sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon

[ "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. ]

[She takes out a bag of rice pouring out a small portion into a pot she unearthed in the kitchen. Rinsing begins under the sink and over the sound of the water, she answers Diarmuid.]

It's not a common thing, if that's what you're worried about. But it does happen when she stresses herself out too much.

I see. [ Ah. That's somehow a bit worse, that he's stressed her out this much, to the point where she'd get sick...

...but there's no use in moping, and despite the fact that he has considerably less levity to spare momentarily, the way he cooks is surprisingly efficient. Ingredients are chopped in record time, sorted in neat piles. ]

...Is the Child of Light not here with you today?

[As if sensing the slightly more serious atmosphere, Lien reacts accordingly and doesn't take the opportunity to quip about his skills. She just takes note of them and starts to cook the rice porridge on the stove.]

I sent him out to patrol the city to see if there are any other Masters or Servants, particularly near major leylines. He doesn't need to be around when I come with the intention of being a responsible sibling.

[~~HAHAHAH carry on~~]

[ At the very least, that prompts a laugh; Ireland's Child of Light should always be freespirited, he thinks. ]

Then we have nothing to worry about on that front.

[ The funny thing is that he believes that wholeheartedly, despite the fact that Cu is supposed to be an enemy. Respect where it's due. ]

In all honesty, I'm thankful that you came.

Hm?

[She's tending to the pot and she looks up at him when he makes that remark.]

That so?

I suspect that what she needs right now is someone familiar to her. Not a Servant.

[ His eyes flick over to Lien, fixes her with alarming sincerity. ]

[Man, this guy and his pure sincerity. She sighs, but smiles, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly.]

Well, like I said. I'm used to this happening. My sister's got a heart that's too open at times.

[Lien busies herself by getting a kettle of water on the stove, to make tea that would fight Ai's cold.]

Is it bad of me to ask what might have upset her?

[ In any other situation, he would exercise more discretion. Revealing one's hand, or speaking on behalf of his Master, is something he holds his tongue on more often than not— but circumstances are different, and he feels like this is one battle he's not meant to fight.

He shakes his head to indicate that no, it's not bad of her, as he throws in some water to simmer and slowly adds the broth. ]

She saw my past.

[ He has a feeling that Lien doesn't know much about his story, but he doesn't elaborate. ] Suffice it to say that she didn't find it too savory.

[She pauses as she takes out two tins of tea to compare.

Huh. Ai dreamed, just like her. It must be a twin thing.]

Hm. Well, I won't ask you about your past, but I'm not sure what she could be upset about unless you did something really bad.

[A beat.]

Or rather, if something bad happened TO you. A pretty big difference there.

Heroic Spirits rarely meet pretty ends.

[ He states, rather simply, in lieu of saying what exactly happened; he doesn't intend to win sympathy, because he doesn't think he particularly warrants any.

Setting the pot to simmer, he puts the lid on and turns the heat down, contenting himself with washing his hands. ]

I would prefer that she didn't trouble herself for my sake— her compassion is better spent on others.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

SUP NERDS

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject