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[formidable]

MUSELIST This a post where I'll RP anything with you! Got a scenario in mind? I'LL DO IT. If you wanna chat IDEAS.GIF, contact me at maiscribbles or my Discord (Maiscribbles#6780). Have at it! ➢ Cool Mood Music No. 1 ➤ Cool Mood Music No. 2

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[emotive]

[Her answer is immediate.]

Surprise me, please.

[She knows this song and dance. If Ai didn't take this challenge, who was she to call herself worthy when it came to Diarmuid?]

Show me what you got.

[onoir]

[ his arm sweeps, and he bows his head in quintessential medieval fashion. a gesture that looks fitting for a knight, but more importantly for now— a bartender. ]

If the Lady wills it.

[ still a little cheeky; he hasn't referred to Ai as "Lady" or "Mistress" in ages.

with that, he turns on his heels to survey his options. bottles of various colors litter the wall in a kaleidoscope of spirits and syrups; Diarmuid chooses from the array with gentle precision, gold eyes narrowed in focus and concentration.

Ai might notice his picks. jasmine green tea, fresh water, gin, honey. stirred, shaken, and poured— the end result is a beautiful martini, garnished with a delicate flower. ]

A "jasmine sunrise". [ he states simply, as he passes Ai the drink. a Diarmuid original. ] It goes without saying that I had inspiration.

[emotive]

[She's patiently waiting and just content to look at his broad back as he makes his selections for her drink. And when he presents it to her she laughs a little at the reasoning behind it.]

Flatterer.

[Ai delicately takes the glass between her fingers with one hand and brings it to her lips. The floral scent tickles her nose and washes over her tongue, intertwined with the honey sweetness and the slight bitterness of the gin.

She swallows and looks quite pleased.]

... It's really lovely. Not overwhelming, but it's kind of dangerous how relaxing it is.

[Ai has that glowing beam of hers that gives some onlookers pause. It's just so pure in its affection that's directed at the golden-eyed bartender.]

You always try and notice the types of scents I like don't you? I'm always impressed by the attention to detail.

[onoir]

[ she warms, and he follows suit. the arch of his brows becomes kinder, the set of his mouth softer; for all the crowing about his looks, he thinks that he'll never match the easy beauty that Ai wears on her sleeve.

bare elbows resting on varnished wood, Diarmuid leans forward. the posture is intimate: the slant of his shoulders speaks to quiet privacy. ]

What would I be, if I weren't attentive?

[ what kind of knight would he be, if he couldn't notice what makes his precious person smile? but it isn't just that, is it?

(so many people mistake his chivalry for something cut-and-dry, but he's always been selfish and human about his wish. Diarmuid Ua Duibhne is no saint.) ]

Though I owe most of my practical skills to Cu Chulainn. ...Erin's Child of Light is a man of many talents.

[emotive]

What, you weren't born with bartending in your blood?

[Ai takes another sip, smiling all the while in jest.]

Although, now that you mention it, whenever we're about in town, he always seems to be doing something different.

[She blinks when it occurs to her...]

... He's not working here too, is he?

[May or may not be glancing around suspiciously, not because she didn't like Cu, but he has a way of also disarming her in a different way than Diarmuid.]

[onoir]

He is.

[ he lets that linger, light words playing at Ai's suspicion. it's not that he wants her to feel awkward, but—

—she's cute when she's disarmed. some part of him is a bit envious, that Cu manages to garner such specific reactions out of his Master. ]

...Though today is his 'day off'. [ which is why Lien probably brought Ai here tonight, of all nights. Diarmuid will have to remember to repay Lien for her astuteness. ] I hope you're not disappointed.

[emotive]

Disappointed? [There's a short pause that fills the air before it lands.]

Oh.

[She knows he's teasing her, but still, it does cause her to blush a bit more deeply. It's the drink, she can blame that.]

You know it's not like that and... Oh, what am I saying?

I'm relieved, but somehow I ended up being teased again.

[onoir]

[ it's ridiculous— he really shouldn't be toying with Ai's patience like this. but he laughs despite himself, nose wrinkling in barely-concealed fondness at his Master's simple honesty.

he looks younger for it; a little less 'knight', a bit more 'Diarmuid Ua Duibhne'. ]

My apologies.

[ spoilers: he's not particularly sorry. ] By all means, scold me for speaking out of turn.

[emotive]

[While Ai can't see what kind of expression she's making, she can feel it and so her hands automatically fly up to cover the whole of her face.]

H-How can you apologize and then tell me to scold you? I-In front of everyone too!

[Her voice is sputtering, muffled as it is. She's too aware of how now, she's just used to being affectionate in private with him, but Ai is still quite shy when it comes to expressing it openly.]

[onoir]

[ right. they're in public, aren't they? he'd almost forgotten— the lull's settled, and he has to cast his attention sideways to notice that there are eyes watching. nearly every head, turned their way.

his brow hikes. the eyes on them disperse, hurriedly. ]

I'll wait for another opportunity to be scolded by you, then.

[ a huff of a laugh, and he straightens up. ] When there are less people in the room.

[emotive]

[She peeks behind her fingers and only lowers them slightly so that her voice can get back its clarity.]

So... Does that mean...?

[Ai then reaches out with one hand to take another sip of her drink before murmuring in a lower tone so only he can make out what she says.]

Does that mean you like it when I monopolize you?

[onoir]

[ what a question.

it's the sort of question most people would balk at— monopolization isn't synonymous with romanticism, after all. belonging to someone is, in fact, an antiquated concept.

but Diarmuid will be Diarmuid. eager to give everything, for every inch of him to be trusted. he hears the soft implication from the lips of the young woman he swore himself to, and smiles. ]

Have I done anything to make you doubt it?

[ funny— for someone so humble, there's only conviction in the way he phrases his response. ]

From the start, I've wanted nothing more than to be yours, and yours alone. [ lord ]

[emotive]

[Good lord indeed. If it was physically possible, one would be able to see the steam emitting from the top of Ai's head.

And so, she leans forward, shaking her finger at him.]

You don't have to be so vulnerable to me right now, okay?

[Ah, she's scolding him after all.]

I like it, but it's also overwhelming!

[onoir]

[ ah......... did he overdo it again!!!! Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, fated always to be Too Much. ]

Hm.

[ a low noise of consideration. he really doesn't know... that he's this Extra... ]

I see. It would be uncouth of me to fluster you in public.

[emotive]

[She nods, sitting back down and crossing her arms. To be fair, it's not entirely serious coming from her, but Ai also does not want to suffer from a heart attack from this uselessly handsome man.]

I mean, not that it isn't normal... But sometimes, I'm a bit too reactive, don't you agree?

[onoir]

[ "useless" is an appropriate term... he laughs, and turns to pour one of the other customers a gin and tonic. might as well work for his under-the-table salary. ]

No more reactive than most kings and queens. [ no, seriously, she isn't. ] Trust me when I say that you'd be considered fairly temperate.

[ Fionn was... Fionn, after all. one day he'll show up and Ai will learn how truly temperate she is... ]

[emotive]

[Oh yeah, from where Diarmuid's coming from, those encounters usually ended with a duel, a fight against armies, curses and geas, and magic fish...

Her brow wrinkles for a second before she relaxes and slowly finishes her drink and watches him while he works.]

Well, with that out of the way, I did want to mention that you picked this up really quick didn't you? Bartending isn't easy.

[onoir]

[ now that he's back to taking requests, he finds himself drifting back and forth across the length of the barcounter to slide an array of cocktails to waiting faces. he's more relaxed about it than one would imagine; the only reason he's doing this at all is because someone had the foresight to enclose the bar with some manner of magical shield. his Charm magic is reduced to a vague impulse in others that only surfaces every now and then.

wiping his hands over his apron, he looks over his shoulder at Ai. ]

It was difficult. [ he admits. ] It still is, but yet again— [ reaching under the counter for something ] —I have Cu Chulainn to thank for some of the more difficult demands.

[ it's a cheat sheet for recipes. where would we be without Cu... ]

[emotive]

[She scans the cheat sheet of the drink recipes taking note of the ones that interested her.]

I'm glad he helped you out. It must have been fun in its own way, I hope?

Although... You didn't have trouble with...?

[She gestures to the corner of her eye, to silently indicate that she's asking about the charmed spot.]

[onoir]

As much trouble as you would expect.

[ which is to say, Some Trouble, but not bad enough for him to quit the job entirely. something sardonic touches at his smile, tired and resigned.

still, he has the wherewithal now to speak candidly about it. progress!! ]

But nothing that would be an inconvenience for you.

[emotive]

Oh, I don't know.

[TThere's a twinkle in her eyes as she rests her arms on the table and tilting her head at him innocently.]

I wouldn't find it totally inconvenient if I had to fight for you.

[onoir]

[ amber-gold widen, before thinning in amusement-turned-fondness. ]

It would certainly make others think twice before crossing you.

[ because, like Lien, Ai has more than a few tricks up her sleeve. ]

[emotive]

You bet! And everyone would know that I'm super serious for you.

[She continues to grin as she finishes her drink. The empty glass is pushed forward for him to whisk away.]

May I request a drink? It'll be the last one for tonight.

[onoir]

[ "super serious". the turn of phrase is enough for him to mirror Ai's expression while he busies himself with preparations for his next drink. ]

Of course.

[ a slight bow of his head, and he tucks his sleeves further up along his forearm. ] What will it be?

[emotive]

I'd like... A Negroni!

[It's a strong drink, one that is quite unlike her.]

It was something Lien and I tried before. Um... [She lowers her voice to a whisper and raises her hand to cover her mouth to admit to Diarmuid.]

We weren't supposed to be drinking. We were too young at the time.