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[swordboning]

...you've reached Archer. Leave a message and if it's suitable, I'll get back to you.

Comments

[swordboning]

And he's not here anymore, is he?

[He's not entirely pleased. It's one less weapon he can rely on help out. Which is important!]

...fine. If it'll make you happy.

[Unfortunately, he's easily guilted into things.]

[codere]

It won't. [ A somewhat honest confession from her as she lifts her head to meet his gaze , frustrated at the situation. ]

I just had no other way of telling you.

[ Using her words?? What is this madness? ]

[swordboning]

Then what exactly do you want?

[May as well see if her words will continue.]

[codere]

To understand why some people disappear and why others remain. If we're all salvaged pieces of data that's been fixed enough to exist in this colony, then why isn't that the case for everyone who arrives here?

[ It's a puzzle and she hates not having the answers. Her fingers flex a little as she tries to contain her anger about the situation, focusing more on her explanation. ] You're from the same world as Lancer, weren't you? And Saber.

At first I thought CERES was attacking me, but now it seems too sporadic. If they wanted to distract me, they would have removed my stronger allies which means there's something more stable in our code than there is in the code of others.

[swordboning]

First, I doubt they're targeting you specifically in this manner. Second, I don't think its random or has much to do with coding. Perhaps when someone has completed an unsaid task, they're then taken away and stored in some environment for use later.

[codere]

[ Don't poke fun at her paranoia and narcissism. CERES is out to get her and only her!! ]

If that's true, then I'd like to locate this environment and restore them.

[swordboning]

No.

[That was less a short no and more one where Archer definitely had questions in mind.]

Something still doesn't sit right with me.

[codere]

If they took me, you'd be eager to get right to it. [ Squeezing her fingers a bit as she says that, nervous over the idea. ]

I'll trust your judgement as my Servant.

[swordboning]

I won't deny that but until we understand the consequences, we have to stay our hand. It's crude and possibly cruel but perhaps we should be rescuing someone we don't care about first. That way, if something goes wrong, we can identify the problem and test it again until perfected. Then we can jump to the top of your list of priorities.

[codere]

As if I wouldn't rescue everyone that's disappeared...

[ She's no hero, but it doesn't feel right saving one while leaving the others. ] There's... someone that's special to me. If that person shows up here, we have to save them above all else. I owe it to them so until that happens...

I guess everyone else can wait.

[swordboning]

You may as well just say it. You're talking about my mysterious, unknown other Master.

[codere]

[ Rolling her eyes. ] What of it?

They saved me so it's only fair that I save them in return. I can't sit around being indebted to a person for all of my life so the sooner I pay it off, the less interest a favor like that would accumulate.

[swordboning]

I'm just saying that dancing around saying her name when I already know who you're talking about is being about as pointlessly mysterious as me. Since when did you sink to that level?

[codere]

You're not very mysterious at all.

[swordboning]

So you understand what I'm trying to say?

[codere]

It's just difficult to talk about Kishinami because...

[ She looks away sheepishly. ] It's not as if I like Kishinami, it's just that-! Kishinami knows my innermost secrets so if I don't save her, then she'll ruin my life by exposing them!

[ She would never, but Rin needed some excuse. ]

[swordboning]

Hmph.

[THE ALL KNOWING SMIRK.

Currently directed at Rin. The one that angers Rins from all universes.]

[codere]

What's with that stupid look on your face?

[ Nope, she's not going to fall for it. She's going to reel her anger in and nope! She's stomping her feet and throwing a tantrum right here, right now. ]

I told you it's fair! Equivalent exchange! I'm only trying to do what's right so quit staring at me that way!

[swordboning]

[Good job, good job.]

Yes, yes, I understand. You absolutely don't care about her in the slightest and it's all about making sure you don't have a debt.

[codere]

That's exactly all it is!

[ She could murder him. ]

[swordboning]

Let's just get our shopping done before you decide I don't need to join you in that either.

[codere]

I think I already decided on that. [ She huffs a little at that. ]

[swordboning]

So I'm being barred from that too?

[codere]

It's tempting, but I'd grow tired of hearing you complain about how cruel I am if I went through with it.

[ Rin sighs, running a hand through her hair dismissively. ] I need your credits card anyway so it's not as if I could ditch you.

[swordboning]

[He just nods. It's good enough for him.]

At least try to smile and enjoy yourself.