Arthur Karen Aijo/Bond Story

*King Arthur holds the holy sword Excalibur aloft to cheer warriors onward. Together with the knights of the round table, Arthur forged ahead valiantly through countless obstacles as Britain's king.*

* Chapter 1
* Chapter 2
* Bond Level 15 Talk
* Bond Level 30 Talk

No Such Outfit Was Ever Found

 **Karen:**Hmmm, which one's better?

 **Karen:**This one? Or this one? Ahhh, I can't decide!

 **Karen:**What am I gonna do?

 **Karen:**...Huh? What's up? Are you out shopping too?

 **Karen:**Whaaat? You came to help me pick out clothes? ...Because you knew I wouldn't be able to decide!?

 **Karen:**Jeez, am I that predictable? You read me like an open book.

 **Karen:**All right! Then can I get your opinion? The theme is... "Weekend Outing!"

 **Karen:**This Sunday a bunch of us are headed out to the amusement park.

 **Karen:**It's rare for Jun-Jun and Tendo-san to come out with us, so I wanted to dress up and make it special.

 **Karen:**...But now I can't decide which skirt I like more! They're both super cute...

 **Karen:**This one's all fluffy and cute, which is perfect for an amusement park...

 **Karen:**But this feels more mature, and it's suuuper stylish!

 **Karen:**Ahh, I'm so torn! I'm a Stage Girl rocked to my core here...

 **Karen:**Ah! Wait a second! If I'm gonna be walking around ll day, maybe pants would be better?

 **Karen:**But then that doesn't go with the blouse I had picked out! So maybe I should buy a new top, too!?

 **Karen:**Ugh, there's so much to think about, my head's gonna explode!

 **Karen:**...Huh? For someone with an exploding head I seem like I'm having fun?

 **Karen:**Well, I haven't been to an amusement park in forever!

 **Karen:**I'm so excited I can't sleep at all... Well, okay, I sleep like a rock. But I've been reading magazines and planning what to see first.

 **Karen:**And this park doesn't just have rides, they do shows and the buildings are super fancy...

 **Karen:**I think it'll be really edutaining as an actor! ...Edutainment-y?

 **Karen:**Educational and entertaining? Whatever! You know what I mean.

 **Karen:**Anyway, the more I thought about it, my excitement just got to the point where I couldn't sit still, so I came out shopping.

 **Karen:**What? You'll stick with me till I figure out what to wear? Really!?

 **Karen:**Thank you! You're my amusement park savior!

 **Karen:**Okay! Let's put together a look that slays!

 **Karen:**We can set these skirts down for now... And let's brainstorm from the top!

 **Karen:**Hmmm, I'm not going to goof off and have fun. I want this to help me as an actress...

 **Karen:**So maybe something a little costumey? Something I could take straight from the park to the stage.

 **Karen:**Huh? How am I going to put the experience of going to an amusement park to use on stage?

 **Karen:**Lots of ways! I could pick up some new moves from the dance shows they do.

 **Karen:**And the park's divided up into themed areas. There's a Wild West section, and an Enchanted Forest zone...

 **Karen:**It could be fun to do a themed improv scene in each one!

 **Karen:**And, um... It'll be a big help if I ever get cast as a Ferris wheel...

 **Karen:** In kindergarten, I played a tree in our class play! The teacher said I really sold it.

 **Karen:**I didn't just stand there. I was swaying in the breeze, and when my leaves fell off I looked really sad.

 **Karen:**ahh, it was fun being a tree!

 **Karen:**So I'm pretty confident I could nail the part of a Ferris wheel. Ooh, or a roller coaster!

 **Karen:**You just wait till the day after we go to the park! I'll be the most convincing Ferris wheel you've ever seen!

 **Karen:**...Clothes? What clothes? OH! Right! I almost forgot!

 **Karen:** Well, now that I know I'm playing a Ferris wheel, I'll just go with the Ferris wheeliest outfit. Easy!

The Tale of Sir Karen the Bold

 **Karen:**"This sword is said to have long stood in this stone, yet it shines with the light of a dozen torches..."

 **Karen:**"I am Arthur, king. Chosen of the holy blade. I shall see all Britain united."

 **Junna:**And, scene.

 **Karen:**Okay! Whew, that's a lot of lines!

 **Mahiru:**Your King Arthur's looking great, Karen-chan! Really nice work. Here's a towel.

 **Karen:**Heh heh, thanks, Mahiru-chan!

 **Karen:**What did you think, Jun-Jun? Am I getting Arthur-y?

 **Junna:**I would say so. I'm honestly impressed at how far you've elevated your performance from a simple youth to someone with a distinctly regal air.

 **Karen:**Yesssss!

 **Junna:**But something about Arthur's emotional state has been nagging me.

 **Karen:**Ooh, really? What!?

 **Junna:**It isn't until he pulled the sword from the stone that Arthur learned he was of royal blood, correct?

 **Karen:**Um...yes! That's right.

 **Junna:**Until then, he'd been raised by Sir Ector, a vassal of his father, King Uther.

 **Junna:**In which case...

 **Karen:**Ohh! When he pulls the sword out, he'd be less happy than plain confused! Like, "Whoa, seriously!?"

 **Mahiru:**Arthur probably would have been more surprised than anyone that he managed to do it.

 **Karen:**Yeah!

 **Karen:**I was putting the emphasis on his feeling of triumph. All, "Yesss, I did it! I'm the chosen one!"

 **Karen:**But gosh, you're right!

 **Mahiru:**Although, don't you think he was happy to learn who he really was?

 **Mahiru:**He was young then, but not a child. I feel like the question of his origins would have weighed on his mind.

 **Junna:**I would say so. A mix of feelings, then. Joy at this clue to his identity, and hesitation at the crown suddenly being thrust upon him.

 **Junna:**Evoking that nuanced state will require a fairly subtle performance.

 **Karen:**Wow, yeah. But the scene where he pulls out the sword is so iconic.

 **Karen:**It's where his fate is altered forever. I want to portray it with all the complexity it deserves!

 **Mahiru:**And I'm sure you will, Karen-chan! You've been doing great lately!

 **Junna:**Yes, I agree. Interacting with girls from other schools has been good for you.

 **Karen:**I think so, too! Everyone's so brilliant...

 **Karen:**I don't want to get left behind. I want to do my best, no matter how complex the role!

 **Junna:**But the tale of King Arthur isn't one easily mastered with a little effort.

 **Junna:**It's a long and complicated epic...

 **Junna:**Comprised of countless episodes, full of characters whose thoughts and motivations change from moment to moment.

 **Karen:**Oof, that does sound rough.

 **Junna:**...So you'll need backup. I'm happy to help you research the role and figure out how Arthur would have approached each scene.

 **Karen:**Aww, Jun-Jun!

 **Mahiru:**I'll help too, Karen-chan. I'm excited to see your Arthur on the stage!

 **Karen:**You guys are the best! Thank you.

 **Karen:**Okay! Time to study up so I can absolutely NAIL this role!

 **Karen:**"I have pulled free the sword, and become king..." That's exactly what it felt like when I got the role of Arthur!

 **Karen:**Do you think Arthur was happy to be chosen king? The more I reread the script, the less I'm sure!

 **Karen:**Well...I'll keep rehearsing till I understand him, then! ...What? You'll go through it with me!?

 **Karen:**Whoa... I think I got how he felt just now. It's easy to keep going when you've got someone at your side...And nothing makes you happier!