i'm a villain – why pretend that it isn't true? you're a villain – why pretend that it isn't you?

[liedol]

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[pryftigern]

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. ]

[liedol]

[ 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... Would you be able to keep me safe?

[pryftigern]

[ 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.

[liedol]

[ 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'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.

[pryftigern]

[ 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.