sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon

[ 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)

Ten years. Not a very significant amount of time.

[ To summon a whole slew of Servants, ten years doesn't seem enough time at all. A frown, and he puts one hand against his chin in contemplation. ]

Could that be the reason there are so many rogue Servants near the leylines? They were given enough prana to materialize, but not enough to sustain.

That sounds most likely. And if there's anyone who strays near them... Mm. [It's a nasty thought.]

The leylines probably aren't enough.

If they're feeding on the souls of the uninvolved, that would be a transgression that goes beyond the boundaries of this war.

[ There are things that are bound to happen— Masters playing dirty— and then, there's this. His expression falls. ]

Even so, we at least know from experience that we can seal the rifts if we defeat the Servants that originate from it.

... [She's quiet, thinking, thinking, thinking...]

It's about the fourth day now isn't it? There have to be more Masters now and they would have to notice the irregularities.

It would be difficult to expect all of them to be sympathetic towards events outside of their immediate interests.

[ Which he acknowledges. ]

But it would also be reasonable to assume that we may run into Masters on the course of our own search.

It's not a problem that can be ignored though. Sooner or later, if more of those appeared...

[For some reason, the thought of the rifts is making her head hurt. Why is she remembering back then now? What did it have to do with the present moment...?]

... Bend.

[A single word, almost like a curse. She remembers saying it. He probably made her say it.]

Diarmuid, let's both go outside today. We should assess the locations of possible rifts that could appear tonight.

Understood. I'll be at your call.

[ He assumes that he's being dismissed, so he dematerializes— though, it's almost strange how he feels that he doesn't even have to. Be it the effect of the Grail or no, he hasn't worried about prana supply from the get-go, even if his Master seems not to be too experienced in the way of magic. ]

[She locks up the house, and double checks her Field. All clear. The feel of morning sunlight on her hair is comforting and she makes her way out onto the streets.]

You know, it's technically our first day out together. You'll get to see more of the city this time!

I've seen a good portion of it from the roof.

[ He states, simply, but his voice does betray a bit of lightness on his part. It's one thing to use his super-vision to see the cityscape, and another to actually walk through it.

And as he makes his way through the streets beside her, he can't help but marvel at all the things he's been given information on, but never seen firsthand: a car passes by, and he stops to watch it speed downhill, impressed by its speed and strength. No wonder horses have become obsolete. ]

Eh? Seriously?

[She passes by some people and keeps her head bowed down. Gotta remember, it looks as if she's talking to herself and not man who just happens to be invisible right now...]

I think I was assuming the Archer class specialized in vision... Did you do any archery in your past life?

Ah... no. Against an Archer Class, my vision would still be severely limited.

[ For example, Archer would probably have been able to see the way into Shinto; his was limited to the old town and the surrounding mountains. ]

But as Heroic Spirits, we're privy to some enhancements.

It's still amazing though. Servants really are something.

[They're almost out of the neighborhood and that's when they should both notice that there is a police car outside one of the homes. Ai Thao stops to observe from afar. There's a couple; the wife is crying, the man is angrily talking to the police, trying to explain...]

... Lancer, could you go and listen in on what just happened? If it doesn't have anything to do with our business we'll move on.

[ A quick "understood", and Lancer goes to listen as he's been asked to, taking in the details of whatever the distress is linked to. Something about another kidnapping, another case of a child disappearing in this area.

Once the police stop their questioning and get into their vehicle, Diarmuid rounds back to make his report. ]

—A case of rampant child kidnappings in this area. Often, the children would complain of fatigue before their disappearances, which...

[ His voice falls somewhat. ] ...would lead me to believe that it's the work of a magus.

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