[open] i'm taking back my life tonight

[bloodings]

WHO? Mordred/bloodings & unlucky people (you)
WHAT? Dreamin'
WHEN? During the event, 'til the 23rd
ANYTHING ELSE? contains f/apoc spoilers, violence. prose or backets is cool, i'll match you!

[ Servants don't dream, but things are different here. It brings her back to when she was alive, never human, but not a spirit; when she could still dream.

Loathsome dreams, dreams that made her wake roaring in anger long after her decision to kill the king was made. Bitter dreams, of toppling her father and taking his crown for herself. Worst of all — dreams of what she wanted from the start. Dreams of her father's hand in her hair and words of praise as his son. (But she's not. She's a filthy, unwanted child, born from his enemy, and he will never recognize her because of it.)

Dreams... ]

a.

[ ... of her training. Of bitterness, seeing children her own age and knowing she would be dead before they even reached adulthood. If she is to die sooner, then she will blaze brighter, and become greater than they will ever be. She will defeat the king and claim the throne. (At least, her mother says she will. In truth, she wants nothing more than to serve him.)

She's still a child, though. So anyone in the dream will be very suddenly pushed over (even an adult; she's freakishly strong) and greeted by a very young face staring back at them, smirking. ]

Heh.

b.

[ ... of Camelot. Of a woman, a man, with the same face as hers, sitting at the round table. The same man the knights call King Arthur. Mordred's own face hidden behind a helmet. It's the day she confronted the king, the day her love turned to hate, the day she was reborn.

Maybe you're there to see her plead with him. It's not a long discussion. Mordred, her face exposed, desperate for acknowledgement as a son, if not as heir; for him to take pride in her. "Even if it cannot be publicly known, you can accept me. As a father, if not as king!". And the king's simple response — "Born from the machinations of my sister you may be, but indeed you are of my blood. Yet I shall not recognize you as my son, nor shall I allow you the throne." — before he turns his back on her.

Either way, when she returns to her chambers her emotions are almost radiating off her. The door opens, and she glances up, still wearing her helmet... but her glare can be felt. ]

What the hell do you want? [ She knows it's a dream, this time. The worst moment of her life, and it's exposed for all to see. ]

c.

[ ... of Camlann. Of waking on the hill after her father's spear pierced her chest, alone, with tens of thousands of dead bodies around her. It's a nightmare, not a memory; she's a literal walking corpse with a lance straight through her body and blood oozing from it with every step.

On a hill of death, it's easy to spot the only other living, moving thing. She blinks in surprise at the figure in front of her. ]

How? [ How are you here, how is she alive... how did it all end this way. One hand rests on the spear in her chest, seemingly unable to pull it out. ]

Comments

[horsepowered]

I didn't say that it added particular positive or negative value. It simply shifts skills around.

[Shifting, that was important. It took no effort for Chiron to get back on his feet, and when he did, there was no mistaking that one of those skills? Being tall.]

[bloodings]

[ No kidding: she has to tilt her neck back just to look at his face. Still, that's never stopped her before, and she walks right up to him without fear. ]

Well, that's fine. Because now that I've won... it's time to claim my prize!

[ There's no warning, or (god forbid) asking permission, before she starts trying to clamber onto his back. She's too short to actually do it without help, but she's trying, as if sheer force of will can get her up there. ]

[horsepowered]

[Mordred, you can't just do that! For all that Chiron stays still, because no, this isn't worth picking a fight over, he isn't exactly bending down to help her either.]

My students usually have the good sense to ask before doing this.

[bloodings]

Good thing I'm not your student.

[ Even if it would be way better than what she actually is. Frustrated, she grows more... 'enthusiastic' in her climbing attempts, grabbing hold of his legs, the hair on his rump, and possibly even stepping on a hoof. (Of course, her efforts are at least limited by her smaller size and weight.) ]

Tch, don't be a sore loser. Help me up.

[horsepowered]

[That? That just gets a look of disapproval. The kind of teacherly disapproval that shows a total disappointment that you haven't put in any effort at all, or else know how to accomplish your goals and are doing the wrong steps on purpose.]

[bloodings]

[ CHIRON............ she's never been looked at that way before. Somehow, it makes her feel uncomfortable, but she still manages to stare back at him. ]

What? [ Then, after a second, she realizes what he must want. ] No rematches. [ Nailed it. ]

[horsepowered]

[...You were so close.

Chiron sighs.]

Ask for permission, Mordred.

[bloodings]

[ A genuinely confused look, then a sigh. ]

Uh... please? [ It sounds like she's never said it before, because she probably hasn't. ]

[horsepowered]

[...that'll do, Mordred, that'll do, Chiron lowers himself down closer to the ground. It's a little awkward for him, but it's not something he hasn't done before. Mordred's not that short either.]

Better.

[bloodings]

[ She clambers on him with a joyful laugh and all the grace you'd expect — aka none. The forced politeness already forgotten in the face of her enjoyment, she wriggles around on Chiron's back, trying to find the best spot. ]

It's just like riding a big-ass horse, right? [ That's rude. She digs her heels in on his sides a little. ] C'mon, go fast!

[horsepowered]

[...did....did she just refer to him as a big ass horse? Mordred.

Chiron lets out a sigh. This will hopefully not happen to his other self, but moreover, it suggests that imparting anything to Mordred is going to demand take a different approach to what he might use with other students.

So without warning at all, he indeed starts to go fast. A full gallop, without giving her any warning that he's about to even start moving.]

[bloodings]

[ She meant it as a compliment!! Or, well, a complimentary description, anyway.

When he takes off, she digs her thighs in tight so she doesn't fall off — fortunately, she's strong enough to keep her balance. And, after a surprised grunt, her next noise is a whoop of joy. ]

Yahoo! This is more like it! [ She points ahead of them. ] Jump that fence! [ He obviously doesn't have reins for her to pull like a normal horse, so she's just going to order him about instead. Naturally. ]

[horsepowered]

[Absolutely not. As Mordred points towards the fence, Chiron immediately veers away from it. The lesson is to request and ask, Mordred. He's not a horse!]

Know that this kind of matter is unusual for a centaur to allow, Saber.

[bloodings]

[ No, he's a big-ass horse. ]

Who cares? You're allowing it right now. [ She laughs wildly, even though he didn't jump the fence. ] What are you gonna do, throw me off?

[ Quote from woman thrown off. ]

[horsepowered]

[He's only half a big ass horse!]

If you keep making demands rather than requests? Likely.

[She gets one chance!!!]

[bloodings]

Ahhhh, what's the difference? You know what I want, right?

[ But one is nice, and one is Being An Asshole. Guess which Mordred is better at. ]

Come on, just the one time!

[horsepowered]

[WHO RAISED YOU?]

One involves please and thank you and being polite. Truly did no one instruct you in manners in your youth?

[bloodings]

[ AN EVIL WITCH... ]

Hah? Of course not! Power's the only thing that matters! [ Which... is close to the truth, actually. Yes, she had some chivalry in her years as a knight, but never manners. ] I'm stronger, so do what I say!

im so sorry for this

[horsepowered]

[THAT'S NO EXCUSE.]

For someone who's counting on power, you are missing details that factor into any sort of power into the equation.

[What's that Mordred? You want him to rear back and cause you to fall off? Sure thing!]

no you're not

[bloodings]

Wha— hey!

[ As an adult, she could probably cling hard enough to stay on... but with no saddle, no reigns, and no warning, she eats dirt. Or her back does, anyway. The fall knocks the wind out of her, and she stares up at the sky with a groan. ]

Dammit... what's the big idea, huh? I thought you were a teacher! [ And you just got schooled, Mordred. ]

i am a little

[horsepowered]

[Chiron walks over so that he's hovering over Mordred. He crosses his arms, and keeps staring downward.]

I am, and some lessons are harsh. If you're not going to ask nicely, then you're not getting what you want.

[bloodings]

Well, those lessons suck.

[ The physical part isn't so bad; she's copped plenty of beatings in her training, but the idea that her strength isn't everything still stings. Even if dealing with a centaur is a... unique situation. ]

I didn't wanna ride any longer anyway. [ Are you five... oh wait. ]

[horsepowered]

[That...did not go as intended. Chiron sighs, extending a hand to help Mordred up at the very least.]

You don't need to lie about that part. What I was trying to indicate to you is that to just demand something of me is rude and insulting. The equivalent of what I just did to you.

[bloodings]

[ And... of course she ignores his hand to get to her feet herself. She's a little scuffed up, but nothing major; she's mostly just grumpy. ]

I get it, I get it. [ Sort of. ] But what's the point of learning that crap? I'll never use it. Once I'm king, everyone will have to listen to me.

[horsepowered]

[Mildly, Chiron raises an eyebrow at that.]

Do you believe that that's how kingship works, Saber? You say something and it is so?