sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon ii

Ah. It's here.

[SAVED BY THE BELL. Or rather, saved by a a large yacht that pulls into the harbor. Ai's anger is subsided by the sight of the boat and the humanoid familiar that exits several minutes later, dressed in the same white and gold robes.

It gives a low bow towards the Masters and Servants.]

"Enter. Preparations are complete and you may now present yourselves."

[The twins turn towards their respective Servants. Lien nods at Cu.]

Servants first? Better safe than sorry.

[Cause you know, the boat could be dangerous... At least the familiar isn't offended.]

[ And they were just talking about sisterly bonds, too. He shoots Cu one of those mildly disapproving looks that don't quite land (it's Cu Fucking Chulainn holy shit), before brushing past him and taking the first step onto the boat. A new experience— it would be more fascinating if he weren't honing all his senses into figuring out if the thing is boobytrapped.

The coast seems clear, which Cu also confirms by getting on, closing his eyes for a brief moment, and motioning for the twins to follow.

Before Ai can pull Lien aside for more questioning, however, Diarmuid steps over to her and tilts his head in a silent gesture for her to come along with him, if she may.

(He knows Ai's in safe hands with Cu.

...Possibly.) ]

Miss Lien. A word?

Mm?

[Ai has gone off to explore the other parts of the yacht (and to cool down from her flare up at Lien). The boat is large, but not so much that there's a long distance among any of them.

Lien looks at Diarmuid, glances to the side as if thinking... and then shrugs in agreement.]

Sure. What do you want to say?

[The familiar has disappeared into the room to start up the engines and set sail making the boat move out towards sea once again.]

Nothing particularly important. Miss Ai thought it would be good for us to speak with one another.

[ That, and to give Ai some space, but that reason is for him to keep to himself. ]

And for me to give you a hard time, though that may happen at a later date.

[She leans again the railing, raising a brow at the Servant at that last statement.]

Giving me a hard time? Well, you can certainly try.

[A beat. And then she purses her lips as she recalls...]

But props for the one last night though. That really was a good blindside.

I have my moments, I hope.

[ Humble, but still with an edge of lightness. He keeps a comfortable distance from Lien out of politeness and necessity, staying in an open area where he can see Ai on the other side— never too far away. ]

I'm looking to win a triumph or two for my Master to smile at. Maybe you'll indulge me.

Hm??

[That phrase gives her pause and she glances at him curiously.]

You want to know what makes her happy?

As much as my pride would keep me from asking something of an opponent Master...

...yes.

[ Joking, joking. Despite the dryness of his tone, the little smile betrays that much. ]

[She's looking quite thoughtful as she casts her gaze upwards to the sky where several seagulls fly overhead.]

You sure do like her...

[Lien trails off, musing over the thought.]

Is Ai having trouble expressing herself around you? Like, she's got a lot to say, but she's afraid to say what's on her mind?

[ He'll bite his tongue about who's more open about liking who, given what he just saw between Cu and Lien; not his place to jab at her about that.

Yet. ]

I can't say. I won't be presumptuous enough to assume that I know what she's thinking...

...but you did interrupt her, today. With your entrance. While she was about to clarify something.

Oops. Well. It happens.

[UNAPOLOGETIC AS HECK!! Okay, maybe she looks a little apologetic. Just a little. Given what she knows about Ai's true feelings and about how her twin approaches serious matters in general, Lien is trying to find the right words herself.

Her answer is... Odd.]

She likes having her hair brushed.

[ Well. That isn't exactly what he was expecting, but he'll bite: he's patient enough to let her continue, or at the least, elaborate. ]

Her hair?

[ It's a lovely feature about Ai, her hair— long, soft. ]

She does take good care of it.

You know, if you brush someone's hair for them, it's kind of a way of putting one's trust in you. That's just a suggestion you might want to keep in mind.

[She turns around to look out at the ocean and the disappearing harbor, taking a deep breath of the salty air.]

But that's probably not the answer you'd like is it??

[ He considers her question with a few seconds of contemplative silence, his head cant to the side and his nose turned towards the wind. ]

No, I value your input. It's something to keep in mind.

[ And, well. A little smile, here. ]

Is that what Cu Chulainn did for you? Or am I speaking out of turn?

Hold... Hold on a sec. What the heck?

[She bows her head and hides her face with one palm mumbling to herself. It's a bashful reaction sure, but it's more like one that a stubborn young child would have instead of someone her age.

Lien opts to play and readjust her glasses and wrinkling her nose.]

Well. That got off track quick.

As much as it would serve me well to know what my Master likes, I'll take the challenge of finding out upon myself.

[ A light laugh, which he reels in. Lien's reaction is easy enough to decipher. ]

For now, I'll take your current reaction as a victory to bring back to her.

So why WAS my sister only in a bath towel??

[ LIEN?? ]

Wh...

[ Where is this coming from?! ]

...That's a misunderstanding.

Of course!

[SMILE SMILE SMILE]

My retaliation is quick as it is nonsensical.

Some would call that deflection.

[ SIGH. ]

Hey, if it works, it works. And if she told you to give me a hard time, I'm gonna put up a fight.

...

Anyways. Right. Ai. Hm.

[So sorry Diarmuid... This person is really related to your Master unfortunately...]

Edited 2015-08-28 06:57 (UTC)

[ Her honesty is a little disarming, and he takes it upon himself to breathe a light chuckle. ]

I'll only ask one thing of you, then.

Would she prefer that I found her weaknesses through you, or on my own?

[Pffffffffff. Lien holds back a snort while shaking her head in disbelief. Her poor twin has her hands full even with the most loyal of knights. But this time, she does answer with more sincerity.]

Even though we're honest, if there's another trait we both share, it's that we both hate our weaknesses.

[As she pauses her smile becomes more melancholy and she looks out to the ocean again.]

Maybe she hates being weak even more than I do.

[Because Lien found no worth in herself while Ai tried her best to make up for and find value in what she lacked. Thinking this, Lien idly twirls a strand of hair around her gloved finger before continuing.]

It's why, she's doing her best as your Master, you know? When Ai saw your past life, she wondered if she'd also be a source of pain if she turned to selfishness. You're so dependable, but she wants to be dependable too.

Ai wants to care about people without expecting to be cared about in return. [She chuckles.] But yeah. She's pretty awful at that. She's a normal and romantic girl at heart after all.

Edited (GRAMMAR /SHAKES FIST) 2015-08-31 09:16 (UTC)

[ He listens patiently to this bit of information, places it with what he already knows and evaluates it based on what he's seen, what he's heard from Ai thus far.

It's... more than just likely, because he trusts that Lien knows her sister more than anyone else. And if it's true (which he's sure it is), it only confirms that his wish for this war, however fake it may be, has already been fulfilled.

He's found a Master that he's proud to serve, and more importantly—

—someone he wants to protect, beyond the confines of his servitude. ]

I see. Then you would be right— that's one order that I won't be able to obey.

[ To not care for her, he means. ]

Will you disapprove if I said that I cared for Miss Ai, her weaknesses and all?

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