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This locket's pretty nifty. [Lancer, poised on the edge of a cliff, leaned his locket against one rock as he fiddled with a cloak and brooch, trying to pin one to the other without ripping it. He kept doing it over and over so he could weather it down and make it more comfortable to wear. When he got into a good little cycle of repetition, he spoke up, again.]

So, hey--I'm curious, has anyone heard about any 'help wanted' situations in Caer Glaem? I'd ask, but I figure this little artifact's got a good reputation is folks're using it so often.

[He continued talking, returning his eyes to the cloak and brooch.]

Let's see--I'm good with a plow, I know my way around horses and spreading seed... [Said nonchalantly, examining his handiwork.]

Pretty good at preparing and serving food. I wouldn't recommend me as the cook, though. I can read and write. [Conveniently, in every language on Earth.]

I'm a really good gardener, too--on top of farming, I mean. If you like flower-arrangement and things like that, you could say I've got a real knack for it.

[Lancer, seemingly content with the work he had done with the cloak and brooch, set both aside and began folding them where they lay. He crossed his arms and grinned back at the locket.]

So, if you folks know anyone who's hiring, put in a good word for me! You can call me [A pause. Lancer definitely stopped at that, thinking through his options.] Lancer. Yeah, I'll stick with that. It's gotten to be a habit, by now.

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Oh? I suppose you have me there.

[ look no one can resist the allure of 2-for-1 swords. ]

Perhaps we could form a comedy duo. I'm sure people would pay to see me cure you of your foolishness.

Har har. They should put you to work in the mines, instead. You could dual-wield pick-axes and put the normal folks to shame.

[He wants to bury you, Archer.]

I have no doubt I'd make for a skilled miner, but that would be like putting a master chef to work at a hot dog stand.

[ when they meet in person, he'll probably get his chance to do just htat. ]

Hmph. What an irritating guy you are.

[Hot dog? He wondered what the hell that was supposed to be. All the same, he could tell this Archer guy had definitely guessed his identity. It wasn't a taunt he figured could be done without that guy reaching to be clever.]

All the same, I like the idea of some peaceful work. I might get told to take place in some unsavory missions soon, so I'd rather have some relaxation while I'm allowed.

In truth, I just never figured you for the sort of person that enjoyed that sort of thing.

[ for once there's really no judgment in archer's tone (at least that's apparent). even if he and lancer usually don't get along that well, he can respect that viewpoint. ]

Though it seems our lot is to always end up tasked with unsavory missions. [ a shrug. ] That doesn't change.

Hmmm. [It was suddenly weird that Archer became a bit more transparent, though Lancer wasn't as quick to get friendly, if only because he expected another jab.]

Those unsavory missions happen to be the reason why we're here in the first place--but, I can't say my entire life would have only been fun if I did nothing but fight. Kids grow up eventually, so I found other ways to pass the time.

[The Tain Bo Cualigne translates to 'The Cattle Raid of Cualigne' and 'Boys will be Boys' too, oddly enough.]

[ the jab always comes, sooner or later. ]

Learning to bear responsibility is part of becoming an adult. Those who fail to learn that lesson simply become twisted people.

Though for a hero who died young, you speak like an old man sometimes. [ says the guy who always talks like an old man... ]

Maturity comes with weird tastes, I'll tell ya'. I thought I'd spend my whole life running around, smashing everything that wasn't good enough for me.

[He sighed fondly, as if he somewhat longed to go back to it. In the end, Lancer knew it just wouldn't be as fun anymore.]

Put a fishing rod in my hands, though--you'd think I was a changed man.

As a child, I was the worst kind of fool. Running around spouting half baked ideas of justice and heroism. And in the end, I ended up like this.

[ on that contrary, archer has no real fondness for his youth... or at least, no fondness that he's willing to admit. ]

Oh? Are you a skilled fisherman? Why not list that on your resume then?

[Lancer's brows went up. He wasn't expecting that sort of personality trait from Archer at all.

Though, instead of mocking him, he only felt a little bit sad for the other man. For him to have been that kind of young man--the end result couldn't have been good for him.]

Hmmm. Well, you could say--I'm a man who fishes to pass the time and enjoy relaxing moments. Whatever I catch, I prefer to give away.

[ unfortunately, he's already met him... even if he doesn't realize it. if he did, everything would probably click together in lancer's mind. ]

I see. So you only enjoy it as sport, but not as trade.

Perhaps that's for the best. They say hobbies should remain hobbies, and work remain work. You might grow to despise it if it becomes your means of sustenance.

[There was a neutral sort of shrug on Lancer's part.]

Can't say I've ever experienced that. You know my real profession, after all.

What about you, Archer? Has your work ever bogged you down?

My job?

[ killing people endlessly for the sake of a world that hates and fears him? ]

I have no complaints. I won't say I enjoy it, but I don't dislike it either. [ he definitely did not try to erase his own existence just to get out of it. ]

Just working for the day's keep, then? That's a fine attitude, but even a somber fella like you is gonna need a vacation from that sorta lifestyle.

[Whatever the hell it was he did. Lancer just assumed Archer was a sophist or something.]

Unfortunately, I don't get much time off. The benefits aren't great either. Though we do have excellent health care.

[ not every employer can bring you back from the dead and make you immortal, right? ]

Huh. Health care? Just what era were you from, anyway?

[Way to let a modern reference slip!]

I suppose there's no point in concealing my identity anymore.

[ especially since he knows your's. ] The Throne of Heroes can pull us from any era. Compared to the time of the Fifth War, you could say I'm from the future.

[Lancer was forced to give pause at that. Archer definitely filled in a number of gaps for him.]

That would explain why I had no knowledge of you. The Throne of that time could pull you in, but no hero would have been educated on whatever your story was.

[Since it could send heroes out only with information of the modern era, after all.]

Color me impressed. So, you became a hero after the eras of heroes long since passed, huh?

Exactly. And even if you did, I wouldn't say I was anyone all that special to begin with. My fame is incomparable to yours.

[ or any of the other servant's really... except maybe assassin, that dude's a completely nobody. ]

You make it sound admirable, but in truth that was the result of nothing more than my own stubborness. I could never grow out of my childish desire to become a hero, so that's what I became.

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