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

[sirpisspot]

And I am perfectly okay with that. I have no problem with that whatsoever.

[You can go straight to hell with that talk.]

[steelmyself]

[ A very brief pause, with contemplation briefly lingering in his eyes-- ]

Very well.

If that's your choice, then it's fine.

[sirpisspot]

[Damn right it was, and he wasn't going to let some guy come on the amber and act like a sarcastic jerk about it. Not in front of him, with all of what had happened with him, all said and done.

If Archer tried to reason with a man who couldn't protect people he cared about the most, then perhaps Arno wouldn't be so critical.

If it was a joke, it wasn't funny. It hit a major nerve.

His face grew serious, all sarcasm leaving him the moment Archer stepped down.]

Of course, after all, none of us asked us to be here. So as long as I'm here, I will make sure everyone gets home safely.

While it's true everything dies, for God's sake, I was given this weapon as a duty. If it's something I have to fight for, then I will. Plain and simple.

[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. ]

[sirpisspot]

[Arno was amazed that they were both still talking, but fine. Arno will humor this sudden curiosity.]

Both.

[He didn't have the right to go into details, secrecy and all.]

It is a curious case of the duty soon finding me and opening my arms to it anyway.

[steelmyself]

[ Meanwhile, Archer seems totally unfazed by his own rudeness and the expected hostile response. He just laughs faintly. ]

I suppose it could be worse. You don't seem like that much of a fool.

[sirpisspot]

Why, thank you, how kind.

[Yup.]

[steelmyself]

Oh, are your skills sarcasm and soldiering, then?