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]

Hm. No, I was wary of the nature of these stones. [ Good thing she did not throw them away. ]

I have not bought anything, Rin. [ She couldn't with only two rocks. Silently, she turns the amber so it displays the items instead of her face. She speaks while she shows Rin the food, the magical items and the other mundane ones. ] There is some variety. What are you looking for?

[gandere]

[ Opening her mouth to comment on the clothing, she stops once she sees what they look like. Not even the disfigured hue of the amber can convince her that it's worth trying on. ]

We could have asked. This can't be the first time this is happening, can it?

[ So far everyone's talked their heads off about spiders, giant shadows, and questions over the amber. It's gotten to be kind of a nuisance to Rin, so she's tucked her own away and ignores it until she hears a familiar voice. ]

[knight_king]

[ She misses the expression Rin is making because she's holding the amber to face the wares and not her face. ]

I was informed that this spirit was released after the spiders were defeated.

[ Saber explains. She has seen the steeds that are rent in this floor, but the stands were empty. The price of the mounts is another too. ]

That did not take place a long time ago.

[ So maybe this is the first time, she cannot be sure, but it is too important to omit from the information they have supplied to her. ]

[gandere]

Is that what happened? [ She asks, trying to piece it together.

Lately her mind has been working overtime. There are so many other variables at play here that Rin hasn't had time to sit down and place these thoughts in order. ]

If you're going to go through with this, you'll need a guard system in place or individuals you trust to act as agents to keep stock. Furthermore, some of those items I saw need to be frozen to keep them from spoiling.

[knight_king]

That was what I was told.

[ After she finishes showcasing the goods, she turns the amber to display her face. Her lips tug slightly when Rin mentions those two points. She does not disclose her nature as magus so openly. ]

One seems to be a task for someone who could conjure ice.

GO TO SLEEP omfg

[gandere]

[ It's good she doesn't because the last thing she wants is for everyone to come pester her for favors with nothing in return. It's difficult enough to manage the three from Fuyuki City, Rin still unaware of Ilyasviel's existence. ]

There may be someone who could do that around here. [ May not.

Who knows? Rin knows. Saber knows. No one else has to know. ]

/did

[knight_king]

[ She nods, taking that as a yes from Rin, which reminds her there is another magus, though she wonders if she should just call her 'magical girl', instead. ]

Rin.

[ She says. ]

I am permitted to utilize this stone or do you need to purchase something with it?

[gandere]

Do what you will with it, Saber. [ The two speak in riddles and around their words, meaning one thing when saying another.

Rin doesn't understand how it is that Saber knows her mannerisms so well, but she goes along with it. Much like dancing, it's easier when your partner knows what they are doing and can guide you. It's a dance and Rin won't be the one who missteps. ]

1/3

[knight_king]

Thank you.

[ She bows her head and her image fades from the amber to search for the stone she surely carries in that leaf backpack. ]

[knight_king]

[ A minutes later, a dejected Saber appears to contact once more. Slumped shoulders and averted eyes, she clears her throat. ]

Rin. I—

[knight_king]

...

[ She lowers her head in shame, because she could not bear her shortcomings. How could she lose what has been entrusted to her? ]

I am sorry, but I failed you. [ Such an unworthy Servant. ] I misplaced the stone. It is no longer where I thought I kept it.

[gandere]

Wha-? [ Rin pauses to consider this herself before she shakes her head, refusing to believe that. ]

No, that can't be.

Saber, can you look again? It's not like you to lose something.

[knight_king]

I have looked again before contacting you. [ She would not worried Rin needlessly. ] I placed it in this satchel and never removed. It must have fallen while I flew down. [ She refuses to think someone could have stolen it under her nose. ]

[gandere]

It's just a rock. [ With some trade-in value to it, but ignoring that? ]

Whoever took it probably needs it more than we do. My only regret is that I'm not able to assist as readily as I had offered in the first place.

[knight_king]

It is more than that. It seems to be the closest to currency to trade for food.

[ She shakes her head. She cannot accept this injustice. She has failed Rin. ]

No. It was my mistake, then my rock is now yours as compensation for losing what belongs to you.

[gandere]

Geez Saber, is there really any need for that? I didn't want the rock before and now you're making a big deal about losing it.

Is it possible it fell out in here? If you retrace your steps starting from where you first saw it, you'll likely find it.

[knight_king]

...

[ She keeps her mouth shut and looks extremely unhappy. Of course it is important. Her pride is wounded and her promise broken. She also has the tendency to blame herself and revel in her mistakes rather than redeem herself. She looks flustered at Rin's proposal. ]

Very well, I will start my quest immediately.

[gandere]

You'll be coming by then? [ She aske to confirm. ]

I'll pick up a little where I can and make the place presentable.

[knight_king]

I will, but I must start by looking at the bottom. [ Because if it fell and nobody took it, then it must have landed on the ground. ]

[gandere]

Oh. [ She tries to not let her disappointment show, but it does. ]

All right, Saber. You can look for it there and I can join you to search elsewhere after you visit.

[knight_king]

[ She immediately perceives her dejection and looks briefly confused. ] Rin, did you want me to join me in the quest?

[ She had assumed that it would be more effective to check the bottom before someone else finds it. ]

[gandere]

No, it's all right. I can't compare to a Servant's speed so I'd only slow you down.

[ As impractical as it would have been for Saber to invite her along, Rin can't help feeling left out over the situation. ]

It might be good for you to ask Archer to help. He has keen eyesight and can see further than I could.

[knight_king]

...

[ She sighs inwardly. So she wanted to accompany her and she had misunderstood her eagerness in her bleak outlook of her mistakes. ]

I refuse. [ She shakes her head, asking Archer aid for this is humiliating. She can imagine how much he could taunt her, even if she deserves it. She pauses, swallowing her pride and asking. ] It is selfish and demanding of me, but I want your assistance.

[gandere]

How is that selfish or demanding? I'm the one throwing a fit that you chose to not ask me in the first place so in the end you're just giving in to my own childish behavior.

[ At least that's how she interprets it. ]

[knight_king]

[ Saber almost flinches because Rin is not wrong. She does not consider her conduct childish, she just wants to be helpful. Rin is kinder than she realizes sometimes. ]

Will you help me, Rin?