[video]

[boneofsword]

From: Archer
Date: October 4th late afternoon

[For those familiar with him, Archer's expression is completely blank. There's no frown, or typical sarcastic smirk. When he speaks, his voice is calm and rather detached with underlying coldness.]

Caster is gone.

His temple and the names he bestowed are still here, so he's going to be back. Be aware that he's not going to remember any of you, or anything that happened during his stay here. If my research is wrong feel free to correct me, but that's based on the knowledge I gathered so far.

[Here he pauses slightly and his eyes flicker off-screen.]

I'm still trying to piece together what happened, if anyone comes forward to shed some light on the events that transpired, you will have my gratitude.

[Archer narrows his eyes, for the first time his expression changes slightly.]

If you want to punch him for being an idiot you have to get in line.

Comments

[Voice]

[boneofsword]

He did something stupidly heroic and got himself killed.

[Archer prefers to not answer her question. Right now he's keeping his emotions in check and doesn't want to even wander there.]

[Voice]

[sing_for_me]

[Oh yeah, he avoided that so smoothly. The knot in her stomach tightened even more--but what does that say about how Archer is feeling?]

...Where are you?

[Voice]

[boneofsword]

At his temple.

[he hesitated a bit before answering, suspecting that Alex would come running. Distracting himself with chores or sparring could only work for some time.]

[sing_for_me]

[Of course she was. She teleported over without hanging up.]

Are you in the kitchen? Where are you?

[She's looking around-- it's actually her first time visiting their temple. If only this wasn't why...]

[boneofsword]

[Caster's temple was rather simple - a big druid's hut with open kitchen and mix of dining and meeting hall, with big fireplace at one end. Archer wasn't there, though she was immediately greeted by two white dogs barking happily. A moment later Archer appeared on stairs leading to the upper floor.]

Alex.

[He sounded - and looked - quite weary.]

[sing_for_me]

[When the dogs come up to greet her, she crouches down to pet them. She hadn’t seem them since Cu had taken them to her temple. Did they know, she wondered?

Hearing her name, she looks up to see Archer there. She stands up immediately, the exhausted expression on his face squeezing at her heart. She walks over to him, stopping at the bottom of the staircase.]

Archer..is he really..?

[boneofsword]

He's dead. [Archer says flatly as he walks down the steps. He's not wearing his red overcoat this time.]

I'm still not sure what exactly have happened, but there's no doubt that he's dead.

[sing_for_me]

[Him using those words specifically hit her harder. Her hand grips at the banister. She was still trying to wrap her head around it.]

When you said...he’d come back..

[Was he sure about that?]

[boneofsword]

His temple is still here. Mine and Lancer's names too, and we can use borderlines.

[Archer looks away, his voice gone a bit quieter.]

Another god died and returned not so long ago. That's what I'm basing my assumption on.

[sing_for_me]

[That was true. But still, it didn’t change the fact that he died. Taking in a breath, she looks at him.]

How are you holding up..?

[boneofsword]

[Archer looks at her, and for a moment she can catch a glimpse of grief in his gaze that vanishes as soon as it appears.]

I have to take care of Lancer and the dogs.

[Perhaps after Caster's return he will take time to sort his feelings out. Not right now.]

[sing_for_me]

You need to be taken care of too.

[She answers back.]

[boneofsword]

[For a long moment Archer stares at her completely stunned. Finally he shakes it off and rubs his neck. He doesn't need to be taken care of, it's his role to care for the others.]

I'll be fine.

[sing_for_me]

Yes, you will be. But right now, you aren’t.

[His expression said enough.]

...Have you eaten?

[boneofsword]

[Guilty as charged. Archer's not going to argue, though.]

I have. Lancer insisted on a lunch. He's stubborn enough to force-feed me if I refused. [which he didn't, but it's just going through the motions.]

[sing_for_me]

That's good.

[At least Lancer got him to eat.]

Do you want to sit down? Or maybe go for a walk?

[boneofsword]

...no, I'm afraid not. [he hesitated for a second, admitting then with a small sigh.] I feel better when I have something to do.

[sing_for_me]

Then-- let's do something! Something you like!

[ She looks up at him hopefully. If it'll make him feel better, of course she'd want to go for it.]

[boneofsword]

[Too bad he's the kind of guy who considered house chores as relaxing.]

Hm, I guess I can cook something. [Archer paused.] Is there a particular dish you want to learn how to make?

[sing_for_me]

[As long as it helped, chores were fine. She knew that those helped her get her mind off of things.]

Oh--could we try that tamagoyaki?

[She peers up at him sheepishly.]