☿ // point zero

[fionnuisce]

Characters: Waver and open!
Format: I'll try to match.
Summary: Professor Charisma does some exploring. And science. Magic science. i have no self control so wow this got up quick
Warnings: None yet.

[dorm room 3-10]

[Sleep paralysis on its own was enough to put him on edge. Was this some kind of ill-conceived attack with magecraft? No, that wasn't likely--if it was and his would-be opponent had an ounce of sense in their heads, he'd be dead already. In the moments it took him to properly regain his senses, Waver ran through a list of hypothetical causes for this problem...each as unlikely as the last.]

[Finally, he was able to sit up and brush long, disheveled black hair from his face. Now that it occurred to him, Waver couldn't even remember having fallen asleep to begin with. Hadn't he only just been leaving a lecture hall in the Clock Tower? If he'd fainted, this didn't seem like any infirmary they had to his knowledge. As he considered the matter, Waver idly trailed a hand to the back of his own neck and froze. Though the collar's presence disturbed him, he could figure that out later. What caused him to halt in place wasn't the presence of something foreign, but the absence of something familiar.]

That's not possible. It's gone, how the hell can it possibly-- [He muttered under his breath for a second, double checking to be sure whatever it was (likely a necklace of some kind, from how he was acting) had actually gone missing.]

[One might find him shortly after that, rummaging through his trunk with some very determined sense of urgency.]

[floor eighty-one]

[Standing before the windows and looking skyward was one unfazed lecturer in a dark green suit, black hair tied in a long ponytail and sunglasses resting on top of his head. In his hands are a pen and small notebook, and every few minutes he pauses to take something down in chickenscratch handwriting.]

[floor twenty-five]

[Here, said ponytailed and sunglasses-wearing individual seems to be doing something a little strange. Namely, something with a case full of glass vials and liquids that might scream 'mad scientist'.]

[Or 'alchemist', if one knew better.]

[Whatever method he was using, Waver seemed to be analyzing a few specific flowers in the meadow, presumably to determine whether they were magical or supernatural in origin.]

[Judging by the frustrated look on his face? They're probably not.]

[floor three]

[A library; the natural habitat of clever people, especially this one in particular. He examined the shelves with a critical look, a small pile of books on the table nearby. Whatever he's actually looking for, it doesn't seem he's able to find it. He adjusted the sunglasses on his head as though doing so was some odd habit, scowling in faint aggravation.]

[anywhere else]

[Of course, anyone doing this much exploring is bound to run into monsters. Maybe he's on his own, or maybe he stopped to defend someone else. Whatever the case, he shifted into a fighting stance as though it were second nature and immediately moved to take down the enemy before him with swift, precise strikes.]

[When the monster had been taken down and the danger was momentarily avoided, Waver straightened up and did little more than dust off his dark green suit with a completely unfazed look.]

[Yeah. Totally a thing that happens every day, right?]

Comments

[oathshackledbird]

N-no!

[He's not ignoring Waver's other words so much as he is letting them go for now. If he speaks about how good they make him feel--how they make him feel a confidence he hasn't felt in a long long time--he just might start crying.]

It's just... What do you mean they were mine? Why would I wear such a thing?

[fionnuisce]

Well, you were uneasy about going into Fuyuki in broad daylight normally, so I found these to cover up that mark of yours. They're sure as hell not Mystic Eye Killers, but it seemed like they worked alright.

[oathshackledbird]

Really? Something so simple worked?

[He reaches out almost as if he wants to touch them, but stops himself short.]

I never would have thought of that. Not when so many tried and failed in my day to find a way to deal with it. I don't know how they do it, but here in the tower it is inactive most of the time, though it does activate randomly and without me being able to tell it has until those affected start acting strangely.

[fionnuisce]

[He took them off and held them out, sounding casual.] We were pretty careful--I wouldn't push it, but they worked as a quick temporary fix. You can have them back if you want them.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid shakes his head, his smile gentle.]

Thank you, but I have the feeling they are worth more to you than me. If the tower wishes my curse to act as it does, it will probably do so with or without the glasses. Otherwise, why let me keep any of its power at all? I have been luck so far. It has only affected two people and they both were able to overcome it in a short amount of time. I have always thought will to have something to do with how strongly a person is affected and from what I have seen here, that is most certainly the case.

[fionnuisce]

Really, that's all? That isn't too bad. [Sounding pleased, Waver put the glasses back on his head--maybe he did look kind of stupid, but whatever.]

I'm glad to hear that much hasn't been too bad for you.

[oathshackledbird]

Yes, I have been lucky in that respect. And others...

[A happy, almost childish look crosses his face.]

Did I ever tell you about my childhood hero? The person who inspired me to become the hero I did?

[fionnuisce]

That's...Cu Chulainn, right? I think we talked about that once.

[oathshackledbird]

Yes, he's here. A version of him anyway. He's even my roommate. I'm not sure how that happened.

[Diarmuid laughs, shaking his head.]

He's not exactly what I expected or what the stories said, but he is still a good man even if he is not doing so well right now.

[Some of the joy disappears off of his face.]

The same random thing that sent Rider home several months ago sent Cu Chulainn's master away from here just about a week ago. He keeps saying that he failed her even when he had no control over the situation. I wish I knew better how to help him.

[Diarmuid looks away with a nervous laugh, as if he has just realized something.]

Wow...that probably sounds familiar to you, right? Someone blaming themselves for something that isn't their fault. Is that a Lancer class skill I'm just not aware of?

[fionnuisce]

Heh...you know, at this rate it just might be. Probably comes packaged with the miserable luck.

[Giving the most reassuring smile he could manage, Waver put a hand on Lancer's shoulder.]

It's good to see you again, Diarmuid.

[oathshackledbird]

And I am glad I have been given the chance to meet you. Truly, I am. I don't know if I can ever express how much comfort your words have brought me.

[He bows his head slightly, not out of shame or any negative feeling, but out of respect.]

I'm sure this goes without saying, but if there is anything I can do for you here, you just need to ask me. I'm in room 4-16 if you need to find me. Often, I'll be out patrolling the floors since I can move through them so quickly, but since I've been trying to sort my head out, I've been taking some time away from that and spending a lot of it in my room or here in the meadow.

[fionnuisce]

Mine's 3-10, I think. But listen, I want to work with you. I'll probably slow you down...so you don't have to accept. And you sure as hell don't have to call me your Master or anything. I'm not worthless in a fight anymore, and if you're patrolling on your own I want to help.

...Actually, I just want to help in general. I really don't like the idea of you this conflicted and upset.

[oathshackledbird]

I would be honored to have you work with me. Somehow, I doubt you were ever worthless. I didn't know the younger you, but the version I knew, even when he was scared, he stood by Rider. He might not have been able to fight, but he was there supporting his servant anyway. And that is true bravery.

If you are willing to stand by me like he stood by Rider, I have every confidence I will eventually become myself again. I think part of the reason I have become so conflicted is because I didn't realize fully what this place was doing to me. Now that I realize there is a problem, I just need people to be there and hit me upside the head when I start being too foolish again.

[He grins at Waver.]

As long as you are willing to do that, I will be glad to have you with me. Well, I'll be glad even if you aren't willing to do that, but I have the feeling you will have no problem setting me straight when I need it.

[fionnuisce]

I'll stand by you through anything, no matter what it takes. And if shoving you back on the right track is what you need, I'll do it.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid laughs and when he finishes a genuine smile crosses his face.]

Thank you. What do you plan to do now? Do you wish me to leave you to finish your work? I just came from training a friend of mine so I'm not planning on patrolling anytime soon. I was actually just going to stop by here and relax a little.

[fionnuisce]

I think I'm basically done here, really--it doesn't look like I'll find anything. Would you mind if I stayed around here for a while, though?

[oathshackledbird]

Not at all. It's a nice place. A lot of people find comfort here. I could answer some more questions for you or we just just sit and enjoy the floor. There are far too few places like it in this place.

[Honestly, he doesn't care what they do. Diarmuid's just happy Waver wants to spend time with him.]

[fionnuisce]

Doesn't matter to me. ...I usually wouldn't say something this sentimental, but it's been so damn long since I last saw you that I'm hesitant to leave.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid laughs and pulls Waver over to sit near where his equipment is.]

I promise I will tell no one. How about I tell you about the boy I'm training? We met under...interesting circumstances.

[fionnuisce]

Sure, if you want to. What's he like?

[oathshackledbird]

Honestly? You would probably say he is far too much like me, though I would say he has a reason to be unsure of himself. Ryoji is actually the host of a being named Nyx who job is to bring death to a world when its people deep down start wishing for death.

[Diarmuid pauses to shake his head.]

Usually she sleeping inside of him, but during the aging experiment she woke up and was desperately trying to achieve her goal in the tower. Of course, no one can die permanently here so she was becoming very frustrated. I met her one night when she was out trying to tempt people into death and I was out looking for trouble.

[Shame passes across his eyes before vanishing.]

Later, I met her again, but she had changed some. She seemed willing to try and understand humans instead of just killing them. I don't know why, but once the experiment ended, Ryoji was very ashamed of what had happened.

[He laughs a little nervously.]

We both met when we were making apologies to those we hurt during the experiment, and I've been watching over him since then. He mentioned that he's felt a little useless lately since in his normal form he can't fight. I've trained so many that it was only natural for me to offer. Besides, I've missed training people. I've missed it a lot.

Unfortunately, I'm a little limited on what I can teach him right now. What I really need is a pair of swords, but the only way to get those here is to make them. I may know many things, but weapon-making is not one of those things. Trial and error is a slow way to work, but it is the best I can do right now.

[fionnuisce]

...That's...something. Can't say I know what, but it's something alright.

[Waver really didn't have much of an assessment past that. Something named for a goddess out to rain death upon the world? Spoke for itself in its absurdity, really.]

As for swords...I think I can manage something. Nothing fantastic, but it shouldn't be hard to make some patchwork weaponry.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid spreads his hands in a helpless gesture.]

Yes, it is something. A terrible burden for him if nothing else. I feel bad for him. It is why I am trying to help him so much.

[His expression changes to surprise when Waver mentions the weapons.]

Really? You can do that? I didn't realize that magi were taught weapon-making. I would be very grateful for any help that you could give. I've actually been trying to make another weapon ever since I arrived here and learned that there are floors and monsters who can take away your powers. And, of course, the administrators can take them too at any time. Since my weapon is summoned, I have always assumed I would be unable to call it in a case where my powers are suppressed. I can fight without it, but it never hurts to have a back up.

Besides, I would like to be able to duel-wield again. I don't mind just having one spear, but I am used to having both. I do miss having Gae Buidhe.

[fionnuisce]

It's not really a standard skill, as far as I know, but it might not be too difficult. I'm used to working with metal by now, so I'm sure I can figure something out. But it'll probably take a lot of trial and error.

...Wait, you don't have both of them? What happened?

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid laughs.]

Well, if we are all doing trial and error together, I'm sure one of us will eventually get something right. Why have you worked with metal so much? Is it common to use it with magic?

[Diarmuid's eyes drop to the side for a moment. He takes a breath before looking back at Waver. He had been proud of his actions that night. Only Kayneth had thought them less than that, and as Waver has said, what do Kayneth's words mean?]

Shortly before I...left the war, we had to fight Caster on the river. As we fought it became obvious that we couldn't defeat him as we were and if we didn't do something, thousands of innocents were going to die. Rider took Caster into his Noble Phantasm to buy us time, but we couldn't think of anything until we were told that Saber had an ability that could defeat him. She just couldn't use it because earlier in the war I fought with her and wounded her arm with Gae Buidhe. All that was standing between us and defeating him was my spear.

[Diarmuid pauses and shrugs his shoulders.]

There was really no question in my mind what had to be done. I destroyed my spear so that she could defeat Caster before he could hurt anymore innocent people. I never regretted the decision. As you can imagine, though my master was not so pleased with me. Of course, things went bad rather quickly after that, so I guess he didn't have to be angry long, at least.