Rhea felt something soft against her lips, and woke up to find Gilgamesh hovering over her.

Her head felt horrible, and it made her wish she had the sense to pack some hangover potion after learning Rider would be bringing alcohol.

Gilgamesh pulled a few strands of hair away from her face.

"Where...am I?" she said, wincing as the light hit.

"Tohsaka manor," said Gilgamesh.

"...Exactly how much of that wine did I drink?"

"Between you and that fool Rider, you nearly drank the entire thing between you on your own," said Gilgamesh amused. "Had I known you would have liked that particular vintage so much I would have given you a cup as well."

He had to keep stealing it back from her, which amused him slightly.

Rhea blushed, then held her head from the hangover.

"Wake me up when the sun isn't trying to kill me," she replied, before curling into his lap. Gilgamesh chuckled at that, and allowed her to basically turn him into her own personal teddy bear to ward against the morning.

Sometimes being an early riser was more of a curse than a blessing.

Tokiomi took one look at the scene...and wisely left the room after seeing the intense glare that all but dared him to try something while the King of Heroes was watching him like a particularly vicious hawk ready to claw his face off. He wasn't happy about an outsider being part of the war, but by all accounts this "Rhea" had no actual interest in it and was unlikely to say a word about the secret war going on. If ignoring her meant that Archer was willing to humor his commands, then he would pretend she didn't exist.

He still complained about the fact Gilgamesh was overly fascinated with the woman to Risei later though.

Three days later

Her preparations were almost complete. All she needed was a few final ingredients, and she could test to see if her plan to move the souls of the two worm-infected victims would work.

There was one small catch... if this worked they would no longer be Magi, but a witch and a wizard respectively. Somehow she had the distinct feeling Kariya wouldn't give a damn about that fact. Quite the opposite really.

It took her two days to get over that hangover. Whatever wine Gilgamesh had brought out to that impromptu drinking party was far more potent than she was used to. He certainly didn't mind the fact that it made her more affectionate than normal, at least while she was trying to sleep off the worst of the hangover.

She was about to track down Kariya, since she was mostly waiting for the optimum time to perform the ritual when it happened.

Caster decided to "go big or go home" when it came to his abominations.

She was not amused.

She grabbed her staff, which replaced the wand she had snapped in multiple pieces years ago, and headed for the church since it was closer to see if they had any idea of what she was about to go up against.

After all, Gilgamesh's pathetic master was in a secret alliance with the Church. Though she couldn't really say the same for the priest who got the command seals, the Overseer was definitely helping Tokiomi on the sly whenever possible.

Risei was not happy seeing her. After all, she was an anomaly in this war...but she was infinitely preferable to Caster's antics. She, at least, did nothing to openly threaten the secrecy of the war.

"I take it you're the unlucky bastard who has to cover up this mess?" she asked.

"Unfortunately," he agreed.

"You could always blame the Americans."

"Excuse me?"

"Tell people it was an American-made monster film that got out of hand using animatronics. Naturally because they forgot to clear it with the local authorities, things got out of hand and they went bankrupt and were unable to continue the movie because of court fees and having to pay their lawyers to keep them out of prison for the mess they caused. Considering some of the movies that come out of Hollywood and how stupid people can be in order to become famous, it's plausible enough that the average person would be able to buy it long enough to put the matter out of mind," said Rhea flatly. "At least long enough to find out who happened to be at the river that day and to hypnotize them into conveniently forgetting anything that doesn't fit into the story."

Suddenly any complaints the old priest had at her presence in the war disappeared.

It was a perfectly logical explanation that allowed those who weren't supposed to know about magecraft to filter out the obvious magic use and allowed them to hide the war in plain sight. The kidnapping of the children and their subsequent deaths would be placed squarely on the actual culprit...Caster's Master.

"Any idea what exactly Caster summoned?" asked Rhea.

"Your guess is as good as mine," said Risei. "However any assistance in removing it would be appreciated. If you excuse me I have some calls to make."

(The next morning the 'official' story about the monster in the river pinned the blame on an unsanctioned monster movie being shot at the river. The people who were shooting it were being sought for questioning by the police, according to the report. Rhea could only feel smug that the priest had gone along with her cover story.)

Gilgamesh almost did a double take when he saw Rhea flying onto his ship...with a broom.

"Why a broom?" he asked.

"Mostly because I'm faster on it than I am flying solo," admitted Rhea. "Very few animals can fly as fast as my Firebolt."

Tokiomi was looking at the monster with no small amount of dismay.

"Would you relax already? I already helped the old priest come up with a plausible cover story. As far as the public needs to know, some Americans decided to shoot a monster movie in the river and things got out of hand because they forgot to get permission first," said Rhea rolling her eyes.

"...You think people will believe that?" said Gilgamesh dubiously.

"Considering some of the movies that come out of Hollywood these days, it sounds more 'logical' than an actual monster being in the river," said Rhea dismissively. "People will believe damn near anything if you give them a 'reasonable' explanation that fits into previously defined parameters. There will always be one or two oddballs that will see the truth of things, but they're often in the minority so it's highly unlikely anyone would take them seriously."

She narrowed her eyes at Tokiomi.

"That being said if I catch you after Caster is dealt with, you will be in for a very unpleasant evening."

"Have I done something to offend you?" he asked, eyeing Gilgamesh warily.

"Does the name Sakura ring a bell, you conniving ass?"

"What does my youngest daughter have to do with anything?"

"Do you have any idea what Zouken put her through after you sent her to live with the Matou?"

"If you're talking about the Crest Worms, I am well aware of their use," he said dismissively. "At least this way she will inherit a crest, rather than have to fight her sister over it."

"That's why you sold her off to that thing?" she hissed furious. "You allowed your own child to be violated and broken in mind, body and soul...all because you didn't want to deal with your children fighting over who would be the heir?!"

"I wouldn't expect a witch to understand," said Tokiomi haughtily.

"Then I suppose you wouldn't understand the fury of a Black either," she replied darkly. "When Caster is dead, I will come after you. Your death will not be quick. It will not be painless. And it will be unpleasant for anyone who has to clean up after your maimed corpse."

Tokiomi...felt a chill of foreboding run through his spine.

He was almost relieved to see Kariya, because it meant getting away from her and the terrifying aura she had.

When Rhea saw Berserker heading their way with a 'borrowed' fighter jet, she actually grinned.

"Would you mind if I did the piloting, my King? It would give you a chance to watch the lesser kings without having to deal with the mad dog trying to take you out of the air."

"That depends... will you insure the mad dog is sent back to the ground where he belongs?"

"...Does crashing him against Caster's monstrosity count?" asked Rhea honestly.

Gilgamesh smirked.

"Very well... let me see how good you are in the sky, my queen. Do try not to destroy my treasure. I am rather fond of it."

Gilgamesh wasn't the only one staring at the way Rhea piloted his treasure. She was like a bird with how she easily commanded the ship to fly, causing Berserker to actually work at hitting her.

Rhea cackled when she caused the mad Servant to fly a wee bit too close to Caster's monstrosity...only for his ride to be caught.

Though he had to wonder...what exactly was her fascination with the stunt flying? He had lost count of the number of times she had very nearly crashed into the river, only to pull up at almost the very last second...Berserker caught on after the third time she nearly made him crash.

"Are you having fun, my Queen?" asked Gilgamesh.

Once he realized Rhea had no intention of actually crashing his treasure or allowing it to be destroyed, he calmed down at her antics.

There was a spark in her eyes that said depending on the outcome of this fight, any resistance she had towards allowing him in her bed might disappear rather quickly.

If he had known that all he needed to do to earn her favor was to let her fly his ship, he would have done so much sooner. Still, the chase was far more enjoyable than he had ever expected.

Seeing the fool known as Lancer break one of his Noble Phantasms so that Saber might use the full force of her own to dispose of Caster's creation was somewhat amusing.

Rhea's eyes filled with light as Saber charged up her sword.

"Ex...Calibur!"

A few hours later...

Rhea didn't even attempt to fight of Gilgamesh when he picked her up and carried her off. She could track down Tokiomi in the morning, when she wasn't riding off the high of the aerial battle she had gotten into with Berserker. It was very clear she had enjoyed herself thoroughly.

"How amusing. Enkidu was one with the earth and water, but you... you are clearly one with the sky and winds above," said Gilgamesh.

"As I have said before, my king, I am not Enkidu. I am merely his daughter and reincarnation in one," said Rhea. "The last thing I would ever want to attempt would be to walk the same path he tread when I could simply make my own."

"That is fine in it's own way. I find no interest in someone attempting to follow the same path as their predecessor, however flawed their efforts may be. It is far more entertaining to see you walk a path completely unknown even to myself," said Gilgamesh. "That being said, I did not idly allow you to fly my treasure."

Rhea caught on immediately...under any other circumstance, she would have resisted the idea.

Except...she knew without being told Gilgamesh did not allow just anyone to fly his ship. Enkidu might have enjoyed being a passenger, but she felt happier being the one in control when flying.

It was like Gilgamesh said...she was one with the wind and sky, rather than the earth and water.

That was why...she didn't say a word when Gilgamesh smirked at her and led her into the bed chambers.

She knew she was going to be very sore tomorrow, but considering the fun she had before it would be entirely worth it. Besides, after tonight she refused to allow anyone else to take her King away from her, even if she had to make a contract with him herself once she disposed of Tokiomi.

Gilgamesh was downright smug the next morning and Rhea wasn't getting out of bed for anything short of the tent being on fire. She was exhausted, sore, and yet for some inexplicable reason felt better than she had in a very long time.

That being said she staunchly refused to get up today. Or admit her secret pleasure of allowing Gilgamesh to feed her while she was lying in bed and treated her like an actual queen, instead of the person who had to clean up the mess of everyone else.

"What are we even doing here?" said Waver nervously.

"Archer's queen has invited us to something she called a 'movie night', complete with refreshments! The documentaries you've provided are interesting, but I wish to see for myself how they were able to hide Caster's monstrosity under the guise of a 'monster movie' that got out of hand," said Rider.

Rhea had the perfect movie to open up the unofficial movie night. Gilgamesh was all for it, and she had even managed to rope Saber and the homunculus woman into coming.

Sakura and Kariya were currently adjusting to their new bodies, so they would be sleeping through most of it. And Berserker was off doing who knew what.

Rider was suitably impressed when he saw the inside of the tent, while Waver's eyes widened in realization.

"You're a witch?" he said in shock.

"That was quite rude, boy," said Rider frowning.

"Actually that's not entirely accurate anymore. I used to be a witch, but technically I'm classed as a 'demi-Servant' now," said Rhea cheerfully. "However I was considered a 'half-blood' from two ancient and noble lines, so by their standards I'm still a witch."

"Which enclave?" asked Waver interested.

"The English one," said Rhea grimacing. "Why do you think I left so fast?"

Waver grimaced as well. The reputation of the English wizarding society had gone downhill years ago and it would take a miracle on the level of the True Magics to fix the damage that had been done in the past century.

"So which movie are we watching first?" said Irisviel.

"Considering we're part of the Grail war and to acclimatize Rider to good movies, I thought we'd start with something he'd be a bit more familiar with than most," said Rhea cheerfully, as she held up a DVD with the title "300".

"What is that about?" asked Saber, curious.

"It's a semi-credible recreation of the famous Battle of Thermopylae in which the Spartan king Leonidas took three hundred of his soldiers to fight against the Persian king Xerxes, who vastly outnumbered them," explained Rhea.

Rider perked up quite a bit hearing that description.

"That sounds quite fascinating! I have heard of the great battle, but only in stories."

"Like I said, it's a good movie to acclimate you to a movie marathon, or at least get us started. It something all of us can at least recognize for the most part," said Rhea.

Needless to say Rider was hooked after seeing the riveting tale, and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Most of the acting was as close to 'period accurate' as it could get, according to Rider, who had personal experience with the Greeks.

(On an unrelated note, Waver became hooked on modern games and movies through Rhea and was soon started joining her on online dungeon crawls. Rider was endlessly amused by this.)