Thrice, the assassin has surprised them all. Or was it four? Whatever. Actually, no no, wait. It is thrice, three in American. Anyway, back to the story
The drunken man seemed somewhat cured of his drunkenness as he easily snapped back round to stare her straight down with electric blue eyes peered, no, glinted at her with malicious intent. She was completely unused to such raw hatred directed at her, such refined killer intent that not even her daughter Mordred could ever hope to compare to. But it was not the kind of anger that was just outright thrown willy nilly. No. No~. It was the kind of anger that was truly, and completely understood. It was completely warranted. He knew. He. Knew. exactly who she was. How didn't matter, the when doesn't register, but the why? The why?
It remains to be seen. But she has a feeling she is not going to like it.
She calls it a kings intuition. It was not. It was in fact, a woman's intuition.
"Outta all the fuqin people who lectures me on what to tell me what a hero is…" He laughed mirthlessly "… It had to be un of da greatest failures of all supposed heros everywhere: Queen Arturia of the Round table." His words forced Arturia to be stoically still with her face completely emotionless. But her eyes, her eyes betrayed her once more, infuriated by the slander and completely butchered titles she perceived to be "correct".
"That. Is King Arthur to you, you dishonorable cur-" "-said the failure." Immediately Silver was already making her miserable at every chance. Screw the plan, time to make this bitch get the meanest, greatest, most equal, yet downright satisfying wake-up bitch slap that will ever go down in history. And when he is done with her, he will personally, tattoo his old name to her ar-[CALL] 'Awwwwww shite.'
"That, is King Arthur to you, you disgraceful scoundrel." She repeated once more while Silver took the call while responding with a- "BOITE ME!!!" To which she reacted as though physically struck
Apparently, she was~ paying attention this time. Though now that he thought about it, this was an important thing not to screw up. So of course~~~~ shes going to paying attention. Why wouldn't she? Why wouldn't she just let him enjoy it himself with his usual ways of winging it? He knew why. She was right, and he was wrong. As the way things were meant to be. His material desires easily switches on and off at the drop of a hat. Her's..... Fits more to a, basis to basis situation. Yes, he can, CAN, see the whole damn picture. But he's in a moment kinda guy, or a hedonist if you want to be a damn psych about it.
Sliver still does not understand why you need to pay someone to talk about your problems. Can't they just drink/fight/fuck their problems away and move on? Though now his therapist is calling. And he didn't like it. Not. One. Bit.
Though now he has to pick up, she'll know if he ignored her again. Consequences? More like end of the damn world as he knows it.
[CALL]
'Shiiiiiiii~it. Now I gaht to pick it up.' Silver disconnected earlier for a damn good reason. Sure he'd love to hear a pretty lass's voice in his head all the time, but she can do a pretty good job to not make it so. He was sure there isn't a stick up her arse, trust me, he's checked. Even if she appears to be quite the smart lassie, he's of the particular opinion that she has a hard time relaxing when need to be. Stressing when she doesn't have to be over particular details.
He loves this damn woman. He has experience, but god damn does she take it to a whole other level.
"'Ello~?'"
"'So your not going to fire away the entire plan we spent years preparing for straight into the sun right?'"
"'Ha ha ha~. Selene! To what do I owe the pleasure?'"
"'You know damn well why I am calling you. You should know better now that I have learnt my lesson and keep a damn good close eye on you when it comes to missions like this.'"
"'Aw come on Selene! I'm reliable! I can be the enigmatic fool!'"
"'Yes~. She drawled off "'When it comes to things you want.'"
"'Im not tha' bad! I can be reliable!'"
"'What happened at Cuba says otherwise.'"
Silver almost gasped out loud at that. The nerve of this woman. He cleaned up his own mess, and, AND still came up on top. What is it with her and verbally stabbing him with that incident. He resolved it, ok! Sure, a third of it sank under the waves, almost all of the surrounding islands sank, and a good majority of the people didn't survive-BUT. But he got Cuban rum! And uh, Cuba unintentionally. Yes, he could've handled it better, but then it wouldn't be better. To himself and to the people. Yes, yes, he did kill off entire families and communities, but can you prove it? No bodies, no proof. So~? No skin off his back.
Granted, he and the rest of the…. What are they called? Group, no. Herd, no. He guesses it could be a brotherhood? But Puma was a woman. She could dress like a man and it'll be fine. Wait. Didn't culture standards change? Somethin bout flappers? Flappers….. Aren't those the things on birds and fish? It seems right. Wait… what was he talking about again? Something bout wings? He got arms, arms are flappers. Flappers can fly. That seems only logical
Silver took another Swig of his bottle completely ignoring Arturia's….. Actually he might just be completely tuning everything out right now. 'Past Silver was a genius!!!' He complimented himself 'Increasing the alcoholic content to actually git ah damn buzz!!! Thanks ya past self!!!' Before taking yet another swing or swig or however damn well you want to say it before seeing if anyone reacted to that.
…
Doesn't seem like it….. What was he talking about again?.... Was something about rum… Right? Something something rum… Yep. It was rum. Always time for rum. Going for yet another swig of his rum, this time a bit more slowly.
'Ya ken nevar go wrange wit rum.' He believes himself to be a man ahead of his time. Which is true. . . In a way. 'Wait~…. This is whiskey.' Was wondering when he was going to notice that. 'Eh.' He shrugged at that before chugging more down, letting it burn his throat a bit longer. 'It's rum whiskey.' He decided, even though it wasn't such a thing, if it even existed in the first place.
"'You're not attempting to get blackout drunk, right Silver~?'" Selene finally spoke up at the exact correct moment. She learnt, or rather lived with him well enough to save the effort and pick her battles. As much as she hates to admit it and hurt what's left of her womanly pride when it comes to this man. It's almost always a losing battle when he's in a drinking mood. Preferring to give all of his damn attention to a drink rather than this smoking hot, stacked, muscled, smart, and well sculpted woman that has a damn good interest in him.
You would not believe the amount of times she felt tempted to yank the bottle away, dump the contents to the side (she is damn sure he would enjoy her showering his head with it if any of his rumored escapades are to go by), and smash it over his head just for a reaction
Which occurs almost all the time every single time he picks up the bottle with the intent to ignore moderation. But it would be fair to say most of what he drinks has moderate to piss poor effect on his constitution. Sometimes in the extremes. Frustrating as it was for her, the truth was she was losing to a drink. A consumable. A slightly perishable good. An inanimate object. Gaining more attention than a woman and in some cases just as easily thrown aside once he's done with it.
All of this being replayed in her head again due to her perfect memory. But not to worry, she's winning the 'war' for his heart anyway.
Well. Not all of it of course. Try as she may be to be reasonably selfish, she cannot handle him all herself. Though try as she might, even if she knows his weakness, it's not enough. Even with her enhanced and heavily trained physique, it's not enough. She's not complaining. But the field is where she belongs, not being a call gal for him to speak to. Even if she has talent for a support role, she doesn't want it
"'Because that would be counterproductive to your job, right~?'"
"'Look lassie, she bein spoutin' all this hero drivel, and frankely, its been pissn' me off. Tellin me thiangs she has no righ-'" "'No anal for a week.'" His mind shutoff completely. Needing five seconds to reboot before even thinking of a response
"'No-"' "'2 weeks'" "'Wai-'" "'A month. How about a month of no anal sex? How does that sound?'" This woman had him by the balls and she knew it. She, knew it. By. The. Balls.
Well not literally of course as of the moment
Silver took a deep breather and forcibly calm himself down. Booty was on the line. Most importantly, HIS, booty. Besides the obvious stereotypical pun, his woman was being a domestic terrorist again. She's a damn strong woman, with a damn, filled out, killer body to match, and she knows it. What exactly can he do? She's the one with all the cards. 'I'll be damned if I'll go out whorin a'gain.' Silver refused to be some baseless hedonist again. Well, he still was one, but a more refined, gentlemanly, disciplined hedonist. If there ever was such a thing.
But not this time. Not this life. Not now, not ever again.
"'... Fine.'" He responded before cutting off
His attention was now back onto the haughty queen of 'stick up er arse dyin ah virgin' Arturia. D-did I get that right? Yea? Oke good. Just makin sure. What? What did you say? Whatya mean they can still hear-... Oh. Ahem, sorry bout that. Lets get back to the story, shall we?
"Am sorre…" Not sounding sincere at all "… I wasn't exactly payin attention ta yer incessant naggin'. What was it ye'r were sayin gan?"
Arturia's face slowly but extremely subtlety started to go red with anger. Unfortunately for her, 'assassin' noticed. "Now listen her-" "Aw shuat up'd already will ya? Ya had yer chance n'd now yer soundin full robot with dhat face of yers." Silver cuts her off immediately just to get a move on with the script. "Now…" he took a deep breath "DA BET IS NOAW OPEN SEASON!!! IF ANY OF YA GITS ENJOYIN DA SHOW WANT AH GOOD PAYOUT, NOW YAUR CHANCE!!!"
It became dead silent again for the second time. All due to the completely out of character and most likely sane reasoning of who was supposed to be'assassin'.
The cliché tick mark has formed fully on Arturia's, complete with a deeply narrowed frown hiding gritting teeth. Before finally brandishing her blade once more in a 'heroic' pose one arm casted to the side while the other pointed in his general direction with her imaginary sword. 'Heh. She loaks sthupid.' Silver easily thought
"Enough of this assassin!" Punctuating her sentence with a swipe to the side of her imaginary sword "Stop with these childish games and-!!"
"Obelobolebolobe." Silver said with a straight face
"Stop with these childish gam -!!" she tried again
"Obele Obele Obele bo." He wasn't having any
"Stop with these -!!!" Her voice started to get shrilly
"Bobele bo."
"Stop with these childish games and-!!" Diarmuid's a corner of his lips twitched upward
"Bolibeai bolibea."
"Stop with these childi-!!!!!"
"*srnk*!!!" Diarmuid could not hold a snicker from escaping but luckily Arturia didn't catch it
"Bolibeai bolibeai bo"
"ENOUGH WITH THESE FOOLISH GAMES AND FIGHT ME!!!" Arturia shouted, almost screamed, out.
"mmmmmmmmmmm-" Silver pursed his lips with a single finger while he swirled his bottle a bit "-no."
"WHOT?!?!" Her real accent bleeding through whatever language it is they are speaking right now, showing how deeply rattled she is "WHOY NOT!?!?!?"
"Cause first of all, you got no weapon on ya. N'd I ain't ah bout to fight ah ludicrously irrational woman havin daht time of da month who thinks they have a chance against me'h." Then he went for another swing of that sweet sweet single malted whiskey
"You dare?!" She "asked" frostily. Her face contorted back into an emotionless mask of the more dangerous variety.
"Yes. I do in fact, dare." He responded bravely "In fact, I have an adequately large sized pair, to allow me to dare." Grabbing his crotch to shake it with emphasis with very vulgar movements to add on top
Arturia's stoney persona finally broke, even after years of training, after all the most irritating of nobles, even when her kingdom was being burnt to the ground, her discipline never wavered. Now, this… Man. has prodded, twisted, and turned every step of the way, and succeeded. Artuita's face became atomic red at his insinuations, trying hard to be rid of her embarrassment from his vulgar declaration, failing at each skill check of actual coherent speech, while Irisviel joined her as well covered her mouth in shock as she sported an atomic blush at such uncouth vulgarity, not alone in that regard with some of the female assassins
Diarmuid, on the other hand, was trying not to burst out laughing. It shouldn't be that funny with how quote on quote "uncouth" he was. But this is the first he has ever met someone like Silver. He was a breath of fresh for him
"Mhm." Finishing his swing before he continues on as a proper man should "N'd why did ya still pretend ta hold ah sword?" He asked a very serious question "Ya do reliaze we're in'ah dangerous situation now rioght?"
Arturia just shook her head to give it somewhat of a cleaning to focus. It wasn't very helpful but it was better than nothing.
"Of course I have a sword! I'm merely obstructing it from view to protect my identity." Matter-of-factly she said, before becoming a bit stiff at how 'assassin' was still in control of the conversation and has not ended this bizarre roller coaster he forced her on.
"Hm." Rubbing his chin in contemplation before cutting off Arturia from taking back the reins. "So'oh letzs sae hypothetically ya do'h have ah sword. Why bother hidin it when it's plainly obviousa as'z ta who ya ar?" Course, he did a couple gestures one would see a professor use for a more refined emphasis "Hypothetically of'f course."
"I already told you." Arturia spoke as if she was speaking to a mentally disabled person, i.e., retard, why up is up and down is down. "It's to protect my identity."
"Hypothetically speakin'n, didn't you reveal it earlier? Hypotheticall'le speakin course." At that Arturia scrunched up her face in thought before slowly mimicking that of a fish's mouth opening and closing with her eyes attempting to become lidless in opening them completely wide. Completely shocked how she forgot how easily she revealed who she truly was.
It was dead silent, nothing but the silent coasting of the sea breaking upon the harbor was heard. Until finally Silver decides to open his trap again.
"Course, it ain't that hypothetical'l once you've made it a reality now un'it?"
The silence soon met a rocky end as the winds making up the mirage were violently expelled from the not-so-imaginary sword, revealing the sword of the lady of the lake of the king of the actual queen of the dream of the kingdom of Camelot.
God that is s lot of conjunctions. Must've been a pain in the arse to speak like this in the Britons as the time. How they lived like that? What? I'm breaking off aga?- OH! Right back to the story you lot came for.
Almost everyone was affected by its reveal, the allure it sung as it resonated positively with reality. All except two. No more, no less. Though the moment wouldn't last forever. Even Silver had to hold back a shudder at the intrusive aura attempting to sing to him as the siren it was. That everything good will stay good no matter what, always. It soured his mood and revolted him to the core. 'No waonder there's so many foul stories n'd distrust between humans n'd faires. Not to mention the massacres that went hand in hand with the savagery from both sides.' Now he knew why.
It was magic, but it was more than that. It was the kind that shaped reality towards no other course than the desired 'effect'. In which it would be the promised victory towards the most desirable outcome. Devoid of any hostility, malice, or negativity, it just is. 'It's wrong.' Silver thought 'It not only goe's gainst the natural laws, but it warps them regardless of the consequences afterwards or'e outcome tha't is ta come from key events it was involved in. It's no wonder da bri'ish empire turned out the way it did. Exactly as Arturia's kingdom did.' This was the realization Silver had, one that he will soon share with his brothers.
Silver looked towards the horizon, right where the full moon seemed to touch the ocean. 'Was this what you wanted to show us? What we should be wary of? Of what is to be expected in this new world we're in??' He thought out to the dark
The wind picked up a bit, few picked up on it, and even fewer could tell it was not of natural make. Though the servants are a few of the masters there picked up on how Silver has stilled, looking out to the sea. Before finally, a small sliver of paper flew into motion in front of his face before it was gone the next
---Yes---
It was nice to be able to still receive confirmation from their benefactor from time to time. No matter how limited it may be in responses, but it was as he said: 'best to cut through all the bullshit'. Even if it bended quite a few rules here and there. Bending to the point of easily breaking if your wondering
But who exactly is watching, hm?
Arturia's brooding completely blindsided some of her situational awareness from noticing how Silver the 'Assassin' went silent. Breathing heavily for quite a lethal amount of seconds before focusing once more upon the spot on her heart as her most hated foe, easily replacing the spot her sister Morgan should've been put on. Was there truly any doubt that a pirate would easily piss off the stereotypical knight? Especially considering the easily brushed over hypocrisy knights would always practice.
Noblemen and unluckily noblewoman were not very nice nor reasonable people
Though Arturia is a special case in that regard. Considering how she wasn't made the old fashioned way and raised in quite a twisted manner, it was not a surprise.
The tree may be raised to give poisoned fruit, but it is the fault of the tree for not giving what it had as medicine. There is more than one way to deal with one's lot in life, all you have to do is want it enough to look for it. That, she did not do one bit.
"Draw your weapon assassin." Arturia told him nicely "So that I may strike you down with impunity with whatever honor you have left." She finished with a posed salute that physically hurtled for her to do
"Wow." Silver could only shake his head at that "Must've physically hurted for you ta sae dhat huh?" Sliver could only simile good naturally at that while Arturia could openly scowl at him, all the while Diarmuid in the background was heavily leaning on his spears crouched near the floor trying so damn hard not to fall over
"Though whoy you decided ta be oh so generous with me on ah wasted endeavor." He's curious alright? He did have quite a bit of fun with her at her expense
"I am forever honor bounded in chivalry as expected by me by the he Lady of the Lake, her arms clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying that by divine right I, Arturia, was to carry Excalibur. That is why I am king." Arturia resolutely said
"Look mate, strange women lying on their backs in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government." Silver could not help himself
"Shut up." Arturia's face sketched perfect annoyance before taking a deep breath calming herself. But anger never left her face "I'll never expect someone like you to ever understand honor, something that will never be grasped by some rogue like you."
Silver's crooked smile stilled into the perfect neutrality that Arturia sought to attain. The winds picked up and the waves crashed a bit harder onto the concrete port, the environment seemingly becoming a bit more hostile. "More and better than you will ever know, that's for sure."
The amount of fortitude once again sent Arturia's emotions into a disarray, completely phased by Silver's change in tone once more, taking a step back from the nothingness that stilled her. 'What was that?'
"Draw your blades, and prepare yourself once more assassin." At that she got into a battle position.
"Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm-" Silvers hands visibly reached for the handles holstered at his sides before shrugging it off and place his left for a head scratch and the other to finish his drink"-no. I am already mare than adequately armed ta deal with ya. Though very interestin choice of words you picked." Before finally chugging down the last of it.
"Are you?" Her lips grimaced into a snarl "Have you no respect for me to properly face me!?" she strongly spoke, almost letting out spittle.
"Nope~. *Crash* " He replied coolly, popping the p, while at the same time wiping his mouth and throwing the bottle behind him "I only draw when ah am killing, n'd as fun as that would be, ah am noat aimin ta kill's ya. Besides, it's ah wasted effort on ya. Not really something I thin'k ya ready at all for." Arturia chews her cheek softly a bit, willingly allowing herself to suffer against another 'indignity' being thrown upon her, heh, honor. Before finally nodding in assurance of her next decision, regardless of how it faces stupidly
She dispelled her blade, to the surprise of everyone but Silver was surprised that she would put away her most important tool against a complete unknown. Not even Kiritsugu wouldn't have expected that. Or rather he should've seen it coming; she has shown nothing but distaste for his effective yet "dishonorable" methods. It should've been enough to have Saber act out in the open while he discerns and eliminates where the other masters are. It should've been simple enough going separate ways to act on their own terms within their preferred course of action
But alas, as one door opens, another one closes. And no one will expect what will happen next
___________________________________________________________________________
"Saber." Kiritsugu spoke exasperated through their link "Saber what the hell are you doing?"
"Doing what you and this insufferable pervert would never do. Fighting with honor."
"Saber! This is not the time for what is right! You have no idea what he's capable of!"
"He's a disrespectful disgrace of a hero! There is nothing for me to fear from him! This shouldn't take long."
"Damn it saber!!! This isn't the damn time to satisfy your pride! You have to be protecting Irisviel- hello? Hello?!? DAMN IT!!!!" He stomped angrily on the floor. Calming down instantly back into "robot mode" before holstering his rifle in onto his back before dashing to get to a closer yet better vantage point should he need to interfere as a moments notice, his assistant Maiya following close behind him. 'This war is already derailing out of control, on the first night no less.' He thought calmly at how it's forcing him to completely act against his preferred methodology. The problem being he will be forced to reveal himself as a master rather than having free form to go hunting for others. And he still hasn't even identified or eliminated some of the other masters.
It is instead forcing him to act to ensure his wife's safety when it was supposed to be sabers job. 'No matter. I'll just have to take what I can and improvise the rest.'
"What happened?" She questioned. To which he could not respond until they have reached the corner of cover they hugged close to
"Saber has gone completely rogue dealing with assassin and in some form of rationality revealed her identity, dispelled her phantasm, and seeks to fight in hand-to-hand combat with assassin, who I have no doubt is goading her into exactly where he wants her- there." He points to a ladder across the road, checking if it's clear before dashing straight to it. After climbing it and setting down he continued
"Since it'd be a waste to ensure her compliance with a command seal, we're going to have to provide cover fire and ensure her 'master' is free from being… targeted." He couldn't bring himself to say kill, he didn't want to think how much easier it would be for her to be killed so he wouldn't have to do it himself. It should be him, for the sacrifices are his alone to make for his dream. A hero of justice (laughs) to do what must be done to end all suffering "Be ready." He cautioned her "I may have to do so either way, especially since the other servants are not doubt here by now. You'll cover me with my rifle if I need to get her out."
Maiya nods as she takes her position next to him as his spotter for threats coming their way.
As he sets down the rifle again, setting up his tripod. Kiritsugu can't shake off the feeling that this is only the beginning of what is to come. He now knows he is on the backfoot and lost the initiative, but his only chance now is for 'assassin's' master to be stupid enough to come out of hiding and attempt to "seize the glory" as it was. After all, mage's were always so conceited enough to think themselves above everyone else. And because of it, they never learn, and it's why it made his job so damn easy at times. Most of the time is due to their incompetence of having common sense, along with refusing to get with the times.
One can only hope for a chance, as he adjusted the scope looking downrange behind saber. He's going to take his chance regardless of what she wants. She may be a hero of justice, but she lacks what it takes for victory to be attained no matter what. History has proven it so.
He will see it to the end. No matter what it takes.
He will see it through
___________________________________________________________________________
"… Hm. I can see why you prefer whiskey over sake Silver. Show me what you have learnt so far. Show me what this foolishly naïve so-called "king-of-knights" is capable of. I want to see what all this… infatuation the people have with her."