ars_nova: (pic#10866727)

[personal profile] ars_nova 2018-10-11 10:25 pm (UTC)(link)
He knows he would appreciate his coffee if it was piping hot. He prefers his in less tongue-searing temperatures, thanks.

"Maybe or-" he proposes, munching absently to another sugar cookie. "Maybe is a consequence of you thinking your body as human, instead of a manifested spirit. Like, if you think you should just do things as a magus does now with an extra boost, rather than realizing you're no longer just that." It makes worse that he's a Caster. While first, it seems like a logical easy choice, maybe the differences would be clearer if he was an Assassin or an Archer.

He takes a sip of his coffee and lets that sink in, for a while.

He agrees about the controlled environment testing. They have the simulator for that kind of thing.
ars_nova: (pic#10864188)

[personal profile] ars_nova 2018-10-11 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Roman would sympathize with Waver's frustration. He's the idiot who gave up all his power and authority for a chance of freedom to live as a stressed middle-aged man. But it's his life and likes it that way. "Lord El Melloi II," he says gently, thinking maybe he should choose a less dramatic name for these conversations. "Zhuge Liang isn't anymore with you, you can choose what to do next." He's not going to force him to change his self-perception.

"Oh yeah, about that," Roman coughs and anxiously scratches his cheek. He has completely forgotten to tell him. "I was worried about it and made a quick research about Pseudo Servants before your case." Mash aside. Galahad's presence doesn't change her body cruel expiration date. "I found out that Jeanne D'Arc has memories of becoming a Pseudo Servant in some, um, Great Holy Grail War." Checkers instead of Chess, and the freestyle they are used to in the Grand Order. "Apparently the girl who became her vessel, Laeticia, lived without any lasting side effects as far as she knows. Astolfo confirmed this, he carried the girl to safety after Jeanne left her. "

Crazy, right? He reaches out to nibble another sugar cookie. And she had a human body, not materialization as he suspects is Waver's case. Roman just hopes he doesn't glare at him too much for not letting him known sooner.
ars_nova: (pic#10866325)

[personal profile] ars_nova 2018-10-12 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
He looks down briefly, flinching guiltily when he says 'having it sooner'. He has forgotten about it between juggling the missions and everything else. But he still feels bad the poor man has carried this fear unnecessarily.

But if he knows this and still is reluctant then.

"Huh. Well, May I ask-" he gives a pause, to order his thoughts and take another sip of his coffee. "What you're really afraid of?"

He knows he's walking on eggshells with this one, but might as well rip the band-aid off. Lord El Melloi II came to seek him for consultation, so it's entirely sensible he asks that. If not being maimed, or a reduced lifespan, the hesitation has another source.

He braves another hard question.

"Maybe... Are you wondering how you'll feel when all this ends?"
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[personal profile] ars_nova 2018-10-12 02:56 am (UTC)(link)
Checking out the mental health of the staff is also his job. So this isn't out of question. He doesn't bat an eyelash when at the snapping. He deserves it and expects it.

"On addition of changing your fundamental nature, which is stressing enough on its own because you feel like a newborn," he says, nodding slowly to let him know he's aware of his stakes, "You also got something you might have wanted." That's his guess. He seems so self-loathing about his skill as magus even he has picked that up. "But you don't know how long it will last."

He sets down the cup of coffee and looks at him without finishing his guess. That maybe he's reluctant to embrace something he'll lose and will remain a memory where he fought side by side with Humanity legends to save the world.
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[personal profile] ars_nova 2018-10-12 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
Roman watches him for a long time, not saying anything yet. He looks tired and needing of slippers and comfy pajamas more than Roman does. Until he breaks the tense silence to ask an important question: "More coffee?"

Someday, he'll completely read the mood, but it is not today.

Even if he's reluctant, there's one thing he gets from his anxiety. "You want to fight with the Servants," he says. Not just out duty, when he could use his strategic skills from the control room, Roman has offered to keep him out the field missions in the past. "No matter how you got this, if you want to do it, you should take the chance now you have it. Yes, it'll end someday, and it'll be sad and probably very scarring." He can't mince his words. "But I think it'll be worse if you lived your whole life knowing you had a chance to do it, and you never took it up."
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[personal profile] ars_nova 2018-10-12 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
"Coming right away!" Roman happily reaches for the cup and disappears briefly into the kitchen area. When he returns, now also carrying two slices of strawberry cake (because he can easily match the King of Knights' appetite if let loose), he gives it back to Lord El-Melloi II.

He seats himself back and hears all about the missing fragment of the puzzle. He's about to ask his name and tell him that maybe they can just summon this Servant, but he doesn't think that'll solve his anxiety. It's about a memory of an irreplaceable moment.

"There are times Masters and Servants are just a contractual relationship," Roman says, nodding slowly. "But other times, there's a bond forge enough to mark and change one or both of them for a lifetime. You shouldn't feel ashamed of that, Lord El-Melloi II. I know what you must be feeling."

He stops, hurriedly stabbing the strawberry on the cake topping to chomp it down. He's got caught in the moment and said something he shouldn't. But hopefully, the other man doesn't pick that up.
ars_nova: (pic#10938529)

goodnight!

[personal profile] ars_nova 2018-10-12 03:56 am (UTC)(link)
No, no, NO. This isn't happening. He's not going to switch topics on him. This is Waver's consultation and unresolved feelings.

"Yes, um-b-by observing how Ritsuka and all the Servants bond during missions," Roman tries to amend his slip with a tight smile. But the way it seems he's forcing to look at him when his eyes sometimes wander to the cake may give it away.

Cross his heart. Please believe him.
ars_nova: (pic#10866325)

[personal profile] ars_nova 2018-10-12 11:49 pm (UTC)(link)
The way Roman's tense shoulders sagged when El Melloi II bought that is a certain indication he uses Ritsuka as a cover-up. He feels a little guilty to hide his secret when he just opened up to him, but this is about the other man. His consultation. It'll be unprofessional to burden him with his secrets.

"You're not a liability," Roman corrects him lightly, "And I'm thinking about scheduled sessions in the simulator." He pauses to slice a portion of cake. "Every time Ritsuka needs to practice."
ars_nova: (pic#10864188)

DAMN I MISREAD THAT wait

[personal profile] ars_nova 2018-10-13 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
After today's success, he feels like Lord El Melloi II is going to drop by. He doesn't have a fresh bottle of wine or cigars to offer him for the celebration, but Roman has made coffee and actually... tried his hand at some poorly formed but edible cupcakes. He's wanted to surprise him and tried his best to at least not burn them.

Despite knowing he'll likely stop by, he's still wearing the embarrassing ensemble from the last time. He feels comfortable enough to not hide this from the other man. Which is an important sign of trust of an individual as secretive as Romani.

"Congratulations on your progress!" he exclaims as welcome, clapping enthusiastically.
Edited 2018-10-13 00:28 (UTC)
ars_nova: (pic#10938526)

[personal profile] ars_nova 2018-10-13 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, that's--" Roman gasps to see the cake. A gift. He brought him a gift. To him. When was the last time someone did that? He suddenly feels his eyes get a little cloudy. "T-That looks incredible and delicious. Thank you!" he says sincerely, "I, um," he hesitates to look at the deformed vanilla cupcakes on the table. "I also tried to bake you something, but as expected Mr. Emiya's Bakery Ex Skills can't be beaten!"

Maybe he can just give them to Fou.
ars_nova: (pic#10866325)

[personal profile] ars_nova 2018-10-13 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
Roman maybe me choking a sob. Lord El Melloi II is just too good and kind to him. He doesn't deserve this. "I'm sure you'll surpass me if you tried," he points out because he's born and raised on England, the land of legendary tea parties! Certainly, that's an experience he can't best.

True to be told, Roman's capable of making some delicious dango and pancakes but neither seemed very appropriate for the occasion. His experimental test with the cupcakes is, needless to say, mediocre.

"Uhm, you're welcome," he says, scratching his cheek bashfully. He lets the other man settle down before asking the million of dollar question. "So," Roman pauses after serving the coffee, "Do you feel confident to fight alongside other Servants now?"
ars_nova: (pic#10866727)

[personal profile] ars_nova 2018-10-13 01:27 am (UTC)(link)
"You have plenty of time here," Roman reminds him. It could be a useful skill in case he's facing an enemy who can only be defeated by a cook-off, alright? That's not even as ridiculous as the challenges they face daily.

He sips his coffee and thinks how to word his answer. "The perspective... of the man behind the title and the Caster Class." He gives him a serious glance. He's not asking the Clocktower Teacher, nor the Pseudo Servant.

He's asking what he wants underneath all that.
Edited 2018-10-13 01:31 (UTC)
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[personal profile] ars_nova 2018-10-13 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
"Fine, fine. I guess I thought you might find that relaxing," Roman complains a little. He does take up gardening when games aren't enough. In the past, anyway, right now he can't afford a hobby.

That sigh is a good sign. It means he's caught him and he'll be honest.

"There are simple missions you could still join," Roman says. Like facing those scary Arms of Dawn in the woodland. Plenty of Experience! "But when you feel ready, you should let me know. Just remember not to take too long, chances like this one come very rarely."

He still needs a little nudging as motivation.

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I DIDN'T SEE THIS I'M SORRY.

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and we can move this!

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