sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon

Alright, rift, rift, rift...

[Lien is right behind Cu, already taking off one glove and stuffing it in her pocket. Lien sees her twin glancing every now and then towards Diarmuid's direction as they make their way down the bridge.]

Hey. Don't worry about him. If that guy knows what's good for him, he better come back for you.

[Ai Thao blinks, but nods, turning her focus back to follow Lien and Cu.

This Archer is different from the other rogue Servants; the shadow corruption has become a part of him, making his outer appearance pale and his outfit blackened. His eyes are also pale. At Diarmuid's question, he stands up, shifting his quiver on his back.]

I've none. And as for what I am doing here instead of residing in the Throne of Heroes, I cannot say. Instead, I've been thriving here for god knows how long.

[He points towards the sea of shadows.]

This dimension is in a sad state and I have only been thriving due to that sea. It's not like I've been idle though; I am in need of a Master. One that can free me from this wretched emptiness.

[Archer takes out an arrow, tossing it in the air as if playing around.]

Of course, fortune shines down on me this day. It seems I have two to choose from.

Edited 2014-12-17 01:37 (UTC)

[ Cu only offers a quick "stay here" before he makes his way towards Diarmuid, noting that they're speaking instead of fighting: a negotiation? There's not much he'd like to say to this guy in terms of reasoning this through, and that impression is given a more solid footing when he catches the tail end of what the enemy Servant is saying. ]

Give it up, Archer. No one here's shopping for more Servants. If you've got any sense of pride, go back to the Throne with some sense of dignity.

[ His tone is light, but definitive. ]

[Lien starts off after Cu as if she doesn't want to be left behind, but Ai pulls her back.]

You told me not to worry, so neither should you.

[Ai Thao's eyes search for the rift until she spots it, right in the middle of the bridge. The twins make their way over to the rift trying to figure out the best way to deal with it.

Archer casually flings a needle at Cu's direction, not expecting it to really hit him. There was something else in mind, but what it was remains a mystery.]

Dignity. I've almost forgotten that word existed. But, if that's the case...

[More needles appear between his fingers.]

You would do me honor, Cu Chulainn and Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, if you engage me in battle. If I am defeated, well, that's that.

[Archer raises up his hands and pulls; Lancer and Diarmuid would find themselves in a web like cage, threatening to close in on them both; the effects would probably hurt a LOT.

The needle thrown at Cu wasn't just a provocation; a trap had been set up.]

But if I win? Your Masters are mine.

Edited 2014-12-17 02:00 (UTC)

[ Neither of the Lancers look particularly perturbed by the fact that they're blocked in, if only because they had no intention of running away in the first place. They both hazard a glance towards their respective Masters, before they come to the same conclusion: ]

Fine.

[ Echoed in smooth tenors, one with slight gravel in anticipation for the fight, the other a low whistle to signal his readiness. Twin red spears position themselves in combat motion, and though both parties are outwardly calm, it's not difficult to tell see the cold indignance that flows under their collective composure.

If Archer thinks that either of them are going to relinquish their Masters on a whim, he's spectacularly misinformed.

Predictably, it's Cu that moves first, slicing through the first step of wind resistance with his spear to get a head start, aiming a wide arc at his enemy's head. ]

[Lien is right in front of the rift, and loading her hand with prana. Last time, her fingers had barely grazed the surface and that was when she was interrupted. This time, she was ready. Ai is watching the Servants from afar to give her sister an update if needed.

Lien touches the thin thread and is surprised, not by the tingling sensation that runs throughout her arm, but rather at how the sensation itself feels familiar. For once, she's not quite sure how to read this rift; its nature was not physical. It was unnatural, yet natural and when she stretches out her index finger and thumb as if trying to open up the crack herself, she's able to see the other side. But why did it feel so familiar? Did it have to do with the past...?]

Ai. I see the other side. Get ready to break this thing open.

[On the Servant side of things, Archer makes a duck as Cu attacks first, making a mighty leap backwards to create distance. He fires an arrow from his back and it's a powerful and fire filled shot.

He doesn't forget about Diarmuid though and he executes his other trick. Archer pulls his cloak over to conceal himself and then starts throwing more needles towards them both; he would have made a fine Assassin in spite of his preference for long range attacks.]

[ The bothersome part is deflecting these shots without it bouncing towards Diarmuid, but Cu manages, letting the arrow lodge itself in their cage before it fades out of existence. Projectiles are such a pain.

Diarmuid is vaguely in agreement with the sentiment, being that he has to fend off a volley of needles, but that's objectively less tricky than the fact that Archer just went full Harry Potter with the Invisibility Cloak on him: attacking blindly is difficult, and he has to pay close attention to where the attacks are coming from before he takes a literal stab, with Cu moving in a wide arc to see if he can intercept their opponent on the other side of their boundary. ]

Edited 2014-12-17 02:52 (UTC)

[Ai's having difficulty in summoning the same strength she had when she first opened the rift. That was done in a panic, an imperfect distortion. Now that she actually has to focus, it's as if none of her efforts are coming through.]

Why... Just break already! [The rift barely budges and she feels the frustration bubbling up. Lien is telling her to calm down, but her voice becomes a lull when another memory, one she thought she had forgotten long ago appears in her mind as a voice, rather than an image.

"Look what I found Ai. Be a good girl and bend it for me will you?"

"Bend it."

"Bend."

"BEND."

"BEND."

"BENDBENDBENDBENDBENDBENDBEND!!! WHY CAN'T YOU BEND GIRL!? BEND IT FOR ME OR I'LL j;lwrijtpqoiêfüòËØÂÒÉÑÓüË...!!!"

Ai shudders and she drops to the ground on her knees, with Lien there to catch her. What was that?? She knows and doesn't want to know. She wordlessly stands up and tries again. Everyone was counting on her and she couldn't let them down.

Archer is barely nicked in the face by Diarmuid's weapon and that makes blood drip down on his face; it's a minute, but good indicator of his location as he drops down to the ground, trying to think of another attack plan.]

[ The trickle of red is a good marker, and Diarmuid switches hands to use Gae Buidhe, twirling it deftly in his hands before going for his enemy's: for a bowman, losing one hand should be a death sentence.

(His eyes momentarily flick towards Ai, though, when he feels that twinge from their shared magical connection— he knows that it's a distraction, but he can't ignore it.) ]

[Lien watches her sister trying to bend the rift open. And without a word, she takes her sister's hand in her's and squeezes it.]

You can do it.

[The distance between them is still there. It had been her fault because Lien saw Ai Thao as someone who could stand on her own; Lien herself didn't have anything to offer to her younger sister. But maybe this was enough. The rift is slowly, but surely being twisted open and a large energy wave emits from space opening up.

Archer's invisibility is completely useless now because of the blood pouring out from his severed hand and arm. He's calm though, as if accepting the inevitable end.]

Heh. So that's how it'll end will it?

[One way or another, he's going to go out with a bang. He still has one good working hand and more dark needles are summoned. One last volley, one last stand for a nameless hero who couldn't serve. He could only fight and be defeated in glorious battle.]

Edited 2014-12-17 04:15 (UTC)

[ Maybe, under different circumstances, things might have been different. There's no honor in fighting for this War, let alone a false one, but Cu appreciates the fact that the Servant tried— as misplaced as his ambitions were, it's the fate all of them are subject to when they wake up in this world.

Their life here is transient. They all know this.

The last attack is futile but well-made, a wave of shadow that engulfs the area for a good few seconds before it shatters due to the force of two Servants' worth of skill. And it's not with malice that Cu strides towards the archer to deliver the finishing blow, but with a sort of quiet reverence that he gives to people who, under better twists of fate, might have had it better. ]

Don't get lost on your way back.

[Archer smiles. The pain was great, but it was also his release. The corruption fades away from his rapidly disappearing body.]

Aren't I a lucky one... I pray... That you both won't get stuck here either...

[The last farewell and he's gone. Ai Thao finds that the rift is relenting and she strains her Eyes, forcing it open. The energy it emits once a larger exit is created is enormous. She falls down on her bottom, her eyes normal once again and wide open, amazed that she managed it.]

I... I did it!

[Lien nods, smiling. And she points to their Servant's location; another victory.]

Ah! They made it too!

[ With the barrier keeping them confined gone, Diarmuid shoulders his lances and heads back to his Master's side, Cu trailing behind. He knows that his concern will be met with a "I'm alright", so he does away with asking entirely.

Instead, he smiles at her: proud, a knight coming back from a long expedition. ]

You've done it. [ He says, while Cu walks on over towards Lien and musses her hair again. ] You owe me two cakes for this one.

[And in reply to Cu, Lien says quite simply:]

You'll get fat.

[Always count on this Master to say the most appropriate things. She jerks a thumb at the exit.]

Me first, or do I have to push someone through?

You want to take periodic waist measurements to make sure I don't?

[ It's back to usual with him too, and instead of waiting for Lien to jump in first, he tucks her under one arm and

yeah, hops in. ]

[They both disappear, with Lien yelling a very loud, "DAMN YOU!!!" Ai Thao rests one cheek in her palm shaking her head.]

Those two are too relaxed... Oh! [She turns to Diarmuid and without thinking or asking, she takes his hand.] We should hurry!

[And she pulls him along with her and the paper thin world behind them darkens. The rift seals itself up, no longer providing a path to any stray souls.

They're back in Fuyuki City; it's very late at night with only the street lamps giving a dull glow. There are signs with actual text indicating the location. A car passes by and its driver just misses four individuals appearing out of thin air.]

[ It's as if nothing had happened at all: the world they came from is the same as ever, quiet, but with the breathing of thousands of people palpable in the air.

Diarmuid watches the car rumble by, and quickly thinks to let his weapons disappear before anyone else potentially sees them. His hand is kept in Ai's, simply because he doesn't want to be rude and pull away first. ]

What an ordeal.

You can say that again.

[She raises a brow at Ai holding Diarmuid's hand, but she'll be nice and. Not say anything.]

I don't know about you guys, but I want a drink. Maybe two. Three. Four's pushing it.

[ A moment passes, where Cu decides to "change" into his civilian clothes; thank god this happens magically, and without him having to do any undressing... ]

What, celebratory drinks? I guess some things never change, no matter how many years go by.

[Ai realizes that she's been holding Diarmuid's hand and she lets go without much comment and clasping her hands together instead ~~much to everyone's disappointment~~]

It'd be great to get back on track even after that detour. At least we learned a few things.

[Ai Thao feels weak in the knees and stumbles a bit. She's able to stand on her feet though.]

I'm feeling lightheaded after all that... I... Hm.

[ Diarmuid's concern wins out over the levity, and he stays close to Ai's side in case she falters again; it's been a long night. ]

I'll take my Master back. She's used quite a bit of prana.

[ A nod towards Cu Chulainn, who puts up his hands in a signal that says "do what you want". ]

[Lien looks at her sister carefully.]

... Something you did before then? After a feat like that, you should have been worse off.

[Despite the vagueness, Ai seems to understand what Lien meant and opens her mouth to reply. Lien holds up a hand to stop her though.]

Go home. Rest up. [And to Cu she says] Let's go back too, before I decide to just nod off right here.

I'm not a "taxi service", you know. If you nod off, I'm dragging you back.

[ He isn't protesting, though, and he turns on his heels towards the direction of Lien's apartment...

...but not without looking over his shoulder at Diarmuid first, and shooting him a friendly comment in old Irish: "you're not half bad", which Diarmuid responds to with a blink and one of those polite, reverent smiles. ("the honor was mine.") ]

[Lien just gives another punch to Cu's arm although her fingers do pull at his sleeve. An odd gesture to Ai Thao, but somehow it comforted her to see her sister depend on someone.

When they leave, Ai Thao turns to Diarmuid and in spite of her own lack of energy, she asks just to be sure.]

You didn't sustain any injuries from that last battle right? I can take care of that right now.

[ And, because he's honest to a fault: ]

Only a few scratches. They don't require your attention.

[ He says it breezily, and moves right on along. ]

Can you walk, Master?

[She nods, puffing up and patting herself across the collarbone.]

Yes, of course! I definitely won't fall over all of a sudden if we walk home!

[Well, she's trying to sound reassuring at least?]

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