The True Meaning of Master

    Chapter 1: It Begins

It was the end of another busy week at the Quarantine World headquarters. One of the co-founders, Creator K or "Karin" as she more commonly went by, was finishing paperwork in the office when a series of knocks from the door caught her attention.

"Come in," she called.

A young man entered the room, dressed in a dark blue robe that was embroidered with crescent moons. Karin's concentrated expression softened at the sight of her oldest 'son'.

"Matt! How unlike you to show up unannounced. I was expecting to see T.K. at the door."

Matt bowed his head briefly and smiled coyly before saying, "Can't I come to see my dear mother whenever I want?" 

"Don't joke around like that!" Karin threw her arms up in mock exasperation. "You get that flirtatious side from me, you know."

"Hehe. I am sorry to disturb you, but there is a matter that needs to be addressed immediately. Your presence is required in the lobby."

Karin furrowed her brows together at the news; she had a foreboding feeling that she already knew what this was all about. She let out a sigh and gathered her paperwork neatly into a pile before reaching for her jacket. 

"All right, let's go and handle this then, shall we?"

They took the elevator down to the main floor of the Quarantine World headquarters. There, they found the secretary locked in a heated argument with a man standing at the front desk.

"I've told you this once before, and I'm growing tired of having to tell you again, but you aren't allowed to just come in here!" Hokusai was practically pouting as she spoke. "Arjuna, go home!"

Arjuna tossed his wavy brown hair out of his face and gave Hokusai a very nasty glare.

"That won't be possible," he declared. "I won't leave until I've accomplished my goal." 

"And what goal might that be?" Matt inquired, more out of curiousity than anything.

Arjuna turned to face Karin, who found herself shrinking behind Matt and Hokusai, using their bodies to shield her from Arjuna's piercing gaze.

"That girl there." He jabbed a finger right in Karin's direction. "I've decided that I want her to be my Master."

"Wha--aat?" 

Karin's jaw dropped. She had heard whisperings of this Servant's existence, but in her stubbornness, decided to ignore him for the most part. The fact that he came all the way to Quarantine World from his world -- and what was his world, again? Chaldea? -- to confront her was quite impressive.

"Yes. I, Arjuna, am pleased for the chance to earnestly serve you."

"Well, you're in for some bad news," Hokusai said flatly. "Lady Karin already has a Servant. And it's not you!"

"We shall see about that." Arjuna's words sounded somewhat like a threat. "Mark my words. When it comes to you and I, you will surely recognize my greatness."

PJ Karter, the other co-founder of Quarantine World, walked into the building right as Arjuna was leaving. Hokusai's eyes lit up and she shot upright with a cheesy smile on her face when she spotted him.

"Lord Master!" she greeted cheerily. "Welcome back." 

"Hello, everyone. What was that all about?" Karter asked, and shot Karin a quizzical glance. "Why was Arjuna here, of all people?"

"Don't ask me! I don't know! And I don't plan on finding out." Karin bit her lower lip and peered at Karter from over Matt's shoulder.

"Maybe he just really wants a mana transfer," Hokusai joked, to Karin's dismay.

"DON'T mention anything about that. It's NOT happening!"

"Oh, Karin, your face is so red," Karter noted, grinning along with Hokusai. "Could it be that you're one of the naughty ones who view it as a physical transfer?"

"Shut up," Karin moaned, burying her face into her hands. "It's NOT like that. It's not!"

"Whatever you say," Karter said with a smirk. "Come on Hokusai, we have some grocery shopping to do before dinner."

"Yes, well. I'll be on my way! See you next week, Lady Karin, and you too, Munechika," she said, turning to bid farewell to Matt as well. "Try and have a good weekend."

Karter and Hokusai left hand in hand. Karin sighed heavily but the release of air from her lungs did little to relieve the stress she felt on her shoulders. What was she going to do with these FGO invaders?!

    Chapter 2: It Continues

Matt escorted Karin back to her home, where she lived next to two spritely angel neighbours from the Devildom. Despite the fact that it was five o'clock in the evening, Simeon was out sweeping his porch like an old man. He waved to Karin when he saw her approach. 

"My, my. You and your... son, are quite the pair." As he spoke, Simeon's eyes swept over them both. It was hard to tell what he meant by that, but he often was hard to read. "Any plans for the weekend, Karin?"

"Nothing really!" Karin said shyly. "Try and survive until Monday, I guess."

"If that's the case, why don't you come over for dinner tonight? I've cooked up a special meal featuring dishes from the Celestial Realm. It should be ready any minute now."

"What a generous offer, Simeon. Sure, I'll take you up on that." 

"I'll have to respectfully decline," Matt said. "I have made prior engagements with Ootengu."

"Ahh, yes. You were going to help him style his hair differently or something? Oh, don't tell me he's actually set on dyeing his hair black?" Karin frowned. "Well, regardless, you two have fun. Simeon, I'll be right over as soon as I get freshened up."

Karin changed into a comfortable sweater and made her way next door. She knocked and was expecting either Simeon or Luke to answer, but the face that greeted her was neither of them...

    Chapter 3: It's Not About To Stop Now

"Arjuna!" she cried, leaping backwards as if she'd been burned.

"So, we meet again. Yes... this is indeed good fortune."

"You talk weird." 

Karin shook her head, brushing past him to get to the kitchen. She hurried to Simeon's side, where he stood in front of the stove. 

"SIMEON! Why is this strange man...err, I mean celestial being, in your home?"

"Silly dove," Simeon laughed. "We're all celestial beings here. Besides, Arjuna is my cousin. Couldn't you tell?"

Though it was true that they bore somewhat of a resemblance, Karin wasn't having it. 

"Whatever. Anyway, what are you making?" 

She changed the topic, and Simeon graciously allowed her to taste test the various dishes he was cooking up. When everything had finished cooking, Simeon requested for Karin to call Luke down for dinner and for Arjuna to assist by setting the table.

"It smells soooo good Simeon!" Luke exclaimed, bounding down the stairs. "Hi, Karin!"

Karin enveloped Luke in a big hug, though she could sense Arjuna's stare on her back. His presence made her uneasy, but if Simeon trusted him, then she had no reason not to as well... at least, that's what she kept repeating to herself in her head.

Dinner passed by uneventfully; Simeon's cooking was delicious as usual, and by the end of the meal, everyone was stuffed.

"I couldn't eat another bite!" Karin sighed happily, giving her stomach a pat. "That was super yummy."

"No room for dessert?" Simeon asked. "I've made a special Gulab Jamun parfait, in celebration of Arjuna staying with us."

"Wait--STAYING with you?" Karin echoed, unsure if she'd heard him right. "Doesn't he have to get going back to his world?"

"Oh, are you concerned about him? How cute. But there's no need to worry, PJ Karter himself approved Arjuna's visitor visa."

"WHAT!" Karin's voice rose to a squeak. "No way..."

First it was Charlemagne that got to skip the line, and now Arjuna. Karter was turning out to be quite the dirty Servant Smuggler!

    Chapter 4: But Why?

Simeon and Luke both insisted that their guests relax while they got everything cleaned up. Karin sat there, brooding and shoveling bites of parfait into her mouth. 

The creaminess from the yogurt with the sponginess of the Gulab Jamuns was the perfect combination, and the honeyed saffron milk gave the parfait that Indian touch. Still, it was hard to enjoy the moment with an unwelcome guest in the vicinity. 

She looked over and saw that Arjuna had finished his and had gone back to staring at her intently. 

"It's rude to stare, you know," Karin muttered, picking up her phone. She tried to ignore him and opened up her phone's video app to distract herself.

The song 'Urvashi' by Yo Yo Honey Singh started playing. Karin kept her focus on the screen, bobbing her head slightly to the upbeat track while watching the music video, which featured a car heist.

"Urvashi, hm? That name brings back memories," said a voice right in Karin's ear. She whipped around and came face to face with Arjuna, who had made his way around the table to sit next to her.

"You're too close," Karin complained, to no avail as Arjuna didn't bother moving an inch.

"Is this the type of music you like?" He smirked slightly before humming a bit, singing along. "Mashallah, teri nazar... Mil jaaye mujhse agar. Do you even know what those lyrics mean?"

Karin shook her head. Arjuna continued on, and to her surprise, he had quite a beautiful voice.

"Your gaze is God’s grace. If this gaze sets on me, it’d be wonderful. I admit that we've met a bit late, but instantly I feel some special relation between us. That is what those lyrics mean."

"I see."

Arjuna placed his finger beneath her chin, mimicking the actor in the video.

"Should I push you against the wall as well?" he asked, matter-of-factly. "If that is what you like."

Karin batted his hand away with a scowl. It took every ounce of her will to push down the strange feelings bubbling up in her chest.

"Why are you acting like this? It's very... improper of you."

"Bonds are annoying, but necessary for a Servant. Are they not simply a means to an end?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, but I'm no Master. And certainly not yours!"

Karin left without saying goodbye to Luke or Simeon; she'd have to apologize later, but she couldn't take any more of Arjuna's teasing. Or taunting. She wasn't even sure which one he meant for it to be.