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

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.

[dragonblood]

Oh. [ now she looks thoughtful. ] Cooked. I'd ruin it on my own. [ she pauses again before asking: ] Is it going to be cooked by your friend, Archer?

[ saber said she trusts him, so it should be okay to leave it in someone else's hands, right? ]

[knight_king]

Archer is [ She pauses, and she would have said "tsundere" if she the Holy Grail had supplied her with that vocabulary. ] troublesome. But my [ Master. ] roommate Shirou will most likely cook.

[dragonblood]

All right... [ that's...probably okay too? riona is still somewhat cautious regardless, but if things don't work out, she can try to cook the meat on her own.

still, this leads to her previous line of thinking. ] So are everyone's portions going to be equal...?

[knight_king]

[ she nods. ]

Yes, it would be the most convenient. If someone prefers to have more egg than bacon or the other way around, they could trade with other interested parties.

[dragonblood]

[ makes sense. saber's really thought this through and seems the type that can probably handle problems should they come her way. but in the end it makes her wonder— ]

I want to ask you something. Why are you doing all of this?

[knight_king]

Why?

[ she looks confused by that question, her perplexity briefly flashes on the amber. ]

Because it needs to be done.

[dragonblood]

[ she notices it only because she's looking so intently at saber. there's a short pause as her gaze shifts to the side, like she's thinking. ] That's what I'm asking. Why does it need to be done? Why are you going through all this trouble? What do you get out of this?

[knight_king]

I suppose [ she thinks about the answer and her resolution. ] this gives me a purpose.

[dragonblood]

It's to satisfy yourself? [ she believes that's what saber meant, at least. she wonders if this is just saber's way of making do. ] Well, that's fine... But don't you want to return home one day? Sooner, rather than later?

[knight_king]

No. It is more a sense of direction. [ although she does want to see people happy. She makes an unhappy huff for that assumption. ] Of course I want to return, but there was not exit available to us yet. Until a feasible solution is found, I would try to improve our circumstances.

[dragonblood]

'Our' circumstances. [ that's the part that makes her frown a little, but it's been obvious for a while now that saber means well, so she'll reign in the cynicism. ] You're too nice.

( 1/2 )

[knight_king]

...

[ she does not remember if she has ever been called "nice". They have called her a just, proud and gallant king, and remarked her loyalty; they have also said she was heartless and couldn't understand human emotions.

Except for Irisviel, Rin and Shirou.

(and her brother Kay too, once) ]

[knight_king]

If you are willing to cooperate, this means that you are as thoughtful.

[dragonblood]

Yeah... [ she sighs to herself. liam would probably lecture her about it, but at least she's given it some thought instead of blindly jumping into things. or so she'd tell him if he were here. ] But I'm getting meat out of it. For no coin. That's something.

[knight_king]

That does not lessen your willingness to help. [ She would have gotten food regardless if she aided or not. ]

[dragonblood]

[ she thinks about that before agreeing. ] I suppose so. But I think you're the most dedicated about it. At least, from what I've seen so far. You don't even want anything in return. Just—improvement. I couldn't be like you. I don't want to.

[knight_king]

I do not expect you to you to be like I am. [ Riona is a better person, because she acts like one. ]

[dragonblood]

That's good. [ and a relief. ] I just hope everyone is thankful. To you, I mean.

[knight_king]

Hm. I would prefer that everyone is content with the arrangement. Gratitude is not important. [ This isn't false modesty, she truly does not care what they feel toward her. ]

[dragonblood]

[ she raises a brow, but doesn't comment on that last part. ] They should be. We may be stuck here but at least we're getting fed. Our captors are oddly considerate.