towerofanimus | I Don't Think That's How...

Entry tags:

I Don't Think That's How...

Characters: Zero Lancer and whoever would like to join!
Setting: Starting in room 4-16, then heading to the cafeteria, and from there floor six.
Format: Whatever you would like!
Summary: Zero Lancer wakes up in a strange place and tries to figure out what's going on.
Warnings: Spoilers for Lancer's end in the series.

Room 4-16

[The moment he is able to move from the strange paralysis that has gripped him upon waking, Lancer's hand sweeps out to grab one of the two letters his eyes spot on the table near his bed. While the time he's been unable to move has been brief, for a trained warrior in a unfamiliar place, that time has still seemed like an eternity.

An eternity trapped in mystery. An eternity not knowing if his master...]

Right, my master...

[The word drips with an anger unusual to him as his empty hand rises to rest over his heart--over the place where there should have been a gaping hole from the spear he had been forced to drive through his own chest.

The wound is no longer there.]

What is going on? How can this be?

[Lancer's eyes focus back on the letter in his hand and he quickly opens it. After only a few moments, the letter floats onto his bed. Dropped in surprise? Shock? He's not really sure what to call the feeling that tears through his heart. Shock he had felt when he had been betrayed by the master he'd given everything to. Surprise he had felt when he realized, in those final moments, how angry it had made him.

The emotion he feels now that he has been told that his world is dead and he is still alive instead of it being the other way around is something he can't put a name to. And while he doesn't know what to call that emotion, he does know he can't just keep sitting on the bed in this strange place wondering what's going on.

Lancer quickly rises to his feet and summons his armor and spear to his side. The summoning is as natural to him as breathing and he never once doubts that they will come when called. He does, however, notice that while the white outfit had woke up in is now gone, the collar is still there. It's an annoyance, but something he can deal with later once he's gotten some answers.

He's about to leave his room when the trunk at the end of his bed catches his eye. He's not quite sure why, but he gets the feeling he should really look into it before leaving. If the letters had held information, then why not the trunk as well?

Anyone who happens by 4-16 and looks or stops in may find him still kneeling in front of the now opened trunk. Asking about what looks to be the tears in the corners of his eyes may or may not be a good idea.]

The Cafeteria

[While servants technically don't have to eat, since Lancer has no idea how things work in this strange place, he is currently eating a bowl of very tasteless oatmeal. Not that it really bothers him considering some of the things he had eaten while in the Fianna and on the run from Fionn. Tasteless actually is an improvement from what some of those things had tasted like.

To be honest, he's not here for the food anyway. Since the cafeteria was mentioned in the letter, it only stands to reason that a good number of people would be there--new and old alike. And that does seem to be the case, so the servant in green sits at one of the cafeteria tables slowly making his way through his own bowl, his head bowed over it almost as if he's shy. While he's not really shy, he is somewhat worried about his curse and how it will affect the people here. So far, though, no one seems to be having troubles with it leading him to hope that it's not active. Those who take the time to look into his eyes will find that, far from looking shy, they are observing the room and its occupants with an intensity that only those who have fought many many a battle can achieve.]

Floor Six

[After learning all he can in the cafeteria, Lancer decides to slowly start making his way back up the tower so that he can find out what secrets each floor holds. Already he's heard tell that many of the floors are dangerous and even deadly to those who make a misstep on them, but this floor seems far too peaceful for that. He takes a few steps away from the stairway, but doesn't go too far, keeping in mind the things he had overheard from others. How some floors look completely safe, only to become deathtraps in the blink of an eye.

Movement to his left draws Lancer's attention, but he smiles when he notices it's just a deer. A...mutated deer, but a deer just the same. In all honesty, it's not the strangest thing he's seen. He grew up in a world of oddities after all.

The deer watches him for a few moments longer before disappearing back into the forest. As it disappears, Lancer closes his eyes and draws in a deep breath. Maybe it is just because of what he found in his trunk, but this forest with all its oddities makes him feel strangely at home.

Unconsciously, his hand raises to touch the torc that sits tightly around his neck slightly above the collar. He could have worn it lower as he had when it had first been given to him, but no. Lancer can't stand the idea of the gift Oscar had spent so much time finding for him being hidden by that thing...that annoyance he still hasn't found a way to be rid of.

And so he stands there, lost in thought. Thoughts of the old days, of his old friends, things supposedly on a world that might or might not have been destroyed. He still isn't sure what he believes. He just knows that at least here he has these small things, these memories.

He didn't have any of that in the war...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I wouldn't know. I never had the chance to try modern food during my war. Still, it probably wouldn't hurt to go ahead and get the oatmeal taken care of if it's required. Besides, if all new people need to do this, then it will be a good place to meet and talk to others.

The Network? Oh yes, that is the computer system that one of the letters mentioned. I...I really don't have much interest in learning a system like that. What could I learn there, that I can't learn just talking to someone? Hiding behind a screen seems wrong somehow. Too much like what they seem to like doing.

However, I would like to know how they manage to control us as they do from so far away. I suspect these probably have a lot to do with it.

[Lancer pulls lightly at the collar around his neck.]

Is there anything you can tell me about these?

It's good for mass communication. Questions, advice, or even invitations.

[Hell, Cu Chulainn himself had used it a few times.]

Nope. Just that they probably have something to do with our souls and that we need to get them checked on certain days. Also, don't bother talking to anyone who has a clear or a red one. Those are drones. They only listen to the admins.

Perhaps, sometime then... For now, I think I will stick to talking to people face to face.

It's good to know about the red and clear collars. Do you know if there is any difference between the...drones, did you say?...who wear red vs clear?

[Lancer wrinkles his nose slightly.]

I don't like the idea of someone messing with my soul, copy that it may be. It's still one of the few things that is mine. That and my name. Speaking of names, it's not probably going to work to have both of us going around calling ourselves Lancer. I don't know the status of your war so I won't ask you to use a name other than Lancer, but for me, my war is over so...

[Lancer bows to his new roommate.]

I'm Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, First Warrior of the Fianna.

Red ones are used to fight. Clear ones just go around doing everyday jobs, I think.

[Lancer gives a bitter smile to his roommate. If only they had met earlier. Then, he would have been more free with his identity. But he has a Master now.]

Thanks. Sorry I can't return the favor for now, but it wouldn't be fair if I got to use the class name and you didn't. So, how about you call me...

[He actually has to take some time to consider this.]

Connal.

[Nowhere near his real name. It's actually the name of his cousin. But hey, it put them on equal footing.]

Still, it's a neat thing to meet a guy with such a fancy title.

The pleasure is mine.

[Lancer inclines his head slightly as a thank you for the name.]

That's not necessary, but I appreciate it all the same. Feel free to use the title as much as you need to. I realize that most servants will probably think that I'm crazy giving out my name so easily, but that is their choice. The war means nothing to me now. I can only hope that my honesty will put them at ease and help them better understand that I am not their enemy.

I don't think that my title is something all that special. I'm certainly no Cu Chulainn, but the Fianna were the best fighters in Ireland. I was honored to have the chance to fight with them.

Nothing, huh? You aren't found of the Grail either?

[He cocks his head, mildly interested by the mention of his own name.]

You know about Cu Chulainn?

It holds nothing for me. Indeed, my wish could have been granted without it if it hadn't been the thing my master desired.

[Lancer blushes slightly and rubs at the back of his neck.]

He was my childhood hero. I grew up hearing his stories from my father. I wouldn't have become the knight I am had it not been for him. I suppose that all sounds pretty stupid to you. A hero looking up to another hero so much.

Edited 2013-01-07 03:06 (UTC)

[He gives an amused chuckle. On the inside, he's beaming with pride and tempted to just bare his identity so he can soak up the compliments for a little bit. But then he has to remind himself that he still has a Master to protect. He'll just settle for ribbing this guy a little.]

Well, that depends on how good of a hero you are. I'm sure the hero in question wouldn't mind if his fan was pretty awesome in his own right! And nobody else would tease you about it if they were too busy respecting you. Now, if you weren't a good knight and hero...then it might be stupid.

[Lancer's eyes darken and his face saddens a little, though he tries to hide it behind false cheer.]

Yes, of course. I-I would never do anything to dishonor his memory!

[But he had...or at least, he certainly hadn't become a knight who should brag about even being from the same homeland as the Hound of Culann let alone being inspired by him.

Cu Chulainn hadn't betrayed his master, after all. Hadn't stolen what was to be his.

Hadn't been a failure.]

[If Lancer knew what was going on in the other Lancer's head, he would beg to differ. While he had done everything for Misaya's sake, there is still the fact that he made a Contract with another Master to kill Misaya's remains. Even now, that is the Master he serves. He had failed Misaya, betrayed her even. This is why he tries so hard with Ayaka.]

Really now...

[He takes a quick whiff of the air.]

Well, you do have an honest scent. But what have you been doing to honor his memory?

Not enough...

[Even though he is being honest, Lancer finds himself half turning away from his roommate and running his hand through his hair nervously. He is so proud to have such a man as his hero, yet he's worried someday someone will look at who he is and flat out say that he's an insult to his hero's name.]

I really should stop telling people that. I never became a knight good enough to share any kind of mention with him. This...

[His hand brushes across the mole under his eye.]

...kind of screwed things up for me. I tried, but I guess trying isn't always enough.

[Lancer raises an eyebrow.]

What? Girls didn't like a man with blemishes on his face?

[Lancer tilts his head slightly, a strange look that seems to be a cross between a grimace and a laugh on his face.]

Sadly, no, the opposite in fact. You see, my face is cursed. Any woman who sees it falls in love with me. I'm actually a little worried about how it is doing to affect people here. I suppose it would be too much to hope that it just isn't working. Not when even the most magically talented men of my time couldn't find a way to remove it.

[He laughs and claps the other Lancer on the shoulder.]

Oh? Then sounds like you had a lot of fun with the ladies!

[Lancer's eyes flash with a sudden anger.]

It's not a laughing matter! As a matter of fact, I did not have a lot of fun with the ladies. It was quite the opposite. I caused a good many people no end of grief. My friends, the Fianna, my Master...

[It takes him a few seconds to understand why the other Lancer is reacting this way, but when he does, his expression falls.]

...Sometimes, being too popular sucks.

[There is a question hanging on the tip of his tongue. That is, would they really go so far as to begrudge a knight they fought alongside one woman? Even if they should have realized his curse? But he cannot say it because he knows of how jealous he would have gotten over his own wife.]

Sorry.

Don't be. It's not like it's your fault.

[He turns away and takes a few steps from the other man before speaking again in a less harsh voice.]

I'm not looking for pity if that's what you are thinking. I just want you to understand since you seem familiar with his legend. I...wanted to be someone he would have been proud to know. Someone who could carry his legend on as in my own. He's so important to my people...my history.

I failed...so badly. I just should stop saying it.

[He can't say how proud he is for getting to know the other Lancer, but he knows that this other Lancer is an okay guy, one who he could probably like as a friend.]

It's...it's not like he didn't fail, you know. Sometimes even heroes set out to do something and fall flat on their faces. Doesn't happen all the time, but every once in a rare while it does.

[Lancer looks back at him over his shoulder. There is gratitude in his eyes, but also a fair bit of sadness.]

Thank you, but you don't understand and I don't wish to bore you with the story of my failures. It might just be best to say that his failures would be the greatest of successes with compared to mine.

[He turns away again and his voice softens.]

Really his failures aren't even in the same league as mine.

[And here is where Lancer can no longer take it and bursts out laughing.]

Oh come on, are they really that terrible? The things you brought about with your own hands, and not just the things that happened to you?

[Lancer's eyes narrow angrily again.]

I never got to bring anything about with my own hands. Instead I was forced to betray my master and run from those who had been my friends. Happy?

[He pauses for a moment after his outburst and then adds so softly it's almost inaudible.]

I suppose there are my children, but if they accomplished any great deeds, I doubt I had much to do with it. I wasn't able to be with them long enough to be much of an influence.

Then how can you call those failures your failures? How can you call them failures to begin with? If you never chose to take the actions that led you down that path, then you didn't fail. It's not like, oh, say, letting your Master die because you were too busy having your own fun to save them!

[Plus, his children outlived him. Just that was something better than the Hound had ever experienced.]

Cu Chulainn failed, but it was his own fault and no one else's.

[The other man's anger does nothing but feed his own, though Lancer is still clear headed enough to wonder why that is.]

You don't understand so stop talking like you....

[He stops suddenly as something clicks over in his head. Somehow realizing what the other man has just implied makes him even angrier and his eyes narrow into slits.]

Did you let your master die because you were to busy screwing around? What kind of servant...no, what kind of hero, are you?

Yeah, that's what makes me a failed Servant.

[A bitter smile.]

I though I could save her, but I was too slow.

[He's getting better with saying this. Part of Lancer is disgusted with himself, even if this is just part of moving on.]

[The admission is like someone placing a calming balm over Lancer's anger and a small smile crosses his face.]

Then we will be failed together. May we both do better this time.

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