thehometree | But my life is more than a vision--

Entry tags:

But my life is more than a vision--

| characters | Archer, Shirou, Rin, and whoever wants to join them in their endeavor. Feel free to tag multiple headers and jump threads within them!
| date/time | Monday, May 4th, onwards through the rest of the week.
| location | Outside the tree, near the mists.
| rating | PG for now, who knows later.
| summary | A complicated series of domestic scenes unfold as Archer, Shirou, and Rin set to work building a miniature kitchen out where they can have real fire, only to be interrupted by a storm.

It's been almost three weeks since Archer and Rin arrived in the center of the tree and gained their wings, only to be met by Shirou and Saber as well. That's just about enough time for it to dawn on those who might be concerned with the domestic details of day-to-day life that they have such a thing here, in between the confusion, the struggle to organize, and the fears of more giant spiders.

Archer's highest priority might be the salvation of all the souls around him, as much as he hates it, but bit by bit a new concern creeps up on him, almost unconsciously. Every time he serves Rin a subpar, barely-cooked meal, it pains him a little deep inside where he thought he was only hollow.

He decides to act.

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[ At last he steps through the entrance to the tree, into the dry warmth inside, and looks up at the Life Stream and the hole leading to the second floor above it. ]

Hmm...

[ He's going to have to get pretty close to the golden light to carry Rin up to the sixth floor where her (his) house is. ]

What is it, Archer?

[ Once she's sure she won't drown from breathing in water, she'll pull away her hands and peel back away from his chest a bit. They're both sopping wet and it feels as if she's gain twice her weight in her hair alone from it. ]

It's nothing.

[ He approaches the way up, then pauses. ]

Ah, I'm soaked as well--

[ And he makes his coat disappear, leaving him in just his armor and his pants. His bare arms wrap around Rin. ]

Is it too much weight?

[ Suddenly insecure between both his commentary and bare arms. ]

[ Concentrating on the Life Stream above: ]

No, you're light as a feather, Rin. We'll fix that with better meals soon enough.

[ And he spreads his wings, shaking the water out of them, and takes flight towards the upper floors, clutching Rin firmly in his arms. ]

Hey! [ The sudden jolt in taking off only causes her to grab onto him tightly. ]

A little warning next time might not be such a poor idea, Archer!

[ He braces himself against the gentle warmth of the Life Stream, trying to avoid it as he flies, speaking sarcastically to defend himself. ]

Oh, I'm sorry. I was unaware my brave Master was such a delicate princess at heart.

You shouldn't handle your abductee so poorly in the first place! That's poor behavior for any kidnapped!

[ And that's a punch aimed right for his shoulder. ]

[ The punch is natural, but it distracts him just enough that he flies right into the Life Stream by mistake.

Peace and love suffuse the both of them, and suddenly he's really happy that Rin is punching him, so happy that he shifts his arms around her, catches her small fist against his shoulder, and leans down to kiss her knuckles. ]

[ There's something strange about this, but Rin finds herself unable to be angry about it. The scene alone is romantic enough and knowing that he cares enough to brave the storm to bring her back home swells enough compassion within her chest for him. ]

Hey Archer?

[ --he's in the Life Stream. Distantly, he thinks that he really doesn't deserve to feel so nice, but he can't quite be bothered by it right now. ]

Yeah, Rin?

It's great we're in this together. Had I arrived without you, I might have felt lonely or envious of everyone else among other things.

[ Of course this is her idea of romantic. ]

A woman who shines as brilliantly as you do need never be lonely.

[ And that's his idea of romantic--assuring her of her strength while removing himself from the picture. ]

Haven't I always been lonely? Up until the war, I thought I was content with the way things were because it was the life I have always known. Now that I've been a part of others, I wonder just how happy I could be living in solitude.

[ A large part of her is a bit upset that Shirou and Saber have made such a nice home together already. ]

[ He should fly out of the Life Stream. He really should. He doesn't deserve to simply hover here in such peace and warmth. ]

Yeah, but that's over now. That kid saved your sister for you, didn't he? I'll kill him if he didn't.

He did, but his body was destroyed in the process. [ Rin can't help admitting this so casually to Archer even if she suspects they're one in the same. ]

Took your arm with him and everything. It'll be a lot of work to bring him back for Sakura, but I promised myself that I would do the impossible. Well, it's not quite impossible, but to any ordinary person it might appear as if I'm bringing the dead back to life.

Jeez, how rude of him...

Well, it's fine. You can do it, and then the three of you can be together back home.

You are extraordinary, after all.

[ He kisses her hand again. ]

If I could love--

[ No, that's too much. Quickly, he flies back out of the Life Stream and lands on the sixth floor, near Rin's house. ]

[ It all happens much too fast for her in her current state. A kiss and something absurd from his lips leaves her the moment they're away from the Life Stream just as quick as her state of euphoria. ]

I don't understand? [ In her confused state, she admits something out of character for herself. ]

[ He starts to set her down--but she's still so cold and wet, and he wants to keep her warm. He hesitates-- ]

I'm fortunate for your clumsy summoning, Rin. I'm lucky to have had a Master such as yourself.

Since you're here, too, I'm lucky that I'll get to see your smile again.

Well, anyway, you shouldn't read too much into that. I'm merely a Servant, an inconsequential thing in the life of a bright magus like yourself.

[ How dare he speak of himself so poorly. He's her Archer and needs to be nothing more even though he is. Her knight in red who wants to see her smile, but what is there to be pleased with in regards to their situation? Brought here against their will and forced to settle in the wilderness weren't things to be happy about. ]

I can't smile when I'm soaked like this. I need a warm bath.

[ Which isn't happening right now and she knows it. Her body is tiny and much more frail than she's used to. Switching between two drastic temperatures instantly could cause more harm. ]

[ He starts carrying her into her (their) house. ]

That's a tall order from a small woman, Rin. Baths are a luxury we'll be doing without for a while, so I suppose you're not so fortunate to be stuck here after all.

What if I make a bathroom inside? It wouldn't be that much work.

[ Except that it was in reality.

Rin's reality was different however. She always held herself to a higher standard and that had to translate to her lifestyle. ]

Once I--achoo! [ Awkward. ]

[ Blurting out abruptly: ]

What a cute sneeze...

[ Wait, no! ]

It's a shame it comes from such an uncute girl.

Don't insult me after you compliment me. I won't be the subject of your wishy-washiness!

[ If he's going to teas her for sneezing, she's going to raise a hand and fire a particular kind of magecraft at him. ]

[ He drops her to avoid the gandr shot. ]

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