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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2015 3:28:16 GMT
The hug was not expected, to say the least. Arturia was momentarily stunned by the whole thing, eyes slightly widened from surprise as Mordred embraced her. This was very much not the Mordred she had come to know, but...perhaps she didn't know Mordred at all. This whole thing had been caused by a lack of mutual understanding between the two, and both had turned themselves into ideals rather than people. The only difference was Mordred became something very different in life, but it took the afterlife for Arturia to see the necessary change. Still, at long last, things had finally been changed and mended between the two.
And so her arms found themselves hugging Mordred back, patting her reassuringly as the sobbing began. Though she did not feel the need to cry, she could understand the need. "It's alright, Mordred." she calmly whispered. It was perhaps the greatest moment of weakness Mordred had ever shown, and...well, not quite the greatest for herself, but certainly one of them. It was a time when such weakness was acceptable though, as they had no enemies in wait nor any wars to fight at the exact moment. Their battlefield was in a different time and different place, so right her and now, they could afford to let their guard down.
An odd thought ran through her head during this, being about Mordred's choice of clothing. Was it simply a rebellion thing? Was she now rebelling against conventional clothing? She'd seen some interesting outfits before, but she did not expect such of someone from her own time. It could have been something she picked up after being summoned; Arturia had no way of gauging how long Mordred had been present at Chaldea before her own summoning. It was ultimately not something she intended to pursue unless Mordred brought it up though, since it was trivial in comparison to what had been accomplished today.
"Now, pull yourself together. You don't want others to see this side of you, do you?" she was careful to avoid using the words 'see you like this'. She felt the phrase in this case would be like denying that this too was a part of who Mordred was. Self-denial was the path of a perfect knight, but she'd already tread that path and so too had Mordred. It ultimately became self-destructive for both, so it was time to start avoiding it and accepting that there are other parts to them than just knighthood and chivalry.
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Post by Mordred on Nov 1, 2015 18:11:17 GMT
The sobbing changed focus several times. Sometimes it was deep, bitter regret at failing her father so utterly. Sometimes it was relief that things were better now. Sometimes it was even joy at the possibilities that lay ahead. What made it truly come together, though, was the fact that Arturia was there, patiently returning the hug. Mordred was not one to express such a great amount of weakness, as such, it was especially tender for her, and rejection could have caused a total relapse.
The sobbing dies down at her father’s reassurance that things were alright. It was such a simple gesture, but for someone with an idolization both restored and tempered by experience and advice, it was especially powerful. The contentment that sprang from those words was so calming, so relaxing, that she for a few moments could truly believe no problems existed.
The words that came after brought Mordred back to herself, and pulls away, giving a quick nod. Her armor reforms itself immediately, helmet tucked away inside the metal. “Of course, father. I hope I did not overly inconvenience you.” She smiles at Arturia, pure, untouched emotion. “I would like to know more about your experiences that led you to this change of heart...but that can wait.”
No longer did she have to live underneath the burden of the twin betrayals. No longer did she need to question herself, her capabilities, or her circumstances. And no longer did she have to question the judgment of her beautiful, radiant father. She’d been given something she hadn’t thought possible, the ability to return to service, accomplishing something grand and noble, alongside the king and father she loved dearly. For perhaps the first time in her life, Mordred was truly, unreservedly happy. And with her father’s approval, there was nothing that could take that away from her.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2015 22:31:24 GMT
Arturia let Mordred go when she decided to end the hug, maintaining the calm reaffirming expression. The expression on her son's face was one she had only seen once; back when she first brought forth the truth of her heritage. The unbridled joy of being the son of her idol...something equivalent to that happened today, and it was perhaps the first true change she'd managed to make since the end of her reign. It was a good feeling, and it was one she intended to savor.
"Why not catch up now? No time like the present." she responded, casually resting a hand on Mordred's shoulder. She couldn't help but acknowledge her own curiosity about Mordred's time here as well. On top of that, the odds of them having time with just the two of them could never be judged; they may be called into back to back missions. In a war, any unoccupied time was to be maximized and well-spent. They couldn't talk like this on a mission, so...
"I'm curious about what you've been doing in your time here as well; I'd guess that you have been summoned a little longer than I have." her addition came with a pat on the shoulder from her resting hand, a small echo from the pauldron following. She hadn't manifested her own armor, not feeling much of a need to nor feeling any threat from Mordred's own. It was likely a personal choice that had little to do with what was going on. Back during the Holy Grail Wars, when she was first summoned, she tended to keep her armor equipped at all times. It was only after time passed that she felt comfortable outside of her armor between battles.
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Post by Mordred on Nov 4, 2015 23:10:02 GMT
Mordred all but beamed as her father wanted to spend more time with her. She hadn’t expected it...but then, she hadn’t expected any of this, so maybe being a bit greedier wouldn’t be a bad thing, then? “I wouldn’t mind that at all, Father. I just...assumed this might be a bit much.” She takes a breath. “Then, allow me to phrase it as a question. You said that, during your times as a Servant, you underwent experiences that helped you see things differently. You can imagine how curious I must be, considering it led do...this…”
Her own experiences seemed so much less consequential to Mordred. A few things did stand out, however...Arturia definitely deserved warning about what she was getting into. “I suppose you should have fair warning. Merlin is here, and he is as intolerable as ever.” The headaches she had to endure because of that man were all but uncounted, and that number only grew after they had met each other once again. “Uncooperative in battle, unbearable outside of it...I had hoped to be rid of him.”
Aside from what would be immediately relevant to Arturia, though, there was one more thing she should say. “Also, during the time I was here...I grew acquainted with another Heroic Spirit, Lady Brynhild. She’s a marvelous combatant, our last sparring match took nearly five minutes! She’s an excellent cook, she’s generous, kind, and wise. If it wasn’t for her, I don’t think I would have been able to speak with you as I did, and for that, I owe her a great deal.” The dissatisfied expression that had grown since speaking about Merlin gave way to happy smiles as she gushed about her newfound companion. “I hope you will be able to meet her sometime. I could ask her if we could all have dinner together sometime in the future, when one of us is not on assignment.”
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