[ he told her once already, didn't he? when she was in trouble, calling out to him is all it would take for him to save her.
it's a lie, of course. it all is. he hasn't actually left her side once since he arrived. why would he waste his time? the command seals are late in arriving - the other masters haven't even summoned their servants yet. why not learn more about tihis master? why not grow to understand her more, bit by bit? ]
Ai. [ he uses her name in private. a request that he has no interest in violating - yet. ] Can't sleep?
Mm. Something like that. [ The weary smile she gives him isn't that much of a performance, for once. ] I had some time, so I thought I'd try to get through a little more of the book, but...
[ When her gaze drops back down to all her notes, that troubled look reasserts itself. She doesn't think she's gotten anything wrong this time but
But-
When she looks back up at him, it's with an apologetic smile. ]
I guess I'm having more trouble than I thought I would. So I thought I'd ask for a little help.
[ he fully manifests beside her as she speaks, leaning in to look over her shoulder. like this, it's clear just how much taller he is than her - how easily he fits into her personal space, just a bit too close for comfort. ]
Hmm... How should I put this? Some of the words in here are a bit complex, so it all looks much tougher than it is. You were taught most of the rest of the words, right?
[ it's not an advanced text at all. the notes of a layman mage, kept decipherable to even the humans around them. just how bad is her reading ability? just how bad were the people that raised her? ]
Just ask away. I told you, didn't I? Granting your wish is my only priority.
[ If she's uncomfortable - if it even enters her mind at all that he's too close - she makes no comment. Holding your tongue even when the hairs on the back of your neck stand up is part of being an idol too. ]
Pretty much. Some of them were old enough that I've never seen anyone use them, so it was really throwing me off.
[ That's partly true, at least. Sounding out the words in your script is innocent and charming when you're a middle schooler but less so when the industry sees you as a working adult and you're still reading your co-workers' names wrong. ]
But this part here is what I couldn't figure out.
[ She underlines a scratchy part of her own notes - a line of text copied by sight rather than any understanding. It's decipherable, but only because the original is there for comparison. ]
It's saying something about other pieces, I think... but the part that I don't get is pieces of what?
[ she's not a middle-schooler anymore. she shouldn't have to do this. it's pathetic, isn't it? she should have learned. if only she weren't so broken.
a hand comes to rest on ai's shoulder, its grip delicate and free of judgment. ]
I see... It's hard, isn't it? Raising a child, I mean. I'm sure they tried their best to teach you, but there's only so much time to spend on any one subject...
[ his hand doesn't tremble. it doesn't grip down and clench. his breath isn't shaky, and his teeth aren't clenched.
and he doesn't tell her she's doing well. he doesn't say how wonderful it is that she's come this far. he simply says: ]
Hmm... As for pieces, I can't say I know for sure. I have a few ideas, of course, but I'd need some time to look it over. [ he reaches forward - lays a finger on the book's corner. ] Would it be alright if I took a look?
... mm. I guess it must be. And raising whole bunch of them at once is probably even harder.
[ It was an accepted fact of the home she was raised in, after all. Unless you had a rich relative who cared enough to pay for your education but didn't care enough to take you in, you were spat out into the world half formed and told to figure out the rest yourself. In that sense, she's lucky - idols only need to be pretty and cute. Nobody cares if they're educated and the fewer informed opinions she has, the better.
She scoops up the book and holds it up for him to take. Whatever complicated emotion might have been in her eyes a second ago is gone like it was never there. ]
Go ahead. [ Then, with a cheeky, self deprecating sort of smile: ] You'll probably tear through it in about half as much time as me.
A whole bunch? They... they must have really been something.
[ his smile flickers, looking at hers. but it's only for a moment, and he picks up the book without a second hesitation. ]
Maybe so. But only because I'm going to cheat. [ he lifts his finger, places it to his lips. ] I'm going to cast a little bit of magecraft here, and it'll make me read ten times as quickly as before. Maybe I'll even teach it to you tomorrow... Ah, but only if you're good. I wouldn't want to reward you unjustly, after all.
[ he whispers a few words, waves his fingers - and the pages of the book flip rapidly, one after the other under a summertime glow. a few short seconds later, he finally says: ]
...the game it's describing, and the capture of the other pieces. That's the part you're asking about, isn't it?
[ Ai turns in her chair to watch him – then straightens, flat backed against it. All this talk of magecraft and casting spells has her head in a tizzy all over again. It's not like she ever forgets what a bizarre world she's found herself stumbling into (how could she when... well, just look at Oberon) but it strikes her more strongly now than it usually does that yes, this is all real and she's not just a kid playing around or going through some sort of chuunibyou phase.
Of course, she notes wryly to herself, the kids going through a chuunibyou phase usually think the exact same thing. ]
Mhmm. I figured if it was with all of this magic talk then it wasn't just your average game of chess.
[ She folds her arms across her chest and slumps back down in her chair a little. ]
It looks like it already expects me to know what the rules are, though.
Of course it does. Any mage who's learned their ABCs would know that much. [ it'd sound condescending if it weren't for the way he opens his eyes, the way he actually looks at her as he speaks. ] The fact that you got this far without any training... You're a prodigy, Ai.
[ it'd be so simple to believe his honeyed words, his gentle smile. ]
As for the rules... Where to start? Let's begin with this: you aren't the only one fighting for your wish. There are seven masters and seven servants, and all of them will be vying for a chance at happiness.
[ A prodigy, huh? It's not much different from being called a genius idol in however many online articles it's been now but even if she gets the feeling he's just being kind about it... it's not like it's bad to be praised for her efforts.
She slumps back in her seat a little with a sigh. ]
So... six others, apart from me and you. I guess it makes sense it wouldn't be as easy as just one person getting whatever they want.
[ Though the idea that there are six other Servants like Oberon out there is a little hard to get her head around. One existence like this is unbelievable enough - seven is something else altogether. ]
So if it's a game with other players, that means there are going to be winners and losers. Right?
That's right. In the end, only one pair can have their wish granted.
[ he looks down to her, an odd shadow crossing his gaze. after a moment, he sighs. ]
...I won't beat around the bush, Ai. The people you're fighting will be Mages without fear or remorse. They'll be willing to go to any length to reach their wish. If they find you, they will strike to kill. [ there - that odd look in his eyes, again. ] Knowing that, can you still fight for your own happiness?
[ Her skin prickles. The hairs on the back of her neck do as well and she thinks - oh, right. No matter how long it's been since you were last in that kind of danger, you don't ever forget something that was beaten into you. Ai might not be all that smart or perceptive but if she knows anything better than other people, it's when something is about to hurt.
She turns her gaze away from him so she can turn it over in her head. She doesn't think she's ever really been afraid for her life - she's been scared of pain, of being hungry, cold, lonely, but she was so young back then she barely understood the idea of dying - not enough to be afraid of it.
Even now, she can't write wrap her head around it. She's never imagined enough of a future for herself past B-Komachi's expiry date to be afraid of losing it.
Could she really do that? Fight back against someone who wants to hurt or even kill her? She couldn't do it back then, but now...
She looks up at him again. She's not on her own this time, even if the idea of making anyone else fight her own battles makes her feel a little strange and weak. But she certainly can't just let someone hurt her without even trying to survive. Can she?
Her expression turns into a troubled, apologetic smile. ]
[ of course not. it's exactly what he expected. it's not a surprise in the least. and yet it still feels like boiling acid in his throat, reminds him of one of his two errands tonight - one of the two important visits he has to make before the morning.
he sighs, shaking his head and smiling once more. ]
You're a kind person, aren't you, Ai? Well, hopefully, you won't have to do any of that! I told you already, didn't I? I'm not going to be much help when it comes to combat. If anything, our best option is going to be to keep our heads low and avoid sticking our fingers in any other pies.
[ it'll be fine. he just needs her to keep her head down. he just needs the two of them to not be discovered yet.
[ Is she kind? She supposes keeping her head down and not picking any fights is the path of least resistance but she doesn't know if she can put that hesitation down to kindness. To her, it seems more like cowardice.
Maybe when it comes to mages, there's not all that much difference. ]
I'll do what I can. But I probably don't need to tell you I'm pretty good at attracting attention even when I don't try.
[ Her grin turns a little cheeky, the prideful look of a girl whose ego has been steadily fed by the devotion of dedicated fans. Probably. ]
But even if they know I exist... so long as they don't know that I'm a Master or that you're here with me, then will things work out?
with such duties, what else could kindness be but cowardice? ]
That's true. You really are dazzling, aren't you? As dazzling as any faerie. [ he bows to her, gentle and dignified. ] But maybe that's what makes you safest. No Mage would ever draw attention to themselves like that. They wouldn't even show themselves in public, especially with something as important as this ritual looming over their head.
Dazzling, huh? [ Her grin turns sheepish – maybe even a little modest. ] Well, I am an idol. That'swhatI'mgoodat. But I'll do what I can to make sure I'm not getting the wrong sort of attention.
[ Really, it can't be that much harder than staying squeaky clean as an idol, can it? Maybe things will work out.
... Even she knows that's probably a lie. ]
So the best thing for us to do is wait things out, it sounds like... [ She huffs a laugh, shaky and a little nervous. ] Put it that way and we're barely even playing the game at all.
[ his lips turn up into a smile at that acknowledgment. ]
Oh, don't be so modest. You summoned me, didn't you? If you ask me, being an idol's not even halfway up the list of all the things you could do. Though I do understand the appeal, of course...
[ he reaches out - hesitates - and lays a hand on her shoulder. (and if she understands all too well how even those kind of gestures can be calculated, how a little pause can make someone more comfortable, what little lies can be worked into such routine actions, surely she's just projecting, right?) ]
Maybe so. But you don't have to think of it that way, alright? Think of it like... A game of chess, maybe? Or, no, an idol performance! Sometimes, you have to let the other dancers perform so you can shine even brighter than them. Isn't that right, Ai?
[ It's funny. Ai doesn't usually like to be touched, if she can help it – not while she's on the job, at least, and there isn't really anyone else around to bother reaching out to her when she isn't being Ai of B-Komachi. When Oberon does it, she finds that she doesn't really mind. Even when his touches are polite, careful and just distant enough to never stray into being too much, she feels like the lingering warmth of his hand stays on her skin long after he's gone.
That's probably a little sad, isn't it? Is she really that lonely that the only person who's here to hold her is someone who doesn't have any choice but to try and make her happy? ]
Mm. Hogging the stage isn't really the done thing. [ Her picture perfect smile hasn't budged an inch. ] I guess I could back off and let somebody else enjoy the spotlight for a little bit. If it means getting my wish... I don't mind being patient.
Attagirl! [ it's a shockingly casual thing that slips out of his mouth - and he chuckles after. ] Ah, forgive me. The Faerie King shouldn't be speaking with that level of formality, should he? Keep that little indiscretion between us, if you would.
[ he squeezes her shoulder reassuringly. just a gesture between coworkers. just a little acknowledgment of her talent. nothing more. ]
[ Oh – she'd gotten so used to him talking like some pretty storybook thing that hearing that come out of him startles a little laugh out of Ai as well. She half covers her mouth like she wants to try and push it back in – an unrehearsed laugh is never as pretty as one she's practiced – but it's put a bit of a sparkle back into her eyes that had dimmed just a little bit. ]
Heehee, is hanging around with us humans rubbing off on you a little too much? That'll be our secret.
[ Her smile flags, just a little, as she looks at him. The atmosphere of the room had turned warm but like ice sliding down her spine, so too do his words: If they find you, they will strike to kill. Knowing that, can you still fight for your own happiness?
Can she?
Is that something she's even allowed to do? ]
... hey, Oberon. If something goes wrong and one of them does find me... Wouldyoubeabletokeepmesafe?
[ it'd be so easy to promise it. all he has to do is say yes, of course, he could keep her safe without any problems. he's a fairy, after all, isn't he? he'll make her wishes come true, pinky promise!
but he doesn't say a word. a second passes, then another. and finally, after three whole seconds of silence pass, he speaks - pausing, thinking each word over carefully. ]
...I'm not very strong. When it comes down to it, to be frank, I'm utterly pathetic next to some of the people we'll be seeing. [ he draws his hand back; it tightens at his side, balls into a fist. ] And... More importantly, I'm not the sort of man who makes promises he might break. The very idea of that is disgusting to me.
[ a sigh. ]
So I won't make that promise. But I will say - for what little a weakling's reassurance is worth - that I'll do everything in my power to keep you from harm.
[ She wonders what kind of magic - or violence - these other Servants are capable of for someone like Oberon to hesitate so obviously at the thought of fighting them. She's already seen him do impossible things however many times over just in the few days since he's been here... So what could be so incredibly threatening to born of them that ducking and hiding and hoping for the best is the preferable option?
All this danger, just because she was fool enough to want somebody to grant her wish. Again, she feels ice licking down her spine.
By contrast, her smile is bright as summer sunshine. ]
That's all I could ever ask. I told you, didn't I? I'dratherbeyourfriendthanyourMaster. I can't ask you to put yourself right in harm's way just for me. So, I'll do what I can to make sure neither of us ends up in danger.
[ there's an instant of pause, a moment of silence-
and he smiles again, the cheery fairy king once more. a perfect smile ai should know all too well. ]
You really are the kindest Master I could have asked for, aren't you, Ai? So... Thank you. Thank you for being you, and for understanding so easily. I really, really mean that.
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no subject
it's a lie, of course. it all is. he hasn't actually left her side once since he arrived. why would he waste his time? the command seals are late in arriving - the other masters haven't even summoned their servants yet. why not learn more about
tihis master? why not grow to understand her more, bit by bit? ]Ai. [ he uses her name in private. a request that he has no interest in violating - yet. ] Can't sleep?
no subject
[ When her gaze drops back down to all her notes, that troubled look reasserts itself. She doesn't think she's gotten anything wrong this time but
But-
When she looks back up at him, it's with an apologetic smile. ]
I guess I'm having more trouble than I thought I would. So I thought I'd ask for a little help.
no subject
Hmm... How should I put this? Some of the words in here are a bit complex, so it all looks much tougher than it is. You were taught most of the rest of the words, right?
[ it's not an advanced text at all. the notes of a layman mage, kept decipherable to even the humans around them. just how bad is her reading ability? just how bad were the people that raised her? ]
Just ask away. I told you, didn't I? Granting your wish is my only priority.
no subject
Pretty much. Some of them were old enough that I've never seen anyone use them, so it was really throwing me off.
[ That's partly true, at least. Sounding out the words in your script is innocent and charming when you're a middle schooler but less so when the industry sees you as a working adult and you're still reading your co-workers' names wrong. ]
But this part here is what I couldn't figure out.
[ She underlines a scratchy part of her own notes - a line of text copied by sight rather than any understanding. It's decipherable, but only because the original is there for comparison. ]
It's saying something about other pieces, I think... but the part that I don't get is pieces of what?
no subject
a hand comes to rest on ai's shoulder, its grip delicate and free of judgment. ]
I see... It's hard, isn't it? Raising a child, I mean. I'm sure they tried their best to teach you, but there's only so much time to spend on any one subject...
[ his hand doesn't tremble. it doesn't grip down and clench. his breath isn't shaky, and his teeth aren't clenched.
and he doesn't tell her she's doing well. he doesn't say how wonderful it is that she's come this far. he simply says: ]
Hmm... As for pieces, I can't say I know for sure. I have a few ideas, of course, but I'd need some time to look it over. [ he reaches forward - lays a finger on the book's corner. ] Would it be alright if I took a look?
no subject
[ It was an accepted fact of the home she was raised in, after all. Unless you had a rich relative who cared enough to pay for your education but didn't care enough to take you in, you were spat out into the world half formed and told to figure out the rest yourself. In that sense, she's lucky - idols only need to be pretty and cute. Nobody cares if they're educated and the fewer informed opinions she has, the better.
She scoops up the book and holds it up for him to take. Whatever complicated emotion might have been in her eyes a second ago is gone like it was never there. ]
Go ahead. [ Then, with a cheeky, self deprecating sort of smile: ] You'll probably tear through it in about half as much time as me.
no subject
[ his smile flickers, looking at hers. but it's only for a moment, and he picks up the book without a second hesitation. ]
Maybe so. But only because I'm going to cheat. [ he lifts his finger, places it to his lips. ] I'm going to cast a little bit of magecraft here, and it'll make me read ten times as quickly as before. Maybe I'll even teach it to you tomorrow... Ah, but only if you're good. I wouldn't want to reward you unjustly, after all.
[ he whispers a few words, waves his fingers - and the pages of the book flip rapidly, one after the other under a summertime glow. a few short seconds later, he finally says: ]
...the game it's describing, and the capture of the other pieces. That's the part you're asking about, isn't it?
no subject
Of course, she notes wryly to herself, the kids going through a chuunibyou phase usually think the exact same thing. ]
Mhmm. I figured if it was with all of this magic talk then it wasn't just your average game of chess.
[ She folds her arms across her chest and slumps back down in her chair a little. ]
It looks like it already expects me to know what the rules are, though.
i owe you my life
[ it'd be so simple to believe his honeyed words, his gentle smile. ]
As for the rules... Where to start? Let's begin with this: you aren't the only one fighting for your wish. There are seven masters and seven servants, and all of them will be vying for a chance at happiness.
no subject
She slumps back in her seat a little with a sigh. ]
So... six others, apart from me and you. I guess it makes sense it wouldn't be as easy as just one person getting whatever they want.
[ Though the idea that there are six other Servants like Oberon out there is a little hard to get her head around. One existence like this is unbelievable enough - seven is something else altogether. ]
So if it's a game with other players, that means there are going to be winners and losers. Right?
no subject
[ he looks down to her, an odd shadow crossing his gaze. after a moment, he sighs. ]
...I won't beat around the bush, Ai. The people you're fighting will be Mages without fear or remorse. They'll be willing to go to any length to reach their wish. If they find you, they will strike to kill. [ there - that odd look in his eyes, again. ] Knowing that, can you still fight for your own happiness?
no subject
She turns her gaze away from him so she can turn it over in her head. She doesn't think she's ever really been afraid for her life - she's been scared of pain, of being hungry, cold, lonely, but she was so young back then she barely understood the idea of dying - not enough to be afraid of it.
Even now, she can't write wrap her head around it. She's never imagined enough of a future for herself past B-Komachi's expiry date to be afraid of losing it.
Could she really do that? Fight back against someone who wants to hurt or even kill her? She couldn't do it back then, but now...
She looks up at him again. She's not on her own this time, even if the idea of making anyone else fight her own battles makes her feel a little strange and weak. But she certainly can't just let someone hurt her without even trying to survive. Can she?
Her expression turns into a troubled, apologetic smile. ]
... I'm not sure. If someone actually attacked us, I'd like to think I'd fight back. But I don't know if I can get my head around hurting someone.
no subject
he sighs, shaking his head and smiling once more. ]
You're a kind person, aren't you, Ai? Well, hopefully, you won't have to do any of that! I told you already, didn't I? I'm not going to be much help when it comes to combat. If anything, our best option is going to be to keep our heads low and avoid sticking our fingers in any other pies.
[ it'll be fine. he just needs her to keep her head down. he just needs the two of them to not be discovered yet.
he can take care of the rest. ]
no subject
Maybe when it comes to mages, there's not all that much difference. ]
I'll do what I can. But I probably don't need to tell you I'm pretty good at attracting attention even when I don't try.
[ Her grin turns a little cheeky, the prideful look of a girl whose ego has been steadily fed by the devotion of dedicated fans. Probably. ]
But even if they know I exist... so long as they don't know that I'm a Master or that you're here with me, then will things work out?
no subject
That's true. You really are dazzling, aren't you? As dazzling as any faerie. [ he bows to her, gentle and dignified. ] But maybe that's what makes you safest. No Mage would ever draw attention to themselves like that. They wouldn't even show themselves in public, especially with something as important as this ritual looming over their head.
no subject
[ Really, it can't be that much harder than staying squeaky clean as an idol, can it? Maybe things will work out.
... Even she knows that's probably a lie. ]
So the best thing for us to do is wait things out, it sounds like... [ She huffs a laugh, shaky and a little nervous. ] Put it that way and we're barely even playing the game at all.
no subject
Oh, don't be so modest. You summoned me, didn't you? If you ask me, being an idol's not even halfway up the list of all the things you could do. Though I do understand the appeal, of course...
[ he reaches out - hesitates - and lays a hand on her shoulder. (and if she understands all too well how even those kind of gestures can be calculated, how a little pause can make someone more comfortable, what little lies can be worked into such routine actions, surely she's just projecting, right?) ]
Maybe so. But you don't have to think of it that way, alright? Think of it like... A game of chess, maybe? Or, no, an idol performance! Sometimes, you have to let the other dancers perform so you can shine even brighter than them. Isn't that right, Ai?
no subject
That's probably a little sad, isn't it? Is she really that lonely that the only person who's here to hold her is someone who doesn't have any choice but to try and make her happy? ]
Mm. Hogging the stage isn't really the done thing. [ Her picture perfect smile hasn't budged an inch. ] I guess I could back off and let somebody else enjoy the spotlight for a little bit. If it means getting my wish... I don't mind being patient.
no subject
[ he squeezes her shoulder reassuringly. just a gesture between coworkers. just a little acknowledgment of her talent. nothing more. ]
no subject
Heehee, is hanging around with us humans rubbing off on you a little too much? That'll be our secret.
[ Her smile flags, just a little, as she looks at him. The atmosphere of the room had turned warm but like ice sliding down her spine, so too do his words: If they find you, they will strike to kill. Knowing that, can you still fight for your own happiness?
Can she?
Is that something she's even allowed to do? ]
... hey, Oberon. If something goes wrong and one of them does find me... Would you be able to keep me safe?
no subject
but he doesn't say a word. a second passes, then another. and finally, after three whole seconds of silence pass, he speaks - pausing, thinking each word over carefully. ]
...I'm not very strong. When it comes down to it, to be frank, I'm utterly pathetic next to some of the people we'll be seeing. [ he draws his hand back; it tightens at his side, balls into a fist. ] And... More importantly, I'm not the sort of man who makes promises he might break. The very idea of that is disgusting to me.
[ a sigh. ]
So I won't make that promise. But I will say - for what little a weakling's reassurance is worth - that I'll do everything in my power to keep you from harm.
no subject
All this danger, just because she was fool enough to want somebody to grant her wish. Again, she feels ice licking down her spine.
By contrast, her smile is bright as summer sunshine. ]
That's all I could ever ask. I told you, didn't I? I'd rather be your friend than your Master. I can't ask you to put yourself right in harm's way just for me. So, I'll do what I can to make sure neither of us ends up in danger.
no subject
and he smiles again, the cheery fairy king once more. a perfect smile ai should know all too well. ]
You really are the kindest Master I could have asked for, aren't you, Ai? So... Thank you. Thank you for being you, and for understanding so easily. I really, really mean that.