sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon

[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?]

[ It winds up sounding, to him, more funny than anything else, but his intention isn't to handle her with kid gloves; if she says she won't, he'll take her word.

It doesn't stop him from smiling somewhat, though. ]

Then we'll walk slowly, if you'd forgive my willfulness.

That should be fine. It's better than rushing anyways.

[As they start off, it occurs to her that...]

... Hm. I should invest in some modern clothing for you, just in case. It might be useful in the future.

If there'll ever be a practical need for me to be out in the open, I agree.

[ He looks down at his... "armor"... and nods. ]

Modern dress is far different from what I'm used to, but don't trouble yourself if there's no need— it's your money you'd have to spend.

Well, that's part of being a Master, I should think. It shouldn't be any trouble at all.

[She falls quiet, humming to herself as they make the trek back. It's a comfortable kind of silence as it allows time to reflect on the past few hours and thinking back on it...]

Ah. Lancer, there was something else I haven't really specified, but I hope you don't mind me saying.

You hardly require permission from me, Master. If there's something on your mind, I would have you say it.

[ A curious slant of his head towards Ai, before he fixes his gaze forward again. ]

I... I really enjoy seeing you in battle.

[She laughs a little nervously]

I do feel strange saying that! And I know at some point future fights are going to get more difficult and it's no laughing matter. But as someone who's main skill is distorting things, it's exhilarating to see heroes in action because I think there's a wonderful gracefulness in seeing that action and...

[And then she ~~tries to~~ looks serious again.]

If that sounds strange, I will keep it to myself from now on! But I wanted to be truthful about what I saw today and how I really do think it's impressive! Servants are amazing!

[ That comes out of left field for him, but it's not something he hasn't heard before— for a knight, being praised for their skill is a high honor, especially so if they merit it from the one they serve.

He looks surprised for precisely a good second or two, before his expression calms into something close to a subdued fondness; he takes the words with humility, but it is good to hear, nevertheless. His stringent stoicism won't allow him to be complacent, but he accepts her enthusiasm with grace. ]

I thank you, Master— those words are more than I deserve. [ A slight lowering of the head. ] Though, if you'd permit me to say: I was also thrilled to see Cu Chulainn, in battle.

Mm! [She nods in agreement.] It certainly was a sight. Although now I wonder if Lien realizes what kind of hero he is... She tends to take everything in stride or maybe it hasn't dawned upon her yet.

[ He stays mum on his impressions about Lien, because he doesn't necessarily want to sound rude. ]

I understand that outside of Ireland, Celtic heroes remain relatively unknown.

ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon

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