sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon

[ That also seems like something private, best shared between siblings— but he can also consider it as Lien thinking aloud. He's not sure to what extent his input is required, but he answers with some conviction. ]

As a Servant, then, it's my duty to see that wish fulfilled. My young Master should have the audacity to wish as much as she wants.

[ And, as an addendum: ]

Though I also hope that it doesn't bar yours from also being fulfilled.

[She's about to say, "I don't have a wish." Because that was true, at first.

"Find someone you can do this with someday, okay?"

Something was changing.]

... I don't know.

It feels like, the more you wish, the more you suffer.

[Maybe that's why Ai was hurting so much.]

Fate works in strange ways.

[ He knows. The cards he's been dealt have never been particularly good, but suffering aside, he's seen people wish.

And, to an extent, he wants to think that he's granted one, too— that his choice saw Grainne's wish through. ]

It's no crime to wish for happiness.

["If he's happy serving someone like me, than that's more than I deserve."

Lien has to resist the urge to roll her eyes as she runs a brush through Ai Thao's hair.

"Hopeless. I thought you two were suited to be Master and Servant, but it turns out you're too similar for this to work."

Ai cracks a smile.

"Not at all. I'm incredibly selfish. I kept what I knew about him to myself and then greedily took in the moments he says he'll stay loyal to me, no matter what."

"And you're happy, just with that? Are you sure it's not the..."

"I have trouble telling to be honest."

"That's no good."

"I know."

Ai Thao is looking more well rested and the sunlight casts a warm yellow glow in the room. Lien thinks that despite having an identical face, her sister has the air of a fairy; ethereal yet grounded at the same time.

"And even if it was, natural or not, what would I do? After what I saw, what good would it do for him?"

"So you'd be unhappy if he was unhappy?"

A long and quiet pause.

"Mm. I don't think it's any more complicated than that."

Hopeless.]

[Lien stands up and stretches her arms.]

I think she'll wake up in about another hour or two. You should check up on her when she does.

[A beat and she shakes her finger at Diarmuid]

And don't go on about how you feel like it's your fault she's stressed. As the elder twin, I don't want any of that nonsense.

Edited 2014-12-30 03:20 (UTC)

[ A blink, as Lien reprimands him— it's remarkable, how these young women hardly back down in front of him. ]

...If I earn her ire, I'll see fit to explain that it was your idea.

[ He laughs, even though they both know that he won't do anything of the sort: he's far too earnest to play the blame game. ]

Good enough!

Thanks for helping out with cooking by the way.

I was planning on cooking, with or without the surprise visit.

[ emphasis on "surprise". ]

Well, well. Sorry to interrupt your groove than, Sir Knight.

From what I understand, it's what you do best.

[ Is he teasing? Yes... ]

[~~DANGER ZOOOONEEE~~ wait no]

And it won't be the last time. I'll take my leave now, so play nice.

[She heads towards the door with her backpack (she already gave the rest of the contents to Ai), and with her hand on the doorknob, Lien stops and says:]

One more thing though.

[ A tilt of the head, to indicate his curiosity, and then: ]

...Yes?

If her dreams get... out of hand, let's say, then both of you come to me.

[A beat.]

The only memories I've never been able to recover are the ones Ai and I lost. [Or maybe they don't want to remember. It's hard to say.] But I can see the ones that people aren't even aware of.

Memories can be forgotten. It's the only way they can't exist, but...

... Well, I've said my piece. Goodbye.

[She doesn't wait for Diarmuid to reply and exits as soon as she's made her proposition.]

Edited 2014-12-30 05:51 (UTC)

[ "Memories can be forgotten". That sounds mildly ominous— as if there's a large weight that he'd been carrying for so long that he's failed to become cognizant of it.

What did Ai see?

And more importantly— if he doesn't remember, why did he forget?

There's too much to question, and it doesn't sit well with him. But there's hardly much he can do except wait, and reflect; Ai is still resting, after all. ]

[☚☛

Ai wakes up later in the evening, yawning softly. Her body doesn't feel as heavy and her head has lightened up somewhat. She reaches up to feel her cheeks. No, still warm, but the temperature wasn't as bad as it was in the morning. Lien left a glass of water on her table, so she drinks the rest of it to quench her thirst.

She doesn't get out of bed yet. The sunset is about to disappear and from her window, she's able to see the beautiful colors of the twilight sky. As she immerses herself in the moment, she begins to hum, "Fly Me to the Moon" again, not wanting to call for Diarmuid just yet. He was probably aware that she was awake already anyways.]

[ There's a faint stir in his Circuits as Ai begins to stir, and Diarmuid gets up from his perch on the couch to heat up some water for tea. Once his task is done, he walks towards Ai's room and gently taps his knuckles against the door, signaling his presence while asking permission to enter. ]

I've made tea, if you'd like some.

[ Hardly a task that he'd been summoned for, but regardless, he'd like to be useful. ]

Ah! [She turns her attention from the window to him, greeting him with a smile.]

Good evening! And yes, tea sounds good right now. Place it on the table.

[ Her smile is heartening, if only because she has the energy for it; that's good.

Setting the tea on the side table, he hangs back, ready to do anything should Ai ask. ]

How are you feeling?

Much better!

[She pats herself across the chest.]

I'm resilient you know.

I'm glad to hear it.

[ A beat, and then: ]

...Master. Permission to speak out of turn.

[Huh, now what could it be??]

Yes? Permission granted.

[ He hesitates, going over his wording in his mind, before he decides to just be out with it; better to be honest and chided than dishonest and praised. ]

If ever your concern lies with my happiness, know that the few days you've granted me, with your grace and your consideration, have been beyond comparison.

[ does that sound forward? maybe. ]

I've fought with honor by your side. This is something I'll take with me to my Throne with pride.

[Her eyes widen at his sudden confession of sorts and Ai's clearly at a loss at what to say.]

That's... I...

[Oh, no is she getting sick again or are her cheeks just getting warmer...?]

[THE ONLY WAY TO SOLVE THIS IS TO PULL THE BLANKET OVER HERSELF SO SHE'S HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT CLEARLY.

Granted, she does speak from under the blanket because she wouldn't have been able to say anything otherwise, not without revealing how red her face was.]

I'm very... I'm very happy to hear that! Too happy!

Edited 2014-12-31 00:29 (UTC)

[ She'll hear him laugh, then, muffled as it might sound under those blankets; almost a sigh of relief. ]

There's no greater honor than hearing you say so. It's your words that put me at ease, Master.

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