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

[knight_king]

Until winter arrives. [ she notes, hoping they will leave before it comes. ] I hunted often during my youth, though I might be out of practice.

[ before she became king, when it was one of the skills that Ector expect her to learn.

she tips her head to a side. ]

Yes, it would be. [ though she knows if there is a conflict, losses are inevitable. That's why she seeks to avoid it. ] As do I.

[dragonblood]

[ she frowns. 'until winter arrives.' she also feels it coming and it may be a season she's loved for her entire life, but living through it here is not something she looks forward to. a sigh is held in while saber continues to speak, though she can't hide the mild frustration in her voice. ]

If we're going to be stuck here until winter, there's plenty of time to learn again. [ her lips push out before she adjusts the amber slice in her hands. ] But hopefully we won't. Anyway—the ice. Let me know when you need it. I'm— [ she briefly considers telling saber where she's staying, but decides against it. instead she taps on the screen. ] I'll be using this.

[knight_king]

Perhaps we shall be fortunate. [ they could be gone by then, she thinks. ] However, will the one who brought us here be content with that result? [ more people will be caught, she wants to plan something to make their lives easier, if she was unable to defeat the force that took them and set them free. ]

I see. You are kind to offer. I will be by Chime's shop.

[dragonblood]

It won't matter if they're content if we've found a way to leave. I want nothing to do with them. And if they decide after all this time that they want to be our enemy, that won't be our fault. We're all doing what we can.

[ she pauses, her turn to take in 'kind' with some confusion. she wants food, but if that lines up with kindness, she won't argue. her frown eventually relaxes. saber is...not so bad. ] Right. I'll come by soon, then.

[knight_king]

To simply leave would no longer satisfy me. [ she admits, even if she wishes to return, she has been challenged by this unknown force. She has to answer and stop more innocent people to be caught here. ] But I wish for others to be able to find an exit.

[dragonblood]

[ now she's really confused and it shows this time. ] What? Why? If we leave, we're done with this place. [ well, she thinks about it. ] ... I suppose they might try kidnapping us again, but they would have to be really desperate.

[knight_king]

It is for that reason: they would try to take us, or at least some of us, as prisoners again.

[ but that is not the only reason. ]

Or they would kidnap others in our place. I cannot ignore that.

[dragonblood]

At the very least, we would be on guard on this time. I see your point. But there isn't much we can do until we find the person responsible... [ she was always on guard before this, and yet she still wound up here. it's a little aggravating.

she trails off at the last bit, and her shoulders droop just a little as she looks aside. isn't that normal? she tells herself, but she can't find it in her to empathize the way saber does. yes, it's terrible that they've all been gathered in this place against their will, but once she leaves? that'll be that. a thought occurs to her now. with the way she unconditionally cares and takes initiative to better their situation without asking anything in return, saber would make a fitter ruler than she ever would. that is, if dragua deserved someone like that at all. ]

... So what are you going to do? If we find an exit before we find the kidnapper, you'll stay behind?

[knight_king]

[ She silently assents and looks immutable. Saber believes this will not end unless they find the responsible party and make them stop. By force or by negotiation. She is not against lowering her sword even if her pride has been wounded to reach a peaceful solution. She can suppress that if words were more effective than steel. ]

Yes.

[ If she is given a choice, she thinks that running away is craven. It has not been her idea to battle again, but nonetheless she cannot deny its existence. ]

[dragonblood]

[ she stares at the amber for a few long moments before slowly breathing out through her nose. yeah, she could never be like saber. and it's not what she wants to be—she'll never want to sit on dragua's throne—but recognizing your own inferiority is rarely pleasant.

even she knows this isn't the time she say she would run as soon as she could, but she's still thinking it. her tone now is quiet but genuine. ] Then I hope it's worth it. I really do.

[ she looks aside for a second before continuing. ] I'm going to turn this thing off, all right? I'll head for the shop soon.

[knight_king]

[ she stares back, trying to appear focused when she is really immersed in her thoughts. As Servant, her duty is just oversee Rin and Shirou. As king, her duty is simply return to her country, so then-

Why she resolved that. It is possible because both missions are endangered so long the abducted lives and keeps taking people. It is possible that Archer's ominous message about a tainted alternate struck her and wish to atone for crimes she could have committed.

Or it is because of something her heart longs for and has stirred when Pitch Black show her a nightmare of Mordred's eyes growing dull and lifeless?

She answers with a quiet, but unyielding voice.]

It is too soon to know if we will victory, but we can hope.

[ she doesn't know if she is relieved to hear that. this conversation has been heavy. nonetheless, her face remains impassive. ]

Very well. I will be waiting.

amber;

[braavado]

Probably not. [She cups her chin with one hand.]

If it were something more practical, it'd probably be a different story, though. I've heard people complaining about the leaf-clothes they give us.

amber;

[knight_king]

Yes, I know. [she reconsiders her statement.] Not those dresses, but clothing is essential. How many changes of clothes people posses?

[What happens if they are torn? She has warm clothes thanks to Rin, even if she does not suffer from the elements as normal people do, but do others. What about armors or other attire that helps to protect them?]

[onlypath]

Hmmm...

[he rationalizes everything over. he really does want to be able to check the egg out. but he wasn't physically strong enough to do it. even if he could lift it, it'd be too awkward and he'd risk breaking it. Saber was stronger than him when applying prana in bursts of attacks, so that left...]

If we get in trouble, we'll just pay for the egg anyways. Either we all hang onto it and try to shake it by taking a side of it, or...

Illya? Are you able to do something like levitate objects with Ruby? [hey, a legitimate question!] Without breaking the egg?

[knight_king]

Berries? Shirou has not made you breakfast?

[ She gives her Master a pointed look of disappointment before he could explain himself. She vaguely recalls how her brother used to treat her in the mornings... and Hm. Maybe Shirou has the advantage in his affectionate displays of filial love.

She wholeheartedly hopes they are not scammed, even if they need two stones more to purchase the egg too. Her attention shifts at Illya when Shirou asks her that question and shoots her a wary glance. She does not mistrust the girl, it is that talking staff that is suspicious. ]

Are you certain that this is the best course of action?

[2wei]

It's not onii-chan's fault--!

[ There's slight frustration in her voice as she frantically waves her hands in the air. This situation is making her think of Sella. Was Saber her replacement in this world?

Of course, when Ruby is mentioned, the staff seems to float out of Illya's hands, moving way too close for comfort towards Saber as it speaks rather haughtily. ]

Of course I can! After all, Illya-san is the new Kaleid Liner! Wouldn't it be more weird if she couldn't do such a thing?

[ Which, in turn, causes the smaller girl to shrink back as she laughs awkwardly. ]

Um, yeah, I think I can, but... I'd have to find a place to transform. [ A beat. ] Because it's embarrassing.

amber;

[braavado]

I think most of us just showed up with what we were wearing at the time. And then there's the leaf ones in our packs...

[Korra tugs at her shirt absently.]

So that probably means most of us just have the two sets.

amber;

[knight_king]

[She is truly a lucky exception thanks to her abilities.]

And how many of those have winter clothes or something impermeable against rain?

[onlypath]

[he nervously shrank away slightly when Saber gave him that disappointing pointed look, but before he could try to explain, Ruby intervened and chimed up. it was still going to take some getting used to having a talking magical wand as an ally. but,]

Why is it embarassing?

amber;

[braavado]

[Korra frowns slightly as she tries to recall what everyone else had been wearing.]

Not a lot, I think. Most of us stayed in the tree when it rained and snowed because it was warmer in here. [She makes a face.] Though they could've just been staying out of the way, too. Getting pelted by ice that's suddenly about half your size isn't what I'd call fun.

[Tiny people woes.]

amber;

[knight_king]

Was it warm enough? I would advice against fully relying on the tree and its...helpful insects without knowing how long will this kindness last.

[knight_king]

Perhaps she has to strip.

[ Saber reasons, thinking maybe her transition to clothing takes longer than hers. ]

Do you want us to escort you back to our lodgings, Illyasviel?

1/2

[2wei]

[ There are no words.


Only screaming. ]

[2wei]

[ ..... Except for the fact that the screaming is all internal, though she does make a panicked face. Why this. Why her. ]

I-It's fine, it's fine, it doesn't have to be back in the room, just in a place where [ onii-chan can't ] nobody can see!

[onlypath]

Hah? [he looks to Saber in disbelief- though in hindsight it made sense if Illya reacted the way that she did. when Saber changed her appearance, it was a flash of magic and her armor and sword materialized. for Illya, if she wasn't an actual Servant...]

A-Ah. Sorry. If it's too much trouble, we'll figure something out.