011 - [Video]

[makainoou]

[It's difficult to see much of anything, because Laharl is posting this from the usually cozy interior of his coffin. The only light is coming from the SFC itself. His red eyes seem to drink it in like cats' eyes, but the rest of his face is indistinct.]

Is this w-what it feels like to be s-sick?

[Someone may have panicked a little and not checked any other posts.]

Comments

[pendragon]

Any, I believe. I'm all for the act of shaking hands. [ Even though she can tell somewhat how Laharl feels about the idea from his reaction and knowing him, the knight is eager to make it obvious she has no intentions on being anymore physical than that. ]

[makainoou]

Nnngh...

I guess that w-wouldn't be terrible if it was y-you.

[Yeah, he's about as thrilled as she is, if not less so.]

M-maybe I'll just go out and p-punch people.

[pendragon]

Punching people, hm. [ The knight thinks about it for a moment. ] I wonder if the contact has to be mutually wanted? This is a curse, it could be complicated. [ A gentle sigh. ]

Let me know if you would like to meet up anywhere.

[makainoou]

W-we could try punching each other.

[Best solution. Laharl shifts onto his back in his coffin as he considers the possibility of leaving it.]

Tch. Guess it's not any w-warmer in here. Your place is b-by the library, right?

[pendragon]

You're correct. It's apartment 6. [ Saber tilts her head. ] You did want to come visit, didn't you? I am free this afternoon.

[ She hesitates. ] I'm not so sure I want to punch you, though..

[makainoou]

Yeah, all right.

[Light floods into the picture as he pushes up the lid of the coffin with his free hand and sits up. Well, dim light, but still light. He doesn't open his blinds.]

W-why not? You think it'd hurt?

[pendragon]

No, that's not so much it. [ A shake of her head. ] I have never punched anyone. It seems kind of.. pointless. I can set my hand on your shoulder, instead.

[makainoou]

What's so p-pointless about it? It can be r-really satisfying to just hit someone.

can just continue in this thread, switch to action?

[pendragon]

..Hm. [ Saber's not too sure she believes him. She's done an awful lot to many people than just "hit" them. ] No matter. I am going to end my feed, if you do not mind.

[ Saber wants to prepare some tea since she's having a visitor. Laharl had seemed eager to visit before, so she wanted to be an adequate host. ]

I need to prepare for your arrival, after all.

video --> action!

[makainoou]

Yeah, w-whatever.

[In other words, no, he doesn't mind. Once she's turned it off, he climbs out of his coffin, stretches, shivers, and sets out for her apartment. She'll have plenty of time to make her tea, because although he could get there pretty quickly by flying, the idea seems... cold, right now. He keeps his scarf up around his face and close at his back, for all the good it does.

He doesn't knock when he arrives, but attempts to walk right in.]

Oi, Saber.

[pendragon]

[ Saber is walking in the hallway from the kitchen to the living room when Laharl comes in. The door was unlocked, so there was nothing impeding him. Looking down the hallway at the sudden intrusion, Saber merely nods after a moment and continues to carry the tray into the living room. It has hot earl grey tea and sugar cookies.

The knight was actually out and about while she was first speaking with Laharl, but now she's home. So, her armor has disappeared and she remains in her dress. ]

Come in, Laharl. I have just finished preparing tea. [ As he comes in, he'll be able to notice that there isn't much decorating done in Saber's apartments; not by her, at least. The Ordo Apartments are nicely furnished and decorated, but one can tell they were pre-decorated as nothing seems personal. Saber moved items around to make room, but she hasn't brought anything to add much to her home to make it "hers".

Yes, Laharl is there to.. punch her or shake hands or whatever he needs to do to warm up, but she's still kind of uneasy about the idea of just.. suddenly having physical contact with him for that reason. She won't delay if he suddenly asks for it, though. ]

[makainoou]

[Aside from the trash, and the rats its attracted, his coffin is about the only addition Laharl made to his appartment, so... he doesn't really notice that she hasn't decorated. He'd likely only notice if she had added something personal.

Laharl heads down the hallway to join her in the living room. He raises an eyebrow at the tray. So that's what she meant by "prepare."]

You m-make tea for all your guests?

[pendragon]

[ She looks down to the tea tray she had set on the small table beneath the two large cushioned chairs. ] I don't often have guests, but when I do.. yes, I have been preparing tea. [ She hadn't really thought about it; it was normal for her both where she grew up and then where she visited in Japan.

With that, Saber turns to look towards Laharl. He did look cold. Yes, she felt chilled, but.. ]

..Would you like to punch me, then? [ Saber doesn't even recognize how awkward that sounds, but she doesn't want him to be uncomfortable. ]

[makainoou]

[It actually isn't that uncommon in the Netherworld either, but Laharl doesn't typical receive guests so much as assassins, nor does he visit so much as invade.]

It should b-be the other way around. I have a hard time going easy, and I d-don't actually hate you.

[The awkward seems to be lost on Laharl as well.]

[pendragon]

Knights do not punch. [ Saber sighs as she closes her eyes, thinking. That tea was going to get cold..

Her hand was put out suddenly, in an obvious offer of a handshake. ]

If you won't punch me and I won't punch you, then shake my hand. [ Saber has noticed an odd theme with Laharl; he's not too keen on anything that may be considered.. perhaps friendly or .. ? If that is the case.. ] If you need a reason to shake my hand, see this as an agreement of mutual respect as leaders.

[ They saw that in each other equally, didn't they? He had acknowledged her a king, and she had no issues recognizing his rank as Overlord. ]

[makainoou]

[Laharl regards her hand doubtfully, but at length he slowly extends his own to take it. There's a strange feeling of warmth flowing into him at the contact that makes him hold onto her hand a little longer than he normally would have.]

Mutual respect, huh?

[pendragon]

Aye. Does that not sound appropriate to you?

[ Her hand shake is firm, more than what one would expect from a hand the size of hers, but it's not overbearing.

Saber doesn't let go of his hand, as she realizes it might take him a while to warm up. As soon as he begins to withdraw, she'll do the same. Besides, she's also benefiting from this. She hadn't began to feel noticeably cold yet, but she feels much warmer now. ]

[makainoou]

[Laharl holds on long enough to stop shivering, but any longer is a little too much for him, and some chill remains. He pulls his hand back, folds his arms, and gives a nod.]

I guess it does.

[pendragon]

You're here, so please, join me for tea before you leave. What do you think of my home? [ The knight steps over to one of the paired and large comfortable chairs, sitting in it. She pours herself tea. Saber always puts out several options for sweetening; there's sugar, honey, and milk. ]

[makainoou]

Seems pretty comfortable. It's certainly spacious.

[Laharl seats himself in the other chair, looking rather small in it with his feet not quite touching the floor. He waits out of habit, expecting her to pour tea for him as well.]

[pendragon]

[ Saber pours her own tea, and puts honey in it. When Laharl doesn't do the same, she realizes her mistake. She had done that with Ilyasviel as her guest, too.. ]

Ah, [ she shakes her head, ] I'm not used to serving. [ With that, she pours Laharl a cup of tea. ] Please, sweeten it to your tastes.

[makainoou]

[Laharl shrugs it off and takes the cup from her.]

Me neither.

[...and he wouldn't have in her position. Then again, he wouldn't have made tea for a guest in the first place. People could use his kitchen if they really wanted to.

He takes a sip (or maybe more of a slurp) of the tea, black.]

So how come you're so against punching anyway? I get prefering to fight with a sword, but if you're disarmed or your enemy isn't paying attention, what else are you going to do?

[pendragon]

Well. [ Those were all good questions. The knight takes a moment to enjoy her tea. ]

I cannot be disarmed, and if an enemy is silly enough to not pay attention during battle.. they'll be cut down, won't they?

[makainoou]

[Laharl grins at her answer, but then goes on:]

Can't be disarmed, huh? So your sword's part of you?

[pendragon]

[ A nod and grin in return. ] In my lifetime, no one could handle Caliburn or Excalibur except for me. And now as a Heroic Spirit, Excalibur can only be used and materialized by my will.