[Three servants heading to the zoo? I guess Jeanne needs to get to work. I was kinda hoping Owari would be back before anything big happened, and especially before running into Edelweiss, since I have no idea if she actually has an answer or what it would be… oh well. My best guess would be to drag everyone into PS where they don't die. Anyway, here's Jeanne's POV.]
As we enter the mess hall, it's hard to look the other girls in the eye. Not only was "that" embarrassing but it was even done by my master, who I invited here. It's clear that Rani doesn't feel any guilt, should I apologize for her? I stare down at my the table as I think it through. Before I make up my mind Helena and Saber begin talking.
-Saber, can you eat on the same table with Rider?
-No way! Whenever i see his face, it pisses me off!
-I see... guess so. Then, come here for a bit.
Ah, the two of them left. I turn towards Caroline, I should try to strike up a conversation… but she seems even more timid than before. When I try calling out her name, Caroline jumps a little and hides her face. I don't want to look to Rani, so I begin looking around the table.
I can't help noticing the beautiful tableware. There are beautiful candle holders of solid gold, exquisite vases holding flowers, a silk tablecloth adorned with gold threads in the design of flowers and other adornments. The dishes have rims lined with gold and are covered in designs that look like they belong in an art museum, the silverware seems like it may be made with actual silver, and the glasses have the beauty of finely crafted crystal. Is it really alright to eat on something like this?
Even the table is made with expert carpentry and trimmed in gold, while the chairs are the most comfortable I've ever experienced.
Around the table there are decorative carvings of the exploits of various heroes. A muscular archer slaying a hydra with 100 arrows (Hercules), a man holding a beautiful sword and the head of medusa besides a Pegasus (Perseus), an aged man firing an arrow through 20 axe heads (Odysseus), a man throwing a stone into an army of skeletal soldiers (Jason), a boy in his teen years drawing a sword from a stone (King Arthur), a young man walking out of a lake (Lancelot), a magician erecting the pillars of Stonehenge (Merlin), a man being brought to heaven with the holy grail (Galahad), two men fighting one another in a destroyed town with numerous weapons littering the ground (Gilgamesh and Enkidu), and many others. How long would something like this have taken to make?
Right in front of my seat I find a carving of a young woman bearing a flag as she defends a walled city from a sieging army. My face flushes red as I realize, that must be Orleans and… me? Without thinking I sat down in front of a carving of myself? I must seem so narcissistic! I quickly move my chair in closer to try to stop others from seeing. I look from side to side, Caroline hasn't noticed, but Rani… her face is as blank as ever. Does she know?
I try to act as if I'm still taking in the room. The rest is just as ornate as the table was. Framed in the center of the wall there's a particularly eye catching painting. A young man possessing a single faded command seal on his arm with a black haired, blue eyed Japanese woman with two swords sheathed at her sides.
Helena and Saber return. Saber seems a bit more flustered than she was before leaving. I guess the fact that she has to eat with both Rani and Rider has sunk in with her. Shortly after that Rider arrives, and Helena rings a bell to have the maids bring out food on silver platters. I greet, introduce myself to, and thank each of the maids as they come out. Many of them seem surprised by this, while a few just chuckle a little. Ah, did I do something I shouldn't have? I'm never sure how to handle maids and other servants. As we begin eating I instinctively cry out:
-In-incredible!
-Ufufu! What do you think of the works of a five star chef?
Helena then seems to shutter a bit as if remembering something terrible, and mumbles
-I learnt at a young age just how important having good food is.
Afterwards she looks a bit sad.
Meanwhile in Patchwork Soul: Liz sneezes, then continues frying a lizard, thinking about the time Helena screamed in agony begging to be euthanized upon trying her fried lizard.
Back to White Lily Mansio
-Uwa! A-amazing Miss He- erm, Master!
-I'm sure a master from Atlas Academy could never eat something so great.
What in the world? Saber seems… different. It could have something to do with her abilities though, so it would be rude to ask. I turn towards Rani, expecting some sort of response. She's carefully examining the food but when everyone has been looking towards her for several seconds, she lifts her head and says.
-This is something I've personally looked into in the past. After analyzing the tenderness, texture, seasoning, flavor, and presentation, I've deduced that this is something I could have easily made myself.
Helena looks agitated, but Rani still looks stone faced. Seeing Rani completely unchanged seems to agitate Helena even more. Caroline starts stuttering and going into a panic seeing everything. This could be bad! But Helen calms herself after a bit, quietly repeating something. Is it some sort of mantra to help her calm down? I listen more closely and hear "don't destroy the mansion," being quietly repeated. I was sort of right. After hearing this I turn towards Rani and say,
-Let's not try to get her too angry, Rani.
-Don't worry, I won't push her too far.
I'm worried about what she considers too far.
But before I get a chance to voice my concern, I receive a revelation. It tells me to go to the Central Park Zoo with the servants I can bring to my side. Could a fight be occurring soon? If that's the case I need to be able to ensure that they will work to stop the fighting.
I think back on what Liz and Assassin told me, that my Pain Breaker could help both Helena and me achieve our goals. I'm not sure how, but if my Pain Breaker could help grant Helena's wish, she might not need to fight in this war anymore. Sorry you two, but I'm going to need to use this as a bargaining chip rather than a gift.
I call Saber and Helena aside, Rani stays behind as something if a show of good faith to Rider. Activating my charisma unconsciously, I explain to them,
-There's going to be a fight soon, I'd like your help in stopping it.
-You don't think I plan to break away from my goal just because you helped a friend of my family, do you?
Helena glares at me. I need to speak quickly to correct her misunderstanding.
-That's not it, I… think I can help you. You need someone healed? Right?
-H-how… did you know?
Helena's face stiffened, Saber looks panicked.
-Liz and her servant, Assassin, told me. And they said I should tell you… that I should tell you I possess the Noble Phantasm, Pain Breaker. That I can heal any wound as long as the target isn't dead.
The moment I mentioned Liz, Helena froze.
-You said… Liz told you?
-M-miss Helena!
-Yes. Don't worry, she's safe. I'm sorry, I should have told you earlier. But she specifically asked me not to let her family find out so I couldn't say it when Mr. Birdie was there, and with another servant around (I motion my head towards the mess hall) mentioning her would be too dangerous.
-It's okay. As long as she's alright. As long as she's alright it's fine. But what about that body then? Was it-
-It was hers. The organs, the bones, the legs, it was all hers. Like I said, as long as someone's alive I can save them. Even if all that made it out of them was a head. Someone else helped keep her alive, so I could still save her. That person is taking care of her and her servant, protecting them from the war. Liz is no longer in harm's way.
Helena started crying and said
-Thank you… thank you… thank you…
I made eye contact with Saber, and started gesturing towards Helena with my head. It takes a while for her to take the hint. Saber moves over and hugs Helena, saying a mix of calming and congratulating words. After a bit the two calm down, I'm worried we may run low on time, but my revelation told me to get their help.
-Liz asked me to do one more thing. She wanted me to give you a sword called the Sensou no Owari-
-WHAT?!
Huh? This reaction, wasn't it only a sword? Why would she have such a strong reaction?
-Why did Liz have that?
-I don't know. I was just told to pass it on to you. I didn't know it was more than just a good sword. But, well, when we were in the bath I think it was taken with my clothes.
-I'll figure out who has it, and get it right now!
-Ah, wait! Remember how I told you I wanted your help with stopping the fight? I want to make a deal, if you help me with this, I'll help whoever it is that needs healing. Please answer this before you go leaving, time is likely of the essence.
Helena gives it a moment if thought, then responds [Obviously I can't decide for you Artoria, so answer how you like. Also, if there's anything you want me to change in the dialogue, please tell me.]
After hearing her response I tell Rani what's going on. ThenI go to speak with Rider, I sit down next to Caroline. My charisma is still subconsciously active. I try to be quicker this time.
-Rider, I received a revelation that there will be a battle going on soon, I'd like your help to stop it without death. Before you ask, there are two reasons I think this could interest you. First, there's a chance the friends Caroline just made will die if you don't. (Rani nods her head and gives a peace sign with the same expressionless face.) The second reason is that there's no better way to screw with servants fighting intent on winning the war, than to stop them from fighting rather than dying to or killing them.
A bemused expression appears on his face as Rider chuckles. I'm not sure if it was enough to convince him. He gives me his answer. [Same as with Artoria, answer how you like.]
I tell (insert anyone who agrees here) that we're headed to the Central Park Zoo, we change to spirit form and are quickly off.
[Sorry this is so long. The first part was just fun to write, while the second was necessary to move things along smoothly/minimize the chance of me throwing Owari's character to her death. Edit: also, @Ramesses if this is giving you déja vu, don't worry. The majority of those who show up shouldn't be trying to kill you. Unless Edwell (who has a wonderful pfp by the way) decides to no longer go along with Owari/Jeanne's "plan".]