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]

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. ]

[steelmyself]

...should I scrub you off, Rin?

[ He's poker-faced. ]

[gandere]

... is that something you would like to do?

[ At least that's more romantic than drinking blood. Right? ]

[steelmyself]

Yeah, I'd like to make sure you're clean and don't have to worry about messing up the bed.

[ --he answers seriously, without a trace of lascivious intent. ]

[gandere]

[ Of course. He's every bit the Emiya he tries to deny. Valuing her life a bit too much, she won't point out that she would expect that sort of nonsense to come out of Shirou's mouth instead of his own. Instead, she rises shakily to her feet and looks around for her tunic and leafy slippers she's made. Finding them tucked away in a corner she's designated as her own, she heads over towards them to take them with her. ]

I'll go clean up and you can take my dirty laundry as usual.

[steelmyself]

[ It pains him that she's so shaky--after all, he's the one who just gave up blood, not her. She should be better than ever.

No, he can't do this again. He'll most certainly have to find a better way to give her prana. ]

Of course, Rin.

[ --but that's all he says for now. ]

[gandere]

[ Everything will be fine, so she tells herself. There's nothing abnormal about this, is there? If it had been Rider drinking her blood or even Archer himself, it would have been acceptable. What's so wrong with the recipient being flipped around?

Nothing. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Still she's behaving rather entitled over the subject and recognizes it belatedly. With a fresh change of clothing in hand--if it can be called that--she faces him fully with a faint smile. ]

Thank you, Archer.

[steelmyself]

[ Still, he blinks at that. ]

You're thanking me, Rin?

[ No, that was too earnest. That was too open. He has to follow it up with some sort of sarcastic comment. ]

Expressing gratitude...are you sure you haven't taken ill?