nysalogs | i was dead when i woke up this morning (semi-closed)

[ archer had been settling well enough into life in wyver; he had no choice since olympia's doors were now closed to him. but that hardly seemed a problem. in truth, the wyver way of life suited him much better anyway. adapting to the more laissez faire style of life in wyver came naturally, and he'd taken a few jobs from the weapon shop to at least make some petty cash for the time being. as the blacksmith heroic spirit, the creation of weapons obviously held interest to him.

still, the greatest sense of unease in the back of his mind remained: when would his Master awaken?

their link remained, though the distance between the surface and thesa strained their connection, making it difficult to draw any mana. in some ways, it was convenient that she had fallen into her slumber shortly after they'd departed olympia: at least their flight wasn't much of an inconvenience to her as she slept. but if she remained sleeping for too long, or if she simply didn't wake up at all, that would... complicate things for him.

which is why it was a relief when he began to feel something through their link: a faint sensation that made it clear to him that her stasis was beginning to fade. wasting no time, he made his back up to thesa station, planting himself before her pod just as it begins open. convenient timing, that. ]

I trust you rested well, Master?

[ there's a sense of cynicism to his tone, though she's probably used to that by now. ]

[ she isn't quite sure what it was that woke her, but one thing was constant throughout her slumber: she felt him in her dreams. it wouldn't fair to say she dreamt of him at all, though; the nightmares surrounding michael and mikhail remain. and she hears the dragons there as well, but none of that compares to the tug of the bond between them.

while she was already in the process of waking up, it's unmistakable that as he draws closer, she more she feels him, and the more awake she becomes. and it's only when he finally stands before her pod that her eye finally opens. sees the frost of the glass opening, and feels the cold immediately after. the pod opens with her tumbling toward him, placing a hand on the solid muscle of his chest to balance herself. and even as she hears his question (the tone isn't lost to her), she doesn't answer him quite yet.

it's a lot to take in, after being asleep for nearly a month's time. those in slumber isn't stirred by time, she had found this out the first time she'd woken, but judging by their bond, it just feels like it has been a while since they so much had stood close to eachother.

she forms a fist around the fabric of his shirt, exhaling softly before straightening herself. ]

You don't waste any time, do you?

[ and some sarcasm for him, as well — already, she feels her mana being drained slightly, perhaps compensating for lost time. withdrawing her hand, she looks around. ] How long was I out?

[ admittedly, when he first felt her stirring through their connection, his line of thought had simply be to come up here to retrieve her and make her she was alright. he hadn't actually thought he'd find her still asleep... or rather, he hadn't imagined he'd actually be here right when she does.

but all the same, it seems fortuitous that he is. the long slumber had clearly still left her a bit disoriented. when she stumbles against him, he simply stands there to support her. though it would be easy enough to put an arm around her to try and steady her, he lets her catch himself. better to let her handle that on her own... he already had a good enough sense of her personality to know that much. ]

Of course. As Servants go, I'm rather first rate.

[ well, not really, but there's no way for her to know that. the only other Servant that's awakened from Thesa is... even more of a screw up than he is, and that's saying a lot. ]

Nearly a month's time. A lot has happened since you disappeared. [ he can already feel the energy flowing back to him at the same time, though he exerts what control he can to slow it down somewhat. she still needs her own strength for now, at least until she's collected herself a bit more. ]

Rather conveniently, you missed all the fun of being on the run. [ a pause. ] But that's not important. How are you feeling?

[ as one who is far too accustomed to dying and reviving in the same minute, the disorientation doesn't last long. she experiences a little bit of a daze, but ultimately shakes it off as soon as she's able. too many times this man has seen her at her most vulnerable, and it's unfair to instill that kind of impression of her to archer— after all, he doesn't quite know what she's capable of.

hell, even she isn't so aware of what she's still capable of doing, but with a new beginning means she's more cautious. and she won't hesitate. the flower's defense mechanism can decide at any minute to create more "sisters," and she can't let a little fatigue get to her if she doesn't want to make the same mistake she had a year ago. ]

Save it.

[ said as she pushes further away, shaking her head as the brightness of the station blinds her. ]

Damnit, I hate it up here. [ that's how she's feeling... ] Why couldn't I have slept on the ground?

[ she glares at him the best she could. ] If I sleep again, bring me down. Remember that next time, "first-rate."

[ for the time being, he simply waits and watches as she readjusts. though it's faint, he can sense something through their connection... she isn't simply being difficult for the sake of being difficult. no, there's something more akin to... fear? dread?

but why be afraid of something happening while she slept? ]

I don't disagree. This place is more... convenient than down below, but it's difficult to feel at ease here.

[ whether that's because of the station itself or the things he knows are sleeping somewhere amidst the pods, who knows. ]

Hm... well, I'll remember that request. [ he's pretty sure there's nothing he could actually do to accommodate it; when she'd fallen asleep, she'd essentially just disappeared from their camp and turned up back here again. ] For now, let's just return to the surface. [ he can still she's still disoriented though, so he'll offer her his arm. not as any sort of supportive gesture; there's no need for anything like that between them. but if she wants to leave the station as quickly as possible, she's going to need to depend on him a bit. ]

[ zero looks elsewhere; her eye fixates on the rows of pods that remained inactive. she sees others, too, who have come to see their loved ones. for a moment, she can't help but wonder why he'd come to find her, but she quickly dismisses it as a need make sure his source of power is still afloat. and lucky for him, this bitch just can't stay dead... or asleep, as it were.

when she turns back to face him, she notices the offered arm. makes her hesitate. ]

This again, huh?

[ oh... right. he'd actually forgotten about that. no, perhaps not forgotten, but for him that had been nearly a month ago. for her, given her sleep, it's been significantly less. so while for a moment he seems to consider rescinding his offer, ultimately he just moves it closer to her.

out of stubbornness, more than anything else. ]

Don't get any strange ideas. This is purely so you don't collapse along the way... there's no need to play at being anything other than what we are this time.

Right. [ her lips tug into a smirk of sorts. his behavior is getting too predictable, even for her. ]

Offering me support and telling me not to get strange ideas. [ said as she slips a a hand around his forearm and draws them closer, mostly out of wicked humor. ] What kind of girl do you take me for?

We're hardly strangers at this point, Master. I have quite a good idea what kind of... "girl" you are.

[ whereas once her forwardness might have actually caught him off guard, by now he's grown used to it. no, if anything it might actually be a good thing... she's slowly returning to normal after sleeping for so long. ]

Oh yeah? [ she's becoming more awake - not that she hadn't been before, but her skin feels warmer now in his presence. isn't sure if it's because they're connected, but she's grateful for it. it tempts her to press just slightly closer. ]

You can tell me all about it once we hit the surface. [ she chins toward the teleport room - or at least, where she remembers it being. waking up was different this time around, and there's no telling if travelling will be the same as before. ]

That's fine. Let's go. [ in this case, she at least is correct about their destination - though he'll lead the way slightly since he can tell she seems a bit hesitant.

once they've arrived he moves towards the pad, though he glances back at her. ] You remember how this works, don't you? It's not... pleasant.

Dunno. You gotta paper bag on you?

[ because that's one thing she remembers pretty well; traveling to the planetside isn't kind to her stomach, and she's ridden dragons. somehow, she prefers the clumsiness of mikhail than whatever this shit is. anyway, that's a rhetorical question. zero's certain he can handle a little bit of vomit if it comes down to it.

regardless, as they approach the platform, she reaches over, hooks her arms around his waist, and press their bodies together. ]

You mean like this, right?

[ if he did he'd probably just put it over her head. ]

That's not... exactly what I had in mind.

[ though when it comes down to it, her reaction isn't wrong - he hadn't entirely thought this through, since leaning on him for support probably is the best way to handle this. granted, clinging that close really isn't necessary... but pointing that out now would just be nitpicking.

so with a sigh, he just activates the transporter, beaming them down. it's always disorienting, but he's gotten fairly used to it. he can only hope the same is true of her... ]

[ rude as hell ]

Think you said that last t—

[ and just like that, they're off. the ride is far better than the last time because she clings so closely to him this time. who knew that her attempt at getting him flustered actually benefited her this time. zero remains coiled around him for a few more seconds, eye squeezed shut, before she finally relaxes her grip on archer. ]

Give me a goddamn warning next time! [ said with a shove. ] Where the hell are we.

[ wow, who's rude now? he stumbles a little, though quickly catches himself. if he's surprised or put off by the sudden shove, he doesn't show it as he simply dusts himself off a bit. ]

Ah, that's right. You went to sleep before we made it this far.

[ with gestures his arm towards the city with some dramatic flourish, though... he doubts she's the type to really appreciate architectural ingenuity. ]

Behold, the City of Wyver. Sworn enemies of Olympia, even if they are at "peace" at the moment.

[ he's right, she doesn't appreciate it... if anything, it reminds her too much of that damn forest where three and her ugly screaming babies used to reside. luckily, there's none of that in sight, so this place is decidedly better than the land of forests. ]

I don't give a shit. [ even when she's looking at exactly where he's gesturing. pretending she has her sword on her, she'll just swing the blade behind her. ]

This is where we're living now? [ hm.. ] Oh, right - you're a fugitive now, aren't you.

[ but don't you miss the platforming floating block puzzles?? and annoying fairies... okay yeah wyver is at least better than the land of forests, but that isn't saying much. ]

Something like that. I believe that was... mostly resolved.

[ a shrug. ] But I have no desire to return to Olympia, and I doubt they have any desire to see me return.

[ come to think of it... she observes him for a moment, shortly before heading toward a path. she doesn't particularly know where she's going, but it's not like he's guiding her any. she's sure to find something. ]

Not that I care, but what the hell did you do?

[ that actually surprises him... they'd never really discussed this before, even though she'd agreed to flee the city. in his haste to depart, he'd never even stopped to recognize they hadn't bothered to have this talk. ]

I killed some foolish hero wannabe, and destroyed some bombs.

[ or their players are just incompetent ]

You what.

[ there's actually mirth in her tone. ]

Didn't you know you had it in you.

[ look... idek. ]

...I'm a little perturbed you actually seem pleased by this.

[ granted, he made it sound like he didn't care, but he does sort of regret killing that dude. that was his bad. ]

Why wouldn't I be?

[ zero glances at the command seals on her hand. ] If you're my servant, we should have at least a couple things in common.

[ maybe this just means they have zero things in common tho ]

And what, exactly, does this mean we have in "common"?

[ he's already pretty sure he knows... but so far she's never really shown any taste for killing.

mostly just lying around sleeping. ]

I kill, you kill. [ pause. ] Killed, past tense.

[ she offers him a light shrug. ]

Not much reason for that here though. [ she didn't have much reason before, either... it wasn't until the creation of her sisters that her reasons became legitimate. ] Guessing you had a better reason for killing the guy than someone playing hero.

He didn't do a very good job of it. [ otherwise, he wouldn't have been caught... and had people sent to kill him. if it hadn't been archer, it probably would have been someone else. all the same... ]

So does that mean you're merely waiting for a good reason to resume?

[ ...granted, that's essentially what he's doing too. ]

It beats sleeping in that pod, don't you think?

[ or doing nothing. she's been Super Lazy. ]

What else are you supposed to do here.

Get a day job, make some money.

[ a pause. ]

Very well, I suppose I see your point.

[ zero breaths a laugh in half amusement, half cockiness. ]

That's definitely more your cup of tea.

Someone has to do it.

[ and sadly he's already resigned to the fact that relocating to wyver probably hasn't changed their living situation at all. ]

You're right.

[ because she sure ain't :yeah: speaking of which, though — ]

Where are you working now? [ pause. ] Where's A2?

A2 is here as well. For now, I've simply been doing odd jobs here and there... this place is a bit less... organized than Olympia.

[ and after working pretty hard at his last job, he's not in any rush to pick up a new one before he knows for sure he'll be staying here. ]

Other than the people, the only other significant difference between this place and Olympia is the dragons everywhere.

[ a quick observation would render his analysis true. the builds are different here; it's as though they just build on whatever spaces the canyon allowed them to. there's not much restructuring of their land as olympia had clearly done to pave their cobblestone roads. ]

Is she still living with me? [ she thinks about that for moment, remembering that she had literally just woken up. ] Us. With us.

Our living arrangement hasn't changed.

[ though up till now it's really just been archer and a2... with a silent understanding that zero would eventually return. he can't say she's particularly attached to either, but they're both convenient for her lifestyle: they work, she sleeps. ]

Unless you plan to change it.

lynne give me tender dragon bond marriage

[ It happened too quickly, really. One moment they're all drawn to the spirit of celebration, laughing and as they watch the Wyver natives sing and dance; the next, a Shaman has taken their hands, joined them together whilst insisting that they pact. Cites the fact that he's been looking at her as though he wishes it... which is, ah, something that is better left unspoken. Even Lancelot is unaware he'd been staring!

Lancelot hardly had time to protest before the necklace is draped over his neck; Clair's soon following. But it doesn't look like the Shaman has time to answer why's - he's already moved on to the next couple who appear far more composed and prepared than the two of them. His face is flushed, but he follows by example and glances in her direction, searching her expression. ]

Lady Clair, on the Shamans' behalf, I apologize for the misunderstanding! Surely we can catch his attention and correct this before — [ Before What Exactly? ] Actually, I'm afraid I don't know how this works...

[ This festival has been a singularly delightful experience to Clair—so many peasants celebrating peasant things in such a peasant way! She's gotten a lot more used to this sort of thing since coming to El Nysa, of course, but there's still something so festive and lively about it all that she can't help but feel swept up in the energy. It's more... relaxed than the high society parties she grew up with. More earnest.

That's mostly why she's utterly taken in by the shaman that approaches them with all of his talk of bonds and powers—in fact, after her initial flustered reaction to the shaman declaring them a pair (ah...), she pretty much only hears the parts about the powers. ]

Surely there is no need for that! It seems that their standards for a [ er... ] pair are rather lax.

[ They're not a couple, after all! Why, how silly! So very silly... she averts her gaze, bringing a hand to her throat to fiddle with her new necklace. ]

I-In any case, do you believe he spoke the truth about increasing our strength with this pact?

[ Are their standards lax? He looks around, seeing several other couples, just as confused as they are. While it does make the situation a little less awkward, it doesn't mean that they should continue to mislead the shamans, much less disrespecting the real pairs.

Who are made obvious by way of their very public display of affections. Lancelot clears his throat. ]

I don't see any reason not to believe that... [ He taps his chin thoughtfully before glancing at the young woman. ] That does bring an interesting point. Knighthood aside, do you possess any other strengths, Lady Clair?

[ You know, the PDA doesn't even really bother Clair too much. Her brother and his fiancee are way worse, after all, so she's become pretty numb to it—or so she thought. For some reason, having Lancelot standing right next to her throws it all in a different light, and she quickly averts her gaze from any real couples doing couple-y things.

Luckily, compounding on all her positive qualities (of which there are many, assuredly) is one of her favorite pastimes, and so his question manages to thoroughly distract her. The expression on her face brightens. ]

Why, of course! I am the most accomplished pegasus rider in the army, I am fully capable of managing a large household to perfection, and I am quite an excellent dancer, if I do say so myself! Not to mention, I am the most sought-after young lady in the highest circles of Zofian high society, I assure you.

[ And she's just so humble too. ]

[ he could use a little bit of that confidence. well, not that he isn't, but he admires her ability to speak about herself with pride. lancelot can speak of the men of the order that way, but he can't say for sure about himself. being in siegfried's shadow. ]

Wow, you really are something else, Lady Clair. It's a shame that this world has not given us many opportunities to demonstrate chivalry -- and I'd like to see you ride one day.

[ he'd seen winged stallions back in olympia. as far as he's concerned, there are only wyverns in wyver... anyway, on to the topic at hand. ]

Sought after -- you mean they wish to employ your services? [ it sounds silly; loyalty cannot be bought from a knight loyal to his or her kingdom. but he can't possibly think anything else...? ] Oh, or do you mean for your hand in marriage...

[ Even though she was literally the one who started bragging about herself, she still finds her stomach fluttering a little when he says that—you really are something else—a faint blush warming her cheeks. ]

Ah, well, hm... [ She lets out a pleased little sound—obviously, she's tickled by his genuine praise. ] I would be more than happy to ride with you some day. I trust the opportunity shall arise soon.

[ Even if she has to break down the stable doors in Olympia and take the pegasus herself!! Just kidding, she has to earn REP like everyone else. ]

Oh—yes, for my hand in... marriage, naturally.

[ Here, her blush deepens, though she can't explain why. Marriage and starting a family were important goals for her future back on her world—they still are, she supposes, though this new adventure certainly throws a wrench in the whole process. The end of the war with Rigel and the new era of peace it ushered in should've been the perfect time for her to turn her eye more towards matrimony...

Now she has to start over again. Besides, things are just different here. If she could find someone like Lancelot though, then maybe... she looks away, tugging on a stray lock of her hair. ]

Though, I have yet to receive any proposals... [ Hm, how about that. ] But that is only natural, I suppose, with my skills as a lady knight, as well as my family's power and consequence. It must be quite intimidating, after all!

[ and lancelot actually finds the sudden break in confidence... cute. as though she's embarrassed by that very fact. looking closer at her now - perhaps in a more... romantic light, he does see why she would be in such demand. she's smart, strong, and positive. that's not even accounting for the fact that she is truly beautiful.

he didn't want a repeat of the deep shame he felt back in that alley, but it was difficult not to let his mind stray back to that very moment-- their bodies flush against eachother. he remembers the tempo of her heartbeat back then, against his own beating heart. ]

I can't imagine one can simply propose to a lady knight as yourself. Not unless a man considers himself worthy.

[ he laughs lightly. ] Although, it is strange that the locals have considered us... compatible for such a thing. If I may be so bold, I might even consider myself among your suitors were I from your world. Unfortunately, there is hardly time for any of that in my world.

[ looks like there is time now?? :yeah: ]

[ And boy howdy, does a man have to be worthy for her. She has high standards, which is probably... also why... nobody has ever proposed to her. Maybe only Gray would ever be stupid enough to do so. But thanks, Lancelot, for not doubting her intimidation reasoning at all and just going with the worthiness thing.

She just nods in reply, her eyebrows raised as if she hadn't really considered the man's perspective at all. (She hadn't, but it does make a lot of sense. They'd need a lot of accomplishments to earn her hand, obviously.) ]

You would? [ Consider himself among her suitors. She's taken aback by the idea, and the plain way he puts it—her heart feels like it skips a beat, hearing him say that. ]

I suppose... [ Yes, they're both knights, aren't they? It's only natural. She even had that exact conversation with Fernand, before the coup, about how joining the knights only gave her more opportunity to mingle with upstanding, like-minded men. But somehow, she hadn't really made the connection... that way. Before now. ]

I suppose you are right, given our station. Ah! Perhaps that is why these locals have sensed us to be a match.

[ A beat passes, and then a sudden look of surprise crosses her face, tinged with embarrassment. ]

For this pact, that is! [ Not marriage!!! ]

i was dead when i woke up this morning (semi-closed)

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anything for clair

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