[closed] Freeze the arrow in the air

[boneofsword]

Who: Archer and Caster
When: Aguril 2
Where: Lunasa festivities
What: Bonding, Fate style
Warnings: n/a for now



Lùnasa is in full swing, with crowds that make the proposed challenge much tougher. Archer doesn't mind as he keeps looking for Caster. Keping his blue hair uncovered would make the hunt too easy, so it's most likely hidden. Instead he focuses on the familiar gait and all the details he tends to notice. The promise of a hunt makes his heart beat faster and his pace to fasten. It adds a thrill, one he's too aware of. Yet another change.

So far Archer has managed to avoid the tailors, but he pauses when a flash of dark red catches his eyes. Perhaps it's better if he changes too - he's pretty sure that Caster did. It doesn't take long to obtain simple yet tasteful outfit in blood red and black. Oh well, time to continue the chase.

Comments

[boneofsword]

[There were heroes to guide him, both of the previous and his own Grail War - Kiritsugu that saved and took him in, Saber whom he remembers most fondly, and Lancer that chose to save him (and oppose his Master) to uphold his own ideals. Each of them has influenced his borrowed ideals, made him stubbornly follow the choosen path.]

I still have to return to my duties. [Archer replies quietly, slight frown darkening his face. Well, Cú isn't wrong about his hopeless situation.]

[futhark]

That's admirable. That's worth every praise— [ Duty and honor, fame and glory, all goes hand in hand, don't they? ]

But with the way that works, neither of us really left. [ Throne of Heroes exists outside the flow of time. Counter Force affects timelines and who knows what. They both might be here but it's not like either of them had left Chaldea. Servant Archer and Servant Caster are still there.

And they both know a surest way of getting unsummoned ] You're dancing around something, what is it?

[boneofsword]

[Archer scoffs at the praise. Duty never equals honor, fame or glory, not in his experience. Caster's next words catch his attention, and his frown changes into puzzlement.]

What do you mean that we never left? I had no mana—

[—wait a minute, a few others recognized him as Chaldea cafeteria man. Caster knows things he shouldn't know, unless they've had same Master.]

Counter Guardians rarely get summoned.

[futhark]

[ Given on how often they have ran into each other, Caster calls on bullshit on that "rarely". But as Archer realization dawns on him it's time to strike ]

You're getting it, don't you. The Master I made contract with had summoned you as well. It's been a year at this point. But you don't remember any of that because this Guardian Archer- [ He pokes Archer right in the middle of his chest ] -was reflected into this world from earlier point than this Servant Caster.

[ He points at yours truly- aka himself ] My past is still your future. So as you can see you are attending your duties just fine.

[ They're Servants, they're separated shards anyway. And that means here, in this strange placezthey are truly living. ]

[boneofsword]

[Being summoned once has been understandable, given his personal ties to the mage. Being summoned again, or more than once, should be impossible. Yet Archer remembers Caster's initial reaction to him, all the details that hint at him meeting Cu Chulainn at least twice in this class. Everything hints at him being summoned sometime in his future instead of serving only as Counter Guardian.

Archer isn't sure how to deal with hope. For a moment he's unable to find his voice, throat constricting in multitude of feelings that threaten to overwhelm him.]

It should be impossible to summon a Counter Guardian. [even to him his own voice sounds a bit shaky.]

[futhark]

[ Having existential in the middle of the festival grounds— that's the most perfect place to have it, truly. People are busy dancing and singing the night away, no one shall notice, no one shall hear it. Where else to have that crisis if not here and now?

Caster moves closer his hand working up to rest on Archer's cheek. A touch gentle and unfitting much blunter words that follow. ]

I'm not going to pretend I'm all-knowing— you might not be what you deem a "proper" Heroic Spirit, but you still work as one. We wouldn't run into each other so often otherwise. [ If fairy tales can function as one, why not a nameless avatar of justice? ] So stop overthinking.

[ They are stranded here anyway, no longer Spirits ]

[boneofsword]

[Just when Archer thinks he's found a fitting answer, Caster renders him speechless again. It's more than proof his future is not as hopeless as he believes it to be. Somehow it gives him hope, the one feeling that he shouldn't have.]

I'll try.

[Caster's hand is surprisingly warm, making Archer realize how chilled he feels.]

[futhark]

[ That's the side effect of his magic settling in, the warmth. Caster will feel to others as if he's running a fever, but it's entirely fine. It's just the fire. Fitting, given he's a candle burning on both ends. That doesn't change even in this second chance at life ]

How obedient... [ That went all too easy, but Caster suspects there is more to it. ] Looks like we both have something similar. Doing the thing we have to, even if it weighs on us.

[ Calling back to the moment when Archer mentioned his worry about Scáthach, and Caster's willingness to kill the people he holds dear. The heaviest price of loyalty and fullfilling oaths. He turns around arms stretched wide ]

But today is Lughnasadh, nights of fairs and celebration! What's your answer?

[boneofsword]

[Surprisingly Archer shares this trait, as his body is slightly warmer than a human. He did notice that witches often give a feel of the kind of magic they use most often, and knowing of Caster's tendency to use fire it's clear that he's coming into his traits.]

It's a good day to Bond.

[For Archer it's not that easy to shake off the doubts plaguing him. He's going to try it for Cú Chulainn.]

I want us to Bond using our True Names.

[futhark]

I would have it no other way. [ Caster playfully punches Archer in the shoulder. The trait to shrug off heavy things is one he shares with festival loving populace of Aefenglom.

In a sense it's... an escape. Temporary one. Something to forget the threat of reality.

Or seriousness what they are truly attempting to do. ] You didn't get to carry me all the way, in the end.

[boneofsword]

[Archer quirks a brow at him, suddenly amused and more than ready to carry on his threat. Unfortunately he is a troll sorry not sorry and his playfulness suffers from it greatly.]

Do you want me to? I still can.

[It's a way to hide his own feelings, too. Archer doesn't want to focus on Caster's words or the fragile hope, he doesn't want to dwell on what he's been given quite unexpectedly. With the threat of going feral he can't supress his true feelings the way he did before.]

[futhark]

You have to catch me first. [ Just like the first time, without that, no deal. He's not going to be the one to jump into his arms to be carried after all.

And that is all the warning Archer gets. The unmistakable touch of magic in the air happens when Caster activates the runes on his feet, hidden under his robes— and storms off in the direction of Coven. This time he's obnoxiously fast, because of the speed spell ]

[boneofsword]

[Caster plz

It's what he should expect, living with Cú Chulainn for so long. Yet Archer is surprised. Somehow he's just as unpredictable as the wind. This is what reminds him that Cú is ancient, from the time long gone. They can understand each other, but at the core Caster is a wild and untamed being.

Nevermind.

Archer estimates the distance first before he starts chasing. For the busy festival streets parkour is the best choice - he can leap and shorten the distance by traversing above the stalls or low buildings.]

[futhark]

[ Archer just accepting that untamed side of him is what made them work at all. There are moments when they both get reminded of how similar they are, and the moments where it shows how large the chasm of time between them is.

Effort coming from both sides, is what makes it work.

Caster's speed is incredible but he is hindered by the crowds, by the turns of streets, and occasional dead-ends. Archer skipping those and just following the roofs and walls makes up for the difference. He might just catch-up before Caster reaches the Coven ]

[boneofsword]

[Archer manages to catch up to Caster, and does something extremely risky - as well as on par with Cú Chulainn. He jumps down on the street straight into Caster's path.

Good job breaking it, hero.

ALthough he's fully prepared for the featherweight to slam into him, Archer most likely will end on the bottom of Servant pile.

Talk about making wrong choices.]

[futhark]

[ Hell—

Caster have two choices. Either attempt to stop and definitely crash into Archer, or crash into Archer full force. Or he could just run past him, if he can.

How about an alternative, he definitely looks like he's going to try and pass him but he extends his arm, catching Archer by his wrist and continuing movement. Should Archer play the stonewall and not move, the movement vector will make Caster spin around him. If he moves, he'll be dragged along ]

[boneofsword]

[Unstoppable force meets immovable object. Archer digs his heels in and changes Caster's trajectory as he tries to tug him closer. He's sure that faceplanting into his chest is preferable to colliding with uneven stones that make the road.]

Caster.

[It's fond exasperation, but it's still exasperation. It may be his own fault for going along with everything that his partner does. Jumping off the building? Check. Chasing him through the city? Check.]

[futhark]

[ You can still say no. Nothing is done and set in stone yet. Maybe Caster is just pushing as many buttons as he can to see how it turns out.

Or it's just being impulsive is part of his nature, and there isn't much more thought to it. ]

Does it count as you catching me if I caught you first? [ While he did grab Archer's hand he indeed did not expect to land by being caught into another embrace. ]

[boneofsword]

[It's just purely Caster. Archer can't stop a bout of laughter from escaping.]

You just grabbed my hand. I didn't let go. [he counters, still chuckling. It's the unexpected side effect of staying in Cú Chulainn's company - finding reasons to share a honest laugh, enjoying the small things. Somehow the provisory mage grows on him, like a mold.

Archer tilts his head towards the Coven.] Shall we?

[futhark]

[ Those hands are still linked and Caster fans his fingers at first and then laces their hands together. How romantic— if not for the fact that he would put a blade between their hands to mix the blood.

They enter the Coven and get the arrangements rather quickly. Due to the festival, there is more Witches on Bond duty so to speak. Someone comments on Caster's outfit, someone else wishes them luck— everyone is so very supportive that it kind of gets weird.

Not weird to call that off but enough to make Caster a bit fidgety when they are put before the door and told to wait for few minutes. He gets that vibe of "finally, marrying him off worked" that happened to him once.

First, his reputation as a troublemaker (talented, but troublemaker) can't be that bad... can it? Second, he never made it that much of knowledge that he is unbonded. On the other hand, the side-effects had gotten pretty bad eventually. ]

They're being weird, aren't they?

[boneofsword]

[What is more romantic than a blood oath?

It's easy to notice all the extra attention they get. Archer himself is a bit on the edge; it's not everyday that he binds himself to another. Last time was his Master, and the time before that— he forcefully pushes the thought away and focuses on the man he's soon going to swear himself to.]

It can be the celebration. [he observes as he squeezes Caster's hand in attempt to put him at ease.] Only those who treat the Bond seriously chose today.

[On the other hand he's sure they know that he's been here often to get the Bonding potions. Dragons are rare and considered the most powerful, even not fully turned like him. No wonder they man be anxious to see him safely bound.]

[futhark]

I can hear the tongues waggling even from here. Sheesh. [ Caster's presence in Coven is already a... special one. On one hand, he napped on classes, on the other hand, he pursued runic and enchanting knowledge relentlessly to the point he stayed after those classes to cram more.

And he might have been asked with polite concern when he is going to Bond a few times. So yes, that's going to be funny ]

[boneofsword]

[Seriously, though. Archer knows him enough to take a guess why such reaction. Caster may not be Heroic Spirit anymore, but that doesn't change his innate talents for doing everything well and learning fast. His friendliness tends to draw others close. In fact he can have anyone that he wants, be it for the night or the Bond—

yet oath is a serious commitment, a decision not made lightly.]

I can imagine. [Archer mutters with a roll of his eyes and is stopped from adding more remarks by the approaching Witch who bids them to enter.

At the first glance his attention is drawn to the magic circles carved into floor. They're told to enter one and join hands. Archer glances at his partner as he tugs his hand and hopes that his own anxiety doesn't show.]

[futhark]

[ Caster appears on the opposite of anxious. His resolve strengthened, a smile confident if a bit sheepish. Archer is so serious, so of course, mismatched as they are Caster has no doubts. He wouldn't ask if he had doubts.

Suddenly their hands are tied with a long, embroidered ribbon. That is enough to throw him off a bit, and that's when he notices who the Witch in charge of the ceremony is. He rolls his eyes, and hisses ]

Teacher..! [ Really? The Witch laughs and says it's per ceremony, it's Lùnasa, what did they expect if they waited for this? But then she grows serious. It's a celebration, it's an important ceremony— but a smile still tugs at her the corner of her lips. ]

One thing before we start with the vows— [ Archer's hand gets a good squeeze as if he's giving him the confidence ] I have one request, so hear it out. I want the Bond to be forged on our True Names. I won't settle for anything else.

[ So... that's not a request. But a statement. ]

[boneofsword]

[That surely is a surprise. Archer takes a breath and forces himself to calm down. It's his choice, and he's going to follow until the end. Caster's gesture surprises him slightly, the encouragement and affection not lost on him. He just wishes to be worthy of it all.]

So do I. [Archer waits a moment, his voice firm as he speaks.]

I swear to never slow you down. To watch your back and guard you to best of my abilities, to be there whenever you have a need for me. To catch you if you fall. To have faith in you no matter what happens.

I swear myself to you, Cú Chulainn, known as the Child of Light and Hound of Ulster.