sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon

[ His first instinct, to heft his weapon and keep it at the ready, is dispelled immediately when he sees tears. The blood-red of Gae Dearg disappears as quickly as he'd willed it to materialize, in an effort to keep anything alarming from entering Ai's line of vision.

She saw...? A bad dream? A nightmare?

He has a feeling that it's not either, and if his suspicions are the truth of the matter, then he only has himself to blame for Ai's distress. ]

...My past?

[ He ventures quietly, as he walks towards the bed and kneels next to it, hand over his—

—heart. ]

...

[There's a nod, hesitant as it is. The irony of his hand over his heart is not lost on her as her head clears up and it just adds to the lingering sting.]

Yes. I saw that and...

[She trails off and turns her gaze from him to the window where the moonlight falls upon them.]

... Are you alright?

[ A nod, and he reaches out to gently swipe the back of his hand over her cheek; forward of him, he knows, but he doesn't want her to cry on his behalf. ]

Worrying about your Servant, at a time like this.

[ His voice is soft, but a bit chiding. ]

I'm fine. Please, don't trouble yourself over my past.

[When she feels his hand over her cheek, she reaches up to barely touch it, fingers faintly on top of his own and then she just as quickly clasps her hands together.

His touch, faint as it is, felt warm to her. Another comfort.]

... I'm going up to the roof. I-... I need to.

[I'm suffocating in here.

Without another word, she moves from her bed and takes a shawl from her closet. Before she leaves her room, she speaks without looking at him.]

You can join me up there if you wish.

[ He's uncertain if he should— his presence may be unwelcome, especially if she's just seen the unsavory bits of his life.

So he ventures a middle ground: ] I'll stay hidden.

[With a wordless nod, she leaves the room, shawl wrapped tightly around her shoulders, and with one hand over her chest. The other is wiping away the tears that had not ceased to flow.

The night was dark and the air was unwelcoming and cold. The chill helps Ai slow down her feelings and her sorrow as she slowly and carefully climbs up to the roof. All of this is done silently as if she herself were a ghost, albeit one whose breath tried to warm her cold hands as she sat herself down.

Reading the story was one thing; seeing it play before her very eyes within her heart was another thing altogether (and she wonders if this is similar to how Lien felt).

The story hadn't ended though and the vision of Diamuid, dying and filled with rage is what's frightening her the most because she doesn't know why. Talking about his past life is an easy feat compared to the last part of that broken dream.

The night is silent and remains dark. Her singing voice suddenly breaks through it; her voice is small and weak, but singing was her last resort.]

... I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind
That I put down in words.

[Her throat is tight again and she swallows, choking it down.]

... How wonderful life is...
Now you're in the world...

[Another silly love song from a silly girl who did not know what to do. But it made her feel better. Just a bit.]

Edited 2014-12-26 23:58 (UTC)

[ Predictably— Diarmuid is uncertain.

There are boundaries, he's sure, that he's not to overstep. The code of chivalry dictates that he should remain kind, but Ai is his Master; someone who has authority over him should never be made to think that they're being patronized by the one that serves them.

Be that as it may, the fact of the matter is that something about himself is what caused Ai to be so upset, which is a transgression that he alone has the obligation to ameliorate. It's difficult, wary as he is about certain things, but in the end...

...he lets his heart dictate what he should do, which is to steal inside while he's in Spiritual form to pick up a light blanket, come back by the tail end of Ai's song, and drape said blanket over her shoulders. ]

—You'll catch a cold.

...

[While she may not reply verbally, she does nod in thanks, pulling the blanket over herself. Ai Thao is avoiding his gaze by casting her eyes to her covered feet.

When she does speak up, the question isn't what might be expected.]

... Does it hurt?

[She moves to put her hand over her own heart, indicating that she was talking about his.]

Here. Does it hurt here?

Edited 2014-12-28 21:25 (UTC)

[ The question leaves him in a strange place, curious but also apologetic, contemplative but also confused; he mirrors her motion, putting one hand over his chest to draw up a memory of... what? Being gored by the boar— that was thousands of years ago, centuries upon centuries.

But his palm goes over his heart and he feels a dull throb, a quiet but fierce rush of heat that surprises him, makes him blink and curl his fingers just slightly. ]

—It was ages ago. [ He goes for a smile, which doesn't quite land. ] If there was a time when it'd hurt, it's long past.

[The past... Now that her head's cleared up of the immediate rush of emotion, she's able to think carefully. What could she say about that before broaching the other mystery.]

... Diarmuid. Even after what I saw, I don't think any less of you.

[Although he wasn't aware of it, the day where she shouted out of nowhere was her way of reconciling herself with such a tragedy. She wanted, no, needed to stay firmly in the present.]

[ "I don't think less of you".

That stirs something in him, a fractured memory of a man in a wheelchair, of being accused—

(" In the stories of legend, all you're known for is for womanizing and adultery. Is it in your nature not to be able to resist seducing your Master's fiancee? ")

—the ache comes back, causing his expression to harden for a brief moment that he shakes off as quickly as he can manage.

He knows that there's nothing malicious about what Ai is saying. On the contrary, those words are too generous for him. ]

Your opinions are your own; if I can change them, it would be when I make myself useful to you.

[She has a shawl and a blanket covering her and yet she feels a chill remaining over her. The blanket is tightly drawn around her shoulders.]

... I'm sad because... I had to see someone I care about die.

[Ai admits it easily because she's already made it clear that she would worry about his well being.]

And I'm sad because...

... You were happy right? Even in the end, you were able to find some happiness in your life, weren't you?

[ It occurs to him that he hadn't thought much of how he'd been received: as a Heroic Spirit, as someone who's supposedly known for their valor, it hadn't occurred to him that others may tell his tale as a tragedy.

Consequently, being asked if he was happy is a curveball, but he doesn't flinch as he answers with conviction: ]

Yes. I look back on the ones in my life with fondness— they gave me more happiness than I could have asked for.

Good. [Her sigh is soft and like a whisper. She closes her eyes.]

Good.

[A minute of silence passes before she asks]

Am I going to be having dreams like that every now and then? Depending on how long this goes on?

[ He shifts on his feet, thinking. ]

...Our contract dictates that we share a connection through magic. I don't think it's something that can be helped, unfortunately.

Is that so?

[Her dark hair falls to one side and she uses one hand to gather it in a bunch and put it back in its place. She doesn't want to go into his past too deeply tonight. Maybe they never will (in her heart she doesn't want to leave it alone).

There was still the matter of one more thing however...]

... I had another dream. I don't know if it's because of our connection or if it was just a nightmare, but...

... There was so much rage. And there was so much... Too much blood.

...? A memory other than the day of the hunt?

[ It's the only one he can think of, though he can't say that he recalls it with much anger, let alone rage.

(His head hurts slightly, another faint twinge that comes back to him in waves of sorrow:

" Presumptuous puppet— no matter what, you're only a Servant. "

" If you're so dissatisfied, then try using that pride and honor of yours to fight my Command Spells. ")

Involuntarily, his expression twists. Gold eyes turn sharp, one hand balling into a tight fist. ]

—I can't recall anything else.

[ There's a coil of guilt after he says so, as if a part of him knows that that's a lie. ]

[The tension in the air is palpable. Ai Thao knows something is wrong and it makes her writhe somewhat inside when she is kept in the dark.

That fragmented memory of blood and rage hurts her.

Her head hurts.

Her heart hurts.

She's dizzy, but she sits still until said dizziness passes and she can make her way back to the ground.]

Good night.

[Her usually clear blue eyes are clouded over, with a hurt and confusion that she couldn't sort out and it would continue throughout the rest of the night.]

[ He's been dismissed, which is a good indication that he should go into Spirit Form... which he does, with no trepidation on his part. It burns him to think that he may have misstepped, that he's caused his Master to doubt him, and this time, through no fault of the Charm— if so, then he'll have to do whatever he can to ameliorate her distrust, if she really does distrust him.

This time, had been his wish. It's a phrase that sounds familiar, and if so, how many times has he failed already?

(And upon realization that his Master's feeling unwell, later on— ah, he feels as if he's just compounding upon his failures.) ]

Edited 2014-12-29 02:21 (UTC)

[☼☼☼

Unlike her sister, Lien seems to have had a nice and restful day. In fact, Lien even makes a call the next morning to see if Ai Thao has been planning over anything or found out anything new. The voice on the other end, to Lien's surprise is quiet and subdued. Tired even. Yes, there was some new information, but Ai Thao didn't sound all that enthusiastic or even determined to get back on track. Although Ai said she wanted to talk about the previous events of this so called War, she let out a cough and apologized. She'd call back later.

Never let it be said that Lien didn't have any older sibling instincts.

☼☼☼

Cu Chulainn was given a simple, but hopefully productive task of scounting the city for enemy Masters or Servants, preferably in locations that had the most leylines. Lien would have happily accompanied him, but today she had to focus on someone else for a change.

Miyama Town wasn't far away even if the walk could be lengthy; still it was a little tough with all the plastic bags full of groceries and a backpack full of other necessities. In an hour or two, Diarmuid and Ai should hear a knock on the door.

And then some humming.

And then...]

I can't stop this feeeeelllling!
Deep insiiiiide of meeeee.
Girl you just don't realize what you do to me.

[A beat.

And then it continues because Ai OBVIOUSLY needs to know her sister's presence.]

When you hold me
In your arms so tight
You let me know
Everything's alright,
IiiiiIIIIIIiiii'mmmmmmmmmmMMMMMmmmmm...!!!!

[DEEP BREATH]

HOOKED ON A FEEELLIIII--

[There is an audible if muffled groan from inside and a really tired Ai asking Diarmuid to answer the door from bed.]

Edited 2014-12-29 02:41 (UTC)

[ At this point, he's not surprised: his first meeting with Lien started with "Hans Gruber", he's come to expect the unexpected from his Master's sister.

Though, okay, the singing... how very musical of these two, really.

When he answers the door in his casual clothes, he lifts a brow at Lien and puts one finger to his lips in the universal sign for requesting quiet. ]

Good morning.

Hiiiiii.

[Lien waves cheerfully a standing and stark opposite of Ai. She lifts up the two full grocery bags.]

I come bearing gifts! Or groceries. Same thing.

[She steps in to set the bags down including her backpack.]

Got a feeling that Ai's under the weather so I decided to drop by. Will she let me help you out?

[Of course she could ask for his help directly, but Lien understands that he defers to his Master first.]

[ A quick glance inside the bag confirms the presence of food and necessities, and Diarmuid hefts both of them easily in one hand, stepping away from the door to let Lien in. ]

I don't think she would refuse, no.

[ She's in no condition to contest, is also his assessment; she's ill, which is to some extent, his fault, and he has a feeling she doesn't have enough energy to fight Lien off. ]

If you would like to speak with her, she's in her room, though I can't say to what extent she'll be able to converse.

[Lien walks in, taking a look around the house. It's comforting and the interior has much more character than her apartment.

When she walks into the hallway, she walks past Ai's bedroom where the door is slightly ajar. She bends backwards to take a peek inside. Right now, Ai's eyes were closed and she's covered up with a heavy quilt. Lien lets out a low whistle and straightens herself up before replying to Diarmuid.]

Let's make something she can eat and then I'll talk to her. I've seen this kind of thing from her before. She needs her space so we might as well use some time and whip up something tasty!

[ The prompting is hardly necessary, since there's only one thing to do with all this food and all this time to cook it. Putting the bags on the counter, Diarmuid rifles through it to take out a few things that he's familiar with: leeks, potatoes, mostly ingredients that aren't too specifically Japanese. ]

...Does she fall ill often?

[ He asks with a bit of somberness, which Lien might be able to detect. ]

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