You're actually way less high maintenance than the rest of my fans, if you can believe it. This is basically a vacation for me.
[ the worst part is, this does not seem to be a lie........ At the very least, she has a lot more fun maintaining him than she does most of her other fans.
But she just laughs and shakes her head. ]
Alright, alright. I'm paying attention. I'll get it right first time, just watch.
[ Maintaining Oberon is a very unique process compared to what she has to do for her fans, that's for sure. ]
Well, I'm glad to be providing for you a very enjoyable vacation, then.
[ So he says before properly focusing on what he's supposed to be doing... healing Ai's hand. ]
The curtain has yet to fall, restore that which is broken.
[ It's simple, just one line, but his hand glows and the pain in her hand begins to slowly vanish... until he abruptly stops the process, leaving her hand still in just enough pain for her to work with. ]
...There. Now remember how that felt, because if I have to give you another demonstration, I'll be biting your hand again first.
[ He releases her hand and leans back. Despite her claim, it's not like he expects her to get this in one try. Chances are she'll need to figure out what kind of wording works best for her. Perhaps there's a better way to teach her thius magecraft... in fact, there almost definitely is, but hey. His last pupil turned out just fine, didn't she? At least she's not learning from the actual Merlin, whose skill at incantations leaves something to be desired. ]
[ Mildly; ] I'd never recommend you as a teacher to anyone else if their life depended on it.
[ Not that he'd ever agree but, you know. Principal of the thing and all.
She drops her gaze down to her hand, still marred with the imprints of his teeth and does her best to do as he'd said. To visualize, to get into the right headspace to let the magic work. Since she's seen and felt him do it, she sort of had the idea, but... ]
The curtain has yet to fall, restore that which is broken.
[ She recites it perfectly, matching his cadence and intonation - an actress reciting her lines. Something sparks, some mana flows and some of the pain dulls... but then it sputters and fades out. ]
[ His track record of exactly one student who went on to thoroughly kick his ass... though she's right, he'd rather avoid having to do this more than is strictly necessary, and twice is already pushing it.
He watches her first attempt. The result is a failure just as he figured it'd be, but that it started to work at all was a surprise.
Well, he already knew how compatible they were, maybe it shouldn't be a surprise that his own personal preference in an incantation would work for her... albeit only slightly.
In any case, he claps his hands together. ]
Congratulations, Ai, you've reached the most crucial step in learning magecraft... trial and error.
[ Translation: Better start practicing over and over again, girl. ]
[ Her mouth curls up into something halfway between a smile and a grimace - probably not a surprise given the nasty bite still marring her hand. It's better than it was before she tried, at least. When she flexes her fingers experimentally, her nerves don't protest quite as much as she'd have expected and if she squints down at the bite mark... it does look a little less livid than before. She'll call that progress for now. ]
That's the most crucial step in learning pretty much anything, isn't it? Trying it over and over until you start getting it right.
[ Getting it wrong over and over is how Ai does most things, after all. ]
Exactly. If it were so easy that anyone could get it right on their first try, everyone would be a mage.
[ As if. The whole reason mages try to keep this stuff to themselves is for the preservation of mystics in the Age of Man. Still, that's a whole other lesson that Ai doesn't need to worry about right now. ]
Go on, then. Keep trying. Don't worry, I'll be sure to bite you again if you need it.
[ Said with a grin that means he's probably hoping he gets to bite her again... ]
Oh, sure. You're just so helpful, huh? [ Her grin in return is just as playful. ] You'd bite me again whether or not you need to the second I gave you an excuse to do it. In fact, I bet you're cooking one up right now.
[ She eyes him for a second - and then tilts her head, still wearing that playful grin. ]
So what happens if I get it right this time? Do I get a reward?
[ He finds himself laughing back. Maybe that’s not necessarily a good thing, though, since that means she’s probably definitely right. ]
What can I say? I’m a very hands-off type of teacher.
[ He says minutes after his hands were on her, connected to her circuits, guiding her along… not to mention, you know, the fucking biting. ]
Oh? What, learning magic isn’t rewarding enough by itself? [ He says it like that, but he’s grinning just as much as she is. ] Well, if it’ll motivate you, then fine.
[ So he says, not at all thinking of what the reward will be in the event that she succeeds. ]
[ Nuh-uh. You can't be trusted. [ says the girl who was just letting him chew on her hand... ] It's safer if I decide.
She drops her gaze back down to her hand and turns it over, examining the bite from another angle. The incantation had worked, but it'd still sat strangely in her mouth. Someone else's words, too wordy for her to really connect with them. She and Oberon are similar enough that it'd worked but it still doesn't feel right. Maybe something else, something shorter would be more...
Her expression visibly twists with the look of someone working their way up to something a little embarrassing. But if it's just about putting yourself into the right mindset, the words that should work for Ai are - ]
... Lights, camera, action...?
[ For a second, nothing happens. Then, a pop and flash of mana like a camera's flashbulb and everything flows. It's not perfect, but blotches of healed skin spatter over her hand, unevenly patching over the bite still marring her skin. It's far from perfect - but it's a huge leap on from her first try. ]
[ She's not exactly wrong, either. He would make the reward something extremely intimate, wouldn't he? And heightened intimacy seems to always lead to one place with them as of late... and they just got a new bed, too.
...Except he can feel the way her mana reacts as she makes her second attempt, and his eyes can only widen at the sudden leap in efficiency. ]
Wha...
[ ...Seriously? Is he actually that good of a teacher? ]
[ Perhaps unsurprisingly, Ai looks equally... alarmed, perhaps? Or maybe just a little taken aback. It certainly doesn't look as if she'd expected it to work. ]
Huh. You know, the whole genius mage thing was supposed to be a joke.
[ She laughs a little uncertainly and flashes him a smile. ]
[ He blinks, realizing that his mouth is hanging open and quickly shutting it, clearing his throat. Is it their compatibility? Maybe it's because he gave her a better starting point? Not that it really matters in terms of human magecraft, where lineage is everything.
...He's not saying that out loud. The last thing he needs to end up finding out is that she's actually got some relation to an old mage family that she never knew about, so he'll keep his cursed mouth shut on that matter. ]
...Ugh. Fine. What do you want?
[ That should be clear enough as an answer, right? ]
[ Sh-she's never seen someone look so thoroughly defeated over getting the exact thing they were aiming for... it's enough to make her smile warm up and fit a giggle to bubble out of her mouth. ]
Aah, I hadn't actually thought that far ahead just yet but now you've put me on the spot...
[ Her warm smile turns into a playful little grin. ]
[ His eyes widen a little, his first immediate thought being "what, that's all?"
And can you really blame him for that line of thought? In terms of relationship checkpoints, they've gone just a tad further than a "date". Hell, they're even living together. Going on a regular date seems somewhat tame in comparison, doesn't it?
Except then it hits him... that they've never really gone on a proper date, have they? Sure, they've had outings... some of which ending on very intimate notes (Ai's swimsuit look remains thoroughly engraved into his mind, huh), but it's not like he's ever really taken her out anywhere proper. If anything, it's been the other way around, with her dragging him out of the apartment and forcing him to go out as himself instead of the Fairy King. ]
...
[ He brings a hand up to rub the back of his head as he awkwardly averts his gaze. A date... the thought causes hesitation to form in his mind. Though it's several steps behind the base that they're on, something about outright taking Ai on a date is... isn't embarrassing, but Oberon the Liar taking a woman out on a date?
...Or maybe he's overthinking it, and he really shouldn't be worrying about a date of all things after the countless hours he's spent literally plowing her into a broken bed.
God. His curse became so much more annoying once he found his Titania... ]
A Servant and Master going on a date...? That must be a first. [ ...WELL ACTUALLY— ] But fine. I suppose the alternative is "something horrible", right?
[ Said with his usual grin as he hops off of his perch, glancing at her mostly-healed hand. ]
Maybe, maybe not. You don't wanna take a risk and find out first hand, do you?
[ She really hadn't been expecting that moment of transparent hesitation but she certainly doesn't dislike it. Maybe that makes her a little mean, but...
It's nice. Whenever it seems like things might just work out once there's not a contract binding them together. Anytime they're together as two people instead of Master and Servant it makes her feel just a little more settled and secure. ]
Heehee. Is this technically our first one, then? Jeez, we really got the order all messed up on that...
[ She says it like a joke but something about her smile is warm and a little bashful. The sort of warm, lovey-dovey smile an idol absolutely shouldn't wear. ]
[ ...God, that brings him to the other reason he can't refuse: that damn smile on her face. ]
Oh, don't tempt me.
[ He should make sure that it's a good date though, right? Ugh, putting effort into something is exhausting... but it is her reward, so...
He sighs and reaches out to put a hand on her head. Look at her, beaming so brightly it could blind him. Her expression so warm it could burn. Is this what it's like to fly into an insect trap? Bright, hot, alluring... ah, but maybe that was already a given for being in a relationship with an idol? ]
Ah, but that's not so bad, is it? I've never had much patience myself, after all.
[ Says the guy who... you know what, it doesn't even need to be said at this point. ]
It's not, no. I did say I was greedy, so I guess I'm just as bad. [ Not bad enough to break their bed, but still. And yes, she's still not planning on letting him live that one down. ] But since I'm sooooo greedy and impatient, you'd better give me another reward now, too. So I don't have to wait.
[ S-so demanding...
With his hand on her head, she steps in a little closer and tips her face up towards him expectantly. Come on, if they're going all in on the cutesy couple stuff, she wants a kiss as well!! ]
[ Bad enough to tempt him mercilessly, he’d say… despite having still not explained to her exactly how and why she drove him so crazy back at the beach. ]
Oi, oi, a second reward? Someone’s getting spoiled already…
[ He says as if he could ever resist leaning down to kiss her deeply, putting his hand on her waist to pull her in. ]
[ It's still a little hard getting her head around the idea that she's allowed to have this. Really, she shouldn't be - it's only because nobody here knows what she really is that she's been getting away with it.
Maybe that's what makes having it that much sweeter. She's not allowed and she never will be - but she wants it enough to take it, anyway. Hasn't she always been like that? ]
Mm. Maybe. [ She presses another kiss to the corner of his mouth as she speaks. ] But you like spoiling me, so it's fine.
[ Another kiss - warm and affectionate above everything else. ]
[ Clearly yes, since he returns the kiss yet again... but this time, he reaches down and puts his arm under her butt, hoisting her up with just one arm so that he can kiss her without having to lean down by outright lifting her up to his level.
Easier to spoil his tiny short Master like this, no? Or maybe he just likes showing off. ]
Wh-! [ A little yelp of surprise - and then she dissolves into giggles. ] H-hold on, what did I say about warning me before you pull stuff like that?
[ Not that he's ever actually bothered to. Of all the guys to literally sweep her off her feet, Oberon's really not the one you'd expect...
Not that she hates it, of course. And at this point, she's gotten so used to him manhandling her as and when he pleases that she can't even pretend she's embarrassed. ]
Now who's spoiled? [ She gives his cheek a pinch with one hand - her other arm tossed loosely over his shoulder to hold herself steady. ] Some girls might get mad about being picked up and carried off whenever you feel like it.
Would they? I would think most women would love being swept off their feet by a king...
[ Though he IS an evil king... but hey, some girls might be into that even more! Ai is also unfortunately an unwitting example of that as Oberon holds her steady even as she pinches his cheek. ]
[ Dryly: ] I think when you're the one doing it, it's less sweeping me off my feet and more of a kidnapping.
[ But he's right. She's not complaining. The arm loosely wrapped around him becomes a proper hug and there's a giggle in her voice once she breaks their lips apart for a breath. ]
Then again, if you think about it... if I summoned you, am I technically the kidnapper here? I am the one who's keeping you around.
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[ the worst part is, this does not seem to be a lie........ At the very least, she has a lot more fun maintaining him than she does most of her other fans.
But she just laughs and shakes her head. ]
Alright, alright. I'm paying attention. I'll get it right first time, just watch.
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Well, I'm glad to be providing for you a very enjoyable vacation, then.
[ So he says before properly focusing on what he's supposed to be doing... healing Ai's hand. ]
The curtain has yet to fall, restore that which is broken.
[ It's simple, just one line, but his hand glows and the pain in her hand begins to slowly vanish... until he abruptly stops the process, leaving her hand still in just enough pain for her to work with. ]
...There. Now remember how that felt, because if I have to give you another demonstration, I'll be biting your hand again first.
[ He releases her hand and leans back. Despite her claim, it's not like he expects her to get this in one try. Chances are she'll need to figure out what kind of wording works best for her. Perhaps there's a better way to teach her thius magecraft... in fact, there almost definitely is, but hey. His last pupil turned out just fine, didn't she? At least she's not learning from the actual Merlin, whose skill at incantations leaves something to be desired. ]
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[ Not that he'd ever agree but, you know. Principal of the thing and all.
She drops her gaze down to her hand, still marred with the imprints of his teeth and does her best to do as he'd said. To visualize, to get into the right headspace to let the magic work. Since she's seen and felt him do it, she sort of had the idea, but... ]
The curtain has yet to fall, restore that which is broken.
[ She recites it perfectly, matching his cadence and intonation - an actress reciting her lines. Something sparks, some mana flows and some of the pain dulls... but then it sputters and fades out. ]
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[ His track record of exactly one student who went on to thoroughly kick his ass... though she's right, he'd rather avoid having to do this more than is strictly necessary, and twice is already pushing it.
He watches her first attempt. The result is a failure just as he figured it'd be, but that it started to work at all was a surprise.
Well, he already knew how compatible they were, maybe it shouldn't be a surprise that his own personal preference in an incantation would work for her... albeit only slightly.
In any case, he claps his hands together. ]
Congratulations, Ai, you've reached the most crucial step in learning magecraft... trial and error.
[ Translation: Better start practicing over and over again, girl. ]
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That's the most crucial step in learning pretty much anything, isn't it? Trying it over and over until you start getting it right.
[ Getting it wrong over and over is how Ai does most things, after all. ]
Should I give it one more try?
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[ As if. The whole reason mages try to keep this stuff to themselves is for the preservation of mystics in the Age of Man. Still, that's a whole other lesson that Ai doesn't need to worry about right now. ]
Go on, then. Keep trying. Don't worry, I'll be sure to bite you again if you need it.
[ Said with a grin that means he's probably hoping he gets to bite her again... ]
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Oh, sure. You're just so helpful, huh? [ Her grin in return is just as playful. ] You'd bite me again whether or not you need to the second I gave you an excuse to do it. In fact, I bet you're cooking one up right now.
[ She eyes him for a second - and then tilts her head, still wearing that playful grin. ]
So what happens if I get it right this time? Do I get a reward?
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definitelyright. ]What can I say? I’m a very hands-off type of teacher.
[ He says minutes after his hands were on her, connected to her circuits, guiding her along… not to mention, you know, the fucking biting. ]
Oh? What, learning magic isn’t rewarding enough by itself? [ He says it like that, but he’s grinning just as much as she is. ] Well, if it’ll motivate you, then fine.
[ So he says, not at all thinking of what the reward will be in the event that she succeeds. ]
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Huh. You agreed to that faster than I thought you might. Aren't you worried I might do something horrible?
[ Not that she was planning to, but. Come on, don't hand her a freebie like that. ]
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[ Besides, if she actually manages to figure this out on her first day, then she'll deserve a reward. Not that he expects that to happen anyways. ]
But you're right. A reward within reason, then. No mischief allowed.
[
If he's a liar, though, then does that mean mischief is totally allowed?]no subject
She drops her gaze back down to her hand and turns it over, examining the bite from another angle. The incantation had worked, but it'd still sat strangely in her mouth. Someone else's words, too wordy for her to really connect with them. She and Oberon are similar enough that it'd worked but it still doesn't feel right. Maybe something else, something shorter would be more...
Her expression visibly twists with the look of someone working their way up to something a little embarrassing. But if it's just about putting yourself into the right mindset, the words that should work for Ai are - ]
... Lights, camera, action...?
[ For a second, nothing happens. Then, a pop and flash of mana like a camera's flashbulb and everything flows. It's not perfect, but blotches of healed skin spatter over her hand, unevenly patching over the bite still marring her skin. It's far from perfect - but it's a huge leap on from her first try. ]
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Whatever you say~
[ She's not exactly wrong, either. He would make the reward something extremely intimate, wouldn't he? And heightened intimacy seems to always lead to one place with them as of late... and they just got a new bed, too.
...Except he can feel the way her mana reacts as she makes her second attempt, and his eyes can only widen at the sudden leap in efficiency. ]
Wha...
[ ...Seriously? Is he actually that good of a teacher? ]
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Huh. You know, the whole genius mage thing was supposed to be a joke.
[ She laughs a little uncertainly and flashes him a smile. ]
So, um - What's my grade?
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...He's not saying that out loud. The last thing he needs to end up finding out is that she's actually got some relation to an old mage family that she never knew about, so he'll keep his cursed mouth shut on that matter. ]
...Ugh. Fine. What do you want?
[ That should be clear enough as an answer, right? ]
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Aah, I hadn't actually thought that far ahead just yet but now you've put me on the spot...
[ Her warm smile turns into a playful little grin. ]
Why don't you take me on a proper date?
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And can you really blame him for that line of thought? In terms of relationship checkpoints, they've gone just a tad further than a "date". Hell, they're even living together. Going on a regular date seems somewhat tame in comparison, doesn't it?
Except then it hits him... that they've never really gone on a proper date, have they? Sure, they've had outings... some of which ending on very intimate notes (Ai's swimsuit look remains thoroughly engraved into his mind, huh), but it's not like he's ever really taken her out anywhere proper. If anything, it's been the other way around, with her dragging him out of the apartment and forcing him to go out as himself instead of the Fairy King. ]
...
[ He brings a hand up to rub the back of his head as he awkwardly averts his gaze. A date... the thought causes hesitation to form in his mind. Though it's several steps behind the base that they're on, something about outright taking Ai on a date is... isn't embarrassing, but Oberon the Liar taking a woman out on a date?
...Or maybe he's overthinking it, and he really shouldn't be worrying about a date of all things after the countless hours he's spent literally plowing her into a broken bed.
God. His curse became so much more annoying once he found his Titania... ]
A Servant and Master going on a date...? That must be a first. [ ...WELL ACTUALLY— ] But fine. I suppose the alternative is "something horrible", right?
[ Said with his usual grin as he hops off of his perch, glancing at her mostly-healed hand. ]
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Maybe, maybe not. You don't wanna take a risk and find out first hand, do you?
[ She really hadn't been expecting that moment of transparent hesitation but she certainly doesn't dislike it. Maybe that makes her a little mean, but...
It's nice. Whenever it seems like things might just work out once there's not a contract binding them together. Anytime they're together as two people instead of Master and Servant it makes her feel just a little more settled and secure. ]
Heehee. Is this technically our first one, then? Jeez, we really got the order all messed up on that...
[ She says it like a joke but something about her smile is warm and a little bashful. The sort of warm, lovey-dovey smile an idol absolutely shouldn't wear. ]
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Oh, don't tempt me.
[ He should make sure that it's a good date though, right? Ugh, putting effort into something is exhausting... but it is her reward, so...
He sighs and reaches out to put a hand on her head. Look at her, beaming so brightly it could blind him. Her expression so warm it could burn. Is this what it's like to fly into an insect trap? Bright, hot, alluring... ah, but maybe that was already a given for being in a relationship with an idol? ]
Ah, but that's not so bad, is it? I've never had much patience myself, after all.
[ Says the guy who... you know what, it doesn't even need to be said at this point. ]
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[ S-so demanding...
With his hand on her head, she steps in a little closer and tips her face up towards him expectantly. Come on, if they're going all in on the cutesy couple stuff, she wants a kiss as well!! ]
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Oi, oi, a second reward? Someone’s getting spoiled already…
[ He says as if he could ever resist leaning down to kiss her deeply, putting his hand on her waist to pull her in. ]
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Maybe that's what makes having it that much sweeter. She's not allowed and she never will be - but she wants it enough to take it, anyway. Hasn't she always been like that? ]
Mm. Maybe. [ She presses another kiss to the corner of his mouth as she speaks. ] But you like spoiling me, so it's fine.
[ Another kiss - warm and affectionate above everything else. ]
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[ Clearly yes, since he returns the kiss yet again... but this time, he reaches down and puts his arm under her butt, hoisting her up with just one arm so that he can kiss her without having to lean down by outright lifting her up to his level.
Easier to spoil his tiny short Master like this, no? Or maybe he just likes showing off.]no subject
[ Not that he's ever actually bothered to. Of all the guys to literally sweep her off her feet, Oberon's really not the one you'd expect...
Not that she hates it, of course. And at this point, she's gotten so used to him manhandling her as and when he pleases that she can't even pretend she's embarrassed. ]
Now who's spoiled? [ She gives his cheek a pinch with one hand - her other arm tossed loosely over his shoulder to hold herself steady. ] Some girls might get mad about being picked up and carried off whenever you feel like it.
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[ Though he IS an evil king... but hey, some girls might be into that even more! Ai is also unfortunately an unwitting example of that as Oberon holds her steady even as she pinches his cheek. ]
Besides... I certainly don't hear any complaints.
[ Said before he goes in for another kiss. ]
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[ But he's right. She's not complaining. The arm loosely wrapped around him becomes a proper hug and there's a giggle in her voice once she breaks their lips apart for a breath. ]
Then again, if you think about it... if I summoned you, am I technically the kidnapper here? I am the one who's keeping you around.
[ not against his will, but still. ]
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