay, now you." she learns forward, somehow feeling a little more comfortable now she's let him in. "Tell me something about you, you haven't told me yet! And none of the stuff that's already covered in the history books...I need to know the real King of Conquerors."

He's a little hurt that this is his first time hearing of this. That it's his first time noticing. True enough she's kept it covered up, but he should know these things! And at the same time...why should he know these things? It doesn't have much to do with him...not really. It's none of his business, and there are things about his past that she doesn't know, surely.

But that hurts him. He wants to know more about her. He wants to know everything. He wants to protect her from whatever ghosts and demons of her past may try and rear their ugly heads in the future - let them try, he'll cut them down with all the fury of Ares.

Silently he listens, probably far quieter than he's ever been before. But he's focused. Taking in every detail. When she finishes speaking he brings his hand from her shoulder to her slender neck, running his thumb along the scar, gently and carefully. "Does it hurt?"

Then she makes the request of him, and it's only fair. She shared her secrets, she should know about him as well. Besides, the way she grins and shrugs it off makes him smile, he admires her for that; her strength. Whether she wants to acknowledge it or not, she has the strength of a conqueror.

"So much of my history is already in the books, though this notion that my height is not what it is, it's ridiculous," he chuckled. "Hmm..."

He thought long and hard. His expression turned somber. "The books will tell you that my mother was a loving woman and cared deeply for me. It isn't necessarily true. She conspired to kill my father, Philip II, because she wanted to see me King." Iskandar looked up to Saft's eyes, obvious pain in his amber eyes. "I would have been king, regardless of whatever child my father conceived with some whore. My mother went too far; she robbed me of a father, rushed me into the kingship and made people suspect me."

His fingers tease at the water for a long moment. Creating ripples and watching them fade into nonexistence. "The men who killed me, I'm sure they thought I was involved with my father's murder..." He glanced up to her again. "The books will tell you I contracted typhoid fever. I tell you now, I was poisoned with it intentionally. My closest friends and generals, they murdered me."

[For Saft] On the Eve of Battle

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CONQUERORS DON'T NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS - I'm SO sorry that line just made me bust out laughing

Pfffttahaha, yes XD

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....I had to, I'm so sorry........

...I EXPECT NO LESS FROM HIM. XD

AND IT CONTINUES.

RIDER. NO. STAAAAP.

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I apologise for the lack of sense this is gonna make.

LOL it made sense!! I got it!

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RANDOMLY PICKS A NAME OUT OF THE AIR.