sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon

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.

[ Love is a sticky subject for him, and his reaction to her first sung line is to laugh, again; maybe it is a bit ridiculous, but that's not for him to judge or assign blame. ]

I daresay you have plenty of time.

[ Another small curl of his lips, and he appends: ]

Ah, but your teacher may not appreciate me giving you input on the matter without his approval. I'll refrain.

[To be honest, it probably hasn't occurred to her teacher that it is a thing that could happen ~~it would be horrifying for him!!~~ but instead of answering with that, Ai Thao turns her head to look up at him with an inscrutable expression in her eyes.

Studying? Getting charmed? Something she wanted to say???

For once, there is a rare moment where this Master can't be read at all.]

[ Huh. He notices her gaze, and he...holds it for a few seconds, before breaking the silence. ~~Please let her not be charmed for the love of god~~ ]

...Master?

[Suddenly, her brows furrow together, giving her an almost angry look and she stands up, fists bunched together by her side and she inhales deeply...]

ABSOLUTELY NOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!

[Silence. There's relief at the sensation of clarity that settles in her mind that isn't being confused and cajoled by the love spot. And Ai Thao is able to settle on a few conclusions:

1) No, she isn't in love.
2) If she is, it won't be because of his face.
3) However, she is grateful to meet someone like him. And maybe it was that sort of connection that made her hurt when she learned about his story; she's sensitive after all. And it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
4) Eh, who knows. It'll work itself out in the future and that's for the best for now.

Anyways, she sighs, and then laughs, collapsing on her bottom, waving a hand in front of her face to allow herself to breathe in between.]

Ahahaha!!!! Sorry, sorry, sorry!! I had to do that and it's painful to admit, but... Hahaha!!

Edited 2014-12-06 03:06 (UTC)

[ Uh. ]

[ Al...right, that was unexpected. Diarmuid balks a bit at the sudden yelling, and he takes a moment to look around to make sure that no one else heard that— thankfully (mercifully), the Bounded Field is in place and functioning perfectly.

"Absolutely not"? Was that in reference to him giving advice...? Well, to be fair, if Ai Thao knows anything about his past, he probably would be the last one she'd want to hear advice from. Is that it...?

He's bewildered for a good few seconds, blinking back his own bemusement, before he catches her laugh and eases into his own, half-stunned smile.

Strange. ]

I thought I'd offended.

Not at all, not at all! I was mostly shouting sense into myself, so it's not you Diarmuid. [Not entirely anyways, but that much goes unsaid.]

When I was out by myself, I had a lot of time to think things over in my head. [It's the partial truth.] And it's foolish, but it really hadn't hit me about how it's my entire life at stake because of this War. Learning magecraft is just something that's part of my life, but I don't believe I comprehended about what throwing your life into something means.

And to be honest, I felt immature when I realized that.

[ A moment, when that brilliant face wavers and becomes slightly melancholy with the weight of her words. It hasn't escaped him, how young his new Master is, and how unprepared— it's not the same as when he was a knight of Fianna, fighting alongside warriors like Fionn, Oisin, Oscar. All of them, accustomed to death and the honor that comes with it; how useful is his chivalry to a girl who only wishes for simple things, for who the Grail means little aside from the end to a struggle?

He's a spirit of the Past— perhaps his loyalty means little here— but nevertheless, when he looks up from a bowed head and meets her eyes straight-on, he is, undeniably, still a Knight. ]

I see. [ His eyes narrow, well-defined features becoming gentler with the change in expression. ] Then, I ask that you not forget the weight of your life, and ask, in turn, that you entrust me to protect it with mine.

... Thank you for trusting me, Diarmuid.

Whatever happens, please know that I won't take that trust for granted.

[ There's nothing she should be thanking him for, but he accepts her words with a light nod, straightening up and looking at the quickly-dimming sky. ]

—It'll be getting cold. You should move inside.

Ah, just a few more minutes. I feel like one more song.

[An apologetic smile, although she also has another question to ask,; she makes a gesture, pointing at her face, although it's to indicate that she's talking about the love spot.]

Diarmuid, about the enchantment you have; I just wanted to ask if it's magic that brings out genuine feelings or if it's just desire. Because I do think there's a difference between the actual thing and just conquering the mind.

[She looks serious and earnest about this.]

[ He didn't see that one coming, but, well— there's a hint of cynicism in the way he quirks his lips this time. ]

I can't say. I've never been on the receiving end.

[ But he has a feeling he knows which one the curse veers towards, so he says, with a degree of sincerity: ] But I assume that women wouldn't fall in love with me without it.

Hm. Makes sense. After all, you have a steady and stable personality that a lot of women nowadays are attracted to.

Although even if your character was a little more repelling, you'd still be popular back then and now, I'd imagine.

[A JOKE??? There is a slightly devious edge to her tone.]

[ A beat, and he laughs out loud— though his brows lower somewhat, as if that statement is somewhat perturbing. ]

I don't suppose I have a say in the matter.

[ He's joking, too, but this is spoken from experience... ]

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