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Then you shall craft me one with all due haste.
[No hesitation, no hard sells, no further haggling necessary. Gilgamesh consents with almost overwhelming immediacy. He leaves with clear agendas just as he arrives with them, and this meeting was no mistake... and certainly no accident.
He does hum over that price, though.]
I may compensate you through traditional means. However, I'm told that among magi, knowledge is prized above all else. And my knowledge is very valuable, you see, so if you have some degree of aptitude already, I'm curious if you might make better use of a lucrative offer best suited to a lucrative individual such as yourself.
[...which is all a very lucrative way of saying this stupid world half-bankrupted me, I'm not letting go of the other half that easily.]
[No hesitation, no hard sells, no further haggling necessary. Gilgamesh consents with almost overwhelming immediacy. He leaves with clear agendas just as he arrives with them, and this meeting was no mistake... and certainly no accident.
He does hum over that price, though.]
I may compensate you through traditional means. However, I'm told that among magi, knowledge is prized above all else. And my knowledge is very valuable, you see, so if you have some degree of aptitude already, I'm curious if you might make better use of a lucrative offer best suited to a lucrative individual such as yourself.
[...which is all a very lucrative way of saying this stupid world half-bankrupted me, I'm not letting go of the other half that easily.]
Oh, will I?
[ Is that an order, she thinks? She knows this is a business and she wants customers, but she is the one with the talent and the capability to make them, alongside Dorian. Being ordered to make one doesn't sit well on her and her hands rest on her hips, mouth pursing before she breathes out.
There's no need to get into a fight about it. He wants a compass and he's rude, she can manage that. She's managed Malfoy before. ]
A trade would be fine if a gold piece is too much. What do you think you can offer, then - or, I suppose, what would you like to offer?
[ Hermione isn't really in this for the money, after all, she's in it to help people. ]
[ Is that an order, she thinks? She knows this is a business and she wants customers, but she is the one with the talent and the capability to make them, alongside Dorian. Being ordered to make one doesn't sit well on her and her hands rest on her hips, mouth pursing before she breathes out.
There's no need to get into a fight about it. He wants a compass and he's rude, she can manage that. She's managed Malfoy before. ]
A trade would be fine if a gold piece is too much. What do you think you can offer, then - or, I suppose, what would you like to offer?
[ Hermione isn't really in this for the money, after all, she's in it to help people. ]
[Malfoy was also never king of an empire, thankfully.
Gilgamesh cocks his head at Hermione, then up his brow goes in playful challenge. Well, she's got sass to her. Time to test how much he can stoke the flames before they burn themselves out. All confidence, he too rests a hand on his hip and fires back:]
So you don't want to learn more about magic? Surely I did not judge wrong, that you were an individual of reasonable skill? Coin couldn't possibly be worth more than what you'd stand to gain from the secrets of time immaterial.
Gilgamesh cocks his head at Hermione, then up his brow goes in playful challenge. Well, she's got sass to her. Time to test how much he can stoke the flames before they burn themselves out. All confidence, he too rests a hand on his hip and fires back:]
So you don't want to learn more about magic? Surely I did not judge wrong, that you were an individual of reasonable skill? Coin couldn't possibly be worth more than what you'd stand to gain from the secrets of time immaterial.
[ Just king of his own assholery.
Her eyes narrow as she watches him, expression stern and hard, and she shakes her head. ]
I'm sure whatever you could offer me would be very interesting and absolutely worthwhile, but if it means I have to put up with someone acting like a high and mighty prat then I'd rather just give you a compass and be done with it.
Her eyes narrow as she watches him, expression stern and hard, and she shakes her head. ]
I'm sure whatever you could offer me would be very interesting and absolutely worthwhile, but if it means I have to put up with someone acting like a high and mighty prat then I'd rather just give you a compass and be done with it.
So it cannot be used to divine things beyond our own knowing. [It seems fair enough. He takes the vial, turning the liquid in it one way or another to look at it. It looks like water, smells of it, will taste the same. But because of what it is, the potential it holds, it promises so much more. That delights him.]
Exactly. It's limited by human nature as much as anything is. [ He looks as excited as she feels and she grins, stepping forward. ] I thought we might try a little ourselves, ask some questions like name, court, things we both know, and see how it works?
[Gilgamesh has suffered enough blows to his ego by now—Flower Child being chief among them—that he simply takes the sourness in stride. So he must bow to a false Saber and kneel before a false king, so he must negotiate with silly tarts on what he's duly owed.
Holding his hand out to the side, his smile thins.]
I am indeed the mightiest, for I am indeed the first. The first of many things.
[Above that hand, a small pool appears, magical, infinite in nature. From it drops a single gold coin.]
Did you ever have a favorite fable growing up, Hermione? A legend you enjoyed, or a hero you admired? Consider me curious.
Holding his hand out to the side, his smile thins.]
I am indeed the mightiest, for I am indeed the first. The first of many things.
[Above that hand, a small pool appears, magical, infinite in nature. From it drops a single gold coin.]
Did you ever have a favorite fable growing up, Hermione? A legend you enjoyed, or a hero you admired? Consider me curious.
[ She will admit to being a little enchanted with his magic. Wandless, obviously, but so much magic here is wandless or without incantation that she isn't sure that's a good measure of judgement.
Whatever is going on, though, she's sure she hasn't seen someone so in love with themselves since Lucius Malfoy graced her with his presence. ]
Of course you are.
[ Not in her world, of course, which is a point she's going to be sure to make if he keeps going on like this. She's frustrated and starting off a conversation with something rather snide about one of her friends hasn't really set the tone. ]
I did, actually. There was a story of a little girl called Matilda that could move things with her mind - and when I tried it I was sure I did the same thing. It was only when I was eleven that I found out I had magic.
Whatever is going on, though, she's sure she hasn't seen someone so in love with themselves since Lucius Malfoy graced her with his presence. ]
Of course you are.
[ Not in her world, of course, which is a point she's going to be sure to make if he keeps going on like this. She's frustrated and starting off a conversation with something rather snide about one of her friends hasn't really set the tone. ]
I did, actually. There was a story of a little girl called Matilda that could move things with her mind - and when I tried it I was sure I did the same thing. It was only when I was eleven that I found out I had magic.
[It does seem fun indeed. Dorian tips back the vial, careful not to let it touch his lips. Not for a moment does he question the wisdom of drinking such a thing before Hermione. As she promised, it is flavourless, in every way like water. He does not think of how easy a trick it could be. Instead he offers it back to her.]
Time to see how we fare.
Time to see how we fare.
[ Hermione makes a point of not saying anything as he finishes his drink before she reaches out and takes it, swallowing her half before her nose wrinkles. It really is like drinking water, just without the mineral taste. ]
Well. I hope you're feeling alright.
[ Carefully worded so it's not a question. ]
Well. I hope you're feeling alright.
[ Carefully worded so it's not a question. ]
Mm. That's a children's story, isn't it?
[It's not really said with any derision, unlike before. Back home, stories were power—the bigger, the better. Even modest figures from childhood could occupy a space in the Throne of Heroes alongside a King.
Gilgamesh turns the coin over, this way and that, smiling at his reflection in its polished surface.]
And all stories originate from the same source. They sprung from human imagination, to address timeless questions of courage, strength, and wisdom. So too from that there was a beginning.
[To Hermione, he holds out his hand with the coin. Little by little, bit by bit on his skin, his attire transforms into something better befitting his claim.]
I am that beginning, as King of Heroes, Gilgamesh.
[It's not really said with any derision, unlike before. Back home, stories were power—the bigger, the better. Even modest figures from childhood could occupy a space in the Throne of Heroes alongside a King.
Gilgamesh turns the coin over, this way and that, smiling at his reflection in its polished surface.]
And all stories originate from the same source. They sprung from human imagination, to address timeless questions of courage, strength, and wisdom. So too from that there was a beginning.
[To Hermione, he holds out his hand with the coin. Little by little, bit by bit on his skin, his attire transforms into something better befitting his claim.]
I am that beginning, as King of Heroes, Gilgamesh.
It is, yes. I thought it was a very important story myself.
[ Hermione watches him, not particularly amused. He's looking at his own reflection and smiling to himself - and she just shakes her head, arms crossed.
Still, she shakes her head, her eyes flickering over him before she bites back a little smile, actually sort of amused. ]
Well, King of Heroes. I've never heard of you - so I suppose your world's beginnings are very different from mine.
[ Hermione watches him, not particularly amused. He's looking at his own reflection and smiling to himself - and she just shakes her head, arms crossed.
Still, she shakes her head, her eyes flickering over him before she bites back a little smile, actually sort of amused. ]
Well, King of Heroes. I've never heard of you - so I suppose your world's beginnings are very different from mine.
Of course and please, call me Anne.
[Anne's had so few friends at court in France, the change here is refreshing and this is one of those times when she's reminded that there is not the same danger in it coming back to be used against her.
She gratefully takes a seat, glad to be off her feet for a moment.]
A little honey would be perfect, thank you, Hermione. I hope we can get to know each other better, I have heard of a little of your world and it seems most fascinating.
[Anne's had so few friends at court in France, the change here is refreshing and this is one of those times when she's reminded that there is not the same danger in it coming back to be used against her.
She gratefully takes a seat, glad to be off her feet for a moment.]
A little honey would be perfect, thank you, Hermione. I hope we can get to know each other better, I have heard of a little of your world and it seems most fascinating.
Anne it is, then.
[ Hermione offers her the best smile she can, going ahead to pour them some tea and make herself comfortable. All of this is still so much, a little much for her, and she breathes out as she passes a cup over to Anne, freshly brewed with a spoonful of honey to make it a little sweeter. ]
I'll admit that I haven't heard a lot about yours, but I've been completely rushed off my feet. I had no idea I was going to be promoted and, honestly? I have no idea what I should be doing right now.
[ Hermione offers her the best smile she can, going ahead to pour them some tea and make herself comfortable. All of this is still so much, a little much for her, and she breathes out as she passes a cup over to Anne, freshly brewed with a spoonful of honey to make it a little sweeter. ]
I'll admit that I haven't heard a lot about yours, but I've been completely rushed off my feet. I had no idea I was going to be promoted and, honestly? I have no idea what I should be doing right now.
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