Winnowing the Doubt [Open]

[everdistant_utopia]

If there was one thing that Saber needed to do no matter what her circumstances were, it was to keep busy. But if there was one thing about her that remained a constant, it was her caution and reserve. Perhaps she should have volunteered for one of these missions on the various worlds, but the Servant remained suspicious of the whole matter... not to mention that she needed to find a long-term solution to her prana problem before she threw herself into anything like a serious battle. Her transient body hadn't dissipated, which meant she was anchored to the material plane somehow; it might have been that Stacy herself was Saber's temporary 'Master', as bizarre as the concept was. But she had no way of knowing what might happen if she pushed herself beyond her reserves.

She had kept her activities to a minimum as a precaution -- spending much of her time sleeping to conserve her pool of mana and searching out better meals than the unidentifiable (and inadequate, by the King of Knights's standards) mass Stacy provided for nourishment. However, she could not afford to let her skills deteriorate. She needed to practise. Fortunately, the Sensoriums were up to the task.

The plant-suit she had accepted as this reality's 'civilian attire' was replaced by the raiment of a Heroic Spirit: gold-trimmed blue dress and blue-etched silver cuirass, gauntlets, tassets, and sabatons. Yet, to the naked eye, she appeared unarmed; Excalibur remained hidden within Invisible Air: the Bounded Field of the Wind King. With her unseen sword in hand, Saber moved through training patterns with the natural ease of a veteran warrior who had known little but war her entire life... and even after her death. Out of all the mysteries surrounding her, at least she knew this. Perhaps things would become clearer with a little workout.

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[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae had been looking for some time to train. Between her work in Engineering and recent personal exploits she had gone a bit longer than comfortable without training. She made her way to the sensoriums opting to bring her twin blades instead of Shadowmourne. She donned the magically enhanced armor she so carefully maintained each day, a treasure of her days leading her platoon during the Northrend war.

Noticing an opened sensorium she walked in tentatively not wanting to bother anyone who was maybe meditating or having a relaxing time. Once in she noticed Saber, the knight deftly executing combat moves that were noticeably experienced. She stepped in to study her, squatting nearby and raising her combat goggles to view the display more naturally.

[everdistant_utopia]

Even as focused as she was -- or rather, because she was so focused -- Saber noticed the presence of another even in the midst of her movements. Ever mindful of proper manners, she halted and turned toward where Ronnae had settled.

"Do you have need of this...?" Saber began to ask, but stopped as she recognised her audience. "Ah. Greetings, Ronnae. It is good to see you again."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae smiled shyly and shook her head. "Naw, I was just admiring your footwork and training. I was on my way to one of the sensorium rooms myself to train when I noticed the open door."

She stood up and smiled warmly at Saber. "It's great to see you again too! I was worried, I hadn't seen you in a long time. Are you well?" She asked concerned.

[everdistant_utopia]

Saber nodded slightly at the question. "Yes... I have simply been conserving my magical energy."

With her world gone -- at least for the time being -- she considered the fact that it was probably an unnecessary precaution to be as vague as possible about her nature. Besides which, Ronnae was certainly not from her world.

"I am uncertain how to best replenish it here, so I have kept my activity to a minimum," she explained. "It might not be necessary, but I prefer not to take chances."

Even through her stoic mask, a slight bit of sheepishness broke though in her expression. "I am sorry, I did not intent to make you worry."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae listened intent on learning as much as possible so she could see if she could help. She got closer once Saber seemed at ease and offered a friendly smiled, "Well I know it's nasty and unappetizing, but the 'slop' is suppose to adjust and react accordingly to everyone's needs. At least that's the way it has been relayed to me. So it 'should' replenish your magical energy. At least I would hope so."

She thought for a moment for another way to maybe help her friend, "Have you talked to medical? Maybe they know of another way you could replenish yourself. And if there's anything I can do to help, I'll do it. Can't have you running around exhausted right?" She smiled timidly but with purposeful friendliness.

She blushed at the apology and waved a hand awkwardly, "Naw it ain' your fault. I'm jus' really glad to see you are well and safe."

[everdistant_utopia]

Out of habit, Saber hesitated for a moment; maintaining secrecy had been of the utmost importance during the Holy Grail War, not only for herself but for innocents as well. Only now, it most likely didn't even matter.

"Under normal circumstances, my Master would be the one providing me with it," she explained. "However, I do not know if my Master is among those who have been rescued from my world. The necessary link between us has disappeared, which would usually mean that I would have disappeared by now."

She frowned slightly; awful taste aside, was the slop truly providing her with what she needed to fight? Normally she would be able to tell easily, but for some reason, she could not be certain.

[supersonicracer.livejournal.com]

"You've been seriously lacking in your practice, Sir Sonic. You should take it much more seriously! That fight with that one woman proved it!"

Absentmindedly, Sonic had wandered into the Sensoriums, the sword Caliburn in his gauntlet-covered hand.

"Yeah, yeah, I know... sheesh, just because of one little upset, you think I'm a slacker!" Sonic complained before stopping and seeing Saber practicing. "Whoops! Sorry, wrong room!"

[everdistant_utopia]

Saber stopped in mid-motion, bringing the invisible sword down to her side and gripping the hilt in her right hand. She had seen many strange things while aboard the ship, but oddly, a talking hedgehog was not among them... though that was on account of erroneously guessing Sonic was a type of elemental spirit as she was.

"It is all right," she replied. "I simply chose this room at random. Have you need of it?"

[supersonicracer.livejournal.com]

If Sonic was an elemental spirit, he'd certainly be wind!

"Of course he does, though only to train." Caliburn said, the sword's face turning to meet Saber's. "Though, it would be rude to interrupt a lady in the middle of her affairs."

"Eh, don't worry about it." Sonic said, pretty much summarizing the talking sword. "Though... if you were going to swordfight, it would probably be easier to actually have a sword than to pretend to have one."

[everdistant_utopia]

Even with all the oddities her own world had boasted, talking weapons were not among them. Living, perhaps... but they had never spoken to the best of the Servant's knowledge. She contained her surprise reasonably well, though the slight, brief widening of her eyes betrayed it.

But the moment passed, and Saber was more impressed by Caliburn's manners. "I do not mind," she replied with a hint of a smile. "I simply found a room that appeared to be unoccupied."

Wind King had worked as it intended, keeping Excalibur's true form concealed and hence her identity. Though she most likely had no practical need to maintain her secrecy, she preferred not to associate with her past failure. It was far better to be simply 'Saber' now.

"It is my Bounded Field which keeps my sword hidden," she explained, deciding that explaining the sorcery itself could do no harm. "It cloaks my blade in wind which obfuscates the light."

[supersonicracer.livejournal.com]

It took Sonic a bit to understand what she was saying about the sword before nodding in understand. Magic's hiding her sword. Got it!

"Wind, hm?" Caliburn spoke. "Interesting. Sir Sonic here was dubbed 'Knight of the Wind' at one point by one of the Knights of the Round...!"

"It's not that big of a deal... 'sides, I'm just fast!" Sonic said, blowing it off. He didn't like the whole idea of being any sort of king or, heck, anything that makes his grounded.

[everdistant_utopia]

Saber blinked her eyes in surprise; if that phrase ended in the way she thought it might, it would have been another strange coincidence. There appeared to be many of them ever since she had been awakened aboard the ship.

Still, knighthood was of the utmost importance to the King of Knights. "While modesty is admirable -- indeed, one of the virtues of chivalry, it is no small matter to be a knight."

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

Fate was a smart person. She figured "Saber" was a sort of codename or a nickname... not the other blonde's true name. So when she stepped into the Sensoriums and saw the girl practicing with fluid movements that matched - possibly surpassed - Signum's and her own, that theory was reinforced.

She stayed off to the side as she watched, waiting until Saber paused before she made her presence known.

[everdistant_utopia]

While the Servant would have sensed the presence of another Servant through their shared magical natures, Saber had to rely on her finely-tuned natural senses to notice any other being. Hence, she was only alerted to Fate's presence once she had entered the room, and only knew that she was no longer alone.

Halting her movement, the tiny knight brought her hidden sword down to her side, politely turning to address the newcomer.

"Ah. Greetings, Fate," she said, pale brows lifted slightly in surprised recognition. "Have you need of this area?"

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

"Oh, no!" She said, laughing nervously a little. "I was just passing by, and I couldn't help taking a look. I hope you don't mind."

[everdistant_utopia]

The petite blonde shook her head slightly. "No, I do not mind. I had simply been practising, nothing more."

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

"I'm impressed," Fate said with a smile. "I do my best not to underestimate what the people on this ship can do, but seeing them in action for the first time can still be a bit surprising."

[everdistant_utopia]

Saber could empathise. Servants were among the most powerful beings on her world, and it had been surprising to learn that there were those who could stand toe-to-toe with them. In some ways it was a little troubling, but in others it was a relief. If the dangers were as grave as they appeared to be, he more power behind them the better.

"Indeed. It is comforting to know that our benefactor selected many capable people."

[maguspuparum.livejournal.com]

The blade might be invisible, but it still had mass and affected, even if slightly, the motion of the body that propelled it in ways that distinguished the movements from mere mimicry to a sufficiently keen eye. And Evangeline did have keen eyes, at least enough to tell that something was there. The sight piqued her curiosity; to the extent that she could enjoy anything that involved other people she enjoyed watching those who put such exotic and respectable abilities on display in the Sensoria. An illusion or invisibility that could defy her sight even when she was aware it existed was quite rare in the magic familiar to her, too, so this little trick was of special interest.

"Is that all it does?" She didn't bother with an introduction, just skipped straight ahead to her question.

[everdistant_utopia]

Saber had no need to ask what the vampire referred to; Wind King was clearly a sorcery, and it was general knowledge what swords were for.

"For the most part," she admitted, stopping and turning to address her visitor. "It has some other uses, but its primary purpose is to hide my blade."

[drowpaladin.livejournal.com]

Fully armored and with sword in hand, Maydril had intended to find her own Sensorium room and proceed with a bit of her own training.

But movement and the glint of armor from another room had distracted her, and she poked her head in, blue eyes going very wide at what she saw.

It was like watching Warmaster de Veris teach a class, or perhaps watching Lady Erzebet fight. Maybe a bit like a dance, but all good swordplay was a bit like that, Maydril knew.

She could not help standing there with her mouth hanging open, unfortunately.

[everdistant_utopia]

It did not take long for the Servant to sense another presence, stopping and turning to politely address her accidental audience, bringing the invisible blade to her side.

"Forgive me, have you need of this room?" she asked. "I simply chose the first place that appeared open."

[drowpaladin.livejournal.com]

"Not at all, my lady. I just...well. It has been months since I saw someone with your skill, and I simply wanted to watch. Perhaps I could pick something up, you know?" The half-elf offered a smile, though her cheeks darkened a little as she blushed.

"If I am bothering you, I can simply be on my way."

[everdistant_utopia]

Saber shook her head slightly. "No, it is no trouble," she replied, marvelling at the polite form of address. However problematic their situation was, at the very least Saber could say that most of the people she had met had good manners.

"Admittedly, I am uncertain how much could be learned from watching me, of all people," she confessed.

[drowpaladin.livejournal.com]

"You remind me a bit of one of the teachers at the Knight Academy in my world," Maydril admitted. "I only got to visit one of his classes, as I was...somewhat provincial, really, but it was very memorable. Enough so that I had planned to go back when I could."