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

[chainsawn]

... Really?

[ She does look a little surprised. Or. Well. If you can tell the nuances in blankness, either way. She blinks at him at the very least with wide open eyes.. ]

But I thought people do that all the time. Aren't those what the cooking shows on TV are for..?

[swordedpast]

[ He actually looks kind of indignant at that. ]

Do I look like a celebrity chef?

[ But he doesn't take his attention off the eggs. ]

[chainsawn]

[ She hums a little, as if she's genuinely pondering the question. ]

Hm.. you are a little cool.

[swordedpast]

[ And he proceeds to nearly screw up folding an omelet. ]

That's not possible.

[ Wait, that came out wrong. ]

I suppose it's natural that I look cool, but it's probably an illusion. That's what I mean.

[chainsawn]

[ ...

Headtilt one way...

Then the other way..

Nope, that didn't help a thing, she still doesn't get it. ]

Why is that an illusion? Are you someone who creates illusions? Like a magician..?

[swordedpast]

[ He folds the omelets more furiously. ]

What I am isn't important. But I am not "cool," and you shouldn't think I am.

[chainsawn]

Why aren't you cool? [ She takes a step closer, peering at where he's folding the omelets on the counter, as if the answer can be found in those instead. ]

I thought that was something people decided about other people, not just a fact..

[swordedpast]

[ The truth is, he's not sure. He just knows that it's not right for an innocent young girl to consider him "cool." Then she might try to live up to him. That would be wrong. ]

Why am I cool? That's the better question. Don't get too close while I'm cooking.

[ He adds the last admonishment in a slightly too serious tone. ]

[chainsawn]

[ There's an immediate - almost too quick - step backwards at what he says, like an animal backing off at the sight of fire. ]

.. You.. know a lot of things, and you give smart advice.. that's what the cool mentor type in TV shows always does. And you look really exotic too.

[swordedpast]

[ He'd almost feel bad about making her back off like that--but she messed with his cooking. It's only fair. ]

Hmm. I see how I could appear cool, if that's the case. It's all right so long as you don't aspire to be cool like me. It works for me, but it wouldn't suit you.

[chainsawn]

[ ...

She holds her hand up to her hair, feeling it for a moment, and then she nods at him. ]

You're right. Your hair would probably look really strange on me, after all. [ as if that is the main reason.. ]

[swordedpast]

[ He stares at her. He's already told her plenty how strange she is, so only one question comes from him now. ]

Who are you, anyway, kid?

[chainsawn]

[ Who? Another blink, but then she realises he's probably asking for her name. ]

Urotsuki. I'm.. Urotsuki. [ .. ] Nice to meet you. Even if we've already met before. .. So maybe it's 'nice to meet you again'?

[swordedpast]

Urotsuki? It suits you. It is what you do, but I suppose there's not much else to do around here.

[ He finishes with his current batch of omelets. ]

...I'm Archer, but that doesn't really matter.

[ And he looks down at the stove again. ]

Don't take this the wrong way, but have you eaten?

[chainsawn]

Hmm. I like it. [ Whether she means wandering or her name is anyone's guess..

And she's about to open her mouth and ask him why it doesn't matter - of course his name matters! - but then she's distracted by the last question. ]

And.. I haven't had anything yet today. I didn't take it the wrong way, did I..?

[swordedpast]

[ He makes the grumpiest face he can manage, which is really remarkably grumpy, and reaches for another couple of eggs. ]

You shouldn't go hungry, so I'll make you some more omelet. It would only be taking it the wrong way if you think that means I care.

[chainsawn]

[ You're so confusing to her, Archer. She hasn't even gotten to the point where she can understand what tsundere is, even! So she blinks curiously again. ]

So you don't care?

[swordedpast]

Of course not.

[ He starts the eggs cooking. ]

Caring for people is something you have to be naive to get started on. It's been a long time since I did foolish things like that.

[chainsawn]

[ She almost steps closer, but then remembers what he said earlier and quickly pulls that leg she put forward to take a step back. ]

.. Then.. I should give up on trying to become friends? [ She almost looks a little sad, despite the blankness. ]

[swordedpast]

[ Aaaand he nearly drops the spatula. ]

Friends?

[chainsawn]

[ Good thing she doesn't even notice that, she just nods as if it's just normal, nothing special happening.. ]

Yes. Is there something wrong with that? I just thought.. it might be nice to become friends.

[swordedpast]

[ He stares fixedly at the eggs as they cook. ]

Well, the problem with that is that I'm not the sort of guy who becomes anyone's friend.

[chainsawn]

[ There's a hum from her. She's still staring at him, even if he's looking at the eggs instead - almost without blinking. ]

But I'm not 'anyone', right? I'm Urotsuki. You know my name, and I know yours, so that means we're not just anyone anymore.

... I think. [ YOU SOUNDED SO CONVINCED, UROTSUKI, DON'T RUIN IT.. ]

[swordedpast]

[ He's still for a moment. This is really difficult. ]

I suppose you're strange enough that it makes sense. Very well, Urotsuki--I'll at least consider being friends.

[ It's progress. ]

[chainsawn]

[ Definitely progress. Especially since at that, she actually starts smiling. Sure, it's a pretty weird smile since there's still something blank in it, but it's genuine. ]

I'm glad.. I've never gotten both breakfast and a friend at the same time. [ simple wonders, apparently. ]

... Maybe a friend. [ RIGHT SHE FORGOT TO ADD THAT THERE.. doesn't want him to get mad so it's a little sheepishly. ]