Open Post

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.]

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.

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.

[ 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.

[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.]

[ 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.

[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?

[ 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 ]

[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!

[ 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.

[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?

Edited 2020-01-23 08:14 (UTC)

[ "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... ]

[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.

[ 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... ]

[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.]

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.

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.

[ 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. ]

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.

[ "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?

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.

[ a Negroni. he's made it a few times, which means he doesn't have to consult the great Cheat Sheet before sifting through the shelves.

bottles clink. he chooses an elaborate glass from his row of choices. ]

That's right— there are restrictions on drinking in this time and age. I'm inclined to forget. [ because... lol. ] Was it an act of rebelliousness on your part?

Sort of? Then again, I wouldn't have tried it if Lien didn't convince me to...

[Lien the enabler!!]

And we both ended up turning really red and talking loudly after we tried it. Our teacher scolded us for that.

[ LIEN... well, that's par for the course. Diarmuid half-snorts, and starts mixing his liquors together. ]

A reasonable reaction. [ the drink pours blood-red in cut glass, leaving ruby reflections on the countertop. ] What of your teacher now?

Well, you do know from experience that my sister and I are loud drunks.

[It was so long ago, but still fresh in the mind for her. Oh, he asks her of her teacher.]

Oh, him? Mm.

[She looks thoughtfully at the mixture he's making for her before answering.]

He's been engrossed in his own research for a while now. Before he used to be attentive, but I think now that Lien helped us be more financially independent, we're more of afterthoughts.

[Surprisingly blunt, but she doesn't sound bitter nor emotional about it.]

(no subject)

onoir - 2020-02-02 03:50 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

emotive - 2020-02-02 04:15 (UTC) - Expand