Alexander "I know how to people" the Great (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
towards_okeanos) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thenearshore2019-02-23 02:10 pm
towards_okeanos) wrote in thenearshore2019-02-23 02:10 pm
farewell to the van [closed]
Who: Iskandar, Archer, Waver, Caster
When: April 1 (middle of the night) - April ? (tbd)
Where: outskirts of Tokyo Metropolitan area, near the cultist's compund
What: There's a pizza van of no morals, it needs to be returned.
After the battle is done, the enemy subdued, all ayakashi slain and all the Heavenly forces have either already departed or are preparing to depart, Iskandar has still one, final task to finish.
He needs to return the car to its rightful owners. To say it has served them well would be to risk a laughable understatement. So they drive Satya home and then, together with Waver, they embark on a mission to bring the van to its previous state. Or even an improved one if that's possible.
That starts with a visit to the car wash. Fortunately, it's a fully automated so there is no one to ask questions about the sorry, and bloody, state of the car. Even if Iskandar has to read the instruction for choosing a suitable washing programme twice, and ask Waver for help with some of the kanji, it's preferable.
Then it's to the gas station to refill the tank and buy all the necessities that a car like that might need. Simple things like windshield washer fluid, a couple of air fresheners, a tire repair kit. The car itself is meticulously maintained but it sorely lacks supplies. The owners clearly save on everything they can.
After that, Iskandar parks the van near the gas station building takes out his phone and calls Archer.
When: April 1 (middle of the night) - April ? (tbd)
Where: outskirts of Tokyo Metropolitan area, near the cultist's compund
What: There's a pizza van of no morals, it needs to be returned.
After the battle is done, the enemy subdued, all ayakashi slain and all the Heavenly forces have either already departed or are preparing to depart, Iskandar has still one, final task to finish.
He needs to return the car to its rightful owners. To say it has served them well would be to risk a laughable understatement. So they drive Satya home and then, together with Waver, they embark on a mission to bring the van to its previous state. Or even an improved one if that's possible.
That starts with a visit to the car wash. Fortunately, it's a fully automated so there is no one to ask questions about the sorry, and bloody, state of the car. Even if Iskandar has to read the instruction for choosing a suitable washing programme twice, and ask Waver for help with some of the kanji, it's preferable.
Then it's to the gas station to refill the tank and buy all the necessities that a car like that might need. Simple things like windshield washer fluid, a couple of air fresheners, a tire repair kit. The car itself is meticulously maintained but it sorely lacks supplies. The owners clearly save on everything they can.
After that, Iskandar parks the van near the gas station building takes out his phone and calls Archer.
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Only it's not someone he expected to pick the phone.
"Archer can't really hold the phone right now. Unless it's something really important I'm hanging up." Who's panicking, he's not panicking. But it's not like he knows what to do about his Exemplar being in pain and in the middle of his own body and magic turning against him.
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Do you need assistance? Because we're coming unless you explicitly tell me not to.
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Archer does. I've been unable to help him. I'll explain more when you're here.
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[Iskandar ends the call without even saying good-bye. THIS IS BAD. THIS IS VERY BAD.
Caster never said where exactly they are but he didn't have to. Where else they could be if not at his Temple. Sooooo... there is a couple of things Iskandar must do right now. He switches on the navigation on his phone.
First, get to the Far Shore...
Which of his shrines is the closest? Not the Ginza one for sure. Dojo? Nah. That's on the opposite side of the city. Akihabara on the other hand... That's even better.
Scratch that, the van! What they will do with the van? No, wait, actually, the Akihabara shrine will be good for more than one reason. They can leave the van there and get anyone from the team to just keep an eye on it. Then they go to his temple.
He looks at the phone's clock. 3:20. Should be open. They usually stay until 6 ... or even later if there's a guild meeting. Which ... Iskandar counts days ... is not today. Right. Still, they have plenty of time.
He starts the car.]
We're going through Akihabara shrine. [He smiles a little.]
I guess I finally get to show you our guild's dungeon.
[Technically, not a dungeon. It's a gamer's cafe by day, bar by night and generally meeting place for a group of Iskandar's most dedicated followers. His MMO guild: The Companions. Waver must have heard of them a million times. He probably met some of them online. It's Iskandar's second oldest shrine and the only one he was personally involved in setting up. The guild bought the place with money they got from their victory in the Championship. The one Iskandar and Satya helped them secure. They literally worship Iskandar from that very moment. They even modelled the whole guild structure on his army. Ranks, units, everything. In turn, Iskandar treats them with absolute priority.
And he allowed them to have the name.
τοὺς ἑταῖροι
Nothing can be a better sign of his preference.]
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[A sleepy... rapidly coming into full consciousness murmur. The next sentence is aware.]
Did they say what's wrong?
[Waver - who had been dozing uneasily between stops, adrenaline crashed out and generally working on processing everything that had happened, including the post-combat come down, turns his full attention to Iskandar. No more sleep, he's wide awake now and tense.
Is it a battle? His reserves... may not be in the best of shape, no matter their level. The matter of the crystal had been sure something.]
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Only that Archer is unwell.
[And Cu Chulainn is panicking... It may look strange, his behaviour now. For Iskandar to just drop everything on the spot and rush to help. It's not as if Caster is a person Iskandar knows the longest here. He's an ally, true. Recent events have shown it clearly enough. But to elicit such a response at the mere hint of trouble? There must be more.
And there is. There is a couple of traits Iskandar shares with the crazy Celt that no other person here possesses. They're both warriors, yes, but that's not that uncommon trait.
Less so the fact that they are from similar times, from cultures that valued similar virtues in men. That's something. Add to it the unusual fact they are the only ones from the so-called new generation representing themselves. Neither Iskandar nor Cu Chulainn is a stand-in for some foreign deity. Son of Zeus and Son of Lugh are and have always been proudly themselves. Is it so strange then that Iskandar would rush to his aid even if he's not sure of the nature of the problem? Or even if he can be of any help at all? Probably not.
If anything his combat driving shows this. Thanks all that is holy the streets are nearly deserted and there is not a hint of police patrol all the way from the outskirts to Akihabara. His blatant disregard for any speed limits, traffic lights or any other legal inconveniences could easily score them a massive fine. Or a police chase. There is Iskandar's luck at play that they meet no police and cause no accident on their way to the shrine.
It's past 4 am when they arrive at the place and Akihabara is all alight as always with bright neons but it's quiet. Most of the shops and cafes close well before midnight. At the insane hour, they are there now only selected establishments of the shadier sort are open. Some izakayas. And of course ... as the neon glowing gold and red over the entrance advertises the name of the place:
ヴェルギナ スン
Iskandar's shrine / gamer's cafe: Vergina Sun.
Iskandar parks the van right in front of the building on spot clearly marked as "employees only". He waits for Waver to get out the van before storming the entrance to the cafe.
The inside of the cafe is dimly lit with an additional surreal glow of the huge TV screen mounted near the ceiling right over the bar. The TV is screening some match replays so the whole area is temporarily flooded with different explosions of colour. An animation of a stylised sun in gold and red plays in the breaks between different matches.
There is a group of mixed age folks sitting at one of the tables collectively hunched over a laptop and immersed in vivid discussion. Otherwise, it's pretty empty.]
Oi! Boss! Over here! Boss!
[Iskandar looks in the direction of all that shouting and his face lits up instantaneously. There at the employee side of the bar a tall, very skinny girl leans over the counter almost falling to the other side and waves furiously in their direction. Her hair is in all the colours of the rainbow. Or maybe it's the light. Stupid girl! Insisting on calling him boss all the time. Because she finds it hilarious. As if they were mafia of some kind. He goes directly to the bar.]
Who's your handsome fri... [she starts but he cuts her off immediately.]
Quit the antics Yumiko, I'm in a hurry.
[She simply nods.]
What do you want me to do?
[Iskandar puts keys to the van on the counter.]
I parked a van in front of the building. I need someone to keep an eye on it until I come back for it.
[She takes out a phone from her pocket and starts texting. When finished she puts it back and looks up.]
Done. Anything else?
[Iskandar shakes his head with a smile. That's her. Chief strategist and logistics officer for the guild before the guild even existed.]
Thanks, kid.
[She beams.]
No problem, boss. Take care.
[Iskandar grins back.]
I always do.
[She rolls her eyes.]
Says the man who got an arrow through the lung because he just couldn't wait a goddamned hour.
[Chief strategist and logistics officer... and a huge Alexander the Great nerd. Iskandar smiles even more.]
Shut up.
[She sticks out her tongue at him.]
Yes, boss. Whatever you say, boss.
[Iskandar just sighs. He leaves the keys on the counter and turns his steps in direction of the entrance to the cafe's kitchen.]
Come on, Waver, we're going to the Temple.
[Somebody behind their backs just sucks in air with quite a lot of exasperation.]
Professor ?!!!
[Say, Waver... Explain to him what did you do to make yourself so famous with his guild in such a short time to actually deserve a nickname? And not a stupid one?]
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(That Waver very much prefers to fight outside of that state, actually on the battlefield, shall not be mentioned. Or that he feels that he can better watch Iskandar's back and protect him while he's going in for the blow with Satya while physically present.)
Waver is wide awake as they speed through Tokyo straight for Akihabara. There's mild surprise at the near desertion of some areas despite the hour. Waver murmurs that Tokyo is a global megacity at one point and it's incredible luck they've hit upon a patch where some area along their route isn't swarming.
... Waver feels the touch of his wards as they near. Standard precautions, nothing fancy, meant to keep cultists out of the shrine. Jumps out of the van, and scrambles after Iskandar as he storms into the cafe. Were things not so urgent, he'd be amused at the boss nickname and the following exchange. Like they were mafia or yakuza.
At the arrow to the lung... well, someone's still impulsive. Waver's face behind Iskandar says it all. Then he just shakes his head as he continues in Iskandar's wake, growing somber and tense again.
Until someone calls out for him and Waver winces slightly because nickname... and do they really have to be calling him that? There's always the slight aversion that rises.
(yes, good sir, they do. just like Iskandar gets called boss)
LONG STORY. ...it involved noodles. A noodle incident. Maybe... Waver flushes because here comes the hero worship and it was just because he showed some rank newbies how to think outside the box when it came to character classes and break down game mechanics. Game strategy! Short game, but fun.]
Grab me when I get back! We're on an urgent call.
[... he's never going to hear the end of it, is he?]
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[Iskandar waits with his comment until they're on Temple grounds. Partly because he doesn't want to start a discussion while they're in a hurry but mostly because of the last thing he overheard when they were leaving the shrine. This is of lesser importance though.
They teleport to the edge of the forest that surrounds Cu Chulainn's Temple.
There, in the darkness, someone is waiting for them.]
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[Yeah, that's really unimportant right now. Worth the story later, when everything is settled and the night is talked out because shit sure did happen at that compound, but right now they have to focus on the present.
They teleport.
... these woods are primal. In ways that make the more ancient parts of himself sit up and take notice even as Waver catches sight of the figure in the darkness.]
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Maybe one day something should be done about lightning the path. One day, not today. Today just standing on the top of stairs with a lantern will be enough. ]
Welcome. I appreciate you coming. [ Caster says simply, as the guests draws close. His expression serious, lips locked thin- he's worried, worried and unsure. Unsure how to proceed and unsure if to take the guests at all.
But turning away allies and friends is foolish, even if admitting to need help is incredibly hard. ]
Do you need anything to drink? You must be tired. [ They all are after this cult bullshit, but hey, hospitality is important thing. Once they cross the entrance they are under his care ]
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[That's not exactly true. They all took part in the fight. Yet Iskandar and Waver had at least some time to recover. They had matters to attend to, yes, but they weren't stressful. Iskandar would say he found the whole driving around getting the van in order quite calming even. He needs only one look at Caster's face to know things weren't as peaceful here. ]
I appreciate your offer, Cu Chulainn, but we're not here to be entertained. We're here to help. [Iskandar offers him a faint smile.] Or at the least make sure you can get some sleep. Will you tell us what happened on the way?
[Oh, he's aware he's most probably intruding. It may as well be that Caster would prefer to deal with their problem on his own. But he was clearly distressed when they spoke on the phone and Iskandar just can't leave it like that now that he knows. Asking for help, admitting he's out of options himself must be tough for a proud warrior like Cu Chulainn. Almost like admitting defeat.
Which it is not. Iskandar is not only a warrior but a leader of armies so he knows this. It's foolish not to call for aid when one is in a tough spot on the battlefield. Foolish but understandable.
So Iskandar intends to intrude even more, manners be damned. In the unlikely event, they will be completely unable to do anything he plans to at least take turns watching Archer. So Caster can get some rest. They may not need to sleep as much as they did when they were alive. Servants need no sleep at all. But it helps to take one's mind off the current tribulations even if only for a little while.
And he counts on Waver's analytical skills to give them at least some clues. Maybe a hint who to ask for further help if their efforts shall prove futile. Whatever the nature of a problem there's always a solution.]
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Waver nods, agreeing with Iskandar. Hospitality and the offer of it is important, and it establishes them as guests under Caster's care... but it's also true that guests must help the household in times of trouble as well.]
You mentioned Archer was unwell...
[It's a quiet nudge for more information, voice laden with concern. It's times like these that he is most unhappy with his current state - there's no knowing what he can do to help, if anything at all, until in the moment. A most dangerous thing.
But he keeps that masked through both his expression and the link. There's enough distress to go around, he doesn't need to add to it.]
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This way- [ he moves behind the huge hall, behind the kitchen area under the gallery, to one of the few doors on this floor. With stairs leading downwards. Training area, workshop area, storage room, even a shooting range (with no one to use it), the space for utilities you could say. Away from the higher floors of living area. ]
It happened during the fight at the crystal. He suggested new strategy to fight, but also warned me he might not respond too much. My assumption was that he would need to focus, but no. It seems after that feat his powers, his magic, went haywire. Archer refused the call to return, refused to talk, I thought- [ Caster pauses as he realizes he is starting talking too fast. The fear when shinki does not respond, prefers to stay in the vessel form- that's a new kind of fear. For fuck's sake, he thought Archer was dead for several minutes.
They're almost there. Before he opens the door to his workshop he lowers his voice and adds an explanation. Look his calm, solemn but calm now. ] He's human now, but it's not a pretty sight. It looks like his magic overrode how his body behaves. I'd wager a guess- he knows some spells, but he probably was never trained properly.
[ Or the lessons happened so late he still stuck to some bad practices. ]
It is not a type of magecraft I'm overly familiar with though. But I'm working on it.
[ Runes are different. They can do anything you wish for... as long as you can make it work. But this is a human, well okay Servant, shinki whatever, and Caster's knowledge on healing is work in progress. He's not going to experiment, at least not until he's absolutely sure there are no other options. ]
cw: body horror, pincushion Archer, injuries
Body horror at its finest.
Archer's expression doesn't change. He's alive and conscious, his chest rising and falling in slightly uneven breath. He doesn't seem to notice them at first, only after they draw closer. Then he raises his head and, after a moment, offers them a polite nod. All the time his face looks like emotionless mask, only hint of his state being a tightness around his mouth and slight narrowing of eyes.]
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lose them ...
One looks convince him that Caster is calm, worried sick but yes, calm. Iskandar cannot help but marvel what strength of will must have gone into this calm. He doubts he would ever be this collected himself in a similar scenario.
All the magical explanation probably makes sense to Waver but for Iskandar, it only serves to demonstrate how out of his depth he is. It matters not. There must be something he can do.
Yet nothing, no amount of explanation or warning can prepare him for what he sees when they finally reach their destination.]
Γλυκιά Ἥρα Βασίλεια!
[If anything shows the extent of Iskandar's shock at the sight is the invocation of Hera, Queen of the Greek Gods. The only goddess who would most happily kill him on the spot if she only knew he existed. But this is reflex. Unrestrained reaction to horror.]
Archer...
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...
FUCK.
Waver hisses, horrified and immediately clamps down. NO. Stay calm, be calm, keep the other three calm. When he speaks, his voice is steel.]
It's a feedback loop, likely. If it is as you said, it would be an easy state to slip into.
[Good, calm. Slipping into focus now.]
May I have a look to confirm that?
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[Archer's voice is surprisingly calm, even if words are a bit clipped. Even in pain, thankfully dulled now because of Caster's runes, he forces himself to stay aware of his surroundings. He can't afford more mistakes tonight.
Waver's expression surely is- interesting. It's just as he thought, the guy is a modern magus. Perhaps even one of those elite ones from Clock Tower. He thought that he could recognize some of the spells used, even if he can't use any himself. But it's not important now, just an idle thought to focus on instead of the dull constant of pain.]
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[And for staying calm, because it makes Waver's own task of staying calm much easier.
Waver walks forward and kneels in front of Archer, outstretching his hands for Archer to take. Blue lines like circuitry appear on his skin. Again there is the instinct to brace for pain - it always appears, never is justified as he does his work, but it lingers like a promise and Waver always does.
In the contradictory mess of him, there's a high pain tolerance. That said, he'll curse and fuss anyway outside a serious situation.]
I'm going to check the flow of your mana for signs of the loop and then if there is one, we'll determine the source of it.
[The explanation is mostly for Iskandar's sake, as Waver has noticed his knowledge of magic is limited and so Caster knows exactly what's going on and can follow what Waver's doing.]
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Iskandar leaves Waver to do his work and goes to sit beside Caster. Calm he may be but one would need to be blind to miss how deeply distraught Cú Chulainn is.]
Nothing like that happened before, haven't it?
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But he just can't fail yet another friend, another shinki who trusted him with their name. The worry is a strained note in his voice. ]
I've seen strange things in my life and beyond it- [ Let us never talk about ríastrad ] But man's body repairing itself with blades? That's the first one.
[ And probably a useful piece of information for Waver, just in case. Archer sprouted blades spontaneously but it got worse when Caster realizes that's how he heals himself. Another reason why he would not play a healer, he doesn't want to risk it going worse. ]
I've put a rune on him, to lessen the pain. Do you want me to remove it? [ That's a question directed at Waver. Just in case it could cause interference, or simply a wrong reading. He wants to go there and help, but he does know he needs this break. Maybe it will clear his thoughts. ]
cw: body horror
Waver has been right in bracing for pain, for here it comes, excruciating to the point of making one unable to breathe. It feels like gringing a bone against bone. When Archer realizes what happened blue lines flash brighter, and the pain fades.]
Are you okay?
[Yet there are consequences for overusing his abilities. On his hands appear a few small patches of what resembles scales, but, upon further examination, cconsist of numerous tiny blades.
Archer's magic circuits are overworked to the point where mana doesn't follow the right path, often jumping from one path to another.]
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[Waver slams down hard on the link to shut Iskandar out from this. Bone grinding against bone, the bright flash of acid through circuits. It's excruciating, and Waver's eyes fall shut and sweat breaks out along his brow as his teeth grit.
But at the same time it's bearable and he concentrates on the flow of mana.
It bucks and jumps like a wild beast between circuits but Waver can detect no snarl in the torrent. He sends his own mana through Archer's circuits in an attempt to steady the flow into something smoother and frowns as he finds no loops even there's a steady pulse of something being triggered again and again.
Not a single jam.
The pathways are something else, there is feedback, but it isn't physical.]
I'm okay. It's bearable.
[There are tiny sharp scales on Archer's hands and Waver frowns because fixing the loop while Archer's mana is still jumping around like a wild hare seems like too dangerous a course of action.]
Is everyone else okay?
[He may have not been fast enough to block everything out from Iskandar, and there's always the possibility of seepage of the agony from Waver to him. Not a pleasant thought.]
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And he'd rather not let him know that he might be failing. Not even to not damage his pride, or whatever- Archer doesn't need another thing to worry about right now. But that shield might be also a barrier that blocks help. ]
Hush. [ Caster walks close to Archer and tangles his fingers into short white hair, tugging him close. Closest to a hug he can give right now without getting stabbed.
Observing what Waver did gave him some idea. The other mage (the other Caster) is on a good track but there is one obstacle. Archer himself. The man is too used to closing himself off, especially in times of crisis. Caster lowers his voice to a whisper- be damned if others hear him or not, it's just because it's more personal. ] Archer, try to not resist. Go with whatever comes rather than struggling against it.
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His first instinct is to pull away and scold Caster for risking an injury, but Archer hesitates. His partner is well aware what he's risking. It's the instinctive need to protect that he's unable to shake off.
Caster's touch soothes and gives him something to focus on instead the pain. His words make Archer frown, though.]
I don't want you to feel this pain. [in a moment he remembers Waver and adds.] Any of you.
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[Because chances are he will get called out on it in a moment and right at this second Waver's... got an unique perspective on the issue and maybe it will help.]
... taking on the pain is easy in comparison, really. It's a burden I'm willing to bear to help you.
Sharing it? ... knowing I'm causing agony and sometimes literal harm [Blighting.] to him - [His eye slides.] to you - by the things I'm going through? So much worse and that isn't a bloody great place to be in itself.
[He huffs a sigh, and tries a smile. It's emotionally vulnerable but his bleeding edges aren't really weaknesses are they?
Used right... they are his strengths.]
I get it. Not an easy thing.
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What does shock him is Waver shutting him out. That hurts more than anything Archer might be projecting.
Iskandar’s first reaction is anger but he’s able to reign it in. The only sign of it passing is slight clenching of teeth. Just a moment before it’s gone. They’re not here for his personal comfort.
Caster is with Archer. As he should be. So it’s Iskandar’s turn to move from his spot.]
You don’t need to shield me, Waver. I’ll take anything from you.
[Coming here was his idea, he dragged you here without asking do you want it or not, and yet all he can do is sit and watch the torment play before his eyes. He can at least take some of it on him.
Easy or not just don’t block me, damnit. I’m not a child. I’m here for you.
It’s what he wants to say. He doesn’t. Nobody needs his irritation right now.
So he just sits beside Waver, puts a hand on his shoulder. A small gesture. Even if he wants to do so much more than this.]
If you need mana, take it from me. I’ve got plenty.
[Not exactly true but he wasn’t flinging spells all day and keeping a ceiling from collapsing on their heads .]
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If this is how he gets to Archer now, that's what he is going to do. His words are similar to Iskandar's in the end ]
I'll take it, so stop worrying about it. [ Caster says focusing on the confidence in his tone. Let not have Archer any doubt, he does not waver here. The multiple levels of their relationship might be intertwining. His fingers run again against the white strands and he leans down to maybe (who could tell but the recipient) place a kiss on top of Archer's head.
You had gone through something lot more. They both did. This small amount of pain? This is nothing. ]
So let us help- just trust us.
[ Next time Waver starts his magic again, he will have support following his steps ]
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Iskandar's action speaks of more than companionship, but it's neither time nor place. Someday Archer is going to ask.
Caster, on the other hand- they both share the uncanny ability to see through each other. It's what makes them such a well-balanced team at times and complete trainwreck at other. Archer despises showing weakness in any situation; Caster has gained his trust to the point where Archer doesn't mind it.
It's not that easy.]
As you wish.
[His expression changes slightly; not as closed as before. There's a subtle change in his body language, lessening his tenseness. He trusts Caster, and that is enough; the way he leans into the caress is a clear indication.
Now when he's not trying to supress it the pain increases immediately. Even with Caster's runes that dull the pain it's a lot to take in. Moreover, now that he's undoing it, it shows how he numbed nerves in his hands using Reinforcement to lessen the amount of pain sent to Waver.]
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He can't say where this need to keep Iskandar safe... need to see him well... springs from. Duty? Part of it yes, but... It's the same with Satya, this protectiveness, but it rears its head more with Iskandar. Perhaps because one has much more regard for her health than another, but...
(echoes... of that loss. echoes of the helplessness. echoes of thinking being bonded to him killed him... harmed him because he was himself. of not being enough.)
... it's not a matter of trust or who can bear what, even as he leans back into Iskandar's hand, saying a lot about how he feels without a single word. It's a matter of recognizing when you're in an unhealthy situation.
Neither of them likes it when the other suffers. Neither of them likes it when the other takes and takes and places the burden solely on themselves. Neither of them likes it when the other is put in harm's way or is harmed.
The link means that can get dangerous in so many ways due to its nature. Something has to change. It has to start with him.
Now the barriers have dropped. He can feel as the pain increases, that Archer is doing the same.]
After this. Right now I just need you here.
[That's the important thing. Not feeling things over the link or taking on every burden. Being here. Being not alone.
... there's a lot of people in this room, after all, trying to help each other.
Bone grinding against bone, circuits on acid fire to the point of blindness, Waver dives in again through excruciating pain to comb through mana and pathways...
... but... he wonders... if he can't find anything physical... that means the trigger for the spell is to blame.
And that's mental.
And in that case... he might be able to stop this in its tracks with a complete system reset, but he won't be able to fix the problem outright.]
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Yet there are things he does understand. He understands will. He understands that in a clash of body and mind it is always the mind that wins. He may not comprehend how Archer springs those blades because this is the realm of magic. But he's willing to bet he can grasp why. He pushed himself to the limits so many times in the past that he knows from personal experience the myriad of ways how one's body can break. Even if all of his were purely physical, Iskandar believes he can draw some parallels. Especially with that force of will that pushes through no matter what. The mind, the will that just would not relent.
Not that he can do much with that knowledge. Anything other than hope that it, whatever it is, can be reversed.]
arrives here after millions of years
The need to shield your friends, family, lovers, that's ironically something Caster very intimately gets. At times like these, they mirror each other too much, for Caster is sure if their role were reversed, he would be doing the same as Archer.
Caster follow Waver's lead, giving energy (instead of taking it, like is entire Servant's schtick), easing the burden but also being a familiar presence. Can he be soothing? This one time in the world he can try.
He gasps, maybe out of pain or maybe- because he notices the lack of movement in the bladed growth on Archer's shoulder. It's not receding, but it's forming has been slowed down, almost stopping. ]
It's working- we're almost there-- [ He puts his hand on Archer's cheek forcing the man to look at him and so he asks ] Endure.
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It's also past his limits to bare himself to others, to show what's usually hidden safely. Any hint of weakness, anything that he prefers to keep to himself. It's not easy to allow.
What grounds him enough to keep going is Caster, his presence, the familiar magic he can feel even through all the pain. Soothing touch on his cheek that Archer leans into as he looks up to meet Caster's eyes.
All that he can respond with is the brief nod. It's not for himself that he does; it's for Caster who desperately tries to help him.
Archer never wishes to become another burden for his partner to carry.]
no subject
[Waver's quiet as he says that, voice surprisingly steady despite the sweat beading and tricking down his brow as he continues to endure.
And while he doesn't know how to deal with that... at least not yet, though it seems some of his abilities do deal with the mental plane, he does know how to buy time and let Archer recover in the meantime.]
I'm going to reset your entire mana system, and then keep it suppressed. It should stop the loop and the blades from forming.
[Maybe even reverse the process entirely. Who can say? Not him without his memories.]
That will buy us time to figure out how to solve the mental jam and help get you into better shape.
[As far as he knows, there's been no indication to healing abilities so far beyond that mysterious tea recipe (Grandmother's) he knows.
Perhaps it's in Caster's skillset... unfortunately, Irisviel is gone, because she would have certainly been a blessing here. He doesn't know of any other healers here... nor of anyone who could affect the mind, but that doesn't mean there's none. Everyone else in this room has been around so much longer than he has.
For now, he increases his mana flow and directs it to force a reboot of the entire system as gently as possible. Which may be as gentle as he'd like - Archer's mana still chaotic under his touch - but still it's better and easier to handle than a sharp, sudden shock. Or so instinct tells him.]
I apologize for being so late
You don't have to be so careful, I won't break.
[Luckily for them it's easy to force the reboot. Archer hisses and sags forward a bit, bowing his head. Pain starts to fade slowly and no new blades are forming. Those odd, metal patches are fading too, blades turning into skin. Such eerie healing ability caused by his magic going overdrive.]
Thanks. [he murmurs quietly once he's finally able to speak. It's not that easy to accept help, not when it's caused by his own miscalculation and weakness.]