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[boneofsword]

"Archer here."

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[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. ]

[boneofsword]

Of course not. [Archer sends her a warm smile. He appreciates her company and slightly shy but thoughtful questions.]

[darkestbefore]

[ She returns his smile with one of her own, coming to perch on a stool near where he works so she can watch him craft. ]

What are you working on today?

[boneofsword]

Short sword.

[It's a commision for one of his customers that don't mind hiring a Monster. Weapon meant as a gift has to be decorative as well as practical.]

[darkestbefore]

Is it difficult? Making weapons as you do?

[ This is not what she came here to talk about, but that doesn't mean she's not curious about his work. They have time. ]

[boneofsword]

[Their Bond resonates with oddly bittersweet feel for a moment, then Archer catches himself and the feeling fades.]

It takes a long time to master the skill.

[darkestbefore]

[ She feels that surge of emotions, even though his expression gives little away. She's come to appreciate the little clues and hints the Bond allows her to peek in on, when his otherwise stoic facade might fool her.

She offers him a soft smile, not prying. ]

But you have, and your creations are lovely. I've never seen such beautiful or intricate work.

[boneofsword]

[The dream that she's seen - his dream - suggests that Archer paid a high price for mastering his skills. It may explain the feeling.]

Thank you.

[darkestbefore]

[ It does, in a way. She suspects he's still got many more secrets lurking beneath the surface, however.

Swinging her feet slightly, she falls silent for a long moment, just watching him work, before broaching the subject that had brought her here. ]

Cu came to speak to me this morning.

[boneofsword]

[Archer steals a glance at her, then resumes his work. It's easy to guess why, given the talk he's had with his Bonded. Lùnasa is drawing near, a time to celebrate Bonds—]

Did he ask you to Bond with him?

[He's never the one to beat around the bush.]

[darkestbefore]

[ She appreciates his candor. Caster dances around the topic at hand enough for all three of them put together. ]

He did. [ A pause, as one corner of her lips quirk and she casts him a knowing look. ] Eventually.

[ She's pretty sure he can imagine how that conversation went, as well. ]

[boneofsword]

[Archer chuckles and closes one eye in exaggerated wink.]

That's his charm— and a weakness. [a pause.] What is your answer?

[darkestbefore]

[ Her smile widens as she props her chin in her palm and grins at him with fond mischief. ]

What do you think?

[boneofsword]

Let me think— [he playfully pretends to think about it deeply, then shakes his head.] You agreed, am I right?

[darkestbefore]

[ She laughs at his answer, leaning back on her bench once more, feet swinging beneath her. ]

Perhaps I should have been the one to lead him on a merry chase for once...

[boneofsword]

I'd like to see it. Do let me know if you do. [such mischievous expression makes Archer look younger.]

[darkestbefore]

[ She laughs at the sight of such a rare expression on his face, her own shifting playfully to match. ]

Maybe we should gang up on him, then. Then we can both enjoy the sight?

[boneofsword]

Then we have a deal. [he nods solemnly but his eyes are laughing. It's a rare chance to feel his amusement seep through their Bond. The thought of giving Caster a dose of good natured teasing brightens his mood.

There's something Archer thinks he has to say first, though.]

Caster and I— [a bit of his awkwardness slips through. At least he's not blushing. How to say that his bf is up for grabs, ugh.] We're in open relationship, so each of us can find another love interest. Of course everyone has to be on the same page.

[darkestbefore]

[ She blinks at this, what feels like such an abrupt change of topics to her. Taking a moment, she tries to wrap her head around this new concept. ]

An... "open relationship"? What does that mean, exactly?

[boneofsword]

[Huh. Seems like her world may not have the most liberal opinion on relationships, or that she's too sheltered. Perhaps both. Archer chooses his words carefully.]

It's a relationship where both partners can take other lovers, if they want to.

[darkestbefore]

[ Yona blinks, absorbing that explanation with a wide-eyed stare. ]

I... see. [ Did she though? ] And you're both comfortable with that?

[boneofsword]

[While Archer isn't sure if his explanation is enough, he knows Yona well enough to guess she'll ask more questions.]

I wouldn't agree to this if I weren't. [he shakes his head with a light smile.] It requires honesty so that everyone is aware what they're getting themselves into.

[darkestbefore]

[ That has one corner of her lips twitching upwards in reply - and acknowledgement of that truth. ]

I see. Do you... [ She pauses, her cheeks flushing a little red before she clears her throat. ] Do you both have many lovers, then?

[ How many were you talking here, Archer? Are you trying to warn her ahead of time about them? Should she be concerned? ]

[boneofsword]

[It's not a question Archer is expecting, and it shows. After all, he's not actively seeking pleasure. Sometimes during the Full Moons, with festivities in full swing, he partakes freely. It's not like there's a waiting line.]

I don't have, really. And if he does, it doesn't bother me.