"Sa... ber... Saber... Saber... SABER! MY SAB-"
Gilgamesh's head fell onto the ground, knocked out by a swing of Excalibur. There was an awkward silence for a few seconds.
Finally, Jeanne tried smiling and clapped her hands.
"So, kids! This is the letter F, and this is how you write it! Can you tell me a word that starts with F?"
A few minutes later...
"Aw, man. Why does my head hurt so much? Silly Saber, after so much time apart, this is how she greets me?"
"You're right, I should have done way worse, but I didn't want to traumatise those poor kids."
"Aha, just when I need you, my dearest-"
"Speak to me again and you won't wake up next time."
"Ok, ok! I think we all need to calm down and relax so that we can have a pleasant and civilised discussion."
"There's nothing to discuss."
"You're right, there's no need to tell me anything because your little cheerleaders have told me all about your intentions, not that I needed any more confirmation that you are the scum of the earth."
"You traitors! You put a bad word for me! After all I've done for you!"
"We just told her the truth, dumbass."
"Yeah, we told her all about your awesome deeds, and how much you kept saying that you loved her and that you wanted her to be yours."
"... Nero."
"Yes, Goldie?"
"*signaling her to come closer*"
"*comes closer*"
"*whispering* You didn't tell her about the cosplay incident, did you?"
"Ah, that one... nope, don't worry, I kept my mouth shut."
"Oh thank goodness, I mean, good job, my retainer."
"You shouldn't worry too much about what they told me, since it doesn't matter. I know you all too well."
"But Saber, if you have listened to their explanation, then surely you must admit that-"
"I don't care what cover you've built yourself, what stories you've told these people, what you've been doing so bravely and honestly... I know you, the real you, and I know that whatever you've convinced them that you are... you are not. You're just an egotistical, psychopathic, inhuman monster, and you'll always be, and you know it. Don't speak to me ever again."
"Well, that's a bit harsh, considering that fake or not he did save your kid (not that I would give a shit about that... which is exactly why she'll probably care)."
Saber stopped for a moment as she was walking out of the room.
"What did you say?"
"She had been exposed to a high dose of radiation, and he rescued him without hesitation."
"... is this true?"
"Of course it is, my-"
"I'm not talking to you. Is it?"
"... yes, Father."
"... that changes nothing between us. You'll leave once your checkup is complete, and you'll never show your face again."
"My checkup? Wait, Saber! I order you to come back!"
"Ok, here I am, good day everyone, I'm Dr. Dunant and I was just asked to see if you recovered from your little... incident... with Miss Pendragon."
"Who the hell are you, mongrel? Come back here, Saber!"
"Hey, hey, please calm down sir, I know that this is hard for guys like you, but Miss Nightingale is busy at the moment so we are all out of pretty girls that can treat you."
"Miss Nightingale is already playing with one man and doesn't wish to add any new players."
"Miss Nightingale, there are things that mustn't be said in front of the patients!"
"Why do you think I meant you, Mr. Dunant?"
"Well, well... Anyways, it seems like there is no lasting damage, so you are free to go, sir."
"Stop wasting my time, mongrel! Saber, I told you to come back! I have such sights to show you, toys to amuse you with, treasures to-"
As soon as Gilgamesh went out of the room, he fell prey to an ambush, as Saber was waiting for him and struck him in the back of the head with Excalibur, making him fall again.
"Miss Artoria! What the hell was that?"
"Relax, doctor, I didn't hit him hard enough to kill him."
"That's not the point."
"My, my, you're as strong as ever, my Saber."
"Stop saying that."
"Stop saying what? Admit it Saber, we're destined together. Just now, you meant to knock me out, right? And yet you didn't. Why? Has my body adapted to your stubborness? Did you unconsciously hold back? Either way, that just shows that fate is on our side."
"Fate is never favourable when I lay my eyes on you. But you're right. I was going too easy on you. I'll make sure my next strike gets you out of commission."
"Do your worst, Saber, I'll be read-"
Gilgamesh fell asleep.
"Miss Nightingale?"
"I think I prevented a far worse outcome. I hope that once he comes back from this little nap, he'll be a lot less noisy."
"Oh, believe me, rambling is all he can do, that insane monster."
Saber said as she looked at him with a searing hatred in her eyes, spitting in his face.
"Salty... I must admit... this isn't exactly how I imagined this would go."
"This is how I feared it would go."
"But what can we do? If we really have to leave like this, he'll be crushed... I'm not even sure we'll be able to convince him to leave. And more importantly... who are we supposed to trust? She seems like a nice person... and look at what she's saying and doing... on the other hand... I know... I know that what Goldie did, the good stuff he did came from his heart, even though he didn't always want to do it at first, he always did in the end... I... I... what do we do?"
"Don't worry, Nero. I'll talk to myself. You stay here and do what you do best."
"Nothing?"
"Apart from that."
"Annoying people?"
"Except that too. Being an emotional support. Mordred looks like shit. It seems like their relationship isn't exactly the best. Plus she still hasn't recovered from the other day."
"I see. You really are alike, you and Goldie."
"God no. In what way?"
"Well, you both act pretty tough, but deep down, you are a couple of softies."
"I don't really feel flattered by this comparison... he reminds me of myself when I was still alive... I'm trying my best to move away from that life..."
"I can tell, but I think that your affinity is very useful."
"?"
"You can relate to him, and so, in a way, he can relate to you too, so when you attempt to change for the better, he is encouraged to do the same. I think it's part of why Goldie is starting to become someone that that Artoria can't recognise."
"You're saying I'm some kind of link between him and the rest of the world?"
"Precisely."
"I see... but you shouldn't sell your help short."
"Oh, please, I was just there."
"Yeah, exactly. You said I'm a link between him and the others... but for all intents and purposes, you're the others. Without you being there, his change of character would have been much slower. By now, he wouldn't have changed as much."
"Well, I must say, we make a pretty good team, you and I."
"We sure do. Now I'll go talk to the other me."
"Good luck!"
Salter stepped into the hallway, quickly finding Saber and silently walking by her side for a while.
"If you are here to talk on his behalf, you're wasting your breath. There's nothing that will change my mind-"
Salter grabbed her by the shoulder and shoved her against the wall.
"Listen here, you shitty little Miss Goody Two Shoes. I didn't walk across deserts, swamps, bug-infested lands, fall into a frozen like, nearly lose my life and leave precious friends behind, just for you to treat us like shit and send us away in a heartbeat, not to mention trying to lecture me on who I decide to travel with."
"You don't understand, he's not who you think he is."
"You're right, I don't understand, because you didn't bother explaining anything, because you think you're in the right and that you don't owe anyone an explanation. You don't even know what I think about him, or about you for that matter. And what kind of impression you think you gave me? Because so far only one of you two has been acting aggressively and has actively harmed the other, and it's not the supposed monster. But God forbid anyone sees the world differently, right?"
"I don't have anything to say to you. I have already warned you. If you don't believe me, and if you are willing to believe that scum, then so be it. Now let me go."
"... yeah, fine. And for the record, I also tried to warn you. But it seems you're still not calm. I'll have to help you calm down. Now, step outside please, so we don't harm anyone."
Salter said as she summoned her blade. Saber looked at her, unsure for a moment, then she also raised Excalibur.
"So... you and your Dad..."
"I... I'm not sure I was ready to see him..."
"Was it because you left on pretty bad terms?"
"Not just that... she... he... looks... different... changed... and now... now I'm not certain of anything."
"I think that talking it out is the best solution."
"... I'm not sure."
"Won't you trust a friend's advice?"
"I mean... did you talk it out with your mother?"
"Did your father manipulate you your entire life and force you into a position you never wanted in the first place while keeping you dependent on him?"
"No... that was my mother..."
"Then I highly suggest talking it out."
"... I guess I can always try..."
"That's the spirit! Isn't that right, Goldie?"
"*napping*"
"Aw, I bet he's dreaming. I wonder what he's dreaming about..."
Meanwhile, in Gilgamesh's dream...
"Go away, scum!"
"Haha, Saber, my little Saber, your hit was so light this time! You really are falling for me."
"No, that's not true! Go away! Go away!"
"Your attacks keep getting weaker and weaker! Soon they'll be nothing more than lovetaps."
"Noooo..."
Outside the hospital...
"Good, now you're forced to talk to me, since you can't move."
"What kind of way is this to convince someone to talk to you."
"Easy there, Miss Perfect. I may not be a shining example of goodness like you, but I never intended to kill you. That's interesting only if it's actually a challenge!"
"You damn-"
"Careful, don't insult yourself too much, besides, you can relate, right?"
"?"
"You were holding back until you realised you were going to lose, no?"
"Was I that obvious?"
"Well, I am you, after all."
"Point taken."
"Now tell me everything."
"... fine."
A lot of explaining later...
"Wow... what an asshole."
"Right?!"
"Yeah, I can see that your reaction was pretty justified, but I still think that you are mistaken in your judgment."
"How?!"
"Well, you first have to consider the age and the environment around him."
"Like that's an excuse..."
"Nothing is an excuse unless you need to use it as such. I'm just saying a lot can influence a person: the people around him, the habits, the laws, the climate, the food, there's a lot of variables. Who can say if you ended up meeting him at his worst, or if we met him at his best?"
"He tried to genocide a lot of people."
"I heard you."
"... so that's not a big deal?"
"I didn't say that."
"And he refuses to accept my no, and has tried even violently to make me his bride."
"I heard you."
"... I don't get what more proof you need."
"If I told you his actions here, without telling you it was him, would you judge who acted that way as good or bad?"
"... he did pretty horrible things. Saving a few people doesn't excuse that."
"You're right, and I knew beforehand that he's not exactly a saint. But believe me: people change. I highly doubt you acted the way you are acting now when you were king, right?"
"..."
"And you accepted Avalon, so it means that your personality evolved and grew. And are your hands free of blood or regret?"
"I often don't sleep at night because of regret."
"I can imagine."
"But I regret my wrongs."
"But the first step to realise you did something wrong is to do something right, correct?"
"Not to mention, regretting only gets you so far. Actually moving in a positive direction can also be a sign of bigger improvement."
"I've changed... I think I became a better, no, a different person..."
"Yeah, but that's not all your problems. Have you ever had the chance to apologise in person to Lancelot? Or to Gawain? And more importantly... your kid has come here for you, and you have barely acknowledged her presence. You criticise Gilgamesh's obsession, but didn't you act just as obsessed as him?"
"... so what do you propose I do? I'm now forced to accept his avances because he might become a better person?"
"You don't have to do that, and it would be absurd to force you to do that. But, at the same time, it would be equally absurd not to give him a second chance as a person at the very least. After all... weren't you given a second and third chance before actually changing for the better? Not to mention this new chance fate has given you to rekindle with Mordred."
"... I get what you're trying to say. I let my emotions toward him get the better of me."
"I probably would have done the same."
"You can stay here."
"Thanks, I'll be sure to talk to him. I'm sure that you won't regret this decision."
"I can only hope so."
"Now let's get you out of here before it starts raining. I'm starving."
"The chef makes delicious hot dogs."
"Really?"
"Yep! The flavours melt in your mouth!"
"I can't wait... man, now I'm REALLY starving."
"Same..."
Meanwhile, at the hospital...
"Wow, that really suits him, Alice!"
"Thanks!"
"We should give him a mustache too."
"Good idea, Kama!"
"What do you want to do, Jack, Jill and Little Red?"
"Hearts on the cheeks!"
"Hearts on the forehead!"
"Whiskers!"
"Great, let's do that!"
"Mmm... you've got such soft hands... now they really are lovetaps... what's this light... oh, damn it, a dream again... wait, then this... WHY ARE YOU COLOURING MY FACE?"
"Because it's fun, Goldie! Ok, kids! I'm afraid we're done for today."
"But... but I wanted to give him whiskers..."
"There, there, there's no need to cry, Little Red..."
"... make it quick child."
"Really?"
"I've been through worse today."