Chapter 3 – Mash gets First Dibs!

“Listen up, everyone. This is an important meeting.” said not-Da Vinci, masquerade mask failing to hide the identity of the Servant in charge.

The Medical Doctor’s coat also gave away the identity of the masked man sheepishly standing by not-Da Vinci, backing up his second in command.

“Yo Doc, whats the point of this?” Francis Drake called out, purposefully ignoring the attempts at disguises.
She was happy to play charades when out drinking and messing around, but this had been described as a serious meeting in the memo, yet here was both of the people in charge acting like fools.
This could cause a serious break down in command, which isn’t something Chaldea can afford, given the types we have here.

“I have no idea who your talking to! Anyway, I’m here on behalf of both Directors to set the down the law on having relationship with Ritsuka.” Not-Da Vinci bluntly stated, suddenly gaining the attention of every Servant in the room.

Ah.
While most of the Servants weren’t as outright thirsty as some of the Berserkers, there had always been an unspoken rule that who ever got to Master first, decided the rest.
……which probably explained why their Master rarely rested while here in Chaldea, often out on missions or daily resource missions.
Servants needed some sort of relationship with their Master, and it seemed some servants wanted something very carnal.

That also explained the the poor attempts at a disguise.
It was unethical for someone in charge to make rules about relationships for a singular person, despite the unique circumstances they were in.

“So, here’s the law, punishable by denial of mana: No one gets to be intimate with Ritsuka until Mash has had a proper relationship with them.” Not-Da Vinci stated.

“Eh?” collectively roared back at her, the confusion and lowkey anger very apparent.

“But they are My Beloved. How dar-” Kiyohime started, quickly changing into her flame-wreathed Lamia form, before being quickly cut off by Not-Da Vinci.

“So you think Mash doesn’t deserve nice things?” Not-Da Vinci shot back.
“The person who did everything to ensure you had a place that suited your needs, who helped ensure the Cafeteria had atleast one comfort item for you, who has done nothing but help and support everyone here?”

Kiyohime faltered, her blue flames sputtering. “Well, no, b-“

“So you think that she shouldn’t pursue a relationship with the only person she’s met who didn’t help create her?” Came the quiet voice of the Masked Man in the Medical Coat, supporting Not-Da Vinci in what little way he could.
“I have it on great authority that no one Chaldea Staff member who has been here since her creation, or can easily access her files, will ever attempt a relationship with her. She deserves what little sense of normalcy we can give her.”

Kiyohime backed down, changing back into her kimono form, slumping into her chair.
It seemed the guilt of Mash’s unfair creation and life was weighing on most of them, and the few who were indifferent knew not to say anything.

Which was exactly why Drake had to challenge this.
She wasn’t against the idea, per se. She adored Mash, and it was clear Ritsuka adored her right back.
But, as a pirate, she felt obligated to call out such a flagrant abuse of authority.
“Yo Acting Director, why are we being punished for your fuck ups? Ain’t this abusing your power?”

“…..yes.” The Masked Man didn’t even try to deny it.

“To be quite frank, this is the only chance she might have.” Not-Da Vinci stated, the energy she had displayed earlier now more subdued.
“So long as we stop Lev Lainur’s plan, you all will have plenty of chances. Wheras Mash only has this life.”

“And its not like we are saying ‘No relationship ever’. We’re just saying ‘Let them have a fling without pressure from you all’ for the time being.” The Masked Man added, seeing discontent starting to ripple through the crowd.

“How long are we expected to wait?” Came the Irish brogue of Fergus.
Of course that lust-fueled idiot is the first to ask the exact limited. Drake groaned inwardly.
But, the question did need to be asked in some form, since some of them needed either a time frame, or atleast an end date.

“Until they’re comfortable enough to tell us. That’s fair, right?” The Masked Man asked the crowd, Not-Da Vinci nodding her head in support of that decision.

Lots of indistinct murmuring followed, as the other Heroic Spirits discussed the idea.

“Oh, but feel free to still act really friendly. We’re not saying don’t plant the seeds of something. We just want Mash’s to sprout first.”

Most of the murmuring died down, the only outliers being the more possessive individuals.
“Fine. I’m not happy that I have to share, but my Beloved can also be Mash’s Beloved.” Kiyohime pouted unhappily.

“So, we all in agreement?” Not-Da Vinci asked, getting an approving response back.

Taking off their masks, Da Vinci and Dr Roman took their proper places at the head of the meeting.
“Now, on to official business.”

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“Should we tell them?” Mash asked, as Ritsuka led her away from the Moonlit meeting room, fingers entwined.

“Or we could have a few more months of exclusivity, before we finally have to accept that we can’t be monogamous.” Ritsuka was currently in the middle of transitioning their male form to their female form. Since Bodymorphing Magecraft was their only Magecraft skill, they liked to practice while back in Chaldea.

Wasn’t really practical when in the Singularities, since it was a slower type of Magecraft. But Mash adored both forms her Senpai chose.
The black-growing-into-red shaggy hair was a favourite, the blue eyes of the male forming becoming green then shifting into yellow was always so gorgeous to witness between singularities.

“Then I think I will be selfish, and ask that we keep this quiet a little longer.” A furious blush spread across her pale features.
She wasn’t prone to asking for things, and if she did, it was always for things that benefited all involved.
But this was selfish. Selfish in a way that denied others, in a way she didn’t feel comfortable with.
But she wanted Senpai exclusively, atleast for a little while longer.

I don’t have as long, compared to the others, or even Senpai. I will accept how un–

“Of course. Our little secret.” With a conspiratorial wink, and a loving squeeze of their entwined fingers, Ritsuka dragged their partner off and away from the meeting.