[ disturbances of war ]

[sacredashes]

[When Asch gets to the Plane, he looks like he's been running a while. He's not about to fall over, but whatever he's been through-- whatever he's seen-- has obviously disturbed him. A quick glance at his tabard-armor and bloodied sword suggests he's spent some time fighting.

He's assured the safety of one bossy princess but he still needs to talk to another.]

Where is she?! Tch-- Troublesome woman, I knew this would happen!

[RARGH GRUMP STOMP STOMP. He sheathes his sword, but he doesn't look any happier, and starts toward the library. Maybe she's there.

He could probably wash the blood off too but-- you know. Priorities.]

Comments

[sosweet]

[ Saga is cosily and deeply asleep in an armchair, his head resting in one hand. The Library is a good place for isolation and silence.

You must be careful, Asch or not. ]

[sacredashes]

[Like he's ever careful. Especially when he's trying to find someone.]

You! [Asch delivers a swift kick to the armchair.] Wake up! Where is Morgana?

[sosweet]

[ He wakes up at the forceful motion. About to send Asch to another dimensionprotest, the mention of Morgana makes him glare at the stranger. ]

Why do you want to know? Who are you?

[sacredashes]

A friend. I just walked into Camelot instead of a dungeon, so I believe it's my business to know where she is. She frequents the library and she's not here.

So tell me. Where did she go?

[sosweet]

[ So... he can also get into Camelot. What unsettles Saga is how profound is their 'friendship' because of this. Just a little. ]

I have no answer to your question, unfortunately. She must be at home.

[sacredashes]

[If the red favor-- once her sash-- tied to his upper arm is any indication, they're pretty close.

He levels a glare at Saga, not trusting him, but that's no surprise. A few tense seconds later, he finally relents and turns around.]

Then I'll continue my search elsewhere.

[sosweet]

[ There‘s a grunt of approval. Willing to have his sleep once more, the favor catches his attention-- ]

--Wait.

[sacredashes]

[He stops and glances halfway over his shoulder.]

What?

[sosweet]

[ Eyes don't leave the sight off the sash. ]

She gave you that?

[sacredashes]

[He glances at his arm, and then Saga. He doesn't gloat about it.]

... Yes. It was a long time ago.

[sosweet]

[ Saga didn't know how long he was staring at the sash. His expression, as blank as it looked, wasn't able to hide what was about to happen: the shade of the small lamp on the table next to him makes a crack noise first, and then... it shatters completely into tiny bits, with bulb and all.

He doesn't blink at the sound nor at what's left of the lamp, only a breath in and out from inside his lungs. ]

[sacredashes]

[Asch only flinches in that he takes a step back, expecting the broken remains of the lamp to be launched at his face. But he is fine, and Saga is as strange as ever.]

Is there a problem?

[sosweet]

[ That wasn't supposed to happen, dammit. ]

No... there isn't.

[ It isn't something one should react to. Saga, you're being ridiculous, and childish. ]

I apologize. It won't happen again.

[blackstarsenal]

You shouldn't make so much noise-- ?!

[ It's impossible not to notice the stompstompstomping going on, but Tsubaki's hushed reprimand is cut short at the sight (and smell) of blood -- ]

Ah-- are hurt?

[sacredashes]

[He glances over his shoulder.]

I'm fine. Have you seen a woman dressed in royal robes? Long, dark wavy hair? Her name is Morgana. I need to speak with her, now.

[blackstarsenal]

[ Tsubaki shakes her head. ]

No, I haven't, I'm sorry. [ Not content with merely answering the young man's question, not when he seems upset. ] But I can help you look for her! What other place do you know that she frequents?

[sacredashes]

[He looks a little ticked off, but he's not directing it at her. That's progress.]

The kitchen. Sometimes, the bathhouse. If you see her, tell her it is urgent.

I'm going to keep looking.

[blackstarsenal]

[ Tsubaki only furrows her brow as she nods. Apologies only do so much to help, and more than once would not help in this kind of situation. ] Alright. I will come find you here, once I am done, um--

May I have your name, in the case I need to get in touch with you? I'm Tsubaki, by the way.

[sacredashes]

[He threatened to kill the last person who thanked him. Something to consider.]

Asch. [There is no 'well-met', and hardly any courtesy. He is military and utilitarian, like what he wears.] I'll be here.

1/2

[blackstarsenal]

Asch. [ Tsubaki thinks of engaging in her usual formalities-- even opens her mouth to follow up with a "nice to meet you!", but figured it isn't the time -- she won't say she's glad to meet someone when they're angry and upset, after all. She settles for a nod. ] I'll come back as soon as I can.

[ Without another word, and swiftly she's gone. ]

[blackstarsenal]

[ It takes Tsubaki more than an hour. While the kitchen isn't big, the bath house was an entirely different matter. She returns to the library, looking for Asch. Part of her wishes that he had already found Morgana and that he had gone to leave already, because despite being as thorough as possible, she hasn't found anyone a lady by that name.

Briskly walking among the shelves, she softly calls for the young man -- ]

Asch? Asch, are you still here?

[sacredashes]

[There is a response in the form of someone swiftly kicking a bookshelf around the corner.]

Yes, and she isn't anywhere.

[blackstarsenal]

[ Tsubaki doesn't flinch, but she can't help but feel bad for Asch. ]

I'm sorry. I wasn't able to find her.

[ She'd understand if he would brush her away, but she'll offer her help once more -- ]

Whatever it is you'd like to ask of her, perhaps I can help...?

[sacredashes]

[Asch looks at her. Tsubaki's obviously not involved in any of this. She really just wanted to help out of the kindness of her heart. While he's ... reluctantly appreciative, there isn't much she can do. She should just give up-- just like he should give up, and stop caring about other people and their problems.

His eyes are bright and green and full of distrust. It might be nothing personal, but he still huffs a bit and looks away.]

There's nothing you can do. It's a waste of time.

[blackstarsenal]

[ Reluctantly, Tsubaki has to accept the fact that Asch is right: there truly is nothing she can do. She knows nothing, she doesn't know him, she doesn't know Morgana or what she did.

She would push -- goodness knows she can. But it's not in her place. Never mind her time -- she would be wasting Asch's time and he seems to have enough on his plate. ]

If that's what you say, Asch. Um, again, I'm sorry.

[ This time, Tsubaki gives him an earnest bow. ]

I hope you'll find Morgana, or whatever it is you're looking for!

[sacredashes]

[Sadly, her apologies just make his eyes narrow.]

Don't apologize for something that isn't your fault.

[blackstarsenal]

[ She must've heard that retort numerous times already, albeit delivered in a different tone. She bit down on what once was an automatic (and another) "I'm sorry". She sets herself back up. ]

Well-- if there's anything I can help with, let me know.

[ Whether or not he agrees, that's for the future to see. In the meantime, she will trouble Asch no further, and will turn to go. ]

Goodbye.