"What are you? A fucking idiot? You're so sentimental it's gross." Jeanne Alter quips, smacking me across the shoulder, her face flushed with embarrassment and alcohol. The skyline of Shinjuku sprawled before us. I look at her and shake my head.
"You're too callous with yourself." I respond, sighing. "Surely you have desires, dreams and goals. You're not just some living incarnation of rage with no value." I continue indignantly. Jeanne shakes her head, leaning against the railing along the edge of the building.
"I'm an avenger. My place is to rage and destroy until the fires consume me, Ritsuka." Jeanne responds, taking a long swig from the bottle of beer in her hands. She scowls, watching the skyline.
"Saber Alter has her bike and her dog. Why can't you have things in life you care about?" I prod Jeanne for further answers, but she just scowls more.
"Ah! Fucking Artoria! I'm not her! Why do you bring her up?! Besides, she is a saber, not an avenger. We're different. So stop trying to relate me to that smug bitch." Jeanne responds, looking at me angrily. I raise my hands innocently.
"Sorry." I respond, stifling a smile to avoid getting smacked again as I watch Jeanne glare drunkenly at me, her white hair blowing in the breeze.
"Y-you're amused at me… aren't you. Asshole." Jeanne quips, swaying as she takes another swig from her beer.
"Nope. I'm taking you entirely serious… now, surely there's something you want." I reply, returning to the topic insistently. She glares at me.
"You're so infuriating. That's why I can't stand you goody two shoes types. With your stupid… faith in people… hmm… and shit like that." Jeanne replies, chugging the rest of her beer, swaying, she stumbles forward. I catch her as she drunkenly falls. She catches me by my shoulders, falling against me, I stare down at the inebriated avenger, leaning against my chest.
"I think you have had enough to drink, oh terrifying and violent one." I remark, smirking. She flushes furiously.
"Sh-shut the fuck up. I'm fine." She snaps back, remaining where she is. I watch her, wondering if she will ever move as my own face feels a little warm. The silence drags on as Jeanne remains against me, staring out at the skyline, her face flushed.
"A da-" Jeanne remarks, but her voice trails off as she mutters drunkenly, her hands on my shoulders gripping tighter.
"Come again?" I reply. She flushes more and scowls.
"A dance idiot! After we solve this problem, I want a dance!" She snaps angrily.
I stare up at the ceiling. My neck hurt. Looking around, I could see the fireplace that sat across from me. I recall getting home last night to find my room occupied. In the end, I had been cursed to sleep on the couch after all. I let out a strained groan, sitting up and rubbing my neck.
"Damn you, Artoria… selling my bedroom out…" I mutter to myself. I feel a moistness on my upper cheeks and feel my face to find trails of wetness that had run down from my eyes. I frown.
"Hm? The hell?" I remark to myself quietly as I dry my face and stand up. I wasn't sure why I had apparently shed tears. I was feeling fine. I shrug and head into the kitchen to make a pot of tea and start something for breakfast. Fortunately, Artoria had apparently bought more than tea yesterday, as there was plenty of ingredients for me to put together a simple breakfast of eggs, sausage, and toast.
I hear a door open as I cook and I look up to see Artoria emerge from her room, yawning tiredly. I chuckle softly to myself, watching the sleepy and defenseless creature emerge from her lair.
"Good morning, Artoria." I call out to her quietly. She just yawns again, walking over to the table. Her hair was still perfectly groomed, no doubt if we were in reality rather than a game, she'd look well and truly frazzled. The image that came to mind made me grin.
"Geh mornin' Ritsu…" Artoria replies tiredly. This side of her was new to me. It had only begun to show itself after we settled into a house. It was nice to see her tired and at ease rather than jumpy and stressed though. I walk over with a plate of food and set it in front of her. She yawns and looks at it.
"Bon apetit, Artoria." I remark as I sit down with my own plate. Artoria quietly nods and begins eating. I sip my tea and hear the door to the other bedroom open. I look over to see Asuna emerge in regular clothes and lock eyes with me. She frowns and returns to my room, closing the door.
Moments later, Asuna emerges again, wearing her gear and cape, covering her head. I shake my head.
I guess it's too much to expect her to be in a good mood so soon after last night. I think to myself as I watch her walk into the kitchen,
"I made enough for you, so feel free to make a plate." I call out to her as I watch Artoria ravenously devour her own food. I take a more measured pace with my own breakfast.
"Thank you." Asuna replies from the kitchen quietly, though her words are flat, no doubt a reply of perceived obligation rather than genuine gratitude. I look out the window.
"So, shopping today. We're to buy as many crystals as possible for the inevitable floor boss." I explain to Artoria as she finishes her breakfast and looks at me.
"You're going after the floor boss?" Asuna cuts in, sitting at the table and looking at me. I look at her and nod.
"That's the intent. Part of our party is joining a group that is hunting the location of the floor boss." I explain to Asuna. She quietly nods and begins to eat.
"Want to help us buy supplies?" Artoria asks Asuna, looking at her. Asuna looks up from her plate at Artoria.
"I… sure." Asuna responds meekly. I nod.
"Well, we will appreciate the help." I comment, finishing my own breakfast as Asuna looks at me and nods softly. I take my plate and Artoria's into the kitchen, then equip my gear as Asuna finishes eating. I step out of the house to wait for the others.
Well, Artoria seems to be making an effort to get along with Asuna, which is more than I could have hoped for or expected. I reflect under the morning sun. I couldn't help but be curious about Asuna herself though. Her personality, generally quiet, reserved and even depressing, was rather contrary to most other players who had made it this far. Though I couldn't help but hope she'd develop more interest in her wellbeing. I look behind me as I hear Artoria emerge from the house.
"Got everything?" I ask her. Artoria nods, walking over.
"Ready as I can be." She responds, standing beside me. "I hope things go well for the party members going into the dungeon." She comments, watching the streets. I nod.
"Me too. But Kunimittz can handle himself and Klein is a good leader. Issin is no lightweight either. They will be fine." I reply assuringly. The door opens again and Asuna steps out. I nod in greeting to her, getting a simple, curt nod back. I look at Artoria.
"Well, you know the best prices, so lead on." I direct Artoria to take the lead. She pouts.
"You just don't like shopping." She replies, as she begins walking.
"Correct." I affirm, following her, with Asuna in tow behind me.