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]

[ Really? Lifting her head, this time it's with a disapproving scowl. ]

Drinking swords sounds terrible!

[steelmyself]

Does it to you? If you have no sense of excitement, I guess it can't be helped.

[ He might be sulking a little. ]

[gandere]

Have you ever swallowed a sword?

[ Besides your chest??? ] It doesn't sound very exciting at all!

[steelmyself]

Only metaphorically.

[ Which is as close to defeat in this conversation as he'll acknowledge. ]

Hmm, that should be enough for now, I think.

[gandere]

Good. [ Only because she's starting to feel a bit queasy from drinking so much. Pulling back a bit, she remains seated on the ground with her jaw hanging slightly as if the fresh air hitting it will free her mouth of the taste.

It wasn't bad. She's often had to suck at her own finger when she picked up a piece of glass too sharp or if she needed to clean up quickly from her arm to prevent it from getting on her clothing. Now she was a mess with his blood all over her red shirt and hands, having ignored her own caution to keep clean. ]

I feel better as a magus. [ It's important she says that since as a human, she feels revolted. ]

[steelmyself]

As a magus, huh.

[ He looks down at her with a trace of apology in his eyes, unable to help but pick up on the meaning there. ]

I'll look for another way, Rin.

[ He unwraps the cloth he was using as a tourniquet and starts to bandage the small wound with it. ]

[gandere]

Huh? [ What if she plays oblivious to her own feelings and pushes them aside? ]

It's important that since we're in unfamiliar territory that we remain ready to defend ourselves. I'm no good as a magus if I can't use any of my spells, right?

[steelmyself]

I agree, but it irritates me to make you kill your heart, so I won't do it. I'm unruly that way.

You should know that as my Master.

[gandere]

My heart isn't the one that's been nearly killed before. [ Hmph. ]

[steelmyself]

[ Unfazed. ]

That's right, you saved mine, so I should save yours. It's only fair.

[ He lightly touches his chest. ]

There must be another way. I'm stubborn, as you know, so I'll find one.

[gandere]

Don't speak as if my heart needs saving. It's already been restored.

[ Thanks to Shirou Emiya helping return her sister to her. The only thing Rin needs is Sakura--at least, that's what she thinks she needs for now. ]

[steelmyself]

Ah...is that so?

[ There's an uncertain flash in his eyes. What can he do with a Rin Tohsaka who doesn't need to be saved? ]

Then I guess it's just up to me to make sure it doesn't get broken again...

[gandere]

We have more important matters to concern ourselves with. [ Why focus on something as useless as her heart again? ]

Living in the wilderness with only this tree to protect us isn't good.

[steelmyself]

I wonder. Perhaps the mist is a boundary field of sorts...

But it only seems to keep us in, and not any threats out.

[gandere]

You should be wondering more about who leaves out the food for us and gives us riddles to occupy our thoughts with.

[ Leave the boundary field mess to her. ]

[steelmyself]

And what will you do when I find them, Rin?

[ He watches her with the faintest of smiles. ]

[gandere]

Throw them off the side of a branch if they refuse to give me back the element of fire.

[ The magus half of her is awfully prominent today. ]

[steelmyself]

I hate to say it, but they can probably fly.

[gandere]

Then I'll affix a rock to their stupid wings, then shove them off the side of a branch.

[ Either way, people are being pushed off. ]

[steelmyself]

An excellent solution. My Master's creativity knows no bounds.

[gandere]

You'll have to carry the rock up first... [ If only because she can't. ]

[steelmyself]

Her creativity, and her ruthlessness.

[gandere]

[ Motioning for him to get off of her bed. ] I need to lay down. After all of that, I don't think I have the taste for tea.

[ Right back into bed she goes. Good job, Archer. ]

[steelmyself]

Ah, Rin, wait--

[ He gestures. ]

Your shirt. I need to clean it.

[gandere]

And what will I wear to bed? No doubt your blood has soaked through to my skin.

[ At least she doesn't sound too annoyed by it. ]