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[ There are differences, yes. But she hasn't thought to bring them up, not until Morgan does herself. She pauses, silent for a few moments as she considers. ]

I did. I thought that even if I could not lead my kingdom or save it, that I might still somehow preserve it.

[ Another moment of consideration before she continues. ]

Who are you then, if not my sister? An imitation? One who might-have-been? What happened?

You were not wholly wrong with that assessment.

[ Britain would have continued with her sister as the ruler, isolated as Avalon is, fighting every second the changes humans from the outside could have wrought. But part of her is aware that would have been exhausting.

Perhaps for that reason, Morgan strove to have a different change of fate. Somewhere different and further down the timeline. ]

I am Morgan, the high queen who has ruled Fairy Britain for the last two thousand years. A land outside Proper Human History, Artoria. The dream your sister had.

[ The obsession that saved and doomed Morgan too from the day henceforth she was bestowed her counterpart's memories and will. ]

You do know your sister is the latest generation of a great fairy. I am one of the first manifestations. Her predecessor and her successor after she intervened in my fate. Regardless, we are the same at the core.

[ ooc; considering that blurb about how Excalibur reflects the lake fairy, morgan/vivian, two halves. It doesn't harm her and goes back to her after the loan ends. I do think Morgan was still the main component of the sword the six forged in PHH without Camelot Morgan's meddling or the six laziness, but it's not confirmed. So I leave it ambiguous and up to you to decide if Artoria can recognize that. ]

A land outside of history - then you are what? An alternate to the Morgan that I knew in life?

[ She is unsure of this; about how to deal with this apparition and face from out of her past. Although not too distant... but she remembers how her sister hated her. She remembers the trouble and strife and woe. And ultimately, that she was brought down by her. But that is gone; that is the past. It cannot be altered anymore. ]

You say you are her successor, but... I do not understand that means, here and now. There was no fairy kingdom that I know of. Avalon may have continued... but Camelot was cast down and Britain remained human. You remember events far differently than I do.

Something like that. You are still my sister because you are hers.

[ She will not divulge the taboos Morgan broke with her drive to claim and preserve a Britain for the Mystics that create her and the Fairy Kingdom. No. But it shouldn't matter. Her grudge lives on her. But it doesn't mean is only directed at Artoria. Artoria is a puppet of Fate. Although she appreciates she had the sense to rebel against it as brief it is. She always respects those who stand against that unfairness. The Human Order is her true enemy. Artoria was just on the way, an unwitting pawn of a grander board. Hers and her version of Camelot.

..........................

Though those feelings are complicated. It is easier to focus on one side out of the three. Morgan sincerely loved Artoria as a sister and raised her children to be faithful knights; Vivian cherished the girl as her own daughter and blessed her with weapons; and Fata Morgana hated her as her fiercest nemesis and became a curse to destroy her. ]

She gave me her mission to preserve Britain despite being a previous generation. The land I come from has been dominated by fairies for thousands of years, even before I conquered and united the six clans of Britain. It is not human history, Artoria.

[ Their relationship was never easy and it became more and more antagonistic over time. In her own version, Morgan withdrew almost entirely from Camelot and the kingdom and was rarely seen. She knows, in her heart of hearts, that she helped bring it all down.

But she cannot bring herself to hate her for that. She doesn't think she ever could. They were sisters, once. They cared for one another. And even with the two of them locked at odds, it is not something she can outright condemn her for. ]

So a Britain without me, then.

[ Her Britain was human. Not fairy. ]

A Britain where my Camelot is never born.

[ She sounds wistful more than anything. ]

Oh, I assure you that you exist as a tomboy fairy without a sense of grace and refinement.

[ Morgan corrects her, eyes narrowed into slits. She wants to hate that country pumpkin, but truly she pities her even more than she does to her human sister. After giving her the option to live as her subject, she went to the bells of her own destruction without knowing her true purpose and fate. Another silly, naive Avalon Le Fae, exactly as Morgan used to be.

A very twisted sense of irony to model her next generation with Artoria's name and likeness. ]

Perhaps not. But my Camelot's white walls are still beautiful.

[ She proclaims with pride. Vivian is still a part of Morgan, and she helped to build that as a whole, not just destroy it. Who supplied the weapons to those knights? It is the same. It means it will inevitably rebuild that somewhere else. ]

[ The notion of duty and fate hangs heavy on Saber. She lived her whole life wrapped in it, following the steps she was doomed to take, playing her part in the story. The great king, laid low by treachery and her own heart. Camelot - the shining city, a flickering flame that flared bright and then was gone. But a part of her finds some comfort in the idea of another version of her, somewhere, finding joy in a carefree life. ]

...I hope she's happy.

[ Not "I". For that Arturia is another person entirely, isn't she? ]

Given a chance, I would like to see your Camelot, I think. If only to see it with my own eyes. I've known the work of fairies before; I have been blessed by them with gifts.

[ The sword. The scabbard. The lance. She knows them all. ]

[ It would be easy to crush that hope, inform her that the girl is on the threshold of a mistake, seduced by a misleading prophecy even after the grace Morgan gave her during their meeting. And yet, the queen does not do this. She will let the new Avalon Le Fae make her choice and then act. She will say nothing except what she could observe from her throne. ]

She has found trusted companions.

[ Morgan mentions. She is not alone. Happiness or sadness will result from her future choices if she continues her pilgrimage. She is, at least, not a distant monarch, carrying the weight of the kingdom, although she shoulders other types of hopes on hers. No, it is Morgan who takes up that role.

.....................

Such words surprise her. They are not entirely unwelcomed— But still, her expression becomes less guarded. The aloofness remains, but her voice has a softer, wistful inflection. ]

I will welcome any visitor who wishes to travel to my kingdom. [ She starts with a nod. ] You must be prudent. I— Vivian gave you those gifts, but not all fairies are as selflessly generous. If you visit, under no circumstances accept the chalice of the Wind Clan leader, as beautiful and kind as she appears. Do you understand me?

[ It is not concerned. She has to be Artoria's enemy, but it does not mean she tolerates deception like this. That is one of the main differences from her more chaotic counterpart in Proper Human History. She knows if the King of Knights visits, there will be a commotion to take away the spotlight of Britain's darling: Lady Aurora. Aurora, a fairy whose purpose is to be the "most beloved, most beautiful" does not tolerate being overshadowed.

It will be easy to poison Artoria and frame the queen as she always does. ]

Edited 2024-05-07 05:18 (UTC)

[ Saber allows a hint of a wistful smile to play over her features. She has many regrets about her life, about her family, about what she allowed to happen. Maybe she could have changed things if she did it all over again but there's no point in wishing for what cannot be. She recognizes the tone in her "sister's" voice and accepts the advice with a firm nod. ]

...I understand. I will be on my guard, should I ever find a chance to visit your England. Your Camelot. You need not fear for my own safety - I still managed to hold the throne for almost twenty years, did I not?

[ She's not a babe in the woods, she means to say. ]

Hmph. A hostess must give a forewarning to a visiting guest.

[ She knows those vile faeries very well. She sighs as she hears that declaration. And who succeeded to sow discord but a fairy among humans? In a way, her counterpart had been driven by the same irrational fulfillment of a "purpose" that does not mind destroying the future. She sympathizes with her rage, yet that undid Vivian's efforts and sped the departure of the Mystics. ]

Among humans. [ Morgan stresses. Humans wanted an ideal ruler, not the fae who slain that kind of monarch on his coronation day. A misfortunate day she will never forget nor forgive. ] They are greedy and power-hungry, but even in their egos, they can reflect on the past and plan for the future. [ A capacity to "grow" most of the fae lack. They are, with a few exceptions, manifested whole and remain stagnant for their existence. ]

Most of my subjects only care about the present and will act accordingly. They may conduct themselves as courtiers for their own amusement and fear of my retaliation but do not forget fairies are forces of nature.

It's... appreciated. Even if your predecessor and I were not precisely on the best of terms.

[ Nor they with each other, come to think of it. She listens to the warnings, though, expression thoughtful. ]

They may be forces of nature - but I am a force myself. Part dragon, at least, and able to hold my own. I will be careful, though. I have no wish to bring violence and disruption into my hostess's home.

We are still not. I am an enemy of Proper Human History. [ She has no reason to hide this fact. It is a fair warning. ] Regardless, I am also a head of state who knows and oversees decorum.

[ She assures civility is possible in these terms. It is an unspoken soft spot of hers to receive visitors who might remember her kingdom. ]

Yes, I do remember that. [ Her eyebrow twitches as she considers another issue. How will Tam Lin Lancelot take this meeting? The draconic fairy is Albion's remnant. It would be safer to assign Tam Lin Gawain as a guide. ]

I... appreciate that.

History has happened. Or it will happen. I don't believe it is something that requires us to come to blows.

[ Well, not here anyway. ]

We will see.

[ If only were so simple. Nevertheless, Morgan can overlook this for now. In deference on the side of her that is Vivian. ]

May you find rest in Avalon soon, Artoria.

We'll see. There are still people I wish to see before I sleep.

[ She bows. ]

Thank you, Morgan.

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