Finis Chaldea

[Apollymi]

"Are you trying to make witches? Because that is how you make witches..." she offered her understanding of what breaking fate meant. The creation of witches were in general a good thing until they weren't, those who wanted to go against fate were fine, until going against fate endangered the whole of the world. She'd seen that too, but given he was also clairvoyant she had to assume that such was why he thought to do so. Combating bad witches with good witches was a pretty fair idea. Though she wouldn't have normally wanted to be included in such a thing... she couldn't call herself a high class mage if she backed away from challenges at the outset.

According to Gilgamesh she was free to complete his task regardless of the reasoning she had behind doing it. And only after that was finished would she begin work on what she was actually called here for. According to him, she'd eventually be needed to fend off threats of divine quality or greater and that he saw her doing such. Interesting, she knew why she was here as well and that was a pretty astute understanding. Regardless of his lack of communication skills she had already seen she'd enjoy her life here so she was content to work on the things that would lead to that eventuality. "Hai hai, two-ish days," she said having some idea of how long it would take to do what he asked regardless of the extra terms he needed taken care of in the meantime. "You, me..." she said to Orihime with a smile on her face. "Magical science and broadcasting symposium?" she asked with a smirk, which made Orihime nod. "Hai, we can use my room for this part if you like..." she offered an with that the two young women seemed to be apt to go on about their business. How strange. From Belris, standpoint these two people had a heated discussion with no real compromise met but somehow Yamuraiha did not seem like she was denying at all doing what he said nor did she seem like she even entertaining turning down his job offer. "People are strange..." Belris mentioned. "Of course they are... but they are also nice," mentioned Siduri. "They are. Unless I am needed for something else I'm going to..." she started to slip back into Siduri's shadow unless she was needed to perform some specific action by Gilgamesh. Regardless she seemed to be quite happy to be returning to her new place of comfort.

[Bloodedge]

"Is that so?" he asked without a moment of hesitation. Breaking fate was a thing that created witches, but there was one problem with the notion itself. "You speak to Gilgamesh, who spits in the face of fate at every opportunity. Tell me, am I what you would call a witch?" he questioned further. Ah, but he wasn't quite done yet. All of this carried a specific message, and to throw out the term 'witch' was going against that narrative. "If going against fate is tantamount to becoming a witch, is one not simply following a path of destiny they were not aware of? Imagine a reality in which the world's established order is not the true limits of fate. The difference between those who see what is before them, those who see what is ahead of them, and those who see all that could be, is the difference between Hell, Earth and Heaven. Subvert your expectations, earthling, until you are willing to join the heavenly council."

Soon enough, Yamuraiha and Orihime were prepared to go about their business. Two-ish days, the sorceress said it would be. What was he to do while waiting that long? Well, perhaps he'd make a dent in those tablets. Yes... that was an excellent decision! He'd bury his face in a tablet, bask in the afterglow of his greatest triumph yet, and do some work unless needed.

[Apollymi]

Going against fate was how one got witches, of this there was certainty. For Yamuraiha this was something she'd witnessed, would she call him a witch though? "Hm, I suppose I wouldn't call you a witch but I doubt there is a word that properly applies... that one is currently the closest." Yamuraiha concluded. Moving on, she was apt to disappear with her new friend while doing some mad scientist type work. Belris wasn't called into being needed and slipped back into Siduri's shadow. And Gilgamesh went back to work as he always would.

Time would pass and one would find the Queen Artoria Pendragon lounging in a tub. She'd found a strange clawfoot one filled with waters that did not lose temperature and dropped her bath bomb into it. She'd drank several cups of coffee and ate a hearty breakfast. She'd amused herself and with Gilgamesh properly busy the waters of her bath rippled. She did not seem at all disturbed by this, considering soon afterwards at the other end of the bath rose a head of blonde hair and electric blue eyes. A face startlingly similar to hers sat across from her for several moments. "You seem nice and relaxed. How was it?" she asked seeming to find nothing wrong with her open-ended prying into her younger sister's sex life. Artoria's eyes narrowed and she splashed water towards her sister which did not reach. "I am not answering your questions," she commented which caused a huff from her sister. "Oi oi, I was there when you spoke your first words, took your first steps... I was even there the first times you killed..." she said her nose turned up in the air. "You cannot hide from me and avoid this conversation especially with your legs not working. I am living for these breaks where we chat so share!" she said succinctly. "Fuck, why do you always have to be like this?" Artoria slipped and Vivian laughed. "Well fine but I am not going to arbitrarily give information." Artoria admitted. Ah, that was about her way. Another known fact given that response was all those switches in personality had blended her a bit with her base personality. Given that information she prodded gently. Little questions to gain clarity. "You're a strawberry person aren't you? I figured you'd be~" Vivian mused. "I might be... that early explanation did not give me enough insight to fully understand," Artoria mentioned. "Oooh? Well tell me what kind of stuff you aren't sure about and I'll make sure you know what you need to classify your tastes." she said. There was no judgement from Vivian only a willingness to share information and help her have the best time possible. Once upon a time she'd been just as forthcoming with methods of killing and seemed to have no problem with her sisters murderous tendencies nor creativity. Perhaps this was always the best part of her relationship with her older sister, the boundary lines were always a bit skewed.

[Bloodedge]

With so much work to be done, Gilgamesh knew there would hardly be an impact made even if he worked all day. Even so, he took delight in a certain new development. Of the first five tablets he viewed, two were in regards to irrigational work needs on the outskirts of Uruk. Ah! He had the perfect thing for dealing with them both, as well as any he came across in future! "Siduri, take note. There must be an announcement for the new waterways near the wall," he said casually, tossing two tablets aside as he did so. Sorting through so many tablets would remain tedious, but he'd taken a fair load off by recruiting that orange-haired woman.

While he continued sorting through things, another male stepped into the citadel's throne room. The man was tall with long, wavy black hair, bejeweled in a manner fitting of kings, and sported a white turban with three crimson feathers to match his robes. "Lugal!" the male spoke as he entered. Gilgamesh offered a modicum of attention, but his eyes never moved from the current tablet. "Shulgi. What business do you have? Speak," the king ordered, to which the other male responded with haste, and a bow. "I wish only to deliver a message, my king. I thought to leave it with Siduri, but I was not expecting your arrival. There seems to be someone on this realm in cahoots with some secret organization of the lower world. I have reports of a traveler escaping the guard of Kish some days ago, but it seems our esteemed Aga is keeping his lips sealed. . ."

[Apollymi]

Irrigation as a point of interest? New Waterways near the wall? That was likely going to have something to do with his newest acquistion, the last of the ocean-born serpents. That lass had use of waterways for some advanced methods of protection... no matter Siduri would keep note as always. "As you like, my King. I'll take note," It seemed there was something else to keep note of as well. A particular individual came and gave news of a certain escapee who had slipped out of the clutches of Aga of Kish. Many things could be thought of, but it would only be another note taken by Siduri on that tablet of hers as she kept track of all things which may be of future concern to the King.

While Gilgamesh busied himself with work, sibling bonding was in order for Artoria as her elder sister pried into her sex life in the same manner that she pried into all other aspects. Of course, in truth no form of Hoshimi Eri minded the company of any of her siblings and she and her older sister shared a close but very different bond than the one she shared with her younger sister. Though she was by her nature a very private person, she often found herself telling her older sister of all manner of things. To put it clearly, Hoshimi Rie knew of Eri's darkness and joy, so it made sense that she was here to know of this newfound one as well. "It is complicated," Artoria managed sipping coffee. "What constitutes spice when your life is violence?" she asked seemingly open-ended. "Hm, well it's okay to like whatever you do. Most things that could be considered violent fall into strawberry unless some very specific things are involved," she said carefully, of course it wouldn't be Hoshimi Rie if she did not reach for Artoria's coffee with her own hand. Artoria let it slip between her fingers knowing it was no use that key on the tub side was used to simply summon another cup. "I would have gotten you a cup you know..." she said frowning. "Yes, but you're already enjoying this one. I know it's good. No evasiveness, specifics what do you think is outside of strawberry for your sexual encounter?" Vivian confirmed. "Yeah, well..." Artoria was having trouble it was not the kind she normally had speaking with her sister, ah... she knew what it was. "It is kind of weird for me having a conversation with this face... can you, switch maybe?" she asked of her sister. A smirk crossed Vivan's face as she looked into the surface of the water. "For you... sure." and just like that she sat the cup down without taking a sip and sank down seeming to switch places with a silver haired version of herself. Doing so would cause a little shift in the atmosphere a bit of density came with this one's rise but that was no problem for Artoria. Severe as ever with those same electric blue eyes she seemed to lack the chipper aura of the other one but their faces were still similar. "Is that better?" she asked as she went back to drinking from her cup, a jagged black crown with blue gems across her brow and an air of calm her other self did not seem to possess. "Yes, actually. I know you are both my sister, but it is weird talking deviance to that face when I bonded better with this one... you are my Fae Princess after all," Artoria managed. "Oh stop it, you'll both make me happy and hurt my feelings~" mused Morgan.

With this face she felt more at ease and so she could continue the conversation at will. "I am not at all disinclined to having a hand upon my throat during these moments," Artoria confessed this would make Morgan smirk but only just a little. "As long as you are not rendered unconscious by the action strawberry," she said. This coffee really was good. "Wait people are made unconscious by that?" Artoria said her eyes widening? "Some people like to be choked until they are not awake. Not me but I have seen a great many things in these lives of mine." Morgan confessed. "Okay, I felt like that may have been the second strangest point. I need a minute to recover." Artoria managed sipping her own coffee. "Something smaller then you're unsure about..." questioned Morgan. "Hitting?" a singular word. "Open palm on the bottom, or thighs, vanilla. With some kind of tool which would leave a mark across flesh not always sexual... strawberry. Closed fist to the face, chocolate." Words being spoken made Artoria's head spin. Who was being choked out, punched in the face or some other such actually violent action during sex? She needed a moment to recover. "Oh, kicking will probably instantly make it chocolate. Not feet though... that one is strawberry depending on what you're doing with them." Morgan added seeming to take a bit of joy from the obvious distress finding out about other people's kinks was doing to Artoria.

[Bloodedge]

"It comes as no surprise that Aga of Kish would keep silent about losing anything. He is only biding his time, likely with knowledge that any threat will be aimed my way. It would be his prerogative to take advantage the moment I begin to falter. To think, the fool actually believes that will be possible." Gilgamesh remained unfazed by this news. Aga would pose no threat to him in the grand scheme of things. Shulgi seemed shocked by the king's lack of concern, but... such was his way during these matters as of late. "I take it you aren't worried about finding the details?" Shulgi questioned.

It was at this moment that Gilgamesh finally peeled his gaze from the tablet. Was he concerned with the details? Absolutely not. He looked to Shulgi, his brow furrowed only slightly. There was no animosity in the king's tone as he spoke─ only truths. "There is nothing to fear from Aga. Let him keep his secrets, and let those who conspire do as they please. Until their plan is attempted, it is pointless to waste time on mongrels with no understanding of what they face."

[Apollymi]

It came as no surprise that Aga of Kish should be waiting to take advantage of any missing steps opened by Gilgamesh. As far as Siduri understood the situation that man was likely always waiting for the chance to take over these lands. She was surprised that he hadn't managed to do it while the king was on his great journey. She also knew for a fact, Artoria Pendragon had waited with untold glee at the idea of quelling a rebellion only to be met by none while she sat on the throne. Whatever was to happen because of a thief and the lack of action of Aga of Kish, she figured it would be punished rightly.

While Gilgamesh remained unconcerned with his situation, Artoria was perplexed by all the new revelations she was having while finding out her sexual interests were actually somewhat tame. "I am coming to realize that even after 10 days of nothing but sex, baths and food I may not be at all experienced enough to have this conversation," Artoria finally managed a hand palming her face. How was she supposed to take all this news. "Oh? Ten days of nothing but those things... how interesting. You know most creatures wouldn't go for more than a few hours... that's pretty excessive for a first experience~" Morgan couldn't help but tease a little bit, of course she now fully realized why her little sister was sitting in a tub. "Not that excessive is bad. You usually do not indulge I am happy you found something worth diving into~" she congratulated her sister, while still fishing for more details. She figured she'd be a bit stiff but she wouldn't be surprised at all of the girl's legs did not work. "Swears are also strawberry before you ask," she added in before Artoria opened her mouth again. "Did you..." Artoria started to ask. "I practically raised you both times. I need not use clairvoyance to know how much you swear when you are feeling~" Morgan seemed to be really enjoying that half cup of coffee she'd stolen from Artoria and the other lass in the meantime just leaned back more. "Fine fine... I do swear a lot but I cannot help it," Artoria seemed to be giving up.

"Yes, but admitting to that much isn't enough. What is this other extreme you are holding off on telling? Come on now, I'm the big sis around here, there is no reason we can't be almost completely transparent," she mused. "It is strange," Artoria mentioned. "I have seen some of the strangest parts of you and I am... worldly. Tell me." she pushed the point the way only a big sister could. And Artoria regressed into a little sister. Her index fingers touching gently over the waters surface as she began to speak in her overly vague way. "I may have held him at knifepoint and cut him a bit..." she said as if that wasn't exactly what happened. Morgan looked properly surprised for the first time in many years. "Alright that's a new one I will admit. I don't think I've ever cut a guy while I was having sex with him... was it fun?" she asked seemingly as a point of sheer curiosity. "Yes." That one word answer held a lot. "You are so cute when you are trying not to think too much about what you like..." she said to her younger sister. "I will tell you honestly there are way worse things in the world. That last one is a bit chocolate, but if you also weren't drinking blood or actually watching him die while he was inside you... it's only just over the line," she said. "There are some people who would die over that moment some who have enjoyed death as they finished, so... you are safe. I promise." Morgan helped to quell her younger sister's fears quite a bit and Artoria seemed to relax quite a bit. "Well as long as I am not the extreme.... wait a fucking minute. Did you just say people are dying, like mid-coitus? Who? Who does this?" she started ranting. "And who is using feet for violence during sex? What is happening in this world?!"

[Bloodedge]

Indeed, neither Aga nor any of the other kings within Mesopotamia would be considered problematic by Gilgamesh. On any official record, he was just one of many kings across this land. In reality, however, all the others knew their place; they knew when to defer, and when to fear. One such as Aga of Kish would make a move one day, but that day would surely not be very soon. "If that is all, leave me. I have much business to attend, and if your concerns are not about Mahrajan, I do not care for them," Gilgamesh stated. Shulgi's head lowered as these words were spoken. There was never any convincing Uruk's king once his mind was set. Alas, this sort of scenario hadn't blown up in anyone's face just yet, so there was little to worry about. "I'll be on my way then. My king. Siduri." Acknowledging both officials present, Shulgi rose and turned to the exit, taking his leave for the time being.

[Apollymi]

If business wasn't concerning Mahrajan, the King of Uruk was not interested in the discussion. Shulgi had done the principle right thing and tried to communicate a coming threat but with Gilgamesh being himself there were very few things he would have considered a proper threat regardless. Siduri could at least acknowledge that he tried, but warnings given even if they weren't heeded were at least heard, that was what was important. He bid farewell to the King and Siduri as well, "Farewell Shulgi." Siduri was at least always polite as well. And with that work would continue on.

Meanwhile, Morgan watched as her younger sister slow processed some information and switched straight to outrage. She supposed having been a virgin with no real ideas about sex less than a fortnight prior might have left a lot up to the imagination. But Morgan also told no lies, she'd been witness to several visions of people enjoying such things as what she mentioned. "Most of the more horrendous examples are things enjoyed by that errant former goddess who has taken a grand disliking to you. I caught sight of her with a boot on her face not too long ago and she was happy about it..." Morgan said finishing her coffee. "I... do not have words..." Artoria managed falling back. Given what she'd just learned there was literally nothing on her current list of experiences which she could even bring herself to feel shame for committing to. She'd barely felt anything other than odd to start with. "Yes, there are some strange lines of thought floating around, but it's nothing to worry about. You are doing just fine," she mentioned to Artoria. "Yeah yeah..." said Artoria who seemed to have finished her coffee cup and sat it to the side to sink lower in the water. "Speaking of oddities. I have been meaning to ask but why does Mordred believe I am their father?" she asked seemingly randomly. Morgan managed to look up and only chuckle. "She asked and was told that her father was King Arthur. It just so happens that she unaware of the existence of the second one..." Morgan mentioned. Artoria looked at her sister and her brows furrowed. That was a truthful statement but it was also from the outside obviously manipulative. "Sou ka, another strange girl. Lancelot is going to have a seizure," Artoria stated calmly. "So did you traumatize Kei or did you do something weird?" Artoria asked calmly. "Yes. I was in a bit of a rush, life is complicated... that issue will be cleared up eventually..." she stated calmly. "That was a much better diversion than your usual ones by the way... but you know I have no problems telling you the truth about such things, Eri..." she mentioned with a knowing smile. "I want only what is absolutely best for all of us... even if things have to get a bit strange in the middle to make it happen," she said. All of these words were honest. If Eri was being honest, she'd always held a bit of hidden animosity towards her elder sister. That gentle itch one had when around someone who was as good at things as you were, competitive spirit and the simple edge of never really knowing if she was being actively manipulated or not. But in moments like these she could see clearly her sister and her intentions were always pure, it was simply her actions that seemed to wavier from time to time. "Sou ka. Carry on then... and what happened to Merlin?" asked Artoria seeming to have made a jump in her thought pattern. "Uh... that is a long story," Morgan said seeming to find it interesting. "I obviously have time..." Artoria mentioned and as such their conversation would continue. Until such a time as they separated and hours passed between them. She'd remained in a bath quite a long while but eventually she exited and wrapped herself in one crimson sheet from the bed not bothering with clothing knowing she'd get back into bed soon enough. But, until such a time as she felt like sleeping she wondered over many options of things to do... like a particularly fun activity. One holy grail filled with divine wine later and near the later hours of the evening Artoria Pendragon would be seen sitting in bed, throwing darts at a few boards set up at different vantage points around the room.

[Bloodedge]

Gilgamesh's work continued until it became tiresome. Interestingly enough, he found himself more easily capable of abandoning the workload this day. There was something worth returning to, not just more piles of tablets to view for days on end, nor more projects to do little more than distract from the mundane. That daft old king had reason to be excited. Mahrajan itself was an exciting event, but it was just another thing for the people at large. What he awaited was something far more imperative to his own being... something unique, something exclusive... something he'd be found approaching in his own bedchambers after far too long away. . .

Something... he found throwing darts at an array of targets scattered about the room. What? He left her with every conceivable object throughout all time in this world and the next, and she was... in bed, throwing darts? "..." There were words to be spoken... somewhere in his head. Sadly, they never made it to his mouth. Lips parted, forefinger and thumb pinched the bridge of his nose, and he remained unquestionably baffled. "I hadn't thought to anticipate a single thing. But, this? What an interesting turn of events, to see the Queen of Knights taking up target practice as entertainment. One wonders how many things you've been through before reaching this."

[Apollymi]

Gilgamesh left the tablets where they were after making something of an impact upon them. Siduri in all her moments of being here, had not seen him simply abandon the stack before except only a few times. A brief moment or two that he wished to share with the Queen of Knights, like being there when she woke from her rest after their first dinner. Siduri could only smile to herself about a much healthier development in lifestyle. The King took much work unto himself and as such, seeing him also take time for himself and his queen was an important personality development.

Surprisingly enough, Artoria was casually drinking and aiming at various dart boards. After finding out that her aim had not waned at all, she'd taking to performing several 'trick shots' as it were. Throwing a dart or three to change the trajectory of one and make it find its home elsewhere. All of them dead center on the target. She'd been amusing herself in such a way until of course, Gilgamesh entered. Such a shot was being performed as he stood seemingly in awe of what he found her doing. She'd thrown a dart forward and followed it immediately with another making it spin once allowing it to fly with straight aim into the left most dartboard once again dead center. "Back so soon, Gil?" she questioned seeming content to stop throwing darts for a moment and instead she simply sat up a bit straighter, that crimson colored sheet wrapped around her form as she casually drank. "Before this I had a very long bath and an hours long chat with the Fae Princess about the current trajectory of our lives. As I always do after trying something new..." she recounted her day as if it made no difference to her what she'd been doing. As for her choice in activity she could only scoff. "This is my first choice after that and wine," she said with a small smirk appearing on her face. "It is one of my favorite solo activities, I would not consider it target practice though... it is more of a hobby. Why does this perplex you?"

[Bloodedge]

The eyes of Gilgamesh remained open, tracking the movement of two darts as their collision caused one to reach its target. He reached out while the primary dart lodged itself in said target, snatching the other from the air after its ricochet. As he did so, Artoria questioned the speed of his return. Had he returned soon? By his own count, he'd been gone for many, many hours. No matter. He stepped further into the room, toying with that single dart in one hand. A quick inspection of each target littering the area occurred, but Gilgamesh's focus kept returning to the crimson sheet-clad woman sat atop his bed. "The Madonna paid a visit, did she? Surely one such as her would be wondering how you survived the greatest siege this world has ever known. The walls of Camelot and Uruk combined were bested in this very room. Take pride, for it was you who molded the clay."

A bath, a conversation about life, wine, and... casual sport. Such an interesting combination of things was chosen by the woman with access to all things. Moreover, she rejected the idea of this being called target practice. "If not for practice, then what is the purpose? Is this sport with no audience? Confirmation of ability not lost to time? I must admit to my own bemusement, that you would retrieve such menial things from my treasury. The last woman I even entertained the thought of believed she was entitled to everything within it."

[Apollymi]

What an interestingly casual conversation taking place between the two of them. Gilgamesh, managed to grab one of her darts from the air, the secondary one discarded to get the first one to its home. Still, it was rather interesting to see that amount of dexterity, especially when she knew the true uses of such dexterity. That thought would be buried with only a gentle shifting of her legs to show it'd even crossed her mind. "She did not question my survival, only my feelings... Though she harbored a great curiosity about the endeavor, they were the kinds of questions she always asked when I enjoy something. She claimed that was her duty as the 'big sis' as she so casually puts it," she said with a smirk on her face. "And in exchange I received the knowledge of my missing court mage... our chats are always fun," she said of her day spent idling in the care of her elder sister. Whether or not she held any idea of pride at the action, Artoria could only scoff and continue to drink absently though nothing would hide the blush which crossed her face.

Moving on from that there was the issue of her chosen activity. Gilgamesh apparently did not understand why she chose such a game as this one, and beyond that point mentioned that his previously entertained thought of a woman had been the entitled type. What an interesting admission. A smile crossed Artoria's face and it was more or less a knowing smirk. "There is no sport without audience. This is a matter of fun. A fondness created by memories. Besides it allows me to play with projectiles which are my favored type of weapon..." she said. "If my legs were working I would have just as easily chosen a game of pool." she stated knowing how her mind worked when she was alone, and all of the 'seedy' behaviors she'd developed to help her along with her job that she took joy in. "So more or less, it is a matter of sentimentality." Her words were casual like she was having a very reasonable conversation and to her she was, she sipped wine her eyes now on Gilgamesh. "Strange though, that you find this befuddling. I figured most would search out things in a normal order: necessity, fondness, then imagination. To believe oneself entitled to everything, is an interesting stance to take. Was that a part of your changed line of thinking or did a different red flag unsettle that line of thought?" she asked a question as a matter of curiosity. She'd never entertained the thought of men in general, but she understood how and why they ended up being abused by women. The situation Gilgamesh spoke of including entitlement was a key factor of manipulative and toxic people.

[Bloodedge]

The Fae woman was an interesting individual indeed─ a strange comrade to Gilgamesh's in an equally strange way. She was one who could more easily delve into the emotional state of Artoria Pendragon, or even Hoshimi Eri. Odd though, Gilgamesh himself had yet to truly cross that threshold. "H'oh? So, if it is a proper answer to your emotions I seek, it should be her I go looking for? One should keep that in mind," he said in a tone of mocking. After all, it would be his duty as a husband to meddle in her family affairs, no?

As Artoria carried on with her speech, Gilgamesh continued moving forward. He noted an interesting fixation with his fiddling for a moment, but gave it nothing more than a brief smirk as acknowledgement. Soon, he was taking a seat at the edge of this new bed inhabited by Artoria. He faced outward, continuing to twirl that dart around between his fore and middle fingers. "Fun? Sentiment? How droll," he mused. Gilgamesh had always been one to discover fun only in luxury; something so simple as this was far beneath his radar. He also hadn't a clue what this pool thing was; Artoria clearly wasn't talking about a place of swimming. "How does one find entertainment in something so simplistic? The sense of it all is admittedly beyond me," he stated.

Moving on, there was a question in place regarding his previous... almost involvement. What caused his rejection of the wretched goddess he spoke of? There were enough factors at play to require some thought, though... perhaps he was best explaining even the factors themselves. "Hmph. I'm sure you've heard of the first rejection. I was but a young man, still seeking glory. If not for the history of Ishtar and my own confidence, accepting her offer would have been an easy path to prosperity. But, there was a second... opportunity presented by the goddess. Following my first series of failures, I was confronted once more. I sometimes see how I would have responded, had I not already resolved myself to grasp a greater future. Alternate paths can be the most disgusting things to witness at times." He was beginning to ramble, but he wasn't quite done. More was to come, and it was perhaps among the last things he would normally admit. "There was one other reason... just one. That second time, I gazed upon the goddess who took my everything from me, who forced upon me a long journey in mourning, and I saw not a goddess. What I saw that day, was my own reflection clear as the moon on the lake's surface... and I found it repulsive."

[Apollymi]

It seemed Gilgamesh was apt to jest in a moment like this. Claiming he should seek her sister when he looked for answers to her emotional status. "I suppose, she is also fairly good at interpreting the difference between my words and actions. Though you do not seem to need any such assistance... and the Fae give away nothing, not even answers~" she teased gently. Whether this man spoke to her sister or not was no concern of hers. In truth Hoshimi Rie, could be called, Eri's emotional handler. She was always there at points of great change in the girl's life and always managed to make herself available when Eri had questions, comments or a general need to vent. Rie was also the one to encourage her behaviors which could have been seen as negative but brought her great joy. Strange and helpful was the eldest of the Hoshimi.

Apparently, the idea of committing to an activity for sentiment or fun did not register in the mind of Gilgamesh. Never was it made more clear to her than in a moment like this how few memories he had to have of anything normal. It was beyond him to understand how something so simple could be fun... this man was so content to tell her she'd not lived her life... in words like that she'd found him lacking in his. She might have immediately said something like that but, she'd found herself watching his twirling fingers. Sipping wine out of her grail with wide eyes. "Playing a game like this while drinking, conversing with friends, placing a wager and winning, making memories. The reasons for fondness are compound, Gil." she explained. "I once used this game as a way to extract information from someone before killing them with a dart... It is one of my fondest memories." she smirked then seeming to find it amusing as a thought. It was a simple game but the memories were at least partially why people enjoyed simple things like this. If she was missing out on womanhood by not being interested in sex, he was missing out on humanity by not having ever experienced simplicity.

Most of their conversations went strangely, now that Artoria was thinking about it. Just as easily as they playfully argued and teased each other, they fell into conversations that had a more serious tone and quality without need of transition. Artoria carefully listened to what Gilgamesh had to say. She gave him her full attention as he sat at the edge of his bed. Though his gentle explanations and his rambling he came to several important points which clarified his dispositional changes, specifically in how that was reflected in his choice in women. Ah, this was all quite heavy but Artoria let him speak uninterrupted, because she knew how important that was to putting all of one's thoughts out. Still she stared at the side of his face and felt strangely. There was nothing negative to be thought of these revelations... but she could not quite pin what it was she felt. Aloud she had something different to say. "I do not envy you the things you see... but I can respect any decision made as one overcomes their own tripe," she said seeming to understand. "Those details were previously unknown to me," she stated as she sipped more wine. Both her older and younger sister would agree that tough talks needed indulgence to lighten the blow. Wine, pudding, ice cream... a solid cry.