sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon

I think you'll have plenty of time to pick up on other things! Feel free to ask me anything if you're curious about a current topic.

[It's only the second day after all. Her finger moves back to the East, pointing at a smaller strip of a country along the coast.]

And that's Vietnam. Now that I think about it, it's been a while since I've been back there.

[ Gold eyes follow the trajectory of her finger, spanning oceans; it's remarkable, even with all the information he's accumulated thanks to his summoning. ]

So you travel often.

[ "And it's that easy to do it", is implied. ]

I go where my teacher goes, essentially. I rarely travel alone, except for this one time of course.

[The laptop is kept open although, pushed to the side slightly as she goes to sit down.]

Though, I can't really say that I'm alone right now, can I?

[ And he says, with a slight edge of humor to his humility: ] Perhaps I've ruined your teacher's intentions of giving you some time to yourself.

[ Ai Thao might be surprised at how different Diarmuid can get in battle, but for now, his humor is reserved for small, polite bursts. ]

[She is the tiniest bit surprised. So far, he's been a dutiful and attentive Heroic Spirit who was very serious about his role as her Servant. And yet, here they are, just having the most simple yet pleasant of conversations after a harrowing night.

But... It was nice. What more could be said except that maybe Ai Thao feels a somewhat selfish for enjoying herself so much?]

"Ruin," is it? If that's the case, it's not an entirely bad situation we've found ourselves in.

[Sure, they're gonna have to fight for their lives and she's on the lower end of the magical fighting spectrum, but hey! They're getting along!]

[ "Not entirely bad". There's a bit of hesitation here, as if he's wondering if he should correct her— this is a war, all things considered— but he thinks it best if he refrain from commenting, because, well. It's his duty to make sure that things won't "go badly".

So, instead: ] I promise you that I'll return you to your teacher safely.

[ Again, there's a little playfulness there, as he gets up and moves to wash his cup and saucer. His talents are outdoor cooking and taking care of people...

Who would have thought that Diarmuid Ua Duibhne would ever be standing in a young girl's kitchen, doing her dishes? ]

[This is strange. Not because he's taking care of his own dishes, but because Ai Thao feels like it's something she should be doing. While not her teacher's main apprentice, he was still responsible for her; pretty much her guardian. And thus, she did her part, helping and cleaning up around whatever living space they happened to occupy.

Then again, it's just the second day and all that. There's still time to get accustomed to this new dynamic.]

I think I should get a few errands done today. Like send a message to Sensei, probably buy some necessities that aren't in the house...

[Stop by a bookstore... ~~Maybe... Just to check something...~~]

... Set up a Bounded Field around this house in particular. Diarmuid, since it's daytime, I should be fine if I go to town on my own. You could take it easy in the meanwhile!

Edited 2014-12-05 01:39 (UTC)

[ He would have objections, but the Master-Servant bond is in full effect, meaning that any sign of danger would immediately be picked up on. If things get really hairy, he'll trust her to use one of her Command Spells, but either way, he'll stay alert.

A nod, as he deftly dries his utensils and arranges them neatly back into their respective shelves. ]

Understood. As always, rely on your Servant if necessary— don't hesitate to call for me should the need arise.

[ ~shining charm face~ ]

[DIAL IT DOOOOOWWWWWNNNNNNN. She smiles, but has to glance to the side because she's feeling strongly charmed (it has to be that and nothing else)!]

I'll... be fine.

[SHAKES HER HEAD and stands up! She's trying so hard...]

I need to get to know this city more anyways! And... Oh... I should call Lien...

[ A little hum of a laugh, and Diarmuid steps away from the sink. ]

I won't intrude when unnecessary. If you want to spend time with your sister, by all means.

[She sits down again, to lean her elbows on the table. Thao doesn't seem to look forward to seeing her sibling.]

It's not that exactly. I mean, I'm glad to see her when I'm able, but...

[The hand that has the Command Spells is held up to her face to be examined.]

My sister doesn't like how I chose to work my way up to being an accomplished magus. And if she finds out I'm part of this War, she'll be upset.

[Her life is at risk now after all. And the elder sister would be angered that this magical, but potentially devastating event had caught wind of her.]

[ Again, he senses her trepidation with the subject of her sister, and it's understandable. As much as he's always been caught in the middle of strife, he can appreciate that that's hardly the norm for some. ]

Are you intending to keep this from her?

[ He'd understand if Ai tries to hide her ties to this War, of course, which means he'll have to be extra discreet. ]

I don't know. She's a very sharp person.

[Sighing and standing up again to head to her room.]

I'll start getting ready to take my leave. I'll leave the house to you, Diarmuid.

[ Well. It's not his place to argue what's best for her family situation, so he refrains from speaking out of turn on the issue. ]

Understood, Master.

[ And with that, he dematerializes to save up prana for Ai's sake; it hardly feels like a war, living like this, but it may be the eye before the storm. ]

[Her day truly begins after freshening up, cleaning up her bedroom, and then setting up a small magus workshop of sorts at her table (just getting out materials, textbooks, and manuscripts.) With the materials she does have, she goes about creating a Bounded Field around the house. Ai Thao has a pleasant sense of accomplishment when she's finished adding the extra, but necessary protection.

After that and saying goodbye to her new Servant, she locks up the house and heads out to town. She wasn't able to get a good look of it during the day since she was sleeping through most of yesterday. Ai Thao is able to go past the foreigner's district and go through the Riverside Park, admiring the bridge and the cleanliness. Then she goes to Shinto. There's an off feeling about the area, but that's probably because the buildings looked so sterile compared to the Western and Eastern style residential neighborhood. She remembers that Lien lives in one of the apartment buildings, but with her hand clasped around her Spells, she moves on by. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe.

Her Japanese, while not perfect, was serviceable as she asked helpful locals about other places that she could visit in Fuyuki. With the advice and knowledge given to her she went to Mount Miyama with a certain destination in mind: the local bookshop.

The bookshop's primary function was to sell novels, some magazines, and textbooks, though it had a surprisingly sizable collection of books that weren't specifically Japanese topics. Western cookbooks, stories from authors outside of the country, and... Ah. Famous European legends, myths, and folklore. Ai Thao picks it up eagerly, delighted to find some familiar and enchanting tales (The Little Mermaid, The Red Shoes, Bluebeard...) and then found the second half that dealt with actual figures of history that were shrouded by mystery, legend, and heroism. She wanted to know more about Diarmuid, but that felt like it was a question she couldn't approach especially when she technically had authority on her side. And maybe looking into it this way was no less deceitful than trying to steadily know his life story from himself.

The Pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne.

Only in the 21st century would a Vietnamese magus be able to find an Irish legend in a bookstore on the small island of Japan. She starts reading the first paragraph, not quite sure why she felt such anticipation...

☚☛

It didn't take long for her to finish the story and go extra notes really; perhaps 20 minutes or less until one of the clerks politely asked if Ai Thao was going to make a purchase. She does, carrying the book in a bag. The tale she just finished left a strange taste in her mouth and she doesn't want to go back home so soon. The rest of the day felt as if she was drifting, lost in thought. She ate some lunch at a diner, explored Miyama Town some more, passed through Shinto, and bought some extra, if minimal groceries. She went back to the Riverside Park, to set down her things and to look at those pages again. The sun began to set and that was when she knew she had to get home. The book is hidden away in her bag again.

☚☛

Ai Thao makes it back on time, unlocking the front door and then heading to the kitchen. The groceries are placed on the table, but she immediately brings the book of tales into her room and hides it in her carry on as if it was a secret that needed to be crushed and smothered. She hadn't even announced her arrival yet, but it didn't appear as if she wanted to. Strange.

Instead, Ai Thao makes her way to the top of the house, sitting on the flat area of the roof, arms around her knees and staring at the setting sun.

Honestly... What am I doing??]

[ Diarmuid's day passes without much in the way of circumstance. Being tasked to stay and watch over the estate, he doesn't do much in the way of wandering, but takes it upon himself to sit on the roof of the house and take in the townspeople passing by— children with their hands in their parents', friends sharing gossip, couples figuring out their sense of distance.

There's a restlessness, of course, given his role and his one wish, but he's content for the majority of the hours that pass in a slow, calm wave. He didn't live all of his waking life mired in strife, and for that, he's still grateful; if Ai Thao ever asked him to talk about himself, he would say that he wasn't unhappy.

As the sun starts to set, he considers moving back inside to wait for his Master when he senses her entering the Field and moving up towards where he's standing. There's something off— she looks melancholy— but if it's anything to do with her sister, he's not sure if it's his place to offer consolation.

A beat, in consideration of his Master's privacy, before he materializes. ]

—Welcome back, Master.

[ It'd be rude not to say anything, he figures. She can always tell him to leave, after all. ]

Eh? AHH!!!

[She jumps, genuinely shocked that he was sitting next to her. Ai Thao had been so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she didn't even bother sensing his presence and-... God, she looks embarrassed.]

I-I-I-I'm sorry, you frightened me! I wasn't being aware a-a-and...!!!

[ His response is a soft ah, as if he hadn't anticipated her being so surprised, and then a bow of his head. ]

No, I apologize. I wasn't called upon.

I should apologize, I mean, I didn't even say that I was back and-- [... DEEP BREATH. AND then she exhales, calming herself down and bowing her head slightly. Why? BECAUSE it seems right.]

You can remain as you are. I appreciate the company. [She turns herself around to face the steadily disappearing sunset.]

And the sky is lovely right now. We should enjoy it.

[ APOLOGY PARTY... but her words are enough to keep him materialized and standing by her side, watching the sunset cast long shadows over the towering buildings and smaller residences within view.

It's not Ireland, but he's fond, nevertheless. ]

No matter the age, the sun looks the same as it ever was.

Mm. [A rather quiet response.] And the sky will always look endless won't it?

[What a bind she was in; or maybe she was over thinking it as it was a flaw of Ai Thao's that cropped up when in emotional conflict. And in this case it was extra frustrating because she's trying to untangle and clarify just what she had an issue with to begin with after learning the life and demise of the man standing next to her. Was it unfair, the way he died, not being healed by the leader he sorrowfully betrayed? That was something that definitely bothered her. Was it the fact that the lady Gráinne placed a geis out of desire for him and that he followed her in turn? In fact, why did people do things like that, throwing away everything for the slimmest chance of happiness especially for something flighty and uncertain like love?

The price of giving one's heart shouldn't have been punishment. Or maybe she just didn't understand that kind of love.

Ai Thao is unnervingly quiet as the evening stars and the form of the moon appear in the sky. But as the evening breeze passes through, she begins to murmur a song.]

♫ Fly me to the moon,
And let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars... ♪

[The rest of the song is finished with a low, but melodious hum, and she looks lost in her thoughts.]

Edited 2014-12-06 01:37 (UTC)

[ His initial surprise at the quiet singing makes way for a sense of distant calm, something that lingers as he remains attentive to the lyrics:

"Fill my heart with song
and let me sing forever more
You are all I long for..."

The slight ache in his heart is gentle— far from resentment.

When the song trails off, he closes his eyes for a moment, and wonders who Ai Thao is singing this for— if for anyone at all, of course— and he hopes that fate will deal her a kind hand, that her life will grant her happiness with someone to hold her hand through it. ]

A beautiful song. [ He says, simply, when he feels it's appropriate. ] Did you write it?

[She stop singing. And then she chuckles softly and shakes her head.]

It's an old song. Well, old by several decades anyways. [She feels herself relaxing a bit and places her hands by her sides.]

When we were younger, my sister would listen to a lot of music, any that she could get her hands on. Some of her choices weren't exactly my taste, but others would sort of stick in my head. Reciting them was therapeutic even if they were just a bunch of silly love songs.

Edited 2014-12-06 02:04 (UTC)

[ "Silly love songs". There's a light exhale at that, as if he's either mildly relieved or faintly amused; the emotions are too close to call. ]

Your singing seemed more than a mere recital. I worry for the young man who'll hear it in earnest.

[ He's teasing, of course, but it might seem out of the blue, all things considered. ]

[Normally, she'd react a bit more shyly insisting that she wouldn't be the type for anyone. This time, there's some perspective on her side though and she just tilts her head.]

"Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs..."

[It's just one sung line, but it does a better job encapsulating her thoughts than the flood that was occupying her mind a few minutes ago.]

... Mm. I think I'd have to be in a better place for that to happen. But it's a nice dream.

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