@ Astolfo

[thejoyrider]

[Chaldea’s halls were noisier and livelier than usual tonight. Two days prior, Ritsuka and Mash returned from another successful mission. Another Singularity amended, proper flow of history restored. Chaldea’s last Master and their Servants were now that much closer to full restoration of the Foundation of Humanity and reversing the apocalypse. Of course, there was still much to do. There were other Singularities to discover and put back on track. There was no time to let their guard down.

However... would one day of rest really hurt that much? Ritsuka’s victory was a great success and deserved to be celebrated, a certain Rider-class Servant insisted. A party would help boost everyone’s morale and get the minds of Chaldea staff off the heavy stuff at least for a short while, she claimed. Besides, she wanted it and Marie Antoinette usually got what she wanted. Usually.

This was shaping up to be one of these times. Da Vinci and Roman warmed up to the idea, Raikou and Boudica were in the kitchen preparing food, Amadeus took care of the music before Elizabeth could have offered and Drake together with Sanson and Robin secured a number of alcoholic drinks (as well as some non-alcoholic... Ritsuka doesn’t drink, do they?) from the Chaldean supply cellar. D’Eon was helping Cu and Kintoki put on the decorations. The remaining Servants were starting to get comfortable and Marie herself could already tell the evening was shaping up to be a great one.

So she took a seat by one of the tables, wine glass in her hand. With Amadeus, Sanson and D’Eon all being busy, Marie was sitting there alone, a rare sight. She did not particularly mind it, though. Might even be a good opportunity!]

Comments

[insensee]

[Astolfo hadn't a clue what was going on until the last minute. Had he known there was a party being prepared, he would have thrown himself into it, but him being who he was, he didn't realize anything was going on until it had been all done. Catching on that something was happening today would have required too much sense to pick up on. And him being him, he was more than happy to be surprised at the last minute by a party.

Astolfo was not one to turn down the chance to have fun. Despite all the victories and all the Servants, things in Chaldea were far too frequently stuffy and dramatic for his tastes. Everyone needed a chance to let loose, even if dozens of Servants letting loose was probably an awful idea in practice.

Entering the dining hall, Astolfo bounced around in excitement. He was not excited for anything in particular. His usual bubbliness was turned up to eleven at the thought of having fun, even if he hadn't a clue what was going to go on tonight. Maybe there would be a food fight or drunken Servant Twister or strip poker or something.

His excitement was so great that he was initially overwhelmed by the question of what to do now that he was here. He could start something, but it was far too early to make a mess or strip. He could get something to eat or hassle any number of dozens of Servants or try to steal as much of Master's attention away that he could or any number of things. Sometimes being impulsive wasn't enough to make a decision.

Thankfully, the moment he saw Marie alone at a table, his decision was made. Seeing someone, anyone alone would be enough to catch his attention, but it being Marie was like seeing a unicorn. And, being a Paladin, it was only appropriate for him to say hello to a queen of France, even if that wasn't the logic he was using. Astolfo skipped over and threw his arms in the air in excitement.]

Marie! It's you! Was this really all your idea? For real?

[Astolfo hopped from one foot to the other, like his excitement was going to make him explode at any moment if he didn't work some of it off.]

[thejoyrider]

[Astolfo is not alone in his surprise that Marie is sitting alone tonight. The truth is, the lovely queen of France can barely believe it herself. Moments when she is not surrounded by people are rare enough, but usually even when this happens, she is accompanied by an escort or two, Amadeus and D’Eon rarely leave her side. However, both were occupied now. Which means for the first time maybe since being summoned to Chaldea, Marie was sitting alone.

Not that it was a problem for her. She was quite excited, to be honest. Amadeus and D’Eon were both very dear to her heart and she loved their company, but who knows what can happen when they aren’t around? They are both quite protective, after all. Maybe a bit too much.]

Ah, Astolfo! You look lovely today, as always. [She beams at the other Rider] Indeed, I came up with this, but I would be lying if I took al the credit for preparations... How are you enjoying yourself?