Note: Things don't exactly work out when you try to fit three or more Servants in a story. So, Diarmuid shows up! Because I can't help but feel bad for how he goes in Fate/Zero. So there.

Sparkle 11: With a Lancer

The first time I found myself floating in my dreams, no one was at my side. It was all white, with no one around. All that was on me was my own hands and legs, and the flowing white dress on my person.

I wasn't expecting to have a companion the second time.

"…"

"Um."

The man opposing me kept staring. His ashen gold eyes were focused on me so much to the point I felt myself fidget. And that mole under his right eye, it felt different. It wasn't like Kei's mark that was under her left eye. This one felt cursed, in a way, and yet because of this being a dream and my own chakra coming up to combat it, I knew its power wasn't affecting me. The dark green armor and two lances in his hands though…

Was he a Servant? Like Saber?

"Hello?" I tried gently.

The man jolted, eyes widening before softening in my direction. It was as if the light had come back to his eyes in that moment alone once he focused on me. "Excuse me, milady," he said smoothly, bowing his head. "I was simply at a loss for words. I was not expecting to be called here."

"Well," I found myself giggling nervously into my hand. Don't tell me I had another Knight around, and in my dreams too. It took way too long to curb Saber's habits. "I guess that makes two of us? Because I usually go to sleep without any dreams. You're the first person I've seen here in a long time." In a very long time, actually, I thought, but didn't voice.

"I see," he said, raising his head to make eye contact again. Again, he was back to staring, and I found myself holding my breath. "You're… you're not affected, milady?"

"Um," my voice cracked from the confusion. By what? The spot on his face? "By your mole? No. And um, I know we just met, but you don't have to call me 'milady.' I'm just a civilian girl, so you don't have to drop that kind of title for me."

Those ashen-gold eyes widened again before a soft smile came over his lips. "I see," he said, and the hint of gratefulness was hard to miss in his voice. "I am humbled by your presence nonetheless, milady. Excuse the title, but I find it fitting. I must have good luck, for you are the first woman in a long while for myself to not be affected by this curse." He let go of one of his lances, rubbing the right side of his face with a forlorn expression. "It is something I cannot help."

Welp. Here was another set of unbridled issues bundled into the mold of a person. Had anyone given this person even a bit of respect without being manipulative? The visual implications already didn't look good. "If it helps anything, you seem really nice and I'm not aiming for anything, just a talk?"

The surprise was back in his eyes again before he laughed softly. "That would suffice, milady. Let me introduce myself." He put a hand to his chest while bowing his head. "Lancer-class Servant, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, first warrior of the Knights of Fionna. And you are?"

Whoa. Another Knight. And Fionna? Um. Politeness, please work with me, I don't want to offend him. Even if I don't know the legend where he came from.

I took a small breath and put on a small smile, taking a bit of my dress to curtsey in return. "Hoshino Tomoko, pianist of Nagareboshi Cafe and civilian friend to Team Minato. It's nice to meet you, um, Diarmuid-san?"

Diarmuid raised his head to blink at me. "Tomoko-sama, you do not have to use '-san' for a Knight such as myself. 'Lancer' or 'Diarmuid' is sufficient."

Er. "I-If you don't refer to me with '-sama' in return, Lancer?" I offered instead, heat flooding my face. "Because I'm not exactly a 'Master,' really." Aside from being with Saber, but let's not bring that up right now. A nervous laugh left me, because god, I was still not used to this. "I said it before. I'm just a civilian girl more than anything else, and I'd like to see you as an equal, not just a Servant."

"Oh," he said, and a small surprised laugh left him too as he put a hand to his chest, bowing slightly in acknowledgement. The sound reminded me of Papa's chuckling with how soft it was. "As you wish, Tomoko."

A warm feeling flooded my chest as the smile on my face grew. "Thank you, Lancer. Or is your real name okay?"

Diarmuid gave me a small smile in return as he straightened his back to stand tall like before. "Either is fine."

"D-Diarmuid it is! I-It just feels awkward saying, 'Lancer,' 'Lancer,' all the time." I don't even know when I raised my voice to a high-pitch, but once the words left my lips, I found myself covering my mouth. "N-Not that either name is a bad thing, but Diarmuid, your real name sounds nicer and I don't want to make you uncomfortable, really, you'refine, I'mjustbeingweird, soI'llshutup—"

Diarmuid blinked before raising a hand in the air towards me. "Tomoko." That same smile was on his face as he shook his head. "You do not have to get so excited. You are fine." He chuckled again, but this time, the sound seemed mournful. "Much better than my previous Masters, to be completely honest."

"Oh." I took a few steps towards him, already feeling the temptation to hug him. Why was it that the next Knight I had to meet had to look so sad? Better question. This was only the second Servant I was meeting, so then why did it seem like all Servants had their own issues that weren't resolved with proper therapy?!

Diarmuid sighed quietly to himself.

Instead of going with that previous train of thought, I asked gently, "Are you okay?"

"…Pardon?" There it was. The same shock that I originally saw in Saber's eyes was now in Diarmuid's, and he gaped at me. "Mila—Tomoko, why do you ask?"

Honesty it is. "Because you looked upset and I'm tempted to give you a hug?"

A pale pink covered his cheeks for a single moment before he shook his head. "I do not believe it is something that can easily be helped, milady." He lowered his head, not meeting my eyes anymore. "And excuse my rudeness, but I would like to refrain from physical contact."

Er. Hey. Excuse me, what was so rude about that? The simple fact that he had gone back to the "milady" title said everything. This person needed a nice and respectful talk. "Th-There's nothing wrong with that! I just wanted to ask!" I took a few steps back, shaking my head all the while. "And besides. We're together right now, here in…in…" I paused before going with it. "This white space dream thingie?"

Diarmuid gave me a single long look before turning away and snickering quietly to himself, covering his mouth with his hand in his best attempts to hide it.

Ha. I was getting better at having people laugh at my self-deprecating jokes! Yay!

"I know, I know, my language can be a bit weird, but hey!" I sat down onto the ground as best as I could, ignoring the white all around us before patting the spot next to me with my hand. "We can talk about whatever you'd like, Diarmuid. Because last I checked, we're not in a Contract as Master and Servant. We're just two people, stuck here, so let's pass the time?"

That did it. Finally, finally, he turned to meet my eyes, and those ash-gold irises flashed with something. "I may not have much to share, Tomoko."

He used my name. I smiled anyways. "I still would like to get to know you, Diarmuid. We have time. Let's just spend it in peace?"

Diarmuid continued to stare at me, in amazement or shock, I didn't know. Then, he nodded, striding forward to sit down next to me, putting his two lances to the side. "How about you lead, my lady?"

I pouted and found myself reaching over to pinch his nose. "Diarmuid. No 'lady' things, please. If you keep doing that, I'm gonna boop you."

"B-Boop?" he echoed, sounding a bit congested thanks to my blocking one airway of his. "What is this 'boop' you are referring to?"

I rolled my eyes and let go of his nose to instead poke the top of his head. We had a lot to talk about. "Boop. The art of poking your nose or forehead! The closest to physical contact I'll give until you feel okay with hugs!"

Diarmuid gave me that same wide-eyed look before chuckling softly under his breath. "Are you always so spontaneous?"

"Mm-hm! I'm a fool and a dork and I'm okay with that!" was the only loud proclamation I had to reply in haste. "It helps everyone relax, and I'm not any kind of ruler, so weeeeee!" I threw my hands up in the air too, just because. Happy juice? Having someone to talk to in my dreams without wanting to kill me? Maybe it was both!

Diarmuid chuckled again. "How silly." The smile on his face was unmistakable. "Nonetheless, go ahead, Tomoko."

I nodded eagerly, because yes, he was actually doing okay in social interactions and not going all Knight-ly on me! "Well, let's go on with what goes on!"

"What a strange saying. Nonetheless, that would be alright."

"Yay!"

If not for his saying no to physical contact, I wanted to hug him right there. Screw modesty, everyone needs a nice hug! Oh well.

Diarmuid looked like he needed respect, so I'd be damned to not give him that. He deserved it, and it was the least I could do.