Part 92: Dawn Arc - Epilogue

Dawn Arc - Epilogue


Fleeting

And technically, neither are you. So this must be an illusion. Something you're seeing as you fade away...



This is one of those cases where she doesn't really want to be interrupted.

Fading away happens quickly, once it starts in earnest. In real time, it takes less than two seconds. But even so, you can still accomplish something? By looking through the records of our past battles, you might find something small you can use. ...I won't tell you to be careful. Goodbye...my one and only Prisoner...

But speaking of revisiting memories...


Touchy titan

If you're feeling fatigued, then don't hesitate to say so. I'll do my best to get you whatever you need.

Well, I am tired. She's right about that. But I'm also feeling the recovery effects of this place. No problems here.

Good. I don't always know how to "read" humans, you understand. To me, you're so small I have to remind myself not to overlook you. To me, you're so small I have to remind myself not to overlook you.

Well.. Coming from her perspective, I can understand. Of course, for me, it's the opposite. I couldn't possibly overlook her.



There really is a "big" difference between us. While I think about that, I find myself brushing Altera's knee. Just a light caress.



N-No. What are you doing all of a sudden, my Prisoner...? We may have a contract, but that's...going too far. Y-You did the same thing the other day...touching me... Touching me like that so one-sided, it's...it's unfair. It's always you.



...Hm? Why is she reaching over?

N-No particular reason. It's not that I think it's unfair you're the one who always gets to touch. It's n-not that at all.

I see. I get it. She wants to touch me too. She's seeming moree human all the time, or maybe I'm just getting to know her better. ...Let me just confirm. "Do you want to touch me, Altera?"

Th-That would NEVER happen! EVER! Please don't misunderstand. I-I'd never be so blunt about that. But...well, depending on how you mean it...

It's clear she wants to touch. And not the way I did during the...Great Titan Expedition.

Huh...? O-Oay. My...hand...?



The titan's human-shaped hand comes toward me. Those fingertips. In any other context, they'd be scary. But not right now. Not the way her dainty, dark-colored fingertips are timidly stretching out. I can feel her quiver as I shake her hand.

Ah... Wow. You're so small, and still...so warm. *giggle* I can definitely feel it. Even your pulse. I can feel your blood flow. I feel how alive you are. ...How alive you are.

I don't know if it's as big of a deal as she's making it out to be, but hey, if she's happy, I'm happy.

...Can we do this again soon, please? Can I touch you more next time?



The only in-character response.

Huh? Huh? Actively... You don't mind if I touch? I'm the Vanguard of the Umbral Star, remember. We're very different beings, you and I. The danger of being touched...does not...enter your head. It seems. ...Then I accept your permission, and I'll eat the treat you put in front of me. Now, how exactly do I...? I am new at this, so please do tell me if it hurts...

I'd tell them to get a room, but, well, they already have it. On another fun day...


New look

I've been scanning the sections of SE.RA.PH my Heroic Spirit self recently destroyed, and I discovered many interesting things in the rubble. Normally, I'd simply absorb them as mana, but this time, I made it a point to leave them untouched. Um, I thought they might be of use in our upcoming battles... Do you mind if I reconstruct their data here?

She's already immensely powerful, and I don't think she needs any new weapons or strategies, but if she wants to... I don't mind... As long as it's not dangerous.

Thank you very much. You're my Prisoner, so I thought it would be best to ask. Let's begin...right away.



Altera gives me a modest smile, then starts restoring and reconstructing data. I expected some object to appear in front of me, as usual, but it looks like she's...changing her own appearance this time? All of a sudden, her form changes right before my eyes...





Her new appearance is unimaginable. Literally, I never could have pictured her this way. She's well beyond Venus now.



There's so much...white. She's become the biggest nurse there ever was. She's not showing nearly as much skin now...so why is my heart racing? Some part of me remembers that certain people have certain specific tastes. I think I might fall into this particular category. She can nurse me all she likes. I don't say that out loud, but those words are trying to pound their way out of my head.

Ahh, I can feel it... This is what specialized healers wear. It's like a Mystic Code for nursing. So if nurses are trained to heal humans...why don't we test that out now, my Prisoner? I'll tend to every part of your body until you're all better. This outfit is designed to accelerate the healing of others...or so I believe. Very strongly.

That's when I remember. Once Altera sets her mind to something, she's unstoppable. And now she's set her mind to this. Resistance is futile.

"I solemnly pledge to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I shall abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and shall not take or knowingly adminster any harmful drug. I shall do all in my power to maintain..."

She's reciting the Nightingale Pledge! She must be reading it off on the fly while she's downloading it. She really is getting into this. In fact, I think this might technically mean she really is a nurse now.

I understand now. I understand perfectly. I've downloaded the research. Here are the 68 healing techniques...injections, drip infusions, rehabilitation, assisted strolls, feeding, resting... Ugh, urine testing... Put it simply, I now have absolute control over your body. Nurses have so much power... But I have to use that power wisely, don't I? Yes! I'm a wise and benevolent nurse! For the good of your health, I will henceforth make all your medical decisions!

I'm sure she's done her homework, but she still has the wrong idea! I'd better do something fast, or I'll be in trouble.



Third response might be funny, but again, we're staying in-character.

A checkup? Yes, that would be the first thing. Let's get started. Do you have a fever? Is there any part of you that's not feeling well? Even if you think it's mild, please tell me everything.

Her voice and expression and are both perfectly tranquil. Looks like I said the right thing.



*giggle* You're such a good patient. So calm and adorable. I bet you won't even need any anesthesia. Please just relax. This won't hurt a bit. In fact, it'll make you feel much better. Now, I'll nurse you to my heart's content. Don't expect much sleep tonight, my Prisoner...



At this point a room might not even be enough for these two... But anyway, here's her nurse costume, since we otherwise won't be seeing it on Heroic Spirit Altera.


Great Titan Expedition, part 2

If it's okay with you...would you like to continue where we left off? Pardon me if you don't remember. Earlier, you touched my finger.

Of course I remember. With perfect clarity. Unstable as this Body's memory is, I'd never forget that. I especially remember the smile she had at the time.

Thank goodness. Then instead of my finger...could you...c-caress me...elsewhere? Anywhere you please is fine. ...It would be great if you could.

Meek. Humble. Modest. Size aside, she seems like a fairytale heroine.



So on a previous take of this, I chose the second option, which was pretty funny (Hakunon starts telling a lot of silly jokes, Altera gets annoyed and shakes her head, knocking Hakunon off her shoulder), but I'm happy with how things turn out for the first choice.



Would you want me to lift you toward my face? Or much lower...?

This height's just about right. The dark, snow-colored hills I saw before me are right in front of me again, looking like they're waiting for a climber. They feel...motherly? Womanly? ..."Human", I suppose, would be the best word.

...Ah...

Even if I'm a girl too, just reaching for another woman's body is... And on top of that...



Even though I really do feel that motherly, womanly vibe coming off of them, when I see them this close, I can't help but think...they're actually kind of flat. In a good way - it's almost refreshing - but yeah.

...This is what happens to those who say such horrible things.

And that's when I notice... Altera has flipped her hand. I plummet straight down...





I was worried. You fell harder than I thought you would. But you look fine. If you stay right there, you'll heal faster than you would in the cage.

It might be awkward to stay here too long, but right now, I'm too comfy to care. Just like before, when I'm here, I feel my fatigue fading away.

You're right above my internal mana generator. I think I mentioned that earlier. It'll nourish any life form that touches it. Are you feeling warmer yet?

Yes, nice and warm. And I can feel all my fatigue just breezing away. I really owe her for this. And...I should apologize for teasing her so much.

No, I shouldn't have lost my temper. I don't have a firm grasp on what humans call "jokes". I never did, not even as Attila. So I'll try to be a little more careful, and if you do joke, I'll try to put up with it.

No, bad jokes can also become weapons to hurt people. You're tough, but you don't have to put up with everything.

No. If it's you, I don't mind. ...Because it seems I...



I've just discovered that I like this. Warming you up with my mana and having you touch me. I love them both equally. ...So from now on, let's do this whenever you want to.





Between a human and monster



I feel it too. It's so intimate to have you close to me like this. I remember the fields. I saw so much there. So different from what I saw when I first attacked. No despair, no resignation. Something else, something bright and noble. No anger or sadness, just all those people in all those civilizations continuing to live, and live, and live. ...What do you call this feeling?



Taking the subtle approach for once. Well, subtle-ish.

Affection... Deep affection. I still don't know much about titan emotions, of course, so...peaceful and comfortable and happy as she looks, I can't call it "love" with any certainty. But even so...seeing her smile so gently made me feel that way myself.

Affection... Deep affection? ...How strange. Why does hearing you say that make me happy and sad? ...Master. I'm a titan. My hand alone is bigger than your body. ...Everything around me, this whole galaxy. It's all too fragile and too small. ...That's never going to change. From now on, whatever happens, I want you to think of me as a monster from another sky. The problem between us is simple, and it's not the kind of problem I can cut with a sword. And you still want to talk about affection? Even with all our differences? You...think it's possible for us to love one another?

I don't answer. She doesn't say anything else. Time passes between us. Seconds tick away in a merciless countdown. The end of this is coming, and we both know it. But I don't care. If we can stay this way for just a moment... This can be enough for both of us.

On another important day...


Role-play, 1

...I shouldn't recognize this room. But I do. And she's here. None of this should be possible. Maybe it's some kind of farewell present. Or maybe...this is where I sent those memories, the place I was hoping to reach.

What...are you so surprised about, my Prisoner? It's true, this is a little strange, I suppose. It even inspires a little regret, at least in me. You and I are Master and Servant. We have an official contract. But there are always loopholes and exceptions. So why can't this be one of those? Yes?

Well, maybe she's right. If a Servant can treat her Master like her "Prisoner", I guess the rules aren't always ironclad to begin with. What's still strange, though, is... Well, it's just a weird kind of exception.

What are you talking about? This is normal between Masters and Servants. Saber says she does this sort of thing every day. So that's why I'm telling you now... I will do whatever you like. Unless it crosses my boundaries.

Okay, she's said that. Now...how do I respond?



How indeed. All three of these choices are great, so I'll just take them from the top. We'll call this the "real" response.

Understood. Lovey-dovey. I can manage that. *ahem* ...I have these incredible feelings for you. You're the one thing in all the universe I don't want to annihilate. Until the day that all of my functions cease, I'll stay by your side, my Prisoner. If you wish, I'm even willing to offer you this body. You can show me human love and passion, the way other humans do... Hm? What's wrong, Hakunon? Your face is changing colors. Is there an issue with your circulatory system? ...Calm down. Let me diagnose you







Role-play, 2

What? "Hard-to-get"...? Wait. Don't tell me. I found some corresponding data in some rubble earlier. I'll reconstruct it and download the information. Then I'll install it and be as hard-to-get as you please.



...Beginning reconstruction. Complete. Beginning download and installation of the information. Complete. Okay. I understand. Here goes... ...On further inspection. we have a small problem. N-No. It's not that I can't do it. I understand the concept itself. In other words... Let me make sure of this... I attack you verbally, but out of affection, not actual malice. Occasionally, I'll imply the barest hint of that affection, hidden amongst all the mixed signals... Is that not what you and I have been doing from the start? What do you think? I suppose it could retroactively justify all that early unpleasantness between us, but it still seems a bit uncouth to behave so aggressively now... Th-This is no good... Hard-to-get is...an odd social custom...

One day she'll learn...





Role-play, 3

Myunderstood. I will nyow do as you ask. Such a simple task should pose no challenge to meow. Let's mew our best at this! ...I'm a force of nyature. A killing meowchine. And my Myaster will nyeed to be even greater. Wait. Why do you avert your gaze? Meow? I'm speaking to you right meow, yet you look away. What is the mewning of this? Look meow in the eyes... Yes, purrrfect. Let us carry on. ...Are we ready to fight nyow? Mrow? What do you keep looking at? And why are your shoulders shaking...? ...Wait... Are you... Laughing...? Meow?

A cat always has to stay in-character. She's just not good at this...