And thousands of demons stopped me to say

[swordedpast]

Characters: Archer (swordedpast) and OPEN.
Setting: Floor twelve this afternoon, the dormitory halls tonight, and the cafeteria tomorrow morning.
Format: Action, but I'll match the preference of taggers.
Summary: Archer broods, fights, and then cooks breakfast. It's a typical day and night for him.
Warnings: Violence and angst.

[ floor twelve, afternoon of January 1st ]

[ Last month offered Archer many things to think about and little time--or presence of mind--to think about them. Now, though...?

Now he stands silently in the center of this endless panorama of looping destruction, his face expressionless, his hands limp at his sides. He's been to floor five, with its more personal visions of destruction, and sees no need to return there. He's not sure what to do, anyway, with the feeling it brings to his gut that the force that binds him eternally to the protection of his world is gone, as gone as all the rest of that world. If he's not careful, he could enjoy it.

But standing here, watching the annihilation of unfamiliar worlds play out, all he can think of is that if it's true, it means that he failed. He failed in the one thing that was left for him to do with his existence. The Tower must be his punishment. And isn't it perfect for that? Here, the only two people left in the world that he cared about at all are twisted and darkened, and whoever's in charge inflicts hellish torments on all of them. Yes, it makes sense to think that he failed, and all the worlds really are destroyed.

Even if he'll never admit that he believes it.

Now and again, he might give a little shake of his head and make a frustrated noise to try to drag himself out of these dark thoughts, but he always fails, and soon enough he lapses back into silence and stillness again, simply watching the morbid movie unfold around him. ]

[ the dormitory halls, night of January 1st through 2nd ]

[ It may not be the smartest of moves, but Archer seems to have devoted his night to roaming the halls of the dormitories. He isn't merely wandering, though--he's fighting. Whenever a monster appears, he makes no effort to escape from it. Instead, twin swords flash into his hands, and he sweeps in to attack.

Anyone making their way through the halls this night is likely to come upon the knight in red vengefully hacking apart any monstrous creature that stands in his way, even if it tries to flee. Only grim determination shows on his face: no fear and no mercy either. ]

[ the cafeteria, morning of January 2nd ]

[ Though he spent the night chasing monsters through the halls of the dormitories, nothing about Archer's demeanor now suggests anything like it. He's secluded himself in the kitchen of the cafeteria--and he doesn't seem eager to be recognized, as he's wearing something quite different and simpler than his usual flashy outfit...along with a pink apron.

But why?

Well, he's cooking. He's busy making Japanese-style omelets, and he seems quite intent on that task. He doesn't look particularly happy--but then, he never looks particularly happy. He simply looks quite serious about his current business. ]

Comments

[swordedpast]

[ Automatically, he starts to smile as she does. The corners of his mouth turn up--

--and then he remembers that he's not supposed to smile. Hastily, he erases it. ]

There's no need. I'm only making more to take up to Rin.

[ But he hesitates for a moment. ]

...it wouldn't be too much of a difficulty to make more and sit down with you.

[scorchedchivalry]

I doubt she will be up for a while longer. You have time to sit and eat with me.

[swordedpast]

You're right. Heh, she's still not much for mornings.

[ Again, he almost smiles, only to catch himself and quickly stop. ]

All right, Saber. Stay here, and I'll make myself some more.

[ His voice sounds different, for a moment. A little bit like that stupid kid with the orange hair. And then, before that can fade, he's striding back into the kitchen. ]

[scorchedchivalry]

I am certainly not going anywhere. [there was good food there!] I shall wait.

[She slowly chews on the piece she speared once Archer left, watching him with a distracted look. She shouldn't be missing this...]

[swordedpast]

[ And a few minutes later, he finishes with the rest of the omelets, sets most aside for Rin, and puts a few on a plate for himself. Then he takes off the apron and carries his plate out to the dining hall, where he sets it down across from Saber and sits. ]

Then let's eat.

[ His tone is curt--

--but his lips move, though no sound comes out. Being here with her, even this tainted version of her, compels him. Itadakimasu. ]

[scorchedchivalry]

[She hums an agreement and her eyes drop a moment to her plate before she picks up another piece.]

This is quite good.

[swordedpast]

Naturally it is. I wouldn't slack.

[ He stares down at the omelets and tries not to look pleased at the compliment. ]

[scorchedchivalry]

You always did have this way of throwing yourself fully into any endeavor you focused on.

[Whether that was meant as a compliment or not, who knew. Saber contented herself with more food. Mmm... sweet eggy goodness.]

[swordedpast]

[ Oh, but that means the subject of the conversation is back on him and not just his food. Oops. ]

It's simply the way of idiots. You'd know it too, right?

[scorchedchivalry]

Mm. Perhaps. I would like to think I was far less foolish in my youth than you.

[Really, throwing yourself between Saber and Berserker? Doesn't get much foolish than that.]

[swordedpast]

I don't know.

[ ...and he dares to sass her, just this once. It's something about the meal, and the atmosphere it creates--it fosters the illusion that things will be all right. ]

I think pulling a sword from one's mind requires a keener intellect than pulling it from a stone.

[scorchedchivalry]

Shows what you know. The mental preparation to willingly take something that will forever alter you into something not human, taking the burdens of an entire people upon your shoulders, is far structured than creating a simple copy of something you saw.

[She speared another piece of egg and waggled it at Archer.]

You just think swords are... what was the word? Ah, yes... 'cool'.

[swordedpast]

[ When he looks up from his meal to smile this time, the expression is oddly real. It might be the first real smile he's given in forever. ]

No, it's more like I thought you were cool, Saber.

[ He quickly covers it up. ]

Well, you're making my point for me, though. It sounds like the sort of thing a fool does.

[scorchedchivalry]

My class name it that of a kind of sword - your point is invalid.

[She inhales the piece of egg before eating another. Then she replied.]

Oh, yes, drawing Caliburn to prove my lineage and right as King so I could lead Britain back to glory is far more foolish than running barehanded between Berserker and myself simply because you could not bear to see a girl in danger despite the fact that it was my sworn duty. [/sarcasm]

I never said I was not a fool - just that you are more of one than I.

[So says the piece of egg on her fork as she points it at him. Heed the power of the egg.]

[swordedpast]

Well.

[ That easy smile vanishes like mist. ]

I won't dispute that. I don't think there's a greater idiot in any world than the boy you're speaking of.

[ Did the bitterness just come back to his voice? Why, yes. It certainly did. He looks back down at his egg, gloom descending upon him again. ]

[scorchedchivalry]

Oh, stop it, Archer. Angst makes for a poor bedfellow. It makes you boring.

[swordedpast]

Boring?!

[ Of all the myriad things he's accused himself of, that was never one of them. He snaps his head up to stare at Saber in bewilderment, then angrily stabs at a piece of egg. ]

[scorchedchivalry]

And dour. It is like you have forgotten the simple pleasures life affords us.

Like this omelet.

[om nom nom.]

[swordedpast]

And you've remembered them?

[ He looks down at the omelet thoughtfully. ]

[scorchedchivalry]

Sometimes. Food is one of those pleasures. It reminds me of simpler times.

And also why Kazumi is my vassal. She is an even better cook than you.

[swordedpast]

...who is this Kazumi?

[ And why does he suddenly feel fiercely jealous of her? ]

[scorchedchivalry]

She is a young girl with short dark hair and a passion for cooking. When there are ample supplies, she cooks dinner for me every day. Perhaps you can join us sometime.

[Another egg-tipped fork point.]

But you will behave yourself. She is a young girl too upbeat for the likes of you. A sweet girl.

[swordedpast]

Hmm.

[ He attacks his breakfast some more, and he tries not to wonder too much if it would be nice to do this again. Maybe even with this other girl. ]

I've no intention of harming her, but maybe we wouldn't get along.

[scorchedchivalry]

That will not excuse you for talking down to her like you tend to do when you get irritated. She is a child.

[swordedpast]

I see. Yeah, I don't think I'm the sort of guy who gets along well with children. Aren't they a pain?