Servant Saber (Arturia Pendragon) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
everdistant_utopia) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
concoursec2012-06-25 09:04 pm
everdistant_utopia) wrote in concoursec2012-06-25 09:04 pm
Extracurricular Studies
Character(s): Saber and you!
Location: The Library
Rating: PG
Open/Closed/Finished: Open
Summary: Feeling inadequate yet again and trying to catch up to others, Saber reflects on the wonders of the modern era, such as mass-produced books and widespread literacy.
This day found the girl who was once called the Once and Future King of Britain in the Garden's library. Though she had some passing familiarity with an era over a millennium into her future, she continued to find certain things about it marvellous. One of these was the proliferation of written texts.
They were a far cry from the comparatively unwieldy codices of her day, and far more accessible. Instead of being written by hand, these texts were mass-produced via printing press or, given the advanced technology of the Gardens, an even more efficient means. It meant that now, books were no longer reserved for the clergy or wealthy. Now, nearly anyone could own one.
On the other hand, the books of the Library were for all to peruse. Another aspect of the current era was that everyone seemed to be literate regardless of station, necessitating such places where anyone could read whatever was stored on its shelves. It had been something she could only dream for her own people during her rule, even as she rallied her armies to fend off invasions and civil unrest alike. The current era was hardly the paradise she envisioned for her country, but it was nevertheless an improvement if even the poorest person could read.
Fortunately for Saber, she'd received all the necessary schooling for a king, and was able to study the many books she had stacked in front of her. Without a Holy Grail to impart instant knowledge of the world she now found herself in, the petite blonde had to take command of her own learning. The academy itself existed for that very purpose, but she couldn't help but feel lacking, somehow. It was a good thing for the Library, indeed.
Location: The Library
Rating: PG
Open/Closed/Finished: Open
Summary: Feeling inadequate yet again and trying to catch up to others, Saber reflects on the wonders of the modern era, such as mass-produced books and widespread literacy.
This day found the girl who was once called the Once and Future King of Britain in the Garden's library. Though she had some passing familiarity with an era over a millennium into her future, she continued to find certain things about it marvellous. One of these was the proliferation of written texts.
They were a far cry from the comparatively unwieldy codices of her day, and far more accessible. Instead of being written by hand, these texts were mass-produced via printing press or, given the advanced technology of the Gardens, an even more efficient means. It meant that now, books were no longer reserved for the clergy or wealthy. Now, nearly anyone could own one.
On the other hand, the books of the Library were for all to peruse. Another aspect of the current era was that everyone seemed to be literate regardless of station, necessitating such places where anyone could read whatever was stored on its shelves. It had been something she could only dream for her own people during her rule, even as she rallied her armies to fend off invasions and civil unrest alike. The current era was hardly the paradise she envisioned for her country, but it was nevertheless an improvement if even the poorest person could read.
Fortunately for Saber, she'd received all the necessary schooling for a king, and was able to study the many books she had stacked in front of her. Without a Holy Grail to impart instant knowledge of the world she now found herself in, the petite blonde had to take command of her own learning. The academy itself existed for that very purpose, but she couldn't help but feel lacking, somehow. It was a good thing for the Library, indeed.
no subject
"Admittedly, I... well, you seemed like a very intriguing person and I have to say I thought a lot about what we spoke off."
Her words drifted a little and she idly looked to the books, stroking the spine of a random one. "It reminded me of the things I love about knights and paladins of my world. Well, at least the ones who uphold honor, justice and chivalry, like my papa and my uncle."
She turned back to look at Saber, a bit more of an excited smile. "Just knowing that you uphold the very same ideals makes me incredibly happy to have met you and I sorta, maybe, thought about you more as I tried to learn more about you without bother you in turn."
no subject
On top of that, the young woman was gentle and earnest, not entirely unlike Iri in that regard but much more innocent, feminine in a different way. Rather like the picture of a perfect noble lady, in Arturia's own era.
"In truth, the blame for that is mine. My people would not accept a woman as ruler of Britain, so my father sent me to be raised by a knight shortly after I was born. And when I became king, I had no choice but to hide the truth of my sex, and kept all those around me at a necessary distance."
She smiled slightly as she studied the cover of one of her collected books; a study of the heraldry that had become popular a few hundred years after her reign. "It is a strange feeling, but not unwelcome. And I am most glad that there are those who value the path of chivalry and true knighthood."
no subject
"My father would have loved meeting you," she start in a warm tone. "You truly are a chivalrous person, and it's clear that you didn't sacrifice all you did for selfish or misguided reasons. You cared, and still do, and the path that you paved certainly led to many followers far and wide at the many tales of your heroics, valor and honor."
no subject
But she kept these thoughts to herself; the king did not burden others with her troubles.
"Your father must be a knight of exceptional honour," she said, clearly impressed. "I would have been honoured to meet him."
no subject
Can you tell that she's really proud of her papa?
"He got in a lot of trouble with mama though," she mused a bit awkwardly. "He was always pretty selfless so he spent a lot of time on the field helping the people of Azeroth. Those in need and those who couldn't defend themselves. Mama thought he should be at home more.... I didn't mind, I always looked forward to hearing his stories about the field."
no subject
"My own knights were similarly dedicated," she reflected. "It was difficult for their families, but I am confident they were proud of them. Certainly, I was."
no subject
Which was one of the reasons she wanted to continue her journey as a warrior, to hopefully be able to do the same that Knights did for the people, and not the combat.
no subject
"When I was told that I was the true heir to my kingdom, my country was besieged with chaos. There were invaders from across the ocean, and no longer a king to lead armies to repel them. I was told that it was within my power to stop it...and so I did."
Though she continued to regret her failures and the rule marked by them, at the time it was all she could do to bring peace to the land.
"After that, however... the dangers persisted, or new ones arose to take their place. I formed the Round Table to address those, and picked those knights trustworthy enough to protect the people."
no subject
"It seems that there will always be something more to threaten the lives and stability of your world... It certainly was for Azeroth... But that wasn't going to deter those who wanted to protect from keeping on trying!" she added with a smile.
"And I know you weren't going to give up either no matter what. I can see that."