SECOND WISH ♔ ( AMBER )

[knight_king]

[Saber's face immediately appears on the amber surface and, from behind her, there are glimpses of Chime's recently opened shop.]

Good morning. To those who were not aware, the spirit known as Chime has just opened her shop and brought wares that are not available to us in the tree. [She is inwardly pleased to know that means this creature too can leave the tree somehow, but she will try to communicate with her later.] However, these items are not free and we cannot afford them alone. Their stock seems to be very limited as well. The answer is obvious, many of us surely have concluded that the solution is reuniting with close allies to purchase the desired ware with them, but I will suggest something else.

[She has been speaking about this matter with some people already, but she has had no time to propose an assembly outdoors to discuss the organization overall they could have to improve their lives and call a vote. She pauses to make her proposal.]

There are basic items such as food or the string of yarn, among others, that are of a general interest. Why do not we, the potential purchasers, donate them in benefit of all of us? We should assign a space as a storeroom to keep all what belongs the community and be sure that they are given a fair use.

[If this is accepted, she will bring up the delegated tasks for those who are specialized in different fields to optimize their lifestyles. Because raw ingredients could be better utilized in hands of good cooks than inexpert ones.]

If you do not agree, it is fine. I only wanted to address that, for the time being, we are expected to live together and a cohesive group stands stronger than one that lives with cordial divisions.

Comments

[dragonblood]

[ she's seen (or heard, mostly) this young woman around, of how she seems to be taking charge and gathering opinion from the other tree-dwellers. she didn't think she'd ever run into her personally, simply out of disinterest. her ideas are well-thought but a bit too ambitious for a group this size. sharing is easy when you only have two or three people in your company. not so much with several dozens.

still... after overhearing one of the conversations through the amber, riona decides to respond. or rather ask: ]

You need ice?

[knight_king]

[ sharing is easier if you optimized the ingredients and transform them into prepared meals. Arturia likes well made meals over the raw material, so to speak.

She pauses at the new face asking for ice. She cannot reveal Rin can provide her with it because the girl prefers to keep her intervention a secret. So she nods, she does need ice and maybe someone who will assist Rin so she would not need to exert herself. ]

Yes, that is correct. Miss...?

[dragonblood]

[ she pauses for a second before answering. ] Riona. What do you need it for?

[knight_king]

Well met, Riona. Please call me Saber.

[Saber bows her head after her introduction.]

Among the food supplies, there is an egg and a bacon strip. Should we purchase them to use as ingredients, we would need to keep what is left of it from spoiling.

[dragonblood]

[ the bow comes unexpectedly, as there's no need for such formality in this situation or directed at her, so she stares at the amber for another moment before remembering to listen. huh... she looks genuinely confused now. ]

Why would there be any left? Just use it all.

[knight_king]

[ the provincial feel of this place and the lack of holy war makes Arturia revert to her old mannerisms as the king, rekindled by the answer obtained. ]

If there are leftovers we would not know until we agree how to divide the portions and utilize them.

[ The variants are several. If a group of chefs would be tasked with this and if they can find an appropriate place to make it a storeroom immediately, or if they would have this ready for a future occasion and simply give each house an equivalent portion of meals and make them responsible as individuals. Time and choice by the people who live here, she has thought some of the options. ]

[dragonblood]

[ she squints a little, still in confusion but now at her optimism. ] ... I suppose. Hopefully it will be as easy as you make it sound.

So, the ice?

[knight_king]

The ice is necessary keep the provisions cold and make sure they would be edible for a longer period.

[She explains, it seems unnecessary but she does it in benefit of whoever listens. She addresses what she believes Rinoa asks next.]

It would either be individual supplies for households or just one this potential storeroom. I have another volunteer, so the task would not be a burden for a single person. [Two more, but she will keep Rin's participation secret.]

[dragonblood]

Ice can do that? [ seems it was necessary after all. riona appears honestly surprised. ]

[knight_king]

Colder temperature appears to aid in food preservation. [This refrigerator invention of the modern times is miraculous.] Ice would help in this.

[dragonblood]

It does? That's incredible! [ clearly no one back home knows of this trick or they could have saved themselves a little extra trouble had she used her magic. so now the question is if she wants to give her help after all. she's quiet, though still excited after learning this bit of information. ]

... I can help. But only if you really do share it fairly. [ it may not matter. saber did say she had one other person to help her, though she was also concerned for that person's workload. ]

[knight_king]

Civilization has grown impressive with all their discoveries during the age of men. [ she agrees with the sentiment. Humans without magic only had their wits and their resourcefulness is admirable. ]

You have my word. If I had not intended to share it fairly, I would have not made this proposal public.

[ it would mean forsaking the food she likes so much because it is what is right for the sake of many. ]

[dragonblood]

[ she nods. it makes her wonder if she'll ever return to see her world improve and grow in a similar way. now here she is working toward making this place even a little more comfortable for herself and the people around her. though she'd like to, she can't stubbornly resist forever.

her excitement dulls a bit as saber continues. ] A lot of people say one thing and mean another. You can't ever be sure. [ after another pause, she breathes out through her nose and holds the amber firmly in front of her. ] All right then. I'll help. I'm an ice mage.

[ it feels surreal to say that out loud, finally. even if this isn't home, she's refrained from speaking of or using her magic, regardless of whether or not people had already seen her pet dragon. she really is getting comfortable. she'll have to pull it back a bit soon. ]

[knight_king]

Hm. I understand why many are wary. [It would insult her honor if she has not known how the world has also forgotten about chivalry and the path of knights.] Though I am appreciative that you have decided to aid us with your power.

[She takes the revelation calmly. Hearing of magi or phantasmal beings are not unusual in her time, still she has travelled across time and space to realize the future has forgotten such knowledge and what was once common went into hiding.]

[dragonblood]

[ the reaction is a refreshing one, and makes riona wonder if magic is something saber is used to or has only recently acquainted herself with. it isn't particularly important. ]

You're welcome... ... How are you going to cook the meat?

[knight_king]

Hm. Archer spoke of fireflies and glow worms that could help us.

[ She frowns, because it sounds ludicrous but she trusts Archer's knowledge about meals and cooking to be a good judge in this field. ]

[dragonblood]

[ she doesn't know who this 'archer' is (or if he's an actual archer or that's just his name), but— ] ... Fireflies don't have actual fire in them.

[ .......... do they? ]

[knight_king]

Of course I know this, though if he says it is possible to cook with the assistance of these bugs, I believe him.

[ This tree is odd and she expects them not to be normal. ]

[dragonblood]

... Is he your friend? [ someone that came along with her from her world? it wouldn't be the first instance she's seen of it. ]

1/2

[knight_king]

...Ah-

[She's struck by the question. How can she label Archer? Someone she knows but he is different and from an ending that strays so far away from hers?]

avoiding introspection because it's spoilery :(

[knight_king]

He is someone I know from the world I come from. And someone I trust.

[She frowns, dissatisfied with the answer, but it is the best to keep it simple.]

He is also someone who can cook well. [Which is indefinitely more important on topic.]

ty ty

[dragonblood]

[ that's all she needs to know. though still slightly bitter that there have been some people to come with their companions, she tries not to let it get to her. ] All right... [ she pauses a second, looking aside, before continuing. ] So where do you need me?

[knight_king]

I need you to stay in contact. After we purchase the food, we must ask the inhabitants of the tree how would they like their portions.

[ And speaking of this. ]

How would you like your portion?

[dragonblood]

What? [ she seems as if the question came unexpected, but a look of understanding soon crosses her features. ] Ah, right. Um...I'm...not sure.

[ she can't exactly say "normal-sized" and expect saber to understand, can she? ] It doesn't have to be too big. I'm not grown.

[ when rationing food with liam, he always had the bigger portion. he needed the strength and it just made sense. ]

[knight_king]

No, I truly mean is [ She pauses to wonder if it is alright to volunteer Shirou for this. He will like to help, she thinks. It gives a meaning to his existence. ] if you want your portion to be cooked and served in a meal prepared by someone or you would rather have the raw ingredients.