[RL with Lancer - first date.]

[unknownrival]

Issei was nervous. He didn't remember being this nervous since his first date with Haruto, years ago. He was fidgeting for reasons other than the mild cold as he waited outside his temple gates.

What was he going to do? He had only a vague idea of what to do and what if Diarmuid didn't like any of his plans? What if he made him upset?

He didn't want to ruin their friendship. Not at all.

Issei let out a sigh. "He should be here soon... I'll have to stop panicking by then."

Comments

[croibhristeoir]

"We will just have to live with each thinking the other is wrong."

[unknownrival]

"Unfortunately, it's beginning to look that way."

[croibhristeoir]

"Such a shame."

[unknownrival]

"...I think I'm covering the bill tonight. Remind me to get the waiter's attention the next time he passes."

[croibhristeoir]

"O-oh, right."

What is having money again?

"If there is anything I could possibly do to repay you..."

[unknownrival]

"Really, Diarmuid, don't think anything of it. I invited you out, the money is nothing."

[croibhristeoir]

"Very well, if you are certain of that."

[unknownrival]

"I promise. -Ah, there's our waiter."

One meal successfully paid for, Issei was leading Diarmuid out of the restaurant. Night had fallen, and it was a clear evening.

[croibhristeoir]

Diarmuid remained quiet as usual, following half a step or two behind Issei. He was a little more accustomed to Fuyuki at night, considering how much of a tactical misstep it was for a Servant to be seen outside in daylight.

[unknownrival]

They stopped in the middle of a grassy field, far enough from the lights of the city that the stars could clearly be seen.

"This looks comfy enough to stargaze, don't you think?"

[croibhristeoir]

Y...yes, that sounds like a good idea.

[unknownrival]

Smiling, Issei patted down a sufficiently soft space for him to lay on.

"Come sit with me."

[croibhristeoir]

Lancer sat down beside him, smiling a little awkwardly.

[unknownrival]

Issei snuggled up so that he could rest his head against Lancer's side.

"Did you ever learn the names of the constellations? Well, I suppose they'd be different now."

[croibhristeoir]

"I never really learned many of them, no."

[unknownrival]

"That's too bad. It makes stargazing a bit more fun when you have something to look for."

[croibhristeoir]

"I only knew their placement to help with navigation." he admitted, looking at the sky. "Though obviously they look completely different from here."

[unknownrival]

"I've never had to sail..." Issei pointed upwards to a possibly familiar set of stars. "That one is Ursa Major, and the set of stars shaped like a handle is the Big Dipper."

[croibhristeoir]

Diarmuid didn't say anything just yet, listening attentively as Issei spoke.

[unknownrival]

"Near Ursa Major is another set of stars, appropriately named Ursa Minor. As I recall, the story of those two in Greek myth goes that Zeus pursued a woman named Callisto, and his jealous wife Hera turned her into a bear. Later Callisto encountered her son while he was out hunting..."

Issei picked out the constellations he recognized and explained the stories he remembered.

[croibhristeoir]

"You know quite a lot about this." he remarked at last, sounding impressed.

[unknownrival]

"I study religion and philosophy, but mythology is a secondary passion," Issei answered with a small smile.

[croibhristeoir]

"You seem quite clever, I think."

[unknownrival]

"If I do well enough to be praised by you, I'm doing marvelously."

[croibhristeoir]

"I am flattered that you think so."