sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon ii

[ The response to the comment about Lien's eyes being unnatural is met with a slight narrowing of Cu's eyes, one that says 'watch it'... but he lets that roll off his shoulders (it's not like Caster could really know about how much that affects Lien). He can tell that she's not picking a fight, which is disappointing (in a sense) but respectable. ]

Well, she's the 'impudent' sort. Is her knowing who you are going to be an issue?

[ A tap of his foot against the ground. ]

That said, I'm pretty sure you have an idea of who we are already, anyway.

[Her smile is languid at his last remark.]

This wouldn't be the first time I've stood in front of powerful warriors. I feel as if your names should be more widespread.

For me, my own name is, but a trifle during a time like this. Had it been a long time ago, it would have been perfectly normal for me to exercise the authority my title granted me.

[Caster has had a good lifetime experience of that!]

That aside... The question I posed yesterday about your Master through my familiar is not baseless.

[The familiars are moving about now, reinforcing the walls with magic or doing more mundane things such as rearranging the flowers or sitting nearby awaiting their creator's orders.]

They are, as you can tell, extensions of my being. I send them out in my stead. One of them saw her being approached by a shadow. Whatever words were exchanged could not be heard over the noise of the rain, but...

[A beat.]

It does not seem she remembers.

Edited 2015-09-24 05:14 (UTC)

[ He has to hand it to Caster for being able to control so many familiars at once, but he guesses that it's their location that also helps: it's almost easy to forget that they're on a boat full of people, people whose inherent enjoyment of the festivities serve to facilitate the power of this Servant. Gotta hand it to Caster for being efficient.

But this... Lien not remembering something. It's enough for Lancer to frown, to narrow his red eyes and sift through his memory for that day in the rain. ]

...The rain? So that'd make it the night she met me.

[ He assumes. ]

Funny. I don't remember much about the details of that night, either.

It happened a few days ago as well. In the rain.

[Caster runs a hand through her hair and she has the look of someone who has already been through extremely hazy situations.]

For a girl whose ability can unveil memories and read the structure of nearly anything, there does not seem to be much clarity in her own mind, nor her sister's. Although, I don't think we can speak for ourselves considering how we're summoned. The preservation of our accumulated memories are at the mercy of the Grail after all.

Perhaps you should question your Masters more. It's just a suggestion of course.

[One of the familiars opens the doors to the outside deck since there are less people on that particular side; most have migrated to the opposite deck so, they're free to walk outside which is what Caster does, although she does turn to face them again as if another thought had just come up.]

It is tiresome, all these problems, that come up like weeds, so you may have to forgive me for bringing up another. There seems to be a Servant that has resided in the church building?

Edited 2015-09-24 05:58 (UTC)

[ And the both of them watch as Caster gets up to move, still leaning against the respective chairs that their masters were sitting at, when she asks— and Cu flashes Diarmuid a look, one which Diarmuid responds to with a nod. ]

Yes. Whoever he was, he...

[ A furrow of his brows, as he recalls how unnerved Ai seemed to be after that particular visitation.

If only Diarmuid knew, tbh... ]

...didn't seem to be a Servant that my Master took to kindly. Dangerous, perhaps.

Edited 2015-09-24 08:05 (UTC)

[Caster is silent, mulling over what Diarmuid just said. If her instinct was correct (and it only ever really failed her near the end of her past life), than this Servant may be a wildcard and not in the way that would be in their favor.

Not wishing to voice her worries, she shrugs.]

Hm. So as long as he stays in his place than he shall be a secondary concern.

[ somewhere in Fuyuki, in his hikikomori basement wine room, Gilgamesh looks up and has a feeling that someone just said something unflattering about him... SECONDARY CONCERN?????? ]

[ Thankfully, Cu couldn't muster a single fuck about Gilgamesh to give. For now. ]

Let's hope he stays where he is, then. We've got enough on our plate without another rogue Servant.

[ lmfao bye Gil ]

[Go die of liver poisoning please and thank you.

Caster makes her way outside, brushing her long hair aside.]

Well, that's it for now. You may use the rest of the time we have in leisure with your Masters. Ah, they should be done now actually.

[One of the familiars goes up to her to give an update.]

"It is as you say. They are now in more suitable dress and can be found in the opposite deck."

[Caster lets out a pleased hum and turns to the Lancers.]

See? They were in good hands all along.

Edited 2015-09-25 06:44 (UTC)

I doubt we could have conducted ourselves so leisurely had they not been in good hands, Caster.

[ This is a lot to take in, and Diarmuid would like some time to mull over some of the details— namely, their objective— but a party is a party, and as all good single-digit century Irish warriors are wont to, he understands the importance of festivities.

This could be dangerous in an entirely different way.

A nod towards Caster, and he makes the first move to mosey on out to the deck of the ship, scan the surroundings for Ai; he'd feel better with her in plain sight. ]

—Master?

"... This. This is it. This is where I go dump myself in the ocean isn't it?"

Oh, stop, you're being over dramatic. Besides, I think it's a good look for you! You look completely different!

[The twins can be heard over the din of the crowd where they found themselves near a railing where they can stand by themselves. They seem to be garnering some attention especially from a group of men looking at them in interest and they may be blocking the view of the sisters.]

"These fit way too perfectly. I wonder if she just wanted to dress us up... Whoop. Waaay too many people looking this way. My cue to leave."

Eh!? Wait, you're leaving me by myself?!

"You can handle it! And I have a feeling you're gonna blow a certain someone's mind away soon. Anyways, as they say, sayonara."

[Lien has left, weaving through the crowd so it's hard to get a good look at her. Ai Thao however... Well.

Ai is a moon flower. There's no other way to describe the way she's been dressed up, all in shimmering white and gold and through glimpses past her long hair, a part of her back is bare due to the design of her dress. There's almost a natural glow to her as she thanks those passing by and giving her compliments. And then she finally sees Diarmuid...]

Oh...!

[ Well.

He wasn't sure what he was expecting, but he can't exactly say that he didn't see this coming; Caster seems like a woman who lives in extravagance and style, and her eye for detail would extend to wardrobe choices. Naturally.

But despite any anticipation that he may or may not have had, it's still staggering. The white, in stark contrast to Ai's hair, is more brilliant than he has the words to describe; he almost has to narrow his eyes against that soft glow. Blindsided would be a good word to use here.

He barely feels the pat on his shoulder that Cu gives him to indicate a silent 'go get her, buddy', and only snaps out of it once Ai utters that soft oh.

The smile that creeps on his face is befitting of his moniker, 'Diarmuid of the Shining Face'. ]

You look beautiful.

[ It's simple, but it's the only thing he can think of to say without it sounding falsely exaggerated. ]

[Her face flushes, not out of embarrassment, but out of happiness. Those words from the strangers around them weren't bad, but hearing it from Diarmuid made Ai really believe it.]

Thank you! [She does, however, brush her hair back shyly (and to hide that bare part of her back)]

Caster is frighteningly prepared isn't she? I... Um.

Oh, yes that's right! [She looks at Cu and points in the direction where Lien last left.]

Lien's trying to hide. I don't think she means to, but she definitely panicked a bit.

I had my doubts, but I'm willing to overlook them for now. You look lovely.

[ Sincere and truthful as always, he offers Ai a hand should she want to take it. ]

—But, Miss Lien? Hiding?

[She takes his hand happily before replying.]

Well, maybe you'll see her later! She doesn't look bad by any means, but I think she got insecure all of a sudden.

Is her dress similar to yours? She shouldn't be too self-conscious, if that were the case.

[ Even the open back doesn't seem to bother Diarmuid too much, but he does stand half a step behind her to shield her from gazes from others. ]

Though I haven't seen many dresses like these, admittedly.

The familiars dressed her rather differently from me actually. She isn't used to having so many people look at her.

[Of course, as expected nearby women who see Diarmuid are immediately entranced and while there were some people who looked upon Ai with interest, them staying together makes an effective deterrent from being approached.

That or Diarmuid is too brilliant, that might explain it too.]

Ah, but I'm not used to it either...

Edited 2015-09-29 17:43 (UTC)

Do you dislike it? I think it bears reiterating that you look beautiful.

[ Again, spoken without an ounce of flattery: for him, it's just a fact, and one that he's not afraid nor feels particularly shy about stating. ]

If you'd like to go somewhere less crowded, I think the back of the ship would be a good place to start.

[SHAMELESS!! But it's not like she can reprimand him for words that make her feel elated so she nods and hooks her arm around his as they head to the back of the ship.]

It's... Extravagant? I don't dislike it though. Ah, but being like this while I'm with you is dreamlike...

[And it really is for her. Ai's dressed like a princess with a knight by her side. It's the stuff of fairy tales that she and Lien read together when they were younger, but here they are now.]

Edited 2015-09-30 05:46 (UTC)

Fortunately or no, this isn't a dream.

[ He leads her to a quieter section in the back, where they can spot the pinprick of lights that comprise Fuyuki in the distance. From here, it's almost impossible to imagine that such a quiet city and such a peaceful landscape could be fraught with so much mystery— in a way, Diarmuid appreciates the fact that Ai used that word. This is all like walking on clouds.

He positions himself so that he's in the way of the breeze, shielding Ai from the cold sea wind while he brushes his knuckles gently against the side of her face. ]

Whatever time we have left, I intend to enjoy it. [ A beat. ] Not very knightlike of me.

[Her eyes soften as she feels his hand against her face and so she tilts her cheek slightly into it, hair falling across her shoulder.]

If you're not very knightlike, than I'm not much of a princess either, much less a Master.

[She closes her eyes and lets out an airy sigh.]

... Diarmuid? I think I'm able to sort out some of my words.

—Right. I remember that you were interrupted.

[ He hasn't forgotten, and he pulls his hand away to let her have her space, to let her sufficiently prepare for whatever she wanted to say before all of this other confusion happened. He won't rush her; he knows this is important. ]

Please speak freely, Master. I'm here to listen.

I...

[All of this was like a dream. A world that had suddenly built itself around them and one that Ai Thao found herself reluctant to let go of even though weeks before she had even warned herself of this sweet folly.

(And then she remembers the nightmare, how he was hurt, how the rage darkened, him, how it made him suffer, how it made him curse and now the world around them could so easily crumble...)

She reaches up to play with strands of her hair, twirling it around her fingers.]

You've been protecting me and listening to my troubles all this time. This War and you... Everything is very new and very strange.

[Ai glances to the side because him looking at her was too good to be true.]

I think for the longest time, I wanted to find something or someone important. That in itself seemed very selfish so I never could find a way to grasp it, not without faltering anyway. But then I met you.

[She reaches out to touch his chest, the place where his heart should be. ~~Blooditspillsfromhisheart~~]

I don't want to falter when it comes to you.

Um. But.

[All of a sudden, Ai feels her cheeks flare up because, wow, trying to be this serious is kind of embarrassing and she's touching his chest still. But it's important so she continues determinedly in spite of her red cheeks.]

Please allow me to be clear! I definitely didn't want to fall for you or anything! Because then I thought, you'd just go, "Oh, no!" And, um, that would be uncomfortable right??

[The words spill out and she moves closer so she can lean her forehead against his chest so she isn't looking at him.]

But then I started to like other things about you the more we spent time together and fought by each others side! Like how you're good at taking care of small tasks around you, always being attentive and serious. It's hard not to like those things!

[ Admittedly, this is all an exorbitant amount to take in. His speechlessless isn't a result of the information being particularly difficult to digest— it isn't, which surprises him more than anything else, how it seeps into the space where his heart would be and settles comfortably— but because it's something he didn't set out to accomplish, this confession. He never intended for things to go this way, because love is always...complicated, it's ended in quagmires and tragedy more times than he's cared to count in his life.

He can't say that he'd wanted to avoid it, even if he had, to some extent. It wasn't a priority, or a choice, at the very least.

So that should tell you something about his current state of affairs. ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

no subject

1/3?!