☿ // 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]

Yes, we can't constantly fight here. It is too much strain even for the strongest among us.

[Diarmuid nods, perhaps a little too hard at that.]

I guess that means we really have no choice but to adapt where we can. Speaking of that, though, I have a list of all the tower floors and their dangers and other important things about them. Would I be right in thinking you would like a copy?

[fionnuisce]

Ywah, that would help. I've been writing down mostly everything else I've been told, so that should be the last thing I'll need for now.

[oathshackledbird]

I will be glad to get a copy to you. I really would like to find a better way to get this information out to new arrivals, though. Unfortunately, the network is unreliable and a lot of people don't trust it at first anyway.

[Diarmuid knows he hadn't.]

But copying information by hand for over a hundred floors is no small task either.

[fionnuisce]

If we're able to make it common knowledge, that should be good enough. I'm glad you thought to keep a record of them, I doubt even I would have the patience for that.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid shakes his head.]

It's too much to become common knowledge. Maybe when the tower was only 50 floors, but now that it is over 100? And things change so fast. That is part of the reason I haven't really tried to post it before now. I swear I'm changing things or adding things all the time.

[fionnuisce]

No, you're right--I was being a little too optimistic. But you're doing your best, that's all I could ask for.

[He gave Diarmuid a slight smile.]

Thank you for working so hard.

[oathshackledbird]

I try.

[Diarmuid shrugs dismissively.]

Though, I have had to try less as I mentioned. I was overwhelming myself because there is so much to do. I really wish that people would stop fighting amongst each other and just focus on making things better for everyone.

[fionnuisce]

People are idiots.

[Blunt? A little.]

They're selfish, arrogant, and think the world revolves around them personally. That's no quality exclusive to magi, unfortunately, and there's nothing that can be done about it. It'll make our job harder, but we'll just have to find a way to live with it.

[oathshackledbird]

Yes, they are. I won't deny that. Still, it makes me angry even though it shouldn't since there is nothing I can do about it.

[He shakes his head and sighs.]

I feel so much anger now. I really don't like this.

[fionnuisce]

What's wrong with that? Anyone would be angry in a place like this. What you should worry about isn't 'I shouldn't be angry', but 'how can I control it?'.

[oathshackledbird]

But I don't know how to control it. That is the problem! It just builds until I do something stupid and get someone hurt.

[Anguish suddenly crosses his face.]

I don't understand these emotions!

[fionnuisce]

[Sighing, Waver abruptly stood up.]

Punch me.

[Yes, really.]

[oathshackledbird]

What?

[Diarmuid looks up with shocked eyes.]

No! I refuse. Why would I do such a thing? I would never hurt you!

[fionnuisce]

You're angry, you need some kind of outlet. I'm not saying sparring with a Servant is a good idea on my part, but it'll at least help you focus on something else.

[He moved into a fighting stance, still calm as ever.]

I wasn't kidding when I said I could take care of myself in a fight.

*pats* They are such wily critters, enter keys...

[oathshackledbird]

I don't doubt you! I...I just don't want to hurt you. I would never forgive myself. Please...

[He doesn't stand. Instead, he draws himself into a kneeling position, head bowed.]

I will just stay angry. I would rather that than risk hurting you.

[fionnuisce]

Diarmuid...

[Exasperated, Waver lowered his arms.]

I wouldn't get hurt--if you don't want to, fine. But at least stand up and look at me when you're talking to me.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid sighs, squeezing his eyes together.]

I'm sorry. I...I hate this! I really hate this!

[He rises to his feet, but he looks off to the side instead of at Waver.]

If I didn't know hate before, I do now. I am so tired of not understanding any of this. Yes, I need an outlet, but I don't know what. The monsters aren't enough. They just come back and that is frustrating in itself.

[fionnuisce]

It's alright, Diarmuid. [Waver stepped a little closer, lightly taking his former Servant's hand in an attempt at reassurance.]

We'll figure something out. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to help you.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid nods, his voice tight.]

I know...I know.

[He then looks up at Waver a little shyly.]

Will you show me what you can do still? I would like to see you fight, but if we spar I don't want to be striking at you in anger. I want to do it for fun and as a test of skill.

[fionnuisce]

[He smiled at that, squeezing Lancer's hand lightly before letting go.]

I'd be happy to. I can't really stand against Servants, but I know enough to take down your everyday magus. More often than not they don't really expect an opponent to fight hand-to hand.

[oathshackledbird]

No, they don't because that's not the way things are done. And even if they did stop to think about that, they would still need to get the idea through their heads that they CAN be defeated. So many believe themselves perfectly protected by their own magic.

[Diarmuid's lips press into a frown.]

That is why he got so badly hurt. He went in to take on Saber's master himself and underestimated the man's ability because he wasn't a 'proper' magus. And then he blamed me for staying to help Saber battle Caster. I wasn't even aware of what he was doing because he couldn't be bothered to tell me his plans!

[fionnuisce]

Don't think about it right now. He's not important.

[Waver shrugged off the unpleasant topic, again raising his hands and shifting to a fighting stance.]

Come on--it's not much, but let me show you what I'm capable of.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid grins slightly, all too glad to let those bad thoughts go. He then steps back to drop into a fighting stance of his own, but doesn't call his spear. There is no need for it here and from what he can tell Waver doesn't have and weapons on him besides his hands.]

All right, if you are so eager it would be terrible for me to deny you. Show me what you have learned.

[fionnuisce]

By all means, after you. I'd say the more experienced of us should start this, don't you think?

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid can't help but grin.]

Just remember you said that if I put you down before you have a chance to show me anything.

[He bows his head slightly, and then aims a punch toward Waver's jaw. The punch is just a distraction, though, for the leg sweep that will follow quickly after it unless Waver moves out of the way.]