(Jean)Finding Friends: RTK

Having followed Cú, Jean soon found herself standing right outside the entrance towards a large lounge that was currently empty.

"Right here is the lounge if you remember from your tour earlier. The Knights tend to come here after lunch to play games and hang out or whatever, although some of them end up getting called by Master to go farming."

"Alright. Thank you for taking me here."

"No problem. Well, I gotta run before Emiya bails on me again. See ya."

Nodding, Jean watched as Cú walked away, red spear over his shoulders. She turned back to the lounge and walked in.

During the tour, she had alone managed a brief glance at what was in the lounge, but now, with the excess of time, Jean decided to explore a bit.

Finding strange objects that never existed in Teyvat, Jean finally found one she knew. Stopping by a table with two chairs, one on either side, Jean sat down in one of the chairs. In the middle of the table was a checkered black-and-white board.

Master Diluc likes this game, Jean thought, perhaps I can pick up some skills here to chal-

"That's chess. Have you played it before?"

Turning her head abruptly at the voice, Jean found herself locking eyes with a tall, blonde male.

"Ah, seems I've frightened you. You must be one of the newcomers. A pleasure to meet you, I am Gawain, Saber class, Knight of the Sun."

"A pleasure to meet you as well. I am Jean, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius. My sister and I...came here on accident."

"Oh, so you're one of the two foreign Servants. Do you know what class? If not, I can surely help you find out."

"I do not. How do I-"

"Gawain, stop flirting with the new lady."

Interrupting Jean was a purple-haired male dressed in matching armor.

"What? How am I-mmgh!!"

With an armored palm shoving his face away, the purple knight stood in front of Jean before bowing.

"Sorry for this bulk of muscle. You can simply find out your class by either asking Master or mentally willing your character screen to appear. Oh, and I am Lancelot, Knight of the Lake, Saber class. In case the other me is ever present, call me Saberlot."

"Other you?"

"Oh. Well....think of it as a version of me who has experienced everything bad that has happened. A lot of Servants in Chaldea have other versions...although our king has the most. Anyway, it would be best to experience it in person. "

"I see. Well, I am Jean, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius."

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Having done another set of introductions, Jean focused her attention on summoning a character screen. With a light pop sound, a transparent blue screen suddenly appeared before her.

"Ah, Saber class. Nice to meet a fellow Saber! Although the other 'tabs' seem a little different."

"Hmm. According to what Lumine had told me, my weapon and artifacts are similar to your 'craft essences', constellations are similar to noble phantasm level, and talents are the same as skills and noble phantasms."

"I see."

"Oh, it appears I can choose my skills. My burst-noble phantasm-seems to already be set."

"Choosing skills? That's new. It must be because you, a fine lady, came from another world."

"I suppose."

"Gawain."

"Relax, Lancelot. It's not like you do not do the same."

Glaring, Lancelot retorted, "Have limits, Gawain. She is bound to return to her world anyway. Ahem. Ignoring him, let's wait together for my king to arrive."

As if on cue, a short blonde women dressed in silvery armor and a billowing blue cape stepped into the room. Behind her was a similar looking women, albeit with a darker color pallet and paler skin.

"Ah, my King has arrived. Miss Jean, meet King Artoria Pendragon, legendary King of Britain. The darker one, you may call Artoria Alter or Salter for short."

"A pleasure to meet you, your majesties. I am Jean, Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, as well as the Dandelion Knight."

Nodding in her direction, Artoria responded, "And to you too, fellow knight of another world. Call me Artoria."

"I'm Salter. Don't fuss about titles and what not. I am simply a black knight, if you will."

Suddenly puffing up(Jean also noticed her strange ahoge perking up as well), Artoria suddenly said, "Well, since greetings have been given around, let's all go to the kitchen to get a snack! And maybe, we'll bump into other RTKs too!"

"Didn't we just have lunch, my king?"

"So what, Gawain. If anything, I back that idea. I'm getting pretty hungry anyway."

"Salter, you never get full."(Lancelot)

"Perhaps."

"Um, if I may ask, RTKs?"

"Short for Round Table Knights. It is quite a mouthful after all."

As both versions of Artoria stepped out into the adjacent hallway, a small pink petal blew into the room.

"Ngh! Not again!"

"How dare you come here!"

Whirling around in a flash, both Artorias instantly took out their swords(matching, Jean noted).

"Hohoho! Already heading back to the kitchen I see. While Salter, I understand, Artoria, perhaps your motivation is a little...larger than just a simple snack no?"

"Merlin! You! DARE! Appear! Before! Me!"

"While I may not care much, something in me is telling me you are bad. Therefor, be gone."

"Wha-?"

"That's Merlin, Caster class. He played a large role in our lives when we were alive. Anyhow, it's complicated and all you need to know is stay away from him. Far away."

"Awww, Saberlot. Why so mean? If anything, you're the reason why-"

"Silence, Merlin, I have no time for your antics. I'm getting quite hungry right now. Round Table Knights, take care of him."

"As you wish."(Gawain)

"With pleasure."

Laughing, the Merlin person raised his hand as if to cast a spell to disappear, only for a loud roar to stop him in his tracks.

"MERFOUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!"

"HUH??!"

In a blink of an eye, tiny white furball appeared bitting onto Merlin's face and taking him down.

"Owowowowow! Stop it, Fou!"

"Get him Beast!"(Gawain)

"Uh...."

"Ah, come with us, it's best if you don't watch."

As the blue Artoria pulled Jean away with them, she watched as poor Merlin got teamed up on by Gawain, Lancelot, and the small white creature that appeared to be called Fou.

"Will he be okay?"

"Of course, Jean."

"Even if he wasn't, it'd be okay."

"...Alright. Ah, may I pose a question?"

"Sure!"

"Why is she called Artoria Alter?"

This time, Salter responded, having slowed down to let Artoria and Jean catch up.

"To keep it short, I am the Artoria that is not tied down by anything. The pure 'power' she holds and, in more ways than one, the ideal king she wished to reach."

"While I am conflicted on this 'ideal king', I agree that she is me, but without restraints. Does that make sense?"

"I see. I am starting to understand it a little."

"Good. Because we're not the only Artorias you'll end up meeting."

"What?"

"There should be another, what, 8 Artorias?"

"Hmm. From what I remember, there's us, Lancer class us, swimsuit us, Lily, and otherworld us. That would make 7 other Artorias."

"Hmph. 7 here in Chaldea. Who knows how many there is actually."

"I....I will try my best to understand how all of you came to be, Artoria."

Smiling, Artoria replied, "Thank you. But please. Don't push yourself."

Jean smiled in return and shared a small hug with the shorter female.

As the trio continued their walk towards the kitchen, Salter suddenly spoke.

"Whatever. Knock yourself out."

"...."

"Don't mind her. She's like that."

"...Sir Lancelot said that as well."