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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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[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.

[onoir]

[ 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?

[emotive]

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.

[onoir]

[ 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?

[emotive]

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.]

[onoir]

[ there are times when Diarmuid sees a bit of Lien in Ai. when she pauses between her words, and when she says something surprisingly detached despite whatever emotional baggage could and should be between the lines.

it's the nature of their semi-shared past, he knows. something they've both put some distance between.

still, he can't help but look somewhat curious as he mixes Ai's drink one last time, letting the clink of the ice fill in the silence. ]

A testament to your independence. [ first, the good stuff. ] ...Though, if I may—

—as your teacher, he could stand to show more interest in how you've grown.

[emotive]

You think so?

[Diarmuid's statement garners some measure of confused surprise from her. And then she shakes her head.]

It's not quite... Well, we were never familial in that way.

[They were all magi first, and trusted acquaintances based on dire life-or-death circumstances second. That's what he always said, if not outright, at least making it apparent throughout the rest of their remaining childhood.]

And it's not as if he doesn't acknowledge our accomplishments either. But since we're not pursuing the same path and want to go in our own direction, he's not inclined to spend his time convincing us to use our skills otherwise. Does that make sense?