sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon

[~~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.

[ A light laugh at that— she's not wrong. ]

A majority of my time was spent with other warriors, yes. Oscar, Oisin...they were the pride of Fianna.

[ Incidentally, they were the ones who would have antagonized their own kin, Fionn, to save him— but he'd never wanted for his presence to make familial rifts. It's a bittersweet memory. ]

Edited 2014-12-24 00:30 (UTC)

[She's surprised and not surprised at the same time and there's some pity at the fact that he's had to deal with this sort of thing because of that curse.

And then she feels bad about pitying him. Go figure. In any case, she recognized the names he mentioned; they were in the book Ai read after all. She puts her hands behind her back, looking up at the night sky.]

... Maybe there wouldn't be so much to worry about if I was a man then...?

[ A shake of the head, to indicate that she shouldn't bother mulling over that detail. ]

Your error is in thinking that I worry. You are the Master I serve, and I've no regrets or reservations about it.

[HER CHEEKS ARE PINK BECAUSE OF THE COLD, YES...]

... You really are too kind!

A compliment beyond my capacity to accept. I thank you, Master.

[ A sweep of one arm across his chest, and he dips his head in quiet gratitude. ]

[Read: PLEASE HAVE A SENSE OF SELF-PRESERVATION YOU KIND PERSON.]

Honestly... But, you're welcome! Anyways, I think the place should be... Here!

[They stop in front of a cafe called, Ahnenerbe. Inside, the lighting is low, but warm and the interior was decidedly more Western than most other outlets in Fuyuki.]

This is the place where Lien works. She says it's a very relaxing place, no matter what time of the day or night.

[ A quick glance around, and he fixes Ai with a slightly inquisitive look. ]

—Is Miss Lien here tonight?

[ And if so, he wonders if he should...seat himself somewhere else to give the sisters space?! Hm. ]

[She answers with a good amount of certainty.]

No. I'm sure her shifts are during daylight hours. And knowing her, after what we went through, Lien's not the type to throw herself into work right afterwards.

[Anyways, she takes a seat near the window, motioning him to do the same.]

[ He follows suit, though it still feels strange to be ostensibly "blending in" with the surroundings. It's a small mercy that the cafe is mostly empty.

A quick glance at the menu, and... yeah, he doesn't actually know what half of this stuff is, and he's not so forward as to order something for himself first— he'll let Ai take the reins. ]

If I may, Master—

[ Polite and deferential, as per usual, but there's a hint of that roguishness that comes into play; a young man who, despite his trials, has a sense of quiet humor. ]

—Your sister may have been the better choice of companion to teach you how to "relax".

[Ai makes an order for two drinks; a special for that night that being hot spiced wine, served in tall glass cups with handles. The scent is enticing and warm.

At Diarmuid's remark, Ai blinks, but she kind of gets the intent so she lets out a small laugh]

You only talked to her once, Lancer, but I'm sure you realize what she's like just from that one conversation...

I may have unintentionally antagonized her.

[ A private smile to himself; Ai can ask if she wants, but first: ]

...Sláinte.

[ He holds up his drink. ]

[Oh, cool... Ai follows his suit and raises her glass. It's a single world, but the language is beautiful to her. Lien would be able to understand it instantly while she...

Anyways, she takes a sip. Instant comfort and the warmth spread throughout her body.]

Ahhh. I needed that...

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