sweethymns | ғaтe/alт.dιѕтorтιon ii

But if I can be someone important to you, then that wish is something I've become more than willing to grant.

[ He leans in, his arms around her shoulders, his chin against her hair. ]

If you like my attentiveness, then let me be attentive for you. If my seriousness doesn't put you off, then I'll remain as steadfast as you need me to be.

[ Another laugh, low but soft. ]

If you falter around me, then let me be selfish enough to catch you. Is that unreasonable?

Unreasonable?

[She feels as if she was supposed to have made her words simple when it came to this. But nothing had prepared Ai for how relieved she felt when he gave her his answer despite her saying to much. Her face is aglow with indescribable happiness and she reaches up to cup his face with her hands, beaming up at him. The combination of the distant lights of the city, the white of her dress, and the luminous moonlight makes for what could be called an unforgettable image.]

Of course it isn't! I already spent a lot of time coming to terms with it.

And so...

[Her hands move to his shoulders, content to just leave them there.]

I'll be there for you too. I'm neither strong nor amazing, but... knowing I can feel this way for you? I can do anything.

[And for Ai Thao Kha, that's how she knows that it was real. It couldn't be anything else. The desire she felt from the enchantment had been there, true enough. But in the end, she didn't want that kind of all encompassing sensation that would seize her heart and her senses. It was something else entirely and she hopes that in the past, Gráinne perhaps felt the same way about her knight in the end. Because to Ai, he deserved nothing less.]

Edited 2015-10-02 03:15 (UTC)

[ She keeps her hands on his shoulders, but one of Diarmuid's moves up to take her chin gently, to run a thumb under the outline of her lower lip. That in itself is a silent question, a 'may I?', one that he emphasizes with a lean forward that brushes his bangs against her cheek. ]

No.

[ This is the first time he's outright contradicting her, but he feels it's for a good purpose. His face is millimeters away from hers, and his voice is low, quiet. ]

You're both strong and amazing.

[What remains of the dark doubts and the years of apprehension towards a life she had barely lived, gently fades away as he traces her lower lip. The things that were supposed to occupy her mind foremost disappear as Ai feels her heart soar as she looks into his eyes, scarcely believing that any of this was actually real.

Whether this was dream or not, Ai Thao would remember this forever. If anyone tried to wretch this memory away from her in the future, she would fight tooth and nail for this precious treasure of a moment.

Her answer to his silent question? She closes the distance between them, pressing her lips against his with all the gentleness she possesses.]

[ It floors him that she's the one that leans in first, but he reciprocates her bravery with a brand of his own, the brand that allows him to step outside of the boundaries of his duties to do this. He tilts Ai's chin up, puts one hand at her waist and dips her backwards so he can bend forward to take the strain off of her neck.

When he pulls back, he's all smiles; at peace, which is something he covets despite his knighthood. ]

You really can do anything.

[Oh. OH. The backwards dip catches her completely off guard so when he pulls back, she stands there, dazed until he speaks up.]

That... That was.

[Her hands move up to cover her cheeks because she can't help, but be truthful about it.]

That was a first.

[ Her confession is... well. If she expected Diarmuid to be anything but completely and embarrassingly earnest about it, she would be wrong. So wrong...

He puts a hand over his heart, the hand he was using to tip her chin up. ]

If so, it's my honor to be your first.

[ Diarmuid!!! ]

...And, hopefully, your second. If you'd allow it of me later.

[ DIARMUID!!! ]

No.

[Oh, that's not doing her blushing any favors and she looks at him indignantly.]

No, unless there's a third... fourth... And maybe more after that!!

[WELL. It's the start of something new and regardless of the odd path they had taken to get there, it was something good and Ai wouldn't have had it any other way.]

... I mean, I don't mind getting dressed up. I really don't.

[On another, perhaps even more quiet part of the ship, Lien has her arms draped across a railing staring out into the ocean, her back turned away from the noise, crowd, and festivities. And weirdly enough, she has company in the form of a dark eyed familiar of Caster's who stands next to the young Master, hands clasped together and staring unblinkingly out into the ocean as well. It doesn't reply to Lien's assertions so the latter just uses this as the opportunity to confide in what is essentially a brick wall right now.]

... I'm not used to it. There were so many people looking at me and I just don't want the attention from people I don't know... Ugh, I'm just being childish, I know, I know!

[ Sadly, the Master-Servant bond makes it impossible for Lien to hide out for too long. Like a moth drawn to a flame, Cu is also drawn to his Master's presence, and he meanders through the boat deck and the crowd of people to find Lien talking to one of Caster's Servants.

Lien, in...

...not her usual clothes??? Oh god.

He stifles a laugh, and then actually makes the effort of hopping a few feet up to get a good vantage point from the top of the balcony above where Lien is standing, and once he gets there... well.

He yells: ] Nice outfit change, little lady!

[And then she turns around.

Ai was right when she said Lien was dressed differently from her. While the former's softness and genteel was preserved and enhanced, Lien somehow looks more... mature? Sophisticated? Well, certainly more exposed that's for sure. Her bangs have been swept aside and her velvety, dark, and shimmering dress hugged her figure in a way that transformed her from a innocuous girl into someone whose sensuality became more apparent.]

... Ah.

[She glances to the side, wrapping her arms around herself, clearly trying to look casual. And kind of failing.]

Edited 2015-10-05 07:51 (UTC)

[ Cu, as flippant and casual as he is about most things, is usually also honest to a fault. He doesn't bother hiding how he feels about seeing Lien in something so revealing and form-fitting, and he expresses himself with a bluntness that's as embarrassing as Diarmuid's forthrightness. ]

Nice view.

[ A low whistle, and he hops up onto the balcony railing, crouches while balanced on the balls of his feet. ]

Riiight.

[There's a touch of irateness in her tone, but his flippancy probably helps her relax as she turns face him again, crossing her arms this time.]

Can't shake you off can I?

Hey, you're welcome to try. Might get your new clothes wet, though.

[ But he's chuckling, and a second later, he drops down next to Lien from the balcony, silent and weightless. ]

Remind me to thank Caster later.

I'm sure she heard your thanks.

[Lien gestures with her head towards the silent familiar that hasn't moved from its spot.]

Seriously, these guys are everywhere.

Edited 2015-10-06 02:16 (UTC)

Huh. That kind of kills the mood.

[ He'd try to prod the familiar with his spear, but... that seems ill-informed, so he refrains. Instead, he jerks his head up towards the balcony he jumped down from. ]

Want to move up?

There was a mood?

[LIEN!!

She nods though, brushing her hair behind one ear.]

Well, as long as there aren't any other people around.

[And then...]

"Will both of you be in need of a bedroom?"

[The familiar faces the duo, suddenly bringing up a harmless(?) question. And it takes Lien a second.]

Uh...

"Take your time. Please inform any of us if you need anything."

[It bows its head and then goes away in an opposite direction. Lien's covering her face in her hands... What is this evening turning out to be...]

[ At first, he doesn't really understand the offer— what, did it think they needed privacy?

But then it sinks in, implication and all, and like clockwork, Cu starts cracking up. Why wouldn't he, right? ]

You think it's too late to take her up on her offer?

[ Settle down, dog. ]

[She looks up at Cu through her fingers.]

I think she's just making fun of me now. Both of you are making fun of me aren't you?

[ A soft bark of a laugh at that, and he puts his hands on his hips. ]

What would you say if I said I wasn't kidding, huh?

[She sets her hands down, transitioning into a thinking pose instead.]

. . .

. . .

[oh my god she is thinking seriously.]

If that's the case... I'd say now's not the time to skip steps even if the offer sounds really good.

[ And similarly, Cu takes the same amount of time to think about her reply to the question. ]

...Good answer.

[ That's his assessment, and he offers Lien a hand after he delivers it with conviction. ]

Next best thing, then. Come on, take my hand.

[And despite herself, Lien smiles up at the Servant, and accepts his hand without any reluctance.]

Ah, so there it is. You're actually being a knight.

3/3!

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