amber ♠ 02

[steelmyself]

I really have to wonder at how quickly we're destroying this place.

[ Archer announces himself over the amber with that casual and dire remark. His tone is bored. ]

First of all, we've upset the balance of nature by killing a predator and allowing defenseless prey animals to multiply unchecked. Those rabbits will probably suffer once they meet the cruel reality of life beyond this tree, you know.

And now we've nearly destroyed the tree itself with our meddling. Isn't that impressive?

[ Now his voice is just dripping sarcasm. ]

Well done, everyone. Whoever brought us all here should really have expected these results. It's exactly what human beings do, after all.

Comments

[gandere]

Archer. [ Her face lights up at the pitcher in his hands. ]

I wasn't aware that you were working so hard on something for us to drink. It... it isn't water, is it?

[bestworstdad]

You're pretty insufferable, aren't you? If you can't put more faith in nature, I'm afraid you've got no business telling people off!

[steelmyself]

[ It's worth it to see her make a face like that, but he doesn't say so. ]

It's a tisane. A tea made out of herbs and fruit.

[stormcalling]

[She thought she was snarky, way to go Archer. She's almost taken back by it.]

The cycle of nature itself is often thrown off temporarily on its own. Although these present actions admittedly aren't going to help it from getting worse.

[monster_san]

I did not realize that one litter of rabbits constituted a population explosion, but I'm not an expert in ecological control. Should I have lead Mr. Viper to the burrow instead?

[There's not a trace of sarcasm in her voice--she is all polite inquiry--but she's definitely not in agreement with you here.]

[isolophobia]

And you are an even greater fool if you believe there is not strong sentiment over this among mortals both ways.

[steelmyself]

Hmm?

Of course there is, but you speak like you're not one.

[steelmyself]

...

[ There's a pause at her aggressive politeness, and a small, sardonic smile quirks up his mouth. ]

Not at all. Actually, I'd suggest waiting for the litter to grow up, then killing one or two of them for meat and fur. But you wouldn't be interested in that course of action, would you?

[steelmyself]

That's true. It's really a minor imbalance at this point, but if our fellow residents of the tree continue to play hero, it will get worse.

[steelmyself]

I'm sorry, but that doesn't follow at all.

I can lack faith in both nature and humanity alike.

[steelmyself]

Heh.

[ The coldness breaks like shattering ice, and he laughs. But it's not the hysterics he showed back then at Einzbern Castle, only a sound of bitterly amused resignation. ]

Well, you've made your choice, Shirou Emiya, even if I never saw it happen.

[steelmyself]

[ In the vision of the amber, Archer's brows rise. ]

You were given it, huh? Did you sign up for that duty, or was it pushed upon you?

[ His expression is unreadable now, save for faint interest glimmering in his eyes. ]

[bestworstdad]

Sure, you can. No one's stopping you. Doesn't make you less of a loser at that.

[steelmyself]

Oh? Who defeated me, then?

[bestworstdad]

Not exactly talkin' about some kind of competition there, old man.

[steelmyself]

Life is a competition, young man, and no one else has ever bested me. So that's really an inaccurate moniker, and you might as well stop using it for me.

[bestworstdad]

Nah, I'll pass. Life's a fun jaunt. No sense in tryin' to ruin it by being the best at it.

1/2

[steelmyself]

[steelmyself]

"Fun."

[bestworstdad]

It just so happens to be that I find kicking ass fun.

[steelmyself]

Is that why you fight? Because it's "fun" for you?

[bestworstdad]

I fight because someone needs to kick evil's butt. Can't wait for someone else to get on that. But you know what they say when you find a job and happen to enjoy it.

[steelmyself]

Ugh.

[bestworstdad]

You sound like a 15 year old girl right now.

[steelmyself]

I'm not sure how you reached that conclusion...