ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon

[formidable]

Private AU/PSL RP, set in the Fate/stay night universe. Multiple Servants of each class are being summoned or are rogue and appear from mysterious rifts along with shadow-like monsters, threatening to tear apart this unstable and distorted alternate reality. ➢ FSN AU Lien Kha. ➤ FSN AU Ai Thao Kha. ➢ Fate/ALT.distortion Playlist.

Comments

[emotive]

I shall! The Bounded Field has been disturbed though, but I'll deal with it when my hair is completely dry.

[She's avoiding his gaze and as if reconfirming something in her head, Ai nods to herself and walks back in.]

[onoir]

I doubt that the enemy will be making any more movements tonight. Please, be at ease.

[ And if she thought he'd follow her inside, he...doesn't... and, almost as if in self-punishment, he settles himself on the roof and takes a deep breath of cold air.

Better to leave some distance; he feels like he's made her uncomfortable, and he's never been particularly good at deflecting when it comes to these things. ]

[emotive]

[She did something stupid again. But this time it was absolutely, and positively silly. Ai Thao can practically hear her sister laugh at her over an incident like this (god forbid she actually picks up on the past events of this household).

But as goes back into the entrance, she stops. Her back is still turned, but her voice calls out to say:]

Lancer? I apologize. I acted rashly again.

[onoir]

[ Oh my god... now he feels properly stupid, how unknightly of him?! Why is she apologizing when he's the one that... well, he didn't technically do anything, but Ai shouldn't be apologizing, either. She acted with due diligence!

If he looks mildly sheepish, well. She won't be able to see, with her back turned, but it reflects in his tone, even if it remains clear. ]

If acting within your jurisdiction is considered rash, then we'd all be acting rashly. I apologize, in turn, for my overreaction.

[ Considering all the other things that have most probably happened to him, this should have been harmless. Right. ]

[emotive]

[OH RIGHT SHE SHOULD CLARIFY. So she takes a deep breath and it all comes tumbling out]

Er, yes! About that! I wouldn't have ran out in that state in any other circumstance, but there was something watching me in the bathroom, which was most likely what got past the Field, and so I panicked, wanting to alert you first!

[BREATHE GIRL]

Now that we know that more enemies are on the move, we'll plan accordingly so I don't get caught off guard again!

And now I'll remain inside!!

[IN SHE GOES, AT LEAST THAT CLEARED THE AIR. KIND OF.]

[onoir]

[ There's a stretch of silence where he's fishing for words, but Ai is already gone by then, and...


...he runs a hand through his hair, slicking back already pulled-back strands, to whisper a low: ]

...Someone was watching you bathe.

[ It's a low groan, almost exasperated, but with a tinge of something reminiscent of "I'll never win". ]

1/2

[emotive]

[She refuses to let the incident haunt her. It's unseemly and she needs to recover her composure around him, or at least that's what Ai Thao tells herself. He may have said that he accepted her as his Master, but then you had times like these that made the waters testy...

An hour or two passes before the phone rings. Ai goes to pick it up and of course it's none other then...!]

Chị? I'm feeling better, thank you. That aside, I suppose you're calling because...??? [A pause. She's being filled in about what had just occurred on the big bridge and she's been warned...

That's all well and good, but it's the last part that gets her attention.]

Yes, I noticed. My Servant and I have already started to take caution and...

[Lien has said something and Ai has fallen quiet.]

... I'm fine. I'll remember not to cross the bridge. Mm. Goodbye.

[emotive]

[SO NOW SHE KNOWS WHAT AND WHO WAS OUTSIDE OF HER WINDOW.

Ai opens the door sharply and marches outside with the intention of fixing up the Bounded Field. It's clear to see that she's FUMING.]

[onoir]

[ He's taken a moment to cool down on the roof, when he sees that Ai is out and about again. Normally, he'd let her do her thing, but something seems amiss; her mood, for one.

Now that he's gotten it together, he hops off from his perch and lands quietly a few feet away, head cant slightly to the side to indicate his curiosity. ]

Is everything alright, Master?

[emotive]

[She turns to face him to reply]

My sister just called. You were right about what had occurred on the bridge. [And it goes without saying who was doing the battling.]

A Rider has appeared, but they couldn't defeat him completely. His presence has lessened, but remains.

[onoir]

Then we could be his prospective next target.

[ It's likely— the other duo know too much about Rider's ability now, he assumes. Unless they're dealing with a Heroic Spirit with some sense of honor, enough to want to finish what they started, but...

...well. If they're dealing with someone who watches people bathe, Diarmuid is doubtful. ]

It does rankle a bit, to be regarded so lightly.

[emotive]

[And she mutters in an uncharacteristically dark manner]

A decapitated HEAD...

[onoir]

...?

[ A blink. ]

You want to "get ahead"?

[emotive]

[almost chokes because oops unintentional pun she clears her throat and shakes her head.]

Rider's identity is The Headless Horseman. He gave both Cu Chulainn and Lien a hard time apparently.

[onoir]

The Headless Horseman....a dullahan?

[ Again, he recognizes the Irish version before the other one, but he gets the general idea. ]

An interesting opponent, but one that won't give us too much trouble as long as we're not playing on his terms.

[emotive]

Lien mentioned that his head was missing... It probably materialized on accident here...

[SIGH. She stands up with some renewed purpose.]

Basically, we can't cross the bridge to Shinto for now. That doesn't mean our work's slowed down though!

Tomorrow, let's make a visit to Ryuudou Temple.

[onoir]

Ryuudou Temple.

[ He parrots, and looks a little intrigued by the prospect of going there. ]

A traditional Japanese house of worship?

[ That sounds a little tourist-y, but he's curious... ]

[emotive]

Correct! It's an important landmark as well as the keystone to all of the leylines in the city. If anything happens, there are plenty of woods surrounding the exterior for us to engage in battle.

[She pats herself across the chest.]

As far as my health is concerned, I've completely recovered so the trip will be a non-issue.

[onoir]

[ stop patting your chest??? how inappropriate

There's a beat, where he almost teases: something about how she should be careful that her hair's dried properly before saying anything about being in good health...

...but instead, he just laughs under his breath and brushes by her, gently. ]

I have every faith in my Master's abilities. You hardly need to explain.

[ He lets his finger sift lightly through a stray strand of her hair, though, to make sure that it's not damp. ]

These legs will go anywhere you direct them.

[emotive]

... Mm.

[why are you doing this to her, she's calm on the outside, but there is silent yelling goddammit also she smells like lavender, it's kind of nice Ai gives him a nod, looking humbled by what he said (and now focusing on idly pushing her fingers together)]

Then tomorrow... Let's both do our best.

[onoir]

[ He hardly needs to be told, but he figures that she understands his stance by now. A nod, and he dissipates into spiritual form, wondering whether or not Ai likes lavender.


↫↬


The remnants of the fight from the night before leaves Fuyuki in a light fog; thick clouds hang heavy over the previously-clear sky, reminiscent of the night Lancer met Ai. It's not ideal weather for exploration, but Lancer is prepared and ready to move out regardless, in his civilian clothes in case Ai wants to walk outside in company.

Lingering in the living room, he polishes the runes on Gae Dearg idly, tracing the outline of his lance with care. ]

[emotive]

[A walk to Ryuudou Temple from Miyama Town would not be as lengthy as a trek to Shinto. There was the stairs to the Mountain Gate to contend with, but aside from that, Ai Thao is safely assuming that their journey would be uninterrupted as long as they stuck closely to residential streets.

She walks out of her room, clothed in her black turtle neck dress and light brown dress. Warm, durable, and easy to move around in in the event she has to take action.]

I'm ready!

[Ai is making one last round around the house, checking the windows are locked and curtains are drawn.]

All set. We're leaving, Lancer.

[onoir]

[ He stands up when he's called for, and his lance disappears in a glow of red light until it's needed again. The few days of rest have done him well— not that he particularly needs to be well-rested— and his prana reserve is full.

A glance towards the window, and he suggests a light: ] Will we need an umbrella?

[emotive]

[She heads for the front door and stops at his question.]

Ah... Even if rain were to occur, I'm afraid I don't have an umbrella. It should be the last worry on our minds though.

[Anyways, she's opening the door and glancing around outside. All clear. Ai steps outside first, taking a deep breath. This time. This time, they should be able to have a proper battle.]

[onoir]

[ God, things are different; he remembers taking shelter under trees when it rained, pulling off his cape and giving it to Grainne when they were on the run. It's the little things.

He's quiet as they walk through the general dim of the day, not necessarily somber but thoughtful. How many more days does he have, how long will this war last? Is he doing all he can? What is his objective?

His thoughts prompt him to stay a little closer to Ai than usual, silently protective despite the lack of immediate danger. ]