I do not normally approve of deception as a method, but your intentions are noble, are they not?
[Sometimes people cannot help themselves and one must resort to dirtier tactics for their own good. Caren is helping Saber even if Saber cannot recognize it as such.]
[Caren is preaching to the choir about frustrating Sabers right now. The self-flagellation is endless.]
Then I'm sure your efforts will not be wasted. Wearing fine clothes certainly always brightens my mood. I cannot imagine the same to be untrue for Saber.
And here I assumed you enjoyed the opportunity to strip me.
Just be careful not to make her into your problem, Caren.
[It's all well and good to have a project, but one must be careful not to become too invested in trying to alleviate something like what Saber is walking around with. Challenging a Heroic Spirit's inability to think of themselves beyond their function is a daunting task to say the least.]
I shall take it into consideration if you are able to behave yourself.
[One could easily argue that Ozymandias already made that mistake with the Saber he has more familiarity with, but it's a bit different when it's Servant to Servant. There are simply some things that only other Servants have any understanding for, never mind ultimately the patience.]
I don't believe you'd have much to worry about from her. You'd sooner drive yourself mad before she would ever truly put up a fuss. As unbecoming as it is for a king to be so passive, that's simply how they tend to be as kings.
[Does this mean naps??? Because she wants pets if there's naps involved. As for Servants...She knows there's a notable difference even from summon to summon- one just has to look to the two Cus to see it. But...]
They're the living symbol of their people. I'm aware. However...this incarnation of Saber is...familiar to me. But the one I knew was...
I haven't had the opportunity to meet this Saber for myself, but I shall take your word for it.
[Or, well. He hasn't met this Saber in the waking world in any case. There's really no telling for sure, however, if the Saber he crossed paths with in that dream is the same that ended up in this world. That's the trouble with Servants...]
Show her your kindnesses, of course, but I'd advise you not to trouble yourself too much over it. Whatever has affected her that deeply will not be easily undone. Attending to basic needs she might otherwise neglect is perhaps the most you may be able to accomplish.
[Not for a lack of trying or even skill, but Servants are an incredibly stubborn lot. Combine that with the Pendragons' need to self-flagellate, and... Well. It's a lot to unpack as they say.]
You've freely given me your time. What you do with the rest of it is of little concern to me, but what is now mine shall remain that way. I, of all people, shall not be made to share. [Caren is a big girl and can do what she wants with who she wants, but what she's given to Ozymandias he is keeping for himself, ok? ok.] And anything that would put your health at potential risk, I would tolerate even less than that.
[He did not spend months hassling her to nap for no reason.]
Have you considered the possibility of simply beginning your own restaurant? I've already told you that what you make is far above the standard fare offered in this city. It seems a shame that you should not profit from all your hard work.
Why would I refer to you as a consort? Unless there is something I'm not remembering, we haven't combined households.
[And you can't be a consort until you do that, duh! That's how marriage works: you get a joint checking account together and then you're (basically) married. Listen, don't blame him. Ancient Egyptians didn't have wedding ceremonies.]
But if you do possess some concern, I would not anticipate much change from how we have always been, Caren. You may count yourself among my lovers, but my respect and affection for you as a friend shall always remain.
[That's better, right???]
Ha! That would be like me to manipulate the situation that way, but that was not actually my intention this time. I would anticipate you wouldn't need much guidance from me to proceed with such an undertaking.
We haven't. But I also know you like to tease me at every chance.
[Oz knows how to make her sputter, unlike most. And with knowing her reaction last time...she would have made some sort. Even if it was to exclaim in disgust.
They could have a wedding ceremony, if they really wanted. She is still, technically a priestess.
But while his answer is expected, it still...stings. But they were never in love. They're just friends with benefits. That's really the best she can attain, really.
It's better then just being a booty call. Ah, she forgot to keep writing, didn't she? Oops.]
I was trying to tease you, you know. Just because we had sex once, we don't have to assume lover status. We don't have to announce anything to the world either. We are as we always are- friends. If we so desire intimacy, then we can discuss it as it comes up.
Back to the restaurant idea. I know what steps it would take, some of the little things as well.
The only problem at this point would be finding a suitable right hand.
I don't want to sink my whole time to this. I have the project in Dorchact, for one.
[Ozymandias notices the long lapse in her answer, wondering if perhaps he's managed to ruffle her feathers and put her off-balance again with his words. Or, it seems possible he supposes, something else has her attention for the moment. He is preemptively quite pleased with himself until she responds and it's entirely not what he was expecting.]
[He gets the sense he's said something wrong. It seems to be the only way to interpret what she's said in return with her clarification as something about it seems...withdrawn. Colder than their back and forth just a moment ago. It even seems to bleed over into her discussion of the possibility of running her own business. He re-reads their messages quickly a few times to try and how exactly he misread and made his subsequent misstep, but it just doesn't seem apparent to him. Something to look at closer some other time and consider then, he supposes.]
[He types a few things out. "As you wish." "If that is what you want." "I'm sorry if I've upset you. I didn't mean to imply" But none of those words survive and he deletes them. Ozymandias decides the best thing to do is to leave it be. The Watches are not really the best medium for talking about this.]
[Of course, by now, he seems to be the one silent for an overly long period of time. He's quick to write out his response regarding her concerns about the restaurant.]
I'm sure one of your housemates would be willing to lend his support and take some of the responsibilities for you. But if either of them do not seem suitable, there is nothing wrong with taking your time to find someone.
It is perhaps wiser that you do. That person will need to be someone you trust to keep things running well in your absence.
[She does have a way of being unpredictable. But this time, it's not in the way he may like. And...she's not going to speak of it easily. It's easier to divert the flow of conversation from where the problem lies.
Especially when she blames herself, and not him for it. The fact that it takes him awhile to answer-he doesn't owe her his full attention. It's fine.]
Of the four of them...no, none of them would suit. Two have different professions, one isn't good with people, and the fourth has his own issues to deal with right now.
Still. No need to rush. It's still only an idea. More planning needs to be done before I get to that stage.
When you find yourself moving closer to that stage, feel free to call upon me for an investment if you require it to get started. I won't ask for any form of interest and it doesn't need to be an on-going investment if you don't desire it to be.
[As far as he's concerned, he doesn't need to profit from her hard work, but he would like to see her succeed. So, if he needs to put something up-front to get her over those beginning stages, he doesn't mind providing the financial assistance until she's able to stand on her own.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[Sometimes people cannot help themselves and one must resort to dirtier tactics for their own good. Caren is helping Saber even if Saber cannot recognize it as such.]
no subject
I've already pushed her emotionally. Her depression is...frustrating.
[And maybe some fashion can help! If she doesn't dress as a knight, maybe she can feel more comfortable in her skin.]
no subject
Then I'm sure your efforts will not be wasted. Wearing fine clothes certainly always brightens my mood. I cannot imagine the same to be untrue for Saber.
no subject
It'd brighten my mood to see you wear nothing at all.
But all teasing aside, I have some hope for her. We shall see.
no subject
Just be careful not to make her into your problem, Caren.
[It's all well and good to have a project, but one must be careful not to become too invested in trying to alleviate something like what Saber is walking around with. Challenging a Heroic Spirit's inability to think of themselves beyond their function is a daunting task to say the least.]
no subject
I'll do my best. I know I'd it annoying if someone would try that on me.
[Only Saber can make herself happy. And...well, for a Servant to grow took time and an ability to adjust.
Some were doing far better then others.]
no subject
[One could easily argue that Ozymandias already made that mistake with the Saber he has more familiarity with, but it's a bit different when it's Servant to Servant. There are simply some things that only other Servants have any understanding for, never mind ultimately the patience.]
I don't believe you'd have much to worry about from her. You'd sooner drive yourself mad before she would ever truly put up a fuss. As unbecoming as it is for a king to be so passive, that's simply how they tend to be as kings.
no subject
[Does this mean naps??? Because she wants pets if there's naps involved. As for Servants...She knows there's a notable difference even from summon to summon- one just has to look to the two Cus to see it. But...]
They're the living symbol of their people. I'm aware. However...this incarnation of Saber is...familiar to me. But the one I knew was...
Happier. This one is a shadow of herself.
no subject
[Or, well. He hasn't met this Saber in the waking world in any case. There's really no telling for sure, however, if the Saber he crossed paths with in that dream is the same that ended up in this world. That's the trouble with Servants...]
Show her your kindnesses, of course, but I'd advise you not to trouble yourself too much over it. Whatever has affected her that deeply will not be easily undone. Attending to basic needs she might otherwise neglect is perhaps the most you may be able to accomplish.
[Not for a lack of trying or even skill, but Servants are an incredibly stubborn lot. Combine that with the Pendragons' need to self-flagellate, and... Well. It's a lot to unpack as they say.]
no subject
[Is she inviting him for a gossip session? Absolutely.]
If this Saber doesn't eat...then there's something quite wrong with her.
[Glutton. She's calling the king a glutton.]
no subject
[Male. Female. Saber. Lancer. Alter.]
[No matter the form, the King of Knights has likely never said no to a meal before in their life.]
no subject
no subject
When you are not responsible for keeping them fed.
[He might miss Arthur, but that food bill isn't something he misses if he's to be honest.]
no subject
[That'd be a lot of cooking for her, and she already cooks for...seven people? Though technically the Food Spirits don't need to eat, so.]
no subject
[he does tho 8)]
no subject
In all seriousness, I'm not inviting her into my home as a resident. As it stands, I should...look into hiring a part time cook.
[She is picky about who to hire though...]
no subject
[He did not spend months hassling her to nap for no reason.]
Have you considered the possibility of simply beginning your own restaurant? I've already told you that what you make is far above the standard fare offered in this city. It seems a shame that you should not profit from all your hard work.
no subject
[She's not going to take away from their time together ok. But also consort, yuck.]
I assure you, I've been behaving. But...my own restaurant? Truly? I...suppose one hasn't been established by the mirrorbound before but...
You're not suggesting this so we spend more time together, are you?
no subject
[And you can't be a consort until you do that, duh! That's how marriage works: you get a joint checking account together and then you're (basically) married. Listen, don't blame him. Ancient Egyptians didn't have wedding ceremonies.]
But if you do possess some concern, I would not anticipate much change from how we have always been, Caren. You may count yourself among my lovers, but my respect and affection for you as a friend shall always remain.
[That's better, right???]
Ha! That would be like me to manipulate the situation that way, but that was not actually my intention this time. I would anticipate you wouldn't need much guidance from me to proceed with such an undertaking.
no subject
[Oz knows how to make her sputter, unlike most. And with knowing her reaction last time...she would have made some sort. Even if it was to exclaim in disgust.
They could have a wedding ceremony, if they really wanted. She is still, technically a priestess.
But while his answer is expected, it still...stings. But they were never in love. They're just friends with benefits. That's really the best she can attain, really.
It's better then just being a booty call. Ah, she forgot to keep writing, didn't she? Oops.]
I was trying to tease you, you know. Just because we had sex once, we don't have to assume lover status. We don't have to announce anything to the world either. We are as we always are- friends. If we so desire intimacy, then we can discuss it as it comes up.
Back to the restaurant idea. I know what steps it would take, some of the little things as well.
The only problem at this point would be finding a suitable right hand.
I don't want to sink my whole time to this. I have the project in Dorchact, for one.
no subject
[He gets the sense he's said something wrong. It seems to be the only way to interpret what she's said in return with her clarification as something about it seems...withdrawn. Colder than their back and forth just a moment ago. It even seems to bleed over into her discussion of the possibility of running her own business. He re-reads their messages quickly a few times to try and how exactly he misread and made his subsequent misstep, but it just doesn't seem apparent to him. Something to look at closer some other time and consider then, he supposes.]
[He types a few things out. "As you wish." "If that is what you want." "I'm sorry if I've upset you. I didn't mean to imply" But none of those words survive and he deletes them. Ozymandias decides the best thing to do is to leave it be. The Watches are not really the best medium for talking about this.]
[Of course, by now, he seems to be the one silent for an overly long period of time. He's quick to write out his response regarding her concerns about the restaurant.]
I'm sure one of your housemates would be willing to lend his support and take some of the responsibilities for you. But if either of them do not seem suitable, there is nothing wrong with taking your time to find someone.
It is perhaps wiser that you do. That person will need to be someone you trust to keep things running well in your absence.
no subject
Especially when she blames herself, and not him for it. The fact that it takes him awhile to answer-he doesn't owe her his full attention. It's fine.]
Of the four of them...no, none of them would suit. Two have different professions, one isn't good with people, and the fourth has his own issues to deal with right now.
Still. No need to rush. It's still only an idea. More planning needs to be done before I get to that stage.
no subject
[As far as he's concerned, he doesn't need to profit from her hard work, but he would like to see her succeed. So, if he needs to put something up-front to get her over those beginning stages, he doesn't mind providing the financial assistance until she's able to stand on her own.]
no subject
[He still wants her to succeed. He's so...wholesome. She really can't be angry at him, just at herself for her foolishness.]
But for now, I'd best get back to work. Take care.
no subject
(no subject)