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Who: Archer and Natalia
When: 12/01
Where: A range somewhere, later her place prolly
What: A. Bow shooting. B. Nacho making
Rating/Warning: Two fairly straightedge people. Ain't got nothing.

[Archer readied his bow for firing. He'd had to be a bit careful considering his bow was custom made for his improved strength and so it could fire Noble Phantasms. A normal person wouldn't be able to draw the string back, not to mention that it was made out of materials probably not yet discovered even here. For anyone who had an eye for these things, it really was a work of art and one of Archer's few original creations that didn't have a basis on any weapon he had seen before.

Before he loosed his created arrow, he stopped and relaxed, letting the string go back to its normal position.]

If there a chance you'd like to try this one out?

[It really was a joke, in a way. An Archer joke. Well, it did serve a purpose. He didn't know Natalia's strength level and it would help him judge. That and she could see exactly how powerful he made these things. And it didn't involve property destruction.]

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[In truth, Natalia was set to do much of the same, arrow already notched and bowstring pulled in the Lanvaldearian style that she had mastered - and then she blinks, distracted by his question. With that, she relaxes and tilts her head toward him. Is it meant to be a joke.... because really her answer is rather immediate:]

I don't see why not.

[Let her do the thing!!]

Good luck either way. Trade me your bow too.

[Holding out his. Come on, gal, let's trade.]

[Well, she'll at least do that. Here Archer, have this typical Tales bow. At least she's from mid-game so it's of decent strength and power.]

If you insist. [Though as she holds onto his bow, she can't help but ask-] Why the wish for good luck?

I doubt you're going to be able to pull it all the way back. That's why. But what you do is important either way.

[Even just a little draw could help. The bow she had now wasn't too bad but it strung up the things Archer shot, it'd probably shatter. Though Natalia wasn't going to be doing that, obviously.]

[That actually manages to get him a sharp look. Doubt she'll be able to pull it all the way back? She'll have you know that she's been practicing archery since she was a little girl - the difference in their strength certainly couldn't be that wide!

Except as she tests puling back the bowstring and furrows her brow, she's starting to considering that maybe it is. Well damn.

Still though she huffs and plants her feet down firmly, notching one of her arrows and pulling back the bowstring, she does struggle with pulling it back all the way. It's probably through sheer determination alone that she's able to pull it back enough that it still manages to send the arrow flying for the bullseye even not at full power - though there are a few sparks of electricity seeming to boost it forward, though she looks exhausted and is rolling her shoulder by the end of it.

That's it. It's settled.]

You're a monster.

Thank you. I made it myself.

[Huffing a bit, though it's more of a way to hide the smile he's sporting.]

And think, Saber is even stronger than me so you've got a good idea of how things are. Still...

[Drawing her bow a bit though he doesn't shoot it off.]

I think I'm satisfied. Do you want a shortbow, longbow, recurve bow, or a compound bow? Though I imagine you've never seen a compound bow before.

Saber is stronger still? {Admittedly she never completely bought it that Archer said that he was useless skills but to think that Saber is even more capable.... she's rather amazed.] Goodness....!

[Though admittedly now she's curious since he mentioned it.]

What exactly is a compound bow?

Don't underestimate her small size.

[There was a monster there somewhere.]

A compound bow is a bow that uses a system of cables and pullys to add to the draw strength. The major benefit of a compound bow is that while it may be difficult to draw, once you've fully drawn it back, it takes almost no effort to hold it there. In short, it gives you as much time as you need to aim your shot and you won't get tired.

[Her brow furrows at that as she considers it. Is that something that she needs to be worried about? Her aim has never truly been in question.... if anything, it sounds like something extra that she doesn't really need.

So instead, she shakes her head.]

A recurve bow shall do.

[She really could stand to be more creative about this, considering that he's willing to create one for her, honestly.]

That's fine.

[He spends a few moments looking over her bow again before handing it back.]

Your main goal isn't to harm someone. If you could avoid a fight, you would, wouldn't you?

As long as that someone isn't harming others.

[Natalia's confrontational, sure, but she's also a healer.... It's an odd mix.]

All that matters to me is keeping the peace.

[Give him a few moments as he thinks about how to do this. Namely, he knows what he wants to do but it will take some mental effort from him.

Thankfully, mental work is all he needs. Most of the work is done in his own inner world, where he forges his weapons and brings them out into the real world. Namely, he plans on copy certain attributes of a certain Noble Phantasm, but not the other aspects. Which would let him make it a permanent object.

And then with a little modification....

...the bright light appears in his hand, forming into the bow shape he want, with the proper materials and strength. Natalia can handle a little extra power, he figures.

When it's done, he has a bow that looks like it's....glittering.]

I want you to try this one. When you want, put a little bit of magic into it.

[Which would set off its enchantment, which would light off a blinding series of colors, specifically created to dazzle anyone without magic resistance that was looking in its general direction.

Non-lethal but would give Natalia an advantage.]

[ . . . . . Glittering. Truly, Archer's talents continue to be unlimited. The expression on her face is definitely one of curiosity as she takes the bow into her own hands, feeling the weight of it. Amazing, considering the fact that just a few moments ago, this weapon didn't even exist in this plane.]

My own arrows will be acceptable?

[She says as she already moves to fetch one from her quiver, rather eager to test out what this new weapon of hers can do.]

Obviously. I wouldn't make a bow strong enough to destroy normal arrows for you. That's more of my kind of thing.

[Stepping back though, just to keep a better eye on things. Consummate professional here.]

How glad I am that I haven't quite earned enough strength to qualify as a monster just yet.

[So dry.... Though now she's considering what it would take for her to get at that level. Never let it be said that Natalia limits herself.

Still though, she turns toward the target next and notches her arrow, taking aim as she does so. Definitely not as hard to draw this bowstring back and she's quite glad for that. Then just before she shoots, she focuses and seeks to conjure some fonons into the bow. The colors flash and she looses her arrow in the same breath.

As it neatly fits into the bullseye, she hums her pleasure.]

Oh... that is quite nice.

Is that up to your standards then? It won't help with healing but it can help incapacitate an enemy or force them to retreat. Both of which, I think, serves your purposes.

[He gestures forward.]

Want to give it a for more tries before you decide?

Well, I don't particularly need help with healing--

[ . . . . oh, she pauses then as she considers that more deeply. Fonons aren't as plentiful here and she can't always be with Anise to have her cast her elemental magic in order to create fields of fonons so that she can use more powerful artes. So she tilts her head.]

Actually Archer, are you familiar with tapping into elements? Undine, Gnome, Efreet-- [ . . . . er. She pauses as she realizes that those aren't commonly used terms here. Perhaps instead-] Water, Earth, Fire, and the like?

Absolutely not. I can only use two spells and neither of them have an elemental alignment. If I want elemental effects, I create legendary weapons that have them.

[Part of which makes him dangerous. Among the Servants, he has the worst stats but his versatility keeps him fighting among the top tier.]

[Natalia just hums thoughtfully at that.]

Yes, my artes work similarly. I'm only able to use the element of sound for healing, but my magic would grow stronger if there were elemental fields available for me to utilize.

[And because you really can't blame a girl for trying-]

I suppose a legendary weapon would actually cost me something, wouldn't it?

They're not for sale, for many reasons. Most of which being that they'll disappear after a few hours in existence.

[Not sorry, Natalia. He wouldn't share them either so he doesn't feel too bad. Having a trump card is what it's all about!]

Such strange limitations.

[But she merely shakes her head faintly, accepting that easily enough. Well, they must be 'legendary' for one reason or another, after all.]

Very well then. If that's not possible then I can't think of a way to improve my healing magic regardless.

[so what if she's confident!]

That's the limitations of the magic and the true power of Noble Phantasms.

[It seemed pretty self-explanatory either way.]

Just keep up the hard work and things will improve.

I hardly plan on slacking off if that's what you mean.

[Hence why she's drawing multiple arrows from her quiver now and seeking to fire them all at once. All three shoot off in different directions and impale a bullseye in each trajectory.

A content hum.]

It's a good weapon.

I know it is. I only make good weapons.

[It's not really boasting as much as confidence. Archer has only a couple of things he's actually cocky about so he indulges himself when he can.]

So a rare case of magic of yours that you don't find useless?

[Yeah, she can hear the confidence. For once she actually appreciates it. It's better than hearing him constantly brush his rather insane power under the rug and irritate her to no end.]

Projection magic is a useless magic. Just to create a simple iron bar, it would take multiple magi many hours to do. And it would barely last a couple minutes. On top of that, using it would cause it to shatter. I simply have the special circumstance of having a Reality Marble that modifies the projection spell. Instead of creating an item, I am simply bringing it in from another world, a world where I did put hard work and blood making these things.

[Nope, still useless magic.]

[ . . . . . . . . . . . . . ]

Your concept of magic is truly confusing.

[Though she supposes that Jade does have a tendency to pull his spear right out of his arm so?!]

Saber contacted me about teaching Rin as well. Does she use similar methods?

In the end, the basics all come down to the same thing, regardless of how confusing it may be.

[But he was the one who told Saber to do that. Ssssssshhhhh, Natalia doesn't need to know he put trust in her.]

I can't say, to be honest. She keeps claiming magic is dead where she's from so things may have changed. But the potential is still there.

[Saber told her already actually but sure Archer, she won't bring it up just yet.]

I see.... Well, if she's willing to learn then I'll happily teach her what I know.

[Though she tilts her head.] Is there a reason why you can't do it?

All I know how to do is reinforcement magic and projection magic. Two spells. For a single magi without any special talents that can make use of those two spells, they're useless. In a normal world, she'd find a niche use for reinforcement but here, her own skills with technology would provide more of a bonus to her.

Basically put, I'm a failure as a magi, which is why I use weapons. A skilled magi would use spells or a magical object they inherited from their teacher or parent.

[Which probably doesn't sound like a failure in most worlds but....lol Type Moon.]

[ . . . . . ? ]

Your definitions of failure and normal is absolutely beyond me. Weaponry is far more common in my world, even those who use fonic artes - a type of magic - will utilize some form of weapon. Yet those who choose to use weapons and not pursue fonic artes are on even footing with others as long as they harness their strength.

Weapons are more than common where I'm from. But magic is considered a secret, unknown to most of the world. Among the society that uses it, making primary use of weapons is considered foul play and cheating. Magi are supposed to fight with magic. Even training in martial arts is looked down upon.

Either way, magic is powerful enough to overwhelm someone who does not use magic. For example, I'm one of the few who can use a Reality Marble. If I can drag people into a world that exists entirely under my control, what defense do people have against that?

Essentially none.

[ . . . . though now she's rather curious. Natalia does not often think of herself as weak and she is rather proud of her skill in magic, but it's almost entirely defensive. Her fonic artes do not compare to Jade's or even Anise's.]

How does one become powerful enough to use the Reality Marble? Or is it determined by some other measure?

It's not entirely about magical power but also the power of belief. If one can achieve their ideals or goals and believe in them strongly enough, they can be impressed upon the world. For some, they achieve simply because their people would follow them to the death, so they still reside in the user's world.

For me, it was the former statement.

[Embarrassing to admit.]

I wouldn't have thought you to be such an idealist.

[Though it does explain the rest of his behavior and how he seems to feel toward the matter now. Still though, he can't help but smile faintly because-]

What a wonderful power regardless. I see no shame in believing in oneself.

I'm not one.

[So don't imply it!!

But he still is one at heart, really.]

Shame, no. But there will always be plenty of regret.

[You're definitely still an idealist.

But also??? Regret???]

What makes you say that? I can't imagine how confidence correlates to regret.

It was confidence in my ideals that got me where I am today. There's plenty to regret.

[One day, Natalia will understand. Or maybe not.]

[It's up in the air.

But she's admittedly curious--]

Are you really so dissatisfied with your current life?

Current life, not particularly. My past, yes. [Which kind of built his current life, certainly.]

[ . . . . ]

But you wouldn't be where you are right now without your past.

Humans are capable of self-correction. No, I would probably end up where I am today no matter what. The path would simply be different.

[Whoa, that sounds a little too close to predetermination to her which is everything that she's fighting against--]

You don't know that.

A different path would still make you into a different Archer, even if you ended up in a similar situation. You would not still be the yourself that I know.

There's one abject truth. Being a hero is a fairy tale. For those who seek it, only disappointment awaits. Since I would always seek it, I would always be as I am today.

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