[center][img]https://i.gyazo.com/5f31dd59d26c08531fc7e3dc9239ce33.png[/img]

[h3][color=9e0b0f]Ana Einnashe[/color][/h3]
[i]The Youthful, Ganymedean and Odd Heir of the Lonely Forest Family[/i]
[i]Einnashe Workshop ‘Lucus’, Fuyuki Outskirts[/i]
[@Froppy][/center]

The boy went tumbling backwards, letting out a surprised squeak at the sudden burst of the movement and the power behind it. The backwards roly poly went on for a good couple of seconds before he landed on his front once more, splayed out. It was something of a saving grace, because holding Shuten’s hand was a bit too forward for him. He’d only ever held the hand of sacrifices, not actual girls! Let alone ones with horns!

So yeah, preferable.

He stuck his head up after finally falling flat and still, only audience to the shockwave of Shuten’s vessel returning through his ears, the crack sending a shiver through his bones. He shook his head rapidly, getting some loose grass and foliage out of his head of dark hair. 

“[color=9e0b0f]Kuwaah! You saw that coming?! Amazing, amazing![/color]” And he was already back on his feet, completely unfazed by his brush with near-death. Whatever shiver was gone as fast as it came, merely brushing off his front of any dirt. “[color=9e0b0f]Thank you, Berserker! If you had not seen that coming, I’d be dead meat. Also splattered. Splattered dead meat. Not ideal, not ideal in the slightest.[/color]”

But as quickly as the bowl had been launched at them, she was gone, leaving Ana alone. 

“[color=9e0b0f]Hm. Well, good luck, Berserker! Don’t stay out too late! I heard from locals there’s questionable sorts in town![/color]” A pause. “[color=9e0b0f]...Wait, that’s us. Nevermind![/color]”  

He smiled into thin air for a few moments before turning around and marching off to his workbench, a bizarre looking entwining of tree-bark and vines, completely flat on the top despite its natural ‘legs’ growing into the earth. Atop it rested the reagents for a fierce juice drink. 

It was actually an alchemical concoction made to keep him from sleeping for up to six nights nights without any repercussions beyond the need for there to be at least one night worth of sleep after its effect wore off, but it tasted good too. He was probably going to need it for more than just the flavour, though. 

[i]“[color=9e0b0f]I see you have already lost control of your beast.[/color]”[/i]

Ana did not even turn around to face the voice coming from behind him, it familiar enough to him that he was hardly surprised at its presence. He could already picture the flickering image resting against one of his trees in his head. He focused on finishing his brew, drawing out one of the knives from inside his jacket to begin chopping up one of the pomegranates he had left there.

“[color=9e0b0f]She’s not a beast. I can’t think of a beast that would save me from something like that,[/color]” he responded, recalling the shockwaves. “[color=9e0b0f]If a dog had tried it, it’d be dead![/color]”

[i]“[color=9e0b0f]A beast is a beast, even if it happens to have a shred of loyalty,[/color]”[/i] the matured voice plowed on, ignoring Ana’s comment at the end. “You are not even aware of the base nature of the creature you summoned into this world. Not a moment into your time with it, and it has already worked to compromise your efforts.”

Ana nodded, not actually in disagreement with his guests assessment. “[color=9e0b0f]That’s fine. I’m not really in this for the cup. If she wants to go off and have fun, then I don’t blame her! You should know that, old man![/color]”

[i]“[color=9e0b0f]Your minimal regard for your own wellbeing is frustrating, as per usual. But I understand. This whole ritual is nothing more than a farce. Even in this fragmented state, I can as much see that with the same clarity of my prior self.[/color]”[/i] The voice was closer, having moved from its spot out of Ana’s vision to linger just behind him, looking over his shoulder no doubt. [i]“[color=9e0b0f]Nonetheless, I recommend you shore up your defences. How you do so is up to you, but in the face of these Servants and their high level spiritual nature, it may be best to do all you can. You have no means of stopping them, not at your level, but mitigation is a path you can take.[/color]”[/i]

Ana nodded once more. 

The Guest was actually very much on Ana’s wavelength. They disagreed on a lot of stuff, but when it came to plans of action, Ana could bounce off of it easily. “[color=9e0b0f]I’ll reconfigure the woods into something a bit more defensive, don’t worry! Once Lucus has spread far enough, it’ll be really hard to approach us…![/color]”
[i]

“[color=9e0b0f]...But? I feel a but coming on, child.[/color]”[/i]

“[color=9e0b0f]But just staying here is really boring.[/color]”

The Guest sighed. [i]“[color=9e0b0f]Do not die, child. Being forgotten is one thing, but you do not seek death.[/color]”[/i]

“[color=9e0b0f]I suppose! See you later, old man![/color]”

[i]“[color=9e0b0f]...Tch. Youth.[/color]”[/i]

The presence vanished from behind Ana, leaving him to his work. All the while, he dedicated a part of his mind to keeping up with Shuten, and readied himself to provide her with all the energy she’d need. 

The benefits of having a decent workshop!