Day 30: Cafeteria, Dinner

[captain-hunam.livejournal.com]

The cafeteria was all but empty when Zelnick got there. He was a little disappointed; he had gotten the impression that patients usually ate dinner in their rooms, so he hadn't arranged to meet anyone, and there really wasn't anyone to sit by and engage in conversation yet.

Quietly, he collected dinner and a big glass of orange juice, and chose a seat near the food-serving counters. Talking for so long had made him thirsty... and, well, fruit juice was a luxury he had missed.

[Stalk away, my dearest Admiral. <3 ]

Comments

[1imited-edition.livejournal.com]

"Yes." Had managed to hit one of said orderlies hard enough that they'd needed help getting back up, too. But now she looked faintly embarrassed about the whole thing. She hadn't really wanted to get involved, but by following Thursday into the melee she had anyway. She might ignore the nurses for the most part, but she had reservations about hurting them unnecessarily.

Archer's explanation for his name was beyond interesting too. Ritual magic in her universe meant any spell complex enough to involve an extended casting even with computer assistance; what Archer described was a ritual in the true sense of the word. And a complex one, too, involving competition.

But she saw a potential darkness in the broad description, as well. She knew well enough how wishes could be twisted, having long twisted them herself... and the idea of seven people going into a fight only one could win was grim. She'd found that those who desired great power seldom had much mercy.

She'd answer his question before she asked any more of him, though. "I was given this name only shortly before I came here, as a wish that I should become one that supports those around me."

She left things at that. She'd gotten too emotional thinking about Hayate already today... and she didn't like explaining about her past much, even less after her fight with Dean.

"Do you use a bow, then?" She asked. She had the impression from his description that it was a broad title that would cover other sorts of ranged attacks, but if he did maybe he'd be interested in meeting Signum. Even if her former Knight was avoiding her, Rein thought she'd be happy for a little competition. If they could ever convince the Institute to provide equipment...

[spirit-forge.livejournal.com]

The way Reinforce got embarrassed was kind of cute, and Archer couldn't help but grin. She reminded him of Saber in a way, both of them put up a serious and unintentionally cold front that had a vulnerable side if you just dug deep enough. Even the way Reinforce regained her composure was similar to Saber. He had to refrain from allowing himself a full blown smile at that thought.

Reinforce was right about the nature of the war, there were many people who sought to abuse it. Kotomine wanted to destroy the city, and Zouken was a delusional bastard. If only the Einzberns hadn't royally fucked up in the Third War then maybe someone might have even been able to achieve the Third Magic - Soul Materialization. Oh well, crying over it now was useless. As far as Archer was concerned it was water under the bridge now. It was best that he stop this train of thought otherwise he might start thinking depressing thoughts about Ilya again.

And although Reinforce was good at hiding it, he could tell that reminiscing over her name's origin had stirred something in her, but he couldn't tell what exactly. It wasn't his place to say something so he wouldn't pry into it, yet.

"Yes, I do use a bow. Among other things. When I was young I practiced Kyudo, it's Japanese style of archery."

Archer saw no reason to hide it. It's not like he told her his true identity was Emiya Shirou. That would pose all kinds of problems.

Also, there wasn't exactly a need for him to reveal the true nature of his powers yet. Archer wasn't going to volunteer details like his special ability even if she did intrigue him. The fact remained that he had just met her.

"But don't let my title deceive you. I'm very capable of melee combat as well."

What an understatement. He could wield the Noble Phantasm of any other hero and with the ease of a master.

[1imited-edition.livejournal.com]

He seemed to have quite diverse talents. A plus for anyone, and especially a mage, if as long as they didn't let their best skills dull for want of attention. And speaking of mages... "Do you use any magic? Or is that only the province of the Casters?" She used the unfamiliar title he'd provided.

But his answer didn't matter so much here, where magic was so greatly reduced and there were no knightly arms. "If you would like, there's a knight here who is very skilled in both whose name I could give you. There are many with unusual skill at arms here, but I know that she in particular would be interested in a friendly competition is the opportunity arose." Rein smiled slightly at this. One thing she was sure hadn't changed about Signum was her love for testing herself and others.

While she waited for his answer, she dug further into the pile of food on her plate, ending the brief respite Archer's arrival had given it.

[spirit-forge.livejournal.com]

Archer hesitated when answering her first question, perhaps a little too long, but ultimately decided it wasn't vital information.

"Yes, I do use magic. However, in my world we normally refer to it as magecraft or the school it originates from. People who practice magecraft are typically referred to mages," he said before unconsciously shifting into a pseudo version of Tohsaka Rin's lecture mode. "The word 'magic' is restricted to acts that borderline on miracles that can't be recreated with any amount of time or resources. For example resurrecting the dead, traveling through time, or access to parallel dimensions could be considered magic. Those who wield True Magic are referred to as Magicians."

Although I have no idea what the Magic Gunner uses.

Archer reached up and mechanically palmed his face, feeling that he had made a complete idiot out of himself for allowing Rin's spirit to possess him like that.

Must find a way to commit suicide without looking obvious desperate. Wait, I'm not some emo teenager. Dammit I must be channeling more of Shirou than I thought.

Remembering his days as Rin's Servant made him feel wistful. He kind of missed her, even the nagging and arrogance. Subconsciously he was assaulted by all of Rin's lectures at once and felt a slight migraine coming on just from thinking about it.

"Don't worry about the terms. It's not unusual for one class' abilities to overlap another's. For instance even though Saber is the Servant of the Sword I myself can use blades too. Although it is relatively acknowledged that each Servant has achieved a certain unparalleled mastery in their class during their lifetime. Like even though I know magecraft, Caster is by far the better mage."

She hadn't ask what type of magecraft he used so Archer gracefully avoided that question, for now.

"I myself am a bit unorthodox as a mage. I'm more of a magecraft user, someone who specializes in a handful of spells and doesn't have a wide range of spells like an average mage."

There was no shame in admitting the truth. Archer was proud of his abilities. After all not every mage could boast a Reality Marble.

When Reinforce brought up the topic of knights and unusual skills he was further intrigued. He'd definitely made the right choice of meeting her. Reinforce appeared to know a lot about Landel's including the patients.

"I wouldn't mind having a sparring partner for a friendly match," he said with a hungry grin.

Exercise told him the state of his body, but he didn't have a chance to test it.

"At least I'd be able to gage my reduced skills in this place."

Archer may have seemed overconfident in his skills, but it was earned. Time had lost all meaning to him long ago. He had been training and fighting for how long, centuries? Or was it eons ago? He could no longer tell, but he was fairly certain he could handle most people in a sparring match. In this place their powers were probably reduced to the same level, which meant the deciding factor would be experience. Archer felt pretty good with countless lifetimes of experience under his belt. It probably showed, but he hoped not. It wouldn't do for Reinforce to think he was some arrogant prick, even though he probably came across that way sometimes.

"I just arrived," he added as an afterthought. "But several patients have already told me about what's going on here."

[1imited-edition.livejournal.com]

Reinforce didn't really know him well enough to recognize the little speech as uncharacteristic, though, and the difference in tone was largely ignored in the face of so much interesting information. She leaned forward slightly as she listened, and while her face was still the mask of bland pleasantness she wore around strangers her eyes had acquired a telling intensity. It really was a shame she could no longer absorb magic, when there were so many interesting systems here.

She received this and the explanations of his class and his own skills without comment, though his use of the phrase 'during their lifetime' caught her attention, and spoke only when he agreed to her proposal.

"In that case, her name is Signum. It sounds like you two have some things in common, so hopefully you can get along." She wasn't going to speculate about which was the better fighter- she thought that two best-of-their-kind fighters ought to make a good match, but in this world-between-worlds who knew?

"I wouldn't have guessed," she said in response to his comment that he'd just come in with the last batch of patients. He seemed to have adjusted to his surroundings very quickly. "Do you still have any questions?"

[spirit-forge.livejournal.com]

"Signum?" The name sounded familiar. "I haven't met her, but I believe I'm scheduled to meet her tonight. She's the leader of a small team I had the fortune of joining."

Hopefully Signum wouldn't mind his added presence. Although hearing another person boasting of his future leader's skills, allieviated most of Archer's remaining apprehension. Reinforce was somewhat like he imagined from her posts. She was a serious person displayed by her precise and efficient notes, and her willingness to give out information freely for the benefit of the other patients showed a certain generosity and kindness. It seemed like she was a good judge of character.

"You seem to know her pretty well. Do you two know each other?"

Archer didn't even have the slightest inkling as to their past relationship. He was more focused on tonight and looking forward to a future sparring match.

"That's probably because I spent most of the morning and afternoon gathering information," he replied.

Archer was glad that his efforts seemed to have paid off. After talking to Reinforce he felt strangely prepared for the night time activities.

"Truthfully, I don't think I have any questions for you," he said, almost bashful. "I just wanted to thank and acquaint myself with the person who posted the beastiary on the board. That informational will be quite useful for the nightshift.

[1imited-edition.livejournal.com]

"You'll be working under her?" Rein asked, surprised. It seemed there had been no need for her to try to arrange a meeting after all. "I hope the arrangement works out for you both, then."

She pondered how to answer his question. She was loathe to get into her history too deeply under the best of circumstances, and these were not the best. "From before we came here, yes. She was my guardian once."

That was all that needed to be said for now, she thought. "I don't mind. I enjoy talking to the other prisoners, especially the new ones," she admitted. "It is unfortunate to have to come by them in such a way, but their stories and worlds are fascinating. For me they are a greater reward than I have any right to ask for my help."

She said this earnestly; the humility was no affectation. If nothing had lay before her but suffering in the service of others she would have been satisfied to render that service and live according to her name. The opportunities to pursue pleasures outside the satisfaction of duty done the peaceful daytime institute provided were an unlooked-for blessing.

[spirit-forge.livejournal.com]

Reinforce tried to hide it, but wasn't a very good liar. Omission was the say thing as lying, and Archer knew that well. There was something between the two women, but Archer wouldn't pry. He had his own secrets to preserve as well. Whatever it was didn't really seem to be an immediate issue, because Reinforce had given Signum a stellar review.

Although he had drawn similarities between Saber and Reinforce, Archer realized they too, shared similar qualities. When he was a boy, Archer would have done anything to for other people's happiness, even at the cost of his own. Thinking about those days irritated him for some reason and his grip on his cup got slightly tighter, not enough to outwardly signify anything but it was there.

Pushing his emotions into the backseat he replied honestly, "Yes, I understand. I feel as if I've enjoyed our conversation as well."

He didn't comment on her generosity. Wasn't he still working for others now, even when his ideals had betrayed him? Archer tried not to dwell on this and tried to absorb the good natured humility Reinforce was generating.

"Maybe, when this is all over your chance to talk to them under better circumstances."

Like when Martin Landel was six feet under, and the institute burned to the ground. Archer wouldn't mind having a hand in either of them.