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[boneofsword]

"Archer here."

[ TEXT x VOICE x VIDEO x ACTION ]

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Aguril 2

[futhark]

I know you're not at work because there are free days offered for celebrations. If you're sitting it out at home you're making a huge mistake. And I know that's what you're doing.

Don't make that mistake Emiya. Peel your wallflower self off the wall, trust me it's worth it.

[boneofsword]

[Archer reads the message twice, and then takes some time to respond. He's been tempted to pass the celebrations, but the invitation intrigues him. Not to mention the reason for celebrations.]

Does it mean that you're asking me out? I'm honored Cú Chulainn.

Where shall we meet?

[futhark]

We're on the same page, good. I have left the Coven and I am moving towards the center of the festival.

Find me.

[ That's as much invitation for the festival as it is for a game ]

[boneofsword]

Let the hunt begin.

[Archer send this message as he leaves the cottage. He's planning to catch Caster somewhere and see what he's planning.]

Aguril Full Moon

[futhark]

[ Caster expected heightened state of emotions on their link when the Moons started to shine the brightest. But while Lex was a presence even despite the distance between them, Archer become strangely quiet.

That's why Caster didn't even knock when he moved down the corridor to Emiya's room. He didn't k rock either and was surprised to find the room's air greyed as if someone smoked a several packs of cigarettes there. Archer sat on the floor, shirt removed, not facing the door but- hey, he didn't told Caster to leave. ]

How are you holding up? [ The Witch approached with soft step. Warm hand resting carefully on scales back. ]

[boneofsword]

[Archer thought that he knew what to expect during full moons. Suffice to say he just found out how wrong this assumption was. His throat burns, his mouth feels parched and a bit sore. Moreover his back itches again.

Another presence in the room doesn't make him stir. It's a proof of trust. Archer coughs and then coughs again, a bit of smoke coming from his mouth. When he finally speaks his voice is rough.]

I'm fine. [as fine as he can be anyway. It sucks to turn into a damn fire dragon. Anyway he is fine, nothing broken, no bleeding— it's just his changes that become more and more apparent. Scales in the corners of his eyes and along the left cheek, horns that are turning red instead of bone white, and scales along his spine. Scales that seem a bit odd at the first glance, very snake-like and opague, giving his skin reddish tint and soft shine. They're as sensitive as his own skin.]

[futhark]

But the Moons take their toll.

[ Just because you're not suffering doesn't mean you're fine. Ah, the familiar hypocrisy, pot calling the kettle back. So instead of calling this out, Caster focuses on something that can be done right now. ]

I can make tea for throat-ache. [ With smoke and the hoarse voice, Caster can guess something about dragon's breath is coming into the picture. He strokes his hand down Archer's back, it's a soothing gesture, but also part of his own curiosity to see how those scales feel like ] When had it started?

[boneofsword]

[Guilty as charged. It's the trait both share, and Archer is thankful for not calling him out. Just like he is for the soothing touch. Slowly his muscles relax, the tenseness fading a slightest bit.]

I'll be grateful for the tea.

[It's hard to show weakness or vulnerability. While Archer knows that he shouldn't hide his state from Caster, his first instinctive reaction is to pretend nothing's wrong. Now that his partner can feel an echo of what he does—

is a blessing.]

through Deceuer?

[futhark]

Winter cold and harsh, fire witch warm and close?

Deceuer 26th, modranicht gift

[futhark]

[ Caster knows the gifts have to be hand-made, and he will have a chuckle how strangely this one fits. What he offers Archer is a simple pendant, on a cord with occasional metal decorations, filled with runic enchantments (kind of like this, only the pendant itself is something else instead of Thor's hammer). The pendant is— well that's Caster's earring and a crystal matching its shape. They're both secured together, and the crystal brims with magical energy, while earring has been carved with the complicated runic enchantment (and should Archer wants to use them with their intended purpose, that is, earrings, it's also possible). The earring itself is neither of those that Caster wears, it seems... much older, much more worn. The sheen on it is not entirely lost, but it feels aged.

Caster will laugh saying that— ] I never told you my summoning story, not that I'm going to bore you with that now but— the Master that summoned me used my own earring as a catalyst.

[ Which explains why it looks so old. It's the original, over 2000 years old. He made them himself, so that's why it counts as a "handmade" gift, no? If Archer ever bothers to inspect, he will find that Caster's staff is now missing one of the three earrings that dangled from it. And that two others are way newer than this. But that for later, right now Caster comes closer to show off that one of his own earrings also holds a similar enchantment as on the gift. ]

It will probably work only one time, but I've been testing this kind of thing. If you ever find yourself in time of need, hold the pendant- the earring and the crystal together, and call my name. I will, without doubt, answer you.

[ Two earrings locked with magic, it's not a true summoning spell, more like— making a connection for teleportation to happen ]

[boneofsword]

[Archer opens his mouth then closes it. His throat feels too tight and he can't find adequate words. It means more than just a gift; it's precious.

Cú can feel all through their link - surprise, joy, gratefulness, care - all that Archer can scarcely name or put into words.]

Thank you. [words are inadequate to properly say how much it does mean to him or how he feels. Archer hopes that their Bond conveys his feelings. Some of it shows in the tender way he handles the earrings.] I'm going to treasure it forever.

[futhark]

[ Emiya is a pragmatist, through and through. It made sense to give him something that would be useful. But it turned sentimental instead— Cú throws his arm around Archer's shoulder, forcing him to bend down a bit ]

Not "forever", you have to use it when it matters, got it? [ He says with warm, casual tone, contrasting with how genuinely touched he feels. Once again it's too easy to find own feelings mixing with those over their link. How close it is when it becomes too much? ]

Modranicht gift

[thejoyrider]

[The package left on his doorstep contains a plate of homemade cookies from Marie and a fresh lily flower.

“Happy Holidays, Archer! We are not friends yet but I hope we can become friends in the coming year.” is what the attached note says]

12/25

[weirdnecro]

[Well, look at this! Seems that Archer got a gift of...chocolates? Looks like they're various types, but they're all heart shaped. Wrapped around the largest chocolate in the bunch is a note.]

Maybe this will make up for the mistletoe incident. Or at least make your holiday a little less bittersweet.

-S.

before Boaltinn

[futhark]

[ Cú stretches himself comfortably on the large bed in Archer's room. He doesn't really feel like getting out of it— tasked with changing the sheets he steps-low enough on effort level that he figures out with a spell how to handle it without moving... much.

Witches can do anything, huh? No magic truly works like that, but he never was against using it for mundane things.

So he rolls over, feeling how pleasantly tired he is and reaches to the shelf behind the bed. Something sparked his interest there— A snowglobe. He remembers something with them several months earlier but somehow he managed to miss that Archer has obtained one, at least until now. For a second he freezes as he recognizes the content of the globe.

Fuyuki bridge, connecting two sides of the river. It's projection distorted, the real one being much larger, the river much wider— but otherwise the trees in the park on the riverbank couldn't be depicted. When he rolls the grove, the pink leaves start dancing in the sky— ah, so it's not a snowglobe, but a petalglobe.

He doesn't put it away when he hear Archer enter the room carefully. ]

You know it's going to be a full year since we got here in a few minutes? [ 3 AM of Maiuril, witching hour ]

[boneofsword]

[Some things could - and in Archer's opinion should - be done without using magic. He prefers doting on his partner and doing it all by himself. On the other hand he never does voice any protests when Cú uses magic for the most mundane things. That's the only reason he leaves for a moment. Well, and checking if no trespasser is harassing (or being harassed by, which is much more common) the pack of strays that tend to prowl their garden.

The question catches him right after he returns but he doesn't answer right away, taking time to close the door and silently walk to bed.]

I do. [his voice is soft when he settles comfortably on the bed. Despite clearly noticing the globe his Bonded is holding he doesn't comment.] A whole year here—

[It's still hard to believe that he's alive again, using his second chance to live and love.]

okay tiny timeline fix let's put it few hours before the 1 Mauril 3am, given what happens then lol

[futhark]

Sounds fake, doesn't it? Well, I've spent a year in Chaldea, but that was different— [ Cú pauses. He hasn't really talked much about his time there. Archer had no memories of his presence there anyway, and besides—

Whooosh, the Fuyuki bridge is enveloped in dancing pink petals. The details are astounding, the water has an illusion of water running, and the cars cross the bridge. They loop, every 7 seconds the same blue car goes through it, followed closely by the motorbike. Every tiny sign of life on the globe looped exactly into that. 7 second ] It was an interesting year.

[ He can't say honestly it was a good year. It was mostly good, but there is fresh darkness clouding it. ]

Before Lùnasa

[darkestbefore]

[ Seeking out Archer over the past few weeks has become something of a hobby for Yona. Whether they're training in archery or other methods of fighting, or perhaps just talking, she's come to enjoy his company in whatever form it takes. Getting to know him, getting to know one another has been a fascinating and enjoyable experience and while she'd respected him from the start, that has grown into admiration and - even more - a shade of affection as they've become friends.

....Or whatever they currently are. 'Friends' seemed the safest term to go with at the moment.

Which is one of the reasons she's seeking how out today, following the sense of him she has through their Bond and finding him in the forge at home. Knocking on the doorframe, she peeks her head inside to search for him. ]

Archer?

[boneofsword]

[Archer glances at her. Has he not have been so focused on the blade he's currently forging he'd feel her.]

Yona. [he inclines his head in greeting, content at her sight obvious through their Bond. With a small gesture he invites her in.] It's good to see you.

[Again he starts hammering. Metal can't get too cold, otherwise shaping it becomes impossible. The small forge is hot, and even if Archer doesn't feel the heat as acutely as humans he usually works topless (for his Bonded' pleasure.)

[darkestbefore]

I'm not interrupting, am I?

[ Her voice is quiet, as if speaking too loudly might disrupt his work. And since she's seen some of the magnificent things he's created, that's the last thing she wished to do.

Still, she takes a step inside the forge, feeling the heat from the fire stick against her skin, her hands carefully tucked behind her back. ]

Happy Modranicht!

[darkestbefore]

[ A small and brightly-wrapped package is left for Archer on this holiday. Within this package is a pendant artfully crafted into the shape of a dragon's claw. The round gemstone clasped tightly in its grip holds the vibrant hues of both blue and a softer red, meant to symbolize his two Witch Bonded. On its surface is etched a simple rune enhancement for warmth.

Accompanying the gift is a simple card that reads, ]

So you can carry a hint of your Treasures with you always. Happy Modranicht.
~ Yona

Modranicht gift

[thejoyrider]

[On the day of the holiday, a plate of homemade cookies and a sample of herbal tea mysteriously appears on his doorstep. The wrapping is decorated with a fresh lily flower (actually a Fae magic product, designed to fade away from existence in a few hours) and a ribbon. The attached handwritten note reads as follows:]

Happy Modranicht! Let’s have another great year here in Aefenglom!

M⚜️

start of March

[futhark]

Look like I'm good to go, they're letting me out today.

tl;dr incoming!

[boneofsword]

[First and most noticeable reaction is relief surging through their Bond, followed by a hint of agitation and a whole mess of jumbled feelings. It fades as soon as Archer realizes that he's sharing those feelings and forces himself under control. The past month has been a mess. After the kidnappings, and the scuffle he got into with Cú they didn't resolve it before his Bonded got a nasty Cwyld infection and was confined to the Coven's infirmary, while he's been forbidden to visit. Archer understands the reasons too well - as a Dragon he's much more susceptible to Cwyld and has to avoid the risk of infection. Knowing it doesn't mean it's any less aggravating that he's unable to help, or even see his partner. The unresolved matters between them only added to his already fraying temper. The message comes after a few minutes; Archer's been rephrasing it several times.] Good. What would you like for your welcome back home meal?

[futhark]

[ There's a vague feeling of relief across the Bond when the message comes through. But Cú in general is keeping a tight lid on his emotional state. Which is unusual enough.

Mostly because he himself pushes the turmoil under the metaphorical carpet. Instead of worrying about what might happen, or ruminating on the infection, he had gone through (It was distinctly not fun, and surprisingly enough, it has been the first run-in with the Cwyld he ever experienced here of this caliber) ]

I've been craving good fish for ages, and there is no one that can make it better than you, so there, that's my wish.

In other circumstances, I'd gladly murder the marine life myself and bring you the spoils, but alas...