Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny

[vicioussweetie]

A triumphant return. That's Ali's favorite kind. Well, really, that's probably everyone's favorite kind. Some people might prefer the ticker-tape parade sort, but Ali found herself quite enjoying the ride back to Camelot at Gawain's side. There were pleasures to be found in the company of a good man she'd been trying to force herself to forget

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[allaroundarthur]

Gawain had been a little surprised that Ali had ordered armor on his behalf, but found himself both quite pleased with the armor and in the happy position of being able to pay for it. So he rode beside Ali, smiling and joining her in song whenever it's a song he knows.

Her question prompts a chuckle. "It is. You've shown me wonders, and I've delighted in every one, but there's something special about the familiar spires of home."

[vicioussweetie]

Ali's just surprising that way.

"Imagine the stories you'll get to tell everyone, about the dragon and everything."

[allaroundarthur]

"Indeed," he muses. "It's a pity you'll know them already," he adds, fondly teasing her love of his stories. "And you shall have just as many tales, I'm certain. It was you who slew the beast, after all."

[vicioussweetie]

His teasing draws a slight flush to her cheeks, even as she responds in kind. "What makes you think I won't want to hear them anyway? And we all slew it. I just got there last."

[allaroundarthur]

Arthur, Gawain, and the rest greet her with quiet nods in the predawn hush. Ali is likely not the only one who rested but little the night before and now rides out quiet and weary. The army makes no move to announce its presence as it moves out, but neither does it hide. Arthur hopes that by not drawing attention to the army's movement, he will make it less obvious that he is leaving a garrison behind in secret to protect the castle should their enemy come raiding.

[vicioussweetie]

Ali lets the morning pass without making much conversation, as she has little to say to anyone present. Not even Gawain's capable of coaxing her out of her bad mood. But sometime in the afternoon she would rouse herself, weaving her mount through the crowd so she can speak with Lancelot and Bedevere, seeking each separately but essentially telling each the same thing: if they are willing, she'd like them both with her to face one of the dragons. She would detail what they can expect to face on that front, and would suggest certain tactics.

Lance gets an extra little warning about not running ahead of the group, though. It'd be a pity if he got himself killed before the dragon's magical defenses can be weakened.

[allaroundarthur]

Each expresses a willingness to face the dragons with her, although Lance seems a bit put out that his favorite strategy seems to be out of favor. He's rather eager to pull even with Gawain as regards the act of dragonslaying, and he wouldn't mind eclipsing his brother knight in that regard. But thankfully he doesn't voice such hopes, for Ali would probably feel the need to smack him or something.

[vicioussweetie]

Oh, Ali would do far worse: she'd tell him he can't come dragon-killing with her at all. She knows how to hit a man where it really hurts. But since he's wise enough to keep such competitive desires to himself, she only has to deal with his sulking at not being allowed to run off on his own.

"If you're so determined to get yourself eaten," she offers generously, "you're more than welcome to. But if you'd prefer to be useful, we'll all have to work together."