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]

[ 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. ]

[swordedpast]

[ He folds the egg on the pan a little frantically. But he still takes care not to mess it up or anything. ]

It's not such a big deal. I imagine friends are easy enough to come by. Just appreciate the breakfast.

[chainsawn]

I'm appreciating it already. [ Apparently. But she nods. ]

Besides.. [ at this she actually turns a little more quiet, looking away for a moment. ] .. it's not always that easy.

[swordedpast]

It's not even finished yet! You can't appreciate a breakfast before it's finished. That's ridiculous.

[ As he rants about the food, something subtle changes in his voice; it seems strangely boyish and pure for a moment.

Then he realizes. ]

...it's even more ridiculous that I'd complain about such a thing. Forget it. It's almost done, in any case.

[chainsawn]

[ It's doubtful that Urotsuki notices with all her obliviousness. Or maybe she does, but just doesn't think much of it. She can't help but look back at him and blank all the same though. ]

So you're not allowed to appreciate something until after it's over? .. Sorry, I don't think I can forget it just yet. It sounds important to know.

[swordedpast]

[ His hand tightens on the spatula in frustration. ]

You're mistaken: it's not important. Ah, I merely meant that you should wait until you're eating to judge whether it's good enough.

[chainsawn]

.. Fine. [ She glances around, but with the lack of chairs she can immediately see, she instead pulls herself up onto a nearby counter, sitting on there. ]

I'll wait here then until it's ready. And then I'll eat, and then I'll judge. In that order.

[swordedpast]

[ Fortunately, he's nearly finished with the omelets, so he only gives her the briefest of flustered looks as she settles in to wait. And then, after another minute-- ]

You didn't need to wait like that, but it's done.

[chainsawn]

[ She actually claps her hands. But it's.. well, blank as usually, so it just comes off a little strangely more than anything. ]

Thank you. I'm looking forward to eating it and judging it.

[swordedpast]

[ He looks a little flustered at that--again. ]

It's nothing to clap at.

[ He flips the omelets onto a plate, and then grabs a fork and a knife and starts out of the kitchen. ]

You should eat it in the cafeteria. Properly.

[chainsawn]

.. Why? Wouldn't it be fun to eat here?

[ She blinks, not moving from her seated position on top of the counter just yet, instead glancing at him as he's already taking a few steps away. ]

[swordedpast]

...?

[ He looks troubled. It's not so much at her question as at what it made him realize--that for a moment there, he'd really cared about such formalities as where one eats and how. Something about making food for someone who calls him a friend--

He has to put it out of his mind, and quickly. So he hurriedly puts the plate down in front of her. ]

Hmph, if you can find your fun anywhere, I suppose.

[chainsawn]

It's easy to have fun, you know. [ She pokes the food a few times before she actually takes a tiny bite from it. She chews for quite some time, as if she's trying to savor it despite how tiny of a bite that was, before swallowing. ]

Since I always have fun when I'm with a friend.

[swordedpast]

[ He does his best not to look like he actually cares about what she thinks of the food. But he's not really resting his hands on the counter now; it's more like he's gripping it with them. ]

I suppose it'd be easy for someone like you to make friends, even here.

[ He tries to make that come out scornfully, but no matter how he spins it, it's a compliment. ]

[chainsawn]

[ Another bite. Sorry, Archer, she's apparently not saying it just yet - she really thinks she has to finish all of it before she's allowed to judge now! ]

.. It's.. not really 'even here'. I think it's easier to make friends here than somewhere else.. [ For a moment she just slowly pokes the food again, but then she continues eating. ]

[swordedpast]

Hmm. I hate to say it, but you might have a point.

[ He's still watching her eat intently, but he looks a little contemplative now. ]

It's not every day you get stuck in a hell-tower with the weird people you meet there your only support.