thefarshore | [video]

Entry tags:

[video]

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Caster did something stupidly heroic and got himself killed.

[Archer didn't sugarcoat things. He looked calm and collected, but that's only because of a long practice.]

[That was...actually the best way for Mai to be told news like this. Straight to the point. Focusing on the facts. Unbelievable as they were.]

No, that's...

[Except Archer wouldn't lie to her. Not about something like this. Not after making such an announcement. She believed he was telling the truth...it was just the truth she struggled with, eyes betraying her conflicted confusion.]

But he's a god. How...could someone kill him?

As easily as you kill any living being. Despite all that we're told about our new roles we're still mortal.

[It's vague enough, since Archer doesn't have full memories of how and what exactly did happen.]

[She knew that. ...did she know that? She felt like she must have known, only to brush the thought to the furthest part of her mind because she never thought it would happen. Not to someone she knew. Not so soon.]

And you're sure...he'll be back. Only...without his memories.

[He wouldn't remember her. If that were true.]

But he'll otherwise be okay?

I think so. If he was gone then his temple and the names would be gone. Some of those killed here return, with their memories gone.

[That's what Archer gathered from the scarce information available. He's not sure that Caster would be back, he certainly hopes so. However, hope was a very fleeting thing, and Archer didn't trust neither fate nor luck. All that he could do was to wait.]

[Depending on the view, and how perceptive Archer is, he'll hear soft footsteps. Soon revealing Mai's own shinki coming to hover nearby. Just providing silent support and comfort to his Goddess, since he knows she was closer to Caster than he was.]

[She knew he was there. At least. she processed that he was there. A familiar presence. Comforting. Even in spite of the fact that she had gone through a very similar moment when they'd first arrived.]

[But that was then and this was now and she had to pause for breath before replying to Archer's latest message and the fact that Trunks was here really did help because it was a reminder that, even without memories, friendships could always form again.]

...I'm okay.

[She might not have sounded okay, but it was for the both of them.]

I'll be okay.

[Reaching out his hand, resting it on her shoulder, and offering what he hopes is a comforting smile.]

I know you will. But I'm here anyway.

[Her hand came up to meet his, giving his knuckles a light squeeze in acknowledgement of the gesture. Showing how much she truly appreciated him.]

I know.

[He was always there for her. When she needed him. When she didn't need him, but took comfort in his presence anyway.]

I just...can't stop thinking about the last time I saw him. We...I don't even know if I can call it a breakup. If there was never anything to break up in the first place.

Whatever it was, it wasn't the best way to part, and you're feeling that more than ever since, in effect, he's died.

[Not that there was much he could really say to comfort her. Nor did he really necessarily want to hear about her and Caster, even though Mai's life was her own. Trunks was just her shinki-partner, after all...

But he didn't like her being upset.]

Would it help to talk?

[Maybe. Except...]

I don't even know what to talk about.

[Not much to say to that either, so instead Trunks just nods. Keeping that hand on her shoulder, and trying to offer what comfort he can with his presence at least. Silent mostly, except....]

You don't have to figure it out right now. You know I'll help, and listen, whenever you need me to.

[Which was the last he'd say on things for now. Mostly he just wanted her to not be hurting or confused.]

[Not hurting...not being confused...that...was not a possibility right then. Possibly anytime soon. She had been in a rough enough state of mind regarding Caster ever since the banquet, and now...she would never get her closure. Only wonderings and shoulda-coulda-wouldas.]

I know. [She fell silent for a moment after that. During which time, she leaned a little more against him. Not out of any sense of affection. Merely a subconscious means of seeking comfort.] I know you're there. You're always there.

[She's welcome to lean as much as she wants. This has to be hard, and there's nothing but be there that he can do.]

I hope I can always be there.

[It's soft, before letting the quiet reign again.]

[There would be a length pause before her next response. Trunks was near her now, whether or not Archer would be able to see that. And his presence did help. Some. Not just on the outside, although she appeared calmer when she lifted her head and spoke again.]

Then he won't remember dying.

[An assumption. But it was something she had to focus on. The positive in the face of such an overwhelming negative. It was like Trunks not remembering her, in a way. She'd managed to convince herself then that it was a good thing. That not remembering meant not remembering the bad, either. She could...live with that.]

We'll just...have to meet again. When he comes back.

[Archer noticed it, even grief not distracting him enough to stop paying attention to details. It's clear those two have close rapport.]

That is something worth waiting for.

[At least for her. His relationship with Caster, though proffesional, have had been rocky from the very start. To think they'd go back to how it was before wasn't most pleasant.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[video]

video

video

video

video

video

[Background action-thread-lurking/hopping]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

video

video