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

[steelmyself]

Naturally I've already done most of them.

[ He has, but he also deliberately left a few things out of place just to give Rin something to do in setting them right. ]

[gandere]

Then you can help me with gathering supplies. [ Hmph. ]

I can't carry much so you'll have to be my arms for a little while longer until I have good health.

[steelmyself]

Of course, Rin. That is my purpose.

But what supplies are you seeking out now? I'm already busy gathering herbs and fruits to make tea with.

[gandere]

I already asked Emiya to help me with gathering flowers... [ Of course she asks the boy closer in her age to pick her flowers. ]

It'd be good to gather some of the toadstools and roots within the earth to grind up into powders just to have on backup provided I can identify if they're any good as herbal remedies. Plus if I could get more grass, I could weave baskets and make something to welcome new additions with.

[steelmyself]

He'll probably pick you the ugliest and most wilted flowers, Rin. That's just his nature.

[ It's not that he's jealous. He just can't help picking on Shirou, like rubbing salt into his own wounds. ]

I don't believe the mushrooms around here are edible, but I'll look for some roots.

[gandere]

Really? I always thought mushrooms were good for fighting off infections, but that's older medicine which never really was my specialty. [ What a terrible magus she is. ]

It'd be good to experiment regardless, so please humor me.

Oh, but do you think he would? I told him they were for clothing... [ Now she's worried about Shirou bringing her ugly flowers, good job. ]

[steelmyself]

Clothing?

[ The image of Rin dressed in nothing but flower petals steals into his head before he can stop it. He blinks a few times, his thoughts suddenly destroyed.

But he has more control than he once did. He can, at least, keep himself from blushing. ]

[gandere]

Yes, clothing. I can't go around wearing the same outfit every day.

[ Even if she's from a visual novel and does so normally. ] My clothes are starting to wear thin from being washed and worn so much so I'll need to alternate them. Besides that, it isn't healthy for me to wear the same thing while I'm recovering or else I'll risk infection.

I'm not sure how I'll fashion it into something I can wear, but I have a few ideas from mending my own clothes.

[steelmyself]

Hmph. A brilliant magus like yourself shouldn't concern herself with clothing.

Nor should you trust it to someone as embarrassingly inept as Shirou Emiya.

No, Rin. I'll make you new clothes.

[gandere]

..? [ Good job on stunning her into silence because she's not sure what she can say to that.

The thought of Archer creating her clothes to wear is nice, but is it really a good use of his time? He could be patrolling the outskirts of the tree looking for those responsible for bringing them here or hunting fiendish insects. ]

[steelmyself]

Yeah, I'll make you new clothes.

[ It's almost as if he's off in his own little world, now, as he briefly sinks into a self-indulgent fantasy of tending to Rin's needs. It's gotten altogether too easy to begin to harbor such dreams after months of taking care of her here in the tree. ]

I'll weave yellow dandelion petals together over some bark for an armored top, and pluck red tulip petals for a skirt. It'll suit you, Rin.

[gandere]

Why would I need an armored top? [ She doesn't understand how vulnerable she is in this world or how vulnerable she's behaved as of late. ]

It seems unnecessary.

[steelmyself]

[ And just like that, he snaps out of it. ]

I am your Servant, Rin, and it's my duty to protect you. I won't see you injured again.

[gandere]

... I'm hurt because I chose to be, not because of your lack of protection. Even if you were there, you wouldn't have been able to stop this.

[ That's what happens when you decide last minute to not stab someone. ]

[steelmyself]

...

[ Something shutters closed in his eyes, blocking out all the emotion there.

It's strange. Before he came here, when he was dying, he had no problem with leaving Rin to her fate. He'd done all he could, and he made his choice to save her in the end without regrets for once in his existence. So why, now, does the thought of her going on without him make what's left of his heart hurt--? ]

I see. The clumsiness of your heart will really be your undoing, Rin--but I'll still protect you.

[gandere]

Don't call my heart clumsy! [ Quickly defending herself. ]

Blundering around senselessly isn't my style. I, I'm better than that!

[steelmyself]

It's fine, Rin. Your clumsy and foolish heart is simply a part of you, so you shouldn't be upset about it.

[ Despite himself, he finds his expression and voice softening once more. ]

[gandere]

It's not! [ Gritting her teeth and everything. ]

It's not a part of me at all!

[ Her hands grip the amber tightly, threatening to shatter it between her fingers. ]

[steelmyself]

I--

[ He catches himself, but only a little. ]

I enjoy it, Rin. Your foolish heart is endearing and makes you easy to tease.

[gandere]

[ Hmph. ] You shouldn't say things of that nature out loud where others can hear. They might try to take advantage of it.

[ Not that she'll allow them to do that, but it needs to be said. ]

[steelmyself]

Don't worry, Rin. I won't allow anyone but me to take advantage of you.

[gandere]

Not even someone like Saber?

[ She asks quietly, lifting her voice up a bit. ] She's been here without a Master all this time, hasn't she?

[steelmyself]

...

[ His expression shifts, growing pensive and a little bit troubled. ]

She's pledged her blade to that stupid kid, and there's nothing I can do to change her stubborn mind.

[gandere]

It's good... Emiya needs someone to look after him. [ Rin comments idly on the matter before pushing it aside. ]

Since we have a connection now, he could support Saber through me if need be.

[ A connection. What a vague statement to bring scarlet to her face. ]

1/2

[steelmyself]

[ Archer dismisses that first comment with a vague noise of irritation. It's impossible that "someone to look after Emiya" could ever be enough to save him. It's just not an option.

But the rest-- ]

Hmm. I suppose.

[ And he lets the matter drop for now. ]