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]

... 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. ]

action;

[steelmyself]

[ --and then he's materializing in the little house, carrying a pitcher of herbal tea. ]

Ah, Rin.

[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?

[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.

[gandere]

It's not that familiar to me, but it'd be good to have something to drink other than water. [ So she'll embrace it jovially. ]

A herbal tea though... it's not going to do anything strange to me, is it?

[ Like put her to sleep. ]

[steelmyself]

I'm afraid it takes more than tea to "do something strange" to you, Rin.

[ He pauses, giving her a critical look. ]

But it seems certain people make you weak.

[gandere]

Weak? [ Gritting her teeth a bit at that. ]

Who says I'm weak?!

[steelmyself]

[ The ghost of a smile flickers over his face. ]

I don't mind if you're a little weak now and then. I'll cover for you and keep it a secret--there's no reason anyone needs to know my Master has something like a flaw.

But you've been giving up prana to that kid, haven't you? That's a kind of weakness that irritates me.

[gandere]

[ Her teeth grind a little more at his words. ] Why is that, Archer?

Is it because Emiya and I agreed to be allies? I thought that sort of thing was beneath us now that we're no longer involved in the Holy Grail War.

[ Or is it because of what they had to do to create such a connection in the first place? ]

[steelmyself]

That's a little bothersome.

[ --he acknowledges with a faint frown. He's not really thinking much about what the two of them did to form that connection--he still barely dares think of Rin and physical intimacy in the same breath. It's not what he asks of her and he knows it shouldn't be. But... ]

After all, this version of Shirou Emiya has chosen to ally himself with justice, not you, Rin.

[ He gives a small shrug. ]

But I will support your choice, Rin...as I am your Servant. No, that isn't what worries me.

We're in a strange world with unknown dangers, and you're sacrificing your own energy at a steady rate.

[ And he squares his shoulders. ]

I propose a natural solution.

[gandere]

It isn't that bad, is it? [ Though if he's picked up on it, then it's undoubtedly bothersome. The last thing she wants to deal with is Archer attacking Shirou for whatever reason he has in mind. ]

I'll hear out your solution, but I'm not going to consent to it until I have further details.

[steelmyself]

Of course; you're a reasonable woman, after all.

[ He nods decisively. ]

You must have figured out--since we don't share a magical connection here ourselves, something else is supplying me with prana. It looks like it's the tree itself, or something like that.

My mana rank is quite good, so I can easily afford to share prana with you.

[gandere]

[ Guh! ] T-That is..!

[ How far will she sink during her stay here? First she has sex with her sister's love interest who is currently pining for her, then she has all of her work washed away in a single rainfall, and now her magical familiar is offering to give her his magical energy out of concern for her. ]

I don't need it! I, I, I'm doing perfectly fine on my own!

[steelmyself]

Hmmm.

[ He stares down at her in judgment. ]

This is a problem...this is a real problem. My Master's a terrible liar but she's trying to do it anyway.