thenearshore | 23 - Crazy Cat Shuffle

[Caster's reaction is a pleasant suprise that catches him unaware. Archer gives an awkward chuckle and a shake of his head.]

I acted on instinct. Haven't tried it with full size weapons before.

[Given how projecting Caster's beloved spear burned almost all of his mana, Archer was wary of experimenting too much. Projecting several powerful weapons could kill him.]

I'm glad it worked.

Keep trying then. [ Otherwise nothing can be accomplished. He's starting to like that dour shinki of his, even despite their past history. Or maybe because of it? Friends to enemies, enemies to friends- that was always a part of life for him. But yeah mana is a precious resource, and Caster can relate to running low on it. While neither of them will disappear without it, this time it's still a hindrance.

Suddenly Caster peels himself away from Archer, because he remembered about the blight sting and how easy it can transfer ]

Shit- my bad.

[The blight is the last thing on his mind now, but Archer can feel the light sting and just chooses to ignore it. That's why he snorts and shakes his head ruefully. Have a light punch to the shoulder, Cú.]

With your reaction I'd think it's something serious instead of that itch. [Archer runs a hand through his hair, but at least he's still smiling.] So it's time for temple spring now?

[ And now the roles have turned, and it's Archer who seems to be unperturbed by blight. Does it means Caster started to settle more into the "godly" role? It's not the sting that's an issue here, it's how... disgusting it is. And how easily can transfer to someone else. ]

It is. I don't think there is more of those roaming around.

[ Now that adrenaline is gone his movement feels sluggish. He really overdid himself on the magic front already. Almost a shame he can't just turn to the spirit form for the sake of conserving energy. That won't stop him from stupidly being ready to fight to the death, even if he weakens himself with every spell. For once, that's where his shinki come in - it's good he can just fight with a normal weapon. ]

Feeling better? [ That was a fight you've put out there Archer, and the surprise sword barrage was what turned the tide. ]

[Archer casts him a sharp glance and sighs.]

I'm fine. Those are low on mana consumption scale. The stronger the weapon the more mana it consimes. [Archer pauses for a moment.] Sustaining them doesn't take much mana, it's projection that does.

[That's what he knows about his skill, and what Archer thinks his god should know. After all, they are a team.

Noticing how Caster seems to be tired, he rests his not blighted hand on his shoulder. Yes, the blight feels disgusting, but the sting is a small price to pay for camaraderie.] Are you going to teleport us right to the spring, or are you in the mood for a walk?

Not in the walking mood this time- [ Caster covers the hand on his shoulder with his own - just to make sure they both get carried to the spring, and warps them there. Fortunately, god powers are separate from his own, they don't require anything, or cause fatigue. Small blessing.. which makes him wonder ]

Say, you're a shinki. That power of yours, it's something you get, right? [ He has no freaking idea how to say it, but making weapons out of thin air was Archer's shtick back in Fuyuki, back when he was still a Servant. What he's saying, that trick requiring energy to be expended makes total sense, from a Servant point of view. But he's not one, so does that mean he recovers said magical energy normally, or what? ] What happens when you run out of mana?

[Archer is ready for the sudden teleportation, but he doesn't take his hand away afterwards.]

I fall flat on my face. [he deadpans.] It happened during our spar when I projected Gáe Bolg and my swords for the second time during one day.

[The look he gives Caster is oddly calm, but there's a hint of worry.] We can always try a mana transfer, since I have some to spare.

Aren't you smooth... [ Wow, Archer, you're not wasting time or beating around the bush. Caster just side-eyes him at the suggestion, but- it is something to consider, going from the most pragmatic point of view.

That's why he needs to confirm something first. ]

Fall on the face on one day, but then everything is fine on the next one?

[ He sits on the edge of the spring and rolls his sleeve high enough to submerge the arm under the water ]

[Sorry, Cú, but Archer is as blunt as a bottle to the face.]

Yes, I felt fine after getting some rest. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to do much. [meanwhile Archer goes to - wait, is that a hiding place in a hollow of a tree? - grab a towel and go back to Caster. He kneels lose and, soaking the towel first, starts washing the blight off Caster's hand.] Here, let me help.

[ Maybe Archer didn't get here as a Servant there, and just instead as...a dead human he was before? That would explain why he can generate the precious MP as normal. Which fits with his generalized magic knowledge, dude was a magus in life and-

One that had to know about Grail Wars, if that's not coming from the "servanty" part of him. Interesting.

And possibly entirely wrong, why would he insist on being called Archer? ]

Come on, I can wash myself. [ He pries Archer's fingers off the towel to use it himself. That's a nice gesture, sure, but he's not that weakened. No falling down on face, even if his bantering skills might be a little compromised ]

[It's ironic how close to the truth Caster is. Archer himself remembers nothing and prefers to not dwell at the things. Definitely not at the contradicting skills that he has.]

If you say so. [Archer gets a towel for himself and takes care of his shoulder; the blight isn't serious but he can't see his back, thus missing some.]

[ When Caster is clean - or at least he thinks he is - the blighted spots on Archer's back began to annoy him. Sure, he can't see them, but he should try and reach them just to be sure. You're the methodical one here, Archer, why are you making such dumb a mistake-- ]

--you're missing something. [ And he suddenly wrings the towel with cold holy water right over Archer's shoulders ]

[Archer just stiffens in surprise. Sure, it's still warm outside, but getting splashed with cold water is least expected and just as pleasant.]

...thanks. [he prefers to avoid water soaking his pants, thank you very much. There's no helping it now. Archer sighs and turns to look at Caster.]

Did it ever happen before? Using so much mana to the point it's starting to affect you.

It's not life-threatening. I won't disappear if that's what concerns you. [ If that was the case he'd be gone a long time ago. Perks of that "physical incarnation thing" ]

But when it runs out- well, I just need to be more careful about using spells. [ Because he suspects that once he's out of mana - he's out of it permanently. Unless he goes and replenishes it in the usual way. Drain a district, drink some blood, and few other options. But he's not that greedy to do it if he has no good reason to. ]

[Archer narrows his eyes and frowns.]

If I can replenish it during rest it's possible yours will replenish too. Gods don't run out of power permanently, so if shinki can still cast borderlines it means they regain theirs. [he muses outloud, more worried for Caster than he'd like to admit. It's not something Archer was prepared for.]

Yeah, could be. If it replenishes over time, the rate is slower than I'm using it up though. [ Since he's been steadily having less and less of the literal MP over past month. Then the sudden realization hits ]

...wait, isn't god power directly linked to his followers though? [ The big names are big because everyone believes in them. It was obvious from the start but he never paid real attention to it because... who cares. He's lazy, he don't want to be a god, it's all daddy's fault, etc ]

So I have to start my own religion? [ To get faster MP regain rate. ]

[Archer ponders for a moment.] That's correct, they said something about having more followers to be more powerful. All those prayers and such.

[He gives it a longer thought, considering the possibilities.] You can always help some of those wannabe artists or musicians to spread the word. Nothing better than becoming an artists' muse.

[It's not entirely sarcasm, though.]

What the hell...? [ Caster blinks at him, N-NOT SURE IF SERIOUS...? This might be a sarcasm or might be not. ] Do I look like a muse to you?

[ Right now when he's looking if that hollowed up tree has another towel, a dry one this time ]

If you want someone to spread the word about you as a god who's better than musicians? Artists can do that too.

[There are more towels, and Archer grabs some. He's planning to dry the used ones, courtesy of a line between two trees.]

[ Stop being that househusband who thinks of everything... or no, better don't. Fewer house chores for Caster ]

Good bardic tradition, I know about that trust me. Thing is, they immortalized the deeds of those worthy - or tore them down from pedestal if they were unworthy. [ Bards and filis were those kings were afraid of. A good, memorable song with appropriate lyrics could spread the word and love - or lack of it - among great distances. ]

Bards are no longer here though. And if they were, how could they witness those deeds?

[Archer genuinely enjoys it, Caster. He may spoil you rotten.]

Musicians are still out there. If some of the bands start singing of Cú Chulainn it can start a fad. Teenagers following the band can spread the word, and if some of their prayers get answered by you the word will spread even faster. They may forget us the moment we leave the Near Shore, but the songs will stay.

[That's all simple logic for Archer. He's aware that Caster isn't as used to the way modern world is, so he tries to explain.

Perhaps he should invest in a laptop, and then teach those two fossils how to not destroy it.]

[ So Archer's advice basically boils down to "go and help Celtic folk/metal bands and grab all the profit". That's actually a really sound advice, because there is a ton of them, just... not in Japan. But it's not like Caster is knowledgeable about the world of music genres and endless sea of spotify. ]

Hmmm... [ He's starting to consider it ] Answer their prayers, and leave some books about legends as inspiration?

[ Even if he's not convinced, this might be worth trying ] I'm not a god of musicians but... I don't have a well-defined domain anyway.

[ He might step on somebody's toes, like- actual god of musicians. Not that he's going to care about that ]

[After all, first of Caster's shrines was in a house of such fan. The posters covering all the walls will be forever burned into Archer's mind.]

I also mean artists in general. Becoming a physical muse may not work, but giving a painter inspiration, convincing a script writer to make a movie, series or even a clip based on you or your legends, heck, even inspiring an advertisement for some product will get you fame.

[Some manly cologne for example. Or a horrible brand of clothing, whichever works. Your Exemplar won't judge you.]

[ Why are you pushing him into the entertainment industry? The best he'll get will be some forgotten bar with equally forgotten indie weirdos with rainbow colored hair. Probably drunk and under the table ]

This all sounds so good that makes me wonder... why is no one else doing this? [ Maybe they are, and he's just not realizing it. Or maybe, they're not as savvy, and he should thank Archer and his quick thinking. ]

Maybe because it sounds like so much effort, that carving a ritual into a building to drain its inhabitants sounds simpler. [ And it is already a big and annoying hassle- plus bad on a godly PR to possibly send some people into a hospital. He walks closer to Archer and suddenly runs his hand through this hair, only to grab a handful and make him turn around- ]

[That's just one of the options of being an actual mitological hero instead of forgotten god while needing to replenish mana. Others rarely rely on it.]

It--!

[It's all that Archer manages to reply before Caster grabs him and--

he actually needs a moment to understand that Caster is kissing him and it's happening. Archer parts his lips in surprised gasp, letting Caster use it to his advantage. He starts kissing back, for a short moment forgetting everything else.

It's just a mana transfer, he reminds himself, letting Caster take as much as he needs. It's only for that reason Archer embraces his god and allows himself be kissed breathless.]

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