[closed] // rule the battlefield

[fionnuisce]

Characters: Lancer, Other Lancer, and Waver.
Setting: Floor 93 and outside room 4-16
Format: Action if no one objects?
Summary: After monster hunting for a while, Waver properly meets his friend's roommate.
Warnings: Fighting, dumbasses, and fighting dumbasses.

[floor ninety-three]
[It seemed the safest choice as far as terrain went. No sand to provide an unstable foothold, no crystal or any other sort of ground for one to slip around on. Aside from the rain, it seemed the most harmless of floors in a monster-infested tower.]

Now I usually can't stand resorting to this in a fight when it's not necessary. But since you asked to see what I can do, I suppose a small measure of showing off is acceptable.

[He glanced over at Diarmuid with a smirk, the makeshift mercury umbrella quickly shifting as if called to attention by his next words.]

Automatoportum defensio: Dilectus incursio. [Shifting into a fighting stance, Waver seemed oddly at ease for someone moments from a fight to the death against untold horrors.] Now...let's get started, shall we?

[outside room 4-16]

[After quite a bit of fighting and having returned his Mystic Code to the vial he kept it in, Waver walked along beside Diarmuid back to the latter's dormitory room. The ponytailed magus seemed in fairly high spirits, having no concept of the blue-haired trouble incarnate they were about to walk straight into.]

Comments

Floor 93

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid likes this floor for monster hunting because it's just one straight hallway and very little chance of anything sneaking up on him. That doesn't mean he still won't be closely watching their backs, but that does mean he can spend just a little bit more time watching Waver work with his mystic code.

He returns Waver's smirk with one of his own, the swords Waver had just given him still in his hands. This would be a perfect time to test them out after all.

Once he's done letting the magus show off, that is.]

By all means. There is no need to keep them waiting...

[fionnuisce]

Of course not. That would just be impolite.

[The water had drawn out quite the gathering of blue ChuChus; luckily he knew it was easier to cut them to pieces rather than waste time with blunt physical strikes. They seemed largely ineffective in combat. Waver had already evaluated them as difficult to see before mounting a proper attack, not to mention fast.]

Scalp!

[But they didn't call mercury 'quicksilver' for nothing. His strikes were quick and efficient; a whiplike bladed attack aimed at one, a few quick punches to daze another that came too close.]

[Waver didn't necessarily like fighting. He'd never killed anyone, and he never planned to. But on the other hand, the excitement of matching one's strength against an enemy was one he couldn't quite deny.]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid laughs as he watches Waver work. How impressive! Maybe now he can see why Kayneth had felt so well protected by it...

Or maybe Waver had just improved upon it that much. Who knew?

A flash of movement catches Diarmuid's eye and he dashes after it, putting the swords in his hands to good use to quickly dispatch the monster. The cuts might not be quite as clean as he would like, but they would be shortly just as soon as he gets used to the swords' individual personalities.]

Can you just imagine how much damage sending both that and a servant out at the same time would cause?

[There is a delighted twinkle in his eyes. He has no doubt that he could easily dodge the weapon's strikes if they got too close, though with Waver controlling it, he really doesn't think that will happen.]

How fast do you think we could clear a whole floor?

[fionnuisce]

I can move pretty quickly, and I like to be efficient when I fight.

[Waver shrugged, directing his Mystic Code to cut a few more down. At this rate, he noted with some disappointment, nothing would get close enough to activate his defenses.]

So I'd give it no time at all, really.

[oathshackledbird]

If you expect me to complain about that, I think you will find yourself disappointed.

[Diarmuid laughs again as he returns to Waver's side. He pauses, though, when he notices the bit of disappointment in his eyes.]

Is something wrong?

[fionnuisce]

Hm, it's nothing. Bit childish, really--I was expecting more of a challenge.

[oathshackledbird]

Ah...I take it there is something you haven't gotten to show me yet? Shall I step back and let you take the field completely?

[Though, even allowing that, Diarmuid wonders if Waver will be able to show off as much as he likes against such weak monsters.

Diarmuid is about to mention perhaps finding another floor, but stops when he notices movement near the floor's end. A group of four Orcs has just appeared. While completely mad for the most part, they are intelligent enough to use swords and bows, even if they seem rather distracted by the rain currently.]

What of them? Might they provide the challenge you seek?

[fionnuisce]

Hm, I wonder...four against two, it's a bit risky, isn't it?

[He wasn't stupid enough to take reckless chances. but on the other hand, for all their tricks the monsters of this tower didn't quite seem a threat to a Servant or even a magus.]

But on the other hand, what reason have we to hesitate?

[oathshackledbird]

None.

[Diarmuid flashes him a confident grin.]

These beasts as fearsome as they look, are quite mad. They have little intelligence. Just enough to wield simple weapons like swords and bows. I don't fear them even in packs. Look at how they are distracted by the rain just because it is out of the ordinary. If you are quick, you might be able to take out the front two before they even realize we are here.

[fionnuisce]

That's my brilliant strategist.

[Waver sounded playful but proud all the same, smirking confidently.]

Scalp.

[What front two?]

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid blushes at the praise, dropping into position to dash out toward the remaining two orcs--one of which is bellowing and drawing a sword while the other is pulling a bow. He pauses, though, not sure if Waver actually wants him to attack.]

Do you wish me to attack or are you still showing off?

[He grins, though his eyes are locked on the monsters at the end of the hall.]

[fionnuisce]

How about a compromise--you take the one with the sword? Might not be smart for me to punch an archer in the face, but I can handle long-range fighting.

[oathshackledbird]

As you wish!

[Diarmuid grins at Waver and then is down the hallway in a flash to meet the sword wielder. While it wouldn't be that hard for him to just take the monster out, he plays with it a little, eyes half on Waver to make sure he is all right...

...and to make sure he doesn't miss anything impressive. After all, what fun is showing off when no one is watching and isn't this suppose to be a chance for the magus to show off a little?]

Outside Room 4-16

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid is also in high spirits as he walks. Not only had he been impressed at seeing how well the mystic code worked--and secretly relieved that his friend had something so powerful to protect him when Diarmuid himself couldn't be there--but also because the swords Waver had made for him had worked very well. It had taken only a short time for him to get used to their weights, and after that, it had been just like the old days.

Okay, not quite. Neither of the swords have the magical enchantments that the originals had, but that is okay with Diarmuid. Especially, since he will be using them to help teach Ryoji.

And those charms had been nothing to mess around with.

As they near his room, a familiar blue-haired man catches Diarmuid's eye. He reaches out to nudge Waver, and then points, before calling out to his roommate.]

Brother! Do you have a moment?

[Don't mind the fact that Diarmuid is grinning like a child right now. He's still very excited about being able to call his hero that.]

Re: Outside Room 4-16

[puppy_lancer]

[Lancer, meanwhile, is far more dour than his roommate for a change. His mementos from home were far less water-resistant than Diarmuid's are. Fortunately, he had managed to fish Misaya's pictures and Diarmuid's paper puppies out of his trunk before they could get too water logged. So now he has them wrapped up in foil usually used to cover food.]

[But being able to hear his brother's voice again cheers him up.]

Mm? Yeah, Bro?

[He too is grinning like a child. Or, well, even more like a child then he usually is.]

[fionnuisce]

Hm--this must be the roommate you've told me about, isn't it?

[Waver crossed his arms, amused that the two got along so easily. It was odd to imagine Diarmuid relaxing enough to make friends in a place like this, but a relief to know he had.]

Waver Velvet. We spoke over the network, I believe.

[oathshackledbird]

He is. Cu Chulainn, this is Waver Velvet, the elder. And cooler, but don't tell other other one I said that, okay?

[Little Waver hadn't made him a pair of swords that looked so much like his old ones, after all.]

And Waver, this is my brother, Cu Chulainn.

[He doesn't add anything more, though the look in his eyes screams, "I can't believe I can say that."]

[puppy_lancer]

[He chuckles a little at Diarmuid's joke. Waver looks almost exactly like the adult Waver from January's experiment...only a little more dignified.]

Like he said. I'm Cu Chulain, Diarmuid's roommate and brother. And yeah, we spoke over the network.

[He walks a little closer to Waver and Diarmuid.]

Hey, Bro, why didn't you tell me about this earlier? I would've gone to congratulate your new Master.

[Unlike Diarmuid, the words come naturally to Cu Chulainn. Probably because he never thought of Diarmuid as a childhood hero.]

...Or did you drag him all the way here so you can introduce him to me?

[fionnuisce]

Pleasure to meet you properly, then.

[Waver snickered at their remarks, though he actually seemed a bit embarrassed by Diarmuid's praise.]

Congratulate? I should hardly think a mere lecturer worthy of praise and congratulations from two great heroes.

[oathshackledbird]

Ah...yes, I'm sorry. I just never thought about it I guess.

[A little of his excitement fades into embarrassment at his oversight.]

And he's not my master here. We're friends...

[He looks to Waver.]

Right? You said you would rather be that. It is more important...

[Ah...there is that part of him that still needs a master acting up again. Diarmuid shuts his eyes and pushes it away, smile returning to his face.]

And if not congratulations, then you are definitely deserving of praise! You survived dealing with me, didn't you?

[puppy_lancer]

Even if he had no skill, I'd need to congratulate him on his luck. He got you for a Servant, Brother.

[He looks at Diarmuid, and then turns back to Waver. Friend, huh? Well, the more of those his brother had, the better. Especially a seemingly practical person like Waver.]

So yeah, congratulations, Waver. You're lucky.

[fionnuisce]

I'm whatever you want me to be, Diarmuid. [A shrug.] If you want me to act as a Master, I can do that. I'd still treat you like an equal rather than a weapon.

[Casually, he turned back to the other Lancer.]

Of course I'm lucky. I drew the best card of all seven.

[oathshackledbird]

[Diarmuid turns bright red and looks away from them both.]

I-I'm not that great! Really! Just think of all the mistakes I've made! You both could tell each other such things...

[His voice trails off and he looks back up at them, paling, when he realizes what he just said.]

Don't! Please don't!

[puppy_lancer]

...It wasn't just the card. It was the hero. You picked a good hero.

[Cu Chulainn's expression is soft...until he sees Diarmuid paling.]

[He gives a barking laugh in response. Then, he walks close to Diarmuid and places a hand on the other Lancer's shoulder.]

If you've made mistakes, then I've made even more. And in a shorter period of time, too.

[After all, Cu Chulainn had lived, at most, for thirty years.]

[fionnuisce]

Heh--relax, Diarmuid. I've been a walking catastrophe myself. You don't have anything to be nervous about.