sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon

[ 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 ]

[Ryuudou Temple is a treasure.

Ai Thao takes to the path that leads to the back of the temple and into the forest. The scent of the air is clear and clean after the light rain. The trees tower over the both of them, and the stillness makes Ai taciturn.

And then there's a smooth if jovial voice that calls out to the both of them.]

Well, well. I hadn't expected the little Master to be this petite. You have your job cut out for you, don't you Lancer??

[Her Eyes activate, but Ai doesn't make a move. Her gaze moves up towards a rather unusual sight (yes, just a little unusual even for this War.)

A Servant was relaxing on top of a branch of one of the trees. He was very clearly European, with brunette hair and blue eyes and sporting a thin mustache that gave him a mischievous air. His looks were inconspicuous enough, but it was the fact that he was wearing very Japanese robes and sporting two swords at his sides that would be the cause for worry.

He lets out a low whistle, sensing Ai Thao's intent.]

My, my. They said looks could kill and now I'd believe it.

[ Diarmuid also follows her gaze up, and lightly...raises a brow at this guy in what looks like a very traditional Japanese getup. Right.

That's not a reason to underestimate, though, and the provocation towards Ai has him step up and in front of her, vaguely acting as a shield. ]

Take care with your words. I'd think it would be a disappointment for you, if your last words were speaking ill of my Master.

[ That's a warning. ]

[The Servant moves so he's squatting as he assesses his two opponents.]

Now, now. I don't mean any ill will at all, especially not towards a lovely lady I've just met.

[Her Eyes fade and Ai grimaces at him.]

... Are you protecting your own Master??

[He raises a brow and shrugs.]

My Master is one of the pious men who resides within the Temple. You can either attempt to root him out or simply face me in the clearing that's nearby.

Either way, I would like one good fight in this dear country I've loved all my life.

[ Is this guy flirting with Ai... this nonsense. Lancer shifts a little so that he's almost completely in front of the smaller figure, not to be patronizing but because he's not too thrilled with whatever...this is. Chivalry!!

The other Servant does get a few points in favor of being forthcoming, though, which is something Diarmuid notes with a humility that's completely divorced from the slight indignance. ]

A fight, then. If anything, your honesty is commendable.

[~~Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.~~

Ai Thao peeks from behind Lancer (still in serious mode, mind you, she gets that he's just protecting her).]

A fight it is. And you have my word as Lancer's Master that I will not attempt to invade the temple to find yours.

[The Servant nods in approval at Ai's conduct.

But don't think he didn't notice Diarmuid's slight shift in movement though. His sharp eyes glance between the two of them. The knight and his young Master. A young lady no less.

Look, it doesn't take a genius to tell that they've formed a close bond. He's silent for a moment before answering.]

Edited 2015-01-28 05:00 (UTC)

Well! It's settled then, isn't it?

[He gives Ai Thao a rather charming smile.]

Je vous aime bien! You are a noble Master. Your gaze may cause death, but within it, your honor burns brightly and vividly.

[Ai Thao is thoroughly taken aback by how friendly this Servant is and for a moment she's at a loss.]

Oh! I... Er. Thank you?? Merci???

[Oh, he's French...]

Edited 2015-01-28 05:02 (UTC)

[ Al...right. There's nothing particularly wrong with what the Frenchman is saying, but shouldn't they, you know, hop to it???

He won't say anything about the compliment paid to his Master's honor (it's good that someone is acknowledging it, if anything else), but man, stop... now's not the time, bro.

Let's mosey on over towards the front of the temple, then. He's quiet for now, shooting the other Servant a look before he summons his weapon in his hands and gets himself situated. ]

Whenever your spine settles and you get tired of banter. I'll be here.

[ A bit of a taunt, really; honorable as he is, he's not above that. (seriously man stop flirting...) ]

[~~Oh no... They're those kind idiots, thinks the Servant...~~

The warrior follows Diarmuid's suit as he moves to the front of the temple, jumping down gracefully from the tree. Right now, Ai's just wondering what kind of hero is French, but has Japanese swords... Weird... (Also was it just her or did the mood change? NAH.)]

My spine's been rather relaxed this whole time. Although it's good to know I'll have someone who will assist me in maintaining its health.

[Granted he can tell that Diarmuid's no joke as a fighter; that would be stupid, but it doesn't stop him from having the slightest touch of an acerbic tone.]

Don't worry Lancer! I doubt my attentions would sway your Master, not when you have such a firm hold in terms of charm.

[Oh god, Ai was feeling kind of ok about this guy and now he's just teasing them (NO ONE IS SUPPOSED TO POINT THAT OUT) and she wants to fume, but MUST. BE. COMPOSED.]

Edited 2015-01-29 05:09 (UTC)

[ COOL IT MAN... the other Servant uses the term "charm", and he shoots a sharp glance before letting his expression soften into something close to... pity? Condescension?

Amber eyes close, and he shakes his head once, as if to briefly lament having had to hear such nonsense. ]

You underestimate her, then. The curse I bear hasn't been an issue since my summoning.

[ Listen he knows that that's not the actual topic at hand but shh ]

Oh, that much is certain. Yet another reason for her to gain my admiration in my humble opinion. It settles my heart knowing that there are still women in this age who aren't afraid to show their pure emotion and heart so easily.

[Meanwhile, cue Ai feeling that faint sense of guilt knowing the Servant isn't completely inaccurate on another note...]

So blades against lance is it? [He nods looking pleased.]

Ça n'est pas grave. Lighten up, Lancer. Nothing wrong with pre-battle banter, now is there?

[They're at the front of the temple where Ai distances herself away from the two fighters. Two blades... Ai's somewhat worried since there's only one class she can think of that they haven't faced yet that uses those weapons.]

... Lancer.

If you need this... [Ai holds up her hand with the unused Spells.]

Give me a signal.

[ What is happening here... one second he's here to get shit done and now this Servant is testing his patience by being flirty towards his Master and weird?? This isn't what Diarmuid signed up for.

A sharp glare, held for a moment at what he assumes is this guy trying to be patronizing. ]

Only if you're willing to take responsibility for the words that come out of your mouth.

[ The glare turns into something a little more challenging, frown curled up into a fearless smile this time around. He glances at Ai when he's spoken to, softens his expression slightly. ]

Understood. Don't doubt that I'll win this fight for you, Master.

[Ai smiles back, giving Lancer a resolute nod.]

I'll be watching closely! Don't hesitate.

[The Frenchman clucks his tongue, clearly amused by their simple exchange. This Servant's past life had consisted him of traveling to new and wonderful places beyond the countryside of France, observing all his eyes could devour with its sight. He had grown to admire the Land of the Rising Sun and its people, learning their customs, their way of life, taking their values in swordsmanship to heart, and even participated in a war that wasn't his own. Seeing this young woman and knight who were separated by origin and country made him feel nostalgic. After all, wasn't it a heartwarming miracle that the Grail granted, allowing two completely different people to forge a connection with one another? An overly sentimental and romantic notion for sure, but why not?

It's partly why he wanted to tease his way too honorable and stoic opponent. The knight could afford to open his eyes a little more instead of the narrow focus of winning this so-called War.

Ah, but the War; yet another that was not his own. He positions himself, hand over one of his blades and aura increasing steadily.]

Well, then??

Edited 2015-01-30 08:12 (UTC)

[ Ai's smile and acknowledgment is enough for him; any residual dubiousness about his enemy dissipates (whoever this is, he's honorable, yes; but with a slight teasing that he can't quite rest easily on), and his twin lances position themselves in the thin fog of the temple, cutting through it in gold-and-red lines of light. ]

Those blades... would it be safe to assume that my opponent is Saber?

[ He settles into something more familiar, like a hunting dog that's found a scent; eager to fight, but controlled. ]

As one Knight Class to the other; don't let my Master's loveliness distract you.

[ listen man he can do this teasing thing too!!!! ]

[WAIT WHY IS SHE THE ONE BEING TEASED HERE and now Ai feels her head SPIN when she hears what Diarmuid says.]

I-... Wha...!!

[But she snaps out of it because the sound of sharp metal is being unsheathed on the other Spirit's end.

A few long seconds pass and he grins at Lancer. And mockingly, under his breath he whispers...]

En garde.

[Fast.

He disappears. Ai Thao wonders if he actually drew his sword or not, but he's suddenly in front of Diarmuid, closing the distance and testing his opponent's mettle with his lightning draw.]

[ This, this is a lot easier to handle than all of the talking, in all honesty. His opponent is fast, but Diarmuid is also top-notch with respect to speed alone, not to mention that he also has experience with swords; he sees the incoming draw, knows how to block it from years of training.

A flash of red, and Gae Dearg catches the end of the other Hero's sword, while Gae Buidhe cuts a smooth arc from the side to his enemy's flank. It's a distinct advantage to having two weapons to work with, that he can defend and attack at the same time. ]

[Saber is able to avoid Gae Buidhe's reach, twisting around while parrying Gae Dearg. His second blade is concealed, but it looks like he plans to keep it that way for the time being, wanting to experience Lancer's strength, firsthand.

Damn, this is exciting. The Hero pushes forward, increasing his strength and as appropriate for a Saber, it's nothing to shake off. He is relentless.

As for Ai, she remembers Saber being the most well-rounded class in terms of overall stats. Diarmuid hasn't given her a reason to doubt his abilities and if anything, she just hopes as his Master, she provides the best of herself for his own strength.]

[ These are the moments when Diarmuid misses Moralltach and Beagalltach, but his twin lances are also practically extensions of his own body by now: the flurry of silver from Saber's blade come within millimeters of nicking him every time, but Gae Buidhe and Gae Dearg are always there to block and return before they can do any damage. In a way, Diarmuid is testing the enemy's speed as much as the enemy is testing his strength. If he gets accustomed to the speed, he's sure the battle will move more smoothly in his favor.

An upside to all of this is that the enemy Master hasn't made an appearance, or doesn't seem to want to. It's easier to fight when he knows that Ai isn't in any immediate danger.

Sinking down low, Lancer goes for the swordsman's feet, swiping with long legs to see if he can get the other down on the ground or up in the air— either way, a position that'd be more advantageous to him. ]

[Ai does wonder momentarily about Saber's Master; if he was one of the monks of the Temple, perhaps he preferred peace instead of a confrontation. It made sense in context. That aside, it had to mean he still had Command Spells... No, she won't fret about that for now. She's entranced with the battle between Servants. Diarmuid, taking the opportunity to have a clean fight with little to no pretenses was refreshing and she roots for him with all her heart.

Lancer's attack at his feet proves to be tricky for Saber. His sharp instincts tell him either way that his enemy will have the advantage so he needs to think fast. He decides to take to the air, leaping high up counting on some distance to give him time. A few seconds could make quite the difference; his hands are around his katana, the blade raised in the air as he prepares for another strike.]

[ This entire war is strange— it seems to have taken people who are completely disinclined to participate, as well as those who were unprepared but willing.

There's also something about this particular opponent that seems similar to Diarmuid, with regard to the fact that his objectives seem not to be about the war itself, but about being here. It's just a feeling, but it's enough of one that there's something humbling about it.

By the time Diarmuid swings Gae Dearg up, Saber's jumped out of his range; an impressive feat, all things considered. His lance cuts through air, vulnerable for a moment before its twin moves up to meet the katana straight-on, the weight of the blow pushing him down and sinking his feet into dirt. ]

✤✤✤

"So you won't appear before me again tomorrow?"

The "pious monk," only a young boy in training and barely hitting his teens looked up at this Heroic Spirit who had introduced himself several days ago. Saber had explained himself, the Holy Grail War, and his Master's role in it. But he had also mentioned that there was something wrong about the whole debacle. How this Fuyuki was not quite the same and that at any moment it was a world that could collapse unless the ritual was completed. But what a sordid ritual it was...

All things considered, his Master took this explanation calmly and rationally. No panic, no overreaction; Saber was relieved and impressed. This boy was no magus and if he was willing to exhaust himself for a fleeting wish... Thankfully this was not the case.

His Master had a good heart. Saber expressed his simple wish to take a look around at the current Japan he was in; whether it was real or fake, it was a reflection nonetheless and he wanted to see with his own eyes, the world he left behind after going back to France. He and his Master took in all the sights Fuyuki had to offer. The Master even gave the option of going back to the sites where Saber had been in his previous life, but he gently refused. This was more than enough. The Land of the Rising Sun could go on without him.

Back to the question. The boy and the Servant were sharing a cup of tea and looking up at the moon that shone on the temple.

"Oui. I have a feeling I will be facing my first and last opponent."

The boy's hands tightened around his cup, but he said nothing. His silence was enough; for several days he had been able to make a unique friend and the fact that he would have to disappear so soon was painful. But he accepted it. It was what Saber wanted. The Heroic Spirit chuckled, ruffling the boy's hair.

"My Master. I intruded upon your peaceful life and for that I truly apologize. I was not meant to last long though. Besides, I would like to go in a blaze of glory so to speak! I died much too peacefully for someone who fought in the Boshin War, only to go back to France imprisoned, pardoned, and dying normally."

"I know you have to go... And you deserve to go on your own terms. But... Is there a way? Any way I could help you?? If you're gonna go so soon..."

"... Well. You do have those Spells..."

"Tell me. Tell me how to use them and what you want me to use them for in your last battle."

✤✤✤

Edited (SPELLING AND GRAMMAR GOD) 2015-02-02 06:55 (UTC)

[Saber's strike is blocked and he jumps, skidding into the dirt backwards. But he rushes forward again in a blink of an eye, continuing with his relentless parries.

Ai feels her breath stop several times, her sight barely able to keep up with their moves.]

[ As much as he knows not to enjoy fighting for the sake of fighting, the rush of adrenaline and the hum of his own blood in his ears is a welcome change of pace; not because "kill or be killed" is his motto, but because he has genuine appreciation for someone with craft, someone with principle. His sincerity is his downfall, really— Diarmuid of the Shining Face, steadfast and trusting to a fault— and it's perhaps because he approaches these battles with all due seriousness that he contributes to his own demise.

Not today, though. Today, he doesn't intend to have those swords pierce his heart, no matter how much respect he may or may not have for his enemy. His lances flick through the air like bullets, heavy weapons handled as if they're weightless, but he's careful— he has a feeling that the other Servant still has something up his sleeve. ]

[Whether he does or not, it's safe to say that there's something rough about Saber's swordplay. He's strong and fast, but there's something unrefined about his style as if he's learning and adapting to the fight as it goes on. Normally, that would be the death of lesser fighters, but it seems he's got a handle on it so far.

As neither fighter is about to give in, Saber leaps back, sword poised in the air and with an all around genial expression on his face.]

... Diarmuid Ua Duibhne is it? I have to say, it pleases me to know I can have a fight with a dyed in the wool warrior.

[He caught on fast. Clearly, this Saber was someone who was born long after Diarmuid's era.

Out of the corner of her eye, Ai notices there's someone watching from afar in the safety of the temple building. At first she panics, thinking it's a normal passerby. It's a young boy though and he's keeping a firm eye on Saber, his hand gripping the wall tightly as if trying to decide what to do.]

... Is that??

[She murmurs to herself suddenly feeling uneasy. The boy ducks back into the temple to hide himself. Ai falls silent and then pulls her attention back to the two combatants.]

Edited 2015-02-04 00:40 (UTC)

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