towerofanimus | ☿ // point zero

Entry tags:

☿ // point zero

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?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.]

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.

[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.

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

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.

...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.

[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.

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?

Edited (ENTER KEYYYYYYYY) 2013-03-08 01:42 (UTC)

[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.

Not usually, no. It's...complicated. I'm not sure I should really tell you the whole thing right now. [How exactly would Diarmuid react to knowing who he was and what title he answered to now? Waver seemed uneasy at the idea, but shrugged that aside and listened carefully.]

So that's what happened? You almost had me worried it was something serious. Sounds like you did the right thing as far as I can tell.

I will leave that up to you. We have time. Though, I hope you know nothing you say will make me think less of you.

[Diarmuid smiles gently, hoping to comfort the unease he notices surface in Waver.]

It was the right thing. Everyone thought so, except for him of course. He was furious with me, but I suppose it doesn't matter now. It would have been nice if the tower had returned Gae Buidhe to me, but it did not. It did, however, return a piece of metal from its shaft to me. I suppose that is better than nothing.

...You must really hate him, huh? I wouldn't blame you; it took me years to stop giving a damn about the kind of things he said or what kind of person he was.

[Waver still seemed uncomfortable, perhaps even more so at that smile. He couldn't really lie even though omission to someone that had only ever shown him honest loyalty.]

Are you really certain of that? Nothing I could say at all would change your mind, no matter how unbelievable?

I don't know if I hate him or not. I don't know if you will believe me when I say it, but I never knew true hate or rage until that moment when he made me turn my weapon on myself. Now, I am still not familiar enough with the feelings to always know when I am feeling them. I don't like him. Why don't we leave it at that? If he ever comes here, I want nothing to do with him. If he thinks I will be his servant ever again, he is dead wrong.

[Diarmuid puts a comforting hand on Waver's arm.]

Did any of the things I told you change how you thought of me? Why would I treat you any differently than you have treated me?

...Because I'm the one who inherited his title. His Mystic Code, his teaching position, all of it. How am I supposed to guess just how much you really do hate everything he was associated with? Even I don't like it.

[His words seemed slightly rushed; he spoke quickly as though trying to prevent hesitating or losing his nerve.]

I'm not Kayneth by a longshot. But the truth is that I am the second Lord El-Melloi. There's really no way around that. If you don't want to be anywhere near me knowing that, it's fine; as long as it's what you really want.

[Diarmuid is quiet for several moments before breaking out into laughter. Once he finally calms himself, he shakes his head and smiles widely.]

And you said it I made things sound bad! Why would I hate you for inheriting his things? I am pleased that the power found its way into hands that would actually use it the way it should be used! Oh...he would be angry to know it all came to you of all people. Sometimes Fate does do right it seems.

[He laughs again.]

We are both such idiots. How did we ever manage to do anything in the war?

... [Waver managed a hesitant smile before laughing himself--it was stupid to have been so concerned, but where Kayneth was a touchy subject he'd still felt uneasy.]

I wish I knew. Freak accident, probably?

Probably.

[Diarmuid smiles and rubs Waver's arm in hopes of pushing away the last of the other man's unease.]

Look, it is...Kayneth...I hate not the things connected to him. That would just be foolish. They didn't ask for him anymore than I did.

[It is so hard for Diarmuid to say the man's name. It's a sure sign of how much Kayneth's actions still affect him no matter now much he wishes to deny it.]

What things you were working on before you were brought here? How were you using the title and the power it carries?

...I'm a lecturer at the Clock Tower. I've spent the last ten years researching; teaching myself to fight, trying to improve my own magecraft.

[Waver shrugged as though it was really not much to write home about.]

Actually, I've been planning a few things for a while now. I want to change that world that values blood heritage over everything else, convince them that such things are irrelevant, and break down everything that people like him stand for.

[He suddenly looked very serious as he spoke, carrying himself a little straighter and with a measure of determined pride.]

And...I want to destroy the Holy Grail.

Edited 2013-03-08 04:37 (UTC)

[Diarmuid nods as Waver speaks. To hear that Waver wants to change these things makes him very proud of the man. It is a large task and one that will take time, but he has every faith that Waver can do it.

He can't help but be stunned by Waver's last statement, though. Not because he disagrees with it, but because he never thought he would hear of a magus who wanted to do such a thing. He didn't even think someone as mold breaking Waver would want to do such a thing.]

Can you do that? Can you really do that? Really stop others from being hurt and used like I have been? Like so many other servants have?

I don't know. Even if I pull it off--and odds are I'll need help from someone like Tohsaka--I'm probably risking a Sealing Designation. Even so, I'm not just going to leave things as they are. If I'm able to stop anyone else from suffering or dying needlessly, it's a risk I'm willing to take.

...I don't like the system of Masters and Servants. Magi summon great heroes and legends into a position where they're expected to be subservient? Even with Command Spells, it's suicidal. Servant and Master should be able to stand on equal ground, since one can't exist in a war without the other.

The two of us...we got as far as we did because we weren't arguing every single step of the way. And I know I'm not like other magi, so I can't imagine how many Servants and Masters conflicted and suffered, or even died stupidly.

I don't want that to happen anymore, Diarmuid. No wish on even an uncorrupted Grail is worth it.

I am so proud of you. If more magi were like you--understood like you do--things would be so different. Heroes wouldn't mind helping out. But now? Just imagine if servants knew going into a Grail War how things would end for them. It would be chaos. Who would want to fight and die for a wish they won't even be allowed to remember unless they find a way to stay in the world and not return to the Throne after the war ends?

[Diarmuid pauses, a sad look entering his eyes.]

Is it true then? That the Grail was corrupt even during the time of the 4th War?

[He'd heard about the Grail being corrupt, of course, but there had always been part of him that held out hope that maybe it wasn't universally true, that what they had fought and died for hadn't been a lie.]

[Waver opened his mouth to reply, but for a moment nothing came out. Diarmuid was...proud of him? Everything he was, everything he'd tried to be was something he'd become in the vain hope he'd be able to hear those words again. Of course Waver's actions were for the sake of what he thought was right as well, but...all the same, he'd hoped what was 'right' by his perspective were the actions of one Diarmuid could have truly taken pride in him for.]

I...yes, I...think so.

[Fumbling for a moment or two, Waver quickly latched on to the second matter at hand.]

The night the war ended, I saw what looked like Archer's Noble Phantasm being activated, but there was something else. Some kind of thing I'm not even sure how to describe, and it was that thing more than Archer that seemed like it would burn Fuyuki to the ground. Luckily it didn't spread that far, but...as impossible as it seems, I'm almost certain that was something created from the Grail itself.

[A gentle smile crosses Diarmuid's face. It's a little odd to be smiling so much with how unsettled he's been lately, but he doesn't mind. He has a feeling that now that Waver is here, he will be doing it a lot more often.]

Just remember that I don't lie about these kinds of things. If I say I am proud, then I am.

[And he is sure that the Diarmuid Waver had known would feel the exact same way.

Waver's next words make him far less happy, though and he has to take in a deep breath before speaking.]

So unless the winner's wish was to destroy that much of the city through those means-which I highly doubt--something must have been wrong.

...I had really hoped what I learned here wasn't true. That everything we had been fighting for wasn't a lie. Did they know? Did the magi know and still put us through all of that pain and suffering just on the off chance they could still get their wish somehow?

I seriously doubt it. I didn't know, and past assumptions and guesswork I'm still not entirely positive that it's true. And even if magi don't exactly shy away from bloodshed, I'm not sure they would all be scrambling for something that could kill them as well as anyone else.

I doubt this is going to help, but I don't think it was all for nothing. Ultimately, maybe it didn't mean much to most of the Servants, but...I know it was worth something. Even if it was some tiny, nearly invisibly small 'something'.

At least, not something that would draw so much attention to themselves, right? I guess I can't argue with you on that point.

[Though, he's still not sure if he believes that no one knew the Grail was corrupt. It is just a matter of why they didn't tell everyone else.]

And you are right. I forget the small things sometimes with how many big things are going on.

[He grins at Waver.]

Though, I don't know if you are such a small thing anymore. You are taller than I am now.

[It's only a couple of inches, but still...]

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