towerofanimus | "Love Fool" Player Plot Log

"Love Fool" Player Plot Log

Characters: Diarmuid Ua Duibhne and anyone affected by his curse or who wants to get caught up in the chaos!
Setting: March 29th-April 4th. Anywhere in the tower during the beginning of the event, primarily in and around Room 4-16 later in the event.
Format: Any!
Summary: Instead of being mostly inactive, Diarmuid's curse starts being active most of the time and it's affecting both men and women! Chaos ensues! An OOC plotting and sign up post is here.
Warnings: Death, violence, blood, worms (X.x Kariya...), psychological torture, swearing, shenanigans of a romantic nature, and ANGST! I will update as it is needed!
Notes: Being affected by Diarmuid's curse requires a tag on his permissions post here so please make sure to stop by! If the log gets too big, I will make a second, overflow log and link it here. While most sections have dates on them, they are only references for the time of the week that the events are going on and not when the section is available for posting. All sections are open for posting just as soon as the log goes up and will stay open throughout the event.

Notice: The log is open! Have fun everyone and feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

Background Information:

One of Diarmuid's most defining traits is his curse, actually a gift given to him by a spirit of love, beauty, and youth as repayment for something he did for her. Unfortunately, while something like that might be an actual gift to a fellow spirit or god, giving it to a human doesn't work quite so well. Being a honorable man, though, Diarmuid has never taken advantage of those affected by his curse. Instead, he has done his best to let them down gently and guide them through the pain caused by it. Sometimes this has worked and sometimes it hasn't. In either event, he remembers vividly every person he's ever hurt because of it.

That approach works well until the woman who falls in love with him is his Lord's fiancee and a princess who won't take no for an answer. She places a geis on him that forces him to run away with her. Many things end that night and a great many more begin. At least, that's how the legends go.

In the tower, his curse has been weakened somewhat so that it is only rarely active. However, when it activates and for how long is random, and he doesn't know when it is happening until those affected start acting oddly toward him. Those so affected seem to remain that way for a week or two and often have some success controlling their reactions to him if they have a strong will or know that they are under the curse's spell.

Event Information:

During the event instead of activating only once and a while, Diarmuid's curse will almost constantly be active. It will also affect men and women meaning that almost everyone he runs into in the tower has the chance of being affected. He will not know this right away and will continue going about his normal patrol routes, meetings, and so on until he finally realizes what is going on. Once he does, he will start hiding in his room to limit the number of people affected. However, this won't work out so well because with him staying in one place, anyone who is under the curse's spell and trying to find him isn't going to have to look very hard.

Every day he will be spending at least a little time out of his room so that a character can be hit by the curse whenever they wish to be during the event. Anyone is welcome to have their character affected whether or not they actually have CR already with Diarmuid. This is actually a good time to start up CR if you have wanted to, but not been sure how since he will be checking in with people to make sure they are okay once the effects of the curse have passed. New players are also welcome!

How strongly and how long a character is affected by the curse is totally up to that character's mun. And remember, your character doesn't have to be affected by the curse to participate! Do they want to troll Diarmuid by acting like they are affected when they aren't? Do they want to slip him a gift or thank you but have been too shy to until they have the chance to do it under the guise of something else? Might they just be passing by Room 4-16 and get caught up in a fight? Do they have a friend who is affected and are trying to 'help' them out? Anything is possible and creativity is encouraged!

Below I have set up several locations and times to have things going on, but feel free to start something elsewhere if you wish! Private meetings between characters working together or other similar posts are welcome. Just be sure to mark what is going on. In an effort to try and keep everything to one log, I have made sub-headings for his Mailbox and for Network posts should characters wish to use those things as well to show their feelings. Because people are competing for his attention to the point of fighting in some cases, please be aware that I am encouraging threadjacking and sneaky tricks like stealing gifts out of his mailbox or from his room. If you want to make sure that a thread isn't interrupted by others or a gift stolen, please mark the thread's subject line with the word "Locked." Any thread marked in such a way should only have Diarmuid and the thread starter replying in it unless other arrangements have been made. All other threads are considered open for interruption, but please remember to be polite.

Important Note: To help keep things organized, please make sure to put either "Open" or "Locked" in the subject line of all newly started threads so that people know if it is okay to jump in or not. It is all right if you decide to change the status later in the thread--just adjust the comment title in the next post.

Diarmuid will not respond to threads that aren't marked until they are marked, and I would ask others not to either since once replied to, comments can't be edited. Once the thread is marked, it is fair game to be replied to.

During the end of the event players will find it harder to get into Diarmuid's room because the way will be blocked. Master Kariya Matou (

vermicompost ) will have ordered his Servant Berserker (

chevalier_mal_fet ) to guard the door. Far from what it looks like on the outside, both men aren't trying to help protect their friend from those affected. Instead, they have also been affected and are tying to keep away all other potential suitors! Can anyone say Boss Fight? Will those affected team up to take them down or maybe just sit back and let them take out a few rivals to thin the competition? It's all up to you guys and how nuts you want to get!

Important Note: When tagging the 'Boss Fight' section, in addition to marking your post "locked" or "open" in the subject line, please also state if your character is meeting Lancelot in his true form--which will mean having to deal with him in some way so your character can get through to the room--or in Diarmuid's form--which will mean he will greet your character and act like Diarmuid in an attempt to lead your character away from the room. Your character is free to be fooled or see through his deception as the thread progresses. Just be aware that Lancelot's mimic ability is high level and will take either knowing Diarmuid and his quirks well or having a lot of magical knowledge to see through.

Finally, while the tone for the event is mostly fun and humorous, if you want there can be more serious consequences. If any character is involved in a serious incident or dies because of something related to the event, please make sure you put a comment in this section with your character's name, journal, a quick blurb about what happened and, most importantly, if you want Diarmuid to know what happened. Obviously, because of his nature, he is going to want to contact anyone who is seriously impacted by or killed because of his curse.

That's it! Go forth and cause chaos! If there are questions or problems at any time, please feel free to contact me via pm though Diarmuid's journal (

oathshackledbird ) or on Plurk at

NekoSandy

IC Event Introducton:

The day starts off like any other for Diarmuid and for that he is glad. After all that had happened at the end of the month in February, quiet and routine days are something he is not going to argue against. Besides, with so many people who are from some version of the world he knows having arrived this month, he would really like them to have a chance to settle in before things get too chaotic again. There are those he would also like to spend as much time with as possible before anything else happens. So many people, himself included, need as much time as they can get to just sort out the things going on in their heads.

The problem is, will the tower give that time to them? Diarmuid knows each quiet day is one more step forward so that they can all be prepared for whatever the administrators throw at them next.

A small smile crosses his face as he takes off to make his first patrol of the tower. After that, he will probably have something to eat at the cafeteria, before taking some time to visit friends. Sometime before nightfall, he will make another patrol of the floors before retiring to his room for the night. It's a simple day and considering how quickly things can go bad in the tower when things get too complex, he's not bothered at all by that simplicity.

It's just a shame that he doesn't realize, as he leaves his room, that things won't stay simple for long. Not with his curse suddenly becoming active in a way it never has before...

Section Links:

Diarmuid's Mailbox #0091
Network Posts
Diarmuid's Room (4-16) on Mar 29th-Mar 31st
Outside of Diarmuid's room on Mar 29th-Mar 31st
Anywhere in the Tower on Mar 29th-Mar 31st
Diarmuid's Room (4-16) on April 1st-April 4th
Outside of Diarmuid's room on April 1st-4th
Anywhere in the Tower on April 1st-4th
Boss Encounter with Berserker on April 3rd-April 4th
Serious Incident/Death List

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's amazing to Diarmuid how quiet it is right now. After all the people who had been after him because of his curse, to have even this short amount of time with no one around is a blessing. In fact, he takes the time to grab a quick shower in hopes that it will help release some of the tension that has built up in him over the last few days.

So much for that. Every little sound in the bathrooms had made him jump even though he knew no one was there. But, it is done and now Diarmuid is sitting on his bed, drying his hair, in just his black slacks. His shirt is laying on the bed behind him, but he hasn't put it on yet because he doesn't want to soak the collar with his wet hair.

Honestly, if it stays this quiet maybe he will catch a quick nap...if he can. Sleeping in the bed he and his brother had shared for so long might be a stretch after what just happened, but he would try since they have to sleep in their rooms every so often or face death.

A rap on the door breaks the silence and, had it not be followed by a familiar voice, Diarmuid would have ignored it. However, of all the people in the tower, surly Sir Lancelot would not be affected, right? He knows well the feel of magic and they had talked not that long ago during a patrol. Nothing had seemed off then.

Diarmuid drops the towel around his neck and crosses the room to answer the door. At first, he peeks over the other man's shoulder to make sure there aren't any others lurking in wait, and then smiles at the other servant, beckoning him to come into the room.]

Good day, Sir Lancelot! What brings you by?

[Don't mind the wet, towel-tousled hair and missing shirt. They are both knights, after all. It's no big deal.]

[Ah, so it's like that. It's been at least a lifetime since the sight of any particular face could inspire in him this rush of tender longing. Lancelot stands in the doorway like an inexperienced suitor, taken aback by his own emotions-- and by the sight of Diarmuid ua Duibhne in a truly distracting state of undress.

This will never do. The hallway is well-traveled. Diarmuid shouldn't linger in his doorway in this state. Of course, the man is far too pure-hearted to think of what a temptation he might pose to the undeserving-- but Lancelot feels he would like to spare the man any amount of trouble or unease.
He himself is uneasy, but cannot tell why. Perhaps it is only for lack of this man's company.

He moves into the room, leaning ever so slightly into Diarmuid's space as he closes the door behind him. Unusually, he is smiling in a quietly intimate, rather unguarded fashion.]

I had merely thought to see you-- to hear how it is you are faring. I know you have been much tried of late, and our conversations in the halls can be rather brief, as we are usually each on some errand or other.

But I can see without your saying so that not all is well with you this day.
Tell me, Diarmuid ua Duibhne, what troubles you? I will do what I may to ease your heart's burden.

Indeed, I am very tired and the events of this week have not helped any.

[Diarmuid smiles at him, but the smile is strained and his eyes are exhausted. If Lancelot is acting more gentle than usual, Diarmuid seems too tired to notice. In fact, something very unusual for one called into the Lancer class happens as he turns to walk back toward the bed and motions for Lancelot to follow him because the bed is one of the very few places to sit in the room. He stumbles, seeming to lose his balance as if he's dizzy because he suddenly is. Without thinking, he reaches out for something to steady himself against. With Lancelot so close, not only does his hand make contact with the other servant, a good deal of his body does as well. Usually, he would pull away immediately, but doing that would only make the dizziness worse, so he just leans against Lancelot letting the dizziness pass.]

Sorry, just give me a moment if you would.

[The words a muttered in a voice that is suddenly much less steady than it was only a few moments before.]

I haven't been able to sleep in my room for a good many days and as you may know something about this place makes that a bad thing even for those who don't need to sleep.

Yes, I have run afoul of that principle myself. Here, I will aid you.

[It's an easy thing, for all the (rather nice) weight of Diarmuid's muscle, to fit his arm around the Lancer's waist and steady the man against him as he sees him to his bed and sits him upon it.
It feels natural to go to one knee before Diarmuid, removing one black glove before taking the man's hand in his own.

Lovely hand. Fine-boned and strong.]

It is clear you need rest. I do not mean to tax you with my presence, but I shall stay and watch over you, if you will allow it. Or name the disturbance that has kept you from sleep and I will see to banishing it.

Edited 2013-04-02 19:42 (UTC)

Ah...

[Diarmuid's face flushes red at Lancelot's kindness. Normally, he would have argued that all of this isn't necessary, but he knows better now. He knows that he is playing a dangerous game--that he can't keep ignoring the need to sleep.]

I am afraid there isn't much you can do to banish this threat, my friend, as its cause is my face and the curse that was placed upon it. During my first life, any woman who saw my face fell in love with me. In the tower for the most part, my curse has been inactive. However, it seems to be coming back to life now with a vengeance and is affecting both men and women.

[Diarmuid closes his eyes for a few moments pushing away the lingering dizziness he's feeling.]

They have done no wrong and I won't see them hurt, but it is so hard. There are so many of them. This quietness...it is probably the first quiet period that I have had since this started. On top of that, this room. It holds memories...and now pain. My brother...

[He pauses, a hand reaching out blindly behind him easily finding the pillow of the bed next to his. For a moment, his hand squeezes the pillow before pulling away almost as if it has been burned.

Diarmuid swallows hard, tears unknowingly wetting the corner of his eyes.]

Sorry, none of this is your problem. I shouldn't be bothering you like this.

[Lancelot knows the pain of thwarted lovers when he sets eyes upon it. So, it lies like this between Diarmuid and Cu Chulainn. He cannot find it within himself to fault either man-- they are well matched, certainly. But still, he feels a half-remembered pang, as of a burning within a badly healed wound.

Surely no Curse could bring this upon him. The weak-willed, possibly, but not one so well-used to Fae magics as Lancelot, Knight of the Lake.]

Your cares are mine, Diarmuid. I would not see you sorrow so.

[He raises his bared hand, brushing a tear from Diarmuid's cheek-- and feels a bit sick and dizzy himself, but it passes after a moment. There is something so terribly familiar about this scene.
Lancelot pauses a long moment before removing his hand from Diarmuid's face. Well, if it is not to be, then he can pour his heart into Service. Who could be more worthy than Diarmuid, who needs no spells or seals to bind him?]

Of course you have meant no wrong. Those who have fallen should understand that such a thing is not in your gentle nature.

I know not what has passed between you and your-- brother, but if it gives you pain, you need not speak of it. Or if you would speak, I will gladly listen.

[Unconsciously, Diarmuid leans into Lancelot's touch, his eyes fluttering open a moment before falling closed again. It's still hard for him to accept the physical comfort that his body so seems to crave that more and more often his body just acts without waiting for his permission. That is especially true now when he is so emotionally exhausted and in need of such comfort.]

There-there is nothing now. I will be lucky if he still lets me call him brother. I put too much on him. I always have. Ever since I arrived and found out that he was my childhood hero.

[It takes him a minute to start talking, but when he does the words just flow out as if they are afraid of stopping.]

He's my hero...even if he says he's not worthy. He will make everything all right. I was happy just to be his friend. I was thrilled when he said we could be brothers. It should have been enough, but ever since I got here people have told me to want more. To be more selfish.

[Tears freely flow from his eyes now.]

Slowly, I've come to realize there is only one thing I really want. I want someone to love me through their own free will. My wife never did. Even though we made it work, she spent all that time under the spell of my curse. She never really loved me.

But he...he was perfect. And when he started telling me how he felt, I didn't want to believe it was true. I thought there was no way my hero could really love me like that. It had to be a trick, but he insisted. And then....

[Diarmuid finally moves away from Lancelot and pulls a tear-stained note out of his nightstand, holding it out to the other servant.]

Why was I such a fool to believe? No one will ever love me of their own free will.

[Diarmuid collapses back onto the bed, burying his head in his hands.]

No one.

[The note he reads over quickly, his brow troubled. Plainly, to Lancelot's eyes, a lover's misunderstanding. Cu Chulainn obviously feels unworthy, as well he should, but he should not hurt Diarmuid by questioning the wisdom or quality of his feelings.

He returns the note to the table, raising his hand to thread his fingers through Diarmuid's hair afterwards.]

Say not so. One need not set eyes upon your face, nor be your Hero, to love you truly, Diarmuid. You reproach yourself when you have no fault. It is not selfish to want such a thing for yourself. You are no fool.

I am sure in time that this will be mended between you. Cu Chulainn loves you well, no matter his manner.

True love is a rare thing, Diarmuid. Its fate can seem as cruel to those with no curse upon them as it is to you. Indeed, those most worthy of love are seldom made happy by it.

[Lancelot rises to seat himself on the edge of Diarmuid's bed, resting a hand on the man's chest, above his heart.]

You are overtired. Be easy, I will watch while you sleep.

[Diarmuid starts to object. He doesn't deserve anything and so he shouldn't hope. He shouldn't bother Lancelot like this, but he is tired. Physically and mentally.

Honestly, it's those touches that do him in. Deep in his mind, something says this is wrong. Lancelot is a fellow servant and an honorable knight, but there is a line even knights don't cross. That line...probably was crossed a while ago.

But Diarmuid's craving contact. He needs the comfort and so he ignores what his brain is telling him and just lets the other man's words guide him.]

I...I would like some rest.

[He leans his head into the hand in his hair.]

Do you truly not mind staying here with me for a little while?

[He's not sure if he will be able to sleep. Not when just looking at his brother's bed stirs up the pain in his heart, but maybe having someone watching over him will help? Just like how his father had watched over him as a child?]

[Another voice, soft with sleep "Can you not stay, for only a little while?" and the afternoon had rained itself away while Gwen had napped at his side and he had gently lifted the book from her fingers before it could fall, and he had sat with her before the dying fire and watched the tide of her dreams move over her face.]

I will stay-- I will stay, where else should I wish to be? [He says, once more.]

[Ah. His memories bring pain with them always, but this-- it feels nearly fresh. He wills it away. Yes, surely this is where he wishes to be. He cannot think that there has ever been another place, another time. He will not.
It is a long moment before Lancelot speaks again. When he does, his voice is slightly rough. He softens his touch, cradling Diarmuid's head, fingers stroking the man's neck in a soothing motion.]

Rest. I will watch over you.

[Diarmuid is silent, enjoying the comforting touch for several moments before finally pulling away and looking up at Lancelot. He smiles and it is a rare real smile, though a tired one.]

Thank you. I know it is asking so much of you. Someday, I will repay you for your kindness.

[He bows his head slightly to the other servant and then climbs into bed. He doesn't really need the blankets, but he crawls under them anyway, pulling them tightly around himself. If he closes his eyes and tries hard enough, he can imagine they are the arms of a certain someone instead of just pieces of cloth.

Diarmuid is careful though, to stay turned away from his brother's side of the bed. If he looks at it, there is no way he will be able to keep up his illusion or sleep for that matter.

His eyes squeeze a little more tightly shut and he is quiet for a short time before speaking in a soft and tired voice.]

You can probably leave after I fall asleep. I should be okay. Thank you again.

[A novel thought. That it would be nice to lie quietly with a warm and familiar and beloved weight beside him. To lie together and to let all glamours and titles fall away.

What would it be like, to embrace-- after so long?

There had always been lovers, in his remembering. Always the outpouring of admiring affection, the demonstrations of desire. But only one lover, in all that time, who had let him serve as he wished. Worship and admiration he could have as a Knight, for noble deeds or feats of arms. She had never cared for those things. But had let him love her simply as a man, as himself. Let him serve and comfort her, not amaze and excite her continually as though he were a rare entertainment.

He thinks of embracing Diarmuid, of comfort given and received.
But that place belongs to another-- and so he remains upright, his hand resting over Diarmuid's on the counterpane.]

You have naught for which to thank me, Diarmuid. It is my pleasure, to sit with you so, to watch over you. Give your heart ease, much is mended by sleep.

Edited 2013-04-05 05:21 (UTC)

[Diarmuid smiles gently, opening tired eyes to look at Lancelot for a moment.]

Still, once this is all done and things settle down again, we should do something. Get together so that I can thank you. We can spar or even just talk for a while. It is something we should have done before now, honestly.

[Diarmuid shifts the hand that is under Lancelot's so that he can gently squeeze it, before drawing his hand away and tucking it under the blanket. He is reluctant to pull away, but he has a feeling that if he feels when Lancelot leaves because he is touching him, he will most likely wake up and that will defeat the purpose of this whole thing.

His eyes close and he's quiet for a long while before whispering sleepily.]

How interesting. Not long ago I sang while your master rested here. Now you sit by me while I rest...

Yes, we should have done. I would like that very much, Diarmuid.
[His voice is soft in reply, and he returns the press of Diarmuid's hand with his own-- then withdraws his hand all together.]

Did you sing for him, then? I would have liked that - to hear you singing.
But perhaps another time.

I will give you a song in my own way. I will let you hear a poem I have read, here in this place.

I went out to the hazel wood,
Because a fire was in my head,
And cut and peeled a hazel wand,
And hooked a berry to a thread;
And when white moths were on the wing,
And moth-like stars were flickering out,
I dropped the berry in a stream
And caught a little silver trout.

When I had laid it on the floor
I went to blow the fire aflame,
But something rustled on the floor,
And some one called me by my name:
It had become a glimmering girl
With apple blossom in her hair
Who called me by my name and ran
And faded through the brightening air.

Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lands and hilly lands,
I will find out where she has gone,
And kiss her lips and take her hands;
And walk among long dappled grass,
And pluck till time and times are done
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun.

[Lancelot watches for a long while afterwards, seated silently on the edge of Diarmuid's bed. After a time, when Diarmuid's breathing has truly deepened, Lancelot becomes the black fog of which he is made, and slips out of the room beneath the door.]

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"Love Fool" Player Plot Log

Open (This is a beautiful tag. Let me make things ever worse for poor Lancelot...)

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Alas, I have hurt my own feelings with these tags...

It is such beautiful pain...

(apologies to t.s. eliot)