[ He seems surprised, then smiles. It's coming together now. Marie confirming Ritsuka's presence brings a levity to his heart, something unwinding just a touch from the vice it had been clamped into once he realizes the feelings had become genuine. ]
No... or, I suppose I should say, I haven't yet. The invitation had been extended, but my time in the singularity where I met Master was at its end. She's here, you say?
[ Marie quietly hums in acknowledgement. She thought the old man was an elusive one since they never met, but that reply makes much more sense. ]
Yes! When we met again, she happily shouted "Vive La France IN SPACE!" at me, and that was when I realized she's the same Master I've always known and loved.
[ A true love story. And since she kind of shouted that line, too, she gets a few looks from the people waiting in the queue with them, but she happily remains unperturbed. ]
[ He lets out a laugh of similar volume, willfully ignoring any further looks. It does sound like her, even if she seemed more tired by the end of their ordeal. Hopefully returning to Chaldea had been able to raise her spirits. It certainly sounds that way. ]
Then I'll have to seek her out sometime soon. Depending on how many other Servants are here, we may have our hands full looking out for her.
Oh, tales rarely ever bore me! But if you're not comfortable with saying anything, I'll respect it. [ She's plenty reasonable, although a bit disappointed. ]
Master truly is special! I wouldn't have enjoyed my life at Chaldea as much without her around.
Hm...! On the outside, it looks like... a white donut! [ It really does!!! ] On the inside, instead, it's a facility research with very advanced technology! It's situated high above in the mountains. Things had shaken up before I joined Master, but even with few staff member and loads of Servants we're doing fine! Or were, before we ended up here, tee hee.
There was an incident in the facility that caused many deaths. My Master was the only one among the other Masters who survived the ordeal in one piece. [ That's what she was told after the summon, so she wasn't directly involved. ]
Since then a lot of us Servants showed up! I was one of the firsts who were summoned!
[ Orleans was the very first singularity that had been visited, and she was in it, so! ]
[ None of that particularly surprises him, considering how all-encompassing the instability regarding humanity's history had become. Of course something disastrous happened even in Chaldea. ]
De rien, Archer! It wasn't only me who protected Master and fought by her side; you should extend your thanks to her other Servants, too.
[ Finally, the queue is done and they're due to get their coffee at long last. Marie orders an espresso for herself, and during so she gracefully slips her hand off Archer's, pretty much sure he's got enough to buy his share now. ]
[ He smiles when she slips her hand away, simply ordering his own black coffee and blowing at the surface out of habit. Such temperatures wouldn't even bother him as a Servant, but it feels more natural to do this. ]
Oh, I intend to, if ever I am to meet them. You're here right now, so of course you get the first thanks!
[ Force of habit is also what drives her to mimic the gesture, some steam blown off her own cup of coffee. Bringing it to her lips, she takes a sip and blinks rapidly as if coming to a sudden realization. ]
no subject
No... or, I suppose I should say, I haven't yet. The invitation had been extended, but my time in the singularity where I met Master was at its end. She's here, you say?
no subject
Yes! When we met again, she happily shouted "Vive La France IN SPACE!" at me, and that was when I realized she's the same Master I've always known and loved.
[ A true love story. And since she kind of shouted that line, too, she gets a few looks from the people waiting in the queue with them, but she happily remains unperturbed. ]
no subject
Then I'll have to seek her out sometime soon. Depending on how many other Servants are here, we may have our hands full looking out for her.
no subject
[ Obligation, servitude, or plain affection. Whichever way you put it, Ritsuka really is lucky to have so many powerful spirits around her. ]
I assume you know her too, don't you? If it's the case, I'd love to hear the circumstances that had you meet each other!
no subject
[ It's bullshit and he knows it, but Archer is also a gigantic liar lying face who lies, so it's hard to tell. ]
But yes, you're correct. I do certainly know her! She's one of a kind.
no subject
Master truly is special! I wouldn't have enjoyed my life at Chaldea as much without her around.
no subject
[ Then again, if Ritsuka is here, it may not even be his story to tell. ]
Could you tell me what Chaldea itself is like? I have vague knowledge as it pertains to the restoration but nothing too concrete.
no subject
Hm...! On the outside, it looks like... a white donut! [ It really does!!! ] On the inside, instead, it's a facility research with very advanced technology! It's situated high above in the mountains. Things had shaken up before I joined Master, but even with few staff member and loads of Servants we're doing fine! Or were, before we ended up here, tee hee.
no subject
By shake things up, you mean...?
[ Did something else occur after the restoration of the human order? Perhaps they came across Bael's former comrades already. ]
no subject
Since then a lot of us Servants showed up! I was one of the firsts who were summoned!
[ Orleans was the very first singularity that had been visited, and she was in it, so! ]
no subject
How lucky! You must be very reliable, Marie!
no subject
[ Though she has no longer a place to rule, she's still royalty in spirit! It bears even more meaning since she's a literal spirit now. ]
no subject
no subject
[ Finally, the queue is done and they're due to get their coffee at long last. Marie orders an espresso for herself, and during so she gracefully slips her hand off Archer's, pretty much sure he's got enough to buy his share now. ]
no subject
Oh, I intend to, if ever I am to meet them. You're here right now, so of course you get the first thanks!
no subject
[ Force of habit is also what drives her to mimic the gesture, some steam blown off her own cup of coffee. Bringing it to her lips, she takes a sip and blinks rapidly as if coming to a sudden realization. ]
Oh... they weren't lying. It's really good.