sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon

[ 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... ]

If it's bothersome, then that's fine; it's okay to say so, otherwise I won't know.

[And she looks up to the sky and the shimmering stars, considerably cheered up. She'll call her twin tomorrow. Find more rifts and defeat other Masters. Right now, she'll enjoy the night and sing another silly and meaningless love song.]

♫ Won't you come see about me?
I'll be alone dancing you know it baby,
Tell me your troubles and doubts,
Giving me everything, inside and out,

Don't you forget about me... ♪

[ How strange; maybe it's a reflection of the times, that people've become so frank. But whatever the circumstances, his Master looks considerably more heartened than she did when she first came up onto the roof, and that's enough for him, at this point in time.

Silent, he listens to her sing a few bars of her song, staying outside because she hasn't dismissed him. It's not unpleasant, and the night sky is cloudless: a good night. ]

☚☛

[Another peaceful night passes. The next morning after some morning tea, Ai Thao is occupied with the phone and speaking in her native and more smooth, Vietnamese.]

Chị! It's me, Ai Thao!

[The voice on the other end is similar, but has a slightly deeper edge compared to Ai Thao's gentle voice. There's also more energy.]

Yes, Sensei wanted me to investigate some irregularities in the city. It seems the owner of the land aren't available for some reason... It's supposed to be a private matter, but I think it's a bit more serious and Sensei says your Eyes could...

[A short pause.]

... Yes. There are unknown creatures that are coming from the rifts. I was at encountered them three nights ago at the port area. I was able to avoid them and as you can hear, I'm fine!

Could I come and visit? We could talk more and see what we can do... Eh? [There's confusion not only in her voice, but in her expression as well.]

... If you say so?? Later this week is alright, but... Chị, are you sure you're okay? Well... Mm. Goodbye then.

[Ai Thao hangs up the phone and crosses her arms while leaning against the wall.]

Should I be feeling like something is off?

Edited 2014-12-06 09:27 (UTC)

[ Diarmuid materializes at Ai Thao's last statement, similarly leaning against the opposite wall before he straightens and evaluates his reply to her question. It could be rhetorical, but he assumes that it's being directed at him, and so he feels that it's prudent to reply. ]

I also sense something odd about the Grail's supply of prana— it seems to be too much.

[ Though the Grail supplies most of the basis for Diarmuid's current existence, even so, it feels... like there's an abundance of prana, energy that spills over and is being directed in a channel that Diarmuid can't quite pinpoint. ]

[She doesn't jump this time since Ai's getting used to the fact that Diarmuid would be near her side at all times unless she directed him elsewhere. At his assessment, she nods in agreement.]

It's supposed to take the Holy Grail a good number of years to accumulate enough energy to sustain the existence of Servants from what I remember.

[Her fingers go up to her forehead.]

And the last War was... Well, it ended a year after my sister and I were taken in. That was a little over ten years ago.

Edited 2014-12-06 10:12 (UTC)

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