[It's natural to feel a sort of dissonance when one is unwillingly whisked away to a strange new world and immediately dropped into the middle of a local festival. It would probably bother Gilgamesh more had he not finished what he needed to do before coming here, but it's still strange. Despite his usual resistance to... well, a lot of things, though, he hasn't found a lot to complain about (yet).
In fact, the lively atmosphere kind of puts him in a good mood. He allows himself to indulge for the sake of taking in this new world, and—]
Here. [Without prompting, he turns to the girl nearby and offers to share something that looks an awful lot like takoyaki... covered in chocolate(?!).] Try some. Tell me what you think.
[She stares at him, a bit nonplussed. Not over sudden demands, or even being ordered to eat, but that he's wearing a weird costume and Hakuno wasn't even the one to give it to him.
She eyes the Chocoyaki very dubiously.]
I think I liked it better when your challenges for me were just things like knocking down a few thousand enemies, Gilgamesh.
[He narrows his eyes. Honestly, he'd barely even looked at the girl before he offered. Her face isn't one he recognized immediately, and upon closer inspection... No, it is still not one he recognizes. But it only takes a "glance" to understand what it is that she's probably talking about here.]
Hmm. Yes, I suppose this sort of thing can happen. [Those words are more for himself, but he continues:] If you like being ordered around, that can be arranged, but I have no need for such things right now.
[Or, well. Not things that might require knocking down a bunch of enemies, at least.]
[She likes gaining Servant respect. But does she really want to bring taste-testing suspicious foods into the pool of things she's willing to do to get it?
Apparently, it's one of the local festival foods. I guess as long as it's made from octopus, they don't really care what happens to it next.
[If he's being honest, it seemed a little weird to him, too, but he was always the adventurous type. The strangeness of it was probably what made it tempting in the first place.]
It's been a while since the last time I was able to try something new. You should try it as well.
Chocolate, or so I was told. [Reassuring, huh... It looks like how chocolate should, at least, but it's not like he's had any before—
He can accept this proposal, though. He takes a piece of chocoyaki for himself and then offers one to her. Suddenly, he smirks.] A new experience for both of us. You should savor this moment, mongrel.
Well, it's food, I suppose. [He could eat it, but he didn't see himself getting used to it. Still, he'd been pretty wary of eating anything since arriving here, so things could probably be worse(?!).] I hope they don't put that on everything. What do you think?
[But she's also had much, much better. Nameless would never make something like this. He'd probably be offended she put it in her mouth in the first place.]
I think if it was just cooked dough batter it might be nice but... with the octopus...
[He nods. Something like that would definitely be a little less... offensive to the taste buds, probably.]
I was hoping for something a little more exciting, but the sweetness of the chocolate and the consistency of the octopus just feels wrong. [He really did make her eat it with him because he thought it'd be "fun"...] Well, it's a part of their culture, so I guess it can't be helped.
[But— on to more important things. There had been another reason that he'd insisted on sharing the food with her.]
You realize that I am not a Servant, correct?
[She knew him, but had no problems trusting him. The fact that she seemed more wary of the food than him is... slightly surprising, actually, but also impressive.]
What's that supposed to mean? I never said I wasn't Gilgamesh, you fool!
[Which, well, maybe that doesn't make things better, exactly, but there was no point in denying that he was the real deal. But anyway:]
The "me" that you've met and I are not the same person. I have not yet been summoned as a Servant, and we have not met. Do you understand what that means?
[How dare she not be an expert on ancient Babylonian fashion, smh. Still, despite apparently being insulted, his expression softens a little as he continues.]
...but good. As long as you are aware. [It was better for both of them to get that cleared up right away. He was still reliable—more now than he had ever been, and would ever be—but...] Make no mistake—I am every bit as strong as the Servant you know. But it would be unwise of you to hold the same expectations for me as you would your Servant. I am beholden only to my people.
[The Regalia shimmers on her finger, and twostacks of robes and rich jewelry manifest in her arms. She tugs one up against her front, to illustrate her point.]
No, um... I think you may be misunderstanding something here. The only expectations I've ever had of the King of Heroes is that he's going to be doing whatever he pleases, whenever he pleases. For some reason, it pleases him to work with me from time to time, that's all.
I see. If you understand that much, then perhaps you aren't entirely unworthy of being my Master.
[His younger self might be more reckless and abrasive, but at least he still had good taste. He slightly approves. While he imagined he'd probably be a bit more cooperative as a Servant summoned at this point in his life, one thing remained true: he was still Gilgamesh, and he was still going to do whatever the heck he wanted.
As for the clothes... Well, they are nice enough. Certainly to his tastes. But...]
Do you work in the same clothes you sleep in? [...well, he may have done that. Multiple times. But regardless—] Extravagance alone is not the symbol of a suitable king. I understand that now, but I was not always concerned with such things.
Hmm. Yes, something like that. I'd say they're more like clothes suited for any situation, not just paperwork. Regular attacks from an annoying goddess, the occasional excursion into the underworld, and even sea creature festivals, to name a few. Such was the life I led before my arrival here!
[Somehow, the explanation makes it seem even more questionable...]
Anyway, if it was not already apparent, you'll find that our priorities are quite different, though not by choice. At the point I'm more likely to be summoned, I am strong, but strength alone could not accomplish what needed to be done for Uruk.
[None of this is actually important for her to know... He realizes that, but a part of him feels compelled to tell her anyway. He's not obligated to her, he says, yet a part of him does kind of feel like she deserves to know these things.]
[What's just as questionable is the fact that Hakuno seems totally willing and prepared to take these tales at face value. That sounds entirely within the realm of possibilities in ancient Sumeria, given the bullshit that the modern-day Moon Cell has to deal with.]
I see... The King of Heroes, more than the King of Heroes.
[Her expression shifts as she thinks of Charlemagne again, and she smiles, somewhere between. fond and solemn.]
...well, every-occasion-clothes aside, did you want these? They don't really... fit the location, exactly. But I figure it's only polite to ask, considering who they were tailored for in the first place.
[She's a smart girl. He appreciates that. As for the offer... Admittedly, it kind of takes him by surprise. After all, they didn't actually know each other. She had every right not to offer them at all. Maybe she's more naive than smart, but...]
...well, I suppose they do belong to me, as do all things. You are wise for thinking to return them to me.
Oh, I have more than just these, really, but I figure it'd be more of a bother to hand every single set over at once. These are just the Sumerian ones.
[Does he even have a treasury to stick them all in? Thoughts to ponder.]
Whenever I end up back home, I can craft new sets for the other you.
More of them? [Hmm. He may be starting to understand how this relationship worked out, he thinks.] I see. If it's no trouble, then I shall gladly take these off your hands. Should another "me" appear here, whether as an Archer or a Caster or some other class, I am sure he will understand.
[Actually, would he? He was still himself, but... You know, it's probably better not to think too hard about that right now.
He reaches out to touch the cloth, then. It is very nice... He did like the idea of being able to blend in, but having comfortable and familiar clothes to wear would be more than welcome, too.]
Yeah. Let's see... there's the swimsuit, the military uniform, the police uniform, some sort of school uniform, half his usual armor for... casual occasions, I suppose? I've never actually asked.
[Just like she never actually asked why he decided to fight for her sake, despite all his cryptic laughter and commentary.]
I synthesized them, yes. So, you're a Caster, then?
[Hey, she just said something really strange!! He gives her a look.]
Just what kind of Master are you, really? Playing dress-up with your Servants...
[The Sumerian clothing had given him the impression that she was a thoughtful Master, but... military uniform? Police uniform? For what purpose!!]
But yes, that's right. It was an unfortunate but necessary change. Well, it's more like I'm just playing at being one, but it was sufficient enough for my purposes.
[Hey, he is a mature and respectable king now! Mostly!]
Indeed. While those designations may work for other, simpler Heroic Spirits, they do nothing more than attempt to restrict me. How foolish! The only one who can impede my abilities is me!
[That sounds like a weird thing to be proud of but he sounds proud nonetheless.]
For me, classes are just a formality, nothing more. Though I suppose it would still be troublesome for me to run into a Rider... Anyway, that sounds like a lot of responsibility for a little girl. [The governing thing, not the having-him-as-a-Servant thing. But probably that, too.] Will they be able to manage without you around?
I don't know if it's a lot or not, particularly. It just is what it is, and I deal with it.
[She always deals with it, whatever the stakes or challenges.]
They... should. My directly contracted Servants are Tamamo no Mae and the Emperor Nero, so they both help me a lot with day-to-day matters of running an empire. They'll be too worried about me to properly indulge themselves in their... usual vices, and I have other Servants who will help them out, too. I'm trying very hard not to worry about it too much.
Have faith, mongrel. I'm sure there are worse Servants you could have left in charge.
[Granted, there were probably better ones, too... But he sympathizes with her concern. After all, he knew what happened when one abandoned their people, and he knew what would have happened, too, if he'd done so again.
But even so... This situation was out of her control. At least for now, it wasn't something anyone could just fix.
Nonchalantly, as he speaks, the Gate of Babylon appears and Gilgamesh casually takes the offered clothes and places them inside. Like it's a totally normal thing to do. Of course.]
If any of you are even remotely competent, things won't fall apart in a single day.
Oh, absolutely. Elizabeth Bathory jumps to mind, immediately.
[Yeah, that's more or less what she expected. Once the first sets of clothes are passed over, she generates the rest. He can judge or wear them as he pleases on his own time.]
Yeah, you're right. It's just a bit of an... itch, I guess you could say. I'm so used to the duties at this point it feels weird to be cut off from them completely.
[Don't worry, there will be a time and place for every outfit. He'll look them over as he receives them, but there's no more fussing as he attends to the matter at hand.
This, too, is something that he can relate to... Though, of course, Gilgamesh is more than ready to embrace his vacation side. But that was only possible because he'd already done all he could do, for the most part.]
I won't tell you how to spend your time here, but there's no point in focusing on what you can't do. Focus on what you can. Well, I suppose if you'd rather fret, no one would really blame you for that, either.
[Truthfully, Hakuno could do with a vacation herself.
She just... doesn't like that she's alone on it.]
Fretting isn't really a voluntary action, I don't think. But I get what you mean. It's better to face down what's in front of me, than worry about what I can't reach behind me, if I have to worry at all. Right?
Exactly. Perhaps you're more capable than you look.
[Of course, he understands that kind of thing is easier said than done... But maybe she would remember it, at the very least.
...on the other hand, she's so earnest and thoughtful, he might just look out for her anyway. Technically, he owes her for "returning" his clothes, after all.]
Understanding our situation here is key to ensuring that that world has a Master that will return to it at all.
[It seemed relatively innocuous so far, true—there was nothing yet that seemed to immediately threaten their lives, at least. But who knew how long that would last?]
If we never wanted or needed to hear other people say things we already know, wouldn't somebody like you just live in a boring, silent world?
[She grins up at him.]
Yeah. I haven't made any major contracts, but I've supported them how I could in the moment. But even if they weren't here... well, it wouldn't be my first time starting from nothing. The familiarity is nice, though.
That doesn't entirely feel like a compliment. But I'll let it slide this time.
[He can't help himself. Older and wiser he may be, but some things just don't change. (He likes the sound of his own voice too much.) But after that, his expression softens again.]
Anyway, that certainly sounds like the kind of foolish thing a Master would say. I look forward to seeing how you react when things turn dangerous here.
[If she was anything like that other Master, it should be interesting.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
arrival ➢ day 1
[It's natural to feel a sort of dissonance when one is unwillingly whisked away to a strange new world and immediately dropped into the middle of a local festival. It would probably bother Gilgamesh more had he not finished what he needed to do before coming here, but it's still strange. Despite his usual resistance to... well, a lot of things, though, he hasn't found a lot to complain about (yet).
In fact, the lively atmosphere kind of puts him in a good mood. He allows himself to indulge for the sake of taking in this new world, and—]
Here. [Without prompting, he turns to the girl nearby and offers to share something that looks an awful lot like takoyaki... covered in chocolate(?!).] Try some. Tell me what you think.
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[She stares at him, a bit nonplussed. Not over sudden demands, or even being ordered to eat, but that he's wearing a weird costume and Hakuno wasn't even the one to give it to him.
She eyes the Chocoyaki very dubiously.]
I think I liked it better when your challenges for me were just things like knocking down a few thousand enemies, Gilgamesh.
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[He narrows his eyes. Honestly, he'd barely even looked at the girl before he offered. Her face isn't one he recognized immediately, and upon closer inspection... No, it is still not one he recognizes. But it only takes a "glance" to understand what it is that she's probably talking about here.]
Hmm. Yes, I suppose this sort of thing can happen. [Those words are more for himself, but he continues:] If you like being ordered around, that can be arranged, but I have no need for such things right now.
[Or, well. Not things that might require knocking down a bunch of enemies, at least.]
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[She likes gaining Servant respect. But does she really want to bring taste-testing suspicious foods into the pool of things she's willing to do to get it?
...]
Where did you even find that?
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[If he's being honest, it seemed a little weird to him, too, but he was always the adventurous type. The strangeness of it was probably what made it tempting in the first place.]
It's been a while since the last time I was able to try something new. You should try it as well.
[She's not his Master but he's bullying anyway!]
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[It's... it smells like chocolate, but who even knows.]
Then let's split it. I'll eat it if you do.
[Kishinami Survival Skill: Halving the damage!]
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He can accept this proposal, though. He takes a piece of chocoyaki for himself and then offers one to her. Suddenly, he smirks.] A new experience for both of us. You should savor this moment, mongrel.
[If she— no, if they live?!]
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[She braces herself, but... nods grimly.]
Right. Might as well.
[Nom.]
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...
...hmm.]
Well, it's food, I suppose. [He could eat it, but he didn't see himself getting used to it. Still, he'd been pretty wary of eating anything since arriving here, so things could probably be worse(?!).] I hope they don't put that on everything. What do you think?
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[But she's also had much, much better. Nameless would never make something like this. He'd probably be offended she put it in her mouth in the first place.]
I think if it was just cooked dough batter it might be nice but... with the octopus...
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I was hoping for something a little more exciting, but the sweetness of the chocolate and the consistency of the octopus just feels wrong. [He really did make her eat it with him because he thought it'd be "fun"...] Well, it's a part of their culture, so I guess it can't be helped.
[But— on to more important things. There had been another reason that he'd insisted on sharing the food with her.]
You realize that I am not a Servant, correct?
[She knew him, but had no problems trusting him. The fact that she seemed more wary of the food than him is... slightly surprising, actually, but also impressive.]
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[She stares at him, her doubts mounting, but...
"Well, it's a part of their culture, so I guess it can't be helped."
She can't imagine the golden King of Heroes she knows saying something like that so nonchalantly.]
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[Which, well, maybe that doesn't make things better, exactly, but there was no point in denying that he was the real deal. But anyway:]
The "me" that you've met and I are not the same person. I have not yet been summoned as a Servant, and we have not met. Do you understand what that means?
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[Though, this is starting to sound more familiar, at least.]
But, this isn't my first run in with two versions of the same man and Servant. I think I understand what you mean.
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[How dare she not be an expert on ancient Babylonian fashion, smh. Still, despite apparently being insulted, his expression softens a little as he continues.]
...but good. As long as you are aware. [It was better for both of them to get that cleared up right away. He was still reliable—more now than he had ever been, and would ever be—but...] Make no mistake—I am every bit as strong as the Servant you know. But it would be unwise of you to hold the same expectations for me as you would your Servant. I am beholden only to my people.
[And maybe that Master, on occasion.]
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[The Regalia shimmers on her finger, and two stacks of robes and rich jewelry manifest in her arms. She tugs one up against her front, to illustrate her point.]
No, um... I think you may be misunderstanding something here. The only expectations I've ever had of the King of Heroes is that he's going to be doing whatever he pleases, whenever he pleases. For some reason, it pleases him to work with me from time to time, that's all.
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[His younger self might be more reckless and abrasive, but at least he still had good taste. He slightly approves. While he imagined he'd probably be a bit more cooperative as a Servant summoned at this point in his life, one thing remained true: he was still Gilgamesh, and he was still going to do whatever the heck he wanted.
As for the clothes... Well, they are nice enough. Certainly to his tastes. But...]
Do you work in the same clothes you sleep in? [...well, he may have done that. Multiple times. But regardless—] Extravagance alone is not the symbol of a suitable king. I understand that now, but I was not always concerned with such things.
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[She gives him a discerning once over, toying idly with the rich fabric in her hands.]
So, outside of golden armor, is that what passes for... the Sumerian version of paperwork, I suppose?
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[Somehow, the explanation makes it seem even more questionable...]
Anyway, if it was not already apparent, you'll find that our priorities are quite different, though not by choice. At the point I'm more likely to be summoned, I am strong, but strength alone could not accomplish what needed to be done for Uruk.
[None of this is actually important for her to know... He realizes that, but a part of him feels compelled to tell her anyway. He's not obligated to her, he says, yet a part of him does kind of feel like she deserves to know these things.]
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I see... The King of Heroes, more than the King of Heroes.
[Her expression shifts as she thinks of Charlemagne again, and she smiles, somewhere between. fond and solemn.]
...well, every-occasion-clothes aside, did you want these? They don't really... fit the location, exactly. But I figure it's only polite to ask, considering who they were tailored for in the first place.
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[She's a smart girl. He appreciates that. As for the offer... Admittedly, it kind of takes him by surprise. After all, they didn't actually know each other. She had every right not to offer them at all. Maybe she's more naive than smart, but...]
...well, I suppose they do belong to me, as do all things. You are wise for thinking to return them to me.
[He can't just say yes, you know?]
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[Does he even have a treasury to stick them all in? Thoughts to ponder.]
Whenever I end up back home, I can craft new sets for the other you.
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[Actually, would he? He was still himself, but... You know, it's probably better not to think too hard about that right now.
He reaches out to touch the cloth, then. It is very nice... He did like the idea of being able to blend in, but having comfortable and familiar clothes to wear would be more than welcome, too.]
Did you make these as well?
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[Just like she never actually asked why he decided to fight for her sake, despite all his cryptic laughter and commentary.]
I synthesized them, yes. So, you're a Caster, then?
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Just what kind of Master are you, really? Playing dress-up with your Servants...
[The Sumerian clothing had given him the impression that she was a thoughtful Master, but... military uniform? Police uniform? For what purpose!!]
But yes, that's right. It was an unfortunate but necessary change. Well, it's more like I'm just playing at being one, but it was sufficient enough for my purposes.
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[For fun and bullshit, Gilgamesh, know thyself.]
I mean, the other you is already playing fast and loose with the definition of 'Archer' so that doesn't surprise me in the least
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Indeed. While those designations may work for other, simpler Heroic Spirits, they do nothing more than attempt to restrict me. How foolish! The only one who can impede my abilities is me!
[That sounds like a weird thing to be proud of but he sounds proud nonetheless.]
For me, classes are just a formality, nothing more. Though I suppose it would still be troublesome for me to run into a Rider... Anyway, that sounds like a lot of responsibility for a little girl. [The governing thing, not the having-him-as-a-Servant thing. But probably that, too.] Will they be able to manage without you around?
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[She always deals with it, whatever the stakes or challenges.]
They... should. My directly contracted Servants are Tamamo no Mae and the Emperor Nero, so they both help me a lot with day-to-day matters of running an empire. They'll be too worried about me to properly indulge themselves in their... usual vices, and I have other Servants who will help them out, too. I'm trying very hard not to worry about it too much.
[If she starts, she may never stop.]
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[Granted, there were probably better ones, too... But he sympathizes with her concern. After all, he knew what happened when one abandoned their people, and he knew what would have happened, too, if he'd done so again.
But even so... This situation was out of her control. At least for now, it wasn't something anyone could just fix.
Nonchalantly, as he speaks, the Gate of Babylon appears and Gilgamesh casually takes the offered clothes and places them inside. Like it's a totally normal thing to do. Of course.]
If any of you are even remotely competent, things won't fall apart in a single day.
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[Yeah, that's more or less what she expected. Once the first sets of clothes are passed over, she generates the rest. He can judge or wear them as he pleases on his own time.]
Yeah, you're right. It's just a bit of an... itch, I guess you could say. I'm so used to the duties at this point it feels weird to be cut off from them completely.
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This, too, is something that he can relate to... Though, of course, Gilgamesh is more than ready to embrace his vacation side. But that was only possible because he'd already done all he could do, for the most part.]
I won't tell you how to spend your time here, but there's no point in focusing on what you can't do. Focus on what you can. Well, I suppose if you'd rather fret, no one would really blame you for that, either.
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She just... doesn't like that she's alone on it.]
Fretting isn't really a voluntary action, I don't think. But I get what you mean. It's better to face down what's in front of me, than worry about what I can't reach behind me, if I have to worry at all. Right?
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[Of course, he understands that kind of thing is easier said than done... But maybe she would remember it, at the very least.
...on the other hand, she's so earnest and thoughtful, he might just look out for her anyway. Technically, he owes her for "returning" his clothes, after all.]
Understanding our situation here is key to ensuring that that world has a Master that will return to it at all.
[It seemed relatively innocuous so far, true—there was nothing yet that seemed to immediately threaten their lives, at least. But who knew how long that would last?]
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[This might be the least insulting, most reassuring conversation she has ever had with any Gilgamesh. She's a little stunned, honestly.]
...yeah. You're right. Thanks, Gilgamesh.
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[And, to top off this utterly tame Gilgamesh incident, he reaches out to pat her on the head.]
I imagine you have at least one Servant here. Is that not correct?
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[She grins up at him.]
Yeah. I haven't made any major contracts, but I've supported them how I could in the moment. But even if they weren't here... well, it wouldn't be my first time starting from nothing. The familiarity is nice, though.
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[He can't help himself. Older and wiser he may be, but some things just don't change. (He likes the sound of his own voice too much.) But after that, his expression softens again.]
Anyway, that certainly sounds like the kind of foolish thing a Master would say. I look forward to seeing how you react when things turn dangerous here.
[If she was anything like that other Master, it should be interesting.]