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 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.]

Don't start thinking like that.Come hell or high water, you're not going to leave my side, right?

...I think we've got both 'hell' and 'high water' covered in one go at this point, but my point is I'm not letting you go anywhere.

Right, right, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that.

[Diarmuid reaches out and squeezes Waver's arm.]

You are stuck with me. I guess I was thinking more along the lines of experiments and me maybe not being able to help you for whatever reason. You know me. I like to be prepared.

I know you do. And you do it well, of course. I just prefer not to think of the worst-case scenario until it actually presents itself.

[Diarmuid smiles a little wryly.]

So much of my life has been worst case scenarios. Unfortunately, I guess that makes me prone to thinking about them more easily than most.

[He pauses a moment, his smile becoming more real.]

But lets forget that dreary stuff for now. Did you want to go hunting for materials? Honestly, though, it might be best to see if this passes before trying to do any work. The water could easily ruin anything we find.

I'm used to the worst case myself, but these days I like to at least imagine things could turn out for the best.

[Shrug.] If you think they'll be safe without them for now, we don't need to do anything about it right away.

I think so. I would just like to find a way to dry them before storing them.

[He sighs, running a hand through his wet hair.]

I have no idea if I can find anything dry in this place, though, or if they will fit in the sauna lockers now that I think of it. They are nicely sized, but they are not weapon sized. I may just have to carry them with me and try to do what I can...

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[closed] // rule the battlefield

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