middaeg | The Harsh Reality of Questing

[ Caster is unusually silent, he lost interest in the arguing for now. Antagonizing your host is in poor taste after all. Plus there are other reasons why he's tired. The weight of the encounter in the Dream he had still fresh on his mind. ]

Say Archer, how do your dreams look like? [ Being Servants they both are not really accustomed to having to deal with them again. But the first time he was in a Dream with a bunch of people he ended meeting some of them here. He never had a gift to look into the future, so it didn't make much sense... He wouldn't think much of it, if not for the fact that it happened again ]

[Reaction those words cause is unmistakeable - Archer slows down noticeably, but after the first glance he doesn't look at Caster again. He's silent, speaking in a quieter voice when they approach a small cottage, shadowed from the street by an old tree.]

That depends. Sometimes I dream of my past, while sometimes I dream about the oddest things. [pushing the gate open he nods at Caster. The garden at first glance seems rather wild, crossed by several paths. Only at a second glance it's clear that shrubs provide cover only closest to the cottage, and all plants and herbs growing there are cultivated in such unkempt appearance on purpose.]

Edited 2019-05-23 21:10 (UTC)

[ Huh, cozy. Way greener than Caster expected. Archer surely did found himself a nice place. ]

So just like regular dreams, nothing strange. [ Until people from his dream start appearing on the streets of this city it is best to assume that yes, his dreams are just dreams. Sometimes they are crazier, that's all. But Archer's answer could easily be seen as evasive, that there is more to dig into it— ]

I'll start with that bath. [ Yeah, no digging for now. ]

[There is indeed more that Archer isn't telling. He's not really lying, merely omitting several details of his oddest dreams. It's something he wants to analyze later. He leads Caster to the living room, furnished simply but tastefully in earthy tones and muted greens.]

Drop your stuff here. Bath is at the end of corridor, I'll bring you fresh clothes in a moment.

[ Oh sure, nice furnishing. Wonder how the previous owners felt about it leaving it behind— Not like Caster will comment on that, he did help with the clean-up after all.

He actually liked staying at the Coven even if it was cramped.

Wordlessly he drops his stuff in the designated spot and heads to the bath. Of course, the water needs to be heated first, but that can be that one time when he uses a bit of magic to help with that. It's no Ansuz, and he's still surprised how annoying it is not having his normal runes, but it does the trick.

He is going to take his sweet time and will exit late. ]

[The furnishing comes from aristocratic houses, from the upstanding citizens that have more than they can spend. Cottages were mostly abandoned and forgotten - it's too close o the Bright Wall to aristocratic tastes.

Archer gives Caster all the time he needs, although he does bring him fresh clothes. Only when he hears the other finish the bath he starts preparing food so it's ready. Scent of fresh food wafts through the house. The table is set in the kitchen, no fancy porcelain or decorative cutlery, everything is simple. Freshly brewed tea in the kettle, pancake wraps with veggie and meat filling serve as light meal.]

Sit and be my guest.

[ Ah yes, the unmistakable "Today's Menu in Emiya's household-" moment. Not that this particular Archer knows it, but he had been a presence in Chaldea's kitchen. It should not be a surprise that even here, in a different world, he can still conjure food that smells so delicious it soothes the soul.

Shit, that and relaxation from the bath truly makes him lower his guard. They probably will end at each other's throat over some stupid thing again soon, but for now, it's S H R U G - F O O D. ]

Kitchen is your natural habitat, isn't it? [ Yeah, he says as if that's something he is very familiar with. Curious thing. It's followed by a very content sigh and humm as Caster bites into the prepared food. ]

[Archer sends him a sharp glance. He does remember a completely unfamiliar guy asking if he's related to Chaldea cafeteria man. If Caster, who actually knows him, makes a similar remark. Oh well, there will be time to ask about his future. Right now there are more pressing concerns. Namely the one sitting opposite to him and devouring prepared food.]

I suppose so. [Archer replies with a shrug. He's not really in the mood for idle chit-chat, so if Caster won't poke the meal will pass in silence. After the dishes are washed (most likely with help of his guest) and Archer sits down with cup of hot tea he adresses Caster.]

You're bursting with mana. Have you been practicing spells?

[ Caster is normally more chatty, but this time he doesn't mind a silent meal. And yes he does help with the washing, he's not a total freeloader. When everything is done he sits on the window, to catch the chiller breeze (it's really warm these days) and stifles a yawn, but Archer's question ends the relaxing times.

His gaze immediately sharpens and a toothy, lopsided grin plays on his lips. ]

How can you tell?

I can feel it even from here. [perhaps his remark was wrong and it was better to keep his mouth shut. There's no turning back, though, so Archer continues.] I don't think I've seen a witch so full of mana.

[From what he's heard witches need to drain their mana by casting spells to not allow such mana overload to happen. Caster has felt similar before, during their meeting on errand. Now it intensifies to the point Archer can almost taste mana in the air around. Too much unfiltered mana makes witch irritable and emotional.

Is that the reason Caster is camping outside?]

That does not answer my question. [ Caster response is a bit snappish, and annoyed. Perhaps more than the situation calls for it, but the build-up of magical energy is indeed part of what made him so irritable. A small part, tho. ]

I asked, "how"? [ There is a certain answer that could follow, and briefly he remembers the delicate, reddish scales framing the eyes of the man before him. Somewhere in a Dream, once. ]

[There is, indeed, a certain answer. Archer narrows his eyes and looks straight into red eyes of the other Servant.]

I'm a monster, not a witch.

[He accepted the result of Coven's test without many questions. It's not like the witches were able to answer any, being as surprised by this turn of events as the newcomers were. While he's had his own doubts, there was one important fact in favor of what he's been told - the vessel his spirit resides in now is different. If the vessel is bound by the rules of the world he's been brought into, there's no reason to ignore it.

So far Archer haven't noticed any changes outside. Inside is the other matter - these past days he's been aggravated and restless.]

[ Oh boy. Another one. Yeah, Caster did notice the flurry on the network with people starting to, well, change. But that puts a different spin on why Archer invited him, doesn't it? Always the most pragmatic one. ]

I see. Guess that makes sense .[ Monsters feed on magic, don't they? But it's even more curious how everyone arriving are adapted to fit into the system of how this world operates. ]

I'm practicing my spells just enough, you don't have to worry about it. Skipped a few days of lectures— [ Shrug ] —but I needed a break. I'm not going to set your cute little house on fire.

[It's more than just pragmatic reason. Archer would invite him if he's been monster all the same, reasons notwithstanding.]

That's actually the last thing on my mind. [a snort suffices as an answer. Quick rummaging on the shelf produces the item he's been looking for that Archer throws at his companion.] Here.

[Wooden cigarette case adorned with intricate carving of an oak tree, a bit worn on the edges. It's definitely not new, in fact being one of the trinkets that Archer picked during the Haven clean up. Given the place it's been found in, the attic with various relicts of current citizens' predecessors, it's been forgoten for at least a century. Archer cleaned it and filled with cigarettes.]

[ Ifs that so, then why do you even bring it up, man? —Is what Caster is tempted to ask, but then he is handed the case he opens it with a mix of curiosity and suspicion and...

Can Servants get addicted? Because he seriously had missed the nicotine. He opens the window next to him, and flicks a small flame with his fingers. No Ansuz rune but a flame is a flame. It's gone as soon as it appeared while Caster is finally allowed to indulge in this little unhealthy habit.

He lets the smoke out with a soft puff, and then raises the box in his hand and looks at Archer questioningly ]

'kay, I see you're trying to be friends. [ They're not really enemies— Without a Grail War there really is no reason to bash heads. But their personality clashes, and being apparently "cursed" to run into each other forever and ever means they're not exactly friends either. They can work as allies, but this is more than just that. ] Is that for benefit of our Master appearing here someday, or what?

[ He knows you're a cheat! Luckily he's not the UBW Lancer, tho 8) that one would also know you're a schemer ]

Edited 2019-05-26 19:54 (UTC)

['Our Master', huh. So one day he will be summoned to work alongside Caster under the same Master. It's good to know there's something to look forward to.]

There's no reason for us to be enemies. [he glances to the side.] I don't mind your company, and it's better to have someone I can trust nearby.

[Both are schemers, just check how Lancer played Archer into cooking in "Today's Menu in Emiya's household". That's like pot calling the kettle black.]

[ That was a part-time job warranted necessity 8') but yes, also, well-played ]

That I only agree with— [ Same side, means no enemies. Surely no one is going to hold a grudge here for being killed or something? ] —I'm just surprised.

[ "Trust" can Servants really trust each other? That's a loaded question. But yeah, in circumstances they're in, a known devil is probably better than unknown. Not to mention Archer always did strike him as someone not very social. Some people of this type do gravitate towards familiar faces ]

Where did you get that? [ Caster traces the engravings on the box. It looks expensive, even if not new. There could be a question, since when Archer smokes here, but it is not. ]

[There's no grudge for being killed several times in their whole shared history. It's also the reason for trust - Cú Chulainn values oaths and promises, always sticking to his code of honor. Archer's trust is centered on the unshakeable part of who the other Servant is and on his loyalty.]

I've found it forgotten in the attic, under at least a century worth of dust. [it sounds a bit silly spoken out loud, but Archer adds with a hint of rueful smile.] Whoever did the engravings did so with care, and would rather prefer it to be used rather than gather dust. It was clearly a treasured posession once, not even damaged despite the wear.

[His own skill may be a simple forgery, recreating what someone has created, but it comes with a hint of pride and appreciation of other artisans' skills.]

[ The box itself is clearly a luxury item, and a very pretty gift. Man, Archer. You're putting him more and more into debt. First the housing, now the cigarettes— ]

If you wanna feel free to— [ Caster opens the box and invites Archer to take one. He's not going to be stingy with a gift. Especially if Archer took it for himself and ended gifting it as an act of good-will. ]

How is it that you're a "Monster", isn't it just something you are born as here? [ Maybe it is a bit uncomfortable topic, but it would be better to have it cleared ]

[Archer considers the offering for a longer moment, but finally shakes his head. He doesn't mind the smoke; it makes him recall a very old, forgotten shadow of his old man.]

No one is sure how it's possible. [honestly, Archer doesn't mind. With Caster being an ally, or perhaps even a comrade, he can speak more freely than with others.] I don't have magical energy. Monsters don't have it, but they feed on it the way we usually do. This means I'm probably going to develop some animal characteristics and am very susceptible to the full moon.

[Here he pauses for a bit to massage his temple.] The last one is true. I'm on the edge for the second day in the row, and tonight is full moon.

[ Ah yes, and there is even a Lancer here who had dealt with Kerrytsugu bullshit. Guess your old man didn't tell you that, huh? ]

Like... horns? [ Or fur, or feathers, those were mentioned too, yes? But the image of changed Berserker flickered in his mind on the mention of a full moon and changes. ] Geez, sounds rough.

[ An acknowledgment of the problem being there is not the same as pity, so no "sorry" or stuff here. It's part of respect, they're both warriors. He wouldn't want pity for a sorry state, he doubts Archer wants it. ]

There are ways to keep this stuff in check, right? Potions and— [ Well, Bonds ]

[Archer can't keep the grimace off his face at the mention of horns. He's not sure how he feels about the whole deal. It's only fair that he gets some new powers, but changing into a monster doesn't make him feel more human. Perhaps it's ironic justice that makes his look much more fitting to what's inside. Honestly he's grateful for Caster's reaction.]

Right. The problem is without a Bond you can't leave the city. Magic here keeps both changes and influence of Cwyld at bay. Without it a Monster can go feral. [the last thing he wants is being coped up in the city when he may have a chance to aid the people here. It has nothing to do with the sense of purpose but a lot to what he truly is. Archer suspects that Caster feels similar, their kind rarely stays in safe shelter if there's a danger ahead.]

It's back to contracts again. Never getting rid of that, eh? [ Bonds are beneficial for Witches too, albeit for a different reason. It still feels like something far away that he hadn't really given it much thought. Perhaps he should ugh, given how restless he feels— ]

We get the benefit of knowing how such deal works, the other poor sods though... [ This might end getting messy. The worst case everyone implodes and the problem (that is them) ends. How many are going to adapt though? ]

Contracts and mana transfer. [Archer supplies dryly. He's asked around to gather more information aside the initial description of Bonds, which actually was detailed enough.] It's necessary to ease the build up or to feed. Coven makes sure to educate every newcomer on the important matters.

[He's not really offering, although it is amusing how similar the Bonds are. Drawing mana is what he does almost unconsciously on the Coven grounds; the surplus coming from all the Withes practicing spells is enough to keep him in shape. The downside is possibility of going feral without an anchor.]

[ That moment where all Servants are not even phased "ah yes, mana transfer, old news" ]

There's still some time, you'll never know, maybe they will figure out how to send everyone back home. [ He doesn't sound too hopeful, but he isn't sure if he wants to learn where this conversation is going. Sure, it's very pragmatic to have a back-up plan to fall back on, but Caster is not a master of thinking too far ahead.

Sure, Bonds don't include servitude as Master and Servant contracts do, but that only means it's up to both parties to make a decision if they want to enter one. ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject