randomosity | [For Saft] On the Eve of Battle

"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 the first time ever, Saft doesn't even flinch at Rider's touch. This moment between them - there's no need to. She's safe with him like this, Saft shakes her head. "I used to make a habit out of scratching it when I was anxious so that's why I've hid it from everyone..." She tilts her head some. "Guess I've always been like that though... any sign of weakness, I've had to hide away, to keep pushing myself forward and stand up for other people who weren't able to do the same for themselves."

Then came Rider's words, She had out of sheer curiosity scrolled through her uncle's history books at one point because she knew so little about her servant and wanted to know more about him...She rememebered reading a little about his mother too but there hadn't been such great detail about Olympias in it...just mostly all Iskandar and his heroic tales of conquest.
She had never imagined that her servant would have had such a rough time of things as she had when he came across so confident and happy about everything.

"...But what about your Noble Phantasm? Isn't that made from your army?" She glances over her shoulder to look upwards at him. "If they all lost faith in you over some dumb lie your mother told then how are you able to conjure something like that?"

Rider smiles, proud indeed of his Noble Phantasm. A remnant of the good days, when the men would have followed him headlong into hell and back again. Slowly he nods his head and finds his fingers take solace in pushing through her hair, however short it may be.

"Indeed, my Noble Phantasm reflects my army and its incredible strength," he confirmed. "My army in its prime. Do not misunderstand - they did not suspect my involvement with my father's murder because my mother told them I was involved. Quite the opposite; she never said a word about it. My mother would do anything to protect me, to keep me alive and under her thumb."

The next part is more difficult for him to admit. Rider has to take a heavy sigh before looking to her eyes, getting lost in them for the briefest of moments. He's been in such greenery before, hasn't he? He's held such green emeralds in his palm before, hasn't he? Yet this is the clearest, most serene shade of green that he's ever seen.

"...understand, I am dead set on ruling the world," he spoke low. "I pushed them, perhaps too far. I took them farther than any army had gone, but gave them no chance to visit home in between. Many wanted to return to Macedonia. Many of my soldiers wanted out of the army, wanted to turn their back on me..."

All because they did not share his vision, his conquering spirit. He'd gotten greedy, and they weren't willing to pay the price.

Saft lets out a brief sigh over his words. It's not that she doesn't support his vision. It's good for someone to have dreams to aspire to but maybe back in his own time something like conquering the world wouldn't be as frowned upon but she knows trying to do something like that now would be far harder for him. Perhaps though maybe seeing all the world has to offer would suffice. There had to be another way of making his wish come true without causing damage along the way.

"Rider..."

Saft brings up a hand and gently brings it up to his cheek, this is perhaps the first time she's shown any physical affection towards her servant. She wants him to know he has her support.

"When I first summoned you here, I thought it had to be some kind of mistake... There couldn't have been anyway that I would have been able to summon a servant like you. Now I see the opposite is true." She smiles softly. "...We need to rely on each other now more than ever. You were right... this bath was what we both needed to get to know each other better and now I feel I do, I'm glad I went ahead with it." She smiles again brings her hand away turning around positioning herself so she's sat on his lap with her back turned to him.

"...Just as you're my servant and I expect you to do what I ask of you, I want you to know that I want you to be able to ask the same of me...it's clear now. We're equals... no one's greater than the other and that's what our strength is. We're stronger together than apart. "

She leans back as far into him as she possibly can and smiles up at him. "...I want to be a part of it. If having me around can give you that extra boost in the final battle then I want to see it out with you to the very end."

Iskandar nearly sighs, feeling her hand over his cheek. He rather likes this show of affection from her, and already feels himself craving more. The way she settles into his lap makes him inhale deep, trying to keep himself under control. This is not the conqueror way: Showing restraint. She truly should see how much she means to him in that he does not give into his baser desires.

But she's a fine lady, and if she does choose to join him beyond the bond of servant and master, he would have her do it of her own will, not simply by submitting to him.

"As am I," he sighs softly, smiling down to her and bringing a hand up to run down her back. He smirks at her mention of them being equals. He, the King of Conquerors, and she his intended queen. Come hell or high water, he's determined to make it happen.

He nuzzles near her, taking in the scent of her hair, enjoying the feel of her skin and the pressure of her body against his. Iskandar enjoys this for a moment before finally replying. "Having you as my master does more than give me a boost. You spur me forward, you're the reason Bucephalus rides so fast, the reason my sword is so sharp and so strong.

"I want you there. With me always." He leaves the sentiment open to her imagination.

It's only now that Saft realises that she possibly wants the same thing, Once the war ends and if she and Rider lose they'll be separated again, Rider will be forced to fight over and over again in the grail wars to come soon after until he and his master eventually win and who knows how long that could take or if he'd even seek her out or even remember her.

She says nothing more on the matter because it's still something she needs to think long and hard about. What was the reason she joined the war in the first place before Rider was even a factor...was it nearly as important as putting someone else's wishes before hers?

Upon his words she lets out a relaxed sigh and closes her eyes. She was about to reply but it seems her tiredness from before has finally caught up with her, even though Iskandar's supporting her body...falling asleep in the tub probably isn't the best place to take slumber, So it'll be up to him to move her to her bed when he decides to move.

An eternity of battle would not be so bad to Iskandar. Hell, it was all he longed for in life. But eternity without Saft? Suddenly the idea torments him. He doesn't want to think of a time when they'll be separated. He's determined that such a thing will not happen.

He will win this Grail War. For his own ambitions of reincarnation; and for her.

It takes Rider a minute to realize she's fallen asleep. He smiles and shakes his head. But he rises with ease and steps out of the tub, taking a minute to wrap a towel around her to dry her off some. He's not so worried about himself - not like he can get sick anyway. Rider carries her to bed and sets her down once he's sure she's dry. For a long while he just stares at her, mesmerized by the way her hair falls around her face and against the pillows, by every curve of her face in her jaw and nose and lips.

"You have my heart, dear lady," he sighs, mostly to himself, knowing she's asleep.

He shakes his head, wondering how he let this happen again. Rider pulls on a pair of boxers, lays down on the ground and is soon snoring.

"That sound...is that-?"

Saft blinks herself awake, no longer is she in the warmth with Iskandar but she finds herself lost, there's a low fog and something keeps hitting her feet. "The ocean?"

As she spins round she notes there are many a fallen soldier around of herself, the remains of what seemed to be a battleground, the soldiers seem to be wearing similar garments to what Rider himself wears.

"Are these...his memories?"

She spins around again upon hearing a familiar voice. It's Rider's. Her eyes widen as she rushes over towards where she thinks she heard him.

"Rider!"

As she approaches closer the scene has changed, she's now on a bridge - standing before a man adorned in gold, He stands before Saft but suddenly from behind him a huge wall of swords appear.

"...!?"

She hears Rider's voice again and turns, before she knows it Rider is on his knees, he's hurt, dying and now fading away right before her eyes and someone else is watching the fight too. A Boy not much older than herself...Waver Velvet.

"If these are Rider's memories this must have been the last Holy Grail War...and that must have been Rider's master." she confirms to herself. Saft's not entirely sure why she's seeing these things but they're there in front of her.

But then the scene around her changes again. Now this war's current Caster stands before her, extending a hand towards her...It's as if she wants Saft to come towards her Saft is unsure what to do but before she even takes another step she looks down at her hands...

"Blood? But--!?"

Saft gazes down and sees the ocean again but it's now blood red, hitting her feet. Saft looks back up again but Caster has now left instead in front of her is a large snake ready to strike...

And as it does...Saft bolts herself awake, She's awoke with a cold sweat, placing a hand to her head getting rid of it. She glances over to the ground where Rider lays and sighs softly to herself. Thank goodness it was only a dream but it fills her with dread.

Rider did not sleep as soundly as usual. So attuned was he to her feelings and stressors, that when the nightmare distressed her so, his own dreams were plagued. He rolled over in his sleep, images flashing through his mind.

He saw Olympias, her eyes full of disappointment.

He saw Roxana, her face full of judgment and pain.

He saw Hephaistion, and how the light left his eyes and the soul escaped his body.

Worst of all, he saw Saft, her face spattered in blood - blood that covered his hands. As though he were responsible for her suffering and pain. He shook, in the dream, shocked and appalled by the sight before him. What had he done? How could he have done this?

When she woke, he woke. But he didn't sit upright, not right away. He struggled to open his eyelids, fearful of what he might see.

[For Saft] On the Eve of Battle

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.