sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon

[ "May your wish bring ~~disaster~~ happiness".

He falters slightly— where has he...?— but pulls himself together upon seeing that smile on Ai's face, on seeing how she seems to light up. In all honesty, he feels... vindicated? No, that would be selfish, but he's happy that he's finally on this path, that his Master is here, that he's been blessed with her. ]

If you would humor me.

[ A light joke, and he narrows his eyes somewhat fondly. ]

You seem to forget that I'm the one indebted to you.

Did I now?

[She playfully quips back with energy that's more appropriate for a young woman her age instead of that dreadful melancholy.]

If I've forgotten, maybe it's because I forgave that debt?

Edited 2015-01-22 18:46 (UTC)

I imagine that it would be difficult to forgive, considering that I'm still here.

[ He owes his entire existence to her, what can he say... but he knows by now not to keep it too heavy, so he smiles instead of looking too stoic about his statement. ]

You give me a fair amount of liberties, all things considered.

Hm. I can't deny that... But I think that's because you already hold yourself up to high standards.

Although maybe to someone like Cu Chulainn, I might have seemed uptight... [Referring to the time when she got stuck with him of course.]

[ A blink, before he laughs— he's a little curious, actually. ]

Ireland's Child of Light is as free as the wind. Not everyone can be so daring.

[ Read: Cu probably thinks everyone is too uptight, don't worry about it. ]

It's a wonder Lien is able to work with him knowing how she is. [SHE'S PROBABLY GOOFING OFF RIGHT NOW even though they have Headless Rider to defeat, geez, Ai looks irritated at the thought]

I think they make a fine team.

[ Is his sincere assessment of the matter, despite the fact that they should reasonably be enemies. They've passed that juncture a long time ago, though. ]

Neither of them attempt to put the other into a mold.

[True... They wouldn't be alive if they were always being silly.]

Say, Lancer? You'll be happy when you get to engage in a battle with him, right?

Admittedly, it would be an honor to lock blades with Cu Chulainn himself.

[ Listen... he was everyone's childhood hero!!! ]

Mm. The stories are rather amazing...

[Like, the dog strangling, going up against a ton of dudes, his friendship and honor with his best friend, the training under the great Scáthach, the romances...

Wait, that totally slipped Ai's mind, but Lien wouldn't stand for that, haha, they're Master and Servant haha, her sister is sensible when it matters haha. (Granted they were friendly with each other and her older twin actually showed her form of trust which was small physical actions...)]

...

Edited 2015-01-23 02:31 (UTC)

AHHHH. Chị has to watch out doesn't she?! I let it slip my attention!!

Edited 2015-01-23 02:32 (UTC)

[ "Watch out"...? There's a moment where this doesn't quite sink in, and Diarmuid almost thinks of how best to explain that yes, Cu Chulainn is fearsome in battle, but he hardly seems the type to harm his Master unless they deserved whatever it is that bought his bloodlust...

...and then he thinks about it.

And raises a brow.

...And sighs. ]

—Is she in any danger?

[ is Lien susceptible to these things... ]

That's the worst part, Lancer! I have no idea! There are things I'm absolutely certain about with my sister, but in other areas, it's complete, 100% unpredictability!

[ Diarmuid thinks about this again— back then, it was pretty much not a big deal for Cu to be doing the things he was doing, but again, Diarmuid has a feeling that this isn't the standard, in this time and age.

Cue a strained, half-searching: ] Does she get smitten easily?

[ this is an awkward subject for him ]

[Blinking. Thinking. Really thinking...]

[Then she glances at him. SIGHS IN RELIEF.]

Goodness, I think I should have a little more faith. After all, she talks with you quite normally, doesn't she?

[Well, normal conversations with Lien are... a thing...]

Well.

As normal as conversations about my chest can be, I suppose.

[ letitgo.wav ]

I think it's safe to say that she isn't smitten with you at all then...

A fact I'm glad for, in all honesty.

[ FOR REAL he's not at all unhappy about this development ok ]

[His chest had to come under fire, but it was for good in the end.]

I'll just have to ask her directly next time. [~~I sense a future interrogation.~~]

We're almost at Ryuudou Temple now. [She clenches her fists as if pumping herself up.]

Let's do this.

»»

[Ryuudou Temple is quite a sight, at least for Ai Thao. Also there are so many stairs leading up to the gate... So many...

By now, the light rain has stopped, creating a very serene atmosphere. Ai looks around in awe.]

What a spiritual place...

Edited 2015-01-23 17:59 (UTC)

[ The awe is at least partially shared, but with it comes a sense of nostalgia— it's nice to see more greenery in a world that seems to have been taken over, largely, by concrete.

The stretch of stairs doesn't bother him in the least, but he matches pace with Ai so he doesn't wear her out with his speed. ]

Are all temples built so high up?

[They're almost to the front of the gate. In answer to his question...]

It's just my guess, but it seems like the important ones are usually situated up on a mountain or hill of some sort. Nature is harder to overcome in such a terrain after all so you might as well keep it around.

In Vietnam, there's all sorts of shrines around the mountainsides when you drive out into the country.

I see. It adds to the mood, if nothing else.

[ Having to scale mountains or hills to find a place of solace; it seems like a running theme. A slight exhale, and he passes through the gate to step out into the broad entranceway leading to the front of the temple proper. ]

—This shouldn't be said in a place of worship, but this is an ideal place for a duel.

There is plenty of room...

[~~There was a samurai here, he's gone now.~~

Ai Thao looks around seeing if there's anyone around. If there is, there's always that spell that causes misdirection where neither she or Diarmuid would be noticed. Right now, there's no resident monks around so there's no need to be concerned with that right now.]

There's also the backwoods and a lake near the temple.

[She falls quiet, trying to concentrate. While she wasn't expecting any immediate signs it comes to her surprise when she finally senses a presence.]

... Into the forest then.

[ Thank god that there are no hapless temple visitors to get stuck in any crossfire that might occur, which is definitely a certainty by now. Diarmuid also catches on to the errant presence, signaling that he senses them by a flick of his head towards the general direction of where the other party would be.

He'd insist on leading, but he's also sure that he can jump in if the enemy tries to "surprise" them. That would be spectacularly stupid. ]

Agreed. It would be a shame to destroy any part of these buildings.

[ yo that would be terrible though ]

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