towerofanimus | [closed] // rule the battlefield

Entry tags:

[closed] // rule the battlefield

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.]

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I know. I know.

[Diarmuid's voice is so soft it's almost lost in the sound of the rain.]

I suppose that is why I feel like I can actually say these things to you as opposed to just keeping them inside. You might be the first person I have been able to say all of that too. I have told parts to others, but...

[He should pull away now. After all, not long ago he had stood like this with Sola-Ui and almost hurt her because he let himself give into his pain and lost track of what he was doing.

But he can't do it. He needs the contact and the comfort too much right now. He just...needs...]

How do I become more selfish? How do I learn to accept that it's okay that I want things? If I could just do that...

...I'm not sure, Diarmuid. I've always been pretty selfish--in fact I'm pretty sure I had to learn this particular lesson in reverse.

I guess...start with something small. If I said you could ask any one thing of me right now, what would it be?

But you've already done so much for me! I shouldn't...

[Diarmuid cuts himself off knowing that saying what he shouldn't do isn't going to help this. After a moment, he lets his head drop down near Waver's so that the other man and only him can hear his next words.]

Please...don't leave me alone. I-I know I told you I would be okay staying here if everyone else got to go home, but I wasn't completely honest with you. I-I would stay, but...I would be terrified. I don't want to be alone. I'm so afraid of being tossed away again. So many people have used me and told me they valued me and then they just...have gotten rid of me...

[Fionn had claimed to forgive him and then had let him die. Kayneth had put so much effort into summoning him and then had traded him away as soon as a better offer had arrived. At this point, he is just waiting for it to happen again. He knows it's just a matter of time...]

I won't.

[Waver spoke quietly, only just able to stop his own voice from shaking.]

No matter what it takes, I'll tear the rules of this world apart so we can go home together. I've always been alone...so I know how much it can hurt. But you have to promise me--swear to me, Diarmuid, you'll never leave my side again. Your memory was enough for me to live with the past ten years, but if I lost you again, I...I'm not sure how the hell I'd recover from that.

I will. If you take me back with you, you will never be able to get rid of me. Even if you tell me to leave...I will just say no.

[He smiles, just slightly. Somehow, hearing those words have already put him so much more at ease. He has no idea if he will actually be able to go back with Waver, but it is something to work toward. A goal.

One of his very own. Not someone else's. His.]

I am working hard to learn how to do that, you know. I'm not very good yet, but I'm practicing. Do you want to try it out?

We can do absolutely anything you want, my friend.

[Lancer laughs and finally steps away from Waver, though he doesn't pull his hands completely free of the other man's grip yet.]

Wait... Now how am I suppose to practice saying no if you tell me we can do whatever I want? You should be asking if I want to go build a shrine to Kayneth or some other equally horrid idea.

I guess I could tell you to slap me in the face or something.

Yes, that would work.

[He grins at Waver.]

With the additional bonus of me asking you if you had lost your mind. Though, it would be hard for me to slap you anyway with you holding onto my hands so tight.

[Diarmuid's expression softens.]

Thank you. I think I'm okay now. I'm sorry I kind of put a damper on our little hunting trip.

Don't apologize, you've done nothing wrong.

[He finally let go of Diarmuid's hand, only to place one on his shoulder instead.]

You shouldn't hesitate to tell me if you're unhappy--there's no shame in simply being human. I'm the last person that's going to think less of you for it.

And you have to tell me when I screw up or say something wrong. We're on equal ground, so you're allowed to correct me like that. Got it?

Yes, I will do my best. Please, don't be angry if it takes me a little bit. None of this...is easy for me.

[Diarmuid is quiet a bit before smiling a little wryly at him.]

Unless you have some special secrets you learned from your Diarmuid you can tell me about to make things easier? I am not opposed to tips and tricks...

Oh, I don't get angry. Much. Certainly not at you, at least.

[Waver crossed his arms, thinking it over for a moment.]

I don't really know about tricks, exactly. I think in the end what worked for me was just learning some patience and listening whenever you finally decided to talk. I wish I could say with any certainty how I got you to act a little more normal around me, but...I really don't know.

Oh, really? Not ever at me?

So does having the patience of a saint comes as the result of dealing with me then? I'm not sure how exactly to feel about that.

[Diarmuid laughs and shakes his head.]

I don't know how I have managed not to anger you so far, but for that I am glad. I really will do my best to not be so trying for you this time around. It's hardly fair you have to go through it twice after all.

That, my dear knight, is a punishment I will happily accept if it means I'm able to deal with you at all.

[Diarmuid rubs at the back of his head.]

Honestly, I would rather you not have to ever suffer because of me, but you seem bound and determined not to be rid of me, so what can I do? It's almost like you like me or something...

[He takes a moment to look around them, before looking back at Waver.]

Did you want to find some more monsters to show off on? I know I kind of ruined the mood, so if you don't want to it's okay. I don't know if I want to let these stay wet all that long either.

[Diarmuid motions to the swords in his hands as a distraction to the slight troubled look in his eyes. He's trying not to feel sorry since Waver said things were okay, but he does still feel bad about his outburst.]

People suffer. That's just how life is, whether we like it or not. I'd rather suffer and have you at my side than suffer alone.

[Waver shrugged, calm and indifferent.]

We should look into finding some kind of materials to make sheaths, don't you think? I wasn't sure what would have been ideal.

Yes, I suppose you are right. I would suffer anything to stay by your side as well.

[Diarmuid pauses, then, looking the blades in his hands over.]

Some leather or good hides would worth the best for making sheaths with, though I don't know how much of that would be in the tower. Do you happen to remember seeing anything like that when you were working in the workshop? There is also the sewing floor now, but I hear none of the material is all that good. Somehow I doubt we will find what we need there.

I'm afraid I don't recall seeing too much in the way of leather, but we can always check.

That would probably be our best bet. While we might not find leather, perhaps we will find a similar material. As long as it is sturdy like leather and shares traits similar to leather, I think it will work just as well.

[He pauses a moment, in thought, and then adds.]

If not, there are plenty of animals here who could be hunted for their hides and most of those could be made into passable leather. It might take a while, but I could do it. It would be no problem.

...Would you show me how? I can't imagine hunting to be difficult in concept, but as I've never had the chance to do it myself I'm likely to screw it up.

Of course, I would be glad to. I can also point out some of the added risk that hunting the creatures in this place has. Some animals look really normal, but are anything but. Besides, there are times when the food is very limited or even completely cut off in this place. That is part of the reason I'm trying to learn more about modern cooking. It is just one more way to help others.

I'll teach you what I can about cooking...though I'm no great and talented chef. My country's food is known for being more or less tasteless, I'm afraid.

[Diarmuid tilts his head at Waver and grins.]

Think about where I am from. My taste isn't going to be much better. Honestly, I would just cook over a fire and be happy, but I know not many people would really like that idea.

If it's any consolation, I'd certainly appreciate it.

I just hope you don't regret that.

[Diarmuid laughs and then turns more serious.]

Honestly? I am happy teaching you whatever I can to help you take care of yourself. You know...just in case something happens to me.

[While he hates to think about that, people leave here suddenly all the time or find themselves unable to do what they normally do because of an experiment. The more he can do to help those he cares about take care of themselves or help others do so, the more at ease he will be.]

[closed] // rule the battlefield

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