sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon

[Oh, GODDAMMIT. Sure they might have constructively used their time, sealing up rifts, and patrolling the city for possible dangers, but Ai's feeling annoyed because... WELL. Having to admit when Lien was right is kind of irritating...]

Diarmuid? It's too early to even think about confronting that Servant, not until we know where the priest stands and that one is doing in the church.

And I think I'm being too tense!

[ Well. He stops mid-track, and looks over his shoulder at his Master with a faint hint of surprise, before he...

...yeah, laughs. ]

It's the fault of the Servant, if their Master is tense. My duty is to put you at ease, knowing that your knight is capable of your trials.

[ but he knows that that's not the point, so he adds: ]

But your levity is well-earned. I'm not averse to "relaxing".

[She... blushes. Honestly, she can't help it. It's a combination of hearing him laugh, her own relief at it, and then some shame at how seriously she's been taking everything.

Sorry, just gonna cover her face with her hands now kthx]

I'm sorry... Lancer, you're amazing and capable and here I am just... I haven't been thinking clearly.

[Ai was so focused on things going RIGHT for once.]

I worry too much.

A good leader often does. You've nothing to apologize for.

[ His tone is light, like a wayward breeze, and he easily gets down on one knee the way he always does— one hand over his chest, hand rolled into a loose fist. The formalities of a knight to their liege, but with a hint of relaxed tension in the gesture. ]

If there's anywhere you would like me to accompany you to, I would, gladly.

[ A beat, and then: ] To unwind, of course.

[She puts her hands down, thinking. It's not too late. The night was young. What could they both do that could be enjoyable. If anything most things would be new to Diarmuid, so...]

... I think I know!

How does a concert sound??

A concert...

[ Grail knowledge dictates that it's a musical event, which doesn't surprise him: Ai seems like a musical kind of girl. ]

If that's what you choose, then I'll follow.

[She smiles and happily so.]

I hope you like it, Lancer! Maybe, we can end the night enjoyably.

✘ ✘

Ah! It's starting!

[Ai Thao has led the both of them to the biggest shopping center in town, Verde. But instead of going inside, the real attraction is outside. There's a crowd of people, surrounding a group of four violinists; a quartet. The quartet has a sound system set up so that their instruments can be clearly heard throughout the area and into the night sky.

The first song is well under way. Ai's eyes are bright with recognition because she knows most of the songs being played, but also because it's beautiful. The music feels as if it's washing all of her fears away.]

[ Lancer, in his civilian clothes, sees fit to hover behind Ai and appreciate the music as well; he's a head taller than most of the other spectators, and he doesn't want to block views.

This is new, for him. It's a meld of instruments he's never heard before, and he appreciates the experience up and until the moment he feels a foreign weight against his side...

...and against his back...

...

................

He'll concentrate on the music. ]

[Ai Thao's so enamored with the violinists that she almost forgets that Diarmuid is behind her rather than next to her. So when she takes a look at him... Uh oh. She calls to him over the din of]

Ah! Are you alright??

[ At the sound of his Master's voice, he very politely detaches himself from a woman who's been leaning against him for "support" from the crowd, and makes his way next to Ai. ]

Fine. I apologize.

Ah! The charm, huh?

[Geez, another thing she conveniently forgot. Ai places herself next to Diarmuid as if she's the one guarding him, instead of the other way around. Despite her short size, her presence and the "back off" look on her face is enough to create some distance from some of the women who were looking over at the Servant with longing and admiration in their eyes.]

As long as you're with me, it should be fine!

Edited 2014-12-22 06:04 (UTC)

[ Ai's momentary ferocity has Lancer raise a brow, and then laugh under his breath, again. Impolite of him, maybe, but it's such a disconnect to see such a small girl fending for... well. Him. ]

I'm obliged to you, Master.

[ sparkles.... sparkles. ]

Though I should be ashamed, as a vassal troubling his Master.

[~~DON'T SPARKLE GD~~

And she replies and rather insistently]

Ai! Use, "Ai!"

[And she puts a finger over her lips.]

We're outside, so "Master" is off limits!

[Man, it's a good thing, other people are paying attention to the music and she's not speaking in Japanese or else this might be a weird conversation.]

[ And he parrots her motion, a finger drawn up to his lips as he tilts his head towards the stage. ]

You'll miss the music.

[ But, a beat later: ]

"Miss Ai".

[How silly. She feels so happy just from him saying her name.]

... I'm so hopeless, aren't I? [This is said quietly enough so that no one could hear as she turns her attention to the stage. A new song starts up and it's one she recognizes. And while most people in the crowd couldn't immediately recognize it, Diarmuid has already heard her sing this one. And she sings quietly under her breath: ]

♫ Don't you try to pretend
It's my feeling we'll win in the end
I won't harm you or touch your defenses
Vanity and security

Don't you forget about me... ♪

[She trails off, but there's a contented look on her face as the song continues.]

Edited 2014-12-22 08:53 (UTC)

[ The song is quickly becoming familiar, and he wonders if he'll think about it when he goes back to his Throne someday— a shame, he's never been much for singing.

He's largely satisfied by her moment of respite, taking it upon himself to enjoy the music even if he doesn't recognize the tunes or the lyrics. Music is the great equalizer in any age.

When the song dies down somewhat, he turns to Ai and asks, simply: ] Is no one going to dance?

[ Isn't that what festivities are about...? Hm. ]

[She blinks; that is a good question...]

Well, nowadays dancing in public isn't as common. Sometimes, if the mood's just right and if there are people who are willing and able, dancing happens!

[Ai wants to ask if he dances, but somehow restrains herself... C'mon you don't ask that of a Servant...]

Ah, I see. Though I suppose that this type of music isn't conducive to the dancing I'm familiar with.

[ He figures that he shouldn't just whip out Gae Dearg and do some spear dancing... the only dancing he knows, impressive as it might be. ]

[Ai is about to reply to him when the crowd begins to disperse and from the corner of her eye, she sees a group of young women glancing at the both of them (mostly Diarmuid, let's be real here) and whispering amongst themselves.

"She hasn't left him yet... I think she is..."

"No way, can't be, too young! Could be friends or just..."

"I'm going up to ask him out!"

"Oh, yeah right like you have any chance! I want to ask him...!"

Needless to say, Ai Thao is... She tugs on Diarmuid's sleeve.]

... Let's go! We're going drinking.

[TRAP CARD ACTIVATED YOUR MOVE LADIES OR NOT HA]

[ A blink, and he lets Ai tug him a little to the side, away from the little cloud of women who are still watching... ]

M... [ no, he has to use names— ] ...Miss Ai.

[ He stops, straightens up, and then

offers her his arm. ]

—Allow me the insolence of escorting you, wherever you may want to go.

[ there's shrieking from behind him... ]

[... Oh dear. It takes a few seconds, but Ai Thao gently and gingerly loops her arm around his offered one and she leads them away from the rest of the crowd. When they're out of earshot of the women...]

... Lancer, you're dangerous in and out of battle aren't you...?

[ He's thankful for the quiet— it gives him space to breathe. ]

I can't say that I know what you mean. How so?

[She lets go of his arm to settle for walking next to him.]

Well, your strength in fights aside... You're very kind! Even today, kindness has a way of throwing off people when it's especially genuine.

I was merely doing my part. You paint a generous picture of me, Master.

[ A slight smile, and he gives her a sidelong glance. ]

Kindness is a mirror.

[ read: "you see kindness because you're kind". ]

[For a moment, she thinks of mentioning how scary the power of his charm is, but when he says that about her, it seems insensitive to mention the former... He's right on the money at least.]

With what happened back there... I wondered if you simply spent time with other knights instead of anywhere near women in your past life.

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